July 23, 2021

JULY 23-AUGUST 12, 2021 | VOLUME 19, ISSUE 14

INSIDE:

Capistrano Boxing Gym Hosts Local Fight Card SPORTS/PAGE 18

Editor’s Pick: Festival of Butterflies GETTING OUT/PAGE 15

Depicting History Public Mural Illustrates SJC’s Past E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 7

Sculptor Randy Morgan (left) created a new mural celebrating San Juan Capistrano history, commissioned by local resident and developer Dan Almquist (right). Photo: Collin Breaux.

thecapistranodispatch.com

Los Rios Restaurants Look to Expand Dinner Service

City Undertakes Housing Element Update

Mission Teams with SCR for Two Plays Outdoors

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 8

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

GETTING OUT/PAGE 13

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

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EYE ON SJC

What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

City Gives Details, Updates on Skate Park, Putuidem Projects

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

City staff and consultants in San Juan Capistrano gave updates on two long-awaited local projects during a Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission meeting on Monday, July 19.

The upcoming skateboard park will be an approximately 20,000-square-foot facility near the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park and The Ecology Center.

It is being designed by Seattle-based company Grindline Skateparks, Inc. The 2021-22 San Juan fiscal year budget has earmarked $3 million in funding for the park.

Grindline Skatepark lead designer and CEO Micah Shapiro said they have submitted preliminary design plans to the city and will be working through feedback, with a final approval anticipated later this year.

“The idea is to begin construction in early 2022,” Shapiro said.

The skate park will include seating, a shaded area, restrooms, and a connection to the sports park. There will be various areas for different levels of skating. Dana Point will fund a portion of maintenance costs for the park, under a previous agreement reached between the two cities. The park site is near the San Juan/Dana Point border.

Staff at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center will monitor the park daily since it will be near the center, said Matisse Reischl, senior management analyst with the City of San Juan Capistrano.

“We are going to lock the park at sunset,” said Reischl, in response to Commissioner Steve Behmerwohld asking what would prevent kids from going to the park at night. “Like many of our other parks, it will close at sunset.”

During a separate report, Public Works Director Tom Toman shared information about the Putuidem Cultural Village—expected to open this year at San Juan’s Northwest Open Space along Camino Capistrano, near the Laguna Niguel border. The area is currently under construction.

“It will be completed here, probably, in the next six weeks to two months,” Toman said. “We’re getting close.”

Putuidem Village is intended to honor

Putuidem Cultural Village at the Northwest Open Space is under construction. Photo: Collin Breaux

County Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit over Off-Duty Officer Pulling Firearm on Teens

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on July 13 reached a $195,000 settlement agreement in a lawsuit that accused an off-duty officer of pulling a handgun on teenagers at a San Clemente skate park in 2019.

Alleging negligence, assault, civil rights violations and emotional distress, Max Chance III of San Juan Capistrano this past March filed the civil suit against the county, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Michael Thalken.

Video recordings taken from the Oct. 12, 2019 incident at Ralphs Skate Court captured Thalken, a sheriff’s investigator, pulling out a firearm while confronting a group of teens, including Chance, who was then 16, over loud music.

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23-August 12, 2021

The lawsuit alleges that throughout the confrontation Thalken didn’t identify himself as an officer, and at one point instructed Chance, whose father, Max Chance Jr., is a retired OCSD sergeant, to kneel “or I will shoot you in the (expletive) face.”

“The family is pleased that this chapter in their son’s life has come to an end and that some justice was served,” Chance’s attorney, Eric Traut, said in a prepared statement.

In an email to The Capistrano Dispatch, Traut further explained that the board, with its 4-0 vote on Tuesday, agreed to pay the $195,000 to have the complaint dropped. No other terms were attached to the agreement, he said.

OCSD had previously stated that an Page 3

the area’s indigenous Acjachemen people and will include a statue, amphitheater area, grinding stone elements similar to those used by the Acjachemen, picnic tables, benches, a water fountain for pets, interpretive sign posts, and boulders that will serve as directional markers. The village will be near the Northwest Open Space dog park.

“When we first started designing this park, I couldn’t help but think that the fifth-graders that come to the Mission would come to Putuidem first and get to see what it was pre-Mission, pre-contact,” Toman said.

A “big party” will be held in a couple of months to celebrate the village opening, Toman said.

In other local news, the city has received three proposals for long-term operators at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park: Frontier Real Estate Investments, Capistrano Experience, and The Ridland Group. The city is considering proposals so as to fund millions in expected water quality improvements, due to a 2017 lawsuit from Orange County Coastkeeper alleging inadequate water quality.

