January 12, 2018

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

Fiesta Association Kicks Off 60th Swallows Season PAGE 3 FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

JANUARY 12–25, 2018 • VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

Looking Forward Mayor Sergio Farias discusses city priorities, projects coming up in 2018 E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Mayor Sergio Farias said 2018 will be a year of tackling litigation, addressing the city’s structural deficit and improving residents’ quality of life. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Recall Petitions for Three Council Members Receive Approval for Circulation EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Darrell Issa Announces Retirement from Congress, Diane Harkey to Run for Seat EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

St. Margaret’s ‘Heavy Metal’ Girls Soccer Brings League Success SPORTS/PAGE 18

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

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

the public wishing to speak on any closed session items can do so at the beginning of that meeting.

To view Tuesday’s agenda or watch the meeting online, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org. —AJ

Five things San Juan should know this week

New Business Laws Now in Effect in California

Fiesta Association Kicks Off 60th Fiesta de las Golondrinas Season THE LATEST: The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association is kicking off the 60th annual Swallows Day Parade season with a membership mixer on Jan. 12.

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization hosts an array of events each year during the three-month Fiesta de las Golondrinas, which leads up to the Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire—one of the nation’s largest non-motorized parades. Fiesta members play a critical role as leaders and organizers of the parade and the season’s events.

The Fiesta Association’s Friday, Jan. 12 mixer and membership drive will take place at Trevor’s at the Tracks, located at 26701 Verdugo Street in San Juan Capistrano. Tickets are $25, which includes a buffet-style dinner and dessert station with a no host bar. Fiesta members can renew their membership at the event, and those who choose to join the association will receive free entry to the mixer. Membership is $20 for individuals and $30 for family/business membership.

The Fiesta Association is also holding weekly meetings each Wednesday to prepare for upcoming events and, of course, for the grand finale—the 60th annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado on March 24. Meetings take place at the Nydegger Building, located at 31421 La Matanza Street in San Juan. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for socializing and refreshments, and meetings generally run from 7-8 p.m.

This year’s parade theme is “Diamond Trails & Swallows Tales.” The Fiesta Association announced in October that the 2018 Parade Grand Marshal will be Steve Oedekerk, a Hollywood director and comedian who lives in San Juan and is known locally for his continued work with developers to bring a boutique Kimpton hotel—the Hotel Capistrano—to the downtown area.

WHAT’S NEXT: On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Fiesta Association will hold “Hairiest Man” sign-ups from 12-4 p.m. at the Swallows Inn, located at 31786 Camino Capistrano.

There’s a $5 sign-up fee to enter the facial hair-growing competition, which includes a shave. After nine weeks, the hairiest man The Capistrano Dispatch January 12-25, 2018

Each year, the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association’s Fiesta Grande event in March includes an award for the “Hairiest Man.” Sign-ups for the contest are Saturday, Jan. 13. Photo: Allison Jarrell

will be announced at the annual Fiesta Grande on March 21.

For more information on future Fiesta Association events or on becoming a member, visit www.swallowsparade.com or follow the association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SwallowsDayParade.

—Allison Jarrell

on Saturday, April 21).

If the recall petitioners succeed in collecting enough signatures, the City Clerk’s office has reported that the cost for an at-large special election would range from $95,000 to $106,000.

To view blank copies of the petitions, as well as the responses filed by all three Council members, find this story at www. thecapistranodispatch.com. —AJ

Recall Petitions for Three Council Members Receive Approval for Circulation THE LATEST: Proponents trying to recall three City Council members have been cleared to begin collecting signatures.

Petitions to recall Council members Kerry Ferguson and Derek Reeve received approval from the City Clerk on Dec. 21, and the petitioners attempting to recall Pam Patterson received approval on Dec. 22.

The notices of intent to recall Ferguson and Reeve were initially submitted to the City Clerk’s office on Nov. 21, and the petition for Patterson was submitted on Nov. 27. All three Council members have filed responses.

WHAT’S NEXT: Now that the City Clerk’s office has verified that the proposed recall petitions meet all the requirements of the California Elections Code, the proponents have 120 days to collect the signatures of 20 percent of the city’s 19,273 registered voters—3,854 residents—for each petition.

This means that proponents looking to recall Reeve and Ferguson have until April 20 to submit their signatures, and the proponents seeking to recall Patterson have until April 23 (since the 120 days falls

Preview: Jan. 16 City Council Meeting to Tackle Topics from Riding Park to LED Street Lights THE LATEST: The City Council is slated to discuss a wide array of issues on Tuesday, Jan. 16, from authorizing a contract for LED street light conversion, to considering an interim management agreement with Blenheim Facility Management for the operation of the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano.

The Council will also consider approving an exclusive negotiation agreement with The Ecology Center for a development concept that would incorporate the neighboring South Coast Farms property as well as the Congdon House property into a single environmental education and agricultural center.

Also at next week’s meeting, former Chief of Police Services Lt. Scott Spalding and former Fire Division Chief John Abel will be recognized for their years of service to the city.

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

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THE LATEST: As of Jan. 1, several new hot-button laws were approved by the California Legislature and are now in effect.

The laws include increases in minimum wage to $10.50 an hour for employers with 25 employees or less and $11 an hour for those with more than 25. Another bill will increase leave time for new parents to 12 weeks after the employee has worked for the business for more than one year. This applies to businesses with 20 or more employees.

Employers now cannot ask their employees about their criminal history on job applications. If a job offer is made, the employer can then check criminal records but not use them as a determinant of hiring someone. Employers also cannot use salary history to determine wages for an employee.

A highly contested bill passed last year regarding worksite immigration laws. AB 450 protects employees from immigration enforcement while working and employers cannot provide enforcement without a warrant. It also limits employers from providing agents with records without a subpoena or warrant.

A tangential bill to immigration status, AB 1701, places the onus on construction contractors for all unpaid wages, benefits or anything else agreed upon for subcontractors. The bill authorizes general contractors to request pay records from subcontractors in order to ensure the payments are made.

Laws that tackle sexual harassment in the workplace as well as mandatory training about avoiding such incidents are also now in effect. Employers with 50 or more employees must have a discussion of harassment under topics of harassment, gender identity and sexual orientation.

WHAT’S NEXT: More information on the new laws can be found at www.calchamber.com. —Staff

Rep. Darrell Issa Announces Retirement; Diane Harkey Announces Candidacy THE LATEST: At a rally in June in San Juan Capistrano, Rep. Darrell Issa did not (Cont. on page 4) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) hesitate to say he would run again for the Congressional seat he’s held since 2002.

That changed on Wednesday morning, Jan. 10, when a statement was released

by Issa’s office in Washington, D.C. declaring he would retire at the end of his term this year.

“Throughout my service, I worked hard and never lost sight of the people our government is supposed to serve,” Issa said. “Yet with the support of my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in California’s 49th District.”

Issa’s district stretches from San Juan Capistrano down the coast to Solana Beach. The district has been a Republican stronghold since Issa won his first election. But Issa faced his stiffest competition last year, narrowly defeating challenger Doug Applegate, a Democrat based out of San Clemente. Issa won Orange County by 21 percentage points but lost San Diego County by 20 percentage points.

With the election of President Donald Trump, the political landscape changed dramatically over the last year. Many people in South Orange County beseeched Issa to take action against the potential construction of a toll road through the city and to fight for access to affordable healthcare.

Issa’s decision to not seek reelection is the latest in a series of recent announce-

ments by Congress members and senators who have also stated they won’t vie for their seats in November.

Known as a fierce and fiery Republican, Issa became well-known after the 2008 general election, voicing opposition to many Obama administration policies. In 2011, he was appointed as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Although he is a skeptic of science on global warming, he recently opposed the Trump administration’s move to reopen offshore oil drilling along the California coastline.

Issa was also a proponent of expediting requests for public records and opening transparency of federal spending.

