August 18, 2016

LO C A L

N EWS

August 18-24, 2016

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SC Family to Debut Dry Land Surf Product PAGE 29 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 33

‘Leave No Doubt’ San Clemente High School varsity football returns with strong roster SPECIAL SECTION

Left to right, San Clemente High School football players Isaac Rex, Jack Sears, Brandon Reaves, Zachary Cochrun and Ryan Russell are prepping for a big season. Photo: Eric Heinz

City Kicks Off Water Rate Study with Workshop EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

San Clemente’s Paris Henken Keeps Olympic Sailing Dreams Afloat SPORTS/PAGE 38

www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Compete in ISA World Surfing Games SC SURF/PAGE 42

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

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING According to Carollo Engineers, the city has more than 17,500 accounts, 210 miles of water lines, 14 reservoirs, 16 pump stations, 56 pressure-reducing stations, two groundwater wells and three sources of water supply. Of the sources, about 90 percent is purchased from the Municipal Water District of Orange County.

During the workshop, local attorney Brad Malamud, who has challenged the city’s rate structure since it was amended in 2015 to the tiered system, said allocating based on the city’s tiers is not allowed under Proposition 218, which mandates governments must charge appropriate rates to utilities in order to operate them.

“That’s not one of the things we’re supposed to do as a government,” Malamud said. “I am disturbed you’re going through. Having said that, I know you’re not trying to break any laws.”

The city agreed to pay Carollo no more than $87,000 to conduct the study.

An Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy, armed with a high-powered rifle, helps set up a perimeter around the area where a man had fled after being suspected of shooting at a white pickup truck on Friday, Aug. 12, in the 100 block area of W. Escalones and W. Canada. The man was later arrested and is currently in custody. Photo: Eric Heinz

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week Suspected Gang Member Fired Shots at Vehicle at Rite Aid in San Clemente THE LATEST: Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials said a known gang member in the San Clemente area was seen shooting at a white pickup truck while another man was driving around 9 a.m. on Friday near the Rite Aid at 801 N. El Camino Real.

The victim, believed to be the owner of the truck, was not injured and neither was the suspect.

Heriberto, a.k.a. Victor, Velasquez, 23, is in custody with OCSD, as sheriffs conduct the investigation, said Lt. Dan Dwyer.

After shooting at the vehicle, Velasquez reportedly ran into the 100 block area of West Escalones and West Canada.

Residents said they saw him jump fences and enter their backyards. OCSD set up a perimeter in the area, and Velasquez was apprehended some time later in a storage shed behind one of the residences on the 100 block of Escalones.

The reason or motivation for the alleged shooting is unclear at this time. Dwyer said sheriff’s deputies found bullet casings in the area of the shooting. A handgun was found in the area where the suspect fled.

Velasquez is believed to have lived in the San Clemente area at one time and continues to visit the city.

San Clemente Times August 18-24 , 2016

Officers with OCSD in San Clemente, U.S. Border Patrol, California State Parks and other entities responded to the situation.

WHAT’S NEXT: The report is expected to be presented to City Council sometime this fall so that new rates can go into effect in early 2017.

WHAT’S NEXT: Velasquez is currently in custody at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana with no bail amount listed. His first appearance in court was scheduled for Tuesday. —Eric Heinz

FIND OUT MORE: To watch the workshop in its entirety, visit the city of San Clemente YouTube page. —Eric Heinz

CUSD Board Votes to Place $889M Bond on Ballot

City Begins Process to Study Cost of Water Service THE LATEST: As the city of San Clemente’s latest installment of water rates went into effect Aug. 1, a study of the cost of service to the city is to be conducted and completed this fall.

On Aug. 10, the city hosted a water rate workshop to address community members’ concerns and suggestions regarding the assessment of how the city bills its customers.

Pierce Rossum of Carollo Engineers started the presentation, saying the city’s revenue is not enough to meet the costs of service. A majority of this is due to the decrease in water usage as part of the state mandate in 2015 to reduce water use by at least 24 percent for San Clemente. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, the State Water Resources Control Board released information that stated San Clemente had reduced its use by 28.6 percent since this time last year.

“The reason we’re here is to adjust to the new normal,” Rossum said. “The world changed for us about a year ago when the governor ordered a 25 percent conservation mandate.”

Rossum said a “stronger nexus” between the cost to operate the service and the revenue collected is needed, and that the rates are understood and accepted by the public.

THE LATEST: Voters in the Capistrano Unified School District will decide on Nov. 8 whether they want to pay more taxes to help the district leverage state funds to pay for over $800 million in deferred facilities maintenance.

After heated public comment and debate, the CUSD Board of Trustees voted 6-1 Wednesday night, with Trustee Jim Reardon dissenting, to call a school bond election within the newly formed School Facilities Improvement District #2, which encompasses the entire district except for Rancho Mission Viejo.

If 55 percent of voters approve the $889 million general obligation bond in November, residents living within SFID #2 will be taxed $43 for every $100,000 of assessed value on their homes. While staff has estimated that $43 per $100,000 is the maximum tax rate needed to fund the bond, the ballot measure language states that the rate can technically reach $60 per year per $100,000, which Reardon noted could realistically happen if interest rates rise enough over the next 10 years.

How CUSD will spend the potential new funding is still a topic of contention, especially among residents who have criticized the district’s lack of transparency and history of overtaxation in Community Facilities Districts.

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Carolyn Cavecche, president and CEO of the Orange County Taxpayers Association, told the board in July that the district’s bond measure met most of the association’s criteria, with the exception of a specific list of projects on which the board is committed to using the bond’s revenue. Several trustees voiced concerns over the lack of a detailed project list and directed staff to work on a more specific list of facilities improvements to be completed. On Aug. 3, Cavecche said in an interview that a revised draft resolution met the association’s minimum criteria for school bonds.

WHAT’S NEXT: A letter of opposition to the bond signed by 11 South Orange County elected officials was presented at the meeting. Mission Viejo Mayor Frank Ury and Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Tony Beall spearheaded the effort, asking the district to “determine realistic needs and exhaust all potential sources of funding before [going] back to the taxpayers for more money.”

For their efforts, Board President Amy Hanacek reported that trustees voted 6-1 in closed session to initiate litigation against Ury and Beall, asking the county District Attorney and state Attorney General to determine if the city of Mission Viejo or the city of Rancho Santa Margarita had misused public funds to influence the outcome of an election.

—Allison Jarrell

Election Update: Five Qualify for City Council Ballot THE LATEST: After six candidates filed nomination papers, five candidates provided signatures that qualified them for the ballot.

The candidates are current Mayor Robert “Bob” Baker, Dan Bane, Pamela Joy Glass, current Councilman Chris Hamm and Steve Swartz.

Mikii Rathmann filed nomination papers but did not receive sufficient signatures to qualify, according to the San Clemente Clerk’s Office.

Mark Taylor is the lone qualified candidate running for City Treasurer and Joanne Baade is the only candidate for City Clerk. Both already hold their respective positions.

Also on the ballot is a measure to increase San Clemente’s lodging tax from 10 percent to 13 percent of each night’s cost to rent a room at all lodging facilities.

WHAT’S NEXT: Election Day for the 2016 general election is Nov. 8. Polls will open that day at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. People must be registered to vote in the San Clemente election online or by postmark by (Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) Oct. 24. The vote-by-mail ballot requests must be received by the Orange County Registrar of Voters by Nov. 1. —EH

U.S. Border Patrol Seizes $4 Million in Drugs in San Clemente Area in Two Days THE LATEST: In two separate incidents over the weekend, nearly $4 million in drugs were recovered by U.S. Border Patrol agents, according to a press release distributed Monday, Aug. 15.

In total, agents seized 38.8 pounds of methamphetamine, 116.29 pounds of cocaine and 52.69 pounds of fentanyl. The total estimated street value of the narcotics is $3,940,680.

U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered a man on Interstate 5 near San Clemente on Sunday, Aug. 14, who was transporting 81 bundles of narcotics stashed in a 2005 Ford Focus.

“At approximately 1 p.m. (Aug. 14), a Border Patrol agent conducted a vehicle stop near the Avenida Presidio exit,” the release stated. “During the stop, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted agents to conduct a search of the vehicle, resulting in the discovery of 24 bundles of methamphetamine, 42 bundles of cocaine and 15 bundles of fentanyl. The driver was also in possession of marijuana for personal use.”

The suspect and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

“To the fullest extent, we will continue to deploy our personnel and resources at our checkpoints and along our major local highways to impact criminal organizations and protect our communities,” Chief Patrol Agent Richard A. Barlow stated in the release.

During a vehicle stop near San Clemente on Saturday, Aug. 13, agents seized 47.43 pounds of methamphetamine that was found in the spare tire of a 2008 Dodge Caliber.

“Agents arrested the driver of the vehicle, a 21-year-old woman, for narcotics smuggling,” the release stated. “At the time of the arrest, the woman was traveling with her two siblings, an 8-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy, who were turned over to San Diego County Child Welfare Services.”

WHAT’S NEXT: As of July 31, San Diego Sector has intercepted 1,069 pounds of cocaine and 2,166 pounds of methamphetamine during fiscal year 2016, the release stated.

“To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance in corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders,” the release stated.

People can report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector at 619.498.9900. —Staff San Clemente Times August 18-24, 2016

News Next Door

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SEA LIONS VISIT DANA POINT BOATS, DOCKS DESPITE AIR-DANCERS Just before the Fourth of July, inflatable air dancers were installed on docks in the DanaPoint Harbor to deter sea lions, but those who frequent the harbor say the inflatables aren’t working.

James Lenthall, vice president of Dana Point Boaters Association, said the sea lions never left.

“They don’t congregate on the harbor patrol dock where the air dancers are like they used to, but they are still in many other areas of the harbor, including on many boats,” Lenthall said. “All the air dancers seemed to do was send them away from the harbor patrol dock to other areas of the harbor.”

Just outside of Harbor Patrol Headquarters, four red, white and blue air dancers were installed in the beginning of July to keep the sea lions away.

Lenthall said there had been a problem with sea lions on boats and docks in recent months.

The inflatables run off of a power supply on the dock, and run at $150 an inflatable.

The county said the program was in the pilot stage and would reevaluate if it didn’t seem to be working.

