San Clemente Times

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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 11

A Change of Seasons After Decades in Law Enforcement, Crime Prevention Specialist Leslie Mowers to retire E Y E O N S C / PAG E 6

Crime Prevention Specialist Leslie Mowers holds a bag for the Character Counts program, which she has overseen in the city for 12 years. Photo by Stacie N. Galang

www.sanclementetimes.com

Rep. Ken Calvert Visits City to Learn Priorities

Chief Bids Farewell to San Clemente, Takes Promotion

San Clemente High, Shorecliffs Students Win Fourth Straight State Titles

EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SOAPBOX/PAGE 8

SC SURF/PAGE 22

EYE ON SC

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society will host its annual general membership meeting at the Community Center at 7 p.m. on March 28.

The evening’s program will be presented by David Belardes and archaeologist Judy McKeehan on the archaeological discoveries and cultural resources of San Juan Capistrano. Belardes’ family has lived in Capistrano for generations and he is a former leader of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. McKeehan has been involved in several archeological digs in Capistrano and is assisting the Historical Society in its efforts to preserve a historic adobe and board-and-batten building. Also at the general meeting, the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society will hold its annual election for the Board of Directors. The meeting is free to all and open to the public. The Community Center is at 25925 Camino Del Avion.

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SC S a n C le m e n te

NEWS

NEXT DOOR WH AT’S GO I N G O N I N OU R NE IG H B O R I N G TOW N S

DANA POINT The Orange County Board of Supervisors on February 28 voted unanimously to approve an architect and engineering contract with MVE Institutional, Inc. for the design and construction of new buildings and a parking deck at the Dana Point Harbor. The approximately $7.4 million contract includes a six-year term and will begin with a detailed analysis of two dry boat storage options, one of which is a dry storage deck plan submitted by boaters. Over the next several months MVE will work closely with the County to build on conceptual designs already accepted by the Harbor community and turn them into complete designs for the Coastal Development Permit, said Harbor Director Brad Gross. The Harbor Department expects the CDP to be submitted by early 2013 and construction is expected to begin in early 2015, Gross said.

SAN CLEMENTE’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

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…A Man Killed by a Train?

THE LATEST: Witnesses saw a man standing near the railroad tracks off Coast Highway, and the locomotive engineer slowed and sounded the horn before the man leaped into the path of the southbound train on Monday, authorities said.

The man was seen shortly before noon, south of Palisades Drive, Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino said. The man stepped directly in front of the southbound train, leading authorities to believe the death was suicide.

The incident shut down rail traffic and Pacific Coast Highway between Palisades and Camino Capistrano Monday while authorities investigated. Passengers on the train, which stopped north of the North Beach station, were bused to Oceanside.

and regional projects.

City leaders asked for $500,000 in federal funds for the next step in the sand replenishment project overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In the next year, San Clemente also seeks funding for $468,000 toward the silencing of train horns at seven more pedestrian crossings — the quiet zone, $9 million for the Avenida La Pata Extension Project, $2.5 million for the city’s Recycled Water Storage and Treatment Expansion Project, up to $20 million for a regional desalination project and $326,000 for the second phase of Courtney’s SandCastle.

WHAT’S NEXT: Authorities are working to identify the man, Amormino said.

WHAT’S NEXT: Fiscal constraints left Calvert unsure when the funding bill for the sand replenishment project would come up, but he said he planned to work for the city. He also said he would look into the city’s other funding requests.

“I’m not going away,” he said. “I’m the only Republican on the House Appropriations Committee.”

FIND OUT MORE: See www.sanclementetimes.com —Jonathan Volzke

FIND OUT MORE: Visit www.sanclementetimes.com for more information. — SNG

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… the City’s Federal Priorities?

THE LATEST: The budget climate in Congress makes federal requests from cities like San Clemente an uphill battle, Rep. Ken Calvert told city officials this week during what’s likely to be his last official visit.

“It’s a challenging year,” he said at a City Council meeting with about 30 people.

Because of redistricting, Calvert, the republican who has represented the city for 10 years, will lose his South Orange County communities for a smaller geographic swath closer to his Corona home base.

But he has until the end of the year to finish his duties for the city, and City Manager George Scarborough made his case for local San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

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… SONGS?

THE LATEST: Protestors gathered for a rally Sunday, March 11 to remember the one-year anniversary of the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The noontime rally brought about 200 people to the event at the state beach —near San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station — where drivers were greeted by handmade banners with messages like, “Fukushima Not Again!”

It was the second gathering in two days by anti-nuclear protestors who were not only drawing attention to the anniversary of Japan’s disaster but also lobbying for the closure of the local power plant.

They came to San Clemente’s Commu-

nity Center Saturday, March 10 for their Fukushima Remembered event, “a special recognition for those lost and still suffering in Japan.”

“Sunday’s protest was very good over all,” said organizer Gary Headrick.

the raffle or for more information, contact Desiree Lomack at 707.933.6168. —SNG

WHAT’S NEXT: Both reactors at the power plant run by Southern California Edison have been offline since January.

The first reactor was removed from the grid for planned upgrades and refueling on January 9. The second generator was pulled from service January 31 after a radiation leak was detected. Plant workers have since been inspecting the reactor.

SCE has said it will not return the plant’s generating units to service until the utility company is satisfied it is safe to do so.

THE LATEST: The nonprofit that provides everything from food to tax help for the needy will take up a new residence on Calle Negocio as of March 26.

Family Assistance Ministries signed a lease with the city of San Clemente to take over the former fire station, giving the nonprofit an additional 1,000-square feet of space to provide added services to those who need help in South Orange County, said Executive Director Mary Perdue. FAM has been preparing the move for weeks to move into its 2,300-square-foot space, she said.

The organization already has the keys to its new digs and plans to make the entire move from Friday, March 23 to Sunday, March 25. They expect to open their doors uninterrupted the following day, Perdue said.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit www.sanclementetimes.com for updates. —SNG

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… Fundraising for Sgt. Manuel Loggins’ Family?

THE LATEST: Friends of Sgt. Manuel Loggins Jr., the Marine shot dead by an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy, will gather Saturday at the Elks Lodge on El Camino Real for a fundraiser for his widow Phoebe Loggins and four children.

Last week, an attorney for the family filed a claim against Orange County, the Sheriff’s Department and the deputy Darren Sandberg. Attorney Brian Dunn plans to file federal civil rights complaints on behalf of the family on a number of charges from wrongful death to unlawful detention.

WHAT’S NEXT: The fundraiser is $15 for a tostada dinner and features a raffle, guest speakers and $1 ribbons. The event March 17 at 6 p.m. at 2068 N. El Camino Real.

FIND OUT MORE: To donate items for

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… Family Assistance Ministries?

WHAT’S NEXT: The move gives FAM room to grow, she said. In one week in March, the nonprofit provided a range of services to 2,444 clients, according to Perdue. To do their work, they have 96 volunteers, she said.

FAM also helps locals with rent assistance, utility subsidies and clothing. Every client who comes into the nonprofit receives a budget to assist them and track their progress.

“We’re the one-stop in South Orange County,” Perdue said.

FIND OUT MORE: See FAM’s website for details at www.family-assistance.org. —SNG Have a story idea? Send your suggestions to editorial@sanclementetimes.com. www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC CITY AND COMMUNITY CALENDAR Thursday, March 15 General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting 6 p.m. Community Development in the Conference Room. 910 Calle Negocio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

SCHS Choir Spring Concert 7 p.m. An evening of classical music by choir students in the Triton Center. Tickets $5. 700 E. Avenida Pico, San Clemente.

Friday, March 16 Lunch with League 12 p.m. League of Women Voters’ talk about the pros and cons of privatizing government-run prisons, schools and libraries; held at Coco’s. RSVP. 151 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.400.2183, orangecoast.ca.lwvnet.org.

Ribbon Cutting 11:30 a.m. The Chamber hosts an opening celebration at Surfside Pizza, 216 Avenida Vaquero, 949.492.1131, www.scchamber.com.

Saturday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The 45th annual community St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance at the SC Community Center sponsored by the Exchange Club and city of San Clemente to benefit local charities. Corned beef and cabbage with all the trimmings served as well as other refreshments. Ticket donation includes a door prize raffle ticket. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, exchangeclubsc.org

Sunday, March 18 Sierra Sage/Wildflower Walk 9 a.m.

Join the Sierra Sage chapter of the Sierra Club to search for wildflowers and more at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Cost $5-$10. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

Wednesday, March 21 French Conversation Club 2 p.m.– 4 p.m. Come and chat at Cafe Calypso every Wednesday; no fees, no registration.

114 Avenida Del Mar, 949.493.5228.

Planning Commission Meeting 6 p.m. Study session in Ocean View Conference Room; 7 p.m. Regular meeting in Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Thursday, March 22 San Onofre Hike 9 a.m. Meet at San Mateo Campground for a 2-3 hour hike.

