Vol. 63 No. 38 | Thursday, September 21, 2023

ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY OVER BISCUITS, GRITS, AND POLITICS

Local and National Affairs in Focus

By Macy Meinhardt VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER

Local politics and public policy were served up with a hearty plate of buttery biscuits, creamy grits, and mouth watering fried catfish. After more than a two-year long hiatus, Biscuits, Grits & Politics returned with a bang Tuesday morning, drawing a sold-out crowd of over 150 patrons hungry for networking, interaction, and excitement for the event.

As the morning sun draped over the Jacobs Center, attendees rushed in, greeting new and familiar faces. After finding their seats, patrons wasted no time in

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MOVES TO ADDRESS THE CHILDCARE CRISIS

By Macy Meinhardt

VOICE & VIEWPOINT

STAFF WRITER

San Diego is facing a dire childcare crisis, and the bearing of that burden often falls upon the backs of daycare providers trying to keep struggling families afloat.

With one in eight childcare facilities closing post-pandemic, a staggering 77% of working parents report struggling with finding accessible and affordable options for their childcare, the county claims.

The main issues driving this crisis is that available childcare is reported to be scarce, inconvenient, unaffordable, and of varying quality.

See CHILDCARE page 2

CAIR HONORS IMAM ABDUL-RASHEED FOR YEARS OF SERVICE

REMAINS OF TWO ADULTS FOUND IN THIRD TULSA RACE MASSACRE EXCAVATION

getting up to secure a good spot in the breakfast line catered by Nelly’s Kitchen. By 8 a.m. all twenty-eight tables in the room were filled with community members, politicians, business owners, journalists, and more as the auditorium buzzed with chatter and the delicious aroma of fresh brewed coffee.

Sponsored by Voice and Viewpoint, the SD Black Chamber of Commerce, and GOD Radio 1, the morning commenced with a welcome from the organizers, Dr. John Warren, Publisher, and Managing Editor Latanya West.

See BISCUITS page 9

BLACK VOTERS STILL WAITING FOR NEW MAPS

By Gary Fields and Adriana Gomez Licon ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Supreme Court’s decision siding with Black voters in an Alabama redistricting case gave Democrats and voting rights activists a surprising opportunity before the 2024 elections. New congressional maps would have to include more districts in Alabama and potentially other states where Black voters would have a better chance of electing someone of their choice, a decision widely seen as benefiting Democrats.

It’s been more than three months since the justice’s 5-4 ruling, and maps that could produce more districts represented by Black lawmakers still do not exist. Alabama Republicans are hoping to get a fresh hearing on the issue before the Supreme Court. Republican lawmakers in Louisiana never even bothered to draw a new map. Khadidah Stone, a plaintiff in the Alabama case, said the continuing opposition was “appalling” but “not surprising.” She noted that Alabama is where then-Gov. George Wallace blocked Black students from integrating the University of Alabama in 1963.

By Alaa Elassar and Virginia Langmaid CNN

which two remains were discovered.

By KH Hamilton

WRITER

Imam Abdul-Rasheed, who is the head Imam at Masjidul Taqwa on Imperial and retired Muslim Chaplain for the Armed Services was honored Saturday, September 18th by CAIR-San Diego for his service to our Nation and community at its 16th Annual Gala.

See CAIR page 6

The remains of two adults have been found in an archaeological dig at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, amid efforts to find unidentified victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

At the ongoing third excavation, which began earlier in September, archaeologists have exposed 22 grave shafts, among

“We have two adults in simple wood caskets and one of those is being exhumed today,” Kary Stackelbeck, the state archaeologist, said in a video posted Wednesday to the 1921 Graves Facebook page, which was created by the city with live video feeds and updates on the excavation.

See REMAINS page 2

A similar dynamic is playing out in Florida, where Republicans are appealing a ruling favorable to Black voters to the Republican-majority state Supreme Court. Lawsuits over racially gerrymandered congressional maps in several other states, including Georgia, South Carolina and Texas, quickly followed the Supreme Court’s landmark Voting Rights Act decision in June.

(L-R) Dr. John E. Warren, Chida Warren-Darby, and Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell. PHOTO: Darrel Wheeler

Khadidah Stone on the dividing line between her old Alabama congressional District 7, and her new district, District 2, in downtown Montgomery, Ala., Sept. 2022.

PHOTO: Vasha Hunt/AP

Imam Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad accepting his award from CAIR-San Diego Board President, Adib MahdiPHOTO: Joe Dusel Photography

Destruction from the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.

PHOTO: Public Domain Wikimedia Commons

CONTRIBUTING

Kelly Noorwood at her home daycare, Patty-Cake Family Child Care LLC, in Spring Valley.

PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt/Voice & Viewpoint

ARTICLE CONTINUATION CHILDCARE

Continued from cover

In order to mitigate the negative effect this has on families, children, and the economy, county representatives unanimously passed a funding initiative to provide streamlined resources and infrastructure for childcare services locally.

“As a county we have a responsibility to do everything we can to fix a system that is not working for the families and communities we represent,” said Supervisor Terra LawsonRemer at the Sept. 12th Board of Supervisors meeting.

Proposed by Supervisor Lawson-Remer and Nora Vargas, the approved program will allocate roughly $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars into child care facility development over the next year.

The proposal stems from the county’s Child Care Blueprint published last month which outlines their vision to provide equitable care to meet every family’s “geographic, scheduling, cultural, language, and economic needs” regardless of zip code.

According to the San Diego Workforce Partnership, childcare is hard for many parents to find because supply is insufficient to keep up with demand. As a result this has left nearly 190,000 children in San Diego County without childcare.

Areas with limited licensed childcare facilities are labeled as “childcare deserts” which is defined “as a geographic area where fewer than 3 childcare spots are available for every 10 children under age 6.”

Disportionately, the effects of these “childcare deserts” have impacted providers in lower-income communities and parents of color the most. Ultimately, making the already existing gap in childcare disparity even worse.

vOTERS

Continued from cover

But the continued pushback from Republican legislatures in control of redistricting means there is great uncertainty about whether — or how soon — new maps offering equal representation for Black voters will be drawn. Whether the Republican strategy proves to be a defiance of court orders that the Supreme Court will shoot down or a deft political move will become clearer over the next month.

Shawn Donahue of the State University of New York at Buffalo, an expert on voting rights and redistricting, said the Supreme Court could put a quick end to the delays and “summarily affirm” the decision of a lower court panel that rejected the latest Alabama congressional map. That map continued to provide just one majority Black district out of seven in a state where Black residents comprise 27% of the population. The Supreme Court also could agree to hear Alabama’s challenge, bringing the state’s redistricting plans back to the court less than a year after it rendered its opinion in the previous case.

REMAINS

Continued from cover

The second adult was expected to be exhumed Thursday, Stackelbeck said.

Investigators have been using limited information regarding individuals buried in the cemetery from death certificates and funeral homes, according to Stackelbeck.

From this information, they have been able to determine they’re searching for “a number of adult male individuals that were supposed to be buried in simple wood coffins here in Oaklawn cemetery,” Stackelbeck said.

“What that means then is that when we are excavating on some of these other graves, we have gotten to a point … where we can determine that they are fancier or nicer coffins, and they are not of the type that we would otherwise anticipate are supposed to be associated with the individuals that we continue to look for,” she added.

The dig is part of the 1921 Graves Investigation, an effort to identify currently unidentified victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The first full excavation took place on June 21 and yielded 35 burials, which included 20 remains that were exhumed, according to the City of

Aaron Garrett, who serves as the social and economic chair on the executive board of SEIU, spoke during the meeting on the historical barriers often faced by families of color, as well as providers in low-income communities.

“Families of color face the highest barriers including, prohibitive costs, irregular work schedules, language barriers, and lack of culturally competent trusted options” said Garret during public hearing of the proposal.

For instance, a study produced by San Diego For Every Child shows that “A typical, medianincome Black family with two young children would have to spend 56 percent of its income on child care, a larger share of total family income than that of any other group.”

In addition, decades of occupational and residential segregation has given parents of color less access to remote work opportunities, which affords families with young children more flexibility when it comes to childcare.

Often made up of essential front line workers, providers serving this socioeconomic demographic are left with the moral and economic dilemma of figuring out how to fulfill a demand that these working families need but cannot afford.

For facilities staying open within this climate, the impact of this shows up within their adverse profit margins. According to the San Diego County Childcare Landscape study, only 22% of providers report their business as making a profit.

Home daycare provider Sena Williams spoke on behalf of this predicament. Saying that after fourteen successful years of business the pandemic left her at a crossroads. Either she closes her doors on the business, or drastically discounts her prices to cater to her clients’ financial reality.