“I’m in the harbor nearly every day and rarely do I not see at least a few sea lions on docks and boats,” Lenthall said. “It was a creative and interesting idea, but not as successful as we all hoped it would be.”

—Kristina Pritchett HOTELS APPROVED BY SJC PLANNING COMMISSION, APPEALED TO CITY COUNCIL It seemed that on July 26, the two hotel projects looking to come into downtown San Juan Capistrano had worked through the last piece of red tape. After years of hearings and working with city staff and commissions, the city’s Planning Commission unanimously approved both projects, each with one condition.

“Folks, I think we have two hotels on our way,” Planning Commissioner Mark Speros said merrily before adjourning the meeting.

But more delays are on the horizon for both hotels as three appeals objecting to the Planning Commission’s approvals were filed at City Hall by the Aug. 10 deadline.

The Planning Commission’s approvals of the incoming Hotel Capistrano by Kimpton, a 102-room hotel to be constructed between the Egan House and the Esslinger Building along Camino Capistrano, and the Inn at the Mission, a 124-room hotel to be operated by Marriott International’s Autograph Collection and constructed at the corner of Ortega Highway and El Camino Real, have both been appealed,

Sea Lions were recently seen gathering on the back of a boat. Inflatable air dancers have been installed on the docks to keep the sea lions away. Photo: Courtesy of James Lenthall

meaning the projects now must go before the City Council.

Prior to the appeals, both the Cultural Heritage Commission and the Planning Commission had reviewed the projects most recently at the end of July. The Cultural Heritage Commission recommended each project be approved, even though some concerns were voiced from a few commissioners regarding “view corridors” and whether the Inn at the Mission’s two-story restaurant would be too tall and block views of the Great Stone Church.

When the hotels came before Planning Commission, a letter from Attorney Erik Friess was included in the discussion.

Friess laid out point by point why Bill Griffith, owner of the Egan House and Esslinger Building, opposed the Hotel Capistrano as proposed. City staff went through each point per the request of Commissioner Tim Neely, and presented objections to each argument made by Friess. The commissioners were satisfied, and went on to approve both projects.

On Aug. 10, the City Clerk received an appeal from Friess and Griffith, which has the same July 26 letter to the Planning Commission attached. Friess wrote that the Hotel Capistrano “project as approved violates the San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code, various city plans and policies, and the California Environmental Quality Act.” The letter details the issues brought

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up at Planning Commission, including contesting the hotel’s height, setback and floor-area ratio.

Two other appeals were also filed on Aug. 10 against the Inn at the Mission’s approval.

San Juan Capistrano resident Marc Weintraub of the group “Save Our Mission – San Juan Capistrano” wrote in his appeal that the Commission’s approval of the project “violated the California Environmental Quality Act because they did not address significant new impacts (such as resources and views) arising from substantial project changes, among other things. The actions also violated the Development Agreement statute.”

An appeal from David Wood, of Hotel Capistrano’s developer Stratus Development Partners, states that, “although [they] are not opposed to development of a hotel on the property proposed for Inn at the Mission, [they] do have deep concerns with the hotel development as proposed because that development violates and contradicts provisions of the city’s municipal code, along with specific planning policies and procedures established by the city.” The letter goes on to list the negative impacts the development will have on the adjacent Little Yellow House.

The next step for both hotels will be to have the appeals heard by the City Council. That date has not yet been specified.

—Allison Jarrell www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC OC Parks is partnering with Google through the Google Trekker loan program to collect imagery of local trails. OC Parks staff members and volunteers will be hiking numerous trails in county wilderness and regional parks between August and November while wearing the Google Trekker backpack.

City Announces New Vendor Registration Portal

Off the Richter IPA from Left Coast Brewing Co. will be available until the end of August or until supplies runs out at the brewery’s tap room and select locations in Southern California.

Photo: Eric Heinz

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

Left Coast Brewing Co. Debuts ‘Off the Richter IPA’ Left Coast’s Off the Richter is described by the company as a “San Diego-style IPA with a strong hop kick and solid flavor profile.” It’s brewed with premium, two-row pale-malted barley and copious amounts of Citra, Nelson, Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial hops. Grapefruit, melon, lime and lychee aromas paired with gooseberry flavor makes Off the Richter a citrus-forward brew that finishes dry and crisp. The beer will be available to consumers in Southern California at the Left Coast taproom, 1251 Puerta Del Sol in San Clemente, and limited venues in Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles until the end of August or while supplies last.

OC Parks to Map Trails with Google Trekker Starting in August, hikers will be collecting imagery of Orange County trails using the Google Street View Trekker, a wearable backpack with a camera system on top. The Trekker automatically gathers images as it goes. Later, the imagery will be stitched together to create the 360-degree panoramas you see today in Google Maps.

San Clemente Times August 18-24, 2016

The city of San Clemente has launched a new eProcurement solution to automate and manage the procurement process for goods, services and construction related projects. Effective immediately, prospective vendors can register at no cost through a convenient online form that is now available at www.san-clemente.org/ vendorbids.

“The City of San Clemente is pleased to announce the availability of this new system which will promote a highly competitive and efficient bidding process,” said Mayor Bob Baker. “Once registered, businesses will be automatically notified of bid opportunities.”

The user-friendly system provides a platform for city staff to quickly and effectively manage the process of issuing, monitoring and awarding both formal and informal procurement processes. Now the city can instantly gain access to registered vendor records, run searches and reports on vendor data, verify vendor-provided information (i.e. certification and licenses) against third party databases in real-time, and broadcast messages.

To access the online vendor registration portal, go to www.san-clemente.org/vendorbids. Click on the link to “New Vendor Registration,” and follow the prompts.

The eProcurement portal offers an intuitive registration process, which ensures that vendor registrations are completed correctly. Once registered, vendors can interactively search, view, and respond to bid opportunities securely over the internet, and will be notified instantly when a procurement opportunity is posted.

San Clemente Woman Wins OC Fair Culinary Division

session is based on a minimum nine-hour course load over 10 weeks and a grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C. Katherine Nowicki of San Juan Capistrano, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, was named to the Creighton University Dean’s List for spring 2016.

Full-time students who earn a 3.5 gradepoint average or better on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the Dean’s List. Nowicki was a summer intern with Picket Fence Media in 2015.

Earlier this summer, several San Clemente residents made the academic Dean’s List at Azusa Pacific University. These students were honored for a spring 2016 grade-point average of 3.5 or better.

The students from San Clemente are Danielle Chambers, a liberal studies major; Rachel D’Itri, a nursing major; Joshua Gustin, a business and international business major; Kianna Mourer, a political science major; and Jacob Yackley, a business economics major.

Local Students Make Dean’s Lists Anne Pfost, a San Clemente native, a made the summer 2016 Dean’s List at Belmont University. Eligibility for the summer

Carnival Colossal Scheduled for Oct. 6-9 The Friends of San Clemente Foundation will present the sixth annual Carnival Colossal at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park on Oct. 6-9. Outdoor stage entertainment is scheduled Friday through Sunday afternoon and evening performances and the Scottish Strength Games are slated for Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, on Thursday from 2-5 p.m., the Foundation will provide games and rides for special needs children in conjunction with the Courtney’s Sandcastle Charitable Foundation, plus an expo of recreational, art and dramatic programs.

The nightly food truck expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will include a variety of foods from Cut Handcrafted Burgers, Chef TLC’s Sidewalk Cafe, Sol Agave, Chubbee Monkee, The Middle Eats and Kona Ice. Discounted Carnival tickets are available at the City’ Community Center, City Hall and the Aquatic Center beginning in late August. Contact the Foundation at www.friendsofsanclemente.org for further information.

League of Women Voters to Host Speaker on Supreme Court Issues

ReShape Medical Inc.’s new President and CEO Mike J. Mangano. Photo: Courtesy

San Clemente resident Stefanie Hockett was a division winner for her chocolatecovered strawberries and champagne cake in the recent Culinary Arts Competition at the annual Orange County Fair. The awards ceremony took place on Saturday, Aug. 13.

Balloon has been widely adopted by physicians across the United States and is helping innumerable patients lose weight and embrace healthier eating habits and lifestyles.

ReShape is a leader in the gastric balloon space, and “Mangano’s experience in the medical device industry will help ReShape continue to grow its already strong customer base, making safe and effective non-surgical weight loss treatment available to more patients,” the release stated.

ReShape Medical Announces Appointment of New President San Clemente-based ReShape Medical Inc. yesterday announced the appointment of new President and CEO Mike J. Mangano. Mangano’s 20-year career in the medical device field has included numerous commercial leadership roles, and he joins ReShape Medical as the company marks one year since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its ReShape Dual Balloon.

Since FDA approval, the ReShape Dual

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After the unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the U.S. Supreme Court has been equally divided on various issues.

“The backlog of unresolved appeals can increase dramatically,” a press release from the League of Women Voters stated.

“Many of these will not be ruled on until well into next year with many cases falling back to lower courts—undecided or lacking a Supreme Court ruling.”

Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the School of Law at UCI, will address the major issues facing the nation’s highest court with the vacancy on the Supreme Court. The event takes place at noon on Friday, Aug. 19, at Marie Callender’s, 31791 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. Check-in starts at 11:30 a.m. More information can be found at www.orangecoast.ca.lwvnet.org.

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com. www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Community SC Sheriff’s Blotter Meetings

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (8:29 p.m.)

Police were called to reports of three people carrying three women’s handbags.

COMPILED BY STAFF

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

San Clemente Farmers Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday.

Avenida Del Mar.

MONDAY, AUGUST 22

Monday Nighters Car Group

6-8 p.m. Every Monday night. People can bring their classic cars to Panera Bread at the Outlets at San Clemente.

The event takes place until October.

101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, jkarennew1@hotmail.com.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23

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.

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, AUGUST 24

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.

San Clemente Toastmasters

7 p.m. The club meets every Tuesday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for social and networking time. San Clemente Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente.

805.794.0653. www.sanclementetoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30

Joint Council/Commissions/ Committees Meeting

7 p.m. The City Council and various city committees and commissions will meet altogether at the meeting. San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, 150 Avenida Magdalena. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

San Clemente Times August 18-24 2016

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.

