August 10, 2023

(From left) Seniors Drew Shanley, Ben Baker, Dylan Mills, Broderick Redden and Connor Bachhuber lead the Tritons into the last run of the South Coast League.

Photo: Zach Cavanagh

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TOP NEWS SAN CLEMENTE SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

BPR Commission Delays Recommendation for Potential 24-Court Pickleball Facility Design

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Concerns over the potential impacts of an $11 million project to install 24 pickleball courts at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park prompted the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission to postpone its decision on a preferred project design.

The group voted unanimously on Tuesday night, Aug. 8, to continue the item to a special meeting before its next regular meeting scheduled for Oct. 10, so it could then choose what plan to recommend for City Council approval.

Commissioner Jennifer Elliott was among those who expressed a reluctance into diving into the three varying designs for a facility that would house all the courts and other amenities. She said she didn’t see how the design would coexist with the existing layout within the Steed Park Master Plan.

“I’m not sure that a (design) subcommittee is needed if we could just get some more information about how this overlays with the current plan,” Elliott

Age Well OC Receives $500K

in State Budget Funds for Transportation Services

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Age Well Senior Services will see six new hybrid vehicles joining its fleet, helping the nonprofit’s efforts to provide transportation to South Orange County’s seniors and mobility-challenged individuals.

Included in the state budget enacted on June 27 is $510,000 for Age Well to purchase six hybrid transportation vehicles, which will provide non-emergency transportation services.

The state funds will help Age Well in its mission to “support independence and dignity of South Orange County seniors,” said Steve Moyer, chief executive officer of Age Well Senior Services, Inc.

Along with delivering Meals on Wheels and serving lunches at its senior center locations, Age Well provides non-emergency transportation, including “taking seniors for dialysis, for cancer chemotherapy, any medical-related appoint-

said. “I think we all have questions, and we need some reassurance that features like volleyball and those other things are not going to go away.”

City Manager Andy Hall, who provided information to the commission regarding the project’s finances and other relevant topics, assured the group that although the council didn’t want too long of a delay in receiving a decision, the city didn’t need to rush the project.

“I think making sure that you guys feel like you have the information that you need to make a well-informed decision, when you feel like you’re ready … that’s when we should move forward,” said Hall. During an earlier presentation, he also said the city has not yet identified a funding source for constructing the $11 million venture, unlike the $1.2 million project to build temporary pickleball courts at Steed Park (Parks Acquisition and Development Fund) and the $8 million project to stabilize Casa Romantica

ments such as doctor appointments, also to pick up prescriptions, (and) dental appointments,” Moyer explained.

With the nonprofit retiring many of its aging vans, the funds to purchase new hybrid vehicles will help Age Well “build back our capacity.”

“The other thing that’s really important about this is that these will be our first vans that are really environmentally sensitive, which we’re very excited about,” Moyer said. “At this point, we sit at 22 vehicles, but by the end of this year, we will be approaching 30 vehicles in total. So, we’re very excited about that.”

Moyer added that the fuel efficiency of hybrid vehicles will also help to reduce the nonprofit’s operating costs, as well as the decreased need for additional maintenance as they replace older vans.

Moyer added that each of Age Well’s vehicles serves roughly 1,200 medical trips annually, with the fleet currently accommodating more than 27,000 trips a year. Moyer anticipates with the fleet expansion that Age Well will be able to accommodate roughly 32,000 trips annually.

“The clients that we have that utilize our services are ones that do not have transportation to and from medical appointments and they are definitely in need,” Moyer said. “This is a door-to-door

Pictured is one of three design plans for a potential 24-court pickleball facility that the San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday, Aug. 8, delayed in sending a final recommendation to the City Council. Rendering: Courtesy of the City of San Clemente

(Capital Reserve Fund).

The 24-court project, which the City Council increased from 16 courts on May 2, includes building one “championship court” to be used in tournaments, adding at least 95 parking spaces to the park and four more that would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as a pickleball “pro shop” and restrooms.

Project designer RJM Design Group presented three options to the commission.

Option A’s design features the 95 additional parking spaces and four ADA stalls, the pro shop and restrooms, and a championship court located near the back hillside of the park that looks over Avenida Fabricante.

Options B and C both include 165 ad-

service we provide.”

“We pick them up at their home and transport them to their appointments, and then once their appointment’s finished, we transport them back home,” Moyer continued. “I don’t know what these individuals would be able to do without this. This service is a safety net in their life, and we recognize that.”

South County’s senior population is growing, Moyer added.

“With that comes more and more demands, needs to be met. These vans really help us to be able to keep up with the demand,” he said, adding: “This is a service that we want to continue to be able to provide to enrich their life, which is the overall mission of Age Well Senior Services.”

State Sen. Catherine Blakespear attributes her advocacy for investing in her district to many community projects receiving state funding this year.

In a media release, Blakespear highlighted projects within her district “that address housing and homelessness, transit and transportation, the environment and social services” as receiving funding from the state budget.

“These are critically important projects in my district,” Blakespear said in the media release. “I’m tremendously grateful that my advocacy for these proj-

ditional parking spots and six ADA stalls, the pro shop and restrooms, and a championship court with expanded seating located above or adjacent to the baseball fields. Each of the latter plans features an additional restroom, with the secondary facility located against the back hillside in Option B and located near court Nos. 20, 22, and 24 in Option C.

Beaches, Parks & Recreation Department Director Samantha Wylie provided a clarification regarding the shop.

“I think pro shop is probably a big word to use,” said Wylie. “The commission (and the public) should be aware that this is a 650-square-foot facility. Very little. Half of that is going to be a restroom.”

The other half will likely be used as a space to house staff that could help people who want to reserve playing time at the pickleball facility and speak with staff in general, as well as the pro shop function.

City staff recommended Option C under the belief that its secondary restroom would be more accessible.

However, commissioners including new Chair Rob Feuerstein were troubled by the expanded complex moving the proposed sand volleyball courts and offleash dog park in the recently updated Steed Park Master Plan.

“I would like to give the public more chance to respond to what the entire plan is going to look like,” Feuerstein said.

ects was effective in getting the projects funded.”

Blakespear noted that with state revenues lower than last year, it was a tough budget year, “which motivated me to advocate even harder for state investment in important local initiatives. These projects would not be moving forward this year without this crucial funding.”

In addition to the funding granted to Age Well of Orange County for hybrid transportation vehicles, the City of Vista received $5 million for interim and permanent supportive housing, Encinitas received $3.09 million to complete the Santa Fe Drive Corridor improvement project, and $1.4 million was allocated to complete a connecting segment of the Coast to Crest Trail.

“Sen. Blakespear, who made this happen, is really incredible, just a godsend for us to receive something of this magnitude,” Moyer added.

“Out of all of the critical programs that she was looking at, that this money could have been spent on, for her to select Age Well and what we do, this vehicle project, we’re honored and appreciative,” Moyer said.

Seniors and mobility-challenged individuals can apply for non-emergency transportation on Age Well’s website at agewellseniorservices.org.

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As a Housing Crisis Persists, Local, State Officials’ Perspectives on Addressing the Issue Vary

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

After Abigail Margolle continued to see her apartment’s rent increase, she and her husband decided to look at houses for sale in South Orange County to buy as their first home.

“Rent was going up; it was just getting worse every few months when rent would tick up a little bit more,” Margolle said.

The couple rented in Dana Point, where Margolle previously served as a city Planning Commissioner, and looked to stay in South County. Ultimately, however, the family moved to Vista in San Diego County after struggling to find an affordable property that met their needs in the area.

Margolle noted that millennials like her are reaching a buying age where they’re interested in ownership. Whereas renting does not build equity, “real estate tracks inflation,” Margolle said.

“For me, (home ownership) was always a goal and for us, we were willing to sacrifice Dana Point, even though if we could buy tomorrow, we would have done that,” Margolle said. “We were willing to sacrifice Dana Point for a house that … ticked off some of our other boxes, and we got a little bit more land with it.”

For Margolle, owning property had always been a financial goal, dreaming of getting creative with her future home and renting out space to generate income.

With Margolle’s father living with her and her husband, the family had three incomes to put toward a home, yet still struggled to find a property that checked off all their boxes.

“We wanted to make sure we all had room; if it was an ADU type of situation, a back unit or something where (my dad) had his own space, it had to be a little bit bigger than a one-bedroom,” Margolle said. “But we needed that third income to get what we wanted. It helps cushion it, too, especially with the interest rates kind of going up.”

Margolle added that the lack of affordable housing is “pushing out people like me, born and raised in Orange County,” who are tired of renting and interested in purchasing a starter home.

“Affordability for my sake as a homeowner was such a struggle, and I feel for anyone less fortunate than me,” Margolle said. “Because I’m thinking if I can’t do it and I’m a married professional as a

project manager in an architecture realm with a degree and my husband’s an engineer with a degree, if we can’t afford it, who can?”

Margolle’s not alone in her experience, as affordable housing stock is an ongoing issue that local, state and federal officials are working to address through legislation and policies.

While there’s generally a consensus that the issue persists, officials have varying perspectives on which agency should be responsible for tackling the housing shortage and whether local municipalities should have more control.

AN ASSEMBLYMEMBER’S APPROACH TO LAWS ON HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

While answering a question during the April 21 Dana Point Civic Association Coffee Chat, Assemblymember Laurie Davies opined on the state legislature taking away control from city governments as it works to address a statewide housing shortage.

“We know what’s best; let us do it our way,” Davies had said, Speaking with the San Clemente Times in mid-June, Davies stated that an approach to housing should include heavy collaboration between cities and state government.

