December 9, 2021

DECEMBER 9-15, 2021 | VOLUME 16, ISSUE 49

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

INSIDE: Special Section

U S E

2021 Winter Sports Preview Triton Teams Ready to Play with Fewer Restrictions, Higher Goals S P O R T S / PAG E 28

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San Clemente boys basketball is led by its size up front, as the Tritons aim to topple the South Coast League again and push farther in the CIF-SS playoffs. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Infrastructure Spending to Get Local Projects Moving

Council Appoints James as Mayor of San Clemente

DOE Initiates Consent-Based Siting Process for Nuclear Waste Storage

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What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN CLEMENTE SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Council Appoints James as New Mayor

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Gene James was elected to the position of mayor at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, Dec. 7, in a 3-2 vote with the support of Councilmembers Kathy Ward (the former mayor), Chris Duncan, and himself.

The appointment continues James’ run of political success, from the time he ran for City Council in the 2019 Special Election. The new mayor ran on a platform of public safety, fiscal prudence, and protecting quality of life in San Clemente.

There was controversy over the election all the way up to the final vote, as Councilmember Steve Knoblock commented about his concerns with elevating James.

Knoblock referenced his recent proposal to remove James from the mayor pro tem seat over a police recording in which James was heard confronting and arguing with a sheriff’s deputy.

Knoblock also mentioned the Stolen Valor controversy from the 2019 campaign, when mailers in support of James from the Republican Party of Orange County falsely depicted the then-candidate as having received the Legion of Merit for his service.

James, a retired Army veteran, has

denied having any involvement in the OCGOP’s mailers.

“Both federal and state law prohibit Stolen Valor by punishing pretenders from claiming military honors they didn’t earn,” Knoblock said. “Prior to, and during the campaign of Mr. James for election on this council, he apparently presented himself as having earned the prestigious military Legion medal. His rebuttal to the Stolen Valor charge was that the mailers did not come from him personally and that someone else had simply made a mistake.”

Knoblock finished by saying he wanted the issue clarified once again and that he could not support Ward’s motion to elect James.

A handful of citizens decided to make public comments, with the first two speaking against both James and Duncan, who was appointed Tuesday night to the mayor pro tem position.

One speaker raised concerns over the Stolen Valor issue, even citing comments Duncan had made as a candidate in the 2020 council race, when he called on James to resign if James wouldn’t explain the matter.

Conversely, three other public commenters spoke in favor of both James and Duncan, to varying degrees, for their involvement, responsiveness, and willingness to collaborate. They also

After being appointed as the new mayor of San Clemente, Gene James on Tuesday night, Dec. 7, presents flowers to fellow Councilmember Kathy Ward, who served as town mayor for 2021. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

made retorts against the controversies surrounding James.

“Out of everybody sitting up here tonight, Councilman James and Councilman Duncan are the two most responsive people up here,” said Michelle Brooks, who sits on the city’s Human Affairs Committee.

“When the council voted to do away with overnight parking at Max Berg Plaza Park and a resident posted about it on social media because he lived there, it was Gene (who was) on it that day,” she added.

After Duncan was elected mayor pro tem, the new mayor stood with Ward and

commended her work over the past year, including her efforts on the Toll Road Subcommittee to block the 241 Toll Road from extending through town.

“This is a very special city,” James said. “It’s worth every moment of time I spend away from my wife, away from my Golden Retriever, doing other things and working on the issues and problems of the city.”

James finished by speaking to what the council has accomplished and the future challenges it will face. He also emphasized the importance of working as colleagues with respect.

Infrastructure Spending to Get Local Projects Moving

“So, I’m already getting a sense of what their needs are, and where we can work together, and that’s exactly what we’re going to try to do in months ahead.”

Duncan said on Monday, Dec. 6, that the council appreciated Levin’s efforts in securing funding for the San Clemente Shoreline Project, which will also protect the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN) that runs through the city.

“As I understand it, this is the closest we’ve gotten to actually getting the project going and funded and scheduled, so that we can actually get (the much-needed) sand for our beaches,” Duncan said.

According to Duncan, Levin included $9.36 million in the upcoming 2022 Congressional budget that could pass as soon as February of next year. That money would pay for the initial costs of dredging and delivering sand to the beaches, the biggest part of the project.

In the meantime, as the budget has been delayed in Congress, Duncan added (Cont. on page 6)

BY BREEANA GREENBERG AND C. JAYDEN SMITH

Federal focus on infrastructure is heating up with the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the $1.2 trillion Build Back Better Act awaiting Senate approval. The bipartisan infrastructure bill could send funds to cities in South Orange County for projects as early as next year.

“We’re already in discussion with our friends in the different cities, San Clemente and Dana Point and so forth, about projects in their cities,” said Congressman Mike Levin, representative of California’s 49th District.

“I just had a chance to tour some of the projects with John Taylor in San Juan and also with Mayor (Kathy) Ward, and Councilman (Chris) Duncan, and some of the city staff in San Clemente,” Levin added.

The passage of the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill will allocate funding for South Orange County projects, including the Shoreline Project, otherwise known as the San Clemente Sand Replenishment Project. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

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DOE Initiates ConsentBased Siting Process for Nuclear Waste Storage

either currently situated near SNF sites or that have the potential of hosting the interim storage facility.

Jennifer Granholm, the Secretary of Energy, said in the department’s own release last Wednesday, Dec. 1 that collaboration with potential communities was the best way to solve the long-standing issue.

“We know there are real benefits from jobs to new infrastructure that will result in interest in areas across the country,” Granholm said in the release. “The public’s input is central to identifying those locations to make this process as inclusive and effective as possible.”

Other DOE officials echoed Granholm’s sentiments.

“I’m extremely excited about restarting the consent-based siting process,” said Dr. Kathryn Huff, principal deputy assistant secretary for Nuclear Energy. “DOE is committed to responsibly managing the nation’s spent nuclear fuel, and willing communities have the right to explore the benefits and conditions they need to host a federal interim storage facility.”

In an interview on Friday, Dec. 3, Levin was uncertain about the future timeline of seeing concrete actions take place, but said he was excited to see the desire from

the DOE and the amount of momentum the siting process has.

He also mentioned the “unique set of challenges” Southern California and the San Clemente community face, with a high and dense population, sea-level rise, and the strategic asset of Camp Pendleton. Conversely, he said, the area is not unlike others living nearby the 74 sites across 33 states that are storing nuclear waste.

“I was a college sophomore when the federal government promised to take title to that waste (in 1998),” Levin said.

“And here we are, 2021, and it still hasn’t happened.”

He thought restarting the consent-based process and issuing the RFI was a critical step, as it allows the community that will eventually receive the waste to speak on its own behalf and reduces the chance of opposition after the site is chosen.

The technical aspects of storing SNF are present, as is the interest in making tangible progress, he added, and the process is headed in the right direction.

“Spent nuclear fuel, being managed properly, is not a Republican issue, it’s not a Democratic issue; it’s something

that we’re going to work together on and we’re going to find solutions,” Levin said.

“That’s the whole point of creating the caucus.”

Huff participated in a webinar held by the DOE on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 7, that focused on all aspects of the consent-based siting process. When asked about the challenges of weighing the opinions of numerous parties and acting in a timely manner in terms of progress, she acknowledged the work of the Office of Nuclear Energy’s Used Fuel Disposition team and others nationally in maintaining the infrastructure necessary to handle the task.

“We are really hopeful that this consent-based siting process will be helped along by interested parties just like the 300 people (in the webinar),” Huff said, adding: “I think finding a place for our spent nuclear fuel that can enable us to responsibly manage it is the ultimate goal.”

When the DOE published a notice about the RFI online, it encouraged a wide range of stakeholders to answer, such as local and tribal governments, public citizens, and environmental justice groups.

“We especially welcome insight from people, communities, and groups that have historically not been well-represented in these discussions,” the website said.

The RFI asks questions related to three areas concerned with consent-based siting, including one about the process itself, “Removing Barriers to Meaningful Participation,” and “Interim Storage as Part of a Waste Management System,” according to the notice.

Respondents will be able to voice their opinion electronically by submitting their comments to consentbasedsiting@hq. doe.gov. All responses must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on March 4, 2022.

More information can be found at energy.gov/consentbasedsiting.

state’s Employment Development Department released on Nov. 19.

Orange County as a whole also continued to see an overall decline in unemployment, which sat at 4.7% in October, down from the 5% reported the month before. The statewide unemployment rate saw a slight downtick in the same period, sliding from 7.5% to 7.3%.

Though the state’s unemployment has more room to drop before matching the 4.2% average jobless rate in 2019, the latest figure shows unemployment’s steady decline from the 9.8% reported in October 2020.

“Thanks to October’s job growth, the state has now regained 1,828,500, or 67.4%, of the 2,714,800 jobs that were lost in March and April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the state’s employment office said.

According to the jobs report, California payroll jobs grew to roughly 16.77 million, an increase of about 96,800 nonfarm jobs from the month prior. Much of those jobs gains was seen in the professional and business services sector and the leisure and hospitality industry.

Based on a review of employment data since this past January, when countywide unemployment was 7.4%, the county’s labor force—the number of residents working, regardless of location—has gradually increased, rising from just shy of 1.52 million workers to nearly 1.59 million in October.

In 2019, the county’s average labor force was just above 1.62 million. Residents of the three South County towns made up 68,100 of that average workforce in the year before the pandemic, according to the labor data.

