October 13, 2017

Fall Fest Debuts Saturday at Reata Park OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

SJC LIVING/PAGE 24 FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

OCTOBER 13–26, 2017 • VOLUME 15, ISSUE 19

San Juan Haunts Ghost & Legends Tours highlight folklore, historic preservation S J C L I V I N G / PAG E 1 6

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Michelle Kelly, a docent at the Mission, portrays La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) at the beginning of the Ghost & Legends Tour. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Kimpton Hotel Remains Mired in Litigation after Trial Delay EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Trader Joe’s Opens with Lots of Aloha Spirit EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Q&A With Newly Crowned NCAA Football RecordHolder Dante Pettis SPORTS/PAGE 26

VOTE FOR THE BEST OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AT THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week Trader Joe’s Opens with Lots of Aloha Spirit THE LATEST: Dozens of joyous shoppers lined the sidewalk of the Mission Village Center Wednesday morning for the grand opening of the plaza’s new anchor grocery store, Trader Joe’s.

Store Captain Mike Rosales, a 22-year veteran of the grocery store chain, kicked off the Oct. 11 grand opening by greeting the crowd and thanking local city officials and community partners.

Rosales and his crew members opened the store’s doors with a traditional Trader Joe’s “lei cutting,” and as each shopper entered, they were given a lei of their own to wear accompanied by a warm, “Welcome aboard!” from team members.

Until Wednesday, the closest Trader Joe’s stores were in San Clemente and in Laguna Niguel, near the border of Dana Point.

During the grand opening, many shoppers said they were impressed with the spacious layout of the new grocer.

The more than 14,000-square-foot store features murals highlighting San Juan landmarks and motifs such as Mission San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Trading Post, Los Rios Street, San Juan Hills Golf Club, Regency Theatres, the train depot, the summer trolley, and, plenty of swallows throughout.

There’s even a hidden swallow stuffed animal waiting to be found, which Rosales said is mainly to keep kids entertained while their parents shop, but adults are welcome to join the hunt, too. Anyone who spots the swallow can tell a cashier and receive a free organic lollipop.

“One of the beautiful things about Trader Joe’s is we really try to tailor to our neighborhood,” Rosales said. “For us, why would we not want to celebrate the Mission and celebrate the swallows? It’s a beautiful part of the history of San Juan.”

Rosales, who was working at a Trader Joe’s in La Mesa prior to becoming San Juan’s store captain, said he and the store’s 70 crew members are eager to become a part of the community.

“We wanted to make sure it was the right spot and the right time, and I wanted to make sure I had the right crew, and all of it has come together,” Rosales said.

We really want to be part of this neighborhood. So we’re very thankful for this TThe Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

Shoppers begin to explore the new Trader Joe’s after the grand opening on Oct. 11. Photo: Allison Jarrell

opportunity, and we’re going to do everything we can to show that.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Rosales said he’s always looking for new crew members, seasonal or otherwise, and anyone interested in applying for a position is welcome to do so.

Trader Joe’s is located at 32151 Camino Capistrano. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full version of this story and a photo gallery, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

—Allison Jarrell

Kimpton Hotel Remains Mired in Litigation after Judge Delays Trial THE LATEST: A trial has been delayed, again, for a lawsuit from a hotel developer looking to overturn the city’s approval of a competing hotel in town.

Local developer Bill Griffith filed a lawsuit in the California Superior Court on Oct. 4, 2016 over the legality of the city’s September 2016 approval of the Hotel Capistrano by Kimpton. Griffith’s suit claims the Hotel Capistrano “violates many provisions of the city’s General Plan, other plans and planning policies established by the city, and the city’s municipal

code,” making it an “illegal” development that will “have negative impacts on the adjacent, historic Judge Egan House.”

The 102-room, 4-star Kimpton boutique hotel is set to be constructed between the Egan House and the Esslinger Building, which are both owned by Griffith. Griffith recently renovated the Egan House, which is now home to Ellie’s Table.

Griffith dropped his plans for his own Inn at the Mission hotel project around the same time the Hotel Capistrano was approved last year, and since then, he has revived his plans to build the previously permitted Plaza Banderas at the site adjacent to the Mission. The design of that hotel project is currently going through the city’s review process.

A trial for Griffith’s suit was initially scheduled for Aug. 11, and a ruling was delayed by Orange County Superior Court Judge Kim Dunning at that time. The trial was rescheduled to Sept. 22, and then delayed to Oct. 6.

On Oct. 6, Judge Dunning issued a stay during the hearing, which temporarily halts the proceeding. Dunning’s main reason for delaying a trial (both on Aug. 11 and on Oct. 6) was an earlier lawsuit filed by a group known as Save Our Historic Town Center that’s currently in the Court of Appeals. The group alleged that a 2014 proposed project—the Urban Village hotel and villas—was inconsistent with the city’s General Plan. That project was intended

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for the same piece of land that the Kimpton is set to occupy.

Dunning said the lawsuit over the Kimpton’s approval hinges on whether the Historic Town Center Master Plan was properly incorporated into the city’s General Plan amendments—the same issue at the center of the Save Our Historic Town Center suit before the Court of Appeals.

“That appears to be kind of an important issue in this court, too,” Dunning said.

“How can this court possibly rule, when we expect the Court of Appeals to make a decision? It doesn’t do anybody any good.”

Dunning acknowledged that there are differences between the Urban Village project (which included townhomes) and the Kimpton hotel, which is a smaller development. She said the key issues in Kimpton’s case revolve around the Forster Street extension and its setbacks.

“If the Court of Appeals says that the Historic Town Center Master Plan is not incorporated into the General Plan amendments, then I think that’s not so good for the petitioner’s case, obviously,” Dunning said. “But I need to know that. In other words, I’m not free—this court is not free—to make that decision as long as the issue is in the Court of Appeals. Because remember, we’re talking about the same piece of property here.”

After Dunning issued the stay, she recommended that the parties take a writ to (Cont. on page 4) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) the Court of Appeals and ask for immediate action.

“If the Court of Appeal advises this court that it is okay for this court to go ahead and answer that question in this case, I’ll be happy to,” Dunning said. “If the Court of Appeal says no, then I don’t think there’s anything I can do. It only flows one way between the trial court and the Court of Appeal, and we’re at the bottom end.

“I appreciate and I share your frustration about this,” Dunning continued. “I can’t comment on the other case … but it is presenting a huge impediment in this court’s proceeding.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Rather than scheduling another trial, all parties agreed to a next step of participating in an off-the-record conference call regarding progress with the case on Friday, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. —AJ

San Juan Creek Levee Project Begins, Trail Closures Imminent THE LATEST: Residents and visitors who utilize the San Juan Creek Trail to trek to Doheny State Beach or travel inland to San Juan Capistrano will soon have to use detours due to trail closures from the San Juan Creek Levee Improvement Project.

The infrastructure project includes improvements to the levees along a 1-mile stretch of the San Juan Creek flood control channel. Led by the County of Orange, the $33 million project aims to enhance flood protection. The project area spans San Juan and Dana Point, “running along San Juan Creek from Stonehill Drive to approximately 2,100 feet upstream on the west side of the levee and 6,000 feet upstream on the east side of the levee,” according to San Juan city staff.

The project involves “installation of sheet piles with steel anchor columns and tension cables, construction of a reinforced concrete pile cap, construction of reinforced masonry block flood walls, installation of modified guard cable fencing” and “reconstruction of the asphalt bike trail along the west side of the channel.”

“The contractor has begun their site preparation work and installation of the staging facility on Lower Rosan,” officials with the city of San Juan Capistrano said Thursday.

County officials said they anticipate construction for the levee project will begin next week if all goes as planned. Currently, pre-construction preparations are underway, such as posting public information signs and trimming trees.

“The bike trail along the west levee will be closed for most of the construction, and detour signs will reroute bicyclists and pedestrians off the trail in work areas,” city officials said.

The construction is set to conclude in 2019—lasting about 18 months—with work hours of 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. County officials said in The Capistrano Dispatch October 13–26, 2017

to begin demolition, grading and construction, which have not yet been granted.

Cave said there is currently no timeline or estimate as to when SDG&E will submit project plans to the city, but once that happens, he anticipates continuing to work with city staff on some of the design specifics before going before city commissions and receiving more input from commissioners and the public.

To view the CPUC’s 40-page response to the city’s request for a rehearing, view this story online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com. —AJ

Next City Council Meeting Packed with Development Discussions Part of the Birtcher-Pacific Building—which sat vacant at the Hotel Capistrano site—is seen being demolished on Feb. 14. The approved hotel project is currently mired in litigation. Photo: Allison Jarrell

order to “maximize safety and accelerate work,” the San Juan Creek Trail will be closed on both sides beginning through June 2018.

During that time, pedestrians can use the adjacent Creekside Park walkway. Bicyclists will be directed to follow a detour from Stonehill Drive to Del Obispo Street to Mariner Drive.

County officials added that construction of an underpass north of Stonehill Drive will take place toward the beginning of the project, so that ideally, public access for that stretch will only be closed for a few weeks.