830 Cristianitos Road, San Clemente, 949. 366.8599, admin@sanofoundation.org.

San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

NEWS BITES

Compiled by Stacie N. Galang

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO MADD Honors Two Deputies u Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies Mike Carrillo and J. Prescott were honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for their work to arrest motorists driving under the influence. In 2011, Carrillo nabbed 32 for DUIs and Prescott made 28 arrests. The pair was recognized at the March 6 City Council

by Master Officer Larry Seja of Tustin and Orange County MADD volunteer and attorney David Jennings. It was Prescott’s third time to be honored for highest arrests. He said the work kept fewer “lethal weapons” off the road and prevented more people from falling victim to drunken drivers.

Carrillo said he set a goal to make as many arrests for drunken driving as possible.

“I’m just glad I’m able to make a difference,” said the deputy, who received the honor for the first time.

Second-grade teacher Katrina Vedervelt at Our Savior’s Lutheran uses the school’s new whiteboards.

Courtesy photo

Interactive Boards Come to Our Savior Lutheran School

Loggins Event Set for March 17 u Friends of Sgt. Manuel Loggins Jr., the Marine shot last month outside San Clemente High School, will hold a fundraiser at the Elks Lodge at 2068 N. El Camino Real Saturday, March 17 at 6 p.m. The event is $15 for a tostada dinner. The fundraiser features a raffle, guest speakers and $1 ribbons. To donate items for the raffle or for more information, contact Desiree Lomack at 707.933.6168.

Student Named Merit Finalist u Elena N. Gacek of San Clemente High School was named one of 11 National Merit Scholarship finalists from Capistrano Unified School District, moving one step closer to National Merit Scholar. “(These students) are shining examples of the quality education students in this district receive,” Superintendent Joe Farley said in a news release. “Their parents and teachers also deserve plenty of credit for providing the support and environment of academic success and high expectation necessary to produce such quality students.”

Vista del Mar to Host Fundraiser for DC-bound Students

u Our Savior’s Lutheran School has added interactive Eno whiteboards to their elementary classrooms. The whiteboards provide hands-on lessons that foster a fun learning environment and better understanding of key concepts. Teachers can now go from markers to multimedia, from ink to Internet, on a virtually indestructible ceramic steel surface. “I love how it really enhances my teaching, especially with our interactive math tools,” said second-grade teacher Rachel Habermann in a news release.

Courtney’s SandCastle Playground to be Honored u San Clemente’s Courtney’s SandCastle

Universal Playground has been selected for the Outstanding Special Project 2012 award from the California Association of Parks & Recreation Commissioners & Board Members. The award will be given out at the organization’s 43rd annual banquet Thursday, March 22 in Long Beach. Courtney’s SandCastle opened February 25 at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park.

Forensic Expert to Speak u Noted cardiologist and award-winning

u Vista del Mar School, at 1130 Avenida Talega, will host a fundraiser with a swap meet, sports clinics and e-waste recycling Saturday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help send eighth-graders to Washington, D.C. in June. Vendor spaces are available for $40. Free student sports clinics, led by local high school students and coaches, will also be offered. Clinics include baseball, soccer, cheer, dance, band, volleyball and more.

Vendor registration ends March 23. For more information, email Mark Yanaura at markyanaura@cox.net.

forensic expert E. B. Lyle will be the speaker for the 16th Annual Wellness Conference of the Guild of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. The conference, “Hollywood Stories: How They Get it Right and Wrong,” is Thursday, March 22 at El Niguel Country Club, 23700 Clubhouse Drive, Laguna Niguel. Lyle has practiced in Orange County for the last 30 years. His writing has earned him the Macavity Award and a nomination for the Edgar Award. He has consulted with the writers of popular television shows such as Law and Order, CSI: Miami, Monk

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and House. Social hour begins at 11 a.m., program at 11:30 a.m. and luncheon at 12:45 p.m. Cost is $50 per person. For more information, call 949.366.5928.

BAMS Hosts Student Fundraiser u Bernice Ayer Middle School will host a garage sale-type fundraiser March 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for student Kate Lopez, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Donated items may be dropped off March 16 after 3:30 p.m. or the following day from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. For more information, call Annie Martinez at 949.366.9607.

CUSD Accepts Nominations u Nominations for the Capistrano Unified School District’s 2012 classified Employee of the Year Program are being accepted through Friday, March 23. Nominees can be from any district schools and central office departments and must have worked Capo Unified for at least five years. Applications are available at www.capousd.org and at schools. District winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony on Monday, May 21 and may compete at the county and state level.

Youth Workshop Focuses on Healthy Relationships u The Community Resource Center of San Clemente will host a free workshop on Healthy Relationships for youth ages 16 to 24 Tuesday, March 20 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The nonprofit resource center is located in the lower level of the San Clemente Presbyterian Church at 119 N. Avenida de la Estrella, San Clemente. For more information, call 949.303.0353 or email info@crcsc. org.

Have something interesting for the community?

Send your info to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

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EYE ON SC

A Change of Seasons

bank robberies to children accidentally shooting themselves – all would come over the phone lines and into the dispatcher’s care.

Mowers described the work as difficult and stressful but rewarding. Even her license plate pays homage to the job: Go2PRPL. It’s a dispatch code for deputies seeking general information on license plates or individuals.

After Decades in Law Enforcement, Crime Prevention Specialist Leslie Mowers to retire

By Stacie N. Galang San Clemente Times

F

or Leslie Mowers, soon everything will be coming up roses.

The woman ubiquitous with the Character Counts campaign at city schools retires March 21 after 15 years as a crime prevention specialist in San Clemente under the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. All told, she worked in law enforcement 37 years, most as a dispatcher and lead dispatcher.

“It’s rewarding,” she said in her small, lower-level office with an ocean view. “By the end of the day, you’ve done your best to help the community.”

Mowers ends her career in law enforcement where she began: in San Clemente in 1974 as a switchboard operator for the former San Clemente Police Department.

She will transition out of the police station on Avenida Presidio and into rose gardens as a certified, organic rose specialist, a growing passion turned part-time job.

As a crime prevention specialist, Mowers produced daily crime reports and maps to help sheriff’s deputies in San Clemente home in on problems such as car break-ins and graffiti. Mowers also produced the department’s 50-page annual report of crime and police work throughout the city. The data helps law enforcement pinpoint trouble spots in the area and focus their attention on reducing crime.

“She’s done a great job,” said Lt. Paul D’Auria, chief of police services. “She’s been a solid worker, doing crime mapping and keeping track of parolees and giving deputies the information to do their job.”

Mowers’ outreach with the Character Counts program, which teaches students basic values like caring, respect and trustworthiness, has encouraged thousands of children in San Clemente to be better citizens.

“They’re like sponges,” she said. “We had to set a higher example.”

At the elementary and middle schools, two children per classroom per year were honored by the program. The crime prevention specialist also organized the annual Character Counts Jamboree, all with donated funds and items. It took months of planning and work to pull off the annual event.

The program helped to mentor students and teach them to do the right thing. They were recognized not for looking good but for being good, Mowers said.

San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

Crime Prevention Specialist Leslie Mowers will retire this month and take on more work as an organic rose specialist. Photo by Stacie N. Galang

“Hopefully, we’ve changed some lives,” she offered.

Truman Benedict Principal Charlotte Hibsch said she met Mowers 12 years ago when she took the helm at the elementary school. They were both on the San Clemente Youth Task Force and met monthly, the principal said. Later, Mowers would make annual visits for Character Counts.

“She has made an impact by bringing Character Counts to the school,” Hibsch said.

Two years ago in the summer, Mowers brought trainers to Truman Benedict from the nonprofit that oversees the program.

While the free lunch was an added draw, the teachers left uplifted and motivated to continue the work.

“It revitalized us and made us all aware that it’s not something that we can’t let slide,” Hibsch said. “It has to be a part of schooling every day. That’s the kind of inspiration she is to us.”

The principal said that Mowers has been a role model of Character Counts’ pillars.

“For the schools, she means, I think, kindness and all those attributes that Character Counts has in itself,” Hibsch said.

THE ROAD TO LAW ENFORCEMENT Former San Clemente Police Chief Albert Ehlow hired Mowers as a switchboard operator. At the time, he was a sergeant and President Nixon was making regular visits to the city. The uptick in police activity required 15 more officers and staff to help.

“It was busy at times,” Ehlow said. “It was during the end of the Vietnam War. There were a lot of anti-war people protesting.”

On one occasion, 5,000 protestors camped out at San Clemente State Park and Jane Fonda and her now ex-husband

Tom Hayden were part of the mix, Ehlow said.

Mowers was one of the hires during those frenetic days.

“She was good people,” he said. “I liked her a lot. She had a good sense of humor.

