EYE ON SC
What’s Up With...
Five things San Clemente should know this week
High-Ranking Officials
Honor Gen. J.K. Davis at
Ceremony
THE LATEST: Retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star Gen. J.K. Davis was honored at a ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Park Semper Fi for his lifetime of achievements. USMC Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea and Col. Christopher Gideons spoke about the general and the importance of Veterans Day (Nov. 11) to the American armed forces.
WHAT’S NEXT: Stay tuned for more information regarding holiday events to help out local U.S. Marines divisions, such as the city of San Clemente-adopted 2nd Marines, 4th Battalion, in upcoming editions of the San Clemente Times —Eric Heinz
Holidays at the Outlets Takes Place Nov. 19
THE LATEST: The Outlets at San Clemente will host its Tree Lighting Celebration with Santa and his reindeer on Saturday, Nov. 19. The event features a live reindeer meet-and-greet, roaming Christmas carolers, a photo booth, crafts, face-painting, balloon animals and the Grand Finale— the lighting of a fresh-cut, 40-foot-tall white fir tree from Mt. Shasta, covered in more than 6,000 twinkling, multi-colored lights as “snow” falls over San Clemente. Children and families will be able to participate in activities such as photo booths, crafts, face-painting and balloon animals.
WHAT’S NEXT: The event takes place 4-6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Outlets at San Clemente is located at 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa. For more information on Outlets at San Clemente, visit www.outletsatsanclemente.com. —Staff
City Discusses Improvements to North Beach Parking
THE LATEST: Parking in North Beach, as well as many other areas in the coastal region of San Clemente, has been an ongoing issue for years. The Planning Commission discussed adopting a new parking plan for North Beach on Nov. 2, following discussion
of findings from a recent parking study. When occupancy of parking spaces over a certain time period is 85 percent or 90 percent occupied, traffic impacts start to appear, officials said. Most of the parking spots in the North Beach area are from 41 percent to 69 percent occupied at 7 p.m. on a Friday, which is when the city tracks the numbers. Recommendations for the North Beach area include continuing enforcement of the parking regulations; encouraging shared use parking; creating overnight parking that restaurants can distribute to discourage drinking and driving; implementing new vehicle standards; and evaluating bicycling opportunities and bike racks for the area.
WHAT’S NEXT: To view the parking study, visit www.san-clemente.org and click Government, Planning Commission and view the Nov. 2 meeting agenda. You can also view the meeting on the city of San Clemente YouTube page. —EH
Residents Urge City to Start Construction at Site of Via Ballena Landslide
THE LATEST: During the Nov. 1 City Council meeting, residents of the 200 block of Via Ballena in San Clemente spoke about how they want the city to help with repairs to their homes, which were severely damaged in a 2011 landslide.
A settlement agreement between the city, Shorecliff’s Golf Club and the owners was designed in October 2015 and authenticated in March. Attorneys and city officials met on Thursday, Nov. 3, in Irvine regarding the progress of the repairs. The agreement is a combination of $10.8 mil-
agreement, and we’re working forward to get this done as quickly as we can.”
The settlement agreement states the city must act “on an expedited basis” and give all permitting the “highest priority for its review and approval for the landslide remediation,” but it does not define a timeline for those agreements.
WHAT’S NEXT: Tomassian said the plaintiffs plan to meet with the judge handling the case in December. Sund said there are more opportune times to begin construction rather than the wetter seasons in the winter, and construction wouldn’t be able to take place until at least spring 2017.
City of San Clemente, Sovereign Health Sue Each Other
lion among the three sectors to be paid by insurance companies.
City officials said they need to obtain the proper permitting in order to start work on the culverts, storm drains and repairing the bluffs on which the homes sit, but stakeholders are getting impatient.
Some of the permits need to come from the Army Corps of Engineers, the California Coastal Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as others.
“…(F)rom our perspective, the city still will not issue the permits even though the Coastal Commission has deemed it an emergency situation and will forego the permitting and let us proceed,” said Serge Tomassian, the attorney representing the homeowners. “The city won’t do it because they’re trying to budget every item including mitigation measures the agencies could come up with.”
Assistant City Manager Erik Sund said the city cannot start the work until it has the authority to do so.
“We need the proper approvals; we haven’t gone through all that documentation,” Sund said.
According to letters sent to Tomassian’s law firm, a few engineers stated the site needs to be repaired before another torrential downpour, otherwise further damage to the homes could be incurred.
The letters came from American Geotechnical, Inc. and Pacific Coast Land Consulting.
Some of the homes were so badly damaged they’ve been red-tagged, and some people haven’t been able to live in them for five years. One homeowner has since passed away and a couple others are in their 80s and 90s.
“We’re trying (to move forward),” Sund said, “and we’re following the settlement
THE LATEST: On Oct. 27, Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center (doing business as Sovereign Health), a provider of mental health and drug-abuse recovery treatment based in San Clemente, filed a lawsuit in federal court, claiming discrimination on the part of the city. Then on Nov. 2, the city of San Clemente filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court against Sovereign Health, alleging Sovereign committed multiple infractions of the city’s municipal law.
In the city’s press release, the city names multiple addresses where the alleged offenses took place. The alleged offenses include “littering, loud and unruly behavior, operating without a business license, disorderly conduct,” and others.
The city is asking the courts to enact a temporary restraining order against Sovereign Health and for the company to pay for the city’s attorney fees and “further relief” as deemed by the court.
Sovereign Health has stated otherwise in its lawsuit combined with Satya Health of California, Inc., and Vedanta Laboratories, Inc. The company claims the city has withheld permits from them in order to operate and has discriminated against them. Sovereign Health claimed the new residential ordinances the city adopted earlier this year “effectively ban” sober living homes, thereby violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
There were settlement negotiations related to prior complaints Sovereign Health made against the city, but those did not come to amicable terms.
Sovereign Health is asking the federal court to determine the city’s newly enacted laws are invalid based on federal law and that they amend the definitions.
WHAT’S NEXT: The city is in current litigation with other alleged sober living home companies, such as Sobertec LLC and Coast to Coast Referral Center. —EH
Ret. USMC four-star Gen. J.K. Davis, left, shakes the hand of Col. Cristopher Gideons at a ceremony for veterans on Saturday, Nov. 5. Photo: Eric Heinz
SC Sheriff’s Blotter
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. COMPILED BY STAFF
Monday, November 7
DISTURBANCE N. Avenida De La Estrella/ Calle De Los Molinos (1:25 p.m.) The caller was insulted due to differing political views with someone or something.
DISTURBANCE Paseo Alba, 0 Block (1:25 p.m.) Someone was intoxicated and being verbally abusive to their roommates.
DISTURBANCE Camino De Los Mares/Camino Vera Cruz (9:55 a.m.) A man was seen driving a golf cart on the greenbelt while walking his two dogs on a leash.
Sunday, November 6
DISTURBANCE Plaza Estival, 400 Block (8:23 p.m.) Police were called to reports of a man screaming and pounding on the front door.
INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN N. Avenida De La Estrella/Avenida Palizada (5:03 p.m.) Police were called regarding a man “passed out” on the grass.
WELFARE CHECK Calle Campana/Camino De Los Mares (4:49 p.m.) An “elderly” man was walking in the slow lane.
DISTURBANCE-AUTO INVOVLVED 0 Block, Calle Akelia (2:06 p.m.) People, including “little kids,” were seen riding on non-street-legal motorcycles without helmets.
911 HANGUP-WIRELESS 1500 Block, El Camino Real (1:11 p.m.) The dispatcher could hear profanity and racial slurs spoken through an open line.
CITIZEN ASSIST S. El Camino Real/Avenida Granada (1:56 a.m.) Police were flagged down by a woman who was sprayed with pepper spray.
DRUNK DRIVING N. El Camino Real/Canada (1:02 a.m.) Police were called for a man allegedly driving drunk in a green GMC. The woman who called said she was with the man earlier in the evening at a bar.
DISTURBANCE Avenida Victoria, 500 Block (1:27 a.m.) Two men, who were reportedly drunk, were sitting on the caller’s porch and refusing to leave.
DRUNK IN PUBLIC Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (12:59 a.m.)A caller said a man wearing a hoodie was stumbling around on the property with his pants falling down. He was also kicking a shopping cart and the escalator.
Saturday, November 5
DISTURBANCE Calle Sarmentoso, 1200 Block (11:49 p.m.) Police were called to a man and a woman in a verbal dispute. The caller said they were in a dark blue Nissan, and a man cussing at the woman to “get back in the car” could be heard.
DISTURBANCE Avenida Pico/Calle Frontera (11:47 p.m.) Police were called to the Methodist church regarding about 20 juveniles drinking and being loud.
DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 100 Block (11:47 p.m.) A man was lying in the gutter after the bouncers of an establishment pepper sprayed him.
CITIZEN ASSIST El Camino Real, 3900 Block (10:52 p.m.) A woman, who was drunk, had just left a sober living home, missed a bus and was stranded.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES
Cristianitos Road, 100 Block (9:32 p.m.) A drunken man was locked in the pool area.
DRUNK DRIVING Alameda Lane, 100 Block (9:20 p.m.) Police were called about a man who parked a white Mercedes, took beer out of the trunk and stumbled getting back in the driver’s seat.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES
Camino Bosquecillo/Costa Escondida (8:32 p.m.) Police were called for a man and a woman walking around vehicles. The caller said it looked as if they were going to attempt to break into someone’s car. They were both wearing hoodies that covered their faces, and the caller said they were shaking and acting “jittery.”
TRAFFIC HAZARD Avenida Vista Hermosa/ Avenida La Pata (7:48 p.m.) Juveniles on a hill were seen rolling “some kind of balls” into traffic. It was foggy, and the caller was concerned they would cause an accident.
DISTURBANCE Avenida Del Presidente, 3800 Block (6:32 p.m.) Police were called to a woman screaming profanities inside the location. The caller said the woman yelled, “I’ll kill you, and I hate you.”
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES
Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (4:11 p.m.) A man with long, dark hair and a long beard, wearing a “dirty” shirt and shorts, was drinking an alcoholic beverage. The caller said this happened near a school fundraiser, and she thought he should leave.
SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Calle Vicente/Avenida
Vaquero (2:12 p.m.) Police were called to check on an “older model” Toyota Corolla that was last seen on Camino De Estrella. The caller said two men and a woman were outside the vehicle and they “exchanged something.” The caller said they acted very nervous when the caller tried to take a picture of them.
Friday, November 4
BRANDISHING A WEAPON 0 Block (10:48 p.m.) A man at North Beach in a red convertible Ford Mustang threatened the caller with a knife that had a grey-andwhite-patterned handle. The caller said the man had a hit out on him and was calling the caller a name that wasn’t his.
ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (10:49 p.m.) Two people jumped off the side of the Pier. One man was out of the water and other people were looking over the side with flashlights.
CITIZEN ASSIST 0 Block, Via Paquete (3:57 p.m.) A woman said her neighbor was sending her threatening text messages.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES
Avenida Estacion, 1700 Block (Noon)
A man in a stall of the men’s restroom by the Metrolink station was making “odd noises” and snorting.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES
N. El Camino Real/Mariposa (7:31 a.m.) Police were called about a naked man.
DISTURBANCE-MECHANICAL Avenida Pico/ Camino Vera Cruz (1:02 a.m.) Police were called for loud vacuuming.
DISTURBANCE 0 Block, Gema (12:34 a.m.)
A caller said a man was yelling, “He didn’t want it to have to come to this” and wanted to kill someone. The caller said another voice could possibly be heard.
Thursday, November 3
BURGLARY REPORT Paseo Vista, 100 Block (9:24 p.m.) A woman said her ex-employee broke into her business, and she had a screen shot of the woman breaking in.
BATTERY N. El Camino Real/Avenida Del Mar (8:22 p.m.) The caller said two men punched the caller in the face before walking down the street. The caller said they possibly needed stitches in their mouth.
Wednesday, November 2
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES
Calle Del Cerro, 1000 Block (9:06 p.m.)
Police were called to the pool and laundry room for a man who had been staring at the caller’s apartment for 45 minutes.
WELFARE CHECK Camino La Pedriza/Avenida Vista Hermosa (3:09 p.m.) A man was seen with blood running down his face.
Community Meetings
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PANEL MEETING (SONGS)
5:30 p.m. The Community Engagement Panel will discuss the last three years since SONGS was shuttered and the road ahead regarding decommissioning the nuclear power plant. Educational booths will be set up at 4:30 p.m. DoubleTree Suites Hotel. 34402 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. www.songscommunity.com.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
VETERANS DAY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
SUNRISE ROTARY
7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Course Signature Grille. 990 Avenida Talega. www.scsunriserotary.com.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6 p.m. The City Council will host its regularly scheduled meeting. San Clemente Community Center. 100 N. Calle Seville. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.
BILY MEETING
7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
SAN CLEMENTE ROTARY
Noon. The San Clemente Rotary meets every Wednesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena. 949.233.7981. www.sanclementerotary.org.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
6 p.m. The San Clemente Planning Commission will host its regularly scheduled meeting. San Clemente Community Center. 100 N. Calle Seville. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.
Unofficial 2016 Election Results
BY STAFF, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
The following are the current unofficial election results as of 12 p.m. on Nov. 9. These results may change upon subsequent updates from the state of California and the Orange County Registrar. Candidates and measures in position to win if results hold are bolded.
SAN CLEMENTE CITY COUNCIL
Chris Hamm: 10,464 or 28.9 percent
Steve Swartz: 8,249 or 22.8 percent
Bob Baker: 8,082 or 22.3 percent
Dan Bane: 7,930 or 21.9 percent
Pamela Joy Glass: 1,437 or 4 percent (29 of 29 precincts reporting)
SAN CLEMENTE MEASURE OO:
To increase Transient Occupancy Tax from 10-13 percent
Yes: 10,971 or 50.5 percent
No: 10,750 or 49.5 percent (29 of 29 precincts reporting)
SAN CLEMENTE CITY CLERK
Joanne Baade: 16,805 or 100 percent (29 of 29 precincts reporting)
SAN CLEMENTE CITY TREASURER
Mark A. Taylor: 16,736 or 100 percent (29 of 29 precincts reporting)
CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (CUSD)
CUSD, TRUSTEE AREA 1
(One seat available)
Amy Hanacek (Incumbent): 7,970 or 59.2 percent
Wendy Shrove: 5,504 or 40.8 percent (35 of 35 precincts reporting)
CUSD, TRUSTEE AREA 2
(One seat available)
Jim Reardon (Incumbent): 11,396 or 80.5 percent
Gould Workman: 2,757 or 19.5 percent (35 of 35 precincts reporting)
CUSD, TRUSTEE AREA 3
(One seat available)
Patricia Holloway: 8,388 or 57.1 percent
Laura Ferguson: 6,313 or 42.9 percent (24 of 24 precincts reporting)
CUSD, TRUSTEE AREA 5
(One seat available)
Gary Pritchard (Incumbent): 6,303 or 52.4 percent
Jake M. Vollebregt: 5,735 or 47.6 percent (34 of 34 precincts reporting)
MEASURE M
Capistrano Unified School District, Classroom Repair and School Safety Measure, aka the $889 million school improvements bond.
Yes: 51,116 or 44.6 percent
No: 63,577 or 55.4 percent (210 of 210 precincts reporting)
MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY (MWDOC), DIVISION 7 (One seat available)
Megan Yoo Schneider: 33,690 or 42.2 percent
Raymond C. Miller: 16,724 or 21 percent
Evan Chaffee: 16,206 or 20.3 percent
Richard Gardner: 13,169 or 16.5 percent (200 of 200 precincts reporting)
SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT
(Three seats available)
Betty Olson (Incumbent):
28,149 or 32.5 percent
Charles “Chuck” Gibson (Incumbent): 26,530 or 30.6 percent
Charley Wilson (Incumbent): 24,182 or 27.9 percent
Stanislaw Dziecielski: 7,752 or 9 percent (90 of 90 precincts reporting)
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (SOCCCD)
SOCCCD TRUSTEE AREA 3
(One seat available)
Barbara “Bobbie” Jay (Incumbent):
77,511 or 35.1 percent
Peter J. Espinosa: 60,604 or 27.5 percent
Kimberly Clark: 44,976 or 20.4 percent
Gary V. Miller: 37,661 or 17.1 percent (534 of 534 precincts reporting)
SOCCCD TRUSTEE AREA 6 (One seat available)
James “Jim” R. Wright (Incumbent): 133,009 or 62.5 percent
Mike Dalati: 79,912 or 37.5 percent (534 of 534 precincts reporting)
SOCCCD TRUSTEE AREA 4, SHORT-TERM (One seat available)
Terri Whitt (Incumbent): 74,553 or 35 percent
John Alpay: 71,928 or 33.8 percent
Jim Leach: 66,572 or 31.2 percent (534 of 534 precincts reporting)
STATE ASSEMBLY, DISTRICT 73 (One seat available)
William (Bill) Brough (Incumbent): 102,729 or 68.6 percent
Mesbah Islam: 46,950 or 31.4 percent (296 of 296 precincts reporting)
U.S. SENATE (One seat available)
Kamala D. Harris: 4,857,345 or 63 percent
Loretta L. Sanchez: 2,911,570 or 37 percent (99 percent of precincts reporting)
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 49 (One seat available)
Darrell Issa (Incumbent): 93,684 or 51 percent
Doug Applegate: 89,704 or 49 percent (100 percent of precincts reporting)
MAJOR BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
57: To allow “non-violent” felons more opportunities for parole per Supreme Court mandate.