“We’re making every effort to keep that open so people can use that as an access point to get back on the paved bikeway,” said Shannon Widor, strategic communications officer for the county.

WHAT’S NEXT: For more information on the levee improvement project, or to view bike path detour maps, visit www.ocflood. com or www.sanjuancapistrano.org/ Departments/Public-Works/TemporaryBike-Path-Detours. —AJ

State Commission Denies City’s Request for Rehearing on SDG&E Substation Expansion THE LATEST: The California Public Utilities Commission published its decision on Oct. 3 to deny the city of San Juan Capistrano’s request for a rehearing on the approval of San Diego Gas & Electric’s substation expansion in town.

The announcement came after the CPUC discussed the city’s request during its closed session meeting on Sept. 28.

“We have considered all of the arguments raised in the applications for rehearing, and find that good cause has not been demonstrated to grant rehearing,” the CPUC wrote in its 40-page decision.

The city filed a lawsuit against the CPUC

in federal court on June 23 and requested a rehearing in an effort to continue the fight against SDG&E’s substation expansion adjacent to residential neighborhoods. The CPUC unanimously approved the expansion on Dec. 15, despite an “environmentally superior alternative” that was proposed in 2015. The alternative involved expanding SDG&E’s existing Trabuco substation in Laguna Niguel.

The expansion, which is part of SDG&E’s South Orange County Reliability Enhancement (SOCRE) project, involves rebuilding and upgrading a portion of its transmission infrastructure in San Juan.

The project aims to create a redundant electrical system that would rely on two substations rather than just the current facility in Talega.

In addition to denying the rehearing and stay requests, the commission clarified its reasoning for approving the substation expansion back in December.

The CPUC added that the city’s request for a stay of the construction of the project was also denied as moot, since it was reliant on the commission’s approval of a rehearing.

WHAT’S NEXT: The city’s legal team began reviewing the decision on Oct. 3 and briefed the City Council during its closed session meeting later that day. No action was reported from that meeting.

The Council is set to discuss the SOCRE project and its lawsuit against the CPUC during its Oct. 17 closed session meeting at 3 p.m. at City Hall. Community members interested in addressing the Council on the subject can speak during public comment prior to the meeting.

Duane Cave, SDG&E external relations manager, said some work has already begun at the project site. Cave said the work being done does not require permits from the city and includes surveying at the site, soil borings and cleanup inside the old substation building.

SDG&E does need permits from the city

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THE LATEST: The City Council has a stacked agenda on Tuesday, Oct. 17, with several items related to incoming development in town.

Among other things, the Council will consider allowing special zoning that incentivizes agricultural land uses, approving an exclusive negotiation agreement between the city and Frontier Development, LLC for the development of the downtown playhouse property, and authorizing the city manager to execute a personal services agreement with LSA Associates for the preparation of an initial study of a proposed General Plan amendment for a residential development—referred to as “The Farm”—proposed by Spieker Senior Development for the Vermeulen Ranch.

The Council will also consider approving an amendment to a development plan for the Tirador residential development that would allow a 136-unit development on a 16-acre site south of Calle Arroyo, as well as initiating a review process for a proposed coffee shop drive-thru at 32291 Camino Capistrano.

Also on the docket is the approval of a construction contract for the Del Obispo Street Widening project between Paseo de la Paz and Calle Aspero, and approval of a construction contract for the design of the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park Water and Sanitary Sewer Pipelines project.

Items Council members have placed at the end of the agenda include: a potential hotel incentive program, repealing the Historic Town Center Downtown Master Plan, amending ordinances that govern massage therapy businesses, a status report on a mayoral housing subcommittee, and a discussion on San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station funds and expenditures.

WHAT’S NEXT: Tuesday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. at City Hall, located at 32400 Paseo Adelanto. The Council’s closed session begins at 3 p.m. and members of the public wishing to speak on any closed session items can do so at the beginning of that meeting.

To view the complete agenda and staff reports, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

—AJ www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Officials Shine Light on Opioid and Heroin Epidemic in South Orange County

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

tate Assemblyman Bill Brough and State Senator Patricia Bates, in partnership with the Capistrano Unified School District and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, hosted a presentation at San Juan Hills High School on Oct. 3 on increased opioid and heroin use in South Orange County.

The event featured speakers from OCSD, U.S. Border Patrol, the Orange County Health Care Agency, Capistrano Unified School District and UCI Medical Center. The group of speakers presented information about local and national drug use trends, warning signs, progress with new policies addressing drug trafficking, and solutions such as educating the public and having first responders distribute the medication naloxone to reduce the number of opioid overdoses.

Assistance resources and experts were also on hand, including organizations such as Because I Love You, the Orange County Bar Foundation, the city of Mission Viejo’s new Drug Prevention Coalition and AlAnon and Alateen of Orange County.

Assemblyman Bill Brough kicked off the evening by talking about the opioid epidemic that has swept South Orange County. During his presentation, Brough said teens and young adults are obtaining prescription drugs from doctors, online, on the street, and from medicine cabinets in their own homes. Once the habit becomes too expensive, they often switch to something cheaper—heroin. Brough said that today, heroin is “easier to get than alcohol” for teens.

Last year in the Capistrano Unified School District, there were a total of 156 suspensions issued for drug and alcohol violations, according to Mike Beekman, executive director of safety and student services. And of the district’s 44 expulsions last year, 28 were in violation of the school’s drug and alcohol policy.

Beekman also provided a breakdown of the types of violations the school district issued expulsions for: 17 drug-related cases, six Xanax cases, three alcohol violations, one OxyContin, and one Triple C. Deputy Matthew Timmons, the City of Dana Point’s Drug Liaison Officer and Dana Hills High School’s School Resource Officer, said today’s crisis locally and nationwide is a result of opioids being overprescribed in the 1990s.

“The latest statistics in 2015—over two million people are addicted to opioids,” Timmons said. “Every day, more than 90 Americans overdose on opioids. Right now, the CDC estimates that economic burden for the U.S. is $78.5 billion because of opioids—with the cost of healthThe Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

GET INVOLVED San Juan Capistrano Police Services is hosting a drug take back event on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the City Hall parking lot, located at 32400 Paseo Adelanto in San Juan.

Drug take back events aim to prevent potential prescription drug abuse.

San Juan Capistrano residents will be able to drive through and safely dispose of any accumulated expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs anonymously—no questions asked.

Sharps will not be accepted at the event. For assistance with disposing of Sharps, contact OC Pharmacy at 949.429.5326 or call the County of Orange OC Waste & Recycle at 714.834.4000. The OC Pharmacy is located at 31654 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite N, in San Juan.

For more information on drug disposal, visit www.dea.gov.

care, loss of productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.”

Timmons also cited statistics from a 2016 study of 68,000 high school students that showed nearly 11 percent were taking opioid pills for non-medical use, 1.5 percent were frequent users, and 1.2 percent used heroin.

“If you apply those numbers to the students we have in California, we have 1.7 million enrolled in California public high schools and over 160,000 just in Orange County,” Timmons said. “These are thousands of kids that are using opioids.”

Dr. Bharath Chakravarthy, associate professor of clinical emergency medicine and public health at UC Irvine, said if there’s one thing he hoped audience members took away from the event, it’s the importance of safely disposing of prescription drugs at home.

“Get rid of the prescriptions you’re not using, even if they’re non-narcotic,” Chakravarthy said. “It makes it safe for you, safe for your family and safe for the community.”

FIND OUT MORE For the full story on the Oct. 3 event, including steps for safely storing and disposing of medications, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

To view OC Health Care Agency’s complete report on 2017 Opioid Overdose & Death in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com.

To view a video of the presentation, follow Senator Pat Bates on Facebook (@senatorpatbates). CD Page 7

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Dr. April Cubbage to Speak on Gender Inequality at AAUW Meeting The San Clemente-Capistrano Bay branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will meet on Saturday, Oct. 21. The guest speaker is April Cubbage, Ph.D, a sociology and gender studies professor at Saddleback College, who will speak on the topic of gender inequality. Dr. Cubbage is also the chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and co-coordinator of Online Education for Saddleback.

Prior to teaching full-time at Saddleback, she taught at both Riverside Community College and at the University of California Riverside. She has also worked with numerous local nonprofit organizations, focusing on domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy and assisting victims of crime. Her research interests lie in gender inequality and the social construction of gender.

The meeting will take place at Café Mozart, located at 31952 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. Cost for the breakfast meeting is $20 per person and the event starts at 8:45 a.m. Payment is due by Oct. 15. For more details, visit www.sccb-ca.aauw.net/general-meeting.

School District Officials Say CUSD Students Were Not Given Potentially Contaminated Flutes After alerting parents on Sept. 29 that students may have received musical instruments possibly contaminated with “bodily fluids,” the Capistrano Unified School District sent a second email to parents on Oct. 5 sharing some “better news.”

The Flutes Across the World music program that is currently under investigation by the California Department of Justice was not hosted recently at any CUSD school sites, according to an email from CUSD’s chief communications officer Ryan Burris. This means that CUSD students did not come into contact with any flutes that may have been tainted with a program presenter’s semen.

The Flutes Across the World presenter currently under investigation is not a district employee.

