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SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT ENDORSES MARTHA ABRAHAM FOR 4 DISTRICT CITY COUNCIL

By Dr. John E. Warren PUBLISHER

The June 2, 2026 California Primary is just weeks away, but some decisions do not require months and weeks of study. This paper has covered City Council elections since San Diego allowed “real” versus perfunctory elections by District. We know a little bit about the people who have run for office and those who are running.

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Volunteers, nature enthusiasts and community members gathered for the official opening of the Paradise Hills Native Garden.

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How Alliance San Diego Is Confronting Hate by Affirming Each Person’s Humanity

By Edward Henderson CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA

For Petrus Johnson, advocacy has always mattered but knowing how to bring others along was less clear.

A community leader and church organizer in the North County region of San Diego County, Johnson had long viewed civic engagement as the most important way to tackle social problems. Still, many people in his congregation were unsure where to begin or how their voices fit into broader struggles for justice in their city, state and across the nation.

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POLITICAL PLAYBACK: CALIFORNIA CAPITOL NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA

This article continues our salute to the independence anniversary of African nations. This acknowledges our respect and appreciation of our brothers and sisters among us as we work together to build better lives.

Sierra Leone’s Path to Independence: April 27, 1961

Sierra Leone’s path to independence was shaped by its early history as a British colony and a settlement for freed Africans. Beginning in the late 18th century, Freetown became a home for formerly enslaved people, including Black Loyalists after the American Revolution and

recaptured Africans following Britain’s abolition of the slave trade in 1807. Over time, British control expanded inland, creating both a colony and a protectorate. Despite limited political power under colonial rule, resistance and growing nationalist ideas pushed for self-government. Constitutional reforms in the 1950s gradually increased African participation in politics.

These reforms led to independence on April 27, 1961, when Sierra Leone became a sovereign nation within the Commonwealth. The transition was relatively peaceful, with power handed to local leaders such as Prime Minister Sir Milton Margai. However, the legacy of colonial rule influenced the country’s early polit-

ical development, contributing to later instability. Although independence marked a major step toward self-rule, Sierra Leone soon faced challenges including authoritarian leadership and, decades later, a devastating civil war.

Miesha Rice, Advancement Director at Alliance San Diego, helps facilitate the Start With Dignity Program

PHOTO: Courtesy of Alliance San Diego

Martha Abraham. PHOTO: martha4sandiego.com/press

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

DIGNITY

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That changed when Johnson partnered with Alliance San Diego to bring Start With Dignity, the organization’s human rights education program, to his church community. The program at Alliance San Diego has received funding from California’s Stop the Hate Program, which provides direct support to community-based organizations leading anti-hate initiatives.

“The course makes you define dignity for yourself before connecting it to laws, the Constitution, or policy,” Johnson said. “Once you realize dignity is inherent, it changes how you read laws, how you hear language, and how you see who’s being excluded.”

For Johnson and those he leads, the shift was both grounding and catalytic — reframing advocacy not as confrontation, but as an extension of shared humanity.

That reframing comes at a critical moment.

Rising Hate, Deeper Stakes

Hate crimes and hate incidents have been steadily rising across California, according to data from the California Department of Justice and the state’s Civil Rights Department (CRD). Reports increasingly target people based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and immigration status.

Civil rights advocates say the surge reflects not only individual acts of violence and harassment, but also deeper patterns of discrimination embedded in public policy and everyday systems — making community-based responses and human rights education more urgent than ever.

Historically, for communities of color, immigrants, unhoused residents, LGBTQ+ youth, and other vulnerable groups, violations of basic human rights have often been normalized, ignored, or left without accountability.

Alliance San Diego is working to interrupt that pattern by starting from a simple but transformative premise: dignity is inherent.

Building Power Through Dignity

Founded in 2007, Alliance San Diego is a community-based organization dedicated to building collective power and creating an inclusive democracy where everyone can participate fully and with dignity, according to its leaders.

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Supported by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), the bill would require qualifying corporations—specifically in industries such as banking, insurance, railroads, shipping, textiles, and tobacco—to submit affidavits disclosing whether they were engaged in or profited from chattel slavery.

“The Truth in Disclosure Act requires any company doing business in California with annual worldwide gross receipts of over $100 million to verify and search their records for any transaction related to wealth gained during chattel slavery,” Bryan said.

“Our work is about making sure people understand they are worthy,” said Miesha Rice, advancement director at Alliance San Diego.

“Human rights and dignity are the foundation of everything we do.”

That commitment is reflected across the organization’s three core pillars: elevating community, claiming dignity, and protecting human rights. One of the most visible expressions of that work is Start With Dignity, an interactive learning program designed to help people understand their inherent worth -- and how to defend it in a society that sometimes tries to strip it away.

Combatting Hate Through Education and Action

Rice’s work with Alliance San Diego has largely focused on immigrant communities, particularly during periods of intensified enforcement and misinformation. What began as coalition-based “Know Your Rights” workshops quickly expanded into large-scale community outreach.

“We distributed over 50,000 door hangers so people could understand their rights and advocate for others if they witnessed something,” Rice explained. The materials helped community members identify warrants, distinguish law enforcement agencies, and recognize undercover tactics — information that proved critical in preventing unlawful detentions.

“You can’t identify an immigrant just by looking at them. The immigrant community can

that, through the 1850s, about 1,500 enslaved African Americans were brought to the state, with many businesses benefiting from this forced labor.

Lawsuit Claims Amazon Forces Sellers to Charge Higher Prices

On April 16, a San Francisco Superior Court denied Amazon's motion to dismiss key claims in its defense against allegations that it violated state antitrust and unfair competition laws by disrupting price competition.

The court denied Amazon’s motion for summary judgment on its seventh crossclaim, finding sufficient evidence that Amazon’s pricing policies potentially violate the California Cartwright Act.

A coalition including the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation and Truth (ARRT), the Equal Justice Society, and the California Black Power Network participated in the Judiciary Committee hearing to support AB 2599. California was admitted as a “free state” in 1850; the state did not have a traditional plantation economy, and there was no single, definitive list of businesses that participated in chattel slavery.

According to a report by Durham University, California's Reparations Task Force indicated

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing Amazon over allegations that the company fixes prices and stifles competition through its seller agreements. The judge’s decision allows the case to proceed.

