The Capistrano Dispatch 9/8/2023

September 8-September 21, 2023 | VOLUME 21, ISSUE 17

City Releases Environmental Impact Report for Skate Park

EYE ON SJC/ PAGE 5

San Juan to Celebrate California Coastal Cleanup Day EYE ON SJC/ PAGE 7

2023 Fall Sports Showcase Girls Flag Football Joins Roster of CIF-SS Sports at San Juan Hills, JSerra S P O R T S / PAG E 18

Girls flag football enters its first season as a CIF-SS sport, including teams at San Juan Hills and JSerra Catholic High Schools. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

thecapistranodispatch.com

Shea Center Purchases New Therapy Horses with Donation

USC Football Fans Find Community in Reata Glen

Ocean Institute to Host 39th Annual Maritime Festival

EYE ON SJC/ PAGE 3

EYE ON RMV/ PAGE 8

GETTING OUT / PAGE 14

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Medicare options are complicated. Understanding them shouldn’t be.

Your Medicare Plan Annual Notice of Change If you’re currently on Medicare this applies to you if you have a Medicare drug plan or if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO or PPO). This does NOT apply to your Medicare Supplement plans, such as Plan F, G, N etc.

The Annual Notice of Change is a document you receive showing if your Medicare plan made changes for the upcoming year. Some changes that you would see on your ANOC are increases or decreases in your monthly premium, changes to your co-pays, deductibles and the plan’s drug formulary.

nately knowing how to go about finding the right Medicare drug plan on their own isn’t something most Medicare beneficiaries know how to do.

The good news is that I do! So, if you get surprised by your ANOC this Fall, be it your Medicare HMO plan, Medicare PPO plan or your Medicare RX plan, feel free to reach out to me, I’d be happy to help you.

I do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information I provide is limited to those plans I do offer in your area.

Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

An ANOC will list 2 columns, one is what your benefit is for the current year, the other column will show what it will change to in the new year.

The biggest offender of changes prompting people to make a change to their current coverage is the “Stand Alone Medicare RX plans” that people who use Medicare as their primary insurance coupled with a Medicare supplement plan have. These plans seem to always be giving an increase to the deductible, premium and co-pay amounts. UnfortuThe Capistrano Dispatch August 25-September 7, 2023

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Shea Center Purchases New Therapy Horses Through Assistance League of Laguna Beach Donation

COMMUNITY MEETINGS SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

Challenging Cancer 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

a compromised immune system, and

With each new addition to the Shea Center’s barn in San Juan Capistrano, the therapeutic riding center is able to carry out its mission, reaching more clients, providing hippotherapy, adaptive riding lessons and more.

The center’s mission began with one horse and one client with cerebral palsy and grew to 29 therapy horses and nearly 1,500 clients served in 2022, J.F. Shea Center Communications Director Sarah Booth explained.

The center’s equine team grew by two in August, after the Assistance League of Laguna Beach donated $25,000 for the Shea Center to purchase a new horse after several older horses had been retired.

The donation helps the Shea Center to provide adaptive riding lessons, hippotherapy and other forms of therapy for their clients, Booth said.

“It’s the foundational element of everything that we do here,” Booth said.“We’re founded on using the horse, because there’s no other machine or system that can do what it does and get the same results.”

The center offers “therapies, adaptive riding, military programs and some first responder programs, so we keep expanding and growing to serve the community and serve the need, but primarily our mission is to serve people with disabilities,” Booth said.

The center is staffed with physical, occupational and speech therapists who help adapt therapies to the clients’ needs.

“We have clients that are aged 2 to almost 90,” Booth said.“It just really depends on each client, and it’s very customized to each client that participates here.”

Clients are also matched with the therapy horse that’s best suited for their needs, and will likely stay with the same horse throughout their time in the program.

Most of the Shea Center’s horses in the past had been donated; however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the center faced a shortage of horses.

“Before COVID, we would get calls constantly, weekly, of people who were interested in donating horses,” Chief Development Officer Agnes McGlone Swanson said.“Now, a lot of times, those weren’t the right horses for here, but we were constantly getting horses that (Equine Operations Manager Christina Lee) could investigate to see if they were right for us.”

people dealing with cancer. To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or (From left) J.F. Shea Center Communications Director Sarah Booth and Equine Operations Manager Christina Lee walk one of the therapeutic riding center’s newest horses, Boots, through the center’s barn on Aug. 24.

Photo: Breeana Greenberg

“But it completely stopped; literally, like overnight, it stopped,” Swanson continued.

“Here, we’ve gone all these years with just getting donated horses, so we ended up looking into buying horses, which led us to then being pushed to buy our very first horse through an online auction.”

Needing to suddenly buy therapy horses made a big impact on the nonprofit’s budget, Swanson explained.

“We never had a real line item to purchase horses, so we needed to find ways to raise funds, so we created a horse funding program,” Swanson said.

The nonprofit already had a horse sponsorship program, where donors can give $15,000 to cover a year of food and care for a therapy horse. Swanson added that the cost of horses skyrocketed during the pandemic.

The Laguna Beach Assistance League had been donating yearly to the pediatric financial aid and military program, Swanson said, but when they came for their annual visit and learned of the shortage, they came back with an additional $25,000 donation to help purchase a new horse.

“I just really can’t say enough about the Assistance League,” Swanson said.“We’re one of the biggest beneficiaries, but their members just have so much joy in giving.

They come here twice a year to have a full tour, and they just get so moved.”

“Some of them have even become volunteers here,” Swanson continued.

The Assistance League of Laguna Beach raises the majority of its funds through its thrift shop on Glenneyre Street.

When looking for a horse, Lee noted that the center needed a Quarter Horse, a type that both the younger clients and military clients could ride.

“Our needs vary,” Lee said.“This time, a Quarter Horse … down the road, maybe a pony, because we need that for hippotherapy clients.”

Adding that with the $25,000 donation in hand, Lee began the search for a horse that fit the center’s needs.

“Christina got to shopping, and it takes a while to find the right horse, but she did

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

such a great job shopping and negotiating that she was able to purchase two,” Swanson said.“So we surprised them the day they came to meet Jericho.”

With the local Assistance League’s donation, the Shea Center purchased Jericho, a dark bay Friesian, Quarter cross, and Boots, a chestnut Quarter Horse.

Whenever the center brings in a new horse, staff takes 90 days to make sure it’s a good fit.

“Sometimes, we know sooner than that, and we can start incorporating them in the program, and then some days, it’s like, oh, maybe we’ll go a little bit more than 90 days; let’s see if it can work,” Lee said.

In testing if the horse is a good fit, Shea Center staff will simulate what the horses might experience during sessions with clients.

“Horses are fight or flight, so a lot of time, most horses are not going to tolerate what we do here, because it’s a lot of screaming kids, a lot of off-balance riders, wheelchairs; they’re usually not used to the wheelchairs,” Lee said. “So they go through a huge training process so we make sure the horse likes it and the clients are going to be safe and our volunteers are safe.”

Lee added that doing physical therapy exercises on a horse often results in the client performing the exercise without even realizing they are in therapy.

Walking past the main arena on Aug. 24, a younger client was riding a horse backward while doing sit-ups. Booth pointed out that the client was going through her physical therapy exercises while riding around the arena on the horse, which makes the exercises more enjoyable.

“These kids are in the therapy gyms three or four times a week doing the same thing in a therapy gym, but they’re on a horse,” Lee said. “They’re making the horse move; they’re in control of something, which is super fun. Playing and throwing a ball off and on a horse is fun, and they’re not thinking they’re doing the therapy. That’s the fun part.”

Page 3

linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.

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

TUESDAY, SEPT. 12

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, substance misuse, disrespect), conducts its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference and in person/Zoom the first Tuesday of each month at the Outlets at San Clemente’s Conference Room. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13

Planning Commission 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission will publicly meet to discuss agenda items and matters pertaining to city business. Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14

Design Review Committee 4:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Design Review Committee will hold a regularly scheduled meeting open to the public. Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

(Cont. on page 6) thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Nonprofit Appoints San Juan, RMV Residents as New Board Members

BY CLARA HELM

MOMS Orange County announced on Aug.24 that San Juan Capistrano resident Dr. Lisa Cowan and Rancho Mission Viejo resident Victor Villanueva have been appointed to the nonprofit’s governing board.

“The work of MOMS Orange County really speaks to me as someone who was born in the same circumstances as many of the MOMS’ babies,” Villanueva said in a press release.“The synergy between MOMS OC and me is very much there.”

The nonprofit is dedicated to newborn and pregnancy health and serves 2,500 low-income families annually. Since its formation 31 years ago, MOMS of Orange County has made it its mission to improve birth outcomes, maternal health and developmental indicators among infants.

