February 9, 2018

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

Car Show Draws Hundreds of Hot Rods PAGE 12 FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

FEBRUARY 9–22, 2018 • VOLUME 16, ISSUE 3

Turning of the Tide Local Native American tribes join forces in contemporary activism E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

Dina Gilio-Whitaker, of the Colville Confederated Tribes and policy director at Center for World Indigenous Studies, speaks at a protest against offshore oil drilling in Laguna Beach on Saturday, Feb. 3. Photo: Emily Rasmussen

San Juan Rings in Swallows Season with Hanging of the Mayor EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Junipero Serra Alternative High School Teacher Wins CUSD Teacher of the Year EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

San Juan Hills Hires Rob Frith as New Head Football Coach SPORTS/PAGE 16

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

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING increase the value of the property.”

If CUSD is successful in obtaining approval of residential use of the property, CUSD intends to sell the property to a residential developer.

“CUSD is stating that all proceeds from the sale of the property to a developer will be used to make facility improvements to Palisades Elementary School and Shorecliffs Middle School,” Green said in the email, referring to a letter submitted by CUSD in January.

Palisades Elementary School Principal Curt Visca estimated that there is $11 million worth of renovations needs to go to the school.

Some 50 people attended the council meeting regarding the issue, with a fairly split amount of speakers for and against the proposed development. Those in favor of the development included representatives from CUSD, Pacific Point Development Partners, LLC and Palisades Elementary School. Those against the development primarily consisted of neighboring residencies, with many who said that they bought their homes in expectations of having a school or park built close by.

San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sergio Farias approves the Swallows Day Parade while being ‘hung’ by the Fiesta Association at the City Council meeting on Feb. 6. Photo: Emily Rasmussen

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week Fiesta Association Rings in Swallows Season with Hanging of the Mayor THE LATEST: It’s officially Swallows Season.

As Mayor Sergio Farias was ‘hung’ by the Fiesta Association at the San Juan Capistrano City Council meeting on Feb. 6, council approved the parade permit and street closures for the Fiesta de las Golondrinas celebration and the 60th Annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire.

“I urge all residents and visitors to join in celebrating the return of the swallows to the city of San Juan Capistrano,” Farias said, with a noose around his neck and some 20 Fiesta Association members surrounding him.

The approvals, waiver of a rental fee and memorandum of understanding that recognizes the Fiesta Association is the lead agency in the planning of events, was approved 4-1 with Councilman Derek Reeve opposed.

Reeve noted his vote was primarily due to a concern with allowing the Fiesta Association to fire blank firearms in the parade and not on Hoos’Gow Day. WHAT’S NEXT: Hoos’Gow Day is set for The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2018

9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, March 23 all over the streets of the city. The 60th Annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire is set to start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 24.—Emily Rasmussen

Pacifica San Juan Application Denied THE LATEST: On Feb. 6, City Council denied an application to initiate a study of a proposed code amendment to allow a development of up to 47 single-family homes in a 7.29-acre site called Pacifica San Juan, that is designated as a potential school site, off of Camino Las Ramblas and Avenida California. The applicant is the Capistrano Unified School District and the property owner is Pacific Point Development Partners, LLC. Although CUSD has the option to acquire the property, the school district stated in a city report, that there are not a sufficient number of students to warrant the construction of a new school. CUSD also stated that they will commit the use of funds for various district capital facilities’ needs, according to the city report . With this specific project of Pacifica San Juan, funds would go toward renovating Palisades Elementary School in Capistrano Beach, the school nearest to the proposed development.

“CUSD has an option to purchase the property from PPDP and intends to exercise that option and purchase the property from PPDP sometime in the next couple of years,” Assistant City Manager Jacob Green said in an email. “Since CUSD has determined that construction of a school on the property is no longer needed to serve the area, CUSD is seeking city approval to change the allowable land uses of the property to include residential development, as this will substantially

WHAT’S NEXT: City staff will work with CUSD to come up with a new plan. There is no set date for when that application will be submitted. To read the full version of this article, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. —ER

Meet Lt. Carl Bulanek, San Juan Capistrano’s New Chief in Town THE LATEST: Lt. Carl Bulanek wasn’t planning on becoming a chief of police for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department until he caught wind that his favorite city had an opening.

Within his 23 years of service for the Sheriff’s Department, most recently working as an administrator in the Theo Lacy Jail in Orange, Bulanek got excited upon hearing rumors that San Juan Capistrano’s former chief of police, Scott Spalding, was going to retire. Once rumors were confirmed, Bulanek quickly jumped at the chance to work in the city that he calls his favorite hangout.

“This is the city that I wanted to work in, I feel very fortunate that I got this position since I frequent this place on the weekends,” Bulanek said, adding that he’s been to nearly restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. “I love the history of this town and the small-town atmosphere.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Although many of Bulanek’s duties as chief of police involve being a steward for the Sheriff’s Department and the city of San Juan Capistrano; it’s proactive, community policing like work-

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ing with the homeless that keeps the city’s small team efficient, he said. —ER

City Council Awards 2017 Deputy of the Year THE LATEST: On Feb. 6, City Council honored Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Anthony Franco as the 2017 Deputy of the Year.

Farias presented the award to Franco at the city council meeting, with some 20 Sheriff’s deputies in the audience.

“Being a constant professional, Deputy Franco makes nightly arrests on narcotics offenders, subjects with stolen vehicles, burglars, felons and gang members,” Farias said. “Franco constantly conducts proactive policing late at night by patrol checking businesses and local problem areas.”

WHAT’S NEXT: With his experience, Franco is now one of the most tenured training officers to new deputies, Farias said. —ER

San Juan Capistrano Science Teacher Wins CUSD Teacher of the Year Award THE LATEST: Junipero Serra Alternative High School’s science teacher, David Pino, was awarded High School Teacher of the Year for the Capistrano Unified School District at a surprise announcement celebration on Feb. 2.

Members of the CUSD board of trustees made rounds to all three Teacher of the Year winners in the school district: Carol Cutkomp from Tijeras Creek Elementary School; Susan Peterson at Niguel Hills Middle School; and Pino at Junipero Serra High School. Pino, who has been a teacher for 15 years and has been at Junipero Serra for nine, received the award recognition on Friday morning during one of his classes.

“The students are very special,” Pino said, holding back tears upon receiving the award.

Pino, a Laguna Niguel resident, was selected because of his efforts to motivate his students, of the continuation school of about 160 students, who typically take his class at least once. Principal Meg Ervais said that Pino has taken great strides in motivating students to go to college, being that he is also an adjunct instructor at Saddleback Community College.

