October 9, 2020

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

Reserve a Picnic at Mission SJC PAGE 22

FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

OCTOBER 9-22, 2020 • VOLUME 18, ISSUE 19

With vote-by-mail ballots mailed out this week, voters can now cast their ballots for this year’s elections between now and Nov. 3. Graphic: Jasmine Smith

Council Election Heats Up Over Hatch Act Accusation EYE ON SJC/PAGE 7

Details Set for Entry Point Renovations EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

thecapistranodispatch.com

Living Facility Welcomes New Medical Director EYE ON RMV/PAGE 10

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9–22, 2020

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EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week

City Council Approves Gateway Landscaping Plan THE LATEST: The Del Obispo Street/Ortega Highway intersection will be renovated through details approved by the San Juan Capistrano City Council during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The intersection is an entry point for downtown. The beautification efforts will complement Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, the new boutique hotel that opened in September by the northwest corner of the intersection.

The project will specifically focus on the city-owned southwest corner and a privately owned northeast corner. Renovations will include low-stone masonry walls, new plants and irrigation and drainage enhancements.

A median with olive trees—a signature feature at the new hotel—will also be built.

“The northeast corner—we refer to this as the North Del Taco parcel—the city would control this privately owned parcel under a lease agreement for the purposes of installing and maintaining the proposed improvements,” Public Works Director Tom Toman said. “While (the southeast corner) is not included in the proposed project, the property owners of the Del Taco site have indicated they intend to match the planning materials at this location as part of the installation of a new Del Taco monument sign. Those improvements are expected to be implemented in 2021.”

Toman said the new corner designs will also allow for future art installations. A tile

San Juan Capistrano

The intersection at Del Obispo Street and Ortega Highway is getting spruced up under a plan enacted by city officials. Photo: Collin Breaux

triptych representing Native Americans and local history has been placed at Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, and resident Rich Heimann has previously advocated for more public art displays.

The council created the gateway project in March.

WHAT’S NEXT: Construction bids will be advertised in November, and a contract is expected to be awarded in January 2021.

Corner construction could finish in spring 2021, and construction of the median would be concurrent, pending review by Caltrans.—Collin Breaux

SJC Community Reacts to Possibility of New In-N-Out THE LATEST: Citing traffic concerns and San Juan Capistrano’s historic small-town atmosphere, residents spoke on concerns they have about a potential new In-N-Out Burger

franchise on Del Obispo Street during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

City Manager Ben Siegel said city staff received an application from In-N-Out for the Marie Callender’s location on Del Obispo, and he anticipates bringing that forward at the next council meeting on Oct. 20 for consideration of a discretionary use permit because of the proposed drive-thru use.

“The action before the council on Oct. 20 would be whether to just initiate a study of a potential future In-N-Out at that parcel,” Siegel said. “That study, if initiated by the council on Oct. 20 or a future date, would kick off the process where staff and, subsequently the planning commission, would look at all the issues raised by residents—traffic, ingress, egress, etc.”

Staff would then report back to the planning commission, who would then make a recommendation to the council. Mayor Troy Bourne clarified the city council has not yet reviewed any applications, in response to citizen concerns.

Rancho Mission Viejo

TOTAL CASES

COVID-19 UPDATES as of 10/7/20 TOTAL LAST 30 DAYS

Planning Commission Appointment Process Talks Reach Impasse THE LATEST: The San Juan Capistrano City Council could not reach a consensus when considering potential changes to the (Cont. on page 4)

TOTAL CASES

COVID-19 UPDATES

cases

deaths

563

13 4

128

“I respectfully request the city council reject this proposal,” longtime resident Rosa Hribar said. “I’ve witnessed our city’s growing pains. This stretch of Del Obispo became fast food alley for a time. We all hated it.”

Hribar said there is “severe gridlock” in town at certain hours and is also concerned with potential increased pollution from drive-thru restaurants. Approving an In-N-Out will not fit with San Juan being a “beautiful little Spanish town,” Hribar said.

Former Mayor Kerry Ferguson said she agreed with Hribar, suggesting an In-N-Out could instead be built at another location.

“I know restaurants come and go, but we need a restaurant in that area like Marie Callender’s,” Ferguson said. “They have served us very well for many years.”

Bourne said the city council has limited ability to control tenants who come into town.

“We really had nothing to do with (the Chick-fil-A location),” Bourne said. “We got mixed feedback on Target versus Ralphs. Some people are really excited to see Target in town. Other people are sad to see Ralphs go.”

Target is expected to open on Oct. 25 at the former Ralphs location, and Chick-filA will open in early 2021 at the previous Citibank building.

“If you believe there are businesses that you would like to see in town that you see in other cities, I would strongly encourage you to contact those businesses and maybe make them aware of some of your ideas of where they might go in town,” Bourne said.—CB

as of 10/7/20

LAST 30 DAYS

cases

deaths

TOTAL

68

<5

LAST 30 DAYS

10

N/A

est. population • 36,318

est. population • 10,000

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

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LAST 30 DAYS

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EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) appointment process for planning commissioners during a council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Two separate motions failed after a tie: one to use a prior method with a subcommittee of two councilmembers appointed by the mayor who make recommendations to the entire council; and the other a hybrid model in which the mayor appoints a subcommittee that reviews applications and conducts interviews and then provides the city clerk with at least two recommendations for each vacancy, with appointments made by a ballot process during an open session meeting.

Councilmember Sergio Farias and Mayor Troy Bourne voted yes, and Councilmember Brian Maryott and Mayor Pro Tem John Taylor voted no, for the prior method.

Maryott and Taylor voted yes, and Bourne and Farias no, on the hybrid model option.

The issue was tabled until the next meeting on Oct. 20. Councilmember Derek Reeve was not at the Oct. 6 meeting.

Councilmembers directed city staff in March 2019 to research different options.

Planning commission interviews and appointments currently take place in city council meeting open sessions. Interviews with prospective planning commissioners were conducted by a subcommittee of two councilmembers appointed by the mayor prior to 2013, with the subcommittee’s recommendation presented to the full council for consideration at an open session public meeting. That subcommittee and interview system is used for the city’s other commissions and committees.

City staff has consulted with other South Orange County cities on how they appoint planning commissioners. Some people have avoided applying for the planning commission under the current policy because the process is during public meetings, during which councilmembers may not ask many questions or be candid with applicants, Farias said.

“It seems like (the existing policy) would be more transparent. I think that’s why previous councils took us in that direction,” Farias said. “But with the rest of the commissions, we do interviews like you would anywhere else. I think you get a lot more out of people with those interviews, personally.”

Maryott said he is happy to support the existing process, and the hybrid model “might be one step up in adding two rounds that would be helpful.”

“Planning commissions, in every city, are really quite important in the scheme of things,” Maryott said. “It’s also something there’s more competition for. It feels like where we’re starting to go here is, let’s just make it the same as the others.”—CB

New Law Bars Toll Road from Coming Through San Onofre THE LATEST: Legislation Gov. Gavin NewThe Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

Palisades Elementary School students and staff on campus follow safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Collin Breaux

som enacted recently places a permanent moratorium on putting a toll road through San Onofre State Beach, solidifying the terms of a 2016 settlement agreement that had barred the Transportation Corridor Agencies from completing the southernmost extension of SR-241.

The new law, signed by Newsom on Friday, Sept. 25, prohibits the construction and funding of a major thoroughfare, such as a street, road, or highway, on or in the state park, as well on lands that belong to the Richard H. and Donna O’Neill Conservancy.

Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath, the author of Assembly Bill 1426 and who represents the 76th District, credited environmental advocacy groups including Save Trestles and Save San Onofre Coalition for fighting the TCA to preserve the popular park and surf spot.

“This new law ensures that the hard work of everyone who fought to save this park cannot be undone,” Horvath said in a press release. “This is a huge victory for the cause of conservation in Southern California and for the future generations of surfers, bikers, hikers, and fishermen who will be able to enjoy this special park, just as we have.”

In a blog post for Surfrider Foundation, Stefanie Sekich-Quinn, the coastal preservation manager for the nonprofit, said AB 1426 ensures that the settlement agreement the coalition had fought for is protected, validating “nearly 20 years of grassroots advocacy.”

“The word ‘historic’ is often overused, but in light of this legislation, today truly is a historic day,” Sekich-Quinn wrote in the Sept. 25 post. “This legislation, and previous lawsuit settlements, is the culmination of years of hard work to save Trestles and brings an end to one of the hardest-fought, longest-lasting environmental battles in California’s history.”

In 2016, the TCA agreed not to build the 241 Toll Road extension through the San Mateo Watershed and Trestles, concluding a years-long dispute between the toll

road operator and the coalition.

As a result of that agreement, the TCA began examining a variety of proposals to complete the 241 by having it connect to Interstate 5 via portions of San Clemente— setting up another years-long battle with the city and a local homeowners association.

Legislation from Sen. Patricia Bates sought to amend the section of the Highways Code by having the 241 Toll Road end where it currently does, at Oso Parkway, east of Mission Viejo. The law, as it currently stands, codifies that the 241 is to run from Route 5 south of San Clemente to Route 91 in Anaheim.

Bates’ measure, Senate Bill 1373, passed in the state Senate in a 24-6 vote this past June; however, because the legislature is focused on COVID-19 recovery this year, the state Assembly has placed the bill on the backburner and won’t be considering it in 2020.

SB 1373 was passed months after the TCA’s boards of directors voted unanimously to abandon the 241 extension proposals, instead moving forward with plans to further pursue the extension of Los Patrones Parkway—an arterial, untolled route.

