September 13, 2013

YO U R N O. 1 SOURCE FOR LOC A L N EWS, EV EN TS , S P O RTS A N D M O R E

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE SEPTEMBER 13-26, 2013 FOUNDED IN 2002

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 17

Fall Sports Preview Capo teams start new season with eyes on the winner’s circle S P O R T S / PAG E 2 0 San Juan Hills junior Danny Howard and the Stallions water polo team made the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2012. Photo by Pam Howard

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City Begins Appeal Process in Water Rate Lawsuit

CUSD Adjusts to New Year Under Common Core

Moments in Time: Landmark Library Celebrates 30 Years

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SJC LIVING/PAGE 18

EYE ON SJC

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE Nick Pasquale, a 20-year-old San Clemente High School graduate and walk-on football player at UCLA, was killed early Sunday morning after being struck by a car near the intersection of Camino de los Mares and Calle Nuevo. Orange County Sheriff’s Department personnel said the driver of the Mercedes-Benz that struck Pasquale called police immediately and stayed at the scene. Drug and alcohol use has been ruled out as a factor in the incident, according to authorities. An autopsy indicated Monday that Pasquale’s death was the result of blunt force trauma. The Pasquale family has asked that in lieu of flowers, those looking to reach out should support the new Nick Pasquale Foundation, which will provide scholarships to San Clemente students who exhibit the kind of determination Pasquale did. Information can be found at www.nickpasqualefoundation.com.

DANA POINT

NEWS

NEXT DOOR WH AT ’S G O I N G O N I N OU R NE I G H B O R I N G TOW N S

Howard Grobstein, the appointed trustee for Point Center Financial LLC, the bankrupt real estate firm owned by Dan Harkey, filed suit against Harkey accusing him of using a number of companies to hide Point Center assets. Harkey is a Dana Point resident and the husband of state Assemblywoman Diane Harkey. In July, investors in Point Center were awarded more than $10 million in damages after a jury found the company, and Harkey, breached their fiduciary duty and engaged in elder abuse. Grobstein’s lawsuit alleges that the real estate lender used at least two companies to divert assets from Point Center as the company was failing. Grobstein has asked the court to reverse money transfers and add the other companies to a Point Center bankruptcy filing. No trial date for the new lawsuit has been set.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

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…the Water-rate Lawsuit?

THE LATEST: The city of San Juan Capistrano has filed an appeal challenging Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregory Munoz’s August 28 ruling that found the city’s tiered water rates illegal. Meanwhile, the city will be able to continue billing customers based on that structure, despite Munoz’s determination that it should be abandoned.

Munoz’s decision sided with a lawsuit brought on by the Capistrano Taxpayers Association. The case moves onto the 4th District Court of Appeal, but both sides confirmed Wednesday that negotiations have been initiated to find a solution out of court.

“Stringing out the litigation is not good for the community and City Hall. We’re more than amenable to work this out, short of going to appeal,” said John Perry, a representative for the CTA. WHAT’S NEXT: State law prohibits courts from forcing local governments to stop collecting fees for necessary services, like water, according to attorney Michael Colantuono, the city’s representative in the case.

In a statement, the CTA urged residents to pay their water bills under protest, either with a letter or note on their checks.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story and updates, visit www.thecapistranodispatch. com. – Brian Park

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…the Library Bookstore?

THE LATEST: After eight years of fundraisThe Capistrano Dispatch September 13–26, 2013

ing and cutting through governmental red tape, the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library finally broke ground on their new bookstore Monday, September 9.

Local leaders and library supporters gathered for a ceremony in the Bland Garden, which will be reconstructed to house the new bookstore. The $327,000 project also calls for a new roof, glass door, five windows and a copper awning with signage over the entrance.

In August, the City Council approved a five-year, $60,000 loan to the Friends for the bookstore. The group had raised $287,000 for the project, but construction bids were higher than projected.

In addition to starting a fundraising campaign, the Friends said moving the to a more visible area will lead to increased sales that will help pay down the loan.

their average daily attendance. In April, district staff told its board of trustees all six high schools and two middle schools experienced at least a 10-percent drop in attendance on December 21, a week after the massacre. The state offers school districts reimbursements if emergencies result in at least a 10-percent attendance decrease.

District staff said many parents chose to keep their children home, citing rumors of an online threat at Dana Hills High School that turned out to be false, following an investigation.

Two trustees, Ellen Addonizio and Jim Reardon, voted against the waiver in April. Reardon said the waiver was being submitted under a “false premise,” since December 21 fell on the Friday before winter break. “It’s bad calendar making,” Reardon said.

WHAT’S NEXT: Mary DeMers, president of the Friends, said the bookstore is projected to open in the spring. The Friends will also begin fundraising to furnish the bookstore.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. – BP

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FIND OUT MORE: For photos from the event, visit www.thecapistranodispatch. com. – BP

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…the Sandy Hook Waiver?

THE LATEST: The California Department of Education has approved the Capistrano Unified School District’s waiver to recoup money the district said it lost due to a sharp drop in school attendance following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last year.

The waiver allows the district to keep $123,344 that was at stake. School districts receive state funding based on

…Issa’s New Office?

THE LATEST: South Orange County residents and leaders turned out in droves to welcome Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) to his new office at Dana Point’s City Hall on Tuesday, September 3.

With Issa’s 49th district saddling Camp Pendleton, he said the need for two offices became a necessity. He said his office hopes to provide veterans, active duty members of the military and their families the tools needed during deployments and thereafter.

WHAT’S NEXT: Issa encouraged citizens to utilize the location as a resource.

The office is located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 102 in Dana Point and is

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open Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment on all other days.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

– Andrea Papagianis

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…SONGS?

THE LATEST: Southern California Edison asked the California Public Utilities Commission last month to continue allowing the utility to charge ratepayers for the plant through 2020.

The CPUC Ratepayer Advocate’s office has told the body that allowing the utility to charge ratepayers for a plant that was not functioning was unreasonable.

The utility said it was required to return the investment of its shareholders in building the plant and then keeping it running. Edison spokeswoman Maureen Brown said Wednesday investors would not be receiving the same rate of return they would have anticipated if the plant had been allowed to run until the end of its license, and the company has cut costs at the plant, including eliminating jobs.

Those changes were offset, however, by increases in the cost of replacement power. Brown said rates would stay at their current levels. Edison asked for similar consideration when Unit 1 was decommissioned in 1992.

WHAT’S NEXT: Edison maintains that the cost of operating the plant over the next seven years would mostly be paid by a decommissioning trust fund. Edison’s share of the decommissioning is $3 billion.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

– Jim Shilander www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

CUSD Adapts to the Common Core New national standards mean the district will be going through an adjustment period

By Brian Park The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he first day of school is often accompanied by feelings of nervous anticipation and optimism. In recent years, budget cuts in school districts across the country have added an increasing sense of uncertainty to that mix, as education officials have been forced to tighten their purse strings while working to mitigate the effects of a recovering economy.

