March 26, 2021

MARCH 26-APRIL 8, 2021 | VOLUME 19, ISSUE 6

INSIDE: Special Section

Back to Life

City Officials Expect Busy Summer Season for Downtown Area E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 3

A parking lot in the Los Rios area will be expanded to accommodate more spaces, in anticipation of increased activity downtown as restrictions are lifted. Photo: Collin Breaux

thecapistranodispatch.com

Equestrian Coalition Holds ‘100 Horsemen Strong Challenge’

Outdoor Yoga Returns to The Reserve

South Orange County Virtual Job Fair

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

EYE ON RMV/PAGE 7

GETTING OUT/PAGE 22

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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EYE ON SJC

What’s Up With...

er land-use issues, and makes recommendations of action to the city council.

“He can be a handful, but he’s our handful,” Reeve said of Gaffney. “He has that institutional background, and he has that predictability. I know what I get with Matt. The residents know what they get with Matt. He’s always served as an outstanding commissioner.”

Hart said the Planning Commission choices were an “embarrassment of riches,” and he would have chosen everyone on the applicant list had he been allowed.

Bourne said new residents can provide fresh perspectives and that all of the applicants were not equally qualified.

“I’m disappointed, because both of you guys have acknowledged you haven’t interviewed the candidate that we recommended, so you’re operating with partial information,” Bourne said in reference to Reeve and Hart. “I respect the vote, but we appoint a subcommittee so that those interviews can be conducted and the detailed qualifications can be analyzed.”

Braden, Wilhelm, and Harrison Taylor are current members and were reappointed. The council approved Harrison Taylor’s spot in a separate vote. John Taylor recused himself from the vote, since Harrison Taylor is his son and a source of family income.

Steve Behmerwohld, Ronald Deman, Maureen Gebelein, Stephanie Heredia, Cody Martin, Tom Ostensen, and Ted Rosenfeldt were named to the Parks, Recreation, Youth and Senior Services, Trails and Equestrian Commission. Behmerwohld is a new appointee but previously had served on the commission.

Anna Dickinson, Joanne Marquez, Lorie Porter, Ann Ronan, and Jan Siegel were appointed to the Cultural Heritage Commission. Marquez is a new appointee but has served on other city advisory boards.

Appointments to the Design Review Committee were tabled until the April 6 council meeting. Reeve floated the possibility of an additional planning commissioner also serving on the DRC. The Planning Commission already appoints one member as a liaison/alternate.

The council also approved dissolving the city’s Utility Commission, Housing Advisory Committee, and Youth Advisory Board. The Youth Advisory Board will still meet under the supervision of city staff, but will no longer be under Brown Act regulations. The duties of the Housing Advisory Committee—which received only one application, from Marquez—will be shifted to the Planning Commission.

No applications were received for the Utilities Commission, and staff recommended dissolving that commission due to the proposed annexation of the city’s water and sewer system into the Santa Margarita Water District.

TOP NEWS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

City Plans to Expand Ramos Street Parking Lot

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

As COVID-19 pandemic conditions improve and optimism rises about congregating outside again, officials and staff with the City of San Juan Capistrano expect more people to return to the downtown area—and, thus, are accommodating more parking in the area.

The city council approved a resolution for an expansion of the parking lot at Paseo Adelanto and Ramos Street—specifically, at the southeast corner and just north of Los Rios Park—and initiating funds for such during a meeting on March 16. The area would be renovated to accommodate up to 50 additional parking spaces.

“This is really a recommendation to expand an existing parking lot, to address what we know is a need in the community with expanding and new businesses,” City Manager Ben Siegel said.

Accordingly, the city is preparing for a busy summer season. The downtown and Los Rios areas always have seen frequent activity and have been longtime popular spots for locals and visitors, particularly people hopping off the Amtrak train.

“We hear quite a bit from the community regarding the general need for additional parking spaces, especially in the downtown area,” Public Works Director Tom Toman said. “(The parking expansion) also complements other efforts the city has undertaken to encourage employee use of peripheral parking lots, thereby creating more availability in the primary downtown parking areas.”

The Ramos Street parking lot was

previously expanded last summer, from 26 spaces to 115 spaces.

“By providing a conveniently located parking lot, the Los Rios Historic District patrons can easily find and utilize public parking, versus continuously circling the Los Rios residential community and Los Rios Street,” Toman said.

The city is appropriating $319,000 in funds for the project. The council voted, 4-0-1, to approve staff recommendation for the expansion. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Reeve and Councilmembers Howard Hart, Troy Bourne, and Sergio Farias voted yes. Mayor John Taylor recused himself since he lives in the Los Rios area.

In other news from the meeting, the council also approved appointments to various city commissions and committees. Stan Braden, Darren Fancher, Matt Gaffney, Tami Wilhelm, and Harrison Taylor will serve on the city’s Planning Commission.

The choice for Gaffney went against a recommendation for applicant Nate Franklin made by a subcommittee comprised of John Taylor and Bourne.

The council voted, 3-2, in favor of naming Braden, Fancher, Gaffney, and Wilhelm to the Planning Commission. Reeve, Hart, and Farias voted yes. John Taylor and Bourne voted no.

A debate arose on the council over naming Gaffney, a longtime San Juan resident, to the Planning Commission, which Reeve called the “most important commission.” The Planning Commission reviews development proposals and oth-

The opening of Heritage Barbecue in downtown San Juan Capistrano last August drew long lines of hungry customers. City officials expect this summer to be busy, as well. Photo: Collin Breaux

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

Page 3

Parents Call for Full-Time Return to Campus for Capo Unified Students

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

As student mental health remains a concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, some parents have voiced their support for Capistrano Unified School District students to be able to attend classes in person on a full-time schedule again, just as they were prior to the global outbreak.

The district currently has a hybrid education model in which students can either attend classes face-to-face or continue learning online—and students are only on campus a limited amount of time if they choose the in-person option.

Parents such as Rachelle Stephan, a parent of three, spoke about the matter during a CUSD Board of Trustees meeting held on Wednesday, March 17.

She said they want normalcy and kids back in school.

“We have to stand up for this generation of our children right now,” Stephan said. “That’s our calling in these difficult times. They’re being sacrificed on the altar of fear, of the adults that are supposed to have their best interests at heart.”

Trustees and district officials said they have reached out to state legislators and county officials regarding the importance of student education and well-being. Trustee Martha McNicholas said they are pushing “as hard as we can” and for any further flexibility.

“CUSD has been a leader,” McNicholas said. “We will continue to be a leader.”

Trustee Gila Jones said the virtual/ hybrid school year “just stinks.”

“It is not good education. It is not good emotionally,” Jones said. “That’s not the fault of the teachers and the staff. It’s just not a good deal. We all get it.”

Whether classrooms are open to students right now depends on the particular school district in California—some are open, but most aren’t.

CUSD classrooms have been open since September.

During the meeting, Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte said the school district has to follow rules set by the California Department of Public Health.

In a statement released on March 19, Brulte said that although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had revised guidance for social distancing in classrooms from a 6-foot (Cont. on page 5) thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

Page 4

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

CREER Continues to Help Community During Pandemic

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

In April 2020, as the global shutdown took hold and affected many in the San Juan Capistrano community, CREER Comunidad y Familia stepped up to assist those in need.

The small San Juan-based nonprofit organization previously held afterschool sessions for second-language students whose primary language is Spanish— but as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, CREER’s mission added a slight twist.

The nonprofit began distributing food to those in need, with a long line of cars waiting to drive up to their offices near Stone Field Park to receive food and other items—a common sight in town during the early days of the health crisis.

Now, nearly a year after they began the food distributions, members of CREER reflected on the changes, challenges, and lessons they have learned during the worldwide pandemic.

“We’ve been doing the food pantry every Tuesday,” Education Director Rosario Rowell said. “When we started the pantry, we wanted to do the pantry for 90 days.”

Executive Director Angeles Ceballos said they are still serving some of the families they were helping prior to the pandemic.

“We started getting five pallets, 10 pallets, 20, 30 pallets,” Ceballos said of their response during the onset of the distributions. “At the height of the pandemic, we were helping between 800 to 900 families per week. We had a 45-minute wait to come into our pantry.”