Los Patrones, which begins at Oso, currently ends at Cow Camp Road in Rancho Mission Viejo. Under the plan, or Alternative 22 as it’s identified in the ongoing South County Traffic Relief Effort, Los Patrones would continue to Avenida La Pata, right up to the San Clemente city limits.—Shawn Raymundo

Students Return to Campus with Masks, Social Distancing THE LATEST: For the first time since March, Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) students are back on campuses for in-person learning.

Elementary students began returning to campus last week, as part of a phased

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resumption of in-person instruction.

Middle school returns started on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and high school is slated to start on Oct. 13.

Palisades Elementary School students wore masks and practiced social distancing in their classrooms on Friday, Oct. 2. Principal Lisa Baggio said students know where to sit and stand in line based on marked spots, and the movement of students from class to class has been excellent.

“We have a really good plan in place,” Baggio said. “We have one-way hallways.

The teachers know the routine between sessions.”

Kindergarten teacher Kim Van Dixhorn said she was emotionally moved to see students face-to-face again after “six long months” of physical separation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s what’s good for these kids, and it feels so good to be back in the classroom with them and see them leave and say, ‘I can’t wait to come back tomorrow,’ ” Dixhorn said. “Parents have sent really nice messages about how happy the kids are.

We’ve transitioned beautifully.”

Dixhorn said she can give direct instruction and meet individual needs quicker through in-person instruction than she can online.

CUSD students began the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 18 with virtual learning, which they have utilized since March after the CUSD Board of Trustees voted to close campuses as the coronavirus spread.

Students and teachers have variously said they are ready to safely return to in-person instruction, though health concerns have been raised by other teachers and parents.

Under a flexible reopening plan trustees approved in July, students still have the option of online learning if they so choose.

Teachers who commented during recent Board of Trustees meetings said having to teach both in-person and online classes is a strain on them.

In-person classroom sizes will be limited, and students’ temperatures will be taken by a teacher or staff member prior to a first session, first class or when boarding the bus.

A student discipline plan is in place for not wearing facial coverings.

Students at the elementary school level will receive three warnings and then be reassigned to 100% online learning after the fourth violation. Students at the secondary level will receive two warnings and then be reassigned to 100% online learning after the third violation.

Crossing guards have also returned to campuses.

The reopening plans are in accordance with the state’s new color-coded, fourtiered coronavirus monitoring system. Orange County remained in the red tier—the second-highest risk-level tier that permits some reopenings and operations—as of press time.—CB thecapistranodispatch.com

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EYE ON SJC

City Council Election Thrown into Disarray Hart Faces Hatch Act Violation Allegation; Alpay Loses Endorsement

BY COLLIN BREAUX AND LILLIAN BOYD, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

an Juan Capistrano City Council candidate Howard Hart is halting campaign activity as federal officials investigate an allegation from political opponent John Alpay that he violated the Hatch Act. A candidate forum originally scheduled for Oct. 6 has been postponed indefinitely, and Alpay has subsequently lost at least one endorsement.

The Hatch Act of 1939, An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities, is a United States federal law that, in general terms, prohibits civil service employees in the executive branch of the federal government from engaging in some forms of political activity. Alpay’s complaint asserts that because Hart is an employee for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a federal agency—and because Alpay had received endorsements from the Libertarian Party—Hart is violating the Hatch Act by running in a partisan election.

Some experts, however, say city council elections are traditionally nonpartisan.

Alpay alleges his own acceptance of a political party endorsement makes the race partisan and means Hart is in violation.

“California local elections are largely nonpartisan because of a historical desire to limit political party participation in local government,” said Beth Rotman, Director of Money in Politics & Ethics for Common Cause. “These nonpartisan schemes are seen as a means to more efficient and responsive local governments, meanwhile eliminating a perception that political party bosses and party operators could control or even potentially corrupt local government.”

Common Cause is a Washington, D.C.based nonpartisan organization that works toward transparency and accountability in government.

Complaint Filed to Office of Special Counsel Alpay’s complaint was submitted to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) on Sunday, Sept. 27. Pending a determination of the allegation, Hart is now ceasing campaigning activities based on recommendations from OSC. Alpay originally received endorsements from both the The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

Left to right, Howard Hart and John Alpay. Photos: File Libertarian Party of Orange County and the Libertarian Party of California—however, the endorsement from the state party has since been deemed null and void.

Alpay said Hart’s current employment as Regional Training Administrator for the Department of Homeland Security unmistakably subjects him to the federal Hatch Act, which stipulates that no current Executive Branch employee can run for office in a partisan election.

State Libertarian Leaders Vote Against Endorsement for Alpay On Monday, Oct. 5, the Libertarian Party of California’s Executive Committee (EC) met to discuss Alpay’s endorsement for a second time. While the meeting was initially called in light of Alpay allegedly violating the non-aggression certification, which requires that members “oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals,” Chair Mimi Robson wanted to clarify a snafu in records of Alpay’s voter registration.

On Sept. 12, the EC endorsed a number of candidates, including Alpay.

“At the time of the meeting, I was under the misguided impression that Mr. Alpay, who had been registered No Party Preference in the State of California, had changed his registration to Libertarian and was qualified for our endorsement,” said Robson.

Robson says she later learned Alpay was not registered as a Libertarian and contacted him for proof of his change of registration. He then submitted proof of the change that was made on Sept. 18.

“So when I announced to the EC that he was up for consideration, I stated the issue with registration has been remedied,” Robson said. “This was solely my mistake.”

Because Alpay was not registered Libertarian at the time of the EC’s vote to endorse him, the endorsement is subsequently null and void, Robson explained.

Rather than voting to rescind the endorsement Monday evening, the EC was tasked once again on deciding on an endorsement for Alpay.

Christa Hart, a representative of the Hart campaign and daughter of Howard Hart, spoke during the public comment portion of the EC meeting in defense of her father.

“For myself and my family, it feels as if we are simply in Mr. Alpay’s way to what he perceives as all important political power,” Christa Hart said. “He has no consideration for the victims of his unethical uses of the law. And let’s be clear, legality does not always predicate morality.”

Ultimately, the EC voted against the endorsement for Alpay.

“The Chair showed leadership by readily taking ownership of the error,” Alpay said. “I am grateful that the Executive Committee acknowledged that I sought the endorsement in good faith, did not violate any party principles and remain in good standing with the party.”

Hart’s participation in the city council election is now contingent on whether the Libertarian Party of Orange County (LPOC) will rescind their endorsement of Alpay.

David Naranjo, chair for LPOC, told The Capistrano Dispatch that voting members would likely decide on Alpay’s endorsement privately, as opposed to the state party EC’s more public Zoom meeting.

Since Alpay’s complaint, Hart has removed campaign signs and disabled campaign accounts on social media. Hart said he informed OSC of the Libertarian Party of California's decision, and as of press time was waiting on a decision from LPOC. “The fact that (the OSC is) waiting for LPOC suggests that their decision is germane to the ruling,” Hart said.

OSC Communications Director Zachary Kurz said the agency cannot comment on or confirm whether they have any specific open Hatch Act investigations.

“Once an investigation is complete, OSC’s findings are typically provided to only the complainant and the subject of the complaint,” Kurz said.

The matter is about the residents of District 5 and whether San Juan voters have the right to participate in the democratic process of choosing their

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own government, Hart said. The race is for the District 5 seat currently held

by Brian Maryott, who is running in the 49th Congressional District race against incumbent Rep. Mike Levin.

“This is a crucial time in the election cycle, and we hope for a resolution soon,” Hart said. “This is about people who have hosted and attended meet-and-greets on my behalf; it’s about the over 100 people who have donated to my campaign; it’s about those who have spent hours leaving door hangers, making phone calls, and placing signs.”

Alpay said he is raising a legitimate concern about Howard Hart’s conduct and qualifications.

“Howard Hart should assume personal responsibility for his actions. . . Howard Hart has the sole ability to eliminate any concerns about the Hatch Act in this race by removing himself from government service or simply stepping out of the race,” Alpay said. “This is not a personal attack on the Hart family.”

Alpay says that now that his knowledge is public, Hart’s efforts to undercut legitimate endorsements exposes his continued campaign efforts in disregard for the law.

Attorney with Government Watchdog Group Questions Basis for Violation In an email, Rotman with Common Cause told The Capistrano Dispatch that an endorsement should not have any bearing on whether a local election becomes partisan.

“While parties may still endorse candidates in most nonpartisan elections, some voters believe this defeats many of the goals of nonpartisan systems,” Rotman said. “Some localities have even amended their state constitutions to prohibit endorsements.”

However, Rotman concluded that an individual receiving an endorsement does not transform a nonpartisan election into a partisan one.

All five sitting councilmembers have endorsed Hart, including Mayor Troy Bourne, who said the situation threatened a regression to previous city government dysfunction, at a time when civility and decorum had been restored to council meetings.

“I think the lens most of the city is seeing this through, in my opinion, is that a technical infraction is being taken advantage of to remove the voters’ power in this election, and I think the reason that that is the perception is, when did Mr. Hart break the rules?” Bourne said.

“It feels like Mr. Hart checked the rules, asked for opinions and walked onto the field to play with the best of intentions, and then somebody drew a line behind him and accused him of crossing the line after the fact.”

For a longer version of this article, visit thecapistranodispatch.com. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Shea Center Raises $640,000 with Revamped BBQ The annual Shea Center BBQ fundraiser for the equestrian therapy nonprofit looked a lot different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it still raised $640,000.

This year’s weeklong fundraiser involved a drive-thru parade for clients and volunteers, online show and an auction instead of the usual in-person event of past years. Approximately 600 individuals registered for the online activities, and barbecue meals were still provided, a press release said.

