January 6, 2022

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INSIDE: Special Section

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Looking Ahead James Looks to Protect City’s Resources, Culture as Mayor in 2022 E Y E O N S C / PAG E 6

Mayor Gene James sits down with San Clemente Times to talk about his priorities for the council and City of San Clemente going into 2022. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

sanclementetimes.com

New Year Brings New Laws

Bartlett Announces Run for 49th District Seat

Triton Teams Enter League Play

EYE ON SC/ PAGE 3

EYE ON SC/PAGE 5

SPORTS/PAGE 24

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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EYE ON SC

wage workers employed by large companies in California will see an increase in their hourly rate from $14 to $15.

The minimum hourly wage for those at workplaces employing 25 people or fewer also saw an increase from $13 to $14.

The incremental increase in California’s minimum wage comes as a result of Senate Bill 3, passed in 2016, which committed to raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022 for large businesses and 2023 for small businesses.

Assembly Bill 286, passed in October 2021, affects food delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats.

The bill prevents food delivery services from retaining any amount of their drivers’ or restaurants’ tips.

AB 286 also requires food delivery services to disclose a cost breakdown of each transaction, and makes it unlawful for the service to charge a customer any price that is higher than the price posted by the restaurant or food facility.

The California Legislature also passed several bills to address housing affordability in the state. Senate Bill 8 extends the provisions of the 2019 Housing Crisis Act, many of which were set to expire in 2025, through 2030.

According to a press release from the office of the governor, the bill aims “to accelerate the approval process for housing projects and curtail local governments’ ability to downzone, among other provisions.”

Two other housing-related measures that Newsom signed include Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 10. SB 9 creates a process to allow homeowners to build a duplex or split their lot in a residentially zoned area. Under SB 10, city or county governments could adopt an ordinance before Jan. 1, 2029 to zone any parcel for up to 10 residential units near transit-reach areas or urban infill sites.

Several Senate bills also address sea-level rise, drought and climate change. Senate Bill 1, which was passed in September 2021, requires that the California Coastal Commission adopt guidelines to address sea-level rise within local coastal programs.

Senate Bill 552 will require that water suppliers develop and maintain a Water Shortage Contingency Plan that would include plans in the case of a drought by no later than July 1, 2023.

Senate Bill 343 will set new advertising requirements regarding the recyclability of products and packaging by prohibiting misleading recycling labels and signs on items that are unrecyclable.

By 2024, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery is also required to produce a new report to the public, evaluating whether certain products and packaging are recyclable in the state.

Also addressing waste disposal, Senate

Michael Yeboah, a nursing supervisor for MemorialCare, consults with a prospective patient who’s hoping to get tested for COVID-19 on April 13, 2020. New state laws impacting health care, voting, affordable housing, climate change and education were among the 770 new state laws to take effect in the new year. One such law prohibits insurance providers from placing the cost of COVID-19 testing and immunizations on its members.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN CLEMENTE SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

New Year Brings New Laws

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

New state laws impacting health care, voting, affordable housing, climate change and education were among the 770 new state laws to take effect in the new year.

With the pandemic remaining an ongoing issue, the California State Legislature focused on measures to address COVID-19 and health care issues.

Housing affordability, another ongoing issue, was at the forefront of the bills that lawmakers passed and subsequently enacted by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In a late December press release, Newsom highlighted some of the new laws taking effect this year that he said “make meaningful progress on an array of issues that matter deeply to Californians across the state.” He also thanked the state senators and assemblymembers for their work in the 2021 legislative session.

“I thank Pro Tem (Toni) Atkins and Speaker (Anthony) Rendon for their leadership in advancing historic measures to improve the lives of Californians, including new tools to boost our housing supply, improve workplace conditions and build a stronger state,” Newsom said in a press release.

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

In response to the pandemic, Newsom signed a bill that would require insurance companies to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing and vaccines. This bill would also apply to future diseases that prompt a declaration of a public health emergency by the governor of California.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits insurance providers from placing the cost of testing and immunizations on its members. The bill would apply retroactively, beginning March 4, 2020, when Newsom declared a state of emergency.

“I am signing Senate Bill 510 to ensure Californians have timely and equitable access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations,” Newsom stated in an October press release when signing the bill. “This bill will ensure uniformity in testing payment and access rules throughout the state.”

Another pandemic-related measure will ensure that Californians can continue to cast their vote by mail—a method deployed statewide following a May 2020 executive order, which required election officials to send vote-by-mail ballots to all registered California voters for the General Election.

With Assembly Bill 37, vote-by-mail is here to stay in California. The bill calls for all active, registered voters to receive a vote-by-mail ballot ahead of elections.

The minimum wage in California saw another increase on Jan 1. Minimum Page 3

Bill 1383, which was passed in 2016, required cities to adopt an ordinance by 2022, ensuring compliance with the state’s new organic and food waste disposal program.

Similar to a previous law passed in 2018 that restricted restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer, Assembly Bill 1276 will extend the restriction to “single-use foodware accessory or standard condiment” such as utensils, napkins and condiments.

In regard to education, one Senate measure aims to address the mental health concerns that cropped up while schools went virtual. Senate Bill 224 will require schools that offer one or more health education courses in middle or high school to include mental health instruction in their health courses.

The State Department of Education is tasked with developing a plan “to expand mental health instruction in California public schools” by 2024.

The Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021 will require that public schools with students from sixth to 12th grade stock school restrooms with menstrual products, free of cost, in all girls’ and all-gender restrooms before the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Senate Bill 16 changes the confidential status of police personnel files and requires that records subject to disclosure be released no later than 45 days from the date of a request for disclosure.

The bill would require that records be released in the case that a finding was made relating to unlawful arrests, unlawful searches and discriminatory or prejudiced conduct.

This bill requires that officers who witness an act of force intervene and report the incident. The bill will also delete a provision in the existing law that’s required a court to exclude complaints concerning officer conduct made more than five years prior to any litigation.

Under Assembly Bill 600, the existing definition of “nationality” will be expanded to include immigration status.

The sculpture of Junipero Serra on State Capitol grounds may be replaced by a monument to the California Native people of Sacramento, California. Assembly Bill 338 authorizes tribal nations in Sacramento to plan, construct and maintain a monument on State Capitol grounds, replacing the sculpture of Junipero Serra.

Plans for the monument will need to be submitted for review and approval by the Joint Rules Committee.

Assembly Bill 855 removes Columbus Day, the second Monday in October, as a judicial holiday. Instead, “Native American Day” on the fourth Friday in September will be designated as a judicial holiday. sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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EYE ON SC

California Selects New Congressional Map

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CCRC) selected a new congressional map for the next decade that will largely keep the state’s 49th Congressional District the same.