Locally, Issa attempted to pass bills on three separate occasions to have the spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) moved offsite through amendments to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. None of them made it to the House floor.

Although he’s leaving Congress at the end of the year, constituents of the 49th congressional district may not have seen the last of Issa, as he foreshadowed at the end of his Wednesday statement.

“While my service to California’s 49th District will be coming to an end, I will continue advocating on behalf of the causes that are most important to me, advancing public policy where I believe I

can make a true and lasting difference, and continuing the fight to make our incredible nation an even better place to call home,” Issa said.

WHAT’S NEXT: So far, six candidates have announced they will run for Issa’s seat. Four are Democrats: Mike Levin, of San Juan Capistrano; Paul Kerr, of Rancho Santa Fe; Sara Jacobs, of Del Mar; and Applegate. Jordan Mills, of Oceanside, is also vying for the seat as a member of the Peace and Freedom Party.

The most recent candidate is Republican Diane Harkey, of Dana Point, who announced her intentions to run on Wednesday after Issa’s announcement.

Harkey, who is currently the chair of the California State Board of Equalization and was a state Assembly member from 2008 to 2014, said her experience in finance and banking would be a muchneeded attribute to Congress.

“My whole policy has been basically helping Californians stay in business and do more business and collect taxes to help pay for the things we all want,” Harkey said in an interview on Wednesday. “I’m very strong on anything that’s financial or budgetary. I have 30 years’ experience in banking and corporate finance.”

Harkey was the mayor of Dana Point in 2007, and she said her experiences with networking throughout the state

and governing tax policies across four counties would make her an exceptional representative at the federal level.

“I just think that California needs a very strong voice that understands the business environment and the issues we face,” Harkey said. “(California) has a huge portion of the U.S. economy, 39 million people and only two senators.”

When asked about the challenges on the campaign trail she will likely face, Harkey said she thinks the Republican contingency is still strong enough to elect her to The Hill.

“It’s still a Republican-favored seat.

Whenever an incumbent leaves, there are a bit more (political elements),” Harkey said, adding that she’s already assembled a team of consultants and advisers for her campaign, including John Franklin, who worked as Issa’s political director.

Harkey also said her experience in the state Legislature included many of the same constituents that are in the 49th district.

“I have served the district since I got in the Legislature. Before the redistricting (in 2012), we had Oceanside and Vista in my legislative seat, and I worked with San Diego extensively,” she said. “I have good relationships there, and North San Diego County and South Orange County have a lot of the same issues, and I want to make sure people pay attention to them.” —Eric Heinz

EYE ON SJC

Community Meetings MONDAY, JAN. 15

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

TUESDAY, JAN. 16

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

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17

Downtown Farmers Market 3-6 p.m. Fresh flowers, produce and specialty foods from dozens of vendors in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. Occurs every Wednesday.

Visit www.farmersmarketsjc.com or call 949.493.4700 to find out more.

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, JAN. 19

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, JAN. 23

Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 p.m. The city’s Planning Commission will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24

CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting 7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District governing body meets at district offices, 33122 Valle Road. To see the board’s agenda, visit www.capousd.org.

FRIDAY, JAN. 26

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes The Capistrano Dispatch January 12–25, 2018

On Jan. 4, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke revealed the Trump administration’s 380-page 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. Photo: File

Trump Administration Unveils Offshore Drilling Proposal

BY DANIEL RITZ, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

O

n Jan. 4, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke released the Trump Administration’s long-awaited offshore drilling proposal. The 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program released by the Bureau of Energy Management (BOEM) outlines 47 individual lease tracts along the outer-continental shelf spanning the entire U.S. coastline.

Zinke, in a meeting with the press, said his plan would put “more than 98 percent of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in federal offshore areas available to consider for future exploration and development.” As things stand now, 94 percent of those resources are off-limits, he said.

This proposal, which lifts a ban on offshore drilling in the United States placed

by President Barack Obama near the end of his term as well as opens up leasing off the California coast for the first time since 1969, faces an uphill battle before it would result in actual leasing.

Pacific coast state governors announced their united opposition to re-opening the Pacific coast to offshore drilling in a jointstatement.

“They’ve chosen to forget the utter devastation of past offshore oil spills to wildlife and to the fishing, recreation and tourism industries in our states,” said the Democratic governors. “They’ve chosen to ignore the science that tells us our climate is changing and we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. But we won’t forget history or ignore science.”

“This is something that all Californians are against.” said Jennifer Savage, Califor-

nia Policy Manager for the Surfrider Foundation. “This is something that crosses party lines.”

Dayna Bochco, chairwoman of the California Coastal Commission, voiced similar bipartisan sentiments.

“Nothing galvanizes bipartisan resistance in California like the threat of more offshore drilling,” Bochco said. “We’ve fought similar efforts before, and we will fight them again.”

Savage explained that although the 380-page program outlines two areas to be opened for lease off the Southern California region in 2020, those areas have yet to be specifically defined.

“There are already over a dozen marine protected areas in Orange County,” Savage said, “with all the ways that the ocean is valuable in Orange County, the potential impacts would be profound.”

Opening up new oil exploration leases requires the completion of an extensive environmental review, which could take a year or longer. States such as California also have some power to thwart Zinke’s program.

Zinke said any new oil leases must first undergo environmental review and would not be exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act. He also noted it was a draft proposal that could change after public input.

“Today’s announcement lays out the options that are on the table and starts a lengthy and robust public comment period,” he said.

For example, one week after announcing this leasing proposal, the state of Florida was struck from the list of possible coastal drilling zones.

“President Trump has directed me to rebuild our offshore oil and gas program in a manner that supports our national

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energy policy and also takes into consideration the local and state voice.” Zinke said in a media hearing. “I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver. As a result of discussion with Governor [Scott] and his leadership, I am removing Florida from consideration for any new oil and gas platforms.”

After hearing the news about Republican-governed Florida, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Took to Twitter, asking whether there are different rules for blue states like California.

“Dear Secretary Zinke, California like Florida, has hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline and a governor who wants to keep it that way. Or is that not enough for blue states?”

A 1972 federal coastal act gives California extensive input on federal actions along the coast, including the granting of federal oil leases, from which the California Coastal Commission could oppose offshores leashes.

California largely controls coastal waters up to three miles off the coast. Beyond that, much of the control switches to the federal government under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act. States still have some input over what happens in federal waters, but not an absolute veto.

Savage said Surfrider Foundation is working with local chapters in order to motivate communities to contact their elected officials. More information on Surfrider Foundation can be found at www.surfrider. org or www.southoc.surfrider.org.

View the BOEM draft proposed program here: www.boem.gov/NP-DraftProposed-Program-2019-2024. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Mayor Sergio Farias said 2018 will be a year of tackling litigation, addressing the city’s structural deficit and improving residents’ quality of life. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Looking Forward Mayor Sergio Farias discusses city priorities, projects coming up in 2018

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

E

ach year we take the time to look back on the biggest stories of the year, so it’s only fitting that this month we look ahead at the year to come in San Juan Capistrano. The Dispatch sat down with San Juan’s newly-appointed Mayor Sergio Farias to get his take on the city’s most pressing issues in 2018, and to find out which projects he’s focused on tackling in the months ahead.

Top Priorities After Farias was appointed mayor on Dec. 5, he began his term by speaking about the importance of moving the city forward and exploring new economic opportunities while also honoring San Juan’s past.

When we sat down with Farias, he pinpointed what he views as the three most important issues facing San Juan Capistrano over the next year and beThe Capistrano Dispatch January 12–25, 2018

yond—tackling litigation and limiting the city’s exposure to litigation, addressing the city’s structural deficit, and improving residents’ quality of life, especially when it comes to traffic and parking issues.

“Being under litigation is obviously never a good situation,” Farias said. “I think the state exposes us to a lot. Trying to work through it all and limit our exposure in the future is a priority. We were able to square away two lawsuits this past year, and hopefully we’re able to get rid of a few more this year and avoid more in the future.”

