October 14, 2016

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

Vintage Celebrates San Juan’s Dining Scene PAGE 8 FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

OCTOBER 14-27, 2016 • VOLUME 14, ISSUE 19

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Council to Hold El Nido Mobile Home Rent Hearing Monday EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Developer Pauses Hotel Project, Files Complaint over Approval of Competing Hotel EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

Unique Style Leads to Success for SJHHS Volleyball Team SPORTS/PAGE 34

VOTE FOR THE 2016 BEST OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AT WWW.THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week City to Study Open-Air Commercial Development on Los Rios THE LATEST: The City Council voted 4-1 on Oct. 4, Mayor Pam Patterson dissenting, to initiate an amendment to the Los Rios Specific Plan in order to consider a proposed commercial development off of Los Rios Street.

The approval is the first step in studying a proposal for general retail, eating and drinking establishments, and office and wellness uses on the Ito Nursery property, located east of Paseo Adelanto and south of River Street.

Addressing the Council, property owner Sheree Ito said the developer with whom she and her husband have chosen to work—San Juan resident Dan Almquist of Frontier Real Estate Investments—has spent the last 18 months researching and studying the town’s history, while speaking with and listening to residents and business owners.

Almquist presented potential highlights of the proposed River Street commercial development, including a curated marketplace, a boutique yoga and spin studio, a grass common area, a bocce ball court, an herb garden, native landscaping that includes an olive grove surrounding a parking field, and “a restored River Street that tells the story and pays homage to the path once used by the native Juaneño Mission Indians to carry water from Trabuco Creek to their homes.”

Public comment on the item, which included comments from Los Rios business owners and residents, was largely in favor of letting the project proceed, with the exception of one resident who cited concerns with traffic in the area. Almquist said he intends to address traffic and noise concerns with “honesty, professionalism and transparency.”

The four-person Council majority praised the project and the developer for working with the community and paying homage to San Juan’s history and culture.

Patterson said even though she loves the project, she voted no because the city needs to study the impact new “event uses” in town are having on parking and traffic.

WHAT’S NEXT: Almquist said the proposal is in its early stages, and the next step The Capistrano Dispatch October 14-27, 2016

Renderings of the River Street commercial development proposed on the Ito Nursery property. Images: Courtesy of Frontier Real Estate Investments

would likely be to present to the city’s Design Review Committee, which he’s hoping to do before the end of the year.

—Allison Jarrell

Chamber Hosts City Council Candidate Forum THE LATEST: The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for the seven City Council candidates running in Districts 1 and 5 on Sept. 28. The event, held at El Adobe de Capistrano, began with a meet and greet before transitioning to introductions and stances on hot-button issues in town.

All of the candidates were asked to identify with “support” or “oppose” on a series of topics. Each candidate participated except for two—District 1 candidate Sergio Farias announced he wouldn’t be participating in that portion of the forum because he felt the issues deserved more than one-word answers, and District 5 candidate Jim Schneider was not in attendance due to a scheduling conflict.

District 5 candidate Ronda Mottl opposed three topics that the other candidates were all in favor of: widening Ortega Highway, extending the 241 Toll Road to

Interstate 5 in San Clemente, and continuing to contract with local nonprofits like the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.

District 5 candidate Larry Kramer was the only candidate to support the city continuing to operate the groundwater recovery plant. District 5 candidate Mechelle Lawrence Adams chose not to answer that question.

District 5 candidate Brian Maryott was the only candidate who did not support rent control on mobile home parks and other low income housing. Instead of opposing, he chose not to answer.

Kramer and Maryott both opposed implementing paid parking downtown to generate revenue and encourage turnover.

Mottl, Banda and Lawrence Adams all supported it.

Topics that won the support of each candidate were: a moratorium on shortterm rentals in residential neighborhoods, a long-term lease extension with Blenheim EquiSports at the riding park, and building a new parking structure downtown (public or private project).

WHAT’S NEXT: The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election is Monday, Oct. 24. To register online, visit www.register-

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tovote.ca.gov.

To read about what the candidates hope to accomplish if they’re elected, check out our special election guide, inserted on page 13 of this issue. To view videos of the rest of the forum, visit www.facebook. com/capodispatch. —AJ

Council to Hold El Nido Mobile Home Rent Hearing Monday THE LATEST: On Monday, Oct. 17, the City Council will hold a rent control hearing for El Nido Mobile Home Estates, during which a challenge to the proposed $403 rent increase per month for each unit will be considered. This is the second consecutive year that El Nido park owner Richard Worley has sought such an increase. Last year, Worley sought a $641 increase per unit per month, which was denied by the city’s hearing officer and the Council for not being a “fair and reasonable” increase.

The amount was lowered to $37 a month.

The city conducted two previous hearings this year—one held by hearing officer Michael Roush, and the other held (Cont. on page 4) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) by the city’s Housing Advisory Committee. Both recommended the Council deny the $403 increase; approve a rent increase of 0.9 percent applied to each unit’s rent or $9.50 per month, whichever is greater; and hold the park owner responsible for a $1,000 administrative deposit.

WHAT’S NEXT: If approved, the park owner will be required to return any rent paid over the last two months in excess of the recommended 0.9 percent increased to each unit’s rent, or $9.50 per month.

The hearing begins at 10 a.m. at City Hall, located at 32400 Paseo Adelanto.—AJ

Preview: City Council Has Packed Agenda Oct. 18 THE LATEST: The City Council will be considering numerous items on Tuesday, Oct. 18, that will likely be of interest to community members, including: • Adopting an amendment to the city’s regulation of marijuana • Repealing the city’s ban on parked cars displaying “for sale” signs • Consideration of a one-year extension of the riding park management agreement with Blenheim • Consideration of an exclusive negotiating agreement between the city and SJCM LLC for a mixed use development at the Mission Grill site • Consideration of a facility use permit for the Eco Garden Expo • Consideration of a resolution setting aside land use approvals for the previous Urban Village project • Consideration of initiating amendments to the city’s zoning code regarding short-term rentals • An update on potable water quality—staff will inform the Council that “non-harmful forms of coliform” were found in the city’s water supply last month.

Water quality has been testing normal on a weekly basis since then.

WHAT’S NEXT: To view the full agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at City Hall.—AJ

City Asks Residents to Voice Opposition to SDG&E Project in San Juan THE LATEST: City officials are asking residents who oppose San Diego Gas & Electric’s substation expansion in town to contact the California Public Utilities Commission and voice their support for a proposed alternative location in Laguna Niguel.

The city’s plea to citizens comes with just weeks left of the CPUC’s review of SDG&E’s South Orange County Reliability Enhancement (SOCRE) project. A final determination on the project’s location The Capistrano Dispatch October 14–27, 2016

will made by the Commission at its Oct. 27 meeting in San Francisco.

SDG&E is proposing to rebuild and upgrade a portion of its transmission infrastructure at a current substation site off of Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. The project aims to create a redundant electrical system that would rely on two substations rather than just the current facility in Talega. SDG&E initially filed the proposal for the project four years ago with the CPUC. In April 2016, a Final Environmental Impact Review for the project was released, which included an “environmentally superior” project option, called Alternative J. Rather than expanding in San Juan, the alternative involves the expansion of SDG&E’s existing Trabuco substation in Laguna Niguel “to add an additional source of 230-kV power into the South Orange County 138-kV transmission system.”

The FEIR concluded that Alternative J at the Trabuco substation was the best alternative to SDG&E’s proposal. The document also lists two “significant and unavoidable adverse environmental impacts” for the initial proposal in San Juan, which are related to air emissions and cultural resources.

During the Oct. 4 City Council meeting, staff gave an update on the project, which included a project overview as well as outreach plans to get the public more involved in the last leg of the review process. City officials offered free transportation for residents to a CPUC meeting in Long Beach on Oct. 13, so that community members could attend and voice their concerns during public comment.

Staff reported that the city will be sending written comments to the CPUC on Oct. 17 and will provide comments supporting the proposed alternative at the Oct. 27 meeting in San Francisco.

“This is really the last leg of a long race, and the city has invested a great deal of time and money,” said City Manager Ben Siegel. “The good news is, we have a favorable proposed decision from an administrative law judge. That decision is also consistent with the environmentally preferred alternative … in Laguna Niguel.

Unfortunately, there is a PUC commissioner who has an alternative proposed decision, which would put it in the middle of an established residential neighborhood and a historic site in San Juan Capistrano.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Residents can contact the CPUC regarding the expansion by emailing the CPUC public advisor at public. advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or mailing correspondence to the attention of the Public Advisor’s Office at 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102.

For more information on the project, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov. —AJ Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about? Send your suggestions to editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.

Developer Pauses Hotel Project, Files Complaint against City over Approval of Competing Hotel Project

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

fter dropping his plans for the Inn at the Mission hotel project in September, developer Bill Griffith has now filed a complaint against the city over its approval of the Hotel Capistrano by Kimpton project. The city-approved Hotel Capistrano is set to be built along Camino Capistrano between the Egan House and the Esslinger Building, which are both owned by Griffith.

The 124-room Inn at the Mission and the 102-room Hotel Capistrano were both unanimously approved by the city’s Planning Commission in July; however, both hotel approvals were appealed in August—Hotel Capistrano was appealed by Attorney Erik Friess on behalf of Griffith, and the Inn at the Mission was appealed twice by San Juan Capistrano resident Marc Weintraub and David Wood of Hotel Capistrano’s developer Stratus Development Partners.

Per the appeal process, both hotels were scheduled for City Council hearings in September. Dan Friess, principal at Mission Commercial Properties, requested a continuance for the Inn at the Mission, and the application was later withdrawn completely.

The appeal hearing for the Hotel Capistrano went before the Council as scheduled, and the project was approved 4-1, with Mayor Pam Patterson dissenting.

The Inn at the Mission site is still approved for a previously proposed Plaza Banderas hotel project; however, Griffith said in an interview that with “serious objections” filed against the entitlements for the Inn at the Mission project, in addition to the Hotel Capistrano being approved next to the Egan House, he felt it was best to put the Plaza Banderas on pause.

“It seems that when the city faces the opportunity to satisfy its thirst for [Transient Occupancy Tax] (which is the big carrot out there), they get a form of amnesia about what San Juan is really all about,” Griffith said, referring to what he describes as the city ignoring its own Historic Town Center Master Plan.

“We’ve reached a decision that we’re going to intervene at this point in the process and hopefully get a dialogue going with a new Council in terms of what their priorities are,” Griffith said.

The 37-page petition for writ of mandate that was filed in the California Superior Court on Oct. 4 by the law firm representing Griffith, claims that “the Hotel Capistrano Development violates many provisions of the City’s General Plan, other plans and planning policies established by

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the City, and the City’s Municipal Code.

Because of these violations, the Hotel Capistrano Development is illegal and will have negative impacts on the adjacent, historic Judge Egan House.”