WHAT’S NEXT: The next CUSD board of trustee meeting is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, for a special meeting. The special meeting will be at 33122 Valle Rd., San Juan Capistrano. For more information, call 949.493.8729 or go to www.capousd. ca.schoolloop.com.—ER www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Community NEWS BITES Anaheim Ducks Donate Meetings COMPILED BY STAFF

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

CUSD Board of Trustees Special Meeting 6 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.

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.

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, FEBRUARY 14

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 and will have a ‘Valentine’s Day Dinner’ at the San Juan Hills Golf Club, located at 32120 San Juan Creek Road. For more information, visit www.sjcrotary.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

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.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes.

The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2018

$33,000 to the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center

The Anaheim Ducks donated $33,000 to the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano on Feb. 1.

Members of the Ducks staff went on a tour to five local charities to distribute $165,000 worth of donations, funds from merchandise of last November’s Hall of Fame Night at the Honda Center. In addition to the Shea Center, other charities included the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim.

The Shea Center, which improves the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs, has more than 1,000 clients annually, a Ducks press statement said.

JSerra Hosts 2nd Annual Spelling Bee JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano hosted its 2nd Annual Spelling Bee on Jan. 31 that brought “the top 36” fifth and sixth grade spellers from its nearby partner schools, a press statement said. The winner of the spelling bee was fifth-grader Jack Bullock from Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano. Bullock won by spelling the winning word “formaldehyde,” with a first-place prize of $5,000 per year toward JSerra tuition.

“It felt good, but the word I was most worried about was ‘Gregorian,’” Bullock said in a press statement.

Second-place winner was sixth-grader Nathan Kennedy of Our Lady of the Fatima’s in San Clemente, who won $2,500 per year toward JSerra tuition. The third-place winner was fifth-grader Jackson Thun, who won $1,000 per year toward JSerra tuition.

“The JSerra Catholic High School Spelling Bee was created to encourage a love of reading, spelling and ultimately learning,” Brock Perkes, director of admissions, said in the press statement. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard any gym that loud before.

There was a lot of positive energy from the crowd and it was a great way to recognize the efforts of diligent spellers.”

OC Parks Initiates New Firewood Policy OC Parks announced its new “Buy It Where You Burn It” firewood policy that implements new restrictions on what firewood can be used at Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano and O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon, on Feb. 5.

Effective immediately, the policy states

Fifth and sixth graders made up the 36 contestants of the JSerra Catholic High School’s spelling bee on Jan. 31.

Photo: Courtesy of JSerra

that visitors to the camping parks can no longer bring or burn outside firewood, unless it’s commercially produced, heat treated and labeled “pest free” or “safe to move,” an OC Parks press statement said.

The policy is intended to reduce the risk of damaging Orange County’s oak and sycamore woodlands and other trees from invasive pests, due to non-native insects that can travel in firewood and could hurt local tree populations.

Treated firewood bundles will be available for purchase at the park offices of the camping parks.

Del Obispo Elementary Launches New Labs Del Obispo Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano launched five new labs in December that include robotics, culinary creation, discovery science, outdoor science and maker space innovation. The school focuses on the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and 21st century skills, Principal Suzanne Heck said in an email. The new labs will teach students creativity and critical thinking skills, with lessons ranging from botany to cell density.

Ryan’s Recycling Challenges Community with New Goal Ryan’s Recycling, the San Juan Capistrano recycling center started by 8-year-old Ryan Hickman and his family, has started a new campaign to challenge the community to recycle 300,000 cans and bottles with him. Hickman calls on the community to nearly double the total number of the center’s nearly 300,000 recycled cans and bottles collected over the past five years.

The proceeds from the recycling campaign will go toward the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and Hickman’s goal is to raise $28,000.

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“It’s really important to recycle and keep wildlife from being affected by pollution,” Hickman’s campaign website states. “I’m doing my best to clean up our beaches and protect the planet and I hope you will join me.”

To join the challenge, locals can donate directly online at www.beadoer.io/ryan and log how many recyclables are collected each week for the next 10 weeks.

St. Anne School Students Sing for Pope Francis in Rome Members of the Laguna Niguel-based St. Anne School’s Harmon Knights Show Choir recently traveled to Vatican City to participate in the third annual Youth and Young Adult Choir Festival for Epiphany.

The students sang for the mass at the Basilica of St. Francis and the Papal Mass for the Feast of Epiphany at St. Peter’s Basilica in front of Pope Francis I. San Juan Capistrano students Astara Williams, Nolan Crosby and Evan Heckler were part of the choir.

“The students were directed by St. Anne School Choir Director Karen Franson and the Director of Music Ministries and Organist for Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange California, Dr. John A. Romeri,” said St. Anne School President John O’Brien.

While on the trip, students also had the opportunity to explore ancient Rome, including the Roman ruins, 17th-century palaces, 15th-century churches and 20thcentury monuments.

“We are so proud of our students for being such wonderful ambassadors for St. Anne and their families. We are also blessed to have such talented students, as well as dedicated colleagues, like Mrs. Franson,” O’Brien said.

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

EYE ON SJC

Turning of the Tide Local Native American tribes join forces in contemporary activism

BY EMILY RASMUSSEN, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

lthough it’s been 200-plus years since the Acjachemen’s land was acquired by European settlers, local tribes have joined together to continue the battle to preserve Southern California’s lands and ocean.

Angela Mooney D’Arcy, Acjachemen and executive director of the Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous People, is on a mission to protect sacred places and native culture. On Feb. 3, D’Arcy was one of the main speakers at a Laguna Beach protest that drew hundreds from the region to oppose a proposal from the Trump administration’s Department of Interior (DOI) to open offshore drilling in U.S. waters.

“We as the Acjachemen people, along with all of our relatives up and down the coast, have been protecting these coastlands and keeping them beautiful and sustainable for all of you for thousands of years,” D’Arcy said to the crowd, brandishing multicolored protest signs. “So thank you now for getting on board with sustainability.”

D’Arcy was one of several Native American activists at the Laguna Beach protest, an example of a growing pattern of the “turning of the tide” for activist groups such as environmentalists banding together with the Native American community, said Dina Gilio-Whitaker, policy director and senior research associate at the Center for World Indigenous studies.

In South Orange County, the members of the Acjachemen, along with other neighboring tribes such as the Tongva, are making themselves heard in current, local politics.

