February 10, 2017

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

Be sure to pick up our special “Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards” edition out this week FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

FEBRUARY 10-23, 2017 • VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3

Hendricks’ Homecoming

Chicago Cubs breakout star Kyle Hendricks honored by high school alma mater S P O R T S / PAG E 1 4

Kyle Hendricks, a San Juan Capistrano native, waves to the Capo Valley crowd while accepting the Spirit of the Cougar award. Photo: Steve Breazeale

La Novia Roundabout to Open Later This Month EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Trevor’s at the Tracks Announces Feb. 23 Opening EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

National Signing Day Celebrates San Juan Student-Athletes SPORTS/PAGE 12

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING and salads during the day, and beer, wine, tapas, gelato and charcuterie spreads in the evening.

sioner Nathan Banda came in second and reported raising $14,614 and spending $14,814.

WHAT’S NEXT: For updates on Trevor’s opening, follow the restaurant on Facebook under @TrevorsAtTheTracks or visit www.trevorsatthetracks.com. —AJ

WHAT’S NEXT: To view each candidate’s complete finance statement, visit www. thecapistranodispatch.com. —AJ

Judge Egan House Receives Historic Recognition

Ryan Hickman, 7, of San Juan Capistrano, was invited onto The Ellen DeGeneres Show last month to talk about his business, Ryan’s Recycling Company. Photo: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week Recycling 7-year-old Makes National News, Honored by City Council THE LATEST: Do you remember young recycling entrepreneur Ryan Hickman from The Capistrano Dispatch’s “Green Issue” last April? With the help of his family, Ryan founded his own startup, Ryan’s Recycling Company, at the ripe age of 3 in San Juan Capistrano.

When Ryan was interviewed for The Dispatch’s April 8 cover story, he had earned more than $8,000 from recycling bottles, and he hoped to eventually buy his own garbage truck.

Today, Ryan, who’s now 7, has earned over $10,000 from recycling more than 200,000 bottles. Over the last couple months, Ryan’s story caught the attention of multiple national news outlets, and he was invited onto The Ellen DeGeneres Show to talk about his company and the importance of recycling. His segment aired on Jan. 30.

After sharing with Ellen why he recycles—to protect animals and the environment—she surprised him with a personalized battery-powered kid-sized recycling truck and a $10,000 check from Shutterfly to help fund his business.

Most recently, City Council members formally commended Ryan for his efforts at their Feb. 7 meeting. Mayor Kerry Ferguson presented Ryan with a certificate The Capistrano Dispatch February 10-23, 2017

of recognition for his innovative startup, his passion for recycling and his dedication to the environment and improving his community.

WHAT’S NEXT: For more information on Ryan’s Recycling Company, visit www. ryansrecycling.com. To view the video of Ryan on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

—Allison Jarrell

THE LATEST: On Tuesday, developer Bill Griffith addressed the City Council and announced that the Judge Egan House, which now houses Ellie’s Table, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, effective June 17, 2017.

Griffith credited local historian and preservationist Ilse Byrnes for her work on getting the house, which was built in 1883, added to the Register. Griffith said Byrnes submitted a nomination for the Egan House in August 2015 to the Office of Historic Preservation for the State of California. In October 2015, the Council sent a letter of support for the nomination.

WHAT’S NEXT: A National Registry plaque unveiling will be held at the Egan House on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.—AJ

Trevor’s at the Tracks to Open Feb. 23 THE LATEST: It’s been a long haul, but the wait is almost over.

After closing for renovations last April, Trevor’s at the Tracks—formerly Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot—will officially reopen to the public on Thursday, Feb. 23 with a San Juan Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting and chamber mixer.

The restaurant’s kitchen had its first test run last Friday when more than 100 guests attended a private dinner for local nonprofit Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens, which raised more than $10,000 for the organization’s garden programs. Proprietor Trevor Baird said Friday’s banquet was the biggest event the restaurant has hosted since he took over ownership.

“I think it went great, we had a lot of positive feedback that night,” Baird said.

“For me, it was great to get going again after being closed for so long. I was thrilled with how everything came out.”

The chamber ribbon-cutting begins at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23, and after that concludes, Baird said a chamber mixer will continue in the banquet room. At that point, the general public will be invited to enjoy the restaurant’s patio seating and bar.

Following the grand opening, the restaurant’s café will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering gourmet coffee, fresh juices, fresh-baked pastries, sandwiches

Final Campaign Finances Show Mission Director Spent Most in Council Race THE LATEST: District 5 candidate Mechelle Lawrence Adams spent the most money on her bid for a seat on the San Juan Capistrano City Council, according to the final round of campaign finance statements submitted to the city clerk.

Lawrence Adams, who is the executive director of Mission San Juan Capistrano, raised a total of $43,969 and spent $40,042 in the 2016 District 5 City Council race.

She came in second with about 26 percent of the vote.

Brian Maryott won the District 5 race with over 43 percent of the vote (or 1,992 votes). Maryott self-funded his campaign with a $36,000 loan.

