January 11, 2019

Homeless Cats Find Home as Therapy Pets PAGE 7

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

JANUARY 11-24, 2019 • VOLUME 17, ISSUE 01

Looking Forward

Mayor Brian Maryott outlines his goals for the coming year E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

Mayor Brian Maryott hopes his leadership can project a strong city council and attract more diverse businesses to San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

City Releases First-Quarter Financials

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Fiesta Association Kicks off Swallows Day Parade Season EYE ON SJC/PAGE 5

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Editor’s Pick: Hairiest Man Contest Jan. 12

GETTING OUT/PAGE 10

GO TO THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS AND SPORTS

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week City Releases First Quarter Financials for Fiscal 2018-19 THE LATEST: Early financial data shows that San Juan Capistrano has collected more than $2 million in general fund revenue for this fiscal year, keeping up with the city’s budget projection and tracking to provide nearly $16 million in reserves.

The city of San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, Jan. 9, released its first quarter financial report for fiscal 2018-19. The report outlines how much revenue the city has collected between July 1 – the start of the fiscal year – and September 30.

The report also shows the city’s expenditures during that period, as well as how revenues are tracking against the projected revenue in the fiscal 2018-19 budget that City Council adopted last year.

According to the report, more than $2.42 million in general fund revenue has been collected so far, accounting for 9 percent of the city’s total anticipated general fund revenue of $28.2 million this fiscal year. Compared to the previous fiscal year, the city collected about $503,000 more than what it had collected during the same time period.

Of the city’s total projected general fund revenue this fiscal year, nearly $8.7 million (roughly 31 percent) is expected to come from sales taxes, according to the San Juan Capistrano adopted biennial budget.

The bulk of the city’s annual generalfund revenue comes from property taxes, which accounts for 38 percent. Property taxes get collected in April and December, so the latest report doesn’t reflect much of that revenue yet.

During the first quarter, San Juan Capistrano generated $711,427 in sales taxes.

Property taxes accounted for $145,502, or 1 percent of the property tax portion the city expects to collect by the end of the fiscal year. Revenue from licenses, fees and permits provided the city with $673,686, the report shows.

Expenditures in the first quarter amounted to nearly $6.76 million, with most of that money being spent on public safety – about $2.63 million. Another $1.18 million went toward public works and utilities, according to the report.

While the city outspent its revenue collections by $4.3 million, the report The Capistrano Dispatch January 11–24, 2019

A rendered image of what the new MemorialCare health center will look like once completed. Courtesy of MemorialCare

notes that such an occurrence is typical as only 9 percent of the general fund’s total revenue is collected during the first three months of the fiscal year.

“This is consistent with the performance of the general fund for the same period of the previous fiscal year, during which expenditures exceeded revenues by $3.2 million,” the report stated.

The report also notes that the excess first-quarter expenditures were higher this current fiscal year compared to fiscal 201718, partially because of a $764,000 payment the city made to Caltrans in July 2018 for the former Jack-in-the-Box property.

At the start of the fiscal year, the city’s general fund reserves had approximately $16 million, according to the biennial budget. The latest report shows that the city will maintain that projection with an available fund balance of close to $15.85 million.

Based on the first-quarter financials, officials have proposed adjusting the budget by increasing the projected revenue by $3 million and expenditures by $3.1 million.

The expenditure adjustment is to address the $2.9 million the city owes as part of a settlement agreement last September with the environmental advocacy group Orange County Coastkeeper.

The group filed a lawsuit in 2017, alleging that the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park contributed to pollution in San Juan Creek. Both the city and Blenheim Facility Management denied the claims.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the city must fund $1 million in projects through the California State Parks Foundation, benefiting the San Juan Creek Watershed, and also pay $1.9 million to Coastkeeper’s legal and expert fees related to the lawsuit.

The city is proposing the revenue projection amendment to account for a $3 million payment Orange County is expected to make to the city this month. The payment marks the first half of a $6 million payment the county owes for its extended use of the Prima Deshecha Landfill.

WHAT’S NEXT: City Council will review and discuss the financial report during its next meeting Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.

–Shawn Raymundo

New MemorialCare Medical Center to Open Summer 2019 THE LATEST: Construction has begun on a new one-stop medical facility that’s scheduled to open up in Rancho Mission Viejo this summer.

MemorialCare, a nonprofit health system that includes a network of hospitals and medical groups in Orange County, announced Wednesday, Jan. 2, that it had recently broken ground on the location of its 26,000-square-foot health center on Gateway Place next to the Sendero Marketplace.

The two-story facility will offer X-ray, laboratory, cardiology and mammography services to patients, as well as provide access to primary and specialty physicians through a partnership between MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center and MemorialCare Medical Group.

Noting MemorialCare’s commitment to working with the Rancho Mission Viejo community to provide health services, Dr. Mark Schafer, CEO of MemorialCare Medical Foundation, said the new health center will be “state-of-the-art” and “custom designed.”

“Rancho Mission Viejo and MemorialCare share a passion for achieving, sustaining and improving the quality of life and health—that’s why we’re proud to be the exclusive medical provider for this incredible community,” Schafer said in a press release from MemorialCare.

Marcia Manker, MemorialCare Saddleback CEO, reiterated Schafer’s sentiments, highlighting the variety of services the health center will be able to provide patients.

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“MemorialCare’s new health center will be the foundation of community health for the active, growing and exciting Rancho Mission Viejo community,” Manker said in the release. “The new health center is a perfect fit for people of all ages with a wide range of healthcare needs.”

MemorialCare’s interim Health Center in Rancho Mission Viejo in the Sandero Marketplace will be open to patients seeking primary care and walk-in services.

The temporary center will be open until the new facility has been completed this coming summer.

WHAT’S NEXT: Patients in the area can also receive service at MemorialCare’s urgent care office in San Juan Capistrano on Rancho Viejo Road.–SR

New California State Laws in Effect THE LATEST: Some of California’s new state laws are likely to affect San Juan Capistrano residents, and many are enforceable now.

A few of the key laws included: • Minimum wage increases from $11 to $12 for businesses with 26 or more employees and from $10.50 to $11.00 for businesses with fewer than 25.

• Criminal penalties for sidewalk vending are now abolished, but cities can still regulate the vendors.

• Employers must now provide available space for mothers to breastfeed their children at work.

• People must request single-use straws at restaurants.

