March 1, 2018

LO C A L

N EWS

March 1-7, 2018

YO U

C A N

U S E

INSIDE: South County Real Estate Guide SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 13, ISSUE 9

Fire on High Future Problem Solvers look to add fire deterrents to San Clemente trails EYE ON SC/PAGE 6

From left, Future Problem Solvers members Nick Petrocelli, co-president Sophia Mains, co-president Chloe Kamp and Esther Mafouta stand at the top of Nob Hill where a fire broke out in December. The club aims to create more fire-deterrent information along San Clemente’s trails and open space. Photo: Eric Heinz

County Taps SC Lodgers to Shelter Homeless Coming from Santa Ana Riverbed EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

New Performing Arts Center Opens in San Clemente Industry District SC LIVING/PAGE 22

www.sanclementetimes.com

Triton Boys Soccer Loses Playoff in 8 Rounds of Penalty Kicks; Season not Over SPORTS/PAGE 27

GO TO SANCLEMENTETIMES.COM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS AND SPORTS

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week County Taps San Clemente Lodgers for Homeless People Displaced from Santa Ana Riverbed THE LATEST: As the Santa Ana riverbed in Anaheim is cleared of homeless individuals, some hotels and motels in San Clemente have been contacted by Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) employees seeking rooms to house the displaced people.

About 400 people who were living in the riverbed were ordered out by U.S. District Judge David Carter on Feb. 14 after an agreement was forged between Orange County Catholic Worker and the County of Orange in which the county would pay for a minimum of 30-day stays in hotels and motels throughout the county. The cities of Anaheim, Orange and Costa Mesa are working with the county during this effort.

Jennifer Nentwig, an interim public information officer for Orange County, said homeless people from the riverbed were assessed by OC Healthcare Outreach to understand their needs and offer resources available, and that includes food vouchers during their stay.

The 30 days count toward total days of living at a motel or hotel.

The efforts by the county have caught some people in San Clemente off guard.

City officials said they weren’t given notice of the move.

“I got a call on Tuesday from the county; someone was curious as to how many rooms were available, and he asked if we had rooms for 30 days…some are for families and some for individuals, and he said it’s for the riverbed,” said Alexandra Shaw, an onsite manager of Oceana Boutique Hotel.

Shaw said the hotel needs state-issued identification to book people to stay with them, but she said she had concerns and wasn’t prepared to take on several people who were now being evaluated for permanent housing or other services.

The owners of the hotel don’t live in the area full-time and are currently out of the country, Shaw said.

“We deal with enough as is, and it would be an awful thing,” she said. “I’m all about giving people help, but there are a lot of safety concerns. We have guests come San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

Teri Steel, center, holds a pair of giant scissors to cut the ribbon on the Community Outreach Alliance’s (COA) new teen engagement center, Thrive Alive, on Feb. 23. The center is located at the COA headquarters, 1040 Calle Negocio. Photo: Courtesy of Jack Katke/Community Outreach Alliance

from around the world and they wouldn’t be happy or pleased with having to be next to people who just got off the streets. I can’t manage it.”

Safety has been the key issue for many people in San Clemente. On Feb. 23, an altercation occurred between two homeless people and a bicyclist in the Santa Ana riverbed that left one person dead and one hospitalized, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD).

There’s also the issue of the city’s lack of services, without a full-time hospital or a current shelter. San Clemente went through a three-year process to satisfy a lawsuit related to its lack of zoning to accommodate an emergency or homeless shelter.

San Clemente passed an ordinance in 2016 requiring short-term lodging to take place where appropriately zoned and defines short-term lodging as 30 days or fewer, but that mainly was to reduce the volume of short-term lodging units from online booking sites.

There seems to be a trend with the businesses contacted to house the homeless.

Larger hotels in San Clemente such as The Volare and the San Clemente Inn said they had not been contacted by the county, neither had Comfort Inn Suites. A couple other small hotels declined to comment due to their own privacy policies.

Smaller hotels and motels on the less expensive end, primarily, have been sought.

Kate Tarr, manager at The Patriots’ Boutique Motel, was another location contacted in San Clemente.

“Somebody called us looking for motels

that will offer monthly rates, and right now we are maxed out on monthly,” Tarr said. “I was in the dark about what was happening. It’s a hard situation. We’re only 15 rooms and we have four or five rooms rented now, families who move here and are finding a place because it’s hard to find apartments. They are in transition and they may be here for a few months.”

Tarr said she would have no problem housing homelesspeople who are looking to stay for a while and find permanent housing, if space was available, and like most hotels, she does require a deposit upfront.

“We try to do the best for the community,” Tarr said.

Backlash from community members has already hit one motel operator in south San Clemente. Jared Nichols, the manager of C-Vu Motel in San Clemente, said he was contacted by someone who asked if he was accepting people from the Santa Ana riverbed, but it wasn’t a county official.

“I said, ‘well if they pay, then sure,’” Nichols told the San Clemente Times. “We have a woman who is technically homeless right now who has been here for a week. The caller took that (to mean) we were housing four homeless people, and for those three days, we received threats and people making claims on Facebook.

This has all been so crazy. We don’t accept vouchers, and all of our bookings are done online or with a credit card. That’s our standard.”

WHAT’S NEXT: As of 2 p.m. on Feb. 26, OCSD stated all homeless people

Page 3

had been cleared from the Santa Ana riverbed. The county is now scrambling to find places for the homeless population after the riverbed was cleared out.

As the shelters for homeless people are constantly packed, it may take some time before things are sorted out.

“The plan for the next 30 days is that county outreach workers will conduct assessments for the most appropriate resources,” Nentwig said. “The OCHCA… the lead on the behavioral health services staff is going out and assessing the most appropriate resources in the system of care: permanent supportive housing, recuperative care, substance use disorders treatment, existing shelters the county runs. The county is looking everywhere in the borders.”

Locations and names of places where the homeless are being transferred would not be released by the county in order to protect the privacy of the individuals, Nentwig said.

Susan Price, the Orange County director of Care Coordination who has been leading the efforts to relocate the homeless, released a letter on Feb. 26 regarding the issue. The entirety of the letter can be found in a link in this story at www.sanclementetimes.com. —Eric Heinz

Community Outreach Alliance Opens New Teen Engagement Center THE LATEST: Community Outreach Alliance (COA) hosted a grand opening of its new teen engagement and education center, Thrive Alive.

“We built classrooms and pretty much a whole new counseling center, and right now the program has two teachers and a counselor,” said Teri Steel, the COA director of programs. “On the weekends, they’re going to take advantage of the activities that COA has been running.”

Steel said COA was looking to add more features to its programs in order to help keep children from taking drugs and alcohol and to help those who have succumbed to such temptations.

“We realized a lot of the kids were taking to alcohol or self-medicating, and we decided we should create a curriculum to see…why the kids are taking to selfinjurious behavior,” Steel said.

The program is intended for youth ages 12-18 and runs seven-week courses.

“It’s for all kids, and we believe all kids are at-risk,” Steel said. “We’ve also talked to drug courts about possibly working with at-risk kids and first offenders and with the school district.”

(Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) WHAT’S NEXT: The program is free, and more information can be found at www.coathrivealive.com. —EH

South Orange County Economic Coalition Preview Report: Housing Still an Issue THE LATEST: Much of what was presented at the South Orange County Economic Coalition (SOCEC) preview presentation at the Outlets at San Clemente on Feb. 23 has been foreseen.

It’s still difficult for many people (at least for Millennials) to afford to buy a home, interest rates on home loans are likely going to rise, and the general population is getting older.

Anthony Teng, the dean of Advanced Technology and Applied Science at Saddleback College, gave a presentation that outlined some of the economic factors likely to affect South Orange County in 2018 and beyond.

Regional population age demographics have been a concern, as Teng said many younger families are not able to afford buying houses either.

“We have some affordable housing, but most of it in South Orange County is high dollars,” Teng said. “The dollars get larger and the time on the market gets longer. Affordable housing sells fast, under 30 days. If they can’t find the real estate or housing here, they have to leave.”