“When we’re looking at housing and funding, I think it’s important that we do have good policy that we are able to hand on down to the local, municipal areas,” Davies said.

“However, especially serving on (Laguna Niguel) City Council and mayor for eight years, one of the reasons why I ended up coming up here is because I realized that they were taking a lot of the control away locally,” Davies continued.

Davies added that sometimes policy coming down from Sacramento has a “one-size-fits-all” approach, emphasizing the need to give city officials “a seat at the table” to ensure that development reflects the needs of the community.

“Especially when it comes to heights of buildings, how many units, lack of parking, things like that doesn’t always

work—might work great in San Francisco or Los Angeles, but it’s not going to work in your smaller cities, especially in Orange County and other small communities,” Davies said.

For housing development to reflect the needs of each community, Davies said it’s important to remember that “one size doesn’t fit all” when it comes to policy.

“It’s important for us to be able to give (cities) the tools, but let them actually work with the design,” Davies said. “I think you’re going to have more of the residents more favorable to having more housing, because they’re not afraid that you’re going to go ahead and put up six stories when that’s … not reflecting the personality and character of the city.”

when it comes to the makeup of their city.”

With some cities already built out, Davies argued in favor of a regional approach to housing development.

To plan and zone for future housing needs, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) allocated the number of units that cities and counties needed to plan for, broken down by income categories.

Based on the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), SCAG was assigned 1.34 million new homes to plan for among its 197 jurisdictions for the latest Housing Element—now in its sixth cycle. Orange County was to take on more than 183,861 of those homes.

“It’s one thing when they’re like, this is how many units you need to produce, but you have to make sure that’s actually attainable, and you’re finding that it really isn’t in a lot of areas.”

To address this, Davies argued that areas that are more built out but have the finances to support housing development should be able to work with more rural cities with room to develop that lack the funding to reach RHNA numbers.

“Why don’t we allow other cities to come together and share those regional numbers?” Davies asked. “The bottom line is, if they really want something done and something built, this makes sense.”

Davies added that she’s met with the Association of California Cities Orange County and stakeholders to discuss how a regional approach to housing would work.

“We believe in development; we just want to make sure it’s common-sense development,” Davies said. “So, my goal is hopefully to take this and put it back as a bill next year.”

Davies, who also represents part of North San Diego County, added that she’s received feedback from that portion of her district in favor of a regional approach.

“No. 1 is that we have to make sure everybody comes to the table, because right now, when they’re throwing policy at the state level, they’re not including the cities at all, and it is our job as members to represent our cities, our district, and they have to be able to have a say at the table.”

Another challenge to development is ensuring there’s adequate infrastructure in place for new housing.

When making policy decisions, Davies noted that she’s always looking at the entire state and not just the district she represents.

“It’s so important that I realize that when I go ahead and I agree on a policy or I come up with a bill, that it’s going to be beneficial to everyone,” Davies said. “One size doesn’t fit all. So again, it’s giving them the tools but allowing the local control to make the decisions, especially

“When they go in and they say, ‘These are your numbers, they have to be done by this time,’ well, you have to have infrastructure,” Davies said. “You can’t just build out housing without having infrastructure such as schools, grocery stores, gas stations, all of those things.”

Not planning adequately for housing demands, Davies noted, leads to a lack of housing.

“Until we can actually come together and make common-sense decisions so

Assemblymember Laurie Davies answers questions from the audience during the Dana Point Civic Association’s April 21 Coffee Chat at the Dana Point Harbor. During the chat, Davies spoke about her concerns with the State Legislature taking control away from local municipalities when it comes to housing policies and addressing affordable housing issues. Photo Shawn Raymundo

While there’s consensus that the lack of affordable housing stock continues to be a concern, officials have varying perspectives on which governmental entity should be responsible for tackling the issue. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Ruth Elisabeth Vakili

Our beloved Ruth Elisabeth Vakili, age 91, passed peacefully at her home on July 30, 2023. She was born in the Upper Silesian area of Germany on November 4, 1932, to Paul and Ottilie Protzer and was the youngest of 4 children. In 1959, at the age of 27, she immigrated to Long Beach, California where she met her husband, Mike, who had recently immigrated to the U.S. from Iran. They married in 1960, had 2 children, Susanna and Marco, and moved to San Clemente in 1975.

Ruth was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and was known for her sunny disposition and warm smile. She established a German-American school in Orange County in the 1970s, where for many years she was a principal and taught her beloved mother tongue to children of all ages. She was a devoted friend, a world traveler, an avid knitter, and loved to play tennis, go to the beach, and enjoy the beautiful

San Clemente weather. Ruth will be missed dearly by her husband, Mike Vakili, her daughter, Susanna Vakili, her son, Marco Vakili, her daughter-in-law Denise Vakili, and her 4 wonderful grandchildren, Maryann, William, Blake, and Sierra.

Ruth was eternally grateful for the cancer treatment she received in her later years from Dr. Donald Morton at the Providence St. John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica and had a special place in her heart for refugees due to her family’s experience with displacement during her childhood. Accordingly, her family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Providence St. John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica or the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

A Celebration of Life event will be held in San Clemente on September 16. Information about the event can be obtained by emailing rvlifecelebration@ gmail.com.

Obituary: Teresa Lisbeth

Laity-Peebles

Teresa Lisbeth Laity-Peebles of Lansing, Michigan passed away on July 13, 2023 at the age of 71. Preceded in death by Danny Peebles ; father Ronald Laity and mother Leola Laity; brother Matthew Laity and his wife Victoria Laity. Proud mother of sons Chadwick (Meleana) Peebles and Jason (Colleen) Peebles; and sister to Kathryn Shishida and brotherin-law Mark Shishida. Loving Aunt to Krista (Cesar) Saldivia, Tatum (Franklin) Gonzalez, Jade Laity, and Hayley Laity; great Aunt to Diego and Antonio Saldivia, and Reeves and Nikolas Gonzalez; and Grandma to Maluihi. Teresa earned her BSN at Cal State University of Dominguez Hills. For the majority of her career, she worked as a dedicated Registered Nurse at San Clemente hospital in California. She was known for her unwavering kindness and selflessness, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who came her way. She was a bookworm extraordinaire, always with a smile on her face as she delved into the pages of countless novels. She brought joy and color to our lives with her vibrant personality and her love for all things pink. She went by many names starting with Nean, Aunt Nene, Mama Peebs, The Pink Lady, and the football chili and rice crowd knew her as “Mother” Teresa. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held later in the year.

Obituary: Wilma Broccardo

Longtime resident of San Clemente, California, Wilma Marie Broccardo (Campbell) passed away with her husband by her side at their home in Wolf Creek, Oregon, on July 20, 2023. Wilma was born July 2, 1952, in Broken Bow, Nebraska. The family moved to San Clemente, California in 1953 where she attended Las Palmas, Concordia and graduated from San Clemente High School in 1970. On October 24th, 1969, Wilma married Fred Broccardo at the Fort Ord Chapel. Fred and Wilma raised two sons, Mark and Joseph, in San Clemente. Wilma retired from a career as an Escrow Officer around 2004 and helped care for four of her grandsons, by whom she was called Grandma Bubbles. In 2011,Wilma and Fred relocated to Wolf Creek, Oregon. Wilma was preceded in death by father John O. Campbell, mother Edna Mae Campbell, brother John A.Campbell, sister Linda Mae Campbell. She is survived by husband Fred Broccardo, sister Mary Jane Ponder, sons Mark and Joseph Broccardo, grandsons Teague, Aiden, Kohl, Seth, Hayes, and John, five great grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews. A celebration of life and memorial will take place in San Clemente at a future date to be determined.

(Cont. from page 5)

that we can actually build something that is affordable, we’re going to continue to watch people leave because they can’t afford to live here anymore.”

Without housing laws in play, Davies argued that cities are still incentivized by the revenue that new residents bring in.

Davies added that cities are looking to at least maintain their current populations, if not continue to grow. Cities also need to plan for a variety of housing types to cater to different stages of life, Davies said.

“You start out where you have your apartments, but you’ve got your young adults staying there until they get married, and they move into more of a single-family home or maybe a condo,” Davies said. “Then perhaps into a little bigger house and then when the kids leave, they have the opportunity to sell the house but stay within their community.”

“So, you really want to make sure you have a little bit of everything there so that they’re not leaving the community,” Davies continued. “People love their communities; they want to be able to raise a family and stay there for that full generation cycle.”

LOCAL OFFICIALS’ PERSPECTIVES ON CONTROL OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

In response to Davies’ comment about state legislature taking away control from city governments, the San Clemente Times sent a questionnaire to Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano’s City Councilmembers and its Planning Commission Chairs to seek their perspectives.

San Clemente Councilmember Mark Enmeier noted that there is often a temptation to simplify the argument of state versus local control to win political points with constituents, arguing that the issue is “much more complicated and nuanced than what we would like to believe.”

“On one side, there is a desire to maintain the character and charm of our local communities,” Enmeier said. “The worry is that a state assembly, which does not understand the local charm of our town, will invoke a change that disrupts the historical fabric of our city.”

“On the other side, the argument is made that we are in a statewide housing crisis due to the fact that cities have not individually kept up with demand,” Enmeier continued.

Ultimately, Enmeier concluded that he didn’t believe there is “a perfect answer to addressing our housing predicament. I do believe, however, that there are multiple answers, and we find them when we are willing to listen to each other, and when we are willing to work together.”

San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan noted that while local governments hold primary responsibility for local land-use

policy, the state and federal governments protect renters from discrimination and the environment from unchecked development, as well as regulate insurance policies.

“All levels of government have some jurisdiction here, and they need to be working collaboratively to solve our housing crisis,” Duncan said.