For the month of October, the three towns had a combined labor force of 66,300, with 2,700 out of work, down from the 4,400 jobless number reported in January, when the average unemployment rate here was 7%.

Since January, San Juan Capistrano has been able to nearly cut its unemployment rate in half, dropping from 6.4% to 3.6% in October, according to the state’s jobs data.

San Clemente’s also seen a steep decline since the start of the year, as unemployment decreased from 7.2% to 4.1%.

And in Dana Point, the jobless rate for October was reported at 4.4%, down from the 6.8% the city was experiencing at the top of 2021.

The state’s jobs report for the month of November is scheduled to be released on Dec. 17.

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The U.S. Department of Energy issued a request for information (RFI) last week regarding a consent-based siting process that would be used to identify sites to store spent nuclear fuel (SNF) with the input of communities.

The RFI is another step in an ongoing process nationwide to determine how to best remove nuclear waste from places such as the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).

In December 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law, allocating $27.5 million toward dealing with spent nuclear fuel, $20 million of which would fund an interim storage program.

Rep. Mike Levin was one of the officials involved in securing that funding. The move to address nuclear fuel at SONGS has been a part of Levin’s agenda since 2019, when he introduced the Spent Fuel Prioritization Act. Levin celebrated DOE’s move in a press release that his office sent out last week.

“The federal government has a responsibility to address the nation’s spent nuclear fuel challenge, but history has shown us that without the consent of the communities that will be involved with the solutions, we are unlikely to succeed,” he said in the release. “Today’s announcement shows that we can address those issues directly and correct the mistakes that have led us to the current nationwide spent fuel impasse.”

The DOE stressed the importance of the consent-based siting process that addresses the concerns of communities

October Jobs Report Shows Continued Improvement on South County’s Unemployment Front

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

Unemployment in the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano continued to fall in October, with the jobless rate inching closer to pre-pandemic levels.

Among the three towns, unemployment dropped from 4.4% in September to just above 4% the following month, according to the latest jobs data that the San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

The U.S. Department of Energy’s recent request for information was met with excitement by Rep. Mike Levin, as it displays progress in the efforts to remove spent nuclear fuel from concerned communities. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

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(Cont. from page 3) that the city would appreciate some of the $200 million allocated within the infrastructure bill toward shoreline protection.

“We don’t care where the money comes from on the federal side,” he said.

“Given that that bill has already passed and the money’s already there, we would welcome our project being included in those monies.”

Additionally, San Clemente would be required to provide $1.9 million on its own, and the hope is that the state will help the city with that spending.

The Shoreline Project, otherwise known as the San Clemente Sand Replenishment Project, will combat the erosion in areas such as Cyprus Shores and protect the LOSSAN tracks by adding sand to act as a natural cushion.

With the lack of sand in Cyprus Shores, for example, the ocean is not deterred from weakening the bluff’s base and allowing the weight to come down. This created a pressing need to preserve that beach.

“Our main purpose of this is to ensure that we have sandy beaches for people to enjoy, for visitors to enjoy,” Duncan said. “Our local economy is completely intertwined with our beaches and beach access, and so we need to make sure that our beaches are sustained. … That’s our No. 1 objective.”

From a federal standpoint, protecting the LOSSAN corridor is important to keep commuter trains, strategic movement for Camp Pendleton and the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and other lines carrying cargo running smoothly.

There is no timeline for when the project could eventually start, as numerous difficulties remain in terms of securing funding from the Army Corps of Engineers and getting the dredging equipment to the correct location, but Duncan said the earliest start date could be in late 2022 or 2023.

The City Council has also identified other projects around San Clemente that they could work on with federal funding, such as rehabilitating the T-Street Bridge, the Mariposa Bridge, and the pier.

They will be competing with other cities for the infrastructure money, but Duncan sees a significant benefit in having the opportunity to receive support that the city would not have otherwise.

“All we can do is try our best and explain the need that the city has and the great benefit that will result,” Duncan said. “And then, we leave it to Congress and the federal government to determine how the money is allotted.”

Also included in the infrastructure bill is $7.5 billion to start a new program at the Department of Transportation to help build 500,000 electric vehicle chargers.

“I’ve had a conversation since then with Secretary (of Transportation Pete) Buttigieg about making sure that in our region, San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

which has very high per capita adoption of electric vehicles, that we get our fair share of that infrastructure bill in Southern California,” Levin said. “I really want to make sure that everyone that is going out to look for a car can, No. 1, they can afford an electric car, and No. 2, they don’t have any reluctance based on fuel.”

The infrastructure bill aims to create a future where people can drive their electric vehicles from Southern California to New York, charging along the way with “competitive cost and competitive timing and convenience as going to the gas station,” Levin said.

The Build Back Better Act—a companion bill to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—passed in the House of Representatives on Nov. 19.

Build Back Better proposes to address the recent oil spill with a ban on new drilling off the Southern California coast, as well as the climate crisis by offering tax incentives for electric vehicles and renewable energy projects.

Levin added that the variety of climate-related provisions in the Build Back Better Act will help the U.S. reach its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade.

“I’m excited about the variety of climate-related provisions in there. It would be the single biggest investment in climate in the history of the United States, about half a trillion dollars in investment,” Levin said. “And it’ll help us also meet our emissions goals that are important not only domestically, but internationally as well.”

The Build Back Better Act has tax incentives up to $12,500 for new electric vehicles and $2,500 for used electric vehicles to encourage more Americans to purchase electric cars.

“I’m excited about this acceleration to a whole new zero-emission transportation future,” Levin said.“And I’m really excited California, specifically OC, is a big part of it.”

The Build Back Better Act also aims to make solar panels more affordable and accessible by offering tax cuts to utility and residential renewable energy projects.

“It is really important that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the board, from the type of way we generate electricity, whether it be in a commercial or residential capacity, to the type of big utility scale power plants that are built and are used,” Levin said.

“We have to dramatically reduce emissions. So, rooftop solar is a clear piece of the puzzle,” he added. “And I want to make it as easy as possible for people to be able to make those decisions, whether on their business or on the rooftop of their residence.”

Local solar installers could stand to gain more customers if the bill passes, according to Tyler Boden, who owns a consulting firm called Boden Energy Solutions.

Currently, the federal tax credit for solar

is 26%, which means the federal government will give a person a 26% tax credit on their tax liability for that year for however much they spent on a solar project.

The rate is scheduled to continue through 2022 and then drop to 22% in 2023, before further dropping to 10% in the future.

“If this bill passes, the language in the bill suggests that it would increase to 30% until the end of 2026, would go up like 4% from where it is now, which is no small amount,” Boden said.

The federal government is also looking to expand access to low-income communities by adding more tax credits on top of the 30% figure, thus increasing the potential consumer base for installers.

However, a looming struggle within California regarding a possible new net energy metering agreement could negatively impact both consumers and businesses.

Boden said the California Public Utilities Commission will decide in January the terms of the new agreement, which could significantly raise energy costs for users.

While the bill would improve sentiments for solar usage on a national scale, it appears that the statewide developments could quickly turn local consumers in the other direction.

The Build Back Better Act also aims to increase the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction that was capped at $10,000 per household by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The Build Back Better Act would increase the SALT deduction cap to $80,000 through 2030.

Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, “it used to be that you could deduct the entirety of your state and local tax bill,” Levin said. “In South Orange County, our property expenses are high, our property taxes are high as well. And what happened in 2017 is the cap of $10,000 hurt a lot of people in the working class, not über-wealthy people, but our teachers, our nurses, our firefighters, our police officers. These are people who are homeowners.”

Levin added that many South Orange County residents’ property taxes often exceed the $10,000 cap. Levin added that increasing the SALT cap will help middle-class families who were affected by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law on Nov. 15. The Build Back Better Act passed in the House on Nov. 19, and now faces Senate scrutiny.

Levin said that with last month’s passage of the infrastructure bill, the Orange County Transit Authority and Army Corps of Engineers will likely see funds for local projects early next year.

“The bipartisan infrastructure bill that has already become law, those funds will be available very soon, I would imagine,” Levin said. “We’re talking months, not years, so to speak.”

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COMMUNITY MEETINGS

SATURDAY, DEC. 11

Challenging Cancer 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system and people dealing with cancer.

To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.

Citizens’ Climate Education 10:45 a.m.-noon. This nonpartisan climate action group holds monthly meetings on the second Saturday of the month through Zoom video conferences.

Email larrykramerccl@gmail.com to receive a link to join.

MONDAY, DEC. 13

San Clemente Homeless Collaborative 4 p.m. This group of homeless advocates will meet at Christ Lutheran Church, where Welcoming Neighbors Home will lead a presentation. Email Donna Vidrine at rookqs@cox.net for more information. 35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente.

TUESDAY, DEC. 14

Human Affairs Committee 3:30-5 p.m. The city’s Human Affairs Committee will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission 6-8 p.m. The city’s Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

San Clemente Toastmasters 7-8:40 p.m. The San Clemente Toastmasters will continue to meet every Tuesday online through Zoom.

Email fardad.fs@gmail.com to receive a link to join. 858.900.6175. sanclementetoastmasters. toastmastersclubs.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15

Design Review Subcommittee 4-5:30 p.m. The city’s Design Review Subcommittee will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

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SOAPBOX

PUBLISHER’S LETTER | By Norb Garrett

Good Things Happen in Threes T hey say good things happen in threes, so with that in mind …

First, I’m excited to announce that I’ve promoted Shawn Raymundo to managing editor for Picket Fence Media. Shawn’s been with us for three years, first covering San Juan Capistrano as city editor for The Capistrano Dispatch, then moving over to the San Clemente Times to take over as San Clemente city editor two years ago.

