LO C A L
N EWS
April 17-23, 2014
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SCHS Theater Bringing New Spin to ‘Pirates’ SC LIVING/PAGE 18
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 16
Old Hollywood and New Blood Casino San Clemente celebrates past and future EYE ON SC/PAGE 9
Casino San Clemente as it stands today. With a past as a stopover for Hollywood stars before World War II and later as a home for dinner theater performances, the facility now is a thriving wedding venue and home of Ellie’s Table restaurant. Photo: Jim Shilander
Woman Hit by Vehicle in Crosswalk, Library Funding Issue May be ‘Last Straw’ EYE ON SC/PAGE 3
San Clemente Author Celebrates Father’s Role in Hitchcock’s Career SC LIVING/PAGE 17
www.sanclementetimes.com
Former Triton Basketball Star Taken in WNBA Draft SPORTS/PAGE 20
YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE
SC EYE ON SC San Clemente
LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING mer Senior Center, meant the city would have to provide approximately $326,000, out of pocket, for the project. That number included a $106,000 funding shortfall as well as a 15 percent contingency, assistant city manager Erik Sund said. The total cost of the project had moved up to $1.8 million, but only approximately $1.5 million in funding had been identified. The city is providing the majority of the funds from Talega and Marblehead Coastal developer fees, as well as $200,000 in funds raised by the Friends of the Library.
Officers investigate the aftermath of a vehicle-pedestrian collision that occurred on North El Camino Real Tuesday. A woman was struck in the crosswalk and in serious condition as of Tuesday. Photo: Jim Shilander
What’s Up With... Five things San Clemente should know this week A woman was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle on El Camino Real Tuesday morning. The woman, who was taken to Mission Hospital, was hit by an SUV while walking in a marked crosswalk before 11:30 a.m. Witnesses said the woman was thrown about 50 feet. The driver remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
Woman Injured in El Camino Real Accident THE LATEST: A 60-year-old woman was in serious condition after being struck by an SUV at North El Camino Real and East Canada Tuesday morning. The victim was crossing El Camino Real around 11:25 a.m. in a marked crosswalk when she was struck by a southbound vehicle and thrown approximately 50 feet, said Capt. Steve Concialdi, spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority. When OCFA crews arrived on scene, the driver was attempting to revive the unconscious victim, Concialdi said. The victim was immediately transported to Mission Hospital Regional Trauma Center in Mission Viejo in serious condition, he said. The driver remained on scene and was interviewed by Orange County Sherriff’s Department deputies as part of an investigation. The crosswalk in which the victim was hit is marked only by white paint. David Mogi, who was at his business nearby, said he heard the accident’s imSan Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
pact, describing it as being “like two cars colliding.” He said he did not hear the sound of brakes being applied until after the impact. WHAT’S NEXT: The accident remains under investigation. FIND OUT MORE: Stay tuned for updates on as more information becomes available at www.sanclementetimes.com – Andrea Papagianis and Jim Shilander
Last Straw for the San Clemente Library THE LATEST: Although the San Clemente City Council approved a change to the funding of the Orange County Library’s local branch’s expansion, councilmembers made it clear they were not happy that one of the county’s largest “donor” cities was, in their view, shortchanged. Higher than expected bids for the project, which will add space to the library by incorporating the current lobby and for-
WHAT’S NEXT: The council approved the increased expenditure by a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Bob Baker dissenting. The body made clear it felt the county was not being much of a partner, since it was only covering 22 percent of the project’s costs. Council members also voiced frustration that the project had gone on so long that they felt compelled to approve the changes to get started. Mayor Tim Brown also noted that the changes seemed like “the writing on the wall,” since the council had asked city staff in February to look into whether it might be feasible to operate the library on its own. The project must still be approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The item is on the body’s April 29 agenda. The county hopes to break ground by June 1 and be up and running a year later. A temporary trailer will house both the library and Friends bookstore in the intervening year. FIND OUT MORE: For more on the story, visit www.sanclementetimes.com. – JS
Change of Counsel Could be in City’s Future THE LATEST: San Clemente will, for the first time in nearly 30 years, investigate whether it might be time to get a new city law firm. The move follows the retirement of Jeffrey Goldfarb of the firm Rutan & Tucker, who served with the city as city attorney for the last two years and as an assistant city attorney for the previous 26. Jeff Otterman, the previous city attorney, offered to return to the role for the firm. Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Tony Beall encouraged the council to look elsewhere. Beall cited a lawsuit filed against Rancho Santa Margarita by Otterman as reason. Otterman filed the suit in his role as counsel for a real estate developer. Beall said he did not feel it would be appropriate to have a city attorney that sued other cities. WHAT’S NEXT: Council members said they prized the institutional memory of Rutan & Tucker, but other options had not been looked into for so long made it worthwhile Page 3
to do so. Councilman Bob Baker also asked that staff examine the potential costs of having an in-house counsel. The body voted unanimously to ask firms, including its current one, to submit proposals for potential services. – JS
Possible Sand Located for Beach Replenishment THE LATEST: The Army Corps of Engineers may have located a site that could provide sand for beach replenishment, but members of the Coastal Advisory Commission have concerns about the quality of that sand. The beach replenishment project, which is a part of a larger federal spending bill in Congress, would add approximately 50 feet of sand to the beach between Linda Lane and South T-Street. The potential sand “borrow site” is in Oceanside and the material would be transported to the area by barge. Commission member Ken Nielsen, however, voiced concerns over the quality of that sand, noting that Oceanside’s own replenishment sand was brought in from Del Mar. WHAT’S NEXT: If the project is successful and residents wanted to make the project an ongoing one, Mayor Tim Brown said he would be open to putting a fee before voters, similar to the Clean Ocean Fee, to fund ongoing work. Initial work would likely cost the city $4 million with its share increasing from 35 percent to 50 percent if it became an ongoing project. – JS
City Sets Terms for Council Nominations, City Board Interviews THE LATEST: Residents looking to run for office or serve on city committees will soon have their chance. The City Council voted Tuesday to advertise to fill 18 positions on six different city commissions and city representatives on two other boards. The council will interview and then appoint candidates for the various positions at two meetings scheduled for June. WHAT’S NEXT: The city has also announced filing dates for the three City Council seats up for election Nov. 4. Candidates can begin pulling papers July 14 and have until Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. to turn in nominating petitions. Incumbents have another five days to file. If those days are taken, the deadline for other candidates is extended as well. FIND OUT MORE: More information can be found at www.san-clemente.org. – JS www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
State of the City: Change Brown says changes over the next few years will require patience BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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number of major infrastructure and building projects are likely to cause major headaches over the course of the next several years, San Clemente Mayor Tim Brown said Friday, but residents should look forward to changes he believes will make the city better. Brown, who served as keynote speaker at the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City event April 11, said the extension of Avenida La Pata, the widening of Interstate 5 and work at Marblehead Coastal’s commercial and residential development will be the last major changes for the city in the foreseeable future but that each will make some real changes to the city. “We are on the cusp of great changes, powerful changes that will affect us,” Brown said of the several large-scale projects set for the next four years. “San Clemente is riding a wave of change.” On the infrastructure side, Brown urged patience for San Clemente motorists who might be in for a frustrating few years as the $275 million widening project, which will be completed in February 2018, gets going. He noted that Avenida Vista Hermosa would be completed before significant reconstruction work began on Avenida Pico, which would give an alter-
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.
Monday, April 14 PETTY THEFT El Camino Real, 100 Block (1:56 a.m.) An 18-year old blond man stole a Bud Light Party Pack. He was last seen wearing a pair of brown pants and a brown T-shirt. BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Esplanade, 100 Block (12:11 a.m.) A caller informed authorities of a male intruder setting off her alarm. San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
San Clemente Mayor Tim Brown addresses the number of big changes to the city in the coming years, and how the city is planning to tackle them. Photo: Jim Shilander
are on the cusp of “greatWechanges, powerful
changes that will affect us. San Clemente is riding a wave of change.
