November 23, 2018

Inside: 2018 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide SPECIAL SECTION

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

NOVEMBER 23-DECEMBER 6, 2018 • VOLUME 16, ISSUE 22

St. Nick Arrives

Mission San Juan Capistrano to celebrate tree lighting on Dec. 1 E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

Mission San Juan Capistrano will celebrate its first-ever Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 1. Photo: File

City Initiates Portal to Look Up Documents EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Cox Donates Funds to The Ecology Center EYE ON SJC/PAGE 5

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Don Tryon, Local Historian, Dies at 89 EYE ON SJC/PAGE 5

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

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

City Initiates Portal to Look Up Documents

Five things San Juan should know this week RH Dana Elementary Working to Become Spanish Immersion School THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Nov. 14, heard a presentation about plans to transition RH Dana Elementary School into a Spanish language immersion school, where 50 percent of instruction would be in English and 50 percent would be in Spanish for students in kindergarten and first grade.

The presentation was conducted by RH Dana Principal Kristen Nelson, who described the intricacies of the 50-50 program and how it would work.

Turning RH Dana into a Spanish language immersion school is just the latest effort by the school to reinvent itself in the midst of declining enrollment.

According to a board report, RH Dana Elementary has seen enrollment plummet over much of the past decade, so it has been trying to reinvent itself as a way of attracting more students. Most recently the school was reimagined as a science and technology academy.

Currently, the Capistrano Unified School District has three Spanish immersion programs and one Mandarin Chinese program. The three Spanish immersion programs offer an 80/20 model in which students learn in Spanish 80 percent of the day and in English 20 percent of the day. RH Dana would be the first school with a 50-50 model, and there are a couple reasons for that, Nelson said.

One of them is because RH Dana Elementary shares a campus with the RH Dana Exceptional Needs Facility. Some of the ENF students are mainstreamed into regular elementary instruction classes.

Nelson said school officials, therefore, thought it was better to have more English rather than less.

“Right now we do not have any students from ENF that need more than 20 percent in K or 1, but when we look historically, have there been students that came with IEPs that needed more than 20 percent?

Yes. Could there be? Yes,” Nelson said.

“So we felt it was safer at this point to start with a 50-50 model so we could be sure to be able to fulfill their IEP goals.”

Another reason was the school wanted

A procession makes its way into the Old Mission Cemetery in San Juan Capistrano for the 9th Annual Mass of Remembrance on Saturday, Nov. 10. Photo: Alex Groves

to continue to capitalize on existing strengths, Nelson said.

“The staff that sits to my right comes with an exceptional amount of science training as well as excellent English teachers, and the feeling of being able to build on their strengths and being able to use them was also very important as we talked through things,” she said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The estimated cost of staffing the school with one more person for Spanish enrichment and additional instructional materials is $288,000.

The presentation was informational in nature only and did not require action by the Board of Trustees, but they will be looking at the program as a formal item for approval during their meeting in December. —Alex Groves

City to Update Hazard Mitigation Plan THE LATEST: The San Juan Capistrano City Council on Nov. 5 approved an agreement with a firm that will update its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which uses public policy to protect people, facilities, infrastructure and the environment from various hazards.

The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires a community to have an approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to be eligible and apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard mitigation funds. The plan must be updated every five years, and the most recent plan was approved in 2007.

The city approved a contract with Seal Beach-based Ellen Lopez & Associates, Inc., to update the plan at a cost not to exceed $29,500. That amount will come from FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant the city received.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to a city staff

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

report, a draft plan will be submitted to the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) and then FEMA before returning to the council for final approval. That process may take up to 18 months. —AG

Ninth Annual Mass of Remembrance Held at Old Mission Cemetery THE LATEST: Area Catholics and members of the Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee gathered at the Old Mission Cemetery in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, Nov. 10, for the ninth annual Mass of Remembrance, an event that remembers those interred at the cemetery while also honoring members of the community.

Dozens of visitors packed neatly lined rows of white chairs as Monsignor Michael McKiernan of Mission San Juan Capistrano conducted a Mass.

McKiernan said the look of the once-rundown cemetery had improved considerably thanks to the work of faith and civic groups.

“Through the Dioceses of Orange as well as through Jerry (Nieblas), as well as in a very, very special way the Boy Scouts, they have done such an amazing job at changing this from a place that not long ago was filled with weeds and you had to be careful where you walked,” McKiernan said.

This year’s honorees were Ricardo Beas Arias, owner of restaurant Ricardo’s Place, and Theresa Nieblas-Saunders, an honorary member of the Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee.

After the Mass, congregants made their way over to the Blas Aguilar Adobe on Camino Real for a potluck reception, where food from Ricardo’s Place was served.

WHAT’S NEXT: The 10th annual iteration of the event is scheduled to take place in November 2019. —AG

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THE LATEST: The city of San Juan Capistrano last week completed a portal where people can look up city documents, including city council minutes, ordinances, resolutions and deeds.

The city began working on the portal a few years ago after it purchased a new Electronic Records Management System that allowed for the portal as one of its components, city officials wrote in an email.

Those officials noted that they hope the portal will allow for greater public access to records and that it will make things more efficient for city staff.

Currently, the portal has minutes, resolutions and ordinances dating back to the city’s incorporation in 1961. However, agreements and deeds currently only go as far back as 2015.

WHAT’S NEXT: The city is working on scanning agreements and deeds that go back to before 2015 and anticipates having them available on the portal by summer 2019. After that, the city will look into expanding into other records most requested by the public. —AG

City’s Sales Tax Revenue Up from Last Year THE LATEST: A consultant recently completed an analysis of merchant sales activity for April through June 2018 and found that the city’s adjusted sales-tax revenue was up over the same period last year.

According to the analysis from sales tax consultant HdL, Inc., that revenue was 4.3 percent higher than the same quarter in 2017.

The report also identified the top 25 businesses that generated the greatest amount of sales activity within the city.

That list included car dealerships such as Capistrano Ford, brick and mortar stores such as 7-Eleven and restaurants such as Trevor’s at The Tracks.

According to the report, a strong carbuying market and favorable financing options, as well as an increase in consumer spending, had positively impacted sales-tax receipts.

WHAT’S NEXT: The report notes that a “key concern” for analysts looking to 2018-2019 is how the federal government refines its trade policies and whether that results in more expensive goods. More expensive goods result in more sales-tax revenue, unless people buy less of them because they’re more expensive, the report notes.—AG www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Cox Donates Funds to The Ecology Center The philanthropic arm of cable company Cox Communications recently donated funds to 12 Orange County nonprofits, including The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.

The Ecology Center received $7,500 from Cox Charities for its experiential programming, which uses project-based lessons to teach children about science and ecology.

