LO C A L
N EWS
November 3–9, 2016 YO U
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U S E
Inside: South County Real Estate Guide SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 11, ISSUE 44
General Direction Veterans Day ceremony to honor USMC Gen. J.K. Davis of San Clemente EYE ON SC/PAGE 5
USMC four-star Gen. J.K. Davis smokes from his pipe as he talks about his time with the U.S. Marine Corps. Davis will be honored at a ceremony Nov. 5 at Park Semper Fi. . Photo: Eric Heinz
City Council to Discuss Ole Hanson Beach Club Hours EYE ON SC/PAGE 3
War Horse: Sgt. Reckless Honored with Statue at Camp Pendleton SC LIVING/PAGE 29
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Triton Report: Running Back Reaves Provides X-Factor SPORTS/PAGE 34
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SC EYE ON SC San Clemente
LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING
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day to approve what has become known as the Rancho San Clemente Business Park overlay to allow an emergency (homeless) shelter to be built in its area. This was the second reading of the ordinance. Councilwoman Lori Donchak voted for it this time around and said she opposed it last time because she was in favor of establishing two overlays in San Clemente.
Five things San Clemente should know this week
City Council to Discuss Ole Hanson Beach Club Hours
THE LATEST: The San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission voted 5-2 to approve hours of operation for the Ole Hanson Beach Club at its Oct. 26 meeting, but also voted to have City Council look into allocating more resources or time for the facility to be open on weekends. The proposed hours for the OHBC are noon-5 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, with the club closed Friday through Sunday. The reason for this is because city officials didn’t want the club to compete with San Clemente Aquatics Center, which operates 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. Hours of use, such as lap swimming, open swim, high school practice and various classes make up the OHBC’s public use time. Assistant City Manager Erik Sund said during the meeting that the city is operating Vista Hermosa Sports Park at a $900,000 deficit, as revenue from business sources continues to come in under projections. Sund said the city will look at increasing hours for both facilities during the next budget cycle, which will start in December. “One of the challenges we’re faced with is now we have two premier pool centers that we have to operate and we’ve never operated (at the same time) before,” Sund said. 24 Carrots Catering was awarded a contract earlier this year to operate private events scheduled at the club, but Sund said the reason to keep the pool closed during the weekends did not factor in to the proposed hours. About 20 children and parents from Las Palmas Elementary spoke at the meeting, trying to convince commissioners to propose longer weekend and evening hours. People also spoke about including more classes such as senior water aerobics at the pool. WHAT’S NEXT: San Clemente City Council did not have the OHBC hours on its agenda for the Tuesday, Nov. 1, meeting, but it is expected to be discussed at a later San Clemente Times November 3-9, 2016
WHAT’S NEXT: This approval does not guarantee a homeless or emergency shelter would be built there, but it does bring the city into compliance with Senate Bill 2, which requires municipalities to designate an area for such usage. A map of the overlay can be found at www.san-clemente.org under Government, City Council, Agenda and the Nov. 1, 2016 City Council meeting. —EH
Frankie Spencer, 4, grabs a pumpkin under water during the Pumpkin Splash event on Monday, Oct. 31, at Ole Hanson Beach Club. The city of San Clemente is currently working on a plan for the permanent hours of operation at the club. City Council is expected to discuss the hours sometime in the near future. Photo: Eric Heinz
meeting. —Eric Heinz
City Council Candidates, PACs File Second Campaign Finance Reports THE LATEST: So far in the 2016 election, Dan Bane and Steve Swartz have raised and spent more than their incumbent counterparts. The totals reported here include both monetary and nonmonetary contributions. Steve Swartz has received $31,679.92 and spent $28,566.54 including $10,000 in loans from his company and $9,000 in loans to himself. Dan Bane has received $31,607.32 and has spent $26,772.85 as of Oct. 22. He has $11,159.40 in outstanding debt in loans he gave to himself. Mayor Bob Baker, as of Oct. 22, has raised $21,972 and spent $16,145. He has a total of $18,500 in loans including $18,550 in loans he gave to himself. Councilman Chris Hamm has raised $15,869 and spent $12,389. He received one loan for $360. Political Action Committees are also raking in a lot of money. Residents for Reform, which opposes Baker and Hamm, has received $110,276 in total contributions and spent $152,923 on several elections in California. One of its biggest contributors is a company called Advanced Health E Solutions located in Hemet, California, which gave $25,000 to the committee. Altogether, Residents for Reform has spent $21,816 to oppose Baker and about the same amount to oppose Chris Hamm. Residents for Reform has paid Bieber
Communications more than $25,000 this year for campaign literature and postage services. Watchdog for San Clemente, which opposes Dan Bane and Steve Swartz, has raised $10,000 from Jeri Mann and another $1,750 from James and Janice Smith. Businesses for a Better San Clemente, which has the address of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, has donated almost $5,000 to Steve Swartz and almost $3,000 to Dan Bane. Businesses for a Better San Clemente has also donated $1,500 to Pat Bates’ and $1,000 to Bill Brough’s campaigns Citizens for Responsible Leadership put $3,000 to each of the Bane and Swartz campaigns in the filing dated Oct. 28. The PAC has the same address as Residents for Reform in Santa Ana. The committee has raised $70,750 and spent $44,950 on California elections. California Real Estate PAC contributed $2,500 to Bane’s and Swartz’s campaigns. The fifth candidate, Pamela Joy Glass, filed a form 470, which indicates she does not intend to raise or spend more than $2,000 on her campaign. Glass also told the San Clemente Times recently she doesn’t intend to spend “one cent” on her campaign. WHAT’S NEXT: The last filings will be due in January. —EH
Homeless Shelter Overlay Passed on Second Reading THE LATEST: City Council voted 4-0, with Councilman Chris Hamm absent, on Tues-
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Couple with Ties to San Clemente Convicted of Multimillion-Dollar Fraud THE LATEST: Steven Andrew McKinlay and Kristi McKinlay (who had a certified public accountant license under the last name of Kindred) in Coto de Caza were convicted Oct. 25 of defrauding investors of more than $3 million in an affinity scheme, according to a press release from the Orange County District Attorney. Both of them pleaded guilty to the charges, which were negotiated with the court, of 14 felony counts of “selling a security in an issuer transaction without qualification, one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of use of a device in a scheme to defraud,” the release stated. According to the original court complaint, the two were charged with more than 63 counts of various fraud. The victims, according to the release, were 15 individuals including a former Major League Baseball player, a family friend who received money after a “devastating personal injury,” and a cancer patient who wanted to secure inheritance for his family. There were sentencing enhancements for committing more than hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraud. The McKinlays were the owners of God’s Sports Co., which they used as a front to their scheme. They lured investors in from the summer of 2011 to the summer of 2015. They were arrested Dec. 16, 2015 in Coto de Caza. “The defendants spent investors’ money on $10,000 a month rent for a San Clemente home and $7,000 a month rent for a Coto de Caza home, paying for their daughter’s wedding, purchasing a luxury suite at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, purchasing cars, and paying off old debts (Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) ‘They used investors’ money to donate $50,000 to their church. The defendants also put their relatives and their friends’ relatives on GSC payroll.” In a December 2015 San Clemente Times article, sources close to Kristi McKinlay said she was well-known in the community and people vouched for her ethical practices. Her ex-husband, Don Kindred, told SC in 2015 that he believes Kristi was a victim in the case. According to the Securities Exchange Commission, affinity fraud is an investment scam that targets members of “identifiable groups, such as religious or ethnic communities, the elderly or professional groups.” WHAT’S NEXT: Steven McKinlay was sentenced to five years in state prison. Kristi McKinlay could be sentenced to one year in county jail and 10 years of formal probation. Her sentencing is to take place Dec. 13. —EH
Szabo said he was diagnosed in June and started chemotherapy that day. He said his first few trials have gone well, and he is preparing for more treatments. “Once they figured out what it was, they wanted to start (treatment) right away,” he said. “‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ That’s a quote that one of my really good friends told me, and I’ve just been living by that.” Szabo said he wants to eventually come back to finish high school, then go to college to major in business with a minor in photography or graphic design. “There’s no point in being down on myself because it’s not going to do me any better,” he said. “Positivity is the main thing that’s kept me healthy.” As part of his requirements to achieve Eagle Scout, Szabo made a sign for the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Jonathan Ord, a seminary teacher and scout leader who organized the Bible study classes Szabo attended every day
Jack Szabo, center, was recognized for achieving Eagle Scout status on Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Clemente. Szabo, who attends San Clemente High School, will undergo a bone marrow transplant for a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in two weeks.Photo: Eric Heinz
San Clemente Youth Makes Eagle Scout While Battling Cancer THE LATEST: John Szabo, who also goes by “Jack,” was homecoming king at San Clemente High School this year, and on Sunday, he was recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 739, along with four of his peers: Tyler Hickey, Isaac Rex, Ammon Stark and Spencer White. Szabo, however, is battling non-Hodgkin’s peripheral T-cell lymphoma and has already undergone radiation treatment. “I feel really accomplished, just getting the Eagle Scout award and how much it means and how much it’s going to help me through my life,” Szabo said. “I’m really thankful for everyone who came and all the support I’ve received for what I’m going through.” San Clemente Times November 3-9, 2016
before school, said Szabo has kept his head up throughout the ordeal. “He’s such a faithful kid and he has a lot of confidence in himself and his relationship with deity,” Ord said. “We just told him to be strong and continue being Jack. He hasn’t changed his perspective on life, which is really unique. He’s got a real eternal perspective on what life means and that it doesn’t end at death. This won’t affect his zeal for life and who he is, and he’s been a great example to people in that way.” According to the Boy Scouts of America website, only 4 percent of Boy Scouts ever reach the rank of Eagle Scout. WHAT’S NEXT: Jack Szabo was scheduled to have an “experimental” radiation treatment on Tuesday, Nov. 1, which includes placing a radioactive isotope into his body in order to attack cancerous blood cells. He will have a bone marrow transplant in two weeks, he said. —EH Page 4
EYE ON SC
Veterans Day Q&A USMC Gen. J.K. Davis speaks about his time in the U.S. Marine Corps BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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our-star General J.K. Davis, 89, spent more than 40 years as part of the U.S. Marine Corps. Davis’s journey led him from his hometown of Hagon, New Mexico, to Camp Pendleton and eventually many places in Southeast Asia as well as Europe. He spent a considerable amount of time commanding units out of the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro (decommissioned in 1999) where he took his first flight tests. Davis retired in 1986 after working three years as the assistant commandant of the USMC. After that, he served as the National Commander of the Marine Corps Aviation Association for two years. San Clemente Times: What made you want to join the Marines? Gen. J.K. Davis: In January of 1945, I was 17 and still in high school, and I went down to join the (Navy construction battalion) because I had been working with my uncle, a mechanic, for about six years. But they said they didn’t need me any more. I walked out of the recruiting office … and someone told me, ‘A Marine recruiter will be right back.’ I had to get my dad to sign the enlistment paper, and he wouldn’t sign unless they said I wouldn’t be contacted until I was out of high school. I got out of boot camp in Tokyo Bay after they signed the (Victory in Japan agreement). I came out of Camp Pendleton on a train that went right into the base. About three or four days later, I got on the 98th draft, supposedly the last one going to Japan in World War II, but then we got called back. I wouldn’t think of doing anything else (for a career) if I had to do it over. Davis said he returned to his home state of New Mexico to go to college, but in 1947, he was called to join as an inactive reserve. The next year the Marines started a program called Platoon Leaders Course, which he graduated from in 1950. Leading up to the Vietnam War, Davis became a pilot with the Marines and earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and eventually Colonel in 1970. What were some of the most difficult decisions you had to make when you were in Vietnam? I was a wing safety officer, and I went through three group commanders. … There weren’t really any earth-shaking San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
Gen. J.K. Davis, who served three years as the assistant commandant to the U.S. Marine Corps, will be honored at a ceremony at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 5. Davis has resided in San Clemente since 1986 and spent time at Camp Pendleton. Photo: Eric Heinz
you take care of their assets, and if you have a lot of crashes, the general gets blamed for it. I spent a lot of time making sure that we tried to do everything safely. Even though we wanted to train like we’re not in peacetime, there’s no flights scheduled in peacetime if anything mitigates against it. I told the (commanding officers) to know their pilots. Some are born to be pilots and they know what they’re doing, but some are not ready. Don’t schedule them for flights that are beyond their capabilities. And it worked well. We had a lot of safe flights during that time.
