January 26, 2017

LO C A L

January 26-February 1, 2017

N EWS

YO U

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San Clemente Joins Women’s March on Washington PAGE 5

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4

Checkout Time

Owners of Casa Tropicana sell after 30 years in the business SC LIVING/PAGE 12

Susan and Rick Anderson recently sold the Casa Tropicana after 30 years in business. Photo: Eric Heinz

City Repeals 10-Year-Old Ethics Policy

EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SCHS Wrestler Kyle Marshall Having Historic Season SPORTS/PAGE 14

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The Continuing Saga of the Road into San Onofre’s Surf Beach SC SURF/PAGE 18

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SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING could remember the last time an ethics violation complaint had been filed against the City Council.

Since January, there have been four ethics complaints against City Council members Chris Hamm, Kathy Ward, former Mayor Bob Baker and City Manager James Makshanoff. All of the complaints were found to not be ethical violations by the City Council.

City Council also had another option to revise and update its ethics policy to conform to the state’s, a process that could cost about $20,000, according to officials.

Portions of the new sand that was delivered to North Beach in San Clemente in December were washed away by continuous weeks of rain and king tides. Shown in this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 24, parts of the beach have been eroded by several feet from where the sand once was. Photo: Eric Heinz

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week City Officials: New Sand May Have Saved North Beach Concession Stand THE LATEST: Although about a quarter of the new sand at North Beach was washed away by king tides and large waves over the past week, city officials see a silver lining.

“The sand that was placed in front of the North Beach restrooms and concession stand likely saved the structure during the king tides and provided protection for the playground as well,” said Aeryn DonnellyTerrey, a parks planner with the city of San Clemente.

During low tides on Tuesday, the city’s beaches and maintenance crew was scheduled to redistribute sand back in front of the concession stand.

“The intent of the sand nourishment project was to feed the beaches throughout the city by putting it at North Beach,” Donnelly-Terrey said. “It will naturally move south to other city beaches over time.”

The new sand cost the city about $625,000 from the Lower Santa Ana River dredging project. The city had to take the sand in November because it would have been redistributed if the City Council hadn’t taken it then.

“The intent of this project was to fill the littoral beach cell in San Clemente,” Donnelly-Terrey said. “Slowly over time the sand will be redistributed to Linda Lane, San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

and the Pier Bowl area beaches providing an incremental benefit to city beaches.

WHAT’S NEXT: Donnelly-Terry said the city’s coastal development permit allots up to 250,000 cubic yards of sand to come in over the next five years.

“The North Beach Opportunistic Sand Project received 12,000 cubic yards of sand (which is more than double the amount of sand that was received in the test project in 2005),” Donnelly-Terrey said. —Eric Heinz

City Council Repeals Ethics Policy, Violations to be Handled by DA, State Agencies THE LATEST: The San Clemente City Council decided to do away with its 10-year-old ethics policy and will now have ethics complaints handled directly by state agencies and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

In a 4-0-1 vote on Tuesday, Jan. 17, with Councilmember Chris Hamm absent, the Council decided to have its ethics policies mirror the state’s laws. But Council also voted to bring the item back for a later meeting.

“There wouldn’t be an official (city) policy for (ethical hearings), but what they would be doing is not getting in the middle of it,” City Attorney Scott Smith said.

“They’ll be forwarding on the complaints, and it will not be handled by the Council.”

Smith said ethics complaints that have already been filed with the city but were dismissed could be re-filed with the three departments that will now handle them.

Ethical complaints were handled by the City Council in a hearing where members would conduct an investigation into the matter on the spot. Before 2016, no one on Council or members of the Clerk’s office

WHAT’S NEXT: Smith said the ethics violations could be heard again by the appropriate agencies, but it depends on what the statute of limitations are for each complaint. The last complaint was heard in December. The city will place on its website the agencies’ policies and the process to file complaints. —EH

Second Person Sentenced in God’s Sports Company Scam THE LATEST: Kristi McKinlay, who admitted to contributing to a business scam with her husband in San Clemente, was sentenced to one year of county jail time and 10 years of formal probation on Jan. 19 in Orange County Superior Court.

Kristi McKinlay was sentenced along with her husband, Steven, who was sentenced to five years in state prison, for defrauding investors of $3 million in their business, God’s Sports Company, between 2011 and 2015. The investors included a former Major League Baseball player, members of a church, a family friend who came into money through a personal injury, and a cancer patient who wanted to secure an inheritance for his family, according to an Orange County District Attorney press release.

The couple used the money to pay rent on a home in San Clemente, and buy lavish gifts and sports tickets.

Investors put in a total of up to $700,000, the release stated.

WHAT’S NEXT: Probation officers will have to determine whether her sentence can be deferred to McKinlay’s home or if she will have to serve the sentence in Orange County Jail. —EH

Rep. Issa Introduces Sober Living Regulation Bill THE LATEST: California Rep. Darrell Issa, who represents the 49th congressional district and San Clemente, introduced a bill on Jan. 12 that would amend the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabili-

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ties Act to regulate sober living homes, residences that provide treatment for people with drug and alcohol addictions.

The bill arose from local discussions in Issa’s district after people insisted legislation needed to be done, and people have claimed for years that these residences cause a nuisance in their neighborhoods.

In San Clemente, some people have taken to protest the establishment of sober living homes.

WHAT’S NEXT: The bill’s summary is still being put together for public view, according to the U.S. Congressional website, but based on meetings with Issa in San Clemente, the law will likely contain text requiring operators of sober living homes to obtain a license, have permanent staff members on site at all times and adhere to other requirements. So far, five California Republican members of congress have cosponsored the bill along with one Massachusetts Democratic congressman. —EH

Homeless Point-in-Time Count is Saturday THE LATEST: Homeless population numbers are counted every two years in Orange County, and on Saturday, Jan. 28, volunteers will join in an effort to do the count again.

The Point-in-Time Count is a process in which volunteers go around town in the early morning and count the number of homeless people who are “chronically” living on the streets; chronic homelessness is defined as living on the street for three months or more.

“In a county with one of the state’s most expensive housing markets, providing additional resources to help homeless people transition to long-term housing is more critical than ever, as well as addressing the complex social and medical issues that result in chronic homelessness,” Fifth District County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said in her weekly newsletter.

The count also helps meet Housing and Urban Development requirements for Continuum of Care (COC) homeless programs.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Point-in-Time Count takes place 4:30-9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, beginning at Family Assistance Ministries headquarters, located at 1030 Calle Negocio.

The South County deployment centers will be Family Assistance Ministries in San Clemente and Families Forward in Irvine.

For more information and to register, visit www.pointintimeoc.org or email pointintime@211oc.org.

There are two training sessions for the Point-in-Time Count, one at 1-4 p.m. and another from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26 at FAM. —EH www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

SC Woman’s Club Celebrates 86th Anniversary The San Clemente Woman’s Club (SCWC) is celebrating its 86th anniversary next month. The club was founded six years after Ole Hanson realized his dream of “The Spanish Village by the Sea.” The SCWC is an active philanthropic and civic-minded organization that participates in projects such as delivering Meals on Wheels, aiding Family Assistance Ministries and providing scholarships for outstanding college-bound, high school students. The club will host a dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald house in March.

The SCWC is open to women of all ages in San Clemente and the surrounding areas. They meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the Talega Swim and Athletic Club, 100 Calle Altea, San Clemente.

The next meeting is Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m.

