April 2, 2015

LO C A L

N EWS

April 2–8, 2015

YO U

C A N

INSIDE: Special South County Real Estate Guide

U S E

PAGE 15 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 14

Hospital Decision Delayed Operator waiting on emergency room legislation EYE ON SC/PAGE 6

A decision by the MemorialCare board will keep the current San Clemente hospital facility as-is while legislation to preserve its emergency room moves forward. Photo: Allison Jarrell

New Members Named to SONGS Community Panel EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SC Native Kyle Krone on His Latest Solo Album SC LIVING/PAGE 27

www.sanclementetimes.com

Tritons Claim National Baseball Tourney Title SPORTS/PAGE 31

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

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Shop Dine Local SAN CLEMENTE

ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Contact Susie Lantz at 949.388.7700, ext 111 or slantz@sanclementetimes.com

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING 1:30 p.m. The driver of the 2008 Toyota Camry was a 44-year-old U.S. citizen who indicated he was traveling to the San Fernando Valley. Agents requested and received permission to conduct a K-9 sniff of the sedan. The K-9 search resulted in a positive alert. Agents searched the vehicle and allegedly found multiple bundles of narcotics hidden inside a false compartment. The packages contained 1.21 pounds of black tar heroin, 17.20 pounds of China white heroin and 22.38 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and have an estimated street value of $573,720.

Hours later, a second arrest took place at the I-5 checkpoint. The driver, a 25-yearold U.S. citizen, arrived at the checkpoint driving a 2001 Toyota Solara and was referred to secondary inspection. At secondary, the driver consented to a K-9 sniff of the vehicle that resulted in a positive alert. Agents searched and allegedly discovered 69 packages of methamphetamine in the rear quarter panels of the vehicle.

The methamphetamine weighed a total of 82.36 pounds and has an estimated street value of $823,600.

WHAT’S NEXT: The narcotic bundles from both events have a total estimated street value of $1,397,320. The two men and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Last fiscal year, San Diego Sector seized more than 2,880 ounces of heroin and more than 1,790 pounds of methamphetamine. – Jim Shilander

Border Patrol agents seized more than $1 million in hard drugs in two separate stops Wednesday, March 25.

Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. Border Patrol

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week Sewage Pump Station Fails, Crews Work to Mitigate Spillage THE LATEST: One of the city’s main pump stations that moves sewage to the treatment plant failed Sunday, keeping utilities maintenance crews busy through the night, said a department supervisor on site shortly before 6 a.m. Monday.

Utilities Maintenance Supervisor Ken Burtech said the pump station in North Beach near the train station had a complete electrical failure at about 9 p.m.

Sunday, necessitating the use of pumper trucks to capture as much sewage as possible to prevent it from reaching the beach, as well as the setup of a temporary bypass pump to route sewage to the treatment plant until it can be repaired.

Crews were busy filling and dumping a fleet of nine 5,000-gallon tankers throughout the night, Burtech said.

Some spillage did occur for a period San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

of about an hour onto the beach near the Pier, he said. The volume of that spill has been estimated at approximately 5,200 gallons.

WHAT’S NEXT: The beach, one half-mile to the north and one half-mile to the south of the pier, was closed to swimming and surfing for two days, officials said, with additional examination coming Wednesday to determine whether the water could be reopened to activities Later Monday, the sewer flow was restored by means of the temporary bypass and city staff was evaluating the next steps toward making a permanent repair.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www. sanclementetimes.com. – Andrea Swayne

Border Patrol Agents Seize More than $1 Million in Drugs THE LATEST: U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 5 checkpoint south of San Clemente arrested two men Wednesday, one north of the checkpoint and the second one at the checkpoint. Together, the two men had more than $1.3 million worth of hard narcotics.

The first arrest occurred when agents on patrol observed a suspicious vehicle heading north and initiated a vehicle stop at Crown Valley Parkway at approximately

SONGS Panel to Meet April 16, New Members Added THE LATEST: When Southern California Edison’s Community Engagement Panel meets again April 16 at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, it will have several new members.

Following the resignation of Residents Organized for a Safe Environment founder Gene Stone from the panel effective March 1, the utility has named Glenn Pascall, of the Sierra Club, who had previously served as Stone’s alternate, to the panel to fill a seat as a representative of the environmental movement. In his resignation letter, Stone said he hoped the body would be given more authority by the state to make policy.

In addition, new representatives have been named for San Juan Capistrano (Mayor Pro Tem Pam Patterson), Dana Point (Mayor Carlos Olvera) and from Camp Pendleton (Tom Caughlan). San Clemente City Councilman Tim Brown serves as vice chair of the body.

WHAT’S NEXT: Currently, the meeting is

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slated to focus on security, according to an Edison spokesperson. The meeting will also include follow-up discussion regarding storage issues from its meeting Jan. 27. – JS

Vista Hermosa Opening May OpenApril 11 THE LATEST: Barring any unexpected utility issues, San Clemente drivers may soon have another option for moving east to west across the city.

At a joint City Council-city commissions meeting held Tuesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, Assistant City Engineer Tom Bonigut said the city and Taylor Morrison, the developer of the 300-plus home residential development at the Marblehead site, are currently planning for an April 11 grand opening ceremony for the completion of West Avenida Vista Hermosa to Avenida Pico.

The opening would provide an additional east-west outlet for drivers before work begins on the demolition of the Avenida Pico overpass of Interstate 5, slated to begin this later this month.

WHAT’S NEXT: The City Council is expected to accept the improvements to both the road, as well as a four-mile trail system, at its meeting Tuesday, April 7.

No time has yet been set for a ceremony.

– JS

Dates for Commission Interviews to be Set by Council THE LATEST: The San Clemente City Council is slated to set June dates to interview candidates for 21 positions on seven different city commissions or to serve as representatives on outside bodies at its meeting Tuesday, April 7.

WHAT’S NEXT: The positions open include four seats on the Planning Commission, Golf Course Committee, Human Affairs Committee and Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission. Two slots will be available on the Coastal Advisory and Investment Advisory committees. All positions are two-year terms. A three-year appointment as the city’s representative on the Friends of the Reserve Commission will also be under consideration.

Those interested in the positions will have to fill out applications on the city website and be interviewed by the City Council, which will then select candidates by majority vote.

FIND OUT MORE: For information on the positions, visit the city’s website at www.san-clemente.org. – JS www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Community Meetings

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY JIM SHILANDER

Our Savior’s Lutheran Crowned Champions at Orange County History Day Five students from Our Savior’s Lutheran School in San Clemente were crowned champions at Orange County History Day on March 14.

Each year more than half a million students, encouraged by thousands of teachers nationwide, participate in the National History Day contest. NHD is a year-long educational program in which students become historians. Students choose historical topics related to an annual theme and conduct extensive primary and secondary research using libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews. They analyze and interpret their findings, draw conclusions about the significance of their topics in history and create final projects to present their work. These projects can be entered into competitions at the county, state and national levels, where they are evaluated by professional historians and educators.

The students will represent Orange County at the National History Day state competition in May.

State Parks Foundation Looking for Volunteers Twenty-seven state parks across California will be the focus of California State Parks Foundation’s 17th Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company on Saturday, April 18. In addition to being a presenting sponsor, PG&E will provide its workforce at 11 state parks. More than 2,000 volunteers are needed to help with environmental improvement projects statewide.