”
– Tim Brown
nate route for traffic within the city. La Pata’s anticipated 2016 completion would also help ease traffic as the I-5 widening work continued, he said. The city would make an effort to improve communication with residents, Brown said, as well as finding temporary measures to help keep businesses alive, such as relaxed sign ordinances. A similar effort was undertaken in San Juan Capistrano during work on Ortega Highway. The city is also working through the fiscal impact that will be felt by the Outlets
Sunday, April 13 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida Salvador, 700 Block (6:49 p.m.) A couple of men were seen climbing trees and attaching ropes to them. CITIZEN ASSIST Calle Puente, 800 Block (6:08 p.m.) A police report was requested for a bicyclist who crashed into an open car door. CITIZEN ASSIST Avenida Serra, 100 Block (1:34 p.m.) An elderly man called authorities about the bank using his money in the stock market. RECKLESS DRIVING East Avenida Pico/ Avenida La Pata (11:39 a.m.) A metallic blue vehicle was seen “burning out” of the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida Del Presidente, 3100 Block (1:44 a.m.) A man reported hearing objects being smashed at a nearby school.
at San Clemente Plaza, slated for opening in fall 2015. Craig Realty Group, developers of the project, have projected $157 million in revenue in its first year, with annual revenues of $400 million once built out fully. The city would receive 1 percent of sales tax revenue. Brown said the city was in a more advantageous position than some of its neighbors, not having to rely on transient occupancy taxes or sales tax revenue, but that ultimately limited some of the things the city could try to do. Brown noted that when he initially ran for council, he had latched onto the idea of increasing tourism to provide a larger tax base. But while on the board, he discovered that the city was much more reliant on the contributions of residents. “I still believe in increasing tourism, but not at the expense of our residents,” Brown said. “The city will change, but we need to make sure that change is for the better.” State Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, who emceed the event, also provided a state level update. Harkey, who term out this year, is running for a seat on the State Board of Equalization. Harkey, a Republican, was somewhat complimentary of Gov. Jerry Brown, though she still had major disagreements about the need for reforming the state’s business taxes and regulation. The budget had been balanced, though doing so required increased taxes, she noted. Her previous opinion that the state had not been effectively governed since the end of Pete Wilson’s term in 1998 would have to be revised, she said, though the state’s business policies remained “onerous.” “Like the policies or not, we are being governed,” Harkey said, noting that the budget also included reserves. “Our house was on fire. We were bankrupt. Now, we’ve fixed the holes in the road.” SC
News Next Door WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS
DANA POINT Echoing the vocal majority’s concerns of height, density and traffic, the Dana Point Planning Commission rejected a 250-room hotel proposal for the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Pacific Coast Highway on April 14. While the commission said the corner, which acts as a gateway to the city, needed an upgrade, they agreed the project was too big and too dense. The developer applied for multiple permits, including coastal development, height variance, conditional use and site development. All were denied. Commission Chairman Gary Newkirk said the body does not take variances lightly. “Plain and simple, you are attempting to do too much with too little,” Newkirk said. Michael Draz, of Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, said he will continue working to develop a plan “acceptable” to the community and capital partners.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO The San Juan Capistrano City Council directed city staff on Tuesday, April 1 to study a project to build a shopping center between the Mission and Interstate 5, but some local leaders called the proposal an inappropriate addition next to the city’s most iconic landmark and at its gateway. The proposal, the Shops at Capistrano, includes three singlestory buildings, one 12,000-square-foot space for a grocery store and 194 parking spaces. The market, however, is not permitted by the land’s current designation. Developers want to change the designation and add a site-specific plan, which would open the door for a market. Councilman Larry Kramer was the lone dissenter in a 4-1 vote.
Brother, Sister Caught Smuggling Narcotics on National Sibling Day BY CATHERINE MANSO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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ational Sibling Day, April 10, is a day to celebrate the unique bonds shared by those born to common parents. But one brother-sister pair took the day to share in illegal activity. At 7 a.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents captured a 27-year-old man and his 33-year-old sister, attempting to smuggle 54 pounds of cocaine through the Interstate 5 checkpoint south of San Clemente. The duo, identified as Mexican nationals, were driving a 2003 Ford Explorer when they were directed for a secondary inspection and K-9 units alerted officials to the presence of drugs. The pair claimed the reason for their trip was to shop in the United States.
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Agents searched and discovered bundles of narcotics hidden beneath the floorboard in the hatchback area of a 2003 Ford Explorer at the I-5 checkpoint. Courtesy photo
Once the car was searched, authorities discovered cocaine underneath the floor boards of the car. It carries a street value of $702,130. Border Patrol confiscated the vehicle and the suspects and narcotics were turned over two to Drug Enforcement Administration officials. SC www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
Lance Cpl. Kelly Yawt paints the San Clemente Pier. Photo: Jim Shilander
Marines Perform Big as Part of Service Day
City’s newly-adopted U.S. Marine Corps unit hopes to pay back community’s contributions BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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t. Col Richard Joyce said when San Clemente adopted his unit, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, last year it suddenly meant an awful lot more support on the base and friendly faces around town for members of the unit and their families. Monday, the unit gave back. Joyce, the unit’s commander, brought seven buses full of 264 Marines to Park Semper Fi for a special day of service. The unit was going through a “safety standdown” that happens quarterly on base. While this typically means a day spent on base talking to Marines about issues like hazing, drug and alcohol use among
Cpt. Matt Wiegand clears brush and trees near Park Semper Fi. Photo: Jim Shilander
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others, Joyce said he wanted to try and do something different. “We wanted to try to include a community service portion,” Joyce said. “We wanted to give back to the community of San Clemente, who’ve done so much for us.” After arriving at Park Semper Fi, the group got a brief talk about the history of the park from Heritage San Clemente president Wayne Eggleston. The Marines then split up into several groups, with some clearing brush around the park, others cleaning the beaches a mile down from the San Clemente Pier on both sides and others painting the pier and other nearby locales. Joyce said the city has been tremendous in its support over the last year, welcoming the unit and families at city events, and city officials and Marine support groups have become regulars on the base. The service day also provided an opportunity for those in the unit who’d not yet to made it to San Clemente to get to know the city, he said. While the expense may make such service days relatively rare, Joyce said, it is possible it could become an annual or bi-annual event for the unit. Eggleston said he talked to Marines about the dedication of the park, as well as provided information about some past Medal of Honor recipients memorialized there. The park is also used regularly for Marine weddings, re-enlistment ceremonies, retirements and memorials, he said. Eggleston said the event also provided a welcomed additional “spring cleaning for the park.” “It’s terrific,” Eggleston said. “We do a spring cleaning once a year, but obviously, 40 Marines make a real difference.” SC www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
NEWS BITES COMPILED BY JIM SHILANDER
City Looking for Cinco de Mayo Vendors San Clemente is gearing up for its first “summer” event with the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Saturday, May 3, from noon to 6 p.m. The event is held at Max Berg Plaza Park located at 1100 Calle Puente. The event features live entertainment all day, from Mariachis to Tex-Mex bands. Traditional food items will also be cooked up by local San Clemente organizations. City recreation staff and volunteers will provide a children’s arena with game booths, giant slide, ponies and more. The Cinco de Mayo committee is also looking to expand their vendors section and is encouraging local merchants and themed-specialty vendors to apply. Find out more about becoming a vendor at 949.361.8264. Applications are online at www.san-clemente.org/recreation. The applications deadline is Monday, April 21.
Presbyterian Church Hosts Marine Shower The San Clemente Presbyterian Church hosted its annual baby shower for the wives of the Marine 1st Combat Engineer Battalion Saturday, March 15. The program for the shower included a welcome by the Marine Outreach coordinator, Chuck Herpick, inspirational message by Rev. Dee Hazen and musical entertainment by Cassie Beltran and Natalie Dupree. Gifts for the shower were donated by church members, including the Moth-
Community Meetings TUESDAY, APRIL 22
SC Sunrise Rotary Club 7:15 a.m.–8:30
a.m. Meeting at Signature Grille at the Talega Golf Club, 990 Avenida Talega, 949.369.0663, www.scsunriserotary.org.
Toastmasters 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Prac-
tice public speaking every Tuesday in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. 3316 Avenida del Presidente, 949.361.8463, http://6463.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
Kiwanis Meeting Noon. The local
Kiwanis Club meets at Carrows. 620 Avenida Pico, 949.290.8729, www.sanclementekiwanis.com.
San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
ers of Pre-schoolers ministry and several community groups including Beach Cities and Surf-side Quilt Guilds, Daughters of the American Revolution and Children’s Orchard of Laguna Niguel. The shower is a part of the church’s Marine Mission Outreach Program, which also includes hosting an annual summer picnic and holiday dinner. Anyone wishing to contribute gifts for next year’s shower can contact Herpick at 949.842.1328.