Cox Charities awarded a total of $65,000 to the 12 organizations it deemed 2018 Nonprofit Grant recipients, according to a news release from the company.

Each of those recipients offers programs focused either on youth, education, conservation or supporting military families.

Some of the other organizations that received funding included the Ocean Institute ($10,000) and the Special Olympics Southern California ($7,500).

Cox Charities is funded by Cox Communications employees’ payroll donations that are matched by the company. The philanthropy supports communities in Cox’s service area by providing scholarships to high school seniors and grants to nonprofits.

Local Historian Don Tryon Dies A San Juan Capistrano author and longtime historian died last week, according to officials from the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society.

Don Tryon, who co-authored the book Images of America, San Juan Capistrano and frequently wrote guest pieces for The Capistrano Dispatch, died on Nov. 9.

Tryon’s passing was announced by the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society in a Facebook posting on Nov. 11.

“Don was a man of great humbleness who donated countless hours to many local non-profit organizations including the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association and the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society,” the post read in part.

On the Historical Society Board of Directors, Tryon served as a vice president, director and director emeritus.

For The Capistrano Dispatch, Tryon wrote a regular column titled “Old San Juan” in which he gave detailed descriptions of events that happened at various city landmarks, including the 1812 earthquake that rocked The Great Stone Church and the 1942 arrival of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to San Juan’s train depot.

He was married to Mary Ellen Tryon for 58 years until her death in 2008.

According to the posting, services were held for Tryon at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19,

FRIDAY, NOV. 23 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.

TUESDAY, NOV. 27

Don Tryon, a local historian and active community member, died last week. Photo: File

Volunteers Sought for Letters to Santa Program

at the Mission Basilica. A celebration of life followed immediately at El Adobe de Capistrano.

San Juan Hills High School’s Student Newspaper Produces Bilingual Edition Student journalists at San Juan Hills High School produced a bilingual edition of their student newspaper, The Express, late last month.

It was the first time that students had produced an edition with Spanish-language content, according to the paper’s adviser, teacher Bill Kaiser.

“We kind of kicked around the idea last year, but we didn’t do it,” Kaiser said.

“This year, my students were pretty fired up to follow through with that idea.”

The front page of the paper had an article in Spanish about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement making more arrests in the first months of the Trump Administration than it had during the final months of the Obama Administration. A mirror version of that article, translated in English, was located halfway through the paper.

There was also a special section with articles written only in Spanish. Students could go to The Express’s website to see the English translations for those articles.

Lucy Law, one of two editors-in-chief for the paper, said some of the students on the newspaper staff were Spanish speakers, so they were able to write the articles in Spanish to start. Others wrote first in English and then translated their work.

Kaiser said he was proud of the work his students did.

“I think it addresses some current events that are happening right now in both English and in Spanish for our readers, and they did a terrific job,” he said.

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

The City of San Juan Capistrano’s Community Services Department is asking for adults to help with its annual “Letters to Santa” program and is asking for volunteers.

The program has volunteers read letters and holiday wish lists from children in the community, then respond with a handwritten letter “from Santa.”

A report from the City Manager’s office encourages people to participate if they’re a child at heart and have good penmanship.

Materials are provided and letters can be written from the comfort of home.

More information can be found by calling the San Juan Capistrano Community Center at 949.493.5911.

Insurance Agent Accused of Stealing Thousands A former Dana Point State Farm insurance agent allegedly stole nearly $200,000 in insurance premium payments, leaving clients without coverage. Ann Garcia, also known as Anna Nuno-Garcia, 46, of Capistrano Beach, faces 40 felony counts of grand theft.

A press release issued by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) says that while working for an independently owned State Farm agency from September 2011 to November 2014, Garcia embezzled more than 300 checks totaling $195,626 by altering, endorsing or depositing them into her personal bank accounts. These checks were for payment of the customer’s insurance premiums or were premium refunds for the policyholder.

Garcia allegedly used cash payments from some clients to purchase money orders to pay premiums for other clients and set up policyholders on unauthorized State Farm installment payment plans. Victims

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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.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 Eat, Move, Grow – Healthy Living 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Mission Hospital Wellness Corner will be sharing tips on how to live happier and healthier at the San Juan Capistrano Regional Library as part of a free program supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

TUESDAY, DEC. 4 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, DEC. 7 The next edition of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

included extended family members and elderly State Farm customers.

Garcia was arraigned on Nov. 5 at the Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana. Bail was set at $20,000. This case was handled by CDI’s Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Garcia’s license expired in April 2018 for failure to renew.

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

EYE ON SJC

Photo: Courtesy of Reflections Photography

St. Nick Arrives

Mission San Juan Capistrano to celebrate first-ever tree lighting on Dec. 1.

BY ALEX GROVES, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

M

ission San Juan Capistrano has long celebrated the arrival of the holiday season with its Christmas at The Mission event, offering visitors the chance to enjoy music and fun activities.

That tradition continues this year on Dec. 1, but with a new offering: for the first time ever, The Mission will light its new, 30-foot-tall Christmas tree with a bevy of colorful LED lights.

The lighting, which The Mission hopes to make an annual tradition, will usher in 36 days of tree lighting and holiday experiences for the public through Jan. 6, 2019.

As part of what Mission San Juan Capistrano Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams called a “reconfiguration and reimagining” of the event, Mission San Juan Capistrano is doing away with snow for this year’s event. The white fluffy stuff covered the Mission for visitors to play in during the past three events.

But Lawrence Adams noted that there will be plenty of other fun to be had during this year’s event, which will feature Mariachi music, a choir, food, sweet treats and more.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Visitors who have procured tickets for the event will receive a faux candle to place at the base of the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, which is also the site of the new Christmas tree.

As they wait for the tree lighting ceremony to begin at 7 p.m., visitors will be able to see live performances in the Central Courtyard that include Dickens-era carol-

ers, an orchestra and Mariachis playing “Merry-achi Music of the Season.”

They’ll be able to enjoy tamales from Los Golondrinas and sweet baked goods from 3:16 Bakery Shop. Though there won’t be snow on the ground, snow cones —one of the offerings—will be a symbolic stand-in, according to Lawrence Adams.

Children will be able to decorate a holiday cookie with Mrs. Claus and take selfies with Father Christmas in the historic Sala.

They will also be able to write holiday messages on Mission postcards to be mailed to service men and women who are away from their families.

The actual tree lighting ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. with Monsignor J. Michael McKiernan of The Mission reading “The First Christmas.”

After that, music will ring out across the ruins of The Great Stone Church.

“There’ll be three songs that play and after those three songs, the tree will light,” Lawrence Adams said. She noted the lighting will be followed by historic bell ringing.

Roughly 2,500 people are expected to attend the tree lighting this year and tickets are already sold out. However, there are still plenty of chances to see the gargantuan tree.

