March 2, 2017

LO C A L

N EWS

March 3-9, 2017

YO U

C A N

Dana Point Festival of Whales Starts this Weekend

U S E

PAGE 12

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 9

Moving Parts

Dana Hills Robotics Team gears up for competition D P L I V I N G / PAG E 1 8

Kyle Watkins, Kyle Chambers and Tommy Rinaldini talk about the six-week build process of their robot.

The Dana Hills robotics team is preparing for a regional competition in San Diego. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

South Coast Water District Allocates Funds for Slant Well Modeling EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

South Orange County School of the Arts Prepares for Opera Night EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

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Dana Point Youth Baseball Celebrates First Day of Spring Season SPORTS/PAGE 20

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matters of public finance, public policy and more. Nelson has experience auditing emerging companies as a financial analysist, has worked in a consulting practice and has worked with charity boards. Porter has experience as vice president of sales with a company he’s worked with for more than 20 years and has served the city of Mission Viejo on various committees and commissions. Hill has worked as a financial officer and a general manager for an aerospace company. Greg Wall owns a small business in the Lantern District.

Five things Dana Point should know this week South Orange County School of the Arts Prepares for Opera Night THE LATEST: In the halls of Dana Hills High School over the weekend, professional-caliber musicians could be heard singing various operas. But most of those musicians were students from South Orange County School of the Arts and were practicing for the upcoming Opera Night show.

This year’s show, Opera Night 2017: Opéra Fantastique, marks the 19th season of the school celebrating opera and classical music, dance and contemporary art.

The program was created by SOCSA Director Raymond Woods with Opera Night Artistic Director Linda Rose Linnebach.

They also teach the performers songs and produce the show.

Opera Night is SOCSA’s only educational program open to all area high school students.

This year, students from Mater Dei, Mission Vista, Dana Hills, Capistrano Valley, Mission Viejo, Irvine, Tesoro and San Clemente High Schools will participate.

The students have been learning the fundamentals of classical singing and opera performance from the program’s directors as well as working professionals.

Throughout the concert, students will sing in French, German, Italian and English in the genres of comic and serious opera, operetta and art song.

WHAT’S NEXT: There will be three performances of Opera Night. The first is a preview night on Friday, March 3, at the Porthole Theater in Dana Hills High School at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.socsarts.org.

The students then will perform at Chapman University’s Musco Performing Arts Center on March 4. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with an art gallery showing and a silent auction. The concert doors open at 6:30 p.m. and will include classical dance and instrumental music. To purchase tickets, visit www.muscocenter.org/events and click on the “Opera Night Gala 2017” event.

An encore performance will be held at Casa Romantica on Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, call the Casa at 949.498.2139. —Kristina Pritchett Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

WHAT’S NEXT: The committee will meet again on Monday, March 27 at 4 p.m. at City Hall. —KP

South Orange County School of the Arts students practice a song for the upcoming Opera Night performance during a rehearsal at Dana Hills High School on Saturday, Feb. 25. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

Evelyn Pham practices “O mio babbino caro” for South Orange County School of the Art’s upcoming Opera Night during a rehearsal at Dana Hills High School on Saturday, Feb. 25. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

Daniel Vergara practices “Caro mio ben” for South Orange County School of the Art’s upcoming Opera Night during a rehearsal at Dana Hills High School on Saturday, Feb. 25. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

Financial Review Committee Selects Chair, Vice Chair

Lewis about general ideas of what the committee can do.

The purpose of the committee, according to a draft submitted to the committee

by Nelson, is to review matters pertaining to the finances of the city, advise the Council on financial matters and provide recommendations to the Council on city financial policies and actions.

Some of the work on which the committee agreed, which will need to be voted on and approved by the Council, includes providing oversight and advising the Council on matters concerning the general fiscal operations of the city; reviewing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports; monitoring the city’s reserve policy and practices; the city’s investment policy; and, when applicable, the city’s outstanding debt and debt capacity.

At the beginning of the meeting, each committee member introduced themselves and stated their financial backgrounds.

Larry Rolapp has worked with a municipal financial consulting firm that consulted cities, counties and school districts on

THE LATEST: The city of Dana Point’s Financial Review Committee held their first meeting this week and chose their chair and vice chair.

Brian Porter was nominated and selected as chair of the committee, and Buck Hill was elected as the vice chair.

The Financial Review Committee consists of five Dana Point residents, who serve as “financial watchdogs.” At a recent meeting, each Council member chose a person to serve on the committee, and that person may serve until the appointing Council member ends their term.

During the first meeting, the committee agreed to have the chair and vice chair’s terms be set for a year. This recommendation will be sent to the Council for approval.

Toni Nelson, a committee member, said she had a discussion with Mayor Debra

Page 3

Ocean Water Subcommittee Gets Falconer Update THE LATEST: At a recent meeting, members of the Ocean Water Subcommittee discussed the use of a falconer at Salt Creek Beach last summer to help improve water quality. The committee also discussed if the service should be used again in the future.

In July, Salt Creek watershed stakeholders conducted a three-month demonstration project at Monarch Beach/Salt Creek County Beach to improve beach water quality.

The falconer program was successful and improved the water quality, as the falcon kept away animals that were contaminating the water.

The pilot program was implemented after the beach was placed on Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer” list, which indicated poor water quality.

The pilot program included the city, Orange County Public Works, OC Parks, OC Lifeguards, Orange County Health Care Agency-Environmental Health Division, Monarch Beach Resort and the Monarch Bay Homeowner’s Association with technical support by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

WHAT’S NEXT: During the subcommittee meeting, city staff said the stakeholders will consider if they want to continue the program. —KP

South Coast Water District Will Spend $257,000 on Slant Well Modeling Work THE LATEST: South Coast Water District (SCWD) Directors recently approved a contract for $257,116 to GHD, Inc. to conduct slant well modeling for a potential (Cont. on page 5) www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP (Cont. from page 3) desalination plant off Doheny State Beach.