“Our riders get to see their horses.

They have a great time,” Shea Center Executive Director Dana Butler-Moburg said during the drive-thru recognition on Sept. 12. “Our sponsors come. We’re really celebrating our sponsors, too.”

The online event was held on Sept. 19.

San Juan Capistrano Receives Housing Grant The City of San Juan Capistrano will receive a $150,000 grant to facilitate more housing.

The Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant comes from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, State Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) said.

“The LEAP grant will help lay the foundation needed to provide for the city’s housing needs now and in the future,” Bates said.

The 2019-20 state budget provides funding for the grant. Providing housing is on the city’s radar; in April, the city council approved an exclusive negotiation agreement with Jamboree Housing Corporation for potential affordable housing on property near city hall.

Registrar of Voters Releases COVID-19 Guidelines The Orange County Registrar of Voters has released its online November 2020 Election Observer Guidelines Handbook, detailing voter observation guidelines for both remote and in-person participation.

These new guidelines on how members of the public can observe the elections process have been adjusted from previous years to maintain coronavirus safety mandates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“My team and I are committed to ensuring that voting and elections are conducted in an open and transparent manner, with integrity that increases the public’s trust and confidence in elections in Orange County, even under COVID-19,” Neal Kelley, the The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

SATURDAY, OCT. 10 Citizens Climate Education 10:45 a.m.-noon. This nonpartisan climate action group conducts meetings on the second Saturday of every month through Zoom video conferences. To join, email larrykramerccl@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13

Shea Center Executive Director Dana Butler-Moburg and auctioneer Jim Nye participate in the modified 2020 Shea Center BBQ. Photo: Pixel That! Photography

registrar for voters, said in a press release.

The county is prompting citizens to serve as election observers, in which individuals are “to observe Vote Center operations, including opening and closing procedures, view all activities at the central counting site, view mail ballot and provisional ballot processing, and much more.”

The observer application opened to the general public on Oct. 1; the remote observer application opened on Oct. 7.

Members of the public approved to be election observers will receive online training, as well as the option to choose which election processes to view. The OC Registrar of Voters has specified that certain processes will be available for viewing only at specific times.

All registered California voters will receive a general election ballot through the mail until Nov. 3, the date of this year’s elections. Voters can check their registration, re-register, or register to vote at ocvote.com.—Haley Chi-Sing

House Passes Legislation to Support Veteran Housing and Employment

ing, and we must do more to help them get back on their feet,” said Levin.

One of the DELIVER Act’s six bills, H.R. 2326, is a bipartisan bill first introduced by Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) that would create a pilot program for off-base transition training to make the transition process easier for veterans and spouses by giving them more time to access resources and digest the information provided to them, all while living in their new community.

Levin, who serves as chair for the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, is running for reelection in the 49th Congressional District. He faces Republican Brian Maryott, who is currently serving on the San Juan Capistrano City Council, in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Maryott’s platform includes taking on the challenge of expanding health care choices for veterans and their families, addressing veteran suicide, and eliminating fraud and deficiencies at the VA.—Lillian Boyd

Cox Donates Computers for Breakthrough SJC

The House of Representatives passed the Dependable Employment and Living Improvements for Veterans’ Economic Recovery (DELIVER) Act, which includes six bipartisan bills aimed to strengthen and expand services for homeless and unemployed veterans.

The legislation, led by Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide more services for homeless veterans, improve and expand eligibility for the HUD-VA Supportive Housing program, create a rapid retraining program for unemployed veterans, improve the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for servicemembers returning to civilian life, and more.

“Now more than ever, veterans are struggling to find jobs and secure hous-

Students without a computer may fall behind in their classwork as virtual learning becomes crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Cox Communications has stepped up to help.

Cox donated computers to Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano, which assists underrepresented students. Breakthrough SJC thanked Cox in a recent edition of their newsletter.

“The outpouring of support to ensure our students are connected and able to engage in our virtual program, along with their remote schooling, has been immense,” Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano said. “The need has been high; in recent needs surveys, 12% of students share a device among family members, and 4% lack a working device to access the Internet with a keyboard.”

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Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 p.m. The city’s Planning Commission will hold a meeting. Face masks or coverings are required of attendees, and social distancing and other pandemic health guidelines will be in place. The meeting can be viewed on the city website for those who can’t attend in person.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

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 video conference. BILY’s video conference will be held through Zoom. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, OCT. 16 Coffee Chat 9 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs virtually on Fridays through Zoom. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20 City Council Meeting 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a meeting. Face masks or coverings are required of attendees, and social distancing and other pandemic health guidelines will be in place. The meeting can be viewed on the city website for those who can’t attend in person.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, OCT. 23 The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;22, 2020

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EYE ON RMV

NEWS & HAPPENINGS AT THE RANCH

Orchards Medical Director: ‘I Can’t Believe My Luck’

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

M

elissa Siew is humbled by the opportunity to be the medical director at The Orchards, a new assisted living and memory care community coming to Rancho Mission Viejo.

“I have to pinch myself,” Siew said.

The position is a huge opportunity for Siew, who comes from a family of doctors. Practicing medicine runs in her family, and it’s a heritage she carries with her as she continues in her career.

“It’s been a part of my life since inception,” Siew said.

Siew will work with The Orchards to provide resident care and train staff, also serving as an intermediary with attending physicians and administrators.

Siew obtained a medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in the West Indies and finished her residency at Highland Hospital in Oakland.

Siew is experienced in caring for geriatric

patients, saying she is well-acquainted with a lot of specialists since she also maintains a hospital practice. Siew hopes to bring specialists to The Orchards instead of sending the residents out for care, and she hopes her transition into the community is seamless.

Assisted living communities such as The Orchards provide the geriatric population with meals and recreational opportunities when they can no longer care for their homes, Siew said.

“With assisted living, they have a chance to socialize with other folks in the same age category,” Siew said.

Kelly Conk, administrator at The Orchards, said they are thrilled to have Siew on board.

“By adding Dr. Siew to our program of medical services, we hope to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and eliminate the need for off-site doctor visits,” Conk said. “Dr. Siew has a passion

Events at The Ranch OCT. 17

North Ridge Hike

10-11:30 a.m. Take a walk in the great outdoors with this afternoon hike at The Reserve. Hikers must register beforehand, maintain social distancing during the walk and wear masks.

The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, 28811 Ortega Highway.

949.489.9778. rmvreserve.org.

OCT. 21

Yoga Near Nature

Melissa Siew looks forward to helping provide resident care at an assisted living and memory care community opening this fall in South Orange County. Photo: Dr. Mahdi Fallah Tafti

for working with older adults and educating them about the importance of healthy living and continuity of care.”

The Orchards is scheduled to open in October, adjacent to the Reata Glen senior community. CD

10-11 a.m. Stretch while surrounded by the scenic beauty of The Reserve.

The area will have plenty of room to accommodate social distancing.

Increase your flexibility, get guidance on centering yourself and take the opportunity to meet new people. A signed release waiver must be submitted to participate. The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters, 28811 Ortega Highway. 949.489.9778. rmvreserve.org

HalloweenThemed Events Teach Kids About Nature

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

U

pcoming family-oriented events at The Reserve in Rancho Mission Viejo will show kids the world outside their homes isn’t frightening—and, in fact, is fascinating.

The outdoor preserve will host a Not So Scary Night Hike on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, as well as a Nature’s Trick or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9-10:30 a.m. at The Reserve headquarters.

The evening stroll on Oct. 30 will be an opportunity to dispel the “scary night in the woods” trope, said Leeta Latham, education and public programs manager for The Reserve. For instance, they may The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

The Reserve is hosting family events around Halloween for kids to learn about animals and plants. Photo: Łukasz NieÐcioruk on Unsplash

talk about animal noises and glowing eyes in the woods, but also the science behind it all.

The trick-or-treat event will be held in the morning on Halloween so families can enjoy later evening festivities. Kids will learn about the “tricks” animals use, such as camouflage, to survive in their

surroundings, as well as “treats” like tree acorns.

“We will have some different take-home crafts,” Latham said.

The two days are essentially the first Halloween-themed events held by The Reserve.

“These will be fun little trial events for

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us,” Latham said.

Latham said she hopes kids are more curious about the natural world after the events.

The Not So Scary Night Hike is for ages 8 and up, and Nature’s Trick or Treat is for ages 6 and up. Visit rmvreserve.org for more information. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

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thecapistranodispatch.com

— 2020 —

Presidential Primer

BY ZACH CAVANAGH The 2020 Presidential Election has been labeled one of the most important in American history, and it has also certainly proved to be one of the more contentious races in recent memory. To help sort through the noise, we’ve outlined the views of Republican nominee and incumbent President Donald Trump and his challenger, Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden, on two of the major issues in this cycle amid the ongoing pandemic. Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins will also be listed on the ballot.

C O R O N AV I R U S TRUMP:

ELECTION DAY VOTER GUIDE

T

he Presidential General Election is now less than four weeks away. While the whirlwind of the political news cycle can be simultaneously enticing and draining, it’s equally important that voters match their energy and attention for the presidential bid toward local races.

This year, San Juan Capistrano will learn who will be representing District 5. The race has been tumultuous, marked by an allegation from candidate John Alpay that his opponent, Howard Hart, violated the Hatch Act. The 73rd Assembly seat will be filled by a newcomer after Assemblymember Bill Brough’s upset in the March primary. Voters will determine whether the seat will remain Republican with Laurie Davies, as it has been historically, or whether Scott Rhinehart will pave the way for Democrats.