Laguna Niguel, which was previously in the 48th District, was added to the 49th, while Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch were moved from District 49 to the 50th District. The Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano, and to the north of the park were removed from the 49th and added to the 40th District.

Following the 2020 Census, the CCRC used new data to redraw the congressional map so that the districts reflect the current population. California lost a seat in the House of Representatives after the latest census. Voters will elect candidates for office using the new district boundaries in the upcoming Primary Election this June.

The CCRC was created in 2008 with the passage of the Voters First Act. The commission comprises five Republicans, five Democrats, and four non-party

are now majority Hispanic or Latino, and that matters because much of the population growth over the last 10 years in California has been in Latino communities,” Smith said. “So, the notion that we are keeping pace from a representation standpoint with the population, that’s kind of a really important thing and a positive thing for democracy.”

In response to the newly drawn congressional districts, Democratic Party of Orange County Chairwoman Ada Briceño stated in a press release that “Democrats can remain confident that this county will be represented by a Democratic delegation at the federal level again soon.”

“We are encouraged and determined to keep moving Orange County forward,” Briceño said in the release.

“We have been working with our bench of candidates at all levels of the ballot, we have been engaging volunteers in a year-round canvassing program, and we are opening a new, larger headquarters to expand our operations.”

The Republican Party of Orange County had not responded to multiple requests for comment as of press time.

Smith said that the redistricting might make for an interesting 2022 election, namely for Reps. Katie Porter of the 45th District and Michelle Steel of the 48th District.

members.

“The Commission must draw the district lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair representation for all Californians,” the CCRC explains on its website.

The newly drawn 49th District will now represent 760,066 people.

“We have reached the finish line for the people’s redistricting process in California,” stated Commission Chair Alicia Fernandez in a press release.

“When voters approved the Voters First Act, it created a monumental shift in this decennial process.”

“As Californians, my colleagues on this Commission and I answered the call to serve for this great state we honor and love,” Fernandez continued. “We conclude our map drawing responsibilities with pride in our final product. We started this process leaving politics out of the equation in hopes of achieving fairer and more equitable maps. I think I speak for my colleagues when I say, mission accomplished.”

Charles Smith, a professor of Political Science and Law at the University of California, Irvine, explained that the new maps reflect California’s population growth in minority communities over the past 10 years.

“About a third of the new districts

“Katie Porter is moving, and she’s going to run in the coastal district that Steel was in,” Smith said. “And one of the questions is, will Harley Rouda try to challenge Katie Porter in the Primary—I think that’s unlikely—or will he run against Steel in the 45th?”

Congressman Mike Levin of the 49th, a Democrat who represents much of South Orange County and North San Diego, tweeted in support of the new congressional map on Dec. 22.

“The new #CA49 closely mirrors our current district, with the core of our North County San Diego and South Orange County communities intact,” he wrote. “We’re thrilled to run for re-election in this fantastic community.”

Smith also said that the redistricting won’t likely impact Levin’s campaign for 2022.

“For Levin’s district, I think he’s looking pretty good,” Smith said. “I don’t think it’s going to have a substantial impact on him or the way he runs his race. I think that he should be a favorite for reelection, and there shouldn’t be any real drama about what’s going on there.”

The campaign office for Brian Maryott, a former San Juan Capistrano councilmember and congressional hopeful who was defeated by Levin in 2020, had not responded to multiple requests for comment as of press time.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

OC Supervisor Lisa Bartlett Announces Run for 49th District Seat

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Orange County Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett announced last week her candidacy to represent California’s newly drawn 49th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bartlett will run as a Republican against incumbent Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat, as well as fellow Republicans Brian Maryott—the previous district challenger and former San Juan Capistrano councilmember—and Christopher Rodriguez.

Bartlett serves as a supervisor for the county’s Fifth District, which encompasses Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and other cities south of Irvine, and has been on the board since 2014.

“Never in my lifetime can I remember a point where Congress was this far out of touch with the everyday experience of working-class Americans and families,” Bartlett said in her announcement.

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

Authority, the Transportation Corridor Agencies, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, according to her campaign website.

As of press time, Bartlett was not listed on the Federal Election Commission’s ledger of District 49 candidates who have reported campaign finances.

According to the FEC, Levin has raised more than $1.44 million in campaign contributions. Maryott has raised $852,135.74 toward his war chest.

Christopher Rodriguez, a Marine Corps veteran and Oceanside councilmember, has raised $475,842.44 for his congressional campaign.

Levin won his reelection bid for the 49th District by just over 24,000 votes in November 2020, earning a 53.1% majority against Maryott’s 46.9%.

Bartlett will join a crowded field of challengers, but she received a vote of confidence from her finance chairman, Steve Craig.

“Lisa Bartlett’s experience, leadership skills, and values will make her a great representative on behalf of Californians,” Craig said. “Lisa is the right person, at the right time, to help bring the change so desperately needed in Congress, and I am very proud to support her.”

“Much like California, our country is headed in the wrong direction and in desperate need of new and common-sense leadership.”

“At a time when families are struggling to pay for gas, put food on the table, and deal with the cost of inflation, Mike Levin is literally cheering on trillions of dollars in government spending, much of which is for pet projects,” Bartlett added, referring to Levin’s support of the Build Back Better Act, a $2 trillion bill that passed the House in November and awaits a Senate vote.

Bartlett pledged to focus on the issues of quality of life, the economy, education, and public safety.

“This great country has given me everything, and I will do everything I can in return to help get us back on track,” she said.

In addition to her role on the OC Board of Supervisors, Bartlett has been publicly active in the area over the past 30 years. She served two stints as Dana Point’s mayor in 2009 and 2014, which came during her time on the City Council from 2006 to 2014.

She is also on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Orange County Fire Page 5

THURSDAY, JAN. 6.

Zoning Administration Meeting 3-5 p.m. The city’s Zoning Administration will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via telecon-ference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 8

Citizens’ Climate Education 10:45 a.m.-noon. Nonpartisan monthly meetings on the second Saturday of the month through Zoom video conferences. Email larrykramerccl@ gmail.com to receive a link to join.

MONDAY, JAN. 10

San Clemente Homeless Collaborative 4 p.m. This group of advocates will meet outdoors with masks at Christ Lutheran Church, where City Net and FAM will lead a presentation on the upcoming Point-in-Time count. Email Donna Vidrine at rookqs@cox.net for more information. 35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente.

sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Mayor Gene James sits down with San Clemente Times to talk about his priorities for the council and City of San Clemente going into 2022. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Looking Ahead Gene James Steps into the Spotlight

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n the midst of his third year on San Clemente’s City Council, newly minted Mayor Gene James looks to protect the city and be responsive to the residents. Preserving the city’s natural beauty and culture is his top priority for the upcoming calendar year.