“It is a constant struggle…how to find the balance on helping families in need without put-

Republicans want to keep their map in place as the state continues to fight the lower court ruling ordering them to create a second district where Black voters constitute a majority or close to it. The state contends the Supreme Court set no such remedy and that the new map complies with the court’s decision by fixing the problems it identified – such as how the state’s Black Belt region was split into multiple districts.

The stakes are high. With Republicans holding a slim majority in the U.S. House, the redistricting cases have the potential to switch control of the chamber next year. Shortly after its decision in the Alabama case, the Supreme Court lifted its hold on a similar case from Louisiana, raising hopes among Democrats that the state would be forced to draw another Black majority congressional district. But even if the court rejects Alabama’s latest plan, it would not necessarily bring an instant end to the case in Louisiana, where U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick has ruled that a second majority-Black district must be drawn.

Dick has three days of hearings scheduled to begin Oct. 3. But her initial order blocking the

ting the strain on my own household?” said Williams.

Nevertheless, in this industry, it’s unfortunately common for individuals to make personal sacrifices.

“At the end of the day I used to be one of those parents and I remember going through financial hardships and not being able to have the funds,” said Senne Williams, owner of Children of the King home daycare in Lemon Grove.

In addition, for families who utilize government subsidies to pay for their childcare, the check doesn’t come into the providers until a month later, resulting in providers having to operate at a continuous deficit each month.

“And the subsidy still won’t pay you your rate, they’re going to pay you what they want to pay you,” said Williams. Ultimately this leaves providers with the moral dilemma of trying to make up for the difference between what the subsidies cover and their actual rate.

“I am the type of provider where if I already know my parents are struggling, can they really afford the difference? Do I ask them for that? I feel torn.”

Meanwhile, facilities that do remain open often are operating at mass capacity due to industry wide staffing shortages and strict quota requirements.

Sarah Song, owner of The Learning Nest Daycare in National City says that she has had an ongoing waitlist since she opened up her facility in 2020, with infants being the age group in the highest demand and most costly.

As a provider of high-quality childcare services in a low-income community, Song says she has sustained measurable profit loss in order to keep up with employee retainment that meets quality standards.

“Who is going to want to show up to work for

2022 congressional map drawn by Louisiana’s GOP-controlled Legislature — which maintains white majorities in five of six districts in a state where about one-third of voters are Black — remains on appeal. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is to hear arguments Oct. 6.

Louisiana’s lawyers argue that the Black communities the plaintiffs and the district court seek to include in a second majority Black district are too far-flung, even under the Alabama precedent. The high court’s decision in the Alabama case “did not present a free pass to future plaintiffs to establish (Voting Rights Act) liability without proving that the relevant minority population is itself compact,”

Louisiana said in its argument. The voting rights advocates suing the state argue that the plans they have suggested so far are “on average more compact” than the plan the state is trying to preserve.

Stuart Naifeh, a lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund who represents the plaintiffs, said in Louisiana that the court is considering the maps drawn by only the plaintiffs because the Legislature

just a three hour shift twice a week for $18 an hour? Nobody. Especially when there are a bunch of screaming kids,” says Song, who has raised her employee prices to $25 an hour .

Song is not alone, according to the Childcare Landscape study, 93% of providers report trouble hiring qualified staff.

In regards to if providers feel seen and heard by their local government with the recent passage, the response given to Voice and Viewpoint was mixed.

For Williams, she says yes and no. While on one hand they are putting more money into their industry, the launch of a free universal transitional kindergarten program creates a bleak outlook for private daycare businesses.

In efforts to make childcare more affordable, the state has launched a Universal Transitional Kindergarten, known as “T-K” which is seen as a way for more families to have access to early childhood education.

“It’s like I am going to reward you, but I am going to punish you in the end,” said Williams in response.

In addition, the child to adult ratio for home care providers is much more narrow than the free T-K program is expected to roll out making it difficult to equitably compete.

Kelly Norwood, owner of Patty-Cake Daycare in Spring Valley, says she has lost students due to the free T-K programs in her area. In regards to the role local government plays in this, she admits to feeling that businesses like hers have been “left hanging.”

In regards to if this passage will address and solve the childcare crisis completely, and the issues in equity it spotlights, “No. certainly not,” Supervisor Terra-Lawson laments. However she asserts that the board is taking a step in the right direction towards investing and “creating sustainable solutions for the future.”

chose not to draw any. Louisiana state Rep. Sam Jenkins Jr., a Democrat, said he is optimistic now that the matter is in the courts. Louisiana’s argument against a second district has less merit than Alabama’s, said state Sen. Royce Duplessis, a Democrat. Louisiana has just one majority Black congressional district out of six even though Black residents account for one-third of the state’s population. That lone district encompasses both New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

A similar case is playing out in Florida, though not in federal court. A state judge ruled earlier this month that a redistricting plan pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a GOP presidential contender, should be redrawn because it diminishes the ability of Black voters in north Florida to pick a representative of their choice. The state is appealing that ruling, and the case might be fast-tracked to the Florida Supreme Court, where five of the seven justices were appointed by DeSantis. Both sides are requesting a quick resolution before the next legislative session in case districts need to be redrawn for the 2024 elections.

BOOK CENSORSHIP ON THE RISE IN U.S. LIBRARIES

Tulsa. The second full excavation took place in October and November 22 and yielded 32 more exposed burials, including eight remains that were exhumed, the city said.

The Tulsa race riot of 1921, also called the Tulsa race massacre, resulted in the death of hundreds of African American residents of the city’s Greenwood district — then a Black economic hub also known as Black Wall Street — when a mob of White rioters looted and burned the community.

Historians believe as many as 300 people died after more than 1,000 homes were burned and destroyed. At the end of the violence, Black Wall Street was decimated.

Bodies were buried by strangers in mass graves while the victims’ families were detained under martial law, according to Scott Ellsworth, a University of Michigan historian who has worked on the recovery of the Tulsa riot graves for decades.

Families were never told whether their loved ones died or where they were buried, and there weren’t any funerals, he added.

ALA Reports a 20% Increase in Challenges in 2023

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA NEWSWIRE SR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT

The assault on Black history and that of other minority groups in the U.S. have ramped up with the recent banning of books. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has released alarming preliminary data indicating a significant surge in attempts to censor books, materials, and services across public, school, and academic libraries in the United States during the first eight months of 2023.

The American Library Association (ALA) compiled crucial data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals and news stories published nationwide. This year, between January 1 and August 31, 2023, OIF documented a staggering 20% increase in challenges, with 695 attempts to censor library materials and services. The challenges encompassed 1,915 unique titles, marking an escalation from the same period in 2022.

Books written by or about people of color or members of the LGBTQIA+ community are primary targets. Challenges within public libraries accounted for nearly half of documented cases, a sharp rise from 16% last year. The rise in Multiple Title Challenges is what sets 2023 apart from previous years is the continued surge in simultaneous challenges to multiple titles.

A staggering 92% of books challenged were part of attempts to censor multiple titles, compared to 90% in the first eight months of 2022. Cases involving challenges to 100 or more books were reported in 11 states, a significant increase from just six states during the same reporting period in 2022 and none in 2021. Previously, most challenges aimed to remove or restrict a single book. However, this year, a single challenge targeting multiple titles has become the predominant contributor to the rise in censorship attempts.

POLITICS AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE

come together and not only discuss, but also make some recommendations as to how our problems might be addressed in a more meaningful way.

Through discussions and activities like the weekly meeting of Black Men & Women United (BMWU), we have an avenue for dialogue and action. By way of example, when BMWU discovered that we had schools with need of support and that a number of students were homeless, a pantry was created and members of the community involved with BMWU provided both time and resources to meet those student needs that needed to be addressed.

Biden Needs a Reparations Commission for 2024

By Kamm Howard EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPARATIONS UNITED

By Dr. John E. Warren PUBLISHER, THE SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT

Recently, the Publisher’s monthly breakfast meeting of “Biscuits, Grits & Politics was resumed after having been halted by the pandemic. The theme, Politics & Public Policy, offered an appropriate reminder that, “We the People” have a great deal of say in our quality of life and the selection of those who set the standards by which we live. With the shortage of housing for the unsheltered, food lines for the many still struggling with meeting their basic needs and the ongoing greed of landlords squeezing every renter for every possible dollar, we as a collective community cannot afford to be “non-political”. As we learned at our recent Biscuits Grits & Politics, there are many issues we must

We must become as involved as some other ethnic communities have done. We must attend community meetings other than when we have a personal interest. Perhaps we could agree among ourselves how to share coverage of those items important to our collective interest. We must, above all, register to vote, for without a vote, we have no voice. And we must, for starters, be prepared to vote in the special November 7, 2023 election to fill the current vacancy on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Yes. Politics are about choices and if you don’t participate, someone else will make choices for each of us. Ultimately, we are personally responsible for the quality of life or the lack thereof that each of us have every day. We ask you to start your involvement by sharing your ideas, questions and concerns with this newspaper and we, in turn, will share your views with our readers both in print and online. In the future, we will publish a list of vacancies on boards and commissions that we, as a community, should look at.