CREER’s office has been turned into a practical storage room for food, diapers, and other distributed items. CREER partnered with Alexandra Yates from OCC

(Cont. from page 3) requirement to 3 feet, that guidance has not yet been adopted by the California Department of Public Health.

The 6-foot requirement is reportedly the “biggest obstacle” to a full-time return to classrooms, since CUSD classrooms are not designed to allow that much distance between students.

District staff previewed some aspects of what’s called “the reopening 2.0 plan” for the upcoming 2021-22 school year during the meeting. CUSD will provide daily live instruction for middle school and high school students, and a 100% online learning option for grades TKThe Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

Volunteers have helped CREER Comunidad y Familia distribute food to those in need throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Photo: Collin Breaux

Food Recovery Kitchen for the distribution and also received CARES Act funding from the City of San Juan Capistrano to buy food and diapers. The Ecology Center, OC Food Bank, and individual residents have also helped financially and in other ways.

“People would drive by and just come over here and say, ‘What can I do to help you?’” Rowell said. “People brought us lemons. People brought us oranges. They brought us masks.”

The afterschool tutoring sessions CREER had held before the COVID-19 outbreak are currently on hold, since the majority of their tutors are elderly. Ceballos and Rowell do not want the tutors to risk getting sick.

“When the dust settles, we will be here.

Ninety percent of the people we helped before lived at or below the poverty level,” Ceballos said. “It was imperative for us to be here, helping them with their education, to close those gaps that poverty creates—cultural and academic. However, at this time, the main concern they have is food insecurity and housing.”

CREER representatives said the health crisis has been devastating for the area’s Hispanic population, since it’s left long-lasting health and economic effects.

Work hours have been cut, people have lost jobs, some haven’t recovered after contracting the coronavirus, and a lot of Hispanic people don’t have access to resources for help, Ceballos and Rowell said.

“It’s like a tale of two cities we have in our small community,” Ceballos said.

12, even if it’s possible to open with a normal schedule and regular classroom sizes.

Surveys have been sent out to CUSD families to get feedback on the matter. A draft reopening plan will be presented at the April 21 board meeting for discussion, and then the plan will be discussed at the May 19 meeting for final action.

In other CUSD news, the board approved a temporary policy that allows middle and high school students to receive a letter grade for physical education classes. The topic had been discussed at recent board meetings, following reported difficulty with online physical education classes under the

APEX system. Students who earned an A or a B will default to the letter A or B grade automatically.

Students who earned a B will have the option to select a credit designation in lieu of the letter grade. Students previously had received only a designation of credit or no credit, which caused frustration with some students who felt they instead earned an A or B. Students will have the option to be evaluated with a letter grade—including a C or D if they so wish—instead of credit, if it is determined they have earned one. The letter grade option does not allow for an F, a grade that will automatically convert to no credit.

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“We have people living in houses and everything. We have families living in a bedroom. I’m not talking about a one-bedroom apartment—I’m talking about a bedroom, five people living in a bedroom.”

CREER is still distributing food every Tuesday, from 11 a.m. until it runs out.

Their office is at 31322 Camino Capistrano. A mask is required if you go.

“It’s remarkable to think that in moments like this, people come together to help one another,” Ceballos said. “Human beings are very resilient. We learn from our mistakes. We adapt. … We need to work together. It doesn’t matter political affiliations or color of your skin. We all work together for the main goal, which is to survive this thing.”

San Juan Capistrano COVID-19 UPDATES as of March 24

cases deaths

total

2,717

72

39

10

last 30 days

est. population • 36,821 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

COMPILED BY STAFF

FRIDAY, APRIL 2

COFFEE CHAT 9 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs virtually on Fridays through Zoom. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

CD | Equestrian Coalition

Holds ‘100 Horsemen Strong Challenge’ The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition (SJCEC) is challenging 100 horsemen—or anyone else—to donate $100 each for a total of $10,000, which will then be used as a grant to sponsor any individual (or group) who comes up with a proposal to help bring awareness to the equestrian lifestyle and heritage of San Juan.

Each donation of $100 will gain one vote when it comes to selecting the winning proposal in the “100 Horsemen Strong Challenge,” and all donors will vote on and select the top five winning proposals on June 1, a news release said.

Those finalists will then be asked to submit a 3-minute video of their proposal, after which the winner will be chosen.

Individuals or groups looking to submit a proposal can do so by sending a one-page idea to sjcec@cox.net by April 30. Grant applications can also be found on the SJCEC website.

CD | New Indian Restaurant

Opens in SJC If you’re getting your taxes done at H&R Block or getting photos developed at San Juan Photo & Digital, feel free to stop at nearby Himalayan Taste Indian Cuisine for a bite to eat afterward.

The new Indian restaurant opened at the Plaza Del Rio Shopping Center—32341 Camino Capistrano, Unit F&G, to be exact—on Feb. 1. Vegetable coconut curry, lamb curry, chicken korma, and karahi

WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for fresh goods at this community farmers market, held every Friday. Masks are required.

Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. farmakisfarms.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6

Fiesta Association members Steven Congleton (left) and Jimmy Ferguson (right) read out charges made against Ramon Lippelgoos during Hoos’Gow Day on March 19. Photo: Collin Breaux

chicken are among the items on the menu.

“Customers love our food,” owner and chef Murari Timalsina said.

Chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, saag paneer, and aloo gobi are some of their most popular dishes.

CD | The Ecology Center

Launches New Retail Nursery As a benefit to people who have been participating in more outdoor activities and gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ecology Center opened a new retail nursery on March 13 stocked with organic vegetable and herb seedlings, fruit trees, medicinal perennials, and native plants.

“The Ecology Center nursery will offer bulk organic compost and potting soil, growing tools and accessories, worm bins, rain barrels, and even DIY plans for building raised beds,” The Ecology Center said in a news release.

The nursery is part of The Ecology Center’s work toward encouraging ecological stewardship in the community.

“Our seasonal plant sales and workshops will now have a permanent home, staffed by our knowledgeable team members who are passionate about sharing their expertise and resources,” the press release said. “Like all of our endeavors at The Ecology Center, the nursery is an effort toward the transformation of our community into a culture of doers.”

CD | Nonprofit Helps Himalayan Taste Indian Cuisine offers plenty of vegetarian food, chicken dishes, and other delicacies. Photo: Courtesy of Himalayan Taste Indian Cuisine and Murari Timalsina

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

Homeless People Break Cycle As the homelessness crisis continues

in San Juan Capistrano, a local nonprofit said it has helped more than 300 homeless and displaced individuals get off the streets.

Our Father’s Table assists the homeless in San Juan through its program OFT Project: Restoration by connecting them to relevant services and agencies.

The organization’s Care Navigators understand the system of services and providers, the nuances for their points of entry, and criteria for acceptance and eligibility into programs, founder Gina Seriel said.

The Care Navigators also try to understand the unique reasons for why each person falls into homelessness, and then works with them to create an individual plan to end their plight.

“Our unique approach puts us in the center of their lives as mentor, advocate and mostly genuine friend giving unconditional friendship and guidance,” Seriel said. “Our work is based on accountability for one’s own actions; honesty with us, themselves, the choices they’ve made and the part they’ve played in their homelessness; and an unfiltered reality check looking at real time choices in front of them to end their life within homelessness.”

Our Father’s Table works with homeless people on substance abuse treatment needs, mental health services, ongoing support and progress reviews, as well as accompanying them during appointments and interviews.

“We stay with them until their short-term goals are completed, their long-term goals are being maintained, and they are sustaining their life out of chronic homelessness,” Seriel said.

Learn more at ourfatherstableus.org.

Page 6

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a regularly scheduled meeting. The public can watch the meeting online at the city website, sanjuancapistrano.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING 4:30 p.m. The city’s Design Review Committee will hold a meeting. The public can watch the meeting online at the city website, sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

THE NEXT PRINT ISSUE OF THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH PUBLISHES.

CD | Fiesta Association

Holds Scaled-Down Hoos’Gow Day The annual Swallows Day Parade is not happening this year, but the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association still hosted a scaled-down Hoos’Gow Day on March 19.

Pedestrians were able to walk into an old-time Western-style jail cell during the event, while Fiesta Association members stood by in their traditional black-and-white Western clothing and read mock charges. The event was a fundraiser for the Fiesta Association, which hosts the Swallows Day Parade and related events during normal years.