The lawsuit, initially filed in September 2022, claims Amazon uses its dominant market power to prevent third-party sellers from offering lower prices on other platforms such as Walmart, eBay, Target, or their own websites. Amazon argues that sellers set their own prices and that the company, as a retailer, has the right not to highlight products that are not priced competitively. Amazon has stated that the claims in the lawsuit are “entirely false and misguided.”

“Amazon is consistently identified as America’s lowest-priced online retailer, and it is ironic that the attorney general seeks to have us feature higher prices in ways that would harm consumers and competition,” the company said in a statement.

look like anyone. Making sure everyone has the same information was a major part of pushing back against the fear and dehumanization we were seeing.”

Alliance San Diego’s legal rights team has helped hundreds of clients move from undocumented to documented status, supported naturalization efforts, and even pursued federal litigation when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawfully detained individuals during immigration interviews.

But legal services are only part of the work. Alliance San Diego also engages in nonpartisan voter education, policy advocacy, and disaster justice — most recently supporting flood victims in San Diego’s low-lying, predominantly Black and Latino communities after the city failed to clear storm drains despite known risks.

Starting With Dignity

Launched two years ago and supported by California Department of’ (CDSS) Stop the Hate grant, Start With Dignity is an experiential workshop that brings human rights education home to the United States. It is the type of program that Californians can get connected to if they call CA vs Hate, the state’s anti-hate hotline, which provides access to support services like legal aid, mediation, and mental health care.

Participants explore the 30 human rights and examine how dignity shows up— or is denied — in everyday life.

California Offers $520 Million in Utility Relief

Millions of California households will receive utility bill relief this month, with natural gas customers expected to see an average $40 credit, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week.

The credits are part of the California Climate Credit program, which will return $520 million to residents through automatic reductions on utility bills. The effort is aimed at easing costs for households as part of the state’s broader affordability strategy, according to Newsom’s office.

The California Climate Credit, funded through the state’s Cap-and-Invest program, provides direct financial relief to utility customers.

This year, California plans to distribute a total of $1.4 billion in residential utility credits, including $894 million for electric customers and $520 million for natural gas users. Additional funding will support small businesses and industry assistance programs.

State regulators are also considering changes to how and when credits are distributed. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is set to vote April 30 on a proposal that would shift electric bill credits to the summer months, when energy use and costs are typically highest.

If approved, customers of Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric would begin receiving electric credits in August and September starting in 2026, instead of the current spring and fall schedule.

Natural gas credits could also be adjusted. Beginning in 2027, those credits may be issued earlier in the year to better align with higher winter heating costs.

The proposed changes stem from Assembly Bill 1207, signed by Newsom in 2025, which extends the Cap-and-Invest program through 2045 and requires that credits be delivered when they provide the most benefit.

“Dignity is not respect,” Rice explained. “Respect is earned. Dignity is something you’re born with. It can’t be taken away.”

Transformation Across Communities

Mark Hovey, 68, one of the group members Johnson brought into the program, described the experience as both affirming and challenging.

“I was born into a life of privilege, and that comes with responsibility,” Hovey said. A retired CEO, Hovey sees Start With Dignity as a call to action.

“Because of my success, people see me as a person of influence, and they listen when I speak. My job is to inspire other White people to embrace dignity and diversity,” he said. “When you hear something intolerant or hateful, you have to say something.”

Stephanie Renick echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how the program reshaped her understanding of leadership and development.

“Dignity is not something earned or conferred by position,” Renick said. “Starting from dignity means believing people deserve development, not just direction — and communities deserve voice, not extraction.”

A Trusted Local Resource

As hate incidents continue to rise, Alliance San Diego says it offers something increasingly rare: a trusted, local organization rooted in community, equipped with tools, and committed to dignity as both principle and practice.

For those seeking education, legal support, or a way to show up for their neighbors, Alliance San Diego is clear about where to begin. Start with dignity, says Rice.

Get Support After Hate:

California vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hotline and online portal offering confidential support for hate crimes and incidents. Victims and witnesses can get help anonymously by calling 833-8-NO-HATE (833-866-4283), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. PT, or online at any time. Anonymous. Confidential. No Police. No ICE.

This story was produced in partnership with CA vs Hate. Join them for the first-ever CA Civil Rights Summit on May 11, 2026. More information at www.cavshate.org/summit.

Your Vote in 2026: Bill Banning Law Enforcement From Polling Stations Advances

A California Assembly committee has advanced a bill that would ban law enforcement officers from being near polling places, with violations carrying penalties of up to $1,000 in fines and a maximum five-year prison sentence.

The proposal would make it a felony for anyone in a law enforcement uniform or displaying agency insignia to be within the immediate vicinity of a polling location unless responding to a public safety emergency. Supporters say the measure is intended to protect voters from intimidation ahead of the 2026 elections.

Assemblymember Anamarie Avila Farias (D-Martinez) introduced the bill over concerns that federal immigration agents could appear near polling sites. The legislation comes amid ongoing national debates over election security and immigration enforcement.

Republicans opposed the bill, raising concerns about whether California has the legal authority to regulate federal officers. Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) questioned whether the state could enforce such penalties against federal agents.

Legal experts say the proposal could face constitutional challenges if it becomes law, as it tests the limits of state authority over federal enforcement actions.

In addition to polling place restrictions, the bill would also prohibit immigration agents from conducting enforcement operations near childcare centers.

Supporters say the stakes are high, arguing that ensuring voters can cast ballots without fear is critical to maintaining confidence in the state’s elections.

Alliance San Diego's Start With Dignity participants celebrate as they complete the program together

Photo: Courtesy of Alliance San Diego

Asm. Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, in this file photo. PHOTO: Antonio Ray Harvey/CBM

By Dr. John E. Warren

PUBLISHER, SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSPAPER CHAIRMAN, NNPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

For this and countless reasons that voters of the Fourth City Council District can think of, the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper is endorsing Martha Abraham for the Fourth District City Council seat.

SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT ENDORSES MARTHA ABRAHAM FOR 4 DISTRICT CITY COUNCIL

We believe that the people of the Fourth District should be represented by those who have a real interest in their quality of life and needs; a person who is not afraid of being available and accessible and a person who is able to make decisions based upon the needs of their constituents.

Ms. Abraham is not running on how many generations her family has lived in the Fourth District. In her own words:

“I am a registered nurse, immigrant, mom, and a District 4 resident who has spent my entire career caring for our community’s most vulnerable members. For years I have worked on the front lines of our healthcare system…I learned early that you cannot heal a patient by only treating symptoms. It’s vital that you address underlying conditions. The same is true of our neighborhoods.