Now, those sentiments have been magnified further as students, teachers, parents and school administrators begin to wrap their heads around what’s considered to be the most dramatic reform to the U.S. public education system since the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001.

The Common Core is a new set of educational standards that was released in 2010 and has since been adopted in 45 states, including California, and the District of Columbia. Common Core advocates say the new standards fill gaps created by No Child Left Behind, which introduced stringent forms of student and teacher assessments but highlighted, and in some cases created, disparate standards from state to state, all in the race for federal funding.

While supporters of Common Core say it levels the playing field for students across the country, some critics believe implementing new national standards improves the baseline at the expense of schools that have thrived under the previous model.

In the Capistrano Unified School District, where classes began Monday, September 9, Common Core elements were first introduced last fall and spring, but the real rollout begins this school year, with full implementation in 2014-2015.

“We’re poised to move in that direction,” said Assistant Superintendent Julie Hatchel. “It’s going to be an ongoing work in progress, but as we do now, we’ll continue to develop a stronger methodology as our teachers and students become more familiar with Common Core standards.”

Discussions regarding Common Core over the last several months have shown a divide among the CUSD Board of Trustees.

Trustee Anna Bryson has been a vocal opponent of the new standards, saying that it hurts high-performing districts like CUSD. “California has had the highest standards in math and English. It’s sad to think that across the state, many districts will implement these lacking, lowered standards,” Bryson said. “The Common Core is not the ultimate answer. There are better ways of helping our students achieve at a higher level than imposing a blanket standard across the nation.”

Board President John Alpay acknowledges that the district will have to quickly adjust to the intricacies of the new standards, but, he said, the Common Core reinforces existing strengths while improving inadequacies in the former system.

“Common Core is not to be feared. The devil is in the details, but as we move forward, we’ll learn,” Alpay said. “We’re not dumping by the wayside all the things we’ve done well up to this point. It’s just an evolution of what we’ve done and allows us to improve our game.”

Although they will have to take their cues from The Capistrano Dispatch September 13-26, 2013

Implementation of national Common Core educational standards marks a time of adjustment for the parents, students and educators of the Capistrano Unified School District. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Sacramento, California school districts maintain some discretion. The state budget has allocated $1.25 billion in one-time funds to help districts implement Common Core standards. During a presentation to the board on Wednesday, September 11, district staff explained how it would use the $10 million it will receive for training teachers, instructional materials and technology over the next two years.

In that meeting, Superintendent Joseph Farley opened the discussion by reassuring the board and parents that the coming changes in standards would not be as jarring as they have been made out to be in the national discourse.

“One thing I want to disavow folks of is the notion that the Common Core is the next great reform in California education,” Farley said. “It’s really just a natural extension of what we’ve done.”

What is Common Core?

Common Core standards were developed in 2009 and released a year later by the National Governor’s Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to address a growing concern that high school graduates were entering the workforce ill prepared and that college entrants, at both two- and four-year institutions, were having a difficult time graduating.

During the planning and development of the Common Core, representatives from the nation’s workforce provided input on what skills graduates would need in the coming years. From that discussion, the basic philosophy of the Common Core was developed: students needed to have greater critical thinking and problem solving skills; effective written and oral communication skills; collaborative skills; and the ability to work creatively and innovate.

When those pillars are applied in the classroom, Common Core aims to teach students to be more analytical and rely less on rote memorization. Teachers are being trained to lecture less and act as facilitators, encouraging discussion among students, who will not only give answers, but share their problem-solving process and reasoning. In CUSD, teachers will undergo three days of Common Core training.

“It’s really about student engagement versus just going up there and lecturing,” Trustee Lynn Hatton said. “It empowers students to take control of their own learning. When you empower them and teachers are more comfortable with giving them control, more Page 5

powerful discussions take place. When you’re actively involved, you’re going to retain more and be more excited about learning.”

Under previous standards, Common Core supporters say students were taught a wide breadth of material but lacked an intimate understanding of some subject matter. As such, Common Core standards will scale back on what is taught in schools, in terms of volume, to spend more time on individual concepts.

“It will present a different level of complexity of how students demonstrate their understanding of content,” Hatchel said.

In the early going, Common Core standards will only be applied in English and math, with cross-curricular lessons also expected as more subject areas will be brought into the fold the next year, according to Hatchel.

Common Core also changes when some subject material is taught, most notably in math, where prealgebra will be pushed from the eighth to ninth grade.

“I’m not thrilled about that, but that’s an issue we’ll have to address as we move forward,” Alpay said.

Testing Under the Common Core The state Legislature on Tuesday, September 10, passed a bill, AB 484, that will suspend California’s Standardized Testing and Reporting system this year and replaces it with the Measurement of Academic Performance Progress in 2014-2015. Gov. Jerry Brown has indicated his support for the bill and is expected to sign it into law in the coming days.

The bill does not, however, mean students will avoid any standardized testing this year. District officials and trustees anticipate pilot tests adhering to Common Core standards will be administered to students.

California will not be the first to administer a pilot test, which is currently being developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, one of two multi-state consortia that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education. In Kentucky and New York, Common Core testing resulted in 30-point percentage drops in reading and math. Common Core decriers point to those figures as examples of the ineffectiveness of the new standards, while supporters maintain lower scores were expected in what was essentially a trial run.

“Children are not to be experimented with,” said Bryson, who expressed concern that STAR testing, which has been administered in California since 1999, would be eliminated. “If our students are learning and achieving, why take it away? Why did we trash the nation’s best math and English standards?”

Hatton, who served as executive director of the Princeton Review in Irvine, applauded the change since STAR testing would not have applied to Common Core standards. In doing away with the old system, Hatton said teachers will be able to focus on teaching Common Core without worrying about preparing students for different test standards.

“It would have been a mismatch. We want our teachers to start teaching for what they’ll be accountable for,” Hatton said. “Accountability drives behavior. If you’re accountable to a test that emphasizes cognitive thinking, you’re going to teach that way, and that’s what Common Core is.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

Compiled by Brian Park

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO Local Grandmother Goes Over the Edge for Autism Awareness

where items like olive oil, cookbooks, aprons and more will be available for purchase.

Admission into the festival is free. The event takes place at St. Basil’s, 27129 Calle Arroyo. For more information, visit www.sjcgreekfest.org.

Shea Center’s BBQ and Family Faire Returns September 28

San Juan Capistrano’s Joan Priestly recently rappelled down an 11-story building in Los Angeles in support of her autistic grandson and the Autism Speaks Foundation. Courtesy photo

Armed with a cause, Joan Priestly, a 63-year-old San Juan Capistrano resident suited up to rappel down an 11-story building in Los Angeles on July 27. Inspired by her 12-year-old autistic grandson, Liam Phillips, Priestly made her way down the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel in support of the Autism Speaks Foundation’s Over the Edge event.

Priestly was joined by more than 30 others who took the plunge down the 11-story building, raising more than $17,000 in all for autism awareness.

Taking the first step over the edge was nerve-racking, said Priestly, especially since it was a windy day and she had to lean backward over the ledge. However, Priestly said whatever fear she felt was quelled by support from her friends and family and her love for her grandson.

