DPT 11/03/2023 by Dana Point Times

NOVEMBER 3-9, 2023 | VOLUME 16, ISSUE 44

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

Ocean Institute to

U S E

Welcome ‘Hōkūle’a’ GETTING OUT/ PAGE 14

Surf Culture Abounds in Dana Point SURF/ PAGE 26

Reclaiming Runoff Officials Look to Address Water Quality Concerns at Poche Beach E Y E O N D P / PA G E 3

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County and local officials are looking to construct a water reclamation plant to divert runoff from the Prima Deshecha watershed before it reaches Poche Beach. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

Dana Point Resident Grows Gigantic Pumpkin EYE ON DP / PAGE 4

Homeslice Offers Shareable Plates Through Playful Italian Menu

DHHS Football Captures 1st Outright League Title SPORTS / PAGE 21

EYE ON DP/ PAGE 3

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Officials Look to Construct Water Reclamation Project at Poche Beach BY BREEANA GREENBERG

s Poche Beach was once again included in Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer” list, county and local officials are looking to construct a water reclamation project to divert runoff from reaching the beach. Poche Beach, located on the border of Capistrano Beach and San Clemente, received an F for its wet weather grade from the environmental nonprofit, which evaluates amounts of fecal indicator bacteria that represent a potential health risk to beachgoers. Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley noted that as soon as she saw Heal the Bay’s latest report released this past June, she thought, “How can we get this fixed?” The project will “eliminate runoff discharges to Poche Beach during dry weather to protect the beach water quality and provide regulatory compliance from bacteria standards,” said Foley, who added that it also aims to set up Poche with a better grade in future Heal the Bay report cards. The project will reclaim 350- to 500-acrefeet of water per year, the equivalent of

175 to 250 Olympic-sized swimming pools, Foley explained. “It’s a cleaning of water and eliminating the bacteria from going into the ocean, but it’s also reclaiming water, 175- to 250-Olympic-sized swimming pools’ worth, so dry weather runoff for local water supply,” Foley said. In March, Congressman Mike Levin, who represents California’s 49th Congressional District that covers much of South Orange County and North San Diego County, submitted a $5 million federal funding request for the water reclamation project as a part of the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding package. However, the House bill has set aside $959,752 for the project, pending approval, according to Levin’s office. In the request, Levin noted that the project would provide “diversion and advanced treatment to upcycle runoff from the 4,500-acre Prima Deshecha watershed and provide high-quality recycled water and protect beach water quality.” In a statement, Levin explained that the funds would protect local beaches by improving water quality and diverting

County and local officials are looking to construct a water reclamation plant to divert runoff from the Prima Deshecha watershed before it reaches Poche Beach. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

sewage runoff. “I have worked hard to keep our beaches clean, and this project is another step towards that goal,” Levin said.“The funding is currently being considered in the House of Representatives, and I will continue to advocate for its approval.” As the project awaits funding from Congress, no estimated timeline was available.

When reached for comment on the matter, county staff referred Dana Point Times to the City of San Clemente. A representative from the city’s utilities department had not responded to a request for comment as of press time.

Homeslice Offers Shareable Plates Through Playful Italian Menu BY BREEANA GREENBERG

fter years in the making, Homeslice is open in the heart of Dana Point, where it’s offering a unique take on Italian cuisine. The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce welcomed the city’s newest restaurant into the local business community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Oct. 30. The restaurant aims to emphasize a sense of community in the Lantern District, offering patrons a variety of unique shareable plates. Co-owners Max Fisher and Kegan Neall said they envisioned a space for friends to gather, share dishes and feel at home. “Homeslice is a bit of home,” Fisher said. “It’s a place to share and enjoy good times. It’s kind of our new slogan.” Fisher added that the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Marc Sullivan, “created a really good menu that’s designed around sharing.” “All of our menu items are portioned and cut and served kind of appetizer-style, so couples can come in and get three or four items, mix it up, have some steak, have some salad, have some gnocchimis and

Dana Point Times November 3-9, 2023

enjoy everything shared,” Fisher said. Fisher noted that three weeks after opening, the restaurant’s pizzas seemed to be the crowd favorite. Acknowledging that there are several neighboring pizzerias in town, Fisher said Homeslice’s pizzas are unique and that the varied menu offers patrons a different culinary experience. Neall said Homeslice aims to be a “light, unique, fun, welcoming take on Italian food.” “All of our dishes are playful, they’re inspired, and really tried to hone in on the ingredients and the taste so that we can appeal to a broad range of people, but also just keep it light and really focus on the taste and the flavor and the shareability of all the dishes,” Neall said. When the partners, Max and his father, Richard Fisher, and couple Sasha and Kegan Neall, envisioned Homeslice, Neall said they envisioned a space where all the tables were joined together with patrons eating “community-style.” Despite the separate tables, however, Neall noted that the space still offers a community environment.

(From left) Homeslice’s Chef de Cuisine, Marc Sullivan, and co-owner Max Fisher celebrate the restaurant’s opening and share a taste of the unique menu, which emphasizes sharing dishes among friends. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

As a local, Neall said the restaurant’s concept of unity and the location in the town center “dive even more deeply into this sense of home, and place and is really important to me.” During the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday afternoon, Dana Point Mayor Mike Frost noted that a few years after his family first moved to the Lantern District in 2009, he was excited to see Fisher take over a former Starbucks location to launch The Shwack Beach Grill. Page 3

“For me, I know we hadn’t started the downtown, but for me, that was my first example from a business investment perspective, enthusiasm, effort,” Frost said. “I walked over and, Max, you were doing your own interior trim.” “From a resident perspective, I was so excited for you, because I felt, ‘Boy you don’t necessarily want change, but you want en-

(Cont. on page 4) danapointtimes.com

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Dana Point Resident Grows Gigantic Pumpkin BY BREEANA GREENBERG

ongtime Dana Point resident Gary Tovey began growing pumpkins as a fun activity with his kids. As each year passed, though, he found that he became more serious about the hobby. This year, Tovey is celebrating his hobby reaching a new height, as he grew his largest pumpkin ever, almost double the size of the pumpkin he grew last year, at 1,380 pounds. The colossal pumpkin even placed fourth in the Irvine Park Railroad Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off this past September. The secret to growing the massive pumpkin, Tovey said, came down to having lots of space to let the plant grow, as well as family support. “It does take a lot of time and space,” Tovey said. “One pumpkin plant can be 1,000 square feet, so a lot of space, really good soil, a lot of fertilizer, a lot of water and sun.” With so much information and resources available online, Tovey said it’s easy to get started. “You don’t have to start with a lot,” Tovey said. “You can start with a smaller area and grow something and then every year, in my case, you just want to do more and more, and you can grow and learn and learn.” “We had a new grower this year. His first year was over 1,000 pounds,” Tovey continued. “I didn’t do that for eight years. The amount of information is so much better that a new grower can get started and do it well.” Tovey added that in an attempt to grow an even bigger pumpkin last year, his family opened up more growing space in their backyard, tearing up the concrete to put down roots. “My wife let me dedicate more space to it, so that’s why the big jump in size,” Tovey said. “But still, seeing it get bigger and bigger and that mid-season it was already passed my biggest ever, it was really surprising at that point that it was getting so big.” When it comes to the hobby of growing

giant pumpkins, living in Dana Point has advantages and disadvantages, Tovey said. “The disadvantages are the farther north you are, your days are longer to get more light, so the biggest pumpkins come from Oregon, Washington, farther north,” Tovey said. “Also, we have a disadvantage here in Dana Point, because our May and June are pretty cool; you need more warmer temperatures to get the plant going. So, we’re never going to compete against the giant ones that come from other places.” In the Irvine Park Railroad Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, competitors come from all over Southern California “An advantage (to growing in Dana Point), we don’t get too hot,” Tovey said. “Some locations inland, if it gets over 90 degrees, they have to start shading them and a lot of other problems. So it’s pluses and minuses where we’re at.” Tovey added that he didn’t always intend to compete when he began growing pumpkins. He recalled meeting another local who was deep in the giant pumpkin-growing community and was looking to get more people interested in the hobby. “He had seminars at a nursery in Irvine,” Tovey said. “I went just one time to kind of learn the basics, and once I did a few times, I got hooked. It’s a fun thing to do, the whole process.” Pumpkins can be very temperamental, Tovey said, noting that this year’s giant pumpkin almost didn’t happen. “I started at the beginning of the season with three separate plants; each one was going to get about a third of the space, and what happens a lot in growing these things is that they’re very temperamental,” Tovey said. “Two of them got diseases and died, so I was left with just the one plant, hoping it would get one to the end, and it happened to do that.” “That happens a lot for growers,” Tovey continued. “So most growers will grow multiple, and one pumpkin will produce

