May 16, 2014

LO C A L

N EWS

May 16–22, 2014

YO U

C A N

U S E

Doheny Blues: The Basics with Keb’ Mo’ EYE ON DP/PAGE 4

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 20

Citizen Honored for Lifesaving Actions Capo Beach man feted by Orange County for role in August resuscitation D P L I V I N G / PAG E 1 3

Gary Clark, a retired Los Angeles firefighter and longtime Capistrano Beach resident, was honored by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department last month for his involvement in saving a motorcyclist’s life. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

Planning Commission OKs County’s Longawaited Harbor Revamp EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Reading with Wright: Traveling the Globe from Your Armchair DP LIVING/PAGE 15

www.danapointtimes.com

Dolphins Baseball Crowned Sea View League Champs SPORTS/PAGE 17

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

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week Pendleton’s Tomahawk Fire Burns 6,000 Acres THE LATEST: The Tomahawk Fire burning on the eastern edge of Camp Pendleton has spread to more than 6,000 acres, according to Marine Corps officials. As of press time, the fire was 20 percent contained.

Camp Pendleton fire crews responded to a brush fire at approximately 9:45 a.m.

Wednesday near the off-base Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook. The station is located near the base’s eastern border in Fallbrook.

Residents of the base’s De Luz housing development and personnel from the weapons station were ordered to evacuate. Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School, O’Neill Heights Housing and the De Luz Child Development Center, all on base, were also evacuated. Schools were closed today, but some residents were allowed to return.

Paige Field House, in the base’s southern corridor near Oceanside, served as the evacuation site, where approximately 890 evacuees reported Wednesday.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Camp Pendleton Fire Department is working with Cal Fire and North County, Orange County and Oceanside fire departments to battle the blaze. The Las Pulgas Gate and Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook Gate remained closed Thursday morning.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.—Andrea Papagianis

Federal Statutes Target Nuclear Safety Concerns THE LATEST: U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (DCalif.), chairwoman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, assembled a full-committee hearing in Washington D.C. Wednesday regarding the issues and challenges posed by the decommissioning of nuclear reactors nationwide.

The hearing came a day after three bills aimed to improve the safety and security of decommissioning plants and the storage of spent, or used, fuel at such nuclear sites were introduced by Boxer, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.). Specifically, Boxer highlighted public safety concerns surrounding the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The plant was shut down in 2012 after abnormal wear was discovered in its two Dana Point Times May 16–22, 2014

nuclear reactors. In June 2013, Southern California Edison, the plant’s majority owner and operator, announced it would decommission the site.

“This legislation will help guarantee that this facility and others like it are safely decommissioned and are no longer a liability for local communities,” Boxer said in a statement.

Public oversight and involvement has been a hot topic in recent months. Last week, at a community engagement panel meeting organized by Edison, area leaders and nuclear experts discussed ways in which California could become involved in the decommissioning process.

Now, with the backing of U.S. senators, local figures could someday play a more meaningful role.

It’s something Councilman Don Moiser of Del Mar hopes for. As one of four panelists at Wednesday’s senate committee hearing, Mosier highlighted issues he considered “significant public safety risks.”

He pointed to the storage of nuclear fuel at SONGS as worrisome.

Mosier called the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s oversight “weak” and said federal presentations typically discuss regulation rather than enforcement and items specific to San Onofre.

WHAT’S NEXT: The decommissioning discussion will continue Thursday, May 22 as the community engagement panel meets in Laguna Hills. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at The Hills Hotel, located at 25205 La Paz Road.—AP

Former JSerra Teacher Faces Molestation Charges THE LATEST: A former JSerra Catholic High School teacher faced a jury trial Wednesday, over three years after he was arrested on charges of sexually molesting a 14-year-old female student.

Ricardo Aldana, 40, is charged with seven felony counts of lewd acts on a child.

Aldana, who was a Spanish teacher and also coached boys soccer and junior varsity girls volleyball at the private school in San Juan Capistrano, is accused of meeting the victim when she was 13 years old.

In June 2011, after the victim turned 14, prosecutors alleged Aldana inappropriately massaged her shoulders, over her clothing. He is accused of continuing to “groom” the victim through text messages and phone conversations, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Aldana is accused of picking the victim up from her home in September 2011 while her mother was out of town, taking her to his Dana Point residence. Prosecutors allege Aldana engaged in “substantial unlawful sex acts” before dropping her off at her home at 4 a.m.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Depart-

The Camp Pendleton Fire Department is working with multiple outside agencies to contain the Tomahawk Fire, which has scorched 6,000 acres. Courtesy photo

ment began investigating the case after an instructor at an out-of-state academic camp overheard the victim talking to other students. He was arrested in Dec. 2011.

WHAT’S NEXT: Aldana faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison if convicted. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on May 8.—Brian Park

Planning Commission OKs Harbor Revamp THE LATEST: Despite concerns from boaters, the Planning Commission approved Orange County’s application Monday night to demolish and rebuild much of the Dana Point Harbor’s aging structures.

Commissioners approved the coastal development permit in a 4-1 vote, moving the $140 million project, nearly 20 years in the making, closer to breaking ground.

“This revitalization might not have everything that everyone wants … but so many bodies have overseen this process.

It’s been vetted,” said Commissioner April O’Connor.

Commissioner Norm Denton cast the dissenting vote. In an earlier vote, the board agreed unanimously on the permit. But after the permit vote was tied with the conceptual approval of a more than 50,000-squarefoot, 400-boat, dry-storage structure, Denton, a boater, changed his vote.

“I have been accused of being against the revitalization,” Denton said. “I have always said I am for the landside improvements with a couple caveats. One is the dry boat storage.”

More than 20 speakers highlighted the revitalization need, but nearly half raised issue with the impacts parking, off-site boat storage during construction and the potential storage structure, dubbed the “boat barn,” could have on boaters. The

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“barn” must still get the California Coastal Commission’s OK. WHAT’S NEXT: With the approval, the county can now move ahead with plans to flatten 13 buildings and construct seven new structures in the “commercial core.”

The project will add retail, commercial and office space along with a 35,000-square-foot park. The Commission also approved a two-level structure that will add more than 500 parking spaces.

OC Dana Point Harbor Director Brad Gross said commercial construction could begin in 2015.—AP

CUSD Considers Names for New RMV School THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District identified eight potential names for its new K-8 school in Rancho Mission Viejo on Wednesday.

Possible names for the school include: Barbara L. Banda, a local woman who helped bring Native American education into the district; Esencia, named after the village the school will be built in; Ronald Reagan, the 40th President; Glenn T. Seaboard, a Nobel Prize winning American chemist; Helena Modjeska, a famous Shakespearean actress who lived and died in Orange County; and Ortega Oaks.

Teresa Romero, chairwoman of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Aacjachemen Nation tribal council also suggested five names and mascots, two of which were selected: Coronne Chiefs, inspired by the tribe’s first female chief, and Acjachema Aswuts, named after the tribe and their native word for golden eagles.

WHAT’S NEXT: District staff will research the names for the board to make their decision at their next meeting, May 28.—BP www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

If You Go WHAT: Doheny Blues Festival WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18 WHERE: Doheny State Beach COST: Single-day general admission $60, weekend $110. Single-day gold passes $225, weekend $425.