Farias said that while some lawsuits stem from people not working with the city in good faith, others are more preventable and can be allayed by City Council members responding in a disciplined and appropriate matter to certain situations— something he hopes to see more of this year.

When it comes to tackling the city’s structural deficit, Farias said it’s important for City Council members to foster the city’s economic vitality by encouraging new businesses to come to town.

“We don’t get to dictate what people do with their private property, but we can encourage business to come into the city,” Farias said.

“I think the Verdugo Street project is something we can do on our end,” Farias continued. “If you look at Verdugo Street, the private property looks beautiful; it’s really the public portion that needs help.

The City Council moving forward with

that project is really important because public works get more expensive every year, so the sooner we get it done, the better. There’s a lot of money there now, but three years from now that may not be enough money to get it done.

“That’s the sort of thing we could do to say that San Juan Capistrano wants to invite investors to bring their businesses to the city and hopefully generate extra revenue,” Farias said.

Farias also mentioned working on the city’s sign ordinances, which he said Councilman Derek Reeve has been advocating.

“It’s important because in many places, we are not compliant,” Farias said. “I know this is controversial in many political factions, but I think that trying to work with our car dealerships, easing some of the sign ordinances for them, would be important. Allowing our car dealerships to put up more signage and attract more customers is something that could be done easily and could increase revenue quickly.”

Farias also mentioned that the addition of Ganahl Lumber on the city’s Lower Rosan property would help reverse the deficit, as well as getting the city’s two incoming hotels processed. In addition, Farias suggested better utilizing San Juan’s parks and venues for monthly festivals and events that would introduce new visitors to local shops and restaurants.

“We have the weather to have festivals at least every month,” Farias said. “That is at a cost to the city sometimes, but I think finding ways to pay for it would, in the long

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run, return more than it costs us, because it makes us a destination.”

As for addressing quality of life issues like transportation, Farias said he’s glad that the city is beginning to resurface and restructure the roads of the Capistrano Villas neighborhood, many of which haven’t been worked on since they were built.

Farias also advocated for improvements at the intersection of Los Rios Street and La Zanja Street and said he’s excited to see that come to fruition with an island and an extra light post to improve visibility and give pedestrians a rest at the crossing. Farias said residents have been asking for a light there for years because the intersection slopes down and decreases visibility.

Farias added that understanding traffic counts is important for the Council.

After seeing the success of the La Novia roundabout this past year, he hopes to identify other areas in town where similar improvements to traffic flow could be made.

Processing Development Proposals Farias said when it comes to processing development proposals—whether it’s the River Street marketplace, the impending hotels, the Northwest Open Space, or the redevelopment sites, just to name a few—his approach is to wait until studies are completed and evaluated to determine what the development’s impact will be, rather than acting based on “hearsay or opinions.” www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Other Goals for 2018 One of the first statements Farias made as mayor on Dec. 5 was to acknowledge that San Juan’s “equestrian lifestyle is at risk” and that the Council will “move forward in a way that will ensure that that will always be a part of this city.”

Farias’ remarks were in reference to a lawsuit and complaints that have been lodged against the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano and

other San Juan stables by Orange County which is set to take place in his District Coastkeeper. The advocacy group alleges 1 region of town. Farias said the nearly that the Riding Park is violating the Clean $400 million project is going to impact Water Act. residents in a negative way, and his aim is When asked why showing that solidarto minimize those impacts and make sure ity with equestrians is important to him, SDG&E goes through the proper process Farias answered with a question. and abides by local laws.

“If the stables aren’t there, what will The California Public Utilities Commisbe there? It’s probably going to be more sion (CPUC) approved the expansion last housing and more commercial developyear, and in June, the Council voted in ment,” he said. “And if housing and comclosed session to file a complaint in fedmercial development are going to replace eral court against the CPUC. The CPUC the stables in San Juan, then there’s denied the city’s request for a rehearing nothing that differentiates us from the in September, and U.S. District Judge rest of South County.

Andrew J. Guilford It’s really important dismissed the city’s to me, and to the lawsuit in October. identity of San Juan The Council then Capistrano, to make voted on Oct. 17 sure that we have an to appeal the U.S. equestrian lifestyle, District Court’s because I think, even dismissal. more so than the As the city enters Mission, that it sets the appeal process, us apart. And it also SDG&E is continugives us the ambiing to do work at ance of being a small the project site that —Sergio Farias town, more so than does not require anything else.” city permits, such Farias could only say so much regardas surveying, brush clearing, soil boring the lawsuit against the Riding Park ings and cleanup inside the old substaas it’s being discussed in closed session tion building. SDG&E does not yet have by the Council, but he did say he feels permits from the city to begin demolition, that current “state laws and federal laws grading and construction. allow cities and private companies to be Farias said city staff has done a good exposed to litigation.” job of monitoring SDG&E’s progress to “Obviously we don’t have someone on make sure they only do as much work as staff to work on lobbying, but I think that’s they’re permitted. something that should fall upon Council “If it unfortunately gets done, we need members,” he said. to make sure they respect the area as Another significant focus for Farias in much as possible,” Farias said. “It’s a 2018 is on the looming San Diego Gas & large project that’s going to have a large Electric (SDG&E) substation expansion, impact.”

His Role as Mayor “I see the role as mayor as serving not only my constituents and all of the residents of San Juan Capistrano, but also serving my fellow Council members,” Farias said.

“The role of mayor, as I see it, is facilitating the Council meetings. Doing the people’s business is my priority, and making sure that every Council member is heard and that items are discussed in a manner that everyone feels they can give their input.”

Farias said he plans on conducting Council meetings this year as efficiently as possible.

“We’re there to do the people’s business,” he said. “We’re not there to pontificate and talk about ourselves.”

When asked about how he’ll work to facilitate civil discussions in a chamber that can often become rancorous, Farias said he wants to encourage healthy debate and hear out different perspectives while weeding out the unnecessary vitriol.

“Differences are okay. I think where we go wrong is the personal attacks,” Farias said. “Allowing opinions to be heard and to be part of the process is important. But we need to be able to debate in a civil manner.”

Farias also promised “not to yell at residents,” alluding to incidents over the last year where residents were interrupted by the mayor during public comment.

“It just creates a negative atmosphere and intimidates people who have never spoken in public before. It’s not an easy thing to do,” Farias said. “You’ll have people in there who have never been to a City Council meeting and they see the mayor yelling at residents—it doesn’t set a good tone. I try to thank everyone who speaks, regardless of whether I agree with them or not. And I think that sets a different tone.” CD

NEWS BITES

wide, ranging from homelessness, housing and transportation, to public safety and health care.

is established by the HELMS proposal (hardened, extended-life, local, monitored, surface storage),” a press release from Citizens’ Oversight stated.

The proposal aims to change the regulations to require 1,000-year assurance that the fuel will be stored safely, according to the release.

Ray Lutz, the executive director of Citizens’ Oversight, stated in the release that the proposal asks for the casks that will be used to store the spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre to be “enclosed in a much thicker outer shell, which can then preserve the internal canister from corrosion and other deterioration.”

SONGS officials are planning to start storing the remaining spent nuclear fuel on-site this month.

The HELMS document and the NRC petition can be found online at www.copswiki.org/common/helmsproposal.

“I like to use facts, data and traffic counts,” Farias said.

When asked about some Council members’ past comments that have expressed a distrust of staff’s work and analysis, Farias described those interactions as “unfortunate.”

“Staff doesn’t get paid more or less because of the amount of development we have,” he said. “Staff is there to work with facts and give their recommendations to the Council. They’re not going to get paid less if they don’t recommend something, and they’re not going to get paid more if they do recommend something.

