February 27, 2014

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE F E B R U A RY 2 7- M A R C H 5 , 2 0 1 4

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 9

Going it Alone?

As library expansion project moves forward city considers taking over operations EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

Karen Wall, senior branch librarian of the San Clemente Library, will see construction on a refurbished library start this year.

Whether the city remains a part of the county library system, however, is now in question. Photo by Jim Shilander

www.sanclementetimes.com

TOP 5: City May Nix Plans to Move Offices to Negocio, Long-term Finances Positive

A.J. Pasquale Takes Position with UCLA Football Program

San Clemente Chamber Honors Volunteers and Businesses of the Year

EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SPORTS/PAGE 22

SC LIVING/PAGE 20

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

EYE ON SC

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City Councilman Roy Byrnes apologized last Tuesday for comparing Mayor Sam Allevato and Councilmen Larry Kramer and John Taylor to World War II dictators and the Ku Klux Klan, but he maintained his belief that they acted similarly to Adolf Hitler’s intimidation squads while countering petition gatherers trying to recall Allevato. “If I came up perhaps too emotionally or too steadfastly, then certainly you are due an apology,” Byrnes said to the three men. Although he apologized to anyone who was offended by his comparison, Byrnes also referred to Allevato and his supporters as a “goon squad” and likened them to Hitler’s brown shirts. “In my mind, it was not similar.

It was identical,” Byrnes said. “I was determined not to remain silent in the face of what I consider and what I believe was … official street intimidation by government.”

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SC S a n C le m e n te

DANA POINT

NEWS

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

In addition to widening Interstate 5 between San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano to add a high-occupancy vehicle lane, and the reconstruction of the Avenida Pico interchange, the Orange County Transportation Agency is embarking on other projects to reduce congestion, ease traffic flow and improve local roadway safety. OCTA has begun work to sync traffic signals along Antonio and Crown Valley parkways.

The project garnered approval from the OC Board of Supervisors, which includes partnerships with local cities. Work on Crown Valley Parkway will impact 30 traffic signals along 9 miles of road, from Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point to Antonio Parkway in Ladera Ranch.

New equipment will be installed in Dana Point and Laguna Niguel. The project is currently underway and is expected to cost $459,000. Log onto www.octa.net/I-5Pico for updates.

SAN CLEMENTE’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

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…City Offices?

THE LATEST: The San Clemente City Council indicated Tuesday a proposal to move municipal offices to the city’s Calle Negocio civic center complex may not be in the offing.

The city’s current arrangement, with several offices at the civic center and others at City Hall on Avenida Presidio, had been identified by previous councils as inefficient, City Building Official Mike Jorgensen said.

In 2006, he said, the council identified the possibility of moving all city offices to Negocio as the most cost effective option, due to high costs of constructing a new city hall downtown or at its current site. With the downturn in the real estate market, however, the council delayed looking to sell the current city hall in 2010. The proceeds of that sale would have been used for retrofitting the Negocio building, which would need to have space for council chambers and San Clemente Police Services.

WHAT’S NEXT: Council members asked city staff to examine whether changes need to be made to the current arrangement.

Staff was also asked to explore other possible alternatives, such as finding a separate facility for San Clemente Police Services or renting just the city office spaces at the current city hall.

Jorgensen said even if the city maintains its current set-up in the two facilities, both will still likely need upgrades. City Hall was especially in need, he said, since the city had put off some maintenance work due to the plan to leave the building.

FIND OUT MORE: For more on the story, visit www.sanclementetimes.com.

– Jim Shilander

San Clemente Times February 27-March 5, 2014

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…Long-term City Finances?

THE LATEST: The City Council met Tuesday to get a 1,000-foot view of the city’s finances, where some challenges and opportunities are ahead.

The city is currently projecting continued steady growth in the its tax base, not factoring in revenues that would come once the Outlets at San Clemente open, city Finance Manager Judi Vincent said.

Such growth was preferable to large spikes in revenue, she said, since it could be more easily counted upon to happen again in the future.

WHAT’S NEXT: Upcoming challenges identified by city staff include the maintenance of Vista Hermosa Sports Park, which the city must take over in full at the end of the 2015 fiscal year, as well as continued increases in the city’s police and fire services contracts. The maintenance costs for the park are currently subsidized with funds from the sale of city-owned land across Vista Hermosa from Target.

Opportunities for growth include the potential sale of city land at Via Bellota, as well as at the corner of La Pata and Vista Hermosa.

…Sand Replenishment?

THE LATEST: City Council members seemed open to finding new ways of financing potential beach sand replenishment, including asking voters to pay into an ongoing maintenance fund, similar to the Clean Ocean Fee. Marine Safety Chief Bill Humphreys

WHAT’S NEXT: Mayor Tim Brown said he is open to asking city voters if they’d agree to tax themselves, to pay directly into a beach sand replenishment fund, since it would likely be an ongoing issue that could not be addresses solely from the city’s general fund.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates on replenishment efforts and other news, follow @S_C_Times on Twitter. – JS

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FIND OUT MORE: For more news, stay tuned to www.sanclementetimes.com. – JS

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said the city is still in the running for a potential Army Corps of Engineers project that would provide for large scale work, between Linda Lane and T Street beaches. The city currently utilizes twice-yearly sand pushing to keep up the sand supply, but Humphrey said, that does not stop the slow erosion of the beach. He said other partnerships could be undertaken, such as with the Orange County Transit Authority and San Diego County, since the erosion of San Clemente beaches help feed sand to Oceanside.

…City Water Worries?

THE LATEST: Although the state as a whole has been facing a major drought, San Clemente is likely going to be fine for the current year due to past conservation efforts, water conservation analyst Andrew Kanzler told City Council last week.

Though the city is still asking for citizens to conserve as much as possible, Kanzler said the city was likely “OK for now,” because the city had tried to find ways to expand its supplies in case of emergency. Kanzler warned, however, that some of the resources were dwindling, such as the supply from the Colorado River.

WHAT’S NEXT: Kanzler said the city will still likely have to consider raising

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water rates during its next budget season, likely coming in June, to reflect the smaller supply. The city is also planning to host “California Friendly Landscaping” training at Casa Romantica.

FIND OUT MORE: For information on the city’s water conservation programs, go to www.san-clemente.org. – JS

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…FOW Parade Closures?

THE LATEST: As the California gray whale migrates south to the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico, hundreds will similarly parade down Dana Point’s Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 1 honoring the 10,000-mile trek of one of the world’s largest mammals.

The 43rd annual Dana Point Festival of Whales opening event begins at 10 a.m., but road closures in preparation for large parade crowds will be implemented hours before, according to a city release.

From 8 a.m. to noon, PCH, from Golden Lantern north to Selva Road, will be closed to vehicular traffic. Additionally, San Juan Avenue between Violet and Golden Lantern streets will be closed.

Vehicles will not be allowed to cross the parade route on PCH during the closures. Northbound PCH motorists will be rerouted. Southbound traffic on Del Prado Avenue will continue as usual.

WHAT’S NEXT: Access to the Dana Point Harbor will be available throughout the parade, as drivers can utilize Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern. Access to Niguel Beach Terrace, Chelsea Pointe and various commercial buildings along the parade’s route will be impacted for a time.

FIND OUT MORE: Check out the official Festival of Whales event guide at www.sanclementetimes.com.

—Andrea Papagianis www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Going it Alone?