The board voted 3-2 in favor of the contract, which includes an amendment for up to $25,711 in spending to conduct slant well modeling in San Juan Creek.

Directors Dennis and Doug Erdman voted against the task order.

In May 2016, the board approved to award a task order to GHD—an engineering firm working with SCWD on the Doheny Desalination Project—to conduct offshore geophysical survey via sonar mapping of the Doheny State Beach area.

Results from the survey indicate potential areas for locating slant wells east of the mouth of San Juan Creek.

According to a staff report, detailed modeling of the area is required to determine the extent of possible new slant well locations as well as any potential increases in a potential slant well intake system.

Directors Doug and Dennis Erdman both voiced their concerns regarding the financial aspects of the project.

“We haven’t had a lot of discussion over the budget,” Doug Erdman said. “I’d like to see this award tabled (until) after the Value

for Money analysis. I’d hate to see the science work but (later find) it doesn’t work budget-wise.”

President Wayne Rayfield asked whether waiting would be doable.

General Manager Andy Brunhart said the District has waited on portions of the Environmental Impact Report, the preliminary design report and the brine (which is salty byproduct of desalination) modeling due to new information received about the paleo channel—a larger channel (and consequently a greater area to cite slant wells) than previously thought was found in a recent geophysics study.

“Right now, we’re about three months (away from) getting caught up to where we thought we would be without this information,” Brunhart said. “If we wait another two or three (months), that means all of this will be on hold for another six months until we finalize that.”

During a previous meeting, the board approved to discuss the Value for Money survey separately from the SCWD reliability study and workshop number 5.

The Value for Money survey could be discussed at the end of March.

Director Bill Green said awarding the funds is more of an insurance policy to move ahead.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to a staff report, the scope of work is anticipated to take 12 weeks to complete. To review the slideshow presentation of the results, and to see a breakdown of costs, visit www. danapointtimes.com.

Trump’s Executive Order on Water Miffs OC Coastkeeper Director THE LATEST: Hours before President Donald Trump spoke to Congress in his first Presidential Address, local environmental nonprofit OC Coastkeeper sent out a press release denouncing an executive order Trump eventually signed Wednesday morning.

“President Trump just signed an executive order that seeks to dismantle the Clean Water Rule—allowing industries to profit off pollution and

NEWS BITES Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association to Paint Addition to Whale Walk

Beach Cleanups Planned for South Orange County The Surfrider Foundation South OC Chapter and Laguna College of Art and Design are co-sponsoring multiple beach cleanups for the winter and spring at Aliso Creek in Laguna Beach.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome.

Anyone interested in attending need only bring gloves.

The dates for the cleanups run from March to May, and typically occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

WHAT’S NEXT: The order directs the Army Corps of Engineers and the director of the EPA to review the rule for “consistency” in order to keep the country’s water clean but at the same time spur economic growth, minimize regulatory uncertainty and show due regard for the roles of the Congress and the states under the Constitution, the order stated. —Staff

field questions.

The forum will be at CUSD’s board room, located at 33122 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano.

COMPILED BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association will paint another whale along the Doheny Whale Walk on Saturday, March 5 as part of the Festival of Whales.

The new whale will be a minke whale, the smallest of the local whales. The gray whale and orca will also be repainted.

Volunteers are wanted to help paint any of the whales. Volunteers should bring paint clothing and, if possible, a roller or brush or a pan.

For more information, call Jess Lopez with the Interpretive Association at 949.554.4627.

limiting which waters are protected,” OC Coastkeeper director Garry Brown said in the press release. “This doesn’t make sense; water does not stop flowing because of state boundaries or property lines.

Eventually, all the pollution this executive order will allow would end up in our swimmable, fishable, drinkable waters.”

The order, which is available for review at www.whitehouse.gov, is intended to examine the definitions of the “Waters of the United States Rule,” which opponents to the order argue is the lifeblood to protect water from pollution. Opponents argue the order may result in certain smaller bodies of water, which feed into larger rivers, lakes and oceans, losing formal protection from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Moncrieff to Discuss Therapy Program during Lecture

A beach cleanup is planned for March 11 at 9 a.m. at Doheny State Beach. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

This year they will be held on March 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28 and 29, as well as, April 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26 and 29. In May, the cleanups will be held on the 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17 and 20.

May 20 will be the last scheduled beach clean-up in Laguna Beach until fall 2017.

Closer to home, the “Whale of a Beach Cleanup” is scheduled at Doheny State Beach during the Festival of Whales.

The cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at the Lifeguard Headquarters and are requested to bring gloves and an earth-friendly bag.

Deborah Moncrieff, Ph.D, from the University of Pittsburgh specializes in auditory processing disorders, neurology and hearing aids, and she will be presenting her therapy program at the Ocean Institute at 7:30 p.m. on March 8.

Her therapy program has been demonstrated to ameliorate deficits with auditory processing in four one-hour sessions. Parents who may have children with listening or reading difficulties are encouraged to attend.

To RSVP, email Dr. Maria Abramson at maria@hearnowoc.com.

CUSD Superintendent to Hold Community Forum A community forum with Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent Kirsten Vital will be held on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m.

The forum will give parents an overview of the state’s new accountability and improvement system, which will be released to the public in March.

During the forum, staff will share local indicators and priorities, and the superintendent will welcome feedback and

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Deborah Moncrieff, Ph.D. Photo: Courtesy

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

EYE ON DP

DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY STAFF

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.

Monday, February 27 ANNOYING PHONE CALL Elisa Drive, 33200 Block (7:02 p.m.) A caller told police their daughter was receiving threatening emails and Instagram messages from an unknown subject.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Cove Road/Dana Point Harbor Drive (4:34 p.m.) A vehicle was seen in the embankment on the hill on Cove Road.