Jail cells were set up by Hidden House Coffee and Heritage Barbecue, among other locations. Check out photos from the event at thecapistranodispatch.com. thecapistranodispatch.com

eye on rmv

Outdoor Yoga Returns to The Reserve

EVENTS AT THE RANCH

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

MARCH 28

ast year, as outdoor activities became the norm and people looked for relaxing activities to help them get through the COVID-19 pandemic, The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo began hosting outdoor yoga sessions.

Those classes were temporarily put on hold during the winter—after all, stretching in the cold isn’t the most comfortable activity. Now, though, with the weather gradually warming up in the area in the early spring, the outdoor yoga sessions are back.

Leeta Latham, education and public programs manager for The Reserve, said the yoga classes have generally gone well.

The Reserve—a natural preserve within the master-planned community—is starting to get a steady group of participants.

“Right now, it’s beautiful, because everything is greening up,” Latham said.

As the yoga sessions return, so are some of the participants from last year.

Latham said she expects more returning patrons as COVID-19 cases continue trending down in South Orange County,

FULL MOON HIKE 7:30-9:30 p.m. Docents will guide you on a hike to check out the nighttime sky and moon while out in The Reserve. The outdoor expedition will also give you a chance to see wild vegetation and maybe even some nocturnal critters. Mask and socialdistancing requirements will be in place. Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on March 27. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, 28811 Ortega Highway.

949.489.9778. rmvreserve.org.

L

Find peace of mind with yoga sessions in South Orange County. Photo: Courtesy of The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.

while vaccinations increase and activity restrictions are lifted.

Yoga is the perfect activity as people get the itch to get back outside and look

for natural ways to heal, Latham said.

Students attending the yoga sessions are a mix of RMV residents and visitors from outside the community—in fact,

one regular reportedly comes from Huntington Beach.

“I think we’ll continue to keep it on the calendar,” Latham said. “I see it as a permanent part of our calendar.”

Don’t count on the yoga sessions during cold or rainy weather, though.

Visit The Reserve’s website at rmvreserve.org to sign up for a session or for more information. CD

FIRST BUSINESS OPENS AT LOS PATRONES BUSINESS PARK

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

f you’re driving through Rancho Mission Viejo, you might pass Los Patrones Business Park—an industrial commercial center that community officials say will be filled with businesses and give residents a place to shop, work, and play.

While other businesses still have yet to officially open there, the first one has: SmartStop Esencia Storage Facility. In fact, it’s already had its first rental.

SmartStop CEO Michael Schwartz said his business is excited to partner with The Ranch and that opening a location at RMV’s new business hub made sense, since their company is in nearby Ladera Ranch.

“I think it’s nicely designed,” Schwartz said of his impression of Los Patrones Business Park.

SmartStop is seeing increased demand in the storage industry and “nice moving activity” in terms of the location’s business, he said. The company has other locations throughout California and more than 100 overall locations in various states.

“One thing you learn about storage— The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

SmartStop Esencia Storage Facility is now accepting rentals at its new Los Patrones Business Park location. Photo: Courtesy of SmartStop.

it’s a 5-mile trade area sort of business,” Schwartz said.

Other incoming businesses for Los Patrones Business Park include Evolu-

tion Swim Academy, dog training facility Sit Means Sit, and Zuri Pet Spa. Several tenants are RMV residents.

“There are some great tenants that Page 7

have signed on to the office park and should open in the first quarter of 2021,” said Mike Balsamo, The Ranch’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

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EDITORIAL

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GUEST OPINION | Bartlett Bulletin by Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

NEW COALITION CALLS FOR FEDERAL ACTION ON REMOVAL OF SPENT FUEL AT SONGS

A

s Supervisor for Orange County’s 5th District, representing more than 600,000 who live in close proximity to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), I am pleased to announce the formation of the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition, and I am honored to serve as co-chair alongside San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond.

The goal of the coalition is to push for the federal government to take action and fulfill its legal and contractual responsibilities of providing off-site storage and/or permanent disposal solutions for the spent nuclear fuel at SONGS. The federal government needs to work with public and private sector partners to identify and implement consolidated interim storage and prioritize the development of a permanent geological repository.

This broad-based coalition includes representatives from a diverse cross-section of the community, including environmental groups, organized labor, Native American leaders, and the business community, among others.

Support is gaining momentum among many Orange County cities, with San Juan Capistrano and Newport Beach being the two most recent cities to add their names to the growing list of members.

For more than two decades, the federal government has been required by law

to take possession of and dispose spent nuclear fuel. Yet, despite SONGS customers paying nearly $1 billion into the fund to dispose of the spent fuel, and many organizations (including the California Coastal Commission) calling BARTLETT on Congress and the BULLETIN administration to

BY LISA BARTLETT deliver a solution, the federal government has yet to take action. This is completely unacceptable.

Southern California Edison (SCE) retired SONGS in 2013 but cannot completely decommission the plant and restore the land until the federal government takes action to facilitate an off-site solution.

This issue was a priority for me in 2006, when I served on the Dana Point City Council, and continues to remain one of my top priorities now as your county supervisor.

The millions of residents in South Orange County and North San Diego County are extremely frustrated, and rightly so.

We have an active military base at Camp Pendleton, and only one major freeway, Interstate 5, that connects Orange County and San Diego, which leaves few options in the event of an emergency.

As co-chair of the Action for Spent

Fuel Solutions Now coalition, I am committed to making every effort to bring about the action we need. Moving forward, we will advocate for necessary federal legislation, funding, and the much-needed administrative policies and programs that will be critical in advancing consolidated interim storage and a permanent repository.

I am very hopeful this administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris (who is from California and hearing from a very strong coalition of bipartisan support), will work with us to help solve this issue.

I want to acknowledge and thank our local congressman, Mike Levin, for his steadfast support on this matter and his continued efforts to implement meaningful change in Washington and get us moving in the right direction.

Even though this is a complex policy issue, the time for action is now, and we could use your help. If you are interested in joining our cause and supporting our efforts, please check out our new website, spentfuelsolutionsnow.com, where you can sign on today as a supporting member.

Lisa Bartlett sits on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the 5th District. She was reelected in 2018. 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.

Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS

GUEST OPINION | by Caecilia Gotama

Megan Bianco, Jake Howard, Tim Trent, Chloe Anady

Moving the American Dream into Focus: 3 Insights and a Call to Action

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 19, Issue 6. 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 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

A

stark irony to the year 2020 was the degree to which we recognized how out-of-focus many of our society’s systems had become and the importance of mobilizing to make things better.

As director of the nonprofit 501(c)3 organization BRDG - bridge to connect, I lead an organization whose leadership, volunteers, and mission are keenly focused on providing support for first-generation (FG) students in areas where the challenges of cultural mismatch can be addressed.

In year three, our organizational empirical knowledge has led to key insights to help direct the success of FG students.

Insight #1: Within cultural minorities, success can be psychologically GUEST OPINION threatening to one

BY CAECILIA GOTAMA and all.

Only recently, I learned that the drive for Page 8

“our children to be better than the parents” is not a universal goal and that getting out of a disadvantaged situation demands more hard work; it requires a fortitude of spirit to navigate conflicts between the pull of family and cultural connection and a life open to fulfilling dreams.

Creating opportunities for the targeted first generation alone is inadequate; opportunities need to engage support systems of family and other networks so that the breaking of norms is positively (Cont. on page 21) thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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WELCOME TO THE 2021 SUMMER CAMP & ACTIVITY GUIDE

Grow Where You’re Planted WHERE TO START WHEN BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE GARDEN WITH YOUR FAMILY

By Lillian Boyd

W

hat better way to embody sustainability than to be able to grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs?

Even if you think you or your child has a black thumb—a notable inability to make plants grow, or a tendency to fail as a gardener—there are ways to simplify gardening so that your little beginner-level gardeners can integrate toward sustainable container gardens.

“Most vegetables are easy to grow if you have the right medium,” said Geno Hakala, a certified sustainable landscape designer based in San Juan Capistrano.

“You have to look at what you have to work with for a growing area, whether there is exposure to sun and for how long in the day. And you have to think about what you can do with those conditions.”

The trick is to check the soil’s aeration and drainage levels. Natural soils will more than likely have more minerals in their composition than store-bought soil—and will likely yield better results.

For do-it-yourself soil testing, Hakala recommends the mason jar soil test.