I’m a clown so she got along with me all right.”

Mowers, 23, had spent five years as a waitress at Coco’s. At the Laguna Beach restaurant, an 18-year-old police officer and regular customer encouraged her to go on a ride-along.

“That night, we had a Code 3 run with lights and sirens,” she said. “We did a 180 on PCH. That’s all it took to sell me.”

Mowers had attended medical assisting school and initially hoped to enter nursing at Saddleback College, but the program was impacted and courses unavailable.

The ride-along inspired her to be a dispatcher but the only job available was at the switchboard.

Within months, Mowers landed a dispatcher job with the Orange Police Department. She had dispatch stints with the Los Alamitos, Westminster, Irvine and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“It seems like you help people more,” she said of dispatching. “You’re really able to serve people and help them when they really need help.”

Mowers witnessed first hand the evolution of technology from note cards used to write down dispatch notes to three-screen terminals. In the old days, dispatchers had to keep all the cards organized by rows in front of them.

“When I started, there were no dispatch schools,” she said. “It was on-the-job learning.”

From the control room, Mowers had something of a front-row seat to the area’s biggest crimes, odd events, family crisis and traffic accidents. Everything from

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BACK TO HER ROOTS The crime prevention specialist returned to San Clemente to help close down its dispatch center with the elimination of the police department in 1997. She stayed in San Clemente to do the data collection, crime mapping and Character Counts.

Along the way, she joined the noontime Rotary Club and now produces their weekly newsletters. Mowers, 61, still plans to keep on with the service organization, which fellow Rotarians appreciate.

“She spearheaded that thing,” Dennis Nespor, a member of the Rotary Club’s board of directors, said of the newsletter.

“She’s just really been a beautiful part of her contribution to our club.”

She’s also been a reliable photographer for the organization, he noted.

Nespor, a local Realtor who’s been with club since 1986, said Rotary has been one of the sponsors of the Character Counts.

“It’s definitely a good cause,” he said.

“It’s something we’ll continue to do in future.”

Hibsch said over the years, she and Mowers struck up a friendship. The educator said she learned about Mowers’ creative side not only as a rosarian but also as a stained glass artist.

“She has that creative element, too, which is so wonderful,” the principal said.

“It’s an interesting combination, somebody who works as a deputy going into all these creative fields. It’s kind of a neat juxtaposition.”

Mowers, a mother of two, is also an animal lover and equestrian. Her grandfather had a boat and as a kid the family would head to Catalina regularly, a tradition Mowers continues and often with old work friends and their families.

Mowers will draw on her creativity and nurturing side as a dispatcher and crime prevention specialist in schools to her next calling as a rosarian.

By 2011, she had earned a certificate in horticulture and landscape design from Saddleback College. The crime prevention specialist already has clients at the Covington, an assisted living home in Aliso Viejo, and Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar. At the Covington, the roses are planted as a memorial to a person.

“They have to look like they’re going to Sunday school,” she said.

Hibsch said that Mowers’ retirement and departure would leave a big hole in the community. It would be hard for her replacement not only because of the crime prevention specialist’s hard work, but also warmth, fun and very real personality. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

SC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY JONATHAN VOLZKE All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD Web site.

Monday, March 12 SUSPICIOUS PERSON El Camino Real, 2700 Block (7:47 a.m.)

A man tried to get into a vacant condo. He was pounding on the door of the home, which had been vacant for two years. He was, the caller noted, slurring his speech.

9-1-1 HANGUP Canada, 100 Block (7:06 a.m.) A man reported someone was destroying his home in a fight started when “a friend” kicked down his door. The friend took off when deputies were called.

HIT AND RUN Avenida Victoria, 500 Block (6:18 a.m.)

A man reported finding his green Subaru with damage from a hit-and-run. It wasn’t hard to find a suspect: a dark-colored Ford Ranger was parked against a dark Saab nearby.

Sunday, March 11 DISTURBANCE Mariposa/El Camino Real (10:53 p.m.)

A woman reported she was assaulted by a woman who was loitering nearby. The caller said the woman and a man were in a driveway, allegedly hiding from a man.

Both were allegedly on probation and the woman was supposedly arrested for molesting a 14-year-old earlier in the month.

DISTURBANCE Canto Rompeolas, 2600 Block (8;18 p.m.)

A woman called 9-1-1 to see if she could have a phone number to help her deal with her “stressed out” husband. She didn’t need deputies, she said, but planned to take the kids to her mother’s.

The man left before deputies arrived.

DISTURBANCE Camino de Los Mares (8:01 p.m.)

A woman reported her estranged husband was outside “going crazy.” He was pounding on the windows, she said, and she was afraid he was going to hurt someone.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Estacion, 1700 Block (6:41 p.m.)

A man was beat up by another man and needed paramedics. Deputies took an 18-year-old man into custody. He identified himself as a window cleaner.

ROBBERY El Camino Real, 2300 Block (5:06 p.m.)

A woman reported a man robbed her boyfriend, possibly with a gun. The man was described as 20 to 30 years old, with a medium build and dark brown or black hair. He was Latino or Caucasian, the woman said. He left in a dark green Honda Civic. A cell phone, sunglasses and $300 was stolen, the woman reported.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Calle Valle, 1400 Block (4:21 p.m.) An animal control officer reported a man suspected of being under the influence was driving away. Animal control was called because of a dog off of its leash. The officer was standing in front of the car to prevent the man from leaving, then reported the man tried to run the officer over.

DISTURBANCE Calle Gaucho, 2900 Block (1:21 p.m.)

A female reported her sister choked her in a dispute over a smoothie.

DISTURBANCE Loma Lane, 100 Block (9:34 a.m.)

A woman was in dispute with her boy-

friend, and dispatchers could hear the ruckus over the phone. The man was saying she was under the influence, while she was saying he had a pocketful of drugs. The woman reported the man was on parole and used to manufacture drugs.

He’d served 20 years in prison, she said.

He left before deputies arrived because he doesn’t like police, she said. Deputies arrested him later.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Camino Forestal, 6100 Block (1:31 a.m.)

Deputies contacted the parents of a teen picked up by Laguna Beach Police for a curfew violation. His parents needed to pick him up.

DISTURBANCE Canada/El Camino Real (1:22 a.m.)

A cabbie reported two men and a woman were fighting in front of his car in the street. The cabbie then reported the victim got into his cab and just wanted a ride home. He then got out of the cab, and the cabbie left.

Saturday, March 10 VANDALISM Camino de Los Mares/Diamante (8:48 p.m.) The driver of a gray Lexus reported kids put some sort of wire across the street and it damaged his car. The caller’s father had caught one, who was trying to run away.

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Stacie N. Galang, 949.388.7700, x109 sgalang@sanclementetimes.com ADVERTISING

SC S a n C le m e n te

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.sanclementetimes.com San Clemente Times, Vol. 7, Issue 11. 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 2012. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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GUEST OPINION: By Lt. Paul D’Auria, Chief of Police Services

Chief Says, ‘Farewell and Many Thanks, San Clemente’ D’Auria Reflects on Six Years in ‘Small Village’

I

t has been awhile since my last article in the San Clemente Times, and sadly this will be the last. I have been promoted to captain and will begin a new chapter in my career. This opportunity is bittersweet for me. I am pleased about the promotion but bidding farewell to San Clemente won’t be easy.

For nearly six years, I have had the honor and privilege to be your Chief of Police Services. San Clemente is truly a unique city with rarely a dull moment. While San Clemente has maintained a “small village” feel, it is a challenging place to provide law enforcement services. The city is truly diverse not only in economic terms but with cultural diversity as well. However, even with this diversity there is a common pride that runs throughout the city. I am deeply impressed with the dedicated personnel we have here, including our sergeants, deputies, community service officers, professional staff and our senior volunteers

known as RSVPs. What makes us unique is that the city has maintained a hometown feel while continuing to provide a full-service substation.

First, I would like to thank all of the city’s Lt. Paul D’Auria employees who treat us as one of their own. We have enjoyed consistent support from the City Council and City Manager George Scarborough.

Much of what we are able to accomplish is directly attributable to that support.

Also, thanks goes to City Treasurer and Assistant City Manager Pall Gudgeirsson for his outstanding efforts to keep the city coffers in the black in these trying economic times. Working with the other department heads has always been a team effort. I especially would like to thank City Engineer Bill Cameron, Community Development Director Jim Holloway, Ani-

mal Services Director Kim Kurtz (and the chicken story, but that’s for another time), Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Sharon Heider, City Clerk Joanne Baade, and all the other people I have worked with over the last six years. I will truly miss working with all of you.

Also, I would like to thank the residents and business owners of San Clemente for all of their support. I have especially enjoyed working with the various civic clubs including Rotary, Exchange and VFW. Their support of our deputies and staff has been greatly appreciated. I’m grateful to Orange County Human Relations, and in particular, Rose Velasquez for her efforts in helping us establish a solid relationship of trust with the Hispanic community in town.