Former mayor Larry Kramer came in third, raising a total of $21,768 and spending $22,402. Fourth-place candidate Ronda Mottl, who now serves on the city’s utilities commission, reported raising and spending $5,731. Jim Schneider, who came in fi fth, and Robert Parks, who dropped out of the Council race, both filed form 470’s, which state that they did not anticipate receiving or spending more than $2,000 on their campaigns.

In District 1, Sergio Farias won the race with more than 58 percent of the vote (961 votes total). He raised $12,617 and spent $12,378. Cultural Heritage Commis-

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Officials Say La Novia Roundabout Will Open This Month THE LATEST: After about six months of construction, city officials have said that the La Novia roundabout is weeks away from opening. The single-lane roundabout will give drivers the option to take Valle Road north or south, or to drive up La Novia Avenue.

Robert Young, project manager with Sukut Construction, said construction on the roundabout, which began in July 2016, has faced some delays due to the recent rain, but is on track to be completed in the next few weeks.

City Manager Ben Siegel also mentioned the approaching completion of the roundabout during a recent City Council planning retreat. Siegel said the roundabout would be completed in February and will include landscaping in order to approve the aesthetics of the area.

The La Novia roundabout is part of the development agreement for Taylor Morrison’s 416-home Pacifica San Juan project. California Environmental Quality Act regulations require the developer to design and construct mitigation measures to combat the additional traffic the homes will produce.

WHAT’S NEXT: “The upcoming opening of the new roundabout will be a significant improvement at the interchange,” said City Manager Ben Siegel. “This developerfunded project will enhance traffic flow and safety in the area.” —AJ

An aerial photo from Dec. 29 shows progress being made on the La Novia roundabout construction.

Photo: Jacob Flores/Murrow CM

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY ALLISON JARRELL

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

The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Sunday, February 5 PETTY THEFT REPORT Paseo Adelanto, 32500 Block (11:18 a.m.) A man reported that

his unlocked mountain bike was stolen at the corner of Los Rios Street and Del Obispo Street.

sessing narcotics.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Camino Capistrano, 31700 Block (9:17 p.m.) A woman told police that her “new friend” told her that he had drugged her drink a few days ago. The woman was evaluated and refused to go to the hospital for further treatment.

CITIZEN ASSIST Calle Miguel, 32900 Block (10:35 a.m.) A man’s car was egged sometime between midnight and 9 a.m.

The man said it was the second occurrence in the past month.

Saturday, February 4 PEDESTRIAN CHECK Verdugo Street/Camino Capistrano (11:43 p.m.) A known probationer was stopped. The male subject admitted that he was in possession of methamphetamine. The officer searched the subject and found meth and a meth pipe with a useable amount of the drug inside. The subject was cited for pos-

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Paseo Santiago/Calle Lorenzo (8:04 p.m.) A known gang member and probationer was in the driver seat of a vehicle and agreed to a consent search, which yielded 2.69 grams of methamphetamine. The policer officer requested an arrest of the probationer. The subject was arrested for possession of narcotics and violating probation.

Community Meetings MONDAY, FEB. 13

Youth Advisory Board Meeting

5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Youth Advisory Board meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

TUESDAY, FEB. 14

Planning Commission Meeting

6:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15

Downtown Farmers Market

NEWS BITES

regencymovies.com. For more information, call 949.661.3456.

The 89th Academy Awards takes place on Sunday, Feb. 26.

COMPILED BY STAFF

Boys & Girls Club Honors Youth of the Year A Dana Hills High School senior was recently named 2016 Youth of the Year from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.

Sarah Arce joined the Via Positiva Branch in San Juan Capistrano 11 years ago as a second grader. Since, she has been a part of the club’s Key Stone Club and has taken public speaking classes.

“I was super excited; I was shaking when I heard my name,” Sarah said.

“I didn’t know what to do at first, but I hugged the program director because I’m close with him.”

Sarah said she joined the Club’s Key Stone club as a freshman and worked her way up to president.

Youth of the Year celebrates the club member’s achievements. Each year, one person is selected from the three branches; they will then compete with others in a state-wide competition, then regionally, all with the hope of becoming Boys & Girls Club of America’s overall Youth of the Year.

The selected member will serve as ambassador for the club youth and be a voice in the community.

To compete for the Youth of the Year, each member has to write three essays, answer a variety of questions, go through an interview process as well as make a speech. Sarah said she wasn’t nervous because the club has helped her prepare for these things.

“The club has helped me develop my character and personality and they helped me a lot with my classes,” Sarah said. “I don’t think I’d be going to college without them.”

Sarah said she wants to go to the University of San Francisco and is curThe Capistrano Dispatch February 10-23, 2017

Free Speech Lecture at Marbella Country Club Capistrano Valley Republican Women, Federated is hosting an event on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Marbella Country Club featuring guest speaker Ariana Rowlands, President of the College Republicans at UC Irvine. Rowlands will talk about free speech on college campuses. The lecture begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $25 per person and includes a breakfast buffet.

Marbella Country Club is located at 30800 Golf Club Drive in San Juan. For reservations, call Stacy Reynolds at 714.267.5750 or email stacyreynolds@gmail.com.