Shadetree Hosting Fundraiser for SCHS Auto Academy
Paul Huffman of Shadetree Automotive will host a fundraiser for the San Clemente High School Auto Academy on Saturday, April 26. Photo: Jim Shilander
Shadetree Automotive owner Paul Huffman will host an oil-change fundraiser for San Clemente High School’s automotive academy Saturday, April 26. The event will be held at Shadetree at 1635 N. El Camino Real, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Huffman, who sits on the academy’s steering committee, said he wanted to do something to support a number of positive developments at the academy, including new instructor Warren Caesar. Huffman’s technicians will be doing the work, but will be getting help from some of the academy’s students as a way to get them real world experience. The cost for oil changes is $40, with all proceeds going to the academy. All oil and filters are being donated by O’Reilly Auto Parts. The fundraiser is by appointment only. Appointments can be made by phone at 949.498.6470 or online at www.shadetreeautorepairsanclemente.com.
SC Times Contributor Receives USC Scholarship Former San Clemente Times intern and current contributor Darian Nourian has received the Allan Malamud Scholarship for sports journalism at the University of Southern California. Malamud is a USC alumnus and a former sportswriter for both the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and Los Angeles Times. In addition to the SC Times, Nourian now writes for both The Daily Trojan and the website www.conquestchronicles.com. Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com. Page 7
EYE ON SC
New Energy at the Casino as Old Era Passes Once a haven for Hollywood, Casino celebrates bright future BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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asino San Clemente has had many lives since it opened in 1937. From dance hall to dinner theater and war-time lookout station to wedding venue, the building has served multiple purposes. And while Old Hollywood stars might have helped put it on the map, there are new hopes for growth at one of the city’s most historic buildings.
HOLLYWOOD AND RADIO Mickey Rooney’s death on Sunday, April 6, represented a passing of one of the last stars of the original Hollywood studio system. Rooney, who starred in over 200 films, is best remembered for his role as Andy Hardy in more than a dozen movies, as well as for his roles in such films as Babes in Arms and National Velvet. But Rooney, as well as his Babes in Arms co-star, Judy Garland, also have a history with the Casino. Garland was among the many stars who regularly rode the train from Los Angeles and in San Clemente on their way to Del Mar or San Diego. While promoting Babes in August 1939, Garland came to town to dance and serenaded the crowd with a song from the musical. Linda Sadeghi, who owns the Casino along with her husband, Shaheen, said despite its name, the Casino has not served as a gambling joint but instead as a dance hall and stop-over for celebrities. “We had no idea when we first purchased the building,” Sadeghi said of the Casino’s rich past. “As people came in, they’d give us another story and I’d dig a little deeper.” The walls of the building are now adorned with photos of a number of notables who either stopped by or performed there. “They would get off the train, walk up to the Casino and dance the night away,” she said. A restaurant in the west wing of the building provided an opportunity for locals and celebrities alike to eat, drink and smoke before making their way to the
main event: the dancing. “The floors are hardwood all the way to the outer walls. It was like a huge basketball court,” Sadeghi said of the building’s original interior design. “You just came in and you danced. That was it. They had little wooden benches on the side, like a basketball team would sit on, and that’s where you rested.” Others would make the drive down from Los Angeles on the original El Camino Real, Sadeghi said, where the Casino’s location, near a major bend in the road, made it a fun stop. City Matriarch Lois Divel had memories of the Casino as a happening spot. Her family arrived in San Clemente a year after the Casino opened, 77 years ago. “Of course the Casino, in its second summer, was in full swing,” Divel said. “I was too young to attend, but it was a very exciting time. You saw the arc-lights every night welcoming people because it was quite an attraction that got lots of publicity.” Divel remembered a few years later, when she was hired as an usherette at the nearby Miramar movie theater. She, along with some of her friends who were also too young to go, would walk down the street, stand on a nearby water heater and look into the hall to get a glimpse of the dancers and hear the music emanating from the Casino. “That was the closest we came to it,” Divel said. A former neighbor of Divel’s, Elberta Ayer, said she first visited San Clemente in
Patrons of Ellie’s Table, both local and from outside the area, are helping bring new life to Casino San Clemente. Photo: Jim Shilander
San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
Photos of some of the stars who performed at the Casino adorn the walls there. Other photos of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, as well as posters for their films, are located throughout the building. Photo: Jim Shilander
the ’30s as a young girl of just 8. Ayer accompanied her brother, who was 17 years her senior, as he played the Casino with his band, the Sterling Young Orchestra. He played the drums. Ayer recalls often falling asleep behind his drum set. Often, Ayer said, national and regional broadcasts of performances would come from the Casino. “I still like the big bands,” Ayer joked. Divel said the city, then just a few hundred people, buzzed with the nightly visitors. “There were so few people in town in those days that anything like that was exciting,” she said. “There were the lights, people coming and celebrities right and left. It was very exciting, especially if you were a kid just starting to go to movies. It was really romantic, and a pretty special for our little town.” During the height of World War II, the Casino was shut down for dances and used by the Coast Guard as a watch station. Although there were still occasional music performances and community events, dancing didn’t resume until after the war. New ownership turned the elevated band stage and a portion of the dance floor into a dinner theater in 1973. Sadeghi said a number of stars of the ’30s and ’40s would often make the dinner theater circuit. One of those was Rooney, who brought the play, “Three Goats and a Blanket,” to the city for four weeks in the summer of 1978. Sadeghi said a Casino patron told her not everyone was a fan of Rooney’s in those audiences, at least initially. “He said his mother was here in those days … and she didn’t really like Mickey Rooney, didn’t come to see him because of all his marriages. She just thought he was a despicable character,” Sadeghi said. “At some point in the play he got up and walked through the audience and had some sort of interaction with her, perhaps a glance. But that totally swung her and suddenly he was the hero.” But not everyone cared so much for
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Rooney’s performance. “I found him to be kind of repulsive,” Divel said. “He was dressed in tight, red long-johns or pajamas. I just wasn’t a fan of his.” Divel remembered a number of other stars more fondly, however, including Ann Miller, Pat O’Brien and Peter Lawford. MAKING WAVES IN A NEW WAY In the last several years, the Casino has been revived as a wedding and event venue, hosting the annual Taste of San Clemente and Dance for a Cause events, as well nearly daily wedding ceremonies and receptions. But it’s the addition of the Ellie’s Table that has North Beach buzzing. The restaurant is regularly filled with people enjoying breakfast and lunch, leading to lines out the door. Sadeghi said she’s already had to buy additional outdoor furniture to accommodate the size of the crowds. “It’s brought additional energy to North Beach, which has been so underutilized,” she said. Sadeghi said she and her husband have hoped to, in her mind, fulfill Ole Hanson’s original vision of the area and a fun recreational gateway. The couple were recognized as the city’s Business of the Year by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, in recognition of those efforts. On Tuesday, patrons of Ellie’s Table said they welcomed the new dining option so close to the San Clemente Beach Trail. Betty Anderson and Kim Harman said they have visited the restaurant many times before and after they visit the trail. Having grown up in the city and living in an Ole Hanson home, Harman said she is interested in seeing some of the historic structures of North Beach thrive. She contrasted the Casino to the Miramar, which has fallen into disrepair through non-use. “We’ve used the Casino as a venue for three different events. This is a nice add-on,” Harman said of Ellie’s Table. “It’s lovely.” SC www.sanclementetimes.com
SC SOAPBOX San Clemente
VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton
A New Kick
With a world class sports complex this town needs a soccer tournament to kick up off-season business
O
ne of the ongoing discussions you will hear around the business community in San Clemente is: How do we support ourselves through the winter? What unique qualities does our city offer to help our business community add something positive for our own residents and not burden the town? We know we have the best climate in the world—bar none. We have the best surf town in Southern California. But we hardly need more surfers or surf events. What else is there? Perhaps not so obvious, we have a soccer community; one that might rival our surfing culture. Perhaps we should look at sponsoring a large regional or national soccer tournament during Thanksgiving weekend, or somewhere close by. Consider: Our AYSO is one of the larg-
est programs in OC (over 1,700 players) and the SC Blues Club is one of the best in the country—not to mention San Clemente High School’s teams— frequently rated number one in the nation. San WAVELENGTHS Clemente High’s boys By Jim Kempton soccer team holds CIF Championships. Add Club San Clemente United, Jamie Arroyo Soccer Academy and you begin to get the idea. And finally, we have the facilities. Great, new fabulous facilities. A soccer tournament would generate tax revenue, maximize our natural assets and stoke our own participating kids. Plus it would support our hometown business with as little impact as possible to the inhabitants. Could the city, San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association get behind this and fund the promotion? Could they help find a Nike, Target, Toyota, Smart Water, Power Bar or Gatorade to sponsor and underwrite the event? We have the hotel rooms; there’s no problem with restaurants, shopping, campgrounds, beaches and other amenities to attract the visitors. With no effort at all we have the weather. We even have an Amtrak station. Everyone wants to come to San Clemente. Where else would you rather spend your holiday? The timing is right too. I owned a restaurant in town and as any retail