In the 49th Congressional race, incumbent Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) will defend his seat against Republican challenger Brian Maryott, a sitting councilmember for San Juan Capistrano.

Voters will also be choosing our leaders to represent us on the boards for South Coast Water District, the Municipal Water District of Orange County, and Capistrano Unified School District. These legislative bodies have impacts on our environment, determine where and how we get our water, how

much we pay our teachers and what kind of teaching experience our students benefit from in the classroom.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19. Just like in this year’s Primary Election, voters will have three options when it comes to casting their votes. Voters will have a choice of returning their ballot to the Orange County Registrar of Voters’ office via mail, taking it to a metal drop box or delivering it to a vote center.

The more than 100 drop boxes around the county will open start-

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

ing on Oct. 5 and close at 8 p.m. the day of the election on Nov. 3.

According to the Registrar’s office, voters will be able track their vote through ocvote.com/track.

While the act of voting is a keystone of civic duty, we ask that constituents go beyond just voting.

Vote based on thorough research.

Vote upon knowing the facts from trusted sources. Vote upon being informed and educated on the issues.

Thank you for trusting The Capistrano Dispatch as your source for local news you can use.

The Trump campaign has praised the actions that the current administration has taken over the course of the pandemic. In a document released by the White House on Aug. 10, the administration listed these as the key takeaways from Trump’s response to the pandemic: “Took early action to cut off travel from China; Built the world’s leading testing system from nothing; Enacted mitigation measures to slow the spread; mobilized public and private sectors to secure needed supplies; Took action to protect vulnerable Americans; Launched effort to deliver a vaccine and therapeutics in record time; Provided support to workers and businesses; Paved way for reopening to get America working again; Surged resources to hotspots as they arose; Confronted China as origin of the virus while Democrats and media cowered.” Trump announced on Oct. 1 that he, along with First Lady Melania Trump, had tested positive for COVID-19.

BIDEN:

The Biden campaign focused on what its response to the pandemic would be should he take office. The campaign said Biden would listen to science, ensure public health decisions are informed by public health professionals and restore trust, transparency, common purpose and accountability to the government. The campaign website also outlined a seven-point plan for public health and economic recovery, points that include giving all Americans access to regular, reliable and free testing; fixing personal protective equipment problems; providing resources for schools, small businesses and families; effective and equitable distribution of treatments and vaccines; “rebuild and expand the defenses that Trump has dismantled to predict, prevent and mitigate pandemic threats”; and implement local mask mandates nationwide.

H E A LT H C A R E TRUMP:

The Republican campaign states that Trump has fought to increase access to affordable health care. The campaign website says, “As part of the landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, President Trump repealed the individual mandate, which forced people to buy expensive insurance and taxed those who couldn’t afford it.” Trump also signed a six-year extension to Children’s Health Insurance Program to fund health care for nine million, the campaign says. With a hearing on Nov. 10, the Trump Administration, along with 18 Republican state attorneys general, are also asking the Supreme Court to deem the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.

BIDEN:

The Democratic campaign has proposed building on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare.” Biden’s campaign website argues that the ACA has assuaged more than 100 million people who “no longer have to worry that an insurance company will deny coverage or charge higher premiums just because they have a pre-existing condition.” Biden’s campaign said that instead of tearing down the existing ACA or not allowing private insurance, the Democratic nominee would expand the ACA by providing more choices, reducing health care costs and making the health care system less complex.

D E B AT E S C H E D U L E These issues, the candidates’ records and much more were scheduled to be contended over the course of late September and October in three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate.

Incumbent Vice President Mike Pence, Trump’s Republican running mate, was set to square off with California Senator Kamala Harris, Biden’s Democratic running mate, in the vice presidential debate on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Salt Lake City.

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Following a contentious first debate on Sept. 29, Trump and Biden were scheduled to return to the debate stage in a town hall format on Oct. 15 in Miami. However, Trump’s positive coronavirus test and subsequent quarantine have put the status of this debate in question.

The two presidential candidates were also scheduled to debate a third and final time on Oct. 22 in Nashville. thecapistranodispatch.com

District 5 City Council Candidate Q&A

By Collin Breaux

John Alpay and Howard Hart are the two candidates running for the District 5 seat on the San Juan Capistrano City Council.

Ahead of the November ballot, we asked them questions about various topics of interest and are publishing their answers.

Other questions and answers have been published in past issues of The Capistrano Dispatch.

Due to a complaint that John Alpay has filed against Howard Hart alleging a Hatch Act violation, Hart’s campaign has ceased pending an investigation.

Candidates submitted responses to questions prior to the complaint being made. For more information on the allegations, read our coverage on page 7.

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What do you think about upcoming projects such as the Putuidem Village, and are there any projects you’d like to see happen?

QUESTION 1

HOWARD HART:

It is great to see Putuidem Village about to break ground, as it is long overdue. I am proud to have reviewed and approved zoning changes to the Northwest Open Space, which will add coherence to what had previously been a mishmash of conflicting and confusing regulations.

Of course, the inclusion of the Putuidem Village was a key part of these changes.

Equally important, the plan protects the Northwest Open Space from such illconsidered ideas as “glamping.”

We have come a long way in improving downtown. As Planning Commission Chair, I led that body’s review and approval of the Verdugo Street beautification project. This project has truly made

JOHN ALPAY:

Putuidem Village and the skatepark have already been addressed by the current City Council.

They will enhance San Juan Capistrano’s cultural heritage and provide an alternative means of entertainment for our youth, respectively. The proposed Ganahl Lumber project will also bring needed economic activity.

What I would like to see is continuation of the renewed focus on our historic downtown and projects that are designed to maintain and enhance its significance to the community. To that end, I would propose a series of partnerships with key stakeholders. First, I would have the City partner with the private sector to build downtown parking structures. We have interests in town that have the desire and resources to build non-obtrusive parking structures to provide ample parking to encourage people to park and walk in the downtown area.

Verdugo Street the center of our downtown. However, more can and should be done to make downtown as special as possible. Therefore, I am a strong advocate for Art in the Public Square. By instituting a very small 0.5 percent surcharge on development, we will be able to bring San Juan Capistrano-themed art to downtown, much like the cowboythemed private art on Del Obispo Street brought to us by the Almquist family.

Once elected to the City Council, I will lead the effort on bringing this worthwhile initiative to fruition.

Finally, if we want to attract a younger population, we need to give them something to do. Let’s get that skatepark built!

I didn’t rise to the rank of Navy Captain by empty talk, but by following through on my word. And you have my word that we will build the skatepark!

I would also partner with Capistrano Unified School District, which has antiquated facilities and no certain path to build new ones. By partnering with our schools, we can relocate and rebuild San Juan Elementary on the Serra Continuation High School campus, which could in turn be paid for by the school district selling the current campus site, as well as the adjacent former Regional Occupational Program parcel. This would allow us to enhance the historic downtown as a tourist destination while concurrently improving air quality for our students by moving the elementary school away from the freeway.

And then there is In-N-Out Burger. We should do everything reasonable in our power to bring them into town, but the key word is reasonable. The City should work cooperatively with In-N-Out Burger to identify a suitable location, but the concept of placement on Del Obispo defies reason. Placing an In-N-Out Burger next to Target and Chick-fil-A will render Del Obispo effectively impassible. We need to be prudent in our planning.

QUESTION 2

What do you think are important issues in San Juan, and how will you address them as a public official?

HOWARD HART:

Of those issues that are not discussed elsewhere, I would like to address three more. First, we need to steadfastly defend our equestrian heritage. Growing up, San Juan Capistrano meant history, a small-town atmosphere, and an equestrian lifestyle. As a community, we need to decide whether that equestrian lifestyle is part of our history, or whether it remains part of the fabric of our community. To me, the choice is clear: I will fight to preserve the very soul of our community. I am committed to spearheading efforts to negotiate a long-term lease with Blenheim Riding Facility so that they can have the confidence needed to make necessary improvements. Second, I will work with CR&R and the equestrian community to develop environmentally friendly and affordable composting solutions for waste.

Third, I will undertake efforts to solidify San Juan Creek in the appropriate areas to prevent erosion.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

Additionally, in order to protect both patients and neighborhoods, we need to better regulate residential recovery homes. This means following the lead of other Orange County cities. To abolish sober home clusters like those seen in Meredith Canyon, it is imperative that we mandate a 1,000-foot buffer between unlicensed recovery homes. We must also insist on background checks for proprietors and employees. For the safety of neighbors and other patients, we need to bar violent felons from these homes.

And, lastly, we must vigorously enforce applicable codes.

Finally, I have already forwarded to the Mayor and the City Manager a list of zoning amendments that were adopted

by San Clemente to stop human trafficking taking place in illicit massage parlors.

San Juan Capistrano must follow suit, and doing so will be my highest priority. Human trafficking is too heinous to ignore, and I will take the lead on fighting it locally.

JOHN ALPAY:

As District 5’s elected representative, I intend to focus on the following areas: • Balanced Budget/Economic Development The City’s budget has a long-term structural budget deficit. The City is only able to meet its existing obligations by drawing down on reserves. With the pandemic stifling commerce, the City’s own projections show a 27% decline in sales-tax revenue, which will only exacerbate the deficit.

The inability to balance the budget will ultimately translate to a reduction in basic services, including police and fire.

The solution is to support the development of additional economic activity.

An easy way to do this is by continuing the proper enhancement of our historic downtown as a tourist destination.

At the same time, the City should stand firmly behind our historic equestrian community. It is a crown jewel often underappreciated from an economic perspective. It is part of our community

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DNA that cannot be replicated by surrounding cities. It is a competitive advantage that brings others into our community, where they spend their money for goods and services and generate revenue for the City.