Expansion project still on track, but shape of future library services is up in the air

By Jim Shilander San Clemente Times

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he latest scheduled estimates for the city’s longdelayed library expansion indicates the project will last from April 2014 to April 2015. After Tuesday, however, the question may well be what entity will run the library when that project is complete.

The City Council voted unanimously at its long-term financial planning meeting directing staff to explore a withdrawal from the Orange County Public Library system, with the plausibility of the city running the facility on its own.

San Clemente is one of 25 Orange County cities that participates in the OCPL system. The city owns the library building itself, but contracts with the county to provide all library services.

An analysis of the city’s current library services found that San Clemente contributed $2.27 million to the county system’s $36.5 million property tax revenue, Assistant City Manager Erik Sund told the council.

However, estimated costs to actually run the library were only at $790,438. Approximately $1.17 million goes to the current system’s centralized expenses to cover things like library administration. The remaining funds, an estimated $372,583, were essentially a “donation” to the rest of the system, according to Councilwoman Lori Donchak, who serves on the Orange County Library Advisory Board. Donchak said the city had contributed about $4.3 million in such funds over the last 18 years.

“We are the largest donor to the system, on a per capita basis,” Donchak said. She noted most of the funding for the library expansion project was actually coming from the city. Developer fees paid by Talega, $646,000; Marblehead Coastal, $250,000; as well as $200,000 raised by the Friends of the Library, account for the majority of the funding. The city is also paying $625,000, which the county is currently supposed to pay back through taking on deferred maintenance costs.

Council members also asked staff to investigate cities like Mission Viejo and Newport Beach, which have their own library systems. Should the city decide to withdraw, Donchak said, it would have to make the decision by Jan. 1, 2015, so as to provide notice to the county and state.

The withdrawal process would then take six months.

Donchak said she had been examining the possibility of the city withdrawing from the county system since 2010.

“In 2010, OCPL commissioned the Davis Study which was a county report on library financing and facilities,” Donchak wrote in an email.

She said she was struck by the city’s status as the system’s largest per capita donor, as well as the branch’s age and small size, relative to the city’s size.

“The picture for San Clemente wasn’t good,” she said.

Donchak said she believes there are a number of opportunities the city could pursue if it went out on its own.

“My interest in shaping San Clemente’s library future has increased for a lot of reasons,” Donchak said. “The main ones have to do with having a vision for what our library could be.”

This includes improving library technology and meeting facilities, as well as increasing parking at the site.

Donchak said she is also intrigued by potentially being able to expand the library’s reach into different areas of San Clemente Times February 27–March 5, 2014

Friends of the Library bookstore manager Carla Lalley is hopeful for for the opportuinities that the library’s expansion will bring the book store and patrons. Photo by Jim Shilander

the city.

“With the potential money in question, we might even consider satellite libraries,” Donchak said. “A home for Historical Society archives and displays is another opportunity. It would be wonderful to begin the process by hearing what our community wants in an ideal library.”

Expansion Plans Plans to expand the library are, at least for now, still in place. That means finding a place to provide library services to San Clemente residents in the year the project is scheduled to take place in.

Carla Lalley, who manages the Friends of the Library Bookstore, said construction would force the library and bookstore to share a trailer, located on the lawn between the library and the Community Center on Avenida Del Mar. The trailer, which would be approximately 24-feet by 54-feet, would be split evenly between the library and bookstore.

“It’ll be right down the middle,” Lalley said. “We will be carrying the same types of books, but we’ll probably be a bit choosier as to what books we keep, due to the space we have.” Twenty-five cent paperbacks may not be sold for a while, she added.

The bookstore actually stopped taking donations in December, Lalley said, so as to not exacerbate the problem.

And when construction begins, donation times will be restricted, since people will have no place to drop off books.

Senior Branch Librarian Karen Wall said given the need for even limited infrastructure, the library portion of the trailer will have a “boutique collection,” during the construction.

“We will be limited to new books, rentals, maybe some DVDs and books on CD,” Wall said.

Residents would still be able to place holds and pick up books from other libraries in the system. New materials at the San Clemente branch would essentially be reserved for the branch, she said, and would be “invisible” to other libraries, so the items would be there for residents’ use.

Other books in the collection will be put into storage until the project’s completion, Wall said.

Delays in the project could partly be blamed on bureaucracies operating at different speeds, she added.

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“It’s always a challenge when you’re dealing with multiple organizations,” Wall said. “This is a joint project with the city, the county library system and the Friends of the Library. This has just been a project that takes longer. I don’t think there’s been any major problem along the way.

We had people change positions and structural changes with the way the plan was developing.”

Wall, who served as children’s librarian before moving to her current position at the branch, said she recalled talks about expanding the library started in the late-90s.

But this version of the project has been on the table since 2010.

The final project will be very comparable to a similar expansion just undertaken in Laguna Niguel, although that building was more of a rebuild, Wall said. The project in San Clemente will utilize only the current structure and integrate the lobby and the former senior center into the building as a whole. The project will also include new lighting and better computer infrastructure, and will be the first major upgrade since the library was built in 1982.

“We’re reorienting a lot of the functions within the library,” Wall said. Among the changes will be integrating all services into a single desk, providing a “personal shopper” type of feel. The additional space would also allow for greater separation between departments, allowing for meeting, story time and other programs to be done away from general library patrons.

Wall noted the branch was a test site for the entire system with an internet accessible computer terminal in 1992. But the library was not built with computer terminals in mind and especially not the 20 or 25 planned for the expansion, she noted.

“We’ve got to be sure that everybody is happy and everybody is getting what they want,” Wall said. “That’s everybody’s ultimate goal.”

The Friends Bookstore will also be shifted and have access to Avenida Del Mar. The current store is not visible from that street.

Lalley is looking forward to the final result. She noted the addition of meeting spaces and specific children’s areas as making the library more functional for everyone.

“When the construction is finished, the library will be a really fantastic space for the community,” she said. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC CITY AND COMMUNITY CALENDAR Thursday, February 27

NEWS BITES

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO Casa Show Features Local Artist

Wall of Recognition Nominations Due 5 p.m. Deadline to submit nominations for an outstanding citizen. 949.361.8237, www.san-clemente.org.

Friday, February 28

VR Green Farms Saturday Produce Baskets 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Every Saturday get fresh-picked $20 veggie/fruit baskets at Villa Romano Green Farms at the Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club. 200 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente, 949.697.0032, www.vrgreenfarms.com/basket .

Sunday, March 2 First Sunday Book Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Books on a variety of topics for sale at affordable prices the first Sunday of the month at San Clemente Library. 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.276.6342, www.sanclementefol.org.

Tuesday, March 4 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast 7 p.m. Annual event at the Community Center. Call for ticket info. 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.498.9325, www.san-clemente.org.

City Council Meeting 6 p.m. Regular meeting in City Hall Council Chambers.

100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Wednesday, March 5 Kiwanis Meeting 12 p.m. The club meets at Carrows. 620 Avenida Pico, 949.290.8729, www.sanclementekiwanis.com.

SC Rotary Club 12 p.m. Irons in the Fire, 150 Avenida Magdalena, 949.361.3619, www.sanclementerotary.org.

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.

San Clemente Garden Club Meeting 1 p.m. Meeting featuring an expert giving great ideas for refreshing gardens for spring.

St Andrew’s Church, 2001 Calle Frontera, www.sanclementegardenclub.com.

San Clemente Times February 27–March 5, 2014

pursuit, however. After a break, he picked art back up in the 1980s, when he was working as an executive in Irvine.

