August 26,2016

LO C A L

August 26-September 1, 2016

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

INSIDE:

Inaugural ‘Aging Well,’ A Guide to Senior Living PULLOUT SECTION VOLUME 9, ISSUE 35

Years in the Making 50-year-old time capsule will be opened at long-awaited celebration E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 3

A “Rock Placing Ceremony” marked the beginning of the construction of the Dana Point Harbor, Aug. 29, 1966. At the event, materials were collected for placement in a time capsule. Monday, the items of the time capsule will be unveiled. Photo: Courtesy of Orange County Archives

Number of Mosquitoes Tested Positive for West Nile Virus Increases EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Annual Coastal Cleanup Day Scheduled for September 17 EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

www.danapointtimes.com

Ohana Music Festival Coming to City this Weekend DP LIVING/PAGE 9

INSIDE: 10 WEEKS OF LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGE BEGINS

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING to the public, and will begin at 4 p.m.

To purchase tickets for the dinner, visit Eventbrite.com. Tickets will be sold at the event at the Dana Point Historical Society Booth.—Kristina Pritchett

Additional Preferential Parking Districts Declined Due to Low Community Interest Erika Hunting, San Clemente High School junior and president of the Blue Oceans Club, speaks to the CUSD Board of Trustees on Aug. 17 about the potential benefits of solar panels on campus.

Photo: Courtesy of Zain Faruqi

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week Students Present Solar Petition to CUSD, District to Explore Feasibility THE LATEST: A coalition of students representing four area high schools presented 1,438 signatures to the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 17, requesting the board explore the feasibility of installing solar panels at each of the district’s high school campuses.

Russell Tran, a junior at San Juan Hills High School, led the call for action, followed by five students from high school environmental clubs, including Dana Hills High School’s Ecology Club. The solar petition was launched in March, and Tran said the group has been working with CUSD’s Business and Support Services Department since 2014 to explore solar projects.

The petition, Tran said, was a friendly way to demonstrate the community support for a solar project. The students presented the board with the economic, environmental and educational benefits of solar panels, as well as potential funding mechanisms such as Prop 39 funds, low interest loans from the California Energy Commission, general obligation bonds and clean renewable energy bonds. Ultimately, the students requested the board pursue a solar feasibility analysis.

WHAT’S NEXT: Superintendent Kristen Vital said after speaking with Clark Hampton, deputy superintendent of business and support services, on potential next steps, staff’s recommendation was to do a request for proposals to understand and assess whether solar panel installations Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

would “pencil out” for the district.

Hampton said the students’ idea of buying solar energy systems was a good one and important to include in the district’s analysis due to difficulties other organizations have had with solar lease programs and payments.

Hampton said staff is already working with Schneider Electric, the district’s Prop 39 partner, on concurrently analyzing solar prospects, energy management systems and conservation practices —Allison Jarrell

Dana Point to Celebrate Time Capsule Unveiling THE LATEST: Dana Point residents will be able to take a peek at items that were put inside of a time capsule 50 years ago during a celebration at Baby Beach on Monday, Aug. 29.

A time capsule was buried under an 8-ton granite rock with a flat, slanted surface in 1966 near the Dana Point Harbor entrance. The capsule, a narrow fourfoot stainless steel tube, was uncovered earlier this year when Orange County Parks moved the rock in anticipation of Monday’s ceremony. The items were taken from the capsule and catalogued by researchers at the John D. Cooper Archeological and Paleontological Center in Santa Ana. Monday’s ceremony will include music

by Ron Kobayashi Trio, and guests will be able to check out the Orange County Archives Exhibit of the time capsule contents where more than 60 items will be on display. Following the celebration will be a barbecue dinner, which is free to those who received (and held onto) a ticket at the celebration 50 years ago; otherwise it’s $10 ahead of time, or $15 at the door.

Barbara Johannes, president of the Dana Point Historical Society, said many guests who attended the ceremony in 1966 will be returning, including Miss Dana Point 1966, Nancy C. Buenger, and Miss San Clemente 1966, Valeria A. Zagwolski.

WHAT’S NEXT: The event is free and open

THE LATEST: Traffic Improvement Subcommittee members recommended not to implement any additional preferential parking restrictions at this time due to the lack of want from residents during the Aug. 17 meeting.

Chula Vista Avenue was being considered to extend the restriction of parking due to incursion from the Dana Lights Development, as well as implementation of additional residential preferential parking district streets in Lantern Village.

“There was no testimony [at the meeting],” said Brad Fowler, director of public works. “No one showed up to say they wanted it.”

In the staff report, a map shows only a handful of residents were in favor of the parking district due to the results the city received from a survey.

“My takeaway is that there really isn’t much of commercial incursion today to want it,” Fowler said.

In July 2015, the City Council initiated a designation of a Residential Preferential Parking District in the Lantern Village to discourage commercial parking spilling over into the residential areas. The City Council approved the policy, and stated that the preferential parking could only be established when a majority of affected residents desired it.

In January 2016, residents were invited to a public meeting to discuss where commercial parking might be encroaching into the neighborhoods. The city then initiated a study as to where preferential parking restrictions may be needed, ultimately implementing a parking district on a portion of Blue Lantern. The city then expanded their scope and sought input from other neighborhoods in the area, asking residents to respond if they had interest in establishing a parking district.

WHAT’S NEXT: Fowler said the city will continue to monitor the city to ensure there is adequate parking in the Lantern District. —KP

Number of Mosquitoes Tested Positive for West Nile Virus Increases THE LATEST: The number of mosquitoes

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that have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Dana Point has increased to four, officials said.

More than 3,000 mosquitoes have been sampled in the county, and 244 samples tested positive for West Nile, according to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD).

In Dana Point, officials said mosquitoes have been collected in the Quail Run area and around Dana Point City Hall.

Jared Dever, director of communications at OCMVCD, said the first indication of the virus in the city was on July 21, and since then, three subsequent mosquito samples have tested positive in Dana Point.

Mosquitoes have also tested positive in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente this year, and three people in Orange County have tested positive for the virus.

WHAT’S NEXT: Residents are encouraged to perform routine property inspections and eliminate all standing water, ensure window and door screens are in good repair and apply mosquito repellent when outdoors.—KP

Annual Coastal CleanUp Planned for Dana Point THE LATEST: Every September, volunteers gather on California’s beaches to clean up the sands during the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. This year, volunteers are wanted at Capistrano Beach, Salt Creek Beach and Dana Point Harbor to participate.

From 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Sept. 17, more than 47 sites will participate in the annual event to help clean the state’s beaches, including three Dana Point locations.

“It’s important because it gets members of the community together, it gets everyone involved,” said Vlesydi Loveland, an OC Parks Ranger who is involved with the event. “It also shows a good picture of how much trash is coming up on the beach.”

Last year, about 7,000 Orange County volunteers collected more than 42,000 pounds of trash and recyclable materials during the event. In two spots in the city, Capo Beach and Salt Creek, more than 600 volunteers helped out.

This is the second year Capo Beach will be participating, and the first for the Dana Point Harbor location. OC Parks is partnering with Capo Cares and the Surfrider Foundation at Capo Beach, and businesses in the harbor.

WHAT’S NEXT: To register for the event, visit www.coastkeeper.org. Attendance is free and supplies will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own cleanup supplies including a basket or reusable bag, gloves and a reusable water bottle.—KP www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT

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, July 31 VANDALISM IN PROGRESS Street of the Copper Lantern, 34000 Block (6:17 p.m.) A caller told police juveniles in a cream colored Chevy Tahoe broke the caller’s windows.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Calle Portola, 34300 Block (5:09 p.m.) Police were called about a man and woman under a blanket near the playground.

Saturday, July 30 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Acapulco Drive/Cheltam Way (7:51 p.m.) A caller told police a man was washing a vehicle in the alley way and oil was running down the driveway and into the gutter.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Windlass Drive/Brigantine Drive (5:43 p.m.) Police were called for a driver in an older vehicle driving back and forth in front of the location.

TRESPASSING Santa Clara Avenue, 24500 Block (4:09 p.m.) Police were called about three juveniles that jumped the fence into the community pool.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Via Mentone, 32400 Block (1 p.m.) A man told police he found a substantial amount of blood in his driveway and backyard.

Friday, July 29 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Alcazar Drive, 33700 Block (11:37 p.m.) Police were called about a man in a white sedan who stopped in driveways and then began checking vehicles and pulling on door handles.

DISTURBANCE-MECHANICAL Crown Valley Parkway/Pacific Coast Highway (5:09 a.m.) Police received a call about a loud power washer at Monarch Bay Plaza.

DRUNK DRIVING Street of the Golden Lantern/Acapulco Drive (12:24 a.m.) A caller told police a driver in a red vehicle was swerving and driving at a slow speed.

neighbors were climbing on the roof of their home, and she was upset because they could see into her yard.

told police a driver in a white Audi was headed northbound and swerving and driving into traffic and running red lights.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Las Vegas Avenue/Doheny Park Road (2:10 p.m.) A gray vehicle and black Corvette were involved in an accident.

RECKLESS DRIVING Pacific Coast Highway/ Beach Road (12:28 a.m.) Police were called about a driver swerving in and out of the lanes, and into oncoming traffic.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Lapis Avenue, 0 Block (3:09 a.m.) A woman told police she was woken up by a dog, which she says never barks. The woman said she also heard footsteps.

Wednesday, July 27

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Santa Clara Avenue, 24400 Block (10:14 p.m.) Police were called about an unknown type of vehicle that was parked and running for more than an hour.

DISTURBANCE Cheltam Way, 33400 Block (9:16 p.m.) A caller told police someone was building a weight set and dropped the weights on the floor.

TRESPASSING Strand Beach Drive, 0 Block (5:19 p.m.) Police were called for an unknown number of people trying to gain access to the clubhouse.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Calle La Primavera, 33900 Block (8:12 p.m.) A woman told police her neighbor’s garage door was open all day, but the owners only use the house as a summer residence.

DISTURBANCE Nottingham Way, 33400 Block (3:11 p.m.) A caller said they’ve heard a baby screaming for the past 40 minutes.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Crown Valley Parkway/ Pacific Coast Highway (7:31 p.m.) An arrest was made after a vehicle overturned on Crown Valley Parkway.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Pacific Coast Highway/ Street of the Crystal Lantern (8:56 a.m.) A bag of trash was in the road.