(Homeslice Cont. from page 3)

Frost noted that the Lantern District has flourished with new businesses opened by locals, highlighting Dana Point Ale House owner Christian Goodman; the Winklers, who own the former Dana Point Hotel site; HŌM owner Danielle Desimone; and Fisher and his partners, who live in the community as well. Fisher said the restaurant faced hurdles such as supply chain issues, staffing issues, and others, in the lead-up to opening.

thusiasm, you want effort,’” Frost continued. “Max and I were younger then, so it was really cool.” More than 10 years later, Frost said it was exciting to see Fisher continue to invest in the area as he opened his newest restaurant location that emphasizes community. “As a resident, gosh, that just makes me feel good,” Frost said. Dana Point Times November 3-9, 2023

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Dana Point resident Gary Tovey’s 1,380-pound pumpkin is available for neighbors to stop by and take a photo with on the 3300 block of Sea Knoll Drive. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

many pumpkins, but your goal is to cut all those off when they’re really small so that they don’t grow, and all of the juice, all the vigor, goes to the one that you want big.” Hauling the behemoth to the competition “takes a village,” Tovey said. “It’s a little bit of a ‘planes, trains and automobiles’ thing, because most growers, especially ones that do it competitively, have access to a location where they can drive vehicles right to the pumpkin, like if it’s on a farm.” Growing a pumpkin in his backyard presented unique challenges, Tovey said. “This year was the first year that we couldn’t roll it out on a dolly down the side of our house; it wouldn’t fit,” Tovey said. “So, it took several steps to get it there. You have to get it off the ground and on a dolly and get it across the yard so that the crane can pick it up.” “We have a homemade crane that gets it off the ground, and then you roll it across the yard, and this year, that’s where the crane came over to the house, picked it up, brought it over the house and put it into a truck,” Tovey continued. Each step was fraught with peril. Tovey noted that while he’s never dropped a pumpkin, he’s seen another grower’s homemade crane fail, dropping the giant

pumpkin. “They did lose one, so that’s heartbreaking and spectacular,” Tovey said. “It was a big splat.” Tovey noted that he had mixed feelings about placing fourth in the weigh-off competition. “This is the biggest I ever had by a lot, so right off the top I was super happy,” Tovey said. “What people bring to the contest every year varies. So you never know if people have problems and they fail, and they bring a small one.” “Some years, something like this year, the guy that won was 1,700 pounds, and that was probably one of the biggest we’ve ever had at our contest,” Tovey continued. “If I had my 1,380-pounder last year, I would have won. This year, I came in fourth, so it’s kind of luck of the draw what shows up.” Overall, Tovey added, he was proud he’d grown his biggest pumpkin yet. Usually, the Tovey family carves the massive pumpkins, Sandy Tovey, Gary’s wife, noted. However, because of the shape of this year’s pumpkin, the family was unsure if they were going to carve it. Carved or uncarved, the massive pumpkin is available for neighbors to stop by and take a photo with on the 3300 block of Sea Knoll Drive.

“We’re super excited to be finally open. It was a long haul for our whole team,” Fisher said. “Me and Kegan first started talking about doing a project together like four years ago, and COVID and all this stuff just kind of kept things pushed back, pushed back, pushed back.” “You name it, we had an issue with it,” Fisher said. “We’re finally here, and we’re so thrilled to serve our community.” As a Dana Point resident, Fisher said he

loves his commute and loves being able to watch his other business, Shwack, from across the street. “We have plans for that, to do some remodeling and developing,” Fisher said. “We’re super excited for the town center as a whole. Really good things are coming. The Winklers’ property is coming along. We’re thrilled to be a part of (the town center).” Homeslice is located at 24471 Del Prado, Suite D, Dana Point. danapointtimes.com

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Nov 4, 10:00 AM Mimi’s Café 18342 Imperial Hwy Yorba Linda

Nov 15, 10:00 AM Brea Community Center Meeting Room 695 Madison Way, Brea

Nov 28, 2:00 PM Black Bear Diner 1011 N Harbor Fullerton

Nov 6, 1:30 PM Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo

Nov 15, 2:00 PM Coco’s Bakery 23000 Lake Forest Dr Laguna Hills

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Ocean Institute Lecture Hall, Conference Center to Receive Facility Improvements

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

SATURDAY, NOV. 4

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

he Ocean Institute’s Samueli Lecture Hall and Conference Center is set to receive facility improvements including upgrades to the audio-visual equipment and the installation of air conditioning. The upgrades, including the recent installation of a new LED screen, are the result of a new partnership with the City of Dana Point. Through a single vote on routine items during its meeting on Sept. 19, the Dana Point City Council voted to approve the use of Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) fee funds for the improvements. In exchange, the Ocean Institute will provide occasional use of the center for city-related meetings at no charge. According to the staff report, the Ocean Institute’s existing technology is more than 20 years old and has become less reliable. As much of the marine education nonprofit’s events rely on audio-visual technology in the center, the Ocean Institute reached

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out to the city for support. “Ocean Institute is thankful to the city for its generous support to upgrade our facilities,” Ocean Institute President and CEO Wendy Leavell said in a media release. “With these improvements, visitors will enjoy a brilliant LED wall and an upgraded sound system, which will enhance our school and public programs,” Leavell said. “These upgrades will not only elevate our educational programming, but also will provide a major boost to our facility rentals.” The PEG fees used to support the technology upgrades are collected from AT&T California and Cox Communications, and generate roughly $120,000 for the city annually. In a media release, Mayor Mike Frost said the city was “excited about the opportunity to use PEG fee funds to assist the Ocean Institute in upgrading its audio-visual equipment.” “These improvements will enhance

10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system, and people dealing with cancer. To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or linda_crdv@ Ocean Institute officials enjoy a new LED screen in the Samueli Lecture Hall and Conference Center. Photo: Courtesy of the Ocean Institute

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TUESDAY, NOV. 7

visitors’ experience,” Frost continued. “The institute’s exceptional educational programming will allow them the ability to broadcast that programming on our local cable channel. This partnership will also allow the city to utilize the institute’s beautiful facility to host special meetings or events for a number of years.”

Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, substance misuse, disrespect), conducts its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video

Local Hotel Workers on Strike Reach Tentative Agreement with Laguna Cliffs

tiations, the press release said. Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, said in the release that the union is “proud to announce our latest settlement agreement that meets the needs of our members in wages and benefits. We are eager to begin a new chapter at Laguna Cliffs Marriott.” Laguna Cliffs Director of Sales and Marketing Sandy Chiu noted in an Oct. 26 email that details to the agreement are still under negotiation. “We are aware of reports surrounding a tentative agreement between UC Regents and L11; at this time, the particulars of the agreement are not being disclosed, as there are more details still to be negotiated,” Chiu said.