“I am running for City Council because the health

crisis in District 4 is not a medical failure, it’s a policy failure and ineffective leadership, and I hope to fix it.”

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint newspaper has always taken the business of endorsements seriously. We do so because so many of you, our readers, have repeatedly asked for our opinion over the years on the election of people running for office. Ms. Abraham’s involvement in the healthcare industry and her participation in the Footnote 7 Encanto property battle is but one example of seeking to protect the community in which she lives and calls home. One need only ask, where was the Incumbent when the Footnote 7 issue was in the making and not after everyone got on board. We believe that Ms. Abraham’s commitment will be to the people of the Fourth District and not the political interests that are seeking to return the incumbent to another term.

TRUMP’S POLICIES HURT BLACK AMERICA — AND EVERYONE ELSE

By Brandon Weathersby

As Donald Trump’s second term moves past its first year, a painful truth confronts us: Trump has spent more than a year in office making life harder for Black families, narrowing the pathways to opportunity that earlier generations fought to open, and going to great lengths to strip the nation of an honest accounting of Black history.

This is not abstract. It is not rhetorical. It is real, measurable harm that is being felt in classrooms, workplaces, neighborhoods, and households across the country.

The economic story alone should force us to examine what it means to live under a president who sells prosperity to Black Americans just to rip it away as soon as he is sworn in. Under Trump’s first year back in office, And in the private sector, Trump’s pressure campaign to force corporate retreat from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs helped push 300,000 Black women out of the workforce.

Trump’s attacks also targeted institutions that

support Black entrepreneurs, including the Minority Business Development Agency, which has historically delivered billions in capital and contracts and helped create thousands of jobs.

Letter to the Editor

Response to March 10, 2026 Article

Dear Editor,

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint article, “On 61st Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Worries About the Future of Voting Rights and Calls to Action,” on March 10, 2026 makes one thing clear: the fight for voting rights is ongoing, and the stakes remain high. As a graduate student in the social work program at San Diego State University, Vice President of the Black Social Workers Association – BSWA at SDSU, a student member of the San Diego Association of Black Social Workers – SDABSW, and also the California Association Black Social Work – CABSW. I view voter disenfranchisement as not only a political issue, but a critical matter of social justice that directly impacts family and community well-being.

The history of voter disenfranchisement in the United States reveals a persistent pattern of exclusion. From poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation during the Jim Crow era to present-day

For generations, Black Americans have seen education as a ladder to the middle class and economic stability, but Trump is pulling the bottom rungs out of reach for some Black scholars. The spending bill signed into law last summer by the president caps federal student loan borrowing for graduate, law, and medical students.

What makes this moment even more dangerous is that Trump has paired these economic attacks with a determined effort to control how Americans think about race, history, and identity.

Trump’s whitewashing of history didn’t stop at the classroom door. His administration ordered reviews that led to the removal of exhibits acknowledging the role of slavery in the lives of the founders and the service of Black soldiers in World War II. He has pursued the restoration of Confederate names of military bases with the zeal of a man intent on rewriting the nation’s memory.

The way he treats Black America is not an exception. It is a window into how he has failed the

barriers such as restrictive voter ID laws, reduced polling access, voter roll purges, and inequitable redistricting, systems have repeatedly been used to limit access to the ballot, especially for Black African Americans and other underserved groups of color. The article’s focus on concerns about potential Supreme Court decisions weakening the Voting Rights Act highlights how easily progress can be undone.

These barriers have far-reaching consequences. When individuals are unable to vote, they are effectively excluded from decisions that shape their daily lives, including policies on education, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunity. This lack of representation often leads to underfunded schools, limited access to healthcare, and disinvestment in underserved communities. Over time, this deepens inequality and contributes to cycles of instability that affect entire families and neighborhoods. In social work, we recognize that civic engagement is directly tied to community health when voices are silenced, inequities grow.

The article also serves as a call to action. Honoring the legacy of those who marched on Bloody Sunday requires more than reflection; it demands a clear and direct response. Therefore, I am calling for specific changes.

country as a whole by stifling opportunity, fueling division, and abandoning any real commitment to shared prosperity.

More than a year into a second Trump term, the consequences are visible across the country as growth for working families of every background has stalled, pathways to education and work have narrowed, and public institutions have been bent toward political theater rather than genuine public service. The setbacks facing Black America are not isolated; they expose a broader pattern of neglect and a government more interested in punishing Americans than in lifting them up.

The rights and opportunities secured by earlier generations are not guaranteed. They depend on leadership that sees prosperity as a shared project and understands that communities thrive when the government invests in their success. That is what Black America deserves, and it is what the entire country deserves.

Brandon Weathersby is the presidential communications director at American Bridge 21st Century.

First, local and state leaders must significantly expand voter education and outreach efforts, particularly in historically disenfranchised communities, to ensure individuals understand their rights and how to participate. Second, policies that increase access to voting such as expanded early voting, secure mail-in ballots, and equitable polling locations must be protected and strengthened. Third, fair redistricting practices must be enforced to prevent the dilution of minority voting power. Finally, individuals and community leaders must remain actively engaged. As social workers and advocates, we have a responsibility to encourage voter participation, support registration efforts, and ensure that the communities we serve are informed and empowered.

The right to vote is foundational to a functioning democracy and to the health of our communities. If we fail to protect it, we risk undermining the well-being of the very families and communities we aim to support. The legacy of Bloody Sunday calls on us not only to remember, but to act decisively.

Sincerely,

Maxine E. Amaru San Diego

Martha Abraham.

PHOTO: martha4sandiego.com/press

CHURCH DIRECTORY

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS

LOCAL

City Council Finalizes Due Process and Safety Ordinance

Cementing Landmark Civil Rights Protections

By Voice & Viewpoint Newswire

La st Monday, April 7, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved the second and final reading of the Due Process and Safety Ordinance, officially enacting one of the strongest local civil rights protections in the country.

Originally passed in the fall of 2025, the ordinance has now completed all required steps — including the meet and confer process with City labor unions, which concluded with no changes to the policy — clearing the way for implementation.

“Today, San Diego made it clear that our values are not just words — they are law,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, Council District 9, in a statement. “This ordinance ensures that our city will not be complicit in unlawful or discriminatory enforcement, and that every person deserves dignity, safe -

ty, and all of their rights intact.”