Assistant City Manager Charlie View said the proposals have equestrian elements. The park is a popular area for equestrian activities, and members of the local equestrian community have advocated for keeping an equestrian focus at the site.

internal investigation was completed, resulting in Thalken being disciplined, though details of those actions couldn’t be disclosed. Thalken was later put back on duty, according to the department.

According to the lawsuit, a band had been playing at the skate park when Thalken, wearing street clothes, had demanded they stop after walking over from a Little League game that was being played at the nearby baseball fields.

“Max III was on the opposite side of the skate park when he noticed Deputy Thalken walking toward the band and yelling,” the lawsuit stated. “Deputy Thalken appeared angry and possibly intoxicated. … He did not identify himself as an officer as he approached or confronted the band and other teens at the skate park.”

The confrontation began to escalate after one witness, identified as Cole Gragg, began to mimic Thalken’s “drunk-like walk” as the deputy was yelling, “Where’s the tough guy?” Chance reportedly tried

to intervene when Thalken confronted Gragg, advising Gragg “to back up.”

“Video footage reveals the moment immediately after, when Max III begins backing up and raises his skateboard to defend himself against a potential assault from the man he had no idea was a law enforcement officer,” the complaint detailed, adding that Chance “did not threaten or attempt to assault Deputy Thalken.”

Afterward, the lawsuit elaborates, Thalken was told, “Get on your knees.”

“He still did not identify himself as law enforcement as he brandished and pointed his handgun at Max III’s face,” the lawsuit stated. “Max III got down to his knees and complied, while others pleaded with Deputy Thalken to stop what he was doing.”

OCSD had previously noted that the department sent the case to the Orange County District Attorney’s office for criminal consideration; however, it declined to file charges. thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJC Considers Next Steps to Address Housing Element Update

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

The San Juan Capistrano City Council approved staff recommendations on Tuesday, July 20, to initiate a study related to updating the city’s Housing Element—with the exception of removing Avenida Los Amigos residential neighborhood from a list of areas under consideration for rezoning.

Mayor John Taylor made a motion to accept staff recommendations but remove Avenida Los Amigos from the list, so further sites could be studied to fulfill state housing requirements. The motion was approved, 3-2. Taylor and Councilmembers Troy Bourne and Howard Hart voted yes. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Reeve and Councilmember Sergio Farias voted no.

Audience members at Tuesday’s meeting—including some Avenida Los Amigos residents who had decried a potential rezoning—clapped after the approval. Councilmembers said the same properties could be mentioned again during further housing and rezoning discussions.

Updates for a city’s General Plan— which serve as a local government’s principal guideline and include regulations for providing housing—are required every eight years for municipalities throughout California. The City of San Juan Capistrano and neighboring towns are currently working through those updates.

The city is required to show it can provide up to 1,054 new housing units for various income levels—including low-income—under a formula called the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). To satisfy those requirements,

CUSD Discusses Student Chromebook Project

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Capistrano Unified School District students have individually received and worked on Chromebook laptops during the COVID-19 pandemic—a project CUSD staff reviewed during a Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, July 21.

Chromebooks are becoming increasingly popular tools for students in school districts throughout the country.

CUSD intended to give Chromebooks The Capistrano Dispatch July 23-August 12, 2021

city staff proposed rezoning four areas to allow high-density zoning and address low-income housing requirements: the undeveloped Oso Ranch Planned Community by Oso Road; the commercially zoned Avenida Los Amigos neighborhood; the Capistrano Center at 31896 Plaza Drive; and the Industrial Park and Commercial Manufacturing zoning districts north of Avenida Aeropuerto, between Camino Capistrano and San Juan Creek.

Some residents of those areas said that while they recognized housing needs, they were against high-density buildings potentially being built in their neighborhoods. Logan Bates said he and his neighbors shop and work at some of the areas being considered for rezoning.

“Why target an established community or established business when you have plenty of room to add these number of homes—which are much-needed in our community—to an area that is already currently vacant?” Bates said.

Other San Juan residents, including Amanda Lam, said there is a need for affordable housing, especially for low-income and very low-income individuals and families.

“People who work in San Juan Capistrano should be able to live here,” Lam said.

Other local housing developments in the works that have been proposed or already approved—including The Farm neighborhood near Armstrong Garden Centers and the Tirador neighborhood at the corner of Calle Arroyo and Paseo Tirador—are expected to additionally satisfy state requirements.

During prior public workshops discussing the coming updates, city staff and consultants said the city’s obligation is to provide sufficient land to accommodate housing requirements, though not to construct housing themselves.

Some councilmembers spoke out against state legislators having control over local land-use issues. Bourne said he

Some residents of the Avenida Los Amigos neighborhood spoke against a proposed rezoning of the area, which was intended to satisfy state housing requirements. Photo: Collin Breaux

to students for school use before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the onset of distance learning during the health crisis accelerated those plans.