operator will tell you, from Labor Day to Pearl Harbor Day, the streets can sometimes be slow. Same for January through spring break. Soccer team visitors would change that scenario, with visiting families purchasing everything from pizza and tacos for the kids to wine and steaks for the parents. Tax revenue without taxing the locals. And the good news is, they don’t move here forever. They come once a year, spend a boatload of money and then go home. They arrive when the hotels are not paced, eateries are a little slower and the shops are in their pre-Christmas season doldrums. Every retailer in town would feel a bump. Offer a shuttle to and from all the local hotels so the family doesn’t even have to drive and the party will be started. But for the vast majority of their stay they are out in the soccer fields having the time of their lives. Which I might add, our kids would be doing too. A soccer tournament is worth exploring. Jim Kempton coached 12 seasons of AYSO soccer when his kids were growing up. He believes there is nothing that feels so right as Saturday morning on a soccer field. (Except dawn patrol on an offshore south swell). SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com
Letters to the Editor NUCLEAR WASTE MAY BE HERE TO STAY IF EDISON GETS THEIR WAY GARY HEADRICK, San Clemente
San Clemente Green has recently initiated a petition intended to influence the community panel brought together by Southern California Edison regarding the decommissioning process at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. We are anxious to see how they respond. At the first panel meeting held on March 25, there was some interest expressed in holding a follow-up workshop on the topic of storing nuclear waste. Our intent is to make sure that happens as soon as possible and that the workshop has at least three independent nuclear experts to offer their opinions and insights into areas of concern that the industry may not want the public to hear about. New information about the temporary dry cask storage containers—see www.sanonofresafety.org—which Edison is currently allowed to use, is already showing that the fuel rods become damaged by prolonged exposure to heat and radiation. If a permanent storage solution San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
is not available in just a few years, it may become too unsafe to retrieve the waste at San Onofre for reloading or even for transportation. By default, we could end up living with 89 times more radiation than was released in the Chernobyl accident, in containers that are likely to become more and more unstable with the passing of time. The message is simple: If they want to start earning back the public’s trust, get independent nuclear experts involved in the discussion and add another layer of protection by “canning” the nuclear waste as it goes into dry cask storage—this is how they handle fuel that is known to be damaged before storing it. Let’s get all the facts and deal with the long-term dangers proactively. Doing what is best for the general public must guide the decisions Edison is making now. Edison says, “Working together with the community and stakeholders, we believe that all of the various interests can be balanced for the good of all.” They can prove they mean it by listening to more than 1,200 people who have already signed the petition to hold this special workshop. If
Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Jim Shilander. All are welcome. Beachside Chat is held every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. they don’t, they’ll give a skeptical public even more cause for concern. Please sign our petition (www.credomobilize.com/p/can-it), share it with others and plan to attend the workshop that will give everyone a more complete and realistic understanding about the nuclear waste issues from a community perspective and not just from the industry’s point of view.
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CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Kevin Dahlgren, Catherine Manso, Shelley Murphy, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent
San Clemente Times, Vol. 9, Issue 16. 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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Page 10
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SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: Evan Chaffee, San Juan Capistrano Planning Commissioner
The Delayed Reaction of the California State Senate Recent transgressions in the Legislature compounded by slow response
O
n March 28, the California State Senate, by a vote of 28 to 1, suspended three of its Democratic lawmakers, one of which has been convicted of eight felony charges and the other two who are under indictment. No more than a year after Democrats won a super majority in the California Legislature, three of the body’s more prominent members have been accused of significant wrongdoings that could end with each legislator serving state prison time. The criminal conviction of Sen. Roderick Wright (D-Los Angeles) and the criminal charges against Sen. Ronald Calderon (D-Los Angeles) were conveniently ignored by the senate and most of the news media until the champion of anti-firearm legislation, Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), had ironically been charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms. The revelations against the three senators occurred in monthly intervals, starting in January with Wright. The senator was found guilty of committing voter fraud and perjury for claiming false residency in his distressed south Los Angeles district, when he was actually living in the well-off community of Baldwin Hills. In February, Calderon, who represents an eastern suburb of Los Angeles, was indicted by a grand jury on 24 felony counts, including accepting nearly $100,000 in bribes. Finally, in March, Yee, according to an affidavit, allegedly discussed step-bystep instructions on how he could obtain illegal weapons through Muslim separatists in the Philippines for an undercover FBI agent. These weapons, worth an estimated $2.5 million, included shoulderfired missiles. To add insult to injury, Yee and his staff are also accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions for client introductions, to obtain passage of specific legislation and to procure legislative votes. In fact, the senator and his staff have been accused of accepting up to $42,800 in campaign contributions from the FBI undercover operative for following through on various illegal requests. As a result, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) commented on the floor before calling for a vote suspending the senators: “One is an anomaly, two a coincidence but three?” These remarks drew the ire of Senate Republicans, who had called for Wright’s
San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
EVAN CHAFFEE Planning Commissioner
and Calderon’s suspensions several weeks earlier. In fact, Sen. Joel Anderson (R-San Diego) was the only member of the Senate to vote against the suspension, stating that the action was “disingenuous” and demanded that the three senators be suspended
without pay. While a suspension prevents the senators from being able to vote, it does not stop them from collecting their salaries. Consequently, Steinberg introduced a constitutional amendment that would not only allow the legislature to suspend its members but suspend their pay as well. While the Legislature does provide ethics courses, it appears that there now exists a culture of corruption within the halls of the capitol sufficient to provide comfort for some legislators and their staff to accept bribes and engage in other forms of dishonesty. Steinberg’s decision to overlook the wrongdoings of his colleagues by ignoring prior calls for suspension is thoroughly disconcerting. Only the pressure of outside sources like the media and members of his own party caused him to finally call for a vote. Sadly, the arrogance of power concentrated in one political party, combined with the imperative to retain power at all costs, has resulted in an abandonment of integrity by too many of our Legislature’s members. Apparently, the third time is the charm for any real action to take place in California’s super-majority Legislature when corruption amongst peers becomes an issue. Evan Chaffee is a lifelong resident of San Juan Capistrano and is currently serving his first term on the city’s Planning Commission. He serves as campaign manager for Orange County Supervisor candidate Lisa Bartlett. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com
Page 12
SC GETTING OUT San Clemente
YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
The List COMPILED BY STAFF
CLIFFHANGER Opening night for new play at the Cabrillo Playhouse. A college profesor must fight for his livelihood as his successor betrays him. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.
SERRA CHAPEL TOUR 11:15 a.m. Tour at the Mission in honor of Father Junipero Serra, who was born 300 years ago this year. Offered Sundays. Admission $6-$9. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.
Thursday | 17
Saturday | 19
Monday | 21
LOS RIOS GARDEN ANGELS 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Help clean and maintain Los Rios Park with fellow green thumbs. Meets every Thursday, except rain days and holidays, in front of the Montanez Adobe. Bring gloves, clippers and an apron. Sign the volunteer form at www.goinnative.net.
CARING FOR THE SEA 10 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will be performing a beach clean-up including the removal of invasive plants, trash and other debris that is harmful to the environment and local sea life at Poche Beach.
COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK AND FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. Every Monday at The Swallow’s Inn with steak night and happy hour prices. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188.
SPRINGTACULAR 7:30 a.m. to noon. Vista Hermosa Sports Park, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa. Events include the San Clemente Kiwanis Club’s pancake breakfast, children’s activities and games and the annual Easter Egg hunt. The event will be followed by “Splashtacular” at the aquatics center. www.san-clemente.org/recreation, 949.361.8264 or 949.429.8797.
Tuesday | 22
What’s going on in and around town this week
BRIDAL FAIR 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Explore all things wedding at Wedgewood San Clemente. 150 East Avenida Magdalena, San Clemente. www.wedgewoodbanquet.com/san-clemente. BEER CAN RACE KICKOFF PARTY 6:30 p.m. Join the Dana Point Yacht Club for a night of food, fun and beer to learn about the summertime “Beer Can” racing series. 24399 Dana Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2900, www.dpyc.org. OPEN MIC NIGHT 9 p.m. Kelly Rae joins acoustic and open mic night at Knuckle Heads. 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.2410.
Friday | 18 SAN CLEMENTE JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Join the local Junior Woman’s Club for coffee, conversation and information about the club. Starbucks, 1001 Avenida Pico, www.scjwc.org. MERMADE MARKET 10 a.m.–9 p.m. This boutique featuring handmade-crafts runs through Saturday, April 19. Food trucks will join the mix Saturday. Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Ave., 949.672.8019, www.mermademarket.com.
