May 10, 2019

INSIDE:

Your Guide to Mother’s Day Gift Ideas SPECIAL SECTION

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

MAY 10-23, 2019 • VOLUME 17, ISSUE 09

Choked Up

While Plans to Widen Ortega Highway Progress, Completion Still About Five Years Out E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 8

Traffic begins to back up as vehicles approach the Ortega Highway “chokepoint” during the morning commute Wednesday, May 8. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

City’s Proposed Valet Program Moves Forward EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

City to Hold Public Workshops on Open Space Use EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

thecapistranodispatch.com

St. Margaret’s Lacrosse Wins Double County Titles SPORTS/PAGE 22

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Study on OCSD Contract Shows Rise in Service Costs

San Juan Capistrano and a dozen other OC cities, including Dana Point and San Clemente, contract police services with OCSD and are currently under a five-year service contract with the department. Back in 2017, the cities jointly agreed to contract Matrix Consulting Group to conduct a study of the service agreements.

The report, released this past March, notes that OCSD’s costs for services have increased across all 13 cities, which have experienced an average increase of about 6% annually since Fiscal Year 2016—the start of the five-year contract.

“The primary cause for the contract cost increase is salary and wage increases resulting from contract negotiations between the County of Orange Board of Supervisors and the OCSD labor unions,” the city said in a statement based on the report.

By the end of the current fiscal year, which ends June 31, the city of San Juan Capistrano is estimating OCSD’s bill to be about $10.31 million, up 6% from what the city spent in Fiscal Year 2018 and about 20% more than the $8.57 million service cost for Fiscal 2016.

When asked whether the city is concerned about the increase in service costs, City Manager Ben Siegel acknowledged that the cost of services does “consume a good portion” of the city’s budget, but the report shows OCSD’s services are “incredibly cost-effective” compared to those cities that have their own departments.

Broken down on a per capita basis, the report notes that the average cost per person in the 13 cities OCSD contracts with was about $215. For the Fiscal 2018 budget, the city initially earmarked $10.21 million for public safety expenses, meaning the cost per San Juan resident was $283.15.

Compared to the rest of the county, the average cost per resident in non-contracted cities was about $395, according to the study.

For fiscal years 2019 and 2020, the city has nearly $11.05 million and more than $11.57 million allocated for public safety costs, respectively. Fiscal 2020 is the final year of the contract.

Siegel also said the study shows that there are potential savings when it comes to OCSD’s transportation costs and has opened a dialogue with the OCSD to find opportunities to reduce costs and lower the annual budget.

THE LATEST: The city’s cost of contracting police services from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department climbed by nearly 13.5% within the first three years of a five-year agreement, a recent study shows.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to the city’s staff report on the study, OCSD Sheriff Donald Barnes is “amenable to reviewing the information and further (Cont. on page 4)

Five things San Juan should know this week City’s Proposed Valet Parking Program Moves Forward THE LATEST: The city of San Juan Capistrano will move ahead with a proposal to initiate a pilot program for valet parking services in the downtown district this summer.

The City Council on Tuesday, May 7, voted 4-0 in favor of negotiating with HowElite Parking Solutions for a contract to operate the valet pilot program during the weekends. Councilmember John Taylor was absent from the Tuesday meeting.

The purpose of the program is to address complaints from local business owners, residents and visitors over a lack of available parking in the downtown district, which results in traffic congestion from motorists circling the area looking for a place to park.

“We thought this would be something that would address many of the concerns we hear from visitors, from businesses, that parking in our most desirable location in the heart of the downtown is never available,” City Manager Ben Siegel told the council.

In the city’s report on the program, city staff said the program would “increase parking supply and enhance the parking experience for downtown visitors during the busy summer season.”

Councilmember Sergio Farias spoke highly of the proposal, believing the city’s parking woes could be solved by giving downtown patrons the option of a valet.

Farias further emphasized what could happen when visitors are unable to find a spot.

“I have friends and clients who like businesses here, and if they don’t find a spot, they’re moving on, they’re going to go to their next favorite salon or restaurant or whatever,” Farias said. “And I think that could be solved with valet parking. . . . Let’s give our residents or visitors an option.”

During the trial period, from June 7 to Sept. 2, downtown visitors would be able to have their vehicles valeted, with pick-up and drop-off services offered, in the multi-modal parking lot off Verdugo The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

Cars parked in the multi-modal lot off Verdugo Street in San Juan Capistrano’s downtown district. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Street. The proposed cost to use the valet is $7 to $9, the city noted.

The northernmost portion of the multimodal lot would be used to stack some of the valet-parked vehicles. HowElite would use the city’s property on the southwest corner of Del Obispo Street and Ortega Highway—the former Jack in the Box location—that’s currently being renovated, and it will be able to park about 40 vehicles, according to the city.

The company would also be able to use the Los Rios gravel lot on the corner of Paseo Adelanto and Ramos Street for additional parking.

The hours proposed for the program would include Fridays from 4-10 p.m., Saturdays from noon-10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

HowElite, one of three parking firms to submit proposals to the city last month, was highly ranked by a review committee comprising staff from the city’s Development Services Department and Public Works and Utilities Department.

According to the city, the program would come at “no cost” to the city and that HowElite “would provide all required insurance and indemnification.”

During the public comment portion on the proposal, San Juan resident Robert Bruch questioned the purpose of the program.

“I’m not certain what we’re trying to accomplish with valet parking,” he said.

“I was particularly taken with the fact that it says that this was at no cost to the city for an independent organization to use our parking space to park cars. It seems like we can make a couple of dollars from it, at the very least.”

Siegel explained that the point of the valet program was to “effectively increase parking supply. It’s a no-cost or low-cost opportunity to add 80 or 90 parking

spaces.”

“This was not about generating revenue; this was about more effective management of existing spaces,” he said.

WHAT’S NEXT: Following the conclusion of the pilot program, Siegel would also put together an analysis to present to the council in the fall.

In conjunction with the proposed valet program, the city will also look into temporarily raising parking rates and begin charging for spaces that are currently free in the Franciscan Plaza Parking Structure on Verdugo.

The potential move, the city states, would help promote turnover, as many of the spaces are free or inexpensive, which has “resulted in severely limited parking availability for customers and adjacent restaurants and businesses.”

“Adjustments to the parking rates have real impacts on demand-based pricing,” Siegel said.

With the council’s vote on Tuesday, city staff, during the next meeting on May 21, are expected to present additional information regarding new parking fees for the Franciscan structure, as well as a resolution to establish those fees on a temporary basis during the summer.

—Shawn Raymundo

Page 3

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) exploring any potential savings in these areas.”—SR

City Introduces Ordinance to Expand Ban on Open Fires THE LATEST: The City Council on Tuesday, May 7, introduced a new ordinance meant to provide the city with more defininitive authority when it comes to enforcing prohibitions of open fires.

“Our code, while it currently prohibits open fires in parks and our fire code also prohibits open fires in high-fire risks, there’s no blanket prohibitions on open fires in city code,” Development Services Director Joel Rojas told the council.