SCHS Dance Team Offers Teen Skills and Evaluation Clinic In preparation for spring tryouts, the San Clemente High School Dance Team is offering a Teen Skills and Evaluation Clinic for middle school and high school dancers on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 4-6:30 p.m. in the SCHS dance room.

Cost to attend is $45. Registration begins at 3:45 p.m. the day of the clinic, and registration forms are available for download at www.schsdanceteam.com.

The clinic is designed to give dancers interested in trying out for the 2017-2018

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, January 22 DISTURBANCE Bonanza, 2900 Block (5:12 a.m.)A woman called to report that a man in a monkey suit was banging on her door again. At 4:15 a.m., a woman said there was masking tape blocking the intersection of Camino De Los Mares and Camino Del Rio from stop sign to stop sign. The caller said when her daughter got out to San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

team the opportunity to practice with the current team. During the clinic, attendees will participate in warm-ups and across-the-floor technique as well as learn lyrical/contemporary and hip hop combinations. Coaches will be observing the dancers and providing a written evaluation in the mail after the clinic, highlighting strengths and offering suggestions for areas to improve before the team’s tryouts, scheduled for April 11-13.

For more information about the SCHS Dance Team Teen Skills and Evaluation Clinic and to download the registration form, visit www.schsdanceteam.com. The community can also follow the dance team on social media at www.facebook.com/ schsdanceteam or on Instagram @schs__danceteam.

Speaker to Highlight Human Rights in China Dr. Wen Chen will speak about human rights in China and the persecution of religious, spiritual and political beliefs there.

The events will take place Feb. 1 at noon at the Rotary Club of San Clemente at Wedgewood Restaurant at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, located at 150 E. Avenida Magdalena, and at the Kiwanis Club of San Clemente meeting at 6 p.m. at Tommy’s Family Restaurant, located at 1409 S. El Camino Real.

PTA to Celebrate Student Artwork in Annual ‘Reflections’ Gallery Night The artistic works of local students will represent Capistrano Unified School District in the eighth annual District PTA Reflections Art Contest on Thursday, January 26 from 5-8 p.m. at the Capistrano Unified district office, located at 33122 remove it, a man in a monkey suit came out of the bushes.

Camp Pendleton commemorates its 75th anniversary with a series of celebratory events now through September 2017.

The base invites the public to a number of events including the Battle Colors Ceremony, multiple base tours, the World Famous Mud Run, an evening colors ceremony, and various events in the San Diego area.

Base personnel will also participate in a “75 Years of Service” campaign in which Camp Pendleton volunteers will be helping a number of local communities.

On Sept. 25, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the base in honor of Maj. Gen. Joseph H. Pendleton. The land was chosen by the Marine Corps due to its unique terrain, on which Marines train for their ship to shore missions today.

For more information on Camp Pendleton’s 75th anniversary, please visit: www. pendleton.marines.mil/75thAnniversary.

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

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Corte Merlango, 2400 Block (4:16 p.m.) Police were called to a man slumped over the wheel of a white car parked in front of the “play area.”

CITIZEN ASSIST Avenida Presidio, 100 Block (1:42 p.m.) A woman said she was looking for property that deputies took about 13 years ago.

Wednesday, January 18

Friday, January 20 PEDESTRIAN CHECK El Camino Real, 400 Block (10:26 p.m.) A man was stopped for not using a bicycle light at night. The man who was stopped admitted he had a used syringe in his pocket. He was booked for having an outstanding warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY I-5 Freeway/Avenida Pico (4:23 p.m.) The caller said a man wearing glasses, described as heavy

Camp Pendleton Celebrates 75 Years

set, got out of his sedan and was hitting windows on a maroon SUV.

Saturday, January 21

Thursday, January 19

Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano. School district winners advance to a regional competition.

Each year, the Reflections program challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. The theme for the 20162017 season is “What Is Your Story?”

Entries are first judged at the local level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at subsequent levels.

Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select entries to submit to the National PTA. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual National PTA Convention and are displayed as a part of the program’s traveling exhibit.

WELFARE CHECK Calle La Veta/Camino Mira Costa (9:33 p.m.) Police were called to a man who was walking down the street screaming and “coming close to vehicles.”

The caller was scared he would get struck by passing vehicles.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle La Serna, 2300 Block (6:56 p.m.)

Police were called to a man and a woman who were going up to doors near the caller’s home. The woman went up to the door, and if no one answered, the man would go up to the door.

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Community Meetings SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

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

Avenida Del Mar. MONDAY, JANUARY 30

i5 FREEDOM NETWORK “BE A BIG CHEESE” 5-8 p.m. i5 Freedom Network will host a fundraiser to help combat human trafficking. The Cellar, 156 Avenida Del Mar. www.i5freedomnetwork.org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

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 TOASTMASTERS 7 p.m. The club meets every Tuesday.

San Clemente Baha’i Center. 3316 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente.

805.794.0653. www.sanclementetoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org.

BILY MEETING 7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

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.

DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING 3 p.m. The San Clemente Design Review Subcommittee will host its regular meeting. 910 Calle Negocio.

949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

HEADLANDS NATURE WALK 9 a.m. The walk focuses on the plants and animals that can be found in the Headlands. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. RSVP to dpnaturalresources@ danapoint.org or call 949.248.3527.

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EYE ON SC

Demonstration Nation San Clemente’s ‘sister march’ parallels Women’s March on Washington

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

P

ink hats dominated the front lawn of the San Clemente Community Center on Saturday morning, Jan. 21, as hundreds of people gathered to participate in a “sister march” in solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington.

The crowd marched from the San Clemente Community Center, eastbound up to El Camino Real and then back down the other side of Avenida Del Mar to where they started.

The marches, which took place across the nation last weekend, were largely intended to make a statement to President Donald Trump and his administration: that millions will stand up to defend equal rights for women and social and racial minorities, which many of the marchers felt could be threatened under the new president’s administration.

According to the Women’s March on Washington website, the march was also intended to be a peaceful statement against what supporters said has been a derogatory tone from all politicians during the presidential election.

For Christine Preciado, who attended Saturday’s march, the infamous video and sound clips published by The Washington Post featuring Trump describing sexual advances on women was the last straw.

“The ‘locker room talk’ shouldn’t be acceptable, and I understand it happens, but that doesn’t mean it should, and we as women need to step up and show that we’re not OK with it,” Preciado said.

“Even though it’s your right to say that, it shouldn’t be the president’s words.”

On the Issues The night before the march, more than a dozen people came to Fired Up, an educational art studio in San Clemente, to make signs. One of the participants was Luci Romina, a U.S. citizen who emigrated from Argentina.

“I’m very proud to be both Americans, both south and north,” Romina said. “I love this country, and I think what we try to stand for is very great, but right now, the president we have has inherited the leadership of a nation of nations, and he doesn’t seem to want or accept that.”

Then, early Saturday morning, about 100 people gathered at the Outlets at San Clemente to take charter buses to march in Santa Ana. One couple, David Gollom and Stephanie Rothschild, put on their own pink hats just before getting on their way to Santa San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

Hundreds of people participated in the Women’s March on Washington “sister march” on Saturday, Jan. 21, in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz

Ana. The two said they wanted to be part of something that voiced their opinion in such a way that would draw the attention of the new Commander-in-Chief and representatives in the U.S. Legislature.