Duncan noted that the city needs to build more affordable housing that fits with San Clemente’s character, adding that the population is shrinking because of the lack of affordable housing.

Following the San Clemente City Council’s majority vote on Nov. 1, 2022, MemorialCare will soon develop its 250-bed senior housing facility and 7,500-square-foot medical office on the site of its shuttered hospital on Camino de los Mares—a mixeduse project some city officials see as a successful action to help address housing woes.

Hart said he felt that anything beyond RHNA goals and consequences for not meeting those goals “is micro-management by our state government.”

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

FRIDAY, AUG. 11

Beachside Chat

8-9 a.m. Join San Clemente residents and dignitaries for the weekly Beachside Chat, a spirited, town hall forum on community issues led by a slate of rotating hosts. The chats are held at Dorothy Visser Senior Center, located at 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. All are welcome.

MONDAY, AUG. 14

San Clemente Homeless Collaborative

4 p.m. The San Clemente Homeless Collaborative meets on the second Monday of each month at Christ Lutheran Church, 35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente. Bring your ideas on what to do about homelessness in San Clemente, and a willingness to listen to the ideas of others. streeter.tom@outlook.com.

San Clemente American Legion Post 423

Allowing cities to develop and enforce their own design standards “strikes the appropriate balance and gives homeowners the certainty in knowing what they can and can’t do with their property,” Duncan said.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock of San Clemente claimed that state laws have had a “detrimental effect on affordable housing and the resulting community degradation and increased crime.”

Instead of local and state laws regulating housing, Knoblock argued that “the free marketplace determines best how to meet the local needs for housing, education and public safety.”

On the subject of ensuring that housing development is in line with the character of the community, San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart said the city “desires to build a community that enriches the lives of all who live here.”

“We don’t want to be just another sea of anonymous four-story stucco cubes that isolate our workers from their wealthy employers,” Hart said. “Statewide mandates undermine our ability to grow our community to meet housing challenges in a manner that fits our residents’ interests.”

Hart argued that state laws incentivizing “low-end housing construction” ultimately “help to ensure that the working poor remain relegated to standard housing and that a shortage of quality housing persists.”

Instead, Hart argued that the community needed to build more market-rate housing so “prices for these homes would not be as steep, natural upward home ownership progression would begin to churn again, and landlords would be incentivized to remodel and rehabilitate existing housing to compete for tenants.”

Both Hart and Davies argued in favor or reevaluating the CEQA process, which the two view as a hurdle for development.

Knoblock commented that San Clemente was “pretty much built out.”

“There are no available areas of undeveloped land on which to build,” Knoblock said. “Infill projects are our only areas which could be developed for housing.”

Duncan pointed to planned development of a new senior housing center and medical office as a success story resulting from a zoning code change, and pointed to the Los Molinos district as an area in the city where new housing could be developed.

Enmeier stated that if redeveloped, a mixed-use project at Pico Plaza, off the 5-Freeway and Avenida Pico, “has the potential to be a vibrant community that houses young professionals and civil service workers.”

Dana Point Councilmember John Gabbard noted that there are “a number of housing applications in process” and “each of those applications deserve our unbiased consideration without prejudgment or determination,” opting not to answer the survey questions in full.

“All that we can promise is that we are looking at all projects under the lens of the law and what benefits the fabric of our neighborhoods, the people and the community of Dana Point,” Gabbard said. “Boring, yes, but that’s what the impartial application of the law should be.”

None of the other councilmembers and none of the Planning Commission chairs for the three cities had responded to the survey as of press time.

Shawn Raymundo, C. Jayden Smith and Collin Breaux contributed to this report.

6 p.m. All Legionnaires and other veterans are invited for a complimentary light dinner, fellowship and the monthly meeting. This month, Mike Fluchere, Marine Ministry Leader at San Clemente Presbyterian Church, will discuss his church’s outreach to Camp Pendleton military members and their families, and how Post 423 might join in supporting them. Elks Lodge, 136 Calle de Los Molinos, San Clemente. For additional information, email l1900ahon@aol.com or call 949.606.3512.

TUESDAY, AUG. 15

San Clemente City Council

5 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting in person at the Council Chambers at City Hall, as well as virtually. The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel. City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16

VA Disabled Claims Clinic

2-4 p.m. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 9934 will sponsor a Veterans Affairs Disability Claims Clinic at the Dana Point Community Center the first and third Wednesday of each month. Veterans can walk in and meet with a VFW Service Officer and receive information on how to file a claim for service-related medical issues. Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point.

Planning Commission

5-10 p.m. The city’s Planning Commission will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting at the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed through the city’s YouTube channel. City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

CUSD Board of Trustees

7 p.m. The governing board for the Capistrano Unified School District will meet to decide on local education matters. CUSD Headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. capousd.org.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Agápe 1928 Seeks to Reflect the Highest Level of Love

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The ancient Greek word agápe signifies a kind of profound love that people reserve for their close family members or spouses, apart from any romantic feelings.

In the sense of Christianity, the religion’s followers associate the word with the unconditional, sacrificial love God has for humanity.

It’s those kinds of sentiments that drove Eric Ange Bowman and Boog Rose, a local pastor, to open the San Clemente venue Agápe 1928 on El Camino Real. Rose said they intend to host “some of the biggest moments in people’s lives,” such as weddings, retirement events, birthdays and more.

“In general, it’s for the people,” Rose said. “It was good for us to put that name out there, Agápe, not just for everybody else but to remind ourselves why we’re doing this.”

Although the facility opened in June, the venue’s development was roughly four years in the making. Both Bowman and Rose are longtime San Clemente residents whose friendship grew as their kids played sports together.

Despite the potentially negative consequences of going into business with friends, Rose expressed his trust in Bowman because of Bowman’s consistent commitment to serving others and going

Construction on Providence’s Satellite Health Center to Ramp Up Soon

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Construction on Providence’s approximately $15 million San Clemente satellite health center, to be located across from the Chick-fil-A at the Outlets at San Clemente, is expected to resume within the next two months following delays, according to Providence officials.

Carrie Arneth, Providence Mission Hospital director of communications, told San Clemente Times in an email that development on the site, owned by Craig Realty Group as part of the property at the Outlets, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and financing complications.

“Outlets at San Clemente is approximately 45 days from completing a refinancing of the project with a permanent lender,” Arneth said. “The new loan

above and beyond.

“The vision from the beginning was to create a place for the people, and I just knew that’s what he’s all about,” said Rose. “With his business acumen, it was a perfect partnership.”

For more than 15 years, the two had a vision of bringing an event space to South Orange County, and in 2019, they started searching for a building where they could realize their dreams. The space at 1531 N. El Camino Real opened, but quickly looked to have been snatched up by another buyer or tenant.

Once they saw the property became available again, Bowman and Rose jumped at the opportunity to utilize the historic property that was built in 1928, and to make a valuable contribution to the North Beach area.

“Everybody in our executive team are longtime San Clemente residents, (as are) our designer and architect,” Bowman said. “It’s perfect. Everybody was just like,‘This is awesome,’ and everybody wanted to get on this project, because the building speaks for itself.”

Both co-owners have an appreciation for vintage, historic pieces, which sparked their desire to restore the property that had been significantly altered through its nearly 100-year existence.

The renovations were extensive and expensive, as the team was required to bring every aspect up to code in addition to reengineering compromised portions and design the two add-ons within the city’s Spanish Colonial Revival look. Despite Bowman’s experience in the

hospitality and service industry, the two weren’t hesitant to bring in designers, wedding professionals and others who could help make the space the best it could be with their advice.

All the contributions helped them keep the building’s historic nature intact while creating a viable facility that could serve potential clients’ needs.

“So far from the community, (the feedback we’ve received) from everyone has been extremely positive,” said Bowman.

Since Agápe 1928’s June opening, the facility has been well-received, according to Bowman, as the whole team attempts to keep up with the demand in the summer season.

Clients and those who have toured the establishment have raved about the property’s large courtyard, its flexibility, and how the renovation has opened up the interior, even as the building has the same square footage as when it was an art supply store.

Bowman said they’ve succeeded in their approach to provide clients with a “blank canvas” for people to use creativity in envisioning their event.

“That’s the goal; that’s what we want to do,” he added.“We want to make people happy; we want people to love the place (and to) be able to have a great night or great day, whatever they booked, and create their own space, their own memory.”

Rose said that having a capable and talented staff to work with, as well as suppliers and others in the community that they know well and trust, makes operations easier. That includes venue

manager Heather Pruitt, whom Bowman has known for years through their work together at another organization of Bowman’s.

Bowman called Pruitt an “incredible human being” and the “perfect person for the job,” especially with her experience as a wedding planner.

“When this opportunity became available, she was the perfect fit,” he said.“She’s lived in San Clemente her whole life, and she loves the area, and she’s just a great teammate.”

Nailing down the customer service aspect is “extremely important” for the whole team, Bowman added, especially with their goal to give clients the ability to imagine the event they want.

The team must be flexible and open to ideas, and the executives must additionally provide a good environment for their employees, Bowman said, as the hospitality industry continues to readjust following the harsh effects of COVID-19.

Rose added that what they do extends further into the community, as a lot of people who book tours with Agápe 1928 come in based on positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

The duo has also enjoyed their ability to host community events for local organizations.

“It feels good to be where we’re at … which is a place for the people where we feel like we’re still able to care for people,” said Rose.“It’s more than just a business. It’s a way to love people.”

Learn more about the venue at agapesanclemente.com.

will include loan proceeds that will be sufficient to complete all work associated with the Providence Mission Hospital building, as well as all other landlord obligations related to that building.”