San Clemente’s average home selling price is just under $1 million; Dana Point is about $1.2 million and San Juan Capistrano is about $946,000.

Inventory of homes on the market is another problem contributing to affordability, Teng said.

In summation, SOCEC stated economic growth is expected to rise 1.75 to 2.25 percent, but with interest rates increasing as well.

Following Teng’s presentation, Steve Craig, president and CEO of Craig Realty Group, which owns the Outlets at San Clemente; Ian Pullan, the vice president and general manager of Monarch Beach Resort; and Steven Thomas, the founder of Reports on Housing, gave a panel discussion related to their specific fields of expertise.

SOCEC serves 11 cities in South Orange County.

As the SOCEC is a supporter of the toll road traffic alleviation projects proposed in San Clemente, City Council did not send a representative from the dais.

City Attorney Scott Smith was the only visible representative from the city.

The Toll Roads issue was not really addressed, with the coalition instead presenting a “need for transportation San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

infrastructure to support economic growth.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The full economic report for the year will be completed sometime in September. —EH

Drunk Driver Creates a Mess on South El Camino Real

THE LATEST: A driver was arrested early Friday morning, Feb. 23 after colliding with several vehicles and registering a blood alcohol content of .30—nearly four times the legal limit of impairment in California, which is .08.

According to Orange County Sherriff’s Department (OCSD), the man hit five or six vehicles before stopping at 2 a.m. on the 2700 block of S. El Camino Real. Lt. Mike Peters, chief of San Clemente Police Services, said it appeared the man may have struck his head in the collision.

WHAT’S NEXT: Peters said a report of the incident has not yet been completed and filed, as the extent of the damage to vehicles is still being assessed. —EH

No Democratic 49th District Congressional Candidate Receives Endorsement from Party THE LATEST: San Juan Capistrano’s Mike Levin was the top contender for an endorsement at the California Democratic Convention on Feb. 24 in San Diego, but even he didn’t secure enough percentage points to earn the party’s endorsement for the 49th congressional district.

Levin was endorsed by 53 percent of the party delegates, while San Clemente’s Doug Applegate received 27 percent of the vote and Sara Jacobs of Del Mar received 13 percent. Christina Prejean and Paul Kerr received no votes.

In order to receive an endorsement, a candidate had to receive 60 percent of the party’s delegation to vote for them.

The seat in congress has been occupied by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa since 2000, and has been a Republican stronghold for decades. Democrats are trying to switch that trend, as last year’s election was decided between Issa and Applegate by about half a percentage point.

WHAT’S NEXT: People wishing to run for Congress must file before March 9. The primary election in California, which whittles candidates down to two in a run-off, takes place June 5. The midterm election is Nov. 6. —EH Page 4

EYE ON SC spring brew called Red Tide (7.1 percent ABV, 36 IBUs). The American-Belgianstyle red ale is now available in 16-ounce cans for the first time.

“Red Tide blends West Coast hops and caramel roasted malt with a Belgian yeast character,” a press release from Left Coast stated. “The flavor profile is hoppy, spicy and slightly roasted with a dry malt niche.

The hop varieties include Simcoe, Zythos and Amarillo. This brew has a nice ruby red color, perfect for that day at the beach while watching the red tide.”

Left Coast Brewing Co. is based in San Clemente.

Shorecliffs Middle School Gets Visit from Jaden Smith, JUST Water

Film actor Jaden Smith speaks with students on Feb. 26 at Shorecliffs Middle School about JUST Water, a sustainable water container company that is introducing its products to local schools in cafeterias.

Photo: Emily Rasmussen

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

SCARWF Meeting Set for March 14 The San Clemente Area Republican Women Federated will host a luncheon and meeting on Wednesday, March 14.

There will be a presentation from a selection of candidates running for the 49th Congressional District seat, as well as other political positions, including: John Cox, candidate for governor; Thomas Krouse, candidate for State Assembly District 76; Kristin Gaspar, candidate for the 49th Congressional District; Tony Rackauckas, incumbent candidate for OC District Attorney; Todd Spitzer, candidate for OC District Attorney; Omar Navarro, candidate for the 43rd Congressional District; Diane Harkey candidate for 49th Congressional District; and Brian Maryott, candidate for 49th Congressional District.

The meeting takes place at 9:30 a.m. at Talega Golf Club, located at 990 Avenida Talega in San Clemente. The cost is $28 by check or cash and $30 by credit card.

Deadline for reservations is Thursday, March 8. Guests may make a reservation at www.sanclementerepublicanwomen. org. Questions can be emailed to scarwf@ gmail.com.

Green Party of OC to Host Meeting on Non-Toxic Products The Green Party of Orange County will host two of the founding community organizers of Non Toxic Irvine, Kim Konte and Bob Johnson, who successfully advocated to engage the city of Irvine to use only non-toxic organic products in all outdoor applications. All are welcome. Their efSan Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

forts to move the city of Irvine to adopt a sensible approach to civic health will be an educational discussion topic for the meeting. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 4 at the Irvine Ranch Water District, Community Meeting Room, 15500 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Hires New Early Childhood Expert Early childhood education expert Joan Lundbohm has accepted the position of preschool director at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in San Clemente. Lundbohm is an experienced teacher and director who has served on the advisory board for the Saddleback College Child Development Center for more than 10 years and is a California Director Mentor. She was accepted into the mentor program in 2012 and is currently one of four Director Mentors in Orange County. The mentor program is a statewide program that provides mentors to preschool directors. In addition to mentoring, Lundbohm leads the South County Director Group that meets every other month at Saddleback College. She is also a consulting editor for NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), and has served on the preschool board of the Irvine Child Development Center since 2016.

“Having an educator with Joan’s experience and passion for children here in San Clemente is going to impact the entire community and help other preschools as well,” a press release from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church stated.

Left Coast Introduces New Beer: Red Tide Last week marked the introduction of Left Coast Brewing Co.’s canned seasonal

Celebrity actor Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, made a visit to Shorecliffs Middle School on Feb. 26 to speak to students about the company he co-owns, JUST Water, which makes sustainable water containers from recycled paper and sugar cane. Jaden has helped Capistrano Unified School District introduce the containers at school cafeterias with the help of Team Zissou of San Clemente High School.

American Association of University Women Meeting to be Held on March 15 On Thursday, March 15, the San Clemente-Capistrano Bay Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will meet to discuss “What is CASA?” Lunch will be served at Gemmell’s Restaurant, located at 34471 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

Guest speaker Amber Boggs is the outreach and recruitment manager at Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County. Prior to being promoted to this position, she was a case supervisor overseeing CASA volunteers and their assigned cases.

“Boggs’ personal experience with the foster care system fuels her passion in recruiting CASA volunteers and building community partnerships,” according to a press release. “She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from California State University, Fullerton and is working on obtaining a master’s degree in public administration.”

The meeting starts at 11 a.m. at Gemmell’s Restaurant. Tickets cost $28 per person. For more information, go to www. sccb-ca.aauw.net.

Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more.

We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to eheinz@picketfencemedia.com.

Page 5

Community Meetings SUNDAY, MARCH 4

SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE FIRST SUNDAY 9 a.m.-1.p.m. All children’s books and cookbooks are 50 percent off. San Clemente Friends of the Library is looking for volunteers.

Call 949.276.6342, ask for Fred, the volunteer director. 242 Avenida Del Mar. www.ocpl.org/liboc/sc.

TUESDAY, MARCH 6

MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST 7 a.m. Kiwanis San Clemente and Mayor Tim Brown will host a breakfast. Tickets are $20 or $180 for a table of 10. San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente.

949.366.5423 or 949.443.9011. www.sanclementekiwanis.com.

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.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will host its regularly scheduled meeting. City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente.

949.361.8200. www.san-clemente. org.

BILY MEETING 7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday.

Because I Love You (BILY) helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church.

119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

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.

www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Fire on High San Clemente High School club looks to curb wildland fire causes

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

short hike up Nob Hill shows the perils of wildland fires.

Seven acres of the hill were scorched in December and smoke was visible from the crossroad section for miles. Small foliage has sprouted up in the charred earth since the fire, but there are still discarded cigarette butts and other fresh debris that indicates a similar fire could happen again.

