NOVEMBER 23 -DECEMBER 7, 2023 | VOLUME 21, ISSUE 22
INSIDE: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
A Jolly Glow
San Juan Capistrano Preapres to Get in the Festive Spirit S P O R T S / PAG E 3 Hundreds of families gather in Downtown San Juan Capistrano and the Los Rios Historic District for the annual tree lighting ceremony and a host of other holiday-themed festivities in December 2022. Photo: Shawn Raymundo
thecapistranodispatch.com
Council Approves List of 2023 Inductees for Wall of Recognition
Fiesta Association Announces 64th Annual Swallows Parade Theme
JSerra Girls Cross Country Wins 3rd Straight CIF Title
EYE ON SJC/ PAGE 4
EYE ON SJC / PAGE 4
SPORTS / PAGE 22
AEP- It’s About Saving you Money Calling all existing Medicare Beneficiaries, are you looking to save some money on either your monthly premiums, your co-pays, or your prescription drug co-pays? Then the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time for you to make a change to your current plan. All changes made during this time (10/15 – 12/7) go into effect 1/1/24. The biggest way to save money is to see if a Medicare Advantage plan would work for you. If it does meet your needs, then you cancel your Medicare Supplement and Medicare Drug plan for 2024 because the Medicare Advantage plan gives you that type of coverage and financial protection from medical bills. You’re no longer paying a premium for Medicare Supplement or a Medicare RX plan if you decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans in Orange County typically have no or low premiums and are both HMO’s and PPO’s.
prescriptions changed since you enrolled in your current Medicare RX plan? If they’re expensive medications (in the $40-$100 range or higher when you refill them) then it’s time for a review. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (also known as AEP) ends December 7th, if you’d like to schedule a no cost Medicare options review contact me soon, my calendar is already filling up! I do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently I represent 5 organizations which offer 36 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1 800 MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.
Regarding a “standalone” Medicare RX plan, some plans used to not have a name brand drug deductible and now they do. Have your The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
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EYE ON SJC
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
San Juan Preparing to Get in the Festive Spirit
SATURDAY, NOV. 25
Challenging Cancer 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system, and people dealing with cancer. To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.
BY BREEANA GREENBERG
San Juan Capistrano will kick off the Yuletide season with a festive flash of holiday lights at the Mission and Historic Town Center Park. The city’s annual Christmas tree-lighting celebration at the Historic Town Center Park will get started at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 with pre-show entertainment followed by a musical holiday stage production. The tree will be lit with fanfare at 5:45 p.m. Attendees can enjoy free holiday activities at the Los Rios Historic District following the tree lighting, including photos with Santa Claus, storytime with Mrs. Claus, a holiday puppet show and a mechanical train ride. Visitors can also enjoy holiday karaoke, a s’mores station, free kids’ crafts, costumed characters and a business merchant open house. A special event trolley service will be offered, with two trolleys operating on a 20-minute continuous loop from Junipero Serra Road at the JSerra Catholic High School North Campus northern terminus to a trolley stop at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street. That same night, Mission San Juan Capistrano will celebrate the opening night of its “Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights” with a tree lighting, visits from Santa and more festive activities. The Mission in Lights will run on select days through Dec. 30, featuring Dickens-era carolers, a full-scale nativity scene, light features including a new lighted halo grove, a new butterfly orchard, dancing
Supervisor Foley Expands Annual Winter Coat Drive BY BREEANA GREENBERG
As Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley brings back her annual Holiday New Coats for Kids Drive for the 15th year, she is looking to expand the initiative across her district. For the past 14 years, Foley has organized the coat drive in Costa Mesa, where she previously served as a councilmember and
TUESDAY, NOV. 28
Hundreds of families gather in Downtown San Juan Capistrano and the Los Rios Historic District for the annual tree lighting ceremony and a host of other holiday-themed festivities in December 2022. Photo: Shawn Raymundo
swallows and more. Festivities at the Mission welcome back the Community Christmas, Family Wreaths and a harpist at the Serra Chapel. Attendees can also enjoy a special audio tour throughout the month of December. Capistrano Lights tickets also include same-day admission to the Mission so visitors can enjoy the historic site in the daytime before it’s lit up with festive lights at night. More information on the Mission in Lights event can be found at missionsjc.com/capistrano-lights. San Juan Capistrano City Council will bring the festivities to its Dec. 5 meeting, with hot cocoa for a holiday reception at 4:30 p.m. The council’s festivities will mark the last meeting of the year and final meeting in the temporary Council Chambers located at the Nydegger Building (31421 La Matanza Street).
The Ecology Center will also host its Holiday Celebration as it encourages a season of gratitude and conscious consumerism. On Saturday, Dec. 9, The Ecology Center will offer a curated selection of locally sourced, artisanal products and gifts, complimentary cider and donuts, live music and a cooking demonstration and book signing. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. visitors of The Ecology Center can engage with local artisans and vendors, support young makers from the Farm Raised program, and shop local for holiday gifts. Acoustic Grateful Dead tribute band Cats on the Bandstand will perform from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and cookbook author Jeanne Kelley will give a demonstration and sign books from noon-1 p.m. More information on The Ecology Center Holiday Celebration can be found at theecologycenter.org/event/ holiday-celebration.
mayor. Since Nov. 15, residents have been able to donate new kids- and youth-sized coats to help children and teenagers stay warm this winter. “I invite the public to join me in the holiday spirit and donate new coats and jackets to keep our kids warm this winter season,” Foley said in a media release. “After hosting this coat drive for the last 14 years, we hope to break records this year and collect the most donations yet to help as many Orange County families as possible, including nearly 200 identified kids in South County.” Foley will accept donations at her offices in Santa Ana and Dana Point, as well as drop boxes throughout District 5.
The drop box locations in Dana Point include the Dana Point Women’s Club, located at 24642 San Juan Avenue, and the Orange County Sailing and Events Center at 34451 Ensenada Place. In San Clemente, there is a donation drop box at the Aquatics Center, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, and the San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar. There is also a donation box located at the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, and the Boys & Girls Club of the Capistrano Valley at 1 Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 18. For more information, reach out via email at katrina.foley@ocgov.com or by phone at 714.834.3550.
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
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Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, substance misuse, disrespect), conducts its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference and in person/Zoom the first Tuesday of each month at the Outlets at San Clemente’s Conference Room. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com. FRIDAY, DEC. 1
Coffee Chat 8:30 a.m. A town hall forum on community issues. The first Friday session of the month will be held virtually via Zoom video conference; all other Friday forums will take place in person at Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano, 31761 Camino Capistrano. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for information. TUESDAY, DEC. 5
City Council 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at the Nydegger Building. Members of the public can either attend in person or watch the livestreamed version online at sanjuancapistrano.org. Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6
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. FRIDAY, DEC. 8
The next print edition of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes. thecapistranodispatch.com
EYE ON SJC
Council Approves List of 2023 Inductees for Wall of Recognition BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO
Three new names will be added to the city’s Wall of Recognition after the City Council this month approved the list of recommended individuals who have contributed years of service to the town of San Juan Capistrano. Residents Donna Friess, Bart Moore and Tom Scott were selected by the council in a unanimous vote on Nov. 7 to be included in the Wall of Recognition that’s located within the San Juan Capistrano Community Center. The city plans to hold an unveiling ceremony at the community center in January, after the new Council Chambers are constructed. The Wall of Recognition program, which was created by the City Council, is meant “to honor those individuals whose service to the community has made the City of San Juan Capistrano a more productive and enjoyable place to live, work and visit,” according to the city. Last year’s slate of honorees included equestrian Julie Ryan Johnson, Cultural Heritage Commissioner Ann Ronan, and local volunteer
Fiesta Association Announces 64th Annual Swallows Parade Theme BY BREEANA GREENBERG
Celebrating an apparent return to normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic and an equine virus outbreak that impacted a previous year’s festivities, the Fiesta Association recently announced next year’s parade theme: “Saddle Up San Juan.” The Fiesta Association, which organizes San Juan Capistrano’s annual Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Faire, held a contest to determine next year’s theme, with the winner receiving a $50 gift card to Trevor’s at the Tracks. “We had some pretty wild (suggestions) and some pretty creative ones,” Fiesta Association President Jim Taylor said. “When there’s 50 bucks at Trevor’s on the line, you get a lot of creativity, and we probably had 60 suggestions.” The theme “Saddle Up San Juan” was pitched by this year’s Ms. Fiesta, Jennifer Pointer, and Señor San Juan, Tony Pointer. “In 2022, we lost the horses because of the virus, and so 2023’s parade theme—which was also Tony Pointer’s, ‘Back in the Saddle Again’—we were back, and we did have a lit-
Gerald “Jerry” Muir. Friess is a former college professor and local author who in 2018 published a 250-page book about the town’s rich equestrian history, Capistrano Trails, Ride for the Brand. In 2020, she also published another book recounting her experiences growing up in the California beach town of Venice in the 1940s called Growing Up Venice: Parallel Universes. “I am very thrilled that the City of San Juan Capistano and my neighbors would think that my efforts as a volunteer were worth recognizing,” Friess said. “So, I would say that I am very grateful and happy.” For nearly a decade, Friess facilitated a grief and support group for those who have lost loved ones. She’s also volunteered as a docent for the past seven years at the Mission, where she gets to lead groups of kids on field trips. “It was very powerful as a way to give back,” Friess said of her volunteer efforts. Scott, along with his late wife, BJ Scott, founded San Juan Capistrano’s performing arts theater, the Camino Real Playhouse, more than 30 years ago. Speaking on Scott’s behalf, Beverly Blake, who’s worked with Scott for about 20 years at the Playhouse as both a volunteer and now executive producer, said he was delighted after both Councilmember John Campbell and Mayor Howard Hart called to deliver the news that he’s being inducted.