Los Angeles native Keb’ Mo’ returned back to the basics in his 12th studio album “BLUESAmericana.” Sunday, Keb’ Mo’ returns to Dana Point for his fourth performance at the Doheny Blues Festival. Courtesy photo

Doheny Blues: Keb’ Mo’ Brings Back the Basics Acoustic blues artist Kevin Moore, or Keb’ Mo,’ hits the Doheny stage Sunday

BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

T

wenty years after Kevin Moore dropped his first album under the name Keb’ Mo’, the 62-year-old Los Angeles native is still going strong.

He wrapped up a four-month-long North American tour on May 10. Additional shows Thursday and Friday saw him in Mesa and Tucson, Arizona.

But Sunday brings Keb’ Mo’ back to Dana Point, back to the stages he’s performed on four times prior—where blues legends like B.B. King, Chuck Barry and Etta James once stood.

Moore, a three-time Grammy Award winner, is known for his old fashioned acoustic blues. It’s a style that has stood the test of time. After 20 years in the industry, he’s seen his fair share of change.

It is something he’s adapted to. His 2011, Grammy-nominated album showed an evolution of sorts in which Moore experimented with jazz and soul alongside R&B artist

India.Arie and countryman Vince Gill.

He’s also a social media force. On Mother’s Day, Keb’ Mo’ posted a “selfie” with his mom. The post received more than 6,500 likes and 47 shares from his more than 89,000 followers. It’s an intimate way to stay connected with his fans, but it really comes back to the music Moore said.

“I communicate best through my music,” he said during a phone interview from Los Angeles.

Keb’ Mo’ released his 12th studio album April 22. With “BLUESAmericana,” he’s taken his music back to the basics, highlighting the sounds that first earned him praise and recognition when he hit the national stage in 1994 with his self-titled album.

The second Keb’ Mo’ record, “Just Like You,” won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album—an honor he’s twice repeated, with 1999’s “Slow Down” and his 2005 “Keep It Simple.” His albums come from an honest place, he said, calling

“BLUESAmericana” the start of his next phase.

“I had to learn more about myself … In doing that I felt a personal shift,” Moore said in a press release.

Moore shared that since his last album, he and wife Robbie have faced challenges, but made it through the rough patch. It is a point in his life reflected in his music, through songs like “Do It Right,” which pledges commitment, and “For Better Or Worse,” highlighting marriage’s required devotion.

He’s even taken a back-to-basics approach with performances, opting out of the full-band format for shows with smaller ensembles.

As far as the Doheny Blues Festival goes, Moore said he’ll decide the performance’s style based on how he’s feeling that day. One thing is certain though, Sunday’s performance will reflect the acoustic-centric blues Keb’ Mo’ is known best for—right from the heart. DP

PERFORMERS: Saturday: Gregg Allman, Buddy Guy, John Németh & The Bo-Keys, The Mannish Boys Revue ft. Kid Ramos and Sugaray Rayford, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, Nikki Hill, JW-Jones, Matthew Curry, The 44s, The Americans and The Silver Kings. Sunday: The Doobie Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Vintage Trouble, James Cotton Blues Band & Friends, Keb’ Mo’, Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires, Ruthie Foster, James Intveld & Rosie Flores, Roy Gaines, The California Honeydrops, Eric Sardinas and Atomic Road Kings.

DO: Bring low-back chairs, blankets, binoculars, cell phones, sunscreen, fanny packs, point-and-shoot cameras (no detachable lenses), umbrellas, strollers and unframed backpacks.

DON’T: Bring illegal substances, outside food or beverages, large bags, alcohol, weapons, video cameras, glass containers, flags, stickers, flyers, tents, tarps, coolers and pets.

Read the full list of festival guidelines at www.dohenybluesfestival.com.

Courtesy photo

EYE ON DP

DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY CATHERINE MANSO

All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher.

The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

SPONSORED BY

Dana Point Police Services www.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com

Tuesday, May 13 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Crown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (4:52 p.m.)

A 50-year-old man with a scruffy beard and wearing a baseball cap was walking around the caller’s location, looking into windows.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34300 Block (9:02 a.m.)

An employee called officials about an apparently homeless 40-year-old man with his yellow jeans pulled down. The caller said a co-worker told the man to pull up his pants and he did. Later he was reportedly outside lying on the floor.

Monday, May 12 DISTURBANCE Camino El Molino, 34400 Block (9:30 p.m.) Two women and two men got into a physical fight. Another person reportedly was knocked out and lying on the deck.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Niguel Road, 33800 Block (4:35 p.m.) Authorities were notified of a man, whose gray hair was standing up, sleeping in the magazine section of the library. He is known for previous drunken visits to the library.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Bremerton Street, 33300 Block (12:54 p.m.) A parked silver Toyota Highlander reportedly leaked fuel in the driveway. The owner could not be contacted.

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34300 Block (8:35 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man and woman sitting in a gray and white van that was attached to a trailer. The woman was reportedly yelling at employees of Jack’s Surfboards.

Sunday, May 11 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Camino Del Avion/Crown Valley Parkway (7:27 p.m.) A man in his early 40s, wearing a blue baseball cap, was walking around Monarch Coast Apartments for over an hour and staring into apartments.

Del Obispo Street (11:27 a.m.) Dispatch received notice of a man selling flowers at the Mobil gas station. When asked to leave, the man refused.

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34300 Block (9:03 a.m.) An employee of a Chevron gas station called authorities about a woman who was throwing objects inside the store. The woman left in a black van.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive/Island Way (4:50 a.m.) An apparently homeless man with a backpack was believed to be “doing drugs.”

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Dana Point Harbor Drive, 25300 Block (12:21 a.m.) A woman on the beach intentionally cut her leg. She called authorities and complained about no one stopping to help her and then proceeded to say she would rather “bleed to death” than provide her specific location.

Saturday, May 10 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Street of the Amber Lantern, 34100 Block (10:46 p.m.) A woman reported hearing footsteps in a vacant apartment.

DISTURBANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive/ Puerto Place (7:05 p.m.) A blond man wearing black and white striped shorts flipped a picnic table into the water and rode off on his mountain bike.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Doheny Park Road/Domingo Avenue (10:43 p.m.)

A driver of a dark blue Ford Explorer was drinking alcohol in his car.

ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Cordova Drive, 24600 Block (4:25 p.m.) A brown Nissan Sentra was blocking the caller’s driveway.

DRUNK DRIVING Pacific Coast Highway/ Del Obispo Street (2:55 p.m.) An alleged drunken driver of a white Hyundai Sonata crossed over double yellow lines before driving into the bike lane.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Stonehill Drive/

CITIZEN ASSIST Stonehill Drive/Selva Road (8:07 p.m.) A 4-year-old girl got stuck in the bathroom and could not get out.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Los Cabos/La Paloma (4:32 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man wearing a safety vest and selling window treatments.

News Next Door WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SAN CLEMENTE San Clemente will apply for three state transportation grants to provide safe routes to area schools.

The projects would add additional sidewalks and other improvements at Shorecliffs Middle School and Concordia and Las Palmas elementary schools. The improvements could cost approximately $3.67 million, according to Tom Frank, the city’s traffic engineer.

Improvements near Concordia would add sidewalks and create curb extensions, which could shorten the distance students currently have to cross Avenida del Presidente.

Curb extensions could also be added near Shorecliffs. Near Las Palmas, the city hopes to add new sidewalks.

The projects would not require a local match if the city receives funding from CaliDana Point Times May 16-22, 2014

fornia’s Safe Routes to School program.