Yes: 5,496,189 or 64 percent
No: 3,147,995 or 36 percent (99 percent of precincts reporting; Yes is
projected by the AP)
61: To require the state to purchase prescription drugs at Department of Veterans Affairs prices.
Yes: 3,929,219 or 46 percent
No: 4,566,563 or 54 percent (99 percent of precincts reporting)
62: To repeal the death penalty. Yes: 3,967,947 or 46 percent No: 4,646,381 or 54 percent (99 percent of precincts reporting)
63: To require background checks for ammunition sales and other regulations. Yes: 5,446,337 or 63 percent No: 3,250,491 or 37 percent (99 percent of precincts reporting.)
64: To legalize recreational marijuana. Yes: 4,952,476 or 56 percent No: 3,920,303 or 44 percent (75 percent of precincts reporting. Yes is projected to win by the AP)
Jennifer Parker, center, directs people to their appropriate polling station on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo: Eric Heinz
Chris Hamm led in the polls as ofWednesday morning. He and Bob Baker held campaign parties at Pizza Port in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz
NEWS BITES
COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ
Left Coast Brewing Co. Releases Hop Juice Triple IPA
Left Coast Brewing Co. announced the release of Hop Juice Triple IPA, an update to the award-winning, full-time Hop Juice Double IPA. Now with Mosaic hops, a completely new look and an increase from 9.7 percent to 10 percent alcohol by volume, the Hop Juice Triple IPA will replace the Double IPA.
The new Hop Juice Triple IPA is available on draft and in 12-ounce and 22-ounce bottles throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Hawaii at more than 500 locations. Left Coast will launch 16 oz. cans in February 2017.
Assistance League of Capistrano Valley Seasonal Update
At an event on Oct. 27, the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley (ALCV) provided new clothing to the 360 children of Marines and Navy families in attendance. The Assistance League of Laguna Beach provided diapers and wipes, and Heart 2 Heart Quilts of Long Beach provided a quilt to each family.
This is the ALCV’s 11th year in operation, and the group runs 3-4 similar events per year, including an August Back-toSchool event that serves almost 1,000 kids from kindergarten to high school.
During seven nights in September and October, ALCV, via its Operation School Bell program, provided new school clothing to almost 1,000 children from CUSDarea schools. Each elementary school student received $65 to shop at Target, and middle school students received $75. Each student also received a $35 Payless gift card for new shoes.
Also, in October, ALCV volunteers collected 850 books for Make a Difference Day. The books were donated to the San Juan Capistrano Boy’s and Girl’s Club and to the following schools: Don Juan Avila Elementary, San Onofre Elementary, Palisades Elementary and Aliso Viejo Middle schools.
The chapter welcomes inquiries about membership, and more information can be found at www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org.
Capistrano Unified School District
Committees Application Deadline is Nov. 30
The Capistrano Unified School District is inviting community members to apply
to serve on one of four committees and commissions recently established to support the education of young people and increase public participation, oversight and transparency on school facilities and district finances. The deadline to apply to all except the School Family Regional Committee is Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016.
Applications are available for the following committees and commissions, which can also be found online at www.capousdca.schoolloop.com under “Community Engagement”:
The School Facilities and Finance Advisory Committee will serve as an administrative advisory committee to provide input, advice and recommendations on topics pertaining to school facilities and finance, including the implementation of the general obligation bond program. The committee will include regional representation from school families throughout the district.
The Community Facilities District Citizen’s Oversight and Advisory Commission will be established with representation from each Community Facilities District (CFD) to provide oversight, input and recommendations to the board of trustees on topics pertaining to CFDs. Advisory topics may include CFD facilities, funding and community information. Oversight topics may include reviewing facilities plans and fund expenditures, and reporting to the board and the public.
An Independent Citizens Oversight Committee would have been established had voters approved Measure M on Nov. 8. With all precincts reporting as of press time on Nov. 9, the bond is poised to fail.
CUSD also plans to create the School Family Regional Committee by high school boundary, with representation from each school within the high school
boundary, local stakeholder groups and organizations. The regional committees will collaborate with the School Facilities and Finance Advisory Committee to provide input, advice and recommendations on school facilities and finance within their particular high school boundary. The application for the School Family Regional Committee will be available at a later date.
For more information, contact Ryan Burris, chief communications officer, at 949.234.9308.
City Seeks Participation on Police Services Survey
The city of San Clemente hired the consulting firm Matrix Consulting Group to develop a Police Services study to help evaluate services provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. As part of the study, Matrix conducted a town hall meeting on Oct. 25 and obtained input from about 40 citizens. The input will be used to assist the city with making improvements to the Police Services’ crime reduction efforts.
The city is seeking to obtain additional information from the public via a questionnaire prepared by Matrix. The survey is anonymous and individual answers will not be shared with the city. The questionnaire is meant to give all members of the community an opportunity to share their input about police services and public safety issues.
The project team will present a summary of our findings after survey results are tabulated. The survey can be filled out no later than Nov. 21, 2016 using the SurveyMonkey link available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/sanclementestudy. If you have questions, contact Assistant City Manager Erik Sund at 949.361.8360.
City Offers Surveillance Cameras for Rent
The city of San Clemente has started a surveillance camera loaner program through Ring Stick-Up Cameras.
“Surveillance cameras are a great way to provide security for your home or workplace,” a press release from the city stated. “As well as providing you with video footage of any events that may happen, they also act as a visible deterrent to criminals and assist the local authorities in their investigations.”
San Clemente residents can test the surveillance cameras before they buy. The city purchased two Ring Stick-Up Cameras.
“The camera is weather-resistant and has a wire-free mount to see, hear and speak with your guests,” the release stated. “All systems are easy to set up and do not require a professional to install.”
People can check out the camera for a one-week period, and there may be a waiting list due to the demand for the program.
“Residents will need to sign a hold harmless release form before checking out the loaner camera,” the release stated. “After the one-week loan, residents who want to purchase one will receive $25 off the $199 purchase price when purchased through Ring by using the promo code, 7sanclemente at www.ring.com.”
Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.
An example of the cameras the city of San Clemente will rent to citizens. Photo: Courtesy city of San Clemente
Left Coast Hop Juice Triple IPA was recently released. Photo: Courtesy
SOAPBOX SC
GUEST OPINION: Historical Happenings by Larry Culbertson
The Ole Hanson Beach Club is Back in Service
The Ole Hanson Beach Club has just undergone a four-year, $5.6 million rehabilitation, and it is beautiful. How is San Clemente so fortunate to have such an elegant building?
It all goes back to Ole Hanson, the real estate developer who founded San Clemente in 1925. He had conceived an idea for a “Spanish Village,” where the architectural style of all buildings would be Spanish.
HISTORICAL
By Larry Culberton
Ole had a team of architects designing buildings for his new town. He directed one of his best architects, Virgil Westbrook, to design the Beach Club in 1927.
The Strang Brothers, who built many of the early San Clemente buildings, began construction of the Beach Club in December of 1927. Construction was completed in April of 1928, just five months later—it’s too bad we did not have Ole managing this recent rehabilitation. The Beach Club was formally dedicated on May 27, 1928.
Promotional sales brochures boasted the “Olympic-size” swimming pool to be one of the finest and most equipped in America. Unfortunately, the pool was later found to be a bit short of Olympic length. The Beach Club was used for tryouts for the 1932 Olympic Games. Champion
Letters to the
Editor
GET ‘ENGAGED’
GARY HEADRICK, San Clemente
Southern California Edison’s Community Engagement Panel (CEP) has convened for the past three years to discuss the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. I will be speaking at the next CEP meeting, 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Doubletree Hotel, located at 34402 Pacific Coast Highway, in Dana Point. The topic will be “from the perspective of the last three years, what have you seen—and where should we be headed for the next three.”
To put it bluntly, they have been doing a lot of talking but not much listening. Instead, they should be investigating the community’s concerns and exploring other options. The plan that the CEP is going along with only works if Edison can
swimmers and divers who tried out included Johnny Weismuller, Dutch Smith, Duke Kahanamoku and Buster Crabbe. Renowned coach Frank Holborow was brought in to train swimmers and said, “The Beach Club walls are covered with trophies,” according to newspaper accounts.
San Clemente swim team prowess was documented in the Santa Ana Daily Register on Oct. 29, 1928 in the article, “San Clemente Natators Win Coast Crown.”