tle bit of a horse issue; we were looking a little bit nervous,” Taylor recalled. “We figured we’re back to normal in 2024: Saddle up, San Juan.” The 2024 Swallows Day Parade marshal will be longtime San Juan Capistrano resident Matt Gaffney. “He’s been to every single parade except for 1972, when he was in the Mediterranean being inducted into the Royal Order of Shellbacks when he crossed the equator,” Taylor said. “He was there; that’s why he couldn’t make it to the parade.” “He was a banner carrier in the ’62 or ’63 parade,” Taylor continued.“He was also city commissioner, and he was a good choice for grand marshal. We wanted somebody local, somebody who had been in the city for basically all their life.” Taylor added that the Pointers were chosen for the roles of Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan, because they were longtime residents. “Our senior dignitaries, our Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan … Jennifer is on our board as our treasurer, and Tony is also our safety consultant, making sure the parade is safe—that kind of stuff,” Taylor said. “They’ll show up at all of the events, they judge in some of the events, and they represent the Fiesta Association,” Taylor continued. This year’s junior dignitaries, Natalie Correa Morales as Miss Fiesta and Jr. Senor San Juan Benjamin Brooks, were selected among local Boys & Girls Club members.
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
“And he got, I think, about 150 responses on Facebook, saying how much he deserved it,” recalled Blake. “He was the true community in the community theater, and he would loan things to any of the organizations in town, whatever they needed,” Blake said of Scott, adding: “He’s always just really been involved in the town and helping in any way he can. People always felt comfortable asking Tom for things, because they knew they’d get help.” Campbell, along with Mayor Pro Tem Sergio Farias, comprised the city’s subcommittee tasked with reviewing the slate of nominations for the Wall of Recognition. During the Nov. 7 council meeting, Campbell called the Playhouse “an asset that’s served our community well.” “It’s something that we’re well-known in our community for, for over three decades,” Campbell noted as he recommended that Scott be included in the list of inductees. “I feel that Tom Scott is really a worthy candidate for the Wall of Recognition.” Moore has been a longtime member of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s board, currently serving as its treasurer. He’s also volunteered his time working with other groups such as the Fiesta Association and the local Rotary Club. “It’s such an honor to even be considered … this one came right out of left field some-
where,” he said. “I just never expected it. It’s very much an honor.” As Orange County Register reported in 2012, Moore donated the $2,000 needed for the Historical Society to purchase the time capsule that was filled with soon-to-be artifacts and buried in front of the O’Neill Museum in the historic Los Rios District. “I just felt it was something that was very important to do on our property, on Historical Society property,” Moore recalled of the time capsule project, adding: “I just said, fine, I’ll give the money for it so it gets done.” Asked what has motivated him to want to volunteer around town, Moore, an acoustical contractor who owns Fabric Wallcraft and the Bartley Group, said he felt some things just need to get done, and he’s willing to donate his time to help. “For me, I got married at the Mission, had our children at Mission Hospital. I said, ‘You can just bury me in San Juan,’” Moore said, adding: “It was just out of my own heart; I know that some things needed to get done, and I knew there were some things I needed to do.” “I feel majorly honored, and I can’t figure out why they did it to me,” Moore later joked about his nomination for the Wall of Recognition. “I’ve been very, very happy about it. My family is over the top excited about it, about the nomination and being accepted.”
The upcoming Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Faire has its theme for next spring’s annual event, “Saddle Up San Juan,” the Fiesta Association recently announced. Photo: File/Collin Breaux
“We went to the Boys & Girls Club and asked them if they could find two fifth-graders, around that age, that were philanthropic, good character, good students and represented all that is good in our community, and they picked these two kids,” Taylor said. “I’m sure it was a tough choice,” Taylor continued. “There’s a lot of good kids over at the Boys & Girls Club, but these two were standouts.” New this year, the Fiesta Association has chosen a teen ambassador, San Clemente High School student Savannah Erca. “We’d like to try and encourage more teens to volunteer,” Taylor said. “We do have some; we get some kids through the national chari-
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ty league, and we get some kids from the high schools, but we’d like to get more involvement by the teenagers and, of course, their parents.” Taylor added that Erca has been involved with the parade for years. “I’ve seen Savannah over the past couple of years running up and down and doing errands, collecting banners,” Taylor said. “She’s been very active, and we really wanted to find a way to get her involved in a more official capacity.” After last year’s festivities attracted a crowd of about 50,000 to 60,000, Taylor said the upcoming 64th annual Swallows Day Parade on March 23 would be bigger and better than ever. “It’s going to be a great parade,” Taylor said. thecapistranodispatch.com
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EYE ON SJC
State Water Commission Seeks Input on Drought Resilience Strategies BY BREEANA GREENBERG
As California looks to prepare for ongoing periods of both drought and floods, the state’s Water Commission seeks resident input on a draft white paper titled “Potential State Strategies for Protecting Communities and Fish and Wildlife in the Event of Drought.” Over the past 18 months, the Water Commission has collaborated with communities, nonprofit organizations, tribes, local governments, water districts, academia, as well as local and state agencies, to develop key strategies for drought resilience. The state is now in the final stages of developing the white paper. Californians have until Dec. 15 to submit a comment on the draft document. California Water Commission Assistant Executive Officer Laura Jensen explained that one of the first themes to emerge early on in the commission’s research for the document is the need to prepare for drought during non-drought times. “That’s because we do get years where we’ve got high flows and a lot of water, a lot of precipitation like we had over the last winter, and if we can manage that water better, then we’re going to be better-positioned heading into drought years,” Jensen said. The first key strategy outlined in the draft is the need to scale up groundwater recharge, invest in water storage and capture excess water during flood events to recharge groundwater basins. “So, the commission is calling for scaling up groundwater recharge,” Jensen said. “It’s something that really got piloted a lot in the past year.” “What we’re calling for is continuing to build on those efforts by planning ahead. Where can we do groundwater recharge in a way that’s going to maximize benefits for communities and for fish and wildlife? That was really the focus of the work that we were asked to do,” Jensen continued. However, the draft white paper notes that “while important, groundwater recharge alone is unlikely to lead to sustainable groundwater management. Managing groundwater demand is also likely to be necessary to ensure that communities and the natural environment have sufficient water during times of drought.”