Even before the Nob Hill fire, San Clemente High School’s Future Problem Solvers club devised plans to increase awareness of fire danger throughout the city. Most of the plans include increasing fire danger signs around San Clemente’s trails. On the Nob Hill trail alone, club members said there are about an average of 20 people a day who hike the trail.

“Our main focus is with fire prevention, and we would like to at least have a trial period where police come up every

Modern Family Team Six SEAL Pups program aims to instill confidence in youth by preparing them for danger

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n a hotel, a couple floors above the scene of one of England’s most recent terror attacks, Eric Davis, his wife Belisa and daughters Lea and Ella witnessed police and UK Police Special Operations respond to the threat.

Flash bangs, officers shouting commands and a cacophony of danger echoed on June 3, 2017 along London Bridge as extremists made their way to Borough Market. Uncertainty abounded, and eight people were killed in the incident, but Eric instructed his daughters to remain calm and follow his orders.

“Once they calmed down, they could realize that they were OK, that they could hear my voice,” Eric said about what happened while they were visiting the UK. Eric is a former Navy SEAL who worked

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

A hummingbird feeds at the top of a tree along the Nob Hill trail on Feb. 24, another participating piece of evidence to the wildlife abundance around San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz

novate solutions to real-world problems in their local communities. At the end of the school year, there is a national convention where the top projects are featured.

At the Feb. 20 City Council meeting, Future Problem Solvers members presented proposals to the leaders of San Clemente for more signage on the trails to deter people from smoking in the area as well as prohibit motor vehicles in undesignated areas. Motor vehicles of all kinds have been known to cause some

Saturday for a month because a lot of motorcyclists come up on this hill,” said Sophia Mains, Future Problem Solvers club co-president, referring to a track that runs just below one of the city’s trails.

The club was started by Mains and Chloe Kamp (who were featured in the Feb. 9, 2017 edition of the San Clemente Times). The two sophomore high school students have been part of Future Problem Solvers since middle and elementary school, which encourages students to infor five years as a sniper instructor. He has published the book Raising Men and teaches motivational and practical courses to working professionals. Later, the idea transferred into training youth for similar circumstances, formulating into a program called SEAL Pups.

“We wanted (our daughters) to be very confident and courageous,” Eric said.

“Confidence is built by doing things you haven’t done before or doing things that other people can’t do.”

To add to the Navy SEAL parenting experience, the Davis family pet—a former SEAL-trained dog—entered the room midway through the interview, eager for some kind of attention. A curious pooch, the dog sniffed inquisitively at anything suspect, like a stranger in their Dana Point office.

“She won’t bite or anything. Just don’t try to sprint,” Eric said, adding the San Clemente-based family uses “bite sleeves” to train the dog, which has become a training mascot.

SEAL Pups began a couple years ago when the Davis family decided they wanted to do something to break the mold of a typical upbringing—like trying to swim and escape with your hands and feet bound by rope. Eric said the conditioning is a regimen that doesn’t keep his family “too busy.”

Eric said he grew up playing soccer and understands the value of team sports, but he wanted his daughters’ formidable knowledge to be as applicable to real-world experiences as possible, incorporating

wildland fires after being left over tall, dry grass.

San Clemente City Council recently enacted an ordinance that provides police officers the latitude to remove people who are camping in the open space and canyons of San Clemente during “red flag warnings” from the National Weather Service or during particularly dry periods. The law applies to both private and public spaces.

“Hopefully people are paying attention a little bit more because we can see what can happen,” said club member Esther Mafouta.

Kamp said there hasn’t been much feedback yet, although Rancho San Clemente residents have been appreciative of their efforts since the Nob Hill fire.

Mains said the club has not spoken to Orange County Fire Authority officials but they hope to in the near future. The club members have looked over reports from the fire authority to track the city’s typical “fire zones.”

Kamp said the club has met with the city’s Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department, the city manager and the mayor. The project is currently under consideration by city staff before a committee takes it up.

Future Problem Solvers is mostly comprised of sophomore high school students and has just more than a dozen members. SC

Ella Davis, left, practices a drill with her father, former Navy SEAL Eric Davis. The family is hoping to introduce similar SEAL training for youth in the future. Photo: Courtesy of Alexa Gilmore

things like free diving, getting locked out of a car and surviving in the wilderness.

Belisa coordinates adult survival classes and is administering the SEAL Pups criteria. Her main priority is to teach responsibility and preparedness.

“From my standpoint, one of the most important things is to be confident,” Belisa said. “I want (students) to know the power that is within them.”

Over the last two years, the Davis family has collaborated with other close family friends to conduct training. By summer, Eric said he hopes to introduce SEAL Pups to people who want to sign up. This

Page 6

isn’t something where parents can just drop the kids off; he said he wants the family to be involved.

“It’ll be similar to Boy Scouts, but instead of badges, we’ll give them military challenge coins,” Davis said.

Ella and Lea said they both enjoy the exercises their father has provided them.

“If there ever was an emergency at school, I know how to get out of that situation,” Ella said.

For more information on the SEAL Pups program and Eric’s courses, visit www. ericdavis215.com/seal-pups or follow Eric Davis on Facebook. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

&

Shop Dine Local S A N

C L E M E N T E

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

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner by City Council member Kathy Ward

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Eric Heinz, 949.388.7700, x109 eheinz@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Susie Lantz, 949.388.7700, x111 slantz@picketfencemedia.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz City Editor, DP Times > Daniel Ritz City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Emily Rasmussen

Real Estate Sales Executive > Jennifer Guy ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

General Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (San Clemente) > Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Victor Carno Tim Trent Jake Howard

San Clemente Times, Vol. 13, Issue 9. The SC Times (www. sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point 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 2018. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Collection of Actions Caused Increase in Homeless Population, Property Crime

I

am going to talk about homelessness and also property crime. This subject of homelessness is sensitive because being homeless is not a crime, yet the very sight of someone who is homeless makes people upset. I am not faulting anyone for their thoughts on this issue. Some San Clemente residents have had bad experiences with transient visitors and have been greatly affected by incidents that have occurred.

Homelessness is a problem all around the world. So is drug addiction. The war on drugs has come to our neighborhoods.

Crime has also come. There are several reasons why crime, mostly property crime, has increased.

The first reason is AB 109, which was a bill that realigned the prison system so that low-level felons were transferred from state prison to local county jails.

The next is Proposition 47, approved by California voters in 2014. This proposition downgraded a variety of “non-serious, nonviolent crimes” that had previously been considered felonies to misdemeanors.

These offenses include shoplifting, forgery, fraud and more. As long as the total value of stolen property is under $950, there is barely any enforcement to render.

Do you wonder why packages are being stolen off of your porch? It is because there are no real consequences.

Proposition 47 didn’t stop with reclassifying theft. It also reclassified personal use of drugs to a misdemeanor. Someone can use heroin in front of you and it isn’t a felony.

If these two modifications to offenses were not enough, the effects of Proposition 57 have not yet hit. Proposition 57 passed in November 2016. It states that felons in jail could be released early if they had served full time on their primary offense only. That means that felons in jail

Letters to the Editor UPDATE ON CUSD LAWSUIT AGAINST TOLL ROADS ADMINISTRATORS PATRICIA HOLLOWAY, San Clemente

FACEBOOK.COM/SANCLEMENTETIMES • INSTAGRAM @S_C_TIMES TWITTER.COM/SCTIMESNEWS • LINKEDIN PICKET FENCE MEDIA

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

Capistrano Unified School District’s (CUSD) lawsuits related to the proposed 241 Toll Road extension are intended to protect the health and welfare of our

under California’s three-strike law are now eligible for early release.

The realignment of our prison system and reducing felonies to misdemeanors and then reducing how time is counted for those felonies have all contributed to more felons, even repeat felons, on the street.

What are people doing who are tired of being the victims of theft? They are taking action to protect themselves. They join CITY COUNCIL groups like Next Door to CORNER let their neighbors know

By Kathy Ward of a suspicious person.

They form neighborhood watches for their block and actively participate. Empowering yourselves and securing your household are your protections against theft.