Rojas said the proposed regulations came at the request of San Juan Capistrano Fire Chief Rob Capobianco, who wants the cities he covers to augment municipal codes and enhance prohibition procedures.

“We are asking the cities to give some enforcement teeth to hopefully prevent some of these fires from occurring out in the open spaces,” Capobianco said.

The ordinance proposes to add language in the city’s municipal code that would ban open fires as well as ban flammable or combustible liquids from being used throughout the city. The new language would also require that any permitted open fire be attended by someone at least 21 years old with a portable fire extinguisher on hand.

Violating such regulations would also be considered a misdemeanor, according to the city. Fireplaces and barbecues currently authorized in city parks, as well as portable fires, fireplaces and fire rings in private yards, would be exempt from the proposed regulations.

“Also because most of our prohibitions are mostly in the (California) Fire Code, that puts the enforcement authority with (the Orange County Fire Authority), and we think it would be much more efficient if the city had enforcement authority so that we can use our enforcement officer and our citation authority to pursue any code violations,” Rojas said.

City Manager Ben Siegel further explained to The Capistrano Dispatch that under such enforcement capabilities, the city would be able to respond to calls of illegal open fires by sending out a code enforcement officer to the location who can try to identify the individual responsible for igniting the fire.

“There was ambiguity in the code; we think this makes it abundantly clear about what’s allowed and what’s not allowed and where it’s allowed and not allowed,” Siegel said.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to the city, the The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

This June, the city will conduct public workshops on the San Juan Capistrano’s open space, allowing residents to weigh in on how such land should be used. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

take place in the Community Center on Camion del Avion, with the first scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, at 5:30 p.m. The second one is scheduled for Monday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m.

Any person who’s unable to attend the workshops can submit written comments to the city clerk via email at cityclerk@ sanjuancapistrano.org or by mail to 32400 Paseo Adelanto.—SR

proposed ordinance will return for a second reading and adoption by the council during the next meeting on Tuesday, May 21.—SR

City to Hold Public Workshops on Open Space Use THE LATEST: A pair of public workshops for San Juan Capistrano residents to weigh in on how the city’s Northwest Open Space should be used has been scheduled for early and late June, the city announced on Wednesday, May 8.

The city council voted last month to conduct the workshops in an effort to clean up ambiguous language in the city’s municipal code regarding the land-use purposes of open space in San Juan.

The move suspended longstanding plans to construct the Native American cultural site called Putuidem Village, as well as paused negotiations to develop a camping and “glamping” facility on the Northwest Open Space.

The community workshops will allow the community to “learn more about allowed uses, zoning restrictions, the proposed ‘Putuidem Village’ community park project, and most importantly participate in a conversation on additional desired amenities for the site,” the city stated in its announcement.

Mayor Pro Tem Troy Bourne had raised concerns over the discrepancies in the city’s laws on open space land uses during the council’s April 16 meeting.

Bourne did so in response to recent threats of a lawsuit from former Councilmember Mark Nielsen, who has advocated for a public vote on a potential zone change at the Northwest Open Space.

WHAT’S NEXT: Both workshops will

City Sees Increase in Fourth Quarter Sales Tax Receipts THE LATEST: This past holiday shopping season was a particularly good one for San Juan Capistrano, as the city saw an increase in sales-tax receipts compared to the same period in 2017, according to the city’s sales tax consultant.

Between October and December of last year—fourth calendar quarter 2018—the city’s sales-tax revenue was 1.6% higher than the sales-tax revenue generated in the same quarter of 2017, the report from HdL Companies, Inc. noted.

“The City experienced strong returns from multiple new auto dealers supporting the adjusted gains,” the report stated.

“While a solid holiday shopping season from multiple general consumer retailers including family apparel and specialty retails also helped.”

San Juan’s sales-tax revenue makes up roughly 31% percent of the city’s general fund, making it the city’s second-largest source of revenue, according to the city’s 2018-19/2019-20 budget. For fiscal 20182019, the city’s total projected sales-tax revenue is nearly $8.7 million—a 3% increase from the previous fiscal year.

In an email to The Capistrano Dispatch, City Manager Ben Siegel said that uptick of 1.6% from the fourth quarter of 2017

Page 4

“indicates that the City’s sales-tax revenue is growing, but at a fairly low rate of growth.”

That low growth rate, Siegel said, is being felt around the state.

“Sales-tax revenues are experiencing slower growth statewide,” Siegel said in the email. “Our local economy reflects that trend.”

Siegel also noted that San Juan is still on track to see a growth in sales-tax revenue during the current fiscal year, up to 5% now, instead of the 3% initially projected.

“Our sales-tax consultant is actually projecting over 5% growth in Fiscal Year 2018-19, much of this due to delays in the receipt of FY ’17-’18 revenue that was distributed by the State to the City in FY ’18-’19 as the result of the State’s difficulties with its computer software upgrade,” Siegel wrote.

In San Juan, the state collects a 7.75% sales tax, with the city receiving 1% of that back.

The city’s budget also states that “the City’s lack of sales-tax diversification can tend to cause greater fluctuations in revenues during economic cycles.”

Mayor Brian Maryott has previously expressed similar sentiment while saying much of the city’s sales-tax revenue is derived from the local auto dealership industry.

According to the fourth-quarter report that the city released on April 25, general consumer retailers and auto dealers in San Juan generated the most revenue from sales taxes during the fourth quarter of 2018.

Siegel said it’s not uncommon for cities to have a certain business sector that generates the majority of its revenue.

“Whereas greater sales-tax diversification is always desired, most cities have certain business sectors that are primarily responsible for their local sales-tax revenues,” Siegel said in the email. “Like many cities, ours is focused on auto dealerships and major retail.”

Sales tax revenue from general consumer retailers was close to reaching $700,000 in the final quarter of the year, while auto dealers generated about $650,000 of sales-tax revenue. The rest of the categories, such as restaurants and hotels, building and construction, and food and drugs, fell below the $300,000 mark.

Similar instances occurred in the second and third quarters of 2018, according to previous reports from the HdL. The report also listed the top 25 producers of fourth-quarter sales-tax revenue in San Juan. The list included several car dealerships, including Tuttle-Click’s Capistrano Ford, Capistrano Toyota, Nissan of San Juan Capistrano and Ocean Honda of San Juan Capistrano.

Vons, 7-Eleven, Plant Depot, Ross, HD Supply, Costco and Trevor’s at the Tracks also made the list.—SR thecapistranodispatch.com

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY • SUNDAY, MAY 12 • CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY • SUNDAY, MAY 12 • CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY • SUNDAY, MAY 12

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY • SUNDAY, MAY 12 • CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY • SUNDAY, MAY 12 • CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY • SUNDAY, MAY 12

EYE ON SJC

Choked Up

Capistrano,” it stated.

In the city’s response to the report, the council acknowledged the delays, but disputed the notion that they were unnecessary, because the impacts of such major highway projects affect motorists and residents and, therefore, should require extensive review and consideration.