“All my friends and family came to support me, and I was able to raise over $4,000 for the foundation,” she said.

Greek Festival Comes to Town St. Basil’s Greek Orthodox Church is hosting its first Greek Festival on Saturday, September 21, from noon to 11 p.m.

The festival aims to introduce San Juan Capistrano and the greater south Orange County community to Greek culture through food, music and dance. Traditional Greek fare, from gyros to moussaka, and dessert pastries like baklava and kataifi will be served.

Entertainment includes traditional Greek folk dancing to live music. Guests are also invited to take part in free Greek dancing lessons.

The festival will also offer cooking demonstrations and a Greek marketplace, The Capistrano Dispatch September 13–26, 2013

Tickets are still available for The Shea Center’s biggest event of the year, the annual BBQ and Family Faire, scheduled to take place Saturday, September 28.

This popular fundraising event regularly draws more than 1,000 guests, including local elected officials and community and business leaders. The BBQ and Family Faire features the fun of a family picnic in a country setting, all while raising funds for The Shea Center’s therapeutic riding programs.

Families are invited to enjoy rides and games, a barbecue dinner, live country music and dancing, and silent and live auctions.

General admission costs $50 and $25 for children under 13, guests over 55 and the disabled. A family ticket package is also being offered for $135 and includes admission for two adults and one child under 13.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with opening ceremonies scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

The Shea Center is located at 26284 Oso Road. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sheacenter.org.

CERT Offers Free Emergency Preparedness Course September is National Preparedness Month, so the city’s Community Emergency Preparedness Team, CERT, is offering a free training course starting Friday, September 20. The course will provide information and hands-on training in emergency preparedness, medical response during disasters, small fire fighting and light search and rescue.

The event is free for those who live or work in San Juan Capistrano and $25 for nonresidents.

To download an application, visit www. sanjuancapistrano.org. For more information, contact Michael Cantor, the city’s safety and emergency services manager, at 949.234.4565.

Assembly Candidates Speak in San Juan Capistrano The Capistrano Valley Republican Page 6

The Shea Center hosts its annual BBQ and Family Faire on Saturday, September 28. The event features rides and games for kids, dinner, live music and dancing. Photo by Brian Park

Women, Federated will host four of the declared Republican candidates for the 74th Assembly District at their meeting Wednesday, September 18.

Candidates scheduled to attend include Dana Point City Councilman Bill Brough, Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Anna Bryson, Laguna Niguel City Councilman Paul Glaab and Rancho Santa Margarita City Councilman Jesse Petrilla.

Current Assemblywoman Diane Harkey is term-limited and cannot run in 2014.

The event will be held at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Country Club Drive in San Juan Capistrano. The cost to attend is $20 and includes brunch. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 949.240.6709.

Registration Available for Student Writing Class The city is offering a writing class for students in the second to fifth grades, taught by retired literacy teacher Louise Dumais. Students who thrive or struggle with writing are welcome to register. The class will also teach children how to publish their own books.

Classes will be held Wednesdays and Fridays, October 2 to November 22, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., at the Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion.

Dumais is also offering a free demonstration lesson on Wednesday, September 25.

For more information or to register, call the Community Services Department at 949.493.5911.

Tickets Available for Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala Seats are still available for the Mission’s largest single-night fundraising event of the year, the annual Romance of the Mission benefit gala. The event is scheduled to take place Friday, September 20.

Award-winning Broadway performer

Susan Egan is the featured artist for the evening. Egan, an Irvine resident, is known for her role as “Belle” in the original Broadway cast of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, for which she received Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. Egan will perform pieces from her Broadway productions, in addition to other popular ballads, during a concert in the ruins of the Great Stone Church.

Mike Hagan, a longtime Mission supporter and a member of the Mission Preservation Foundation board, will serve as honorary chair of the gala.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception in the Mission’s front garden, followed by the concert and a four-course dinner, prepared by The RitzCarlton, Laguna Niguel, in the courtyard.

Individual tickets cost $350. Proceeds benefit the Mission’s preservation efforts, specifically the initial investigation work for conserving the historic Sala building.

For more information, visit www.missionsjc.com.

Saddleback Offers CUSD Elementary Students Afterschool Activities In partnership with the Capistrano Unified School District, Saddleback College’s Community Enhancement program will be offering after-school educational and enrichment activities for local elementary school students.

During the school year, the program offers five six-week long sessions, beginning Monday, September 23. The program includes more than 200 classes at 35 local elementary schools, offering instruction in art, science, cooking, sports and academic enrichment classes. Courses are taught by CUSD teachers and professional experts.

To register, visit www.saddleback.edu/ce.

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

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter

while smoking marijuana.

Thursday, September 5 9-1-1 HANGUP Camino Capistrano, 32000 Block (2:18 p.m.) Police dispatch received two phone calls from the same location almost an hour apart, but when dispatch answered the phone, the caller would hang up. Dispatch tried calling the number back, but the number belonged to a pay phone.

COMPILED BY VICTOR CARNO All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Sunday, September 8 DISTURBANCE Los Rios Street/La Zanja Street (4:40 p.m.) A man notified deputies of an ongoing problem with his neighbors’ drinking and loudness.

Saturday, September 7 DISTURBANCE Calle San Francisco, 26500 Block (9:49 a.m.) A man, whose occupation was listed as landscaper, was arrested after being reported to deputies for arguing with his girlfriend. The two were seen fighting in the middle of an alleyway. The man was later released from custody.

PATROL CHECK Camino Capistrano/Junipero Serra Road (7:54 a.m.) A concerned caller notified police of a group of cyclists who were taking up both lanes of traffic. The caller was worried that some of the cyclists might get hit.

DISTURBANCE La Novia Avenue, 31600 Block (2:49 a.m.) A caller told deputies he could hear two or three boys and girls arguing and thought the noises were possibly coming from St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.

The caller could not see what was going on and only heard voices.

BURGLARY ALARM-AUDIBLE Camino Capistrano, 32100 Block (8:11 a.m.) Deputies received notice of a burglary alarm that was set off at a residence by a motion detector near the front door.

When they called the residence, a woman answered the phone and immediately hung up.

Wednesday, September 4 DISTURBANCE Calle La Purisima, 31500 Block (9:16 p.m.) A caller notified deputies of two females and five males that were seen drinking out in front of a residence. The caller seemed to think they may have been under the legal drinking age.

BURGLARY ALARM-AUDIBLE El Camino Real, 31600 Block (6:34 p.m.)

A man could hear an alarm coming from San Juan Elementary School and immediately called deputies. He informed deputies that he could only hear the alarm and nothing was seen.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Calle Arroyo/Rancho Viejo Road (6:09 p.m.) Deputies were notified of traffic lights on Calle Arroyo that were not phasing correctly and remained red. A signal maintenance crew reported to the scene to inspect the light.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Calle Santa Barbara/Los Rios Street (11:38 a.m.) Two groups of three females were seen walking around and asking for money for The Boys & Girls Club.