He’s done a great job covering the City of San Clemente, earning numerous writing awards, and will continue to cover important news stories while also overseeing our newsroom and our city reporters. He can be reached at sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com or 949.388.7700, ext. 113.

We’ve also hired a new San Clemente city reporter, C. Jayden Smith, to cover the daily happenings in the community. Jayden, who is from Dana Point and graduated from Dana Hills High in 2018, earned his journalism degree from the University of North Texas.

Jayden was most recently a staff reporter at the Salina Journal in Kansas. He can be reached at cjsmith@picketfencemedia.com or 949.388.7700, ext.108.

Lastly, some news about a hyper-local media network I’ve helped to create,

publishers and I would get on Zoom calls and talk through ways to pivot our businesses and help each other not only survive, but hopefully thrive once the ruinous economic impact of the pandemic fades away (which, of course, it hasn’t yet).

The camaraderie led to the formation of a new community media advertising network, Southern California Community Media Network (socalmedianetwork. com), which we formally launched two weeks ago.

Now, any of our advertising partners who wish to reach potential consumers in nearby Laguna Beach or Newport Beach, or down in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Temecula, Fallbrook or all the way down to San Diego, can do so through our network, which reaches more than 1.7 million engaged readers.

I’m so grateful for the friendship, guidance and vision of my fellow publisher/ owners—Steve Zepezauer (Firebrand Media), Julie Reeder (Reeder Media), Chris Kydd (The Coast News) and Julie Main (San Diego Community Newspaper Group)—who helped form this new network.

So, please join me in congratulating Shawn, welcoming Jayden, and checking out our new network partners. SC

C. Jayden Smith joins the Picket Fence Media editorial team as the San Clemente Times City Reporter.

which includes Picket Fence Media.

For the past 18 months during the pandemic, I reached out to fellow area independent, hyper-local community media owners in an effort to share ideas and resources as we all battled to stay alive and continue serving our communities.

Each week, for months on end, four other Southern California owners/

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

HOW TO REACH US MANAGING EDITOR Shawn Raymundo • 949.388.7700, x113 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING Laura Gaffney • 949.388.7700, x103 lgaffney@picketfencemedia.com DISTRIBUTION Racks, Driveways, Subscriptions Inna Cazares • 949.388.7700, x111 icazares@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett • 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO/FOUNDER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo City Reporter, SC Times C. Jayden Smith City Reporter, DP Times Breeana Greenberg City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake

GUEST OPINION | City Council Corner by Mayor Gene James

Forging Ahead by Building on Progress of 2021

I

t’s an appropriate time to review the San Clemente City Council’s accomplishments of 2021.

First, we have put an end to the nightmare imposed by the Transportation Corridor Agencies and those who wanted to ruin our great city with a toll road. Through months of negotiations with the County of Orange, Orange County Transportation Authority and the City of San Clemente, we reached a cooperative agreement by which the open spaces of San Clemente can never be used to build any major road.

We should keep in mind the TCA refused to be a party to the agreement San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

and they will continue to attempt to be a threat, but a diminished and rather pathetic one.

I would like to thank my Toll Road Sub-Committee partner, Mayor Kathy Ward, as being the councilmember who worked the hardest CITY COUNCIL and knew the most CORNER in protecting our city.

BY GENE JAMES There are many who fought the toll road for years, and they are owed a well-deserved thank you.

We successfully navigated our city Page 8

through the pandemic. We were one of the first cities to adopt outdoor dining, and city staff created and executed a robust program in assisting small business in getting funding and loans related to business interruption. City management did a stellar job in leading staff during unprecedented challenging times.

Without any impact on the operating budget of the city, we built and completed a state-of-the-art station for San Clemente Police Services. This station will take Police Services well into the mid-21st century. Our Public Works Department did a great job in bringing this project in on budget while dealing with supply

Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes (DP) Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD) Laura Gaffney (SC) ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

San Clemente Times, Vol. 16, Issue 49. The SC Times (sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (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 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. San Clemente Times is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at San Clemente, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

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SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | The Levin Letter by Rep. Mike Levin

WE’RE 1 STEP CLOSER TO MOVING THE WASTE AT SAN ONOFRE T

he U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) just took a critical step toward addressing the nation’s spent nuclear fuel challenges, and it could have significant implications for the waste stranded at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).

The DOE has finally issued a request for information to restart the consent-based siting process for locations that could store the spent fuel currently distributed across the country at nuclear plants like San Onofre.

Consent-based siting means the community that receives the waste agrees beforehand to take it, which is key to securing a location for the waste, because it reduces the possibility of opposition after a site has been chosen.

This is an important step for everyone who has been fighting to find locations to move the waste out of our community, and it’s something I’ve been pushing the DOE to do for a long time.

Last year, my colleagues and I fought to secure much-needed federal funds to jump-start a related consolidated interim storage program at the DOE. A consolidated interim site would serve as a temporary storage location for spent nuclear fuel until a permanent repository site can be established.

As we wrote to members of the House Appropriations Committee last year, we

believe that the DOE program should initially focus on accepting fuel from closed nuclear plants while accounting for site-specific environmental factors.

Both of those criteria favor removing fuel from SONGS and align with my Spent Fuel Prioritization Act, which would require the DOE to prioritize the removal of spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned nuclear sites in areas with large populations and high seismic risk.

With more than THE LEVIN LETTER nine million people

BY MIKE LEVIN living within 50 miles of San Onofre and with Southern California experiencing some of the greatest seismic hazards in the country, the bill would make SONGS one of the highest-priority sites in the nation for the removal of spent nuclear fuel.

Late last year, we took another step closer to achieving those priorities when Congress passed, and the President signed, government funding legislation that included $20 million that my colleagues and I had requested for the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel. Now, the DOE is using that funding to restart a consent-based siting process.

According to DOE, the information gathered by its request for information

will be used to further develop the department’s consent-based siting process and overall waste management strategy in an equitable way.

In its announcement, DOE stated that it is “committed to a consent-based siting approach that makes communities and people central in the process to give the nation its best chance at success in solving the nation’s decades-long stalemate over how to effectively manage our spent nuclear fuel.”

The federal government has a responsibility to address the nation’s spent nuclear fuel challenge, but history has shown us that without the consent of the communities that will be involved, we are unlikely to succeed.

The DOE’s announcement shows that we can address these issues directly and correct the mistakes that have led us to the current nationwide spent-fuel impasse.

U.S. Rep. Mike Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

He was reelected for a second term in 2020 and resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and two children. SC

chain issues.

I pushed for a plan to pay our $50 million unfunded pension liability, and this year that plan has come to fruition. I am very confident that with this plan we will bring our pension funding to 90% within five years without budget cuts.

As a result of policies and actions by our federal government, inflation is at 6.2%. There is no doubt the cost of running the city will increase dramatically. I will again push for year-round, zero-based budgeting.

I’m very concerned with the future development on our city’s borders near Talega and east of Avenida La Pata. There is a potential for 11,250 people living in Planning Area 5. In all likelihood, these future neighbors will drain our resources by using our parks,

athletic fields, swimming pools, streets, recreation programs and beaches.

We are faced with two unpleasant scenarios—a large group using our resources and not paying taxes in San Clemente or annexation of 12,000 new residents with public safety and other city-based needs while receiving only a portion of the property tax.

We need to study the problem and create a plan to address this future burden on our city’s taxpayers.

There is an absolute need for council to work harmoniously together and with city management. I am confident with trust in one another and respectful dialogue, we will meet our future challenges.

It is critical all councilmembers place the needs of San Clemente over all else.

Each of us needs to check personal

agendas at the door; City Council is no place for personal grudges or settling old scores. It’s my hope we can look to the road ahead and ignore the rearview mirror.

Finally, this is the time of year to enjoy the warmth of family and the camaraderie of friends while we rejoice and reflect upon this magnificent and wonderful place we call home.

Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Gene James is a councilmember who was elected in 2019, reelected in 2020 and is serving as the mayor for 2022. SC

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

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.

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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Letter to The Editor RESPONSE TO ‘YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE’ MICHAEL SEDILLO, Capistrano Beach Ms. Allaire asks the question: “Where will these children be educated?”

Apparently, she is not aware of, or is not concerned that the California Teachers Association has officially endorsed curriculums that support many positions that are considered unsuitable to be indoctrinating children with.

Examples are many, but the list is not exhaustive. Things like Open Borders, LGBT-influenced positions on sex education for minor children, revisionist history on the history of Americas’ founding and its founding fathers, Critical Race Theory, Black Lives Matter and COVID and climate change hysteria.

She cites a lot of COVID-19 data from the CDC. Almost anybody who is tuned to almost any news, but especially MSNBC and or CNN, can document gross inconsistencies in public data regarding COVID. The news media simply doesn’t play it straight on COVID data. I believe it is time to ditch the bloated public school system in favor of private education and homeschooling. We should be entitled to educate our children in the values we deem appropriate.