Sunday, July 24

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive, 24800 Block (5:58 p.m.) A caller told police a man in a black Cadillac, with unknown plates, had a lot of activity near his car.

DISTURBANCE Calle Hermosa/Calle Verano (1:32 p.m.) Police were called for two kids skateboarding on the corner. The caller told police it was a “dangerous corner.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Breezy Place, 33300 Block (8:58 a.m.) Police were called about a man going through the caller’s and the caller’s neighbor’s trash.

Tuesday, July 26 DISTURBANCE Street of the Golden Lantern/ Pacific Coast Highway (8:26 p.m.) Police were called for two men and a woman in a fight inside of a white van.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (6:23 p.m.) A black BMW and white Saturn were involved in an accident.

DISTURBANCE Ritz-Carlton Drive, 0 Block (3:08 p.m.) Police were called for a man who went into the restaurant and was yelling and throwing chairs.

Thursday, July 28

DISTURBANCE Doheny Park Road, 34100 Block (2:35 p.m.) Police were called about people blocking the sidewalk with their chairs.

CITIZEN ASSIST Calle Naranja, 34600 Block (8:08 p.m.) A woman told police her

RECKLESS DRIVING Pacific Coast Highway/ Crown Valley Parkway (9:31 a.m.) A caller

Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

Monday, July 25

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway/ Doheny Park Road (11:32 p.m.) Police were called for a man and woman who were in a fight.

VANDALISM Dana Strand Road, 34300 Block (9:21 p.m.) A caller told police their white BMW at the Strands Beach parking lot was vandalized.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Pacific Coast Highway/Niguel Road (5:43 p.m.) A Prius and a Chevy were involved in an accident.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Pacific Coast Highway/ Niguel Road (4:04 p.m.) A black motorcycle with a man and woman riding it lost control and fell.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Pacific Coast Highway/ Street of the Amber Lantern (12:27 p.m.)

An arrest was made after two vehicles were involved in an accident.

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Del Obispo Street, 33400 Block (9:29 a.m.) A caller told police someone pulled up in a green Pontiac with extensive front end damage to the car, and another vehicle pulled up, picked up the driver and left.

SHOTS HEARD-NO SUSPECT INFORMATION Calle La Primavera, 33800 Block (6:17 a.m.) Police were told they heard shots to the north off of Crystal Lantern.

HIT-AND-RUN PARKED CAR Camino Capistrano, 34600 Block (4:41 a.m.) A woman told police her vehicle was hit, but that she did not witness the incident.

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Community Meetings TUESDAY, AUGUST 30

Because I Love You (BILY) Meeting

7-9 p.m. every Tuesday. BILY helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. 119 Avenida De La Estrella, San Clemente. www.bilysc.org.

Dana Harbor Toastmasters

7-8:30 p.m. Fine-tune your public speaking skills each Tuesday at Capo Beach Church, 26975 Domingo Avenue, Capistrano Beach. 949.492.7181. www.toastmasters.org.

Post and Auxiliary 9934 Meeting

6:30 p.m. Every second Tuesday, the Post and Auxiliary 9934 meet at the South Shores Church. The post’s meeting room is on the upper level across from the church office, the auxiliary’s meeting room is on the lower level behind the church. 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Dana Point. Vfwpost9934@ cox.net. 949.248.1419.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Networking at Noon

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Every first Thursday of the month, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce holds an event that allows businesses to network with Chamber members. The event is $15 for Chamber members, $20 for non-members.

This month’s location is Luna Grill.

32525 Golden Lantern, Suite E. www. danapointchamber.com.

Coastmasters

7-8:30 a.m. Join the members of the Coastmasters every Thursday to improve your speaking and leadership skills. 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. Adjacent to Baby Beach at OC Sailing & Events Center.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Headlands Nature Walk

9-11 a.m. The walk will focus on plants and animals that can be found on the Dana Point Headlands. Participants will learn about endemic plants, which are only found in Southern California.

The walk occurs every first Saturday of the month. It will begin at the Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. RSVP to dpnaturalresources@danapoint.org, or call 949.248.3527. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Candidates for the 2016 City of Dana Point City Council For the next 10 weeks, the Dana Point Times will cover local and state elections, starting with the candidates running for two seats on the Dana Point City Council. The Times asked each candidate to introduce themselves in less than 400 words. The candidates are ordered how they will appear on the November ballot.

Nadia Khalil My name is Nadia Khalil, I was born in 1961 to my then young immigrant parents living in Capistrano Beach.

Dana Point is, and has, always been in my heart. When I was five, we moved north, but we continued to have family picnics at Doheny at my uncle’s in the Palisades every weekend.

At 30 years old, I began house hunting and purchased my current residence of 25 years in Capo Beach. I raised my four children in the Capo Unified School District.

I was very much involved as PTA member, a school volunteer, a Girl Scout Leader, a soccer mom and coach at times. I volunteered for many organizations, including the Capo Beach Community association, the Pilgrim and many other non-profits that help our community. I’ve invented and marketed a baby product and have run my own business.

Volunteering is not new to me, it’s something if retired I would love doing for the rest of my life. But this arena is solely to get a resident like myself, not a developer or real estate investor, to be involved in our community. I am not a politician nor have I been in politics, and quite possibly the others may be better politicians, but I just feel that our close-knit community, if asked and informed to help preserve Dana Point’s charm, history and beauty, would.

When I saw BevMo! I said, ‘Well they voted out medical marijuana, but approved liquor stores and pawn shops.’ To me, I see our coastal community turning into a city like Anaheim but with a coast.

My other worry concerns short-term rentals, supported by many residents who only recently moved to Dana Point.

My responses to such beliefs are as follows: • You moved here to get away from the place you lived not to turn Dana Point or the area into it.

• Short-term renters have caused neighbors to move, families to lose homes from fires started by negligence, crime begins to rise and communities fall apart leaving behind a city without charm. I don’t want to bolt down my lawn ornaments.

There you have it the answers to who am I, and why I am running for city council.

Paul Wyatt I am running for Dana Point City Council to bring practical, common-sense leadership that keeps residents informed and involved, Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

and unites our community.

My goal is to strengthen Dana Point economically and promote growth, while preserving the qualities that make Dana Point one of America’s best beach towns.

I am a recently retired engineering executive who has helped launch and grow several successful companies. My years in business operations and product engineering have proven that it is possible to find solutions that meet the needs of the disparate organizations that must all work together for success. I will work to make Dana Point a great place to live and a great place to run a business.

I will work to restore trust in our city government. For two years, residents implored Council members to follow the 2008 Town Center Plan and create a pedestrian-friendly village of restaurants, shops and small businesses. These citizens were scorned and ignored, left with no choice but to launch the Save Dana Point Measure H Initiative; to battle for the soul of Dana Point. I am proud to have been at the core of this movement.

My priorities are: • Ensuring the city’s financial health; the past six-plus years of deficit spending threatens stability and has created an environment where big-developer money is too tempting.

• Developing the Town Center per the 2008 Town Center Plan and creating an implementable plan for Doheny Village by carefully managing growth and reaching out to the kinds of small businesses that will enhance our city without impacting nearby neighborhoods.

As we develop opportunities for improved vibrancy, increased revenue and updated infrastructure, I’m committed to protecting what we cherish—a community where children excel in a safe environment, businesses flourish and a beach-town character prevails. This will benefit both residents and visitors in all parts of our city while embracing our surfing heritage and protecting our ocean and beaches.

I’ll bring leadership, transparency and community outreach to the Council with the passion, tenacity and experience to get things done.

Debra Lewis Dana Point deserves a fiscally responsible city government that puts its residents first. I am running for City Council to bring good governance back to Dana Point without the influence of special Page 5

interests.

As a small business owner, an attorney with a Master’s degree in tax law from Georgetown Law Center, the first Mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita and a member of former Orange County Supervisor Tom Wilson’s “kitchen cabinet,” I have proven leadership skills and experience essential to making Dana Point once again work for its residents. My years working in a large accounting firm give me the experience necessary to read and understand the city’s financial documents.

Having been a mayor, I was dismayed at watching Dana Point’s City Council ignore numerous residents’ objections and brush aside their pleas to make developers follow the 2008 Town Center Plan. That is why I signed the ballot argument in favor of Measure H and strongly supported its passage.

On June 7, Dana Point voters overwhelmingly agreed with the Measure H vision, in spite of both past and current City Council members, including State Assemblyman Bill Brough, using their names, enormous influence and resources to back the competing Measure I. Voters have been told that past and present Council members are fiscally conservative, but a review of the City’s Comprehensive Audited Financial Reports (“CAFR”) since 2009 appears to tell a different story. Beginning in 2009, the city’s CAFRs show annual spending has exceeded revenue, except in 2014 when money from a one-time sale of property in Capo Beach was added to the revenue column on the CAFR. Over the same time period, the city’s payroll rose from approximately 47 to 67 people, more employees than many larger cities employ.

Measure H was a great first step to save Dana Point. As your City Council member, I will work to continue that positive momentum.

I am committed to putting residents first; listening and responding to residents’ comments and concerns; work for our community, not special interests; managing city resources effectively and responsibly; keeping residents informed; and engagomg in comprehensive planning before approving an action.

Penny Maynard I’m running for an open seat on the Dana Point City Council. I’ve lived in DP for more than 20 years, and after a successful 11-year career as the executive of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, having been brought here when the Chamber was having financial challenges, to bring financial stability and professionalism to the organization, and I did that. Now, I want to give back to this beautiful community by utilizing my experience and knowledge of what has made this community such a wonderful place to live.

My background includes the fact that I have, during my 20 year residency, successfully promoted tourism, which provides more than 50 percent of the city’s revenue, the Dana Point Harbor and the Town Center/Lantern District. Living in this community provides me with a unique perspective

on what is needed to maintain our quality of life.

My most significant accomplishment was growing the Turkey Trot from an event attracting participants from 40 states, although primarily a local community event, to the international event it is today.

Revenue to the Dana Point Chamber’s Operating fund was (net) $35,000 when I arrived and approximately $145,000 (net) after my 11 years of management. Revenue to the Chamber continues to grow, utilizing the ground work I laid, including selecting the professional, experienced Race Management Company that runs the event today.