• Quality of Life A large part of the charm of San Juan Capistrano is the access to open space, the preserved ridgelines and the appreciation for history. These elements make San Juan Capistrano a great place to live, play and raise a family.

But of equal importance to quality of life is addressing ongoing traffic concerns. To relieve traffic in District 5, we must partner with the County to widen Ortega Highway.

We also need to work prudently with business interests that want to establish a presence in town. Concepts such as putting an In-N-Out next to a Target and Chick-fil-A serve to convert Del Obispo Street into a glorified parking lot. To do otherwise would degrade our quality of life. thecapistranodispatch.com

49TH CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DISCUSS

Pandemic Business Relief, San Onofre Waste Removal Brian Maryott (Republican)

D

Rep. Mike Levin (Democrat)

By Collin Breaux emocratic incumbent Mike Levin and Republican challenger Brian Maryott are facing off in the race for the 49th Congressional District, which covers portions of Orange and San Diego counties.

Levin and Maryott faced off earlier this year in the primary election, where Levin won overall with 56.6% of votes, compared to Maryott’s 43.4%.

Maryott—currently a San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember—fared better in Orange County, where he picked up 53.51% of votes, compared to Levin’s 46.49%.

The two candidates addressed a slew of issues heading into the general election, including challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental concerns and protests against police brutality.

Levin said he has fought for working families and local small businesses during the health crisis, and his office assisted local small business owners and workers who needed help with federal programs.

“Working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we’ve provided enhanced unemployment insurance, nutrition assistance, rental support and eviction moratoriums, and direct stimulus payments for those most in need,” Levin said. “I fought to improve the Paycheck Protection Program so that more mom-and-pop businesses here in our district received assistance and kept employees on their payrolls.”

Maryott said state government has stood in the way of small and medium-sized business owners, while major corporations were allowed to remain open, and that employers of all sizes are going to require short-term payroll tax relief and protection from COVIDrelated liability.

“In Congress, I will fight to further drop tax brackets for our low- and moderate-income earners, and make the doubling of the child tax credit and standard deduction permanent for our families,” Maryott said. “I will lead an effort to supercharge opportunity zones to attract investment in the district, and I will work collaboratively with either a Trump or Biden administration to leverage federal dollars in our communities.”

Levin said pressing issues he tackled over the past two years included radioactive waste at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, raw sewage from the Tijuana River Valley and erosion of coastal bluffs. He introduced legislation that would expedite the removal of nuclear waste from decommissioned plants in areas with high population density and a seismic hazard, such as from San Onofre.

“We’re also seeing coastal bluffs erode and collapse throughout our district, threatening lives and property,” Levin said. “That’s why I was proud to successfully secure $505,000 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stabilize the bluffs in San Clemente, and another $400,000 in federal funding for the Planning, Engineering & Design (PED) phase of the Encinitas-Solana Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project.”

Maryott said he will join other California Representatives as part of legislation to restart the development of the Yucca Mountain Repository. Maryott said he additionally supports commercial providers developing interim storage solutions, since potential profit “may be the exact motivation” the area needs to get San Onofre waste off the beach.

“Importantly, I will also work to oppose efforts to try and overhaul our energy system by government control and government mandate,” Maryott said. “This means opposing the Green New Deal, which if enacted, would quite simply destroy our way of life. Mike The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

Levin is a co-sponsor of this naïve manifesto, joining with AOC and other members of his Progressive Caucus. It is extreme and dangerous, and putting it forward as a serious proposal is unhelpful to the dialogue.”

The candidates also gave their perspectives on the national racial reckoning that arose after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Levin supports law enforcement and criminal justice system legislation that prohibits racial, religious, and discriminatory profiling; bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants at the federal level; limits the transfer of unnecessary militarygrade equipment to local police; expands the use of dashboard cameras and body cameras; and establishes a National Police Misconduct Registry.

Levin said the majority of police officers are honorable people, and he does not support defunding the police.

“However, I do support more funding for community policing programs to improve relations between law enforcement and communities of color, as well as funding to diversify police departments,” Levin said.

“I also will continue to advocate for greater investments in our social services and programs to lift up underserved communities.”

At the federal level, Maryott said he supports proper resources that allow communities to do the best and most thorough job possible of vetting new hires, training, and holding police officers accountable for their conduct on a daily basis. Maryott does not support defunding or reimagining policing.

“I will not abandon our officers and any hope for safe communities here in our district,” Maryott said. “I will not vote to end qualified immunity. I enjoy this protection, as does Rep. Levin. We need to retain our best police officers, not strip them and their families of the needed peace of mind

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that helps them cope with a very stressful and demanding job.”

Levin and Maryott also addressed health care and other topics. On health care, Levin said everyone in the district should have access to affordable, quality health care, and nobody should have to choose to pay for rent or groceries, instead of seeing a doctor or paying for a prescription.

“I’ll continue to work to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and maintain protections for preexisting conditions that some are fighting to eliminate,” Levin said.

Maryott said he will diligently oppose attempts to have the government running health care.

“Through a robust private health care and health care insurance industry, we can provide choices and peace of mind to everyone in our communities, and never lose sight of the physically/financially vulnerable or anyone with preexisting conditions,” Maryott said. “We are a wealthy and dynamic enough country to have it all.

We are not Great Britain—and we should never, ever socialize our health care system. It’s a life-and-death issue.”

As for military and veteran issues, Levin said he introduced the Homeless Veteran Coronavirus Response Act to expand and strengthen Department of Veterans Affairs services for homeless veterans after the pandemic began, and he is concerned about reports that veterans are seeing delays in prescription deliveries as part of recent publicized troubles with the Postal Service.

Maryott said he supports strong and predictable military spending, and will “strenuously debate” the Progressive Caucus on their “naïve ideas” about the world we live in and the “enormity of what we are asking from our servicemen and servicewomen around the world.” thecapistranodispatch.com

73rd District Will See a Newcomer to State Assembly

BY LILLIAN BOYD

For the first time in three terms, the 73rd District Assembly seat will be filled by one of two newcomers to the State Legislature. Scott Rhinehart, a Democrat, and Laurie Davies, a Republican, will face off on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Scott Rhinehart

Democrat It was the year 1978 when Scott Rhinehart was crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and heard the car radio report that Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the history of California, had been assassinated.

That evening, Rhinehart attended a candlelight vigil that attracted thousands at city hall. Rhinehart says the tragedy played a pivotal role in the launch of his activism, which was emboldened by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. But the foundation of Rhinehart’s politics arguably was formed throughout his childhood, with his father’s involvement in labor organizing.

“I was born into a working-class family in a small, coal-mining town in eastern Utah,” Rhinehart said. “My uncle was killed in a mine, and that led my dad toward labor organizing. I was raised in a union home, and my dad was involved with one of the first unions of this nation. I learned about the power in organizing and the importance of giving those who don’t have a voice, a voice.”

Now, Rhinehart is vying for the 73rd California Assembly seat as a Democrat, just as he did unsuccessfully in the 2018 race. Then, he faced incumbent Assemblymember Bill Brough, who secured the seat for a third term and beat Rhinehart by nearly eight percentage points.

However, in 2019, Brough faced a series of sexual misconduct allegations brought against him and was subsequently unseated for a fourth term during the March Primary The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

Election. Laguna Niguel Mayor Laurie Davies, a Republican, took the majority of the votes with 27.3%, followed by Rhinehart, who took in 23.8%--qualifying them for the general election. There were five candidates total (three Democrats and two Republicans).

Rhinehart’s platform calls for a singlepayer Medicare system in the state and the prioritizing of funding for education.

“We are the fifth-largest economy in the world, and yet we are the 41st state in per-pupil-spending,” Rhinehart said. “In the Assembly, I will prioritize educational funding from Pre-K to our community and state colleges and universities. We must ensure our teachers are always supported, and our students have the resources and opportunities to thrive.”

Since the state shutdown in response to COVID-19, Rhinehart says that his campaigning efforts have had to adapt but that the pandemic has reinforced his beliefs.

“Grandmas and grandpas shouldn’t have to die. The number of deaths we’ve seen and the inadequate response . . . we need to learn from this pandemic and be prepared,” Rhinehart said. “We can take these lessons and apply it to climate change. We need to be prepared.”

If previous elections are any indication of this year’s voter results, Rhinehart faces an uphill battle at the polls. In the 73rd District, there are 121,963 registered Republican voters, compared to the 86,027 voters registered as Democrats.

Davies also is leading Rhinehart in fundraising dollars, having raised $257,353.63 in 230 contributions. Rhinehart has so far raised $197,428.74 in 319 contributions.

Rhinehart counters that a Democrat in the 73rd district seat would better serve constituents, considering the state’s supermajority.

“We live in a state that is Democratic; our Senate and Assembly are Democrat.

Who will be more likely to bring in new jobs, more sources of funding since we are a donor state, who is going to be successful in leveraging that money back to us?

It’s time for all people in the 73rd to be represented in Sacramento, not just for special interests to be represented.”

Laurie Davies

Republican Laurie Davies says she can thank her parents for instilling within her the value of hard work—the work ethic that pushed her to attend college full-time while waitressing nights and weekends, start her own business and embark on a career in politics.

After graduating, she relocated to Orange County, where she worked as the general manager for two restaurants and went on to handle the events at the private Monarch Bay Beach Club in Dana Point.

In 2000, Davies started her own event planning business, Five Star Wedding & Events, which she still operates today.

Being a small business owner, Davies said she knows firsthand the toll that COVID-19 has had on the economy.