A Daily Christmas Tree Lighting Christmas at The Mission kicks of Capistrano Lights 2018: A nightly tree lighting from Dec. 2 until Jan. 6.

Visitors who purchase a general admission ticket and who are on the Mission

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

grounds before 5 p.m. will get to see a 15-minute music and light program as part of their visit.

“We’re ending all of our programming on January 6 because that’s the Epiphany and that’s the end of the Christmas season in the Catholic faith tradition,” she said.

As they make their way out of the Mission, those visitors will be given a complimentary downtown San Juan Capistrano map.

Lawrence Adams said she hopes that people will stay in town following their Mission visit and use the map to explore the historic downtown heritage tourism district with its array of shopping, dining and wine tasting options.

What The Mission Will Look Like Lawrence Adams said the Christmas Tree this year will be decked out in colored LED lighting with a star on top, but no ornaments. That may change in future years.

“Over the next few years, we will begin to add ornaments to the tree, so the tree will grow into its look,” she said.

As guests enter The Mission, the front courtyard will be decked out entirely in white lights. As guests make their way to the central courtyard, the lights will be in different colors.

Lawrence Adams said the reason for that is to take visitors from “a heavenly experience to a festive celebratory experience.”

Also in the Central Courtyard will be a 10-foot LED-lit wreath that will be in the courtyard from Dec. 1 through Jan. 6.

Guests will be able to take selfies in front of the brightly lit wreath.

The Takeaway Lawrence Adams said that one of her favorite parts of having a Christmas Celebration at The Mission is seeing families

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from all different backgrounds and faith traditions come together and enjoy the beauty of the architecture and take in the meaning of San Juan Capistrano as a place.

“We exceed their expectations this night,” she said. “They are surprised by how beautiful everything is, and it’s just so well-worth their visit.”

Lawrence Adams noted that Christmas at The Mission is not the only holiday-themed event on Dec. 1 and encouraged visitors to also head to the Christmas Tree Lighting at The Historic Town Center Park at 4 p.m.

That annual event, which Lawrence Adams started when she planted the park’s live pine tree roughly two decades ago as an employee of the city, features musical entertainment and a variety of holidaythemed activities.

The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with preshow entertainment that will be followed by a holiday production from Musical Theater University students. The tree lighting begins at 5:45 p.m.

During the event, families can enjoy a variety of activities that include photos with Santa, a “trackless” train ride through Los Rios Park and a puppet show.

Shuttle and trolley services will be offered.

The city shuttle will pick up visitors from the JSerra Catholic High School and South Coast Church on Avenida Los Cerritos.

Lawrence Adams recommended checking out the event before heading to the Mission for those who have tickets for the Christmas event.

For those who don’t have tickets, she recommended checking out the tree lighting in the park on Dec. 1 and coming to The Mission on one of the following nights for Capistrano lights.

“We want to make sure our residents take part in everything,” she said. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor CAPISTRANO DISPATCH SHOULD RETHINK ITS LETTERS POLICY —RON BACON, San Juan Capistrano In the Nov. 9-22, 2018 edition, only two letters were published and they concerned national issues and took decidedly partisan positions without rebuttal (I understand that these were the only two letters received prior to this edition going to press).

I believe that you’d be better off printing no letters or soliciting counterbalancing opinions than publishing in such a lopsided way. I propose that you make and clearly state a policy decision that “Letters” are to be local in nature and concerning how residents of SJC and CA might work cooperatively on issues that don’t divide us (at least not as much).

The two letters appear to be an effort to portray those opposed to the Obama-era EPA rulings and to the U.N. IPCC’s position as “anti-science,” which is in and of itself dishonest and non-scientific. Given that only about 7 million Californians voted for governor out of a population of about 39 million, it would be interesting to know what percentage of SJC voters participated in this past election.

That would be noteworthy and could be the basis of non-partisan reporting about voter behaviors and possible attitudes.

If SJC residents’ voting patterns reflect those of the state, I’m interested in helping to educate and encourage my fellow townspeople so that we don’t fall prey to the thought that our votes really don’t matter anymore.

Although encouraged to write a rebuttal to the letters, I’d prefer to not get into a discussion regarding the man-made global

warming hoax or the endangered species act as neither is something that gets decided on a local level. Instead, I’d prefer to see a change in the topics of conversation in the Dispatch Letters section. I hope to see The Capistrano Dispatch make every effort to fulfill its commitment to what’s looking like the lost art of unbiased reporting, at least on a national level.

STOPPING VIOLENCE BEGINS WITH LEADERSHIP

of those residents are children and young adults that enjoy skateboarding and roller skating. The San Juan Capistrano Skate Park Coalition is looking forward to the continued support from the city and now, we are asking for the much-needed involvement from all of our councilmembers.

Thank you for helping us move toward a bright future for the skate park and the youth of San Juan.

KAVANAUGH WAS A POOR CHOICE

—RON HERBERT, San Clemente

—MURRAY MARGOLIS, DANA POINT

Our lawmakers need to address the all-too-common occurrence of violence in this country. I suggest we begin with a comprehensive PTSD care program, not just for veterans but for anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. I suggest this care should be of no cost to the person in need. Secondly, common-sense gun laws should be enacted. I feel this can be done while still respecting the Second Amendment if our lawmakers stop acceding to the demands of the NRA and if the public would stop the vitriol and begin thinking of what is best for our country and not just themselves individually. The secret, just like everything in life, is compromise. Someone in our federal government needs to develop the courage to lead the way. That person, if he or she can be found, will be revered as a national hero. It is our only hope.

The Capistrano Dispatch in October ran a letter supportive of Judge Kavanaugh, and critical of those who opposed him. I thought that was a strange letter for our small city paper, but thought it required a respectful response.

Kavanaugh was never exonerated for allegedly assaulting two young women.

He was confirmed to the Supreme Court by the slimmest of margins on a near 100 percent partisan vote. The most recent poll shows 50 percent of Americans don’t believe Kavanaugh. It is a higher percentage if you only include women.

I discussed this with very conservative women. They thought that it is possible that he assaulted those women, but it did not matter. It was a long time ago, he was very young, he was heavily intoxicated, and boys will be boys. I can live with that.

I was unhappy that Kavanaugh would never man-up. On FOX, he described his younger days as a choirboy and a virgin.

In the Senate interview, he blamed all his boorish behavior on the Democratic Party, and came off as a political hack, not a highly respected judge.

I feel sorry for Kavanaugh’s family, but I feel worse for the families of those women he was accused of assaulting.

