January 16, 2014

L O C A L N E W S Y O U C A N U S EJ A N UA RY 1 6 -2 2 , 2 0 1 4

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3

www.sanclementetimes.com

COMING NEXT WEEK: THE “BEST OF SAN CLEMENTE” RESULTS ISSUE

Hikers Make Their Way Up to

SC’s Summit SPORTS/PAGE 10

Surfers Shine in Huge Surf at

Santa Cruz Contest SC SURF/PAGE 18

Decision Still to Come in Beach Parking Lawsuit

EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Changes at SCHSNew administration brings fresh

perspectives to schoolEYE ON SC/PAGE 4

Members of the administrative team at San Clemente High School have brought a number of changes to campus that have drawn praise from parents for improved discipline. Photo by Jim Shilander

What’s Up With...S A N C L E M E N T E ’ S T O P 5 H O T T E S T T O P I C S

1LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON SC

www.sanclementetimes.comSan Clemente Times January 16-22, 2014

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANOAfter a one-year hiatus, the Fiesta Association

is bringing back their popular beer garden at the Swallows Day Parade’s companion event, the

Mercado Street Faire, on March 22. Following a meeting with city staff and the Orange County

Sheriff’s Department, the Fiesta Association agreed to open beer sales for three hours, be-

tween 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., said board member Jeff Schroeder. Last year, the Mercado’s beer

garden was cancelled after the sheriff’s depart-ment restricted sales to two hours, citing a rise

in alcohol-related incidents over the last several years. Board members said it wasn’t financially prudent to do so and decided to do away with

beer sales entirely. The Mercado’s beer garden is one of the Fiesta Association’s biggest fundrais-

ers, according to Schroeder. In bringing back beer sales, Schroeder said the Fiesta Association

expects to make around $7,000.

NEWS NEXT DOOR

DANA POINTThe sixth annual Grunion Run 10K, 5K and kids’ 1K races are set for Sunday, March 2 and organizers of the Doheny State Beach-located contests are looking for volunteers and spon-sors to help out. Registration for the races is now open at www.festivalofwhalesgrunionrun.com. The cost of racing is $40 for the 10K, $35 for the 5K and $15 for the kids’ 1K. This year’s race takes place during the second weekend of the 46th annual Dana Point Festival of Whales. All proceeds from the races benefit the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Associa-tion, a support organization providing aid to the state beach including the refurbishment of the beach’s visitor’s center. Following the race, participants will be treated to a breakfast from the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association. For more information, email Laura Ouimet at [email protected].

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING

TOWNS

SCSan Clemente

THE LATEST: Attorneys for both the city and plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the city’s Beach Parking Impact Fund had expected to receive a decision last week, but the heavy schedule of Orange County Superior Court Judge Thierry Colaw has led to another delay in the case.

Both sides said they initially expected a decision after Colaw heard arguments Fri-day. But Colaw told them he was very busy in the days leading up to the hearing and was unable to fully explore issues laid out in legal briefs submitted by both sides. Both the city and the plaintiffs’ attorneys made brief arguments to the court Friday.

WHAT’S NEXT: Brad Malamud, the lead at-torney for the plaintiffs in the case, said he expects a decision by February.

“He gave everybody a fair hearing,” Mal-amud said of Colaw on Friday. “He said he will make his opinion based on the papers we submitted and the little arguments we had today.”

City Manager Pall Gudgeirsson said his communication with the city’s attorneys re-ported a similar experience. He said Colaw was “fairly neutral” during the hearing and a decision is expected within two weeks.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates on the case, visit www.sanclementetimes.com. – Jim Shilander

THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District is asking the San Juan Capistrano City Council to deny a proposal to build a 100-unit apartment complex near San Juan Hills High School.

THE LATEST: Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) introduced a bill last month that would

THE LATEST: A decision by the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees at its meeting last week left Talega resi-dents encouraged for a rehearing later this month regarding the latest refinancing of its community finance district.

The district voted 7-0 to put a sunset date on its longest-lived CFD which financed the development of schools in areas of Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo. Residents in the area have been fighting for years to end the CFD, which places an additional taxation level on them to pay for schools. The board had tabled the decision last month.

WHAT’S NEXT: A number of Talega residents attended the meeting to see how the board handled the situation. Residents there believed the board erred in not giving back the proceeds from a refinancing of the CFD in August, and were given a rehear-ing, now scheduled for January 22. Tax attorney Susie Hattan said she and other residents who attended were “happy” with the board’s 7-0 vote.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates on the story, visit www.sanclementetimes.com. – JS

THE LATEST: A large regional pipeline de-livering water to Orange County commu-nities from Yorba Linda to San Clemente was shut down Monday for upgrades and inspections. The 11-day outage is not expected to cause water disruptions, regional water officials said.

The 26-mile Allen-McColloch Pipeline owned by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will undergo routine maintenance through Thursday, Janu-ary 23. The pipeline extends from Yorba Linda to Lake Forest and delivers about 100 million gallons of water a day to Orange County residents.

It is also the largest deliverer of im-

…the Parking Lawsuit?

…CUSD’s Message to San Juan?

…the Trestles Historic Designation?

…the Talega CFD?

… Regional Water?

1

23

5

4

give the Department of the Navy control over the Trestles surf break, potentially eliminating chances it could be desig-nated on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Issa, who represents south Orange County, introduced “The Military Land and National Defense Act” in December in support of the Navy’s objection to a proposal to place a historic designation on the beach, which is used by the U.S. Marine Corps for training. The Navy has previously stated that designating the break as a landmark could prevent certain training exercises from moving forward. The Navy holds the lease on San Onofre State Beach, but leases it to the state as a park. The lease is up in 2021.

WHAT’S NEXT: The bill amends the National Historic Preservation Act to allow federal agencies that manage properties to prevent their inclusion on the registry until their objections are withdrawn. It has 17 co-sponsors.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit www.sanclement-etimes.com –JS

ported water to south county cities like San Clemente and Dana Point.

Such upkeep is scheduled during the spring and winter months when water demands are lower, said Debra Man, chief operating officer of the MWDSC, noting that much of the infrastructure serving the area is more than 60 years old.

WHAT’S NEXT: Local water officials have asked residents to be mindful of their usage.

FIND OUT MORE: Read more at www.sanclementetimes.com. —Andrea Papagianis

CUSD trustees on Wednesday, January 8 unanimously approved a resolution op-posing the project, known as the Rancho San Juan Apartments.

The developer, Mission Viejo-based Woodbridge Pacific Group, is proposing to build the community on 4.6 acres of land on the northwest corner of Vista Montana and La Pata Avenue.

In August, the city’s Planning Commis-sion recommended the City Council deny the developer’s request to rezone the land due to traffic concerns. The council voted in December to continue the item after traffic consultants for the developer presented a plan to reconfigure traffic lanes.

However, Trustee Jim Reardon, a San Juan Capistrano resident, said the issue was not about traffic but rather a “capac-ity problem.” With the impending exten-sion of La Pata Avenue, students from San Clemente’s Talega community would be attending San Juan Hills. Students from Talega and Ladera Ranch also have priority access to the high school because taxpayers from the communities helped pay for the school through their Commu-nity Finance Districts.

The district has also expressed interest in acquiring the land to build additional parking for the school and expand facili-ties onto the existing parking lots.