Chief of San Clemente Police Services Lt. Mike Peters has stated our residents can help him lower theft crime by over 50 percent if they start locking their car doors and houses. This is the biggest thing you can do to reduce theft in San Clemente and help our sheriff’s department.

Another way to greatly help our sheriff is to call them directly to report a crime.

People are taking to Facebook to talk about what they have seen. Please report it directly to the sheriff’s dispatch, which can be reached at 949.770.6011, or call 911 in an emergency.

Our sheriff’s department is genuinely trying to keep our streets safe and cite offenders when they can. They have not changed their police procedures; what has changed are the laws.

Back on the subject of homelessness.

We have found that homeless individuals

from the Santa Ana Riverbed in Anaheim were transferred to motels in San Clemente. The city was not notified this would be happening nor notified once it had happened. These people are only supposed to be in these motels temporarily to allow the county time to process them and get them help and to a more sustainable situation. The county is responsible for them and have arranged for their rooms.

These people have agreed to go through the county for services unlike others from the riverbed who moved on.

We all want to have compassion, but I think sometimes there is misplaced compassion. All homeless people are offered services. Even if they do not want shelter, they are given a monthly EBT card for food and given a paid phone, so most are able to buy food. When our residents feed them, they are able to use their EBT card to trade for drugs, which perpetuates their addiction. It has been shown that if you want to increase the amount of homeless in your area, start feeding them and providing free stuff.

Feeding them really doesn’t help them find a solution. The police will advise you not to give them money. If food and money are provided, they will not seek help to a more permanent solution because this way of being on the street is working for them.

Donations to homeless are best served by donating to Family Assistance Ministries.

Kathy Ward is a San Clemente City Council member who was elected to office in 2014.

She served as the city’s mayor in 2017. SC

students and staff at district schools in the path of, or in proximity to, the various proposed toll road alignments, including idea 14, which encroaches onto San Clemente High School. Last October, the CUSD Board of Trustees voted to join the San Clemente and The Reserve HOA lawsuits against the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), county and Caltrans. As part of this action, CUSD will be challenging the protective, cooperative and freeway agreements, but not the settlement agreement, between the TCA and the Save San Onofre Coalition.

In the protective agreement, Caltrans improperly agreed to effectively alter the

original route of the toll road designated by the state Legislature where the toll road was to connect to Interstate 5 in San Diego County. Instead, Caltrans would allow the toll road to link with I-5 in Orange County, potentially through the city of San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano. This was done without authorization by the Legislature.

In the cooperative agreement between the TCA and county, the county consented to formally integrate the Oso Parkway Bridge Interchange and Los Patrones Parkway into the Toll Road system without proper environmental review.

Finally, in the freeway agreement,

Page 8

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

SOAPBOX Cal-trans will accept access control of the Oso Parkway Bridge Interchange—another component of the 241 extension—without any environmental analysis of the impacts.

In December, CUSD filed its own lawsuit against the TCA, county and Caltrans regarding the Oso Parkway Bridge Interchange. The proposed bridge would be built by the county right across from Tesoro High School. The district sought help from the county, which it flatly refused, and so the district filed suit alleging multiple violations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Among these, CUSD believes that the county incorrectly approved the Oso Bridge Project at the staff level when this major development should have been the subject of its own EIR (not an addendum) and reviewed at a public meeting before the County Board of Supervisors.

CUSD objects to the way the TCA is chopping up the tollway into smaller segments (the Oso Bridge, Los Patrones Parkway and the section from Cow Camp Road to the I-5) with the intent of reconstituting these later into the Foothill/Eastern south toll road. This is a clear violation of CEQA and an obvious attempt to avoid the full and fair evaluation of impacts and project alternatives. While these legal actions won’t “stop” the toll road, if successful, will compel the TCA and others to go back to square one and conduct proper environmental review. If the district prevails, it would give our schools and communities the right to comment during an open public process and to demand adequate protection of our students, staff and parents against the harmful effects of the eventual toll road.

BAD POLICY OR JUST NO POLICY? CORD BAUER, San Clemente

Dear Supervisor Spitzer, Supervisor Bartlett, I realize that Sacramento leaves you with very little to work with, but the transient situation will probably be the thing that ends your careers in public office. San Clemente went through a long, expensive, tendentious process to set up the rules for a homeless shelter in town, not the shelter itself. Now a court order has all of Orange County scrambling regarding the riverbed transients.

The policies you enacted are sending felons, drug addicts, the mentally ill and sex offenders all over Orange County— and there is no real plan. We’re getting the transients here in San Clemente, and our local organization that helps the homeless (Family Assistance Ministries) has said that they weren’t notified.

There have been reports of improper behavior from the transients.

This is on you. You have no plan.

Ms. Bartlett, I was in your neighborhood Saturday for passport photos and saw two new transients on a street corner near your house. And that’s simply because you have no plan.

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

‘TROLLING’ SAN CLEMENTE SOCIAL MEDIA JERRY COLLAMER, San Clemente

San Clemente doesn’t need Russian internet trolls snooping our internet sites, we have the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) trolling us. Really. If you’ve ever typed a negative TCA ditty on your laptop and hit send, TCA is watching.

This is fact. TCA doesn’t deny it.

This is our taxpayer dollars at work. If you hate the idea of TCA plowing a toll road down Avenida Pico and say so, on the internet, they’re watching.

We’re being trolled. Hopefully they’re reading this.

TCA has lots of taxpayer dollars to pay for this.

Snoops don’t come cheap. TCA’s influence in San Clemente comes in many forms. One of the directors of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce runs TCA’s office on Avenida Del Mar and has for years. Now that’s scary.

DAILY BRIEFING NEEDS MORE ATTENTION FROM POTUS LEO GALCHER, San Clemente

Every U.S. president since JFK has praised the president’s daily briefing (PDB) and noted it as a necessity to the operations of the Oval Office. The PDB is prepared each day by the CIA. The document is a compilation of events and upcoming issues that impact the White House that day. It is prepared for distribution by 3 a.m. and delivered to the president and designated government officials at 7 a.m. A CIA briefer equipped with additional material is available, if requested. Many presidents have called it an invaluable aid to the operation of the White House.

The current occupant disdains the PDB as disreputable and wordy, deferring to Fox News as his news source.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY 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.

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, March 2 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.

Page 9

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town COMPILED BY VICTOR CARNO

Thursday | 01 TABLE TENNIS FOR SENIORS 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All seniors 55 or older are welcome to join the Table Tennis Club at the Shorecliff Terrace Mobile Home Park. Any skill level is welcome and entry is free. 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente.

949.481.2275. jnl5555@yahoo.com.

DISCO FIT 6:30 p.m. Grab your colorful Lycra leggings and your silver glitter, and get fit and have fun with a disco-themed HIIT class.

No dance experience required. Workout to disco classics with the matching dance moves. This high-energy class is the perfect stress relief. Come early to sign paperwork and get your spot. This class fills quickly with limited space available.

Bring your own yoga mat, water and towel.

I ‘AM… Active Lifestyle Wear, 103 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.361.1007. www.sanclementegym.com.

WRITER’S WORKSHOP 7-10 p.m. Students of Stand-Up is hosting a six-week workshop for anyone with prior stand-up experience. The workshop is geared toward punching up preexisting jokes and working together to help each other on their routines. The workshop is $265 and a 20 percent discount for returning students. Camino Real Playhouse.

31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.studentsofstandup. com.

SESSIONS AT STILLWATER 7 p.m. Listen to live music when artists from around the world perform together.

StillWater Spirits & Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www. danapointstillwater.com.

Friday | 02 A WAVE OF JAZZ 5 p.m. Enjoy jazz performances accompanied with award-winning food while raising funds for the Ocean Institute’s Adopt-A-Class program. The fundraiser starts Friday with a pre-concert reception, including local cuisine paired with artisan beer and wine. Saturday’s Gala includes a five-course meal, dancing and world-class jazz performances. Gala tickets are $500.

Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274.

