December 22, 2016

December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

LO C A L

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

Young Entrepreneur Gets Business into Retail Stores PAGE 15 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 51

The Year in Review EYE ON SC/PAGE 6

From top left, clockwise: Ocean Festival celebrates 40 years in San Clemente. People protested the closure of the city’s only hospital.

Ole Hanson Beach Club opens. SCHS Tritons win a state football championship. San Clemente Skatepark Coalition starts campaign.

Kathy Ward Elected Mayor of San Clemente EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Best of the Blotter: Looking Back at 2016 in Crime Calls EYE ON SC/PAGE 8

www.sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Sports Year in Review Highlights Biggest Stories SPORTS/PAGE 20

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

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

The San Clemente High School football team won the CIF Division I-A state title on Saturday, Dec. 17 by defeating Del Oro at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento. Photo: Eric Heinz

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week Kathy Ward Chosen as Next San Clemente Mayor THE LATEST: Entering her third year on City Council, Kathy Ward was selected as mayor of San Clemente at the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Tim Brown was elected mayor pro tem.

Steven Swartz was sworn in for his first term on Council, and Chris Hamm was sworn in for his second.

WHAT’S NEXT: The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Jan. 17. —Staff

CPUC Orders Parties in SONGS to Reconsider Decommissioning Deal THE LATEST: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered the entities involved with a San Onofre Nuclear

Generating Station (SONGS) settlement to “consider modifications” to payments regarding the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant.

The Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA) and The Utility Reform Network (TURN) submitted adjustments to the agreement after J.K. Sandoval, the commissioner assigned to the case, ordered a reopening of the records to the settlement agreement.

A new agreement proposed by ORA and TURN would have customers (ratepayers) paying $3.3 billion in decommissioning costs over 10 years as opposed to the initial proposal of $4.7 billion while the plant is decommissioned.

The settlement refers to the 2012 failure of a steam generator at SONGS, which led operators of the plant to shut down about a half year later.

The reopening of the settlement came after what the CPUC deemed were unethical conversations between officials from SONGS and former president of the CPUC Mike Peevey in 2014 that decided the rates at which the customers of the utilities would pay for decommissioning.

CPUC fined Southern California Edison, the majority stakeholder and operator of SONGS, $16.7 million in fines for communications violations.

A statement from SCE on Dec. 13 stated the utility provider was “disappointed” with the ruling from CPUC. SCE is currently pursuing litigation

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

against Mitsubishi for the failure of the steam generators.

WHAT’S NEXT: The decision orders the interested parties to file their amendments to the agreement by April 28, 2017. If they can’t reach an agreement by then, the parties will have to submit a summary of their proposals to the CPUC to outline the steps going forward. —Eric Heinz

Southern California Edison Selects General Contractors for Decommissioning THE LATEST: On Monday, Dec. 19, Southern California Edison announced AECOM and EnergySolutions as the selection for a joint venture to decommission San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

WHAT’S NEXT: Decommissioning processes are expected to start the first quarter of this year. More information can be found at www.songscommunity.com. —Staff

San Clemente High School Wins CIF Division 1-A State Title THE LATEST: The San Clemente High School

Page 3

football team won the school’s first football state championship on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento. The Tritons defeated the Del Oro Golden Eagles 22-17 after coming back from a 17-0 deficit.

WHAT’S NEXT: See a two-page spread about the game with photos and recap on page 16. —Staff

FAM Opens Multifamily Home THE LATEST: Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) cut the ribbon on Tuesday to its new FAMily House, a multi-unit residence for families and single parents. The goal of the home is to help people in destitution regain their financial stability and to reduce homelessness in San Clemente.

Since the inception of FAM’s Rapid Re-Housing Program in 2014, the organization has helped 74 people with housing needs, according to FAM officials.

HomeAid Orange County and the Children and Families Commission of Orange County made significant contributions to the home, and about 50 companies donated time and supplies for the renovation of the home.

THE LATEST: More information about housing and assistance during this time of year can be found at www.family-assistance.org. —Staff www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Community NEWS BITES Outlets Teams with CHOC Meetings to Support Kids Battling COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23-JANUARY 3

CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE OFFICES CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25

ANNUAL FAM CHRISTMAS DINNER 1-3 p.m. There will be a children’s holiday dinner with gifts at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTING 4 p.m. Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente will host a menorah lighting at the San Clemente Pier. The Chabad Center will also host a lighting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, at Outlets at San Clemente. 949.489.0723. www.jewishsc.com.

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.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

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.

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, DECEMBER 28

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.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Cancer

The Outlets at San Clemente hosted its Styled for the Season event in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and personal style bloggers to make the holidays a little brighter for kids and young adults undergoing cancer treatment.

The Outlets at San Clemente hosted six style bloggers in the VIP Lounge on Dec. 2, where each blogger was “paired” with a CHOC patient. Bloggers included Rachael Dickens (OC Style Report), Cassydy Berliner (We Wonder and Wander), Beth Jones (B. Jones Style), Jen Hayden (Jen Hayden), Rebecca Araoz (Tailored Tantrums) and Kimberly Luu (According to Kimberly).

Each style blogger received a style card on their “CHOC Buddy” that included the patient’s name, age (ranging from 4 to 21 years old), clothing and shoe size, favorite colors and style influences. They were then challenged with only an hour and a $125 Outlets at San Clemente gift card to select the perfect holiday outfit and accessories for their “CHOC Buddy.”

Following Outlets at San Clemente’s Styled for the Season shopping event, Santa Claus joined the bloggers on Dec. 13 to deliver the personalized outfits to CHOC patients and their families during the holidays. The patients were able to meet and interact with the style bloggers while opening their gifts. Outlets at San Clemente also provided the patients and their families with cookie decorating, hot cocoa and photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

Cub Scouts Deliver More Than 1,400 Pounds of Materials to FAM Scouts from Pack 112 in San Clemente were assigned to design and build a structure made only from donated food and boxes of diapers. All of the items were donated to Family Assistance Ministries in San Clemente. The pack members donated 1,446 pounds of food and boxes of diapers to FAM.

City Offers Social Services Grants for Nonprofits Serving San Clemente The city of San Clemente is asking nonprofit organizations serving local residents to submit a request for grant funds from the city for civic projects, social services or housing and homeless support services.

Funding requests will be considered for grants for a new service, event or an estab-

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

Cub Scouts from Pack 112 in San Clemente donated more than 1,400 pounds of food and diapers to Family Assistance Ministries on Dec. 5. Photo: Courtesy Liz Fox

lished program. Funds may be allocated to pay for one-time costs, staffing costs or operational costs (rent, supplies, professional or special services). The city should not be considered the sole funding source for the project. Grants are for the 2017-18 fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2017. Last fiscal year, the city provided about $92,000 in funding.

The application is currently posted on the city’s website under the Services/ Housing & Social Services/Social Services link. Applications must be submitted to the Community Development Department at 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente by Monday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m.

San Clemente Nonprofit to Offer Health Services to Veterans, Community The B.R.E.A.T.H Wellness Foundation, Inc. and its Integrative Health Wellness Center, located at 647 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 218 in San Clemente, will be offering low cost Community Acupuncture and Mind Fitness classes at Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA) located on Camino Capistrano starting Jan. 11, 2017.

Virginia Schoenfeld, founder of the B.R.E.A.T.H. Wellness Foundation, Inc., is a retired Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Schoenfeld has also worked in the healthcare and non-profit sectors holding various leadership positions. She is a board-certified health and wellness coach and a graduate of Duke University’s Integrative Medicine Leadership program.