A Clear Line for Civil Rights and Public Trust

The Due Process and Safety Ordinance establishes enforceable safeguards to ensure that City property, personnel, and resources are not used to facilitate unconstitutional or discriminatory federal enforcement actions.

The ordinance:

• R equires judicial warrants for federal or out-of-state law enforcement to access nonpublic City-controlled property

• Prohibits local participation in discriminatory or unauthorized enforcement actions targeting individuals based on protected characteristics, including immigration status, gender identity, reproductive care, disability, and religious or political expression

• E xtends protections to City contractors, grantees, and lessees

• Establishes data privacy safeguards and mandates multilingual Know Your Rights education across City and City-funded facilities From Community Advocacy to City Law

The final approval marks the culmination of months of organizing, advocacy, and community testimony from residents, faith leaders, labor partners, civil rights organizations, and regional allies.

The ordinance reflects a broad, people-powered effort to ensure that San Diego remains a city rooted in constitutional protections, transparency, and accountability — especial-

ly in the face of rising federal overreach. Implementation and Next Steps

The ordinance will now move to the Mayor for signature and will take effect 30 days thereafter. The City will begin outreach and education efforts to ensure residents, workers, and organizations understand their rights and responsibilities under the new law.

“This is not the end of the work — it’s the beginning of implementation,” Elo-Rivera added. “We’re committed to making sure these protections are real, understood, and felt in communities across San Diego.”

Affordable Housing Program Permits 6,746 Homes Over Three Years

As reported by the City News Team, the City of San Diego has permitted 6,746 total homes with 2,148 completed and open to residents, three years after launching its innovative ‘Affordable Housing Permit Now’ program.

“If we want San Diegans to stay in San Diego, we have to build more homes,” said Mayor Todd Gloria in a statement. “Our ‘Affordable Housing Permit Now’ program is cutting review times, getting shovels in the ground faster, and helping build the affordable housing our city needs. As more homes become available, we’re starting to see rents come down.”

Affordable Housing Permit Now was created through a 2023 executive order from Mayor Todd Gloria, which tasked the City’s Development Services Department with reviewing 100% affordable housing and shelter projects in 30 days or fewer. This allows projects to move to construction quickly, accelerating the availability of affordable housing throughout San Diego.

INTERNATIONAL CITY NEWS YOU CAN USE

Over the past three years, the City has consistently met the required 30-day reviewing target, with the average time for staff review being nine days. Development Services teams review project applications, issue permits for

construction, and ensure projects meet all code requirements during construction.

The program is driven by faster coordination and clear communication on requirements.

Eligible projects do not require further discretionary approval and must maintain their established affordable rents for 55 years.

University of California, Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation has pointed to Affordable Housing Permit Now, as well as the similar Complete Communities Now, as important reforms that have expedited the permitting process and positioned San Diego as a leader in pro-housing policy. Realtor. com has also highlighted the program as a crucial piece of the City’s building strategy, providing more speed and clarity throughout the process.

The most recent project to use the program, Terrasini, opened on March 18, 2026, bringing 95 affordable homes to seniors. Terrasini is the fourth in a series of projects developed in Mt. Etna by the Chelsea Investment Corporation. Together, those four developments represent 400 new homes, all permitted via Affordable Housing Permit Now.

Currently, 22 additional projects (2,205 homes) are under construction, with another 18 (2,393 homes) currently under review.

Pope's Visit To African Church Linked To Slavery Reflects On His Own Complex Heritage

By GERALD IMRAY Associated Press

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The Church of Our Lady of Muxima was built by Portuguese colonizers in Angola at the end of the 16th century as part of a fortress complex and became a hub in the slave trade. It remains a reminder of the inextricable link hundreds of years ago between Catholicism and the exploitation of the African continent.

tour is in recognition of it becoming a popular Catholic shrine after believers reported an appearance by the Virgin Mary around 1833.

But before that, the white-walled church on the edge of the Kwanza River was a point where enslaved Africans were gathered to be baptized by Portuguese priests before being forced to walk the last 145 kilometers (90 miles) to Angola's main port of Luanda to be put on ships to the Americas.

Pope Leo XIV's planned visit to the church in the town of Muxima on Sunday as part of his Africa

The Portuguese colonizers were emboldened by 15thcentury directives from the Vatican that authorized them to enslave non-Christians.

Angola was at the center of the slave trade

Ultimately, more than 5 million people left from Angola on the trans-Atlantic slave route, more than any other country and nearly half of the roughly 12.5 million African slaves sent across the ocean.

St. John Paul II addressed slavery

on his papal visits to Cameroon in 1985 and Senegal in 1992. Joe Biden visited Angola in the last months of his presidency in 2024 and spoke about slavery as America's "original sin."

Some African Catholics see a highly symbolic moment when the head of the Catholic Church — who is himself an American — recites the Rosary on the riverside esplanade next to the fortress and the centuries-old chapel in Muxima, as Leo plans to do.

"For me... he will give that place a new significance," said Rev. Celestino Epalanga, a priest with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Angola. "We have to give it a new sense. To make this place sacred instead of being a place of evil."

The pope's complex heritage

The moment might resonate even more after revelations around Leo's own heritage.

Last year, a genealogist in the U.S. discovered that the first American

pope — whose name is Robert Prevost — has Creole heritage and his maternal great-grandparents were described as people of color in Louisiana census records. The research uncovered that Leo had Black and white ancestors who included both enslaved people and slave owners.

Some of the first slaves to arrive in Louisiana were sent from Angola, according to historians. Leo has not spoken publicly about his heritage. But Mariana Candido, a professor of history at Emory University in Atlanta, said she sees a fascinating complexity in how a place linked to such an immoral act like Muxima became a pilgrimage site for Angolans and how Leo might be cognizant of that reach out to a new generation of African Catholics.

"I can see how this is a way of connecting to Catholics in Angola, and making the Church more in sync with how people are practicing Catholicism in Angola and in African countries," she said.

Candido said Leo is well-placed to do that, given his history serving people in his hometown of Chicago, with its large African American population.

Rev. Stan Chu Ilo, a Nigerian priest and professor at DePaul University in Chicago, said he has seen evidence that the pontiff is developing connections to Africa by elevating African figures in the church, including with the recent promotion of Monsignor Anthony Ekpo of Nigeria to a high-ranking position at the Vatican.

