February 18, 2016

EYE ON SC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week

Beaches, Parks & Recreation to Take Proposals for Master Plan

THE LATEST: City Council approved the release of an updated request for proposal to the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which is scheduled to be put together this year. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the details that would go into the plan. During the meeting, members of the public spoke about the possibilities of refurbishing the Ralphs Skate Park and adding lighting. People also spoke out against allowing dogs on beaches—which could be part of the plan. Councilmembers said they intend to look at the possibility of designating a portion of San Clemente beaches to allow dogs to frequent but not the whole shoreline the city governs.

WHAT’S NEXT: The release of the BPR Master Plan request for proposal is expected to be Tuesday, Feb. 23. More details on the Master Plan can be found at www. san-clemente.org under the City Council agenda of Feb. 16. —Eric Heinz

City Says Misconceptions Abound From Homeless Shelter Plan

THE LATEST: Although the city had a closed-session agenda item regarding the property negotiations of a land parcel at Avenida La Pata and Vista Hermosa with a potential homeless shelter provider, during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting City Manager James Makshanoff said that notions on social media of the city establishing a shelter at that location were unfounded.

The negotiations were listed to involve Ed Connor of Connor, Fletcher & Hedenkamp as well as representatives of Jamboree Housing Corporation, which provides shelter for the homeless.

People at the meeting stated the city had zoned the location to house homeless people, but Makshanoff said it was just an overlay, giving the land the opportunity to eventually become a homeless shelter but that there are many other locations throughout the city also designated with

the same overlay.

“The city has a number of properties around town, and (the city) disposes of those properties or sells them, and we have to make them available to various groups and housing advocates,” Makshanoff said. “They have to have an opportunity to propose an offer to those sites before we go to commercial brokers, and we’re obligated by state law, once we receive those offers, to go to the council and share that offer. But we are in no way compelled to make a deal for that proposal (of a homeless shelter).”

The cause for concern for many people who spoke during oral communications during the meeting was the proximity of the land parcel to Vista Del Mar Elementary, The Gratitude Garden Preschool as well as Vista Hermosa Sports Park—areas where children frequent. Some cited statistics regarding the mental welfare and social practices of homeless people as cause for concern.

Makshanoff said the city has had offers from other vendors including CVS Pharmacy, a car wash and others.

“It’s part of the process to determine how we want to see city property developed, and that’s all we’re doing, and we will (let) the council make a decision of what we’re going to do with that property, but we have not made it available,” Makshanoff said.

WHAT’S NEXT: In order to comply with state law, the city’s SB 2 ordinance was adopted more than a year ago to identify potential sites suitable for a homeless shelter.

“It doesn’t dictate the sale,” City Attorney Scott Smith said.

The city is currently battling a lawsuit regarding the land, which Smith said challenges the land’s use, not whether the city will sell it to a homeless shelter provider.

“(The lawsuit) seeks to have a broader zoning overlay,” Smith said. “The city is defending it very aggressively.”

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, the city of San Clemente will host a longterm financial planning workshop that will address expenditures and revenue of the city. The meeting will take place at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 100 Avenida Presidio. —EH

City Approves Camino Del Rio Roundabouts

THE LATEST: City Council approved the construction design of roundabouts and the restriping of bike lanes at the intersections of Camino Del Rio and Calle Sarmentoso as well as Del Rio and Camino De Los Mares. The project would also reduce Del Rio to one lane of traffic each way in order to accommodate the roundabout

flow of traffic. The purpose of the project is to prepare for the expected increase of travelers through the area once Avenida La Pata is connected to Del Rio.

Tom Frank, the city’s transportation engineer, said there’s going be an expected increase of 6,000 vehicles per day through the corridor on Camino Del Rio. Frank said the roundabouts are designed to accommodate 20,000 cars a day to provide a continuous flow of traffic.

The roundabout speed limit is a maximum of 20 miles per hour. The posted speed would be 40 mph until the traffic counts and speed survey are completed.

City staff members said studies have shown roundabouts with 25 mile-per-hour limits and one lane going each way are safer than two-lane roundabouts.

Councilman Chris Hamm said he was excited about the project and would like to see this in other parts of the community.

WHAT’S NEXT: The project construction is expected to start in the summer or fall of 2016. The OCTA interim approval for lane reduction is expected to take place in April, with final bids for construction to come in June. The estimated cost of the project is $800,000 for the restriping of Calle Sarmentoso and Camino Del Rio as well as the roundabout installation. —EH (Cont. on page 4)

The San Clemente City Council approved for the disbursement of requests for proposal to look at the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which will be advertised publicly within the next week. The plan is expected to go through multiple phases throughout 2016. Additionally, council passed a separate ordinance amendment to prohibit smoking on the beach access points. Photo: Eric Heinz

(Cont. from page 3)

Trolley Application Approved to Include Talega, Vista Hermosa Routes

THE LATEST: City Council approved to spend short of $20,000 to put together a trolley grant program in San Clemente, should the application be approved by Orange County Transportation Authority.

During the meeting, councilmembers said the Friends of San Clemente Foundation would be willing to support half the cost of the grant.

The original proposed route—known as the “core route”—would have three trolleys serving 10 stops and go through Avenida Del Mar, down to Avenida Victoria, back up northbound El Camino Real and North Beach and then up to the Outlets at San Clemente where it would circle back on a loop.

Initially, Councilman Chris Hamm was adamant about changing the core route because he said the original route was not a resident-serving mode of transportation.

Through discussions, the council was able to negotiate a direction for city staff to look at routes that would also serve the communities of Talega and Vista Hermosa and voted 4-1 to apply for the grant program under those conditions.

Mayor Bob Baker, who cast the dissenting vote, said he has not been a proponent

of the trolley mode of transportation since the beginning.

“We the tax payers voted in favor of Measure M so we could improve infrastructure, and we’re getting trollies when we should really be spending the money on bridges and paying for other (necessities),” Baker said. “It’s too much money, and I just don’t want to pay for other people to have fun on a trolley. I want

CUSD Approves Pay Increase for Substitutes

THE LATEST: After showing interest last month in increasing pay for substitute teachers, the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved an increased rate at their Feb. 10 meeting of $105 per day and a long-term rate of $150 per day after 30 days. The increase in daily compensation is the first raise for CUSD substitutes in more than 15 years.

The 651 substitute teachers employed in Capistrano Unified were previously paid the lowest daily rate, and the highest longterm rate, of the districts CUSD surveyed in the county, at $90 per day, $100 per day after 10 days and $221 per day after 40 days of work.

people to fix my roads with this money.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The due date for the grant application is Feb. 29. If it is accepted, the trolley program would begin on Memorial Day 2017. The city has the opportunity to terminate the program after one year, but if the program does not reach its goal of 10 riders per hour, funding can either be cut by OCTA or terminated altogether. —EH

In order to become more competitive with neighboring districts, staff recommended increasing pay to $105 a day, which will be offset by decreasing longterm pay. The majority of trustees initially asked staff to analyze increasing rates to $115 per day and $130 after 40 days, but staff reported back that the “trustees’ suggestions did not stay within the $260,000 cap” in the district’s budget.

WHAT’S NEXT: The new daily wages are effective immediately, with the long-term wages going into effect on July 1. —Allison Jarrell

Councilman Chris Hamm holds up a copy of the original “core” route for the OCTA trolley project. During the Tuesday night meeting, Hamm was adamant about providing trolley routes to the communities of Talega and Vista Hermosa. Photo: Eric Heinz

NEWS BITES

COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

San Clemente Chamber Raising Funds to Benefit Ill Employee

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce is raising funds to assist Norma Hernandez, an employee of the chamber, and her family with increasing medical bills and to help the family with daily expenses. Norma has a husband and five children.

“Norma has contributed so much to this community by working for the Chamber of Commerce over the past 17 years,” an email from the chamber stated. “She has worked with many of you on some fun and successful events. She loves this community and thinks of you all as friends and family.”

The chamber is currently setting up a bank account as well for any cash donations. More information can be found by contacting normabenefit@gmail.com or by calling 949.295.6359.

New Stores Now Open at Outlets at San Clemente

The Outlets at San Clemente has announced the opening of the following stores: AT&T, Nautica Factory Store, Flip Flop Shops, Zales Outlet, Pearl Izumi Factory Store, 2XU, Starbucks, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Most recently, Nautica Factory Store celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 10.

More stores and restaurants are expected to open soon, according to Outlets officials, including Bowl of Heaven (late March), LOFT Outlet (early April), Blaze Pizza (spring) and Ruby’s Diner (summer).

Additional stores and restaurants will open throughout 2016. To monitor progress and upcoming events, visit www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

U.S. Naval Academy Accepting Applications for Summer Programs

Applications are now being accepted through April 15 for the United States Naval Academy Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program. The Summer STEM Program is held in three sessions: June 6-11 for incoming ninth graders, June 13-18 for incoming 10th graders and June 20-24 for incoming 11th graders.