Pastor Brenda Bos of Christ Lutheran Church in San Clemente said she is pleased with the collaboration and being able to host these wellness programs.

For more information, contact Schoenfeld at 949.584.1942 or email virginia@thebreathcenter.org or visit www.thebreathcenter.org.

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OCSD: Patrol to Look for Drunk Drivers During Holidays Orange County Sheriff’s Department personnel will be out looking for drunk drivers (including those driving under the influence of drugs) as part of a special year-end “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement mobilization.

The campaign began Dec. 16 and will continue into 2017.

As part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign, police departments, OCSD and the California Highway Patrol will set up Driving under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints and deploy DUI saturation patrols.

OCSD says prescription medication, marijuana and illicit drugs can impair judgment and result in a DUI arrest the same as alcohol.

In California, total highway deaths were reported at 3,126 with 1,155 lives lost in alcohol and/or drug impaired collisions, according to OCSD. DUI expenses can amount to $10,000 per offense.

Drivers can download the DDVIP mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and a tab for the non-designated driver to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

For more information on the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign and all OTS efforts, visit www. ots.ca.gov. To learn more about the DDVIP app, please visit the OTS Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS or follow OTS on Twitter @OTS_CA.

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

EYE ON SC

People came out in droves to protest the closure of the hospital, which shuttered its doors in May. The hospital is currently in a lawsuit with the city regarding the zoning ordinance passed, which hospital officials argued was too restrictive and wouldn’t allow them to sell the location or transform it into an advanced urgent care facility.

Photo: Eric Heinz

2016: Year in Review

Highlighting the stories that affected San Clemente most this year SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

t was a very busy year for many people in San Clemente. As 2016 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the most read stories and the events that shaped San Clemente this year.

JANUARY

The city was in the midst of battling to keep Saddleback Memorial Medical Center open. Then-Mayor Bob Baker and Councilman Chris Hamm went to speak in front of the California State Legislature to convince them to allow for a free-standing emergency room, which is basically an emergency room that is not attached to a fully functioning hospital.

The amendment didn’t make it past the Assembly or Senate health committees.

Later in the month, the city adopted a zoning amendment requiring the owner of the land, in this case Saddleback, to operate an emergency room.

Saddleback was the only full hospital in San Clemente.

The ordinances to regulate sober living homes and short-term rentals also were manifesting. City Council vigorously debated what should be required from the newly designated establishments to maintain order based on residents’ complaints against them.

City officials also stamped a ban on medical marijuana sales and distribution in anticipation of the adoption of Prop. 64.

One of the more compelling stories featured in the San Clemente Times in January explored the lives of four bikers who joined a sober riders club. Brotherhood of United Bikers Motorcycle Club-San Clemente continues to help people who are looking for ways to maintain sobriety.

FEBRUARY

One of the windiest storms of the year in San Clemente took place at the start of February, as gusts of up to 45 miles per hour knocked down trees across train tracks, destroyed cars and caused other damage around town.

Capistrano Unified School District students began talking to the Board of Trustees about installing solar panels to offset costs the district uses for electricity and to provide sustainable energy.

It was during this time that talks about a homeless shelter in San Clemente began to surface. Groups wanting to put in a shelter in San Clemente were essentially rejected by the city. This would later lead to a lawsuit based on Senate Bill 2, which requires municipalities to set aside land for the purpose of a shelter.

Toward the end of the month, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) announced the closure of two bus routes in San Clemente: the 191 and the 193.

because of changes and advances in the medical industry. Locals argued Saddleback did this to cut costs and increase its bottom line, leaving emergency services hindered in a busy corridor of Interstate 5.

The City Council finalized a longdebated sign ordinance regarding freewayfacing signs and other forms of business identification or advertising. The ordinance allows for “pole signs” along the freeway to continue to stand without being significantly altered, while barring new pole signs from being established.

ater continues to host a variety of shows and programs.

After what was almost a doomed project, the Estrella Plaza opened a variety of shops after being closed for more than a year due to renovations and upgrades.

San Clemente resident Deb Jackson began a campaign to collect donated walkers and crutches and get them to people who are injured and can’t afford them.

Joyce Hoffman, Bob Yoder and Doris Stephens were all inducted into the San Clemente Sports Wall of Fame.

APRIL

JUNE

The Henderson House, which serves people who have mental disabilities, finished a complete makeover for its tenants.

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa vowed to submit legislation to amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act in order to move the stored nuclear waste at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station into interim storage as quickly as possible. He made the promise over a video that was shown at the April Community Engagement Panel meeting.

Saddleback filed its $42.5 million lawsuit against the city for the hospital zoning ordinance.

A mobile home owner in Capistrano Shores filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission regarding his ability to replace his home. He successfully argued later in the year in Orange County Superior Court that he was not adversely affecting the coastal region on which his home is located.

Slyde Handboards based out of San Clemente secured a deal on Shark Tank with guest investor Ashton Kutcher and entrepreneur and “shark” Mark Cuban.

The deal was finalized in 2015, but the show didn’t air until April 2016.

The OCTA finalized the “quiet trains” project, which significantly lowered the decibel level of noise produced by trains going over crosswalks.

Secure Nuclear Waste, an advocacy ground that meets to combat the storage of spent nuclear fuel at SONGS, hosted more than 100 people at a meeting in Laguna Beach. The group includes thenSan Juan Capistrano Mayor Pam Paterson, representatives from watchdog organizations and scientists who are skeptical of the process by which Southern California Edison is planning to harbor the fuel.

San Clemente native John “Spike” Ivins saved four people from drowning off the coast of Catalina Island in June. Three other people, who were sailing with the people saved, died in the incident.

MAY

Cabrillo Playhouse celebrated its 50th year in its current location. The small the-

JULY

The largest event of the year in San Clemente, Ocean Festival, celebrated its 40th year. Charlie Ware retired as the emcee of the all-day festivities after holding the position since the very first Ocean Festival.

The ballot initiative to establish district elections in San Clemente was verified by the Orange County Registrar of Voters but was held up at the last minute after the City Council ordered a report on the initiative, which delayed it past the

MARCH

San Clemente Skatepark Coalition (SCSC) was formed and started its campaign to expand the current Ralphs Skate Court, add lighting to it or establish a new skate court. The organization is currently involved with the ongoing Beaches, Parks & Recreation Master Plan with the city of San Clemente.

On March, Saddleback Memorial Medical Center closed its doors. Hospital officials said a fully functioning hospital wasn’t feasible in San Clemente anymore

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

In February, a gusty storm blew trees down around the city. Damage was done to vehicles and structures, and the storm delayed trains. Photo:

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www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Ole Hanson Beach Club reopened in September after more than five years of closure due to extensive renovations and upgrades. Photo: Eric Heinz

final submission date. The ballot can be resubmitted for the 2018 midterm and City Council elections.

AUGUST

Plans to revamp the Miramar Theater were brought forth by the theater’s owners as well as local Wayne Eggleston. The plans that were submitted include turning the old bowling alley into a restaurant center and improving the theater portion to be an event center. They are being considered by city staff at this time.

Avenida La Pata was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured dozens of local officials and people who have waited for the connection to San Juan Capistrano to be completed.

Burger Stop, a longtime favorite of locals in San Clemente, closed its doors permanently to make way for the I-5 Pico Corridor Extension, which will be completed sometime in 2017 or early 2018. People lined up all the way around the block to get one last taste.