Please help us shape and improve our quality of life and not be afraid of the word “politics” in the process.

Black Women Are Saving Us All

By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier WORD IN BLACK

Malcolm X’s declaration that the most disrespected and unprotected person in America is the Black woman continues to be a prophecy.

We need only look at the example of Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s — and 18 other people’s — alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Or recall the treatment of Shaye Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, the two brave election workers in Georgia who Trump falsely accused of committing voter fraud. Their courage reflects the long tradition of Black women leading the charge for civil rights, particularly the right to vote— and doing so in the face of intense harassment and violence.

Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus — which led to Martin Luther King gaining national prominence. Diane Nash organizing sit-ins and Freedom Rides. Anna Arnold Hedgeman planning the March on Washington. Eleanor Holmes Norton tirelessly advocating for D.C. statehood, and Stacey Abrams and other Black women registering hundreds of thousands of new voters in Georgia and beyond. And now we have Willis who has assembled a team to determine if rather than abiding “by Georgia’s legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia’s election results,” Willis said in August. The vitriol aimed at Willis for doing her job reflects the broken soul of a nation steeped to its core in anti-Blackness.

On X (formerly known as Twitter), Chanel Rion, the Chief White House Correspondent for the right-leaning One America News Network wrote that Willis is the “Cheap Backroom Plea Bargain Harlot of Fulton County.” There are Trump’s not-so-subtle remarks on Truth Social in early August. “They never went after those that Rigged the Election,” Trump

wrote. “They only went after those that fought to find the RIGGERS!”

(We all know what that rhymes with…) Then there is the Trump campaign’s lie that Willis is having an affair with a gang member. In its Aug. 15 “The Truth About Fani Willis” email, the campaign made sure to point out that Willis’ father was a Black Panther. The result? Supporters of the former President have flooded Willis’ office with threats of violence against Willis and her family. However, Willis continues to show up and lead this historic investigation. Her clear message: No one is above the law.

As for Freeman and Moss, they gave courageous testimony before the January 6th committee, exposing the danger of Trump’s “big lie” about the election being stolen. In their testimony, the mother and daughter sat, voices steady, backs straight, and described being afraid to leave their homes, even to go to the grocery store because of the intensity of the death threats and harassment. They recounted the terror of having armed protesters showing up at their homes, attempting to shove their way in. But the two women refused to be intimidated into silence. And Willis, who had Trump’s mugshot snapped for the first time, despite this being his fourth indictment, has made it clear that the spirit of the ancestors flows through her veins.

These courageous Black women have put their personal safety, the safety of their families, and their reputations on the line to protect rights — not just for Black folks, but for all Americans. They have loved this nation, even when it refuses to love them in return. The history books may not reflect that Black women have long been at the helm of democracy’s ship — and that we are still steering this nation to safety. But that does not prevent us from telling the truth and lifting up our sisters during this crucial moment. Let their dedication to justice be the story that gets told. Let that be what endures.

This article is an excerpt of an article that originally appeared on Word In Black.

Mr. President, the call for justice in America is at a historic high. This current call for justice is founded squarely on the issue of Reparations. This is an American call for justice — not only has it been identified as the major issue by Black Americans via a 2021 Congressional Black Caucus poll, but in a recent USA Today poll, 83% of Americans said racism is a problem facing the US. This explains why an array of Americans has enthusiastically joined this call for reparatory justice. This is proof that much of America wants to see this issue addressed and resolved now!

Leaders within the Democratic Party in the last Congress demonstrated their political will for a reparations commission. 217 confirmed yes votes in the House and half of the Senate Committee chairs, along with the Senate Leader, and many of their colleagues, signed on to the Senate bill. However, as you are aware, Mr. President, the bipartisanship that is needed to pass the bill in the Senate does not exist. Thus, the only way to move this issue forward, which much of America is demanding, is through an Executive Order. This must be done immediately as the next Presidential election is approaching.

On one side of this issue are those calling for “No Reparations No Vote”, in their attempt to drive Black voters to the Republican Party. On the other side, are those of us who fully understand the significance of the Black vote for a Democratic Party win.

Statistics have shown that since 1960, except for 1964, the Black vote was the deciding factor in each of the Democratic Party’s wins in presidential elections. In essence, the Black vote gave American Presidents Kennedy, Carter, Clinton, Obama, and you, Mr. Biden. We are 20% of your base Mr. President, more than all other people of color combined. When we come out and vote, Democrats win! Certainly, Mr. Bidden, the Republicans are fully aware of this as they have directed enormous resources to suppress the Black vote — by spending nearly $1 billion in the last election and introducing over 900 pieces of legislation, according to Marc Morial of the National Urban League.

The Democratic Party needs to both counter these efforts by Republicans and address the low enthusiasm for the Democratic Party in the Black community. This counter-offensive must be an immediate statement announcing the implementation of an HR 40like Reparations Commission via Executive Order by the President of the United States of America. This, and only this, will generate the turnout in the Black community necessary for a Democratic Party victory in 2024. The Democratic Party can no longer waffle on this issue of reparations. We need a Reparations Commission Now! You, Mr. President, need a Reparations Commission now — for any hope of a 2024 victory.

Search: Pastor John E. Warren San Diego

We

learn, fellowship, serve and grow into the fullness of Christ Jesus. This ministry is to build people of Purpose, Prayer, Power, Praise and Prosperity. This mandate is being fulfilled by reaching the reality of the gospel in a simplistic fashion, and a result, learning how to apply it in everyday life.

Robert Lee

Vinegar, Jr.

SUNRISE 12/16/1969

SUNSET 08/06/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

Robert Lee Vinegar, Jr. was born to proud parents Doris and Robert Vinegar, Sr. on December 16, 1969, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family moved to Los Angeles, California, where he had his formative education at Figueroa Street Elementary, Samuel Gompers Middle School, and graduated from Washington High School. Robert loved dancing, listening to music, and was quite fond of women. He was roundly given the name “Mr. Lady Lover”. Robert, also known in his community as “Petey Wheatstraw", was preceded in death by his mother, grandmother (G-Moms) Doris Howard, grandfather (PawPaw) James Jones, and brotherin-law Darrell Alamana (Dee).

Robert passed on August 6, 2023. He is survived by his father Robert Vinegar, Sr., wife Sabrina Hughes Vinegar, children; DeShawn, Robert Vinegar III, Emery Kai, and Heiress Rose Vinegar, grandchildren; Precious, Shatari, Manuel, Chanette, and Jeffrey, siblings; Curtis and Shalonda Vinegar, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends who will miss him with all of their hearts!

Robin Elaine

Flowers

SUNRISE 10/07/1961

SUNSET

08/17/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

Robin Elaine Flowers was born on October 7, 1961 in Union, Mississippi, to Helen and John Flowers. The family moved to San Diego, California, in her childhood years, where she resided until her passing.

Growing up, Robin enjoyed listening to music and dancing. Some of her fondest times as a teenager were making up songs and dance routines with her sisters.

On July 25, 1982, Robin gave birth to her beloved son Christopher Lee Rivers.

Robin attended San Diego College of Continuing Education and devoted her life to helping others with disabilities conquer educational goals. Robin worked at Valencia Park Elementary for over ten years. She also worked with many programs across the city that provide disability support. Marie Doerner and Melissa Hough were two of Robin's biggest supporters.

Alexander

Philpot

SUNRISE 09/26/1991

SUNSET 08/05/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY CALIFORNIA CREMATION & BURIAL

Alexander Garland Philpot, of San Diego, CA, passed away unexpectedly on August 5, 2023. Alex was only 31 years old. Our family is devastated and shocked by this loss.

Alex was born on September 26, 1991, in Chicago, IL, to parents David Philpot and Tracy Ward.

After Alex graduated from Lincoln High School, he worked in different odd jobs, enjoying the variety of life and the thrill of learning new trades. By the time Alex was 21, he had mastered skills in construction.

He had a way of charming anyone he met. He had a disarming smile and spirited conversation. He could command a room, and those around him wanted his attention. He had a loving spirit, but a troubled past. The friends he made along the way were loyal and true.

On August 17, 2023, Robin went home to be with the Lord. Robin was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jerry Flowers, and sister Rosemary Flowers.