Sarah Arce, a Dana Hills High School senior, was named 2016 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. Photo: Courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley

Deadline Extended for Housing Advisory Committee Applications

rently waiting to hear back about admission. —Kristina Pritchett

‘Night at the Oscars’ Returns to Regency Theatres Get ready for the red carpet, San Juan.

Local producer and director Robert Kline and producer Stephanie Heredia are once again inviting residents to attend their annual pre-Oscars celebration, “A Night at the Oscars,” on Thursday, Feb. 23. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Regency Theatres & Rick’s Café, located at 26762 Verdugo Street in downtown San Juan Capistrano, is set to host the evening of Oscar-nominated films, award predictions and a question and answer session. All attendees will receive a ballot to vote for their Oscars predictions.

Tickets are $15 at the door or can be purchased online for $16, which includes a purchasing fee. To purchase tickets, visit the theatre box office or go online at www.

The city is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the Housing Advisory Committee. The application deadline has been extended to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. Applications must be submitted at the City Clerk’s office, located at 32400 Paseo Adelanto. Appointed members will serve a term from April 1, 2017, through March 31, 2019.

The Housing Advisory Committee is charged with facilitating the mobile home rent control petition and hearing process regarding rent increases.

Applications are available on the city’s website at www.sanjuancapistrano.org and at the office of the City Clerk. For more information, contact the City Clerk at 949.493.1171.

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

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

Occurs every Wednesday. Visit www. farmersmarketsjc.com to find out more.

San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club

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

THURSDAY, FEB. 16

Special Parks, Recreation, Senior and Youth Services Commission Meeting

5:30 p.m. The city’s Parks, Recreation, Senior and Youth Services Commission meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

Coffee Chat

8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs every Friday at Hennessey’s Tavern, 31761 Camino Capistrano.

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

Utilities Commission Meeting

8 a.m. The city’s Utilities Commission meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

City Council Meeting

5 p.m. The city’s governing body meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

Trails and Equestrian Committee Meeting

6 p.m. The city’s Design Review Committee meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, FEB. 24

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Water is seen flowing through San Juan Creek during a Jan. 22 storm. Photo: Alex Paris

Water Resources Control Board Extends Emergency Restrictions, Will Reconsider in May County water board urged state to lift emergency water restrictions days before the vote

BY ERIC HEINZ, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

D

espite requests from water districts across the state to end California’s emergency water restrictions, the State Water Resources Control Board voted on Feb. 8 to maintain the current restrictions on water usage—put in place by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2014—for another 270 days.

The board also voted to revisit the issue in May to see what kind of water the state receives as the “rainy season” ends.

Many water district representatives throughout the state—including from the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)—spoke against the extension during the meeting, saying water levels at reservoirs and reserve amounts can sustain many of their clients through the next three years.

Record precipitation this late fall to winter and swelling reservoirs convinced the MWDOC board of directors to ask state water officials to end the state of emergency water restrictions. Prior to the state board’s vote on Wednesday, MWDOC sent out a press release on Feb. 6 announcing that its board unanimously passed a resolution to “urge” the state to lift the restrictions.

MWDOC officials argued the Sierra Nevada snowpack has measured at 173 percent of normal with an accumulated precipitation of 53.2 inches in Northern California, or 198 percent of normal, which is where most of Southern California’s water comes from, according to the release.

Jonathan Volzke, public information officer for MWDOC, said the data from the Department of Agriculture’s Drought Monitor had convinced board members that there is no longer a need for the emergency restrictions, as the state is no longer categorized as part of the moni-

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tor’s most extreme drought level. Volzke said the formula for the map is inclusive of many different drought factors including soil moisture and total rainfall.

“South Orange County receives most of its water from up north, and they’re having a record year of rain and snow, and that translates into water for Southern California,” Volzke said.

Wayne Osborne, president of the MWDOC board of directors, stated in a press release that it is imperative the state lift the restrictions soon because it erodes credibility of officials when it’s been raining as much as it has the past few months but restrictions exist.

“It defies logic to tell the public—to force water agencies to tell the public— that we are still in a drought emergency,” said Wayne Osborne, president of the MWDOC board of directors. “We remain in a drought, but it is no longer an emergency. Not only is it unnecessary, continuing the ‘emergency’ will destroy local leaders’ credibility with their stakeholders.”

According to the press release, the district stated it is important to maintain that credibility as Calfornia WaterFix and EcoRestore projects drive more drinking water to Southern California and enhance the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

“MWDOC (board of) directors on Monday cautioned residents to continue being water efficient, even as the emergency has passed,” the release stated. “Orange County residents continue to use about the same amount of water as they did two decades ago, although the population has increased by more than one million people.”