“The CARES Act really gave us a fantastic opportunity to do just that,” said CUSD Chief Technology Officer Sean Rozell, in reference to funding sources.

In July 2020, 35,000 Chromebooks were ordered and finally arrived in January 2021 due to excessive demand and global supply-chain challenges. Students in transitional kindergarten to kindergarten use touchscreen devices that predominately stay in the classroom, and all other grade levels receive personal computers they can take home.

“There’s actually a lot of policy Page 4

sensed frustrations from residents but going against state mandates could have legal and financial implications that would detract from the city’s capacity to handle street paving and other municipal responsibilities.

“As you’re voting for your elected officials at a state level—not just on a city level and certainly not just on a federal level—sometimes how they’re voting on these particular issues, which are going to impact your life every single day … maybe these are some of the issues where we have to stop and say, ‘Am I voting for a political party or am I voting on the issues that are going to affect my neighborhood?’” Bourne said. “This law exists in San Juan Capistrano because the majority of the state representatives in Sacramento thought this was the right thing to do for the state.”

Reeve said he personally didn’t agree with the state law, and one political party having control of a state results in less interest in resolving residential concerns.

Local councilmembers could do a better job handling housing needs if there was no “authoritarian mandate,” Reeve said.

“What I heard tonight was at least one speaker against each of these four properties,” Reeve said of the proposed rezoning. “The civics of the matter is the only power we have is the power granted to us by the state—and what the state gives you, the state can take away as well.

They’ve taken away an alarming amount of local control on land-use issues.”

In other meeting news, the council approved a modified design for a new median on Ortega Highway that will now include potted plants, instead of olive trees. The change came about because water main lines were found below the street service. The median is planned as part of the city’s gateway landscaping project at the intersection of Ortega Highway and Del Obispo Street, which is intended to spruce up the intersection corners as a complement to Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano—the new downtown boutique hotel.

The council also approved terminating the existence of a local emergency order related to the COVID-19 pandemic—first declared by City Manager Ben Siegel on March 16, 2020, as the pandemic took hold.

decisions you need to cover. Some of them are basic,” Rozell said. “Do they take them home over the summer?

And some of them are kind of silly, in a way—do they get to personalize them and put stickers on them?”

High school and middle school students can expect to get Chromebooks at the start of the school year during registration. High schools will retrieve Chromebooks from graduating seniors.

Optional coverage for the devices is available for parents through a third-party underwriter, at a cost of $20 per year.

“No one is required to do it,” Rozell said. “For our socially economic disadvantaged students—usually identified

through the free and reduced lunch program—the district covered that $20. They have that insurance provided for them.”

Ongoing challenges include five-year lifespans for the devices, home internet service, and technical support.

“At the beginning of distance learning during COVID, we provided hotspots because that was the quickest, easiest way to get internet out. It’s also not terribly cost-effective. There are other ways,” Rozell said. “There’s the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit program. That’s a subsidized broadband access program that is available so you can get a subsidy from the government. We’re providing all of our families information on how they can enroll for that.” thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

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The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

COMPILED BY STAFF

TUESDAY, JULY 27

Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, drug abuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

CD | New Mural Pays Tribute

to SJC History A crowd of community members gathered around the front entrance of Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday, July 15, to watch the unveiling of a new mural that depicts the town’s history.

The 11-foot-high, 17-foot-long mural was created by sculptor Randy Morgan, with input from local residents Stephen Rios and Matt Belardes. The mural, called Old San Juan, is visible when walking or driving by Capistrano Plaza in the downtown area.

The installation was commissioned by property owner and developer Dan Almquist, who lives in town and is behind the upcoming River Street Marketplace, as well as potential plans for new downtown housing and a performing arts center.

The mural is made up of seven panels that depict various aspects of San Juan history, including the founding of the Los Rios Historical District and the area’s Vaqueros cattle drivers.

Rios and Belardes, who have deep generational roots in the area, were brought in to ensure historical details were accurate. The mural took months to complete.

Morgan and Almquist were introduced to each other by former Mayor Kerry Ferguson, who Almquist said was a “big part of making this happen.”

CD | Ganahl Lumber

Continues Progress on Lower Rosan Development Escrow recently closed between the Ganahl Lumber Company and the City of San Juan Capistrano for property along Stonehill Drive—again ensuring plans for a hardware store and lumber yard are intact.

“Ganahl Lumber is grateful for the support we have received from the City of San Juan Capistrano and the community over the last several years,” General Manager Alex Uniack said. “It’s been a challenging and complex process to get to this point, and we are excited to move the project into the construction phase.”

A purchase and sale agreement between the city and Ganahl for the site— known locally as the Lower Rosan Ranch property—was approved by the city council in December.

