EYE ON RMV/PAGE

from March 11, 2022

EYE ON SJC

Toy Shop Adds Sweet Touch to Los Patrones Business Park

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Step into Odin Parker, and you’ll find a wonderland of non-plastic toys—including music boxes, play “popsickles” and pretend gardening tools.

Odin Parker is another business that’s set up shop in Los Patrones Business Park, a new retail center in Rancho Mission Viejo. The business opened last summer, and it is owned and operated by married couple Atila and Blakeslee Lotfi.

“We started this five years ago when we were pregnant with my son, who’s 4½ now. At the time, we were just looking for some toys for him that were non-plastic,” Atila Lotfi said. “We were looking at a lot of wooden stuff—no loud colors or crazy stuff. We had a hard time finding the type of toys that we liked, but when we went online, we were able to find a lot of them, and most of them were in Europe.”

Shipping, though, was expensive—so the Lotfis, who live nearby in Ladera Ranch, decided to buy toys at wholesale prices and resell them. Their new foray into the toy world started as a hobby out of their home until they decided to turn it into a full-fledged business.

“It was a complete coincidence that we found this place, and it kind of worked out really well since we realized how family-oriented Rancho Mission Viejo is,” Atila Lotfi said. “The support we’ve gotten from the community is incredible, because a lot of people stumble in here without knowing this place is here, and they’re just really blown away by the toy offerings. They immediately become so supportive.”

News about Odin Parker has spread by word-of-mouth and through social media. The shop has a calming air when you walk into it. Gentle music plays, and pretend vegetables are on display. The couple’s young son, Jackson Lotfi, often likes to play with the items—including toy trains.

Many of the toys are homemade and different from what you might find at a big-box store. The goal was initially to just have a back warehouse space to store inventory, but the Lotfis eventually decided to open up the front of the store so that items can be displayed.

“We’re mostly an online business. That’s where the majority of our business comes from,” Atila Lotfi said.

Jackson Lotfi, 4½, plays with a wooden train toy at Odin Parker, a toy shop in Rancho Mission Viejo. His parents, Atila and Blakeslee Lotfi, own and operate the store. Photo: Collin Breaux

Odin Parker, a toy shop in Rancho Mission Viejo, sells non-plastic items for kids to enjoy. Photo: Collin Breaux

“Coincidentally, we’ve had a lot of local customers that wanted to pick up their orders in person. At that point, if people wanted to come pick up their orders, we wanted to be a welcoming environment where you can see all the toys in person.”

The appeal of non-plastic toys is the “open-ended” play opportunities, Atila Lotfi said. A plastic toy you can buy at Walmart might make a noise or light up after you press a button, and that’s it—but with a toy cooking set, playtime scenarios are limited only by a kid’s imagination.

Light non-plastic toys can also arguably be seen as a safer option.

“As parents of a 4½ -year-old, safety is our No. 1 priority,” Atila Lotfi said. “That’s EVENTS AT THE RANCH

MARCH 19 HABITAT RESTORATION AND WEEDING 8-11 a.m. Pitch in to help tidy up The Nature Reserve. Volunteers will pick weeds and get to enjoy the outdoor scenery in South Orange County on a Saturday morning. Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 18. Sign up at rmvreserve.org.

MARCH 23 VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AND TRAINING 7-8:30 p.m. Take the first step in becoming an official volunteer at The Nature Reserve. Participants will get to learn about the outdoor area’s history, purpose, and other relevant information, as well as how to communicate that to the public. The event will be held over Zoom. Sign up at rmvreserve.org.

the thing we were really looking after: toys that were non-toxic and safe and no chemicals.”

Lotfi also praised the neighboring businesses in Los Patrones Business Park, including Evolve Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu and Evolution Swim Academy.

“We only have positive things to say at this point. It’s been really great,” Atila Lotfi said of their experience so far as business tenants. “There are a lot of people that know us that come in, but there are a lot of people that don’t know about us that come in while walking with their kids or dog. Everyone has been so supportive.”

As for the business name, Atila Lotfi said it just came out of thin air. Parker is their son’s middle name, and Odin is a name the couple came across while searching for a business name.

Odin Parker has a philanthropic program in which a portion of purchases goes back to provide foods for kids in need, in partnership with the Children’s Hunger Fund and No Kid Hungry program.