The Republicans won the election and have every right to choose the most conservative of judges. I have been told that there are many highly respected judges that fit the bill. I think Kavanaugh was a very poor choice.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SKATE PARK COALITION CONGRATULATES CITY COUNCIL VICTORS —PETER CAREY, San Juan Capistrano The San Juan Capistrano Skate Park Coalition wants to congratulate our newly elected San Juan Capistrano City Council members Troy Bourne, Derek Reeve and John Taylor. You will be critical to accomplishing many wonderful opportunities for SJC. Thank you for your willingness to serve our city and its residents. Many

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to agroves@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.

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 CITY EDITOR Alex Groves, 949.388.7700, x108 agroves@thecapistranodispatch.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Debra Wells, 949.388.7700, x104 dwells@thecapistranodispatch.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 PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

EDITORIAL

Real Estate Sales Executive > Jennifer Guy

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Alex Groves

ART/DESIGN

City Reporter, DP Times > Lillian Boyd

Art Director > Jasmine Smith

City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

OPERATIONS

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho Copy Editor > Randall Youngman ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

Finance Director > Mike Reed General Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Tim Trent

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 16, Issue 22. 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.

Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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Boat Rides with Santa

Holiday Happenings FRIDAY, NOV. 23

A Charlie Brown ChristmaS AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE 8 p.m. Catch opening night of this classic at Camino Real Playhouse that has Charlie Brown and his pals Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and other members of the Peanuts gang do a play, save a tree and find out what the true meaning of Christmas is. Charles M. Schulz’s Emmy and Peabody awardwinning story has warmed the hearts of audiences for more than 50 years.

The play will run through Dec. 22 and regular tickets are $27. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org SATURDAY, NOV. 24

Small Business Saturday IN SAN CLEMENTE 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Take a stroll along Avenida Del Mar and get some holiday shopping done while supporting Downtown San Clemente’s bevy of local businesses for Small Business Saturday. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. www.villagesanclemente.org.

TUESDAY, NOV. 27

2018 Marbella Country Club Annual Holiday Boutique 12-8 p.m. Spend a day shopping for unique, one-of-a-kind items from small business owners, then sit down for a lunch buffet that includes such offerings as a holiday pear salad, rosemary chicken breast and marinated tri tip. A fashion show will commence at 1 p.m. Prizes will be given out throughout the day. Tickets for the lunch buffet are $35 and go to support Saddleback Valley Christian School. 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. 949.248.3700. www.marbellacc.net SATURDAY, DEC. 1

‘Santa Paws’ Photos 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bring your furry, fourlegged companion with you to get some pictures with Santa Claus. Pictures will be taken in the El Torito Courtyard. Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point. 949.923.2255. www.danapointharbor.com

10 a.m.–2 p.m. Head down to the Dana Wharf Docks for a free boat ride with Santa. No reservation is necessary. Boat rides will happen at the same time on Dec. 2 as well. Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point.

949.923.2255. www.danapointharbor.com

City of San Juan Capistrano Christmas Celebration 4-5:45 p.m. Head to the Historic Town Center Park for an evening of entertainment and a Christmas tree lighting. Free parking and event shuttle service is available.

31872 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.5911. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

A Christmas Concert 4 p.m. Enjoy music of the Christmas season at San Clemente Presbyterian Church with a concert featuring a chamber orchestra, Christmas choir, children’s choir, hand bells and a worship band. Shop a gift fair afterward. 119 Avenida De La Estrella, San Clemente. 949.492.6158. www.scpres.org.

Christmas at The Mission 5:30-8 p.m. Join Mission San Juan Capistrano for its first-ever Christmas tree lighting.

Las Golondrinas restaurant will be serving savory tamales and 3:16 Bakery will be serving hot cocoa and sweet treats. Tickets are $7. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com

Winter Festival and Tree Lighting 12-5:30 p.m. Head to La Plaza Park in Dana Point for holiday activities including carnival games, a craft fair, face painting, a petting zoo, a Lego Santa’s Village Workshop and more. The annual tree lighting will take place at 5:15 p.m. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be served. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point.

949.248.3536. www.danapoint.org.

Christmas at The Casa 5-7:30 p.m. See Casa Romantica decorated for the holidays during this free open house event, which will feature live music, choral groups, kids’ crafts, refreshments, a talking tree and the jolly man himself – Santa Claus. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org

Puttin’ on the Glitz 5-8 p.m. Head to downtown San Clemente for an evening of shopping, dining and visit with Santa Claus and holiday carolers. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. www.villagesanclemente.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 2

Merry Monarch – A Festive Tree Lighting 3-5:45 p.m. Enjoy musical performances put on by students, cocoa and cookies and visits with Santa Claus at this Monarch Beach Resort event. The evening will conclude with the official lighting of a holiday tree presented by Ellen K of radio station KOST. Proceeds from the event go to support The Care Foundation, which raises funds for local schools. Ticket options begin at $10.

One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. www.monarchbeachresort.com

Holiday Lights Viewing Party

Holiday Happenings continued

SUNDAY, DEC. 2

Yappy Howl-iday Celebration 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Canines will have a great time at this holiday-themed “yappy hour” at The Ritz Carlton, which will have them lapping up meat or vegan-flavored libations while their human companions enjoy wine, beer or a cocktail. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point.

949.240.2000. www.ritzcarlton.com.

Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano 5 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano will be having a nightly tree lighting each night from Dec. 2 through Jan. 6, 2019. Visitors must be on the grounds before 5 p.m. to enjoy the lighting experience. Tree lighting will not take place Dec. 24, 25 and 31. $7 for children and $10 for adults. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5

Tree Lighting at Pines Park 4-6 p.m. Head to Pines Park at Capistrano Beach for free family activities, hot chocolate, cookies and tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.

34941 Camino Capistrano, Dana Point.

949.248.3502. www.danapoint.org.

FRIDAY, DEC. 7

The Nutcracker at Casa Romantica 7-8 p.m. See the holiday classic The Nutcracker performed by the Orange County Ballet Theater in the cozy Main Salon of the Casa. Tickets are $40. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org

Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights 7:30 p.m. Boaters will decorate their boats to vie for awards and light up the harbor with a parade. Event also happens at the same time on the Dec. 8, 14 and 15. People can watch the parade for free anywhere in the harbor or make reservations to view it from one of the nearby restaurants. Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point. 949.923.2255. www.danapointharbor.com

Take a Santa Selfie 4:30-7:30 p.m. Bring your your cameras to the Dana Point Harbor to get a selfie with Santa. The event will also take place on Dec. 8, 14 and 15. Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point.

949.923.2255. www.danapointharbor.com

6:30-9 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute for hot cocoa (bring your own mug), gold panning, country line dancing and other activities as part of their annual viewing party for the Dana Point Harbor Drive Boat Parade of Lights. Tickets for the party are $15. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org FRIDAY, DEC. 14

2nd Annual Holiday Concert 7:30 p.m. The Dana Pointy Symphony will be having its second annual Holiday Concert.

