El Observador December 15th, 2023. by Angelica Rossi

VOLUME 44 ISSUE 50 | WWW.EL-OBSERVADOR.COM | DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

COVER: PACO ROJAS PHOTO CREDIT: FREEPIK

OPINION

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INICIATIVA DE REPUBLICANOS AFECTARÍA A INMIGRANTES QUE BUSCAN ASILO 1042 West Hedding St. Suite 250 San Jose, CA 95126

PUBLISHER Angelica Rossi angelica@el-observador. com PUBLISHER EMERITUS Hilbert Morales hmorales@el-observador. com ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Angelica Rossi angelica@el-observador. com ADVERTISING SALES JOB & RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING Justin Rossi justin@el-observador.com MANAGING EDITOR Arturo Hilario arturo@el-observador.com spanish.editor@el-observador. com CONTRIBUTORS Justin Rossi Mario Jimenez Hector Curriel OP-ED Arturo Hilario Arturo@el-observador ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES AND LEGAL NOTICES Angelica Rossi frontdesk@el-observador. com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Francisco Rojas fcorojas@el-observador. com ABOUT US El Observador was founded in 1980 to serve the informational needs of the Hispanic community in the San Francisco Bay Area with special focus on San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted or reproduced by any form or by any means, this includes photo copying, recording or by any informational storage and retrevial systems, electronic or mechanical without express written consent of the publishers. Opinions expressed in El Observador by persons submitting articles are not necessarily the opinions of the publishers.

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DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

REPUBLICAN INITIATIVE WOULD AFFECT IMMIGRANTS SEEKING ASYLUM

ESPAÑOL

ENGLISH

José López Zamorano La Red Hispana

which would stop funding the asylum process for hundreds of thousands of migrants a year, in addition to cutting entry permits through the process of parole, that is, humanitarian conditional release.

i los planes de los republicanos del Congreso se materializan antes de fin de año, la comunidad de migrantes recibirá uno de los más desagradables “regalos” navideños de la historia reciente. Se trata de la iniciativa de ley HR 5283, que ha sido utilizada por los republicanos como punta de lanza en sus negociaciones a puertas cerradas con los demócratas, como condición para liberar el paquete de ayuda de emergencia a Ucrania, Israel y Taiwán. Rechazada por decenas de organizaciones comunitarias, la iniciativa prohíbe el uso de fondos federales para refugios temporales, con lo cual se dejaría de financiar el proceso de asilo para cientos de miles de migrantes al año, además de recortar los permisos de entrada a través del proceso de “parole”, es decir, libertad condicional humanitaria. Que los republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes y del Senado deseen endurecer la política migratoria no es noticia. Después de todo, se trata del mismo partido que nunca alzó la voz ante las crueles políticas de la era Trump, como la separación de niños migrantes de sus padres en la frontera. Cientos siguen sin poder reencontrarse con sus madres. Lo que sorprende es que, ante la incapacidad de lograr aprobar la crucial ayuda a Ucrania, en un momento crítico de la guerra con Rusia, el presidente Joe Biden pareció doblar las manos. “Estoy dispuesto a hacer concesiones importantes en la frontera. Necesitamos arreglar el sistema fronterizo roto”, indicó. Que Biden ceda ante las presiones de los republicanos tampoco es nuevo. Como senador por Delaware se acostumbró a convertir a la política en el arte de lo posible. En un ambiente de polarización, alguien tiene que doblar las manos. En este caso, parece que será el presidente de los Estados Unidos, a fin de rescatar la ayuda a Ucrania. Pero hacerlo sobre las espaldas de los seres más vulnerables de la sociedad, los migrantes que buscan asilo, me parece un despropósito. La buena noticia es que un creciente número de legisladores demócratas, incluidos miembros del Caucus Hispano y senadores veteranos como Alex Padilla, Bob Menéndez, Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Tim Kaine y otros, no parecen estar dispuestos a que Biden se vaya por la libre. “Utilizar un paquete de gastos para promulgar estos cambios políticos permanentes que no están relacionados, crea un precedente peligroso y arriesga la asistencia a nuestros socios internacionales”, le advirtieron en una carta 10 senadores demócratas. “Si la expectativa es que vamos a ceder en relación con un programa futuro de libertad condicional humanitaria, eso no va a ocurrir”, acotó por separado el senador Kaine. Nada está escrito sobre piedra en las negociaciones presupuestales. Nada está acordado hasta que todo está acordado. Y la velada amenaza de los demócratas es una señal de que una propuesta migratoria dura y radical tendrá dificultades de ser aprobada en el Senado.

El presidente Joe Biden y el presidente ucraniano Volodymyr Zelenskyy caminan por la columnata occidental de la Casa Blanca, el jueves 21 de septiembre de 2023, hasta la Oficina Oval. Photo Credit: Foto oficial de la Casa Blanca / Adam Schultz

Enhorabuena por el sistema de pesos y contrapesos de la democracia de Estados Unidos. Lamentablemente seguimos presenciando el espectáculo de una clase política disfuncional que sigue poniéndole “curitas” a un paciente (el sistema migratorio) en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. O todavía peor, prescribiendo una píldora venenosa y no un remedio eficaz. Si a usted le preocupa el estado de cosas en los Estados Unidos en relación con este y otros temas, llame o escriba a su representante de distrito o su senador, y dígales lo que piensa. En el caso del presidente, esa opinión se escuchará con el voto hispano en noviembre próximo.

José López Zamorano La Red Hispana

f congressional Republicans' plans come to fruition before the end of the year, the migrant community will receive one of the most unpleasant Christmas “gifts” in recent history.

This is the bill HR 5283, which has been used by Republicans as a spearhead in their closed-door negotiations with Democrats, as a condition for releasing the emergency aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Rejected by dozens of community organizations, the initiative prohibits the use of federal funds for temporary shelters,

That Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate want to toughen immigration policy is not breaking news. After all, this is the same party that never spoke out against the cruel policies of the Trump era, such as the separation of migrant children from their parents at the border. Hundreds of children are still unable to reunite with their mothers. What is surprising is that, faced with the inability to approve crucial aid to Ukraine, at a critical moment in the war with Russia, President Joe Biden seemed to fold his hands. “I am willing to make important concessions on the border. We need to fix the broken border system,” he said. That Biden gives in to pressure from Republicans is also not new. As a senator from Delaware he became accustomed to turning politics into the art of the possible. In a polarizing environment, someone has to fold their hands. In this case, it seems that he will be the president of the United States, in order to rescue aid to Ukraine. But doing it on the backs of the most vulnerable beings in society, the migrants seeking asylum, seems absurd to me. The good news is that a growing number of Democratic lawmakers, including members of the Hispanic Caucus and veteran senators such as Alex Padilla, Bob Menendez, Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Tim Kaine and others, do not appear willing to let Biden go free. “Using a spending package to enact these unrelated permanent policy changes creates a dangerous precedent and risks aid to our international partners,” 10 Democratic senators warned in a letter. “If the expectation is that we are going to compromise on a future humanitarian parole program, that is not going to happen,” Senator Kaine said separately. Nothing is set in stone in budget negotiations. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. And the Democrats' veiled threat is a sign that a tough and radical immigration proposal will have difficulty passing in the Senate. Congratulations on the system of checks and balances of American democracy. Unfortunately, we continue to witness the spectacle of a dysfunctional political class that continues to put band-aids on a patient (the immigration system) in the intensive care unit. Or even worse, prescribing a poison pill and not an effective remedy. If you are concerned about the state of affairs in the United States regarding this and other issues, call or write your district representative or senator and tell them what you think. In the case of the president, that opinion will be heard with the Hispanic vote next November.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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Vacunas contra el COVID GRATIS en San José para personas de 19 años y adelante

Diciembre

11 a.m. a 4 p.m. 1775 Story Rd. San José, CA 95122

Vacunas contra la gripe gratis en Farmacia Better Health para personas de 3 años y adelante

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HEALTH

AS INFECTIONS RISE, ONLY 10% OF CALIFORNIANS HAVE COVID BOOSTER

For the week ending December 8, California saw more than 2000 new hospital admissions for COVID-19. 2.7% of deaths were due to the virus. Photo Credit: Marko Klari / Wirestock / Adobestock

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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A MEDIDA QUE AUMENTAN LAS INFECCIONES, SOLO EL 10% DE LOS CALIFORNIANOS TIENEN EL REFUERZO DE COVID

Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com

ENGLISH

ESPAÑOL

Suzanne Potter California News Service

he annual winter rise in COVID infections is here, but so far, only 10% of Californians have gotten the latest booster shot, according to the state vaccination dashboard.

l aumento anual invernal de infecciones por COVID ya está aquí, pero hasta ahora, solo el 10% de los californianos ha recibido la última vacuna de refuerzo, según el panel de vacunación estatal.

The most recent COVID booster shot came out in September, but only 27% of people over age 65 had received it as of Dec. 8.

La vacuna de refuerzo de COVID más reciente salió en septiembre, pero solo el 27% de las personas mayores de 65 años la habían recibido hasta el 8 de diciembre.

Dr. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist for the California Department of Public Health, said now is the time to get not only the COVID booster but a seasonal flu shot.

La Dra. Erica Pan, epidemióloga estatal del Departamento de Salud Pública de California, dijo que ahora es el momento de recibir no solo el refuerzo de COVID sino también la vacuna contra la gripe estacional.

"These vaccines are safe and effective, you can get all of them at the same time, and it is not too late," Pan pointed out. "This is the time, right now, as these viruses are increasing and circulating. And before we have a lot more travel and holiday gatherings, please go out there and get vaccinated to not only protect yourself, but your loved ones and our community." The RSV vaccine is also available for infants and people over age 60. To make an appointment, go to myturn.ca.gov. Health insurance plans are required to cover the vaccines free of cost. If you have questions about any of the vaccines, check with your physician.

"Estas vacunas son seguras y efectivas, se pueden recibir todas al mismo tiempo y aún no es demasiado tarde", señaló Pan. "Este es el momento, ahora mismo, ya que estos virus están aumentando y circulando. Y antes de que tengamos muchos más viajes y reuniones festivas, salga y vacúnese no solo para protegerse a usted mismo, sino también a sus seres queridos y a nuestra comunidad. " La vacuna RSV también está disponible para bebés y personas mayores de 60 años. Para programar una cita, visite myturn.ca.gov. Los planes de seguro médico deben cubrir las vacunas de forma gratuita. Si tiene preguntas sobre alguna de las vacunas, consulte con su médico.

Pan pointed out older people in congregate settings are especially vulnerable to this latest Omicron COVID variant but early studies show the shot is effective.

Pan señaló que las personas mayores en entornos congregados son especialmente vulnerables a esta última variante de Omicron COVID, pero los primeros estudios muestran que la vacuna es eficaz.

"We're especially concerned about -- as far as being a high-risk setting where these viruses can spread very quickly -- is nursing homes," Pan emphasized. "Currently, only about less than 10% of nursing home staff and about 26% of residents are up-to-date."

"Estamos especialmente preocupados, en la medida en que son un entorno de alto riesgo donde estos virus pueden propagarse muy rápidamente, los hogares de ancianos", enfatizó Pan. "Actualmente, sólo menos del 10% del personal de las residencias de ancianos y alrededor del 26% de los residentes están al día".

Around 75% of Californians got the first round of COVID vaccinations at the height of the pandemic. Pan theorized booster-shot rates are low due to a combination of busy schedules, COVID fatigue and concerns about efficacy.

Alrededor del 75% de los californianos recibieron la primera ronda de vacunas COVID en plena pandemia. Las tasas de inyecciones de refuerzo, según la teoría general, son bajas debido a una combinación de agendas ocupadas, fatiga por COVID y preocupaciones sobre la eficacia.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

SKIN SCIENCE SECRETS FOR SMOOTH WINTER SKIN: INSIGHTS FROM A CHEMIST TO BREAK FREE FROM DRY SKIN WOES

ESPAÑOL

BPT

"Think of your skin barrier as a leaky bucket, and you're constantly trying to fill it with moisturizers but things like changes in temperature and humidity levels can strip the skin of moisture and contribute to leaks," explained Kate. "The best solution is to fix the holes in the bucket to strengthen the skin barrier." If you find yourself reaching for product after product to get your skin off the dry skin roller coaster, here are Kate the Chemist's tips to keep your skin looking and feeling its best all winter long. Protect your skin from winter stressors Our skin barrier responds to the humidity of the air around us, absorbing and releasing moisture to maintain a balance. To help protect your skin from everything that comes with cold winter months, it's important to consider what the skin needs when you're inside or out. When spending time indoors with the heat on, try to avoid bumping up the thermostat higher than is necessary for comfort. This makes the air hotter, drying out your skin. Consider adding an in-room or whole-home humidifier to moderate the moisture in the air or upgrade your thermostat to one that indicates the humidity levels in your home. Your skin and your energy bills will thank you.

SECRETOS DE DERMATOLOGÍA PARA UNA PIEL SUAVE EN INVIERNO: CONSEJOS DE UNA ESPECIALISTA PARA DESHACERSE DE LOS MALES DE LA PIEL

ENGLISH f the dropping temperatures instantly make your skin feel dry and uncomfortable, you're not alone. Between the frigid air outside and overheated air inside, the winter months are loaded with skin stressors that can put your skin on a seemingly endless dry skin roller coaster. According to Dr. Kate Biberdorf, also known as Kate the Chemist, this roller coaster can lead to a weakened skin barrier.

HEALTH

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When you head outside, whether enjoying winter sports or playing with the kids out in the snow, defend your skin from inclement weather by bundling up. Go for breathable layers that will keep you cozy and can be shed in case you get too warm. Grab a fashionable hat, scarf and glove set to top it off! Finally, make sure you're wearing sunscreen on any exposed skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing sunscreen every day if you will be outside to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Shower with care How you shower can also impact your skin. "By taking short showers with warm water rather than hot water, you can help to keep your skin's natural oils in your skin where they belong," Kate noted. After showering with a body wash, gently towel off and apply lotion to your skin while it's still a bit damp and feel the result. "Winter can be really rough on the skin," added Kate. "So make a great body care routine part of your daily ritual. You'll look and feel so much better when you get off that dry skin roller coaster and break the dry skin cycle for good!"

BPT

i la caída de la temperatura hace que su piel se sienta seca y desagradable al instante, usted no está solo. Entre el aire helado del exterior y el caliente del interior, los meses de invierno están repletos de estresores de la piel que pueden llevarlo por una montaña rusa de resequedad. Según la doctora Kate Biberdorf, también conocida como Kate la Química, esta montaña rusa puede provocar que la barrera de la piel se debilite. Pero aunque parezca que nunca se va a terminar, hay algunas medidas que puede tomar para bajarse de esa montaña rusa para siempre. "Imagine que la barrera de la piel es como un balde con fugas; usted está constantemente tratando de llenarlo con humectantes, pero factores como cambios en la temperatura y los niveles de humedad pueden hacer que la piel pierda humectación y contribuir a las fugas", explicó Kate. "La mejor solución para reforzar la barrera de la piel es reparar los agujeros del balde". Si se la pasa probando un producto tras otro para acabar con la resequedad, estos son los consejos de Kate la Química para que su piel se vea y se sienta radiante todo el invierno. Proteja su piel de los estresores de invierno La barrera de nuestra piel responde a la humedad y el aire que nos rodea, absorbiendo y liberando humedad para mantener un balance. Para ayudar a proteger la piel de todo lo que suponen los fríos meses invernales, es importante que tenga en cuenta lo que esta necesita dentro y fuera de la casa. Si va a estar en un lugar bajo techo con el aire prendido, trate de no subir el termostato más de

lo necesario para estar cómodo. Esto hace que el aire se vuelva más caliente y que la piel se reseque. Considere poner un humidificador en el cuarto o en toda la casa para moderar la humedad del aire o cambie el termostato por otro que indique el nivel de humedad presente. Su piel y sus facturas de consumo eléctrico lo agradecerán. Cuando esté al aire libre, ya sea disfrutando de los deportes invernales o jugando con los niños en la nieve, proteja su piel de las inclemencias del tiempo abrigándose bien. Elija capas de ropa transpirable que lo mantengan abrigado y que se pueda quitar fácilmente cuando se sienta acalorado. ¡Para complementar el look, póngase un sobrero, una bufanda o un par de guantes a la moda! Finalmente, cerciórese de ponerse bloqueador solar en la piel expuesta al sol. La Academia Americana de Dermatología recomienda usar bloqueador solar todos los días cuando se planea estar al aire libre para proteger la piel de los perjudiciales rayos ultravioleta. Báñese con cuidado La forma de bañarse también puede afectar la piel. "Tomar duchas cortas con agua tibia en vez de con agua caliente puede ayudar a conservar los aceites naturales de la piel", señaló Kate. "Después de bañarse con el jabón corporal, séquese suavemente con una toalla y aplique loción sobre la piel mientras aún esté un poco húmeda y sienta el resultado. "El invierno puede ser muy duro para la piel, concluyó Kate". Es por eso que tener una buena rutina de cuidado corporal debe ser parte de nuestro ritual diario. Usted se verá y se sentirá mucho mejor cuando acabe con la montaña rusa de la resequedad y rompa el ciclo de la piel seca para siempre.

ELECTIONS

WHO ARE AMERICA’S NEW ETHNIC VOTERS? As the U.S. grows more diverse, so do its voters.

¿QUIÉNES SON LOS NUEVOS VOTANTES ÉTNICOS DE ESTADOS UNIDOS? A medida que Estados Unidos se vuelve más diverso, también lo hacen sus votantes.

ENGLISH

ESPAÑOL

Selen Ozturk Ethnic Media Services

t a Fri., December 9 Ethnic Media Services briefing, voting, public policy and political science experts discussed who these new ethnic voters are, what motivates them, and how their affiliations compare to their white counterparts.

Preferencia de partido AAPI

“When it comes to candidates, voters’ party identification shapes their opinions on issues more than the other way around,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, public policy professor at UC Riverside, AAPI Data founder and California 100 co-founder. “For example,” he continued, “no matter your opinions on taxes or environmental protection, your Republican, Democratic or Independent identity will likely shape them over time.”

As more young Latinos become eligible to vote, they will have a significant impact on America’s elections and political landscape, says Claudia Sandoval, Assistant Professor, Political Science and International Relations, Loyola Marymount University. Photo Credit: Freepik

Among AAPI voters, he found that Vietnamese Americans tend to identify as most strongly Republican, while Japanese and Indian Americans tend to identify as most strongly Democratic — “so it’s interesting that Indian Americans like Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley have risen to such prominence/ in Republican leadership, far from Indian American voter opinion.”

ness and voting rights … although he’s created record low unemployment among black Americans; new opportunities for small businesses; appointed many Black judges including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Jackson, many of these things which are visible are not necessarily tangible.”