Top issues: • Utilizing management experience and training and working with the members of the City Council, I plan to grow the Dana Point economy with an idea that has worked in other communities in California and around the country.

• Connect elected officials to the residents and perhaps avoid another challenging election. I have a plan for that.

My interests have been the Dana Point Harbor and tourism and Town Center/Lantern District for which I have worked for over 20 years.

Michelle Brough **Michelle was unable to be reached for her response. Below is her candidate statement.

As an Orange County native, my husband and I chose Dana Point to settle and raise our family. It is vital to me that our Dana Point quality of life, which attracted us over a decade ago, continues.

Earning my JD from Whittier at night, I worked two jobs and interned for Congressman Cox. Subsequently, I earned a Master’s in law from Georgetown then served as Senate Banking Committee Counsel and Treasury Department Presidential Appointee. I have been in-house counsel for a large investment firm since 2005.

My strong community record includes former Vice Chair of the Dana Point Planning Commission, former Gubernatorial Appointee on the California Board of Accountancy, and current member of Saddleback College Board and Tilly’s Life Center.

I will be your advocate and I will: safeguard Dana Point’s charm; maintain financial security; ensure necessary revitalization and growth continues.

I will fight to assure security of residents, neighborhoods, beaches, businesses, property values I am a fiscal conservative believing in strengthening individuals and limiting government.

I respectfully ask for your vote.

Have questions for the Dana Point City Council candidates? Submit them to editorial@danapointtimes. com by Monday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m., and it could be asked at the Dana Point Civic Association candidate forum at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept.

16 at Coffee Importers. www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor THINK REALISTICALLY ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS LYNN SMITH, Capistrano Beach

There have been several well-written letters to the editor (i.e. Toni Nelson, Sharon Marshall, Barbara Wilson) that do a great job of painting the picture from all angles concerning what the big changes to our beach community would look like if shortterm rentals are allowed to run over our community and turn over control of such to the California Coastal Commission.

Letters on the other side of the debate, including the one penned by Peggy Verkest, says she is offended by the long-term rental opponent’s letters and calls them “scare tactics.” She asks that people think “logically” about the short-term renters, they would never party in the rented house. I believe everyone that wants short-term rentals should think realistically about the pending major problem with allowing short-term rentals. Most other cities are banning the practice entirely.

My neighbor in Capo Beach told me this story: a renter in a complex, a few doors down from his house, started renting out the apartment she rents to vacationers without the permission of her landlord. She was told to “cease and desist” but did it another time anyway.

This incident shows the major problems with a free-for-all short-term rental policy that will be impossible to monitor or control by our city's “one man cyber police” employee. That employees' salary is costly enough, not to mention the cost to hire more people to do an impossible job.

I bought my house in Capistrano Beach in 1976 and rented here for five years before that. I do not expect to have to defend our community’s character from a few (the City Council) who want to open our city to short-term rental regardless of what is going on in most all cities surrounding us, and regardless of what most residents of Dana Point want. It should not be a battle to get responsible governing for our city.

MIXED FEELINGS KAREN CARD, Dana Point

I have mixed feelings on this topic for our city. When I travel, I prefer home rentals to hotels since they offer privacy, more space and an overall better value. In each and every case, the agreement clearly states no parties are allowed, and the number of occupants is strictly enforced. I’ve used both VRBO and Airbnb. I assume if found in violation, you can be evicted immediately by the owner, and law enforcement will be involved if needed. I’ve used Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

home rentals for anywhere from two to 14 family members or friends, without incident. The contracts specify the rules to be followed and the consequences.

Clearly, the finger needs to be pointed primarily to the home owner who is renting the home. It is their responsibility to vet the renters first (you typically state your age, the purpose of your trip and the number and ages of occupants.) Sometimes a rather large deposit is required, but in all cases there is a cleaning fee involved. Homeowners can reject anyone they don’t want to rent to, and do.

If there is noise, trash, loud parties or illegally parked cars, then police should be notified to deal with the problem and the homeowner should be cited by the city.

I would humbly suggest that a homeowner be fined, and their right to rent be relinquished after a couple of citations.

I wouldn’t want wild parties next door either… and I have had them, but they were homeowners and not short-term occupants. And I have called the police, as well as written letters to the homeowner to chastise them on occasion.

Problem solved!

I have lived in Dana Point/Capo Beach for 10 years. We are, after all, a beach community with homes in close proximity in many areas, which means more noise and less privacy. But we should work to preserve the rights of all homeowners equally.

KIND OF IRONIC DANIEL HEADRICK MD, Dana Point Business Owner

Ironic that the in the same Lantern District in which the city allows easier and more affordable access to alcohol, I am denied the permission to hold groups to treat people with alcohol use disorders.

FROM RENTAL TO FOREVER HOME JASON COLACO, Dana Point

Short-term rentals have been a part of the fabric of Dana Point for 50 years. I discovered Dana Point after having stayed in a vacation rental across from Strands in 2002. This will be my 11th year as a resident of Dana Point, we fell in love with the city after that fateful stay. The Coastal Commission has lauded our short-term rental amendment as one that other cities should follow. Problematic owners can have their permits revoked, strict parking requirements are in place and there are also firm guidelines in terms of the number of guests you can host. Finally, a thorough inspection is required before a permit will be issued.

The program has been wildly successful. According to the planning department and code enforcement, there have been few complaints. It has generated over $400,000 in tax revenue yearly. Finally,

it has resulted in millions spent with our local businesses.

While the Coastal Commission would like the amendment to become part of the Local Coastal Plan, they have also given our City Council important mechanisms to modify sections of the amendment. For example, the penalties section and revocation of permits section could be amended without Coastal Commission approval.

With the upcoming vote on Sept. 6, our city can take a leadership role when it comes to managing short-term rentals versus ending up in long and expensive lawsuits with the Coastal Commission like other cities. I am deeply concerned that hotel lobbyists and large corporate interests are behind the push to prohibit short-term rentals, and we as residents need to fight for our property rights.

RENTAL ORDINANCE UPDATE BETTY HILL, Dana Point Residents for Responsible Development, Dana Point

The City Council has changed the date for a vote on the proposed short-term rental ordinance to Sept. 6. This ordinance allows short-term rentals of less than 29 days and two-day minimum rental periods in all residential neighborhoods except for neighborhoods with HOAs that prohibit them.

HOAs currently have the right to prohibit short-term rentals, and most do.

However, the majority of Dana Point residential neighborhoods do not have HOAs and passage of this ordinance would have a huge impact.

Under the ordinance, residents would provide enforcement by citing violations and supplying evidence or living with the consequences. Availability of homes and apartments for long-term renters could be affected along with rising rents. It is also very unusual that this ordinance gives the California Coastal Commission authority over zoning changes in the city, which would make needed changes difficult.

Our neighboring cities, including Laguna Beach, are limiting or prohibiting shortterm rentals because of their proliferation due to agencies such as Airbnb. It appears that the Dana Point Ordinance does not adequately protect all Dana Point neighborhoods and the quality of living residents expect and deserve. Please attend the Council meeting or contact your Councilmen.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ danapointtimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Kristina Pritchett, 949.388.7700, x113 kpritchett@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Steve Breazeale, 949.388.7700, x110 sbreazeale@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@picketfencemedia.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Managing Editor > Matt Cortina City Editor, DP Times > Kristina Pritchett City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Amanda Giannelli Evan Da Silva Debra Holm Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 9, Issue 35. The DP Times (www. danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes. com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.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 2016. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK Eddie Vedder. Photo: Courtesy of A12 Entertainment

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 28: OHANA MUSIC FESTIVAL 1 p.m. The music lineup for the festival at Doheny State Beach includes Eddie Vedder, Lana Del Rey, Elvis Costello, Cat Power, Band of Horses and more. In addition to offering a full day in the sun with a diverse music lineup, Ohana will donate a portion of the proceeds to the San Onofre Parks Foundation. Craft beer, wine and signature cocktails, as well as artisan food options from local restaurants and food trucks will be available all day long.

For more information, visit www.ohanafest.com.

The List

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

Friday | 26 BARKS & BREWS 5-8 p.m. Celebrate your pooch on National Dog Day at the Outlets at San Clemente.

Dinner will be available from food trucks like The Classic Tacos and DogTown Dogs, as well as cold beer from Left Coast Brewing Company. There’s also live entertainment, a doggy costume parade with prizes, photo booths and free treats. All proceeds benefit the Pet Project Foundation. Outlets at San Clemente. 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. www.shoposc.com/woof.

Saturday | 27 SOUTH COAST CONSERVATORY’S HIP HOP MASTERS WEEKEND 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. An all-weekend event where big name choreographers, Chuck Maldonado, Amy Allen and Super Dave are holding master classes along with other working professionals and surprise guest choreographers. Classes run Saturday and Sunday, and are available individually for $40. Either day pass is $100, and a full weekend pass is $180. South Coast Conservatory.

27652 Camino Capistrano, Laguna Niguel.

949.367.0099. www.scconservatory.com.

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STAR CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AUDITIONS Noon-4 p.m. Audition for the Oct. 21, onenight-only, performance of Poe, Poe, Poe, which will be staged at the Dana Point Community House. Those interested in auditioning should prepare a dramatic reading of one of the show’s poems, or another “dark poem.” Auditions will also be held Sunday from 4-7 p.m. All auditions held at the Norman P. Murray Community Center. 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. 702.349.3703. wwwstarctr.org.

16TH ANNUAL RANCHO MISSION VIEJO RODEO 1 p.m. Enjoy a weekend full of old-time family entertainment at the richest twoday rodeo in the nation, where the top 30 contestants in saddle bronc, bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and team roping come to the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park for the chance of a lifetime. Gates open at 1 p.m. on Saturday with the rodeo starting at 4 p.m. On Sunday, gates open at 11:30 a.m. with a 1:30 p.m. rodeo. Saturday evening ends with a concert and dance. $30 per day for adults, $10 for children 4-12 and free for kids 3 and under. 30753 La Pata Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.842.3782. www.rmvrodeo.com.

FROM PLASTIC TO FANTASTIC 6-9 p.m. Join the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center (SHACC) to celebrate the opening of their latest exhibition, “From Plastic to Fantastic,” which showcases (Cont. on page 8) www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 7) innovative apparel made from plastic and other recyclable material. A no-host bar and appetizers from L&L Hawaiian BBQ will be available. Free admission for SHACC members, and $5 for the general public. 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente.