WHAT’S NEXT: The San Juan Capistrano City Council is expected to make its deci-sion at its next meeting, January 21.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www.sanclementetimes.com. – Brian Park


EYE ON SC

hen Michael Halt came to San Clemente from Massachusetts in August to take over as principal

at San Clemente High School, he had heard stories about the close relationship between the city and its high school. But, it was a tragedy just after the start of the school year that really brought it home.

On Sunday, September 8, former Triton Football star and UCLA wide receiver Nick Pasquale was killed while crossing the street in the early morning hours. That night, an impromptu memorial service was held at the school’s Thalassa Stadium.

“When I first took the job, people talked about the strength of this community, and the strength of the community is what makes this a great school,” Halt said. “When Nick died, watching the way the community responded was a powerful illustration of that strength. At the im-promptu memorial service where families came to grieve together and support each other, the thing that struck me that night was that it was families.”

Halt said when he had a similar situa-tion at his former school, West Tisbury School on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., his experience was very different.

“At my previous school, when we lost a student, we had hundreds of kids who showed up to grieve. They weren’t supported by anyone. It was just us as a school, trying to help the kids who were suffering,” he said. “(At Nick’s memo-rial) Everybody from the community was there. There were kids who were grieving, there were parents who were grieving, but everyone was there to support each other. I think that speaks volumes about the strength of this community. It showed me first hand that this is a strong commu-nity that doesn’t just look toward the high school for support, but really provides support to the high school.”

Halt brings more than a 25-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, including time spent at Camp Pendleton. While at West Tisbury, he served tours of duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq as a Marine reserv-ist.

“When I left the Marine Corps I initially thought, like a lot of my peers, that I’d go into law enforcement,” Halt said. “What I realized was the things I enjoyed most about being a Marine officer, I was more likely to find in a classroom than a squad car.”

As an officer he’d discovered it was often best to listen to those in the field

Fresh Perspectives

W

when making tactical decisions. A lesson, he said, that he’d taken with him into the classroom.

“You can’t be a successful administrator if you’re tied to that computer, trying to lead by email,” Halt said. “It’s leadership by walking around, getting out, knowing who the people are and the struggles they’re facing. People often think of the military as being a very hierarchical deci-sion making process, where you have a guy that makes decision in isolation and everyone else snaps their heels and moves on. As a young lieutenant, you had to learn how to know you’re in charge, but your sergeant and squad leader might say ‘Hey sir, I think the machine gun position would be better off here, because that’s what our common goal is.’ Here it’s the same.”

Halt has relied on the ideas given to him by others on staff, as well as parents and students, he said.

Coming from outside the school, and even outside the district also gave Halt, and the district as a whole, the opportu-nity to take a fresh look at the school and what might be done to allay the concerns of some parents. Halt said he’d recently received a note from a ninth-grade par-ent who’d felt nervous about sending their child to the school due to negative rumors.

“It’s been my experience that percep-tions become reality,” Halt said. “If people think there’s a problem and you don’t do anything to address it, then there’s a problem. Clearly it was identified that parents were very concerned about the safety and security on campus when I was first hired.”

Halt specifically cited concerns from parents of incoming freshmen about happenings the hill between the upper campus and the lower one. The area has in the past been rumored to be the site of drug use and bullying. Halt said Capistra-no Unified School District Superintendent

Joseph Farley had helped to add staff to monitor the area.

“Now, I can tell you there’s no issues on the hill, people feel great about the hill,” Halt said.

As part of that effort, other changes have been made at the school. Deni Christensen, a former assistant principal at Dana Hills and Capistrano Valley high schools, who later served as principal of the latter school for a time, came on board as the director of the upper campus.

Christensen said the administration, as a whole, has focused on three “T’s,” those being tardiness, truancy and trash,” as a way to curb potential trouble.

Working to combat those specific items has been a deliberate choice, Christensen said.

“Those can be tipping points for battling other problems,” she said. “If you elimi-nate those, your other problems kind of disappear. If you want to improve the cul-ture, I believe you have to focus on those tipping points.”

Farley said he’s been pleased by the progress made at the school.

“I think Mr. Halt and his team are doing an outstanding job,” Farley said. “It’s al-ways been a very strong school and a very respected school in San Clemente.”

San Clemente PTSA President Valerie

Woodstra has two children at the school, a freshman and sophomore. She said she’s already seen a major difference at the school and credited Halt and Christensen.

“Discipline is tougher, and there’s more uniformity in how things are handled,” Woodstra said. “I think it’s really going in the right direction.

Woodstra said she appreciated Halt’s willingness to “hold everyone account-able,” including teachers and students, but doing so in a way that everyone can appreciate.

“He’s not doing it in a legalistic way. He’s being very fair,” she said. “He will hear concerns and sift through the data.”

Having a former principal like Chris-tensen at the upper campus also helps, she said.

“She really sets the tone for freshmen about what to expect in high school,” she said. “We almost got a two-for-one. She knows what’s going on and the students really respect her.”

Woodstra said the stronger adherence to discipline has won Halt a number of parental fans, even if some students might have had an issue with eliminating senior open campus lunch privileges at the school.

“I can tell you I think he’s amazing,” she said. “I haven’t heard any negatives. I think it’s really going in the right direc-tion.”

The involvement of groups like the PTSA and San Clemente Education Foun-dation was an unexpected positive, Halt said.

“At my previous school, the PTSA was kind of just a nice group of folks that occa-sionally met and did some nice things,” he said. “Our parent support group, whether it’s formally, through the PTSA, or infor-mally, how they support our staff here is amazing. It’s a great group of parents who work really hard to support us.”

Halt said while it’s important to focus on issues of safety, he also wants to be sure students can always have someone they can trust at the school.

“We’re a big school, more than 3,000 kids,” Halt said. “Great schools are ones at which every kid feels connected. That’s a challenge when you’re this big. How do we make sure kids stay connected, that there’s always one adult on campus they’re comfortable going up to and con-fiding in and sharing a concern that they have? I’m really fortunate that it’s not just me working here. I’ve got a great team and some of the best teachers in America working right here.”

Halt said it’s also important to make sure the school is doing its educational job.

“We’re also making sure everyone who walks across that stage on graduation day is going to be job ready, college ready and citizen ready,” he said. “I’m really proud when I see how our kids do, not just on the California standardized tests but on the national norms. We’re a nationally ranked high school, that’s fantastic.” SC

By Jim ShilanderSan Clemente Times

New approaches changing shape of SCHS

New San Clemente High School principal Michael Halt, (second from right) credits many of the changes at the school to his administrative team. Among them are (L to R) athletic director Jon Hamro, upper campus direc-tor Deni Christensen, assistant principal Kerry Reid, assistant principal Cameron Lovett and activities director Dipali Pothis. He also credited assistant principal Sally Clanin, who is not pictured. Photo by Jim Shilander

“We’re also making sure

everyone who walks

across that stage on

graduation day is going

to be job ready, college

ready and citizen ready.”

—Michael Halt

San Clemente Times January 16-22, 2014

EYE ON SC

Thursday, January 16

Golf Course Committee Meeting7 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Assistance League of Capistrano Valley General Meeting 9:30 a.m.- noon. Meeting every third Thursday. More info and location: 949.492.2800, www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org.

Friday, January 17

Dark Friday City offices closed. More info: www.san-clemente.org.

Ribbon Cutting 11:30 a.m. Chamber celebrates the opening of Eaton’s Income Tax Service. 901 Calle Amanecer, 106, 949.492.1131, www.scchamber.com.