Frank said it is unlikely the city will receive grant funding for all three projects, but could approach a regional board to assist.

Councilwoman Lori Donchak, who previously helped write similar grants, said it is important the city update its economic profile for the state, in order to overcome stereotypes about the city as a lazy beach town populated by a few wealthy people, as it was perceived during the Nixon era.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO The city of San Juan Capistrano is set to unveil its newest park during a dedication ceremony on Saturday, May 31.

The 12-acre Reata Park and Event Center, located in the city’s eastern territory, will feature recreational space, an equestrian staging area, space for weddings and group

events, a network of paths and trails and a restored historic structure that will serve as a welcome center.

The park was built and funded by the San Juan Capistrano Open Space Foundation.

The city purchased the land, including the adjacent Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, in a 2010 deal for 132 acres at a cost of $27.5 million, paid for by a $30 million bond approved by city voters in 2008.

Trails also connect to Caspers Wildnerss Park and 42 acres of land will be preserved as open space.

The park is located at 28632 Ortega Highway. The grand opening will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend.

The event will include live entertainment, dancing, a petting zoo, pony rides, exhibits and tours.

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Community Meetings FRIDAY, MAY 16

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

All day. Join the city and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 in honoring the men and women who have served, fought and died for the United States.

Tribute walls bearing the names of our nation’s fallen are on display at Sea Terrace Park through Sunday. Memorials are open to the public 24 hours a day.

Ceremonies will be held at noon and 7 p.m. daily. Visit www.vfwpost9934.org for more information.

SUNDAY, MAY 18

History Tour

9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Explore the region’s rich history on this two-hour, 1.5-mile, docent-led tour from the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive. Tour is held each third Sunday of the month featuring rotating themes.

RSVP required to wqintern@danapoint. org or 949.248.3527.

TUESDAY, MAY 20

City Council Meeting

6 p.m. The city’s five-member governing body meets at City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern. Visit www.danapointtimes.com for a look at the night’s discussions.

Dana Harbor Toastmasters

7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Practice becoming a more confident communicator every Tuesday. For more info, email 1707@toastmastersclubs.org or contact Marshall at 949.441.6179. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road. www.1707.toastmastersclubs.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 24

Farmers Market

9 a.m.–1 p.m. Seasonal produce and flowers available every Saturday at La Plaza Park. Call Steve at 949.573.5033 for information on renting a booth.

MONDAY, MAY 26

Memorial Day—City offices closed.

Memorial Day Ceremony

10 a.m.–noon. The city of Dana Point and Veterans of Foreign Wars hold their annual memorial services at Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano. This is a solemn service to honor all military personnel who have given their lives. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS AND BRIAN PARK

Bet on Kids at Annual Fish for Life Fundraiser For the last four years, Fish for Life has been spreading the love, one fishing trip at a time.

Now, the local, all-volunteer nonprofit is reaching out to the community to keep excursions for children and young adults with special needs sponsored for another season. Saturday, May 30 brings around the fourth installment of one of Fish for Life’s largest funding sources—its Texas Hold ‘em Tournament.

Seat reservations cost $100 and give participants the chance to give back while competing against some of the sporting world’s greats. Former NFL players Jim Everett, Steve Beuerlein, Hoby Brenner, Billy Joe Hobert and Dave Wilson will be joined by former MLB pitchers Chuck Finley and Jaret Wright at the tables.

Heavyweight, mixed-martial artist Eddie Sanchez will also join the competition.

Players who knock one of the sports legends out of play will win special prizes.

Prizes will also be given to the firstthrough fifth-place tournament finishers.

Blackjack and roulette will also be played for raffle tickets and prizes. Each registered player will receive a fishing pass

Former Rams quarterback Jim Everett (center) leads the Fish for Life dance on an October fishing trip for children and teens with special needs.

Photo: Jeff Smith

from Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching and appetizers will be provided.

The tournament starts at 6 p.m. at the Talega Golf Course, located at 990 Avenida Talega in San Clemente. To register, contact Fish for Life founder Jim Holden at 949.258.8819 or visit www.fishforlife.org.

New Rancho Mission Viejo School Gets Its Principal Greg Merwin, principal at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, has been appointed as the first principal at the Capistrano Unified School District’s new K-8 school in Rancho Mission Viejo.

Merwin’s appointment was approved by the school board on Wednesday, April 23. He has served as principal at George White for two years and previously served as principal at Robert M. Pyles and Dr.

Albert Schweitzer schools in the Magnolia School District in Anaheim.

The new school, which will be built in the second village of Rancho Mission Viejo, Esencia, is scheduled to open in 2016 and will serve 1,200-1,600 students. Officials are still considering the name of the school.

The school board also approved four new appointments: Paul Kraft as principal at Del Obispo Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano; Stephen Nicholas as the district’s new chief communications officer; Ryan Carter as director of construction; and Aja McKee as autism specialist.

Commissioners Shuffle Order, New Chair Named The Planning Commission took part in its yearly reorganization Monday night, nominating and selecting two commissioners to serve as chair and vice chair of Dana Point’s development governing body.

Commissioner Liz Claus was nominated and selected as chairwoman in a 4-1 vote, herself the lone dissenter. Claus’ nomination was followed by one for Commissioner April O’Connor, who also voted against herself in a 4-1 vote for vice chair.

Claus, who served as vice chair during the last year, replaces Commissioner Gary Newkirk as the body’s figurehead. Commission members took the time that night to thank Newkirk for his leadership.

“There is a quiet dignity about you,”

O’Connor told Newkirk.

Claus and O’Connor will serve in their current capacity until next spring when the body will again be reorganized. The terms of Chairwoman Claus and Commissioners Newkirk and Susan Whittaker expire in March 2015. All members are appointed by the City Council.

Stocks Run Low, FAM Asks for Food Donations Family Assistance Ministries is looking for donations of various food items due to stocks running low.

The organization’s stocks typically run low in the summer months, but this year, the slump has come early. Food items needed include: peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, canned pasta sauce, cold cereal, canned tomatoes, tuna, canned beans and rice.

FAM employees and volunteers are available to receive donations on Monday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Donations can be dropped off at 1030 Calle Negocio in San Clemente.

Have something interesting for the community? We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com.

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

Giving Proportionate to Earning Big donations often get lots of media coverage.

But is the charity as “sterling” as it might seem?

A

little more than 2,000 years ago, some of the richest folks in Jerusalem publically displayed their big donations as Jesus and his disciples watched from the shadows. Then a poor woman came in and dropped two mites—a small amount compared to the fat cats.

Jesus proclaimed a frequently forgotten truth: “This poor widow has put in more than all those others; they put in out of abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had.”

Today, we are too often still impressed by the big givers. And we still forget the lesson of proportion from the parable of the Widow’s Two Mites, Mark 12:43.

Donald Sterling is a perfect example. He certainly appears like a big philanthropist.

To make sure no one misses it, he runs full page advertisements in the Los Angeles Times touting his generosity. But, what does his giving really mean?

According to public records, his charitable foundation gave about $11 million dollars last year. That’s a lot of money.

Sterling’s net worth is $1.9 billion. So, last year, Sterling gave about 0.005 percent of his net worth to charity.

To put that in perspective, the average

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.danapointtimes.com

55-year-old American has around $190,000 in net worth.

The same percentage of giving would be about $1,000.