Guests will be able to hear a number of classic holiday hits during the concert, not only from the symphony itself, but also from the Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church Choir.

Tickets are $25 general admission and $20 for seniors, students younger than 18 and active military. www. danapointsymphony. com. 33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point.

SATURDAY, DEC. 15

Gingerbread House Making 10-11 a.m. Have your kiddos experience some old-timey holiday magic at Casa Romantica by having them make ginger bread houses using gingerbread, frosting and candy. Event is free. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 16

Gingerbread House and Holiday Cookie Decorating 2-4 p.m. Get your family together at The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel to make gingerbread houses and holiday cookies.

Children can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate. Other drinks are available for purchase. The cost is $175 per Gingerbread House. Call to reserve your space. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. www.ritzcarlton.com THURSDAY, DEC. 20

Christmas Bird Counting at The Reserve 8 -11 a.m. Head to The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo and participate in the annual Audubon Christmas bird count. More than 80 species of birds have been seen at The Reserve in previous years. Participants are encouraged to visit Audubon’s website to learn more about the event, one of the oldest “citizen science” events in the country.

28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org MONDAY, DEC. 31. – JAN. 1

New Year’s at San Juan Hills Golf Club 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Ring in the New Year at San Juan Hills Golf Club with a DJ and a special guest band. The event will feature tapas, appetizer stations and a Champagne toast.

Guests will be able to take home a souvenir photo from a New Year’s-themed photo experience. Tickets are $100. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1167. www.sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

Cool PIcks: gift ideas for everyone on your list

Stone Skulls – Sold Separately

Award Winning Salon Book your Holiday Appts now

Malachite – 1 ¾” x 1 1/8” • Pyrite – 2” x 7/8” Chevron Amethyst – 2” x 1 ¼” • Sodalite – 3” x 5 ¾”

Brush Salon 31770 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano • 949.496.8800 brushsalon.com

Designs By Nature 400 South El Camino Real, A San Clemente • 949.498.8358 designsbynature.com

Wine Tasting Gift Certificates & Bottles 10% off wine bottles to go

Audio-Technica Turntable

Also Offering Craft Beer and food

Five Vines Wine Bar 31761 Camino Capistrano, Ste. 11 San Juan Capistrano • 949.800.9145 fivevineswinebar.com

$40.00-$1250.00

AT-LP60 turntable

$99.99

Moldy Toes Records 217 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.444.8275 facebook.com/moldytoesrecords

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List What’s going on in and around town

COMPILED BY STAFF

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

Saturday | 24 ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR 10 a.m. Take a walk through 200 years of San Juan Capistrano architecture as part of a 90-minute Architectural Walking Tour put on by nonprofit group The Friends of the Library. Participants will see adobes, Spanish-era homes and modern architecture. Tour must be scheduled ahead of time by calling 949.489.0736.

Tour group meets at the train depot on Verdugo Street in San Juan Capistrano.

DANA POINT HARBOR TOUR 2:30 p.m. Learn more about the Dana Point Harbor, its ecology and its history on this family-friendly cruise. Cruise will go over such historical developments as Richard Henry Dana’s visit in the 1830s and the harbor’s rise as a well-known surf spot. Tickets for the cruise are $25 for adults and $10 for children. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org

Monday | 26 COUNTRY DANCING AND ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR 6-10:30 p.m. Stop by the Swallow’s Inn for country dancing with DJ Patrick and a happy hour that lasts all day. Enjoy a steak dinner for $13 when you are finished with the dance floor. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

Wednesday | 28 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO RESIDENT APPRECIATION DAYS AT THE MISSION 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Every Wednesday, San Juan Capistrano residents receive free admission to Mission San Juan Capistrano with a $10 purchase made in the Mission store. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano.

For more information, go to www.missionsjc.com or call 949.234.1300.

EDITOR’S PICK Visitors to The Coach House will be able to hear Lynyrd Skynyrd hits when band Simple Man takes the stage. Photo: Courtesy of The Coach House

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24: SIMPLE MAN LIVE AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Head to The Coach House to hear some soulful Southern-style rock performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band Simple Man. The band is known for emulating Ronnie Van Zant’s profound and powerful vocals. It will be performing some of the hits that put Lynyrd Skynyrd on the map, including Simple Man, Sweet Home Alabama and Tuesday’s Gone. Tickets are $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. www.thecoachhouse.com.

Thursday | 29 LOS RIOS PARK GARDEN ANGELS MEETING 8:30-10:30 a.m. Join Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens volunteers, students and teachers at Los Rios Park in San Juan Capistrano. Help care for and maintain native plants and butterflies while enjoying a little dirt therapy and friendship.

31790 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano. 949.606.6386. www.goinnative.net.

Saturday | 01 GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. An Orange County Parks Ranger will be your guide for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park. Parking is $5, the hike is free. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com.

Sunday | 02 NATIVE AMERICAN STORYTELLING 1-2 p.m. Join Jacque Tahuka Nunez, an Acjachemen descendant and cultural storyteller on 1st Sundays of the month at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Jacque

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

will lead a dynamic cultural presentation describing the lifestyle of the Acjachemen Nation, Orange County’s first people.

Corral Quad Central Courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano. For more information, go to www.missionsjc.com or call 949.234.1300.

reserve’s website. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

Tuesday | 04

BEND & BREW 11 a.m.–12 p.m. This is a one-hour yoga class, followed by a pint of beer. It’s a great way to get to know your local fellow yogis and beer drinkers. $10 entry. Left Coast Brewing Co., 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.2699. www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

TACO TUESDAY AT SWALLOWS INN 5 p.m.-12 a.m. The Swallows Inn will be offering food and drink specials in honor of Taco Tuesday. Enjoy $2 Macho Tacos, $2 Bud Light on draft and $2 drink specials. DJ Bait will be providing musical entertainment throughout the night.

31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

Monday | 03

Wednesday | 05

TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING 7:30.-9:30 a.m. Start off the week by helping to keep the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo clean while enjoying a pleasant walk through nature. Participants in this exercise will get to spend two hours cleaning up the trails that go through oak woodlands and grasslands. Drinks, snacks, gloves and tools will be provided, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own work gloves if they have them. Event is free, but participants must RSVP on the

YOGA BUNGALOW AT SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO REGIONAL LIBRARY 5:30-6:30 p.m. Enjoy a free yoga session at the San Juan Capistrano Regional Library. No experience needed; no reservations required. Everyone is welcome.

Reduce tension in the body and calm the mind. All poses and movements are accessible and chair adaptable. This is part of the Eat. Move. Grow. Healthy Living Series. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

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www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

At the Movies: ‘Widows’ Steals the Show

ON THE MENU

BY ALEX GROVES, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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or the past 10 years, filmmaker Steve McQueen (not to be confused with the old Hollywood star) has proven himself to be versatile. Beginning with the dark character studies of Hunger (2008) and Shame (2011) with Michael Fassbender, to Chiwetel Ejiofor’s traumatic journey in 12 Years a Slave (2013), to now Widows, currently in theaters, McQueen is 4-for-4.