Providence announced in September 2022 its intentions to construct two satellite facilities in San Clemente and Rancho Mission Viejo, as part of a $712 million expansion plan.

Each center will provide urgent care services, imaging, and necessary outpatient ambulance services to Providence’s hospitals in Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo from a clinic staffed by primary care physicians, OB-GYNs and other specialty providers.

Chief Executive Seth Teigen said at the time of Providence’s announcement on the subject that the company considered both San Clemente and Rancho Mission Viejo part of its coverage area in South Orange County.

“We really consider those our communities to serve,” Teigen told SC Times “We felt a responsibility to go out to where they are.”

The official announcement came

years after the health care provider signed a lease with Craig Realty in July 2020, according to Arneth.

She added that Craig Realty informed Providence of the need to receive a variance from the California Coastal Commission shortly after the lease was signed, as 75% of the property is located within the city’s coastal zone.

After Craig Realty worked with the CCC for two years to earn the regulatory group’s permission, impacts from the pandemic “took a toll” on available resources in the form of material delays and other issues.

“These delays have been very unfortunate, but it hasn’t deterred our commitment to serve San Clemente and to provide exceptional care for our coastal communities,” Arneth said in the email. “We are eagerly awaiting a 2025 grand opening of our health center.”

Providence Mission Hospital officials expect construction at their San Clemente satellite facility to restart soon after numerous delays. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

PUBLISHER’S LETTER | By Picket Fence Media Founder Norb Garrett

his team as they absorb Picket Fence Media and our amazing staff into his organization (which owns hyper-local newspapers and magazines in the greater Los Angeles area and Arizona).

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

HOW TO REACH US

I’m thrilled to announce that as of Aug. 1, Picket Fence Media’s newspapers are now part of the Times Media Group.

After launching and running our hyper-local media group since 2006, we’ve reached a point where we felt it was important to join forces with an independent (non-corporate, non-private equity) publisher who shared our editorial values and principles.

We also wanted to find a person/company who could leverage their resources to help PFM’s publications grow while embracing new opportunities and adapting to changing and challenging market conditions.

TMG President Steve Strickbine is the perfect person with whom to trust “our baby.” He and his wife also started a local paper from scratch in Arizona, so he

also “bleeds black ink” and shares my passion and belief in the critical role local community journalism plays in informing and celebrating our special communities of San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano.

I’ve gotten to know Steve well over the past eight months or so and have come to respect and like him very much.

My wife, Alyssa (who, as our general manager, has been keeping business cranking since its inception), and I are 100% committed to helping Steve and

GUEST OPINION | Laurie’s Latest by Assemblymember Laurie Davies

Exciting News Supporting South Orange County’s Servicemembers, Veteran Community

Ihave the honor of representing the 74th Assembly District, and it is one of the most naturally beautiful districts in California, if not the country. Along our coast and part of this district is Camp Pendleton—one of the most significant military training facilities in the nation.

We have one of the highest populations of veterans in the United States right here in AD74, and California beats second-place Texas by a margin of 6%. This district boasts one of the highest military service-connected constituencies in the nation.

As vice chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, I take my responsibility seriously and work hard to connect with servicemembers, veterans, and veteran service organizations. I look for opportunities to listen and learn from these heroes, and I am committed to doing everything I can to fight for them in Sacramento.

A few weeks ago, I held my first Military and Veterans Affairs Advisory

Board meeting at Camp Pendleton.

I was humbled to see such a wide array of people and organizations who answered the call of promoting and sustaining the well-being of our military service-connected population—including Dana Point Councilmember and Marine Corps veteran John Gabbard, representatives of local VFWs and American Legions, active duty and retired servicemembers, and the Orange County Veterans & Military Families Collaborative, to name a few.

Joining me in sharing information about available resources were CalVet representative Lance Iunker and San Diego County Military and Veterans Affairs Officer Mike Schmidt.

Lance shared information on CalVet’s Transition Assistance Program—a series of webinars that provide an over-

We’re so incredibly proud of how each of our communities has embraced our papers and helped Picket Fence Media become one of the most well-regarded, award-winning media companies in California.

We have worked hard to inform and help make our communities stronger through our mantra of “Local News You Can Use.” I’ve been assured that the focus on quality, original, unbiased reporting will continue.

In closing, thank you for helping me realize my childhood dream. Thanks, especially, to our incredible team led by Lauralyn Loynes and Jasmine Smith, who have been with us since Day 1.

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s always been a blast. Here’s to a bright and hopeful future for Picket Fence Media and each of you. SC

PUBLISHER

Steve Strickbine

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Nadine Johnson • 480.898.5645 nadine@timeslocalmedia.com

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view of California-specific benefits for veterans and resources for Californians exiting the military.

Mike explained how the County of San Diego assists veterans with their VA claims and expressed that the county always has a sympathetic ear for our veterans, connecting them with the services they need and the benefits they have earned.

As echo ed throughout our meeting, it is not just the funding, and it is not really the resources; it is the people and interconnection that will make the difference and solve the problems that our veterans and servicemembers face.

As your assemblywoman and staunch advocate for our troops, I am eager to act on veterans legislation and make the California Dream a reality for our servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

This legislative session, I was thrilled to co-sponsor Assembly Bill 988 and Senate Bill 726. AB 988, referencing the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone

(Cont. on page 19)

San Clemente Times, Vol. 18, Issue 32. The SC Times (sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Times Media Group, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.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

LAURIE’S LATEST BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER LAURIE DAVIES

NORB GARRETT CEO & FOUNDER

TRITON FOOTBALL PREVIEW

YOUR GUIDE TO THE SEASON: GAME PREVIEWS, KEY PLAYERS AND MORE!

tipping THE SCALES

Balanced offense, strong line play could push Tritons over the top

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

The San Clemente football team is stacked up for the final running of the South Coast League.

Granted, the South Coast League, Sea View League and all other traditionally named Orange County athletics leagues will still exist across the rest of the high school sports landscape, but this is likely to be the final go-round for football teams against their longtime rivals in their usual alignments.

A proposal to organize Orange County football leagues into computer rankings-based groupings next season instead of geographic ones was approved by the county’s athletic directors and principals earlier this year and is expected to receive the final CIF-SS stamp of approval in October. It’s yet another stab at mathematically calculated “competitive equity,” similar to the change to the CIF-SS playoff division format in recent years in which divisions are created off the season-end CalPreps ranking formula. While winning a league championship is (Continued)

The San Clemente offense will be more balanced with Dylan Mills (right) as the unquestioned starting quarterback in the pass game and Aiden Rubin (left) carrying the rock. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

always the first goal for the Tritons football team, San Clemente hasn’t put any extra emphasis on winning the last South Coast League football championship, at least not yet.

“Honestly, the beauty of San Clemente High School and our kids, they don’t pay too much attention to that,” San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said. “They go out and compete every single week. We haven’t even really talked about it.”

If anything, the path to a league championship next season may not be any different than this season, as most projections have the Tritons slotted for the top-ranked league alongside usual league title foe Mission Viejo. It’s also just a natural evolution for a San Clemente program that has long maintained a high standard among its contemporaries.

“We’re considered one of the top public schools in Orange County, and our goal is to continue that tradition of being one of those top schools,” Ortiz said. “It’s why we play schools like Corona del Mar and Edison that are like-minded.”

Amidst all the changes to the high school football landscape, San Clemente contin -

ues to strive for excellence, and the Tritons know they can achieve that.

Even last season, when the CIF-SS algorithm bumped San Clemente up a playoff division higher than many projected, the Tritons held their own, as they pushed Chaminade of West Hills, No. 2 seed in Division 2, to overtime. On the road, San Clemente fell by a point in double-overtime on a two-point conversion that barely crossed the plane of the goal line.

It’s an experience the returning Tritons keep with them as a vote of confidence and motivation to aim high.

“I hate saying we’ve got a chip on our shoulder, but it definitely adds a bit of that, because to lose in double-overtime by a half an inch, that’s frustrating,” senior quarterback Dylan Mills said. “We know that we are that caliber of team, and we know when the moment comes again, we’re going to get that half an inch.”

OFFENSIVE POSITION SHIFTS MAKE FOR BALANCED ATTACK

A strength to give San Clemente that extra edge will be a renewed ability to attack in multiple ways on the offensive side of the ball.

The Tritons are the definition of balanced with the ability to throw or pass with equal efficiency. Balance is often achieved through a bit of sacrifice, and for San Clemente that sacrifice was made by senior Broderick Redden.

As a junior, Redden began the season as San Clemente’s starting quarterback, and after the midway point, when Mills became eligible after his transfer sit-out period, the two had a nearequal split of the signal-calling duties. However, over the spring and summer, Redden has moved to the tight end position, which unlocks a variety of options with his 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame as a target over the

middle. Redden called it a “natural transition” because of his size and basketball instincts along with a family legacy, including former Triton Bentley Redden, who is now a tight end at BYU.

Redden also saw it as a better path for himself to playing football at the college level, and Ortiz indicated that he’s already received some interest just based on his summer performance in camps and passing league.

It also means San Clemente isn’t going back and forth between two quarterbacks with different skill sets and rhythms, which Ortiz said hurt their consistency last season. The Tritons can now push forward with Mills, a Villanova commit, at the helm.

“He’s done a great job working on his pocket presence,” Ortiz said. “We did a lot of passing league this summer and spring. We all know that Dylan can tuck it and run it any time. I think he’s really worked on the finer points of the passing game, being able to stay in the pocket, be patient and make some throws. Working with (quarterback coach John) Beck and (offensive coordinator Troy) Kopp, I think he’s really improved.”