Our team beat the Los Angeles Athletic Club and the Hollywood Athletic Club in the Pacific Coast indoor swimming championships held at the Beach Club.
The most exciting race of the day was the final relay race for women. The San Clemente women, led by Cecily Cunha, won despite intense competition. “The pace was so strenuous that two of the girls collapsed and had to be carried into the clubhouse,” the article read.
By 1980, after 50 years of continuous use, the Beach Club was in need of rehabilitation. Plans were drawn to reconfigure the downstairs from mostly locker rooms to meeting areas, offices, a kitchen and some locker room space.
On April 9, 1981, the “San Clemente Beach Club” was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first of five buildings in San Clemente to make the list. This listing enabled the city to obtain grant money for the planned
predict the future accurately. The most recent proof of that not being the case is the failed steam generator replacement project, which led to the shutdown. How can this body, whose primary core principle is public safety, even consider a plan that relies on technology that has yet to be invented, tested and proven?
Our request will be to allow other experts who disagree with Edison’s plan to make presentations and take questions from the panel and the community at large. There are some very well-qualified professionals in this field who think it is a bad idea to bury nuclear waste inches above the water table, 100 feet from the waves, in an earthquake/tsunami zone using containers that are known to develop cracks in a marine environment, but that can’t be monitored and can’t be repaired if they leak radiation or attain “criticality” (an uncontrollable nuclear reaction).
While the CEP is not a decision-making body, Edison likes to say that “the Community Engagement Panel and a number of community stakeholders have aligned to support their proposals.” That just
rehabilitation.
In 2012, the Beach Club was again in need of rehabilitation. The poor quality of work done in the 1980 rehabilitation necessitated a much more expensive project this time around. Some previous exterior modifications have been restored to their original specifications. Notably, one of the two round windows on the front of the building had been plastered over and is now back. The locker rooms, office spaces, first aid room, kitchen and meeting room fit together in a logical way. The elevator is a great addition. The pools are pristine and inviting.
The Historical Society was opposed to having doors placed in a decorative-arch feature on the pool side of the building, where doors had not been before. But the city decided adding doors would not hurt the historic integrity.
Ole Hanson’s vision for San Clemente may be expressed better by the Beach Club than by any other single building in town. We thank you, Ole!
Larry Culbertson is a former president and current member of the San Clemente Historical Society and has been a resident of San Clemente for more than 10 years. SC
PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and
Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso
Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.
might be because they have only heard one side of the story. Please attend to show support for this reasonable request to hear from other experts before it is too late. Edison’s current plan is unacceptable. There are far better options that Edison may not favor, but need to be considered for the sake of all.
Gary Headrick is the founder of San Clemente Green.
PICKET FENCE MEDIA
PUBLISHER
GETTING OUT SC
YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
The List
What’s going on in and around town this week
Thursday | 10
LIVE MUSIC: MIKE BAGGETTA NEW YORK TRIO
2-3 p.m. The Saddleback College Music Department presents the jazz stylings of the Mike Baggetta New York Trio. Performance takes place in Fine Arts Room 101. Admission is free and open to the public. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4413. www.saddleback.edu/arts.
LIVE MUSIC: THE KALEIDOSCOPE TRIO
7-8 p.m. Listen to the live, eclectic music of The Kaleidoscope Trio at the Laguna Beach Art Museum. 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. 949.494.8971. www.lagunabeachlive.org.
LIVE MUSIC: LEROY
7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from Leroy at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.
Friday | 11
MISSION ART WALK
11 a.m. A docent-guided tour highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to the Mission’s history. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.
VETERANS DAY EXHIBIT
2-7 p.m. The San Clemente Presbyterian Church presents a Veterans Day celebration in commemoration of all the men and women who have served in the military. Photographs, medals, documents and drawings from local veterans will be on display. Event also runs Nov. 12 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 119 Avenida De La Estrella, San Clemente. 949.492.6158. www.scpres.org.
OUTLETS AT SAN CLEMENTE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
5-8 p.m. Celebrate Outlets at San Clemente’s first birthday with live entertainment, wine, cocktails, craft beer and food trucks. Family-friendly activities will include a photo booth, face painting, balloon animals and complimentary birthday cake. Proceeds from drink purchases benefit the Marine Corps League, South Coast Detachment. Outlets at San Clemente, Oak Tree Court. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. www.outletsatsanclemente.com.
SATURDAY, NOV. 12: ANTE UP FOR AUTISM
6 p.m. The 10th annual autism benefit event includes silent auctions, dinner, entertainment and friendly poker games. All proceeds benefit families affected by autism through the group Talk About Curing Autism (TACA). Event was founded and is coordinated by one San Clemente family dealing with autism. Monarch Beach Resort. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. 949.640.4401. www.anteupforautism.org.
HOUSE COMBO PHO THE DISH
Pho is therapeutic. There may not be science yet to verify that, but anyone who’s eaten the classic Vietnamese noodle soup, especially after a long night or while battling a cold, knows that its combination of warmth, umami, salt and spice has magical healing powers.
There’s a pho for everyone at San Clemente’s Pho Thanh Binh. I went with the house special of rare beef, brisket, tendon and tripe—a traditional take on the noodle soup.
The best part about pho is the way the flavor integrates as you eat it. Throw in your basil, jalapeno, hoisin and chili—getting it spicy is another good cold remedy—and by the time you’re halfway through the gigantic serving bowl, the add-ins marry the peppery beef and unctuous tendon and tripe to create a singular indulgent bite. And though not everyone is an offal fan, Pho Thanh Bin’s tripe is tender and savory, and the tendon is rich and melts on the tongue.
BALLROOM BASH
7:15-10:30 p.m. Dance the foxtrot, tango, waltz and more at the November Ballroom Bash, which pays homage to the Thanksgiving season and veterans. Event is for singles and couple aged 18 and over. A waltz lesson will be held at 7:35 p.m. Free parking at the Community Presbyterian Church. 32202 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.498.0233. www.ballroombash.com
VETERANS DAY CONCERT
7:30 p.m. Former TV news anchor and
By the end of the bowl, the broth has assimilated and condensed all elements into a robustly flavorful bite. And whether you need it or not, the pho at Pho Thanh Binh warms the soul.
Pho Thanh Binh 107 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente. 949.369.3876
Vietnam veteran Mike Chamberlin tells stories and sings 1940s love songs in a tribute concert honoring those who fought and served in World War II. Concert is free, and childcare is available. Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley. 1201 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.240.6463. www.cslcv.org.
LIVE MUSIC: THE MEMPHIS KINGS
7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from The Memphis Kings at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855.
www.ivalees.com.
LIVE MUSIC: FELISHA
8 p.m. Listen to live music from Felisha at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www. barnoawinebar.com.
‘SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS’
8 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse puts on Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, the story of a formidable retired woman, who hires an acerbic dance instructor for private lessons. Runs through Dec. 4. Tickets range from $15-20. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. www.cabrilloplayhouse.com.
Saturday | 12
TALEGA RUN CLUB
7:30 a.m. All ages and running abilities are welcome to this weekly running club. 2XU, an athletic apparel store in San Clemente, supports the club and helps lead the runs. Group meets in front of Peet’s Coffee at 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.558.5054. www.meetup.com/2XU-SanClemente-Outlet-Meetup.
TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING AT THE RESERVE
8-11:30 a.m. Volunteer to spend a few hours in the great outdoors and make The Reserve trails clean and accessible. Drinks and snacks provided, but bringing your own work gloves is recommended. Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR
8 a.m.-1 p.m. San Juan Mobile Estates hosts the seventh annual Holiday Bazaar, offering unique and handcrafted items alongside homemade baked goods and candy. The United Women Craft Initiative Association, a fair-trade organization comprised of women from Uganda, will be on hand with homemade goods. 32302 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4594.
GARDEN CLASS: SUCCESSFUL COOL SEASON GARDENING
9:30-11 a.m. Join Goin Native and the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners for this class on preparing your garden for the winter months. Reata Park. 28632 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.606.6386. www.goinnative.net.
ECO DESIGN FARM TOUR
10-11 a.m. Learn about the Ecology Center on a guided tour over the historic home turned living landscape. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.443.4223. www.theecologycenter.org.
San Clemente
EDITOR’S PICK
Photo: Courtesy of TACA
GETTING OUT
(Cont. from page 12)
OCEAN INSTITUTE WHALE WATCHING CRUISE
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Hop aboard the R/V Sea Explorer to see whales, dolphins, sea lions and more. Tickets are $45 for adults, $35 for seniors and active-duty military and $25 for children. Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.