Latino voters, youth Latinos are the country’s fastest-growing racial and ethnic group in our electorate. Against common views of new Latino voters as older adults newly naturalized, U.S.-born and -raised Latinos “are the ones truly changing America’s political landscape” with each election, said Claudia Sandoval, assistant professor of political science and international relations at Loyola Marymount University. 22% of Latinos eligible to vote in next year’s presidential election, for instance, will be newly eligible to vote in 2024, while “38% of the Latino electorate is new to the political sphere since 2016.” Compared to the median age of 50 for all eligible U.S. voters, the median age of eligible Latino voters is 39. In this electorate, she continued, gender gaps exist: while Latinos as a whole lean leftward, Latino men are more likely than Latino women to support Republican candidates — diverging respectively as much as 48% and 24% in Nevada.

Black voters “can’t hang their hat on legislation like they can on loan burdens and rising costs of goods due to inflation,” Scott continued. “People are pocketbook voters, while Black people are largely not going to change their partisanship, many may wonder whether to show for their party at all if the state of their pocketbooks is not giving them a compelling reason to, especially given challenges to voting like longer wait times in communities of color.” For Black voters — particularly those younger and more liberal-leaning — “there’s dissatisfaction more broadly with the Democratic Party’s ‘hold-yournose-and-vote’ offerings. The question for Black voters in 2024,” she suggested, “is not how differently they vote but whether they see it as a moment in which they need to show up for democracy, or whether they’re tired of showing up again and again, and not seeing the policy benefits that they want to see.” Gen Z voters of color Young voters are decisive among new U.S. ethnic voters, given that 45% of the 40 million members of Gen Z eligible to vote in 2024 will be people of color — including 8.8 million Latinos, 5.7 million Black youth, 1.7 million Asian Americans and 1.8 million multiracial youth.

These numbers, however, don’t necessarily mark a rightward exodus: over 35% of Latinos voted Republican in 2000, while 40% did in 2004 — much due, Sandoval suggested, to “George W. Bush’s bipartisan positions on immigration reform … and while Trump isn’t seen as a supporter of progressive immigration reform, voters do tend to see him as an independent from the Republican Party, which is quite partisan now.”

As a more racially and ethnically diverse generation than any other before, this voting block is nevertheless “characterized by our left-leaning political unity,” said Jessica Siles, deputy press secretary of Gen Z political advocacy nonprofit Voters of Tomorrow. “We’ve been marching in the streets for change, and our political activity owes to our shared experiences growing up — especially when it comes to gun violence and climate change.”

“These numbers show us the complicated nature of Latino political preferences, attitudes, and potentially identification, political identification,” she added: “While only 4% of young Latino voters now believe that the Democratic Party is hostile to the Latino community, 37% of those voters believe that the Democratic Party doesn’t necessarily care about the Latino community. While 22% believe that the Republican Party is hostile to the Latino community, a third of young Latino voters believe the Republican Party cares a great deal about Latinos.”

In 2022, for instance, youth voted Democrat for the House of Representatives by a 28-point margin over Republican voters.

Black voter participation Party response likewise motivates the question of Black voter participation, said Jamil Scott, assistant professor of government at Georgetown University: “In 2024, I think we’re facing less of a question of whether Black voters will change their partisanship, and more of a question of how many Black voters will show up on Election Day at all.” “There’s an excitement issue here,” she continued: “What has Biden done? He hasn’t kept his promises to Black voters on issues like student loan forgive-

Selen Ozturk Ethnic Media Services

n una sesión informativa del viernes 9 de diciembre de Ethnic Media Services, expertos en votación, políticas públicas y ciencias políticas discutieron quiénes son estos nuevos votantes étnicos, qué los motiva y cómo se comparan sus afiliaciones con las de sus homólogos blancos.

AAPI party preference

Nevertheless, Ramakrishnan added, the 2016 election and the subsequent four years caused a divergence in these trends, with both Indian and Chinese Americans moving toward the Republican party under President Trump.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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“Many people like to point to low youth voter turnout. However, although you may see a low percentage of Gen Z voting,” it’s on the rise; in 2022, the first midterm election where this generation comprised the entire 18 to 22 age cohort, Gen Z voted at 28.4% — a higher rate than Millennials, Gen X and Boomers did” in their respective generations’ first midterm elections, Siles explained, the next-highest rate being the 23.5% of Gen Xers who voted in 1990. Gen Z is emblematic of America’s new ethnic voters wholly in that “it’s not that young people are just very loyal to the Democratic Party,” she added. “It’s that we continue to vote on the behalf of a few core issues we most care about, number one being the economy. As voters, we’re workers and taxpayers concerned about our ability to find a good job or pay for a house … the future of these voting blocs depends on who can best engage them on these issues.”

"Cuando se trata de candidatos, la identificación partidaria de los votantes moldea sus opiniones sobre los temas más que al revés", dijo Karthick Ramakrishnan, profesor de políticas públicas en UC Riverside, fundador de AAPI Data y cofundador de California 100. “Por ejemplo”, continuó, “sin importar sus opiniones sobre impuestos o protección ambiental, su identidad republicana, demócrata o independiente probablemente las moldeará con el tiempo”. Entre los votantes de la AAPI, encontró que los vietnamitas estadounidenses tienden a identificarse como más fuertemente republicanos, mientras que los japoneses y los indios estadounidenses tienden a identificarse como más fuertemente demócratas — “así que es interesante que indios americanos como Vivek Ramaswamy y Nikki Haley hayan alcanzado tal prominencia en el liderazgo republicano, lejos de la opinión de los votantes indios americanos”. Sin embargo, añadió Ramakrishnan, las elecciones de 2016 y los cuatro años siguientes provocaron una divergencia en estas tendencias, y tanto los indios como los chinos-estadounidenses se acercaron al Partido Republicano bajo el presidente Trump. Votantes latinos, jóvenes Los latinos son el grupo racial y étnico de más rápido crecimiento en nuestro electorado en el país. En contra de la visión común de los nuevos votantes latinos como adultos mayores recién naturalizados, los latinos nacidos y criados en Estados Unidos “son los que realmente cambian el panorama político de Estados Unidos” con cada elección, dijo Claudia Sandoval, profesora asistente de ciencias políticas y relaciones internacionales en la Universidad Loyola Marymount. El 22% de los latinos elegibles para votar en las elecciones presidenciales del próximo año, por ejemplo, serán nuevamente elegibles para votar en 2024, mientras que “el 38% del electorado latino es nuevo en la esfera política desde 2016”.En comparación con la edad promedio de 50 años para todos los votantes estadounidenses elegibles, la edad promedio de los votantes latinos elegibles es 39 años. En este electorado, continuó, existen brechas de género: Si bien los latinos en su conjunto se inclinan hacia la izquierda, los hombres latinos tienen más probabilidades que las mujeres latinas de apoyar a los candidatos republicanos, con una divergencia de hasta el 48% y el 24% respectivamente en Nevada. Estas cifras, sin embargo, no necesariamente marcan un éxodo hacia la derecha: más del 35% de los latinos votaron por los republicanos en 2000, mientras que el 40% lo hizo en 2004, en gran medida debido, sugirió Sandoval, a “las posiciones bipartidistas de George W. Bush sobre la reforma migratoria”.… y aunque Trump no es visto como un partidario de una reforma migratoria progresista, los votantes tienden a verlo como un independiente del Partido Republicano, que ahora es bastante partidista”. “Estas cifras nos muestran la naturaleza complicada de las preferencias políticas, las actitudes y, potencialmente, la identificación política de los latinos”, añadió: “Aunque sólo el 4% de los votantes latinos jóvenes cree ahora que el Partido Demócrata es hostil a la comunidad latina, el 37% de esos votantes cree que al Partido Demócrata no necesariamente le importa la comunidad latina. Mientras que el 22% cree que el Partido Republicano es hostil a la comunidad latina, un tercio de los votantes latinos jóvenes cree que el Partido Republicano se preocupa mucho por los latinos”. Participación de los votantes negros

La respuesta del partido también motiva la cuestión de la participación de los votantes negros, dijo Jamil Scott, profesor asistente de gobierno en la Universidad de Georgetown: “En 2024, creo que nos enfrentamos menos a la cuestión de si los votantes negros cambiarán su partidismo, y más a la cuestión de cuántos votantes negros se presentarán el día de las elecciones”. “Aquí hay una cuestión de entusiasmo”, continuó: “¿Qué ha hecho Biden? No ha cumplido sus promesas a los votantes negros sobre cuestiones como la condonación de préstamos estudiantiles y el derecho al voto… aunque ha creado una tasa de desempleo récord entre los estadounidenses negros; nuevas oportunidades para las pequeñas empresas; Nombró a muchos jueces negros, incluido el juez de la Corte Suprema Ketanji Jackson, muchas de estas cosas que son visibles no son necesariamente tangibles”. Los votantes negros “no pueden confiar en la legislación como lo hacen con las cargas crediticias y el aumento de los costos de los bienes debido a la inflación”, continuó Scott. “Las personas son votantes de bolsillo, si bien los negros en gran medida no van a cambiar su partidismo, muchos pueden preguntarse si presentarse por su partido si el estado de sus bolsillos no les da una razón convincente para hacerlo, especialmente teniendo en cuenta los desafíos para votar como tiempos de espera más largos en comunidades de color”. Para los votantes negros, en particular los más jóvenes y de tendencia más liberal, “hay una insatisfacción más amplia con las ofertas del Partido Demócrata de ‘taparse la nariz y votar’. La pregunta para los votantes negros en 2024”, sugirió, “no es cuán diferente votan, sino si lo ven como un momento en el que necesitan presentarse a favor de la democracia, o si están cansados de presentarse una y otra vez. y no ver los beneficios políticos que quieren ver”. Votantes de color de la Generación Z Los votantes jóvenes son decisivos entre los nuevos votantes étnicos estadounidenses, dado que el 45% de los 40 millones de miembros de la Generación Z elegibles para votar en 2024 serán personas de color — incluidos 8,8 millones de latinos, 5,7 millones de jóvenes negros, 1,7 millones de asiático americanos y 1,8 millones de jóvenes multirraciales. Al ser una generación con mayor diversidad racial y étnica que cualquier otra anterior, este bloque de votantes se “caracteriza sin embargo por nuestra unidad política de tendencia izquierdista”, dijo Jessica Siles, subsecretaria de prensa de Voters of Tomorrow, una organización sin fines de lucro de defensa política de la Generación Z. Hemos estado marchando en las calles por el cambio y nuestra actividad política se debe a nuestras experiencias compartidas al crecer — especialmente en lo que respecta a la violencia armada y el cambio climático”. En 2022, por ejemplo, los jóvenes votaron por los demócratas para la Cámara de Representantes por un margen de 28 puntos sobre los votantes republicanos. “A mucha gente le gusta señalar la baja participación de los votantes jóvenes. Sin embargo, aunque es posible que veamos un porcentaje bajo de votos de la Generación Z”, está en aumento; esta generación comprendía todo el grupo de edad de 18 a 22 años, la Generación Z votó con un 28,4%, "Una tasa más alta que la de los Millennials, la Generación X y los Boomers" en las primeras elecciones de mitad de período de sus respectivas generaciones, explicó Siles, siendo la siguiente tasa más alta el 23,5% de la Generación X que votó en 1990. La Generación Z es emblemática de los nuevos votantes étnicos de Estados Unidos en el sentido de que “no es que los jóvenes sean simplemente muy leales al Partido Demócrata”, añadió. “Es que seguimos votando en nombre de algunos temas centrales que más nos importan, siendo el número uno la economía. Como votantes, somos trabajadores y contribuyentes preocupados por nuestra capacidad de encontrar un buen trabajo o pagar una casa... el futuro de estos bloques de votantes depende de quién pueda involucrarlos mejor en estos temas”.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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AARP FRAUD EXPERTS PROMOTE TIPS ON AVOIDING HOLIDAY SCAMS ENGLISH

Suzanne Potter California News Service

oliday scammers are upping their game this year, according to experts at the AARP FraudWatch Network. Bad actors bombard people with emails, text messages and ads on social media that could infect your device and steal your personal information if you click on the link. Liz Buser, senior adviser for AARP's Fraud Prevention Programs team, warns against any deal that seems too good to be true. "Please do not click on the link. Instead, go to a web browser and type in the address for the company that is supposedly offering the deal. Make sure that you're going to legitimate websites. And you can navigate to them again," she cautioned. She added it's probably a scam if you get an unsolicited communication - if the person seems to be playing on your emotions, if they urge you to act immediately, or if they ask for payment via gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a peer-topeer payment app such as Venmo or Zelle. Also, be aware that the first few entries that pop up on search engines are often marked "sponsored," which means they are really ads that may have been purchased by scammers. Buser also warns people not to fall for calls or messages claiming to be a relative in trouble. She advises hanging up and calling back - because caller ID can be faked.

Fraud-prevention experts advise people to check for tampering or buy gift cards online directly from the company. Photo Credit: Freepik

"AI technology, including voice-mimicking software, deep fake videos and chatbots like Chat GPT. They can all be used by bad actors, unfortunately. It gives scammers the ability to impersonate anybody. It could be your grandchild, a police officer, or even your spouse, and this is just the tip of the iceberg," she explained. Holiday travel can turn into a nightmare if you book through an illegitimate website, so don't click on social-media travel links. If you suspect a scam, you can contact AARP.org/fraudwatch and report it to the Federal Trade Commission's website, which is reportfraud@ftc.gov.

MONEY

Reduce tu velocidad. Una tragedia ocurre en un instante. Un coche a toda velocidad tarda muchos metros en detenerse. Si atropellas a alguien mientras aceleras, ¡hay un 90% de posibilidades de que lo mates!

Fraud-prevention experts advise people to check for tampering or buy gift cards online directly from the company. (Kenishirotie/Adobe Stock).

EXPERTOS EN FRAUDE DE AARP ACONSEJAN CÓMO EVITAR ESTAFAS NAVIDEÑAS ESPAÑOL

Suzanne Potter California News Service

os estafadores navideños están mejorando su juego este año, según los expertos de AARP FraudWatch Network. Los malos actores bombardean a las personas con correos electrónicos, mensajes de texto y anuncios en las redes sociales que podrían infectar su dispositivo y robar su información personal si hace clic en el enlace. Liz Buser trabaja en el equipo de Programas de Prevención de Fraude de AARP. Advierte contra cualquier oferta que parezca demasiado buena para ser verdad. "Por favor no haga clic en el enlace. En su lugar, vaya a un navegador web y escriba la dirección de la empresa que supuestamente ofrece la oferta. Asegúrese de acceder a sitios web legítimos. Y podrá navegar hasta ellos nuevamente," explico además Buser. Ella dice que probablemente sea una estafa si recibe una comunicación no solicitada: si la persona parece estar jugando con sus emociones, si lo insta a actuar de inmediato o si le solicita un pago mediante tarjeta de regalo, transferencia bancaria, criptomoneda o una aplicación de pago como Venmo o Zelle. Además, tenga en cuenta que las primeras entradas que aparecen en los motores de búsqueda suelen estar marcadas como "patrocinadas", lo que significa que en realidad son anuncios que pueden haber sido comprados por estafadores. Buser también advierte a las personas que no caigan en llamadas o mensajes que dicen ser

Los expertos en prevención de fraudes aconsejan a las personas que verifiquen si están siendo manipulados o que compren tarjetas de regalo en línea directamente de la empresa. Photo Credit: Kenishirotie / Adobestock

un familiar en problemas. Ella aconseja colgar y volver a llamar, porque el identificador de llamadas puede ser falsificado. "Tecnología de inteligencia artificial, que incluye software de imitación de voz, videos falsos y chatbots como Chat GPT. Desafortunadamente, todos pueden ser utilizados por malos actores. Les da a los estafadores la posibilidad de hacerse pasar por cualquier persona. Podría ser su nieto, un oficial de policía o incluso su cónyuge, y esto es solo la punta del iceberg," enfatizo también Buser. Los viajes de vacaciones pueden convertirse en una pesadilla si reserva a través de un sitio web ilegitimo, así que no haga clic en enlaces de viajes en redes sociales. Si sospecha de una estafa, puede comunicarse con AARP. org/fraudwatch e informarlo en el sitio web de la Comisión Federal de Comercio, que es reportfraud@ftc.gov.

¡Mantengámonos seguros! 1. Respeta el límite de velocidad. 2. Estate atento a los ciclistas en los cruces. 3. Detente ante los peatones y permíteles cruzar.

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LOS ANGELES SEES HATE CRIMES SURGE IN 2022

LA County’s Commission on Human Relations just released its Hate Crime Report for 2022, showing a spike in hate crimes across the county.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

AL ALZA LOS CRÍMENES DE ODIO EN LOS ÁNGELES EN 2022

La Comisión de Relaciones Humanas del condado de Los Ángeles acaba de publicar su Informe sobre Crímenes de Odio correspondiente a 2022, que muestra un repunte de los delitos de odio en todo el condado.

ENGLISH

ESPAÑOL

Peter Schurmann Ethnic Media Services

que la denuncia pueda fomentar nuevos ataques. Toma también describió una atmósfera más amplia de creciente intolerancia y extremismo que contribuye a alimentar el aumento del odio en Los Ángeles. Enumeró una sombría lista de incidentes, como los tiroteos masivos por motivos raciales de Atlanta, Pittsburgh, El Paso y el tiroteo masivo de mayo de 2022 en Buffalo (Nueva York), que se cobró 10 vidas.

ate crimes in Los Angeles County surged in 2022, with attacks targeting a wide spectrum of racial and ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities. The increase is attributed in part to a rise in reporting locally, but also tracks wider state, national and even global trends.

Este último, señaló, estuvo relacionado con un incidente en el que un hombre blanco adulto atacó a un adolescente afroamericano, realizando repetidas llamadas telefónicas y enviando mensajes de texto advirtiéndole de su asociación con el Ku Klux Klan. El agresor envió múltiples imágenes de armas de fuego, amenazando con un tiroteo masivo como el de Buffalo.