GEN. J.K. DAVIS MEDALS AND DECORATIONS • The Distinguished Service Medal • Defense Superior Service Medal • The Legion of Merit with Combat “V” • The Distinguished Flying Cross • Air Medal with Numeral 10 • Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal • World War II Victory Medal • The National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star • The Republic of Vietnam Service medal with Silver Star • The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon • The Korean Order of National Security Merit Gugseon Medal • Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross color) • Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions color, First Class) • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal decisions I had to make. I had read a lot of information before I went to Vietnam, and I knew it was a crappy war. I told the wife before I left, ‘I hope I don’t make my last takeoff over there.’ Four of my close buddies did, they got killed over there. So, I flew about 170 missions, about 30 of them at night in the two-seater, A-6 night attack airplane. Being the executive officer … I managed to get out of there without getting shot down, which I was happy about.
Can you describe the process of becoming a general in the USMC? When you have a selection board for general, it’s pretty tough because if they make nine generals, only three of them are going to be aviators. The rest of them will be ground or sailors. They look at your entire record, and I had two squadrons I commanded at Cherry Point and a reserve air group at El Toro for two years. Between those times, I went to Washington and was the Deputy Chief of Staff for aviation, which gives you high visibility. Probably 200 colonels (were selected) to become a general, and any one of them would have made a fine general. You don’t make colonel by mistake in the Marine Corps. You just have to have a little luck to make it, really.
What were some of your biggest responsibilities as a general? As a general (laughs), you’re responsible for everything. A lot of things can go wrong. Whether you had anything to do with it or not, the buck stops at the general. So, the one thing that I worked on hard was aviation safety. People take a look at how
What would you say is one of your finest achievements in the Marine Corps? Well, moving from the third wing to the first wing in Okinawa. I had two wings in a row and moved to SINCPAC (Commander of USMC forces in the Pacific) and then I got a plum job, made three stars and became the commander in Hawaii. That’s
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when I got a call to be nominated for assistant commandant. I had about 80,000 Marines under my command—everybody in California, Hawaii… so that was a great job, and everything went well. When you get these command billets, and it’s either going to sink or swim, I had a great group of guys who worked hard for me and watched my six, which means they kept me out of trouble. I told them if I ever make a decision and it doesn’t look good, you’ve got to come and tell me because there’s no decision or rule that can’t be changed. What made you want to move to San Clemente? I was down there in 1951 and met my wife, Jane. She’s from San Clemente. We got married at the Red House Chapel at Camp Pendleton. When I retired, we liked it out here, and we liked the climate, and we wanted to be close to a military base. We wanted to be close to the commissary and military families. At one time, she said, ‘You know I married you so I could get out of this town, and here we are back.’ But she’s happy here.
Veterans Day Ceremony A Veterans Day ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Park Semper Fi to honor Gen. J.K. Davis’s lifetime accomplishments. Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Killea, Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations West & Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Col. Christopher D. Gideons, Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Regiment, will speak at the event. To contribute to supporting the Marine Monument, visit www.marinemonument. com or call 949. 498.4958. www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ
Sarah Dillon of San Clemente Recognized by NLEAFCF The National Law Enforcement & Firefighters Children’s Foundation (NLEAFCF) announced Sarah Dillon of San Clemente as a recipient of the NLEAFCF Scholarship. Sarah received the scholarship in recognition of her exceptional leadership, community service and scholastic achievement, according to a press release. Sarah was one of 28 students from across the country to receive the award, which is based on academic merit and financial need. The recipients are all children of a law enforcement officer or firefighter who was killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. “Sarah has demonstrated leadership among her peers and exceptional scholastic achievements as well as contributing her time and energy to community service,” NLEAFCF President and Founder Al Kahn said. Sarah is a junior at the University of Southern California, majoring in art history. Sarah has donated more than 400 hours of her time to community service between volunteering at a food bank, the Special Olympics, the Susan G. Komen foundation, the Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, Laura’s House for Abused Women, Dana Point Library, Discovery Arts for Pediatric Cancer Patients and the St. Nicholas Church Senior Citizen’s Community. Sarah’s father, Patrick Dillon, was a Special Agent in the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement. He was killed in the line of duty on April 14, 2007, just a few weeks after Sarah’s 11th birthday.
Measure OO in San Clemente This election, San Clemente residents will have one municipal measure to decide on the ballot, whether to raise the city’s transient occupancy tax (bedroom tax) from 10 percent to 13 percent. The ballot information estimates the rise will increase the city’s revenue from lodging bills by $570,000 per year, and the money could be used to supplement maintenance to its athletic fields, community facilities and more. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Laguna Chapter of NCL Opens Membership Drive The Laguna Chapter of the National Charity League recently announced today the official open to its 2016-17 membership drive. Prospective members for the class of San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
Veterans Day is Nov. 11. A ceremony will take place Nov. 5 at Park Semper Fi, and the San Clemente Area Republican Women, Federated will host an event Nov. 9 at Talega Golf Club. Photo: File
2023 (young women currently in sixth grade) are being sought. There are also select openings for the class of 2020 (current ninth grade) and 2021 (current eighth grade). NCL Laguna serves mothers and daughters from South Orange County, with the broadest geographical boundaries in Orange County’s District 5. The application deadline is Jan. 15. “With over 11,000 philanthropic hours served in the local community, NCL Laguna provides members with unique volunteer experiences via both its philanthropies served, as well as its own one-ofa-kind, home-grown, internal ‘business,’ aptly named Handmade Brigade,” a press release from the NCL stated. According to officials, about 15 percent of the Laguna Chapter’s membership is from San Clemente. For more information regarding membership, visit www.ncllaguna.org or contact Rosie Pla, vice president of membership, at rosiepla@gmail.com. For information regarding philanthropies served by NCL Laguna, contact Laura Ballantyne, vice president of philanthropy, at NCLLagunaChapter@gmail.com.
Holocaust Survivor Who Spied on Nazis to Speak at Chabad Jewish Center Marthe Cohn was a devoutly religious 19-year-old French Jewish girl when the Nazis invaded France in 1939. While the rest of her family fled south, Cohn decided to fight back. After graduating from nursing school, she joined the French resistance and was recruited to be a spy. She infiltrated German territory in the guise of a German nurse desperately searching for a fictional fiancé (by this time, her real-life fiancé had been executed by the Nazis).
During the next year, she mingled freely with Nazi troops, on many occasions caring for injured Nazi soldiers in order to maintain her cover. “She gathered invaluable information on troop positions, which she secretly relayed to Allied commanders,” stated a press release for Cohn’s upcoming presentation. “Her intelligence gathering was instrumental in allowing the Allies to break through the Siegfried line and enter German territory in 1945, leading to the end of the war.” Cohn will speak at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Chabad Jewish Center, 1306 N. El Camino Real, in San Clemente. “As the number of holocaust survivors dwindles, we feel it our duty to bring these individuals and their stories to life for our community—especially for our youth,” says Tzippy Slavin, Chabad’s director. “It’s literally touching such an important piece of history.” Following the event, Cohn will be available to sign copies of her memoir, Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany. For information and tickets, visit www.jewishsc.com or call 949.489.0723.
Community Meetings SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar. SAN CLEMENTE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Walk around Avenida Del Mar and see the work of local artists. 949.218.5378. www.villagesanclemente.org. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
ELECTION DAY Visit www.ocvote.com to find your polling station. Polling stations open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Veterans Day Celebration
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.