949.388.0313. www.surfingheritage.org.

LIVE MUSIC: IVA LEE’S 7-11 p.m. Family Style will be performing at Iva Lee’s Restaurant. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.2855.

LIVE MUSIC: GOODY’S 8 p.m. Project X plays at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real.

949.492.3400.

Sunday | 28 KARAOKE AT GOODY’S 8 p.m. Karaoke every Sunday night at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400.

Monday | 29 DANA POINT 50-YEAR TIME CAPSULE OPENING 4-6 p.m. Watch the unveiling ceremony of a time capsule buried 50 years ago in the Dana Point Harbor. If you have an original BBQ dinner ticket from the 1966 Time Capsule Ceremony, you can use that ticket to receive a complimentary BBQ dinner.

Event is free for spectators. Baby Beach.

34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. www.danapointharbor.com.

Tuesday | 30 HALF-PRICE WHALE WATCHING 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Hop onboard this two-hour cruise to see dolphins, whales and other marine life in the wild. $22.50. Half price on Tuesdays but trips are available every day of the week. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

FREE HCG MEDICAL WEIGHT

LOSS PROGRAM CLASS 6-7 p.m. Join Dr. Helene Pulnik, ND for a class on how you can lose weight and keep it off with HCG Medical Weight Loss. Reservations requested. 24865 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point. 949.416.4670.

The Best Thing We Ate This Week

Escargots de Bourgogne L’HIRONDELLE

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

31631 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.661.0425. www.lhirondellesjc.com

The stigma of snails, seemingly born from and perpetuated exclusively by cartoon kids’ shows, has long prevented the critter from taking off on U.S. menus. Though that needs Escargots de Bourgogne. Photo: Matt Cortina to end, it makes the snail unique to elsewhere—namely, France, and namelier, Burgundy.

A trip to points between Lyon and Beaune will reveal a landscape that is aggressively fertile (not unlike snails, FYI), that produces rustic foods, wines and spirits that taste like the terroir.

Cooked in boiling hot butter and garlic and served on a special plate, L’Hirondelle’s take is traditional and well-executed. The snails are imported from the South Pacific or Europe, depending on the season, and are cooked unshelled (snails are typically sold canned, later placed in shells) to unctuous perfection. The bite is fatty, warm and a little dirty, with pops of heat from the garlic, and a lasting savoriness that connects the dish between bites.—Matt Cortina

Wednesday | 31 MARINES CORPS LEAGUE WINE AND BEER TASTING BENEFIT 6-8:30 p.m. Six vintners will offer 16 different wines to be sampled, plus there will be a variety of Craft Beers available. Cannons will be providing appetizers and dessert.

All proceeds will be used to provide a “Welcome Home” for returning deployed Marines and their families in September.

Reservations are $30 per person. Cannons Seafood Grill. 34344 Street of the Green Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.6146. www. marinecorpsleaguesouthcoast.org.

Coach House: Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals

LIVE MUSIC: IVA LEE’S 7-11 p.m. Shades of J will be performing at Iva Lee’s Restaurant. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.2855.

BY MATT CORTINA, DANA POINT TIMES

W

Thursday | 01 OC PARKS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 6-8 p.m. JR JR with Big Monsta will perform during the summer concert. The event is free and open to the public. There will be food trucks, a beer tent and more.

Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point.

949.923.2280.

For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com.

Have an event? Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com

hen Felix Cavaliere comes to the Coach House, he’ll be bringing more than his iteration of the iconic ’60s band The Young Rascals. Fifty years since hitting No. 1 on the Billboard charts, he’s bringing songs that helped define a generation.

The Rascals recorded hit after hit in the ’60s before disbanding in 1972. Before they did, they laid the tracks to favorites such as “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “Groovin’” (No. 1 in 1967), “How Can I Be Sure,” “A Girl Like You,” “A Beautiful Morning,” and “People Got to Be Free” (No. 1 in 1968).

“There is no better feeling than to hear your song on the radio,” Cavaliere said in a press release. “We were young kids and we just wanted to play music—Good Lovin’ really surprised us as a hit, but as they say, the rest is history. People still associate that song with us, and we’re all so proud that

At the Movies: ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ Strikes a Chord

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

M

oving to the complete opposite spectrum of Sausage Party from last week, the end of August gives us the family-friendly Kubo and the Two Strings. The movie is produced by Laika Entertainment, which has brought back the medium of stopmotion animation that was common in the 1980s before CGI became the default Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

technique. Though making only modest hits with audiences, critics have praised the company for expanding the limits of animation with Coraline (2009), Paranorman (2012) and now Kubo.

In a small Japanese village, Kubo (Art Parkinson) is suddenly orphaned when his single mother is killed saving him from two vengeful witches (both voiced by Rooney Mara). Now he must discover his destiny

Photo: Copyright © Focus Features

and family’s past connected to his magical guitar, and how his new friends—a talking monkey (Charlize Theron) and a life-size talking beetle (Matthew McConaughey)— fit into everything.

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it’s been a part of many generations’ lives.”

Cavaliere now records and lives in Nashville.

Many may not know he’s an illustriously decorated musician, having been inducted as member of the Rascals into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame, as well as an individual enshrinement in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Cavaliere is touring the country with his Rascals, and will be stopping by the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. DP George Takei and Ralph Fiennes co-star. Kubo’s main strengths are its stop-motion production— especially in an era where 2D animation has been obsolete for almost a decade in favor of the easy and fast convenience of CGI—and guitar-heavy music score by Dario Marianelli. Though CGI can be impressive in its own right, Laika’s stopmotion is fresh and exhilarating to view on the big screen. The story of Kubo and the Two Strings is fairly basic and could have had a stronger third act, but Regina Spektor’s lovely cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” along with the visuals almost makes up for it. DP www.danapointtimes.com

HOW TO TURN VOLUNTEER WORK INTO A SECOND CAREER MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERS MORE THAN FOOD TO THE COMMUNITY FITNESS AND RECREATION TIPS FOR THE ACTIVE SENIOR

WELCOME TO

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aging well | FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

s there a better place to age well than South Orange County? If there is, it’d have to have recreational opportunities, perfect weather, vibrant community centers, entertainment options and leading medical care and assisted living facilities—all of which the tri-city area has in abundance.

Almost 45 percent of residents in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano—almost 60,000 people—are over the age of 45, which means it’s no secret the area attracts those looking to live well as they age. In this inaugural edition of Aging Well, we’ve assembled features that highlight what the area offers seniors, and how seniors in the area are finding their own sources of entertainment and exploration.

In Aging Well, you’ll find several stories about how to stay active in the community with fellow seniors. Check out an article on our local community centers, page 6, a look at senior fitness, page 7, and find local hotspots from local themselves on page 12.

We’ve also assembled profiles of all the places seniors can go to live within a like-minded, and like-aged, community. Flip to page 4 for a feature on San Clemente Villas by the Sea, with a rundown of all the senior communities in the tri-city area. And look on page 11 for a profile of the San Clemente Village nonprofit, a group that is seeking to help seniors stay independent as they age.

For practical advice on aging well, we’ve included a story on senior nutrition, page14, ways to protect against falls and other common injuries, page 8, and expert advice on Medicare and similar packages on page 10.

Lastly, we’ve included stories for those who are looking to give back. Read about the local Meals on Wheels program, page 14, and find ways to stay active via volunteering on page 13.

There’s a lot to do in South Orange County for seniors, and there’s a lot to read about in this issue—so start reading, and start aging well.

WHAT LOCALS ARE SAYING

We asked local seniors in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano: How are you aging well in South Orange County?

Rene Cortez, Dana Point

“I was born and raised in this town.

I volunteer at the senior center. I do Meals on Wheels.

I’m a docent up at the Dana Point Headlands. And I just started a nonprofit up there.”

Evie Love, Dana Point “I volunteer (as events coordinator at the Beach Cities Senior’s Club). We go to musicals, we go to casinos, we go to luncheons.

We just do a lot of activities here.” page 3

Pat Burkholder, San Juan Capistrano “Being a senior, I joined about five senior places and they go on the trips.

At the end of this month, we’re going to Laughlin and they’re very inexpensive. You get the busride, two nights at a motel and meals for under $200.

You can’t beat that.”

George Ruiz, San Clemente “The nature trails, some of those. I like coming to the community center, walking along the beach. Any one of the city’s activities is fun to walk around and see.”

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

HOME AWAY FROM, BUT NEARBY, HOME

SAN CLEMENTE VILLAS BY THE SEA OFFERS A LOCAL SPIN ON RETIREMENT LIVING

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BY MATT CORTINA

here are a lot of perks that come from a locally run retirement and assisted living facility. You’re never too far away from your friends and family, nor your favorite restaurants. And it means the folks taking care of you have an investment in making your life as comfortable as possible—you’re neighbors after all.

Paul and Aileen Brazeau built the San Clemente Villas by the Sea in 2002 after they noticed a need for senior care and community growing in San Clemente.

“I thought there was a need for assisted living,” Aileen said. “Did you know that the baby boomer generation after World War II is aging? There’s a lot of elderly people and we wanted to provide a space in San Clemente (for them).”

Immediately, the Brazeaus felt like there was an opportunity to provide more intimate, localized care than some of the larger chains that provide a “formula” to senior living.

“We’re kind of different. We’re a familyfriendly operation, and we’re about fun living and enjoying life,” Aileen said. “People are herd animals, and we like to be in groups and we like to be social.”

Part of that community aspect extends to the resources available to seniors at the Villas. Aileen says they go out of their way to provide unique experiences for their residents and guests.

“My husband and I, this is our only community so we spend extra money on activities, more money on food. It’s all about fun,” Aileen said.

Activities offered by the Villas include a creative writing and watercolor paint-

ing class; dancing and singing activities; a book of the month club; brain activities; movie nights (mostly musicals and comedies); trips to the casino; wine dinners; cruises—“It’s like this Club Med sort of thing,” Aileen said.

The Villas are home to about 160 residents and 127 employees. The residents include people from all walks of life from beach bums to doctors and professors.

What brings them all together to the Villas is a love of San Clemente and the shared passion for the things that make the city, and the area, so special.

