February 22, 2019

Inside: 48th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales Guide SPECIAL SECTION

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

FEBRUARY 22-MARCH 7, 2019 • VOLUME 17, ISSUE 04

2019 Spring Sports Preview

San Juan Capistrano high school teams ready for the season ahead S P O R T S / PAG E 3 1

After winning its first league championship in the Sea View League last season, the San Juan Hills softball team will look to keep its momentum rolling into the South Coast League with a new coach. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

SMWD Selected for Exclusive Negotiations EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Councilmember Farias Likely to Run for Re-Election in 2020 EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

thecapistranodispatch.com

Kids Show Off Furry Companions at Pet Parade EYE ON SJC/PAGE 5

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week City to Negotiate Water Transfer with Santa Margarita THE LATEST: The city of San Juan Capistrano will begin negotiating the transfer of its water utilities with Santa Margarita Water District.

During its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19, the City Council unanimously selected Santa Margarita for exclusive negotiations in regard to the city’s efforts to annex its water and wastewater services.

Dan Ferons, Santa Margarita’s general manager, said the agency is excited for the opportunity to continue working with San Juan Capistrano. He believes the two entities already have a good relationship based on the two working on a local watershed project and because the district is currently contracted to provide watermetering services.

“We think we have a good long-term relationship with the city, we think that we are a good partner and make a good fit, so we’re excited to get to this next step,” Ferons said following Tuesday’s meeting.

Because of increasing costs and the difficulty of providing water and wastewater services, the city has been looking to transfer its Utilities Department to another agency. In April 2016, the council enlisted the help of the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to look into restructuring options under a Municipal Service Review.

LAFCO found that since 2014, the average monthly rate per household has risen by roughly 16 percent, with ratepayers currently paying a monthly average of $146.

City Council, in 2014, approved 5 percent increases in water bills for each of the five subsequent years.

Councilmember Derek Reeve warned that if the city didn’t transfer its water utilities, ratepayers would see a “dramatic rate increase” on July 1, 2020. Rates would need to be increased, he explained, to pay for capital investments to the utilities infrastructure.

“That would not happen if we transfer the utility to a facility that specializes in running a utility,” Reeve said. “It is in the best interest of the residents to let (an agency) run this utility.”

The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

Councilmember Sergio Farias listens to a presentation during the City Council’s Jan. 15 meeting. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Santa Margarita was one of three agencies looking to take over water services from the city. Moulton Niguel Water District and South Coast Water District were also in the running.

While the councilmembers spoke highly of all three agencies, they leaned toward Santa Margarita.

“I’ve actually been a customer of Moulton Niguel, and they’ve provided exceptional customer service at a low rate. …(But) I’m more inclined to move forward with Santa Margarita,” Mayor Pro Tem Troy Bourne said, later explaining, “I’m actually inspired a little bit by the approach to increasing and diversifying our water supply here locally. … In my gut, it feels right to try to conserve everything we can here locally and use what we can here locally.”

Currently, Santa Margarita and South Coast are working with San Juan Capistrano on the San Juan Watershed Project, an endeavor that includes many other agencies and nearby cities to capture local storm water runoff. When completed, the Watershed Project will provide 5.6 billion gallons of reliable water for 50,000 families each year. The project is also expected to utilize the city’s Groundwater Recovery Plant.

Initially, the council was expected to select an agency to negotiate with during its previous Feb. 5 meeting. However, after listening to the concerns of the public, councilmembers agreed to hold off on the decision for a couple of weeks.

WHAT’S NEXT: Ken Al-Imam, the city’s chief financial officer, had previously explained to the council that the negotiations phase of the water annexation process is expected to take approximately six months to complete.

Reeve stressed on Feb. 19 that selecting Santa Margarita for negotiations doesn’t mean a final decision has been made as to which agency will absorb the utilities department. If the negotiations between the city and Santa Margarita fall through, Reeve added, the council will move on to another district.

“We are going to have a few months to have very intense negotiations and getting down to brass tacks, if you will,” Reeve said. —Shawn Raymundo

Councilmember Farias Likely to Seek Re-Election in 2020 THE LATEST: This past year’s city council race is barely in the rear view mirror, but one incumbent has already begun gearing up for a 2020 run.

Using the committee name “Farias for City Council 2020,” Councilmember Sergio Farias, who represents District 1 and was first elected to the council in 2016, recently filed a campaign finance disclosure with the city clerk’s office.

“I named it 2020 because, yeah, I have every intention of running,” Farias told The Capistrano Dispatch in a phone interview. Farias noted that while he hasn’t officially announced his bid for re-election, he later reaffirmed that “unless something changes, I anticipate running for another four-year term.”

Though he has started raising funds for a 2020 campaign, he said he’s currently focused on his next two years in office.

“It’s going to be a productive two years, and that’s what I’m looking at right now— not looking at any upcoming election,” he said.

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According to his most recent campaign finance statement, Farias currently has nearly $1,500 in his war chest. To date, he has raised nearly $8,200 in donations to his campaign and has spent $6,805.

When running for city council seats in California, candidates are required to periodically submit campaign finance disclosures listing contributions received and expenditures made, if the dollar amount meets a certain threshold. Candidates and their committees who raised or spent—or intend to raise or spend—$2,000 or more during a calendar year in connection with election to office or holding office must submit a Form 460.

Farias’ Form 460, which covers the period from July 1 to Dec. 31, shows that of the $4,156 he spent during that period, $3,613 paid for campaign literature and mailings.

Farias explained that he used the money to send out Christmas card mailers to registered voters in District 1. The cards, he said, weren’t political and were meant to connect with the constituents in his district.

During the same reporting period, Farias used $330 from his coffers to contribute to Democratic candidates in last year’s elections. Last August, Farias donated $110 each to the campaigns of Edward Hernandez for California’s lieutenant governor, Marggie Castellanos, who ran for California State Senate, and Congressman Mike Levin, who now represents California’s 49th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Following the election this past November, Levin’s committee for Congress reportedly returned the favor, contributing $110 to Farias’ 2020 campaign, according to the disclosure.

WHAT’S NEXT: Farias said he has plans to hold a town hall meeting this spring, but nothing has been finalized.—SR

Local Group Sues City over Approved Plaza Banderas Modifications THE LATEST: The local group, Save Our Mission Foundation, is continuing to challenge the city’s approval of design modifications to the Plaza Banderas Hotel project, also known as the Inn at the Mission.

On Feb. 4, the group filed a lawsuit alleging the city failed to comply with the state’s environmental review process when it approved a handful of site modifications that developer Mission Commercial Properties proposed to the hotel last year.

The latest lawsuit is the second case the city is facing from the same group, as Save (Cont. on page 4) thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) Our Mission also filed a similar lawsuit regarding the hotel project nearly a year ago. The first case, according to City Attorney Jeff Ballinger, is currently undergoing discovery and pre-trial motions.

Save Our Mission’s first lawsuit stems from other modifications that were approved in early 2018.

In February of last year, the city’s design review committee (DRC) determined that a revised architectural design for the final construction plans of the hotel’s three buildings was consistent with conceptual design plans the city approved in 2011.

Save Our Mission challenged that approval by filing an appeal to the city in March. The city council denied that appeal, prompting the group to file its first lawsuit.

The Plaza Banderas, currently under construction, is set to include a nearly 75,000-square-foot hotel with 124 rooms, as well as retail and commercial space for restaurants and private offices. Local developer Bill Griffith owns Mission Commercial Properties, which is referred to as “Applicant” in the new lawsuit.

During the city’s planning commission meeting in late September, it approved additional site changes that included splitting an entry driveway to allow traffic into and out of the hotel, moving the location of a swimming pool, and moving the location of a parking area.

Save Our Mission, represented by San Juan Capistrano resident and activist Steve Behmerwohld, is claiming that the changes contradict the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that the city certified in 2010. Such changes, the lawsuit also alleged, will result in “new or different substantial environmental impacts” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The group is asking the court to direct the city, which is referred to as “Respondent” in the lawsuit, to rescind its approval of those changes as they didn’t undergo a new environmental analysis.

“The public interest will suffer from Respondent’s failure to comply with CEQA, its procedural due process requirement, and Respondent’s land use regulations and the agreements previously entered into regarding Plaza Banderas,” the lawsuit states.

Mission Commercial Properties attorney Rick Friess called the allegations in the lawsuit baseless.

“This was a fully approved project with an EIR,” Friess said.

According to Ballinger, Save Our Mission had until Dec. 11 to file the new lawsuit as it is supplemental to the initial suit Save Our Mission filed last April. Ballinger believes the missed deadline “will be fatal to their case.”

He also disputed the group’s claim, stating that it “lacks merit.”

“I believe that the substance of their lawsuit lacks merit. The modifications that were approved in November do not substantially change the nature of the project that was originally approved by the city council,” he said.

The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

Friess also said he believes the latest lawsuit will get dismissed, because the statute of limitations to file has passed.

The city has previously argued against the accusations, which the group initially raised in its appeal of the approval back in October. The following month, the city council unanimously voted to nix the group’s appeal.

The city had argued that based on the planning commission’s findings, the modifications didn’t require a new EIR. The modifications, the city noted in a report last November, “were not substantial project revisions” as the planning commission found “that no substantial changes in circumstances for the project have occurred, and no new information of substantial importance has surfaced since the current EIR was certified.”

“The Planning Commission found that there was no new potential for environmental impacts and the modifications were already covered by the current EIR,” the city report added.

Save Our Mission has also claimed that the developer continues to change the use of the hotel project through piecemeal modification submissions.

“There is no allowance that such plans can be submitted piecemeal to different committees, yet this is precisely what the Applicant has done,” the new lawsuit states. “On information and belief, Applicant has made multiple submissions since 2016 for modifications to the Initial Plan.”

The modifications, the group believes, would “either eliminate or substantially reduce the commercial/retail components” of the hotel and “replace that space with additional hotel space and hotel-related uses.”

Furthermore, Save Our Mission claims that the modifications “also included numerous changes in the elevations of the buildings, which block views to and from the Mission San Juan Capistrano, a historical site.”

In its November report, the city said there hasn’t been any piecemeal environmental review.

The certified environmental “analysis considered the whole of the project, including any reasonably foreseeable future consequences of the project,” the city report stated, adding that the changes “propose only minor site plan modifications.”

WHAT’S NEXT: As of press time, no hearing date had been scheduled for the new lawsuit, but a court hearing regarding the April 2018 lawsuit is currently scheduled for March 25, according to the Orange County Court.—SR

CUSD Looks to Ambuehl Elementary Modernization as Model for Potential Bond Measure THE LATEST: A plan to modernize Harold Ambuehl Elementary School in San Juan

Capistrano in the near future is likely to be the Capistrano Unified School District’s (CUSD) leading example of what a proposed bond measure could achieve.

CUSD has proposed placing a bond measure on the ballot for the March 2020 Primary Election that, if passed, would authorize funding for capital facility projects throughout the district. The trustees, this past December, approved plans to poll voters in San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and Dana Point in an effort to gather the community’s thoughts on the potential bond.

During a workshop meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 13, CUSD Chief Facilities Officer John Forney presented information to the Board of Trustees on the Ambuehl Elementary School Modernization Project, which the district hopes can be completed this summer.

Back in 2017, CUSD contracted the development company Kitchell as a consultant to conduct a districtwide assessment on the condition of the schools’ facilities, starting with Ambuehl Elementary as a case study, according to Forney.

The $5.7 million project, which is being funded from the sale of Whispering Hills and Mello-Roos facilities’ district bonds, would incorporate mandatory improvements from the Division of State Architect (DSA), Forney said.

In his presentation to the trustees, he explained that CUSD staff and the district architect also met with Ambuehl teachers and staff, as well as the Parent Teacher Association and other stakeholders, to gather ideas on improvement and input on existing facilities.

Some areas of the school the district is looking to modernize include the play area, drinking fountains, fencing, restrooms, fire alarm safety and the library, which would eventually be called the “Innovation Center.”

One of the priorities that needs to be addressed, Forney said, is fire safety. The school currently has heavy fire doors that have to be closed manually to isolate fires.

The modernization plan would install automated door systems in case of lockdowns and fires.

“To bring it to code, we’re going to replace all of those areas with an automated system . . . so things like in front of the office, if you had to go on lockdown and shut access points, you can push a button and it would close the doors,” Forney said.