Even in spots where San Clemente lost impact seniors, there are more than capable

“We’re considered one of the top public schools in Orange County, and our goal is to continue that tradition of being one of those top schools.”

—Coach Jaime Ortiz

San Clemente will bring a physicality at every level starting with several returning linemen with size and length to control the line of scrimmage. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

players that have stepped up to fill those roles.

At wide receiver, Drew Shanley and Holden Stakston both provide potential deep threats for a big score or to open up underneath routes in the middle for Redden.

Aiden Rubin steps into the running back role as the full-time starter. Last season, Rubin came in and posted a 100-yard rushing performance in the first half against Steele Canyon when then-starter Blake Allen went down. Rubin is also one of many rugby players on the San Clemente roster and brings that same physical-yet-elusive running style.

The Tritons will also be particularly stout on the offensive line with three returning starters in Connor Bachhuber, Ben Baker and Will Sanders. Bachhuber is 6-foot-5, 245 pounds and committed to Stanford. Baker is 6-foot-2, 270 pounds and committed to getting even stronger in the offseason. Sanders is 6-foot-0, 240 pounds.

However, despite that strength, Ortiz said the line is one place where other contributors will need to step up, as Bachhuber and Baker are instrumental on the defensive line, as well. They’ll need solid back-up options to emerge to confidently give those two occasional rest.

STRONG FRONT LEADS YOUNG DEFENSE

San Clemente was hit hardest by graduation on the defensive side of the ball. The Tritons will be looking for the contributions of players that got limited reps as juniors to make big leaps into their senior seasons.

One player in particular on that path is defensive end Owen Bollinger. With Bachhuber on one end and Baker in the middle, San Clemente will still put out an intimidating front line, but if Bollinger raises his level, the Tritons could truly be monstrous in the trenches.

“You see the transition of guys that were part-time guys as juniors that make that push into their senior year,” Ortiz said. “He (Bollinger) is going to have to step up and have a presence by himself.”

The physicality of the defensive line is something overall that San Clemente looks to restock at other positions after the graduation of leaders including Cole Robertson and Nolan Reid.

At the linebacker level, Zeke Rubinstein and Puka Lee Fuimaono should be able to fill those roles of physicality to step up and stop the run and hold down the middle of the field.

There is a lack of starting experience in the secondary, where the Tritons will be pushed to the “max” with Max Gonzales, Max Bollard and Max Kotiranta.

However, San Clemente could get an unexpected infusion there with the recent transfer of Matai Tagoa’i, a four-star junior safety from Faith Lutheran of Las Vegas. Tagoa’i is the cousin of Fuimaono and is expected to be immediately eligible when his transfer paperwork processes. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound junior currently has 18 Division 1 college offers, including Alabama, Oklahoma and USC.

With an offense that has the opportunity to be explosive, Ortiz is looking for consistency from his defense.

“Defense wins championships, and I’ve felt that way since Day 1,” Ortiz said. “I think with

the new guys on the defensive side of the ball, we have to be able to tackle and swarm. How we play defensively the first couple games will be a good indication of where we’re at.”

LEAGUE TITLE FOR THE TAKING?

In this last run through the South Coast League, it might be San Clemente’s best clean shot at a league championship in a while.

Mission Viejo graduated every offensive stats leaders and nearly all of its top defenders, although that may be the stronger side of the ball for the Diablos in terms of returners. Mission Viejo always reloads, but is it high time for San Clemente’s first road win against the Diablos this century?

Capistrano Valley also graduated its dynamic offensive players, and after a winless run in the South Coast League last season, it’s hard to see that getting better for the Cougars.

Tesoro could be the potential trip-up in the South Coast League, as the Titans look to improve with a solidified quarterback position. San Clemente won on the road last season, but just because the Tritons get the homefield advantage this time doesn’t mean they should overlook the Titans.

With the offensive potential, the strong defensive front and brimming confidence, San Clemente could be in position to turn the South Coast League over one last time.

San Clemente’s offense has a new dynamic with Broderick Redden (right) transitioning to the tight end role, which opens up multiple attacking options. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Five Players to Watch OFFENSE

DYLAN MILLS

QB, Sr.

Mills steps in as the unquestioned starting quarterback in his second year with the Tritons, after splitting time in his five games last season. The dual-threat Villanova commit averaged 10 yards per carry and completed 50% of his passes and should be even more effective with the return of offensive coordinator

BRODERICK REDDEN

TE, Sr.

Redden moves from being the starting quarterback at the start of last season to being one of the Tritons’ top receiving threats this season at the tight end spot. Redden’s 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame and basketball instincts make it a natural transition for the senior and could unlock the offense’s

AIDEN RUBIN

RB, Sr.

As the second-string running back last season, Rubin showed his promise to be able to step into the top spot as a senior. Rubin averaged over six yards a carry with five touchdowns, and in his only game as the featured ballcarrier, he ran for 100 yards in the first half.

DREW SHANLEY

WR, Sr.

Shanley is the top returning wide receiver for the Tritons, as he was the third-leading receiver with 215 yards receiving and a touchdown last season. Shanley averaged eight yards per reception last year, and that consistent production should lead to bigger numbers with higher usage.

HOLDEN STAKSTON

WR, Sr.

Stakston goes from not having a single varsity reception last season to being a big player in the Tritons’ more balanced offensive attack. Stakston will be a deep threat for San Clemente, and that’s something that developed over the summer. He shined in passing league competition for the Tritons.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ZACH CAVANAGH

Five Players to Watch DEFENSE

CONNOR BACHHUBER

DE, Sr.

Bachhuber is part of the element of strength for San Clemente on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound, lengthy Stanford commit will go both ways as an offensive and defensive lineman, but he may be most valuable to the Tritons at the defensive end spot.

BEN BAKER

DT, Sr.

Baker is another key to what San Clemente will be able to do in controlling both sides of the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound lineman anchors the middle of the defensive line as a run-stuffer, and with strength increases across the board, Baker will help carve running lanes on offense.

MAX BOLLARD SS, Jr.

Bollard is the only returning starter in the defensive secondary for the Tritons, and he will be expected to lead the younger group. The junior was fourth on the team in tackles last year with 61, the most of any returning defender. Bollard will be a vocal leader on the back end.

LEE

MAX KOTIRANTA

LB, Jr.

San Clemente lost a lot of physicality at the linebacker position, and Fuimaono will be one counted on to fill that bruising role. The junior is 6-foot-1, 215 pounds and will be looked to as a run-stopper at the second level. Fuimaono will also handle some running back duties on offense.

DB, Jr.

Kotiranta will be a relied-on member of that young secondary as he steps up into a main role. As a sophomore, Kotiranta was an impact player on the junior varsity level and has speed and size that translates. He is another player that can contribute on offense in receiver-heavy spread formations.

“PUKA” FUIMAONO

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ZACH CAVANAGH

2023 SAN CLEMENTE

Coach: Andrew Ramer

2022 Record: 7-5 (4-1 Big West –Upper League)

2022 vs. S.C.: Did Not Play

Season Outlook:

In 2022, the Pumas firmly established themselves as the second-best squad in the Big West – Upper League behind Corona Centennial, before falling by two scores to Corona del Mar in the second round of the playoffs. This year, Chaparral of Temecula heads into 2023 as the fourth-best team in the Inland Empire, according to IE Sports Net’s preseason rankings.

Junior quarterback Dash Beierly, who holds numerous offers from Power 5 colleges, will lead the charge for the Pumas, along with a host of preseason Cal-Hi Sports All-Inland Empire teammates.

Coach: Robby Collins

2022 Record: 4-8 (2-4 Avocado League)

2022 vs. S.C.: SC win, 28-17

Season Outlook:

The Falcons’ first year under head coach Robby Collins was underwhelming, albeit with a shutout win in the playoffs.

The early going of their season included a convincing loss to San Clemente, during which the Tritons led, 28-3, in the third quarter before Torrey Pines scored a couple of garbage-time touchdowns.

Torrey Pines will need to find a new offensive approach after graduating its top passer and running back.

Coach: Sean Sovacool

2022 Record: 7-5 (4-2 Avocado League)

2022 vs. S.C.: SC win, 17-0

Season Outlook: San Clemente earned the first multiscore victory in the past five games between these two schools in 2022, extending its winning streak in this inter-county series to three. La Costa Canyon brings back defensive playmakers Trey Blazevich and EJ Brandreth in the front seven, as well as highly touted tight end Trevor Ladd.

Coach: Kevin Hettig

2022 Record: 9-4 (3-2 Sunset League)

2022 vs. S.C.: SC win, 23-6

Season Outlook: Kevin Hettig steps in as the new man leading the Sea Kings after Dan O’Shea, who posted an 80-18 record in eight seasons, left for St. Margaret’s. Hettig was previously Corona del Mar’s offensive coordinator and associate head coach. Additionally, with the departure of quarterback David Rasor for UC Davis, senior Kaleb Arnett is expected to take over. Annett recently committed to Boise State. Leading rusher Colin Pene returns, along with a plethora of weapons including receiver Russell Weir and towering, 6-foot-5 tight ends Sebastien Boydell and Zach Giuliano.

Coach: Jeff Grady

2022 Record: 9-2 (4-1 Sunset League)

2022 vs. S.C.: Edison win, 21-16

Season Outlook:

The Chargers’ matchup against San Clemente was the second-most competitive game for Edison last season on the way to a 9-1 regular-season mark.

This year, Edison will look to replace a vast majority of production off a heavily senior-laden 2022 team. Top receiver and senior Mason York may shoulder the load for a perennially well-coached program.

