OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE
A Festive Fourth in San Juan PAGE 17 FOUNDED IN 2002
SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO
JULY 8–21, 2016 • VOLUME 14, ISSUE 13
School’s (in) for Summer
Staying true to her roots, San Juan Hills grad takes on summer teaching for Breakthrough SJC S J C L I V I N G / PAG E 1 8
Vanessa Rodriguez—dressed in a festive mismatched outfit per the theme of the day—interacts with students during her second week as a teaching fellow for Breakthrough SJC. Photo: Allison Jarrell
Artifact Unearthed at Inn at the Mission Construction Site EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3
South County Music Scene: Family Style, A Local Favorite GETTING OUT/PAGE 12
www.thecapistranodispatch.com
JSerra Head Coach to Play in Major League Lacrosse Game SPORTS/PAGE 22
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EYE ON SJC
LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING
What’s Up With...
builders have been selected for the new Hilltop Neighborhoods, which are located in the village of Esencia on the 14,000-unit Rancho Mission Viejo community in South Orange County. Esencia is the second village to open on the 23,000-acre ranch community of Rancho Mission Viejo following Sendero, which is now sold out. “At build-out, the village of Esencia is planned to provide an integrated mix of 2,537 all age and Gavilan 55-plus homes for sale, all set atop some of the highest elevations on The Ranch,” officials said.
Five things San Juan should know this week Grading Continues, Unearths Artifact at Inn at the Mission Construction Site THE LATEST: The site for the future Inn at the Mission luxury boutique hotel is taking shape as grading continues on the grounds, located at the corner of Ortega Highway and El Camino Real. Recently, an artifact was discovered, identified by the hotel project’s archaeologist and Native American monitor on site. “We uncovered a grinding stone, known as a metate, which was used by the native Juaneño living in or around the Mission,” said Jake Griffith, development analyst for Mission Commercial Properties. Griffith said the artifact was identified after monitors used tools to carefully excavate the object. Plans for the new 124-room, three-story hotel are currently under city review, but Griffith said grading is possible due to the permits already acquired for the previous Plaza Banderas project that was planned for the site years ago. “The grading for both Plaza Banderas and Inn at the Mission requires the same geotechnical remediation,” Griffith said. “The grading we are currently performing is required for any development on the site.” The difference between the two hotel plans isn’t the amount of grading, but the amount of soil needed to fill the ground. With the Inn at the Mission’s proposed underground parking, less imported soil—about 20,000 cubic yards—is needed to level the pad. “We are approved to bring in approximately 17,000 cubic yards of soil,” said Dan Friess, principal at Mission Commercial Properties. “The fill soil is not yet scheduled—we still have a couple of months of geotechnical work to complete.” WHAT’S NEXT: The Inn at the Mission’s application is tentatively scheduled to be considered by the city’s Planning Commission on July 26, according to Joel Rojas, the city’s development services director. FIND OUT MORE: For photos and information about the new paintings and mural adorning the construction site’s walls, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. —Allison Jarrell The Capistrano Dispatch July 8–21, 2016
The Inn at the Mission development is tentatively scheduled to go before the city’s Planning Commission on July 26. Photo: Courtesy of Inn at the Mission
City Hires Consultant for Conceptual Design of Skatepark
Skatepark on Facebook or email Banda at nathan@capistranogrindskatepark.org. —AJ
THE LATEST: After reviewing eight requests for proposals submitted to the city, officials announced the selection of consultant Spohn Ranch to work on the conceptual design for a future skatepark at the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park. The City Council voted April 19 to allocate $25,000 from the park’s in lieu fund to issue a Request for Proposals for an initial skatepark design concept. Following that vote, a subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Ferguson and Parks, Recreation, Senior & Youth Services Commissioner Gerald Muir, was created in order to work closely with city staff, Capistrano Grind skatepark organizers and youth groups such as the Youth Advisory Board and Great Opportunities. Capistrano Grind organizer Nathan Banda said the committee reviewed eight RFPs submitted, narrowing it down to two from which Ferguson and Muir selected. Spohn Ranch founder Aaron Spohn has been working with the city on skatepark ideas since 2006, when building a skatepark was first listed as a city priority. Banda said Spohn Ranch’s RFP “really showed their dedication” to the project and community outreach. WHAT’S NEXT: Residents will have opportunities to provide their input at workshops in the near future—exact dates, times and location to be determined. Banda said the goal is to have a design completed in about two months, which could then be presented to potential donors. For more information on skatepark progress and future meetings, contact the city’s Community Services Department at 949.443.6388, follow Capistrano Grind
CUSD to Continue Bond Discussion Next Week THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will continue discussing strategies for pursuing an $889 million general obligation bond at their July 13 meeting, including the possibility of creating a districtwide School Facilities Improvement District (SFID) with some areas carved out to be excluded from taxation. Over the last several months, the board has discussed placing an $889 million general obligation bond on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, which would be used to leverage state funds and pay for more than $800 million of deferred maintenance of district facilities. The deadline for placing a bond measure on the November ballot is Aug. 12. Two-thirds of the board—five trustees— must approve the measure. WHAT’S NEXT: Board meetings begin at 7 p.m. at 33122 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano.—AJ
Construction of New Homes Underway in RMV’s Esencia Village THE LATEST: Rancho Mission Viejo officials recently announced that construction is underway on model homes for six new Esencia neighborhoods, which are slated to debut in the fall. Paul Johnson, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC, said in a release that
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WHAT’S NEXT: Johnson said in the release that plans are also underway to build a “multipurpose gymnasium with adaptable space for basketball, volleyball, and all sorts of cultural and social events.” Next to the gymnasium will be CUSD’s new Esencia K-8 school, anticipated to open in fall 2018.—AJ
Asbestos Rampant in Orange County Schools, Grand Jury Finds THE LATEST: More than two-thirds of the 600 K-12 public schools in Orange County have encapsulated asbestos present in at least one of their buildings. And a recent Orange County Grand Jury report, “Dealing with Asbestos in Orange County Public Schools,” recommended districts “safely (remove) asbestos and other hazardous materials” from county schools. The Jury cited potential renovations, spurred by bond measures—including the proposed $889 million CUSD school improvement bonds—as one potential catalyst for asbestos exposure. As is, however, the report “strongly (cautioned) that current EPA standards provide the mere presence of encapsulated asbestos at a school site does not present any immediate danger to schoolchildren or staff at the site.” Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is unsafe for humans when we are exposed to it outside of its safer encapsulated form. The Grand Jury came to its findings by interviewing school parents, staff and board members. Its cleanup recommendations for school districts included holding at least one monthly meeting about dealing with hazardous materials; developing communication plans with parents; developing comprehensive plans for construction, particularly those that involve asbestos-laden areas; designating certain people to take EPA training; and more. WHAT’S NEXT: The full report can be viewed at www.ocgrandjury.com. The Grand Jury recommended that their suggestions occur within nine months of the release of the report.—Matt Cortina www.thecapistranodispatch.com
EYE ON SJC
Community Meetings
NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ALLISON JARRELL
Annual Heroes’ Nite Out Event Set for Sept. 10 Homefront America’s annual Heroes’ Nite Out is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, from 5-9 p.m. at Serra Plaza, located at 31920 Del Obispo Street in San Juan Capistrano. The sixth annual event honors America’s military heroes and their spouses for their unyielding commitment and dedication to protecting our freedoms. It also offers grateful civilians the opportunity to convey their appreciation for the many sacrifices they endure in that service. Guests will dine under the stars in a charming courtyard setting, and entertainment will be provided by The Side Street Strutters Jazz Band, sponsored by Segerstrom Center for the Arts. An array of opportunity drawings will also be featured. Former USMC Cpl. Jimmy Gentile, a “Magnificent Bastard” with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, will share his personal story of the Battle of Ramadi—chronicled by USA Today as one of the fiercest battles fought in Iraq, which took the lives of 34 Marines, including a Navy Corpsman, and nearly killed Cpl. Gentile. Today, 39 surgeries later, this American hero has no regrets and said he would do it again. Tickets are $50 per person, or $55 after July 31. Table sponsorships are also available. To RSVP for the event, visit homefrontamerica.org.
