December 24, 2020

LO C A L

December 24-30, 2020

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INSIDE: Outdoor Activities Await in the Winter Go.See.Do. SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 52

Recapping the Turbulent and Tumultuous Year That Was 2020 E Y E O N S C / PAG E 6

The San Clemente Times offers a look back at its coverage of 2020, and tracks a timeline of the coronavirus pandemic. Graphic: Chelsie Rex

Cities Back Barnes’ Appeal of Prison-Reduction Order EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

City to Work with County, RMV on Los Patrones Planning EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

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CoastLines by Fred Swegles: Remembering ‘The Colonel’ SC LIVING/PAGE 18

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

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SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week

The South OC cities of DP, SC and SJC have joined an amicus brief supporting Sheriff Don Barnes’ appeal to a court order requiring him to reduce the county’s prison population by 50%. Photo: Courtesy of RODNAE Productions/Pexels

South County Cities Back Barnes’ Appeal of Order to Release Inmates THE LATEST: The cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano have joined a chorus of other Orange County cities standing by Sheriff Don Barnes and his challenge to a recent court order requiring that he release up to 50% of the county’s jail population in order to implement social-distancing measures and protect medically vulnerable inmates.

In special meetings on Monday, Dec. 21, Dana Point and San Clemente city councils voted unanimously to file amicus briefs in support of Barnes’ appeal to the order, which, he believes, could result in the release of hundreds of “dangerous offenders.”

“If this ruling is allowed to stand, it will potentially result in the release of individuals who have been charged with serious and violent crimes,” Barnes wrote in a Dec. 16 letter to the county’s cities, encouraging them to file amicus briefs.

“Among our jail population are 490 inmates who have been charged with murder or attempted murder. Our jail population includes 237 people charged with child molestation,” he wrote. “In my view, the release of even one of these inmates is too many.”

According to city officials in San Clemente, the cities of Fountain Valley, Brea, Seal Beach, Garden Grove, and Rancho Santa Margarita have submitted letters to the court supporting Barnes’ motion, but did not join the amicus brief that the city of Newport Beach is preparing.

Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson handed down the order earlier this month after finding “that conditions in the Jail do not permit proper social distancing, there San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

is no mandatory testing of staff or asymptomatic detainees after intake, and no strictly enforced policy or requiring masks for all staff interactions with inmates.”

The ruling stipulated that Barnes draft by the end of the month a Release Plan identifying medically vulnerable inmates, and maintain the population reduction, as well as a “strict policy of face mask wearing” by all staff whenever they’re within 6 feet of an inmate.

Though it called for the reduction of 50% of the population in all congregated living areas, it noted that the release of the inmates doesn’t necessarily mean “from all forms of custody” and that Barnes has the discretion in terms of options and conditions of release.

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California, along with a few other organizations, filed the class-action lawsuit against Barnes this past April, alleging that the situation in the county’s jails violated the U.S. Constitution and disability rights laws designed to protect inmates from cruel and unusual punishment.

Since March, the ACLU says it has received hundreds of complaints from inmates at the Orange County jails about being given stained sheets as face masks, deputies not adhering to face mask policies, disregarded social distance measures and denial of medical care.

Prior to the pandemic, the ACLU’s primary communication with incarcerated individuals in OC jails was through letter correspondence. This year, however, the organization launched a hotline for complaints regarding COVID-19.

“Before COVID, we would receive complaints regarding confinement, excessive use of force, assault from fellow inmates or deputies,” said Daisy Ramirez, the jails conditions and policy coordinator for ACLU SoCal. “We’ve received complaints about incarcerated folks being denied medical care long before this pandemic, but COVID has amplified that issue.”

During the city of San Clemente’s special meeting on Monday, the councilors expressed their dismay with the court order, while also expressing enthusiastic support for joining the amicus brief that Newport Beach intends to file.

“This is serious, and I think it’s just nonsense what’s happening, and we need to be unified with the other cities,” Councilmember Laura Ferguson said, adding: “We need to show a unified front to protect our community. It’s just destructive.”

According to San Clemente City Attorney Scott Smith, the cost for the city to join the amicus brief is $1,000.—Shawn Raymundo and Lillian Boyd

City to Work with County, The Ranch on Los Patrones Planning THE LATEST: The city of San Clemente effectively got its wish of securing a seat at

the planning table for Los Patrones Parkway’s extension, as the city council last week agreed to work cooperatively with the County of Orange and the neighboring community of Rancho Mission Viejo.

The council on Dec. 15 voted unanimously to enter into a cooperative agreement with the county and The Ranch, acknowledging that the design plans for the free, county-operated arterial route will not include considerations to develop the controversial extension of the 241 Toll Road.

“The development agreement is an excellent step forward,” Councilmember Steven Knoblock said during the meeting.

“Hopefully, it reflects a universal opinion that the 241 won’t be built and that by putting in the design criteria, hopefully this will put a straitjacket on the roadway so that it can never be at toll road.”

Mike Balsamo, senior vice president of governmental relations for The Ranch and one of three RMV officials included in the council’s discussion, echoed Knoblock’s sentiments, stating that the agreement will lead to further dialogue between the city and county.

“I think this first step of partnership with the city is a good lead-in for further dialogue about what the ultimate road will look like,” he said.

Along with the agreement, the council also voted to initiate a General Plan amendment that would incorporate the extension of Los Patrones, which begins where the 241 ends and currently runs through The Ranch. The road is planned to eventually connect to La Pata, stretching roughly 700 feet past the San Clemente city limits.

The agreement puts in place a series of “key assumptions” meant to ensure that the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ abandoned proposals to extend the 241 through San Clemente and parts of San Juan Capistrano can never be revived.

One assumption includes the agreement between the city, county and The Ranch that Los Patrones will differ from a toll road, or freeway, “in terms of their design, speed, capacity, purpose, utility, ownership, and environmental impacts.”

The agreement comes as the county recently began the process of amending its General Plan to include an extended Los Patrones Parkway. The County Board of Supervisors is also expected to meet in early January to approve the extension as an amendment in the MPAH, or Master Plan of Arterial Highways.

“The project is proceeding; it’s set to proceed through the county decision-making … over the course of this winter,” City Attorney Scott Smith explained to the council.

“This agreement allows the city and the county to lock in on those key assumptions as this process takes place.”—SR

Unemployment Rates Continued to Fall in Nov THE LATEST: Unemployment among the

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three South County Cities dropped to 5.4% for the month of November, as the county continued to regain many of the jobs lost at the start of the pandemic, the latest jobs data from the state showed.

According the California Employment Development Department’s report released on Dec. 18, unemployment fell statewide, with the addition of 57,100 jobs, primarily in the leisure and hospitality industry and the trade and transportation sector.

California’s unemployment rate dipped from 9% in October to 8.2% last month, while unemployment in Orange County was reported at 6.4% in November, down from the 7.3% the month prior.

However, the report comes as roughly 98% of the state is under a new stay-athome order amid a rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations that have depleted available beds in intensive care units. The statewide ICU availability as of Tuesday morning, Dec. 22, was 2.5%, according to the Department of Public Health.

The Southern California region has been under the three-week lockdown since Dec. 7, after ICU capacity dropped below 15%. ICU availability in the region, which includes Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties, among others, was reported at an adjusted 0%.

The order put a moratorium on all inperson dining, bars, breweries, wineries, hair salons and barbershops, and personal care services. Restaurants can still offer takeout and delivery, while retail and grocery stores could remain open with 20% customer capacity.

While another stall in economic activity is anticipated as a result of the surge in positive COVID-19 cases across the nation, lawmakers in Congress this week were able to reach a deal on a $900 billion economic relief package that will provide $600 in direct payments to Americans and family members who earn up to $75,000 in annual income, and it includes an extra $300 per week in unemployment benefits for 11 weeks.

President Donald Trump was expected to sign the legislation on Tuesday, allowing the stimulus payments to begin going out to Americans as early as next week.

WHAT’S NEXT: The state’s next jobs and unemployment report for the month of December, reflecting the impact from the latest stay-at-home order, is expected to be released in late January.—SR

Reinhold Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against County, OCSD Deputies THE LATEST: A lawsuit filed against the County of Orange on Thursday, Dec. 17, accuses two deputy sheriffs of using (Cont. on page 4) sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) excessive and unreasonable force against Kurt Reinhold, the 42-year-old homeless Black man who was shot and killed during an altercation with the officers outside a San Clemente hotel in late September.

Reinhold, who was unarmed, is believed by authorities to have reached for the firearm of one of the two homeless outreach deputies as they wrestled during the scuffle that occurred in the early afternoon of Sept. 23 on El Camino Real, just outside Hotel Miramar.

Attorneys representing Reinhold’s family—including his wife, Latoya Reinhold, and his mother, Judy Reinhold-Tucker— filed the wrongful death suit against the county in federal court, arguing that the two unnamed deputies escalated their encounter with Reinhold, who reportedly suffered from mental illness and intermittent homelessness for the past few years.

“One thing is clear: the deputies who shot and killed Kurt did exactly the opposite of what well-trained officers are expected to do,” attorney Neil Gehlawat said in a press release, further alleging that one of the officers had already drawn his department-issued taser near the onset of the interaction.

“Instead of de-escalating the situation, these deputies clearly escalated—by having a taser drawn, tackling Kurt, and then shooting and killing him,” Gehlawat continued in the release. “This lawsuit not only aims to expose the injustice surrounding Kurt’s death, but also the lack of adequate training provided to these deputies.”

In an email to San Clemente Times, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Carrie Braun said the department doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

In the lawsuit, the Reinhold family, which is demanding that the case be decided by a jury trial, alleges that the deputies violated the late Reinhold’s Fourth Amendment protections from unreasonable searches and seizures, and that the county’s training polices are inadequate in addressing certain circumstances.

