March 14, 2014

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5

Recall Effort Ends, Son Charged in Murder

of Parents and MoreEYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

How the West Had Fun: Photos from El Presidente Ball

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE MARCH 14–27, 2014

FOUNDED IN 2002

INSIDE: Full Swallows Day

Parade Lineup CENTER PULLOUT SECTION

San Juan Hills seniors (L to R) Ryan Schickling, Logan Zotovich and Garrett Austin will lead the boys volleyball team in 2014. The team captured the program’s fi rst league title last season. Photo by Steve Breazeale

Springinginto Action

San Juan area spring sports teams gear up for a new season

S P O RT S / PAG E 1 5

THE LATEST: A movement to unseat San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sam Allevato ended last Thursday after recall organizers abandoned gathering signatures to trigger a special election.

Residents for Honest Government, the group behind the recall, said efforts to gather the 3,500 signatures need by Friday, March 7 to enact a special election had fallen short. John Perry, one of the group’s organizers, did not say how many signa-tures had been collected but said the group “came close.”

Allevato announced the recall’s end last Friday during a community chat largely attended by supporters, who cheered the news.

“Even though these detractors spun mistruths, you were able to see through the hype and rebuked their attempt to mislead,” Allevato told the crowd.

WHAT’S NEXT: In a statement, recall organizers said they would remain active and “focus their energies instead on the November election.”

The terms of Councilmen Larry Kramer, Derek Reeve and John Taylor end this year. The group explicitly targeted Kramer and Taylor for replacement and said it would serve as a campaign organization for its preferred candidates.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. – Andrea Papagianis and Jim Shilander

What’s Up With...S A N J U A N C A P I S T R A N O ’ S T O P 5 H O T T E S T T O P I C S

…the Recall?1

1LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON SJC

www.thecapistranodispatch.comThe Capistrano Dispatch March 14–27, 2014

…the Sachs Homicide?

…the Downtown Hotel?

…the Assembly Race?

…the La Pata Project?

23

4

5

THE LATEST: The 19-year-old son of a divorced couple found shot to death in their San Juan Capistrano home has been charged with killing his parents, authori-

THE LATEST: San Juan Capistrano city offi cials and residents want a new hotel downtown, but a proposal to build one drew criticism Tuesday over several ele-ments, including parking, massing and its proximity to the historic Egan House.

THE LATEST: With the fi ling deadline passed, the race to fi ll Assemblywoman Di-ane Harkey’s 73rd District seat is shaping up as four Republicans and one Democrat met the March 7 cutoff date.

The Republican candidates are Dana Point City Councilman Bill Brough, Capist-rano Unifi ed School District Trustee Anna Bryson, former Laguna Niguel Mayor Paul Glabb and Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Jesse Petrilla. College profes-sor and public-interest lawyer Wendy Gabriella is the race’s only Democrat.

WHAT’S NEXT: Harkey is termed out of

THE LATEST: While there is no defi nitive groundbreaking date as yet for the La Pata extension project to connect San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, county offi cials said Tuesday they expect the project to begin this spring.

Offi cials from Orange County Public Works and other county agencies met with members of the public Tuesday at San Juan Hills High School to present information on the project and answer questions.

The project will be done in three phases, with the fi rst closing the 2.27 miles between San Clemente’s Avenida La Pata, near Calle Saluda, to La Pata Avenue, near the Prima Deshecha landfi ll in San Juan. The other two, including an extension of San Clem-ente’s Camino del Rio, will be completed at the end of gap-closure project.

WHAT’S NEXT: County offi cials said the contractor, Sukut Construction, has not yet provided a defi nitive schedule.

Another public open house will be held Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the upper campus of San Clemente High School, located at 700 Avenida Pico.

FIND OUT MORE: For project updates, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. – JS

SAN CLEMENTEClaiming the city of San Clemente is threat-

ening the safety of their homes, residents of Capistrano Shores Mobile Home Park

announced Wednesday they have sued the city. Residents and attorneys for the home-

owners have been a consistent presence at City Council meetings in recent months,

saying that the city is being slow in its review of a several million dollar utility replacement

project that was approved by the California Coastal Commission last year. Residents say

the utilities at the site have decayed to the point that they fear for their safety. Accord-ing to city records, the city’s third review of

the plan was sent back with comments to Capistrano Shores on Feb. 12. City Manager

Pall Gudgeirsson said the suit would be discussed in closed session at the next San Clemente City Council meeting, March 18.

NEWS NEXT DOOR

DANA POINTState Assemblywoman Diane Harkey’s Board of Equalization fi eld of opponents was whittled down as state Sen. Mark Wyland pulled his name from the heated race. Wyland said he will instead focus his efforts on his educational foundation. The race between the lawmakers heated up in July when Wyland mentioned legal troubles had by Harkey’s husband Dan. Dan Harkey and his real-estate investment company were sued by investors for fraud. A jury held him and the company viable and awarded investors some $10 million last year. Harkey sued Wyland for defamation in September, but later dropped the suit. The fi ve-member state board admin-isters sales and property taxes, and acts as an appellate body for business and personal tax appeals. Harkey is running for the seat covering Los Angeles, Orange, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING

TOWNS1ties announced last Friday.

Ashton Colby Sachs was taken into custody in San Diego County on Thursday, March 6, nearly a month after his parents, Bradford Hans Sachs, 57, and Andra Resa

Sachs, 54, were found dead in their home.Orange County Sheriff’s Department

investigators say Ashton Sachs shot and killed his parents while they were asleep and also shot and paralyzed his 8-year-old brother. The Orange County District Attorney’s Offi ce also said Ashton Sachs shot at but missed one of his two teenage sisters, who were inside the residence at the time of the shooting.

WHAT’S NEXT: Ashton Sachs is charged with two counts of special circumstances murder, two felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and delibera-tion, personal use of a fi rearm causing bodily injury and causing paralysis. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole and is eligible for the death penalty.

An arraignment scheduled Monday, March 10 was postponed to April 4.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. – BP

her seat. She is running for the state Board of Equalization’s 4th District.

Statewide primary elections are Tuesday, June 3. The two top vote-earning candidates in the 73rd District will advance to the Nov. 4 general election. All registered voters are permitted to vote in the primary election for any candidate regardless of their political affi liation.

FIND OUT MORE: Register online to vote at www.sos.ca.gov or www.ocvotes.com/registration. – AP

Urban Village’s $43 million plan, called the San Juan Hotel & Villas, calls for a 136-room, three-story hotel to be built at 31878 Camino Capistrano. The project also includes 33 three-story townhomes, a two-level underground parking garage, 2,700 square feet of commercial space and plans to extend Forster Street to Del Obispo Street.

During a joint workshop, City Council members and Planning Commissioners, as well as a number of residents, expressed their support for a hotel but also said parking could be inadequate and pose a problem. Others said the hotel obstructed the view of the Egan House and suggested the developer scale the project back.

WHAT’S NEXT: Josh Host, the principal and co-founder of Urban Village, present-ed an aggressive timeline for the project.

If approved in April, he said a ground-breaking could happen in September and construction could be completed in 18 months.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. – BP

Ashton Colby Sachs. Courtesy photo


EYE ON SJC

n a city that’s steeped in as extensive and rich a history as San Juan Cap-istrano, a tradition and spectacle the

magnitude of the Swallows Day Parade can hold a very special meaning for many families.

The Leone family understands the al-lure of the Swallows Day Parade very well.

For more than 30 years now, two gen-erations of Leones have come together to not only share in the experience of the parade, but to help make it so for other families as well.

“This town is such a nice place, and we’ve always wanted visitors to have the same experience,” Jim Leone said. “We want them to come back. We’ve always wanted to give them something to marvel at and to give them that hometown feel-ing.”