Editor’s note: Jonathan Volzke is the founder of The Capistrano Dispatch and was the editor of the publication until 2012. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor

PROPOSED CRITERIA FOR THE COUNCIL’S EVALUATION OF PLAYHOUSE PROPERTY BIDS —John Campbell, San Juan Capistrano Regarding the sale of the property at 31776 El Camino Real and 26874 Ortega Highway: The San Juan Capistrano City Council should select a bid that creates the maximum public benefit. Developing a framework of criteria, open and shared with the community, is the most objective way to do that. The following criteria are strongly aligned with public benefit: Adhere to the Historic Town Center Master Plan These properties are the gateway into town, and as such, should be developed in a way that is consistent with the Historic Town Center Master Plan, and be complementary to Mission San Juan. This site will become a source of civic pride for the city, enhancing the lives of our residents and visitors for generations to come. The project should

serve as a landmark highlighting the entry to downtown San Juan Capistrano.

Increase Parking The selected bid should provide significant additional parking spaces, not just for the use of the project, but to help ease the overall parking shortage in the town and enable the “park once” concept. Knowing that it will be fast and easy to find parking will make it more pleasurable to enjoy the many amenities of San Juan Capistrano.

Continue and Expand Commitment to the Performing Arts The selected bid should include a longterm commitment for a performing arts facility to enable broader public benefit. This would extend the heritage of the Camino Real Playhouse, which has been operating on this site for 26 years, and provide entertainment and education for thousands of local citizens and their children, as well as draw visitors from across Southern California.

Attract More People to Benefit Downtown Restaurants and Businesses The selected bid should include a combination of performing arts, a diverse set of retail, restaurant and commercial facilities, and public parking that strengthens our down-

town community and will draw residents and visitors to contribute to the city’s goal of a “lively 18-hour mixed environment.”

Demonstrate Financial Viability The selected bid should evidence strong financial viability during construction and initial occupancy, and should endure for years to come. Diversity of uses and flexible spaces will help ensure this. The selected bid should have a strong proposal for either a for-profit or a non-profit 501(c)3 operating structure for the performing arts component to assure its success. Projects should be rated on long-term financial public benefit to the city of San Juan Capistrano and surrounding businesses.

FAVORITISM APPARENT IN ISSA CONFERENCE CALL —Mary Michel Green, San Clemente I live in San Clemente, and I vote. I am neither a registered Democrat nor Republican, but a “decline to state a party” voter.

I signed up to participate in Representative Darrell Issa’s last two constituent telephone town halls. On Monday, Jan. 30, I answered their phone call on the first ring and pressed “3” to ask him a question immediately. Throughout the one-hour call, he repeatedly kept advising listeners to press the buttons and ask questions, strongly implying that lines were open, despite the fact that I was waiting. The same thing happened in the meeting last fall. Almost all the callers who are let through seemed to be Republicans, and a number congratulated him on his election victory. The one caller who appeared to be opposed to Mr. Issa politically, someone from Dana Point, was interrupted several times by Rep. Issa in a rude, dismissive tone before he could get a sentence out.

Rep. Issa claims he hasn’t had an in-person constituent town hall in his district since 2009 because that one cost the taxpayers $50,000 and he can hold the telephone town hall from Washington for $100 to save us money. If he acted in good faith and took all calls received, I wouldn’t argue with it. But it is just an excuse to avoid honest communication with voters.

This is authoritarian behavior not worthy of the U.S. government, which should be for all the people, not just some.

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.

Correction In the Jan. 27 edition of The Capistrano Dispatch, the main photo on page 5 of the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Rising” article was captioned incorrectly. The photo is of Sean Fitzgerald, 16, of Laguna Niguel.

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

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

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

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

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick OPERATIONS

City Editor, DP Times > Kristina Pritchett

Finance Director > Mike Reed

City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

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

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 15, Issue 3. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

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

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

FOLLOW THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

supplies are included as well as instruction from Laurie Miller. San Clemente Art Supply. 1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.369.6603. www.scartsupply.com.

Sunday | 12 GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park.

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

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/caspers.

EDITOR’S PICK Photo: File

SATURDAY, FEB. 18: KIDS’ PET PARADE 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The annual Fiesta Association Kids’ Pet Parade invites children ages 5-12 to show off their favorite animals in contests for best team costume (owner and pet), best domestic pet, best exotic pet, best farm animal and best bird. A special “judge’s choice” prize will be awarded, and the winner will have a chance to march in the Swallows Day Parade. There is a $5 entry fee, and entrants are asked to fill out an application beforehand, available at www.swallowsparade.com/kidspet.html. Rain date is Feb. 25. Los Rios Park. 31747 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1976.

The List

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

Friday | 10 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.

LIVE COMEDY: TIM LEE 8 p.m. Tim Lee’s show is a creative blend of stand-up comedy and science. Before trying comedy, Lee was a trained biologist with a Ph.D. in ecology and evolution. Lee is currently featured on the Science Channel’s show How Do They Do It. Admission is $20 for adults, $9 for students. Show also runs Saturday, Feb. 11. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC: YÄCHTLEY CRËW 9 p.m. “Yacht rockers” Yächtley Crëw plays a selection of soft rock hits from the ’70s and ’80s at StillWater Spirits & Sounds. The “Titans of Soft Rock” will play hits from Toto, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, Hall & Oates and more. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www. danapointstillwater.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch February 10-23, 2017

BEND AND BREW 11:30 a.m. iHeartYoga holds a Bend & Brew session at Left Coast Brewing Company’s tasting room in San Clemente.