If you have children and you’re of the persuasion of Ms. Allaire, then you can pay for that education, but if you are part of a substantial amount of people in the U.S. that see the public education curriculum as dangerous to your deeply held values, you should have the freedom to educate your children in a way more congruent with your values.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

Join SC Times for Beachside Chat on Friday, Dec.10, at 8 a.m. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues. The chat will be held at Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria. All are welcome. sanclementetimes.com

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GETTING OUT

mente Pier with the Christmas tree and the ocean as your backdrop. Santa Claus will be at the pier, in front of the big Christmas tree, available for pictures on Dec. 11 and 12, as well as the following weekend on Dec. 18 and 19. There will also be Christmas music playing in the background and some special guests singing holiday cheer.

Editor’s Pick

The List

CAPISTRANO LIGHTS 4-6 p.m. This annual seasonal tradition returns to Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Enjoy holiday programs, Christmas tree lightings, a nativity scene, and more on select nights in December at one of South Orange County’s premier historic venues. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

What’s going on in and around town this week SAN CLEMENTE TIMES Photo: File

Get a curated list of the weekend’s best events sent straight to your inbox every Friday! Sign up for The Weekender at sanclementetimes.com/weekender

THURSDAY | 09 WINTERSCAPE Times vary. Enjoy live music, appearances by Santa, ice skating, ice curling, and more throughout December (ending Dec. 23) during this new event at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. 30753 La Pata Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.299.7219. sanjuanoutpost.com.

CASA LUMINA HOLIDAY WALK 5-7 p.m. Now through Dec. 22, roam around Casa Romantica’s historic seaside home and gardens, which are transformed into an illuminated and festively decorated winter wonderland at night.

This is a fun, family-friendly experience for all, as each night will include an illuminated walk through Casa Romantica, live entertainment from local artists, crafts including Letters to Santa, and a hot cocoa bar. General admission is $12; children 12 and under get in free. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

SANTA PAWS AT THE OUTLETS 5-7 p.m. Visitors and their pets can take free photos with Santa at the Outlets at San Clemente. There will also be treats for all guests and more. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com.

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

FRIDAY-SUNDAY | 10-12 FIESTA BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS 7:30 p.m. The Dana Point Harbor Partners invites visitors to join them on the water for 90 minutes of holiday music, a cash bar, up-close views of all the boats participating in the parade, and beautiful harbor scenery. The harbor’s fleet will join private boaters from all over Orange County as they decorate their boats, and everyone will vie for awards from Judges’ Choice to Best Use of Lights, as well as for cash prizes and gift certificates. Admission for adults is $46, $29 for children aged 3-12, and $10 for toddlers aged 2 and under. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. danawharf.com/cruises-and-events/fiesta-boat-parade-of-lights/.

FRIDAY | 10

SATURDAY | 11

LIVE THEATER AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE 7:30 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse presents A Christmas Story, a rendition of the classic holiday movie. The show runs through Dec. 19. Current health guidelines will be in place. All staff members and actors are fully vaccinated. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Village Art Faire, hosted by the San Clemente Downtown Business Association and now located on the lawn of the SC Library, offers a variety of work, including photography, fine art, jewelry, ceramics, fused glass, home décor, botanicals, textile art, and more. Visitors can expect to find many of their favorite artists, as well as some new faces. 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. info@scdba.org. scdba.org/.

LIVE MUSIC AT KNUCKLEHEADS 10 p.m. Local bands New Evil and Robber will play for one night only. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. facebook.com/knuckleheadssportsbarsanclemente/.

HOLIDAY HARBOR LIGHTS Dana Point Harbor Partners is spreading seasonal cheer with the annual holiday light display that will illuminate the Harbor through Jan. 2. Each night throughout the holiday season, the Harbor’s magnificent light display will illuminate the evening sky for guests of all ages to enjoy. Themed light exhibits throughout the Harbor will include Candy Cane Lane, a popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch, lighted trees and much more.

YULE TIDE HOLIDAY MARKET 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This holiday market will bring local makers, artists, and craftspeople together with the community for a unique holiday shopping experience filled with high-quality, one-of-a-kind handmade goods. Free to the public, no reservations required. The Ocean Institute encourages environmentally friendly shopping this holiday season by skipping shipments and shipping times, eco-conscious gift wrapping, and (BYOB) bring your own bag. The Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point. oceaninstitute.org/events.

SUNSETS WITH SANTA 3-5 p.m. Bring your cameras and take your photo with Santa on the San Cle-

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LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue.

Billy Vera and the Beaters will perform.

Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

SUNDAY | 12 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

TUESDAY | 14 FILM SCREENING AT CASA ROMANTICA 6 p.m. Enjoy the quintessential holiday film It’s A Wonderful Life in Casa Romantica’s outdoor coastal Redmond Amphitheater. This event takes place during the Casa Lumina Holiday Walk. Children aged 12 and under get in free. Tickets for general admission are $12. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

WEDNESDAY | 15 BINGO AT THE SENIOR CENTER 1:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, the Dorothy Visser Senior Center will host Bingo. The center will begin selling cards at 1 p.m., with the game starting promptly at 1:30.

The buy-in is $12 for 10 games with four cards and a special pick-your-number game.

For more information, contact the center at 949.498.3322. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente.

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GETTING OUT

ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

Molly Bergman, Mad Dogs and the Englishman

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

S

outh Orange County’s own Molly Bergman will be returning to The Coach House in late December, when she’ll open for the Joe Cocker tribute band Mad Dogs and the Englishman. The Dec. 29 show will mark the Dana Hills High alumna’s sixth performance at the San Juan Capistrano venue.

Because she grew up in an artistic family, it was no surprise that Bergman followed in her parents’ footsteps, aspiring to go into show business. Bergman’s mother, Rita Rudner, is a comedian, and her father, Martin Bergman, is a producer, director and writer.

“I've been singing and writing songs forever,” says the young Bergman, who graduated from Dana Hills in 2020.

Bergman's interest in music began with piano. She started playing piano at 5 years old, studying classical piano.

At 6 years old, Bergman picked up the guitar. After going to a Hannah Montana concert, she became obsessed.

“The next day, I woke up and I asked my parents if I could have a guitar; they very nicely said yes and got me guitar lessons,” Bergman says. “And then with that teacher, I kind of just started writing songs, and it’s been the same ever since.”

Bergman says she likes the storytelling, ballad-type songs that singer-songwriters such as Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift write. She finds that she writes her own lyrics similarly.

She also has her dad to thank for her taste in older music.

“My dad has a big influence on my mu-

(Cont. from page 11) BIKING CLUB FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS 5-6:30 p.m. Anyone have middle school- to high school-aged kids who love to bike?

Community Outreach Alliance’s biking club meets every Wednesday afternoon at different trails, with professional biker and mentor Mike Russell from Freakshow Aloha. San Clemente High’s COA club, which hosts this free activity thanks to Hardman Classic, has bikes and helmets San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

SHOW DETAILS What: Mad Dogs and the Englishman, with Molly Bergman as the opening act When: Wednesday, Dec. 29. Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m.

Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano For tickets or more info: thecoachhouse.com. Tickets are $20.

sic tastes,” Bergman says. “When I grew up, he would always play The Beatles, or Joni Mitchell or James Taylor.”

She has opened for, among others, Jewel, Michael McDonald, Train, and Sammy Hagar & Rick Springfield.

Bergman is currently an undergraduate at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, majoring in Modern Artistic Development and Entrepreneurship, with a minor in Creative American Music. She’s looking forward to winter break and the opportunity to perform again.

“I’m very excited, because I’m out at university and all my classes are very difficult at the moment, and I don’t have as much time to perform out here, so I’m very excited to come back home and be able to do that again,” Bergman says. SC

for participants to borrow. To participate, fill out a registration form online at form. myjotform.com/91392099886576.

For questions, call or text 949.795.4721. communityoutreachalliance.com/bikeclub/.

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends, or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistra-

Singer, songwriter Molly Bergman. Photo: Courtesy of Martin Bergman

no. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

FLASHBACK WEDNESDAY 7:30 p.m. San Juan Capistrano’s downtown movie theater will screen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as part of its Flashback Wednesday series. Order some popcorn and sit back in your seat while you enjoy this holiday film. Tickets are $10. Regency Theatres San Juan Capistrano, 26762 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 844.216.3767. regencymovies.com.

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BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard is open for food, drinks and live music. Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. facebook.com/knuckleheadssportsbarsanclemente/. sanclementetimes.com

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HOLIDAY

Happenings FRIDAY, DEC. 10

Boat Parade of Lights

7:30 p.m. Prepare to be dazzled at night while near the water during the 46th annual Boat Parade of Lights. Enjoy the decorated boats while spending time at the harbor. The event also runs at the same time on Dec. 11 and at 6 p.m. on Dec. 12. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point. 949.388.3663. danapointharbor.com.

Holiday Storytelling

7:30 p.m. Bring the kids to hear seasonal tales with Santa at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Donations of new children’s books will be collected for Miracles for Kids. The event also runs at the same time on Dec. 11, 17, and 18. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 11

Yule-Tide Market and Celebration

9-3 p.m. Celebrate Christmas in a unique coastal way at Ocean Institute. Bring the family to get a photo with Santa or a mermaid. This event requires a ticket purchase. There will also be a mermaid and elf show at various times, and a holiday market with vendors and crafts makers will be held in the Ocean Institute parking

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

lot. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.

Sunsets with Santa

3-5 p.m. Get a photo with Santa at the San Clemente Pier, with the setting sun as a backdrop. Additional photo opportunities will also be available at certain dates.