In simple terms, soil texture refers to the size of the soil particles. For example, large soil particles indicate sandy soil, while clay is made of very small particles. Silt is in the middle with particles that are smaller than sand but larger than clay.

According to “Gardening Know How,” an online resource to get information and tips on gardening, the ideal combination is soil consisting of 40% sand, 40% silt, and only 20% clay. This highly desired soil combination is known as loam. This soil test can be an ideal and child-friendly science project for your little gardeners.

A mason jar soil test can be performed

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

While families have been tasked with isolating and asked to avoid congregating, the end of the COVID-19 pandemic looks and feels more visible on the horizon. The community remains hopeful that by the time summer arrives, the coronavirus will be a figment of the past, as vaccine distribution expands more and more.

Our annual Summer Camp & Activity Guide is here, and while the end of the school year may be nearing, now is the time to plan for your child to make the most of summer.

No matter the hobby or interest, there is a vast variety of

with a 1-quart jar and a tight-fitting lid. If you have a large garden, you may want to use a mason jar soil test on several different areas. Otherwise, combine soil from a few different areas to get a good overall picture of soil texture in your garden.

Use a trowel to dig down about 8 inches, then fill the mason jar half-full. Add clear water to fill the jar about three-quarters full, then add about a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Place the lid securely on the jar.

Shake the jar for at least three minutes, then set it aside and leave it alone for at least 24 hours. If your soil contains heavy clay, leave the jar for 48 hours.

Read more about how to analyze your soil composition results at gardeningknowhow.com.

“You need to ask yourself what you want to grow, what sort of conditions are best for growing that, and proceed with creating those ideal conditions,” Hakala said.

Before retiring in 2014, Hakala was a chef for 30 years. He says his career with food fueled a special relationship with the process of growing it.

“Even though I was retired, I wanted to follow my passion, which is to grow organic vegetables, fruits and herbs,” Hakala said. “In 2015, I started Sustainable Home Gardens, and I’ve been helping people establish their own gardens ever since.”

Hakala says planter boxes, raised beds and container gardens are particularly popular in South Orange County.

“I always emphasize how valuable native soil is. So, whenever we can use the native soil, we are at a big advantage,” Hakala said.

When a gardener is putting together the soil to go into a raised bed, Hakala says you need to be good at replicating the amount of minerals that would be in the native soil. Using a compost bin and worm bin is key.

“Between those two things, you can basically become self-sufficient in your garden if you operate these two things effectively,” Hakala said.

Sustainable Home Gardens helps clients assess their real estate for gardening and can tailor a design to suit the lay of the land. Services include irrigation installation, maintenance and repair, rain catchment, hauling, planter boxes, plant analysis, orchards, vineyards, water conservation and more.

For more information, visit sustainablehomegardens.com.

GROW YOUR OWN! WHAT YOU NEED • Container that offers aeration for roots • 2-4 inches of good soil (high-quality compost is best) • Seeds or sprouts • Sunlight • Water • Gardening Claw

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local camps for youngsters to enjoy, such as sailing, acting, exploration, science, sports, surfing and much more.

Our guide features a mix of half-day, full-day and some overnight activities in Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and surrounding cities. In this year’s guide, we offer you options for music lessons and camps, opportunities and services for low-income families, and equestrian programs for kids in the area.

Utilize this information to plan for a fulfilling, challenging and fun summer your family won’t forget.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. After assessing your soil, determine what you’re going to grow.

Optimal options for container gardening include herbs such as basil, sage, and mint; red and green lettuce; and tomatoes.

2. Purchase or build your container depending on what your garden will consist of. For herbs and lettuce, it should be a shallow container with a large surface area and a screened bottom that allows the roots to aerate. For tomatoes, use a deeper container, such as a bucket.

3. Find a sunny spot for your herbs and vegetables and determine how much sun your garden will need.

4. Fill the container with 2-4 inches of compost soil. Water your garden accordingly.

5. Use a gardening claw to aerate the surface soil without disturbing the roots too much. thecapistranodispatch.com

On Stage CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE’S THEATER CLASSES PERSEVERE DURING THE PANDEMIC

By Collin Breaux

T

his past year has been an odd one for the Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak changed the world, the community theater was filled with regular in-person performances open to the public. Those have since been put on hold—but the Playhouse is pressing forward with theater camps and classes for kids, albeit with modifications.

The summer camps will start in late June and consist of six weeks of hands-on theatrical instruction, with a different show each week. Kids will get to audition for parts at the start of the week and put on a performance each Friday. They’ll also get to take part in hairdressing, makeup, and other aspects of the stage industry.

“They love the camaraderie of it,” President and Artistic Director Leslie Eisner said.

Parents used to be able to attend the Friday performances, but Playhouse staff is unsure if they’ll be able to facilitate that this year. If parents aren’t able to see the shows at the theater, the Playhouse is considering either livestreaming it or giving them a DVD recording afterward.

Themes for the shows will include The Addams Family and Inspector Gadget.

Camino Real Playhouse also has ongoing classes for acting, improvisation, and stand-up comedy. Classes were being held outdoors as of press time,

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

but there is the possibility they could go indoors as state guidelines shift.

“They’ll be safe,” Eisner said. “The kids are really funny.”

Theatrical performances give kids a chance to gain confidence, practice public speaking, and project their voices, Eisner said. Acting also teaches children life skills, since they learn how to think on their feet and help their peers if they forget a line, she said.

“It’s definitely a team sport,” Eisner said. “They learn about a team approach to things.”

Camino Real Playhouse has also had to think on its feet throughout the coronavirus pandemic, as officials work to create a safe environment.

Temperature checks and regular cleaning of the theater facilities have been ongoing, and they can be expected during the camps and classes.

“We’ve been shut for an entire year,” Eisner said. “It’s been trying for us, so the support from the community means a lot to us.”

Class sizes are also smaller—the Playhouse cannot accommodate more than six people now, in comparison to its previous classes of 10 to 12 people.

Age ranges for the camp can go as young as 5 or 6 and up to 18 years, and the private classes can be for any age. The only real requirement asked of participants is being able to read a script.

Check Camino Real Playhouse’s website at caminorealplayhouse.org for more information.

LENDING A HAND HOW LOW-INCOME FAMILIES CAN SEND KIDS TO CAMPS

By Shawn Raymundo

E

very child deserves the chance and opportunity to have a grand summer experience in which they can grow, laugh and play, as well as learn with their peers—regardless of their family’s annual income.

And after a year of the pandemic, when much of the typical day-to-day connectivity and learning in classrooms and on playgrounds has been lost, summer camps are a great way to get some of those experiences back.

For underserved children coming from low-income families, however, attending summer camps or day camps may not seem attainable based on the various camps’ price tags.

According to a 2018 report on camp tuition trends from the American Camp Association, the average fee can range from as low as $630 a week to more than $2,000 per week. And the cost of day camps can vary from about $200 up to $800.

A majority of camps, though, the association noted, do offer special discounts, scholarships and financial assistance, so “parents shouldn’t assume their income doesn’t qualify.”

“In fact, over 93% of camps report offering financial assistance, and 67% of camps award $10,000 or more in scholarships annually,” according to the group—a coalition of camp professionals who work toward the betterment and quality of camp programs.

Locally, the Boys and Girls Club of the South Coast Area is able to offer financial assistance to families in need, thanks in large part to yearly contributions from donors who underwrite scholarships.

“We do live in a really generous com-

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munity, and the people have the feeling that if there’s a camp they want to see this kid in and they have those challenges, it’s worth a conversation to see if they have something we offer,” said Elizabeth Beas, director of development for the local Boys and Girls Club.

The club’s summer program offers a myriad of activities for kids aged from 6 to 18 throughout the day, such as working with arts and crafts, holding tournaments in the game room, and going on field trips, among other things, Beas explained.

The 10-week summer program will run from June 7 through Aug. 13 for kids who have completed kindergarten, and those in elementary and middle school. Parents will have the option to enroll their children for the entirety of the program, on a weekly basis or under a 10-day pass.

Beas noted that the summer camp, which will run Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., will continue adhering to the health and safety protocols amid the ongoing pandemic.

“We’re going to be continuing to offer our summer camp as usual, just with social distancing, whatever current regulations are in place,” Beas said, adding that the club is expected to have a limited capacity again this year, compared to previous years.