Left to treasure her memories are her son Christopher, brothers; Anthony Flowers and Michael Flowers, sisters; Paula Norwood, Marianne Flowers, Churshell Flowers, Yolanda Flowers, and Darchelle Hanson, aunts, uncles, a host of nieces and nephews, and her beloved teachers and classmates.

Memorial Services are being held for Alex on September 22, 2023, 2pm at California Burial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to The Philpot Family for his children. Davis

SUNRISE 06/31/1968

SUNSET 08/26/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY CALIFORNIA CREMATION & BURIAL

Lynette Davis, a remarkably kind, friendly, and thoughtful soul, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2023. Born on June 31, 1968, at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, CA, she lived a life that was rich in love, laughter, and profound relationships. Lynette was the loving daughter of Linda Evans, cherished sister to Noble Robinson and Oscar E. James III, and adored mother to Nikita, LaToya, Rebecca, Heaven, and Vionca. Her uncles, Freddie David, Joshua Davis, and John Franklin, and her aunts, Marilynn David, Joan Walther, and Barbara Kaprielian also held a special place in her heart. Lynette was a proud alumna of Herbert Hoover High School, where she demonstrated a keen interest in learning and a passion for life that was infectious. Her love for knowledge was only eclipsed by her love for people. She was a friend to all, and her radiant smile was a beacon of joy and warmth to those around her.

Lynette was a woman of many passions. She had a deep love for writing, often expressing her thoughts, dreams, and experienc es in beautifully crafted prose. This passion extended to her love for cooking, where she used her culinary skills to create meals that were not just delicious but also a testament to her creativity and love for her family. Her daughters often recounted how she would spend hours in the kitchen, perfecting recipes and creat ing new ones, all in an effort to bring joy to those she loved. In addition to her love for writing and cooking, Lynette was also an avid Facebook user. She used the platform to stay connected with friends and family, sharing her life's joys and challenges with those she held dear. Her Facebook posts were a reflection of her personality - warm, engaging, and full of life.

Lynette had a deep appreciation for rhythm and blues music. The soulful melodies and powerful lyrics resonated with her, and she often found solace and inspiration in the music. She passed on this love for rhythm and blues to her daughters, creating a shared bond that they will cherish forever.

Lynette Davis was a beacon of love, kindness, and thoughtfulness. Her life was a testament to the power of positivity and the strength of the human spirit. She touched the lives of many and left an indelible mark on the hearts of those she knew. Her legacy is one of love, perseverance, and the unwavering belief in the goodness of people. In remembering Lynette, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a soul deeply loved. She may have left this world, but her spirit continues to inspire and guide those she left behind. Her memory will forever be a part of the lives she touched, a comforting presence in the hearts of those who loved her. Lynette Davis will be deeply missed, but her memory will for ever live on.

Love Lives On A.

Those we love are never really lost to us we feel them in so many special ways through friends they always cared about and dreams they left behind, in beauty that they added to our days… in words of wisdom we still carry with us and memories that never will be gone… Those we love are never really lost to us

For everywhere their special love lives on.

Bradley

May Time Soften Your Pain

In times of darkness, love sees…

In times of silence, love hears...

In times of doubt, love hopes…

In times of sorrow, love heals...

And in all times, love remembers. May time soften the pain

Until all that remains

Is the warmth of the memories

And the love.

New Garden Opens at Community Center in City Heights

An overgrown vacant lot in City Heights has been transformed into a garden at the Park de la Cruz Community Center. Saturday morning, Sept. 16, a ribbon-cutting event was held to celebrate this new garden, which has been under development since 2021 and is now ready for com

munity use.

To enhance the space further, a mural was also painted on the walls surrounding the garden. The mural was designed by a local artist and community members assisted with the painting.

Park de la Cruz Community Center opened in May 2020 with in-person programs com

mencing in June 2021. The center, a former YMCA building, has been transformed to

include several amenities including a public gymnasium, fitness room, recreation room, sensory room, computer lab, multipurpose and community spaces, a kitchen and space for the Parks and Recreation Department’s Therapeutic Recreation and AgeWell Services programs. The garden has been a planned addition to the facility since it opened and was made possible by several donors and community volunteers. The Park de la Cruz Garden aligns with the Parks Master Plan, as well as the Age Friendly San Diego Action Plan, adopted by City Council in December 2021.

The space, located at 3901 Landis Street to the right of the community center, provides accessible garden beds, benches and shade coverings for older adults, individuals with disabilities and other community volunteers. Participants will be able to learn gardening skills, harvest fruits and vegetables, and enjoy this tranquil outdoor space. To enhance the space further, a mural was also painted on the walls surrounding the garden. The mural was designed by a local artist and community members assisted with the painting.

In attendance were the Parks and Recreation Department Director and District Manager, San Diego Parks Foundation Vice Chair, Park de la Cruz Community Center Participants, and City Heights Community Leaders. Following the ribbon cutting on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon festivities were held

throughout the Park de la Cruz Community Center and surrounding park to give participants a glimpse at many of the programs offered. Refreshments, entertainment, activities and giveaways were also provided to welcomed guests.

Buddy Guy Keeps Blues Alive and Well at Rady Shell

By Barbara Smith Contributing Writer

The blues is alive and well with Buddy Guy.

The beautifully appointed waterfront Rady Shell was packed with fans of this blues master last week as he brought his “Damn Right Farewell Tour” to San Diego, a spectacle that has taken him across the US, Canada and Europe including Montreux, Switzerland this past July. The near-capacity crowd turned out with love, to honor one of the last men standing of the great blues musicians of this century. And he did not disappoint, delivering a concert that channeled some of his greatest influencers along with his own unique brand of grit and soul, an artist who has reshaped the sound of the electric guitar and pushed blues beyond its limits.

one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Carlos Santana has said he is able to strike lightning with his guitar. At 87, Guy’s energy is still infectious, his voice still resonating with fine timbre.

Taking the stage with a slow easy grin, clad in his trademark polka dot shirt, an homage to his mother who loved polka dots, Guy lit into “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues,” with the same ferocity as when he recorded it in 1991. Next, he cooled down to an inviting growl, delivering the Muddy Waters classic “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man,” a crowd favorite. His commanding stage presence was clearly in evidence as he bantered playfully with the audience, a mischievous glint in his eye, engaging in storytelling and funny unprintable repartee offered between songs in a full hour set that went by all too quickly. He paid tribute to his mentors and friends Little Milton (“Grits Ain’t Groceries”), John Lee Hooker (“Boom Boom”), Johnnie Taylor (“Cheaper to Keep Her”), and his own “Skin Deep,” one of his most requested songs with the much-needed message for today: “It all comes down to just one simple rule: that you treat everybody just the way you want them to treat you.”

Buddy Guy grew up on a sharecropper’s farm in rural Louisiana and at age 21 left the Jim Crow South for the bustling blues clubs of 1950s Chicago. Here he was mentored by one of his heroes, Muddy Waters, the great electric guitar pioneer. His raw talent stood out and landed him in the studios of the blues premier label, Chess Records. The ascent to fame did not come quickly and he recalls driving a truck during the day and playing clubs seven nights a week for pennies, learning from the masters, finding his own distinctive style. Now some 66 years later, the 8-time Grammy winner is acknowledged as

For a master showman who has made a habit of playing 150 shows per year, his farewell announcement earlier in 2023 came as a shock to fans, who are flocking to his concerts. He affirms he will still perform occasional concerts and will continue to play Legends, his own blues bar in Chicago.

Guy, who has been a major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, has said, “I’ve always been someone who gives everything he has to what he’s doing. When you come to see me, you know you’re getting the best I’ve got.” And the best is exactly what thrilled San Diego fans got from this true blues original.

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

CAiR:

Continued from cover Imam Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army, has the distinction of being our Nation's first Muslim Chaplain in the United States Armed Services having first served in that honorable capacity in 1992 under then President Bush. Members of the community along with sponsors and public officials were present including, the Mayor of Lemon Grove, Raquel Vasquez; San Diego County Office of Equity and Diversity Director, Andrew Strong and his team; and San Diego County

District Attorney Community Partnership’s Prosecutor Monique Myers.

To learn more about Imam Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad as the first Muslim Chaplain for the U.S. Armed Services, search “AbdulRasheed Muhammad” at npr.org. For more information about Masjdul Taqwa, visit masjidultaqwasandiego.org. For more information about CAIR-San Diego, visit ca.cair. com/sandiego.

PHOTO: City of San Diego

PHOTO: Buddy Guy

“I’ve always been someone who gives everything he has to what he’s doing. When you come to see me, you know you’re getting the best I’ve got.”