BOAT PUMP Island East, E-20 (2:57 p.m.)

A boat was taking on water and the bilge pumps were reportedly not working.

BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Santa Clara Avenue, 24400 Block (2:35 p.m.) A caller believed her neighbor’s house was being broken into because she was away and the front door had been wide open for hours.

TRESPASSING Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (8:55 a.m.) A woman was in the bathroom and reportedly refused to leave.

ing in the middle of traffic lanes.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-NON INJURY Pacific Coast Highway, 34700 Block (7:47 p.m.) A caller told police a passenger in a taxi opened their door while the car was in motion.

DISTURBANCE-AUTO INVOLVED Vista Drive West/Via Verde (3:25 a.m.) Police were called for a vehicle continuously honking their horn.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Via Verde/ Dana Bluff West (2:13 a.m.) Police were called for two men exiting a vehicle and walking up and down the street. The caller said a vehicle returned, picked them up and drove off.

Saturday, February 25 DISTURBANCE Street of the Violet Lantern, 34000 Block (11:29 p.m.) A caller told police they could hear people screaming and threatening they were going to harm them. The caller said they could hear things breaking inside the residence.

DISTURBANCE-AUTO INVOLVED Street of the Green Lantern/Scenic Drive (2:50 a.m.) A caller told police loud music was coming from a vehicle.

DISTURBANCE Brookview, 100 Block (10:22 p.m.) A caller told police someone was reportedly choking another person.

RECKLESS DRIVING Pacific Coast Highway/ Selva Road (9:23 p.m.) A caller told police someone was doing donuts in the lot.

BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Pacific Coast Highway, 34300 Block (6:16 p.m.) A caller told police a woman was reportedly trying to pry open a window. The caller said the woman was trying multiple windows.

INDECENT EXPOSURE Pacific Coast Highway/ Street of the Silver Lantern (5:31 p.m.)

Police were called for a man yelling with his pants down.

DISTURBANCE-AUTO INVOLVED Street of the Golden Lantern, 33300 Block (4:42 p.m.)

Police were called for a loud motorcycle driving back and forth.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC Dana Point Harbor Drive/ Island Way (8:06 a.m.) A man was seen dancing in the street and swinging on a pole.

INJURED ANIMAL Dana Harbor Office (4:17 p.m.) Harbor Patrol was called for a pelican wrapped in fishing line. The bird reportedly flew away.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Via Sacramento, 26500 Block (2:36 a.m.) Police were called for a man who hopped the fence and went into the school. The caller said the man’s forehead was bleeding and he was chattering his teeth.

PETTY THEFT Brookview, 100 Block (9:34 a.m.) A woman told police a bike was taken from her patio.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Del Obispo Street/Stonehill Drive (4:05 a.m.)

Police were called for a younger man walkDana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Santa Fe Avenue/Las Vegas Avenue (1:07 a.m.) A person was seen “rooting around” in a vehicle, and they weren’t legally parked.

The person consented to a search and said they were hiding drugs under the vehicle’s dashboard.

Thursday, February 23 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Corniche Drive, 0 Block (9:35 p.m.) Two people were seen smoking in their car.

DISTURBANCE Via Lopez/Via California (6:16 p.m.) A man told police their friend punched him in the nose and pulled a knife on him.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Strand Road, 34300 Block (11:58 a.m.)

Police were called for a man reportedly trying to get a woman and her friend into his vehicle. The woman said when they refused, the man exposed himself and then left.

VANDALISM Camino de Estrella, 26800 Block (5:59 p.m.) A woman said her neighbor allegedly poured bleach on her vehicle the night prior.

OPEN DOOR Street of the Port Lantern, 34300 Block (4:48 p.m.) A woman requested a walk-through after finding her front door wide open. She said she had been away since 11 a.m.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-NON INJURY Pacific Coast Highway/Street of the Violet Lantern (1:51 p.m.) A man was seen driving up the walkway before hitting one of the decorative circles, which caused damage. The caller said the man was trying to get the vehicle off the curb.

Sunday, February 26

CITIZEN ASSIST Doheny Place, 34700 Block (6:46 p.m.) A woman told police a man was standing by her garage when she got home the previous night and he startled her. The woman said she wanted to report it.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Woods/Danapine (8:52 p.m.) A man was seen walking around staggering and possibly trying door handles on vehicles.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (9:10 p.m.) A man, who reportedly wasn’t making sense, said he feared for his life but couldn’t explain why.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Pacific Coast Highway/El Camino Real (8:35 p.m.) A large boulder was seen partially in the roadway.

HIT-AND-RUN Lighthouse Drive/Surfside Drive (8:20 p.m.) A woman told police another vehicle struck hers before taking off. She said she chased the vehicle but lost sight of it.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Street of the Blue Lantern, 34200 Block (11:34 p.m.)

Police were called for a man who reportedly attempted to get into the caller’s vehicle.

PATROL CHECK Ocean Hill Drive, 33300 Block (8:18 p.m.) A caller requested patrol of the neighborhood because their home alarm had gone off multiple times in the past two months and they believed someone would attempt to burglarize their home or a neighbor’s.

DISTURBANCE Selva Road/Pacific Coast Highway (9:20 p.m.) Police were called for a person shining their lights into other vehicles.

VANDALISM IN PROGRESS Camino Las Ramblas/Freeway-5 (7:03 p.m.) Police were called for a man spray painting yellow paint onto construction signs.

Friday, February 24

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Community Meetings SATURDAY, MARCH 4

Farmers Market

9 a.m. Every Saturday there will be fresh produce and treats for sale at the Farmers Market. La Plaza Park. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point. 949.279.3122.