“It is not uncommon for major highway projects to undergo multiple reviews and consideration of options before final implementation,” the council’s response said. “The costs of those ‘delays’ are inherent in the process.”

While Plans to Widen Ortega Highway Progress, Completion Still About Five Years Out

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

f you’ve ever driven in and out of San Juan Capistrano on Ortega Highway during the weekday morning and afternoon commutes, odds are you’ve gotten stuck in traffic while approaching what residents in the community refer to as the “chokepoint.”

On this roughly mile-long stretch of state-owned highway, the road narrows from four lanes to two, creating a bottleneck of motorists squeezing their way either toward the I-5 freeway or toward Antonio Parkway/La Pata Avenue.

Following years of setbacks, longstanding plans to widen Ortega Highway are progressing, City Manager Ben Siegel announced to residents during a recent Coffee Chat at Hennessey’s Tavern.

During that April 26 forum, Siegel answered questions pertaining to the city’s road projects, including what’s officially titled the SR 74-Lower Ortega Highway Widening Project. Provided the California Department of Transportation secures the necessary funding, he said construction of the project should be underway by 2024.

Acknowledging that anticipated completion is about another five years out, Mayor Brian Maryott said he’s been grateful to the community for remaining patient.

“It’s been a lot of twist and turns along the way, but we do look forward to it being done in the not too distant future,” he said.

When construction commences, the project would include the widening of the narrow stretch between Calle Entradero and the eastern city limits near Reata Park from two lanes to four, helping to mitigate traffic congestion.

According to data compiled by Caltrans, Ortega Highway has seen a stark increase in traffic volume, with the average amount of daily vehicles using the road rising from 27,500 in 2010 to 43,500 in 2015.

An Orange County Grand Jury report from 2017 noted that with the expansion of Rancho Mission Viejo over the next two decades, “additional access from numerous roadways including Ortega Highway will be needed.”

Safety concerns have also been cited throughout the years to stress the need

The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Traffic begins to back up as vehicles approach the Ortega Highway “chokepoint” during the morning commute on Wednesday, May 8. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

for the widening project. The Grand Jury report points out that vehicles turning left on Ortega have to cross the highly trafficked road and merge into the single lane, calling the maneuver “problematic,” as “there are few, if any, breaks in the oncoming traffic.”

“The completion of this section of Ortega Highway would provide a center median/two-way left turn lane, which serves two purposes: it provides a dedicated left turn lane for traffic on Ortega Highway, and it provides a ‘safe haven’ for side street traffic turning left onto (it),” the report stated.

Based on the Orange County Public Works Department’s estimates from 2017, the project is expected to cost more than $52 million in federal and state funding. However, Elizabeth Manzo, public information officer for Caltrans, notes that the estimated price tag is “still being developed.”

That project, according to Caltrans, is currently in the environmental phase and will be followed by a design phase that’s planned for 2020, with construction estimated to begin during the summer of 2023 and the expanded road open to the public in 2025.

THE “TWISTS AND TURNS”

For many years, consideration of the project was rife with delays, because previous city councils went back and forth over whether to support it. And for a time, the city was the lead agency in charge and had been awarded grants from the Orange County Transportation Authority for the project.

With Caltrans’ approval, the city took the lead following a 2011 settlement agreement with the transportation department and the Hunt Club, the gated community along Ortega Highway. That agreement

provided details on the aesthetics and physical scope of the widening.

The 2017 Grand Jury report, which criticized the city council for causing the delays, explained that after a new city council was elected in 2014, it “sought to oppose the widening project despite the language” in the agreement “specifying that the signing parties and their successors would not oppose efforts to complete” the project.

The project did gain a bit of traction in December 2015, when the councilmembers approved a design contract. However, the following month, the council backtracked on their decision, voting to rescind the $1.5 million service agreement with Anderson-Penna Partners.

The vote during that Jan. 5, 2016 meeting went 3-1-1, with then then-Mayor Pam Patterson, Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Ferguson, and former Councilmember John Perry in favor; former Councilmember Sam Allevato opposed; and Councilmember Derek Reeve absent.

That vote led to the OCTA requiring the city to return an advance funding of $705,095. The city had spent $175,170 of those funds toward the project, so $185,170 in city coffers was used to pay back what had been used, including $10,000 in interest on the grant funds, the report explained.

The council’s decision to renege on the contract eventually led to the OCTA taking over the project. The report also goes on to note that the city’s actions, causing “unnecessary delays,” meant that San Juan missed out on having influence over the project’s design.

“In rejecting the role as lead agency, the City also lost an advantage of having some influence over potential design aspects that could be tailored to the particular aesthetics and culture of San Juan

Page 8

During her State of the South County Address last month, OC Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett touched on the Ortega widening project, noting its significance to traffic relief efforts in the southern region, as well as her own alleviation proposal.

“With regard to regional mobility, I believe we need to enhance regional mobility. We have more development that is taking place in Orange County and South Orange County, and we also have to think about what are we going to do if we have a major emergency: ‘how can we get out of town?’ ” she said during the April 11 address.

Late last year, Bartlett proposed a road alignment plan that would connect the new Los Patrones Parkway from Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata, running along the east side of the Prima Deschecha Landfill.

Her alignment plan would essentially serve as an alternative to the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ proposals that intend to extend the 241 Toll Road to the I-5 by passing through San Clemente and parts of San Juan Capistrano.

“We need something that we can actually get accomplished,” she said, explaining that she worked with OC Public Works Director Shane Silsby to help draw up her plan.

“If we can get to La Pata in a reasonable fashion, closer to the San Clemente side, I think that’s all we need, but in conjunction with two other projects,” she said.

One of those projects is the Ortega widening, and the other is to extend the HOV lane on the I-5 from Avenida Pico to the county line.

“That really solves our long-term regional mobility needs for well into the future, and it doesn’t mean any eminent domain, it doesn’t run through communities,” Bartlett said. “Even though it doesn’t connect to I-5, and when I talk to people about the projects, I say . . .

‘Would you rather have 80% of something or 100% of nothing, because right now we have nothing?’ ” Bartlett went on to state that there will be more happening in the future. CD

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Ecology Center to Host Speaker Event The Ecology Center on Saturday, May 11, will host a speaker series event highlighting the importance of Richard Evans Schultes’ work and discoveries in the Amazon rainforest.

The center has invited Mark Plotkin, an ethnobotanist and conservationist, and Brian Hettler, a cartographer, from the nonprofit Amazon Conservation Team to speak about Schultes and his travels through the Amazon.

Plotkin and Hettler work together on the Amazon Conservation Team to protect indigenous communities and are well recognized for their work in cartography, ethnobotany and conservation.

Schultes, considered to be the father of ethnobotany, studied the purposes of different plants of indigenous parts of the Amazon rainforest. There is new information produced by the Amazon Conservation Team that traces Schultes’ travels, follows his journey and will discuss the importance and relevance of his findings.