California’s state parks receive benefits from the work completed by volunteers during the annual event. This year, trails will be cleared for greater public access, campgrounds will be improved prior to the busy summer season, native and drought tolerant vegetation will be planted and trash will be removed to create a more welcoming environment for visitors. Businesses and individuals are sought to actively participate with their communities to help improve the quality, safety and preservation of California’s 279 state parks.

Locally, the effort will be done at San Onofre State Beach. Volunteers are being sought to work on campfire center renovations at San Mateo Campground, including sanding and painting all bench seating, painting screen doors and interpretive displays and installing outdoor speakers and lighting. Additional efforts will be undertaken to plant native plants. Checkin time is 8:30 a.m., with the project likely lasting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at San Mateo San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Students from Our Savior’s Lutheran School were crowned champions at Orange County History Day in March.

Pictured (L to R) are Jack Hagen, Zane Pert, teacher Pamela Klevit, Jessika Ephraim, Kayla Scopaz and Liam Hallinan. Photo: Courtesy

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

Campground, 830 Christianitos Road, San Clemente. About 75 volunteers are needed.

To volunteer, visit calparks.org/earthday or call 888.987.2757. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Parking fees are waived for Earth Day volunteers.

San Clemente Woman’s Club 10 a.m. Monthly meeting, prospective members are welcome to attend. Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area, 1304 Calle Valle. www.sanclementewomansclub.com.

Honda Dealers Hosting Adoption Event Saturday SoCal Honda will host a Helpful Honda Pet Adoption event Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter & Pet Project Foundation, 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente.

Honda personnel will be on hand to provide complimentary leashes, water bowls, face painting and more, as well as making a donation of supplies from SoCal Honda.

Discounted adoptions fees will be offered.

To view available pets for adoption, please check out our partner’s web sites through www.facebook.com/socalhondadealers and www.petprojectfoundation.org.

Schmitt Named Ocean Institute Volunteer of the Year Jim Schmitt of San Clemente has been selected as its 2015 Volunteer of the Year at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. Schmitt has been a volunteer since 1997 and has devoted more than 5,500 hours to the Institute. He has volunteered at the gift shop, for weekend public programs, the information booth and many other roles.

“Jim is the quintessential ‘Johnny on the Spot,’” Director of Volunteers Linda Blanchard said. “Before someone can ask ‘what is this place?’ or ‘where do I check in?’ Jim has anticipated the question and provided that person with the answer, or found someone else to help.”

“I enjoy meeting and greeting new people. I’m happy to be a volunteer,” Schmitt, an 18-year San Clemente resident, said.

Schmitt and wife Diane were named the Ocean Institute’s Volunteers of the Year in 2005. Diane, his wife of 58 years, died

Sensational Springtacular 7:30 a.m. San Clemente Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. 9 a.m. Activities begin for children, culminating with Easter egg hunts. Followed by “Spalashtacular” event at San Clemente Aquatics Center, Vista Hermosa Sports Park, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa. www.san-clemente.org.

Jim Schmitt with Ocean Institute President Dan Stetson. Photo: Courtesy the Ocean Institute

in 2012. “She was a wonderful lady, and was the one who often got me involved in things like the Ocean Institute,” Schmitt said. “While I very much appreciate and am happy to be named Volunteer of the Year, I feel like the honor more appropriately belongs to her.”

Additional volunteers are welcome at the Institute. Contact Linda Blanchard at 949.496.2274, ext. 221 or lblanchard@ ocean-institute.org.

Spinal Vitality Chiropractic will Host Grand Opening Spinal Vitality Chiropractic center in San Clemente is celebrating its grand opening Saturday, April 4 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220.

The center, which was previously located in San Juan Capistrano, is known for its B.L.I.S.S. program, a drug-free approach that balances and improves communication within the brain and between the brain and body. This program addresses the brain through neurology and nutrition to correct the root causes of attention, behavior, learning and social problems such as ADHD, learning disabilities, OCD, sensory processing disorders as well as autistic spectrum disorders.

More information can be found at www.spinalvitality.com.

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

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

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

San Clemente Abolitionists 7 p.m.

San Clemente Abolitionists Meet-up at Barnoa Wine Bar. Come to discuss ways to fight human trafficking both locally and globally. This month’s meeting will feature Brenda Wells who will speak about newly-formed San Clemente Interfaith Coalition.

831 Via Suerte, #106.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

Kiwanis Meeting Noon. The local

Kiwanis Club meets at Carrows.

620 Avenida Pico, 949.290.8729, www.sanclementekiwanis.com.

SC Rotary Club Noon. Pride of the Pacific Bar & Grille, 150 Avenida Magdalena, 949.361.3619, www.sanclementerotary.org.

Human Affairs Committee Meeting

3 p.m. Regular meeting. Community Center Ole, Ole Hanson Room, 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Planning Commission 7 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, www.san-clemente.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

Coastal Advisory Committee 7 p.m.

Regular meeting. Community Center, Ole Hanson Room, 100 N. Calle Seville, www.san-clemente.org. www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

MemorialCare Delays Hospital Decision Emergency room legislation cited as reason for choice

BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he board of MemorialCare announced Thursday that it is continuing thefeasibility study about the future of its San Clemente campus to allow for legislation in both houses of the state legislature that would allow the hospital to move forward while maintaining emergency services.

MemorialCare announced a feasibility study in August for a proposal to transform the current hospital facility into an outpatient medical pavilion that would result in the razing of the current facility with the current emergency room transformed into an urgent care facility as the pavilion was built. However, community groups and the City Council voiced opposition to the proposal, as did councils in several neighboring cities.

“When we began the feasibility study to transform the San Clemente campus, a freestanding emergency department was not a possibility. Since then, State Senator Patricia Bates and State Assemblyman William Brough have introduced legislation to allow for a freestanding emergency department in San Clemente,” a letter sent to hospital staff stated. “As a result, the Saddleback Memorial Board of Directors has agreed to continue the feasibility study to determine whether we can maintain emergency services as part of our proposal to transform the campus.

We will continue to pursue and support legislative and regulatory opportunities that would allow us to maintain emergency services on the San Clemente campus. We will offer more information as it becomes available in the coming months.”

The letter acknowledges the difficulties the hospital says it faces moving forward.

“There is a growing demand for high quality, convenient and affordable outpatient centers, and less of a need for inpatient hospital beds. We face significant challenges operating our small hospital in San Clemente because of very low patient volumes, and these volumes continue to shrink. We also understand that the emergency services we offer are used and valued by the community.”

Administrator Tony Struthers said there is currently no timeline for the end of the study.

Tuesday, Struthers, who is scheduled to make a presentation to the San Clemente City Council regarding the current status of the hospital on Tuesday, April 7, said the focus for the hospital is now on the

San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

Opponents of the proposal to transform Saddleback Memorial Medical Center’s San Clemente campus at a rally in February. The operator has delayed a decision on the potential transformation of the facility into an advanced out-patient pavilion to allow for legislation that would allow the hospital to maintain an emergency room.

Photo: Jim Shilander

opposed to pursuing state-wide legislalegislative path. tion to allow for “stand-alone” emergency “The board felt strongly that there were rooms, though such legislation is being still too many unanswered questions,” proposed. Under current state law, an Struthers said. “Especially as it related to emergency room must be attached to an the emergency department legislation. in-patient facility to operate.