“While we have not been provided any further details about the investigation from the California Department of Justice or federal law enforcement agencies, we have checked in with all of our school sites and our music staff to identify whether any of our schools sponsored the ‘Flutes Across the World Program,’ which appears The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

to be the music program that was most concerning to law enforcement,” Burris said. “Based on feedback from our current principals and our current music teachers, this program has not been hosted recently at any of our school sites. In addition, we have not been notified by any families that the (possibly contaminated) flutes were found in their child’s possession.”

League of Women Voters to Host Talk on 2018 Elections On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the League of Women Voters will host a luncheon at the Back Bay Conference Center in Irvine featuring guest speaker Neal Kelley of the Orange County Registrar of Voters, the fifth largest voting jurisdiction in the United States, serving more than 1.6 million registered voters. Kelley has led the Registrar of Voters’ office through the largest cycle of elections in the County’s 128-year history. He has been the recipient of numerous state and national awards for election administration and was awarded the “Public Official of the Year” award by the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks.

Kelley will be speaking about the 2018 elections and election security.

The luncheon begins at noon and is open to League members and the general public. The Back Bay Conference Center is located at 3415 Michelson Drive in Irvine.

Contact Barbara Wood to RSVP or for more info at 208.284.9167 or barbjsocal@ gmail.com.

Local U-Hauls Providing Free Storage to Residents Affected by Anaheim Hills Fire U-Haul Company of Orange County is offering 30 days of free self-storage to residents who have been or will be impacted by the Anaheim Hills fire.

The Canyon Fire 2 has prompted thousands to evacuate and has affected more than 8,000 acres.

People needing more information about self-storage assistance should contact the participating U-Haul store nearest them.

The U-Haul Moving & Storage in San Juan Capistrano is participating and located at 33033 Camino Capistrano. Contact the store at 949.245.6478.

California Survivors of Las Vegas Mass Shooting Can Apply To State for Help The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) is encouraging residents impacted by the mass shooting at the

Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on Sunday, Oct. 1 in Las Vegas to contact them at 1.800.777.9229 for assistance, guidance and aid.

Help is available for survivors of those who were killed, as well as anyone who was in attendance or injured at the concert and their immediate family members.

CalVCB can help pay for funeral expenses, medical bills, mental health treatment, lost wages and more. Applications are available on CalVCB’s website at www.victims. ca.gov.

CalVCB can also help victims and their families apply to both the California Victim Compensation Program and the Nevada Victim Compensation Program, in order to maximize the benefits available in each state.

Survivors and family members are encouraged to apply now, regardless of whether or not expenses have been incurred.

For those who would like assistance in applying, or want to know more about resources available, contact your local victim advocate at victims.ca.gov/victims/ localhelp.aspx.

City Seeks Applicants for the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Ad-Hoc Committee City officials are looking for residents interested in serving as City Councilappointed citizen-at-large members of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Ad-Hoc Committee. All applicants must be registered voters of the city of San Juan Capistrano.

The committee is comprised of at least five residents of the city. Membership should be balanced and include individuals with business experience, senior citizens, and knowledgeable professionals in the fields of construction, finance, law, and accounting. No city official, city employee, city commission or committee member, or city contractor is allowed to serve on the committee.

The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Ad-Hoc Committee does not have decision-making authority, but reviews recommendations to the Council for expenditure of bond proceeds and reports on whether such expenditures conform to the purposes stated in Ordinance 940 (Open Space Measure Y – 2008 Election), adopted by the City Council on Aug. 19, 2008. The committee also reviews the audits and reports of expenditures of bond proceeds and will inform the public concerning the same.

Applications will be accepted at City Hall until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3.

To access the commission application, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org, or pick up the forms at City Hall, located at 32400 Paseo Adelanto. For more information, call the City Clerk at 949.493.1171.

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

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Community Meetings MONDAY, OCT. 16

Parks, Recreation, Youth and Senior Services, Trails and Equestrian Commission Meeting 5:30 p.m. The city’s Parks, Recreation, Youth and Senior Services, Trails and Equestrian Commission meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

TUESDAY, OCT. 17

Utilities Commission Meeting 8 a.m. The city’s Utilities Commission meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www. sanjuancapistrano.org.

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

Because I Love You (BILY) Meeting 7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You (BILY) helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18

Downtown Farmers Market 3-7 p.m. Flowers, produce and specialty foods in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. Visit www.farmersmarketsjc. com or call 949.493.4700 to find out more.

San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club 6:15-8 p.m. The Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano meets every Wednesday at the San Juan Hills Golf Club, located at 32120 San Juan Creek Road. For more information, visit www.sjcrotary.org.

FRIDAY, OCT. 20

Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs every Friday at Hennessey’s Tavern, 31761 Camino Capistrano. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

TUESDAY, OCT. 24

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

FRIDAY, OCT. 27

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes

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EYE ON SJC

News Next Door

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SAN CLEMENTE

San Clemente Man Seeks Consensus on Ballot Initiative against Toll Road With a giant check for $5,000 behind him, Charles Mann, a San Clemente activist, suggested the city should explore the possibility of putting a ballot initiative opposing toll road proposals and protecting open space on next year’s ballot.

Mann was successful in crafting ballot initiatives in the past that protect open space in San Clemente.

“Once you build on open space, it’s gone forever,” Mann said. “…The residents can actually dictate whether they want to dedicate certain places of open space for development.”

Mann said his donation is to help ensure the city keeps its open space and blocks any toll roads proposed. He also said he wanted the city to adopt an advisory action to see if they would want a toll road through town.

“This will put San Clemente at a point of leadership and leverage to where we could potentially stop the toll roads from coming through San Clemente forever,” Mann said.

Although it’s unclear whether the initiative would create law to prevent such construction, Mann said this would empower the city.

Mark McGuire of the Coalition to Save San Clemente, said he has explored the idea of getting behind a ballot initiative, but would like to see something that would initiate action rather than a consensus of the roads; however, McGuire said a ballot initiative that resulted in a vote against the toll roads would show San Clemente’s position at greater length.

“I’m happy to see Charles involved, and I know that he has a lot of folks that he’s been able to mobilize in the past,” McGuire said. “The measure could be a good

way to increase awareness and send an indication of the amount and extent of opposition to these concepts through town.”

The ballot initiative has not been drafted at this time, but former San Clemente mayor Wayne Eggleston said they are looking to move forward on a proposal in the near future. The deadline to gather signatures and submit the initiative would tentatively be July 2018. —Eric Heinz DANA POINT

Orca Whale Pods Sighted Near Dana Point, Laguna Beach on Oct. 6 Boaters near Dana Point and Laguna Beach were in for a treat as rarely seen orca whale pods were spotted traveling south to north along the South Orange County Coast on Oct. 6.

Mike Bursk, captain and manager of the Ocean Institute’s Sea Explorer, was out on the water during one of the Ocean Institute’s daily educational tour with a group of fifth-graders and their chaperones, when the call came in from Captain Alex Shaw, of Newport Coastal Adventure, who was offshore of Aliso Beach in south Laguna. In total, two pods were seen, or a total of 10 whales.

Bursk said his group aboard “quickly dropped academic pursuits” and set off to see the orcas that were relatively close.

Bursk, a career captain and watermen, said that he has only seen orcas six times in his life, and that his students and chaperones “couldn’t wait to see them.”

According to Bursk, orcas are a highly unpredictable species in terms of movement and it’s rare that they were spotted approximately two and a half miles off of the coast. Largely nomadic, the pods occasionally seen along California’s coast often prey upon the region’s abundant pinnipeds.

The CA51 pod sighted on Oct. 6 generally spends most of its time in the waters surrounding Monterey, and was last seen in Southern California in 2015. It has been even longer for the other pod seen on Oct. 6, CA 216, which was last spotted off the coast of Dana Point in 2013. —Daniel Ritz

Two orca whales were seen breaching beside the Ocean Institute’s Sea Explorer on Oct. 6. Photo: Tom White

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SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS GUEST OPINION: Bartlett Bulletin by OC Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Allison Jarrell, 949.388.7700, x108 ajarrell@thecapistranodispatch.com SPORTS Steve Breazeale, 949.388.7700, x110 sbreazeale@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Debra Wells, 949.388.7700, x104 dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

EDITORIAL

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick

Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith

City Editor, DP Times > Daniel Ritz

Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex

City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

OPERATIONS

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

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

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 15, Issue 19. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

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

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The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead, but We Can

I

t’s evident from recent natural disasters, such as the hurricanes that slammed our southern states, fires in the northwest, and the earthquake in Mexico, that being prepared in case of an emergency is something we should all be proactive about.

We can all agree Orange County is a wonderful place to live, work and play, but the beauty of our area can easily distract us from the reality that a disaster can arise at a moment’s notice. While we THE BARTLETT are blessed to live in one BULLETIN of the greatest regions

By Lisa Bartlett of the world, Southern California is susceptible to some of the most damaging natural disasters, including: fires, earthquakes, storms, flooding and even tsunamis.

GET A KIT The first step you can take is to assemble an emergency kit for your home, work and car. You never know when a disaster will strike, so it’s crucial you are prepared regardless of where you are.