“We have nonstop activities and you can be as active as you want to be,” Aileen said. “I think the sunshine and good food and getting vitamins and medication on time, you just feel great. We have residents who have lived here for over 10 years just because they love it.”

She added that her office is always open to residents and guests looking to suggest new activities or just to talk. In that way, and in so many others, San Clemente Villas by the Sea is a real, caring community.

The edifice and reception area of San Clemente Villas by the Sea. Photo: Courtesy

Bedrooms are characteristic and fun, like the Villas and their members. Photo: Courtesy

Movies are screened every night at the Villas. Photo: Courtesy

Owner Aileen Brazeau stands in a common area of the facility. Photo: Courtesy

The facility is home to a heated pool for year-round enjoyment. Photo: Courtesy

The tri-cities are home to a number of senior living and assisted care facilities, as well as seniors-only communities.

The broad range of options ensures that seniors have choices when it comes to the quality and style of life they want to lead. Check out the facilities and communities in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano and visit their websites to see all they have to offer.

Dana Point: Aegis Living of Dana Point, The Fountains at Sea Bluff San Clemente: AMADA Senior Care, Cottons Point, Rosehaven Care Homes, SC Villas by the Sea, Vintage Shores San Juan Capistrano: Atria San Juan, Brookdale Senior Living, Del Obispo Terrace, Silverado San Juan Capistrano, Seasons Senior Apartments, Villa Paloma Senior Apartments

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aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

CENTER OF ACTION Local community centers offer myriad entertainment opportunities for seniors

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BY MATT CORTINA

ommunity centers in South Orange County provide locals of all age groups the opportunity to connect, exercise, dine and, more than anything, enjoy their neighbors. The centers are keys to truly aging well, both for the mind and body. In addition to regular events like yoga and bridge, senior centers also offer holiday events and special celebrations throughout the year. There’s also excursions lead by the Beach Cities Senior’s Club to concert venues, casinos, museums and more. Take a look at what these community centers have to offer.

Senior Center Director Vanna Murphy addresses a Dana Point Senior Center luncheon. Photo: Matt Cortina

Local Dana Point seniors enjoy the lunch, one of many activities at the center. Photo: Matt Cortina

Dana Point Community Center

34052 Del Obispo Street. 949.496.4252. www.danapoint.org/department/community-services-and-parks/seniors The activities for seniors rotate every month at the Dana Point Community Center, but there are a few staples to set your watch to. Bingo runs every weekday, and card games take place on Thursday and Friday. Lunch is served every day at the Center at 11:45 a.m., and is available with the recommended $4.50 donation.

Special lunches range from chili dogs to luau-inspired fare. Special events include Western Day, where attendees can dress in Western garb; Halloween dinner, where prizes go to the best costume; and Thanksgiving Day feasts. There’s also valuable resources like driver safety courses, legal counsel, transportation services and health care management.

Dorothy Visser Senior Center (San Clemente)

117 Avenida Victoria. 949.498.3322. http://san-clemente.org/recreation-community/recreation/classes-programs/senior-activities Look out for lunches, exercise groups, art classes and more at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center in San Clemente. The center usually has two exercise groups every morning—yoga, pilates, tai chi, strength training, balance work and aerobic exercise are all offered.

Later in the day, folks can get their crafting muscles moving with knitting workshops, watercolor and oil painting classes, and jewelry making. The Center also has a computer lab and community dining available to all patrons.

There are also resources like healthcare counseling, visual aid consultations, health advisors and more. And there’s plenty of opportunities for fun with bridge, bingo and holiday-specific celebrations.

San Juan Capistrano Community Center

25925 Camino Del Avion. 949.493.5911. https://www.sanjuancapistrano.org/Index.aspx?page=299 The opportunities for seniors in San Juan Capistrano are limitless. It starts with a senior lounge open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, where guests can shoot pool, play cards, watch TV and socialize.

There are yoga, balance, hula and other exercise classes available at the Center and nearby. The San Juan Senior Club also offers dozens of one-day and overnight excursions for the senior traveler.

The Center also provides resources like legal aid, estate planning, tax help, a driving safety program and more. Seniors can stop by for meals on weekdays at 11:45 a.m., and stick around for the camaraderie. page 6

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

OVER 50? JOIN THE BOOMERS FITNESS MOVEMENT AND GET ACTIVE

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BY JEANNIE MCCORMACK

hen we’re in our 20s, 30s and 40s, we get the feeling that our bodies are invincible. But then the 50s hit, and our bodies start to call time. I’ve heard countless clients tell me that they looked at themselves in the mirror at age 50 and thought, “Who are you?” The good news is, it’s not too late. Committing to a routine of regular exercises is one of the healthiest decisions you can make.

The benefits of exercise at any age are well documented, but for those over 50, exercise can be lifesaving. Studies show that exercise reduces the impact of illness and chronic disease. Benefits of exercise for adults over 50 include: • improved immune function • better heart health and blood pressure • better bone density • improved sleep • improved mental clarity • boosted mood • better focus • enhanced self esteem • enhanced mobility, flexibility, and balance, and better-looking skin

Those that exercise also have lower risk of chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, obesity, cancer, osteoporosis and arthritis, even if you already have the symptoms.

Thanks to the boomers, who began turning 65 in 2011, the population of older Americans is expanding. By 2030, one in five Americans will be a senior, nearly double the 12 percent mark of 2000.

We can age better than our ancestors to be sure. I flash back to my own ’60s iconic childhood. I fondly remember my mother turning on Jack LaLane in the morning.

She would encourage my sister and I, both preschoolers, to follow along. My lovely mother with the frosted beehive hairstyle would swing her pedal pushered legs over the side of an armchair and smoke a cigarette. She never actually did the exercises herself but she did most definitely encourage myself and my six siblings to live an active lifestyle. The decision to exercise has to be a lifestyle choice.

The biggest single reason given for not exercising on a regular basis is not having enough time for the recommended 30 minutes a day to maintain health. It is vital that you find this time as it has a direct bearing on future well-being. It can be as little as

three 10-minute walks a day, a 30-minute walk, an exercise class, a swim, a bike ride, a friendly game of golf or tennis. Exercise can be as effective as medication in combatting depression. Walking, jogging, weightlifting and stationary bike have all been found to make an impact on mood.

Pilates and yoga are my favorite modality with the over-50 crowd. If you had an active lifestyle growing up, chances are good you well have no trouble picking up yoga or pilates practice and you will see rapid results in improved physical condition. You can practice both pilates and yoga well into your advanced senior years. The last class I took from renowned pilates master Ron Fletcher is proof in the pudding. At the age of 86, he was climbing onto a reformer and demonstrating most all of the moves. If that weren’t telling enough, both yoga and pilates are a mind-body tradition, meaning that you must concentrate on form and breath. It therefore becomes a moving meditation.

Recent studies at University of California, Irvine showed that 20-40 minutes of daily meditation reduced cortisol levels by 27 percent. And we know what happens when cortisol levels spike: belly fat. And belly fat is deadly, literally.

Seniors exercise at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center. Photo: Matt Cortina

My AARP card recently came in the mail. My husband held it up with a wink. I didn’t find it so funny. In fact, I was horrified. But while aging is inevitable, we don’t have to get old now, do we? Just get out there and get active.

aging well |

I

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

PREVENTING FALLS … beyond the obvious

BY DR. MARY SONDAG, PHYSICAL THERAPIST

asked my mother, 85, if she’d fallen recently. “Well, yes,” she admitted.

How did it happen? “Well, I was trapping the chipmunks in the live trap so I could take it over to the forest preserve. I don’t really know what happened, I guess I tripped over a high spot on the patio.

I didn’t think to say anything—I wasn’t hurt.” I shook my head— most people just say they fell over a rug, or tripped over a curb. Not my mom—she was out trapping chipmunks!

You’ve heard it all before: the fall risks, the statistics for falls in people over 65, the tips and tricks for avoiding falls, making your home safer by picking up throw rugs.

And yet, down you went. You didn’t even bother to mention it to anyone—you didn’t get hurt, no broken bones, no harm done.

This is exactly the time you should take notice and start asking questions. Why did I fall? What were the circumstances?

Should I start using a cane in certain circumstances? Did it happen cleaning the

garage? Trapping chipmunks? What could I have done that would have decreased my chances of falling?

I’ve been a physical therapist for almost 35 years and if I had one piece of advice to give to people over age 65 it would be that: be proactive. It is so much easier to prevent an injury due to falling than to undergo the rehab required to resume normal life after such an injury. It breaks my heart when someone loses their independence when it could have been prevented.

There is no guarantee that we will never fall. From the moment we are upright on two legs, we are at risk. From a 10-monthold taking her first steps to a 45-year-old who was texting while walking to the 85-year-old checking her chipmunk trap, we are at risk of falling and, no matter how in shape or nimble we are, many of us still fall.

However, if we understand the reasons that gravity sometimes wins this battle of the upright, it can help us make better decisions as we move about and limit our chances of falling when we least expect it.

“I haven’t fallen, I don’t have an injury, I don’t need physical therapy.” Well, maybe, maybe not. Medicare Part B is happy to pay for an evaluation and comprehensive balance screening, which is really the

Physical therapy is a valuable resource for seniors looking to prevent falls. Photo: istock

only way to assess your risk. When I perform a standardized balance test, it is not surprising to learn that what I have initially observed when the person walked in is not the whole story. Someone may walk in and look perfectly fine, but when their balance is challenged, it is obvious they need therapy due to lack of strength, balance reactions or other factors such as diminished sensation. On the other hand, someone may walk in and look as if they

are about to fall over, but testing reveals they have strength and balance reactions in their trunk and extremities that serve them well and keep them off the ground.

So be proactive. Make an appointment with a physical therapist and find out where you are in the spectrum of fall risk.

That baseline information can be used at future checkups to assure you that you can still trap chipmunks safely and without falling.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

For Your Health

TURNING 65? MEDICARE ADVICE FROM A HEALTH INSURANCE EXPERT

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BY STEPHANIE FRISCH

o matter their level of understanding of health insurance, many people are served well by a quick refresher course on Medicare. Advertisements on TV and in magazines indicate as much— ‘Are you confused about when to enroll for Medicare?’ and variations thereof is a common line on the airwaves.