In a sit-down interview with the San Clemente Times on Dec. 16, James spoke about aiming to continue what previous mayors and city councils have done, while avoiding the path of other local cities that he said have “sold their soul” to developers.

He said it would be easy to over-develop the area, build 4- to-5-story buildings, and construct high-density housing in order to build revenue. However, those actions would not maintain the “essence” San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

of San Clemente, reflecting a change in philosophy that James developed over time.

“That’s not why people move here, (and) that’s not why people stay in San Clemente,” James said. “Again, it’s that fine line of building your revenues while maintaining the essence of the city.”

Having the perspective of wanting moderate growth and smart development has led the mayor to consider what entities could come to San Clemente. James said he hopes to make progress toward bringing the right kind of businesses to town that bring desirable products to the local population.

When asked about the city’s greatest asset, James said that from a natural perspective, the answer is the Mayor Gene James beaches that dot the coastline.

With the looming problems of climate change and the decline in sand that is brought down to the beaches, the city will have to engineer a plan to nourish the coast.

“We protect (the beaches) by, No. 1, sand replenishment, but that will only be part of the solution,” James added.

Regarding the challenges presented by

the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which prompted the state to institute a one-month indoor mask mandate scheduled to end on Jan. 15, the mayor said he was looking to get an exemption passed for the city.

He referenced how California exempted San Francisco from the rule, in part because of the city’s high vaccination rate of eligible residents.

As a result, James had asked City Manager Erik Sund to look into how San Francisco achieved its exception, if other cities had done the same, and to review San Clemente’s data to learn if the city could also do the same.

At press time, however, the city had not announced an exemption to the mandate.

James also expressed an interest in handling the city’s finances through zero-based budgeting to combat the rise of inflation—a strategy he mentioned in a previous City Council Corner column.

He described the zero-based budgeting as an alternative to how government normally operates, in which it decides to increase a certain amount of money spent on a budget item by a fixed percentage. Zero-based budgeting works to justify every expense for every period.

(the beaches) “by,WeNo.protect 1, sand replenishment, but that will only be part of the solution.

”

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“The downside to zero-based budgeting is the need to actually have a dedicated resource to look at every budget item, every period, (or) every month, adjust the budget up or down according to needs, and work with department heads on that budget,” James said. “It’s not just putting together a budget at the end of a fiscal year for implementation in the next year.”

The process is used elsewhere, including in Houston, Texas, and James felt confident that he could earn the necessary support from two other councilmembers to vote to start using ZBB in San Clemente.

One of the mayor’s top concerns is dealing with Rancho Mission Viejo’s Planning Area 5, an area that could encompass about 2,400 homes and bring 11,000 to 12,000 new residents close to city limits in the coming years.

James has already been active in addressing the issue, as he motioned for city staff in June to report on the possibility of annexing the section to San Clemente.

During the interview, he echoed how he felt the future residents of PA 5 would use the city’s resources, such as the youth recreational facilities, parks, and streets, without having to pay property taxes.

He also reasoned that the staff report, whenever the City Council hears it, will properly inform them on what will happen over the next five years and what action they should take.

“The mail I’ve gotten from citizens is overwhelmingly against any kind of annexation, so I have to take that into account as well,” James said. “But as the mayor, I think it’s incumbent upon me to have staff create a report and share that report with the public.”

If the annexation does come to fruition, James said, the city will not have to deal with the water or sewage maintenance, but they would need to institute public safety measures such as adding deputies or building a fire station. All these factors have to be compared with the potential revenue increase.

James said that in conversations with people in the know about Planning Area 5, he learned that the result could be a net loss.

“That is something we really have to be aware of, and I’m not advocating either (side) at this point,” James said.

“I’m advocating that we study it and we understand what’s going to happen either way.”

Heading into the rest of 2022, James knows that more is expected of him as the mayor than in previous roles, admitting that as a citizen, candidate or a councilmember, he could get away with being a provocateur.

Now, he knows he has to lead. SC sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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SOAPBOX

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San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

GUEST OPINION | The Levin Letter by Rep. Mike Levin

A Year of Progress for South OC

A

s we begin 2022, I want to take a brief moment to recognize the challenges and progress our community and our country experienced last year.

We began 2021 in one of the most challenging phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of COVID hospitalizations was at its highest point ever, and more than 10 million Americans were unemployed.

Since then, more than 200 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, we added nearly six million jobs, and the number of Americans filing for unemployment reached its lowest point since 1969. Our kids—including my two young children, who attend our local public elementary school—are back in school for in-person learning.

There is no question that the Omicron variant is presenting significant challenges, but with the widespread adoption of vaccines, we are well-positioned to beat this virus and continue to grow our economy.

A lot of this progress is thanks to the American Rescue Plan, a historic piece of legislation that President Biden signed last March that provided relief to struggling families, frontline workers, and local schools and businesses.

In fact, families and organizations in

South Orange County and North County San Diego received more than $350 million in federal relief from that bill.

My colleagues and I also passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a once-in-a-generaTHE LEVIN LETTER tion investment in

BY MIKE LEVIN our nation’s crumbling infrastructure. That bill includes funding for projects similar to the San Clemente Shoreline Protection Project to address coastal erosion and restore our beaches, the Doheny Desalination Project to strengthen our drought resilience, and more.

Also, as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Natural Resources Committee, and Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, I worked with members of both parties to introduce 31 pieces of legislation last year, including seven bills or amendments that passed the House of Representatives and two that were signed into law. That’s on top of the 16 bills that I introduced and had signed into law during the 116th Congress.

Also last year, my staff and I responded to more than 58,000 constituent

messages and helped more than 1,100 constituents with issues involving federal agencies, saving them more than $13.4 million total.

Institutions in our communities received more than $240 million in federal grants last year, and local small businesses received $9.5 million in federal aid.

While we had our fair share of challenges in 2021, we also made incredible progress. I know there is much more to do in 2022, and I look forward to continuing this important work on your behalf.

U.S. Representative Mike Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. He was reelected for a second term in 2020 and resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and two children. SC Editor’s Note: With the state’s Primary Election approaching in the coming months, Levin’s latest Levin Letter will serve as his final column for Picket Fence Media in 2022.

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.

GUEST OPINION | Bartlett Bulletin by Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

Open Letter to Residents of Orange County’s Fifth Supervisorial District

A

s we start off the New Year, I wanted to reach out to each of you, giving a brief update on the changes taking place within the Fifth Supervisorial District in 2022. First, let me start by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year, and I hope you and your family had an enjoyable holiday season.