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

Photo: File

MARCH 3,4, 10 AND 11: 47TH ANNUAL DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES The 47th Annual Festival of Whales kicks off with the Whale Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday morning. Families are welcome to join in on various activities including, street fairs and car shows all weekend long. After a weekend of fun, be sure to stop by the Whale of a BBQ at Baby Beach for some lunch on the beach. For a complete list of events, visit www.festivalofwhales.com. Dana Point Harbor. 34555 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.1045.

www.ocean-institute.org.

THEATER: ‘DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER’ 8 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse is always casual but reminds you: Don’t Dress for Dinner, which is the new play opening on Friday, March 2. Dinner for two is interrupted when an uninvited guest (the wife) shows up. A cook, a friend, a husband, a wife play out as who’s who in this hilarious comedy. Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: $20.

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

LIVE MUSIC AT OVERVUE 8-11 p.m. A rotating lineup of musicians performs at OverVue Lounge at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott every Friday and Saturday night. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. 949.661.5000. www.lagunacliffs.com.

Saturday | 03 TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. Whether you are about to tackle your first 5K or you are just keeping your cardio and running prowess in top form, be sure to stop by Peet’s Coffee in Talega.

Every Saturday a group runners of varying skill level take a brisk three-mile run around a pre-determined course. Admission is free. 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.588.5054. www.facebook. com/2XUSanClemente.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOWS INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Live music from rotating bands at The Swallows Inn. Burgers and wings from Lisa’s Kitchen also are available. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

Sunday | 04 GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park.

Parking is $5, the hike is free. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/caspers.

YOGA ON TAP 11 a.m. Yoga on Tap is held at Left Coast’s tasting room in San Clemente. This is a

Page 11

one-hour yoga class, followed by a pint of beer. It’s a great way to get to know your local fellow yogis and beer drinkers. The cost is $10. Left Coast Brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente.

949.276.6014 or www.leftcoastbrewing. com.

Monday | 05 KOI FISH FEEDING 12:45 p.m. Everyday visitors are welcome to help Mission San Juan Capistrano feed their koi fish in both courtyards. Fish food is free for Mission Preservation Society members and $1 for non-members. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free beginner level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente.

(Cont. on page 12) www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 11) WELLNESS AND PREVENTION CENTER FRIEND RAISER 5-8:30 p.m. The Wellness and Prevention Center is hosting a “Friend Raiser” at The Cellar to help educate new members on how the center supports youth and families. Tickets are $50 per person or $90 for two. The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.498.7276. www.wpc-oc.org.

COUNTRY DANCING AND ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR 7 p.m.-Midnight. Stop by the Swallow’s Inn for country dancing with DJ Patrick and a happy hour that lasts all day. Enjoy a steak dinner for $13 when you are finished with the dance floor. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www. swallowsinn.com.

BINGO AT GOODY’S 7 p.m. Every Monday, Goody’s hosts a Bingo night for a charity of the week.

Cards are $1 per sleeve (three cards), and raffle prizes are offered. Goody’s Tavern.

206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www. goodystavern.com.

Tuesday | 06 TODDLER STORYTIME 10:30 a.m. Join the library for stories, activities and songs for children under 3 years old. “Stay and play” with puzzles and toys after story-time. Registration is not required. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point. 949.496.5517. www.ocpl.org.

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-10 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 | 07 CASA KIDS: STORY TIME 10-11 a.m. Casa Romantica welcomes children ages 1-7 for a picture book reading every Wedneday in their courtyard. A question and answer session and a dance will be held after each story. Admission is free. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB 2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. No cost to join. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228 or 949.369.5482.

OLD CAPISTRANO CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET 3-6 p.m. Stop by and check out some locally grown, organic produce and artisan goodies at a farmers market that has been

At the Movies: ‘Game Night’ Is a Laugh Riot

ON THE MENU

going strong for over 15 years. Free admission. Historic Town Center Park. 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.4700. www.farmersmarketsjc.com.

FREE COMEDY AT BLOOMS IRISH SPORTS BAR 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Blooms Irish Sports Bar with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 9 p.m.-1 a.m. All levels of musicians are welcome to perform at this weekly open mic. Bring your instruments, or voice, and show off your talent. 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. www. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to San Clemente Times by going to www.sanclementetimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

FRIED DUMPLINGS, PORK BULGOGI & STONE POT BIBIMBAP AT SK@BBQ

Photo: Eric Heinz Photo: Courtesy of Warner Brothers

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

s Black Panther continues to dominate the box-office, Alex Garland’s gory sci-fi Annihilation does alright on its own merit and Duncan Jones’ own sci-fi Mute disappoints both critics and viewers. But in the middle of this, Warner Bros. quietly released its dark, slapstick comedy Game Night. In the vein of a spiritual sequel to 2010’s Date Night, Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams are now the leads of the first decent comedy of 2018.

Max (Bateman) and Annie (McAdams) are an ordinary suburban couple who are struggling to conceive a baby.

Their highlight of the week is a night of activities like board games or charades, or “game night,” with close friends.

When Max’s older brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) visits town for the weekend, it’s not only a game night of lifelong

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

sibling rivalry, but also a secret, interactive mystery game conducted by Brooks that goes awry.

Lamorne Harris, Billy Magnussen and Kylie Bunbury play the lead couple’s close friends. Game Night is directed by duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who previously co-wrote the hit comedy Horrible Bosses (2011). This time they let Mark Perez take over the script, while Daley and Goldstein show that after penning duds like Burt Wonderstone (2013) and Vacation (2015), they still have some funny bones left in them. Game Night is not only a solid dark comedy with goofy jokes and surprisingly graphic gags, but also a test of your tolerance for cringe humor.

If you can handle feeling secondhand embarrassment while laughing with the characters, this is a quality weekend flick. SC

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

t was only a matter of time, not whether it would come. The growing familiarity of Korean barbecue has finally spread to the southernmost part of Orange County, complete with a variety of kimchi, thin cuts of pork and delectable sauces. As the crow flies, it’s the only exclusively Korean barbecue restaurant for 15 miles, with the exception of dishes that are served at other eateries in town.

Several of their dishes include traditional Korean barbecue entrees and starters, including chili pickled cabbage, beef rib soup, fried dumplings, pork bulgogi and stone pot bibimbap.

• FRIED DUMPLINGS: Crispy dough boats filled with meat, vegetables and love. Dipped in a low-sodium soy sauce, the vessels have a delicate exoskeleton and bursts with flavor in each bite.

• PORK BULGOGI: One main course offered is the pork bulgogi, thinly sliced pork covered in a robust barbecue flavor. It’s an easy dish to share or pair with rice.

Page 12

• STONE POT BIBIMBAP: Another main entrée, stone pot bibimbap is a grab bag of all things good in a searing hot bowl.

Cucumber, pork strips, rice, noodles and sprouts are all cooked with sesame oil, and are finished with a fried egg topper.

A SK@BBQ server explained that the sesame oil, which is lightly drizzled so natural flavors are highlighted, cooks the dish at the bottom and keeps temperature equally distributed. It’s a familiar take on wok dishes, but it tastes cleaner like a garden salad, and is accompanied by hot sauce.

SK@BBQ opened on Feb. 8 and replaced El Mariachi, a longtime local favorite. The old Mexican eatery left its mark—there are still Mayan calendars carved into the wood panels of the bar—but a new spectrum of dining gives locals a chance to try something familiar, but completely different.

SK@BBQ 1925 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.369.5111 skbbq.business.site

www.sanclementetimes.com

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, MARCH 4 • 2-5pm

214 Calle Serena, San Clemente Listed at $2,695,500 AND BUILDER OFFERING BUYER INCENTIVES

• Brand New Quality Construction • Prime Southwest San Clemente Location • Near “Lost Winds” Beach Access • Four Bedrooms, Four and a Half Baths • Ocean Views and 360° View Roof Deck • Hickory Hardwood Floors Up and Downstairs • Custom Upgrades and Amenities Throughout • Prepped for Elevator • MUST SEE! Visit 214calleserena.com Dan Raphael Cell: 949-370-9930 DRaphael@coldwellbanker.com www.DanRaphael.com BRE:00797867 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo service marks are registered or pending registrations owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalRE#00797867

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Wellness and Prevention by Susan Parmelee

Do You Know About E-Cigs?