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

fter more than 100 days since hotel workers across the state went on strike in early July, a local union announced last week that it has reached a tentative agreement with Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point. On Oct. 25, the Unite Here Local 11 hotel workers union said it had reached a tentative agreement with the Dana Point hotel on behalf of striking workers, which focuses on “economic

issues that, upon ratification, will raise wages, strengthen pensions, and increase investments in health care.” In a press release, the local union noted that it believed the tentative agreement “respects workers and allows staff to focus on providing the highest standard of customer service to guests.” John A. Pérez, a former state assemblymember who had served as the Assembly Speaker, facilitated the nego-

City Seeks Local Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan

proactive strategies to reduce the risks associated with hazards such as floods, drought, wildfires, severe weather and other natural hazards and minimize their impact on the community. Residents looking to provide input on the plan can visit the city’s website to complete a survey. The city will also host an open house on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5:306:30 p.m. at the Emergency Operating Center, located on the first floor of Dana Point City Hall at 33282 Golden Lantern. The open house will include a brief presentation on the proposed hazard

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

s the City of Dana Point develops a local hazard mitigation plan, it is seeking resident input on goals and priority projects to mitigate the effects of potential disasters in the town’s future. The plan will develop actions and Dana Point Times November 3-9, 2023

conference and in person/Zoom the first Tuesday of each month at the Outlets at San Clemente’s Conference Room. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

Dana Point City Council 6 p.m. The Dana Point City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall. This meeting will also be livestreamed through the city’s YouTube channel. A link for livestreams and replays is available on the city’s website. Dana Point City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern

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mitigation plan, provide attendees the opportunity to take the survey and will have informational booths from Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Tri-Cities Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). Once completed, the city’s hazard mitigation plan will be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more information, residents can contact the Emergency Services Office at 949.248.3583 or email jshadle@ danapoint.org.

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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8

CUSD Board of Trustees 7 p.m. The governing board for the Capistrano Unified School District will meet to decide on local education matters. CUSD Headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. capousd.org.

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San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano Comment on Expansion of Nearby Landfill BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano—both of which neighbor the Prima Deshecha Landfill—voiced their perspectives on the landfill’s upcoming expansion late last week by submitting letters to Orange County Waste & Recycling (OCWR), the facility’s owner and operator. The comments come during the Notice of Preparation (NOP) period for the composition of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the proposed project, known as the Increase in Maximum Daily Operations at Prima Deshecha Landfill. The proposal would double the daily maximum tonnage Prima Deshecha receives, from 4,000 tons per day (TPD) to 8,000 TPD, and establish 36 days per year for allowing the landfill to receive more than its daily limit for various possible reasons. San Clemente expressed concerns related to impacts on air quality, hazardous materials, noise and more; San Juan Capistrano mentioned fire protection services, impacts to cultural resources significant to local Native American tribes, and traffic. Both cities broached overlapping topics and requested to be included in the phases of the expansion to come. “Given the project’s proximity to

(Forster Ranch and Talega), there is increased interest concerning the potential for these impacts to affect residents in these areas,” wrote Dave Rebensdorf, San Clemente utilities director. San Juan Capistrano Principal Planner Paul Garcia detailed four specific comments on behalf of the city, after a review of the NOP and the proposal’s Initial Study. The City of San Juan asked to be designated as a “Responsible Agency” for the project due to its proximity and potential need to issue permits. The city also requested the SEIR to further evaluate four topics, for specifications within the traffic study, and for analyses to assume that Los Patrones Parkway will be extended. Garcia wrote that the Initial Study didn’t contain substantial evidence that supported the conclusions that the project wouldn’t result in potentially significant impacts related to wildfire, and that the project wouldn’t add to the number or severity of impacts to public services and tribal cultural resources. Regarding the traffic study, Garcia included six requests: the calculation of the existing daily number of trips for the 4,000-TPD facility and the project-

San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano weighed in during another step of the public review process regarding the Prima Deshecha Landfill’s expansion. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

Dana Point Delegation Recaps Visit to Friendship City Sorrento BY BREEANA GREENBERG

As Dana Point looks to officially establish a sister city relationship with its current friendship city Sorrento, a local delegation that Mayor Mike Frost and Mayor Pro Tem Jamey Federico led shared thoughts on the trip after returning from the coastal Italian town in late-October. During the roughly weeklong visit, the delegation took part in meetings and events that local nonprofit Dana Point Sister Cities International Association organized with the goal of forming a sister city relationship between the two towns. The two signed a friendship agreement in January 2023 over a Zoom call. In a media release, Robert Zasa, president of the local sister cities nonprofit, Dana Point Times November 3-9, 2023

noted that the two coastal cities of Dana Point and Sorrento “share so many cultural and geographic similarities.” “Both seaside locations are popular with artists thanks to the landscape and beautiful natural lighting, which is why we encouraged an artistic exchange between Sorrento and Dana Point as part of the visit,” Zasa said. “There is also an historic link to the architecture in the city and some of the original developers who referenced Sorrento in their early Dana Point work.” The sister cities program looks to advance city diplomacy and facilitate collaborative cultural exchanges for the benefit of the two cities, according to Zasa. The delegation included Zasa and Page 8

ed number for 8,000 TPD; calculating LOS (length of service) to determine the how well vehicle traffic flows near various intersections in San Juan Capistrano; conducting a VMT (vehicle miles traveled) analysis; and identifying mitigation measures. For San Clemente, Rebensdorf wrote that the city requested additional discussion in the SEIR about findings classified as having “No Impact” or “Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures Incorporated.” Over roughly the past month, several developments related to the project have occurred, an increase in activity for the expansion of the landfill that the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved in January 2022. The board amended the Prima Deshecha Landfill General Development plan to include Zone 4 of the area’s five zones as operational, pushing the estimated closure date from 2050

to 2102. In late September, the board awarded an approximately $88 million contract to Sukut Construction for the Prima Zone 4 Phase A Mass Excavation and Liner Project. The project would consist of excavating close to 7 million cubic yards of dirt and rock and constructing a protective liner, in addition to other tasks. OCWR also hosted local residents for a public scoping meeting on the SEIR on Oct. 4, and the County of Orange Solid Waste Local Emergency Agency (LEA) published a notice on Oct. 17 regarding its acceptance of an application from OCWR. The document included proposed design and operational changes, such as adding a second on-off ramp to the facility, and was submitted to a corresponding Report of Facility Information.

Treasurer Judy Amiano, Board member Enzo Scognamiglio, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vickie McMurchie, representatives from the Dana Point Historical Society Keith and Barbara Johannes, Dana Point Arts Ambassador Karin Schnell, Assistant City Manager Kelly Reenders and local artists Mike Tauber and Dawn Buckingham. As Zasa noted, the cultural exchange featured an exhibit by Buckingham and Tauber, as well as fellow local artists Monica Edwards, David Kizziar, Fernando Micheli, and Cydette Vikander. Their artwork was highlighted in a display titled Dana Point—Sorrento Evocative Seascapes at the St. Francis’ Cloister in Sorrento. In the press release, Frost said he was “ excited to officially invite the Sorrento Mayor, Council, and staff to visit Dana Point this spring.” “After spending time in Sorrento, it is an honor to build upon the similarities of

our two regions and to further foster this relationship,” Frost said. Following the trip, the City of Dana Point announced that it will apply to establish a formal sister city agreement through Sister Cities International. Looking to further the cultural exchange amongst students in Dana Point and Sorrento, the nonprofit has also partnered with the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club to establish a pen pal program. That program between Dana Hills High School and Virgilio Marone High School went into effect this week. In the release, the City of Dana Point also announced that it planned to eventually create a student exchange program for high school and college students.