“On behalf of the Ganahl Family and employee-owners, we are excited to conThe Capistrano Dispatch July 23-August 12, 2021

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28

The Alliance for San Juan Art founder Rich Heimann (left) congratulates sculptor Randy Morgan (right) on the new mural he created for the downtown area. Photo: Collin Breaux.

Planning Commission 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission will hold a meeting.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 30

tinue to invest in the communities that we live in and serve,” said Dan Delaney, Chief Financial Officer. “We are looking forward to completing construction on our new facility and serving the community for generations to come.”

The Ganahl portion will use approximately nine acres of the Lower Rosan site. Construction of the Ganahl site, as well as the proposed vehicle storage lots, should take 18 to 24 months.

Construction is expected to begin in the last week of July or the first week of August. Ganahl is “permit-ready in most areas” and “in the process of pulling the ones we need first now,” Uniack said.

ASAP volunteers can now be spotted wearing burgundy polo shirts with the City of San Juan Capistrano logo, instead of their previous outfits that resembled police uniforms. ASAP regularly relays information and issues of concern back to the city. For more information or to inquire about joining the program, visit sanjuancapistrano.org/asap.

CD | Shea Center Reunites

Horse with Rescue Team The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center hosted a reunion for members of the Orange County Fire Authority and others involved in the recent rescue of their therapeutic equine partner Choco.

Choco was a horse whose life was saved while imperiled on a trail on July 5. The reunion was held on July 17 at the Shea Center as a way to express gratitude to those who helped Choco. Rescuers were recognized and got to visit Choco.

CD | ASAP Volunteers Help

Tourists, Community As tourism picks up in San Juan Capistrano, members of the ASAP Community Volunteer Program are ready to help direct visitors on where to park, shop, and eat.

ASAP volunteers are becoming more visible in the downtown area and throughout San Juan as life returns to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Though ASAP originally stood for Associated Senior Action Program, the program is transitioning away from using that exact name while still keeping the acronym, because ASAP is a familiar name around town.

Volunteer duties include helping people at the train depot who may have questions, directing downtown visitors to available parking spaces, conducting bike patrols in the city’s parks and trails to make sure conditions are OK at those amenities, and assisting city staff and police services during special events such as the Fourth of July festivities or Swallow’s Day Parade.

CD | NEV Legislation for RMV

Becomes Law A State Senate Bill that permanently grants the County of Orange the authority to establish a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) transportation plan in Rancho Mission Viejo has been signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Patricia Bates.

“The signing of SB 214 will further encourage the use of NEVs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Bates said in a news release. “NEVs are a viable alternative to automobile travel in communities like Rancho Mission Viejo, and I am Page 7

Coffee Chat 8:30 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. The first Friday of the month will be held on Zoom and in-person gatherings on all other Fridays at Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

Lunch with the Mayor Noon. Mayor John Taylor will eat at a different restaurant in San Juan Capistrano almost every Friday, and the public is welcome to attend. Feel free to chat with Taylor and others, though you’ll have to pay for your own meal. Check the John Taylor: San Juan Capistrano Mayor page on Facebook to see where he’ll be.

SATURDAY, AUG. 7

Hike with the Mayor 8 a.m. Mayor John Taylor will host a hike, open to the public, on the first Saturday morning of every month. The hike meets at the Las Ramblas trailhead and goes up to the Patriot Hill flag. Enjoy the outdoors while discussing community issues.

FRIDAY, AUG. 13

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

pleased that the Governor agrees.”

Senate Bill 214 intends to remove a previous January 2022 sunset date—set in a previous law—for authorizing the County of Orange to establish a NEV transportation plan for The Ranch. The sunset provision goes back to Senate Bill 956, which passed in 2007 and authorized RMV to develop a plan to support NEV usage within the community. thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Los Rios Restaurant Owners Discuss Hopes to Expand Dinner Service

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

hen people stop by at The Tea House or The Ramos House Café, they generally do so for brunch or breakfast—not dinner.

Operators and owners with the two Los Rios Street restaurants want to expand their services for dinner options.

To do so, though, they have to go through city government just to initially establish a framework for potentially doing so.

During a June meeting, the San Juan Capistrano City Council decided to form a subcommittee to review the matter, following a wide-ranging discussion about Los Rios businesses and the community—prompted by a request from the restaurants. The two food establishments were granted accessory use permits (AUPs) in the 1990s, and the AUP process was removed from the district’s residential plan in 1999. A requested code amendment to reinstate the process was tabled in favor of the subcommittee review.

“When it was just Ramos and us and a couple of other places on the street, they’ve put a stop on the hours at 5 o’clock,” said Damian Orozco, operator of The Tea House. “That’s what we’re currently trying to expand right now. We want to expand into dinner service and expand into distilled spirits, in order to make this a viable business and not just a hobby that we’re open five hours a day, six days a week.”