Water flows through San Juan Creek after a wet winter in 2019. Amid ongoing cycles of drought and flooding across California, the state’s Water Commission is seeking public input on a draft document about drought resilience strategies. Photo: File/Fred Swegles
The second strategy focuses on advanced planning to support ecosystems during periods of drought. Jensen explained that fish and wildlife populations are often hit “really hard by drought. Their populations don’t have time to recover between droughts.” To address ecosystem needs, Jensen explained that the commission proposed “that we better understand the amount of water that’s needed by ecosystems so that we can kind of understand what’s necessary to sustain species when water scarcity increases, and then that we go through some processes to figure out how to prioritize scarce water supplies.” To protect ecosystems, fish and wildlife, the Water Commission called to set aside quantities of water to “sustain aquatic species during these drought periods,” Jensen said. To do this, the Water Commission is also calling for a modernization of water data. “That’s an effort that’s underway at the State Water Resources Control Board to get better data so that we can know what water is available and how best to administer that available water during drought conditions,” Jensen said. The third strategy notes that the state needs to “better position communities to prepare for and respond to drought emergencies,” highlighting, in particular, small, rural communities and native tribes. “They are hit the hardest by drought,” Jensen said. “So, the actions that we’ve proposed include thinking about the emergency funding that the state provides already to communities during times of drought, and doing a bit of a better job of making it more nimble.” It’s important to “think about climate disasters more broadly so we don’t have
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
funding that’s only available for drought or only available for floods, but has a little bit more flexibility between the two,” Jensen continued. The fourth strategy emphasizes the importance of “improved coordination, information and communication in drought and non-drought years.” The draft papers emphasize the need for an institutionalized and consistent drought response and to responsibly manage water during flood periods and wet years. At a community level, Jensen explained that it’s also important to build drought resilience at the community level, which can look like diversifying the types of water supply available. While California is considered out of drought right now, Jensen noted that drought conditions in the state are cyclical. “Here in California, it’s going to come back … so there’s really a need for dedicated capacity to make sure that we are planning for drought,” Jensen said. “That we are responding to it, that we’re collecting data and taking a look at that data and understanding, maybe the drought emergency is over, but there’s still drought impacts that we need to respond to.” In the past, Jensen said, California has treated drought as “these occasional emergencies, but it’s going to come back in California and when married with climate change, we’ve got this increasing intensity and water scarcity issue that we’re going to be facing.” The California Water Commission received a presentation on the draft document on Nov. 15, when Commissioner Alexandre Makler highlighted the term “weather whiplash” as an apt description
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of the conditions Californians are facing. “One of the takeaways … is what I’ll call the weather availability volatility,” Makler said. “I think that it really leads to this question of, if you’re dealing with volatility in any commodity or anything, it leads you to the question, do you have adequate storage?” Commissioner Sandra Matsumoto noted that the Water Commission is responsible for making sure that the white paper on drought strategies is used, adding that she thinks “we need to think about, once the document’s finalized, how might it be used.” “Maybe there are things that we can do to help make it practically useful and implementable so that some of the suggestions here actually become action items,” Matsumoto said. Jensen noted that a key point that readers can take away from the draft paper is that “we’re all in this together.” “Everybody can play a role, be it during drought times or outside of drought times, to help us manage water more thoughtfully and carefully, to better address and prepare for droughts, as well as to adapt to a changing climate,” Jensen said. “The state’s doing a lot of great work already on this topic,” Jensen continued. “And there’s a continued need to collaborate across sectors to continue to advance and build on the good work that the state’s already doing to help improve our water management.” After the public-comment period closes in mid-December, the final white paper on drought strategies will be presented during the state Water Commission’s meeting on Jan. 17. Comments on the drought resilience strategies can be submitted to cwc@water.ca.gov. thecapistranodispatch.com
EYE ON SJC
Foley Recognizes South County Servicemembers at Veterans of the Year Awards BY BREEANA GREENBERG
Recognizing South Orange County veterans who went above and beyond the call of duty by continuing to serve in their community after military service, Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley awarded a veteran from each of the nine cities within her district. During the third annual Veterans of the Year Awards on Nov. 9, Foley presented Dana Point veteran Patricia “Patti” Holliday; Nelson Coburn, a former Marine from San Clemente; and San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart with plaques recognizing their service to their communities. “Today, we celebrate our outstanding veterans who served our country, but continue to serve throughout their life in our county and in our United states,” Foley said. Girl Scouts of Orange County Troop 5388 from Newport Beach and Troop 6438 from Laguna Niguel presented the colors while veteran Larry Icenogle from Bugle Across America accompanied, performing the National Anthem. Holliday, the Dana Point Veteran of the Year, joined the United States Army in 1989. After Holliday served the U.S. Army in active duty for eight years and the National Guard for an additional 13 years, she continued to serve her community as a deputy sheriff for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for 19 years. During her tenure, Holliday served as a flight medic, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and participated as a member of a Space Shuttle recovery mission team. While accepting the award, Holliday thanked her fellow veterans for their service, noting “it takes all of us to make this world a better place.” “The things that we’ve done and seen, it’s important that people recognize all of us, what we’ve done, and that it’s really important to just listen,” Holliday said. “Those of you that maybe know somebody that’s deployed or has been deployed, if they just need to talk, let them talk.” Representing the City of San Clemente, 1st Sgt. Coburn served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2020. After Coburn’s years of service, he continued to serve his community as the commandant for the Marine Corps League South Coast Detachment in San Clemente. Coburn
(From right) Orange County Fifth District Supervisor awards San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart with a Veteran of the Year award on Nov. 9. Photo: Breeana Greenberg.
also serves as the vice president of the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals of Orange County. “Nelson assists his fellow veterans by working to increase sustainable homeownership, financial literacy education, VA loan awareness and economic opportunities,” Foley said. “I really just appreciate the work that you have done for families that have students that are veterans.” While receiving the plaque recognizing his service, Coburn said he felt a huge void in his life when he retired from the Marines. “I didn’t realize when I retired that I could continue to give back; I thought my service ended, and it didn’t,” Coburn said. “It had really just begun. I quickly found the Marine Corps League.” Coburn added that through the Ma-
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
rine Corps League, VFW and American Legion, “I’m able to help more people and more servicemembers and more families now than I ever did in the whole 22 years that I was there.” “So, that void that I had is no longer there,” Coburn continued. “A lot of veterans get out and they’re lost … it’s on us to show them that direction.” Foley presented San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart with a plaque recognizing his service as a U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer for 30 years. During his service, Hart survived the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon and earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Foley noted. “I have just had the pleasure of work-
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ing with Mayor Hart in my new role as his County Supervisor, and I can tell you he’s always just very supportive,” Foley said. “He loves his community, he loves serving, and I enjoy working with you. It’s my honor to recognize you as our Veteran of the Year.” Hart said he joined the Navy, commissioned out of University of California, Irvine. “When I graduated from UC Irvine, I was looking for meaning, and I thought I’d go into the Navy for a few years,” Hart said. “I went in a starry-eyed patriot, fell in love with it, but after 30 years of bureaucracy and losing 16 friends and a lot of family separation and hardship, I came out a starry-eyed patriot whose country is worth fighting for.” “Being a Naval officer,” he continued, “was the greatest privilege of my life.” thecapistranodispatch.com
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Transportation Updates, Commission Openings and Upcoming Community Events
n Thanksgiving, we reflect on life’s plenty and express our gratitude for those who uplift us. Serving the Fifth District as your county supervisor remains an opportunity for which I am thankful every day. Thank you for entrusting me with the job of supporting and uplifting the cities and neighborhoods we all love. As we reflect on our gratitude, we must acknowledge our neighbors who struggle with food insecurity. For you and your loved ones, find below a list of local District 5 food banks and pantries: Dana Point: • St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 33926 Calle La Primavera, 949.496.1572 • Dana Point Senior Center Food Pantry, 34052 Del Obispo St., 949.496.4252 • San Felipe de Jesus Church Food Pantry, 26010 Domingo Ave., 949.493.8918 San Clemente: • Family Assistance Ministries, 1030 Calle Negocio, 949.492.8477 San Juan Capistrano: • San Juan Capistrano Senior Site, 25925 Camino Del Avion, 949.443.6391 • Serra’s Food Pantry Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, 31611 El Camino Real, 949.234.1356 At an OCTA Regional Transportation Committee meeting, I received updates on the I-405 improvement project and the customer outreach that OCTA will conduct for the newly built toll lanes.