The Leones’ San Juan story begins in 1982, when Jim, who was stationed at U.S. Naval base Port Hueneme, took a trip down to visit family in the area. It was the Friday of Hoos’Gow Day, and volunteers with the Fiesta Association, the group that organizes the Swallows Day Parade, were locking up unsuspecting city slickers caught wearing anything but Western gear, in addition to clean-shaven men.

“At that point, I said, ‘I like this town,’ and I decided to move to San Juan Capist-

he San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Associ-ation turned back the clock Saturday night during its annual El Presidente

Ball at El Adobe de Capistrano.Guests arrived wearing early Califor-

nia, Western and Spanish attire and were treated to an evening of dinner, dancing, live music by Swing Shift and a silent auction.

The event serves to honor the Fiesta Association’s president, Steve Weekes. Parade Chairman Ben Dixon presented special belt buckles to Weekes, this year’s Swallows Day Parade dignitaries, Deborah and James Valgean, and Grand Marshal Jim Curwood.

At the end of the night, Ladera Ranch residents Gary and Laura Kephart were voted the “Best Dressed” guests. CD

Swallows Day Parade is Home for Leone Family

How the West had Fun

By Brian ParkThe Capistrano Dispatch

Story and photos by Brian ParkThe Capistrano Dispatch

Fiesta Association cele-brates with Western ball

rano,” Jim said.A year later, Jim’s father and family

patriarch, Boots, visited from their home-town of Hampden, Mass.

Boots’ brother, who was living in the area, knew of the Fiesta Association, and given his brother’s penchant for history and dressing up, suggested Boots get involved with the organization.

His daughters eventually made their way out west—Nina in 1984 and Shan-non in 2003, first in Palo Alto before

I

T

(From L to R) For more than 30 years, the Leone family—Brittany Forsey, Leslie, Jim, Boots, Nina and Shannon—have volunteered with the Fiesta Association to help to organize the Swallows Day Parade. Photo by Brian Park

Clockwise from top left: (From L to R) Ms. Fiesta Deborah Valgean and Señor San Juan James Val-gean presented Ladera Ranch residents Laura and Gary Kephart with the “Best Dressed” award. Jim Curwood, the grand marshal for the 56th Swallows Day Parade, shows off the special belt buckle he was given by the Fiesta Association. John “Fish” Fischle and Nancy Ingham take to the dance floor. Fiesta Association President Steve Weekes thanks board members and volunteers for their work dur-ing the Fiesta de las Golondrinas season.

moving down south to San Juan. To their friends, Nina and Shannon are known as “D.O.B,” or “Daughters of Boots,” while Jim is sometimes playfully referred to as “S.O.B.,” or “Son of Boots.”

For a few years, before actually settling in the city, Boots, and sometimes his daughters, flew in from Massachusetts, several times in a year, to help with the Fi-esta Association. That led many volunteers and people around town to believe Boots is a resident.

“A lot of people thought I’d been here for years,” Boots said. “I would just show up, spend two weeks here, go to meetings and then be gone.”

Since the mid 1980s, the Leones have dedicated much of their time to the Fiesta Association, either as a helping hand on parade day or in more active roles. Jim served on the association’s board for three years, and Nina is a current board mem-ber, who’s helped to organize newsletters, the popular Kids Pet Parade and other events in the Fiesta de las Golondrinas season.

Along the way, there have been plenty of memories created.

In 2001, Jim met his wife Leslie, who at the time was a new volunteer. On Hoos’Gow Day, the two shared a ride and an intrepid Jim asked for a kiss. Six years later, Jim proposed to Leslie in front of the entire Fiesta Association.

“He got me good,” Leslie said.The two were married a year later, and

during the 50th Swallows Day Parade, the newlyweds walked the parade route in their wedding attire. The couple remains active with the Fiesta Association as world champion gun spinners in their Wild West entertainment outfit.

This year, the Leones are expecting another brother, Tony, to fly in from Massachusetts for the parade. If history repeats itself, the Fiesta Association will have another Leone to deal with. CD

EYE ON SJC

Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about

awards, events, happenings,

accomplishments and more. Forward

a picture along, too! We’ll put your

submissions into “News Bites.”

Send your information to

[email protected].

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 Brian Park

SONGS Community Panel Meets for the First Time March 25

The public is invited to attend the first meeting of a recently formed panel that aims to encourage dialogue about the de-commissioning process for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The SONGS Community Engagement Panel, formed by Southern California Edi-son, will conduct its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, March 25, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 North Calle Seville.

The panel is made up of representatives from impacted jurisdictions in Orange and San Diego counties, including San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sam Allevato, Capistrano Unified School District Board President John Alpay and Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates.

An agenda will be prepared by Edison prior to the meeting.

For more information on the panel, visit www.songscommunity.com.

St. Margaret’s Teacher Travels to Argentina as Fulbright Scholar

Jennifer Ab-bate, a second-grade teacher at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, was accepted as a Fulbright scholar in January and will be traveling to Buenos Aires, Argen-tina this month to teach English.

Abbate will remain in Argentina through July and will also train elementary school teachers in public schools. She is the first St. Margaret’s teacher to receive the scholarship.

“The Fulbright Scholar Program strength-ens my passion for global education and will allow me to bring back to my classroom at

St. Margaret’s an understanding of elemen-tary school culture and curriculum in Buenos Aires,” Abbate said in a release.

The Fulbright Program is a competitive merit-based scholarship created in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright. The program is one of the largest educational exchange programs in the world.

Noted Orange County Historian to Speak at Historical Society Meeting

Orange County historian and author Phil Brigandi will be a special guest speaker during the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s meeting on Wednesday, March 26.

Brigandi has been researching and writing about local history since 1975 and has writ-ten several articles and published more than two dozen books on the history of Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties.

Brigandi will discuss his latest book, Orange County Chronicles, which includes 10 stories tracing 200 years of history in the county. He will share a number of stories that highlight San Juan Capistrano.

The community is invited to attend the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. and will take place at the San Juan Capistrano Com-munity Center, 25925 Camino del Avion.

For more information on the Historical Society, visit their website, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

Experienced Equestrians Needed for LART

The city of San Juan Capistrano is look-ing for volunteers to join its Large Animal Response Team.

LART volunteers respond to disasters throughout Orange County by assisting in the evacuation and sheltering of horses and other large animals.

Experienced equestrians are encour-aged to apply and certification training is required. Upon completion of a training program, which includes a lecture, lab and

test, volunteers will be sworn in as certified disaster workers and will be asked to assist during county-wide emergencies.

The mandatory classroom portion of the training program is in three parts and will begin on Wednesday, March 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a pizza dinner hosted by the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition.

The lab and testing portion of the pro-gram will be held on Sunday, March 30, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Ortega Eques-trian Center, 27252 Calle Arroyo.

To sign up or for more information, con-tact Marc Hedgpeth at [email protected] or Gretchen Verbeerst at [email protected].

Local Leaders Gather for Groundbreaking for New Fire Station

Local elected officials and community members joined with the Orange County Fire Authority on Friday, March 7 to take part in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new fire station that will be built in the de-veloping Rancho Mission Viejo community.

The station, designated as Fire Station No. 56, will be located off Antonio Parkway and Sendero Way, in Rancho Mission Viejo’s first village, Sendero. Construction is expected to begin in March. When the station is open for operation in January 2015, it will serve Rancho Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch and the eastern parts of San Juan Capistrano.

The station will be approximately 10,000 square feet and will sit on a one-acre site that was dedicated to OCFA by the Rancho Mission Viejo Company.

The ceremony was attended by Mayor Sam Allevato, who is also an OCFA board member, as well as Orange County Super-visor Pat Bates and Rancho Mission Viejo owner Tony Moiso. OCFA officials included Fire Chief Keith Richter and Division 3 Chief Kirk Wells.