Acquiring an emergency kit can be as easy as purchasing a prepackaged kit online, or as interactive as making a family game to compile important supplies into an old school backpack. Please note that when getting supplies together, its best to think about the basics for survival, including water, food, a first aid kit and other neces-

Letters to the Editor PROTECTING LOS RIOS HISTORIC DISTRICT —Karen Anderson, Dana Point This letter is in regards to the misguided rezoning of Historic Los Rios Street to accommodate a proposed 60,000-squarefoot shopping mall. My history in San Juan Capistrano dates back to 1962 when my parents purchased their house above Del Obispo. In the mid-60s, I attended elementary school at the Old San Juan Capistrano Mission School (now Mission Basilica School). In fact, I attended school with classmates who were residents of this neighborhood. Today, every time I walk through the Los Rios Historic District, I am so appreciative, and in awe, of how the character of this beloved neighborhood still reflects my memories from 50 years

sities. For a full list of supplies to include in a kit and other useful tips, visit www.readyoc.org.

MAKE A PLAN Once you’ve created an emergency kit, it’s essential your family makes a plan.

Right now you can ask yourself: If there was a major earthquake, how will I get in touch with my family? How will I get home?

These sound like simple questions, but in a disaster or emergency, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the moment and not be able to think clearly, so sitting down with your loved ones to make a plan is very important. Again, visit www.ready.gov and use their guide to make a comprehensive plan.

“

We can all agree Orange County is a wonderful place to live, work and play, but the beauty of our area can easily distract us from the reality that a disaster can arise at a moment’s notice.

”

BE INFORMED In times of emergency, information is crucial. Luckily in Orange County we have Alert OC, which is a mass notification system that keeps residents informed of emergencies and other important events.

ago, as well as reflects the neighborhood’s origins that date back hundreds of years.

It is with dismay and sadness that I learn of a plan to bring a retail mall and large parking lot to the neighborhood, a plan that specifically violates the current specific plan zoning for low-density commercial in the district. The very purpose of this LDC zoning is to prevent the type of development and structures that the city is apparently studying. No amount of profits or tax-generating revenue is worth the blight, impact and traffic congestion that such a project would bring to the oldest and most historic residential neighborhood in the state. Mission San Juan Capistrano is the “Jewel of the Missions,” and Los Rios Historic District is also a most-precious jewel that should not be tampered with for a quick, shortsighted buck to solve the city’s budget shortfalls.

Members of the community at large will remember which Council members approved this project come election time.

The Council should do the right thing and

Page 10

If you haven’t done so already, I strongly encourage you and your family to sign up for Alert OC at www.AlertOC.com today.

Lastly, I invite you to join me at the 10th annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo. This will be my third year hosting this popular family event with the city of Mission Viejo, which takes place Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way. The Expo features a wide array of state-of-the-art emergency response vehicles and equipment displays, informative presentations and demonstrations, an earthquake simulator, interactive vendor booths, disaster preparedness kits, fun activities for all ages, free giveaways, great food, music and entertainment, and much more.

So mark your calendars for Oct. 21, and I’ll look forward to seeing you at the South County Disaster Preparedness Expo.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett represents the 5th District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, (portions of) Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. 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

uphold the low-density commercial zoning requirements for this most special and beloved neighborhood. Shopping malls are a dime a dozen in this county. Los Rios Historic District is a one-of-a-kind treasure that must be preserved. Look to the example set by Old Towne Orange and its National Trust for Historic Preservation for inspiration on how to uphold guiding principles to preserve the character and integrity of an historic residential and commercial downtown.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY 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 EVENT PLANNER

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

Friday | 13 PLAYSCHOOL HARVEST FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The city of San Clemente Playschool presents a changing-of-theseason festival geared for 3-5 year olds.

There is pumpkin decorating, a Halloween parade, harvest games, and tasty fall treats. Pre-registration is encouraged. It’s not mandatory for parents to stay. Tickets are $15 per child. Tierra Grande Park, 399 Camino Tierra Grande. 949.429.8797. www.san-clemente.org/recreation.

CARNIVAL COLOSSAL AND FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL 5 p.m.-midnight. The San Clemente Friends Foundation presents a four-day festival, including more than 17 rides, games and food trucks, and two days of competition by the International Highland Games Federation. The opening on Saturday and Sunday will feature Michael McLeavy singing both the Scottish (British) and American National Anthems. The carnival runs through Oct. 15. Vista Hermosa Sports Park, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.276.8866. www.sanclementeparksfoundation.org.

LIGHT UP THE PIER 6-8 p.m. Join Pier Pride for its second annual Light Up the Pier event and show your Pier Pride. At sunset, line the rails of the Pier and light your cell phones in unison to symbolize your commitment to preserving this unique San Clemente experience. San Clemente Pier. 615 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. 949.388.0114 x205. www.pierpride.org.

LIVE THEATER: ‘DRACULA’ 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse presents Dracula, an exciting show for all who love thrills in the theatre. Entertaining and exhilarating, this play is appropriate for all ages, but still has enough scary moments to keep even jaded grown-ups on the edge of their seats. Tickets are $27-$37. Shows run through Oct. 22. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC: THE MARTY MCINTOSH BAND 9 p.m. Listen to live music at Hennessey’s San Juan. 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.441.4777. www.hennesseystavern.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

Saturday | 14 GOIN NATIVE FALL FEST 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens presents its first ever Fall Fest, where attendees can eat, drink, plant and learn. There will be food trucks, craft beer, wine, games, crafts, a petting zoo, speakers, exhibitors and live bluegrass music. $5. Kids under 5 are free. Bring one canned-food item and receive one pumpkin (while supplies last). Reata Park and Event Center. 28632 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. www.goinnative.net.

SECOND STAGE STAND-UP 7:30 p.m. This month’s special anniversary show features Ron and Tom, Georgia Kelley, Danny Villapando and headliner, James P. Connolly. Admission is $17.50.

Purchase tickets at comedyintheoc.com or call 949.489.8082. Camino Real Playhouse.

31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. www.caminoplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC: WHICH ONE’S PINK? 8 p.m. Listen to live music at the Coach House. Celebrate 40 years of Pink Floyd’s Animals album. Tickets are $25. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.496.8930. www.thecoachhouse.com.

DANA POINT FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION ARTS FESTIVAL 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The third annual art festival will run on Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, along the Harbor boardwalk. There will be watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, pastels and photography. www.danapointfinearts.org.

Sunday | 15 FAMILY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES 30TH ANNUAL HUNGER WALK Noon. Bring your friends and family out to support Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) in its goal to feed the hungry in South Orange County. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente. 949.492.8477. www.family-assistance.org.

TRAVEL CLUB 2-4 p.m. If you love to travel, learn new things, explore new places and meet fellow adventurers, head to the travel club. Guest speaker and travel consultant Chuck Weghorst will offer travel tips and take on questions. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517. www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

LIVE MUSIC: BIG FAT STEVE BAND 2:30 p.m. Listen to live music at the Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

(Cont. on page 14)

EDITOR’S PICK

Attendees dance to the music of the Kelly Boys at the Fiesta Association’s 2016 Farewell to the Swallows barbecue. Photo: Allison Jarrell

SATURDAY, OCT. 21: FAREWELL TO THE SWALLOWS BBQ Noon-4 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association presents its annual Farewell to the Swallows BBQ at Zoomars Petting Zoo. Food is $5 a plate, and beer and wine will be available to purchase. Live music will be provided by the Kelly Boys. Zoomars, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1976. www.swallowsparade.com.

ON THE MENU

CHICKEN KABOB PLATE AT CAFÉ MINT

BY DANIEL RITZ, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

alking into Café Mint in San Clemente, curious but relatively unfamiliar with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, new owner Ed Abdallah greeted us and asked, “Well, what do you like?”

That answer is often chicken, and Abdallah steers customers to Café Mint’s chicken kabob plate, which is a best-seller off his menu and one he considers to be his most “defining” dish.

The dish is comprised of a hearty portion of tender, lightly-spiced and kosher-rated chicken sitting on a bed of seasoned Mediterranean rice. A Lebanese salad divides the plate, adding a light, refreshing balsamic relief from the chicken’s robust flavor and is accentuated by a homemade garlic sauce.

Rounding out the meal is homemade hummus concocted onsite.

“No canned stuff here. We spice (the hummus), we soak it, we grind it and we boil it every single morning,” Abdallah said.

Authenticity is the name of the game for Abdallah. With only a few local options for high-quality Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food, he looks forward to introducing what he considers a special cuisine to San

Page 12

Clemente through a relaxing, family-friendly, neighborhood-restaurant feel. Café Mint features dishes from various countries, including Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Turkey and Greece.

In addition to recently added outdoor seating, Cafe Mint offers pickup as well as catering options.

Also, Café Mint is currently researching an “off-the-menu Wednesday special,” where one new international meal will be featured weekly. Details are to be determined, but Abdullah suggests that patrons visit Café Mint to take part in the testing.