It remains unclear why the officers had stopped Reinhold, who, based on eyewitness accounts, had been walking along El Camino Real after purchasing snacks from a nearby liquor store just minutes before his interaction with the deputies An investigation into the matter is currently being conducted by the Orange County District Attorney’s office. OCSD has said it also is conducting its own internal investigation. Sheriff Don Barnes previously stated that part of the investigation is determining what led to the contact.

racial inequity this summer, the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees approved a wide-ranging plan intended to address racist and cultural harassment, make schools more welcoming climates, and support LGBTQ+ students.

The Cultural Proficiency Plan has been in the works since October 2019 and was officially approved during a Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The plan will include anti-bullying training for school staff; fostering multiple ways for students to report bullying; addressing chronic absenteeism among disabled, Black, homeless, foster care, Hispanic, and socially and economically disadvantaged students through parent outreach; and examining and ideally rectifying adversely disproportionate suspension rates among those students, among other measures.

“This (conversation) is really ongoing, and it’s fantastic,” Trustee Amy Hanacek said. “The sooner we can take all this amazing work and not let it lag, the more energy we have towards our goals.”

The plan passed by a 6-1 vote. Trustees Gila Jones, Judy Bullockus, Martha McNicholas, Pamela Braunstein, Krista Castellanos and Hanacek voted yes. Trustee Lisa Davis, who studied the plan but wanted to see more information, voted no.

The plan incorporates feedback from the district’s Cultural Proficiency Task Force, which formed in fall 2019, as well as from members of the group CUSD Against Racism and trustees. District office members and school management representatives are on the Cultural Proficiency Task Force.

CUSD Against Racism organizers who had commented during the Dec. 16 meeting said they were glad to see the plan come forth and appreciated the hard work that went into it, but they urged district officials to continue further with anti-racist measures, and be transparent and accountable in doing so.

Jones said the board should approve the plan, so it’s “on the table,” and the plan can be tweaked as needed as time goes on.

“I would like to pass this tonight with relatively few changes—not that the suggestions are not great. It’s just that we’re talking about editing from the dais, basically,” Jones said. “And that is always a bad practice. I feel like I would like to pass this tonight and maybe revisit it with the input of CUSD Against Racism.”

The Cultural Proficiency Task Force will meet regularly to monitor the implementation of the plan and will share progress with the board, according to a staff report.—Collin Breaux

San Clemente

WHAT’S NEXT: According to the lawsuit, the Reinhold family is seeking monetary damages, as well as punitive damages, against the two officers involved.—SR

COVID-19 UPDATES as of 12/22/20

cases

deaths

School Board Passes Cultural Proficiency Plan

TOTAL

1,432

13

696

2

THE LATEST: Following protests against San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

LAST 30 DAYS

SC San Clemente

LOC ALS O NLY

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San Clemente Times Obituary

Eileen Audrey Pommer Hutchings July 26, 1924 – Dec. 1, 2020 “Onward and upward.”

This favorite saying of Eileen’s describes her long and full life as a 62-year resident of San Clemente. A woman of humble beginnings, Eileen’s quiet leadership and unfaltering grace, kindness, and integrity served as a beacon for her cherished family and friends.

Born in Pleasant Township, SD, she was the fifth child and only daughter of Benjamin and Flora (Frey) Pommer. Eileen graduated valedictorian and after college, married Rendel Brickwood Hutchings. They launched Hutchings Court Reporters in Los Angeles.

For decades, Eileen provided leadership as the suc-

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cessful business grew, but family and pride in their San Clemente home took the lead.

In later life, she continued to care for family, including devoted care of Rendel during his long illness. The “Leen Machine” had a mischievous sense of humor, was a longtime Laker fan, and a legendary cook. She sincerely appreciated a sunset and any musical performance.

She passed away peacefully after becoming infected with COVID. Role model and idolized matriarch, beloved Leen-Mom-GrandmotherGrandy is survived by her treasured family. As we continue onward and upward, she is with us.

A private family memorial will be held when it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bloom Again Foundation.

He will be buried at Ascension Cemetery, Lake Forest, CA on December 12th. sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

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sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC tors voted unanimously to instead pursue the extension of Los Patrones Parkway. The thoroughfare would remain an arterial, untolled route, ending at the San Clemente city limits at Avenida La Pata.

APRIL

JANUARY

Some of the Top Stories from 2020

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

ithout a doubt, 2020 will be one for the record books. On top of an election year that continued to create divisions in our nation, we were met with a global health crisis that rages on and a reckoning on race that has increased calls for social justice.

The San Clemente Times annually looks back at its coverage throughout the year and compiles a list of the top stories that happened around town. Here is merely a glimpse into everything that transpired in 2020.

Because the COVID-19 pandemic was undoubtedly the biggest storyline carried throughout the year—and surely to continue being a major topic of coverage as we head into 2021—we’ve compiled a separate timeline on page 9 focusing solely on the coronavirus.

The year got off to a bumpy start for San Clemente’s elected officials, who found themselves having to address the impending departure of the city manager, James Makshanoff, after he announced his resignation in December so he could take a similar chief executive position with the city of Pomona.

With Makshanoff leaving town, city councilmembers began the process of searching for his replacement. Then-Mayor Dan Bane had been given authority by the council to contract a recruitment firm to assist in the search, while he and his fellow councilors hired former Lake Forest City Manager Robert Dunek to the role in the interim.

The county’s homelessness problems escalated to begin the year, when the city of Santa Ana filed a lawsuit against the County of Orange, as well as against San Clemente and neighboring cities Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. The lawsuit alleged that the municipalities had leaned heavily on Santa Ana to take on the homelessness crisis.

The three South County cities disputed that charge, arguing that none of the cities had transported any homeless individuals to an armory for the homeless in Santa Ana. Based on those assurances, Santa Ana dismissed its suit against the three cities roughly two weeks later.

Longstanding plans to dismantle the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) began to move forward as Southern California Edison, the chief operator of the power plant, announced those efforts would get underway the following month.

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

Within months of the state’s Primary Elections, allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety were directed at Assemblymember Bill Brough, with prominent Republican organizations beginning to call for his resignation.

The Rancho San Clemente Business Park Association and the Emergency Shelter Coalition (ESC) finalized a sale agreement for 10 acres of open space property along Avenida Pico, where the nonprofit intended to develop a shelter for the homeless.

ESC agreed to finalize the deal despite the park’s business owners voting against the nonprofit’s request to terminate the CC&R’s, which had initially been a condition of the sale.

FEBRUARY

Less than a month after ESC and the business park had agreed on the property sale, a group of the park’s business owners filed a lawsuit against the association and the nonprofit, challenging the transaction. The suit alleged the association’s leadership didn’t have the legal authority to execute the sale and sought to void the agreement.

After initiating a request for proposals in December 2019 that sought interest from medical providers looking to take over and reopen MemorialCare’s shuttered hospital in San Clemente, the city began the early stage of reviewing and evaluating those proposals.

MARCH March kicked off with the state’s Primary Election, which saw races for the 73rd Assembly Page 6

District and 49th Congressional District. Residents in Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and San Clemente also voted on bond measures to support the renovation of schools in their areas.

In the 73rd District race, Brough, a Dana Point resident and the third-term incumbent, came in fourth place, disqualifying him from appearing on the General Election ballot in November and dashing his hopes for reelection.

The 49th Congressional race was largely symbolic as there were only two candidates—incumbent Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Brian Maryott, a San Juan Capistrano councilmember—meaning both were shoe-ins for inclusion on the November ballot. However, with Levin coming in first, the Primaries offered a glimpse of what would come eight months later.

As for the bond measures, the Primaries delivered another blow to the Capistrano Unified School District’s hopes of refurbishing several of its campuses, including those in San Clemente and Dana Point. Both of CUSD’s measures— H and I—failed, each receiving roughly 45% approval, far below the 55% threshold needed to pass.

For San Clemente residents who have long fought the controversial proposals to have the 241 Toll Road extend to Interstate 5 by cutting through parts of town, the month of March marked a major turning point in the battle.

Those plans were officially wiped from the table as the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ Foothill/Eastern Board of Direc-

The city council began a process toward condemning the parcels ESC had purchased from the Rancho San Clemente Business Park Association. The city sought to acquire the land through eminent domain, with the intention of converting the property into a conservation easement that would further block the TCA from considering a toll road extension.

Over the span of both meetings in April, the council deliberated over the acquisition plan, which was estimated to cost the city $100,000—covering both legal costs and the price tag for the land. In a 4-1 decision, with Councilmember Laura Ferguson dissenting, the council voted to condemn the land, officially initiating the eminent domain process in the court system.

Bane, who had been an elected official for roughly a year and half, including serving as the town’s mayor for 2020, announced in the early April council meeting that he would be stepping down from office.

The then-mayor said he had accepted a job offer in his hometown of Blue Springs, Missouri, and would be relocating his family there. His final day on the council was April 21, leaving an open council seat that prompted another Special Election in November— the second in as many years.

MAY With Bane no longer on the council, the four-person body debated who among them should serve as mayor before reaching an impasse—the first of many throughout the year. As mayor pro tem for 2020, Ferguson was thrust into the role in an acting capacity.

Councilmember Chris Hamm later announced that he would not be seeking reelection for a third term in office, leaving Councilmember Gene James, who won his seat in the 2019 Special Election, as the sole incumbent running in the November elections.

An oceanic phenomenon that creates bioluminescent waves seen at night attracted visitors to Southern California’s coastline.

Known as red tide, the event is caused by an aggregation of species called dinoflagellate sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC continued to mount.

Lingulodinium polyedra.

On Memorial Day, George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, died while in police custody.