DRIFTWOOD COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
11 a.m.-8 p.m. Country stars like Jerrod Niemann, Rodney Atkins, Thompson Square and more descend on Doheny State Beach for an all-day music festival. There will be more than 100 craft beers and wines, along with barbecue—tastings are included with VIP tickets. General admission tickets start at $59, VIP tickets start at $99. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. www.driftwoodfest.com.
SC HANDMADE POP-UP BOUTIQUE PARTY
11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. An afternoon with local San Clemente Women artists and makers and their one-of-a-kind, handmade products. There will be unique, smallbatch clothing, jewelry, home and body care products, baked goods and candy, hand-knit items, bags, succulent planters and much more. Event is free to attend. 245 Avenida Del Poniente, San Clemente. 949.874.5700.
SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN
2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Dalton Gang performs live music in the afternoon, followed by the Rob Staley Band in the evening. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.
THE DIAMOND BALL
A four-course dinner is followed by performances by Alex & Sierra, winners of The X Factor TV game show. Cost is $250, and proceeds benefit dogs that were used as military aides. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. www.thediamondball.org
CARNIVAL AT COVE GALLERY
5-8 p.m. Food, beverages, music and art will be available at the Carnival at Cove Gallery. 1492 South Coast Highway, No. 8, Laguna Beach. 949.715.7149. www.covegallerylaguna.com.
SECOND STAGE STAND-UP
7:30 p.m. The monthly Second Stage StandUp brings comedians to the Camino Real Playhouse. Mark Christopher Lawrence, Bobby Tessel, Paula Faust and Yamo perform. Tickets are $17.50, and reservations are highly recommended. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.comedyintheoc.com.
LIVE MUSIC: THE BAYOU BROTHERS
7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from The
Bayou Brothers at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.
LIVE MUSIC: KEY OF WHISKEY
8 p.m. Listen to live music from Key of Whiskey at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.
Sunday | 13
ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE
5:30-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf luxury catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday. See more events online. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. www.danawharf.com.
LIVE MUSIC: ROD PIAZZA AND BILLY WATSON
7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from world famous harmonica player Rod Piazza with Billy Watson at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.
Monday | 14
FREE GUITAR LESSONS
5-6 p.m. Free beginner level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.
Tuesday | 15
STORY-TIME WITH JUDY WALKER
3:30 p.m. Join the San Clemente Library for a special story-time with Judy Walker, author of Turkey Trouble. 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.492.3493. www. ocpl.org/libloc/sc.
OPEN MIC NIGHT
6-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters per form at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.
MARINE CORPS’ 241ST BIRTHDAY DINNER CELEBRATION
6:20 p.m. The Marine Corps LeagueSouth Coast Detachment holds their second annual dinner celebration at Cannons Seafood Grill. Reservations are requested for the buffet-style dinner. Marine regiment leaders will be speaking at the event. 34344 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. www.marinecorpsleaguesouth-
coast.org.
LECTURE: NATIVE PLANTS AND THEIR USES
7-8:30 p.m. Find out what native plants have been used by indigenous cultures in the area as medicines, tools and more from naturalist Janine Peterson. Event is free but space is limited and RSVP is required. Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.
KARAOKE AT GOODY’S
8 p.m. Karaoke every Tuesday night at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.
Wednesday | 16
LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE
9-11:30 a.m. Bring a friend or come by yourself to learn bridge. People age 9-99 are welcome. South Orange County Bridge Center. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. www.danaharborbridgecenter.org.
FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB
2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French Flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. No cost to join. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228, or 949.369.5482.
‘THE CURIOUS SAVAGE’
7 p.m. San Clemente High School drama presents a production of John Patrick’s The Curious Savage. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $18 for premium seating and $10 for seniors, military, students and children. Show runs through Nov. 19. Tickets available at www.schsdrama.com. San Clemente High School. 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.291.2761.
LIVE MUSIC: THE MOON POLICE
7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from The Moon Police at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.
FREE COMEDY AT MOLLY BLOOM’S
9:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Molly Bloom’s with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com.
At the Movies:
‘Doctor
Strange’ is Fittingly Titled
BY MEGAN
The newest addition to the Marvel cinematic universe, Doctor Strange, is as peculiar as the main character’s name. It’s fresh and different from the usual superhero movie, but at the same time it’s not entirely good. The tone and atmosphere is reminiscent of The Matrix (1999) or Inception (2010), which works to the film’s advantage, but the filmmakers have to work with the fact that the lead is still a superhero in a lighthearted franchise.
Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is the most talented and successful neurosurgeon in New York City, much to the chagrin of his former flame, nurse Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) and fellow surgeon Nicodemus West (Michael Stuhlbarg). But suddenly he becomes victim to a near-fatal car crash that leaves him with permanent nerve damage in his hands. Out of work and desperate, Strange travels to Kathmandu, Nepal, to seek help from a mystical sorcerer called the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who shows him how to become magical himself.
Mads Mikkelsen plays their arch nemesis.
Doctor Strange is as much of a visual spectacle as many critics are saying, especially the supernatural sequences, and it is interesting to see an action lead become a magical hero rather than just super strong. But unfortunately, the film is inconsistent with its tone and has much more comic relief than is needed. Some scenes are very dramatic, while others are purely comedic. There is an amusing magic cape similar to Aladdin’s carpet, but the creators should have focused more on the characters’ chemistry and less on laughs. SC
BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
Photo: Jay Maidment ©2016 Marvel
LIVING
San Clemente PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by
Tom Blake
Pondering the Safety and Rewards of Overseas Travel
When my partner, Greta, and I had our first date on June 27, 1998, at the Claim Jumper on La Paz, one of the first things we discovered we had in common was a love of traveling. We agreed that if we became a couple, we would try to travel as much as we could while we were physically and financially able to do so.
While we were working, we were able to take one trip a year. Now that we are retired, we are trying to squeeze in as many trips as we reasonably can. We have been blessed; our trips have happened without any serious or dangerous incidents.
However, that does not mean we have not had safety concerns before leaving on trips.
In March 2004, we were going to Spain. Our itinerary back then was to fly to Madrid and hop a train from Madrid’s Atocha train station to go to the Costa del Sol for a week. While there, we planned to take day train trips to Barcelona and Valencia and back. We would return to Madrid by train to the Atocha station.
But on March 4, 2004, a week before we were to leave, our excitement turned to trepidation. Ten terrorists’ bombs ripped through three Spanish train stations, including Atocha, killing 192 and injuring more
Around the World in 80 Plates
It was impossible, unfortunately, to try everything at the annual Taste of San Clemente on Friday, Nov. 4, at Casino San Clemente. There was simply too much. The argument to pace yourself can be made, but how could you, when the food at the first booth sampled was so good? The event was hosted by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, and proceeds from the event went to its programs within the community.
Various dishes from all parts of the world and domestic culinary displays surrounded the perimeter of the Casino. World Tour-Legends of Rock performed
than 2,000 people. The tracks we would have been on were among the ones bombed.
Our first reaction: “This could have happened to us; it’s too dangerous to go to Spain.” However, we ended up going, but we rented a car instead, which we later realized was likely more dangerous than the train.
By Tom Blake
A year ago in October, we made travel plans to fly to Germany in April of this year, and then take the train through Brussels to Paris. During our stay in Paris, we had several day trips by train planned and other train trips scheduled in Italy in early May.
On Nov. 13, six coordinated terrorist attacks occurred in Paris, killing 130 people and wounding hundreds more. Those attacks put Greta and I into “Should we go?” mode.
After pondering that question for a couple of months, terrorism in Europe seemed to have settled down. We decided, “Yup, we are going.” We would leave California in early April.
Then, on March 22, two suicide bomb-
in the main area, while people dined and drank throughout the casino grounds. For information about next year’s Taste of San Clemente, visit www.scchamber. com or call 949.492.1131. SC
ers attacked the Brussels Airport, and one attacked a Metro station—35 people died. Again, we wondered, should we just stay in Dana Point and not travel to Europe this year? We decided to go. Our trip turned out to be rewarding and wonderful.
On July 13, 2016, Bastille Day in France, Greta and I were saddened by the ISISinspired attack when a truck plowed through a crowded street in Nice, France, killing 85. Greta and I had walked on that same street a few years before.
We weigh events like that versus knowing that time is slipping away, and someday we won’t be able to travel as much as we have over the last 18 years. Then we think of our San Clemente friend, Chris Anastasio, who is 81, and his English girlfriend, Tina, who still travel more than 200 days each year. They are an inspiration to Greta and me.
So this week, it’s travel time again; Greta and I leave for India and Nepal this Saturday, Nov. 12.
Suitcases are packed. Check-off lists are complete. We are raring to go. So, what happens? On Nov. 1, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi sent out this email:
“Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL’s desire to attack targets in India,” the
email stated. “The U.S. Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets and festival venues.
“All U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department’s Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016.”