The Summer STEM Program is an overnight academic program designed for rising students in good academic standing who have a keen interest in math and

science. Summer STEM 2016 will have the theme “Land, Air and Sea: Exploring Navy Technology on All Fronts.”

The STEM Program will give students the opportunity to experience real-life applications of math and science principles through hands-on practical learning. Students will learn from Naval Academy professors in professional lab facilities outside the traditional classroom. The academy’s current students, called midshipmen, help run the Summer STEM Program and act as mentors to students.

Summer STEM accepts 640 students for their program. All students selected to participate pay $550 for this academic summer program and are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

For more information about the Summer STEM Program and the application process, visit www.usna.edu/admissions/ stem.html or call 410.293.1858. Applicants will be notified of their application status by May 1.

For more information about the Naval Academy, visit: www.usna.edu or the the Naval Academy’s Facebook page.

San Clemente Business to Aid Orangewood Foundation

The Luggage Factory, located in the new Outlets at San Clemente, joins Briggs & Riley’s national charity program, “A Case for Giving,” taking place in the store through Feb. 29 to benefit Orange County charity Orangewood Foundation as part of a nationwide effort.

A Case for Giving works with more than 250 retail partners to accept gently used rolling bags to someone in immediate need in local communities around the country. Last year, the first annual A Case for Giving brought in more than 2,000 bags nationwide and benefitted charities such as The Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Goodwill. The bags donated to The Luggage Factory San Clemente will be distributed by the Orangewood Foundation to youth in transition and foster care children who have aged out of the system and are in transition and looking for homes and work.

If you have an old wheeled suitcase that has been gathering dust in your garage or gently used luggage that you are just looking to upgrade, bring it into The Luggage Factory though Feb. 29 and receive up to $100 off a new Briggs & Riley wheeled bag. (If you trade in an old Briggs & Riley wheeled bag, you will receive $100 off a new wheeled Briggs & Riley bag; if you trade in a different brand, you will receive $50 off a new Briggs & Riley bag.) For details, call The Luggage Factory at 949.498.2380.

For more information about A Case for Giving, call 631.838.2558 or email abigbee@brigs-riley.com.

SCENE

OCTA Seeks Community Input on Changes to Bus Plan

OCTA Transit Committee recommends modifications to improve service speed and efficiency, and reduce negative impacts on riders.

Based on community feedback, the Transit Committee of the Orange County Transportation Authority has recommended multiple changes to its 2016 proposed Bus Service Plan, which is intended to reverse the trend of declining bus ridership.

During the last two months, OCTA collected and reviewed extensive public feedback and conducted additional technical analysis of the plan. This has resulted in a revised plan that modifies 14 of the 35 routes originally proposed for changes. In addition, the revised plan cuts in half the number of riders who would lose service—from 4 percent to 2 percent. The revised plan also addresses impacts to OCTA’s ACCESS customers.

Among other adjustments, OCTA proposes to:

• Eliminate routes 191 and 193, which run through San Clemente.

• Introduce a new Route 150, covering major portions of Routes 51 and 145 that are being eliminated. This new route will run from Costa Mesa to Santa Ana, providing direct service to Santa Ana College and other nearby schools.

• Retain Route 87 based on feedback from Saddleback Unified School District. Route 87 runs along Alicia Parkway,

providing service from Rancho Santa Margarita to Laguna Niguel.

• Extend the hours of the Same-Day Taxi Program for ACCESS users and implement a pilot program to eliminate the $3.60 transfer cost between the same-day taxi and the regular ACCESS service.

The fundamental strategy of the plan is to shift service from low-performing routes to areas where there is higher demand.

To gather feedback on the plan, OCTA hosted a public hearing in January. More than 150 bus riders, public transportation advocates and local community representatives were in attendance, and a total of 65 speakers from 24 different cities shared how they would be impacted by any changes to the bus system.

In addition to the public hearing, approximately 180 transit advocates and bus riders attended a series of four community meetings OCTA hosted throughout the county in December, and more than 1,300 comments were submitted via phone, email and an online survey.

The proposed bus service plan is expected to increase ridership by 1.3 million boardings over the next three years and reverse the trend of dropping ridership. Since 2008, OCTA has lost more than 20 million passengers, a reduction of 30 percent.

OCTA’s board of directors will vote on the final plan for the proposed bus system changes at the Feb. 22 board meeting. For more information on the bus service plan, please visit www.octa.net/2016busplan.

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

Local kids from Truman Benedict Elementary School soak up a beach day in February at T Street.

{ IN SAN CLEMENTE }

Photo: Kristen Chetakian

SC Sheriff’s

Blotter

COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

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

Tuesday, February 16

PROWLER

Avenida Cabrillo, 200 Block (2:33 a.m.)

A woman said a man was on her porch, right outside her bedroom. She said she could only see it was a man and she woke up when he tried to open the door.

Monday, February 15

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

No Street Listed (4:36 p.m.) A man near a parking structure was walking toward the main entrance wearing a black beanie and what looked like a gas mask. He was in military garb.

VANDALISM IN PROGRESS

1600 Block, Ola Vista (10:35 a.m.) A caller said three men were spray-painting the sidewalk in front of her home.

CITIZEN ASSIST

Calle Amistad, 100 Block (9:32 a.m.) A caller requested to speak to a deputy regarding a 40-year-old man who challenged the caller’s 15-year-old son to a fight in the park.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Del Presidente, 3300 Block (4:06 a.m.) An unknown man, possibly drunk, tried to get through the caller’s door and then tried to get into the property manager’s window at the apartment next door.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Canada, 200 Block (2:22 a.m.) Someone was seen smashing a brick into a white Volvo’s windshield.

DISTURBANCE

El Camino Real, 700 Block (1:58 a.m.)

Four men were in a physical altercation inside the business.

DISTURBANCE

Manera Ventosa, 1400 Block (12:44 a.m.)

Four juveniles, who were possibly drunk, were arguing with a female owner of a four-door sedan who was also possibly drunk and trying to drive.

Sunday, February 14

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Vista Marina, 200 Block (11:54 p.m.)

A woman said someone was shining a

flashlight from outside into her front windows and toward the door. The woman said she was too scared to look outside.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Calafia, 200 Block (11:29 p.m.)

Police were called to a homeless man who was bothering people in the campgrounds. The man was described to be in his mid30s, 5-foot-10 and carrying a wagon and a dog. The caller was concerned because per state parks, a ranger would not be able to respond that time of night.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Talega, 1100 Block (11:06 p.m.)

Three juveniles were seen sneaking around the school. The caller said they matched the description of the suspects who were trying to get into a neighbor’s backyard the night prior. They were described as being possibly 15 years old and carrying skateboards.

PETTY THEFT

El Camino Real, 200 Block (10:18 p.m.)

A man went through the back door of the business and tried to steal a case of beer. The caller said the beer was recovered. The suspect was described as having “scruffy” hair and wearing a gray zip-up hoodie and khaki shorts.

RECKLESS DRIVING

Cepa Uno, 2700 Block (9:47 p.m.) Multiple vehicles were reportedly drag racing. The caller said there were “spotters to inform the (racers) of deputies driving up.”

DISTURBANCE

Calle Paradiso/Camino Vera Cruz (8:11 p.m.) People were seen throwing oranges at passing vehicles.

DISTURBANCE

Avenida Del Mar, 200 Block (8:19 p.m.)

A customer was refusing to leave the bar and became disruptive. The suspect was wearing a black shirt with gray pants and white shoes.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

El Camino Real, 500 Block (7:04 p.m.)

A caller said the “local drug dealer” had passed out.

BURGLARY REPORT

Avenida Del Mar, 200 Block (3:09 p.m.)

A woman said her residence was broken into while she was away and thinks it was her ex-boyfriend.

DISTURBANCE

East Avenida Palizada/El Camino Real (3:32 p.m.) Police were called to two discrepant reports. One caller said a woman in her mid- to late-30s wearing a shirt that had “Thug” writing on it was hitting a black “pit bull-looking dog.” A second caller said a woman was hitting a man, trying to get him to stop hitting a dog.

PETTY THEFT

Avenida Pico, 900 Block (2:51 p.m.) A

man who was reportedly part of a rehabilitation group claimed he was burglarized of a “5-Hour Energy bottle, cream and an elastic workout arm band.” A group of men were waiting for all of the other men to come out of the alleged rehabilitation facility.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY

Avenida Domiguez, 100 Block (2:36 p.m.)

A caller reported a man in a gold Lexus sedan was subject to a controlled substance evaluation and was suspected to be drunk and was “trashing the house.”

TRESPASSING

Camino Capistrano/Avenida Vaquero (2:27 p.m.) People were reportedly skateboarding on the roof of a building near the DMV.