Sunday, January 19

Mushroom Walk 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Search for fungi popping up and observe some of the world’s largest living organisms on this walk at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Admission $5-$10. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

Monday, January 20

Martin Luther King Day

City offices closed In observance of the holiday; www.san-clemente.org.

Tuesday, January 21

City Council Meeting 5 p.m. Closed session. 6 p.m. Business meeting in City Hall Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Toastmasters 7 p.m.–8:40 p.m. Practice public speaking every Tuesday in a friendly and supportive atmosphere at the Baha’i Center. 3316 Ave. Del Presidente, 6463.toastmastersclubs.org.

Wednesday, January 22

Read with Chloe 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Kids can practice reading skills at the library with Chloe, a certified therapy dog. 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.san-clemente.org.

Planning Commission Meeting6 p.m. Study session in Ocean View Conference Room; 7 p.m. Adjourned regular meeting in Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

CITY ANDCOMMUNITY CALENDAR

NEWS BITESP R O P S , R E C O G N I T I O N S A N D M O R S E L S O F I N F O

Compiled by Jim Shilander

City Seeking Wall of Recognition Nominees

The city of San Clemente is asking citizens to help recognize outstanding members of the community. Each year, the city honors community members whose efforts have made San Clemente a more productive and enjoyable place to live, work and play. Residents can nominate someone who deserves to be recognized. The name of the selected nominee will be permanently placed on the city’s Wall of Recognition.

The nominee must have been a resident of San Clemente for at least 10 years and their service to the community must have been performed in San Clemente or have directly benefited the city.

A nonprofit organization or a consensus of 10 or more residents may submit a maxi-mum one-page letter explaining the nomi-nee’s contributions to the City’s Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department at 100 Calle Seville, San Clemente, CA 92672 or email to [email protected].

The deadline for submitting a nomination is Thursday, February 27 by 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Maile Stivers at 949.361.8237.

SC Sheriff’s Blotter

COMPILED BY JIM SHILANDERAll information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No as-sumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Tuesday, January 14

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLEAvenida Pico, 600 Block (3:47 a.m.) An employee at a restaurant was told by their manager that two people in a vehicle were doing crystal meth inside a van.

Monday, January 13

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLEVia Agradar/Camino Viento Fuerte (1:15 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for two men wearing wraps on their heads. There were two orange cones behind their vehicle and appeared to have some sort of

radar gun. They did not appear to be city workers, the caller said.

DRUNK IN PUBLICAvenida Aragon/Avenida Pelayo (10:40 a.m.) A caller said a shirtless man in his 40’s and having tattoos all over his upper body was stumbling around on Avenida Aragon. The caller said the man did not belong in the area. He was wearing black pants and carrying a black jacket.

WELFARE CHECKEl Camino Real, 2200 Block (10:11 a.m.) A woman called ranting that a man had been “kidnapped by the Mormons” and that they had cut off his arms. The call then disconnected. A welfare check was requested for it.

Sunday, January 12

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEEl Camino Real, 1300 Block (8:24 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a torn screen on a bathroom window behind a building.

DISTRUBANCEAvenida del Presidente, 3100 Block (5:06 p.m.) Five males were reportedly smashing trash cans, skateboarding and throwing beer cans.

WELFARE CHECKAvenida Vista Hermosa/Camino Vera Cruz

(4:16 p.m.) A man, who appeared to be in his 70’s was carrying a few store bags in each hand and walking very slowly. The man was headed westbound on Vista Hermosa.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCECalle Del Cerro, 1100 Block (2:49 p.m.) A resident of an apartment building said a man on the bottom floor was shooting a BB gun from an open door at vehicles.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCECamino Capistrano, 2900 Block (12:33 p.m.) A woman reported receiv-ing a text message from an ex-boyfriend saying he was outside delivering her a letter. She did not want to see him and requested a patrol check.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCECalle Del Comercio, 2700 Block (8:06 a.m.) A man called to report a male transient, who appeared to be in his 50’s, with a surfboard, passed out in the dip between the city tennis courts and golf course. The subject could not be seen from the road.

Saturday, January 11

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEAvenida Victoria, 600 Block (10:25 a.m.) A “very dirty” transient was sitting in a parking lot for over an hour with a cell phone plugged into an outdoor outlet.

Police Services Sponsors Citizen Academy

San Clemente Police Services and the city of San Clemente are inviting members of the public to register for the 2014 San Clem-ente Police Services Citizen Academy, the second such event. Participants will meet for 12 consecutive weeks, commencing on Monday, February 24, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Community Center’s Fireside Room at 100 N. Calle Seville. Field trips will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. A gradua-tion ceremony and dinner will be hosted on Monday, May 19.

In a classroom setting, participants will learn about patrol operations, traffic, inves-tigations, narcotics, criminal street gangs, homicide, SWAT, bomb squad, aviation support, K-9, firearms and forensics. Partici-pants will also have the opportunity to take part in interactive scenario-based training where they act in the role of a deputy sheriff during traffic stops and various simulated field situations.

Trips will include visits to the Orange County Central Jail Complex, the Orange County Coroner’s Department, the Orange County Crime Lab and the Sheriff’s Tacti-

www.sanclementetimes.com

cal Training Center. During the 12-week program, academy attendees also have the opportunity to schedule a ride along with a San Clemente patrol deputy during a shift.

Adults in San Clemente who reside or work in town will be able to register for the classes designed to increase understanding of local law enforcement operations. Those with a felony conviction, a misdemeanor conviction in the past three years or a pending criminal case will not be admitted into the program.

For more information, including the required application, visit the city’s website at www.san-clemente.org or obtain an ap-plication in person at San Clemente Police Services, 100 Avenida Presidio.

Welcome Inn Event Features Mike DeBellis

Mike DeBellis and the Satin Express will benefit Welcome Inn, a nonprofit providing hot meals to the homeless and needy of south Orange County for over 23 years.

The concert will be held Saturday, January 18 at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Unit-ed Methodist Church, located at, 2001 Calle Frontera. For information call 949.366.0151. Tickets are $10 at the door.

www.sanclementetimes.comSan Clemente Times January 16–22, 2014

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.sanclementetimes.com

CITY EDITOR

Jim Shilander, 949.388.7700, x109 [email protected]

ADVERTISING

PRINT AND ONLINE

Michele Reddick, 949.388.7700, x103 [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION

RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, [email protected]

BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER

Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 [email protected]

HOW TO REACH US

San Clemente Times, Vol. 9, Issue 3. The SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodis-patch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

EDITORIAL

Group Senior Editor> Andrea Swayne

City Editor, SC Times> Jim Shilander

Sports Editor> Steve Breazeale

City Editor, DP Times> Andrea Papagianis

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch> Brian Park

ART/DESIGN

Senior Designer> Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING

Associate Publisher> Lauralyn Loynes(Dana Point)

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)Locals Only Business Listing Manager

OPERATIONS

Finance Director> Mike Reed

Business Operations Manager> Alyssa Garrett

Accounting & Distribution Manager> Tricia Zines

SPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller, Jonathan Volzke

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Shelley Murphy, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

SCSan Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX

WAVELENGTHS By Jim Kempton

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at [email protected]. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writ-ers. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

C

Real Conservative Thinking

Letters to the Editor

onservatives are people who con-serve—fiscally, industriously and resourcefully. If Americans were

practicing saving our money, our business-es and our resources, we would not only be the most successful competitive nation in the world but the most environmentally progressive as well.