Lastly, a big thank you is in order for the efforts of San Clemente schools and the San Clemente family of PTAs for partnering with us in the Parent Project,

Letters to the Editor DEPUTIES NEEDED AT OFF RAMP BEVERLY HANES-SIMON, San Clemente

As I was sitting here reading the weekly SC Times, I had to look twice at Larry Bell’s letter to the editor in regards to red-light runners at Avenida Pico and the Interstate-5 Freeway off ramp. It could have easily been me writing that letter. I drive from south San Clemente to Fitness 19 every day, getting off of the freeway at Pico. I pray that I am not first to turn left onto Pico from the freeway off ramp.

Almost every day someone runs that light.

I hate those red-light cameras but I would like to live a few more years and that might do the trick. I yell at my husband not to go when that light turns green for fear of being hit by a red-light runner. I San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

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.

YOU’RE INVITED!

inch out into the intersection until I am sure people have stopped. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s presence is needed there.

OLA VISTA CROSSING NEEDS SAFETY UPGRADES SANDRA WEAVER, Box Office Manager of the Cabrillo Playhouse

Character Counts and the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership program. I also want to make a special shout out to San Clemente High Principal George Duarte and to Tracy Rinauro of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, who made GRIP possible here in San Clemente.

Again, I have been honored to serve this incredible community. I think we were able to accomplish some extraordinary things together. This community knows the commitment it takes. My replacement, when selected, will be very fortunate to serve you as Chief of Police Services, and I wish the next chief the best. I hope you’ll roll out the welcome mat and continue our great partnership that has helped to maintain our high quality of life and ensure it stays safe, healthy and strong. SC

On Tuesday, March 6, I attended the City Council meeting for the purpose of speaking in favor of a four-way stop on the corner of Ola Vista and Avenida Cabrillo.

The presentation given by staff showed a clear need for this four-way stop. I spoke in favor of it with regard to pedestrian safety, especially since the Cabrillo Playhouse

is on that corner, and playgoers need to cross that street late in the evening after a play. Mayor Jim Evert also stressed the pedestrian issue. The vote was 3 to 2 in opposition to the stop.

I am outraged and disappointed in the three council members who voted against the four-way stop. Their arguments were based on the fact that there had been very few accidents at that corner. Do we wait until someone is seriously injured or killed to fix a problem? Councilman Bob Baker couldn’t take his eyes off the foliage on the property of Always Inn, which he saw as the perfect solution to the visibility problem. When Mayor Evert suggested the problem was not visibility, but cars coming down the hill from the

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8 a.m. Friday, March 16 at Café Calypso Please join us the first and third Friday of every month for our open community forum.

other direction, there was applause from the audience. Evidently some of those attending the meeting get it. Councilman Tim Brown suggested that if there were to be a four-way stop, cars coming down the hill wouldn’t expect it, and there would be rear-end accidents. Cars coming down that hill are traveling rapidly and without a four-way stop, the possibility of a collision www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX WAVELENGTHS: By Jim Kempton

Cuisines of the World: Five Achieve Greatness

Can You Guess Which Ones They Are – and Why?

I

f you are one of the 14 people in Orange County who isn’t a foodie, then this article is probably not for you. But for the rest of our most affluent and frenetic So Cal population, here are the agreed upon great cuisines based on uniqueness, influence, range and quality. Try to guess them before you read.

Chinese: With so many styles and so many regional derivations, it is almost a world of its own. Cantonese dumplings, Szechuan peppers, Mongolian spiced beef, Hunan black bean sauce, Beijing duck, cooked with techniques ranging from stir fry, Shanghai braising, barbecue, flash deep-fried and stew pot. Coupled with the most magnificent array of subtle sauces, you have perhaps the globe’s most varied menu.

French: A chef that doesn’t use techniques from the French culinary canon is like a mechanic who has never worked on a V8 engine. French cooking has had such a wide-ranging gastronomic influence that great food from a host of other countries has incorporated France’s recipes and techniques. Russian, Northern Italian, Tahitian, Moroccan, East African and even Mexican cooking owes some of its most memorable recipes to the French.

Indian: Some people are surprised by this, but they shouldn’t be. A subcontinent of spices, India brought Mogul lamb, Dravidian vegetables, Madras curries, Kashmir tandoori and Tamil tikka. Beyond curry, Indian cuisine offers a myriad other spices and ingredients. Like the French, India has influenced every culture with its dazzling array of styles and sub-genres.

Italian: Pasta may be well known, but there are at least 30 different shapes, 100 different sizes and an infinite number of toppings to go along with this most satisfy-

WAVELENGTHS

By Jim Kempton

ing of starches. Throw in pizza, risotto, prosciutto, pesto and calamari, and it’s pretty darn hard to beat the flavors — from Sicily to Lombard, Puglia to Emilia-Romagna and from Venice to Tuscany.

Humble sometimes but as irresistible as Sophia

Loren.

Mexican: Its vast array of New World foods created a revolution back in the Old World. And the amazing flavor combinations and unique recipes are in a class of their own. Incorporating Spanish staples with indigenous ingredients like peppers, corn, chocolate, chile, tequila, vanilla, avocado, squash and papaya, Mexicans developed one of the unique — and delicious — cuisines on the planet. Perhaps no culinary tradition has more dishes.

Good ol’ USA: A sixth culinary champion has entered the pantheon. Despite its reliance on a enormous range of ethnic contributions, fusion cooking (invented here) has developed a whole new tradition of taste treatments. American chefs have so reinvented the genre of food preparation, cooking and presentation it has revolutionized the way humans experience eating.

Let the debates begin.

Jim Kempton is a writer and eater of all kinds of food. More an omnivorous sampler than a true gourmand, he has none-the-less tasted authentic culinary fare in more than 35 countries and not only enjoyed the experience but lived to tell about it. SC 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 (cont.) with a pedestrian’s rear end is very real.

That is why the stop is so necessary.

While Councilmen Jim Dahl and Evert are patrons of the Cabrillo and have firsthand knowledge of the situation, I have never seen the other three council members at one of our plays.

There is no curbing indicating that there even might be pedestrians crossing there.

I don’t know how or if a council vote can be overturned, but if it cannot, may I suggest that at the very least the city put a crosswalk marking, indicating pedestrian right of way?

Or maybe a sign indicating “pedestrian crossing” as they do in school zones?

Certainly there must be a way to make that crossing safer before someone gets killed.

San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG YVETTE SANVILLE, San Clemente

Thanks a heap, City Council, for not even giving the dog beach an opportunity to succeed or a second glance if even for a trial period. I have been waiting for a dog beach for 33 years and thought this was as-bestof chance that we’ve ever had. And listen up, dog owners, the lack of a dog beach is all about poop — your dog’s poop. Pick up after your dogs. You give all dog owners a bad rap and now no dog beach because of your shameful disregard for cleaning up after your dogs. Thanks a heap.

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, email us at letters@sanclementetimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

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GETTING OUT

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

SC S a n C le m e n te

AT THE CABRILLO: ‘PROOF’ IS IN THE PUDDING The Chicago-based drama Proof finishes its run at the Cabrillo Playhouse March 15 to March 18. The drama centers on Catherine, who cared for her ailing father Robert, a mathematical genius and professor at the University of Chicago. Played by San Clemente’s Jennifer Whitney, Catherine must find her way in the aftermath of her father’s death and in her relationship with ex-graduate student Hal. Proof also marks the directorial debut of 24-year-old Paul Breazeale, who holds a theatre degree and teaches at St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel. Emily Lappi, 18, plays Claire, the 28-year-old sister of Catherine. Claire is an upwardly mobile middle-class woman and overbearing towards her younger sister. Adam Reeves takes on the role of Hal, the confident grad student with a romantic eye towards Catherine. The Massachusetts transplant embraced the local theatre scene, appearing the Cabrillo’s production of Run For Your Wife. Balancing out the cast is Patrick Radoci, a veteran of the Cabrillo. Radoci plays the mathematician Robert. “Patrick is an incredibly hard and dedicated worker,” Breazeale said in a news release. “Onstage he is like a rubber band, molding his body and words to the needs of the play, a truly powerful performance.” Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 15, Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. For more information, visit www.cabrilloplayhouse.org. SC

THE LIST

saturday

thursday

COMEDY NIGHT FEATURING FRITZ COLEMAN 7:30 p.m. Funny weather man Fritz Coleman makes a return performance to the McKinney stage with special guests Tom Ogden and Tony Russell, in McKinney Theater at Saddleback College. Tickets $25. 28000 Marguerite Pkwy., Mission Viejo, 949.582.4656, www.saddleback. edu/arts.