DISTURBANCE

El Camino Real, 500 Block (1:31 p.m.)

A homeless man was refusing to leave the business and was standing out front, reportedly drinking from a bottle. He was described to be in his mid-20s and wearing a red baseball hat, white shirt and carrying a bag.

DISTURBANCE/MECHANICAL

Calle Quieto, 3200 Block (12:53 p.m.)

A man decided to call the sheriff’s department when his neighbor “wouldn’t stop trimming the trees.”

WELFARE CHECK

Vista Asalea, 0 Block (10:23 a.m.) A caller noticed a woman slurring her words and stumbling while accompanied by two children. The caller followed the woman home and saw her boyfriend holding a screaming baby. The caller wanted to make sure the children were safe.

DISTURBANCE

El Camino Real, 3900 Block (9:25 a.m.)

A caller saw a man chasing and hitting a woman. The man was described as being in his mid-40s with gray hair.

Friday, February 13

DISTURBANCE

Via Huelva, 0 Block (10:40 p.m.) Police were called to two women who were naked in the community spa.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY

Malancha, 3600 Block (10:32 p.m.) Juveniles were seen partying and urinating in the street by the location.

ROBBERY IN PROGRESS

El Camino Real, 300 Block (6:50 p.m.)

A man said two other men came up to him and took his iPhone.

BATTERY

Calle Alcazar, 1400 Block (6:10 p.m.)

A woman claimed she was battered. A 31-year-old woman, no occupation listed, was arrested in the incident and booked into the Central Women’s Jail on a $50,000 bail.

Community Meetings

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18

San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards

6 p.m. The 2015 “Citizen of the Year,” “Business of the Year,” “Educator of the Year” and “Outstanding Lifetime Achievement” award winners have been named. $95 per person. Bella Collina, 200 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente, 949.492.1131, www.scchamber.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

San Clemente Farmers Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Sunrise Rotary

7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Course Signature Grille. 990 Avenida Talega, www.scsunriserotary.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

San Clemente Rotary

Noon. The San Clemente Rotary meets every Wednesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena, 949.233.7981, www.sanclementerotary.org.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Long Term Financial Plan Workshop

4 p.m. The meeting will take place at City Hall in the City Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1

San Clemente Toastmasters Open House

7 p.m. Develop better speaking, listening and presenting skills, learn to think quickly and clearly on your feet, open doors in your personal professional life and build strong leadership skills. The open house is free. San Clemente Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida del Presidente, vppr-6463@toastmastersclubs.org, www.6463.toastmastersclubs.org.

‘The Endless Summer’(Job)

Lifeguard tryouts

to be hosted Feb. 27 in San Clemente

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

ntrusted with the responsibility of saving a life on a daily basis is a different kind of summer job, especially for those as young as teenagers.

“It’s definitely not like most summer jobs that 16- to 18-year-olds have,” said Ian Burton, San Clemente Marine Safety Officer. “Let’s say you have a mom who can’t find her 3-year-old, this kid (lifeguard) has to get information from her while watching the people in the water.”

Lifeguard tryouts for the city of San Clemente Marine Safety division are scheduled for 8 a.m., Feb. 27, at the San Clemente Pier.

“For the kids who are into swimming and water polo, it’s not that strenuous; the only part that makes it strenuous is that it’s competitive,” he said.

Burton said if they have two similar people trying out, it can be a matter of a couple minutes between competitors’ swimming times that separates who they hire and who they don’t.

“It’s a fun job, but it’s a hard job,” Burton said. “You’re scanning the water for eight to nine hours. And it’s a lot of responsibility watching out for 600 people or so in the water. You’re out in the elements. There’s big surf, and the water could be cold. It’s rewarding, but you work hard.”

The tryouts are measured by knowledge of the job as well as physical endurance.

“The day of the tryouts they do the two physical events,” Burton said. “If you make the time for the physical events, you’re given some time to take a break, then do the second physical event: run, swim, run. Everyone who makes that time will be invited to do a brief interview later that day.”

This year, Marine Safety expects to take about 10 potential lifeguards into training, but officials said it’s still “up in the air.”

“Those who make it to training go through a 96-hour consecutive training on Saturdays and Sundays for five weeks,” Burton said. “After those weekends are all over, they’ll be put on a list based on how they finish.”

Those who make it to the training session are compensated $10.38 an hour.

People interested in trying out for a seasonal lifeguard position this year must be 16 years old by June 30, 2016, and must be accompanied by an adult when registering if under 18 years old.

“(The average age) of lifeguards who try out is probably 16 to 18 years old, but it varies from year to year,” Burton

said. “Sometimes you get a couple more college-age kids, but I’d say our rookies are junior, senior high school level.”

Burton said every year is different, and the average age of people who make training varies.

“It’s hard to say what percentage make it and what don’t, and it also varies for the people we take into training and how many we hire,” he said. “It’s very competitive. They’re scored daily in training on their performance and first aid, and it’s all compiled at the end.”

Each year, about 40 to 50 people try out for the job. Lifeguards who are hired for the summer are paid $17.31 per hour.

At the end of the training, there is a comprehensive test that is basically a final exam. Trainees are tested on medical aid and how to properly handle law enforcement. Each lifeguard is ranked based on their final results from the physical performance and test scores.

The level of medical training is first responder, and American Heart Association criteria for CPR is taught. San Clemente Marine Safety does not require prior experience or knowledge.

“Once you make it past your rookie season and become a recurring lifeguard, the next season you do have to go through 16 hours of training and a re-qualification swim, but it’s not the same as the tryout,” Burton said.

Burton said tryouts are hosted every year, but there have been “very rare” occasions when enough recurring lifeguards are available for the summer.

Five full-time staff members work throughout the year: a chief, a lieutenant and three Marine Safety officers. There are a few supervisors who receive work during the winter.

“At the end of the summer there’s a seniority list based on performance evaluation and longevity,” Burton said. “The higher you are on that list, the more likely you are to get winter hours, but coming off your rookie season, you shouldn’t expect to see any winter work. Granted, it all depends on turnover rate. It’s a great summer job. It can be something where you save someone’s life here or somewhere else you take your training.”

Testimony of the Tryout

Burton said he did his tryouts in Huntington Beach in 1990. He said he thought he was “young enough” to not be too stressed about it.

Medical aid standards and communication technology have adjusted over the years, according to Burton, but the tryouts have been consistent.

In 2007, San Clemente ocean lifeguard supervisor Trevor Milosch tried out for the lifeguards and eventually became a full-time staff member.

“There was probably about 60 people (who tried out). I was 16 and it was cold, with 3- to 4-foot surf,” Milosch said. “I had done Junior Lifeguards and things like that, and I kind of knew how this was going to go, but it was kind of daunting. You’re waiting for them to announce who is going on to the next segment of the tryout.”

Milosch said his interview was later in the afternoon and because he was a San Clemente local he was able to go home, rest and come back prepared for the interview. Others are not so lucky, having to be questioned immediately after the physical test.

“You think about going to an interview, some people are going in wearing sweat-

pants and a parka,” he said.

The seriousness of the job was not lost on Milosch.

“I remember I was being interviewed and a lifeguard at the time was just staring me down. I was terrified,” Milosch said. “I was playing lacrosse at the time at JSerra, and I suffered a major concussion, so I had just gotten cleared to work out just before the tryouts after a month of not being able to.”

He said his parents were permanent lifeguards and he was compelled to follow in their footsteps.

“You want to get in the water and get used to training in the water. A lot of people swim really well in a pool, but they can’t swim in the ocean because the chop bothers them, it’s cold, the current moves them around or a wave crashes on them and they don’t know what to do,” Milosch said. “It’s a similar skill set but it’s a bit different, more of a specialty.”

Lifeguard View

San Clemente Marine Safety patrols about two miles of coastline in 14 different towers including the crow’s nest at the Pier. In the Lifeguard headquarters, webcams and dispatch equipment assist the line of sight.

Recently, the lifeguards were given a drone from the San Clemente Lifeguard and Junior Lifeguard Foundation, and Marine Safety is currently going through drone safety training and registering the craft with the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s easier and safer than detecting a shark while in the water, and it gets there faster to get information if a vessel is sinking.

Marine Safety files hundreds of incident reports but has not had a drowning in the last five years, Burton said. SC

Trevor Milosch, San Clemente ocean lifeguard supervisor, had just recovered from a concussion when he tried out for the lifeguard position in 2007.

Photo: Eric Heinz

SOAPBOX SC

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths

By Jim Kempton

Nixon’s Policies Worth Reconsidering in Today’s Chaotic World

ichard Millhouse Nixon was a controversial American political figure. Was he a liberal? Maybe.