"This pope is actively cultivating African presence within the church and trying to, I think, heal this policy or program of seeing Africa as just making up the numbers," said Chu Ilo.

Leo said at the start of his trip that he had decided in May of last year, soon after his election, that Africa would be his first trip as pope. Other trips intervened in the meantime, but he said this particular visit to Africa was "very special for several reasons."

PHOTO: Creative Commons/San Diego City and Administration Building.jpg

Birdseye view of San Diego. PHOTO: Pexels

By Voice & Viewpoint Newswire

Community Celebrates Native Garden Grand Opening in Paradise Hills

On Saturday, April 18, the community gathered at the Paradise Hills Community Park to celebrate the grand opening of the Paradise Hills Native Garden.

Brought to life through a collaboration between community volunteers, native garden enthusiasts, and the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, Paradise Hills Native Garden encompasses five acres of land at the site of a former landfill. Designs for the park and installation of California native plants were completed thanks to volunteers and community organizations, including Paradise Gardeners and the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County.

Development of the garden began in 2017 as a result of the advocacy of Southeastern San Diego

community members who wanted to improve the site for future generations. Along with a demonstration garden, the location includes interpretative signage, gravel pathways, and themed habitat areas.

Opening day hosted a full schedule of activities, including guest speakers, garden tours, guided meditations, cultural dance performances, and special musical acts. Visitors were able to join in on the fun at the arts and crafts tables, featuring rock and pine cone painting, coloring, and face painting. Information booths, food trucks, and complimentary treats were also available for all to enjoy.

Making Every Day

Courtesy

of the Environmental Protection Agency

Here are simple ways to make every day Earth Day:

Lower Your Carbon Footprint

• Bike or walk

• C arpool or take public transportation

• C hoose an energy efficient vehicle

• Make fewer trips by grouping your errands

• Drive smart: go easy on the brakes and gas, use cruise control, and keep your car well-maintained

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

• Reuse or repurpose containers, clothing and cloth grocery bags

• Give clothes a second life by donating or buying used

• Know what items your local recycling programs collects, and what items are recyclable

Be H2O Smart

• Repair leaky faucets and replace old equip ment like toilets and dishwashers when possible

• Turn off the water to brush teeth and shave

• Run full loads of laundry and dishes

• C ollect rainwater to use in your garden

Feed People, Not Landfills

• Check your refrigerator, pantry, and freezer before shopping to avoid buying foods you don't need

• Plan your meals for the week before heading to the store

• Properly store fruits and vegetables so they last longer

• B efriend your freezer and leftovers

PHOTO: Courtesy of CBM

Facilitators of arts and crafts tie-dye booth. April 2024. PHOTO: Tihut Tamrat

This Parkinson's Awareness Month

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to improve the lives of those affected by the disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages dopamine-producing neurons, leading to symptoms like tremor, stiffness, slow movement and non-movement issues like depression and sleep issues.

Though no cure exists, treatments can help improve quality of life. Researchers are also working to identify biomarkers for Parkinson’s that can lead to earlier diagnosis

and more tailored treatments to slow down the disease process.

New tools are helping connect impacted individuals and families with information. In addition to the Parkinson’s Foundation’s traditional resources, the organization also has a new AI-powered chat tool, Ask PAM, designed to provide answers about Parkinson’s. To access these resources and to learn more about the research closing gaps in Parkinson’s knowledge, visit Parkinson. org.

(SPM Wire)

How You Stop a Prescription Medicine is as Important as How You Start

By John Whyte, MD, MPH

Every day, millions of Americans take medications to manage chronic conditions or prevent disease. Prescription drugs are vital tools in modern medicine — but, in some circumstances, they can also lead to serious adverse drug interactions, diminished quality of life, and even life-threatening complications.

This is a complex issue with high stakes for patients. Older adults, in particular, are often prescribed multiple drugs by different doctors for different reasons. The Centers for Disease Control reports that nearly 70% of adults 40-79 years used one or more prescriptions in the past 30 days and over 20% used five or more prescriptions.

Polypharmacy — the term for taking five or more medications — comes with risk. It disproportionately affects older adults and those with multiple conditions. For these patients, each additional pill can increase the risk of falls, cognitive decline, and adverse events, contributing to tens of thousands of emergency room visits and hospitalizations each year.

That’s why the American Medical Association is urging physicians and patients to embrace a concept gaining momentum in health care: deprescribing.

Deprescribing is the planned, supervised process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be beneficial — or may be causing harm. There are many reasons why a medication that was once appropriate may become unnecessary or even risky. A patient’s condition may have improved, and the medication is no longer need-

ed. Or newer treatments may offer better outcomes in place of current medication.

Deprescribing is not about denying care or c utting costs at the expense of patient health. It’s about ensuring that every medication prescribed is truly necessary, evidence-based, and aligned with a patient’s current health goals.

But here’s the bigger issue: If we truly want to reverse the tide of chronic disease in America, we need to go beyond managing symptoms. We need to rethink the entire approach — including how many medications a person is on and why.

Of course, many conditions require lifelong treatment. But we need to talk more honestly about the role of lifestyle — nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, and social connection — as essential components of healing and prevention.

Right now, lifestyle interventions are too often an afterthought. But no amount of medication can fully counteract the health consequences of poor diet, inactivity, or chronic stress. Rebuilding our nation’s health means re-centering our care around what actually restores health, not just what controls disease.

Good medicine means knowing when to say, “Let’s take another look.” Care teams need to evaluate medications more holistically. And we need to encourage open conversations between doctors and patients about medication goals, side effects, and quality of life.

This cannot happen in isolation. We need insurers to support time for thoughtful medication reviews. We need better coordination across

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

California has reported more measles cases just months into 2026 than in all of last year, prompting renewed warnings from state health officials as outbreaks continue to spread.

specialties and care settings. We need electronic health record developers to follow government rules and allow users to reconcile a patient’s active medication list, correct inaccuracies, and include non-prescription medicines and dietary supplements.

Deprescribing is not about withholding care — it’s about delivering the right care, at the right time, for the right reasons. It’s about restoring balance — recognizing when a pill is helping, and when it’s just adding to the burden.

At its core, this is about respect: for the science, for the art of medicine, and most importantly, for the lives of patients. If we’re serious about improving the health of our nation, then reassessing medications — and refocusing on the foundations of real health and collaboration with our patients — must become a routine part of how we practice medicine.

John Whyte, MD, MPH, is chief executive officer and executive vice president of the American Medical Association.

tus was unknown.