Check the city website for specific times.

622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 12

Gingerbread House and Holiday Cookie Decorating

2-4 p.m. Create your own seasonal treats with the family at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The pastry experts at the resort will guide you through making a sweet memento for the holidays. Call resort services at 949.240.2000 to reserve your spot. Cost is $250 per gingerbread house. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. ritzcarlton.com.

TUESDAY, DEC. 14

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Screening

6 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor screening of the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life at Casa Romantica. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

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HOLIDAY

Happenings WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15

Boqueria Fiesta

4-6 p.m. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano aims to bring the community together with this event featuring local artisans and vendors offering jewelry, candles, home décor, and more. There will also be live music, raffle entry opportunities, and an appearance by Santa. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31692 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.503.5700. marriott.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 16

Holiday Painting Workshop

5-7 p.m. Learn how to paint miniature ornaments on canvas. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31692 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.503.5700. marriott.com.

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

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FRIDAY, DEC. 17

A Cabrillo Holiday Celebration

7:30 p.m. Join Cabrillo Playhouse for an evening of family-friendly songs celebrating the holidays. The event also runs at the same time on Dec. 18 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 19. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. cabrilloplayhouse.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

Winterscape & Festival of Trees

5:30-8 p.m. The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park brings you this fun event, from Dec. 10-23. Activities will include the Festival of Trees, live music, appearances by Santa, ice skating, curling, and more. Take in the beauty of this outdoor park while enjoying Christmastime with your loved ones. Check the venue website for exact hours on each day and event costs. 30753 La Pata Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.299.7219. sanjuanoutpost.com.

sanclementetimes.com

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HOLIDAY

Happenings SUNDAY, DEC. 19

Capistrano Lights

4-6 p.m. This annual South Orange County event returns with holiday programming, music, a nativity scene, extended hours for the Serra Chapel, and more. Marvel at the historic grounds of the Mission during select evenings, running through Dec. 30. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 23

Holiday Carolers at Dana Point Harbor

4-7 p.m. Listen to some seasonal tunes while enjoying the water and shops in Dana Point. Carolers will also be out on Dec. 23. 34675 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point. 949.388.3663. danapointharbor.com.

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

FRIDAY, DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve at San Juan Hills GC

9:30 p.m. Say goodbye to 2021 and ring in 2022 with live music from local act Family Style. Doors open at 8 p.m., so you’ll have time to grab some food and drinks before dancing the night away.

Premium tickets are $140 per person.

San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1167. sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 1

New Year’s Day with Donavon Frankenreiter

8 p.m. Enjoy the start of the new year with live music at The Coach House.

Have a seat, order some food and drinks, and get ready to relax with the mellow sounds of California-bred musician and surfer Donavon Frankenreiter. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

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PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE SECTION 00100 Notice Inviting Bids SHORECLIFFS GOLF COURSE STORM DRAIN REPAIR Project No. 12609 1. Notice. Public notice is hereby given that the City of San Clemente (“City”) will receive sealed bids for the following project: SHORECLIFFS GOLF COURSE STORM DRAIN REPAIR, PROJECT NO. 12609 2. Electronic bids must be submitted prior to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022, on the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal, at which time or thereafter bids will be opened and made available online. Bids received after this time will be considered non-responsive. Prospective bidders must first register as a vendor and then bid on this project via the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at www.san-clemente.org/vendorbids.

3. Project Scope of Work.

The work to be performed, in general, consists of furnishing all materials, equipment, tools, labor, and incidentals as required by the Plans, Specifications, and contract documents for CCTV inspection of existing storm drain facilities upstream and downstream of the storm drain repair zone, the removal of damaged 21” CMP storm drain, overexcavation and stabilization of the scour hole, construction of one (1) new manhole, new 27” RCP, concrete collars, scour hole backfill, native soil cap, and replanting sod to match existing golf course landscaping.. The general method of the storm drain repair work includes coordination with Shorecliffs Golf Course manager and maintenance staff to access the project site, develop, and maintain a staging area on Golf Course property proximate to the repair site, construction with small equipment to the greatest extent possible, secure the project site with perimeter fencing, construct tempory storm drain bypass, dewatering if required, shoring if required, removal and replacement of storm drain facilities within City’s storm drain easement, export unsuitable material, import crushed miscellaneous base, and minor erosion control BMP’s.

4. Contract Time: The work must be completed within thirty (30) Working Days from the date specified in the written Notice to Proceed.

Note: the work may be performed during the winter months and rainy season. The Contractor MUST include any additional costs and time in its Bid Price for any potential delays and/or bypassing methods of storm waters during construction.

5. License and Registration Requirements.

5.1. State License. Pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 3300, the City has determined that the Contractor shall possess a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification: Class “A”. Failure to possess the specified license(s) at the time of bid opening shall render the bid as non-responsive and shall act as a bar to award the contract to that non-responsive bidder.

Department of Industrial Relations Regis5.2. tration. Pursuant to California Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, or enter into a contract to perform public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”).

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

8. Prevailing Wage Requirements.

No bid will be accepted nor any contract entered into without proof of the contractor’s and subcontractors’ current registration with the DIR to perform public work. If awarded a contract, the Bidder and its subcontractors, of any tier, shall maintain active registration with the DIR for the duration of the Project.

8.1. General. This project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes.

5.3. City Business License. Prior to the Notice to Proceed for this contract, the Contractor shall possess a valid City of San Clemente business license.

8.2. Rates. Prevailing rates are available online at www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR and also available at the City of San Clemente Public Works Department Office at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the project.

The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

6. Contract Documents. Bid documents, including instructions to bidders, bidder proposal form, and specifications (not including other documents incorporated by reference) may be downloaded, at no cost, from the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at www.san-clemente.org/vendorbids. Bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of San Clemente PlanetBids system to view and download the Contract Documents, to be added to the prospective bidders list, and to receive addendum notifications when issued.

8.3. Compliance Monitoring. Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the California Department of Industrial Relations. In bidding on this project, it shall be the Bidder’s sole responsibility to evaluate and include the cost of complying with all labor compliance requirements under this contract and applicable law in its bid.

7. Bid Proposal and Security.

7.1. Bid Proposal Form. No bid will be received unless it is made on a proposal form furnished by the City. Bidders must complete line items information (PlanetBids Line Items Tab), and attach a scanned copy of the paper Bid Form (SECTION 00400), Bid Bond (SECTION 004100), Non-Collusion Declaration (SECTION 00420), Contractor Information and Experience Form (SECTION 00430), List of Subcontractors Form (SECTION 00440), Iran Contracting Act Certification (SECTION 00450), Public Works Contractor Registration Certification (SECTION 00460) completed and uploaded in the PlanetBids “Attachments” Tab.

9. Retention. Pursuant to the contract for this project, five percent (5%) of each progress payment will be retained as security for completion of the balance of the work.

Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22300. Refer to the contract for further clarification.

7.2. Bid Security. Each bid proposal must be accompanied by security in the form of cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount. Personal checks or company checks are not acceptable forms of bid security. All certified and cashier’s checks must be drawn on a responsible bank doing business in the United States and shall be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bid bonds must be issued by a surety company licensed to do business in the State of California and must be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bids not accompanied by the required bid security will be rejected. For electronic submittal of bids, the bid security must be received at the City of San Clemente Public Works office, 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente, CA 92673 within 24 hours of the bid opening date and time (excluding weekends and holiydays). The bid security must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name and address of the bidder, and the outside of the envelope must read as follows:

10. Performance and Payment Bonds. The successful bidder, simultaneously with execution of the contract, will be required to provide Faithful Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount. Bonds are to be secured from a surety that meets all of the State of California bonding requirements, as defined in Code of Civil Procedure Section 995.120, and is admitted by the State of California.

11. Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting. A Non-Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held for this bid solicitation at the job site on December 22, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Attendees shall congregate at the intersection of Avenida Vaquero and Calle Vicente, San Clemente, CA 92673 before walking to the site. Refer to the Instructions to Bidders section on how to submit any pre-bid questions.

NOTE: ALL ATTENDEES SHOULD WEAR FACE MASKS AND KEEP AT LEAST 6-FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING. 12. Covid Pandemic Safety. Due to COVID pandemic, the contractor and his staff/workers need to comply with all State and Federal requirements as apply. At minimum, the contractor should provide masks for all workers, wash and sanitizing stations, and implement social distancing as much as possible. Any delays and/or costs associated with the above should be incorporated in all Unit Bid Items

OFFICIAL BID SECURITY - DO NOT OPEN SHORECLIFFS GOLF COURSE STORM DRAIN REPAIR Project No. 12609 Bid Opening Date: 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022 The bid security shall serve as a guarantee that the bidder will enter into a contract. Such guarantee shall be forfeited should the bidder to whom the contract is awarded fail to enter into the contract within 15 calendar days after written notification that the contract has been awarded to the successful bidder.

13. Instructions to Bidders. Additional and more detailed information is provided in the Instructions to Bidders, which should be carefully reviewed by all bidders before submitting a Bid Proposal.

14. Questions. All questions related to this bid solicitation must be submitted in writing via email to

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Amir K. Ilkhanipour at ilkhanipoura@san-clemente.org no later than January 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, TO AWARD ALL OR ANY INDIVIDUAL PART/ ITEM OF THE BID, AND TO WAIVE ANY INFORMALITIES, IRREGULARITIES OR TECHNICAL DEFECTS IN SUCH BIDS OR IN THE BIDDING PROCESS. ANY CONTRACT AWARDED WILL BE LET TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER AS DETERMINED FROM THE BASE BID ALONE. Dated December 9, 2021.