There’s not really any more information Dr. Gus Gialamas, one of the leaders of to make a final decision, so we’re going the Save San Clemente Hospital nonprofit to continue the process that we’ve had that led the opposition to the proposal, ongoing since September. I think this is said he was pleased. just part of the process. Nothing’s really “We welcome the delay,” Gialamas said. changed.”

“I applaud Steve Geidt (Saddleback’s chief Struthers said the hospital was now executive officer) to looking to coordinate have the wisdom to efforts at improving The people I’ve talked move his board toward whatever chances the exploring other opBates/Brough legislato in the community tions.” tion had to be successful. This could include really feel strongly about Gialamas suggested one such proposal partnering with other that, maintaining could be a smaller-footgroups on lobbying print hospital facility efforts, or with the city emergency services. proposed by his group. itself.

“The people I’ve talk— Tony Struthers A cost analysis of the group’s proposal will be ed to in the community released soon, he said. really feel strongly about that, maintaining “This is the first step in the right direcemergency services,” Struthers said. tion,” Gialamas said.

Struthers said any disruption to current Dr. Steve Cullen said he was pleased to services offered at the hospital would be have anything that helped to keep the hos“ill-advised” given the legislative push. pital open moving forward, but said he still “We truly are looking at all options, and had concerns about the future of the facility. truthfully, this is an option that wasn’t “It seems pretty clear that MemorialCare available to us until February when this is open to saving the emergency room but legislation was introduced. Now we want has given up on the (in-patient) hospital to support them where we can.” completely,” Cullen said. “The emergency Brough said the bill has been referred room has always been our first priority and to the Assembly’s Health Committee. In if we had to choose one or the other, we’d consultation with colleagues, Brough said rather have the emergency room.” he had been given the impression that Cullen said he was interested in putting it would be better to pursue a singular together a committee of MemorialCare waiver for the San Clemente hospital as

“

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staff to determine ways of increasing the patient census of the in-patient hospital.

MemorialCare has cited a declining census at the hospital as one of the reasons for the proposal to transform the hospital.

City leaders said they welcomed the additional time.

“It sounds like good news,” City Manager James Makshanoff said. “We’ll continue to work with them.”

Makshanoff said any potential lobbying efforts in Sacramento, which could be undertaken in partnership with other south county cities that expressed opposition to the hospital’s closure, would need to be brought before the City Council. Councilman Tim Brown, who has previously discussed potential partnerships, said he’d been asked about pursuing such an effort by residents.

The city has also explored potentially rezoning approximately 10 acres currently zoned for open space along Avenida La Pata to allow for a hospital. At a meeting last month, City Attorney Scott Smith said he did not believe the council would have to ask voters for approval of such a move, though councilmembers expressed confidence it would pass if it did go before voters.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Baker said he welcomed the emphasis on continuing emergency services.

“I’m encouraged by this,” Baker said.

Mayor Chris Hamm said he had mixed feelings. He joined Baker in expressing pleasure with the company’s emphasis on emergency services, but said the board should have rejected the proposal outright, given the community’s negative reaction to it. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

SC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY EVAN DA SILVA

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, March 30 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Del Comercio/Avenida San Luis Rey (11:38 p.m.) Police conducted a patrol check for an unknown person with a long ponytail who had a black backpack and flashlight.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Mayo, 4000 Block (10:06 p.m.) A woman was jogging and could smell a skunk, so she stopped to smell a rose instead. While she was doing so, a man “came out of nowhere” and scared her, asking what she was doing and what her name was.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES North El Camino Real/Calle De Los Molinos (8:16 p.m.) A woman called police after seeing a black vehicle with its hood up parked in front of a liquor store. She believed she heard a man punching something and a muffled scream.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Estacion, 1800 Block (4 p.m.) Police arrested a man in his 20s sitting on a curb, possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol, who had his hands down his pants.

LOST OR STOLEN PLATE Avenida Del Mar, 100 Block (2:22 p.m.) A woman called police to report someone had taken the front license plate off her vehicle two hours before.

HIT AND RUN MISDEMEANOR North El Camino Real/Calle De Los Molinos (2:28 p.m.)

An elderly man in a gold GMC Sierra ran over a stop sign.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Pico, 700 Block (1:45 p.m.) A drunken man, who was not a student, attempted to enter the school campus.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Del Mar, 100 Block (1:14 p.m.) Police received reports of a man with a shaved head, wearing sunglasses and flip flops, walking down the street threatening to kill people.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 200 Block (12:38 p.m.) After the jewelry store closed, a man attempted to enter. After being asked to leave, he gestured as though he was going to shoot the caller while pounding on the windows.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Del Presidente, 3100 Block (9:48 San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

a.m.) Two syringes were found on the ground on the east side of the street.

Sunday, March 29 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida De La Estrella, 100 Block (11:53 p.m.) An Uber driver reported his female passenger had been “touched inappropriately” by two men he had just picked up.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Pico, 900 Block (9:23 p.m.) Three men between the ages of 25 and 30 years old were walking through the parking lot “looking scary” and asking for money.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Pico/El Camino Real (7:16 p.m.) Once deputies left after a previous call, a man returned to the 7-Eleven and again threatened the caller, saying he would “knock his ass out.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Pico, 800 Block (5:57 p.m.) Albertsons requested police conduct a patrol check on a white vehicle in the parking lot that had been there since 10:30 a.m. The car was being occupied by a woman and had a dog underneath it.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Los Olivos, 700 Block (5:05 p.m.) A woman said she had been followed for 30 minutes and went to her father’s home. The subject following her continued to do so once she reached the residence and did not leave.

Saturday, March 28 DISTURBANCE Avenida Del Mar/Avenida Victoria (9:55 a.m.) A woman in a grey Infiniti said her son, who has schizophrenia, jumped out of the car.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES El Camino Real, 300 Block (6:15 a.m.) After being told by deputies to leave, a homeless man returned, threatening to burn the building down.

Friday, March 27 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Cabrillo/Avenida De La Estrella (11:27 p.m.) A subject was seen attempting to open doors along the street.

PATROL CHECK Camino La Pedriza/Cristianitos (6:56 p.m.) Police were informed of multiple subjects attempting to “build their own skate park.”

DRUNK IN PUBLIC Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (12:59 p.m.) Police conducted a patrol check for a 40- to 50-year-old man who was sitting in the patio area of a store with a bottle of wine next to him.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Pico/Gateway Village (11:29 a.m.) Police conducted a patrol check for a 45- to 50-year-old woman, who had her hand down her pants while yelling at vehicles.

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SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION:

By Diane and Bill Thomas

Thank You San Clemente

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

Actions of many helped make Courtney’s SandCastle a reality

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Jim Shilander, 949.388.7700, x109 jshilander@sanclementetimes.com

A

San Clemente dream is fulfilled.

The entire community should take credit for its welcome creation.

Courtney’s SandCastle was officially completed on March 21. Upward of 100 adults, children and city officials were present for the joyful celebration. Thanks for its completion goes to many of San Clemente’s citizenry, families, individuals, service clubs, foundations, social and sports groups, businesses and city staff whose collective involvement made this hope a reality. It began 14 years ago when a 4-year-old named Courtney Faye Smith, who had enjoyed her visit to Shane’s Inspiration universal playground, designed for both able and special needs children in Los Angeles, asked her mother, Christina, “Why don’t we have a place like that where we live?”