The latest data comes from LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, which just released its Hate Crime Report for 2022. “Reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County have reached the second highest level in more than 20 years,” said Executive Director Robin Toma, speaking at a press conference Wednesday announcing the release of the report. “Nearly every race, ethnicity, nationality, and religion has been targeted.” In all, there were 929 hate crimes reported across the county in 2022, an increase of 18% over the year prior. (Statewide California reported an increase of 22%.) Of the total, 72% were violent, with race being the motivating factor in 57% of attacks. African Americans were disproportionately represented among victims at 53%. Attacks targeting Latinos rose 3%, though 93% of these were violent, the highest of all racial-ethnic groups. Anti-Asian crimes fell by 25%, though the 61 crimes reported still marked the highest ever on record. Eighteen percent of attacks were motivated by sexual orientation followed by those motivated by religious identification (16%). Of the latter, 83% were anti-Jewish, with the ongoing IsraelPalestine conflict fueling an even greater spike in antisemitic and anti-Muslim attacks since fighting began this October. As reporting increases, so does the hate Toma said increased reporting through the county’s LA vs Hate website and to 211 LA, where victims can call in to report hate crimes and hate related incidents anonymously and in a multitude of languages, have led to higher overall numbers, though he acknowledged the numbers – as high as they are – represent “only a handful” of the actual total. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly half of all violent hate crimes are not reported to law enforcement, while an even greater portion of hate incidents and nonviolent hate crimes are not reported. Reasons include fear of engaging with or lack of trust in law enforcement, as well as concerns that reporting could invite further attacks. Toma also described a wider atmosphere of rising intolerance and extremism as helping to fuel the increase in hate in Los Angeles. He ticked off a grim list of incidents, including racially motivated mass shootings in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, El Paso, and the May 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo, New York that claimed 10 lives. The latter, he noted, was linked to an incident involving an adult white male who targeted an African American teenager, making repeated phone calls and texts warning of his association with the Ku Klux Klan. The perpetrator sent multiple images of firearms, threatening a mass shooting like the one in Buffalo. “This is an example of how hate and violence outside informs violence in the county,” said Toma. ‘Hate has no boundaries’ LA’s Commission on Human Relations has been tracking hate crime data since 1980. A hate crime is defined as any crime motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orienta-

Photo Credit: Jason Leung / Unsplash

Photo Credit: diana.grytsku / Freepik

tion, gender, gender identity, or disability. “Hate has no boundaries,” said LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis. “What we are seeing is a trend across the country and globe … Hate crimes continue to swell.” It was Solis, along with Supervisor Sheila Keuhl, who in 2018 drafted a measure aimed at protecting LA’s minority communities from hate crimes. That measure ultimately led to the creation of the LA vs Hate anti-hate initiative. Led by the Human Relations Commission, LA vs Hate works with a coalition of community partners to track and combat hate across LA County. Visitors to the site will find an array of available resources and can also report hate crimes or hate related incidents. According to Toma, the LA v Hate site is now the 3rd largest source of reported hate crimes after the LAPD and the Sheriff’s office. “We have a lot of challenges, but the good thing is we are collecting the data,” said Solis, data that is used to help divert critical funding to anti-hate initiatives, including training for law enforcement, as well as education, data collection and coalition building efforts. Reporting key to combating hate

Peter Schurmann Ethnic Media Services

os delitos motivados por el odio en el condado de Los Ángeles aumentaron en 2022, con ataques dirigidos contra un amplio espectro de minorías raciales y étnicas, religiosas y sexuales. El aumento se atribuye en parte a un aumento de las denuncias a nivel local, pero también sigue tendencias más amplias a nivel estatal, nacional e incluso mundial. Los últimos datos proceden de la Comisión de Relaciones Humanas del Condado de Los Ángeles, que acaba de publicar su Informe sobre crímenes de odio para 2022. “Los delitos de odio denunciados en el condado de Los Ángeles han alcanzado el segundo nivel más alto en más de 20 años”, declaró el Director Ejecutivo Robin Toma, hablando en una conferencia de prensa el miércoles anunciando la publicación del informe. “Casi todas las razas, etnias, nacionalidades y religiones han sido blanco de estos delitos”. En total, hubo 929 crímenes de odio reportados en todo el condado en 2022, un aumento del 18% respecto al año anterior. (En todo el estado de California se registró un aumento del 22%.) Del total, el 72% fueron violentos y la raza fue el factor motivador en el 57% de los ataques.

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized his department’s commitment to combating the rise in hate and stressed the importance of coming forward when it happens. “When there is an attack of hate, it threatens the entire community,” Luna said. “When someone doesn’t report it, it feeds into the hands of the perpetrators.”

Los afroamericanos tuvieron una representación desproporcionada entre las víctimas (53%). Los ataques contra latinos aumentaron un 3%, aunque el 93% de ellos fueron violentos, el porcentaje más alto de todos los grupos étnicos-raciales. Los delitos contra asiáticos disminuyeron un 25%, aunque los 61 delitos denunciados siguen siendo los más altos jamás registrados.

The LA County Sherriff’s office is one of the only ones in the country that tracks non-criminal hate incidents, explained Luna, noting that doing so “gives the community a voice when hate does not reach the level of a crime” and that it also helps to “prevent acts of hate before they occur.”

El 18% de las agresiones estuvieron motivadas por la orientación sexual, seguidas de las motivadas por la afiliación religiosa (16%). De estas últimas, el 83% fueron antisemitas. El actual conflicto entre Israel y Palestina ha provocado un aumento aún mayor de las agresiones antisemitas y anti musulmanas desde que comenzaron los enfrentamientos en octubre.

LAPD Assistant Chief Blake Chow echoed Luna. “We have to report. If people don’t report, we don’t know what’s going on.” He also offered this reminder about the numbers contained in the report. “Each one of these numbers is attached to a victim … to a family,” he said. “This is a commentary on where we are as a society.” EMS’ Stop The Hate initiative is made possible with funding from the California State Library (CSL) in partnership with the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA). The views expressed on this website and other materials produced by EMS do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CSL, CAPIAA or the California government. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/.

A medida que aumentan las denuncias, también lo hace el odio Toma mencionó que el aumento de las denuncias a través del sitio web LA vs Hate del condado (Los Angeles contra el odio) y a 211 LA, donde las víctimas pueden llamar para denunciar delitos de odio e incidentes relacionados con el odio de forma anónima y en una multitud de idiomas. Estas denuncias han llevado a cifras globales más altas, aunque reconoció que los números – tan altos como son – representan “tan sólo un puñado” del total real. Según el Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos, casi la mitad de los delitos violentos motivados por el odio no se denuncian a las fuerzas del orden, mientras que una parte aún mayor de los incidentes y delitos no violentos motivados por el odio no se denuncian. Entre los motivos se encuentran el miedo a comprometerse con las fuerzas del orden o la falta de confianza en ellas, así como la preocupación de

“Este es un ejemplo de cómo el odio y la violencia en el exterior influyen en la violencia en el condado”, aseguró Toma. ‘El odio no tiene fronteras’ La Comisión de Relaciones Humanas de Los Ángeles ha registrado desde 1980 datos sobre delitos motivados por el odio. Un delito motivado por el odio se define como cualquier delito motivado por prejuicios contra la raza, el color, la religión, la nacionalidad, la orientación sexual, el género, la identidad de género o la discapacidad. “El odio no tiene fronteras”, afirmó la supervisora del condado de Los Ángeles, Hilda Solís. “Lo que estamos viendo es una tendencia en todo el país y en todo el mundo… Los delitos de odio van al alza”. Fue Solís, junto con la supervisora Sheila Keuhl, quien en 2018 redactó una iniciativa destinada a proteger a las comunidades minoritarias de LA de los crímenes de odio. Esa medida finalmente condujo a la creación de la iniciativa contra el odio LA vs Hate. Liderada por la Comisión de Relaciones Humanas, LA vs Hate trabaja con una coalición de aliados comunitarios en la labor de rastrear y combatir el odio en todo el condado de LA. Los visitantes del sitio encontrarán una serie de recursos disponibles y también podrán denunciar delitos de odio o incidentes relacionados con el odio. Según Toma, el sitio LA vs Hate es ahora la tercera fuente más importante de denuncias de delitos motivados por el odio, después de la policía de Los Ángeles (LAPD) y la oficina del sheriff. “Tenemos muchos retos, pero lo bueno es que estamos recopilando la información”, dijo Solís, datos que se utilizan para ayudar a canalizar los fondos que son críticos para financiar las iniciativas contra el odio, incluido el entrenamiento y formación de las fuerzas para la aplicación de la ley, así como la educación, la recopilación de datos y los esfuerzos de creación de alianzas. La denuncia, clave en la lucha contra el odio El sheriff del condado de Los Ángeles, Robert Luna, hizo hincapié en el compromiso de su departamento para combatir el aumento del odio y subrayó la importancia de denunciar cuando se produce un evento. “Cuando hay un ataque de odio, amenaza a toda la comunidad”, aseguró Luna. “Cuando alguien no lo denuncia, eso alienta a los agresores”. La oficina del Sheriff del condado de Los Ángeles es una de las únicas del país que hace un seguimiento de los incidentes de odio no delictivos, explicó Luna, señalando que hacerlo “da voz a la comunidad cuando el odio no alcanza el nivel de delito” y esto también ayuda a “prevenir los actos de odio antes de que ocurran.” El Subjefe de la policía de Los Ángeles, Blake Chow, haciendo eco de Luna, afirmó: “Tenemos que denunciar. Si la gente no reporta estos incidentes, no tenemos manera de saber lo que está pasando.” También ofreció este recordatorio sobre las cifras contenidas en el informe. “Cada una de estas cifras está vinculada a una víctima… a una familia”, dijo. “Es un comentario sobre dónde estamos como sociedad”.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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ESTOS CALIFORNIANOS RESIDEN EN VIVIENDAS ASEQUIBLES. ENTONCES ¿POR QUÉ SE DISPARÓ EL PRECIO DEL ALQUILER? El límite de pago de alquiler de California no se aplica a las viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos, que tienen sus propias reglas. Pero con la inflación, algunos inquilinos han obtenido aumentos de alquiler mucho mayores.

Jeanne Kuang CalMatters

uando los legisladores de California aprobaron un tope de pago alquiler hace cuatro años para proteger a los inquilinos de aumentos grandes y frecuentes, eximieron a cientos de miles de unidades reservadas para algunos de los inquilinos más pobres del estado. Después de todo, las viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos generalmente se construyen con subsidios públicos que ya imponen límites máximos de alquiler a los promotores y propietarios. Algunas ya están administradas o supervisadas por agencias locales de vivienda pública. Pero California también tiene más de 350,000 unidades de vivienda de propiedad privada para personas de bajos ingresos (construidas con la ayuda de créditos fiscales federales) exentas del límite de alquiler estatal. Los residentes de algunas de esas unidades han visto dispararse sus alquileres a pesar de ser exactamente el grupo demográfico que la ley buscaba proteger. La ley de 2019, conocida como Ley de Protección de Inquilinos, prohíbe a los propietarios aumentar los alquileres más de una determinada cantidad (10% este año, aunque normalmente es menos) y más de una vez al año. Su objetivo es garantizar cierto nivel de estabilidad para los inquilinos, dicen los defensores. Sin él, los inquilinos de bajos ingresos como Miguel Contreras están viendo aumentos mayores. El mecánico de 53 años se sorprendió cuando abrió una carta de su arrendador esta primavera que decía que el alquiler aumentaría de $1,828 a $2,138, un aumento del 17%. El apartamento de dos habitaciones en San José donde vive fue financiado en 2006 con créditos fiscales para viviendas de bajos ingresos y reservado para inquilinos que deben ganar menos que el promedio local. Hay un límite máximo de alquiler, pero el apartamento no está sujeto a límites estatales o locales sobre la rapidez con la que puede crecer el alquiler. Contreras dijo que ha vivido en ese apartamento durante más de dos décadas y que la mayor parte del tiempo obtuvo modestos aumentos de alquiler de alrededor de $50 al año. Pero en los últimos dos años los aumentos han sido mayores. Cuando entró en vigor el último aumento en julio pasado, Contreras pagaba un 25% más que apenas 13 meses antes, según documentos que compartió con CalMatters. El alquiler consume más de la mitad de lo que gana Contreras cada mes, dijo. Hace trabajo extra los domingos y falta a la iglesia con su familia. “Es difícil vivir en este apartamento, se supone que es asequible”, dijo Contreras a través de un intérprete de español. “Pero es difícil mudarse porque cuando buscas otro apartamento en el área de San José, es muy caro y parece que el propietario está tratando de aumentar el alquiler para que sea igual al de otros apartamentos que no son asequibles”. Con la ayuda de la Red Regional de Organización de Inquilinos, un grupo activista, Contreras y residentes de varios otros edificios de viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos propiedad de la misma empresa se dirigieron a la oficina del propietario en Newport Beach para protestar por los aumentos de alquiler, entre otras quejas. La empresa, KDF Communities, tiene siete edificios de apartamentos en el área de San José y 40 en todo California. Cerraron sus oficinas y en un correo electrónico se negaron a reunirse con los inquilinos, dijo James Huynh, portavoz de la red organizadora. Mayra Peterson, ejecutiva de KDF, se negó a hacer comentarios cuando CalMatters la contactó por teléfono. Preocupaciones sobre el límite de alquiler No todos los inquilinos del mercado privado están sujetos al límite de alquiler estatal. Para aliviar las preocupaciones de que las regulaciones serían una carga para los propietarios pequeños o familiares, los legisladores crearon exenciones para viviendas unifamiliares y edificios de apartamentos con solo dos unidades si el propietario vive en la otra. También están exentas las situaciones en las que alguien alquila una habitación en la casa del propietario. También están exentas las viviendas asequibles con escritura restringida o las viviendas que reciben cual-

preocupa que un tope general elimine esa flexibilidad.

quier tipo de financiación gubernamental para albergar a inquilinos de bajos ingresos.

“Realmente estamos tratando de navegar, ¿qué podría ser algo que ayude a los residentes a no verse afectados por grandes aumentos de alquiler al mismo tiempo?”, subrayó. “Pero eso (tampoco) no impide por completo que el propietario pueda aumentar los alquileres de acuerdo con las regulaciones que ya existen. Y es realmente difícil legislar una solución como esa”, agregó.

“La idea era que, si ya tienen restricciones de alquiler, podría no tener sentido agregarle otra capa de complejidad”, dijo David Chiu, ex asambleísta autor de la ley de 2019 y actual fiscal de la ciudad de San Francisco. “Este fue un proyecto de ley muy negociado”. La exención para las propiedades financiadas con créditos fiscales en particular ha alimentado un debate político silencioso pero complejo sobre si se deben regular más los alquileres.

Los defensores de los inquilinos quieren volver a presentar el proyecto de ley el próximo año, pero dijeron que comprenden las preocupaciones.

Factores como la inflación, el aumento de los costos de los seguros y el hecho de que muchos inquilinos no pudieron pagar el alquiler durante la pandemia de COVID-19 han llevado a aumentos de alquiler particularmente altos en viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos en los últimos dos años, dijeron defensores de los inquilinos y de organizaciones sin fines de lucro. y desarrolladores de viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos con fines de lucro.

“No tenemos interés en que los desarrolladores de viviendas asequibles no puedan mantener la viabilidad financiera de sus propiedades”, dijo Anya Lawler, defensora de políticas de uno de los patrocinadores del proyecto de ley, la Fundación de Asistencia Legal Rural de California. Otros nueve estados, incluidos Nueva Jersey, Wisconsin, Montana y Oregón, limitan los alquileres de las propiedades financiadas con créditos fiscales para viviendas de bajos ingresos. Algunos limitan los aumentos a una vez al año; otros limitan los aumentos anuales al 5%.

En muchos casos, las viviendas asequibles ya están sujetas a restricciones federales sobre el alquiler, al impedir que a los inquilinos se les cobre más del 30% de sus ingresos. Pero en las unidades financiadas con créditos fiscales, las restricciones al alquiler no están vinculadas al ingreso individual del inquilino sino al ingreso medio local, una cifra calculada por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de Estados Unidos cada año.

Los inquilinos del Área de la Bahía de la Asociación de Inquilinos de KDF protestan por las condiciones de vivienda y los aumentos de alquiler fuera del complejo de oficinas que alberga la oficina de KDF Communities LLC en Newport Beach, el 26 de octubre de 2023. Photo Credit: Julie A Hotz / CalMatters

En áreas ricas o épocas de alta inflación, como los últimos dos años, cuando los ingresos medios han aumentado, eso puede crear techos de alquiler especialmente altos, dijo Marcos Segura, abogado del Proyecto de Ley Nacional de Vivienda con sede en California.

mantener sus propiedades a flote. Marina Wiant, vicepresidenta de asuntos gubernamentales del Consorcio de Vivienda de California, que representa a desarrolladores de viviendas asequibles con y sin fines de lucro, dijo que los propietarios a veces necesitan aumentar los alquileres para cubrir los costos operativos y las reparaciones. El reciente crecimiento en los ingresos medios, dijo Wiant, se produjo después de años de estancamiento durante los cuales los propietarios de viviendas asequibles pudieron aumentar los alquileres poco o nada.

Y donde no se aplican topes de alquiler estatales o locales, existen algunos otros límites a los alquileres en estas unidades de vivienda asequibles, dijo Segura. Mientras el alquiler se mantenga por debajo del límite federal, se puede aumentar en cualquier porcentaje y cuantas veces al año el propietario elija. Pero los defensores que intentaron regular aún más la vivienda para personas de bajos ingresos este año dicen que la solución no será tan simple como agregar un tope al alquiler.

Muchos inquilinos de viviendas de bajos ingresos no pudieron pagar el alquiler durante la pandemia, lo que puso a los desarrolladores sin fines de lucro en situaciones financieras difíciles, dijo. El año pasado, la firma de contabilidad Novogradac publicó un informe que encontró que los costos operativos de las unidades financiadas con créditos fiscales en California aumentaron un 26% entre 2018 y 2021, mientras que los ingresos por alquiler solo aumentaron un 11%.