• Employees who report sexual harassment now have protections in place from liability or for defamation of the people they accuse. Employers may also indicate during reference checks whether someone had been determined to engage in sexual harassment.

(Cont. on page 4) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) • All dogs, cats and rabbits must now be purchased from a pet store, shelter or rescue group.

• Repeated DUI offenders will be required to use an interlock ignition system statewide.

WHAT’S NEXT: Find out more about some of the new labor laws in place by visiting www.callaborlaw.com.–Staff

New Memory Care Facility Proposed to City THE LATEST: Plans to develop and construct a new senior living facility in San Juan Capistrano is under consideration among city officials.

Protea Capital Partners, a senior living facility developer, has proposed building a 72-bed memory care facility on Avenida Los Cerritos, near the I-5 Freeway and Ortega Highway intersection. The 35,349-square-foot living center is intended to provide mental, social and physical health services to residents who are experiencing a decline in cognivitive functions.

Protea’s proposal to the city seeks to demolish two single-family residences that are both vacant and owned by South Coast Assembly Church.

The residences “were previously used by the church for staff housing and offices,” Assistant City Manager Jacob Green said in an email.

Pending approvals from the city’s Design Review Committee, Planning Commission and City Council over the coming weeks, the new senior living community could open in the summer of 2020, said Protea co-founder Greg Spiro. The facility was initially scheduled to open spring 2020.

“It really depends how quickly it takes to get the building permit,” Spiro said. “If we can get the building permit, (then) it’s still possible to get it done (by spring), but it may be closer to the summer.”

As part of the California Environmental Quality Act, the proposal has been going through an environmental analysis, which also entails the city’s Design Review Committee to examine the architectural design plans, Green explained.

During the design committee’s Dec. 13 meeting, members recommended some modifications based on their concerns regarding the proposed building’s architecture, which is supposed to incorporate a Spanish-style aesthetic.

Some comments from the review committee were that the “architectural plan does not appear to be Spanish architecture due to details of windows, arches, and mixture of materials” and the “architectural style should be consistent throughout the building.”

“They wanted us to be pretty clear to the design that we’re putting forward … more in line with the architecture with San Juan Capistrano,” Spiro said, adding that the proposal had always incorporated The Capistrano Dispatch January 11-24, 2019

Spanish Colonial design. “That was always the plan; they just had a different interpretation of how we saw it.”

Spiro said Protea has since made the revisions, which were presented to the Design Review Committee on Thursday, Jan. 10.

The city’s agenda report,forwarded to the Design Review Committee for its Jan. 10 meeting, recommended that the plans be approved and forwarded to the Planning Commission. The results of the meeting could not be included in this report as of press time.

Green told The Capistrano Dispatch on Wednesday, Dec. 9, that if the design committee finds the revisions and overall proposal acceptable, the environmental review document could be completed.

After that, Green said, the environmental review would be released to the public for comment and review.

“The public will have 21 days to submit any comments to the city regarding the conclusions of the environmental analysis,” Green wrote in the email.

“Once the public comment on the environmental document concludes, the project applications will be presented to the city’s Planning Commission for consideration and then the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be presented to the City Council for final action,” Green wrote.

WHAT’S NEXT: Prior to the Jan. 10 meeting, Spiro said he was hopeful the review committee would approve the proposal, allowing it to move forward. He said Protea is currently scheduled to present the plans to the city’s Planning Commission in early February, and if that goes favorably, the proposal could go before City Council in March.–SR

OCTA Completes Restoration Project of 53-Acre Parcel THE LATEST: More than 50 acres of blighted property in San Juan Capistrano was recently restored as part of the

Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) ongoing program to preserve local habitats.

For decades, the 53-acre wilderness parcel, just west of Saddleback Valley Christian School, was covered with weeds, trash from illegal dumping, and was used for several illicit activities including gang related graffiti.

“When we started, it was a total mess of an area,” said Derek Ostensen, the city’s habitat restoration project manager who oversaw the plan through to fruition.

“There was an enormous amount of dumping … tons of graffiti and vandalism, some homeless people were living in (trailers) and throughout the site,” he added.

“Old buildings were being used by the youth to tag and to have late night parties and all other criminal elements.”

With the help of several local contractors, nurseries and the underprivileged community, Ostensen was able to officially complete the OCTA-funded project last July, creating an open space landscape that’s now home to several native plants and wildlife for the public to enjoy.

The $1.5 million project to clean up San Juan Capistrano’s 53-acre wilderness parcel, is one of a dozen OCTA-funded restoration projects through the OC Go – or Measure M – Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program.

The program was established to restore open space lands in Orange County to their native habitats in exchange for the approval of the 13 OC Go freeway improvement projects. Orange County voters in 1990 approved the Measure M sales tax to improve the county’s roads and freeways. In 2006 voters renewed the tax for another 30 years.

According to Lesley Hill, project manager for the Environmental Mitigation Program, the OCTA selected the northwest parcel, adjacent to the open space along Oso Creek and Trabuco Creek, because of the potential impact its habitat would incur from the county’s freeway projects.

Because the project included restoring the space around the creeks, it created a cor-

The 53-acre parcel along Oso Creek and Trabuco Creek was recently restored as part of an Orange County Transportation Authority funded program meant to preserve local habitats. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

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ridor to connect other open space areas for species like the gnatcatcher to get through.

“Having that creek is kind of a corridor for not only birds but also some of the smaller animals and other animal species to kind of get through and to continue on to other areas to keep that genetic movement,” Hill said. “That’s really important.”

A project of this size, Ostensen noted, required several years of work. So, he enlisted the assistance of the Orange County Conservation Corps, which helps at-risk young adults acquire employment training and skills.

“As we started to engage the underserved community we saw a totally different approach to this property and the wilderness than we’d seen before,” Ostensen said. “The vandalism went down precipitously. We started to see a lot more families coming out picnicking, the demographics of people enjoying the wilderness became much more diverse, which is really nice to see.”

According to the OCTA, more than 200,000 invasive weeds were uprooted and replaced with roughly 60,000 native plants and trees including coastal sage scrub and oak woodland.

For the first few years of the project, which began around 2010, crews conducted grow-kill cycles to eliminate the decade’s worth of weed material in the soil, Ostensen explained.