“So, it’s kind of serving two purposes: it does the fire authority compliance as well as help with sight security.”

Forney said later that if CUSD does get the 2020 bond measure passed, safety compliances will need to be the main priority when it comes to future upgrades at the schools throughout the district.

“That’s what this exercise is going to show,” Forney said, referencing the Ambuehl modernization. “When we start tackling (projects) in the future, if we get the bond, we have to address these acces-

Page 4

sibilities and fire alarm safeties, first and foremost.”

The plan also includes adding a corrugated metal structure for better shade, upgrading the play area equipment to include rubber surfacing, turning drinking fountains into water bottle fillers and improving the fencing near the entrance of the school.

Ambuehl, Forney said, also wants to be able to promote itself as well as highlight its identity. With that in mind, the modernization project intends to install a digital marquee and message board in front of the school.

And with the library becoming the Innovation Center, the school is looking to upgrade the lighting and install a kindergarten gathering space.

“It’s a great space, but it’s kind of lost, because it has that ’70s vibe; it’s very dark, it’s very outdated,” Forney said, referring to the current conditions of the school’s library.

WHAT’S NEXT: Currently, DSA is reviewing the project, according to Forney. The district, he added, is anticipating DSA’s approval in April as the goal is to get the project out to bid for contractors as soon as possible.

Assuming that all goes according to plan, the project would then go before the trustees to award the contract in May, as CUSD is eyeing a construction start date in June, Forney said.

“It’s coming really quick,” he said.

“We’re working hard to be optimistic.”—SR

Final Environmental Report Published on SONGS Offshore Conduits THE LATEST: Public comment is now available for a portion of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) final environmental impact report (EIR) regarding the Unit 2 and 3 offshore conduits that were used to pull in ocean water to keep generators cool.

The proposed project will “remove offshore components and install mammal exclusion barriers for the Units 2 and 3 conduits; place temporary solid covers on top of the mammal exclusion barriers on the Unit 2 discharge conduit to allow for future use, if needed”; and it will “remove navigational and environmental monitoring buoys and anchors,” according to the executive summary of the EIR. WHAT’S NEXT: The State Lands Commission will meet to review, consider, and receive public comment on certification of the final EIR, and, if it is certified, the board will take action on the proposals on March 21 in Southern California. Details will be provided as they become available on the State Lands website: slc.ca.gov.

—Staff thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Congressman Levin to Host Town Hall in San Juan Capistrano Congressman Mike Levin, D-CA, will hold a town hall meeting in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, Feb. 23.

This will mark his first town hall meeting in Orange County since being elected to Congress this past November to represent California’s 49th District. Levin’s district encompasses San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Dana Point, as well as northern cities in San Diego County.

Levin will hold the town hall meeting at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion. The event will take place from 3:30-5 p.m., with the doors opening at 3 p.m. Attendance is free, but those interested in going must register for a ticket online at eventbrite.com.

Kids Show Off Furry Companions at Annual Pet Parade Come March 23, when the streets of downtown San Juan Capistrano transform into the 61st Annual Swallows Day Parade, there’ll be a new sheriff in town.

Her name is Emma Hall. She will be dressed in Wild West attire. She’ll be leading a maybe not-so-somber prisoner through the parade route on a leash.

That would be her dog, Rosie, a Rottweiler that will be clad in prison garb, a lock around her neck and, quite likely, a friendly tonguedrooping smile for parade spectators.

Emma and Rosie are the grand-prize winners from the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association’s 2019 Kids’ Pet Parade, held Feb. 16 at Los Rios Park.

Emma’s prize was an invitation to appear in the upcoming Fiesta de las Golondrinas Parade, which the city hosts yearly to celebrate the return of the migratory swallows to San Juan from South America.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Women of the West,” so Emma and Rosie will fit right in, said Jim Taylor, Fiesta Association president.

One of the floats in the parade is designed to celebrate famous women of the West—think Annie Oakley, Taylor said.

There will be six marching bands and some 350 horses in what is billed as one of America’s largest non-motorized parades.

Judges at the Kids’ Pet Parade selected Emma and Rosie as the best-costumed owner and pet combo, out of five entries in that category.

Madeline Salinas and her dog, Teddy, earned first place in the domestic pet category, out of five entries.

Kate Pointer and her rabbit, Cruella, The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Planning Commission Meeting 6: 30 p.m. The city’s Planning Commission will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Fiesta Association Meeting 7-8 p.m. In conjunction with the Swallows Day Parade season, the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association will hold weekly meetings to continue planning its upcoming list of events. Nydegger Building. 31421 La Matanza Street. swallowsparade.com.

Rosie seems to have her mind on other things as Pet Parade Emcee Jim Taylor asks Emma Hall about Rosie’s talents. Photo: Fred Swegles

were named winners in the barn animals category, among three entries.

Judges Annabelle Isky, Tony Leone, Sylvia Mazzeo Pule, Carolyn Franks, Brandon Rodriguez and Daniela Martinez named Eleanor Tiner and her costumed dog, Pepper, as winners in a special “Kid at Heart” category for people 60 or older with pet.

Inaugural Bocce Ball Tournament to Benefit Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley The Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley will host its first-ever bocce ball tournament at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point on Saturday, Feb. 23.

All of the proceeds of the Inaugural Orange County Beach Bocce Championships will benefit the club, which aims to help children in need by offering them a place to learn and grow through various programs and services.

Teams of two can enter to play at bgccapo.com. The cost of registration per team is $75 and includes T-shirts for each player.

Teams can also register for the $175 VIP package, which includes the T-shirts for each player, plus lunch and drinks.

There will be two divisions: one for competitive players and one for recreational players who just want to have fun.

Registration the day of the tournament opens at 8 a.m., and the first ball is scheduled to be tossed at 9:30 a.m.

CUSD Names 2019 Teachers of the Year The Capistrano Unified School District

(CUSD) on Friday, Feb. 8 announced the winners of its 2019 Teachers of the Year award.

CUSD annually recognizes an elementary, middle and high school teacher for their “outstanding commitment to engage all students in learning.”

This year’s Teachers of the Year recipients are George White Elementary School teacher Jill Brick, Ladera Ranch Middle School teacher Amanda Hatcher and Serra High School teacher Ashly Ogden.

“I am always inspired to recognize the great work of our incredible teachers and the positive impact they have on our students,” CUSD Board of Trustees President Gila Jones said in a press release. “They are wonderful examples of the teachers we have in our district, and we look forward to cheering them on at the county level.”

The teachers were selected by their respective schools, according to CUSD. Later this year, they’ll compete for the Orange County Teacher of the Year award.

Earlier in the week, several colleagues, friends, family and CUSD officials, including Jones and Superintendent Kristen Vital, surprised this year’s honorees by gathering in their respective classrooms for the announcements and celebrations.

For the past 29 years, Brick has taught at George White with the goal of instilling a joy of learning in her students as well as motivating them to want to be lifelong learners, according to CUSD. “Every day is a new chance for me to make a difference in someone’s life, every year is a new adventure, every student is a new relationship,” Brick said in the press release.

Hatcher, who has taught social science for 14 years at Ladera Ranch Middle School, said she wants to “continue to grow as an educator and never become

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CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting 7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District governing body meets at district offices, 33122 Valle Road. To see the board’s agenda, visit capousd.org.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Design Review Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m. The City’s Design Review Committee will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs every Friday at Hennessey’s Tavern, 31761 Camino Capistrano. All are welcome. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8 The next edition of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

stagnant.”

At Serra High, Ogden teaches many courses within special education, as well as general math. Teaching, she said, is “leading by example, teaching respect, self-love, appreciation for education, and the drive to find your passion.”

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

EYE ON RMV

NEWS & HAPPENINGS AT THE RANCH

RMV Appoints New Executive, Senior Leadership

BY JENNA ROSS, FOR THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Rancho Mission Viejo’s new retirement community, Reata Glen, is under construction and is set to open on April 29. Photo: Courtesy of Reata Glen

New RMV Retirement Center to House Hundreds of Senior Residents

BY JENNA ROSS, FOR THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Reata Glen, the 66-acre retirement center off Ortega Highway, will soon be officially opening its gates in Rancho Mission Viejo (RMV). On April 29, the center will begin welcoming the more than 300 senior residents who have already purchased homes.

Reata Glen is one of the residential developments that has been under construction in RMV over the past few years. The project, developed by Continuing Life, LLC, has been in conception for almost 15 years and under construction for two and a half years.

Continuing Life communities combine the concepts of a senior living home with fulltime care and a retirement community.

A Carlsbad-based company, Continuing Life has operated since 1991 and gives community starters such as Reata Glen access to infrastructure to “manage a stabilized community,” according to its website.

“This will be the largest single-phase opening of a (Continuing Care Retirement Community) so far in California,” Reata Glen Marketing Manager Stephanie Riggs said.

Seventy percent of Reata Glen will be used for residential living for people 55 and older who are looking to downsize or minimize responsibilities in their lives. They will still live in independent residences, but their typical gardening, landscaping or housecleaning tasks will be taken care of by Reata Glen staff.

The rest of the residences in Reata Glen will be reserved for assisted living at The Orchards, which will open a year and a half after the official opening of the community.

It will provide health services for residents who can no longer live independently without their having to relocate to a new home.

“This will allow residents to stay at Reata Glen as their health needs change,” Riggs said.

“We want to give people peace of mind.”

The development of Reata Glen is helping the Rancho Mission Viejo community reach its goal of providing accommodations for people of all ages, Riggs said.

According to Rancho Mission Viejo, the master-planned community is expected to include up to 6,000 homes for people 55 and older.

“Through the decades, we’ve done our best to help establish communities, which enrich the lives of residents and neighbors by providing a diversity of housing opportunities,” a recent press release discussing new leadership within RMV stated.

There are talks to have a transportation system that will connect Reata Glen to the rest of Rancho Mission Viejo, according to Riggs. Reata Glen would be one of the main stops on the route, connecting its residents to the rest of the community.

Reata Glen will feature three restaurants, a bar, a beauty salon and spa, a movie theater, a pool, a dog park and many other amenities. These amenities are exclusive to residents and their guests.

Homes will range from one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments to two- or threebedroom villas: single-family homes with attached garages.

“We are happy to be adding to (Rancho Mission Viejo’s) vision of multigenerational living,” Riggs said.

Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC (RMV) announced on Tuesday, Feb. 12 the appointment of new executive management, along with the promotion of its senior leadership team.

Promotions for the executive management team include Jeremy Laster to executive vice president and chief operating officer, Elise Millington to executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Paul Johnson to executive vice president of community management.

“Since 1972, we’ve accomplished much while keeping true to the values and traditions which have come to define ‘The Ranch,’ ” Tony Moiso, RMV’s chairman and CEO, said in a press release. “Yet, now is the time to begin the transition to the next generation of Ranch leadership. Jeremy, Elise and Paul will be exceptional additions to the executive management team.”

Before becoming chairman and CEO, Moiso previously held the position of president, which is now held

by Don Vodra. Vodra was promoted to president in 2017, according to the release. Moiso and Vodra will continue to work together to lead the executive management team.

“It’s an honor to work with Tony to lead this group of talented men and women,” Vodra said in the release.

“The combination of their diverse areas of expertise and professional experiences will enrich and advance our business as we work together to build on the incredible legacy of the Ranch and the O’Neill/Avery/Moiso family.”

Rancho Mission Viejo has been owned by members of the O’Neill, Avery and Moiso families since 1882. Upon completion, “The Ranch” is expected to include 14,000 homes and approximately five million square feet of land for nonresidential use, including schools, places of worship, community farms, shopping and employment centers.

Events at The Ranch FEBRUARY 23

Shooting Star Wildflower Walk

8 a.m. Join local wildflower expert Bob Allen on a walk through The Reserve in search of early spring wildflowers.

The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, 28811 Ortega Hwy. Reserve a spot at rmvreserve.org.

MARCH 1

Hilltop Hangouts

5 p.m. Enjoy food trucks, live music and drinks at Esencia’s Hilltop Club.

65 Esencia Dr. MARCH 2

Escencia Farm Stand

9 a.m. A farmers market offering fresh produce from all three farms in Sendero and Esencia. Held every first and third Saturday of the month. 75 Esencia Dr. ranchomissionviejo.com.