Tickets can be purchased at theecologycenter.org for $25 for non-members and $20 for members. The talk, which will include appetizers, drinks and live music, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Rep. Levin Requests Audit of TCA U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) sent a letter to California State Controller Betty Yee to request that her office audit the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) finances, according to a press release from Levin’s office.

The audit is in response to a story the Los Angeles Times published on March 11 concerning the TCA board’s alleged mismanagement of public funds while working to advance the toll road extension project.

“It is critical that the State of California investigate these allegations given TCA’s status as a state-authorized joint powers authority and recipient of funds under the State Transportation Improvement Program and State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP),” wrote Rep. Levin.

Levin has voiced strong opposition to any proposed toll road extension through South Orange County communities. Last month, Representatives Levin and Harley Rouda (D-CA) wrote to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) expressing strong opposition to the TCA’s proposal to extend its toll road network in South Orange County.

The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

MONDAY, MAY 13 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 sanjuancapistrano.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Rep. Mike Levin speaks with a local constituent during his inaugural Coffee with Your Congressman at Ellie’s Table at Egan House on Friday, March 22. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

San Juan Man Wins Wheelchair Division in OC Marathon Fermin Camarena, a San Juan Capistrano resident, won the wheelchair division of the 15th Annual Orange County Marathon on Sunday, May 6.

The Marathon hosted 11,000 participants this year, and they took to the streets of Newport Beach, Santa Ana, and finished the race at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

The marathon is host to many programs, such as Kids Run OC, a program for elementary school children, running clubs from all over Southern California, and a division for wheelchair participants.

Camarena, who has many races under his belt, is no stranger to adversity. The experienced marathon competitor suffered a stroke in 2003 and has been on the road to recovery ever since. He’s lost vision in one eye and still struggles with speaking and communicating. However, none of this has stopped him from going the distance.

Bike Path to Remain Open during San Juan Creek Rehab Project The San Juan Creek bike trail will stay open during construction to rehabilitate portions of the San Juan Creek Channel and Capistrano Beach Channel.

Beginning Monday, May, 13, Orange County Public Works will begin the routine rehabilitation project to remove and repair damaged concrete from the channels from Pacific Coast Highway to Descanso Park, according to the city.

While the trail will remain open for use at all times of the project, the city notes that users could “encounter minor delays

during regular working hours.”

During construction, flag personnel will be onsite to maintain safety for those traversing the trail.

The city also said nearby residences and businesses should expect constructionrelated noise and dust during working hours. The project is expected to wrap up by mid-August.

City Announces Lineup for Summer Concert Series

Because I Love You (BILY) Meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meets every Tuesday.

Because I Love You (BILY) helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing because of their children’s (adults or minors) poor choices. San Clemente Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. bilysc.org.

Special 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 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 sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

The city of San Juan Capistrano will kick off its summer concert series this June with the sounds of Motown.

The city recently released its lineup and schedule of the free summer event series, which returns to the Historic Town Center Park on Wednesday, June 19.

Collective LA will headline the first of the four-night series. On July 17, the Rebel Souls will provide some classic rock before the city goes country with the Scotty Mac Band on Aug. 21. The Trip, a classic rock group, will close out the summer series on Sept. 18.

Aside from live music, concertgoers can also expect dancing, beer, wine, food from local restaurants and activities for kids.

The city is encouraging guests to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Pets are not allowed.

The concerts, which run from 6-8 p.m., will be sponsored by Capistrano Volkswagen, JSerra Catholic High School, Rancho Mission Viejo and St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.

For more information, call the city’s Community Services department at 949.493.5911.

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.

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

The next edition of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

Page 9

TUESDAY, MAY 21 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 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 sanjuancapistrano.org WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 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.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON RMV

NEWS & HAPPENINGS AT THE RANCH

South County Communities Gather for Unique Marketplace

BY ANDREA CLEMETT, FOR THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

The Oak and Agave Company will host a marketplace for small businesses of handmade and vintage goods, food and music at the Pavilion in Rancho Mission Viejo on Saturday, June 15.

Simone Udink, the company’s founder, began selling handmade items and unique finds to markets six years ago. Her passion for wooden accents and home goods has influenced her style to collect pieces from Texas, India, Turkey and Africa.

With the debut of the Oak+Agave Market this year, Udink has combined her own brand of goods with markets.

Udink, an RMV resident, started hosting markets in the community two years ago with the launch of Pop-Up Market on the Ranch, which featured only nine vendors. Since then, each event has doubled in size and required

the large space outside of the Pavilion.

Udink hosts four markets a year, with about 10-15% of the local vendors being from Rancho Mission Viejo. The rest of the vendors are outsourced from other markets and by word of mouth from the surrounding areas.

She said she now has a melting pot of curated items with an emphasis on handmade and vintage. The market, she said, ranges from rustic items to cute kids’ stuff, as well as bath bombs and fresh produce from the Rancho Mission Viejo farm.

“The public is what makes these markets awesome; it really is a community effort,” Udink said. “We get people from San Juan, Ladera, San Clemente, and everyone is really supportive of these small businesses. And I think that’s what makes it such a success.”

Shoppers can stop in from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for acoustic sounds and vocals from Chris Baylon, accompanied by Mexican bites from

Tres Compas and refreshments from Kona Ice. Throughout the event, kids can get their face painted from local company Party Karacters, as well as meet the featured superhero, Iron Man. There will also be a Father’s Day photo booth from 10-11:30 a.m.

Patrons can preview the market vendors on Instagram, where Udink will introduce each merchant and the various types of goods that will be for sale. The market expects at least 40 vendors and are still accepting applications for the June and August markets. Other markets will be held at the end of summer and again in December.

Udink said the market has always been open to the public, but through advertisement, the market has gained an accent of attention outside of Rancho Mission Viejo.

With the promotion and imagery on social media, the previous market drew customers from Ventura Country and attracted as many as 3,000 visitors.

“My goals are for the businesses and communities to have a great time, get something to eat and shop,” said Udink.

“These items are also unique and one-of-akind pieces that are not found in stores.”

Wellikson Looks Back at Esencia’s First Year

The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Hilltop Bar Night & Swirl. Sniff. Sip.

5-9 p.m. The spacious event bar at The Hilltop Club is open every Friday evening, so come grab a drink, then stay for a hangout session with good friends and close neighbors. 65 Esencia Drive, Rancho Mission Viejo. 949.768.1882. ranchomissionviejo.com/events.

SUNDAY, MAY 12

Mother’s Day Walk to the Mother Oak

8-10 a.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day in beautiful natural surroundings on a fun discovery walk on The Reserve. During the walk, you will visit the Mother and Sister Oaks and celebrate the beauty of spring’s revival in the great outdoors.

Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. rmvreserve. org.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

F45 Training

11 a.m.-noon. Join F45 Training for an exclusive franchise showcase at F45 Training Rancho Mission Viejo.

Learn how you can own your own F45 Franchise and meet the team. 30595 Gateway Place, Rancho Mission Viejo.

714.714.6001. f45training.com/RanchoMissionViejo.