(From L to R) Rancho Mission Viejo President Tony Moiso, Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Keith Richter and Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates at the groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station No. 56, which will be located in Sendero, the first village of Rancho Mission Viejo. Moiso and Bates are holding framed drawings of the new station. Courtesy of Jakub Lichtenstein/Orange County Fire Authority

Jennifer Abbate. Courtesy of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

The Capistrano Dispatch March 14–27, 2014

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter

COMPILED BY BRIAN PARK

All 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 in-

cident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption 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, March 11

RECKLESS DRIVINGHunt Club Drive/Ortega Highway (6 p.m.)A caller at the front gate of a commu-nity said there were two subjects racing through the neighborhood on dirt bikes.

CITIZEN ASSISTAlipaz Street, 32200 Block (5:41 p.m.)A caller said a male employee threatened to “crack” their head. It was unclear if the caller was a coworker or customer.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLEVia Parra/Calle Arroyo (7:56 a.m.)A patrol check was requested for a man in a gold, two-door Mazda who was slumped over the steering wheel. The man was only described as having dark hair.

Monday, March 10

CITIZEN ASSISTVia Belardes, 31800 Block (11:14 p.m.)A female caller said she felt she was being blackmailed via Facebook.

DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTEPaseo Carolina, 32000 Block (6:59 p.m.)A caller said their 19-year-old brother was “out of control” and going around the residence and insulting the family. The caller believed the brother was under the influence of marijuana.

Sunday, March 9

DISTURBANCEVia Madonna/Via Del Cerro (10:46 p.m.)A patrol check was requested at Four Oaks Park, where six subjects were seen exiting a red Mustang, blacking out and then running around the park.

DRUNK IN PUBLICCamino Capistrano, 31800 Block (8:28 p.m.) A 30- to 40-year-old drunken blonde woman, wearing a multi-colored dress and black boots, was seen stumbling into the street.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLEVerdugo Street, 26700 Block (5:56 p.m.)A man, who appeared disoriented, parked his brown, older model vehicle in the middle of the street, near the entrance of the parking structure, blocking other cars. The man was described to be between 60 and 70 years old and wearing a black baseball cap and khaki pants.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCECalle San Luis/Calle San Juan (12:42 p.m.) Five male juveniles and one female juvenile, all described as being at least 15 years old, were seen drinking alcohol.

Saturday, March 8

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTYAvenida De La Vista, 30800 Block (11:35 p.m.) A caller said a loud band was performing on a patio near the area. Dispatch reported it was difficult to un-derstand the caller due to the loud music heard in the background.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLECalle Roberto/Aguacate Road (7:46 p.m.)A caller said a white, two-door Nissan Altima had pulled over at the dead end of Aguacate Road after driving slowly, up and down, through the neighborhood.

STOLEN VEHICLEOrtega Highway, 27700 Block (3:34 p.m.)A woman said her 2005 gold Volvo was missing from her driveway. The woman also reported that her purse and keys were missing.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-UNKNOWN INJURIESLa Zanja Street/Camino Capistrano (2:29 p.m.) A caller witnessed an ac-cident between a motorcycle and a van. The caller said the motorcyclist had stood up but was injured. The Orange County Fire Authority, as well as a flatbed truck, responded to the scene.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTYVia Mirador, 30900 Block (12:10 a.m.)A security patrol person said approximate-ly 50 kids were at a house party. The caller believed the parents were away.

Friday, March 7

ANNOYING PHONE CALLOrtega Highway, 27200 Block (7:43 p.m.)A woman calling from the parking lot near Starbucks said she was receiving text messages and phone calls from her boyfriend’s former roommate.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCECamino La Ronda/La Novia Avenue (4:59 p.m.) A man, described to be in his late 60s, wearing a plaid shirt and with white hair and a white beard “like Santa,” was seen lying on the sidewalk near a tree.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 14–27, 2014

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX

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

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 12, Issue 5. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch ) is published twice monthly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (www.sanclement-etimes.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

Senior Group Editor> Andrea Swayne

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch> Brian Park

Sports Editor> Steve Breazeale

City Editor, SC Times> Jim Shilander

City Editor, DP Times> Andrea Papagianis

ART/DESIGN

Senior Designer> Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

> Lisa Consenza (San Clemente)

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

OPERATIONS

Finance Director> Mike Reed

Business Operations Manager> Alyssa Garrett

Accounting ManagerDistribution Manager> Tricia Zines

SPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller, Jonathan Volzke

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Catherine Manso, Tawnee Prazak, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent, Michael Vogeler

CITY EDITORSTORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

Brian Park, 949.388.7700, x108 [email protected]

ADVERTISINGPRINT AND ONLINE

Debra Wells, 949.388.7700, x104 [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, [email protected]

BILLINGAlyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 [email protected]

HOW TO REACH US

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch 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 refl ect those of The Capist-rano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, email us at [email protected]

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

PUBLISHER’S LETTER: by Norb Garrett

GUEST OPINION: Moments In Time by Jan Siegel

Lots to Celebrate at Picket Fence Media

Come for the Parade, Stay for the AdobesSwallows Day Parade provides a great opportunity to check out San Juan’s historic adobes

icket Fence Media is thrilled to announce the hiring of a new sales/marketing person to our team, Lisa

Cosenza.Lisa comes to us after spending the past

20 years working in community media with the Los Angeles Times community media group. Like all of us, she has a passion for community media and brings knowledge and experience to our team.

While Lisa will work across our network of community media properties, such as The Capistrano Dispatch, San Clemente Times and Dana Point Times, she will primarily focus her attention on San

s you watch the Swallows Day Parade and taste

the foods at the Mercado Street Faire, you will pass by the rich history of San Juan Capistrano.

Along the parade route and across the railroad tracks on Los Rios Street are several old adobe

homes that speak to the history of our town.There were two major building periods

for adobes in San Juan Capistrano. The Mission was built by adobe bricks in 1776. By 1794, houses were needed for soldiers, neophytes, artisans and married couples who worked at the Mission. Two structures are located on either side of Los Rios Park.

The Montanez Adobe is a museum and will be open on parade day. As one of the oldest buildings in town, it was part of the 1794 construction period. Tomas Gutier-

Clemente, alongside longtime SC Times sales/marketing rep Michele Reddick and associate publisher Lauralyn Loynes, who also heads up our efforts in Dana Point. Debra Wells continues to focus on The Dispatch and the San Juan Capistrano area.

As we continue our efforts to expand our reputation as your best source for lo-cal news, we invite you to stay connected, not only to our print edition, but also to our online editions and other popular social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Adding a one-touch bookmark to the

being restored.The biggest difference between the two

building periods is the thickness of the walls. In 1794, walls were built thick to keep rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There were no windows, as glass was too highly prized a commodity. By 1841, windows were commonplace, so the walls were thinner.

On Camino Capistrano, there are sev-eral old adobes. El Adobe de Capistrano is made up of two adobes put together to form the restaurant. As you enter the restaurant, a part was left open to allow stagecoaches to drive up to the adobe. Next to El Adobe is the Yorba Adobe, which was built in 1841 and is currently a private residence. Next door, the two-story Garcia Adobe is the best example of the Monterey-style architecture found in Orange County. Nearby, the Avila Adobe, now a business, was once the grandest home in the area.

home screen of your cell phone or tablet is a great way to stay connected. And for those of you who use iPhones and iPads, it’s now even easier than before. Search www.thecapistranodis-patch.com, or any of our other titles, in your browser and a convenient prompt will automatically add a home screen button for you.

Please reach out to Lisa and help us welcome her to the Picket Fence team at [email protected] or call her at 949.388.7700 x111. CD

Next to Historic Town Center Park is the Blas Aguilar Adobe, built in 1794. This adobe is open to the public on parade day and represents all of the cultures that have made San Juan Capistrano such a unique community.

The 56th Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire will take place Saturday, March 22. On parade day, spend a Moment In Time by enjoying all the festivities and visiting the two adobe muse-ums. Both are free to the public.