In modern-day Chicago, four women are in over their heads, faced with the fact that all of their husbands led lives of crime and acquired debt. Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis), Linda Perelli (Michelle Rodriguez), Alice Gunner (Elizabeth Debicki) and Amanda Nunn (Carrie Coon) are all now widowed and on the verge of being blackmailed by their murdered spouses’ enemies. Veronica has a plan to get revenge and conspire to start life all over. Amanda chooses to sit it out,

CATFISH PO’ BOY

Photo: Courtesy of Suzanne Tenner/20th Century Fox Film Corp.

while single mom Belle (Cynthia Erivo) is up for the challenge.

The actresses of Widows are backed by some seriously stellar casting: Liam Neeson, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell and Daniel Kaluuya all have roles. Considering the weight of a movie with this many characters, this could have easily been bloated, cliché and confusing. But McQueen was smart and got Gillian Flynn of Gone Girl (2014) and Sharp Objects (2018) to co-write the script. Flynn has a knack for giving her stories enough twists and turns to success. The characters just keep getting better and better by the end. Of all the fine performances, Debicki and Erivo are the big standouts here. This Thanksgiving weekend, Widows is a watch for the grown-up viewers. CD

ad to the Bone BBQ, located in a strip mall off Rancho Viejo Road, is known for its selection of ribs, brisket, chicken and other cuts of meat that are delicious when slathered with just the right amount of barbecue sauce.

At a restaurant that locals pack for barbecue, it may seem a little counterintuitive to order fried fish, but Bad to the Bone’s catfish po’ boy makes for a hearty and ultimately enjoyable meal.

The fresh, flaky and buttery catfish is breaded and topped with such ingredients as iceberg lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce on a crispy French roll.

Sandwiches at the restaurant come with the choice of one classic side or a premium side for just $1 more. Some of the classic sides are ranch beans, French fries, potato salad and cornbread; premium sides include sweet potato fries, beer battered onion rings and cheddar and corn hush puppies.

The accompanying French fries were crisp and hot and were the perfect pairing to the

Catfish Po’ Boy from Bad to the Bone BBQ. Photo: Alex Groves

deliciously simple sandwich.

Bad to the Bone BBQ is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. CD Bad to the Bone BBQ 31738 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano 949.218.0227 www.badtothebone-bbq.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

Having a Sling in Singapore before Noon

I

never drink alcohol before noon, and the thought of drinking something stronger than beer or wine before that time is even more unfathomable.

And the thought of my partner, Greta, sitting on a barstool next to me also having an adult beverage before noon just doesn’t fly. She barely drinks at all.

Maybe I had illusions of being Ernest Hemingway, writing a scene for a novel, just as he did when he frequented the very bar where Greta and I were seated.

A little background is in order. When Greta and I booked the 82-day cruise we are on, she circled Nov. 11, my birthday, on her calendar, noting that the ship would be docked in Singapore on that day.

Greta had been in Singapore twice in the early 1980s and had become familiar with the famous Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel.

Writers such as Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling, and W. Somerset Maugham used to drink and write there.

In 1915, a bartender at the Long Bar named Ngiam Tong Boon invented the Singapore Sling, a gin-based cocktail that has become famous the world over.

Greta circled the calendar because she thought it would be special to take me, a writer and columnist, to the Raffles Hotel Long Bar for a drink on my special day.

But, not long after setting sail, we heard that the famed Raffles Hotel was closed, undergoing a major renovation. Her plan

to treat me to a Singapore Sling in the very bar where it was invented was dashed.

But then we heard in a presentation by the ship’s Cruise Guide, Ian Page, that, while the Raffles Hotel was indeed closed, the Long Bar was open.

So, on that Sunday morning, Nov. 11, after attending a moving Armistice Day Memorial Wreath Service aboard ship, Greta and I ventured into Singapore. I had mastered the Singapore MTR subway system the day before so getting there in this city of eight million people was a snap.

We both had subway Tourist Guest Passes, which meant we could get on and off the trains as often as we wanted. The cost was about $7 each for the day.

Our first stop was to visit the famous Merlion statue, a 27-foot-tall, 70-ton historic landmark featuring a lion’s head and fish-like body with water spewing from its mouth into the SinON LIFE AND gapore River. It is the LOVE AFTER 50 symbol of Singapore.

By Tom Blake And then we relaxed in the Courtyard of the Fullerton Hotel, a gorgeous building located close to the Merlion. There were six McLaren sports cars parked at the hotel, including a yellowcolored one. The owner was standing next to it; he said the car had a mere 750-horsepower engine and retailed at $750,000.

Next, we made our way to the shuttered Raffles Hotel and followed the signs to the Long Bar. And as if on cue, whom do we run into there? Tour Guide Ian, who was taking pictures for the travel presentations he does on board.

Because it was early, we were able to score two seats at the bar itself—something that’s hard to do because that is the

“in” place to sit. There is a burlap bag of peanuts on the bar top in front of each bar stool; it’s a tradition at the Long Bar to toss your peanut shells on the floor.

Bartender Jonathan whipped up a couple of Singapore Slings for us. The time on the clock behind the bar was 11:55 a.m.

Was it worth the tourist-driven, $26 price tag for each Sling?

For a once-in-a-lifetime stop at the Long Bar in Singapore, for its famed namesake cocktail—yes, it was.

There we were, each having a Singapore Sling before noon on my birthday—you only

live once. Greta was thrilled. Her plan to treat me in Singapore had materialized, after all.

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

even-year-old Molly is a happy German Shepherd mix that is looking for her forever home. She has a sweet personality and loves being active outdoors. Molly is potty-trained and would make a great companion for family members of any age.

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

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

The Capistrano Dispatch regularly publishes historical photos as part of our From the Archives feature in print and online. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to agroves@picketfencemedia.com.

Last week’s solution:

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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

FROM THE ARCHIVES Along the road near San Juan Capistrano, 1921.

Sudoku

Pet of the Week: Molly

S

Photo: Courtesy of the Orange County Archives

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

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See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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 APPLY TO BECOME A MENTOR WITH BREAKTHROUGH SJC’S COLLEGE MENTOR PROGRAM! Breakthrough SJC, a local nonprofit that supports students from middle school through college graduation, is seeking community members to serve as mentors for its College Mentor Program. Mentors are paired with Breakthrough’s high school juniors, and are trained to assist and advocate for students through the college application process. Each year, we are grateful to have mentors develop strong relationships with students, and we value the enthusiasm and commitment that they bring to this work.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor for 2019-2020, please access our application on breakthroughsjc.org/mentor. For more information, contact Alex Serna at alex.serna@smes.org, or 949.661.0108, ex. 1322.