Some of the services the organization provides are high-impact home visits and group classes where parents are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for

years as executive director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Providence St. Joseph Hospital.

With 20 years in acute care and outpatient settings primarily in maternal-child health, Cowan has an abundance of experience to lead in an organization focused on newborn and pregnancy health.

Now as a board member, Cowan will continue to serve the community at large but in a heightened capacity.

“I’m going to be more involved in the operations of the organization to help it be successful and grow,” said Cowan.“So as a board member, I will be advising the executive team in some of the decision-making to continue to support the organization.”

Cowan sees her role as a St. Joseph’s administrator as being helpful in getting the word out about MOMS Orange County, using networking opportunities to look for additional funding and resources.

As a San Juan resident, Cowan aims to help facilitate the nonprofit even further, expanding its scope in Orange County.

Villanueva agreed with the aim to expand the reach of MOMS. “Expanding beyond our regional area is a big focus for MOMS,” said Villanueva.

One of the most meaningful aspects of serving on the board, noted Cowan, is the difference the nonprofit makes for so

pregnancy and caring for an infant.

Villanueva was first involved with the organization six months ago, when his company StrikeWorks Solutions, a Southern California IT provider, was introduced to MOMS as a potential vendor.

The new board member has 10 years of experience in IT management, compliance and consulting. In his career, he has worked with companies in the finance, health care, nonprofit, manufacturing and other private sectors.

MOMS Orange County was looking to diversify its board with members who had different career backgrounds outside the medical industry, and Villanueva’s experience fit the bill. His new responsibility will be to use his IT knowledge and resources to help digitize MOMS Orange County.

“I think a big part of my responsibilities is really advising MOMS on cutting into the digital age,” said Villanueva.“So, getting out of the old legacy system, getting into electronic records. I’m really kind of bringing that technology mindset to MOMS Orange County.”

The appeal to work with MOMS Orange County, Villanueva noted, was the community the nonprofit fosters and his personal background that is similar to the people MOMS helps.

As for Dr. Cowan, she has been in partnership with MOMS for the past two

(From left) San Juan Capistrano resident Dr. Lisa Cowan and Rancho Mission Viejo resident Victor Villanueva were recently appointed to the MOMS Orange County’s board of directors. Photos: Courtesy of MOMS Orange County

many parents and children.

A few weeks ago, Cowan attended a MOMS breast milk drive in Orange County where breastfeeding mothers could donate milk to the collection site for families in need. Celebrating the annual breastfeeding month in August, Cowan was excited to see so many women committed to the program.

“The difference that MOMS Orange County makes in the lives of so many families is significant,” Cowan said in a press release.“Serving on the Board will allow me to personally and professionally contribute to the great work of this amazing nonprofit organization in our community.”

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

City of San Juan Releases Environmental Impact Report for Skate Park, Trail Project

BY CLARA HELM

In the past decade, there has been growing interest in having a city skate park for San Juan residents. The City of San Juan Capistrano took some of the first steps toward the park’s construction in 2021 when the southwest corner of the city-owned Kinoshita Farm was approved by the City Council for the site location.

Before the skate park’s construction could begin, however, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) had to be completed by the city to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and State CEQA Guidelines.

The EIR was released on Aug.17 and is being circulated for the public’s review, with the public-comment period closing on Oct. 2.

The proposed skate park would become a part of the 28-acre parcel of land, located on Camino del Avion and Alipaz Street, and would be integrated into The Ecology Center, the city’s active farm, as well as the community center and the sports park.

The project would be 1.75 acres in size, with approximately 42,575 square feet of recreational space. The recreation space would include the new skate park, a playground, restrooms, spectator seating and landscape.

The skate park would include a flow bowl area, a pool bowl area and a street skating area with rails and banks, among

A Young Equestrian Rises to the Top at a Summer Competition

BY CLARA HELM

Cora Dollar of the Ortega Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano won big at the West Coast Ranch Horse Summer Series Show on Aug. 27. The competition was the second in the three-part summer series held in Temecula.

Dollar finished first in the Green Rider Division for the Ranch Rail, the Ranch Riding and the Ranch Conformation events, also coming in eighth in a group of 17 participants in the Ranch Trail event.

The 12-year-old equestrian started

other things. The proposed hours of operation for the skate park would be 8 a.m. to sunset, year-round, with an option to extend hours to 10 p.m. in the future.

Outside of the fenced recreation area, there would be a multi-use public trail, spanning 20 feet wide and filtering into the community center and sports fields.

The trail would be just less than an acre and would run along the western boundary of the Kinoshita Farm property.

The EIR focused most heavily on four issues that would need to be addressed with the proposed project: loss of farmland, impact on local species, increase in noise level, and potential disruption to unique paleontological, geological and archaeological features or resources.

The zoning of the land for the proposed project would have to be changed, as the property is underdeveloped land that The Ecology Center uses for agricultural purposes.

To mitigate the loss of agricultural land and comply with its municipal code, the city proposed that it would pay fees toward its Agricultural Preservation Fund.

This payment would be “equivalent to (the) cost of acquisition of Prime Farmland in the region” for 1.75 acres or comparable open space. The funds would then be used for specific uses such as farmland acquisition or agricultural conservation easements.

The EIR states that there is a potentially significant impact through direct harm or through habitat modification on species inhabiting the area. To mitigate this issue, the city would complete a nesting bird survey if “vegetation clearing, cutting, or removal activities (are to) be required during the nesting season.”

If a qualified biologist completes the survey and no nests are found, there will be no further steps. But if they find nests used by a native bird for breeding or rear-

ing young, there must be an appropriate buffer placed.

Construction noise when building the park is also a concern for increasing the ambient noise levels in the vicinity. The city plans to reduce potential construction noise by attempting to schedule construction activities so they do not occur simultaneously, having all equipment be fitted with engine exhaust mufflers and shutting off idle engines when not in use.

To further reduce noise levels, they will have the project contractor install, at minimum, a 7-foot temporary noise barrier or other materials that attenuate sound along the project border. At the construction entrances, there will also be construction hours, allowable workdays and the phone number of the job superintendent posted for members of the community to contact, if needed.

In the EIR, there was also a highlighted concern about the potentially significant paleontological, geological or archaeological impact the project might have.

To reduce this impact if a notable site is found, workers will be briefed before construction about inadvertent discoveries through a presentation and handout, otherwise known as Workers Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) training.

There will also be professionals consulted during different phases of construction such as an archaeological monitor present for any ground-disturbing activities and an Orange County-certified paleontologist to oversee mitigation requirements for excavations below a depth of five feet under the original ground surface.

The EIR also gave alternative plans for the skate park that would lessen some of the significant effects of the project.

The options included not building the project, developing the skate park with a 500-foot setback from Camino Del Avion, and developing the skate park at San Juan

participating in shows only this year and is now able to hold her own in a division with older riders. Her mother, Erin Dollar, commented on how astounding it has been to see Cora improve so quickly.

“Since starting to show, it’s created such an attention to detail in her, and even more impressively a thirst to learn,” Erin Dollar said.

Cora has been around horses and riding recreationally since she was very young, taking lessons at the Ortega Equestrian Center.

Erin had only great things to say about the Ortega Equestrian Center, for both her daughter’s own growth and her own lessons as a child.

“She was able to start at Ortega Equestrian Center, and if we didn’t have this locally, what she’s been doing wouldn’t be possible,” said Erin.“She’s learned a lot here and has taken lessons under Kathy (Holman).”

“Kathy will forever be somebody who has exceptional knowledge and a really great kids’ program for people to start at,” Erin added.

When Cora began to ride competitively, Erin noted that her daughter had to ramp up the amount of time spent training, which has not been an easy feat.

As a student at Bernice Ayer Middle School in San Clemente, Cora has to juggle academics, social life and her passion for riding.

“There’s a really significant commitment outside of her school day to ride and take care of her horse and practice,” said Erin.“And then when we do her training sessions, that’s a commitment in her day, and that can impact sports, friends and everything else.”

Cora’s current goal for her riding is to qualify for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and qualify for its world competition.

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Page 5

The City of San Juan Capistrano recently revealed plans to mitigate potential agricultural, biological and other environmental impacts in its environmental report for the proposed San Juan Capistrano skate park. Photo: File/Alex Groves

Capistrano Community Gardens.

While the second alternative would reduce noise levels because of its distance from the street, there would be an issue of accessibility and convenience of the facility.

The third alternative would reduce environmental impacts on agricultural, biological and environmental resources.

However, the park would lack amenities such as an on-site restroom and a playground, as well as have a greater construction noise impact on nearby residential areas. The public can provide input on the EIR’s accuracy and completeness until 5 p.m. on Oct. 2, and the comments can be addressed to Ashley Melchor, the senior management analyst, at the City of San Juan Capistrano, 30448 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, or via email at amelchor@sanjuancapistrano.org.