Coach: George Wilson

2022 Record: 6-5 (2-3 Big West –Upper League)

2022 vs. S.C.: MV win, 48-31

Season Outlook:

The Bachmeier family still has its prints on Southern California football, literally and figuratively. Bear, the youngest of three talented brothers, enters 2023 as a well-built, 6-foot-2 quarterback who is being courted by plenty of top programs. The junior completed 72% of his passes last season, throwing for 285 yards per game with an impressive 26-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The Nighthawks also feature a dynamic running back duo in Asa Chatman and Dorian Hoze, who rushed for 1341 and 519 yards, respectively, in 2022.

Coach: Arthur Gracia

2022 Record: 8-3 (2-1 Mountain West League)

2022 vs. S.C.: Did Not Play

Season Outlook:

Look for the Bulldogs to lean on senior running back Marquis Monroe in the wake of losing their quarterback, Bryan Wilson, to Roosevelt (Eastvale).

In just nine games, Monroe totaled 703 yards rushing on just 99 carries, good for an average of 7.1 yards per tote.

Fortunately for San Clemente, the Tritons should be well-rested for the trip to Chino Hills, as the Tritons will be coming off a bye.

Coach: Chad Johnson

2022 Record: 10-2 (3-0 South Coast League)

2022 vs. S.C.: MV win, 49-14

Season Outlook:

Last year’s league-opening game received more attention for what happened in between snaps than for actual game action, which is sure to add more fuel to this rivalry. Mission Viejo enters 2023 ranked 31st in the country, according to MaxPreps, with a stacked roster, particularly on defense with junior cornerback Dijon Lee. Lee is the sixth-best player in California per 247Sports. The Diablos will lean on their defense early, as they enter the season with a continuing quarterback competition between junior Drai Trudeau and sophomore Luke Fahey.

Coach: Sean Curtis

2022 Record: 4-6 (0-3 South Coast League)

2022 vs. S.C.: SC win, 51-7

Season Outlook:

The 2022 season was rough for the Cougars, as they endured three consecutive three-point losses in non-league play and were simply outmatched in their first year in the South Coast League.

For this season to be an improvement, Capistrano Valley will have to see a step up in production from its returning playmakers, who saw their elder leaders graduate in June.

Senior linebacker Jackson Sievers, who averaged 11 tackles per game and notched seven sacks last year, is positioned to be the alpha leader on this team.

Location: San Clemente HS

Coach: Matt Poston

2022 Record: 6-5 (1-2 South Coast)

2022 vs. S.C.: SC win, 31-14

Season Outlook:

The Titans won six of their first eight games last year before dropping their final three, including a heartbreaking, one-point defeat at the hands of Upland in the playoffs.

Junior quarterback Cash O’Byrne looks to provide stability for Tesoro, but it’s Air Force-committed running back Travis Wood who will likely shoulder the load again. Wood rushed for 1,335 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022.

Tesoro hasn’t beaten San Clemente since 2015.

Council Weighing Fight over By-District Elections

In the face of threatened litigation, the San Clemente City Council faces an important decision at our next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15: Do we pursue a transition to “district” elections to quell the litigation, or mount an extraordinarily expensive legal battle to hopefully preserve “at-large” elections in the city?

In reaching this decision, there are some important facts to consider.

The California Voting Rights Act became law in 2003, making it relatively simple for private lawyers to sue a city with an existing “at-large” governing board and force that city into a “district” election system.

The state eliminated the heavier burden required in federal lawsuits to prove discriminatory intent, historical discrimination, or that minority voters live in a geographically compact area of the city.

Under the simpler, easier California standard, one must only prove that the “at-large” election results in minority voters being diluted by majority voters. The plaintiff’s attorney merely needs to show that a protected class of San Clemente residents (Asian or Hispanic voters) vote differently from the majority.

That burden of proof is easily met through an expert witness hired by the plaintiff. The system is essentially rigged against cities.

San Clemente is among the latest targets of a concerted effort coming out of Sacramento to force “district” elections to change the makeup of city elected officials.

Letters to The Editor

WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR BEACH PATROLS?

GREG STOLROW, San Clemente

We do not have to look far to find examples of how poorly our Spanish Village by the Sea is managed.

My wife and I walk the Beach Trail weekly and happened to see for the first and only time the two security guards that are supposed to be part of a 24-hour vigilance of our treasured Beach Trail. We can report that other than our sighting on a recent Saturday at 10 a.m.,

number, seeks to curtail veteran and servicemember suicide. SB 726 seeks to honor our military heroes with a 100% VA disability rating, many of whom live on a fixed income, by significantly reducing their property taxes.

Assembly Bill 46 has returned to the frontlines of Sacramento this year after facing a few defeats in previous legislative sessions.

CITY COUNCIL CORNER BY VICTOR

CABRAL

As a result of both actual and threatened lawsuits over the past few years, 190 cities, 270 school districts, 74 community college boards, one county board of supervisors, and 50 water district boards and other special districts have transitioned from “at-large” to “district” elections.

Each of them has, in my opinion, weighed the likelihood of success of litigation against the prohibitive cost of litigation, and concluded it is best to move voluntarily to “district” elections.

There is, however, one case brought by the City of Santa Monica that has had some success in litigating against “district” elections.

The case is before the California Supreme Court. Although no final decision has been reached, I do not expect that case to be decided in a manner that will assist San Clemente opposing “district” elections.

Also, it’s important to note that Santa Monica has incurred an estimated $10 million in legal fees thus far, and, win or lose, it will be responsible for an additional estimated $30 million in plaintiff’s attorneys fees, expert witness expenses, and court costs.

In 2016, the residents of San Clemente voted overwhelmingly to reject a referendum to transition to “district” elections; that’s a strong indication of the voters’

these guys are missing in action and nowhere to be seen. What are the odds we could walk the entire trail and never see one or both of them? Not to mention, they were standing together chatting on the beach, staring off into the ocean.

This is an incredible waste of money, over $50,000 a month. At a minimum, why would we not have them at opposite ends of the trail crossing paths as they approach the pier? I would also note this initiative, which is supposed to back up the sheriff deputies, has, at best, just shifted the encampments inland.

Our North Beach neighbors that feed the homeless regularly continue to encourage a dozen or more of these souls to return to the beach in the morning for donuts, milk and coffee. We are just kicking cans down the road here.

preference.

But, today, we must look seriously at our limited options. The demand letter we received comes with time constraints and financial implications. If the city voluntarily decides to move to “district” elections at our next meeting, the plaintiffs would be limited to recovering $37,000 for their demand letter.

If we fail to agree to their demand by Aug. 24, it will likely cost the city a minimum of $300,000 to $600,000 for attorney’s fees, experts, and court costs.

We could mount a legal battle, but we have seen several cities that have opted to litigate to preserve their at-large elections, and after spending several million dollars, none have succeeded.

As an elected councilmember, I have a duty to make a prudent assessment of the options and vote for a path forward that serves the legal, public policy and financial interests of our citizens.

Fighting this process in court is likely to cost our residents millions of dollars, and, at present, it appears the odds of winning are negligible.

I welcome your advice and counsel on this important decision.

Victor Cabral was elected to the San Clemente City Council in 2022.

AB 46 calls for the tax exemption of military retiree pay. California and the District of Columbia are the only entities within the U.S. that still draw an income tax on servicemembers’ hard-earned retirement pay, and it is time for California to catch up with the rest of the country on this one.

To those of you stationed nearby and those who have served, I sincerely thank those of you stationed nearby and those who have served, I sincerely thank you for your service and cordially invite you to join the conversation—not just for yourself, but for those servicemembers and veterans to come.

Please reach out to my office via email to assemblymember.davies@asm.ca.gov or call 949.284.6371 and express your willingness to be part of my Military Advisory Council.

Laurie Davies is a small business owner and former mayor who was elected to the State Assembly in 2020 and reelected in 2022. She represents the 74th Assembly District, which includes Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano in South Orange County—down through Camp Pendleton, and Oceanside, Vista and part of Fallbrook in North San Diego County.

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 editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

When will we have leaders with gumption and insight to permanently and effectively solve this issue and secure our beaches and Beach Trail?

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOUSING SHORTAGE?

HECTOR HERNANDEZ, San Clemente

I was reading how Southern California supposedly has a housing shortage.

The last time I traveled through SoCal, there was a tremendous amount of land for future development. The problem isn’t a shortage of land, it is a shortage of highly desirable land.

Developers can get back much more on their investment in South County than San Bernardino County.

This push by developers to rezone and

remove building restrictions has nothing to do with the well-being of SoCal or South County residents. It has everything to do with the well-being of wealthy developers’ pocketbooks.

My hope is that San Clemente can survive this onslaught. Just look at what developers have done to Dana Point. Do we, the residents of San Clemente, really want the same?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

GUEST OPINION | City Council Corner by Councilmember Victor Cabral

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

THURSDAY | 10

TABLE TENNIS THURSDAYS

10 a.m.-noon. Intermediate to advanced players who are at least 45 years old are invited to play table tennis at the Shorecliffs Terrace Mobile Home Park every Thursday for free. Shorecliffs Terrace, 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente. 949.481.2275.

LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S

7 p.m. Live music is featured at this San Clemente lounge known for its entertainment. The Tightrope Band will perform.

Iva Lee’s Restaurant & Lounge, 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. ivalees.com.

CASA VIBES AT CASA ROMANTICA

7-8 p.m. Hometown artist Gal Musette will perform indie and fun-filled disco in the Courtyard at Casa Romantica. The event is standing- and dancing-room only. Tickets are $18. Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

FRIDAY | 11

LINE DANCING FRIDAYS

10-11 a.m. Join Age Well Senior Services for line dancing every Friday at San Clemente’s senior center. No partner required. For a $5 donation, learn some easy and fun line dances to get you moving. Carrie Wojo teaches all over South Orange County and makes it easy to stay active and have fun. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. 949.498.3322.