So here’s a basic overview of what to expect as you approach 65.

Once you enroll in Original Medicare, you’ll have a choice of using Medicare as your primary medical insurance and purchasing a supplemental to Medicare to cover medical and hospital costs. You will then also need to purchase a prescription drug plan (whether you need it or not at the time, or face a penalty). Another option would be to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan—this is a health plan offered by private health insurance companies that contract with Medicare to provide the same benefits that Medicare offers, but they go further in coverage and generally include prescription drug coverage and additional benefits at no cost. These plans are mostly an HMO, and there are a few PPO plans left in Orange County, but they may change for 2017.

Medicare is broken into two parts—Part A covers hospitalization, skilled nursing and hospice to some degree, and Part

the gaps of Original Medicare coverage).

You won’t be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B unless you took your Social Security early at age 62 or at an earlier age because of a disability. Part A enrollment happens automatically when you turn 65 (and is at no cost to you if you or your spouse paid into it for 40 quarters while working).

The reason this is the case now versus a few years ago or when your parents turned 65 is because the age that someone gets fully vested into social security is increasing. It used to be age 65, so when someone applied for their Social Security benefits, Medicare would be notified that they were turning 65 and mail out a card with both Part A and B activated. If someone didn’t want Part B at that time (because of group coverage most likely) they’d sign the attachment refusing that coverage.

What I find is happening now is that people expect their Medicare card to arrive with Part A and B activated automatically and both aren’t; their card arrives with only Part A activated. They may not look at it closely, they just tuck it away, and when the time comes to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, there is a “uh-oh” moment because they assumed they were all set to go and now they have to scramble to get to the Social Security office and get the Part B portion activated.

The protocol now for Part B to be activated is either going online to www. medicare.gov to do that, or going in to the closest Social Security office. The earliest you can activate Part B is three months

The key is that you must have both Part A and Part B active in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) or a Medicare Supplemental plan (which fills in the gaps of Original Medicare coverage).

B covers 80 percent of outpatient and all physician services. There’s also Part C and Part D, but let’s focus on A and B. The key is that you must have both Part A and Part B active in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) or a Medicare Supplemental plan (which fills in page 10

prior to your 65th birthday.

There is a lot of financial exposure having only Original Medicare and nothing else to fill in the gaps. Medicare doesn’t cover outpatient prescription drug coverage either, you have to enroll in a plan offered by a private insurance company.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

Seniors with the San Clemente Village celebrate the nonprofits launch in Hawaiian-style at the Outlets.

Photo: Courtesy

IT TAKES A VILLAGE SC Village helps local seniors lead independent lives

I

BY AMANDA GIANNELLI

t is hard to define what you need, and sometimes, even harder to ask for it.

Sherry Reams is a San Clemente local who worked as a stock broker and traveled around the country for her entire career. Though her work ethic and determination had her striving to work until her 70th birthday, she reluctantly retired at 69 years old. Still living on her own, Reams would say, “I don’t need help, because who wants to think of themselves as old?”

Reams is one of many with this mentality, and that is why the nonprofit San Clemente Village isn’t here just to help, but to enhance the lives of seniors in the community.

Reams founded San Clemente Village about a year ago and has now become the vice chairperson of the organization.

It’s part of the Village to Village Network, which started in Beacon Hill, Boston.

After receiving television recognition, City Councilman Bob Baker, and Nancy Sutherland, a member of San Clemente’s Human Affairs Committee, both got involved and started to promote this “neighbors helping neighbors” organization.

Today, there are close to 300 villages in the country. San Clemente has now joined that list with a Village launched this September at The Outlets in San Clemente.

San Clemente Village offers not only transportation for members, but along

with assistance with simple maintenance or technical problems, the membership can include the ability to go to social outings with like-minded people like going wine tasting or taking a day to see San Diego or the Julian Trails. There are volunteer opportunities all around San Clemente for which members can easily sign up. Members must be 55 or older and live in San Clemente. All the vendors that are available to the members are prescreened and all the volunteers helping the organization are interviewed to ensure both safety and comfort. Those who purchase a one year’s membership by Sept. 30 will also receive an extra three months free, along with a free additional membership of the same value for another person living in the same residence.

Reams said that any “members who are interested in the community should know their community is interested in them.” As a small Spanish beach town, the surfers are seen, the youth is always heard, but we seem to forget to ask the question “What about the seniors?”

The future for San Clemente Village is bright, “As we grow, we want potential members to look forward to joining with us.” Sherry said. “Let’s make each decade wonderful. Let’s enhance their lives.”

For more information on becoming a member, a volunteer or joining the referral network, visit www.scvillage.org or call 949.441.1348. page 11

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

AGING WELL… as told by locals

G

My life partner, Greta Cohn, who retired in 2007 after 31 years of being a special education teacher at RH Dana Exceptional Needs Facility in Dana Point, believes that exercise is critical to aging well. Three mornings a week Greta does water aerobics with a group of 37 women and four men. And, on Tuesday mornings, she does Tai Chi at the Doris Walker Memorial Area in Heritage Park with a group of men and women. And on Thursday morning, she attends a Tai Chi class at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center next to the Marco Forster Middle School. Greta also volunteers in the Ocean Institute Gift Shop.

BY TOM BLAKE

rowing older doesn’t have to be something to dread. In fact, most of the retired and senior people I encounter are “aging well.” Our tri-city area provides a plethora of activities and opportunities for getting out, getting involved and enjoying life.

Here is how some of our local citizens are embracing life while growing older.

One of the reasons that John Bates is aging well is he gave up his car even

Brad and Judy Brandmeier are aging well. The former owners of Beacon

Printing in Dana Point are now retired.

They were enjoying the free outdoor concert at Dana Point’s Sea Terrace Park on Sunday, Aug. 7, while sitting in a nice shady spot with friends, grooving to the sounds of Hot August Night, a Neil Diamond tribute band. They looked relaxed and were having an enjoyable time. Judy and Brad do a great amount of volunteer work for the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

before he retired a few years back and rides his bicycle from his San Juan Capistrano home to Dana Point Harbor and other destinations around South Orange County. John admits that his wife, Judy, still owns her car and once in a while he’ll ride in that when they are going to out-of-the-way destinations. Pumping that bicycle keeps John in good shape.

Four to five times a week— Russell Kerr, the past Chairman of the

Carole Kelly says, “I believe it is very important as we age to stay both physically and mentally active.” She teaches swimming at the San Clemente Sports Park on Vista Hermosa, Aqua Exercise for 24-Hour Fitness, and gives private swimming lessons for children. She walks in Dana Point Harbor daily and volunteers one day a week at Doheny Beach as a docent in the Visitor’s/Interpretive Center. Need to learn how to swim? Go see Carole.

Chris Anastasio, San Clemente, lets no grass grow under his feet. At

Ron and Lee Cohan, Dana Point,

former owners of Zia Jewelry, San Juan Capistrano, exercise nearly every day of the week whether it be swimming, walking, doing Tai Chi or ballroom dancing. I saw them on the dance floor on a recent Saturday night at the San Juan Capistrano Mission, swinging to the sounds of True Willie, a Willie Nelson tribute band, along with hundreds of other country music fans. Exercise is their top priority in retirement.

age 81, he still travels the world half of the year with his girlfriend Tina, who lives in England. An email I recently sent to Chris came back with this message: “I am on the road again. I’ll be gone until the Fourth of September.”

And the email had this sign-off: “Life is like a book. If you haven’t traveled, you have only read the first page; but if you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might as well stay home.”

Chris volunteers as a dance host at the San Clemente Villas and always dresses up as Santa Claus for the Christmas parties there. page 12

Board of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, who just turned 70 and is retired from the Edward Jones Company—and I do stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) together at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor.

We aren’t the only old-timers doing SUP at Baby Beach, there are probably a couple hundred men and women paddling each day, even more on weekends. It’s almost like a fraternity the people are so friendly.

All it takes to age well in the tri-city area is a little initiative to find out what is best for each person and to make an effort to get out there. Saddleback College Emeritus Institute lists 26 tuition-free classes for older adults for this fall www. saddleback.edu/emeritus. That’s a good place to start.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

SECOND CALLING SENIOR VOLUNTEERS CONNECT WITH OC NONPROFITS FOR NEW CAREERS

Members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) were honored among other volunteers at the OneOC Senior Symposium. Photo: Courtesy OneOC

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BY MATT CORTINA

here are a myriad of ways for seniors to stay active and busy during their retirement years. Some pick up new hobbies (or ones of which they’ve dreamed for years), others work part-time at local businesses. But many seniors are increasingly turning to volunteering as a rewarding and satisfying way to stay busy and help their communities.

There is local support for seniors looking to volunteer in Orange County.

OneOC is a nonprofit organization that matches volunteers with groups looking for help—it’s everything from seasonal work to prominent board positions.

Maria Lemus, volunteer services coordinator at OneOC, said the relationship between senior volunteers and nonprofits is mutually beneficial.

“A lot of nonprofits are very excited to know that we have a pool of individuals who have experience, they have the time commitment and have a passion about serving,” Lemus said. “What we’ve heard from our volunteers is that they are very excited to volunteer because it gives them something to do. They’re able to socialize, so they get to meet individuals … with the same interests as themselves.”

Many volunteers come equipped with a lifetime of career skills and knowledge, which equates to a productive volunteering experience. OneOC matches seniors with nonprofits looking for help based not only on interest, but on skill level.

“We do emphasize having (our program) be very skill-based, so it’s not just sending out our volunteers,” said Floridel Martinez, communications specialist at OneOC. “I know a lot of our volunteers … say the work they’re doing really does mean something because they’re using their skills and page 13

being able to apply it more directly.”

OneOC does offer training to volunteers, particularly those who want to serve as board members at nonprofits. The range of opportunities for all seniors interested in volunteering is vast—and searchable via their website—but can be categorized into several main groups.

“A lot of our nonprofit partners that are part of this program, they focus on education, disaster preparedness, health and wellness and public safety programs,” Lemus said.

Lemus added that OneOC runs the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), with more than 400 volunteers serving in those specific areas. Members of RSVP who reach certain landmarks (like 4,000 hours volunteered, for instance) are honored annually at a celebration.

OneOC, through all their volunteer connections, worked with more than 43,000 volunteers last year, who logged more than one million volunteer hours.