Cora Dollar beats her fellow equestrians in the West Coast Ranch Horse Summer Series Show on Sunday, Aug. 27, in Temecula despite being relatively new to competitive riding. Photo: Courtesy of brookelousiecreative.com

For now, her next step is to compete in the third part of the summer series this month, and the final show of the year in November, when she aims to win the Year-End Saddle Award. thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

8:30 a.m. A town hall forum on community

City Council Greenlights Construction Contract for Streets Rehab Project

issues. The first Friday session of the

BY CLARA HELM AND SHAWN RAYMUNDO

month will be held virtually via Zoom video

The San Juan Capistrano City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Sept. 5, to contract with R.J. Noble Company, Inc. to complete the city’s Local Streets Pavement and Rehabilitation Project.

As the “lowest responsible bidder,” R.J. Noble was tapped for the roughly $11.95 million construction project that looks to rehabilitate the pavement on several San Juan streets in five areas, or zones, throughout the city.

“The goal is tomorrow or this week to meet with R.J. Noble and our utilities, various utility providers, to start working on our constructability schedule,” City Engineer Joe Parco told the council on Tuesday evening. “We think we’re going to start in October in Zone 4.”

Zone 4 encompasses streets within the Belford Terrace community, communities located south of Ortega Highway and the east side of Rancho Viejo Road to Avenida Siega. That section of the project is estimated to cost $3.2 million, according to Parco.

The streets in Zone 1, which includes the Village San Juan Capistrano community and the Casitas’ neighborhoods south of JSerra Catholic High School to the Inn at the Mission Hotel, are projected to cost $1.72 million to rehabilitate.

For approximately $3.2 million, the city will repave streets in Zone 2, comprising Los Rios Historic District, south to the Dana Mesa community and north of Del Obispo.

“So, as part of the revised CIP program to resurface the parking lot of Los Rios, we are going to combine the streets within Los Rios Historic District with that project, and we are going to award that project in January,” Parco said.

Zone 3’s streets include the areas of Stoneridge Estates, Capistrano Royal and Mission Hills Ranch. Zone 5 encompasses the Madonna tract, Los Corrales and Lomas Verde, as well as Valle Road from San Juan Creek Road to Avenida California, according to the city.

The project, which comes after the city recently completed the Camino Capistrano Pavement Rehabilitation Project, involves removing failing pavement and replacing it with new pavement sections, as well as the construction of ADA ramps, gutter repair, traffic signal loop replacement, installation of pavement marking and more.

“Just in summary, this project is going to total 28 to 30 miles of paving,” Parco

COMMUNITY MEETINGS (Cont. from page 3) FRIDAY, SEPT. 15

Coffee Chat

conference; all other Friday forums will take place in person at Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano, 31761 Camino Capistrano.

Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for information.

MONDAY, SEPT. 18

Parks, Equestrian, and Community Services Commission 5:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Parks, Equestrian, and Community Services Commission will hold a regularly scheduled meeting open to the public. Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 19

City Council 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at the Nydegger Building. Members of the public can either attend in person or watch the livestreamed version of it online. Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20

Learning English Class 10-11:30 a.m. The La Playa Center is hosting free English classes for adults on Wednesdays. Students will be provided materials and workbooks. La Sala Auditorium, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. crossculturalcouncil.com.

CUSD Board of Trustees 7 p.m. The governing board for the Capistrano Unified School District will meet to decide on local education matters. CUSD Headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. capousd.org.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22

The next print issue of The Capistrano

Dispatch publishes.

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

The City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday, Sept. 5, a roughly $11.95 million contract agreement with the R.J. Noble construction company to rehabilitate and repave several San Juan Capistrano streets throughout the town. Photo: File/Collin Breaux

said. “It’ll include 35,000 tons of asphalt and include 250 reconstruction of ADA ramps that were not in compliance.”

Referencing the Pavement Conditions Index (PCI), Parco noted that streets start with a 100 PCI before gradually degrading over the years.

“When it gets to about two-thirds of its life, the street will start to degrade really quickly and fall off,” Parco explained. “So, what that means is what we need to do in terms of a street improvement program is to spend our dollars before it gets to that point. And so if we do that ,we can save up to six to 10 times per square foot of construction costs.”

R.J. Noble’s base bid came in at just north of $11.95 million, with a 15% contingency. Three other companies, ATP General Engineering Contractors, PALP DBA Excel Paving Company and All American Asphalt, Inc. also submitted bids ATP’s base bid was about $12.06 million, while PALP said it could perform the project for nearly $15.25 million, and All American’s bid came in at $16.34 million.

Other than the low price, city staff recommended R.J. Noble as the prospective contractor because of its positive feedback from references and its success in completing other pavement rehabilitation projects in San Juan Capistrano.

Some of its notable projects include the Meredith Canyon Local Streets Pavement Rehabilitation Project, as well as the Capistrano Villas I, II, and III Pavement Rehabilitation Project.

Parco noted that the engineer’s estimate for the project was $14.1 million.

“So, the good news … is there will be over $2 million in project savings as a result of (R.J. Noble’s) bid,” he said.

Expressing concern over when the Page 6

council should start discussing how the city is going to protect the streets going forward, Councilmember John Taylor asked City Manager Ben Siegel whether the city is figuring such costs into future budgets.

According to Siegel, the city will propose some measures as part of next fiscal year’s budget, “once we have a better sense of our ongoing revenue profile.”

“But at this point, we think we have a healthy budget that will certainly allow us to complete the council’s pavement rehab program, and then we do think you’ll have to allocate more than you have been over prior years for the ongoing maintenance of those streets,” Siegel said, adding: “We want to be in the slurry seal and grinding overlay business, not the reconstruction business.”

Responding to a question from Councilmember John Campbell on what the current condition of the streets are compared to what they will be next summer, Parco said that before the Camino Cap and Local Streets rehab projects, the roads had a PCI of 69.

“After these two projects are complete, we’ll be in the high 70s,” Parco said.

As part of the council’s vote on Tuesday, the city will transfer $500,000 of project savings from the recently completed Camino Cap project to the Local Streets Project. Construction for the project is expected to begin in October and be completed by Summer 2024.

“The Local Streets will be a little different than our Camino Cap project in that we’ll be doing the work during the day.

Typically, we work in the evenings,” Parco said. “Everyone will be at work, at school; we’re going to make the most out of that as much as we can.” thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

San Juan to Join State in Celebrating 39th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day

explained that Coastal Cleanup Day offers Orange County residents both inland and along the coast “a chance to give back to the beaches and wildlife we all love.”

“Community cleanups are critical in protecting Orange County’s coastal ecosystem from trash,” Sylvester said in an email. “They are the last line of defense before debris pollutes the ocean. People are often shocked that a two-hour trash cleanup can result in hundreds,

BY BREEANA GREENBERG even thousands of pounds of trash being removed from our waterways.”

South Orange County residents lookIn San Juan Capistrano, residents ing to participate in the 39th annual can lend a hand in cleaning up the San California Coastal Cleanup Day will Juan and Arroyo Trabuco creeks and have ample opportunity to volunteer Descanso Park. Volunteers will gather in their community. at the two creeks from 9 a.m. to noon.

Beach and waterway cleanups in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Coastkeeper encourages volunteers NothingBundtCakes.com NothingBundtCakes.com to bring a water bottle, reusable gloves, Juan Capistrano scheduled for Sept.

23 bags or buckets, trash pickers and are among the hundreds expected to sunscreen, though the organization will occur throughout California, promotprovide bags and gloves for particiing awareness of marine debris and pants who do not bring their own. encouraging ocean and waterway stewardship.

Volunteers looking to help clean Descanso Park are encouraged to park Since 1985, California Coastal at the city employee parking lot.

Cleanup Day has worked to keep local Those interested in lending a hand to beaches free of plastics, trash and clean San Juan Creek and Doheny State other debris.

Beach will receive a parking pass upon Orange County Coastkeeper Comcheck-in, which is valid until 12:30 p.m. munications Director Matt Sylvester

es.com es.com

South Orange County residents looking to participate in the 39th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 23 will have ample opportunity to volunteer and help clean waterways and beaches in their community.

Photo: Courtesy of Derek Horner

For more information, to reserve a spot or to sign a waiver to participate in the cleanup, visit eventbrite.com or OC Coastkeeper’s website.

Visit coastkeeper.org/cleanup-day

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or coastalcleanupday.org to find more Coastal Cleanup Day sites across California.