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EYE ON DP

REMEMBER: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

This Sunday, Nov. 5 marks the end of Daylight Saving Time - that time of year in which we “fall back,” theoretically “gaining an hour.” To prepare, move your clocks behind one hour before going to sleep on Saturday night, Nov. 4. Daylight Saving will ofﬁcially end at 2 a.m. on Sunday. NEWS NEXT DOOR:

Santa Margarita, City of San Juan Celebrate Restoration of Groundwater Plant’s Clearwell Tank BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

t was this past January when the roof support of the clearwell water tank at San Juan Capistrano’s Groundwater Recovery Plant gave way, requiring local officials to take it offline. “Why is that important?” asked Laura Freese, a member of Santa Margarita Water District’s governing board. “Well, this is the way we get our water from the aquifer, our local water, our groundwater, and so we needed to get it back up really fast.” Santa Margarita, which operates the plant as the town’s water utility agency, spent the next six months and roughly $1.8 million conducting repairs to the reservoir tank that holds about 320,000 gallons of drinking water. “Within six months, this was back up and online again, which is just incredible. It’s a miracle,” Freese said in front of the restored clearwell on Friday, Oct. 27. “While it was offline, we had to import 450 million gallons of water that cost us a lot more,” Freese added. “But the scarier part, really, is that we rely on our local water. Our local water right here—if there was a horrible natural crisis of some sort, and we couldn’t get imported water for a while, our local water here would let us survive for about a month.” Speaking to Dana Point Times, Chief Plant Operator Tim O’Neal echoed Freese’s comments on the “budgetary hit” the district took while the plant was offline because of the clearwell’s restoration. “The clearwell was down, and the whole plant had to be off,” he said. “We had to buy more water from Metropolitan Water (District) … the Metropolitan water is more expensive than the water that we produce here.” Officials with the water district and City of San Juan Capistrano, including Mayor Howard Hart and Councilmember John Campbell, joined Freese and members of the public at the plant last Friday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the tank’s completed refurbishment. “It’s up and running now. We’ve got drinking water galore,” said Freese, a former San Juan councilmember. “It’s beautifully cleaned up, and I wanted to have

Dana Point Times November 3-9, 2023

Officials with the City of San Juan Capistrano and the Santa Margarita Water District celebrate the completed refurbishment of the clearwell tank at the San Juan Capistrano Groundwater Recovery Plant on Friday, Oct. 27. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

this ribbon-cutting not only to thank everybody involved in getting this done so quickly, but also show you, the people of San Juan Capistrano, what the people of Santa Margarita Water District can do.” Addressing the plant’s future was Santa Margarita Board President Frank Ury, who explained that the plant, located near Descanso Park—where the Arroyo Trabuco and the San Juan creeks meet— was built in 2003 and is hitting a 20-year life cycle. “What we’re going to do, we’re going to take it from 2½ million gallons a day to 5 million gallons a day.” Ury said. “But what does that mean to you? It’s a really cool number. At the end of the day, think about it this way: in a year, what you’re going to do is you’re going to see a football field, a mile high of the water, produced by this plant.” According to O’Neal, who led guests of the ribbon-cutting on a tour of the

facility, the plant officially came online in 2006, was rebuilt in 2011 and has operated continuously since 2015. O’Neal said the effort to restore the clearwell was just one phase of a multistep process to refurbish other parts of the plant, including the sand separators and the wash water tanks. Those projects, he said, have all been budgeted for within the district’s capital improvement plans (CIP). Included in the CIP is a project to replace the plant’s reverse osmosis membranes, which are what clean the water before it ends up in the clearwell tank, O’Neal said. “The water goes into there, goes through the reverse osmosis membranes, comes out of it and the permeated water, that’s what we call the water leaving it— that is the water that’s been cleaned to sub-micron clean—and then from there, it exits this plant and then goes into the

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clearwell,” O’Neal said of the process. “This is the heart of the plant right here; this is pretty much where all the magic happens,” O’Neal added about the plant’s reverse osmosis room. O’Neal said the two trains, or units, that comprise the reverse osmosis system are in the process of being replaced. Don Bunts, the deputy general manager for Santa Margarita, said the price tag for each train’s replacement is $1 million. ‘ Train A, O’Neal said, is currently offline, while Train B is working to push about 2 million gallons a day of potable water. Replacing each train, he added, will take months. “We are working within the next year to have it replaced with a whole brandnew system, all brand-new membranes, all brand-new pumps and everything,” O’Neal said. “And then that’s going to double our capacity.” danapointtimes.com

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SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | The Levin Letter by Rep. Mike Levin

Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform Is Long Overdue. We Have Begun a New Conversation

ou wouldn’t know it from my last name, but I’m the grandson of Mexican immigrants on my mom’s side and a proud member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. A century ago, my mom’s parents came to the United States from Mexico as children. They didn’t have much money, a formal education or English fluency. What they did have was an incredible work ethic and the desire to make a better life in America for themselves and their children. While neither graduated from high school, they started a successful business and sent all five of their daughters, including my mom, to college. And now their youngest grandson is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. I only wish they had been alive to see me sworn in. I’ve seen firsthand the enduring promise of America, where young immigrants, despite limited means, can forge a path to prosperity, and I like to believe this promise is still alive today. However, in my conversations with constituents, local leaders, and colleagues in Congress, it’s clear that our immigration system is badly broken, threatening America’s welcoming spirit. This issue transcends partisan lines, and it would be simplistic to attribute it to any single administration or policy. In fact, the last time comprehensive, bipartisan immigration legislation was signed into law was in 1986 under President Reagan.

Today, Congress is stuck. Our outdated immigration laws are no match for 21st century challenges. It’s time for Congress to work together to fix our THE LEVIN LETTER BY broken system. REP. MIKE LEVIN Thankfully, there’s a new, bipartisan solution gaining steam in Congress. I am proud to support the Dignity for Immigrants while Guarding our Nation to Ignite and Deliver the American Dream (DIGNIDAD) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3599)—commonly referred to as the Dignity Act—the first bipartisan comprehensive immigration legislation introduced in the House in several years. This legislation, introduced by Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), is a serious effort to forge a bipartisan path forward on immigration. It comprises four core principles: providing a legal solution for undocumented immigrants living in America; comprehensively addressing border security challenges; strengthening our workforce and economy; and ensuring the United States remains competitive in the future. I’m glad to see this bipartisan bill gaining steam in Congress. When you read the polling, it’s clear the American people want such

solutions. In a recent poll, 82% of registered voters, including 80% of Republicans, said they agree on this: “As the U.S. works to restore order at the border, it is important that Republicans and Democrats work together to pass immigration reforms that address labor shortages and inflation, and protect people already here and contributing.” If we’re going to respond to the will of the American people, it’s essential that elected officials stop blameshifting and name-calling. We need to work together to find a bipartisan solution that honors our commitment to human dignity and keeps the American dream alive. With my Republican colleagues electing a new Speaker of the House, now is the time to put partisanship aside and work together to pass this bill. I continue to believe that when it comes to immigration reform or any other issue, we can still do big things when we work together. That’s the way to keep the American dream and welcoming spirit alive. U.S. Representative Mike Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. He was reelected for a third term in 2022 and resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and two children. . DP

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GETTING OUT

Editor’s Pick

The List What’s going on in and around town this week DANA POINT TIMES

FRIDAY | NOV. 3 FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday. Check out the produce, breads, cheeses, artisan craft vendors, and more. Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.364.1270. farmakisfarms.com. DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Mission will display its Día de los Muertos altar through Nov. 5 in the 18th century historic Sala. The space offers a place for those to remember their loved ones by placing their names on the Día de los Muertos altar, or ofrenda. Mission San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com. LINE DANCING FRIDAYS 10-11 a.m. Join Age Well Senior Services for line dancing every Friday at San Clemente’s senior center. No partner required. For a $5 donation, learn some easy and fun line dances to get you moving. Carrie Wojo teaches all over South Orange County and makes it easy to stay active and have fun. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. 949.498.3322. YOUTH PROGRAMMING AT THE NOBLE PATH FOUNDATION 4:30 p.m. The Noble Path Foundation hosts events multiple times a week to get youth and young adults out and about and participating in safe, productive activities. There will be an improv lesson from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and TGIF Night starting at 6 p.m.—the theme being video games on numerous consoles. The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.234.7259. thenoblepathfoundation.org. LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 6 p.m. Live music is featured at this popDana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