City of San Clemente Public Works Department 910 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673 END OF NOTICE INVITING BID PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: Historic Property Preservation Agreement (HPPA) HPPA 21-209, Casa de Sofia HPPA, 215 Avenida Miramar A request for a Mills Act agreement between the City and the owners of a historic private single-family residence at 215 Avenida Miramar.

Historic Property Preservation Agreement (HPPA) HPPA 18-442, Virgil Westbrook Residence HPPA, 235 Avenida Miramar A request to amend an approved, but unexecuted, Mills Act agreement between the City and the owners of a historic private single-family residence at 235 Avenida Miramar.

Staff recommends that the projects be found categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15331 (Class 31: Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation), because the projects are a preservation effort that is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.

Materials for the projects are on file at the Planning Division, at 910 Calle Negocio, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting Project Planner David Carrillo at (949) 361-6182 or CarrilloD@san-clemente.org. If you challenge these items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearings described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearings.

To allow staff adequate time to confirm software compatibility, individuals wishing to utilize electronic visual aids to supplement their oral presentations at the meeting, must submit the electronic files to the City Clerk by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Only compatible electronic formats will be permitted to be used on City audio/visual computer equipment. Staff makes no guarantee that such material will be compatible, but will use its best efforts to accommodate the request.

Notice is further given that said public hearings will be conducted by the San Clemente City Council on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at

sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM the Community Center Auditorium, 100 N. Calle Seville. All interested persons are invited to attend said hearings or to provide written communication to the City Council to express their opinion for or against the projects.

For further details, please call or visit the Community Development Department at the above phone number and address where information is on file and available for public inspection.

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON DECEMBER 23, 2021 PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: 1416 Avenida De La Estrella – Minor Exception Permit 21-063 – Ben-Ezra Residence A request to consider a 608 sq. ft. detached, in-thebank, two-car garage 5 feet from front-yard property line with a 12-foot grade difference measured 25 feet back from top of curb face. The proposed project will satisfy the requirement of having 2-covered parking spaces on a developed single-family residential lot.

Staff recommends that the project be found Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).

These applications are on file at the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, 910 Calle Negocio, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting (949) 361-6183. If you challenge these projects in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearings.

Notice is further given that said public hearings will be conducted by the City of San Clemente Zoning Administrator and held on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at San Clemente City Hall, First Floor Community Room, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California. All interested persons are invited to attend said hearings or to provide written communication to the Zoning Administrator to express their opinion for or against the requests.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning Division at (949) 361-6183.

Zoning Administrator PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216621027 The following person(s) is doing business as: 1. MICHELLE RAMIREZ HOMES 1820 CANARD AVE PLACENTIA, CA 92870 ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. MICHSWEETS_OC Full Name of Registrant(s): MICHELLE RAMIREZ 1820 CANARD AVE PLACENTIA, CA 92870 This business is conducted by an Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: N/A

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

MICHELLE RAMIREZ/s/MICHELLE RAMIREZ This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder on 11/19/2021 Publish: San Clemente Times December 2, 9, 16, 23, 2021

tract, the Bidder and its subcontractors, of any tier, shall maintain active registration with the DIR for the duration of the Project.

4.3. City Business License. Prior to the Notice to Proceed for this contract, the Contractor shall possess a valid City of San Clemente business license.

PUBLIC NOTICE

5. Contract Documents. Bid documents, including instructions to bidders, bidder proposal form, and specifications (not including other documents incorporated by reference) may be downloaded, at no cost, from the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at www.san-clemente.org/vendorbids. Bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of San Clemente PlanetBids system to view and download the Contract Documents, to be added to the prospective bidders list, and to receive addendum notifications when issued.

SECTION 00100 NOTICE INVITING BIDS Calle Vista Torito Storm Drain Repair Project No. 26001 1. Notice. Public notice is hereby given that the City of San Clemente (“City”) will receive sealed bids for the following project: Calle Vista Torito Storm Drain Repair, Project No. 26001 Bid Opening Date. Electronic bids must be submitted prior to 5:00 p.m. on December 14, 2021, on the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal, at which time or thereafter bids will be opened and made available online. Bids received after this time will be considered non-responsive. Prospective bidders must first register as a vendor and then bid on this project via the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at www.san-clemente.org/vendorbids.

6. Bid Proposal and Security.

6.1. Bid Proposal Form. No bid will be received unless it is made on a proposal form furnished by the City.

6.2. Bid Security. Each bid proposal must be accompanied by security in the form of cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount. Personal checks or company checks are not acceptable forms of bid security. All certified and cashier’s checks must be drawn on a responsible bank doing business in the United States and shall be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bid bonds must be issued by a surety company licensed to do business in the State of California and must be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bids not accompanied by the required bid security will be rejected.

2. Project Scope of Work. The existing storm drain located on the hillside adjacent to Calle Vista Torito has experienced erosion from a recent pipe rupture southeast of the subject site. As a result of a large volume of water flowing uncontrolled over the slope face, portions of the storm drainpipe have been exposed and/or undermined. The City of San Clemente wishes to fix the situation explained above by removing the entire existing storm drain pipe (except the first and last +/- 5 feet) and replace it with an HDPE pipe, measuring approximately 50 feet in length. The majority of the new pipe will be buried, however portions of it may be constructed above grade, therefore slope anchors are anticipated to be installed with the new HDPE pipe. Earthwork at the site will generally consist of clearing and grubbing excessive organic materials (trees and shrubs) and debris, cleaning out the eroded areas and/or area below the existing pipe in order to establish a suitable bottom, followed by backfilling the eroded areas, followed by construction of the new HDPE pipeline.

For electronic submittal of bids, the bid security must be received at the City of San Clemente Public Works office, 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente, CA 92673 no later than the bid opening date and time. The bid security must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name and address of the bidder, and the outside of the envelope must read as follows:

3. Contract Time: The work must be completed within [30] working days from the date specified in the written Notice to Proceed.

4. License and Registration Requirements.

4.1. State License. Pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 3300, the City has determined that the Contractor shall possess a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): “B” license in good standing. Failure to possess the specified license(s) at the time of bid opening shall render the bid as non-responsive and shall act as a bar to award the contract to that non-responsive bidder.

8. Retention. Pursuant to the contract for this project, five percent (5%) of each progress payment will be retained as security for completion of the balance of the work.

Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22300. Refer to the contract for further clarification.

9. Performance and Payment Bonds. The successful bidder, simultaneously with execution of the contract, will be required to provide Faithful Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount. Bonds are to be secured from a surety that meets all of the State of California bonding requirements, as defined in Code of Civil Procedure Section 995.120, and is admitted by the State of California.

10. Pre-Bid Meeting. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held for this bid solicitation. The meeting will be held at the Site (422 Calle Vista Torito) on December 9th at 10:00AM. 11. Brand Names and Substitution of “Or Equal” Materials. Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 3400(b), if the City has made any findings designating certain materials, products, things, or services by specific brand or trade name, such findings and the materials, products, things, or services and their specific brand or trade names will be set forth in the Special Conditions.

12. Instructions to Bidders. Additional and more detailed information is provided in the Instructions to Bidders, which should be carefully reviewed by all bidders before submitting a Bid Proposal.

The bid security shall serve as a guarantee that the bidder will enter into a contract. Such guarantee shall be forfeited should the bidder to whom the contract is awarded fail to enter into the contract within 15 calendar days after written notification that the contract has been awarded to the successful bidder.

13. Questions. All questions related to this bid solicitation must be submitted through the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal per the information provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

Any other contact to City staff regarding this bid solicitation will be referred back to the PlanetBids system.

7. Prevailing Wage Requirements.

THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, TO AWARD ALL OR ANY INDIVIDUAL PART/ITEM OF THE BID, AND TO WAIVE ANY INFORMALITIES, IRREGULARITIES OR TECHNICAL DEFECTS IN SUCH BIDS OR IN THE BIDDING PROCESS. ANY CONTRACT AWARDED WILL BE LET TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER AS DETERMINED FROM THE BASE BID ALONE.

7.2. Rates. Prevailing rates are available online at www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR and also available at the City of San Clemente Public Works Department Office at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the project.

The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday

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7.3. Compliance Monitoring. Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the California Department of Industrial Relations. In bidding on this project, it shall be the Bidder’s sole responsibility to evaluate and include the cost of complying with all labor compliance requirements under this contract and applicable law in its bid.

OFFICIAL BID SECURITY - DO NOT OPEN Project Name: Calle Vista Torito Storm Drain Repair Project Bid #: 26001 Bid Opening Date: December 14, 2021

7.1. General. This project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes.

4.2. Department of Industrial Relations Registration. Pursuant to California Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, or enter into a contract to perform public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”).

No bid will be accepted nor any contract entered into without proof of the contractor’s and subcontractors’ current registration with the DIR to perform public work. If awarded a con-

and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

Dated November 18, 2021.