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

With Capistrano Unified School District students wrapping up another school year, Esencia K-8 Principal Josh Wellikson is looking forward to introducing the first middle school class this fall and expanding the “Hawk Family.”

The new elementary and middle school opened in the Rancho Mission Viejo community last August, welcoming enrollment for preschool through fifth grade. The school will add a new grade level through the eighth grade.

Looking back, Wellikson considers the school’s first year a success.

“It’s actually been a great success, and I think it’s a testament to the community that we really built this school with the community in mind and the community needs,” he said, noting that that effort began in the year leading up to the school opening, as parents and stakeholders worked together to mold the instruction curriculum.

“Parents felt already involved in the school and connected . . . teachers were able to bring to life what the community wanted to have happen,” he said.

Wellikson, who has about 20 years of experience in education, said one of the biggest things he learned this year was the importance of being transparent and avail-

Events at The Ranch

Full Flower Moon Hike

Esencia K-8 Principal Josh Wellikson considers the first year of the school a success and is looking forward to expansion of the middle school. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

able to staff, students and parents.

“Every decision we make ripples out to all the areas,” he said. “It was important that I made sure I talked to all the different stakeholders and was open to them and transparent to them and give everyone the time to explain why we were doing things.”

As far as coming across any stumbling blocks, Wellikson explained that this first school year was an opportunity for the staff and the community to get to know each other and build what he referred to as the Hawk family.

“I believe in building the Hawk family here,” he said, further explaining, “But no stumbling points that we struggled with. It

was just building the Hawk culture here.”

With Esencia’s fifth-graders moving on to the sixth grade, they’ll be at the forefront of the expansion as the school’s first official middle school class—an endeavor Wellikson relishes.

“I’m really excited to build the middle school,” he said. “I’m really excited to see in year two what does the middle school look like in our community, because I know what the elementary side looks like; so I’m excited for the middle school to build what the community’s wanted.”

Part of that expansion, Wellikson said, will be continuing the school’s core principles, which he referred to as caring and connecting.

Page 10

7:30-9:30 p.m. Named the Flower Moon because of wildflowers blooming in this time of year, May’s full moon provides the perfect light for nighttime discovery on The Reserve. Join The Reserve for a moonlit adventure, exploring canyon trails bathed in moonlight. Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. rmvreserve.org.

“Caring, connecting is non-negotiable here at the school,” he said. “So, we want to care deeply for each other and care deeply for our children and then connect them to the curriculum, connect them to the community, so it makes them feel involved.” thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Wellness & Prevention by Susan Parmelee

Why We Must Talk About Mental Health

A

recent study led by the World Health Organization found that 35% of college freshmen in eight countries struggle with mental illness. The two most commonly diagnosed disorders are depression and generalized anxiety.

Some researchers suggest that part of this rise is attributed to improved screening and diagnosis; however, this cannot completely account for the fact that one in three young adults is reporting mental health issues.

Additionally, as a country, we are witnessing an increase in suicides among youth in the age group 12-26; sadly, suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for our youth. School districts now provide suicide prevention education in the seventh, ninth and 11th grades. This education needs to be echoed in the home.

If you would like tips for starting a conversation in your family about mental health and suicide, please visit mentalhealth.gov/ talk/parents-caregivers.

Stigma is often the reason people cite for not seeking care when mental health symptoms arise. Stigma creates guilt, shame and self-doubt, which leads to isolation and fears that one may be a flawed

Letters to the Editor SHOPPING CENTER IN LOS RIOS? CAROLYN NASH, San Juan Capistrano As a resident of San Juan Capistrano, do you want a shopping center, River Street, built in the historic Los Rios area? Do you think that five buildings with 64,900 square feet of commercial markets, restaurants, shops, breweries, offices, wineries and a fitness center are compatible with the historic homes in Los Rios?

Los Rios Street is on the National Registry of Historic Places and recognized as the oldest residential street in California, with 31 historic buildings.

Since 1972, previous city councils have protected the area from over-development by limiting commercial buildings to 10,000 square feet of low intensity development.

The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

individual. Ending stigma is an important step for improving the mental health of society.

How do we end the stigma? Targeting how we use language associated with the diseases of mental health is key. Imagine if we said, “He is so cancer,” like the way we say, “He is so bipolar.” Both diseases have grave underlying biological and genetic causes, yet we tend to ignorantly toss around mental health terms.

Another step in ending the stigma is implementing reduction tactics and sharing knowledge and support with others. Like learning CPR, there are WELLNESS AND several mental health PREVENTION basic training courses ofBy Susan Parmelee fered in Orange County.

These learning opportunities strive to help reduce suicide rates, improve mental health treatment outcomes and build empathy in our communities.

The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMIoc.org) presents programs for students, professionals and parents on topics ranging from lowering mental

This project eliminates those protections.

Traffic impact on Del Obispo is significant. Del Obispo will be reduced to “F,” the worst functioning road rating. The project creates 2,711 car trips per day, and increases trips per day on Adelanto, the only access road for the project, to 5,400.

To give you an idea of the size of the parking lot needed for the required parking of 300 spaces, Mission Village Center (Rite Aid, Ross, Trader Joe’s) only has 268 parking spaces in the front parking area of that center.

Five commercial buildings will be built immediately behind and adjacent to residential properties on Los Rios.

These residents, as well as the entire Los Rios area, will be severely, negatively impacted by the building locations and by the noise, lights, and traffic from the restaurants, breweries, etc.

The historic value of Los Rios is ignored by River Street. This property should not be developed as a ubiquitous shopping center. The property is part of

health stigma to better understanding how to support a loved one who is struggling.

Mental Health First Aid (mentalhealthfirstaid.org) is an eight-hour course that teaches how to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substanceuse challenge. The training helps attendees to identify, understand and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.

I encourage everyone who reads this article to have at least one discussion about mental health with someone they care about during this month of mental health awareness. To receive monthly information on supporting teen wellness, please sign up for our bi-monthly ENewsletter at wpc-oc.org and follow us on Facebook @ wellnessandpreventioncenterschs.

Susan Parmelee is a mental health social worker and one of the founders of the Wellness & Prevention Center, San Clemente.

She can be reached at susan@wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

the city’s priceless history and deserves a project that is more in line with the city’s current allowable 10,000 square feet for development, one more compatible with the entire Los Rios area.

If you think this project should not be approved, please contact your city councilmembers.

Ask them to vote “No” on River Street.

At this time, it appears the council is going to approve this project despite many citizens’ objections.

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 12

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Shawn Raymundo, 949.388.7700, x108 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Debra Wells, 949.322.4765 debra@wellsadsolutions.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA Real Estate Sales > Debra Wells (SJC)

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

ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith

City Editor, DP Times > Lillian Boyd

Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex

City Editor, SC Times > Cari Hachmann

OPERATIONS

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

Finance Director > Mike Reed

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

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 09. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (sanclementetimes. com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

FACEBOOK.COM/CAPODISPATCH • INSTAGRAM @CAPODISPATCH TWITTER.COM/CAPODISPATCH • LINKEDIN PICKET FENCE MEDIA

thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

its Open Mic Night every Thursday. Five Vines is looking for musicians, comedians, poets—anyone who wants a mic and an audience. Must be 21 and older. 31761 Camino Capistrano, #11, San Juan Capistrano. 949.800.9145. fivevineswinebar.com.