San Clemente Area Republican Women, Federated will host a Veterans Day celebration at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Talega Golf Club, 900 Avenida Talega. RSVP to 949.361.8743 by Nov. 3. Tickets are $27 at the door, $28 if paid by credit card. The organization will honor veterans by asking guests to wear something patriotic, like scarfs, pins and hats. People may also bring photos of family members who served in the military.
WELLNESS & PREVENTION CENTER MEETING 4-6 p.m. A special presentation will be given by Dr. Bill Beacham, an innovator in the field of educating youth and families about difficult choices. Open to both adult and youth coalition members. Triton Center Conference Room, 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.680.0516. www.wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.com
Youth Summit on Domestic Violence is Nov. 12 The San Clemente Domestic Violence Task Force, Wellness and Prevention Center and Jamboree Housing are supporting the second Youth Summit from 9 a.m.12:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Mendocino Apartments Community, located at 123 Calle Amistad in San Clemente. The Task Force will address topics such as domestic violence, mental health in schools, gender violence and stress. San Clemente High School students will have the opportunity to share their concerns with local and county officials and professionals in group discussions. The Task Force is actively seeking high school participants for the summit. Preregistration is required for this free event. Current high school students can contact scdvtaskforce@gmail.com to register. For more information, visit www.sctritons.com. Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.
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BILY MEETING 7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
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. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10
COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING 7 p.m. The Coastal Advisory Committee will host its regularly scheduled meeting. San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.
www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
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.
Sunday, October 30 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Vista Hermosa, 900 Block (9:55 p.m.) A person was possibly on drugs, dancing around the front door of the location and following customers to their vehicles. INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Avenida Del Mar, 100 Block (9:51 p.m.) A man was laying down on the sidewalk and not moving. PEDESTRIAN CHECK S. El Camino Real/Avenida Junipero (8:38 p.m.) Someone was “rolling around” in the street. WELFARE CHECK Calle Sarmentoso, 1200 Block (4:20 p.m.) Teens or preteens were seen on the roof of a school. VANDALISM REPORT Avenida San Juan, 300 Block (10:37 a.m.) A caller said a car window was shot out with a BB gun. DRUNK DRIVING El Camino Real, 500 Block (10:18 a.m.) A woman was seen throwing beer cans in the area prior to leaving. DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 700 Block (2:35 a.m.) A man was in a verbal argument with a woman, sitting on the hood of her car and refusing to let her leave. The woman said the man was drunk and had urinated in his pants. DISTURBANCE Avenida Serra/Ola Vista (1:56 a.m.) A man with black and white makeup and a black “skeleton hoodie” said his girlfriend’s sister’s boyfriend threw him to the ground. It was unknown why paramedics were refused.
Saturday, October 29 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES La Esperanza, 100 Block (7:39 p.m.) Police were called about a man in an oversized jacket acting suspicious and talking about miracles. WELFARE CHECK Avenida Vista Hermosa/ Calle Frontera (6:49 p.m.) Police were called about a man who was walking in the street. The caller said the man “did not look good” and was swaying. He was wearing blue swim trunks and carrying a cooler, walking toward the Outlets. Page 7
Friday, October 28 DISTURBANCE Camino De Estrella/Avenida Las Palmas (10:16 p.m.) The caller was being followed by a four-door, white Honda Civic with four men in it. The caller said they were throwing things at the “big rig” he was driving. DISTURBANCE Via Pacifica, 0 Block (9:22 p.m.) A woman said her 15-year-old son ding-dong-ditched a neighbor. The neighbor was threatening the caller’s husband and allegedly said he was going to shoot him. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (8:33 p.m.) People were seen setting off “Chinese fire lanterns” off the Pier. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Puente, 1100 Block (6:49 p.m.) Police were called to a man heard yelling that he was locked in a classroom and possibly hit his head at the back of the school. Orange County Fire Authority responded to the situation. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CRICUMSTANCES Vista Prado/Colina Rodante (1:26 a.m.) Police were called to a man standing in the middle of the street waving a piece of wood around. DISTURBANCE Avenida Mateo/El Camino Real (12:32 a.m.) Police were called to a woman screaming, and trying to get away from a man who was following her.
Thursday, October 27 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Cristianitos Road, 100 Block (10:35 p.m.) A man said a salesman was speaking to his wife for three to four hours was selling a vacuum for $3,000. The caller said he seemed suspicious and asked him to leave. WELFARE CHECK Avenida Cabrillo, 200 Block (7:11 p.m.) A woman said she needed help because her husband was driving drunk on Avenida Del Mar. BATTERY Camino De Estrella, 500 Block (11:24 a.m.) A man said he was hit in the head by a rock thrown from a passing vehicle.
Wednesday, October 26 DISTURBANCE Avenida Victoria, 100 Block (6:45 p.m.) A caller said a man was going through washing machines, pulling items off the walls and bulletin board and refusing to leave. DISTURBANCE Avenida Pico, 100 Block (3:51 p.m.) Someone was soliciting money and then started screaming. www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC EYE ON THE ELECTION 2016
Big Decisions, Part III California voters will determine the fate of several major state ballot propositions this year BY MATT CORTINA, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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s part of our ongoing coverage of the 2016 election, San Clemente Times selected several ballot propositions that all California voters will face in November to dissect. In this final week of pre-election coverage, we’re taking a look at Proposition 57, which would give people convicted of “non-violent felonies” more chances for parole, and Proposition 61, a hotly-contested initiative that would affect prescription drug prices in California. For information on all the ballot propositions, or on any of this year’s local or state races, head to wwww.sanclementetimes.com. PROPOSITION 57
To Release “Non-Violent” Inmates In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California’s prisons were so overcrowded that they violated the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—that is, getting locked up in California constituted cruel and unusual punishment. So, Prop. 47 was passed to help reduce prison numbers—it reduced certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, like shoplifting, grand theft, receiving stolen goods, forgery and fraud, if the property ultimately stolen did not exceed $950. The state’s average daily prison population has dropped by about 8,000 inmates since Prop. 47, and the state estimates a range of $100-$200 million in savings over the next two years. Critics, however, say that Prop. 47 has led to an increase in residential burglaries and thefts, and an overall state-wide increase in crime. All of that is a primer for Prop. 57. If passed, Prop. 57 would give people convicted of “non-violent” crimes more chances for parole. The reason why “non-violent” is consistently in quotes is because although it’s used in the ballot proposition title, it is arguably the biggest point of contention for those in opposition to Prop. 57. The issue is that the proposition does not indicate which “non-violent” felonies will be San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
included in the program, and the state of California only lists 23 crimes as “violent.” That said, anything that’s not included in those 23 items is considered “nonviolent,” even if those felonies certainly seem violent—opponents point to the fact that inmates convicted of such crimes as assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and rape could be released under Prop. 57. So what would be the mechanism to determine if an inmate falls into the gray area where he or she has committed a “non-violent” crime but one that most people would consider violent? Proponents point to the assertion that no inmate would automatically be given release, and that every inmate subject to potential release under Prop. 57 would have to go before the Board of Parole Hearings, which is made up of law enforcement officials. Proponents also cite that inmates would have to “demonstrate that they are rehabilitated,” and would be subject to ongoing mandatory supervision. If passed, the measure would immediately affect up to 7,000 inmates convicted of “non-violent” crimes, with 18,000 more potentially eligible for early parole. Both sides point to the clause in the proposition that it would reward inmates with good behavior as a reason to vote one way or the other—proponents claim it encourages rehabilitation for inmates by incentivizing good behavior; opponents claim it allows inmates convicted of “violent” crimes like murder and rape an opportunity to be released without fully serving their time. For Prop. 57 California Democratic Party, Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, California State Law Enforcement Association, California Federation of Teachers Contributions for Prop. 57 Fund for Policy Reform (nonprofit): $6,140,000 Governor Brown’s Ballot Measure Committee: $4,138,764 California Democratic Party: $2,046,908 Million Voter Project Action Fund: $2,010,000 Tom Steyer: $1,500,000 Against Prop. 57 California Republican Party, Rep. Bill Brough, and dozens of district attorneys, county sheriffs and police organizations Contributions against Prop. 57 No on 57: $758,483 Los Angeles Police Protective League Issues PAC: $869,683.50
PROPOSITION 61
To Alter Prescription Drug Prices If it weren’t for the onslaught of TV commercials, Prop. 61 might be one you hear about for the first time while filling out your ballot. But there’s a reason for all those advertisements—the proponents and opponents of Prop. 61 (mostly opponents) have contributed more to this ballot measure than any other supporters or opponents of a ballot measure this year. And no wonder the pockets are deep on this ballot measure: it concerns pharmaceutical prices. First, a bit of background. The state of California spent close to $4 billion last year in prescription drug costs for its Medi-Cal program, which serves senior, children and low-income residents, as well as its state employee pension program, the Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Now because the state and its agencies can negotiate the price of drugs with drug makers, the price that the state’s agencies pay for the drugs in their programs can vary greatly. But Prop. 61 would prohibit the state from paying any more for prescription drugs than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays for the same drug. So what affect would this have on drug prices, and what affect would it have on drug availability for those in the VA, Medi-Cal and CalPERS programs? Lastly, would it affect drug prices and availability for California residents outside of those programs? The short answer is that, claims from proponents and opponents aside, it’s not clear what affect Prop. 61 will have. In fact, it’s not even clear that the state of California even pays more for prescription drugs than the VA—however, proponents of Prop. 61 say the VA pays on average 20-25 percent less for prescription drugs than other government agencies. So what do we know? The California State Legislative Analyst’s Office, which studies and publishes reports on the state’s budget, looked at Prop. 61 last year and found several possible scenarios if the measure passes. First, everything could go as planned, and the state could be offered VA prices for drugs, resulting in some yet-to-bedetermined amount of savings. However, drug companies could offset this cost by raising the price of drugs not purchased by the VA, but used in certain Medi-Cal and CalPERS programs. Second, since drug manufacturers wouldn’t be required to sell their drugs at the VA prices, the state would have to change which drugs would be available in order to meet the proposition’s purchasing requirements. However, doing so might result in the state forgoing its duty by Medicaid law to provide FDA-approved prescription drugs, thus possibly incur-
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ring a loss of federal funding. And third, the drug manufacturers may elect to raise VA drug prices, a move that does have precedent. So, given the unknowns, we’re left with the rhetoric on either side of the issue. Proponents claim Prop. 61 is a tool to fight price-gouging from pharmaceutical companies. “Drug companies are planning to spend $100 million to fight this measure because they know it would cause downward pressure on all drug prices— and cut into their excessive profits,” proponents argued in the official Voter’s Guide. Proponents also claim it will provide better access to life-saving drugs and save taxpayers billions of dollars in healthcare costs. Meanwhile, opponents of Prop. 61 claim it would hurt veterans by causing their prices to increase, reduce patient access to medicines, increase bureaucracy and more. Opponents also claim that Prop. 61 only applies to 12 percent of Californians—what they claim as an “arbitrary” grouping—and even excludes many MediCal and CalPERS enrollees. Be sure to look at the contributions in the box below this article, but let the more than $120 million speak for itself as to the importance of this ballot issue. For Prop. 61 U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Robert Reich, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, California Nurses Association, Rev. Al Sharpton Contributions for Prop. 61 Yes on Prop. 61 (AIDS Healthcare Foundation, California Nurses Association PAC): $16,780,171.92 Against Prop. 61 California Republican Party, dozens of veterans and health care organizations, the California Medical Association, and several major pharmaceutical companies including Johnson & Johnson, BristolMyers Squibb Company and Novartis. Contributions against Prop. 61 Total from supporters: $108,989,074.10 Merck & Co, Inc.: $9,420,395 Pfizer, Inc.: $9,420,395 Johnson & Johnson: $9,301,646 Amgen, Inc.: $7,670,768 Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8 and polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. To find your polling place, visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place.