“I hope they realize there’s a lot of people who care,” Rothschild said. “I’m not coming here as a protester. I’m here to bring a positive (message) about what we want. I’m not about bashing anybody, but I want to make sure that everybody’s rights are received and considered.”

Gollom said he was traveling to the march in Santa Ana because he wanted to show his support as well.

“Women should be treated with respect, not like objects,” Gollom said. “I think Donald Trump has brought a very old attitude toward women, coming from the 1960s and ’70s, and it’s not right.”

About 2,275 miles away, as the crow flies, Mollie Bennell-Lazarus, president of the San Clemente Area Republican Women, Federated, attended the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. with her son, Charlie.

Bennell-Lazarus said she was also in D.C. during the marches on Saturday.

She said she viewed the marches as a bit disconnected.

“I have to say, it seemed a bit chaotic, as the messages were a mish-mash and did not have a clear presentation,” BennellLazarus said. “I could understand some of the issues, but a lot of the presentations were vulgar and unnecessary for the things they were trying to do.”

One of the main concerns from marchers regarding women’s rights is the uncertain outlook for federal and state abortion laws.

As the Republican-controlled Senate will likely confirm Trump’s Supreme Court justice nomination, many said access to such services will be restricted, at the very least.

Prior to Saturday’s events, the Women’s March on Washington organization issued a statement on Twitter denouncing involvement with one of its sponsors, a

Marchers make their way to the buses at the Outlets at San Clemente to take them to Santa Ana to participate in the “sister march” of the Women’s March on Washington. Photo: Eric Heinz

pro-life organization, and removed them from partnership.

Seth Gruber, self-described public speaker and pro-life supporter who works with Life Training Institute, said there’s a misconception about many pro-life organizations.

“It was unfortunate (pro-life groups) were banned when their message is an inclusive message, and that is all humans have value, and we were there to march try to say, ‘Yes, women have value and have been denied that right before,’” Gruber said.

On Tuesday, Trump signed a presidential memorandum reinstating a block on any funding to programs in other countries that provide abortion services and “involuntary sterilization.”

Looking Forward Tias Hoffman, who organized the San Clemente march, said she wanted to put the event together last week when she realized one had not been planned. Hoffman began circulating the idea through friends and social media posts.

Hoffman said the things that concern her most were women’s rights, pay equality and parity. But she said the march itself was also intended to celebrate peace.

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“We just want to have fun today,” Hoffman said.

As more people gathered at the Community Center, signs demanding protection of women’s rights and rights of all people were abundant.

Kristin Dunning, who attended the march, said she wants to see more understanding among one another, regardless of political affiliations.

“I think the most important thing about today is the fact we are together as a people,” Dunning said. “Even if we’re divisive in politics, we still want to support and love each other. The president doesn’t give us that power; we give ourselves that power.”

Gollom said he is taking a Groundhog Day approach to anticipating the aftermath of the march, waiting to see what would be in the shadow of the president’s favorite social media outlet.

“One of the things I’m most curious about after this march or even during it is to see what Trump’s tweet is,” Gollom said. “I think that will tell a lot. If he reacts the way he typically does, then I think we’re in for four years of it. If he realizes it, now as president of the United States, and has a different measure in tone, maybe he’ll normalize a little more to what people expect from a president, but my gut tells me we’re in for four more years.”

On Sunday, Trump responded to the marches.

“Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election!” Trump stated on Twitter on Sunday. “Why didn’t these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly.”

The president issued another tweet about two hours later.

“Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy,” Trump stated. “Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.”

Bennell-Lazarus said the people who participated in the marches, in addition to needing to convey a clear message, should direct efforts toward helping women in other countries that give fewer rights to them.

“I think women here have pretty good treatment and are on par with men,” Bennell-Lazarus said. “Women should look beyond our shores, and they need to help the women in countries where they are truly treated as second-class citizens… can’t drive, work and access education at all. I find that so sad and appalling.”

Bennell-Lazarus said she thinks everyone who participated in Friday’s and Saturday’s events accomplished what they wanted.

“My personal feeling is if you went to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration, you left happy, and if you went there to do the march, you were happy,” she said.

The Women’s March on Washington is now rolling out its 10 Things in 100 Days initiative in which they will execute 10 actions within Trump’s first 100 days in office. The first action features women’s rights supporters writing to their representatives. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor YOU GOT WHOM YOU VOTED FOR DR. PAUL A. WEHRLE, MD, San Clemente

I read Mr. Gaskins’ recent “open letter” to the San Clemente Times in the Jan. 19-25 edition with a strange mixture of dismay, hope and amusement. Seldom does one experience “buyer’s remorse,” even when buying at the “lemon lot,” as in this case, before the car has even been started, much less driven off the lot. As a physician, had Mr. Gaskins consulted me or any number of my colleagues long before the election, we could have informed him that Mr. Trump is a deeply flawed individual and totally unfit to be our president. I think he is a certifiable narcissistic personality disorder with pronounced sociopathic traits. Many national newspapers referred frequently to the same issues.

I appreciate the concern about much of Trump’s troubling behavior, and much of this country shares that concern and more. This mentally unstable individual at age 70 is not likely to change his behavior to any significant degree. Mr. Gaskins is only just now starting to distrust him?

No, in no way did he “vote for an honest man.” He voted for a pathological liar and the poster boy for dishonesty, spite, hate and vengeful behavior. He has already disgusted and frightened the majority of our population and has transmogrified the office of President of the United States.

The opposition party is not “waiting in the tall grass.” We are out in the open and ready to confront him whenever indicated but also are ready to work with him as appropriate.

Whatever these so-called “unfair practices” were against him since the election remain a mystery to me and to the rest of us. I find it ironic that the man Mr. Gaskins so readily and enthusiastically embraced with all the known obvious flaws and deeply disturbing traits is now the man he is ready to throw under the bus if he doesn’t “shape up” and start behaving out of character. If this childish and immature man, in his present form, remains our president, it will most certainly be a long and unhappy journey for all of us and many others around the world. Don’t count on the congressional Republicans to do much to rein him in, short of treason.

TRUMP WILL SERVE AMERICA’S JOB NEEDS JACQUELINE COOPER, San Clemente

As I was reading the guest opinion column in the Jan. 19-25 issue of the San CleSan Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

mente Times, I was struck by Mr. Kempton’s old, tired, rehashed canards of what all liberals say about the undocumented.

“Oh, they’re so hard-working. Oh, they do the work citizens will not do. There are only 11 million of them,” and “What about their children?” Blah, blah, blah. Oh yeah, the comment about Native Americans was over-the-top dumb. DNA now shows that they originally came from Asia. How far back do you want to go, Jim? Then I was reminded of something: as a taxpayer, I am paying for the benefits the undocumented are given by the government. All the businesses and corporations that hire undocumented workers are benefiting from these undocumented workers.

Which means these businesses are being subsidized by me through all the social welfare the undocumented workers draw from government programs. They get free cash, free healthcare, free food, free housing, if they have a child. There are 95 million U.S. citizens who are jobless? Do you understand that the undocumented use all services and benefits especially in California that are designated for legal citizens and legal immigrants? That is billions of dollars paid by legally taxpaying citizens.

The people of the United States have spoken, and they are sick and tired of the way our immigration laws have not been enforced for the last 20 years. That’s why Mr. Trump was elected: to build the wall and enforce our immigration laws. A country without borders is not a country.

Mexico has a wall on it southern border to keep the rest of Latin America out.

Why can’t we?