Well-known San Juan Capistrano-based Adelia Sandoval, cultural director and a spiritual leader of the Acjachemen, was

Representatives from local Native American tribes, including the Acjachemen and the Tongva, gathered at the protest against offshore oil drilling at Laguna Beach on Saturday, Feb. 3. Photo: Emily Rasmussen

engaged in activist movements such as the 2nd Annual Women’s March in Santa Ana in January, in addition to local environmental issues. Sandoval’s approach to discussing these tough issues is what she refers to as “sacred activism,” taking a positive-action approach to gather and express beliefs in a factual, healthy way.

“I think the voices of the indigenous people of this land—by tradition and teachings that have been passed down through generations—is to take care of the earth. That’s our responsibility,” Sandoval said.

With events such as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which drew thousands of people to North Dakota in 2016, the teaming up of Native Americans with environmentalists is a necessity, Gilio-Whitaker said. “(Some activists) have often pitted themselves against Native American issues because they’ve completely lost sight that the U.S. has been founded on imperialism and indigenous land possession,” Gilio-Whitaker said. “Environmentalists and native activists have begun coming together—not just in California, but all

Angela Mooney D’Arcy, Acjachemen and executive director of Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous People, speaks at a protest against offshore oil drilling in Laguna Beach on Saturday, Feb. 3. Photo: Emily Rasmussen

The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2018

over the country—as the awareness of environmental issues, especially with climate change, (grows because) everybody’s at risk now due to the intensification of corporate greed.”

A San Clemente resident and avid surfer, Gilio-Whitaker has focused her work on the relationship between environmental issues and indigenous studies, and has been involved in other local issues such as the toll road proposals. Gilio-Whitaker, who derives from the Colville Confederated Tribes of Washington, also spoke up at the Laguna Beach protest.

“Native people understand the sacredness of land,” Gilio-Whitaker said at the protest. “We understand the sacredness of the ocean and all of the elements that we depend on for our lives. As a surfer, I also understand the sacredness of the ocean in a different way.”

The protested oil-drilling proposals would allow for five-year leases from 20192024 for oil and gas exploration and extraction. Most of the areas mentioned in the proposals are along the outer continental shelf of the U.S. Among Native American representatives at the protest, members of the Surfrider Foundation and Oceana were also vocal against the oil drilling.

In congregation with Native American activists amplifying their voices in environmental and social justice issues, the awareness of the tribes and people themselves is also growing as a result. For instance, the recently released Acjachemen Indians of Orange County Community Story Project

by Orange County Public Libraries, is the first extensive educational, communityoutreach effort for the general public to get to know the history of its local tribes.

The project is a culmination of studies

by Cultural Anthropologist Stephen O’Neil and a video series of interviews with descendants of the Acjachemen tribe. O’Neil has worked extensively with Acjachemen families in San Juan Capistrano and sur-

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rounding areas since 1978.

“It’s not that there used to be (Native Americans) here, or they did live here, or that it was a village site,” O’Neil said, following his lecture about the project on Jan. 30 at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

“They are still here in the present, not just the past.”

Of the 3 million or so people in Orange County, roughly 3,000 identify themselves as Acjachemen. “We’re Still Here” is the message of the video-series project, and a recurring theme from the messages of Native Americans nationally and locally.

“In response to various things that have happened with the mission in San Juan Capistrano, sometimes administrations and people aren’t necessarily ready to listen,” D’Arcy said. “But I think the Acjachemen have been working to engage and make sure people know who we are.”

Although inclusion of Native Americans is progressing, D’Arcy stresses that the voices of the Native Americans need to be on the table in regards to environmental issues. After all, the natives have been here protecting these oceans and land for thousands of years, she said.

“I hope that more people come to understand that when you’re talking about environmental justice, native nations need to be included in that conversation,” D’Arcy said.

Sandoval echoed D’Arcy, adding that if actions such as offshore drilling off of the local coast take place, many things are at stake. Not only are there concerns for oil spills which could harm the ocean and its inhabitants, but the degradation of the local Native Americans spiritually and culturally.

“Anything that could affect (our local environment) in any way, we have to stand up for,” Sandoval said. “It’s our call. We are the first people here and we have to work with the community too, we can’t do it ourselves. We all need each other.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

Letters to the Editor

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.thecapistranodispatch.com

WHY I SUPPORT THE CITY COUNCIL RECALL

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Emily Rasmussen, 949.388.7700, x108 erasmussen@thecapistranodispatch.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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EDITORIAL

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Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Emily Rasmussen

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Finance Director > Mike Reed General 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 3. 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 February 9–22, 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE: By Rachael Mattice, Group Managing Editor

Welcome to Picket Fence Media, Emily!

P

—Carolyn Nash, former mayor, San Juan Capistrano I do not believe that Derek Reeve and Kerry Ferguson support the basic longterms goals for overall development of the city that the majority of the citizens of San Juan Capistrano have supported for more than 40 years.

They both ran for City Council seats under the guise of supporting the existing general plan and promised to prohibit overdevelopment, reduce traffic congestion, preserve the city’s historic character and all of the other goals that are listed in the general plan, the adopted development plan for the city. The only way councilmembers get elected to City Council in San Juan Capistrano is by adopting and promoting these goals.

They have shown by their votes that they either do not support these goals, do not understand them, or are not knowledgeable enough about the codes, ordinances, zoning, regulations and procedures that the city has in place to be able to use them to protect the city from overdevelopment and rampant traffic.

Currently, there are 11 projects that I know of that are being proposed for future development within the main downtown area or within a few blocks of downtown.

The majority of these projects include requesting amendments to the general plan to allow higher density housing, more commercial use, higher building height, fewer parking spaces.

The project that I believe is the most detrimental to the city is the River Street Market Place in the historic Los Rios Street area. On Oct. 4, 2016, Ferguson and Reeve both voted to initiate an amendment to the Los Rios Specific Plan, paving the way for the developer to rewrite our zoning laws to permit a high intensity commercial use in the Los Rios Historic District. Their aggressive actions undermined 40 years of council efforts to protect the district from commercial exploitation. The recall is necessary to stop their final vote of approval of the River Street Market Place and to protect the district.

In my opinion, approval of River Street would be the biggest mistake any council could make to ensure the destruction of the historic value of Los Rios Street, an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it is the oldest residential street in California. Building this shopping center in the middle of the historic Los Rios area would have the same negative impact on the city as build-

lease join me in formally welcoming Emily Rasmussen to Picket Fence Media as The Capistrano Dispatch Editor. Emily joins the newsroom having previously worked as a community news reporter for the OC Register. She covered city council meetings as well as developed personal interest stories for the South Orange County communities of Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Hills.

Emily was also a news editor at The Edge Long Beach, a weekly newspaper where she broadened her topic

ing a shopping center in the middle of the Mission grounds.

To read the full-length letter, visit www. thecapistranodispatch.com.