Conserving and being conservative however, requires a little more than just waving the stars and stripes. For instance, it is predicted that we will soon have a 15 percent energy shortage. With a little inconvenience we could turn down our thermostat, take a shorter shower, plant drought-tolerant plants in the yard, put solar panels on all our roofs and insulate our windows. Result: way more than 15 percent energy savings. Of course that would mean conserving.

In fact all the studies now show that if we had just followed that “wimp” Jimmy

KUDOS TO COUNCIL ON LOBBYIST VOTE

DAVID BRANT, San Clemente

I would like to thank the San Clem-ente City Council for voting 5-0 recently to extend the contract for Marlowe and Company, the city’s lobbying firm in Washington, D. C. This will enable our city to continue to press for congres-sional funding for beach-sand replenish-ment for our severely eroded beaches.

Our beaches are one of San Clem-ente’s greatest resources. Any invest-ment in restoring them will be of tre-mendous value not only for residents but

Carter’s energy policies of driving 55, along with keeping our homes and businesses at 70 degrees all year, we would have no oil crisis today. But it was just too conservative for us.

Republican Teddy Roos-evelt was an early conser-

vationist, who fought even as a young man to help preserve Yellowstone National Park from commercial exploitation. As president, he created the national forest system and founded the Bureau of Forestry. Roosevelt created forest and wildlife reserves, bird sanctuaries and national parks in Alaska, Ha-waii, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Arizona. It helped earn him a place on Mount Rushmore.

Dwight Eisenhower was one of the best Republican presidents in the 20th century

for the thousands of out of town visitors from Orange County, the state of Califor-nia, the United States and nations around the world. These visitors spend thousands of dollars enhancing our local economy while visiting our beaches.

Our residents and visitors want and de-serve a beautiful sandy beach in San Clem-ente. This can only be ensured with federal help. San Clemente’s lobbying efforts can greatly assist in making this happen.

TIME TO BAN BIKES ON BEACH TRAIL

DAVOY DEAN, San Clemente

First, I would like to say that I’m an avid

Conserving is one of the smartest things we can do. But it requires us to do more than just rail against our own government

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by JIm Kempton

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide va-riety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected]

according to most historians. During his two terms he expanded Social Security and even helped create the Department of Health and Human Services, and the De-partment of Education. His most familiar achievement was authorizing the interstate highway system in 1956.

Besides historic breakthroughs in inter-national diplomacy, the Nixon Presidency was also a golden era for environmental law. Nixon created the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by executive order. He also signed key environmental laws: the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Ocean Dumping Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Oh yeah, and he gave us Trestles as a state park. Today there is talk of disbanding the parks and eliminating the EPA.

This is a long legacy of investing in conservation and the common welfare in this great nation. Think of Washington,

bicyclist. I love riding the many wonderful trails we have around the city.

That being said, I’m in favor of banning bikes on the beach trail. I walk my labs on that trail almost every day. The one thing that stands out each and every day is how many near misses there are between walk-ers/joggers and bikers. At places the path becomes narrow, and if someone is com-ing the other direction, you have to walk single file. Many of the people on bikes do not observe the 10 mph speed limit. All I can think about is a child or dog making a sudden move—and both do so often—be-ing struck by a bicyclist.

We have so many other awesome trails

Jefferson and Lincoln—they were digging the Erie Canal, buying the Louisiana Pur-chase and building the transcontinental railroad. Later greats like Teddy and Ike were building the Hoover Dam and the highway system. All those investments made our nation great and helped every businessman and every citizen. But Con-gressional leaders today don’t even want to repair those things let alone build new stuff. Conservative greats of the past had the foresight to see what conserving our nation’s treasure really meant. We need to return to that conservative vision.

Jim Kempton is a big believer in conserv-ing—our heritage, our resources and our savings. SC

that do not put pedestrians at risk. The ride through San Onofre is a beautiful ocean view and free ride. The many trails off Avenida Salvador are both beautiful and challenging.

I just think the beach trail should be reserved for walker and joggers. The trail is narrow in too many places to safely accommodate both bicyclist and walkers. Let’s be proactive about this instead of waiting for disaster to strike.

WINE TASTING 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Staff favorites for the New Year at San Clemente Wine Company. Tasting includes cheese and chocolate. 212 ½ Avenida Del Mar, San

Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com.

FIESTA ASSOCIATION NEW MEMBERSHIP MIXER6 p.m.-9 p.m. Fiesta Association meeting with a T-shirt design contest, Italian buffet dinner, door prizes and more held at the San Juan Hills Golf Club. Tickets $20; fee waived for new members who join. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1167, www.sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

BALLROOM BASH 7:15 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Event at the San Clemente Community Center featuring a lesson in East Coast Swing followed by open dancing. $10, includes refreshments. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.498.0233, www.ballroombash.com.

MILLERTIME BOOGIE 8 p.m. Live rock ‘n’ roll band at Adele’s. 2600 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente, 949.481.1222, www.adelesatthesanclementeinn.com.

BILL MAGEE BLUES BAND 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

GEORGE & THE CLATCH 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Lively classic rock and wine tasting at DaVine Food & Wine. Tastings $20 for five wines. 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

DANA POINT FARMERSMARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fresh produce, crafted goods, flowers and much more at La Plaza Park in Dana Point. 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

MARINE MAMMAL EXPLORATION CRUISE 10 a.m. Board the Ocean Institute’s R/V Explorer for the opportu-nity to see dolphins, sea lions and other wildlife along the coastline. $22-$35. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

ANDY T & NICK NIXON 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Special show at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

FROM THE TOP 8 p.m. Live filming of the NPR show featuring top young classical musicians at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Tickets start at $20. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787, www.scfta.org.

THE MONSOONS 8 p.m. Live music at BeachFire.204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232,www.beachfire.com.

SATURDAY AT THE SWALLOW’S 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Family Style performs at The Swallow’s Inn. The Palomi-nos take the stage at 8:30 p.m. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

TARYN DONATH 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

MEMPHIS KINGS 8 p.m. Live music at BeachFire. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire.com.


SCSan Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

GETTING OUT

THE LISTA day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

thursday 16

friday17

saturday18

Just when it seemed like 12 Years a Slave, Inside Llewyn Davis and Gravity were going to battle for Best Picture of 2013, a big-budgeted, all-star epic biopic with excessive nudity and drug use comes along and shockingly steals some thunder. Surprisingly, because The Wolf of Wall Street’s content really is as sleazy as it sounds, but it’s also unsurprising considering the director is Martin Scorsese and the lead star is Leonardo DiCaprio. In 1987 Manhattan, an aspir-ing stockbroker named Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) is quickly swept into the fast and harsh life of Wall Street by mentor Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey). By the time he’s experienced enough to build his own firm, Belfort makes a new friend in Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill) and a new wife in Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie). The secret to his success? Defrauding investors of millions, hiring hookers and getting high on cocaine and quaaludes. Rob Reiner, Kyle Chandler

Jon Bernthal and Jean Dujardin co-star in the film. The Wolf of Wall Street has been called a modern day Caligula (1979), being based on real events surrounding sex and drugs. While it’s a good comparison, Wolf is actually well constructed. Scorsese channels his GoodFellas structure and makes his 179-minute runtime ridiculously entertaining. Because really, how else can you portray a character like Belfort than to go all out and not hold back on the gratuitousness? —Megan Bianco

AT THE MOVIES: ‘THE WOLF OF WALL STREET’

Have an event?Send your listing to [email protected]

*For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.sanclementetimes.com.