The complaint goes on to say that the city failed to study the Hotel Capistrano’s environmental impacts in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

But San Juan Capistrano city officials say that’s not the case. City Planner Joel Rojas said that even though the approval of the previous project on the Hotel Capistrano site, Urban Village, was recently invalidated by the court, the CEQA analysis of that project was never challenged.

“That’s a critical point,” City Manager Ben Siegel said, “because the CEQA analysis was not part of the lawsuit. So essentially, it’s still valid.”

Rojas said that because the Hotel Capistrano was found to be equally or less impactful than the Urban Village project, the city was able to utilize a CEQA addendum for the new project. Rojas said a new traffic study was conducted in the spring to account for changing conditions, such as the completion of the Ortega Highway interchange.

In response to Griffith’s allegations that the city is not following its HTC Master Plan, especially in terms of the Hotel Capistrano’s setback from the sidewalk, Siegel said that the Master Plan is a policy document, versus the city’s form-based code, which all projects have to comply with. In this case, the Hotel Capistrano complies with that form-based code.

“The form-based code is what we have to go by in making these determinations,” Siegel said. “At the end of the day, the project needs to meet code compliance.”

Hotel Capistrano property owner Steve Oedekerk said via email that he doesn’t foresee the litigation impeding the hotel’s “forward movement.”

“Their points have already been repeatedly disproved by the city staff and city attorney,” Oedekerk wrote. “We received unanimous votes from the Cultural Heritage Commission and a unanimous final decision vote by the Planning Commission, as well as a denied appeal by the City Council. We’re excitedly moving forward to provide an incredibly special project for the San Juan Capistrano residents and visitors.”

The lawsuit is listed on the City Council’s closed session agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 18.

To view the complete petition for writ of mandate filed by SPM-Fairfield, visit www. thecapistranodispatch.com. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC EYE ON THE ELECTION 2016

City Council Candidates Talk Water, Utilities Dept.

Reorganization

Kramer said his interest is in making sure that whoever the city goes with “gives us a reliable source of water at the lowest cost.” He added that while the city transitions to a new water company, a new rate study is needed “because our current rates have no basis in the real world today.”

beg to be taken over. We need to make sure that we hold all the cards.

“Ensuring that we have representation in any water district we join is going to be very important and crucial,” Farias continued.

Farias noted that running its own water district takes up a lot of city staff time, which isn’t “something that benefits any of us.”

Ronda Mottl

Jim Schneider

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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s part of The Capistrano Dispatch’s ongoing coverage of the San Juan Capistrano City Council election, we asked each of the seven candidates five questions about local issues. In the editions of The Dispatch leading up to the Nov. 8 election, we’re publishing their answers in the order their names will appear on the ballot.

This week, we asked:

The city has been actively studying and exploring reorganizing its utilities department and potentially getting out of the water business. What do you feel is the best course of action regarding operation of the city’s water utilities and groundwater recovery plant?

tion, service rates and local control,” she said. “I want to make sure our residents get what they pay for, and that good service doesn’t get lost in a merger.”

Nathan Banda

Businessman/City of San Juan Capistrano Commissioner Banda said the lawsuits surrounding water in San Juan Capistrano are a good indication that the city “really needs to explore looking to other agencies to operate” its water utility.

He added that the water department is a small one, so he’s also “mindful of the employees of the city.”

“Some of them are residents of this town, and some of them are in my district,” Banda said. “It’s a really tough one.

I’m still continuing to study it, because it’s not an easy task.”

Banda compared having another agency operate the city’s water department to contracting the city’s police force through Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Banda said it makes sense in both cases, and added that the money spent on water lawsuits could be going elsewhere, like to the city’s youth.

Professional Geologist/Professor Schneider said a representative with a background in science is needed on the dais to talk about issues like water and the groundwater recovery plant.

“In my opinion, as a geologist, it should have never been built in the first place,” he said. “I worry about the long-term conditions of wells that sit there and don’t get used—wells we have to refurbish.

Schneider said it’s frustrating to see the city spending money on parts and maintenance for a plant that “shouldn’t be on such a small aquifer anyway.” He thinks the city should annex the plant and get out of the water business.

“A small Southern California city has no business being in the water business,” he said. “Combining with other water districts is an option, but I would like to see how much money it’s going to cost us.”

Media Executive Mottl said she’s in favor of the city getting out of the water business.

“We need to cut our losses [with the groundwater recovery plant]” Mottl said.

“We need to look at the future.”

Mottl said she’s also in favor of exploring other alternatives, like the Cadiz groundwater basin in the Mojave Desert.

Mottl said a pipeline could deliver water to the Metropolitan Water District or Santa Margarita Water District, and the city would source its water from there.

“We could supply water to about 400,000 families,” Mottl said, adding that the major challenge to that alternative is U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.

“Making sure South Orange County has water is important,” Mottl said. “Our residents are starving. They’re dehydrated.

We need water.”

DISTRICT 5 Brian Maryott

DISTRICT 1 Mechelle Lawrence Adams

Larry Kramer

Sergio Farias

Small Business Owner Farias said he feels the city is in a “good position to be taken over by a larger water district.” He views the groundwater recovery plant as an asset that could potentially be used in the future for water recovery.

“I do think that we need to join a larger water district; however, I think the positioning we put ourselves in is important,” Farias said. “I think we shouldn’t go and The Capistrano Dispatch October 14-27, 2016

Retired Submarine Captain Kramer said the city has “wasted a lot of money, to the tune of $600,000” by doing the utilities reorganization study “without looking at costs.”

“I think we are going to have to go to a larger water company,” Kramer said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.

Politically, it’s a great thing, because a lot of the time spent by the city is on that.

It’s probably better to get out of the water business and let real experts run the water company.”

Director, Historic Mission Lawrence Adams said she’s usually in favor of local control, but her perspective on the water department has changed from 25 years ago when she worked for the city.

“In this day and age, with the drought being so significant and everything being so technology driven, I really believe we need to get out of the water business,” she said.

Lawrence Adams said the city has a responsibility to not only look carefully at the LAFCO study and which agencies have been recommended as good partners, but also to ensure that residents are represented and that they understand their service provider and what their rates are based on.

“It’s going to come down to representa-

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Financial Services Executive Maryott said it’s been proven that the city cannot run its own water company, and the drought can’t solely be blamed for that.

“We’ve essentially beat the daylights out of this little aquifer, and it’s affected other entities,” he said.

Maryott said he thinks the city should become a water customer and “go about it with focus, intensity and a sense of urgency.”

“Also very important is how we get some value from the plant itself,” Maryott said. “It was a big expenditure, and we’re still more or less on the hook for over $40 million. We have to be very diligent in exploring how we wrap it into an agreement, regionalize it or somehow lift that burden from the residents of San Juan, so we’re not paying for it without the benefits. It’s going to depend on negotiation and collaboration.” www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Bon Appétit!

Vintage Food & Wine Festival brings local eateries together, shines light on regional fare

Randy Fisher, co-owner of Five Vines Wine Bar, pours a glass of wine for a guest.

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he San Juan Chamber of Commerce held its 20th annual Vintage Food & Wine Festival on Oct. 8, bringing 1,000 guests to Mission San Juan Capistrano to enjoy local fare and say the annual farewell to the swallows.

The evening, which raises funds for the Chamber, featured 22 restaurants and 16 wineries, breweries and bars—each one serving its best fare and beverages while the music of local band Family Style drew guests to the dance floor.

Mark Bodenhamer, executive director of the Chamber, said the event was sold out ahead of time for the fifth consecutive year. Bodenhamer said the 1,000 people in attendance included 100 volunteers, 100 staff from the vendors and 800 guests.

“It’s an amazing collaboration of so many people from the community, and everyone pitches in—dozens of volunteers, local companies sponsoring the event, the Mission providing the amazing backdrop, Family Style, all of the generous restaurants and beverage exhibitors and our guests.

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY VICTOR CARNO

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

Friday, October 7 DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTE Paseo Carolina/Paseo Pamela (11:17 p.m.) Police were informed about an intoxicated man who was seen “yanking” on a woman’s hair while she was holding a baby.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Rancho Viejo Road/ Avenida Los Cerritos (10:40 p.m.) Authorities were called because of a trash can that was on fire outside of a restaurant.

ASSAULT REPORT Calle Arroyo/Via Estenaga (6:50 p.m.) A caller informed authorities that he had been assaulted and threatened by a man in a Hawaiian shirt who was The Capistrano Dispatch October 14-27, 2016

Debbie and Rick Warkentien, owners of the Farm School on Los Rios Street, whipped up a medley of fresh roasted vegetables for The Vintage.

Family Style drew hundreds of people to the dance floor Saturday night.

3:16 Bakery Shop was in attendance with an array of festive desserts.

We couldn’t do it without any and all of those contributions,” Bodenhamer said.

The event is a lot of work for the Chamber each year, he said, but “it’s incredibly rewarding to see it all come together.”

“It’s great walking around and hear-

ing the attendees asking questions about where a restaurant is located,” Bodenhamer said. “Our goal is to connect the participants with new customers that may not have found them otherwise. We obviously love how much fun people have at

walking two Rottweilers.

windows of a repo man’s tow truck with a sledgehammer after his truck was being towed. The man then tried to hide the sledgehammer, but was eventually taken into custody. The driver of the tow truck was brought to Mission Hospital.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano/La Zanja Street (6:44 p.m.) Six people were seen drinking while swearing at passersby near a bus stop.

WELFARE CHECK Alipaz Street, 32700 Block (6:06 p.m.) A man outside the Ecology Center saw a woman taking her clothes off and possibly hallucinating. The man was unsure if the woman was drunk or on drugs.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 31800 Block (12:13 p.m.) Authorities were called after a woman was seen drinking and yelling at passersby on the benches outside El Adobe Restaurant.

PETTY THEFT REPORT Stallion Ridge, 29200 Block (4:24 p.m.) A mother called police after her daughter’s wallet was stolen out of her car at the San Juan Hills High School parking lot. The girl’s mother said the thieves had started charging the stolen credit card.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 31700 Block (3:08 p.m.) A woman called police to report a man at the Mission Fine Art Gallery who was “aggressively looking at artwork and disturbing art classes.” The man was last seen walking to a nearby Starbucks.

DISTURBANCE La Matanza Street, 31500 Block (1:56 p.m.) A man smashed the

Thursday, October 6 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Ortega Highway, 27200 Block (10:09 p.m.) A concerned uncle called police after receiving a call from his nephew, who was parked at a Starbucks. The nephew said that a black Honda Civic tried running him off the road, but he didn’t call police because he thought the other driver was a friend of his roommate’s and would find out.

BURGLARY REPORT Horseshoe Bend, 27600 Block (5:10 p.m.) A caller notified authorities after a man jumped over his locked front gate and stole a wagon from his garage area. The caller said it was the second night in a row that his house was burglarized.