Of course, the Taj Mahal is on our bucket list. It’s probably the most frequented site visited by Westerners in all of India. Holy smokes!
We realize how blessed and fortunate we are to be able to travel at our age. We intend to continue to do so for as long as we can, while we are healthy enough to go. We will keep you posted.
Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. Email: tompblake@ gmail.com. SC
List of Participating Restaurants and Businesses
Pizza Port
BeachFire
Billy’s Meat, Seafood & Delicatessen
Café Mimosa
F & Goode Desserts
Farm Fresh To You
Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar
H. H. Cottons
Inka Mama’s Peruvian Cuisine
Italian Crazings
Mahola Juice
Merrillo’s Fine Toffee Confections
Ole Hanson Beach Club
Pierside Kitchen & Bar
Red Fox Lounge
Richardo’s Place
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Sonny’s Pizza and Pasta
Sprouts
Sundried Tomato an American Bistro
The Cellar
Tina & Vince’s Italian Deli
Winder Farms
Zebra House Coffee
Carbonara Trattoria Italiana
Rocco’s Restaurant
PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
Antoine’s Café
Bar & Grill
Carbonara Trattoria Italiana displays a tray of strawberry and chocolate desserts.
Debbie Miller of Young’s Market explains the various wines available to patrons at Taste of San Clemente.
Taste of San Clemente hosts city’s premier restaurants
San Clemente High School debuts latest student play
BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
‘Curious’ about Comedy S
an Clemente High School’s latest play incorporates the issues of mental health with an introspective touch of comedy.
The Curious Savage by John Patrick runs from Nov. 16-19 with show times at 7 p.m. nightly.
Cassidy McCleary, a senior at SCHS, is directing the play.
“We were kind of looking for something a little bit different than the feel of our last couple shows,” McCleary said. “Our last couple shows were (widely known) musical productions, but this one is more of a sincere, sort of heartwarming play.”
The play is set in a sanatorium in the 1950s, wherein the characters try to make do with their interesting and diverse situations.
“It contrasts the patients in the hospital with the outside world and playing with the definition of normal,” McCleary said.
It’s an arguably heavy subject, especially in modern appropriation, for high school students to undertake. This was McCleary’s first project as a director.
“It wasn’t too difficult, because in this show you see the realism and the sensitivity and saneness of the ‘insane’ characters,” she said. “Then end up seeming more normal than the people outside. It wasn’t very hard to (be sensitive) to the issue.”
Sudoku
BY MYLES MELLOR
Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium
McCleary said it was a challenge because she’s never had to convey what she wants to see in a play rather than acting on direction.
Mrs. Patty, one of the main characters, is played by Tamara Armstrong, a senior student.
“Growing up, she ended up marrying a man who was not very nice to her, and she suffered from mental abuse,” Armstrong said. “She ends up in the sanatorium through (her husband’s actions), and she’s only able to communicate through words of anger. She was so used to doing that with her husband.”
The character, Armstrong said, gives up electricity for Lent and continues to turn the lights off and on throughout the play.
“Throughout the whole show, she talks about the things she hates but she ends up making a friend, and that’s kind of her goal throughout the whole show,” Armstrong said. “I really had to channel my inner anger and really try to think about making friends throughout childhood and different characters. I think reactions and displaying your emotions are really important for this character.”
Tickets are $10 for students and military personnel, $15 for general admission and $18 for premium seating. For more information, visit www.sctritons.com. SC
Delany Marchant performs during a dress rehearsal of The Curious Savage at San Clemente High School. The play runs Nov. 16-19. Photo: Eric Heinz
BUSINESS DIRECTORY Locals Only
dwells@picketfencemedia.com.
ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT
Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program
665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com
AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING
Solstice Heating and Air 2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com
APPLIANCES
South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
APPLIANCE SERVICES & REPAIRS
ASAP Appliance Service 3200 Legendario, 949.361.7713, www.asapapplianceservice.com
ART GALLERIES
San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com
CHIROPRACTIC
Spinal Vitality Chiropractic 647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.com
CHOCOLATE/CANDY
Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com
CONCRETE
Costa Verde Landscape Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com
DENTISTS
Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com
Shoreline Dental Studio
Kristen Ritzau, DDS 122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com
EDIBLE LANDSCAPING
Organics Out Back 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com
EDITING SERVICES
Perfectly Clear Editing Services
Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.com
ELECTRICAL
Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com
FURNITURE
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
HOME DÉCOR
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT
Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750 Hoover Construction 949.292.6778
JEWELRY
Paradise Jewelers 166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com
LANDSCAPING
Costa Verde Landscape Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com
MATTRESSES
South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
MORTGAGES
Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast
Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com
MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE
SC Rider Supply
520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com
MUSIC LESSONS
Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com
OFFICE FURNITURE
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING
2-dogswalking.com Ricky, 949.973.4128
Pet care –Insured & Bonded
PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com
PLUMBING
A to Z Leak Detection
929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com
Bill Metzger Plumbing 929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com
Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter San Clemente, 949.366.8302
POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL
Radiant Pool & Spa Service
Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com
SC Pool & Spa Works 1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com
REAL ESTATE
Marcie George -
Star Real Estate South County 949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net
“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax 949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com
RESTAURANTS
Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386
SALONS
Salon Bamboo 150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com
Sarah, 68, gave up earthly ties October 8, 2016, having dealt with Parkinson’s for twenty-two years and recently suffering a second stroke.
Sarah and her twin, Cindy, were born in Superior Wisconsin to Mary Elizabeth (Almy) Glassow and Roy Ellsworth Glassow January 14, 1948. The family soon moved to Bend, Oregon, following the lumber industry, and then moved around the region doing the same.
Sarah was a wonderfully intelligent and creative soul. She was valedictorian of her class in Coos
Salon Bleu
207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com
Syrens Hair Parlor
217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com
SCHOOLS
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools
32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org
SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS
South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
SWIMMING SCHOOL
Waterbabies Swim School 142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com
TERMITES
Colony Termite Control 1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com
WEBSITE DESIGN
San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com
WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT
CLASSIFIEDS
GARAGE SALES
LARGE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE! SAN JUAN HILLS EAST San Juan Creek Road / Avenida Larga (next to San Juan Hills Golf Club). 35+ HOMES PARTICIPATING. SAT, NOV 12th | 8AM – 3PM Antiques, Collectibles, Furnishings, Kitchenware, Garden/Power Tools, Mens/Womens Clothing AND MANY OTHER TREASURES
7TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR SAN JUAN MOBILE ESTATES 32302 Alipaz Street San Juan Capistrano. November 12th. 8 am to 1 pm. Unique & handcrafted items. Great holiday gifts. Homemade baked goods and candy. United women craft initiative association (uwcia) a fair trade organization comprised of women from jinja uganda, will be here with handmade goods.
GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com. Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.
Offshore Construction 877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com
IN STORE SALES AND SERVICE TECHNICIAN Need a personable greeter, full or part time, to wait on customers, answer the phone, use a cash register and have good mechanical skills. Send resume to tonyslock@cox.net.
OBITUARY
Bay, Oregon then graduated in science with Phi Beta Kappa honors from the University of Oregon. She worked in the insurance world, using her science background to craft creative solutions to adjusting challenges and eventually managed her own firm, Whittaker Claims.
Her interests extended beyond work, including, among many others, sewing, organizing things and people, and playing killer Scrabble. Her husband Bob Whittaker and brother Hugh Glassow preceded her in death in 2003. She is survived by her loving and lovely daughter Beth Ann WhittakerWilliams (Senon), grandchildren Cyprus and Sabine, twin Cynthia Biboux(Gene), sister Susan
Glassow(Terry Brix), stepchildren Karen Crowe(Tim) and Lee Whittaker, step-grandchildren Zachary and Jackson, first husband Gary Munckhoff, and his children Rachelle and Jon, and many nieces and nephews.
She had a special place in her heart for San Clemente and the friends she made there, returning to it’s warm, sunny embrace several times over the course of her life. Donations may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation.
Website: michaeljfox.org/Donate_Now
Phone: 1-800-708-7644
Mail: Donation Processing
The Michael J. Fox Foundation
P.O. Box 5014
Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014
Sarah Ann Whittaker
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
San Clemente
Triton Report SC
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
San Clemente STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE
BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the San Clemente High School fall sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.
Diablos Roll Past Tritons to Claim League Title, SC Prepares for Playoffs
There was no rust to be seen on the Mission Viejo football machine during its Nov. 4 matchup with San Clemente at Thalassa Stadium.
The Diablos, who traveled to play San Clemente following a bye week, were dominant from start to finish in a 41-3 victory that secured the South Coast League championship.
Mission Viejo (10-0, 4-0 league) has now won eight straight South Coast League championships and extended its state-best winning streak to 38 games.