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

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HEALING HEARTS & HOOVES CELEBRATION HONORING KATHY HOLMAN

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The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

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Page 7

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EVENTS AT THE RANCH SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

7-8:30 p.m. This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining The Nature Reserve as an official Nature Reserve volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve’s history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education. Must be 18 years and older to participate. The Ranch House. thenaturereserve. org/events.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 12

TUESDAY AFTERNOON OPEN ACCESS ON CHIQUITA RIDGE

2-5 p.m. This is a moderate to strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between Sendero and Esencia. The trail length is 2.2 miles (one way) and is recommended for those 10 and older. These open access events are for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only. Chiquita Ridge. thenaturereserve.org/events.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 15

YMCA DATE NIGHT

6-10 p.m. Date Nights offer parents with some needed time to themselves while kids have a party of their own. Children must be 4 years old and potty-trained. Children will enjoy outdoor play, games, crafts, dinner, treats, and a movie. The theme is Hawaiian Luau. $45 per child/$25 for siblings. Register at ymcaoc.org/ rancho-mission-viejo/. The Canyon House Studio. pdarden@ymcaoc.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16

TRAIL CLEARING & WEEDING

8-11 a.m. Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping The Nature Reserve.

Join the crew dedicated to protecting the Reserve’s native ecosystems by clearing trails, restoring habitats, and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact. Participants should bring work gloves if you have them. Participants must be registered by 4 p.m. on Sept. 15. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. thenaturereserve.org/ events.

KNEE-HIGH NATURALISTS: NATURE’S ALPHABET

9:30-10:30 a.m. ABC … what do you see? The Nature Reserve sees nature’s alphabet all around.

Hike through Oak Canyon as participants search for hidden shapes of the alphabet along the trail.

Then, relax under the shade of the oaks as the group reads Discovering Nature’s Alphabet. Get crafty, as participants create their own name cards made from rocks, sticks, leaves and flowers. All children must be accompanied by a participating adult. However, because of limited spaces, please register only for the number of participating children. Either the adult or child’s name may be used in registration.

This event is for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only.

Esencia Farm Tables & Oak Canyon Trail. thenaturereserve.org/events.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21

TRAIL MIXER—GET TO KNOW THE NATURE RESERVE

7-8:30 p.m. Join The Nature Reserve for an evening learning about the group at Rancho Mission Viejo.

Find out how you can explore the lands and the trails that make up The Nature Reserve. Hear about The Nature Reserve’s role in local habitat conservation and how you can have a part in this effort. Participants will get local wildlife and trail information, meet staff and volunteers, enjoy drinks and snacks, and answers to all your Nature Reserve questions. The presentation is from 7:15-7:45 p.m. Stop by for a short time or stay for the entire program. Staff are available for questions before and after the presentation. All ages welcome (presentation recommended for ages 10 and up).

EYE ON RMV

USC Football Fans Find Community in Reata Glen Retirement Home

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Among the hundreds of thousands who tuned in Saturday afternoon, Sept. 2, to watch their beloved University of Southern California Trojans play their second game of the 2023 season was a small but passionate group of fans in Rancho Mission Viejo.

Inside the Reata Glen retirement living complex’s clubhouse, a group of 27— mostly seniors—gathered to cheer on No. 6-ranked USC as the Trojans dismantled Nevada at home, 66-14.

It’s a relatively new tradition that began roughly a year ago, as Reata Glen residents Edwina Broderick and Carol Pangburn aspired to create a community of like-minded people who could spend time together and watch their favorite team.

“I met (Pangburn) here, who was from SC, and she said to me,‘Wouldn’t it be fun to watch the first game (of 2022) here in the Cantina?’, and I said,‘Yeah!’” Broderick, 87, recalled.“She said,‘Well, I’m going to Alaska, so could you organize it?’ So, that’s how I ended up being the chairman.”

Word of the small group spread, as residents found out through listed biographies that other people went to USC or happened upon the group after coming down for dinner service.

Usually, a group between 18 and 22 people show up on each gameday, according to Broderick, with the numbers fluctuating based on the game time or the importance of the Trojans’ opponent in a particular week.

She added that 26 congregated to watch USC quarterback Caleb Williams essentially clinch his Heisman Trophy against Notre Dame last season, and her friend, Darlene Kelly, 85, said people watched USC play crosstown rival UCLA in the clubhouse’s auditorium.

“When you have a common interest, you gravitate to the people that have the same interest that you have,” said Broderick.“I mean, we even went to one of the games last year; we went to the homecoming game. (The group) just gets bigger and bigger.”

Although both women are USC alumni, having graduated in the Class of 1959, there’s no restriction to who can come and watch. Half of the attendees also went to the school, or have children or grandchildren who attended USC or are currently attending, and others are simply lifelong fans.

“They’re not all alumni, but they all have a connection (in) some way,” Broderick said.

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

A group of University of Southern California football fans at the Reata Glen senior living facility in Rancho Mission Viejo come together to watch their Trojans on Saturday, Sept. 2. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

Throughout all the other Heisman winners who graced USC’s campus over the years, the national championships, and other big games, Broderick and Kelly have seen the Trojans win a lot. The favorite memory for both occurred on Oct. 15, 2005, during the game forever known for the “Bush Push.”

No. 1 USC was battling archrival No. 9 Notre Dame on the Fighting Irish’s campus in South Bend, Indiana, and the Trojans were driving to take the lead with a few seconds remaining when the stadium clock operator let the last seven seconds tick off the clock. The Notre Dame faithful stormed the field, believing they had just knocked off the top team in the country.

That was not to be, as the officials righted the mistake and gave USC another chance to save its season. With quarterback Matt Leinart locked in a scrum in front of the goal line, running back Reggie Bush gave him a push that propelled Leinart into the end zone for a score and earned USC the win.

“I was sitting with three other women in the Notre Dame section, and those people literally scared us; they were so nasty,” Kelly said.“I have never been in a game where SC won and I was afraid to cheer.

We literally took (each other’s) hands and got out of the stadium. They were really mad.”

Another resident in attendance this past Saturday, Phil, 87, recounted USC’s great history of running backs, including Marcus Allen and O.J. Simpson, and marveled about current quarterback Caleb Williams’ abilities.

Jan Day, 82, commented on the group’s camaraderie and being able to connect with other fans. She said her favorite memories involve going to many Trojans games before and after graduating while using her family’s season tickets.

Page 8

“We went to all the games, whether it was raining or not; you know, you sit there with a garbage bag over your head (if it is),” said Day.“We’re really loyal fans.”

One pair of fans watching Saturday’s game included Dalt Bordner, 87, and his 33-year-old grandson, Nick, as a way for the two to spend time together.

Not everyone’s USC fandom was created the same, which can be seen in Broderick and Kelly.

Kelly’s father graduated from the school in 1933, which meant that she was born into a Trojan family that went to many games.

“I just always loved (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum); it’s very exciting,” she said.

“It’s a huge school, and I just loved the spirit there.”

In Broderick’s case, she was the first one in her family to go to college, and she came to love watching the Trojans play during her time there.

“You just look forward to every Saturday when you’re going to go to the game,” said Broderick.“My husband and I had season tickets from the time we graduated.”

The cadre of fans at Reata Glen are happy to finally see their team win regularly after a decade of disappointments, with new coach Lincoln Riley taking USC to an 11-1 record in his first year in 2022 on the way to a Pac-12 Conference championship game appearance. Now, the team and the fan base are looking to achieve more during the Trojans’ final season in the conference.

Kelly said she’s sad to see USC move on from playing its traditional opponents in Stanford and Cal, but Broderick noted that they’ll be able to see USC in better television slots going forward.

No matter the Trojans’ future, they’ll have a solid group of supporters at Reata Glen. thecapistranodispatch.com

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GUEST OPINION | By Mandy Sackett & Henry Chou of Surfrider Foundation

The Railroad in South San Clemente Must Move Off the Beach

S

an Clemente beaches are shrinking—especially north of the Cottons surf break to Cypress Shores HOA, where up to 26,000 tons of boulders have been sitting on public land and eroding the beach.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is responsible for funding and implementing transit projects. After a series of several erosion episodes near Cypress Shores, OCTA placed an enormous pile of boulders on the beach. Now, it should be focusing on the long-term solution of relocating the Photo: File/Collin Breaux vulnerable railway off the beach.

OCTA started placing boulders on the beach in the winter of 2021 as an emergency measure to protect the tracks from a storm surge that threatened sand flow, and the shore’s service and the rail line. unavoidable march inland Now—four emergency caused by sea-level rise. permits and thousands of While many of these tons of additional placed are daunting problems to rocks later—OCTA is manage, it is actually feasible assuming the same Bandfor a public agency such Aid solutions will serve as a as OCTA to relocate public MANDY SACKETT feasible strategy for keeping infrastructure inland in the railroad operating into order to remove its threat the future. to the public interest along The emergency armoring the coast. and adjacent length of track Such a move is necessary are disrupting natural sand in the long run for OCTA flow, causing sediment loss in order to preserve the and the erosion of the beach. viability of the line anyway.