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Al Shan, owner of NYC Café & Catering in San Juan Capistrano, shows off his homemade blush sauce.

the event, but it’s really about showcasing the amazing food, wine and entertainment destinations that we have right here in our historic community.”

For a photo gallery from the event, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. CD

Community Meetings MONDAY, OCT. 17

City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting 10 a.m. The

city’s governing body meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

TUESDAY, OCT. 18

City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting 5 p.m. The

city’s governing body meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

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.

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor

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

VALLE ROAD, SAN JUAN CREEK ROAD INTERSECTION NEEDS PROTECTED LEFT TURN —Sophia Harvey, Mission Viejo I am an employee at Plant Depot Nursery in San Juan Capistrano, which has been in business for over 20 years.

I have previously written to the city about the traffic signal at the corner of Valle Road and San Juan Creek Road and never got a response, so I was hoping that by writing to you it might get the attention of someone that can take this suggestion into consideration.

Close to three years ago, San Juan Creek Road was re-striped and the traffic signal at Valle Road was swapped out for one that included a green arrow for protected left turns. My co-workers and I were extremely excited since many of us were previously waiting multiple light cycles to turn left and eventually just ran the red light to get to the northbound Interstate 5. The use of the left turn arrow lasted less than a week, and we are now back to a solid green light to make a left and running red lights.

Not only was it a waste of city resources and money, but it is also extremely dangerous to go through that intersection because plenty of people seem to think they have the right-of-way and turn left in front of oncoming traffic. No less than two times a week, I personally have encountered people turning left the moment the light turns green and almost causing an accident.

WIDENING THE ORTEGA HIGHWAY ‘CHOKEPOINT’ —Ruth Clark, San Juan Capistrano I think we would all like to see a way to widen the Ortega Highway, a.k.a. “the chokepoint.” The problems, as I hear them, are the potential 24-foot and 12-foot walls on each side of this area and the removal of the beautiful trees, which would leave an ugly tunnel-like effect. What are the actual plans? How high are these walls? We need to see pictures or drawings of the planned architectural design. I hope we don’t have to sacrifice beauty for safety on this historically attractive Ortega Highway.

Area traffic will get worse sooner rather than later and safety is very important.

The La Pata extension will not solve the problem—it will only help for a short period of time. The Mission Viejo Company is building over 28,000 new homes off of Cow Camp Road that ends at Antonio, and the traffic from those homes will flow onto the Ortega Highway to get to the The Capistrano Dispatch October 14-27, 2016

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

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

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com

Residents discuss options for alleviating traffic along Ortega Highway in two letters this week.

Photo: Allison Jarrell

Interstate 5. How can that small two-lane area support the anticipated traffic without widening it? How can we make this area practical, beautiful and safe for all of us?

A RESPONSE TO COUNCILMAN JOHN PERRY’S AUG. 26 GUEST OPINION —J Barry & Marisela Gde Skidmore, San Juan Capistrano We have lived in San Juan Capistrano since 1973. We reside along Ortega Highway, and have enjoyed the highway and the many changes that it has gone through.

Now it is sad to see how it is totally overwhelmed with all the heavy traffic.

When President Bush was in office, he had approved a road and a tunnel to travel to the Inland Empire. A new road is an appropriate and necessary change to the existing highway, which has gone through an enormous increase in traffic. Otherwise, traffic will become even worse, as explained in Councilman Perry’s Soapbox column.

Rereading this column has brought memories of how Ortega really used to be—scenic and enjoyable. The scenery is still beautiful, but you cannot enjoy it with the heavy traffic of trucks and passing cars. This traffic can expose others to head-on collisions and potentially add to the number of accident-related deaths on the Ortega.

As you leave San Juan Capistrano toward Lake Elsinore, traffic continuously gets to be bumper-to-bumper, more and more.

Why not take the billion dollars and Page 10

build another road to alleviate traffic? If they work on Ortega, all it is going to do is cause chaos.

How long do we have to put up with bad planning regarding the traffic on Ortega?

Certainly, if other streets and highways can be developed, that would solve the problems, but we have heard this before and nothing has been done. Even the Ortega interchange was put off for so many years, and the cost almost doubled.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the column by John Perry.

Certainly his column contains more real data than this response, but it is time to get down to what the ordinary, local residents are living with. Their needs should surmount all other reasons.

SHOPPING CENTER DOESN’T BELONG ON LOS RIOS STREET —Michael Laux, San Juan Capistrano San Juan Capistrano got closer to achieving total traffic gridlock Oct. 4 by advancing the consideration of amending The Los Rios Specific Plan. What this means is that the City Council is moving forward with a plan to build a shopping center on the Ito Nursery Property, right in the middle of Los Rios District. The developer, Dan Almquist, a member of The International Council of Shopping Centers, is proposing a center with 300 parking places, in the oldest neighborhood in California.

Not only does this sort of monstrosity not belong in this rural oasis from an aesthetic point of view, it will severely (Cont. on page 12)

BUSINESS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

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> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Managing Editor > Matt Cortina City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

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SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Victor Carno Debra Holm Tim Trent

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 14, Issue 19. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

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

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SOAPBOX (Cont. from page 10) impact the residents of this quaint and historic enclave because of the huge amount of traffic it will dump onto Paseo Adelanto and ultimately Del Obispo. This area already suffers from ongoing traffic jams due to the intersections of Camino Capistrano, the Amtrak/Metrolink/freight train crossing, Paseo Adelanto, and Alipaz Street, all within a couple hundred yards.

Anyone trying to come from the Ortega off-ramp at the Interstate 5 freeway heading west, or trying to come from Dana Point to the freeway, will need lots of patience. Simple physics will tell us that adding a shopping center with 300 parking places will compound the problems that we already endure.

There was one lone dissenting vote from the Council, Pam Patterson. She feels that the city has too many projects all trying to be approved and built at the same time—two major hotels and a new housing development, all within close proximity of each other, and no unified study of how they will all affect the downtown area of San Juan. Plus a new shopping center. The rest of the Council just rubber stamped it, and some extolled its virtues, saying “this is what this city needs.” That is not a universal opinion.

What this city needs is a careful look at the city’s future, and what impact all of these developments will create. We should have an independent study done, not the usual traffic study paid for by the developer. That’s like letting the coyotes be in charge of investigating the missing cats and rabbits.

Please let your Council members know that this project just doesn’t belong here.

VOTE ‘YES’ ON MEASURE M —Gregg Swenson, Capistrano Beach As a longtime Capistrano Unified School District resident and a retired teacher, I urge my CUSD neighbors to vote yes on Measure M. I worked in a neighboring district for nearly four decades and witnessed firsthand many of the benefits that a wellplanned and fortuitously timed bond issue can contribute to a school district. The students not only benefit from the obvious improvements to aging structures and classrooms, but there is a sense of pride when they know their school is as good as or better than it ever was. Conversely, students suffer lapses in concentration and attention when air conditioning fails in hot weather, they’re distressed when bathrooms are regularly closed for repairs, and they learn less when they’re crammed into structures designed for the class sizes enjoyed decades ago rather than the reality of today’s class sizes.

My own children (now adults) attended CUSD schools and enjoyed some of the modest improvements brought about by the last bond issue more than a decade ago, but those “upgrades” were primarily much-needed repairs necessitated by long neglected maintenance. The benefits of Measure M would not only serve today’s students but will continue to serve generaPage 12

tions to come.

Some of the misinformation regarding Measure M prompted me to write this letter. The district has done an excellent job of polling community members, parents, students and teachers about what is needed and which schools will receive what type of improvements. Administrators and school board members conducted meetings and produced an informative website to involve and inform the community. The website and the recently received voter information booklet are quite clear on costs, expenses, specific improvements for each site, the fact that every school in the district will benefit, and a sound argument for the urgency of passing Measure M at this time.

To summarize some of the main points: The cost is $43 per $100,000 of assessed value (about $13.75 per month for the average CUSD resident). Money can only be spent for school improvements, not salaries or benefits.

There is an opportunity presented by Prop 55 (which is likely to pass, according to current polling), which offers matching funds to any school districts in California that have passed a bond this year. If Measure M passes on Nov. 8, the district will be able to gain $229 million in state matching funds. If Measure M is not passed, voters in CUSD will still pay for an increase, but see that $229 million go to other districts.

With interest rates at all-time lows, more money can be used to pay for improvements rather than debt service.

Also important: attractive, well-maintained schools have a positive effect on property values within the district.

Parting with hard-earned cash is always difficult, but there is a difference between spending and investing. Money for schools is, and always has been, an investment.

WHY I’M VOTING FOR LARRY KRAMER —Sandie Weaver, San Juan Capistrano I attended the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum, I have read the candidates’ statements, and I have gone to a couple of “meet and greets.” After carefully considering all the candidates’ positions, I am choosing to vote for Larry Kramer. I am voting for him because: 1. He is extremely knowledgeable about all the issues the city is facing.

2. He has a calm demeanor, which will enable him to work well with the other City Council members.

3. He has volunteered for San Juan in various capacities for many, many years.

Please join me in voting for Larry Kramer.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@thecapistranodispatch.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. The Capistrano Dispatch reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

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THE ELECTION ISSUE

Quite the Propositions California voters will choose sides on a variety of statewide initiatives This November, California voters will decide the fate of 17 ballot initiatives, including whether to legalize marijuana, repeal the death penalty and enact gun control measures regarding ammunition and magazine size. Here, we’ve highlighted those three important measures, and you can view our breakdown of the other 14 propositions at www.danapointtimes.com.

PROPOSITION

62 Prop. 62 repeals the death penalty in California, which has been in effect since 1978.

Including California, 30 states allow the death penalty. If passed, Prop. 62 would make life in prison without possibility of parole the harshest punishment available.

For: Former President Jimmy Carter, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, California Democratic Party, California NAACP, several ACLU groups, select religious and humanist organizations Against: California Republican Party, dozens of law enforcement advocacy groups, and dozens of district attorneys and sheriffs throughout California.

PROPOSITION

63

This initiative would require people wishing to buy ammunition to obtain a permit from the state, and would effectively prohibit possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. The permit would require a background check by the Department of Justice.

For: California Democratic Party, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland, and several law enforcement officials.

Against: California Republican Party, National Rifle Association, California Police Chiefs Association.

Race for the State Assembly Bill Brough, the Republican candidate for California’s 73rd Assembly District, is the incumbent and served on the Dana Point City Council from 2010-2014.

Brough’s challenger is Mesbah Islam, a write-in candidate. However, after weeks of continuous emails and phone calls, Islam did not respond to set up an interview. A spokesman for the Democratic Party of Orange County said in September that they didn’t think Islam “was very serious about running anymore.”

As Islam has been unreachable, we will only report excerpts from our conversation with Brough. If Islam responds between now and the election, we will run his answers online.