Monday, August 15

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Pas Canos, 0 Block (6:09 p.m.) Police were called to a man described to be in his late 20s to early 30s with long brown hair, a long beard, wearing a backwards baseball cap while riding a child’s fluorescentorange scooter through the neighborhood.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES El Camino Real, 500 Block (5:32 p.m.)

Police were called to reports of a man looking into vehicles while walking into traffic. The caller said he was almost struck by passing vehicles.

FOUND PROPERTY 0 Block, Avenida Reflexion (12:48 p.m.) A man said he found a box of .22 caliber bullets.

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Via Visalia/Calle Del Cerro (5:46 p.m.) A post office truck was reported “abandoned” with an open door.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 400 Block (9:11 a.m.) Police were called for a man, who was cursing at customers.

DISTURBANCE Corte Tierra Bella/Camino Pedriza (2:11 p.m.) Police were called to a man hiding in the bushes.

DISTURBANCE Mariposa, 100 Block (9:03 a.m.)A man was sitting in a white Toyota Prius in the middle of the street. A 36-yearold sheet metal professional was arrested in the incident and has since been released.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Via Cascadita, 2700 Block (2:53 a.m.)

Someone had thrown broken chairs outside.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Granada/El Camino Real (12:51 a.m.) Someone had punched their friend in the face.

DISTURBANCE Avenida De Nogales, 1500 Block (5:15 p.m.) A British man was walking around the neighborhood with his dog off the leash, and the caller said he was “confrontational.”

WELFARE CHECK Avenida San Pablo/Avenida San Gabriel (5:11 p.m.) A man wearing a blue shirt and jeans appeared to have a wound on his head.

CITIZEN ASSIST Camino De Estrella, 300 Block (1:52 p.m.) A woman said someone was destroying her property.

Saturday, August 13 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-UNKNOWN INJURIES Avenida Santa Barbara, 200 Block (11:07 p.m.) A 26-year-old man whose occupation was listed as Marine was arrested for vandalism charges.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES N. El Camino Real/Avenida Pico (4:47 p.m.) A man was frustrated after locking his keys in his car.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Vista Hermosa, 900 Block (2:24 p.m.) A mother and her son were seen panhandling.

DISTURBANCE-AUTO INVOLVED Canada, 100 Block (9:33 a.m.) Someone was continuously pushing a car alarm button.

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Calle Sacramento, 1500 Block (2:38 a.m.) A caller said a man was lying in the middle of the street.

Sunday, August 14

VANDALISM REPORT Avenida San Pablo, 700 Block (6:54 a.m.) A man said he has had an ongoing problem with someone tearing down his fence.

Friday, August 12 WELFARE CHECK E. El Portal/La Ronda (11:10 p.m.) A possibly drunken man kept falling off his bike.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Cordoba, 300 Block (11:23 p.m.) A man was seen throwing items around the residence while screaming and talking to himself.

BATTERY El Camino Real, 1800 Block (9:08 p.m.) A man came into a store and was bleeding. He told the caller he had been battered.

PETTY THEFT Avenida Vista Hermosa, 100 Block (3:26 p.m.) Two male juveniles stole “a large amount of wallets.”

WELFARE CHECK El Camino Real, 800 Block (7:09 p.m.) Police were called to check on a reportedly drunken woman who was stumbling while carrying a baby.

ANNOYING PHONE CALL Avenida Presidio, 100 Block (11:56 a.m.) A caller said their neighbor was sending them threatening text messages.

DRUNK DRIVING El Camino Real, 400 Block (7:02 p.m.) A man was suspected by the caller of driving under the influence. The man was sitting in his vehicle in front of a business.

A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 300 Block (6:58 p.m.)A person was reportedly being verbally aggressive toward customers and passersby.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-UNKNOWN INJURIES Calle Pintoresco/Calle Iglesia (4:11 p.m.)

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Thursday, August 11 DISTURBANCE Calle De Los Molinos, 100 Block (10:48 p.m.) Screaming was heard in the back alley.

TRAFFIC HAZARD W. Avenida Alessandro, Avenida Del Presidente (10:33 p.m.)

Children were seen lying in the middle of the street under streetlights.

DISTURBANCE San Gorgonio, 2900 Block (8:41 p.m.) Someone was taking pictures and harassing the caller.

DISTURBANCE Del Dios, Bolivia (8:03 p.m.)

People were seen climbing on top of a communications tower.

DISTURBANCE E. Avenida Palizada/El Camino Real (6:59 p.m.) A man was reportedly buying alcoholic beverages for a 17-year-old.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Puente, 1100 Block (6:28 p.m.)

Juveniles were seen drinking and using controlled substances in the park.

CITIZEN ASSIST El Camino Real, 2600 Block (9:51 a.m.) A woman said an ex-client was harassing her and her family.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES El Camino Real, 300 Block (6:49 a.m.)

Police were called to two men who were sleeping on the caller’s patio.

Wednesday, August 10 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Avenida Pico, 900 Block (1:04 p.m.)

A man described to be in his 40s was sitting in his car “rambling to himself.”

BURGLARY REPORT Avenida Pelayo, 100 Block (6:28 a.m.) A man said he woke up to his garage being burglarized.

TRESPASSING Buena Vista (12:02 a.m.)

A woman locked herself in the caller’s bathroom.

Tuesday, August 9 BURGLARY REPORT Avenida Vista Hermosa, 900 Block (4:18 p.m.) The suspects used credit cards to make purchases of $267 and $600. www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

Reality, Not Reality TV: Entertainment is Not Policy

S

omething has changed in American politics this election. We have lost our reality. We have traded leadership for entertainment. Not only have we failed to accept that all politicians are burdened with flaws, we fail to see the difference between personal flaws and competency in the leader of the free world.

Let me give an example: George H.W. Bush had plenty of flaws when he was running for president. He was saddled with the Iran Contra scandal in which the Reagan administration had been caught red-handed secretly and illegally selling weapons to Iran (a nation labeled as terrorist), then taking the profits and secretly and illegally buying weapons to give to Contras who were terrorizing and killing thousands of civilians including four American nuns. They then denied it until the proof was so overwhelming that Bush and Reagan pretended they knew nothing and let loyal soldier Lt. Col. Ollie North take the fall. These are not disputed facts; they are in the Record of Congress.

But here is the key factor: George H.W. Bush was probably one of the most qualified and experienced leaders America has ever had. He had been a congressman, CIA director, an ambassador to the United Nations, the envoy to China and served as vice president for two terms. Plus, he was a genuine hero, a pilot who had been shot down serving his country. So even though many thought he was imperfect, even

Letters to the Editor

WHY DIDN’T THE TCA SPONSOR LA PATA GRAND OPENING? JERRY COLLAMER, San Clemente

TCA, our county’s toll road purveyor, isn’t mentioned as a sponsor in the glossy La Pata Opening mailer I just received.

How come?

Oh, that’s right: La Pata’s completion is TCA’s worst nightmare, because it goes (for free) where TCA’s eternally failed 241 toll road south-extension will never go. To be fair, La Pata was conceptualized well over 50 years ago, decades before TCA and its toll roads were even a notion (albeit, the wrong notion). So why did La Pata take so long?

A little thing called a non-compete agreement between TCA and Caltrans back when TCA’s curious toll road scam was being hatched: no new highways, or improvements to existing freeways or San Clemente Times August 18-24, 2016

evasive, no one doubted his experience or ability to lead the nation. And, in fact he did a pretty good job.

In the same vein, Bill Clinton had his share of scandals, womanizing and Whitewater, but he left office with a growing economy, $400 billion surplus and a high approval rating—a solid manager of our country.

Bush’s son, “W.”, had his own issues as an AWOL national guardsman, playing loose with the facts about going to WAVELENGTHS war with Iraq, and he was

By Jim Kempton less experienced than anyone who had been in the White House since John F. Kennedy. His inexperience got us into a couple of wars that cost the U.S. taxpayers $2 trillion. But no one thought he was an unstable, bullying loudmouth. Everyone saw W. as a decent guy, a good man trying to do the best he could.

Barack Obama, too, could get little done. But no one believes he was a meanspirited, trash-talking misogynist. Many see Obama as a respectable man, who has weathered a huge opposition with grace.

Mitt Romney, Al Gore, John McCain, Michael Dukakis, Bob Dole and John Kerry all may have failed to win their elections, but each had experience, leadership and decency. I disagreed with all of them on some policies, some initiatives, and even

arterials (roads) would be allowed from the outset of TCA until 2012 if, in any way, local highway improvements should take traffic from adjacent toll roads. A curious agreement, seeing how TCA’s “Congestion Pricing” keeps most commuters off OC toll roads at rush hour anyway, when traffic relief is needed most.

But finally 2012 arrived, and voila! La Pata’s finished, and I-5 here is getting its big fix (25 years later).

So, Viva La Pata!

It goes where TCA’s failed 241-south extension will never go. And for San Clemente, that’s a very, very good thing.

CITY PLAYS FAVORITES WITH MIRAMAR THEATER OWNERS GEORGE GREGGORY, San Clemente

I understand the San Clemente City Council got to meet one of the owners of the Miramar Theater and did not arrest, admonish or fine him for the treatment of our city and the condition of his property, but glad-handed him instead. The city chooses to selectively prosecute and fine

some underhanded tactics. But I would not have been the least concerned if any one of these candidates had become president.

But now there is someone running who has nothing in common with these fine men. He is a man every brilliant conservative pundit from George F. Will to Max Boot has savaged. The Intelligence Community said he is already a threat to our nation. GOP leaders apologize every day for some utterance he has made. He has had a number of conservative businessmen, generals, congressmen, mayors and leaders of the GOP condemn him as unfit for office. Are they right?

All one has to do is to look at all these genuine, brave, committed political leaders mentioned above and ask yourself a simple question: If any one of them had said any one of the dozens of things espoused by the GOP candidate, what would we think of them? The answer, if we consider it impartially and honestly, speaks for itself.

Jim Kempton is a right-of-center, left-ofTrump demopublican. He believes the GOP is in danger of damaging its heritage brand by supporting someone who is the wrong messenger, even if some of the message is right. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, August 19 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.

our hardworking citizens for carrying ladders on their trucks or blocking the bacteria spreading machine we call a street sweeper. I must say that the stench that came off that meeting must have smelled like the bottom of a $50,000 trash can enclosure payed for with public monies for private use. It’s time our Council starts doing the health and safety task it was hired for and stop the extortion of our property values by the wealthy special interests.