Capistrano Eagles to Host Annual Food Drive July 16 The Capistrano Eagles Motorcycle Club is set to host its annual “Christmas in July” community food drive on July 16 from noon to 5 p.m. at Swallow’s Inn. The drive supports Father Serra’s Pantry, which benefits San Juan Capistrano families in need. Live music will be performed by Family Style. Needed items include nonperishable foods, personal hygiene products and school supplies. For more information, call 714.321.9923 or 949.493.3188. Swallow’s Inn is located at 31786 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.
Free Summer Equestrian Lecture Series Kicks Off The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition will be hosting free lectures throughout the summer beginning in July. On July 14, Ben Crosland, DVM, of Mission Equine Hospital will give a lecture on “Improving the Quality of Life in the Mature Horse” at the VMSG-OC Conference Room, located at 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite C1 in San Juan Capistrano. The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to a happy hour next door at American Horse The Capistrano Dispatch July 8–21, 2016
TUESDAY, JULY 12
Planning Commission Meeting
6:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. Log on to www.sanjuancapistrano.org to see the body’s agenda. WEDNESDAY, JULY 13
More than 200 personnel from all five branches of the military attended last year’s Heroes Nite Out event. Photo: Allison Jarrell
Products at 5:30 p.m. On July 21, Marc Hedgpeth, senior LART instructor, is set to give a lecture on “Technical Large Animal Rescue Techniques,” at 6:30 p.m. at the VMSG-OC Conference Room. On July 28, the Kelly family is giving Western dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. at Tar Farm Stables, located at 28411 San Juan Creek Road in San Juan Capistrano. All members and guests are welcome to the lectures. For more information, call 949.388.2300, email sjcec@cox.net or visit www.sjcec.org.
Breakthrough SJC to Host Visitors Day July 19 Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano’s annual Visitors Day is slated for Tuesday, July 19 from 8:15-10 a.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, located at 31641 La Novia Avenue in San Juan Capistrano. This year marks the 11th consecutive summer of Breakthrough SJC. Join the local nonprofit for an insider’s look at the intensive six-week summer program, including an opportunity to meet the talented and determined Breakthrough students and teaching fellows. Learn how Breakthrough is positively impacting their lives. RSVP to Jessica Jaramillo at jessica.jaramillo@smes.org.
The Oaks Farms Named North America’s Project of the Year Homebuilder Bill Davidson’s treatment of the iconic Oaks Farms equestrian property was celebrated on June 23 when the development emerged as North America’s project of the year at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference Gold Nugget Awards ceremony. Three years ago, Joan Irvine Smith, great-granddaughter of California pioneer James Irvine, sold her legendary training and boarding center for development and
trusted Davidson to honor and preserve the legacy of The Oaks. “Today the iconic property has been transformed into something extraordinary,” wrote the Gold Nugget judges. “Builders around the country are locating these older equestrian properties and in most cases, demolishing them to build new homes,” said Bill Davidson, president of Davidson Communities, a privately held home building company based in Del Mar. “From the minute we set foot on The Oaks, we knew that shouldn’t happen. “This is a place where generations of local children have learned to ride, and where international elites have competed. We relished the opportunity to create a land plan that would save this piece of history while allowing new homes to be built.” The equestrian facility still thrives on the southern portion of the land, while steps away, 32 new homes embrace the history and culture of San Juan Capistrano with modern farmhouse and adobe ranch architecture. Nearly half the homes adjoin and overlook the equestrian operation, allowing homeowners to witness the daily activities of riders and trainers. The Gold Nugget Awards are the oldest and most prestigious design awards in the nation, recognizing the best in architecture, development and planning. This year there were 665 entries submitted from the United States and around the world. The Oaks Farms also received a grand award in the category of Special Use Project of the Year for the successful integration of homes with horses and was honored for Best Single Family Detached Home in two separate categories: one for the 3,415-square-foot single level Residence One, and the other for the 4,408-square-foot Residence Three. Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.
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Downtown Farmers Market
3-7 p.m. Fresh flowers, produce and specialty foods from dozens of vendors in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. Occurs every Wednesday. Visit www.farmersmarketsjc.com or call 949.493.4700 to find out more.
CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting
7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District governing body meets at district offices, located at 33122 Valle Road. To see the board’s agenda, visit www.capousd.org. FRIDAY, JULY 15
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, JULY 19
City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting
5 p.m. The city’s governing body meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
San Juan Summer Nites
6-8 p.m. The city’s annual summer concert series continues with a classic rock performance by The Trip. The event also includes dancing, food, beer and wine, a local business expo and free activities for kids. Free to attend. Historic Town Center Park, 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5911, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.
CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting
7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District governing body meets at district offices, located at 33122 Valle Road. To see the board’s agenda, visit www.capousd.org. FRIDAY, JULY 22
Next issue of The Dispatch publishes www.thecapistranodispatch.com
EYE ON SJC
SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY ALLISON JARRELL
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, July 3 VANDALISM REPORT La Novia Avenue/ Via Cerro Rebal (2:18 p.m.) A woman reported graffiti at the top of the hill on Via Cerro Rebal. Deputies located yellow graffiti and damage to the chain-link fence south of Cerro Rebal. STOLEN VEHICLE La Zanja Street, 26500 Block (1:27 p.m.) A red 2001 Nissan Xterra was reported missing since Friday; the caller told police that the keys had possibly been left in the vehicle. Deputies located an unoccupied vehicle matching the description in Mission Viejo by a golf course. The caller confirmed that it was his car, and it was released to him. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Spotted Bull Lane, 29500 Block (11:47 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a suspicious woman the caller found passed out on the front lawn. The woman woke up and was walking up and down the street looking into cars. DISTURBANCE-MECHANICAL Via Quixote, 31600 Block (11:14 a.m.) A caller reported ongoing construction noise since 7 a.m. DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 31900 Block (10:55 a.m.) A patrol check was requested by Carniceria El Campeon for a man in his 40s “throwing trash all over the alleyway by the dumpster.” DISTURBANCE Doheny Park Road, 33900 Block (10:47 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man in his 40s who was sitting in front of Tan2Envy and disturbing customers. DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 31700 Block (8:32 a.m.) A man in his 50s was reportedly yelling and cussing at a woman inside of Starbucks. The man refused to leave. DISTURBANCE-MECHANICAL Via Quixote/ Avenida la Mancha (8:30 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for “loud construcThe Capistrano Dispatch July 8-21, 2016
OBITUARY
William Myron Hammond, 76
tion noises coming from the second cul-de-sac” after entering through Hidden Mountain.
William Myron Shannon Hammond, age 76, formerly of San Juan Capistrano, died peacefully in hospice care at Anaheim Crown Plaza Assisted Living with family and friends at his bedside on June 17, 2016. Bill was born to William Douglas Daniel Hammond and Leonor Elisa Paez-Urquidi Hammond in Los Angeles, California, on December 31, 1939. The family lived in Connecticut during WWII while his father worked as an engineer for Auto Ordinance Corporation, then settled in San Juan Capistrano in 1946, where his father built two homes, taught high school, and worked as a design consultant for the Marksman Corporation of Los Angeles. His mother, after completing her education, taught Spanish in various Orange County high schools and colleges. The eldest of three brothers, Bill led his siblings through Capistrano elementary schools and graduated from Capistrano Union High School in 1958. With his remarkable athletic skills, Bill competed there in multiple varsity sports and led its tennis and golf teams to regional championships in his senior year. He subsequently played on golf scholarships for the college teams of Santa Ana Community College and the University of Hawaii, from which he graduated in 1963. His love of golf would continue throughout his life, both in competing in high-level amateur and corporate competitions throughout Southern California and in teaching the game to aspiring competitors, friends, and always less-talented family. In 1963, William married Lynda Pearson of Mission Viejo, California. Their son, William Wade Hammond, was born in 1970. While the marriage ended in divorce, the parents never wavered in their support for Wade, who would become a successful artist, photographer, bar manager and booking agent in Long Beach, California. Bill began his work as a research and design engineer with Babcock Electronics Corporation in 1963, where he honed the skills in assembly-line, mold-making, control, and fixture design that he would use throughout his career in manufacturing and aerospace systems. His own company, Spectrum Engineering Design, was established to develop patented test fixtures and equipment for electronic-component testing. After Spectrum, Bill continued to work as a designer and engineer in Southern California for such corporations as Northrup Aviation, Hughes Microelectronics Systems, and M K Engineering until illness restricted him to consulting work in the 1990s. To the deep gratitude of his family, Bill was able to help his parents live out their lives in the family home in San Juan Capistrano, a house his father had designed and built in 1950. Bill is survived in his immediate family by his son Wade and his daughter-in-law Brittany Hammond of Long Beach; his brother Geoffrey Hammond and his wife Pam of Carlsbad; his brother Alexander Hammond and his wife Barbara of Pullman WA; and five nieces and nephews and their seven children. The family wishes to thank the staff at Anaheim Crown Plaza for their kind care and Bill’s long-time friend Edna Dolores Craig for her years of warm support.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Chueca, 3800 Block (2:48 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man throwing up in front of the caller’s house. The caller would not go outside. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Purple Sage Lane, 25600 Block (2:40 a.m.) A woman reported that someone was shining a flashlight into her bedroom window. The woman could not hear or see anything besides the flashlight. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Woodcrest Lane, 26400 Block (1:42 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man who approached the caller’s car as he was arriving home. The caller believed the man “was out to cause him harm” because he “looked like a gangbanger.” DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Calle la Purisima, 13400 Block (12:09 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a loud party in a garage with about 20 people drinking.