The Tea House and the building property itself have been local and family-owned for generations. Orozco’s grandparents opened the business in 1998, live behind the restaurant, and also bought a house next door. Orozco grew up working at The Tea House.

“Whether or not we get approved or denied, there needs to be a process for it,” Orozco said of the AUP request.

“We’ll look into how we can even create that process to go through to get that approved or denied. Even with that approval, we still have to go back to Cultural Heritage Commission, we still have to go through city council, we still have to do all of that.”

All property owners on Los Rios Street should have a right to know the application process so they know what the rules are, Orozco said.

Concern has been raised by some The Capistrano Dispatch July 23-August 12, 2021

Business owners on Los Rios Street, including for The Ramos House Café, are looking to expand service hours to allow dinner—a process that requires city government overview. Photo: Collin Breaux

community members that the quiet residential feel of Los Rios Street could be changed if dining options are allowed to expand. Emails to the City of San Juan Capistrano from some residents, including from Cindy Westbrook, expressed opposition to the requested alcohol service expansion.

“My husband and I are residents in the Los Rios Historic District,” Westbrook said. “We are completely opposed to the liquor license requests from Ramos House, Tea House, Hidden House, & Hummingbird Cafe. There are plenty of these on the other side of the tracks. Let’s leave our residential area and historic district the way it is.”

Peg Hyland said she opposed the proposal to alter the regulations for the Los Rios Historic District and that the area should be kept as is.

In response, Orozco said his family lives on Los Rios Street, and they’re also

not looking to change the character of the area.

“That’s actually the furthest from what we want to do, because that’s what makes The Tea House so unique is its serenity, its location, everything that we’ve created here—along with everything that our neighbors on the street have created here,” Orozco said.

Regarding concerns about noise and traffic, Orozco said they’re looking at mitigating those issues as well. Orozco would like to have his last seating for The Tea House at 8 p.m. and everyone out by 9:30 p.m. There are no plans for live music at The Tea House.

The Ramos House Café is requesting the ability to serve dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a closing time of 9 p.m., said co-owner Michelle Winrich. That expansion is a “mere four hours more of what we’re already approved for,” Winrich said.

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“We are asking the city to grant us this option so that we may extend our hours slightly into the evening and provide a quaint dinner experience for our guests,” Winrich said. “Dinners would be by reservation only and strictly adhered to the hours proposed. If granted, the extended hours could provide new jobs for our employees, a chance to recover from the pandemic year, and allow us to make a steady income that could help the bottom line.”

Winrich said everyone can generally agree the Los Rios area should stay a quiet residential neighborhood. Michelle and her husband, Kris Winrich, took over The Ramos House Café last year from previous owner John Q. Humphreys. Michelle Winrich previously worked at the restaurant as a server, while Kris Winrich has played music with Humphreys.

“I’ll be interested to see how the subcommittee goes,” Orozco said. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON RMV

Volunteers help out during a service day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Photo: Courtesy of The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo

NATURE RESERVE TRAINS VOLUNTEERS

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

f you’re interested in one day leading educational outdoor events or want to help square away office work, The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo is holding orientations and training opportunities for prospective volunteers.

The orientations are currently held virtually, but there are plans to return to an in-person format come fall, said Leeta Latham, education and public programs manager for The Nature Reserve.

The training explains the benefits of volunteering and gives a history of The Nature Reserve, a large and preserved outdoor area in RMV. Volunteers make up an integral part of The Nature Reserve’s programs, which include nighttime strolls for families and community members, as well as school field trips.

“They might be an expert in their field—mushrooms or birds,” Latham said. “They might lead a program on that.”

Volunteers also get to have a firsthand look at the seasonal and annual changes at the trails and develop a deep connection to The Nature Reserve, Latham said.

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

“They get to help out local wildlife and protect natural reserves,” Latham said.

Outdoor work isn’t the only thing volunteers can do. They can also work indoors, maintaining databases, Latham said.

Currently, about 50 volunteers are actively engaged with The Nature Reserve, and that number is their general baseline amount, Latham said. The type of people who volunteer tend to be interested in nature and the outdoors but can vary in their strengths and passions.

Some might go out on hikes, and others might be great with Excel worksheets, Latham said.

“We get a wide variety of people,” she said.

As for what’s been happening at The Nature Reserve lately, programs are gradually returning as pandemic conditions subside. Some outdoor masking restrictions have been relaxed in accordance with state and national guidelines. The summer day camp has returned, though with smaller groups.

“It’s been great to have summer day camp again,” Latham said. CD Page 9

thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

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

GUEST OPINION | Citizens’ Climate

Education by Joanna Clark

CLIMATE 101 IN 2021

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Collin Breaux • 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com

A

little more than a week ago, MSNBC journalist Ali Velshi began his report on the growing climate emergency by telling us, “The West is on fire, roads are literally melting, and people are dropping dead in the heat. Hurricanes come earlier, more frequently and, often because of warmer seas and changes in the prevailing winds, with more devastating effects.”