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Eric Heinz, 949.388.7700, x109 eheinz@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Steve Breazeale, 949.388.7700, x110 sbreazeale@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Managing Editor > Matt Cortina City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz City Editor, DP Times > Kristina Pritchett City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Debra Holm Amanda Giannelli Tim Trent Kyle Coughlin Erin Hawkins

San Clemente Times, Vol. 11, Issue 33. The SC Times (www. sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes. 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 2016. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@sanclementetimes. com. San Clemente 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. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

Page 10

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

EDITOR’S PICK

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

Thursday | 18 RODEO WEEK KICKOFF MIXER 5-7 p.m. The San Juan Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Rodeo Week kicks off with a Western-themed mixer at The BrewHouse and American Horse Products in San Juan Capistrano. Rodeo Week leads up to the 16th annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo Aug. 27-28. Admission to the mixer is $15. 31896 Plaza Drive, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700. www.facebook.com/sjcrodeoweek.

Photo: Copyright © 2016 CTMG, Inc.

At the Movies: ‘Sausage Party’ is Spicy Fun

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

LIVE MUSIC: IVA LEE’S 7-10:30 p.m. The Kalama Brothers will be performing at Iva Lee’s Restaurant. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente.

949.361.2855.

Photo: Courtesy

SATURDAY, AUG. 20 AND SUNDAY, AUG. 21: THE 56TH ANNUAL ART & CRAFT FAIR 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Art & Craft Fair has gained a reputation as one not to be missed.

More than 100 artists and artisans will be in attendance to showcase their work.

Admission is free. San Clemente Community Center Grounds, 100 Calle Seville, San Clemente. www.paintsanclemente.com.

Friday | 19 OC COAST LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Noon. OC Coast League of Women Voters will host Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the University of California-Irvine Law School, who will speak at Marie Callendar’s in San Juan Capistrano. The topic is “Issues Confronting the Supreme Court with the Absence of Justice Scalia.” Lunch is $25 or speaker only is $5. Reservations required.

31791 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano.

949.786.1669. www.ocilo.ca.lwvnet.org CONCERT AND MOVIE IN THE PARK 6 p.m. Panjive, a band of steel drum performers, will kick off the event. At 7:30, Finding Nemo will be shown. The event is family-friendly. San Gorgonio Park, 2916 Via San Gorgonio. San Clemente.

949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

LIVE MUSIC: IVA LEE’S 7-11 p.m. Theo & The Zydeco Patrol will be performing at Iva Lee’s Restaurant. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente.

949.361.2855.

LIVE MUSIC: GOODY’S 7 p.m. Janna & the Giants plays at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400.

Saturday | 20 BINGO AT DOROTHY VISSER SENIOR CENTER 4-8 p.m. There will be $100 prizes, a silent San Clemente Times August 18-24, 2016

auction, and more. Entry is $45 per person and includes a dinner. There are four cards for each game and two drink tickets.

All proceeds benefit the Dorothy Visser Senior Center activities program. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. 949.498.3322.

LIVE MUSIC: GOODY’S 8 p.m. Sugarlips plays at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real.

949.492.3400.

LIVE MUSIC: IVA LEE’S 7-11 p.m. Boxcar 7 will be performing at Iva Lee’s Restaurant. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.2855.

‘THE ENDLESS SUMMER’ VIEWING 7-10 p.m. Head to the beach to see The Endless Summer on the big screen. There will be a food truck and more. Salt Creek Beach Park. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. oldcourthouse@ocparks. com. 714.973.6607.

Sunday | 21 SOUL FOOD 10:30 a.m. Soul Food is an event for reflection and spiritual growth, combining live music, audio-visual pieces, readings from faiths and philosophers, authors, leaders and indigenous cultures, from all over the world. It’s free, and people of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds can come together

to reflect on and celebrate diversity. Baha’i Center of San Clemente, 3316 Avenida del Presidente, San Clemente. 949.433.9555. www.facebook.com/soulfoodoc.

MEDITATION WORKSHOP 1-4 p.m. Internationally recognized meditation expert and author Dean Sluyter will offer his enlightening workshop, Natural Mediation and Awakened Love at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley. The workshop is free and all are welcome to attend. Talega Business Park, 1201 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente.

949.240.6463. www.cslcv.org.

RYE BROTHERS 1:30-6:30 p.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

ART SHOW: GAMUT 4-8 p.m. Art and apparel brand Gamut showcases work at Left Coast Brewery.

Five to eight artists and live music will be on display. Proceeds benefit the South Orange County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. $5 donation per drink requested. 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente.

949.573.0143. www.gamutlife.com.

KARAOKE AT GOODY’S 8 p.m. Karaoke every Sunday night at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400.

Page 15

S

ince Ralph Bakshi’s shockingly racy animated cult comedy Fritz the Cat in 1972, the market for R- or even NC-17-rated animated films has had few efforts and even fewer successes. But what’s a hit is really a home run. Bakshi found followers with Fritz, Coonskin (1975) and American Pop (1981). Two generations later, Matt Stone and Trey Parker gained notoriety with South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut (1999) and Team America: World Police (2004). And to a lesser extent, Richard Linklater’s roto-scoped dramas Waking Life (2001) and A Scanner Darkly (2006) became critical darlings. Since then, there has yet to be a mature cartoon to grab audiences.

But this August, Sausage Party, an R-rated film that just staved off the NC-17 mark, brings longtime friends and comedy partners Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen of Superbad (2007), Pineapple Express (2008) and This is the End (2013) back together, with Rogen joining his usual on-screen buddies Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and Michael Cera to voice a group of foul-mouthed, drug-induced, sex-obsessed grocery products who discover the meaning of their short lives in this vulgar CGI cartoon.

Sausage Party brings in some unexpected names behind the scenes like indie producer Megan Ellison and Disney composing legend Alan Menken, but its tone and humor are typical of the Judd Apatow variety. There is a fair share of social commentary on racial stereotypes and religion that is pretty ham-fisted, yet some of the food puns are amusing enough, and Edward Norton’s spot-on Woody Allen impression as a bagel might be worth viewing with a group of friends. SC

(Cont. on page 16) www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT

EDITOR’S PICK Photo: Andrea Swayne

SATURDAY, AUG. 20: SEVENTH ANNUAL DANA POINT LOBSTER FEST 4 p.m. The Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club will host its seventh annual Lobster Fest with gourmet appetizers, a no-host bar, fresh East Coast lobster, smoked tri-tip steak, desserts, live music by Flashback Heart Attack and The Beach Buzzards and a new casino. Advance tickets may be purchased online for $85 or $100 at the door. Proceeds go to charities including Make-A-Wish, Boys & Girls Clubs and the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. www.danapointlobsterfest.org.

(Cont. from page 15)

Monday | 22 FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free beginner level acoustic guitar lessons for Jr. High 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.

Wednesday | 24 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.

LIVE MUSIC: IVA LEE’S 7-10:30 p.m. Will Heard will be performing at Iva Lee’s Restaurant. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.2855.

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.

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

Have an event? Send your listing to events@sanclementetimes.com

The Best Thing We Ate This Week

Epic Chicken Enchiladas THE SHWACK CANTINA

1527 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.218.7182, www.theshwack.com

Sometimes it seems as if describing something as “epic” is overdone, but not when it comes to The Shwack Cantina’s Epic Chicken Enchiladas.

Epic Chicken Enchiladas is a dish Epic Chicken Enchiladas with Spanish rice and beans. that deserves its name; the meal dePhoto: Eric Heinz livers what it promises with an interesting blend of flavors indicative of traditional Mexican food but tweaked a little as a nod to the California experience.

What gives the chicken enchiladas an epic edge is the brown, mole-like sauce that covers the meal. It’s lighter than most mole, and not as steeped in as many spices or thick as the traditional recipes. Paired with the shredded chicken, lightly sprinkled with cheese and choice of roja or verde salsa, and the flavorful combination is dynamic—er, epic!

Partners in crime Spanish rice—perfectly cooked, by the way—and beans with bits of bacon are always welcome.

If nothing else, the $10 steal will fill you up and leave a smile on your face. —Eric Heinz Page 16

www.sanclementetimes.com

2016 TRITON FOOTBALL PREVIEW

LEAVING NO DOUBT San Clemente football returns with a strong roster and sets its sights on 2016

BY STEVE BREAZEALE

The last time the San Clemente High School football team left the field of play in CIF-SS competition, it was bedlam.

The La Habra football team and its fans were swarming the field at Cerritos College to celebrate the Highlanders’ last-second Hail Mary touchdown pass that clinched the CIF-SS Southwest Division Championship as the Tritons stood and watched in disbelief.

It was the second consecutive season in which San Clemente lost in the divisional title game.

But the silver lining of last year’s toughluck loss quickly revealed itself. One only had to look at the Tritons’ roster to see that the team would be in position to contend again in 2016.

“There are a lot of guys that were on (last year’s) team that got a lot of playing experience and now it’s their chance to show what they can do,” head coach Jaime Ortiz said.

“I’m a big believer in ‘If what you did yesterday was big, you’ve done nothing today.’ And that’s the way these kids are kind of approaching it. It’s a new season; a new team.”

Ortiz preached the concept of “leaving no doubt” on the field to his players, and it has become their rallying cry this offseason.

The team believes if they play their brand of football, which has led to so much success in recent years, their effort will allow them to remain a force in the Southland.

San Clemente returns a strong group of experienced players at crucial positions this season, and is ready to navigate its way through a difficult schedule and a return to the South Coast League.

Senior Brandon Reaves will play running back, receiver and cornerback for the Tritons this season. He will also return kicks. Photo: Steve Breazeale

explosive OFFENSE returns The San Clemente offense was downright dominant last season. The team put up 20 or more points in every game, and eclipsed the 40-point margin 11 times. In the playoffs, the Tritons put up 52, 52 and 63 points in first, second and third-round victories, respectively. They even set a school record for points in a game in a 70-28 blowout against Aliso Niguel last November.

With so many dynamic players returning, Ortiz believes this year’s offense has the chance to be even better than it was last season.