Headlands Nature Walk

9 a.m. The walk focuses on the plants and animals that can be found in the Headlands. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. RSVP to dpnautralresources@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3527.

Whale Walk and Talk

9 a.m. The walk focuses on offshore visitors that can be seen from the Headlands. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. RSVP to dpnautralresources@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3527.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

Whale Walk and Talk

9 a.m. The walk focuses on offshore visitors that can be seen from the Headlands. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. RSVP to dpnautralresources@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3527.

TUESDAY, MARCH 7

City Council Meeting

6 p.m. Council will meet in Council Chambers. Dana Point City Hall.

33282 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. Agenda will be available at www.danapoint.org.

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.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

Science Night

6:30 p.m. Learn about current science-related topics presented in a family friendly format. There are hands-on activities and/or displays for kids. Dana Point Community Center.

34052 Del Obispo St., Dana Point. dpnaturalresources@danapoint.org.

949.248.3527. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Lauren Price, 12, showed her alpaca at the Fiesta Association’s Kids Pet Parade on Feb. 25 and won a spot in the Swallows Day Parade, which takes place March 25. Photo: Allison Jarrell.

News Next Door

also gave a shout out to special celebrity judge Señor Pero (the Beyers’ dog, Teddy).

—Allison Jarrell

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SAN CLEMENTE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Local Alpaca Earns Coveted Spot in Swallows Day Parade After squeezing into her family’s Volkswagen van and cruising over to Los Rios Park, a 6-year-old alpaca walked away with the top honor at the Fiesta Association’s Kids Pet Parade on Feb. 25.

This year’s pet parade had 11 entries, including nine canine competitors and a pair of parakeets, but it was Caramel the alpaca who won first place and will appear (with her human escorts) in the annual Swallows Day Parade on March 25.

Caramel lives with her owner Lauren Price, 12, and her family in San Juan Capistrano. Price said they adopted Caramel from a rescue in Temecula and have had her for three years now. The Price family shared some fun facts about Caramel, including that she’s potty trained (she has her own designated area), she makes a humming sound to communicate with their other alpaca, and she eats a healthy diet of weeds, Bermuda grass and a special blend of Purina alpaca chow. (Caramel rides in their VW van because they don’t have a trailer.)

Price and two of her closest friends, Emily O’Brien, 12, and Isabelle Cota, 12, both of San Juan Capistrano, participated in Saturday’s pet parade and are now invited to walk in the 59th annual Swallows Day Parade.

This year’s pet parade judges included Jennifer Agostini, of San Clemente Veterinary Hospital; Junior Miss Fiesta Kate Pointer; Junior Señor San Juan Sami Salado, Señor San Juan Edward Beyer; and Miss Fiesta Erin Kutnick Beyer. Emcee Jim Taylor Page 8

Young Author Debuts Children’s Book about Leprechauns At 7 years old, Levi Johnson’s fascination with leprechauns grew so much that he wanted to contribute to his favorite bit of folklore.

My Little Leprechaun is a lighthearted tale of a boy and his leprechaun friend, who explore playful adventures all within the boy’s home.

“I would play leprechaun, and I told my mom to write everything down,” Levi said of his inspiration for the book. “I wanted to explain about the leprechauns.”

Levi said his fascination with the evanescent creature of Irish lore began in preschool.

“Levi, when he was younger, thought he was a real live leprechaun,” Christa said, adding the reasons for this belief are left to the innocence of his young imagination.

“He’s super creative.”

Roman, Levi’s older brother, helped the family translate the book into a Spanish version that is expected to debut this week.

“With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, we wanted to see how it would do (in sales and feedback),” Christa said. She added there are plans to make the book in hardback, available with its own coin; think The Polar Express that came with a silver bell. Christa also said 10 percent of proceeds will be donated to the charity Give Kids a Smile.

Rabia Gelgi did the illustrations for the book.

The book is available for purchase at Le Petit Bonhomme and Just B’Cuz shops on Avenida Del Mar in San Clemente, and on Amazon. —Eric Heinz www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor

IN RESPONSE TO ‘POLICY CHANGES HURT ANIMALS’ CAPT. ART BURNEVIK, Dana Point Harbor

When it comes to the “progressives” and criticism of Trump, there’s an infectious trend in the media that I describe as fact-free, “intellectual” groupthink. Power over the masses can be measured by the volume of ink and airwaves controlled by a freedom-crushing government. It’s the core method of how a society is conscripted into the hell of a totalitarian regime run by thought police and a corrupt media. It may begin with “safe spaces” on campuses but it always ends the same with people being jailed or worse for thinking the wrong thoughts or speaking the truth.

Where a publisher or broadcaster stands in defense of the truth is as important to a free-thinking society as the air we breathe.

“simple rule: If you can’t win Saul Alinsky made a

the argument with facts,

destroy the character of the

”

opponent.

—Capt. Art Burnevik, Dana Point Harbor In last week’s edition, the DP Times published a letter to the editor claiming that the Trump administration’s entire foreign affairs agenda was derived from Fox News. It should not have been published because it’s simply character assassination and a baseless slur against the President. It’s not Fox News... it’s Fake News, not worthy of repeating.

In the religion of the left, everything that Obama did was heavenly and orderly but when it comes to Trump, common sense gets short-circuited in deference to a “safe space mentality,” which is a fear of facts. Saul Alinsky made a simple rule: If you can’t win the argument with facts, destroy the character of the opponent.

Two editions of DP Times back, a letter ran that claimed Trump passed an order (removing information from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)) to make it “easier to hurt animals.” In fact, it was Obama’s USDA and Justice Department’s months of wrangling with litigation exposure and privacy rights that preceded the action.

The decision was to avoid legal actions Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

against the government for potential privacy violations and claims for damages.

According to Tri-State Livestock News, APHIS says the move followed a “comprehensive review” over the past year that involved looking at court rulings and privacy laws—suggesting the change was not brought on by the new administration.