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. © 2013 Paramount Pictures

sunday19

COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK AND FRIENDS6:30 p.m. Every Monday at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

GARDEN CLUB MEETING AND AUCTION 10 a.m. San Juan Capistrano Garden Club meeting featuring a “Trash to Treasure” auction. Bring useable garden items to be auctioned to other members. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1167, www.sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

DUSTIN FRANKS 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

WILL AND GARY 8 p.m. Live music at BeachFire. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT 8 p.m. Brio Tuscany Grille. 24050 Camino del Avion, Dana Point, 949.443.1476, www.briorestaurant.com.

monday20

tuesday21

COMMUNITY ART NIGHT 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Arts and crafts for the whole family at Bull Taco. Every Wednesday. Food and drink specials.

1527 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.1739, www.laurentannehillart.com.

US BLUES 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Every Wednesday at the corner of El Camino Real and Yorba. 949.493.4700.

wednesday22SAN CLEMENTE

FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday on Avenida Del Mar. Rain or shine.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR 1 p.m. Meet at the Depot Platform for the Historical Society’s guided tour of San Juan Capistrano. Every Sunday. Cost $2-$4. 949.493.8444, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

MISSY AND HEINE ANDERSEN 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

MISSING PERSONS 7 p.m. The Los Angeles-based new wave band plays at The Coach House, also featuring The Reflexx and Sixstep. $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

PUT YOUR AD HERE

Call or email Michele Reddick

at 949.388.7700, ext 103 or

[email protected]

Shop & DineShop & DineLOCAL

Shop & Dine Local is published the third Thursday of every month.

S A N C L E M E N T E

SUDOKUby Myles Mellor

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

Last week’s solution:

SOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTION

See today’s solution in next week’s issue.4SCSan Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITYSC LIVING

A

Rising to the Top

few dozen San Clemente citizens gathered Saturday at the northern end of Avenida Talega to make a

trek to a spot some knew only by a nearby gas line sign. Now it carries a different name, San Clemente Summit.

The point, which is on the Cristianitos Trail, ultimately leading to San Juan Cap-istrano, is in the northern part of the city near the Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy to the east of Talega. The spot was rechristened last month following a citizen naming contest. The winner of the contest was Dave Pherrin, whose name was selected by a committee of area hikers from 87 total entries. At 1,008 feet, the point provides a vantage point to see much of Talega and the ranchlands beyond San Juan Capistrano, as well as views of the ocean.

The hike, sponsored by the city, brought together members of the City Council, Planning Commission, hiking enthusiasts and residents, some from nearby Talega, to make their way up to the newly named highest point in the city.

Saturday hike brings dozens to San Clemente’s highest point

Photos and text by Jim ShilanderSan Clemente Times

Councilwoman Lori Donchak, who led the hike and was the driving force behind the contest, had a similar goal for both— to encourage the use of other trails in the city. Donchak, an avid hiker herself, was pleased with how things went.

“I think it was very successful,” Don-chak said. “I hope people realize we have miles and miles of trails in the city beyond just the Beach Trail.” Donchak said her favorite is the Ridgeline Trail through Forster Ranch, which she said offered wonderful views of Camp Pendleton.

Hikers Marge Gerrity and Cheryl Smith both said they anticipate seeing many more people on the trail, one of their favor-ites, in the coming months.

“It’s a good trail and an easy trail,” Smith said. “You can go as fast or slow as you need.”

“The favorite part of the hike is getting to the top and seeing the view,” Gerrity noted.

San Clemente resident Don Kunze was on the committee that selected the name of the point, though he pointed out that the trail continues on past the summit itself. He’d previously identified the point by use of a nearby sign that reads “62.2,” which was related to a nearby gas line.

“I’d been here several times, even before Talega was built,” Kunze said. “I always think of a summit as a destina-tion point, but this is a continuation. But I’ll always call ‘62’ because it’s the year I graduated from high school.” SC

(From L to R) SC Planning Commission members Don Brown, Kathleen Ward and Jim Ruehlin.

Elizabeth Hattan, the youngest hiker on the trip set a ceremonial surveyor’s marker at the city’s highest point.

Hikers gather to celebrate reaching San Clemente Summit, showing off the city’s flag.

It’s time to expect more… Established 1963

Sponsored by Did you know that...• Median sales price for Orange County in 1968

was only $23,210, in 1980 was $99,550 and

1999 was only $217,510!

• In June of 1982, the average home loan interest

rate was a whopping 15.57%, compared to

today at 4.5!

• On average here in San Clemente, home

prices appreciated between 18-20% in the

Jeremy [email protected]

Bill [email protected]

Local Real Estate By Local Experts

last 24 months

• There were almost 18,000 listings for sale in

2008 here in Orange County, while today only

4800 homes are actively on the market

• “National Association of Realtors” (NAR)

estimates over 4.9 Million homes to sell in 2014

here in the United States

SC LIVINGGUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach by Shelley Murphy

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers

with a wide variety of opinions from our community,

the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities

in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared.

The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely

those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those

of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would

like to respond to this column, please email us at

[email protected]

I nstead of resolving to make unrealistic resolutions for the New Year, which would take me longer to list than actu-

ally uphold, I passed on the annual ritual and instead took time to reflect on the past and present.

I realized as the New Year dawned, my younger son starts his senior year of high school and the slippery slope toward col-lege submissions in 2014. The thought of two in college—and an empty nest—sent me sprinting for the champagne.

Last month, my older son came home for the holidays, as did many San Cle-mente High School graduates. Like last year, most his friends arrived in town by mid-December, but unlike last year they arrived as confident young adults, not floundering college freshman.

A year ago when they returned home, they’d been tucked into dorm rooms for a few months with university housing rules regulating their freedom—they even had meal plans restricting what and when they could eat.

This year, as sophomores, most his friends are entering their 20s and living in apartments or fraternity and sorority

Ignorance Really Can be BlissWith grown children home, sometimes knowing less can be best

houses with infinite independence and blurred boundaries.

Last December, they arrived home just starting to spread their wings. This year, they landed shoulder-ing wingspans of bald eagles.

They morphed from the somewhat sheltered high school graduates sent-off to test dorm life and taste independence into young adults on paths to professional careers and engaged in lasting loves, accustomed to celebrating well-earned achievements and surviving heart-wrenching disappointments.

On one of my son’s first nights home, we enjoyed a traditional family dinner. Around 9 p.m., I curled-up on the couch with a book in hand completely content and counting my blessings with both my birds back in their nest, safely nestled upstairs.

Moments later my bubble burst when my older son came bounding down the stairs with keys in hand announcing he

was off to visit friends. I wasn’t surprised and asked him to be

home by midnight—he looked at me as if I’d told him our cable provider cancelled ESPN.

He kissed me on the forehead and said, “Don’t wait up, mom.” As he left, I shout-ed to be safe and he yelled back over his shoulder these comforting words: “Don’t worry, I do this all the time now.”

I realize in his second year of college my son probably spends significantly more time socializing and sleeping and far less time reading and writing than he said he did as a freshman.

The college experience includes les-sons learned both inside and outside lecture halls. This sophomore year my son immersed himself in numerous cam-pus activities, embraced his school spirit and forged friendships with his fraternity brothers.