Friday, September 6

Monday, September 2

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN La Zanja Street/Los Rios Street (11:37 a.m.) A caller informed deputies of a woman who was possibly drunk and was seen lying on the sidewalk near a green van parked by a pool. Eight minutes later, the caller told deputies that the woman had gotten up and gone back inside.

FOUND PROPERTY Via Sequoia, 27400 Block (4:25 p.m.)

A woman called deputies and said that a passerby handed her a wallet and that she was calling to report it was found.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Los Rios Street, 31300 Block (8:37 a.m.)

Three juveniles were seen riding bicycles and skateboards on Calle Santa Barbara The Capistrano Dispatch September 13-26, 2013

CITIZEN ASSIST Paseo Adelanto, 32400 Block (1:47 p.m.)

A woman called deputies from the San Juan Capistrano City Hall parking lot, saying that her husband never showed up to return her children. Deputies found that she had no custody agreements on file.

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EYE ON SJC

WWII Veteran Clifford Blank Dies at 85

By Brian Park The Capistrano Dispatch

C

lifford Blank, a longtime San Juan Capistrano resident and World War II veteran, died Saturday, August 17. He was 85.

Blank died of congestive heart failure at Memorial Care Hospital in San Clemente, according to his daughter, Shelley Bachelder.

Blank was born in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After his parents divorced when he was 10, Blank and his three siblings were raised by their mother on a ranch Clifford Blank.

Courtesy photo in Fairview that was originally settled by his grandparents, devout members of the Mormon Church who had followed Brigham Young and his migration to the state.

Blank was a rebellious child who sought to escape life on the ranch. At 12, he left home and hitchhiked his way to Salt Lake City, where he lived with his father for a month before he was sent back to the ranch.

“He was an adventurous kid, who

didn’t want to be told what to do and didn’t want to be confined to a tiny shack on a farm, away from the city,” Bachelder said.

Blank dropped out of school at 14. A year later, and almost two years after the United States entered into WWII, Blank enlisted into the Navy, with the help of his parents, who lied on his application.

“His mom wanted him out of the house, and he wanted to be out of the house,” Bachelder said. “He was an independent spirit.”

After completing boot camp at Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho, Blank reported to the battleship USS North Carolina. By the time he was 17, Blank had been aboard for seven battles in the South Pacific, including the Battle of Iwo Jima and the liberation of the Philippines.

After the war, Blank eventually found himself back in Salt Lake City, where he became an apprentice glazier, learning how to cut and install glass in homes and businesses.

The same year he began his apprenticeship, Blank met his wife, Nanette.

Two months after meeting, the couple wed.

Because he wasn’t a practicing Mor-

During the Swallows Day Parade, Clifford Blank often parked one of his work trucks in the empty lot next to what is now Mission Grill. He set up bleachers on the truck for his family and friends to watch the parade travel up Camino Capistrano. Courtesy photo

mon, Blank had a difficult time finding work in Utah, so he moved his family to California. After working for several glass companies, Blank earned his independent contractor’s license, moved his family to San Juan Capistrano in 1965 and opened his business in the front office of a packing plant.

In 1986, a fire destroyed the packing plant. Blank purchased 1.25 acres of land on Los Rios Street for $54,000, with the intention to open his business there.

However, a zoning change prohibited

him from doing so. Years later, after Lobo Street was built in the district, Blank subdivided his land. He opened his business, Capistrano Valley Glass and Mirror, on Verdugo Street. The company has since moved to a location on Avenida Aeropuerto.

Blank regularly attended the Swallows Day Parade. While he still owned his glass business, Blank often parked one of his work trucks in the empty lot next to what is now Mission Grill, across from the Mission.

“He used to set up bleachers across the bed of the truck, so you’d have seating at different levels,” Bachelder said. “His friends would come by and watch the parade go by. The town was a lot smaller then, and all the local yokels, they were the kings on that day.”

Blank’s wife died in 2004. After his passing, he was cremated and buried at sea, like his wife.

“Neither of them wanted people to come to some site and cry over them,” Bachelder said. “It was a strong relationship and a real partnership. They were on the same page with all their dreams.”

Blank is survived by his brother, two sisters, three sons, one daughter and four grandchildren. CD

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34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.thecapistranodispatch.com The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 11, Issue 17. 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 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

ART/DESIGN

OPERATIONS

EDITORIAL

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith

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ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

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Senior Group Editor > Andrea Swayne City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente) > Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano) Sales Associates > Angela Edwards

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell

GUEST OPINION: My Turn by Jonathan Volzke

Drowning out the Noise Water lawsuit adds to tiresome noise, let’s celebrate the good stuff

T

o be honest, my heart sank when I learned the Capistrano Common Sense Taxpayers Association had prevailed in its lawsuit against the city over our water rates (And yes, I know that’s a mash-up of two groups, but they’re virtually the same, so I’m going with it).

Now, I pay a San Juan Capistrano water bill just like most of you, although I am proud to say I usually keep my bill down in the cheapest first tier, despite keeping a pretty healthy garden going (Drip irrigation and I don’t water grass).

And just like most of you, I want my water bill to be fair.

I won’t get into minutiae the lawsuit here—enough has been said and I’m no attorney. What I will say: the city worked with Black & Veatch on the rate study, and Black & Veatch is universally known as the gold-standard in such reports. Additionally, nobody in City Hall was trying to pull a fast one, rip off residents or anything else. Water rates are, perhaps surprisingly, incredibly complex, and the rate system used in San Juan Capistrano is similar to that used in half of Orange County, and likely in at least half the state.

It will all get straightened out. If it’s wrong, kudos to Capistrano Common Sense Taxpayers Association for the challenge. The city, of course, is considering a challenge to the Superior Court judge’s ruling, which is the right thing to do in such a complex issue that can have such far-reaching impacts. Complex? Yes. The city, every city, is under a mandate to reduce water use by 20 percent by 2020. Part of Capistrano’s plan was to create a recycled-water system The Capistrano Dispatch September 13-26, 2013

that would deliver recycled water to Marbella golf course, HOAs and other entities that use large amounts of water for irrigation. That would help Capistrano meet MY TURN

By Jonathan Volzke the mandate. Makes sense, right?

Sure, except a key element of the Superior Court judge’s ruling is that we everyday water-using residents can’t be charged in our water bills for the recycled system, since we won’t directly use the recycled water. So, the city has a mandate and a plan to meet the mandate, but no way to pay for it (I’d argue that freeing up drinking water that will be available to all of us is a benefit, but again, I’m no lawyer).

Most of you know, I’m geekily fascinated by how local government works— or doesn’t. This is a pretty interesting lawsuit.

So why did my heart sink when I heard about the ruling? Because it just amplifies the noise that’s already grown pretty tiresome. Water rates, the ghost train, banners, this, that and everything else the city tries to do. Criticism is fine—especially when it’s correct and might put a few more bucks in my pocket—but the constant drumbeat is just annoying. In my new career, we do some SWOT studies on agencies: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Guess what? I’ve yet to turn in a report that lists “zero” under weaknesses or “zero” under threats.