Summer programs such as the one the Boys and Girls Club offers, Beas said, are more important than ever, particularly for kids who have struggled with the distance and online learning.

“We recognize that every child could really benefit from coming to our programs because of social engagements (and) the extracurriculars we provide,” she said. “We do a lot of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education programs … every kid can benefit from coming to our camp.”

Recent surveys and studies have shown how the pandemic and ensuing methods to combat the virus have disproportionately impacted underserved children, and those within Black and Hispanic communities.

One study that USC conducted of low-income families in Los Angeles found that that the children were disengaged in their learning because of a lack of reliable technology at home.

“Academic support is really important for a lot of these kids who have been struggling with online and hybrid learning,” Beas said. “There’s so much that they can get out of (the summer programs).

Their kids are at more risk of falling behind, so any chance to give these kids more interaction and support is really going to be beneficial to them.”

Parents with special circumstances or need financial assistance can send emails to terry@bgcsca.org and rick@bgcsca.org.

The San Clemente-based club is slated to host a Summer Camp Expo on April 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. so families can learn more about the program and discuss their needs in person, at its open, well-ventilated new gym. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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Horsing AROUND ///

A LOOK AT LOCAL EQUESTRIAN CAMPS AND ACTIVITIES

By Collin Breaux

I

f you’re sick of staying indoors but want a safe and socially distanced outdoor activity for your children to take part in this spring and summer, why not have them mount a horse?

Various places and organizations have equestrian camps and activities lined up this spring and summer—particularly in San Juan Capistrano, a town synonymous with getting on the saddle.

Ortega Equestrian Center has a summer camp lined up, though dates weren’t set as of press time. The camp will likely be limited to five or fewer kids, said President and Owner Kathy Holman. There were just one-day camps planned when Holman spoke about them on March 15, though there may be additional half-day activities throughout the week if things open up more.

“We teach them basic horsemanship,” Holman said. “They always get in at least the minimum of one hour of riding.”

Kids can either ride in the ring or out on the trail—the latter depending on how deep the creek is at a given time.

The age range starts at 5 years old and will generally cut off at 16.

“They get exercise. They get unconditional love from the horses,” Holman said of the benefits kids get from the equestrian camp. “They learn safety. They learn work ethic.”

The camp also gives kids a chance to be around each other again after being encouraged to stay away from others throughout the COVID-19 pandemic— though, of course, masks and other safety The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

“They get exercise. They get unconditional love from the horses. They learn safety. They learn work ethic.”

—Kathy Holman. Ortega Equestrian Center

protocols will still be in place at Ortega Equestrian Center.

Riders will also be required to wear a helmet and riding boots while on a horse.

“We’re very, very safety-conscious,” Holman said. “And, of course, I have cans of Lysol for sanitizing.”

Horse riding also gives youngsters a chance to breathe fresh air and be physically active, Holman said. Most of their horses are used to working with children and gravitate toward kids who may be struggling, she said.

To inquire about Ortega Equestrian Center’s camp, call 949.661.3130 or send an email to info@ortegaequestriancenter. com. More information about the center is on its website, ortegaequestriancenter. com.

Surf & Turf Therapy—a nonprofit in South Orange County that uses equine and surf therapy to address strength deficits and other physical issues—will also hold a camp this summer for disabled people with a “therapy-intensive” focus, similar to its first summer camp

year in 2020.

Due to the demand, they are planning as many as two of each camp this summer, said Jillian Stewart, founder and executive director.

Campers will work with medical professionals for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Sessions will be small, with a maximum of six campers in each camp.

“At the end of camp, campers and their families are provided with feedback on progress, as well as activity recommendations and tools that we made during camp (such as I-spy bottles, kite crafts, etc.) to allow for continued therapy at home!” Stewart said.

Their Turf camp is located at their barn at Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano. This year’s equine camp will be July 19-23 from 9:30 a.m.-noon, with the sibling support camp the same dates and times.

The Surf camp—the other portion of their therapy—is tentatively scheduled for July 12-16 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

There will also be a sibling support

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surf camp, for siblings of the disabled campers. Surf & Turf partners with fellow nonprofit Sandy Feet Initiative for the sibling camps, in which Sandy Feet blocks off spots for siblings for their separate camp. The two nonprofits coordinate and schedule their camps to be at the same times so kids can all simultaneously get support and activities at the same time—and parents get a break.

Surf & Turf also collaborates with Jennie Bershon of Wilmont Farms for a sibling support horse farm.

Additional afternoon camps will be added, if the morning camps fill up. Visit surfandturftherapy.org for more information.

The J.F. Shea Center Therapeutic Riding Center will also have a summer camp for kids with and without special needs.

The Shea Center bills the experience as a “five-day introduction to horsemanship” where kids will work with equestrian professionals. The camp will happen in June and July, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Visit sheacenter.org for more information. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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LOCAL CAMPS & Resources

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

AMERICAN BEACH VOLLEYBALL CLUB

Fun, high-level beach volleyball training for beginners through pros, youth through college, co-ed. Ages 12-24, and 8-12 in summer. Encouraging coaches teach hitting, passing, setting, defense, blocking and serving. Are you an indoor player or athlete needing cross-training? Beach volleyball helps all athletes with strength, speed and agility. ABVC plays at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point ALL YEAR LONG. Email info@americanbeachvolleyballclub.com. Questions: 949.485.0826. Register now for spring or summer: americanbeachvolleyballclub.com.

ART WITH JESSICA

Summer Art Camps! Enjoy a creative art exploration camp in the fresh air! Aspiring artists, ages 8-14, will use a variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylic, charcoal & pastel to create different projects each week! Each camp is Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., and $245 covers all materials • June 7-10 • June 14-17 • June 21-24 • Small class sizes of maximum 8 students so sign up soon to get your spot! • San Clemente, CA 92672 • artwithjessica.com • @art.withjessica •

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE SOUTH COAST AREA

The Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area is proud to be THE place where kids can be kids again. Join us after school, for spring break, or our 10-week summer camp. Affordable for all.

Call us at 949.492.0376, email info@bgcsca.org, or visit bgcsca. org for more information.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

DANA WEST YOUTH SAILING

Dana West Youth Sailing hosts summer sailing camps at Dana West Yacht Club in Dana Point Harbor for all skill levels, ages 7-18. US Sailing Certified instructors run weekly camps, Monday - Friday, in mid-June and July. Beginners will learn the basics of sailing; experienced sailors will continue to hone their skills. Our fleet consists of RS Teras, CFJs and 420s. There are discounts for early, multi-week, and multiple-kid registrations.

For more information/registration, visit dwycjrs.org.

EMERALD COVE DAY CAMP

Emerald Cove Day Camp--where kids grow in all the right ways!

Through the old-fashioned fun and Christian nurturing of the most creative and caring staff around, campers experience two weeks that last a lifetime. Located at Del Obispo Elementary School, 25591 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano 92675.

Two-week sessions, Monday-Friday. emeraldcovedaycamp. com, 949.361.3077

ENDLESS SUMMER SURF CAMP

Learn to surf at San Clemente’s premier surf camp, where dreams have come true since 1992. Whether you have never surfed or if you want to take your surfing to the next level, we have surf instruction and coaching for you. We have day and overnight surf camps, as well as private and group lessons for beginners. For intermediate and advanced surfers looking to improve, we offer Elite Surf Packages that include video coaching. 949.498.7862. endlesssummersurfcamp.com.

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KGB BEACH CAMPS

Come down to the Dana Point Harbor for a week of fun! There are activities from stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking and tide pool walks to games, crafts and much more. Join us for an adventure on a 60-foot catamaran while we look for whales and explore the open ocean. The little ones will join us for a different adventure every day; crab hunting, treasure hunts, water games and sand castles will fill their days at camp. 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. 949.842.5211. kgbeachcamps. com.

SAN JUAN EQUESTRIAN COALITION

The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition proudly presents this year’s horse camps. Horse camps are a great way to introduce your child to horses and spend time outside in a COVIDfree environment. Please contact The Shea Center, Andiamo’s Equestrian, Dana Smith Show Team, and Excell Equestrian for more information! All camps are located in San Juan Capistrano at various locations (sanjuanequestrian.org).