MARCH 4

Trail Clearing and Weeding

7:30 a.m. Join staff for a morning of de-weeding and maintaining The Reserve. Drinks and snacks provided.

The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, 28811 Ortega Hwy. Reserve a spot at rmvreserve.org.

MARCH 6

Sierra Sage Hike

9 a.m. Join Sierra Sage, South Orange County’s chapter of the Sierra Club, on a hike around The Reserve. Claim a spot at rmvreserve.org.

Community and Conservation

7 p.m. This meeting provides an opportunity for residents to meet with management, a board member and a representative from the master developer to share information related to the community and discuss how they live their lives on The Ranch. 75 Esencia Dr.

NEW! Expanded coverage of Rancho Mission Viejo Every issue, the Dispatch will now feature a section called “Eye on RMV” featuring news and events specifically from the Rancho Mission Viejo community. To submit a story for consideration, email Shawn Raymundo at sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.

For advertising and marketing opportunities, email Debra Wells at dwells@picketfencemedia.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

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thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Bartlett Bulletin by Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, 5th District

Saving and Caring for OC’s Animals

A

fter a long day at work, juggling meetings with constituents, policy briefings with staff, traveling throughout South County for events, and so much more, there really is not much that compares to coming home to the joyful company of a pet. Pets have such a positive, loving, and lasting influence on our lives, such as improving health and protecting our families. As a rescue pet owner myself, I have always advocated for rescuing and adopting animals, which is why I am so excited to share some of the many successes of our new and improved Orange County Animal Care center in Tustin.

OC Animal Care’s new facility that opened last March recently announced its year-in-review statistics, with impressive gains in save rates and adoptions. We now have the highest dog and cat save rate ever for our OC Animal Care. In 2018, the save rate rose 9.7 percent from 2017

Letters to the Editor REPORTS CAST CLOUD OF DESALINATION JOANNA CLARK, San Juan Capistrano

According to the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA), the San Juan Creek Ocean Outfall discharges 11.3 million gallons of highly treated wastewater 2.2 miles off the Orange County coast daily.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the proposed desalination plant would “produce 4 to 5 million gallons of potable water per day, with the possibility of increasing the output to 15 million gallons per day.

The water would cost $2,169 per acre-foot while producing 5 million gallons a day.

An acre-foot is equal to 326,000 gallons, or enough water to cover an acre of land one-foot deep.”

The Orange County Register reports that The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

to 81.77 percent overall. In total, 1,486 dogs and cats were transferred to other shelters or care, 2,369 were reunited with their owners, and 5,621 were adopted. The center is currently serving 14 cities across the county, and the job spans greater than providing care at the facility. Unfortunately, there are times where our animals are not being cared for correctly, sparking concern in the communities they live in for the safety of these pets. OC Animal Care is dedicated to investigating cruelty cases and taking action where need be to relocate those in danger to safe, happy environments at the shelter or even in foster care.

All of this success is attributed to new leadership and additional resources that have been made available because THE BARTLETT of the support from the BULLETIN Board of Supervisors

By Lisa Bartlett and the new shelter’s advancements. For example, OC Animal Care was awarded $115,000 in grants focused on efforts to save underage kittens. With the announcement of the many successes in 2018, I am sure there will be many more opportunities for growth and support.

As I have done the past three years, I will once again be hosting the South County Pet Expo on March 9. This is always one of my favorite days of the year, as pet lovers from all over the county participate in exciting

if imported water flows continue without reduction, “the proposed Poseidon project could cost customers nearly $250 million more than if they merely continued relying on imported water to supplement local supplies,” according to the report.

Editor’s note: The report also said the project could be fiscally beneficial if environmental trends worsen based on demand and costs of imported water.

This is insane.

What would it cost to redirect the 11.3 million gallons of recycled water, currently being discharged into the ocean, and inject it into the San Juan Basin?

Indeed, not $250 million.

According to the San Juan Basin Authority, “the quality of the San Juan Basin ranges from good to poor. The lower basins are deep; however, they contain brackish water and require treatment, while the shallow upper sub-basin has lower TDS (total dissolved solids) concentration.

“Monitoring wells, as well as the current production wells, help measure water levels and electric conductivity, which helps determine the number of

presentations on safe and healthy products for our “fur-ever” friends. Joining us again this year will be author W. Bruce Cameron for a book-signing of his recent novelturned-major motion picture, “A Dog’s Way Home.” Guests will also get the great opportunity to meet the star of the movie, Bella. The expo is projected to have more than 100 vendors, and attendance in the past has been as high as 6,000, so there will be something exciting around every corner. This year’s Pet Expo will be held at the Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center at 28000 Rancho Parkway, Lake Forest, and is free to all attendees. Overflow parking will be at Saddleback Church on Portola Parkway, and a free shuttle from the overflow parking will be available to bring attendees to and from the expo.

The Pet Expo is going to be a great event for the entire family, and I look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions about the event, please contact Kevin Fernandez at kfernandez@lakeforestca.gov. If you are interested in becoming one of our vendors, please contact April Josephson at sponsor@adoptocpets.org.

Lisa Bartlett is the chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, serving as the representative of the 5th District since 2014. 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

various constituents found in the water. It is alleged that the bulk of the salt content in the groundwater comes from marine sediments found to underlie much of the basin.”

Furthermore, the San Juan Basin Authority’s website reports that “the San Juan Capistrano’s lease of the Groundwater Recovery Plant (GWRP) is set to expire in 2035. The GWRP could be upgraded, if necessary, to produce processed water safe for human consumption,” and it would not cost $250 million.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. The Capistrano Dispatch reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

Page 8

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Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Tim Trent EDITOR EMERITUS Jonathan Volzke

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 17, Issue 04. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (www. 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.

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GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: Cutting through the Red Tape of ‘Green Book’

What’s going on in and around town

COMPILED BY STAFF

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

Saturday | 23 WALK FOR WELLNESS 8 a.m.-noon Join Strength Over Silence for a four-hour walk in the hope of reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness while promoting exercise as a coping mechanism. Money raised from the event will be donated to the St. Joseph Health Mission Hospital mental health ward. San Juan Hills High School. 29211 Stallion Ridge, San Juan Capistrano. 949.290.5624. strengthoversilence.net.

EDITOR’S PICK

Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Photo: Alex Paris

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

EDITOR’S PICK: SATURDAY, FEB. 23: BARREL-AGED EVENT Noon-11 p.m. The BrewHouse is bringing back its Barrel-Aged Event. The BrewHouse’s tap list will feature a number of different, rare and highly sought-after beers. Mando’s food truck will also be there serving up burgers, sweet potato fries and other delicious eats.

There will also be a selection of bottled beers in their cooler, including Bottle Logic, Fifty Fifty, Lost Abbey and more. The BrewHouse. 31896 Plaza Dr., Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. thebrewhousesjc.com.

Sunday | 24 BRIDAL SHOWCASE 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Find inspiration in some of the season’s hottest wedding trends at this year’s Bella Collina Bridal Showcase featuring Orange County’s top vendors.

Complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVP for complimentary admission and parking. Bella Collina San Clemente, 200 Avenida La Pata.

949.498.6604. bellacollinasanclemente.com.

Wednesday | 27 WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 7:30-9:30 p.m. Enjoy friendly competition and craft beers among friends during the BrewHouse’s weekly trivia night. Food trucks are on site during trivia contest. The BrewHouse.

31896 Plaza Dr., Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. thebrewhousesjc.com.

Thursday | 28 ACOUSTIC THURSDAYS AT BARNOA 7-9 p.m. Live music every Thursday. A rotating cast of Orange County’s most talented musicians play acoustic covers and original music. Enjoy a great wine selection, craft beers, yummy appetizers and Barnoa’s full dinner menu. Must be 21 and older. Barnoa Wine and Craft Beer Bistro. 831 Via Suerte, San Clemente.

949.388.4378. barnoawinebar.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

Friday | 01 SENIOR MOMENTS 2: BETTA DAZE 7:30 p.m. Following previous years’ sellout run of Don Fried’s Senior Moments and More Senior Moments, Camino Real Playhouse presents Fried’s Senior Moments 2: Betta Daze. The moving dramatic comedy opens Friday, March 1 and runs through Sunday, March 10. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Auditorium seating is $20; front row, cabaret-table seating is $30. The box office and concessions open one hour before the performance. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 02 PIANO MASTER CLASS WITH ARUNESH NADGIR 4:30 p.m. Praised for his passionate, sensitive, and thoughtful musical style, pianist Arunesh Nadgir has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the U.S., South America, Europe and Asia. An accomplished teacher, Nadgir is the coordinator of Keyboard Studies and associate professor of Piano at Middle Tennessee State University. The door price for tickets sold in the hour preceding the perfor-

mance is $10. Saddleback College McKinney Theatre. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4500. saddleback.edu.

Sunday | 03 ORTEGA HIGHWAY STREET RIDE 9 a.m. Join the BSA Owners Club of Southern California on a gentle ride on the infamous Highway 74 to Lake Elsinore and beyond. All classic bikes are welcome.

Meet at the Capistrano Business Center courtyard parking lot. The ride starts at 10 a.m. 27124 Paseo Espada, San Juan Capistrano. 661.832.6109. bsaocsc.org.

Monday | 04 JAZZ LAB ENSEMBLE WITH JON HATAMIYA 7:30 p.m. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya, fresh from his studies at the world-renowned Monk Institute of Jazz, will perform in this Spring Jazz Lab Ensemble Concert. Hatamiya is rapidly making a name for himself—from coast to coast—as both a musician and composer. The door price for tickets sold in the hour preceding the performance is $10. Saddleback College McKinney Theatre. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4500. saddleback.edu.

Page 10

N

ow that the 2018 awards season comes to an end on Sunday, let us revisit one of the more polarizing and divisive films of last year: Peter Farrelly’s lighthearted biopic, Green Book. It is a lot like the popular period piece Driving Miss Daisy (1989), in that we have two very strong lead performances in a film that’s basically a fluff piece.

In 1962 New York, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) is out of a job and looking for easy work before Christmas, and Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) is in need of a driver for a two-month tour in the South.

Despite their personal differences and Tony’s casual racial prejudice, the two come together for the sake of their careers. Tony also gets up-close accounts of Don regularly experiencing racism for being black, and Don even sees Tony mocked for being Italian-American.

The thing with Green Book is that there are some genuinely good scenes, particularly early on when Don and Tony are getting to know each other. And there was a lot of potential to be a great tribute to this talented but overlooked musical artist from the mid-20th century.

The acting is great, and the friendship feels real and puts a smile on your face. But as the movie goes on, the portrayal gets a little unrealistic, with Tony quickly becoming the only “good” white guy in a sea of bigoted southerners. You can easily tell that the film is co-written and co-produced by Lip’s real son, Nick Vallelonga. Yet, like a lot of my fellow film critics, I’m going to recommend Green Book primarily on how strong the performances are. CD

thecapistranodispatch.com

Welcome to the 48th Annual

The Festival of Whales

Inspiration

Dana Point Festival of Whales

BY DANA POINT MAYOR JOE MULLER

H

ome to the first and longest running annual whale festival, Dana Point has been celebrating whales for more than 48 years. The community is proud to spend two weekends in March to commemorate the majestic experience when hundreds of these 35-ton leviathans splash their way through Dana Point. The year 2019 has been a notable year so far, with spectacular whale sightings close to shore and even in Dana Point Harbor. Humpback whales, gray whales with their calves and even a whale celebrity, “Scarback,” have favored our coastline.

If you have been near these beautiful creatures, then you know why we dedicate two weekends to celebrate. The Festival of Whales is full of many fun and informative events, as well as numerous whale watching excursions.

Our Festival will begin with a colorful Festival of hales arade along acific Coast Highway on Saturday morning, March 2. If you want to experience the whale migration, then reserve your spot on any number of whale watching tours.

You can also attend many of our educational programs to learn more about whales and marine life, developed by the Ocean Institute.

Festival activities will range from art shows featuring local artists who will display and sell

a variety of works, to the 4th Annual Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash. Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, the Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash is a fun filled, family oriented day that includes a cardboard boat-building contest and race. We will also have a number of classic car events with the ever-popular SoCal Woodies on weekend one and a classic boat show on March 9 in the East Marina parking lot.

The Festival wraps up on Sunday, March 10 with the BBQ and Concert on the Water at Baby Beach.