–Buddy Guy

Grandparents Day Fourth District Seniors Resource Center Celebrates Grandparents Day

Over fifty gleeful youth aged 8-13 and their grandparents and “grand pals” attended the First Annual Grandparents Day Celebration Sunday, September 10th at the George L. Stevens Senior Fourth District Seniors Resource Center (FDSRC). This year’s theme, “On their Shoulders We Rise,” was based on a children's story written by Joseph “LJ” Maull IV.

Council President Pro Tem Monica Montgomery Steppe, who attended the celebration, presented the grandparents and grand pals with certificates of special commendations for being 2023 Grandparent Honorees of the Year. Ancestral storyteller Rev. Alyce Smith-Cooper mesmerized the audience with her insightful and deeply moving message about the massive shoulders of our ancestors whose shoulders we stand on. She deputized each attendee as an official Storyteller, proclaiming the greatness and goodness embedded in each one of them.

Health & Fitness Instructor Mr. Herbert Argrow (86 yrs. young) wowed everyone, especially the children, with his martial arts agility moves as well as engaging them in exercises. FDSRC Executive Director Rosemary W. Pope read the children’s story “On their Shoulders We Rise” and Board Member Cathy Ramsey posed poignant questions to the children after each reading scene.

Following a tasty lunch of pizza, hot dogs, nachos and fruit punch, each child was

presented a Certificate of Appreciation, a backpack filled with school supplies, and a bag of sweet treats and healthy snacks. All grandparents and grand pals also received ethnic tote bags.

A very special thank you to State Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber, 4th District City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, Executive Director Charos Lewis Goodman of The Charles L. Lewis III Foundation, and AARP for donations. The essence of this Grandparents Day Celebration, states Rosemary Pope, is to “flip the script of what society has dubbed ‘At Risk Youth’ destined to become non-productive citizens. Given care, compassion, tough love and learning the fundamental values and teachings of our ancestors, these ‘At Risk Youth’ are only destined for greatness.”

Book Signing for Local Author a Success

Courtesy of Dr. Maria A. Jones/ Voice and Viewpoint Staff

Local author Dr. Maria A. Jones held the book signing for her work “Locked up Inside: The Mind of a Convict” last Saturday. In her book, Dr. Jones explores the factors that lead criminals to commit crimes.

“I have been married for 30 years to a man who has been locked up in his psyche for many years, and although he no longer engages in criminal behavior, he still has the mindset of a prisoner,” stated Dr. Jones.

“I would like this book to inspire you to be liberated from self-imposed shackles and to reach for the stars. It does not matter if the rest of the world is in complete disarray; be yourself and do not imitate others.”

Courtesy of FDSRC Staff

PHOTOS: Mike Norris

Dr. Maria A. Jones

PHOTOS: Mike Norris

Engaging the Community Over BISCUITS, GRITS POLITICS&

Local and National Affairs in Focus

By Macy Meinhardt

Dr. Warren addressed the crowd with his intention for the event.

“With this start-up meeting I want to help you understand the relationship between the kinds of laws that are affecting us, the policies that have been made, and how those policies are really up to us.”

“When we understand that it will stimulate us to be more involved,” said Dr. John Warren, who then invited Pastor Nate Stewart of Greater Life Church to give the invocation.

Patrons were eager to hear from the movers, shakers, and change-makers of San Diego and beyond lined up to speak. Beginning with Mitch Mitchell, who serves as senior vice president, chief legislative officer for Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric.

Mitchell spoke fervently about what he referred to as a “broken system” when it comes to the process of inclusive decision making in policy and legislation.

Drawing from his experience with the State Legislators in Sacramento, he expressed his concern over the lack of Black representation from the group of 120 influential politicians he encountered—intended to be “representative” of all California residents.

Now, as a fierce advocate for Black representation in politics, he stands by the fact that “politics and government should be exemplary

in inclusion and diversity” in order to make informed decisions representative of all of California.

After generating several moments of applause the next guest to take the stage was Chida WarrenDarby, Director for Office of Boards and Commissions for Mayor Todd Gloria’s office. As she greeted the crowd, WarrenDarby admitted with glee that out of all the times she has been invited to speak to an audience on governmental matters, Biscuits, Grits

& Politics was the first crowd where she felt represented.

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But I get invited to talk to a lot of organizations and people about boards and commissions and I don’t always see a lot of people that look like me in these conversations,” said Warren-Darby.

As Director for the Board of Commissions, Warren-Darby emphasized the influence of the Commission and Boards in getting local policies and recommendations on the mayor's agenda.

“If you’re coming from a community and you’re serving on these Boards and Commissions, your voice matters. You help influence change at City Hall,” said Warren-Darby.

After the speakers wrapped up their remarks, the stage was opened to the audience for a Q & A. Dialogue in the room centered upon questions ranging from housing, homeless, electric vehicle infrastructure, to City Budgets, and more.

Despite more hands being raised, it was time to draw the event to a close. Giving final remarks to the audience, Dr. Warren promised guests that dialogue of this nature would continue at our next Biscuits, Grits, and Politics event scheduled for next month, Oct. 17th. Same time, same location.

Overall, in an age when political polarization often dominates the headlines, this open-dialogue community breakfast event served as a beacon of hope and path of action for attendees.

VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER

(L-R) Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell and Dr. John E. Warren.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

(L-R) Chida Warren-Darby and Dr. John E. Warren. PHOTO: Mike Norris

(L-R) San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Contributing Writer Barbara Smith, Managing Editor Latanya West, Publisher Dr. John E. Warren, City of San Diego Director of Boards and Commissions Chida Warren-Darby, Community Representative (Districts 4 and 7) Korral Taylor, (Center) Mrs. Dolores Warren.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

(L-R) San Diego Deputy District Attorney Cheryl Sueing-Jones, San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Donna DeBerry, Common Ground Theatre Executive Artistic Director Yolanda Marie Franklin. PHOTO: Mike Norris

(L-R) Dr. John E. Warren and Charles “Chuck” Warren.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

(L-R) Director of San Diego County's Health & Human Services Dr. Eric C. McDonald and Dr. Jerome Robinson (Ret.).

PHOTO: Mike Norris

(Foreground) San Diego District 4 Candidate Amy Reichert.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

(L-R) Reginald White, Bishop Dr. William Benson, Pastor Dennis Hodges.

PHOTO: Mike Norris

Raiders Tigers

The Rivalry Continues

By Darrel Wheeler Contributing Writer

he Skyline vs. Balboa youth football rivalry continued last weekend when Balboa sent their confident ten-andunder age-group Raiders to Shacklett Field at Morse High School to play the hosting Tigers.

Balboa's Silver and Black Attack proved to be too much for the Mighty Tigers to handle in this season's friendbut tough confrontation. The Raiders used their dynamic rungame to light up the home team's scoreboard for 40 points and used an aggressive defense to slow down the speedy Tigers, holding them to two touch -

downs. The Raiders, featuring Ethan Teague, King Rew, Elias Peart, Knives Hill and Cory Colquitt, were some of the ballers accountable for the successful Raid on Skyline's Tigers.

"I think we did good today, but I know we can do better. We made some mistakes but we made up for them,” Balboa

Raider Cory "The Touchdown Maker" Colquitt shared. "I don't know much about the rivalry because this is my first year playing, but I give Skyline credit. They did well. They have some really good players."

Raider Head Coach George Rew had this to say about the game: "We won but we still got some real work to do if we want to win the championship. Skyline came to win today. They played hard, but we were a little stronger than them today.”

“This rivalry goes way back to the sixties, back when Percey Gilbert played. A lot of these kids know each other away from football,” Coach Rew continued concerning the rivalry. “It's like how VP (Valencia Park) vs. Skyline was and Balboa vs. VP: It's an intercity thing. That's what's up."

Karen Todd

Courtesy of Dela Lockett

A Beautiful Soul Gone Too Soon

Karen Diane Todd was born August 1, 1957, to the parents of James and Shirley Collins in Delano, CA.

Karen worked for AT&T for 35 years between Seattle, Washington and San Diego, California. She was married to Larry Todd Sr. for almost 32 years.

Karen passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023, the day before her 66th birthday and a few weeks before her 32nd wedding anniversary on August 24.

Her celebration of life was held on August 31, 2023, at Bethel Baptist Church which was eulogized by Pastor Nate Stewart of Greater Life Baptist Church, amongst several family members, friends and co-workers from far and near. The repass was catered with deliciousness from Soulanese by Ms. Shawanda Turner and desserts from Sweet Treats by Dianna “Thick” Brown.

Karen leaves behind to cherish her fond memories: her husband; four children; fourteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and a host of family members. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.