Consider this: Facing many of the same problems of America today, Nixon negotiated with enemies, committed to environmental protection and brought American troops home from a long, frustrating war. He made a peace pact with our archenemy, China. The fact that Beijing was openly shipping arms to the North Vietnamese who were killing thousands of American soldiers at the time did not faze the opposition or his own party. That the Chinese were fomenting uprisings in Peru, installing communist dictatorships in Tibet and selling weapons in Uganda were not obstacles to forging a major treaty. The People’s Republic of China (an atheist, nuke-toting, terrorist-supporting communist state) soon became our largest trading partner and the looming world conflict that had been predicted seemed to evaporate.

Nixon instituted a nuclear treaty with the Soviet Union. No one accused him of caving to a sworn enemy, (the U.S.S.R.) who’s anti-Semitism, dislike of Israel and aggressive expansion policies were openly flaunted on the world stage. Unlike today, assisting Kenya with overthrowing the government, training terrorists in Cuba, or supporting anti-Americanism in Egypt did not come up for debate while détente was being reached. Though imperfect,

Letters to the Editor

CITY BEING ROMANCED BY SHORTTERM RENTAL TAX

KAREN LOEFFLER, San Clemente

Councilmembers are punting the Vacation Rental By Owner ball down the field yet another time, kicking it back and forth to the planning commission even after residents took the time to express their concerns based on real events, only to be ignored. One would think that safety and property values of our community would take priority over adding a few more pennies into the TOT fund. However, profit is trumping wisdom, and the question of safety has yet to be addressed. Megan’s Law would be of no value when a rental pops up next door and numerous unknown renters move in and out of your neighbor-

By Jim Kempton

the nuclear deal he hammered out with the Kremlin allowed Russia and the USA to enjoy an eight-year truce, lowering the hair-trigger brinkmanship that had existed for decades. Would the Chinese and Russian deals he made be similar to our current deal with Iran?

Early on in his administration Nixon instituted strong environmental policy. He considered civil rights as an important achievement of his administration, which included Title IX equal rights for women. His welfare and health care programs, (which were in many ways more liberal than those of the current administration) were shot down in Congress, but he still signed the Clean Air Act of 1970. Then in the face of major rivers catching fire from chemical dumping and the Bald Eagle nearing extinction from DDT he established the Environmental Protection Agency. There were no “deniers” for this effort.

Far from restricting voter registration, Nixon opened the voting age to 18—at a time when most 18-year-olds would have voted against him. Additionally he took the surplus military budget (as Vietnam wound down) and used it for wars on cancer and hunger, improved social welfare services and support for the Equal Em-

hood over a period of 24 to 48 hours. How do families know who is really staying the weekend in their peaceful neighborhood? What about checks and balances? Enforcement? There is no budget for enforcement; this department doesn’t exist. The renters disappear, the homeowner is unreachable and the house is being readied for the next group. Will those same city council members who support destroying the fabric of a neighborhood be willing to take full responsibility and liability in case something goes terribly wrong? Our council seems to be trading quality of life for the mighty TOT tax—all that’s missing now is the flashing neon vacancy sign, coming to your neighborhood really soon.

ENTERTAINMENT TO BLAME FOR LACK OF TAX REVENUE

CHRISSIE BOOTH, San Clemente

In regards to the article concerning the San Clemente Outlet Mall not bring-

ployment Opportunity Commission. And for the only time since the 1800s, he spent more money on social programs than on defense. Unlike the current political opposition, nobody claimed these policies were trying to ruin Americans way of life.

The reminder of Nixon’s achievements is not an apology for his misguided attempt to thwart the legal election process and break dozens of laws that would eventually force his resignation. But the response to his efforts at international diplomacy and environmental protection contrasts so starkly with the current response to America’s leadership in global challenges that it seems sometimes almost surreal.

What his policies illustrate is how far our great nation has swung, when a staunch, unabashedly conservative leader like Nixon looks downright left-wing in today’s America.

Jim Kempton is a surfer and writer from San Clemente who hopes diplomacy will once again be given at least a chance to prevail in global policy. But he knows all too well that Americans’ favorite icons are the Bronc-buster, the bunker buster and the filibuster, not necessarily in that order either.

SC

ing in the tax revenue it was supposed to generate, why the big surprise? There is nothing there to attract the residents of San Clemente and neighboring cities so desperately in need of entertainment. A few suggestions of the type of places that would attract the local crowd are Farrell’s, Cheesecake Factory, Surf Foundation, Big Air, a bowling alley, volleyball and basketball indoor training facilities, a skating rink, paintball, laser tag, etc. I am sure there are many more suggestions. The outlet mall is already there, so please put in some family-friendly quality fun.

REZONING OF HOSPITAL IS ‘DISGRACEFUL’

PAUL CONZELMAN, San Clemente

The recent actions of our City Council in regards to the rezoning of the hospital campus are disgraceful. The City Council is trying to force a private, non-profit to (Cont. on page 14)

TO REACH US

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

PUBLISHER

Group

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis

ART/DESIGN

Art Director

Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTI-

WAVELENGTHS

(Cont.

use its property in only the way that the government deems acceptable. Would you be happy if that happened to you? If the City Council can do it to one private property owner, who’s to say that similar rights changes won’t be inflicted upon other private property owners in our town? To change someone’s rights simply because a vocal group does not agree with them is unconstitutional.

This sends a disruptive message to our businesses and residents: if the City Council does not agree with your businesses’ future plans or your non-profit’s business model, then they will simply rezone your private property to keep things aligned with government interest. All this decision does is devalue the hospital’s property, ensure the hospital’s closure and make the City Council look like big government bullies. I completely understand that the potential closure of San Clemente Hospital is an emotional issue for our community, but, ultimately, MemorialCare’s rights should not be taken away. They (not the San Clemente government) should have the final say on what happens to their business.

“Constitutional rights may not be infringed simply because the majority of the people choose that they be.” —Supreme Court of the United States

NORTH BEACH NEEDS JUST A BIT MORE

TOM GAIKOWSKI, San Clemente, North Beach

Just came back from a great day on the beach trail. Beautiful weather, lots of people out enjoying San Clemente and all it has to offer. In North Beach, you can rent a bike and ride the trail or ride to Dana Point Harbor for something to eat. Or walk up to Ellie’s Table, if you know it is up there and it isn’t too crowded, because there is not another place by the beach the serves food and a cold beverage. You could walk to the pier and wait in line for something to eat and drink. People visit cities for a place to socialize. Check out downtown. Years ago, they didn’t want to allow El Ranchito to move into the Coronet drugstore location. Once they opened, other good restaurants followed, and downtown is now a place to go. It’s the nature of the beast.

I live in North Beach and see it trying to come alive. It needs some motivation. Measure A would have brought in some destination business to the area. They have done a great job on the Casino. With the Beach Club soon to open and residents moving into Marblehead, North Beach is at a tipping point for visitors. The city was planning on more income from the Outlet. How about tapping some of the people who visit North Beach but have to go elsewhere to spend their dollars? A few outdoor/patio establishments might help. Maybe some food trucks on the weekends. Bigger picture: redo the big, white elephant that does nothing for the area except attract graffiti and skateboarders. Nothing against graffiti or skateboarders, just maybe there could be a music club or gallery or mixed-use

venue built there instead.

Like the banners in North Beach claim, people need to see history (more than an old white building), music (where is that?), surf (check), art (need more). It makes a village.

HOSPITAL ISSUE MUST BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED

MICHELE O’NEIL, San Clemente

There has been a lot of buzz in San Clemente about keeping our hospital and emergency room open. While I think it would be great for MemorialCare to keep our hospital and ER open, I think there is another point of view to consider.

My understanding is that many emergency departments across the country are closing for various reasons, and not being profitable is probably high on the list. So, if MemorialCare decides to sell the hospital, who will buy it? The hospital has been owned and operated by several different organizations over the years. MemorialCare has offered to rebuild a state-of-the-art urgent care center as well as new outpatient services. This sounds like something that would benefit many in San Clemente, perhaps eliminating a trip to Mission Regional or MemorialCare Laguna Hills.

My husband and I worked in the healthcare industry for many years. At one point in his career he was “selling” under-performing hospitals to what might be considered “marginal” operators who

galize marijuana. Is the third time a charm for California? And, if so, what lessons can voters learn from the legalization of marijuana in Colorado?

In 2012, Colorado resident Ben Cort left his full-time job at the company he co-founded to join the Vote No On 64 campaign. Cort, a former addict and sober 20 years this June, is a board member of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a junior fellow at the University of Florida’s Drug Policy Institute and business development manager for the Center for Addiction Recovery and Rehabilitation (CeDAR).

On March 8, at an event hosted by The Wellness and Prevention Center in partnership with St. Joseph Health and Mission Hospital, Cort separates fact from fiction with his first-hand account of the changing landscape of Colorado since legalization of marijuana.

Cort addresses the economic cost of legalizing marijuana including the growing homeless population, rising healthcare costs and failing tax revenues.