By now, you may be aware that effective Jan. 6, the new boundaries for the Orange County Fifth Supervisorial District changed following the recent redistricting process. While I will continue to represent the majority of South County cities and unincorporated areas, the cities of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita will now be within the boundaries of the new Third

District. Joining the Fifth District will be the cities of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and portions of Irvine.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all Fifth District residents for their unwavering support over the past several years.

We have accomBARTLETT plished so much, BULLETIN and it has been a

BY LISA BARTLETT pleasure to represent you as your Supervisor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity.

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To the residents of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as your Supervisor.

Over the years, my team and I have had the pleasure of meeting with many of you to assist on a variety of topics, and have enjoyed meeting you at local events such as the South County Pet Expo in Lake Forest, the South County Veterans Fair and the Disaster Preparedness Expo in Mission Viejo, and the Rancho Family Fest in Ranch Santa Margarita.

I will miss those interactions and am hopeful that, from time to time, I will continue to see many of you around town.

(Cont. on page 9) sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX

OPEN LETTER TO RESIDENTS OF ORANGE COUNTY’S FIFTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT (Cont. from page 8) To the residents of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Irvine, welcome to the fabulous Fifth District.

I am very excited and privileged to serve as your representative, and my team and I are eager to be a resource and advocate for your needs.

To ensure a seamless and smooth transition, I am committed to collaborating with your former supervisor on existing/ongoing projects that best serve the residents of the community, and will work hard to represent your interests and priorities.

In closing, I extend to everyone in the Fifth District my best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year and look forward to being your county representative as we move forward in 2022.

As always, my team and I are here to serve you, so please do not hesitate to contact us if ever we can be of assistance.

Lisa Bartlett sits on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the Fifth District. She was reelected in 2018. SC

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Letters to The Editor ELECTRIC BIKE MANIA CONTINUES JERRY COLLAMER, San Clemente Happy holidays, Council. As our e-bike craze whizzes on, to what dangerous result?

There were two first-hand observations on the rainy Dec. 29: First, on the corner of Crown Valley Parkway and Cabot Rd., aka Costco, there was an e-biker, sitting in the left-turn lane, on an e-bike that looked every bit an off-road motorcycle.

There was no license plate, no brake light. The helmeted teenage cyclist, as the signal changed, zoomed off into a left turn onto Cabot from Crown Valley, amid the heavy traffic and light rain.

The cyclist continued up Cabot, northbound, in traffic, at speed. Just sayin’.

The second instance was at North Beach, around a complex neighborhood corner—West Escalones to West Canada, where there’s a blind intersection. Five streets tangle together there, aka dangerous, with limited visibility, and should be approached with extreme caution— slowly—as I do every day.

A teen boy and his e-bike whiz through the intersection, never looking.

San Clemente Times Janaury 6-12, 2022

Had either of us arrived two seconds earlier into the rainy, blind intersection— whammo. He never saw me.

The e-bike craze is nuts, especially among teens.

Hello, San Clemente moms and dads.

And Council? Anyone home? Dare I say, we’ve all witnessed a version of what I’ve described. It’s impossible not to.

They’re whizzing by everywhere, too often with two aboard, sometimes three aboard.

Hopefully, San Clemente and every South OC city rein in e-bikes. They are fast, unlicensed, out of control, twowheeled, motorized vehicles. A teenager’s dream machine come true, until it isn’t.

This will end badly, if not strictly supervised—now.

My vote: don’t allow anyone under the age of 18 on an e-bikes, period. And, fully license e-bikes.

Same as every gas-powered motorcycle in the state of California is required to be. Because they are an e-motorcycle.

Someone better step up to the plate quickly, before disaster strikes a San Clemente child on an e-bike.

and be better.

There are opportunities for us as citizens to seek and demand not only more effective leadership but to limit reckless spending from our government. San Clemente city management and various councils have not shown themselves to be mindful stewards of our tax dollars and assets.

Last May 11, 2021, our city spent $900 to host a luncheon with the “leaders” (city managers, mayors and mayors pro tem) of the tri-cities—San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano— to discuss homelessness, of all things.

This meeting did not appear on any city calendar, nor was it accompanied by an agenda or agenda report. It’s almost as if this meeting never happened, other than, of course, the $900 AmEx charge.

It should also be noted that during the time, our city was still under a “state of emergency,” and only allowed citizens to attend City Council meetings in person the week before with the caveat (or precaution) of wearing masks and sitting 6 feet apart.

Evidently, I guess, $100-per-head lunches are resistant to COVID-19.

This frivolous disregard for not only our tax dollars has the tone deafness and sensitivity of Marie Antoinette. One would think after the sand in the skate park went national, our city leadership would pay closer attention to optics.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT MARTINA MCBURNEY-WHEELER, San Clemente As we say goodbye to 2021, it’s important to reflect on the years past and ask ourselves on how we as a city can do Page 9

Editor’s Note: Bartlett has entered the race for California’s 49th Congressional District seat. With the state’s Primary Election approaching in the coming months, Bartlett’s latest Bartlett Bulletin will serve as her final column for Picket Fence Media in 2022.

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

Join SC Times for Beachside Chat on Friday, Jan. 7, at 8 a.m.

Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues hosted by PFM Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday. The chat will be held at Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria. All are welcome.

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GETTING OUT

The List What’s going on in and around town this week SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Get a curated list of the weekend’s best events sent straight to your inbox every Friday! Sign up for The Weekender at sanclementetimes.com/weekender

THURSDAY | 06 FAMILY NIGHT AT THE CASA 6-8 p.m. Hang out with your family at Casa Romantica’s Family Night at the Casa. See Disney Pixar’s Onward and enjoy games, activities, and pizza in the Main Salon. Drink and food vouchers are available for purchase ahead of time, including four slices of pizza and four non-alcoholic drinks. The cost ranges from $12 to $25. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

SATURDAY | 08 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee is a weekly car show, attracting a mix of 1,000-3,000 plus hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4’s and motorcycles. 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

SUNDAY | 09 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

DANA POINT LIBRARY FOREIGN FILM: ‘SEA FOG’ 2 p.m. Residents are invited to watch and discuss movies from around the world with the Dana Point Library. In the award-winning film Sea Fog from South Korea, Captain Kang looks to make one final score before his ship is sold by smuggling illegal immigrants from China to South Korea. Find out what happens when a violent storm and dense fog force his ship, the Junjin, to stall in open waters. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point. 949.496.5517. ocpl.org.

Editor’s Pick

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue.

Cover band Queen Nation will perform.