Saturday, July 2 CITIZEN ASSIST Peppertree Bend, 31600 Block (9:40 p.m.) A woman reported a dog barking on a neighboring street. She was convinced there was something wrong “as that is what she interpreted from the woofs.” RECKLESS DRIVING Avenida Mariposa, 25900 Block, (7:43 p.m.) A black Honda with loud exhaust was racing up and down the street. CITIZEN ASSIST Verdugo Street, 26700 Block (3:36 p.m.) A woman on a train reported that her 8-year-old daughter was left at the station. The train stopped approximately one mile from the station, the woman departed to go back to her daughter, and the two were reunited. The mother told police that she didn’t want to miss the train and got on thinking her daughter was following. DRUNK IN PUBLIC Camino Capistrano/Del Obispo Street (2:28 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man drinking alcohol, yelling and screaming near Ross. The man kept walking back and forth from Ross to KFC and stopping at the bus stop. DISTURBANCE Starrise Lane, 27500 Block (12:52 p.m.) A caller reported an exgirlfriend was outside trying to break into the caller’s car. The woman was trying to break a window with a high heel shoe and had also pulled the caller’s hair earlier. DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano/Del Obispo Street (8:52 a.m.) A patrol check was requested at Churchill’s Wine & Spirits for subjects drinking and harassing
customers in front of the store. INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Calle Arroyo/ Paseo Tirador (7:02 a.m.) A caller requested a patrol check at an empty lot next to Staples after seeing “a white tarp covering a body.” The caller could only see feet but thought the person was dead because “it would be a weird place for a transient to sleep.” The feet belonged to an elderly transient woman who was sleeping. DRUNK IN CAR Los Rios Street, 31500 Block (1:55 a.m.) A drunken man was revving the engine of his truck for 30 minutes while parked on the left-hand side of Los Rios Street.
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Friday, July 1 DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Orangewood Road, 26400 Block (11:56 p.m.)A caller reported that a “party goer hopped” into their backyard but “hopped back over” to the party next door when the caller confronted him. PROWLER Valle Road, 33700 Block (11:26 p.m.) A woman reported that she could see a person with a flashlight outside her bedroom window. The woman stayed on the phone with police, and about five minutes later said she had just put up wind chimes near her window and there was no prowler. www.thecapistranodispatch.com
EYE ON SJC
Inflatable air dancers are the latest tactic officials are using to scare away sea lions. Photo: Kristina Pritchett
News Next Door
WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS
DANA POINT Air Dancers Installed in Harbor to Deter Sea Lions Dancing inflatable tubes, also known as air dancers, have been recently installed by the county to deter sea lions. Currently four air dancers, commonly seen at car dealerships, reside outside of Harbor Patrol. The Orange County Parks Department has been working with the Dana Point Marina Operator on the pilot program, which began just before the Fourth of July. In recent weeks, sea lions have been making themselves at home along docks and boats, which can cause damages and a mess. “It’s plainly obvious we have a problem,” said James Lenthall with the Dana Point Boaters Association. “Their population has been increasing in the last few weeks to months; it comes and goes. More recently, there have been a lot more of them around.” Lenthall said boat owners are often finding the sea lions on boats’ swim steps and on the boat docks. He added he and other Dana Point boaters know how difficult it can be to shoo the animals away. “Sea lions are not very cooperative when you want to move them,” Lenthall said. “I’ve seen a group of people try to yell to scare one away, and the sea lion just yelled back.” County officials said other obstacles have been attempted to keep the sea lions off the docks, but hope this program will work. “They can be startled with loud noise,” said Julianna Steers with the Ocean Institute. “Other things can definitely spook them, it just depends.” The idea of the air dancers sprung from a boater who heard about the concept working in a Northern California town. Each air dancer is $150, and runs off of power supply already on the docks. The county plans on installing more on four Page 7
docks nearest the harbor entrance. Currently, the program is in its pilot stage, and will continue if it’s effective. However, if it doesn’t seem to be working, the county said they would reevaluate.—Kristina Pritchett
SAN CLEMENTE Judge Orders San Clemente to Establish Areas for Homeless Shelter Since the state adopted Senate Bill 2 in 2007, which mandates cities must establish areas of land—private or public—as potential spots for homeless shelters, the city of San Clemente never established a plan that was in compliance with the law. On July 1, Judge Robert Moss of the Orange County Superior Court ruled in favor of Emergency Shelters Coalition, which had filed a lawsuit against the city for its lack of identification of homeless shelters in its housing element. It wasn’t until 2014 that the city began designating certain areas for a shelter, such as the current City Hall, a parcel of land near Vista Hermosa Sports Park and other areas. That wouldn’t have prevented the city from seeking private acquisition of land, and, the lawsuit stated, the city must at least try to establish areas that would be suitable for the land. In February, City Council was met with heavy opposition in establishing a homeless shelter near the sports park after Jamboree Housing Corporation submitted proposals for a shelter at that location. Residents came out in droves to speak during the meeting to prohibit any kind of transaction. Ed Connor, one of the attorneys for Emergency Shelters Coalition, said because the city was only allowing for its surplus land to be identified as potential spots, it made it almost impossible for anyone to try to establish a shelter. Connor said the city has 120 days to identify areas for a homeless shelter. City Attorney Scott Smith said the city will not make a comment on the matter until City Council has been briefed on the ruling.—Eric Heinz www.thecapistranodispatch.com
SOAPBOX
VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.thecapistranodispatch.com
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EDITORIAL
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Near Reata Park on the east side of town, Ortega Highway widens from two lanes to four lanes. The City Council majority voted in January to support keeping the two-lane 0.9-mile section of the highway as it is, rather than widening it. Photo: Allison Jarrell
City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell
Letters to the Editor
City Editor, DP Times > Kristina Pritchett
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WIDENING OF ORTEGA HIGHWAY IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE SAFETY —Larry Kramer, San Juan Capistrano A response to Mark Speros’ letter to the editor titled, “Where did the Ortega Congestion Go?” Mr. Speros’ comment that the congestion “at the chokepoint” goes away when school is out proves that Rancho Mission Viejo does not cause the congestion. I think we have been saying that for a long time. His implication that the congestion will not reoccur when school begins and La Pata is finished this fall would be nice if it occurs. Does he have some study to show that is what will happen or is he just saying it to support his position? Some could argue that it may be worse as people from San Clemente use it to go to the I-5 via Ortega Highway when the I-5 is crowded or Pico and Hermosa are backed up. He also misses the main point that the widening is being done to support traffic inThe Capistrano Dispatch July 8-21, 2016
creases over the next 30 years. Is he only concerned with the immediate present? As far as being in a hurry to get this project moving, remember that even under the best of circumstances, it would not have been completed before 2020. One reason the Council was urged to reconsider their decision is that we have spent about $4.5 million on the project already and OCTA may want their money back if the city does not reverse its position. His alternate route from Antonio to the 73 toll road is not an OCTA project. It was rejected years ago as being both impractical and too expensive. Comparing rough numbers, the chokepoint removal would cost about $30 million while Speros’ alternative is estimated to cost about $900 million. There are no plans for this project. The undeveloped land he refers to consists of hills requiring expensive tunneling and wetlands requiring mitigation. He also indicated that the cost of the project is going up. Of course, if it is further delayed, it will cost even more. Welcome to the wonderful world of inflation. I urge you to call and write your City Council members and OCTA and urge them to move forward on this needed safety improvement.