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SC SOAPBOX San Clemente
VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
Letters to the Editor GET THE FACTS BEFORE VOTING ON MEASURE M CRAIG ALEXANDER, Dana Point
We voters have a big responsibility on Election Day. Do we vote to tax our community and ourselves $889 million (almost $1 billion) via Capistrano Unified School District’s Measure M? When interest is added to the principal that will be almost $2 billion taken out of our local economy. For all of us—homeowners, business property owners, boat owners (“unsecured property” is taxed in Measure M too)— this will result in hundreds of extra dollars in taxes on our property tax bills for 35 years. Renters, your rent will go up. Who has been contributing to the “Yes on M” campaign? Architects, engineers, construction contractors and attorneys who will make millions on Measure M projects if it passes. Before you vote on Measure M, I highly recommend you get the facts about this bond tax at www.therealcusd.com. Personally, I believe this bond tax is too much, too poorly planned by CUSD and has no guarantees the money will be used for the projects listed (there is a disclaimer in the project list). I will be voting “No” on Measure M, and I encourage voters to vote “No” as well.
NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING JOE JANIS, San Clemente
This may be the worst year to date for negative campaigning. Most of the people I have spoken with are embarrassed by this year’s national campaigns. Negative campaigning has also found its way to our Spanish Village by the Sea. Not sure about you, but I am so tired of all the negative mailers that are showing up in my mailbox. With every negative mailer that arrives, I become more and more skeptical of the people that are sending them. One mailer I received said that San Clemente is on the verge of bankruptcy (despite our AAA credit rating). The most recent mailer I received had a picture of a former city of Orange City Council member putting her two cents in about us. I was alarmed when I learned that most of the funding for the mailers that are slandering our current Council members is from out-of-towners. The PAC that is trying to unseat our two incumbents has collected over $70,000. What is going on here? I don’t want out-of-town money and opinions of non-residents determining our destiny. We have one of the greatest towns in all of California, and we have once again San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
made the Top 50 list of California’s safest cities (number 27 to be exact). If you are wondering, the city of Orange didn’t make the list. We must be doing something right. This is another reason I am throwing my support to incumbents Chris Hamm and Robert “Bob” Baker. Hopefully, after this election, our country will find a way to get out of this nasty form of campaigning. Might be wishful thinking.
PROBLEMATIC CANDIDATES AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH JAY GASKINS, San Clemente
I enjoy reading San Clemente Times’ columns from Jim Kempton. He is very well-read, well-traveled and articulates his points of view eloquently. This time, however, he missed the reasoning behind Trump’s voter revolution in the Sept. 15 column Wavelengths: Justice for All, Working Class Anger Cannot Be Ignored. For the record, I represent myself as a commonsense conservative and find little common ground these days with the Republican Party (or even Trump). The content and details of trade treaties and American finance are far too complex and sophisticated for the average person of any political persuasion to use as a voting foundation— particularly when many voters use face recognition and television popularity as their guide. Additionally, the issues such as U.S./foreign trade agreements have very little (if anything) to do with motives for the Donald Trump “bandwagon revolution” that has materialized this cycle.
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The deliberate and incremental deterioration of the freedom of speech amendment to the U.S. Constitution has taken a presidential candidate that no one would have ever considered voting for and turned him into a potential U.S. President.
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—Jay Gaskins
I am not a fan of Donald Trump, but it is amazingly easy for me to explain why most of his supporters are voting for him. There are three types of Trump voters: the “Support Trump, no matter what he says” hardcore faction; those who will vote for Trump due to their white-hot hatred for Hillary Clinton’s secret life; and those who feel that Freedom of Speech waved bye-bye to us a long time ago and
Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Nov. 4 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso This week’s guest will be Berenika Schmitz, the executive director of Casa Romantica. 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. see Trump as a “say what is on his mind” mouthpiece—as juvenile and impotent as those free speeches might be—and had no alternate, viable candidate to put into office. Those voters have become very tolerant of his unapologetic public behavior. The contrast between his infantile behavior and Clinton’s “just short of criminal” arrogance is bold and discernable. The fact that Trump’s campaign brought the Republican Party to its knees was merely an added bonus for those of us who are fed up with the party and the American political system. The deliberate and incremental deterioration of the freedom of speech amendment to the U.S. Constitution has taken a presidential candidate that no one would have ever considered voting for and turned him into a potential U.S. President. Sadly, Hillary Clinton will most-likely be elected but not for her qualifications or abilities, rather for her history-making gender characteristics. Clinton is far from a good choice for the office; however, all she had to do was sit back and let Trump hit his downward spiral of self-destruction, which is due to his narcissistic tendencies. By the way, those same narcissistic qualities and attributes were just fine with liberals when he was a celebrity only. These candidates may have done this so poorly and done it so dishonestly, that a third party could possibly rise as more than just a joke, or that both prime parties will be turned upside-down and evolve into something that the actual American taxpaying citizenry could proudly (and without embarrassment) align themselves.
FLIERS MISLEAD VOTERS JIM AND JAN SMITH, San Clemente
Enough already. We’ve had it with election con artists trying to take control of our City Council. Their “supersized” fliers are paid for by business owners who want the current City Council to relax our rules regarding freeway signs and short-term vacation rentals. That’s it in a nutshell. Just like their mega flyers, the money-hungry guys want big freeway signs and more vacation rentals in your neighborhood. If you think following rules is important to our quality of life, Robert “Bob” Baker and Chris Hamm should get your vote.
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San Clemente Times, Vol. 11, Issue 44. 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.
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SOAPBOX SAN CLEMENTE BEATEN AND ABUSED TRAVIS DUGAN, San Clemente
Our town is not the same. It’s being mistreated by people who supposedly know what is best for it. But the problem is these people only see dollar signs, not beauty. When locals see this town, they see beauty, they see palm trees, they see the Pacific Ocean, and most importantly, they see San Clemente. This town is different from most in that it has heart, it has culture, and the people who are running it don’t have the same feelings. In my opinion, it is more a case of reputation or ego. When should that ever cause an amazing small beach town like San Clemente to sell out? It’s us not giving into that corporate lifestyle that makes us who we are. Small, local, family business is what this town is built from. Since “whomever” decided for the Outlets to be built, it has been a big slap in the face, bringing in big corporate franchises. Is this a way to treat the longtime loyal locals of your town? Or are you just catering to out-of-towners? We should start focusing more on the locals than providing for the summer circus that plagues our freeways and streets with nothing but traffic and confusion. I hope this message will wake up our so-called “town leadership.” Just because there is a patch of grass somewhere, it doesn’t mean you have to build a Starbucks on top of it.
RESIDENTS FIRST OVER RESIDUAL PRIORITIES RICHARD BOYER, San Clemente
Over the last decade, San Clemente
GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner by City Councilwoman Lori Donchak
‘Dirty Jobs’ Done in San Clemente Style
S
an Clemente needs all kinds of jobs, and employees willing to do them, in order to prosper. Suffice to say, not all city jobs are glamorous. Most of us have quite a bit of contact with our Marine Safety professionals, the energetic parks and recreation staff or even the friendly folks at city hall. Beyond these familiar faces, there are dozens of other staffers who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty doing jobs essential to the wellbeing of our community. This article is a salute to them because running a city is not a glamourous business. For starters, here’s a strong contender
San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
City Council members are, increasingly, residents representing residents—the way it’s supposed to be. It’s no coincidence that this election season, out-of-town special interests are spending more than ever to attack two such Council members. Those attacks are a result of Council’s responsiveness to residents’ desires. San Clemente residents want to live in a quality-of-life community, with an emphasis on quality of lifestyle. Council members understand that and have made it their priority. That’s been a persistent obstruction to outside interests achieving what they covet: the ability to pave over our open space, cram unattractive projects into places they don’t belong and then leave us to choke on the increased traffic. It’s also the motivation behind the unprecedented number of vicious political hit pieces: If they gain control of Council, the outside interests will disappear with a one-time handsome profit at our lasting expense. The good news is we can easily prevent that nightmare scenario. Re-elect Robert “Bob” Baker and Chris Hamm.