AIRPORT AIR TRAFFIC OVER SJC, DANA POINT CAUSES NOISE POLLUTION ROBERT MCDONALD, San Juan Capistrano

Starting last November, commercial jet traffic, as well as other air traffic, began to crowd the skies over San Juan Capistrano as well as Dana Point. Most noticeable is the parade of flights that circle back in from over the ocean after departing Orange County’s John Wayne Airport.

They fly at low altitudes coming back over land around the Dana Point Headlands area. The air traffic then proceeds over homes on the hillsides of San Juan Capistrano, creating noise and accelerating and climbing. There is no need for an aircraft that has departed as far away as John Wayne Airport to be at such a low altitude at this point in its flight. This begins at approximately 7:03 a.m. and continues sometimes after 10 p.m.

When contacted, John Wayne Airport states there is nothing they can do. When the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ office(s) are contacted, they reply there is nothing they can do. The story goes that

the Federal Aviation Administration has control over our airport.

Apparently the FAA is trying to push through new routes that will be more cost effective for the airlines. The cities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, as of several months ago, already filed a lawsuit against the FAA over the proposed flight path changes, but the County of Orange has not. I’m told that the changes could further negatively impact our cities, as well as additional cities.

When contacted, the county supplies phone numbers for the FAA that go to individuals who have no clue as to what is taking place. One of the best answers I received from an FAA contact was that “people need to get places.”

Most troublesome is it appears the airport has no relationship or contact person with the FAA. It appears there is no concern over the negative impact operations at John Wayne Airport have on the county taxpayers.

Should this be negatively affecting you right now, or potentially later, I urge you to take action to protect your peace and quiet and property values. Contact the following representatives should you wish.

Lisa Bartlett, chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and your 5th District representative, can be reached at 714.834.3550.

The noise complaint office at John Wayne Airport can be reached at 949.252.5185. You can contact them each and every time you are impacted by a noisy, loud aircraft. Again, you may be referred to an FAA phone number for someone who has no information on what is taking place at John Wayne Airport.

Congressman Darrell Issa can be reached at 760.599.5000. You can request that Issa email a complaint form or “constituent assistance form”—simply fill the form out and return it to Issa asking for help on this.

Ask the Board of Supervisors to take back control of our airport; and if you see fit, request that the Board of Supervisors file a lawsuit now, not later.

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.

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

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

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Victor Carno Debra Holm Tim Trent Jake Howard

San Clemente Times, Vol. 12, Issue 4. 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 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: Lew’s Views by Lew Avera

Lessons from Football Victory Will Carry Players through Life

T

he year 2016 was a busy year for San Clemente with many notable happenings. Perhaps the biggest was a spontaneous event in December: San Clemente High School winning the Division 1-A State Championship in football. This required much hard work and dedication by both the players and coaches.

As I followed the congratulatory events, I was particularly attracted to the perspectives and thoughts of Head Coach Jaime Ortiz as he talked of the values of the team LEW’S VIEWS in reaching this goal. He

By Lew Avera suggested that the true definition of the team’s success will come in 10 or 15 years when he said about the players, “Are they good husbands? Are they a good dad? Their legacy as a person and as a dad and as an employee, to me, is the true definition of success, whether we are CIF champs or we go 0-10. That’s the epitome of our program, to build young men.”

His words resounded with me and immediately resurrected a very special moment in my life over a half century ago, playing on a state championship football team in Decatur, Georgia, in 1950. Playing football and winning was everything to us young teenage boys in those days, just as now. The overwhelming link, however, between SCHS today and my team was the value system displayed by Jaime Ortiz and my coach then, Charlie Waller. Waller had played at a small college in Georgia.

We only had two coaches in those days, and he was also my algebra teacher. Accordingly, we had to work hard in both areas if we wanted to play and pass algebra. Waller went on to coach at Clemson and was head coach of the San Diego Chargers in 1969 and 1970 and finished his career later as an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams.

The values Waller demanded were no bad language or curse words on the field, and no walking but only running on the field. If you violated these, you were kicked off the team. He would say, “We were there to do our best and if we didn’t want to do our best, then we should go turn in our pads.” This of course carried over into the classroom in doing our best in academics as well as football.

Except for the values taught by my mother and father over the years, the values taught by Charlie Waller in high San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

school football were to do your best, and they have been the most meaningful guide for my entire life. Of course many additional values have been derived from my college experience, 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and life experiences of 40 years since leaving the Marines.

I truly believe that the values taught to our SCHS football players by Jaime Ortiz and his coaching staff will remain with them and guide them for life, and they will look back 66 years from now in 2082, just as I am doing, with the same perspective. In this sense today, 2016-2017, is a bridge of over a century of life between what I learned early in life and believe today, and what our young men at SCHS have learned and what will guide them through life.

Lew Avera is a retired career officer, Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps. He has been a director of the Talega HOA since 2003 and served on the San Clemente Planning Commission from 2005 to 2013. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

CORRECTIONS In the 11th Annual Best of San Clemente People’s Choice Awards, Cafe Rae was incorrectly identified as having 30 years of baking experience. In fact, the owner has 30 years of experience in batiking.

In the Jan. 19 edition of the San Clemente Times, the News Bites article mentioning complimentary golf at Bella Collina was incorrect, regarding the offer. The offer is for active military, police and fire personnel.

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Jan. 27 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

Page 7

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK

premiere of seven 10-minute plays. The audience votes for their favorite plays, and the top three winners get cash prizes after the last performance. After nearly 300 entries are received from all over the world, a team of readers selects, reads and grades each play, keeping the identity of the playwrights anonymous until the top 10 plays are selected—attendees only see the top seven plays. Festival runs through Jan. 29, and tickets start at $20. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www. caminorealplayhouse.com.

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

Saturday | 28

Photo: Eric Heinz

THURSDAY, JAN. 26: CASA CLASSIC: PAUL WIANCKO, CELLIST 7-8 p.m. This edition of the classical music series Casa Classic features a performance by cellist and composer Paul Wiancko. Admission is $20 for members, $25 for non-members.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Thursday | 26 SESSIONS AT STILLWATER 7 p.m. Listen to live music when artists from around the world perform together.

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

LIVE MUSIC: SHAWN JONES 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from Shawn Jones at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Friday | 27 LIVE MUSIC: HANS & JANINE 4 p.m. Join Waterman’s Harbor for live music with Hans & Janine every Friday.

Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

FOOD AND WINE EXPERIENCE 6-9 p.m. The Dana Hills Boys Lacrosse Program is holding a fundraiser by bringing in top chefs for the first annual Food and Wine Experience. There will be eight chefs from the area for a 21 and San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

older VIP party that includes food and beverage samples aplenty. Tickets are $100. Ocean Institute. 32500 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.www.eventbrite. com/e/1st-annual-food-wine-experiencetickets-28737971045.

REPLACE YOUR LAWN WORKSHOP 9:30 a.m. Learn how to create a thriving inland garden that can survive in hot climates with Tree of Life Nursery and native plant expert Abby Harned. The workshop is part of an ongoing series. Tree of Life Nursery. 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.728.0685. www.californianativeplants.com NATIVE GARDENS DESIGN AND CARE WORKSHOP 10 a.m. Learn how to cultivate an abundant, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant native garden with The Ecology Center. You’ll learn about plant choices, site preparation, lawn remediation, irrigation, mulching and

LIVE MUSIC: HART AND SOUL BAND 7-10 p.m. Listen to live music from Hart and Soul Band at Adele’s in the San Clemente Inn. 2600 Avenida del Presidente, San Clemente. 949.481.1222. www.adelesinthesanclementeinn.com.