ORTEGA WIDENING: THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN SHOULD COME FIRST —Shelly Welcome, San Juan Capistrano In response to Mark Speros’ letter, the traffic is still there on the Ortega Highway even with school out. Drive out there in the morning or afternoon, and you will see that the traffic is still there. I drive it, because my children are involved in sports and other activities at San Juan Hills High School. The students and their parents who live in San Juan Capistrano who attend San Juan Hills High School will still be driving through traffic with big trash trucks on the narrow corner on Ortega. The most important, critical issue about this corner on Ortega is that it is extremely narrow and unsafe. And it still floods in the rain. There was a recent tragic fatality that occurred where the road narrows. One fatality is too many. As a parent whose children have attended SJHHS since 2008 and still do, I find the decision to not widen this stretch of Ortega as an extremely irresponsible, bad one. So many of our new young San Juan Capistrano drivers drive or will drive
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Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes
OPERATIONS
SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Debra Holm Cameron Sadeghi Tim Trent Jorge Maldonado
The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 14, Issue 13. 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 2015. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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SOAPBOX their vote, keeping a centralized location for the program received public support from several officials, local clubs, businesses and residents from our southern cities. Fast forward to May 25, and, as reported, “two trustees requested the middle school location to be reconsidered, pointing to about $1 million in renovations in order to house the program at Niguel Hills Middle School.” The argument swayed the board of trustees and the policy was put on hold to be reconsidered in another six months. When CUSD is asking for an $889 million bond measure to repair our neglected schools, spending $1 million to move the Mandarin program sounds wasteful, but it isn’t clear cut for the following reasons:
along that stretch of the highway. Are you OK with that? I am not, and even when my youngest child graduates from SJHHS, I will not be OK with it. It is unsafe. This issue should not be politicized. I understand there are two polarizing sides in this town. Many of us who are not on either side are sick of people using issues like bats against each other and our children, the children of San Juan Capistrano, taking the hits. The safety of our children should come first. Safety first!
CUSD HAS YET TO JUSTIFY ITS IMPENDING BILLION DOLLAR BOND —Laura Ferguson, San Clemente In response to the article, “CUSD Leans Toward Districtwide Bond Rather than Separate Regional Bonds,” I, too, attended the June 22 meeting where the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees held yet another lengthy bond discussion. The reason for the third meeting, including a special workshop, is because CUSD has yet to justify why it needs a billion dollars. As a property owner in San Clemente’s Mello-Roos district who experienced CUSD’s over-taxation and misuse of Talega’s special taxes, and who fought alongside my fellow taxpayers to remedy major abuses, allow me to share my top 10 reasons why taxpayers should vote no on CUSD’s billion dollar bailout this November. 1. Mismanagement of public funds. 2. History of over-taxation/mishandling of Mello-Roos. 3. Failure to be transparent. 4 Lack of trust. 5. No accountability. 6. Inadequate public outreach. 7. Rushing its bond proposal. 8. Increased salaries/pension costs for four consecutive years at the expense of facilities repairs, smaller class sizes and programs for the children. 9. Little is known on what facilities im-
The Capistrano Unified School District is considering a districtwide bond, but one reader feels the district hasn’t done enough to justify why it needs that amount of funding, Photo: File
provements will actually cost because no bids were sought for “sample” projects. 10. CUSD receives funding for its $430 million budget every year. Why hasn’t any of this money been set aside to fix facilities? 11. Lying to taxpayers to minimize the size of the bond by not admitting the interest charges. When CUSD says the bond is $889 million—the real cost of the bond, including the interest you have to pay is double the face value—$1.778 billion. That’s more than 10, which shows how the reasons for not trusting CUSD with more of our tax dollars are vast. Please be aware that the district’s bond campaign is about to get underway. At the last board meeting, one of the trustees talked about how the district would need to drop some serious money on mailers. The money, the manpower, the messaging—it will take the form of door knocks, phone calls and mail pieces. Don’t be fooled. Vote no this November on the billion dollar bailout of failed leadership at CUSD.
MANDARIN IMMERSION PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL —Susanne Dachgruber, San Clemente There have been troubling developments for families in South County that have their children enrolled in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) at Bergeson Elementary school in Laguna Niguel. MIP was founded by a San Clemente parent, and in 2011, when the program was approved by the CUSD Board of Trustees, one of the stipulations was that it be accessible to all CUSD residents and therefore be centrally located. This highly successful program will enter middle school next year, but where will it go? On April 13, the CUSD district staff recommended that the program go to Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo, which doesn’t provide equal access, is the most northern of our middle schools and doesn’t allow for a feasible drop-off/pickup time between schools for families with multiple children. This will lead to families having to drop out of the program. To the relief of the 88 percent of families in the program that live centrally or south of it, the board voted 5-2 for Niguel Hills Middle School, upholding their promise of equal access. Prior to
1. The $1 million estimate is to fix four classrooms, not the two reportedly needed for MIP. 2. Due to declining enrollment at Niguel Hills, the program wouldn’t need the extra classrooms, thus the cost would be $0 for facilities. 3. The whole point of the bond measure is to fix our crumbling classrooms. Due to misinformation about the real costs involved, many of us are wondering if we’ll be able to keep our children in the program if it does end up getting placed in Mission Viejo. The solution is simple; the district needs to uphold its promise of granting equal access to all families and let the decision stand for Niguel Hills Middle School.
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.
GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER
The List What’s going on in and around town
At the Movies: What’s with ‘The BFG’?
EDITOR’S PICK
COMPILED BY STAFF
Friday | 08 SUMMER MOVIE NIGHTS: ‘LORAX’ 7 p.m. Enjoy a free summer movie night on the CVCS football field, presented by South Shores Church. The movie begins at dusk (approx. 8:15 p.m.). Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and food. 32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.4991, southshores.org. SUMMER OF THEATRE: DISNEY’S ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ 7:30 p.m. The Saddleback College Performing Arts Department presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast June 8-9. Seating opens at 6 p.m. and is first-come, first-served, with reserved seating available for $25. The event will be held outdoors and attendees are encouraged to bring low-back chairs and blankets to sit on. Food trucks will be available and picnic meals are permitted. Parking and admission is free. Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Saturday | 09 MUSIC IN THE WILDLANDS 8-10 a.m. Join The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo and listen to the singing of the birds and humming of the insects. Learn about how Native Americans used local plants like elderberry, known as the “tree of music,” to create musical instruments and create your own take home musical instrument. Ages 6 and up. Adults $10, children $5, free for RMV residents. The Richard and Donna O’Neil Conservancy, call for directions. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org. SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Dalton Gang performs until 6:30 p.m., followed by Rob Staley Band at 8:30 p.m. The Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com. SECOND STAGE STAND-UP 7:30 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse hosts a lineup of four comedians on the second Saturday of each month. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $17.50; reservations are recommended. To purchase tickets, call 949.489.8082 or visit www.comedyintheoc. com. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. www.caminorealplayhouse.org. The Capistrano Dispatch July 8-21, 2016
Photo: (C) 2016 Storyteller Distribution Co., LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Photo: Allison Jarrell
FRIDAY, JULY 15: THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO 6 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse puts on the original 1919 story of Zorro, a legend that began in San Juan Capistrano. (See our story on the production at www.thecapistranodispatch.com.) Picnicking starts at 6 p.m. Kids pre-show starts at 7 p.m. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 a piece, with discounts for families. Runs every weekend through July 31. Performed at Historic Town Center Park. 31852 El Camino Real. Tickets at www.caminorealplayhouse.com.