Strengths and weaknesses are internal measures, while opportunities and

threats are external. Everybody has a bit of each, and our city is no different.

It doesn’t necessarily mean crooks are in control or incompetence rules the dais. It just means that within complex organizations that are carrying out increasingly complex tasks, some things go well and some things don’t.

Fix what doesn’t go well, replicate what does. And unfortunately the fixes don’t always come as quickly as we think they should. But they do come.

So, the judge issued his ruling. City leaders—and we have a very competent leader in our water division these days, let’s not forget he’s been there just two years this month—will address it and fix it, whatever the final decision. And we will move on to the other things, some that will go well and some that won’t.

In the meantime, let’s also celebrate the good stuff around town: progress is underway on the old Vaquero West building on Verdugo in the downtown, and plans to give Verdugo a major facelift are moving forward; the city got a grant to move ahead on the widening of the chokepoint on Ortega Highway; the county plans to start construction on connecting La Pata between Ortega and San Clemente this year; Guapas Tapas is open downtown and busy most every night; Fiano’s has replaced the struggling Vito’s; The Mission Gift Shop gives us a beautiful place to shop in town; the Regency downtown dropped the prices for its VIP theater, and now you can have beer or wine in any theater there; the Ortega interchange work is proceeding smoothly and on schedule; Ocean Auto Group has moved into town; Five Vines Wine Bar is a great

Page 10

new spot, and Hamilton Oaks at the north end is looking good, too; we have a dog park, Summer Nites Concerts and free Movies in the Park, too.

And that’s just off the top of my head.

Take a look around and you’ll find more.

It’s a great way to drown out the noise.

San Juan Capistrano resident Jonathan Volzke is a former award-winning journalist for the Orange County Register and founder of The Capistrano Dispatch.

He’s since moved on and now works for Communications LAB, a public relations and community outreach firm in Lake Forest. 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 Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editor@capistranodispatch.com

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@thecapistranodispatch. com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

The Capistrano Dispatch reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

YOUR TWO-WEEK EVENT PLANNER

THE LIST

A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

friday

13

COVERFIRE 8:30 p.m. Live music at Montego Restaurant and Bar. 27211 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.481.2723, www.montegorestaurant.com.

BUCKCHERRY 8 p.m. L.A. rock band performs at The Coach House. $37.50. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

saturday

SECOND SATURDAY ART FAIR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local and regional artists feature their arts and crafts, also includes local musicians, business and restaurant specials and more in downtown San Juan Capistrano, along Camino Capistrano, Yorba, Verdugo and Los Rios streets. More info: 949.493.4700, www.sjcartfair.org.

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CLUBBED AT THE CLUBHOUSE 6:30 p.m. Murder mystery dinner at Camino Real Playhouse with an interrogation champagne reception, dinner, dessert and the show.

Tickets $62. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

sunday

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR 1 p.m. SJC Historical Society leads a tour to see Los Rios Historical District, O’Neill Museum, Montanez Adobe, the Mission, Rios Adobe and more.

Meet at the train depot on Verdugo Street. $2 adults, $1 children. 949.493.8444, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

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monday

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GARDEN CLUB MEETING 10 a.m. The meeting includes a presentation and Q&A with succulent expert Rick Carrasco from the Plant Depot. San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. For more info, call Valerie Drey at 949.584.1680.

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The Capistrano Dispatch September 13-26, 2013

AT THE MOVIES: ‘ADORE’ YOU WON’T There are just some subjects and themes that will always come across taboo and problematic. Granted, Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is considered one of the most read novels in literature and V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic was a popular guilty pleasure in the 1980s. While scandalous, both stories had interesting narratives and writing techniques to make up for the shadiness. Anne Fontaine’s Adore, with critic favorites Naomi Watts and Robin Wright, isn’t about incest, but it’s the next closest thing.

In New South Wales, Australia, Lil (Watts) and Roz (Wright) have been lifelong best friends. When Lil’s husband dies, she and her son Ian (Xavier Samuel) become closer to Roz and her own son Tom (James Frecheville).

Courtesy photo When Roz’s husband Harold (Ben Mendelsohn) goes to Sydney one summer, the two friends become discreetly intimate with one another’s sons. Adore is loosely based on a short story with a similar plot by Doris Lessing and adapted and directed by Fontaine. Watts—usually one of the most underappreciated actresses out there—isn’t having the best year, between Movie 43 and now Adore, as she comes off miscast and even too young-looking in some scenes. The scenery does make the audience appreciate how attractive Australia is, but the storyline and content between the four characters brings a level of discomfort viewers should be prepared for. — Megan Bianco

tuesday

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LUNCH LOCAL 11:30 a.m. Join the San Juan Chamber of Commerce for lunch and networking at Cedar Creek Inn. 26860 Ortega Hwy., 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

wednesday

SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES CONCERT SERIES 6 p.m. Concert with country western performer Justin Foutz held at Historic Town Center Park. Free. 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5911, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

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THE DUPP BROTHERS 8 p.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

thursday

WINE TASTING EVENT 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The Women’s Council of Realtors of South Orange County hosts a wine tasting and dinner at Sarducci’s. $30. Reservations online.

26701 Verdugo, San Juan Capistrano, www.wcrsoc.org.

19

friday

ROMANCE OF THE MISSION BENEFIT GALA 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano hosts its annual gala, concert and dinner presented by the Mission Preservation Foundation. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

20

saturday

GREEK FESTIVAL 10 a.m.10 p.m. The first ever Greek Festival at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church featuring food, Greek dance lessons and performances, music, wine and more. Free admission. 27129 Arroyo Calle, San Juan Capistrano, 949.542.3445, www.sjcgreekfest.org.

21

29TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEANUP DAY 9 a.m.-noon. Head to your local beach or creek and join the California Coastal Commission in the state’s largest volunteer event to clean up the beaches and creeks.

For a list of locations, visit www.coastalcleanupday.org.

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sunday

22

CREATE A FAIRY GARDEN CLASS 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Class at Cottage Home and Garden.

31720 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3920, www. cottage-home-and-garden.com.

FALL BRIDAL SHOW 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Bridal show features vendors, including photography, cakes, DJs and more. Gift bags for first 100 guests. El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. RSVP to events@eladobedecapistrano.com or call 949.493.1163.

MIKE HAMILTON Noon-4 p.m. Live music at Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.8055, www.missiongrillsjc.com.

monday

COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK AND FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. Every Monday at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

tuesday

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 11:15 a.m. Children ages 3-6 are invited for stories, songs and crafts at the library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

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24

wednesday

MICROBREWS BY THE MISSION 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

A 14-venue pub crawl featuring micro/craft brews and more in downtown San Juan Capistrano.

Camino Capistrano and Ortega Highway, 949.493.4700, www.facebook.com/microbrewsbythemission.

25

thursday

26

LOS RIOS PARK GARDEN ANGELS 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Help volunteer with Goin Native at Los Rios Park. 31661 Los Rios St., 949.606.6386, San Juan Capistrano, www.goinnative.net

*For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

Have an event?