Senior quarterback Jack Sears had a huge 2015, passing for 2,697 yards and 37 touchdowns. Other than his ability to make plays with his legs, Sears’ x-factor is his accuracy and decision making. Sears completed just over 71 percent of his passes last season and threw only two interceptions.

He had a busy offseason and was selected to compete in the Elite 11 Finals as part of Nike’s The Opening in July, and committed

The San Clemente offensive line will be anchored by senior tackle Zach Cochrun, right, in 2016.

Photo: Steve Breazeale

San Clemente Times | Triton Football Preview

to Duke last week.

Surrounding Sears will be a large cast of playmakers.

Senior Brandon Reaves is a three-year starter that does it all for the Tritons. As a running back, he ran for 644 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015. He also caught 43 passes for 639 yards and 11 touchdowns as a slot receiver. He even returned kickoffs and punts.

Reaves’ role will be expanded this year, and he will play both ways as a cornerback on defense.

“Reaves is one of the more explosive players in the county. Every time he touches the ball, he can score,” Ortiz said.

Junior Austin Whitsett will be the team’s primary running back, replacing Vlad Dzhabiyev. Senior tight end Isaac Rex, a BYU commit, and returning receivers Keith Jones and Chase Berman round out the Tritons’ skill positions.

“We have a lot of weapons this year, and it makes my job a lot easier,” Sears said. “I can put it out there and trust that they’re going to go get it or that they’re going to make plays for me. So just having that trust and faith in them is going to allow us to do some big things.”

The offensive line will be anchored by returning senior center Turner Tonkovich and left tackle Zachary Cochrun. Cochrun made the move to the left side this offseason and continues the tradition of skilled big-men who have played the position in year’s past, a list that includes the Green Bay Packers’ Kyle Murphy and Utah’s Tucker Scott.

Swarming to the Ball The Tritons return speed and experience on defense, especially in the secondary and at the linebacker positions.

Juniors Bryce and Branden Wilson return to play free safety and cornerback, respectively. Bryce led the team with four interceptions as a sophomore and racked up 85

tackles, while Branden tallied 65 tackles and three interceptions.

Senior linebacker Ryan Russell, who led the team with 116 total tackles last season, will lead a linebackers group that wants to play at a blistering pace. Russel, Rex, a returning All-CIF linebacker, and the Triton linebackers hang their hats on their and ability to read offenses and close in quickly.

“Our approach is really fast. We never want to be on our heels. We want to keep offenses on their toes and make plays,” Russell said.

The defensive line will be slightly bigger in size than last year, and will feature seniors Austin Moore (6-4, 220 pounds), Dayton Romo (6-1, 225) and sophomore Jack Bystry (6-1, 275), the lone sophomore who has cracked into the starting lineup.

Facing New Challenges The Tritons face a tough nonleague schedule, and it begins with a season-opening matchup against reigning CIF San Diego Section Division 1 champion Oceanside at home on Aug. 26. Oceanside is one of two CIF championship teams the Tritons will face in the first four weeks of the season, the other team being La Mirada (Sept. 16).

The team’s Week 4 matchup will be against Palos Verdes, last year’s CIF-SS Western Division runner-up.

San Clemente makes its return to the South Coast League this season, where they will square off against rival Tesoro (Oct. 14) and powerhouse Mission Viejo (Nov. 4), last year’s CIF-SS West Valley Division and Division II state champion.

As part of the CIF-SS’ new competitive equity playoff restructuring, the Tritons were promoted to Division II this offseason. They are one of three Orange County teams in the new postseason division, and could potentially face unfamiliar opponents in the playoffs. www.sanclementetimes.com

2016 TRITON FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Five to Watch OFFENSE 1

Jack Sears

QB (No. 16) Sr. Sears, a Duke commit, can do it all on the field. He possesses a strong arm and has aboveaverage speed for his position.

Plus, he is a sharp decisionmaker, as his 37:2 touchdown to interception ratio in 2015 can attest to. He will be in charge of igniting the highpowered Triton offense.

2

Brandon Reaves

RB/WR (No. 2) Sr. Versatile is a good word to describe Reaves, a three-year starter. He is able to run the ball out of the backfield as well as catch in the open field. He caught 11 touchdown passes last year as a slot receiver and punched home 10 scores on the ground. Expect to see Reaves run, catch and also return kicks.

3

Isaac Rex

TE (No. 83) Sr. Rex will continue the trend of standout tight end play at San Clemente. The 6-foot-5-inch, 235 pounder caught eight passes for 96 yards as a junior, and will be the Tritons go-to tight end in 2016. The BYU commit also doubles as a linebacker, but will be a key piece of the Tritons versatile offense.

4

Turner Tonkovich

C (No. 55) Sr. Tonkovich returns to lead the San Clemente offensive line at center. Coach Jaime Ortiz said that Tonkovich may not be the biggest player on the offensive line, but he plays with a physicality that sets him apart.

Tonkovich’s connection with Sears, as well as with the rest of the line, will be key.

5

Zachary Cochrun

T (No. 72) Sr. Cochrun will be making a move to the all-important left tackle position this season, and will be charged with protecting Sears’ blind side. Cochrun, a returning starter who stands at 6-feet-5-inches tall and checks in at 280 pounds, has become one of the offensive lines’ vocal leaders, according to Ortiz.

DEFENSE 1

Ryan Russell

LB (No. 15) Sr. Russell racked up a teamleading 116 tackles in 2015, and returns to lead an experienced linebackers unit. Russell epitomizes the Tritons defensive approach, which is to capitalize on the team’s speed and swarm the ball.

2

Bryce Wilson

FS (No. 26) Jr. Wilson was one of six sophomores who saw heavy playing time in 2015 and he took advantage of it. As a sophomore safety, Wilson recorded 85 total tackles and a pulled in a team-high four interceptions.

The Tritons return a handful of defensive backs this year, and Wilson will be charged with captaining the secondary.

San Clemente Times | Triton Football Preview

3

Dayton Romo

DL (No. 58) Sr. “Warrior” is a word that Ortiz used to describe Romo, a senior member of the defensive line. Romo (6-1, 225 pounds) also has the ability to play on the offensive line. “He has a physical presence and is one of the toughest players on our team,” Ortiz said of Romo.

4

Garrett Silverman

DL (No. 90) Sr. Silverman played in seven games last season, but will be a key member of the Tritons defensive line as a senior.

Silverman, a two-sport athlete who also plays lacrosse, can play at multiple positions on the interior and exterior of the defensive line.

5

Austin Moore

DL (No. 54) Sr. The Tritons defensive line will be slightly bigger this season, and Moore figures to give the team a physical presence at the defensive end position. He does not have much varsity playing experience, but Ortiz pegged Moore (6-4, 213 pounds) as a potential breakout player who has set the tone on the defensive line in the offseason. www.sanclementetimes.com

2016 TRITON FOOTBALL PREVIEW

2016 VARSITY ROSTER #

Name

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 35 36 38 42 44 48 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 64 67 68 70 72 73 74 75 76 78 79 81 82 83 84 88 90

Josh Sanchez Brandon Reaves Jason Graff Chase Berman Mario Rossi Isaac Rex Sander Lush Kalvin Shahnavaz Koby Wolfe Ryan Russell Jack Sears Keith Jones Logan Manning Peter Davies Michael Leiss Cesar Alvarez-Sanchez Taylor Scott Cameron Beauvais Matt Waskowski Shane Lockett Bryce Wilson Jack Shippy Jimmy Cusey Will Eldridge Aaron Frohner Wayne Yaranon Austin Whitsett Alex Mix Branden Wilson Tristan Trager Sean Turcotte Riley Croft Jesse Mikulec Eric Ord Scott Royer Richie Cratty Austin Moore Turner Tonkovich Cuate Romero Mike Rinehart Dayton Romo Johnny Serrano Will Moore Daniel McQueen Micah Butts Gabe Flores Adam Schrab Zachary Cochrun Deven Harrington Thomas Wade Tyson Mehrens Frankie Lewis Louis Harden Jack Bystry Cameron Arnold Mike Moran Ammon Stark Chase Paulso Chris Kane Garrett Silverman

Position

Height

Weight

Grade

CB RB S WR LB TE/LB QB/WR DB WR LB QB WR QB WR S TE S LB DB LB FS SS/WR LB LB LB LB RB WR CB K FS LB LB DT DT DT DT OL DL LB DL/OL DL DL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL C DT OL DL LB WR WR K TE DL

6’0” 5’9” 5’11” 6’0” 5’11” 6’5” 6’4” 6’0” 5’10” 5’10” 6’3” 6’2” 6’1” 6’0” 5’8” 6’3” 6’2” 5’9” 6’0” 5’11” 5’10” 5’11” 6’0” 6’1” 5’9” 5’9” 5’10” 5’ 10” 5’7” 5’8” 5’11” 5’ 11” 5’8” 6’3” 6’0” 6’0 6’4” 5’11” 6’0” 5’11” 6’1” 6’0” 6’0” 5’9” 5’11” 5’10” 5’11” 6’6” 6’0” 6’6” 5’11” 5’9” 6’1” 6’1” 5’9’’ 6’3” 6’3” 6’0” 6’5” 6’1”

160 170 172 170 175 235 195 185 165 175 200 195 185 190 165 195 180 155 160 190 160 180 175 178 170 170 188 152 150 125 168 200 165 245 195 160 220 195 215 195 225 195 195 176 235 205 190 280 225 230 225 205 310 275 165 190 150 180 215 205

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Soph.

Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

San Clemente Times | Triton Football Preview

www.sanclementetimes.com

2016 TRITON FOOTBALL PREVIEW

training camp

TALK

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

The dog days of summer are coming to a close, and the San Clemente football team is preparing for its seasonopening game against Oceanside on August 26.

When taking in Triton offseason practices, the daily discussions can cover a wide range of topics. The San Clemente Times spoke with some Triton players and head coach Jaime Ortiz to get their thoughts on the upcoming season.

“

I’m really looking forward to this season, and I think, as a senior class, we have really strong leadership out here. It’s not just one guy or two guys. It’s a really tight-knit group of seniors, and we believe we can make it in this league and win a lot of games. ~ Senior linebacker Ryan Russell on the senior class

“

I think this is the league we belong in, quite honestly, and it’s going to be fun to play some great teams down here in the South Coast League. I’m definitely looking forward to playing Tesoro and having Mission Viejo here on senior night. There will be some high-powered offenses and defenses (in league) so there will be some games to watch.