Reading this letter further, if you also want to believe that “100,000 thoroughly vetted Muslim immigrant visas were oppressively pulled by the same dark-ofnight” Trump dog-haters, you have officially entered the World of Fake News— kind of a remedial version of the Twilight Zone for people that see reality, truth and the Constitution as inconvenient impediments to a “progressive” dictatorship.

Be careful that you don’t get infected.

Ignorance can be fatal.

CONCERNED COASTAL COMMISSION COALITION VALUABLE TO DANA POINT BARBARA WILSON, Dana Point

At the Feb. 21 City Council meeting, it was proposed by Mayor Debra Lewis (seconded by Paul Wyatt) that Dana Point join the Concerned Coastal Commission Coalition. This in an invaluable resource composed of coastal cities from San Diego County and Orange County, whose goal is to unite as a bigger political voice on local, state and federal issues that particularly impact our southern coastal communities.

Shared issues such as dealing with the California Coastal Commission, regulating short-term rentals and recovery homes, homelessness, San Onofre spent fuel storage, beach erosion/pollution/protection and airline flight plan changes are addressed in the group.

Dana Point’s legal expenses are skyrocketing, so to avoid litigation is paramount. We can share knowledge and experiences from other cities to benefit us in resolving similar problems.

The cost of joining the CCCC for this year, which is discounted to $3,600, is much less than the cost of one palm tree to be planted in the center median. This is a chance for us to save many times this cost in solving serious issues and helping to find ways to enhance our city.

There is strength in numbers so when membership to the CCCC is reintroduced, I hope that the three Council members who voted against joining our neighbors will reconsider. The more we work with our sister cities, the more minds and resources we can commit to solving our problems.

VOTERS FEEL NEGLECTED AND DISAPPOINTED WITH ISSA ABDUL RASTAGAR, Mission Viejo

Most voters feel neglected by and dis-

appointed in their elected representatives, regardless of party lines. Unfortunately, this is also true of Representative Darrell Issa, whose district straddles North San Diego County and South Orange County.

Mr. Issa has refused to hold town halls, citing questionable cost figures as a justification. Yet, his constituents routinely, and hypocritically, receive mailings and emails from him declaring his intention to listen to the voters. A lot of citizens have legitimate questions and concerns that they want to pose to Mr. Issa and, as an elected public servant, he owes it to them to speak with them in-person.

Mr. Issa will soon understand that if he does not wish to meet with his constituents, the competition will. Recently Marine Colonel and 49th district congressional candidate Doug Applegate hosted a packed town hall meeting in San Juan Capistrano in which he spoke at length about issues important to local residents.

For many in the audience, it was their first time listening to Col. Applegate and, just like Mr. Issa, he seemed well articulated, intelligent and knowledgeable about the issues. The difference is that Col. Applegate took the time to engage the public in a real and meaningful way. Fortunately, not everyone has forgotten what democracy looks like.

Editor’s Note: on Feb. 21, Issa met with a group of people assembled outside his Vista office for 90 minutes to answer questions.

LISTENING TO THE VOTERS HEIDI CASCARDO, Ladera Ranch

Many voters in the 49th congressional district have been beseeching Representative Darrell Issa to meet with them in an in-person town hall. Sadly, Mr. Issa has refused so far, ironically, as he sends us mailings in which he claims he wants to do a better job listening to us.

It was refreshing a few weeks ago to see that Colonel Doug Applegate, candidate for the 49th district, held a town hall meeting in San Juan Capistrano. Colonel Applegate met with several hundred voters and answered all questions that were asked.

We, the voters of the 49th district, deserve a representative who is willing to listen to us, not one who keeps us at arm’s length.

I encourage you to reach out to Rep. Issa to implore him to listen to his constituents.

His job is on the line.

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.

Page 10

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 Jake Howard Debra Holm Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 10, Issue 9. 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 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

bees, all the way up to thumb-sized carpenter bees. Author Bob Allen (BugBob) will discuss local native bees and how to create a bee-friendly habitat in your yard at Tree of Life Nursery. 33201 Ortega Hwy. San Juan Capistrano. 949.728.0685. www.californianativeplants.com

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

WHALE’S TALE TALL SHIP SAILING ADVENTURE 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hop aboard the Spirit of Dana Point tall ship to explore the ocean and spot migrating California gray whales.

Cost is $60 for adults, $50 for seniors and active-duty military, and $40 for children ages 4-17. The sail also occurs at the same time Sunday, March 5. The Ocean Institute.

24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

Friday | 03 LIVE MUSIC: HANS & JANINE 4 p.m. Join Waterman’s Harbor for live music with Hans & Janine every Friday.

Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

SAN CLEMENTE HIGH SCHOOL BATTLE OF THE BANDS 6:30 p.m. Check out the Battle of the Bands at San Clemente High School’s Triton Center. The musical contest will feature five bands dueling for top honors. Admission is $5. 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente.

949.492.4165. www.sctritons.com.

LIVE MUSIC: THE FOUR CORNERS BAND 7:30-11 p.m. Dance to music from the Four Corners Band at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE THEATER: ‘THREE BANDITS AND A BABY’ 8 p.m. In this family-friendly musical melodrama, three successful and happily unmarried villains get a surprise inheritance of a little girl. Forced to do the right thing and take care of the baby, the three hopeless and hapless babysitters make an attempt until their pasts finally catch up with them. Tickets start at $20. The show runs through March 5. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIVE THEATER: ‘ANGEL STREET’ 8 p.m. Angel Street focuses on a seemingly

Photo: File

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 5: DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The two-weekend celebration of the 46th annual Festival of Whales kicks off on Saturday with an opening day parade, street fair, arts and crafts shows and much more.