South Africa’s Inkatha Freedom Party Founder Passes

By Lisa Vives Global Information Network

Prince Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, a South African politician and Zulu prince, was the oldest Member of Parliament when he passed on September 9. He was admitted to the hospital in July following a failed medical procedure to ease his back pain, his family said at the time.

A controversial figure during the liberation struggle against apartheid, he founded the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in 1975 as a national cultural movement that became a political force in what is now KwaZuluNatal province. His party was embroiled in bloody conflicts with the ANC in the 1980s and 1990s. His last-minute decision to participate in the first post-apartheid election in 1994 brought peace between the two parties. The vote brought the ANC and its leader, Nelson Mandela, to power.

Slow Arrival to Help Marrakech Devastated by Earthquake

By Lisa Vives Global Information Network

Mo rocco began three days of national mourning last Sunday after suffering its worst earthquake in over a century. The Ministry of Interior said 2,012 people were killed and 2,059 injured, of which 1,404 were in critical condition.

Samia Errazzouki, a Moroccan-American historian of North Africa at Stanford University, said in an interview that the government’s “heavily controlled and centralized” functions were impeding its disaster response. “The immediate hours of any natural disaster are the most crucial,” she said, yet long hours passed before the king made a public statement.

With debris and fallen rock blocking roads to Moroccan villages hit hardest by an earthquake, many residents began burying their dead and foraging for scarce supplies last Sunday as they waited for government aid.

The Friday night quake largely spared the city of Marrakesh and its medieval quarter of the worst destruction. But the earthquake carved a swath of destruction across villages in the remote High Atlas Mountains, home to a population largely of ethnic Berbers whose

main industries are farming and hosting hikers who come from around the world to see the region’s untouched beauty. Homes here are often built with clay or mud brick, making them especially vulnerable to tremors.

Dozens of countries and foreign-aid groups said they were offering manpower, equipment and other assistance to Morocco, but as of last Sunday, the kingdom’s government had only accepted rescue workers from the U.K., United Arab Emirates, Spain and Qatar, according to a spokesperson from the interior ministry. King Mohammed VI ordered the government to provide shelter and rebuild houses and called on local authorities to stockpile tents, food, beds and medicine to prevent a catastrophe. The military took the lead, with state television showing soldiers in fatigues picking through rubble.

The first three days after an earthquake are sometimes called the “golden period” for rescuers, so this is a critical time for emergency workers trying to rescue survivors in Morocco, said Caroline Holt, a director at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. But she also stressed the need to provide people with clean water and to identify damaged buildings that still pose a danger.

Buthelezi was a champion of his people and a prominent figure in the struggle against apartheid but his rivalry with the ANC, differing with the ANC’s approach of armed resistance against white minority rule, led to fraught days and much bloodshed before South Africa was able to elect its first Black leader. He also held opposing views on international sanctions against South Africa,

believing that such measures would primarily harm the country's Black majority. South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the prince of KwaPhindangene, traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch and nation, and the founder and president emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom party.”

Critics described Buthelezi as a warlord but to his legion of followers in the rural Zulu heartland, he was a visionary. For a decade before the end of white rule in 1994, Buthelezi – dressed in leopard skins and waving a short silver-topped stick – was a familiar sight at rallies while Inkatha was embroiled in conflict with the ANC.

“It’s not pleasant, it’s not easy for me. Neither is it easy for President Thabo Mbeki to have me and my colleagues in the cabinet. We did it to end a low-intensity civil war,” Buthelezi told Reuters in July 2003.

He also starred in the 1964 film Zulu, playing his own great-grandfather King Cetshwayo. After leading the IFP for 44 years, he stepped down in 2019, aged 90. He was married to Irene Mzila, a nurse, eschewing the polygamy followed by many Zulu chiefs. They had three sons and four daughters.

Decaying Dams Blamed for ‘Worst Disaster’ in Libyan History

By Lisa Vives Global Information Network

As stricken Libyans searched for signs of life amid the wreckage left by two enormous dams that burst in a hurricane-strength storm, anger was growing over warnings that were ignored but could have possibly prevented the worst disaster in the country’s modern history.

"A lot of people are responsible for this. The dam wasn't fixed, so now it's a disaster," said Alwad Alshawly, an English teacher who had spent three days burying bodies as a rescue volunteer, according to Reuters.

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Searchers digging through mud and hollowed-out buildings say 10,000 people are missing and feared dead in the flooding that has already taken the lives of over 11,000 men, women and children. The dams collapsed in exceptionally heavy rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel, sending a wall of water several feet high, gushing down a valley that cuts through the city of Derna.

The unusual flooding and Libya’s political chaos contributed to the enormous toll. The oil-rich state has been split since 2014

between rival governments in the east and west backed by various militia forces and international patrons.

When hydrologist Abdul Wanis Ashour began researching the system of dams protecting the eastern Libya port town of Derna, the peril facing residents was already no secret, he said. Ashour warned that if the dams were not urgently maintained, the city faced a potential catastrophe. Derna is prone to flooding, and its dam reservoirs have caused at least five deadly floods since 1942, the latest of which was in 2011, according to a research paper published by Libya’s Sebha University last year.

All dams are potentially dangerous, according to the U.S. Association of State Dam Safety Officials - if they are old and have not

been properly maintained or have fallen into disrepair. At last count, according to a report by the Associated Press, there are 91,757 dams in the U.S. and more than 2,200 are in poor condition, likely endangering lives if they were to fail. Climate change has subjected some dams to greater strain from intense rainstorms. Homes, businesses and highways have cropped up below dams that were originally built in remote locations.

The actual number of high-hazard dams is likely even higher than the AP's tally, because some states don't track such data and many federal agencies refuse to release that information. The $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed last year by President Joe Biden will pump about $3 billion into dam-related projects, including hundreds of millions for state dam safety programs and repairs.

Yet it's still just a fraction of the nearly $76 billion needed to fix the tens of thousands of dams owned by individuals, companies, community associations, state and local governments, and other entities besides the federal government, according to a report by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Al-Seddik Al-Sour has announced an investigation into the circumstances leading to the flash flood that swept through the city two weeks ago. Like much of Libya's crumbling infrastructure, the two dams built to hold back water from Derna fell into disrepair over years of neglect, conflict and division. An Italian engineering firm hired to assess the damage confirmed finding cracks and recommended the construction of a third dam to protect the city, said Al-Sour.

In 2007, Gaddafi's government entrusted repair work to a Turkish company. But because of payment issues, the company did not begin the work until October 2010 and halted less than five months later after the revolution that led to Gaddafi's downfall began. None of the successive governments since 2011 has undertaken the work, according to a 2021 report that blamed "procrastination" for the failure to resume repairs on the two dams.

World Meteorological Organization chief Petteri Taalas said many deaths could have been avoided if early warning and emergency management systems had functioned properly in the war-scarred country. Along with Libyans, dozens of Sudanese migrants died in the disaster. The country has become a major transit point for Middle Eastern and African migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to seek a better life in Europe.

PHOTO: hichamaarkoubi/Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

PHOTO: Rob Bogaerts/Anefo/Wikkimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

PHOTO: Courtesy of GIN

much of Libya's crumbling infrastructure, the two dams built to hold back water from Derna fell into disrepair over years of neglect, conflict and division.

Inspire Youth to Stop Fights and Violence with Peace Circles

Du ring October 2023, the 12th Annual Month of NonViolence, Families, Voter Rights and Opportunities, will take place in twenty states across America with a focus on promoting “Restorative Justice Peace Circles,” organized by Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC), which teach

VP Harris Launches Nationwide College Tour for Youth Advocacy

young people and adults how to improve communication, resolve conflicts and ways to de-escalate fighting and violence.

“We must teach youth and adults how to change their personal, family and community cultures, so violence can be avoided,” stated BW4PC National Co-Chairs Dr. Stephanie Myers and Honorable Daun S. Hester. The Co-Chairs continued, “We have worked for twelve years with government leaders, civic leaders, faith leaders, educators, and the business sector, to put a priority on violence prevention and to promote de-escalation of violence.”

To learn more, visit monthofnonviolence.org.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

As students return to campuses nationwide, Vice President Kamala Harris is embarking on a monthlong college tour, rallying young people to champion fundamental freedoms and rights. The ambitious initiative, dubbed the “Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour”, will see Harris crisscrossing a dozen campuses in at least seven states, uniting thousands of students in high-energy, large-scale events.

The whirlwind tour will put a spotlight on critical issues disproportionately affecting young Americans. From reproductive freedom and gun safety to climate action, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and the banning of books, the vice president aims to engage and empower the next generation to be at the forefront of these battles.