A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

MILITARY PERSONNEL PIZZA SPECIAL All military personnel with valid ID will get a free pizza at Selma’s Pizza during the week of March 19 as a “thanks to our friends in the military.” 218 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.276.2828, www.selmaspizza.com.

15

SCHS CHOIR SPRING CONCERT 7 p.m. An evening of classical music by San Clemente High School choir students in the Triton Center. Tickets $5. 700 E. Avenida Pico, San Clemente.

LA JONES 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

friday

LAURENCE JUBER 7:30 p.m.

Two-time Grammy winner and former Wings lead guitar player performs for the Lord of the Strings concert series at the DP Community House. Tickets $25. 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point, 949.842.2227, www.lordofthestringsconcerts.com.

16

SURFING HERITAGE SALE 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Surfing Heritage is liquidating its inventory in a sale featuring clothing, swimwear DVDs, and much more. Held on Saturday too. 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, 949.388.0313, www.surfingheritage.org.

PROOF 7 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse presents the drama with shows through March 18. $20. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

ART IN BLOOM EXHIBIT 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mission Fine Art Gallery presents a special one-week exhibition with floral-themed paintings. 31760 Camino Capistrano, Suite C, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.6923, www.susanjarecky.com.

DIRTY PINTS 10 p.m. Live music at Molly Blooms Irish Bar & Restaurant. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com.

San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

17

NEON NATION 10 p.m. OC Tavern presents the ‘80s cover band in The OCT Room. No cover. 2369 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.542.8877, www.octavern.com.

TEEPEE MAKING CRAFT 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Special event during The Ecology Center’s exhibition featuring sustainable household products, a play area and learning space for children, and more. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

POXY BOGGARDS 8 p.m. Concert at the Coach House.

Tickets $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

CHRIS CRAM 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Live music at Wind and Sea Restaurant. 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com SONIC PARK 9 p.m. Live music at Goody’s Tavern.

206 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.3400, www.goodystavern.com.

sunday

SIERRA SAGE/WILDFLOWER WALK 9 a.m. Join the Sierra Sage chapter of the Sierra Club to search for wildflowers and more at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Cost $5-$10. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

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LOCAL SUNDAY SESSIONS 6 p.m. Event at Cabrillo Playhouse featuring locals Todd A., David Dewese, and Allen Morris. $5. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.facebook.com/localsundaysessions.

WYLAND ART LESSONS IN THE WILD 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Special art event by Dana Wharf aboard the Ocean Adventure Catamaran. Cost $29-$59. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

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OVERVUE HAPPY HOUR 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. Specials at the OverVue Lounge at Laguna Cliffs Marriott. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.661.5000, www.lagunacliffs.com.

JAZZ BRUNCH 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Live music by Tom Morey during brunch at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

monday

ST. JOSEPH’S DAY & RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS CELEBRATION 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Celebration at the Mission marking the return of the swallows with live music, guest speakers and more. Cost $5-$10. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

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MONDAY NIGHT LAUGHS 9 p.m.-11 p.m. Live stand-up comedy at Hennessey’s Tavern. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, 949.488.0121, www.hennesseystavern.com.

tuesday

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POUL PEDERSEN 6 p.m.9 p.m. Music at Still Water at Renaissance. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www. renaissance-danapoint.com.

RUBEN GONZALEZ 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

wednesday

16TH ANNUAL TASTE OF DANA 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Annual event held in Dana Hills High School.

Tickets $20 advance, $25 door. 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.533.0883, www.danapoint.org.

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KIDS STORYTIME AT THE CASA 10 a.m. Casa Romantica hosts free storytime for ages 3-5. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

FIESTA GRANDE 7 p.m. The party begins early at Swallow’s Inn with live music by Swing Shift and more. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com. *For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.sanclementetimes.com.

Have an event?

Send your listing to events@sanclementetimes.com www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

4

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

SC

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:

SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION

S a n C le m e n te

See today’s solution in next week’s issue.

LIFE’S A BEACH: By Shelley Murphy

Springtime Rituals Include College Basketball Action March Madness Simplified by an Easy Question

M

arch marks the transition from winter to spring; and, the shift in seasons affects everything from fashion trends to spectator sports.

We swap socks for sandals, as our clocks spring ahead with the arrival of daylight saving time—losing that precious hour of sleep but gaining extra hours of daylight.

The longer days and warmer weather lure local hibernators from their winter cocoons to outdoor spring celebrations like this month’s Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano and the Festival of Whales in Dana Point.

However, one of our nation’s most popular March pastimes has nothing to do with the mild climate and migratory animals, instead it centers on indoor arenas and collegiate mascots.

The 2012 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament officially kicked off on March 11 with Selection Sunday and it cumulates on April 2 with the national championship game in New Orleans.

Every March, the collegiate tourna-

ment and its traditional bracketology triggers mass mania for millions of Americans. Simplified, bracketology is the process of picking the winning basketball team in the annual March MadLIFE’S A BEACH ness tournament.

By Shelley Murphy I grew up caught in the midst of March Madness. My parents were, and still are, UCLA Bruin fanatics. Lest you think I exaggerate, my mother’s personalized license plate on her car is from 1972 and its original blue background and gold lettering reads BRUINS. As a kid, I remember routine rituals coming to a halt in March so we could crowd around the television in the living room to cheer on Coach Wooden and his UCLA basketball team. While head coach at UCLA, John Wooden won a historic 10 NCAA men’s national championships in 12 years— a record that still stands strong today.

Thousands of miles from the Bruins’ home court of Pauley Pavilion, President

Obama even schedules time to complete his basketball brackets, and his picks get posted on the White House website.

The March Madness brackets start with a field of 68 seeded teams ranked by region, and the winners of each game — or bracket — advance to the next round of play. Losing teams are eliminated and the field of winning teams narrows, earning them noble nicknames like the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight and Final Four.

I only hope President Obama doesn’t spend as much time as my husband does on this pop culture pastime of bracketology. My husband squanders the weeks before the tournament fastidiously studying statistics, reading scouting reports and sweating over his Final Four forecast.

Sadly, his laborious efforts remain in vain; in 15 years he’s never won the office pool.

I, on the other hand, opt for luck over skill and invest about five minutes in my bracketology. And, yes it’s true, I haven’t won the pool either—but, I’ve also haven’t spent weeks of my life poring over analytical college basketball data.

For the curious, I’ll share the secret system I developed to determine the winner of the Big Dance. (Keep in mind, I’m still waiting for my strategy to pay off and predict that Cinderella team victory.)

When the NCAA first round brackets are announced on Selection Sunday, I begin picking the winning teams by asking myself a simple question about each pairing: Which city would I rather visit? For example, Connecticut Huskies versus Cincinnati Bears? Simple: Connecticut. Agreed, my approach lacks scientific statistical support, but based on my husband’s record, I think my chances of winning the pool are equally as good as his—if not better.

More importantly, my system provides me with plenty of time to study the serious seasonal transitions like springtime’s latest shoes, handbags and accessories. SC PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are those of the guest columnist and may or may not be shared by the San Clemente Times staff. We appreciate their willingness to share their views, and we invite responses to be sent to letters@sanclementetimes.com.

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SC S a n C le m e n te

Triton Report

By David Zimmerle

BASEBALL • The Tritons (3-2) picked up action in the Loara Tournament on March 3, losing 11-1 to Cypress.

The team next faced El Dorado on March 6 and suffered a 6-0 shutout. However, San Clemente bounced back with a 9-5 win against Villa Park March 8 before closing out the tournament March 10 with a commanding 8-1 win against Downey High.

San Clemente went on to face Aliso Niguel in a doubleheader at home on March 12 before taking on Highly High on March 15.

Next 7 days: March 16 at *Dana Hills, 3:15 p.m.; March 23 at *Tesoro, 3:15 p.m.

SOFTBALL • The Lady Tritons (0-4) wrapped up the Foothill Tournament winless, losing 4-0 to Rosary March 3 before suffering a 6-2 heartbreaker to Los Alamitos High that same day. The team next lost to Huntington Beach 11-3 March 8. Lauren Delgadillo led the team with 2 RBIs while Lauren Kane went 2-for-3 with an RBI, run scored, a double and a home run. Summer Secrest (0-3) took the loss from the pitching circle. The team then went on to compete at the Saddleback Valley Tournament at Alicia Park March 12-16.

Next 7 days: March 22 at El Toro, 3:30 p.m.

GOLF • The Tritons (1-1-1) rolled past Laguna Beach 187-233 March 6. Tommy Roy and Sammy Schwartz medaled on the round with even 35 scores. The team then competed against Corona del Mar March 8 and tied 191-191. But the Sea Kings’ sixth player shot a 41 while San Clemente’s shot a 44, forcing the Triton’s loss on a tiebreaker. The Tritons went on to face Capo Valley at Talega on March 15.