If an average family drops $20 bucks in the WAVELENGTHS church coffer every

By Jim Kempton week, they are as generous in their relative contribution to charity as Sterling is. If an average family gives $1,000 dollars throughout the year to charities like the Red Cross, Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association or the Ocean Institute, they proportionally put in the same amount as those like Sterling, who—I’m not exaggerating—holds 10,000 times as much financial wealth as the average American.

Even those with far less wealth—who donate a hundred hours of their time coaching an AYSO soccer team, leading a Girl Scout troop, serving at a soup kitchen or helping at beach clean ups—gave as much proportionally as a billionaire contributing $10 million.

There are many relatively wealthy citizens here in our town who give far more

than the miniscule percentage that Sterling does. More importantly, they put their muscle where their money is. All over Dana Point we see these good shepherds donating their time and energy and opening their hearts as well as their wallet.

They are at the Vietnam veterans memorial tribute, the Historical Society, the Dana Point Symphony, Rotary Club, Festival of the Whales and the churches of our vibrant town. They do it without the slightest need to be accorded accolades— although thankfully some of them do get appreciated publically.

May we all appreciate them as if they were the richest people in the world—because, in fact, they are.

Jim Kempton is a local resident who falls far short of giving anywhere near his share of the abundant bounty he has been bestowed. But his wife and children try to make up for him. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP 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 DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com

Letters to the Editor COMPASSION, NOT MONEY, SHOULD DRIVE HOMELESS DECISION SANDRA WEAVER, San Clemente

On May 7, I attended a meeting of the San Clemente Planning Commission. On the agenda was consideration of a number of sites which might be designated for a homeless shelter.

The reason for proposing these sites is the SB-2 ordinance, which requires all cities and counties to provide at least one zoning category in which emergency shelters can be located without discretionary approval from the local government.

The zoning category must be identified in the locality’s housing element and include sites with sufficient capacity to meet the local need for emergency shelter.

One of the proposed sites was the property that Kmart had occupied and is now vacant.

Hundreds of folks showed up with signs indicating their disapproval of that site.

The reason for their objection was simply that they did not want it “in their backDana Point Times May 16–22, 2014

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

yard.” Why? The main reason was money.

Although many would cite safety, children nearby and other concerns, they are really concerned about their property values. There were other speakers objecting to some of the other sites considered, but their reasons were also all about the money.

I also spoke at that meeting but not to express my feelings pro or con on any of the sites. My reason for speaking out was to ask those who were objecting to take a step back and look at the situation from a humane standpoint. I suggested that many of those in the audience may have known people who might have become homeless due to a fire, flood or other misfortune, but they had family and friends who came to their aid.

The people we see on the street do not have family and friends to help them.

They need you and me to step up and give them a helping hand so they can begin to regain their lives.

San Clemente is very fortunate to have the organization iHOPE here in our comPage 8

munity. iHOPE is a pathway to success for the homeless individuals and families in need of emergency and long-term resources in south Orange County.

The city of San Clemente will do the right thing and create a zone for a homeless shelter.

It’s just sad that doing so had to be because of an ordinance. The 300 folks who worked so hard to oppose the Kmart site can now rest peacefully knowing that “those people” will not be their neighbors.

When the city designates the site for the homeless shelter, how about each of you donating at least $100 or more to the building of that site? That’s the least you can do to show your gratitude.

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@danapointtimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Andrea Papagianis, 949.388.7700, x112 apapagianis@danapointtimes.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Lisa Cosenza ( San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

Group Senior Editor > Andrea Swayne

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis

OPERATIONS

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

Finance Director > Mike Reed

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Kevin Dahlgren, Catherine Manso, Madison May, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 20. The DP Times (www. danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes. com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.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 of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 16 MIKE SCARPELLO 8 p.m. Listen to live music at Wind & Sea Restaurant. 34699 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com.

MIKE HAMILTON 8 p.m.–11 p.m. Enjoy live music at Salt Creek Grille with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Hamilton. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949. 661.7799, www.mikehamiltonmusic.com.

Saturday | 17 WHALE WALK AND TALK 9 a.m.–11 a.m. Learn about migrating whales on this 1.5-mile walk through the Headlands conservation. Call or email to RSVP. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point, 949.248.3527, wqintern@danapoint.org.

EASTER SEALS FUNDRAISER 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Support programs for veterans and the disabled at this fundraiser hosted by the local Easter Seals chapter. Admission is free. Events will include a silent auction, craft fair and buffet. OC Sailing and Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point, www.southerncalifornia.easterseals.com.

FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Produce, flowers and more are on the ticket at La Plaza Park each Saturday.

Call about renting a booth. Pacific Coast Highway north of Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

RELEASE AND REFRESH YOGA 10 a.m.–11 a.m. Release life stresses with yoga instructor Deborah Nadell at The Coastal Arcadian each Saturday. 24471 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, 630.240.3163, Deborah@sacredhealing.com.

© Universal Pictures

At the Movies: Watch Out for the ‘Neighbors’

Sunday | 18

T

hirty-six years after it came out, Animal House still remains the most popular college film with movie viewers. In 1981, the comedy’s star, John Belushi, made a less popular vehicle with Dan Akroyd called Neighbors as polar opposites who have a grating effect on one another.

Seth Rogen and Zac Efron’s newest collaboration seemingly combines both films and is also titled Neighbors.

Right on the summer movie season’s brink, a raunchy comedy seems to be what most audiences are craving.

In a pleasant suburban neighborhood, Mac (Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) have a baby and are awkwardly transitioning into parenthood. Just when things start going smoothly, the home next door is turned into

ECO XPO GARDEN SHOW 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens hosts its inaugural garden show at Los Rios Park, Saturday and Sunday, featuring demonstration gardens, speakers, activities for children and more. Free.

31790 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, 949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

ORGANIST STEPHEN KARR 4 p.m. Classical music by organist Stephen Karr, music director of St. Clement’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church. $15 suggested donation. 202 Avenida Aragon, San Clemente, www.scbythesea.org.

Monday | 19 IMAGINATION CELEBRATION Each day during library hours. Children and teens are invited to create art at the Dana Point Library. Creativity will be highlighted and works will be displayed. Program runs through Sunday, May 25. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

COOKING CLASS: BBQ 6:30 p.m. On the menu at this monthly class, chicken with potato chip crust, BLT salad, grilled corn and chocolate-peanut butter cookies. $50. RVSP. Antoine’s Café, 218 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.1763, www.antoinescafe.com.

Wednesday | 21

INTRO TO WING CHUN 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Month-long introductory course on wing chun at the Dragon Institute. $69. For more information: 949.542.8470, info@thedragoninstitute.org.

34241 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 105, Dana Point, www.ocwingchun.com.

Thursday | 22

Tuesday | 20 EDITOR’S PICK Experience Capistrano Valley’s 19th and 20th centuries during the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s second annual Fiesta Day. Photo: Brian Park

Historical Fiesta Day • May 17 10 a.m.–4 p.m. See what life in the Capistrano Valley was like in the 19th and 20th centuries during the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s second annual Fiesta Day. Features live events and performances, Native American crafts, tortilla-making demonstrations and more. Admission is free. 31831 Los Rios Street, 949.493.8444, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

Dana Point Times May 16–22, 2014

a frat house. The couple tries to make nice with the rowdy students at first, but it soon becomes apparent that frat presidents Teddy (Efron) and Pete (Dave Franco) have no plans to stop their rambunctious partying. Halston Sage, Carla Gallo, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Craig Roberts co-star.