Tickets are $28. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

TUESDAY | 11 CASA CINEMA 6 p.m. Enjoy a cozy movie night featuring West Side Story, a 1961 Oscar-winning musical about star-crossed lovers in New York in Casa Romantica’s Main Salon. Tickets are from $5 to $10. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

WEDNESDAY | 12

Photo: Courtesy of Stand up to Trash

BINGO AT THE SENIOR CENTER 1:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, the Dorothy Visser Senior Center will host Bingo. The center will begin selling cards at 1 p.m., with the game starting promptly at 1:30.

The buy-in is $12 for 10 games with four cards and a special pick-your-number game. For more information, contact the center at 949.498.3322. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente.

BIKING CLUB FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS 5-6:30 p.m. Anyone have middle schoolto high school-aged kids who love to bike? Community Outreach Alliance’s biking club meets every Wednesday afternoon at different trails, with professional biker and mentor Mike Russell from Freakshow Aloha. San Clemente High’s COA club, which hosts this free activity thanks to Hardman Classic, has bikes and helmets for participants to borrow. To participate, fill out a registration form online at form.myjotform. com/91392099886576. For questions, call or text 949.795.4721. communityoutreachalliance.com/bike-club.

SUNDAY | 09 BEACH CLEANUP & LUNCH AND LEARN 9-11 a.m. Join Stand up to Trash and its local Dana Point partners, including Dana Point Harbor Partners and the Ocean Institute, for their first Beach Cleanup of the year, as well as their new environmental education program, Lunch and Learn.

Ocean Institute offers its wharf as the backdrop for the educational portion of the cleanup, where a distinguished speaker will discuss various environmental topics related to the monthly theme. Pre-register online at standuptotrash.com. For more information about joining and registering, contact Vicki Patterson by phone at 949.413.3586 or email at standuptotrashgmail.com. Baby Beach, 24300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

LOW COST K-9 VACCINE CLINIC 5-7 p.m. The San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter will host this clinic to offer K-9 vaccines, including the Da2PLP ($10), Bordetella ($10), and Rabies (free with the purchase of a dog license).

Masks are required when at the shelter.

221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente.

949.492.1617.

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends, or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Page 10

Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard is open for food, drinks and live music. Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com. sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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2939 Alta Laguna Boulevard, Laguna Beach An opportunity to have panoramic ocean views in an enviable location. Enjoy your own private safe harbor in the Top of the World neighborhood. Freshly painted, an open floor plan, french doors to the panoramic views of the ocean showcase some of the custom finishes of this desirable home. Ideally located in a lovely neighborhood within walking distance to top-rated schools, world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, and parks. There are three bedrooms plus an office, two beautifully remodeled bathrooms, lush landscaping, high-end appliances, and incredible ocean views. A rare beauty available at $3,200,000.

Megan Lavender | Realtor Luxre Realty 949.315.1251 | mlavender@2ndelm.com DRE# 02046750 | Broker DRE# 01897290 LuxreRealty.com

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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SC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | CoastLines by Fred Swegles

Here’s Some Crazy Stuff About Swegles Online, Including Some Whacky True History & a Fish Called Sweglesi

I

Phantom Tetra, found in the Amazon jungle near Leticia, Colombia, in South America.

The fish’s scientific name became the Megalamphodus sweglesi.

“Wow!” I wrote in my column. “What next? The Swegles fish taco?”

f you have an unusual family name, as I do, then try exploring the internet to see if there are any surprising stories about people of your name.

You may not believe some of the tales.

In 2003, my sister Valerie in Tennessee had suggested I make some inquiries. I ended up fascinated.

I’d had no idea there were so many Swegles families across our country—including a Swegles School and a Swegles street in Michigan.

AN 1876 GRAVE ROBBERY? “My most fascinating discovery was Lewis G. Swegles, a Secret Service agent,” I shared with our Sun Post News readers.

“In 1876, he foiled a notorious grave robbery, a scheme to snatch the body of Abraham Lincoln.”

I could hardly believe that. But the story truly was amazing. Buy the book Stealing Lincoln’s Body, and you’ll find it a crazy, COASTLINES head-shaking tale.

BY FRED SWEGLES “The scoundrels, it seems, were members of one of the nation’s biggest counterfeiting rings,” I wrote. “They’d fallen on hard times after their leader was jailed. The crooks decided to ransom Honest Abe’s corpse for $200,000 and the release of their nefarious leader.”

MY OWN PRESENCE, IN 2003 When I searched for the name Swegles back in 2003, I found plenty of news articles written by me—so many subjects, it was embarrassing online. Today, it’s nicer that those prolific articles were at some time cleared away.

And I was surprised at how many Swegles names I was unfamiliar with in 2003, residing around the country.

In Sunnyvale, I discovered a planning commissioner who later became mayor.

Elsewhere, there also was a Swegles who was president of a FastTV. I found there was an executive director of the St. Claire County Medical Society, also president of the Eastern Michigan Officials Association. And a

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

The Red Phantom Tetra is a rare fish that was discovered in the Amazon jungle near Leticia, Colombia.

To Fred Swegles’ surprise, the fish is referred to by the scientific community as the Megalamphodus sweglesi.

Photo: Courtesy of The Aquarium Wiki

Swegles Eagle Scout.

I found the director of home services at a hospital.

A Swegles was a student at Northern Kentucky University. And I discovered a Swegles couple who married on May 13, 2001, at a beautiful ceremony in La Jolla.

Also, there was a Swegles on staff at the University of Guelph. I had never heard of that. It’s in Ontario, Canada.

From the Kentucky Post, I learned of a Swegles who’d won a noteworthy tennis match.

I found a Swegles family’s website I would not have expected. I doubt you’ll see that kind of online presence today.

SOME OTHER BITS OF HISTORY Did you know that there were Swegles listed as operators of a bed & breakfast inn, built in New Hampshire, right after the Civil War? I also learned about a Swegles couple who in the 1880s had owned a historic site they had donated to the Oregon Historical Society.

And looking way back, I learned that on Aug. 12, 1862, Brig. Gen. Oliver Lynn Spaulding married Mary Cecilia Swegles, who later became a member of Congress.

“So says the Arlington National Cemetery website,” I wrote.

CHANGES TODAY Since all of these finds, I’ll bet there are lots of changes regarding Swegles personalities today that I had found online in 2003. Of course, today, Swegles names aren’t so easy to see.

It’s understandable that people today are likely to just use Facebook and have no desire to be widespread online, otherwise.

MY FISHY ONLINE? And then—get this—the most stunning discovery I share my humble family name with—a fish.

As it turns out, in 1960, Kyle Swegles of the Rainbow Aquarium in Chicago had discovered a rare fish called the Red

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A LITTLE BIT MORE ‘FAMILIY-WISE’ I read, sadly, a news piece about Sunnyvale, where “this park is named after (the) former councilman and mayor” I had recalled from 2003. He passed away in 2011.