Groups of people protested the establishment of a sober living home in San Clemente’s Shorecliffs neighborhood. The organizers included people who said they had problems with the people who live in the homes who are attempting to get sober, but the providers of sober living homes said they had been unfairly targeted.

SEPTEMBER

Pier Pride began its campaign to raise funds for the San Clemente Pier maintenance, as costs can exceed $450,000 on an annual basis. Many high school students came out to light their cell phones as aerial footage was taken by drones.

City Council approved an amendment to the marijuana cultivation ordinance, allowing people to grow up to six plants in their homes, provided that Prop. 64 passed (it did).

Ole Hanson Beach Club reopened after $5.1 million in renovations and upgrades were made over five years. The club’s

hours are still being debated by the City Council and the public.

OCTOBER

After the closure of the bus routes, the city initiated its Beta Rideshare Test with Lyft, the mobile app transportation company. The Lyft drivers treat the former bus routes in San Clemente before they were discontinued by OCTA. Responding to complaints from residents regarding municipal code compliance and petty crimes, people wanted Orange County Sheriff’s Department to implement “broken window” policing, which has officers investigating smaller crimes to theoretically dissuade rampant vandalism. The city launched the Targeting Reduction Investigation Program or TRIP. NOVEMBER

In the 2016 election, Measure M, which would have directed funds for Capistrano Unified School District building and facility improvement, failed to pass after voters were dissuaded by the $889 million bond principal. Steven Swartz was elected to San Clemente City Council.

DECEMBER

To help children who are forced into slavery in Pakistan, Dana Point author Josh McDowell and Heritage Christian Fellowship pastor Roger Gales in San Clemente teamed up to sell McDowell’s extensive collection of worldwide artifacts.

The money will be used from the sale to help build another structure for the school in Pakistan.

Three men in the Surf N’ Turf fraud case, who grifted investors of a wave pool and mini golf course facility, were sentenced to a year in jail plus probationary measures and restitution.

Jonathan Hancock finished his 11,000mile walk across America in San Clemente. Hancock is a combat veteran who served in the Marines during the battle of Ramadi in 2004.

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

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EYE ON SC 2016 YEAR IN REVIEW

Best of the SC Sheriff’s Blotter

COMPILED BY STAFF 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.

January CITIZEN ASSIST Albergar, 0 Block (Monday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m.) A woman claimed someone comes into her home when she is away and eats all her peanut butter.

BATTERY REPORT El Camino Real, 200 Block (Sunday, Jan. 31, 8:34 p.m.) A drunk man called police after a bouncer hit him in the face because the caller referred to him by a racial slur. He refused medical treatment.

February DISTURBANCE Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (Monday, Feb. 1, 4:08 p.m.) A caller said a man was knocking on windows, panhandling and stumbling around. The man was described as having long white hair and wearing a dark gray jacket with “Big Boss” written on the back of it. Mr. Big Boss was earlier seen trying to steal a bottle of alcohol but dropped it in the store, then was seen walking in front of vehicles.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CRICUMSTANCES Via San Andreas, 200 Block (Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1 p.m.) A woman said two men showed up to her mother’s home wanting to show her a video. The mother told her daughter the men did not have a business card, and they became aggressive with her. The caller said she thinks they were casing the neighborhood.

March

he had left his vehicle at the location the previous night.

September

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 300 Block (Sunday, March 6, 7:33 a.m.) A woman was yelling at a customer, threatening him and saying she is a police officer.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (Sunday, May 15, 1:40 p.m.) Police were called to children who had set up a lemonade stand.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (Friday, Sept.

2, 1:43 p.m.) Police were called to a man who was sitting down with chicken bones all around him and a makeshift altar. The man was described in his mid- to late-20s with long, black, wavy hair and wearing a white towel on his head.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Cazador Lane, 300 Block (Saturday, March 19, 10:37 a.m.) A man dressed as a leprechaun was trying to open doors to homes and vehicles.

April ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON El Camino Real, 3300 Block (Sunday, April 3, 11:12 p.m.) A caller said his wife had just come home and said she was attacked by a man and that she stabbed him in the neck.

She said the suspect fled, and he was described as having short, blond hair, blue eyes and a black shirt with a peace sign on the back. Orange County Fire Authority was dispatched to look for him.

WELFARE CHECK N. El Camino Real/Avenida Pico (Sunday, April 10, 1:03 p.m.) A white Nissan was seen being driven by a 13-yearold boy with a 5-year-old and 8-year-old in the back seat.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Puente, 1100 Block (Monday, April 25, 4:29 p.m.) A man was seen with a harness hooked on “equipment and is swinging children around on the pavement,” a caller said.

May BRANDISHING A WEAPON Avenida Santa Margarita/El Camino Real (Sunday, May 1, 7:18 a.m.) A man in an Army green and black shirt was arrested after swinging a large machete near the Trestles Beach Pathway. The man was walking on the trail into San Clemente. An apparent acquaintance of the man was heard yelling for him to stop and come back.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT El Camino Real, 800 Block (Thursday, May 5, 7:38 p.m.) A man told police he found his vehicle that he had reported stolen. He said he forgot

June SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Del Presidente, 2600 Block (Monday, June 6, 8:13 p.m.) A woman found a large bone on the beach and thought it was possibly a human bone.

DRUNK DRIVING S. El Camino Real/Avenida Cornelio (Sunday, June 19, 8:02 a.m.)

A caller said two men walked into the restaurant stumbling and were unable to walk properly. A 25-year-old data analyst was arrested in the incident and has since been released.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Pico, 900 Block (Sunday, June 26, 9:28 p.m.) A caller said a male customer got something stuck in a vending machine (possibly an iPad) and refused to leave after he partially broke the machine.

INDECENT EXPOSURE Interstate 5/S. El Camino Real (Sunday, June 26, 9:40 p.m.) On the southbound off-ramp to El Camino Real, police were called to a man holding a sign that stated “Pull over and pay for it” while he was “groping” himself in an obscene manner. He was described as between 40 and 50 years old, with gray hair and a beard, wearing a dark tan shirt and shorts.

July SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Estacion, 1700 Block (Friday, July 1, 4:20 p.m.) A man came out of the restroom doing karate.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Pico/Avenida La Pata (Saturday, July 19, 10:10 a.m.) A man with a hammer was asking the caller for help trying to break into a car in the parking lot. The caller said it was unknown if the vehicle belonged to the man with the hammer.

The caller said they never saw the man’s vehicle. The man then walked “very quickly” toward the Taco Bell.

August NARCOTICS VIOLATION El Camino Real/ Avenida Valencia (Sunday, Aug. 7, 12:03 a.m.) Police searched a vehicle and found methamphetamine, Xanax, marijuana and other medication. The subjects were cited and released at the scene for all violations.

DISTURBANCE Via Solona/Calle Sarmentoso (Saturday, Aug. 20, 5:35 p.m.) Parents at a soccer game were being verbally aggressive. The parents were ejected from the game and stood behind a fence, threatening to assault the other teams’ families.

Page 8

ANNOYING PHONE CALL Avenida De La Estrella, 600 Block (Thursday, Sept. 22, 11:51 a.m.) A woman said a “mystery admirer” liked to send pizza to her in random places, such as to the gym, to her work and to her home.

October SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Calafia/Avenida Montalvo (Saturday, Oct. 8, 3:41 p.m.) The driver of a “dirty” white camper was wearing a clown mask.

PATROL CHECK Via Toluca, 100 Block (Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7:03 p.m.) Next to the sidewalk of the residence, a caller said numerous “loaded rat traps” were on the grass. The caller said it’s possibly due to someone letting their dog defecate on the lawn, and the caller was worried children may get hurt.

November SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Arlena, 400 Block (Saturday, Nov. 12, 6:50 p.m.) A woman said two men and a woman were asking for money. She said she had already given them $1,000 since October and they won’t leave. She said she’d already filed a civil lawsuit against them.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (Thursday, Nov. 24, 7:53 p.m.) Police were called to a man described “only as a ‘tweaker’” who jumped into the water from the end of San Clemente Pier. The man was slowly swimming back toward the “lifeguard side” of the shore. Police responded to the scene to see if he was still in the water. On Nov. 22, a similar incident was reported.

December WELFARE CHECK Avenida Vista Montana, 200 Block (Friday, Dec. 2, 10:39 p.m.) A man was reportedly hitting himself and grunting. He went back inside a residence and was making the same noises.

PATROL CHECK Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (Friday, Dec. 9, 9:52 p.m.) The caller said a woman in her 20s wearing a pink hat was drinking during a movie.

The woman and a man left the theater stumbling before getting into an SUV. The woman drove around the parking lot and then parked in the back of the movie theater. www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: By Dr. Tod A. Burnett, President of Saddleback College

Transportation and Environmental Protection in South Orange County

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

A

HOW TO REACH US

s the leading provider of higher education and training in South Orange County, Saddleback College is dedicated to student success and the health and safety of all of our 40,000 annual students and over 1,500 employees.

We play an important role in the community, and we remain strongly committed to our local environment, providing valuable environmental education and training programs, implementing sustainable practices on campus and forging partnerships with environmental organizations.

I was thrilled to hear that on Nov. 10, 2016, the leaders of a coalition of a dozen environmental groups stood shoulderto-shoulder with the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) announcing an historic settlement, ending their 15-year battle over how to connect the 241 Toll Road with the I-5 Freeway. This settlement paves the way for TCA to move forward in an effort to find a mobility solution to the ever-increasing traffic congestion in South Orange County.

I offer my most sincere congratulations, respect and appreciation to both sides for working toward a solution that balances our region’s transportation needs with environmental protections. This unprecedented collaboration between transportation and environmental leaders seemed impossible, but it is now a reality and all of us in South Orange County and North San Diego County will greatly benefit.

As president, I am concerned about the health and safety of thousands of

Letters to the Editor STREET ARTISTS COSTS TAXPAYERS, PROPERTY OWNERS DAVID BRANT, San Clemente

Another glowing story by Eric Heinz about street “artists” in the Dec. 15-21 issue of the San Clemente Times. This time we learn that graffiti artist Bandit, who was highlighted several months ago by Mr. Heinz, will be joined by a gallery of out-of-town street artists from “all over the world” to San Clemente. They will be operating out of the recently opened House of Trestles owned by founder Joshua Host.

I hope that Mr. Host and Mr. Heinz realize that Bandit and other street “artists” create graffiti throughout San Clemente on public and private property that the city

students, employees and visitors that are on our campus every day. A few years ago there was an electricity blackout in our region and we were forced to evacuate the campus. The traffic backups on the I-5 and other roads around the college caused a serious problem, and it took hours for everyone to get off campus. Imagine if a more serious emergency occurred and we had to immediately evacuate the campus, not to mention if the emergency also required the evacuation of others in the area. I am also concerned about the amount of time that our students and employees spend each day in traffic on the I-5 rather than in Dr. Tod A. Burnett the classroom, at work or at home with their family and friends. Because of this settlement, finding a solution that addresses the mobility challenges on I-5 will soon come to fruition.

In addition to easing traffic, I am pleased to hear that TCA agreed to eliminate any alignment of the 241 that would adversely impact the San Mateo Creek, Donna O’Neill Conservancy and San Onofre State Beach. Further, TCA committed $28 million for a conservation fund to permanently protect the San Mateo Creek and its watershed. In exchange, environmental groups agreed that they would not oppose TCA’s efforts to connect the 241 Toll Road to the I-5 Freeway as long as the alignment avoids these environmentally

of San Clemente spends thousands of dollars yearly to remove. Mr. Host should, as a minimum, encourage his street “artists” to confine their “creations” to his facility and not increase the graffiti in our community that our city has to pay to remove.

Perhaps Mr. Host would like to contribute funds to the city to help in graffiti removal in areas outside his facility.

Editor’s note: Joshua Host, the founder of House of Trestles, has neither suggested nor endorsed graffiti in San Clemente by way of his art endeavor.

UCI DEAN WANTS TO DECLARE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE UNCONSTITUTIONAL EARLE McNEIL, San Clemente

America is not a democracy. It is a representative republic. In a democracy, majority or mob rule prevails, so whenever 51 percent of voters want something,

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

and culturally sensitive areas.

Over my career I’ve seen both sides of the coin. I served as a Commissioner on the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works and subsequently worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Developing plans and negotiating agreements that meet the often conflicting interests of infrastructure and environment are even in the best of circumstances very challenging. It takes open, honest and collaborative dialogue in order to make progress and achieve resolution.

The South Orange County and North San Diego County communities should be thankful for the environmental coalition and TCA’s unprecedented collaboration on the 241 Toll Road. Traffic relief and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive, and we look forward to enjoying both.

Dr. Tod A. Burnett is President of Saddleback College and former Vice Chancellor of the California Community Colleges—the nation’s largest higher education system.

He previously served as Director of State and Local Government Relations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC and Commissioner on the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works which managed most of the city’s public infrastructure and vital public safety, health, and environmental programs. 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.

they get it; the minority have no protection from the unlimited power of the majority.

America is a representative republic, which protects the rights of all citizens, not just the majority, and is founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people, the Electoral College, with elections providing the opportunity for change.

Another example of what could happen if we were a democracy: UC Irvine is a state university, and thus owned by the people, therefore, we the people could, by a 51 percent majority, vote to oust Erwin Chemerinsky from teaching. His immediate bosses, his “electoral college,” would have no say-so.

Question to UCI, is Erwin Chemerinsky really the Dean of the Law School?

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.sanclementetimes.com

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

Susie Lantz, 949.388.7700, x111 slantz@picketfencemedia.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com BUSINESS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

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 Victor Carno Debra Holm Tim Trent Jake Howard

San Clemente Times, Vol. 11, Issue 51. 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

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SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK

and Sundried Tomato, Rancho Capistrano Winery and The Swallow’s Inn. Visit www. facebook.com/events/1747358622253632 for a schedule.

Tuesday | 27 OCEAN INSTITUTE TIDE POOL HIKE 1 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute and one of their marine experts on a hike into a rocky Marine Protected Area. The hike is suitable for children and adults, and tickets cost $10. A hike will also be held Friday, Dec. 30. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www.oceaninstitute.org/event/tidepool-hikes.

Photo: File

MONDAY, DEC. 26: CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTING ON THE PIER 4 p.m. All are welcome to join Chabad of San Clemente for the lighting of a 10-foot menorah on the San Clemente Pier. There will be local dignitaries, fire and police chiefs, hot latkes, doughnuts, music, wild balloon hats, coffee, dreidels and gelt. The first 100 participants also get a free beanie. 949.489.0723. www.jewishsc.com.

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

SPECIAL TWO-WEEK EDITION

Thursday | 22 LIVE MUSIC: SHAWN JONES 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from Shawn Jones at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Friday | 23 ORANGE COUNTY WINTER FEST 2-11 p.m. The annual Winter First continues at OC Fair and Event Center. There will be ice tubing, light displays, bounce houses, the world’s largest walk-through ornament, a snow play area and more.