Your Teen Probably Does

A

cetaldehyde, benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde, isoprene, lead, nickel, n-nitrosonornicotine and toluene have been found in e-cigarettes and vapes. Sadly, the FDA decided to allow Phillip Morris to advertise a vaping device as “safer than cigarettes.” Even more concerning is many of our teens are already vape experts.

Per the annual Monitoring the Future survey in 2014, vaping appears to have replaced cigarettes as the primary nicotine delivery device for teens. Unfortunately, our local schools are confiscating an alarming number of vape devices from students on our middle and high school campuses. All of the major tobacco manufacturers now market an e-cigarette product and many of the same advertising tactics (rebellion, sex and independence) used to pull in new youth users are heavily in use today.

A typical battery-operated e-cigarette contains a cartridge of e-cig liquid, WELLNESS AND or juice, which usually contains nicotine and PREVENTION

By Susan the chemical propylene Parmelee glycol (also found in antifreeze). When propylene glycol is heated, it can degrade into formaldehyde, a chemical linked to nose and eye irritation, and an increased risk of asthma and cancer.

Most of the liquids in cartridges contain nicotine. Even the liquids advertised as nicotine free have been found to have trace amounts of the addictive chemical.

Little regulation or testing exists to monitor this rapidly growing industry. Nicotine has short-term negative health effects, like

increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, so it can aggravate heart conditions.

Nicotine is also more addictive than heroin and particularly addictive to the vulnerable teen brain.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), e-cigarette companies have increased spending on advertising from $6.4 million in 2011 to $115 million in 2014. As the amount spent on advertising increased, so did youth use.

More than 30-day use of vaping devices increased from below 1 percent to almost 4 percent among middle school students and from 2 percent to 13 percent among high school students.

Tobacco prevention campaigns have been effective in lowering rates of lung cancer in the United States. Most teens have seen the messages and claim they will never smoke cigarettes. Unfortunately, the e-cigarette industry blurs the lines, and some youth believe that there are no negative health consequences from vapes and e-cigs.

Additionally, research is showing there is a risk of teens moving on to cigarettes after they have used a vape device. In a recent study (JAMA Pediatrics, 2018) of over 10,000 youth, teens who reported that they had never smoked, but had used e-cigarettes even just once, were twice as likely one year later to have smoked a cigarette in the past month than those who never tried an e-cigarette. The same connection was present if the youths had smoked cigars, chewed tobacco, or used a hookah a year earlier.

What can you do? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following: • Set a positive example by being tobacco-free. For free help, call 1-800-QUIT-

Pet of the Week: Grace SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

FROM THE ARCHIVES A shot of the iconic surf shack at San Onofre, taken by former Hobie employee Phil Vedder. The original shack had been left behind by a film crew that had constructed it for a movie.

Since then there have been several, and sometimes as many as two shacks at once, rebuilt whenever they become too weather-beaten.

The Surfing Heritage & Culture Center (SHACC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and accurately present surfing’s heritage and cultural impact for the appreciation and education of current and future generations. To purchase these and other historic surf culture images, go to www.shaccprints.org.

Every week, the San Clemente Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

NOW or visit www.smokefree.gov.

• Talk to youth about why they shouldn’t use any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

• Know what media their children are viewing, and decide what programs and websites are appropriate for their age.

Watch programs together and discuss content, many cable TV series glorify underage substance use and many teen role models promote products that are unhealthy for our youth.

For additional information about teens and smoking see www.raisinghealthyteens. org. This link has great information to use when discussing this with your children.

Please join us at 6:45 p.m. on Monday,

March 19 in the Little Theater in the campus of San Clemente High School, located at 700 Avenida Pico. The Wellness & Prevention Center will host a panel for teens and a panel for adults about e-cigarettes.

Learn more, so we can all help our youth make healthy choices.

Susan Parmelee is a mental health social worker and one of the founders of the Wellness & Prevention Center, San Clemente.

She can be reached at susan@wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.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

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

Last week’s solution:

T

wo-year-old Grace is an adorable pup with a winning personality. A recent momma, Grace raised six puppies and is now finally ready for a home of her own. If you’re looking for a fun and energetic dog, Grace might just be the one for you.

If you would like to know more about Grace, please call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. SC

Photo: Courtesy of the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center

Grace. Photo: Courtesy

Page 21

See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

To Another 90

San Clemente celebrates its 90th anniversary

A performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ took place recently at Conservatory of Performing Arts Orange County, which will host a talent show on Saturday, March 10. Photo: Courtesy

From left, City Council members Kathy Ward, Steve Swartz and Mayor Tim Brown cut the birthday cake for the city of San Clemente on Feb. 24. Photo: Eric Heinz

Broad Way

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

New performing arts center opens for many classes, uses

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

B

allroom dancing, children’s plays, acting classes and more are all available at San Clemente’s newest performing arts center.

Kristen Ruth, the owner of Conservatory of Performing Arts Orange County (COPA) in San Clemente, will host a grand opening with a talent show on Saturday, March 10. COPA has been open since June 19.

COPA offers classes for music, dance and performing arts and recently completed a production of The Wizard of Oz with a cast of children. For its first adult production, COPA is rehearsing the Broadway musical fan-favorite Cabaret.

“We’ve been able to offer a kind of one-stop shop for people to come for yoga classes and dance classes,” Ruth said, adding COPA has also hosted bridal showers and opened the space to rent for parties.

“We also have a homework lounge in the front, so parents can come and, as long as their kid is enrolled in a class, let them work.”

Staff is on-site for homework help and supervision. The venue is about 5,000 square feet in the main stage and event area and holds about 150 people.

Ruth said she started COPA as a way to supplement art classes that may not be offered in public schools. She started a theater company at Las Palmas ElemenSan Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

tary School in San Clemente and many of those students attend COPA. “The arts are really important for kids these days,” Ruth said. “They have phobias and fears with public speaking, and they come here to work on those skills. I don’t know if kids are quite as prepared for (public speaking assignments) as they should be.”

There is also a glee club and a rock band that performs in-house at COPA. Private lessons are available on request.

“We have something really unique here, and there are some great acting academies around, but our place is very well-rounded,” Ruth said. “We’re trying to create a well-rounded student and get them to the next level. We’re also kind of like a family to make kids feel safe.”

COPA offers children’s classes for ages 4-17 and adults. There are trained professionals who teach all aspects of music, theater and dance in both group and private classes.

“We foster individuality and creativity as we develop and grow together. Every voice matters here,” a press release from COPA stated.

The grand opening will take place at the venue, located at 1062 Calle Negocio, Suite E. The event is free to register. In between the talent show contestants’ performances, there will be a house band playing, as well as food and drinks for purchase.

To compete in the talent competition, contestants ages 4-17 must sign up in advance by March 3. The winner of the talent show will receive 12 months of unlimited group classes at COPA. Visit www.copaoc.com or call 949.534.2671 for more information and to register. SC

O

le Hanson’s spirit graced the celebration of San Clemente’s 90th anniversary since incorporation on Feb. 24.

During San Clemente Day, people were able to taste chicken dinners, as tradition from the days when San Clemente was established and land was first sold to investors.

Mayor Tim Brown gave a speech along with City Council members Kathy Ward and Steve Swartz as they cut the cake on the city’s birthday.

Historic tours were given of Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens, Las Palmas Elementary School and the Ole Hanson Beach Club.

San Clemente Day takes place on the last Saturday in February each year. SC

(Clockwise from top) Jaine and Larry Culbertson of the San Clemente Historical Society pick up their traditional fried chicken dinners at the Ole Hanson Beach Club on Feb. 24. Cupcakes were festooned with 90th anniversary cards. Ole Hanson, in character, walks through the entrance of the very club he helped conceive. Photo: Eric Heinz

Page 22

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

ACCOUNTING

Chris W. Johnston, CPA, MBA 34184 Pacific Coast Highway Dana Point, 949.240.8015, www.cwjcpacorp.com

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air

2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com

ART GALLERIES

San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

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

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape

Locals Only BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com

Costa Verde Landscape

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

MORTGAGES

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

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

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

ELECTRIC BIKES

Murf Electric Bikes

212 N. El Camino Real, 949.370.3801, www.murfelectricbikes.com

Contact Susie Lantz at 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

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

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

REALTORS

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes

949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

MUSIC LESSONS

Panagia Music: Music Lessons and More!