The show runs through Sunday, April 13, and opens with a free reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 11. Cost of admission is free to members. Non-member admission is $5.

‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ Opens Friday at Cabrillo

Senior Birthday Celebration Noon1 p.m. Celebrate February birthdays with lunch and entertainment at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center. 117 Ave. Victoria, San Clemente, 949.498.3322.

Saturday, March 1

Compiled by Jim Shilander

Dana Point Artist John Hall will open his show “An Ocean Odyssey” at Casa Romantica March 11.

Courtesy photo

Artist John Hall has been painting the ocean since he was flying across it as a Naval Aviator. Now, the Dana Point-based artist will be opening a show of his paintings, most inspired by the ocean, called “An Ocean Odyssey” at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens on Tuesday, March 11.

Hall, who has been working in abstracts for the last decade, actually went to art school before attending UCLA and making his way into the Navy. Hall managed to keep up his

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

Tuesday, February 25 DISTURBANCE Cristianitos Road, 100 Block (12:07 a.m.)

A woman’s drunken boyfriend would not let her go to sleep.

Monday, February 24 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Calle Bienvenido, 4000 Block (9:45 p.m.)

A homeowner was confronted by a man who asked to borrow a phone charger.

The resident refused, locked him out and proceeded to call 911.

To continue their 60th anniversary, the Cabrillo Playhouse will present, Arsenic and Old Lace, a comedy by Joseph Kesselring, beginning Friday, Feb. 28.

Playhouse board president Tom Dillard is among the cast members. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.cabrilloplayhouse.org or by calling the box office at 949.492.0465. The playhouse is located at 202 Avenida Cabrillo.

lege in Notre Dame, Ind., for the Fall 2013 semester. To earn academic honors at Saint Mary’s, a student must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, have at least 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes and no grades lower than a C.

Children of Marines Killed in Accident to Receive Scholarships The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation announced Tuesday that it has created scholarships for the seven children of the four Marines killed at Camp Pendleton Nov. 13 during a training exercise.

Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Mullins, 31, of Bayou L’ourse, La.; Staff Sgt. Eric Summers, 32, of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; Staff Sgt. Matthew Marsh, 28, of Long Beach; and Sgt. Miguel Ortiz, 27, of Vista had all served in Afghanistan. They were killed while clearing the Zulu blast area of obstructions. Three other service members were injured. All were treated and released after receiving medical treatment.

Gomez Named to Dean’s List Lauren Gomez of San Clemente was named to the Dean’s List at St. Mary’s ColSUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE El Camino Real, 500 Block (4:20 p.m.)

A patrol check was requested after a man in a black hoodie and baseball cap described to be “foaming at the mouth” threw a trash can at a driver.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (10:39 a.m.)

Lifeguards stopped a man at the base of the Pier because he was carrying drugs.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 1800 Block (7:29 a.m.)

A caller reported a 60-year-old homeless man standing outside the 7-Eleven yelling at customers.

Sunday, February 23 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida Granada/ Ola Vista (11:37 p.m.)

Officials were alerted to four people dragging a woman from a bar.

ANNOYING PHONE CALL Calle Viveza, 0 Block (10:02 p.m.) A woman told police that someone put her phone number on Craigslist.com. She reported receiving multiple harassing texts.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 3900 Block (8:55 p.m.)

Two men were found fighting outside.

One held a stick and the other was holding the lid of a trash can.

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

CITIZEN ASSIST Campo Raso, 2800 Block (4:49 p.m.) A remote control airplane with a camera attached was spotted flying in the neighborhood.

DISTURBANCE Boca De La Playa, 100 Block (4:18 a.m.)

A resident reported a pregnant woman trying to enter the house and ringing the doorbell. When she couldn’t get in, the woman tried to enter the resident’s car.

Friday, February 21 DISTURBANCE Avenida De La Estrella, 500 Block (5:49 p.m.) A drunken man was found sleeping in the bathroom of a Valero gas station. He refused to leave.

Thursday, February 20 DISTURBANCE Avenida San Gabriel, 100 Block (11:11pm) A caller informed authorities of a neighbor burning wood and making “the whole complex smoky.”

Wednesday, February 19 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida San Gabriel, 100 Block (9:09 p.m.) A caller said three people were eating out of garbage cans and praying in the middle of the street. The caller believed they were “all on meth.” www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Business Beat

BY JIM SHILANDER

News and updates on San Clemente’s business community EXPANSION u Mathnasium, 1051 Avenida Pico, 949.481.6284, www.mathnasium.com/ sanclemente Mathnasium franchisee Kapil Mathur, who opened his first learning center in San Clemente in 2006, has now opened his family’s fourth center, in nearby Dana Point.

Mathur, who also has stores in Ladera Ranch and Laguna Niguel, said the San Clemente store attracts students and families from across the area already, making the move to Dana Point a logical opportunity.

The program provides individual tutoring to students who are struggling with math and those who need to be challenged.

Mathur said the program actually promises a two letter grade improvement within six months.

“We teach the way the individual student will best learn,” Mathur said.

GIVING BACK u Gracie Barra San Clemente, 1011 Avenida Pico, 949.361.9411, www.gbsanclemente.com Gracie Barra of San Clemente will host

three special guests Saturday, March 8 as part of ongoing anti-bullying efforts at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school.

Three cast members of Nickelodeon’s “Power Rangers Samurai” be on hand to host the school’s first “No Bully” event of 2014, and perform three martial arts shows.

Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. General admission for the event is $20 per child ages 3-15 (children under 3 and adults are free). The Power Rangers will have three live action shows throughout the day scheduled at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. u Saddleback Memorial Medical CenterSan Clemente, 654 Camino De Los Mares, 949.496.1122, www.memorialcare.org/saddleback-memorial-san-clemente Dr. Ronald Gim, an interventionist cardiologist affiliated with Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente said a recent encounter with a patient has led him to want to make the general public more aware of the dangers of peripheral artery disease.

Gim said he recently treated a woman who had severe blockages in one of her legs, ultimately resulting in amputation of two toes, though intervention allowed the foot to be saved.

“PAD is a vascular disorder that impacts

Mathnasium franchisee Kapil Mathur accepts congratulations from Dana Point Mayor Lisa Bartlett on the opening of his new store in Dana Point. Photo by Jim Shilander

the flow of blood through an artery,” Gim said. “In advanced stages of PAD, patients may develop a chronic total occlusion, which is a total blockage of an artery that has lasted more than three months and is responsible for a significant decrease in blood flow. Chronic total occlusions may be

seen in as many as 40 percent of patients with symptomatic PAD and significantly increases the risk of amputation when present in the lower leg.”

To learn more about the condition and treatment options, visit www.loveyourlimbs. com.

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

CITY EDITOR Jim Shilander, 949.388.7700, x109 jshilander@sanclementetimes.com

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San Clemente Times, Vol. 9, Issue 9. 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 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

Cutting the Red Tape Blues Civil War history of the term ‘red tape’ provides stark idea of costs

T

he expression “red tape” describes the annoying way that bureaucracy prevents things from getting done.

I’ve often wondered where the term comes from. I found the answer while reading Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals.

The common usage of the phrase by Americans today seems to have stemmed from the American Civil War, the most costly tragedy of our nation’s history. It is estimated that well over 600,000 deaths occurred during the four-year period, between the shelling of Fort Sumter in 1861 and the Confederate surrender at Appomattox in 1865.