It’s a one-hour yoga class followed by a pint of beer. Admission $10. 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.363.3152. www.iheartyoga.com.

Tuesday | 14

Saturday | 11 SUP YOGA 8-9:30 a.m. Join iHeartYoga and a group of waterborne yogis at WestWind Sailing for a yoga and paddle workshop. This workshop is for all skill levels, including beginners. Cost is $35 with board rental, and $25 if you bring your own board. 34452 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. 949.363.3152. www.iheartyoga.org.

GARDENING CLASS: ORCHIDS 9 a.m. Stop by Armstrong Garden Center for a class on cultivating orchids. Orchids add beauty and elegance to any home.

Learn how easy taking care of orchids can be from Armstrong’s gardening team. No registration required. 32382 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.6666. www.armstronggarden.com.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. A day of live music kicks off with Dalton Gang at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Rob Staley Band at 8:30 p.m. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

PAINT & SIP 7-9:30 p.m. Sip on your favorite beverage and enjoy the 2.5-hour workshop, which is designed to help participants tap into their intuitive and creative sides. This month’s class will result in abstract pieces. Bring your own beverage, and glasses will be provided. Class is $45, and all painting

TINY TOTS: PARENT AND ME PROGRAM AT THE OCEAN INSTITUTE 9-10:15 a.m. Children ages 2 and 3 and their parents are invited to the Ocean Institute to explore shapes, colors, textures and more with the sea star. Program runs on six successive Tuesdays until Feb. 21. Each session includes exploration, an animal encounter and an activity. Cost is $30 for a single drop-in class and $150 for the full series.

24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at

THE DISH

The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

VALENTINE’S DAY AT IVA LEE’S 7-10:30 p.m. A three-course chef’s menu blends with live music from Blue Largo, an upbeat swing band. Reservations are recommended. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

KARAOKE AT GOODY’S 8 p.m. Karaoke every Tuesday night at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente.

206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Wednesday | 15 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.

KARAOKE AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 7 p.m. Sing karaoke, imbibe and eat free popcorn at The Swallow’s Inn’s karaoke night with Bobby and Joel. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

MIXOLOGY UNIVERSITY 7 p.m. Every Wednesday, Waterman’s Harbor bartenders and mixology experts teach guests how to make the restaurant’s

SOBREBARRIGA.

E

ven if you’re not from Colombia, even if you spell it with a “u,” and even if you couldn’t pick it out on a map, you’ll probably still feel at home at La Colombiana.

That’s because the restaurant is no bigger than a living room, and it feels like one too.

Brightly colored walls and cozy chairs invite, while the clang of the open kitchen feels like aunts and uncles preparing Sunday dinner.

Conversation with the waiters is easy, and most importantly, the food has an assertively home-made quality and is served in the heaping portions grandma would pile on your plate.

The sobrebarriga with salsa criolla is a fine example of what La Colombiana can do. It’s a traditional Colombian dish that calls for slow-cooking a traditionally tough flank steak until it pulls apart like carnitas.

It’s simmered in the salsa criolla—peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin and

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other spices—and served with rice, potato, yucca and an arepa, a slightly sweet, rich and doughy flatbread. The yucca is starchy and has that hallucinogenic zip, but blends with the criolla to create a unique bite. The long-grain rice stars on its own, and carries interluding forkfuls between the many options on the plate.

La Colombiana 1640 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.441.7656

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT cocktails. Guests will have the opportunity to make and taste three cocktails.

Event is $25. Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

FREE COMEDY AT MOLLY BLOOM’S 9:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Molly Bloom’s with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com.

Thursday | 16 CASA UP CLOSE: TIMOTHY J. CLARK AND JANET BLAKE 7-8 p.m. Stop by for an intimate talk about the history of the California water color art movement with Janet Blake and Timothy J. Clark. Blake is the Curator of Historical Art at Laguna Art Museum.

Clark is an accomplished painter whose work resides in permanent collections of the Smithsonian/National Portrait Gallery, the City Museum of New York, and the Library of Congress Works on Paper.

Admission is $12 for the general public, $10 for Casa members. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

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, Suite E, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Friday | 17 LIVE MUSIC: THE CHRIS ANDERSON GROUP 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from The Chris Anderson Group at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC: FELISHA 8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Felisha at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

Saturday | 18 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 9 a.m. Stop by Armstrong Garden Center for a class on the basics of gardening. No registration required. 32382 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.6666. www.armstronggarden.com.

FUN FINDING MUSHROOM FUNGI WALK 9 a.m.-noon. Explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms with amateur mycologist Joanne Schwartz at The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and free for members. Reserve your spot ahead of time.

28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

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

At the Movies: ‘The Comedian’ Misses the Jokes

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

R

obert De Niro: the man, the legend.

The Hollywood actor began his career working with prolific filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Brian de Palma, Francis Ford Coppola and Sergio Leone in the 1970s.