”

~ Senior quarterback Jack Sears on San Clemente rejoining the South Coast League San Clemente Times | Triton Football Preview

”

“

I told our kids, in order to be CIF champs or league champs, you have to play great defense. The kids have taken on that role. We have a little chip on our shoulder, which I think we’ve been missing a bit.

There have been a couple skirmishes in practice, which is alright. The swarming defense has returned to San Clemente and I think it’s been a big part of our offseason program.

”

~ Coach Jaime Ortiz on the Tritons’ defensive philosophy. www.sanclementetimes.com

2016 TRITON FOOTBALL PREVIEW

SEASON SCHEDULE AND TEAM PREVIEWS

BY STEVE BREAZEALE

GAME ONE

AUGUST 26

GAME TWO

SEPTEMBER 2

GAME THREE

SEPTEMBER 9

GAME FOUR

SEPTEMBER 16

GAME FIVE

SEPTEMBER 23

Oceanside

Huntington Beach

Roosevelt

La Mirada

Palos Verdes

Location: San Clemente Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: David Rodriguez League: Avocado-West 2015-2016 Record: 9-5 (2-2 league) 2015-2016 vs. SC: DNP Season Outlook: Oceanside enters the 2016 season as the reigning CIF San Diego Section Division 1 champions, and will run through its schedule with the proverbial target on its back. Oceanside also appeared in the CIF State Division III-AA Regional game.

The Pirates return 15 starters from last year’s campaign, including quarterback and defensive lineman Max Shuffer. Surrounding Shuffer on offense will be senior receiver Azizi Hearn and running back Tevin Meadows.

Linebackers Tanner Schaul and Mikah Linnan will anchor a veteran front seven for the Pirates.

Location: Huntington Beach Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Brett Brown League: Sunset 2015-2016 Record: 3-7 (1-4 league) 2015-2016 vs. SC: Loss, 51-21 Season Outlook: Longtime Huntington Beach offensive coordinator and Orange County native Brett Barrett took over as the Oilers head coach this offseason.

Barrett replaces former coach Eric Lo, who stepped down after nine seasons at the helm.

The Oilers were a very run-oriented team in 2015, and relied on the talent of running back Hunter Simmons. With Simmons gone, a small group of returners will be called upon to take over.

The Oilers have managed just three wins in the competitive Sunset League since capturing the 2013 CIF-SS Southwest Division title in 2013.

Location: San Clemente Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Ricardo Zepeda League: Eastern 2015-2016 Record: 4-6 (2-4 league) 2015-2016 vs. SC: DNP Season Outlook: Roosevelt head coach Ricardo Zepeda will take over the program following the departure of former coach Javier Cid. Zepeda will inherit a team that lost its starting quarterback and main playmaker, Andrew Gallegos, to graduation.

The Rough Riders compete in the historic seven-member Eastern League, against the likes of Garfield and South Gate. Roosevelt finished fourth in the league in 2014, and placed fifth in 2015 following a 2-4 run through league.

Location: La Mirada Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Mike Moschetti League: Suburban 2015-2016 Record: 13-3 (6-0 league) 2015-2016 vs. SC: Loss, 42-26 Season Outlook: Another deep postseason run could be in the mix for La Mirada, the reigning CIF-SS Southeast Division and CIF State Division III-AA champions. The Matadores return their quarterback, Tristan Meyer, and a veteran defense, led by a highly-ranked defensive back.

The Matadores will be without running back Sei-j Luago and Nick Hernandez, who rushed for 627 yards and six touchdowns in 2015, figures to be the new starter.

Highly sought-after cornerback Elijah Hicks, who holds offers from Notre Dame, Arizona, Cal and Oregon, returns to lead the defense.

Location: San Clemente Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Guy Gardner League: Bay 2014-2015 Record: 10-4 (5-0 league) 2014-2015 vs. SCHS: DNP Season Outlook: Palos Verdes reached the CIF-SS Western Division Championship game in 2015 behind a strong group of sophomore and junior players, who return with experience.

Junior quarterback Jake Nolls provides the Sea Kings offense with a dual threat under center.

As a sophomore he threw for 880 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 232 yards and three scores. The team’s leading rusher, Adison Umrarong, returns.

Senior defensive end Shane Irwin (73 tackles and 14 sacks in 2015) and senior linebacker Tre Gonzales (101 tackles) return.

GAME SIX

SEPTEMBER 30

GAME SEVEN

OCTOBER 14

GAME EIGHT

OCTOBER 21

GAME NINE

OCTOBER 28

GAME TEN

NOVEMBER 4

Rancho Buena Vista

Tesoro

San Juan Hills

Trabuco Hills

Mission Viejo

Location: Rancho Buena Vista Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Joe Meyer League: Valley 2014-2015 Record: 1-9 (1-3 league) 2014-2015 vs. SCHS: DNP Season Outlook: In the middle of last year’s schedule, Rancho Buena Vista’s head coach Paul Gomes announced that the 2015 season would be his last. The Longhorns limped across the finish line, mustering up one win in the process.

The team will now be under the guidance of first-year head coach Joe Meyer, who enters his 20th year of coaching.

The Longhorns will rely on quarterback Ace Roach to ignite its run-oriented attack, which features running back Anthony Bowman. Noah Watson will lead a group of receivers, which includes Trent Broger and Tony Morales.

Location: Tesoro Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Matt Poston League: South Coast 2014-2015 Record: 10-3 (4-1 league) 2014-2015 vs. SCHS: Win, 31-22 Season Outlook: Despite losing standout quarterback Devon Modster to graduation, Tesoro will likely be in the hunt to contend for a playoff berth in 2016.

With Modster gone, junior Chase Petersen will lead the Titans under center in 2016.

Receiver Shane Coleman was a force to be reckoned with last season, as he reeled in 52 catches for 953 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.

The Tesoro defensive line was a juggernaut last year, and will be anchored by senior Andrew Cohen, who had 12.5 sacks and 10 tackles for a loss as a junior.

Location: San Clemente Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Aaron Flowers League: South Coast League 2014-2015 Record: 8-3 (2-2 league) 2014-2015 vs. SCHS: Win, 34-20 Season Outlook: San Juan Hills returns plenty of playmakers on offense and a veteran defense that will lead it through South Coast League play. But one question mark still lingers.

The Stallions are searching for a quarterback to replace Patrick O’Brien, who is now at Nebraska.

Juniors Matt Rodriguez and Doug Jackson are vying for the starting job.

Standout receiver Jacob Huff and running backs Brock Cazel and Cole Suchesk return to lead the offense.

On defense, the Stallions will be anchored by nose tackle JJ Glass.

Location: Trabuco Hills Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: John Abdelnour League: South Coast 2014-2015 Record: 3-8 (2-2 league) 2014-2015 vs. SCHS: Loss, 48-7 Season Outlook: First-year head coach John Abdelnour will look to bring stability to the Trabuco Hills football program, which will enter the 2016 season with a new head coach for a second consecutive year. Abdelnour is not a stranger to the Mustangs’ program, having served as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2015.

Running back Chad Crosbie was the Mustangs’ workhorse last season, and he accounted for 17 of the team’s 34 total touchdowns. With Crosbie gone, it will be interesting to see which direction the Trabuco Hills offense goes in to start the season.

Location: San Clemente Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Bob Johnson League: South Coast 2014-2015 Record: 16-0 (4-0 league) 2014-2015 vs. SCHS: DNP Season Outlook: Even when considering its program’s pedigree, 2015 was a special year for Mission Viejo. The Diablos went undefeated en route to capturing the CIF-SS West Valley Division and CIF State Division I-AA titles.

The Diablos have enough players to make another postseason run.

The offense will be led by standout receivers Austin Osbourne and Olaijah Griffin, and the team’s defense will be anchored by returning linebacker Colin Schooler.

Matt McDonald, a transfer from Mater Dei, will be the team’s quarterback.

San Clemente Times | Triton Football Preview

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SC LIVING

San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach by Shelley Murphy

A Summer of Moving On and Out

T

his summer started with my older son moving across the country upon his college graduation and my younger son moving home from his freshman dorm.

So it’s fitting as summer comes to a close it marks the final move and the end of ducttaped boxes and back-breaking chores. My boys’ moves throughout the summer and each ensuing painful goodbye felt like slowly tugging at a Band-Aid. Before my youngest son’s move home for the summer, he and his roommates found an apartment LIFE’S A BEACH near their college campus

By Shelley Murphy and signed a yearlong lease commencing in August. His freshman year behind him, my son looked forward to a carefree summer.

His summer plans included reuniting with hometown friends for road trips, weekend concerts and sporting events. Neither of us could’ve predicted a week after arriving home he’d be in a leg cast that would change both our summers.

Sidelined by doctor-ordered bedrest, most days my son felt isolated and bored. His nocturnal friends appeared when the sun set, but the days were long. I savored passing the idle hours with my son—we hadn’t spent so many summer days alone since his older brother started preschool.

After a couple weeks of convalescing, my son and I started frequenting his favorite restaurants. We shared lunches and lively banter about everything from funny observations to political opinions.

I realized this summer is likely the last we’d spend so much time together under one roof. Soon our summertime separations will grow longer, and my son’s absences will become more frequent. If he’s like his older brother, my son’s sophomore year of college will lead to summer internships, jobs and travel.

Local Real Estate By Local Experts Sponsored by

Jeremy Conrad 949.542.8348 Jconrad@conradrealestate.com Bill Conrad 949.542.8349 BillC@conradrealestate.com

It’s time to expect more…

Established 1963

A few days before the big move, my son and I stood in his bedroom packing his possessions. Boxes and bags littered the floor of his bedroom and clothes covered his furniture, yet his room felt painfully empty.

Sensing the void I said, “I’m beginning to miss you.” My son looked confused and said, “But I’m still here.” He reached across the piles of clutter for a quick hug and I squeezed him tight.

Too soon the moving day arrived, and we loaded the U-Haul truck for the drive to his apartment. As I fluffed the pillows similar to the ones on his bed at home—the ones he insists he doesn’t use yet I find him curled among—I heard him say from his doorway, “Mom, I don’t need that many pillows.”