647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Four weeks in print and online.

BRE # 01480453, 949.275.8937 www.LuXreRealty.com

520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

Exquisite Epoxy Concrete Floor Coatings

Eric Johnson, D.D.S.

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

Sherry Wild, LuXre Realty

SC Rider Supply

Danman’s Music School

DENTISTS

YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

LANDSCAPING

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

Lic.: 1020002, 949.632.8400 exquisiteepoxy.com

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

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

PEST/TERMITE CONTROL

Accurate Termite and Pest Control 949.837.6483, www.accuratetermitecontrol.com

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

FOR SALE IPHONE 6S ultra slim backup battery, auto light charger adapter, mobil seal 2, premium charge/sync cable. All new. All this for $375. Available in Capo Beach. 760-519-1491 WOMENS BICYCLE Beautiful, almost new women’s bike. Looks like a commuter/ cruiser with multiple gears. Light mint green frame, white seat, wire basket on the back. $250. Text for photos. 949-533-9761.

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE THIS SATURDAY MARCH 3, 2018, 8 AM TO 1 PM 214 Esplanade, San Clemente, Ca Moving sale, everything must go: Furniture, designer clothing and shoes, books, small appliances, misc.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

HELP WANTED DANA POINT MARINA INN NOW HIRING Front desk help. Two F/T positions open. $12 to $13, per hour. Apply in person. 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, Ca 92629

WANTED SEEKING EMPLOYMENT Local SC office help available for part time employment, Exp in sales, sales support,, customer service, purchasing, invoicing. Exp w MS office , CRM software, min $15hr call Jeff 714-290-3375

MEMORIAL

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

949.705.7573, panagiamusic@gmail. com, www.panagiamusic.com

CLASSIFIEDS

LIST LOCALS ONLY

Geraldine “Gerri” Knapp AUG 19, 1946 MARCH 2, 2017

USE LOCALS ONLY

Colony Termite Control

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at www.sanclementetimes.com.

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Call at Susie Lantz for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com.

Gerri lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times March 1–7, 2018

Page 25

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Triton Report

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

For in-game updates, news and more for all San Clemente High School sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports.

Girls Water Polo Edged in Final Seconds of CIF-SS Semifinal San Clemente tied their Division 2 semifinal with Santa Barbara on a penalty shot with 19 seconds remaining, but Santa Barbara got back down the pool and scored the game-winner with five seconds left to eliminate the Tritons on Feb. 21 at the

Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine.

The two teams got off to an explosive start to combine for 12 goals in the first half with a 6-6 tie at halftime. The teams combined for just five goals in the second half as defense and patience ruled the day.

“We hadn’t seen each other all year, really,” San Clemente coach Logan Powell said. “We kind of stayed away from each other in tournaments, different pools. It probably took a half for the girls and the coaches to figure each other out a little bit.”

Junior Brooklyn Aguilera scored the first two goals for San Clemente to tie the game at 1-1 and 2-2.

The Tritons took the lead on back-toback goals by sophomore Caroline Christl, a laser at 3-2 and a bouncing penalty shot at 4-2. Christl led the Tritons with four goals and surged into the team’s season lead in goals (64) with 14 goals in three playoff games.

“She came on really strong in the back half of the season,” Powell said. “She’s

just a natural talent. She can shoot the ball really well, moves really well, is explosive and strong.”

Santa Barbara tied the game at 4-4 to open the second quarter, and the teams fought for the lead as Christl and Aguilera each scored again to put San Clemente ahead. Santa Barbara tied the score again on a buzzer-beater before halftime.

Then the teams slowed down and traded a goal each in the third quarter. Alison Echelberger scored for the Tritons.

“That was kind of the difference,” Powell said. “We kind of stopped moving and got a little stagnant. They did a good job on defense.”

Santa Barbara went ahead one minute into the fourth quarter, and San Clemente couldn’t muster anything until the final minute.

Christl scored on a penalty shot with 19 seconds left, but Santa Barbara got in one more with the clock winding down.

Echelberger’s desperation half-pool heave hit the crossbar as time expired.

Ghosted Shootout Boys soccer falls in eight-round semifinal tiebreaker

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he San Clemente High School boys soccer team’s season essentially came down to a coin flip and the last thing the Tritons wanted to see on Feb. 27 – a penalty-kick shootout.

The Tritons and Cathedral High School of Los Angeles battled even through regulation. They were even through two overtime periods. They were even through five, six and seven rounds of the penalty kick shootout.

In the eighth round of the tiebreaker, the Phantoms broke the deadlock with a goal and the Tritons missed as Cathedral won, 1-1 (7-6), in a CIF-SS Division 1 semifinal at San Clemente High and advanced to the championship game.

San Clemente lost in the CIF-SS playoffs on penalty kicks for the second consecutive season and has lost its last five playoff penalty-kick shootouts dating back to 2012. The Tritons were 1-3 in shootouts this season.

“Just a shame,” San Clemente coach Mike Pronier said. “Once we got to the midpoint of league, we got better as league ended. Each playoff game we got better.”

The Tritons (17-5-6) were in excellent

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

Cathedral’s goalkeeper celebrates as the Phantoms defeat San Clemente in a penalty-kick shootout in the CIFSS Division 1 semifinals on Feb. 27 at San Clemente High School. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

form through the last half of the season with a 10-1-3 record through January and February leading into Tuesday’s game. San Clemente went 5-1-2 in league to capture its first league title since 2016 and its sixth league title in eight seasons.

Despite the loss, San Clemente’s season isn’t finished as the Tritons qualified

for the CIF SoCal Regional Championships. Match-ups will be announced on Sunday, March 4.

Cathedral opened the game with a strong push that had the Tritons on their heels in the first 10 minutes of the game.

In the 26th minute, leading scorer Blake Bowen gave the Tritons the Page 27

Girls Basketball Dropped in Home Quarterfinal Cabrillo of Lompoc stormed the Tritons on Feb. 21 with a 23-point win in the CIF-SS Division 3AA quarterfinals at San Clemente High School.

Cabrillo led after the first quarter, 2411, and was up by 25 points at halftime.

Senior Shae Waters led San Clemente with 12 points, and sophomore Ella Gardiner put together a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Spring Sports Previews Next Week Spring sports started in earnest this week with wins from baseball, softball and boys volleyball.

Check out next week’s edition of the San Clemente Times for previews on spring sports teams.

advantage.

Bowen, a junior, chased down a ball on the left side of the box and stripped it cleanly from a slow-playing Cathedral defender. Bowen got separation and sent the ball by the keeper for the lead, 1-0.

The second half opened with Cathedral again pushing the pace into San Clemente territory.

In the 59th minute, San Clemente sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Kowarsch came up with a huge diving save to his left to keep the Tritons ahead. Kowarsch stepped in between the pipes for the Tritons in the last two games as senior keeper Jake Carter went down with an ankle injury.

The Phantoms leveled the game in the 68th minute.

A high ball fell to the left side of the box where San Clemente allowed a Cathedral forward to possess the ball. Cathedral turned the ball back to the middle and finished their chance to even the score, 1-1.

The tension ramped up, and the teams headed into overtime.

Cathedral hit a ball of the inside of the left post in the 95th minute, and Bowen sent a clean header over the bar in the 97th minute.

Neither team scored as they headed to the shootout.

San Clemente got off to a strong start with a save by Kowarsch, but Cathedral also made a first-round save to stay tied.

Bowen, KC Smith, Tristan Weber, Quinn Richards, Cesar Delgado and Liam Linas all scored for the Tritons as they matched the Phantoms through seven rounds.