The festival celebrates the annual migration of the California gray whale and now welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year. There are plenty of opportunities to eat, drink, learn, view art, celebrate and, of course, see whales. Event also runs March 11-12. For more information, visit www.festivalofwhales.com

normal couple, but it turns out the suave Jack Manningham is slowly torturing his wife, Bella, into insanity under the guise of kindness. Angel Street was a hit on Broadway and still stands as one of the longestrunning non-musicals in Broadway history.

Tickets are $20, and the show runs through March 26. Cabrillo Playhouse. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

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

Saturday | 04 MONTHLY BEACH CLEAN-UP 9-11 a.m. Join OC Coastkeeper for a monthly beach clean-up at Calafia State Beach. Free parking available at the event. Register online. 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente. 714.850.1965. www.coastkeeper.org.

GARDENING WORKSHOP: NATIVE BEES 9:30-10:30 a.m. With 20,000 known species worldwide, bees are perhaps the most important pollinators in the world. There is a wide range of diversity in California’s native bee species, from rice-sized sweat

ARTISAN BREAD POP-UP SHOP Noon. Bread Artisan Bakery, a local family owned and operated wholesale bakery, is returning to The Ecology Center for their ever popular pop-up bread sales. Get there while supplies last. The Ecology Center.

32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.443.4223. www.theecologycenter.org.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. A day of live music kicks at 2:30 p.m., with two live bands and dancing throughout the evening.

Food from Lisa’s Kitchen will be available throughout the afternoon. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

OPERA NIGHT GALA 2017 5:30 p.m. South Orange County School of the Arts (SOCSA) performs at the Musco Center for the Arts. A variety of entertaining musical selections from the dramatic to the comedic will be performed as a culmination of more than eight weeks of intensive workshops and master classes.

Tickets range from $25 to $75. One University Drive, Orange. 844.626.8726. www.muscocenter.org.

(Cont. on page 15)

At the Movies: Hollywood is Not Just ‘La La Land’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n what was quite possibly the most unexpected, madcap incident to ever happen at the Academy Awards, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway erroneously announced La La Land as the Best Picture of 2016 last weekend, when in fact the real winner was Moonlight.

A mistake was made with the envelopes, but the controversy was still born.

Nevertheless, we do have another series of award-winning films from the night, including La La and Moonlight, to revisit

Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

or watch for the first time in what looks like another dry month for new releases.

Both the light-hearted musical—whose actual wins included Best Actress (Emma Stone) and Best Director (Damien Chazelle)—and the coming-of-age drama—also winner of Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) are both obviously stellar and quality choices for a movie night, depending on your mood or preference. For family dramas, Manchester by the Sea took home Best Actor (Casey Affleck) and Best Original Screenplay, and Fences won Best Supporting

Actress (Viola Davis). Both are my choices for a bittersweet evening.

Arrival was a uniquely crafted sci-fi drama that won Best Sound Editing. Disney’s liveaction version of The Jungle Book took home Best Visual Effects, much deservedly, and their other feature, Zootopia, won for Best Animated Picture.

Though Silence was one of my favorites of last year, another Andrew Garfield-lead historical piece, Hacksaw Ridge, took home Oscars for Best Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Oscar season is finally over, but the season to watch quality movies is always around. DP

Page 12

Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner in ‘Arrival.’

Photo: Jan Thijs © 2016 Paramount Pictures

www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 12) CAMPFIRE PROGRAM: COWBOY CÈILIDH 6-7:30 p.m. Grab your favorite lad or lassie and discover Rancho Mission Viejo’s Irish roots by participating in a Cowboy Cèilidh.

A cèilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a traditional Gaelic gathering with stories and songs.

Hear the story of how two Irish immigrants began one of California’s greatest ranchos.

Suitable for ages 8 and up. Admission is $5. Reserve your space ahead of time.

28811 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

THE DISH

THE ZORBA AT ROSE’S SUGAR SHACK CAFE

LOS RIOS GARDEN ANGELS 8:30-10:30 a.m. Join Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens volunteers, students and teachers at the Montanez Adobe inside Los Rios Park in San Juan Capistrano.

Help care for and maintain native plants and butterflies while enjoying a little dirt therapy and friendship. Every Thursday. No experience needed. 31790 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano. www.goinnative.net.

LIVE MUSIC: CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS 7:30-11 p.m. Dance to music from Captain’s Quarters at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC: SKY GREEN 8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Sky Green at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente.

949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

Sunday | 05 GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park.

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

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/caspers.

VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop for and peruse art and crafted wares along Avenida Del Mar at the monthly Village Art Faire. Parking is free.

949.395.7008. www.villagesanclemente.org.

‘KEYS BY THE SEA’ MUSICAL PERFORMANCE AT CASA ROMANTICA 10 a.m.-2 p.m. As part of Casa Romantica’s D. Yoder Family Sundays, which offer free admission, there will be a series of piano performances by Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy students. Last week, pianos were painted by the community. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

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

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

Monday | 06 FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free beginner-level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente.

Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

Thursday | 09

I

ndeed, sweetness is abundant at the Sugar Shack. The staff lovingly interacts with patrons as if they were all regulars.

The dishes are tenderly prepared as if mom or pop made them. And the roadside diner feel provides a sweet reminder of simpler times.

Now that’s not to say the food is delicate.

In fact, Sugar Shack’s breakfast and lunch offerings come in heaping portions that’ll surely let you skip whatever meal was next.

The Zorba is one such concoction.

Slices of gyro meat are mixed in with scrambled eggs, meaty mushrooms, onions,

bell peppers and floes of feta cheese. Hash browns are cooked to perfection—crunchy on the outside, piping hot on the inside, and just the right size. Sourdough toast, grilled on the skillet, is imbued with butter and a flavor that only comes from cross-pollinating delicious breakfast stuffs on a skillet. The bite, altogether, is creamy with the feta and egg, smoky and rich from the mushroom and lamb, and, yes, slightly sweet from the pepper and onion.