LIVE MUSIC: COSMO WATTS 7:30-11 p.m. Join Cosmo Watts for live music at Harpoon Henry’s. 34555 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.493.2933. www.windandseasrestaurants.com.

LIVE MUSIC: BILLY WATSON 7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Billy Watson at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE THEATER: ‘KITCHEN WITCHES’ 8 p.m. Combine Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer and you have the rousingly hilarious comedy, Kitchen Witches, which continues at the Cabrillo Playhouse. Show runs through Feb. 5, and tickets start at $20. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente.

949.492.0465. www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

SHOWOFF! INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL 8 p.m. The annual ShowOff! International Playwriting Festival features the world Page 8

more. Cost for the workshop is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.

32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano.

949.443.4223. www.theecologycenter.org.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 1-3 p.m. Stop by the Outlets at San Clemente for a family-friendly celebration of the lunar new year. There will be a dragon dance, interactive dances for kids, live music, arts and crafts activities, face painting, giveaways and more. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Flock of 80’s kicks off a day of live music at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Jimi Nelson Band at 8:30 p.m. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

LIVE MUSIC: WAYBACK BROTHERS 7:30-11 p.m. Join Wayback Brothers for live music at Harpoon Henry’s.

34555 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.493.2933. www.windandseasrestaurants.com.

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

LIVE MUSIC: OLIVIA ROHDE 8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Olivia Rohde at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente.

949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

(Cont. on page 10)

At the Movies: ‘20th Century Women’ are Still Relevant

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

E

lle Fanning is lucky enough to be one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood right now, averaging two to four movies per year even though she’s barely out of high school. Of course, you can’t win them all, as they say—Live by Night is already a certified dud from viewers, but Fanning’s 20th Century Women just expanded into wide release and is a much better period piece by comparison.

It also features arguably her best performance to date.

In 1979 Santa Barbara, a two-story house is renovated while five people occupy it: 55-year-old Dorothea (Annette Bening); 45-year-old William (Billy Crudup); 24-year-old Abbie (Greta Gerwig); Dorothea’s 15-year-old son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann); and his best friend, Julie (Fanning). William is reconstructing the

Photo by Merrick Morton, courtesy of A24

house on his own, while Dorothea, Abbie and Julie all mentor Jamie on the status quo of feminism, adulthood and the punk music and culture scene.

20th Century Women is semi-autobiographically written and directed by Mike Mills of Beginners (2010), who once again knows how to utilize pop culture in the background of dysfunctional relationships. Here, instead of a modern fatherson dynamic, it’s a mother-son dynamic from another era. Bening is getting all the critical hype, though Fanning, Gerwig and Zumann are just as impressive. The themes still feel appropriate in modern times even though it’s set in the 1970s and focuses on that decade’s issues. 20th Century Women has a little bit for everyone and is a great way to end January. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT THE DISH

NIÇOISE SALAD

A

good Niçoise salad is a contradiction. It should be robust in flavor and texture, while also creamy and indulgent. It should punch and comfort in the way a single-malt sipping whisky might.

At Ô Gourmet French Café & Bakery, they don’t stifle the flavors that make the Niçoise salad characteristic. Instead, two powerful anchovy mini-filets and ample chunk tuna marry delicate hard-boiled eggs and an acidic, fruit-forward vinaigrette. Thinly sliced potatoes, cooked green beans and fresh spring greens are a receptive vehicle through which the flavors of the salad are on display. Ô’s Niçoise is a study in balancing temperature as well, as the warmed green beans and potatoes amplify the flavor of the fish and provide a palate-pleasing contrast with the cool lettuce and tomatoes.

(Cont. from page 8)

Sunday | 29 GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park.

Parking is $5, the hike is free. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/caspers.

BEND AND BREW 11:30 a.m. I Heart Yoga holds a Bend & Brew at Left Coast Brewing Company’s tasting room in San Clemente. It’s a one-hour yoga class followed by a pint of beer. Admission $10. 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.363.3152. www.iheartyoga.com.

MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO WOMEN’S GUILD WINE TASTING 2-5 p.m. The Women’s Guild wine tasting fundraiser at Café Mozart will benefit the Mission and includes a buffet, silent auction and live entertainment. Tickets are $40. For more information, call Dottie at 909.273.0357. Café Mozart. 31952 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

Monday | 30 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 | 31 TINY TOTS: PARENT AND ME PROGRAM AT THE OCEAN INSTITUTE 9-10:15 a.m. Children ages 2 and 3 and Page 10

There’s a justifiable “yeah right,” reflex that emanates when someone gushes about a salad, but Ô’s take on this classic is worthy of praise… and a try. Ô Gourmet French Café & Bakery 32341 Camino Capistrano, Suite F, San Juan Capistrano.

949.388.5811. www.ogourmetcafe.com

their parents are invited to the Ocean Institute to explore shapes, colors, textures and more with the sea star. Program runs on six successive Tuesdays until Feb. 21. Each session includes exploration, an animal encounter and an activity. Cost is $30 for a single drop-in class and $150 for the full series.

24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

INNER PEACE MEDITATION EXPERIENCE 6:30 p.m. Wellness coach and meditation teacher Jane Fijak leads a meditation session at Revital Imports. A $10 donation is requested, and guests are asked to bring a yoga mat or meditation pillow.

Reservations are required; RSVP to revitalimports@gmail.com. 24981 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Suite E110, Dana Point.

312.479.5558. www.revitalimports.com.

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 | 01 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.

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.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Rick and Susan Anderson, owners of the Casa Tropicana Boutique Beachside Hotel, sold the property this month to owners who intend to continue operating a hotel at the location. Rick said he and his wife bought a house in San Clemente and intend to stay in town, but they will be doing a lot of traveling. Photo: Eric Heinz

Checkout Time Owners of Casa Tropicana Beachside Boutique Hotel sell after 30 years in the business ick Anderson and his wife, Susan, have sold their local business and can now retire in paradise somewhere near the beach… like San Clemente.

It was 30 years ago when Rick realized his ambition to get into the hotel and service industry, and he decided to purchase the land that would become Casa Tropicana Boutique Beachfront Hotel, located at the bottom of the Pier Bowl.

“I was sitting right here, when it was the Beach Garden Café (now Bear Coast Coffee), in 1986,” Rick said. “The Tropicana had been abandoned and blighted, and I wanted to turn it into a bed and breakfast.

I tore the building down and started construction in 1989.”

Rick said he went through 31 public hearings to get his design and business permitting approved. They opened for business on July 1, 1990. The couple also lived on the top terrace of the building.

Susan painted the interior over the years and helped decorate and do a remodel a few years ago.

Rick’s Bar and Grill was located at the bottom of the hotel, where Pierside Kitchen + Bar is now, a place that “rocked” on the weekends, Rick said.

During the late 2000s recession, they had to cut all but one of their staff members and worked the hotel themselves.

Rick was also a member of the California Association of Boutique and Breakfast Inns; chairman of the California Hotel and Lodging Association; and a member of the

California Travel and Tourism Commission, for which he traveled to Japan with then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to promote tourism in California.

Rick’s formal education ended after high school, and he went straight to work as a general contractor.