Jan Siegel is a 26-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recogni-tion in 2007. CD

P

A

Join us in welcoming Lisa Cosenza (right) to the Picket Fence Media team. Also pictured (L to R) sales asociate Debra Wells and Lauralyn Loynes, as-sociate publisher of PFM. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

rez was a carpenter at the Mission, and his third daughter, Polonia, became the deed holder of the property. She spent most of her married life in the house, and it is her life that is represented by the museum. She was one of four midwives in San Juan Capistrano. She taught catechism to the children of the community when there was no priest at the Mission. She was also known for her herbal remedies for many ailments.

The Rios Adobe is also from the 1794 construction period. It is a private resi-dence, occupied by the same family, and is the oldest home in the oldest residential street in California. The children of the owner are the 10th generation of the Rios family to live in the adobe. It is also where the street takes its name.

The Silvas Adobe, located on the His-torical Society property, is an example of an 1841 adobe, the second major construc-tion period for adobes. It is currently

MOMENTSIN TIME

By Jan Siegel


YOUR TWO-WEEK EVENT PLANNER

GETTING OUT

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

DEREK BORDEAUX BAND7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live Motown and R&B covers at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacifi c Coast High-way, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

friday 14

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

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

LEPRECHAUN HUNT 9 a.m.-11 a.m. St. Patrick’s-inspired event at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Con-servancy. $5-$10. 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

BACKYARD SKILLS WORKSHOP: FRUIT TREE CARE 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The Ecology Center’s workshop on fruit tree care and how to design the backyard orchard of your dreams. $10-$20. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capist-rano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

ATTRACTING BLUEBIRDS 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Presentation at Tree of Life Nursery on how to attract bluebirds to your garden. 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION WITH THE FENIANS 8 p.m. Special alternative/indie band and festive show at The Coach House. $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

THE CREEPERS 8:30 p.m. Music at Montego Restaurant and Bar. 27211 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.481.2723, www.montegorestaurant.com.

saturday 15

MIKE DE BELLIS SATIN EXPRESS JAZZ DUO12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Jazz on the Patio every Sunday at Ciao Pasta Trattoria. 31661 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capist-

rano, 949.496.5002, www.ciaopasta.net.

MIKE HAMILTON Noon-4 p.m. Live music on the patio at Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capist-rano, 949.240.8055, www.missiongrillsjc.com.

sunday 16

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Cruise the Dana Point Harbor and enjoy wine aboard a luxury catamaran with Dana Wharf. Tickets $49. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana

Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

COOKING CLASS: CALIFRENCH CUISINE6:30 p.m. Cooking class with Chef Caroline Cazaumayou at Antoine’s Café featuring braised black cod in white wine, toma-

toes and olives. $50. 218 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.1763, www.antoinescafe.com.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY AT THE SWALLOW’S 8 a.m.-close. Special event at Swallow’s Inn with food and drink specials all day, plus DJ Patrick. 31786 Camino Capist-

rano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

sunday23

monday24

monday17

ST. JOSEPH’S DAY AND THE RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Annual celebration at Mission

San Juan Capistrano with presentations, music, perfor-mances, activities, food vendors, walking tours and more. Admission $6–$9. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

FIESTA GRANDE 6:30 p.m. Fiesta Association’s annual event at Swallow’s Inn featuring an array of contests including Best Mustache, Best Beard, Hairiest Man/Smooth Puss, Best Dressed Western Man/Woman and more. Cost $5 per entry. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

wednesday19

HOOS’GOW DAY 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Fiesta Association’s an-nual event brings a taste of the wild West back to town with activities including famous “arrests” of those not sporting

Western duds. 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

GARDEN ANGELS 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Volunteers meet every Thursday at Los Rios Park to help maintain the garden and more. Bring gloves and wear close-toed shoes.

949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

friday21

thursday20

SWALLOW’S DAY PARADE AND MERCADO STREET FAIRE 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Fiesta Association’s 56th running of the nation’s largest non-motorized parade begins

at 11 a.m. followed by a street faire and more. Rain or shine. 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

saturday22

KNITLIT: KNITTING BOOK GROUP 6 p.m. Discuss the book of the month and do your craft of choice at the San Juan Capistrano Library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capist-

rano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

MISSION READERS BOOK GROUP 10:30 a.m. Join other readers for a lively and informal book discussion at the San Juan Capistrano Library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capist-

rano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

IMPROVISATION CLASSES 7 p.m.-10 p.m. The six-week course begins tonight at Camino Real Playhouse with instructor Bob Doll. Every Thursday; registration $660. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

tuesday25

thursday27

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANOFARMER’S MARKET 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Fresh produce and hand-crafted goods at El Camino Real

and Yorba Street in San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700.

wednesday26

One of the most aesthetically recognizable fi lmmakers of our time has his own niche of fre-quent collaborators, colorful set decorations and retro soundtracks. Wes Anderson’s newest feature, titled The Grand Budapest Hotel, is also his grandest, most extravagant, artistic and star-studded fi lm to date. For those wondering where they can fi nd 2014’s fi rst masterpiece, look no further. In 1932, in the fi ctional Eastern European country of Zubrowka, a teenager named Zero (Tony Revolori) becomes the new lobby boy of the Grand Budapest Hotel and sees fi rsthand how concierge M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) runs the place. After a month into the job, Zero and his boss are dragged into the investigation of the mysterious death of Gustave’s older lover, Madame D. (Tilda Swinton). The two go on the run from her greedy son Dmitri (Adrien Brody) and Dmitri’s hired assassin (Willem Dafoe) when it’s discovered Gustave is left some belongings in the Madame’s will. Saoirse Ronan, Jude Law, Edward Norton, Léa Seydoux, Jeff Golblum and Anderson regulars Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Owen Wilson appear throughout. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a fi lm that is surprisingly charming and clever yet adult oriented in its art and narrative. The fi lm shows a director who is completely at home in his craft for his fans to enjoy but also manages to attract other viewers. Though the cast may seem too crowded, Fiennes and Revolori shine brightest in this grand affair. —Megan Bianco

‘THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL’ IS THE GRANDEST OF ALL

© Twentieth Century Fox

AT THE MOVIES

S a t u r d a y , M a r c h 2 2 , 2 0 1 4D o w n t o w n S a n j u a n C a p i s t r a n o

T O V I E W P H O T O S F R O M T H I S Y E A R ’ S E V E N T , V I S I T t h e c a p i s t r a n o d i s p a t c h . c o m

PAraDE liNEupSwALloWs DAy

1 Spurs and Satin 2 Guns of the Round Table 3 BANNER - Fiesta de los Golondrinas 4 USMC - Mounted Color Guard 5 USMC - 3rd Aircraft Wing Band 6 USMC - 1st Battalion, 11th Marines 7 VFW and American Legion 8 BANNER - Grand Marshal 9 Grand Marshal - Jim Curwood 10 BANNER - Sycamore Trails Stable 11 Sycamore Trails Stable12 BANNER - Rancho Mission Viejo 13 Rancho Mission Viejo and Portolas 14 BANNER - El Viaje de Portola 15 Rancho Mission Viejo and Portolas16 Clans of the Highlands 17 BANNER - St. Margaret’s Episcopal School 18 St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

19 St. Margaret’s Episcopal School20 St. Margaret’s Episcopal School21 St. Margaret’s Episcopal School22 St. Margaret’s Episcopal School23 St. Margaret’s Episcopal School24 City of San Juan Capistrano Youth Advisory Board 25 City of San Juan Capistrano 26 Ballet Folklorico de San Juan Capistrano

27 BANNER - DIVISION 1 28 BANNER - Fiesta Posse 29 Fiesta Association Mounted Posse 30 BANNER - El Presidente 31 El Presidente - Steve Weekes 32 Orange County Sheriff ’s Department Mounted Patrol 33 Yvonne Camarena 34 Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano

LIneUPPAraDE56TH SWALLOWS DAY

35 San Juan Mission Docent Society 36 Mission Basilica School 37 Mission Basilica School38 Mission Basilica School39 Legion of Mary 40 Addie Alva 41 Dana Hills High School Marching Band 42 Dana Hills High School Marching Band

43 Dana Hills High School Marching Band 44 South Coast Shrine Club 45 J.F. Shea Therapeutic Center 46 San Juan Elementary School 47 Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club 48 CJ Brooks - CZ Appaloosa Club49 Juaneño Mission Indians 50 Juaneño Mission Indians51 Historical Society52 Miles4Autism 53 Rancho Cucamonga Equestrian Patrol54 Courtney Crother 55 Kranz Intermediate School 56 Kranz Intermediate School 57 Kranz Intermediate School 58 Kranz Intermediate School 59 Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley 60 Winchester Widows 61 South Coast ROP 62 Cub Scout Pack 973 and 79463 C-Star Pleasure Riders - Lindsey 64 C-Star Pleasure Riders - Pat Cravy 65 Oxford Preparatory Academy 66 Oxford Preparatory Academy 67 Oxford Preparatory Academy 68 Oxford Preparatory Academy 69 SJC Sister City Capestrano, Italy 70 Rancho Jalisco and La Tunera 71-74 (open as of press time)75 BANNER - DIVISION 276 Padre Junipero Serra and Las Tortugas

77 Wells Fargo Stagecoach 78 Mission Equine Hospital 79 Merced County Sheriff Posse80 Civil Air Patrol JROTC 81 Civil Air Patrol JROTC 82 Daphne Crother 83 Oak Avenue Royals Band 84 Oak Avenue Royals Band 85 Oak Avenue Royals Band 86 Oak Avenue Royals Band

87 Juaneño Mission Indians88 Side Saddle Saddlebred 89 Frontier Minis 90 San Juan Hills High School Football 91 San Juan Hills High School Equestrian Club 92 Kinoshita Elementary School93 Clifton Cubs Marching Band94 Clifton Cubs Marching Band 95 Clifton Cubs Marching Band

96 Clifton Cubs Marching Band97 Clifton Cubs Marching Band 98 Clifton Cubs Marching Band99 Vincent Michael Salon100 Charros San Gabriel 101 Camino Real Playhouse102 United Studios of Self Defense 103 Redwood Viking Band104 Redwood Viking Band 105 YMCA Adventure Guides 106 Victorian Roses Ladies 107 Making Magic Friesians 108 Independence Bank109 Corazones Alegres 110-111 (open as of press time)112 BANNER – DIVISION 3113 BANNER - Fiesta Dignitaries114 Fiesta Association Dignitaries 115 Las Vaqueras 116 Las Vaqueras 117 American Horse Products 118 Curly Patton and Hawk 119 BANNER - Pet Parade Winners 120 Pet Parade Winner - Noelle and Nero 121 Fountain Valley Marching Band 122 San Diego All Star Clowns 123 Del Obispo Elementary School 124 Glenn T. Seaborg Lodge125 Palmdale High School Falcon Corps 126 Palmdale High School Falcon Corps 127 Zuri Pet Spa & Resort 128 JSerra Catholic High School

129 JSerra Catholic High School130 JSerra Catholic High School 131 Hanaeleh 132 YMCA Adventure Guides 133 Anna Bryson, Trustee CUSD134 Escondido Mounted Posse 135 Civil Air Patrol Squadron JROTC 136 Canine Companions 137 West Middle School 138 West Middle School 139 West Middle School 140 Saber Guild 141 Vanessa Arroyo142 Riverside Rancheros 143 Family Assistance Ministries 144 Mini Madness Therapy Horses 145 Old Western Gals146 Mormon Battalion 147 Saddleback Canyon Riders 148 Rancho Arroyo 149 California State Firefi ghters150 Mariachi for All

151-154 (open as of press time)155 BANNER – DIVISION 4 156 Bell Gardens Elementary 157 Bell Gardens Elementary158 Bell Gardens Elementary159 Cub Scout Pack 12 160 Ricardo’s Place Restaurant 161 ICES Band and Colorguard 162 ICES Band and Colorguard 163 ICES Band and Colorguard164 Buccaneers of Tortuga 165 Farmers Merchant Bank 166 Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution 167 South El Monte High School Band 168 South El Monte High School Band169 South El Monte High School Band170 South El Monte High School Band 171 Lion’s Heart 172 Saddleback Valley Christian Schools 173 Saddleback Valley Christian Schools 174 Veritas Lodge No. 855175 Mark Parker and Popcorn176 Hole in the Wall Gang 177 O. C. Miniature Horses 178 City Sanctuary Church179 Los Rios Rock School 9 180 OC Teen Challenge SJC 181 Friends of the Library 182 Santa Fe Hunt/West Hills Hounds 183 Code of the West184 Christine and Nicole Brant 185 Grand Ladies of the Old West 186 Little League SJC 187 La Danza del Chinelo

LIneUPPAraDE56TH SWALLOWS DAY

4LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

SJC LIVING

4COMMUNITY CALENDARMonday 3.17

Backyard Bees 10 a.m. Join the San Juan Capistrano Garden Club for a meeting featuring David Marder of Bee Busters discussing “backyard bees.” Meets at the San Juan Hills Golf Club. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.584.1680, www.sanjuancapist-ranogardenclub.com.

Tuesday 3.18

Lunch Local 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce networking lunch at

Mission Grill. 31721 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

Friday 3.21 Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues, hosted by The Dispatch founder Jona-than Volzke. Occurs every Friday. All are welcome. El Adobe de Capist-rano, 31891 Camino Capistrano.

Tuesday 3.25

Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo


PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Dispatch 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 refl ect those of the The Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected]

Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

Cultural Heritage Commission Meeting 5 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

Wednesday 3.26

CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting7 p.m. Capistrano Unifi ed School Dis-trict Offi ce Board Room, 33122 Valle Road. www.capousd.org.

Friday 3.28

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes

ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50

By Tom Blake

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

sually, single people age 60 plus who contact me about not being able to meet potential mates are

women. Men typically fi nd potential mates more easily. And yet, a guy named Tom, living not too far from south Orange County, isn’t meeting women.

Tom, a former Dana Point resident, said, “I’m a 66-year-old American living in Baja, Mexico. I have a beautiful beach house right on the water 35 miles south of San Ysidro. I’m semi-retired, have a good life and friends, but where are the ladies who could move across the border and live like kings and queens for less than 1/3 of the cost of living in San Diego? And be safer. Really.

“I’ve been here for two years—told I’m attractive—yet don’t meet the right ladies. Help.”

Among all of the reasons why fi nd-ing love after age 60 is diffi cult, one of the most overlooked is where a person chooses to live. When Tom decided to semi-retire to his beach house, assuming he was single at the time, he likely didn’t think about the lack of potential mates in Baja California, Mexico.

While he says it’s safer living in Baja than in San Diego, the perception among most people in Orange County is that get-ting there, which would be by car, is not safe because you have to drive through Tijuana. Most of my friends won’t chance it. And over the past few years, there have been lots of reports of horror stories that have happened down there.

My guess is that most single women who decide to leave California go to Ari-zona, Florida or another stateside mecca for retirees. Also, there are other areas in Mexico, and other countries, consid-ered much safer, where American expats choose to live.

Singles living in remote areas of the

Different Across the BorderSingle man living in Baja wonders where the women are

country, or in small towns, or on oil rigs, are in the same situation. There aren’t many poten-tial mates in those areas, and being attractive has nothing to do with it. I picture Tom sitting on his deck, looking out at the magnifi cent Pacifi c Ocean, enjoying a sunset

with margarita in hand, but doing so alone. Not much fun.

Perhaps Tom will get a few nibbles from single women from today’s article who might be willing to check out the area if he would host them for a visit. But not many; he’ll likely have to meet them somewhere in between. And since he’s been told he is attractive and has a beautiful beach front home, that might just be enough of an incentive for women to give it a whirl.