949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION AND HANGING OF THE MAYOR 5 p.m. The ceremonial “hanging of the mayor” marks the official start of the Fiesta Assocation’s Fiesta de las Golonodrinas, or Swallows Festival. 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1976. www.swallowsparade.com.

‘BUBBLES AND BITES’ SABERING EVENT 6 p.m. Learn how to open a Champagne bottle with a sword. Need we say more?

Tickets are $95, reserve your spot online.

The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.492.3663. www.thecellarsite.com.

Rose’s Sugar Shack Cafe 2319 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.498.0684. www.sugarshackcafe.net.

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.

COA IMPROV AND COMEDY CLUB 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Community Outreach Alliance partners with Improv City to provide young comedians in middle and high school a forum to try stand-up comedy and refine an act. The program runs for eight consecutive weeks. It is free to participate. 1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

Wednesday | 08

Tuesday | 07 HALF-PRICE WHALE WATCHING 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Hop onboard this two-hour cruise to see 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.

CASA YOGA 9-10 a.m. Relax with $5 yoga at Casa Romantica. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

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

Page 15

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AND DINNER 5:30-8 p.m. Mayor Kerry Ferguson delivers the San Juan Capistrano State of the City Address at El Adobe de Capistrano.

Tickets are $50, and reservations are required. Call 949.493.4700 or email Jennifer@sanjuanchamber.com to make reservations. 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

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

Stillwater Spirits and Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www.danapointstillwater.com.

LIVE MUSIC: THREE SIGNS OF TROUBLE 7-10:30 p.m. Dance to music from the Three Signs of Trouble at Iva Lee’s.

555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Friday | 10 LIVE MUSIC: THE SHAWN JONES BAND 7:30-11 p.m. Dance to music from the Shawn Jones Band at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE THEATER: ‘THE MIRACLE WORKER’ 8 p.m. Based on a remarkable true story, this inspiring and unforgettable play is an American classic that tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, Helen Keller. Tickets are $20, and the show runs through March 26. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

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

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to Dana Point Times by going to www.danapointtimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

www.danapointtimes.com

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ASSISTED LIVING HOME FOR ELDERLY

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949.248.9415, www.assistedseniorhome.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto

34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Represent.xyz

949.274.0590, www.represent.xyz

INSURANCE SERVICES

Patricia Powers

24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, 949.496.1900, pat.powers@cox.net

State Farm/Ted Bowersox

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com

Statefarm/Elaine LaVine

34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

PET BOUTIQUE

Naked Dog Bistro

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

SPECIALTY BEAUTY

Amazing Lash Studio

32932 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 9, 949.484.7676, www.AmazingLashStudio.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Contact Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

DP DP LIVING Dana Point

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

City Council and VFW Present Community Service Awards

BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, DANA POINT TIMES

T

hree men were honored by the Dana Point City Council on Tuesday evening, Feb. 21, for their volunteer efforts to protect the local community.

Every year, VFW Post 9934 honors a law enforcement officer, a fire fighter and an emergency medical technician to receive the VFW National Gold Medal Award.

This year, Deputy Zachariah Scott with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department

was nominated for the Law Enforcement Award, Reserve Officer Jason Smigel was awarded the Emergency Medical Technician Award and Fire Captain/Paramedic Justin Neville was awarded the Fire Fighter Award.

Each of the men were also selected as first place winners in their respective categories for the district competition.

Scott was selected for the State Law Enforcement Award for 2017 and is now in competition for the national award. DP

The Offspring is scheduled to headline the Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco and Music Festival at Doheny State Beach in April. Photo: Courtesy of Sam Jones

Sabroso Festival Makes its Way to Doheny State Beach

BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, DANA POINT TIMES

T Fire Captain/Paramedic Justin Neville with Fire Station 30 in Dana Point was honored by VFW Post 9934 and City Council. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

Reserve Officer Jason Smigel with the Orange County Fire Authority was honored by VFW Post 9934 and City Council. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

Deputy Zachariah Scott with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was honored by the VFW Post 9934 and City Council. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

Pet of the Week: Fondue

O

ne-year-old Fondue is a happy little guy with a quirky personality to match. He enjoys outdoor activities and playing with his canine pals.

He’s full of energy and is looking to find someone who loves to have as much fun as he does.

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

Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

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

Page 17

Sum 41 is scheduled to play at the Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco and Music Festival at Doheny State Beach in April. Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Weiner

he Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco and Music Festival will be taking over Doheny State Beach next month.

The festival will bring live music, lucha libre style wrestling, games, contests, craft beer tastings and gourmet tacos on April 8.

The music lineup, headlined by Orange County-based The Offspring, includes Sum 41, Rival Sons, Lit, Unwritten Law and a heavy-metal mariachi band, Metalachi.

Guests will be able to purchase $3 gourmet tacos from top local chefs and restaurants. The taco chefs will compete in the Sabroso People’s Choice Awards, and a top taco will be selected by attendees via text-to-vote. “Best of Show” will be awarded by a panel of food judges.

Chefs and restaurants participating at the festival include Chef Jimmy Martinez from Pour Vida, Chef Cody Stors from Salt and Ash, Chef Rashad Moumneh from Falasophy, Luis Flores of Meat Up BBQ, Chef Hop Phan from Dos Chinos, and more.

Craft breweries that will be in attendance

include Bottle Logic, Bootleggers, Riip Beer Company, Pizza Port, TAPS Fish House and Brewery, Stereo Brewing, Fall Brewing, Barley Forge, Ritual Brewing, Modern Times, Artifex Brewing and more.

In addition to music, guests can watch lucha libre style wrestlers like Red Spider, La Golosa, Lady Lee and Mariachi Loco.