Café Mint 1011 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, CA 92673 949.940.0224, www.cafe-mint.hub.biz

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 12)

OPERA OF THE HIGH SEAS: A MUSICAL EVENT 6-8:30 p.m. Don’t miss a voyage of operatic proportions as acclaimed vocalists take guests on a musical journey of opera arias celebrating pirates, mermaids, seas and sails. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar. Tickets are $75 for attendees 21 and older, $35 for 21 and under, or $50 for members. The Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. www.ocean-institute.org.

Tuesday | 17 LUNCH LOCAL 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the San Juan Chamber of Commerce for a networking lunch at L’Hirondelle Restaurant, located at 31631 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.

RSVP to claire@sanjuanchamber.com or call 949.493.4700. For more information, visit www.sanjuanchamber.com.

WRITE ON! WRITER’S GROUP 5-7 p.m. If you ever thought of writing head to the library to share work and improve. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517. www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

Wednesday | 18 LIVE THEATER: ‘ARSENIC AND OLD LACE’ 7 p.m. South Orange County School of the Arts presents the classic, dramatic comedy of Arsenic and Old Lace. The Brewster family and their “habits” will leave you laughing with fear. The show continues at various times through Oct. 21. Dana Hills High School. 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. www.socsarts.org.

Friday | 20 BOO CRUISE 5 p.m. Join Special Fishies Aquatic Freedom and Education for their Boo Cruise event. Cruises take off every 20 minutes.

There is a costume contest and raffles on each trip and on land. Entertainment will surprise those waiting in line. $5 per person. Dana Wharf Sportfishing. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 714.352.9714. www.specialfishies.org.

MEET THE AUTHORS EVENING 6:30-9 p.m. Three Dana Point authors will share their publishing experiences and tips from the viewpoint of both new and seasoned authors with Q & A time. This event is open to the public and free to attend.

Light refreshments will be served. Dana Point Women’s Clubhouse. 24642 San Juan Avenue, Dana Point. For reservations please contact J. McLain at 949.235.2840.

Saturday | 21 A WALK THROUGH HISTORY 9-11 a.m. The walk focuses on Dana Point history. Participants will learn about the “Woodruff” Era of the 1920s and 30s, the surfing heritage, and the harbor construction. The walk occurs on the third Saturday of the month. RSVP to dpnaturalresources@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3527. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. www.danapoint.org.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

LIVE MUSIC: TIJUANA DOGS 2:30 p.m. Listen to live music at the Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Atomic Fiction

At the Movies: ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Adds to Concept’s Legacy

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

hirty-five years after its initial release, and after four different cuts of the film re-edited and released in the past three decades, Ridley Scott’s visual masterpiece Blade Runner has now added a sequel.

But rather than return, Scott has let indieturned-studio filmmaker Denis Villeneuve take the reins on the second installment penned Blade Runner 2049. Original star Harrison Ford returns, and Ryan Gosling joins as the new lead.

In 2049 Los Angeles, artificial intelligence known as “replicants” outnumber humanity, and the newer replicant models are joining the LAPD to kill off older replicant models.

These hunters are known as blade runners.

The best of them is K (Gosling), who learns

DOHENY STATE BEACH HALLOWEEN HAUNT 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring the family to celebrate Halloween in a fun and safe environment with arts and crafts, a fun zone and a variety of educational booths. Admission is free, but guests are requested to bring a donation of one non-perishable food item per person. Doheny State Beach.

25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive. www. dohenystatebeach.org.

BIKE MS BAY TO BAY 8 a.m.-noon. Join the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for it’s annual cycling adventure from Irvine to San Diego. www.nationalmssociety.org.

BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISE 8-10 p.m. Hop aboard the Ocean Institute’s R/V Sea Explorer to witness marine birds, sea lions and bioluminescent plankton.

A net will drop down 600 feet to capture these creatures. Cost is $24-$45. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

that a human and an older replicant model might have miraculously created a child, and the possible father might be former blade runner Richard Deckard (Ford).

Robin Wright, Jared Leto, Ana de Armas and Mackenzie Davis include some of the big-name cast. Over the years, the original 1982 film has developed a big following and left an impact on the film community, so Villeneuve had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, the Canadian filmmaker is talented and smart enough to treat the new movie as his own and not try to pander older fans. The new characters feel original, yet fit right in with the old. Everything from the direction to the performances to Roger Deakins’ cinematography to Hans Zimmer’s score excites on the giant screen. 2049 is unique cyberpunk, neo-noir eye candy for this October. CD

DANA POINT SYMPHONY 7:30 p.m. Opening concert of 2017-2018. Season music of the Macabre Dean Anderson.

St. Edward the Confessor. 33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point. $15-20. 949.542.6282. www.danapointsymphony.com.

MAKE AND TAKE PUMPKIN WITH SUCCULENTS 9 a.m. Join Armstrong Garden to create a fun and unique planter for your porch or patio. All material will be supplied.

The price is $49 and prior registration is required. Contact your local store for more information. 32382 Del Obispo Street, Suite D, San Juan Capistrano.

949.661.6666. info@armstrongarden.com.

Sunday | 22 FOREIGN FILM 2 p.m. The Dana Point Library shows a foreign film the fourth Sunday of every month. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517. www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

Page 14

Monday | 23 HISTORIC BELL RINGING: FEAST OF ST. JOHN OF CAPISTRANO Noon-12:15 p.m. Join Mission San Juan Capistrano for a special bell ringing event.

26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

Wednesday | 25 LECTURE: THE MOON 7-8:30 p.m. During this presentation, volunteer astronomer Spencer Murray will answer questions about the moon.

What is the origin of the moon? What causes the moon’s phases? Why don’t lunar eclipses occur every month? What is the moon’s effect on our tides? Why did we send men to the moon, and what have we learned? Admission is free. Participants must be registered by 6 p.m. on Oct. 25. Guest House at Rancho Mission Viejo. Call for directions. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

Thursday | 26 YAPPY HOWL-O-WEEN 4-7 p.m. Bring the pup in their Halloween costumes for some fun. A panel of judges will determine which canine will take home the top prize. Donation to enter the contest is $10 per dog per category.

The Ritz-Carlton. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point.

HALLOWEEN HAUNT SENIOR DINNER 5 p.m. Come dressed in a costume and enjoy dinner. There will be food and entertainment. Tickets are $10 each. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Dana Point Community Center.

34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point. www.danapoint.org.

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

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

San Juan Haunts

Ghost & Legends Tours highlight folklore, historic preservation PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

“San Juan Capistrano is an old community with time-honored traditions. It has its swallows, its mission, its bandits and its heroes. It has buried treasure, a devil dog, and assorted witches. It also has more ghost stories per capita than any other community in Orange County.”

—Pamela Hallan-Gibson, “Ghost and Legends of San Juan Capistrano”

E

ach year, toward the end of October, it’s common to see figures floating along a dark Los Rios corridor.

But as many locals know, it’s not Halloween playing tricks on your eyes. For over four decades, people have descended upon Los Rios Street to learn about the spirits that still haunt the oldest neighborhood in California.

The tradition began in the early 1970s, and it didn’t necessarily stem from a love of all things spooky.

Lorie Porter, a longtime walking tour guide who also serves on the Historical Society board, said the town’s regular walking tours were first created in the 70s in order to promote community awareness.

“We had no preservation rules whatsoever in the early 70s,” Porter said. “We saw two adobes just wash away, and the owners of the properties wouldn’t do anything

Mission docent C.J. Devins plays the role of Polonia Montanez, a religious educator at the Mission during the 1800s.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 13–26, 2017

Zoomars Petting Zoo Owner Carolyn Franks plays Modesta Avila, Orange County’s first felon, during last year’s Ghost & Legends Tour.

about it.”

So, Porter and a few others hatched the idea to take residents and visitors around to historical sites so they could see firsthand what was at stake.

“It was mainly to get people to know what was going on and to put some pressure on whomever,” Porter said.

It was a year or two later that the idea came about for themed walking tours based on San Juan’s folklore. Porter said initially the event began with just a few guides taking groups over to the Mission and back to Los Rios Street, and eventually that morphed into guides walking up and down Los Rios Street with visitors.

Porter said those first events “went over really well,” but to save the guides from running back and forth, they decided to switch up the format. Each guide would be stationed where a legend or ghost story took place, and that guide would act the tale out for guests as one of the spirits.

Each of the eight stories told during the tours are rooted in Los Rios District legends, and all have been passed down by old-timers. Pamela Hallan-Gibson, author of the book, Ghost and Legends of San Juan Capistrano, of which the tours are based, is a fi fth-generation Californian herself and heard the stories from relatives, friends and acquaintances.

Porter said they often have older residents come by for the Ghost & Legends tour, and so far they’ve never been corrected when it comes to the way they spin a yarn.

“Either we’re doing it right, or they just don’t care,” she said with a grin.

Porter never imagined the modest walking tours would grow to be so in-demand.

Last Halloween, they guided 500 people down Los Rios Street, and each year they sell out ahead of time. Any more, and she said they may have to add a third day of tours in the future.

Porter attributes some of the hype to Halloween becoming more popular.

“It’s a fun way to celebrate Halloween.

Amusement parks and all that are fun too, but this is just different,” Porter said.