“Cute little 1-acre park tucked away,” I read. RIP, and community, please enjoy the park.

Also, ancestry.com says it has 5,000 records on Swegles, including birth, marriage and death records, military records, immigration, census data, voter lists and member trees. For example, there are trees donated occasionally in memory of Swegles who passed.

On Facebook, I’ve come across seven Swegles, and it’s nice for us to occasionally bring something together.

So, if you are interested in finding any names that share your family’s nationwide notoriety, maybe you’ll luck into a fun morsel of curiosity.

EPILOGUE I did recently find a newly named reference to my fish—“red phantom tetra is a species of tetra that lives within the Orinoco River drainage basin in South America. Red phantom tetras, scientific name Hyphessobrycon sweglesi have a particular means of preventing for the favor of the females.”

So, there is a new perspective.

I do hope that my Orinoco River sweglesi would be truly as tasty, isn’t loaded with sharp tiny bones to choke me and would be healthy for me to eat, if I dare try it.

Could the Amazon basin maybe have some tasty chips in the rivers to go with my filet of the sweglesi? 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.

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PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216623806 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: PRETTY BAKED TREATS 27661 WHITE FIR LANE MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691 Full Name of Registrant(s): AMBER MELVILLE 27661 WHITE FIR LANE MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691 This business is conducted by an Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A AMBER MELVILLE/S/AMBER MELVILLE This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/30/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times January 6, 13, 20, 27, 2022 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON JANUARY 19, 2022 PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: APN 679-021-05 (Southwest Corner of Calle Frontera & Calle Ola Verde) – Master Project 21-158 – Frontera Memory Care & Assisted Living Facility A request to construct and operate a State-licensed residential care facility for the elderly consisting of a 24-bed memory care component and a 64-unit assisted-living component. The project, totaling 81,071 sq. ft. of building area, would be developed on approximately 2.5 acres of vacant land, adjacent to the Pacific Coast Church at 2651 Calle Frontera. The Master Project includes applications for a Conditional Use Permit, Architectural Permit, and Site Plan Permit.

Staff recommends that the project be found consistent with City of San Clemente Centennial General Plan and its certified Environmental Impact Report (SCH #2013041021). An environmental analysis was prepared and, as demonstrated in the analysis, the proposed project is consistent with the findings of the General Plan EIR. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, the project qualifies for an exemption from additional environmental review.

These applications are on file at the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting Project Planner Stephanie Roxas at (949) 361-6195 or StephanieR@san-clemente.org.

If you challenge these projects in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearings described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearings.

Notice is further given that said public hearings will be conducted by the City of San Clemente Planning Commission and held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center Auditorium, 100 Calle Seville, San Clemente, California. All interested persons are invited to attend said hearings or to provide written communication to the Planning Commission to express their opinion for or against the requests.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning Division at (949)361-6183.

Secretary to the San Clemente Planning Commission PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216622628 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CLOSER SKATEBOARDING 905 CALLE NEGOCIO #74261 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 Full Name of Registrant(s): CLOSER SKATEBOARDING LLC 905 CALLE NEGOCIO #74261 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A CLOSER SKATEBOARDING LLC/S/JAMES M. OWENS/PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/13/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times December 30, 2021, January 6, 13, 20, 2022

Complete your required legal or public notice advertising in the San Clemente Times.

EMAIL legals@picketfencemedia.com CALL 949.388.7700, ext. 111

OBITUARY

Wayne Hatleberg In loving memory of Wayne Hatleberg, who passed away on November 12,2021.

He lived in San Clemente for 46 years.

He is survived by his wife, children, siblings and grandchildren.

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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ATTORNEY

Aaron Lloyd Bankruptcy Attorney 2377 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.544.9355, lloydlegal.com

BODY MIND SPIRIT

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL CLEANING New Year’s Special Save 20% Rejuvenate & Revitalize Natural Stone & Wood Floors Deep Clean & Sanitize Tile & Grout Carpet & Upholstery

Call 949.427.2904 or Schedule Online at CommercialResidential Cleaning.com

ELECTRICAL

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, San Clemente, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Licensed/Bonded/Certified Free Estimates

ARE YOU HAPPY? Let us assist you in creating a life plan for the life & relationships you want & deserve. Body Mind Spirit, 949.248.7377, bodymindspirit.com

Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S. 3553 Camino Mira Costa, Suite B, San Clemente, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com

LOCALS ONLY

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com

ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS 3West Environmental, Inc. www.3westenviro.com Residential & commercial inspections for mold, asbestos and lead paint. 310.400.0195

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY Call Lauralyn for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT/ REMODELING

FIREWOOD FOR SALE Jack McKay, Owner 949.449.0445 mckayja29@gmail.com Call for prices. Earning money to purchase my first car.

Perfect for campfires, beach fires, home fires.

Hoover Construction License B-774675 949.292.6778

MUSIC LESSONS

REALTORS

Rock Club Music School 73 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, 949.463.1968, beachcitiesrockclub.com

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes 949.293.3236, sandyandrich.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

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

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

Dr. Raymond L. Wright Jr., DDS 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, (949)361-GUMS (4867), sanclementeperiodontics.com

PROSTHODONTICS Hamilton Le, D.M.D., F.A.C.P. 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

SALONS

Salon Bleu 207 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.366.2060, scsalonbleu.com

VETERINARY HOUSE CALLS Dr. Damon Goldstein, DVM 626.485.9355, damongoldstein@outlook.com “Personalized Care for your Fur Babies at your Home”

BUSINESS DIRECTORY PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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SC LIVING

Adaptive Paddleboarding Comes to Baby Beach

BY BREEANA GREENBERG, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he Adaptive Freedom Foundation celebrated its annual Santa Paddle on Dec. 18, when the nonprofit invited families to take pictures with Santa at Baby Beach, and took people with disabilities out on the water with wheelchair-accessible paddleboards.

Adaptive Freedom Foundation, whose tagline is “We put smiles on faces and open hearts,” offers people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in an often non-accessible activity, explained Amy Lagera, one of the foundation’s founders.

“You can really see that that is what happens,” Lagera said. “But it’s not only for our participants, it’s the people who volunteer. It’s the person who walks by and sees us on the beach. It’s for the family member that gets to do this with their family member that has a disability.”