As a college kid, he goes to parties. And since I vaguely remember that phase of my five-year college career, while my son continues his initiation into various collegiate rites of passage, I’ll maintain my not so grown-up belief that ignorance

truly is bliss.I remember crying to a girlfriend when

my son left for college as I wrestled with letting go. She promised it would get easier, and there would even be a time not too far in the future, when my son would come home on college breaks and I’d be happy to see him return to school. I’m not there yet, but I now understand her words of wisdom—sometimes knowing less is best.

As the New Year starts I’m still without resolutions, unless resolving to continue my ignorance is bliss attitude counts.

Shelley Murphy has lived in San Clem-ente with her husband and two sons for the past 14 years. She’s a freelance writer and contributor to the SC Times since 2006. SC

LIFE’S A BEACH By Shelley Murphy

5SCSan Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SPORTS& OUTDOORS


SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Elite Football Club’s San Clemente boys under-12 team, Ripcurl, swept away the competition at the Carlsbad Premier Cup Tournament from January 11-12.

The team, which is coached by Dan Foy, won all four of their games at the event, including the championship match. Ripcurl outscored their opponents by an 11-1 margin over the two-day stretch. The Ripcurl defense also recorded three shutouts.

The team is now preparing to compete in the California State Cup Soccer Tournament in Escondido, which runs from January 25-26.

The Elite Football Club San Clemente boys under-12 team in-cludes: Sean Sullivan, Blake Lipofsky, Seth Cusick, Jack Martin, Clay Mosher, Dane Martin, Scott Johnson, Miles Miller, Shiva Kumar, Max Carvalho, Garrett Gonzalez, Carter Fann, Asher Foy, Wesley Georgieff and Brix Hazen. — San Clemente Times

Elite FC U-12 Boys Team Wins in Carlsbad

The Elite Football Club’s San Clemente boys U12 team won the Carlsbad Premier Cup Tournament on January 12. Courtesy photo

Student-led efforts culminate to a successful inaugural seasonBy Michael VogelerSan Clemente Times

he sport of rugby is growing rapidly in Southern California and, with a little help from some local figures

and passionate high school students, has now arrived at Dana Hills High.

The student-led grass roots movement comes on the tail of news that rugby is going to be a sanctioned sport in the 2016 Summer Olympics. In August, the Nation-al Rugby Football League was founded in hopes of spreading the sport nationwide.

Many, like Dana Hills junior Drew Falk, believe that it won’t be long before rugby becomes as popular as any of the other major American sports.

“It’s exciting for Dana Hills to be at the forefront of the rugby movement in South-ern California,” Falk said,

Falk recently founded and became president of the Dana Rugby student interest club at Dana Hills High. He plays football as well and as a wide receiver for the Dolphins, Falk compiled 43 catches for 524 yards and four touchdowns in 2013.

Creating the rugby club was a lot like an act of congress, and Falk led the initiative. The hard part, according to the junior, was getting the doors open to allowing the club to take shape. Once discussions opened up, volunteer coaches started helping out, as well as parents.

Falk was guided through the process by Mike Lewis, president of the San Clem-ente Youth Rugby Gators program. Lewis stressed to Falk that the club had to be started and maintained by the players. The veteran rugby player and coach had seen too many high school startup teams, like the now abandoned efforts at nearby San Juan Hills and Trabuco Hills High Schools, fall by the wayside due to parents or coaches being the sole driving force of the program.

That hasn’t been the case for the Dana

The Dana Hills rugby club lines up before taking the field. Photo by Keith Falk

Rugby club, which draws players from both Dana Hills and San Clemente High.

Rugby players throughout both schools started to get the word out on campus. Once the club received all of the neces-sary approvals of Southern California Youth Rugby, the sport’s high school governing body, they looked to hire the best coaching staff available and team par-

ents formed a non-profit board. The team is coached by Ian Ibbetson, Matt Tinker, Mike Efthymiou and Sam Pelham, all of whom double as Gator’s coaches.

Falk led a yearlong effort to establish the rugby club at Dana Hills and he says that the athletics staff and administration was very cooperative and supportive of his initiative, especially the football staff, athletic directors and principals.

“It’s amazing how everyone from the football coaching staff, athletic directors, to the principals have helped guide us to what we needed to do to get this program started,” Falk said. “Our student club charter aims to educate the student body about this great global game. We see it as a cool way to learn about other cultures since this sport is huge in other parts of the world.”

The club’s team consists of 20-25 play-ers and they practice at Bear Brand Park in Laguna Niguel. They are not affiliated with either school.

They have played four games in the High School Blue League so far, and have

Rugby Club Draws Dana Point and San Clemente Together

T

handily won all of them by large margins, including a recent 40-0 win over Carlsbad on January 4.

High school football and rugby create a very powerful combination, and Falk believes the two go hand in hand. There are a large amount of Dana Hills football players who are playing rugby this winter in the offseason.

“It’s a great way to keep our guys play-ing together over the winter and staying in shape,” Falk added.

Falk believes there are a lot of com-plimentary elements in rugby that lend themselves to football, like fitness train-ing, proper tackling form, ball handling skills and building synergy with your teammates.

Junior Gabe Wahl is another key player who helped form the rugby club at Dana Hills. Wahl is a junior and a former football player for the Dolphins who gave up the gridiron to pursue rugby.

“We have a magnificent coaching staff with many years of experience and a lot of talent,” Wahl said. “About half of the team has had previous rugby experience, while the other half is new to the sport. We are a very light team, meaning we are not very big but we are fast.”

Even though they are a young club and are not a sanctioned school sport, both Falk and Wahl believe that the rugby boom is on the rise and that soon enough, their efforts will lead to bigger things.

“I hope our success this year will have displayed to our school that this club is very serious and they will allow us to use the football stadium. The ability to use the football stadium would allow students to watch our games and practices and would expose many more students and athletes to the sport,” Wahl said.

“We’re a little ahead of some other schools, but we expect rugby to be a CIF sport in the coming years,” Falk added. SC

—Steve Breazeale contributed to this report

“I hope our success this year

will have displayed to our

school that this club is very

serious and they will allow us

to use the football stadium.

The ability to use the football

stadium would allow students

to watch our games and prac-

tices and would expose many

more students and athletes to

the sport.”—Gabe Wahl

Senior midfi elder Oscar Hernandez and the San Clemente boys soccer team will travel to Florida this week to compete in the high profi le Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament. Photo by Steve Breazeale

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Triton Report

By Steve Breazeale

For in-game updates, news and more for all the San Clemente High School winter sports programs follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

BEST IN THE LAND? BOYS SOCCER TRAVELS TO FLORIDA TO FIND OUT

The San Clemente boys soccer team has had the Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament on their radar for months. The tournament, which is held in Florida and hosted by powerhouse Montverde Academy, features six top-25 teams in the nation, according to www.studentsports.com FAB 50 rankings. San Clemente cur-rently sits in the No. 2 spot.

If the Tritons (14-0-1, 2-0 league) are going to live up to their lofty rank and earn the title of best team in the nation, this tournament will be their chance to do so. The Tritons will open tournament play with a match against No. 7 West Orange on January 16.

Back on the home front, the Tritons opened South Coast League play with back to back wins over Aliso Niguel and

Tesoro on January 8 and January 14, respectively. The Tritons scored four goals in both tilts, giving up only one goal to the Wolverines in a 4-1 win. Senior forward Bryce Kaminski continued his torrid goal scoring pace by notching two goals in both contests, bringing his season total up to 16.