Friday | 15 LIVE MUSIC: SUSAN BACH 6:30 p.m. Singer-songwriter Susan Bach showcases her mix of folk, country, rock, blues and Irish music at the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library Bookstore. $15. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. www.ocpl.org. 949.493.2688. SUMMER MOVIE NIGHTS: ‘THE GOOD DINOSAUR’ 7 p.m. Enjoy a free summer movie night on the CVCS football field, presented by South Shores Church. The movie begins at dusk (approx. 8:15 p.m.). Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and food. 32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.4991. southshores.org. SADDLEBACK BIG BAND UNDER THE STARS 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of jazz under the stars with Joey Sellers and the Saddleback Big Band. Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Saturday | 16 RESTORATION ON THE RESERVE WALK 8-10 a.m. Join Botanist Tony Bomkamp and Executive Director Laura Coley
Eisenberg for a stroll along the San Juan Creek to see examples of restored habitats on the Reserve. See if you can tell the difference between what nature made and what man made as we look at willow riparian, oak woodland and coastal sage scrub habitats. $10 for adults, $5 children, free for members. Reserve your spot at www.rmvreserve.org. 5TH MARINES SUPPORT GROUP CAR WASH 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The 5th Marines Regiment Support Group will be hosting an ecofriendly car wash. The money donated from the event will be used to help Marines, Sailors, Wounded Warriors and their families in myriad ways. Doheny Village Car Wash. 34241 Doheny Park Road, Capistrano Beach. www.danapoint5thmarines.com. SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Family Style performs until 6:30 p.m., followed by Dawson at 8:30 p.m. The Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com. SUMMER OF THEATRE: SHAKESPEARE’S ‘OTHELLO’ 7:30 p.m. The Saddleback College Performing Arts Department presents Shakespeare’s Othello, performed by Shakespeare by the Sea. Seating opens at (Cont. on page 12)
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BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATH
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he latest Roald Dahl film adaptation, The BFG, reunites the creative team behind the family sci-fi classic E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): director Steven Spielberg, screenwriter Melissa Mathison, producer Kathleen Kennedy and composer John Williams. And most importantly, it’s produced by Walt Disney Studios. So what the heck happened to make it open at only No. 4 on opening weekend? In 1980s England, 10-year-old orphan Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is abducted by an epically tall giant (Mark Rylance) after she spots him sneaking around outside her window. She’s then taken to his equally giant cottage in what he refers to as “Giant Country.” Very quickly, Sophie learns that the giant is actually the Big Friendly Giant and is not as menacing and cannibalistic as his fellow giants. She also discovers that the BFG is a dream catcher and can create dreams. Despite its stellar production values, special effects and wonderfully innocent tone, The BFG is flopping. There are a couple of reasons for this surprising outcome. One is that Fourth of July weekend is a rather peculiar time to release a movie that is so prominently English. Another is that the feature isn’t as fast-paced and plot-driven as most successful family flicks are. The BFG is essentially random scenes where the giant and Sophie hang out and experiment with his magic, and they also meet the Queen. Its target audience is the same small crowd that enjoyed Hugo (2011) or the 1980 Popeye movie, which doesn’t really make for a huge hit, even with the all the potential. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com
GETTING OUT
Photo: Courtesy of Family Style
Photo: Eric Heinz
SATURDAY, JULY 16 AND SUNDAY, JULY 17: SAN CLEMENTE OCEAN FESTIVAL All day Saturday and Sunday. Head down to the San Clemente Pier and beach for a weekend jam-packed with activities in “The Greatest Show on Surf.” Participate in or watch surfing, fishing, lifeguard races, woody car exhibitions, dory boat racing, paddle board races, free concerts, food, drinks and much more. Admission is free. Free parking and round-trip shuttle service from The Outlets at San Clemente, 700 Avenida Pico. www.oceanfestival.org.
(Cont. from page 10) 6 p.m. and is first-come, first-served, with reserved seating available for $25. The event will be held outdoors and attendees are encouraged to bring low-back chairs and blankets to sit on. Food trucks will be available and picnic meals are permitted. Parking and admission is free. Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Sunday | 17 SUCCULENT DRIFTWOOD PLANTER CLASS 10 a.m. Learn how to put together a waterwise summer planter! An instructor will show you how to incorporate succulents into driftwood for a fun beach-themed centerpiece. Class is free with the purchase of materials. Reservations are required. Cottage Home and Garden 31711. Los Rios Street. 949.493.3920. www.cottage-home-and-garden.com. LANTERN DISTRICT CAR SHOW 1-5 p.m. On July 17, the City of Dana Point is pairing up with BlueChip Motorcars to host the Dana Point Lantern District Car Show. Held on Del Prado between Old Golden Lantern and Amber Lantern. There will be live music, hundreds of custom and classic cars on display, along with awards such as Best in Show, Mayor’s Cup and more. This event is free and open to all ages. www.dplanterndistrict.com. SUMMER OF THEATRE: SHAKESPEARE’S ‘CYMBELINE’ 7:30 p.m. The Saddleback College Performing Arts Department presents The Capistrano Dispatch July 8-21, 2016
Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, performed by Shakespeare by the Sea. Seating opens at 6 p.m. and is first-come, firstserved, with reserved seating available for $25. Parking and admission is free. Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Tuesday | 19 LOCAL AUTHOR LECTURE SERIES 2:30-4:30 p.m. Join D. Helene, author of Diary of a 99%-er, and Barbara J. Young, author of Life Forever Under the Sun, in the Third Sunday Local Author Lecture Series at the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library Bookstore. Author and Interviewer P.J. Colando moderates. Event is free to attend. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.2688. www.ocpl.org.
South County Music Scene: Family Style BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH
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f you live in Orange County and love live music, odds are you’re already familiar with the infamous soulful rockers of Family Style. The OC-based band has been playing blues, soul and rock and roll at local venues for more than 27 years and features brothers Vic and Tony Rodriguez on guitar/vocals and drums/lead vocals respectively, along with a rotation of musicians including: Adrian Remijio, Luis Oliart, Melvin Scudders, Dennis Cotone, Marvin McDaniels and Richard Tyznick. Whether you’re in the mood for some James Brown and Van Morrison or a little Prince and David Bowie, Family Style’s got you covered. How They Started: Vic and Tony were always in bands growing up and said their passion for making music comes from
their family—their grandfather was the first Mexican-American disc jockey in Orange County in the 1950s. “He’d bring the records home to my mom and she’d play Fats Domino and Chuck Berry and all types of rock and roll music, and we just grew up listening to it,” Tony said. In 1989, the band was officially formed and the duo decided on the name Family Style, inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan’s last album. At the time, the band consisted entirely of their family members. Fun Fact: Family Style has been the house band at the Swallow’s Inn for about 17 years. They play all of the venue’s special events as well as the third Saturday of each month from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Upcoming Shows in the Area July 8: San Juan Hills Golf Club, 7-10 p.m. July 16: Swallow’s Inn, 2:30-6:30 p.m. July 23: Stillwater Spirits & Sounds, 9-11:45 p.m. July 30: Iva Lee’s, 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 7: Sunsets Bar & Grill, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 13: The La Pata Extension Grand Opening, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 25: OC Summer Concerts in the Park, Salt Creek Beach, 6 p.m. For a complete list of area shows and other band news, follow the group on Facebook: @familystyleusa.