City of San Clemente Public Works Department 910 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673 END OF NOTICE INVITING BIDS

sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216619418 The following person(s) is doing business as: 1. ALL-AMERICAN MICRO-CLASS ACADEMY 638 CAMINO DE LOS MARES, SUITE H130-446 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. AAMC ACADEMY 1C. PIVOT-READY-PODS 1D. FORECLOSURE FIGHTERS 1E. QUICK HOME SALE 1F. MOMS 4 MOBILE HOMES Full Name of Registrant(s): B-REAL INVESTMENTS INC. 2708 CALLE ESTRELLA DEL MAR SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: 02/03/2020 B-REAL INVESTMENTS INC./s/GREGG T BRUNNICK/GREGG BRUNNICK, VICE-PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder on 11/01/2021 Publish: San Clemente Times November 18, 25, December 2, 9, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: ROBERT L. WILSON Case Number: 30-2019-01104904-PR-PW-CJC To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will and or estate, or both, of Robert L. Wilson A Petition for Probate has been filed by Leigh C. Wilson in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE.

B. Address of Court: 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. (1) If you plan to appear, you must attend the hearing by video remote using Microsoft TEAMS (2) Go to the court’s website at http://www.occourts.org/media-relations/probate-mental-health.html to appear for probate hearings and for remote hearing instructions. If you have difficulty connecting to your remote hearing call (657) 622-8278 for assistance.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California Statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at sanclementetimes.com

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

Deadline 12pm Monday.

GARAGE/ESTATE SALE FRIDAY, DEC. 10 Friday, Dec. 10th, 9 am to 2 pm 3804 La Quinta, San Clemente (across from Trader Joe’s) Antiques, Jewelry, Kitchen items, Crystal, Glassware, & much more.

GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY, DEC. 11 Garage sale this Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 am to 12 at 34442 Via Verde, Capistrano Beach. cross streets are Via Verde and Camino Capistrano. Lots of Christmas stocking stuffers, clothing, housewares.

HUGE GARAGE & PLANT SALE SATURDAY, DEC. 11 Designer Women’s clothes, Trafalgar Smoker, Vintage/Estate items, furniture, toys and

more! Sat. Dec. 11, 8a-2p, 6 ft. or mask please. 26622 Calle Lago Capistrano Beach

LAND TRADE/EXCHANGE LAND TRADE/EXCHANGE 80 acres of land, Kern County, California Trade or Exchange, Call (909)985-2677

Attorney for Petitioner: Anthony Marinaccio, Marinaccio Law 225 W Broadway, Suite 103, Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 839-5220 Published in: San Clemente Times, DEC 2, 9, 16, 2021

The Petition for Probate requests that Leigh C. Wilson be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The Petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: A. Date: January 26, 2022 Time: 10:30 a.m. in Dept: C08

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

Complete your required legal or public notice advertising in the San Clemente Times.

EMAIL legals@picketfencemedia.com CALL 949.388.7700, ext. 111

Page 23

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

ATTORNEY

Aaron Lloyd Bankruptcy Attorney 2377 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.544.9355, lloydlegal.com

Buy • Consign • Sell

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

949.395.5681 (24 hours)

BODY MIND SPIRIT ARE YOU HAPPY? Let us assist you in creating a life plan for the life & relationships you want & deserve. Body Mind Spirit, 949.248.7377, bodymindspirit.com

classicautosalesoc.com

We also offer professional appraisals, auction services, restoration and shipping.

2485 S. El Camino Real San Clemente

ELECTRICAL

DENTISTS

Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S. 3553 Camino Mira Costa, Suite B, San Clemente, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, San Clemente, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com

ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS 3West Environmental, Inc. www.3westenviro.com Residential & commercial inspections for mold, asbestos and lead paint. 310.400.0195

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY Call Lauralyn for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

FIREWOOD FOR SALE Jack McKay, Owner 949.449.0445 mckayja29@gmail.com Call for prices. Earning money to purchase my first car.

Perfect for campfires, beach fires, home fires.

HOME IMPROVEMENT/ REMODELING

Hoover Construction License B-774675 949.292.6778

MUSIC LESSONS

REALTORS

Rock Club Music School 73 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, 949.463.1968, beachcitiesrockclub.com

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes 949.293.3236, sandyandrich.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

Dr. Raymond L. Wright Jr., DDS 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, (949)361-GUMS (4867), sanclementeperiodontics.com

PROSTHODONTICS Hamilton Le, D.M.D., F.A.C.P. 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

SALONS

Salon Bleu 207 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.366.2060, scsalonbleu.com

VETERINARY HOUSE CALLS Dr. Damon Goldstein, DVM 626.485.9355, damongoldstein@outlook.com “Personalized Care for your Fur Babies at your Home”

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

Page 24

sanclementetimes.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

Page 25

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

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sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

THE STATUS OF SENIOR DATING AS 2022 APPROACHES

T

he year 2021 changed senior dating dramatically. COVID-19 was the culprit. In-person social events were canceled or switched to being presented virtually.

For example, I had a “Senior-datingin-the-digital-age” speech scheduled for Sept. 24 that was requested by the Orange County Aging Services Collaborative. I was to appear in person at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center in San Clemente before an audience of 50 people.

My talk was scheduled to be aired simultaneously to nine other OC senior centers with an expected live audience of 40-50 people at each center for a total of perhaps 500 people.

I was hoping one or two potential couples would meet at each center, but because of COVID, the ON LIFE AND LOVE speech went entirely

BY TOM BLAKE to Zoom, so none of the 500 people could meet in person.

During the pandemic, libraries, restaurants, bars, social clubs and other gathering spots were closed or open with limited access and saddled with mask restrictions and six-feet-apart requirements.

Senior social interaction was reduced by at least 80% (my guestimate) for most of the year. Face-to-face meetings, which are essential in cultivating relationships, were rare. Most seniors understandably didn’t want to risk catching COVID-19.

Yes, restrictions have been lifted somewhat in the past three months, but many seniors are still leery and hesitant to venture out.

To combat the face-to-face restrictions, many seniors, though not all, turned to internet dating, which is a great way to

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Geno

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

meet new people.

However, singles weren’t the only people using internet-dating sites. Romance scammers used the sites to spoof and scam vulnerable seniors. Some seniors tragically lost their savings.

The pandemic has been tough on couples who live in different states or countries. Canada’s border was closed for months, which made seeing a loved one living in Canada nearly impossible.

People in long-distance relationships saw each other less often than they liked.

Even flying and driving long distances within the United States were challenging.

Larry, a friend and former Dana Point neighbor I’ve known for 28 years, met a woman in the Philippines a few years ago. He lived with her there but came home to the U.S. on a short business trip just before the pandemic started.

Since then, he’s had nine trips scheduled to return to be with her, but each time the Philippines government did not allow him to reenter the country.

I asked him this week, “Did you finally get to the P.I?” Larry responded,“Still in the OC. Patience has turned to anger, and I don’t care if I ever go back to the Philippines!

But, Emy and I really love each other, so we have other destinations in consideration.”

And now, there’s a new COVID-19 variant called Omicron that is possibly more contagious and dangerous. Will that make senior dating more difficult again? That’s hard to say, but it certainly is creating more uncertainty.

In the 26 years I’ve been writing about senior dating and relationships, I’ve never seen the senior singles scene so challenging.

I suggest singles try to get out with vaccinated friends, but oh-so carefully.

Wear masks, avoid crowded places, gather

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Hi! My name is Geno. I am a male, sable Siberian Husky. I love to go for long walks and play in the yard. I would be best in a home with adults and older children, 12 years and up, and I would love a big yard! I am a fun, loving, husky! I can be a bit of a talker, I love hanging out in a yard with people, and I would prefer to not be alone too long. Can you give me the fun energetic life I crave?

If you are interested in adopting Geno, please visit petprojectfoundation.org to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@ scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

Contributor: San Clemente Historical Society

FROM THE ARCHIVES Riding horses was an early recreational

activity in San Clemente for people of all ages, as shown in this scene from the early 1930s. This photo can be purchased from the San Clemente Historical Society at sanclementehistoricalsociety.org.

Every week, the San Clemente Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

outside when possible. Be vaccinated. If unsure of where to go, check out meetup.com, which lists hundreds of clubs and groups people can join at no cost.

Network through friends and organizations by asking people if they know of other singles who would like to meet a mate. That was the old-fashioned way of meeting potential mates, pre-internet.

Don’t give up. You never know who’s around the corner or in the next aisle at a store. Be friendly. Be upbeat. That guy wearing the Santa Claus suit and beard

might be perfect for you.

Hopefully, 2022 will be better for senior dating. We’ll keep you posted.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: 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

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 27

See the solution in next week’s issue.

sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SAN CLEMENTE 2021-22 WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW Girls Water Polo

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

s the 2021-22 sports calendar dips into winter, the winter sports season actually gets to be played in the winter.

Last year, the winter sports were pushed into the spring, and while they were able to have more of a full season than their fall sports counterparts, winter sports teams were among the most affected by pandemic restrictions due to playing indoors.

Back in the days of colored tiers, indoor sports were extremely limited until approved to start, and when the teams did start playing, testing was required ahead of every game, and masks were required of every player. The mask requirement is still there for coaches and fans this season, but with the now weekly testing plan in place, athletes won’t be required to wear masks.

Despite the strange circumstances, San Clemente’s winter sports teams were quite successful in the spring, and the Tritons look to expand on those successes this season.

Boys Basketball In the spring, the San Clemente boys basketball team seemed to get stronger as the season went on, as the Tritons surged to a South Coast League co-championship with a 13-4 overall record and 7-1 league record. However, San Clemente advanced only to the second round of the CIF-SS playoffs.