TRITONS BOYS HOOPS SET TO DEFEND TITLE

The San Clemente boys basketball team will begin their Sea View League

title defense this week. The Tritons claimed the league title for

the fi rst time in over three decades last year and were set to take their fi rst step into league play with a road game against San Juan Hills on January 15. Results were not available at press time.

The Tritons (9-8) have been effec-tive since junior forward Sam Darnold returned to the lineup and picked up wins over Troy (January 7) and Capistrano Valley (January 10) out of the South Coast League.

Following the game against the Stal-lions, the Tritons will have back to back matches against Trabuco Hills and Dana Hills on January 17 and January 22, respectively. The Mustangs and the Dol-phins were both in the mix for the league title in 2013.

TRITONS WRESTLING HEAD TO FIVE COUNTIES TOURNAMENT

The San Clemente wrestling squad will travel to Fountain Valley to compete in the high profi le Five Counties Invitational on January 17. On January 13, the CIF-SS Advisory Committee released its fi rst dual meet wrestling rankings of the season and the Tritons debuted in the No. 9 spot in Division 1.

GIRLS SOCCER OPENS LEAGUE PLAY WITH WINS

The San Clemente girls soccer team recorded consecutive shutouts in wins

over Dana Hills and Tesoro to start their 2014 South Coast League slate.

Senior Natalie Higgins netted a fi rst-half goal and goalie Brinna Lee recorded four saves to push the Tritons past the defending league champion Dolphins on January 9.

San Clemente will now travel to play Aliso Niguel on January 21.

STALLIONS EDGE PAST TRITONS GIRLS BASKETBALL

The San Juan Hills girls basketball team narrowly defeated San Clemente 59-58 in a nonleague contest on January 13. The Tritons (9-7, 1-0) had won their previous two matches, including a league win over Aliso Niguel, but turned the ball over 24 times in the loss to the Stallions out of the Sea View League.

The Tritons return to league play with a January 16 match against Capistrano Valley.

GIRLS WATER POLO EARNS TOP-10 RANK

After defeating Rosary 8-6 in a non-league match on January 11, the San Clemente girls water polo team earned the No. 7 rank in the most recent CIF-SS Division 2 coaches’ poll.

The Tritons (6-5, 1-0 league) were set to play a league match against Laguna Hills and rival El Toro on January 14 and January 15, respectively. Results were not available at press time.

BUSINESS DIRECTORYLocals Only

ASAP Appliance Service 949.361.7713 3200 Legendario, www.asapapplianceservice.com

APPLIANCES SERVICES & REPAIRS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com

APPLIANCES

Oasis Heating & Air 949.420.132131648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

AIR CONDITIONING

AMMCOR 949.661.7767910 Calle Negocio, Ste. 200, www.AMMCOR.com

Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc. 714.757.3490www.yorbalindatilemarble.com, CA License # 789312

MANAGEMENT - HOA

TILE & STONE INSTALLATION/RESTORATION

San Clemente Art Association 949.492.7175100 N. Calle Seville, www.scartgallery.com

ART GALLERIES

DENTISTS

Sea View Pharmacy 949.496.0123665 Camino De Los Mares, #101www.seaviewpharmacy.com

Lange & Minnott 949.492.34591201 Puerta Del Sol, Ste. 203

PHARMACIES

ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE, TRUST

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045www.arcadiaelectric.com

ELECTRICAL

Lure of Chocolate, Gourmet Foods & Gift www.LureofChocolate.com 949.439.1773

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 949.369.1052 99 Avenida Del Mar, www.schmidschocolate.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY


FURNITURE

GraCorp Coins & Collectibles 949.350.4692www.gracorpcoins.com Kevin

Village Books 949.492.111499 Avenida Serra, www.DowntownSanClemente.com

COINS

BOOKS

A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.44641218 Puerta del Sol, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing 949.492.35581218 Puerta del Sol, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com

Chick’s Plumbing 949.496.9731www.chicks-plumbing.com

PLUMBING

SC Pool & Spa Works 949.498.76651311 N. El Camino Real, www.scpoolworks.com

Printing OC 949.388.488827134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

PRINTING

Café Calypso 949.366.9386114 Avenida Del Mar #4

RESTAURANTS


The Bargain Box 949.492.2800526 N. El Camino Real, www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org

SECONDHAND/CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control 949.361.25001402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com

Salon Bamboo 949.361.3348150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, www.salonbamboo.comSalon Bleu 949.366.2060207 S. El Camino Real, www.scsalonbleu.com

Sanctuary Salon & Spa 949.429.58021041 Avenida Pico, Ste. B, www.sanctuarytalega.com

SALONS

San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

Offshore Construction 949.444.6323www.offshoreconstruction.org

WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION

Tutor Toes 949.429.6222111 W. Avenida Palizada, Ste. 11, www.tutortoes.com

TUTORING

Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.53881393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

WATER DAMAGE

Jim Thomas Roofing 949.498.6204162 Calle de Industrias

ROOFING CONTRACTORS

REAL ESTATEAntonio Fiorello, Forté Realty Group 949.842.3631San Clemente, www.forterealtygroup.com

Marcie George - Star Real Estate South County [email protected] 949.690.5410

“Sandy & Rich” - ReMaxwww.sandyandrich.com 949.293.3236

Costa Verde Landscape 949.361.9656License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27), www.costaverdelandscaping.com

CONCRETE

Images/Creative Solutions 949.366.24882927 Via San Gorgoinio, Ste. 100, www.imgs.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Colony Termite Control 949.361.25001402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com

PEST CONTROL

KC Painting & Decorating 949.388.68293349 Paseo Halcon, www.bringcolorintoyourlife.com

PAINTING


HOME DÉCOR


MATTRESSES

Kreative Hair Design 949.498.6245173 Avenida Serra

HAIR SALONS

Oasis Heating & Air 949.420.132131648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

HEATING

Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.53881393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

Brian Wiechman, 949.533.9209Equity Coast Mortgage, a division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOLD REMOVAL

MORTGAGES

SC Rider Supply 949.388.0521520 S. El Camino Real, www.scridersupply.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE


OFFICE FURNITURE

Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556www.danmans.com

Janet Poth - Violin & Viola 949.922.6388413 Calle Pueblo, [email protected]

MUSIC LESSONS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 949.361.4867 (GUMS)1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, www.moranperio.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Costa Verde Landscape 949.361.9656License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) www.costaverdelandscaping.com

LANDSCAPING

LIST YOUR BUSINESSIN “LOCALS ONLY”

Call at Debra Wells at 949.589.0892or [email protected]

B U S I N E S S • S P O T L I G H T

YOUR BUSINESS HERE!Sign up to be featured as our monthly

Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Four weeks in print and online.

Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email

[email protected]

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 949.493.9311647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, www.drericjohnson.com

Kristen Ritzau DDS 949.498.4110122 Avenida Cabrillo, www.KristenRitzauDDS.com

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

CLASSIFIEDS

SALES PERSON WANTED Picket Fence Media, owner of the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and Capistrano Dispatch, is looking for an advertising sales rep to join our dynamic team. Ideal candidate will have prior experience with media sales. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Alyssa Garrett at [email protected].

RUMMAGE SALEThe Dana Point Woman’s’ Club is holding an impromptu “Truly Snooty” rummage sale on Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 8 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Club House at 24642 San Juan St., Dana Point (behind the Harbor House Cafe). Items for sale include: antiques, collectibles, household items, pic-tures etc. Proceeds will benefit the restora-tion of the Club House and the community. Contact Ann (949) 444-1667.