The resulting smaller (and in With sea levels expected to certain places, nonexistent) rise another 3 feet in the beach means less public land next few decades, eventually, to walk across and on which no amount of riprap will to lay a towel.

HENRY CHOU protect the rail line from Eroded beaches also storm damage and forced threaten access—it is already closures. no longer possible to cross the beach In San Diego, rail managers at south to north from Trestles, or to jump SANDAG recently pondered a similar out into the water on a high tide. Many future with respect to sections of of the beach breaks in front of the railroad running along coastal bluffs riprap are also swamped in refraction in Del Mar that are eroding at an caused by the infrastructure. accelerated pace because of sea-level Relocating the rail off the coast rise. presents a rare opportunity to preserve Though moving a 5-mile stretch of coastal access, the beach, and waves railroad is currently projected to cost $3 in San Clemente. Beaches all across billion, this was ultimately determined our city are narrowing because of the to be cheaper than the alternative natural sand dynamics, damming and of leaving the line in place. SANDAG bluff armoring that impounds natural has committed to relocating the train

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Page 10

inland by 2035.

OCTA should similarly commit to inland relocation of the rail in south San Clemente, and to take its riprap with it. In the coming months, the California Coastal Commission will be reviewing OCTA’s application for a coastal development permit to instead retain the emergency armoring indefinitely.

This is also an opportunity for locals to tell OCTA and the CCC that the railroad should be moved inland to restore the beach north of Trestles and to study the effects of the riprap on Trestles over time.

In the meantime, the public should be compensated for loss of coastal access and public beach space. A living shoreline that builds resilience while keeping towel space, as well as a northsouth access trail along the rail line, are reasonable mitigation options that could be established while longer-term relocation is pursued.

Mandy Sackett is the Senior California Policy Coordinator for Surfrider Foundation. She works out of Surfrider’s HQ office in San Clemente, focused on protecting California’s coast from rising seas and for all people. Henry Chou is the Chair of the Surfrider Foundation South Orange County Chapter. The chapter has been fighting to protect South County’s coast for over 30 years, including the 15year campaign to Save Trestles. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | The Foley Report by Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley

Updates on Senior Summit Planning, Dana Point Harbor Advisory Committee Meeting, Tropical Storm Hilary, and Upcoming Events

A

s summer ends, my office began work on time and construction ready our fall programming. to start in January 2024.

First, I continue to work We planned out each toward a County Master Plan monthly meeting through for Aging to identify and January 2024 and planned to address the needs of our select a chair and secretary aging population. at our September meeting. I Orange County includes look forward to the diverse more than 650,000 older perspectives of those serving Americans living in our committee and the THE FOLEY REPORT our communities, with spirited discussion, which KATRINA FOLEY

BY KATRINA FOLEY projections to double by will undoubtedly lead to 2060. A recent report in the policy recommendations for Orange County Register discussed the our public harbor. lack of collected, systemic data needed by As supervisor, I continue to monitor the county to work with our partners to our sand replenishment projects. This better serve residents as they grow older. month, Tropical Storm Hilary touched We remain committed to our Master down in Orange County. Fortunately, Plan for Aging process to collect this data we escaped serious storm impacts, but and plan for future housing, health care, there is no doubt our county was wellwalkability, transportation, employment, prepared. recreation and other needs.

We lost many trees that will be I invite everyone to participate in the replaced. Otherwise, OC Parks reported District 5 Senior Summit on Oct. 27 at no adverse impacts to our sand Soka University, as an attendee, a vendor replenishment efforts at Capo Beach. OC for our resource fair, or as a speaker for Public Works also reported no significant our program. issues in District 5 and along our flood We will also host numerous public channels. stakeholder events in the district at our I remain grateful to our entire County senior centers and other community Emergency Operations Center for their centers to collect information through fantastic work. our county’s survey for the Master Plan If your home received storm damage, for Aging. standard homeowner, renter, and We hope you will all participate in our commercial insurance policies normally efforts, and share your ideas, thoughts, cover wind and storm damage. However, and concerns to help us plan for the you may need to check with your future. Learn more at officeonaging. insurance provider whether you’re ocgov.com/master- plan-aging. If your covered for flood damage. organization wants us to join for a Learn more about next steps from presentation, please contact my office. the California Department of Insurance Our first meeting of our Dana Point by visiting insurance.ca.gov or calling Harbor Oversight Advisory Committee 800.927.4357. kicked off on Aug. 2. Our members Finally, I invite the community to join received updates on the status of the me at the following events.

Harbor Revitalization from OC Parks, On Sept. 13, I plan to host a Coffee & CEO Real Estate, and the Dana Point Conversations with Katrina at the Balboa Harbor Partners (DPHP).

Island Museum at 9 a.m. RSVP here: We discussed the goals and tinyurl.com/KFCoffeeChat. expectations for the group. Each On Sept. 27, join me and OC Parks staff committee member shared the for a guided Wellness Wednesdays Walk concerns of the residents they’ve heard at William R. Mason Regional Park at 9 echoed throughout the community. a.m. Learn about our local ecosystems Each member received the Audit of from park rangers and naturalists.

Dana Point Harbor Partners, the lease Stay updated on the latest from me agreement between DPHP and the by subscribing to my weekly newsletter: county, and an update on the Local d5.ocgov.com/newsletter Coastal Plan working through the Coastal Janny Adamson is California native and Commission. resident of San Clemente, working in design We continue to work with Dana Point sales and becoming a more eco-aware Harbor Partners to keep the project on climate activist. CD The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Page 11

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GUEST OPINION | Eat My Words by Cheryl Pruett

Why Do We Cross the Road?

To Get a Chicken Dinner

C

ount the ways to enjoy chicken during September’s National Chicken Month.

No wonder there’s a national chicken month. Chicken is such a versatile ingredient that it deserves a tip of the hat, a deep bow, and a snap-to salute. September is the month to celebrate chicken. So many dishes. So little time.

Chicken can be a casual food or be part of a traditional American meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And, of course, chicken dishes also bring global flavor from Italian, Thai and Peruvian to Japanese. Chicken knows no borders.

We all have the quick favorite chicken go-to. Fried chicken remains popular such as KFC in San Juan Capistrano or Chickfil-A at Outlets at San Clemente and Plaza Del Obispo in San Juan Capistrano.

Or chow down on fire-grilled chicken at El Pollo Loco in Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. Chicken wings provide another quick chicken fix including locations such as Wing Stop in

Traditional American dish Tavern at the Mission,26860 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.240.2229. tavernatthemission.com.

Orange County restaurateur David Wilhelm and partner Gregg San Clemente.

Solomon bring a traditional dish Apparently, the newest TikTok to to the menu with D’s honey butfollow is Chicken Check In, the Tik termilk fried chicken served as a Tok account of the National Chicken main meal with mashed potatoes, Council. It focuses on nutrition, susBlue Lake green beans and thyme EAT MY WORDS tainability and animal safety tiktok. cream gravy or served as a fried

BY CHERYL PRUETT com@chickencheck.in. chicken sandwich.

Here’s a refresher on dishes to The buttermilk fried chicken savor during National Chicken Month as a brunch entrée is served with malted and beyond. Naturally, this is a short list of waffles. Take your pick. options.

Mediterranean taste Luna Grill, 32525 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.481.6800. lunagrill.com.

Mediterranean cuisine brings out the chicken kabobs and chicken pita sandwiches. At Luna, the Greek seasoned chicken can be served with basmati rice and various Greek sauces.

Japanese touch Maki Yaki Japanese, 34119 PCH, Dana Point.

949.234-1235. makiyakijapanese.com.

It’s not all about sushi. Popular chicken

Peruvian flavor Inka Mama’s, 111 W. Avenida Palizada (Old Town Plaza), San Clemente. 949.312.2423. inkamamas.com/san-clemente.

A chicken menu standout is arroz con pollo: chicken stewed in a cilantro, onion and garlic sauce and served with cilantro-infused rice and pickled red onions.

Another example of chicken Peruvian-style is Verde Pollo, a chicken breast filet smothered in garlic, lightly breaded and pan-fried (served with pasta in spinach and basil cream sauce).

Italian style Fratello’s, 647 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente. 949.661.5200. fratellosonline.com.

Chicken Italian-style ranges from Chicken Marsala with sauteed mushrooms in a Marsala wine sauce and the equally as famous Chicken Piccata in white wine, garlic, lemon and capers.

Other choices for the chicken include a variety of styles a la vodka, Parmigiana, saltimbocca (layered with prosciutto and provolone) and chicken Romano (artichoke, mushroom, onion).