Lemus said the volunteer opportunities in Orange County also allow seniors to either pivot from their previous interests, or double down and find new outlets for their lives’ work.

“I think a lot of the time, seniors are very committed to (their volunteer responsibilities), because they’re looking for something very different from their first career,” Lemus said. “Individuals working in an office setting with very little social interaction, now they’re looking for the exact opposite. People in education, for instance, either they’re very passionate and keep with it or they decide they want something different, they want to build something. It’s the next career in life.”

Those interested in volunteering can browse www.oneoc.org for opportunities in the county.

aging well |

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

NUTRITION AND DAILY CALORIE INTAKE for adults over 50

DAILY CALORIE LEVELS FOR WOMEN OVER 50 Common sense tells us that the number of calories needed to maintain health is related to the amount of activity a person is willing, or able, to undertake. The chart below illustrates some basic guidelines.

1,600

Lower physical activity: only performs activities associated with typical day-to-day life

1,800

Lower physical activity: walks the equivalent of 1.5 to 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

2,100

Active lifetstyle: walks the equivalent of more than 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

CALORIES CALORIES CALORIES

DAILY CALORIE LEVELS FOR MEN OVER 50

2,100

Lower physical activity: only performs activities associated with typical day-to-day life

2,300

Lower physical activity: walks the equivalent of 1.5 to 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

2,600

Active lifestyle: walks the equivalent of more than 3 miles a day at 3 to 4 miles per hour

CALORIES CALORIES CALORIES

Source: National Institutes of Health

Fresh or frozen, vegetables contain a wealth of nutrients, as well a healthy dose of fiber.

Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally wellbalanced vegetables—high in folic acid and a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins A, B6, and C. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C and other essential nutrients.

Along with citrus fruits and other berries, they also contain phytochemicals, whose health benefits are beginning to be researched.

VEGETABLES

creating a

FRUITS

HEALTHY

plate

Grains are a staple of any healthy diet. Those who eat whole grains may enjoy a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. Grains are packed with elements of good nutritional value such as iron, magnesium, fiber, B vitamins and more. The USDA suggests making half your grain intake whole grains.

Protein is an essential nutrient, made up of 20 amino acids, or building blocks, that our bodies need. The USDA says our best sources of protein come from meat, poultry, seafood, beens and peas, eggs, processed soy, nuts and seeds.

WHOLE GRAINS

PROTEIN, DAIRY & HEALTHY OILS

ORDER IN

MEALS ON WHEELS BRINGS FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP TO SENIORS’ DOORSTEPS

S

BY MATT CORTINA

pinach cannelloni. Pineapple glazed ham. A harvest vegetable plate. Those are just some of the 300,000 meals delivered annually to Orange County seniors via the Age Well Senior Services Meals on Wheels program. And in South Orange County, about 400 people depend on the food preparation and delivery program for their three square meals every day.

The process by which the meals are delivered to residents involves a lot of moving parts—including a cadre of volunteers to help deliver the meals and meet with senior residents. It starts when a senior over the age of 60 in South Orange County contacts Age Well and signs up for the service.

Though the program receives federal funding, a $7.50 per day donation is suggested— though no senior is ever turned away.

The meals are prepared by Langlois in

Meals on Wheels delivers three meals a day from a rotating menu to over 400 residents in South Orange County.

Photo: Courtesy Age Well

Laguna Beach, a company that specializes in frozen and specialty meals for groups like seniors. Lisa Gibson, the nutrition director at Age Well, designs the menus every month to meet key health goals for the service’s recipients.

“We base the nutrient requirement on a sedentary 70-year-old woman,” Gibson

said. “1,600 calories per day. The sodium is under 2,300 milligrams a day. And we have to get all the vitamins and minerals.”

The meals are portion-controlled and are generally not catered to specific therapeutic diets, like blood pressure or diabetic diets. That’s because all meals possess a healthy level of calories, sodium and other

page 14

elements, and specific diets can leave out valuable nutrients for seniors like protein.

Once the meals are prepared, the real magic of the Meals on Wheels program begins. An all-volunteer staff of delivery drivers are tasked with making stops for lunch and dinner, with breakfast included in the last delivery of the day. Volunteers are asked to perform home checks on the recipients, to ensure that people involved in the program are healthy and living in a relatively good situation. That said, the state of many seniors who are on the program might surprise their neighbors.

“You have no idea how some people are living. People have the perception of all of South Orange County being very wealthy and it’s not,” Gibson said, adding that the home checks are important because many seniors will say they’re doing fine on the phone when their reality is slightly different.

For many of the program’s clients, the highlight is the interaction with volunteers.

“Some of the clients, they don’t want to talk so they just take the meal and go inside, but others you can hardly say goodbye,” Gibson said. “Our volunteers will be an extra hour on the route because they develop relationships with the client.

They’ll take trips and send postcards back.”

Gibson said the program generally has enough volunteers, but that the size of the group ebbs and flows. Many volunteers are seniors themselves, and transition into recipients of the meals.

DP DP LIVING Dana Dana Point Point

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Ohana Music Festival: Things to Know Before You Go

BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, DANA POINT TIMES

B

efore you hit the sands this weekend for the Ohana Music Festival at Doheny State Beach, check out some information regarding the lineup, parking and things to know about the weekend event.

Things to know before you go Ohana officially begins with a charity luau on Friday night with Jeff Ross and Eddie Vedder. The music festival doors will open on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and shows will end between 9:15-9:30 p.m.

Some of the proceeds will be donated to the San Onofre Parks Foundation, a California non-profit that works with California State Parks.

Beer, wine, signature cocktails and food from local restaurants will be available.

There will also be a surfboard museum for concert-goers to check out.

Tickets are still available online, including weekend passes, but space is limited.

• Single day passes for Saturday or Sunday, general admission and a fee, are $117.

• VIP passes for individual days includes a VIP admission, expedited entry into the festival, a VIP laminate, a swag bag, access to Ohana Dana Point VIP Lounge, are $539—the pass and fee.

• The weekend general admission pass includes the general admission for both Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $226.50 for the tickets and a fee.

For more information, to purchase tickets, visit www.theohanafest.com.

THE LINEUP Saturday, Aug. 27 Performing on the Main Stage: • White Reaper at 2:30 p.m.

• Mudhoney at 3:20 p.m.

• X at 4:20 p.m.

• Band of Horses at 5:20 p.m.

• Elvis Costello at 6:25 p.m.

• Eddie Vedder at 7:55 p.m.

Performing on the Tiki Stage: • Lily Meola at 1:30 and 6:05 p.m.

• Jack Irons at 2:05 and 5 p.m.

• Polynesian Dancers at 3 and 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 28 Performing on the Main Stage: • Jonny Two Bags at 2:40 p.m.

• Ryan Bingham at 3:30 p.m.

• Corinne Bailey Rae at 4:30 p.m.

• Cat Power at 5:30 p.m.

• City and Colour at 6:35 p.m.

• Lana Del Rey at 7:55 p.m.

Performing on the Tiki Stage: • The Palms at 1:30 and 6:15 p.m.

• Wilderdo at 2:05 and 5:10 p.m.

• Polynesian Dancers at 3:10 and 4:10 p.m.

Parking and Shuttles Two parking lots will be reserved for Ohana Dana Point shuttle riders. Shuttles will begin at 11 a.m. and the last shuttle will return from Doheny State Beach at 11 p.m.

The two shuttle parking lots include Dana Hills High School, located at 33333 Street of the Golden Lantern, and at The Outlets at San Clemente in the parking structure, located at 101 W. Avenida Hermosa, San Clemente.

The tickets are $10 roundtrip for the shuttle, per person, per day. Shuttles will depart every 30 minutes.

The Dana Point trolleys will be running all weekend. The pickup locations vary throughout the city and will drop off riders at Ohana’s entrance.

There will be a free bike valet provided. It will be open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Uber and taxi drop off will be located at the Dana Point Community Center. DP

Pet of the Week: Esteban

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his brown-eyed cutie is Esteban, a loving little canine who wants nothing more than to be at your side. If his sweet face doesn’t get you, his friendly personality will definitely win you over! Esteban is sure to make an affectionate and devoted companion.

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

Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

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

Page 9

Photo: Eric Heinz

SCENE { I N DANA P O I NT }

The seventh annual Dana Point Lobster Fest returned to Doheny State Beach

Saturday evening for food, music and casino games.

The Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club hosted the annual event where more than 700 tickets were sold. Proceeds

from the event benefited Make-A-Wish, Boys & Girls Club,

Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group and more.

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 Last week’s solution:

See the solution in next week’s issue.

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Dolphin Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the Dana Hills High School spring sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

Dolphins Football Set for Showdown with Vikings

Members of the Dana Point-based Mariners 936 Sea Scout group celebrate after participating in the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup. Photo: Courtesy

Local Sea Scouts Compete in Prestigious Regatta DANA POINT TIMES

T

he William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup features the top Sea Scout organizations from around the world. Sea Scout groups from Australia, Brazil, Germany and several other countries descended upon the Long Beach Harbor from July 31 to Aug. 5 to compete against one another in CFJ-class boats.

The Mariners 936 Sea Scouts out of Dana Point were among the 41 teams invited to compete at the event, and several members had standout performances. In order to compete at the Sea Scout Cup, contestants, which operate in two-person

teams, had to go through a year-long series of qualifying events.

Mariners 936 members Lily Maranto and Jackie Mullen entered their division as the top qualifiers in the Orange County area and placed eighth overall.

Other Mariners 936 sailors that placed at the Sea Scout Cup include Ted Carter and Amanda Amundson (fourth place), Tyler Peyatt and Rachel Hunter (fi fth) and Hanna Carter and Luis Tellez (11th).

The regatta capped off the end of the Mariners 936 season. The group will begin a new season of racing in September. DP

The Dana Hills football team will take the field in its season-opening game against Marina on Aug. 26. The Dolphins are in search of the program’s first victory in over a year.

Marina, which went 1-9 overall last season, will present the Dolphins defense with a run-oriented attack. The Vikings return senior running back Cooper Malerstein, who rushed for an average of 88.4 yards per game and scored four touchdowns last season. Marina also returns rising sophomore back Blaine Riederich, who rushed for 57 yards per game in a limited amount of playing time.