To meet potential mates, Tom may have to venture north of the border. Perhaps he should attend one of the monthly Meet and Greet gatherings at Tutor and Spunky’s, my Dana Point deli. Lots of lovely women attend these events. The March event is on Thursday, March 27, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where one lives can be a huge factor in one’s chances of meeting a potential mate. People planning to relocate at this stage in their lives, who hope to meet a mate, should do research beforehand to ensure they aren’t going to isolate themselves from being able to meet a potential mate.

To share your thoughts, email Tom at [email protected]. CD

U

St. Joseph’s Day marks the return of the famed cliff swallows, from their winter home in Argentina to their spring and

summer nesting grounds in San Juan Capist-rano. The Mission will celebrate the occasion with a full schedule of events on Wednesday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Mission’s St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration begins with mass, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Mis-sion Basilica Church. Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, executive director of the Mission, will deliver a welcome address at 9:55 a.m.

Throughout the day, the Mission’s historic bells will be rung in honor of St. Joseph’s Day. An offi cial ceremony and community presentations will be held at the Historic Bell Wall at 11:40, just prior to the noon bell ringing.

Charles Brown, an expert on swallows

Mission Celebrates Return of the Swallows

and professor at the University of Tulsa, will deliver a lecture on the Mission’s Swallows Vocalization Project, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the Soldiers Barracks Gallery. The day’s festivities also include performances by several groups and local schools, activities for children and guided tours. Local food vendors will also be serving meals, treats and refresh-ments throughout the day.

For more information, visit www.missionsjc.com. CD

The Mission’s historic bells are rung in celebration of St. Joseph’s Day and the return of the famed cliff swallows. Courtesy of Mission San Juan Capistrano

SJC LIVING

’ve taught a “Designing with Succulents” class for years at Goin Native. Everyone is always in awe of these beauties.What makes these plants so interesting?

It’s got to be the dramatic looks, the fuzzy or glossy leaves, the crazy spikes or the huge flower heads. They are just down-

right stunning, and as author and succulent ex-pert Debra Lee Baldwin calls them, “seductive.”

Succulents are beauti-ful all year round. The colors, textures, sizes and shapes of succulents orchestrated in a garden setting or container translates as a work of

art. These plants are tolerant of neglect but flourish when pampered.

I must admit, it’s my favorite plant to design, whether in a small or large space.

I’m going to share my class secrets with you to create your own container garden.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTEDContainer: Choose the right sized con-

tainer for the space you want to highlight

Designing with Succulents as Easy as 1, 2, 3

I but make sure it has adequate drainage. I like to use metal or ceramic containers because plastic ones will fade and crack.

Soil: The amount of cactus mix depends on the size of your container. If it’s deep, you have a few ways to go. You can fill up the entire container with cactus mix, leaving 3-4 inches below the rim; add large plastic plant containers, turn them upside down and add cactus mix over them, all the way to the rim; or you can use pack-ing peanuts to fill up three-fourths of the container before adding the mix.

Irrigation: Hand watering is best for containers, but you can also set up a drip system. Water about twice a month in tem-peratures less than 72 degrees and weekly for warmer temperatures.

Design: Find plants with interesting foliage, colors and textures. Be sure to choose a plant or two that has the same color of your container.

Size: Select one tall plant, several medium sized varieties, a mixture of low plants as filler and a few that cascade over the rim. Keep color contrast and repetition in mind.

Placement: Gently take plants out of

Succulent gardens are not only attractive but easy to put together and maintain

This custom succulent container is made up of New Zealand flax, echeveria “afterglow,” opalina stone-crop sedum, cascading donkey tail and rosary string beads. Courtesy of Marianne Taylor

their pots and place them by size. Have the tallest plant a little off center and press on the root ball to secure it without com-pletely burying it. Work from the middle outward, leaving the groundcover or rock

dressing for last.To secure all the plants in place and

to hide the remainder of the dirt or any roots, I walk around the container and add groundcover, such as stonecrop lime sedum. I’ll finish by taking a brush to re-move excess soil and debris on the leaves, or I’ll turn the water on low mist and rinse off the excess.

Succulents really are as easy as one, two, three.

Please send me your gardening questions, comments or ideas [email protected].

Marianne Taylor is a 24-year resident of San Juan Capistrano, in the Los Rios Historic District. She is married to City Councilman John Taylor and mother to 24-year-old Harrison and 16-year-old Claire. She is the executive director and “dirt therapist” for Goin Native in San Juan Capistrano. CD

GUEST OPINION: Dirt Therapy by Marianne Taylor

DIRT THERAPYBy Marianne Taylor

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide va-riety of opinions from our community, The Dispatch 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 The Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected]

5STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SPORTS& OUTDOORS

5ow that the winter prep sports season is done, we turn our focus to the spring. In this year’s high school spring sports preview, we selected a few

programs from the San Juan area that are primed for breakout spring campaigns.

Follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports all season long for in-game udpates, news and more concerning all the area’s teams.

SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

BOYS VOLLEYBALLIt’s not often that a high school sports team returns 11

players. It’s even rarer for all of those players to be seniors who have been playing with each other for years. But that is the scenario the San Juan Hills boys volleyball team fi nds itself in heading into the 2014 season.

The Stallions return several impact starters and key bench players, all of whom were a part of last year’s Sea View League title efforts. The league title was the fi rst in the program’s history.

The Stallions will be under the direction of fi rst-year head coach Tom Kohler, who was an assistant at Hunting-ton Beach High School last year. The new coach caught a glimpse of the Stallions last year during the Orange County Championships and realized their potential then. So far, San Juan Hills is off to a 5-1 start to their season.

“They’re operating, in my opinion, on the level of a col-lege team. Every day they’re getting better and better. You can see them becoming more cohesive,” Kohler said.

The Stallions are not tall, their tallest listed player stands at 6 feet 3 inches, which makes their precision and placement in defensive coverage key, according to Kohler. This has put an emphasis on team chemistry, which is something the Stallions feel they have a great deal of.

Team captain and returning outside hitter Ryan Schick-ling accredits the years playing alongside each other for the team’s recent success.

Springing Into Action

By Steve BreazealeThe Capistrano Dispatch


N

San Juan Capistrano area high school spring sports teams gear up for the new season

“We went 1-7 in league my freshman year. Sophomore year, we fi nished second, and now we won last year. I’ve seen our team grow and build as a unit,” Shickling said. “To win again this year I think we have to stay mentally tough because everyone will be coming after us. But I think we have the personnel and coach has done a good job of keeping us strong as a team, so I think we have a good shot of winning.”

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Girls SoccerThe St. Margaret’s girls soccer team claimed the CIF-SS

Division 5 Championship on March 8 following a 1-0 double overtime win over La Canada in the fi nals.

Tartans senior Alexa Barbaresi netted a penalty kick in the game’s second overtime to hand St. Margaret’s the win. The title was the program’s third in the past four years.

The Tartans earned a bid into the tournament semifi nals amid some controversy after losing to top seeded La Quinta in the quarterfi nals on Feb. 28. A La Quinta player who received a red card in the previous match was deemed in attendance of the game against the Tartans, despite reports of her standing on public property across the street, violat-ing CIF rules and forcing La Quinta to forfeit the match.

SAN JUAN PREP SPORTS CIF ROUNDUP

St. Margaret’s advanced to the fi rst round of the CIF Southern California Regionals, where they lost to Parker 3-0 on March 10.

Boys BasketballThe JSerra boys basketball team won the CIF-SS Division

4AA Championship on March 7, defeating Oaks Christian 83-62 in the fi nals. Senior guard Johnnie Vassar scored 22 points and Jaycee Johnson and Dylan Osetkowski both scored 16 to pace the team to the championship.