ON PROP 47 The Capistrano Dispatch asked Brough if he would do anything to alter Prop 47, which reduced punishments of certain crimes to citations in lieu of jail time.

“I think there were some unintended consequences that were missed when Prop 47 was passed. We had a series of bills to try to correct those, and as things come up…

U.S. Senate Candidates: FIVE FACTS Loretta Sanchez (D)

PROPOSITION

64 If passed, Prop. 64 would allow adults 21 and older to possess and use marijuana for recreational (that is, non-medical) purposes. Smoking marijuana in public and while driving would be illegal, as would possession in school zones. Californians would be able to possess up to 28.5 grams at a time, and could cultivate six plants at home.

Taxes would be levied on cultivation and retail sales of marijuana. Revenue would be used to fund drug research, youth programs and an initiative to help police determine whether or not a driver is high. Municipalities would be able to ban the sale of recreational marijuana, but they won’t receive a share of the tax revenue.

For: California Democratic Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, ACLU of California, California NAACP, California Nurses Association Against: California Republican Party, Rep. Bill Brough and many sheriffs, district attorneys and police organizations

1. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996.

2. Served on the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee since 2011. She touts being a champion for women in the military, among other things.

3. Attendance record in Congress has been criticized, and according to data from GovTrack, has missed about 33.5 percent of votes since mid-2015.

4. Sanchez leans left on most social and fiscal issues. Nearly half of the legislation she has sponsored, however, focuses on armed forces and national security issues

Bill Brough we’ll certainly look at legislation to fix that,” Brough said.

ON SOBER LIVING HOMES “We’ve got a big epidemic with prescription drug use,” Brough said, adding that he wants to approach sober living as a “consumer-protection issue.” He said, “I’m going to get with the insurance (companies) and see what it is they offer, and maybe there’s a way to steer people toward a licensed facility rather than an unlicensed.”

ON HOMELESSNESS “We have to have a community plan,” Brough said. “There’s actually money and programs out there, and the county is sitting on a bunch of mental health money, and I know they’re moving forward on that as a county problem. We just need to get that money out and the money needs to go to the homeless veterans and the support groups who are helping.”

and taxation.

5. She has received endorsements from several colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Kamala Harris (D) 1. Served as California’s Attorney General since 2011, and District Attorney in San Francisco prior to that.

2. Touts a focus as Attorney General on combating international drug rings and weapons trade.

3. Performance as Attorney General has been critiqued (by Sanchez and others), who point to the fact that violent crime has increased 10 percent in California during her term.

4. Leans left on most social and fiscal issues, and wants to reform the criminal justice system and enact stricter environmental regulations.

5. Harris has earned the endorsement of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Barbara Boxer and Elizabeth Warren, and a long list of organizations and local officials.

SANCHEZ AND HARRIS, BOTH DEMOCRATS, ARE VYING FOR THE U.S. SENATE SEAT AFTER SEN. BARBARA BOXER’S RETIREMENT.

THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

THE ELECTION ISSUE

Water District Candidates Make Their Pitches Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 7 MWDOC purchases and distributes water throughout most of Orange County. It is governed by a seven-member board. District 7 of MWDOC covers South Coast Water District, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. One member will be elected.

Megan Yoo Schneider, Water Engineer Schneider has over 12 years of professional and association experience, including serving on two boards of directors, and she possesses multiple bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering. She is also a licensed professional civil engineer in the state of California.

Schneider says she invests much of her

Candidates District 49 U.S. House of Representatives

time to increase public awareness and educate the younger generations about the importance of water.

Evan Chaffee, Business Owner/ Consultant Chaffee is a lifelong Orange County native and small business owner.

His focus serving on MWDOC would be to provide fiscally responsibly leadership by ensuring customers receive inexpensive water.

He also wants to incorporate emerging technology and water supply options, including desalination. Chaffee has previously served as a city planning commissioner and public policy advisor.

Richard Gardner, Water Systems Consultant Gardner says by conserving water, the area has been able to meet demands of a growing population, without yet increasing water supplies. Gardner supports further water conservation and the California water fix, which he says will provide high quality water without damaging the environment or state fisheries. If not approved, Gardner said he will work as a board member to secure state and federal funding to fill in the gaps.

Raymond Miller, Registered Professional Engineer Miller is a water manager and registered engineer in South Orange County. He was the general manager of the South Coast Water District for 25 years and also served as the vice president of the American Water Works Association, the national organiza-

Col. Doug Applegate (D)

tion of water professionals. His focus is on ensuring water availability given California’s ongoing drought and water shortages.

What is the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)?

MWDOC is a wholesale water supplier, which distributes water throughout most of Orange County. The organization is split into seven districts, and it serves a total of 28 retail water agencies—including South Coast Water District, Santa Margarita Water District, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Though about half of Orange County’s water comes from local sources, MWDOC purchases imported water through a larger water agency (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) from the Colorado River and Northern California, and delivers it to the retail water agencies.

MWDOC is also responsible for emergency preparedness and actively supports research and investments in alternative water supply sources—like desalination, groundwater recovery, conservation and more.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R)

Colonel Doug Applegate served 32 years in the Marine Corps, and has lived in San Clemente since 1981. He is also a civil trial attorney. This is his first time seeking elected office. Applegate’s platform includes reform of mandatory sentencing laws, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and increased regulation of the financial sector. He would also call for a second look at the Trans-Pacific Partnership, retooling Veterans’ Affairs and protecting Medicare and Social Security.

A former member of the U.S. Army and businessman, Issa has served numerous roles in his 16 years in Congress, currently serving on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The richest member of Congress, Issa lays claim to having played integral parts in several matters of national and state importance. He touts initiating a laterapproved movement to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the “root causes of the financial crises,” and launched an investigation into the attacks on U.S. offices in Libya.

On Why They’re Running

“I was concerned about the leadership in Congress because every time I hear somebody talking about the use of military force or combat operations, I’m hearing somebody talk that’s never really seen the trials and realities and the fog of war. And you just can’t send our children, our grandchildren, our blood and our treasure off to foreign lands without asking the right questions. I’ve been a trial attorney going on four decades, and you don’t get to the point of asking the right questions until you walk the ground in any subject area.”

“I didn’t plan on being here 16 years, but 9/11 happened and something else happened. And instead of going back to my business career, I’ve stayed with doing what I’m doing. Now I’m very involved in some things that I want to get done, and I’m asking the district to consider are they better off with somebody with my experience and the things that I plan to accomplish, and I’m hoping they say yes.”

On the Environment

“We should have a Manhattan-type project with renewable fuels. And guess what? This part of Southern California has all these natural synergies in research for so many things. It’s stupid that our Congressmen haven’t been pounding the table on that. I mean, I know who to drag up from the Pentagon to say, ‘Hey renewables, talk to all these idiots.’ And it’s a national security thing, so if you think this is some grand liberal conspiracy or whatever, it’s not. This is a real issue.”

“We have to essentially get off burning carbon faster than it’s produced. So the entire sustainability question of ecology is in fact the same question as the global warming crowd has. I’m not going to be an alarmist and every time it’s a little warmer or cooler say, ‘My goodness. Climate change,’ and the floods here and there are automatically caused because I don’t think they are. What I do know is there’s 7 billion people in the world, and we are not in a sustainable mode.”

On Sober Living Home Regulation

“You have to do something with the ADA because otherwise sober living facilities have complete leverage. … Ultimately there’s going to have to be something that you need to have real evidence on up in Congress, because I don’t think this was the real intent of the ADA, but there’s your federal issue. ... It’s paralyzing everyone, even municipalities.”

“Well I think what we do is we maintain you can’t discriminate based on somebody being handicapped, including being a recovering alcoholic or recovering drug abuser, but we recognize that cities should have the ability to take care of health and sanitation. These are commercial enterprises; these are not group homes where we all share the rent.”

Bio

THE QUOTES ABOVE WERE TAKEN FROM OUR INTERVIEWS WITH THE CANDIDATES IN SEPTEMBER. FOR THE FULL TRANSCRIPTS, VISIT WWW.THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM.

THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

THE ELECTION ISSUE

Why You Might Not be Voting for a City Council Member this Fall

BY ALLISON JARRELL

Are you voting in San Juan Capistrano’s municipal election on Nov. 8?

Only if you’re a registered voter living in two of the city’s five newly formed voting districts—District 1 or District 5 (see map).

This year marks a big change in the way residents elect their City Council representatives. The city of San Juan Capistrano has transitioned from at-large municipal elections to by-district elections. Under the previous at-large system, all residents could vote to elect City Council members living anywhere in San Juan Capistrano. Under the new system, voters separated into five districts within the city will vote for a City Council candidate who lives within their respective district.

The change to district elections means that the two seats up for reelection this year—the seats of Sam Allevato and John Perry—will be filled with one candidate from District 1 and one from District 5. In 2018, Districts 2, 3 and 4 will vote in the City Council race.

WHY THE SWITCH TO DISTRICTS? The city’s switch to district elections— which was approved unanimously by the City Council in February—was prompted by a voting rights lawsuit filed against the city in January by the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) and San Juan residents Tina Auclair and Louie Cama-

cho. The plaintiffs claimed that San Juan’s at-large elections violated the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, resulting in vote dilution of Latino residents by denying them “effective political participation in elections.”

Rather than fight the lawsuit, the City Council chose to switch to district elections and began the districting process by directing the city manager to hire a demographer.

Following a series of public workshops and Council hearings, the demographer used Census data and community input to draw a map of five voting districts, which the Council approved in June.

District 1, located in the northeast side of town, was selected as one of the two districts voting this year due to a stipulated agreement with the plaintiffs of the Voting Rights Act lawsuit, which dictated the first district chosen be the area with the highest percentage of Latino voters. The Council voted 3-2—Councilman Derek Reeve and Councilman Sam Allevato opposed—to select the southeastern District 5 as the second district to elect a City Council member on Nov. 8. Reeve and Allevato favored picking the second district at random, while the Council majority felt District 5 would offer geographical balance.

Find out more: To view an interactive map of the districts, visit www.districting.sanjuancapistrano.org. Residents can register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov. The deadline to register is Oct. 24.

DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT 5

Population: 7,130 Population of Latino Citizens of Voting Age: 44.37% City Council Candidates: Sergio Farias and Nathan Banda

Population: 6,860 Population of Latino Citizens of Voting Age: 9.78% City Council Candidates: Larry Kramer, Jim Schneider, Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Ronda Mottl, Brian Maryott

THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

THE ELECTION ISSUE

City Council Candidates

ON Their Priorities and the Future of San Juan Seven candidates are seeking to be elected to one of two open spots on the San Juan Capistrano City Council. Two candidates—Sergio Farias and Nathan Banda— are running in District 1, while five others are running in District 5. In order to get a better idea of the overall vision each candidate has for the city, we asked the candidates about their goals if elected to Council.