WESTWIND SAILING

Welcome aboard! Westwind has been providing educational boating programs in our community since 1987. Our programs include sailing camps, SUP camps, and boating classes for all ages and skill levels. We are the 2020 “Best Camp for Kids” People’s Choice Golden Lantern winner in Dana Point, and our school is a sanctioned US Sailing, Community Sailing Center.

Scholarships are available from Cal Boating and the Dana Point Aquatic Foundation (contact us for information). Find us at the OC Sailing & Events Center in DP Harbor. 949.492.3035.

thecapistranodispatch.com

ORANGE COUNTY HAS LONG BEEN A HOTBED IN THE MUSIC SCENE, AND WHETHER YOUR CHILD IS A NEWCOMER TO TAKING ON AN INSTRUMENT OR A MUSICAL PRODIGY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPTIONS FOR HONING AND SHOWCASING THOSE TALENTS. MANY MUSIC SCHOOLS AND INSTRUCTORS HAVE TRANSITIONED TO ONLINE AND VIDEO CLASSES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, BUT SOME STILL OFFER IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION. EITHER WAY, IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO IGNITE THE MUSICAL PASSION IN YOUR CHILD, HERE ARE LOCAL OPTIONS TO GET THEM ROCKING ALL SUMMER LONG.

Kenny’s Music Store

LOCAL MUSIC LESSONS/ CAMPS FOR KIDS

By Zach Cavanagh

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

24371 La Plaza, Dana Point, CA 92629 Labeling itself as “The Biggest Little Store in Dana Point,” Kenny’s Music Store brings a pedigree, previously being named a Top 100 Music Dealer by the National Association of Music Merchants.

The music lessons at Kenny’s Music Store are guaranteed to be given with an intelligent and thoughtful approach with a quality education. Kenny’s Music Store’s philosophy is “to give is divine and to receive is to see you succeed.” Kenny’s Music Store offers lessons in many disciplines. Lessons are given for bass, bass guitar, brass instruments, drums, guitar, keyboard, piano, strings, singing and recorder. Kenny’s Music Store’s guitar lessons provide the most variety with acoustic, classical, bass, electric and the unique Campfire Guitar lessons. Kenny’s describes the Campfire Guitar lessons as those for people without the desire to be the next rock star, but with the desire to sit around a beach campfire and sing along to “Brown Eyed Girl,”“Hotel California,”“Margaritaville” and more. For more information, check out kennysmusicstore.com or call 949.661.3984.

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, Dana Point, CA 92629 With more than 30 years of experience and nearly 20 years as a designated music school bringing music lessons to Dana Point and the surrounding South County area, Danman’s Music School in Dana Point offers courses in all sorts of styles for all kinds of instruments and musicians. The curriculum at Danman’s is based on four pillars of musical knowledge: songs, theory, technique and reading. Danman’s offers lessons for kids and adults in guitar, bass guitar, drums, flute, clarinet, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, saxophone, violin, cello, harmonica, singing and more. Along with regular lessons and online options, Danman’s has a recital program with up to eight performances a year and an academy program for those looking for a consistent music education. There are also Summer Camp options that focus on making music as a group. For much more information, go to danmans.com or call 949.496.6556.

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Los Rios Rock School

32124 Paseo Adelanto #5, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 For years, Los Rios Rock School has earned a sterling reputation as a top music school in South Orange County.

The San Juan Capistrano school offers a variety of courses to hone all the skills needed to rock. The expert instructors at Los Rios Rock School provides lessons in singing, acoustic, electric and bass guitar, drums and percussion, pianos and keyboards and even in orchestra and band. Los Rios Rock School even goes beyond the instruments to get into theory, songwriting, engineering and recording for a fully rounded music experience.

With weekly private lessons and group rehearsals, Los Rios Rock School gets students ready for a live performance.

Los Rios Rock School can work with beginners, even students age 6 and up, or experienced students looking to perfect their craft. More information can be found at losriosrockschool.com or by calling 949.456.1081.

Roos Studios

1030 Calle Sombra #A2, San Clemente, CA 92673 Led by the husband-wife team of Josh and Liz Roos, Roos Studios offers in-person lessons at their San Clemente studio, as well as virtual lessons over Zoom.

Roos Studios has a team of 21 instructors who are talented, bring personality and have a child-safe background, confirmed

by FBI background checks. Roos Studios emphasizes its child safety with all lessons on video, so parents can view from afar while students get one-on-one instruction. The instructors at Roos Studios can give quality music lessons for a wide variety of instruments. Roos Studios has lessons for drums, cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, violin, clarinet and signing. Students can also expand their music know-how with production and songwriting lessons. Roos Studios also offers free 30-minute trial lessons, so you can make sure they’re the right studio for you or your child. For more information, go to roosstudios.com or call or text 949.370.0291.

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The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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SOAPBOX

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

Letter to The Editor

MARCOS REYES COMBINES PASSION FOR RIDING AND F&M’S COMMUNITY SERVICE

M

RESPONSE TO STROSCHER COMMENTS ON PROPOSED IN-N-OUT C.R. “CASEY” YADON, San Juan Capistrano

arcos Reyes, Vice President and Branch Manager at Farmers & Merchants Bank in downtown San Juan Capistrano, has been an integral part of the community for 35 years—especially since Reyes makes it a point to know his clients.

Marcos has been the Branch Manager for more than seven years and is very passionate about supporting the local community. Marcos and his wife, Liliana, and their four children are proud supporters of the San Juan Capistrano community. He serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Capo Valley, San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce, and Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens. In addition, he is a skilled roper and member of El Viaje De Portola equestrian group. Not only is Marcos an unassuming equestrian, he is a Mexican Charro.

“A Charro is a traditional horseman from Mexico that incorporates skillful roping, talented horsemanship, and working with cattle,” Marcos explains.

The history and traditions of Charro culture are deeply immersed in national pride, family values, heritage and honor.

Continuing his family tradition, Marcos is determined to preserve the passion and tradition from his ancestors.

Sharing Marcos’ equestrian enthusiasm, F&M Bank Chairman of the Board and CEO Daniel Walker and his brother, F&M Bank President W. Henry Walker, are passionate polo players who learned

polo from their father and grandfather and delight in passing on the sport to the next generation. Since joining F&M Bank, Marcos has had the opportunity to combine his passion for riding with the bank’s community service. During the annual Swallows Day Parade, F&M sponsors a horse-drawn trolley, with Marcos and his team riding behind performing rope tricks. During a past Battle of the Mariachis Festival at the Mission, he performed rope tricks during the intermission. And F&M has a been a significant supporter of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition’s “Two Stepping Under the Stars” event from the very beginning. The bank employees volunteer to help with ticket sales, food sales, setup, tear-down and many other miscellaneous jobs.

“The team really enjoys it and looks forward to it,” said Marcos. “It is a great way to give back. San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition has been like family to us. We get to see a lot of our clients.”

Thank you, Marcos, for your dedication to the equestrian community and heritage.

Interested in joining Reyes as a preservationist of our equestrian heritage?

Follow these steps: 1. Go to sjcec.org to learn more about an inexpensive lifetime membership.

2. Attend and support SJCEC upcoming community events.

3. Take action! We will need your boots on and your voices heard in future city

(Cont. from page 8) embraced or, at a minimum, accepted.

And it’s incumbent upon those who have succeeded to share their story with those wishing to follow.

accommodate their family situation and often to the detriment of developing their career.

Melissa, one of our successful students, is a first-generation Computer Engineering student who joined Bridge to Connect (BRDG) in her junior year. Now a graduate of our program, Melissa is a System Analyst at a Fortune 500 company with an above-average salary and an achievable earnings potential beyond what she could dream in her youth.

Insight #2: Gaps in knowledge and know-how become potholes on the road to success.

By definition, first-generation students lack parents, aunts and/or uncles who can guide them in making the best choices while in college. Generally, these students choose practical options to

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

Insight #3: Diversity and inclusion will

I’d like to address some inaccuracies of the (Feb. 26 Capistrano Dispatch article related to Andrew Stroscher’s comments). The first is the traffic congestion.

Mr. Stroscher’s assumption that there will be no more impact to the traffic pattern than the opening of the Target and the Chick-fil-A is seriously flawed.