Next 7 days: March 19 at Estancia Tourney at Mesa Verde CC, 11:45 a.m.; March 20 vs. *Dana Hills at El Niguel CC, 2:30 p.m.; March 22 vs. *Dana Hills at Bella Collina, 2:15 p.m.

BOYS LACROSSE • The Tritons (3-1) dropped a heartbreaker to Los Alamitos March 6, losing by the final score of 7-6 after blowing leads of 4-0 and 6-3. But the team regained some steam in a 17-2 rout of Capo Valley March 10. Senior attackman Jay Kassity led the charge with a four-goal, eight-assist afternoon while sophomore Peyton Garrett added five goals and one assist and junior Robbie San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

5 BEST BETS BASEBALL

BASKETBALL

TRACK AND FIELD

BOYS LACROSSE

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Tritons vs. Dolphins, Dana Hills High

T-Wolves vs. Lakers, Staples Center

Triton Invitational, San Clemente High

Hawks vs. Tritons, San Clemente High

March 16, 3:15 p.m.

March 16, 7:30 p.m.

March 17, TBA

Chargers vs.

Tritons, San Clemente High

Head out to the baseball diamond at Dana Hills High as cross-town rivals square off in a South Coast League opener.

After sprinting through two games on the road, the Lakers regroup at home for a showdown with Minnesota.

Info: www.sctritons.com

Info: www.nba.com/lakers

Spend your Saturday at the high school track as the Tritons host an annual event that draws schools from all over the county.

Info: www.sctritons.com

Burns had four goals and two assists. Also scoring goals were Jordan Riggs (2), Aaron Self and Lucas Anderson.

Thomas Ahola had five saves in goal. Defenseman Dakota Ruiz had six ground balls and one takeaway to lead the defensive effort. San Clemente then went on to face St. Margaret March 13 before hosting Mount St. Joseph March 15.

Next 7 days: March 20 vs. *El Toro, 5:30 p.m.; March 22 at La Costa Canyon, 5:30 p.m.

GIRLS LACROSSE • The Lady Tritons (1-2) made it two straight losses to start the season after suffering a 16-8 defeat to Capo Valley on March 6. However, the team went on to edge St. Margaret 9-7 in front of their home crowd on March 8. The girls then hosted San Juan Hills March 15.

Next 7 days: March 17 at LA-OC Shootout at Laguna Hills, TBA; March 20 vs. *El Toro at Serrano M.S., 4:15 p.m.

BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD • The boys and girls varsity teams competed at the Irvine Invitational March 10. Herbert Gamboa took third in the 100 with a time of 11.13 and seventh in the 200. Robert Casler finished ninth in the 110-meter hurdles. Ryan Lynn took fi fth in the long jump and fourth in the triple jump. Quaid Vuncannon took second in the discus. For the girls, Tanaz Norian finished 10th in the 100 while Kyleigh Brown took 11th. Norian also finished sixth in the 200. Jessica Erickson finished seventh in the 400 and Brittney Thornton finished fourth in the 100 hurdles and sixth in the 300 hurdles. The 400-relay team finished in third, and Christina Bagan took sixth in pole vault.

Both levels went on to face El Toro at home on March 15.

Next 7 days: March 17 at Triton Invitational at San Clemente, TBA BOYS TENNIS • The Tritons (3-1) rolled to an 11-7 win against Fountain Valley before losing 11-7 to Irvine on March 1. The team then hit the road and defeated Tesoro 13-5 March 5 before heading home and beating Mater Dei 10-8 March 7. Singles play was led by Nic Valko and Ryan Mariano, while doubles play has been led by Kevin Mariano, Kevin Stanley, Billy Whitaker and Matt Greenberg. Against the Monarchs, the doubles team of Whitaker and Greenberg was the only team to sweep all matches.

San Clemente then faced Laguna Beach March 9, hosted Laguna Hills March 12, faced Capo Valley on March 13 and then traveled to take on Huntington Beach on March 15.

Next 7 days: March 20 at *Trabuco Hills, 3 p.m.; March 22 vs. *Dana Hills, 3 p.m.

Page 16

March 20, 5:30 p.m.

The Tritons kick start South Coast League play with a hard-hitting game against the Chargers of El Toro High.

March 20, 6:15 p.m.

The hardwood court at the high school gym is where it’s at as San Clemente faces Laguna Hills in South Coast League action.

Info: www.sctritons.com

Info: www.sctritons.com

SCOR E BOAR D YOUTH SOCCER AREA SOCCER PLAYERS PUNCH TICKET FOR TRIP TO BARCELONA San Clemente soccer players Benjamin Giacobello, Blake Bowen, Tristan Weber and K.C. Smith were recently selected by Los Angeles-based Barcelona USA to attend a 10-day trip to Barcelona, Spain from March 24 to April 2, and partake in FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou. The boys earned the opportunity through their hard work, natural ability, love of the game and support from their community, family and coaches. They will be joined by teammate Coby Isaoglu from Foothill Ranch and five additional players from top clubs in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The four players play for United Futbol Club coached by Joshua Stringer.

San Clemente’s (from left) K.C. Smith, Benjamin Giacobello, Tristan Weber and Blake Bowen were selected to attend a 10-day soccer trip in Barcelona, Spain. Their coach is Joshua Stringer.

Courtesy photo We want to run your scores, results and announcements in “Scoreboard.”

E-mail sports@sanclementetimes.com, fax 949.388.9977, mail or drop off the information to us at 34932 Calle del Sol, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 by Monday at 5 p.m.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL • The Tritons (8-2) took on Edison on March 6 and beat the Chargers 3-0 before besting Trabuco Hills 3-0 March 8. At the Best of the West Tournament March 9-10 at Poway High, they picked up 2-1 wins against Granite Bay and Kamehameha before losing 2-0 to Huntington to close out play March 9. The team then rolled to two more victories, against Westview and St. John Bosco March 10 before closing out action at the tournament with a 2-0 loss to Servite. The Tritons next traveled to face Laguna Beach on March 14 before hosting Capo Valley March 15.

Next 7 days: March 20 vs. *Laguna Hills, 6:15 p.m.; March 22 at San Juan Hills, 6:15 p.m. www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

The only directory featuring San Clemente businesses exclusively ACCOUNTANTS Craig Workinger CPA’s Inc 629 Camino de Los Mares #307

CHOCOLATE/CANDY COINS

AIR CONDITIONING All Season Air 949.579.0741 allseasonair@gmail.com, www.allseasonair.net Oasis Heating & Air 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

APPLIANCES South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com

949.492.5589

APPLIANCES SERVICES & REPAIRS

GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

949.350.4692 Kevin

BEAUTY SUPPLY

CONTRACTORS - GENERAL

DENTISTS

DRYWALL/DRYWALL REPAIR 949.498.9515 Call Jeff johnson4sc@cox.net

BOOKS

949.683.4972

ELECTRICAL

949.361.1045 949.492.1114 Arcadia Electric www.arcadiaelectric.com Gallagher Electric 949.412.6602 BUSINESS COMPUTER SERVICE, REPAIR P.O. Box 986, www.gallagher-electric.com

Village Book Exchange 99 Avenida Serra

OC - IT 949.488.0029 970 Calle Negocio, www.oc-it.com

CARPET

ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE, TRUST Lange & Minnott 1201 Puerta Del Sol, Ste. 203

949.492.3459

Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION 638 Camino de los Mares, Ste. G-105, Red Point Digital 801.573.2370 www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com Shaw’s Carpets 949.492.8070 www.redpointdigital.com 135 Avenida Victoria FINANCIAL ADVISOR

CARPET & FLOORING

Anaheim Carpet & Flooring 949.366.6564 1046 Calle Recodo, Ste. I, www.anaheimcarpet.net

CATERING Carbonara Trattoria 949.366.1040 111 Avenida Del Mar, #B, www.carbonara.com

CHEESE SHOP

Timothy C. Metcalf, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC www.wfadvisors.com/tim.metcalf 949.862.1250

FLOORING Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 638 Camino de los Mares, Ste. G -105, www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 The Cellar 949.492.3663 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com 156 Ave. Del Mar, www.thecellarsite.com

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

HOME DÉCOR

CONCRETE Coldwell Banker Home Loans 949.307.7982 Costa Verde Landscape 949.361.9656 nmls#261832. Tom Fashing, Mortgage Advisor, License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) www.costaverdelandscaping.com tom.fashing@mortgagefamily.com

949.493.9311 949.492.8180 Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, www.drericjohnson.com

BLINDS San Clemente Window Fashions www.sc-wf.com

All Season Air 949.579.0741 allseasonair@gmail.com, www.allseasonair.net Oasis Heating & Air 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

San Clemente Optometry, David J. Nota, OD 224 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.2029 www.sanclementeoptometry.com Seaside Eyecare 949.493.2269 638 Camino De Los Mares, #A120, www.seasideeyecare.com