“No tenemos interés en que los promotores de viviendas asequibles no puedan mantener la viabilidad financiera de sus propiedades”. -ANYA LAWLER, DEFENSORA DE POLÍTICAS, FUNDACIÓN DE AYUDA LEGAL RURAL DE CALIFORNIA Los grupos contra la pobreza patrocinaron este año el Proyecto de Ley 846 de la Asamblea, que habría impuesto tal restricción. Encalló a principios de la sesión legislativa debido a preocupaciones, planteadas principalmente por desarrolladores de viviendas asequibles sin fines de lucro, de que un límite general les dificultaría

Muchos propietarios de viviendas asequibles trabajan con los inquilinos para tratar de mantener los alquileres bajos, aumentando los alquileres de aquellos que pueden permitirse un aumento. A los propietarios, dijo, les

NOTICIA PÚBLICA Western Digital Technologies, Inc. 5601 Great Oaks Parkway San José, CA 95119 EPA ID # CAR 000 128 793 El 14 de diciembre de 2023, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. (WDT), ubicada en 5601 Great Oaks Parkway en San José, CA, notificó al Departamento de Control de Sustancias Tóxicas (DTSC) sobre una modificación del permiso Clase 1 conforme al Código de Regulaciones de California, Título 22, subsección 66270.42(a). Western Digital Technologies, Inc. es responsable del diseño, desarrollo, fabricación y venta de fabricación de equipos originales (OEM) de productos de almacenamiento informático. WDT solicita el cierre de tuberías relacionadas con dos sistemas de tanques. Preguntas sobre esta acción pueden ser dirigidas a: Srita. Nadine Doughman Agencia de Protección Ambiental de California Departamento de Control de Sustancias Tóxicas 9211 Oakdale Avenue Chatsworth, CA 91311 nadine.doughman@dtsc.ca.gov (279) 895-5299

Denise Lloyd Gerente Sénior de EHS, Great Oaks Western Digital Technologies, Inc. denise.lloyd@wdc.com (408) 717-6196

Esfuerzos locales En cambio, algunos activistas están presionando para que se apliquen restricciones locales. En Antioch, el otoño pasado, el grupo de defensa de inquilinos Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment presionó con éxito para que el ayuntamiento aprobara una ordenanza que limite el crecimiento de los alquileres e incluya viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos. Las unidades de crédito fiscal ahora también se incluyen en los límites de alquiler locales en Richmond, Fairfax y Oakland. Este mes, la alianza está presentando medidas electorales para las elecciones de noviembre de 2024 en otras cuatro ciudades del Área de la Bahía (Redwood City, Larkspur, Pittsburg y San Pablo) y Delano en el Valle Central que impondrían campamentos de alquiler locales a las unidades de crédito fiscal, legales y dijo la directora de políticas Leah Simon-Weisberg a CalMatters. “¿Cómo se supone que vas a vivir en una vivienda asequible, pero no lo es?” -TACHINA GARRETT, EX RESIDENTE DE SAN FRANCISCO Los borradores de las medidas muestran que la organización tiene como objetivo frenar los aumentos de alquileres entre el 3% (como el límite de Antioch) y el 5%. Simon-Weisberg dijo que está particularmente preocupada por los propietarios corporativos que compran unidades de vivienda asequibles, y dijo que esos propietarios tienen más probabilidades que las organizaciones sin fines de lucro de aumentar los alquileres al máximo permitido por las restricciones federales cada año. Las propuestas seguramente serán rechazadas por grupos de propietarios como la Asociación de Apartamentos de California, que dicen que las propiedades ya están fuertemente reguladas. Los propietarios de viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos en California, dijo la portavoz Debra Carlton, tienen restricciones de asequibilidad durante 55 años, por lo que, a diferencia de otros que están sujetos al límite de alquiler del estado, los propietarios no pueden simplemente aumentar los alquileres a las tasas del mercado cuando los inquilinos se mudan de una unidad. “Se está interponiendo en el camino de los propietarios que han celebrado un contrato”, dijo Carlton. “No se pueden cambiar las reglas sobre ellos ahora… Realmente crearía algunos problemas para aquellos propietarios que incluso quisieran entrar en el negocio”. Pero para Tachina Garrett, ex encargada del correo de la oficina de correos que se mudó a una propiedad con crédito fiscal en Antioch después de que el precio le expulsara de San Francisco, la exención para viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos es una “laguna jurídica” que debería cerrarse. Garrett, de 49 años, luchó por el tope del alquiler local el año pasado después de que su parte del alquiler aumentara en un 40%. “¿Cómo se supone que vas a vivir en una vivienda asequible, pero no lo es?” ella dijo.

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DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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THESE CALIFORNIANS LIVE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WHY DID THEIR RENT SKYROCKET?

California’s rent cap doesn’t apply to low-income housing, which has its own rules. But with inflation, some tenants have gotten much higher rent increases.

Jeanne Kuang CalMatters

to federal restrictions on rent by preventing tenants from being charged more than 30% of their income. But in tax credit-funded units, restrictions on rent are tied not to the tenant’s individual income but to the local median income, a figure calculated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development each year.

hen California lawmakers passed a rent cap four years ago to protect tenants from large and frequent rent hikes, they exempted hundreds of thousands of units reserved for some of the state’s poorest renters.

In wealthy areas or times of high inflation, such as the past two years when median incomes have risen, that can create especially high rent ceilings, said Marcos Segura, a staff attorney at the California-based National Housing Law Project.

Low-income housing, after all, is usually built with public subsidies that already impose rent ceilings on developers and property owners. Some are already managed or overseen by local public housing agencies.

And where state or local rent caps don’t apply, there are few other limits on rents in these affordable housing units, Segura said. As long as the rent stays below the federal ceiling, it can be hiked at whatever percentage and however many times a year a property owner chooses.

But California also has more than 350,000 privately owned low-income housing units — built with the help of federal tax credits — exempted from the state’s rent cap. Residents of some of those units have seen their rents soar despite being the exact demographic the law sought to protect. The 2019 law, known as the Tenant Protection Act, prohibits landlords from increasing rents more than a certain amount — 10% this year, though usually it’s less — and more than once a year. It’s meant to guarantee some level of stability for tenants, proponents say. Without it, low-income renters like Miguel Contreras are seeing higher increases. The 53-year-old mechanic got a shock when he opened a letter from his landlord this spring that said rent would go up from $1,828 to $2,138 — an increase of 17%. The two-bedroom apartment in San Jose where he lives was financed in 2006 with lowincome housing tax credits and reserved for renters who must make less than the local average. There’s a rent ceiling, but the apartment isn’t otherwise subject to state or local caps on how fast the rent can grow. Contreras said he’s lived in that apartment for more than two decades, and most of the time got modest rent increases of about $50 a year. But the past two years, the hikes have been higher. When the latest increase kicked in this past July, Contreras was paying 25% more than he was just 13 months earlier, according to documents he shared with CalMatters. The rent eats up more than half of what Contreras earns each month, he said. He picks up extra work on Sundays, missing church with his family. “It’s hard to live in this apartment, it’s supposed to be affordable,” Contreras said through a Spanish interpreter. “But it’s hard to move out because when you look for another apartment in the San Jose area, it’s very expensive and it seems the owner is trying to raise the rent to be the same like other apartments that are not affordable.” With the help of the Regional Tenant Organizing Network, an activist group, Contreras and residents of several other low-income housing buildings owned by the same company drove to their landlord’s office in Newport Beach to protest the rent increases, among other complaints. The company, KDF Communities, has seven apartment buildings in the San Jose area and 40 across California. They closed their offices, and declined in an email to meet with the tenants, said James Huynh, an organizing network spokesperson. Mayra Peterson, a KDF executive, declined to comment when reached by phone by CalMatters. Rent cap concerns Not all private-market tenants are subject to the state’s rent cap. To ease concerns that the regulations would burden small or mom-and-pop landlords, lawmakers carved out exemptions for single-family homes and apartment buildings with only two units if the landlord lives in the other. Situations in which someone rents a room in a landlord’s home are also exempt. Also exempted are deed-restricted affordable housing or housing that receives any kind of government funding to house low-income tenants. “The thinking was, if they’re already rent-restricted it might not make sense to add another layer of complexity to it,” said David Chiu, the former Assemblymember who authored the 2019 law and current San Francisco city attorney. “This was a heavily negotiated bill.”

But advocates who tried to further regulate low-income housing this year say the solution won’t be as simple as adding a rent cap. Bay Area tenants from the KDF Tenants Association protest housing conditions and rent increases outside the office complex that houses KDF Communities LLC’s office in Newport Beach on Oct. 26, 2023. Photo Credit: Julie A Hotz / CalMatters

The exemption for tax credit-funded properties in particular has fueled a quiet but complex policy debate over whether to further regulate rents. Factors including inflation, rising insurance costs and the fact that many tenants were unable to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to particularly high rent increases in low-income housing the past two years, said advocates for tenants as well as for nonprofit and for-profit low-income housing developers. In many cases affordable housing is subject already

“We don’t have an interest in affordable housing developers not being able to maintain the financial viability of their properties.” -ANYA LAWLER, POLICY ADVOCATE, THE CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL AID FOUNDATION Anti-poverty groups this year sponsored Assembly Bill 846, which would have imposed such a restriction. It ran aground early in the legislative session over concerns, raised mostly by nonprofit affordable housing developers, that a blanket cap would make it hard for them to keep their properties afloat. Marina Wiant, vice president of government affairs for the California Housing Consortium, which represents both nonprofit and for-profit affordable housing developers, said property owners need to raise rents sometimes to cover operating costs and repairs. The

recent growth in median incomes, Wiant said, came after years of stagnation during which affordable housing landlords were able to raise rents little or not at all. Many low-income housing tenants were unable to pay rent during the pandemic, putting nonprofit developers in difficult financial positions, she said. Last year, the accounting firm Novogradac published a report that found operating costs for tax credit-funded units in California rose 26% between 2018 and 2021 while rental income only rose 11%. Many affordable housing landlords work with tenants to try to keep rents low, raising rents on those who can afford a hike instead. Owners, she said, are worried a blanket cap will remove that flexibility. “We are really trying to navigate, what could be something that helps residents not get hit with large rent increases at one time?” she said. “But that (also) doesn’t fully challenge a property owner from being able to raise rents consistent with the regulations that already exist. And it’s really hard to legislate a solution like that.” Tenant advocates want to bring the bill back next year, but said they’re sympathetic to the concerns. “We don’t have an interest in affordable housing developers not being able to maintain the financial viability of their properties,” said Anya Lawler, a policy advocate for one of the bill’s sponsors, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation. Nine other states— including New Jersey, Wisconsin, Montana and Oregon — do cap rents on lowincome housing tax credit-funded properties. Some limit increases to once per year; others cap annual increases at 5%. Local efforts Some activists are pushing for local restrictions instead. In Antioch, the tenant advocacy group Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment last fall successfully pushed for the city council to pass an ordinance that caps rental growth and includes lowincome housing.

OFERTA ESPECIAL ¡Compre Una y Obtenga Otra Gratis!

Tax credit units are also now included in local rent caps in Richmond, Fairfax and Oakland. This month, the alliance is filing ballot measures for the November 2024 election in four other Bay Area cities — Redwood City, Larkspur, Pittsburg and San Pablo — and Delano in the Central Valley that would impose local rent camps on tax credit units, legal and policy director Leah Simon-Weisberg told CalMatters. “How are you supposed to live in affordable housing, but it’s not affordable?”

¡ALCATRAZ CITY CRUISES OFRECE UNA PROMOCIÓN DE ENTRADAS A TODOS LOS RESIDENTES DEL ÁREA DE LA BAHÍA! ENERO: 9-10, 16, 30-31 FEBRERO: 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 MARZO: 5-6

*Válido únicamente para los residentes de los nueve condados: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma.

Para reservar esta oferta deben llamar al (415) 981-7625 o comprar las entradas en la taquilla en el Muelle 33 de Alcatraz Landing.

TÉRMINOS Y CONDICIONES: • Para obtener entradas presentar documentos de identificación con fotografía extendido y con domicilio en el Área de la Bahía. • La entrada BOGO debe ser de igual o menor valor. • Válido únicamente en las fechas de salida indicadas • Válido únicamente para la excursión de un día a Alcatraz. • Las entradas solo pueden recogerse el día de su salida. • Esta promoción no tiene valor en efectivo y no es válida con ninguna otra oferta. • Nos reservamos el derecho a introducir cambios en esta promoción sin previo aviso. www.cityexperiences.com/san-francisco/city-cruises/alcatraz/bogo/

-TACHINA GARRETT, FORMER SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENT Drafts of the measures show the organization is aiming to curb rent increases at between 3% (like the Antioch cap) and 5%. Simon-Weisberg said she’s particularly concerned about corporate landlords buying up affordable housing units, and said those owners are more likely than nonprofits to raise rents to the maximum allowed by federal restrictions each year. The proposals are sure to be fought by landlord groups such as the California Apartment Association, who say the properties are already heavily regulated. Low-income housing landlords in California, said spokesperson Debra Carlton, have affordability restrictions for 55 years, so unlike others who are subject to the state’s rent cap, landlords can’t just raise rents to market rates when tenants move out of a unit. “You are getting in the way of owners who have entered into a contract,” Carlton said. “You can’t change the rules on them now … You would really create some problems for those owners who would even want to go into the business.” But to Tachina Garrett, a former post office mail handler who moved into a tax credit property in Antioch after being priced out of San Francisco, the exemption for low-income housing is a “loophole” that should be closed. Garrett, 49, fought for the local rent cap last year after her portion of the rent increased by 40%. “How are you supposed to live in affordable housing, but it’s not affordable?” she said.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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GETTING CAR INSURANCE GETS HARDER: CALIFORNIA DRIVERS FACE DELAYS, HIGHER RATES

Californians have said they experienced added difficulty over the past year in getting car insurance. Insurer rates have gone up more than usual.

Levi Sumagaysay CalMatters

California consumers. “Auto is very illustrative of the regulatory issues in California,” said Ritter of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

f you’re having trouble finding affordable car insurance, you’re not alone. Drivers across California say they’re having to wait longer than usual to get coverage — and when they finally find an insurer and a plan, they’re having to pay their premiums up front.

Hearings over property and casualty rate filings are rare, though. The most recent hearing for auto insurance was last year, and before that it was in 2009, Soller of the insurance department said.

“Something is definitely not right,” said Willis Lai, a 36-year-old driver from the Bay Area who said it took him three weeks to find insurance for his new Honda Accord hybrid after he contacted all the major insurance providers whose jingles he could remember.

California also has the most drivers out of all the states, with about 27 million licensed drivers in 2021, 9 million more than the next state with the most drivers, which was Texas, according to Statista. So as long as insurers want to do business here, they have to abide by Prop. 103.

He’s not the only one. For the past year, drivers have been complaining in online forums such as Reddit and Facebook about higher premiums, delayed quotes, questionable insurer behavior and more. The California Department of Insurance is looking into similar complaints. Meanwhile, insurers have complained that their costs are rising, and that the state has been slow to approve their requests to raise their rates partly because of what they say are California’s cumbersome regulations.

In 2021, the industry’s lobbying rose to $9.2 million, up almost $2 million from the year before and the highest amount going back two decades.

“All auto insurance companies admitted in this state are required to write all ‘good drivers,’ and we are currently investigating these issues to determine whether or not the alleged actions are in compliance with insurance law,” said Michael Soller, deputy insurance commissioner and spokesperson for the state’s insurance department. The insurance department also is in the middle of setting new regulations for fire insurance as some of the biggest insurers have pulled out of California, citing increased wildfire risks. That has led to skyrocketing premiums that some homeowners have said they can’t afford, and Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in September directing the insurance commissioner, Ricardo Lara, to try to solve the problem. In California, drivers who have had a license for the past three years and have not had more than one point on their record within that period are considered good drivers. California is one of only four states that requires insurers to sell insurance to good drivers, and is the only state that requires insurers to offer good drivers a 20% discount. It is also the only state that mandates that insurance premiums must be based on three factors: a driver’s record, experience and miles driven annually. Yet insurance premiums vary widely depending on many factors, including different coverage levels, what type of vehicle, where the driver lives and more. For example, a single driver with four years or less of driving experience could pay anywhere from $2,000 to almost $20,000 a year, according to the comparison tool on the insurance department’s website. Considering his age and good driving record, Lai expected to find a policy that would’ve worked out to less than $200 a month. Instead, Lai said he got an online quote from Geico for $750 for six months, but near the end of the process encountered a technical issue on the website and was directed to call an agent. That agent asked him to try again, and the second time around, he received a quote of about $1,000 for six months — which still would have worked out to about what he expected to pay, according to his research. The state insurance department has approved a total of 111 rate increases so far this year. The department is reviewing 80 more such requests filed this year. Lai said he ended up talking to three agents within a couple of hours, and was told he would have to wait 15 days — some insurers have instituted new, varying waiting periods and upfront payment requirements — and be mailed a confirmation. He asked if he could be emailed a confirmation instead but was told the company’s current policy is to use snail mail, even though Geico closed all its offices in California last year and is supposed to be offering policies online. While he was waiting for Geico, he contacted Wai

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Cheng Insurance Agency, in Pleasanton, where an agent helped him get approved for coverage through Progressive on the same day. He eventually received the confirmation from Geico, which asked him to provide copies of a utility bill, his vehicle registration and more. He said he was told that once he produced the required documentation, he would be contacted — again, by mail — to be informed of the next step. “I think Geico was intentionally slowing down the process,” Lai said. “They made it way too hard to get insurance.” A Geico spokesperson did not return a request for comment. But in a September letter to a deputy insurance commissioner in response to a consumer advocacy group’s questions about whether Geico has been limiting access to its auto insurance policies in California for the past five years, a company executive denied that the company was doing so. “GEICO rejects the premise of the question in its entirety,” wrote Russell Ward, senior director of insurance product management for the company, in a letter that was obtained by advocacy group Consumer Watchdog and was seen by CalMatters. “GEICO, to the best of its knowledge, is in full compliance with all California laws, regulations, and (California Department of Insurance) requirements,” Ward added. Among the specifics he mentioned: “Our website, mobile app, and digital offerings have been available for new business inquiries providing real-time preliminary quotes throughout this time period.” Another driver, Victor Lopatyuk, said he had a similar experience with Geico as he sought to insure a 250cc dirt bike he had spent a year restoring. “Geico seemed reasonably priced,” said the 21-yearold driver, who lives on the Central Coast. “Then the packet arrived in the mail one hour before the deadline (for) sending back my information.” Lopatyuk eventually found an agent who referred him to Progressive, but the interaction with the company left him feeling confused, “like they don’t really want me to go with them.” He said Progressive required an upfront payment for the year, and told him “It’s OK if you can’t pay that. We understand if it’s too much.” He paid the premium, which he said is a little less than $2,000 a year for 4,000 miles — more than what about a dozen of his friends who are the same age and driving similar bikes told him they are paying. Why is this happening? The rising premiums can be explained: The state insurance department has approved a total of 111 rate increases so far this year, Soller said, with 58 of those from requests filed this year. The department is reviewing 80 more such requests filed this year, he said, adding that there are more than 130

companies that offer auto insurance in California. Data from the insurance department shows rate hikes ranging from 4% to double-digit percentages, with the highest auto premiums approved so far being a 62% increase from online car-insurance company Root Insurance, and a 65% increase for motorcycle insurance from Geico. The approved rate increases so far have averaged 13.2%, compared with an average of 10.6% in 2019, before the pandemic. In 2018, the average approved rate increase was 6.8%. After sending $2.5 billion in rebates — at the request of the state insurance department — to some California drivers who were stuck at home because of pandemic lockdowns in 2020, insurers say their rate requests, which most insurers submit every year, are now urgent because people have resumed driving as usual, and costs of claims have risen along with prices of other goods and services. Also, they say the state’s insurance department didn’t approve any increases for more than two years — the department’s records show it approved 15 in 2020 and six in 2022. So in early 2022, “we met with the department and said let’s talk about inflation, miles driven, loss costs, all of it,” said Denni Ritter, vice president for state government relations for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a national trade association for home, auto and business insurers. Ritter also said supply-chain issues during the pandemic that drove up the prices of cars and parts are factors in higher insurance premiums. Those factors mean rising auto premiums aren’t unique to California. An S&P Global Market Intelligence report found big jumps in auto insurance rates across the nation, with California premiums up 9.7% from 2018 as of August — about in the middle among other states’ premium increases — though that includes the pause in insurance rate hikes in the state because of the pandemic. “We urge consumers to contact us.” -MICHAEL SOLLER, SPOKESPERSON, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE What is unique to the state is Proposition 103, which was passed in 1988 and contains a provision that requires hearings for any personal insurance rate increase requests above 7% if a member of the public challenges it. Because of that provision, insurers consider California to be the “worst market,” said Vanessa Wells, an attorney who represents insurance companies and said the hearings can sometimes take a couple of years. Because asking for a 7% increase comes with the risk of a hearing, “Everybody asks for 6.9%, so then you get behind,” Wells said, adding that she thinks that once insurers’ requested rate increases are approved, insurance availability should improve for