The Lions earned bid to the CIF Division 4 State tourna-ment, where they defeated Tri-City Christian 83-38 in the fi rst round on March 12. They will play Sierra Canyon in the second round on March 15. —Compiled by Steve Breazeale

First-year head coach Tom Kohler will lead the San Juan Hills boys volleyball team in 2014. Photo by Steve Breazeale

Senior setter and opposite Logan Zotovich, who is com-mitted to play for UCI in the fall, and senior setter Garrett Austin return and will be co-captains along with Shickling. Newcomers Milo Simpson and Jack Gillen will play middle blocker for the Stallions.

JSERRA CATHOLIC

BASEBALLThe JSerra baseball team is gearing up for what could

be a special year. The Lions have a mix of veteran players and young upstarts who make their lineup, defense and pitching rotations among the most formidable in the county.

For the Lions, it all starts with sophomore shortstop and leadoff hitter Chase Strumpf. The UCLA commit is coming off a breakout freshman campaign and was named the USA Baseball 15U MVP in the Pan American Champi-onships this offseason.

Batting, in order, behind Strumpf in the potent lineup is junior outfi elder Jake Pries (UCLA), sophomore transfer Brady Shockey (USC) and senior Parker Joe Robinson

(Cont. on page 17)

San Juan Hills Boys Volleyball Schedule

Date Opponent Location, Time3/14 Cathedral SJHHS, 6:15 p.m.3/25* Laguna Hills SJHHS, 6:15 p.m.3/27 San Clemente SJHHS, 6:15 p.m.4/1* Mission Viejo MVHS, 6:15 p.m.4/3* El Toro SJHHS, 6:15 p.m.4/15 Capistrano Valley CVHS, 5:15 p.m.4/17* Aliso Niguel ANHS, 6:15 p.m.4/22* Mission Viejo SJHHS, 6:15 p.m.4/24* El Toro ETHS, 6:15 p.m.4/29* Aliso Niguel SJHHS, 6:15 p.m.5/1* Laguna Hills LHHS, 6:15 p.m.*--denotes league match

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CLASSIFIEDS

Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design 949.493.363232382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, www.abbysdesigns.com

JEWELER

Jarvis Restoration 949.362.538831942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

MOLD REMOVAL

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PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

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

PLUMBING

Excel Electric - CA #793860 949.493.776932238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

Karen Fischer, Professional Organizer, Get Organized and Move! 949.355.3487www.getorganizedandmove.com

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

HOME ORGANIZATION

Excel Electric 949.493.776932238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

Organics Out Back 949.354.2258www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRICIANS

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.132127126 Paseo Espada, Suite 1604, www.oasisair.com

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Independence Bank 949.373.896332291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A,www.independence-bank.net

BANKING

Jarvis Restoration 949.362.538831942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

WATER DAMAGE

Bryan Krueger Enterprises, Inc. 949.212.049933208 Paseo De Cerveza, Ste. B

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools 949.493.568332032 Del Obispo Street, www.cvcs.org

SCHOOLS

Dress Well Boutique 949.922.804433712 Calle Miramar, www.DressWellBoutique.com

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

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SPORTS & OUTDOORSJSerra Catholic Baseball Schedule

Date Opponent Location, Time3/14 Newport Elks Tourn. TBA, TBA3/17* Orange Lutheran OLHS, 7 p.m.3/19* St. John Bosco SJBHS, 3:15 p.m.3/20* Servite JSCHS, 6 p.m.3/29-4/5 Boras Classic (South) TBA, TBA4/7* Santa Margarita JSCHS, 6 p.m.4/9* Mater Dei MDHS, 6 p.m.4/11* Orange Lutheran JSCHS, 6 p.m.4/16 Cypress (double header) JSCHS, 3 p.m./6 p.m.4/21* Orange Lutheran OLHS, 7 p.m.4/23* St. John Bosco JSCHS, 6 p.m.4/25* St. John Bosco SJBHS, TBA4/29* Servite SHS, 3:15 p.m.5/2* Servite JSCHS, 6 p.m.5/6* Santa Margarita SMCHS, 3:15 p.m.5/9* Santa Margarita JSCHS, 6 p.m.5/13* Mater Dei JSCHS, 6 p.m.5/15* Mater Dei MDHS, 6 p.m.*-- denotes league game

St. Mararet’s Episcopal Boys Lacrosse Schedule

Date Opponent Location, Time3/14 Yorba Linda YLHS, 6 p.m.3/15 St. John’s School SMES, 1 p.m.3/18 El Dorado SMES, 4 p.m.3/21 Mt. St. Joseph SMES, 4 p.m.3/25 Marina MHS, 5 p.m.4/3-5 Tournament (GET NAME) TBA, TBA4/9 Los Alamitos LAHS, 6 p.m.4/12 Cathedral Catholic CCHS, 7 p.m.4/15 Foothill SMES, 4 p.m.4/19 La Costa Canyon LCHS, 1 p.m.4/24 Corona del Mar CDMHS, 5 p.m.4/26 Harvard-Westlake HWHS, 5 p.m.5/3 Dana Hills DHHS, 12 p.m.*-- denotes league game

St. Mararet’s Episcopal Girls Lacrosse Schedule

Date Opponent Location, Time3/14 Rosary SMES, 3:30 p.m.3/15 Laguna Hills Tourn. LHHS, TBA3/17 San Juan Hills SMES, 4:30 p.m.3/19 Temecula Valley TBA,3/25 Mater Dei SMES, 4 p.m.3/27 Rosary RHS, 5 p.m.4/8 Great Oak SMES, 6 p.m.4/11 Mission Viejo SMES, 4 p.m.4/15 Tesoro THS, 5:30 p.m.4/17 San Clemente SMES, 4:30 p.m.4/23 El Toro SMES, 4:30 p.m.4/25 Sage Hill SMES, 4 p.m.5/1 Santa Margarita SMES, 4:30 p.m.

(Cont. from page 15)(Texas). The bottom part of the order features contact and speed hitters, who head coach Brett Kay believes can flip the order and set the table for the top of the lineup.

The Lions are off to a 2-1 start to the season in the New-port Elks Tournament and even in that small sample size, Kay is seeing a trend he likes.

As of March 11, the Lions had only struck out seven times in three games, displaying patience up and down the lineup. The Lions lost a close 4-3 contest with Palm Desert in their first game but rattled off wins over Huntington Beach and Foothill in the following days, scoring 17 runs in the process.

“The big stat that I’m looking at is the fact we’ve only struck out seven times in three games. Guys are getting hit by pitches, walking and hitting, which is a good thing,” Kay said. “I think we have the chance to be offensive and I like the balance of our lineup.”

The Lions pitching staff features several next-level arms.

Robinson will be in the mix at the top of a rotation that features junior Quentin Longire (UCLA) and senior Clay Chatham (Dartmouth). Kay will also utilize freshman Jack Owen, who has impressed in fall and winter ball. In all, Kay says he has 10 players he can send to the mound and will mix and match the rotation based on the opponent.

As usual, the Lions will face tough competition in the Trinity League and will again play host to the south section of the Boras Classic Tournament, which pits top teams from across the state against each other.

ST. MARGARET’S

BOYS LACROSSEThe bar was set high for the St. Margaret’s boys

lacrosse team last season after claiming the US Lacrosse Southern Section Championship. This season, however, will be one of change for the reigning champs.

The Tartans are no longer in the Trinity League and will play the 2014 season as an independent. They also took a hit to graduation but still return five impact starters.

Re-joining the team will be the senior midfielder duo of Josh Davis and Hunter Edington. Edington is committed to Manhattan College. Faceoff specialist Ryan Harnisch and Sam Harnisch return. Head coach Glen Miles envi-sions Ryan Harnisch taking on more of an offensive role in 2014, rather than just focusing on the faceoff circle like he did last year.