Two years ago, proponents of Colorado’s Amendment 64 maintained that regulating marijuana would reduce teen drug use. Cort counters and said by legalizing and commercializing pot, “We’ve normalized (it). The worst thing you can possibly do for youth use is to lower the perception of risk. The less risk kids see in a particular substance, the more likely they are to use it.”

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Feb. 19 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso

Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

ended up being scrutinized by certain California attorneys general and at odds with certain collective-bargaining units. So just because we have an ER, doesn’t mean that it will be a good ER with good physicians, good nurses and good equipment. MemorialCare is a reputable organization. We could do a lot worse I think.

I am taking neither side in this debate, just presenting another point of view. Be careful what you wish for.

ARE WE THE NEXT COLORADO?

Submitted by the Wellness & Prevention Center California became the first state to legalize marijuana for medical use in 1996 when voters approved Proposition 215. Legalizing marijuana for recreational use appeared on the ballot in California both in 1972 and 2010 but failed to pass. In November, California is expected to have another initiative on the ballot to le-

Normalizing pot blinds teens from seeing the drug’s harmful effect on their brain, a fact concerning Susan Parmelee of the Wellness and Prevention Center at San Clemente High School. “Studies show that use of THC during adolescence changes the way the brain develops by striking the hippocampus (an area that’s critical for learning and memory) leading to trouble thinking and problem solving,” said Parmelee.

Cort agrees, “Today’s marijuana is five times stronger than it was in the past, and its use is tied with IQ declines, memory loss, learning problems and mental illness.” If California is the next Colorado, what can its citizens learn from Colorado’s cautionary tale?

It’s a question Cort responds to next week, “We have a unique vantage point into this social experiment that is the legalization and commercialization of marijuana.”

The presentation will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville. For more information, email susan@ wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.com.

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 reader-submitted 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.

CORRECTION: In the Feb. 11-17 article of the San Clemente Times, “Estrella Plaza Developers Announce Timeframe for Store Openings,” the store Ulta Beauty was misspelled. The aforementioned is the correct spelling.

The Miramar Theater has been a point of contention for North Beach and other San Clemente residents for years. Photo: File

GETTING OUT SC

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Thursday | 18

THIRD THURSDAY SHOP & DINE SJC

5 p.m.-8 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce kicks off the new monthly event in historic downtown San Juan. On the third Thursday of every month, visitors and residents will have the chance to stroll through unique shops, restaurants and galleries while enjoying in-store entertainment, special events and promotions. For more information, call 949.493.4700, email info@ sanjuanchamber.com or visit www.sanjuanchamber.com.

Friday | 19

STEP-BY-STEP WATERCOLOR WITH LESLIE FEHLING

4 p.m. A workshop for people to learn watercolor painting, “Earth, Sea & Sky,” with Leslie Fehling. $90 per person. San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

EDITOR’S PICK

MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION DANCE-OFF

4 p.m. The students of Shorecliffs Middle School Make-A-Wish Foundation project will host the largest “Whip, Nae Nae” dance-off and dance mob at the Outlets at San Clemente to help raise funds for a child with a life-threatening illness. People who want to participate can donate $5. Music will be provided by DJ RICH. For more information, call 949.842.1405 or visit www.wishnaenae.com.

EDITOR’S PICK

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20: ‘THE PASKOWITZ FAMILY, A SURFING LEGACY’

6 p.m. Surfing Heritage and Culture Center will celebrate the opening of its new exhibit, “The Paskowitz Family, A Surfing Legacy.” SHACC has put together this exhibit with help from the Paskowitz children, with a collection of surfboards, photographs and treasured memorabilia. 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, 949.388.0313, www.surfingheritage.org.

At the Movies: ‘Touched with Fire’ is Luke Warm

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

It’s been four years since Katie Holmes divorced her eccentric husband Tom Cruise, and the actress has wasted no time getting her career back on track. Between modeling and acting, the former TV starlet is enjoying a modest comeback of sorts. Her latest movie, Paul Dalio’s Touched with Fire, is her first lead role in half a decade, and she gives a fine performance in an otherwise bizarre modern fairytale.

Set in New York City, professional poet

Carla Lucia (Holmes) has a reputation for writing too long, sleeping too little and staring at the sun with her eyes wide open. On the other side of town, rap artist Marco, or “Luna” (Luke Kirby), has quit everything in life to graffiti all over town, smoke marijuana and preach about how the world is ending. When the two are simultaneously admitted into the same mental hospital as manic depressives, they bring out not only passion in each other but also hysteria.

Griffin Dunne and Christine Lahti co-star. Touched with Fire is an odd film that proba-

FISH DINNER FOR LENT

4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Every Friday from Feb. 12 to March 18. Salmon, beer-battered cod, shrimp tacos with all the trimmings and desert. $10 for adults, $7 for children. Entire family is a maximum of $40. Take out is also available. Our Lady of Fatima Church, 105 N. Esperanza, San Clemente, 949.492.4101, www.olfchurch.net.

A NIGHT IN HISTORIC MOTOWN

6 p.m.-9 p.m. The Angels for the Arts at Saddleback College presents their second annual Black History Month celebration with “A Night in Historic Motown” in the McKinney Theatre. The student-run fundraiser will transform Saddleback Fine Arts Complex into “Hitsville USA,” with music, dancing and refreshments. Proceeds benefit scholarships for students in the arts. $25 general admission (presale), $20 seniors (presale), $10 students (presale) or $30 at the door. Tickets online or by phone from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949.582.4656, www.saddleback.edu/arts.

Saturday | 20

KIDS PET PARADE

Noon. Families are welcome to dress in costume and bring their furry friends to the annual Kids Pet Parade, presented by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association in Los Rios Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the parade begins at noon. Each entrant will receive lunch and one free entry to Zoomars Petting Zoo. Ribbons will be awarded to all first- through third-place winners, and the Judges’ Choice Winner will appear in the Swallows Day Parade on March 12. $5 entry fee per category. 31747 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. For more information, email nathankbanda@yahoo.com or visit www.swallowsparade.org.

bly had a lot of initial potential but in the end lacks sincerity. It’s hard to tell what message Dalio is trying to deliver exactly. It’s a love story, but it’s also a tale about the signs of mental illness. Our heroes want to give in to their craziness together, but are being held back by their doctors and parents. The moral of the film isn’t completely clear, and Kirby’s overly animated acting doesn’t help despite Holmes’ genuineness. Indie drama fans might want to stick with Manic (2001) and Smashed (2012) for mentally unstable romances. SC

Photo: Art Brewer

GETTING OUT

SHOOTING STARS WILDFLOWER WALK

8 a.m.-11 a.m. Local wildflower expert Bob Allen will lead an exploration of The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo to look for early wildflowers like the Padre Shooting Star. Learn to identify blooms and savor the smells, sights, sounds and beauty of winter. Ages 8 and up. Adults $10, children $5. The Richard and Donna O’Neil Conservancy, call for directions, 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

Sunday | 21

CASPERS NATURE HIKE

8 a.m.-9 a.m. Join OC Park rangers every Sunday morning for an easy 1-mile hike on the nature trail, which takes visitors through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Admission is free; parking is $5 per vehicle. Participants should meet at the Old Corral day-use area and wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes. Sunscreen, water and insect repellent are recommended. Rain will cancel the hike. Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com/caspers.

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE

5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf luxury catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday. See more events online. Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603, www.danawharf.com.

Monday | 22

CAPT. DAVE’S WHALE WATCHING Times vary. Trips available every day of the week. Get up close to marine life aboard a Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari trip. Prices vary depending on the vessel. Call for more information. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

TEEN TIME

6 p.m-7 p.m. Teens 12 to 17 years old can enjoy a different activity every week in the Dana Point Library Community Room. This week’s activity will be playing Rock Band. No pre-registration required. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

Tuesday | 23

TINY TOTS: PARENT & ME PROGRAMS AT OCEAN INSTITUTE

9 a.m.-10:15 a.m. The Ocean Institute hosts a series of programs for children ages 2 and 3 and their parents on Tuesdays through March 1. Toddlers will explore shapes, colors, textures and more

with everyone’s favorite tide pool animal, the sea star. Each session includes an activity and an animal encounter. $30 per class. Register online. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute. org/parentchild-programs.

WINTER AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. The Winter After School Club series runs on Tuesdays from Jan. 5 through Feb. 23. After School Club is for children ages 5 and older. A variety of activities are provided, including stories and crafts. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.ocpl.org/libloc/sc.

OPEN MIC NIGHT

6 p.m.-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

Wednesday | 24

COA YOGA IN THE VENUE

8:45 a.m. These free yoga classes with Tiffany Martin are open to the public through Community Outreach Alliance, which operates out of Talega Life Church in San Clemente. 1050 Calle Negocio, 949.388.0114, ext. 205, www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

PAINTING AND VINO

6 p.m.-9 p.m. Sip wine while participating in a step-by-step painting class taught by a professional artist. All supplies provided. $45. Register online at www.paintingandvino.com. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater. com.

