P.S. Someone Cares’s annual Casino Royale fundraiser will be Saturday, May 3, 7-10 p.m. at the Elks Club in Escondido, 2430 S. Escondido Blvd. Peggy Seymour, founded P.S. Someone Cars in 2017, and the first scholarship was given in 2018. The scholarships go to nursing home students who are also stay-at-home parents. So far, P.S. Someone Cares has given away 28 scholarships totaling $60,000. They range from $2,000 to $4,000. One hundred percent of funds raised go to scholarships.

The organization was created to address two serious needs in our community: Single parent households financial need of support to improve their lives; The shortage of nurses required to meet our communities’ needs. Peggy Seymour described how, when she was studying to be a nurse and was struggle to raise children, that someone helped her financially and only asked that she “pay it forward.” Helping to found P.S. Someone Cares, is how she did that. “This is what it’s all about. It’s very near and dear to me that we can help these people,” she said.

Get your tickets by Friday night at www.pssomeonecares.org

Deputy Mayor Consuelo Martinez has been involved in the community for over two decades. She is a passionate leader and independent thinker that provides a refreshing voice of reason in a divisive political climate. Consuelo cares and listens to community where she works to uplift and give a voice to those who are often left behind. Consuelo wears many hats and all are in service to the city she loves and grew up in.

As a creative, Consuelo also enjoys running her small business — Hidden City Finds. Hidden City Finds is a vintage and modern shop located inside the Escondido Antique Mall. Consuelo likes to find vintage and second-hand treasures as a sustainable way to shop and also support a circular economy. Consuelo loves supporting creatives and small businesses. Ask her for a tour or recommendations of favorites in our city and region.

Brian Murphy started American Furniture Design and Murphy's Fine Woodworking over 35 years ago, American Furniture Design was sold in 2017 to Lee Valley Tools, in Canada. American Furniture Design was the 3rd largest woodworking plan company in the states.

Brian is recognized as a leader in the Arts and Crafts design discipline. His furniture is in galleries from Muncy, Pennsylvania and throughout the country.

He has received numerous awards and recognition for his work and continues to design in a bold new style. In 2008 he was awarded First Honourable Mention in the Custom Working Business Magazine, a National Contest for residential furniture. In 2012 he was among the top 3 in the same national contest and in 2016. In 2017 he placed in residential furniture for a contest sponsored by Woodworking Network National.

Brian resides in Escondido with his wife Nancy. They have two children and three grandchildren.

www.murphysfinewoodworking.com

Michelle Lockyer is Co-Director for the Miss Escondido Pageant and founder of the Miss Escondido Pageant/North County Pageant.

Mentoring young women is her passion, and she loves teaching skills such as public speaking, modeling, makeup, networking, interviewing, and resume writing. Community involvement has always been a central joy in her life. Along the way, Her mission is to help every woman recognize and embrace her true worth. As a member of the Ewomen network, and through her work with the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, she aims to spread Her message to thousands, empowering more women to step into their full potential.

Kay Bates, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, moved to the United States in 1981 and became a naturalized citizen of the United States. From St. Croix to New York to San Diego, her journey is a fascinating story of a natural entrepreneur.

Kay has been a licensed REALTOR since 2002, and has worked in the Real Estate industry since 1992. Kay Bates has been committed to “Excellent Service” to all of our clients. Kay is very active in the community, working with Interfaith Ministries, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Assistance League, Toast Masters, and many others.

Keith Vasquez was born and raised on the San Pasqual Indian Reservation in Southern California near Valley View Casino Hotel. He is an enrolled Kumeyaay-Ipai tribal member.

Mr. Vasquez has coached and mentored San Pasqual inter-tribal sports teams in reservation-based athletic programs. He is currently partnered with NFL Flag San Diego to recruit young athletes from their Indian reservations and urban housing to compete in organized sports activities, competitive leagues and tournaments. Keith provides American Indians a tribal voice in amateur, school, collegiate, and professional Sports Media, while also providing Indian youth access to organized sports leagues and athletic programs both on and off their SOCAL Indian reservations.

https://nativeyouthfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/nativemediateam/

Valley Center and Escondido rely on honesty and truth from David Ross, Editor of the Valley Roadrunner for 40 years and the Escondido Times Advocate for 10 years. He has been there and written about all of it, authoring over 60,000 substantial articles.

While he attended Palomar College early on, degrees in writing came later in his 50’s when he received a Bachelor’s in Communication and Media Studies from Ashford University, and a Master of Arts in Military History from Norwich University.

Ross received the1991Award for Best of Show from the San Diego Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 1993 he was honored in Reno to accept the prestigious Reporter of the Year award from the State Farm Bureau. The notable annual San Diego Press Club awards continue for Ross who has racked up a number of ribbons, trophies, and accolades as recent as 2023.

Today, he continues to provide up-to-date business information, community developmental issues, how the county affects our lives, and the never-ending question about Vons—it’s local current news at its best.

Daniel Kirwin is a product manager for a Texas energy company, and has developed a home maintenance product in his spare time that helps simplify finding the right contractor or handyman for your home maintenance.

Fixed That For You (Website Link) helps you find and automatically connect with trusted professionals, receive quotes, and manage your projects -- all without having to pick up a phone or send an email. They handle the hassle of finding, comparing, and booking home improvement pros—so you can get back to what matters most.

Daniel grew up in Cardiff by the Sea, then went to college in Washington DC. After graduating, he worked in New York City for several start-ups, becoming a Product Manager and a part of an AI solutions team. A year ago, he moved to Houston, TX to be a Product Manager for a company that helps manage electrical grid load through smart appliances and predictive programs. He is engaged to be married in May, 2025.