He won two Oscars, one for The Godfather, Part II (1974) and one for Raging Bull (1980), and he continued to prosper creatively for the next two decades. Then, around 2000, he switched to primarily making comedies.

Then around 2010, he started making mediocre comedies with the rare decent dramedy in between them.

His new indie feature, The Comedian, from director Taylor Hackford, is a bit of both mediocrity and light drama. A once-relevant, crude insult comedian named Jackie Burke (De Niro) is doing community service as part of his sentence for assaulting a crowd heckler during a stand-up gig. While attempting to get his career back on track,

Page 9

Robert De Niro as Jackie Burke and Leslie Mann as Harmony Schiltz. Photo by Alison Cohen Rosa, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Jackie begins a courtship with a woman who is also doing community service, Harmony Schiltz (Leslie Mann).

The cast includes a bunch of big names like Edie Falco, Danny DeVito, Patti LuPone, Charles Grodin, Billy Crystal and Harvey Keitel. The Comedian once again asks the perplexing question: Why are movies about comedians rarely ever genuinely funny?

There are literally no funny jokes or gags here. The characters are all unlikable and the relationships barely make any sense. Not even De Niro and Keitel reuniting on screen can save the lack of quality. The Comedian isn’t exactly Dirty Grandpa (2016) bad, but it’s not The King of Comedy (1983) good either. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

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

Murder, Mystery and Mayhem Need and Appreciation Are Keys The Juan Flores Gang and the Barton Massacre of 1857

M

urder, mystery and mayhem are all part of the folklore of San Juan Capistrano. This particular tale begins in January 1857. On the east side of El Camino Real—next to the rest rooms at the Historic Town Center Park—once stood the store of Michael Kraszewski.

Three men, one a nephew of Juan Avila, came into the store. Two of the men looked at a gun and took the gun outside to see how it would shoot, while Juan Flores stayed in the shop. Noticing Flores’ frayed coat, Kraszewski offered him some needle and thread.

The three left and Kraszewski realized that they had not paid for the gun. So, he took off after them. He caught up with them as they headed back to his store and, thinking that they were returning to pay for the gun, he welcomed them. But the men signaled for the rest of their gang, and Kraszewski was fortunate to be able to shut and bar the door of his store with the help of a friend before they came in.

However, the gang began to ram the door.

Kraszewski hid with a big basket over his head and his friend fled out the back door.

The gang broke the door down. They never discovered Kraszewski, but looted the rest of the shop. Kraszewski was frightened and, after making sure the gang had left, he went to hide at the home of Don Juan Forster at the Mission.

But the gang had not left. Later that night they returned to San Juan Capistrano. Reasons vary, but one tale is that Flores wanted to see his girlfriend, who worked for another shopkeeper, Thomas Burruel. The girlfriend, Chola Martina, had a shawl in a pawn shop owned by George Pflugardt down the street from the Avila Adobe. The shop also contained many guns and ammunition, which the gang needed. Martina was able to signal the gang and they shot and killed Pflugardt. After raiding the shop, they left

again. The entire town was scared and frightened.

Word was sent to the Sheriff of Los Angeles, James Barton. He immediately formed a posse to go after the Juan Flores Gang. The gang was clearly armed and dangerMOMENTS IN TIME ous, and the Sheriff and

By Jan Siegel his men rode right into a trap. The posse was quickly surrounded by the gang and gunned down at very short range. Sheriff Barton was among the men who were killed. A few posse members were able to escape and made their way back to Los Angeles. The posse then formed two groups—one went back to return the bodies to Los Angeles, and the other went after the Flores Gang.

It took over a month, but Juan Flores was eventually caught and hanged. He was 22 years old.

You can spend a “Moment In Time” and learn more about the Juan Flores uprising and the Barton Massacre by attending the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society semiannual meeting on Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at the San Juan Community Center.

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.

The 14th annual San { IN S A N JUAN } Juan Capistrano Rotary Car Show took place at the Sports Park on Feb. 4 and featured more than 400 hot rods, muscle cars, classics, cruisers and vintage autos. For a full photo slideshow, visit www. thecapistranodispatch.com.

SCENE

Photo: Alex Paris

The Capistrano Dispatch February 10-23, 2017

to Improving Relationships

I

have a friend in Orange County named Christine Baumgartner. I’ve known Christine for years. She is a relationship counselor and expert on dating and relationships.

In response to a newsletter I had written, Christine made a comment about what attracts men to women, which she based on comments her male coaching clients had shared with her over the years.

She wrote, “The part women don’t understand are two very important elements for a man to be attracted to a woman.

“1. Men need to be able to provide for a woman. They need women to need them for some things, such as financial assistance, or using a man’s knowledge, or providing physical help.

The way women can allow for a man to provide for them is to ask for his help. Ask for help regarding things you don’t know how to do. Ask for his help if it would be easier for you if he did it instead. Ask for his input if you’d like to get another opinion. Ask for his help if you’d like to spend more time with him.

“2. Men need us to appreciate them. And if men are able to provide for us, this gives us as women ample opportunities to say ‘thank you’ to them for their help.