Supportive Services Advisory A customer service center Committee. in Costa Mesa will help If you are passionate about constituents with questions transportation, there are on the new express lanes, and also open positions with two residents with existing FasTrak committees at OCTA: Citizens transponders will be able to Advisory Committee and use them for these new toll Accessible Transit Advisory lanes. We expect the toll lanes Committee. to open by Dec. 1. I encourage you to OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson participate in my 15th annual and I also met on project THE FOLEY REPORT Holiday New Coats for Kids funding updates, including BY SUPERVISOR KATRINA FOLEY Drive. Through Dec. 18, drop funding for the LOSSAN Rail off new coats in kids and youth Corridor and to repair and sizes at my offices or at drop fortify La Paz Road in Laguna Niguel after recent seismic activity shut boxes across the district. Visit my website for a full list of down multiple lanes. locations: bit.ly/D5CoatDrive2023. For Next month, I plan on bringing forward more information, call 714.834.3550 or an e-bike ordinance for the county’s send an email to katrina.foley@ocgov.com. unincorporated areas to the Board of I also invite you to join us at the Orange Supervisors. The ordinance would create County Board of Supervisors Open House safety requirements for owning and on Dec. 12, from 1-3 p.m. Meet me and riding electric bicycles that will protect my team at our office in the County pedestrians, equestrians, bicyclists, and Administration North Building, 400 W. Civic drivers from accidents involving e-bikes. Finally, I encourage you to utilize OCTA’s Center Drive, Santa Ana, on the sixth floor. I 511 service to help you navigate around hope to see you there. Finally, save the date for my final town this holiday season. Call 511 for realtime traffic incident information, roadwork Wellness Wednesdays Walk with OC Parks on Dec. 13 at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. advisories, and bus and rail trip planning. We are also looking for Fifth District Our docent-led hike on Mary’s Trail toward residents interested in volunteering as an Barbara Lake begins at 9 a.m. Happy Thanksgiving! appointee to a board or commission. There Elected in 2022, Katrina Foley represents are several public advisory boards at the county that need a new representative the Fifth Supervisorial District on the Orange for the Fifth District, including the Coto County Board of Supervisors. She was de Caza Planning Advisory Committee; previously elected to serve the Second District OC Cemetery District; and OC In-Home from 2021-2022. CD
GUEST OPINION | Citizens’ Climate Education by Dr. Karl Reitz
How to Get Your Dividend
W The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 21, Issue 14. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (sanclementetimes. com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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citizens of the U.S. in the form hat would you do with of a monthly dividend. The bill extra cash every month also stipulates that the fee would starting at $50 and slowly increase at a rate of $10 per climbing to over $200 in a few year. years? I’m sure that the answer to The implementation of this bill this question varies as widely as would result in a slow increase those reading this article. in the price of fossil-fuel-based But, of course, you will want to FOOD FOR THOUGHT energy, as well as products that know where this money would BY GINA COUSINEAU most intensively use such energy. come from. It would be funded Studies have shown that for most by a fee imposed on companies whose products pollute our atmosphere. All it families this increased cost will be more than would take is for Congress to pass a bill called offset by the dividends. Rather than having the government the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend mandate through regulations or encourage Act. If this bill is enacted, companies will have us through subsidies to buy certain energyto pay a fee starting at $15 for every ton efficient products, we would make our own of carbon dioxide their products cause to choices. We might choose to use our dividends be released into the atmosphere. It would to purchase products like solar panels, heat pumps, an induction stove or an electric include oil, natural gas and coal companies. According to the bill, the money thus vehicle, or possibly something entirely noncollected would be returned equally to all energy-related.
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Atmospheric pollution results in indirect costs for disaster relief, insurance premiums and health care that we, rather than the companies that cause the problem, end up paying for. A carbon fee would begin to address this injustice. By reducing carbon pollution, these indirect costs would begin to lower. Because this is a market-based approach to solving the problem of a warming Earth, it has been endorsed by a wide array of individuals and organizations, including both liberals and conservatives. It includes all living former chairs of the Federal Reserve and 28 Nobel Prize-winning economists. It even includes 75% of Republicans under the age of 40. If this makes sense to you, then you need to tell your elected officials, especially those in Congress, that you want them to support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. When it passes, you will start receiving your dividend. Karl Reitz is an environmental science educator, a member of the South Orange County Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Education/ Lobby and a retired professor of social sciences from Chapman University. CD thecapistranodispatch.com
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SOAPBOX
GUEST OPINION | Food for Thought by Gina Cousineau
Getting to Know Mama G
A
fter more than four years of monthly columns, it is time to reintroduce my readers to “Mama G” and both her passion and expertise for health and longevity. I was raised by Italians, an immigrant daddy and a first generation momma, both of whom were teenagers during The Depression. The motto around the house was “waste not, want not,” and I would defiantly profess that “I don’t want it, so why not waste it?” While I might have fought that mentality as an adolescent, it must be in my DNA today, since, as an adult, I have a strong sense to not waste time, energy or resources. My dad had a green thumb and often provided produce that my mom used in our daily meals. I was raised eating the “Mediterranean diet,” and on my road to becoming a nutrition expert, my first education was in culinary arts, so my love of cooking, family and food was instilled at an early age. That being said, choosing food today is confusing due to the plethora of choices and
family that will give us all the its availability at our fingertips. opportunity to live a long, healthy, Imagine that back in the day, one had to actually go to the store to independent and joyful life. purchase food stuff and then prepare Most parents would agree meals at home. Today, we can have with the very strong comment, “I any food we desire delivered to our would die for my children.” But I doorstep, any time of day or night. would then ask this even stronger Add in all the self-proclaimed, question: “Then, why won’t you FOOD FOR THOUGHT BY GINA COUSINEAU non-educated “health experts” cook for them?” professing what, how and when to My husband and I have lived eat, along with the demonization of in San Clemente most of our specific foods and food groups splayed all over 40 years of marriage, having the privilege of the internet, and it’s no wonder we are more raising our four children here. unhealthy than ever as a nation. Along with being a trained chef and fitness The obesity pandemic is alive and well. professional, I have my bachelor’s degree in Enter Mama G, stage right. dietetics and master’s degree in science in My goal is to bring the family back around integrative and functional nutrition. the kitchen table to beautiful, wholesome I work with individuals and families from food the entire family will love. My hope is around the country who wish to reach/sustain that devices and distractions get put away, and an appropriate weight goal while improving conversations ensue. their health, regardless of their medical I also have the strong desire to help readers, condition. advocate for your family in the grocery store, Both in-person and virtually, I coach my get reacquainted with your kitchen, and begin clients in a variety of ways, but my favorite preparing enjoyable meals with, and for, your strategy is through my cost-effective, “Cooking
Your WEIGH to Health” 12-week virtual group program. Here, I combine nutrition education, cooking lessons, and daily support, to help my clients embrace a healthy eating pattern and move toward a lifestyle shift. Be sure to register at mamagslifestyle.com for our complimentary “Quickstart to Health and Weight Loss Guide and Cookbook” coming out soon. This guide provides useful templates for simple breakfasts and snacks, teaches you how to “eat on the go,” and includes two dozen nutritious and delicious recipes the entire family will love. Created in collaboration with the YMCA, we hope to inspire a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Gina Cousineau, aka Mama G, is a local nutritionist and trained chef. She provides science- and evidence-based nutrition education, along with teaching basic cooking skills to help her clients embrace a healthy eating pattern to reach weight goals and improved health. You can reach her at mamagslifestyle.com, mamag@ mamagslifestyle.com or 949.842.8875. CD
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UNIQUE GIFTS & HOLIDAY MAGIC
THIS SEASON, ENJOY THE MAGIC OF A TRAIN RIDE! Gather with family and friends for a delightful, affordable journey without driving. Just for you, we’ve put together convenient day trip suggestions from LA to Oceanside with fun, adventure and great food for all. Enjoy, and happy holidays!