The Best Thing We Ate This Week
Croque Monsieur BONJOUR CAFE & BISTRO
24633 Del Prado Ave, Dana Point, 949.496.6368, www.bonjourcafe.com
Wednesday | 20
Though we’re a continent and a sea from France, it’s hard not to feel like a tourist ordering the croque monsieur at Bonjour Cafe. But then again, the sandwich itself is a tourist. We’re not ogling it, like a macaron; no, it’s ogling us, in its many shapes and Photo: Matt Cortina forms, from restaurants of myriad reputes across the country. Smoked ham and melted cheese. This, and the Revolutionary War, are the two things for which even our most be-camouflaged, Bud-pounding and Trump-trumpeting citizens can thank France. Bonjour Cafe’s croque monsieur is a triple-decker of thick country bread, lightly charred swiss cheese, smoked ham shreds and pristine béchamel sauce. The sauce is silky and elegant, but powerful and rich, like pre-jail Martha Stewart or Cate Blanchett c. right now. And there’s this flavor, hidden in the many folds of prepping that sauce, what is it, uh…um… NUTMEG! You can come by any time, croque monsieur, especially if you’re made by the chefs at Bonjour Cafe.—Matt Cortina
SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES: THE TRIP 6-8 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket and join the fun at Historic Town Center Park for the San Juan Summer Nites concerts through September. Seating and parking are free. This month’s performer is The Trip, a classic rock outfit. www.sanjuanchamber.com. View the full “Event Calendar” at www.thecapistranodispatch.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@thecapistranodispatch.com. Page 12
www.thecapistranodispatch.com
SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
GUEST OPINION: Four Kids and a Dog by Elizabeth Bottiaux
GUEST OPINION: On Live and Love After 50 by Tom Blake
Camping is for the Birds
In Life, Opportunity Often Arises from Adversity
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very summer, families eagerly pack up their belongings and head out to the wild blue yonder. They pay good money to rent a dusty plot of land in the dirt where they pitch a tent and pretend they’re homeless for several days. It escapes me why people love this odd ritual. At this year’s multi-family campout, we decided to go big or go home. We forked over the big bucks to rent an overpriced 28-foot motor home. After last year’s tent camping experience at the annual family campout, I thought so-called “glamping” might ease the pain of camping for me. I’ll admit that it was indeed a step up from flimsy tent camping next to the constantly flushing, mega-loud restrooms we endured last year. At 5 every morning, no fewer than 5,000 squawking black crows descend greedily upon the campground. Campers are rudely awakened. Sleep ceases. Rangers seem to overlook their selfimposed rule of 10 p.m.-8 a.m. quiet time. Campers are noisy until late at night. Since the primary goal of that particular campground is to cram as many motorized vehicles and electronic devices into its vast concrete jungle as humanly possible, it’s not your average getaway-from-it-all trip in the woods. After two nights in the motor home with our four kids and their two friends, I’d had quite enough. Whoever coined the term “glamping,” should know that there’s really nothing glamorous about it. The impending dirt that constantly threatened to overtake every square inch of the minuscule space combined with the stinky toilet, the ever-shifting temporary home on wheels and piles of filthy clothes, is, in my humble opinion, overrated. As an adult, camping seems like endless work. There’s the packing. Clothes for all types of weather and situations, meals, snacks, sleeping bags, swim gear, bikes and toiletries are just the beginning. Then there’s that matter of cooking over an open fire or a discombobulated portable
Sudoku BY MYLES MELLOR Solution:
Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium The Capistrano Dispatch July 8–21, 2016
stove. Trying to keep the camper or tent swept and filth-free is impossible. Growing up, our family camped. We’d camp where showers and paved roads didn’t exist. Stinky portable toilets packed full of human waste or digging a hole in the woods were the only options when nature called. We’d swim all day in the river and relax by the campfire before crawling into our faded green canvas tent to sleep at night. I’m not sure how the adults involved felt, but we kids FOUR KIDS loved camping. AND A DOG There was one campBy Elizabeth Bottiaux ing trip in my adult life that I truly enjoyed. Our family joined forces with another family who were avid campers. Their favorite type of cooking was over a campfire using a big black rustic cauldron. We reaped the benefits of camping with experienced campers who, even as adults, enjoyed camping. They brought most of the necessary camp supplies. Our site backed up to a secluded, gently flowing river that our kids played in endlessly. Kids these days have far too much screen time and not enough stream time. Phones and other devices seduce our children into hours of inactivity. Camping is a way for kids to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. It allows kids freedom and opportunities they may not otherwise have at home. Elizabeth Bottiaux is mom to four small humans, ages 4, 6, 8 and 10. She’s a San Clemente resident and has lived in Orange County for the past 16 years. She publishes a blog, www.fourkidsandadog.com, about family life in our tri-city area. 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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oday’s column begins my 23rd year of writing about finding love after 50. My first column appeared on July 4, 1994, in a local Dana Point newspaper. Back then I wasn’t a writer, just a guy who owned Tutor and Spunky’s, a Dana Point deli. On Christmas Eve, 1993, my life changed dramatically when my wife of six years—without informing me of her intentions—cleaned out the house and moved away. I was so surprised and shocked that I started keeping a journal to try to gather my thoughts. Shortly thereafter, an unknown man came into the deli during lunchtime, and said, “Are you Tom Blake?” I smiled and said yes, thinking we had a new customer. He handed me an envelope, saying, “You are being served with divorce papers.” Soon, I became single, free to date again. I added the events of each day to my journal. I thought mid-life dating was going to be easy. After all, I owned a deli where lots of attractive women came in for ON LIFE AND lunch, many of them half LOVE AFTER 50 my age or less. By Tom Blake I quickly discovered that South Orange County women had no interest in dating a newly divorced, 53-year-old guy, who was bitter at how the divorce gods had treated him. With every failed dating experience, I added to the journal. After six months, my journal had grown to more than 100 pages. I converted it to a short story. I naively queried Playboy, Esquire and the New York Times, thinking they might be interested in a story about a divorced man’s dating woes. Eventually, two women editors of the Dana Point paper agreed to review my material. They felt that single women in Southern California would have a field day belittling my woe-is-me, feeling-sorry-for-myself, age50+, single-guy-can’t-get-a-date saga. The two editors gave me my first writing opportunity, and they were right. After my initial column, titled, “Home Alone with Only Dogs for Company,” appeared, a woman said: “Who is this sniveling puke?” Another said, “Get the boy a crying towel.” The column soon appeared in 10 local area newspapers and for eight years in the Orange County Register. In June 1998, I met Greta, my life partner. Women readers told me my writing became less controversial and more palat-
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able after she entered my life. I’ve written approximately 3,500 articles and newsletters on finding love after 50; writing on this topic has been good to me. I’ve published four books and have been interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today show and Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America—humbling experiences for a deli guy. In 2011, Norb Garrett, CEO of Picket Fence Media and publisher of the Dana Point Times, San Clemente Times and The Capistrano Dispatch, invited me to write for his newspapers. In my 23 years of writing, I have never been associated with such a hard-working, friendly and warm group of people. My writing scope has broadened from finding love after 50 to “On Life and Love after 50,” as older singles deal with personal issues often beyond the scope of just dating and seeking love. My advice is applicable to people ages 45 to 90. Yes, I do know people in their 90s who have found love. While my articles target singles, approximately 35 percent of my readers are married. Many tell me that reading about the hardships singles endure encourages them to appreciate their spouses more and to work harder at making their marriages last. My advice to married couples is usually pretty simple: stay together and work out the issues. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from this writing experience: opportunity often arises from adversity, and it’s up to us as individuals to recognize the opportunity and make the best of it, although we may not see or understand it until months or years later. I enjoy hearing from readers. Your comments, questions and observations are the meat and potatoes that help keep the column ongoing. Email me at tompblake@gmail.com and I will respond quickly. Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middleaged dating. His latest book can be found online at www.smashwords.com/books/ view/574810. See his website at www. findingloveafter60.com (Yes, after 60, time rolls on). 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.
www.thecapistranodispatch.com
SJC LIVING
Residents and visitors enjoyed the day’s festivities.
A Patriotic Display in San Juan Capistrano PHOTOS BY ALAN GIBBY/ZONE57 MEDIA
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The National Anthem was sung during the annual celebration.
San Juan’s July 4 fireworks display showcased a range of brilliant colors.
Family Style rocks the stage at the annual July 4 celebration.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Serra Post 3801 from San Juan Capistrano presents the colors.
an Juan Capistrano’s annual Fourth of July carnival and fireworks show drew thousands of residents and visitors to the San Juan Sports Park last weekend. The carnival, which ran July 2-4, featured a variety of rides, games and vendors. On July 4, local band Family Style performed in the evening before the city’s fireworks display—the grand finale of the holiday weekend. CD
Attendees dance to the music of Family Style.
Children enjoy free race car rides during the carnival.
The carnival included a variety of rides and games.