Photo Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

SATURDAY | NOV. 4: OCEAN INSTITUTE WELCOMES ‘HŌKŪLE’A’ 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute as it welcomes the 1975 Hōkūle’a vessel escorted by canoe clubs into the Dana Point Harbor. The vessel is a symbol of the Hawaiian cultural renaissance and pays homage to the Polynesian navigators who used stars, winds and natural signs to travel the Pacific Ocean. The vessel will be docked through the weekend for tours. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. investigator. Not only will your guide narrate the ghosts and legends of this historic town, but this tour offers you basic terminology and background of various paranormal theories. OC Ghosts & Legends exclusively has investigated many of SJC’s historical landmarks and has some wild evidence to share on your tour. General admission is $25. For children 10 and younger, admission is $17. Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. ocghostsandlegends.com/tours/ san-juan-capistrano/.

ular South Orange County venue. Fast Times will perform. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com. LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this San Clemente lounge known for its entertainment. Grooveswitch will perform. Iva Lee’s Restaurant & Lounge, 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.8255. ivalees.com. ‘BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE’ AT CABRILLO PLAYHOUSE 7:30 p.m. Watch a live performance of Bell, Book, and Candle at San Clemente’s hometown theater. The story follows a modern witch living in New York City who wrestles with the plight of losing her powers if she allows herself to fall in love. The show will run through Nov. 19, with showings at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $28. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. cabrilloplayhouse.org. SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK 7:30-9:30 p.m. Los Rios Street is the oldest occupied neighborhood in California. San Juan Capistrano is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world. Your tour will be hosted by an experienced/active paranormal

SATURDAY | NOV. 4 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com. DANA POINT FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. California farmers bring fresh produce to sell at the Dana Point Farmers Market, and craft vendors provide a large selection of art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, candles, handmade

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soaps and unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. It is strongly recommended that customers bring their own reusable bags. La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point. MINIS AND MIMOSAS ON THE SPA DECK 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Inna at the Mission San Juan Capistrano on its Spa Deck for a morning of complimentary relaxation and pampering. Indulge in chair massages, inhalation aromatherapy, and eye and lip treatments featuring its cutting-edge oxygen facial device, all while sipping on refreshing mimosas. Treat yourself to the ultimate spa experience—you deserve it. Inn at the Mission, 26907 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.503.5700. facebook.com/InnAtTheMissionSJC. FRIENDS OF THE DANA POINT LIBRARY HOLIDAY BOOK SALE 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Friends of the Dana Point Library will host its annual Holiday Book Sale, the nonprofit’s biggest fundraising event of the year in the library’s Community Room. The nonprofit will sell like-new books, cards, games and puzzles that have been donated. Funds raised during the holiday book sale help to provide new books, supplies and environmental amenities throughout the library, as well as programs for children, teens and adults, according to (Cont. on page 16) danapointtimes.com

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GETTING OUT

(Cont. from page 14) the Friends of the Dana Point Library. Dana Point Public Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point. 949.489.3956. VILLAGE ART FAIRE 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hosted by the San Clemente Downtown Business Association on the lawn of the San Clemente Library, the Village Art Faire offers a variety of work, including photography, fine art, jewelry, ceramics, fused glass, home decor, botanicals, textile art, and more. Visitors can expect to find many of their favorite artists, as well as some new faces. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. info@scdba.org. scdba.org. AFFORDABLE PET VACCINE CLINIC 4-5:30 p.m. Pets Plus San Juan Capistrano offers low-cost vaccinations for all dogs and cats every month. All veterinary services are provided by Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. The low-cost clinic offers vaccination packages, microchips, physical exams, prescription flea control, fecal exams and diagnostic testing onsite. Pets Plus, 32022 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 1.800.988.8387. vetcarepetclinic.com.

Dana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

GEEKS WHO DRINK TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9 p.m. Left Coast Brewing presents trivia modeled after pub quizzes in Ireland and the United Kingdom, covering everything from Hungary to the Hunger Games. Teams can include up to six people. Winning teams earn bar cash and other prizes. Left Coast Tasting Room, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. eventvesta.com.

SUNDAY | NOV. 5 SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers along Avenida Del Mar. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org. ART IN THE GARDEN 9 a.m.-4 p.m. If you are looking for new artwork for your walls or early holiday shopping, stop by this Art in the Garden event to check out unique creations, in an intimate garden setting, by four local artists: Maurine Lacher, Laurie Manger, Nevine Erian and Denie Marie Wark. 25241 La Cresta, Dana Point.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy free admission to Casa Romantica, and children can enjoy arts and crafts activities. The Carey Frank Trio will perform. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org. FIDO FEST 1 p.m. BeachFire is hosting an event to benefit Lovebugs Rescue, featuring a dog kissing booth, a silent auction and food and drinks to purchase. Event sponsor Tito’s Vodka will also be present, with giveaways for attendees. BeachFire Bar & Grill, 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.366.3232. beachfire.com.

MONDAY | NOV. 6 BRIDGE GAME 12:30 p.m. The South Orange County Bridge Club hosts bridge games, Monday through Saturday. The club is a nonprofit owned by the members and welcomes people to use their minds and develop new friendships. They also offer classes for bridge players of different levels. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. galesenter@cox.net.

D. YODER FAMILY SUNDAYS

OPEN JAM 7-10 p.m. Play your own percussion, acoustic or electric instruments every Monday night at Knuckleheads. Amps are allowed, but drums are not. Knuckleheads, 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

TUESDAY | NOV. 7 STORYTIME AT THE SJC LIBRARY 10:30-11 a.m. Bring the kids to storytime, held every Tuesday morning. Children will get to read books and sing songs. The event is geared for the 2- to 6-yearold age range. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. ocpl.org. COUNTRY NIGHT AT H.H. COTTON’S 5:30 p.m. This popular downtown restaurant offers a night full of country music and line dancing for all ages. Beginners can participate in a $10 Introduction to Line Dancing lesson from 5:30-6:45 p.m. H.H. Cotton’s, 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.945.6616. hhcottons.com.

(Cont. on page 18)

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GETTING OUT

(Cont. from page 16)

WEDNESDAY | NOV. 8 MERMADE MARKET 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Mermade Market handmade bazaar will be coming to the Ocean Institute with artisans, food trucks, and live music from Wednesday, Nov. 8, through Saturday, Nov. 11. The Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive,Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org. BINGO AT THE SENIOR CENTER 1:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, the Dorothy Visser Senior Center will host Bingo. The center will begin selling cards at 1 p.m., with the game starting promptly at 1:30. The buy-in is $12 for 10 games with four cards and a special pick-your-number game. For more information, contact the center at 949.498.3322. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. YOUTH PROGRAMMING AT THE NOBLE PATH FOUNDATION 4:30-7:30 p.m. The Noble Path Foundation hosts events multiple times a week to get youth and young adults out and

about and participating in safe, productive activities. Guitar lessons start at 4:30 p.m., followed by a fitness class at 5:30 p.m., and Creative Collaboration at 6:30 p.m. The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.234.7259. thenoblepathfoundation.org.

all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink, and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

THURSDAY | NOV. 9

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com. CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Rodney Crowell will perform as part of his The Chicago Sessions tour. Tickets are $45. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com. OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads is open for food, drinks and live music. Performers of

LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 4 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Millertime Boogie will perform. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com. CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Celtic rock band Young Dubliners will perform. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com. DP

Getting Out

Calendar

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supports

November 17th

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$0 ME DI CA L P R E G N A N C Y S CR E E N I N G A N D C ON S U LTAT ION BE F O R E YO U D E C ID E .