His death, the result of being pinned to the pavement by an officer kneeling on the 46-year-old’s neck as he gasped and pleaded for air, sparked outrage and prompted a new social justice movement that would be felt nationwide.

NOVEMBER

JUNE The racial reckoning that followed Floyd’s death reached San Clemente and other South County cities, as social justice advocates staged Black Lives Matter rallies and marched through the town, as well as organizing paddle-outs at the beach that called for an end to police brutality and racial injustice.

During initial deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, councilors were divided on its passage, putting the city’s appropriations for services beginning July 1 in a state of flux. Later in the month, the council voted, 3-1, to adopt the budget that puts spending for the year at roughly $70 million and projects revenues to reach just north of $68.2 million.

Renovations to the historic Miramar Theater and San Clemente Bowling Center continued, as construction crews began to dismantle the 74-year-old bowling alley, which will be restored and turned into a food court.

A proposed amendment to extend Dunek’s contract as the interim city manager for another six months was turned down in another show of political gridlock among the city council.

Ferguson and James voted to reject the contract, while Hamm and Councilmember Kathy Ward abstained from voting.

With Dunek out, Assistant City Manager Erik Sund was placed into the role of acting chief executive while the search for a permanent replacement remained in limbo.

The pool of candidates who sought a seat on the city council

began to emerge as a handful of people started to file intention statements with the city, or spoke openly about their intention to run for one of the three open council seats.

An Orange County Grand Jury investigation into the TCA found, among other things, that the toll road operators had continued to place themselves in future road planning efforts and projects likely outside of their legislative purview, despite having fulfilled much of their original mandates—to build toll roads.

JULY Poche Beach and the area surrounding the San Clemente Pier were once again ranked among the most polluted beaches in the state, as the two popular South County beach spots found themselves on Heal the Bay’s annual “Beach Bummer” list.

City officials announced their intention to resume discussions with Palomar Health, a medical provider interested in reopening and operating San Clemente’s shuttered hospital, after initial progress was delayed because of the pandemic.

A military training accident involving an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) that sank off the coast of San Clemente Island killed eight U.S. Marines and one Navy sailor. Seven of the Marines and the one sailor were initially reported as missing following the incident, prompting a search and rescue operation.

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

AUGUST

Within a week of the AAV accident, the bodies of the missing Marines and sailor were found inside the sunken watercraft, which was bound toward the USS Somerset after completing a training exercise on the island.

The race for the city council took shape, with a total of 18 candidates qualifying for the elections—10 for the General Election and eight for the Special Election.

SoCal Edison transferred the last bit of nuclear waste from its power plant into dry storage, completing another step in the ongoing plans to deconstruct the decommissioned facility.

A vote on whether to sell or lease a city-owned lot that developers are hoping to turn into a gas station and other amenities was tabled by the city council until 2021, leaving the decision to a newly elected council body.

PierPride Foundation celebrated the completion of its project to renovate the restroom at the historic pier, including the installation of new artwork on the facility.

SEPTEMBER

The San Clemente City Council took the initial steps to challenge the development impact fees that the TCA had imposed on residents and developers who have not benefited from the now-abandoned SR-241 road alignment.

The council also approved a $45,000 survey meant to gauge local support for a proposed funding plan from Palomar

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Health, which has suggested the creation of a new property tax in order to form a health care district in the city, whereby reopening the hospital.

Outside of a San Clemente hotel on El Camino Real, police fatally shot Kurt Reinhold, a 42-year-old Black homeless man, who authorities believe reached for a deputy’s firearm during an altercation with two homeless outreach officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The day after Reinhold’s death, mostly peaceful Black Lives Matter rallies were staged in San Clemente, reinvigorating a local conversation on racial equality, the treatment of Black Americans and defunding the police.

OCTOBER

Reinhold’s family, including his wife, Latoya Reinhold, filed a wrongful death claim against the county, as well as the two thenunnamed officers involved in the shooting. Attorneys representing the family argued that the two deputies escalated the situation, calling their use of deadly force “excessive and unreasonable.”

The city council tapped the Public Safety Committee and the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission to assess the city’s policies on e-bikes, review what steps other cities have taken, and then come up with recommendations to amend San Clemente’s regulations, as complaints of riders speeding and behaving recklessly along the Beach Trail

During the Nov. 3 elections, Chris Duncan and Steven Knoblock won seats on the San Clemente City Council, while James won his bid for reelection.

Laguna Niguel Mayor Laurie Davies won the race for the 73rd Assembly District and Levin maintained his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Prior to the newly elected councilmembers taking seats on the dais, James, Hamm and Ward voted to conduct a special meeting so they could discuss a potential censure against Ferguson, who faced a litany of accusations from Ward. In a 3-1 decision, the council voted to censure the then-acting mayor for “unacceptable conduct.”

Days before Thanksgiving, the city received word from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that a renewal request for the five-year waiver to maintain quiet zones at seven railroad crossings had been denied, bringing back the unwelcome sound of train horns blaring through town.

DECEMBER With trains passing through San Clemente now required to sound their horns per federal regulations, the city and Metrolink moved quickly to address the compliance issues that the FRA found with the city’s Pedestrian Audible Warning Systems, or PAWS. Federal officials said that a decision on whether to approve the city’s new waiver request could come as early as the first quarter of 2021.

Following the swearing-in of the new councilmembers, Ward was appointed mayor of the city of San Clemente, while James was appointed mayor pro tem for 2021.

Editor’s Note: For the complete list, along with links to the previous stories throughout the year, head to sanclementetimes.com. SC

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

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sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC monitoring tier—clearing the way for reopenings in several sectors, including schools and limited indoor dining Sept. 28-29 » CUSD schools begin to resume in-person instruction

COVID-19 TIMELINE

BY ZACH CAVANAGH & SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

JANUARY Jan. 26 » First reported COVID-19 cases in California Jan. 30 » World Health Organization declares global health emergency

FEBRUARY Feb. 26 » Orange County issues public health emergency due to coronavirus concerns

MARCH March 4 » OC reports two positive cases of COVID-19 March 4 » First coronavirusrelated death reported in CA March 13 » Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) schools close through April 3 March 15 » State issues social distancing guidelines and urges bars to close and restaurants to reduce operations March 17 » OC bans gatherings, orders closure of in-person dining and bars and encourages working from home March 17 » San Clemente City Council passes a resolution declaring a local emergency March 19 » CA issues stay-at-home order, closing all but essential services

OCTOBER Oct. 21 » OC tops 1,500 coronavirus-related deaths March 19 » CA surpasses 1,000 coronavirus cases March 24 » SC closes beach parking and pier March 24 » CUSD begins distance learning March 24 » OC reports first death related to COVID-19 March 25 » OC closes countyoperated beach parking March 27 » U.S. House of Representatives passes $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package

APRIL April 3 » OC surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 cases

coronavirus-related death May 18 » OC reopens limited parking at county-operated beaches May 26 » CA surpasses 100,000 coronavirus cases May 29 » SC reopens city beach parking lots in full capacity

JUNE June 2 » SC City Council approves a business assistance initiative, allowing restaurants to transition to outdoor dining June 8 » OC top health officer Dr. Nichole Quick resigns after protests at home and death threats due to county mask order

April 13 » MemorialCare launches mobile testing center for coronavirus

June 12 » Retail stores, dine-in restaurants, bars, churches, hair and nail salons, gyms, movie theaters and other businesses allowed to reopen with health and safety modifications in CA

April 14 » State announces plan to reopen CA economy

June 18 » CA orders statewide mask-wearing requirement

April 17 » CA records 1,000th coronavirus-related death

June 29 » OC one of 19 counties put on state’s coronavirus watch list with rising case rates, testing positivity and hospitalization rates

April 8 » SC closes beaches

April 25 » SC reopens beaches for active recreation

MAY May 1 » State orders all OC beaches to close May 4 » State allows SC beaches to open for active recreation May 7 » OC reopens countyoperated beaches for active recreation May 8 » CA moves into Stage 2 of reopening plan allowing retail to offer curbside pickup May 9 » OC records 100th

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

July 8 » OC hits single-day summertime high of 1,333 new coronavirus cases, tops 20,000 total cases

NOVEMBER

July 13 » Barbershops, salons, personal care services, fitness centers, places of worship, indoor malls and offices in non-critical sectors in watch-list counties ordered to close indoor operations

Nov. 16 » CA pulls “emergency brake” on coronavirus monitoring system as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge; OC falls back to purple tier

July 14 » OC hits summertime high of coronavirus hospitalizations at 722

Nov. 19 » State issues limited stay-at-home order to cease overnight activities in purple tier counties

July 17 » State announces plan for reopening schools connected to state coronavirus watch list

DECEMBER

July 20 » Barbershops and salons allowed to reopen with outdoor operations in CA July 31 » CA hits 500,000 COVID-19 cases

AUGUST Aug. 6 » CA surpasses 10,000 coronavirus-related deaths Aug. 11 » OC tops 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths Aug. 18 » CUSD begins school year with online learning Aug. 19 » First teen in OC dies due to COVID-19

JULY July 1 » Restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums and cardrooms in watch-list counties ordered to close indoor operations July 2 » OC bars, breweries and brewpubs that do not offer dine-in meals ordered to close

Aug. 23 » OC removed from state’s coronavirus watch list Aug. 28 » CA replaces state coronavirus county watch list with four-tiered, color-coded monitoring system; OC opens in highestrisk purple “widespread” tier with restrictions on many sectors

July 4 » OC surpasses 500 coronavirus-related deaths

SEPTEMBER

July 4-5 » County-operated beaches and beach parking lots closed for Independence Day weekend

Sept. 8 » OC moves down into state’s red “substantial” tier—the second-highest coronavirus

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Nov. 13 » CA surpasses 1 million coronavirus cases

Dec. 3 » OC hits new pandemic high of coronavirus hospitalizations at 746 Dec. 6 » Regional stay-at-home order enacted for Southern CA as available ICU capacity dips below 15% Dec. 8 » CA reports 20,000th coronavirus-related death Dec. 10 » CA tops 1.5 million coronavirus cases Dec. 14 » First coronavirus vaccines administered in CA Dec. 16 » First coronavirus vaccines administered in OC Dec. 17 » OC, Southern CA region hit 0% adjusted available ICU capacity Dec. 20 » OC hits single-day pandemic high of 4,606 new coronavirus cases SC

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SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

GUEST OPINION: Health and Nutrition 101 by Gina Cousineau

Staying Home for the Holidays

W

e all know that this holiday season will be very different than years past, with staying home not really a choice but potentially our only opportunity to quell this pandemic. We do this not only to protect the people we love, but for the greater good of humankind.

That being said, as any annoying mother would do, I am going to continue to remind/ bug you about how you can make the decision to take an active role in helping yourself construct a better defense against this deadly virus, rather than just hiding from it.

Though I am a huge proponent of following the CDC’s guidelines of mask wearing, social distancing and proper hand hygiene while in the public setting, if you choose to stow away in your home, not getting fresh air, sunshine, nor socialization, it adds its own risks to your health and mental well-being.

While we can do everything in our power to ward off COVID-19, it can still

Letters to The Editor CHRIS HAMM TIM BROWN, former San Clemente councilmember and mayor

After not running for reelection, former Mayor Chris Hamm stepped down from city council on Dec. 1 after having served the city for eight years.

I first served with Chris more than a decade ago on the General Plan Advisory Committee and since then saw his great love for keeping San Clemente as one of the last true California beach towns.

Chris served the city faithfully and well, balancing the demands of being a firefighter with OCFA, as well as being a father and husband.

As a distant relative of Don Juan Forster and one of the youngest councilmembers in our city’s history, Chris has deep roots in San Clemente and oversaw a period of great change and prosperity for San Clemente.

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

find us, no matter how careful we are. This is when we must look to our overall health, how strong our immune systems are, and realize that even the healthiest of individuals have succumbed to this virus.

So, what can and should we do? We must take ownership of our overall health, from the top of our heads to our tippy-toes.

From our mental state, heart and pulmonary fitness, gastrointestinal constitution, genitourinary track soundness, to our overall strength and robustness, the food HEALTH AND we ingest and how we NUTRITION 101

By Gina choose to move our bodCousineau ies, matters.

You can no longer choose to ignore this, and you don’t have to feel like you must choose between your health and your happiness. You can have your cake and eat it, too.

My wellness approach, which I call the Mama G Lifestyle, has allowed me to control the things in my life that are actually controllable, and remain standing strong today at the age of 57.

Real, wholesome food can change your life. And while the majority of people who reach out to me for nutrition advice don’t end up working with me, it is almost always about them refusing to do a bit of “cooking.”

This makes me really sad, especially since I know each one of you would go to the ends of the Earth to protect your

Dozens of important projects were completed during his tenure, like the beach club rehabilitation, PCH bike line improvements, new city hall, General Plan update and so on.

He was also a forceful advocate for residents against the toll road and in support of keeping the San Clemente hospital open.

Thank you to Chris and his family for his public service, and best of luck in this next phase of life.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ALLIANCE LOVES SAN CLEMENTE TERI STEEL, executive director of COA

Community Outreach Alliance, also known as COA, has been around since 2014, and in 2017 was registered as a San Clemente nonprofit organization.

Through the years, businesses and residents have wholeheartedly volunteered their talent, space, time and funds to help the next generation stay above the influence of drugs and alcohol.

When I reflect back to the town hall meeting I attended after reading about it in the SC Times, circa 2014, I realize many lives have been saved because of our

brood. How do you refuse to see the error in your food and lifestyle choices?

Since I know that not only can real, wholesome foods bring immense joy to one’s life, but also to the people you live with, why not consider trying a new outlook in the coming year, rather than the all-or-none approach that feeds the multibillion-dollar diet and health industry?

It is for this reason I am doing complimentary, monthly virtual “Cook-Alongs” to inspire you to get into the kitchen and cook beautiful meals for your family. A good place to start is by viewing these recorded sessions on my Mama G’s Lifestyle YouTube page in my “Cooking with Mama G” public playlist.

Additionally, you can also work with me virtually in a group or one-on-one setting to boost your health and live a long, healthy, independent life, once and for all.

Gina Cousineau sees clients virtually and in person out of her San Clemente office.

Her extensive education with a BS in dietetics and MS in integrative and functional nutrition, chef training, and 30-plus years as a fitness professional, allow her to help clients lose weight and improve their health.

You can reach her at mamag@mamagslifestyle.com, 949.842.9975, and on Instagram and Facebook @mamagslifestyle. 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. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

wonderful city of San Clemente. Youth and families are still struggling, but what’s nice to know is there are so many resources now available.

BILY, Wellness & Prevention Center, i-5 Freedom Network and COA, just to name a few, truly want to help youth and their families.

Bottom line, without the dedication of our citizens, organizations and businesses, there’s no way we could run COA and provide programs, the Food Connection and Thrive Alive prevention education/resources.

I just want to say thank you and encourage parents to reach out for resources. San Clemente Stay Strong! Thrive Alive! If you want more information or to get involved, please check out communityoutreachalliance.com.

TO THE ANTI-LOCKDOWN FOLKS OF SAN CLEMENTE DUANE PAUL MURPHY, San Clemente

To all of the known or unknown antilockdown individuals or organizations in or around our own city of San Clemente who have publicly demonstrated against any or (Cont. on page 17)

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HOW TO REACH US C I T Y E D I TO R Shawn Raymundo • 949.388.7700, x108 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com

SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com

ADVERTISING PRINT & ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes • 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@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 PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

Advertising Sales (SJC) Debra Wells

EDITORIAL

ART + DESIGN

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo

Art Director Jasmine Smith

Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

General Manager Alyssa Garrett

O P E R AT I O N S

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Columnist Fred Swegles

FINANCE

Special Projects Editor Andrea PapagianisCamacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes

Finance Director Mike Reed Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard, Tim Trent, Chloe Anady

San Clemente Times, Vol. 15, Issue 52. 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 2020. 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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sanclementetimes.com

GO.SEE.DO WINTER 2020

Modern Meals at Mayfield

By Lillian Boyd

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

M

ayfield Restaurant & Marketplace—which opened in San Juan Capistrano in August— is a market-style dining experience that incorporates California and European flavors.

The restaurant, located near Five Vines Wine Bar and the downtown movie theater, sells wine, cookware and other products. Takeout dinner is now available to order.

“We have had a lot of people come in who had been following us on Instagram, so it was nice to meet the local community,” said owner and operator George Barker, ahead of the state’s second stay-at-home order. “We started doing takeout dinner in the evening, which is going well.”

Barker says the Mayfield menu combines modern Californian cooking with flavors from the Levant region, an area spanning the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa.

Barker has started a supper club for Mayfield, which calls for Page 11

limited reservations with social distancing and a set menu.

Mayfield’s “secret garden patio” is secluded at the back of the restaurant and provides a beautiful environment to relax and kick back. Dogs are welcome on the patio.

Barker says that the restaurant will be temporarily closing toward the end of December in preparation of a new seasonal menu. For up-to-date hours, visit mayfieldoc.com.

In light of state health directives, Mayfield has offered a takeout menu with dishes such as the Croque Madame, made with Applewood smoked bacon, bechamel sauce, gruyere cheese and a fried egg. The Mayfield Burger is made with Harissa aioli, lettuce, pickles, American and white cheddar. Vegetarian options include the Cauliflower Shawarma with tahini and pomegranate molasses.

Mayfield Restaurant & Marketplace, 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.218.5140. sanclementetimes.com

TEEING OFF

By Shawn Raymundo ecause of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are hitting the links. Whether the players are new to the sport of golf or they’re frequent club members with more free time on their hands, golf pros are seeing an influx in tee-time bookings.

“We’re booked up seven days in advance,” said Vinnie Poncino, PGA head golf professional at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.

Over at Bella Collina San Clemente, Brian Hollenbeck, the PGA head golf pro for the private club, concurs that there’s increased

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San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

traffic at the club’s courses, as well as the driving range.

“People are buying clubs, they’re playing more, taking more lessons,” he said.

That includes not only the members, the majority of which are men, but their wives and children too, he adds. While membership at Bella Collina has seen an increase, according to Hollenbeck, club members are just finding additional time to play more golf.

And at driving ranges, where you’ll find players working on their golf swing, spots are sometimes nearly full, at least at San Clemente’s municipal course, Poncino said.

For beginners who are looking to get into the sport, Poncino advises that they utilize the driving range and also avoid course tee times in the early morning. New players, he said, should aim for the late afternoon since they don’t typically play at the pace of seasoned golfers.

Courses, including the municipal facility and Bella Collina, offer lessons for beginners, as well as clinics.

Hollenbeck said you don’t have to be a member to enroll in the private or semiprivate lessons that are offered at the club.

Prices for the lessons can range from about $55 to $65 per session, he said.

Private lessons for adults at the municipal course are $40, or you can get a package of six lessons for $210. Junior private lessons are $35, or $180 for a package.

For the driving range at the municipal course, prices for a bucket of balls range from $5 for a small bucket to $20 for an extra-large bucket.

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Along for the Ride EZ Green Bikes Offers Environmentally Friendly Ways to Commute

By Lillian Boyd Robbie Villanueva’s passion for electric bicycles began in 2008, amid the loss of his job, skyrocketing gas prices and the chaos of a collapsing economy.

At that time, Villanueva says there were no local suppliers of reasonably priced electric bicycles, with the latest technology using Lithium Ion batteries. The former engineer, who was accustomed to traveling for work, ventured abroad to research manufacturing.

Villanueva then founded EZ Green Bikes, with its first location in Lake Forest.

He moved his business to Dana Point in 2009 and has been there ever since. He even commutes via e-bike from his home in Rancho Santa Margarita.

“I think cycling is good for people. It’s good exercise, you can get Vitamin D, you can go on an adventure,” Villanueva

said. “I wanted to be able to give people that opportunity.”

EZ Green Bikes offers rental rates for two hours ($30) and four hours ($40). For high-powered e-bike rentals, customers can rent for two hours ($40) and four hours ($55).

E-bikes—equipped with a powerful Lithium Ion battery and lightweight aluminum frames—are also available for purchase. There are also conversion kits for cyclists interested in converting their current bike into a motorized one.

EZ Green Bikes’ repair and maintenance shop offers front and rear wheel repair, tuneups, wheel truing and more. For Razor electric Pocket Mod, Quads, scooters & I-Zip E-bikes, the shop offers front and rear wheel repairs, battery and charger replacements, controller and throttle repair, brake adjustment, and other mechanical and electrical repairs.

EZ Green Bikes is located at 34193 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. For more information, visit ezgreenbikes.com or call 949.351.8344.

sanclementetimes.com

Community Supporting Community The Ecology Center continues to offer fresh produce and give back to its neighbors

By Zach Cavanagh he pandemic hasn’t been easy on anyone, but if there is a positive to come from it, many have become more involved in supporting their neighbors and the community.

One local group that’s been on both sides of that coin of support is The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.

The center’s educational events, festivals and farm dinners have been put on hold, but The Ecology Center is still seeing plenty of locals visiting for their robust farm stand.

“There’s been a significant increase,” said Jonathan Zaidman, The Ecology Center’s Director of Impacts and Partnerships. “It’s not just because grocery stores had empty shelves. They’re realizing when there’s an emergency, the central food system is not going to be the most resilient.”

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San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

The farm stand has adjusted as well, with a touchless pickup option. The farm stand can be reached at 949.661.6063, or orders can be made through The Ecology Center’s farm share, which offers a wide variety of foods, gifts, holiday and celebratory items, produce and herbs for special holiday dishes at farmshare.theecologycenter.org.

The center is also selling Harvest Boxes, which offer a week’s worth of fresh fruits and vegetables for pickup at the farm stand.

Since the early days of the pandemic in March, The Ecology Center has been committed to donating 20% of the food it grows on its 28-acre regenerative organic farm to food-insecure families. At the center’s farm stand, there’s a free table called “the share table” that’s accessible for those families in need. Food is also distributed through San Juan Capistrano’s senior food distribution program and CREER afterschool program.

It’s actions like these that led to The Ecology Center being named a California Nonprofit of the Year in July.

That commitment to food donation and the entire center itself have been helped by The Ecology Center’s membership model.

“We’re very fortunate that the philanthropic community has supported us,” Zaidman said. “To be able to feed a community and to have the appreciation and gratitude of that community is the greatest work possible.”

The Ecology Center has also tried to make its educational programs mobile by donating more than 500 field kits to local schools, which Zaidman described as a field trip in a box. The program’s summer field kit sent some of the farm’s tomatoes, onions and

cilantro home with a recipe for kids to make their own salsa and tacos.

“The pandemic has been truly disastrous, but there’s a resurgence of people dedicated to the craft and becoming their own DIY food source,” Zaidman said, referencing people baking their own bread or building chicken coops for their own eggs. “What we’re hoping is these systems are extended into the home. We’re seeing people want to make their own food and recipes.”

Looking forward, The Ecology Center will launch its inaugural apprenticeship program in March of 2021. There will be eight paid apprentices learning every element of repli-

Page 13

cating a regenerative farm.

“Our mission is to train future farmers in order to change our local food system,” The Ecology Center’s website said. “This apprenticeship is ideal for you if you live in Southern California and are looking to move closer toward your goal of regenerative, organic farming or other regenerative agriculturerelated careers.” Those interested can apply at theecologycenter.org.

Ultimately, The Ecology Center is about the community continuing to support the community. The center encourages people to come out together, dig in and support local establishments, farms, makers and purveyors.

sanclementetimes.com

Stacy Savage

YOGA GONE WILD

By Collin Breaux y the time the new normal for 2020 set in, Stacy Savage had transitioned to virtual yoga classes through Zoom.

Savage is one of many in the South Orange County yoga community figuring out how to continue stretching and practicing mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when yoga’s emphasis on calm is sorely needed.

Savage teaches yoga throughout Orange County, including stand-up paddleboard yoga at Dana Point Harbor.

Savage also eventually started holding outdoor classes at parks as those reopened, which have followed safety guidelines and have not resulted in anyone catching the coronavirus.

Though the Zoom sessions are a change of pace, Savage said one advantage of virtual classes is her students don’t have to

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San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

make a long commute to practice poses. She isn’t able to do her usual hands-on adjusting of positions, so she instead relies on verbal cues when working with students.

“The nice part about it is you can do it from home,” Savage said.

Savage has had to adapt her teaching style since it can be difficult to fully see everyone on the Zoom calls. She does prefer in-person classes, but the virtual classes are a good outlet for now.

“It’s been a nice way for us to stay connected as a community,” Savage said.

Yoga offers a safe method of self-care and escape from everything going on, Savage said.

Anyone looking to take a yoga class with Savage can look her up on Instagram at stacy_savage or email her at sls423@cox. net.

Kristin Shively at EPIC Yoga—based in San Clemente—is also navigating the new landscape. Before the pandemic, EPIC Yoga had a successful in-person location that also offered child care, and was heading into what looked like a good third year of operations by January.

“Then came March,” Shively said. “We immediately did virtual streaming online classes, because we initially weren’t sure how long it would last.”

Page 14

Shively decided to partner with other struggling businesses and has hosted outdoor classes on the patio at JD’s Kitchen and Bar and at San Clemente Presbyterian Church.

“It feels like you’re on a yoga retreat, because there’s a patio and you’re outdoors, and there’s the ocean breeze,” Shively said.

EPIC Yoga has also held classes at Linda Lane Park. While Shively has conducted outdoor classes before, she’s never done it to this degree or had to completely shift EPIC Yoga’s operations away from being based indoors.

Despite the pandemic having debilitating effects on everyone, Shively said there are positive rays of light amid the health crisis.

“We are so grateful we can be outdoors and safe,” Shively said. “People are enjoying the outdoors even more. Having the sunshine and fresh air is healing.”

Shively said the outdoor sessions also give people a chance to use cues from nature in their movements—for instance, she can instruct students to face the ocean.

Being on their yoga mats gives students a chance to spend time by themselves in meditation while still being a part of a community, Shively said. It also keeps the body moving, a crucial and healthy practice during a time when people may not be as active as usual.

“We often have times where people are crying at the end of class, good or bad,” Shively said. “We call it moving meditation with other people. You still feel connected.”

Visit epicyogasc.com for more information on EPIC Yoga’s classes.

sanclementetimes.com

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

Page 15

sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE ORDINANCE NOS. 1707, 1708 and 1709 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente, at its meeting of December 15, 2020, introduced the following ordinances: 1. Ordinance No. 1707 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE FOR A CITY-INITIATED AMENDMENT (ZA 20-035) TO THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 17, ZONING TO UPDATE ERRONEOUS TEXT, AMBIGUOUS DEFINITIONS AND STANDARDS; AND MODIFICATIONS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN AND STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. 2. Ordinance No. 1708 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING AMENDMENT 20-258) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS THAT INCREASE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES BY ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATING THE CONSOLIDATION OF ADJACENT STANDARD AND SUBSTANDARD LOTS. 3. Ordinance No. 1709 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 2.46 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. Persons interested in receiving an inspection copy of the Ordinances are invited to call the Deputy City Clerk at (949) 361-8301 or by email at campagnolol@san-clemente.org. Copies will be emailed or mailed to you at no cost.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente will consider adopting the aforementioned Ordinances at its meeting of January 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., which will be held via teleconference.

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: Legal Notice Pursuant to the California Mitigation Fee Act Public Hearing to consider the City of San Clemente’s Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2020 on Mitigation Fees. Copies of the proposed reports may be viewed on the City’s website at https://www.sanclemente.org/departments-services/finance-administrative-services/mitigation-fees. For further information, interested persons may contact Matt Schmelzel, Management Analyst at (949) 218-9601.

If you challenge this project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearing.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that said public hearing will be held at the meeting of the City San Clemente Times December 24–30, 2020

Council on January 19, 2021 at 6:00 pm via teleconference. Please note that to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public may not physically attend the meeting. However, citizens may participate via the following methods: www.san-clemente.org/live or live on Cox 1.

Communications Local Access Channel 854.

2. Members of the public are requested to submit their comments by completing the Public Comment Submittal form available from the City’s website at w ww.san-clemente.org/ccpubliccomment.

Transmittal by 4:00 p.m. on Council meeting days is recommended.

Published: San Clemente Times, December 10, 17, 24, 31, 2020.

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206591254 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SOUTH SEAS AQUARIUM SERVICE 5317 CAMINO BOSQUECILLO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 Full Name of Registrant(s): PARSONS INVESTMENT GROUP LLC

5317 CAMINO BOSQUECILLO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/PARSONS INVESTMENT GROUP LLC, BRUCE ALAN PARSONS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/09/2020.

Published in: San Clemente Times December 24, 31, 2020, January 7, 14, 2021

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206589978 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: THE POST STOP SAN CLEMENTE 647 CAMINO DE LOS MARES SUITE #108 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673-2806 Full Name of Registrant(s): JULIE ANN MOFFATT 23674 POMELO ROAD CORONA, CA 92883 DANIEL SCOTT MOFFATT 23674 POMELO ROAD CORONA, CA 92883 This business is conducted by a Married Couple The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 11/17/20 /s/JULIE MOFFATT This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 11/18/2020.

Published in: San Clemente Times Dec 10, 17, 24, 31, 2020

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PUBLIC NOTICE Order to Show Cause For Change of Name Case No. 01172067 To All Interested Persons: Tuong Van Thi Nguyen has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME A. Tuong Van Thi Nguyen PROPOSED NAME A. Van Nguyen Gebhardt The Court Orders that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court of the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objective is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 01/19/2021 Time: 08:30 a.m. Dept: D100 Window: 44. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: San Clemente Times Date: November 25, 2020 JUDGE WALTER P. SCHWARM, Judge of the Superior Court Page 16

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SOAPBOX (Cont. from page 10) all of the state and local government-imposed, COVID-19 pandemic crisis-related restrictions and curfews with little to no facial masking and social distancing occurring at those particular times during most of this year in the months of April, May, and November, you are not bringing our own local community from inland Talega to coastal North Beach the values of life, liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness for all that you supposedly stand for.

How can we have life for ourselves and others if your irresponsible mass gatherings of idiocy are more likely to cause viral infections that can make someone seriously sick with the coronavirus or other infectious ailments that are known to cause serious long-term health effects?

How can we have liberty for ourselves and others to economically and socially recover from this particular pandemic in a safe way with near complete effectiveness and efficiency, as well as caution, if your ignorant beliefs around wearing a face mask or maintaining appropriate or adequate social distance delay such progressing actions?

How can we have a pursuit of happiness if all you bring is stupidity and selfishness because of your own ego? Your actions against any government-imposed restriction, lockdown, and or curfew to flatten the curve of infection rates is not only being anti-patriotic, but also replicating historical neocolonialism of white European Christian colonizers that spread diseases towards any other social and cultural minorities, who are more likely to suffer from this pandemic than any other group, for the sake of exclusionary self-interests and just plain old-fashioned ignorance.

We as a local community will not succumb or surrender to your own grassroots quasi-fascist thuggery, intimidation, and display of willful ignorance. We as a local community must not become bystanders or complicit to fringe contrarian reactionary elements even if they are your neighbors, co-workers, families, or friends.

As a community, let’s please continue to be socially responsible to all.

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

CENSORSHIP PAMELA ROTH, San Clemente

The day a newspaper decides it must flag and not print “inflammatory” or “insensitive” letters to the editor is the day we need a new newspaper.

Newspapers used to be a bastion of free speech. Once you start to not publish letters because it could offend someone, you get into very scary territory. All fascist countries and regimes start out censoring distasteful speech. You aren’t the taste committee.

I was born a New York Jew, in a Long Island suburb, that was approximately 95% Jewish. We were taught about the Holocaust at a very young age. And your apology about publishing someone’s viewpoint about stickers and Nazism—with a vow to censor such opinions in the future—is much more frightening than a letter to the editor comparing stickers to Nazi identifying badges.

In fact, that person writing the letter might have been Jewish.

Do you have no journalistic standards?

Your job isn’t to be “sensitive” to everyone’s emotions. Everyone is sensitive about something.

So, be a newspaper. Print our letters to the editor. It’s not your place to judge whether a letter writer’s stance is “justifiable.” We’re adults. Leave censorship to North Korea and the Taliban, please. Thank you.

region dropped below 15%.

Furthermore, the governor has threatened to withhold state and federal funding from counties that refuse to use law enforcement to enforce these regulations.

Sadly, this new shutdown will be the death knell for many of our small businesses that faithfully adhered to regulations thus far.

Slowing the spread is universally supported, but using law enforcement to impose this new set of restrictions, as Gov. Newsom expects, is spurious and erodes trust between our citizens and elected officials.

OC Sheriff Barnes has taken a bold stand against this nonsense. I encourage readers of this newspaper to read the sheriff’s recent Dec. 5 press release for an example of community trust building.

What our governor has shown us is a lack of trust to make health decisions for our families and community. Conversely, Sheriff Barnes has committed to working in a positive way to build trust and enable residents and small businesses to do their best in this trying time.

While we work on building trust at the local level with level-headed officials like Sheriff Barnes, I trust the governor to continue to enjoy his generous taxpayer-provided salary and secure government job as our small businesses continue to face financial calamity.

CABRILLO PLAYHOUSE SANDRA WEAVER, San Clemente

HIGH PRAISE FOR OC SHERIFF BARNES DILAN SWIFT, San Clemente

Relationships between citizens and government are girded by trust. Citizens trust officials to lead and implement policy based on consensus, common sense, and in all residents’ best interests.

Officials trust citizens to make safe and responsible decisions while adhering to the law. Thank you, Gov. Newsom and OC Sheriff Barnes, for reminding us of the importance of trust as we navigate this pandemic.

Despite recent personal “mistakes” in violating his own policies, Gov. Newsom reinstated lockdown criteria. This month, our county entered lockdown after ICU availability in the Southern California

Businesses everywhere are struggling to keep afloat during this COVID-19 crisis while still adhering to the guidelines set out to help curb the spread.

The Cabrillo Playhouse is no exception.

Our theatre closed in mid-February, and our entire season had to be canceled and refunds issued.

In October, we decided to hold small concerts on our patio following all of the COVID guidelines. We were within the outdoor concert guidelines of under 100 people. We would have about 25.

Tables were safely spaced and masks were required of those attending until seated. Our staff also wore masks. Our patrons were thrilled to be coming back to the playhouse.

Page 17

Shortly thereafter, we received a notice from the Code Compliance Division that we needed a “special permit” to hold these performances. The patio is part of the theatre, which we own and in which we do business (perform plays and concerts).

We were stunned to learn that we had been fined $100. Do we need a permit to perform our plays inside the theatre, too?

The Board met and decided to take the option of a hearing to argue our point and be heard. After requesting a hearing, a letter was received stating: “Based on City staff’s estimate of the costs of the hearing, the deposit required to proceed with the hearing is $1,159.19.”

The Cabrillo Playhouse has been entertaining audiences here in San Clemente since 1953. We draw patrons from all over Southern Orange County and beyond. They spend money at our downtown businesses.

Might someone from the compliance department have made a call and talked to us about this before posting a notice on our door and slapping a fine on us? The city has never really done anything to promote or support this valuable asset, yet we continue to grow.

We can’t afford the $1,500, but we would humbly request to be heard. Is that really too much to ask?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to letters@sanclementetimes.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday. 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. Limit your letters to 350 or fewer words.

Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

NO BEACHSIDE CHAT UNTIL JAN. 2021

There will be no Beachside Chat on Dec. 25.

Beachside Chat will resume in the New Year.

The chat is hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday.

sanclementetimes.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

CoastLines by Fred Swegles

San Clemente Remembers ‘The Colonel’

C

hances are, sometime over the last 40-plus years, you noticed a retired gentleman on one of his 5-miles-aday walks around town, wearing a distinctive flat-brim straw hat.

If you ever engaged him in conversation, you likely never forgot him, even if you never learned of his decorated Air Force career.

Kim Maya’s Avenida Del Mar chocolate shop was one of retired Col. Robert Thacker’s regular stops.

She came to know this man about town.

“He is the town,” she told the Orange County Register on the occasion of Thacker’s 100th birthday on Feb. 21, 2018. “He COASTLINES can say hello to anybody.

By Fred Swegles He has been attacked by dogs, he’s been hit by a car, he’s fallen over, and he just keeps getting up and walking forward.”

The illustrious retired aviator probably is somewhere in the sky doing that right now.

On Feb. 21, 2021, which would have been his 103rd birthday, family and friends will gather near the pier to remember him, as a family friend performs a fly-by salute.

“The Colonel wished to be cremated and his ashes scattered over the Pacific,” his daughter, Barbara Thacker, wrote in his obituary.

He died peacefully in his San Clemente home on Nov. 25 at age 102.

REMEMBER DEC. 7

Col. Thacker is best known for the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when he was peacefully passing over Oahu’s Diamond Head, having piloted an unarmed B-17 overnight from California with other B-17s being transferred for deployment in the Pacific.

Thacker and his crew noticed something inexplicable ahead. Suddenly, they found themselves flying smack into a surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Low on fuel and needing to land immediately at Hickam Field, Thacker had to dodge bullets while descending amid the inferno. He managed to land safely, despite his landing gear being shot and crippled.

He warned his crew not to run to the hangars, but to hide in a nearby swamp.

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

Retired Col. Robert Thacker, recognized for his flat-brimmed straw hat and scarf during daily walks in San Clemente, said he always wanted a Panama hat. He got one on his 100th birthday. Photos: Courtesy of the Thacker Family

The retired aviation pioneer displayed one of his model aircraft on the invitation photo for his 100th birthday.

Robert and Betty Jo Thacker in 1959.

Robert Thacker at work in his garage.

Japanese planes promptly destroyed the hangars, strafing bullets everywhere.

Thacker went on to become one of the few pilots serving in both the Pacific and European theaters of World War II. He later flew the B-29 in the Korean War and flew classified high-altitude reconnaissance missions in the Vietnam War.

ON TO SAN CLEMENTE

Retiring from the Air Force in 1970, Thacker and his wife, Betty Jo, settled in San Clemente. “They retired in San Clemente,” daughter Barbara explained via email, “because it was a darling little village and was right next to Camp Pendleton and El Toro Marine Corps Air Station (active in 1970), where they were able to use their military benefits.”