AN OPEN LETTER TO A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED-CONGRESS —Joanna Clark, San Juan Capistrano I must admit, Donald Trump’s first year in office was crazier than I could have ever imagined.

During Trump’s campaign and first year in office, it became increasingly clear from his remarks, often repeated over and over again, that he is a divider, not someone who unites people.

If that wasn’t enough, Trump was recorded boasting before his campaign about how he would go around grabbing women by their genitalia.

Trump’s erratic behavior, during his campaign, town hall meetings and television interviews, were largely ignored by the media, but among professional behaviorists, his erratic behavior was reminiscent of antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders.

More troubling, however, is how a large group of Republicans, having taken an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution” and “faithfully discharge the duties of the office,” have willingly chosen to ignore Trump’s behavior.

Why is it that the majority of Republicans have been willing to give in to the highest bidder? The Wall Street Journal, normally a conservative member of the press, reports that Charles Koch and his brother David spent millions of dollars to get the tax law passed and are spending millions more on a public relations campaign attempting to boost support for the law. It was also reported, according to a recent campaign donor report, that Speaker of the House Paul Ryan collected nearly $500,000 in campaign contributions from billionaire energy mogul Charles

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coverage to features and entertainment as well as developed digital journalism packages with multimedia, video and social media.

Hailing originally from Long Beach, Emily is looking forward to getting to know the passionate residents, history buffs, government officials and business owners of San Juan Capistrano for Picket Fence Media readers.

Emily can be reached at erasmussen@picketfencemedia.com and at 949.388.7700. ex.108. CD

Koch and his wife, just days after the House passed its version of the federal tax law slashing corporate tax rates.

Perhaps Republicans, who control Congress, should consider the depth of their actions. If Trump is charged for high crimes of any sort, they might find themselves charged for their efforts to protect him.

Trump wants to build a wall along our southern border, and he is using Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) as a bargaining chip. No wall, No DACA. The Republicans should pass a veto proof law stating that any minor brought here illegally is automatically granted citizenship upon graduation from high school.

Those currently enrolled in college would be granted citizenship retroactively to the date they graduated from high school.

Make it a clean bill. Agree that should Trump veto the bill, Congress will overturn his veto. Do basically the same with (Children’s Health Insurance Program), except make it permanent until such time as we achieve universal health care.

Politico reported on Sept. 5, 2017 that support for allowing these immigrants to remain in the U.S. spans across party lines: 84 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of independents and 69 percent of Republicans think they should stay. The question is whether or not the Republicans will stand up to Trump? Will they do the right thing and stop holding innocent children hostage?

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

Friday | 16

EDITOR’S PICK

CELTIC, FOLK & WORLD MUSIC CONCERT 7-9 p.m. Join Christy Martin and Aodh Og O’Tuama present Four Shillings Short to the San Clemente Art Supply. Four Shillings Short independent folk-artists have been performing across the United States and Ireland since 1997. Suggested donations are $10. San Clemente Art Supply.

1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.369.6603. www.scartsupply.com.

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

Friday | 09 LIVE MUSIC AT THE VINTAGE STEAKHOUSE 6-9 p.m. Mike De Bellis, plays smooth jazz 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.

LIVE THEATRE: VILLAINY IN THE VINEYARD 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse presents Villainy in the Vineyard every Thursday through Sunday until March 4. Villainy in the Vineyard is the ultimate audience participation western melodrama about dreamers and schemers. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.533.0258. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC: IVA LEE’S 7:30-11 p.m. The Four Corners Band is stopping by Iva Lee’s to bring its patrons live jazz music. Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com

Saturday | 10 ANIMAL OLYMPICS FAMILY 9-11 a.m. Children ages six and up are invited to test their abilities against some amazing animals found in Orange County.

The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo 28811 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOWS INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Live music at The Swallows Inn. Burgers and wings from Lisa’s Kitchen also are available. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

SOULMATE SOIREE 5-8 p.m. Kindred Boutique is hosting a Valentine’s Day Event Called “Soulmate Soiree,” with a chocolate fountain and photo booth. Kindred Boutique. 201 N. Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.481.4233. www.kindredboutiqueoc.com.

Sunday | 11 GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/caspers.

Monday | 12 KOI FISH FEEDING 12:45 p.m. Everyday visitors are welcome to help Mission San Juan Capistrano feed their koi fish in both courtyards. Fish food The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2018

Photo: File

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17: KID’S PET PARADE 10 a.m. Children ages 5-12 are welcome to show off their favorite pets in an effort to win take home a prize. Categories include best team costume, domestic/household pet, exotic pet, barnyard/farm pet and bird. Admission is $5 and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Los Rios Park. 31747 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1976. www.swallowsparade.com.

is free for Mission Preservation Society members and $1 for non-members. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

going strong for over 15 years. Free admission. Historic Town Center Park. 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.4700. www.farmersmarketsjc.com

COUNTRY DANCING 7 p.m.-midnight. Stop by the Swallows Inn for country dancing with DJ Patrick and a happy hour that lasts all day. Enjoy a steak dinner for $13 when you are finished with the dance floor. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

VALENTINE’S DAY JAZZ DINNER 7 p.m. Barnoa Wine Company is hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner complete with live music from Pocket Trio and paired flights. Admission is $60 for the four course meal and $25 for the paired flights.

Barnoa Wine Company. 831 Via Suerte, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

Tuesday | 13

Thursday | 15

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

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 experience is necessary (they’ll teach you), but you should bring gloves and clippers. Los Rios Park. 31790 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano. www.goinnative.net.

Wednesday | 14 OLD CAPISTRANO CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET 3-6 p.m. Stop by and check out some locally grown, organic produce and artisan goodies at a farmers market that has been

SESSIONS AT STILLWATER 7 p.m. Listen to live music when artists from around the world perform together.

StillWater Spirits & Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www.danapointstillwater.com.

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Sunday | 18 SOUL FOOD AT THE BAHA’I CENTER 11 a.m. This month’s Soul Food theme is ‘The Butterfly Effect’and will explore our physical and spiritual relationship with our environment. Singer Amelia Rae will be performing during this month’s program. Tea and coffee will be served at 11 a.m. and the program will conclude with a cook out lunch. 3316 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente. 949.791.9192. www.bahaicenter.com.

Tuesday | 20 YOGA ON TAP 11 a.m.-noon. Yoga on Tap is held at Left Coast’s tasting room in San Clemente.