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During this month of giving, on November 17th, at participating Subway locations, 10% of sales will support The Village.

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AEP- It’s About Saving you Money Calling all existing Medicare Beneficiaries, are you looking to save some money on either your monthly premiums, your co-pays, or your prescription drug co-pays? Then the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time for you to make a change to your current plan. All changes made during this time (10/15 – 12/7) go into effect 1/1/24. The biggest way to save money is to see if a Medicare Advantage plan would work for you. If it does meet your needs, then you cancel your Medicare Supplement and Medicare Drug plan for 2024 because the Medicare Advantage plan gives you that type of coverage and financial protection from medical bills. You’re no longer paying a premium for Medicare Supplement or a Medicare RX plan if you decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans in Orange County typically have no or low premiums and are both HMO’s and PPO’s.

prescriptions changed since you enrolled in your current Medicare RX plan? If they’re expensive medications (in the $40-$100 range or higher when you refill them) then it’s time for a review. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (also known as AEP) ends December 7th, if you’d like to schedule a no cost Medicare options review contact me soon, my calendar is already filling up! I do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently I represent 5 organizations which offer 36 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1 800 MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

Regarding a “standalone” Medicare RX plan, some plans used to not have a name brand drug deductible and now they do. Have your Dana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

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DP LIVING

GUEST OPINION | Eat My Words by Cheryl Pruett

Give Thanks for the Little Things—Including Tiny Bites, Small Plates & Sweet Treats

hanksgiving month is usually filled with big meals and plates piled high even when you dine out for the holiday. However, think about the small flavors and treats you can appreciate. It doesn’t need to be traditional Thanksgiving fare to be on the grateful list. Because November seems the appropriate month to give thanks for all the small things packed with big flavors, here are foods you may not know you’re missing, but perhaps should try. Find new things to appreciate in a time of traditional nibbles. SAN CLEMENTE SMALL BITES Rapport Coffee by Café Smith 647 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente, rapportcoffeecs.com. Be grateful for a perfect combo: Croffle. The hybrid pastry is a cross between a croissant and a waffle. Sol Agave 111 Avenida Del Mar, San

EAT MY WORDS BY CHERYL PRUETT

Clemente, 949.3122210, solagave.com. Give thanks for pork belly bites: slow-roasted pork belly with honey-serrano, green tomatillo salsa, which is served with mini corn tortillas.

Nick’s 213 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.481.2200. nicksrestaurants.com. Warm Butter Cake is Nick’s signature dessert. A warm cake with crystallized sugar crust, served with vanilla ice cream and berry compote garnish. DANA POINT TASTY BITES Kawamata Seafood 26881 Camino de Estrella, Dana Point/ Capistrano Beach, 949.248.1914. A rather rare find: spam musubi. A bite for lunch or simply a snack, it is grilled spam on rice and wrapped with nori.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Five Vines Wine Bar 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.800.9145. fivevineswinebar.com. Thanks go out to co-owner Suzy Fairchild-Fisher’s mom, Marianne. Her Mormor’s Famous Cheese Ball has some secret ingredients, but the family recipe consists of bleu cheese, black olives, chives and other hush-hush ingredients—all rolled on crushed walnuts and served with crackers and sliced apple. FYI: Mormor is Swedish for mother’s-mother. Thanks, Mom! Cheryl Pruett is an award-winning journalist and editor, having covered Orange County city and county topics to the food scene for Orange County Register, Patch. com and local magazines. She has called Dana Point/Capistrano Beach home for more than 30 years. DP

Bonjour Café 24633 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point, 949.496.6368. bonjourcafe.com. Merci to the Quiche du Jardin with spinach, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and sweet onions. SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MORSELS Ramos House Café 31752 Los Rios, San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.1342. ramoshouse.com. Cinnamon apple beignets are a perfect reason to give thanks for a breakfast or brunch treat. The delicate, deep-fried pastry is worth a try.

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times 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 DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Parmiss Mediterranean Restaurant 31952 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.503.1249. parmissrestaurant.com. Be grateful for the flavors the world

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Hank Williams

This 1970s photo offers an aerial view of Dana Point before Del Prado was joined to PCH. Del Prado stops mid-view, where grading is being done for Lantern Bay development. This photo is available for viewing and purchase at danapointhistorical.org.

offers, including Tahdig Fesenjan, a traditional Persian stew with pomegranate paste and walnuts over crispy rice. Fesenjan stew also comes with chicken.

Eden Vegan Restaurant 32860 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point (Monarch Bay Plaza), 949.503.2163. edendanapoint.com. Vegan Bomber french fries are crispy fries with chopped marinated vegan steak, mushrooms, jalapenos, and house ranch dressing with coconut oil. A healthy thank you, indeed.

Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

DANA POINT TIMES

Hank Williams is quite the little charmer. This 2-year-old cutie would love nothing more than to shower you with affection. He is happy to run and play in the yard with the other dogs, but wouldn’t mind being the only pet in a home where he doesn’t have to share the spotlight. Come meet Hank Williams, and he’s sure to steal your heart. If you are interested in adopting Hank Williams, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/ adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. Sudoku medium by Myles Mellor

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Every week, the Dana Point Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to sraymundo@timeslocalmedia.com.

Dana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid 4 3 5 2 7 8 9 1 6 that has been subdi9 6 8 1 5 4 2 7 3 2 7 1 9 3 6 8 5 4 vided into nine smaller 7 4 3 8 9 2 5 6 1 grids of 3x3 squares. 5 2 9 7 6 1 4 3 8 8 1 6 5 4 3 7 2 9 To solve the puzzle, 6 5 7 3 8 9 1 4 2 each row, column and 3 8 2 4 1 5 6 9 7 box must contain each 1 9 4 6 2 7 3 8 5 of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

Courtesy of the Dana Point Historical Society

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8 2 5 9

6 7 3 7 6 2 9 4 1 7 2 7 4 9 8 1 5 8 See the solution in next week’s issue.

danapointtimes.com

FINALLY FINS SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Dana Hills football wins first outright league championship in program history BY ZACH CAVANAGH

n the 50-year history of Dana Hills High School, the Dolphins football program had never stood alone at the top of its league. Dana Hills toiled for years in the juggernaut South Coast League against Mater Dei, Mission Viejo and San Clemente, but it could never get over the hump. The Dolphins finally captured a league championship in 2012, but it was a three-way split for the Sea View League between Dana Hills, Capistrano Valley and Laguna Hills. However, all of that was put in the past last Friday night, Oct. 27. Dana Hills overcame a slow first quarter and turned on the jets in the second half to pull away from visiting Northwood, 42-21, to capture the Pacific Coast League championship and the first outright league championship in program history. “It’s insane,” said Dana Hills senior Cooper Walsh, whose physical play popped up a game-changing pick-six and another fumble recovery on Friday. “We came in this group freshman year. We couldn’t roster a full (freshman) team. Sophomore year, we went 3-7. The same group, we just came back to work and grinded and took our league championship for the first time ever. It’s a great feeling.” Nearly every high school football team lists a league championship as its goal at the start of the season, but the Dolphins went about manifesting it from the first day of their offseason workouts last winter. “We were in the gym in February and just looking at the banner,” Dana Hills senior Noah Kucera said. “There was only one up there, and it was a (three)-way tie. For us to start 2-2 and finish 8-2 and win like that, it’s sick.”