Send your listing to events@thecapistranodispatch.com www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

4

LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Monday 9.16

Wednesday 9.18

Friday 9.20

Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Commission Meeting 6 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

San Juan Summer Nights 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The final installment of the popular summer concert series features country western musician Justin Foutz. Also includes food vendors, a beer and wine garden hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses with information and product tables. Fun activities for kids as well. Historic Town Center Park, 31852 El Camino Real. For more information, call the Community Services Department at 949.493.5911.

Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues, hosted by The Dispatch founder Jonathan Volzke. Occurs every Friday. All are welcome. El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano.

Tuesday 9.17 Utilities Commission Meeting 8 a.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

City Council and Successor Agency Meeting 6 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

Tuesday 7.24 Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 By Tom Blake

The Rules of Dating Before the Divorce is Finalized O

n the last Thursday night of each month, my Dana Point deli, Tutor and Spunky’s, hosts a meet-andgreet gathering for singles ages 50 to 90. A woman we will call Sue had read about the scheduled August 29 gathering in this newspaper.

She emailed: “I am in the process of getting divorced and am not sure when the final court date will occur. I am 62 and had been with my soon-to-be ex-husband for 38 years. Although we separated in August 2011, I am still hesitant to venture into the dating arena. I am nervous and frightened to begin to even attempt to date. My husband tells people he is divorced.

“I feel, in a weird way, that I am violating my marriage vows even though it has taken two and a half years to get to the final stages of divorce, and my husband and I are living apart.

“If I arrived alone at your meet and greet and just wanted to get a feel for meeting new people, would it be the right start for me? I sometimes feel as though I should be officially divorced before venturing out. Just wondering if most people you encounter wait for the final paper work to be processed. Would it be inappropriate for me to attend? I am lonely and want to find a good person to share my life with and would like your advice.”

Sue raises an important question for the age 50-plus generations: Is getting out socially before the final divorce date appropriate? I say absolutely. She and her husband have been separated for more than two years. They are awaiting the final decree. Who knows how long that will take? Her husband has announced that he is divorced.

They don’t live together.

Every divorce case is different. When both members of the marriage know a divorce is certain, why shouldn’t they start to get out and meet new people and make new friends? I have a friend whose 10-year divorce case just settled. Neither he nor his wife waited to date and they would have lost a lot of years of living had they done so.

But there is a catch. When you tell someone who would like to date you that you are still married, that news may send the other person running off. There is a stigma attached to dating while being married. But does being married mean you shouldn’t get out and make new friends? No. My reply to Sue: It would be good for you to attend the meet and greet, a perfect start for your re-entry into society. There is no pressure to meet someone to date.

Rather, think of it as a social mixer, not a singles function.

The Capistrano Dispatch September 13-16, 2013

Besides, meeting a man to date likely won’t happen for awhile.

Your life isn’t ending with the divorce, it’s just beginning. And you must get out and socialize, particularly to make new female friends, which is an important first step. While you are still young at 62, you’ve been out of the singles world for 38 years. It’s time to get social, and time ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 is precious. Waiting until the divorce is

By Tom Blake final will only waste more time. Relax, have fun and don’t worry.

Sue did not attend the meet and greet in August. She

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says she will attend the next event, Thursday, September 26, but added, “If I am brave enough.”

To comment: tompblake@gmail.com Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50.com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

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

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Moments In Time by Jan Siegel

A Landmark Library After 30 years, the San Juan Capistrano Library still stands as an architectural marvel

A

s the San Juan Capistrano Library celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is also undertaking the construction of a new bookstore. The city recently approved a $60,000 five-year loan MOMENTS IN TIME to the Friends of the LiBy Jan Siegel brary for the additional budget costs for the expansion project.

The new project was awarded to the low bidder from a group of eight in the amount of $327,000.

When the library opened its doors, it was the first public building built in San Juan Capistrano. The city was growing and the small store-front library on Camino Capistrano was simply too small. Following the passage of Proposition 13 in 1979, the Orange County Public Library was directed by the Board of Supervisors to develop a joint funding program in conjunction with local cities to build four new libraries. The libraries were to be around 10,000 square feet, housing 50,000 volumes with basic funding at $800,000. San Juan Capistrano wanted something more, so agreed to add an additional $1 million to the cost and to give the land, upon which the library would be built. The total cost for the library was $1.6 million, $200,000 under budget. The city asked the county to have local members on the Library Selection Committee.

The first thing that the committee did was announce plans for an international competition to determine the final design for this project. The city received 140 applications and the committee reduced that number to three finalists.

The majority of the members of the committee selected architect Michael Graves. On January 5, 1981, Graves’ design was moved by Councilman Ken Friess, a committee member, seconded

by Councilman Phil Schwartze and unanimously approved by the City Council. City staff was authorized to prepare a contract between the city and Graves.

Graves has his own architectural firm and was a professor of architecture at Princeton University in New Jersey. At the time that he received the contract for the library, it was his first public building and the first building he designed in California. The library won Graves an award from the American Institute of Architects in 1985. Today, he is recognized as a world leading architect.

The Capistrano Dispatch September 13-26, 2013

The San Juan Capistrano Library, a noted modern architectural achievement designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. On Monday, the Friends of the Library broke ground on its new bookstore. Photo by Brian Park

so he created the La Sala Auditorium.

The Mission has Serra Chapel for a meeting room. The library has La Sala, where concerts, lectures, exhibits and meetings are held. A 1984 Architectural Review Magazine stated that “the San Juan Capistrano library is a casebook demonstration of the uses of space, scale, light, floor and processional circulation devices in a public building.”

The idea of a bookstore in a library was new in Orange County, but Graves had the vision to include one in his design. The only mistake was not building it closer to the front of the library. It is not currently visible from the street and patrons are not sure where it is located on the grounds. The new expansion will make the bookstore more visible and more profitable.

Graves not only designed the building but all of the interior furnishings as well: The tables, chairs, lamps, lighting fixtures, bookcases are all his designs.

In the children’s section, the tables and chairs are scaled for young people so they feel more comfortable; in the toddler room the books go right down to the floor so youngsters can crawl to their favorite Dr. Seuss books.

The library continues to be an international landmark, with groups of architects visiting from Europe and Asia.

On the 10th anniversary of the library, The Swallows Tale wrote, “The decision to proceed with the vision of Michael Graves has proven to have been an excellent one; an honor to the city’s past and a tribute to its future.”

You can spend a Moment In Time by visiting our special library, taking the Architectural Walking tour on Saturday mornings sponsored by Friends of the Library and by becoming a member of Friends of the Library.

A 26-year resident of San Juan Capistrano, Jan Siegel has served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 11 years and has been a volunteer guide for the Historical Society’s Architectural Walking Tour for 15 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

In designing the library, Graves knew that the new church was going to be built across the street. A theme was born. “If the church is a temple to God, then the library should be a temple to Learning.”