The state’s regulations have helped save drivers $2.5 billion since 2002 as Consumer Watchdog has challenged rate increases, according to the advocacy group’s calculations. Insurers and the insurance department often criticize the group over the $11.5 million it has received over those years as an intervenor in auto and other insurance rateincrease proposals, but Consumer Watchdog Executive Director Carmen Balber said most of that money goes to attorneys and experts who help the group do its work. “(Insurers) do not like the rules,” Balber said, adding that insurers seem to be using this moment to justify their anti-regulation stance. “We have a combination of inflation and climate change that the industry is really leveraging as an opportunity to claim it’s regulation that’s holding them back.” Additionally, a Consumer Federation of America study published in 2019, which was based on data from insurance commissioners around the nation, found that in California and other states that must approve rate increases by insurers, drivers’ insurance premiums have not risen as much as in other states. From 1989 to 2015, the period covered by the study, Californians saw the smallest rate increases, 12.5%, compared with a national average of 61%. Like other industries, insurers try to influence policy. State records show the industry has increased its spending on lobbying after major catastrophic events, such as after destructive and deadly wildfires in the state in 2000, 2005, 2013, 2017 and 2018, and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2021, the industry’s lobbying rose to $9.2 million, up almost $2 million from the year before and the highest amount going back two decades. Meanwhile, the department of insurance, the insurance industry, consumer advocates and the drivers who spoke with CalMatters agreed on one thing: It may be harder to find affordable auto insurance right now, but drivers still have options. The auto-insurance marketplace in the state is not the same as the homeowner- and fire-insurance marketplace, and with a couple of exceptions, auto insurers are not leaving the state. For example, some Farmers auto insurance customers recently received notices of non-renewal, but that applies to just one of its brands. Those customers are being steered to other Farmers brands. “We urge consumers to contact us,” said Soller, of the insurance department. “Are there companies who can get them a better price? Or are there issues that we should look into?” Soller also said some drivers should check whether they qualify for the state’s low-cost auto insurance program, which has some income-eligibility and other requirements and can offer premiums ranging from about $200 to less than $1,000 a year. Balber of Consumer Watchdog said it may be “shocking not to be able to get insurance online,” especially for young drivers who may be trying to get insurance on their own for the first time and then believe they’re running into an “antiquated” system. “This may not be a comforting answer, but there are many insurance companies in California.”

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OBTENER UN SEGURO DE AUTOMÓVIL SE VUELVE MÁS DIFÍCIL: LOS CONDUCTORES DE CALIFORNIA ENFRENTAN RETRASOS Y TARIFAS MÁS ALTAS Los californianos han dicho que experimentaron dificultades adicionales durante el año pasado para obtener un seguro de automóvil. Las tarifas de las aseguradoras han subido más de lo habitual.

Levi Sumagaysay CalMatters

i tiene problemas para encontrar un seguro de automóvil asequible, no está solo. Los conductores de California dicen que tienen que esperar más de lo habitual para obtener cobertura y, cuando finalmente encuentran una aseguradora y un plan, tienen que pagar sus primas por adelantado. “Definitivamente algo no está bien”, dijo Willis Lai, un conductor de 36 años del Área de la Bahía, quien dijo que le tomó tres semanas encontrar un seguro para su nuevo Honda Accord híbrido después de contactar a todos los principales proveedores de seguros de cuyos anuncios podía recordar. Él no es el único. Durante el año pasado, los conductores se han quejado en foros en línea como Reddit y Facebook sobre primas más altas, cotizaciones retrasadas, comportamiento cuestionable de las aseguradoras y más. El Departamento de Seguros de California está investigando quejas similares. Mientras tanto, las aseguradoras se han quejado de que sus costos están aumentando y de que el estado ha tardado en aprobar sus solicitudes para aumentar sus tarifas, en parte debido a lo que dicen que son las engorrosas regulaciones de California. “Todas las compañías de seguros de automóviles admitidas en este estado deben escribir todos los ‘buenos conductores’, y actualmente estamos investigando estos problemas para determinar si las supuestas acciones cumplen o no con la ley de seguros”, dijo Michael Soller, comisionado adjunto de seguros y portavoz del departamento de seguros del estado. El departamento de seguros también está estableciendo nuevas regulaciones para los seguros contra incendios, ya que algunas de las aseguradoras más importantes se han retirado de California, citando mayores riesgos de incendios forestales. Eso ha provocado un aumento vertiginoso de las primas que algunos propietarios han dicho que no pueden pagar, y el gobernador Gavin Newsom emitió una orden ejecutiva en septiembre ordenando al comisionado de seguros, Ricardo Lara, que intentara resolver el problema.

una docena de sus amigos que tienen la misma edad y conducen bicicletas similares le dijeron que estaban pagando.

ductor, la experiencia y las millas recorridas anualmente. Sin embargo, las primas de seguro varían ampliamente dependiendo de muchos factores, incluidos los diferentes niveles de cobertura, el tipo de vehículo, el lugar donde vive el conductor y más. Por ejemplo, un solo conductor con cuatro años o menos de experiencia de manejo podría pagar entre $2,000 y casi $20,000 al año, según la herramienta de comparación en el sitio web del departamento de seguros. Teniendo en cuenta su edad y su buen historial de conducción, Lai esperaba encontrar una póliza que le hubiera costado menos de $200 al mes. En cambio, Lai dijo que recibió una cotización en línea de Geico por $750 por seis meses, pero cerca del final del proceso encontró un problema técnico en el sitio web y se le indicó que llamara a un agente. Ese agente le pidió que lo intentara de nuevo, y la segunda vez, recibió una cotización de alrededor de $1,000 por seis meses, lo que aún habría resultado aproximadamente lo que esperaba pagar, según su investigación. El departamento de seguros del estado ha aprobado un total de 111 aumentos de tarifas en lo que va del año. El departamento está revisando 80 solicitudes más de este tipo presentadas este año. Lai dijo que terminó hablando con tres agentes en un par de horas, y le dijeron que tendría que esperar 15 días (algunas aseguradoras han instituido nuevos períodos de espera variables y requisitos de pago por adelantado) y recibir una confirmación por correo. Preguntó si en su lugar le podían enviar una confirmación por correo electrónico, pero le dijeron que la política actual de la compañía es usar correo postal, a pesar de que Geico cerró todas sus oficinas en California el año pasado y se supone que ofrece pólizas en línea. Mientras esperaba a Geico, se comunicó con la Agencia de Se-

¿Por qué está pasando esto?

Ilustración: Miguel Gutiérrez Jr. / CalMatters; iStock

guros Wai Cheng, en Pleasanton, donde un agente lo ayudó a obtener la aprobación para la cobertura a través de Progressive el mismo día. Finalmente recibió la confirmación de Geico, que le pedía que proporcionara copias de una factura de servicios públicos, el registro de su vehículo y más. Dijo que le dijeron que una vez que presentara la documentación requerida, lo contactarían (nuevamente por correo) para informarle del siguiente paso. “Creo que Geico estaba ralentizando intencionalmente el proceso”, dijo Lai. “Hacían que fuera demasiado difícil conseguir un seguro”. Un portavoz de Geico no respondió a una solicitud de comentarios. Pero en una carta de septiembre dirigida a un comisionado adjunto de seguros en respuesta a las preguntas de un grupo de defensa del consumidor sobre si Geico ha estado limitando el acceso a sus pólizas de seguro de automóviles en California durante los últimos cinco años, un ejecutivo de la compañía negó que la compañía estuviera haciéndolo. “GEICO rechaza la premisa de la pregunta en su totalidad”, escribió Russell Ward, director senior de gestión de productos de seguros de la compañía, en una

carta obtenida por el grupo de defensa Consumer Watchdog y vista por CalMatters. “GEICO, hasta donde sabe, cumple plenamente con todas las leyes, regulaciones y requisitos (del Departamento de Seguros de California)”, agregó Ward. Entre los detalles, mencionó: “Nuestro sitio web, aplicación móvil y ofertas digitales han estado disponibles para consultas de nuevas empresas proporcionando cotizaciones preliminares en tiempo real durante este período”. Otro conductor, Victor Lopatyuk, dijo que tuvo una experiencia similar con Geico cuando buscaba asegurar una moto de cross de 250 cc que había pasado un año restaurando. “Geico parecía tener un precio razonable”, dijo el conductor de 21 años, que vive en la Costa Central. “Luego, el paquete llegó por correo una hora antes de la fecha límite para enviar mi información”. Lopatyuk finalmente encontró un agente que lo refirió a Progressive, pero la interacción con la empresa lo dejó confundido, “como si realmente no quisieran que fuera con ellos”. Dijo que Progressive exigía un pago por adelantado para el año y le dijo: “Está bien si no puedes pagar eso. Entendemos si es demasiado”. Pagó la prima, que, según dijo, es un poco menos de $2,000 al año por 4,000 millas, más de lo que

El aumento de las primas se puede explicar: el departamento de seguros del estado ha aprobado un total de 111 aumentos de tarifas en lo que va del año, dijo Soller, y 58 de ellos provienen de solicitudes presentadas este año. El departamento está revisando 80 solicitudes más presentadas este año, dijo, y agregó que hay más de 130 compañías que ofrecen seguros de automóviles en California. Los datos del departamento de seguros muestran aumentos de tarifas que van desde el 4% hasta porcentajes de dos dígitos, siendo las primas de automóvil más altas aprobadas hasta ahora un aumento del 62% de la compañía de seguros de automóviles en línea Root Insurance y un aumento del 65% para el seguro de motocicletas de Geico. Los aumentos de tarifas aprobados hasta ahora han promediado el 13.2%, en comparación con un promedio del 10.6% en 2019, antes de la pandemia. En 2018, el aumento medio de tarifas aprobado fue del 6.8%. Después de enviar $2.5 mil millones en reembolsos, a solicitud del departamento de seguros estatal, a algunos conductores de California que quedaron atrapados en casa debido a los cierres pandémicos en 2020, las aseguradoras dicen que sus solicitudes de tarifas, que la mayoría de las aseguradoras presentan cada año, ahora son urgentes porque las personas han vuelto a conducir como de costumbre y los costes de las reclamaciones han aumentado junto con los precios de otros bienes y servicios. Además, dicen que el departamento de seguros del estado no aprobó ningún aumento durante más de dos años; los registros del departamento muestran que aprobó 15 en 2020 y seis en 2022.

Entonces, a principios de 2022, “nos reunimos con el departamento y dijimos: hablemos de inflación, millas recorridas, costos de pérdidas, todo eso”, dijo Denni Ritter, vicepresidente de relaciones con el gobierno estatal de la American Property Casualty Insurance Association, una asociación comercial nacional de aseguradores de hogar, automóviles y empresas. Ritter también dijo que los problemas de la cadena de suministro durante la pandemia que hicieron subir los precios de los automóviles y las piezas son factores que explican el aumento de las primas de seguros. Esos factores significan que el aumento de las primas de automóviles no es exclusivo de California. Un informe de S&P Global Market Intelligence encontró grandes aumentos en las tasas de seguros de automóviles en todo el país, con un aumento de las primas de California del 9.7% desde 2018 en agosto, aproximadamente en el medio entre los aumentos de primas de otros estados, aunque eso incluye la pausa en los aumentos de las tasas de seguros en el estado debido a la pandemia. “Instamos a los consumidores a que se pongan en contactocon nosotros”. -MICHAEL SOLLER, PORTAVOZ, DEPARTAMENTO DE SEGUROS DE CALIFORNIA Lo que es exclusivo del estado es la Proposición 103, que fue aprobada en 1988 y contiene una disposición que requiere audiencias para cualquier solicitud de aumento de la tasa de seguro personal por encima del 7% si un miembro del público la impugna. Debido a esa disposición, las aseguradoras consideran que California es el “peor mercado”, dijo Vanessa Wells, abogada que representa a las compañías de seguros y dijo que las audiencias a veces pueden durar un par de años. Debido a que pedir un aumento del 7% conlleva el riesgo de una audiencia, “Todo el mundo pide el 6.9%, entonces te quedas atrás”, dijo Wells, y agregó que cree que una vez que se aprueben los aumentos de tarifas solicitados por las aseguradoras, la disponibilidad de seguros debería mejorar para los consumidores de California. “El sector del automóvil es muy ilustrativo de las cuestiones regulatorias en California”, dijo Ritter de la Asociación Estadounidense de Seguros contra Accidentes de Propiedad.

En California, los conductores que han tenido una licencia durante los últimos tres años y no han tenido más de un punto en su historial dentro de ese período se consideran buenos conductores. California es uno de los cuatro estados que exige que las aseguradoras vendan seguros a buenos conductores, y es el único estado que exige que las aseguradoras ofrezcan a los buenos conductores un descuento del 20%. También es el único estado que exige que las primas de seguro se basen en tres factores: el historial del con-

Sin embargo, las audiencias sobre presentaciones de propiedades y tasas de accidentes son raras. La audiencia más reciente para seguros de automóviles fue el año pasado, y antes fue en 2009, dijo Soller del departamento de seguros. California también tiene la mayor cantidad de conductores de todos los estados, con alrededor de 27 millones de

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ESPAÑOL conductores con licencia en 2021, 9 millones más que el siguiente estado con más conductores, que fue Texas, según Statista. Entonces, mientras las aseguradoras quieran hacer negocios aquí, deben cumplir con la Proposición 103. En 2021, el lobby de la industria aumentó a 9.2 millones de dólares, casi 2 millones de dólares más que el año anterior y la cantidad más alta desde hace dos décadas. Las regulaciones estatales han ayudado a ahorrar a los conductores $2.5 mil millones desde 2002, ya que Consumer Watchdog ha cuestionado los aumentos de tarifas, según los cálculos del grupo de defensa. Las aseguradoras y el departamento de seguros a menudo critican al grupo por los $11.5 millones que ha recibido durante esos años como interventor en propuestas de aumento de tarifas de seguros de automóviles y otros, pero la directora ejecutiva de Consumer Watchdog, Carmen Balber, dijo que la mayor parte de ese dinero se destina a abogados y expertos que ayudar al grupo a hacer su trabajo. “(A las aseguradoras) no les gustan las reglas”, dijo Balber, y agregó que las aseguradoras parecen estar aprovechando este momento para justificar su postura anti regulación. “Tenemos una combinación de inflación y cambio climático que la industria realmente está aprovechando como una oportunidad para reclamar que es la regulación la que los está frenando”. Además, un estudio de la Federación de Consumidores de Estados Unidos publicado en 2019, que se basó en datos de los comisionados de seguros de todo el país, encontró que en California y otros estados que deben aprobar aumentos de tarifas por parte de las aseguradoras, las primas de seguro de los conductores no han aumentado tanto como en otros estados. De 1989 a 2015, el período cubierto por el estudio, los californianos experimentaron los aumentos de tarifas más pequeños, 12.5%, en comparación con un promedio nacional del 61%. Al igual que otras industrias, las aseguradoras intentan influir en las políticas. Los registros estatales muestran que la industria ha aumentado su gasto

en cabildeo después de grandes eventos catastróficos, como después de los destructivos y mortales incendios forestales en el estado en 2000, 2005, 2013, 2017 y 2018, y después del inicio de la pandemia de COVID-19 en 2020. En 2021, el lobby de la industria aumentó a 9.2 millones de dólares, casi 2 millones de dólares más que el año anterior y la cantidad más alta desde hace dos décadas. Mientras tanto, el departamento de seguros, la industria de seguros, los defensores del consumidor y los conductores que hablaron con CalMatters coincidieron en una cosa: puede que sea más difícil encontrar un seguro de automóvil asequible en este momento, pero los conductores todavía tienen opciones. El mercado de seguros para automóviles en el estado no es el mismo que el mercado de seguros para propietarios de viviendas y contra incendios y, con un par de excepciones, las aseguradoras de automóviles no abandonarán el estado. Por ejemplo, algunos clientes de seguros de automóviles de Farmers recibieron recientemente avisos de no renovación, pero eso se aplica solo a una de sus marcas. Esos clientes están siendo dirigidos a otras marcas de Farmers. "Instamos a los consumidores a que se pongan en contacto con nosotros", dijo Soller, del departamento de seguros. “¿Hay empresas que puedan ofrecerles un mejor precio? ¿O hay cuestiones que deberíamos analizar?”, cuestionó. Soller también dijo que algunos conductores deberían verificar si califican para el programa de seguro de automóvil de bajo costo del estado, que tiene algunos requisitos de elegibilidad de ingresos y otros requisitos y puede ofrecer primas que van desde aproximadamente $200 hasta menos de $1,000 al año. Balber, de Consumer Watchdog, dijo que puede ser "impactante no poder obtener un seguro en línea", especialmente para los conductores jóvenes que pueden estar tratando de obtener un seguro por su cuenta por primera vez y luego creen que se están topando con un sistema de seguro "anticuado". "Puede que esta no sea una respuesta recon-10.5 fortante, pero hay muchas compañías de seguros en California".