“You get rid of all that weed material, then you let all the weed seeds grow up and you kill those off and you probably have to do that four, five, six times on a project that has a ton of weeds like this project,” Ostensen said. “It takes over a year, it can take one to two years and then it still doesn’t go away entirely.”

To continue the weed elimination, they began planting native plants. When enough plants began to grow, those weeds would reduce from not getting enough sunlight and water.

“The native habitat becomes the dominant habitat and it’s resilient enough that it can survive on its own going forward,” Ostensen said.

The project, Ostensen said, could have probably been done in the five years as planned, but California’s severe drought delayed the completion.

The team was forced to adjust their techniques, incorporating “adaptive management,” Ostensen explained.

“So, that entails careful water management, timing, when exactly you’re putting down seed and container plants to make sure that you’re not planting a ton of material that would require more water than you budgeted for and a range of other adjustments you have to make to accommodate such a significant and impactful drought,” he said.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to Hill, the next major project that’s expected to be completed soon is the restoration of the Bee Flat Canyon. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC tion was initially scheduled to open prior to the start of the New Year on Dec. 29.

However, construction wasn’t completed in time, prompting the delay.

“The grand opening was pushed back as the club team (was) putting final touches on the new space to ensure a fantastic experience for all of its members,” Rodrigues wrote in the email.

On Wednesday morning, Jan. 2, construction crews were still working on the new Super Sport club, which will replace the existing 24 Hour Fitness Active club at 27131 Calle Arroyo.

The current Active club continued to remain open for members while the new club was still under construction, Rodrigues said.

Community Meetings MONDAY, JANUARY 14 Youth Advisory Board Meeting 5:30 p.m. The City’s Youth Advisory Board will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15 Utilities Commission Meeting 8 a.m. The City of San Juan Capistrano’s Utilities Commission will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

City Council Meeting 5 p.m. The city’s governing body will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 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.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 Cultural Heritage Commission Meeting 4:30 p.m. The city’s Cultural Heritage Commission will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

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 www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 Design Review Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m. The Design Review Committee will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

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 agenda, visit www.capousd.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 The next edition of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

The Capistrano Dispatch January 11–24, 2019

Construction crews work on the new 24 Hour Fitness location in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Swallows Day Parade Season Begins It’s the start of a new year, which means the Swallows Day Parade season, or Fiesta de las Golondrinas, is upon San Juan Capistrano.

For the next three months, the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, a nonprofit organization, will host a variety of events, all leading up to the 61st annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire – one of the nation’s largest non-motorized parades – on March 23.

The Golondrinas festivities kick off Friday, Jan. 11, with the Fiesta Association’s membership and drive mixer at Bad to the Bone from 6 to 9 p.m.

And Saturday, Jan. 12, the Association will host a sign-up event to mark the start of the Hairiest Man Contest – a nine-week competition to see who can grow the hairiest beard. The sign-up event will be held at the Swallow’s Inn from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Fiesta de las Golondrinas is an annual event to celebrate the migratory return of the swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano on St. Joseph’s Day. The Fiesta Association held its first weekly meeting of the season Wednesday, Jan. 9, as the group prepares for the coming events and parade. Until the parade, the group will meet every Wednesday at the Nydegger Building on La Matanza Street.

For more information and a full list of upcoming events, go the Association’s website at www.swallowsparade.com.

CUSD Reorganizes Board During the Dec. 12 Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees Meeting, the board held its annual organizational meeting to elect the board president, vice president and clerk.

The Board selected Trustee Gila Jones to serve as president, Trustee Gary Pritchard to serve as Vice President, and Trustee Patricia Holloway to continue her role as Clerk.

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees also welcomed Trustees Judy Bullockus, Gila Jones and Martha McNicholas, who were re-elected to a new term. Bullockus has served on the Board since 2017, representing Trustee Area 7, which covers portions of Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, and Coto de Caza.

The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting is Thursday, Jan. 24.

New 24 Hour Fitness to Open Jan. 12 San Juan Capistrano’s new 24 Hour Fitness location is set to open Jan. 12.

The grand-opening event for the new location at 27124 Calle Arroyo will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be open to the public.

Sonia Rodrigues, a 24 Hour Fitness spokesperson, said the free event will include club tours, prize drawings, and group training demonstrations.

“The 38,000-square-foot club will feature a modern design and the most up-to-date and brand new amenities for guests to enjoy,” Rodrigues said in an email.

A grand opening of the new club loca-

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AARP Tax-Aide Program Offered at San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point Senior Centers Tax filers in San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point with low-to-moderate income can work with certified tax counselors to prepare their 2018 tax returns beginning in February.

As part of the AARP’s Tax-Aide program, those who qualify for low-tomoderate income status can get free assistance from a team of trained and IRS certified volunteers at the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano senior centers.

“Last year, our volunteer counselors prepared over 600 tax returns for low and moderate income taxpayers at the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano senior centers during the tax filing season,” AARP District Coordinator Audie Sturla said in an email.

The due date to file 2018 tax returns is Monday, April 15.

The Dana Point Senior Center on Del Obispo Street will start offering the program on Fridays, starting Feb. 1. Anyone in Dana Point interested in receiving the free help can make an appointment by calling 949.496.4252.

The program will be available at the San Juan Capistrano Senior Center on Camino Del Avion every Tuesday, beginning Feb. 5. To make an appointment, those interested can call 949.493.5911.

Because of a limited number of counselors available at times, AARP is encouraging tax filers to make an appointment ahead of time.

The final day for program in San Juan Capistrano is April 9 and April 12 for Dana Point.

Sturla said those coming in for assistance should be bring a copy of their previous year’s tax return, identification, proof of their social security number and tax records for 2018.

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

EYE ON SJC

Looking Forward Mayor Maryott Looks to Project Strong Leadership to the Council, Business Community

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he coming year will ideally be one in which the city of San Juan Capistrano can achieve “fiscal certainty” through business diversification, Mayor Brian Maryott hopes.

As the city’s newly appointed mayor for the next year, Maryott would like to diversify San Juan Capistrano’s revenue stream from sales taxes, which he noted currently relies heavily on auto dealerships.

“We are very dependent on our auto dealerships for revenue,” Maryott said. “It’s an inordinate share of annual recurring revenue . . . and I think it will be helpful to our city to diversify our revenue streams.”

During the City Council’s Dec. 10 meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to appoint Maryott the new mayor. He previously held the position of mayor pro tem under Councilmember Sergio Farias, then mayor.

