At a recent Encinitas “Animal House” Rotary Club “changing of the guard” meeting, outgoing president Dr. Kent Pollock recapped the highlights of the past year, according to a news release. In trying to name his personal favorite, Pollock said in the news release, “It’s really hard to choose the accomplishment that stood out. I fully enjoyed all of it. Bikes to orphanages in Mexico, raising money for Ronald McDonald House, and all of the community service that we did almost weekly. Working together with other community service groups like Community Resource Center Encinitas and the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Building positive relationships with so many service-oriented people and working together to make our town and world a better place. My experience in Rotary, and particularly as president, has been life changing.”
Pollock, an Encinitas resident, is also a chiropractor and owner of North County Chiropractic on 2nd Street in Encinitas.
Courtesy of Josie Colvin
President-elect Mark Berning hands the Rotary Bell to incoming 2024-2025 Encinitas Rotary Club president Daphne Fletcher.
The club proceeded to “demote” Pollock, who, along with Mark Berning, the new president-elect, passed the “Liberty Bell” to incoming club president Daphne Fletcher. Encinitas Rotary’s 85th president, and fifth woman president, Fletcher is the CEO of Ledge Media and HPN Books, which publishes history books all over the country, including “Encinitas: Our History and People and Tribute to San Diego County Fire Departments.”
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In 2022, while serving as the club’s International Board Chair, Fletcher spearheaded the largest fundraiser in the club’s history: a Rotary International Global Grant that raised $250,000 for maternal health care in Uganda and was a joint effort between more than 15 Rotary Club chapters worldwide. Fletcher was inspired to organize the fundraiser after hearing the story of one of the club’s guest speakers, Jolly Okot, a Nobel Peace nominee who works to educate and empower women in Northern Uganda after surviving the civil war. That same year, Fletcher also headed up a fundraiser that raised nearly $50,000 towards humanitarian efforts for those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. For these initiatives, Fletcher was honored with the Encinitas Rotary Club’s Humanitarian Service Award.
President-elect Mark Berning, who is also on the board of directors of the San Dieguito Heritage Ranch Museum, is the founder and organizer of the Heritage Ranch Haunted Ghost Town, a big annual fundraiser, was awarded the Encinitas Rotary Club Rotarian of the Year a few years ago for his community service efforts.
Courtesy of Josie Colvin
Outgoing Encinitas “Animal House” Rotary Club President Dr. Kent Pollock receives a ceremonial gavel plaque at the “demotion” party.
Rotarian Paul Dwork was also recognized for his key role in organizing Merlin’s Magic this past year. The local event, hosted by Dwork AKA Merlin the Magician, features renowned magicians from across the U.S. who regularly perform at Los Angeles’ Magic Castle and other major venues. As with its inaugural show in 2023, which attracted more than 400 attendees and raised over $20,000 for charity and scholarships, this year’s event sold out, prompting discussion about adding a matinee show next year.
Rotary International celebrates its 120th anniversary in February 2025. The Encinitas Rotary Club, founded in 1939, fosters lifelong friendships and drives social impact through numerous local, regional, and international causes. Local efforts include an annual Encinitas Wine Festival that raises nearly $100,000 each year for area charities, a program called Home Team that aids seniors with household repairs, and the preservation of historic landmarks and environmental cleanups, such as those held at Cottonwood Creek and area beaches, and $10,000 towards student scholarships at SDA.
Regionally, the Encinitas Rotary builds a house in Mexico every year through Project Mercy, and internationally, in addition to the Uganda and Ukraine projects mentioned above, $10,000 was raised to light up via solar panels an entire village in El Nido, Philippines, to help school children study at night.
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The Encinitas Rotary Club holds meetings every Wednesday at noon at the Encinitas Elks Lodge, 1393 Windsor Road. The club invites newcomers to enjoy a delicious buffet-style lunch, inspiring guest speakers, and camaraderie. Learn more at EncinitasRotary.org. –-Encinitas Rotary news release
Two families were displaced from their Carmel Valley townhome after it went up in flames earlier this afternoon.
This happened just before 3 p.m. on Moratalla Terrace. Fire investigators said the fire started inside a garage unit because of faulty electrical equipment and robotics projects. One neighbor said she’s thankful for the quick response.
“The people that own the house were in the driveway calling 911, and within, I think within five minutes of me smelling the smoke the fire trucks were here,” said Nikki Briggs. I’m just thankful that everyone was okay, and that it didn’t keep spreading. Like if it would have been a wildfire, that would have been terrible.”
Firefighters say most of the damage was contained in the garage. A total of nine people were displaced by the fire. Five people lived inside the unit that burned. Thankfully all of them made it out safely without any injuries.
Shares of Gossamer Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:GOSS) have received a consensus ‘Hold’ rating from the 10 research firms currently covering the company, according to a report from MarketBeat. The average 12-month price target among analysts is $5.43.
Why it matters
Gossamer Bio is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, as well as oncology. The ‘Hold’ rating and mixed analyst views could impact investor sentiment and the company’s ability to raise capital for further drug development.
The details
The analyst ratings for Gossamer Bio include two ‘Sell’ recommendations, four ‘Hold’ ratings, and four ‘Buy’ recommendations. Some firms have lowered their price targets on the stock, with HC Wainwright decreasing its target from $10 to $5.
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Gossamer Bio released its latest quarterly earnings report on March 17, 2026.
The players
Gossamer Bio, Inc.
A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Diego, California that is focused on developing oral, once-daily therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, as well as oncology.
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The takeaway
The mixed analyst views on Gossamer Bio highlight the challenges facing the company as it seeks to advance its pipeline of drug candidates through clinical trials and regulatory approvals. The ‘Hold’ rating could make it more difficult for the company to raise capital and fund its operations.
Oceanside Harbor Beach. (File photo courtesy of @CityofOceanside via X)
A man apparent drowned in the waters near the Oceanside Pier Saturday morning, despite efforts by lifeguards and paramedics to revive him.
The Oceanside Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division and the Oceanside Police Department responded to a report of a missing man at about 4:30 a.m.. Officials said the man was last seen swimming in the ocean about a half-hour earlier.
Lifeguards and police immediately initiated a coordinated search effort using pier vantage points, surveillance cameras and watercraft, but the search was suspended at approximately 5:30 a.m. after no one was found, fire officials said.
“At approximately 10:50 a.m., lifeguards discovered an unresponsive adult male, matching the earlier description, in the water near Lifeguard Tower 12, at Oceanside Harbor Beach,” Division Chief Blake Dorse said in a statement. “The individual was removed from the water, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated.”
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Fire and rescue personnel continued efforts to resuscitate the man on the way to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is believed to be the one who was reported missing near the pier.
Authorities did not release the man’s name.
“The Oceanside Lifeguard Division reminds the public to exercise caution when entering the ocean, especially during early morning hours or when lifeguards are not actively monitoring the water,” Dorse said. “Always swim near an open lifeguard tower and avoid entering the water alone.”