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Photos with Santa • And More! November 17- December 17 Five 3-Day Weekends, 10am to 7pm
SAWDUSTARTFESTIVAL.ORG The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
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Holidays EL CAMPEON
A TASTE OF THE
MONDAY, NOV. 27 STOCKING STUFFERS FOR SENIORS 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Be a Santa for seniors this holiday season by participating in the City of Dana Point’s Stocking Stuffers for Seniors. Through Dec. 11, residents can stop by the Community Center, Monday through Friday, to visit the “Giving Tree,” which will feature tags with gift ideas for male or female Dana Point seniors. Those participating can bring the gift in a gift bag with the tag to the Recreation Division. City of Dana Point Recreation, 34052 Del Obispo, Dana Point. danapoint.org.
THURSDAY, NOV. 30 SAN CLEMENTE’S 4TH ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST & DISPLAY 5 p.m. This communitywide holiday contest is open to all ages and has a variety of categories for participants to enter. Interested gingerbread builders and architects can enter into the following divisions: Individual Youth (ages 15 & under); Individual Adult (ages 16 & up); and Family/Group. Participants may only enter one gingerbread house for an Individual division and one entry for the Family/Group division. Entry into the contest is free, and pre-registration is required. The City of San Clemente will provide a 12-inch-by-12-inch square base for all contest participants. You can pick up the square bases at the Community Center or Aquatics Center. All materials used on the gingerbread houses/structure must be edible. All levels are encouraged. Completed gingerbread houses must be delivered to the Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Late drop-off on Friday, Dec. 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gingerbread houses will be on display at the Community Center and will be judged on Saturday, Dec. 2, during Santa’s Village by the Sea. Awards will be given to first, second and third place in each division. One overall “People’s Choice” winner will be awarded. Winners will be recognized through a press release and listed on the city’s website and social media pages. For more information, contact the Recreation Division at 949.361.8264 or 949.429.8797. san-clemente.org.
SATURDAY, DEC. 2 SANTA’S JOLLY TROLLEY & LA PLAZA TREE
LIGHTING 1:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves from the Dana Point Recreation Division will ride on his Jolly Trolley to make stops at Sunset Park, Dana Woods Park and Sea Canyon Park, where they’ll hand out pre-packaged treats for kids up to 12 years of age. Santa’s elves will also collect letters to Santa. The letters should include your mailing address, so Santa can return a special letter to you. At the city’s last stop, La Plaza Park, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., the annual community tree-lighting ceremony will be held with carolers, hot chocolate, and cookies. The tree lighting will be held promptly at 5:15 p.m. La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza Street, Dana Point. danapoint.org.
‘CAPISTRANO LIGHTS: MISSION IN LIGHTS’ OPENING NIGHT
31921 CAMINO CAPISTRANO, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 I (949) 489-4078 OR (949) 240-3141
3-8 p.m. Celebrate the holidays at Orange County’s only Mission. Join the Mission on select days from Dec. 2 through Dec. 30 for daytime admission and an evening of holiday programming and fun. “Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights” returns with a tree lighting, visits with Santa, Dickens-era carolers, a full-scale nativity scene, light features including a new lighted halo grove, a new butterfly orchard, dancing swallows and more—all are included with any Capistrano Lights ticket, which also includes same-day admission to the Mission. The tradition also brings back Community Christmas Trees, Family Wreaths, and a harpist in the Serra Chapel. The Capistrano Lights audio tour will also be available throughout the entire month of December, so guests can enjoy hearing the Gospel and “The Night Before Christmas” reading while learning more about Capistrano Lights evening offerings. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.
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SAN JUAN CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING 4 p.m. Join the City of San Juan Capistrano for its annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Historic Town Center Park. Festivities begin with pre-show entertainment, followed by a musical holiday production. The tree lighting will take place at 5:45 p.m., followed by a variety of holiday activities. Special event trolley services will be offered.
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The service includes two trolleys on 20-minute frequencies servicing a continuous loop from Junipero Serra Road (JSerra Catholic High School North Campus northern terminus) to a trolley stop at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street. Historic Town Center Park 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.
RESERVE YOUR
HOLIDAY
SANTA’S VILLAGE BY THE SEA 4-9 p.m. The City of San Clemente and the Downtown Business Association present Santa’s Village by the Sea! One holiday event that brings the Holly Jolly Hoopla and Puttin’ on the Glitz on Avenida Del Mar together for a night of music, games, cookie decorating, and snow to San Clemente—one big occasion for the entire family to enjoy. Those looking to play the games, eat cotton candy/popcorn, decorate a cookie (while supplies last) or take a ride down the snow hill can purchase wristbands at the Community Center front desk. At 5 p.m., the city will host the Tree Lighting ceremony on the Community Center lawn. For the rest of the evening, there will be carolers and street musicians and a Holiday Market, in addition to the restaurants and shops along Del Mar. Downtown San Clemente, `100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar. san-clemente.org.
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MONDAY, DEC. 4 PINES PARK TREE LIGHTING 4:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves will arrive at Pines Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for children up to 12 years of age. The event will feature carolers, hot chocolate, cookies and the annual tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano, Dana Point. danapoint.org.
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TUESDAY, DEC. 5 SAN JUAN CITY COUNCIL HOLIDAY RECEPTION 4:30 p.m. Join the City of San Juan Capistrano at the Nydegger Building for cocoa and holiday cheer. The reception will mark the last council meeting of the year and final meeting in the temporary Council Chambers location before moving into the newly constructed Council Chamber at the Community Center in January 2024. Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza
ASK US ABOUT RESERVING OUR BANQUET ROOM FOR YOUR HOLIDAY GATHERINGS!
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Street. sanjuancapistrano.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 8 48TH ANNUAL BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS 6:30 p.m. Join Dana Point Harbor for its 48th Annual Boat Parade of Lights taking place Friday, Dec. 8, Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10. This year’s parade theme is “Candyland,” with boaters vying for prizes from best overall theme, most original and more. Locals and visitors alike can look forward to exciting lighting installations along with holiday-themed photo opportunities, visits with Santa and more. To experience the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights: Candy Land on board one of the harbor’s 90 minute Holiday Cruises, visit danawharf.com/cruises. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor. com/event/dana-point-harbor-48thannual-boat-parade/.
SATURDAY, DEC. 9 SANTA PAWS 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring your favorite furry friend to the beautiful Dana Point Harbor on Saturday Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10, and have his or her picture taken with Santa. The cost is $15 for a picture and you’ll receive the photo immediately. Additional photos can be purchased for $10. Start a family tradition with these keepsake photos of your beloved pets. All proceeds benefit the homeless animals at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Photos will be taken in the Clock Courtyard directly in front of El Torito Restaurant. Please park in the main parking lot. Well-behaved dogs/pets welcome. All dogs should be on leashes. Clock Courtyard. 34521 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. petprojectfoundation.org/ santa-paws-dpharbor/
SUNSETS WITH SANTA 3-5 p.m. Enjoy free visits with Santa on the San Clemente Municipal Pier with a beautiful sunset as your backdrop on Dec. 9, 16 and 17. Bring your own camera. For more information, contact the City of San Clemente’s Recreation Division at 949.361.8264. San-clemente.org.
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GETTING OUT
Editor’s Pick
SUNDAY | NOV. 26
The List
AFFORDABLE PET VACCINE CLINIC 4-5:30 p.m. The Feed Barn in Capistrano Beach offers low-cost vaccinations for all dogs and cats every month. All veterinary services are provided by Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. The lowcost clinic offers vaccination packages, microchips, physical exams, prescription flea control, fecal exams and diagnostic testing on-site. The Feed Barn, 34192 Doheny Park Road, Capistrano Beach. 714.895.8600. vetcarepetclinic.com.