Both teams entered the game with perfect 3-0 records in league play.
The Diablos defense jump-started the game early when Colin Schooler forced a San Clemente (7-3, 3-1 league) fumble on the opening drive, and Noah Lechuga recovered. The Diablos turned the turnovers into points, which would be a theme in the first half, when a Schooler-fueled drive ended with a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt McDonald to the standout two-way back. Schooler had four carries and caught two passes, including a 21-yarder, during the drive.
Three minutes into the second quarter, the Diablos did something no other team has done this season—intercept Tritons senior quarterback Jack Sears. Sears, who had gone nine games without throwing a pick, heaved a pass into the end zone while on the move and Mission Viejo’s Akili Arnold tipped it into the hands of teammate Cade Covarrubias.
Schooler burst down the sideline three plays later for a 71-yard touchdown run and Mission Viejo took a 14-0 lead.
Arnold intercepted Sears later in the second, but nothing came of it as the teams headed into the half.
The Diablo offense, which came into the contest averaging 55 points in league play, would not lay dormant for long. Mission Viejo scored 20 unanswered points in six minutes to start the third quarter and blew the game open.
The Diablos first three possessions of the second half all resulted in points. Mc-
Donald found receiver Christian LaValle for a 30-yard touchdown pass, running back Jamari Ferrell scored on a three-yard run, and McDonald hit Elijah Griffin for a 57-yard touchdown strike to go up 34-0.
Ferrell had a game-high 128 yards rushing and a touchdown. McDonald completed 10 of 17 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Schooler, who had both a rushing and receiving touchdown, had
Sears was pressured often, and was on the move for most of the night. The Duke commit completed 16 of 24 passes for 118 yards and threw two interceptions. Senior Brandon Reaves caught 12 passes for 82 yards.
“(Mission Viejo) is a good football team. But unfortunately we didn’t play to our level tonight and the score indicated that,” San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said. “We’ve got to learn and grow from it, and the good news is we have a (playoff) game next week.”
By placing second in the South Coast League, the Tritons punched their ticket to the CIF-SS Division 2 Championships. No. 7-ranked San Clemente will host No. 9 Chino Hills in the first round at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Unlike in years past, the Tritons will not see many programs they are familiar with in the postseason due to the competitive equity playoff restructuring. San Clemente, La Habra and El Toro are the only three Orange County programs in the Division 2 playoffs.
Chino Hills (6-4, 3-2) placed second in the Baseline League, and will bring a potent rushing attack with it to Thalassa Stadium on Friday. The Huskies’ senior quarterback Austin Zavala is averaging 154.1 yards per game in the air and also has the ability to run (60 carries, 336 yards). Sophomore running back Walter Carl III, however, is the back the Tritons defense will need to contain.
Carl III has rushed for 1,242 yards and eight touchdowns this season, and he is averaging 124.2 yards per game.
The winner of the San Clemente-Chino Hills game will face the winner of El ToroHeritage in the second round.
Northwood Edges Tennis Team in Playoffs
The San Clemente girls tennis team lost a close contest to Northwood, 10-8, in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships on Nov. 4.
The Tritons, who won the South Coast League title, defeated Sage Hill 14-4 in the first round on Nov. 2.
Volleyball Players Ink NLI’s on Signing Day
103 yards rushing and caught three passes for 43 yards.
The San Clemente offense struggled to gain momentum all night, despite Mission Viejo committing seven personal fouls on defense. Tristan Trager scored the Tritons only points on a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter. San Clemente entered the game averaging just over 41 points per game.
Two San Clemente High School volleyball players, Kyler Presho and Bryce Curtis, signed their national letter of intent on Nov. 9, declaring their college of choice. Presho, a middle blocker, will play volleyball for Stanford, and Curtis, an outside hitter/opposite, will play for California Baptist University.
Nov. 9 marks the first day high school athletes can sign their national letter of intent, with the exception of several sports.
San Clemente volleyball players Kyler Presho, left, and Bryce Curtis, right, celebrate with coach Ken Goldstone during a signing day ceremony on Nov. 9. Photo: Courtesy
The Mission Viejo defense chases San Clemente quarterback Jack Sears, right, during a South Coast League football game on Nov. 4. Photo: Lance Scott/www.redzoneelite.com
Dana Hills Hosts CUSD Special Olympics Event
Over 200 students from across the Capistrano Unified School District were given Olympic-style treatment at Dana Hills High School on Nov. 7 as part of the district’s Fall Special Olympics event.
The special needs students, who came from San Clemente High School, Dana Hills, Tesoro and several local middle schools, had a fun-filled day learning basketball and soccer skills.
An estimated 268 Dana Hills student volunteers were on hand to assist the student-athletes and help organize games and activities. The event was organized by the Dana Hills Associated Student Union and the Best Buddies Program. There were also dozens of teachers, staff and parent volunteers on hand.
The day kicked off in the gymnasium, where students were given a reception worthy of the Opening Ceremonies. Music blared and there were plenty of high-fives to go around.
Among the highlights of the day were free-flowing basketball games inside the gym. Students and parents sat in the stands and cheered every made basket and thoughtful pass. The student-athletes also got to play pick-up soccer games on the field at Dolphins Stadium. Dana Hills cheerleaders were there to guide some students and teach them popular cheers heard at football games.
The event has become a staple on campus at Dana Hills, and organizers are already in the process of planning the upcoming 2017 Spring Special Olympic track and field games. SC
SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
Students from San Clemente and Dana Hills High School play a soccer game during the Capistrano Unified School District’s fall Special Olympics event. Photo: Steve Breazeale
More than 200 Capistrano Unified School District students took part in a Special Olympics event at Dana Hills High School on Nov. 7. Photo: Steve Breazeale
SC SURF SC
It’s Been Pumping!
Five surf stories from the swell that was… and looking forward for more to come
BY JAKE HOWARD,
Fall is my favorite time to be a surfer in California.” It’s a common sentiment uttered by those that live and ride waves on the West Coast. Lately it’s been especially true thanks to a consistent run of west and southwest swells that have lit up the beaches from Salt Creek to San Onofre. The weather’s been pristine too with 75-degree beach temps and hardly even the slightest sea breeze. As of press time, the swell was temporarily subsiding before the next round of waves hits this week, so we hit the street to figure out where folks have been scoring and why this is the best time of year to be a surfer in California.
Andy Carr / Owner Syck Trix San Clemente had a great run of waves and weather this past weekend. On Friday my oldest son, Cannon, went down to Mexico to surf while my youngest son, Carson, and I went to the local beach break to surf. We pulled up and people were amping, telling us the waves were firing. The tide felt really high, it looked like it was flat, and then all of a sudden the long period swell star ted to show. The bigger sets were six feet on face. Carson’s best wave was a front-side tube ride that ended up closing out, but his expression and the look on his face when he came up for a breath told the whole story. School at Concordia Elementary starts at 8 a.m., so after that, we got out and headed to class. With the wind remaining light all day, I thought it was a perfect time for Trestles. After school, we surfed for couple hours and my best wave was a big, full rotation air 540… just kidding. Really it was a left that offered up a good section for an off-the-lip followed by a roundhouse cutback. I was stoked. On Saturday, the boys surfed Trestles all day. The conditions and weather made for a truly classic California day.
Frankie D’Andre / Sports Marketing Director
A couple weeks ago, I was getting my hair cut and in the thrift store across the street was this big 10-foot board. I walked over and asked how much. The guy said $150. I told him I had $100 cash in my pocket, and I bought it on the spot. I’m coming off of knee surgery and haven’t been able
to surf for a while and it was the perfect board to get me back in the water. The last few days, the waves have been bombing and the weather’s been spectacular. I’ve been having a lot of fun riding my 10’8” Simmons beast out at T Street and Old Man’s. The Boneyard has been especially good to me.
Shawn Parkin / Photographer/Photo Editor, The Surfer’s Journal
On Saturday, there was an NSSA contest going on at Church, so I headed down there in the afternoon thinking that I’d sneak out after the contest ended. But then a big fog bank rolled in and the contest had to go on hold. With the contest off for the moment, I paddled out. You couldn’t even see the beach from the water and most of people weren’t quite sure where to line up. I surf out there pretty regularly and got a couple good ones amongst the chaos. After a while, the fog lifted, but by then the contest had been called off for the day and the crowd had thinned out even more. I surfed until sundown and got some really fun, uncrowded waves.