This is a yoga class, followed by a pint of beer. $10. Left Coast Brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.6014 or www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

Thursday | 22 ARLEY LECK FARMHOUSE 100TH ANNIVERSARY 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society is opening up the Arley Leck Farmouse for an exhibit featuring memorabilia and photographs from the early 1900s. Open Tuesday -Sunday. 31865 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.8444. www.sjchistoricalsociety.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.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

Photo: Courtesy

A Short Valentine’s Day Tale San Juan Capistrano local wins third place in contest for film about love

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he holiday of Valentine’s Day can mean a lot of different things for different people. For couples, it’s an excuse to have a nice dinner out together.

For school kids, it’s a day to exchange valentines with classmates. For people who are single, it probably doesn’t mean much; but it does mean something for San Juan Capistrano local Francisco Infante’s short film Her Name Was. The short film is about someone who doesn’t know if love really exists, and for some viewers, that can be relatable and appropriate for them this Valentine’s Day. “Her Name Was is about a young man who is having trouble believing in love after so many bad relationships,” Infante said. “While on a first date, he keeps having flashbacks to his past dates.”

One of the winners of the 3rd Annual AT&T Film Awards, Her Name Was is shot entirely on an iPhone by Infante and with his directing partner Keegan Gogerty. The short won third place for “Best Short Shot on Mobile.” The AT&T Film Awards is a film contest that gives local and aspiring filmmakers of all ages for a chance to win cash, trips, film equipment and even a summer program at the University of Southern California ’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Infante, 29, has made San Juan Capistrano his home since age 8, when his family moved south from Los Angeles. He graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where he met his film partner, Keegan Gogerty, 29, of Mission Page 11

Viejo, when they were both playing in the same pop-rock band, and the two stayed in touch for their interest in music and movies. These days, Infante still lives in San Juan Capistrano, but also spends time in LA at his job in production for various projects. Gogerty also works in LA as a camera operator and videographer for work.

“San Juan served as our backyard for when we started shooting movies,” Infante said. “We grew up in Orange County and cut our teeth making short films around here. Keegan would come over to my house in San Juan (Capistrano) and we would go and make movies on the cheap around the area.”

The two filmmakers created a fiveminute short on an iPhone through an experimental, non-linear narrative using voiceover dialogue and characters looking directly at the camera. Infante and Gogerty were the only two people on the crew and also composed the film’s music score themselves. Gogerty provided all of the voiceover heard throughout the movie, and about 30 seconds of the movie features a professional film camera as well.

Both he and Gogerty were speechless and delighted when they were informed Her Name Was won third place at the awards. The movie started out as a little passion project Infante decided to pursue when he was going through a rather sad time romantically.

“We put our heart and soul into this film, and we do with all of our projects,” Infante said, adding the love story was made on passion, dedication and stubbornness.

Infante came across the film awards contest from just a random email blast and decided to submit Her Name Was on a whim. Little did they expect to be one of the lucky winners out of 665 films considered. Now, they are going to enjoy the perks of the prizes.

The two friends and partners are constantly brainstorming and writing new material, and they are planning ahead for another short, a web series and or possibly evena full-length feature. planned out for the future. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Chris Anastasio, left, and his wife, Tina, at their Feb. 12, 2017 wedding. The two had been long-distance partners for years until Tina, originally from England, received her green card. Photo: Courtesy of Tom Blake

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

A ‘Green’ Valentine’s Day for a Long-Distance Couple

V

alentine’s Day is associated with red hearts, red greeting cards, red heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and red roses.

But for one San Clemente couple, Valentine’s Day 2018, will feature a green heart.

In 2003, at 70 years old, Chris Anastasio, recently divorced, became a dance host on cruise ships. In 2004, he danced with Tina, a lovely woman from England. After the cruise, they started corresponding, which began the longest, long-distance relationship of which I’ve ever known—5,419 miles apart.

In 2009, I published a book titled How 50 Couples Found Love After 50. Chris and Tina were one of the featured couples.

Their story was called, “Cruise Ship Dance Host Meets Match at Sea.” In the book, Chris was quoted, “Tina would love to live in California, but she has family and grandchildren in England.

Friends always ask us if ON LIFE AND we plan to marry and live LOVE AFTER 50 together. That doesn’t

By Tom Blake make much sense. Every time we get together it’s like a honeymoon.”

After 13 years of being an unwed, longdistance couple, things changed. On Feb. 12, 2017, Chris and Tina married at the Dana Point Yacht Club.

But Tina still had to return to England from time to time because she wasn’t eligible to permanently stay in the United States. So, a month after their wedding, Chris and Tina started working on securing a green card for her.

On Jan. 26, Chris emailed, “After jumping through all kinds of hoops in 2017, we finally had Tina’s green card hearing today. It’s the last stop in the process. We were told to bring pictures, papers, letters The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2018

or anything else that would prove we were a real couple. Tina suggested we bring your How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 book with us.

“During the interview, I mentioned that we had become kind of famous because of our long-distance relationship,” Chris continued. “I said, ‘in fact, we were written in a book.’ I handed him your book, with our page marked with a book marker. He opened the book and started reading. His whole face lit up. He said, ‘This is great, I don’t have to see anything else. You have your green card.’

“It was amazing. He never looked at anything else. We were out of there in less than a half hour. You had a hand (and a big hand at that) in getting Tina her green card. Thanks for your help.”

I think Chris and Tina’s story is remarkable. A 13-year, long-distance relationship endured. Chris just turned 84 and Tina is 77. Chris volunteers at the San Clemente Villas by dancing with the residents every week. He also dresses up as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny on holidays.

For Valentine’s Day, you can bet the color of Chris and Tina’s valentine will be green. I am incredibly proud of them.

The book, How 50 Couples Found Love After 50, is available on Tom’s online bookstore at www.findingloveafter50.com/ how-50-couples-found-love-after-50.

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

Page 12

SJC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Preserving Our Farming Heritage

A

braham Lincoln is known for returning Mission land to the Catholic Church just days before he was assassinated. However, he should also be remembered for bringing the citrus industry to California. On July 2, 1862, Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Land Grant Act, which granted federal lands to each state to establish colleges for the teaching of agriculture and allied arts.

Lincoln also created the U. S. Department of Agriculture Homestead Act, which granted western land to those who would farm, and the Pacific Railway Act, which cleared the way for the transcontinental railway. These federal laws gave citrus growers the means of transporting their fruit to eastern markets and allowed for the migration of people to California. They also led to the founding of the University of California. The Southern Pacific Railroad and the university worked together toward the common goal of developing agricultural goals for the state. The Southern Pacific Railroad offered greatly reduced fares to farmers who came west to attend University of California programs.