First, to assume that the traffic pattern from a Target is the same as the traffic pattern from an In-N-Out drive-thru is downright ludicrous. Second, neither the Target nor the Chick-fil-A has to contend with three high-volume drive-thru restaurants directly across the street.

Third, Mr. Stroscher is making his observations during a period of depressed traffic environment due to the COVID-19 closures and is ignoring this. Del Obispo Street will only get busier, much busier.

People will continue to use Del Taco, McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr., DeNault’s, and Taco Bell, as well as his new Chick-fil-A and Target. Let’s not make San Juan Capistrano fast food central.

The second, he states, is the community outcry has only come from a “small slice” of the community and then, only from those who have spoken out against commercial development for the past 30

or 40 years. I have only lived here a couple of years, but couldn’t help notice the increased daily volume of traffic on Ortega Hwy., and most everyone I’ve talked to is not aware of past commercial developments, but they are extremely concerned about the ill-fated possibility of adding another drive-thru restaurant along Del Obispo Street, which would only exacerbate the traffic problem. Development in a town as charming as ours is inevitable, but poorly conceived, greedy, ugly and irresponsible development is a choice, and I hope with all my heart that we choose better than this.

In-N-Out is not a bad idea, just not at the Marie Callender’s site, not in our town center area. The Stonehill site, where they will be building the new Ganahl Lumber, will include two fast food pads as part of the development, plus it will have signalized ingress and egress to better facilitate the increased flow of vehicles, resulting from two drive-thru restaurants. This makes for a much better fit.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Capistrano Dispatch 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 cbreaux@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.

council meetings.

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.

shape America to be its best.

After an internship experience at an architectural firm, Melissa wrote: “In the world of technology, the synergy created by staff with a variety of past life experiences generates unique, advanced and potentially untried or unfamiliar designs and concepts for analysis.”

And I believe the results will do far more than restore and preserve the greatness of the American economic engine; first-generation leaders in science and technology can lead the way to a future of greater innovation and impact

while growing the equity we desire to celebrate and share as a community.

Caecilia Gotama was born in Java, Indonesia, and is the founder and chief executive of Bridge to Connect (BRDG). She is a licensed Mechanical Engineer and Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and is retired from owning and operating a successful engineering company. CD

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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.

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GETTING OUT

The List What’s going on in and around town this week THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

FRIDAY | 26 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK 8-9:30 p.m. Learn about the eerie history of San Juan Capistrano as you walk through the downtown area and near Mission San Juan Capistrano. The walk is hosted by Haunted Orange County. Attendees are asked to meet at the visitor’s information booth by the train tracks. Face masks are required on all tours until further notice.

26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano.

866.446.7803. hauntedoc.com.

‘ULTIMUTT’ MASCOT CONTEST All day. In anticipation of National Pet Day on April 11, Outlets at San Clemente is seeking the cutest pup in SoCal to become the “Ultimutt” of the oceanside shopping center. Beginning March 26 through April 4, interested dog owners can enter their dogs into the contest by sending in a photo of their furry friend taken at the Outlets at shoposc.com/ultimutt. For extra votes, doggie candidates can also post their photos on Instagram, tagging @Outletssc and #oscultimutt.

Voting is open to the public and will run from March 29 through April 10 on the website and Instagram. The Ultimutt winner will be announced on April 11 and become the official dog ambassador for the center for a year. The pup star will also receive star treatment and be cast in a photoshoot to have his/her furry face featured on all pet-friendly signage, plus a doggie basket and a $100 Outlets at San Clemente gift card.

SUNDAY | 28 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

Editor’s Pick Orange County 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett encourages South Orange County residents to check out a virtual job fair being held in April. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

WEDNESDAY | 7 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY VIRTUAL JOB FAIR 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Orange County 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and county agencies invite you to this online job fair. Network with employers, visit virtual booths, and submit your resume. oconestop.com/jobfairs.

from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

AT THE MOVIES

‘Nomadland’

LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S INN 1-5 p.m. Come and enjoy live music again at one of San Juan Capistrano’s most popular spots, but keep in mind this is outdoors only. Doo Wah Riders Band will perform. Cover charge is $5 and includes a food purchase. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

WEDNESDAY | 31 LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 6 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind listening to live music on the outdoor patio at Trevor’s at the Tracks.

Dream Brother will perform. Fun fact: Dream Brother is Kristopher Winrich, the new owner of the nearby Ramos House Café. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

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BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

t feels strange to say, but in many ways, the fact that filmmaker Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland was released in the middle of the pandemic last December might have been the best thing to happen to the indie drama.

In any other fall movie awards season, it most likely would have been buried beyond the usual critic groups who branch outside of the mainstream. But in a year in which most of the supposedly good movies are still in production, Zhao and Frances McDormand, the film’s lead star and producer, have a big chance of Oscar glory.

McDormand is showcased once again as the center of Nomadland, playing a fictional widowed nomad named Fern. When the Nevada local loses both her job and husband in 2011 amidst the recession, she chooses to live out of a van roaming Middle America on her own, getting by taking odd

jobs. While on the road, Fern discovers many other middle-aged and elderly people also living in vans, just like herself.

Nomadland is one of those indie movies that effectively features two famous actors— McDormand and David Straitharn—while the rest of the cast members are complete newcomers (in this case, real-life nomads).

McDormand and Straitharn are experienced and talented enough to not seem out of place in the camping scenes with the locals, with the former also carrying the nature sequences all on her own.

Zhao does double duty as both the film’s director and editor next to some gorgeous, natural cinematography from Joshua James Richards and a pretty simple music score by Ludovico Einaudi.

One thing I did find a little amusing is that at the beginning of the movie, Fern works part-time for Amazon. In contrast, Nomadland is produced by Fox Searchlight Pictures and distributed through Hulu for streaming, even though the shopping company isn’t portrayed particularly negatively.

Whatever the case, Nomadland is one for film fans who appreciate intuitive acting and atmospheric direction. CD

thecapistranodispatch.com

CLASSIFIEDS

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

E-mail your garage sale to info@thecapistranodispatch.com

DEADLINE 12PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. HUGE GARAGE SALE - MARCH 27 & 28 Saturday & Sunday March 27 & 28. LOTS OF GOOD STUFF from multiple homes. San Juan Hills East community off of San Juan Creek Road and Avenida Larga At the curve of Via Buena, follow the signs!

HELP WANTED SOCIAL MEDIA/DIGITAL COORDINATOR Join an award-winning community media team and make an impact!

Picket Fence Media, publisher of San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch, is hiring a Social Media/Digital Coordinator. The part-time position is responsible for daily posting on multiple social channels with an emphasis on increasing web traffic, growing the established audience base, and maintaining both internal and vendor-related social campaigns. This position is also responsible for posting all sold social media advertising across all channels and managing the reporting and analytics. The ideal candidate has 2+ years of collegiate or professional experience working in social media.

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to jobs@picketfencemedia.com.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Debra Wells at 949.388.7700 ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com

P&C LICENSED TEAM MEMBER Get 2021 off to a great start! Local Insurance Agent seeks a P&C Licensed Team member for a Customer Sales/ Service Position. Income based on your efforts, Flexibility available, Experience Preferred, apply at www.elainelavine.net

WAREHOUSE POSITION Must have experience in shipping and receiving, experience with using UPS software, fork-lift certified, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record. Full-Time, benefits, 401K. ...

Please email your resume (if available) to: dromero@ndaonline.net To fill out an application please email request to: dromero@ndaonline.net Or contact the office to speak with Gil for warehouse position.

Debe tener experiencia en el envío y bodega, forklift certificado, debe tener licencia de conducir válida con un registro de conducción limpio. Tiempo completo, beneficios, 401K. ...

Por favor envíe su currículum (si está disponible) a: dromero@ndaonline.net Para llenar una solicitud por favor envíe un correo electrónico a: dromero@ndaonline.net O póngase en contacto con la oficina para hablar con Gil para el puesto de almacén/bodega. Telefono 949-492-4399

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

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SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

DILEMMA FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS

A

senior woman emailed: “I’m dating a widower of two years.

He has pictures of his deceased wife everywhere in his house.

Should I insist he remove them?”

I asked my e-newsletter readers for opinions on the woman’s question. Here’s what some said: Cheryl emailed: “I had a boyfriend who constantly suggested that I take down the photos of my late husband.