Like most movies Rogen is involved with, there are a ton of jokes and sequences that walk the line between edgy and tasteless.

Despite being about a decade too old to play them, Efron and Franco are perfect in their roles. But with a film that includes weed jokes, obvious CGI and gratuitous nudity, realism is the last thing on the viewer’s mind. Neighbors isn’t brilliant filmmaking or storytelling, but it is enjoyable for a night out with friends. —Megan Bianco

CURIOSITY CARTS 10 a.m.–noon. Educational carts offer visitors a close-up view of historical artifacts, including objects used by the Juaneño Mission Indians. Free with admission $6-$9. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

OPEN MIC WITH JUSTIN TAYLOR 8 p.m. Get on stage at Brio Tuscany Grille each Tuesday night with host Justin Taylor. 24050 Camino Del Avion, Dana Point, 949.443.1476, www.briorestaurant.com.

Page 10

THE KALAMA BROTHERS 7:30 p.m.–11 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s.

555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

DINNER WITH MICHAEL MINA 6 p.m.–9 p.m. A private dining event with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina. $145-$195. Reservations required.

St. Regis Monarch Beach, 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3318, www.stregismb.com/stonehill-tavern.

GEM AND MINERAL SILENT AUCTION 7 p.m. South Orange County Gem & Mineral Society hosts its annual silent auction at the San Clemente Community Center. Free.150 Avenida Magdalena, San Clemente, 949.498.8358, www.socgems.org.

For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com Have an event? Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com

www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP LIVING Dana Point

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

The Maestro of Video Games

Tommy Tallarico creates music through video games

BY BRIAN PARK, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n the digital world of video games, San Juan Capistrano resident Tommy Tallarico is a game changer.

For those who have ever skateboarded their way through a foundry in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater or raced through the streets of Agrabah in Disney’s Aladdin, it was Tallarico who orchestrated the experience.

Tallarico is one of the best known and critically-acclaimed video game music composers. Over the course of his career, spanning more than two decades, the 46-yearold Massachusetts native has helped usher in a change, from what he calls “bleeps and bloops” to sweeping orchestral pieces and anthemic rock ‘n’ roll—the new backdrop to which gamers are attaining high scores and reaching next levels.

“When you watch a movie, you’re watching somebody else’s story,” Tallarico said.

“When you play a video game, you become that character. The music becomes the soundtrack of your life.”

Since breaking into the industry in 1991, Tallarico has composed music for more than 300 console and computer games. He’s held three Guinness World Records, including one for the person who’s worked on the most commercially released video games.

For the past 12 years, Tallarico has also taken to the road, performing alongside other musicians and full orchestras in his Video Game Live concert series. VGL has released three albums, all of which debuted in the Billboard Top 10 classical crossover category, and Tallarico has put out six albums himself.

Growing up in Springfield, Mass., Tallarico loved two things: video games and music.

When he was 10, he’d take his father’s cassette recorder to the local arcade and record all his favorite music. He’d come home and charge his neighborhood friends a nickel to watch him perform guitar, backed by video game music. “Back then, it was magic,” Tallarico said.

In high school, Tallarico and his friends would try to “crack” video game codes. By forcing an error in the game, he and his friends could access the programming and copy the codes onto disks.

Music, though, was Tallarico’s primary calling. It also runs in his family. His cousin is Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler (nee Tallarico).

“He’s 20 years older than me, so I never knew him when he wasn’t famous,” Tallarico said. “Whenever (Aerosmith) would come to the area, we got to go the shows.

Watching him perform for 20,000 people, as a young child, I never thought it was a

Page 12

San Juan Capistrano resident Tommy Tallarico has produced music for more than 300 video games, making him one of the most successful producers in the industry. Photo: Brian Park

job that would be impossible or something that was out of reach.”

After high school, Tallarico spent one year at Western New England University before deciding to pack his bags and head to California to start a music career.

Tallarico found a job selling keyboards at a Guitar Center in Santa Ana. On his first day on the job, and his third day in California, Tallarico wore one of his three T-shirts, which was emblazoned with the logo for the TurboGrafx-16, a Japanese gaming console. The first person Tallarico waited on happened to be a producer for Virgin Mastertronic, later Virgin Interactive.

“He was looking for some software program to make music with and he sees my TurboGrafx-16 shirt and he knew what it was,” Tallarico said. “I proceeded to download 21 years of video game knowledge on this (this guy.)”

Tallarico was then offered a $6-an-hour job as a video game tester for Virgin, tasked to find bugs and errors. Every day, Tallarico said he begged executives to let him produce music. Four months later, he got his first project and produced the soundtrack for the original Prince of Persia video game.

In 1992, Tallarico and his team of music producers produced Disney’s Aladdin, a game that earned critical success—uncommon for movie-based video games.

“We were the hottest team in the video game industry,” Tallarico said.

Two years later, he and his friend, Dave Perry, formed their own companies, Tommy Tallarico Studios and Shiny Entertainment.

A busy touring schedule with VGL keeps Tallarico away from home, but on June 11, he’ll be able to make the short drive up to Los Angeles for a performance at the Nokia Theatre.

“When non-gamers come to our show, they leave it with a greater understanding and respect,” Tallarico said. “I want to prove to the world how culturally significant and artistic video games have become.” DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING

It’s in the Cards

Deputy, Citizen Honored for Lifesaving Actions

Local helps others unlock potential, find purpose

BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

M

Capo Beach man recognized by Orange County for role in August resuscitation

BY JIM SHILANDER, DANA POINT TIMES

J

eremiah Prescott didn’t see the collision that led to his helping save the life of a young Florida man last year.

But the quick work of the San Clemente Police Services deputy and retired Los Angeles firefighter Gary Clark, a resident of Capistrano Beach, gave the young man a second chance at life.

Clark was first on scene Aug. 9. He was traveling on El Camino Real in San Clemente, following two men on motorcycles.

As they approached the Rite Aid Pharmacy, Clark watched as one of the riders, identified as Andrew Dykes, hit a vehicle that was turning left.

“The motorcyclist flew over the car and disappeared,” Clark recalled. Clark pulled over and headed to where the man lay.

“He was on his back,” Clark said. “A guy looked in his helmet and said, ‘He’s dead.’”

At the time, Prescott and his partner were parked in an unmarked vehicle a short distance away. They were doing surveillance. “I heard a loud noise,” he said.

“I didn’t think anything of it until I saw a bunch of people running to the location.”

Clark, an experienced EMT, assessed the victim and discovered he was not breathing. He had no sign of a pulse.

Clark and a bystander removed the man’s helmet just before Prescott arrived. He too could not find a pulse, but the two men started chest compressions and began

Deputy Jeremiah Prescott accepts congratulations from Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens on his receipt of his life saving medal. Courtesy photo

Dana Point Times May 16–22, 2014

Gary Clark, a retired Los Angeles firefighter and longtime Capistrano Beach resident, was honored last month for his involvement in saving a motorcyclist’s life. Here, Clark accepts a commendation award from Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. Courtesy photo

performing CPR. A 15-year veteran of the force, Prescott had taken a number of CPR courses and performed the emergency procedure in the field.

“I’ve just never had it work,” Prescott said. “We did three sets of chest compressions and I’ll be damned if he didn’t just gasp for air.”