Thai flair Thai Paradise, 3551 Camino Mira Costa, San Clemente (bordering Capistrano Beach), 949.489.9914. thaiparadisesanclemente.com.

Flavors abound in the popular chicken Sa-Tay, seasoned chicken on skewers served with peanut sauce and a cucumber dip.

Try the stuffed angel wings, Thai-style fried chicken wings stuffed with glass noodles and served with sweet chili sauce.

Cheryl Pruett is an award-winning journalist and editor, having covered Orange County city and county topics to the food scene for Orange County Register, Patch.com and local magazines. She has called Dana Point/Capistrano Beach home for more than 30 years. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ sanclementetimes.com.

GUEST OPINION | Moments In Time by Jan Siegel

Historical Society at 60

T

his year, the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society is celebrating its 60th anniversary. In this town, it is amazing that as much as things change, they also stay the same.

“Remembering Our Past Insures Our Future” is not only the motto of the Historical Society but is the mission of the organization.

In the newsletter of August 1967, as the Society was celebrating its 25th year of service to the community, it stated that besides conducting tours of the museum, as well as school programs, “There is also the daily task of collecting, filing, categorizing, and protecting our historical library and collections of historical photos, newspaper clippings, and artifacts. We do need to raise funds because we have some vital projects that require considerable expenditures.”

In August 2016, a time capsule was opened 50 years after it was sealed, following the dedication of the Richard R. Dana statue at the harbor in Dana Point.

the history and tradition of California.

Our society, in this Year of Our Lord 1966, is dedicated to the preservation of that history and tradition. How tragic it would be that in the 50 ensuThe San Juan Capistrano Historical ing years, succeeding generations Society had raised money for the would neglect their forefathers statue. and cast into oblivion the trials In 1966, when the capsule was and tribulations, the culture and placed at the base of the statue, romance of those people with San Juan Capistrano was a small the musical sounding name of town of 3,000 people. A letter from Olivares, Yorba, Valenzuela, Rios, MOMENTS IN the Historical Society was placed Avila and Aguilar, who brought TIME in the capsule and revealed at the

BY JAN SIEGEL this area through from wilderopening. ness to modern civilization.

The letter shows that although we “You must remember, too, the pioneers were then a town of 36,000, we still had of the 19th century whose names are the same feeling for our history and our interwoven with our Spanish forbearers, town as people did 50 years before. The the Forsters, the Rosenbaums, the Buchletter written on Aug. 29, 1966 reads as heims, and the O’Neills. follows: “Let the groundwork we lay lead “To our Friends in the Year 2016: As succeeding generations to fruition of the you open this time capsule, we pray that plans we make. the orderly progress and development of “Hopefully, this area for which we have all worked Signed, Gerald T. Gaffney, Captain, U. S. will have been achieved. We hope, howMarine Corps (Retired), President. ever, that in the years that have passed, “Vice President Mr. Fred G. Hunn, Secthe treasure of the history of this area has retary Mrs. Ronald E. (Doris) Drumond, not been overlooked.

Treasurer Mrs. Rita Donner, Board of “You are standing on ground rich in

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Page 12

Directors Mrs. Don Dunford, Mrs. Marco F. (Betty) Forster, Mrs. Lucana Isch, Mrs. Ethel Pesse, Mr. Don J. Rios.”

Please note the pride that Gaffney held for his time in the military. And note that most of these families are still in San Juan Capistrano today.

You can spend a “Moment in Time” and help remember our past by visiting the Historical Society on Los Rios Street, taking the historical tours, and becoming a member of this organization, which continues to preserve the past and keep the traditions of San Juan Capistrano alive.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in the neighboring town of Rancho Mission Viejo.

She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years, has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 26 years and is currently the museum curator for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Perry

Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

When it comes to having fun, nobody can beat Perry. One and a half years old, Perry is a master of playtime and excels at getting all the other dogs to join in on the fun. He would love to have a canine pal and is looking for a forever home with an active and dog-savvy owner who can continue with his training.

If you are interested in adopting Perry, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@ scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. CD

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

LAST WEEK’S 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

Photo: Courtesy of Burton O. Burt/Los Angeles Public Library

FROM THE ARCHIVES Pictured is a row of century-old adobes in San Juan Capistrano on June 29, 1939. The two-story restaurant to the right is La Casa Adobe, serving “Spanish dishes” and selling pottery.

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 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.

See the solution in next week’s issue.

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Page 13

thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

Editor’s Pick

WEDNESDAY | 13 SAN O PARKS FOUNDATION SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES: RICK DELANTY 5:30 p.m. Rick Delanty, inspired by the evidence of God’s supernatural presence in nature, shares his travels seeking wonder and beauty in surrounding landscapes.

There will be a hosted reception and gallery exhibit viewing. Local favorites Hans and Janine will perform. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door if seats are available. delanty.eventbrite.com. Historic Cottage at San Clemente State Beach, 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente. sanoparks.org.

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

FRIDAY | 8 FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday. 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 | 9 DANA POINT NATURE INTERPRETIVE CENTER DOCENT WALK 9-11 a.m. Join the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center and learn more about the plants and animals that are found on the Dana Point Headlands. The walk is approximately 1½ hours and covers endemic rare and endangered plants and animals. RSVP required. Sign up inside the Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. 949.248.3527. dpnaturalresources@danapoint.org.

TABLE TENNIS SATURDAYS 10 a.m.-noon. Intermediate to advanced players who are at least 45 years old are invited to play table tennis at the Shorecliffs Terrace Mobile Home Park every Saturday for free. Shorecliffs Terrace, 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente. 949.481.2275.

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 11a.m. Husband-and-wife acoustic duo 3 Mile Radius will perform with singer Kara Brouelette. Enjoy the entertainment on the outdoor patio while you chow down on food and sip drinks. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

Photo: Breeana Greenberg

FRIDAY | 8: OCEAN INSTITUTE’S 39TH ANNUAL MARITIME FESTIVAL 3:30 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute in celebration of California’s rich maritime history with staged cannon battles, tall ship tours and educational activities. The three-day event includes visiting Tall Ships, simulated Cannon Battles, a Pirate and Mermaid Ball, Beer Garden, Mermaids Swim Shows, Pirate School, Reenactors and Sailor Camp, vendors, live music, food trucks and more. Festivities kick off on Friday with simulated cannon battles at sea from 3:30-8 p.m., followed by the Sails n’ Ales event, where guests can enjoy craft beers and live music by Rogues in Xile. Proceeds from the weekend will support the nonprofit’s ocean education programs. For a full schedule of the weekend’s events, visit maritime-fest.org. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.

MONDAY | 11

comedy headliner Erica Rhodes (ABC, Fox, HBO) along with Jenelle Van de Mortel (Flappers, Comedy Chateau, Z Playhouse); Ben Thompson (Comedy Store, Rec Room, Z Playhouse); and Jim Andritch (Comedy Store, Improv City, Rec Room). Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. cabrilloplayhouse.org.

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Doug Starks— Higherground will perform the music of Stevie Wonder. Tickets are $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

SUNDAY | 10 DOG DENTAL CLEANING 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Qualified Pet Dental is hosting this non-anesthetic teeth cleaning for dogs and cats, giving them fresh breath and clean teeth in less than an hour. A veterinary screening/exam is required. Appointments are limited. Pets Plus-Ocean View Plaza, 638 Camino de los Mares, #A-140, San Clemente. 949.496.8400. qualifiedpetdental.com.

COMEDY AT THE CABRILLO 6:15 p.m. Lyricjim Productions presents The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

BRIDGE GAME 12:30 p.m. The South Orange County Bridge Club hosts bridge games, Monday through Saturday. The club is a nonprofit owned by the members and welcomes people to use their minds and develop new friendships. They also offer classes for bridge players of different levels. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. galesenter@cox.net.

‘OUT OF THE SHADOWS’ 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join youth mentor and rehabilitated drug addict Billy Reynolds as he shares his personal perspective on the nation’s drug crisis. Reynolds is the vice president of RecoverU, a nonprofit rehabilitation center in San Clemente.

Capo Beach Church, 25975 Domingo Ave, Capistrano Beach. recoveruoc.com.

TUESDAY| 12 STORYTIME AT THE SJC LIBRARY 10:30-11 a.m. Bring the kids to storytime, held every Tuesday morning. Children will get to read books and sing songs. The event is geared for the 2- to 6-year-old age range. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1752. ocpl.org.