Adaptive Freedom Foundation was founded in Hawaii in 2016 and later expanded to Southern California in 2017. The foundation operates from Dana Point to Marina del Rey and uses a Wheelchair Adapted Stand-Up Paddleboard, or WASUP, to bring people with

Adaptive Freedom volunteers wearing Santa hats helped people with disabilities get out onto the water on a WASUP board at Baby Beach on Dec. 18. Photo: Courtesy of Amy Lagera

people, but we’re still working on design elements of it,” Lagera said. “But equipment for somebody with a disability is so limited and so expensive. One of our things is we make sure that there’s never a charge for it. We work solely off of donations.”

For Jess Labbe of San Clemente, the Adaptive Freedom Foundation offers something her daughter Peyton Labbe can look forward to doing.

“It’s such an opportunity that many people don’t have, and if we lived any-

disabilities out on the water.

According to the foundation’s website, a WASUP board “secures a wheelchair onto a paddleboard and allows people with disabilities, balance-challenged, and those needing assistance paddling, the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy what was previously impossible; paddling a board from a wheelchair.”

Each board costs about $5,000 to make and are all custom-made.

“Eventually, our goal was to mass-produce them so there’s more access to

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Hudson

Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

Contributor: San Clemente Historical Society

FROM THE ARCHIVES Pictured is the Goldschmidt

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Hudson is an 8-year-old Boxer with a great personality. Don’t let his age fool you; Hudson has the energy of a dog barely out of puppyhood.

He is quite active and enjoys long walks and playing in the yard. With his loving disposition, Hudson would make a great addition to the family but would prefer to be the only pet, so he doesn’t have to share the spotlight. If you are interested in adopting Hudson, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

Sudoku LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

This photo can be purchased from the San Clemente Historical Society at sanclementehistoricalsociety.org.

San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

Editor’s Note: An extended version of this story can be found at sanclementetimes.com.

BY MYLES MELLOR

House, the only private San Clemente residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed

by Paul R. Williams, the first African American licensed architect in California.

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.

where else, we wouldn’t have,” said Jess.

“It’s just an opportunity for (Peyton) to do something typical … she gets to go paddleboarding, and that’s the thing she gets to share with other people and that we can talk about, share pictures with, that she’s super proud of and excited about.”

Paddle events with Adaptive Freedom Foundation in Dana Point offer an accessible activity that’s close to home for the San Clemente family.

Adaptive Freedom Foundation has monthly paddle days between March and October, as well as its annual Santa Paddle in December.

The foundation is growing quickly, Lagera said, and has begun to outgrow the capabilities of its small board. Adaptive Freedom Foundation will be starting a committee in early 2022 and is looking for community members with financial, engineering, marketing backgrounds— anything that relates to business, Lagera said.

For more information about Adaptive Freedom Foundation, email the group at info@adaptivefreedomfoundation.org. 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: Medium

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See the solution in next week’s issue.

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San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

spoiled at the last minute.

At the SoCal Nike Classic in Oceanside, the Tritons had come up big with a 4-0 win over Long Beach Wilson on Dec. 28 and a 3-0 win over San Dieguito Academy on Dec. 29. But then all good things came to an end, and San Clemente dropped a 2-1 game to Torrey Pines for its first and only loss of the season.

San Clemente now circles back to league play, and the Tritons had plenty of reasons to regain focus on their South Coast League opener.

Capistrano Valley usurped San Clemente as South Coast League champion last season, and the Tritons hosted the Cougars on Wednesday, Jan. 5. Results were not available at press time.

San Clemente continues with league play at home against Mission Viejo on Wednesday, Jan. 12, and hosts San Juan Hills on Jan. 14.

Girls Wrestling Wins Upland Blackwatch Tournament

San Clemente boys basketball has started its season strong, but the Tritons still were forced to overcome injuries and COVID-19 protocols heading into their league opener.

Photo: Zach Cavanagh

TRITON REPORT

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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

Boys Basketball Regroups Ahead of League Opener In the record books, the San Clemente boys basketball team looks to be in the right form with four straight wins as it looked toward its scheduled South Coast League opener at Trabuco Hills on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

However, when inspecting the details, the Tritons are in the midst of a recharge.

As San Clemente finished up its early-season tournament schedule at the Tustin Classic, the Tritons were playing strong with wins over Long Beach Millikan, 79-47, and Calvary Chapel, 59-55, to advance to the tournament’s semifinals.

Charlie Spaeth led all scorers against Millikan with 19 points, and Alec Grace scored 18 points. Asher Gardiner scored 12 points, and Tanner Mehrens scored 10 points.

Grace led in scoring against Calvary Chapel with 18 points, and Mehrens was right behind with 17 points. Spaeth San Clemente Times January 6–12, 2022

scored 10 points.

Against Calvary Chapel, though, San Clemente was already down five players due to various illnesses and injuries—all non-COVID at time—but ahead of its semifinal game on Wednesday, Dec. 29, the Tritons pulled out of the tournament due to COVID-19 protocols.

So, despite its strong early-season play, 10-4 record and four consecutive wins after a three-game losing streak, San Clemente looked to bounce back against Trabuco Hills on Wednesday. Results were not available at press time. Trabuco Hills had also pulled out of the Tustin Classic before it began last week due to its own COVID-19 protocols.

San Clemente continues in league play at Mission Viejo on Friday, Jan. 7, and at Tesoro on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Surprisingly, the Tritons have yet to play a home game this season. San Clemente is scheduled to finally take the floor in its own gym on Jan. 14 in a nonleague game against University and in a league game against Capistrano Valley on Jan. 19.

Girls Soccer Shuts Out Aliso Niguel in League Opener After an unbeaten run to open its season, the San Clemente girls soccer team took its first blemishes in the Excalibur Tournament—a loss in penalty kicks

after a 1-1 tie against Capistrano Valley on Dec. 28 and a 1-0 loss to Foothill later the same day.

As the page turns onto a new year, the Tritons got back to their form and opened league play on the right foot against a longtime rival.

Boosted by goals from juniors Malia McMahon and Lizzie Martin and a clean sheet by senior goalkeeper Emily Sanchez (three saves), San Clemente defeated Aliso Niguel, 2-0, in both teams’ South Coast League opener on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

It was the Tritons’ fourth shutout of the season, as their defense has been particularly strong. San Clemente (5-2-1, 1-0) has allowed only four goals in eight games. The Tritons are also unbeaten at home with a 4-0 record.

Aliso Niguel may be San Clemente’s most frequent league rival in girls soccer, but now the Tritons’ attention turns just up the road to defending league champion San Juan Hills.

The Stallions won the South Coast League for the first time last season and host San Clemente on Thursday, Jan. 6.

The Tritons are next at home on Tuesday, Jan. 11, against Tesoro.

Boys Soccer Set to Open League Like their girls counterparts, the San Clemente boys soccer team had an unbeaten nonleague season that was Page 24

The San Clemente girls wrestling team posted an all-around impressive performance in the Upland Blackwatch Tournament on Dec. 28-29.