RAMPS & REELS

4-10 p.m. The inaugural Ramps & Reels, a two-day skating event, will hit Domingo Avenue in Doheny Village on Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12, from 2-10 p.m.

SUNDAY | 13: FIESTA MUSIC FESTIVAL

10 a.m.-7 p.m. Visit Avenida Del Mar to experience the 68th annual Fiesta Music Festival, an all-day event where talented artists will perform from three stages throughout the day. The headlining acts include The Aggrolites, Laxi, NOT, The Provos, Rumble King and Wes Chiller. In addition to various food, games and vendor booths, downtown restaurants and shops will be open. There will be two bike corrals, one near the Community Center and one near Artifex, behind South of Nick’s. A free shuttle service will run from San Clemente High School from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., in addition to the city’s trolley service. Downtown San Clemente. scchamber.com.

The event will feature a public street course, food trucks, drinks and film screenings. Domingo Avenue, Dana Point. danapoint.org.

CABRILLO PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS

‘THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW’

7:30 p.m. Enjoy the Cabrillo Playhouse’s performance of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character, although no outside props are allowed. Tickets are $33. The show will run on multiple dates through Aug. 27. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. cabrilloplayhouse.org.

SATURDAY | 12

SUMMER LECTURE SERIES AT THE MISSION

2-3 p.m. This summer, the Mission will host a lecture series with talks by Orange County historians Chris Jepsen and Eric Plunkett. All lectures will be held in the Historic Sala and are free with the price of admission, membership or tour. Seating is limited, so attendees are asked to RSVP with Marissa Medina by phone at 949.234.1321 or by emailing mmedina@ missionsjc.com. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK

8-9:30 p.m. Join Haunted Orange County for a dark, history-filled ghost tour of San Juan Capistrano. Hear the stories

of spirits that inhabit the old Los Rios district and make your way through Camino Capistrano to the outskirts of the Mission itself. The tour ends outside the Mission, near the church where a great earthquake struck in 1912 and parishioners were crushed under falling stones. The meeting location is just outside the brick visitor’s information booth near the train tracks located behind the Franciscan Plaza Parking Structure, 26732 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 866.446.7803. hauntedoc.com.

LIVE MUSIC HARBOR CRUISE WITH DANA WHARF

8-9:30 p.m. Join Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching aboard the 95-foot Dana Pride for an evening cruise in the Dana Point Harbor. Classic Rock band Bunch of Guys will perform. The boat features a full bar including wine, beer and mixed drinks. Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.5794, ext. 7. danawharf.com.

SUNDAY | 13

STAND UP TO TRASH BEACH CLEANUP: WE’RE TURNING 3!

9-11 a.m. Join Stand Up to Trash at Baby Beach and the Ocean Institute for a beach cleanup followed by a Lunch and Learn at the Ocean Institute. This month’s theme is “plastic-free birthday celebration.” Attendees can also bring in their recyclables for processing with Pink Recycling. Lunch

will be provided. Dana Point Harbor, 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. standuptotrash.com.

MONDAY | 14

COUNTRY NIGHT AT H.H. COTTON’S

5:30 p.m. This popular downtown restaurant offers a night full of country music and line dancing for all ages. Beginners will have the floor from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for Introduction to Line Dancing, followed by the Advanced Beginner class from 7-8 p.m. The hour-long lessons are $10 each. Free line dancing will be offered from 8-9:30 p.m. H.H. Cotton’s, 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.945.6616. hhcottons.com.

TUESDAY | 15

SHARKS AFTER DARK

6-9 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute to learn more about the ocean’s apex predators, bioluminescence and more every Tuesday through August. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.

WEDNESDAY | 16

NATIVE AMERICAN BASKET-WEAVING DEMONSTRATIONS

10 a.m.-noon. Teeter Marie Olivares Romero, Ellen Sue Olivares, Susie Fimbres and Wanda Jo Gennaro demonstrate the art of basket weaving on the third Wednesday of the month at the Mission. Basket-weaving demonstrations take place in the front courtyard. The demonstration is free with the price of admission, membership or tour. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES

4-8 p.m. San Juan Summer Nites free concert series returns to Historic Town Center Park. Join the city for live music, a business expo, vendors and free activities for kids. This week, the country and western act Smith will entertain audiences, starting at 6 p.m. The business expo starts at 4 p.m. Historic Town Center Park, 31525 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS

8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads is open for food, drinks and live music. Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

Grooveswitch, a funk-soul band from Long Beach, performs at the Bottom of Del Mar stage during the San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival on Aug. 14, 2022. Photo: File/Keaton Larson

PUBLIC NOTICES

TO

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236666360

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

XANTHE FINE ART

131 W CANADA

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

Full Name of Registrant(s): NORMA PATRIDIS

131 W CANADA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

This business is conducted by an Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a

/s/NORMA PATRIDIS

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 06/26/2023.

Published in: San Clemente Times July 27, August 3, 10, 17, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236668405

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CARTER’S HOPE, LLC

742 E CHAPMAN AVE ORANGE, CA 92866

Full Name of Registrant(s): BELLA VITA LLC

23 CHIMNEY LANE LADERA RANCH, CA 92694

This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a

BELLA VITA LLC/s/HALLIE PALOMARES, HALLIE PALOMARES, MANAGING MEMBER/ MANAGER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 07/24/2023.

Published in: San Clemente Times August 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023

SUBMIT

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE $15

Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 12pm Friday

WANTED

WANTED OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

SAN CLEMENTE BUSINESS PARK

We are a small office looking for someone with general office skills. Mandatory hours are from 6:30 am until 2:30 pm. Must be proficient in Quick Books, Microsoft programs: Office, Excel, Word, etc. Beginning salary negotiable.

E-mail resume to deedeenp@yahoo.com. Contact number: (949) 795-0780

Place

GUEST

OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom

Blake

The Importance of Social Interaction for Seniors

One of the themes I often mention in my columns is the importance of social interaction for seniors.

I strongly urge seniors to get off the couch, out of the house and become involved in activities in which they will make new friends and rediscover old friends. By getting out, loneliness, which is prevalent among single seniors, will likely lessen.

And getting out of the house is imperative for senior singles who hope to meet a potential mate. And chances are, the people they meet will likely live within a reasonable distance from them, making seeing each other more convenient. Long-distance relationships for single seniors are nearly impossible to sustain.

It’s also important for seniors who aren’t single to socially interact as well. Medical studies have proven that social interaction is good for one’s health. Here are some social interactions I’ve recently experienced.

On Thursday mornings, at the Heritage Park Doris Walker lookout in Dana Point, I attend a tai chi class taught by Dana Point resident Ron Cohan. It’s

free and open to anybody, not just residents of Dana Point.

two employees, Teresa and Rosa, still working part-time.

body remember what I did so long ago? I can barely remember the USFL.

I said, “What did you do for the Invaders?”

ON LIFE AND LOVE

BY TOM BLAKE

At a recent session, a woman came up to me and said, “It’s nice to see you again.” She looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember from where or when.

A little embarrassed, I said, “Remind me how we know each other.”

She shared her name and said, “You introduced me about 35 years ago to a friend of yours at Tutor and Spunky’s, your Dana Point deli. He and I dated for a while.” She wouldn’t tell me his name.

I gave her my business card and said if she wanted, we could meet for coffee sometime, and she could elaborate on the man she had met. We never would have seen each other if we both weren’t socially interacting at Ron’s tai chi class.

And speaking of Tutor and Spunky’s, which is still operating under new owners at the corner of Blue Lantern and PCH, I stopped by for a sandwich last week and was pleased to see my first

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The interior of the San Clemente Hotel was luxuriously outfitted with furnishings matching the town’s Spanish Revival architecture. It was suitable for impressing members of the upper-class who came to San Clemente to consider buying a lot and building a house, or simply to enjoy the Spanish Village by the Sea. Advertisements emphasized modern details such as electricity in every guest room. The nightly rate was $2 and up. This photo can be purchased from the San Clemente Historical Society at sanclementehistoricalsociety.org

Each has been there for 36 years. They were chatting with a customer named Maria. When Maria saw me, she said, “Tom, I knew you when I used to come here 30 years ago.” She proceeded to show me photos of her children and grandchildren.

Two weeks ago, a friend and I went to the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts concert venue to listen to a Motown-era band. We, along with lots of other people, were dancing among the tables and having a great time.

Another couple was seated nearby and smiled at us as we danced. As the concert was winding down, the man said, “You are Tom Blake.”

I said, “Yes.”

Then he said, “You and I worked together 40 years ago.”

“Where?” I replied.

“In Oakland. We both worked for the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League (USFL) in March and April 1983, the league’s inaugural year. You were the marketing/sales guy who got people to purchase game tickets.”

I was taken aback. How could any-

Smokey

He replied, “I was the punter on the team.”

I was dumbstruck. We shook hands. He said, “I’m Stan Talley, and this is my wife, Cynthia.” Cynthia and my friend had been chatting and already had become pals.

Turns out that Stan and Cynthia live in Niguel Shores in Dana Point, a mile from where I live in Monarch Beach. These fun encounters show what can happen when seniors include social interaction in their daily routines. You never know whom you are going to meet.

T om Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com. SC

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 editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Smokey the cat is a born entertainer. A very playful 1-year-old, he delights in wowing visitors with his feline acrobatics. He loves any and all toys and gets along with like-minded cats. Smokey would do well in a lively household where he can frolic and play to his heart’s content.