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3 MESS-FREE HOLIDAY GIFTS PERFECT FOR YOUR LITTLE ARTIST ENGLISH

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he holidays are a great opportunity to encourage your child's creative spirit. However, cleaning up after your little one's masterpieces can sometimes be tedious. Luckily, you don't have to choose between letting your budding artist color creatively or a clean home. This holiday season, Crayola is here to help reduce cleanup with its mess-free Color Wonder products. In fact, the Crayola Color Wonder line is the #1 Brand in Marker Paper systems, according to the Numerator Color Wonder 2023 study. With the Color Wonder markers to paper technology, the markers only show up on specially formulated Color Wonder paper, not on skin, clothing or furniture. This means no stains on surfaces not meant to be used as a canvas. Color Wonder encourages creative freedom, keeping kids busy and engaged while allowing handsoff play for parents. Kids can now explore their artistic side and parents can let them create without worry! Check out three of the latest and greatest mess-free holiday presents perfect for your emerging artist. 1. Crayola Color Wonder Fingerprint Activity Book Your mini-Picasso can get hands-on with their art using the Color Wonder Fingerprint Activity Book, a new, mess-free way to fingerpaint! The kit offers all the fun of fingerpainting without the messy color mixing or need to wash hands in between colors! Each set comes with an ink pad tray inclusive of five assorted ink colors and a 27-page activity book. 2. Crayola Color Wonder Activity Pads Take the magic of mess-free creations on the road with Color Wonder Activity Pads! As found in all Color Wonder line products, markers will only reveal color on the specially formulated Color Wonder paper. Your kids will be excited knowing they can take their favorite characters like Spidey & His Amazing Friends, Paw Patrol and Disney Princesses on every car, plane or train trip. Each spiral-bound coloring pad offers 16 coloring pages,

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3 REGALOS FESTIVOS PERFECTOS A PRUEBA DE MANCHAS PARA SU PEQUEÑO ARTISTA ESPAÑOL

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a temporada festiva es una oportunidad idónea para fomentar el espíritu creativo de su hijo. Sin embargo, en ocasiones, limpiar el desorden que dejan las obras maestras de su pequeño puede ser tedioso. Afortunadamente, no tiene que elegir entre dejar que su artista en ciernes coloree creativamente, o mantener la casa limpia. En esta temporada de fin de año, Crayola le ayudará a reducir la labor de limpieza con sus productos Color Wonder que no manchan. De hecho, según el estudio Color Wonder 2023, la línea Crayola Color Wonder ocupa el primer lugar en sistemas de papel marcador. Con la tecnología de marcadores y papel Color Wonder, los marcadores solo revelarán el color en el papel Color Wonder especialmente formulado, no en la piel, la ropa o los muebles. Esto significa que no habrá manchas en superficies que no estén destinadas a ser utilizadas como lienzo. Color Wonder fomenta la libre creatividad, manteniendo a los niños ocupados y activos, al tiempo que propicia el juego sin intervención de los padres. ¡Ahora los niños pueden explorar su lado artístico y los padres pueden dejarlos crear sin preocupaciones! Le proponemos tres de los más recientes y mejores regalos festivos a prueba de manchas, perfectos para su artista emergente. 1. Crayola Color Wonder Fingerprint Activity Book Su Picasso en miniatura podrá poner manos a la obra artística utilizando el libro de actividades con huellas dactilares Color Wonder Fingerprint Activity Book, ¡una nueva forma de pintar con los dedos sin complicaciones! ¡El kit ofrece toda la diversión de pintar con los dedos sin la mezcla de colores desordenada ni la necesidad de lavarse las manos entre aplicación! Cada kit trae una bandeja con almohadillas de tinta en cinco colores variados, y un libro de actividades de 27 páginas. 2. Crayola Color Wonder Activity Pads ¡Lleven la magia de las creaciones a prueba de manchas adondequiera que vayan con los blocs de

actividades Color Wonder! Como es característico a todos los productos de la línea Color Wonder, los marcadores solo revelarán el color en el papel Color Wonder especialmente formulado. Sus hijos estarán emocionados sabiendo que pueden llevar a sus personajes favoritos como Spidey & His Amazing Friends, Paw Patrol y Disney Princesses en cada viaje que hagan, ya sea en automóvil, avión o tren. Cada bloc para colorear encuadernado en espiral cuenta con 16 páginas, tres marcadores Color Wonder y espacio para guardar los marcadores. 3. Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Coloring Pages & Markers Las páginas para colorear y marcadores Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free son excelentes para mantener a los niños ocupados y creativos durante toda la temporada de fin de año. El paquete estilo sobre es una solución de almacenamiento única, ya que mantiene los marcadores y las páginas para colorear en el mismo sitio, y permite que las actividades de colorear se puedan realizar en casa o en algún recorrido fuera de ella. ¡Y además está disponible en personajes favoritos de los niños como Bluey! ¡Regalos para la temporada festiva y todo el año! Estos productos Color Wonder son solo tres de una amplia gama de ofertas a prueba de manchas que Crayola tiene a su disposición. Y más allá de la temporada navideña, Color Wonder es un excelente regalo para todo el año, gracias a la conveniencia, la diversión creativa y sus personajes favoritos de los niños. Según Crayola, nueve de cada diez compradores afirman que, después de comprar, usar y amar su kit Color Wonder, se proponen adquirirlo nuevamente. Respire tranquilo en esta temporada festiva con los regalos Crayola Color Wonder a prueba de manchas. ¡Y lo mejor de todo es que a los niños les encantarán tanto como a sus padres! Color Wonder y otros productos favoritos de Crayola están disponibles en Walmart, Amazon, Target y otros minoristas de todo el mundo.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

VIBRAS

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com

HORÓSCOPO 2024 Mario Jiménez Castillo El Observador

ARIES

LIBRA

El 2024 será muy importante para tu mundo financiero, y de amistades. La influencia de los planetas ampliará tu sector de buenas oportunidades. Júpiter hará un tránsito de varios meses por tu sector económico y de adquisiciones, tendrás motivos para ser feliz. Todo el año contarás con buena estrella para ganar dinero. El Ángel San Gabriel iluminará tu destino. Te abundarán los admiradores, brillarás con luz propia. Muestra al mundo que te rodea, tu buena vibra, cultura, y sensibilidad. Amor y romance se vislumbra en el horizonte.

Venus tu planeta regente, ha confabulado con otros astros, para que en este 2024 te sientas feliz y realizado en el amor. Un amor verdadero es como un regalo del cielo, que cuando llega no debemos dejarlo ir. El 2023 no fue tu mejor año, viviste un torbellino de emociones, padeciste injusticias, gastaste más de lo debido, y un familiar te robó la paz en más de una ocasión. Ahora viene el tiempo de la regeneración, las aguas vuelven a su cauce, y la buena estrella retorna. Reza oraciones a diario, y mantén el optimismo que te caracteriza.

TAURO La posición de Júpiter en tu propio signo, te hará merecedor de tener el mando, ya sea que trabajes para otras personas, o seas tu propio jefe. En este 2024 si te lo propones, alcanzarás poder, popularidad, fama y prestigio. Sé cauteloso porque enfrentarás celos, y algún envidioso intentará obstaculizar tu camino. La fe y la espiritualidad, serán tus mejores aliados en contra de malas vibras. Tendrás buenas noticias respecto a trámites y documentos. San Miguel Arcángel te protegerá de peligros y de malas voluntades. GÉMINIS

ESCORPIÓN Aunque las noticias económicas actuales, no sean las mejores, para ti la situación será diferente durante el 2024. Los astros anuncian que recibirás una cantidad de dinero como caída del cielo. Entre los meses de febrero y mayo, la felicidad llamará a tu puerta. Dos viajes se vislumbran uno probablemente en marzo y otro en julio. Existe un ángel que te proveerá todo lo que necesites. Su nombre es Arcángel Metatrón, conocido como el Príncipe de los Ángeles. Este ser excepcional te cubrirá de gracia, abundancia, y buena vibra. SAGITARIO

Este año 2024 te devolverá la alegría de vivir, Júpiter navegará por tu signo comenzando en el mes de mayo, la rueda de la fortuna girará a tu favor. Necesitas darte más amor a ti mismo, y elevar tu autoestima. Trabajarás mucho en este nuevo año, incluso más que antes, el dinero llegará a tus manos de manera rápida y eficaz. Crearás negocios y encontrarás diversas maneras, para aumentar el monto de tus ingresos. Durante este año ocurrirán circunstancias, que te demostrarán, quiénes son las personas que te quieren de verdad.

Durante este año 2024 la religiosidad será un factor importante en tu vida, te volverás más generoso y comprensivo. Te espera un año de trabajo arduo, y grandes satisfacciones. En épocas anteriores no escuchaste consejos, y te lanzaste sin paracaídas. Con toda la experiencia que has ganado, te has convertido en una persona muy sabia. La buena noticia del nuevo año, será referente a tu mundo financiero, ya la racha de altibajos que vienes arrastrando desde hace años llegó a su fin. Por fin se resolverá un asunto referente a documentos legales.

CÁNCER

CAPRICORNIO

Durante los últimos dos años has pasado por mucho, la carga ha sido bastante pesada, pero todo esto te ha servido de gran experiencia, para que despiertes a una nueva realidad. Comenzarás a abrirte paso con una nueva filosofía de vida, dejarás de sufrir por pesares del ayer, y te mostrarás más alegre y divertido. Adonde quiera que vayas, te convertirás en el centro de atracción, podrás balancear tu vida entre el trabajo, las obligaciones, y el placer. El amor ha de sacudir tu vida más que en otros años. Tu ángel de la guarda te enviará mensajes a través de sueños. El 2024 puede ser un año de suerte para ti.

Plutón ha transitado por tu signo durante muchos años, y a inicios de este 2024, abandonará tu signo de manera definitiva. Los augurios son prometedores para tu mundo financiero, ya que dicha energía astral, traerá consigo recompensas para ti. La influencia de tu planeta regente Saturno, traerá algunas lecciones necesarias para tu evolución espiritual. El sector salud requerirá cuidados. Convierte los ejercicios físicos en una rutina, la cual te hará vivir una existencia más sana, excitante, y feliz. Es presagio que durante el nuevo año, te conviertas en el receptor de un milagro.

LEO El planeta Plutón transita en tu casa sexta, y allí se mantendrá hasta enero del año 2024, el presagio para ti es de una continua lucha, por hacer prevalecer tus ideas ante los demás. Muchos de ustedes llegarán a la cima en sus respectivas profesiones, trabajo o estudio. A ti te será encomendado mandar y gobernar, en tus manos estará el futuro de muchas personas, instituciones, y empresas. La gran mayoría, aquellos que han obrado y obrarán con bien, recibirán una recompensa del karma. Plutón refleja el fin y el inicio de una nueva etapa. Una vida mejor está esperando por ti. VIRGO De todos los signos serás tú uno de los más afortunados. Nada más y nada menos que Júpiter, el planeta de la buena suerte obrará maravillas por ti desde tu casa novena. Ahora en el 2024, tu mundo vuelve a llenarse de alegría, gente nueva con mentalidad moderna se harán presentes en tu destino, haciendo que tu vida se vuelva más fácil, y sobre todo más placentera. El planeta Venus te obsequiará dones, como el encanto y la buena apariencia. Deja en el pasado penas y sufrimientos, e inicia por un nuevo sendero.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

ACUARIO Este año 2024 será como un renacer para ti. Quiénes busquen un nuevo empleo, o quieran desarrollarse en una vocación o negocio, podrán hacerlo ya que cuentan con el auspicio de Júpiter y Venus, que ya andan rondando tu destino. Los astros anuncian que se abrirán para ti, puertas y oportunidades que antes no existían. Tu casa de dinero y posesiones, estará influenciada por la presencia de Saturno, por lo tanto es presagio que te liberarás de deudas e incrementarás tus ganancias. Y por supuesto, si te lo propones, puedes alcanzar la felicidad. PISCIS Este 2024 ha de cambiar tu vida para siempre, las posiciones planetarias te alertan, a ser sumamente cauteloso con el mundo que te rodea, principalmente con amigos, socios, y nuevos conocidos. Saturno el planeta del karma navegará en tu signo durante todo el año, esto no significa mala suerte, pero; has de cosechar lo bueno que hiciste, y quizá purgar un poco por lo malo, el karma es así. Padecimiento de salud, o alguna alteración emocional deberá ser atendida con prontitud. Este año crecerás en todos los sentidos. Salud, dinero y amor, podrán estar al alcance de tus manos.

Our Gift to You for Shopping Local Spend $125 at downtown San Jose retail businesses between November 24 and December 24 and receive a $25 gift card to a downtown business. Scan the QR code or go to sjdowntown.com/holidays for details.

#DT Your first 90 minutes of parking are FREE in 5 ParkSJ City garages. Visit ParkSJ.org to learn more.

JOBS / CLASSIFIEDS / LEGALS

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com Kifer Senior Apartments

Kifer Departamentos para Seniors

Kifer Senior Apartments provides 80 units of affordable and supportive housing located at 3333 Kifer Road in Santa Clara.

Los departamentos para Personas Mayores Kifer ofrecen 80 unidades de viviendas asequibles y de apoyo ubicadas en 3333 Kifer Road en Santa Clara.

Unit Mix: 79 units total (30-Studios, 45-1 bedrooms, 4-2 bedrooms), 1 staff unit. 54 units set aside for individuals experiencing homelessness. We welcome Section 8 vouchers.

Combinación de unidades: 79 unidades en total (30 estudios, 45-1 dormitorios, 4-2 dormitorios), 1 unidad para el personal. 54 unidades reservadas para personas sin hogar. Aceptamos los vales de la Sección 8.

Income Requirements: This property serves households at 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% AMI.

Requisitos de ingresos: 20%, 30%, 40% y 50% IAM.

Utilities: PG&E, water & garbage paid by owner.

Servicios públicos: PG&E, agua y recolección de residuos pagados por el propietario.

Pet Policy: Pet friendly, limited to one pet per household.

Política de mascotas: Se admiten mascotas, limitado a una mascota por hogar.

Leasing Office: The temporary leasing office is located at 2727 Walsh Avenue, Suite 105, Santa Clara, CA 95051.

Oficina de arrendamiento: La oficina de arrendamiento temporal está ubicada en 2727 Walsh Avenue, Suite 105, Santa Clara, CA 95051.

We do business in accordance with Federal Fair Housing Law. It is illegal to discriminate against any person because of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Handicap, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Familial Status or National Origin.

Hacemos negocios de acuerdo con la Ley Federal de Vivienda Justa. Es ilegal discriminar a cualquier persona por motivos de raza, color, religión, sexo, discapacidad, orientación sexual, identidad de género, estado familiar u origen nacional.

New affordable apartments ready for occupancy in January 2024.

AHORA ACEPTAMOS APLICACIONES Basado en ingresos para personas mayores Apartamentos de 1 habitación 39548 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538 510-657-4244 | TTY 711 pasatiempoapts.com

Head of Partnerships & Marketing sought by FarmWise Labs, Inc. in Santa Clara & Salinas CA to guide co's strategic mktg decisions. Req.: BS + 4 yr. exp. $236,600-$250k/yr. Domestic travel. *TELECOMMUTING/ TELEWORK PERMITTED*. Kate Sedano, VP - People, kate.sedano@farmwise.io FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700776 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: TJ REAL ESTATE SERVICES, TJ COMMERCIALS, TJ PROPERTIES AND SALES, 855 El Camino Real, STE 13A#448, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): TJ INVESTMENTS GROUP INC., 855 El Camino Real, STE 13A#448, Palo Alto, CA 94301. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Toran Kanazawa TJ INVESTMENT GROUP, INC. Owner Article/Reg#: 201826310272 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/27/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Re-

corder By: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy File No. FBN 700776 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 701103 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Garcias’ Tacos, 483 Avalani Ave, San Jose, CA 95133, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Isidro Garcia Morales, 483 Avalani Ave, San Jose, CA 95133. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 12/07/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Isidro Garcia Morales This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Corinne Vasquez, Deputy

File No. FBN 701103 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 701100 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Clean Color Apartment Services, 134 Crocker Dr, San Jose, CA 95111, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Yency Arevalo Collazos, 134 Crocker Dr, San Jose, CA 95111. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 12/07/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Yency Arevalo Collazos This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Corinne Vasquez, Deputy File No. FBN 701100

December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 701210 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CALIFORNIA GATES AND WELDING, 632 S Jackson Ave, San Jose, CA 95116, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Jesus Antonio Aguilar Molina, 632 S Jackson Ave, San Jose, CA 95116. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 12/11/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Jesus Antonio Aguiar Molina This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/11/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Corinne Vasquez, Deputy

Nuevos departamentos asequibles listos para ser habitados en enero de 2024.

File No. FBN 701210 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700640 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: KING LAUNDROMAT, 2611 Senter Rd, Ste 118, San Jose, CA 95111, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): KING LAUNDROMAT, 4216 Ridgemont Ct, Oakland, CA 94619. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/16/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Victoria Duong KING LAUNDROMAT Owner Article/Reg#: 5910300 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/17/2023. Regina Alcomendras,

County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy File No. FBN 700640 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 701093 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JASMINE HAIR & NAILS SALON, 2361 McKee Rd, San Jose, CA 95116, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Tham Nguyen, 108 El Bosque Dr, San Jose, CA 95134. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a refile [Change(s) in facts from previous filing] of previous file #: FBN701011. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Tham Nguyen This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. Regina Alcomendras,

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023 County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Nina Khamphilath, Deputy File No. FBN 701093 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 701114 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JJ GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, 2227 Summereve Ct, San Jose, CA 95122, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Jose Jimenez, 2227 Summereve Ct, San Jose, CA 95122. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 06/01/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Jose Jimenez This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Corinne Vasquez, Deputy File No. FBN 701114 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700290 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: GITA PUNAMBHAI PATEL E&T, GITA PUNAMBHAI PATEL IFN USCIS# 047-527-708, GITA PUNAMBHAI PATEL FGT, GITA P. PATEL, GITA PATEL TRUST, THE SOUTHERN HILLS TRUST, 3277 S. White Road, #870, San Jose, CA

95148, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Patel, Gita-Punambhai, 5911 Killarney, San Jose, CA 95138. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 01/01/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Patel, GitaPunambhai This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/03/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Nina Khamphilath, Deputy File No. FBN 700290 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700237 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: MAKIA BARBERSHOP, 3111 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95127, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Anyisson Javier Camargo Riano, 3111 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95127. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/31/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Anyisson Javier Camargo Riano

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023 This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/01/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy File No. FBN 700327 December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV424667 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: VANESSA TA P I A - L I C O N A , JUAN CARLOS LICONA ANGELES INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) VANESSA TAPIA-LICONA, JUAN CARLOS LICONA ANGELES has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Kayden Matteo Licona to Santiago Matteo Licona. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 1/23/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for

hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 06, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV427092 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: BI VAN NGUYEN INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) BI VAN NGUYEN has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. BI VAN NGUYEN to RYAN NGUYEN 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/27/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Dec 07, 2023

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court

December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV427383 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Alan Fitzgerard Perez Bucio INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Alan Fitzgerard Perez Bucio has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Alan Fitzgerard Perez Bucio to Alan Fitzgerald Bucio 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/27/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Dec 11, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court

AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV427092 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Cesar Rivera and Maria Hernandez INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Cesar Rivera and Maria Hernandez has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Katherine Najarro Hernandez to Katherine Rivera Hernandez 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 1/16/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Dec 12, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court

December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 ORDER TO SHOW

CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV427449 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: CHAU TU LUONG INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) CHAU TU LUONG has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. CHAU TU LUONG OR TU CHAU LUONG to JASON LUONG 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 3/05/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Dec 12, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 15, 22, 29, 2023; January 5, 2024 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate of JUAN MANUEL CEDILLO Case No. 23PR196044 1. To all heirs, ben-