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

OBITUARY

Don Tryon Don was born and lived most of his life in California, working primarily in the oil industry and raising a family. In retirement, he and his late wife, Mary Tryon, moved to San Juan Capistrano where they became active with the Historical Society, Mission Archeological team, and Fiesta Association. From about 1990-2015, Don was the Archivist for the Historical Society, preserving the photographic legacy of San Juan Capistrano. During his tenure, the collection grew to over 9,000 photos.

Don also served as a Cultural Heritage Commissioner, served on the County Historic Commission, was a Kiwanis, a long time Chamber of Commerce member, and was a writer of historic facts and stories for various local newspapers. Don was selected as the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce 1999 Man of the Year and was commended in 2000 by the California Legislature for his exemplary record of civic leadership. Don is survived by his wife since 2009, Penny, by his children Gail and Michael, and four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the San Juan Historical Society Building Fund, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

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

Page 20

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SJC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Dirt Therapy by Marianne Taylor

Falling in Love with Fall

I

don’t know the precise moment when it happens, but when it does, your senses are taken by surprise. There is an unspoken feeling in the air, and a collision of brilliant colors in the landscape seizing your attention. You have a subtle lag in your pace and can give yourself permission to enjoy some quiet solitude. The golden hues of the afternoon are great for a nap.

Shorter warm days and longer cold nights create an atmosphere so dry and crisp you inhale the many bold aromas of savory sages while exhaling the day’s stress and tension.

Surprise! It’s intoxicating fall!

Fall embodies the transition from the heat and hustle of summer to a season of gathering and rest before winter sets. I am in love with fall, my favorite season. Fall transforms my soul to a reflective state of mind, slowing my pace down to enjoy the bounty and abundance of the season.

Maybe that’s why the Pilgrims chose November to celebrate gratitude while gathering with the Native Americans.

Fall in the garden brings many surprises. It gives us the permission to slow down. It allows us an opportunity to be creative and bring the outdoors, indoors.

Take a stroll around and see what attracts your senses. Grab the kids and let them assist in finding crooked branches, berries, leaves or the last blooms of the season. There are hidden treasures in the autumn garden to be found, connection in nature and time with yourself.

It’s hard to peel me out of my garden on days like these. My garden is bursting

with colorful native plants and butterflies dancing. I can count on these plants to perform when it’s time for me to craft a natural centerpiece for my holiday table.

For a centerpiece, I purchase a block of florist foam oasis from the Dollar store and add twigs, branches, flowers, leaves and any other natural discoveries.

Arranging is an informal process. Once finished, I place the centerpiece on a decorative table runner or large charger plate. No DIRT THERAPY

By Marrianne watering is required on eiTaylor ther project. This is a fun project to do together with your children or grandchildren. It’s time well spent together, and the byproduct is conversation, connection and lasting memories.

I love making a wreath that will last a while and smell good, too. I gather a variety of twigs, Toyon berries, Eucalyptus leaves, Buckwheat, Oregon Grape and seed pods from Lion’s Tail to form a welcome door wreath. It’s a simple and inexpensive project.

I use a grapevine wreath as the foundation and hot-glue each item onto the grapevine, spray-paint either silver or gold the seed pods from the Lion’s Tail. Arranged in an informal way, the wreath has an orderly look of nature on the door.

Your landscape might not have California native plants, but your garden is exploding with a variety of colorful berries, branches or blooms. Use what garden

treasures you find and let your creative juices flow. You can’t go wrong in nature. If you don’t have a garden but would like to explore and create a natural bouquet, get out on the many trails in Orange County and see what you will find along the trails.

For up-and-coming gardeners to California native planters, fall is the season through February to plant in your landscape. The winter rains help establish their root systems. Native plants have many benefits: less water once established, homes to endless pollinators, seasonal color, clean air and less garden maintenance. Natives have different bloom seasons; the native plants listed below are what I used in my wreath producing annual colorful berries or branches in fall and winter.

California Native Plants with Fall Bloom: • Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon or Christmas Berry) has great big clusters of red berries in winter. These berries are not very toxic.

• Platanus racemosa (California Sycamore) can have leaf color in fall that will be yellow one year, almost red other years.

• Aristolochia californica (California Pipevine) flowers in late winter.

My favorite butterfly plant that resides by the restroom at the Los Rios Park.

• Arctostaphylos glauca (‘Ramona’ Big Berry Manzanita). Use branches for curvy shape, color or berries.

• Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape) can be a very good in contrast in a native garden.

• Eriogonum fasciculatum foliolosum (California Buckwheat) holds its flowers all winter.

• Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Rabbitbrush) Aster chilensis (California Aster), and Zauschneria latifolia johnstonii (Bush California Fuchsia) are three plants that have great fall color. These are commonly in flower until February.

• Acer circinatum (Vine Maple) has fall or early winter leaf color, just before the leaves fall off.

• Leonotis leonurus (Lion’s Tail Flowers) from late spring through fall appear as the fuzzy orange curved tubular flowers. When petals drop, round seed pods remain.

You can find these native plants at Tree of Life Nursery. Owners Jeff Bohn and Mike Evans have been in business since 1976. Check out their array of California native plants. In-house designers will help you create a native garden, ready for bloom by next fall. A native garden provides a place to sit and ponder, creating your very own rest stop. Happy gardening.

Marianne Taylor, of San Juan Capistrano, is the founder and executive director of Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens, a 501(c)(3) teaching gardening and life skills as a way of empowering, engaging and connecting people. Goin’ Native focuses on educating local families, special needs adults, seniors, at-risk youth and members of the military. 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.

GUEST OPINION: Branching Out by San Juan Capistrano Library Staff and the Friends of the Library

Make More Than Just Your Brain Healthy by Visiting the Library

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taff at the San Juan Capistrano Library are excited about their grant from the California State Library and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to support health and well-being in the San Juan Capistrano community.

Now through May 2019, as part of the EAT, MOVE, GROW: Healthy Living initiative, the library will be offering fitness classes, gardening workshops, nutrition programs and cooking demonstrations.

Fun activities have already begun, including yoga classes for preschoolers, taught by Miss Jessica from Grace + Zen,

and rejuvenating adult and teen yoga classes taught by Tam Nguyen from Yoga Bungalow.

Ricardo’s Place shared delicious recipes in a cooking demonstration at the library’s annual Dia de los Muertos celebration, and families had a wonderful time decorating pumpkins at the Pumpkin Party!

The schedule of exciting new programs continues with these upcoming events that patrons won’t want to miss.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 10:3011:30 a.m., the Mission Hospital Wellness Corner will share wellness tips for living

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

a healthier and happier life.