Next asked up the chain to the then-San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Wegner, the same question was addressed to the city’s parks commissioners, the city manager and finally answered positively by the City Council.

However, plans had to be developed, monies raised and community support obtained. The first group stepping to the plate was the San Clemente Junior Women’s Club with an initial contribution of $100,000. Represented by enthusiastic Mina Santoro and Melissa Echleberger, a sub-committee of the city’s Parks Commission was formed to explore the opportunity further. The first possible location approved by the City Council was Steed Park with monies initially promised by a local real estate developer. Next, responsibility flowed to Marblehead but disappeared with the Leyman Brothers’ bankruptcy. Every park in San Clemente was then considered and the City Council eventually and happily, added the universal playground idea to the Vista Hermosa Sports Park plan.

The San Clemente Friends Foundation inherited the small group of Courtney planners as an incubation sub-committee.

This group began a broad program of fundraising, including Lori Donchak as a grant writer, Don Glasgow as a fundraiser, Jim Nielsen as treasurer, Jeff Hartmann as attorney, Patricia Holloway as tree obtainer and Mina, Melissa and many others San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Susie Lantz, 949.388.7700, x111 slantz@sanclementetimes.com Councilwomen Lori Donchak, left, and Kathy Ward, flank Courtney Smith at the grand opening of Courtney’s SandCastle’s second phase March 21. Photo: Evan Da Silva

as gophers (go-out-and-get’em folks).

Over the ensuing years, community Courtney investments were made by local service clubs, foundations, tile sales, individual donors, businesses, social and service groups. The City Council initially pledged $658,000 to builder Valley Crest for construction. Generous service clubs included Rotary and Kiwanis; social and service groups numbered the Mom’s Clubs of San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan and Talega; SC Beach Angels; San Clemente Historical Society; and the Talega Garden Club. Businesses coming on board were both large and small, with Boeing, Plant Depot, Stonehard, Wright Design, Oceanview Nails, Peet’s Coffee, SC Gas Company, Rainbow Sandals and Tierrada Development actively participating financially. Education was represented by the Saddleback College Horticulture Department and San Clemente High PTA providing interns and monetary investment. Foundation involvement included the SC Friends Foundation, Hope 4 Hanna Foundation, McBeth Foundation, Loss Family Fund and Tarsadia Foundation.

Scores of San Clemente citizens made personal donations in various amounts which are too numerous to properly and deservedly credit. We thank you, too—the unmentioned.

Courtney’s SandCastle, originally blessed with a recreationally-inclusive playground, has its simulated castle with parapets and gently sloping ramps leading to play stations, a fearsome pirate ship for younger kids with a stern steering wheel and talking tubes, slides, swings with special straps for children in wheel chairs and other features; bowls that a child can approach in a wheelchair or on foot to interact with water and sand and make mud pies, a green concrete sea serpent for climbing, a shade shelter shaped like the sails of ship, picnic tables, 10 benches that look like monstrous boulders and a musical panel producing a strum, a chime and

other sounds, with a restroom adorned with donated tiles painted by young San Clemente artists and prepared by Fired Up of San Clemente. This was all created by community-provided funds and participation. The playground was designed by park landscaper Dick Fisher. City staff, especially park planner Tim Shaw, deserves considerable credit for the initial phase completion. Courtney’s second phase is now also completed. It includes native California plants and trees, a warm water tide pool, a floating granite water ball, areas and benches for relaxation and exercising nature’s senses of sight, smell, sight, touch and hearing. Much of the credit for this phase goes to park planner Aeryn Donnelly. But the major credit goes to an involved and caring community that collectively helped a now young lady fulfill “a long time ago” dream. Congratulations Courtney. 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 10

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, April 3 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso.

Planning commissioner and former mayor Wayne Eggleston will be this week’s guest.

He will discuss a proposal to create a historic district in North Beach. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Jim Shilander every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@sanclementetimes.com BUSINESS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@sanclementetimes.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Picket Fence Media Group Senior Editor, City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander

OPERATIONS

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

Finance Director > Mike Reed

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Kevin Dahlgren, Evan Da Silva, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

San Clemente Times, Vol. 10, Issue 14. 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 2015. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES CORRECTION: Last week’s story about the annual Mixology competition contained an error in a photo caption. Yvonne Kimball of Ole’s Tavern won the awards for People’s Choice and Best Presentation. The information was correct in the story.

We regret the error.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX

Letters to the Editor OUR HOSPITAL IS A BLESSING AND SHOULD BE SAVED JOAN HENRY, Capistrano Beach

My family and I have lived in Capistrano Beach for many years and have even watched San Clemente Hospital (Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente campus) being built. It has been a blessing for everyone. It is in a perfect location with schools, towns and the freeway close by.

I think it is terrible that the larger hospitals in Mission Viejo or Laguna Hills, or farther up the freeway, think they have the right to take away what the hospital in San Clemente has. We may be a smaller hospital, but we have enough people in San Clemente, Capistrano Beach, San Juan, Dana Point, and the surrounding hillsides, that do not want to have to go up the freeway to the other hospitals when we have a perfectly good hospital close by.

San Clemente hospital can handle anything here, given the chance to replace anything that has been taken away. We need our hospital. Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills are already filled up with no more room to grow, so they don’t want us up there as it is. The housing is growing in that area, and will soon be so populated that they will soon have to be looking around for another hospital site.

It is a shame because in the end, it is the money that is doing all of the talking, and making all of the deals. What is equally sad and stupid is the idea of thinking about building another hospital out at an old dumpsite in the sticks, where no one lives, and which would cost a ton of money when we have a perfectly good hospital here already. I really can’t believe where these people are coming from.

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.

GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner by Councilman Tim Brown

Plenty of Change Coming Stay up to date on upcoming projects

S

an Clemente is experiencing change, and it is all around us. Projects in planning stages for years have arrived simultaneously and this presents real challenges for residents, business owners, public agencies and other community stakeholders. Though uncomfortable, we must keep in mind that much of it is temporary. From the refurbishing of overburdened, aging public facilities to adding much needed new capacity to our transportation infrastructure, these longawaited public project investments will transform life as we know it for the better.

I would like to take a moment to provide a quick status update on these projects, as well as online resources where residents can go to get additional information. Our hopes are that through all of this change, San Clemente will experience better circulation, increased economic vitality for our businesses, more amenities for residents and an overall higher quality of living.

Avenida La Pata Extension: The extension of La Pata is projected for completion by fall 2016. Road grading is underway with bridges under construction. This project is managed by the county and will fill the gap in La Pata from Calle Saluda to the entrance of the Prima Deshecha landfill. Learn more at: pcpw.ocpublicworks. com/projects/lapata.

Ole Hanson Beach Club: The city is repairing and rehabilitating this historic building and pool and anticipates an early 2016 reopening date. The 87-year-old facility will be structurally compliant with ADA improvements and include an elevator when reopened.

Interstate-5 Widening: Caltrans and OCTA began construction in spring 2014 on the I-5 South County Improvement project, which will add a carpool lane in both directions on I-5 between Pico and San Juan Creek Road. It is projected to take three to four years total to complete.