“As a small business owner, my business has taken a halt . . . as an event planner, you plan in advance. Basically everything is canceled. But it’s looking positive; it’s going to be a very busy year next year.”

As Mayor of Laguna Niguel, Davies says she constantly gets calls from people who are worried about how the pandemic is shaping their lives.

“As mayor, it’s devastating when people are calling me about how COVID is impacting them and they don’t know what to do. To hear the pain in their voices, that’s the hardest part,” Davies said.

Davies says she’s had to think outside the box when it comes to campaigning and fundraising.

“You have to be willing to try something new,” Davies said. “We took advantage of Zoom to build those relationships, and it’s worked.”

With both houses in the legislature having a Democrat supermajority, The Capistrano Dispatch asked Davies how she anticipated working across the aisle to best represent the interests of the 73rd District.

“I’ve always been someone who likes to build relationships, building trust, listening,” Davies said. “I’m one that likes to solve problems. We’ve got a lot in common.”

During her time in office, Davies has served as a director on the Transportation

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Corridor Agencies, chaired the League of Cities Committee on Transportation, Communication and Public Works, and was elected to the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Some San Clemente voters are weary of associations with the TCA, after a long history of contention the city has had with the agency over a proposed toll road being built through the area.

In March, TCA officials confirmed that out of all of the proposals for South County traffic relief, an arterial, un-tolled road—also known as the Los Patrones extension—would be the sole alternative that staff would pursue. The action formally removed the possibility of extending the 241 Toll Road through San Clemente.

TCA is now collaborating with Caltrans and OCTA to advance plans of having the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on the I-5 extend from Avenida Pico to the San Diego County line, as well as complete the project to widen Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano.

“OCTA and TCA came together and listened to the people. Listen, no matter where you are, mobility is important.

In the case of a disaster, to me that was always my first priority,” Davies said. “I would not put a toll road through a city; I think we’re going to see these three measures have some good results. It comes down to listening to residents, developers and stakeholders.”

Davies says her top priorities, if elected, are to help small businesses and to repeal early release for felons.

“Small businesses make up our community. I will work toward creating business-friendly laws and work toward repealing Assembly Bill (AB) 5,” Davies said. “Safety is a priority. When there is early release for repeat offenders, we are putting residents at risk and having impact on homelessness.”

While speaking with voters, Davies emphasizes the importance of learning about propositions on the ballot, in addition to the candidates.

“COVID has made all of us have to stop; we’re paying attention more,” Davies said. “But I really believe the blindfolds have been taken off. I’m seeing what my kids are being taught, I’m seeing what the governor is doing and how businesses are closing. People are waking up, and no matter how they’re going to vote, they’re going to be a lot more informed. We’ll just have to wait and see the results after Nov. 3.”

The 73rd Assembly District stretches from the coast to the Santa Ana Mountains, and includes cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. thecapistranodispatch.com

Five Candidates Running for Three Seats on South Coast Water District Board

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By Lillian Boyd

oters in the South Coast Water District service area, which includes the communities of Dana Point, South Laguna Beach, and areas of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, will select three directors from five qualified candidates.

Incumbent Director Rick Erkeneff, a Dana Point resident and vice chairman of the South Orange County Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, is running for reelection.

“As SCWD Vice President, I have worked with our directors and staff to prioritize repair and maintenance of aging infrastructure through cost-effective solutions,” Erkeneff said in his statement. “I support the continued study of the viability of environmentally sensitive, responsible ocean desalination. My leadership has been evident through my voting record, and I will continue the path forward, helping our community navigate

future drought and shrinking water supply issues.”

Incumbent Director Douglas Erdman, a civil engineer, is also seeking reelection.

According to his statement, he aims to maintain SCWD’s infrastructure and deliver quality water and sewer services while being mindful of the customer’s pocketbook.

“SCWD has several ongoing projects that would require a significant investment and directly impact the amount you pay for water and sewer services,” Erdman said.

“Some of these projects may have alternatives that could accomplish the same goals more efficiently with reduced costs.”

SCWD is currently pursuing the proposed Doheny Desalination Project in Dana Point. The project would cost $120 million, and the agency is currently struggling to garner partnerships to absorb the costs. If implemented, the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project would provide locally controlled water supply. Currently, SCWD imports 85-100% of its drinking water, causing vulnerability during droughts,

supply shortages and potentially during natural disasters.

A third incumbent director, Wayne Rayfield, will also appear on the ballot.

Rayfield is a retired engineer who is seeking to “build upon the work” that has been done and to continue fostering cost-saving partnerships with other agencies.

“As we face the financial issues that the pandemic has created for many of us, I pledge to you that I will be extra diligent as we seek increased efficiencies and continue to ensure that every expense is necessary and cost-effective,” Rayfield said. “We must also continue our efforts to protect our environment and expand the use of recycled water wherever possible.”

Scott Goldman, an environmental engineer, echoes the importance of partnering with neighboring agencies.

“My goals as a SCWD Director will be to assist the District, maintain existing infrastructure and to further ‘drought-proof’ supplies where it makes economic sense,” Goldman said in his campaign state-

ment. “My established relationships with management and directors of surrounding agencies, and thorough understanding of the issues, will benefit the District and its rate payers.”

Markus Lenger, the fifth candidate to appear on the ballot, is a nine-year resident of Capistrano Beach and 29-year resident of South Orange County. He is the founder of CleanBlu, a company focused on water reuse solutions.

“I am disturbed by the relentless pursuit of a single ‘solution’—a prohibitively expensive, power-guzzling desalination plant dependent on untried technology,” Lenger said. “The key to robust solutions is thoughtful consideration, independent analysis and an unbiased peer review of all practical, right-sized alternatives.”

A sixth candidate, Deborah Johnson, indicated her intent to run, but according to Orange County Registrar’s filing log, she did not qualify to appear on the ballot.

Voters will determine who will fill the at-large seats on November 3.

South Orange County Community College District Governing Board Races Constituents in San Clemente will also vote on three Board of Trustees seats for the South Orange County Community College District, which comprises a total of seven members who are elected at-large to four-year terms.

The district, representing more than 900,000 residents in 26 communities, oversees Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College and the Advanced Technology & Education Park.

This November, the seats for Areas 1, 6 and 7 are up election. The city of Irvine is represented in both Areas 1 and 6, which also includes Lake Forest. Area 7 represents both Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.

Four candidates—Helen Lock, a retired administrative manager; Carolyn Inmon, a retired teacher; Aarti Kaushal, a teacher and city commissioner; and Matt Waid, a student conduct investigator—are vying for the Area 1 seat.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

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In the Area 6 race, there are two candidates—Ryan Dack, an educator, who is challenging the incumbent, James R. Wright, for the seat.

And in Area 7, three candidates, including one incumbent, are running for the seat. Mo Entezampour, a college professor, and Sean Gawne, a retired training manager, are looking to unseat incumbent Timothy Jemal, who currently serves as the board’s vice president.

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Virtual Learning and Fixing Infrastructure

T

By Collin Breaux he candidates running in this year’s Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees elections will have plenty of issues to attend to when they get in office—handling education and student safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, what to do about aging school buildings and more.

Incumbent and Board President Jim Reardon and challenger Pamela Braunstein are running in Area 2, which includes portions of San Juan Capistrano. Sue Hill, Adrienne Silva and Lisa Davis are running in Area 3, which covers San Clemente.Incumbent Krista Castellanos and challengers Jasmine Funes and Paul Hebbardare running in Area 5, which covers a portion of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.

Current Area 3 Trustee Patricia Holloway is not running for reelection.

The quality of virtual learning has been on many parents’ minds during the health crisis. Braunstein said the district’s premature rollout of the virtual learning management system “Canvas” without proper training or technological support was a mistake.

“Superintendent Kirsten Vital and President Reardon (my opponent) need to be held accountable for these missteps,” Braunstein said. “Under their leadership, CUSD has become a district of reaction instead of thoughtful and well-researched proactive educational plans and policies.”

Reopening campuses for in-person student instruction, which recently began, is another major topic. Reardon said he is eager to see schools reopen in the “conventional sense,” and the matter is especially important at the elementary level, where schools serve a wide variety of community needs.

“At the same time, I’m advocating for a gentle reopening that is timed to keep the community safe,” Reardon said. “Schools are intrinsically large ‘gatherings’ of people, and without effective protective measures, reopening could lead to trouble, not just for students and teachers, but for the community as a whole.”

Candidates also addressed school renovations. Regional bond measures for facility improvements were voted down earlier this year.

“We need to address the trust issue between the district and communities they The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

A LOOK AT THE CUSD BOARD ELECTIONS

serve,” Hill said. “Past attempts by the district to rebuild trust with the city have focused largely on the city mayors. All city leadership and the community at large must be engaged in this process.”

Hill said earlier proposals for joint use partnership opportunities for some of the larger infrastructure projects should be revisited, and funding should be demanded from state legislators.

Funding is an issue the district faces, particularly as the pandemic causes economic challenges. Silva said CUSD officials should evaluate where money is going, and used the analogy of a household tightening the belt on its budget to explain her perspective. Silva also said the district can look at revenue streams and ways to help underperforming schools.

“What can be done to get them into the median range?” Silva said.

Davis said the district needs to ensure that students are supported and receive

meals in the school lunch program, and schools need to be open for in-person instruction to allow parents the ability to work their jobs.

“Some students lack support at home, some lack support from friends, and some lack school support,” Davis said. “We need to address the needs of afterschool care and provide options. We can implement policies that pave a way for school support to help safeguard a student if they lack support from other areas.”

Student-led, anti-racism protests calling for diversity in curriculum and accountability of racism have occurred within the district, which candidates also reflected on. Castellanos created a resolution passed by the board that denounced racism, intolerance and discrimination.