“This generation is critical to the urgent issues that are at stake right now for our future,” Harris empha -

Amidst a news cycle that now routinely features wildfires, former president indictments, and extreme weather events, the world is grappling with the resurgence of COVID-19 as a new and concerning variant, BA.2.86, emerges. This variant, informally dubbed “Pirola,” has ignited alarm among public health experts due to its substantial spike protein mutations.

sized in a statement issued by The White House. “It is young leaders throughout America who know what the solutions look like and are organizing in their communities to make them a reality. My message to students is clear: We are counting on you, we need you, you are everything.”

The “Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour” will encompass historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and state schools. During her visits, the vice president will not only highlight the accomplishments of the BidenHarris Administration for young people but also outline the forthcoming work required to safeguard these crucial liberties. The White House said she will engage “directly with students who are leading the charge in these pivotal fights, encouraging them to register to vote, use their voices, and remain

actively involved in shaping their future.”

The tour builds upon the vice president’s recent travels and follows her Summer of Action, which encompassed visits to 17 states. In 2023 alone, Harris has already graced 11 college campuses, following 14 schools visited in 2022. The Vice President’s “Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour” includes the following West Coast stops: • College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV • Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ

Further campus visits, dates and additional details to be unveiled by the White House.

“Pirola,” Raises Concerns Amidst Ongoing Crises

Dr. Scott Roberts, an infectious diseases specialist at Yale Medicine, warned that Pirola exhibits over 30 spike protein mutations compared to the previously dominant XBB.1.5 variant in the United States. The spike protein is critical for the virus’s entry into human cells, and such a high number of mutations raises red flags. In an online Yale Medicine article, Dr. Roberts compared the mutation count to the shift from the Delta to the Omicron variant in 2021, which caused a significant surge in case

business is hereby registered by the following: Martha Contreras Perales 4367 Florida St. Apt. 2 San Diego, CA 92104

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on September 15, 2023

This fictitious business name will expire on September 15, 2028 9/21, 9/28, 10/05, 10/12

NAME STATEMENT 2023-9018082 Fictitious business name(s): X Tornado Potato Located at: 8765 Dead Stick Road San Diego, CA 92131 County of San Diego P.O. Box 261926 San

CLASSIFIEDS / LEGAL NOTICES

NAME STATEMENT 2023-9018628

Fictitious business name(s): Caring Love Located at: 2508 Sabine Way National City, CA 91950 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following:

Everett Thompson 2508 Sabine Way National City, CA 91950

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on September 11, 2023

This fictitious business name will expire on September 11, 2028

9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/05

NAME STATEMENT 2023-9018587

Fictitious business name(s):

Ume Nail Lounge Located at: 12812 Rancho Penasquitos Blvd. Ste. O San Diego, CA 92129 County of San

filed with

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall Of Justice 37-2023-00037223CU-PT-CTL Petitioner or Attorney: Vanessa Valdez

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Vanessa Valdez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Vanessa Valdez

PROPOSED NAME: Vanessa Valdez Dolan

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 a 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: October 11, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

NOTICE OF BIDS

Advertisement for Bids

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services to:

REMOVE AND REPLACE LOCK CYLINDERS AND REKEY AT SCRIPPS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023, in front of the main office of Scripps Ranch High School 10410 Falcon Way, San Diego, CA 92131. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on OCTOBER 12, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP24-0395-05-00-00 Lock Cylinders and Rekey at Scripps Ranch HS. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $190,000 and $230,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: C-28 or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CP24-0395-05-00-00

NOTICE OF BIDS

Advertisement for Bids

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services to:

FURNISH AND INSTALL SEWER MAIN LINING AT HARDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023, in front of the main office of Hardy Elementary School, 5420 Montezuma Road, San Diego, CA 92115. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com.

All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on OCTOBER 12, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP24-0406-52-00-00 Furnish and Install

Sewer Main Lining at Hardy Elementary School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $25,000 and $32,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: C-36 SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CP24-0406-52-00-00

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Request for Proposals Audiovisual Goods and Services

Solicitation No.: SOL1218423 CIP 8000190 Cost Code 2510 Federal Aid Project No.: N/A

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking consultants for Audiovisual Goods and Services. There is no DBE goal for this project. The optional Preproposal Meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams on September 25th, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST/PDT. The deadline for electronic proposal submittal is October 11th by 3:00 PM PST/PDT unless otherwise stated in an addendum. A copy of the solicitation documents and any communications or addenda can be accessed via www. bidnetdirect.com/sandag.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Request for Proposals (RFP)

As-Needed Moving Services

Solicitation No.: SOL1219631 CIP 8000120 Federal Aid Project No.: N/A

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking consultants for as-needed moving services. There is no DBE goal for this project.

The Optional Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held virtually on September 27, 2023, from 10:30AM to 11:30AM PST/PDT. The deadline for electronic proposal submittal is October 20, 2023 by 3:00 PM PST/PDT unless otherwise stated in an addendum.

A copy of the solicitation documents and any communications or addenda can be accessed via www.bidnetdirect.com/sandag.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Request for Proposals(RFP)

Services for SANDAG Toll Operations Facility Solicitation No.: SOL1194692 CIP 3312100

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking consultants for SANDAG is seeking a qualified contractor to perform janitorial services for the SANDAG Toll Operations Facility. There is no DBE goal for this project.

The deadline for electronic proposal submittal is October 9th, 2023 by 3:00 PM PST/PDT unless otherwise stated in an addendum.

A copy of the solicitation documents and any communications or addenda can be accessed via www.bidnetdirect.com/sandag.

information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is:

330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/05

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

Hall Of Justice

37-2023-00037391CU-PT-CTL Petitioner or Attorney: Kathryn Marie Becker

Persons:

Petitioner Kathryn Marie Becker filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Kathryn Marie Becker

PROPOSED

NAME: Kathryn Marie Monroe

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 a 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: October 12, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

Petitioner or Attorney: Franklin Young Frank

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Franklin Young Frank filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Franklin Young Frank

PROPOSED NAME: Cartier Young Frank 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 a 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: October 11, 2023

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

The address of the court is: 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/05

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall Of Justice Central Division 37-2023-00035650CU-PT-CTL Petitioner or Attorney: Anwar J. Shariff

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Anwar J. Shariff filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Anwar J. Shariff

specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is: 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 9/07, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28

SUMMONS

SUMMONS (Citacion Judicial)

un abogado inmediatamente.

Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www. sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales.

grayson@johnsonlawva.com

Counsel for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Arthur

Raymond Farrington Case Number:

37-2023-00039266-PR-PWCTL

Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court. The address of the court is:

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

PROPOSED NAME: Anwar Hero Shareef 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 a 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: October 03, 2023 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61 (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree

Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order

Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO)

Joshua Danilo Drummond; and Does 1 to 10, inclusive

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY

PLAINTIFF: (Lo Esta Demandando El Demandante): Jose Manuel Luna

Case Number: CVPS2301948

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a

AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil.

Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is:

(El nombre y dirección de la corte es):

Superior Court of California, County of Riverside

3255 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262

The name, address, and telephone number of the plaintiff's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is:

(El nombre, la dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):

Hilda H. Zamora 283449 Zamora Law Boutique., PLC 45-915 Oasis Street (760) 347-1108 Indio, CA 92201

Clerk, by (Secretario) Christina Mckee 9/21, 9/28, 10/05, 10/12

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF HANOVER COUNTY

Plaintiff ESTHER GORDON DAVIS VS Defendants ARLENE K. LEE, et als Case No.CL22003225-00

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to effect partition amongst the owners by sale or otherwise of the real property located in South Anna District, Hanover County, Virgina, now containing 2.34 acres, more or less, designated as Hanover GPIN 7748-79-8651 and being Lot 6 containing 3.34 acres shown on plat of survey recorder in Plat Book 23 page 195, less and except 1.00 acre conveyed out by deed recorded in Deed Book 174 page 589, and that portion taken by the Commonwealth for road improvements, An affidavit having been made and filed that the defendant, Charles Cosby, died May 28, 1998 and last lived at 3937 Hamilton Street, San Diego, CA 92104-2801, and the Unknown Defendants are the heirs of Charles Cosby. The names and post office address of his spouse, heirs, devisees and successors in title, if any such there be other than those named in this cause, are unknown, such parties being made defendants by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN.

It is ORDERED that the Unknown Defendants who are the heirs of Charles Cosby believed to be dead and the names post office address of his spouse, heirs, devisees and successors in title, if any such there be other than those named in this cause, are unknown, such parties being made defendants by general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN do appear before this Court on or before October 18, 2023 at 9: a.m. and do what is necessary to protect their interest.

It is further ORDERED that the foregoing portion of this order be published once a week for four successive weeks in Voice & Viewpoint, a newspaper published in or having circulation in the City of San Diego, California.