COMPUTER REPAIR & SERVICES South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 ORTHODONTIST 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com San Clemente Computer & Network Services Frank J. Mogavero, DDS MS 949.493.7300 daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581 HOME LOANS 1031 Avenida Pico # 101, www.syncyoursmile.com

ASAP Appliance Service 949.361.7713 B Construction 949.481.8444 3200 Legendario, www.asapapplianceservice.com 1046 Calle Recodo, Ste. I, www.bconstruction.net The Cooper Company General Contractor ART GALLERIES License #B 638754, 949.361.2538 San Clemente Art Association 949.492.7175 www.biffcooperconstruction.com 100 N. Calle Seville, www.scartgallery.com Dunham Construction, Inc. 949.492.7100 License #450880, www.dunhamconstruction.net AUTO WRECKING Hutton Construction 949.492.2808 San Clemente Auto Wrecking & Repair Shop www.brucehuttonconstruction.com 1520 Avenida de la Estrella, Ste. B, 949.492.6121 COSMETICS www.sanclementeautowrecking.com AVON 949.370.0433 BABY & CHILDREN’S GEAR Annie Kyle, www.youravon.com/anniekyle OC Tykes 949.429.1714 Mary Kay Cosmetics 949.248.2868 201 N. El Camino Real, www.octykes.com www.marykay.com/madams2 Del Mar Beauty Supply 150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste D, www.delmarbeauty.com

OPTOMETRY

HEATING

949.369.1052 949.218.3224 Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 99 Avenida Del Mar, www.schmidschocolate.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Images/Creative Solutions 949.366.2488 Dr. R. Tyler Johnson DC, Chiropractic Center 2927 Via San Gorgoinio, Ste. 100, www.imgs.com 1502 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.6440 HAIR SALONS www.chiropracticcenteronline.com Christiansen Chiropractic 949.276.2956 Kreative Hair Design 949.498.6245 903 Calle Amancer, Ste. 230, www.christiansenchiro.com 173 Avenida Serra

HOUSE SITTING

PAINTING KC Painting & Decorating

949.388.6829

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Curbside Pet & House Sitting 949.369.5074 San Clemente, dalmatian.love@cox.net

INTERIOR DECORATING & REDESIGN

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

PEST CONTROL

The Home & Garden Stylist/ 949.218.8022 Colony Termite Control 949.361.2500 Vignettes of Refinement 1402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com San Clemente, www.vignettesofrefinement.com

PET SITTING

JEWELERS

Curbside Pet & House Sitting 949.369.5074 Paradise Jewelers 949.361.4367 San Clemente, dalmatian.love@cox.net 808 N. El Camino Real, www.paradisejewelers.com

LANDSCAPE & DESIGN

PHARMACIES

Sea View Pharmacy 949.361.9656 665 Camino De Los Mares #101, www.seaviewpharmacy.com

Costa Verde Landscape License#: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) www.costaverdelandscaping.com Greenscapes Landscape & Design 949.366.6564 1046 Calle Recodo, Ste. I, www.greenscapesoc.com

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING Costa Verde Landscape License#: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) www.costaverdelandscaping.com

949.361.9656

MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY Janet M. Seymour, PsyD 1443 N. El Camino Real, Ste. B

949.633.0813

949.496.0123

PHOTOGRAPHY Memories Of Me Photos www.memoriesofmephotos.com

949.361.0680

PIZZA Izza Neapolitan Pizzeria 949.248.4925 376 Camino de Estrella, www.izzapizzeria.com

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 1218 Puerta del Sol, www.atozleakdetection.com MATTRESSES Bill Metzger Plumbing 949.492.3558 South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 1218 Puerta del Sol, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com 949.496.9731 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com Chick’s Plumbing www.chicks-plumbing.com MOLD REMOVAL San Clemente Plumbing 949.366.2691 Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.5388 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 108, 1393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com www.sanclementeplumbing.com

MORTGAGES

POOL/SPA SERVICE & REPAIR

Brian Wiechman, 949.533.9209 Radiant Pool & Spa Service www.radiantpoolservice.com V.I.P. Independent Mortgage Inc. www.vipmtginc.com/team/brianwiechman

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

PRESCHOOLS

San Clemente Preschool SC Rider Supply 949.388.0521 163 Avenida Victoria 520 S. El Camino Real, www.scridersupply.com

MUSIC LESSONS Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556 www.danmans.com Leslie Lowe - Ukulele, Guitar 949.292.5019 & Bass leslielowe82@gmail.com Janet Poth - Violin & Viola 949.922.6388 413 Calle Pueblo, janpoth@aol.com

949.290.5616

949.498.1025

PRINTING

Printing OC 949.388.4888 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

PSYCHOLOGISTS

Barbara M. Thomas, PsyD 949.547.0833 655 Camino de Los Mares, Ste. 117 Janet M. Seymour, PsyD 949.633.0813 1443 N. El Camino Real, Ste. B OFFICE FURNITURE Manny Tau, Psy.D., PSY14892 888.949.5150 South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 300 S. El Camino Real, Ste. 218, www.drtau.com (Cont.)

109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com

REAL ESTATE Antonio Fiorello, Forté Realty Group 949.842.3631 San Clemente, www.forterealtygroup.com Casa Verde Homes - Simon Wilson 949.212.5800 www.casaverdehomes.com Century 21 OMA - Eric Benson 949.584.3751 www.sanclementecoastalhomes.com Marcie George - Star Real Estate South County marciegeorge@cox.net 949.690.5410 McDaniel Gilmore Group - Surterre Properties www.livetalega.com 949.464.3226 Prue Putnins- Regency Real Estate 949.366.1984 www.TheTalegaTeam.com, www.HomesByPrue.com “Sandy & Rich” - ReMax www.sandyandrich.com 949.293.3236

REMODEL Casa Verde Homes 949.212.5800 License #B 906391, www.casaverderenovation.com Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 638 Camino de los Mare, Ste. G-105, www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com

RESTAURANTS

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@sanclementetimes.com.

TATTOO STUDIO & PERMANENT MAKEUP Highland Ink 949.481.4434 1006 S. El Camino Real, www.highlandink.us

TERMITES Colony Termite Control 949.361.2500 1402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com The Termite Guy 949.940.1010 106 W. Canada Ave., www.877termite.com

TILE & STONE INSTALLATION/RESTORATION Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc. www.yorbalindatilemarble.com

949.492.8719

VETERINARIANS

Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital 949.429.1555 Salon Bleu 949.366.2060 1242 Puerta Del Sol, www.pacificcoastveterinary.com 207 S. El Camino Real, www.scsalonbleu.com Sanctuary Salon & Spa 949.429.5802 WATER DAMAGE 1041 Avenida Pico, Ste. B, www.sanctuarytalega.com Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.5388 1393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

SCREENS

WATER WISE IRRIGATION Café Calypso 949.366.9386 Sure-Fit Screens 949.498.9412 114 Avenida Del Mar #4 Costa Verde Landscape 949.361.9656 www.surefitscreens.com Carbonara Trattoria 949.366.1040 License#: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 111 Avenida Del Mar, #B, www.carbonara.com www.costaverdelandscaping.com SECOND HAND/THRIFT SHOP The Cellar 949.492.3663 South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 156 Ave. Del Mar, www.thecellarsite.com 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com The Bargain Box 949.492.2800 ROOFING CONTRACTORS 526 N. El Camino Real, Jim Thomas Roofing 949.498.6204 www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org 162 Calle de Industrias RUNNING STORE Run More 949.940.0408 303 N. El Camino Real, www.runmore-ca.com

SALONS

SKINCARE A Beautiful You Skin Care 949.370.1852 1502 N. El Camino Real, www.abeautifulyouoc.com

SURF SCHOOLS

San Clemente Surf School Salon Bamboo 949.361.3348 www.sanclementesurflessons.com 150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, www.salonbamboo.com

949.334.7649

WEBSITE DESIGN San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345 www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW CLEANING

949.276.5752 Bayside Window Cleaning 714.757.3490 www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

VACUUMS, SERVICE & REPAIR Best Blinds & Vacuums 73 Via Pico Plaza

TUTORING Study with Stacy 949.632.1176 www.studywithstacy.com Tutor Toes 949.429.6222 111 W. Avenida Palizada, Ste. 11, www.tutortoes.com

949.290.8230

WINDOW COVERINGS Best Blinds & Vacuums 949.492.8719 73 Via Pico Plaza Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 638 Camino de los Mare, Ste. G-105, www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com San Clemente Window Fashions 949.498.9515 www.sc-wf.com

WINE BAR The Cellar 949.492.3663 156 Ave. Del Mar, www.thecellarsite.com

WINE SHOP & WINE TASTING San Clemente Wine Company 949.429.7076 212 ½ Avenida Del Mar, www.scwinecompany.com

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GET YOUR BUSINESS LISTED TODAY.

Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@sanclementetimes.com.

SC BUSINESS DIRECTORY te Sa n Cl em en

O B ITU ARY

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.sanclementetimes.com

GARAGE SALES HUGE RUMMAGE SALE!! LOTS OF STUFF!! 3/17 NCL Monarch Chapter@ San Clemente Presbyterian Church 119 North Avenida De la Estrella, SC 8:30AM – 2PM

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your listing: info@sanclementetimes.com.

DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY NO PHONE CALLS.

MEDICAL/HEALTH SERVICES $30 ONE HOUR THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE The Soul Intention, LLC., is located in the heart of downtown San Clemente on Avenida Del Mar. We specialize in Therapeutic Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Reiki and other holistic services. The $30 one hour Massage is for first time clients only! Please visit us at: www. thesoulintention.com for more details.

San Clemente Times March 15–21, 2012

Sean Michael Kelley Sean Michael Kelley, 44, a devoted husband, faithful father, loving brother, son, friend and proud Irishman, died on February 12, 2012.

Sean was the oldest of three boys, born to Tom and Kaye Kelley. He grew up in Pacific Palisades and attended Corpus Christi Church Elementary School, Loyola High School and he graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Colorado. Sean was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

He married the love of his life, Judith Meyerhofer, and they enjoyed 17 years in a union full of love and laughter with friends and family. Their son, Ryan, 16, is a sophomore at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano. Together, the family traveled, enjoyed water sports, skiing, music and food. He also leaves behind his parents, Tom and Kaye; two brothers Tom (wife Liz) and Scott (wife Julie); nieces Ava, Kathleen, Brigid, and Lauren; nephews Patrick, Jack, Christopher, Tyler, Kurt and Justin; mother-

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in-law Pauline; brothers-in-law Mark (wife Andrea) and Eric (wife Jill); sister-in-law Nadine (husband Bret); and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

A fantastic and creative cook, Sean enjoyed entertaining family and friends on the deck of his San Clemente home, with an arresting view of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Sean’s wicked sense of humor ignited laughter, while his generosity, loyalty and sincerity melted hearts. With intelligence and a broad interest in a variety of subjects, Sean was never at a loss in conversation and he gave his full attention while listening to others.

Sean was a Director at New York Life, where he focused on retirement plan originations.

Services were held on February 18 in San Clemente. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund for Sean’s son, Ryan, has been established. For donations, please reference Sean Kelley’s obituary through Fairhaven Memorial Services, Mission Viejo at fairhavenmemorialservies.com.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SURF

6

GROM OF THE WEEK Meg Roh

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

SC S a n C le m e n te

Age: 13, Dana Point Meg Roh lives in Dana Point, attends Ladera Ranch Middle School and surfs for the Marco Forster surf team. Her team took fourth at the NSSA Interscholastic State Championships March 9-11 in Huntington Beach. The same weekend Meg took fourth in Girls Longboard at the SSS event March 10, again in HB, and is currently ranked No. 4. Her string of podium appearances began this month at the March 3 WSA contest at Salt Creek Beach where she took second in Girls U14 Longboard and is currently the No. 3 rated surfer in the division. In school Meg maintains a 4.0 GPA, is a member of ASB student government and does peer tutoring. She has her sights set on attending Pepperdine University, both for the Malibu location and because she wants to study business. In her free time she also Meg Roh. Photo by Madi Swayne enjoys swim team and practicing yoga with her mom. Always appreciative and humble, Meg made a point to thank her dad, mom and stepdad for their support and teaching her how to surf. The March 3 WSA contest was Meg’s 277th consecutive day of surfing. June 1 will mark 365 days in a row but she doesn’t intend to stop there. “I want to surf every day for as long as I can,” Meg said. “I feel free and happy when I’m surfing and very at home in the water. It’s like a part of me now.” —Andrea Swayne

SC Schools Dominate at State

San Clemente High School and Shorecliffs Middle School win fourth straight NSSA interscholastic state titles

SURF RESULTS NSSA High School Varsity Interscholastic State Championships, March 9-11, Huntington Beach, Pier First place and local finishers only in individual divisions. TEAM: 1. San Clemente, 101; 2.

Huntington Beach, 69; 3. Edison, 66; 4. San Dieguito, 59; 5. Carlsbad, 52; 6. Mira Costa, 46; 7. Newport Harbor, 41; 8. Marina, 25.

MEN: 1. Breyden Taylor, San Clemente; 3.

Colton Overin, San Clemente. WOMEN: 1.

Tia Blanco, San Clemente. LONGBOARD: 1.

David Arganda, Carlsbad; 3. Casey Powell, San Clemente.

San Clemente surfers (L to R) Breyden Taylor (SCHS, Varsity Men champion), Shorecliffs team members Gunner Day, Curran Dand, Kei Kobayashi, Noah Atwood, Conner Dand, Coach David Hennings, Nick Melanson and Jacob Atwood (Middle School Boys champion) ham it up at the NSSA Interscholastic State Championship awards ceremony. Photo by Savanna Melanson

By Andrea Swayne San Clemente Times

S

an Clemente High School and Shorecliffs Middle School both earned their fourth consecutive National Scholastic Surfing Association Interscholastic State Championship titles March 9 through 11 at the Huntington Beach Pier.

SCHS beat runner up Huntington Beach High by a convincing margin, 101 to 69, and produced two of the three division champi-

ons—Breyden Taylor in the Men’s division and Tia Blanco in Women’s.

Shorecliffs beat Dwyer 100 to 97. Shorecliffs standout Jacob Atwood became the Boy’s division champion, defeating Dwyer’s Jeremy Guilmette 13.26 to 9.33.

“Our kids were so focused and fired up, said San Clemente High coach John Dowell. “With only one senior on my team and all three middle schools continuing to produce talent; the future of SC surfing looks bright.” SC

NSSA Middle School Interscholastic State Championships, March 9-11, Huntington Beach, Pier First place and local finishers only in individual divisions. TEAM: 1. Shorecliffs A, 100; 2. Dwyer, 97; 3. Aviara Oaks, 68; 4. Marco Forster, 66; 5. California Virtual Academy, 65; 6. Sowers A, 55; 7. Oak Crest, 54; 8.

Bernice Ayer, 51; 9. Shorecliffs B, 42; 10. Vista Del Mar, 28; 11. Shorecliffs C, 17; 12. Sowers B, 12. BOYS: 1. Griffin Colapinto, California Virtual Academy; 2. Kei Kobayashi, Shorecliffs; 6. Conner Dand, Shorecliffs. GIRLS: 1. Julianne Hernandez, Sowers; 3. Malia Osterkamp, Vista Del Mar. LONGBOARD: 1.

Jacob Atwood, Shorecliffs; 3. Rio Donaldson, Bernice Ayer; 5. Noah Atwood, Shorecliffs; 6. Kyla Kelley, Vista Del Mar. For full results

(including college division), log on to www. sanclementetimes.com.

SSS Orange County Middle School Event No. 4, March 10, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street TEAM RESULTS: 1. Shorecliffs, 219; 2.

Bernice Ayer, 188; 3. Marco Forster, 175; 4.

Niguel Hills; 120; 5. Thurston, 79; 6. Vista del Mar, 50; 7. Don Juan Avila, 43. BOYS SHORTBOARD: 1. Danny Kenduck, Niguel Hills; 2. Kei Kobayashi, Shorecliffs; 3. Kayl Cota, Marco Forster; 4. Drew Hemnes, Bernice Ayer; 5. Gunner Day, Shorecliffs; 6. Conner Dand, Shorecliffs. BOYS LONGBOARD: 1.

Jacob Atwood, Shorecliffs; 2. Noah Atwood, Shorecliffs; 3. River Covey, Shorecliffs; 4. Rio Donaldson, Bernice Ayer; 5. Hunter Albrecht, Niguel Hills; 6. David Levy, Marco Forster.

GIRLS SHORTBOARD: 1. Malia Osterkamp, Vista del Mar; 2. Maya Harrison, Bernice Ayer; 3. Kailey Biggs, Shorecliffs; 4. Alexxa Elseewi, Bernice Ayer; 5. Maddy Kristenson, Thurston; 6. Coco Putnam, Thurston. GIRLS LONGBOARD: 1. Maya Harrison, Marco Forster; 2. Rachel Tilly, Shorecliffs; 3. Kaelen McCrackin, Shorecliffs; 4. Meg Roh, Marco Forster; 5. Gabriella McCormick, Bernice Ayer; 6. Pearl Shoemaker, Thurston. COED BODYBOARD: 1. Luke Overin, Bernice Ayer; 2. Derek Reynolds, Bernice Ayer; 3. Jaren Harrell, Shorecliffs; 4. Patrick Bishop, Marco Forster; 5. Walker Carvalho, Marco Forster; 6. Conner Dand, Shorecliffs.