In 1769, when our love affair with fossil fuels began, the global population was about 771 million, and concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere CITIZENS’ CLIMATE were about 278 parts EDUCATION per million (ppm).

BY JOANNA CLARK In the ensuing 252 years, population growth exceeded 7.8 billion. With its increasing demand for fossil fuels, atmospheric CO2 has risen to 415.86 ppm. That’s the biggest and fastest change in atmospheric CO2 in more than

ADVERTISING Debra Wells • 949.388.7700, x104 debra@wellsadsolutions.com

Photo: Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

800,000 years. Get it? It’s all tied to us.

The effects of greenhouse gases are not new. In the mid-to-late1880s, numerous European and American scientists demonstrated how increasing carbon dioxide levels (CO2) could warm the planet.

The issue didn’t creep up unexpectedly; adequate warnings were provided. We chose to ignore the science and growing threat.

Today, temperatures exceeding 115 degrees are responsible for more than one-third of heat-related deaths.

Despite the accumulated evidence, the climate naysayers seek to convince us that global warming and climate change are hoaxes. The vast majority of these nay-

EDITOR’S LETTER | by Picket Fence Media Senior Editor Lillian Boyd

Intern Appreciation

O

n Friday, July 16, Picket Fence Media wished farewell to summer intern reporter Eryka Forquer after concluding her two months spent diligently covering South Orange County news.

Our readers may recognize her byline from her coverage of how the cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano returned to more traditional LILLIAN BOYD Fourth of July PFM SENIOR EDITOR festivities. Eryka also reported on how Surfrider Foundation’s Clean Water Report highlighted pollution issues in the

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23-August 12, 2021

ocean, in addition to how local youth gave back to the community by creating lab kits for children to promote STEM education and collaborating with other students in resource-lacking countries.

Thanks to interns such as Eryka, the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch continue to deliver more breaking news, feature stories on community leaders, environmental stories and other hyperlocal content.

Eryka will be returning to Arizona State University to finish her last year of undergraduate work at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The staff at Picket Fence Media wish Eryka the best and look forward to seeing her career unfold. CD

sayers are mega-rich individuals who owe their fortunes to fossil fuels. They stand to lose the most in their denial of climate crises. Their goal: the best lack of government regulation their money can buy.

The United Nations created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. Since then, the IPCC has published five Synthesis Reports, with a Special Report 1.5°C, followed by the US Global Change Research Program’s 4th National Climate Assessment, a week later. Both reports concluded that we had 12 years to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5°C. Beyond 1.5°C, even a half-degree will significantly worsen the risks of severe droughts, floods, storms, and extreme heatwaves. Should this occur, the planet could become uninhabitable. Twelve years from the date of the report is 2030. Today in 2021, we have nine years left to save our children’s home from becoming potentially uninhabitable.

On June 23, 2021, Agence France-Presse published the 4,000-page draft of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, currently undergoing final review for release in February 2022. It indicates that “climate change will fundamentally reshape life on Earth in the coming decades, even if humans can tame planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.”

For those still doubting—it’s time to “wake up and smell the smog.”

Joanna Clark served as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, training aircrews on the Lockheed P3 0rion patrol aircraft. After leaving the Navy, she spent 22 years involved in global AIDS education. In 2015, she became involved in climate change. She is a member of the South Orange County chapter of Citizens’ Climate Education. 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.

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CEO/FOUNDER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD) Laura Gaffney (SC) ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

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Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho

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Copy Editor Randy Youngman

FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines

Social Media/ Digital Coordinator Kolette Morehead

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard, Eryka Forquer

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 19, Issue 14. 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 July 23–August 12, 2021

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The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

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GETTING OUT

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a host venue for theatrical performances by South Coast Repertory this summer. Photo: Collin Breaux

See Outdoor Theater at the Mission A

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

s the late afternoon turned to night, audience members sat in their chairs and enjoyed live performances at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Friday, July 16.

South Coast Repertory performed You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown for those in attendance, earning applause and laughter for their take on the “Peanuts” comic strip characters. The return of live theater in South Orange County was a long time coming after the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to in-person entertainment in 2020 and earlier this year.

The Mission’s partnership with SCR is a new collaboration—the historic San Juan site has not hosted live theater in the past, excluding a pageant held nearly 100 years ago. Mechelle Lawrence Adams, the executive director for the Mission, said the partnership was born “from the challenges of COVID” and that they want to continue to provide the community a chance to safely gather and experience theatre outdoors.