SHADES OF J

7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

KIDS ROCK!

7 p.m. Live music by talented area youth at StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.

LECTURE: LIVING WITH WILDLIFE

7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo for an informative workshop about Orange County’s wildlife. Free. Ages 8 and up. RMV Presentation Center, call for directions, 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.sanclementetimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@sanclementetimes.com

LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Are Freshmen Emotionally Ready? Miserable Mornings

College is the best four years of your life.” This time of year, wellmeaning adults recite this mantra as they lend support to anxious high school seniors sitting in college limbo waiting for that thick envelope or welcoming text from their coveted college. But those words meant to encourage can also place high expectations on a teenager.

The transition from high school to college is exciting but alarmingly stressful, as revealed in a recently published report examining the emotional toll teens face their first year of college.

Last October, Harris Poll in partnership with The JED Foundation, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and The Jordan Porco Foundation released the results of a nationwide online survey of 1,502 college students evaluating the freshman year experience.

The statistics are troubling: a whopping 87 percent of students felt more importance was focused on being academically ready for college rather than emotionally prepared. Emotional preparedness is a significant indicator of first-year college success. The study defines emotional readiness as: “the ability to take care of oneself, adapt to new environments, control negative emotions or behavior and build positive relationships.”

I count myself among the parents equating college acceptance with college preparedness and admit I didn’t equip my boys emotionally for their freshman years. The last student readiness event I attended took place in a pre-kindergarten classroom, and it did little to help me or my kids on their first days of school.

The university’s advice sends a mixed

Jeremy Conrad

949.542.8348

Jconrad@conradrealestate.com

Bill Conrad

949.542.8349

BillC@conradrealestate.com

message as half of surveyed students (51 percent) felt it challenging at times to find emotional support at school.

Asked further about seeking support, many students reported turning to friends or family, but a staggering 65 percent of students said they kept college struggles to themselves. Instead of having the time of their lives many are suffering in silence, scared of the social stigma. One in four freshmen admitted to feelings of loneliness and one in five reported feeling depressed all or most of the time.

Popular culture and caring parents commonly paint a portrayal of college life as fun and exciting. These depictions contribute to almost half (49 percent) of students agreeing that the college experience fell short of their expectations. Not surprisingly, this led 45 percent of students to say, “It seems like everyone has college figured out but me.”

When 60 percent of freshman surveyed say they wish they’d received more help to emotionally prepare for college, it’s time to take action and acknowledge that for some struggling students the emotional hurdles can be greater to overcome than academic obstacles.

One of the most difficult moments of parenting comes when a child leaves the nest for college.

College may, or may not, be the best four years of life but college can be an experience of a lifetime.

Shelley Murphy has lived in San Clemente with her husband and for the past 17 years, where she raised her two sons. She’s a freelance writer and contributor to the SC Times since 2006. SC

The last door has slammed. Bickering children, hormonal girls and tears of frustration have piled into Daddy’s truck and are off to school. Our house now lays strangely silent.

Weekday mornings at our house are hectic. There are four young people with four distinctly different personalities all clamoring to get out the door in unison.

There is Slow Man. He operates at one speed: snail’s pace. Slow Man does not worry about making himself or others tardy for school. He’s definitely not a morning person and isn’t interested in eating breakfast before 10 a.m. Slow Man causes everyone around him to feel frustrated and angry.

Then there’s the one who rises before the entire family, eats, gets dressed and is ready for school before the rest of us set foot downstairs. Fantastic. However, Early Riser will then linger about, watching everyone else stumble through their morning obstacle course, taunting and making unnecessary comments to her siblings. Usually the taunting ends with a giant outpouring of hormonal tears and shrieking. Doors slam. The house trembles. Don’t forget about Instigator. Wellknown across the land for striking up arguments, Instigator stirs the pot knowing full well that she is brewing problems. Instigator has a knack for getting people fired up. Once they’re fired up (and then flip out), she enjoys playing the role of victim. She even finds humor in getting a sibling or three angry enough that they lose their tempers and their minds.

Getting Slow Man’s outfit ready the night before seems to help him through his sluggish morning haze. Setting the timer helps put a jump in his step—he’s always up for a race; even if it’s against the clock.

Clear guidelines are necessary for the others before the drama begins. They need to know that starting fights will

Did you know that...

ensure their free time is filled with extra chores and revoked privileges. Mom or Dad showing a little interest might be what’s needed. Maybe they’re acting out because they’re worried about something happening at school. At my older daughter’s age, there are a lot of issues with friends. One day she’s in friend land and everyone is getting along beautifully. The next day they’re enemies and she’s avoiding them at all costs. Taking a minute to draw out of each child what could be causing anxiety might lead to a more subdued morning.

The breakfast meal itself can be a challenge. Up until a few months ago, we were cereal people. Easy. Suddenly I became a short-order cook with bossy customers. One kid can’t live without his framed egg. Another needs an acai bowl with all the fixings. Porridge and protein shakes are on the morning menu too. The oldest can help with eggs and porridge. But, the high powered blender business is an adult matter. One day, when they’re all grown, mornings won’t be so rushed, stressful or chaotic. In the meantime, I will try to find joy in providing them with healthy meals and a loving home.

Elizabeth Bottiaux is mom to four small humans, ages 5, 7, 8 and 10. She’s a San Clemente resident and has lived in Orange County for the past 16 years. She publishes a blog, www.fourkidsandadog.com, about family life in our tri-city area SC

• San Clemente’s apartment building market is one of the hottest markets in Orange County, with only 8 properties on the market and 28 sold in the last 3 months

• Home Sales in San Clemente raised about 10% with 957 homes closing in 2015, compared to 897 in 2014

• According to “OC Housing Report”, Orange County sales over the last 2 weeks have increased 22%, while average market time decreased by 13%

GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach by Shelly Murphy

GUEST OPINION: Four Kids and a Dog: By Elizabeth Bottiaux

FOUR KIDS AND A DOG

By Elizabeth Bottiaux

LIFE’S A BEACH

By Shelly Murphy

Business Beat

News from San Clemente’s business community

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

New Business

H.H. COTTON’S

201 Avenida Del Mar, 949.388.7331, www.hhcottons.com

Avenida Del Mar’s latest installment is anticipating a Monday, Feb. 22, grand opening, but call or check social media before stopping by.

Eight partners make up the ownership of H.H. Cotton’s—four are local families and three went away to college before returning to San Clemente.

Three of the partners Bill Hales, Chris Aitken and Jason Gable spoke with the San Clemente Times on Friday.

Having 28 years of experience in the restaurant business, Hales said he is excited to get the business up and running.

“When this location became available, the partners got together and reached out, and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to come back to Orange County,” Hales said. “This is the flagship corner of Avenida Del Mar. Opportunities like this do not come around.”

The menu will feature American dishes and 28 beers on tap. Head chef Jason Gable’s street tacos and tri-tip steak will be something to look forward to once the restaurant opens.

“We wanted to put our stamp here as far

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

as what San Clemente locals will like and what they appreciate,” Aitken said.

The interior design of the restaurant was done with a collection of reclaimed wood and put together by a local designer, Hales said.

“Our goal here has just been local,” Aitken said. “The namesake of the restaurant is probably the oldest local in San Clemente, even before Ole (Hanson). It will be a relaxed environment and familyfriendly.”

Check out their Facebook page for updates as the grand opening draws near.

New Location

THE PAC-RAT

217 N. El Camino Real, 949.366.0733, Facebook: The Pac-Rat

Recently moved to her latest location, Lisa Lavoie, owner of The Pac-Rat, is excited to continue her colorful business.

Lavoie has been collecting items and selling assortments for more than two decades.

A history of San Clemente as well as other vintage items can be found throughout the business—from Hawaiian shirts to fat-tire bicycles to decorative mirrors.

“I have lived in San Clemente 20 years; I’ve had my store 18 years,” Lavoie said. “We specialize in vintage clothing and jewelry, furniture, accessories and more.”

People can also bring in their items to sell, trade or exchange. Lavoie said her vintage surfboards and clothing are probably the best sellers.

“We’re looking forward to bringing in new customers, and we have had regulars for many years,” Lavoie said. “My husband and I love to have garage sales and visit thrift stores. When we walked into our first location, the lady was selling the store, and a few days later we purchased her location and inventory.”

She said she is “super stoked” to be in this location. SC

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: Easy

The partners and staff of H.H. Cottons are preparing for their tentative Monday, Feb. 22 opening.

Photo: Eric Heinz

Lisa Lavoie.

Photo: Eric Heinz

SPORTS & OUTDOORS SC

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 winter sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

Triton Hoops Takes Outright League Title in Win Over Dolphins

With the outright South Coast League title on the line and a chance at making school history in their own gym on Feb. 11, the San Clemente boys basketball team caught fire late.