The Tritons were dominant with 13 of their 21 wrestlers earning medals, including three individual champions: Eden Hernandez (116 pounds), Dylan Tsouo (170 pounds) and Lily Mercado (235 pounds). San Clemente won the tournament title with 199 points over Roosevelt at 150 points.

Hernandez won her first three matches by fall in 21 seconds, 1:35 and 1:05 and won her individual title win an 8-2 decision. Tsouo won all three of her matches by fall in 23 seconds, 1:03 and a grueling 3:35 to win her title. Mercado won her first two matches by fall in 1:37 and 18 seconds and then took the title with an injury win in 43 seconds.

Roundup San Clemente girls water polo dominated its league opener with a 20-8 win over El Toro on Tuesday, Jan. 4. The Tritons (3-3, 1-0) next play at Tesoro on Thursday, Jan. 6, and host rival Dana Hills on Jan. 13.

San Clemente girls basketball dropped its league opener to San Juan Hills, 52-38, on Tuesday, Jan. 4. The Tritons (6-9, 0-1) next are at Aliso Niguel on Thursday, Jan. 6, and host Dana Hills on Jan. 13.

San Clemente graduate Cole Fotheringham caught two passes for 19 yards for Utah in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, but the Utes were unable to hold off Ohio State’s second-half comeback in a 48-45 loss. Fotheringham announced in December he would declare for the NFL Draft following the Rose Bowl. sanclementetimes.com

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SC SURF

2022 Kicks Off on Good Foot

Henry Rothey. Photo: Courtesy of Ronnie Lyon

GROM OF THE WEEK

From New Surf Shops to Miraculous Recoveries, the Vibes Are Up in the Local Surf Community

HENRY ROTHEY

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he New Year is here, and it’s already started with a flurry of positive energy.

For starters, San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino, who is a veteran of the WSL’s Championship Tour and competed in surfing’s Olympic debut in 2021, has plenty to celebrate. The proud father of a new baby girl, he just announced that he has also inked a new sponsorship deal with iconic wetsuit brand O’Neill.

“With so much heritage in the sport, I am honored to be a part of the O’Neill team and excited for the years to come,” Andino shared on his Instagram account.

Andino started his career riding for Billabong before joining Nike’s ill-fated foray into surfing. For the better part of a decade, Andino has represented surfwear brand Hurley. He will now join his longtime friend and San Clemente’s own Ian Crane, as well as South African Championship Tour stalwart Jordy Smith and rising Oceanside phenom Caity Simmers, on the O’Neill squad.

One of the original surf companies, Jack O’Neill opened his first surf shop on the Great Highway in San Francisco in 1952. But it was O’Neill’s innovations in wetsuits that really set his company apart. They also played a prominent role in the development of the surf leash.

Given Andino’s commitment to surfing and his deep appreciation for its roots, this new relationship should bring lots of exciting new energy to the water.

A few weeks ago, we reported that local surf artist Drew Brophy had been hospitalized due to COVID-19. On a ventilator in an intensive care unit for a month, Brophy has since made a dramatic turn for the better. His doctors called his improvement over the holidays a “Christmas miracle.”

“Yesterday, Drew asked, ‘What day is it?’ I told him Dec. 27, and he realized he had been out since Thanksgiving,” San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

Recovered from injury, with a new daughter and new sponsor, Kolohe Andino has a lot to look forward to as he returns to the Championship Tour in 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Nick Green/O’Neill

his wife, Maria Brophy, shared on Facebook. “He was surprised, and I was afraid the news would send him backwards. But he handled it like the bad (expletive) that he is!”

“Drew cannot talk yet, but he can write with a pen on paper, and he can mouth words,” Maria continued. “We have a ways to go, but Drew is getting better. He is fortunate that his body was so strong and healthy before all this. Besides his lung inflammation, the rest of his body is in great shape.

Yesterday’s CT Scan showed no permanent damage to his lungs, and that was great news!”

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, as of Monday, Jan. 3, there were 545 people hospitalized in Orange County due to COVID-19. Of that number, 104 people are in ICUs. Finally, Rip Curl just celebrated the opening of a new shop in Dana Point.

Located on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Amber Lantern, threetime World Champ Tom Curren was on hand jamming some tunes for the celebration before Christmas.

As water temps take a dive this winter, be sure to swing by and check out the latest and greatest, including the shop’s award-winning line of wetsuits, There’s also a Rip Curl shop in San Clemente, which is where its North

American operations are headquartered. The Australian-based company sponsored the wildly successful Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles last September, where Hawaii’s Carissa Moore and Brazil’s Gabriel Medina captured the 2021 world titles in absolutely epic conditions.

The only real downside for our local surf community lately has been the disappearance of anything resembling a rideable wave. After an autumn to remember, winter has been a complete bust thus far.

I’d love to be more optimistic and point to a big, old west swell setting up in our swell window, but forecast models for the next several weeks are not promising. Thankfully, recent storms have brought a ton of new snow to the mountains, and there are plenty of other ways to stay entertained—but some surf would be nice.

Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente.

A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philan-thropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC Page 26

here’s one reason surfers from around the world have been making pilgrimages to the iconic North Shore of Oahu for a half-century—because of the waves. And for those who have been living through the flat spell around here lately know what I’m talking about.

But San Clemente’s Henry Rothey is a smart kid; he knows the drill. Last month, he shipped out to the islands for a stint in paradise. Surfing in trunks, scoring early-season swells, the goofy-footer made the most of his time in Hawaii when the rest of us were shivering through the flat, rainy days.

A member of USA Surfing’s Development Team, Rothey’s earned the nickname “Hendog Millionaire” from his coach, Brett Simpson. The work that they’re doing together is paying off.

Rothey made the most of a wild card at the Rip Curl Grom Search National Finals held at San Onofre’s Church. With a fifth-place finish in the event, his competitive chops continue to just get better and better.

Rothey is also a distinguished member of the San Clemente Board Riders Club and continues to make valuable contributions to the squad as they set their sights on winning the national title later this year in their backyard at Lowers.

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 57-58 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 1-2 Thursday: An easing northwest swell sets up waist-stomach high surf (2-3’+) for the early morning before size drops off a notch into the afternoon. Variable to light offshore wind in the morning trends lightly onshore from the west-northwest in the afternoon.

Outlook: Friday is mostly below waist high (3’) before a fun mix of northwest and west-northwest swells move in for the weekend. Size bumps up into the waist-stomach-chest high range (2-3-4’) and conditions continue to look more favorable as storms pass to our north.

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San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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San Clemente Times January 6-12, 2022

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