Drought and flood years, and American MOMENTS laws, slowly made for the IN TIME disappearance of the big

By Jan Siegel rancheros. With the coming of the railroad to Southern California, glowing travel brochures and the end of the Civil War, settlers began entering California in record numbers. The Homestead Act gave these new settlers an opportunity to acquire land from the “Californios” who could not prove their land ownership under United States law.

Most of these new people coming into the area were farmers.

“Richard Egan bought acreage near Trabuco Creek for $1.25 per acre and settled down for farming barley, which he sold to Seely and Wright, the stage coach owners, for 50 cents a bushel. Joel Congdon planted English walnuts (between Alipaz and Del Obispo Streets), thus starting the walnut industry in Orange County.

Congdon’s first yield was 6,000 pounds, which he drove by wagon to Los Angeles and sold for seven cents a pound. Walnuts continued to be one of the valley’s primary crops until the late 1930s when many groves were torn out and replaced with oranges,” according to Pam Gibson in Two Hundred Years in San Juan Capistrano.

“The Daneris’ settled on the north side of the Trabuco-San Juan Creek and were raising a new crop, oranges, in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Rosenbaum settled north of the township near the Trabuco and the Oso Creeks, and also planted oranges. By 1914, oranges became the major

The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2017

crop for the valley.”

During this period, cattle and sheep could still be seen grazing on the hills of the Capistrano Valley. The Forster family shipped cattle as far as San Francisco, as well as to San Diego and Los Angeles.

Lewis Moulton entered the scene as a sheep herder, hiring many Basques, who themselves would become land owners in the valley. Among the early Basques was Domingo Oyharzabal who settled in San Juan Capistrano in 1878. Oyharzabal would become a major employer in the township and many of those employees went on to own their own land.

Pierre Lacouague immigrated to San Juan Capistrano in 1910. After several years, he was able to purchase 260 acres at the end of San Juan Creek to plant walnuts and oranges. As with most area growers, oranges replaced walnuts. Oranges were still a rare commodity for people living in the Midwest and East. Prices were much better for oranges than for walnuts and walnuts required more water and needed more pest control. On the Lacouague ranch, the last of the walnuts were removed in 1944.

After World War II, Shig Kinoshita and his brother purchased farm land near Del Obispo Street and Del Avion to grow corn, lettuce and strawberries. For 35 years, this farm was in the center of the city.

Just as Mission land led to the Rancheros, and the Rancheros leading to sheep herders, walnut and citrus farmers, the cost of maintaining the orange groves led to the planting of strawberries. Although strawberries were a profitable crop when weather and disease cooperated, they were very labor intensive to farm. While the colorful fruit grew well in our sandy soil, they did not catch on until after WWII. Japanese-American farmers found that they could grow them in small areas and make a good profit to offset the costs of raising other crops. They were also a good rotation crop. One year, the land could be used for tomatoes, the next for strawberries. The biggest year for growing strawberries in Orange County was 1968, with companies in Los Angeles that would come to San Juan Capistrano to buy strawberries, and pack and ship them to other parts of the country. Roadside stands for the strawberries grown by local farmers became a part of the landscape of San Juan Capistrano.

Both the Lacouagues and the Kinoshitas saw the writing on the wall. Their farms were being squeezed by developers who wanted to buy the land for housing projects. The way of life for the valley was changing. The Lacouagues finally sold all but five acres of their land. In 1990, the city approached the Kinoshitas to purchase their farm “as a reminder of a vanishing way of life.” In October 1990,

Photo: Courtesy of the Orange County Archives’ Robert R. Hosmer Collection

FROM THE ARCHIVES Pictured in this photo is Ellis

Realty and San Juan Law Center at the corner of Miguelita Road and Camino Capistrano.

Every issue, The Capistrano Dispatch will publish a historical photo. Online, The Capistrano Dispatch will create a gallery of the month’s photos. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to erasmussen@picketfencemedia.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 Olga is the shelter’s current resident senior kitty. Fourteen years old and still fairly spry, Olga is very friendly and would make an ideal lap cat for someone looking for a mellow companion. If you would like to know more about Olga, call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. CD

Pet of the Week: Olga

the city purchased the 56-acre farm to be preserved as a living museum. The land included the 112-year-old Congdon farm house. Today, as the site of the Ecology Center, it preserves our farming heritage.

The land is still a working farm.

The Historical Society is showcasing this very special aspect of Capistrano life in a six-month exhibit on the history of farming. You can spend a Moment in Time by visiting the O’Neill museum or by visiting the Congdon House on Del Avion.

Jan Siegel is a 28-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She served on the city’s

Page 13

Olga. Photo: Courtesy

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

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Business Beat News from San Juan Capistrano’s business community

BY EMILY RASMUSSEN, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

New Business FLAME BROILER 31878 Del Obispo Street, Ste. 116 www.flamebroilerusa.com Flame Broiler, known for serving to-go rice bowls, will be opening a new location in the coming weeks.

The location is the first for owner Rishi Rathod, who lives in Rancho Santa Margarita. Rathod said he has worked with other Flame Broiler locations, as other family members of his operate nearly 15 of the chains that feature entrees with beef, chicken or tofu, with vegetables and brown or white rice.

“My wife and I have always wanted to start our own business together and that’s where our motive came from, so this is our first start,” Rathod said.

A Santa Ana-based company, Flame Broiler has nearly 200 locations in seven states. This location on Del Obispo Street is the first to sprout in the immediate area.

“Because of its unique cliental and it’s a very touristic town,” Rathod said on why he chose San Juan Capistrano. “As a

OC SkinLab celebrates its new expanded office with Michelle Hure, M.D., pictured cutting the cutting the ribbon at its opening ceremony on Jan. 18. Photo: Courtesy

healthy choice restaurant, we wanted to add something from what it has currently.”

Rathod said that he and his wife, Rupa, are excited to work directly with the community.

“We like to hang out with people and always try to know what people like in their life,” Rathod said. “We like being social with them, that’s why we are going into the restaurant business to hopefully help them with healthy choices.”

Rathod said he hopes to open his Flame Broiler location within the next couple of weeks and is currently waiting on city

inspections to finish. He and his wife plan to be there regularly, with hours of the establishment from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

New Office OC SKINLAB 31800 Del Obispo Street, Ste. 130 949.359.6400, www.ocskinlab.com OC SkinLab celebrated a new expanded office with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 18. The establishment has been open for two years, providing a full-service

dermatology office, including medical, surgical, cosmetic and aesthetic services.

This new expansion includes a surgical suite/procedure room and spa treatment.

New services include skin cancer treatment, laser treatments, vampire facial and platelet rich plasma injection.