Diversifying the City’s Revenues Maryott explained that while the auto dealerships have been wonderful for the city, those businesses get most revenue from the services sections, rather than from the sales of vehicles.

“Auto dealerships are getting a higher and higher percentage of their revenue from the service parts of their dealerships, which doesn’t do a lot for us as a city in terms of sales tax,” Maryott said. “We need car sales. So we’d like to see that dependency, at least as a percentage of the budget, diminish.”

Some of the business and revenue diversification Maryott would like to see could be achieved as a result of the City Council approving the Luxury Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Revenue Sharing Incentive Program.

Hotel and motel operators remit 10 percent of their revenue collected from room rentals to the city every quarter. The program is meant to entice luxury hotel developers to build in San Juan Capistrano, generating revenue for the city.

Under the program, developers who construct 4-star or 5-star hotel development projects can receive a tax reimbursement from the city via TOT revenue over a 10-year period. Existing hotels seeking to upgrade to 4 or 5 stars can also qualify for the incentive program, The Capistrano Dispatch reported last year.

The Capistrano Dispatch January 11–24, 2019

Mayor Brian Maryott hopes to use his position as the head of City Council in 2019 to achieve “fiscal certainty” through a diversification of local businesses. Photo:Shawn Raymundo

“We’re pleased to see one of the two proposed luxury hotels get underway,” Maryott said, referring to the Plaza Banderas Hotel project. The hotel, also known as the Inn at the Mission, intends to split an entry driveway to allow traffic into and out of the hotel, move the location of a swimming pool and move the location of a parking area.

“It’s great to have the first one underway,” he said. “We look forward to Transient Occupancy Tax from the first luxury hotel, which would be substantial and ongoing, and regular and annual.”

The second luxury hotel project Maryott spoke of was a reference to the delayed construction of the Hotel Capistrano by Kimpton, which was recently acquired by O’Neill Strategic Investments. Maryott said he’s remaining hopeful that the Kimpton Hotel project can regain some traction.

Settling the Issues Though the city council approved the construction of the 4-star, 102-room hotel and restaurant in the city’s downtown area on Camino Capistrano back in 2016, the project has been tied up in a lawsuit filed by Plaza Banderas developer Bill Griffith.

Griffith, who owns adjacent properties on Camino Capistrano, filed the suit against the city’s approval of the hotel, alleging that it was inconsistent with the city’s general plan and building allowances.

The Kimpton lawsuit stems from the city’s ongoing issues to resolve inconsistences between the San Juan Capistrano General Plan and the Historic Town Center Master Plan (HTCMP), which was intended to create a pedestrian-friendly downtown and approved by City Council in April 2012.

Maryott acknowledged that the city’s litigation struggles within the business community and the HTCMP have stirred

some pessimism among prospective developers looking to help with the revitalization in the downtown area.

“People, I think, view our downtown area, and city as a whole, as a hard place to do business or to do any development,” Maryott said.

In order to achieve fiscal certainty, attract more diverse businesses and change the perception of those wary of doing business in San Juan Capistrano, Maryott said he will use his new position to project strong leadership and a confident city council.

“I think part of being the mayor is you help set the tone and sort of help to create the perception of our leadership in the community and how that equals facilitating risk-taking in our community,” Maryott said.

“I think a council that brings a strong business mindset to the dais should be helpful in preventing some of that (litigation) in the future.”

Maryott also said “it will take the confidence of the council to rescind” the HTCMP while keeping some of the elements they believe worked well.

“We’ll want to see if we can keep maybe some of the best ideas within, and clean up the rest so we don’t have that ongoing conflict,” Maryott said. “And that’ll be helpful with the perception issue of doing business, or starting a business and developing in the downtown area, which right now is one of slight pessimism.”

Fighting Back Addressing other litigation issues, Maryott also touched on the recent settlement agreement the city and Blenheim Facility Management made with the environmental advocacy group Orange County Coastkeeper.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in

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July 2017, alleged that the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park contributed to pollution in San Juan Creek. Both the city and BFM denied the claims.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the city must fund $1 million in projects through the California State Parks Foundation, benefiting the San Juan Creek Watershed, and also pay $1.9 million to cover Coastkeeper’s legal and expert fees related to the lawsuit.

Maryott slammed Coastkeeper, stating the group “was looking to be opportunistic” and “came after the city and came after our world-class riding park on some perceived code violations.”

“I believe, and I don’t speak for the whole council, but I believe, it’s my hunch, my prediction, that this council will help me set a tone that this city will not become a soft target,” he said.

“Everything that I do as a mayor will be with an eye towards reinforcing that message, and I think nowhere will we have a firmer spine going forward than when it comes to our equestrian businesses … I believe that if somebody comes at us again opportunistically, they will get both barrels.

And I really believe that we will fight them on all fronts: in court, politically, and with regard to public relations.”

Solidifying Water Transfer Before the end of the year, Maryott said, the city will have also successfully divested its business of running the community’s water and sewer utility – an endeavor, he said, that has cost the city and its residents millions of dollars.

“That business is a major wild card for our city,” Maryott said. “We went into the business decades ago with the notion that we could become self-sufficient running our own water and sewer company. It was, at best, an ill-advised decision; at worst, it was a disastrous decision.”

As a result of increasing costs and difficulty providing water and wastewater services, the city has been looking to transfer its Utilities Department to another agency since 2016. Moulton Niguel Water District, Santa Margarita Water District and South Coast Water District are currently looking to take over the utilities services.

Maryott told The Dispatch that he believes the best two agencies capable of handling the city’s water and wastewater utilities are Moulton Niguel and Rancho Santa Margarita. Those agencies, he further explained, have the “volume of business and economies of scale” and “are much better equipped” to properly run the utilities department.

Moving forward with utilities transfer, Maryott said there will be a public hearing on the issue and expects to hear a lot of input from the community.

“Our residents will be much better off once we’ve exited the business. We made great strides last year,” he said, adding, “We are, in my estimation now, coming down the home stretch and I expect we’ll exit the business in this calendar year.”CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Clockwise from left. Arthur, a therapy cat for the memory-impaired, crouches in the bushes in the courtyard of the Silverado San Juan Capistrano Memory Care Community on Friday, Dec. 14. Gato, one of the Silverado San Juan Capistrano Memory Care Community’s newest therapy pets, snuggles up to the legs of resident Dave Armstrong, 92, on Friday, Dec. 14. Doreen Cregg, the Senior Family Ambassador at Silverado San Juan Capistrano Memory Care Community, offers some treats to the center’s newest therapy pets Arthur (right) and Thomas (left) on Friday, Dec. 14.Photos: Shawn Raymundo

Homeless Cats Find Home as Therapy Pets

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

wo pairs of previously homeless cats have recently found a new home as therapy pets for the memory-impaired at an assisted living facility.