For more information or to order online, visit odinparker.com. CD

GUEST OPINION | Is Everyone an Equestrian in San Juan? by Jessica DiCostanzo

Dan Almquist Looks to Develop Equestrian Facility at Northwest Open Space

If you have been to a City Council meeting recently, you have probably heard the name Dan Almquist or his company, Frontier Real Estate Investments. That’s because Frontier has been responsible for developing a lot of downtown San Juan Capistrano. Almquist owns the family favorite, Zoomars at River Street Ranch, and has expanded his projects throughout our city during his eight-year residency. His vision for San Juan is to emphasize community areas while highlighting the unique history of the city.

Most recently, Almquist was bidding on the long-term lease to operate the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. He admits his interest was selfish—he wanted to continue the equestrian use of the park, as he and his kids are avid equestrians. In the end, Almquist felt “like it was the right decision to bow out,” as the Ridland Group had done a good job of being inclusive of all disciplines and adding a community component.

Now, Frontier Real Estate is looking into the Northwest Open Space as a place to develop an equestrian facility. It’s a “very special piece of property. The land has a great feeling,” Almquist said. He questions how you do not take away the natural beauty of the land and add more recreational uses? His answer:

Dan Almquist is an avid equestrian who wants to keep the horse riding tradition going in San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition gatherings, hiking, agriculture, and—of course—horses. He sees the land as a great way to integrate the community.

Not everyone wants to ride, but most people appreciate seeing horses. He would work on positioning them where they are prominent in the Northwest Open Space. Horses will be part of the destination.

“Hey, we’re a horse town. Let’s open up horses to more people,” Almquist exclaimed.

Almquist has witnessed this firsthand within his own family. The impact horses have had on his family is huge. He loves that he gets to spend time with his kids outdoors in a wholesome activity. He’s noticed a dramatic change in his son’s confidence. Horses are just good for the soul … and bring soul to our city.

Jessica DiCostanzo is a San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition Board Member, lifelong equestrian, and co-founder of equivont.com. CD

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch 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 Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch .com.

Letter to The Editor

IN-N-OUT APPROVAL BY CITY COUNCIL

EARL PORTER, San Juan Capistrano

I was extremely dismayed by our City Council’s recent approval of the proposal for In-N-Out on Del Obispo Street. I have lived in this city since 1975, and while not always agreeing with decisions of the Council, this is, in my opinion, by far the most concerning issue in terms of benefit for the community as a whole!

In spite of significant community opposition—as well as recommendations against this proposal from the Planning Commission, Cultural Heritage Commission and Design Review Committee—the current City Council, by split vote, decided to move forward with this project.

How can these three councilmembers ignore the already large negative traffic congestion at various hours of the day? If anyone truly believes traffic congestion is not a real issue here, then they haven’t traveled on Del Obispo Street at the peak hours, regardless of direction.

To say “traffic was already an issue before this project and is a problem they can’t fix” is irresponsible and only exacerbates the problem. There are already two In-N-Out locations within a short drive from the center of town. Why is there a need for a third?

The biggest question, in my mind, is whose interests are being served by this approval: the community as a whole, or individual members of the council or the city coffers?

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The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 20, Issue 5. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (sanclementetimes. 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 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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

FRIDAY | 11

HOOS’GOW DAY 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. The annual San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association tradition returns, right before the Swallows Day Parade. City slickers wandering around San Juan Capistrano will be thrown in “jail” if they’re not in Western wear. They can get out if they can pay “bail” by buying a Fiesta souvenir, which helps raise funds for the parade and related events, all in good fun. Downtown San Juan Capistrano. 949. 615.1920. swallowsparade.com.

SATURDAY | 12

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 2 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind while listening to live music at Trevor’s at the Tracks. The Reflexx will perform. There will be a $30 cover at the door. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

SUNDAY | 13

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT SWALLOW’S INN 2-6 p.m. Come enjoy a drink and enjoy some live music at this famous downtown bar. Road Kill Kings will perform. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

THURSDAY | 17

INN AT MISSION SJC ART EVENT 4-6 p.m. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano hosts a public art demonstration on the third Thursday of every month. Kevin Davidson will demonstrate how to integrate oil painting knife techniques into a brush painting. The event is free, and tapas food and beverages will be available for purchase. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31692 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.503.5700. innatthemissionsjc.com.