Page 14

LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 6 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. DJ Tom Wellner will perform on Country Wednesday. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

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

949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

BOATING SKILLS & SEAMANSHIP CLASS 7-9 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is hosting this comprehensive class, every Wednesday through Oct. 25, designed for both experienced boaters, as well as those new to boating. Topics include boating safety, knots, boat handling, radio, as well as other valuable subjects. Successful completion will earn your California boater card. Registration is $70. For more information on how to register, contact Eric Gritzmacher at ericgritzmacher@cox. net or 949.632.2378 or Guy Heaton at guyheaton3489@gmail.com or 949.345.9686.

Dana Point Yacht Club, 24399 Dana Drive, Dana Point. cgaux.org.

THURSDAY| 14 PACIFIC SYMPHONY 6:30-8 p.m. The Pacific Symphony will perform outside of San Clemente’s senior center, in the parking lot off Avenida Rosa.

Guests should bring food and drink to enjoy during the concert, and should also arrive early to get a good seat. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente..

BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8:30-10:30 p.m. Learn about the remarkable ability of some marine animals to thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

glow in the dark and witness the curiously beautiful phenomenon. A meter net is deployed 600 feet deep to capture thousands of these drifting organisms, which have the ability to make their own light.

The Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.

FRIDAY | 15 CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Pop artist Don McLean will perform as a part of the American Pie 50th Anniversary Tour.

Tickets are $68. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

SATURDAY| 16 5TH ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Soroptimist Interna-

tional Capistrano Bay for its fifth annual craft fair at the Dana Point Community Center. The event supports the Soroptimist mission of supporting young women and girls in the local community. Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point. sicapistranobay.org/2023-craft-fair.

LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S 2 p.m. Live music is featured at one of San Juan Capistrano’s best-known dive bars and country music spots. Rock ‘n’ roll band The Apes will perform. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

TIDE POOL HIKE 3:30-5:30 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute for a tide pool hike along the rocky Marine Conservation Area led by one of its expert naturalists. The hike is rated moderately difficult at a 1- to 1½-mile round trip. Attendees should be prepared for rocky, uneven and slick terrain for the entire hike.

The Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK 8 p.m. Join Haunted Orange County for a dark, history-filled ghost tour of San Juan Capistrano. Hear the stories of spirits that inhabit the old Los Rios district and make your way through Camino Capistrano to the outskirts of the Mission itself. The tour ends outside the Mission, near the church where a great earthquake struck in 1812 and parishioners were crushed under falling stones. The meeting location is just outside the brick visitor’s information booth near the train tracks located behind the Franciscan Plaza Parking Structure, 26732 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 866.446.7803. hauntedoc.com.

WEDNESDAY| 20 SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES 4-8 p.m. The city’s San Juan Summer Nites free concert series concludes at Historic Town Center Park. Join the city for live music, a business expo, vendors and free activities for kids. Wrapping up the summertime series is the Tijuana Dogs, which will entertain audiences starting at 6 p.m.

The business expo starts at 4 p.m. Historic Town Center Park, 31525 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

SUNDAY| 17

THURSDAY| 21

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 7 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Latin artist Benise will perform. Tickets are $58-$98. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Jazz artist Keiko Matsui will perform. Tickets are $38.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

that Doug is not a good person.

It’s pretty clever to use a cute, innocent animal as a metaphor for a serious subject, and it actually lands, for the most part.

Greenbaum and screenwriter Dan Perrault seem to care as much about sending an important message as they do about making audiences laugh.

Though this gives Strays some extra substance narrative-wise, the comedy will obviously be divisive for a lot of

movie fans.

Naturally, some parents are wondering if a comedy centered on dogs is inappropriate enough to warrant an R rating. And I can safely say, yes, yes, it is.

I’m not a prude, and I don’t have kids, but if it were me, I would probably wait until about eighth grade to consider allowing your child a viewing of Strays.

As for the adults, it really just depends on your taste in comedies. CD

AT THE MOVIES:

‘Strays’ J

BY MEGAN BIANCO

osh Greenbaum’s Strays is a raunchy comedy that almost has something for everybody.

The crude/gross humor is for viewers who appreciated Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon’s Sausage Party (2016), the general concept of Fletcher Markle’s The Amazing Journey (1963), Duwayne Dunham’s Homeward Bound (1993), and the (well, almost) wholesomeness of Dean Fleischer Camp’s Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021).

Strays is exactly what you expect from the director of something ridiculous like Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021).

In a rural, countryside neighborhood, a cute Border Terrier named Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell) is naïve and oblivious to the fact that his owner, Doug (Will Forte), is a burned-out loser who treats Reggie like trash.

Doug constantly ignores Reggie, yelling at him and looking for excuses to leave him outside. But in Reggie’s mind, Doug is irrationally “the greatest human ever.”

When Doug finally has had enough and abandons Reggie in the middle of town, three stray dogs—Bug (Jamie Foxx), Maggie (Isla Fisher) and Hunter

Photo: Courtesy of Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures

(Randall Park)—befriend him and try to help Reggie understand his homelife is actually worse than possibly being a stray.

Strays is 90 minutes of foul language, drug gags, potty humor and sex jokes.

This much is expected and transparently obvious from the original trailer.

But there is also an underlying theme of a victim unaware of their abusive relationship throughout the movie, as Reggie is regularly and gently reminded

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Page 15

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Then you need to be in The Capo Dispatch!

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

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Call Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com

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

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Page 16

thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE:

Samantha Fish Turns Rock on Its Head with ‘Faster’

BY AARON IRONS

W

hen it comes to guitar-slinging sorcery with style, Samantha Fish is in a class all her own. The multi-award-winning, Missouri-born performer has made a career out of boldly inhabiting the intersections of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, and with her 2021 album, Faster, Fish sweetened the deal with bold splashes of pop, funk, and even a killer dose of Kansas City hip-hop.

Always the musical adventurer, Fish recently teamed up with Texas six-string maestro Jesse Dayton on a full-length album of original material titled Death Wish Blues, which arrived on May 19.

Fish and Dayton spent the summer playing shows together, but now Fish is back on the road. She’ll play The Coach House on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

The set figures to feature a good cross section of songs from across what is now a lengthy and successful career.

TMG: You flirted with some of these sounds on the album Kill or Be Kind, but stylistically, you really changed jackets on Faster. Tell us about the shift and working with Martin Kierszenbaum.

SF: It’s funny you bring up that we were flirting with those sounds on Kill or Be Kind, because I think I was definitely inching toward something like that.

Those songs had very melodic-based hooks, kind of like blues foundations, but with pop hooks. Martin took that and just elevated it. He’s an incredible pop producer. He’s done some of my favorite pop acts. He produced Lady Gaga’s The Fame, which I think is an amazing album.

It was something I had definitely been flirting with prior to that, but (we were) just taking the blues and seeing if we could collide it with another genre in a way that made for massive hooks and catchy songs that people could feel and dance to.

Comin’ out of the pandemic with a record like that—out of a time that wasn’t really fun at all—coming out with something that was so energetic got me up and going, and that was what I wanted to do for everybody else.

When I was writing Faster, it was kicking off the pandemic, and we were all in the dark, not really knowing how things were going to go or how long it was going to last. Like everybody else, I fell into this depression state, and I was writing a lot of darker stuff. But when I started working with Martin, he had such a positive, enthusiastic energy about him, it was hard to not feel optimistic about the art and what I could do with it.

That was a massive gift that Martin gave to me, which was a boost of positivity at a time when I didn’t really have a lot of that going on.

TMG: With the different experimentation that you’ve done with your past few albums, is being pigeonholed as a blues guitarist a concern for you?

SF: Really, since the Wild Heart record, every record has been a little conceptualized—a different theme sonically.

Chills & Fever, we took it to a different era with brass. We went to Detroit and did a lot of soul songs from the ’50s and ’60s. We remade them in a contemporary way with urgent guitars and this band called the Detroit Cobras, which was a rock band that does a lot of those R&B covers, too.

After that, I did Belle of the West and further on with Kill or Be Kind, so I’ve always felt like an album is an opportunity to reinvent yourself and to flip the narrative on its head a little bit.

People get an idea of exactly who you are and exactly what you’re going to be doing next, but as an artist, it feels good to be able to have the freedom to change and go wherever the art pulls you to.

At the end of the day, that’s what’s driving the bus, and I’m just trying to chase it down and write good songs.

TMG: “Loud,” the collaboration with rapper Tech N9ne on Faster ... Initially, I would not have thought so, but that really comes across as one of the most organic tracks on the album. It’s a wonderful amalgamation of styles starting with that ’50s, dreamy pop intro, and then you just kick it into high gear with the metal fuzz, and the hip-hop ties it all together. Whose idea was that?

SF: This idea scared me so bad! Me and Martin, we first met up in Kansas City to co-write, and Tech lent us one of his writing spaces. They have a big complex out there with Strange Music, and Martin just flippantly tossed the idea out like, “Hey, what if we get Tech on one of these songs?” I just laughed, like, ‘He would never in a million years! He’s not gonna say yes!’