“I think the idea that our stories are real stories about people who lived here has a lot to do with it. They aren’t made up.”

There are stories like that of the White Lady, who can often be seen dancing or walking about Los Rios Street. She may be the ghost of a young woman who died when her buggy flipped over on the way to a school dance, but no one is quite sure.

What is known about her is that she’s a friendly spirit—one who even helps people find buried treasure, or so the legend goes.

It’s been said that the White Lady emits a light down into the earth, and if you see it, you must mark the spot but wait to dig until the next morning, after she’s left.

Porter said she once heard a story from an old-timer who took his mattress out into his barn and slept there for two nights, because the first time he saw the White Lady and marked the spot, it was a complete miss.

Page 16

“He couldn’t find it the first time he dug, so he thought he’d try a second time,” she laughed. “You won’t find that one in the book.”

Staying true to their intended purpose, Porter said all proceeds from the Ghost & Legends tours, and the regular walking tours, go toward historical preservation, specifically to care for the town’s aging adobes.

She added that this is the first year that the Historical Society is co-sponsoring the event along with the walking tour guides.

The society’s volunteers and board members have been working on renovating the Silvas Adobe adjacent to the O’Neill Museum, and Porter plans to help furnish the adobe with the funds raised. CD

IF YOU GO What: Ghost & Legends Tour When: Friday, Oct. 27 & Saturday, Oct. 28—6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

Run Time: 1 hour, 15 min Where: Begins at the O’Neill Museum, 31831 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children. All donations benefit historical preservation.

To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite. com/e/ghost-legends-tour-2017.

Parking: Event organizers suggest parking downtown at the Franciscan Plaza parking structure or behind Trevor’s at the Tracks.

For more information, contact Harrison Taylor at harrisonwtaylor@gmail.com. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Local Film Producers Give Sneak Preview of ‘Pendleton at 75’ The documentary screening raised funds for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

or over seven decades Camp Pendleton has been an in-demand location for military training on the West Coast, and for over three decades local film producer Robert Kline has been active in creating documentary features on American war and political history.

Naturally, it would make sense for the two SoCal fixtures to eventually cross paths, and now they have with the special anniversary documentary Pendleton at 75: The History of Camp Pendleton.

Kline and his wife and producing partner Stephanie Heredia have created films with subject matter ranging from the Vietnam War, to John F. Kennedy’s and Ronald Reagan’s presidencies. With Pendleton at 75, viewers are treated to a little bit of U.S. history directly related to South Orange County.

On Sept. 25, the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society hosted a special screening of the new documentary at El Adobe de Capistrano, giving over 100 guests a sneak peek of Kline and Heredia’s film. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Historical Society.

Kline gave a quick introduction on his inspiration for producing the documentary.

“I realized that so many movies and shows have been shot at Camp Pendleton on location, but none of them have actually been about Pendleton,” he said.

Heredia mentioned later in an interview that the screening was held on the exact date of Camp Pendleton’s 75th anniversary—the base was opened on Sept. 25, 1942.

The film itself is a collaborative effort of Kline, Heredia, local historian Jan Siegel, editor Scott Arundale, and the Camp Pendleton Historical Society. The doc includes a mix of archival footage, news reel footage, personal photos and new interviews from locals on the base. Viewers discover how the base is named after Maj. Gen. Joseph H. Pendleton and his accomplishments in San Diego; how Basilone Road is a tribute to Sgt. John Basilone; and how the base was originally a cattle ranch before the U.S. Military realized it was the perfect spot for training. Marines would travel to the base from all over the country by train, and after the Vietnam War, refugees would find shelter there. Even famous faces like Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Wayne would pay a visit to the camp during the WWII days.

The documentary is a patriotic homage The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

Delilah Cruz, 2, of San Juan Capistrano, gets her face painted at the library’s 2015 Dia de los Muertos event Photo: Allison Jarrell

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

Celebrating Dia de los Muertos A small flag carried ashore by the 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines is planted atop Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph

by Staff Sgt. Louis R. Lowery, USMC. Photo: Courtesy of Camp Pendleton Historical Society

to all of the hard work and effort the base has accomplished for the country since 1942, with a bit of war history thrown in for good measure. The film includes fun tidbits as well, such as Pendleton and San Juan’s own Swallow’s Inn being featured in the 1986 Clint Eastwood movie Heartbreak Ridge. The documentary also included the story of a famous war horse/ equine celebrity named Sgt. Reckless, who made his home at Camp Pendleton.

Today, there’s a statue erected of Sgt. Reckless at the Pacific Views Event Center at Pendleton.

Throughout the film, commentators recollect working or living on the base in the past, and how even after so much time, the Marines and Sailors are still just as ready as ever for battle.

The documentary is a bit short at only 50 minutes, but that was intentional, as Kline noted that he “had enough footage to fit a mini-series.”

Kline said he anticipates Pendleton at 75 will have its official release by the end of the year.

With The Vietnam Experience (1989), JFK Remembered (2013) and The Reagans (2014), Pendleton at 75 is a another deserved addition to Kline’s and Heredia’s filmographies. CD

With help from a new branch manager, the library prepares for its annual event

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an Juan Capistrano Library welcomes its new branch manager, Mary Pezzetti. Mary began her career with OC Public Libraries 13 years ago as a children’s librarian at the El Toro Library. Most recently, she was a supervisory librarian at La Palma Library in north Orange County.

Mary has a degree in psychology from UC San Diego and earned her masters degree in library and information science from San Jose State University. She is friendly, enthusiastic and experienced, and has been warmly embraced as part of the library team and community.

Mary, and the rest of the library staff, are currently getting ready for the library’s upcoming Dia de los Muertos— Day of the Dead—activities. This celebration is a beloved annual event that draws families from the community and the county.

All are invited to stop by to enjoy the Day of the Dead art exhibit on display in the library’s main gallery from October through November. Visitors will also be able to view the altars (ofrendas) exhibit running from the end of October through the first week of November.

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Lavian Rahe, 7, of Irvine, poses with her festive feline mask at the library’s 2015 Dia de los Muertos event.

Photo: Allison Jarrell

Special Dia de los Muertos events are planned to take place at the library on Saturday, Nov. 4, including sugar skull making and other crafts: Noon-2 p.m. Face painting 1-1:30 p.m. Mariachi Los Potrillos 1:45-2:15 p.m. Ballet Folklorico performance 2:30-3:15 p.m. Aztec dancing performance Please join the library for an afternoon of festivities, memories and culture.

This program is free to the public and made possible through the support of the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library. For more information about this and other library events, please visit www. ocpl.org.

The “Branching Out” column is a collaboration between San Juan Capistrano Library staff and the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit that supports the library and its programs by raising funds through its on-site bookstore and special events. For more information on the library, visit www.ocpl.org or follow @SJCFriends on Facebook. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

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

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SJC LIVING

Winemaker Kylie Huffman, Ally Brat and Chelsea Goodale, of Rancho Capistrano Winery, were all smiles during The Vintage on Oct. 7.

Community Turns Out to Support Local Businesses Vintage attracts 800 guests with local fare, raises over $20K for Chamber of Commerce PHOTOS & TEXT BY ALLISON JARRELL THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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ore than 800 guests flocked to the Mission on Oct. 7 for the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual Vintage Food & Wine Festival. For the seventh year in a row, the event was sold out ahead of time.

The evening featured 40 restaurants, wineries, breweries and bars serving their best fare and beverages, while local band

Family Style provided live music.

Chamber operations manager Jennifer Pointer said the event raised about $23,000 for their organization, which supports local businesses. Pointer added that the event wouldn’t be possible without the help of about 100 volunteers.

To learn more about the chamber, visit www.sanjuanchamber.com. To view a video and more photos from the event, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. CD

Andrew & Kim Reed from The BrewHouse offered guests their choice of a pale ale or pumpkin ale.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

Tony Rodriguez, drummer and lead vocalist of Family Style, makes a face during the band’s performance.

Michelle Endo, owner of Good Choice Sushi by the Sea, served up poke on fried wonton chips.

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SJC LIVING

Shea Center rider Rocket Fischer, 9, and his mom, Ashley, participate in a demonstration during the center’s BBQ & Family Faire. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Healing Donations Over $960K raised for therapeutic riding at J.F. Shea Center’s 39th Annual BBQ & Family Faire

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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he J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center held its 39th annual BBQ and Family Faire on Sept. 23. The family gathering brought together over 1,500 attendees, including Shea Center riders and their families, donors, sponsors, community and business leaders, volunteers and equestrian professionals.

In addition to the barbecue meal, country faire games, face painting, petting zoo, and live and silent auctions, the evening

featured Shea Center rider demonstrations and the “Parade of Stars” of 70 therapy clients and their families. The evening’s featured rider was 3-year-old Jaxlee Barton, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Jaxlee’s parents, Emily and Jonny, spoke about how the Shea Center has helped their daughter’s development.

Event organizers said the barbecue raised over $960,000, which goes toward their therapeutic riding programs.

For more information on the Shea Center, visit www.sheacenter.org. CD

Top & Left: Riders and their families participate in the “Parade of Stars” during the BBQ & Family Faire.