Pico Interchange: The reconstruction of the Pico Interchange is underway. This

project is funded by Measure M funds and managed by OCTA and will widen the Northbound Pico on-ramp to three lanes, with dual left-turn lanes to both northbound and southbound Pico off-ramps. A bicycle lane will also be added. For more information on the I-5 and Pico projects: Facebook.com/OCI4SouthCounty; Twitter: @southOC5info; Instagram: @ southOC5info; email: southoc5info@octa. net; Helpline: 800.724.0353.

West Vista Hermosa Opening: This connection will open mid-April 2015 and serve as a critical alternative route for motorists on Pico to connect directly with Vista Hermosa without having to use the I-5 freeway.

PCH Bike Paths: This project re-designs the PCH path from North Beach to Camino Capistrano, which will improve mobility for residents using all modes of transit.

CITY COUNCIL At completion, residents CORNER will enjoy a 0.9-mile

By Tim Brown long Class I landscaped bicycle path on the ocean side of PCH and access to the new trails at Marblehead.

The project is under review by the California Coastal Commission and construction will follow the construction of Marblehead Coastal’s sidewalk improvements along its El Camino frontage, anticipated later this year.

Beach Trail Extension: A design firm has been hired to create a plan to extend the Coastal Trail from Calafia Beach south to connect with a walkway that leads to San Clemente State Beach. The Coastal Conservancy awarded the city $100,000 in grant funding for the design. The project design work and permit processing will be completed this year. The project construction date is unknown as the city seeks grant money to help defray the approximate $900,000 in construction costs.

Library Expansion: The existing library

and Friends of the Library Bookstore is 9,856 square feet in size, and adding the west wing and lobby area will create a larger Library of 13,728 square feet with increased adult and children technology areas, enlargement of the book store and more when it reopens late this summer.

Beach Restrooms: The base of pier restroom construction is underway and will open this June. The Boca restroom maintenance will also begin before June.

The City Council voted to keep the existing architectural style so the building exterior will be painted soon. The T Street restroom and the T Street concession building are in the structural analysis phase and once completed, will return to City Council.

Marblehead Commercial: Construction continues on the parking structure and buildings for the retail outlets. Owner Craig Realty is targeting a late summer/ fall 2015 opening of the first phase of the commercial center. Learn more: www. craigrealtygroup.com/outlet-center/ sanclemente-1014.

Marblehead Residential: Taylor Morrison’s 309-home bluff-top development broke ground in February and anticipates having model homes open by July. The first residents will move in by the end of this year. Learn more: www.seasummit. taylormorrison.com.

Please stay tuned for more information updates by visiting the city’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/cityofsanclementegovernment or website: www.sanclemente.org.

Tim Brown was San Clemente’s mayor for 2014. Brown was first elected to the City Council in 2010 and served as mayor pro tem in 2012 and 2013. He was reelected in 2014. 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 GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: Many Stories Result in ‘Wild Tales’

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Thursday | 02 WEEDING THROUGH THE MYTHS: A FACTUAL LOOK AT MARIJUANA 6:30 p.m. San Clemente’s Wellness & Prevention Center presents the “Get to 21” speaker series event, “Weeding through the Myths: A Factual Look At Marijuana,” at the San Clemente Community Center.

Experts from Colorado and the local community will discuss the effects marijuana legalization has had on families, businesses and healthcare. Admission is free.

100 N. Calle Seville, www.wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.com.

Friday | 03 L.A. JONES FT. ADRIANA MARIE 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.

Saturday | 04 THE MOON POLICE IN CONCERT 7 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse is excited to present local San Clemente band, The Moon Police. This concert is one of the band’s last performances with Sasha Evans singing vocals. Tickets are $10.

202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

CASPERS PARK FOUNDATION NATURE TALK 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Enjoy a nature-themed lecture at the park Nature Center held in association with the monthly meeting of Caspers Park Foundation volunteers. Admission is free. Ages 16 and up. For more information, contact the Caspers Park Foundation at caspersparkfoundation@ gmail.com. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210.

Sunday | 05 THE VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop and stroll along Avenida Del Mar, in the heart of historic downtown San Clemente on the first Sunday of every month, where close to 70 gifted artisans sell their hand-crafted art and fine crafts. Explore a variety of exceptional work including fine art, photography, ceramics, woodwork, botanicals, knits, jewelry, leather goods, San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

Photo: Courtesy of Sony Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO

EDITOR’S PICK

W

SATURDAY, APRIL 4: SENSATIONAL SPRINGTACULAR 7 a.m.-Noon. Enjoy a family-friendly day of food and entertainment. A pancake breakfast begins at 7 a.m., followed by children’s activities and bunny visits at 9 a.m., egg hunts at 10 a.m. and finally, the “Splashtacular” rec swim session. Food will be priced nominally, both egg hunts are free and standard recreation swim fees apply. Vista Hermosa Sports Park, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, www.san-clemente.org.

metal work, organic textiles, natural body products, fused and blown glass and much more. 949.395.7008. www.villagesanclemente.org.

Tuesday | 07

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.

BEACH CHURCH 8 a.m. Visit Christ Lutheran’s Beach Church on the sand at North Beach near the Metrolink station. Worship and fellowship for all ages—with the ocean, dolphins and an occasional train as a backdrop.

949.496.2621, www.clcsanclemente.org.

SPRING BREAK CAMPS AT OCEAN INSTITUTE 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Junior Neptunes for kids ages 6-8 and Junior Oceanographers for ages 9-12 will teach children about ocean science. Both camps include a two-hour cruise aboard the R/V Sea Explorer.

Cost is $75 for non-members. Members receive a discount. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Wednesday | 08 CASA WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: YOGA 9 a.m. Practice multiple yoga traditions.

Bring your own mat. Class is suitable for beginners to seasoned practitioners. $5, free for members. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

Monday | 06 MOMMY MOVIE MONDAYS 10 a.m. Moms and dads are welcome to bring their baby along to the theater every Monday at Krikorian Theaters. 641 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, 949.661.7610, www.kptmovies.com.

TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Spend some time in the great outdoors and help other volunteers clear the trails at The Richard & Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Register by 4 p.m. April 5. Ages 10 and up. Free. To RSVP or for directions, call 949.489.9778 or visit www.rmvreserve.org.

SAN CLEMENTE AREA REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED MEETING 10:30 a.m. This month’s featured speaker is Deborah Pauly, member of the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Orange County. The meeting will take place at the Talega Golf Club, 900 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. RSVP is required.

Luncheon is $27. For reservations, email scarwf@gmail.com.

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hile film fanatics raved about Poland’s Ida and France’s Force Majure as the best foreign films of 2014, Argentina’s Wild Tales didn’t disappear into obscurity as others might have. After being nominated for Best Foreign Film last month, Damian Szifrón’s richly satirical feature gets a wider release this spring. Szifrón managed to sign on Spanish film legend Pedro Almodóvar as a producer for his cinema debut and fans of Almodóvar will definitely enjoy this one.

Wild Tales is a collection of six short, unrelated stories of surreal, ridiculously bad luck and coincidence. Within the two-hour runtime, viewers experience an ill-fated plane ride, a waitress who meets the man responsible for her father’s death, a man terrorized by a psychotic driver in the middle of nowhere, a working class family man being ripped off by a car towing company, a rich family trying to cover up their son’s drunk driving homicide and a wedding replete with violence and manipulation.