During training camp in August, Dana Hills head coach Tony Henney talked about this Dolphins program reaching its next level. Dana Hills had established winning records and back-to-back playoff appearances, but to continue the transformation of this program, the Dolphins needed a league championship to raise expectations. Dana Hills took that first step Friday. “For us, this is going to be the first outright league championship, and that’s a huge deal,” Henney said,“but you want it to go from ‘Can we win league this year?’ to ‘We win league. That’s what we do here.’ As much as you’re setting that first special one, you’re also trying to set the mindset when eighth-graders come in as freshmen, they go, ‘We win league here.’” Dana Hills (8-2, 3-0) has now qualified for the CIF-SS playoffs for the third consecutive season, and the Dolphins will hunt for their first CIF-SS playoff victory since 2009. Dana Hills goes on the road in the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs, as the Dolphins take on top-seeded Ontario Christian (8-2) on Friday, Nov. 3. Dana Hills didn’t open as ready to go last Friday with an up-and-down first half, but the Dolphins found their groove in the third quarter. The Dolphins nearly caught Northwood sleeping with a brilliant onside kick attempt to open the half, but Dana Hills was called for interference after the ball did not hit the ground before Kucera’s sliding catch on the high-popping kick. Nonetheless, Dana Hills forced a 3-andout, and quarterback Jace Lowe took advantage of man coverage to get the

Dana Hills football pulled away from Northwood in the second half last Friday, Oct. 27, to clinch the program’s first outright league championship. The Dolphins now go on the road in the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs to take on top-seeded Ontario Christian this Friday, Nov. 3. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57

Dolphins moving. A 38-yard catch by Chase Berry and a 26-yard catch by Kucera set up a 6-yard strike to Niki Grguric, who made the juggling grab for the lead, 21-14. Dana Hills then jumped out by two scores, as Walsh made an impact hit on the intended receiver of a third-down pass attempt by Northwood that popped the ball directly into the hands of senior Mitch Hill. Hill ran 36 yards uncontested to the end zone for a 28-14 lead. “Maybe we had some nerves. It felt that way a little bit in pregame,” Henney said of the early slow start. “We calmed down, and I think Cooper’s play was the play where everyone was like, ‘Here we go. This is happening tonight.’” Walsh also recovered a fumble on the ensuing Northwood drive, and Kucera reeled in a 35-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to keep Dana Hills pushing forward, 35-14. Northwood had one last swing with a touchdown pass just two minutes later, but the Dolphins answered with a clock-eating drive on the ground capped by Lowe’s fifth touchdown pass of the night, a 24-yarder to Berry.

Lowe completed 19 of 33 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. Kucera caught eight passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Berry caught five passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Grguric caught three passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Morgan Smith intercepted Northwood’s last desperate attempt as time ran out to start the league championship party at Dana Hills. “This game was indicative of (adversity faced this season),” Henney said. “We had a bunch of things kind of going wrong, and this team has just done a great job of just finding a way. They did it tonight. I thought we looked like a league champion in the second half. I thought we played real hard and real smart.” DP

Dolphins Take Final Spot in Division 6 After Division 1 Domino BY ZACH CAVANAGH

ivision 1 decisions sent a domino effect on local football teams up and down the CIF-SS playoff field, as the football postseason brackets were revealed on Sunday, Oct. 29. For the third season, CIF-SS based its playoff divisions on the in-season computer ratings put together by CalPreps’ algorithm, and within this system with a goal of competitive equity, CIF-SS has the discretion to expand or shrink the Division 1 field from the traditional 16 teams seen

Dana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

in the other 13 playoff divisions. With the fallout of results from season finales last Friday night, Oct. 27, Division 1 was decided to be an eight-team grouping, with South Coast League champion San Clemente holding the No. 8 spot and JSerra securing the No. 7 position and third place in the Trinity League with a 49-0 blowout of Servite. The eight-team cutoff for Division 1 then set the parameters for the rest of the CIFSS playoff divisions, with local teams re-

ceiving the luck or detriment of the draw. Dana Hills took the tough bounce down in Division 6. Coming off their first outright league championship in school history, the Dolphins will have to go on the road as the No. 16 seed to top-seeded Ontario Christian on Friday, Nov. 3. “We’ve had a great season. We’re excited to be in the playoffs. We’ve got to get on a bus and be ready,” Dana Hills coach Tony Henney said. “It’s unfortunate that you win your league and don’t get a home game,

Page 22

but that’s the system we’re in, and we’ve got to get ready to play.” Dana Hills (8-2) earned a 17.0 CalPreps rating, and Chino, the No. 1 seed in Division 7, earned a 16.9 rating. Laguna Hills (9-1, 17.8), which Dana Hills beat by one point in league play, is the No. 14 seed. No. 15 seed Rio Mesa of Oxnard also finished with a 17.0 rating, but edged ahead of the Dolphins on strength of schedule. DP

danapointtimes.com

2023

Holiday Happenings & Gift guide A special two-issue advertising package

Publishes November 24 & December 1

Reserve your ad space by November 10 To advertise contact Lauralyn Loynes lloynes@picketfencemedia.com PERFORMANCE THUR., FRI., AND SAT. AT 7:30 PM AND SUN. AT 2 PM. TICKETS ARE $28. Dana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MICHAEL STEWART, aka MICHAEL PATRICK STEWART Case Number: 30-2023-01357152-PR-PW-CMC To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will and or estate, or both, of MICHAEL STEWART, aka MICHAEL PATRICK STEWART A Petition for Probate has been filed by AMY STEWART in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE . The Petition for Probate requests that AMY STEWART be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, to be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: Jan 10, 2024 Time: 1:30 p.m. in Dept: CM5 b. Address of Court: Costa Mesa Justice Complex, 3390 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. The court is providing the convenience to appear for hearing by video using the court’s designated video platform. This is a no cost service to the public. Go to the Court’s website at The Superior Court of California - County of Orange (occourts.org) to appear remotely for Probate hearings and for remote hearing instructions. If you have difficulty connecting or are unable to connect to your remote hearing, call 657-622-8278 for assistance. If you prefer to appear in-person, you can appear in the department on the day/time set for your hearing. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent , you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code . Other California Statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: James Nguyen, ESQ, Barth Calderon, LLP, 333 City Boulevard West, Ste 2050, Orange, CA 92868 PH: (714) 704-4828 Published in: Dana Point Times , November 3, 10, 17, 2023

Dana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: AVIS JOAN BLOOD AKA AVIS BLOOD AKA JOAN BLOOD AKA AJ BLOOD Case Number: 30-2023-01355374 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will and or estate, or both, of AVIS JOAN BLOOD AKA AVIS BLOOD AKA JOAN BLOOD AKA AJ BLOOD A Petition for Probate has been filed by DONALD RAY ABLES in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE. The Petition for Probate requests that DONALD RAY ABLES be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: 12/21/2023 Time: 1:30 pm in Dept CM6. b. Address of the court: Costa Mesa Justice Complex, 3390 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California Statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Petitioner: DONALD RAY ABLES, 33452 Valley View Court, Dana Point, CA 92629 PH: (949) 291-1512 Published in: Dana Point Times, October 27, November 03, 10, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT on November 21, 2023, the City Council of the City of Dana Point will conduct a hearing to consider the following: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA

AMENDING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR PARK RENTALS Hearing Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Hearing Time: 6:00 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as possible) Hearing Location: Dana Point City Hall Council Chambers, Suite 210 33282 Golden Lantern Dana Point, California 92629 The proposed resolution for the amended fee schedule will be available on the City’s website at www.danapoint.org as part of the staff report once the agenda/staff reports are published. Those desiring to be heard in favor or in opposition to this item will be given an opportunity to do so by emailing comment@danapoint.org or by writing to the City Council at 33282 Golden Lantern, Ste. 203, Dana Point, California 92629, Attention: City Clerk. Any action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, annul, or void any decision or determination of the Dana Point City Council may controlled by the statute of limitations provisions set forth in Sections 2.50.010 and 2.50.020 of the Dana Point Municipal Code, Sections 1094.5 and 1094.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, and/or Section 65009 of the Government Code. In any such action or proceeding, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing as provided in Chapter 2.50 of the Dana Point Municipal Code and Section 65009 of the Government Code. Copies of the procedures for the conduct of City Council public hearings are available from the City Clerk. SHAYNA SHARKE, City Clerk