With the sign of life, Clark maintained a clean airway until paramedics arrived.

“I looked around and asked ‘Who did chest compressions,’” Clark said after the incident. “Prescott responded, ‘I did.’ And I told him, ‘We just saved this man’s life.’”

Prescott and Clark were both honored

by Orange County leaders for their actions last month. Along with 14 other officers, Prescott received the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Medal of Lifesaving. For his efforts, Clark received a certificate of recognition.

“It’s the first award that I’ve won,” Prescott said. “I don’t think my actions were heroic or courageous in any way.

I did something I’ve done several times before and that other deputies have done countless times over the years.”

Clark checked on Dykes in the days following the accident. He spoke with the paramedics who had transported him.

They told him Dykes had gone into arrest but was again revived. He visited Dykes at the hospital, where he said he “looked like a mummy” after breaking “nearly every bone in his body.”

“

You can get involved and you can make a difference.

–Gary Clark

”

According to his nurse, Dykes also suffered a dissected aorta, where blood flows between the layers of the aorta, which is typically fatal, Clark said. After a few weeks, Dykes stabilized and went home.

“I did mention to him that he was very careless with the life his mother and God gave him, and that hopefully he would be a little more careful with the life we all had given him back,” Clark said.

Both men had similar feelings about what happened last year.

“I’ve probably performed CPR over 200 times in my 34 years,” Clark said of his time with the LAFD. “I think it is general knowledge that when you have an arrest from a trauma, it’s very difficult to bring someone back from it. It was just remarkable.”

Clark said he hoped his experience would help others understand the importance of rapid intervention in such situations. The state’s Good Samaritan statute, he said, protects bystanders from being sued for their actions in a medical emergency so long as they try to intervene to the best of their ability.

“You can get involved and you can make a difference,” Clark said. DP

Page 13

argo Mateas shuffles the cards.

“Ask a question,” she says.

Hesitantly, I respond, “Am in in the right place?”

One-by-one Mateas turns three cards over. One career, one action and one block. They read “student,” “trust” and “fear of success,” respectively.

She pauses a moment, studying the cards. She reads into them a little more.

She tells me to trust in myself and my decisions, “Your radar is working,” she says with affirmation. Study the world and continually assess where you are, she tells me. Lastly, “Do not fear success,” she says.

“Find what makes you happy.”

Mateas does this for a living. A longtime journalist-turned-corporate trainer, Mateas has seen her fair share of life. She graduated high school at 15. With a desire to tell stories, Mateas became a journalist. She was only 17.

It happened at a Mary Kay cosmetics party. Mateas met a retiring reporter. Little Margo Mateas. Courtesy photo did she know that the encounter would lead to a newspaper career, as she filled in for the outgoing journalist.

Over the years, Mateas’ career changed.

She left journalism behind and focused on helping make people happy. Mateas began working with corporate executives and found success in coaching and training.

But one thing was missing. There were no tangible tools for her clients to use.

The Dana Point resident took a chance in 2010. Heeding her own advice she began writing a book, one to fill the voids for her clients. The project’s brakes were slammed in 2011 and Mateas switched directions.

“I argued with my intuition,” she said, “I argued with myself.”

But things fell into place and by Valentine’s Day of 2012, she had her Career Cards in hand. The cards act like Tarot cards, but are focused on careers and everyday issues people face. Through her book signings and Career Card readings, Mateas hopes to reach a larger audience of people struggling with decisions.

“You may not think you can or may not want to do something,” she says, “But it the cards say it, you should at least give it a try.”

Mateas’ Career Cards and book are available on www.amazon.com. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach by Shelley Murphy

The Promposal, It’s All in the Asking

Four Simple Letters Spark Fear This Time of Year: P-R-O-M

D

ating back to the early 1900s, prom figures prominently in popular culture and today still retains its status as a premier high school rite of passage.

Prom is one of the few milestones remaining in my younger son’s high school career. Like his brother before him, my high school junior can’t wait for time to tick by as I continue to cling to the clock, petulantly marking each memorable event.

High school students attending those first proms early in the twentieth century wouldn’t recognize the transformation of their fancy formal dances into today’s lavish evening extravaganzas.

Today’s prom preparaLIFE’S A BEACH tion begins long before

By Shelley Murphy the event with what’s commonly called the “promposal.”

The time-worn traditional question, “Will you go to prom with me?” has evolved into today’s promposal: an imaginative and over-the-top invite to prom.

In three weeks my son attends his high school prom, but months ago he started

contemplating clever and creative ways to ask his girlfriend to join him. Some teens spend almost as much effort and expense in the asking as the event itself.

Nowadays, elaborate promposals rely on famous athletes or popular celebrities to do the asking, others orchestrate scavenger hunts, some beg on billboards and a few stage flash mobs.

This time of year I can’t turn on the “Today” show without seeing a teenager holding a sign with a name in bold followed by “PROM?” Of course, the goal of the promposal is posting it on social media sites, elevating the once private moment to a public contest. Like everything in high school today, the promposal is competitive and the pressure is on to deliver an epic invite.

Last month, networks and websites focused attention on the high school senior who took his great-grandmother to his prom.

Sure, the sweet story tugs at heartstrings, but I think the boy saw an out and took it—avoiding the painstaking promposal.

Credit for creating the promposal phenomenon is undocumented, but its origin appears to be in our own backyard

Armchair Globetrotting

BY MYLES MELLOR

Last week’s solution:

Traverse Asia through the library’s collections

A

Dana Point Times May 16–22, 2014

tive Services, she laughed and said the word I’ve grown weary of hearing, “Prom?”

After buying a box big enough to stuff my 6-foot 3-inch son into, I stocked up on other supplies and waited for direction.

Later that evening my son and I snuck into his girlfriend’s unoccupied home. We constructed the box and I wedged him in it, wrapped it up, taped it shut and left her house with him stuffed inside the box in her bedroom. Eventually his girlfriend and her mom arrived home to discover the lifesize surprise. She said yes.

Prom represents more than a teenage social event celebrating the end of an academic year; it’s recognized as a pinnacle moment commemorating the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

As a junior, my son has one last promposal to pull-off and I have another milestone to mark before his high school graduation next June. I have a feeling he’ll handle his senior year rite of passage much better than I will.

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

Sudoku

GUEST OPINION: Reading with Wright by Chris Wright

sian detectives are as plentiful as their European counterparts and just as interesting, perhaps more so when the spirit world is concerned.

In this month’s column, we travel to Asia through crime and mystery fiction available through the Dana Point Library.

THAILAND: John Burdett, a former lawyer from London, writes the Sonchai Jitpleecheep series set in Bangkok. It’s dark, sometimes disturbing, and funny when you have a police officer who tries to be honest when working for his thoroughly corrupt but politically savvy boss.

Honesty can be rather relative on the hot, humid, mean streets and canals of Bangkok. Sonchai’s character also has a spiritual and shamanistic part to his character.

There are five books in the series.

Timothy Hallinan writes a series about an American writer, Poke Rafferty, who has fallen for a bar girl named Rose. He gets into all sorts of adventures that make the movie The Hangover II, set in Bangkok, look innocuous. There are five books in the series with the sixth coming in soon.

LAOS: Perhaps the weirdest series is Dr. Siri set in 1970s Laos. It too dabbles in the space where reality meets the occult.

on the decade-old MTV teen reality show, “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.”