The cast includes Argentinian actors Darío Grandinetti, María Murell, Ricardo Darín, Erica Rivas and Diego Gentile. Wild Tales is in the same vein as Woody Allen’s Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (1972) or the multi-directed Paris, je t’aime (2006), where some segments work instantly and others don’t. Here, five of the shorts are expertly crafted with wit and dark humor that keep the viewers’ eyebrows raised or nervously laughing.

There may not be happy endings every time, but they certainly are entertaining and quick to the point. SC

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

700 Calle Monserrat | San Clemente Discover the unmatched panoramic ocean views from the top of San Clemente at Misty Ridge. This perfect blend of a traditional style home and Cape Cod estate reveals a two-level residence with unique spaces that mirror the crystalline vistas. With 5 bedrooms, 3-and-one-half baths, rich hardwood floors, and west-facing windows that offer up unlimited access to the scenic panoramas, the home is approximately 4,000 square feet. The entire first floor, including two bedrooms, two separate baths, two additional bedrooms converted into dual offices, and master suite, provides access to the terrace and refreshing ocean breeze. On the upper level, an open floor plan hosts a study, bonus room, family room, formal dining room, and kitchen. The kitchen features distressed brick floors and presents built-in GE appliances as well as granite countertops. A wet bar is conveniently located to entertain guests from the deck down to large pool and backyard, encompassing a lot of approximately 7,841 square feet. This gorgeous home is truly a gem above the “Spanish Village by the Sea.�

www.700CalleMonserrat.com

Lic#01176379

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Panhe Honors History

Celebration provides look at Native American past, preservation of natural resources TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ANDREA SWAYNE AND ALLISON JARRELL

L-R: Ace Harrison, 6, plays with a butterfly during Sunday’s Panhe event at the San Mateo Campground. Steve Garcia of San Diego performs a traditional eagle dance at the event.

S

unday’s Panhe celebration provided a look at the history of the San Mateo valley as one of the sacred sites of the Acjachemen people. Dozens of people filled the area of the San Mateo Campground set aside for the event to hear about the history of the land, experience cultural performances and learn about environmental conservation efforts.

Events at the campground included traditional Native American dancing, singing and flute playing, as well as crafts and educational demonstrations celebrating the continuing presence of the Acjachemen people and the environmental significance of the site. Children had the opportunity to feed and interact with butterflies in a butterfly tent and craft their own arrowheads and yucca fiber paintbrushes in a miniature Acjachemen village.

A young dancer visiting from Arizona performs a traditional dance at Sunday’s event.

“This is another wonderful celebration of the cultural history and roots of this valley,” San Onofre Parks Foundation founder Steve Long said. “People have been here 9,000 years or more, and it should always be protected and preserved, as a park, for future generations.”

Visit www.sanclementetimes.com for a photo slideshow, along with audio, from the event. SC

L-R: An Aztec dance troupe, known in English as “People of the Sand,” performed an energetic traditional dance during the event. Event organizer Rebecca Robles and Jacque Tahuka-Nunez, a Native American storyteller and educator, pose together on Sunday.

GUEST OPINION: Wellness and Prevention by Susan Parmelee

Help Your Child Stay Safe

Parents need to make their feelings on alcohol and drugs clear

I

speak to a parent or student who has been hurt by the disease of addiction on a daily basis. The damage that this disease causes to families and communities is devastating. I would like to suggest one tool all parents can use to lower rates of illegal substance use among our youth and thus reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease of addiction. This tool is regular drug testing, starting in the middle school years.

An annual Columbia University survey reports that by the age of 17, 70 percent of kids say they’ve been offered illegal drugs. The Columbia University survey also reveals that 80 percent of high school students, and 44 percent of middle school students, have personally witnessed things like: illegal drug use, illegal drug deals, illegal drug possession and students getting drunk and/or high on drugs.

This survey is conducted across all socio-economic school settings and, sadly, many youth report witnessing the above San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

on school campuses, on their walk home and in friends’ and acquaintances’ homes.

The most important reason to drug test your kids is that it gives your child the power to say “no.” Our 12-25 year olds are in a period of brain development equal only to the ages of infancy through toddlerhood. Consequently, they need our guidance in equal measure. However, we cannot constantly supervise our youth, as it is counter to their developmental need to WELLNESS AND mature and separate PREVENTION from their parents. ConBy Susan sider regular drug tests Parmelee as a substitute to looking over their shoulder every time they are offered drugs or alcohol. They would not take the drugs if you were watching, so make it easy for your child by letting him say, “I can’t do that, my parents drug

test me regularly.” The drug test is a gift of support and safety for your child. You will not let your child be in a car without a seatbelt. Don’t let your kids out in public without the protection of parental guidance and drug tests.

At the Wellness & Prevention Center, we recommend this as one of many prevention tools. Start discussing your views on alcohol and drug use early – I have worked with addicts who first used in elementary school. Be very clear on what your rules are and enforce them with all of the caregivers in your child’s life. Model your beliefs in your home—if you need a drink the minute you walk in from work, you are teaching your child that the only way to de-stress is by using mind altering substances. Always set aside time to have conversations with your children—families who regularly sit down for family dinners raise healthier children. And finally, for drug testing to be an effective tool, you must start the practice before you suspect

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your child is using. Suspicion will damage your effectiveness as a parent. Prevention will strengthen your family. For more information visit, www.livedrugfree.org or contact me at the Wellness & Prevention Center.

For more tools, attend tonight’s Get to 21 speaker series, Weeding Through the Myths, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the San Clemente Community Center. San Clemente and Dana Point High School Students receive extra credit passes.

Susan Parmelee is a social worker who works during the week at San Clemente High School in the Wellness & Prevention Center and at Western Youth Services.

To subscribe to Wellness and Prevention Center weekly emails email “subscribe” to tritons41@gmail.com. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

For the Fans

used both his own money—largely with winnings from blackjack—and some from friends. This time, he’s using a crowdfunding site, www.pledgemusic.com, which allows fans to receive different items in exchange for different levels of support for the record.

Kyle Krone using sophomore album to connect with audience

You can either go for the “opportunities, of which there

BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

hile his band The Shys remain on an “indefinite hiatus,” Kyle Krone, the band’s lead singer and a San Clemente native, is moving forward with his second solo album “Guest Stars,” nearly five years after he completed work on his first record, “For Those Who Think Young.”

“I think I’ve had a lot more time to work on these songs this time around, and I have a lot more songs to choose from,” Krone said. “The first (solo) record I did, I did to take a break from the band. They were songs that I had written and started to collect and didn’t know if they’d be for the band or not.”

Krone said just living life over the past few years has helped to give him fuel to create new sounds.

“You have to have real experiences, and time helps assure that you’re going to have that greater wealth of experiences,” he explained. “When the cream rises to the top of those, you have your songs.”

Growing up in the quintessential California beach town, Krone said, led him to an appreciation for all his state had to offer.

“San Clemente is my version of California, along with all the other little beach towns,” Krone said. “I feel at home in any of them. There’s a similar aesthetic and attitude that effects people in a similar way—the sunshine, the laid-back at-

might be many at any given time—and sometimes sacrifice your own wellbeing in pursuit of those things—or you can stay very comfortable and maintain that sense of wellbeing, but never fully have peace because you haven’t fully chased your dream.

”

–Kyle Krone

Kyle Krone. Photo: Bailey Thomas

mosphere. That influences my songs. I definitely feel at home by the ocean.”