The largest outbreak is centered in the Sacramento region, where health officials reported new cases within the past week.

CDPH said recently that local health departments in Sacramento and Placer counties had identified “multiple recent cases,” prompting the agency to urge immediate precautions.

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), “more cases and outbreaks of measles have been confirmed in California in 2026 than in all of 2025,” underscoring a sharp rise in infections early in the year.

State data show at least 39 confirmed cases statewide as of mid-April, compared to 25 total cases in all of 2025, a more than 50% increase with much of the year still ahead. Earlier in the year, CDPH reported 26 cases across nine counties by early March, with nearly all infections linked to people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination sta-

To limit transmission, CDPH is advising that unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles “stay at home,” and that anyone with symptoms contact a health care provider before seeking in-person care.

Public health officials say the surge is being driven largely by travel-related infections and spread from other U.S. outbreaks. CDPH noted that cases in California have been linked to travel abroad and to domestic outbreaks, including one in South Carolina that is connected to cases in Northern California.

The data also show the outbreak is disproportionately affecting younger populations. About 85% of cases are among people under age 20, and 95% involve individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to state health officials.

Health officials continue to stress that measles — one of the most contagious viruses — is preventable. CDPH and local agencies are urging residents to ensure they are up to date on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as the state works to contain the spread.

PHOTO: Adobe

PHOTO: Freepik

Photo: Freepik

CLASSIFIEDS / LEGAL NOTICES

Perimeter Fence Replacement at Walker Elementary School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $125,000 - $160,000, inclusive of allowances. This is not a PSA project but requires the District’s prequalification

NAME STATEMENT

2026-9008001

Fictitious business name(s): Simply Lit & Company

5211 Beachfront Cove, 7 San Diego, CA 92154 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: Patricia L. Turner

5211 Beachfront Cove, 7 San Diego, CA 92154

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 09, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 09, 2031

04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9005500

Fictitious business name(s): The Cart Experience

4751 Windsurf Way #346 San Diego, CA 92154 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: Tamika Cherri Herriott

4751 Windsurf Way #346 San Diego, CA 92154

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 10, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 10, 2031

04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008507

Fictitious business name(s): Eclipse Films Etc 3415 Citrus Street Lemon Grove, CA 91945 County of San Diego

business is conducted by:

first day of business was:

This business is hereby registered by the following: Jose Gallardo Rosales 2129 D Ave. #204 National City, CA 91950

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 15, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 15, 2031 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008437

Fictitious business name(s): AAA Plumbing 2324 Grove Avenue Apt. 12 San Diego, CA 92154 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was: 04/15/2026 This business is hereby registered by the following: Arturo Andres Anaya-Varela 2324 Grove Avenue Apt. 12 San Diego, CA 92154

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 15, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 15, 2031 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008383

Fictitious business name(s): Val's Empowerment Village 9363 Broadview San Diego, CA 92123

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: Prince Graham 9363 Broadview San Diego, CA 92123

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 15, 2026

04/15/2026 This business is hereby registered by the following: Tuan Corey Lee 3415 Citrus Street Lemon Grove, CA 91945 This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 16, 2026 This fictitious business name will expire on April 16, 2031 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9005332

Fictitious business name(s): Harvest Moon Gov Solutions 2920 Briarwood Rd. Unit I-5 Bonita, CA 91902 County of San Diego

business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Harvest Moon Investment Holdings LLC 1603 Capitol Ave. Ste 415 322770 Cheyenne, WY 82001 State of Incorporation/ Organization Wyoming This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 09, 2026 This fictitious business name will expire on March 09, 2031 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008461

Fictitious business name(s): Gallardo's Auto Body 4326 Euclid Ave. San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego

2129 D Ave. #204 National City, CA 91950

This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This fictitious business name will expire on April 15, 2031 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008360

Fictitious business name(s): Sam The Concrete Man San Diego East 10973 Explorer Rd. La Mesa, CA 91941 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Limited Liability Company Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: GGG Builds LLC 10973 Explorer Rd. La Mesa, CA 91941 State of Incorporation/ Organization

California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 14, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 14, 2031 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9007223

Fictitious business name(s): Serrano Bookkeeping

2535 Kettner Blvd, Unit 3A1 San Diego, CA 92101

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Corporation

The first day of business was: 05/01/2014

This business is hereby registered by the following: Capital Stewardship Inc 5681 Marne Ave San Diego, CA 92120 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 30, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 30, 2031 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006412

Fictitious business name(s): Ash Barber Studio 8127 La Mesa Blvd La Mesa, CA 91942 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 03/19/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Ashor Isreal 8127 La Mesa Blvd. El Cajon, CA 91942

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 19, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 19, 2031

04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008080

Fictitious business name(s): AFM Consulting

AD Consulting 7820 Civita Blvd San Diego, CA 92108-5123 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 02/11/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Andrea Davini 7820 Civita Blvd San Diego, CA 92108-5123

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 10, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 10, 2031

04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008155

Fictitious business name(s): The Adam PWNS

8690 Aero Dr. Ste. 115 #214 San Diego, CA 92123

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 04/13/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Adam, Alim, Khan 8690 Aero Dr. Ste. 115 #214 San Diego, CA 92123

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 13, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 13, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008028

Fictitious business name(s): Roe & Co Financial 5248 Zephyr Ln Unit 30 San Diego, CA 92120 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 04/01/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Roniesha Lanise Blount 5248 Zephyr Ln Unit 30 San Diego, CA 92120

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 10, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 10, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008173

Fictitious business name(s): San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper 3619 College Ave. San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego PO Box 120095 San Diego, CA 92112-0095

This business is conducted by: A Corporation

The first day of business was: 06/07/2011

This business is hereby registered by the following: Warren Communications, Inc 3619 College Ave. San Diego, CA 92115 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 13, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 13, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008175

Fictitious business name(s): Voice & Viewpoint 3619 College Ave. San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Voice and Viewpoint Inc 3619 College Ave. San Diego, CA 92115

State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 13, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 13, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006633

Fictitious business name(s): Whaletran 6140 Verda Lane San Diego, CA 92130 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 01/01/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Uyen Tran 6140 Verda Lane San Diego, CA 92130

State of Incorporation/ Organization

California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 23, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 23, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006930

Fictitious business name(s): Balanced Books By Jen 10415 Les Fleurs Terrace San Diego, CA 92131 County of San Diego 9984 Scripps Ranch Blvd. #150 San Diego, CA 92131