The Silverado San Juan Capistrano Memory Care Community back in November adopted the four cats—Arthur, Thomas, Mame and Gato—to add to its collection of other pets that includes dogs, rabbits, tortoises and more cats.

As part of the Silverado center’s therapeutic treatment plan to provide a home-like environment, the animals interact with residents who are experiencing dementia and have memory-loss diseases such as Alzheimer’s, said Doreen Cregg, senior family ambassador at Silverado.

“For people with cognitive impairment, sometimes communication can be challenging, and to be able to sit with an animal that expects nothing of you is nice,” Cregg said.

A 2011 study conducted by researchers with the University of Florence in Italy

The Capistrano Dispatch January 11-24, 2019

found that Alzheimer’s patients benefited from animal-assisted activities. Such activities, the study showed, “are associated with decrease in anxiety and sadness and an increase in positive emotions and motor activity.”

Cregg picked out the four cats from Catmosphere Laguna, a cat café and lounge in Laguna Beach that fosters cats and kittens for adoption.

Mame and Gato, formerly Natto, are a mother-and-son pair that were orphaned in an empty apartment after their owner died, according to Catmosphere. Arthur and Thomas, formerly Tostito, are another bonded pair who have become close companions. When the two were rescued, Arthur, the eldest of the two, was very protective of Thomas, acting as his guardian.

After only being at Silverado for a few weeks, the cats adjusted to their new home, taking full advantage of the 40,000-square-foot facility and becoming fast friends with the residents and staff.

“The environment here is indooroutdoor … this is one of the few environments where a cat can roam and experience life and be safe,” Cregg said, later adding that Thomas, in particular, “loves to jump on the (maintenance) cart and go for a ride. So, he’s been a fun kitty.”

Mary Janney, an 81-year-old resident at Silverado, said she loves the new cats, noting that one of them frequents her and her roommate’s quarters and jumps on their armoire.

“They’re fascinating,” Janney said of the new cats.

When she and her family were looking for an assisted-living center, Janney said she was drawn to Silverado because of its practice of utilizing animals as a therapeutic treatment.

“Well, I love animals. Pets are a very important part of people’s lives. In fact, to some people, pets are the only family they have,” she said.

In addition to adopting pets for the center, Cregg said Silverado also allows incoming residents to bring their own personal pets to reside with them.

“We don’t want residents to lose their pet,” Cregg said. “When you have a disease, you’re losing so much of your life and of yourself. To lose the pet you love is really unfair.”

For several months, Cregg said, she had been looking to adopt golden retrievers for the center and applied to many rescues, but every one of them turned her down.

“A lot of rescues don’t want to adopt to senior communities. They only want them to go to private homes,” Cregg noted.

“But, quite honestly, a pet living in this environment, they’re never alone. They have attention 24 hours a day.”

While shopping in Laguna Beach, Cregg and her husband stumbled upon Catmosphere.

“I was talking to one of the volunteers there, and she mentioned that they had this pair (Arthur and Thomas), so of course I was very intrigued by these two and was interested in adopting,” Cregg said.

The Catmosphere volunteer had also recommended Mame and Gato, believing they, too, would be a good fit for Silverado.

Page 7

“We decided that we would just take all four,” Cregg said. “It worked out really well.”

Catmosphere Owner Gail Allyn Landau further explained that bonded pairs should be adopted together for the benefit of both the pets and the parents.

“If the cats are bonded, they are better kitties when they’re adopted out together, because they would otherwise miss each other terribly and it wouldn’t go well for the adopted parents or family,” Landau said.

At Catmophere—a nonprofit-andbusiness hybrid—patrons can visit the café for snacks and drinks or they can pay to spend an hour or two relaxing in the lounge with the cats. The lounge is a tranquil environment with soothing music, comfy benches for customers and, of course, plenty of scratch pads and cat furniture for the felines.

“Because the lounge is a tranquil place, very quiet with meditative music playing, they get used to a certain calm, and that is why someplace like Silverado is excellent for them,” Landau said.

Cregg also touched on the benefits of Catmosphere’s tranquil lounge, noting that Arthur, Thomas, Mame and Gato were very social and got along quickly with the other cats at Silverado.

“What’s so great about these cats, because they were in a cat lounge, they get along with our cats here,” Cregg said.

“Cats don’t always lay out the welcome mat for other cats. But our kitties have totally accepted the other kitties joining us.” CD

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SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Then & Now

by Rhonda DeHaan

Strolling Down Los Rios Street

A

fter this past year’s tree lighting at San Juan Capistrano’s Historic Town Center Park, attendees dispersed throughout the town … some going to the Mission, some staying close by to enjoy the area’s stores and restaurants.

Others wandered over to Los Rios Street.

Or should I say West Street?

The story of Los Rios Street is closely linked to that of the Mission. Originally named Calle Occidental, or West Street, it was lined with adobes built in 1794 as housing for the ever-growing population around the historic site.

While it may be difficult to imagine, the Mission land extended much farther than it does today and included substantial gardens, orchards, a vineyard and a series of aqueducts. A large plaza stretched in front of the Mission as far south as what is

Letters to the Editor

now Forster Street, and along the plaza’s east side was a road called Calle Oriental, or East Street – now El Camino Real. The western edge of the Mission grounds was bordered by Calle Occidental.

Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, and in 1841 San Juan Capistrano was officially designated as a secular Mexican pueblo. Calle Occidental was included in the plans for the new town and was given its current name of Los Rios Street by Juan Bandini, an early public administrator.

Bandini is mentioned in Richard Henry Dana’s Two Years Before the Mast, where he is THEN & NOW described as having “the

By Rhonda bearing of a man of high De Haan birth and figure.” And, while he ultimately made his home in San Diego, Bandini left a permanent imprint on our town’s legacy and lasting tribute to one of our most notable local families.

Experience a step back in time as you enjoy a stroll down this quaint street, where every historic home has a story to tell.