Grayson S. Johnson, Esq VSB #12636 Johnson & Johnson Attorneys at Law PC P.O. Box 100 Rockville, Virginia 23146 804 749-3241

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Arthur Raymond Farrington

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Jean Mercer in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

The Petition for Probate requests that Jean Mercer be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act.

(This authority will allow the personal representative to take many 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 consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

on February 6, 2024, at 10:30 AM in Dept. 504 located at the Superior Court of California County of San Diego 1100 Union Street 3rd floor San Diego, CA 92101 Central Courthouse

If you object to the granting of the 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.

If you are a creditor or a 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.

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.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF

Number: 37-2023-00035089-PR-PWCTL

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both,

of Aaron Boyt

aka Aaron J. Boyt aka Aaron Joseph Boyt

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Margaret E. Boyt aka Margaret Boyt in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

The Petition for Probate requests that Margaret E. Boyt aka Margaret Boyt be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act.

(This authority will allow the personal representative to take many 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 consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: on November 2, 2023, at 1:30 PM in Dept. 503 located at the Superior Court of California County of San Diego

1100 Union Street

San Diego, CA 92101

Central Courthouse

If you object to the granting of the 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.

If you are a creditor or a 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.

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.

Petitioner: Margaret E. Boyt aka Margaret Boyt

2881 Dartmouth Drive

Oceanside, CA 92056

(412) 716-3398

9/21, 9/28, 10/05

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Arnold Duane Harrison, aka Arnold D. Harrison

the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act.

(This authority will allow the personal representative to take many 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 consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: on November 29, 2023, at 1:30 PM in Dept. 502 located at the Superior Court of California County of San Diego 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 Central Division Central Courthouse

If you object to the granting of the 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.

If you are a creditor or a 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.

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

BLACK HISTORY

1921

FIRST BLACK GOLF CLUB FOUNDED

2021

CHARLES WADE MILLS PASSES

The Shady Rest Golf & Country Club in Scotch Plains, New Jersey is the oldest African-American golf club in the United States. Considered the Black middle-class mecca in New Jersey from the 1920s to the 1960s, the club offered its members a place of recreation and good fun in a time of intense racism and segregation.

The land, previously the Ephraim Tucker Farm, was a 31-acre plot that was sold to the Westfield Golf Club whose members then converted it into a nine-hole golf course, keeping the farmhouse as its new clubhouse. On September 21, 1921, a group of Black investors known as the Progressive Realty Company, Inc., including Scotch Plains resident Henry Willis Sr., purchased the club and renamed it the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club.

Charles Wade Mills was a notable CaribbeanAmerican political philosopher and distinguished professor born in London on January 3, 1951 to Jamaican parents. In 1997, while at the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC), Mills reshaped the canon of political philosophy when he published his seminal work, The Racial Contract . In it, Mills argued that the political concept of a social contract was actually a racial contract. The social contract theory had emerged during the Enlightenment period to explain how people consented to surrendering some of their freedoms in exchange for the protection of other rights. This, as Mills contended, was due to the assumption of white dominance established at a time when Europeans dominated the enslavement of Black people. The book won worldwide acclaim and received the Myers Outstanding Book Award for the study of bigotry and human rights in America. Mills published over 100 journal articles, chapters, and commentaries along with six books, including Black Rights/White Wrongs: The Critique of Racial Liberalism (2017). Mills died of cancer on September 21, 2021 at the age of 70.

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

evidence that it causes more severe illness.

Continued from page 12

due to its immune evasion capabilities.

What’s particularly concerning is that Pirola has been detected in at least six countries, and these cases appear unrelated. Experts said that suggests undetected community transmission and international spread, sparking concerns of a potential resurgence. According to medical experts, BA.2.86 is a designated variant of Omicron, a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. BA.2.86 stems from BA.2, a previously circulating Omicron subvariant. The variant was first identified in Denmark in late July and made its way to the United States in August. Knowing that cases aren’t linked indicates broader circulation, significantly as COVID-19 surveillance has waned, medical experts asserted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that current COVID-19 tests and medications, such as Paxlovid, Veklury, and Lagevrio, seem effective against Pirola. However, Pirola may be more adept at infecting individuals who have had COVID-19 or have been vaccinated. There isn’t any current

The increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. is attributed to XBB lineage viruses rather than Pirola. The multitude of mutations in Pirola raises concerns about its potential to bypass immunity from natural infection or vaccination. Dr. Roberts emphasized that ongoing studies would reveal the true nature of Pirola’s threat. The unprecedented number of mutations in Pirola is reminiscent of significant shifts seen in other respiratory viruses, such as the 2009 swine flu. However, he noted that these variants sometimes fade away without causing a significant impact.

The critical question now is whether Pirola will follow the explosive growth pattern of Omicron or fade away, as everyone hopes. As of August 30, the CDC has identified Pirola in at least four U.S. states through samples from individuals or wastewater.

Some regions have reinstated mask mandates in response to the spike in COVID-19 cases. Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, is among the institutions requiring masks in clinical areas to protect patients and staff. The CDC reports a nearly 19% increase in weekly

new COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S., marking the sixth consecutive week of rising admissions.

The arrival of new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax in midSeptember is expected to offer robust protection against variants. Until then, experts stress that masking remains a crucial tool for safeguarding against COVID-19, even for individuals with normal risk levels, depending on their location and contacts.

Dr. Stephen Thomas of the Upstate Medical University in Syracuse told NPR that the facility has reverted to mandating masks. “We wanted to, No. 1, protect our patients, and, No. 2, protect the men and women who work in our facility, and take care of them,” Thomas told NPR. “So, we implemented universal masking for staff, visitors, and patients only in clinical areas. So, we’re a university. We’re large. We have a lot of non-clinical regions. Universal masking is not being mandated in non-clinical areas.”

Editor’s note: 60 cases of the Priola variant have been detected in 11 countries as of September 6, according to global virus database GISAID.

Youngest U.S. Open Champion

Since Serena Williams in 1999

Coco Gauff Makes History

a sense of readiness for the fame that will undoubtedly come her way. “I’m ready,” Gauff proclaimed, her youthful confidence evident. “I embrace it. I know how to keep my peace but also embrace all of this around me.”

Case Number: 37-2023-00039055-PR-LACTL

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Arnold Duane Harrison, aka Arnold D. Harrison

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Alana Harrison in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

The Petition for Probate requests that Alana Harrison be appointed as personal representative to administer

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA NEWSWIRE SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT

remarkable triumph came after an intense three-set battle against Aryna Sabalenka, with a final score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Amidst the crowd’s roar and the flashbulbs of countless cameras, Gauff stood on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, her trophy shining brightly, and her victory speech filled with

As Gauff accepted her winner’s check of $3 million, she took a moment to graciously thank tennis legend Billie Jean King, who stood alongside her on the stage. The gesture highlighted Gauff’s perspective, humor, and charm that has set the stage for American sports’ next global superstar. “She is so humble,” said Pere Riba, Gauff’s coach, in the postmatch interview. “Her work ethic is so strong, so professional, and she has very good manners. Put all of that together, and she will only get better. She can handle it all.”

Gauff has long been earmarked as one of tennis’ next superstars. Her maturity on and off the court, intelligence, and ability to articulate herself have endeared her to the American public and the global tennis community.

Even prominent figures in the political arena couldn’t contain their excitement. President Joe Biden took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to congratulate the young champion.

“Congrats to U.S. Open Champion Coco Gauff,” he tweeted. “You electrified Arthur

Ashe stadium and the entire nation — the first of more to come and proof that anything is possible if you never give up and always believe. You’ve made America so proud.”

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who cheered Gauff during her first-round match against Laura Siegmund, also extended congratulations. “We couldn’t be prouder of you on and off the court — and we know the best is yet to come,” Barack Obama wrote. The former First Lady paid tribute to Gauff’s “hard work and grit” and shared a cherished photo of their meeting after that memorable first-round match.

Former President Bill Clinton joined the chorus of praise, describing Gauff’s victory as “incredible” and expressing optimism for the future of American tennis. Serena Williams, whom Gauff credits for inspiring her dreams, shared her excitement on Instagram, writing, “Ahhhhh!!!! Amazing!!!!”

Gauff reflected proudly on her victory. “My dad took me to this tournament, sitting right there, watching Venus and Serena compete, so it’s really incredible to be here on this stage,” she stated.

Coco Gauff has etched her name in tennis history as she clinched the U.S. Open singles title, becoming the youngest player since Serena Williams’ historic victory in 1999 when she was just 17 years old. Gauff’s

Coco Gauff.

PHOTO: NNPA