EDITOR’S PICK
San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
LEWIS LUSTMAN 6 p.m.–9 p.m. The San Clemente guitarist/ singer plays hits from the ’20s through today at Antoine’s Cafe every Saturday. 218 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.1763. THEO & THE ZYDECO PATROL 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.
CURIOSITY CARTS 10 a.m.-noon. Educational carts offer visitors a close-up view of historical artifacts, including objects used by the Juaneno Mission Indians. Free with admission $6$9. Occurs every Tuesday and Thursday. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com. COMMUNITY TABLE 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Award winning chef, David Pratt, will create a pre-fixe dinner using organic local ingredients generously donated by South Coast Farms. Proceeds from the dinner will support The Ecology Center’s Grow Your Own organic school gardens program. Reservations are available at $40 per person. 949.429.1199. DREAMBROTHER 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.
MILLERTIME BOOGIE 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Rock & Roll at Zona’s restaurant. 647 Camino De Las Mares, San Clemente. 949.940.8845.
Sunday | 20
Wednesday | 23
SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday on Avenida Del Mar. Rain or shine.
WEDNESDAY WINE TASTING 7 p.m.–8 p.m. St. Roys Chef’s Pub at Vine features a four-course food and wine pairing every Wednesday night dinner; menu changes weekly. Cost $40 per person. 211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.9376, www.vinesanclemente.com.
CASA ROMANTICA – L.A. GrAnd EnsEmbLE • APrIL 24 7:00 p.m. Composed of musicians from the most prestigious orchestras and music institutions in Los Angeles, including the LA Philharmonic, the LA Opera and the Colburn School. L.A. Grand Ensamble incorporates visuals into the musical experience. Tickets $25. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada. 949.498.2139, www. casaromantica.org.
RABBI BLUE 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.
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For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.sanclementetimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@sanclementetimes.com
Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. © 2014 Marvel
At the Movies: ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ It seems to have become a new tradition in Hollywood. Every six to 12 months since 2008, Marvel Studios releases a new superhero movie from the Avengers universe. There have been successes: Iron Man (2008), The Avengers (2012) and Iron Man 3 (2013); and disappointments: The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010) and Captain America: First Avenger (2011). Following up the fun ride of Thor: The Dark World (2013), comes Captain America’s second solo adventure, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Steve “Cap” Rogers (Chris Evans) thought he had enough on his hands trying to bring himself up to speed with society after being in a seven-decadeslong coma when he discovers an inside job happening within the clandestine counter terrorist organization S.H.I.E.L.D. With the help of partner Natasha “the Black Widow” Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Sam “the Falcon” Wilson (Anthony Mackie), Steve aims to stop whoever is setting them up. On top of that, a new arch nemesis appears in the form of a former friend, turned enemy, the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Cobie Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Redford co-star. While Thor 2 and Avengers had comic undertones throughout, Winter Soldier takes a more dramatic route. Evans and Johansson continue to show their natural chemistry in their fourth film together, while franchise newbies Mackie, Redford, Frank Grillo and Emily VanCamp fit right. With Winter Soldier, sibling directors Anthony and Joe Russo have the most eye-catching, gripping blockbuster of the year thus far. —Megan Bianco www.sanclementetimes.com
SC SC LIVING San Clemente
PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
The Man Behind Hitchcock
The life and career of British screenwriter Charles Bennett is brought to life, thanks to his son BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
A
lot has been said and documented about Alfred Hitchcock, the “Master of Suspense” in cinema. He was a genius, a menace and an icon. But what very few people seem to know or even notice is that behind the man behind the camera was a writer who aided him on his way to fame and legacy. Fellow Briton creator Charles Bennett penned many of Hitchcock’s early films and for the first time ever, his own behindthe-scenes story is coming to life on the page, thanks to his son. Charles was in the process of writing his memoir when he suddenly died in 1995. His son, John Bennett, a San Clemente resident and science teacher at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, took on the project. It would take another decade of locating all of his father’s old journal entries and notes to edit them into a book and yet another 10 years before the editing would be complete. Finally, on April 6, John released his father’s memoir, Hitchcock’s Partner in Suspense, which traces his father’s life and close—but often strained—professional relationship with Hitchcock. “This isn’t meant to be seen as gossip or dirty laundry,” said John, who penned four chapters himself to conclude where his father had left off, with recollections of the elder Bennett’s career and life in Hollywood. “It’s an inside look at my dad’s experience, technique and opinions on the
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film industry as a business.” Charles was a renaissance man of sorts, with a 75-year-long career spanning the 20th century through literature, theatre, film and television. Coming from a lowerclass acting family in England, Charles began his career early on as a child actor on stage and in silent films. He would later go on to work in Shakespearean theater for 15 years. By the time he was an adult, Charles had already added writing to his resume and written several plays. When Hitchcock expressed interest in adapting Charles’ Blackmail as a “talkie” in 1929, a love-hate partnership was born. As Charles moved to Hollywood to become a freelance writer, his film experience blossomed by helping create concepts and scripts for directors, including Hitchcock and others like Cecil B. DeMille. With Hitchcock, he created seven films, including Blackmail, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1935), The 39 Steps (1935), Sabotage (1936), Secret Agent (1936), Young and Innocent (1937) and Foreign Correspondent (1940). Charles seemed to have an impressive reputation as it was. Though he won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Correspondent, Charles didn’t attend the ceremony in 1941. “He didn’t really care for that kind of thing, as much as making the movies,” said John. But despite his famous efforts and friendships, Charles would somehow always be overlooked in the Golden Age
San Clemente resident and St. Margaret’s Episcopal School teacher John Bennett helped finish his late father Charles Bennett’s memoir, which chronicles Charles’ life and career as a screenwriter working alongside Alfred Hitchcock. Courtesy photo
“
It’s an inside look at my dad’s experience, technique and
opinions on the film industry as a business. of film history. Though he spent years working with Hitchcock and others in cinema, Charles was also a decorated war hero for England during World War I and was an Allied spy and helped make propaganda films during World War II, John said. While Charles spent his time working in all mediums of entertainment, John leads
”
—John Bennett
a more quiet life. “Science is more my interest, but I appreciate my father’s stories and work,” he said. “I was more fascinated by the environment and physics early in my life.” John felt that if he didn’t finish his dad’s last project, he might continue to be overlooked. The memoir, he said, is homage to his father’s secret legacy. CD
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SC LIVING
SCHS Brings New Take to ‘Pirates’ ‘Steampunk’ aesthetic informs set, costumes and presentation of operetta BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
B
ringing life to an older play or musical can often be difficult, especially for high school productions. But San Clemente High School is certainly doing something colorful with a very old standard. The high school theater department will host “The Pirates of Penzance,” a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta first performed in 1879, at the Triton Center over the next two weeks. Director Jeannine Marquie said she show continues her goal of introducing farce into the repertoire of the school, following the production of “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” in the fall. “Pirates,” she said, was a natural fit. “It’s one of my favorite shows because it’s so silly and goofy and yet really challenging,” Marquie said. The bright sets, costumes and wigs adding a “steampunk” aesthetic is about trying to find a way to make the performances character driven while simultaneously providing an interesting, “topsy-tur-
vy” way into the performance. The work of Gilbert and Sullivan was often referred to as topsy-turvy during their heyday, and a movie documenting their partnership used the description as its title. “The show lends itself to a little bit of wackiness,” Marquie said. It’s also a challenge. Arthur Sullivan is regarded one of the great English composers of his time and W.S. Gilbert is known for his intricate wordplay. Students have been rehearsing since January to provide time to learn the difficult parts. That spring break came a week before the performances meant that the show had to be near-ready two weeks before opening. Cast member Campbell George, a senior, said the difficulty was “a step above” what some of the cast had previously done. “That’s actually really added to the enthusiasm because people have really tried to meet the challenge well,” George said. “I think people have really stepped up and risen to that. I’m excited for what we’ve done, and the big sound.”
Pictured (L to R) Katherine Morales, Cookie Greenberg, Danielle Pribyl and Emily Gerard exalt at finding a special, secluded spot to rest. Photo: Jim Shilander
It’s one of my favorite “shows because it’s so silly and goofy and yet really
”
challenging.