He felt that if I thought it was necessary to have those photos prominently displayed, it meant that I still loved and thought about my husband all the time and, therefore, couldn’t put my whole heart into loving him.

“Eventually, I broke up with him due to his extreme jealousy and possessiveness.”

Alicia shared: “Seven years ago, my brother lost his wife of 30 years after

a happy marriage. Four years later, he remarried. He still misses his deceased wife. His present wife was divorced for several years, and her husband died as well. Both of them freely speak about their deceased spouses.

“I have learned from them that even ON LIFE AND LOVE though you find

BY TOM BLAKE someone new whom you now love, the past life does not need to be buried. It was a large part of your life, and why should you sweep it under the rug?”

Curtis wrote: “I had a sister who married a widower. They were much in love and had pictures of both their former spouses around. They talked with each

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

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This photo depicts Teeter Olivares and her brother, Allen, riding a pony on Los Rios Street. The year is 1936.

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.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

other about adventures they had with their previous families. When my sister died, she was buried with her previous husband, and when the widower dies, he will be buried with his first wife. In the meantime, they enjoyed each other’s company. ” Sherrill wrote: “My guy, Matt, loved his deceased wife dearly, and until we met, he believed he would never love again.

“When I moved in with him, Matt asked if I would object to him putting some pictures of his ex-wife on the refrigerator along with my pictures of my kids and grandkids. I had no objection. I felt secure in our relationship and his love for me, did not feel threatened; I admired his loving devotion to his wife.

“He inadvertently put pictures of her directly in my line of sight, so I saw them every time I opened the refrigerator door. Initially, this didn’t bother me, but eventually, it did! I asked him if he would move the pictures to a different location on the refrigerator, which he willingly did. He has pictures of his wife and me in his office.

“This is a complicated issue for which there is no simple or right answer. As seniors, we all bring baggage into a new relationship.”

Bill, a widower, emailed: “What matters in the conduct of a new relationship is the acceptance by a new spouse of the nature and profundity of the widow’s or widower’s prior relationship.

“Confidence is best created when the widow or widower provides an atmosphere that enhances the strength, convictions, and independence of their new loves. Removing doubt and fostering self-confidence minimizes any propensity for rivalry with departed spirits.”

Lynne wrote: “Don’t expect the surviving spouse to ever give up loving the deceased spouse. If not for death, they would still be together. Someone who wants a relationship with a surviving spouse is going to have to realize that there is memory lingering there, and be comfortable with that.”

Hopefully, these sensitive replies will help the woman who asked the initial question to decide what’s right for her.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com. CD

Dallas

Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

his little guy is Dallas, a 2-yearold Dachshund mix now available for adoption. He has a loving personality and enjoys company and being petted. While Dallas gets along with other small dogs, he can be nervous around young children.

He learns quickly and would do well in a home with an experienced dog owner where he can finally start to feel settled.

If you are interested in adopting Dallas, please visit petprojectfoundation.org 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

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.

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The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SAN JUAN PREP SPORTS ROUNDUP

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

For in-game updates, news and more for all of the San Juan Capistrano high school sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports.

San Juan Hills Football Dominates in Return to the Field The last time the San Juan Hills football team won a game, it was coming off the field with its first CIF-SS championship plaque on Nov. 30, 2019 at Loyola High School in Los Angeles.

Nearly 16 months later, it seems as if the Stallions haven’t lost a step.

San Juan Hills scored early and often against visiting El Toro and came out with a convincing victory, 48-14, in both teams’ 2020-21 season opener on Friday, March 19, at San Juan Hills High School.

Senior quarterback Hudson Jones completed 13 of 20 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, with nearly two-thirds of those yards going to junior Braden Pegan. In a breakout performance, Pegan had five receptions for 188 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown pass on the opening possession for San Juan Hills (1-0).

In the week following, Pegan received Division 1 college offers from Utah, UNLV, Yale and Columbia.

El Toro (0-1) showed some fight by evening the score on the next drive, 7-7, but San Juan Hills went back on top on the ensuing kickoff. Pegan added to his incredible night with an 84-yard kickoff return touchdown for the lead, 14-7.

Pegan racked up 272 all-purpose yards for the Stallions.

Jones connected with senior Brayden Burnes for a 20-yard screen pass touchdown to extend San Juan Hills’ first-quarter lead, 21-7. Senior Cooper Miltenberger hit one of his three field goals in the game in the second quarter, and Burnes ran in for the first of his two rushing touchdowns in the game late in the first half for San Juan Hills to maintain control at halftime, 31-7.

Burnes carried the ball 17 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Nathan Grande also carried the ball 16 times for 45 yards.

Junior Cole Monach caught two passes for 40 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side, senior Dylan The Capistrano Dispatch March 26-April 8, 2021

San Juan Hills football was stellar in its first game in nearly 16 months, as quarterback Hudson Jones threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57

Bennett recovered a fumble and returned it 51 yards to the El Toro 1-yard line. Senior Elliot DeGroote had one sack, and senior Elijah Ponce and junior Jaden Williams combined on another. Ponce led San Juan Hills in tackles with 11.

Next up, San Juan Hills plays at Capistrano Valley (0-1) on Friday, March 26. The Cougars lost their opener at San Clemente, but they hung tough with quarterback Dart Moussiaux throwing for 325 yards and two touchdowns.

San Juan Hills hosts San Clemente (1-0) in both teams’ South Coast League opener on April 2.

JSerra, St. Margaret’s Football Drop Openers Like most football teams across the state, the win was simply returning to the field on Friday, March 19, but neither JSerra nor St. Margaret’s had the opener they imagined after 16 months away.

St. Margaret’s had a fantastic start with a 16-0 lead at halftime, but the Tartans fell at Estancia of Costa Mesa, 35-16.

Derek Smith was the star for St. Margaret’s (0-1) in the early going. Smith returned the game’s opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and added a 44-yard interception return to push the Tartans out quickly. Smith also led St. Margaret’s with five catches for 36 yards.

Quarterback Jack Ruff completed 10 of 24 passes for 56 yards and ran for 29 Page 26

yards. Dylan Lam ran for 23 yards.

On defense, Penn-bound senior Nick Ostlund had a sack, forced a fumble and collected nine total tackles for St. Margaret’s.

Estancia didn’t go quietly on its home field, scoring 35 unanswered points in the second half to take the win.

St. Margaret’s returns to San Juan Capistrano for its only home game of the season on Friday, March 26. The Tartans play host to Rancho Christian of Temecula. St. Margaret’s closes its three-game season on Thursday, April 1, at Westminster.

JSerra opened its season with as tough an opponent as you can have with perennial national power Mater Dei coming down to South Orange County for both teams’ Trinity League opener.

Unfortunately for the Lions, the matchup was never close. Mater Dei (1-0) stormed out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter and a 38-0 lead at halftime.

JSerra (0-1) added a field goal in the third quarter, but that would be all the points the Lions could muster. Mater Dei earned the victory, 52-3.

JSerra then went up against local rival Santa Margarita (1-1) on Thursday, March 25, but results were not available at press time. Santa Margarita hosted this game at Santa Ana Stadium.

JSerra will next play at St. John Bosco in Bellflower on Saturday, April 3, and then host Servite on April 9.

Roundup Action is exploding on athletic fields across Orange County, and now the gyms are getting in on the action, as well.

Following a lawsuit settlement that forced an update to the state guidelines, indoor sports have been allowed to return, if they follow the more stringent protocols followed by college athletics teams.

San Juan Hills, St. Margaret’s and JSerra all got their girls volleyball teams some very late-season action and were able to host senior nights for their squads.

Basketball seasons are set to start this week as well, with nearly all boys and girls teams for the San Juan Capistrano schools in action.

Baseball is also off to a roaring start, with the biggest highlight provided by the JSerra baseball team. The Lions, one of the top-ranked teams in the state and entire region with 13 college commits, posted their third no-hitter in school history on Monday, March 22.

Tristan Lamaison and Matt Champion combined for the no-hitter in the 6-0 win over Crespi. Lamaison started with two strikeouts in two hitless innings, and Champion, a freshman, retired all 15 batters he faced with seven strikeouts in five innings of relief.

San Juan Hills and St. Margaret’s baseball also won their openers last weekend, with the Stallions beating Tesoro, 5-3, and the Tartans beating Orange, 11-9. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch March 26–April 8, 2021

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