Rhonda DeHaan enjoys learning about San Juan Capistrano and its history, sharing fun photographic finds along the way.

fuels and protect working people of all backgrounds. Congress members should support this resolution, and I hope that you can help motivate our local politicians and communities to support it, too.

WE NEED THE ‘GREEN NEW DEAL’

ACTION NEEDED TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

—KYLE GRAY, Ladera Ranch

—TONY HAYS, San Clemente

Dear Editor, I’m a 20-year-old student from Ladera Ranch who is worried about the ongoing climate crisis taking place in the world. After reading extensively about the recent wildfires in our beautiful state and their connection to climate change, I’ve realized that we need to take drastic action to curb the effects of climate change. Because of this, I support New York Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s resolution to create a House Select Committee for a “Green New Deal” in Congress.

United Nations climate scientists tell us we have just 12 years to move our country off fossil fuels in order to avoid catastrophic climate disaster. We need a Green New Deal to create millions of green jobs, move our country off fossil

A letter in the Nov. 29-Dec. 5 edition of the San Clemente Times described some of the things that can be done to reduce carbon emissions. Another important action is to write to your congressional representative (for most readers, Mike Levin) for the 116th session, expressing your support for H.R. 7173—the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2018. This act has bipartisan support for “nudging” the economy toward zero-carbon emissions. It does this by applying a fee on carbon-based fuels at the source. This fee is then distributed in an equitable manner as a dividend to Americans to spend as they wish. The fee will start at $15 per metric ton of CO2equivalent emissions in 2019, progres-

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

HOW TO REACH US SENIOR EDITOR Shawn Raymundo, 949.388.7700, x108 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com A portrait of early public administrator Juan Bandini, who named Los Rios Street. Photo: Courtesy of UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

She is proud mother of two, a freelance writer and a member of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society Board of Directors. She is also serving her eighth year as member of the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. 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

sively increasing to $100 per metric ton in 2030. Overall, the fee and dividend are revenue-neutral.

The report published by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in October states that climate change poses an existential threat to human civilization as we know it, with the potential for catastrophic climate changes, unless action is taken now. Having the largest economy of any nation, the United States has the responsibility to lead this effort. Unless we lead, other nations are unlikely to follow. It’s time to step forward.

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.

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PUBLISHER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Shawn Raymundo

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OPERATIONS

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

Finance Director > Mike Reed

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General Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Copy Editor > Randall Youngman ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (SC) > Debra Wells (SJC)

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

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 17, Issue 01. 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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The Capistrano Dispatch January 11-24, 2019

Page 8

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GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: ‘Destroyer’ Fits In during January

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.

Friday | 11 THE FIESTA ORIENTATION AND MEMBERSHIP MIXER 6-9 p.m. Mark your calendars for this night because everyone is invited to join the Fiesta Association for its Membership Drive and Mixer. Enjoy music, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet new and old friends. Bad to the Bone BBQ, 31738 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1976. www.swallowsparade.com.

SHOWOFF! INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL 2019 PREVIEW NIGHT 8 p.m. Seven 10-minute plays, all of them are world premiere plays. The audience votes for their favorite plays and after the ballots are tabulated, top three winners get cash prizes after the last performance. With nearly 300 entries each year from all over the world, a team of readers selects, reads and grades each play, keeping the identity of the playwrights anonymous until the top 10 plays are selected. The festival will run from Friday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 20. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 12 COMMUNITY GARDENING CLASSES AT ARMSTRONG GARDENS 9 a.m. Rose Pruning and Planting – Armstrong professionals will be on hand to demonstrate proper pruning techniques, provide helpful hints and tips for planting and caring for roses. 10:30 a.m. Fruit Tree Pruning and Planting – Learn how to prune fruit trees for a more fruitful harvest and what to look for in a pruner and more. 32382 Del Obispo St. Suite D, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.6666. www.armstronggarden.com.

ACOUSTIC AT TREVOR’S AT THE TRACKS 7-10 p.m. Local musician Phil Vandermost will perform a solo acoustic act. Trevor’s at the Tracks. 26701 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch January 11-24, 2019

Photo: Sabrina Lantos/Annapurna Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

EDITOR’S PICK Photo: Allison Jarrell

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12: HAIRIEST MAN CONTEST 1-3 p.m. The Hairiest Man Contest is one of the first events of the year for the Festival De Las Golondrinas in San Juan Capistrano. Come to the sign-ups with a shaven face or get shaved at the event. Judging of the Hairiest Man is at Fiesta Grande on March 21.

This gives you nine weeks to grow your beard. The winner will be photographed for the Most Wanted Man. Pay your $5 in person or pay online. The Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

Sunday | 13 THE COAST VINTAGE MARKET 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Stop by Saddleback College every second Sunday of the month for a vintage market. This shopping experience includes over 200 vendors, live music, and food trucks. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.381.9947. www.thecoastvintagemarkete.com.

Monday | 14 INTRODUCTION TO BRIDGE 9:30-11:30 a.m. A beginner’s class will take place. Lessons will be offered on subsequent Mondays. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.1268. janedober@gmail.com. www.socb.center.

Tuesday | 15 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NETWORKING LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the Chamber for its monthly networking lunch at a local San

Juan Restaurant. This month we dine and network at Cedar Creek Inn. 26860 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700. www.sanjuanchamber.com.

Wednesday | 16 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. The BrewHouse. 31896 Plaza Dr. Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano.

949.481.6181. www.thebrewhousesjc.com.

Sunday | 20 FUNNIEST HOUSEWIVES 7 p.m. Funny Mom Productions CEO Julie Kidd will host a special event fundraiser to benefit the non-profit organization, Students Teaching Film, which mentors at-risk youth in videography and photography. Proceeds will go toward studio space and transportation for the group’s youth participants.

Tickets are $25. The Couch House. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.496.8930. www.thecoachhouse.com.

Page 10

s January begins, Oscar contenders given limited releases in December now go wider into theaters. One of the films that originally had a little hype back in autumn, Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer, currently appears to be struggling to keep movie fans’ attention because of the mega-success of films such as A Star is Born and The Favourite.

Destroyer’s production values are more modest and less flashy than those two hits and straddles the fine line between Oscar bait and gritty indie feature.