“To not trust numbers and facts and figures…you’re not doing your job,” Farias continued. “I think public opinion and public input are important, the more input you get from residents, the better any proposal is. Having constructive dialogue is always important, but I think that when you get to the point where there’s another agenda… when it’s always critical and it doesn’t delve into facts, I think that’s where it becomes difficult. If someone is against a project, that’s their God-given right, especially if it’s going to impact them more so than it would others. But unfortunately, when you get into misleading and misrepresenting, I think that’s a problem.”

COMPILED BY STAFF

CSAC Elects Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett as Second Vice President Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett was installed at the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Annual Conference as the 2018 Second Vice President.

She was unanimously supported by her colleagues on the CSAC Board of Directors at the General Assembly, according to a press release. Bartlett is the first woman to represent Orange County as an officer on the CSAC Board of Directors.

“I am honored to be unanimously supported by the CSAC Board,” Bartlett said.

“I look forward to continuing to advocate our local needs at the state level.”

Bartlett said she will continue to focus on important issues facing counties state-

The Capistrano Dispatch January 12–25, 2018

Differences are okay...

“Allowing opinions to be

heard and to be part of the process is important.

But we need to be able to debate in a civil manner.

”

Health Officials Say Influenza Cases Rising Statewide The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced on Jan. 9 that flu activity in California has been “widespread and at levels usually seen at the peak of the influenza season. Health officials encourage Californians to get vaccinated.”

In a press release, CDPH stated it takes about two weeks after receiving a flu shot for the body to respond in full.

The strain of influenza that’s been dominating California is H3N2, which can be very severe for people who are vulnerable to the virus. CDPH said 27 people younger than 65 have died from the virus in California since October.

“Vaccine effectiveness does vary for

the different strains and year by year,” the release stated.

Data will be available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February about vaccine effectiveness.

People who are most vulnerable to the virus are pregnant women, children younger than 5 and especially children younger than 2, people 65 and older, and people who have certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

Citizens’ Oversight Files Petition with Nuclear Regulatory Commission Citizens’ Oversight Projects, an activist organization based out of San Diego, announced on Jan. 2 that it submitted a petition to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) related to regulations that govern how the nuclear industry handles spent nuclear fuel.

“The basis for the proposed changes

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SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Allison Jarrell, 949.388.7700, x108 ajarrell@thecapistranodispatch.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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

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

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

EDITORIAL

Real Estate Sales Executive > Jennifer Guy

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

City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

OPERATIONS

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

T

hirteen years ago this March, a dream of mine was realized when we launched the San Clemente Times. A year later in 2007, we acquired The Capistrano Dispatch and then proceeded to start the Dana Point Times in 2008. The idea then was the same as it is now—to create community newspapers and websites unlike any you’d seen before.

A “maga-paper” that was designed like a magazine, read like a newspaper and gave you “Local News You Can Use” like no one else could or would. The editorial would be 90 percent forward-looking, 10 percent “last week’s news,” deliberately striving to provide residents and visitors with an insightful guide to their lives in these amazing communities. Our editorial strategy was a call to action: The more you know, the more involved in our community you’ll become. The more involved the

IN OPPOSITION OF ALL THREE RECALLS

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

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 16, Issue 1. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

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

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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

The Capistrano Dispatch January 12-25, 2018

With endings there are also new beginnings, and I’m thrilled to announce that Jennifer Guy has joined Picket Fence to assume Michele’s role leading real estate sales and marketing as well as leading digital sales for the group. Jennifer has been working with us part-time over the past year and comes to us after a strong career with the Los Angeles Times Community Newspaper Group (TCN). Jennifer, welcome aboard!

We also are excited to welcome Zach Cavanagh as our new Group Sports Editor.

Zach replaces Steve Breazeale, who leaves us after six impressive years covering the South Orange County sports scene and earning numerous awards for his efforts.

Steve’s landed a job with Golf Digest but will remain in the area, and we’re hugely proud of him. Zach most recently has been with the Orange County Register sports department and joins us with a built-in knowledge of the area, its schools, teams and history. Steve, congrats my man, and hit it straight and long!

Family runs deep at Picket Fence Media. Welcome Jennifer and Zach; and Michele and Steve, all the best and we’ll see you around town! CD

Letters to the Editor

Art Director > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Family Forever

community is, the stronger it gets.

To launch the paper/website, I reached out to the most talented group of people I knew, many of them coworkers of mine at the Action Sports Group (ASG) with legendary magazines such as SURFER, Bike, Powder and Skateboarder. I was fortunate enough to lure a few of those folks into the unknown waters, and I’ve been even more fortunate that many of those folks are still with us today—a testament to their love and passion for trying to make a difference.

Two weeks ago, one of our founding members, PUBLISHER’S Michele Reddick, left LETTER

By Norb Garrett to take on a new career challenge after serving as an amazing evangelist for the brand as a marketing and salesperson. Now a mother of two beautiful children with a loving, supporting husband, Michele just completed her college degree (we’re proud of you Mish!) and is ready to tackle her next new challenge with the same zeal and passion she brought to Picket Fence Media. Mish, we wish you well.

ART/DESIGN

City Editor, DP Times > Daniel Ritz

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

PUBLISHER’S LETTER:

By Norb Garrett, Publisher of Picket Fence Media

Welcome to Picket Fence Media, Zach!

BY RACHAEL MATTICE, GROUP MANAGING EDITOR FOR PICKET FENCE MEDIA

P

lease join me in formally welcoming Zach Cavanagh to Picket Fence Media as the Sports Editor for the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch.

Zach joins the newsroom having previously worked as a sports contributor for the OC Register. He was also a broadcaster

for various radio channels and podcasts such as Long Beach State Hockey, KBeach Radio, KSBR 88.5 and OCRockRadio.com, among others. He has built his career on covering a broad spectrum of sports, including coverage of many South Orange County teams such as San Clemente football, Dana Hills cross country and JSerra girls soccer.

Hailing originally from Laguna Niguel, Zach is looking forward to diving deeper into the realm of South County sports and outdoors for Picket Fence Media readers.

We are thrilled to have him as the sports and outdoors team captain and in the trenches with us.

Zach can be reached at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com, sports@picketfencemedia.com and at 949.388.7700. ext.110. CD

Page 8

—John Perry, San Juan Capistrano I am saddened by the recall against three San Juan Capistrano City Council members. I have known all three and can honestly say that they share a love for this small corner of Orange County and have worked very hard to approve only the new development projects that improve the property values of those residents who already live here. They share a vision with the city’s residents who have voted over $50 million to buy open space to keep the property from being covered with tightly packed houses or apartments.

It is true that I once initiated a recall action against a City Council member because that member voted to continue to charge tiered water rates that were ruled illegal by a Superior Court Judge while the city appealed that ruling. The Appellant Court also said the water rates were illegal and ordered the city to adopt water rates that met the requirements of the law. The recall was not my first choice, but my last resort to stop the city from gouging the water rate payers.

As a former Council member, I know firsthand that sitting on the City Council and making decisions that keep the city functional is often a thankless job. This community is very politically polarized and each Council member spends many www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX hours researching issues before casting a vote. People who disagree with your vote get very personal about your motives and make hurtful accusations. That goes with the job—each City Council member asked to be elected (or in my case, appointed).

Unless a Council member has committed a crime or malfeasance, they should be allowed to complete the term they were duly elected to serve. The reasons for recall provided by the proponents in the recall petitions represent personal agendas on issues in which they may have a vested interest.

I therefore cannot support the recalls and will do everything I can to see that they fail. Before signing a recall petition, ask yourself if the person circulating the petition is acting in the best interests of the city and its future. Ask the petition circulator why they believe the recall is beneficial.

PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND CHARM OF SAN JUAN —Terri Trammell, San Juan Capistrano I love our town and all the different things it has to offer local residents. I think it’s tragic that we keep losing open space to developers, the areas that were designated for horses and stables are shrinking, and it seems we are giving into the big business developers instead of trying to preserve the downtown history and charm. The downtown is quaint and cozy…we don’t need more traffic and big business. I try and support our local shops in the downtown district and Los Rios. I don’t think we need two hotels in town (more people and more traffic).