Tickets are $10- $15. Runs through Jan. 1.

88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 714.855.1187. www.winterfestoc.com.

BUBBLES AND BRUSHES 5:30 p.m. Sip champagne and follow stepby-step painting instructions to create your masterpiece. This class will be holidaythemed. Monarch Beach Resort. One Monarch Beach Resort N., Dana Point.

949.234.3200. www.visitdanapoint.org.

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

Wednesday | 28

LIVE MUSIC: FELISHA 8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Felisha at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

FREE COMEDY AT MOLLY BLOOM’S 9:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Molly Bloom’s with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com.

Thursday | 29

Saturday | 24

SESSIONS AT STILLWATER 7 p.m. Listen to live music when artists from around the world perform together.

Stillwater Spirits and Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www. danapointstillwater.com.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 1-6 p.m. The Fulltones entertain guests with live music on Christmas Eve. The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

THE DISH

Sunday | 25 CHRISTMAS DAY BUFFET 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s renowned Christmas Day Buffet includes salads, soups, meats, vegetables, desserts and more. Reservations are $115 per adult and $57.50 per child. One RitzCarlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. www.visitdanapoint.org.

Monday | 26 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ELF CRAWL 2-11 p.m. Elves in full attire stop by San Juan Capistrano businesses throughout the afternoon for happy hour and food specials. All you need to do to participate is show up in elf gear (at least a hat, but a full wardrobe would be celebrated). The crawl is family- and pet-friendly. Stops include 3:16 Bakery, Hennessey’s, Selma’s

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

Friday | 30 LIVE MUSIC: FAMILY STYLE 7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Family Style at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Saturday | 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE BROADWAY TIME 6-9:30 p.m. Party with friends at the Camino Real Playhouse on New Year’s Eve. There will be a dinner by Sundried Tomato, as well as live music from Martin Gerschwitz and Gina Kessler. Comedian Tom Riehl will perform. A champagne toast will be conducted when the ball drops in New York City (at 9 p.m.). $68.

Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

MASQUERADE BALL AT IVA LEE’S 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. There will be live music from Adrianna Marie and her Groovecutters from 6:30-10:30 p.m., followed by DJ Skylar from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. There will be a three-course menu. Cost is $55 for early seating, $65 for late seating, and $85 per seat in the lounge. Admission includes the dinner, beads and a feathered mask.

555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

COA NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 7 p.m. Join the Community Outreach Alliance and like-minded individuals for a sober New Year’s Eve celebration at The Venue. 1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente.

949.388.0114. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

RISOTTO AT GUICHO’S EATERY

F

ittingly, Guicho’s risotto looks like a winter wonderland. Rolling hills of white are pocked by green asparagus pines and mushroom boulders. From on high, flecks of black pepper look like people, and strands of rice stand out as snow rippled by the wind.

Of course, risotto is a classic wintertime dish. The indulgent cream sauce and carboloaded rice base warms the body and soul.

The consistency is easy to mess up—put the rice in too long and you’re getting chewy rice; put in too much liquid and you’re getting soup.

What’s so endearing about Guicho’s is not only do they nail Michelin-level risotto, but their take-out style service means it’s served in an everyman’s white box.

White wine added sweetness to the cream sauce, while parmesan cheese added salt and richness. Basic button mushrooms

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were quartered and added earthiness that permeated throughout the dish. Hearty asparagus, chopped into bite-sized pieces, brought more terroir and a much-needed pop.

Guicho’s Eatery.

440 Camino De Estrella, San Clemente. 949.248.1910 1110 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.481.1070 www.guichos.com

www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT NEW YEAR’S DINNER AT BARNOA 7 p.m.-midnight. Ring in the new year with a special prix fixe dinner service, a bottle of sparkling wine for each couple, dancing and live music from Key of Whiskey—all included in the $85 ticket price. Call or visit the bar to snag your ticket. 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente. 949.

388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

Sunday | 01

LIVE MUSIC: LOS LOBOS 8 p.m. Listen to live music from Los Lobos at The Coach House. $95. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.496.8930. www.thecoachhouse.com.

Tuesday | 03

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT OC TAVERN 9 p.m. Head down to the OC Tavern for a free New Year’s Eve party featuring music from DJ Van. This event is for those 21 and older. OC Tavern. 2369 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.542.8877. www. octavern.com.

SAN CLEMENTE POLAR BEAR DIP 8:30 a.m. The New Year’s tradition of jumping into chilly water takes place at Lost Winds Beach. Participants can jump in and out, or take a swim around Seal Rock.

2004 Calle De Los Alamos, San Clemente.

OPEN CASA: SHANE TOWLEY 6-8 p.m. View work from and meet artist Shane Towley at Casa Romantica. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to San Clemente Times by going to www.sanclementetimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

At the Movies: ‘Rogue One’ is Only for the Fans

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

R

ogue One is the first film in the Star Wars universe to be a stand-alone feature that doesn’t take place in the Skywalker storyline. When the movie was first announced, there was a mix of hesitation and curiosity: it sounded like it could be just another cash-grab, but it was also intriguing given the amount of interesting people involved with the project Radical Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) was forced to be separated and orphaned from her father Galen (Mads Mikkelsen)

by The Empire when they imprisoned him for betrayal, until one day the Rebel Alliance recruits Jyn to track down her father to make sure he isn’t still helping The Empire.

Meanwhile, Jyn, rebel officer Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), pilot Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), and warriors Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen)

Photo: Jonathan Olley/©2016 Lucasfilm Ltd

and Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen) are also secretly planning to steal the Empire’s plans for the Death Star.

Rogue One is one of a few Dirty Dozentype films to be released this year; it’s probably the best, but unfortunately that’s not saying much. While the film is arguably the best-looking Star Wars piece to date, it also suffers from a weak script.

Jones and Luna are a great pair, but the new droid is too similar to C-3PO. The special effects are amazing, and director Gareth Edwards knows what to do with a big budget, but it still has stale dialogue and awkward callbacks to the original 1977 film. As predicted, Rogue One is only a must-watch for diehard fans. SC

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Business Beat News from San Clemente’s business community SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Young Entrepreneur LOCKER BOARD 949.554.4448, www.lockerboard.net Since starting his venture a few months ago, Carson Kropfl, 11, has almost reached his goal of selling 200 of his compact skateboards by Christmas. The boards are 14 to 16 inches long and can fit in school lockers.

Recently, Jack’s Surfboards in Dana Point put his boards in their retail space.

Carson said his product has been selling swiftly, and he expects to reach his goal.

“The owners of Jack’s saw how hard I worked at Ski Dazzle (an inventor’s convention),” Carson said.

His mother, Carrie, said they haven’t entered into licensing agreements yet, but they have trademarked Locker Boards and have a patent pending.

Carson started the venture by recycling skateboard decks and revamping them to fit inside small spaces.

Carrie said they’ve also been shipping skateboards out of the state through online sales. The boards are $99 a piece.

—Eric Heinz

New Product SPOOLIES 844.776.6543, www.spoolies.com You could say Jeanne James is a risk taker.

James, who currently resides in Dana Point, lived with her family for a year in Kenya doing missionary work and running a guest house there. She’s sailed across the Atlantic with her husband and two sons. And she quit her full-time job to

dedicate all of her resources on reviving a quirky 1960s hair product—Spoolies.

Not only have James and her husband, Tim, succeeded in bringing Spoolies back, but they’ve won two awards for the trendsetting silicone hair curlers and are now selling the American-made styling tools at 400 Wal-Mart stores across the nation.