“When we first moved to San Juan Capistrano, I used to fly to San Jose every other day while I was the pathology director for a large dermatology group. It was during those trips that I decided to venture out and start my own practice,” Michelle Hure, M.D., said in an email.

“I had a vision to provide personalized, concierge-level dermatology care to the community. I wanted to create an office that was an extension of me, where I treat my patients like family.”

Hure said that is what sets OC SkinLab apart from other dermatology practices is that most only offer short-appointment times or focus heavily on cosmetic procedures, whereas OC SkinLab provides more care and time to answer questions and explain treatments.

“Even though the skin is the largest organ of the body, many people overlook its importance,” Hure said. “My passion lies in getting as many people as possible in for skin checks for early detection of skin cancer, effectively treating any medical dermatology diseases, and dispelling skincare myths. Skin cancer detection and treatment is near and dear to me and I’ve always offered free skin checks to those with the highest risk, which are firefighters, EMS, police and lifeguards who live in town.” CD

Rotary Car Show Draws Hundreds of Hot Rods

BY EMILY RASMUSSEN, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

N

early 5,000 people and 500-plus cars rode into the 15th Annual Car Show on Feb. 3 at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center and Sports Park. Classic cars and newer, state-of-theart cars were freckled throughout the family-and-pet friendly event.

Hosted by the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club, all of the proceeds from entry fees went toward various charities that the club helps fund, including the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort. With the car show as the club’s largest event and fundraiser, Rotary President Paul St. Pierre said the local club raises around $120,000 annually.

Visit this story online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com to see the full-sized images. CD

The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2018

More than 500 cars competed in various categories at the San Juan Capistrano Car Show on Feb. 3. Many of the cars were vintage and classic. Photos: Emily Rasmussen

Page 14

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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.

GARAGE SALES ESTATE SALE 411 Avenida Arlena, SC 92672. Friday- Sun (Feb 9-Feb 11) from 8a-4p. Furniture, Housewares, Collectibles, Antiques, Vehicles, Etc.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

WANTED FEMALE ROOMATE WANTED Female Roomate wanted for furnished, Ocean Front, Master Bedroom Suite in Luxury Condo.White Water Views. Sunken Tub, Separate Entrance. No pets, parties, or smoking.

Parking provided. Shared Kitchen and Laundry. $850 Per Month, includes utilities.

Call Sheila 949-683-4494 Or, SheilaPatterson.esq@cox.net

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

ROOM WANTED Personal assistant seeking room to rent.

Employed, mature professional female with a psychology degree. I can be of assistance as a positive companion, shop, run errands, pet sit, drive. Excellent references, call Joanne at 949.632.7312.

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

Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano area? *2.1 readership per 11,500 copies distributed

Then you need to be in The Capistrano Dispatch.

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949.388.7700 ext. 104 The Capistrano Dispatch February 9–22, 2018

Page 15

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Taking the Reins San Juan Hills hires San Clemente assistant and former El Toro head coach Rob Frith as program’s third head coach

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

OB I TU A RY

Dr. Richard Cerruti

F E BR U A RY 1 5 , 1 9 4 1 – J A N U A RY 31, 2018 Richard Cerruti, M.D., a 40 year resident of San Juan Capistrano, died peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 31, after a two-year battle with multiple myeloma. Born Feb. 15, 1941, Richard grew up in the Bay Area, graduated UC Berkeley and then UCSF Medical School.

After serving as an U.S. Air Force captain and flight surgeon, Richard settled in Orange County and practiced urology for 40 years.

During his career, he served as chief of staff of Mission Hospital, delegate to the California Medical Association, Member of the American Urological Society and advocate for countless patients.

Richard’s family came first and he was a devoted father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend.

He was a walking encyclopedia who was curious about everything, and he passed his contagious love of knowledge onto his children, grandchildren and anyone else who wanted to listen.

We will miss him dearly and he will forever be our Pops.

Richard is survived by his wife Charlotte; sister Kathleen Cerruti; children Terese, Stephanie, Robb and

Katie; children-in-law Tony, Damian and Jodie; and grandchildren Ryan, Emily, Lia, Trevor, Jacqueline, Lucca, Julian and Lauren.

His family is immensely thankful for the loving and thoughtful care provided by Jason Liauw, M.D, George Miranda, M.D. and all of the angelic nurses at Mission Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Dana Point.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ‘IMO Richard CerrutiMission Hospital Cancer Institute’, Mission Hospital Foundation, 27700 Medical Center Road, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.

an Juan Hills High School and the Orange County football community were stunned when Stallions football coach Aaron Flowers resigned on Jan. 16.

San Juan Hills has only had one other varsity football coach since 2008, and Flowers took over the program in 2011. He had done a tremendous job in his seven seasons to mold a young program from a winless 2011 season to a league championship in 2013 and to a perennial playoff team. Flowers called the mid-January decision a “life opportunity” and cited an out-of-state move.

The Stallions then moved quickly and found their man in Rob Frith with a Feb. 4 signing and Feb. 5 press release.

“Today’s been pretty awesome,” Frith said on Feb. 5. “I’ve received an inpouring of very supportive phone calls and text messages. It’s been pretty flattering.”

The decision to apply was a no-brainer for Frith, a San Clemente resident and San Clemente High School graduate, who has coached defensive backs at San Clemente the last two seasons after being the head coach at El Toro from 2009-2014.

“I think it’s an excellent job down here in Orange County,” Frith said. “This is a very desirable job for many. I live five to 10 minutes from the school. To get back into the football head coaching role and to have a more active role in leadership while building character in young men, it was the right place and the right time to get back into the head coaching realm.”

Frith had to step down from the El Toro position after becoming the school’s athletic director due to a district policy. He then left the athletic director position after just one year in the role.

“I was still spending a lot of time away from my family,” Frith said. “I also had the thought of getting into school administration. That was my idea at that point.”

Just before the 2016 season, San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz offered Frith a position on the Tritons’ staff. It was in his two-year run at San Clemente, which included the 2016 state title, where Frith rediscovered his fire.

Page 16

Rob Frith. Photo: Courtesy

“What I realized was I really enjoy being a football coach,” Frith said. “Football is a means to build strong relationships with players and coaches and building character in young men. It was something I really had a great time doing. It sparked my interest in being a head coach, and I knew that I would be a head coach again.”

The right position had to come along as Frith stressed the importance of time with his family, and San Juan Hills provided that landing spot.

Frith has plenty of transition work to get started on. He planned to meet with the Stallions players this week as well as sit down with Flowers’ coaching staff to see what needs to be done going forward.

is a means to “buildFootball strong relationships

with players and coaches and building character in young men. It was something I really had a great time doing.