I would like to be part of any movement to try and preserve what we have and the history, open space, trees and horse areas in San Juan Capistrano.

Thank you for all you have done and do for this town, too.

RIVER STREET PROPOSAL WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY —Jerry Nieblas, San Juan Capistrano First, I want to make it perfectly clear— I am not pro-progress. For 65 years, I haven’t wanted things to change in San Juan Capistrano, but it’s changing anyway and not all of it is positive.

I’d love to see the land on Los Rios Street stay with the Ito’s—they’ve been good stewards and caretakers since the late 1950s. The fact of the matter is, they have every right to benefit from the sale of their property. And they have the right to sell to whomever they choose, but they didn’t. They were very selective.

Part of the sale process included sitting down with developer Dan Almquist and discussing future use of their land. Along with the Ito’s and Dan Almquist, myself and others with historical ties to San Juan Capistrano were included in those meetings. Dan listened to everyone—the positives and the criticisms. Several times, Dan and his team went back to their The Capistrano Dispatch January 12-25, 2018

office, made revisions, and incorporated our ideas and suggestions. Remember, there are bits and pieces to Dan’s proposed plan that still need to be polished.

He’s aware of that, and communication is ongoing.

Whether this community likes it or not, that land will be developed. With Dan’s plan, that land will not be a mass of housing/apartments. It will not be an enormous cluster of medical offices/ buildings, and it’s not another strip mall.

His plan is an open-air marketplace, much like what could be found in an Early Californio plaza.

Regarding Mark Nielsen’s recent column—now he’s concerned all of a sudden? A little late, Mark. If memory serves me right, Mark was one of the Council members who sold San Juan’s “heart and soul” in the past and at times was in favor of pro-growth. That makes him just as guilty in contributing to overdevelopment in this town.

I’m a proud volunteer at the Apolonia Montano Adobe (Montanez Adobe) and I see the amount of foot traffic on Los Rios Street. There isn’t enough to direct them to the southern end of the street.

This marketplace will be a perfect invite for people to enjoy the whole street with an authentic San Juan Capistrano welcome. Los Rios Street is rich with traditions of gatherings, families and feasts, and reminds me of the phrase, “Mi casa es su casa,” (my home is your home).

For those who question my authority in speaking on this issue, know this... my ties to this land run deep and go back over 200 years. My two-times great grandfather, Jose Dolores Garcia, built and resided in the Garcia/Pryor home (the historical society). This home was a gift to his wife, my two-times great grandmother, Maria Refugia Yorba.

Several of the historical board and batten homes were built by their sons. Most significant is my bloodline to the Rios family, through my three-times great grandmother, Maria Juana Rios, wife of my three-times great grandfather, Domingo Yorba.

Again, I don’t like progress. However, if progress has to happen on the Ito property, let it be Dan Almquist’s vision of an open-air marketplace. I stand in total support of his project moving forward.

I am confident this community will only benefit from this proposed development coming to Los Rios Street.

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.

Page 9

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town COMPILED BY VICTOR CARNO

Friday | 12 LIVE MUSIC AT THE VINTAGE STEAKHOUSE 6-9 p.m. Local musician, Mike De Bellis, plays smooth jazz to enhance your dining experience every Friday and Saturday. Enjoy a twist on a classic American steakhouse while dining in a fully restored Pullman train car. The Vintage Steakhouse. 26701-B Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.3400. www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

SHOWOFF! INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse’s annual ShowOff! International Playwriting Festival features the world premiere of seven, 10-minute plays from seven directors. Audience members vote for their favorite plays, and the top three winners receive cash prizes after the last performance. The festival runs through Jan. 21, and tickets start at $22. See the playhouse website for show times. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Members of the 2017 Fiesta Association pose for a quick photo during last year’s Kids Pet Parade. Photo: Allison Jarrell

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12: FIESTA ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP MIXER 6-9 p.m. Members of the public are welcomed to join the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association for its annual Membership Drive and Mixer. Enjoy a night of food, drinks and music while networking with old and new friends. The Fiesta organization puts on the annual Swallows Day Parade and an array of festive swallows season events leading up to the parade. Tickets are $25, or admission is free for members who renew or those who join the association. Membership is $20 for individuals and $30 for family/business membership.

Trevor’s at the Tracks. 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. www.trevorsatthetracks.com.

Saturday | 13 HAIRIEST MAN SIGN-UPS 12-4 p.m. The Fiesta Association is holding sign-ups for the Hairiest Man Contest at the Swallow’s Inn. Be sure to show up clean shaven to enter, or the $5 entry fee will get you a shave. After nine weeks, the hairiest man will be announced at the annual Fiesta Grande on March 21. Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2 p.m.-1 a.m. Live music by Dalton Gang and the Jimi Nelson Band at the Swallow’s Inn. Burgers and wings from Lisa’s Kitchen are also available. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

SECOND STAGE STAND-UP 6 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse hosts their monthly night of comedy, Second Stage Stand-Up. This month, laugh along with Fritz Coleman, Mark Schumacher, Paula Faust, Tom Riehl and Ron Ruhman. Admission is $17.50 and The Capistrano Dispatch January 12-25, 2018

reservations are recommended. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.8082. www.comedyintheoc.com.

LIVE MUSIC: BUNCH OF GUYS 7:30 p.m. Live music will be performed

by Bunch of Guys at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

CUBENSIS: GRATEFUL DEAD RIBUTE BAND 9:30 p.m. Live music will be performed at OC Tavern. 21 and up. Tickets are $10. 2369 S. El Camino Real San Clemente. 949.542.8877. www.octavern.com.

Sunday | 14 THE COAST VINTAGE MARKET 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Stop by Saddleback College every second Sunday of the month for a vintage market. This shopping experience includes over 200 vendors, live music, and food trucks. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo.

949.381.9947. www.thecoastvintagemarket.com.

GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park.

Parking is $5, the hike is free. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/ caspers.

YOGA ON TAP 6 p.m. Yoga on Tap is held at Left Coast’s tasting room in San Clemente.

This is a one-hour yoga class, followed by a pint of beer. It’s a great way to get to know your local fellow yogis and beer drinkers. The cost is $10. Left Coast Brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.6014 or www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

Monday | 15 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF Page 10

SERVICE 2018 9 a.m.-noon. Enjoy a morning of service with Reserve staff and fellow volunteers as they beautify the grounds of the Reserve’s new headquarters with native gardens. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service—a “day on, not a day off.”

The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www. rmvreserve.org.

MLK DAY SAILING 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Westwind Sailing is offering free sailing tours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Sailing rides are first come first serve and all participants must be 6 years old or older. Each ride is approximately 20 minutes and admission is free.

Westwind Sailing. 34451 Ensenada Plaza, Dana Point. 949.492.3035. www.westwindsailing.com.

(Cont. on page 13) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 10)

Tuesday | 16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND LIFE STORIES WORKSHOP 10 a.m.-noon. Document your life story or the stories of your ancestors all while improving your writing skills at the Dana Point Community Center. Instructor Linda Berkshire will be hosting the workshop for $30 per five classes. Dana Point Community Center. 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point. 949.248.3530. www.danapoint.org.

LECTURE: GETTING FRIENDLY WITH FUNGI 7-8:30 p.m. Explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms with amateur mycologist Joanne Schwartz. Admission is free, but participants should reserve a spot online. A separate mushroom hunt led by Joanne will take place at the Reserve on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

ON THE MENU

Wednesday | 17

Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

Saturday | 20

FREE COMEDY 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Bloom’s Irish Sports Bar with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120.

LADY WASHINGTON SAILS 4-6 p.m. Join the Ocean institute in a day of maritime amusement with the crew of the historic tall ship, Lady Washington. During your adventure sail, families will learn about tall ship handling and sea shanty singing. Adults are $60 and children 13 and under are $50.