JOBS / CLASSIFIEDS / LEGALS

eficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may be interested in the will or estate, or both, of JUAN MANUEL CEDILLO. 2. A Petition for Probate has been filed by Victor Daniel Cedillo in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. 3.The Petition for Probate requests that Victor Daniel Cedillo be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. 5. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administer of Estate Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take any actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consent to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person Files and objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. 6. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: February 08, 2024, at 9:01am, Dept. 2, located at 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 7. If you object to the granting of this petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. 8. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either: 1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative

as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or 2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. 9. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.    10. Attorney for petitioner (name): Anita Steburg, Anam Hasan Steburg Law Firm, P.C. 2001 Gateway Place, Suite 100W San Jose, CA 95110 (408)573-1122 Run Date: December 15, 22, 29, 2023 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate of HESERLINA GINGOYON EMATA Case No. 23PR195294 1. To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Heserlina Gingoyon Emata. 2. A Petition for Probate has been filed by Lionel Emata in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. 3.The Petition for Probate requests that Lionel Emata be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. 5. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administer of Estate Act. (This authority will allow the personal

representative to take any actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consent to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person Files and objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. 6. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: January 8, 2024, at 9:01am, Dept. 2, located at 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 7. If you object to the granting of this petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. 8. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either: 1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or 2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. 9. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and ap-

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praisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.    10. Attorney for petitioner (name): JONATHAN C. DO, ESQ. 621 Tully Road, Suite 106 San Jose, CA 95111 (408.287-4444 Run Date: December 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700581 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: LA MARQUESITA, 199 Willow St, San Jose, CA 95110, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Alejandra Jamileth Carrillo Osuna, 327 Gloria Ave, San Jose, CA 95127. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/15/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Alejandra Jamileth Carrillo This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/15/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 700581 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700947 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: OTILIA CLEANING

SERVICES, 1275 Royal Crest Dr, San Jose, CA 95131, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Yaneth Lozano Renteria, 1295 Royal Crest Dr, San Jose, CA 95131. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Yaneth Lozano Renteria This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/01/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 700947 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700824 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Homes By Quinn LLC, 2410 Monterey Hwy, San Jose, CA 95111, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a limited liability company. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Homes By Quinn LLC, 2350 Senter Rd #333B, San Jose, CA 95112. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 06/06/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Quynh Phan

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com Homes By Quinn LLC CEO Article/Reg#: 202357211903 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/28/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Ronald Nguyen, Deputy File No. FBN 700824 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 701032 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: General Cleaning Club, 4072 Rose Ave, San Jose, CA 95127, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Cristian Josue Maradiaga Herrera, 1991 Story Rd Apt 21, San Jose, CA 95112. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Cristian Maradiaga Herrera This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/05/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Ronald Nguyen, Deputy File No. FBN 701032 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700831 The following person(s) is (are) do-

ing business as: LOS PRIMOS MOTORS, 1394 Vine St, San Jose, CA 95110, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a limited liability company. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): WHEELS & MOTORS LLC, 1394 Vine St, San Jose, CA 95110. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Rosario Tesfai Freslassie WHEELS & MOTORS LLC MEMBER/MANAGER Article/Reg#: 202358719510 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/28/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy File No. FBN 700831 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700826 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: FAST FRESH PIZZA, 1130 Lucretia Ave #E, San Jose, CA 95122, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): FAST FRESH PIZZA, 1130 Lucretia Ave #E, San Jose, CA 95122. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in

this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Van Cuong Nguyen FAST FRESH PIZZA CEO Article/Reg#: 5984400 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/28/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Ronald Nguyen, Deputy File No. FBN 700826 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700950 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SABOGAL JANITORIAL CLEANING SERVICES, 4501 Snell Ave, San Jose, CA 95136, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Carolina Lozado Sabogal, 4501 Snell Ave, San Jose, CA 95136. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Carolina Lozado Sabogal This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 12/01/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 700950

December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700258 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Panda Janitorial & Maintenance Services, 10 Superior Dr Apt A, Campbell, CA 95008, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Saul Mendoza, 2024 Sierra Rd #16, Concord, CA 95418. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 1/08/19. This filing is a refile [Change(s) in facts from previous filing] of previous file #: FBN649324. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Saul Mendoza This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/02/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Nina Khamphilath, Deputy File No. FBN 700258 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV426487 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Maelena Heredia Pimentel INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Maelena Heredia Pimentel has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Maelena Heredia Pimentel to Maelena Cabarloc 2. THE COURT ORDERS that

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023 all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 1/09/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 29, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV425679 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Fedor Sinitsin INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Fedor Sinitsin has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Fedor Sinitsin to Theo Sinitsin 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person

objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/13/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 13, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV426993 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Oralia Gonzalez Talamantes INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Oralia Gonzalez Talamantes has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Mario Daniel Gonzalez Talamantes to Daniel Pereyda Gonzalez 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023 court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/27/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Dec 06, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV425956 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Hoa Thai Nguyen INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Hoa Thai Nguyen has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Nguyen, Hoa Thai to Nguyen, Thai 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant

the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/13/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 17, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV426187 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Erick Francisco Sanchez INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Erick Francisco Sanchez has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Erick Francisco Sanchez to Erick Francisco Sanwald 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/13/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 22, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV426843 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Hilda Valdes Garcia, Todd Kevin Wedlake INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Hilda Valdes Garcia, Todd Kevin Wedlake has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Sophie Carmelita Valdes to Sophie Carmelita Wedlake 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/27/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four

successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Dec 04, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV423635 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Fatemeh Goudarzinikoo INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Fatemeh Goudarzinikoo has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Fatemeh Goudarzinikoo to Nasim Goudarzinikoo 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 01/09/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in

the county of Santa Clara. Oct 03, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2023 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate of Henning E. Marahrens Case No. 23PR196041 1. To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Henning E. Marahrens, Henning Marahrens, Henning E.W. Marahrens. 2. A Petition for Probate has been filed by Alyssa Parisette-Sparks in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. 3.The Petition for Probate requests that Alyssa Parisette-Sparks be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. 5. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administer of Estate Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take any actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consent to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person Files and objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. 6. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: February 08, 2024, at 9:01am, Dept. 2, located at 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 7. If you object to the granting of this petition, you should appear at the hearing

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and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. 8. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either: 1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or 2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. 9. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.    10. Petitioner: Shahram Miri 80 Gilman Ave Suite 27 Campbell, CA 95008 (408)866-8382

the City of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, State of California. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim within four months from the date of first publication with the DERMER LAW FIRM, 5448 Thornwood Drive, Suite 200, San Jose, California 95123 (408) 395-5111

Run Date: December 8, 15, 22, 2024

By order of this Court you are hereby cited to appear before the judge presiding in Dept. 10 of this court on January 19, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., then and there to show cause, if you have any, why Santiago R Chavez, should not be declared free from your parental control and custody, for the purpose of freeing said minor child(ren) for placement for adoption.

NOTICE OF DEATH OF James A. Citrano To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of James A. Citrano, who was a resident of Santa Clara County, State of California, and died on November 15, 2023, in

Joseph D. Dermer, Esq. DERMER LAW FIRM 5448 Thornwood Drive, Ste 200 San Jose, CA 95123 Tel (408) 395-5111 Fax (408) 354-2797 December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023 CITATION TO PARENT SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF MERCED Case No.: 23AD-00067 Name: Andres Villa Rojas Street Address: 354 Somerset Ave City, State, Zip: Los Banos, CA 93635 Telephone: 408-7759662, 408-757-1902 Petitioner, IN PRO PER In the Matter of the Adoption Petition of Andres Elias Rojas Hearing Date: 1/19/2024 Hearing Time: 9:00 a.m. Department: 10 TO: Gordiano Chavez,

The following information concerns rights and procedures that relate to this proceeding to declare minor free from your parental control and custody as set forth in Family Code Section 7860, et seq.: 1. At the beginning of the proceeding, the Court will consider whether or not the interest of the minor requires appointment of counsel. If the Court finds that the interests of the minor do require such protection, the Court will appoint counsel to represent him, whether or not he is able to afford counsel. The minor will not be present in Court unless he requests or the Court so orders. 2. If a parent of the minor appears without counsel and is unable to afford counsel, the Court must appoint counsel for the parent, unless the parent knowingly and intelligently waives the right to be represented by counsel. The Court will not appoint the same attorney to represent both the minor and his parent. 3. The Court may appoint either the Public Defender or private counsel. If private counsel is appointed, he/she will receive a reasonable sum for compensation and expenses, the amount of which will be determined by the Court. That amount must be paid by the real parties in interest, but not by the minor, is proportioned as the Court believes to be just. If, however, the Court finds that any of the real parties in interest cannot afford counsel, the amount will be paid by the county. 4. The Court may continue the proceeding for not more than Thirty (30) days as necessary to appoint counsel and become acquainted with the case. Dated: Nov 21, 2023

CLASSIFIEDS / LEGALS

Amanda Toste, Clerk By: CE, Deputy Clerk Run Dates: December 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 699921 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JB Meat and Seafood Wholesale, 1970 Orlando Dr, San Jose, CA 95122, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Miguel Bravo Vasquez, 1970 Orlando Dr, San Jose, CA 95122. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/19/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Miguel Bravo Vasquez This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 10/19/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 699921 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700641 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Mufflers Express, 903 Commercial St, San Jose, CA 95132, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Israel Uribe, 3182 Isadora Dr, San Jose, CA 95132. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business

name(s) listed above on 01/01/2006. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Israel Uribe This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/17/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy File No. FBN 700641 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700726 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ALL ABOUT GLASS, 4292 La Torre Ave, San Jose, CA 95111, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Rosario Anaya Reyes, 4292 La Torre Ave, San Jose, CA 95111. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 07/28/2015. This filing is a refile [Change(s) in facts from previous filing] of previous file #: FBN607458. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Rosario Anaya Reyes This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/22/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 700726 December 1, 8, 15,

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700724 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ALL ABOUT SHOWERS & MORE, 4292 La Torre Ave, San Jose, CA 95111, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Mireya Valencia, 4292 La Torre Ave, San Jose, CA 95111. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Mireya Valencia This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/22/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 700724 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700412 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Jimenez Landscaping, 3935 7trees Blvd Ap R-103, San Jose, CA 95111, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an unincorporated association other than a partnership. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Mario Calderon, 3935 7trees Blvd Ap R-103, San Jose, CA 95111. Humberto Alcantar, 3935 7trees Blvd Ap R-103, San Jose, CA 95111. The registrant began transacting business under the

fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/08/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Mario Calderon Humberto Alcantar This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/08/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy File No. FBN 700412 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700765 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Harper Investing, Harper, 2005 De La Cruz Blvd., Suite 120, San Clara, CA 95050, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): ESG Planning, 2005 De La Cruz, Suite 120, San Jose, CA 95050. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ James Rukstalis ESG Planning President Article/Reg#: 850970330 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/27/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Re-

corder By: /s/ Ronald Nguyen, Deputy File No. FBN 700765 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700784 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CASPIAN PLUS, 2928 Wycliffe Court, San Jose, CA 95148, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Jaber Keramat, 2928 Wycliffe Court, San Jose, CA 95148. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Jaber Keramat This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/27/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Ronald Nguyen, Deputy File No. FBN 700784 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700239 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Cheng Material Digest, 2033 Trento Loop, Milpitas, CA 95035, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): I-Cheng Liu, 2033 Trento Loop, Milpitas, CA 95035. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business

name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ I-Cheng Liu This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/01/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Ronald Nguyen, Deputy File No. FBN 700239 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700816 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SHINING STARS DAYCARE, 1459 Amesbury Wy, San Jose, CA 95127, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Dolores Gutierrez, 1459 Amesbury Way, San Jose, CA 95127. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 05/02/2018. This filing is a refile [Change(s) in facts from previous filing] of previous file #: FBN693427. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Dolores Gutierrez This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/28/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Dolores Gutierrez, Deputy File No. FBN 700816 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700809 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: HD’s Corner, 3197 Salem Drive, San Jose, CA 95127, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by an individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): HANH THI THU DUONG, 3197 Salem Drive, San Jose, CA 95127. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/28/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ HANH DUONG This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/28/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Ronald Nguyen, Deputy File No. FBN 700809 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV425958 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Petra Casillas Sanchez I N T E R E S T E D PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Petra Casillas Sanchez has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Luis Javier Gaona Casillas to Luis Javier Casillas Herrera 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show

cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/13/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 17, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV421049 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: PATRICIA MARIE OLIVAS INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) PATRICIA MARIE OLIVAS has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. PATRICIA MARIE OLIVAS to PATRICIA MARIE HUIZAR 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023 described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 1/02/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 28, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 NOTICE OF DEATH OF IPPEI OKUTAKE To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of Ippei Okutake, who was a resident of Santa Clara County, State of California, and died on October 12, 2023, in the City of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, State of California. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim within four months from the date of first publication with the DERMER LAW FIRM, 5448 Thornwood Drive, Suite 200, San Jose, California 95123 (408) 395-5111 Joseph D. Dermer, Esq. DERMER LAW FIRM 5448 Thornwood Drive, Ste 200 San Jose, CA 95123 Tel (408) 395-5111 Fax (408) 354-2797

December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 NOTICE OF DEATH OF BRUCE MICHAEL COTTER To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of Bruce Michael Cotter, who was a resident of Santa Clara County, State of California, and died on November 02, 2023, in the City of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, State of California. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim within four months from the date of first publication with the DERMER LAW FIRM, 5448 Thornwood Drive, Suite 200, San Jose, California 95123 (408) 395-5111 Joseph D. Dermer, Esq. DERMER LAW FIRM 5448 Thornwood Drive, Ste 200 San Jose, CA 95123 Tel (408) 395-5111 Fax (408) 354-2797 December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700582 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EL BOMBERO 408 INC, 387 S 1st St Suite 104, San Jose, CA 95113, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): EL BOMBERO 408 INC, 387 S 1st St Suite 104, San Jose, CA 95113. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/13/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Facundo Segura EL BOMBERO 408 INC Owner Article/Reg#: 5950516 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/15/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 700582 November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700584 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 3 HERMANOS MEXICAN GRILL INC, 387 S 1st St Suite 105, San Jose, CA 95113, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): 3 HERMANOS MEXICAN GRILL INC, 387 S 1st St Suite 105, San Jose, CA 95113. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/13/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Reyna Lemus 3 HERMANOS MEXICAN GRILL INC Secretary Article/Reg#: 5950548 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/15/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder

By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 700584 November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 700531 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Pods N Pots, 775 Leong Drive, Mountain View, CA 94043, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a general partnership. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Alex Yang Yao, 775 Leong Drive, Mountain View, CA 94043. Mary Grace Yao, 775 Leong Drive, Mountain View, CA 94043. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Mary Grace Yao Owner Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 11/14/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Eric Huong, Deputy File No. FBN 700531 November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 699164 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Victoria’s Janitorial Service, 635 W Sunnyoaks Ave #C, Campbell, CA 95008, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a general partnership. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is

(are): Aida Galvan Villano, 635 W Sunnyoaks Ave #C, Campbell, CA 95008. Victoria Doggett Galvan, 5715 Donnelly Drive, Woodford, VA 22580. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 01/01/2001. This filing is a refile [Change(s) in facts from previous filing] of previous file#: FBN646921. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Aida Galvan Villano This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 09/19/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy File No. FBN 699164 November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 699792 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EUROTECH DOORS INC, 1721 Rogers Ave, San Jose, CA 95112, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by a corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is (are): Eurotech Doors Inc., 1428 Medallion Dr, San Jose, CA 95120. The registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/03/2023. This filing is a first filing. “I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.” (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) /s/ Hassan Letafat EUROTECH DOORS INC. President Article/Reg#:

5928306 Above entity was formed in the state of CA This statement was filed with the Co. Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on 10/13/2023. Regina Alcomendras, County Clerk Recorder By: /s/ Corinne Vasquez, Deputy File No. FBN 699792 November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV426110 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Sergey Skvortsov INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Sergey Skvortsov has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Sergey Skvortsov to Adam Gray 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/13/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in

CLASSIFIEDS / LEGALS the county of Santa Clara. Nov 21, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV426002 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Victoria Thomsen INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Victoria Thomsen has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Victoria Thomsen to Victoria Budynkevych Thomsen 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 2/13/2024 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 20, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court November 24, De-

cember 1, 8, 15, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. 23CV425828 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara-In the matter of the application of: Moslim Hamad, INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner(s) Moslim Hamad has filed a petition for Change of Name with the clerk of this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Sumreen Hussain to Sumreen Moslim Hamad. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 12/19/2023 at 8:45 am, Probate Dept., located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. 3. A copy of the Order to Show cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in El Observador, a newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county of Santa Clara. Nov 13, 2023 Jacqueline M. Arroyo Judge of the Superior Court November 24, December 1, 8 and 15, 2023

NATIONAL

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

EL OBSERVADOR | www.el-observador.com

NAVIGATING THE HOLIDAYS FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING ADDICTION

CÓMO NAVEGAR LAS VACACIONES PARA FAMILIAS QUE EXPERIMENTAN ADICCIÓN

ENGLISH

Mike Moen Public News Service

elebrating the holiday season can be complicated for households with a loved one dealing with an addiction. A South Dakota expert said there are steps the individual and their family can take to avoid major problems. Matt Walz, representative for the Keystone Treatment Center, said because alcohol is often provided at holiday gatherings, it is important for the host to provide different beverage options. The person in recovery can also plan ahead by getting a sense of the best time to leave if other guests are likely to be drinking more.

ESPAÑOL

Walz added praising the person in their recovery is often viewed as an effective strategy. But he noted the stress from holiday planning might also trigger someone to drink excessively. Experts recommend taking walks or other exploring other, healthy coping mechanisms to minimize stress.

He pointed out you can help the person feel supported and recognize they are dealing with an issue which can improve over time. For individuals going through a 12-step recovery process, Walz recommended talking with their sponsor before a party to determine the best approach, or whether it is appropriate to attend. He noted maintaining sobriety is more important than missing a gathering. If a person's addiction is brought up at a holiday party, Walz suggested avoiding conversations with a large group of people. He said one-on-one chats are more manageable.

que el anfitrión ofrezca diferentes opciones de bebidas. La persona en recuperación también puede planificar con anticipación al saber cuál es el mejor momento para irse si es probable que otros invitados beban más.

Un experto de Dakota del Sur dijo que hay medidas que el individuo y su familia pueden tomar para evitar problemas mayores.

Walz enfatizó que el enfoque no es "único para todos" y aconsejó evitar decisiones precipitadas.

elebrar la temporada navideña puede resultar complicado para los hogares en los que un ser querido padece una adicción.