This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company

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

This business is hereby registered by the following: Jennifer Miller Consulting 9984 Scripps Ranch Blvd. #150 San Diego, CA 92131 State of Incorporation/ Organization

California This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 26, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 26, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9008146

Fictitious business name(s): Kafecito Lover's 105 S. 31st Unit B San Diego, CA 92113 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

Giovanni Zertuche 1534 Skyline Dr. Lemon Grove, CA 91945

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 06, 2026 This fictitious business name will expire on April 06, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9005631

Fictitious business name(s): Mitris Delights 516 Carlos St. San Diego, CA 92102

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above This business is hereby registered by the following: Events by Mitris Delights LLC 516 Carlos St. San Diego, CA 92102 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 11, 2026 This fictitious business name will expire on March 11, 2031 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9007679

Fictitious business name(s): EDERA 2144

This

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

Diego

3460 Dorchester Drive San Diego, CA 92123

This business is conducted by:

A Limited Liability Company

The first day of business was: 03/26/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Sanas Group LLC 3460 Dorchester Drive San Diego, CA 92123 State of

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 30, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 30, 2031 04/09, 04/16, 04/23, 04/30

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9007291

Fictitious business name(s): Citywide Pest Management 4024 Oakcrest Dr. San Diego, CA 92105 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: Jorge Sanchez Jr 4024 Oakcrest Dr. San Diego, CA 92105

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on April 01, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on April 01, 2031 04/09, 04/16, 04/23, 04/30

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006871

Fictitious business name(s): Dela Executive Holdings

EG Recruiting Group

Elevate California

404 Camino Del Rio South Ste 210 San Diego, CA 92108 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Corporation

The first day of business was: 03/01/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Dela Group Management Inc

404 Camino Del Rio South Ste 210 San Diego, CA 92108 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 25, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 25, 2031

04/09, 04/16, 04/23, 04/30

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9004312

Fictitious business name(s): Harbor View Landscaping

6351 E 44th St. Yuma, AZ 85365 County of Yuma

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: Diego Chan 6351 E 44th St. Yuma, AZ 85365

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on February 24, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on February 24, 2031 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9004389

Fictitious business name(s): Blanchard Strategic Systems

13021 Gate Dr. Poway, CA 92064 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: Megan Samantha Blanchard

M.S. 13021 Gate Dr. Poway, CA 92064

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on February 25, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on February 25, 2031 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006927

to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Bertin Aguilar 6560 College Grove Dr. #76 San Diego, CA 92115

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 26, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 26, 2031

04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9004888

Fictitious business name(s): Soto South Construction Inc. 8117 Roy St Lemon Grove, CA 91945 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Corporation Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Soto South Construction Inc. 8117 Roy St Lemon Grove, CA 91945 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 03, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 03, 2031 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006718

Fictitious business name(s): Rochelle's Retail Discounts 928 Monarch St. Hemet, CA 92543 County of Riverside

140 E Stetson Ave #1002 Hemet, CA 92543

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 08/24/2025

This business is hereby registered by the following: Claudette Rochelle Busby 140 E Stetson Ave #1002 Hemet, CA 92543

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 24, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 24, 2031 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006448

Fictitious business name(s): Primary Coverage Area Officiating 145 Linaza Ln Spring Valley, CA 91977 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 03/20/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Warren L. Britten

145 Linaza Ln Spring Valley, CA 91977

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 20, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 20, 2031 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9005968

Fictitious business name(s): On The Go Cleaning Service

10832 Scripps Ranch Blvd #210 San Diego, CA 92131 County of San Diego

325 W Washington St. #2986 San Diego, CA 92103

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 09/19/2019

This business is hereby registered by the following: Demetria Lynn Gamble 10832 Scripps Ranch Blvd #210 San Diego, CA 92131

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 16, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 16, 2031

04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9006170

Fictitious business name(s): Martinez Metal Framing and Drywall Services

839 Ramona Ave Spring Valley, CA 91977

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on March 18, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on March 18, 2031 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME 2026-9008506

Fictitious business name(s) to be abandoned:

Eclipse San Diego Located at: 3415 Citrus Street Lemon Grove, CA 91945 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The Fictitious business name referred to above was filed in San Diego County on: 04/02/2026 and assigned File no. 2026-9007404

The fictitious business name is being abandoned by: Tuan Corey Lee 3415 Citrus Street Lemon Grove, CA 91945

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County April 16, 2026 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

Central Division, Hall of Justice

Case Number 26CU017380C

Petitioner or Attorney: Zachary and Saba Danford

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Zachary and Saba Danford filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. PRESENT NAME:

Deen Yusef Araya Danford

PROPOSED NAME: Hamza Deen Araya Danford [first] [middle] [last]

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

a. Date: May 19, 2026 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. C-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 ti6mely 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.

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:

330 W Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

330 W Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Central Division

Case Number

26CU016034C

Petitioner or Attorney: Alan W. Cheung, Esq. 185615

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Grace Elizabeth ShiwmangalAlfaro filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. PRESENT NAME: Grace Elizabeth ShiwmangalAlfaro

PROPOSED NAME: Nirvana Shiwmangal

NOTICE OF HEARING

a. Date: May 12, 2026 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).

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.

The address of the court is: 330 W Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice Courthouse Case Number 26CU015970C

Petitioner or Attorney: Aster Solomon Anteneh on behalf a minor

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Aster Solomon Anteneh on behalf a minor filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. PRESENT NAME: Bethlehem Tadesse Andualem

PROPOSED NAME: Betty Tadesse Andualem

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

a. Date: May 12, 2026

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

documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

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

The address of the court is:

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 04/02, 04/09, 04/16, 04/23

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Hall of Justice Courthouse Case Number 26CU015321C

Petitioner or Attorney: Judith Ann Bynnom AKA

Judith Ann Bledsoe AKA

Judith Ann Major

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner

Judith Ann Bynnom AKA

Judith Ann Bledsoe AKA

Judith Ann Major filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. PRESENT NAME:

Judith Ann Bynnom AKA

Judith Ann Bledsoe AKA

Judith Ann Major

PROPOSED NAME: Judith Ann Bynnom [first] [middle] [last]

Fictitious business name(s): Green One Junk Removal Service

6560 College Grove Dr. #76 San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 09/15/2025 This business is hereby registered by the following: Jose Luis Martinez

(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

NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: May 11, 2026 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. C-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

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 Self-Help 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. courtinto.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 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DIAS 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 secretano de la corte que le de 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 podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a 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 Calitornia 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. 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 o 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.