I convinced him to try it my way, hoping when he lay his head on one of those pillows that first night in the new apartment his bed would feel familiar like home.

Again, like the afternoon last August when I walked away from my son in his dorm room, I found myself fighting back tears. When we reached the truck my son and I said our final goodbyes and hugged.

This time we both squeezed a little tighter.

I’ve survived the week since the melancholy move and am adjusting to the deafening quiet and lunches without my younger son. But, walking by his bedroom, I still expect to see him propped amid the pillows on his bed, video controller in hand and cell phone tucked between his shoulder and ear.

After a summer of sendoffs the BandAid’s finally been ripped off, but it still stings.

Shelley Murphy has lived in San Clemente with her husband for the past 17 years, where she raised her two sons. She’s a freelance writer and has been a contributor to the SC Times since 2006. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SCTimes 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 SCTimes or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

Business Beat News from San Clemente’s business community COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

New Business STREETUBEZ 949.554.4448, ckropfl@streetubez.com www.streetubez.com Looking for another way to catch the perfect wave when the ocean is giving none, mother and San Clemente resident Carrie Kropfl wanted to give her son and his friends a way to recreate the experience on dry land.

Kropfl’s son, Carson, watched various YouTube videos in which other children used a tarp to create a wave. He wanted to create his own experience through trial and error.

“He became obsessed with these ‘tarp surfing’ videos,” Carrie said, adding Carson asked for a tarp as a Christmas present from his grandparents. “You have to weigh the tarp down, and the kids skate right on top and through. His problem was the skateboard wheels kept getting caught in the tarp.”

After Carson’s version had a few hiccups, Carrie decided to create her own modification.

“I cut the tarp into a triangle and weighed it down with bricks, so we started using carabiner clips and grommet holes in the tarp, but then the tarp would rip,” Carrie said.

Carrie then started using rip-resistant materials from Robert Graff, CEO and founder of action sports/outdoor lifestyle advertising agency, Graffy, Inc. This all started in 2010, and now the owners of Streetubez, having received their patent approval, are expecting to launch their product in summer 2017.

The way it works is one person has to pull the top of the sail to create the top of the wave as another person skateboards through the break.

More information about the product can be found on the Streetubez website. Streetubez also will relaunch its Kickstarter campaign.

Anniversary SAN CLEMENTE DANCE & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 1321 Calle Avanzado, 949.498.7571 www.sanclementedance.com San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center celebrated its 21st anniversary on Monday, Aug. 15.

According to the studio’s website, the center was founded in 1995 by Judy Corfman Kelly.

“Her love of dance, high standards of teaching and belief in addressing the individual needs of each student is carried on by her husband, David A. Kelly,” said Gretchen Akers, the director of the dance studio. “It is a historic milestone for us and the dance community here in San Clemente.”

The center offers classes of various disciplines of dance, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop and more. They also host birthday parties and have a homework area.

The center celebrated the occasion with some of its students on Monday.

Students of San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center pose for a photo on Monday during the center’s 21st anniversary celebration. Photo: Courtesy

Did you know that...

• In San Clemente so far this year, over 650 homes have sold, averaging a sales price of $969,900 • In 2009, over 40% of sales in San Clemente were short sales and bank owned properties, compared to today, accounting for less than 1% • Standard 30YR loan rates are in the 3% range, while 15YR loan rates are in the 2% range

SC LIVING

Muy Caliente Fiesta Music Festival draws thousands to Avenida Del Mar ,

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ERIC HEINZ SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he 63rd annual San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival featured many returning bands and some newcomers. The Salsa Challenge put restaurants and individual competitors to the test, with varieties that took inspiration from traditional recipes to flavorful adaptations. SC

Members of Who’s Your Daddy Salsa serve up their recipe during the 63rd annual San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival on Sunday, Aug. 14, on Avenida Del Mar.

SALSA CHALLENGE WINNERS Judges’ Best Salsa, Individual First Place: Caliber Collision, San Juan Capistrano Second Place: Randy Salsa Third Place: Highway 74 Salsa Fourth Place: George’s Salsa Judges’ Best Salsa, Restaurant First Place: Los Primos Second Place: Fishy Fish Fish/Tiki Pete’s

People danced to the music during the 63rd annual San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival on Sunday, Aug. 14, on Avenida Del Mar.

Judges’ Best Decorated, Individual First Place: Sweet Heat Chica’s Second Place: Who’s Your Daddy Salsa Third Place: Alvina’s Salsa Verde Especial Fourth Place: Highway 74 Salsa Judges’ Best Decorated Restaurant: First Place: Fishy Fish Fish/Tiki Pete’s Second Place: Los Primos People’s Choice Best Salsa, Individual First Place: Randy Salsa Second Place: Salsa Mama Third Place: Alvina’s Salsa Verde Especial Fourth Place: Czech Mex

Christy Foster, left, and Kelsey Gorniak take a selfie during the 63rd annual San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival on Sunday, Aug. 14, on Avenida Del Mar.

People’s Choice Best Salsa, Restaurant First Place: Los Primos Second Place: Fishy Fish Fish/Tiki Pete’s

Wigs & Ties performs on the middle stage during the 63rd annual San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival on Sunday, Aug. 14, on Avenida Del Mar.

Page 32

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

Local dignitaries of San Clemente celebrate as the ribbon to open the Avenida La Pata Gap Connection is cut on Saturday, Aug. 13, between San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.

La Pata Opens with Fanfare Road connecting San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano celebrated by local officials ith the snip of a ribbon with a pair of over-sized scissors by local dignitaries, phase one of the Avenida La Pata Gap Connection is complete.

The 2.3-mile road project that took 20 years of contemplation and about two years of construction opened officially at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14, but on Saturday, Aug. 13, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in the middle of the road to celebrate the completion of the project.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, kicked off the ceremonies with the pledge of allegiance. San Clemente Council members Lori Donchak and Chris Hamm spoke to the importance of the road for transportation as well as safety issues. State Sen. Patricia Bates spoke about her experiences in trying to get the road built. And Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett spoke throughout the ceremony.

Local vendors and entities teemed the middle of the street, and a classic car show took place during the event. SC

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett speaks to the audience on Saturday, Aug. 13, during a ceremony to open Avenida La Pata.

Cyclists took to the street during the Avenida La Pata Gap Connection ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 13. Photo: Eric Heinz

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

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 Last week’s solution:

Page 34

See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

San Clemente Times August 18-24, 2016

Page 35

www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY - In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com. Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com.

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

2411 S. El Camino Real, 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

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 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

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

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

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT Attention, Behavior and the Brain Concerned about your child’s future due to attention or behavior issues? With a natural approach we resolve the underlying problems in the brain and body to improve school and home life – from ADD and dyslexia to the autistic spectrum. www.theblissprogram.com YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1218 Puerta Del Sol, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com

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

San Clemente, 949.366.8302

SWIMMING SCHOOL POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

Waterbabies Swim School

142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

Radiant Pool & Spa Service Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com

TERMITES

SC Pool & Spa Works

1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

REAL ESTATE

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

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

Colony Termite Control

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

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

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

San Clemente, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

LIST LOCALS ONLY

USE LOCALS ONLY In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at www.sanclementetimes.com.

Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

GARAGE SALES 3 FAMILY GARAGE SALE Saturday 8/20. 7:30-2pm. Oak library ladder, Collectibles, Antique Cabinet, toys, children’s clothes, lego sets and household items.

1314 Domador, San Clemente.

GARAGE SALE - SAT. ONLY 8/20, 7 A.M.-2 P.M., 2830 Campo Raso, S.C. (off Camino Vera Cruz) Jewelry, kitchen items, designer purses, women’s clothing & shoes, gallery frames, tables and benches, music items, art supplies, pillows, linens, glassware, lamps, vacuum, vintage china, T.V.. Cash Only, Follow Signs to the MEGA SALE! ONE GARAGE SALE TO RULE THEM ALL We’ve Got It All: Clothes, Books, VHS Tapes, Furniture, Rugs, Toys, Ping Pong Table, and more. Appearances by Han Solo and Kylo Ren. 23 Chapital, San Clemente, near the intersection of Avenida Vista Montana and Calle del Cerro. Saturday 8/20/16 7am4pm, Sunday 8/21/16 8am-1pm GARAGE SALE – SATURDAY 8 AM to 2 PM, Tools for sale, large and small woodworking, carpenter, and mechanical tools & supplies.

24965 Dana Maple, Dana Point NO EARLY BIRDS.

SERVICES HANDYMAN CHRIS Flat screen TV’s installed, anything Electrical, Plumbing, Finish Carpentry, Drywall Repairs, Mold and Wood Rot issues, Waterproofing, Decks and Patio covers repaired, Doors, Windows, Kitchens and Baths, Water Damage Restoration, Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication and Much More. Phone Chris – 949 510 6645 WOOD DECK REPAIR WIZZARD Wood Rot Repair Certified Specialist, Wood Decks, Balconies, Patio Covers + Outside Stairs Repaired / Replaced, New Decking Systems, All work Guaranteed. Phone Chris 949 510 6645

WANTED STAMPS! Buying Large U.S and International Postage Stamp Collections. Nick, 619-672-0434

SC San Clemente

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Henken, Higgins Compete in Rio Games

Locals represent the country at 2016 Olympics

BY FRANKI DARNOLD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

wo San Clemente athletes represented the city and the United States in Rio this summer at the 2016 Olympic Games.

David Higgins competed in the men’s 50-meter prone rifle, while Paris Henken continued her pursuit of an Olympic medal in the Women’s 49erFX skiff sailing event.

Higgins is a San Clemente native and graduated from the Air Force Academy this year. He is the first cadet to ever qualify for an Olympic event while still enrolled in school.

Higgins missed the final medal round following his performance in the preliminary stages. Higgins’ score of 617.7 in the prelims was just short of the medal-round cut line, which stood at 624.8. Higgins finished 40th overall in the event. Russia’s Sergey Kamenskiy took home the gold, setting a new Olympic record with a score of 629.0.

Prior to the event, Higgins mentioned how unfamiliar weather conditions could pose problems for shooters while on the range in Rio. He noted one of his weaknesses at the beginning of his training was adjusting to the wind, but he had improved on this skill over the summer. In Rio, however, the wind remained a difficult factor for Higgins to manage, according to an Air Force Academy press release.