“We’re younger and I think a little faster,” Miles said. “We have the potential to be a little fast, which will be fun. But we’re definitely young so it’s going to take a little while to get back to where we were last year.”

The Tartans senior-heavy defense was formidable last year, especially in the playoffs, which has made filling up the ranks a major focus over the offseason. The Tartans return senior Fernando Delgado (Villanova) and junior John Connelly. Sophomore Payton Fales will start in goal.

Because they will no longer play Trinity League teams, the Tartans have found competition elsewhere. They will head to San Francisco early to face the likes of St. Igna-

cious College Prep and Brophy Prep out of Arizona. When they return they will play perennial regional contenders Foothill (April 15) and Corona del Mar (April 24).

“I think everybody is looking forward to seeing if we have the capability of raising it up a notch (this year). That being the goal, to raise it up, and be one of those premier teams year in and year out,” Miles said. “I don’t really feel like we’ve done that yet so that would be cool to get to that level where it’s more of a consistent thing.”

GIRLS LACROSSE The St. Margaret’s girls lacrosse team will only feature

15 players this year, and first-year head coach Holly Reilly will attempt to squeeze the potential out of what she calls a “small but mighty team.”

The Tartans, who went 8-7 overall last year and missed the playoffs, will not have to worry about replacing their goalie. Margaret Kaplan-Paliwoda, who is committed to

(Cont. on page 18)

The 2014 St. Margaret’s girls lacrosse team. Courtesy photo St. Margaret’s sophomore goalie Payton Fales gets some work in during a boys lacrosse practice. Photo by Steve Breazeale

JSerra senior infielder Adam Marcoux fields a ground ball during a Lions practice. Photo by Steve Breazeale


SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Saddleback Valley Christian Boys Volleyball Schedule

Date Opponent Location, Time3/15 La Salle TBA, 1:30 p.m.3/18 St. Margaret’s SVCS, 6 p.m.3/20 Santa Margartia SMCHS, 5 p.m.3/25 Ontario Christian OCHS, 5 p.m.3/28 Valley Christian VCHS, 8 a.m.4/2 Capistrano Valley CVHS, 5 p.m.4/4 Laguna Blanca SVCS, 5 p.m.4/8* Eldorado Emerson SVCS, 5 p.m.4/14* Shepards Grove SVCS, 5 p.m.4/15 Arrowhead Christian ACHS, 5 p.m.4/17* Avalon SVCS, 2 p.m.4/29 Capistrano Valley Christian CVCS, 5 p.m.4/30 Mission Viejo MVHS, 5 p.m.5/2* Orangewood Academy SVCS, 5 p.m.5/7* Southlands Christian SVCS, 5 p.m.*-- denotes league match

Saddleback Valley Christian Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving Schedule

Date Opponent Location, Time3/18 San Juan Hills SJHHS, 3 p.m.3/22 Villanova Prep Invit. VPS, 9 a.m.3/29* Calvary Chapel-Downey CVHS, 10 a.m.4/1* Crean Lutheran SMCHS, 7 p.m.4/8* Whitney Cerritos Park East, 3 p.m.4/16* Oxford Academy CVHS, 4 p.m.5/1* Sage Hill University HS, 5:30 p.m.5/6-8 League Prelims/Finals Kennedy HS, 3 p.m.5/14-15 CIF Prelims/Finals Riverside CC, 4 p.m. *--denotes league meet

(Cont. from page 17)Meredith University in North Carolina, will return for her junior campaign in goal.

Returning starting seniors Ashley Bulloch and Macken-zie Carpenter return to power the Tartans offense on at-tack. Juniors Marissa Young and Camila Anderson Comas return to midfield roles.

The Tartans midfield will undergo a slight change in 2014, as Reilly plans to keep midfielders on the field for longer periods of time rather than have entire line shifts occur during the game. This will help counter the Tartans small roster size as well provide consistency, Reilly said.

“They have a trust in the system we’re trying to put in place. They’ve bought in and are excited about trying something new,” Reilly said. “By and large we’ve really come together and are working together as a unit.”

SADDLEBACK VALLEY CHRISTIAN

BOYS VOLLEYBALLWhen the Saddleback Valley Christian boys volleyball

team got together with head coach Ryan Van Rensselaer at the start of the season, the coach passed around a goal sheet for the players to fill out. When asked what their goals for the new season were, the Warriors, who are coming off a CIF-SS Division 5 Championship win and an appearance in the second round of the state tournament, didn’t have to look any further than the gym’s rafters above their heads.

No team in Saddleback Valley Christian history has re-peated as CIF champions, and after such a successful year and a roster filled with returners and impact newcomers alike, this Warriors team has their goals set high.

“We’re going for state this year. Last year was tough but this year I think we have the team to do it,” sophomore setter Noah Dyer said. “The talent is there definitely. It all depends on how hard we’re willing to work.”

The Warriors return starters Dyer, senior libero Brandon Green and senior outside hitter Torrey Karlsen. Sophomore middle blocker Trevor O’Reilly also returns

Joining the fold will be Mater Dei senior transfer Mario Soto at middle blocker and standout freshman setter Jon Minsberg. Van Rensselaer says Soto, who has never played volleyball before this season, is among the most athletic and coachable talents he’s guided.

Minsberg’s play has made the whole team excited about their prospects. The first-year player has already broken into the starting group and will play alongside Dyer, who also sets and can play opposite, in the same rotation.

The Warriors solidified a bond between each other in the offseason by participating in a beach volleyball league. They honed their skills and bettered their chemistry, which is what Green says will push this team over the top in the new season.

“We’re close, which helps. After every play, we always get together in a circle. We didn’t do that last year. Win or lose, I think that will help bring us together,” Green said. “When

it gets down to the fifth game, in the final points, something like that will come in handy when we’re playing a team that doesn’t have great teamwork and love for each other.”

BOYS AND GIRLS SWIMMING The Saddleback Valley Christian boys and girls swim

teams had successful 2013 seasons, the only problem, as is the case with smaller schools, was the lack of depth at the back end of their events that cost them league titles. The swim teams may be the largest sport on campus, but when competing against perennial swim powerhouse Crean Lutheran, depth is sometimes an issue.

The girls went 4-2 in dual meet action last year and the boys went 5-1, finishing second in the Academy League. The girls team finished third.

Despite the league finals finish, the Warriors had suc-cessful runs from both teams at the CIF Championships. The boys team placed 10th overall, the highest finish in school history, and the girls finished 17th.

The Warriors girls swim team will feature a deep and talented pool of swimmers this year. They will be led by returning sophomore Casey Cunningham, who placed in the top-4 in CIF last year. Cunningham will specialize in the 200 and 500 freestyle events. Junior co-captain Kylie Owen (relays), senior co-captain Haley Hokanson (relays) and junior Jamie O’Brien (relays) will help add depth to the roster. Freshman Hannah Maffris has impressed head coach Bert Bergen early and he predicts her swimming in sprint events.

The boys team will build around two standout senior freestyle swimmers Ryan Dale and Jason Jewell, the teams’ returning CIF finalists. Jewell will specialize in the 50 and 100 freestyle and Dale will compete in the 200 and 500 freestyle as well as the 200 individual medley.

Looking to join Dale and Jewell on the relay teams will be junior Aaron Ewry, freshman Cole Brehm and senior John Shier, who will all provide depth in other events.

“(Dale and Jewell) are good, the other guys are all jockeying, realizing they’re going to have two fast guys on relays. So they’re doing everything they can do to get on to those relay teams for CIF,” Bergen said. CD

Torrey Karlsen, middle, and the Saddleback Valley Christian boys volleyball team are set to defend their CIF-SS Division 5 title. Photo by Steve Breazeale

Saddleback Valley Christian junior Emily Brent is one of seven return-ing CIF qualifiers for the Warriors. Courtesy photo

Saddleback Valley Christian co-captain Jason Jewell will specialize in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle events in 2014. Courtesy photo

March 14, 2014

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