James initially got the idea to revamp the retro rubber curlers in 2003. After working for a year in Kenya, James was inspired to raise money to help send some the young girls there to school, but she didn’t want to just ask for donations.

James eventually remembered Spoolies—the curlers she wore as a kid that allowed her to avoid the dreaded frizzy perm.

After a bit of research, James discovered that Conair had pulled the Spoolies trademark in the 90s and had since released it, giving her the opportunity to revive the product. James obtained a patent, set out to find a U.S. manufacturer and updated the design—trading latex rubber for 100 percent hypoallergenic silicone.

James said it was imperative to keep production in the U.S. so that she could truly “trust the product and the quality behind it.”

Not only did she end up keeping production in the States, but she found a factory in San Clemente, just 10 minutes from her home.

The new and improved Spoolies debuted in December 2014. Since then, they’ve popped up on the shelves of WalMart stores, and James said they’ll be an “impulse buy” in 350 stores next year, which means the curlers will be on display throughout the store—not just in the beauty aisle.

Most importantly to James, proceeds from Spoolies’ sales have been donated to Sister Freda’s Foundation in Kenya, which operates a hospital and clinic, a girls’ high school and a college for nursing, among other programs. To date, Spoolies has funded 30 beds at the school, which will sleep 60 girls. —Allison Jarrell

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:

See the solution in next week’s issue.

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love after 50 by Tom Blake

Three Senior Single Women Looking Ahead to 2017

W

ith 2016 coming to a close, three senior single women share their thoughts on dating, relationships and life as they look ahead to 2017.

Jane wrote, “While I still enjoy your column after several years, I’m not seriously into looking for a mate these days. After a long marriage to a controlling man, I’m enjoying putting myself first for once in my life.

“While I’m open to men, I don’t think I want to hang my happiness on anyone else’s hook. I’m busy with preschool grandchildren I watch full-time, and various clubs. I don’t want the stress of the hunt, and I feel bad for women who feel they have no self-esteem unless they are in a relationship.

“I’ve had my health problems, as we all have, and don’t want to be a caretaker for someone I don’t have a lifetime invested in. I wouldn’t want someone new to be my caretaker, either.

“So, these days I read the column more than respond to it, but appreciate all your efforts, and the time you spend trying to help other people be happy.”

Mary Lou from South Orange County isn’t concerned about dating in 2017.

Instead, she is occupied with where she might choose to live.

One son lives in Denver with his wife and two young daughters. They would love to have her move to be near them.

Mary Lou has lived in the Denver area before and loves what she calls “the Denver vibe.” She will be with them in Denver over the Christmas holidays.

But, she has another son who lives in San Diego with his wife and three of Mary Lou’s grandchildren. She doesn’t see them as often as she would like.

Mary Lou works at home using Skype so she can live wherever she chooses and still retain her job.

Mary Lou said, “When my Denver son kept asking me to move to Denver, I began to feel like one of those people in those stories where they keep looking one way for something, and yet, if they would just look over their shoulder in the other direction, there would be the answer! Know what I mean?

“I have friends in Orange County through my water aerobics class and my book discussion groups at the library. I am a bit limited physically because of severe arthritis in my knee, and I am looking at knee replacement, probably this next year.

Otherwise, I appear to be pretty healthy, lucky me.

Page 15

“I will do a pros-and-cons-of-moving list after I return from this latest Denver visit.

I even had a couple of romances in Denver and am very attracted to a church there.”

In Mary Lou’s case, her biggest challenge in 2017 will be deciding to move or to stay put. She said, “There are so many weekends that I am wishing to be with my grandkids. Dating and seeking a mate will have to wait.”

Shelley, San Diego, emailed, “I have no trouble meeting men. But mostly they are unacceptable to me. I am a widow of almost three years and nine months.

After losing my husband, I began dating. I joined two dating sites, met a married man and many losers.

“I am financially secure, healthy, fit and attractive. A retired teacher. I do volunteer work and have many friends. I have a lot to offer but I am soon going to be giving up looking ON LIFE AND for a relationship!”

LOVE AFTER 50 For 2017, I urge

By Tom Blake singles to be optimistic and to pursue life with a positive attitude.

And to remember this: Being single isn’t so bad. Over the years, women readers have shared their reasons why: One said, “I’ve been married and unhappy and single and unhappy, and single and unhappy is better because I can more easily do something about my situation.”

By that, she meant she can get out and involved in activities she enjoys. But when you’re married and unhappy, to get out means going through the divorce trainwreck first.

Another woman said, “Why should I live with a man? I already have a job.”

A third added, “I never knew true happiness until I remarried, but then it was too late.”

Whatever path you choose in 2017, be happy.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. Email: tompblake@ gmail.com. SC 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

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Champions of California San Clemente High School football team defeats Del Oro to claim state title TEXT BY STEVE BREAZEALE, PHOTOS BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he San Clemente High School football team’s season started in late August in the friendly confines of Thalassa Stadium. On Dec. 17, it ended 450 miles to the north, with the Tritons lifting the CIF Division 1-A Championship trophy under the bright lights at Sacramento State University.

The Tritons came from behind to defeat

Del Oro of Loomis in a thrilling 22-17 victory and captured the school’s first-ever state championship.

San Clemente erased what was a 17-point second-quarter deficit and took its first lead of the game midway through the fourth quarter.

San Clemente scrapped its way back from the deficit and trailed 17-15 when Del Oro was forced to punt to the Tritons’ biggest special teams threat, senior Brandon Reaves, after kicking away from him all night. Reaves returned the punt 54-yards by storming up the middle, then cutting across to his right, shedding a tackle near the goal line, and spinning into the end zone for the dramatic go-ahead score and the decisive 22-17 lead with 5:38 remaining.

“I caught (the punt), and I saw no one on the right side so I just ran. I got a big block at the end that just pushed me into the end zone,” Reaves said. “When we were in the locker room (at halftime), we said, ‘We’re not losing this game.’ We

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

didn’t come all the way out here to lose this game, so we gave it everything we had and this is the result.”

San Clemente got the ball again and had a short field, but quarterback Jack Sears lost a fumble while diving for the goal line, giving the Golden Eagles a shot at a gamewinning drive with a handful of seconds remaining. But Sears, who came in to play safety, iced the game by recording an interception as the clock ran out.

The Tritons victory snapped Del Oro’s 11-game postseason win streak, which dated back to last season.

After giving up 17 points and 83 firsthalf rushing yards to Del Oro, the Tritons defense clamped down hard on their opponent in the second half. Del Oro was only able to gain 27 yards on the ground over the final two quarters, and the Triton defensive line, led by seniors Garrett Silverman and Austin Moore, disrupted Del Oro quarterback Stone Smartt to the tune of one lost fumble and three sacks in the

Page 16

second half. Moore had all three sacks in the fourth quarter.

San Clemente scored on a one-yard run

by Reaves midway through the fourth to bring the score to 17-15. On the Golden Eagles’ next possession, Moore sacked Smartt for the second time on third down to force a three-and-out. The ensuing punt was the one Reaves returned for a score, a play that will go down forever in Triton football lore.

“The adrenaline was through the roof (in the second half). It was pumping through my veins,” Moore, who finished the night with four sacks, said. “I’m happy to leave our legacy. This is the best feeling any football player can have.”

It looked like the Golden Eagles would extend their impressive postseason winning streak after their first 21 minutes of play. Del Oro dominated early behind its running attack and chasing defense.

Del Oro built a lead after senior Dalton Gee scored on a 22-yard run and Smartt www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS followed with a four-yard scoring run of his own with 6:28 remaining in the half.