While he may not have received the results he anticipated, Higgins took away much more from his Olympic experience.

He told the San Clemente Times last week that walking with the United States delegation in the Opening Ceremonies was “the

David Higgins, left, and members of the USA Shooting Team competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Photo: David Higgins

coolest thing I’ve ever done.”

Paris Henken shares her San Clemente roots with Higgins and, as of press time Wednesday, was continuing her competition in the Women’s 49erFX sailing preliminaries. The 49erFX sailing class is a high-performance skiff that requires two sailors to lean off the side, hanging over water with their feet resting on the edge of the boat.

Henken and her partner, Helena Scutt, stood in the ninth overall position on Wednesday following the preliminary round, which featured 12 total races. The pair won their first Olympic race when they finished first in race No. 5 of the opening series.

On Aug. 18, the two sailors were set to compete in the medal race. Results were not available at press time.

Both Henken, 20, and Higgins, 22, represent San Clemente on the world stage and have set a positive tone for the rest of their competitive careers. SC

San Clemente’s Paris Henken, left, and her racing partner Helena Scutt were set to compete in the 49erFX sailing event’s medal round at the 2016 Rio Olympics on Aug. 18. Photo: Jen Edney

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Scoreboard SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

SC SURF BOYS 2003 TEAM REACHES FINALS OF SOUTH COUNTY SHOWCASE The San Clemente Surf Soccer Club’s boys 2003 team reached the finals of the South County Showcase tournament at the Ranch Soccer Complex in San Juan Capistrano on Aug. 7.

The team, made up entirely of San Clemente youngsters, won three straight games by a combined 11-2 margin to reach the championship game.

The team includes: Eli Greene, Chaz McDorman, Devin McMahon, Luke MacLean, Rigo Mora, Xavier Johnson,

The SC Surf boy’s 2003 team were finalists at the South County Showcase tournament on Aug. 7.

Photo: Courtesy

Landon Seymour, Ricky Segovia, Anthony Spallina, Niko Kaczmarczyk, Ryan Dunbar, Ryan Backer, Jack Gretzema, Caden Burton, Nelson Tabarez, Justin O’Donnell and Richie Owens. The team is coached

by Chris Wagaman.

SEAN LYNN BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT SET FOR OCTOBER An annual golf tournament to benefit the Southwest Spinal Cord Injury Fund and Sean Lynn, a San Clemente resident, will be held at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course on Oct. 10.

In 2014, Lynn was in a car crash and suffered a C5 spinal cord injury, leaving him with quadriplegia. To help offset medical expenses, a fundraising campaign in conjunction with HelpHOPELive, a non-profit that provides community-based fundraising guidance, was established.

Proceeds raised at the tournament will go toward the Lynn family.

Cost per person is $150 and foursomes are $500. For more information on the tournament or to register, visit www.bit. ly/annualgolfseanlynn, or contact Stacy Gassman at stacy@conradrealestate.com.

The Saddleback Cowboys 12U Grey baseball team won a tournament in Cooperstown, New York. Photo: Courtesy

SADDLEBACK COWBOYS BASEBALL WINS TOURNEY IN COOPERSTOWN Playing in renowned Cooperstown, New York, the Saddleback Cowboys 12U Grey team won the Cooperstown All-Star Village tournament on Aug. 4.

The local team, which draws players from San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point, bested the field of 48 teams to claim the division championship.

The team beat SGV Hustle 10-9 in the final game.

The team includes Trent Caraway, Adler Carrison, Jack Collins, Rocco DiFrancesco, Ryan Edwards, Andrew Griffin, Kevin House, Luke Lavin, Sebastian Moore, Chase Nichols, Tyler Norgaard and Leo Sanchez.

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Team USA took home several honors at the ISA World Surfing Games last week. Photo: Courtesy ISA/Jimenez.

Locals Compete in ISA World Surfing Games USA team takes bronze overall and gold in Aloha Cup

BY ERIN HAWKINS, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S

urfers from 27 nations competed in the INS International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games in Playa Jacó, Costa Rica, from Aug. 6-12.

Among those selected to compete for the United States team were San Clemente locals Kevin Schulz and Colt Ward.

The U.S. team also included surfers Brett Simpson, Nolan Rapoza, Maddie Peterson, Tia Blanco, coach Ryan Simmons and assistant coach/team official Brian Bourgeois.

Schulz, 21, currently holds the No. 10 rank in the World Surf League’s (WSL) 2016 Men’s Qualifying Series (QS) for North America. He said this was his second time competing in an ISA event, after competing in the ISA World Junior Games

GROM OF THE WEEK

CANNON MONTOYA

BY ERIN HAWKINS, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

C

annon Montoya was introduced to surfing like many local groms, catching the waves of San Clemente’s best breaks as his father rode on the back of his longboard.

He started surfing at about the age of 5 with his father, Brandon Montoya, pushing him into waves.

“My dad has taught me to surf ever since, and I go surfing as much as I can,” said Cannon.

Now 8 years old, Cannon is a Western Surfing Association (WSA) competitor paddling into the competition all on his own.

“It’s a whole different perspective watching from the beach,” said Brandon, adding that it is also an exciting sight to see.

San Clemente Times August 18-24, 2016

in Nicaragua 2013.

“Traveling with this team was amazing.

There was no negativity and everyone really made a solid effort in the contest,” said Schulz.

Schulz competed in Round 1 placing first in his heat, but was unable to advance after Round 2.

“The ISA events are extremely long; it’s more of a marathon, not a sprint, as you can surf multiple times in a day for seven days straight,” Schulz said.

Colt Ward, 19, is also a WSL QS competitor for North America. He took a second place result in Round 1, but also did not advance past Round 2.

The U.S. team took home bronze overall, earned a gold medal in the Aloha Cup

Last year was Cannon’s first competing in the WSA, where he finished in the No. 12 spot of the Micro Grom Boys U9 Division.

Cannon also enjoys competing in other mini surf series and events like the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation’s STOKE-ORAMA, an annual fundraising event and surf contest for kids 12 and younger put on by the Gudauskas family.

“Everyone is really happy and stoked, and you get to see a bunch of friends,” said Cannon when talking about the STOKE-ORAMA. As the oldest of three siblings, Cannon said he likes surfing with his dad and his younger brother, Brooks, who he will occasionally help push into waves as his father did for him.

His favorite surf spots are Lower Trestles and Riviera, and his favorite board to ride is the shortboard his father shaped for him at his friend’s shaping bay on Los Molinos.

“I’ve been shaping about 10 years, and I love watching him surf it; he’s there during

event for the first time in U.S. history, and Blanco became the Women’s Gold Medalist in the Open Women’s competition for the second consecutive year.

Simmons said while he had a younger team this year, the members surfed really well.

“I felt we were the team to beat based off the performance,” said Simmons.

He explained that the team experienced some judging calls that went against them, referring to Rapoza and Schulz losing their heats when he believed they should have advanced.

“We never gave up; we never thought we were out of it, and then we won the Aloha Cup Saturday,” Simmons said. He said the team went from ninth place to fifth to third within the last few days of the competition, but despite setbacks they were able to push through with a positive attitude.

“One of my keys as a coach, I try to bring that positivity to my students,” Simmons said.

In the Aloha Cup event, the top eight teams from the previous ISA World Surfing Games were invited to compete in a tagteam surfing competition.

Five surfers from each country made up a team, and competitors were required to catch three waves each and run in and tag their next teammate to surf all in under an hour. The event consisted of two four-team semifinal rounds, and one final round where the top four countries would compete for gold.

The U.S. placed second in its semifinal heat, right behind Argentina. In the finals round, the U.S. managed to win the gold after surfing against Costa Rica, New Zealand and Argentina.

“It all came down to the unity of the team in the end, and to come out on top with such a great crew was the best feeling ever,” said Schulz. SC

the process,” said Brandon, explaining that Cannon got to play a part of the process in designing his board.

Not only does Cannon like to help design his surfboards, but he also likes to draw and spray paint skateboards with his friends.

“I design skateboards and spray paint old skateboards, and sell to them to the neighbors,” said Cannon, who has already sold one skateboard he designed.

Cannon said when he grows up, he wants to be a pro surfer or pro skateboarder, looking up to surfers like John John Florence and Dane Reynolds, and skateboarders like Greyson Fletcher and Ryan Sheckler.

He attends Concordia Elementary School, and said if he could travel anywhere to surf he would like to surf in Hawaii or Indonesia. SC

Page 42

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 64-69 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-10’ Poor-Fair Thursday: South-Southwest swell trends up through the day with minor Northwest windswell lingering. Better breaks are in the waistchest-shoulder high (3-4’+) zone, with top spots seeing occasional head high+ (5’+) sets.

Light/variable wind through the early to mid morning with a light+ onshore flow starting up in the second half of the morning. Onshore westerly wind strengthens to moderate levels in the afternoon.

Outlook: Fun size Southern hemi swell through the weekend while secondary and shorter period NW swell continues. Morning conditions look best with the lightest winds, then expect light/moderate onshore flow to rise up each afternoon. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

RESULTS SURFING AMERICA PRIME Event No. 1, Aug. 13-14, Camp Pendleton, DMJ. BOYS U18: 1. Eithan Osborne, Ventura; 2. Cole Houshmand, San Clemente; 3. Nick Marshall, Encinitas; 4. Elijah Fox, San Clemente. GIRLS U18: 1. Samantha Sibley, San Clemente; 2. Tiare Thompson, LaJolla; 3. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad; 4. Autumn Hays, Santa Cruz. BOYS U16: 1.

Crosby Colapinto, San Clemente; 2. Gus Day, San Clemente; 3. Kai McPhillips, San Clemente; 4. Jett Schilling, San Clemente. GIRLS U16: 1. Rachel Presti, Melbourne Beach, Florida; 2. Kirra Pinkerton, San Clemente; 3. Tiare Thompson, La Jolla; 4. Kayla Coscino, Laguna Beach.

BOYS U14: 1. Jett Schilling, San Clemente; 2. Taj Lindblad, San Clemente; 3. William Mitchell, Oceanside; 4. Levi Slawson, Encinitas.

Cannon Montoya. Photo: Brandon Montoya

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. www.sanclementetimes.com