Trailing rival Dana Hills by five points at the midway point of the two team’s Feb. 11 matchup, San Clemente flipped the switch and routed the Dolphins over the final 16 minutes of play to secure a 59-46 victory.

San Clemente (20-6, 7-1 league) surged to its second consecutive outright league title and third league championship in four years behind an explosive 12-2 run in the third quarter and a dominant stretch of play in the fourth. San Clemente forced six straight Dolphin turnovers to open the second half and cashed in on their opponents’ miscues.

San Clemente took its first lead of the second half when senior guard Gage Shelmidine stole the ball at midcourt and knocked down a jumper with just under three minutes to go in the third, giving San Clemente a 33-32 lead it would not let go of.

The Tritons kept the pressure on in the fourth by knocking down dagger 3-point shots that stretched their lead. San Clem-

ente outscored the Dolphins 34-16 over the final two quarters of play and once led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter.

It was the 20th victory of the season for San Clemente, a mark that ties the school record.

After a league title drought that lingered over the program for decades, the league championships have been coming in bunches for head coach Marc Popovich’s team, which was set to host Fountain Valley in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1AA Championships on Feb. 17.

“For a school that won one (league title) in 47 years, that’s a huge accomplishment for us. I’m so proud of our guys and for everyone that’s been a part of this. For how far we’ve come, it’s spectacular,” Popovich said.

Results of the Tritons first-round game

against Fountain Valley were not available at press time.

Senior forward Cole Fotheringham, who has been a member on three league championship squads, tormented the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. Fotheringham scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth and pulled in five of his game-high 10 rebounds.

The Tritons prowess on the glass in the second half opened up their freeflowing transition offense, which led to three 3-pointers and easy looks. Senior Dillon Waikle made back-to-back 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter and Jake Cameron hit another on the Tritons next possession to push the lead to 46-32.

Dana Hills (9-18, 0-8) took the early lead behind the strong play of guards Harold Hall, Parker Romo and Nathan Hernandez. Romo and the Dolphins offense attacked the Tritons inside, drawing multiple shooting fouls and putting the Tritons in early foul trouble. Hernandez, Hall and Romo all scored, respectively, on the Dolphins final three possessions of the first half, fueling a 12-6 run that gave the visiting team a 30-25 lead at the midway point.

The Tritons’ refocused effort in the third quarter halted all the momentum Dana Hills had built up to that point.

“We just had to regroup a little bit (in the second half). I think we were all getting frustrated … things weren’t going our way,” Fotheringham said. “We came together and I think that’s all we needed to do.”

Fountain Valley (15-12, 1-9) finished last in the six-member Sunset League, but earned an at-large berth into the playoffs behind a strong performance in the team’s nonleague portion of the season. Fountain Valley compiled a 13-3 overall record before entering Sunset League play.

The winner of San Clemente-Fountain Valley will play the winner of Montclair-

Downey in the second round on Feb. 19. Girls Soccer Readies for First

Round of Playoffs

After taking solo second place in the South Coast League, the San Clemente girls soccer team was awarded a firstround home playoff game in the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships. The Tritons will host St. Lucy’s on Feb. 18 at 5 p.m.

St. Lucy’s (14-7-3, 5-4-1) is led by senior Nicole Leggio, who scored a team-high 17 goals in the regular season.

The Tritons (11-4-6, 3-1-2) enter the match against the Regents with plenty of momentum, having won three games in a row.

The winner of San Clemente-St. Lucy’s will advance to play the winner of Santa Margarita-Laguna Hills in the second round on Feb. 23.

Third-Ranked Tritons Water Polo Set for Playoff Run

The San Clemente girls water polo team closed out its season with strong wins over league rivals Tesoro and Dana Hills, which secured a second-place finish in the South Coast League and a first-round home game in the playoffs.

The Tritons (18-11, 6-2) will open their CIF-SS Division 2 Championship bid Feb. 18 against Newbury Park.

A key to the Tritons success this season has been the stellar play of seniors Amber McCutcheon and Alaina Cousineau. McCutcheon, the team’s leading scorer, is averaging nearly five goals per contest while Cousineau has been dishing out a high volume of assists. Cousineau’s 82 assists this season is the second-highest total in Orange County. McCutcheon has scored 118 times this year, the fourth-highest mark in the county.

The winner of San Clemente-Newbury Park will play the winner of Schurr-St. Lucy’s in the second round on Feb. 20.

Girls Basketball Closes Out Season

Back-to-back South Coast League losses to San Juan Hills and Tesoro capped off the season for the San Clemente girls basketball team on Feb. 8 and Feb. 10, respectively.

The season marked the first for the Tritons (10-15, 2-6) under new head coach Kerri Husbands.

Sophomore Nicole Dutch led the Tritons in several categories this season, including points per game (eight), rebounds (6.6) and blocks (2.5). Sophomore Kelsey Murphy led the team in assists per game (2.4) and senior Jessica Perry-Romero led the team by recording 2.3 steals per contest. (Cont. on page 22)

San Clemente forward Dillon Waikle throws down a dunk in a 59-46 victory over Dana Hills on Feb. 11.

Photo: KDahlgren Photography

The San Clemente boys basketball team celebrates its second straight outright South Coast League title after defeating Dana Hills 59-46 on Feb. 11. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Triton

Report

(Cont. from page 21)

Boys Soccer Team Finishes Strong, Wins League Title

On Jan. 15 the San Clemente boys soccer team owned a 1-2 record in South Coast League play. Facing an uphill battle the rest of the way, the young Triton squad proved to be up to the task.

Over its next five games, San Clemente did not lose a match. The Tritons earned a draw and rattled off four wins down the stretch, including a 1-0 victory over El Toro on Feb. 11 that won the team the league title.

As the No. 1 seed out of the South Coast League, San Clemente (10-9-5, 5-2-1) will host Peninsula in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships on Feb. 19. The game is set to begin at 5 p.m.

The Tritons edged El Toro in the final game of the season thanks to a secondhalf goal by Austin Ortiz. Ortiz was assisted on the goal by Nima Amjadi. San Clemente’s senior goalie Cameron Dickie made four saves in the victory.

The San Clemente defense seems to have found a groove late in the season.

The Tritons have allowed only one goal in their last five games and have yet to yield a goal to an opponent since Feb. 3.

Peninsula (13-6-5, 5-2-3) finished runner-up in the Bay League behind a

late-season push into the playoffs. Peninsula went 3-1-3 over its final seven games to secure second place in league.

Unlike most first-round playoff scenarios, San Clemente and Peninsula will enter Friday’s game with first-hand knowledge of each other. San Clemente defeated Peninsula 2-1 in the South Torrance Tournament on Dec. 21.

The winner of the San Clemente-Peninsula match will go on to play Servite in the

second round. Servite, the No. 2 overall seed in Division 1, earned a first-round bye.

Sears Garnering Attention on Recruiting Trail

It has been a very busy couple of weeks for San Clemente High School’s soon-to-be senior quarterback Jack Sears. Sears, who

guided the Tritons to an appearance in the CIF-SS Southwest Division Championship game this fall, has picked up six collegiate offers this offseason.

Sears picked his first offer from the University of Utah in June of 2015. Since the end of the Tritons season, Dartmouth, Arizona State, Boston College, Tennessee, Oregon State and the University of Hawaii have all extended offers to Sears, according to head coach Jaime Ortiz.

San Clemente’s Michael Saba goes up for a ball against El Toro. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

The San Clemente boys soccer team dogpiles on the field in celebration after defeating El Toro 1-0 on Feb. 11. The win secured the South Coast League title for the Tritons. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Locals Only

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

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

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

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

Kristen Ritzau, DDS 122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.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

HAULING

Cheapest Hauling Call Robert 949.973.6288

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters

Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

Hoover Construction 949.292.6778

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.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

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

OFFICE FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

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

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

of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online. Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

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

SC Pool & Spa Works 1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

REAL ESTATE

Marcie GeorgeStar Real Estate South County 949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net “Sandy & Rich” - ReMax 949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

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

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 1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

MUST SELL!! SEATS SEVEN! NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4

2009 Silver with black interior. Bluetooth CD player with lan hookup. New shocks, air filter. $13,000/OBO 949-633-3860

BEAUTIFUL UPSTAIRS DUPLEX

- DANA POINT

Immediate Occupancy Available. Located in Lantern Village. Dana Point Harbor walking distance. $2,350 Monthly. 2 bedroom & 1.5 bath, 2 car garage under unit - w/storage, granite kitchen counters, private laundry room, private patio. Paid H20, Trash & Gardner. Small pet considered. Appointment Only –949.275.0375 (Ask for Fred)

CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size. Made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants available. Mike 949-240-1545.