In modern-day Los Angeles, detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) remains scarred physically and emotionally from an undercover assignment in Palm Springs back in 2001. As seen through flashbacks, Erin and her partner, Chris (Sebastian Stan), investigate a gang of bank robbers, which becomes more intense and tragic than she expected. Now in the present, she has to deal with the gang leader, Silas (Toby Kebbell), possibly resurfacing and rekindling heists.

Tatiana Maslany and Scoot McNairy co-star.

Destroyer is like Kidman’s Monster (2003) moment, with her character receiving a lot of unflattering, aging makeup for the present-day scenes. Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi’s screenplay had potential, and Kusama has shown to be a decent director with Girlfight (2000) and Jennifer’s Body (2009). But weirdly enough, even though Kidman has been a consistent actress with quality performances throughout her fourdecade career, she’s actually a bit campy here, particularly with the present-set parts in which it feels as if the makeup is working against her. Kidman delivers more subtle and more moving performances in the flashbacks.

Still, a barely decent indie flick is probably more engaging than a half-baked, schlocky studio B-movie released in January. CD

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GETTING OUT

On Stage at The Coach House: The Magpie Salute

The Magpie Salute will perform at The Coach House on Thursday, Jan. 17. Photo: Courtesy of The Magpie Salute

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

hen Rich Robinson, co-founder and guitarist of the famed rock group Black Crowes, assembled The Magpie Salute back in 2016, it wasn’t a certainty that the group would record original music.

Since the band’s inception, the group has performed numerous headlining shows, playing a catalog of Black Crowes songs, covers and other solo material Robinson and other bandmates had written.

Robinson said The Magpie Salute’s headlining performances over last year have been a celebration of songs from their previous works. But with last summer’s release of their first full-length studio album, “High Water I,” and the follow-up, “High Water II,” due out later this year, 2019 will be a celebration of what the band has become.

“This year, we’re celebrating the formation of the band, the new material we had,” Robinson told The Capistrano Dispatch days before the band headed to Japan for a series of shows. “Last year, we didn’t know we were going to be a band and have songs, and this year we do.”

After the psychedelic blues rock group returns from Japan, it will embark on a 27-date winter tour around the U.S. that includes a stop in San Juan Capistrano at The Coach House on Thursday, Jan. 17.

“It’s cool to get out and play the shows; really, that’s the whole purpose of getting out there,” Robinson said of touring.

Robinson put the group together in 2016, recruiting former Crowes guitarist Marc Ford and bassist Sven Pipien to join him for a Woodstock Sessions performance at Applehead Studios in Woodstock, N.Y. During the performance, the The Capistrano Dispatch January 11-24, 2019

ensemble played Crowes songs as well as covers and material from their individual solo acts.

The Magpie Salute comprises the three Black Crowes alums, as well as keyboardist Matt Slocum, drummer Joe Magistro and vocalist John Hogg, all of whom Robinson had worked with on other musical projects over the years.

“We were just really happy to start making music together again and anxious to get into the studio and start recording,” Robinson said of working with his former Crowes bandmates. “We had a lot of material between the three of us, and that’s why we made two records.”

Though The Magpie Salute continues to play some Black Crowes songs, the band will primarily focus on playing the new material from “High Water I,” Robinson said.

However, Robinson noted, fans hoping to hear any new tunes from “High Water II” will have to wait till the summer.

“No, we’ll wait till the record is ready to come out before we play from ‘High Water II,’ ” Robinson said when asked if the band will preview any new songs during the tour.

According to Robinson, “High Water II” is expected to be released sometime between August and September.

Tickets to see The Magpie Salute at The Coach House are $38 for general admission. VIP tickets are also available for an additional $79, which will include early entry into the venue and pre-show meetand-greet with the band. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17.

The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. For tickets or more information, call 949.496.8930 or visit www.thecoachhouse.com. CD Page 11

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love after 50 by Tom Blake

Mission Accomplished in Pago Pago, American Samoa

M

y partner, Greta, and I disembarked from the Holland America cruise ship M.S. Amsterdam at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, in San Pedro. The ship visited 34 ports and 14 countries in 82 days. The last foreign port visited was Pago Pago (pronounced “Pahngo Pahngo”), the capital of American Samoa.

In visiting Pago Pago, Greta and I had a goal. When Mark Flannery, of Fullerton, read that our ship was stopping in Pago Pago, he emailed that in 1975 his father was buried in the Satala Naval Cemetery in Pago Pago. Mark had never been to the cemetery.

I said to Greta, “Let’s try to find the cemetery where Mark’s father is buried.”

I mentioned our plan to Mark and asked for more information. He wrote, “My father, George Flannery, retired from the Air Force around 1970 and shortly thereafter took a job with the government of American Samoa. He died there. My mother stayed on the island for about five more years before returning to the mainland.

“I wasn’t asking you to look for my father’s grave,” Mark wrote, “but while you are there, I have a small request. Will you see if there is any sign of my mother, Ellen, in the same place? She died in Texas about 25 years ago and her ashes were sent to a friend in Pago Pago, who promised to put her near my father. You are the first people I know who have traveled to Pago Pago since then and, therefore, able to check this for me and my siblings.”

I said, “We know you didn’t ask, but we would like to do this for you. And it will give us a goal to achieve on our day ashore.”

Although not a state, American Samoa is a

United States territory that closely identifies with the U.S. The currency is American; the primary language is English; and there is a McDonald’s near the pier where the ship docked. The country includes five islands and has a population of 180,000.

American Samoa was a crucial military base for the U.S. in World War II. The country has the highest rate of enlistment in the United States military services of any state or territory. Former NFL greats Junior Seau and Troy Polamalu are from American Samoa.

As we sailed in, you couldn’t help but notice how green the vegetation ON LIFE AND is. The island gets lots of LOVE AFTER 50 rain. It’s a beautiful place.

By Tom Blake Located on the earthquake-prone Pacific Ring of Fire, American Samoa suffered a terrible tsunami after a major earthquake in 2009.

Mark did research that helped us. He contacted an American Samoa government official about the cemetery and the location of George and Ellen Flannery’s gravesites. The official sent pictures, which helped me see what the cemetery looked like from the road and where the graves were located.

We were at the cemetery in five minutes. We paid the driver two bucks.

We found the markers immediately.

Greta placed the gardenia on George’s marker. I went into the adjacent jungle and picked a tropical red flower for Ellen’s marker. We spent an hour there taking pic-

The Capistrano Dispatch January 11-24, 2019

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.

tures. Our mission was complete—except, of course, to email the photos to Mark when we got back to the ship.