This year will feature a full afternoon of hits from the 1980s, starting with Neon Nation – the Ultimate Live ‘80s Experience, followed by the cool tunes of Keston & the Rhythm Killers. The show wraps up with DSB—the Next Best Thing to Journey. I hope to see you on the beach for some BBQ, great tunes and good friends from noon to 5 p.m.

This event is so special to our community and provides a wonderful way to celebrate our ocean, the whales and our city! I look forward to seeing you there!

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, EVENT COORDINATOR

S

pring in Dana Point is a favorite time of year to observe our ocean-dwelling cetacean neigh ors, living it up in the acific waves reaking along the shores of this beautiful city by the sea. They are a sight to behold; tail flukes slapping, lowholes spouting, sidling up to oats filled with excited humans, perhaps as curious about us as we are about them.

Ask any local; Dana Point is year-round perfection when it comes to whale watching. A wide variety of species are regulars here, but there’s something extra special when California gray whales appear in numbers, perhaps using Dana Point’s majestic headlands as some form of landmark in the longest animal migration on the planet. The grays’ 10,000-miles-plus round trip between the warm breeding and calving waters of Baja Mexico and the cold Arctic feeding waters of the Bering Sea is the “magical migration” that served as the original inspiration for this Festival, nearly half a century ago.

This year marks the th annual cele ration of these magnificent ocean mammals. For as long as the Harbor has been here, so has this iconic event.

Born upon the arrival of whale watching to the Harbor, the Festival was started y Dana harf Sportfishing hale atching owner Don Hansen and the late science teacher Philip Grignon. In the late 1960s, Grignon enlisted Hansen (then also based in San Clemente) to run whale watching trips for his students. When the Harbor opened in 1971, Hansen moved his business to Dana Point and put the city on the map as a great whale watching destination. Two local women also had a hand in the event’s creation. Grignon gave some credit for the idea to his San Clemente High School colleague Patricia Cassi, and the late Dana Point Historian Doris alker organi ed the first parade in .

What started as an unnamed informal event with a walking costume parade for children, has since grown into an enduring, important and highly anticipated event.

The festival entertains, excites and inspires locals, and visitors alike, to appreciate and protect the awe-inspiring ocean life right off the coast of beautiful Dana Point. •

MAYOR JOE MULLER

Meet Robyn Rogers, Designer OF the Festival of Whales Logo

R

obyn Rogers’ fascination with whales began when she was about 5 years old. Her older brother had been preparing for a school project on whales when he had Robyn hold one end of string as he unraveled it about 100 feet–roughly the length of a blue whale.

Now at 28 years old, Rogers is the logo artist for this year’s Festival of Whales.

In past years, when the logo was chosen via an art contest, dozens of artists submitted entries for the chance to have their design featured throughout the Festival, including event merchandise. Rogers’ entry in a past contest is what caught the eyes of the Festival of Whales Foundation Board, leading to her becoming the artist of choice for the 48th annual event.

While Rogers isn’t native to the coast, her appreciation for the deep sea has continued to grow since childhood.

“Seeing how long that unraveled string was really put into perspective how majestic and mysterious whales are, or any creature in the ocean. And to be involved in designing for this event that honors these beautiful creatures . . . it’s a privilege,” Rogers said.

Rogers was born and raised in Kansas. She grew up in

Overland Park and went on to study graphic design at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. “As a professional graphic designer, I’ve done a lot of marketing and advertising for corporate clients. This was a

chance for me to get back to the mediums I love and to really spread my wings,” Rogers said.

Rogers used acrylic paints on a canvas for her design entry before digitizing it on a computer.

While in college, Rogers met the man she would eventually travel across the country to live with in San Clemente. Her husband, Case Tierney, had been deployed to Camp Pendleton, and Rogers soon joined him in 2016.

“On our days off, we’d explore up and down the Southern California coast, she said. d find myself looking out on the water always trying to catch a glimpse of a fin or a tail out on the water.

Rogers and Tierney now live in Twentynine Palms for his current deployment–the next-best deployment option after Camp Pendleton, Rogers said. “I wanted to be as close to Dana Point, San Clemente and the area as possible. I still try to make a trip out as often as I can.”

Rogers is making big plans around the Festival of Whales.

Her parents and in-laws are flying out in light of her 2019 logo design. “We’re making a big vacation out of it,” she said. “I can’t wait.” •

DON’T MISS THE NISSAN INTELLIGENT MOBILTY TOUR, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. Meet the team in person at the east end of the Harbor near Dana Wharf.

Test drive the Nissan LEAF, first-ever Nissan Kicks and the all-new Nissan ALTIMA. NISSAN - INNOVATION THAT EXCITES.

48th annual festival of whales March 2-3 & 9-10, 2019

3

F On Course to Create

Dana Hills art students look to the ocean to guide their inspiration

BY LILLIAN BOYD

ernando Bojorquez, 18, navigates the upper deck of the Dana Pride holding a microphone. He’s followed by a crew of students handling camera and recording equipment as he interviews students, teachers and whale watching staff.

Bojorquez and the crew are part of Dana Hills High School’s video production class. They join fellow art students taking classes in ceramics, drawing and painting as well as digital photography, in an annual field trip to seek creative inspiration through whale watching.

“What can you tell us about the creatures we’re seeing here today?”

Bojorquez asks the naturalist on board, Robin Lowe, while holding a microphone toward her.

Each year, students from DHHS fine art classes set sail out of the Dana Point Harbor. The goal is for the students to channel their experience out on the water into creative projects, which will be displayed and sold during the annual Festival of Whales celebration. Dana Wharf Whale Watching and Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari both donate a boat each year to take the students on the trip.

During the field trip, the students were able to see a gray whale breach at least five times. Each time the gray whale changed the course of its direction, Captain Chris Pica repositioned the

Dana Pride to safely follow the whale, in coordination with the Manute’a.

“It looked like a juvenile gray whale, maybe about 18 months,” Lowe said, after the excursion. “To me, it looked like it was headed southbound.”

During the trip, students also got to see several sea lions. For sophomore Molly Brucker, this was not the first time she had seen whales or been whale watching. But this experience was not any less meaningful.

“My family and I love to whale watch, it’s something we all do together,” Brucker said. “I’m so fascinated with wildlife and capturing these creatures on camera. I want to be a zoologist someday.”

DHHS fine art teacher Chau Tran, who teaches one of the classes on this year’s trip, expressed his gratitude to the Festival organizers as well as Captain Dave’s and Dana Wharf for seeing the importance in the arts, especially for young students.

This year the students also have the opportunity to enter a Dana Point Arts and Culture Commission juried contest to compete for a chance to have their work chosen to be on display in the City Council Chambers foyer at City Hall. During the festival, student work will be for show and sale on March 9 at the Dana Hills High School Young Artists’ Show and Sale on the Harbor walkway. •

She’s a Natural Orange County Naturalist Program Brings Whale Enthusiasts Together

BY LILLIAN BOYD

R

obin Lowe says that volunteering as a naturalist for whale watching excursions is one form of honoring her late mother. One of her favorite memories of her mother is a time when Lowe took her out whale watching. Her mother had posed for a photo while holding onto her hat and laughing. Lowe snapped a photograph of her smiling mother with the beautiful ocean horizon in the background.

After undergoing training through the American Cetacean Society’s Orange County chapter, owe is a certified naturalist for Dana harf Sportfishing hale atching.

“Volunteering as a naturalist, I’m able to help facilitate that special experience of whale watching for people just like how my mom and I experienced it,” Lowe said. “I know she is resting in God’s memory and that someday I will see her again in a resurrection.”

Lowe says she was raised to appreciate creatures of all kinds, but having grown up inland, she was not exposed to seeing cetaceans.

Now she brings her camera equipment on every whale watching excursion to capture images of the wildlife.

“They’re amazing, majestic, fascinating eings. hales are a le to captivate people of all backgrounds, from young children to those later on in their years,” Lowe said.

People of all backgrounds also seemingly gravitate toward the American Cetacean Society’s naturalist training program, according to course instructor Desi reen. hether you have a marine iology ackground or you’re a retired accountant, anyone can complete the program. This is for anyone who has a passion for whales and wants to learn more and get to know more people in the field, reen said.

Both Lowe and Green completed the ACSOC naturalist program. Now, Green leads the courses and taught Lowe when she underwent training.

Naturalist candidates are expected to attend at least 10 sessions, make short presentations in front of the group on all species studied and pass a two-page written quiz. Species studied include gray, lue, fin, minke, hump ack and orca whales as well as California sea lions and common, ottlenose, issos and acific white sided dolphins.

“I have found some really good people in this field and through this naturalist program.

Courses end, but I’ve made some longtime friends. I’ve really found my happy place,” Green said.

Lowe says she uses her role as a naturalist to share her love and appreciation for wildlife with others.

“There is so much about marine mammals and other marine life that we just do not know.

I encourage people to come back, keep learning and that no two trips are alike. hale season in Southern California is year-round. It’s not something you want to cross off of your ‘bucket list,’” Lowe said.

ACS-OC conducts naturalist trainings once or twice a year. For more information and questions about this and future classes, email Desi reen at reen aol.com. isit danawharf.com for more information on scheduling a whale watch with an CS C certified naturalist on board. •

48th annual festival of whales March 2-3 & 9-10, 2019

5

Merchandise booth locations MARCH 2

• Street Fair at La Plaza Park • Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing hale atching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

MARCH 3

Festival of Whales Merchandise The Dana Point Festival of Whales 2019 merchandise offering includes a colorful array of long-sleeve and shortsleeve T-shirts, zip-front and pullover hoodies, trucker hats, backpacks, tote bags, and—new this year— lapel pins!

There’s something for everyone!

cean wareness Day at Ba y Beach • Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing hale atching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

MARCH 9

• Baby Beach • Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing hale atching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

MARCH 10

• Near the Concert on the Water/Spirits arden at Ba y Beach • Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing hale atching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

Items may also be purchased online at festivalofwhales.com and at select Harbor retailers.

Getting Around the Festival Parking and FREE Shuttle Information The FREE shuttle runs each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and services most parking lots and event locations. Daily and $3-per-hour parking ($6 minimum) is available at Doheny State Beach at the numerous automated payment machine kiosks located throughout the park, or through the Passport Parking app available for smartphones and tablets at ppprk.com/ park. The enefit of the assport arking payment application is, in addition to making the initial payment for parking, that time can also be added remotely from your phone or tablet.

Walking Directions from OCTA Bus Stop For guests utilizing the OCTA bus stops on acific Coast Highway, you can reach the estival y walking down Dana oint Har or Drive to the Har or s olden Lantern entrance area or enter Doheny State Beach (direction sign at bus stop near ridge , walk along the arrier fence, then proceed toward the each to the marked Festival of Whales shuttle stop. Ride the shuttle FREE to all event locations.

Parade Day Shuttle MARCH 2 ONLY

EE shuttle service will e available one hour prior to the Festival of hales arade. ark in the Har or or at Doheny State Beach and ride to the drop-off location for the northerly arade nnouncer s Stand. t the conclusion of the Parade, meet at the drop off location and the shuttle will return you to the Har or.

Street Fair Shuttle MARCH 2 ONLY

EE shuttle service will e availa le from all Har or locations to the Street Fair from noon to 4 p.m.

Harbor Cruise Daily service during the estival will e offered etween Dana harf and the Ocean Institute from noon to 5 p.m.

Round-trip tickets are $5 per person.

Take in all the great sights from the water our captain will share interesting facts and features about the Dana Point area and its fascinating history.

Whale of a Concert Shuttle MARCH 10 ONLY

EE shuttle service will e tend until 6 p.m.