Del Oro tacked on a field goal to go up 170, and its defense did its part by pressuring Sears and keeping the Tritons’ offense off-balance.

That all began to change as the clock dwindled closer to halftime.

San Clemente got a jolt in the arm when Silverman sacked Smartt and forced a fumble, which Moore recovered to give the Tritons the ball at the Del Oro 10-yard line with 2:34 left before the half. Sears connected with receiver Chase Berman three plays later for a touchdown that cut the lead to 17-7.

The San Clemente defense forced a Del Oro punt on its next possession, but the snap went sailing high over the punter and into the end zone for a safety, allowing San Clemente to inch closer at 17-9.

The momentum stayed with the Tritons the rest of the way.

“I felt we took their best punch and we were going to start giving ours,” San Clemente head coach Jaime Ortiz said. “(Del Oro) had a lot of guys playing both ways, and I feel like we weathered the storm, and we had to start dictating the pace in the second-half, which we did.”

Sears completed 9 of 17 passes for 95 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Reaves ran for 63 yards on 14 carries and a score.

Home-field advantage was a real factor for Del Oro, as the team and their fans only had to make about a 30-minute drive to Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium.

The San Clemente fans in attendance were outnumbered, but the Triton faithful who made the long trek made a good showing.

The Tritons proved to be a tough team to beat on the road this postseason. San Clemente captured the CIF-SS Division 2 Championship, the Southern Regional title and the State Championship while playing away from home.

San Clemente’s grit was also evident throughout the playoff run. The Tritons won three postseason games in which they were trailing at the half.

The win marked the end of an historic season for San Clemente, one that was filled with firsts. The Tritons won the program’s first-ever CIF-SS Championship, Regional Bowl Game and State Title. By notching their 14th victory, they became the winningest team in school history.

The Tritons were given a hero’s welcome when they returned home. A large group of supporters flocked to SCHS the night of Dec. 18 to congratulate the team, and that was just the beginning.

The city of San Clemente held a parade down Avenida Del Mar for the Tritons on Dec. 22, and hundreds turned out to cheer on the triumphant Tritons.

“It’s huge,” Ortiz said. “The biggest thing for me is taking (the championship) back home to San Clemente. To have so many people surround our community and the kids. It’s a nice tribute to our community. It’s kind of old school but that’s who we are.” SC San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

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ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air

2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

ART GALLERIES

San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Spinal Vitality Integrative Chiropractic

647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S.

647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

Shoreline Dental Studio Kristen Ritzau, DDS

122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

EDITING SERVICES

Perfectly Clear Editing Services

Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

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Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

MATTRESSES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

MORTGAGES

Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

PLUMBING

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

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

A to Z Leak Detection

929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing

929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter San Clemente, 949.366.8302

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

SWIMMING SCHOOL

Waterbabies Swim School

142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

Colony Termite Control

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

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

WEBSITE DESIGN

SC Pool & Spa Works

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

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

SALONS

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com FOR SALE CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size.

Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point.

Carpet and flooring remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too!

Mike 949-240-1545.

STENTURA 450 STENOGRAPHY MACHINE Excellent condition! $400 OBO. Contact Debra @ 949-439-6295

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

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

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING

2-dogswalking.com

Ricky, 949.973.4128 Pet care –Insured & Bonded

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

LIST

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

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San Clemente Times December 22, 2016–January 4, 2017

Page 19

www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS ente’s Beth Sanden set a new world record by completing the Pho Quoc International Marathon in Vietnam, becoming the first woman to complete seven marathons on seven continents on a hand cycle.

Wilson Named to SC Football Hall of Fame • Trendsetting quarterback Travis Wilson was inducted into the San Clemente High School football Hall of Fame on June 3. Wilson, who guided the Tritons to the 2011 CIF Pac-5 Division Championship game, was a record-setting quarterback at Utah, and helped reshape the way the position is played at SCHS. JULY

Ocean Fest Celebrates 40 Years • An estimated 56,000 people attended the 40th installment of the San Clemente Ocean Festival from July 16-17. Hundreds of athletes competed in the water events, which included SUP races, surf contests and ocean swims.

Paris Henken, left, and Helena Scutt represented the United States in the 49erFX sailing event at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Photo: Courtesy

San Clemente Sports & Outdoors Year in Review COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

T

he 2016 calendar year was filled with notable San Clemente sports moments. From the San Clemente High School football team making its magical postseason run, to the excitement of Ocean Fest, and to the success of several locals on the national stage, it’s been quite the year.

Here is a look back at some of the defining sports moments of 2016.

MARCH

Meisinger Dominant on the Mats • San Clemente High School senior wrestler Tyler Meisinger had a 2016 season to remember. He swept his competition at the prestigious ORCA Duals in Washington on March 12 and earned a spot in the National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginia on March 31.

APRIL

Langland Wins Bronze at X Games • San Clemente native Hailey Langland won the bronze medal in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event at the X Games Aspen on Jan. 29. Langland, who was 15 years old at the time, was also named Transworld Snowboarding’s women’s rookie of the year.

Griffith is Tops in Antarctic 100K • Local ultra-distance runner Griff Griffith finished first in the Antarctic Ice 100K race on Jan. 20. Griffith, 51, battled 30-degree-below-zero temperature and rugged terrain, finishing the 62-mile journey in 12 hours, 18 minutes and 40 seconds.

SC Girls Softball Bounces Back • After climbing its way out of an embezzlement scandal, the San Clemente Girls Softball league showed resilience in the face of adversity at its end-of-season tournament on April 29. The league, which came dangerously close to folding after being left in nearly $30,000 worth of debt due to a negligent former board member, had a record number of girls come out and play in 2016.

Tritons Sign NLIs • An impressive 24 San Clemente High School student-athletes took part in a signing day ceremony on campus on Feb. 3, signing their National Letter of Intent for college. Almost every program on campus was represented.

Triton Hoops Team Makes History • For

NOVEMBER

Dana Outrigger Makes Historic Trip to Chile • A group of Dana Outrigger Canoe Club paddlers traveled to Chile to compete in the South American Canoe Championships on Nov. 17. The team, which consisted of several San Clemente residents, placed fourth in the top division.

DECEMBER

One Town, One Team, Lots of Trophies • The San Clemente High School football team capped off a magical year by winning the CIF State Division 1-A Championship in Sacramento on Dec. 17. The Tritons won the CIF-SS Division 2 Championship, the CIF Division 1-A Southern Regional, and won a program-best 14 games.

AUGUST

a second consecutive season, the San Clemente High School boys basketball team won the South Coast League championship following a win over Dana Hills on Feb. 11. The Tritons went on to win a program-best 21 games in 2016 and reached the second round of the playoffs.

Girls Water Polo Reaches CIF-SS Semis • The San Clemente High School girls water polo team got hot at the right time, and barnstormed its way to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs. The Tritons outscored their first two playoff opponents by a 30-12 margin before falling to Murrieta Valley in the semis.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

tying performance at the Municipal Golf Course on Oct. 16. Warman shot a two-day score of 128 (-16) and failed to make a bogey all weekend.

Henken, Higgins Compete in Rio Olympics • San Clemente natives Paris Henken and David Higgins represented the United States by competing in the 49erFX sailing and 50-meter prone rifle events, respectively, at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Higgins placed 40th in his event and Henken, along with her racing partner Helena Scutt, placed ninth.

SEPTEMBER

Darnold Bursts Onto the Scene • After a lackluster 0-3 start to its season, the USC football team named San Clemente’s Sam Darnold its starting quarterback on Sept.