The following week, on Monday, December 3 at 2:30 p.m., all are invited to a Seed Potting Party. This free event needs no registration and, while limited, all supplies are provided. Arrive early to make sure you get a seat.

And don’t forget all the library’s great ongoing activities, including the fun “Read to a Dog” program every other Thursday at 3 p.m. and the Preschool Storytime on Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m. For more information about these and other events that continue to be added to the schedule, please stop by the library or

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visit www.ocpl.org.

The “Branching Out” column is a collaboration between San Juan Capistrano Library staff and the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit that supports the library and its programs by raising funds through its onsite bookstore and special events. For more information on the library, visit www.ocpl. org or follow @SJCFriends on Facebook. 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.

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Steele Wins Family’s First Baja 1000

After 47 years of family racing, Cameron Steele finally wins prestigious desert race

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he Steele family has been racing in Baja California for 47 years.

Family patriarch Mark Steele began racing in Baja in 1971. Cameron Steele, Mark’s son, began racing in 1985 and started racing trophy trucks in 2005.

Mark, Cameron, Cameron’s wife and Cameron’s brother had all won their classes at the prestigious Baja 1000, but no Steele truck had ever been the fastest in the Baja 1000 as of Mark’s passing in July. That changed last weekend.

Cameron Steele, based in San Juan Capistrano, crossed the finish line first in Ensenada and completed the 806.76-mile race in 16 hours, 24 minutes and 2 seconds to claim the overall four-wheel vehicle and SCORE Trophy Truck race victories in the 51st SCORE Baja 1000.

“I don’t really know how it feels,” Steele said. “It’s crazy. Your brain can’t process it.

You put so much into it. It’s kind of hard to fathom. It’s huge to put the Steele name and Desert Assassins on the board.”

The Baja 1000 is the longest continuously held desert race in the world and the final of

Clockwise from left. Cameron Steele’s Monster Energy Desert Assassins Ford Raptor built by Geiser Bros. launches on the course of the Baja 1000 last week in Mexico.

Photo Courtesy of Baja HQ. Cameron Steele (center) celebrates his win at the 51st SCORE Baja 1000 in Ensenada. Steele won the overall four-wheel vehicle and SCORE Trophy Truck races. Photo Courtesy of Baja HQ. Cameron Steele kicks up dirt on the Baja 1000 course last week in Mexico. Photo: GETSOMEphoto

four races in the SCORE Desert World Championship. Steele and his team didn’t take the overall championship, but winning the Baja 1000 alone is more than enough for Steele.

“Nothing compares,” Steele said. “In name recognition, right there with Indy 500, Daytona 500. It’s true for our series that it’s all about the Baja 1000.”

Steele, owner of the Baja HQ off-road shop in San Juan Capistrano, split the driving duties on the Monster Energy Desert Assassins Ford Raptor built by Geiser Bros. with Pat Dean of Las Vegas. Dean drove through mile 538, and Steele finished it off to claim his second career SCORE Trophy

On the Run St. Margaret’s sweeps CIF-SS cross country titles, JSerra qualifies for State

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

G

oing into the postseason, the St. Margaret’s cross country teams were both ranked No. 1 in their respective Division 5 polls and had been in or near the top spot all season.

The Tartans left no doubt about those rankings on Nov. 17.

St. Margaret’s completed its first-ever cross country championship sweep with the Tartans boys claiming their first CIF-SS championship since 2012 and the Tartan girls earning their first title in school his-

The St. Margaret’s cross country program earned its first CIF-SS title sweep as the boys won their Division 5 title and the girls won their first in school history. Photo Courtesy of St. Margaret’s

tory at the CIF-SS Finals at the Riverside Cross Country Course.

JSerra’s boys took home team and individual silvers, and the Lions’ girls also qualified for the State championships to round out the San Juan Capistrano contingent.

The State Championships will be run on Nov. 24 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

On the boys side, St. Margaret’s domi-

The Capistrano Dispatch November 23-December 6, 2018

Truck win and second consecutive after winning September’s Tijuana race.

The heart was in it for Steele maybe more than most, as he rode with the ashes of his father, Mark, firmly secured in the back seat.

“I felt like I got it done for my dad,” Steele said. “I just felt this calm feeling the whole day as long as we did our best, no one would beat us. Maybe it was dad there; I’m not sure what it was.”

Being calm is important over a lengthy race where problems are sure to arise.

There was a major issue early in the race at mile 140 where the truck lost its first gear

and eventually its reverse. On a day filled with slot canyons and silk sand, Steele and his team had to be extremely careful without the ability to back out of any problem.

Steele will show off his winning truck unwashed at South OC Cars and Coffee on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 9-11 a.m. at the Outlets in San Clemente.

San Juan Capistrano was well represented in the results from Baja. Luis Sandoval, Miguel Garcia and Brett Medlin all assisted on a second-place finish in Class 8. Rhys Millen took second in the Pro UTV FI class.

Ryan Millen helped on a 12th overall finish in the trophy trucks. CD

nated Division 5 with a 46-point win paced by an individual championship by sophomore Jackson Adelman.

Adelman posted his second-best, threemile time of the season to out-kick the pack by three seconds with a time of 15:31 to take the individual gold. Adelman was named First Team All-CIF. Senior Robbie Graham also ran his secondbest, three-mile time of the year to finish in 11th at 15:58 and earn Second Team All-CIF honors. Senior Christopher Chan posted a personal-best time of 16:24 to finish 20th and was named Third Team All-CIF. Senior Matthew Colglazier and sophomore Calvin Capelle finished side-by-side in 26th and 27th at 16:34.2 and 16:34.4, respectively, to fill out the Tartans’ scoring five.

Things were tighter on the girls side for St. Margaret’s, but they pulled out the team title win, 78-89, over perennial power Flintridge Prep.

Senior Andi Carnell led the Tartans with

a third-place finish and First Team All-CIF honors at 18:24. Junior Charlotte Jones also earned All-CIF honors on the third team with an 18th-place finish at 19:28.

Sophomore Claire Mullen finished in 22nd at 19:30, and senior Julia Martin and junior Shea Hueston finished back-to-back in 25th and 26th at 19:33 and 19:37, respectively, to round out the scoring five.

In Division 4, the JSerra boys posted a strong day at the top but couldn’t top a scorchingly dominant Laguna Beach run for the team title. Laguna Beach posted all five runners in the top 12 to win by 92 points.

As always, senior Peter Herold and junior Anthony Grover set the pace for the Lions. Herold took silver with a season-best 14:58, and Grover took fourth at 15:13.

Both were named First Team All-CIF. The JSerra girls took the seventh and final team State qualifying spot in Division 4. Senior Nadia Tabrizi led the Lions in 22nd at 18:36. CD

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