Marina returns its leading receiver from last season in senior Noah Holmes.

Holmes caught 19 passes for 279 yards and five touchdowns in 2015.

The Dolphins defense allowed an average of 54.9 points per game last season, and will rely on a pair of dynamic linebackers to reverse that trend.

Junior linebackers Julian Casillas and Joe Wilske were first and second-team allleague selections last season, respectively, and will anchor the defense. Senior safety Ryder Lynch will provide leadership and experience in the secondary.

Dana Hills is hoping junior quarterback Corey Cisowski will continue to improve under center. Cisowski was an all-league second-team selection one year ago, and has grown in confidence and as a signal caller, head coach Phil Skinner said.

The game will be held at Dana Hills and is set to start at 7 p.m.

The CFA’s San Clemente U15 boys team won the SC Surf Summer Classic on Aug. 21. Photo: Mike Moralis

Scoreboard DANA POINT TIMES

Soccer Club Takes Top Prize at SC Surf Summer Classic The California Football Club’s San Clemente boys U15 team won its division at the San Clemente Surf Summer Classic tournament on Aug. 21. The team, which draws players from Dana Point and San Clemente, won three games en route to claiming the championship.

The team includes Paul Duke, Sean Colson, Christian Key-Marer, Andrew Winkler, Ethan Grush, Marcello Rossi, Armin Kazemi, Donny Rimer, Clay Mosher and Luke Blackwill. The team is coached

by Andy Bird and Dan Foy. Saddleback Cowboys Baseball Wins Tourney in Cooperstown Playing in renowned Cooperstown, New York, the Saddleback Cowboys 12U Grey team won the Cooperstown All-Star Village tournament on Aug. 4.

The local team, which draws players from Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, bested the field of 48 teams to claim the division championship. The team beat SGV Hustle 10-9 in the final game.

The team includes: Trent Caraway, Adler Carrison, Jack Collins, Rocco DiFrancesco, Ryan Edwards, Andrew Griffin, Kevin House, Luke Lavin, Sebastian Moore, Chase Nichols, Tyler Norgaard and Leo Sanchez.

Registration for US Youth Volleyball League Now Open Registration for the United States Youth Volleyball League’s fall season in Laguna Niguel is now open. The instructional league, which is run by volunteers, is designed to teach local players ages 7-15 the fundamentals of the game.

Practices will be held on Tuesdays and games will be held on Saturdays at Niguel Hills Middle School. The league runs from September through November.

For more information or to register, visit www.usyvl.org or email info@usyvl.org.

WE WANT TO RUN YOUR SCORES, RESULTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS IN “SCOREBOARD.”

Mariners 936 Sea Scouts Ted Carter and Amanda Amundson sail their CFJ-class boat during the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup. Photo: Courtesy

Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

Junior quarterback Corey Cisowski and the Dana Hills High School football team will open their season against Marina on Aug. 26. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Page 10

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34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net

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24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

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424 Forest Ave., LB, 949.715.9900, www.NakedDogBistro.com

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Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

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DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FOR SALE CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size. Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. Mike 949-240-1545.

FOR SALE Capistrano Beach. Kenmore Side by Side Refrigerator, $300, Elec. Glass Top Stove $75, Wall Mount Micro-Wave,$40, Record Console, $100, Aesthetic Chair, $50. brendaortega53@me.com

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE Small tools, supplies and equipment. Must liquidate everything. Saturday August 27, 8 AM to 12 PM. Tools for sale, large and small woodworking, carpenter, and mechanical tools & supplies. 24965 Dana Maple, Dana Point NO EARLY BIRDS. MONTESSORI SCHOOL LIQUIDATION Everything sold by the pile. This sale is ideal for educators; a 25-year collection of high-end educational tools for children. Friday and Saturday, August 26 and 27 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, August 28 from 2pm to 5pm.

Bring cash and your own boxes. Questions: call Harry 949 697 1411 Sterling Estate Sales.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

HELP WANTED HOUSEKEEPING – HOUSEKEEPERS, HOUSEMEN, LAUNDRY ROOM – Full time – Immediate openings, paid holidays and vacation time. FRONT DESK CLERKS/RESERVATION AGENTS – Part time, weekends.

Apply in person – Dana Point Marina Inn, 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, Ca 92629. 949-496-1203

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PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or email lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

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DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Wave of Positivity Dane Gudauskas on Stoke-A-Rama and the Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

F

orget what you think you know about Dane Gudauskas. There’s considerably more to the ever-stoked, ever-smiling vanilla gorilla than the frothed out character we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in Vans ads.

On the eve of the Gudauskas brothers’ Stoke-A-Rama grom comp in Huntington Beach, Dane and I jumped on a quick call.

Admittedly, I’m a fan of what the boys are doing with their Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation, but after a heartfelt chat about their motivations and inspirations, it’s clear that the world—and not just the tiny sandbox that is the surfing world—need to pick up on what Dane’s laying down.

“It’s foolish to be elitist. We want to be inclusive,” said Dane. “We want to be a unifying force.”

In a time when, as Dane put it, “there’s so much funky stuff happening out there in our world,” the ability and desire to bring people together is more vital than ever. The concept of the Positive Vibe Warriors was originally to help support ocean safety and education, but it’s grown into much more than that. It’s a rallying cry for a better, more decent way to live.

“One of us wrote ‘Positive Vibe Warrior’ on one of our boards before a contest a while ago. It was our rallying cry and has evolved into what it is today. With the Positive Vibe Warriors we hope that people can see that we’re all pretty similar and that it doesn’t matter where you come from,” said Dane.

GROM OF THE WEEK

SOPHIE VOLLEBREGT

BY ERIN HAWKINS, DANA POINT TIMES

S

urfing has always been a family affair for Sophie Vollebregt. As the second youngest child of nine siblings, she learned the ropes of surfing from her older sister, Meaghan, and her father.

Sophie, 12, has been surfing for about five years. Her sister first started pushing her into waves at Riviera when she was 7, and she is just starting to compete in local surf competitions.

The San Clemente native competed in her Dana Point Times August 26-September 1, 2016

Dane Gudauskas, center, and his brothers run the Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation, which helps provide groms with ocean education and water safety. Photos: Courtesy Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation

“So many of these kids we work with are at such an impressionable age, they’re really able to receive positive messages and have it really influence them. It’s really cool to see them grow up and follow their passions, whatever they are,” added Dane.

Proof positive that they don’t just talk the talk, but also walk the walk, a couple months back Dane and the boys held a surfboard drive for their friends in Jamaica.

Its success was both unexpected and overwhelming.

“A couple years ago we went to Jamaica and we had a blast,” continued Dane. “We had so much fun, but we learned that there was a really strong need for surfboards in the community.

“So we had this idea, in the same spirit of sharing that positive feeling, we decided to see if we could do a surfboard drive. We had no idea what we were getting into or

what the response would be, but it totally evolved into its own thing. Communities up and down the coast, and all across the country actually, were excited to help out this community that’s super small and isolated in Jamaica. It was like, ‘Whoa, the brotherhood’s a real thing!’”

They ended up raising over 200 surfboards, loading them into a shipping container and delivering to the iconic Wilmott family and their Jamnesia surf crew.

“For something that started out as just a contest for the groms in San Clemente, it’s surprising how much this has grown,” said Dane. “To have the opportunity to serve communities in Jamaica, Hawaii, San Clemente and Huntington Beach this year is amazing.”

But that doesn’t mean the boys are about to let philanthropy overshadow their dreams, they’ve still got a lot of waves to ride. These days, Dane’s head-over-heels in love with the South Pacific, while Tanner and Patrick have designs on qualifying (again) for the tour.

“I fell in love with the South Pacific the last couple of years and told myself this summer I was going to make a point of spending time in Fiji and Tahiti,” explained Dane. “I really want to learn as much as I can and get better out there. It’s a constant learning process. The swells, the reefs, it

first surf contest this summer at the Ocean Festival in July, and although she did not advance through her heats, she still has a positive attitude about competing in the future.

“I am planning to try out for the Shorecliffs’ Middle School surf team this year,” said Sophie.

She is currently in seventh grade, and hopes to make the school surf team and join the Western Surfing Association.

Sophie said some of her favorite things about surfing are just being in the water and doing tricks on her surfboard.

“I like going off the lip and doing some snaps and cutbacks; my sister kind of taught me how,” she said.

On the weekends, Sophie said she likes to surf at T-Street and Middle Trestles with

her family.

Her favorite surfers include Lakey Peterson, Carissa Moore and Bethany Hamilton. As a San Clemente local, she had the chance to meet Peterson as she was walking back from surfing at one of the local breaks.

“I met Lakey and she’s really nice. I was coming back from Riviera and she was going down there to surf,” said Sophie.

Sophie said in the future, she wants to be a marine biologist, pilot or pro surfer.

She would also like the chance to travel the world and visit places like Hawaii, Costa Rica or Fiji.

“I would love to be able to travel the world and visit different surf spots and surf those really big, fun waves,” she said. DP

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takes time to figure all of that out.”

While Dane’s gone the way of the nomadic freesurf, his brothers are hard at work on the grind.

“Pat and Tanner are doing the primes and already have a couple good results,” said Dane. “I think they’re both really inspired. They both surf so well in quality waves, it’s just so exciting.”

At the end of the day, Dane and his brothers are so infectiously likable because they’re real and their hearts are in the right place. When asked if he sees the Positive Vibe Warriors’ Stoke-A-Rama becoming a bigger institution for spreading their unique brand of gospel, Dane is cautiously optimistic. He would hate to ruin a good thing— something the surf industry has become quite proficient at over the years.

“We want the Stoke-A-Rama to be really authentic and grassroots. We want to connect with the kids on a super rad, personal level because we’re all just groms at heart,” said Dane. “We don’t want to be separated from the kids by some huge scaffolding where we’re sitting way up high and just watching them. It’s awesome to have somebody like Nate Fletcher working as the beach marshal. It’s the raddest connection for the kids, you know. We’re all one tribe.

There shouldn’t be any barriers. For us that’s a really important message.” DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 65-67 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-10’ Fair Outlook: Fun size South swell Friday and through the weekend, with some tropical South swell also possibly building late in the weekend. Morning conditions look best with the lightest winds, then expect light/moderate onshore flow to rise up each afternoon. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Photo: Courtesy

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