“Our school sites need to be places of inclusion, where all students are safe and appreciated!” Castellanos said. “Our students are asking the district to take action

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and denounce racism. It is important to listen and involve them in this process.”

Funes, a Black woman, is running because of the protests. Funes said it is her responsibility as a qualified candidate to be a representation for minority voices since that is isn’t currently seen.

“My priority in education is ensuring that we are considering the well-being of the whole child,” Funes said. “This means actively taking care of their physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and mental health. In order to do this, teachers must be supported, as well as engaging and connecting with parents and building strong relationships with and between those in the community.”

Hebbard said racism should be stamped out, but he does have some “genuine concerns about certain groups” wanting to modify the curriculum that may seem hostile to a specific nationality or race.

Hebbard does advocate for expanded cultural studies courses on an elective basis and would revisit the issue if UC and CSU admissions require mandatory classes in this topic.

“First of all, our school year is only 37 weeks, and in order to delve deeply into the coursework that is required for college-bound students, we can ill afford to make wholesale changes in the curriculum,” Hebbard said. “Right now, CUSD meets and exceeds state standards, and (California) standards are among the most rigorous in the nation. There is scant little more that needs to be added to the mix.”

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE - FRI OCT 9 & SAT OCT 10 (9am-1pm), 27002 Azul Dr, Capo Beach. Moving and must sell. Furniture/Appliances only.

Email rickrago1@gmail.com for list/pics/info.

GARAGE SALE OCTOBER 10TH Moving sale Saturday, October 10th 8am 12pm. 26802 Calle Maria Capistrano Beach CA 92624. Lawn mower, washer & dryer, nightstand, shelves, clothing and a lot more GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED • WAREHOUSE POSITION I: Must have experience in shipping and receiving. Fork-lift experience, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record. Full-Time, benefits, 401K. Please call 949.492.4399 or email your resume to: dromero@ndaonline.net • WAREHOUSE POSITION II: Must have experience in shipping and receiving, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record.

Full-Time, benefits, 401K. Please call 949.492.4399 or email your resume to: dromero@ndaonline.net

Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano & Rancho Mission Viejo area?

Then you need to be in The Capistrano Dispatch.

Call us today!

Contact Debra Wells at 949.388.7700 ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

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SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

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GUEST OPINION: Climate Action by Tony Hays

The Rise in Sea Levels

T

he National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website states that the overall rise in ocean levels is due to two effects. Twothirds of the rise comes from water being added to the ocean from melting ice, and one-third from expansion of ocean water due to increase in water temperature. Of the ice melt since 2002, about two-thirds comes from Greenland and about onethird from Antarctica, although the total mass of ice in Antarctica is many times that of Greenland. A study published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that the permanent floating ice shelves on which the glaciers sit may themselves be in the early process of disintegration. According

to NOAA, an intermediate projection of 1 meter (3.6 feet) rise, and 2 meters (6.5 feet) as a high projection by 2100, would damage our Southern California coastline considerably.

Both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are the result of snow falling over long periods of time. When falling snow is compressed into ice, it also traps air and other chemicals. This enables scientists to determine the composition of the atmosphere many thousands of years ago.

The National Science Foundation Ice Core FaCLIMATE cility drills and collects ACTION ice cores. It has data

By Tony Hays on Greenland ice going back 130,000 years, and Antarctic ice going back 800,000 years. These records show that the current CO2 level in the atmosphere is significantly higher than it has been at any time in the past 400,000 years, and this level is rising rapidly.

Current trends must be reversed if we

are to avoid a climatic disaster. One way to slow down the increase in atmospheric CO2 is to impose a fee on chemicals that produce greenhouse gases when burned, as proposed in U.S. Congressional Bill H.R. 763. This fee would be returned as a dividend to all U.S. households.

This is just one of many actions that must be taken if we are to slow down the rate of sea-level rise. Failure to act now will result in both environmental and economic disaster.

Tony Hays has worked in aircraft design and operations in the UK, Canada, and the US since 1962, and currently teaches classes in aircraft design, mostly in Asia. He has a special interest in the design of aircraft and their propulsion systems to reduce carbon emissions. He 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 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 and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

Advertising Sales (SJC) Debra Wells

EDITORIAL

ART + DESIGN

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch Collin Breaux

Art Director Jasmine Smith

Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex O P E R AT I O N S

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo

General Manager Alyssa Garrett

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Columnist Fred Swegles

FINANCE

Special Projects Editor Andrea PapagianisCamacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes

Finance Director Mike Reed Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Jake Howard Tim Trent

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 18, Issue 19. 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 2020. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

Page 20

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SOAPBOX

Photo: Markus Spiske on Unsplash

GUEST OPINION:

By Bailey Van Tassel

Orange County Gardener’s Spring Is Autumn

A

utumn is officially upon us, and it is the most ideal time of year for gardeners in Orange County. Our Southern hardiness zone is perfect for growing vegetables and native plants due to our mild winters that gift us with sporadic rainfall. It’s more idyllic than spring planting, which can be futile due to our delayed heat in the summer. We are gifted with copious opportunities for growing whatever your heart desires once the temperature drops back to perfect (otherwise known as about 70 degrees in the day and 50 degrees at night), which typically is the beginning of November.

Additionally, if there was ever a time in recent history to garden, that time is The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

now, too. The collective consciousness is yearning for some emotional ease and respite from the news’s talking heads, as well as tasks to gratify us on the home front. Science has proven that gardening is a natural antidepressant, making it a therapeutic endeavor for anyone aged 3 to 100. So, where to begin? Let’s start with the most important first: your soil.

Soil preparation is of utmost importance because it is the foundation for life in the garden. I recommend adding compost to your beds (this is the most important of all), some worm castings, and a little kelp meal into your soil mixture to amend it before planting. Don’t forget to grab some GUEST OPINION mulch as well, and keep

By Bailey a layer on top of the Van Tassel soil around your plants, keeping the roots warm and watered.

Next, when deciding what to plant this season, I like to keep in mind three things.

First, what will attract pollinators? It is so crucial to include the butterflies and bees (and birds and bats) in your garden design.

Second, what is native to California? This is also important and can save you a lot of time and heartache, as native plants are predisposed to thrive here. And lastly, what

do I like to eat and look at (of course)?

Here is a little checklist when it comes to what is in season, and what to look for at the nursery:

Perennials

Yarrow, hollyhocks, shrubs, Queen Anne’s Lace, and delphiniums are all great choices. These are perfect to plant early November and throughout the month.

Remember that you are planting these to bloom in spring, allowing them to establish strong roots right now, and ensure a healthy long-lasting plant.

Herbs

Now is a fantastic time to prepare your herb garden, perhaps for a Thanksgiving harvest. It’s important to plant these once you feel the heat has waned; however, now is a great time to prepare a space for them.

I like to buy many herbs as seedlings and simply harvest them as needed throughout the season.

Bulbs

Spring flowering bulbs are great to purchase now and start planting in midNovember. Consider storing them in the refrigerator to help them stay dormant until placed in soil. Some great bulbs for our region are crocus, ranunculus, daffodil, tulip, lily, and freesia.

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Vegetables

Cool-season crops are abundant for us.

A good rule of thumb is to direct sow root vegetables (e.g., beets and parsnip) and transplant leafy greens. You can, of course, start everything from seed as well.

Recommended vegetables this time of year are beets, celery, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, radish, kale, lettuce, peas, endive, carrots, parsnip, fava beans, chard, turnips, garlic, and leeks.

I hope you get out and garden this time of year, enjoying all that our Mediterranean climate has to offer. If you need help getting started, or want to create a therapeutic or butterfly garden, a local nonprofit resource is Goin’ Native: goinnative.net.

Bailey Van Tassel is a local kitchen garden designer and blogger, seeking to bring a little countryside back into suburban life.

Bailey lives in San Juan Capistrano with her husband and children. You can find her in the kitchen, sneaking veggies into meals, gardening with the local nonprofit Goin’ Native, or at baileyvantassel.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 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 and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

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GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: ‘Misbehaviour’ & ‘The Glorias’

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to The Capistrano Dispatch by going to capistranodispatch.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

Friday | 09 LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 3-6 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind with live music on the outdoor patio at Trevor’s at the Tracks. Mike O’Bryan will perform. Will Heard will also perform later that night, from 7-10 p.m.

Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT PADDY’S STATION 7-10:30 p.m. Order fish and chips, grab a pint and relax to live music at this downtown Irish pub. Arena Red will perform.

Paddy’s Station Irish Pub, 26701 Verdugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano.

949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

Saturday | 10 PUMPKIN PATCH AT ZOOMARS 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pick out a Halloween pumpkin at ZOOMARS Petting Zoo. The patch event runs through Oct. 31, and weekday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ZOOMARS Petting Zoo, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.831.6550. zoomars.com.

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. Those attending are encouraged to practice responsible social distancing. Face masks are not mandatory but are recommended. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

Thursday | 15 ORANGE COUNTY VIRTUAL JOB FAIR 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Job seekers can visit The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

EDITOR’S PICK

The Glorias. Photo: Courtesy of LD Entertainment/Roadside Attractions

Mission San Juan Capistrano is hosting fundraising events in October. Photo: Collin Breaux

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16-MONDAY, OCT. 26: ONLINE AUCTION FOR THE MISSION 8 a.m-noon. Bid in a fall fundraiser for Mission San Juan Capistrano. The auction begins on Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 a.m. and ends on Monday, Oct. 26, at noon. Patrons are also welcome to reserve a private picnic for up to six people on Sat, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25, with funds going to assist the Mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

online booths and connect with employers through video conferences.