If you are interested in adopting Smokey, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

Sudoku- medium- by Myles Mellor

BY MYLES MELLOR LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

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

8 9 3 29 8 4 7 5

2 4 5 6 739 8 2 8 1 9 46 8

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Every week, the San Clemente Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com

Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente Historical Society

Scoreboard

BY ZACH CAVANAGH,

SAN

CLEMENTE TIMES

Our City Scoreboard keeps you updated on all of the local San Clemente youth and community team accomplishments and special individual performances of the week. Email zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com for submission.

SC Girls Softball Teams Compete at Western Nationals

San Clemente was represented by two groups of girls softball all-stars at the USA Softball Western Nationals on July 26-30 in Roseville, California. The San Clemente Rage found the podium in the 12U division by going 6-2 in the tournament for a bronze third-place finish.

San Clemente went unbeaten in group play with a combined score of 47-9 in three games, including a 23-4 win over the West Valley Slammers and 17-1 win over the Oregon Titans on the opening day of the tournament. The Rage then won its

opening-bracket game by shutout, 13-0, over the Five Cities Screaming Eagles, took its quarterfinal game over the Carlsbad Mayhem, 9-3, and shut out the Placentia Yorba Linda team, 11-0, in the semifinals.

In the winner’s-bracket final, San Clemente finally met its match in a 9-3 loss to El Rio. The Rage then fell in the losers’-bracket final to Hana Pa’a of Hawaii, 9-0. El Rio defeated Hana Pa’a in the final to win the Western National title. San Clemente had beaten both finalists earlier in the season.

The San Clemente 12U team finished the season with a tremendous 39-5-1 record and its second consecutive medal at Western Nationals, following a second-place finish last year.

The 12U San Clemente Rage were led by a core of pitcher Luca Cifuentes, shortstop Ryenn Roldan, second baseman Caylani Agosto and third baseman Lyla Baldridge.

Catcher Anela Saxton also earned selection to the California All-American team, which will compete in Oklahoma later this month.

Other contributors to the Rage included Delaney Bautista, Destiny Klatt, Emmylou Ferrell, Georgia Ferrell, Lanna Jay, Lydia Rajpoot, Madison Fernandez and Rachel Roldan. The 12U San Clemente team was coached by Elmer Roldan with assistants Eric Saxton, John Baldridge, Mark Agosto and Teddy Jay.

The 10U San Clemente Flames finished

in the top 16 of the 10U USA Softball Western Nationals with a 4-3-1 record in the tournament.

The Flames roster included Andie Actis, Colette Bunnin, Alba Byassee, Emeline Guardenier, Scarlett Jimenez, Malia Kali, Caitlin Moore, Makena Morganegg, Mackenzie Nicoll, Kenlea Pyper, Zara Valenzuela, and Reagan Weed. The 10U San Clemente team was coached by Ben Pyper, Jeremy Morganegg, Don Bunnin, Cory Actis and David Byassee.

The 10U San Clemente Flames finished in the top 16 at the USA Softball Western Nationals last month.

Photo Courtesy of San Clemente Girls Softball.

The 12U San Clemente Rage placed third at the USA Softball Western Nationals last month and went 39-5-1 this season. Photo Courtesy of San Clemente Girls Softball.

BODY MIND SPIRIT

ARE YOU HAPPY?

Let us assist you in creating a life plan for the life & relationships you want & deserve. Body Mind Spirit, 949.248.7377, bodymindspirit.com

DENTISTS

Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S. 3553 Camino Mira Costa, Suite B, San Clemente, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, San Clemente, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045,

DREAMS COME TRUE AT U.S. OPEN FOR SAWYER LINDBLAD

With the biggest win of her young career, Lindblad just took out North America’s most prestigious surf contest

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

The power and talent of the next generation of San Clemente surf stars was on full display at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach as Sawyer Lindblad turned a childhood dream into a reality.

In front of a crowd of thousands of stoked, sunburned surf fans, facing perennial world title contender Sally Fitzgibbons in a clash of rising star versus veteran, Lindblad put on one of the most demonstrative performances of her young career to take the win.

“Honestly, it’s been a dream of mine to win this event since I was 5 years old,” said Lindblad. “I’ve always looked up to all the girls that have done this event, and to go against Sally in the final was a dream come true.”

“And taking the win, I can’t even describe the feeling right now,” she continued. “I’m so happy. My whole family is on the beach right now, and I want to thank them for supporting me and my sponsors for coming down to support me, too.”

More than just the biggest win of her life, for Lindblad, the first-place finish moves her up four positions into third on the WSL Challenger Series leaderboard. The top five women will qualify

GROM OF THE WEEK

JACOB BROWN

BY JAKE HOWARD

Dana Point has a long, storied tradition when it comes to producing some of the most stylish surfers in Orange County, and Jacob Brown is keeping it rolling. A weapon in and out of a jersey, he’s an integral player in the next generation of talent percolating up from Salt Creek. A dynamic regular-footer with plenty of whip in his turns, Brown’s surfing is technically on point while also being loose, fluid and creative.

Spending the last year competing among the USA Surfing ranks, as well as representing Dana Hills High in the water, Brown’s surfing has gotten consider-

for the prestigious Championship Tour at season’s end.

With the U.S. Open in the books, there are now only two more events to go. More than 2,000 points ahead of the surfer in fourth place, Lindblad is in a great spot at the moment, and she looks to be able to ride this momentum to the end.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side of the draw, San Clemente’s Crosby Colapinto ripped his way to a runner-up finish. Like Lindblad, it’s the best result of his career to date.

High-flying surfer from Hawaii Eli Hanneman came out firing in the final, forcing Colapinto to play the comeback game. Though never quite recovering from Hanneman’s onslaught, Colapinto still had a lot of which to be proud.

“Crosby is so good on the face, he’s the best of our generation for on-theface surfing,” Hanneman said afterward.

“I went out thinking I have to try airs, because that’s what I do. I felt a little bit of wind coming and knew it was my time. I just had to stay calm and stay ready.”

Again, like Lindblad, Colapinto now sits third on the Challenger Series. At season’s end, the top 10 men will qualify for the Challenger Series. As reported here last week, San Clemente’s Cole

Houshmand sits atop the Challenger Series ratings and has already clinched his spot on the 2024 Championship Tour. For his effort in Huntington, Hanneman now moves up an eye-popping 24 spots and sits just below Colapinto in fourth. Should Colapinto go on to qualify, he would join his brother, Griffin Colapinto, who’s already on tour (and clinched spots in the 2023 WSL Finals at Lowers and the 2024 Olympics in Paris).

With two more Challenger Series events to go, Kade Matson and Jett Schilling also remain in the qualification conversation. Matson’s right on the cutline at 10th, while Schilling is just below him at 11th. Out of the 15 qualification spots available to the men and the women on the Challenger Series, there’s potential that five of them could go to

surfers from San Clemente.

There is no surf town on the planet right now with that much talent.

Up next, the Challenger Series will head to Portugal for the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira at the start of October, followed by the Corona Saquarema Pro in Brazil.

Huge congratulations to Lindblad on the win and Colapinto on the second-place finish. We can’t wait to see you finish the year with a bang.

Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for several publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

SURF FORECAST

ably stronger over the past year, adding some serious power to his rail game.

Working with Dana Point surf coach guru Lucas Taub to continue his progression, Brown’s seemingly getting better with every session.

Brown has also been enjoying the support of several top-flight surf brands, including IPD, a burgeoning company out of the Newport Beach area; the locally based Rumaner Surfboards; and the oh-so-comfortable Xcel wetsuits.

Brown also has a “rad” deal going with Beech Brand towels. Collaborating on an eye-catching towel design, some of Brown’s artwork is featured on the towel,

and, better yet, you can pick one up for yourself at beechtowel.com/jake-brown. His design is called “Strand.”

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com. SC

Water Temperature: 70-71 Degrees

Water Visibility: 8-10’

Thursday: Lingering S/SSE sets up thigh to stomach high waves, (2-3’+), for good spots, while best breaks hit shoulder high, (4’+).  Light southerly winds most of the morning, shift to a light+/periodically more WSW sea breeze for the afternoon then ease by the evening.

Outlook: Fresh SW swell joins in Friday, along with some NW swell, maintaining thigh to stomach high surf, (2-3’+), at good exposures.  Those heights hold through the weekend as the swell mix continues. Light/variable winds Friday morning, rise to  lowend moderate onshores for the afternoon. Mainly onshores on Saturday, lightest in the morning. Back to a light/variable morning Sunday, followed by a light+ afternoon sea breeze.

Jacob Brown. Photo: Courtesy of beechtowel.

San Clemente’s Sawyer Lindblad wins the U.S. Open of Surfing over the weekend in Huntington Beach. On the men’s side, Crosby Colapinto finished runner-up. The biggest results of both surfers’ respective careers, they are now both well-positioned to qualify for the 2024 WSL Championship Tour. Photo: Courtesy of WSL

THE COACH HOUSE

NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL 2023

Tuition-Free Classical Charter School

Located in San Juan Capistrano

Authorized TK - 8th Grade School, beginning with TK - 5th Grade and will add one grade level each year.

California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano is a tuition-free charter school in the classical liberal arts tradition.

Our purpose is to create scholars and leaders that exemplify the classical ideal –excellence in soul, mind, and body. With that firm purpose at the center of all that we do, CRLA Capistrano is a truly remarkable school.

Our academic program creates scholars with exceptional achievements. Our focus on excellence of character shapes the hearts and minds of our scholars to want to pursue goodness and virtue. With a curriculum, culture, and purpose built upon the classical liberal arts tradition, CRLA Capistrano’s adherence to timeless principles produces remarkable results.