Combatants were killed in appalling numbers and often in impossibly rough terrain. In the nearly continuous campaigns, with conflict sweeping from Pennsylvania to Georgia, records were difficult to keep.

At now-obscure locations like Shiloh,

Antietam, Chickamauga, Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, as many as 20,000 troops would be killed, wounded or missing within a three-day span. Because many of the major engagements WAVELENGTHS left a carpet of corpses litBy Jim Kempton tering the battlefield, they were often buried where they lay or tossed into mass graves near the battle sites.

Tens of thousands of soldiers were never identified during the battles they died in. Thousands more were captured, interred in prison camps and frequently died without any notification to next of kin.

Survivors did their best to find any belongings or keepsakes that might help identify their fallen comrades to their families back home. Often the personal possessions these soldiers were carrying were collected, tossed into a box and sent

back to Washington to be dealt with. The documents were then bound together with a narrow red ribbon before being shipped off to huge warehouse stations where they were organized as best they could.

Families of missing soldiers would travel to Washington by the trainload to try and find anything about the place their loved ones had fallen and how they had died. Many just wanted their sons’ or husbands’ last possessions to bring home for a proper memorial service.

Families would provide names and address while the clerks would rummage through acres of boxes. When they found what they thought might be the right one, they had to cut and remove the ribbons before reading the documents that would clearly identify the deceased men.

The process became known as “cutting the red tape.”

Overwhelmed by the sheer volume, confused by often sketchy information

and badgered by impatient, grieving relatives, finding the right box of belongings became a laborious, painstaking and long-suffering process. Frustrated families railed against the seemingly endless, time-consuming bureaucratic exercise that delayed getting the job done. Years went by before some parents and wives finally were able to find out what happened to their sons or husbands. There was almost nothing that cold be done. In the end, too many soldiers had died. There was just too much red tape.

Jim Kempton is a Civil War history buff and San Clemente local of 35 years. He is a great fan of the Internet, which has been an amazing assistance to cutting red tape. SC

Such is San Clemente Green, whose sole purpose seems to be to disseminate garbage science and tell anyone who will listen that SONGS’ purpose is to kill anyone within 50 miles of the plant and render sterile most of Southern California.

Their paid assassin described SONGS as a “cancer factory that happens to produce electricity.”

There is a concise, scientific analysis of nuclear power. San Clemente Green boasts of their “5,000 petition signers” as evidence of support to shut down SONGS. It’s just a guess, but 4,950 of them have zero knowledge of nuclear power. These are not the people we need to advise on decommissioning the plant, folks. In their mind, they’ve already won—but, we all lose.

FIX TALEGA’S STREET LIGHTS

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

Letters to the Editor SHUTDOWN AND DECOMMISSIONING: THE BIG PICTURE Peter Cassimatis, San Clemente

The first nuclear power plant went online nearly 60 years ago with the promise of electricity so inexpensive meters would not be required. That statement was met with stunned silence from the coal, oil and gas industry, quickly followed by the COG industry lobbying the government to impose multiple levels of restrictions on nuclear power.

Aided by COG unions, nuclear began to be attacked immediately, supported by hoards of ’60s-era protestors willing to follow any cause. Universities had chairs funded by the COGs with the stated San Clemente Times February 27–March 5, 2014

purpose of improving energy generation, morphing into environmental action groups and deteriorating into fronts for professorial condemnation of the nuclear generating industry. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of COG money is funneled through these “environmental” fronts into any group that can be counted on to attack nuclear, without one word about the massive amounts of arsenic, cesium, lead and other proven toxic material the COGs spew into the atmosphere. Even the past president of Greenpeace acknowledged that nuclear is the most environmentally benign form of energy generation—this, after he no longer relied on the largesse of the COGs. There is no advocacy for nuclear, only enemies well-funded by the COGs.

Page 14

Weston Eichner, San Clemente

My name is Weston Eichner and I am 12 years old. I live in Talega. I am concerned about burnt out streetlights. One street, Avenida Talega, has five in a row out on a bend. This worries me because we can’t see when we drive at night. Through Pico to Tierra Grande, and Hermosa to Tierra Grande, I counted 37 streetlights out. I was just wondering why they haven’t been changed.

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@sanclementetimes.com.

San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit readersubmitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

Please limit your letters to 350 words.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: Lew’s Views by Lew Avera

Become a Volunteer: A Second Look Value of volunteering can came in many different ways

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n my last “Lew’s Views,” I talked about the incentives to become a volunteer, the rich volunteer blanket which coats San Clemente and referred to the San Clemente Collaborative, a grouping of volunteer opportunities and organizations in San Clemente. This “View” will expand upon those ideas and provide a couple of personal insights into volunteering.

Since last month, I have attended two Collaborative meetings and continue to meet many new volunteers at each one. In addition, I am amazed at how frequently our volunteers and their work are mentioned in our local press, thus supporting my proposition that we should all get involved. Just this last week, there was an extensive article on our Chamber of Commerce recognizing numerous volunteers in many different areas, and a page on one of our local service clubs for youth and the huge numbers involved in support of it.

As I mentioned previously, I have avoided specific organizations and individuals since there are so many I could never cover them all. In addition, as I have written about this, I am aware that I am not addressing the real heart of volunteering—that is the value of the wonderful

service rendered to the recipients. This, of course, is the true reward for all of us.

Again, I encourage you to seek out opportunities. This brings to mind a great experience I had LEW’S VIEWS shortly after retiring from

By Lew Avera the U.S. Marine Corps. In my new job, I had the occasion to be in the offices of many business executives across the United States. In most every office it seemed like they had a plaque on the wall from the Boy Scouts of America thanking them for their service. One of these leaders was a friend and I simply told him that I would like to get involved. As a result, I was asked to join the board of directors of a large Boy Scout council of 10,000 scouts, to lead the expansion of Explorer Scouting in the council. I was eventually elected to serve as the council treasurer, where I spent 25 years working with some of the leading business executives in the United States. I will forever treasure this opportunity.

A final focus on this subject which I think is of huge value to all of us. I view

volunteering or getting involved in such, as a leadership laboratory. Volunteering brings together a wide diversity of people.

Senior, experienced and highly educated executives often work side-by-side with persons who are much younger, inexperienced and with their education still ahead of them. They may well be performing the same tasks—manning check-in tables, stacking shelves, packing boxes—literally thousands of possible activities. I think this is such an absolutely wonderful opportunity for the young to learn from the expert leaders in such a collegial environment and for the leaders to keep in touch with and learn from the younger generation. I have preached this, and continue to do so, to my own children, even after they have all become adults.

Finally, seek out the opportunities to volunteer and serve our community. Remember the informational website of San Clemente Collaborative can be found at www.sanclementecollaborative.com.

Lew Avera is a retired career officer, Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps. He was a resident of San Clemente in 1963-1965 while serving as a Company Commander at Camp San Mateo. He returned to San Clemente

YOU’RE INVITED! 8 a.m. Friday, February 28

at Café Calypso Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted

by SC Times editor Jim Shilander. All are welcome. in 2001 when he retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers as a senior managing director. He has been a director of the Talega Home Owners Association since 2003 and served on the San Clemente Planning Commission from 2005 to 2013. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared.

The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columni sst 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

GETTING OUT

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

SC S a n C le m e n te

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

thursday

27

DOO WAH RIDERS 7:30 p.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

POUL PEDERSEN 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

friday

OLDIES NIGHT: THOSE MAGIC CHANGES 7 p.m.

South Orange County School of the Arts students perform in the Porthole Theater at Dana Hills High School.