RESIN ART SHOW AND DEMONSTRATION 4-7 p.m. OC Contemporary Gallery is hosting a gallery event featuring four local resin artists. In addition to the gallery, there will be a live demonstration accompanied with music, food and drinks.

Admission is free. 1509 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 888.948.0086. www.ocgallery.com.

Thursday | 18 GARDEN ANGELS 8:30-10:30 a.m. Join volunteers, students and teachers at Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens to care for and maintain native plants and butterflies. No class if it rains.

Admission is free. Los Rios Park. 31790 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano. www.goinnative.net.

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m. Join Dana Wharf for a 90-minute evening cruise aboard the luxury catamaran. The cruises run Friday and Sunday evenings. Tickets are $49. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

LIVE THEATER: 'DEATHTRAP' 8 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse invites members of the public to enjoy a story revolving around a writer, a stolen script and murder. Tickets are $20. Cabrillo Play House. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

Friday | 19 MISSION ART WALK 11 a.m. A docent-guided tour highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to the Mission’s history. 26801

Tuesday | 23 LIVE MUSIC AT KNUCKLEHEADS 9 p.m. New York band, Dirty Fences, are stopping by Knuckleheads as they make their way around the country. 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. www.knuckleheadsmusic.com.

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

ST. LOUIS STYLE BBQ RIBS AT THE POINT

Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba in ‘Molly’s Game.’ Photo: Michael Gibson- Motion Picture Artwork

At the Movies: Looking Back in 2018 with ‘I, Tonya’ and ‘Molly’s Game’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

BY ERIN MCFAUL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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he Point Restaurant and Bar has provided an exciting and friendly dining experience for the past five years. From ukulele lessons to open mic night, owner Peter Andriet, who moved to the Dana Point area from Canada, keeps customers coming back for the entertainment and delicious food.

“It’s a casual family sports bar, late night entertainment and dancing venue,” Andriet said. “We hit all three categories.”

The happy hour menu, offered every day from 3-7 p.m. and all day Monday, offers a variety of the restaurant’s most popular dishes in shareable portions. With their The Capistrano Dispatch January 12-25, 2018

St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs, The Point brings a taste of the Midwest to Dana Point. The plate, which comes with four ribs, is perfect for customers looking to try a few different dishes. Each tender stack of ribs comes coated in a sweet barbecue sauce and is piled on top of the customer’s choice of crispy fries—garlic, sidewinder or sweet potato—or hand battered onion rings.

In addition to the happy hour menu, The Point offers a $10 lunch special Tuesday through Friday that includes either a burger, pizza or soup and salad along with their choice of a happy hour drink.

The Point 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

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s we head into 2018, we also dive into the weakest month of the year in cinema. Rather than review a mediocre studio film dumped into January, I’m recommending a double feature of two low-key awardscontenders of this recent Oscar season: Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya and Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game. Both got wider release dates over the New Year’s weekend, and both actually fit the tone for a back-to-back viewing.

I, Tonya is a satirical biopic on Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) and her rise to glory until she instantly became the center of attention when she’s involved with a fellow skater’s injury during the 1994 ceremonies. Allison Janney portrays Tonya’s abrasive mother and manager, LaVona,

and Sebastian Stan plays Tonya’s equally aggressive then-husband, Jeff Gillooly.

Molly’s Game follows another Olympic figure, Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), who spent the first half of her life training as a skier, only to injure herself and move to LA in 2003. Quickly she runs the biggest poker game in Hollywood and Manhattan for eight years before getting busted with federal charges.

Kevin Costner appears as Molly’s cold father and trainer, and Idris Elba is her reluctant attorney.

Both films are modern period pieces of sorts, and center on two incredible real-life episodes of two infamous young women. Admittedly, both films are imperfect; Tonya would have advanced with a stronger script and Molly’s could have used tighter editing. But the sarcastic atmospheres and strong performances might be a fresh way to start 2018. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Saving a Piece of San Juan’s History Celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Leck House

T

his year marks the 100th anniversary of the Arley Leck House. The story of this house is important to the history of San Juan Capistrano.

Arley Leck was raised in Tustin, California, where he became a grain and bean farmer. His father, Jasper Leck, was a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from 1911-1915. Arley bought 290 acres on the east side of San Juan Capistrano that bordered Ortega Highway.

The land consisted of mostly hills that were ideal for cattle grazing, which was Leck’s latest endeavor.

While in San Juan Capistrano, Leck met and married Frank Forster’s eldest daughter, Alicia, better known to family and friends as Alice. Frank Forster had recently built the mansion on the other side of Ortega Highway, but owned land abutting the Leck property. Mrs. Leck is the great-granddaughMOMENTS ter of Don Juan Forster.

IN TIME

By Jan Siegel As a wedding gift, her parents gave the newlyweds additional acreage across from their home for the Lecks’ California bungalow-style home.

The Leck property now included 354 acres, so beyond ranching, they could grow citrus and avocados. In the History of Orange County California, Mrs. J. E. Pleasants wrote in 1941, “the Leck property is attractively located on high land, commanding a magnificent view of the surrounding country and the Pacific Ocean.

The Lecks live in a beautiful home with all modern conveniences and he is very comfortably situated.” From 1948-1955, Arley Leck was employed as the manager of Rancho Mission Viejo.

Arley Leck died in 1956, and his wife continued to live in the house on the property until her death in 1975. The Lecks had no children.

The city of San Juan Capistrano decided to identify homes and buildings that had historic interest or had unique architec-

The Capistrano Dispatch January 12–25, 2018

Historical Society member Diane Lewis, a retired textile professor from Saddleback College, stands with longtime resident and Historical Society member Jan Siegel in the Leck House. In May 2016, the house was home to an exhibit titled, “The Ladies of Historic San Juan Capistrano,” which showcased intricately stitched clothing and artifacts from historic San Juan families. Photo: Allison Jarrell

tural designs, and since the Leck house is one of the few Craftsman bungalows in the city and shares history with the Forster family, the house was placed on the city’s “Building of Distinction” list.

Following WWII, the original 290 acres of the Leck property was sold, and in the 1980s it became part of what is known today as the Hunt Club. After Mrs. Leck died, the property on which the Leck house stood was bought by the Romarco Realty Corporation. The Lyon Company then acquired the property and wanted to build estate homes on the land.

The Leck House was in the way and was either going to be moved or destroyed.

Thankfully, the city opted to move the house because of its historical value to the community.

According to local historian Don Tryon, “when Tony Forster, president of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society, found out that Lyon Company planned to develop the parcel of land and that the Leck house would be affected, he contacted them with a suggestion. It was Tony’s Aunt Alice who had married Arley Leck. So his interest was two-fold—preserve a family house and obtain it for the Historical Society. He told them that the society had a piece of land where this house could be moved if city approval could be obtained. Lyon was so elated with the suggestion that they offered to not only move the house, but to set it on a foundation, and completely rehabilitate it at no cost to the society.”

Getting approval from the city took some time, but finally it was agreed that moving the house was better than destroying the property. On May 5, 2005 at 12:30 a.m., the Arley Leck House was moved

to the Historical Society property on Los Rios Street. The house had to be cut into three sections in order to move it across town, down River Street, across the Ito Nursery property and onto its new site behind the Silvas Adobe. It took two hours to move the house through the streets and another three hours to set the house down on its new home. Today, the house is the exhibition room for the Historical Society.

You can spend a “Moment in Time” and see this historic structure on the grounds of the O’Neill Museum. Starting in February, there will be a six-month exhibit on the history of the Leck House and the history of farming in the Capistrano Valley.

Page 14

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

Photo: Courtesy of Orange County Archives’ Knott’s Berry Farm Collection

FROM THE ARCHIVES A model of Mission San Juan Capistrano, as displayed at Knott’s Berry Farm. Date unknown.

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.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com FOR SALE CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size. Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too!

Mike, Lantern Bay Carpets 949-240-1545.