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT on November 21, 2023, a public hearing will be held by the City Council of the City of Dana Point to consider the following:

nificant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Hearing Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Hearing Time: 6:00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible) Hearing Location: 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (Dana Point City Hall) Those desiring to be heard in favor of or in opposition to this item will be given an opportunity to do so during such hearing to be conducted at the above address or by writing to the City Council at: 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 203, Dana Point, California 92629, Attention: City Clerk; or via email at comment@danapoint.org. Please reference hearing title and date of hearing in any correspondence. For further information, you may contact the City Clerk at (949) 248-3505. Any petition for judicial review of a decision of the Dana Point City Council is controlled by the statute of limitations provisions set forth in Sections 2.50.010 and 2.50.020 of the Dana Point Municipal Code and Sections 1094.5 and 1094.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. Any action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, or void any decision of the Dana Point City Council is controlled by Section 2.50.010 and Section 2.50.020 of the Dana Point Municipal Code. In any such action or proceeding seeking judicial review of, which attacks or seeks to set aside, or void any decision of the Dana Point City Council, shall be limited to those issues raised at the hearing as provided in Chapter 2.50 of the Dana Point Municipal Code. Copies of the procedures for the conduct of City Council public hearings are available from the City Clerk. SHAYNA SHARKE, CITY CLERK

LEGAL NOTICES Place your notice today.

Local Coastal Program Amendment LCPA230001; Zone Text Amendment ZTA22-0002: An amendment to the Dana Point Municipal Code Title 9 (Zoning Ordinance) to establish regulations related to emergency shelter parking, manufactured homes, residential care facilities (six or fewer persons), supportive housing, and low barrier navigation centers. These amendments are necessary to comply with State housing laws and various programs identified in the City’s certified 6th Cycle Housing Element. The project requires a Local Coastal Program Amendment to modify sections of the Zoning Ordinance, which is a component of the City’s certified Local Coastal Program. On October 23, 2023, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution 23-10-23-55 recommending the City Council approve these amendments. Project Number: LCPA23-0001; ZTA22-0002 Project Location: Citywide Applicant: City of Dana Point Environmental: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15061(b)(3), the project is covered under the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a sig-

Page 24

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@timeslocalmedia.com

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You Pay Nothing Until We Recover For You Serving South Orange County For More Than 20 Years Call Now: 949-954-6666 Ext. 101 Email: Admin@cnalawfirm.com Auto | Motorcycle | Slip & Fall | Dog Bite | Construction Site Accidents

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Page 25

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DP SURF

SURF CULTURE ABOUNDS IN DANA POINT From a new bronze statue of Steve and Barrie Boehne to the arrival of the Hawaiian voyaging canoe ‘Hōkūle’a,’ there’s much to celebrate in our local waters BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

elebrating the latest addition to the collection of epic bronze surf statues at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point, the city and local surf dignitaries last week unveiled an exquisite piece of art and engineering featuring Steve and Barrie Boehne of Infinity Surfboard Company. For over a half-century, the Boehnes, along with their two sons, Dave and Dan, have run Infinity. Fixtures on the Orange County surf scene, whether providing local stars with lovingly shaped surfboards or giving hungry groms a summer job, their operation is everything a surf shop should be. The new statue, artist Bill Limebrook’s latest masterpiece, features the couple riding tandem on a skateboard, and joins a world-class group of bronze sculptures of other legendary surfers, including Hobie Alter, Phil Edwards, Bruce Brown, Joyce Hoffman and John Severson. Steve shaped the first Infinity Surfboard in 1970 and hasn’t stopped since. Consider this stat: there have now been more than 50,000 surf craft created by the Infinity family, an average of more than 1,000 a year. But as staggering as those numbers are, what’s most telling about the business is how the stoke remains the same after all these years. “My dad’s still doing it, my mom’s still doing it, my brother and I are there; it’s still the same family business it’s always been. We’ve been blessed to be able to do this for as long as we have,” Dave Boehne explained during the shop’s 50th anniversary celebration. In other big surf culture happenings, on Saturday, Nov. 4, the iconic Hawaiian voyaging canoe, Hōkūle’a, is set to arrive at the Ocean Institute in the Dana Point Harbor. At 4:30 p.m., the vessel is expected to enter the harbor and will be ushered to the dock by a fleet of local canoe clubs. The celebration at the Ocean Institute kicks off at 5 p.m. and will feature speeches, cultural tributes, and ceremonial dances. From Sunday, Nov. 5, through Tuesday, Nov. 7, the Hōkūle’a will be docked Dana Point Times November 3 - 9, 2023

in Dana Point and be open for public tours. Other special events include a screening of the Disney film Moana on Sunday evening and meet-and-great sessions with the crew. The arrival of the Hōkūle’a is part of the Moananuiākea Voyage, an expedition that began in 2013 and seeks to circumnavigate the globe using traditional Polynesian sailing techniques. Built in 1975, the traditional Hawaiian wa’a kaulua (double-hulled voyaging canoe) was named Hōkūle’a after an important star used in Polynesian navigation. Translated, it means “Star of Gladness.” Besides playing an instrumental role in rekindling Polynesian sailing traditions, the Hōkūle’a holds a unique place in surf history. On March 16,1978, the craft set sail from Oahu on a 30day, 2,500-mile voyage with Hawaiian lifeguard and big-wave legend Eddie Aikau onboard. As the Hōkūle’a passed by the island of Moloka’i, one of the hulls began to leak, and the boat capsized. Aikau famously set off on his surfboard to paddle for help and was never seen again. Finally, on Saturday, the first event of the new U.S. Board Riders Clubs season

GROM OF THE WEEK

LUKE AVILA BY JAKE HOWARD

Shooting stars overhead and phosphorescence in the water, Luke Avila’s early-morning sessions at Trestles with his dad are kind of magical like that. A dedicated San Clemente core lord, Luke spends every waking moment he can in the water. A fifth-grader at Las Palmas Elementary, where he’s getting an incredible bilingual education, the 11-year-old frother has been surfing basically since he could walk. Learning on his dad’s board, he eventually graduated to his own shred stick and hasn’t looked back since. And because he grew up in San Clem-

The Hawaiian voyaging canoe, the Hōkūle’a, is set to arrive at the Ocean Institute in the Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Nov. 4, and will be open for public tours. Photo: Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

kicks off at Church. National champs San Clemente Board Riders will host crosstown rivals Dana Point Surf Club, as well as clubs from Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. A community surf contest for all ages, the team-style contest will run all day, so head to Church and support your crew. That’s a whole lot of amazing surf culture jammed into one week. Have fun out there and enjoy all the goodness happening in our local waters right now. Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for several publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. DP

ente, it makes sense that his favorite surfer is Griffin Colapinto, whom he cheered on from the beach when the WSL Finals came to town last month. When Luke’s not on the beach, chances are you can find him in the pool. A dedicated member of the San Clemente Water Polo Club, he works out with the crew four to five days a week. There’s a long history of water polo players becoming world-class surfers and lifeguards, and Luke seems to be cut from a similar cloth. With all his stoke and passion for the ocean, good things are on the horizon for Luke. DP

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SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 64-66 Degrees F

Water Visibility: San Clemente: 3-5’ Catalina: 15-20’ Outlook: Surf is down a notch on Friday as the southerly swell slowly eases. Waves level off over the weekend as a SSW swell lingers and a little NW swell joins in, for mainly thigh to waist high surf, (2-3’). Winds stay on the light side Friday through Sunday: Variable early mornings, onshore afternoons

Luke Avila. Photo: Courtesy of Avila Family

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com. danapointtimes.com

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