Event Map

6

48th annual festival of whales March 2-3 & 9-10, 2019

FESTIVAL of whales

Schedule of Events WEEKEND ONE

Saturday, March 2 Whale of a Sand Sculpting Competition 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15 Festival of Whales Parade a.m. acific Coast Highway 1 Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild 10-10:45 a.m. OCean Adventures catamaran, Dana Wharf Dock 3 Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13 Mardi Paws Street Fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. La Plaza Park 2 Ocean Institute Education Center 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5 Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Westind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center 7 SoCal Woodies Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11 The Legendary Corvette Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11 Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Baby Beach 15 Art in the Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 12 Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6 Whale of a Pizza Party Noon-4 p.m. Baby Beach 15

SUNday, March 3 Whale of a Breakfast 8-10:30 a.m. Baby Beach Park 15 Whale Walk Painting 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Doheny State Beach 16 Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13 Ocean Institute Education Center 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5 Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center 7

WEEKEND TWO Saturday, March 9 Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15 Boat Builders’ Brekky and BBQ on the Beach 8 a.m.-Noon. Baby Beach 15 Whale of a Beach Cleanup 9 a.m.-Noon. Doheny State Beach 16 Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6

Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Baby Beach 15

British Invasion 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Whale of a BBQ Noon-4 p.m. Baby Beach Park 15

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Mariners Village 10

Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip Noon-12:30 p.m.; 12:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Dana Wharf Docks 3

Walking Tour of Town Center p.m. Blue antern Street acific Coast Highway 8

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Drone Demo Whale Watching Trip p.m. Dana harf Sportfishing Whale Watching 3

Walking Tour of Town Center p.m. Blue antern Street acific Coast Highway 8

Ocean Institute Education Center 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5 British Invasion 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Art in the Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 12

The Legendary Corvette Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Diamond Dig 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13

Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13

The Antique & Classic Boat Society 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor Walkway at East Marina parking lot 6

Ocean Awareness Day 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6

Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Events Center 7

Ocean Institute Education Center 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6

SUNday, March 10

Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild 10-10:45 a.m. OCean Adventures catamaran, Dana Wharf Dock 3

SoCal Woodies Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Art in the Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 12

Purple numbers coincide with map locations on page 6.

Art in the Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 12 Dana Hills High School Young Artists Show and Sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 12 Eighth Annual Whale of a Clam Chowder Cook-Off 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Baby Beach Park 15 Capt. Dave’s Under the Sea Eco Carnival Noon-2 p.m. Capt. Dave’s Dolphin Deck near Baby Beach 4

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10 Whale of a Concert on the Water 12:30-4:30 p.m. Baby Beach 15 Whale of a Concert BBQ and Spirits Garden 12:30-4:30 p.m. Baby Beach 15 Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip Noon-12:30 p.m.; 12:45-5:15 p.m.

Dana Wharf Docks 3

Every day of the Event

WHALE WATCHING Dana Wharf Whale Watching 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Whale Watching

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Whale Watching

Capt. Dave’s Presents “Entangled Whales: What Can We Do?” 2-3 p.m. OC Sailing & Event Center 7

Ocean Institute 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Whale Watching

Whale Songs & Other Tails from the Opera: A Musical Event with Lyric Opera of Orange County 6 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

Headlands Nature Interpretive Center 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Whale Watch from Land – bluff top viewing

48th annual festival of whales March 2-3 & 9-10, 2019

7

Annual Events

The Festival of Whales Parade

March 2, 3, 9, 10; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Dana Point Fine Arts Association, a nonprofit organi ation, will host an art show and sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The art will be on display at the Harbor Boardwalk along the boat docks in Mariner’s Village on the east side of the Coffee Importers Espresso Bar and Harpoon Henry’s restaurant. Dana Point Fine Arts annually donates a portion of the proceeds from the show to Dana Hills High School Art Department. For more info on this e hi it, visit their we site danapointfinearts.org. 6

The Festival of Whales Parade

March 2; 10 a.m.

The Festival of Whales Parade kicks off the two-weekend celebration of the California Gray Whale migration.

The parade embraces the Festival’s theme of magical migration with parade floats and entries decorating in an ocean/whale theme and costumes. Giant helium parade alloons of a lue whale, orca and many other sea life creatures fill the air overhead during the parade. festivalofwhales.com. 1

Street Fair

March 2; 10 a.m-3 p.m.

The et ro ect oundation hosts the Mardi Paws Street Fair and Whales and Tails Wag-a-Thon at La la a ark. Shop at more than vendor ooths, en oy music, food trucks, a kiddie area, pet costume contest, souvenirs, a chance to win great pri es and so much more. unds raised help the et ro ect Foundation support the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter. 2

Whale of a Sand-Sculpting Competition on Baby Beach

March 2; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The contest is a day of fun, sun and creativity for families, friends and sand-sculpting enthusiasts.

Contestants may choose to make sand creations, including whales, ocean creatures, pirates and ships, surfing and tropical island themed creations. 15

Diamond Dig

March 3; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Come to Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club’s Annual Diamond Dig at Ba y Beach. or one hour, guests can have a whale of an opportunity to become rich by digging for treasure, toys, pri es and for one lucky person, a eautiful piece of diamond ewelry, donated

by Marinelli Fine Jewelry. Tickets are . . . or visit monarchbeatchrotary.com. 15

Ocean Awareness Day

March 3; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Presented by the Dana Point Harbor ssociation, cean wareness Day features interactive displays, demonstrations and entertainment showcasing ocean and environmental programs and issues related to our ocean. . . or danapointharbor.com. 15

Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour of Town Center

EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS the collection of wonderful whale paintings already on display. This event is free and open to the public.

Event location on the Doheny State Beach “Whale Walk” by the snack bar (Boneyard Beach Cafe). Please alert the entrance staff upon arrival so they can direct you to parking and the “Whale Walk.” 16

Whale of a Beach Cleanup – Festival of Whales Toast to the Coast!

March 9; 9 a.m.-Noon Bring work gloves and a recyclable bag or bucket and help clean up Doheny State Beach. Meet Park Naturalist Vicki at the lifeguard headquarters and learn more about how to help maintain precious coastal resources. 16

Whale Walk Painting

March 3; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join friends and family to help paint a life si e whale that will add to

8

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale

Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center

48th annual festival of whales March 2-3 & 9-10, 2019

Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash Expo

March 9; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Westwind Sailing is honored to host the 4th Annual Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash during the Dana Point Festival of Whales. This event is a fun filled, family oriented day that includes a cardboard boat-building contest and race the Dinghy Dash , e hi ition ooths, food, music and awards. It’s fun for competitors and spectators alike.

The main event is the Dinghy Dash, which will feature a each full of sea hardy captains racing in the Harbor with nothing but a paddle and their cardboard ships.

Dinghy Dash teams will work through the morning designing and building their crafts from cor-

Purple numbers coincide with map locations on page 6.

rugated cardboard and duct tape.

It costs $40 per team. Sign up at festivalofwhales.com. 15

ARTS AND CULTURE Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center

March 2, 3; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

This state of the art , s uare foot learning exhibition on wheels features a 4-D multisensory theater and six interactive stations. The exhibit delivers a museum-quality science experience that allows visitors to explore how the quality and availability of water affects the quality of our lives. wylandfoundation.org. 15

Art in the Park

March 2, 3, 9, 10; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Local artists will display and sell a variety of works on the grassy areas at the corner of Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive. The Dana Point Historical Society will provide free information on local history and display historic photos, ooks and gifts for purchase. The Festival’s free shuttle has a stop in front of Her , the topiary whale, ad acent to the display areas. 12

March 2, 3; 2 p.m.

Meet the guide at the newly restored Blue Lantern Café (Coastal itchen , acific Coast Hwy. (corner of Blue Lantern and PCH) for the historic town center Walking Tour. See and hear the stories of historic landmarks, S.H. oodruff s s planned community and Bluff Top har or views, c. to . or more information, call . . or go to museum danapointhistorical.org. This event is free, ut donations to the nonprofit D HS Museum are appreciated. 8

Dana Hills High School Young Artists Show and Sale

March 9; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

High school art students will display and sell a variety of artwork on the Har or walkway ust east of sland ay. orks will include paintings, photography, graphic design, ceramics and sculpture. Cookies created by the school’s culinary arts classes will also be available for purchase. roceeds enefit arts education at DHHS. 12

CLASSIC CAR AND BOAT DISPLAYS SoCal Woodies

March 2, 3; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The best of the best will be on display from the official Southern California Chapter of the National Woodie Club. The Club’s goal is to promote the wooden car, and the role it has played throughout automotive history, especially in the California surf culture. For more information visit socalwoodies.com. 11

Pacific Coast Corvettes Presents the Legendary Vette March 2, 3; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Harbor walkway will be

replete with several generations of Corvettes the first weekend of the Festival. 11

The Antique & Classic Boat Society

March 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Southern California Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society will display a variety of vessels in the East Marina parking lot ad acent to the walkway etween Dana harf and Harpoon Henry s on olden antern. 6

British Invasion

March 9, 10; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. oin the British nvasion, presented y The ustin Healey ssociation of Southern California and the aguar wners clu in os ngeles, along the Har or alkway. En oy a uni ue display of fine British motorcars including ustin Healeys, aguars, Triumphs and others. 11

DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING AND MORE Wyland Whale Watching Art Lessons in the Wild

March 2, 9; 10-10:45 a.m.

Dana harf and The yland oundation have entered into a partnership to offer the most uni ue and creative e perience on the water. earn from one of the masters of marine art y oining us for a dockside presentation and art lesson a oard the Cean dven tures Catamaran, via video feed, y yland, a renowned environmental artist. Children can enter their art in an end of season contest for the most accurate portrayal of marine mammals to e udged y yland.

3

Drone Demo Whale watching trip

guests will present recent findings on local whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. danawharf.com.

13

Kids Free Fishing Clinic and Free Fishing Trip

March 3, 10; Noon–12:30 p.m.

Dana harf Sportfishing hale atching invites all children to come to their dockside fishing clinic and learn hands on tech ni ues a out fishing from the e perts. ri es will e raffled off at the end of the clinic. fter the clinic, Dana harf will e running a fishing trip from p.m. . . .3

DOLPHIN SAFARI WHALE WATCHING AND MORE Capt. Dave’s Under the Sea Eco Carnival

March 9; Noon-2 p.m.

Bounce the day away in the under the sea ounce houses, take photos at the selfie station and learn a out different ways to recycle household items. Dive deep with Capt. Daves one of a kind underwater view ing pod simulation, face painting and more. ll ages are welcome. . . , dolphinsafari.com. 4

Capt. Dave’s Presents: ‘Entangled Whales: What Can We Do?’

March 9; 2-3 p.m. earn a out recent disentangle ments that Capt. Dave and others were involved with, including the first disentanglement effort of a lue whale that made national head lines. Discover more a out what is eing done to help these animals, including new e uipment Capt.

Dave is developing for tracking whales. OC Sailing & Event Center. . . . dolphinsafari.com. 7

FOOD OPTIONS Whale of a Pizza Party

March 2; Noon-4 p.m. ra a slice of Beach Har or i a and a drink, served up y the eritas odge ad acent to Ba y Beach during the sand sculpting contest. 15

Whale of a Breakfast at the Beach

March 3; 8-11:30 a.m. oin the nights of Colum us for a delicious, freshly cooked reakfast ad acent to Ba y Beach. 15

Whale of a BBQ

March 3; Noon-4 p.m. ham urger and hotdog ar ecue will e served up y the nights of Colum us ad acent to Ba y Beach during cean wareness Day. 15

Eighth Annual Whale of a Clam Chowder Cook-Off

March 9; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sample a variety of tasty chow ders from local restaurants and organi ations and then vote for your favorite. nly to taste every sample. ri es will e awarded for the eoples Choice Best Chowder, Best Booth Design and Mayor s Choice. The erpetual Trophy will e presented at p.m. This year, en oy a eer and wine garden for adults over with a valid driver s license. fishforlife.org. 15

Boat Builders’ Brekky and BBQ on the Beach

March 9; 8 a.m.-Noon Breakfast is served y the eritas odge at the C Sailing Events Center. Fuel up while watching or participating in the Card oard Classic Dinghy Dash oat uilding contest and race at Ba y Beach. 15

March 2; 2-5 p.m.

See how professionals operate Dana harf s drones and learn how to get that perfect shot while maintaining a safe distance from whales and other marine wildlife. There will e a min ute demo conducted during the . hour trip. rices are for adults and for seniors and children. Tickets can e purchased at danawharf.com. 3

Whale of a Concert BBQ

March 10; 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Scrumptious ar ecue specialties will e availa le at Ba y Beach, along with a Spirits arden. 15

LIVE MUSIC Harbor Music Series

March 2, 3, 9, 10; Noon-3 p.m. resented y the Dana oint Har or ssociation in the Dana harf Courtyard, Harpoon Henry s will host live music in the grassy area near Mariner s illage. There will e a variety of musical styles and sounds. . . . danapointhar or.com. 3

Whale Songs & Other Tails from the Opera: A Musical Event with Lyric Opera at Orange County

March 9; 6 p.m.