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

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, tasty 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.

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

Friday | 10 BLOOMS & BREW WORKSHOP 5:30-7 p.m. Hey, dads, give mom a night off this Mother’s Day weekend and head over to Docent Brewing with your family.

Christa Rose will provide you with everything you need to make a heartfelt fresh floral arrangement for mom. You’ll also receive a $10 voucher toward a beer and sandwich. Docent Brewing, 33049 Calle Aviador, Suite C, San Juan Capistrano.

949.633.0133. christarose.net.

Saturday | 11 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. The car show attracts hundreds of car enthusiasts each week. No registration is required and spectators are welcome. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

SPRING TOUR 9:30-10:30 a.m. Go see the Tree of Life Nursery’s little super bloom. You’ll go on a tour of its gardens, with a focus on spring bloomers and how you can create seasonal interest in your garden and provide year-round habitat pollinators, birds, and more. Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.728.0685. californianativeplants.com.

Sunday | 12 EL CAMPEON FESTIVAL DIA DE LAS MADRES 2019 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Taqueria Y Tortilleria El Campeon is pleased to celebrate the tradition of Mother’s Day with a special presentation from Los 7 Costeños and Los Cadetes De Memo Cavada. There will be free raffles, gifts, contests, shows, live music, entertainment and much more.

31921 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.4078. elcampeon.com.

MOTHER’S DAY AERIAL YOGA 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Celebrate the mom The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

Friday | 17 EDITOR’S PICK Buddy Guy. Photo: Daniel Ritz

SATURDAY, MAY 18: DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL 11 a.m. In 1998, Omega Events launched an annual blues festival in the seaside town of Dana Point. More than 20 years later, The Doheny Blues Festival has grown into one of the nation’s top blues music festivals, known for the stellar mix of artists and the incredible location of Dana Point. The event has been recognized by the blues music industry, named “Best Promoter” by The Blues Foundation in Memphis. Sea Terrace Park, Dana Point. dohenybluesfestival.com

in your life with Intro to Aerial, a gentle, mindful aerial yoga class. Align Pilates & Yoga Center, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite E6, San Juan Capistrano.

Monday | 13 TIDE POOL HIKE 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute for a tide pool hike led by one of their expert naturalists. The hike will take participants into the rocky Marine Conservation Area located directly behind the Ocean Institute. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other animals that make the tide pools their home. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.4962274. ocean-institute.org.

BINGO AT GOODY’S 7 p.m. Every Monday, Goody’s hosts a bingo night for a charity of the month.

This month’s beneficiary is Friends of San Clemente Foundation. Cards are $1 per sleeve, and raffle prizes are offered.

Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real.

949.492.3400. goodystavern.com.

OPEN MIC AT BARNOA 7-10 p.m. Orange County singers and songwriters join host Gary Wright on the first three Mondays of every month to share their musical talent. Bring your musical instruments and love of live music. The stage is set with everything you need. Must be 21 and older. Barnoa Wine and Craft Beer Bistro. 831 Via Suerte, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. barnoawinebar. com.

Wednesday | 15 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 the trivia contest.

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

Thursday | 16 OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-9 p.m. Five Vines Wine Bar presents Page 15

2019 SOUTH COUNTY SENIOR SUMMIT 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This popular 12th annual event is being presented by Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Orange County Office on Aging, Soka University of America, and Age Well Senior Services, Inc. Soka University Recreation Complex, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. 714.480.6450. ocseniorsummit.com.

O.C. NIGHT MARKET 4-11 p.m. The biggest and only large-scale night market festival in Orange County invites you to bring your friends and family to eat, drink, shop Friday through Sunday.

Experience more than 200 local food, merchandise, games, arts, and crafts vendors.

The Market has a diverse mix of activities such as an Art Walk, dance competitions, eating contests, entertainment stage with live musical performances, and more. Perfect for all ages. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. info@ocnightmarket.com. ocnightmarket.com.

Saturday | 18 FREE SENSORY SCAVENGER HUNT 10-11 a.m. Bring your little ones to the Los Rios Park for a free children’s Sensory Scavenger Hunt. You will use the treasure map to find and collect a variety of items.

Your child will discover shapes, textures, colors and smells in nature—maybe even find butterflies. Ages 2-6 with parent or guardian. Los Rios Park, San Juan Capistrano. To register, call 949.606.6386 or go to goinnative.net.

SKATE JAM 10 a.m-2 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Skatepark Coalition will provide a safe and legal environment for the city’s skateboarders to practice tricks on quarter (Cont. on page 16) thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 15) pipes, rails, ramps and a two-stair ledge box for grinding. There will also be giveaways, a taco cart and music. San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano.

714.931.3814. sjcskateparkcoalition.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK 8-9:30 p.m. As the sun sets on the walls of the ruins of the great stone church,

the dead walk the streets of old San Juan Capistrano. Join the newest venture into the dark and the macabre through the historic streets of one of California’s oldest cities. Tours meet just outside the brick visitors’ information booth near the train tracks located behind the Franciscan Plaza Parking Structure at the end of Verdugo Street. 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 866.446.7803. hauntedoc.com.

At the Movies: ‘Long Shot’ is a Safe Bet

Monday | 20 MISSION BASILICA KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Come on out for this annual fundraising event hosted by the Mission Basilica Knights of Columbus. The Knights will be donating funds to the Mission Basilica School Scholarship Fund. Come out to play golf, or bring some friends to make

a foursome. $200 per golfer; $30 for dinner only. Sponsorship opportunities available.

Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. 949.678.6678. sanjuanchamber.com.

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

On Stage at The Coach House: John Paul White

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

J

Photo: Philippe Bosse / Lionsgate Films

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

J

onathan Levine’s new political romantic comedy, Long Shot, marks the return of the once-common “hot actress paired with slovenly Seth Rogen” trope. Over the years, Rogen’s been used as sort of an example of the double standard in Hollywood on how the male lead can get away with being ‘funny, but goofy-looking,’ while the female lead is still the traditional pretty starlet. But now Long Shot pairs him with probably his most attractive female co-star yet: Charlize Theron.

In a semi-modern East Coast setting, Fred Flarsky (Rogen) is a popular newspaper columnist always on the lookout for any kind of big scoop. Charlotte Field (Theron) is the current Secretary of State to President Chambers (Bob Odenkirk), and Charlotte sees Chambers’ future exit as the perfect time to run as his successor. A series of unusual mishaps cause Charlotte and Fred to realize that Fred might be a good fit as her

The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

new speech writer. They not only get along surprisingly well, they were past neighbors during their childhoods.