Hillary Clinton seems to also carry a lot of baggage but, to me, she disqualified herself by one act that amounted to criminal negligence. In 2003, as a senator, she abdicated her responsibility to represent the American people and ceded her power (betraying the aforementioned division of power intended by the founding fathers) to president George W. Bush to invade Iraq on his claim of Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction ready to launch against us. Prior to her vote and to the invasion, there was much credible and verifiable intelligence that there were no such weapons in Iraq, which was later confirmed. Putting on the brakes on the rush to war and exercising due diligence on her part and Congress’s majority, not to mention on the president’s part, would have prevented the killing of, and devastating injuries to tens of thousands of American and Iraqi soldiers and Iraqi civilians, the destruction of a country, the waste of trillions of dollars of our taxpayers’ money, and, arguably, prevented the final destabilization and present day chaos, death and destruction in that region of the Middle East, including the birth of ISIS. What to do on Nov. 8?
I will find myself in a conundrum at election time, not being able to vote for either of the two main candidates, one of whom will become President of the United States. Donald Trump is not qualified to be president for many reasons, some of which he proudly acknowledges, like his buying of politicians, his contempt for mar-
riage vows, his using loopholes in the law (no law is perfect) to avoid paying workers on his building projects, or to not pay his fair share of taxes to support defense, education, health, infrastructure, etc. All the public services that we all support with our taxes for our national wellbeing. Plus, his sexual harassment of women, and more. Also, he is being sued for fraudulent business practices like his one real estate investment course, outrageously named Trump University, which went out of business in a few months but not before getting thousands of dollars in fees from students who got little or nothing in return; or his selling the Trump brand to developers to build, under the Trump name, ocean front condominiums in Mexico, which were bought by many middle class Americans hoping to retire on the beach, but the projects were never built and the buyers’ down payments went up in the air like the foam of the ocean waves on the beach. And there is more. Disqualifying as all the above is, the most egregious is Mr. Trump’s lack of understanding of our democracy when he claims that he alone can fix all our national problems, which he can’t even if he could. The founding fathers, in their wisdom, provided a government with three branches: executive, legislative and judicial, so that power would be divided and there would be checks and balances. For example, the president can’t make laws but he can veto congress’ laws, and congress can override the veto, and the U.S. Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional. Demagogues, would-be-autocrats or dictators don’t thrive in such a system.
for the reality TV show Dirty Jobs. San Clemente is replacing the Water Reclamation Plant odor scrubbers. Our city is one of few in South Orange County with its own sewer treatment plant. The replacement of odor control systems is an unsightly and smelly job but an important part of the overall wastewater treatment process to ensure surrounding residences and businesses are not impacted by unpleasant odors. New odor scrubbers carry an estimated price tag of $2 million. Thank you to the Public Works staffers who are tackling this important project. Might you know what a swamp cooler is? No, it’s not a reference to the Everglades. If you use CITY COUNCIL the locker rooms at the CORNER By Lori Donchak La Pata Vista Hermosa Aquatics Center, you have unwittingly had a swamp cooler experience. The locker rooms currently are victim to high levels of humidity, the result of being conditioned by an evaporative cooler system, or swamp cooler. Due to damage from dust and climate factors, the swamp cooler needs to go. It is being
upgraded to air conditioning systems that will also automatically dehumidify. The result? More comfortable, easier to maintain and healthful locker rooms. Some of the real glamour jobs are in our storm drains. Most of us have no need or desire to get up close and personal with urban runoff, but dedicated city staffers do this on a routine basis. Urban runoff has many faces, from illegal chemical spills to road contaminants washed down by rain. Consider the current Calle Toledo Storm Drain Improvements project. It involves upgrading a storm drain system at the intersection of Calle Toledo and W. Avenida Gaviota to convey runoff adequately into the canyon via an outlet downstream of Calle Toledo. City employees are trained to be very careful of harmful bacteria and other particulars they encounter at the bottom of often dangerously slippery slopes found in areas like this. A successful project, as mucky as it is, pays dividends in the form of a cleaner ocean. And here’s one more. It’s makeover time for the massive steel tank, affectionately known as Reservoir 8 and located at 770 Avenida Acapulco. Built in 1981, this reservoir needs to be recoated, repainted and retooled to include a mixer inside that
fights water stagnation. Imagine yourself working inside a two-million-gallon steel tank and you’ll begin to understand what this job requires. Water has always been in the spotlight in our town, and protecting the city’s reserves is essential. The next time you watch Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel, think about the unsung city workers who make a living in some interesting and not always pleasant ways. They do the dirty work, day in and day out with no complaints, and though they do the jobs with the lowest profile, they are some of the most important jobs in San Clemente. I enjoy hearing from you, so please email me comments or questions at donchakl@ san-clemente.org. Also, let me know if you’re interested in a sunset hike to San Clemente summit before the new year. Lori Donchak was re-elected to City Council in 2014 and is the Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Directors. Donchak is also the city’s liaison to San Clemente’s Orange County Library. SC
DISCORD AT THE POLLS RICARDO NICOL, San Clemente
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 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.
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.
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SC GETTING OUT San Clemente
YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
The List
Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.
EDITOR’S PICK
What’s going on in and around town this week
LIVE MUSIC: POCKET TRIO 8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Pocket Trio during Jazz Weekend at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.
COMPILED BY STAFF
Thursday | 03
Saturday | 05
AUTUMN NIGHTS JAZZ SERIES 7-9:30 p.m. The Casino San Clemente hosts the third installment of their seasonal jazz series. Tickets are $7 online, $10 at the door. 140 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.369.6600. www.casinoautumnnights.brownpapertickets.com.
TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. All ages and running abilities are welcome to this weekly running club. Group meets in front of Peet’s Coffee at 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.558.5054. www.meetup.com/2XU-SanClemente-Outlet-Meetup.
LIVE MUSIC: THE KALAMA BROTHERS 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from The Kalama Brothers at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com. HISTORICAL LECTURE ON GASPAR DE PORTOLA 7:30 p.m. The Ocean Institute offers a presentation on Gaspar de Portola, the first governor of California, by Dr. Milt McMenamin, a professional lecturer, historian and actor. Cost is $6 and includes light refreshments. The Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.
Friday | 04 MISSION ART WALK 11 a.m. A docent-guided tour highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to the Mission’s history. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com. TASTE OF SAN CLEMENTE 6-10 p.m. Casino San Clemente and the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce host the 26th annual Taste of San Clemente. Live music, craft food and drinks, auction items and more will be offered. Attendees receive complimentary valet parking and an engraved “Taste of San Clemente” wine glass or beer mug. Tickets are $95 per person. Cocktail attire is required; no jeans allowed. Casino San Clemente. 140 Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.492.1131. www.scchamber.com. SAN CLEMENTE MILITARY FAMILY OUTREACH’S FALL FUNDRAISER 6-9 p.m. Honor service members and their families at a fundraising dinner with music, silent auction items and more. Cost is $60 per person, and all proceeds support the Outreach’s annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway to military members and their families. Talega Golf Club. 990 AveSan Clemente Times November 3-9, 2016
Photo: Courtesy
THURSDAY, NOV. 3: MOTHER EARTH BEER TASTING 7-9 p.m. Sample beer from Vista’s Mother Earth Brewing Company at Barnoa Wine Bar. The $15 price includes a draft beer sample flight and light appetizers. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.
THE DISH
AHI TUNA AND OCTOPUS POKE BOWL
SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Missiles of October performs live music, followed by the Jimi Nelson Band. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.
T
hough the poke bowl trend has taken off across the globe it seems—you can probably find a shop in Kansas City—it is a distinctly Pacific dish. It marries fresh fish, sticky rice and typically Asian flavors in herbs and dressings to effect a singular taste experience. And its complemented especially well at Kawamata Seafood with its casual walk-up service and small, communal, outdoor dining area. There are various combinations of rice, fish and dressing you can select at Kawamata. I went with fresh, meaty chunks of ahi tuna, well-treated and perfectly textured octopus (no small feat), white rice and the “original” dressing of soy sauce, lemon juice and sesame chili oil. Roe and avocado were added on top, and cucumbers, green onions and white onions provided texture and crispness throughout the bowl. Altogether, the bowl is balanced, but the
LIVE MUSIC: MISSY ANDERSEN 7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Missy Andersen at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com. joy of eating it is in the pockets of flavor on each bite. Some bites are creamy and evanescent with avocado, tuna and citrus. Others are forthright and spicy, with the octopus, onion and chili oil. Yet, at the end of the bowl, it’s all one great dining experience.
LIVE MUSIC: ELIZABETH LAMERS 8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Elizabeth Lamers during Jazz Weekend at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.
Kawamata Seafood.
Sunday | 06
26881 Camino De Estrella, Dana Point. 949.248.1914. www.facebook.com/kawamataseafood.
daughter with a regular job wants to bring her fiancé and his Wall Street family to dinner. Also runs Nov. 5-6. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $10 for students. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4413. www.saddleback.edu/arts.
nida Talega, San Clemente. 949.388.2812. www.militaryfamilyoutreach.com. LIVE MUSIC: FREE WHISKEY BAND 7-10 p.m. Listen to live music from the Free Whiskey Band at Adele’s, San Clemente Inn. 2600 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente. 949.481.1222. www.adelesanclementeinn.com. ‘YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU’ 7:30 p.m. Saddleback College actors perform a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy about an eccentric family who allows each member to pursue his own ambition in the home, but their routine is disrupted when a
LA CRISTIANITA PRESCHOOL CARNIVAL AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 10 a.m.-3 p.m. La Cristianita Preschool celebrates 50 years with games, inflatable slides, obstacle courses, a silent auction and food. Entry is free, and activities/ food tickets are available for purchase. 35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente. 949.496.1405. www.clcsanclemente.org.