”

—Rob Frith

“The first thing I need to do is a lot of assessment,” Frith said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Flowers and his work. I want to talk with guys and see where they’re at with their wishes and desires.”

Frith said he wants to show the players and parents that there will be stability and they will continue to work hard. What they can also look to is Frith’s track record.

Frith’s El Toro teams were known for their offense and county record-breaking passing attack. El Toro went 40-18 in Frith’s tenure including a trip to the 2011 CIF-SS Southwest Division championship game.

Frith is the man to continue the nowfamiliar success at San Juan Hills. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

San Juan Preps Roundup

Signatures Across San Juan Thirty student-athletes make college decisions at San Juan Capistrano high schools on National Signing Day

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

s the winter sports regular season comes to a close, let’s check in on which teams are or could be moving on to the CIF-SS postseason as of press time on Feb. 8. CIF-SS playoff brackets will be released on Sunday, Feb. 11 and Monday, Feb. 12.

San Juan Hills athletes sign their national letters of intent on Signing Day at San Juan Hills High School on Feb. 7. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

T

here were many paths taken to National Signing Day for the nine athletes presented at San Juan Hills High School on Feb. 7.

Some were years-long commitments like Jennifer McFadden who will be playing soccer at Air Force. Other offers didn’t materialize until their senior season, like football’s Matt Rodriguez who will quarterback at New Mexico-Highlands.

One came even later still like Isaiah Grover’s preferred walk-on offer to play football at Boise State, an offer that came around only after his performance in the O.C. All-Star Classic on Jan. 27.

Whichever the route taken, the feelings are similar for all.

“It’s just super exciting,” McFadden said. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since March of my sophomore year. I’ve been working my butt off since then because it’s such a hard school to get into.

I’m super relieved and super excited to go to such an amazing school in an amazing place.”

McFadden has been on all-league lists since she was a freshman and had early attention that led to an early decision on Air Force. The work wasn’t done as McFadden still had to get in, but she met that goal.

“It’s very validating,” Jennifer’s dad, David McFadden, said. “She’s a great example to her younger brothers because they’re really working hard because they see if you put the work in, it’ll pay off in the end.”

Rodriguez had been in and out of the starting quarterback position the past two seasons. After throwing for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons, he started to get some contact during his senior season that ramped up as the season progressed.

“High school isn’t the easiest for everybody,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs. It’s meant everything to finally get this paper signed and get that name down. Ready to move on to the next chapter in my life, excited to play football and go on to the next level.”

The recruiting process can be hectic on the athlete and their family, especially a late-developing one like Rodriguez’s.

The Capistrano Dispatch Febraury 9–22, 2018

Connor Crotty and Isaiah Grover sign their national letters of intent on Signing Day at San Juan Hills High School on Feb. 7. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

St. Margaret’s Conrad Hampson, Andrew Maita, Lauren McCaffrey and Sophie Payne (left to right).

Photo: Courtesy

SAN JUAN HILLS Girls soccer clinched its first ever Sea View League title and advanced to the Division 1 playoffs.

Boys basketball is tied with Mission Viejo for second place in the Sea View League and has clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.

Boys soccer was in a three-way tie for second place in the Sea View League going into Feb. 8’s game at Aliso Niguel.

If the Stallions fell to fourth place, they would be ineligible for an at-large bid due to a sub-.500 record.

JSERRA

JSerra athletes pose in the gym after their Signing Day ceremony at JSerra High School. Photo: Courtesy

“It’s been pretty crazy, the way things develop,” Matt’s dad, Monte Rodriquez, said, “So we’re kind of scrambling to see what do we do, how do we do it, trying to seek out the best advice we could. Then really just trying to make the best decision for Matt and his career and his education.”

Each athlete has made their best decision and now set their sights on college careers.

OTHER SIGNEES There were 30 student-athletes across San Juan Capistrano’s high schools that signed national letters of intent on Feb. 7.

Here is the full roster listed alphabetically with sport and school: San Juan Hills • Conner Crotty (Baseball, Holy Cross). Isaiah Grover (Football, Boise State, Preferred Walk-On), Natalie Herring (Soccer, Transylvania University), Jennifer McFadden (Soccer, Air Force), Jack Monach (Soccer, University of California-Irvine), Matthew Rodriguez (Football, New Mexico-Highlands), Kaleigh Santmyer (Softball, St. Olaf College), Grant Vurpillat (Baseball, New Jersey Institute of Technology), Claire Welter (Lacrosse, Kent State)

JSerra • Nick Aquino (Soccer, Concordia), Jack Bolduc (Football, Nevada-Reno), Skylar Giacobetti (Soccer, Purdue), Taylor Gosselin (Soccer, Auburn), Sam Guinane (Soccer, Notre Dame), Jake Haggard (Football, Penn), Morgan Hebard (Soccer, Army-West Point), Mahea Heimuli (Soccer, Yale), Malik McClain (Football, University of Southern California), TJ Medina (Football, Air Force), Joe Miraglia (Lacrosse, Belmont Abbey), Jake Parks (Football, University of California Davis), Matt Robinson (Football, Illinois), Dylan Shockey (Soccer, LMU) St. Margaret’s • Conrad Hampson (Lacrosse, Colby College), Andrew Maita (Lacrosse, Washington and Lee), Lauren McCaffrey (Soccer, Northwestern), (Sophie Payne, Soccer, Oberlin College) Saddleback Valley Christian • Mej Carpentier (Soccer, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), Lily Dyer (Volleyball, Pepperdine), Jordan Taylor (Basketball, Westmont) Capistrano Valley Christian • (Signed Nov. 8) Alec Arnone (Baseball, University of California-Riverside), Carson Matthews (Baseball, BYU), Kahley Jaeke, (Volleyball, Washington College) CD

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Girls soccer finished second in the Trinity League and advanced to the Division 1 playoffs.

Girls basketball finished third in the Trinity League and advanced to the Division 2AA playoffs.

Boys basketball was tied for third place with St. John Bosco going into Feb. 8’s game at St. John Bosco. Even with a loss, the Lions would likely be an at-large selection in Division 1.

ST. MARGARET’S Girls soccer clinched the Academy League title and advanced to the Division 3 playoffs.

Boys soccer had a shot at the league title going into Feb. 8’s game at Whitney and will advance to the Division 6 playoffs.

Boys basketball finished second in league and advanced to the Division 4AA playoffs.

SADDLEBACK VALLEY CHRISTIAN Boys basketball and girls soccer clinched San Joaquin League titles and advanced to the Division 3AA and 7 playoffs, respectively.

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN Boys and girls basketball and boys and girls soccer all advanced to the CIF-SS playoffs.

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