Some of the “Pirates of Penzance” listen to one of the early songs in the operetta of the same name. Photo: Jim Shilander
The show will open with a performance by the San Clemente Steampunk Players, which includes interactions, in character, with the audience, who ultimately “vote” for the play they want to see performed. Steampunk is a design style combining aspects of the Victorian era with industrial elements. Cast member Annie Combs, a freshman, said the actors had to each write a paper about their steampunk character, as well as develop traits that made them appealing to the audience. “We needed to kind of be brave and come out of our shells,” Combs said. “We needed to find a way to go out into the audience and get them excited for the show. It’s a good way to pump people up.” Marquie said the students largely took
Sudoku
A group of San Clemente { I N S A N CL EM ENTE } residents join SC Times City Editor Jim Shilander, second from left, at Café Calypso for his weekly Beachside Chat Friday. This week’s attendees included Larry Culbertson, Historical Society president, Sam Olmstead of the San Clemente Community Market, among others.
Last week’s solution:
San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
Billy Perez, the Pirate King, sings about his desire to stay in his office. Photo: Jim Shilander
the lead on developing their own characters. The set includes a pair of trampolines, monkey bars and multiple levels, allowing actors to swordfight above the stage. Marquie said it is her favorite set in her two years at the school. “We wanted to create something fanciful, almost like a playground,” Marquie said. The show will be performed April 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 6:30 p.m. A matinee performance will be held April 19 at 2 p.m. A $5 student preview will be held April 17 at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.schstheatrearts.com. SC
SCENE
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
—Jeannine Marquie
See today’s solution in next week’s issue.
Page 18
Photo: Andrea Swayne
www.sanclementetimes.com
SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach by Shelley Murphy
Memories of Spring Break: Past and Present Redefining one family’s spring vacation
S
pring break isn’t what it used to be. When my boys attended elementary and middle schools, we’d regularly visit our favorite sunny spots for week-long family vacations full of fun and memories. Today with my oldest son in college and youngest in high school, each observing separate spring break schedules, I’ve grudgingly said farewell to our annual family vacation. Two weeks ago my college sophomore saw his fraternity brothers travel to Mexico as he headed home to gulp multiple antibiotics, catch-up on lost sleep and complete pending assignments. While he complained about missing the trip, I secretly celebrated a week free from worry about tequila, tattoos and typhoid. Last week my high school junior embarked on his equally exciting spring break and spent it studying for Advance Placement tests. So when I received a text asking if my niece, Eden, could mail us a houseguest, I offered to greet our visitor with open arms—even Flat Stanley vacations over spring break. My niece is in first grade and Flat Stanley’s a popular project that teaches writing
and geography. In 1995, Canadian teacher Dale Hubert created the Flat Stanley Project based on Jeff Brown’s 1964 children’s book, Flat Stanley. My last encounter with Flat Stanley occurred LIFE’S A BEACH about 10 years ago when By Shelley Murphy a nephew mailed us his paper person. We took Flat Stanley to lunch at Fisherman’s, snapped a picture and promptly mailed him home. Expecting to entertain our flat guest with another quick lunch, my surprise turned to shock when I opened the envelope from my niece. Inside I found Flat Eden (nowadays it’s common to make a flat version of one’s self), a 24-page journal and instructions lengthier than the directions I used to assemble my new lounge chairs. The letter instructed me to take her on “daily adventures” and report them in the journal. I don’t have daily adventures—unless you count Starbucks and the gym. The guidelines encouraged me to be imaginative and creative with my writing, take numerous photos, gather many
mementos and send back small treats for the entire class. I panicked. San Clemente’s a great place to live and vacation, but Flat Stanley has visited presidents, rocketed into space and was even rumored to be aboard the flight captain Sullenberger landed safely in the Hudson River. Since the project complements first grade curriculum, I reached out to a family friend and my oldest son’s first grade teacher, Kelly Barreira, to ask for help. Kelly graciously invited me and Flat Eden into her classroom, saying my assignment coincidently coordinated with their current classroom community project. The next morning Flat Eden and I visited Mrs. Barreira’s classroom. Almost 15 years had passed since my last classroom visit, and I still marveled at Kelly’s calm control, contagious energy and enthusiasm as she instructed her students. The students sat quietly, listening as I told the story about Flat Eden and then agreed to let her help with their project. I left Flat Eden with the children and said I’d return next week. The week passed and my son, still home
recuperating, agreed to accompany me to his old elementary school. Walking with my son onto his onetime playground, nostalgia took hold of me. I flashed back to my son’s first day at the school, recalling my overwhelming anxiety and his uninhibited excitement. As we approached Mrs. Barreira’s classroom, my son raced past me to greet his first grade teacher, just as he had 14 years ago. Gone were my first day jitters, but seeing my adult son and his first grade teacher embrace, I found myself once again fighting back tears as I stood nearby wondering where the years went. I’m no longer whining about missing a pricey spring break vacation, instead I’m thankful for a priceless trip down memory lane. Shelley Murphy has lived in San Clemente with her husband and two sons for the past 14 years. She’s a freelance writer and contributor to the SC Times since 2006. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com
SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente
STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE
Chicago Bears Sign Brian de la Puente COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE
T
San Clemente’s Cassie Harberts, right, was drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the 20th overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft on April 14. Photo: Pac-12 Conference
Harberts Dream Comes True WNBA’s Atlanta Dream pick San Clemente grad in the second round of draft BY DARIAN NOURIAN, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
F
ormer San Clemente High School girls basketball standout and current USC forward Cassie Harberts made her childhood dreams a reality, as the senior forward was drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the 20th overall pick in the second round of the WNBA Draft on April 14. In Atlanta, Harberts will be reunited with former USC women’s basketball coach Michael Cooper, who was her head coach during her first three years at USC. Cooper is now the head coach for the Dream. “I couldn’t imagine myself playing professional sports when I was a kid and I still can’t believe all of this is happening. It’s so rewarding to see all of my hard work pay off,” Harberts said. “It really is a blessing for me to be able to play for Michael Cooper again and I’m extremely excited to get to work with him on developing my game,” Harberts said. Harberts’ senior season was the icing on the cake for her at USC, as she led the Women of Troy to the program’s first-ever Pac-12 Tournament title and took them back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. With Harberts serving as team captain, USC compiled a 22-win season, doubling the previous year’s win total of 11. Harberts led the way, averaging 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
With Harberts’ decorated college career at an end, she will go down as one of the greatest women’s players to put on a USC uniform, leaving the program as its No. 7 all-time leading scorer (1,832 points) and the No. 8 all-time rebounder (925). She is also No. 3 all-time in free throws made (560) and No. 12 all-time in blocks (99). Harberts is the eleventh USC player to be drafted into the WNBA, joining the likes of Tina Thompson and her current coach, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. Harberts acknowledged that given the opportunity ahead of her, she will have to work even harder as she prepares to make the leap from the college game to the professional ranks. “I’m going to continue to work on the areas where I feel I need work on and fine tune there and continue to get stronger in the weight room while working on developing my three-point shot,” Harberts said. Harberts looks to step in immediately and contribute for the Atlanta Dream, who have appeared in the WNBA Finals in three of the last four seasons, but are still looking for the organization’s first WNBA championship. The soon-to-be USC graduate becomes the second Triton basketball player to be drafted into the league, as former UCLA forward and 2004 San Clemente graduate Lindsey Pluimer was selected by the Washington Mystics with the 20th overall pick of the 2008 WNBA Draft. SC
he Chicago Bears have been busy in the offseason, signing 30 players since December 2013. On April 6, the NFL franchise from the Windy City added another name to their roster: former New Orleans Saints and San Clemente High School standout center Brian de la Puente. According to the team’s website, de la Puente and the Bears agreed to a oneyear contact. The 29-year-old signed a contract worth a guaranteed $100,000 and was awarded a signing bonus of $65,000, according to an article by the Chicago Tribune. The article also states de la Puente had an offer to be the backup center for the Detroit Lions. De la Puente comes to the Bears on the heels of a steady two-year career playing in New Orleans. The Cal grad hopped around the NFL for several years, serving time with the Kansas City Chiefs (2008), Seattle Seahawks (2009), Panthers (2009), San Francisco 49ers (2010) and Seattle again (2010) before landing the starting job with the Saints in 2011.
Brian de la Puente, seen here with the New Orleans Saints, signed a one-year contract to play center for the Chicago Bears on April 6. Photo: Michael Hebert/ New Orleans Saints
Over the past three seasons, de la Puente started 44 games for the Saints and was a member of the team’s prolific offense in 2011, which set NFL records with 7,474 total yards and 5,347 passing yards on the season. That year, the offensive line allowed the second fewest sacks in the league with 24. De la Puente will be rejoining former Saints teammate and fellow offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod, a left tackle, who signed with the Bears before the start of the 2013 season. The Bears went 8-8, finished second in the NFC North, and did not qualify for the playoffs last year. SC
The San Clemente Gators Rugby U14 team will play for the San Diego Conference gold medal. Courtesy photo
Gators Rugby into Conference Finals
T
he San Clemente Gators youth rugby program U14 team is one step away from claiming the gold medal in the San Diego Conference of the Southern California Youth Rugby league. The team paved their way into the match, which will be held in San Diego on April 19, by defeating the North County Bears 19-10 on April 12 in the conference semifinals. Win or lose, the Gators’ semifinal win secured a place in the SCYR state playoffs on April 26. The Gators went 9-1 during the regular season, amassing 269 points for and allowing 165 against.