Opera returns to the Ocean nstitute to help cele rate the ray hale migration. En oy a eautiful evening of whale song, cat calls, ird trills, and other operatic animal music plus refreshments overlooking the high seas at the Ocean Institute in Dana oint. n elegant evening of eclectic opera, with a view you won t want to miss. Tickets are availa le for . . . . ocean institute.org. 5

Concert on the Water

Marine Mammal Lecture Series

March 2, 3, 9, 10; 10-11 a.m.

This special lecture series includes continental reakfast at Harpoon Henry s. t s perfect for those who want a one on one educational e perience. Marine iologists and

SoCal Woodies

Diamond Dig

March 10; Noon-5 p.m. n honor of the whales migrating y Dana oint Headlands, the estival of hales will include a free outdoor concert at Ba y Beach with ands performing on the water atop a specially designed floating stage. The concert will feature three ands eon ation The ltimate ive s, eston The hythm illers and DSB The e t Best Thing to ourney. . . . 15

OCEAN INSTITUTE WHALE WATCHING AND MORE Magical Migration

March 2, 3, 9, 10; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

During the second festival week end, a hands on ourney into the mysterious and captivating world of whales will allow visitors to e plore a variety of fascinating phenomena uni ue to these magnificent animals. uests follow the migration of the gray whale as they move through the Ocean Institute, starting in Ba a, moving on to the California Coast, and ending up in laska. . . . ocean institute.org. 5

Pacific Marine Exploration aboard the R/V Sea Explorer

March 2, 3, 9, 10; 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. oin the cean nstitutes marine educators in e ploring the ocean from top to ottom while searching for some of the world s largest and smallest creatures dur ing the minute special estival of hales cruise. . . . ocean institute.org. 5

SAILING AND PADDLING Sailing Rides

March 2, 3, 10; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Take a sailing ride and learn how to steer and sail a Capri . ides are for ages and up. Tickets are per oat with a three person ma i mum. Contact estwind Sailing for details. . . .7

Stand-Up Paddling Clinics

March 2, 3, 10; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. oin the S cra e during a min ute clinic. Each clinic is held on the hour, depending on weather and conditions. Clinics are for ages and up to year olds must e accompanied y an adult. Tickets are per person and life ackets are provided. Contact estwind Sail ing for details at . . .7

48th annual festival of whales March 2-3 & 9-10, 2019

9

Set Your Sights on Whale Watching While in Dana Point for the Festival of Whales, there are many options for visitors to see some sea life up close.

Choose from three businesses offering a variety of whale watching experiences, times and prices.

Capt. Dave’s Whale Watching Safari

Dana Wharf Whale Watching

Ocean Institute

Capt. Dave’s provides trips aboard their customized catamarans, which allow guests to get up close with sea life. The Manute’a offers underwater viewing pods and eye-spy dolphin and whale tram nets. Multiple trips are planned for both weekends. Tickets for the Manute’a are $65 per adult (13 and older) and $45 per child. Tickets for the FAST CAT are $65 per person. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive. 949.488.2828. dolphinsafari.com.

Hop aboard one of Dana Wharf’s adventure cruises for a chance to catch a glimpse of the huge variety of underwater sea life with their multiple whale watching trips every day since 1971. Cruises depart on the hour and are narrated by expert captains aboard a variety of vessels. Ticket costs vary, ranging from $15 to $55. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern.

949.496.5794. danawharf.com.

Join the Ocean Institute’s scientists on a whale watching cruise aboard the R/V Sea Explorer. The 2.5-hour cruise will be at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on each day of the festival.

Test your new knowledge in the search for whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Assist staff in collecting samples of sea floor mud and the smallest organisms on earth.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for children. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive. 949.496.2274. ocean-institute.com.

Land locked?

Walk along the bluff-top Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center’s three miles of trails to view the whale migration from above.

The Center is open daily from 10 a.m-4 p.m., and the trails are accessible from 7 a.m. to sunset. 34558 Scenic Drive. 949.248.3527. danapoint.org.

Tips for

To See, Hear and Think Like a Whale

Safe Whale Watching Whale watching is fun, but there are important precautions you should take to ensure your safety and the safety of the whales. We asked National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Education Coordinator Alicia Keefe to share guidelines for whale watchers and boaters at the Festival of Whales and beyond.

Guidelines for all whale watchers

• Whale watching can be a positive and enriching experience when conducted responsibly. We must remember that our presence has an effect on whales and their habitat.

Just like us, whales need space to find food, choose mates, raise young, socialize and rest. When we get too close, approach too fast, or make too much noise, we can interrupt natural behaviors and cause unnecessary stress.

• Stay at least 100 yards away from all marine mammals.

• Be cautious and quiet when around areas of known or suspected wildlife activity, at haul-outs, and bird colonies.

• It is illegal to harass marine mammals, which means to disrupt their natural behaviors including feeding, nursing, resting and migration.

To report violations, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline: 1.800.853.1964.

Additional guidelines for boaters • Look in all directions before planning your approach or departure from viewing wildlife.

• Reduce your speed to less than 7 knots while in the presence of marine mammals.

• Move parallel to the animal’s direction of travel and keep their path clear. Do not approach from the front or from behind. Avoid any abrupt course changes.

• When whales are traveling close to shore, stay on their offshore side.

• If a whale approaches you, put the engine in neutral and allow the whale to pass.

• View whales for no more than 30 minutes. This will reduce the cumulative impact of all vessels and give consideration to other viewers.

Visit bewhalewise.org for more information.

The website is continually updated with new information.

12

BY MIKE BURSK, OCEAN INSTITUTE BOAT CAPTAIN

E

ach winter, the cele rated migration of the acific gray whale rings thousands of these enormous migrants to our nearshore waters. Much of their popularity is linked to their accessi ility to whale watchers, oth ashore and afloat. hile many aleen whales spend much of their lives far offshore, many grays hug the coast and often enter coves and lagoons to the delight of surfers and eachgoers. atching a whale pass y can e a singular e perience, like watching a car pass on a deserted highway, or it can e the opening page of a natural mystery. here is it going here has it een hy nd what did it think of me t the cean nstitute, this is our advice should you decide to en oy a whale e perience from Dana oint Become the whale. See what it sees, hear what it hears. or two hours, live life inside the whale.

To do this, it s helpful to have a asic understanding of the e traordinary life of the gray whale. et s start y com ining science and our imaginations to put the gray whales lengthy migration into human terms. icture yourself in an owa cornfield in the dead of summer. magine having all the corn you could ever dream of, a food source that you don t need to chase, prey that can t outrun you. s the days pass into weeks, you grow fat and happy in the a undance. But as winter ap proaches, the corn withers away, and the days grow dark and cold. ou know of a place thousands of miles to the south, the place where you were orn, a place warm enough for a mammal to survive the winter. magine that one cto er day you start walking that direction with certainty, even though there are no roads, no street signs. magine that there are no mountains, no canyons, no landmarks, no reference points of any kind, nothing ut darkness and an unsympathetic hori on. et you con tinue with linear precision toward a destination , miles away, undaunted. inally, imagine that you are lind. There. ou re a gray whale.

This is the annual ourney, not from owa, ut from the top of the world. ray whales summer in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, a ove the leutian slands. ith round the clock sunlight plus nutrients, the orth ole plays host to the entire food chain in the summer months. hytoplankton production skyrockets in late May, ocean temperatures rise and a day e plosion egins. fter phytoplankton spikes, ooplankton levels rise and from there the dominoes fall in many directions.

Herring gorge on ooplankton, salmon and whales gorge on herring, orca attack the salmon, thou sands of sea irds oin the fren y, and a constant driftfall of scraps and waste settle over thousands of s uare miles of seafloor, feeding an entirely separate community of detritus feeders, such as cra s and shrimp. t is a level of productivity unseen at our latitude, all fueled y that ig non stop grow light in the sky. ne of the most a undant mem ers of the seafloor clean up crew are gammarid amphipods, a

48th annual festival of whales March 2-3 & 9-10, 2019

small shrimp usually less than one inch long.

They are short lived ut e tremely prolific, and it s likely that illions of them live and die each rctic summer. This is the corn of the rctic for appro imately , gray whales to prey on each summer. hile all other aleen whales feed in the water column, grays are the only enthic feeder, to e ploit this nutritious cornfield in the Bering Sea. They feed all sum mer, growing fat and happy, ecause they know a long ourney awaits. The amphipods are so densely packed that grays can get thousands in each mouthful.

By cto er, the days have shortened and productivity declines. ood supplies dry up. Sci entists agree that gray whales likely cue on the length of the day or photic period, as a signal to head South. They pass etween the leutian slands, heading toward the Canadian coast, and ultimately Southern California or Ba a. hich rings us ack to that mysterious migration, and the urning uestion How does a gray whale find a lagoon entrance that is feet wide from , miles away Si ty years ago, it was assumed that all grays traveled so close to shore that they could hear the waves lapping against the orth merican land mass, and sim ply kept that sound on their left and did the oppo site on the return trip. s science and telemetry improved in the s, it was uickly proven that roughly half the herd travel well offshore during portions of their migration. So is it random luck Do they simply stum le upon the small opening of Scammons or San gnacio lagoon The answer is simple scientists don t know. hope that somewhere, a student reading this will pick up the gauntlet and around ll get an e mail and a copy of a h.D thesis with the answer to this uestion. But until then, consider this Some cetaceans, includ ing rays, have magnetite crystals em edded in their rains and rostrums. Magnetite is an element that might respond to changes in polarity, like a compass. Earlier, mentioned that the migration is done lind. rays have good eyesight ut are functionally lind, like we are in dense fog or darkness. Half of their migration is done at night, most of it is in tur id coastal water with a visi ility of less than eight feet. Scientists agree their eyesight plays only one possi le role in navigation cueing on the position of the sun. Magnetite might play a role in navigation. one of us, standing lindfolded in a cellar, could know whether we were facing orth or South. But what if we could hat if it simply felt different to face each incremental direction, a su tle sensation, a pull that you cannot uite define. But it s there, and East feels like East and est feels like est. rays might have this talent it s yet another unwritten chapter, awaiting a young scientist. s hosts on their migration, Dana oint can offer our gray guests wonderful weather, ut little to eat. ike hi ernating ears, grays must survive the long winter on stored energy. This is their difficult choice, waiting for the Spring thaw and the corn to grow again. aiting here with us, interacting with us, their lives at once eautiful and harsh. Come enter their world now all too soon they ll e flukes on the hori on, heading north. • Mike Bursk is a marine biologist and has been captain of the Ocean Institute’s R/V Sea Explorer for 21 years.

Join one of his expert tours with the Ocean Institute Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m.

SHOP & DINE DANA POINT HARBOR

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Portola Expedition Finds Its Way to SJC

T

his year marks the 250th anniversary of the Portola Expedition. This was the first time that western civilization was recorded in Southern California.

For many years, many “Californios” claimed that their ancestors came to Alta California with the Portola Expedition. If all who said they came did come, the number of people who traveled with Portola would have numbered in the thousands.

The numbers would become very important for future historians.

The event was two-pronged. One group went by sea, one by land. However, there were two ships and two land groups that ventured into Alta California. It was one of the land treks that was led by Gaspar de Portola. Because of illness and death of the crew and soldiers during the march from Baja to Alta California, the two land parties eventually formed one group led

by Portola.

The purpose of the expedition was to defend Spanish possessions at San Diego and Monterey. Once San Diego was established, the first trek to Monterey proved to be unsuccessful. Portola returned to San Diego, and on his second expedition he located Monterey Bay and established a colony along with Father Junipero Serra.

But who were the people on this expedi-

tion? While the list of crew members on the two ships was incomplete, the numbers and assignments of men in each ground party were reported but only as numbers, not individually named. There were no rosters or muster rolls giving the names of the individuals. All that changed in 1970, when a Californian historian, Fr. Francisco Guest, discovered in the Mexico City National Archives a box of uncatalogued papers relating to military affairs.