GARAGE SALE: SATURDAY JAN. 18TH 7AM-12PM 33531 Blue Lantern Dana Point CA 92629. Lots of stuff. Dinning room table with leaf & 6 chairs, coffee table & end table, 56” Samsung TV, workout bench, 32 bottle Wine Cellar, pictures, desk, chair, surf stuff, so much more! We will start at 7am

GIANT GARAGE SALESat. & Sun, Jan. 18 & 19. 8am – 2pm. Furni-ture, exercise equipment, antique glassware and dishes, computer hardware, clothing, books and lots of great decorative items. 1907 Calle de los Alamos, SC (corner of Lasuen and de los Alamos)

FULL TIME RECEPTIONIST needed immedi-ately for Hearing Aid Office in Dana Point.Must be mature, friendly and computer competent. Will be responsible for front desk tasks, and assisting the Hearing Aid Dispenser when needed. Insurance Bill-ing experience a plus. Please email resume to [email protected] please include Resume in the subject line.Please no phone calls, faxes, or walk ins.

GARAGE SALES

HELP WANTED


BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

HERECall 949.388.7700, ext. 103

or email [email protected]

SCSan Clemente

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

HERECall 949.388.7700, ext. 103

or email [email protected]

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYSC SURF

6SCSan Clemente


SURF FORECASTWater Temperature: 59-61 degrees FWater Visibility and Conditions:San Clemente: 10-15’ FairCatalina: 15-20’ FairImmediate: A modest blend of fading northwest swell prevails on Thursday. Bet-ter breaks run mainly knee-thigh occ. waist high (1-2 occ. 3’), with some better sets for standout winter focal points. Conditions are good with light easterly flow in the morning, giving way to a light to westerly sea-breeze in the afternoon. Size bump up a bit on Friday as a small South-southwest swell moves in. Long Range Outlook: Stronger Westnorth-west groundswell fills in over the weekend, as nice winds/weather continue. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

RESULTSSurfing America Prime, Event No. 4, January 11-12, Santa Cruz, Steamer LaneBoys U14: 1. Crosby Colapinto, San Clemente; 2. Eithan Osborne, Ventura; 3. Sam Coffey, Santa Cruz; 4. Noah Hill, Malibu.Girls U16: 1. Meah Collins, Costa Mesa; 2. Maddie Peter-son, Wildwood Crest, N.J.; 3. Caroline Marks, Melbourne Beach, Fla.; 4. Malia Osterkamp, San Clemente.Boys U16: 1. Nolan Rapoza, Long Beach; 2. Luke Marks, Melbourne Beach, Fla.; 3. Sean Woods, Ventura; 4. Kei Kobayashi, San Clemente.Girls U18: 1. Steffi Kerson, Thousand Oaks; 2. Tia Blanco, San Clemente; 3. Meah Collins, Costa Mesa; 4. Ashley Held, Santa Cruz.Boys U18: 1. Ben Coffey, Santa Cruz; 2. Jake Davis, Cap-istrano Beach; 3. Nic Hdez, Santa Cruz; 4. Nolan Rapoza, Long Beach.

UPCOMING EVENTSFebruary 1-2: NSSA Open, Event No. 7, Dana Point, Salt Creek February 8-9: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 5, San Onofre State Park, Upper Trestles February 8: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 4, Oceans-ide, Pier February 8: NSSA Explorer, Event No. 8, Hun-tington Beach, 9th Street February 15-16: WSA Champi-onship Tour, Event No. 7, Huntington Beach, Pier March 1-2: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 8, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty March 1-2: NSSA Open, Event No. 8, Ventura, C Street March 15-16: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 6, Huntington Beach, Pier March 22: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 5, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street March 22-23: NSSA Open, Event No. 9, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty

By Andrea SwayneSan Clemente Times

ompeting at Steamer Lane is a rite of passage on a young surfer’s budding career path. For first-

timers, jumping into the lineup from the rocky cliff at the point can be intimidating enough, but when the Pacific delivers huge waves, even the most experienced athletes must turn up their focus and fight back feelings of intimidation and even fear. Last weekend about 100 contest surfers under the age of 18 did just that, and five locals were among the finalists.

For Surfing America Prime athletes, huge and unruly surf at the famed Santa Cruz surf break challenged comfort zones and required an advanced level of athleti-cism on January 12, day two of event No. 4 of the series.

A west-northwest swell brought waves in the overhead to 7-foot range on Saturday and then built up to the 10- to 12-foot range with occasionally larger sets on Sunday. Heavy currents further complicated things, often making it necessary for surfers to exit

C

Surfers Stun at Steamer Lane

Age: 16, Connections Academy

The last few weeks have been exciting for USA Team member Tia Blanco. On December 28, the San Clemente resident won her first pro contest at the American Pro Surfing Series Shoe City Pro in Huntington Beach. The win not only earned her a $1,200 prize but also the women’s season champion title. “It was the first time I’ve held up a giant check and it was really exciting,” Tia said. Then on January 12 she battled through large, pounding surf to a second-place finish at the Surfing America Prime Steamer Lane event in Santa Cruz. As the swell built to triple overhead on day two of the contest, she conquered fear to claim her spot on the podium. “I’m not gonna lie, it was pretty scary jumping off the cliff in the final. The

sets were huge and I had to do the ‘run around’ with 10 minutes left. I had to wait for eight minutes before jumping back in because the waves were just exploding on the rocks, so I didn’t get back into the water until about two minutes left,” she said. “It was a really good experience.” On Tuesday Tia arrived in Hawaii for the North Shore Surf Shop Sunset Beach Pro Junior and next month heads to Australia for a couple of Association of Surfing Professionals qualifying events. “Everything I’m doing now is to challenge myself and gain experience,” Tia said. “My ultimate goal is to make the ASP World Tour and maybe be world champion one day.” —Andrea Swayne

GROM OF THE WEEK TIA BLANCO

Tia Blanco. Photo by Jack McDaniel

Surfing America Prime competitors take on huge waves in Santa Cruz, 5 locals make the finals

the water and do the “run around” back to the point to catch more waves.

Two San Clemente girls fought through to the finals. Tia Blanco turned in a second-place finish in Girls U18 and Malia

Osterkamp took fourth in Girls U16.In boys’ competition, Crosby Colap-

into of San Clemente put on a stunning performance to take the win in the Boys U14 division. Kei Kobayashi, also of San Clemente, took fourth in Boys U16 and Capistrano Beach’s Luke Davis was the Boys U18 runner-up.

Davis said he was definitely pleased to make the finals but felt like he and his fellow surfers were not able to get their share of waves due to the conditions.

“It was definitely interesting and chal-lenging to say the least. It was too big and out of control to really surf to our poten-tial,” Davis said. “With waves easily in the 15-foot range at Middle Peak, it was more like you against the ocean, not you against the competitors. I was really hoping for a win at the Lane but I’m glad that Ben (Coffey) got the win in front of his home crowd.”

The next Surfing America Prime event is scheduled for February 8 and 9 at San Onofre State Beach, Upper Trestles. SC

Competitors in the Surfing America Prime at Steamer Lane had to carefully time their jump into the lineup from the cliff at the point on January 12, day two of the event, due to huge surf. Photo by Jack McDaniel

Jake Davis of Capistrano Beach brought home a second-place finish from Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, January 11-12 at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz. Photo by Jack McDaniel

January 16, 2014

Documents

Transcript of January 16, 2014