“I did it all with sweat, callouses, tenacity and common sense,” Rick said. “I don’t have one unit of college under my belt. I started working and that’s how I acquired the property. I started learning about my industry that I was now in, and then I joined the bed and breakfast association, and it just kind of mushroomed from there.”

Rick was also instrumental in making improvements to the Pier Bowl area; he was president of the Pier Bowl Merchants Association, and he built the platform for the Pier train station and helped with sidewalk projects.

He started the fundraiser “The Show Must Go On” to bring fireworks to San Clemente when the city couldn’t afford to put the show on years ago.

Rick was also a reserve police officer for the then-San Clemente Police Department for 20 years.

Mark Geragos, a celebrity attorney who has dealt with high-profile cases, bought the location and hopes to make it similar to his Southampton, New York, hotel, Capri, according to his business partner and commercial real estate broker, Tina Glandian.

Glandian said they intend to renovate the property to a “similar caliber” a version of Capri. SC

San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

Page 12

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

R

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

Bouncing Back from Adversity

I

t’s funny how column topics come about. In my online newsletter last week, I shared with subscribers an email I had received from a woman named Jessie in Oregon.

Jessie wrote, “I’ve been reading your column for years. I’m one of the fortunate ones. I found love!

Thanks for all you do. I was single for 15 years before Paul and I found each other. Your column was wonderful for helping me realize I wasn’t alone in being older and without a partner. You even quoted me in your ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 newsletter once.

By Tom Blake “If you ever do a Volume 2 to your How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 book, I’d be happy to be interviewed, and I’m sure my guy would too.”

That second paragraph in Jessie’s email elicited several responses from subscribers offering to have their stories of meeting a mate later in life included in a book I hadn’t even thought about writing.

Two of the responses came from men whose wives left them after several years of being married.

Glen, Huntington Beach, said, “A few years back, you featured my story about how my wife (high school sweetheart, married 23-plus years), out-of-the-blue abruptly left me in 2008 and filed for divorced shortly after I retired from 30 years in law enforcement.

“My divorce was the divorce from hell,” Glen wrote. “My ex put me through 39 months of litigation over nothing (no minor children, no business, no off-shore bank accounts, etc.). Why she did what she did is and always will be a mystery, but I don’t dwell on it anymore.

“In 2009, I met Cheryl, a teacher in Orange County. We’ve been living together since 2010. I am beyond blessed to have found Cheryl and thank God every day for her love and devotion.”

Glen added that he’d be happy to have his and Cheryl’s story included in the book I hadn’t even thought about writing.

The second man, Trent, emailed, “You and I corresponded several years ago when I first found your online newsletter.

I’m the fellow who—like you—had the unfortunate experience of having an ex clean out my house and take off with another man while I was out of town.

“I have to sort of thank my ex because I feel like I won the love lottery. I now live in San Diego, and Rachelle and I are happier San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

than we deserve. We met while I was on a business trip to California, and after a year of long-distance dating, we were married.

“If you ever write a volume 2 of your How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 book, I would be happy to have you include our story. I’ve been so blessed; the least I can do is pay it back by lifting the spirt of someone else who may be doubting they can find love and companionship in their later life.”

To clarify Trent’s comment about my exwife cleaning out my house and taking off with another man, the former happened but I don’t think she left for another man; I never got an explanation.

But like Trent, I have to sort of thank my ex because what she did in leaving is the reason I started writing 23 years ago about love in the later years, and it also opened the door for Greta to enter my life 19 years ago. Like Cheryl, Greta was a teacher in Orange County.

Men and women can learn from Glen’s and Trent’s stories and to a lesser extent my story. When a spouse leaves without notice, it can be devastating, life-changing and mighty bleak when it first happens. I know of a man who falls into that category currently.

But, in time, both men and women pick themselves up and dust themselves off.

Love can return, and often, the new love is much better than the previous situation.

It’s like a blessing.

Now, about that book I hadn’t even thought about writing, a second volume of How 50 Couples Found Love After 50: If I decide to do it, Jessie, Glen and Trent have already offered their stories. That leaves 47 more couples. Certainly, in South Orange County, there are couples who found love after 50 who would enjoy sharing their stories. If so, I’d like to hear from them at tompblake@gmail.com.

As I said earlier, it’s funny how column topics evolve. Some weeks, I just never know from where they are coming, and this was one of those weeks.

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

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

Chad Schiel. Photo: Eric Heinz

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

Five-Year Anniversary SCHIEL WEALTH MANAGEMENT 635 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente 949.388.4455 www.schielwealthmanagement.com After five years of financial advice, Chad Schiel of Schiel Wealth Management (partners with Independent Financial Group) is looking at new and customized ways for investors to maximize their returns.

Schiel said he joined and helped start the company because he wanted to have

the flexibility to work with his clients to diversify portfolios across many platforms; that way, he said, they reduce risk.

“The beauty is … (Independent) doesn’t have sales quotas or proprietary products, so that means I can do the right thing for the client,” Schiel said.

On a strategy sheet, Schiel’s example portfolios include investments in blue chip stocks, healthcare stocks, bonds for short- and long-term, energy holdings, real estate and more.

“At the end of the day, what you find out about people is they’re moderate risk-takers,” Schiel said. “Everyone likes to make money; nobody likes to lose money.”

Schiel said he has been investing money since he was 13 years old and has experienced the volatility of markets.

Schiel also is a retired U.S. Marine who did a tour in Iraq as a Marine intelligence analyst. —Staff

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

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

Page 13

See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Unmatched

Wrestler Kyle Marshall is putting together his signature season

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

s the start of his first-round match drew near, Kyle Marshall looked calmer than his opposition.

Standing in the corner of the San Clemente High School gym on Jan. 21, Marshall and the other 195-pound wrestlers competing in the 32-team SC Rotary Tournament were in a group waiting for their chance on the mats. Many wrestlers jumped up and down or crouched, trying anything to stay loose and let out nervous energy.

Marshall stood there, calm as could be, shifting his weight back and forth from his left to his right side, occasionally shaking an arm or a leg.

Before he squared off against his first opponent of the day, Marshall put on a protective black face mask. He broke his nose two years ago playing basketball, but he still wears it for protection. It’s not by design, but it makes him look more intimidating.

As soon as the referee allowed it, Marshall was on the attack. He pressed the issue early and often in the match, something he’s been working on this season while going against lesser opponents. His speed, strength and athleticism were on full display as he took his opponent down in a variety of ways and held control on the ground. He cruised to a 17-2 victory and into the second round.

Marshall continued to dominate the rest of the day. He won every one of his matches by pin fall until he reached the finals, where he won by an eight-point margin.

The individual tournament win was Marshall’s fifth this season, and he owns an impressive 39-3 overall record, 25 of which came by way of a pin. He was named the upper-weight MVP of the 63-team La Costa Canyon Invitational earlier this year and was the champion at the 81-team Central Coast Classic.

Marshall, the fourth-ranked wrestler in the 195-pound weight class in California, is on the path to becoming one of the best Triton wrestlers ever. It’s something he’s been working at for a long time.

Triton head coach Mark Calentino remembers a middle school-aged Marshall showing up at the Tritons’ offseason workouts tagging along with his older brother, Mike, an accomplished wrestler who is now competing for San Francisco State. Kyle began wrestling when he was five, and his older brother was always a willing partner, so the youngest Marshall’s smaller size didn’t stop him from mixing it San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

San Clemente’s Kyle Marshall is excelling in the 195-pound weight division this season. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Kyle Marshall, top, grapples with an opponent during the SC Rotary Tournament on Jan. 21.