OTHER STUFF ROOMATE WANTED Roomate Wanted to Share Luxury Condo on the bluffs above the beach in San Clemente.

Furnished Master Bedroom Suite, Private Bath and Patio. Laundry, parking, separate entrance. $850 per month includes utilities No pets, parties or smoking.

SheilaPatterson.esq@cox.net THE SCHENKENBERGER’S NEED SOME HELP Steve Shenkenberger, husband and father of five young boys, was riding his mountain bike on Super Bowl Sunday when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Laguna Niguel. The family is need of donations for ongoing medical expenses and childcare. Please consider donating at www.gofundme.com/ the-schenkenbergers-medical-bills.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

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The Capistrano Dispatch January 12–25, 2018

Page 15

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

Listening to San Juan’s Indigenous Voices OC Public Libraries offering a series of programs celebrating Acjachemen culture

A

s part of the OC Stories project, Orange County Public Libraries are offering a series of programs celebrating Acjachemen culture, made possible by California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Indigenous Voices of San Juan Capistrano” gives voice to the region’s first people. To learn more, and to listen to their stories, please visit www.ocstories. org or www.ocpl.org/acjachemen.

Our own San Juan Capistrano Library is proud to host a lecture and discussion of stories produced for the Acjachemen Community Stories Project by cultural anthropologist Stephen O’Neill. “We’re Still Here: To Be a Southern California Native American in the 21st Century” will be featured in the La Sala auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m.

For those who are more hands-on, Acjachemen basket weaving classes and craft

demonstrations will take place on Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. and March 10 at 11 a.m. Reservations are required for those who want to make a basket. Please call the library to reserve your spot today.

The library also provides story times, free internet, helpful staff, and so much more. Check out these additional programs offered in the upcoming weeks: • This year’s “Big Read” book selection is Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. Our Mission Readers book club will be discussing Ng’s powerful novel at the library on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m.

• On Friday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m., the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library will be screening the film Loving, starring Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton, in La Sala.

A $2 donation is much appreciated, with proceeds benefiting library programs.

• Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m., Professor Patrick Scott Geyer will be back with his popular archaeology lecture as he

Ellen Sue Olivares Schneider, and her aunt, Teeter Romero, of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, talk about traditional basket weaving materials and techniques in their OC Stories interviews.

Photo: Allison Jarrell

discusses the Moche Pre-Incas of Peru.

No reservations are required, but seating in the fireside room is limited, so please arrive on time.

• Love handicrafts? The “Do Your Worsted” drop-in stitching group meets Wednesday afternoons from 3-5 p.m.

Bring your project and join them for conversation, sharing and fun.

For more information about these and other library events, 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

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

Five Things I’ve Learned in Three Years of Retirement

W

hen I was pondering retirement from Tutor and Spunky’s, my Dana Point deli, the main thing I looked forward to was having “free time.” With it, I could do nothing—if I wanted—which sounded great, after 25 years of serving sandwiches.

Three years ago in January, I sold the deli to Jim Mouzakis, a really good man, who I knew would treat the employees well. I had worked until age 75; I’m glad I did. Working until then helped build a small financial nest egg and kept my body moving and my mind active. And then, finally, there was freedom from slicing salami.

However, I realized quickly that I did not want a lot of free time. It wasn’t good for me. I’m not built to sit around. I realized I must have projects to work on.

Every morning I make a to-do list for the day. If I haven’t crossed each item off by day’s end, so be it. But, the list keeps me focused.

Soon, that free time became busy time.

And from three years of busy time came five lessons learned in retirement.

1. The most important retirement lesson learned is the need to have social interaction with people. To be too isolated is not good for one’s health.

A good way to interact with people is by joining groups. Meetup.com lists thousands of groups and activities and should provide plenty of ideas for people who are not sure of what to do to meet others.

Also, monthly Chamber of Commerce

mixers and service clubs are great places to interact with people.

Another important thing about social interaction after retirement: mix interacting with younger people into your life—kids, grandkids, great grandkids, or friends younger than yourself—to keep you thinking young.

2. The second retirement lesson I’ve learned is the importance of keeping my body moving. It’s a daily priority for me.

In South Orange County, we’re fortunate to have parks and the ocean nearby. The ocean can be a great aid and inspiration to keep moving. There’s surfing, swimming, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and walking in the harbor or on the beaches.

Salt Creek Beach is one of the most beautiful in the world. I can walk there in 30 minutes from our front door, and do often.

A year and a half ago, my nephew Derek, from Dallas, was visiting and would hit the sidewalk walking first thing in the morning. I’d see him push a button on a watch-like device on his wrist; he called it a Fitbit. “It tracks my exercise,” he said.

“It counts the number of steps I take and the flights of stairs I climb. By keeping score of those things, it encourages me to keep moving. I walk almost 100,000 steps a week. You ought to get one.”

I took Derek’s advice. I purchased a Fitbit Charge 2. It has made a world of difference encouraging me to keep moving. My goal is 10,000 steps a day. I don’t always reach that goal, but I’m there four to five days a week. And I admit that there are nights, when I haven’t quite reached the 10,000 goal, where I walk around the kitchen and living room enough times to get the goal. It’s a little weird, but, it keeps me moving.

Weather permitting, I do standup paddle boarding (SUP) four to five times a week with my buddy Russell Kerr, a cool Kiwi originally from New Zealand. Not only do Russell and I interact together, but at Baby Beach in Dana Point, we meet all kinds of friendly men and women who are walking or paddling. So, there is social interaction in addition to the exercise.

Plus, one neat thing about the Fitbit: it counts the SUP strokes I take as steps toward the 10,000-steps goal.

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

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

BY MYLES MELLOR

N

The Capistrano Dispatch January 12–25, 2018

Frankly, I probably would not enjoy taking cruises as much as I do if I didn’t have my writing. Snapping and editing photographs and blogging each day about the ports we visit keep my mind occupied, particularly on sea days when there are no ports to visit. Writing gives me my purpose and keeps the noodle functioning.

5. The fifth retirement lesson I’ve learned is to be willing to step out of one’s comfort zone. When Greta and I were in Lima, Peru, in October, it would have been easy to take a tour of the city arranged by the ship. But, instead, we decided to do it on our own. We took the buses that locals take. We stood in line with the locals. We learned a lot and kept close to each other for safety. We were a bit out of our comfort zone. But at the end of the day, we had grown from what we had learned.

If you’re single, and you’ve made a list of the qualities you seek in a mate, don’t be shackled by the list. Let’s say one of the qualities is to meet a widower of the same faith. But you meet a divorced man instead. And holy horrors, he’s not of the same faith, or even more horrifying, not of the same nationality. But you like him because he’s a gentleman.

Step out of your comfort zone and take a chance on him. Let yourself be enlightened. You’d be surprised at the number of seniors unwilling to do that. Don’t be an old fuddy-duddy.

Those are the five biggest takeaways I’ve learned in three years of retirement.

In 2018, I’ll probably learn a few more retirement lessons. But, if I can master these five, I will be ahead of the game.

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

Sudoku

Pet of the Week: Martin ine-month-old Martin is a sweet and friendly rabbit who is ready for his next big adventure. This adventurous little bunny doesn’t mind being picked up or held and even enjoys lap time when he isn’t busy exploring. Martin has good litter box habits and would make a great house bunny for a loving family.

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

In retirement, keeping the body moving daily is a must-do in filling my free time.

3. The third retirement lesson I’ve learned is the need to have a purpose in life. Something with meaning, it doesn’t have to be a huge project. Volunteering and helping others is a great way to fulfill this human need. Some people use the words “giving back.” There are lots of people around who are way less fortunate than I. They can use a little help. How I help them doesn’t matter—giving of my time, or what little money I can afford, makes me feel good.

Here in California, there are people who’ve lost their homes to the fires. There are homeless people sleeping under freeway bridges and in dried river beds. They can use some help. Even animal shelters need volunteer help.