Since this was a public project, it was

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

Architect Michael Graves’ modern design of the San Juan Capistrano Library earned him critical praise from his peers. Photo courtesy of Michael Graves & Associates/Barry Johnson

important to keep costs down. Graves did that by use of light and color and by using geometric shapes to take the patron from room to room. He also knew that for the next century, the library would have to be more than a repository for books in order to attract patrons,

Page 18

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED AD ONLINE AT WWW.THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

HELP WANTED PERSONAL ASSISTANT NEEDED TO STAY AT HOME MOM: Help getting 2 teenage boys to & from school & extracurricular activities. Help with grocery shopping and other errands as need.

Resumeto Jack@jntmgmt.com PROGRAM AIDE Part-time position working members ages 7 – 18 in our after-school program. Duties include registration and assisting with programs in the areas of the Arts, Health and Life Skills, and Education.

Hours will be: 2 – 6 pm, Monday through Friday.

Requirements: high school diploma, experience working with children, communication skills to deal with children and with the general public (bilingual in Spanish a plus), CPR and first aid certified. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley is an equal opportunity employer. If interested, please contact Nicole Watson, Area Director, at 949.240.7898 extension *19 or by email at nwatson@bgccapo.com.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

OBITUARY

Willard, Alvina “Bobbie” 1917-2013

Alvina “Bobbie” Willard, formerly Seeger of San Juan Capistrano, passed from this world on Sept. 3rd. Her life is celebrated by her nephews: Robert, John and Arthur Nie, and nieces: Margaret Wegerle, Pat Hambly, and Elizabeth Baronowski along with extended family and friends.

We will miss her warmth, style and grace as well as those popcorn balls.

Private graveside services will be at Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, alzfdn.org.

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY The only directory featuring San Juan Capistrano businesses exclusively AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT 949.661.0967

MOLD REMOVAL

BANKING Independence Bank 32291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A, www.independence-bank.net

949.373.8963

Jarvis Restoration 949.362.5388 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

COMPUTER SERVICES San Clemente Computer & Network Services daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581

COINS GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

LANDSCAPING Vermeulen’s Landscaping Inc. bvland@cox.net

949.350.4692

ELECTRICIANS Excel Electric 949.493.7769 32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS Excel Electric - CA #793860 949.493.7769 32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

JEWELER Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design 949.493.3632 32382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, www.abbysdesigns.com

San Juan Photo & Digital 949.661.5668 32301 Camino Capistrano, www.sjcphotodigital.com

PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection www.atozleakdetection.com Chick’s Plumbing www.chicks-plumbing.com

949.499.4464 949.496.9731

Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Four weeks in print and online.

TILE & STONE INSTALLATION/ RESTORATION Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc. 714.757.3490 www.yorbalindatilemarble.com, CA License #789312

WATER DAMAGE

PRINTING Printing OC 949.388.4888 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES Bryan Krueger Enterprises, Inc. 33208 Paseo De Cerveza, Ste. B

YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

949.212.0499

SCHOOLS Capistrano Valley Christian Schools 949.493.5683 32032 Del Obispo Street, www.cvcs.org

Jarvis Restoration 949.362.5388 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

WINDOW TINTING Bayside Window Cleaning, Inc. www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

949.215.2323

LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” Call today! Contact Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or email aedwards@thecapistranodispatch.com.

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

San Juan Hills Stallions The Stallions scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to cap off a convincing 29-16 win over Canyon on the road on September 5.

San Juan Hills senior quarterback Jacob Gibson shined in the win, completing 19 of his 30 pass attempts while throwing for 267 yards and three touchdowns.

St. Margaret’s Running back Oscar Gomez had the most prolific offensive game of the week, as he rushed for 360 yards and six touchdowns in St. Margaret’s 56-17 nonleague win over Village Christian on September 6.

Capistrano Valley Christian In their first two games of the year, the Eagles

The San Juan Hills football team has won their first two games of the season. The Stallions defeated Canyon, 29-16, on September 5. Photo by Scott Schmitt

offense has not shown any signs of offseason rust. In games against Maranatha Christian and Rock Academy, the Eagles put up a combined 110 points while giving up only a field goal.

Saddleback Valley Christian The Warriors stand at 1-1 overall following a win over Firebaugh on August 30 and a loss to Polytechnic on September 7.

JSerra The Lions defeated visiting Centennial of Las Vegas, 44-0, on August 31 in their season opener. Coming out of a bye week, the Lions will now host Huntington Beach on September 13 in a much-anticipated matchup at Saddleback College. —Steve Breazeale

Capo Dispatch 2013 Fall Sports Preview Capo teams start new season with eyes on the winner’s circle

T

he 2013 prep sports season is underway. We chose at least one fall sports program from each San Juan area high school to re-cap their efforts from last year and offer a look ahead at the season to come.

For updates on all the local sports teams, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

ranks, including senior drivers Andrew Lindsay and Axel Zaccardo, junior attack Kody Silveria and senior utility Hayden Werner.

The loss of standout goalie Parker Louie left a big question mark looming over the Stallions in the offseason, but Newberry has seen improvement in his replacement, senior Jon Brubaker.

Brubaker was the junior varsity’s starting goalie in 2012 and has adjusted to varsity play, according to Newberry.

“Jon has been stepping up and filling some really big shoes. He’s primarily gaining awareness and he’s starting to talk a lot more to his teammates,” Newberry said.

San Juan Hills GIRLS VOLLEYBALL The San Juan Hills girls volleyball team underwent a culture change last season. New head coach Mitzi Kincaid stepped onto the court and brought with her a new style of volleyball that’s been implemented up and down the Stallions program.

That style, derived from the Brazilian approach which stresses patience and positioning, was initially met with resistance.

The returning group of Stallions players had been playing one way for much of their high school career. Several of them, like Mikena Werner, were hesitant to buy in to the wholesale change.

“In the beginning everyone was against changing. We didn’t want to do anything different from the old way,” Werner said. “Then we all decided as a team to try it … Then we started looking up and we almost beat everyone in our league. We did pretty well.”

Pretty well might be an understatement.

The Stallions went 14-9 overall, finished in second place in the Sea View League and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 1A playoffs for the first time in the program’s history. They continued to win in the playoffs, defeating Foothill and Harvard-Westlake in the first and The Capistrano Dispatch September 13–26, 2013

Saddleback Valley Christian Kayla Tinker, left, and Justine Bowers and the San Juan Hills girls volleyball team are looking to go on another deep playoff run in 2013. Photo by Steve Breazeale

second rounds before losing to eventual champion La Salle in the third.

With a full year of Kincaid’s system under their belts, the Stallions are poised to make another deep playoff run. They have already had success in the preseason and finished third in the varsity division of the high-profile Queen’s Court Tournament.

The team picked up an experienced outside hitter Courtney McKeag, who came over from Capistrano Valley last season but sat out due to transfer rules.

Werner and McKeag, along with senior setter Justine Bower, were recently named as team captains.

With five seniors gone to graduation, a crop of underclassmen has been battling for varsity spots in the offseason.

Kincaid, anticipating the senior turnaround, has increased her varsity roster

to 19 players. “(The expanded roster) really has added depth and it’s a dog fight at every position this year, which is very cool. It hasn’t always been that way,” Kincaid said.