After episodes showcasing male cast members staging spectacular promposals involving gorilla suits and goldfish, local school officials said they began noticing an upswing in the trend.

During peak popularity of the show, my older son asked his girlfriend to prom by planning a complicated and covert operation. After a late night dinner at Fisherman’s he and his date walked along the pier, while beneath it two of his buddies wearing wetsuits floated in the frigid water alongside a surfboard supporting a posterboard covered in glow sticks spelling out “PROM?” As planned, his friends swam out from beneath the pier towing the sign, but choppy waters caused many of the glow sticks to plunge into the sea. (She said yes.)

Last week, my younger son finalized his promposal plan and asked for my help.

My first task took me to U-Haul to find a large box. As I searched for their biggest box, a clerk approached and asked what I planned to put in the box. I replied, “My son.” Instead of speed dialing Child Protec-

Siri is about the quirkiest sleuth you will meet.

He’s the coroner for the Communist government.

He speaks French and is in his 70s. He’s also sometimes possessed by a shaman. He’s fought the French, the AmeriREADING WITH WRIGHT cans and now he just

By Chris Wright wants to be left alone, but he’s reluctantly called in to solve cases.

Dr. Siri is the master of the morgue and getting to the truth. He’s rather irreverent, flippant and also charming. There are nine books in the series and they have very interesting titles like “The Merry Misogynist” and “Disco for the Departed.” These are written by a Brit who lives in Thailand, Colin Cotterill, who has since started another series, also set in Thailand, with a female newspaper reporter, Jimm Juree.

CHINA AND TIBET: Eliot Pattison writes the Inspector Shan series which is set in Tibet. Shan has fallen from grace as a Communist police officer and has been sent to prison or re-education camp to atone for some perceived wrong. So he’s a prisoner who is drafted into helping solve

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 local cases and he has much empathy for the Tibetans who are his fellow prisoners, especially the monks and the holy men who won’t renounce Buddhism.

It’s a very insightful book that takes a critical look at the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the government’s heavy hand in suppressing culture and liberty. There are seven books in the series.

Lisa Brackmann writes another interesting series involving a wounded American Iraq War veteran working in China to get by. Ellie McEnroe represents a dissident Chinese artist. She is getting divorced, is in pain from her war wounds and frequently self-medicates with alcohol. She ends up doing a favor for a friend and trouble seems to find her wherever she goes.

The two books in the series have her

Page 15

See today’s solution in next week’s issue.

traveling all over China. She’s not sure if the Chinese government, crime syndicates or even Western defense contractors are after her. She’s always on the run or on the hunt for someone eluding her.

Through these tales, we get to visit lots of interesting places you have never heard about and Google Images can help bring them to life.

Chris Wright is not sure if he lives to read or if he reads to live. He has been a public librarian with the OC Public Libraries since 2006. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP 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 DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com

www.danapointtimes.com

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE ON SATURDAY, MAY 17 8AM-1PM at: 24332 Cortes Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629 HAMPTON HILL HOA COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Saturday, May 17, 2014. Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Del Obispo just South of Stonehill

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. No phone calls please.

SURF STUFF MENS WETSUITS Mens Rip Curl Wetsuit, short-arm, full suit.

New condition. Size small $65. Quiksilver full suit, barely used. Size medium $75. Call or text 949.533.9761.

Do you want to reach 10,000+ people in the Dana Point area every week?

Then you need to be in the Dana Point Times. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 102

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com

ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING

Nona AssociatesRaymond J. Nona A.I.A

26901 Camino de Estrella, 949.496.2275, www.raynona.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto

34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

DANCE/FITNESS

Club Salsa Dance Studio

34202 Camino Capistrano Capistrano Beach, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

IMAGES/Creative Solutions

117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

INSURANCE SERVICES

Patricia Powers

24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, 949.496.1900, pat.powers@cox.net

State Farm/Ted Bowersox

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com

Statefarm/Elaine LaVine

34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net

LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

449 Avenida Crespi, 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

LOCKSMITH

Dana Point Lock & Security

949.496.6916, www.danapointlock.com

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Kenny’s Music & Guitars

24731 La Plaza, 949.661.3984, www.kennysmusicstore.com

PET GROOMING

Dawgy Style

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, 949.496.3315, www.alphadoggroomshop.com

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

UPHOLSTERY

Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors

34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, 949.240.9569 www.jeddys.com

POOL SERVICE & REPAIR

Palisades Pool Service & Repair

949.542.7232, allenesommo@cox.net

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT

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Dolphin Report

The Dolphins boys 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams finished first.

The boys and girls track and field teams will send representatives to the CIF-SS Prelims on May 17.

Dolphins Boys Swim Wins League Title, Girls Place Third

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

For in-game updates, news and more for all the Dana Hills High School spring sports teams, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

Dolphins Baseball Leave No Doubt in Championship Win The Dana Hills baseball team made their presence in the Sea View League known back on March 21.

In their league opener, the Dolphins jumped on Aliso Niguel standout pitcher Kyle Molnar to the tune of nine hits and seven runs. It was a sign of things to come for the Dolphins, who kept on winning en route to a 10-2 overall record in league play and the league title.

The Dolphins (23-6, 10-2) sealed the league championship with a 4-2 win over San Clemente on May 9. It was the program’s first league title since 2002, when the Dolphins won the South Coast League.

Dana Hills proved to be a well-rounded team on the mound and at the plate all season long.

The team’s combined batting average currently stands at .305 and batters are reaching base at a .372 clip. The pitching staff touts a stingy 2.11 ERA. The top of the Dolphins batting order has been particularly effective, led by juniors Luke Williams (.341 batting average, four home runs), Jay Schuyler (.309) and sophomore Zach Wolf (.337). The team has eight seniors on the roster, but only a handful get considerable playing time.

Most of the production has come from underclassmen.

Seniors Kayman Koen (.329) and Louis Raymond (.353) have provided the veteran leadership.

Raymond also leads the Dolphins pitching efforts, and has been the staff ace.

Raymond compiled a 9-2 record in 15 appearances this season, tossing a team-high 69 1/3 innings, and boasts a sparkling 1.82 ERA. Junior pitcher Marrick Crouse helped solidify the pitching rotation, going 6-2. At times, Crouse showed off a repertoire that had opposing batters baffled. On April 22, in an 8-3 win over Laguna Hills that solidified their first-place standing in league, Crouse threw a complete game four-hitter.

There was a stretch in that game where he retired ten batters in a row. Crouse held hitters to a paltry .177 batting average over 58 2/3 innings this season.

As of May 15, the Dolphins were ranked Dana Point Times May 16–22, 2014

Dana Hills junior pitcher Marrick Crouse finished the regular season with a 6-2 record.

Photo: KDahlgren Photography.

No. 2 in the CIF-SS Division 2 coaches poll, which bodes well for a high CIF-SS Championship seeding. The playoff brackets will be released at 9 a.m. on May 19.

Dolphins Get Past Chargers in First Round of Volleyball Playoffs

Feagler Bests the Field at CIF Golf Regional It was a tough day for scoring at Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach on May 12, the site of the CIF-SS Southern Individual Regional tournament. The wind was gusting and Dana Hills sophomore Clay Feagler had to deal with tough pin placements and a competitive field made up of the best high school golfers in the area.

But Feagler was able to showcase the variety in his game, firing off five birdies and three bogeys to card a 70 (-2) and claim the outright first-place title. Feagler was the only golfer in the field that broke par.