That comfort level, Krone said, led him to decide to record his new album in Orange County, with producer Jon O’Brien.

“This time I can sleep in my own bed, and that makes a big difference,” he said.

“You feel comfortable.”

Trying to balance professional goals with a desire to stay comfortable, he said, can be a struggle.

“You can either go for the opportunities, of which there might be many at any given time—and sometimes sacrifice your own wellbeing in pursuit of those things—or you can stay very comfortable and maintain that sense of wellbeing, but never fully have peace because you haven’t fully chased your dream,” he said. “It’s hard to feel the vibe when you’re sitting in traffic.”

Krone is taking a new path to fund the record as well. For his first album, he

“This time around I had to try and figure out how to make the record, and how to fund it,” he said. “A friend of mine launched a PledgeMusic campaign. We knew a lot of the same people and were at the same level. He was successful with it.

At first, I was reluctant because of the potential for public failure if it doesn’t work out. But I decided to act out of optimism and go for it.”

Krone said that optimism has been rewarded.

“It’s so new, that it’s fun just because of that,” he said. “But it’s been really rewarding. It’s given me a platform to connect with fans, because they’re the record label, essentially. I know that I’m making it for them. In the past you might have been trying to please an A&R guy, a radio person or a record label. Now, I really want to give these people my absolute best.”

Information on the campaign can be found at www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ kylekrone.

And visit www.sanclementetimes.com to hear Krone’s new single. SC

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

Photo:Loriannah Hespe

Jim Rutter of San Clemente provided a ride for Joanne Ault, who was celebrating { IN S A N CL E M E NTE } her 80th birthday with her first motorcycle ride Friday. Ault has celebrated recent birthdays by doing some activity, such as horseback riding, for the first time.

SCENE

San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

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

Page 27

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

www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

2411 S. El Camino Real, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

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

CHIROPRACTIC

Thompson Chiropractic

629 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 104, 949.240.1334, www.thompson-chiro.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

DENTISTS

William Brownson, D.D.S.

3553 Camino Mira Costa, Ste B, 949.493.2391, www.drbrownson.com

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

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

HARP LESSONS & RENTALS

Wendy-Harpist

949.482.9025, www.orangecountyharpist.com

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

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

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

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Four weeks in print and online.

150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com

Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

PLUMBING

Bill Metzger Plumbing

929 Calle Negocio Suite D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

SC Pool & Spa Works

1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

Radiant Pool & Spa Service Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com

REAL ESTATE

Marcie George Star Real Estate South County

949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net

Salon Bleu

Syrens Hair Parlor

217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

SWIMMING SCHOOL

Waterbabies Swim School

142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control

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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Triton Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the San Clemente High School spring sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

Tritons Baseball Tops Nation’s Best, Brings Home Historic Championship

The night before their National High School Invitational championship game against College Park in Cary, N.C., bed check for the San Clemente High School baseball team was at 10:15 p.m.

At around 9:30 p.m., Tritons head coach Dave Gellatly received a call from one of his players. The team had already decided it was time to shut down for the night— they had work to do in the morning.

The Tritons capped off a spectacular run through arguably the most prestigious high school baseball tournament in the country with an 8-3 win over College Park on March 28. The win was San Clemente’s fourth of the week and was the only time they held a lead in the early goings.

The pitching combo of starter Tanner Lawson and reliever Dylan Riddle held the College Park bats at bay while the offense caught fire, scoring all eight runs between the second and sixth innings. Connor Sealey and Chris Puckett both went 2-3 with 2 RBI and catcher Lucas Herbert went 1-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. By the time the Tritons reached the championship game, they had already been put through the ringer against some of the top teams in the country.

The San Clemente High School baseball team poses with the National High School Invitational first-place trophy. Photo: Steve Breazeale

San Clemente fell behind early to Lambert of Georgia in the opening round.

Lambert, a team that was ranked No. 1 nationally in the preseason by several polls, had San Clemente on the ropes in the third inning after taking a 5-1 lead.

Riddle, who pitched 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball in the tournament, came on and allowed only three hits the rest of the way as the Tritons mounted a comeback.

San Clemente scored the tying run in the seventh and added two more in the eighth to seal a 7-5 extra-inning victory.

“The manner in which we came back (against Lambert), they battled and pulled together. That was, I think at that moment, a defining moment for us where we thought ‘Hey we can win this whole thing’,” Gellatly said. “Once we realized we can play with that particular team, I think that’s where they hit the ground running and really got focused from there.”

The Tritons came into the tournament

The San Clemente boys volleyball team honored 50 of their greatest players from year’s past.

Photo: KDahlgren Photography

San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

Page 31

just days after it was announced that their top pitcher, Kolby Allard, would be shut down for the remainder of the regular season with a back injury. That put the Tritons pitching depth in the spotlight.

Following another come from behind win over College Station in the second round, Puckett took the mound in the semifinals against Huntington Beach and spun a gem. The junior pitched six innings, allowing four hits and one run while striking out five.

The Tritons have plenty of arms and Herbert, the man behind the plate, has been in charge of managing each one.

Gellatly said that he and his staff do not call any pitches during a game and haven’t done so since Herbert transferred to San Clemente as a sophomore three years ago.

They trust Herbert, a UCLA commit and potential MLB prospect, with calling the game.

As a member of the USA Baseball 18U team, Herbert has seen his fair share of quality squads. But during those four days in North Carolina, he saw his current team take their concentration to another level.

“We were really focused. Once we got there it was just like, ‘It’s time to go’.

Everyone was locked in,” Herbert said.

“Sometimes I’ll have to talk to guys and say, ‘Hey, we got to get going’, but when we were out there everyone was just focused. Everyone was coming together as a team.”

The feeling of winning the tournament was somewhat dampened when the Tritons returned home and lost to Mission Viejo 3-0 in a Sea View League tilt on March 31. The Diablos starter Patrick Sandoval was dominant, pitching a complete game two-hit shutout. The senior left hander struck out eight and walked none.

The loss brought an end to the Tritons

season-opening 12-game win streak. The game against the Diablos was the first of three consecutive games San Clemente will play this week. They were set to play Laguna Hills on April 1 before traveling to San Juan Hills on April 2. Results were not available at press time.

Volleyball Honors 50 Greatest Players, Defeat Mustangs

As part of the San Clemente High School’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Tritons boys volleyball program held a pre-game ceremony on March 26 to honor 50 of their greatest players from the past.

With San Clemente volleyball’s best on hand, the current version of the Tritons squad turned in a solid performance.

The Tritons (10-1, 1-0 league) swept the Mustangs 25-12, 25-18, 25-19 to start off their South Coast League schedule.

San Clemente will travel to play rival Dana Hills on April 2. The two teams have battled for the league title the last three years.

Tritons Tennis Remains Perfect in League Play

The San Clemente boys tennis team has been led by the strong play of their singles rotation in the early going this season.

Michael Bott, Jay Yeam and Billy Whitaker have combined to lose only two sets between them in 10 matches played. Bott is currently undefeated in singles play.

San Clemente (8-2) recently defeated Aliso Niguel, 16-2, Capistrano Valley, 16-2 and Trabuco Hills, 18-0, to improve to 3-0 in league play.