Tickets $12-$18. 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.240.1994, www.socsarts.org.

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HART & SOUL 5TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW 7 p.m.10 p.m. The duo celebrates playing for five years at Adele’s with an evening with food and drink specials and dancing. 2600 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente, 949.481.1222, www.adelesatthesanclementeinn.com.

TROUBLE BUBBLES AT THE HOT SPRINGS 8 p.m. Annual San Juan melodrama at Camino Real Playhouse, based loosely upon San Juan Capistrano history. Tickets $18-$24. Shows through March 22. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

CHELSEA HANDLER 8 p.m., 10 p.m. Comedienne and “Chelsea Lately” television show host performs at the Irvine Improv. Admission $45.71 Fortune Drive, Suite 841, Irvine, 949.854.5455, www.improv.com.

saturday

01

ELVIN BISHOP AND THE DELTA 88s 8 p.m. Rock/ pop at The Coach House. $20.

33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

San Clemente Times February 27-March 5, 2014

AT THE MOVIES: ‘POMPEII’ ERUPTS WITH ACTION Every movie genre uses story tropes but none more so than the action-adventure films. In Paul W.S. Anderson’s latest extravaganza, Pompeii, there seems to be every trope known to man, but they aren’t necessarily used a bad way. Some movies you watch for the sake of guilty pleasures when you don’t want to think too hard and just want to be entertained with exactly what you expect for two hours. In 76 A.D., an orphan slave named Milo (Kit Harington) is traded from Britannia to Pompeii right before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The daughter of the ruler of Pompeii, Cassia (Emily Browning) is arranged to marry villainous Roman Senator Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland), but she and Milo fall in love with each other. Meanwhile, Corvus schemes to take over the city and kill off all © Sony Pictures non-Romans. Carrie-Anne Moss and Jared Harris co-star as Cassia’s parents.

Anderson’s previous cult flicks, Mortal Kombat (1995) and Resident Evil (2002), show he can make a movie popular despite criticism, meaning Pompeii might find a following too. Game of Thrones star Harington is fairly awkward in his film debut.

Unfortunately, awkward could describe most of the other performances as well. Unlike P.T. Anderson, P.W.S. Anderson is a director of flashy aesthetics and heavy fight scenes, rather than subtle acting. Pompeii tends to be predictable and corny but not the least bit boring for action fans. —Megan Bianco

HOUSE AND GARDEN GUIDED TOUR 11a.m.1 p.m. Join The Ecology Center for a docent-led tour of their historic home and the Eco-Labs, outdoor learning gardens. Free. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

MARDI GRAS GREEK-STYLE FESTIVAL 6 p.m.midnight. Celebration at Mission Grill with live music, food, costume contests and more. Tickets $15-$50 including dinner. 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.543.3445, www.missiongrillsjc.com.

EDITOR’S PICK: DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

The 43rd annual festival kicks off today featuring heaps of fun events and activities including whale watching, a parade, carnival style street fair, arts and crafts, the Grunion Run foot races, concerts, sand sculpting, SUP events, food and much more at the Dana Point Harbor and throughout the city. Parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs southbound on Pacific Coast Highway beginning at Selva Road. The festival runs for two weekends: March 1, 2, 8, 9. 888.440.4309, www.festivalofwhales.com.

ASTRONOMY NIGHT 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Gaze into the night sky through telescopes learn the constellations with astronomy experts at The Reserve/Richard & Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Adults $10, kids $5.

949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

THE ARK OF SAN JUAN RESCUED PET ADOPTIONS 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dogs and puppies available for adoption will be shown at PetsPlus, 32022 Camino Capistrano. Noon-4 p.m. See cats at PetSmart, 33963 Doheny Park Road. San Juan Capistrano, 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

sunday

GRUNION RUN 10K, 5K AND 1K 6:30 a.m. Participate in a flat and fast 5K or 10K run/walk or kids’ 1K in Doheny State Beach as part of the Dana Point Festival of Whales. Registration online or available race morning.

Benefits the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.6172, www.festivalofwhalesgrunionrun.com.

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VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop and stroll downtown San Clemente at Avenida Del Mar where over 60 artisans will have fine arts, crafts and more. Free. 100 block, Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.395.7008, www.villagesanclemente.org.

monday

03

SMOKEY KARAOKE 8 p.m. Your turn to get onstage at BeachFire.

204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire.com.

BOTTLE PAINTING AND WINE 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Class at San Clemente Wine Company. Call for reservations.

212 ½ Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com.

tuesday

FAT TUESDAY AT IVA LEE’S 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Special Mardi Gras party at Iva Lee’s with live music by the Bayou Brothers, Creole food specials, contests, prizes, costumes contest and more. Music starts at 7 p.m. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

04

DUSTIN FRANKS 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

wednesday

KIDS STORY TIME AT THE CASA 10 a.m.11 a.m. Stories for kids at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens every Wednesday.

Free admission. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

05

GOURMET FOOD TRUCKS 5 p.m.-8 p.m. An array of food trucks gather at San Clemente High School. Take dinner to go or eat there and enjoy live music. Proceeds benefit the SCHS Marching Band. 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, 949.492.4165, www.sctritons.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 S a n C le m e n te

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

SC Chamber Honors City Volunteers New chamber leadership team also installed at annual dinner Story and photos by Jim Shilander San Clemente Times

S

an Clemente honored some of its best and brightest Thursday at Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club, as the Chamber of Commerce held its annual installation and awards dinner.

Adele Lux took the gavel as the newest chairwoman of the board for the organization, pledging to keep the group’s mission to promote business of all sizes in the city.

But the main business of the evening was the presentation of awards to a number of city residents dedicated to giving back.

Don Glasgow, a long-time volunteer with a number of organizations, was honored as Citizen of the Year. Glasgow has helped raise money for Courtney’s SandCastle and Vista Hermosa Sports Park and also collected 10,000 pairs of shoes for distribution to children in Mexico on some of his many mission trips, as well as 400 complete sets of golf clubs and 30,000 golf balls distributed to Camp Pendleton Marines.

“I was totally taken aback,” Glasgow said of receiving the award. “I’ve always tried to look to help those in need ... This city’s about people. It’s really extraordinary.”

Glasgow also thanked his wife, Beverly, who he said supported him with all of his charitable endeavors, noting that she had personally washed all of the shoes he’d distributed.

Linda Sadeghi of Casino San Clemente accepted the award for Business of the San Clemente Times February 27–March 5, 2014

Linda Sadeghi of Casino San Clemente shows off a proclamation form the city as Business of the Year.

Citizen of the Year Don Glasgow with his award.

Lifetime Achievement Award winners Jim and Joan Nielsen with daughters Victoria Brostrom and Kristin Blaney.

New San Clemente Chamber Chair Adele Lux takes the gavel for the next year from Brigadier General J.W. Bullard, Commanding General at Camp Pendleton.

Year. Chamber board member Don Kindred said the Sadeghis, despite the turmoil of Playa del Norte, had managed to “rescue one of our treasures,” restoring the Casino to a status as a jewel, not just as a functioning business.

Sadeghi jokingly thanked the many brides and grooms who’ve utilized the

facility as a wedding venue with helping to build the Casino back up.

“The average marriage lasts 7.8 years, but my water heater’s going to last 15 years,” she joked. “But it’s so encouraging to have that sort of recognition. We’ve come a long way in San Clemente and we truly appreciate it.”