SJC LIVING
School’s (in) for Summer
Staying true to her roots, San Juan Hills grad takes on summer teaching for Breakthrough SJC BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH
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ighteen-year-old Vanessa Rodriguez remembers vividly her first day of Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano. It was the summer before her seventh grade year, and as she stepped off of the bus, there were 20 young, energetic teachers chanting, clapping and forming a cheer tunnel for her and the other students to enter through. “You have no idea what’s going on,” Rodriguez recalled, laughing. “The first day is very intimidating, but at the same time, you want to hop right into it.” Fast-forward six years, and Rodriguez is now the one clapping and cheering for a new group of young Breakthrough students, and by several accounts, she’s consistently the most spirited one of the group. “Vanessa is the first one to cheer every morning,” said Jessica Jaramillo, AmeriCorps Vista community outreach coordinator for Breakthrough. “She really gets the energy going.” And that’s after arriving on St. Margaret’s campus by 7:30 a.m. and prepping lesson plans the night before. During a time when many students slow down their schedules and take time off, Rodriguez and 19 other teaching fellows are participating in Breakthrough’s 11th consecutive six-week summer program, serving approximately 90 students. Breakthrough is geared toward lowincome children who need additional academic support in order to end a cycle of poverty in families and communities. All
Breakthrough teaching fellow Vanessa Rodriguez writes the day’s lesson plan on the white board before her first class of the day. Photo: Allison Jarrell
of the middle school students come from Marco Forster, and many end up at Capistrano Valley High School, Dana Hills High School, San Juan Hills High School and some at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. In essence, the program is designed to increase academic opportunities for highly-motivated, underserved students while putting them on the path to college. Hosted by St. Margaret’s, Breakthrough students attend the intensive summer program before entering seventh, eighth and ninth grades, taking challenging and engaging courses in core and elective subjects. Rodriguez said as a first generation student, she was immediately itching to be in the program as a sixth-grader at Marco Forster. Her mother worked two to three jobs and was a single parent, so she knew it would also help her family over the summer. “Childcare is very expensive, and for a low income household, it’s just too much money,” Rodriguez said. “So Breakthrough was a really good opportunity for me to help out my mom in that sense.” As an advanced student, Rodriguez said
being in Breakthrough ended up offering her something truly unique—feeling a deep connection to her peers. As the only Hispanic girl in her advanced courses, she often felt out of place in school. “So it was very different to be in classes where everyone was the same as me, culturally, socioeconomically—that had never happened to me before,” Rodriguez recalled. “It was very comforting to know there were students with my same struggles—and teachers as well—with my same background and career goals. It was a good change of environment.” Rodriguez said her seventh grade year was eye-opening—she was shown a multitude of possibilities, colleges and aspirations that she hadn’t known existed as a first generation student. “It’s definitely life-changing—you keep in touch with those teachers from your seventh grade year,” Rodriguez said. “I keep in touch with all of my teachers from those summers, and to this day they’re some of my closest mentors and friends.” Rodriguez took that ambition and guidance with her, graduating this summer
from San Juan Hills High School as the first female Hispanic Associated Student Body president. Her most cherished accomplishment, she said, was encouraging diversity and broader participation at special events across the school’s entire student body, especially those who were feeling excluded. She went on to participate in a CUSD school calendar committee and worked with her peers and the San Juan Capistrano City Council to change the name of Vista Montana to Stallion Ridge. The aspiring political science and international relations major plans on attending Saddleback College before potentially transferring to UCLA. She intends to pursue a masters degree in education, and said she hasn’t ruled out eventually running for Congress. “I’m not about a laid back life,” Rodriguez laughed. For now, you can find the determined grad teaching literature to seventh grade students—students who remind her of her own beginning in Breakthrough—for the next five weeks. She hopes to show them all what’s possible when you put your mind to it. “I wanted to become a teaching fellow because I knew that’s where I can make a change, and I can make an impact on students who are coming from the background I had,” Rodriguez said. “I live in the same area with all of these students— they’re my neighbors, I see them every single day. “I think having a role model and having someone tell them—it’s going to be OK, you’re going to make it, you can do this, you can be in leadership, you can do whatever you want to do, you just have to work hard for it—that’s something I wanted to do because I had people who did that for me.” CD FIND OUT MORE To learn more about Breakthrough SJC, call 949.661.0108 ext. 1342, email breakthroughsjc@gmail.com or visit www.breakthroughsjc.org. You can also follow Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano on Facebook or @BTSJC on Twitter.
San Clemente High School of s s a Class of ’66 is looking for Cl a few great classmates! Help us contact them! Aalbergsberg, Willliam Alarcon, Tony Amaral (Tornus), Norma Anaya, Tim Anderson, Jo Ann Backus, Barbara Bailey, Cordell Barber, Jolayne Barnes, Shelly Baron, Michael Basse, Dennis Belarde (Murphy), Donna Bierbower (Saladino), Linda Bierbower, Marc Blohm (Creech), Chris Bodnar, Richard Bonewits, Richard Borrow, Greg Boygle, Nancy Braman (Peterson), Pam Brayton, Tom Brooks (Kassebaum), Suzanne Bulgier, Sharon Calvit (Hedrick), Colleen Capellino, Bill Carter (Carter), Virginia Carter (Zirges), Louise Castle, Dona Castle (Metzger), Vickie Chambers, Mel Childress, Bob Christensen, Chris Coiffi, Sharon Clark, Paul Clarke (Patten), Dale Coen, Marilyn Cole (Wilson), Janice Collins, Lee Cooney (Huckleberry), Jackie Cooper, James Cooper, Tim Corr, Steven Crook, Melanie Crowder, Greg Curran, Margaret Currey, Joanne Decoster, Robert Deffley, Mike Dibenedetto (Clark), Chris Disieno, Mike Dodge, Jim Drinkwine, Allen Earle, Randy Ellison, Gregory Erisman, James Evinger (Hatcher), Rita Fales (Nichols), Donna Fassold (Olson), Kathy Finot, Suzanne Fleener, Candy Flynn, Catherine Folgner, Ken Folstad, Brad Forster, Selena Gable, Ron Gahan, Michael Gallager, Jon Gates (Dickson), Karen
Gennaro (Deskin), Rosemary Gibson, Richard Glesner, Barbara Gorman, Tom Goya, Steve Gunther, Karen Haaker (Webb), Susan Habig (Mitchell), Jill Hanckel, Bill Hancock, John Hanes (Cottrell), Donna Hanes, Dianna Hansen (Barnett), Sharon Hardisty (Walsh), Sandra Hill, Lonny Hoenshell, Ann Hoffert, Dan Honsberger, Carol Hortsman (Coates), Jean Hoyt, Bob Huffer, Charles Huges, Einar Hyslop, Bonnie Jamieson (Goldsmith), Nancy Jansen (Nott), Susan Johnson (McCracken), Pam Johnson, Bill Johnson (Christensen), Cheryl Jones, Richard Jones, Bob Ketcheson, Blaine Kettles, Mary Klein (Parsons), Anita Kneip, Linda Knoch (King), Chris Lauer, Frank Lentine, Sam Lilly, Chris Llamas, Daniel Lofgren, Mike Long, Paul Lovin, Thomas Lyons, Barbara Mac Lean, Penny Manzo, Frank Martelle, Kim Matthews (Unfried), Karen McCallister, Nancy McHugh (Somerville), Sharon McKray, Tom McMichael (Mowe), Patty Meyers, Dawn Minenko, Joey Moede, Rusty Moon (Westfall), Linda Moore, Sally More, Jo-Elaine Morey (Leicester), Beverly Murray, Steven Nelson, Jeff Nesbitt, Kathy Nesbitt, Sandi Nichols, Michele Nobles, Sam Noonan (Shadwick), Kathleen Norman (Gennarro), Norma Oliphant (Kirkpatrick), Melanie Olivares (Stoffel), Gina Olivares (Fisher), Barbara
Olivares, Belvi Overbaugh, Caryl Page, Charles Perez, Manuel Petelin (Bernardoni), Karen Peterson, Mary Peterson, Michael Price, Mary Radcliff (Byers), Joyce Rawson (Stenner), Wendy Renshaw (Barrett), Suzanne Rice (Folgner), Pamela Rivera, John Roberts, Roy Robinson, Ted Rode, Peter Rose, Dave Rosenbaum, Richard Ross, Sylvia Rossatti, Estella Rustand, Steve Ryan (Johnson), Ginny San Miguel, Jane Sanchez (Currell), Irene Schelke, Jim Schiller, Gregg Schmick, Lucille Seckler, Leslie Segaser (Pizzuto), Meladee Semegi (Hazelhorst), Margaret Shadwick (Howard), Connie Sharpe, Carol Shelor, Chris Sisneros, Marie Snyder, Carol Sosalla, Pamela Soto, Manuel Sparkul, Pat Stark, Barry Stauff, John Sutherlen, Paul Swanson (McMahan), Christy Swinger, Ron Tapper (Flokman), Dede Terry, Warner Thomas, Dennis Thomas, Jane Thomasson, Tommy Toney, Susan Tool, George Trigg (Reams), Christine United (Mihelich), Diane Wallace, Tom Wayman, Pat Weems, Nancy Werner, Patricia Wernet, Geraldyne Whelpley, Steven Whitaker, David Whynaught, Chris Weigand, Steve Wilkins, Nina Willey, Kevin Williams (Spencer), Suzanne Williams, Rebel Wilson, William Winton, Teressa Wolken, Kerry Workman, Gail Worth, Joseph Yonkey, Sharon Zaiss, Kathy Zeller (Hanrahan), Terry Zink, David
Reunion is Saturday, July 30 at 5:30 p.m. Doubletree Inn, 34402 PCH in Dana Point (across from Doheny Beach) Contact Bill Metzger Plumbing with any information: BMP.BILL@yahoo.com or 949.492.3558
SJC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel
Annual Rodeo Harkens Back to Wild West
O