The candidate’s responses are listed in the order in which their names will appear on the ballot.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish over the next four years on the City Council?

DISTRICT 1

SERGIO FARIAS

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER Farias said one of his main priorities would be to resolve the city’s parking and traffic issues.

“Unfortunately, because of our place in the region, there may not be much we can do,” Farias said, “but I think removing the Ortega Highway choke point and trying to get the 241 Toll Road fixed should be priorities.”

Farias said he plans to use his platform as a Council member to make sure the city’s “students and community members that are helping know that we’re with them and we’re seeing the efforts they’re putting into their studies and community.

“Aside from city issues and business, I think being involved and being there for the community is going to be by far the biggest thing that I could do,” Farias said, adding that he also wants to make sure local nonprofits like CREER have leadership and help getting the Latino community involved in civic issues.

“I think a lot of that’s gone by the wayside,” Farias said. “The community needs someone who can get them involved.”

NATHAN BANDA

BUSINESSMAN/CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMISSIONER Banda said he plans to focus on getting community members, especially the residents of District 1, more involved in city government so that they “have a place

at the table.” He’d like to see residents in his district run for seats on city commissions so they can better represent their community’s interests.

Banda also wants to prioritize youth outreach, especially with the children in his district “turning to gangs for family.”

“It’s a huge issue,” Banda said, adding that he’d like to connect the community with local nonprofits such as Great Opportunities, Breakthrough and CREER. Banda envisions a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to develop a youth leadership program, where kids are trained and partnered with businesses in town for job opportunities. Banda said this would teach kids about responsibility and money management, while keeping them off of the streets.

Banda also wants to bring back the city’s six-week Citizen Leadership Academy, which provided an in-depth overview of the city’s history and government. He’d like to see the program offered in English and Spanish.

DISTRICT 5

LARRY KRAMER

RETIRED SUBMARINE CAPTAIN Kramer said he intends to reduce the city’s legal bills by settling some of the current lawsuits. He compared addressing the current situation to the city’s previous decision to settle the Scalzo lawsuit, which he was a part of while serving on the Council.

“I think that’s what we’ve got to do with our existing lawsuits right now—make a business decision to settle,” Kramer said.

With the money saved from less litigation, Kramer said he would prioritize road maintenance, on which he said the city has fallen behind. He would also focus on potentially adding officers to the city’s police force, which he noted has not had any new hires since 2001.

Kramer said other goals of his include seeing both hotels built, completing the city’s water reorganization, widening Ortega Highway, improving the city’s relationship with outside agencies, and extending the Blenheim EquiSports contract for five or 10 years.

In District 5, Kramer would like to see “little pocket parks” go in at the corner of San Juan Creek Road and La Novia.

JIM SCHNEIDER

RONDA MOTTL

MECHELLE LAWRENCE ADAMS

BRIAN MARYOTT

PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST/PROFESSOR Schneider said his first goal would be to “resolve the water plant” issue and “make plans to annex it.”

“I would also like to resolve, if possible, the pending lawsuits in the city, and with that, evaluate our own legal consultants,” Schneider said. “I’m not convinced they’re doing as much as they could do.”

Schneider said he would also like to “revisit the master plan and look for growth in the city.” With the city’s projected deficit, Schneider wants to develop “a plan to expand business in San Juan.”

“How else is the city going to raise more money?” Schneider asked.

Schneider said he’d like to “get a cohort together” to discuss the city’s economic revitalization. While he appreciates San Juan being known for its Mission, he wants to see more economic drivers in town, such as the thriving art community in Laguna Beach.

“We should all sit at the table,” Schneider said. “What district you’re in doesn’t matter.

How will the city generate revenue over the next five, 10 or 25 years?”

DIRECTOR, HISTORIC MISSION Lawrence Adams said her priority will be to “reach across the aisle” to people she doesn’t necessarily agree with. “You have to talk to everybody, not just one side,” she said.

“My number one goal is to reset our community and to demonstrate myself as a leader that is available,” Lawrence Adams said. “I put my number in my ballot statement, and I’ve been taking phone calls. I did that on purpose, because I want people to know they can call me.”

Lawrence Adams said she intends to use her “technical background to ask the right questions on behalf of the community” so that city leaders don’t “waste taxpayers’ dollars and are good stewards of faith, trust and money.”

She plans to focus on creating a sustainable future for San Juan, which she said includes “collaborative partnerships.”

Some of her other goals include maintenance of the city’s parks, making sure the riding park is “more publicly accessible without sacrificing the equestrian tradition and show jumping” and revisiting widening Ortega Highway.

THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

MEDIA EXECUTIVE Mottl said one of her main priorities would be to minimize the city’s lawsuits.

“They’re draining our financial resources,” Mottl said. “My number one objective is to not wastefully spend taxpayer money.”

Mottl said the city’s projected deficit for 2017-18 needs to be addressed by “looking at ways to cut spending without raising taxes.”

“Hopefully, additional revenue will come from reasonable development and paying for parking,” she said.

Mottl also intends to listen to her constituents in District 5 and “be their voice.”

She hopes to restore trust between city government and the residents of San Juan.

“There’s such mistrust in our government with all the lawsuits and the factions within city hall and how people vote,” she said.

Mottl said she’d also like to initiate some town halls in San Juan with guest speakers and local government officials. When she held similar forums in her previous city of Newport Beach, she said the events were a “chance for residents to speak up about what they like or don’t like in the community.”

FINANCIAL SERVICES EXECUTIVE Maryott described San Juan’s current city governance as “somewhat dysfunctional” and lacking “healthy collaboration.” He said the present political climate of “finger-pointing and name-calling” creates a “difficult and strained environment for decision-making.”

“My reputation of being a consensusbuilder in my corporate life is something I want to bring to the city and see if we can help put our heads together on some things,” Maryott said.

Maryott’s priorities are to “inject a little bit of collaborative energy” into San Juan’s city government and to “create a more inclusive environment with the community.” He also wants to work on getting “a meaningful resolution to the water situation,” and will be “extremely protective” of the city’s open space.

“Open space is a very important issue to me,” Maryott said. “Our residents stepped up to acquire open space, and they did so not knowing what the exact uses would be for the short-term and the long-term. If we begin to sell off any bit of it, it’s an affront to the people who voted for it.”

THE ELECTION ISSUE

South Orange County’s CUSD Candidates Six candidates are running for three seats on the Capistrano Unified School District’s Board of Trustees in Areas 1, 2 and 3, which cover schools in South Orange County. Each area has two candidates vying for a seat, and in Area 3, both candidates are newcomers, as incumbent John Alpay is running for a seat on the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees. There is also a fourth seat up for election in Trustee Area 5, which covers schools in Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.

Incumbent Gary Pritchard is running against Jake Vollebregt. Introductions from candidates in Areas 1, 2 and 3 are listed below in the order that their names will appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

Trustee Area 1

Trustee Area 2

Trustee Area 3

R.H. Dana Elementary, R.H. Dana Exceptional Needs Facility, Palisades Elementary, Las Palmas Elementary, Shorecliffs Middle School

Harold Ambuehl Elementary, Chaparral Elementary, Ladera Ranch Elementary, Las Flores Elementary, Oso Grande Elementary, Wagon Wheel Elementary, Ladera Ranch Middle School, Las Flores Middle School, San Juan Hills High School

Truman Benedict Elementary, Concordia Elementary, Marblehead Elementary, Clarence Lobo Elementary, Vista del Mar Elementary, Bernice Ayer Middle School, Vista del Mar Middle School, San Clemente High School

Wendy Shrove, Software Development Business Owner

Gould Workman, Sales Manager

Laura Ferguson, Public Information Officer

Shrove is a 20-year resident of San Clemente, whose children both attend CUSD schools.

Shrove said she’s running for CUSD Trustee to provide better representation on the school board for residents.

She plans to focus on helping students meet minimum standards in English and math and improve the district’s occupational training program to meet the demands of the current job market.

She is against Measure M, the $889 million bond, because she says it would add unnecessary debt.

Workman is the father of five children in CUSD, and his wife is a district teacher. He’s worked 22 years as a project and sales manager.

Workman has served on the PTA board, and wants to focus on a democratic, open approach to board discussions and decisions. Workman says the last 15 years of CUSD boards have not put residents’ interests first, claiming the current board is “dismissive” towards those in the community wishing to share input.

Ferguson has served as a San Clemente city employee for 17 years. She says she wants to raise the district’s math and English ranks from 31st and 23rd in the state, respectively.

Ferguson serves on State Assemblyman Bill Brough’s Education Advisory Committee, and is an advocate for more school choice. She opposes the $889 million bond—she also led a citizen advocacy group in Talega to win a reduction of Mello-Roos taxation payments in the neighborhood.

Amy Hanacek, Incumbent, Business Owner

Jim Reardon, Incumbent, Business Owner/Engineer

Patricia Holloway, Retired Business Owner

Hanacek touts the rapid growth in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) programs during her time on the CUSD board.

She says her targets on the board include practicing fiscal prudence to make sure cutting-edge resources are available to students. She serves on the College and Career Advantage Board, which provides technical education and career pathways for students.

Hanacek is a Capistrano Beach resident, small business owner and is the parent of two CUSD graduates.

Reardon is the current CUSD board vice president. He supports “classroom reform, school choice, local control, program innovation and fair taxation.”

Reardon opposes CUSD’s $889 million bond, which he says will burden younger families. Reardon says his focus will be on opening new schools (like in Esencia) and overseeing expansion (as at San Juan Hills High School).

Reardon is a parent and business owner. He also runs a nonprofit serving sixth- to 12th-grade students with autism.

Holloway is a 30-year San Clemente resident and volunteer. She has experience with fundraising efforts for nonprofits like Casa Romantica and the Marine Monument.

She says she’s running to build trust between CUSD and the community, and plans to build an economic council if elected to bridge the gap between residents, teachers and parents. She supports more school choice, language immersion programs and an increase in the technology and new education tools available to area students.

THE ELECTION ISSUE

CUSD’s Measure M:

What You Need to Know

BY ALLISON JARRELL

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees voted in August to call a school bond election within the newly formed School Facilities Improvement District #2, which encompasses the entire district except for Rancho Mission Viejo. On Nov. 8, district voters will have to decide whether they want to pay more taxes to help the school district leverage state funds for over $800 million in deferred facilities maintenance.

Below is the district’s official summary of Measure M, which will appear on the ballot: “To upgrade neighborhood schools by repairing outdated classrooms; improving science, technology, engineering, and math labs; ensuring fire/drinking water safety; removing asbestos; replacing leaky roofs; upgrading safety/security; repairing, constructing, and equipping educational facilities to prepare students for college/ vocational/military careers, shall School Facilities Improvement District #2 of the Capistrano Unified School District issue $889 million in bonds at legal interest rates, requiring an independent citizens’ oversight committee, annual independent audits, no funds for administrator or teacher salaries/ benefits, and all funds used locally?”