23. Darnold, a redshirt freshman, instantly made an impact. Darnold compiled an 8-1 record as the Trojans starter and guided the team to a berth in the Rose Bowl against Penn State, which is set for Jan. 2.

OCTOBER

Warman Blows Away the Field at City Golf Championship • San Clemente’s Mark Warman claimed the San Clemente City Golf Championships with a record-

Sam Darnold went 8-1 as the USC football team’s starting quarterback in 2016, bringing the Trojans back into the national spotlight. Photo: USC Athletics and Percy Anderson

MAY

Hoffman, Yoder, Stephens Inducted into SC Sports Wall of Fame • Legendary surfer Joyce Hoffman, volleyball star Bob Yoder, and celebrated tennis player Doris Stephens were inducted into the Friends of San Clemente’s Sports Wall of Fame during a ceremony at the Vista Hermosa Aquatics Center on May 21.

JUNE

Sanden Sets World Record • San Clem-

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

L to R: Joyce Hoffman, Bob Yoder and Doris Stephens were inducted into the San Clemente Sports Wall of Fame in 2016. Photo: Eric Heinz

Page 20

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Kolohe Andino recently finished third at the Pipeline Masters. Photo: © WSL / Cestari

It’s Been Fun

Cheers to a lot of accomplishments in 2016, but let’s not forget those that paved the way

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Looking Back at 2016

As we wrap up another lap around the sun, there are a lot of fun, little surf stories to highlight. Starting things off, world tour stalwart Kolohe Andino just finished third at the Pipeline Masters. Facing Gavin Beschen, one San Clemente’s more venerated surfers, in Round 2, he held on to win the heat and surfed brilliantly all the way to the semifinals before falling to eventual winner and good friend Michel Bourez from Tahiti. The result carried Andino to fourth on the WSL Championship Tour. It’s the highest finish on the world tour for a surfer from San Clemente since Shane Beschen (Gavin’s brother) finished second in 1996.

Tanner Gudauskas just missed out on qualifying for the 2017 WSL Championship Tour after a very respectable run this year.

Needing to finish in the top 10 of the WSL Qualifying Series (QS), Gudauskas ended up ranked 14th. A bit disappointing for the Positive Vibe Warrior co-founder, but it still puts him in a great position for next year.

If a couple of surfers retire, get sidelined with injury or are forced to withdraw for one reason or another, the chances are strong that at some point during the upcoming season he’ll get called up into the big leagues. And when it comes to making another push on the QS, he’ll have the benefit of being one of the highest seeded competitors in the draw whenever he surfs.

Tanner’s brother, Patrick, finished the year ranked 29th on the QS, which should also help him next year if he decides to try and qualify for the tour again. And young Griffin Colapinto ended up 32nd.

As reported last week, San Clemente’s Tory Gilkerson just won the WSL Women’s World Longboard Championship. And when it comes to the groms, Kirra Pinkerton can’t help but win every amateur contest she enters, while Kade Mason, Jett Schilling and their little posse are poised for greatness in the months and years ahead. Needless to say, it’s been a banner year for the local talent.

Looking Back at a Local Namesake

Most surfers in the area know the name Basilone because it’s the exit on Interstate 5 one takes to access Trestles and San Onofre. Every year, literally hundreds of thousands of surfers from around the world make the pilgrimage to Basilone, their only thought the waves that await them. But to end the year, here’s a quick history lesson lest we forget the sacrifices of those that have paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy today.

John Basilone was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1916.

He first enlisted in the United States Army in 1934, serving in the Philippines.

John Basilone’s name is known among surfing circles, After being but not many know the discharged and story behind the man. Photo: working as a Wikimedia Commons truck driver for a couple of years, Basilone grew restless and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940.

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, his plans (and fate) took him to Guadalcanal as part of Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.

The Marines landed on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942, quickly securing a Japanese airfield. For the next six months, the Japanese put up a stiff resistance, committing nighttime raids in hopes of regaining their prized airfield. On October 24, 3,000

San Clemente Times December 22, 2016-January 4, 2017

soldiers from the Japanese Sendai Division launched a brutal campaign against the Americans. Basilone’s men maintained a solid defensive position. During the initial Japanese surge, one of his machine gun installments was overtaken. Being a man of action, he grabbed a spare machine gun and filled the gap. When his team began to run low on ammo, Basilone braved the overrun supply lines, using his .45 sidearm to defend himself from Japanese soldiers at pointblank range.

For two days the battle raged. Without food or rest, Basilone and his men fought on. When the smoke finally cleared, they had laid waste to an entire Japanese regiment. For his heroism, Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor.

When he returned home from the war, Basilone took a job selling war bonds, but again quickly grew bored. He transferred into 1st Battalion, 27th Marines in preparation for the upcoming invasion of Iwo Jima.

Once in the combat zone, he found himself in a serious predicament when his unit was pinned down. True to form, he took decisive action. Basilone button-hooked around the Japanese position and destroyed them using hand grenades. He then helped a Marine tank through an enemy mine field before being mortally wounded by mortar and small arms fire.

Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone died on February 19, 1945 on Iwo Jima. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Navy Cross. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross during World War II. So next year, when you pull off the freeway to check the surf, give a tip of the hat to Basilone and his brothers in arms.

Something named in someone’s memory is only an honor if we take the time to remember them. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 60-63 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-10’ Fair Thursday: Fun mix of South swell and WNW swell offers up knee-waist-chest high (2-3’+) surf for good breaks. Standouts hit shoulder high (4’) on sets. Combo beach-breaks should see peaky shape. Light offshore winds in the morning, turning to light/variable onshore flow in the afternoon.

Outlook: Modest WNW and South swell mix continues Friday for waist-shoulder high (3-4’) surf at better breaks. Slight bump in size for Saturday but conditions are an issue both days. Swell mxi then drops slightly on Sunday.

Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Page 22

GROM OF THE YEAR

GRIFFIN COLAPINTO

Photo: Kurt Steinmetz

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

ithout equivocation, South Orange County is home to some of the best up-and-coming surf talent in the world. We are fortunate to have an abundance of beaches for these kids to train and such a tight-knit community to help support them. We have national amateur champs in surfers such as Kirra Pinkerton and Kade Matson. We have a longboard world champion in Tory Gilkerson.

On June 1, 2011, Meg Roh went surfing at San Onofre and hasn’t missed a day since. For over 2,000 consecutive days now, she’s made a point of going out and catching a few waves.

But in 2016, it was Griffin Colapinto that stole the show.

With dreams of someday making the elite WSL Championship Tour, this year Colapinto took a huge step toward realizing them. Starting the year ranked 147th on the Qualifying Series, his goal this year was to crack the Top 100 and set himself up to make a run at qualifying for the world tour in the next couple of years. He ended the year ranked 32nd. As a result, the WSL named him one of the five most improved surfers in 2016.

“While the 17-year-old had been earmarked for big things since a young age, few, including Colapinto himself, could have foreseen his rapid ascent through the ranks,” noted the WSL. Besides contests results, Colapinto seemed to be in all the right places in the last year. He made video appearances alongside hometown hero Kolohe Andino.

He took a trip to J-Bay in South Africa and showed how much a lifetime’s worth of training at Lowers is worth. He picked up a sunglass deal with locally owned Dragon Eyewear, and he continues to make Matt Biolos and the crew at Lost Surfboards proud as he flies their flag.

Next year, Colapinto will look to make his final push to graduate onto the WSL Championship Tour. Given what he did this year, don’t be surprised if he does it. www.sanclementetimes.com