COA OPEN MIC JAM NIGHT 7:30 p.m. Middle school to college age kids get together and jam. 1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. www.communityoutreachalliance.com. LIVE MUSIC: THE FREMONTS 7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from The Fremonts at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino
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LIKE-NEW BOOK SALE 9 a.m.-1 p.m. San Clemente Friends of the Library will be featuring Christmas books along with newly donated children’s books, cookbooks and gardening books for sale. There will also be many other treasures for a reasonable price. 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.276.6342. www.sanclementefotl.org. VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Village Art Faire offers an array of handcrafted work, including fine art, jewelry, woodwork, sculpture, ceramics, home decor, candles, botanicals and more. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. (Cont. on page 14) www.sanclementetimes.com
GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 12) 949.395.7008. www.villagesanclemente.org. SAN CLEMENTE SURF ART SPECTACULAR 2-9 p.m. Works from numerous artists will be on display at Salon Bleu in San Clemente. The show is curated by Gregorio Escalante, and is sponsored by Juxtapose Magazine. 207 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.366.2060
Monday | 07 FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free beginner-level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.
Tuesday | 08 TINY TOTS: PARENT AND ME PROGRAM 9-10:30 a.m. Children ages 2 and 3, and their parents, are invited to The Ocean Institute to explore shapes, colors and textures with the sea star. Runs every Tuesday until Nov. 8. Cost is $30 for one class, $150 for the whole series. The Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.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 | 09 LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE 9-11:30 a.m. Bring a friend or come by yourself to learn bridge. People age 9-99 are welcome. South Orange County Bridge Center. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. www.danaharborbridgecenter.org. FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB 2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French Flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. No cost to join. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228, or 949.369.5482. LIVE MUSIC: YOU KNEW ME WHEN 7 p.m. Live music from folk-rock duo You Knew Me When at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.492.3663. www.thecellarsite.com. LIVE MUSIC: WILFAX 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from Wilfax at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com. FREE COMEDY AT MOLLY BLOOM’S 9:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Molly Bloom’s with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com. 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: ‘Christine’ is a Winner for Rebecca Hall BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
F
rom her impressive supporting turns in The Prestige (2006) and The Town (2010), to brilliant starring performances in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) and The Gift (2015), Rebecca Hall is at the point where an Oscar nomination could be around the corner. And this season might be the moment, given her performance in Antonio Campos’ Christine. No, it’s not a new adaptation of Stephen King’s horror classic, but a biopic on a troubled news reporter. In 1974 Sarasota, Florida, Christine Chubbuck (Hall) is a local TV reporter who is always on the lookout and aiming for quality news stories. But she’s constantly hard on herself, insecure and feels underappreciated at the TV station. Her superior, Mike (Tracy Letts), prefers to give all his leads to more charismatic Page 14
reporters like George Ryan (Michael C. Hall), while Christine herself is secretly attracted to George. On top of that, she hates living with her single mother, Peg (J. Smith-Cameron). The story behind Christine was also the inspiration for Sidney Lumet’s Network (1976), and the tension leading up to Chubbuck’s ending is effectively tight and unnerving, much like the reporter’s own personality. Campos’ direction is fine and strong, but the whole film is carried by Hall’s tour-de-force effort. She doesn’t hold back on showing us how mentally wound-up Chubbuck’s struggles were. The soft cinematography and decision to have a soundtrack of ’70s pop songs helps to make the film’s tone not too overly dramatic and lets Hall do the talking. If there’s anyone who deserves that fifth Best Actress nomination spot, it’s her. SC www.sanclementetimes.com
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War Horse
Business Beat News from San Clemente’s business community
Sergeant Reckless honored with statue at Camp Pendleton
SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
,
BY VICTOR CARNO SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
T
he highly decorated war horse Sergeant Reckless was honored Wednesday, Oct. 26, with a dedicated statue of her displaying heroism in the Korean War. Lt. Eric Pederson purchased Reckless from a Korean stable boy in Seoul, to be used as a pack horse to help deliver ammunition and supplies to his Recoilless Rifle Platoon of the 5th Marines. Little did he or his company know that Sgt. Reckless would complete more than 51 solo trips through terrain that was under heavy fire and too treacherous for a vehicle to navigate. The only real training Reckless had during her time as a Marine was to take cover when she was under fire, along with being shown resupply routes three times before being able to navigate them herself. She finished out her duties in the Marine Corps before being sent to Camp Pendleton as a decorated Staff Sergeant, complete with two Purple Hearts, a Good Conduct Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation with star, along with many other achievements. During the ceremony, more than 400
Ante Up for Autism to Raise Funds for TACA BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
T
he 10th annual Ante Up for Autism is set for Nov. 12 with funds raised at the annual event to benefits. Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), which helps families deal with autism. San Clemente’s Pat and Stephanie McIlvain, who started the event to benefit TACA, said the group looks to help families by providing as many resources as possible for families with autistic loved ones. Events like Ante up for Autism help achieve that goal. The McIlvain’s have been a part of the organization for 15 years after their son was diagnosed with autism. Pat is a current board member with the group.
San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Killea, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, center right, and Lt. Col. Rafael Candelario, executive officer, 5th Marine Regiment, I Marine Expeditionary Force, center left, pose for a photo with the contributors to the Staff Sgt. Reckless monument on Camp Pendleton, Oct. 26. Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps
people, including veterans who served alongside Sergeant Reckless, were in attendance. Along with the unveiling of the statue, sculpted by Jocelyn Russell, retired Sgt. Harold Wadley spoke about Reckless in battle and described some of the harsh conditions their unit endured in Korea. “God made all horses. Only on Reckless, he’d placed an angel that rode her those nights. I don’t know how she lived through it except for that,” Wadley said. Located outside the Pacific Views Event Center in Camp Pendleton, visitors can now come and see a life size statue showing Reckless trekking through rough terrain while carrying supplies. SC “We were just parents looking for answers,” Pat said. “They helped us out a lot; they gave us the right steps.” Ante up for Autism is in its 10th year, and the proceeds from the event go to developing programs that connect families and professionals, while expanding the organization’s services. “We’ve expanded the event; originally it just started off as a casino night,” Stephanie said. “This is our third year with the gala.” There will be a live and a silent auction, a poker tournament and casino games. The live auction is also available online. “Autism is an epidemic,” Pat said. “It’s the least-funded, and it affects one in 68 children. I think it’s something that needs to be addressed now.” Eric and Jaya Kreidler’s youngest son was diagnosed with autism when he was 23 months old. Since finding out about TACA, they’ve been using the resources the organization provides as well as meeting other families going through the same things they are. The event will be at Monarch Beach Resort on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.anteupforautism.com. SC
From left, city of San Clemente officials Lawrence Brotman, Dave Rebensdorf and Mark Iverson stand in front of the TrafFix Devices, Inc., Scorpion Trailer Attenuator, which helps cushion the impact of vehicles to the back of large vehicles used in public works. TrafFix has been in business for 30 years. Photo: Eric Heinz
30-Year Anniversary TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC. 160 Avenida La Pata 949.361.5663, www.traffixdevices.com City of San Clemente public works and utilities employees will now have an extra piece of security when working with a dump truck. With 30 years of experience, TrafFix Devices, Inc., recently sold a large piece of equipment to the city of San Clemente that helps brace the impact of oncoming vehicles headed toward collisions with large dump trucks. The piece is called the Scorpion Trailer Attenuator, which is designed to alleviate crashes and protect drivers and people in roadwork zones. The city of San Clemente recently pur-
chased one for its solid waste truck. “The survivability of a driver (who crashes into the back) is much greater with this unit rather than hitting the back of a dump truck at 60 miles per hour,” said Mark Iverson, chief operator at the city of San Clemente. The product was developed by TrafFix and has been on the market for more than 18 years. “When I realized my workers were at risk and the drivers were at risk, we knew that we had to take steps to protect them,” Lawrence M. Brotman, chief utilities operator at the city of San Clemente , said. Each device costs about $32,000, but they are able to be rebuilt if they’re crashed into. They are filled with aluminum buffers that crumple and slow down the impact. TrafFix recently celebrated its 30th year in business.
New Business CROCS 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, Suite 190, 949.506.0021, www.crocs.com Outlets at San Clemente announced the grand opening of a Crocs location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 14. Crocs came to prominence more than 10 years ago with its trademarked Croslite material, which is “a proprietary, revolutionary technology that gives each pair of shoes their soft, comfortable, lightweight and odor-resistant qualities,” according to a press release from the Outlets. Since 2002, Crocs has sold more than 200 million pairs of shoes in more than 90 countries around the world, the released stated. The store at the Outlets is open every day from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Restaurants coming soon to the Outlets at San Clemente include Ruby’s Diner, Rockwell’s Cafe & Bakery and Slapfish. The Outlets at San Clemente will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Nov. 11.
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 29
See the solution in next week’s issue.
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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
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
ELECTRICAL
BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT
Arcadia Electric
YOUR BUSINESS HERE!
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
APPLIANCES
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
APPLIANCE SERVICES & REPAIRS
ASAP Appliance Service
3200 Legendario, 949.361.7713, www.asapapplianceservice.com
ART GALLERIES
San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com
CHIROPRACTIC
Spinal Vitality Chiropractic
647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.com
CHOCOLATE/CANDY
Schmid’s Fine Chocolate
99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com
CONCRETE
Costa Verde Landscape
Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com
DENTISTS
Eric Johnson, D.D.S.
647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com
Shoreline Dental Studio Kristen Ritzau, DDS
122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com
EDIBLE LANDSCAPING
Organics Out Back
949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com
EDITING SERVICES
Perfectly Clear Editing Services
Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.com
Salon Bleu
Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com
Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD
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
MORTGAGES
Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com
MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE
SC Rider Supply
520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com
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
PLUMBING
SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS
A to Z Leak Detection
929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com
Bill Metzger Plumbing
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com
SWIMMING SCHOOL
Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter
Waterbabies Swim School
MATTRESSES 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com
1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com
San Clemente, 949.366.8302
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
SALONS
Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.
Hoover Construction JEWELRY
114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386
Salon Bamboo
PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS
949.292.6778
Café Calypso
Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!