Five Facts about Measure M: 1. If 55 percent of voters approve Measure M in November, the district estimates that residents living within SFID #2—which includes the entire district except for Rancho Mission Viejo—will be taxed $41.81 per $100,000 of assessed value on their homes in fiscal year 2017-18 in order to begin funding the bond. That amount will grow to $42.93 per $100,000 in 2025-26 and reach a maximum of $42.99 per $100,000 of assessed value in fiscal year 2032-33. *Bonds can only be issued if the tax rate levied does not exceed $60 per year per $100,000 of taxable property, according to the California Education Code.

2. The total debt service, including principal and interest, for the $889 million general obligation bond would be $1.8 billion. Taxpayers will pay off the bond over a 35-year period.

3. The Orange County Taxpayers Associa-

Bond Measure Key Features BOND AMOUNT $889 Million ESTIMATED MAXIMUM TAX LEVY $43 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) IMPLEMENTATION TIMEFRAME 10-year plan SCHOOLS INCLUDED Every existing school in CUSD

tion has confirmed that Measure M meets the association’s minimum criteria for school bonds; however, the association does not endorse measures. The South Orange County Economic Coalition announced its opposition to Measure M in September because it is “too large and its impacts too broad to support.”

4. How CUSD will spend the potential new funding is a topic of contention. Measure M states that the proceeds from the sale of bonds would be used for “construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities.” The measure lists 53 school sites, including charter schools. Additional expenditures may include “student transportation, food service, maintenance and operations facilities” (excluding the district office). By law, none of the bond’s funds can be used for administrator salaries or pensions. Critics of the measure say the ballot language lacks specificity and transparency.

5. Should Measure M pass, the district will be required to establish an “independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee to ensure that bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects” listed.

The district will also conduct an “annual independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects” listed in the measure.

Wondering what specific improvements are planned for your school? For a complete list of facility projects included in the ballot measure, visit www.capousd.ca.schoolloop.com.

South OC Community College District The South OC Community College District encompasses Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Irvine Valley College in Irvine and the Advanced Technology and Education Park in Tustin. The board is comprised of seven members, who are voted in at-large. This year, Trustee Areas 3, 4 and 6 are up for election (two areas are unopposed), and the candidates for those Trustee Areas must live within its boundaries. One seat is available in each area.

Trustee Area 3 Includes Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point and parts of Laguna Hills, Newport Beach, San Clemente and unincorporated areas

Trustee Area 4 Includes San Clemente, Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano, Coto de Caza, parts of Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores and unincorporated areas

TERRI WHITT, INCUMBENT Whitt touts analyzing budgets and carrying out “due processes” in all matters during her time on the board.

Her priorities include the Emeritus Program for seniors, supporting K-12 partnerships, expanding veterans’ curricula and supporting the transition program with California’s state universities. Whitt has spent 40 years at Saddleback College as a nursing professor.

BARBARA “BOBBIE” JAY, INCUMBENT Jay was appointed to the board two years ago to fill a vacancy. She has worked as a teacher and business owner for 42 years, and has volunteered with Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. Her priorities include fiscal responsibility with no new taxes, lifelong learning for seniors, job training, expanding K-12 and community partnerships and improving student access.

JOHN ALPAY, BOARD MEMBER, CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Alpay touts business experience at Oakley and Samsung, as well as a board position with the South Orange County Economic Coalition. His priorities include increasing public-private partnerships between community colleges and businesses. As a CUSD board member, Alpay says he advocated for reducing property taxes, saving residents $61.1 million in Mello-Roos payments. He says he also helped refinance bond obligations in South Orange County.

PETER J. ESPINOSA, COLLEGE PROFESSOR Espinosa touts 41 years of experience in the field of higher education as a professor, counselor and administrator at the college and university level. He served two terms as a school board trustee for Capistrano Unified School District. His goals include cutting the cost of administrators, streamlining financial aid, improving technical and career training and more.

JIM LEACH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH Leach served two terms as president of the Saddleback College Foundation Board.

During his tenure, he claims growing the Foundation endowment from $500,000 to $5 million, increasing scholarship funding by 157 percent, and increasing the number of students receiving support. One of his foci is on using tax dollars on student achievement, instead of getting caught up in bureaucracy.

KIMBERLY CLARK, NON-PROFIT DIRECTOR/ EDUCATOR Clark has 22 years of experience in areas of management, collaboration, staffing and facilitation of programs. She’s served as school-site administrator and counselor, coordinated programs and volunteered as a court-appointed CASA advocate. She has a doctoral degree in education and runs an education non-profit organization.

Her priorities include fiscal responsibility, improving educational quality and hiring a new chancellor and president for the district.

GARY V. MILLER, RETIRED TEACHER Miller’s focus is on providing students more opportunities.

This includes offering meaningful internships by partnering with businesses; offering college courses to high school students; and ensuring the district remains committed to returning students, especially veterans—Miller himself is a veteran. Miller previously served eight years on the Mt. San Antonio Community College board of trustees.

THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM THECAPISTRANODISPATCH .COM

Trustee Area 6 Includes Lake Forest, parts of Irvine and unincorporated areas

JAMES “JIM” R. WRIGHT, INCUMBENT Wright is a current trustee and a former college administrator and chemistry professor.

He also served as the Math/Science Dean at Saddleback College. His priorities include ensuring tax dollars enhance student success, maximizing programs for transfer, vocational and life-long students and keeping in line with his “values as a fiscal conservative.”

MIKE DALATI, EDUCATOR Dalati is a professor at ORT Jewish College and co-founder of the OC Latino Outreach nonprofit organization. His two kids attend Irvine Valley College. His focus is not on politics, but on “leveraging and maximizing our resources” to meet future educational needs. He says the time is now for an overhaul of leadership on the board.

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK Tom Scott and Beverly Blake, president and vice president of the Camino Real Playhouse, served for a second consecutive season as Señor San Juan and Miss Fiesta after being chosen for the roles during the 2015 Farewell to the Swallows Barbecue. Photo: Allison Jarrell

SATURDAY, OCT. 22: FAREWELL TO THE SWALLOWS BARBECUE Noon-5 p.m. The Fiesta Association hosts their “Adios de las Golondrinas” barbecue at Reata Park. There will be food (barbecue, obviously), live music by the Kelly Boys Band, country dancing, games and kids’ activities. $10 meals for adults, $5 for children 10 and under. 28632 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.4631976. www.swallowsparade.com.

The List What’s going on in and around town

COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 14 MISSION ART WALK 11 a.m. A docent-guided tour highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to the Mission’s history. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf luxury catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor.

Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday.

See more events online. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. www.danawharf.com.

ITALIAN OPERA AT SADDLEBACK COLLEGE 7:30 p.m. Saddleback’s applied voice students will present a concert of Italian love songs and arias. Tickets are $15, and may be purchased online or over the phone. Saddleback College, Fine Arts 101.

28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo.

949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu/arts.

‘FAHRENHEIT 451’ 7:30 p.m. Ray Bradbury’s classic dystopian novel comes to life at Saddleback College via the Department of Theatre Arts. Runs The Capistrano Dispatch October 14-27, 2016

through Oct. 23. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students.

28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo.

949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu/arts.

BALLROOM BASH COSTUME PARTY 7:30-8:30 p.m. Costumes and funny Tshirts are encouraged at this Halloween party. The $10 admission includes soft drinks, food and dancing to ballroom, Latin and swing music. Mini lessons are offered throughout the evening. This event is for singles and couples 18 and older. Community Presbyterian Church.

32202 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano.

949.498.0233. www.ballroombash.com.

‘DIAL M FOR MURDER’ 8 p.m. Deception, murder and passion complicate Frederick Knott’s darkly brilliant tale of jealousy and greed, Dial M for Murder. This is the second production of the season at the Camino Real Playhouse. Show runs through Oct. 30.

Tickets start at $20. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 15 TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. All ages and running abilities are welcome to this weekly running club.

2XU, an athletic apparel store in San Clemente, supports the club and helps lead the runs. Group meets in front of Peet’s Coffee at 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente.

949.558.5054. www.meetup.com/2XU-SanClemente-Outlet-Meetup.

(Cont. on page 26) Page 25

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 25) DANA POINT WOMEN’S CLUB GARAGE SALE 8-11:30 a.m. The Dana Point Women’s Club will be having a garage sale to raise money for the organization. The Women’s Club gives scholarships to students at Dana Hills High School, raises funds for the armed forces and other organizations. Dana Point Women’s Community House. 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point.

949.859.5706.

REPLACE YOUR LAWN WORKSHOP 9:30 a.m. The Tree of Life Nursey celebrates planting season with a series of workshops on growing native species in your yard. The Oct. 15 class concerns “creating and caring for your garden.” The workshop is free. 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.728.0685. www. californianativeplants.com.

SMART GARDENING 101: CREATING A HABITAT GARDEN WITH CALIFORNIA NATIVES 9:30-10:30 a.m. Listen to the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners as they share information on how to use native, drought-tolerant plants in your garden. Cost is free. Hosted

by Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens, and event will be held at Reata Park. 28632 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. www.goinnative.net.

DANA POINT OKTOBERFEST Noon-7 p.m. Spaten Munchen hosts the annual Dana Point Oktoberfest at Sea Terrace Park. The opening ceremony and keg tapping starts at noon, followed by a day of competitions as well as German festivities, food and drinks. An assortment of German beers will be on hand. Admission is free and open to all ages. 33501 Niguel Road, Dana Point. www.danapointoktoberfest.com.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Family Style performs live music in the afternoon, followed by Honky Tonk Kings in the evening. The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www. swallowsinn.com.

FIFTH ANNUAL PEOPLE’S MARCH AGAINST BULLYING 4 p.m. The National Association of People Against Bullying hosts this anti-bullying support walk. The San Clemente group helps local schools—like San Clemente High School and Dana Hills High School—start antibullying clubs. Walk starts at Main Beach in Laguna Beach. www.napab.org.

Sunday | 16 SAN CLEMENTE SURF CLASSIC 7 a.m.-5 p.m. The second annual San Clemente Surf Classic takes over T Street Beach. The competition is strictly for San The Capistrano Dispatch October 14-27, 2016

Clemente youth, and about 200 groms are expected to compete. Registration for contestants is $40. 339 W. Paseo De Cristobal, San Clemente. www.scchamber.com.

FAMILY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES HUNGER WALK 12:30-5 p.m. FAM hosts their 29th annual Hunger Walk. Meet at the San Clemente Community Center—check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente. 949.492.8477. www.hungerwalk.family-assistance.org.

FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB 2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French Flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. No cost to join. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228, or 949.369.5482.