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The San Clemente Gators U14 team includes: Christian St. Clair, Cooper Campbell, Rory Gavin, Austin Rose, Christian Mosconi, Gavin Hollrigel, Anthony Nolfo, Ethan Winters, Joseph Ragsdale, Brett Hannemann, Hugo Toughey, Wyatt Eberle, Sean Rhyan, Nathan Flaherty, Justin Proctor, Joshua Cassarino, Connerjack Reese, Brad Foreman, Zach Rose, Malcolm Pelham, Noah Covarrubias, Quinn Schofield, Simon Lines, Ryan Marks, Trevor Weinert, Ben Skeffington, Chase Fitch, Logan Knights and JoJo Sime. — San Clemente Times www.sanclementetimes.com
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY AIR CONDITIONING
Oasis Heating & Air
31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com
APPLIANCES
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
APPLIANCE SERVICES & REPAIRS
ASAP Appliance Service
3200 Legendario, 949.361.7713, www.asapapplianceservice.com
ART GALLERIES
San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com
BOOKS
Village Books
99 Avenida Serra, 949.492.1114, www.DowntownSanClemente.com
CHOCOLATE/CANDY
Lure of Chocolate, Gourmet Foods & Gift
949.439.1773, www.LureofChocolate.com
Schmid’s Fine Chocolate
99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com
FURNITURE
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
IMAGES/Creative Solutions
117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com
HAIR SALONS
Kreative Hair Design
173 Avenida Serra, 949.498.6245
HEATING
Oasis Heating & Air
31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com
HOME DÉCOR
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
LANDSCAPING
Costa Verde Landscape
License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com
MANAGEMENT - HOA
AMMCOR
910 Calle Negocio, Ste. 200, 949.661.7767, www.AMMCOR.com
CONCRETE
Costa Verde Landscape
License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com
DENTISTS
Eric Johnson, D.D.S.
647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com
Kristen Ritzau DDS
122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.498.4110, www.KristenRitzauDDS.com
EDIBLE LANDSCAPING
Organics Out Back
949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com
ELECTRICAL
Arcadia Electric
949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com
ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE, TRUST
Lange & Minnott
1201 Puerta Del Sol, Ste. 203, 949.492.3459
MATTRESSES
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
MORTGAGES
Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage, a division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com
MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE
SC Rider Supply
520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com
MUSIC LESSONS
Danman’s Music School
949.496.6556, www.danmans.com
Janet Poth - Violin & Viola
413 Calle Pueblo, 949.922.6388, janpoth@aol.com
OFFICE FURNITURE
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT
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PAINTING
KC Painting & Decorating
3349 Paseo Halcon, 949.388.6829, www.bringcolorintoyourlife.com
PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD
1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com
PEST CONTROL
Colony Termite Control
1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com
PHARMACIES
Sea View Pharmacy
665 Camino De Los Mares, #101, 949.496.0123, www.seaviewpharmacy.com
PLUMBING
Bill Metzger Plumbing
1218 Puerta del Sol, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com
Chick’s Plumbing
949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com
“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax
949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com
RESTAURANTS
Café Calypso
114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386
ROOFING CONTRACTORS
Jim Thomas Roofing
162 Calle de Industrias, 949.498.6204
SALONS
Salon Bamboo
150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com
Salon Bleu
207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com
Sanctuary Salon & Spa
1041 Avenida Pico, Ste. B, 949.429.5802, www.sanctuarytalega.com
SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS
South Coast Furniture & Mattress
109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com
TERMITES
Colony Termite Control
1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com
WEBSITE DESIGN
San Clemente Website Design
949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com
WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION
Offshore Construction
949.444.6323, www.offshoreconstruction.org
POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL
PRINTING
Printing OC
27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, 949.388.4888, www.printingoc.com
REAL ESTATE
Antonio Fiorello, Forté Realty Group San Clemente, 949.842.3631, www.forterealtygroup.com
Marcie George Star Real Estate South County
949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net
Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com FOR SALE BRAND NEW KING PILLOWTOP MATTRESS $250 Brand name from the largest mattress MFR in America. Still sealed in the original factory plastic. Not used, not rebuilt! 949-842-9994. 1st Come, 1st Served BED FRAME Metal bed frame. Adjustable for all sizes. $35/obo. New condition. 949.533.9761
GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE Stop by 26326 Via California in Capistrano Beach between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. for deals on landscaping equipment, electronics, cosmetics and more. 64-gigbyte iPad and iPod available, elliptical exerciser, SONY television, luggage, roller skates and other miscellaneous items.
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SERVICES LOCAL HOUSEKEEPER OR OFFICE CLEANING Reliable, affordable, meticulous. Excellent references. 949-573-8733
SURF STUFF
SC Pool & Spa Works
1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com
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MENS WETSUITS Mens Rip Curl Wetsuit, short-arm, full suit. New condition. Size small $65. Quiksilver full suit, barely used. Size medium $75. Call or text 949.533.9761.
SC n te S a n C le m e
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
San Clemente Times April 17–23, 2014
Page 23
www.sanclementetimes.com
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
Triton Report BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
For in-game updates, news and more for all the San Clemente spring sports teams, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.
Tritons Volleyball Comes Back in Win Over Dolphins For two games, it looked like the San Clemente boys volleyball team was going to fall victim to spring break rust. After not playing a match for 12 days, the Tritons quickly found themselves in an 0-2 hole on the road against rival Dana Hills on April 15, the Dolphins eyeing a possible threegame sweep. But after a convincing win over their opponents in the third game, the Tritons found their rhythm and the rust was shaken off. The Tritons cleaned up their errors and won the final three games to claim a five-set, 20-25, 25-27, 25-17, 27-25, 15-12 South Coast League victory. “That’s spring break. It took a while for us to get our rhythm. We made a lot of unforced errors those first couple of games. I told them they’re going to make mistakes, other teams, they’re going to have problems but we can’t keep compounding those with our own,” San Clemente head coach Ken Goldstone said. “I thought we kind of hung in there and played hard. I told them if we can just get a game and get some rhythm, we’ll be OK.” San Clemente (14-4, 3-0 league) kept the match alive in the third set, going on a late 6-0 run to pad their lead to 23-13. Junior middle blocker Matt August recorded a solo block and assisted on two more during the run. In the fourth, the Tritons benefitted from a Dolphins unforced error with the match on the line. Dana Hills (12-6, 3-1) held a 24-23 lead and could have put the match away, but instead an error was recorded at the net and the Tritons had a second chance. Another block from August and a Peter van Liefde kill made it 27-25, forcing the decisive fi fth set. Dana Hills led 10-7 in the fi fth set and the Tritons tied things up following two Dolphins errors and an Aaron Strange block. Following an ace from junior Marcus McGuire that barely landed in play on the back line, junior middle blocker Brandon Hopper recorded a block and secured the match for the Tritons. San Clemente will host Capistrano Valley on April 17.
Boys Lacrosse Returns from Denver, Defeats Tesoro The Tritons boys varsity lacrosse team San Clemente Times April 17-23, 2014
San Clemente middle blocker Brandon Hopper, right, and the boys volleyball team defeated Dana Hills in five sets on April 15. Photo: Steve Breazeale
traveled to Denver last week to take on some of Colorado’s best lacrosse programs, including a pair of teams ranked in the Western Region Top-10 by Inside Lacrosse. The Tritons finished the road trip with a 1-2 mark. The trip started on April 8 against the two-time defending Colorado state champion Arapahoe (8-1). After playing to a 2-2 draw at the end of the first quarter, the Tritons could do little to stop the Warriors offense in the second, as they scored eight times to take a 10-5 lead. San Clemente rallied, but ultimately lost, 17-12. Seniors Peyton Garrett and Collin Zines and junior Jack Renard led the way for San Clemente by scoring two goals and two assists each. San Clemente bounced back from the loss with a 14-6 win over Smoky Hill on April 9, in a game played on the field at Denver University. The Tritons were able to storm to a quick 9-0 first-quarter lead and led 11-1 entering the fourth quarter. Senior midfielder Will Bozarth was efficient in the faceoff, winning 19 of 24 draws to set the pace. Senior Austin Streeter (four goals, one assist), Renard (three goals, one assist), Torin Alm (three goals) and Garrett (two goals, one assist) led the offense. The Tritons finished with a 40-19 advantage in ground balls against the Buffs. Senior defender Stone Sims had three takeaways on defense, while Max Lepley, Garrett and Caleb Bozarth each had two. On April 10, San Clemente played Cherry Creek (7-2) and lost 11-8. After falling behind quickly 4-0, San Clemente narrowed the Bruins’ lead to 6-4 at halftime by way of a first-half hat trick from Renard. But Cherry Creek stretched the lead quickly to 8-4 after the restart and the Tri-
tons were not able to overcome the deficit. Streeter added a pair of goals and Austin Boyer made nine saves in goal. San Clemente (9-4, 5-0) returned home and defeated Tesoro 11-5 on April 15 in a South Coast League game, solidifying their place at the top of the standings. They will play on the road at Agoura on April 19.