Case Number: 25CL020314C

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y direccion de

plaintiff 's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):

John W. Zyrd 292562

402 West Broadway Suite 400 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 955-0241

DATE (Fecha): 05/01/2025

Clerk By: G. Lopez

Deputy 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Anna Louise Luna

Case Number: 26PE000205C

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

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Anthony Giovanni Walker in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego.

The Petition for Probate requests that Anthony Giovanni Walker 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: March 11, 2026 at 1:30 P.M. in Department 502 located at the Superior Court of California County of San Diego 1100 Union St. 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 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: Anthony Giovanni Walker

Motown

Girl Group Martha And The Vandellas Recorded A Civil Rights Anthem

By Austin McCoy Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University

Th e CBS television show “It’s What’s Happening Baby” aired a music video featuring Martha and the Vandellas performing their hit song “Nowhere to Run” to kick off its national broadcast dedicated to Detroit on June 28, 1965. In the video, the Detroit-based trio sang about how they could not escape missing an ex-lover after a breakup while sitting in a white Mustang moving slowly down the assembly line in the Ford Motor Co.’s River Rouge plant.

As a cultural and labor historian, I see the “Nowhere to Run” video as an iconic testament to Detroit’s reputation as the “Motor City” and the role of the autoworker in the American imagination. Motown founder and CEO Berry Gordy, Jr. worked on the Ford assembly line and used it as inspiration for Hitsville U.S.A., the famed headquarters and music recording studio that served as a space to train performers and perfect the “Motown sound” for the masses.

Martha and the Vandellas were part of Motown’s illustrious roster of artists in the 1960s. Initially comprised of Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard, and with members changing over the next three decades, they helped establish the Black “girl group.” They presented themselves as working class in videos like “Nowhere to Run.”

Their classic anthem “Dancing in the Street” reflected the revolutionary mood of civil rights protesters, especially Black Americans in the 1960s. As lead singer, Reeves also emerged as a pioneering R&B “diva,” helping pave the way for Black female solo vocalists like Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Beyoncé.

A patient path to stardom

Martha Reeves was born in Eufaula, Alabama, on July 18, 1941. Soon after, her family moved to Detroit’s east side. Music occupied a central place in her life from childhood.

Reeves writes in her 1994 memoir, “Dancing in the Street: Confessions of a Motown Diva,” about her father serenading her mother with his guitar while she was pregnant with Martha. Her mother, Ruby, also sang. Reeves’ parents passed their love for music to her, and she sang in her church choir and aspired to a life of performance.

“At that young age I was already hooked on pleasing the crowd with my singing,” Reeves wrote.

Reeves graduated from Northeastern High School. She scored her first break after earning a three-night performance at the 20 Grand, a popular Detroit night club located on 14th Street and Warren Avenue. In 1957, Reeves joined her first group, the Del-Phis. Formed by Edward “Pops” Larkins, the Del-Phis also included leader Gloria Jean Williamson, Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard.

Reeves soon caught another break. In September 1962, William Stevenson, Motown Records’ executive, called for her to fill in for Mary Wells in a Marvin Gaye studio session. Reeves enlisted the other Del-Phis, and they performed so well that they became the supporting vocal group for Gaye. The group also took on a new name, Martha and the Vandellas.

Martha and the Vandellas enjoyed commercial success soon after, with songs like “Come and Get These Memories,” “Quicksand” and “Heatwave.”

An anthem for revolution set to a groove “Dancing in the Street,” written by Gaye, Stevenson and

Ivy Jo Hunter, was released in the summer of 1964 and became a signature hit for Martha and the Vandellas. Reeves wrote in her autobiography that she did not like “Dancing in the Street.” However, she made it her own, and Reeves later acknowledged that the song embodied the spirit of civil rights protests.

“It became the anthem of the decade,” Reeves wrote. She was right.

At the time of the song’s release, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Black Americans in Harlem took to the streets to protest the killing of 15-year-old James Powell by an off-duty New York Police Department officer. The 1960s set off a string of “long, hot summers” as racial tensions intensified. Black folks in the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles in 1965 protested in the streets in response to police violence.

More than 100 protests were organized in response to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, from Chicago to Washington and Baltimore. Detroit erupted a year earlier, in July 1967, after Detroit police officers raided a “blind pig,” or an unlicensed bar, on 12th Street. The iconic opening lines of “Dancing in the Street” announced a new attitude among Black folks: “Calling out around the world/ Are you ready for a brand new beat?”

Martha and the Vandellas’ declaration that “Summer is here and the time is right for dancing in the street” reflected Black Americans’ willingness to not only march, but to take measures in their own hands and fight for equality and justice. [In 1995] the B-52s inducted Reeves and the Vandellas into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The diva archetype

Martha and the Vandellas played a vital role in laying the foundation for future all-Black female groups like En Vogue, TLC, SWV and Destiny’s Child. They helped set the standard for turning songs about the trappings of love and heartbreak into anthems.

“We became the Vandellas and with me being the only lead singer, my name was put out there because I did all the work,” Reeves said in a 2020 interview. “I did all the singing … I managed to just come up with my own destiny, with my own future in show business.”

Read the full article online at www.sdvoice.info

On this day in 1856, inventor Granville Woods was born in Columbus, Ohio. In his lifetime he registered over 60 patents and was awarded 27 between 1884 and 1903. Known for his work in electrical engineering, his most notable invention was the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph, which allowed communication between trains and train depots. Woods won a lawsuit patent over Thomas Edison, who claimed invention over the multiplex telegraph. In Ohio, he formed the Woods Electric Company, partially due to his difficulty in finding work, but also to maintain control over his own creations. 1872

CHARLOTTE E. RAY BECOMES FIRST BLACK FEMALE LAWYER

On April 23, 1872, Charlotte E. Ray became the first Black woman to be admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The first Black female lawyer in American History, Ray was born in New York City in 1910. She was the first woman to graduate from Howard Law in 1872. As women were not allowed to be members of the D.C. bar, she secured her admission by using a pseudonym to conceal her gender. Despite her skills, she was unable to maintain a steady legal career due to racial and gender discrimination.

Promotional Image of Martha & the Vandellas in 1956. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons