SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
CITY REPORTER David Zimmerle, 949.388.7700, x109 dzimmerle@sanclementetimes.com Advertising Print and Online
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San Clemente Times, Vol. 5, Issue 28. The SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Group Editor, Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Jonathan Volzke City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne
Andrea Swayne, 949.388.7700, x113 aswayne@sanclementetimes.com
City Reporter, SC Times > David Zimmerle
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ART/Design
LIFE’S A BEACH: By Shelley Murphy
an Clemente art lovers, and those looking for summertime fun, will want to mark August 21 and 22 on their calendar. That’s when the SC Art Association’s 50th Annual Art & Craft Fair sets up downtown. In the meantime, consider visiting our neighbors to the north in Laguna Beach where they’re hosting the granddaddy of art festivals—the 2010 Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. This year’s Pageant invites patrons to “Eat, Drink and Be Merry”—an enticing offer and one you won’t want to miss. Since 1933 the Pageant’s been bringing art to life, but this year’s theme embraces the exuberance of celebrating life. The Pageant presents its living pictures nightly at 8:30 p.m., from July 7 to August 31, to 2,600 theater-goers at the Irvine Bowl by recreating Festival of Arts famous masterpieces on Pageant of the Masters stage accompanied by 650 Laguna Canyon Road, the sounds of a spirited Laguna Beach orchestra and witty 949.497.6582, www.foapom.com narrator. Pageant tickets: $15-$100, Pageant planners recdepending on seat location and ognize that a celebration night of the week commemorating eating, Festival tickets: $4-$7 drinking and merriment wouldn’t be complete without a nod to New Orleans and its world famous Mardi Gras celebration, Bourbon Street bars and French Quarter nightlife. By far my favorite Pageant in years, the highlight of the evening included the vivid colors and vibrant imagery of the artwork replicated in The Golden Age of Mardi Gras and the tribute paid to the resilient city of New Orleans—it left me craving beignets, po’ boys, and gumbo. Adding to the flavor was the traditional tossing of beads
during the parade. Inhibited theatergoers take note: If you aren’t thrown a beaded necklace during the show, you can buy a program like I did and get a complimentary colorful strand. (Just joking, there’s no flash photography or any kind of “flashing” allowed.) Over 1,200 hopeful cast members attended the open casting call back Shelley Murphy in January, and approximately 500 volunteers were selected—only 15 percent of them reside in Laguna Beach. San Clemente has 18 actors in the show this year ranging in roles from part of the parade to posing partially nude; and all agree that this year’s theme is fun. Brooke Crowe, 18, just graduated from SCHS, yet made time to volunteer in her sixth pageant before heading off to UCLA. “I love working the pageant every year—it’s like a mini-family, we’ve already had so much fun together,” she said. Crowe plays the oyster in the parade that winds through the audience and aisles. “It’s a fantastic theme—it’s definitely one of my favorites,” she said. This year Donna Horan volunteered to help back stage with headdresses, but she’s done it all in the 30 years she’s been part of the pageant. Horan introduced her kids to the tradition six years ago. “I always say, ‘Do you want to take a vacation or do this?’ They love it, and I get to share it with my kids—it’s cool,” Horan said. “After all these years it’s still fun—I never get tired of it.” Alana, 16, appears in Silver Saltcellars and Colin, 13, in Prince’s Day. Joy Shirkani-Monson marks her 20th year as a pageant volunteer by appearing in Twelfth Night Revelers, and, daughters Giavanna, a six-year veteran, performs in
Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett
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> Michele Reddick (San Clemente) > Sergio Sanchez (San Juan Capistrano)
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Celebrate Life at the 2010 Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters S
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Online Reader Poll Is the “North Beach Green Alternative” a better option for San Clemente? Yes. It offers a great park and parking options without succumbing to commercial development.
15% No. A park would not meet the goals of revitalization and would only bring about more vagrancy in the area.
82% Neither of the proposed options are beneficial to SC, and North Beach should just be left alone.
3% Make sure to sound off each week on the “SC Times Poll of the Week” at www.sanclementetimes.com. Then go to our community Message Board and share your opinions. www.sanclementetimes.com. Bookmark it today! The SC Times Online Reader Polls are not scientific and do not reflect the opinion of the SC Times.
California while Francesca, a five-year veteran, takes the stage in Thanksgiving. “We volunteer seven nights a week, every other week for two months,” she said. “This year’s theme is really fun because it’s very positive and uplifting. My favorite would have to be the Bon-Ton Burlesquers—they’re really colorful, fun posters,” she said. Plan to arrive early to the green grounds of the Bowl and visit the Festival of Arts fine art exhibition showcasing artwork by 145 local painters, sculptors, jewelers, photographers and other artists who display and sell their creations in the open-air gallery July 5–August 31 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., daily. By the way, your purchased pageant ticket provides unlimited admission all summer long to the Festival of Arts outdoor gallery. Celebrate life this summer and Eat, Drink and be Merry! PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are solely those of the guest columnist and may or may not be shared by the San Clemente Times staff. We appreciate, however, their willingness to share their views, and we invite responses to be sent to letters@sanclementetimes.com.
Letters to the Editor NORTH BEACH TRAVESTY Ricardo Nicol, San Clemente
San Clemente’s North Beach publicly-owned property, which is about to be sold or leased by the city to a real estate developer for a commercial center, was acquired by the city in 1970 for the purpose of creating public parking or a park. The acquisition, from private owners, was through the use of eminent domain (City Council Resolution No. 69-70) which is the application of the powers of government to acquire property for public benefit (parking or a park in this case) by condemnation. The property has been used, fully and successfully, for the benefit of the public since 1970 to this day—40 years—and should continue to be used as intended. But now it looks like the city council is going to vote to sell or lease the property to the developer for a fraction of its value for the construction of a financially risky project. But why? Page 8 • San Clemente Times • July 15–21, 2010
The purported reason is the “revitalization” of North Beach. But all the triangle parking area (where most of the building would take place) needs is landscape improvements. What really needs revitalization in North Beach are the casino, the Miramar Theater, the 7-11 store, Ichibiri restaurant and Kaylani coffee shop. But none of them are a part of, or being touched by, the proposed “revitalization” through commercial development. Those buildings will remain as they are until their owners decide to fix them. City policy could help bring that about. The owners who were forced to sell in 1970 for the benefit of the public, would be outraged that the now enormously appreciated properties are being sold or leased to a private real estate developer for a fraction of their value, and that the “public benefit” purpose is being betrayed. We, the people of San Clemente—the public—should also be outraged and we should stop this travesty which is about
to take place July 19 or 22, starting at 5 p.m., at public hearings at city hall. Please show up and make your voice heard!
NORTH BEACH DESTINATION Steve and Debbie Pezman, San Clemente
What appeals to Deb and myself is the potential of a north end destination, at the end of the beach trail with quality features to enjoy not currently in town. At present, we spend little time in that zone because there is infrequent reason for us to go there. Maybe that is not so for some, but it’s true for many. Next point, we know Shaheen and his wife. They are at the stage in life where more money is less important than esthetics and quality of what they do. Their projects make imaginative statements. It is their form of creative contribution to the communities they invest in as well as good business. (Cont. on page 10) www.sanclementetimes.com