COUNTRY CONCERT AT THE RIDING PARK 6 p.m. Country music artist Jon Pardi will perform at The Outpost, San Juan Capistrano’s new music venue. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as the show will be outdoors. Food and adult beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets can be obtained online. The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuanoutpost.com.

FRIDAY | 18

‘FRI-YAY FUN’ WOOD WORKSHOP 6-9 p.m. Spend a Friday night crafting a unique item to call your own. Customize a wood sign, bath tray, photo frame, or other item during this hands-on workshop. Registration can be done beforehand online. AR Workshop San Juan Capistrano, 31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2. 949.482.1362. arworkshop.com.

Editor’s Pick

Enjoy live music and a bell ringing at Mission San Juan Capistrano on March 19 for St. Joseph’s Day. Photo: Collin Breaux

SATURDAY | 19 ST. JOSEPH’S DAY AND RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano is celebrating this traditional day with a ringing of the historic bells, live music, Native American presentations, and more. Visit the Mission website for ticket prices and more information. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

SATURDAY | 19

ECO TOTS 10-11:30 a.m. The Ecology Center is providing this hands-on learning experience for young kids to learn about their community farm and sustainable agriculture. Bring the kids to learn about and see farm chickens, garden beds, plants, a greenhouse, and more. Tickets can be reserved online. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.443.4223. theecologycenter.org. SATURDAY NIGHT AT PADDY’S STATION 7-10 p.m. Grab a pint, order some fish and chips, and spend the night at a downtown Irish pub. Elvis impersonator OC Elvis will perform. Paddy’s Station, 26701 Verdugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

SUNDAY | 20

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Reggae act Israel Vibration will perform. Tickets are $35. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

AT THE MOVIES ‘The Worst Person in the World’ Gets It Right

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Joachim Trier’s new romantic dramedy, The Worst Person in the World, has been getting praise since its European release last autumn, and I’m happy to say it lived up to my expectations—though with a couple different results.

Imagine if Woody Allen’s Annie Hall (1977) was from Annie’s POV instead of Alvy’s; and if Annie not only had the charming eccentricities in the couple, but also the neurosis. Imagine this happening in Oslo, Norway, instead of New York City, and with two relationships instead of one.

In modern day Oslo, Julie (Renate Reinsve) is approachong 30, working in a local bookstore because she’s still indecisive on what to do for a career, and experiences two important relationships back-to-back.

The first boyfriend, Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie), is 15 years older and a successful comic book writer-artist. The second boyfriend, Eivind (Herbert Nordrum), is an ordinary barista around her age. The title, The Worst Person in the World, refers to the fact that Julie overlaps both relationships, and is generally extra blunt and brazen with her choices.

I’ve seen complaints from viewers that Trier and screenwriter Eskil Vogt focused too much of the story on Aksel and Eivind, but I really don’t get that criticism. Save for a couple of scenes dedicated to the men’s arcs, I felt it was pretty clearly Julie’s tale.

Some have compared the heroine of Worst Person to Alana Haim’s protagonist in PT Anderson’s Licorice Pizza, wherein both young ladies are in denial about aging. While Haim’s character is frustrated and unhappy, Reinsve’s is mostly just indecisive and conflicted. I didn’t feel that her character or performance bordered on immature or lazy, though she is making some questionable decisions.

The film does end on a down note compared to all of the other films I’ve mentioned, though it’s not too bleak or depressing.

The Worst Person in the World is the third and final effort in Trier and Vogt’s “Oslo trilogy,” following Reprise (2006) and Oslo, August 31st (2011). Though, for me, the new film works perfectly alongside Annie Hall. CD

GUEST OPINION | Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

PLANTING AND FARMING IN ORANGE COUNTY

Almost all of the plants and flowers that we associate with Southern California were brought in by the missionaries. As the missionaries traveled from Europe, Africa, South America, Latin America, Mexico and into California, they brought with them plants and flowers that they liked from different parts of the world. When they came into the Capistrano Valley, the native plants included mainly cacti, scrub oak, wild berries, and wild herbs. The native population had an abundance of wild animals, large and small, and fish, but their diet did lack fruits and vegetables associated with the Western culture.