Aaron Lieber / Filmmaker
A couple friends and I started out on Friday at 204’s, but it was kind of funky so I headed to Uppers. I’m glad I did. Uppers in the middle of the day on Friday was pretty much as good as it gets. The angle of the west swell was hitting the point just perfect and the waves were running all the way from the outside through the cove. There wasn’t a breath of wind and the crowd was light. I think I got every wave I paddled for and surfed for probably four hours. The last wave I got might have been the best one. As people started showing up after work and school, the energy in the water
started changing, then when this one came through it bowled out, had such a long wall to it. I knew I had to go in after that one… you gotta quit while you’re ahead sometimes.
Nate Yeomans / Lost Surfboards Sales Representative, Pro Surfer I’ve been doing a lot of juggling lately. Between work, the family and sur fing, it’s been pretty busy. I haven’t been able to travel much, so it’s been really nice to have some waves at home. I’ve been surfing down at Trestles, and it’s pretty much been as good as it gets. I’m supposed to leave for Hawaii this week, but I’m trying to change my ticket and stay a couple extra days for this next round of swells. How weird does that sound? SC
SURF FORECAST
Water Temperature: 61-64 degrees F
Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-10’ Fair Catalina: 15-20’ Fair-Good
Thursday: Easing WNW swell and small SSW swell. Surf is waist-head high (3-5’) for good spots while standout winter and combo exposures go a little overhead on sets. Light offshore flow in the morning, trending to light onshore for most of the afternoon.
Outlook: Fun size blend of WNW and SSW swell through the weekend, keeping things peaky at combo beachbreaks with shoulderhead high sets at best spots. Morning winds are light. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.
WEEK MAKAI BRAY
BY
I
f you haven’t heard of nine-year-old Makai Bray yet, no stress, he’s still young. But to be sure, he’s a grom on the rise.
With the surf pumping and not a breath of wind at Church last weekend, the NSSA Southwest Conference lucked into some of the best conditions of the year for their contest. Taking full advantage, Bray scored a huge victory in the Mini Grom division for the biggest win of his brief surfing career. Because winning surf contests is a community effort here in San Clemente, cheering him on and chairing him up the beach when he won were fellow groms and rising stars Crosby Colapinto (last week’s Grom of the Week), Kade Matson (who just won the Rip Curl Grom Search National Title), Brayden Burch and Taj Lindblad.
“My passion is surfing,” reads Bray’s Instagram.
Considering that him and his twin brother, Maddox, have been competing since they were five years young, that seems pretty true to form. The two have been dabbling on the WSA circuit for a few years now and are regulars at the annual Stoke-O-Rama kids contest. The future is bright for the Bray boys. SC
If you know a grom in Dana Point, San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano that we should feature in our Grom of the Week section, send a name and parent’s contact info to editorial@ sanclementetimes.com.
Makai Bray. Photo: Kurt Steinmetz
SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
Five local surfers share they’re recent experience on South Orange County shores, including T Street. Photo: File
JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
GROM OF THE
Sacré Vert
San Clemente Beach Conservation teams with international innovators
BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
n Friday, Nov. 4, as the sun set on San Clemente’s Surf Ghetto in North Beach, a craftsman sliced through large pieces of discarded cardboard to make them into a surfboard. He made the device by cutting cardboard and harnessed their power by stacking them together.
François Jaubert is an architect by trade but wanted to find recyclable materials to turn into surfboards. Jaubert is originally from France but resides in Portugal, and he said he has been surfing for only six months but enjoys the sport.
Jaubert and Shon Miller, the director and founder of San Clemente Beach Conservation Program, met during an international design competition, Vissla, in which Jaubert was recognized for his cardboard surfboard design. Miller then invited him to stay at his home in San Clemente.
Miller was at the competition representing the San Clemente Beach Conservation Program to reach out to people around the globe. The program emphasizes the importance of beach conservation and reduction of manmade waste. Miller said he has connected to people in Australia and other parts of Europe. One of the people he has spoken with made a surfboard out of agave and wood cedar.
“Vissla was a very good platform for me because I could get exposure for my work,” Jaubert said.
Through a Kickstarter campaign, Jaubert said he was able to raise enough money to come to the U.S. and learn more about surf shaping.
Currently, he’s crashing on Miller’s couch until he returns to Portugal on Nov. 21.
“When I’m here, all I’m going to be doing is working,” Jaubert said. “I’m not going to be that guy who takes his Kickstarter money and just chills. The average salary in Portugal is about 600 euros (a month). It is pretty hard for me to afford such a trip.”
Jaubert said he has also used crowdfunding to support his hobbies in making recycled-material surfboards. The designs are made with several strips put together with resin and regular glassing; about 95 percent of the board is cardboard.
“It’s different because it’s a more heavy board, but there’s a lot of air in it, so there’s a lot of flotation. So a heavy board with a lot of flotation can go very fast, and when you go fast, you have fun,” Jaubert said.
Jaubert said there isn’t much surfboard manufacturing in Portugal. The majority of the country’s surf products are imported.
“It takes a mind like his, that architect and artist perspective, to kind of come to realize things that are in plain sight because people are caught up in the industry
and have to make the boards,” Miller said.
“I’m not saying bad about (the surf industry). It’s good. These guys are the inspiration for me,” Jaubert added. “It’s like being a bird and not knowing how to fly. I come here, and these are all the mother birds.”
Miller said the most positive thing he took from Jaubert’s speech is how he is able to look at how the SC Beach Conservation Program is trying to stop the source of waste so that beach cleanup efforts won’t be as critical.
“His speech was really inspiring,” Miller said. “He talked about how the majority of surfers aren’t high-performance surfers. It was right on track with what we need to be doing these days. They don’t need these high performance, professional short boards. There’s definitely a need for a board that’s for low-performance surfers.”
The boards Jaubert makes are a bit longer and broader than the short boards made of foam for exceptional performance.
“I think people should be able to make (surfboards) with what they have around them,” Jaubert said. “We’ve found more cardboard in a few days around here than I found in two, three months in Portugal. You just have to think about what’s around you, what’s cheap and what can float.”
There is a science behind all of this, Jaubert said. His process requires a lot
ing surf boards in the world, but there’s lots of waste,” Jaubert said. “Maybe they could not export so much or not use so much cardboard, and if they don’t use the cardboard, they can give it to me. We want to make a recycle revolution.”
Jaubert said surfboards are very expensive in Portugal, going for about 800 euros a piece.
The durability of the board can be lifelong, Jaubert said, as long as people aren’t trying to take the board into crowded pipelines. Because they’re made of cardboard instead of foam, the boards are a bit heavier but move faster with the added air cardboard provides. Jaubert said these kinds of boards can make surfers think more about how they surf because of the weight of the board, not wanting to run into other sportspeople.
It takes him about five to seven hours to create the board from start to finish. It may not be something everyone can do at home, Jaubert said.
“Every time someone wants to do this, I explain to them my process, and it’s a lot of work,” he said. “I thought all morning about the shape. You have to study it a bit. It’s kind of a science. But I would love to travel and learn and make, and to collaborate with people and teach people how to make surfboards out of nothing.” SC
of thought before he begins any type of shaping.
“You have to think about what material is most strong,” he said. “There’s enough material around you to do it. You can use coconuts, you can do tumbleweeds.”
Jaubert said he is not really a shaper, but he enjoys taking abstract concepts and putting things together to make them useful.
“I just bought about $20 in material this morning,” he said, which included a construction knife and some other tools. Drawing the surfboards, he said, is one of the most interesting parts of the process.
Ocean conservation is close to Jaubert, as pollution may be most visible on the shores in Portugal. According to a study in 2011 at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Lisbon, 90 percent of pollution on the Portugal’s coastline is from plastics.
Jaubert said it’s easy to identify where the debris comes from, and much of it is from American products. Recently, professional European soccer clubs Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich were reported to wear jerseys made from ocean waste. And photos of plastic “islands” are plentiful on social media sites.
Jaubert also wants to make boards out of old wetsuits, which also can contribute to ocean pollution.
“I’m very fascinated by America. You guys are making some of the most amaz-
San Clemente Beach Conservation Program Event
If you go:
What: A Surfer’s Night for Environmental Discussion
When: 8 p.m.-midnight, Friday, Nov. 18
Where: Nomads Canteen, 102 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente
François Jaubert
For more information about Jaubert and his work, visit www.beautiful.pm. More information about the Vissla competition and innovators of the craft can be found at www.vissla.com
The San Clemente Beach Conservation Program has already hosted a series of beach cleanup days, and according to social media accounts is working to adopt San Clemente State Beach. Photo: Courtesy of Shon Miller
Shon Miller, director of San Clemente Beach Conservation Program, and surfboard innovator François Jaubert look over a surfboard Jaubert was making out of cardboard on Friday, Nov. 4, in San Clemente’s surf ghetto.
Photo: Eric Heinz
The surfboards made out of cardboard are basically translucent, as the outline of a man can be seen through the broadside of the board. Photo: Courtesy of François Jaubert