Now, with a full season to ramp up, the Tritons look to try and topple the tough South Coast League once again, and with a strong returning presence up front, San Clemente (6-3) is rolling at a decent pace in the early season.

Coach Marc Popovich’s squad has been paced by physical seniors down low with forwards Asher Gardiner and Tanner Mehrens. Gardiner—6-foot-7, 220 pounds— has been the Tritons’ leading scorer with a double-double in nearly every game. Mehrens—6-foot-5, 225 pounds—has also been averaging double-digit points since joining the team after a post-football season break.

The Tritons also feature 6-foot-11 senior center Ben Starks.

San Clemente opens South Coast League play on Jan. 5 at Trabuco Hills, but the Tritons don’t play their first home game of the season until Jan. 14 against University.

Girls Basketball After a struggle to open the spring season, the San Clemente girls basketball San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

In the shortened spring season, the San Clemente girls water polo team was a dominant force led by an incredible senior class. The Tritons were 8-1 overall and 6-0 in league play with a plus-121 goal differential.

This season, there’s plenty of change, as younger players will have to make an impact with new coach Ikaika Aki, who took over both the boys and girls water polo programs this year after the departure of Logan Powell before last season.

Aki was previously an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams at Loyola Marymount University.

San Clemente (1-0) opens league play on Jan. 4 at El Toro and hosts Dana Hills on Jan. 13.

Boys Wrestling

San Clemente boys basketball leads a line-up of Triton winter sports teams that are all hungry to earn greater success in the CIF-SS playoffs. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

team rallied for a 6-2 South Coast League record, 10-7 overall record and a CIF-SS Division 1 playoff appearance.

Going into that spring season, San Clemente had to account for the loss of impact players, and the Tritons found their way to make that league push. San Clemente will have to make its way in a similar fashion this season.

San Clemente has only three seniors this season, with the leader among them being senior guard Jolie Johnson. Johnson has been a key player for the Tritons since their run to the CIF-SS championship game in 2019.

Overall, the Tritons have a varied makeup with those three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen.

San Clemente (2-3) opens league play on Jan. 4 at home against San Juan Hills and host Dana Hills on Jan. 13.

Boys Soccer It’s a new era on the pitch for the San Clemente boys soccer team.

After 33 years of incredible success, head coach Mike Pronier retired from his post with a legacy that includes three CIF-SS championships and two CIF State Regional championships.

Stepping up onto the sidelines as the new head coach is Chris Murray. Murray

is familiar locally as an assistant coach on the Tritons’ first regional championship team and as the director of coaching for the San Clemente Surf soccer club.

The Tritons will be replacing a lot from a senior-heavy team that lost in the first round of the CIF-SS playoffs in the spring.

San Clemente is 1-0-1 on the early season and opens South Coast League play on Jan. 5 at home against Capistrano Valley.

Girls Soccer The San Clemente girls soccer team is also under new but familiar management.

Stacey Finnerty had a historic 16-year tenure with the Tritons that included five CIF-SS championships, a CIF State Regional title and nine league titles before her then-retirement in 2016.

Five years and two coaches later, Finnerty is back at the helm.

San Clemente has plenty of returners, including Mia Owens, Abby Succi and Emily Sanchez, who made an impact as young players last season on a team that was the South Coast League runner-up by a thin margin.

San Clemente (1-0) plays at Dana Hills on Thursday, Dec. 9, and opens league play at home against Aliso Niguel on Jan. 4.

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Despite the Tritons needing to open their season in the spring and outdoors, it was another banner year for the San Clemente wrestling team, as the Tritons won their second consecutive and second-ever CIF-SS Dual Meet Championship.

Last season, there were also no individual championships and no individual tournaments of any kind due to pandemic restrictions. This season, there are those individual tournaments, and the Tritons return plenty to make more CIFSS runs.

Returners from that CIF-SS championship lineup include juniors Benjamin Hernandez and Cole Robertson and seniors Garrett Boyd and Robert Maley.

San Clemente hosts its annual Rotary Tournament on Jan. 8. League finals are Jan. 22 at Capistrano Valley.

Girls Wrestling Last season was history-making for the San Clemente girls wrestling team and all girls wrestling teams in the CIF-Southern Section.

For the first time, there were enough full-rostered girls wrestling teams to necessitate a CIF-SS girls wrestling dual meet championship. It was a critical year for them as well, as they would be the only postseason event for wrestling with no individual tournaments allowed.

San Clemente made strong use of this new opportunity, as the Tritons won their first two duals to advance to the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals.

This season, the Tritons are led by captains and four-year wrestlers Keyla Ajeloza and Charlie Banks. SC sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

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SC SURF

Drew Brophy Needs Your Help Paying It Forward to the Iconic San Clemente Artist Who’s Given So Much to Surfing

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n 2001, my eventual wife and I were looking for an apartment to rent in San Clemente. By happenstance, we settled in a tiny little upstairs bungalow next door to Drew and Maria Brophy.

Their son, Dylan, was just a little guy at the time. Our shared passion for surfing immediately brought us together.

I’d seen Drew’s art everywhere, and by this time, he’d become one of the most recognizable surf artists in the business.

His collaboration with Matt Biolos and Lost was literally world-famous.

On sunny days, Drew would spread out his materials in his backyard, and we had the amazing fortune to be able to watch him create. There’s something special about watching an artist at work, especially watching Drew do his thing.

Drew’s imagination is inspired by what he experiences in the water. He’s a mad dog, charging big waves everywhere from Mexico to Tahiti. He’s one of those guys who just lives for it—a true surfer’s surfer.

Sadly, our friend Drew is in the fight of his life. In early November, he contracted COVID-19 and has been hospitalized as a

San Clemente artist Drew Brophy, pictured here next to several surfboards for which he made the artwork, is in the hospital after contracting COVID-19, his family recently announced. Photo: File/Eric Heinz

result. During this holiday season, when so many loved ones are on our minds, I’ve been thinking a lot about Drew, Maria and Dylan, and sending them lots of positive healing energy.

In an email from Maria on Tuesday, Dec. 7, she explained that the family was trying to have Drew transferred to another hospital as Mission Hospital “has gone as far as they can with him.”

“The concern is he may not be accepted for various reasons (age or they are full) and this could be a death sentence for him,” Maria said in the email. “We are praying one of the hospitals he has been referred to will accept him—UCLA, UCSD, Cedar Sinai or USC.” Drew’s brother, James Brophy, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the medical expenses. According to James, Drew has been in the ICU and

was placed on a ventilator.

As of Wednesday morning, Dec. 8, James had raised more than $50,000 toward the overall goal of $150,000.

For those who haven’t enjoyed Drew’s company, he grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in the 1980s. Insisting he “had to get out,” he chased his surfing dreams to Hawaii.

“I went to the North Shore to paint boards and surf Pipeline. That was the dream, but like anything, I guess, that wasn’t the reality,” Drew told me in a 2018 interview.“I got some work painting boards, mostly airbrushing, because nobody was really using the Posca paint pens.”

“I got to a point where I was painting the top guys’ boards. Some big-name guy would come in, explain what he wanted, and I’d paint his board, but getting paid was a different story,” Drew added in the interview.

GROM OF THE WEEK

SAWYER LINDBLAD

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

Sawyer Lindblad. Photo: Courtesy of Damien Poullenot/World Surf League

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

t’s been a heck of a year for Sawyer Lindblad. Her accomplishments over the course of 2021 deserve much more space than we have right here. She’s most definitely moved beyond Grom of the Week at this point, but we wanted to make sure that she gets the shine she deserves after coming so far.

The 16-year-old San Clemente surfer just finished the 2021 WSL Challenger Series ranked 11th, meaning she very nearly qualified for the prestigious Championship Tour.

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“I’d be out at Pipeline with all these guys, and they treated me like (expletive).”

Disenchanted with the trajectory of his career, Drew hit the reset button and relocated to San Clemente. After all, if you can’t have Pipe in your backyard, Lowers is a pretty good second option.

“I rented this garage, and that’s where I lived when I first moved to California. I met Matt (Biolos), and we hit it off right away,” Drew continued. “This would have been around ’95 or ’96.”

Together, Drew, Biolos and Mike Reola made magic happen with Lost. The surfboard company ushered in an era in radical, high-performance surfing. And Drew, armed with his Japanese Posca paint pens, promptly changed the way surfboards were brought to life.

“Airbrushing is more technical; I knew that these pens would allow for a lot more freedom and creativity. I knew there was opportunity there,” Drew said.

“We started putting color and fun into the art. We’d do anything we wanted on a board. There weren’t any rules.”

Today, Drew and Maria have built an incredible business around Drew’s art.

They’ve traveled the world together and been able to turn their collective surfing dream into a flourishing reality.

Hopefully, we’ll see Drew back in the water sometime soon. Until then, I’ll be sending love and light to the Brophy family, and all those going through some tough times right now.

Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

Her run began with a statement-making performance at the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach, where she finished a very respectable fifth place.

After that, she headed to Europe with her family and support crew, and while things could have gone better in tricky Portuguese conditions, she really found her form at the Roxy Pro France, where she finished in third.

She ended the season in Hawaii, and while she suffered an ear injury during her preparations that kept her out of the water for a while, she sucked it up, strapped on a helmet and paddled out in some solid Hawaiian surf.

All told, it was a brilliant year for Lindblad, and without a doubt, she’s going to be a threat for years to come— you just might not see her here in the Grom of the Week. SC sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times December 9-15, 2021

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