Friends of Greta’s and mine, Ron and Lee Cohan, Dana Point, retired almost four years ago from operating Zia Jewelry in San Juan Capistrano. They inspire Greta and me by taking ON LIFE AND Spanish lessons, dance LOVE AFTER 50 lessons, and Tai Chi

By Tom Blake lessons through senior community centers and a local college.

They are getting the most out of retirement.

For people still working who are pondering retirement, I think it’s important to start planning before the big day arrives. Find an interest, a purpose, or a passion, so that you’ll be up-to-speed when the time comes.

I know a few men that weren’t prepared for retirement; they tell me they are driving both themselves and their wives crazy because they are around the house too much, with little to do. For them, it might have been better to continue working.

4. The fourth retirement lesson I’ve learned is the importance of keeping one’s mind and brain stimulated. For some, it’s the love of reading that fulfills this need. For me, it’s my writing. I’ve been a newspaper columnist for 23 years. I love it. Every week I must generate a column and/or a newsletter article. I am grateful for the opportunity.

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

Solution:

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

Page 17

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Striking Heavy Metal St. Margaret’s rocks an aggressive, pressuring style of play to success

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THECAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he field at St. Margaret’s can be quiet, almost serene.

Tucked in amongst the school, San Juan Capistrano businesses and trees, it’s a quaint and hard-to-find example in the bustling, big time Orange County sports scene.

Then a cacophony.

Bam! One goal, like the thunder of a double bass drum.

Bam, bam! Two, three goals, like the high octave wail of an Iron Maiden-style vocalist.

Bam! Bam, bam, bam! Onto seven goals and a lead guitarist’s ripping solo in a shutout win for St. Margaret’s over Oxford Academy on Jan. 10.

This is the style of play for the Tartans girls soccer team, who has rocked their pressuring style to a 19-game Academy

San Juan Preps Hoops Roundup

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THECAPISTRANO DISPATCH

For in-game updates, news and more for all San Juan Capistrano sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports.

ROBINSON POWERS JSERRA BOYS LEAGUE START The Lions went on the road to open 2018 and came out with two victories fueled by JT Robinson.

The senior guard scored 21 points with 18 in the second half as JSerra (13-2, 2-0) defeated Servite, 46-38, on Jan. 5. Robinson surged with 12 points in the third quarter to push the Lions out.

Robinson put up 29 points and junior transfer DJ Rodman scored 21 points as JSerra beat Orange Lutheran, 65-53, on Jan. 10. The win was the Lions’ sixth in a row and 11th in the last 12 games.

JSerra, ranked No. 14 in CIF-SS Division 1, plays reigning league champion and Open Division and State runner-up Mater Dei on Friday, Jan. 12. Mater Dei, ranked The Capistrano Dispatch January 12-25, 2018

St. Margaret’s senior forward Lauren McCaffrey dribbles the ball up in a 7-0 win over Oxford on Wednesday, Jan. 17. The Tartans are unbeaten in their last 19 league games. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

League unbeaten streak and will go for 20 against rival Sage Hill on Friday, Jan. 12.

“We press the whole game,” St. Margaret’s coach Johnny Marmelstein said. “We try to make it very difficult for teams to play out. People want to play and knock the ball around a little bit. They want to play pretty soccer.”

The style is called counter-pressing and currently and most famously being used by the manager of Liverpool in the English Premier League, Jurgen Klopp.

“Klopp, who’s kind of the proponent of this style, gegenpressing, talks about

Arsene Wegner at Arsenal,” Marmelstein said. “He says Arsene wants to play a symphony, and I want to play metal.”

It’s a kind of play that keeps teams on their toes. It’s also not an anti-possession style, but it is effective against teams that like to play pretty possession.

“We play possession,” Marmelstein said.

“We just don’t play possession in the back.

A lot of teams want to build it up out of the back. They want to knock it right back to the center back to the left back to the midfielder and then back.”

“We just say let’s get the ball behind

No. 2 in Division 1, will be looking to bounce back after snapping their 69-game league win streak.

The Lions’ first league home game is Wednesday, Jan. 17 against Santa Margarita.

since Jan. 30, 2015. That’s a streak of 19 league losses in a row with only four wins total between then and the start of this season.

The 2017-18 season has been a different story as the Warriors are 12-3 and ranked No. 15 in Division 4A under first-year coach Darren Gibson. SVC, ranked No. 15 in CIF-SS Division 4A, opens league play against the last team it beat in league, The Webb Schools, on Saturday, Jan. 13.

JSERRA GIRLS BOUNCE BACK The Lions (15-2, 1-1) snapped a 12-game win streak in its league opener against Rosary on Jan. 4, but won their last two games.

Helena Friend (19 points, Elodie Lalotte (12) and Alex Iemsisanith (10) scored in double digits to beat Culver City, 54-36, on Jan. 6. Lalotte completed the doubledouble with 14 rebounds.

JSerra, ranked No. 4 in Division 2AA, evened its league record with a tight win at Orange Lutheran, 39-33, on Jan. 9.

Friend led the way again with 20 points, and Caroline Piedra scored 11 points.

Sarah Shaw contributed with 10 rebounds.

The results of the Lions game at Mater Dei on Jan. 11 were not available as of press time. JSerra’s first league home game is Tuesday, Jan. 16 against Santa Margarita.

RESURGENT SVC GIRLS LOOK TO SNAP LEAGUE SKID Saddleback Valley Christian’s girls team hasn’t won a San Joaquin League game

QUICK HITS The Saddleback Valley Christian boys (13-3) won the Antelope Valley Tournament title over Newbury Park, 58-52, on Jan. 6. Jonah Tolmarie was named tournament MVP. The Warriors, winners of seven in a row and ranked No. 2 in Division 3AA, open league play against Orangewood Academy on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

The San Juan Hills boys (8-10, 1-0) took their league opener at Dana Hills, 49-45, on Jan. 10. It was tight throughout before the Stallions pushed ahead by as much as 11 points in the fourth quarter. San Juan Hills continues Sea View League play at Tesoro on Friday, Jan. 12 and at Mission Viejo on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

The St. Margaret’s boys (8-10, 3-0) earned some much-needed relief in league. The Tartans opened the season losing five in a row and eight of their first

Page 18

them. Let’s get into their half.”

The Tartans have done that after a little holiday break struggle against a tough schedule. St. Margaret’s went out to the Arizona Showcase and took back a 1-2 record with only one goal for and five against.

In league, St. Margaret’s has outscored its three opponents, 24-0. The Tartans also mixed in a shutout against Francis Parker of San Diego.

“We were putting together halves of the game,” Marmelstein said. “We just weren’t putting together full games. I just told the girls at halftime (against Francis Parker) we have to put together an 80-minute game, and we did that.”

St. Margaret’s is getting full games from its full team.

While sophomore Ella Kang was a standout against Oxford Academy with three goals and two assists, sophomore Juliet Ballard came back from injury to score the first goal and Northwestern-bound senior Lauren McCaffrey scored. Junior Lauren Otterbein scored a goal, and freshman Bryce Chang capped the game with the seventh goal.

Things are clicking at the right time for the Tartans with the meat of their league schedule coming up, and their always lofty goals ahead of them.

“For 18 years, the goals don’t change a whole lot,” Marmelstein said. “We want to win league and we want to win CIF.” CD

JSerra’s JT Robinson has led the Lions to a 2-0 start in the Trinity League with back-to-back 20-point efforts. Photo: File

nine games. St. Margaret’s has now won six of its last seven games, including its first three league contests by an average of 33 points.

The Capistrano Valley Christian boys (12-4) had an 11-game win streak snapped against Fremont, 74-56, in the Huntington Park Silver Division championship game on Jan. 6. The results of the Eagles league opener against Orangewood Academy on Jan. 11 were not available as of press time.

CVC hosts Pacifica Christian on Friday, Jan 12 and plays Pacifica Christian on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 17. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com