What’s going on in and around town this week THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH
FRIDAY | NOV. 24 FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday. Check out the produce, breads, cheeses, artisan craft vendors, and more. Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.364.1270. farmakisfarms.com. PHOTOS WITH SANTA Noon-6 p.m. Bring your children to the Outlets at San Clemente to take photos with Santa on various dates throughout the holiday season. Santa will be available for photos on Friday, Nov. 24; Saturday, Nov. 25; and Sunday, Nov. 26. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com. LIVE MUSIC AT H.H. COTTON’S 6:30 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular Downtown San Clemente bar and restaurant. Michael Kelly, specializing in his CeltHickMusic, will perform. H.H. Cotton’s, 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.945.6616. hhcottons.com. LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this San Clemente lounge known for its entertainment. Waiting for Vizzini will perform. Iva Lee’s Restaurant & Lounge, 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.8255. ivalees.com.
SATURDAY | NOV. 25 BACK COUNTRY HIKE, ANCESTORS TRAIL 9-11 a.m. Join California State Parks Naturalist Heather Rice to experience a local state park. Meet at the trailhead at the end of Avenida La Pata by the dog park for a 4-mile walk. Baron Von Willard Memorial Dog Park, 301 Aveni-
Photo: Breeana Greenberg
SATURDAY | NOV. 25 : WHALE AND MARINE LIFE TOUR, TIDE POOL HIKE AND SAIL ON THE ‘SPIRIT OF DANA POINT’ 10 a.m.-noon. Join the Ocean Institute for a 2½-hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean Institute’s 65-foot research vessel. Professional naturalists on board will introduce attendees to the lifestyles of ocean creatures that frequent the waters off Dana Point through hands-on activities. In the afternoon, join the Ocean Institute for a tide pool hike along the rocky Marine Conservation Area led by one of their expert naturalists. The hike is rated moderately difficult at a 1-1½-mile round trip. Attendees should be prepared for rocky, uneven and slick terrain for the entire hike. Admission is $15 for those 3 and older. Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tallship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tallship. Must be 4 years or older to sail. Tickets are $65.The Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.
da La Pata, San Clemente. heather.rice@parks.ca.gov. SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com. SNOWY NIGHTS AT THE OUTLETS 5 p.m. Bring your family to experience a 15-minute Snowy Nights Snow Show at Center Court. The show will
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
take place at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays going forward this December. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com. LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 6 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Sega Genecide will perform. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com. TURKEY HANGOVER PARTY AT HENNESSEY’S TAVERN 9 p.m. The ’80s dance band the Dirty Lowdown will perform at Hennessey’s Tavern. Hennessey’s Tavern, 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point. 949.488.0121. hennesseystavern.com.
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SUNSET WINE CRUISE IN THE DANA POINT HARBOR 5:30-7 p.m. Join Dana Wharf for a 90-minute evening cruise aboard its catamaran. The cruise features a wine host who explains all the wines that attendees will be sampling from The Organic Cellar. The catamaran also has a cash bar for those who would like to purchase additional beverages. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. danawharf.com.
MONDAY | NOV. 27 BRIDGE GAME 12:30 p.m. The South Orange County Bridge Club hosts bridge games, Monday through Saturday. The club is a nonprofit owned by the members and welcomes people to use their minds and develop new friendships. They also offer classes for bridge players of different levels. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. galesenter@cox.net. COUNTRY NIGHT AT H.H. COTTON’S 5:30-6:45 p.m. This popular downtown restaurant offers a night full of country music and line dancing for all ages. Beginners can participate in this $10 Introduction to Line Dancing lesson with instructor Anne Leslie. H.H. Cotton’s, 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.945.6616. hhcottons.com. OPEN JAM 7-10 p.m. Play your own percussion, acoustic or electric instruments every Monday night at Knuckleheads. Amps are allowed, but drums are not. Knuckleheads, 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com. SEA COAST SYMPHONY—MARK WOOD TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPERIENCE 7:30 p.m. Join the Sea Coast Sympho(Cont. on page 16) thecapistranodispatch.com
GETTING OUT
(Cont. from page 15) ny as it partners with the world-famous electric violinist Mark Wood to present the Mark Wood Trans-Siberian Experience at the City National Grove in Anaheim. The event will feature a variety of holiday and rock classics. City National Grove, 2200 E. Katella Ave, Anaheim. 949.542.6282. citynationalgroveofanaheim.com.
Sendero and Esencia. The free hike, for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only, is 2.2 miles (one way) and is recommended for those 10 years and older. Chiquita Ridge. thenaturereserve.org/events.
TUESDAY| NOV. 28
LEARN TO DANCE AT STILLWATER 6 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. In this Country Wednesday event, learn to dance along with country music for free and join Stillwater for some two-stepping and line-dancing fun. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.
STORYTIME AT THE SJC LIBRARY 10:30-11 a.m. Bring the kids to storytime, held every Tuesday morning. Children will get to read books and sing songs. The event is geared for the 2- to 6-yearold age range. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. ocpl.org. TUESDAY AFTERNOON OPEN ACCESS ON CHIQUITA RIDGE 2-5 p.m. This is a strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between
as potential solutions, with speakers from the Friendship Shelter and Orange County United Way. To register, go to eventbrite.com. St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea United Methodist Church, 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente.
WEDNESDAY | NOV. 29 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE
HOMELESSNESS 101 6-8 p.m. The San Clemente Homeless Collaborative presents an educational seminar on the challenges posed to the community by homelessness, as well
trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com. 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 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.
THURSDAY | NOV. 30 CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. The Musical Box will perform for a pair of shows on Thursday, Nov. 30, and Friday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $49.50. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.
FRIDAY | DEC. 1 HOLIDAY LIGHTS HARBOR CRUISE 6-7 p.m. Join Dana Wharf for a 60-minute evening cruise around the Dana Point Harbor and enjoy all of the light displays from the land and sea. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. danawharf.com.
AT THE MOVIES:
‘The Holdovers’ BY MEGAN BIANCO
A
lexander Payne, director of The Holdovers, which is out this month, is 62 years old, and would have been only 9 the year his current film takes place in 1970. But the feature successfully looks and feels so much like the kind of movies made during that time period, it’s clear the man did his homework on how stories and pictures from the era were produced. From the old-timey film studio fanfares and opening credits to the pseudo-celluloid film grain to the snowy New England location, it seems as if we’re back in the early 1970s watching a Mike Nichols or Hal Ashby mid-budget dramedy. The Holdovers reunites Payne with one of his favorite male leads, Paul Giamatti, this time as a no-nonsense curmudgeon history professor named Paul Hunham, at an all-boys Catholic boarding school in the countryside of Massachusetts. Paul is tricked into taking over responsibilities for the “holdover” of students who are staying behind on campus during winter break. One of the five kids is
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax/Focus Features
Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), whose mom informs him the day before he’s scheduled to leave that she and her new husband are going on their honeymoon for the holidays. The cafeteria manager, Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), is also sticking around, not long after her son and one of the school’s graduates was killed while serving in the Vietnam War. While classic film lovers will obviously see the “New Hollywood” influence on the direction and atmosphere of The Holdovers, there is still plenty of Payne’s
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
recognizable tone and technique that we remember from his hits including Election (1999), Sideways (2004) and Nebraska (2013). This, alongside David Hemingson’s screenplay, naturally balances the comic relief and serious moments in Holdovers. Giamatti is great, as usual, and sends in one of the best lead performances of the year featuring his typical wit and sardonicism, while Randolph gives a softer, more reserved touch as the moderator between the professor and the troubled teen.