Scott Williams, 949.542.7750
Capistrano Valley Raingutters
RESTAURANTS
POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL
Radiant Pool & Spa Service Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com
SC Pool & Spa Works
1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com
REAL ESTATE
Marcie George Star Real Estate South County
142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com
TERMITES
Colony Termite Control
1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com
WEBSITE DESIGN
San Clemente Website Design
949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com
949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net
WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT
“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax
Offshore Construction
949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com
MUSIC LESSONS
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
PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING
2-dogswalking.com
Ricky, 949.973.4128 Pet care –Insured & Bonded
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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 FOR RENT ROOM FOR RENT IN A PRIVATE SAN CLEMENTE HOME IN A GATED COMMUNITY. Mostly private bathroom. Seeking a responsible, non-smoking female. Rent is $850/month and includes utilities (Wi-Fi). If you are interested please contact me at GarrettRN@cox.net.
GARAGE SALES HUGE GARAGE SALE, 30+ FAMILIES PARTICIPATING Sat. Nov. 5, 8am-2pm. I-5 fwy, exit Camino Las Ramblas, go east to Via de Agua and follow the signs! Sponsored by Donna Sullivan, Coldwell Banker Real Estate.
GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com. Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.
HELP WANTED CASSANO’S PIZZA IS NOW HIRING COOKS, DRIVERS, SERVERS. Must be a team player, fun friendly environment. Please apply in person 818 South El Camino Real, San Clemente.
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
SC BUSINESS DIRECTORY S a n C le m e
n te
San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
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SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Wellness and Prevention by Susan Parmelee
Center Recognizes First Recipients of Gratitude Awards
N
ovember is a month when we are thankful—this is a tradition going back to the birth of our nation. We express gratitude by helping others, donating to charity and through traditions passed down through generations. This month, the Wellness & Prevention Center is starting a new tradition with our inaugural Gratitude Awards. These awards recognize outstanding individuals who support the youth in our community. Students Run LA (www.srla.org) was started in 1986 after Harry Shabazian completed his first Los Angeles Marathon. Shabazian decided to challenge the youth at his continuation high school to train and run the marathon. By 1993, the nonprofit was born with the mission “to challenge at-risk secondary students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by providing them with a truly lifechanging experience.” Since Shabazian kicked off the program, more than 60,000 students have run the L.A. Marathon with SRLA teams. Twelve years ago, Vista del Mar teachers Mark Yanaura and Chuck Hobbs challenged WELLNESS AND students in San Clemente PREVENTION to join the Students Run By Susan LA experience. BeginParmelee ning in October and continuing until the marathon in March, you can catch the teachers, students and parents on training runs through the San Clemente hills on many afternoons. Hobbs said what he loves most about the program is, “that it instills a feeling of belonging among middle school students that they take with them to high school where they may join track or cross country.” He emphasized the statistic that only 1 to 2 percent of Americans ever finish the 26.5-mile race. It provides students with a “sense that they will always be able to reach goals that in the beginning seemed unattainable.” One of Mr. Yanaura’s fondest memories was training with a student who ran every practice with a teenage scowl directed at the adults. He said he will never forget her expression of joy when she crossed the finish line after six months of training, nor the change in her academics and selfesteem that followed her marathon participation. Yanaura said he has seen kids’ personalities change, going from withdrawn and sullen to positive, active participants in their communities. More than 200 students have completed the marathon on the Vista del Mar SRLA team. One hundred San Clemente Times November 3–9, 2016
percent of Yanaura’s students who start the race have crossed the finish line of the L.A. Marathon. Dr. Rosalia Koba is another local hero who has devoted herself to the wellbeing of our youth. The 2012 California School Counselor of the Year has been guiding middle school students at Bernice Ayer Middle School for 19 years. She is a champion for the process of restorative practices (www.safersanerschools.org) among students, families and adult groups. Restorative practices are collaborative processes that include all stakeholders in problem-solving issues and gives equal voice to all in developing solutions. Dr. Koba said she is “passionate about the validity of this process because it is positive and empowering.” She said proof of how it helps is “evident in the smiles and happy hearts” that appear at the end of sessions. Dr. Koba is now an instructor for restorative practice models and will be working to help other Capistrano Unified school counselors and teachers learn how to implement the process in their schools. She operates under the basic philosophy to always advocate for her students, families and colleagues. She also dedicates her time to mentoring graduate student interns on their path to becoming future school counselors. Dr. Koba told me she is inspired to come to school every day to see students succeed both socially and educationally. Mr. Paul Sileci has been a science teacher at Shorecliffs Middle School for 23 years. In 1995, Mr. Sileci partnered with Donald Clinebell to create 7th Inning Stretch, a program that mentors at-risk middle school students. The program has won national recognition for the impact it makes on the future of student participants and has been replicated in 24 communities across the nation. The program relies on adult volunteers who spend several hours per week with at-risk students after school, working on homework, discussing personal challenges and encouraging growth. Paul shares that he has witnessed teachers, other professionals and retirees step up and become a positive adult role model in these kids’ lives. When I spoke with Mr. Sileci, he minimized his own accomplishments and focused on the outcomes of the students and adults who have formed lifelong relationships as a result of their time together during this pivotal developmental stage. He also notes that the students seem to value their mentor’s time even more knowing that they choose to be there as volunteers. Since 1995, the program has helped over 1,000 students at Shorecliffs Middle School and 125 adults have donated valuable mentoring time. Page 33
Photo: Eric Heinz
Peaceful Prayer at San Onofre BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
O
n Saturday, Oct. 28, a group of Native American tribespeople, environmental activists and locals gathered at San Onofre State Beach to pray for the removal of the planned additional storage of spent nuclear waste on the beach. San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, owned mostly by Southern California Edison, plans to start storing the waste on site as early as 2017 while the plant is decommissioned. Chief Phil Lane of Vancouver, British Columbia, led the prayer and ceremony, which included people plunging a traditional stake into the ground as a sign of solidarity in the effort.
One of these mentors, Mrs. Helen Del Grosso, has been a volunteer for 7th Inning Stretch from the day the program started in 1995. Mrs. Del Grosso credits her volunteer work with middle school students for helping her to feel young and for keeping her mind flexible. “As the year evolves, it’s very rewarding to witness these students blossom, watch grades get better, and just be a tiny, but powerful, key to unlock their potential,” Del Grosso said. One of her fondest memories is when, “one little girl rushed up to me at the Commissary at Camp Pendleton. I didn’t know her parents were military. It added a whole new dimension to our tutoring sessions! You realize they are equally proud of you... that you are truly making a small difference in their lives.” Donald Clinebell tells me that Mr. Sileci and Mrs. Del Grosso, “are persons of great character and accomplishment, devoted to service.” These two join Mr. Yanuara, Mr. Hobbs and Dr. Koba as recipi-
ents of the Wellness & Prevention Center’s 2016 Gratitude Awards. The Wellness & Prevention Center recognizes that a caring relationship with adults outside of an adolescent’s family are a key asset for positive development among our youth. Please join me in applauding their commitment to the youth in this community and take some time this month to personally thank others who support the healthy development of youth in our community. The Wellness & Prevention Center thanks H.H. Cotton’s for providing a dining certificate to each of our honorees. Susan Parmelee is a mental health social worker and one of the founders of the Wellness & Prevention Center, San Clemente. She can be reached at susan@wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.com. 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
SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente
STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE
Triton Report
the top-5. Laguna Hills, ranked sixth in Division 3, placed second and narrowly edged out San Clemente, which took third. The Tritons, ranked eighth in Division 1, were led by junior Chandler Horton. Horton placed third with a time of 17:50.2. Four additional Triton runners placed inside the top-20, including Marina McDonough (sixth), Katelyn McNeal (14th), Lota Jones (16th) and Christina Beaulieu (19th). Laguna Hills bested the Tritons by a slim 54-58 margin. The boys team placed fourth in the varsity race, and the team was led by Carlos de Jesus’ eighth-place finish. De Jesus looped the course in a time of 15:39.6. Patrick Riley (16:17) placed 16th and William McNee (16:26.1) took 19th. Both the boys and girls teams will head to the CIF-SS Prelims at Mt. SAC on Nov. 12.
BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the San Clemente High School fall sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.
Reaves Provides X-Factor for Triton Football There is a reason Brandon Reaves’ nickname is “lightning.” If you’ve ever seen him size up an incoming punt, catch it and dart into open running lanes, you’ll know why. If you’ve ever seen him run into an opposing defense, looking like he’ll gain just a yard or two, only to make a sharp cutback the other way for a big gain, you’ll know why. And if you’ve seen him catch a ball on a short screen pass and turn it into a gamebreaking touchdown, you can only nod your head in agreement with the namesake the coaches gave him. Reaves is among the San Clemente High School football team’s most versatile players, and he has the speed and knowhow to change a game in one play. The senior, who plays both receiver and running back, is a walking highlight reel play, and has provided plenty of firepower to a high-powered Triton offense that is averaging just over 41 points per game. Just how much can Reaves impact a game? Consider this: He has recorded a rushing play of 35 yards or more in seven different games this season, and he is averaging an astounding 17.8 yards per carry. He has caught a pass that gained 30 or more yards four times, and he averages 11.2 yards per catch. In essence, every time Reaves touches the ball, the Tritons get a first down. He returns punts and kicks as well, although opposing teams are hesitant to kick the ball his way. Reaves’ longest kickoff return this season went for 95 yards, and he’s averaging 25.4 yards per punt return. Oh, and he also plays defensive back and can throw the ball a little too. Reaves had an interception return for a touchdown in a win over Huntington Beach on Sept. 2 and his lone pass attempt was on a trick play, when he connected with a receiver for a 47-yard gain downfield. Toss those plays into his ever-growing list of big-time moments. “There isn’t anything he can’t do,” coach Jaime Ortiz said. “Every time he touches San Clemente Times November 3-9, 2016
Senior Brandon Reaves has the ability to make game-changing plays on both sides of the ball for the Triton football team. Photo: Lance Scott/www.redzoneelite.com
Brandon Reaves has 16 total touchdowns playing on both offense and defense for the Triton football team. Photo: Lance Scott/www.redzoneelite.com
the ball, everyone takes a big gasp wondering what’s going to happen. He has that ability to do those big things.” In the Tritons 49-14 South Coast League win over Trabuco Hills on Oct. 28, Reaves had a 49-yard touchdown run and caught six passes for 77 yards and two scores. The three-touchdown effort brought Reaves’ season-long total to 16. Reaves’ presence is invaluable to the Tritons (7-2, 3-0 league), and the team is hoping he has a few more big plays left in the tank for their biggest game of the season on Friday. San Clemente will host undefeated Mission Viejo (9-0, 3-0) on Nov. 4 with the South Coast League title up for grabs. Mission Viejo, ranked No. 4 in the CIFSS Division 1 polls, is in the midst of a 37game winning streak and will present the
Tritons with their toughest challenge yet. The Tritons offense will have another dynamic in the mix this week, thanks to the addition of senior tight end Isaac Rex. Rex, a BYU commit, broke his femur earlier this season but has made a full recovery and appeared in last week’s game.