Photo: Pixel That! Photography Right: Jaxlee Barton, 3, participates in a demonstration. Photo: Allison Jarrell

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SJC LIVING FROM THE ARCHIVES

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

The Case for Columbus Day Embracing all facets of our history can lead to better understanding

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ore and more California cities are opting to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day rather than Columbus Day. The state is also reducing the amount of curriculum time being given to Mission history. How are we going to explain our current culture if we cannot discuss our past?

For thousands of years, before Western culture came to California, the native cultures survived. California was home to hundreds of small groups of native people.

According to the Handbook of North America Indians, published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1978, “these groups spoke many different languages, perhaps as many as 90 languages with more than 300 dialects.” They did not have a written MOMENTS language. The history of IN TIME these groups was passed

By Jan Siegel down with the oral tradition of storytelling.

One group was the Juaneños, a name attributed to them by the Missionaries.

Before that time they were known as the Acjachemen, or just the people. Father Geronimo Boscana was an early Franciscan missionary assigned to San Juan Capistrano. Although he had little regard for the culture of the native people, he meticulously recorded their lifestyle, customs and beliefs. It is his writing that gives us a glimpse into the life of the Juaneños before the Missionaries came. They were hunters and gatherers. They worshipped a supreme being and had rules for “governing, courtship, marriage, food distribution and warfare.”

In Pamela Gibson’s Two Hundred Years in San Juan Capistrano, the story of how the Capistrano Valley was settled is recalled. “In a village north of Capistrano dwelled a chief called Oyaison and his wife Sirorum. After the death of his wife, the chief and his daughter, Korone, and their people went south to Niwiti, not far from San Juan Capistrano. The settlements were established. One night Korone, who was exceedingly fat, swelled so much that she turned into a small hill which remains today, according to the legend. The place was called Putuidem.” Putuidem became the largest of the villages in the area, but there were others.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

Photo: Orange County Archives

DOWNTOWN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Much like today, Camino Capistrano was lined with businesses leading up to Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1959.

Do you have a historical image you’d like to see featured? Email submissions to ajarrell@picketfencemedia.com, along with a brief caption and photo credit.

Each village was separate and each village owned a certain area, with individuals and families owning places within the village area. Village boundaries were marked and protected. Permission had to be given before people from one village could walk across the land belonging to another village. The leadership of each village was handed down from father to son.

Life was hard but good. And it changed little in 10,000 years. And in all that time there had been very little if any contact with the rest of the world.

The year 1492 and Christopher Columbus had absolutely no effect on California or the Juaneños. But it did have a fantastic effect on Europe. The unintended consequences of the voyages of Columbus were the European diseases that they brought to this hemisphere. Middle Age Europe was not enlightened enough to foresee that the animals brought to this land would bring germs that would decimate the local population. When Cortez arrived, he was met with a fierce fighting force when he faced the Aztecs. The Aztecs had a history of ruthless warfare. There were other warring tribes all over South and Latin America.

By contrast, the California native populations were primarily peaceful. That was certainly true of the Juaneños. When St. Serra and the Portola riders founded the Mission in 1776, the welcoming of the natives was deemed a positive sign. Gibson states, “the Franciscans were charged with gathering Indians into settlements and teaching them to be self-sufficient according to European standards. Conversion to Christianity was to be voluntary, but once converted the Indian was bound to the mission and his life controlled by the padres.” And those that converted were sure of food for themselves and their families.

Serra knew that change was coming to this hemisphere. If not the Spanish, then

it would be some other European government. His Mission plan was that in 10 years, the Natives would be sufficiently trained in the ways of the Europeans so that they would be able to be self-governing.

As more Missions were established, Serra became more and more annoyed with the Governor of Alta California and the military. He wanted the missionaries in charge of Indians, not the military. He went to Mexico City with 32 requests for the operation of Mission life and presented them to the Viceroy. The Viceroy agreed to the demands and this directive, entitled Reglamento of 1773, became the law which governed the treatment of laborers, soldiers and Indians. The United States Bill of Rights was 16 years away from being enacted. Serra went far beyond the teachings of an 18th century man.

On the government of the Indians, Serra declared, “in accordance with longstanding usage, the responsibility for education and directing the Indians lies with the missionaries. Save for capital crimes, neither the Commandant nor the soldiery has the right to chastise and maltreat our poor neophytes without submitting the case to

their spiritual fathers.”

In order to embrace our history, we need to remember our diverse past and recognize that an array of different cultures and experiences has contributed to the San Juan Capistrano we know today.

Spend a “Moment in Time” in October and visit the Mission, the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum and Acjachemen Center, and the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society to learn about the culture and history of San Juan Capistrano.

Jan Siegel is a 28-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years and has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 18 years.

She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

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

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Solution:

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

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

Finding Wi-Fi in Foreign Countries as a Newspaper Columnist

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Gary Leek is one of the bluegrass musicians set to perform at Fall Fest this Saturday.

Photo: Courtesy of Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens

Fall Fest to Debut This Weekend in San Juan Local nonprofit to bring autumn fun to Reata Park this Saturday

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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oin Native Therapeutic Gardens has branched out from its annual Eco Garden Expo in the spring and is hosting its first ever Fall Fest this Saturday, Oct. 15, at Reata Park and Event Center in San Juan Capistrano.

The event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., features a lineup of speakers, exhibitors, workshops, activities for kids, live bluegrass music, food trucks, and craft beer and wine.

Goin Native founder Marianne Taylor said the inspiration for the new fall festival was to connect the community to nature and a simpler way of life.

“Reata Park is underutilized, so my hope is that this will bring more people to Reata,” Taylor said. “Have a picnic, bike, walk your dog, or spend time with your children under a tree and read a book.”

The day-long event will feature a variety of workshops teaching attendees how to blend their own essential oils, create vertical gardens and use natural dyes.

There will also be knitting demonstrations, arts and crafts for kids, a booth for kissing ponies, and putting lessons from the San Juan Hills Golf Course.

Other local organizations involved with the event include the Friends of the Library, the San Juan Capistrano Garden Club, Zen Dojos Martial Arts, The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum, UCCE Orange County Master Gardeners, and the Fiesta Association, which will have old fashioned activities for children.

Six speakers are scheduled to present throughout the day on subjects ranging from monarch butterflies and making The Capistrano Dispatch October 13-26, 2017

kombucha, to growing Asian herbs and fermentation.

Taylor said bluegrass music became an element of the festival because she felt like it goes hand-in-hand with the season, and because South Orange County currently doesn’t have a bluegrass festival.

The festival will feature three bluegrass bands playing throughout the day—Gary Leek from 10-11:30 a.m., Sweetwater Creek Band from 12:15-1:45 p.m., and Whitewater from 2:30-4 p.m.

The day will conclude with a community jam session at from 4-5 p.m., and guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments and play along.

Admission is $5 at the door, and children under 5 get in for free. VIP packages from $100 to $120 are also available, offering reserved pavilion seating for the concerts, preferred parking, swag bags, tokens for food and drinks, 20 opportunity tickets for baskets valued at over $500, and more.

Goin Native will also be giving out a free pumpkin for every can of food brought for Second Harvest Food Bank (while supplies last).

All proceeds from the event go toward funding Goin Native’s community programs, including wellness classes, Los Rios Garden Angels, Goin’ Healthy cooking classes at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, and more.

Parking at Reata is free, or attendees can park downtown and take a free shuttle from the train station directly to Reata Park. The shuttle will leave from The Vintage Steakhouse every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Goin Native is offering free admission to those who present their Metrolink train pass. CD

y partner Greta and I have just completed the first week of a 34-day cruise from San Diego, traveling south around Cape Horn in South America to Rio. During the first week, the ship stopped at four ports in Mexico.

We love Mexico, all cities are unique and dramatically different. However, on this trip, the four cities had one thing in common: the temperature was 87 degrees in each city.

Going ashore meant carrying lots of bottled water and staying in the shade as much as possible. The humidity was high as well.

As a newspaper columnist, the biggest challenge on ocean cruises is finding locations where the Wi-Fi is dependable. Yes, there is satellite Wi-Fi on the ship, but it is sporadic and the reception is poor. Sending photos or attachments is nearly impossible.

The cost of using the ship’s Wi-Fi is expensive.

If you use the “pay-asyou-go,” option, the cost is 75 cents per minute.

However, it may take four ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 to five minutes to conBy Tom Blake nect, and then again to disconnect. And you can lose the signal at any time. The shipboard Wi-Fi might become a last resort for me later during the cruise, especially in remote areas near Cape Horn and Antarctica.

The alternative is to find Wi-Fi locations in port. As sad as it sounds, you go ashore and first look for a McDonald’s or Starbucks, which have Wi-Fi. In Cabo San Lucas, our first stop, the ship anchored offshore and passengers going ashore rode on the ship’s tenders, small boats that took them to the dock. I found a Starbucks a mile away while walking in that incredible heat. The Wi-Fi signal was only so-so, but I did manage to get about an hour online.

Things were different in Puerto Vallarta, our second stop. The ship docked about five miles from the city center. I opted to ride a public bus into the city with the locals—at a cost of about 50 cents each way.