714.241.4900. oconestop.com.

JSERRA VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR 6-8 p.m. JSerra Catholic High School’s 10th annual College Fair is going digital this year. Participants can meet admissions representatives and learn about the college application experience and requirements. Attendees are asked to register beforehand. 949.493.9307. jserra.org.

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.

Friday | 16 FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-1 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 | 17 HAPPY HOUR WOOD WORKSHOP 2:30-5:30 p.m. Brush up on your craftsmanship skills with this woodworking DIY class. Potential projects include wood signs, bath trays or photo frames. Register online to reserve a class seat. AR Workshop San Juan Capistrano, 31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2, San Juan Capistrano.

949.482.1362. arworkshop.com.

Sunday | 18 PIPER SUNDAY Noon-1:30 p.m. The Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club is hosting a Zoom seminar featuring online discussion with guest speakers about Irish piping and music. Pamela Schweblin will join this session. A PayPal donation of $20 is suggested. socalpipers.com.

Tuesday | 20 KIDS’ THEATRE WORKSHOP 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children can learn about acting, dancing, script writing and other performance skills during a six-week series of classes held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The classes begin on Oct. 20 and will follow pandemic safety guidelines.

Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. capistranoactingacademy.org.

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I

n the midst of the hectic craziness of 2020 with the election, the pandemic, and the protests, we appear to be having a wave of feminist/girl power/women’s lib-themed biopics this year, as well.

Five months ago, the FX mini-series Mrs. America aired to critical acclaim, followed

by Phillipa Lowthorpe’s decent Misbehaviour in September and now Julie Taymor’s The Glorias to start October.

Lowthorpe’s new ensemble biopic, Misbehaviour, tries to mesh both the fun of girl power with the seriousness of feminism, to mixed results. The comedydrama follows the events leading up to the 1970 Miss World beauty pageant in London, where the Women’s Liberation supporters secretly show to make their own demonstration. Though the reception for the movie has been mostly decent, one reservation is that the story is too serious and important for the lighter tone. For the most part, I personally was fine with the mood, though I can see why some viewers would want a more straightforward piece.

The third release is a feature film, The Glorias, which chronicles the life and career of feminist icon and journalism legend Gloria Steinem. Taymor’s epic biography follows four different actresses—Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Lulu Wilson and Ryan Kiera Armstrong—portraying Steinem at various stages of her life.

Interestingly, I think all three feminist history pieces this year came out in order of quality. The Glorias starts out as a surprisingly traditionally structured biopic, but then saves all the artsy “Taymor-isms” for when Moore takes over the film, making the tone and atmosphere feel disjointed and inconsistent.

All in all, I would say Misbehaviour probably could have said a little more about intersectionality in feminism, but it’s an enjoyable 105 minutes on screen, while The Glorias had a lot of potential between the intriguing subject matter, talented cast and impressive production values, yet misses the mark stylistically. CD

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The Capistrano Dispatch October 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;22, 2020

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SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Enjoy Los Rios Hauntings at Home

T

he Historical Society in San Juan Capistrano is entering the 21st century. Although our emphasis is on the incredible history of our community, the Society is showcasing that history in 21st century form.

October is normally the time of the Ghost Walk for the Society. The Walk strolls down Los Rios Street, home to many “ghosts” and legends that are part of the oldest residential neighborhood in California. But because of COVID-19 and the restrictions on group participation, this event was going to be canceled this year. It was not unusual to have had 300 people strolling down Los Rios Street in groups of 25 at one time, so the Society had to become creative and enter into the modern world with its historical message.

Welcome to Virtual Ghost Walk 2020.

Once again, Harrison Taylor and his band of “ghost hosts” have created a haunting tour for you and your family.

The self-guided tour can be experienced from the confines of your home. Once you sign up, turn off your lights and enjoy the unexpected wanderings down historic Los Rios Street.

The Ghost Tour website for signing up is sjcghosttour.com. The cost is $7 per person. The advantage of the Virtual Tour is that it can be offered more than

the one day that has been usual for the Society Ghost Walk. The Virtual Tour can be taken any time between Oct. 15 and Oct. 31.

The tour will last 30-40 minutes. There will be 8-10 stops on Los Rios Street with “ghosts” telling their story. Pay close attention, because at the end of the tour, there will be a riddle for you to solve, and if you answer the riddle correctly, you will get a discount at a downtown local restaurant/brewery.

For further information, contact the Historical Society at 949.493.8444.

Halloween is usually a time to be scared or to scare someone else. It is also the time for the Day of the Dead, when remembering ancestors is still an important part of the culture of San Juan Capistrano.

But this is also the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Right to Vote, and we also have an important election.

Honor the women in this community who fought MOMENTS for the right to vote a IN TIME century ago. Remember

By Jan Siegel to vote to honor their memory and remember their struggle.

During the last two weeks of October, the Historical Society will have an exhibit in the windows of the Silvas Adobe honoring the Day of the Dead and those women who were the first female voters in San Juan Capistrano over a century ago.

Spend a Moment In Time learning about the legends of our community and remembering the remarkable women who have added so much to the history of this community. Don’t be scared. Enjoy an evening with your family on the Historical Society Virtual Ghost Walk and vote.

Continue to stay safe.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in

From left: Dental assistant Laura Garfias, Dr. Carlos Restrepo and dental assistant Angel Linares at Del Obispo Dental. Photo: Marcela Salazar WHAT’S HAPPENING

SJC Community Submitted Photos

BY COLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Some of our readers have recently sent in photos of events and sights around town, and so we want to share them with you. If you have an interesting photo, send it to City Editor Collin Breaux at cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com and it could be featured in an upcoming issue.

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 PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The 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 Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com. The Capistrano Dispatch and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

Sudoku

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Lianney

BY MYLES MELLOR Solution:

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

L

ianney is a laid-back kitty looking for a new roommate. She is an independent lady who doesn’t mind being on her own during the day, but is also very affectionate and sweet when you visit with her. Lianney is very clean and promises not to hog the remote control. She would make a great roomie for someone seeking an easygoing feline friend.

If you are interested in adopting Lianney, please visit petprojectfoundation.org. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9-22, 2020

Lianney. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

be contacted about making an interaction appointment. CD

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 Page 25

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

CUSD Athletics Expands to Phase 2, Larger Groups, Equipment Use

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

s Orange County incrementally lifts some coronavirus restrictions and slightly expands capacities, the Capistrano Unified School District athletics programs make their slow march toward full participation.

On Sept. 23, CUSD released guidelines for Phase 2 of the district’s return to training for athletics and physical activity, which is highlighted by small increases in group size, addition of equipment, opening of weight rooms and small allowances for indoor activity.

“The Capistrano Unified School District, in conjunction with the State CIF, believes education-based athletics is essential to the physical, mental and social well-being of students, and it is important for them to return to physical activity and athletic competition,” the district said in its guidelines statement. “However, the timing of such is subject to the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Education and State/ Local Public Health Departments; variations may be tied to assessing risk levels of the sports offered.”

The Capistrano Dispatch October 9–22, 2020

After an initial July startup was halted by reinforcements of state guidelines, CUSD was allowed to open Phase 1 of the return to athletics with small and limited conditioning camps on Aug. 18. On Sept. 8, the state moved Orange County down from the most restrictive COVID-19 monitoring tier down to the red “substantial” tier—the state’s second-highest, risk-level designation—which opened the way for the eventual physical reopening of school campuses.

Phase 2 workouts at San Juan Hills High School began last week, as the school and district prepare for the reopening of high school campuses on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

“We believe that education-based athletics is vital to our mission, and we want to provide the best possible experience for those who matter most—our students,” the district statement said. “In doing so, we will continue to develop guidelines consistent with the directives from State/ Local Public Health Departments.”

For Phase 2, health screenings and all other entrance and exit protocols remain intact, but the most noticeable change

will be in the size of the groups.

The pods of athletes increase to 15 athletes from Phase 1’s group of nine, with still only one coach assigned to the pod.

The group will still maintain consistent members to reduce exposure and allow for contact tracing should it be needed. In total, there can be only 64 people at one time on a football field, 32 on a baseball or softball field or pool deck.

With the movement to the red tier, indoor gyms and fitness centers were allowed to reopen at 10% capacity, and that guideline extends to school athletics programs. Masks also will be required indoors at all times. A total of 32 people will be allowed in a main gym and only the pod-sized 16 people in smaller facilities, such as a wrestling room or the weight room.

Weight room activities are limited to the 16-person pods, and physical distancing and various sanitizing of equipment will be enforced. Exercises and lifts will need to be done without a spotter, and all equipment is thoroughly wiped down before and after each use.

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Various sports are now allowed to start using equipment, particularly each sport’s game ball, but there will still be no sharing of any equipment, which includes passing the ball.

Basketball, lacrosse, volleyball and water polo all emphasize individual ball skill drills, with each player having their own ball, but no passing is allowed among teammates. Soccer also emphasizes individual drills but lacks the note of passing among teammates. Soccer does limit drills to feet only—no heading or use of hands.

Baseball is limited to conditioning and tee work, as players cannot throw the ball around or catch during batting practice.

Football is limited to conditioning and individual drills, as handing off or throwing the ball and contact are still not allowed.

Contact is not allowed in any sport yet, including wrestling and cheerleading.

Tennis allows the hitting of balls with the racket between players, but each player must have their own can of balls to hit.

Cross country, track, swimming, golf and surfing only emphasize physical distancing. CD

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The Capistrano Dispatch October 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;22, 2020

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The Capistrano Dispatch October 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;22, 2020

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