Cross Country Teams Compete in League Finals The San Clemente boys and girls cross country teams competed in the Sea View League finals meet at Irvine Regional Park on Nov. 1. As expected, the varsity girls race was closely contested. El Toro, which is ranked 11th in the CIF-SS Division 1 polls, took the title by packing three runners inside
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Tennis Team Heads into Playoffs The South Coast League champion San Clemente girls tennis team was scheduled to host a first-round playoff match against Sage Hill on Nov. 2. Results were not available at press time. The Tritons (15-2) will host a talented Sage Hill team that had only one loss all season. Sage Hill finished the regular season with a 14-1 record and won the Academy League title. The Tritons have been one of the more successful teams on campus in recent years, and 2016 was one of their best efforts ever. San Clemente defeated rival Dana Hills to claim the league title for a second straight year, and they finished the regular season as the No. 7-ranked team in CIF-SS Division 1, which is the highest they have ever been ranked at season’s end. The winner of the San Clemente-Sage Hill match will face the winner of Villa Park-Northwood in the CIF-SS Division 1 second round on Nov. 4.
El Toro Holds off Triton Water Polo in League Showdown In its penultimate South Coast League game of the season, the San Clemente boys water polo team could not overcome an early deficit in a 14-11 loss to El Toro. The Tritons (12-15, 0-5) got off to a slow start against the first-place Chargers on Nov. 1, and trailed 6-4 at the half. San Clemente was able to mount a second-half comeback and keep the game close, but it was not enough. El Toro outscored the Tritons 8-7 during the final two quarters to hold on for the win. El Toro’s Trent Rivers scored a team-high five goals. San Clemente will wrap up its season on the road against Capistrano Valley on Nov. 3. www.sanclementetimes.com
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
Sarah Matzinger, left, and McKenna Roe represented San Clemente High School during the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League’s first event of the season on Oct. 30. Photo: Courtesy
Sarah Matzinger competed in an Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League event this weekend. Photo: Courtesy
Scoreboard SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
LOCAL EQUESTRIAN RIDERS HAVE STRONG SHOWINGS AT SOCAL OPEN Sarah Matzinger and McKenna Roe, two San Clemente High School students, had successful performances at the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League’s first event of the season at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on Oct. 30. Both Roe, a senior, and Matzinger, a sophomore, competed against hundreds of riders from throughout Southern California during the two-day event. Matzinger was crowned the varsity champion in Event 2 after proving her mastery of her horse in both the flat round and the jumping competition. Matzinger placed second in flat, where a rider must display control over a horse while walking and trotting, and first in the jumps to claim the overall prize. Roe placed third in the flat competition during Event 2. Matzinger and Roe are the only riders representing SCHS in the league, which features dozens of schools from Los Angeles down to San Diego. The SCHS duo is Page 36
not officially affiliated with the school, but any high school-age student is allowed to compete in the league. Both Matzinger and Roe have already built up impressive resumes in 2016. They both qualified for and competed in the Orange County Championships earlier this month. Roe won the Victor Hugo Jr/ Am Equitation Medal at the event and Matzinger placed fourth overall. Matzinger placed first in the OCHSA Junior Horsemanship Medal event and Roe took second. Matzinger and Roe will continue competing in the OCIEL throughout the season, which runs through January. LOCAL YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM FINISHES SEASON UNDEFEATED The Our Lady of Fatima boys B football team finished the Parochial Athletic League season with a perfect 10-0 record. The team, which consists of fifth- and sixth-grade students, won its final game of the year on Oct. 30 to finish undefeated. The team includes: Brennan Bates, JP Bobo, Aaron Ferguson, Parker Flanagan, Pierce Garvis, Malachi Moreno, Anton Rosandic, Eric Swenson and Breck Titus. The team is coached by John Bob and Andy Titus. www.sanclementetimes.com
SC SC SURF San Clemente
SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:
SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY
Not Just Another National Title
GROM OF THE WEEK
CROSBY COLAPINTO
BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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San Clemente rising star Kade Matson shines at Rip Curl GromSearch National Championships. BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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hen it comes to being crowned a national champion in surfing, there’s more than one avenue to take. There’s the NSSA, the ISA, the WSA, the WSL, and that’s just for starters. A number of surf brands also hold annual national titles for kids, which brings us to the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch National Championship. Featuring a bounty of San Clemente’s finest wave-riding talent, the GromSeach National Championships landed last weekend at Seaside Reef in San Diego. Under gray, windless skies, a combination of small northwest and southwest swells intermingled to offer up playful three-foot surf for some of the best and brightest under-16 talent in America to do their thing. It was the culminating event after a series of summer qualifiers around the country, and surf towns from New Smyrna to Santa Cruz to Paia were all represented mightily. Showing up with every intention of going the distance, 14-year-old Riviera regular Kade Matson went into the GromSearch with something to prove. While he’s had plenty of success in his brief competitive career, a national title has eluded him. Hoping to improve his chances at Seaside, this summer he battled hard and qualified for both the Under 14 and the Under 16 divisions. A worthy accomplishment, the only drawback was that while most of his competitors only had to focus on one division, he had to buckle down and do double duty all day on Saturday. In the Under 14 division, Matson made a strong showing in both the opening round and semifinals, blitzing his way all the way into the final. In the Under 16’s, he aced his opening round heat and then slipped through the semifinals in second place. Landing in both finals, the Under 14 finale came first. It was a back-and-forth affair, but when the horn sounded, Matson found himself a quarter of a point out of first. Somehow refocused and reenergized, he was not to be denied in the Under 16 final.
San Clemente Times October 27-November 2, 2016
Kade Matson performed well at the Rip Curl GromSearch National Championships last weekend. Photo: Steve Mo
He opened up an early lead thanks to an articulately surfed 8-point ride. He backed it up with a midrange score and then spent the rest of the final controlling the lineup through his deft use of the priority rules. When it was all over, Matson had done it. He was the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch National Champion. “This is my first national title so I’m super psyched. I usually end of getting second or third, so this feels really good,” beamed Matson from the podium. When asked how he was able to pull everything together after such a heartbreaking defeat in his first final, Matson smirked and said, “I was in the 14’s final and ended up losing by nothing, so I went out there like I had nothing to lose. I was pretty much just free surfing and it worked out.” For his effort, Matson took home a $500 check, but more importantly, he picked up an invitation to the Rip Curl International GromSearch final, which will be held at a yet-to-be-named surf break somewhere in the world. Rip Curl will pick up the tab for all of his travel, and considering the company’s tradition of seeking out world-class waves, he’s probably going to score. “I’m stoked, I don’t know where it’s going to be, but I’m so stoked,” said Matson, as if he was ready to hop on a plane right then and there. Other San Clemente standouts had a big impact at the GromSearch as well. In keeping with her current momentum on the NSSA circuit, Kirra Pinkerton went to work in the Girls Under 16 division. In a stacked final, she was edged out by reigning national champ Caroline Marks and Hawaii’s Brisa Hennessy, but took a very respectable third place. On the boys’ side of the draw, Crosby
Colapino joined Matson in the Under 14 final, where he finished third. And in the Under 12 division, Jett Schilling settled for second against Hawaiian hammer thrower Jackson Bunch. The Rip Curl GromSearch first kicked off in 1999 with the goal of giving young surfers under 16 years old (generally referred to as “groms”), the opportunity to compete and hone their skills against their friends and peers. Today the series has spread around the world and culminates with an international final held at a different location each year. Former GromSearch national champions from San Clemente include Kolohe Andino (who’s currently ranked fifth in the world) and Kei Kobayashi. SC
rom of the Week props go out to 15-year-old Crosby Colapinto. A beacon of stoke to the young and frothing in San Clemente, last weekend Crosby rallied the troops at the 2016 Rip Curl GromSearch National Championships. As much a motivator as he was a competitor, he ended up finishing third in the Boys Under 14 division (he was 14 when he qualified for the GromSearch final). In the closest final of the event, he slipped in less than two points behind runner-up and fellow San Clemente ripper Kade Matson and Hawaii’s Malakai Martinez. Surfing well above his age group, Colapinto picked up a third place finish earlier in the month in the Under 18 division of the Surfing America Prime contest at San Onofre. Coming off of his national title performance in the Under 16s last summer, he’s currently sitting eighth in the Surfing America West Coast ratings. To say performance surfing runs deep in the Colapinto family is an understatement. The family runs a surf camp and private surf school in town, and older brother Griffin, already a national champion, is on track to become one of America’s brightest world tour prospects in the years to come. No doubt Crosby won’t be far behind him. SC
SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 61-64 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-10’ Fair Catalina: 15-20’ Fair-Good Thursday: Modest blend of WNW overlapping WNW swells and SSW swell. Look for knee-waist high (2-3’) surf for most spots with chest high (4’) sets at standouts. Light morning winds. Outlook: Fun size blend of WNW and SSW swell through the weekend, keeping things peaky at combo beachbreaks with shoulderhead high sets at best spots. Morning winds are light. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.
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Crosby Colapinto. Photo: Courtesy
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