One volume of 800 pages dealt with specific supplies issued to those who had been assigned to the Monterey Expedition. The credentials of this list were written by Jose Francisco de Ortega, Jose Maria Gorigora and Francisco de Aguiar y Manzano— three men who had been known to have been on MOMENTS the Expedition. This inIN TIME formation was published

By Jan Siegel in 1976. In 1977, Harry W. Crosby, historian, was doing research on a Portola Expedition soldier, and he went back to look at the file that Fr. Guest had found. What Guest had not recorded was that this file included a list of all soldiers and muleteers who had participated in the Monterey Expedition. Catalan Volunteers were listed on a separate roster. Once all the names were recorded, the number of participants exactly matched the numbers of men issued supplies and rations!

Two of the soldiers listed were Andres Cota and Pablo Antonio de Cota. The Cotas are seven times great uncles to longtime San Juan Capistrano resident and college professor Alana Jolley, who was also the former Mission Museum director.

Jolley has been researching her father’s family and found this family history and connection. On Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m. at the Community Center, Alana will tell the story of the Cotas and their con-

nection to our community.

Currently, the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society has an exhibition on the Portola Expedition, which includes all the names of the participants.

Jan Siegel is a 28-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years and has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s

Pet of the Week: Bea

Sudoku

Bea. Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

FROM THE ARCHIVES Girls eat the last bit of a cake

at a Rosenbaum Ranch event in 1970.

Every issue, The Capistrano Dispatch will publish a historical photo. Online, The Capistrano Dispatch will create a gallery of the month’s photos. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.

architectural walking tour for 18 years.

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 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.

BY MYLES MELLOR

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

N

Photo: Courtesy of OC Public Libraries

ine-year-old Bea is as sweet as they come. A lady of impeccable tastes, Bea enjoys the finer things in life like sunbathing and having her fur brushed. Though this often means she has a very full schedule, she will always make time for a cuddle or some lap time with friends. If you’re looking for a mildmannered and affectionate feline companion, Bea might be just the one for you.

If you’d like to know more about Bea, call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. CD

Solution:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

Page 27

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Business Beat News from SJC’s business community

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

New Business JD FLANNEL DONUTS AND COFFEE 31878 Del Obispo, Suite 122 949.218.4483, jdflannel.com There were plenty of delicious eats to talk about during the Taste of San Juan late last month.

But one booth that made some waves during the annual culinary affair was newcomer JD Flannel Donuts and Coffee.

Those who stopped by the booth got to enjoy freshly glazed donuts, which were such a hit that the shop took home the honorable mention award for the dessert category that night.

“We prepared our donuts and glazed them right there on the table, so we were able to serve them fresh and hot like we do in the shop,” JD Flannel co-owner Dave Rhode told The Capistrano Dispatch last week.

Inside the new store, located in a shopping center along Del Obispo Street off Camino Capistrano, Rhode and fellow owner John Miller have their honorable-

JD Flannel Donuts and Coffee co-owner John Miller.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

mention plaque displayed proudly for customers to see.

“To get recognized like we were was humbling and honoring to us. It was great,” Rhode said, just before having to jump behind the counter to help a line of customers that had formed.

It was just after 10 a.m. on the Friday before Presidents Day weekend, when Rhode sat down with The Dispatch to talk about the store’s success. Throughout the interview, customers continued rolling in.

And with options such as smoked apple fritter, lemon blueberry cake and Samoa cake, it’s easy to understand why.

“This amazing community has really embraced us, and it has far exceeded our expectations,” Rhode said.

San Juan Capistrano’s newest donut sensation had only been open for about a week when Rhode and Miller were asked by the Fiesta Association to participate in this year’s Taste of San Juan.

“It was just an incredible feeling being there with the community, being there amongst other restaurants and food service organizations in the community,” Rhode said. “We just felt embraced and part of it.”

JD Flannel’s donuts, Rhode explained, are made from scratch and nothing comes from a mix. Each of the ingredients used to make the donuts, which encompass the more traditional options to their unique and seasonal flavors, is carefully chosen by hand.

“We have only the best ingredients in them,” he said. Rather than using a lot of sugar, “we let the ingredients speak for themselves, and the donuts.”

What’s also unique about the donuts is they don’t absorb a lot of grease, Rhode added.

“It sheds grease, so it’s not heavy,” he said.

During a fishing trip in Montana about three years ago, Rhode, who had worked in sales all of his adult life, and Miller, who had worked in finance, decided they would do something different with their careers by opening up a donut and coffee shop.

“John grew up connecting with his dad, by going to get donuts every Sunday

morning, and I grew up drinking coffee with my mom, so we thought, there’s not a better thing than doing something that means a lot from your childhood,” Rhode said, again before pausing the interview to help customers.

To the chagrin of their wives, Rhode joked, he and Miller spent about eight months in their kitchens, using a little fryer to get their product just right. Last November, he said, they hired Lindsay Jones, a local jam maker, as their executive chef to take the flavors of their donuts “to the next level.”

As for the coffee, Rhode said, they get that from roaster Shawn Anderson of the Orange County-based Old Town Roasting.

With imported beans from Guatemala, Anderson provided the shop with a mediumdark roast that has “an earthy tone and a sweet finish.”

Recognizing that there are many who have certain allergies or are gluten-sensitive, Rhode and Miller also decided not to have any peanuts inside the store and offer gluten-friendly donuts. Rhode said the gluten-friendly donuts are prepared separately from the rest of the donuts in the shop and are even made in a separate large fryer.

The gluten-friendly option, Rhode said, “is one of the most special things we do,” he said. “To be able to give a child a real donut after years of not being able to have one is something really special to us.” CD

SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Hat Trick

its 20 wins.

Standing in the way of the Tartans’ sixth CIF-SS championship is a final road trip to La Salle. La Salle, unseeded in Division 4, earned home-field advantage by virtue of hosting only two playoff games this season compared to three by St. Margaret’s.

La Salle finished second in the Del Rey League to Bishop Amat, which lost in the second round of Division 2. La Salle won its opening nine games of the season and its last five games, including two 1-0 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Three San Juan prep soccer programs look to earn CIF-SS championships

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

O

ne, two, three.

A trio of San Juan Capistrano high school soccer teams have played their way to the CIF-SS championship weekend and will look to pull off a city hat trick on Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb 23.

St. Margaret’s boys host the Division 5 title game on Friday, and the JSerra and St. Margaret’s girls play in Division 1 and 4 on Saturday.

GIRLS DIVISION 1 JSerra is in its third straight CIF-SS championship game carrying back-to-back Division 1 titles.

The undefeated Lions (18-0-3) advanced to the championship with a hat trick from their superstar, senior forward Isabella D’Aquila. JSerra beat Villa Park, 3-1, in the semifinal on Saturday, Feb. 16.

The Santa Clara-bound D’Aquila, a United States U17 national team player, has 32 goals on the season with 133 in her JSerra career. D’Aquila also scored two goals in JSerra’s quarterfinal win at San Juan Hills.

JSerra senior superstar Isabella D’Aquila scored a hat trick in the semifinals to send the back-to-back champion Lions to their third straight CIF-SS championship game. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

The Lions’ straight-ahead, attacking style will go head-to-head against the precisionpassing, possession style of Los Alamitos.

Los Alamitos, champions of the Sunset Surf League, has not allowed a goal in six straight games and has posted 23 shutouts this season. JSerra and goalkeeper Ryan Campbell have 15 shutouts this season.

GIRLS DIVISION 4 St. Margaret’s is where it should have been a season ago: in the Tartans’ first

CIF-SS title game since 2014.

St. Margaret’s, No. 2 seed in the division, had no trouble clinching its third straight league title and 18th in the past 21 seasons, but it has always been the postseason success that defines the Tartans.

Last season, St. Margaret’s posted 19 shutouts, including seven in a row on its way to the semifinals. But the Tartans were shut out on the road in that semifinal.

This season, St. Margaret’s has recorded 21 shutouts, allowing only two goals in

BOYS DIVISION 5 St. Margaret’s boys team (22-3-0) has posted its highest win total since 2014, which is the last time the Tartans made the CIF-SS championship game. St. Margaret’s won its only CIF-SS title in 2003.

St. Margaret’s went 6-0 in the San Joaquin League for its third straight league crown and 16th in the past 21 seasons, but the Tartans were unseeded in Division 5.

While they have posted a good number of shutouts like their sister team, the Tartans boys are offensive dynamos. St. Margaret’s is averaging over three goals per game this season, including three or more in 10 of its past 11 games.

Thanks to fewer home playoff games, the Tartans will host Sierra Vista, No. 4 seed of Division 5. Sierra Vista is the Montview League champion with a similar offensive flair to St. Margaret’s.

Sierra Vista is also averaging over three goals per game, with totals of three, five, four and three in their four playoff games. CD

CVCS Boys Basketball Advances to First CIF-SS Final

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

C

apistrano Valley Christian boys basketball team had been to CIF-SS semifinals in recent memory, but never to a CIF-SS Final.

In 2015, the Eagles had advanced to the Division 5A semifinals but fell two points short of the championship game. CVC went back to the Division 5A semifinals in 2016 but lost by 20 points.

The Eagles had posted plenty of 20-win seasons and won league championships, but even the opportunity to play in the ultimate postseason title game had eluded them. That was until last Saturday, Feb. 16.

CVC, No. 3 seed in Division 3A, defeated No. 2 seed Palos Verdes, 48-34, to advance to the program’s first CIF-SS championship game. The Eagles will take on Palm Springs for the title on Saturday, Feb. 22 at

The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

Azusa Pacific University.

All season, people looked to dynamic senior Festus Ndumanya to lead the Eagles, but in the quarterfinals and semifinals, people on the outside took notice of CVC’s team effort.

Junior Luke Powell led the Eagles with 15 points in the semifinals and 22 points in the quarterfinals. Ndumanya put up 13 points in the semifinal, and senior Riely Petronis scored 11 points in the semifinal.

CVC’s championship game opponent is Desert Empire League champion Palm Springs. The Indians beat the No. 4 and No. 1 seeds in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to reach the title game.

CVC and Palm Springs have nearly identical scoring averages with 59.8 and 57.9 points per game, respectively, and 49.6 and 49.3 points allowed per game, respectively. CD

Capistrano Valley Christian finally clinched its first trip to the CIF-SS boys basketball championships, with full team contributions in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Page 30

thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

San Juan Spring Sports Preview

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

pring has sprung earlier than usual in the world of high school sports.

Not only was the CIF calendar bumped up across the board this school year, but baseball and softball got an even earlier jump on their seasons. Both were allowed to play their first games on Feb. 9, which was two weeks earlier than last year’s first pitches. The earlier start makes sure any potential CIF-SS championships will finish before the school year ends, but it has also run both sports into winter storms.

Tennis opened Feb. 11; track and field, swimming and volleyball opened Feb. 16; and the lacrosse and golf teams will open their seasons on Feb. 23.

Spring is a busy season on the fields and courts and in the pool, so let’s check in on where some of the spring sports teams stand at the five San Juan Capistrano high schools as the season opens.

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

SAN JUAN HILLS SOFTBALL

The San Juan Hills softball program made history last season.

Not only had the Stallions never won a league championship before 2018, they had never put together more than four league wins in a single season. San Juan Hills went 7-1 in the Sea View League last season to claim its first softball league championship. With the league title, the Stallions also move up to the South Coast League in 2019.

The Stallions were led by an all-senior infield last season and lost their top four hits and RBI leaders to graduation. However, three of their top four run-scoring leaders and their No. 1 pitcher return this season.

In the circle, Phoebe Popplewell was the Stallions’ go-to hurler. The Ottawa University-bound right-hander posted an 18-8 record last season in 28 appearances with a 3.25 ERA. Popplewell has already earned a win this season in the Stallions’ opener over Troy, 6-2, on Feb. 16.

Offensively, seniors Angelica Gonzalez and Jordan Parkhurst and sophomore Lindsey Marschall return to lead the San Juan Hills charge.

Gonzalez, who signed with Iowa State, led the Stallions in runs last season with 26. Gonzalez hit .441 with 26 hits and seven RBI. The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

The San Juan Hills softball team put together its best league season in program history last year with a 7-1 record and Sea View League title. The Stallions try to roll over the success to the South Coast League. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Parkhurst, who was a key to San Juan Hills’ girls basketball league title this year, was third on the team in runs last season with 20. Parkhurst hit .274 with 20 hits and 11 RBI. Marschall was fourth in runs as a freshman with 17 and hit .300 with 18 hits and 13 RBI. The Stallions also have a new coach in Kevin Holguin.