“The way to show men appreciation is once a man has helped you, tell him how happy his help made you. Tell him what a benefit his help made in your life. Tell him you enjoyed being able to count on his help.

“And the benefit to the woman for doing this is the man will want to do even more things for you to receive more thanks. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Christine added that these two elements do not mean that women shouldn’t be selfsufficient or somewhat independent. She said, “Men are very attracted to women who

are independent thinkers and passionate about the things they are good at, and who can take care of many parts of their lives.”

I think Christine’s comments about these two elements are very significant. People like to ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 feel appreciated.

By Tom Blake Appreciation is the heart and soul of volunteer work. It’s the reward that volunteers feel in donating their time and effort.

Lately, I have heard from two people who volunteered for two South Orange County charities, but resigned because the leaders of those charities were not appreciative of the volunteers.

Another friend just resigned from the Peace Corps. The reason: lack of appreciation.

To learn more about Christine Baumgartner’s thoughts on how to improve your relationships including letting men fill the need to help their partners, and to express appreciation for that, visit her website at www.theperfectcatch.com or contact her via email: christine@theperfectcatch.com.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating.

See his websites at www.findingloveafter50. com; www.vicsta.com and www.travelafter55. com. To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com or email at 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.

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:

Page 11

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

St. Margaret’s held a signing day for six student-athletes on Feb. 1. Photo: Courtesy

National Signing Day in San Juan COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

ebruary 1 marked the date that student-athletes across the country competing in certain sports could finally declare their college of choice by signing their National Letters of Intent.

The Feb. 1 signing date is limited to players competing in football, soccer and boys water polo, but most high schools in the area hold ceremonies for all athletes that have committed.

At San Juan Hills, JSerra Catholic and St. Margaret’s Episcopal, dozens of athletes took part in signing day ceremonies.

The day was a historic one at San Juan Hills, as the relatively new high school celebrated its largest class of college-bound student-athletes in its 10-year history. 16 student-athletes took part in the day’s festivities.

Other notable NLI signees include Richard Wagner, a San Juan resident that played quarterback at Santa Margarita.

Wagner is committed to play for Cornell.

Here is a list of all the San Juan Capistrano-based student-athletes that took part in signing day ceremonies.

San Juan Hills Madi Mercer (Volleyball), Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Phia Bellizi (Volleyball), Wesleyan University; Mikayla Arimura (Volleyball), Johnson & Wales; Hannah Miller (Lacrosse), Rockhurst University Missouri; Bahram Talle (Golf) UC Riverside; Tina Christie (Equestrian), Texas A&M; Brady Bjorkman (Football), Drake University; Sophie Grigaux (Track & Field), Washington University in St. Louis; Julia Uhl (Soccer), Marymount California University; Marissa DeStefani (Soccer), Cal State Chico; Alexandra Tomich (Soccer) Concordia University Wisconsin; Rylee Hanes (Soccer) Missouri University of Science and Technology; Dani Satterwhite (Soccer), UCLA; Isabella Bellinghausen Page 12

San Juan Hills’ Brady Bjorkman and Tina Christie sign NLI on Feb. 1. Photo: Courtesy

(Soccer), UCLA; Micah J. Ray (Track & Field), Roanoke College; Jenna Bowman (Swimming), Swarthmore College.

JSerra Catholic Nick Callen (Football), Chapman University; Hayden Carter (Football), MIT; Ryan Hickey (Football), University of Puget Sound; Riley O’Brien (Football), Penn; Zelan Tupuola (Football), Fresno State University; Julie Doyle (Soccer), Santa Clara; Nicole Font (Soccer), Concordia University; Samantha Hobert (Soccer), Arizona State.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Nick Amoukhteh (Football), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Kevin Caruana (Lacrosse), Colorado College; Tyler Horgan (Basketball), Chapman University; George Krantz (Football), University of Chicago; Nick Krantz (Football), Washington University in St. Louis; Auston Locke (Football), University of San Diego; Cameron Manor (Lacrosse), United States Military Academy; Anne Otterbein (Soccer), Emory University; Elise Talley (Tennis), Swarthmore College. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

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PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

OBITUARY

Robert “Bob” Weatherford Moore February 7, 1924 - January 27, 2017

Beloved Father of Barbara Eatinger, Donnajean Moore, Tina Van Divier, Robert Moore Jr.; loving Grandfather to 6 grandchildren, Great Grandfather to 9 children.

Bob was born in Dallas, Texas and moved to California in 1941. He married June French in 1942, and went off to war serving in the Pacific.

After WWII, he worked in furniture sales/management for several larger firms in the western United States while living in the San Fernando Valley. He later owned two furniture manufacturing plants when he moved to Dana Point.

Elected to SCWD, he served on the board for 13 years. He was very involved in the City of Dana Point and honored as the Citizen of the Year 2000, as well as the Founder’s Day Honoree 2006. Being a giving and energetic person he volunteered in many areas of service to the city. Bob was Past Commander of the VFW Post 9934 and American Legion Post 222 in Laguna Beach where he was also part of the COPS program for the Laguna Beach Police Department.