Page 20

Jim and Joan Nielsen were honored with the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement award. The Nielsens have been involved in a wide array of causes, including the Friends of the Library, Friends of Beaches Parks and Recreation Foundation and the Ocean Festival.

Joan Nielsen said when the couple moved to San Clemente, she became involved in volunteer work while her husband was doing consulting work. She said veteran volunteer Bill Thomas cornered her at one point.

“He told me when Jim’s ready to volunteer, you let me know,” Nielsen said City Councilman Jim Evert said the Nielsens were great examples of what the award is for.

“It is very well deserved,” Evert said.

“They’re an outstanding choice.”

Denise McDermott, a fourth-grade teacher at Our Lady of Fatima Parish School, was honored as Educator of the Year. McDermott said she came to the school 27 years ago when her family moved from Philadelphia. Initially, she was brought in on a one-year contract to replace a teacher with a medical issue but ended up staying permanently.

“Each one of the staff deserve the honor because they’re all outstanding teachers,” McDermott said. “It’s a great school with a real family feel.”

Nancy Hunt was honored as Chamber Volunteer of the Year and Ben Medina, last year’s Volunteer Award winner, was awarded the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year award. It is the third time Medina has been awarded the prize.

“To be awarded by your peers and business owners, who all work tirelessly hard to contribute, to get an award that says I went a little bit extra is very rewarding,” Medina said. “I could name several people who may have deserved this a little more than I did.”

Hunt said she was “astounded” by the recognition.

“I just love San Clemente and the Chamber does so much, in every way, to promote it and to promote business here,” Hunt said. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Overcoming Adversity: It’s No Easy Task, But a Necessary One Finding positives in hardships can help one pursue new opportunities

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s a columnist and a retail business owner, I hear about hardship that happens to people between the ages of 50 and 90 nearly every day.

Some of the news is brutal. People lose their loved ones, pets, jobs or homes.

They develop health issues. These things are a part of life and growing old, and my heart aches for them.

When adversity hits us personally, it can be a huge downer, almost more than we can stand. But somewhere in the darkness, sooner or later, a flicker of light will appear. And it’s up to us to seek that light and gather the strength to go on and not give up hope. It may take a long time to get through the grief or to take action to change our lives, but that is easier said than done.

Dee emailed, “Your articles have gotten me through a very difficult time in my life.

Eighteen months ago, I left a marriage after 37 years of verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

“In July, I had a coffee date with some-

one I met online. He is wonderful, fun and so many other things my husband never was. We laugh and talk for hours and I feel so lucky to be with him. Please tell all the ladies out there not to give up. You never ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 know where life may lead

By Tom Blake you.”

Glen wrote, “I had been in a marriage for more than 23 years when my ex suddenly decided to file for divorce. Although it came as a huge shock to me and all or our friends, I still held out hope that she might come back.

“I went to counseling and did my best to try and understand what was going on and how I would move forward at age 51.

I can’t tell you when it happened, but I slowly began to understand that I needed to take charge and make a new life for myself. It took 39 months to complete my divorce, although there were no compli-

cated issues.

“During that time period, I met the absolute love of my life. Thanks for the articles that help people make sense of the sometimes complicated world of dating after 50.”

For a third example, meet Linda. She and I have known one another for close to a quarter of a century. Soon after I opened Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in 1988, Linda and her husband, Joe, started coming in for sandwiches. They owned a produce brokerage business with an office just down Pacific Coast Highway from my shop.

I was impressed with them as a couple: smart, fun, friendly and handsome. Over the years, I lost track of them.

A few weeks ago, I saw Linda at the deli.

We had a chance to catch up. She said her life had been difficult recently. I was stunned when she told me Joe suddenly passed away four years ago at age 63. She had moved to a nearby city.

Three years after losing Joe, Linda start-

ed to realize that she had to take initiative to change her life. Six months ago she met Pete, a widower, online and they are now a couple, involved in a long-distance relationship. Last week, she brought Pete into the deli to introduce him to me. They have plans for a future together. Both followed the light at the end of the tunnel—and found each other.

Adversity, as tough as it is, often leads to opportunity. It’s up to us to recognize it and pursue it.

To comment, email Tom at tompblake@ gmail.com.

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

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS

OUTDOOR SPOTLIGHT

CITY MANAGER HOSTS HALF-MARATHON

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SC S a n C le m e n te

Participants in the fifth annual Run Pall Run half marathon before the start of the Feb. 9 event. The event was created by San Clemente city manager Pall Gudgeirsson. Courtesy photo

On Feb. 9, San Clemente city manager Pall Gudgeirsson hosted the fifth annual Run-Pall-Run half-marathon stretching from Dana Point to San Clemente. The half-marathon was started by Gudgeirsson, an avid runner, five years ago to get his friends, and people in the community, interested and excited about running and to celebrate his birthday. This year’s run had 20 participants, which was a new high.

The run started at the top of the hill near the Dana Point Interpretative Center. Runners then looped around the Dana Point Harbor, down Pacific Coast Highway and to Califia. After turning around at Califia, the runners completed the 13.1-mile course by crossing the finish line at Marine Safety Headquarters, just north of the San Clemente Pier. —San Clemente Times

Extending the Bruin Family Nearly six months after his brother’s death, A.J. Pasquale has found a new home in a familiar place

By Steve Breazeale San Clemente Times

W

hen news hit the morning of Sept.

8 that Nick Pasquale had died, it was a blow that was felt from San Clemente to Los Angeles and beyond.

That same day, hundreds joined the Pasquale family to mourn the loss of the UCLA red shirt freshman wide receiver and former San Clemente High School standout, who was struck by a car while walking home in the early morning hours.

Among the many faces in the crowd were Pasquale’s UCLA football teammates and coaches. The player dubbed “Pacman” had endeared himself to his teammates with a gritty, determined approach to the game of football. The Bruins dedicated their season to him, wore patches on their jerseys, stickers on their helmets and painted his number on the field at the Rose Bowl. The Pasquale’s attended every Bruin game and found solace at the one place on Earth they felt closest to Nick— UCLA.

As the days following his brother’s death turned into weeks and weeks to months, Pasquale’s older brother, A.J., was taking it all in.

UCLA head coach Jim Mora and the staff remained a constant presence in A.J.’s life. He was sent words of encouragement and offerings like, “Anything I can do to help, let me know”. He couldn’t focus on his career path in business marketing, so A.J., a four-year baseball and football player in high school, took them up on it. He is now a full-time intern for the UCLA football program. “(Nick’s death) made me take a step back and kind of reprioritize what was important to me, like not to just let time go by and collect a paycheck. I wanted to do something I was passionate about,” A.J. said. “I felt at home being at UCLA with all the teammates and staff and coaches.

I made an effort to get up there two or three times a week to see the guys, check out practice and be in the locker room.”

That passion and effort did not go unnoticed by associate athletic director Rip

Scherer, who A.J. credits with helping him prepare for a new career. After researching how so many members of the football operations staff worked their way up, A.J. discovered that it started with internships.

He is already working in Westwood, doing whatever odd job they might have for him. Because he is so new to the program his internship hasn’t been fully defined, but A.J. hopes to get into recruiting and operations. He said he’d like to do anything from analyzing recruit highlight tapes to organizing visits.