What a fun experience, although the bus was like an oven and traveled all the way on cobblestone streets.

After strolling around the old city for a while, I found a Starbucks near the main cathedral. Not only was the Wi-Fi signal strong and instantaneous, the air conditioning was functioning perfectly. I got caught up on my internet chores and enjoyed an ice-cold passion tea.

The bus ride back to the ship was about the same as coming into the city. On the downward side of a couple small hills, it

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seemed the bus had no brakes—it sounded like metal on metal. We hit several cobblestone street potholes. I kept reminding myself, “This is part of the experience.” Back on the ship, rest assured that I ordered up a cold, frosty cerveza.

Since we had been in Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta before, Greta opted to avoid the heat and stayed aboard, enjoying the air conditioning and the delicious food the ship provides.

Our third port was the beautiful city of Huatulco, my favorite in all of Mexico. The ocean water is crystal clear, and the beach in the heart of town is a five-minute walk from the ship. Greta joined me as we sat in a shaded outdoor restaurant with our feet in the sand, enjoying a decent Wi-Fi signal.

The last stop was at Puerto Chiapas, 10 minutes inside the southern border of Mexico. Reaching the city of Tapachula, population 500,000, required a 40-minute shuttle bus ride, arranged by the ship. The cost was $10 roundtrip for each of us. And the air conditioning worked perfectly!

Our first order of business was to donate clothing to the victims of the recent nearby earthquake. We had two bags that we had brought with us, and the lady who was accepting donations was grateful.

We had no idea where to find Wi-Fi in that bustling city, where very little English is spoken. So, we strolled along the streets enjoying the local flavor and came upon Café Central 33, which advertised on the front window that it was a “Ciber” café.

There were no other customers in the café.

We went inside. Two very nice women were there. We ordered coffee and used Wi-Fi for one and a half hours. The cost of 50 Mexican pesos, including coffee, was about $4. In our somewhat limited command of Spanish, Greta and I were able to communicate with the women. They were thrilled that two Americans were in their little café and visiting there turned out to be one of those unexpected wonderful moments when you travel in a foreign country.

We left Tapachula with a warm feeling for the beautiful people there.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com. Email: tompblake@gmail. com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com

FOR SALE DRONE FOR SALE DJI Phantom 3 Advanced For Sale By Owner Asking Price $1,000. Items included: DJI Phantom Advanced 3 Drone, DJI Controller, Polar Pro Controller Anti-Sun Shade, DJI Charger, 5 DJI Batteries!!! LoweProDrone Bag/Backpack, Multiple Sets of DJI Propellers. Please call (949)350-1312

GARAGE SALES GIANT COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Once a year extravaganza where 200 homeowners are invited to sell their stuff. Saturday, October 21, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Almost everything you can think of for sale! Follow the signs to the very end of San Juan Creek and take a right on Camino Chico and drive into the development. Gates open at 7.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Mission Park at Ortega Hwy. and Via Cordova. Sat. Oct. 14th, 8 am to 1 pm.

Debbie Brewington, 949-212-0733.

HUGH ESTATE SALE OCT. 14 AND 15 7am to noon. Camping gear, glassware, tools, furniture, ceramics, antiques, garden tools. Great bargains. 28361 Paseo Establo, San Juan Capistrano.

HELP WANTED WANTED: AFTERMARKET AUTO PARTS SALESPERSON You are a motivated, energetic salesperson with several years experience selling automotive aftermarket parts and assemblies to auto repair shops, dealerships and/or parts distribution centers, preferably in California. Compensation will be commensurate with your experience and industry standards. We are a San Juan Capistrano-based manufacturers rep for China’s largest network of high-quality auto parts suppliers. Please send your resume and cover letter to: jobs@naautoparts.us

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

NOW HIRING CUSTODIANS AND HOUSEKEEPERS FOR SAN CLEMENTE COVE AND CAPISTRANO SURFSIDE INN Please call HR at 760-828-4204 and/or email resumes@gpresorts.com for immediate consideration.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

LEAD COOK NEEDED Please apply in person (with your resume) @ Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Position available immediately. Experience necessary.

WANTED

Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

STAMPS! Buying Large U.S and International Postage Stamp Collections! Nick’s (619) 672-0434 The Capistrano Dispatch October 13–26, 2017

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Return to Sender Q&A with NCAA career punt return for a touchdown recordholder Dante Pettis

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

D

ante Pettis was told to think of himself as a counterpuncher when assessing an incoming punt.

The JSerra Catholic High School productturned-standout-punt returner and receiver for the University of Washington’s football team will watch an opposing team purposefully boot a punt into the stratosphere with him on the other side of the field. He instinctively wants to make a play, but has learned to be content with biding his time and calling for a fair catch.

He’ll sometimes go quarter after quarter without seeing a punt he likes. He’ll be neutralized while the Huskies’ opponent lands a few special teams jabs.

But Pettis, like any good counterpuncher, knows a slipup will eventually happen, opening the door for him to deliver the knockout blow.

When a punt comes his way that looks returnable, the 6-foot-1-inch senior turns into a combination of speed and power that torches would-be tacklers and punt coverage schemes on a regular basis.

He has returned a punt for a touchdown an NCAArecord eight times, tying Oklahoma’s Antonio Perkins and Texas Tech’s Wes Welker for the most in college football history with a 77-yard house call against Fresno State on Sept. 16.

The return was vintage Pettis.

After fielding the ball at the Huskies’ 23-yard line he broke down the sideline, cut back to midfield, shed three would-be tackles and strolled into the end zone.

The play capped off a stretch of three consecutive games in which he returned a punt for a touchdown, which also tied an NCAA record. One week earlier, against Montana, Pettis returned his seventh career punt for a touchdown, breaking the old Pac-12 record previously held by DeSean Jackson.

While his highlight reel plays on special teams have grabbed national headlines this season, Pettis is making a huge impact at his natural position of wide receiver. He’s caught 37 passes for 416 yards and six touchdowns in six games.

Dante Pettis (8) carries the ball against Cal in a Pac-12 football game on Oct. 7. Photo: Scott Ecklund/Red Box Pictures

The Capistrano Dispatch October 13–26, 2017

Dante Pettis celebrates after returning a punt for a touchdown against Montana on Sept. 9. Pettis is tied for the NCAA career punt return for a touchdown record. Photo: Lindsay Wasson/Red Box Pictures

“(Pettis) is probably the most impressive field position player in this conference, to me, in terms of how he understands the game,” said Pac-12 Network analyst Yogi Roth. “He’s also an artist. I don’t think we talk enough about the artistry of the (receiver) position. When I look at him, he defines that. You look at how he comes out of breaks, how he understands angles, how he utilizes his body to find spaces in zones. (Washington) has such a unique offense and he’s been doing those things ever since he got there.”

Pettis has six games to break the punt return for a touchdown record and stand alone in NCAA history.

The Huskies are also undefeated and chasing a second straight Pac-12 title.

The Capistrano Dispatch caught up with Pettis ahead of Washington’s Pac-12 matchup against Arizona State on Saturday, Oct. 14, to talk about his place in history, how he visualizes while on the field and what makes him such a dynamic player.

The Capistrano Dispatch: Have you had time to reflect back on that record-tying punt return and where it places you in NCAA history?

Dante Pettis: To be honest, I haven’t thought about it too much. I know that in five to 10 years I’ll look back and say ‘Dang, that was pretty special’. But right now, it’s just not something I’m very focused on. We’re in the middle of the season and trying to play the best football we can play and get better every week. So focusing on something like an individual award like that isn’t really going to help us out.

Is it frustrating when teams kick away from you now?

That’s nothing out of the ordinary. Coach Petersen always tells me we’re counterpunchers. There will be times we might have four punts in a row and I’ll have to fair catch it. But then, all of a sudden, we’ll get one that Page 26

they hit a little too far and then it’s like, ‘OK, here’s our chance’.

How much do your improvisational skills or instincts play into you returning a punt?

You always want to trust the return. You never want to fully abort it unless something is wide open. You get through the first line by trusting (the scheme) then after that you kind of have to make something happen on your own. That’s where the improv ability kind of takes over.

You have to scan the field, see some openings and try and make somebody miss.

What’s better, catching a touchdown pass or returning a punt for a touchdown?

Definitely running back a punt for a touchdown. There aren’t too many of those that happen. Especially because you know it’s a full team effort. Receiving touchdowns are (a team effort) too, but there can be a broken coverage or something (on defense). In a punt return, every single person on that field is blocking for you only so it’s a pretty special feeling.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve worked on over the years to improve on the field?

I think it’s been my strength and my confidence. I definitely got a lot stronger to where I can run through some arm tackles. I got a little faster too, which comes with the strength. And my confidence, just thinking I can break through or break a tackle is important.

How important is it to you to break the NCAA punt return touchdown record? Is that a goal you have set for the rest of the season?

I wouldn’t say it’s a goal I have set. I would like to do it, obviously. That’d be pretty special. But at the end of the day, if I break the record and the season doesn’t go like we want it to go, I don’t think I would be too happy about that. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com