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Newcomer Sessa is most impressive and holds a similar presence to Dustin Hoffman in Nichols’ The Graduate (1967) and Bud Cort in Ashby’s Harold & Maude (1971), and he could easily jump into a full-time acting career if he wishes. Along with a soundtrack that’s a mix of Christmas staples and popular 1960s-1970s acts including Badfinger, Shocking Blue, Paul Simon and Cat Stevens, The Holdovers marks that sweet spot for both nostalgia and wholesomeness this season. thecapistranodispatch.com
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The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
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RAFFLE DRAWING
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SJC LIVING
GUEST OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake
Dating When a Spouse Has Alzheimer’s B ob, 87, a South Orange County resident, emailed me last week. He wrote, “My wife, presently in ‘Memory Care,’ has been my friend and life partner for 53 years. “I cared for her at home, as well as I could, for five years during her early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Now, she is almost non-verbal, on medication, though lovely to see when I visit her. “I have a question: Would a ‘friend’ relationship, open and honest, with guidelines be viable given my circumstances? I am healthy with no limitations. I like live theater, having dinner out twice a week, walking, traveling, music, dancing and caring for my lovely home. “What do you think, Tom? Would a friend relationship be acceptable?” I’ve been asked questions like Bob’s many times in 29 years of writing columns. I prefer to get opinions from my readers vs. strictly giving my own opinion. In May 2011, I wrote an article in this newspaper titled,“Dating When a Spouse is Institutionalized with Alzheimer’s.” In that article, a man named Ed said his wife, age 59, had Alzheimer’s and didn’t know him anymore. He visited her three to four times a week. He met a widow. They saw each other often. Their relationship was platonic. The widow was concerned about what people who knew her would think. Bob asked what he should say to her. I asked readers for their opinions. Here’s what three said: Jon wrote, “Considering that there really is no marriage anymore, and his spouse is apparently unable to compre-
hend what is going on, a relationship is within reason.” Mary said, “There will always be some holier-than-thou, judgmental busybody who will make her life miserable with criticism and condemnation. So, what? Go for it!” George stated, “Alzheimer’s is a vicious disease. The dementia associated with it is irreversible. A victim can linger for years. Spouses are as ‘imprisoned’ as patients. If there is another person to whom a spouse can reach out, it’s not cheating or being unfaithful.” I answered Ed, “You and your friend sound well-matched. I feel you should cherish each other. You have a right to be happy, as you have been loyal and wonderful and will continue to ensure your wife is well taken care of. And your friend also has the right to be happy.” Those comments from 2011 can apply to Bob’s question today. I asked Debbie Sirkin, a South Orange County psychotherapist, for her opinion about Bob’s question. Debbie said, “Bob’s situation can be a moral, ethical, and religious dilemma, and it is not one-sizefits-all. “For better or worse, in sickness and in health” is not Biblical in nature, but rather from a pamphlet titled, The Book of Common Prayer, from 1569, written at a time when people’s life expectancy was maybe 30-35 years. Alzheimer’s has only been around a little over 100 years, so this is not something anyone had to deal with until the last century. “Similar to many things discussed in premarital therapy, Bob’s situation may be a new one I add to my list of ques-
tions to be discussed prior to while you can. having to deal with it. Given Tom Blake is a retired Dana where we are today, with peoPoint business owner and resple living longer, I think this is ident who has authored books a question that can/should be on middle-aged dating. See his asked early in a marriage (or in website at findingloveafter50. premarital therapy). com. To comment: tompblake@ “Then, when being faced with gmail.com. CD ON LIFE AND LOVE this dilemma, it is no longer a PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers AFTER 50 dilemma, as it has already been with a wide variety of opinions from our communiBY TOM BLAKE ty, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion oppordiscussed prior to the anguish tunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are at a time when you need more shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or support and less stress.” Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, So, there you are, Bob, enjoy a friend, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.
Courtesy of Orange County Public Libraries
FROM THE ARCHIVES This 1920s photo shows Estelia Soto, a Mission San Juan Capistrano greeter.
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.
ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH
This adorable pair of Lion Head baby bunnies Lion Head Bunnies would make a wonderful addition to your family. These bonded sisters love a good cuddle and are curious little explorers. Please come in and visit this lovely pair today; they are ready for their new home. If you are interested in adopting these Lion Head bunnies, 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. CD Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
Sudoku 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
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The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
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SJC LIVING
GUEST OPINION | Wellness & Prevention by Susan Parmelee
Help the Wellness & Prevention Center Expand Our Services
T
strategies and developing healthy he Wellness & Prevention coping skills. Center (WPC) is a 501(c) This type of peer-to-peer pre(3) organization founded vention is highly effective and in 2014 by concerned commuleads to improved well-being nity members to increase acamong the youth in our commucess to mental health services nity. for local teens and families. Our community clinic is where We began supporting stuWELLNESS & PREVENTION BY we provide mental health support dents and their families at San SUSAN PARMELEE and community prevention edClemente High, and have since ucation to South Orange County expanded our services with San Juan Hills High, Aliso Niguel High, families who cannot access services at their Marco Forster Middle, Shorecliffs Mid- school site. As previously stated, Capistrano Unified dle, and Bernice Ayer Middle. Additionally, we offer after-school sup- School District graciously allows us to use a port at our community clinic located in school administration building to house our a former administration building of San excellent community-based staff. However, due to our growing staff and aspirations, we Clemente High’s upper campus. The WPC’s mission has always been to have outgrown this space. Because of our growth, we are hoping to help youth and families live healthy lives. Since opening our doors, we have sup- find and furnish a second space for our team, ported more than 1,500 teens and fami- which would most importantly increase lies with mental health services and more availability for easy access to no-cost mental than 10,000 youth and adults with com- health services and prevention education in our community. munity prevention education. Secondly, such space would also increase Our organization has also engaged in collaborative efforts throughout Orange collaboration and workspace for our staff, County aimed at lowering the stigma sur- and overall create a healthier work environrounding the diseases of mental health ment. To help us establish a second location for and substance-use disorders while advocating for greater access to supportive our team and the families that we serve and tap into the generosity of the season, our services. As an organization, we have continual- talented staff has implemented a “Giving Noly adapted and built strategies to respond vember” campaign that aims to raise $50,000 to the needs of the young people in our to apply to rent, furnishings and decor. Aside from monetary donations, we welcommunity. If we are ever unable to meet a need, we collaborate with other local come gently used office furniture donations community resources or seek additional from any businesses that might be remodeling. funding to help us meet this need. The entire WPC staff is thankful for our An example of a community need where we require additional support partnerships, donors, staff and volunteers and more collaborative efforts is suicide who help us serve our community. We are prevention, especially among youth and continually seeking funding to support our services and the community. teens. Please consider contributing to our Giving Today, the WPC is proud to have both state and federal funding for suicide November campaign to make a second office prevention efforts, as well as partner- space a reality. Susan Parmelee is a Licensed Clinical Social ships with several individuals and organizations to educate youth and teens on Worker and executive director of the Wellness & Prevention Center: wpc-oc.org. She can be the risks of fentanyl. Youths are at the forefront of our reached at susan@wpc-oc.org. CD work at the WPC. We support two high PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion school clubs, and a youth advisory opinions opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The group guides our programming. These opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If youths are engaged in leadership skills alone you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ development, evidence-based prevention sanclementetimes.com. The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
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Publishes December 21 & December 22
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SA N C L E M E N T E
L AG U N A H I L L S
Ed was raised in South Pasadena but a passion for the ocean drove him to make a beeline for the Beach Cities as soon as he graduated high school in 1960. From there, the adventures began. He was a long-time Sano Surf Club member and drove down to surf in his 1949 “Helm’s Bakery” panel truck, or his 1948 Ford Woody with friends and boards, all the while trying to dodge the Camp Pendelton Marine MPs to catch a wave at Church or Trestles. He managed a bar in Honolulu at the age of 20, sailed to Central America with friends in 1963, and drove a panel van down the Transpacific Highway from California to Panama. He also, built a VWpowered burro off-road race car equipped with offroad tires and Army tank driving lights, courtesy of Gordon Clark (Clark Foam), his “sponsor” and raced that car in the first Baja 1000 in 1967. Ed was also a proud Navy SeaBee. While stationed in Port Hueneme, he honed his skills in building that would eventually be the foundation of his life’s work. From there, he became a draftsman and started his own construction company. Years later, and in partnership with his wife, Eva, Ed founded a telecommunications construction company in the early stages of the cell phone era and was responsible for designing and building cell tower infrastructures throughout Southern California. After retirement, he joined
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The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
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I RV I N E
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MISSION VIEJO
Edward “Eddie” Tompkins Benz June 26, 1942 - October 29, 2023
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the crew of the schooner Curlew in Dana Point Harbor and had many years of sailing and sharing his love of the ocean and all things nautical. He met his wife, Eva, on a blind date and married her after a whirlwind romance of 2 months. They married in 1973 at the Dana Point Yacht Club and raised their family in Capo Beach. To those in the community that knew him, he was a fixture. Always excited to “talk story” with a joke or lend a hand to a neighbor. Whether it was helping take out trash bins, supporting their business ventures, or employing many of the Palisades locals, he was always ready to help. Family and community were his priority and he poured his heart into both. Above all, Ed was a man of integrity. If you knew Ed, you knew he was on your side and could be trusted with anything. You had his unwavering support and encouragement. He left an indelible mark, and to say he will be missed by many is an understatement. Ed passed away on October 29th surrounded by family and holding his wife’s hand in the house that he built after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer. He is survived by Eva, his wife of 50 years; 3 daughters, Michele, Monika, and Helga; 3 Son in-laws, Matthew Barker, Patrick O’Kane, and Danny Speros; 5 grandchildren, Dylan, Ian, Madison, Marlena, and Aviah; and 1 greatgranddaughter, Saylor.