Late-Inning Rally not Enough for Tritons Softball in Loss to Dolphins The San Clemente softball team scored four runs in the sixth inning, but it was not enough to overcome the lead built by rival Dana Hills on April 15. The Dolphins took an early lead and held on for a 7-5 win in the Tritons’ South Coast League opener. Dolphins (12-4, 1-1) junior Madison Killebrew and senior Danielle Ingraham both hit two home runs in the game, powering Dana Hills to their sixth win in their last
seven games. San Clemente (9-4, 0-1) sophomore Elise Sawall went 1-3 and hit a three-run home run in the loss.
Tritons Baseball Suffers Back to Back League Losses The San Clemente baseball team lost a close game to Dana Hills on April 8, giving up a seventh inning walk-off hit in a 4-3 loss. In their next game, which came on the road against Aliso Niguel on April 11, the Tritons saw a 3-2 lead slip away as the Wolverines scored four times in the final three innings to claim a 6-4 Sea View League victory. The two losses followed what was a county-best ten-game win streak for the Tritons (15-5, 2-2), which ended after the loss to Dana Hills. San Clemente was set to play Laguna Hills on the road on April 16. Results were not available at press time.
Fitness Challenge to Raise Funds for Wounded Warrior Project SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
L
ocal businesses Forged in Fitness and San Clemente Self Defense are patterning up to help raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project through an eight-week fitness challenge. On April 25, there will be a weigh-in and body fat measurements for each entrant, which will be monitored and contrasted with each individual’s final results. Entrants are
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encouraged to use each businesses boot camp or kickboxing offerings, or work out on their own, in order to meet their goals. On June 27, a winner will be awarded a $500 grand prize. All proceeds from the fitness challenge will go directly towards the Wounded Warrior Project. Cost to enter is $115. For more information, visit www.forgedinfitness.com. SC www.sanclementetimes.com
SC San Clemente
SC SURF
SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:
SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY GROM OF THE WEEK
Conan Craig
C
San Juan Hills High School surfers are the 2013-2014 SSS state champions among Section B inland teams. Photo: Sheri Crummer
Tri-city Talent Transcends Local surfers shine in North and South America
BY ANDREA SWAYNE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
T
he amateur surfing world has been busy over the past couple of weeks, with finalist podiums near and far replete with local talent. From the International Surfing Association World Junior Championships in Ecuador to Scholastic Surf Series high school competition to the Western Surfing Association Championship Tour, surfers hailing from our tri-city area have, once again, proven to be a formidable presence in the lineup. The Surfing America USA Team brought home a copper medal from the ISA World Juniors Sunday, with San Clemente surfers Tia Blanco and Griffin Colapinto earning individual bronze and copper medals, respectively. In the SSS State Championships, April 5-7 in Oceanside, San Juan Hills High School became overall state champions among Section B inland schools. In Section A coastal competition, Dana Hills High School took top honors over runnerup Carlsbad High School in the Men’s Shortboard division. The regular season of the WSA Championship Tour wrapped up in Oceanside Saturday and Sunday with first place fin-
ishes in 11 of 24 divisions being awarded to surfers from San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. From North America to South America, south county surfers shone brightly. SC
SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 58-60 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-10’+ poor-fair Immediate: Fun south/southwest groundswell slowly eases along with northwest windswell mix. Surf in the waist-chest high (3-4’) zone prevails at better exposures, as top combo and summer focal points see plus sets around favorable tides. Conditions remain most favorable in the morning with calm to light southerly flow. Winds trend onshore through the morning before a light afternoon seabreeze develops. Size is down a notch for Friday as our northwest swell eases and some reinforcing south/southwest swell moves in. Morning conditions remain semi problematic with a fun combo running for the exposed beachbreaks. Longer Range Outlook: Fun blend of south/ southwest swell and minor northwest swell mix is on tap to start the weekend, with more favorable morning conditions looking likely. By the end of the weekend a larger south/southwest swell and some new northwest swell prevail. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!
onan Craig of San Clemente put on an impressive showing at the Western Surfing Association contest Saturday in Oceanside. His U9 shortboard campaign came to an end in the Repechage round after a convincing Round 1 win and emerging from a stacked Round 2 heat in third place. Conan’s last podium appearance came in March at the WSA Salt Creek event with a fifth-place finish. Conan will be one to watch next season in the U10s. We caught up with the talented 8 year old during Saturday’s event to find out more about him. Here’s what he had to say: How long have you been surfing: Pretty much since I could walk. Surfboard: My dad Danny Craig shapes under the label Dogfight. He made me a 4’8” with kind of a flat nose, a lot of rocker and extra foam to float me better. It works really great. Contest strategy: Stay focused, don’t worry about the other surfers, be confident and don’t get down on yourself. Favorite surf break: T Street. Favorite music: I listen to everything.
RESULTS Local finishers only. Key: SC=San Clemente, DP=Dana Point, CB=Capistrano Beach, SJC=San Juan Capistrano. WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 8, April 12-13, Oceanside, Harbor MICRO GROM BOYS/GIRLS SB U9: 1. Dane Matson, SC. BOYS/GIRLS U10: 1. Dax McPhillips, SC; 3. Dane Matson, SC; 4. Bane Corbett, SC. BOYS U12: 1. Jett Schilling, SC; 2. Sebastian Mendes, SC; 3. Kade Matson, SC; 4. Taj Lindblad, SC. BOYS U14: 1. Ryan Martin, SC; 3. Kade Matson, SC; 5. Ethan Mudge, CB. BOYS U16: 1. Kei Kobayashi, SC; 6. Jacob Atwood, CB. BOYS U18: 1. Brighton Reinhardt, DP; 2. Conner Dand, SC. GIRLS U12: 1. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 4. Samantha Sibley, SC. GIRLS U14:
Conan Craig in his first barrel. Photo: CBook
Favorite TV show: I don’t know. I don’t watch a lot of TV. Food: Healthy stuff like salad, apples, tomatoes and my mom makes really good pasta I love. School subject: Reading and math. Dream surf trip: North Shore, Hawaii. Interests outside of surfing: Skateboarding, bike riding and baseball. Dream career: Pro surfer or pro skater. Maneuver: Right now I’m trying to do a layback spray. I’ve been trying for a long time. I almost landed one Saturday but I fell back too much. —Andrea Swayne
3. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 5. Bethany Zelasko, DP; 6. Samantha Sibley, SC. GIRLS U16: 3. Cameron Duby, SJC; 5. Lily Benjamin, SJC; 6. Bethany Zelasko, DP. GIRLS U18: 3. Kirra Pinkerton, SC. BOYS LONGBOARD U14: 2. Jimmy Wynne, SC; 6. Ricky Fodor, DP. JR. LONGBOARD U18: 2. Kevin Skvarna, SJC; 5. Kaimana Takayama, SC. GIRLS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Cameron Duby, SJC. GIRLS LONGBOARD U18: 3. Cameron Duby, SJC; 5. Teresa O’Connor, SJC. MEN 18-29: 2. Ricky Lovato, SC. LEGENDS 50+: 1. Dale Baker, SC. OPEN MEN: 3. Cody Canzoneri, SC; 6. Brighton Reinhardt, DP. OPEN WOMEN: 1. Samantha Sibley, SC. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 2. Cody Canzoneri, SC; 3. Kaimana Takayama, SC. OPEN WOMEN LONGBOARD: 3. Cameron Duby, SJC. SR. MEN LONGBOARD 40+: 1. Michael Takayama, SC; 6. Eric Rendon, SC. For full results including SSS and ISA events, see www.sanclementetimes.com.