San Juan Hills is 3-0 on the season as of press time. The Stallions play a series of road games at Capistrano Valley, Rosary, JSerra and Trabuco Hills before opening the Torrance National Tournament on March 13.

San Juan Hills opens South Coast League play at home against Mission Viejo on March 19.

SAN JUAN HILLS GIRLS LACROSSE

The San Juan Hills girls lacrosse team came within a goal of claiming its first South Coast League title last season.

The Stallions split the season series with league champion Trabuco Hills, but San Juan Hills finished one game behind after a one-goal loss to third-place Aliso Niguel.

The Stallions won a Sea View League title in 2016 and have been a perennial league contender since coach Michael Welter took over in 2014. San Juan Hills has steadily progressed since winning a total of five games in the program’s first

seven seasons.

The Stallions will have to reload offensively this year after the graduation of four of their top five goal scorers, all 20-goal scorers or better.

The majority of the scoring load will fall on junior Lucy Hodge. As a sophomore, Hodge was second on the team in goals with 34 and in points with 42. Hodge was also fourth in ground balls with 29 and in draw wins with 28. She is also the leading returner in both categories.

Junior Jacy Fischbeck is the nexthighest returning scorer for the Stallions.

Fischbeck scored 21 goals with 10 assists last season.

Seniors Nicole Strauch, Sydney Shields and Casey Tindall are also expected to be key contributors for the team this season.

Kimora Farry will take over the reins in net. As a sophomore, Farry took on minutes in three games with 7.8 goals allowed per game.

San Juan Hills opens the season at home against Yorba Linda on Feb. 26 and hosts Edison on Feb. 28. The Stallions open league play at Trabuco Hills on March 19 and play at San Clemente on March 28.

The Stallions host Trabuco Hills on April 11 and San Clemente in the season finale on April 25.

JSERRA SOFTBALL

Page 31

The JSerra softball team is looking to

finally turn the corner.

The Lions have not had a season of .500 or better since 2007, and their season-high for wins since 2007 was 11 in 2013. Last season, JSerra was 10-14 after a combined 11 wins over the previous two seasons.

Unlike the baseball team, JSerra’s softball team hasn’t generated the participation numbers to field a JV or freshman team.

Enter Katie Stith, who was named the eighth coach in 15 seasons for the Lions program in December. Stith was a fouryear player at the University of Nevada and most recently has been a coach at the prestigious Orange County Batbusters club softball team. Stith took the Batbusters 14U and 16U teams to the USSSA Elite Select World Fast Pitch Championship games in her first season with both teams.

In the shadow of the success of other Trinity League softball programs such as Orange Lutheran and Mater Dei and JSerra’s baseball team, Stith has a vision to bring JSerra to the same competitive level of those programs.

Stith’s tenure got off on the right foot as JSerra defeated Dana Hills, 7-2, in its season opener on Feb. 20.

Alison Steinker went 2 for 4 with two doubles, a run and two RBI. Jaden Hill went 2 for 3 with a double and three runs (Cont. on page 32) thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS (Cont. from page 31) scored. Hollie Farmer went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a run and an RBI. Taylor Caudill also contributed an RBI double.

Caudill earned the win in the circle with no runs allowed on three hits while striking out five in five innings.

JSerra continues nonleague play at Laguna Hills on Feb. 22 and at Fullerton on Feb. 23. The Lions also host San Juan Hills on Feb. 28.

JSerra opens Trinity League play at Mater Dei on March 15 and hosts Orange Lutheran on March 26.

JSERRA BASEBALL

JSerra has been one of the few Orange County baseball teams to be relatively unaffected by the rain. The Lions have even helped other teams out.

With their all-artificial-turf field, including mound and basepaths, JSerra and coach Brett Kay don’t have to deal with the same maintenance issues that teams with grass and dirt fields do when a storm rolls in. So the Lions have been able to practice without fear of damaging the field, and Kay has welcomed other teams to play games at JSerra.

It all seems to have worked out for the Lions in a 4-0 start to the season in the Newport Elks Tournament.

The strong start to the season was imperative for JSerra as it deals with injuries to six of its nine pitchers, including two of its three starters.

“I like us a lot, but we’re really going to have to piecemeal the first month of the season,” Kay said. “Some big important innings are out right now.”

Luckily for JSerra, the offense has found its early footing. JSerra is averaging seven runs per game over its first four games.

The expected offensive leaders have been the guys at the top so far in seniors Michael Curialle, Nino Vultaggio and Blake Klassen, plus sophomore Cody Schrier.

Curialle is a big-time shortstop prospect who has a college commitment to UCLA, but like former JSerra shortstop Royce Lewis, Curialle continues to attract MLB interest.

“He’s got the arm strength and athleticism,” Kay said. “Looking forward for him and Blake to be one of those guys in the middle of the lineup and really have a special go at it. Michael is dynamic. He’s going to play some center this season as

well. He’s going to be in the thick of it.”

Curialle has three RBI with two doubles and a triple this season.

Vultaggio has led the way with four RBI and a home run. Klassen has three RBI and a double. Schrier, coming off an MVP performance at the 15U World Cup, will also be a big factor going forward.

JSerra will take on Mater Dei in the Newport Elks Tournament Final on Feb. 22. In nonleague play, JSerra will travel to Hoover High School in Alabama for some out-of-state competition from Feb. 27 to March 2 before playing at Huntington Beach on March 5.

The Lions open Trinity League play at St. John Bosco for the first of a three-game series on March 12.

ST. MARGARET’S GIRLS LACROSSE

There was absolutely no doubt that last season’s St. Margaret’s girls lacrosse team was the best in Orange County and CIF-SS from the start of the season to the end. It was the Tartans’ first CIF-SS championship since 2008.

The Tartans lost just once in an out-ofarea competition to one of the best in the nation and blew through all challengers,

including Mater Dei for the county title, 14-9, and Redondo Union for the section title, 17-6.

St. Margaret’s averaged 15 goals scored per game and allowed only six per game last season, and with only four seniors graduating, the Tartans will be primed to do it again.

Among those four seniors, St. Margaret’s lost its No. 2 goal-scorer, draws leader and starting goaltender, but when you’re the Tartans, there’s always more lacrosse talent.

Maddie Barkate was the leading scorer for the Tartans with 62 goals and 95 points and returns for her senior season.

Campbell Case scored 51 goals as a sophomore with a team-high 37 assists as the No. 2 point-scorer with 88.

Niki Miles scored 46 goals as a junior, and Jordan Miles scored 32 goals as a freshman. Miles was also the ground balls leader with 49.

In goal, Olivia Young saw time in seven games as a freshman, usually when the Tartans were up big. Young allowed 12 goals in her seven appearances.

St. Margaret’s opens the season at (Cont. on page 34)

Clockwise from left. The JSerra baseball team is once again loaded with talent, but the Lions will need to get their pitching staff healthy for a run at the Trinity League championship. The St. Margaret’s girls lacrosse team was far and away the best in Orange County and CIF-SS last season, and with few graduation losses, the Tartans are ready again for contention. Photos: Zach Cavanagh

The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

Page 32

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES BLOCK SALE! SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23RD Multiple houses on the block opening their garages to sell clothes (men, women, kids), toys, tools, furniture, books, antiques, knickknacks and much more! SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23rd, 2019 from 0800-1200. Located at 34248 Camino El Molino (Capo Beach) between Monterey and Los Alamos. RAIN OR SHINE!

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

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PIANO FOR SALE Wurlitzer Melville Clark Spinet piano model 1660. Great condition, needs tuning. Piano bench and sheet music included. $200 or best offer. Similar models selling online for $500+. Must be able to pick up. Please Call: 949.370.6325.

Submit your info online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano area? *2.1 readership per 11,500 copies distributed

Then you need to be in The Capistrano Dispatch. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 104 The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

Page 30

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS (Cont. from page 32) home against La Jolla on Feb. 28. The Tartans welcome IMG Academy of Florida on March 19 and Mater Dei on March 26.

St. Margaret’s closes the season against Foothill on April 25.

ST. MARGARET’S BOYS LACROSSE

In the St. Margaret’s boys lacrosse team’s two biggest games of the season, it learned overtime giveth and overtime taketh away.

The Tartans beat out Foothill for the Orange County championship, 12-11 in overtime, and lost to Loyola of Los Angeles in the CIF-SS title game, 10-9. It was the first county title and CIF-SS Final appearance since 2015 for the Tartans and their first loss in the CIF-SS title game.

St. Margaret’s dominated most of its competition last year and found the edge over the top teams it faced. The Tartans scored 12 goals per game and allowed nearly seven goals per game.

St. Margaret’s does lose some topend talent, but as it is with both Tartan lacrosse programs and boys coach Glen Miles, the holes will be filled.

Senior Kevin Groeninger returns as the go-to attackman for the Tartans.

Senior midfielder Koa Todd, who signed with Utah for lacrosse and was an All-CIF football player in the fall, returns as a key component for the Tartans.

Senior faceoff specialist Stuart Pollard, who signed with Holy Cross, also returns as the kick-starter for the St. Margaret’s offense.

St. Margaret’s opens the season against Newport Harbor on March 5 and hosts CIF-SS title game foe Loyola on March 16.

The Tartans play at Foothill on April 11 and close out the season against Tesoro on April 24.

SADDLEBACK VALLEY CHRISTIAN BOYS VOLLEYBALL

The Saddleback Valley Christian boys volleyball program has had quite the rise in Coach Ryan Van Rensselaer’s tenure.

Last season, the Warriors advanced to the CIF-SS title game for the fifth time in the past six seasons with trips up and down the CIF-SS divisional structure. SVC won Division 5 titles in 2013 and 2014 and Division 4 titles in 2015 and 2016 before being bumped up to Division 1 in 2017.

A freshman-heavy group lost in the first round in 2017, but a 2018 team with only one senior fought all the way to the Division 2 championship game.

Now a team with loads of experience along with talented youth by its side is ready to get back to the summit.

SVC has four seniors in its ranks this season: captains George Dyer and Cadeny McGauley, Cole Reinecke and Logan Griffith.

Sophomore Gabe Dyer is the leader of the underclassmen and was a high-impact player as a freshman last season.

The Capistrano Dispatch February 22-March 7, 2019

Clockwise from top. The St. Margaret’s boys lacrosse team again proved to be one of Southern California’s elite in the sport last season, and with motivation from a titlegame loss, the Tartans will look to reclaim lost glory. The Saddleback Valley Christian boys volleyball team advanced to its fifth CIF-SS title game in six seasons last year with a young group, and now the youth is ready to claim its own championship after a title-game loss. Photos: Zach Cavanagh

The Warriors opened the season at the Tesoro Tournament and have started with a 3-1 record. SVC swept Northwood, 2-0, and beat both Los Alamitos and Capistrano Valley in three sets.

The Warriors play at Mater Dei on March 1 and host Dana Hills on March 8.

SVC hosts St. Margaret’s on March 26 and plays at St. Margaret’s on April 12.

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN BASEBALL

The Capistrano Valley Christian baseball team overcame a tragedy last season to put together a dominant league campaign.

Senior pitcher Logan Hall died unexpectedly early in the season, and the

Eagles rallied together to compile an 11-1 league record and win the San Joaquin League championship.

From that team, CVC graduated its top two RBI producers and its top hitter, but the Eagles also played with plenty of underclassmen who are ready to take their own turn in the spotlight.

Senior Robert Wood is the top returning hitter for CVC. Wood hit .371 and was the team leader in runs scored with 33.

Wood racked up 18 RBI on 26 hits, including nine doubles.

As a freshman, Josh Randall hit .312 and contributed 12 RBI. Randall scored 16 runs and had 20 hits.

Now seniors, Mike Cairns, Charlie Miller and Jace Baqui hit .314, .339 and

Page 34

.370, respectively. Baqui was also the stolen-base leader with 22 steals in 23 attempts.

On the mound, CVC will need to replace its top two in wins from last season.

In nine appearances, Randall earned two wins with a 0.43 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 16.1 innings pitched.

As a junior, Jacob Juarez made six appearances, picking up two wins while compiling a 2.50 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 14 innings.

CVC is 2-2 on the season with wins over La Serna and Fullerton in the Newport Elks Tournament. The Eagles open league against St. Margaret’s with a single game on Feb. 23 and a doubleheader on March 8. CD thecapistranodispatch.com