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

“The Mission as the venue came about out of both the need and recognition that with COVID, our operations and offerings were greatly restricted,” Adams said. “The Mission closed not once, but twice in a single year, and with that canceled all of its festivals, on-site education programming, tours, concerts and more. It was devastating for the 245-year-old landmark that was in the business of being inspirational, educational and celebratory nearly every day of the year.”

Adams further said SCR is a “solid partner” with a “proven track record” and admirable reputation. The collaboration means SCR brings theater fans to the Mission, the Mission introduces their own supporters to the performing arts, and the two organizations can have a positive impact, Adams said.

“South Coast Repertory’s leadership, from their staff to their board members, understood the need to ensure the care and stewardship of the Mission, and it shows in the incredible staging and production of the two

plays we are showcasing here,” Adams said.

An American Mariachi is a musical comedy also being performed on select dates through July 31.

David Ivers, South Coast Repertory’s artistic director, said audiences engaging with artists in live performances after a 16-month hiatus “felt electric.”

“Each night, you can feel the excitement in the air,” Ivers said. “It is a testament to the audiences’ triumph over a pandemic, their determination and their resilience.”

The Mission’s location allows people to safely enjoy live theater outside, Ivers said.

“The beauty and historical significance of the Mission, combined with two professionally produced plays performed under the stars, creates such a memorable and special experience— perfect summer entertainment for the family,” Ivers said.

South Coast Repertory Managing Director Paula Tomei said that Adams and the Mission’s staff have been “tremen-

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dously helpful, providing expertise, sage advice and unwavering enthusiasm.”

Economic benefits from the performances can include new customers in downtown restaurants, shops, and hotels, Adams said.

“I believe that in addition to the positive economic development impact, there is also a spiritual effect, and that is the one where children and parents, friends and family, can come to Mission San Juan Capistrano and, for just an evening, leave their worries behind, experiencing the beauty of live theatre at accessible pricing in a venue that means so much,” Adams said.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a family-friendly show and features many familiar moments from the franchise— be it the title character longing for the Little Red-Haired Girl, Lucy being assertive, and Linus holding onto his security blanket. The show also has musical elements.

Additional performances will be held July 24, July 30 and Aug. 1. Tickets can be purchased at scr.org. 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. NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALES Sat., July 24th - 7:30am - 1pm, 111 W. Avenida Valencia, San Clemente - off El Camino Real Collectibles, prints, new & softly used clothes, shoes, smalls, household goods, linens, plants, dog crates & various dog items, & lots more.....

HUGE GARAGE SALE - JULY 24 35421 Camino Capistrano, Capo Beach 8am-3 pm. Everything baby... hundreds of clothes size newborn to size 8, cribs, strollers, car seats, toys, books.

Lots of TOOLS GARAGE SALE - DANA POINT 18th Annual Biblebelt Community Garage Sale!

Saturday, July 31st 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Dana Crest & The Landing Neighborhoods (aka “The Biblebelt”), Cross Streets: Golden Lantern & Josiah, follow the signs & shop till you drop! Sponsored by: Gary Macrides, REALTOR® Surterre Properties 949-370-6827 BRE # 01267654

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

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

SERVICES HOME CARE • ASSISTANT Just sit back and enjoy.

Alexandra (949) 426-2814

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY Contact Debra for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 104

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE The following vessel and/or trailer will be sold at public sale on 7/27/2021 at 10:00am 110 EAST 16th Street Costa Mesa CA 92627 at 10:00AM 1991 YAMAH 0739NE CA YAMA2020C191 1993 ZIEMN 1EJ1243 CA 1ZCS14019PW263347 1994 BOMBA 5345NP CA ZZN75730C494 The Capistrano Dispatch July 23-August 12, 2021

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

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GETTING OUT

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

FRIDAY | 23 FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday afternoon. Check out the produce, breads, cheeses, artisan craft vendors, and more. Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.364.1270. farmakisfarms.com.

SATURDAY | 24 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

POP-UP THEATER PERFORMANCES 2 and 3 p.m. The Round About Players will present pop-up theatrical performances in downtown San Juan Capistrano. The short plays will be based on San Juan history, free to the public, and family-friendly. Additional performance dates will be on Aug. 7, 21, and 28. The events are supporting The Alliance for San Juan Art and produced by partners Tom Scott, Beverly Blake, and Gary McCarver. Performances are 15 minutes each. The Los Rios entrance to Los Rios Park, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano.

OUTDOOR THEATER AT THE MISSION 7:30 p.m. South Coast Repertory will perform You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The performance is based on the comic strip “Peanuts” and will be family-friendly. Additional performance dates will be held in July and August. Tickets are available online. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 714.708.5555. scr.org.

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

Editor’s Pick

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK 8 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.