Feagler’s scrambling and putting ability was on full display at the tournament. He hit only 10 of 18 greens in regulation, but needed only 29 putts to get through the round, indicating that when Feagler got on the green with a chance to make a putt and salvage a score, he did.

“The conditions were tough and there were difficult pin placements. The wind was gusting too. But I only had 29 putts and I’m excited that I got the win,” Feagler said.

Feagler will compete in the next stage of sectional qualifying and will be a part of the Dolphins team that heads to the CIFSS Team Regionals on May 19 at Talega Golf Club in San Clemente.

Dolphins Track and Field Teams Sweep League Finals Both the Dana Hills boys and girls track

The Dana Hills boys swim team captured the Sea View League championship at El Toro High School on May 9. The girls team finished in third place.

Several Dolphins swimmers had meet wins, including: Trent Pelini (100-yard breaststroke), Mitchell Heimbach (50 freestyle), Michael Smith (100 butterfly) and Shane Forker (500 freestyle).

Pelini (200 individual medley), Smith (100 backstroke) and Keyan Boniadi (500 freestyle) also had runner-up finishes in other events.

The boys Dolphins relay teams won the 200 medley relay and finished second in the 400 freestyle relay.

The Dana Hills boys volleyball team hosted Edison in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships and came away with a 23-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-22 four-set victory.

The Dolphins finished second in the Sea View League and have reached the second round of the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

Dana Hills was set to host Newbury Park, the first-place team out of the Marmonte League, in the second round on May 15. Results were not available at press time.

Dana Hills sophomore Clay Feagler won the CIF-SS Southern Individual Regional on May 12.

Courtesy photo

and field teams captured the South Coast League title at San Clemente High School on May 6.

The boys team won the event by scoring 108 points, 16.5 points clear of secondplace Mission Viejo. The girls team ran away with the league hardware, scoring 117 points. Mission Viejo finished in a distant second with 78 points.

The girls team was led by the likes of meet winners Michaela King (300-meter hurdles) and Claire Kao (pole vault). The Dolphins 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams finished in first place.

Nick Van Vilet amassed points for the boys team by winning the 200-yard dash and the 400. Teammate Justin Hunter won the 100.

Sophomore distance runner Jake Ogden won both the 1,600 and the 3,200.

Page 17

Dolphins Softball Finishes Second in League The only blemish on the Dana Hills softball team’s South Coast League schedule came in the form of top-ranked Mission Viejo.

The Dolphins squared off against the Diablos twice this season, most recently on May 6, and lost both games by a 13-4 margin.

Outside of the Diablos, the Dolphins had their way with the remaining league opponents, finishing league play with a 6-2 record, good enough for second place.

Dana Hills ended their run through league with a 3-1 win over visiting Tesoro on May 14.

The second-place finish guarantees the Dolphins a spot in the CIF-SS Division 2 Championships. Playoff brackets will be announced at 2 p.m. on May 17. www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY GROMS OF THE WEEK

Malia and Hendrick Osterkamp

S

Kolohe Andino of San Clemente earned the best result of his career, making the final of the Billabong Rio Pro on May 12 in Brazil. Andino finished runner-up behind Tahitian Michel Bourez. Photo: © ASP/Smorigo

Andino Runner-up in Rio

Kolohe Andino takes second place in his first ASP World Championship Tour final at the Billabong Rio Pro

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

K

olohe Andino finished up a fine few days’ work, surfing in the first World Championship Tour final of his professional career in Brazil Monday.

Andino blasted through heat after heat against the world’s top surfers, including two victorious meetings with 11-time ASP world champion Kelly Slater (USA), at the Billabong Rio Pro in Rio de Janeiro.

Although in the end he came up a few points short of the win, his road to the final showed a glimpse into the promising future of this rising Association of Surfing Professionals WCT pro from San Clemente.

Andino’s performance showed how much he’s grown in both strength and confidence.

From his Round 1 win over Brazilian David Do Carmo and Australian Mick Fanning to a close Round 3, 13.70 to 13.50 victory over Julian Wilson of Australia, Andino made his presence known from the start.

His first match-up with Slater came in Round 4 when he advanced in second place with a score of 10.43, behind Australia’s Bede Durbidge, who posted a 15.27, and ahead of Slater’s 5.30.

Round 5 brought another tough man-onman battle, this time with Travis Logie of South Africa. Despite an interference call against him, Andino came up with the win, 6.83 to 6.50, to advance to the quarterfinals where he again met Durbidge, and again came out on top, 12.44 to 7.40.

The semi-final round once again brought Andino face-to-face with Slater.

This time, Andino took him down 14.73 to 14.17.

Tahiti’s Michel Bourez proved a worthy

Dana Point Times May 16-22, 2014

opponent in the final, taking the win 13.84 to Andino’s 10.93.

Bourez, in his post event ASP interview, spoke of the challenge Andino’s talent for pulling off big aerial maneuvers brought to the final.

“I didn’t know what to do because the wind blows perfectly for the rights for airs and he’s kind of the grom who always can make big things. I was just expecting to get a couple lefts and that’s what happened,” Bourez said. “It’s the first time that Kolohe made the final and he’s kind of an inspiration too because he’s always there trying hard and always doing his best. And when he made the final, that makes me happy too, win or lose. But I didn’t want to lose.”

On the podium, Andino graciously congratulated his opponent and was visibly pleased to have powered his way into the first final of his WCT career.

“I’m really stoked. I really love my country but Brazil always holds a special spot in my heart. I’ve done really well here in the past and always have a really good time, so it’s great,” Andino said.

Later, still relishing this big step in his career, via a Facebook post Andino added, “Can’t believe I ended up on the podium.

Beating three of my favorites ever feels fake. Wouldn’t rather lose to anyone else.

Feeling really blessed right now. I’m gonna keep grinding and always #flytheflag.”

The Billabong Rio Pro was the fourth of the 11 scheduled World Championship Tour events.

Andino’s second-place finish earned him a $40,000 prize and 8,000 ratings points, landing him in the No. 12 spot among the WCT’s top 36. DP Page 18

an Clemente has a reputation for not only producing surf stars but stand-out sibling pairs of talented wave riders.

One of these up-and-coming duos to watch is Malia and Hendrick Osterkamp. Both dominated at the Western Surfing Association West Coast Championship, May 10-11 at Church Beach.

Malia, a ripping shortboarder, won Girls U18, took second in both U16 and Open Women and claimed season titles in both U18 and Open Women. She was also awarded the Kind High Wave Score of the Day award on Sunday for posting a 9.80 (out of 10).

Hendrick, 9, earned the first win of his amateur career, winning the Micro Grom U9 shortboard division.

“For me, winning was an amazing accomplishment. I didn’t quite achieve my goal of winning all three divisions, but I was alright with second place in U16 and Open Women,” Malia said. “On the other hand, having my brother win Micro Groms was really the coolest thing ever! I honestly could not be more proud of him. That was his first win ever, and I am sure he will remember it forever.”

Hendrick and Malia Osterkamp.

Photo: Hank Osterkamp

Hendrick, supportive of his big sister as always, was just as proud of Malia, her victories making his big day even more special.

“I have never been so stoked in my life,” Hendrick said. “I went out there and surfed my best just to see what would happen, and I ended up winning. Best feeling ever!”

—Andrea Swayne