LIVE MUSIC: THE KALAMA BROTHERS 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from the Kalama Brothers at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Tuesday | 18 TINY TOTS: PARENT AND ME PROGRAM 9-10:30 a.m. Children ages 2 and 3, and their parents, are invited to The Ocean Institute to explore shapes, colors and textures with the sea star. Runs every Tuesday until Nov. 8. Cost is $30 for one class, $150 for the whole series. The Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www. ocean-institute.org.

LECTURE: HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY OF RANCHO MISSION VIEJO 7-8:30 p.m. Carol Demcak, president of Archaeological Resource Mgmt. Corp, will present the history of archaeology at Rancho Mission Viejo. The talk will focus on identification and recording of the ranch’s artifacts—of which many will be on display. Spots fill up quickly, so RSVP at www.rmvreserve.org. Event is free and available to adults and kids ages 8 and up.

28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778.

KARAOKE AT GOODY’S 8 p.m. Karaoke at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real.

949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Wednesday | 19

Thursday | 20 AUTUMN NIGHTS JAZZ SERIES 7-9:30 p.m. The Casino San Clemente hosts the second installment of their seasonal jazz series. Tickets are $7 online, $10 at the door. 140 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.369.6600. www.casinoautumnnights.brownpapertickets.com.

LIVE MUSIC: LEROY 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from Leroy at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Friday | 21 CARING FOR OTHERS, CARING FOR SELF SEMINAR 2:30-4:30 p.m. A discussion of healthy and successful aging hosted by the Orange County Aging Services Collaborative.

Sen. Pat Bates provides opening remarks, followed by motivational speakers. Outlets at San Clemente, VIP Lounge. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente.

(Cont. on page 28)

THE DISH

“The Tube” SURFIN’ CHICKEN

71 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente. 949.498.6603. www.scsurfinchicken.weebly.com.

Surfin’ Chicken looks and sounds like the kind of place that might appear in the background of a 1990s arcade game—of which there is one in the actual Surfin’ Chicken—but “The Tube.” Matt Cortina the food inside couldn’t get any realer.

The first thing you see inside are about a dozen broken down whole chickens spread across a big open grill that flames as fat drips down. There’s also fish rotated daily—the red snapper looks charred and delicious, but come on, chicken is in the name. There’s only one choice.

“The Tube” is aptly named because that’s really what it is—an inglorious vessel for glorious chicken. Shredded meat is impossibly moist and imbued with the flavor of some time-tested and reddish spice rub. There’s a diced salsa and small avocado salad with which to top The Tube, which comes in a clear plastic tray, but it’s all a modest pedestal for the meat.

To be clear: This might be the best chicken you’ll ever eat. At least this year. And the look of the place might be an easy jab, but it’s the kind of casual ambiance that only adds to the shop’s lore. —Matt Cortina Page 26

Photo: Courtesy of A24

At the Movies: ‘American Honey’ is a Sweet Alternative

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

n the midst of Halloween season, when appropriately spooky movies like Miss Peregrine’s, The Girl on the Train and Ouija 2 are in theaters, Andrea Arnold releases her new coming-of-age indie drama, American Honey. In the same vein as her previous film about teen girlhood, Fish Tank (2009), but with a Texan girl instead of an English one, American Honey also has traces of the 1969 classic road film, Easy Rider.

Eighteen-year-old Star (Sasha Lane) lives in a shack with her lowlife stepfather and her two little halfsiblings, whom she raises more than anyone else. One day while at the store, a charismatic nomad named Jake (Shia LaBeouf) convinces her to join his van of fellow vagabonds.

Jake, Star and the other free spirits drive city to city all over middle America selling magazine subscriptions. When they’re not making money, they’re partying at night and discovering love.

In her usual fashion, Arnold casts an ordinary teenage girl with no acting experience as the lead, and Lane makes just as impressive of a debut as Katie Jarvis did in Tank. The natural, raw delivery of Lane’s breakthrough performance is matched perfectly with the filmmaker’s tight, documentary-style direction. Alongside LaBeouf and Riley Keough, who are the only Hollywood actors in Honey, Lane holds her own as if she’s had just as much experience acting.

Every scene of the nearly three-hour film revolves around Lane and she completely shines and has great chemistry with LaBeouf. If you’re not into horror, here’s the film to see this October. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. on page 26) Event is free. 949.757.3775. www.occaringresources.eventbrite.com.

LIVE MUSIC: CHRIS ANDERSEN BAND 7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Chris Andersen Band at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC: BAD KITTY PROJECT 8 p.m. Listen to live music from Bad Kitty Project at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Saturday | 22 FREE FAMILY FALL FEST 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens hosts a free family festival, where participants can learn the basics of composting, vertical gardens and more. Kids’ activities, crafts, food, entertainment and more will be available. Reata Park. 28632 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.606.6386. www.goinnative.net.

REPLACE YOUR LAWN WORKSHOP 9:30 a.m. The Tree of Life Nursey celebrates planting season with a series of workshops on growing native species in your yard. The Oct. 22 class concerns plant selection. The workshop is free. 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.728.0685. www. californianativeplants.com.

SAN CLEMENTE OKTOBERFEST Noon-9 p.m. A craft beer and music festival

featuring music by The Aggrolites, Common Sense, Tunnel Vision, Vinnie and the Hooligans and The Express Band, a German Oompah group. Serving local craft beer by Pizza Port, Artifex, Left Coast, Laguna Beach Beer Company and Lost Winds Brewery. Food trucks, contests live music and beer. $15 presale tickets available. Vista Hermosa Sports Park. 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. www.scoktoberfest.com.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Southbound & Company performs live music in the afternoon, followed by Jann Browne in the evening.

The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

LIVE MUSIC: THEO & ZYDECO PATROL 7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Theo & Zydeco Patrol at Iva Lee’s.

555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC CRUISE 8-9:30 p.m. Flock of 80’s performs onboard the 95-foot Dana Pride. Full bar includes wine, beer and mixed drinks. Tickets are $22. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. www.danawharf.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.

South County Music Scene: Julio Montero

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

nternationally renowned harpist Julio Montero has been gracing San Juan Capistrano and much of Orange County with his world music for years. Montero has been playing the folk harp professionally for three decades now—a career which began in his home country of Spain and has now taken root in San Juan Capistrano.

While he and his family don’t reside in San Juan, the Montero family considers the city their home. His daughters, Claudia and Valeria, have been coming to Ricardo’s Place every Sunday with their father for the last seven years—Claudia playing the guitar, and Valeria playing percussion and violin.

Over the last 30 years, Montero has performed across Europe, North and South America and Japan, and now he finds himself performing not only at Ricardo’s, but also an array of local fundraisers and

Page 28

Julio Montero, right, and his daughter, Claudia.

Photo: Allison Jarrell

events across South Orange County. Currently, he and his daughters are working on recording their first album together.

For Montero, being a musician means truly loving what he does and connecting with the music.

“If you don’t love what you are doing, people cannot love what you do,” Montero said. “It’s like love. If you have love inside you, you can give it. If you don’t have it, you cannot transmit it.

“It’s the same thing with music. Being a true musician is not thinking primarily about making somebody else happy or money. It’s feeling that love—that happiness. After that, everything else comes.”

For more information on Montero’s upcoming performances, you can follow “Julio Montero” on Facebook. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

Senior Women Who Date Younger Men: “Don’t Call Us Cougars.”

W

henever I write about senior men dating much younger women, the majority of responses come from women. Many women think the guys who try to do so are delusional.

And yet, some women don’t have a problem with those guys, as long as women dating younger men is acknowledged. In this column, six Southern California women share their opinions.

Maurya, San Clemente, said, “It’s important to look at the other side of the coin, or the reverse situation, which is less common but noteworthy. I ON LIFE AND know a number of women LOVE AFTER 50 over 50 (who are divorced

By Tom Blake or widowed) who are quite happily dating or married to younger men.

“As in any relationship, finances may play some role: younger men may be attracted to the economic security that many older professional women have achieved.

“In this day and age of changing social roles, revised identities and greater self-awareness, the pre-existing barriers of gender stereotypes and behaviors are beginning to change, thank goodness.”

Stella, Newport Beach, wrote, “Regarding dating and aging, I’ve heard … that the ideal age gap should be five to seven years either way (men or women dating younger). Beyond that, you have to start to question the motives…”

Diane, Laguna Woods, emailed, “How about older women dating younger men?

It is very liberating, no stress to marry, guys are respectful, the women love it (I know I do). Commitment issues seem to be not so important.

“And please, don’t call us ‘cougars.’

It’s disrespectful. I am 73, and he is 58.

We’ve been seeing each other two to three times a month for four years. (We) met on Senior Date, and he contacted me. I was very hesitant for the first five or six dates, but we have the highest respect for and expectations of each other.”

Joanie, of Torrance, said, “I had a relationship with a man 14 years younger.

He was a bit immature (although a very nice person) and eventually we had little to share—it almost felt like mommy and son. Both of us needed a relationship with someone closer to our age.

“Music and events related to particular decades are fun to discuss and share, but when the partner is over a decade younger,

Pets of the Week: Cabernet & Merlot

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

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:

C

abernet & Merlot are wonderful 5-year-old cats whose elderly owner tried to relinquish them to the county shelter when he could no longer care for them properly.

To meet the dynamic duo, contact The Ark at 949.388.0034 or cat@arkofsanjuan. org.For more information, visit www. arkofsanjuan.org. CD

he might not have been born at the time so he cannot share ‘memories.’ Maybe a fiveto seven-year age difference would work.”

Janice, of Anaheim, said, “All of us hope our relationships will withstand the test of time. However, the ones with less baggage—such as not having a big age difference—will most definitely have a greater chance of doing so.”

Shelly, of San Diego, said, “I am 68, a widow of two years, and a retired school teacher and have been seeing a man five years younger for six months. His online profile said he likes to walk, swim, travel, dance and that he is ‘playful,’ likes to sing and play the guitar and piano.

“But, we have managed to take only a few short walks together. He usually says he can’t walk more because he suddenly feels overheated. We went on four halfhour bike rides and then he said his hip hurt so he can’t ride a bike anymore. He takes a long nap every day. Sleeps nine to 10 hours a night! I never nap and sleep only 5-6 hours a night.

“We have yet to travel anywhere together because I refuse to go on a trip with him unless and until we can spend more than three consecutive nights together. He lives an hour from me and usually comes

Photos: Courtesy of Susan Brown Matsumoto Photography

over on Saturday and spends three nights at my home then we start to get on one another’s nerves and so he leaves. Why do I keep seeing him?

“He tells me he admires my intelligence and asks my opinion on many things. We are on the same page as far as politics, music and humor go. He is very playful and funny. We laugh a lot together. He always says he misses me when we are not together. And, I miss him as well and wish we could spend more time together.”

I endorse older women dating younger men. If compatibility is present, a reasonable age difference (10 years or less) doesn’t matter much. It is good that the preexisting barriers, as Maurya pointed out, are beginning to change.