ne of the best reasons for living in San Juan Capistrano is the way that our cultures all come together to provide a lifestyle. The equestrian way of life is best represented in our community with the upcoming Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in August. The rodeo at the RMV Riding Park brings together history and culture every year. While rodeo is considered to be an American institution, it had its beginnings in Spain and later Mexico before coming to the United States. While fiestas, which included bullfights, have been an integral part of Spanish celebrations since 1526, in Mexico they took on a mixture of Spanish, Indian, Christian and pagan rites. Mexican fiestas have always included music, dancing, fireworks, gambling and sports, along with the prayers, masses and ringing of church bells to celebrate Saint days, religious, local and national holidays. The Spanish brought the horse, cattle and bullfights into Mexico. In the 16th century, only the Spanish could participate MOMENTS IN TIME in fiesta sports, since By Jan Siegel only they could own land or ride horseback. However, as the ranching industry grew, and the Spaniards were unwilling to do the physical labor required to tend herds, break horses and roundup cattle, the rise of the vaquero emerged. The vaquero was a true Mexican. Because of their hard work, the cattle industry thrived and spread throughout Mexico. By 1821, when Mexico won its independence from Spain, the majority of those who fought for independence were mestizos, not Spaniards. The mestizo class included the vaqueros. It was this group that created sports that even today we associate with the rodeo. These included riding wild bucking horses, lassoing cattle and roping animals both on and off the horse. Before 1882, the cowboy was not the romanticized figure that he has become in American folklore. Poor economic conditions both in the industrial north and the southern farms created a need for a new hero. The cowboy represented youth, independence and hard work. These were the virtues that America was looking for. During the 1870’s, Col. W. F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was an entrepreneur and his stage shows included Native American
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The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo is emblematic of our community’s equestrian way of life. Photo: Alan Gibby
dances, tricks with the lasso and horse riding. He was very popular and successful. On July 4, 1882, Cody returned to his hometown, and when he found that no celebration had been planned, he produced an extension of his stage show. He had cowhands compete for prizes in roping, riding and shooting. Not only was the Wild West born, but also the modern rodeo. And the rest, as they say, is history. Cheyenne, Wyoming, organized the first Western Heritage Festival in 1897. By the turn of the twentieth century, many places were holding similar events called Roundup, Stampede, or Frontier Days. By 1917, the Wild West was gone and these new events were popping up all over the country. In 1922, the first World’s Championship Cowboy Contest was held in Madison Square Garden in New York. Events held in this first contest were the precursor of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and included bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling and calf roping. The early fiestas from Spanish colonial days have come full circle in the modern rodeo. It is now not just an event, not just a show, but a dedicated sport. On Aug. 27-28, you can spend a “Moment in Time” experiencing the rodeo in San Juan Capistrano. Next month’s article will focus on how the rodeo came to our town and how much the Ranch sponsorship means to the entire community. Jan Siegel is a 28-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years and has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 18 years. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The 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
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FOR SALE CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size. Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too! Mike 949-240-1545.
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Phillip W. Sharpe , loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, died suddenly on June 20, 2016. A celebration of Life for Phillip W. Sharpe will be held at Mollie’s Famous Cafe on Sunday, July 10 from 3:00 5:00 pm.
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Home Field Advantage Local lacrosse coach Brendan Fowler to play in Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game in Fullerton BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH
D
ana Point resident Brendan Fowler will get to take part in a special moment on July 9, when he takes the field as a Major League Lacrosse All-Star for the second time in his short career. Aside from the thrill of competing against the best players Major League Lacrosse has to offer, a challenge Fowler says he relishes, the East Coast transplant will be playing in front of dozens of his newest pupils. For the first time in MLL history, the All-Star game is coming to Orange County. The game will be held at Cal State Fullerton and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network at 4 p.m. Fowler moved to South Orange County from Long Island before the start of the last school year and landed the job as the head coach of the JSerra Catholic boys lacrosse program in San Juan Capistrano. Fowler, a two-time national collegiate champion while at Duke University, moonlights as a professional lacrosse player for the Charlotte Hounds and is among the best faceoff specialists in the nation. Fowler’s players get to see him demonstrate drills and techniques in practice, but now they will get an opportunity to see him going full speed on July 9.
“I think it will be cool. It’s good for (youth players) to see Division 1 or professional lacrosse to see what it looks like at the highest level,” Fowler said. “On the East Coast, (youth players) are kind of spoiled because they are around it all the time. Now these kids get a chance to see what it looks like in person.” After winning back-to-back NCAA titles with the Blue Devils, Fowler immediately transferred his success to the professional level. After being picked 13th overall by the Hounds in the 2014 MLL Collegiate Draft, Fowler racked up a 50.4 faceoff win percentage while winning a team-high 94 groundballs in his first season as a pro. He was named an All-Star as a rookie. Fowler is now in the midst of his second full season and is contributing to a Hounds team that sits atop the league standings at 6-3 overall through nine games. Fowler’s faceoff win percentage stands at 47 percent and he leads the team with 33 ground balls. Fowler is a faceoff specialist, the player who does the nitty gritty work in the middle of the field. It takes a tough player, both physically and mentally, to do such work. It’s the type of style Fowler aimed to instill in the JSerra players at the start of the season. An emphasis on playing hard and pursuing ground balls with tenacity
Brendan Fowler, right, was named a Major League Lacrosse All-Star for the second consecutive season in 2016. Photo: Courtesy Major League Lacrosse
became the Lions calling card. The Lions, who graduated 16 seniors in the summer of 2015, went 6-12 on the season and placed second in the Trinity League with a 3-3 record. They advanced to the first round of the playoffs, where they were defeated by league rival Santa Margarita, and ended the season ranked 13th in the MaxLaxOC Coaches Poll. It was a step in the right direction for
a program that went through so much recent change. “The first season was a challenge. We had no idea what we were walking into because they lost so many players in the offseason,” Fowler said. “But the kids were great and improved a ton throughout the season. I think we were playing our best lacrosse at the end of the year, which is always a good thing.” CD
Lewis Named to National Baseball Team Trials
GROM OF THE WEEK
SEYLAH CHILDRESS
BY MATT CORTINA, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH
A
t only 9 years old, Seylah Childress of San Juan Capistrano has already surfed and skated around the world. “I always loved the water, and I started surfing when I was 6,” Seylah said. “I started with my uncle. He took me out on the surfboard at Doheny.” Doheny is still a favorite spot—as is San Onofre—but Seylah says she’s had great experiences surfing in New Zealand and Australia. As part of a big surfing family, her love of riding the world’s best waves was born into her. “It’s like what we do,” Seylah says of her family and surfing. Seylah says she’s made friends out on the waves, and has also potentially found her career calling out there, too—she wants to be a marine biologist. “Just because I love the ocean and I love the animals in the ocean,” she said, adding The Capistrano Dispatch July 8-21, 2016
COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE
R Seylah Childress. Photo: Courtesy
that her favorite subject in school is, fittingly, science. Seylah also starred in her school’s—St. Anne—production of Alice in Wonderland last year, and hopes to continue the theater arts through high school. And perhaps it’s from her world travels or her surfing family that gives her this righteous perspective at such a young age, but Seylah hopes “to encourage all of the girls to start surfing and skating and try to get up on the board.” CD
oyce Lewis, a standout third baseman and soon-to-be senior at JSerra Catholic, was named to the USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials roster, the organization announced on June 26. Lewis and 107 other ballplayers descended upon Cary, North Carolina, for USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars on June 21 in hopes of making the first of two cuts and be named to the 18U National Team Trials roster. Lewis was one of the players who made the 40-man cut. Lewis and the remaining 39 players will now head to Houston, Texas, from Sept. 1115 to take part in the Team Trials. Following the Trials, USA Baseball will select its final 20-man roster that will compete in the COPABE Pan Am “AAA” Championships in Monterrey, Mexico. Lewis was named the Trinity League’s
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JSerra’s Royce Lewis was named to the USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials roster. Photo: Eric Heinz
player of the year for a second consecutive season in 2016. He batted .429, collecting 42 hits and four home runs as a junior. He is committed to UC Irvine. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com