In his 40 years at South Shores Church, he was a Deacon and an usher plus serving in other areas.

He loved the people of South Shores Church as they were also his family.

The Capistrano Dispatch February 10–23, 2017

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

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

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

Page 13

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Hendricks’ Homecoming Chicago Cubs breakout star Kyle Hendricks honored by high school alma mater

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

s Kyle Hendricks stood at the center of the court in Capistrano Valley High School’s gym, the memories began to flood back into his mind.

He was being awarded the school’s Spirit of the Cougar award, an honor doled out to accomplished students and alumni.

After Hendricks’ unbelievable 2016 season as a pitcher for the World Series champion Chicago Cubs, it’s easy to see why he was selected to be honored before the Cougars’ home basketball game on Feb. 3.

But Hendricks wasn’t thinking about his start in the seventh game of the World Series, a game in which he helped his team erase a 3-1 series deficit and break a 108year old title drought. Nor was he thinking about the All-Star batters he baffled on his way to claiming the ERA title in just his second full year in the MLB. Hendricks was instead thinking about where it all started, which was the baseball diamond located just a few long tosses from the back door of the gym he was standing in.

“It feels like I was here yesterday,” Hendricks, a 2008 Capo Valley grad, said. “All this has happened so quick for me.”

Hendricks grew up on the ballfields of Southern California. The weather, and his love of the game, ensured that he could play year-round. He began playing in Dana Point Little League and eventually joined the storied program led by longtime coach Bob Zamora at Capo Valley.

Hendricks grew into a two-sport standout in high school, playing both golf and baseball.

He became known on the diamond for his poise and mental approach to the game, and rose to become the team’s top pitcher his senior year.

But Hendricks, a San Juan Capistrano native, was not a hot prospect his senior year, despite being the Cougars’ ace. He had a fastball that hung around in the low-to-mid 80s, and wasn’t the can’t-miss arm on the Capo Valley staff that drew attention of Major League scouts. That distinction belonged to Tyler Matzek, a junior hurler who lit up radar guns that went on to become a first-round draft selection in 2009.

After a solid senior year, in which he led the Cougars in wins and innings pitched,

The Capistrano Dispatch February 10-23, 2017

Kyle Hendricks waves to the Capo Valley crowd while accepting the Spirit of the Cougar award. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Capo Valley principal Josh Hill, right, presents the Spirit of the Cougar award to Kyle Hendricks before a basketball game on Feb. 3. Photo: Steve Breazeale

the low-profile Hendricks was picked by the Angels in the 39th round of the draft to little fanfare.

Rather than go straight to the MLB Hendricks instead chose to attend Dartmouth.

The Ivy League and college atmosphere allowed Hendricks to hit his stride.

His 2011 season at Dartmouth ended up being Hendricks’ breakout collegiate year. He went 5-3 as a starter, pitched 62 innings and compiled a 2.47 ERA. He was named first-team All-Ivy League and was Dartmouth’s pitcher of the year.

“I happened to be a late bloomer, and in college I started to develop a little bit more and found my path,” Hendricks said.

After three years of college, Hendricks reentered the draft and was taken by the Texas Rangers in the eighth round.

The Rangers traded Hendricks and another prospect to the Cubs for aging starter Ryan Dempster in 2012. Four years later, and every Cubs fan from Wrigleyville to Logan Square can look back on the trade and chuckle at the fortune.

Hendricks made his MLB debut in 2014, and after a middling 2015 season, broke out in a big way last year. He went 16-8 as a starter, tossing a career-high 190 innings, led the league in ERA (2.13) and finished third in the National League Cy Young Award voting, ahead of superstars like Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw.

Already a recognizable name amongst baseball fans, Hendricks became a national storyline during the Cubs’ magical postseason run.

Page 14

He allowed two hits, no walks and struck out six over 7 1/3 shutout innings against the Dodgers in Game Six of the National League Championship Series.

When manager Joe Maddon replaced Hendricks on the mound he left to a raucous standing ovation from the Wrigley faithful.

The Cubs won the game 5-0 and punched their ticket to the World Series. Hendricks appeared twice in the Fall Classic but did not factor into a decision.

Hendricks’ calling card has always been that he is cerebral, a thinker and student of the game. He’s earned the nickname “The Professor” as a result, and the only flashy thing about Hendricks on the mound is his results.

For much of his baseball life, he was able to fly under the radar, but that’s not possible anymore.

He said whenever he walks anywhere in Chicago these days, he gets stopped by a fan looking to connect and tell him a story of how much the team’s win meant to them or their family.

That same scenario played out outside the Capo Valley gym on Friday night. Hendricks waved to the crowd inside one last time, and headed for the exit, flanked by his former coach. Outside, he was stopped by a dozen fans and took the time to smile for selfies and sign autographs for anyone who wanted one.

It’s now all part of life for the player who has emerged as a full-fledged star.

“It’s pretty overwhelming when you think about it. To come back, being honored and have all these people getting up and clapping for me, it’s a lot but it’s very humbling,” Hendricks said. “It’s all changed, but it’s all for the positive.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com