Mel Pasquale, a veteran coach of more than 30 years, raised his sons to be students of the game, so breaking down film and dissecting plays has become something of a family trait. When Nick was in high school and A.J. away at Northern Arizona University, Mel and wife Laurie would send DVDs of Nick’s Triton football games to A.J. The two brothers would hold impromptu film sessions over the phone the next day. “(The internship) fully pulls into A.J.’s strengths. He has that passion and desire

AJ, left, and Nick Pasquale on the field following a UCLA football game. Courtesy photo

to be there. He has a burning desire in his gut,” Mel said. “He will be able to grow so much there being around all those great coaches. It’s a dream job for him.” SC

SC Baseball Honors Alumni San Clemente Times

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Tritons baseball players and members of the Spatz family dedicate the banner honoring the memory of Chris Spatz. Photo by Kevin Dahlgren

San Clemente Times February 27-March 5, 2014

very year, before the start of the new season, the San Clemente High School baseball team hosts its annual alumni game. This year, the game meant a little more for the alumni and current players who participated as they got to honor friends and teammates who passed away in 2013.

The Tritons baseball program mourned the loss of Chris Spatz, a graduate and baseball alumni who passed away last year. Spatz’s friends and teammates, Kyle

Page 22

Champieux and Michael Schrey, wore Spatz’s old number, 22, in honor of their friend. A banner with his name and jersey is now displayed on the left field wall of Sisca Field.

There was also another banner put up, honoring the memory of San Clemente’s Nick Pasquale, who died on Sept. 8 after being struck by a car in town. Pasquale’s older brother, A.J., played baseball for the Tritons for four years. The Pasquale family was in attendance at the game and A.J. put on the cleats to play. SC

www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Triton Report

By Steve Breazeale

TRITONS TAME LIONS IN PLAYOFF OPENER Second-half goals from Lake Duerksen and Nikki Faris put the San Clemente girls soccer team up 2-0 over visiting JSerra Catholic on Feb. 21, pushing them through to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships.

Duerksen scored first for the Tritons (15-3-4) in the opening portion of the second half and Farris scored her 21st goal of the season in the 70th minute to increase the home team’s advantage.

The Tritons were set to play Los Alamitos on Feb. 26. Results were not available at press time. Los Alamitos defeated Brea Olinda, 2-0, on the road in their opening round matchup.

TRITONS BOYS SOCCER OVERCOME CLAREMONT IN PHYSICAL CONTEST It was evident from the opening whistle that visiting Claremont was not going to let defending CIF-SS Division 1 champion San Clemente protect their title easily. The bullish Wolfpack came at the Tritons early and often in their CIF-SS second-round match on Feb. 25, but two

The San Clemente girls soccer team celebrates their win over JSerra Catholic in the first round of the CIF-SS Championships on Feb. 21. Photo by Kevin Dahlgren

timely goals by junior forward Matias Ledesma ultimately sealed a 3-1 victory.

Claremont (14-3-7) came in playing the role of aggressor, bottling up midfield and pressuring the Tritons (23-2-1) in the opening half. After racking up three yellow cards in the first 30 minutes, Claremont struck first.

The Tritons failed to clear a long Claremont throw-in and a loose ball in the box was thudded by the Wolfpack’s defenseman Mauricio Aguilar through a host of bodies and into the net for a 1-0 lead at the 32-minute mark.

With the clock winding down in stoppage

time, Tritons senior Alek Cucuk flicked a pass behind his back to junior Eddie Molia, who fired a shot off at Claremont keeper Bryan Landgreen’s outstretched arms.

Ledesma followed the play, collected the rebound and scored on an awkward angle to equalize just before the half.

Offside calls plagued the Tritons in the second half, halting their momentum while the Wolfpack continued to press.

San Clemente junior goalie Cole Martinez made five saves on the night, none more important than his point blank save in the 44th minute that denied Claremont’s Jack Kolodge’s potential go-ahead goal.

With just under eight minutes to play, Ledesma used his head to send a pass over the Claremont defense to a waiting Cucuk and the senior midfielder sent it past Landgreen to give the Tritons a 2-1 lead.

Ledesma added one more goal less than two minutes later when senior forward Bryce Kaminski sent a pass to the middle of the box, right on the foot of Ledesma, who one-timed it into the net for his second goal of the night.

“It was a tough game because it was a little physical. They were knocking us off balance and tackling really hard … So we fought through that in the second half and didn’t try to be so perfect,” San Clemente head coach Mike Pronier said. “It was great to see Ledesma come through today.

He’s been getting better all season and he made a couple of nice shots which made the difference.”

The Tritons will now travel to play St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals on Feb. 27.

TRITONS GIRLS BASKETBALL INTO SECOND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS The San Clemente girls basketball team defeated Edison 55-46 in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1AA playoffs on Feb. 22.

The Tritons (19-8) led the whole way and held a 27-17 lead at halftime. It was the second time this season that the Tritons defeated the Chargers.

San Clemente was set to play a secondround game against Great Oak on Feb. 26.

Results were not available at press time.

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY HOME DÉCOR

AIR CONDITIONING 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

LANDSCAPING South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com Costa Verde Landscape License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) APPLIANCES SERVICES & REPAIRS www.costaverdelandscaping.com ASAP Appliance Service 949.361.7713 MANAGEMENT - HOA 3200 Legendario, www.asapapplianceservice.com ART GALLERIES San Clemente Art Association 949.492.7175 100 N. Calle Seville, www.scartgallery.com

ART INSTALLATION PRO ART INSTALLATIONS 310.597.9991 Erik Van Leight 212 Avenida Victoria, Erikvl81@gmail.com

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Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.5388 Village Books 949.492.1114 1393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com 99 Avenida Serra, www.DowntownSanClemente.com

MORTGAGES

Lure of Chocolate, Gourmet Foods & Gift www.LureofChocolate.com 949.439.1773 Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 949.369.1052 99 Avenida Del Mar, www.schmidschocolate.com

COINS GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

949.350.4692 Kevin

CONCRETE

DENTISTS Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 949.493.9311 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, www.drericjohnson.com Kristen Ritzau DDS 949.498.4110 122 Avenida Cabrillo, www.KristenRitzauDDS.com

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REAL ESTATE Antonio Fiorello, Forté Realty Group 949.842.3631 San Clemente, www.forterealtygroup.com Marcie George - Star Real Estate South County marciegeorge@cox.net 949.690.5410

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The Bargain Box 949.492.2800 526 N. El Camino Real, Colony Termite Control 949.361.2500 www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org 1402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com

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PHARMACIES 949.496.0123

Bill Metzger Plumbing 949.492.3558 1218 Puerta del Sol, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com Chick’s Plumbing www.chicks-plumbing.com

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949.496.9731

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FOR SALE 10 PIECE LANE FORMAL MEDITERRANEAN DINING SET. 1970 solid Cherry Wood. Hexagonal pedestal dining table, 2 leaves, six cane-backed chairs. Hutch, China Cabinet, Buffet Server. Sold as a set. $1,900 or best offer. Cannot deliver. Must be picked up. Call MaryLou at (949) 366-2464.

GARAGE SALES SATURDAY, MARCH 1ST 8AM-12PM 2385 S Ola Vista San Clemente CA. Electronics, artwork, kitchenware, designer clothes, jewelry and more

HUGE RUMMAGE SALE!!

Something for Everyone!! 3/15. NCL MonSanctuary Salon & Spa 949.429.5802 arch Chapter@Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

1041 Avenida Pico, Ste. B, www.sanctuarytalega.com 33501 Stonehill, Dana Point 8:30AM – 2PM Proceeds benefit our local charities

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 949.361.4867 (GUMS) South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, www.moranperio.com 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com

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HAIR SALONS Kreative Hair Design 173 Avenida Serra

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

Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556 949.361.9656 www.danmans.com Janet Poth - Violin & Viola 949.922.6388 413 Calle Pueblo, janpoth@aol.com

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MOLD REMOVAL

BOOKS

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Four weeks in print and online.