Having met at a dance in 1939, they were married on March 3, 1941.

FASCINATION WITH AIRPLANES

Born in 1918, Thacker grew up in El Centro, took up building model airplanes at age 8 and was the Southern California yo-yo champion in 1932 at age 14, his

daughter reported. That same year, he joined a model airplane club, little realizing that in 2010 he would be inducted in the Academy of Model Aeronautics Hall of Fame.

Enlisting in the Army in 1939, he attended pilot academy. The rest was history.

During WWII, he earned two Silver Stars, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, 10 air medals and the French Croix de Guerre with palm, the family reported.

After the war, he tested new varieties of military aircraft. He also set an aviation record that still stands.

ACHIEVING A FIRST

It was in 1947 that Thacker and his copilot, John Ard, set out from Honolulu to fly a twin-engine, propeller-driven fighter plane nonstop to New York City.

As he stated at his 100th birthday party, there were tense moments during the 14 hours, 33 minutes it took to fly 5,051 miles.

One of the plane’s four fuel tanks wouldn’t release.

“That threw my whole fuel control all out of kilter,” Thacker recalled. “The

Page 18

whole thing had to be refigured while I was airborne.”

Each time he arrived at a targeted point on the flight map, he had to recalculate how much fuel he still had.

“The longer I flew, the better fuel I had, because I was lighter,” he said. “My fuel was continually changing. I knew what I was doing. At the end, I knew I could just make New York.”

The Air Force Museum recognized the plane named Betty Jo—so named in honor of his wife—and its fliers for the longest and fastest (average 350 mph) flight by a propeller-driven fighter plane.

Thacker and the plane’s namesake, Betty Jo, were married for 70 years, until her passing in 2011 at age 91. The Colonel continued his 5-mile walks until around 2014, at age 95.

“He said it wasn’t really a walk,” daughter Barbara said. “He said, ‘I’m going to the beach to see the girls.’ He told my mom that every day. It took like four hours, because he stopped so many times along the way. He got to make so many friends.”

At 95, The Colonel began choosing shorter distances for the daily walks.

While resolute, he almost didn’t make it to his 100th birthday.

When asked at the party if his Dec. 7, 1941 surprise over Pearl Harbor was the closest call of his life, he replied, “I’m sorry to say, but Dec. 17 was harder.”

That meant Dec. 17, 2017, when Thacker, on one of his walks, was struck by a car in an El Camino Real crosswalk, just two months before the centenary party he’d invited a multitude of friends to join him for in 2018.

“For most 99-year-olds, the medical prognosis from bleeding on the brain, a bruised head and lacerations to the head and body would seem bleak,” I wrote in my account of Thacker’s birthday party.

“But ‘The Colonel,’ as he is known around town, is not most people.”

He amazed his doctors during a threeweek stay at Mission Hospital. Sent home, he let it be known that the party was still on.

“You’ve got to just pucker up and press on,” he said.

Thacker then worked his way back into resuming walks, albeit shorter ones.

“He is amazing,” neighbor Jim Rutter said. “He is out walking around the cul-desac.”

Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with five decades of reporting experience in the city. Fred can be reached at fswegles@picketfencemedia.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. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach

by Shelley Murphy

A Holiday Story for 2020—The Holly, Jolly Time of Year

I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year, and in the spirit of the season I share a holiday story for 2020.

We begin on a blustery December morning as I drive to Starbucks for a cup of good cheer.

I pull into a parking space and notice a sedan parked to my right. Exiting my car, I see a somewhat masked man with two cups of liquid caffeine walking toward the vehicle.

I dart inside to grab my coffee, then return to my car, remove my mask, and restart my engine. Out pulls the sedan on my right.

Checking my rearview mirror, I see that vehicle stop behind me. I wait. Then I realize, the sedan is parked behind me.

I get out of my vehicle, look at the driver through his open passenger window, shrug my shoulders and say, “What’s up?”

From behind the wheel of his automobile, the man bellows, “What’s up is you’re going to know what it feels like to have your constitutional rights taken away! I’ll block your car all day, so you know how it feels!”

We engage in quick colorful conversation that culminates with me saying, “I’m calling the police.”

LIFE’S A BEACH Seconds later, the guy

By Shelley Murphy speeds off, briefly stops at a red turn signal, then blows through the stoplight almost striking a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

Amidst the action, I managed to take a clear picture of the cotton-headed ninny muggins’ license plate. And I contemplated sending the photo to Santa for the Naughty List.

Mulling over the matter, I imagine the man-child’s temper tantrum was probably prompted by a bumper sticker on my car’s rear end.

What I can’t imagine is becoming so infuriated by a bumper sticker that someone morphs into a manic bully.

But the man’s motivation remains a mystery; before speeding off, he failed to en-

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Jingle SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

E Jingle. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

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lighten me and explain which constitutional rights my two bumper stickers breach.

I’m sure the irony was lost on him as he shouted at me for violating his constitutional rights, that my bumper stickers are an expression of the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

I shared my seasonal story with friends who reacted with surprise, shock and sadness.

One referred to him as a male version of a Karen.

For those without internet access, the rise of the slang expression “Karen” comes from a popular social media site.

Describing a person as a Karen is comparable to calling someone a Scrooge from A Christmas Carol—he’s synonymous with somebody who’s stingy with money.

Karen is a pejorative term describing a shrill middle-aged, white woman who embodies entitlement, aggression and arrogance.

On a sidenote, there isn’t an equivalent male nickname for a middle-aged, white man who exemplifies privilege, belligerence, and superiority.

Karen bullied its way into our lexicon, but she’s without a male counterpart. The internet tried Ken, Chad, and Jerome, but it struggles to settle on a masculine moniker. But, I digress.

My two bumper stickers were not stuck on my car to engage or enrage anyone. I positioned them on my car’s rear bumper

to hide the cavernous scrape marks made by our garage door, when my husband closed it without realizing my car sat directly in its path.

I consider bumper stickers a trivial and entertaining social interaction between strangers, not an invitation to initiate combative conversations or prompt perilous attacks.

But I also acknowledge bumper stickers say a lot without articulating a word.

Long ago, I remember watching a movie and chuckling when an attorney asks a prospective juror, “Do you have a bumper sticker?” and “What does it say?”

The attorney’s aim is to craft a quick judgment about someone, like the protagonist in our parable.

Mine is an unusual holiday story, but it’s 2020—a year when nothing is normal.

In the spirit of the season, and the year, perhaps I’ll add another bumper sticker to my car: Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward All. For more than 20 years, Shelley Murphy and her husband have lived in San Clemente, where she raised her two sons. She’s a freelance writer and has been a contributor to the San Clemente Times since 2006. 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. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares.

To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.

Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Last week’s solution:

Did you know that...

See the solution in next week’s issue.

Sponsored by

•W e have never seen inventory as low as today in San Clemente with only 98 active listings and 103 pending sales •1 ,030 homes have closed escrow in San Clemente in 2020 with an average price of $1,176,787 •H omes today are selling fast and overall for 2020 homes are selling in 39 days or sooner Page 19

It’s time to expect more…

Established 1963

sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Historical Happenings by Tom Marshall

Treasures Found in Miramar Theater Restoration T

he restoration and rebuilding of San Clemente’s historic Miramar Theater and bowling alley complex has continued despite the pandemic. Some interesting artifacts from the Miramar have been discovered over the past few years.

It started when someone turned over to the San Clemente Historical Society a couple dozen canisters of old movies from the 1920s and ’30s that they found in an alley next to the theater. We, in turn, donated them to the UCLA film archives.

A few filled holes in the school’s massive collection.

Others HISTORICAL such as HAPPENINGS

By Tom Marshall Don Juan, Phantom of the Opera, and Mutiny on the Bounty were earlyday blockbusters.

“Quite a few of these are very famous … some are even considered classics,” notes San Clemente Times movie columnist Megan Bianco. Two films, Greed and Intolerance, were big influences on modern film directing, she points out.

This signage and fresco at the Miramar renovation project in North Also left behind by the Beach were recently uncovered. Photo: Courtesy of Robert Zumberge Photograph previous owners was the projection equipment, still set up as though a movie was about to start. Sitting there unused for 30 years, the projectors are probably destined to be a decoration or museum piece for the project.

While sandblasting the theater’s exterior this fall, workers uncovered the original artwork painted on the stucco.

A fresco depicts a Spanish-style crest on the building’s tower while a hand-painted sign sports “El Hidalgo,” used for promotional photos of the theater before it opened as San Clemente Theater.

“We will be pushing the developer to restore the original fresco and sign,” says Jonathan Lightfoot, the city’s economic development officer.

In the neighboring San Clemente Bowling Center, wood from the actual alleys has survived quite well, even as the building itself greatly deteriorated over decades of disuse. Plans are to repurpose wood from the lanes into counter tops for a bar or tables for a new food court.

The hope is the project will be completed late next year, with a grand reopening ceremony capping off years of bringing the North Beach area back to its original glory and perhaps landing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tom Marshall is a member of the San Clemente Historical Society and a retired journalist. 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. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

Page 20

sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

SC Native Wins Sheckler Skate Event in SC

San Clemente native Taylor Kirby won a first of its kind online video skateboard contest, Red Bull Solus, hosted by fellow San Clemente native and skateboarding legend Ryan Sheckler at Sheckler’s private SC Sandlot skatepark.

OCTOBER

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n a year like none before it, San Clemente still found a way to make headlines in the world of sports in the small early window it had and well after the stadiums and gyms had closed.

Here is a look back at some of the memorable San Clemente sports moments of 2020:

JANUARY SCHS Boys Soccer, Girls Basketball Earn No. 1 Rankings

Coming out of 2019 holiday tournaments, San Clemente boys soccer maintained its customary No. 1 spot in the CIF-SS rankings, and the Tritons girls basketball also ascended to No. 1.

Boys soccer posted 20 shutouts in 26 games, and girls basketball went on to a deep run.

FEBRUARY SCHS Boys Wrestling Wins CIF-SS Dual Meet Title

The storied San Clemente wrestling program pinned down a championship first with the program’s first CIF-SS Dual Meet championship. The Tritons beat Santa Monica, Camarillo, Mayfair and Beverly Hills.

SCHS Showcases 25 Athletes on Signing Day The Tritons had 25 studentathletes make college choices on National Signing Day, includ-

ing their first-ever cheerleader signee. Ryan Leff signed on for STUNT, or competitive sport cheer, at Maryville in St. Louis.

SCHS Girls Basketball Reaches CIF-SS Title Game

San Clemente girls basketball fought back in the second half but ultimately fell short in the CIF-SS Division 2A championship game, their first CIF-SS title game appearance since 2007. The Tritons would go on to reach the state regional semifinals.

SCHS Girls Water Polo Wins First Regional Title

San Clemente girls water polo edged out a pair of one-goal wins to capture its first CIF Southern California Regional championship, just one week after claiming its second straight CIF-SS Division 2 runner-up plaque.

MARCH Goldstone Wins 500th Match SCHS boys volleyball coach Ken Goldstone’s 21st season was cut well short, but it was long enough for him to hit the career milestone of 500 wins as the Tritons competed at the Best of the West Tournament in Poway.

CUSD Athletics, Youth Sports Suspend Activities

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capistrano Unified School District canceled all athletic events and competitions on March 12 through spring

break, and nearly all youth sports organizations suspended activities earlier or immediately thereafter.

APRIL CIF Cancels Spring Sports Championships

The CIF State office and CIF-SS canceled the section, region and state playoffs for spring sports.

The move, along with CUSD schools closing indefinitely, brought an end to any hopes of resuming and finishing the spring sports season.

MAY Sears Transfers to Boise State from USC

Jack Sears, the 2016 CIF-SS and State champion SCHS quarterback and former USC signalcaller, found his new home as a graduate transfer to Boise State.

Sears retained two years of college eligibility after graduating from USC last December.

JULY Youth, High School Sports Put on Hold Again

After Orange County put out guidance allowing youth sports to resume in June, and CUSD was set to open camps on July 6.

However, CUSD canceled those plans ahead of July 7, when the state counteracted the county and confirmed that youth sports were not yet permitted to return.

CIF Pushes Back Start of School Sports to December

CIF State reorganized its sports calendar and scheduled fall sports to begin in December, starting with boys volleyball games on Dec. 12 and football practices on Dec. 14. In December, the start of school sports was delayed until January and fall sports regional and state championships were canceled.

AUGUST CUSD Athletic Programs Begin Conditioning Camps

JUNE Hosea, Rex, Catsimanes, Gardiner Named SCHS Athletes of the Year

Christian Hosea scored 128 goals for the Tritons boys water polo team. Preston Rex led the Tritons football team in all receiving statistics. Hana Catsimanes won a CIF-SS championship in girls cross country. Ella Gardiner was an impact player in girls volleyball and basketball.

After finally receiving state guidance on Aug. 3, CUSD athletic programs began conditioning camps with small groups and many limitations in Phase 1. Restrictions eased and allowed for larger groups and varied workouts and drills in Phase 2 in late September and Phase 3 in late October.

SEPTEMBER

SCHS Alumni Excel in College Football Season

For BYU, Isaac Rex caught 32 passes for 333 yards and 10 touchdowns in the regular season. For Boise State, defensive captain Riley Whimpey racked up six sacks and 61 tackles, and Jack Sears threw three TDs in his only start of the season. For Utah, Cole Fotheringham caught four passes for 52 yards.

NOVEMBER Ten SCHS Athletes Commit to Colleges on Fall Signing Day

Noah Keelin, Dane Hillis, Cade Martin, Kobe Kiley, Alex Higginson, Stella Copeland, Skyler Ruffner, Kylie Pitzak, Kelsie Yamano and Hannah Hillis all signed on at their choice colleges and universities. SCHS added another four signees (James Bohls, Cole Batson, Bentley Redden and Keegan Even) on football’s early signing day in December.

DECEMBER State Provides Guidance Tied to Tier System

The state finally delivered guidelines for youth and high school sports tied to the fourtiered, color-coded coronavirus monitoring system. Low-contact sports including cross country and baseball could return in the purple or red higher-risk tiers, but high-contact or indoor sports including football and basketball couldn’t return until the orange or yellow lower-risk tiers. SC

In only 2 ½ months of full competition, San Clemente found great success before youth and high school sports were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos: Zach Cavanagh, San Clemente High School, BYU Athletics, Boise State Athletics San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

Page 21

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SC SC SURF San Clemente

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

The Swell to Measure All Other Swells How the famous ‘Swell of ’69’ played out, and why any surf is a good thing these days

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n December of 1969, Dana Point’s Art Brewer found himself on the North Shore of Oahu on assignment for Surfer Magazine. Making $500 a month, in ’69, he stepped in to replace Senior Photographer Ron Stoner and was sent directly on his first-ever field assignment.

“There were only a couple other people shooting. The North Shore was a completely different world back then—very quiet, very off the beaten path. I was going to be there for four months,” Brewer recalled.

Like so many things in his early career, the timing couldn’t have been better for Brewer. After only days on the ground, the Pacific Ocean roared. On Dec. 4, the mother of all swells hit. Waimea Bay was so big that the waves closed out the entire bay. The Kam Highway flooded.

Sixty homes were destroyed, and for 72 hours, it was pure chaos.

“It was dark when the swell really hit, and we could hear the emergency sirens and public address warnings,” Brewer said. “We were evacuated to the field where Sunset Elementary School is today. It was a long couple of days.”

The swell was actually a confluence of

Greg Noll at Makaha on the island of Oahu during the fabled “Swell of ‘69.” Photo: Courtesy of Alby Falzon

a couple of storm systems in the Pacific that created a storm front stretching from the Gulf of Alaska to Hawaii—a distance of more than 2,000 miles. It was later surmised that the winter of 1969-70 was experiencing a weak El Niño effect, which warms the Pacific’s water temps, in turn fueling larger-than-average storms and swells.

The action kicked into overdrive around Dec. 1-2, 1969, when the swell hit Kauai first, delivering 30-foot surf before pushing on to Oahu. With the surf too big for any of the North Shore reefs, a handful of surfers found their way to Makaha on the west side of the island.

Sheltered by Ka’ena Point, the surf was still huge, but considerably more manageable. Among those tempting fate at Makaha were George Downing, Buzzy Trent, Charlie Galanto, Bobby Cloutier and one Greg “Da Bull” Noll. They were the big-wave aces of the era and had spent the previous two decades pushing boundaries at Hawaii’s outer reefs. And it’s at this point in the story that surf history was made.

As the swell pulsed in the afternoon, Noll paddled into what is believed to be a 35-foot wave—the biggest ever ridden at the time.

Noll didn’t successfully ride the wave, getting a beating so severe that shortly thereafter, he walked away from big-wave surfing altogether and pursued a life as a fisherman in Crescent City, California.

“Greg Noll’s monster drop-to-annihilation wave at Makaha on December 4, 1969 was the defining wave of surfing’s defining big-wave swell,” Matt Warshaw wrote in his Encyclopedia of Surfing.

“We eventually made it over to Makaha, but Greg Noll had already come in from his historic ride, and nobody was out,” Brewer woefully recalled.

A few days later, the swell marched across the Pacific and smashed into California. And with Santa Ana offshore winds blowing, the coast lit up from Mexico to Canada.

Oceanographer and 1966 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational winner Ricky Grigg rode 18-footers at San Diego’s La Jolla Cove; at Rincon in Santa Barbara, board

shaper Al Merrick, U.S. champion David Nuuhiwa, and world contest finalist Reno Abellira all rode triple-overhead point surf.

Conditions that day, Merrick later recalled, were almost supernaturally aligned: “Like perfect six-foot Rincon, except it was 20-foot,” Warshaw recalled.

As I write this, a week ahead of Christmas, I’m eyeing the Surfline forecast.

There’s a three- to five-foot southwest swell lurking on the horizon. It won’t be anything like the Swell of ’69, but after the year we’ve had, head-high and glassy sounds like a Christmas gift I can get behind.

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 the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times, 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

in the upcoming year. Older, wiser, more powerful than you could possibly imagine,

this young Jedi is elevating his game and always keeps the vibes right in the water.

In November, Fomenko dropped a hot new video on YouTube called no name, but you should definitely get to know his name.

He’s going to be leading the charge for the next generation of rippers from San Clemente. You can also get to know more about him on the Gudauskas brothers’ YouTube channel called “The Vibe Up.” They produced a video featuring Fomenko entitled Don’t Change Over Summer.

If you’re down with good vibes and committed rail work, keep an eye on Fomenko; he’s going places. We’ve known that for years. SC

GROM OF THE WEEK

TYRONE FOMENKO

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

f you see a red-headed goofy-footer out at T-Street throwing buckets and powering through searing rail gouges, it’s probably Tyrone Fomenko.

From Lowers to T-Street to the Pier Bowl, Fomenko’s been ripping around town since he was just a little guy. A regular in the Grom of the Week feature, he first caught our attention at the Gudauskas brothers’ Stoke-O-Rama events.

These days, he’s a distinguished San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

Tyrone Fomenko. Photo: Courtesy of Tyrone Fomenko

member of the San Clemente High School surf team and is sure to have a big season

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San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

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San Clemente Times December 24-30, 2020

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