Long Shot has a lot of funny scenes, especially involving the supporting cast. Theron and Rogen play off each other well, even if the pairing feels as if it’s a decade late. There are a couple of issues, including the political aspect of the story. Both protagonists are liberal, and the antagonist is a rich, sleazy right-winger (Andy Serkis as media magnate Parker Wembley). But there’s a shoed-in sequence between Rogen and O’Shea Jackson Jr., who plays Rogen’s longtime friend, Lance, that’s supposed to be a “both sides are imperfect” message that feels a little irrelevant by the end of the movie. Another issue is that the movie just isn’t entirely memorable. But for a last-minute date night or browsing the TV or streaming sites, Long Shot is decent enough. CD

ohn Paul White is currently on a creative kick.

His latest album, The Hurting Kind, was released just last month, but White said he’s in a part of his life where he’s itching to continuously write and record music.

“I’m in a phase now where I want to constantly get into the studio, and I hope to stay in that phase for a while,” he said, adding, “I’m dying to write more stuff and put out another record.”

While growing up, White recalls listening to his dad’s records, being drawn to the classic crooners of the 1950s and ’60s, which “opened a gold mine” for him musically. He said with his creative juices currently flowing, he’s excited to dig deeper into those sounds.

However, with White in the midst of a three-month tour throughout the U.S., scratching that itch will likely have to wait.

In the meantime, fans in South County can look forward to White’s appearance in San Juan Capistrano next month, when he brings a traditional style of country music to The Coach House.

Though known as a rock and folk songwriter from his time as the other half of the Grammy Award-winning duo The Civil Wars, which split in 2012, the Alabaman guitarist considers his latest album a foyer into traditional country.

“I would say it’s the most traditionally country record that I’ve put out,” he said, also noting, “This would definitely sit closer to that genre more than anything.”

During the recording of The Hurting Kind—his first album since Beulah in 2016 —White said his approach differed a lot

Page 16

Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

from his process on previous albums.

For White, that meant demoing more of the material and putting together “clean, arranged versions of all the songs, so the (band) can have a better sense of where I was going, and so I can have a better sense of where I was heading.”

“I set out to make a record that was more complex and adult, less organic and live,” he said. “But it was a lot of fun; it was a lot of work but a lot of fun.”

With the new album evoking that traditional country sound, White’s also adding a new twist to his performances this year, as he’s been incorporating additional sounds from the pedal steel guitar and fiddle, which brought “new energy (and) new excitement in the band.”

“I feel like we’re really gelling,” he said, adding, “It’s a different kind of energy than seeing me with a trio or just me with a guitar . . . it’s a completely different animal, but I’m just really excited for people to see me on this one.”

Tickets to see White at The Coach House are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11.

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

thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

llustrator Shares Familial Ties with San Juan Socialite

T

he new exhibit at the Historical Society, opening on Wednesday, May 22, became an interesting story when the San Juan Capistrano connection was found. The new exhibit focuses on the life and times of W.T. Benda.

Wladyslaw Theodor Benda was part of the Golden Era of American illustrators.

But he was so much more. He was known as a Western artist; by theater historians as a mask maker; and by vintage poster collectors as a poster artist. He was also an illustrator for many novels of well-known authors, including Willa Cather, for whom he illustrated My Antonia. After seeing his illustrations for the book, Cather stated that no other person could illustrate that book. He set the standard for mask making with his Fu Manchu scary mask, which was used by Boris Karloff in the 1932 movie The Mask of Fu Manchu.

“Benda masks” became known all over the world and were used in stage productions, as well as movies. His Katharine Hepburn mask, made for her role of Jade in the 1944 movie Dragon Seed, went on a promotional tour for the film. He created a sea monster for a 1919 film, which is

very similar to the monster’s costume in the 1954 movie Creature from the Black Lagoon.

The 1920s opened a new era for women in American culture. In 1919, women won the right to vote and began establishing themselves in culture and politics. The American girl was being portrayed by illustrators such as Charles Dana Gibson, and they became known as Gibson girls.

Benda took a more ethnic approach. He added a hint of mystery by giving his illustrations a foreign look heightened by putting women in costumes representing different world cultures. These illustrations appeared in magazines, which were primarily being published for women readers. Many of these readers were immigrants or children of immigrants, and these faces were welcoming and made the reader feel like an American.

Benda was born and raised in Poland and emigrated to the United States with his father and sisters when he was in his twenties. He had already studied engineering and art in Poland and Vienna, Austria. Political MOMENTS upheaval made staying in IN TIME

By Jan Siegel Poland unacceptable.

And here is the San Juan Capistrano connection. Benda’s aunt, his father’s sister, was Helena Modjeska, the Shakespearean actress and good friend to Judge Richard Egan. Modjeska was known in San Juan Capistrano for attending many social functions hosted by Egan. Benda’s family moved into Arden, the Modjeska home in Anaheim. Working with his aunt, Benda made costumes and props for a production of Cleopatra in which Modjeska was the star. But Benda wanted to become an artist, so eventually he moved to New York, became part of the Ash Can School, and became a member of the Society of Illustrators and the Architectural League.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Uzo THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

U Uzo. Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

zo is a 5-year-old Domestic Shorthair with a beautiful, black smoky coat. Very outgoing and sociable, she is a talkative kitty that loves meeting new people. Uzo has lived with other cats and wouldn’t mind having a feline roommate.

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

Photo: Courtesy of OC Public Libraries

FROM THE ARCHIVES Chief Clarence Lobo and his wife, Bess, attend an Acjachemen (Juaneño) tribal gathering in San Juan Capistrano. It’s unclear when this photo was taken.

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.

Benda was an illustrator for numerous magazines including, Saturday Evening Post, Ladies’ Home Journal, Cosmopolitan and, for 30 years, Collier’s. He made masks for notable play writers Noel Coward and Eugene O’Neill.

You can spend a Moment in Time enjoying Benda’s journey at the Historical Society and experiencing a true American success story.

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 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.

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR 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 18

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Photo:File

GUEST OPINION: Friends of the Library by Rhonda DeHaan

SJC Library Provides Connection for the Community

T

he San Juan Capistrano Library is not only a place to connect with information, it provides a variety of programs and activities in which you can connect with other people. Friends of the Library and library staff are always working to add new events to the schedule. More “Eat, Move, Grow: Healthy Living” programs are part of the May calendar, and a few of them are listed below:

EAT:

Information about nutrition will be offered on Wednesday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m., when Mission Hospital Wellness Corner returns to share some healthy drink swaps and delicious ideas for making veggie and fruit smoothies.

MOVE:

Adults and teens are invited to join Yoga Bungalow instructor Tam Nguyen for an hour of relaxation and yoga on Wednesday, May 22, at 5:45 p.m.

GROW:

On Tuesday, May 28, at 1 p.m., families are invited for a flowerpot decorating, vegetable planting party. All supplies will be provided, and space is limited.

Kicking off the month of June, the San

The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

Juan Capistrano Library will host World Wide Knit in Public Day on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. until noon in the courtyard and the La Sala auditorium.

Visit the Yarnover Truck and earn an opportunity-drawing ticket for each knit or crochet item brought to donate to charity.