Martin’s like, ‘I think he will.’ So, he asked him, and Tech was down—I was shocked! I’ve been aware of him since I was a kid. There were massive billboards erected all over Kansas City with Tech on them. He’s a hero and a legend—not just in Kansas City, but around the world. He’s one of the best in the game. It tickled the Kansas City kid in me.

He just killed it, man—he killed his

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Samantha Fish will perform on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Sands

portion of that song! We got to perform it together one time live in Kansas City.

That really was my head nod to Kansas City and my people there.

I knew that they would love that, and I think it was a good opportunity to say, “We like to mix these genres. This all belongs together. Music is universal.” We can mix rap and R&B and rock ‘n’ roll and blues and country, and it works!”

TMG: It was a writing session that brought you and Jesse Dayton together, as well. On the EP that preceded the Death Wish Blues album, The Stardust Sessions, you do a cover of Vince Taylor’s “Brand New Cadillac.” How did you come to record that particular song?

SF: Initially, I’d seen (Jesse) in January of last year, and we had talked about doing this project together. He came in for a writing session and toward the end of the writing session, my manager called us both and said, “I booked a studio. You guys figure out a couple songs that you want to throw down.”

It was low-pressure. “We just want to see how it goes. Pick out a few songs that you feel like encompass the aesthetic and the vibe and the inspiration of what you’re trying to do.”

We picked Magic Sam’s “Feelin’ Good,” which is this burning blues number. Jesse played me this live version of him doing it in Belgium, and it was just blow-yourhair-back good. I brought in a Townes Van Zandt song (“I’ll Be Here in the Morning”), because Jesse’s an amazing outlaw country musician, and I wanted to really showcase us singing together in a delicate fashion.

“Brand New Cadillac”... We wanted to do something that mixed punk, rock, blues, and all our different styles togeth-

Page 17

er for this specific project. We tried to choose songs carefully that would express that. I didn’t know that it would go over so well, but the label loved it and wanted to put it out as an EP, so it’s a cherry on top.

TMG: Did you originally plan to make a full-length original album?

SF: Yeah! The idea was always to make an album. We ended up going early in the fall, late summer, up to Woodstock to work with Jon Spencer from Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Hitmakers, Boss Hog. He produced the album. We wrote 12 original songs together, and that was always the intention.

This is a different kind of thing for both of us, because we’re both front people. It’s finding our voice on the guitar that’s sonically separate from one another but also supportive, because you’re cast off into this role of rhythm guitar player at times.

It’s been a fun challenge for both of us to dynamically figure out how to build songs and support them together.

Normally, I’m just trying to get the band to sing backing vocals! Now, I’m the backing vocalist on some of these songs—and it’s hard, man! But it’s been fun. It’s going to be a unique journey together. CD

SHOW DETAILS:

What: Samantha Fish When: Wednesday, Sept. 13. 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

Where: 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano For tickets or more info: thecoachhouse.com. Tickets start at $35.

thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC SPORTS

2023 SAN JUAN FALL SPORTS SHOWCASE

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

There are new horizons and new frontiers to reach for the fall sports teams across the San Juan Capistrano high school landscape.

Girls flag football enters the fray with its inaugural CIF-SS season, and San Juan Hills and JSerra will field teams.

JSerra’s boys water polo and girls cross country teams will look to fight for championship gold again, with water polo aiming for its first title and cross country looking for its third consecutive.

JSerra, San Juan Hills and Capistrano Valley Christian girls volleyball are also seeking deeper CIF-SS playoff runs with championship dreams.

Let’s shine a light on some of the fall sports teams in San Juan Capistrano:

Girls Flag Football

Joining the roster of CIF-SS sports this fall is girls flag football, and the sport is already off to a roaring start in Southern California.

There are 114 schools participating across the CIF-Southern Section. Nearly every school in the Coast View Athletic Association and Capistrano Unified School District are fielding teams, including San Juan Hills. Every Trinity League school is also fielding teams in this inaugural season, including JSerra.

There are varying levels of experience across the sport, as many teams jump into having programs on the fly. JSerra is a program like that.

On the other hand, there are teams such as San Juan Hills, which hosted a club program in the Matt Leinart Flag Football League in recent seasons.

However, even for someone knowledgeable about the common game of tackle football, there is still a lot of learning every week by players, coaches, referees and fans (and reporters) about the differences between flag football and tackle football.

First, the game is quick. There are two 20-minute halves with a running clock, except inside of two minutes, when there are more regular football stoppages. The game is also played 7-on-7, rather than

with 11 players a side.

The field is only 80 yards long and 40 yards wide. First downs are gained in 20yard increments, but it’s not always 1stand-20. Drives start on the 20-yard line, which means teams have to reach the 40-yard line to earn another first down.

However, the next first down line to gain is still the next 20-yard line. For example, if it’s 3rd-and-2 and a team gains seven yards, it isn’t 1st-and-20 from that new line of scrimmage. Since they would be five yards into that next 20-yard chunk, it would be 1st-and-15.

Also, on fourth down, teams either have the option to go for it or “punt,” with the ball simply being placed at the opposite 20-yard line instead of actually being kicked.

Beyond the logistics, there are differences in the game play. If teams are within five yards of a first down or 10 yards from the end zone, those are “pass-only” zones, meaning no running plays can be called. Quarterbacks can run only once every four downs, unless the defensive team uses a double-blitz, and pass rushers must start beyond a designated line off the ball, not on the line of scrimmage.

All of that, and so much more, are what San Juan Hills, JSerra and a wide swath of new high school athletes are figuring out this fall.

San Juan Hills continues Coast View League play next week at Trabuco Hills on Monday, Sept. 11, and hosts the Mustangs on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The Stallions will end their season in the Coast View Tournament on Oct. 28.

JSerra begins Trinity League play with a home game against Orange Lutheran on Tuesday, Sept. 12, and the Lions are at Mater Dei on Thursday, Sept. 14. JSerra will end its season in the Trinity League Tournament on Oct. 17-19.

JSerra Boys Water Polo

For the rest of the fall slate, the best team might just be the JSerra water polo team, as the Lions come off a season as CIF-SS Open Division runner-up and a CIF SoCal Regional Division I championship.

JSerra is among the best of the best, in part because it may have the best junior water polo player in the country in senior Ryder Dodd. Dodd won a World Championship bronze medal with the U.S. Junior National Team in June and competed with the senior national team

The Capistrano Dispatch September 8-September 21, 2023

Girls flag football is the newest sport in the CIF-Southern Section, and San Juan Hills and JSerra are fielding teams in this inaugural season. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

over the summer. The senior has the potential to make the U.S. Olympic roster for the 2024 Paris Games.

JSerra is 2-0 in the early season with a 19-4 win over Los Alamitos and a 9-7 win in a battle against Harvard-Westlake.

The Lions compete in the vaunted South Coast Tournament this weekend, Sept.

14-16.

Cross Country

The strongest sport across the board in San Juan Capistrano is cross country, with a steady representation from both the boys and girls programs at both JSerra and St. Margaret’s.

JSerra’s girls are the top of the crop with a domination across the 2022 cross country and 2023 track and field seasons that will be hard to top by any team anywhere in the country. The Lions won back-to-back CIF-SS and CIF State cross country titles and a CIF-SS track and field championship.

Unfortunately for the rest of California, the Lions’ top distance runners were freshmen and sophomores last season.

JSerra’s girls are back at No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 4 to open the season, with junior Brynn Garcia and sophomores Summer Wilson and Kaylah Tasser leading the way.

JSerra’s boys are at No. 4 in CIF-SS Division 4.

St. Margaret’s will be a contender on

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the girls side with a No. 2 ranking in Division 5, led by returning junior Sarah Bendzick and sophomore Joyce Li. The Tartans boys are also ranked No. 4 in Division 5.

Girls Volleyball

Not far behind in citywide strength is girls volleyball, with JSerra (No. 10 in Division 1/2) and Capistrano Valley Christian (No. 1 in Division 4) holding up the majority of the mantle. Reigning South Coast League champion San Juan Hills and reigning Orange Coast League champion St. Margaret’s are right there, as well.

JSerra and San Juan Hills are looking for better finishes this season after falling in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs. JSerra (9-4) beat San Juan Hills (5-5) in a five-set thriller on Aug. 22 JSerra opens Trinity League play at home on Tuesday, Sept. 12, against Orange Lutheran.

San Juan Hills hosts South Coast League co-champion San Clemente on Thursday, Sept. 14.

Capistrano Valley Christian (11-1) has its sights trained on a CIF-SS title after falling in the Division 5 semifinals last season. The Eagles play at JSerra on Sept.

21.

St. Margaret’s is off to a slower start this season at 4-5. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

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