Yeam, Bott and Whitaker will compete in the high-profile Ojai Tennis Tournament April 23-25. Yeam will compete as a single while Bott and Whitaker will play together in the doubles format. www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Scoreboard SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

YOUTH WRESTLING The San Clemente Wrestling Club sent 21 youth wrestlers to the 2015 SCWAY Kids State Championship tournament in Clovis March 27-29. The club had seven place winners including one state champion, Kyle Marhsall. Marshall wrestled for San Clemente High School this season and won another state championship in 2012.

With the seven place winners, the club now has 21 total place winners in three years competing at the event.

Here is a list of San Clemente Wrestling Club grapplers who placed at

the state tournament, along with their age and podium finish: Caydin Chan, 7 (eighth), Jack Benton, 8 (eighth), Dominic Morales, 9 (fifth), Jayson Flener, 10 (seventh), Jake Lerdahl, 10 (fourth), Vincent Morales, 11 (seventh) and Gavin Jaramillo, 14 (seventh).

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of our entire team this year. We all really came together this season.

From the wrestlers supporting each other, the family support and all of the wrestlers who came back for five weeks of four to two-hour practices a week to help their teammates prepare for state...I couldn’t be prouder of the direction our young team is going,” San Clemente Wrestling Club head coach Mike Marshall said in a release.

Dean Karnazes will be inducted into the Friends of San Clemente Foundation Sports Hall of Fame in May. Photo: Courtesy

Karnazes, Caverly and Severson to be Inducted into SC Sports Hall of Fame COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

T

he Friends of San Clemente Foundation will induct three new members to the city’s growing Sports Hall of Fame this summer.

The foundation’s vice president, John Dorey, announced Tuesday that ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes, Olympic swimmer Kristen Caverly and surfing and surf media pioneer John Severson will be inducted into the hall during a ceremony at the Vista Hermosa Aquatic Center on May 16.

The trio make up a unique induction class.

Karnazes is best known for pushing his body to extremes as an ultra-marathon runner. Karnazes, who attended San Clemente High School, gained national notoriety in 2006 when he completed 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. He has won a 135-mile Ultra Marathon in 120-degree heat and once ran non-stop for 350 miles.

While attending San Clemente High School, Caverly set the national high school record in the 200 individual medley.

She went on to swim for Stanford, where she was a three-time All-American, and was a part of the 2004 U.S. Olympic swimming team. “(Caverly) is a home grown hero, basically,” Dorey said. “A classic fit for our wall.”

There are already several surfers enshrined in the Sports Hall of Fame but Severson will be inducted not only for his prowess on the waters, but also for his contribution for bringing surf culture to the mainstream. Severson founded and brought to life what is now Surfer magazine. He is a jack of all trades who paints, writes and has produced several prominent surf films.

“There are people on the wall who are San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

The San Clemente Wrestling Club sent 21 youth wrestlers to the 2015 Kids State Championships in Clovis from March 27-29. Photo: Courtesy

John Severson founded Surfer magazine and has made several prominent surf films. Photo: Courtesy John Severson

are people on the “wallThere who are coaches,

mentors and people like Severson, who really created San Clemente surf culture.

”

–John Dorey

coaches, mentors and people like Severson, who really created San Clemente surf culture. There are a lot of surfers who are up (on the wall) who wouldn’t be up there if it wasn’t for him,” Dorey said. “He is an inspiration to put on the wall for anyone who believes that you may not get there by your athletic ability but you can get there by achievement and inspiration.” SC Page 32

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Swell Shots

Local surf photographer shares images from recent swell

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, WITH PHOTOS BY JACK MCDANIEL

W

ith a strong south swell providing the main energy—bringing waves in the solid 10-foot range, with occasionally larger sets—through the weekend and into the first part of this week, local surfers, from tween-aged groms to seasoned pros, flocked to Lower Trestles. The swell showed up on Friday, March 27 and peaked Sunday.

San Clemente-based photog Jack McDaniel—official photographer for Surfing America Prime and the WSA series—was on the beach capturing the action.

We caught up with him on Tuesday, as the swell was beginning to subside, to talk about some of his favorite images and get background of the shots. Here are a few of his top picks:

It’s always great to see any of the Gudauskas brothers going out. What they do for the community and especially the groms is awesome. Dane Gudauskas’ size and power definitely helped him out in this large swell.

Kalani Robb is a regular now down at Lowers. He was ripping the large swell at ease and it seemed dodging groms and other surfers caught in the never-ending conveyor belt of sets was the most challenging part of his session.

Hagan Johnson was one of the youngest and smallest to paddle out during the largest day. However, like Griffin, he has been known to charge and amaze on a regular basis. Here he catches a nice inside right and throws a super steezy tail slide.

GROM OF THE WEEK

forward to starting his college career at Saddleback and then transferring to a UC school to major in either education or business. He is planning on paying for the bulk of college tuition himself and is currently looking for a summer job to start saving for it, and for a car.

“I think paying my way will make me want to try harder and be more mature,” Chandler said. “I want to be a math teacher or own a business someday.”

He misses Kauai and his friends there but is happy and thankful for the friends he’s made here, and for having new opportunities not available on such a small island.

“I’m really grateful for everything I have and I’d like to thank my parents for that,” Chandler said. “Most importantly, I’d like to thank Jesus for blessing me with the life I have. I like to be outspoken about my faith because it gives more people a chance to know God.”—Andrea Swayne

CHANDLER SIEVERTS

C

handler Sieverts, 15, was born in Dana Point, moved to Kauai, Hawaii at 5 and has been back in his hometown now for about a year and a half.

A sophomore at Dana Hills High School, he shortboards for the surf team, competes in Soul Surf Series contests and is looking forward to entering WSA events next season.

Chandler likes surfing and the surfing lifestyle because it’s fun and makes for great times with friends. He also enjoys the individual aspect of the sport—being fully in control of his own performance—even when competing as part of a team.

He is an A and B student and is looking San Clemente Times April 2–8, 2015

I’ve been shooting Griffin Colapinto since he was a mini grom. He’s dropped jaws since day one and hasn’t slowed down.

He boosted this one quite a bit ahead of the wave. Luckily, it developed a nice bed of foam to land in.

David Economos is one of the phenomenally talented group of younger groms coming up locally. I was a little concerned for some of the younger kids paddling out. It was seriously huge at Lowers Sunday when I shot this. David took off on this huge wall of water. The camera angle actually flattens the size a bit. The sick thing is he didn’t just ride it straight while holding on for dear life. He did a huge wrap to finish the wave off (see inset shot).

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 64-65 degrees F Water Visibility & Conditions: 6-8’+ Poor-Fair Thursday and Friday: A new/modest SSW swell fills in over Thursday and tops out on Friday. Meanwhile, a modest blend of WNW swell and NW windswell will mix in. Many spots throughout the region will offer surf in the knee-waist occasional chest high zone over Thurs/Fri, while summer standouts and combo spots produce occasional waves/peaks up to shoulder high on Friday. Peaky combo for the beachbreaks.

On Thursday, we’re looking at a light+ SE eddy wind in the morning, then veering more westerly through the day. On Friday, we’re watching for offshore NEENE flow for at least the morning.

Longer Range Outlook: The SSW swell that tops out Friday will hold fairly steady on Saturday, then ease over Sunday into next week. Meanwhile, modest NW windswell will continue to show. Next week is looking to be rather small at this time. Check out Surfline for more details, daily updates, and the longer range outlook!

Chandler Sieverts. Photo: Andrea Swayne

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