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. 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.

SJC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Keeping Ancient Traditions Alive Autumn ushers in an array of cultural and religious celebrations in our historic town

T

he month of October is the perfect time to reflect on how the Catholic Church and ancient cultures were able to meld into one holiday. Keeping ancient traditions alive was the way the missionaries were able to attract followers into the new faith. As a result, 2000 years later we are still celebrating the traditions of the past.

When Catholic missionaries first arrived in what is now Britain and Ireland, the predominant tribes were Celtic.

MOMENTS IN Their priests were called TIME Druids. One of their four

By Jan Siegel major holidays was the ritual of Samhain, a tribute to the God Baal or the devil. This festival was a celebration of death. The celebrations took place on what is now Nov. 1.

The Celts were a very religious people.

It was Pope Gregory in 601 A.D. who cleverly decided to incorporate the sacred festival of Samhain into the festival of All Saints Day—a day of celebration and prayer to dead saints—in order to attract the religious Celts to Christianity. The Catholic holiday was also known as All Hallows Day. The word “hallow” was often interchanged in the early church for saint or God the Father, as in the Lord’s Prayer, which starts out with, “Hallowed be thy name.” In 835, Pope Gregory IV decreed All Saints Day as a sacred “day of obligation,” which means that Catholics are required to attend Mass. This made the eve of All Hollows Day an important time as well. Through the centuries, All Hollows Eve became Halloween.

One interesting part of the Celtic Samhain ritual that has been included in Halloween celebrations today is the candle in the carved pumpkin. In Celtic times, a

human skull would have been used. The Celts believed that one’s soul lived in the head, so in celebrating the death of relatives, keeping a light in the skull kept the soul alive. The tradition of the pumpkin has many versions, but one story surrounds a man named Jack who, like Faust, sold his soul to the devil—hence the carved “jack-o’-lantern” with a candle in it.

When the missionaries landed in Mexico, they encountered a celebration for honoring the dead.

For over 500 years, the goddess Mictecacihuatl, Lady of the Dead, presided over Aztec harvest festivals.

According to Mexican tradition, one dies three different kinds of death. The first is when the body stops functioning.

The second kind of death is when the body is returned to the earth in burial.

The third type of death is when there is no one left alive to remember the person.

Even very poor families construct altars in the home to encourage the spirit of their ancestors to return each year. An altar can also be erected at the grave site of a departed relative. This is a happy occasion.

The altar usually includes photographs, flowers, candles, favorite foods, and personal items.

During the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos—Day of the Dead—sugar skulls are also placed on the altars. Sugar is not indigenous to Mexico. It was brought by the first explorers who discovered that the soil in Mexico was ideal for growing sugar. When the missionaries arrived, it was hard for the Mexicans to afford the European-style church decorations. But sugar was abundant and it was cheap. Clay molded sugar figures started to appear.

It was not long before they too, became part of the Day of the Dead festivities. The skull art represents the departed soul in folk art style. There are many professional

Día de los Muertos celebrations took place throughout town Nov. 1-2 last year, including a performance by dancers from the Ballet Folklorico Corazones Alegres of Dana Point on Los Rios Street. Photo: Allison Jarrell

sugar skull makers, but homemade ones are popular as well.

The church was never able to get the people of Mexico to abandon these family ceremonies. Instead, the Day of the Dead was incorporated into All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The spirit lives on in the traditions of both the ancient religions and the church.

In San Juan Capistrano, you can spend ‘Moments in Time’ and reflect upon the traditions of the many cultures that we have in our community. This October, you can experience the Ghost Walk sponsored by the Historical Society on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28-29, along historic Los Rios Street. Reservations are a must for this event by calling the Historical Society at 949.493.8444.

You can also enjoy the tortilla art of Joe Bravo now through Nov. 28 in the La Sala auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library. On Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m., Bravo will conduct a workshop on tortilla art. Reservations are needed for this event as well. On Nov. 5 at 2 p.m., there will be a sugar skulls demonstration followed by

Aztec dancers and mariachis at the library.

This event is free to the public. Also, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 8, Day of the Dead altars will be on display at the library. This year, the library has chosen In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez as their book altar. For more information on all the library events, call 949.493.1752.

And, of course, if you are Catholic, don’t forget to go to Mass on Nov. 1.

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.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY LOCALS ONLY

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HELP WANTED RANCH MANAGER NEEDED! We are looking for an innovative “hands on” full-time, long term ranch manager to maintain and improve a large family-owned ranch in San Juan Capistrano. Ideal candidate will be a seasoned business-minded manager with “hands-on” management and communication skills, good business skills, experience in sustainable land stewardship and natural resource management, and a working knowledge of ranch systems and animals.

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The Capistrano Dispatch October 14–27, 2016

equipment and facilities as part of their daily routing. Currently, we are exploring various agricultural and livestock projects and need a manager who has the experience, drive and ability to oversee a variety of activities at once. The ranch owners are committed to conservation and improving the health of the ranch ecosystem for native wildlife species and their personal enjoyment. The Ranch Manager is supported by a corporate office in Orange County.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and ability. Please contact Cassandra at 949.988.7303 for more information.

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particularly in planning high yield youth activities, Communication skills to deal with children and with the general public (bilingual in Spanish a plus), CPR and first aid certified.

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Unconventional Style Has Led to Historic Season for Stallions Volleyball Team

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

here isn’t a name for it.

It doesn’t look conventional.

But it sure is effective.

The “it” in question is the unconventional rotation being used by the San Juan Hills girls volleyball team this season, which has the Stallions off to their best start in program history.

The Stallions roster is full of athletic and talented players, something first-year head coach Jessica Papell immediately recognized when she took over the program in the offseason. In order to maximize the potential of the Stallions standout players, like outside hitter Katie Lukes and senior middle blocker Madilyn Mercer, and lean on the team’s overall athleticism, Papell decided to think outside of the box. What she came up with is a modified version of a 6-2 rotation, which features two setters.

Rather than have two setters sub in for an opposite player, the Stallions setters sub in for middle blockers, creating what Papell believes is a superior passing combination given the team’s personnel. The rotation also allows San Juan Hills to run their best two hitters on the court across the front of the net for two full rotations, which goes against the grain of some coaching philosophies. Papell said the Stallions are the only team in the area that runs this type of rotation. “(The rotation) makes it harder to defend against us in those two rotations because they have to figure out who they

San Juan Prep Football Roundup

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

s league play gets underway, we take a look around the high school football landscape in San Juan Capistrano.

Henjum Wielding Hot Hand for Warriors: Few quarterbacks in Orange County, let alone the CIF Southern Section, have been

The Capistrano Dispatch October 14–27, 2016

are going to try and go block out of both of these offensive weapons in the front row at once,” Papell said. “I’ve definitely seen some confused looks on coaches’ faces when they look out and see where our kids are standing. They don’t really understand what we’re doing at first.”

The unique system has yielded big-time success.

As of Oct. 13, San Juan Hills is 20-2 on the season with a perfect 5-0 record in South Coast League play. They are ranked eighth in both the latest CIF-SS Division 1 coaches poll and the USA Today Super-25 Region 9 rankings, which covers all of California, Arizona, Nevada and Alaska.

San Juan Hills advanced to the finals of the Dave Mohs Tournament last month, defeating traditional powerhouse programs like Huntington Beach and Edison before facing Mater Dei in the championship match.

The Stallions have had successful seasons in the past, but have seen nothing like this.

“I would have never thought (as a freshman) we’d play Mater Dei (in a tournament final). They were just a big threat to us and now we can play with them and it’s so cool,” Lukes, a three-year varsity player, said.

Another key element to the Stallions’ game plan is their tenacity.

San Juan Hills players can be a blur on the court at times. They pride themselves on their willingness to run after every loose ball, doing everything in their

power to keep a rally alive and stay strong on defense. Three Stallion players have recorded over 120 digs this season. Junior Gabby Bellizzi leads the team with 184 digs and senior libero Phia Bellizzi has 167.

By keeping the play alive, the Stallions can fall into system and ignite playmakers like Lukes, who has 292 kills on the season and is hitting at a 47 percent clip.

Mercer, the other part of the Stallions’ one-two punch at the front of the net, has 117 kills and a team-best 61 blocks.

Setters Mikayla Arimura and Casi Newman, who are responsible for running the show on offense, are averaging 7.6 and

five assists per set, respectively.

Everything has fallen into place for the Stallions during this breakout season.

After their first round of league play, they failed to lose a set and are primed to repeat as league champions.

The team advanced to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1AA Championships last season, but with a new look and plenty of momentum, they are hoping for an even deeper postseason push this time around.

“This is probably one of the best teams ever at San Juan Hills,” Lukes said. “We just train super hard, and we know we can go far enough, and we believe in it.” CD

as hot as Saddleback Valley Christian senior quarterback Cade Henjum over the past month.

In the Warriors’ last three games, Henjum has passed for 366, 483 and 414 yards, respectively. He threw 17 touchdown passes to four Saddleback Valley Christian interceptions quarterback Cade Henjum. over that span, Photo: Steve Breazeale totaling at least five touchdowns in each contest. And that

was just what he’s done in the air.

Henjum has also been a force on the ground dating back to the Warriors’ 49-0 nonleague victory over Escondido Charter on Sept. 16. In his last three games, he has rushed for 65, 135 and 154 yards, respectively, scoring five total rushing touchdowns.

During the three-game stretch, Henjum accounted for 1,617 total yards of offense and 22 touchdowns.

Perhaps most importantly, the Warriors have gone 2-1 over the three-week stretch and have brought their overall season record back to 3-3 and are 1-0 in San Joaquin League play.

Henjum is averaging 312 yards passing per game and just over 114 rushing yards per contest. His 312 yards per game is the third-highest mark in Orange County and

his 24 passing touchdowns ranks fourth.

The Warriors are looking to defend their San Joaquin League championship, and Henjum seems to be willing them into contention for a second consecutive year.

L to R: Madilyn Mercer, Phia Bellizzi, Kikayla Arimura, Katie Lukes and the San Juan Hills girls volleyball team are in the midst of the program’s best season ever. Photo: Steve Breazeale

definitely seen some confused looks on coaches’ “facesI’vewhen they look out and see where our kids are

standing. They don’t really understand what we’re doing —Coach Jessica Papell at first.

”

Page 34

Stallions Topple Mustangs in League Opener: San Juan Hills dominated in all facets of the game in a 47-14 victory over Trabuco Hills on Oct. 7 to pick up its first South Coast League win of the season.

The win puts the Stallions (6-1, 1-0 league) squarely in the hunt for one of the league’s two playoff berths.

Quarterback Matt Rodriguez threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to receiver Cayden McCluskey.

San Juan Hills will travel to play undefeated Mission Viejo (7-0, 1-0) on Oct. 14.

CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com