For more information about these and other events, please FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY visit the San Juan CapBy Rhonda istrano Library, or call DeHaan 949.493.1752 to talk with the helpful staff, or go online at ocpl.org/ libloc/sjc.

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

She is a 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.

Page 20

BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE OCEAN HILLS, San Clemente. Saturday, May 11 8AM-2PM. West on Calle Agua (away from Wells Fargo). Left on Calle La Quinta or Calle Verano.

WATERFORD POINT HUGE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE!!

Sat May 11 gate open 7am - 12pm. Sunstar Lane, Dana Point. Collector & Misc Items, Art, Oriental Statures, Cameras, cuckoo clocks, Shortwave Radios, Antique Slot Machines, Old Movie Projectors, Antique Mirrors, CD’s & a lot more!

GARAGE SALE-SAT. MAY 11 28331 Paseo Corrales, San Juan Capistrano.

Sat., May 11th from 8:30 AM. Furniture, sporting goods, ping pong table, household items.

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

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

FOR SALE HOME FOR SALE San Clemente FORSTER RANCH One level with Views 3bd/2ba cul-de-sac HUGE gated RV/boat/ car storage,oversized drive 1877sqft $939,000 Call George Abrahamsen#01821448,Tarbell,REALTORS 949-812-9990

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.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 May 10-23, 2019

Page 21

thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

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

25-20, 25-18, 25-19, in the semifinals on Wednesday, May 8, to advance to the CIFSS Division 2 Final, their sixth title game in seven seasons.

SVC, No. 1 seed in Division 2, takes on Oak Park for the championship on Saturday, May 11, at Cerritos College in Norwalk at 4 p.m.

SVC won back-to-back Division 5 titles in 2013 and 2014 and back-to-back Division 4 titles in 2015 and 2016. After a Division 1 first-round exit in 2017, the Warriors advanced to the Division 2 Final last season but were swept by Orange Lutheran.

SVC Boys Volleyball Advances Again to CIF-SS Final

San Juan Hills Boys Tennis Advances to First CIF-SS Final

The near-yearly tradition under Coach Ryan Van Rensselaer continues for the Saddleback Valley Christian boys volleyball team.

The Warriors posted their third sweep of the playoffs at West Ranch of Valencia,

The San Juan Hills boys tennis team continues to ride the momentum.

The Stallions defeated Redlands East Valley, 10-8, in the Division 3 semifinals on Wednesday, May 8 to advance to their first CIF-SS Final on Friday, May 10, against

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

Mater Dei at the Claremont Club.

Earlier, San Juan Hills had upset Trinity League Champion and No. 1 seed Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals, 10-8. The Stallions have continued to advance on the strength of their singles group, with key points contributed by their doubles teams.

Twenty SJC Entries Qualify for CIF-SS Track Finals San Juan Capistrano will be well-represented at the CIF-SS Track and Field Finals on Saturday, May 11, at El Camino College in Torrance.

At various CIF-SS preliminaries sites on Saturday, May 4, San Juan Hills qualified in two Division 1 events, JSerra qualified in seven Division 3 events, and St. Margaret’s qualified a school-record 11 athletes in Division 5.

Top finishers in each event in the CIFSS Finals qualify for the CIF-SS Masters Meet at El Camino College on May 18.

State championships take place on May

25-26 in Clovis.

Here is the full list of CIF-SS finalists from San Juan Capistrano: SAN JUAN HILLS • Sean Rhyan (shot put), 4x100-meter relay (Caden Vaughn, Jonathan Barber, Jade Fischbeck, Joey Hobert).

JSERRA • Anthony Grover (800 meters, 1,600 meters, 3,200 meters); Peter Herold (1,600 meters, 3,200 meters); Nadia Tabrizi (3,200 meters); and Sarah Ayala (long jump).

ST. MARGARET’S • Andi Carnell (1,600 meters, 3,200 meters); Jackson Adelman (1,600 meters); Robbie Graham (3,200 meters); 4x400-meter relay (Matthew Colglazier, Christopher Chan, Graham, Adelman); Emily Sun (high jump), Celeste Taylor (pole vault), Chris Mullen (pole vault), Nathan Soto (pole vault), Kyle Juergens (shot put, discus). CD

Double-Double St. Margaret’s boys and girls lacrosse each win county titles for second straight season

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

n what figured to be the last editions of the US Lacrosse Orange County Championships, St. Margaret’s again made its mark.

In two clashes between the premier lacrosse powers in Orange County, St. Margaret’s captured back-to-back girls and boys county championships with a girls win over Foothill, 15-11, and a boys win over Foothill, 17-10, on Wednesday, May 8, at Newport Harbor High School.

Both teams advance to the US Lacrosse Southern Section championships on Saturday, May 11, at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. The boys will look for revenge from last year’s final loss against eventual champion Loyola of Los Angeles, and the girls will take on Palos Verdes.

This week, the CIF-SS announced it would finally and formally launch its own playoffs next season, which will bring an end to the US Lacrosse playoff structure.

Both games followed similar patterns as Foothill gave St. Margaret’s all it could handle in the first half of both games, but the Tartans pushed on to take total control

The Capistrano Dispatch May 10-23, 2019

St. Margaret’s captured both boys and girls US Lacrosse Orange County championships for a second straight season as both teams beat county power Foothill on Wednesday, May 8. Photos: Zach Cavanagh

in the second half of both showdowns.

In the boys game, the rivalry between Foothill and St. Margaret’s was evident as the teams played a tight and vicious first half to a 6-6 tie.

The second half opened just as tight as the first, but St. Margaret’s continued to wear down Foothill with possession after possession and scored eight of the game’s final nine goals out of a 9-9 tie.

“We didn’t change anything; we didn’t adjust,” St. Margaret’s coach Glen Miles said. “We just kept going and stayed at it.

It’s really hard on the (Foothill) defense to keep competing at the level they (Foothill) were playing at when they couldn’t get the

ball away from Stuart (Pollard).”

While Pollard didn’t score, the senior was the absolute key for the Tartans, winning 29 of 31 faceoffs to earn MVP honors.

Senior Kevin Groeninger, California’s all-time leading scorer with 404 points, put in two goals and added three assists.

Freshman Cooper Barkate scored four goals with three assists. Senior Koa Todd and sophomore Nate Sanchez each scored four goals.

In the girls title game, Foothill led, 8-7, at halftime before senior Maddie Barkate made her MVP mark.

Barkate scored three consecutive goals, the last two while fighting a leg injury,

Page 22

to push St. Margaret’s out front, 10-8.

Barkate was named game MVP with five goals and 12 draw controls.

“We needed to figure out, they’re going to pressure us high, can we handle it?”

St. Margaret’s coach Holly Reilly said.

“Yes, in fact, you want to pressure us high, we’re going to look to the middle early and find holes.”

The Tartans would never trail again, but Foothill fought back to force a tie at 10-10.

Senior Niki Miles scored four of the final five goals as St. Margaret’s dominated possession over the final 15 minutes of the win. Miles scored six goals and added two assists. CD thecapistranodispatch.com