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TUTORING Tutor Toes 949.429.6222 111 W. Avenida Palizada, Ste. 11, www.tutortoes.com

Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc. 714.757.3490 www.yorbalindatilemarble.com, CA License # 789312

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Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

OBITUARY

John Ross Miewald, MD June 17, 1932 – February 10, 2014

After serving 20 years as a Captain in the Navy, Dr. Miewald practiced obgyn in San Clemente and Mission Viejo for many years. Fondly remembered by his many patients, he is survived by his wife, Carroll; four sons, Bruce, David, Donald, John II; four stepchildren; eight grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren.

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San Clemente Times February 27–March 5, 2014

Page 25

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SC SURF

6

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

SC S a n C le m e n te

GROM OF THE WEEK JIMMY WYNNE

Age: 10, Concordia Elementary For Jimmy Wynne growing up in a surfing family—mom, dad, step-mom and sister all surf— and learning to surf while barely out of his toddler years was only natural. And with that much family support, and near daily practice, he is becoming a formidable competitor in both longboarding and shortboarding. He is also thankful for the support of sponsor Chris Schroeder of Schroeder Surfboards, his longboard shaper. Jimmy’s most recent victories include wins at the San Onofre Surfing Club event in September and the San Clemente Seafest contest in October. He is in his first season in the Western Surfing Jimmy Wynne. Courtesy photo Association Championship Tour where he is the No. 2 ranked surfer in the Boys U14 Longboard and No. 23 in Boys U12 Shortboard. Jimmy is a bright fourth-grader who has received academic awards in math and writing. Jimmy likes the idea of someday having a pro surfing career but would really like to go to college and become a marine biologist. “I got the idea from always being in the ocean and snorkeling in Hawaii,” he said. “I love being in the water so much and I think I could have a lot of fun doing the job.” For now he is focused on school and his amateur surf career. “I love competing because I get to test my abilities,” Jimmy said. “It’s a bummer when I lose but it makes me try harder next time. I’m bummed for like 10 minutes then I go out and surf and I’m having fun again.” —Andrea Swayne

Prepping for Gold

SURF FORECAST

Members of the Surfing America USA Surf Team attend training camp in San Clemente

By Andrea Swayne San Clemente Times

M

embers of the U18 Surfing America USA Surf Team from across the country assembled in San Clemente Tuesday for training camp to prepare for the 2014 International Surfing Association World Junior Surfing Championship.

With ISA World Juniors coming up April 5-13 in Ecuador, team officials and coaches are looking to finalize the travel team roster and bring the team of surfers together as a well-prepared unit ready to go for the gold.

“Aside from rigorous training, one of the most important things is bonding,” said Greg Cruse, Surfing America’s executive director. “We’ve made a lot of progress in putting together a cohesive team from a bunch of athletes who day-to-day are used to surfing individually for personal reward, sponsorships and media exposure. We now have a group of kids who pull for each other, hold each other up and realize the magnitude of representing their country on the world stage.”

The national team is chosen from among the best competing in amateur surf series that are members of Surfing America, the ISA recognized governing body for surfing in the United States. The San Clemente-based nonprofit organization—with a generous housing donation by the owner of a T Street area vacation rental—is hosting the team for three days of physical training, mental training and bonding. The team is practicing at a variSan Clemente Times February 27–March 5, 2014

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

Surfing America USA Surf Team members (L to R) Ryland Rubens, Colt Ward, Luke Gordon, Tia Blanco, Malia Osterkamp and Steffi Kerson take a break during a competitive game of Ping-Pong at the team house in San Clemente on Tuesday. Photo by Andrea Swayne

ety of south Orange County surf breaks, working out, attending a talk by a sports psychologist and learning to cooperate, compromise and live together.

Local San Clemente surfers said they feel lucky to be joined by teammates from across the country for training on their home turf.

Tia Blanco, 16, said she is enjoying the camp because it brings together so much talent and lifts up her game by making her more determined to succeed.

“Working here with my teammates is special because surfing really is an individual sport and it is really empowering to feel a part of something greater,” Blanco said.

Colton Ward, 16, agreed, adding that he feels honored to host his fellow team members in his home town and share with them all the places he trains every day.

“We are also getting used to staying in a house together, pulling together and getting ready to take on the best teams from around the world,” Ward said. “We don’t always get to practice together so when we do it reminds me that I’m part of something bigger outside of my own individual career goals.”

Ward and Blanco are joined by California surfers Malia Osterkamp of San Clemente; Jake Davis, Capistrano Beach; Kylie Loveland, Carlsbad; Steffi Kerson,

Thousand Oaks; Ryland Rubens, Pacific Beach; Nic Hdez, Santa Cruz and Thelen McKinna-Worrell and Frankie Harrer, both from Malibu. Team members who have traveled from the East Coast include Florida surfer Daniel Glenn, Luke Gordon from North Carolina and Maddie Peterson from New Jersey.

Individual performances during the camp will help head coach Ryan Simmons fill open travel team slots in Girls U18 and Boys U18 divisions.

“ISA World Juniors is a long and grueling eight-day event so preparation is key,” Simmons said. “We’ll be running heats, breaking down technical stuff, working on each individual’s strengths and weaknesses and working on our game both in and out of the water. The talent is there but we cannot hope to win a medal without the support of the athletes for each other. Forming the bonds and friendships needed to make it through in top form will boost our chances at winning gold.”

The team brought home a bronze medal at last year’s ISA Juniors in Nicaragua, its best result since 2004. The head coaching team, made up of ex-pro surfers Simmons and Micah Byrne, are in their second year at the helm of Team USA. Visit www.isasurf.org and www.surfingamerica.org to find out more.

SC

Page 26

Water Temperature: 60-62 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’+ poor+ Immediate: A good dose of west-northwest swell holds on Thursday, offering chest-overhead surf for many of the better exposures.

Standouts will produce occasional well overhead sets (strongest overall through northern Orange County). Smaller surf overall through South OC. Light to moderate southeasterly wind shows in the morning, veering south then southwest through the day. Mostly cloudy skies with a good chance for scattered light rain showers.

Longer Range Outlook: The west-northwest swell energy backs down some into Friday, while the southwesterly windswell gradually rises up with breezy southerly wind. Then on Saturday, a larger dose of west-southwest storm swell pushes in, offering overhead waves for many areas, with sets running up to double overhead for standout exposures (again, strongest overall through northern Orange County). This is still pending development. With that said, there will be a short window from when this swell actually develops to when it hits the coast, as the storm will be just offshore. Also, wind conditions are looking problematic for most areas with continued breezy southerly flow, but possibly a few select locations may offer some moments of decent surf. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!

UPCOMING EVENTS March 1-2: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 8, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty March 1-2: NSSA Open, Event No. 8, Ventura, C Street March 22: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 5, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street March 22-23: NSSA Explorer, Events No. 9 and 10, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty March 29-30: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 9, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach March 29-30: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 9, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach April 19-20: NSSA Open, Event No. 9, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty April 26-27: NSSA Open, Event No. 10, San Onofre State Park, Upper Trestles May 10-11: WSA West Coast Championships, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach May 15-18: NSSA West Coast Championships, Huntington Beach, Pier

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