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SJC SPORTS
THRICE IS NICE
JSerra girls win third straight, St. Margaret’s girls third in five seasons at CIF-SS Finals BY ZACH CAVANAGH
T
he run of distance running dominance for two of San Juan Capistrano’s private schools continued at the CIF-SS Cross Country Finals last Saturday, Nov. 18, at Mt. San Antonio College. JSerra’s girls team captured its third consecutive section championship by obliterating the Division 4 field, and St. Margaret’s girls earned their third Division 5 championship in five seasons. JSerra’s boys also took runner-up honors in Division 4, and St. Margaret’s boys earned state qualification for the seventh consecutive season in Division 5. Both teams of Lions and Tartans will now compete at the CIF State Championships this Saturday, Nov. 25, at Woodward Park in Fresno. JSerra’s girls will be on the hunt for their third straight state title. Last Saturday, JSerra’s girls team put up yet another dominant chapter in its recent run of success for its third consecutive CIF-SS championship. The Lions placed three in the top five and four in the top seven. JSerra scored 31 points to far outpace second-place Oaks Christian with 79 points.
SAN JUAN PREPS ROUNDUP BY ZACH CAVANAGH For in-game updates, news and more for all the San Juan Capistrano high school sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports and on Instagram @South_OC_Sports.
JSerra Boys Water Polo Caps Perfect Season with CIF-SS, Regional Titles
Perfection isn’t easily attained or even the goal that most teams start their seasons with, but it was evident early on that it might be destiny for a dominant JSerra boys water polo team.
Junior Sophie Polay (16:35) and sophomores Kaylah Tasser (16:38) and Summer Wilson (16:50) finished in third, fourth and fifth, respectively, to lead JSerra. Junior Brynn Garcia (17:12) came in seventh, and freshman Reese Holley (17:44) finished 12th to round out the scoring. Sophomore Chloe Elbaz (17:45) was right behind Holley in 13th. As a team, the Lions ran the second-fastest girls time across all divisions. JSerra’s boys finished second in Division 4 with two runners in the top 10. Senior Saul Orozco (14:27) finished fifth, and junior Bradley Arrey (14:47) finished 10th. Three sophomores rounded out the scoring five for the Lions boys, with Luke Friedl (15:20) in 28th, Jack Burnett (15:33) in 40th and Alden Morales (15:38) in 42nd. In Division 5, St. Margaret’s girls team won a tight battle for its third CIF-SS title in five seasons. The Tartans held onto an early lead built on two runners in the top 10 and three in the top 15 to beat second-place Thacher by 11 points. Sophomore Joyce Li was just off championship pace in second at 17:58, and junior Sarah Bendzick came in sixth at 18:24. Junior Coco
Johnson finished in 14th at 19:18. Sophomore Catherine Chou came in 43rd at 20:31, and freshman Catherine Pappas rounded out the scoring five in 47th at 20:36. St. Margarets’ boys finished sixth in Division 5 to continue a seven-year streak of state qualification for both the Tartans boys and girls cross country teams. In addition to JSerra’s and St. Margaret’s success, it was a banner day for South Orange County cross country. In Division 1, San Clemente’s boys earned their second consecutive CIF-SS championship after winning their first section title last
The Lions went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in Southern California, including their first CIF-SS Open Division championship on Nov. 11 and second consecutive CIF Southern California Division 1 Regional championship last Saturday, Nov. 18, to complete a perfect 30-0 campaign and etch their names in history forever. JSerra had been tagged as the No. 1 team throughout last season as well, but the Lions were still squarely equal with elite rival Newport Harbor with a 2-2 record against the Sailors. JSerra lost last season’s Open Division title to the Sailors, but the Lions exacted some revenge for the Regional title at Newport Harbor’s own pool. This season, while still hotly contested games, JSerra swept Newport Harbor in all four meetings, including both championship games, to stake its claim as the best boys water polo team in SoCal. For the CIF-SS championship on Nov. 11, JSerra exploded with a dominant third quarter to break a 7-7 tie with a 7-2 period to capture the title over Newport Harbor, 16-10. For the Regional title last Saturday, Newport Harbor rallied to tie the game at
10-10 in the final seconds of regulation, but JSerra dominated the overtime for the 14-10 win. JSerra was paced by superstar senior Ryder Dodd. Dodd, who recently flipped his college commitment from USC to UCLA, had just come home from leading the U.S. Men’s National Team with 28 goals in a gold-medal run at the Pan American Games in Chile to rejoin his JSerra teammates in the CIF-SS playoffs. “He is the hardest worker I’ve ever coached,” JSerra coach Brett Ormsby said, “and for as good of a player he is, he’s an even better kid. When you have someone like that leading you, you’re going to go good places. That’s not to take away from the rest of the group, which is also unreal.” Dodd scored a game-high five goals in the CIF-SS Final, including three goals in that pivotal third quarter, and the potential 2024 Olympian pumped in a game-high 10 goals in the Regional Final, including three in the overtime session. “I’d have to say Newport Harbor, unfortunately for my senior team guys,” Dodd said, when asked which was the tougher competition between the Pan Am Games
The Capistrano Dispatch November 24 - December 7, 2023
The St. Margaret’s girls cross country team won its third CIF-SS championship in five seasons in the CIF-SS Division 5 Final last Saturday, Nov. 18. The Tartans joined JSerra, which won its third consecutive CIF-SS title, as city winners at Mt. San Antonio College. Photo Courtesy of St. Margaret’s Athletics.
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season. The Triton boys placed two runners in the top 10 and four in the top 25 for the second-fastest team time across all divisions. San Clemente was only beaten in the overall team times by a cannonball run by the Dana Hills boys. In Division 3, the Dolphins boys repeated as CIF-SS champions with a repeat individual title by junior Evan Noonan, three runners in the top five, four in the top 10 and all five scoring runners in the top 15. Dana Hills’ girls also repeated as CIF-SS champions in Division 3, with two top-10 runners. CD
and Newport Harbor. “I just feel like they play with a lot of heart. Redemption, and there’s a rivalry here. It’s been amazing.”
San Juan Hills Football Falls in Division 3 Semifinals
Defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory to end the San Juan Hills football team’s season on Friday, Nov. 17. After St. Bonaventure tied the game, 13-13, midway through the fourth quarter, the Stallions went on a nearly six-minute drive, and with the aid of penalties, San Juan Hills looked poised to take the lead and potentially advance to the program’s second CIF-SS Final. However, with San Juan Hills at the St. Bonaventure 9-yard line, the Seraphs brought pressure and forced a throw directly into the hands of their defensive end, who sprinted 87 yards the other direction for the go-ahead pick-six to take down San Juan Hills, 20-13, in the Division 3 semifinals. San Juan Hills, which had forced two red zone turnovers in the first half, finished 11-2 after opening the season with a program-best 8-0 start. thecapistranodispatch.com
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