Pepper trees were once seen all over town, but recently we have lost a lot of them to disease. The missionaries found these trees in Peru, and they really liked the little red peppers. They planted them on their trek northward. In some places, they grew, and in some they

Photo: Courtesy of Teeter Marie Olivares Romero and OC Public Libraries.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This photo depicts Ellen Olivares, Linda Cowell, and Wanda Yslasin as children in San Juan Capistrano in 1957.

Every issue, The Capistrano Dispatch will publish a historical photo. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com. did not. They flourished in San Juan Capistrano.

Roses that are such a popular flower in Southern California were also brought by the missionaries. They were originally found in Turkey. The missionaries brought the olive

MOMENTS IN TIME tree to San Juan

BY JAN SIEGEL Capistrano, because they needed the oil for cooking and for the Sacraments.

In a book about California gardens from 1800-1850, it states that at the time that the Forster family was living in the Mission, “only a few old fruit trees, such as pears, peaches, figs and olives, remained. Records tell about frost damage to some of the pepper tree branches in 1830. Grapevines were still there but without leaves or shoots, having surrendered to the vine disease.” Remember, it was Saint Serra who brought grapevines to the Mission and started the wine industry in California at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Serra is also responsible for bringing chocolate into California. He enjoyed chocolate as a young man in Spain.

While Abraham Lincoln is known for returning Mission land to the Catholic Church in California, he should also be remembered for encouraging farmers to come to our state. The Morrill Land Grant Act, which “granted federal lands to each state to establish colleges for the teaching of agriculture and allied arts,” passed in 1862. The MLGA was the creation of the U. S. Department of Agriculture Homestead Act, which “granted western land to those who would farm” and the Pacific Railway Act, “which cleared the way for the transcontinental railway.” All were all signed by Lincoln.

Following the Civil War, Pam Gibson

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Leif

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

This handsome little lad is Leif, a 1-yearold kitty who’s ready to strike out on his own and find his forever family. Leif can be a bit of a charmer and will gaze adoringly at you with his big, bright eyes. He also loves the company of other cats and would make a wonderful kitty companion. Once you meet Leif, he’s sure to win your heart. If you are interested in adopting Leif, 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

BY MYLES MELLOR

SOLUTION: 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 wrote in her book Two Hundred Years in San Juan Capistrano that Richard Egan settled down for farming barley and Joel Congdon planted English walnuts, thus starting the walnut industry in Orange County. The Daneris, Rosenbaums, and Lacouagues planted oranges. By 1914, oranges had become the major crop for the valley.

Just as the Mission land led to the Rancheros and the Rancheros led to sheep herders, walnut and citrus farmers, the cost of maintaining the orange groves led to the planting of strawberries. Following WWII, Japanese-American farmers found that they could grow strawberries in small areas and make a good profit to offset some of the costs of raising other crops. They were also a good rotation crop. The year 1968 was the biggest year for growing strawberries in Orange County.

The same Charles Francis Saunders, who wrote Capistrano Nights with Father O’Sullivan, wrote many books about the flora and fauna of the West on behalf of the railroads to entice people to visit or move westward. Writing in 1927, Sauners wrote about what had happened to our many wild and cultivated plants:

“Plowing them up, grazing them up, burning them up, burying them under concrete and asphalt, tearing them out of the roots to gratify a passing whim and cast aside until, like her Indians, her wild flora has been desolated and largely driven away from the homes of the people to find refuge, too often only in deserts and mountains”.

As we enter into spring, spend a Moment in Time and think about planting a little bit of history in your yard and think back on all the beauty this land has to offer.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in the neighboring town of Rancho Mission Viejo. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years, has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 26 years and is currently the museum curator for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. CD

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NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE!!! MARCH 12 Great deals-furniture, tools, sports equipment, ladies and men’s clothes, jewelry, antiques, knick knacks. Saturday March 12th, 8am-12pm. 34248 Camino El Molino, Capistrano Beach

FORSTER RANCH COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Saturday, March 19, 2022. X st’s Camino Vera Cruz and Camino De Los Mares.