TUESDAY | 27 LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 6 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind while listening to live music at Trevor’s at the Tracks. Andrew Corradini will perform. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

View and learn about butterflies at Los Rios Park during the Festival of Butterflies on Aug. 7. Photo: Chelsie Rex

WEDNESDAY | 28

SATURDAY | AUGUST 7 FESTIVAL OF BUTTERFLIES 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spend some time outdoors and learn about butterflies during the return of Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens’ annual event, in person and at full capacity again. The event will feature garden tours with butterflies and butterfly educators, exhibitors, children’s activities, music, and more. Los Rios Park, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.674.6307. goinnative.net.

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse will host a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends, or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

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

FRIDAY | 30 LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S INN 9 p.m-1 a.m. Enjoy live music at this well-known local bar. Nitro Express Band will perform indoors, while DJ James will perform outdoors. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

SATURDAY | 31 LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Full concerts are back on at this popular South Orange County venue.

Missing Persons will perform. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

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SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | The Cowgirl Designer by Marlene Holmquist

Open Borders for the Home Office: Pro or Con?

C

ause and effect take time, and we are now hearing how employees at home are working all over the house—literally. It varies somewhat by gender, ethnicity and region, but in general, we are not always staying in our offices with the doors closed. And what is equally interesting, companies are now making efforts to replicate the feeling of “home” at the office, with more comfortable color palettes, moveable walls and selected spaces where indoors meets outdoors, etc.

Last July, when we moved to the Dana Point area, I became my own client, downsizing my dream office to onetenth of the size of my previous space.

At my old office (which was a separate space in our home), my favorite part of the day was opening the double sliding doors to listen and watch the plethora of birds start their day, too. I would step outside, canvas the ample flowerbeds

for weeds, and a just few minutes later, I would be content to sit in my ergonomically designed office chair in front of my computer. But how was I to replicate that wonderful feeling I looked forward to every morning into such a small space?

Planning! I no longer needed the square footage or manpower of previous years, so we purposefully bought a home with a downstairs office space. It has double doors leading to a small but lush THE COWGIRL backyard. Taking DESIGNER small breaks into

BY MARLENE HOLMQUIST this outdoor space brings me back to that feeling of serenity of my previous studio. And knowing it is a mere five minutes away to take a beach walk also helps!

Humans may initially be drawn to

a space because it is pretty or interesting, but we will eventually move if it is uncomfortable. There is a tipping point for comfort—too little makes us irritable, too much will put us to sleep. Designers intuitively use the combined principles of balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, scale, proportion, harmony, and details to create the appropriate feeling of a space.

Color is used within these principles and can influence a feeling or attitude almost immediately. Years ago, when I visited a quaint new BBQ restaurant, I found myself becoming uncomfortable, and my lips literally puckered from the bright lemon-yellow paint on the walls!

Solution: a warmer and lighter shade of yellow would have harmonized much better with the comfort-food menu of homecooked ribs and cornbread. More importantly, it would have felt more friendly and inviting, resulting in more comfort for the diners and more profit for the owners.

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Perseus

Even if you work at home by yourself, there’s always room for improvement. You will find a free do-it-yourself gift on my home page that can help you get started: 7 EASY EXERCISES TO ASSESS YOUR HOME INTERIOR. luxury-ranch.com.

Marlene Holmquist is the owner of Luxury Ranch Interior Design. She holds a BFA in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. She recently relocated from a 5-acre ranch/studio in Ramona, CA, to Monarch Beach in 2020. She now boards her cow horse Zeke at Shady Maples ( formerly Tar Farms). Marlene is currently a member of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition and Las Vaqueras Women’s Riding Club. luxury-ranch.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.

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Hi! My name is Perseus. I am a neutered male, tan Border Terrier and Brussels Griffon.

The shelter staff think I am about 2 years old.

I love to be around people and have a very sweet but very shy personality. I would do best in a quiet home environment and around adults and children 12 years and older.

If you are interested in adopting Perseus, 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

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 SOLUTION:

Photo: Courtesy of John Adams.

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photo shows Mission

San Juan Capistrano, circa 1915.

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 July 23-August 12, 2021

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See the solution in next week’s issue.

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The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

JSerra left-handed pitcher Gage Jump (below) and right-handed pitcher Eric Silva (left) were selected in the 2021 MLB Draft on July 12-13 in Denver, Colorado.

Jump was projected as an early-round pick, but his strong commitment to UCLA dropped him to an 18th-round selection by the San Diego Padres. Silva was selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco Giants, but Silva is also expected to head to UCLA. JSerra left-handed pitcher Wilson Cunningham was also selected in the 20th round by the Chicago Cubs, and Cunningham is committed to the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The Capistrano Dispatch July 23-August 12, 2021

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The Capistrano Dispatch July 23–August 12, 2021

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