2- FAMILY GARAGE SALE Fri 2/19 and Sat 2/20- 7:30-12n Lawn Equipment, Treadmill, Henredon Dining Room Table 2953 & 2955 Calle Frontera, San Clemente

In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com.

Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

GARAGE SALE Sat., Feb 20, 7am-2pm. 3395 Calle La Veta, San Clemente.

BEACH CLUB MANAGER WANTED:

The San Clemente Shorecliffs Beach Club Association (“SBC”) is seeking a manager for its beach club. Submit resume to: board@shorecliffsbeachclub.net

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

San Clemente

Foggy Weather, Fantastic Surfing

Fog delays 17 of 26 divisions at WSA event in Huntington Beach, locals bring home nine trophies

BY ANDREA SWANE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Athick fog bank greeted Western Surfing Association competitors upon arrival to the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday, Feb. 13, setting the two-day event No. 7 back by four and a half hours right from the start.

On day two, Sunday, Feb. 14, the plan to make up the fog-delayed heats of the previous day by running three competition areas, looked as if it was going to work, as competition started on time that day. However, as the morning heats went on, the fog rolled in once again, resulting in another delay or three and a half hours. Finally, shortly before noon, the fog had lifted to a point where competition could resume and local competitors did not disappoint.

GROM OF THE WEEK

MARIA BAREND

aria Barend, 16, and her family recently bought a second home in San Clemente and are now spending time on both coasts, splitting their time between here and their home in Rhode Island. As an avid surf competitor, Maria is delighted to be able to stay in San Clemente for a couple of months at a time to take advantage of good swells and surf contests.

Maria is a homeschooled high school sophomore with plans to attend college, preferably Point Loma Nazarene University, after she graduates.

Born in Hawaii into a surfing family, the sport has always been a part of Maria’s life, although she really got into it when she was 12. Her mother was a former pro surfer (Ana Gallotti Barend, Brazil) and her father Chuck, a longtime surfer from Florida.

“I surf a lot with my twin brother Edward, too,” Maria said. “He doesn’t surf competitively but we are definitely surf buddies.”

Maria found her love for surfing while living in Rhode Island.

“When we moved to Rhode Island, my parents just wanted us to have a childhood

San Clemente Times February 18-24, 2016

Behind the fog, the swell was pumping out waves in the 3- to 5-foot range with occasional outside sets in the 6- to 7-foot range, and the surfers took full advantage of the waves.

Only nine of the 26 divisions were completed, with nine trophies awarded to surfers from the tri-city area.

The weekend’s top honors went to Bethany Zelasko of Dana Point who won the Open Women Shortboard division and Kevin Skvarna (San Juan Capistrano) the Open Men Longboard division winner. Skvarna also took home a runner-up trophy in Junior Longboard U18.

Other local finalists were Capistrano Beach’s Ethan Mudge, who took fourth in Junior Longboard U18 along with San

and to experience life without surfing for a while,” Maria said. “Because they saw in Hawaii it can be kind of tough, especially if the kid doesn’t really love surfing. I was a ballerina for about 10 years but I always watched my parents surf. I would be taking pictures of them and thinking to myself that it looked really fun, so I started going out more and more. When I was about 12 it just stuck with me and I couldn’t get enough.”

Besides surfing, Maria also enjoys art, skateboarding, snowboarding, writing, cooking and knitting.

Maria began her amateur surf career traveling the East Coast to compete in the few available contests she could find. Having more events in which to test her mettle is

Clementeans Jaime Linnes (second place, Open Women), Aidan Sautner (second place, Boys U14 Longboard), Rhyn Chambers (third, Boys U14 Longboard), Cole Thompson (fifth, Junior Longboard U18) and Hana Catsimanes, the third-place finisher in Girls U14 Longboard.

A number of local surfers had advanced on in the competition and will continue their run at the podium when the event resumes next month.

The remainder of the event will be scheduled to run alongside WSA Event No. 8 set for March 12 and 13 in Oceanside. Make-up heats from Event No. 6 in January, postponed due to large, unruly conditions, will also be made up on March 12 and 13. SC

one of Maria’s favorite things about having a home here.

“I love San Clemente,” Maria said. “The waves are so fun and the people are so warm. It’s awesome to be around such a nice environment and nice people. We don’t really have many contests back home and I love how it’s so local here and there are so many events. And I love how the competitors here are more like a big family in WSA and Surfing America Prime.”

Maria is training hard and competing as much as possible in an effort to continue taking her surfing to another level. Besides surfing, she works out with weights, running and yoga.

“I do whatever I can to get stronger,” Maria said. “I just want to go the farthest surfing can take me, try my hardest and have the most fun I possibly can. If that gets me to being a pro surfer, great, but if not, that’s OK too. I am just going to try my best.”

Maria’s strength in surfing is “a good frontside flow,” she said, adding that she is currently focusing on honing her technique in order to become more progressive and powerful.

“I am very thankful to be in San Clemente and for all the other opportunities in my life,” Maria said. “I thank my family and my friends for their support. And I thank God for everything.”—Andrea Swayne

SURF FORECAST

Water Temperature: 58-60 degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: 4-8’ Poor-Fair

Thursday: Modest WNW swell is due to build and mainly provide knee-waist high surf for the better exposures of the county, with some stomach+ high sets at winter standouts. Conditions are problematic with onshore flow most of the day. Chance of rain.

Outlook: Modest to locally fun WNW swell peaks on Friday. Fun surf in the waist to shoulder high zone with bigger sets at standouts. Conditions improve for the weekend with light offshore winds in the morning and a light sea breeze in the afternoon. Check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

RESULTS

WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 7, February 13-14, Huntington Beach, Pier

MASTERS: 1. Kale Shannon, Ventura; 2. Philip Salick, Los Angeles; 3. David Morgan, Los Angeles; 4. James Flores, Colorado; 5. Tyler Benoit, Ucluelet, B. C. Canada; 6. Ryan Goerig, Laguna Niguel. OPEN WOMEN: 1. Bethany Zelasko, Dana Point; 2. Jaime Linnes, San Clemente; 3. Maya Saulino, San Marcos; 4. Sierry Garcia, Long Beach; 5. Maile Davis, Carlsbad; 6. Claire Loughlin, Ventura. BOYS U14 LONGBOARD: 1. Cash Cherry, Manhattan Beach; 2. Aidan Sautner, San Clemente; 3. Rhyn Chambers, San Clemente. JUNIOR LONGBOARD U18: 1. Alex Fry, Manhattan Beach; 2. Kevin Skvarna, San Juan Capistrano; 3. Benjamin Goldstein, Carlsbad; 4. Ethan Mudge, Capistrano Beach; 5. Cole Thompson, San Clemente; 6. Orion Lehrmann, Carlsbad. SENIOR LONGBOARD 40+: 1. Lance Albright, Huntington Beach; 2. Jorge Barba, Oceanside. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 1. Kevin Skvarna, San Juan Capistrano; 2. Trevor Anderberg, Encinitas; 3. Jorge Barba, Oceanside; 4. Shane Smith, Huntington Beach. GIRLS U14 LONGBOARD: 1. Brooke Carlson; 2. Sive Jarrard, Carlsbad; 3. Hana Catsimanes, San Clemente; 4. Molly Tuschen, San Diego. OPEN WOMEN LONGBOARD: 1. Betsey Lee, Topanga; 2. Cate Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 3. Alexa Ross, Laguna Niguel; 4. Brooke Carlson, Calabasas; 5. Aine Dwyer, Coronado; 6. Niki Katz, Hidden Hills.

Partial results only. WSA event No. 7 was not completed due to fog delays. Remaining divisions will be completed at event No. 8, March 12-13.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 20: Scholastic Surf Series, OC Middle School, Event No. 4, Oceanside, Pier

February 21: Scholastic Surf Series, OC High School, Event No. 4, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street

February 27: Soul Surf Series, Event No. 5, San Clemente, T Street

February 27-28: NSSA Open, Event No. 9, Ventura, C Street

March 5: Scholastic Surf Series, OC Middle School, Event No. 5, San Clemente, Pier

March 6: Scholastic Surf Series, OC High School, Event No. 5, San Clemente, Pier March 12-13: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 8, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty

March 12-13: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 6, Make-up heats from Jan. 16-17, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty; Event No. 7, Make-up heats from Feb. 13-14, Huntington Beach, Pier

March 19: Soul Surf Series, Event No. 6, San Clemente, Pier

March 19-20: NSSA Open, Event No. 10, Huntington Beach, Pier

Maria Barend. Photo: WSA/Jack McDaniel

Left: Ethan Mudge of Capistrano Beach took fourth place in Junior Longboard U18 on Feb. 14, at WSA Event No. 7. Right: Bethany Zelasko of Dana Point won the Open Women Shortboard division at WSA Event No. 7, Feb. 13-14 in Huntington Beach. Photos: WSA/Jack McDaniel