Matt Walz, representante del Centro de Tratamiento Keystone, dijo que debido a que a menudo se ofrece alcohol en las reuniones navideñas, es importante

For a person in a relationship with someone struggling with an addiction, experts recommend asking for help in planning any holiday gatherings, which allows you to avoid some stress while still supporting your partner. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

¡Nuevos departamentos asequibles disponibles en Sunnyvale!

Walz stressed the approach is not "one-sizefits-all," and advised avoiding rash decisions. "Some things that families like to try to do at family gatherings, in good faith, is they try to do, you know, guilting or shaming -- or just ignoring or doing the 'ostrich,' head in the sand -- it kind of runs the gamut," Walz explained.

Mike Moen Public News Service

"Just asking, 'Well, how's it going? How's that working for you? Is there anything I can do to help?'" Walz recommended.

Meridian, 397 S. Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale, Ca 94086 Meridian aceptará solicitudes para nuestros estudios y unidades de renta asequibles de una, dos y tres habitaciones. Se aceptarán solicitudes a través de nuestro portal en línea MeridianSunnyvale.com desde el 4 de diciembre de 2023 a las 3:00 p. m. hasta el 18 de diciembre de 2023 a las 5:00 p. m. (pst). Las solicitudes impresas también estarán disponibles para ser recogidas en persona en el One Stop Permit Center ubicado en el segundo piso del Ayuntamiento de Sunnyvale (456 W. Olive Ave, Sunnyvale, CA). Las solicitudes en papel deben enviarse por correo a la dirección del apartado postal que figura en la solicitud y deben tener sello postal antes de la fecha límite de solicitud para ser incluidas en la lotería electrónica. Una vez cerrado el plazo de solicitud se realizará un sorteo para establecer el orden de la lista de espera. Los solicitantes pueden solicitar una adaptación razonable si la necesitan para ayudar a completar una solicitud llamando al 669-252-2360 TTY 711 o enviando un correo electrónico a MeridianApts@ related.com Meridian tiene 44 unidades de renta asequibles tipo estudio, de una, dos y tres habitaciones disponibles. Rango de alquiler: Estudio $1,515 - $1,827, 1 HAB $1,620 - $1,954, 2 HAB $1,934 - $3,139; 3HAB $2,227 - $3,619. Los solicitantes deben ser elegibles en cuanto a ingresos y cumplir con las pautas de ocupación. Los hogares no deben ganar más que los niveles de ingreso bruto máximo que se indican a continuación 50% del ingreso medio del área (3 estudios, 11 unidades de una, 2 de dos y 2 de tres habitaciones) Tamaño de familia Ingreso máximo anual

1 Persona $62,450

2 Personas $71,400

3 Personas $80,300

4 Personas $89,200

5 Personas $96,350

6 Personas $103,500

7 Personas $110,650

60% of Area Median Income (2 Studio, 9 One, 3 Two, and 3 Three Bedroom Units) Tamaño de familia Ingreso máximo anual

1 Persona $74,940

2 Personas $85,680

3 Personas $96,360

4 Personas $107,040

5 Personas $115,620

6 Personas $124,200

7 Personas $132,780

80% of Area Median Income (4 Two, and 5 Three Bedroom Units) Tamaño de familia 2 Personas Ingreso máximo anual $109,700

3 Personas $123,400

4 Personas $137,100

5 Personas $148,100

6 Personas $159,050

7 Personas $170,050

La solicitud, la selección de inquilinos, las preferencias locales y la información sobre la lotería se pueden encontrar en MeridianSunnyvale.com o se pueden solicitar por correo electrónico a MeridianApts@ related.com o llamando a nuestra línea telefónica de información al 669-252-2360 TTY 711. Las solicitudes electrónicas o en papel deben recibirse antes de las 5 p.m. del 18/12/2023 para ser incluidas en la lotería de solicitudes. Para obtener más información sobre nuestro complejo y ver los planos de planta disponibles, visítenos en MeridianSunnyvale.com. Los límites de ingresos están sujetos a cambios según los cambios en el ingreso medio del área publicado por HUD, HCD y el Comité de Asignación de Crédito Fiscal de California.

"Algunas de las cosas que a las familias les gusta intentar hacer en las reuniones familiares, de buena fe, es tratar de hacer, ya sabes, sentir culpa o avergonzar, o simplemente ignorar o hacer la cabeza de 'avestruz' en la arena", es una especie de abarca toda la gama", explicó Walz. Señaló que se puede ayudar a la persona a sentirse apoyada y a reconocer que está lidiando con un problema que puede mejorar con el tiempo. Para las personas que atraviesan un proceso de recuperación de 12 pasos, Walz recomendó hablar con su patrocinador antes de una fiesta para determinar el mejor enfoque o si es apropiado asistir. Señaló que mantener la sobriedad es más importante que faltar a una reunión. Si se menciona la adicción de una persona en una fiesta, Walz sugirió evitar conversaciones con un grupo grande de personas. Dijo que las conversaciones uno a uno son más manejables. "Solo preguntar: 'Bueno, ¿cómo te va? ¿Cómo vas con eso? ¿Hay algo que pueda hacer para ayudar?'", recomendó Walz. Walz añadió que elogiar a la persona en su recuperación a menudo se considera una estrategia eficaz. Pero señaló que el estrés de la planificación de las festividades también podría hacer que alguien beba en exceso. Los expertos recomiendan realizar caminatas u otras actividades para explorar otros mecanismos de afrontamiento saludables para minimizar el estrés.

DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

GREEN CITIES: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

As humankind grows increasingly urban, planting trees and parks — far from merely beautifying cities — increasingly becomes a matter of life and death.

En la medida que la humanidad se vuelve cada vez más urbana, el plantar árboles y crear parques se convierte cada vez más en una cuestión de vida o muerte.

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Selen Ozturk Ethnic Media Services

s humankind grows increasingly urban, planting trees and parks — far from merely beautifying cities — increasingly becomes a matter of life and death. At a Friday, Dec. 1 Ethnic Media Services briefing, Los Angeles Forestry officials and urban greening experts discussed the city as a case study of the link between green space and human health, and explained how adding nearly a million years of life expectancy in LA County through urban greening could serve as a model for other cities. Green space and life expectancy The more parks and trees there are in a given neighborhood, the higher the area’s life expectancy, said Michael Jerrett, referring to a July 2023 UCLA study he co-authored, which found that bringing green space in LA County to median levels could add up to 908,800 years of collective life expectancy to residents in under-resourced communities. While the study found that life expectancy in wealthy and verdant Beverly Hills was 90, the median in south LA communities less than 15 miles away was 77. The total expectancy ranged countywide from 68 years in poorer south-central areas to 93 in affluent places like Malibu, said Jerrett, a UCLA environmental health professor and Center for Healthy Climate Solutions co-director. In already “very leafy areas, like Brentwood, or parts of West LA, there’s not a lot of impact in adding more green space,” he added, but in disproportionately less green areas in the east, south and far north — where two-third of LA County’s Black and Latino population resides — merely expanding parks to county medians would add 164,700 years of life expectancy to the region, with Black and Latino residents receiving 72%, or 118,000 of these years. Healthy trees, healthy people The health benefits that come from more parks and trees depend on more than just planting, said Rachel Malarich, the first City Forest Officer for the City of Los Angeles. “In order to achieve those benefits, we need to have healthy trees, regularly maintained to live their own full lifespan in the neighborhoods which most need them.” The city’s Urban Forest Management Plan has four pillars, she continued: planting new trees, maintaining existing trees, preserving these trees amid new construction and development, and engaging the communities who live with these trees. “When we talk to community members, there is often frustration because the trees haven’t been maintained,” Malarich explained. “The industry standard is to inspect trees and trim them as needed every five to seven years; the city’s current cycle is closer to 18 years … we’re now holding community engagement workshops and feedback surveys both to improve inequity of access to green spaces, and inequity in how these spaces are maintained.” Greening on-the-ground The most sustainable urban forests are planted and supported by members of their own communities, said Marcos Trinidad, Senior Director of Forestry at TreePeople. Now in its 50th year, the urban greening nonprofit has been shifting from an all-volunteer model of planting, maintenance and community education to a hybrid model which includes “workforce development,” particularly training youth interested in environmental careers to work with community organizations to green “neighborhoods which need trees the most,” like northeast and south-

CIUDADES VERDES: UN ASUNTO DE VIDA O MUERTE

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GREEN LIVING

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Selen Ozturk Ethnic Media Services

medida que la humanidad se vuelve cada vez más urbana, el plantar árboles y crear parques -lejos de limitarse a embellecer las ciudades- se convierte cada vez más en una cuestión de vida o muerte.

Photo Credit: Wirestock

east LA, he explained. Though TreePeople is based in LA County, Trinidad said that its model of community investment in “what is needed to have sustainable, sustainable urban forests” — namely planting, maintenance, preservation and education — is meant to be shared well beyond LA: “We’re currently in the Inland Empire and Antelope Valley … and want to share our process with the rest of the world.” Green equity as green stewardship To invest in more green space for underserved communities means investing in those communities as caretakers of this space, said Bz Zhang, Project Manager of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust (LANLT) — which, since its inception in 2002, has created about 30 parks and gardens across 21 acres of green space for over half a million LA County residents. Since majority non-white communities “have 64% less access to park space than those in white neighborhoods, and lower income communities have 66% less,” greening LA County best means “doing so explicitly from an equity lens,” Zhang explained. Most crucial to this equity is communitycentered stewardship: LANLT maintains the parks they plant by “hiring part-time stewards from within the neighborhood they’re located.” “In these communities we create stewardship training programs … particularly for youth, through our Garden Apprenticeship Program, which has worked with over 350 high school students in south LA since 2013 to arm the next generation with the skills to tend to these spaces which are so crucial to their health … We can always build parks, but we also have to make sure those most impacted by green inequity have access to them,” Zhang added. ‘A matter of life and death’ This access to urban greenery is ever-more crucial as humankind becomes an increasingly urban species, said Jon Christensen: “As of 2007, over half of us live in cities, and that’s expected to go up to 70% by 2050. Cities are our habitat and our resilience to climate change — the resilience of our own health as a species — requires that we invest in cities, which means remedying the inequities which have shaped our urban environment. It’s a matter of life and death.” In its efforts to remedy green inequity, “Los Angeles is a model of global concern for understanding urban ecosystems,” said Christensen, adjunct assistant professor at the UCLA Institute of the Environment, Luskin Center for Innovation, and Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies. In California alone, he continued, “$100 billion dollars will be spent on green infrastructure, urban greening and climate resilience over the next several years — half of it from the federal government and half from the state.” As governments worldwide begin to implement similar measures, “We need to recognize that planting trees is not enough; we need to ensure that the communities which most need them can thrive with them.”

En una conferencia de prensa celebrada el viernes 1 de diciembre con el apoyo de Ethnic Media Services, funcionarios forestales de Los Ángeles y expertos en ecologismo urbano expusieron la ciudad como caso de estudio de la relación entre espacios verdes y la salud humana. Explicaron cómo añadir casi un millón de años de esperanza de vida en el condado de Los Ángeles, mediante el reverdecimiento de espacios urbanos (ecologismo urbano), podría servir de modelo para otras ciudades. Los espacios verdes y la esperanza de vida Cuantos más parques y árboles haya en un barrio determinado, mayor será la esperanza de vida de la zona, afirma Michael Jerrett, refiriéndose a un estudio de la UCLA (Universidad de California en Los Ángeles), del que es coautor, publicado en julio de 2023. De acuerdo a este estudio, el llevar los espacios verdes del condado de Los Ángeles a niveles medios podría añadir hasta 908,800 años de esperanza de vida colectiva a los residentes de comunidades con pocos recursos. Michael Jerrett, profesor del Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud Medioambiental de la UCLA y codirector del Centro de Soluciones Climáticas Saludables de la Escuela Fielding de Salud Pública, comparte datos sobre la distribución de los espacios verdes en Los Ángeles y su correlación con la esperanza de vida. De acuerdo al estudio, la esperanza de vida en la comunidad acaudalada y “verde” de Beverly Hills era de 90 años, mientras que en las comunidades del sur de Los Ángeles, situadas a menos de 24 km, la expectativa de vida era de 77 años. La esperanza total oscilaba en todo el condado entre los 68 años de las zonas más pobres del centro-sur y los 93 años que se registran en lugares acaudalados como Malibú, explicó Jerrett, profesor de salud ambiental de la UCLA y codirector del Centro de Soluciones Climáticas Saludables. En zonas ya de por sí “muy frondosas, como Brentwood, o partes del oeste de Los Ángeles, añadir más espacios verdes no tiene mucha repercusión”, añadió, pero en las zonas desproporcionadamente menos verdes del este, el sur y el extremo norte -donde residen dos tercios de la población negra y latina del condado de Los Ángeles- la mera ampliación de los parques hasta las medianas del condado añadiría 164,700 años de esperanza de vida a la región, de los cuales el 72%, es decir, 118,000 años, corresponderían a los residentes negros y latinos. Árboles sanos, personas saludables Los beneficios para la salud que se derivan de un mayor número de parques y árboles dependen de algo más que de que sean plantados, afirma Rachel Malarich, (Primer oficial forestal de la ciudad quien es responsable de los bosques de la ciudad de Los Ángeles). “Para conseguir esos beneficios, necesitamos tener árboles sanos, con mantenimiento regular para que vivan toda su vida útil en los barrios que más los necesitan”. El Plan de gestión de bosques urbanos—Urban Forest Management Plan—de la ciudad tiene cuatro pilares: plantar árboles nuevos, mantener los existentes, preservarlos en medio de nuevas construcciones y urbanizaciones, e invitar a la participar a las comunidades que viven con estos árboles en estos espacios. “Cuando hablamos con los miembros de la comunidad, a menudo se sienten frustrados porque los árboles no han recibido mantenimiento”, explicó Malarich. “La norma del sector es inspeccionar los árboles y podarlos si es necesario cada cinco o siete años; el ciclo actual de la ciudad se acerca más a los 18 años… ahora estamos celebrando talleres de participación comunitaria y encuestas de opinión tanto para mejorar la desigualdad de acceso a los espacios verdes, como la desigualdad en la forma en que se mantienen estos espacios”. Reverdecimiento sobre-la-marcha Los bosques urbanos más sostenibles son los que son plantados y que los mismos miembros de sus propias comunidades mantienen, afirma Marcos Trinidad, Director Forestal de TreePeople (Gente de los árboles). En su 50 aniversario, esta organización sin ánimo de lucro dedicada al reverdecimiento urbano ha pasado de un modelo de plantación, mantenimiento y educación

comunitaria exclusivamente voluntario a un modelo híbrido que incluye el “desarrollo de la mano de obra”. Ahora se ha puesto énfasis particularmente en la formación de jóvenes interesados en carreras medioambientales para que trabajen con organizaciones comunitarias en el reverdecimiento de “los barrios que más necesitan árboles”, como el noreste y el sureste de Los Ángeles, explicó. Comprender las necesidades y prioridades de las zonas que carecen de árboles y vegetación es clave para incorporarlas con éxito a los esfuerzos de ecologización (reverdecimento), afirma Marcos Trinidad, Director Principal de Silvicultura de TreePeople. Aunque TreePeople (Gente de los árboles) tiene su sede en el condado de Los Ángeles, Trinidad afirmó que su modelo de inversión comunitaria en “lo que se necesita para tener bosques urbanos sostenibles” -a saber, plantación, mantenimiento, conservación y educación- pretende compartirse mucho más allá de Los Ángeles: Actualmente estamos en Inland Empire y Antelope Valley… y queremos compartir nuestro proceso con el resto del mundo”. “Igualdad ecológica” como forma de “custodia verde” Invertir en más espacios verdes para las comunidades desfavorecidas significa invertir en esas comunidades como cuidadoras o “guardianas” de estos espacios, afirmó Bz Zhang, director de proyectos de Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust (LANLT) —Fideicomiso de las tierras de la comunidad de Los Ángeles—, que, desde su creación en 2002, ha creado alrededor de 30 parques y jardines en 21 acres de espacios verdes para más de medio millón de residentes del condado de Los Ángeles. Dado que las comunidades mayoritariamente no blancas “tienen un 64% menor acceso a espacios verdes que las comunidades de los barrios blancos, y las comunidades con menores ingresos tienen un 66% menos”, lo mejor para ecologizar el condado de Los Ángeles es “hacerlo explícitamente desde el punto de vista de la equidad”, explicó Zhang. Lo más importante para esta equidad es una custodia centrada en la comunidad: LANLT mantiene los parques que siembra “contratando a tiempo parcial a administradores del propio barrio en el que están localizados”. Bz Zhang, Directora de Proyectos de Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, explica cómo un programa de custodia de parques garantiza la salud de los parques locales, al tiempo que ofrece oportunidades a los miembros de la comunidad, incluidos los estudiantes. “En estas comunidades creamos programas de capacitación para custodiar las áreas verdes… especialmente para los jóvenes, a través de nuestro Programa de Aprendizaje de Jardinería. Este programa, ha trabajado con más de 350 estudiantes de secundaria en el sur de Los Ángeles desde 2013 para capacitar a la próxima generación de “guardianes” con las habilidades para cuidar de estos espacios que son tan cruciales para la salud de su comunidad… Siempre podemos crear parques, pero también tenemos que asegurarnos de que los más afectados por la “desigualdad verde” tengan acceso a ellos”, añadió Zhang. ‘Un asunto de vida o muerte’ De acuerdo con Jon Christensen, este acceso a la vegetación urbana es cada vez más crucial a medida que la humanidad se convierte en una especie cada vez más urbana: “En 2007, más de la mitad de nosotros vivíamos en ciudades, y se espera que esta cifra aumente un 70% para 2050. Las ciudades son nuestro hábitat y nuestra resilencia frente al cambio climático -la adaptabilidad de nuestra propia salud como especie- requiere que invirtamos en las ciudades, lo que significa remediar las desigualdades que han configurado nuestro entorno urbano. Es una cuestión de vida o muerte”. En sus esfuerzos por remediar la desigualdad ecológica, “Los Ángeles se ha convertido en un modelo de interés mundial para comprender los ecosistemas urbanos”, afirmó Christensen, profesor adjunto del Institute of the Environment (Instituto de Medio Ambiente), el Centro Luskin de Innovación y el Laboratorio de Estrategias Narrativas Medioambientales de la UCLA. Sólo en California, prosiguió, “se invertirán 100,000 millones de dólares en infraestructuras verdes, ecologización urbana y resiliencia climática en los próximos años, la mitad del gobierno federal y la otra mitad del estatal“. A medida que los gobiernos de todo el mundo empiezan a aplicar medidas similares, “tenemos que reconocer que plantar árboles no es suficiente; tenemos que garantizar que las comunidades que más los necesitan puedan prosperar junto con sus árboles”.

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DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 21, 2023

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