BOYS WATER POLO Last year was a season of firsts for the San Juan Hills boys water polo team. They won their first league game in school history, advanced to the CIF-SS playoffs for the first time and rode a hot streak to the programs first playoff victory.

The turning point for the team came at the Fall Classic Water Polo Tournament in San Diego, where head coach Dan Newberry finally saw his team put the pieces together. The Stallions will compete in the same tournament again this season.

Four starters return to the Stallions

Page 20

GIRLS TENNIS As the head coach for the Saddleback Valley Christian girls tennis team, Chrissy Griffith has witnessed the foundation for the program solidify from the ground up.

Despite being a small school that can’t cast the wide net for talent like other programs in the area, Griffith picked up several young players and watched them rise to claim a share of the school’s first tennis league title in 2012. The Warriors finished last in the San Joaquin League in 2011, but went from worst to first in the span of one season.

Most of that squad was made up of freshman and sophomores, who now enter the 2013 season with valuable varsity experience.

“This is our fourth year of having the program at the school and the first season I’ve had where we are actually not starting off going over basic things,” (Cont. on page 22) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS (Cont. from page 20) Griffith said. “We’re going to be able to play in matches. I really think this is going to be a good season for us because of all the groundwork that has been put in over the past few years.”

Junior Haley Derevere is among the more experienced players on the team and will likely be a part of the Warriors top doubles team. Seniors Ally Carter and Ralston Tucker are likely to be paired up when league play starts.

Brenna Deever and Isabel Manielo were part of the strong freshman movement last year and will return again.

Senior captain Kassidy Balesteros returns as well.

The Tartans return four players from the CIF championship team, including McRobie and fellow junior and cocaptain Emily Miller. With two freshman and five sophomores making up the 11-player roster, the experienced players have taken it on themselves to help the underclassmen mature quickly.

McRobie went on to explain how practices have become more experimental.

Players are tinkering with positioning and learning where their teammates like to be on the floor in Maga’s system. The Tartans are also trying to communicate better, which is evident by the amount of yells and cheers emanating from Pasternack Fieldhouse.

“Once we mesh together as a team we’ll be pretty good,” Maga said. “I’m excited about the potential.”

JSerra BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Marty Dugard has resided over one of the most dominant girls cross country teams in CIF history. The Lions have won the Trinity League, CIF-SS and CIF State Cross Country Division 4 Championship a record three consecutive years. It’s a stretch that has been unparalleled and Dugard believes that the Lions still have fight left in them.

When asked about his outlook on the 2013 season, Dugard responded with something that might seem like hyperbole. But when looking at the team’s track record in recent years, it’s a statement that looms large.

“I honestly think this is going to be our best season ever,” Dugard said. “I want to win two state trophies (boys and girls) and I think we could do it.”

A key piece to the girls team’s hopes at another string of titles will be junior Ashley Geisler, who recently suffered a stress reaction but is on the mend and rehabbing. Geisler finished 14th overall at the state meet in 2012 and played an integral role in the Lions tight, top of the rotation placement in races, which became their trademark.

Dugard pegged sophomore transfer Charlotte Owen as a runner who will help add depth to the roster and could possibly have a breakout year.

The boys cross country team may not have a runner who will finish on the podium week in and week out, but they have developed a tight pack running mentality over the offseason, which Dugard believes will give them an edge in the major meets. Dugard said his current top five runners are all finishing their races within 45 seconds of each other. Dugard stressed that on any given day, it can be senior Nic Fracassi leading the way or it could be junior Anthony Mariconda.

The Lions’ first real test on their way to their lofty goals will be at the Trinity League Prelims on October 2.

The Capistrano Dispatch September 13–26, 2013

Kayla Selenski, left, and Marie Aquilino return to the defending CIF State Championship JSerra cross country team. Photo by Kim Lindholm

Capistrano Valley Christian

St. Margaret’s

GIRLS TENNIS The Capistrano Valley girls tennis team is looking to defend their San Joaquin League title in 2013.

The Eagles finished atop the standings for the third year in a row but shared the 2012 hardware with Saddleback Valley Christian and Tarbut V’Torah.

The Eagles opened their new season with three consecutive wins and will play Pomona Catholic on September 13.

Because of the scoring format in high school tennis, head coach Bruce Sanborn is constantly shuffling his roster, picking which player plays doubles or singles, in order to maximize points.

But so far, sophomore Rachel Matranga has emerged as one of the team’s top singles players, according to Sanborn.

“Rachel has that desire to win every point. She has a fighter attitude. She has athleticism and is still learning tennis strokes but she is fighting to win points,” Sanborn said.

Two returning juniors, Melissa Gobel and Kristy Reyes, return for the Eagles.

Gobel and Reyes represented the team at the CIF-SS Doubles tournament last season.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL The St. Margaret’s girls volleyball players called a team meeting earlier this week to address what has been a sluggish start to their 2013 campaign. After claiming the CIF-SS Division 3A Championship in 2012, the team had all the pieces to pick up where they left off and hit the ground running. But a 1-2 start threw a kink in the game plan.

Head coach Susie Maga let her players do the talking in the meeting, as the young team refocused their energy on getting more comfortable playing with one another on the court.

Team captain and returning All-CIF junior outside hitter Peighton McRobie has seen a steady improvement in the team since they decided to kick it into high gear.

“We’re a really young team so we’re still trying to figure out the different personalities and how some of the younger players are developing to the faster pace of the game,” McRobie said.

“But our game on September 10 was different and a lot more cohesive than our game last week.”

Page 22

CROSS COUNTRY The St. Margaret’s boys cross country team is looking to four-peat as the CIF-SS Division 5 champions and the possible catalyst that will propel them to another title is a strong crop of freshman runners.

The Tartans will be anchored by a solid group of juniors, including Collin Price, John Martin, Quentin Talley and Jacob Robison. But several freshmen have proven they can keep pace and add much needed depth down the stretch.

Freshman twins Nick and Luke Gitter are already running at a pace that has them inside head coach Dylan Wade’s top seven.

“The freshman brought a lot of energy and youth. They’re ready to go.

They’re keeping pace and will be in our top group,” Wade said.

Senior Spencer Wager, who is rehabbing an injury, will also return this season.

The secret to the Tartans recent success has been a steady emphasis on history and repeating success, according to Wade. He has now seen four generations of Tartan runners come and go, each one leaving an imprint behind.

“I think leadership has a lot do with the success and the guys who first won CIF set a good tone … That determination, that motivation is already there,” Wade said. “They did a good job of keeping a good legacy going on. It’s built in. That’s huge.”

Wade considers the girls cross country team as one of the better kept secrets in the area. They had a down year last year but, like the boys team, have a large influx of freshman talent that Wade believes has potential.

Blake Crowley, Katherine Adelman, Aide Najera and Kate Parks are all freshman to watch according to Wade.

Holding down the leadership role will be co-captains Julianna Coleman, a senior, and junior Sam Geller. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com