Photo: Steve Breazeale

up with wrestlers three or four years his senior. He said he even saw it as a challenge to overcome.

“We knew that he was (special) because when he would come in the offseason and wrestle around, he’d go wrestle with our varsity guys and be able to hang with them,” Calentino said.

“It was evident he was going to pick up the baton from his brother and be the standout in the program.”

Those early years helped mold Marshall into a freshman starter on varsity.

He continued to wrestle against Mike in high school, and for his sophomore and junior seasons, he trained with Tyler Meisinger, a standout that placed in the state tournament who now wrestles for the University of Michigan. The wins and experience began to pile up in Marshall’s corner.

Marshall has moved up in weight class every year in high school, and made a significant jump this season. He

gained 25 pounds in the offseason, eating more eggs and chicken breasts than he’d care to remember, in order to move from 170 to 195 pounds.

Just like his wrestling style, the move was a calculated decision.

Marshall possesses above-average athleticism for such a heavy-weight wrestler, Calentino said. He doesn’t take the home run shots during a match and relies on his sound fundamentals. But that explosive power is always lurking. Marshall knew that if he could maintain the skills he had as a 170-pounder at a higher weight, he had a shot at putting together a special season.

Since his entrance into the new weight class Marshall has earned wins over topranked opponents. He’s defeated five wrestlers who have been ranked in the top-10 in the state this season. At the Doc Buchanan Invitational on Jan. 6, Marshall beat the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked wrestlers in California and placed third overall. The showing vindicated his decision to move into a new weight class.

“I was worried about where I’d be (weight-wise) at the end of the season but I’ve wrestled all the best guys and I know I can beat them so I decided to stay (at the weight),” Marshall said.

In the coming weeks Marshall has a chance to further cement his legacy in the wrestling program. If he places in CIF-SS competition, he’ll become just the second wrestler in school history to place all four years.

In the San Clemente wrestling room on

Page 14

campus, there is a wall of photos of all the wrestlers who’ve placed in a CIF-SS tournament. On another wall is a smaller group of photos dedicated to those who’ve placed in the State Championship. Marshall is already on one of the walls. Now he’s gunning to be on both.

“I think I have a chance to win State so that kind of elevated that goal,” Marshall said. “At first I just wanted to place, but now I want to win it.” SC

KYLE MARSHALL: BY THE NUMBERS 5 • Number of individual tournament championships won this year.

25 • Pounds that Marshall gained over the offseason in order to make the jump from the 170-pound weight class to the 195-pound division.

4 • Current weight-class rank in California 3 • Number of consecutive years in which Marshall has placed in CIF competition. He is looking to become the second wrestler in program history to place in four straight seasons.

5 • Number of top-10 ranked wrestlers in his weight class that he has defeated. Marshall has wins over the eighth-, seventh-, fourth-, second-, and top-ranked wrestlers in the state. www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Triton Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Girls Soccer Loses Close Game

Despite a 13-save effort by goalie Lauren Brzkcy, the San Clemente girls soccer team couldn’t overcome a first-half goal in a 1-0 South Coast League loss to Tesoro on Jan. 24.

Brzykcy’s 13 saves were a season-high, but Tesoro’s Anna Augustini found the back of the net in the opening 40 minutes and the Titans held on for the win.

Chargers Snap Triton Soccer’s Unbeaten Streak

The San Clemente boys soccer team’s seven-match unbeaten streak came to an end on Jan. 18, as the Tritons lost on the road to El Toro 1-0.

Brandon Pariso scored the lone goal for El Toro, and goalie Mac Hutchins made seven saves.

With the win, El Toro (7-8, 3-1) jumped into sole possession of first place in the South Coast League standings. San Clemente (9-4-5, 2-1-1) sit in second place.

The Tritons will travel to play Mission

Viejo on Jan. 27.

Water Polo Stays Perfect in League

The San Clemente girls water polo team kept its offense firing on all cylinders on Jan. 23 and 24 in convincing South Coast League wins over Trabuco Hills and Mission Viejo, respectively.

The first-place Tritons (10-10, 4-0) had an impressive 11 different players score goals in a 17-3 win over Trabuco Hills, led by Tera Richardson’s four-goal and three-assist effort. San Clemente defeated Mission Viejo 12-4.

Triton Wrestlers Place Third at Home Tournament

The San Clemente wrestling team placed third at its own tournament, the SC Rotary Tournament, on Jan. 21.

Individual Triton place-winners include: Joey Nonaca, Matt Fabrikant, Keoni Chan, Hunter Gallaher, Masious Vaughn, Kyle Marshall and Austin Moore. Both Moore and Marshall placed first in their divisions.

Triton Basketball at Top of Unpredictable League

The South Coast boys basketball league is about as wild, and unpredictable, as one could imagine.

San Clemente (12-8, 2-1 league) and

Triton Soccer Honors Dani Weatherholt COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

here is very little Dani Weatherholt can’t do on a soccer field.

As a four-year player for the San Clemente High School girls soccer team, Weatherholt led the Tritons to league championships, a CIF-SS Championship and a CIF State Regional title.

To honor Weatherholt, a 2012 grad who lettered in three sports at SCHS, the soccer program retired her No. 17 jersey in a pre-game ceremony on Jan. 20.

Weatherholt went on to star at Santa Clara University and was drafted No. 31 overall by the Orlando Pride in the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League Draft.

Weatherholt was a three-time All-

Tesoro currently sit at the top of the standings. But by the end of the week, the picture could look dramatically different.

Both San Clemente and Tesoro own 2-1 league records and have played one fewer game than the other three teams in league, which includes Trabuco Hills, El Toro and Aliso Niguel.

The San Clemente High School soccer program retired Dani Weatherholt’s No. 17 jersey during a pre-game ceremony on Jan. 20. Photo: Courtesy

CIF-SS selection, a two-time NSCAA All-American, earned a 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year nomination while in high school, and competed on the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2015. SC

Trabuco Hills (2-2 league) beat El Toro and Tesoro, but lost to the Tritons.

El Toro (1-3 league) beat San Clemente but lost to Aliso Niguel (2-2 league).

In short, this league is up for grabs, and the Tritons were scheduled to play against Tesoro at home on Jan. 25. Results were not available at press time.

Locals Only

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

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

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

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air

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

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

ART GALLERIES

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

CHIROPRACTIC

Spinal Vitality Integrative Chiropractic

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

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

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

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape

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

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S.

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

Shoreline Dental Studio Kristen Ritzau, DDS

122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

EDITING SERVICES

Perfectly Clear Editing Services

Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

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Four weeks in print and online.

Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

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

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape

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

MATTRESSES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

MORTGAGES

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

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

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

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING

2-dogswalking.com

Ricky, 949.973.4128 Pet care –Insured & Bonded

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

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

Salon Bleu

207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

Syrens Hair Parlor

217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

SWIMMING SCHOOL PLUMBING

Waterbabies Swim School

A to Z Leak Detection

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

Bill Metzger Plumbing

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

Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter

142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

San Clemente, 949.366.8302

WEBSITE DESIGN

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

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

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

SC Pool & Spa Works

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

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

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

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

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

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

OBITUARY

Betty Casler

August 5, 1932 - January 12, 2017 Betty Ruth Casler (Fleming), a resident of San Clemente for more than 46 years, passed away on January 12, 2017 at the age of 84 surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born and grew up in Ontario, California. She married William Hyde Casler in 1953 and is survived by their son and two daughters, Curt Casler (Sharron), Cris Eden (Walt), Cathi Klarenbach (Ron), grandson Ben Sabins, granddaughter Kasey Klarenbach, and

grandson Riley Klarenbach.