Mark expressed his appreciation for the effort Greta and I had made and for the photos I emailed to him.

Update On New Year’s Eve afternoon, Greta and I met with Mark and his significant other, Donna Harwood, at Harpoon Henry’s in Dana Point.

Greta and I will never forget our day in Pago Pago, American Samoa. It now has special meaning for us.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating.

See his websites www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www.travelafter55.com.

To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com.

Email: tompblake@gmail.com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.

BY MYLES MELLOR

Solution:

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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

Ice cream kids Kendrick, Bianca, brother Ivan and Matthew taking a break, across from the Mission San Juan Capistrano

Sudoku

Pet of the Week: Daisy

D

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Photo: Courtesy of OC Public Libraries

aisy is a 5-month-old cutie ready to make her way in the world. She is looking for a human roommate to help her navigate through things like crunchy treats and mousey toys. Daisy promises to be a sweet and considerate roomie and pay her way with lots of snuggles and purrs. If you are looking for an adorable lodger like Daisy, please call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. CD

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

Page 12

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

OTHER STUFF SHARED OFFICE AVAILABLE! 8’x13’ office in shared 1000 sqft office suite in Dana Point Town Center. Nice reception area, restroom, kitchen, alarm, ample parking, internet & utilities included. CALL 949.489.2088

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED-RDA/RDAEF We have a beautiful, modern office, a wonderful patient population, an enthusiastic team and a sincere periodontist dedication to quality care. Three to four days a week, possible leading to full-time.

Previous dental experience, a great attitude and strong work ethic are our first priority. Bilingual is a plus!Please send resume and a paragraph about yourself to: southcountyperio@aol.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

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949.388.7700 ext. 104 The Capistrano Dispatch January 11-24, 2019

Page 13

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

San Juan Preps Roundup

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

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

JSerra Boys Basketball Opens Trinity League

The JSerra boys basketball team has been tested through its nonleague and tournament schedule to be ready for the rigors of the Trinity League, and with a truncated Trinity League schedule this season, the Lions have to be on point for every contest.

JSerra (14-6, 0-1) faced reigning CIF-SS Open Division champion Mater Dei in its league opener on Tuesday, Jan. 8 and lost, 77-51. DJ Rodman led with a game-high 20 points, and Ian Martinez added 11 points.

It’s the only time this season JSerra will face Mater Dei in league, as the Trinity League has shortened its league schedule to just five games, one against each team, to make room on the schedule for showcases and tournaments and help the lowerranked league teams make the playoffs.

JSerra hosts St. John Bosco on Friday, Jan. 11.

JSerra Girls Soccer Ranked No. 1 in the Nation

The JSerra girls soccer team is back on top as the No. 1 team in USA Today’s winter rankings.

The two-time defending CIF-SS champion Lions (10-0, 1-0) are undefeated and have allowed only four goals all season, with seven shutouts. JSerra has tournament wins in the Beckman tournament and North Orange County Classic.

JSerra, ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 1, opened league play on Tuesday, Jan. 8 with a dominant win over Rosary, 5-0. The Lions hosted Orange Lutheran on Thursday, Jan. 10, but results were not available at press time. JSerra hosts Mater Dei on Saturday, Jan. 12 and plays at Santa Margarita on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

San Juan Hills Girls Basketball Continues Turnaround

The San Juan Hills girls basketball team has earned its respect.

After missing the playoffs the past two seasons and finishing under .500 the past four seasons, the Stallions (12-5, 1-0) are on a tear under first-year coach Paul Edwards. San Juan Hills has won nine of its past 11 games and has already posted the The Capistrano Dispatch January 11–24, 2019

JSerra senior DJ Rodman has been a leading scorer for the Lions boys basketball team this season. He’ll be relied on in a shortened Trinity League schedule.

Photo: Zach Cavanagh

third-highest win total in school history.

Senior Liza Hladek leads the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game, and junior Grace Gentry leads on the defensive side with 11.7 rebounds per game, 3.3 steals per game and 2.1 blocks per game.

The Stallions, ranked No. 8 in the latest CIF-SS Division 3A poll, opened Sea View League play with a win over Laguna Hills, 52-38, on Tuesday, Jan. 8. San Juan Hills hosted Capistrano Valley on Thursday, Jan. 10, but results were not available at press time. San Juan Hills plays at El Toro on Saturday, Jan. 12 and hosts Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

San Juan Hills Girls Soccer Unbeaten in League

After capturing its first league title in program history, the defending Sea View League champion San Juan Hills girls soccer team is taking well to its start in the South Coast League.

The Stallions (8-3-3, 2-0-1) have only allowed one goal in three league games and have earned a win or draw in nine of their past 10 games. San Juan Hills opened league play with wins over Mission Viejo, 1-0, and Trabuco Hills, 2-1, and posted a scoreless draw against Tesoro.

The Stallions hosted Dana Hills on Thursday, Jan. 10, but results were not available at press time. San Juan Hills plays at San Clemente on Saturday, Jan. 12 and hosts reigning South Coast League champion Aliso Niguel on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Around the Horn

• San Juan Hills girls water polo (12-3, 1-0) is ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 5. The Stallions took second place at the Western Tournament and opened league with a win over Mission Viejo, 14-3, on Tuesday, Jan. 8. San Juan Hills hosts Laguna Hills Tuesday, Jan. 15.

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• St. Margaret’s girls soccer (10-1-2, 2-0-0) is ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 4.

The Tartans have allowed only three goals this season. St. Margaret’s hosts Sage Hill on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

• St. Margaret’s girls basketball (13-5, 1-3) is ranked No. 4 in CIF-SS Division 5AA. The Tartans have lost in league to Division 1 and 2AA contenders Fairmont Prep and Orangewood Academy but have looked very strong otherwise. St. Margaret’s hosts Sage Hill on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

• The Capistrano Valley Christian boys basketball team (14-6, 0-1) is ranked No. 7 in CIF-SS Division 3A. The Eagles lost their league opener to Fairmont Prep, No.3 in Division 4AA, on Tuesday, Jan. 8 and hosted Pacifica Christian, No. 6 in Division 4A, on Thursday, Jan. 10. CVC hosts Saddleback Valley Christian at JSerra on Tuesday, Jan. 15. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com