Cathedral made its shot, but Cameron Gadbury came off the bench cold and couldn’t convert. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

SHACC Executive Director Glenn Brumage sits in Bruce Brown’s favorite chair, taken from his house in Central California where it overlooked the ocean, with a prototype of the soon-to-be-available ‘The Endless Summer’ special interest license plate. Photo: Daniel Ritz

On The Road, Again Surfing Heritage and Culture Center announces ‘The Endless Summer’ special interest plate

BY DANIEL RITZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

R

eleased in 1966, Bruce Brown’s The Endless Summer spread surf culture throughout the United States and across the world in a way that was never seen before, or since.

Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) Executive Director Glenn Brumage announced on Feb. 24 that he and SHACC will honor Brown’s creation, as well as honor the integral nature of surf culture in California, through a specialinterest license plate to hopefully be seen on cars throughout the state in the coming year.

The plate, which features original artwork by John Van Hamersveld, is officially licensed by Bruce Brown Films for use by SHACC on the special-interest plate. After receiving the necessary backing of a State Sen. Henry Stern of the 27th District and receiving support from a California state agency, the California Coastal Commission, the special-interest plate will reach the state Senate floor as S.B. 1455.

Brumage explained that upon the plate receiving 7,500 signed pre-reservations, showing that an adequate amount of people want to purchase the plate, and the California State S.B. 1445 reaching the floor for voting, the plate will be evaluated by the California Highway Patrol and Department of Motor Vehicles for final Page 28

approval for practicality and safety of the physical plate.

Brumage said he was very confident that the necessary 7,500 sign-ups wouldn’t be a problem, considering the abundance of surf history within California culture, as well as the assistance collaboration of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The Petersen Automotive Museum recently announced that they will be distributing the sign-up information with their automobile enthusiasts.

“We’re pretty confident we’re going to blow by the 7,500 sign-ups necessary,” Brumage said.

Whatever funds received from The Endless Summer plate that come back to SHACC will benefit the organization’s public programming efforts. Along with curating their museum space, SHACC is focused on reaching out to the masses by growing their video, social media and multimedia production as well as their local educational programs.

Brumage and SHACC believe that The Endless Summer is not only a crucial part California, but American and global culture in the late 1960s.

Brumage also noted that The Endless Summer was a crucial part of surfing being introduced into the Smithsonian in 2015.

“The Endless Summer, and the Brown family, were a large part of showcasing the importance and impact that surfing had on sports, on travel, on music, on so many aspects of American and global culture to the masses,” Brumage said. “It was the catalyst.”

Anyone interested in signing up to support SHACC and honoring Bruce Brown’s The Endless Summer by brandishing the special-interest plate may visit www.surfplate.com. More information on the SHACC and their programs and museum space can found at www.surfingheritage.com. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SURF

Let’s Go Clubbing

San Clemente and Dana Point Boardriders Clubs eye success as 2018 West Coast season set to kick off

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S

urf clubs are back. Last year, the West Coast Boardriders brought old-school surf club vibes back to California with groups forming in San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.

What a difference a year makes. After the success of the 2017 launch, this year, the West Coast Boardriders are back and bringing even more heat. The biggest news is the expansion of the organization. Not wanting to be left out of the fun, boardriders clubs have been formed in Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, LA’s South Bay as well as Carlsbad and Encinitas. To accommodate the new clubs, divisions have been made, the schedule has been expanded, and at the end of the year, there will be a West Coast champion named.

“We’re really excited to see where this has all gone,” said Ziggy Williams, co-founder of the West Coast Boardriders Club. “Last year, it kind of started loosely and then picked up momentum throughout the year. This year, we’re looking to continue to develop, grow and bring some real structure to the program.”

The biggest difference this year are all of the new clubs and the new divisions.

The North will consist of clubs from Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, the South Bay, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.

The South will be made up of Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente, Carlsbad and Encinitas.

The first contest of the season is on

GROM OF THE WEEK

HAYDEN RODGERS

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

C

onsider this recent headline from the surf publication TheIntertia. com: “11-Year-Old Hayden Rodgers Is Surfing Better Than Pretty Much Everyone.”

Another surf pub, Stab Magazine, wrote, “It’s equal parts amazing and depressing to see a small human, like someone who’s literally 80 pounds, surfing with more style and grace than guys on the (Championship Tour).”

San Clemente Times March 1-7, 2018

The West Coast Boardriders series of surf club contests are back for another year, and the talent-rich San Clemente and Dana Point clubs are looking as strong contenders to win the first-ever West Coast title. Photo: West Coast Boardriders

Saturday, March 3 and will take place in the North Division at Huntington Beach Pier. San Clemente and Dana Point will roar into action on Saturday, March 10 for the season opener in the South Division in Newport Beach. There will be a total of three events in each region, and then a championship match will be held in October or November. The details are still being finalized for that.

There are also two specialty events on schedule. The first one will run in conjunction with the WSL’s Jack’s Pro in Huntington Beach on Thursday, March 22.

They’ve lined up a live webcast, free entry to clubs and $1,000 to the winner. The top two clubs from each division will qualify.

There’s another specialty event on the schedule for October.

“The Dana Point Surf Club is really excited about the upcoming 2018 competition season, as well as the amazing growth of clubs up and down the coast,” said Eric Diamond, president of the Dana Point Surf Club. “Last year, the mayor came to one of our events, and we are working on getting some officials in a heat too. We love having the city recognize this as more than just a

Last weekend, 11-year-old Hayden Rodgers went on a tear at Salt Creek, taking out the boys division at the NSSA Southwest Conference contest.

“Haydo” has been busy. The goofy-footer also came away with a convincing win at the USA Surfing Prime in Huntington Beach.

When he’s not in the zone in a jersey, Hayden is keen to work on his video footage, as well as hunt for surf. He logged some important time on the North Shore of Oahu and, given his goofy-foot stance, had a heap of fun scoring Rocky Lefts.

To say the kid’s been living up to the hype lately would be a huge understate.

We can’t wait to see what he does next.

SC

surf team. Dana Point has a strong lineup competitively, but we also stress the importance of our club, which I feel differentiates us from many other cities. Our mission was to not only approach this year as a team, but to have a goal of creating a club of like-minded individuals to give back to the community and encourage our members to be a positive ambassador of Dana Point.”

Community and camaraderie are what’s at the heart of the whole club movement.

It’s bringing young up-and-coming surfers together with previous generations and giving them a spot on the sand and in the lineup to cheer for each other and stay stoked.

“It’s been a really positive thing up and down the coast. Here in San Clemente, where we have a lot of really talented surfers from across a number of generations, it’s given them all something to rally around,” said Frankie D’Andrea, vice president of the San Clemente Boardriders. “We have some of the best young kids in the world, then we have guys like the Gudauskas brothers and Nate Yeomans, and then legends like Matt Archbold. Archy’s as stoked, if not more, than anyone

on the team. That speaks volumes about where the club movement is headed.”

America’s biggest surf rival, Australia, is dominated by surf clubs. There are over 200 recognized boardriders clubs with over 19,000 members from The Outback.

This has helped produce world champions like Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, as well as provided a steady stream of competitors to the elite WSL Championship Tour. That’s where the inspiration for the West Coast Boardriders comes from.

The eventual goal in the U.S. would be to somewhat mirror this structure, giving beach communities around the country a rallying point to gather.

“Our next step is to form an East Coast Boardriders Club,” said Chris Moreno, another of the organization’s co-founders.

“We’re so excited to see this continue to evolve and we’re going to have more news coming.”

Eventually, Moreno and company see a national boardriders championship.

To find out more, get the season schedule or sign-up for your local boardrider club, go to www.westcoastboardriders. com. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 56-60 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Thursday: Slow easing WNW swell and small S swell for mainly knee-waist high (2-3’) surf throughout the day. Standouts see sets hitting chest high (4’). Light S/SE winds in the morning, trending WSW in the afternoon.

Outlook: NW/WNW swell mix and small S swell continue to offer up 2-3’+ surf through the weekend, but conditions look problematic with onshore flow. Slow first week of March with minor blend of NW and South swells. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Photo: Mark Golter/Courtesy of NSSA

Page 30

www.sanclementetimes.com