Betty’s deep love for her family and friends was her greatest joy.

She had a passion for all sports, however her USC Trojans and Angels were #1. Her love for reading, luncheons with dear friends, Community Volunteer Patrol Friday Nights at the Krikorian, and basking in the sun of her beloved San Clemente was near and dear to her heart.

A celebration of life will be held at the San Clemente Presbyterian Church on January 28, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in Betty’s honor.

CLASSIFIEDS

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

S Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants also available.

Mike 949-240-1545.

GARAGE SALES YARD SALE: 2385 S OLA VISTA SAN CLEMENTE 1/28 7AM-12 Mini I pad, Kindle, wetsuits, paddleboard, clothes, jewerly, kitchenware. Rain will cancel the sale. Call 949-689-4312 if you are interested in buying prior to sale the electronics or paddleboard.

ESTATE/GARAGE SALE Saturday & Sunday 1/28 & 1/29 7:00am-2:00, 214 Avenida Pelayo, San Clemente.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

LOST MISSING DOG- REWARD, MID-SIZE, LIGHT HAIR, FRECKLE ON BROWN NOSE Luna went missing Tuesday 1/17. Last seen near the Albertsons on Stonehill and Del Obispo. Luna is skittish but friendly. Approx. 35 lbs., slim, light GOLDEN hair, with a dark FRECKLE on her BROWN nose.

Wearing a bark collar. Email AllisonWiltse@gmail.com.

OTHER STUFF SOLAR WITH A MISSION Get all the benefits of solar with the mission of changing the lives of homeless teens. We change lives “One Solar panel at a time”.

Referral Bonuses run from $1,000 to 2,000 dollars.10 months no payments. 619-723-1595.

MICROSOFT OFFICE TRAINING Microsoft Office training for small groups. Our studio or we come to your office. Low prices. quality instruction. All courses, all levels.

Orange Coast Database Associates. San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. ocdatabases1@yahoo.com 800-355-9855

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

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Page 17

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

GROM OF THE WEEK

TAJ LINDBLAD

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

J

A section of the road collapsed at Surf Beach earlier this month, limiting access for local surfers. Photo: Jake Howard

On the Road

The continuing saga of the road into San Onofre’s Surf Beach

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

f all this stormy weather lately has you dreaming of hot summer days on the sand at San Onofre, you are certainly not alone. The only problem is that it’s gotten a whole lot harder to get down to Surf Beach.

Seems like every week this winter South Orange County has been hit by a rainstorm. To date, San Clemente’s rainfall total for the year sits at 8.6 inches.

Considering that on January 17, 1895, a staggering six inches of rain fell in 24 hours in town, it hasn’t been the wettest winter in history, but after a half decade of drought, it sure seems excessive. All of the local river mouths have broken through.

San Juan Creek at Doheny, the San Mateo Creek at Upper Trestles and the arroyo at Church are all currently running into the ocean—great for sand replenishment, but brutal for water quality. Twenty-four hours after the last rainfall, OCBeachInfo.com reports that water quality tests for every beach from Salt Creek south to San Onofre was exceeding state health standards. The Orange County Department of Health and the Surfrider Foundation both recommend avoiding contact with the ocean for 72

San Clemente Times January 26-February 1, 2017

hours after rains if an area is susceptible to urban runoff.

Sinus infections and flesh-eating bacteria aside, all these storms have seriously hindered surfers’ ability to hit the beach at San Onofre. The issues began last year after a series of large west swells eroded the beach, eating away at the road into Surf Beach. With big winter high tides and a recent increase in swell activity, the issue has come to a head. At the beginning of January, a section of the road collapsed into the ocean, forcing the closure of the road.

“As many of us winter surfers have found out, the Surf Beach road has had some rain erosion and is temporarily closed until repairs can be made. The San Onofre Surfing Club is working with the state to get this done as soon as possible,” reads a statement by the club on January 10.

They go on to explain “that this is not unprecedented as the same area completely washed out in 1969 and was entirely repaired by the Club.”

The upper lot into the park has remained open throughout the storms, but with only 22 parking spaces, the lot obviously fills up pretty quickly. And be warned, State Park officials have been ticketing cars parked illegally. The classic San O trick of creating your own spot is ill-advised.

“It’s important for people to remember that closing the lot is something that happens regularly when it’s rainy and muddy.

We haven’t really had heavy rains like this since 2009, so some people may have forgotten,” said Rich Haydon, the south division State Parks Superintendent.

“After the road was initially closed, we were able to briefly open it to one-way traffic before the next storm hit,” continued Haydon.

On January 18, the road was temporarily opened to one-way traffic with barriers protecting cars from the cliff’s edge. But after the latest deluge, the road was once again closed. Currently, at its most narrow it’s an estimated 15 feet wide with a drop of 10-plus feet into the ocean.

Before anything can be done, the ground needs to dry out. The current weather forecast is looking at a zero percent chance of rain for the next 10 days, which should make everyone in the area happy.

Meanwhile, Hayden says that State Parks representatives have already submitted an application to the California Coastal Commission for an emergency coastal development permit. They are also working with the Marine Corps since the land is leased from the Marines and they will play a role in the final outcome. The search for a contractor to implement a more permanent, long-term fix is underway, and they’re currently collecting bids.

The solution could involve placing large boulders at the foot of the road to stabilize the area and provide protection from the ocean while the damaged area is repaired and re-enforced. Ultimately, there’s no easy way to restore the road into Surf Beach, but as the San Onofre Surfing Club noted, this has happened before. Sooner rather than later, a plan will be put into place and we’ll be posting up at Old Man’s in no time. SC

Page 18

ust about every weekend, a kid can find a surf contest to enter somewhere in California. That makes gathering competitive experience relatively easy. It just takes parents willing to tack a ton of miles onto the odometer. But for an up-and-coming talent that wants to get to the top of the pro surfing game, it’s all about traveling and tempting fate at ever-more challenging breaks.

Thirteen-year-old Taj Lindblad appears to have figured this out early. Attending Shorecliffs Middle School, he’s taken to the road in the last year and it’s served him well. Signing on with surf company Quiksilver, Taj’s been recruited to join their Young Guns program, which takes a handful of the hottest kids from around the world and sends them on surf trips together.

Last fall, Taj joined fellow San Clemente star and Quik team rider on a trip to the southwest coast of France (only eight surfers were invited). They scored some epic beachbreak conditions and working with a crew of coaches and filmers, came away with some valuable lessons.

Another year older, some solid contest results and a ton of miles under his belt, we have a feeling some very good things are in store for Taj this year. SC

Taj Lindblad. Photo: Courtesy

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 55-58 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-20’ Fair Thursday: Overlapping WNW and NW-WNW swells. Better breaks are in the waist-shoulder high range in the morning as standouts see some plus sets. More size showing in the afternoon/ evening as the new swell builds in more. Light+ offshore flow in the morning, light onshore flow develops in the afternoon.

Outlook: Reinforcing, overlapping NW-WNW swells maintain modest to fun size surf through this weekend. Morning’s will see offshore flow, followed by light onshore flow each afternoon.

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

www.sanclementetimes.com