The event runs from 1-9 p.m. with VIP entry beginning at noon.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association, a non-profit dedicated to the protection of the park’s beaches, facilities and the marine refuge.

Tickets can be purchased at www.sabrosotacofest.com and include complimentary beer tasting and access to the music stage.

General admission tickets start at $60, with day-of festival tickets, if available, available for $75 per person.

VIP tickets vary in price and can be found online. Parking will be limited; attendees are encouraged to carpool and rideshare.

Shuttle information is available online. DP

DP LIVING

Kyle Watkins, Richard Hu and Zachary Finkelstein run a demo of their robot over the weekend. The Dana Hills’ robotics team is preparing for a regional competition in San Diego. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

Moving Parts Dana Hills Robotics Team gears up for competition season

BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, DANA POINT TIMES

I

t’s a Saturday afternoon and a group of high school students are gathered inside of a garage, safety glasses on, standing over a robot.

The Dana Hills High School students often meet at student Spencer Kammerman’s house, since there’s no workspace on campus. Inside the garage, they have power tools, pieces to fit their robot, computers, snacks and drinks—all things to prepare them for long nights of working.

“We’ve been here until 2 in the morning before, especially on the weekends,” said junior Tasha Lee. As they built a bumper to put around their robot to prevent it from getting damaged during competitions, a neighbor walked the dog and waved as they passed by.

“They’re pretty curious when they walk by,” Spencer said when asked if the neighbors are bothered by the noise. “We try to keep it down though, its quieter now that the building is completed.”

The handful of students are part of Dana Hills High School’s robotics team, the Robot Dolphins from Outer Space, which was created four years ago by another group of students.

“We started this team four years ago as a way to try and promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at Dana Hills,” said senior Kyle

Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

The Dana Hills High School robotics team, Robot Dolphins from Outer Space, prepares to run a demo of their robot over the weekend.

Photo: Kristina Pritchett

The Robot Dolphins are involved with the FIRST Robotics Competition, which is where high school teams compete head-to-head on a special playing field with robots they’ve built, designed and programmed.

This year, their robot needed to be able to put a gear on a peg, climb a rope and shoot whiffle balls into a goal that’s about nine feet tall.

Easy enough right?

Oh, and the robot weighs just under 100 pounds.

When asked how they even know how to build a robot, the students laughed.

“For me personally, I learned from my dad and just doing stuff around the house,” said senior Steven Perkins. “It’s helped me learn about manufacturing.”

The students are able to work with volunteer mentors, which have included engineers, teachers, business professionals, parents and more.

“Our mentors really help us and teach us a lot,” said sophomore Illeana Avila.

“I’ve learned a lot about electrical work from our mentor Miles.”

Another mentor is junior team member Kevin Jung’s father, Richard Jung. He has been helping them with the build work.

“When we got the challenge, we looked at past robots and got inspiration from there,” Jung said while the group worked on Saturday.

Kyle Chambers, a junior, said the group doesn’t just focus on the construction of the robot; there’s more work to it.

“We have Spencer and Fink, who are our main programmers,” he said. “Our robot isn’t just something that sits there and looks nice, it has to be able to do stuff. There are some of us that build it and then Kyle and Illeana do the electronics for it. Everything has to get connected so there’s definitely a team effort going on here.”

The first competition of the season is coming up for the Dolphins, but they said they’re not nervous about it.

“We’ve improved a lot, not only with our robot but as a team,” Tasha said. “I think we’ll do well.”

The ultimate goal though is to return to the Championship competition.

“We want to go to champs again,” Kyle

Watkins said. “That’s a big one. For being just a four-year team, and last year being a three-year team and competing against teams from all over the world, it’s a huge motivation for us.”

Along with their school work, and participating in the build process and competitions, the group volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley.

“We teach the kids FLL, which is First Lego League; it’s an elementary school level of building,” Kyle Watkins said. “We recently turned them into a competitive team.”

Not only do the members of the group enjoy what they do after school, but they hope it leads to a career.

“I think it’s important because in most areas of California, and across the country, we’ve lost a lot of our shop classes or more of the mechanical-related classes, and this is a way for people to get into the industry,” said Kevin.

FRC allows the group to learn the physical and mental work behind the scenes, but also the aspects of building community and raising funds.

Not only is the group’s work extensive, but the students look to sponsors and donations to help them be successful.

“We pulled a ton of new sponsors this year, and we’ve been sponsored by Masimo for four years,” Kyle Watkins said.

Currently, the group has a GoFundMe account to bring in donations, and they recently held a fundraiser at a local business.

Back in the halls of Dana Hills, the group was asked what it is like in today’s society to participate in this group.

“No matter where we go, if you say ‘I build robots’ people are going to say, ‘That’s really cool,’” Tasha said. “No matter the social status, everybody thinks it’s cool that you’re smart enough to do that or to have the initiative to do that.”

Kyle Watkins said the group aims to do a lot to involve the student body.

“We do lunchtime demos to show them what we’re doing and to show them what we’re about; it gets them excited,” Kyle Watkins said.

The students will compete on March 9 in San Diego. For more information about the group, visit their website at www. robotdolphins.com. DP

Sudoku

Kyle Chambers and Kevin Jung prepare to turn their robot on during a demo over the weekend.

Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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:

Watkins. “We wanted to offer kids here the opportunity to work with STEM and get hands-on experience.”

Spencer said the experience isn’t all about STEM however.

“It’s about going out and having fun, building cool robots, going all over and competing with the team,” Spencer said.

“The whole competition atmosphere is really fun and it builds friendships.”

Page 18

See the solution in next week’s issue.

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DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Dolphin Report

Dana Point Youth Baseball celebrates first day of spring season

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

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

Lancers Prevail in DoubleHeader Victory over Dolphin Baseball

DANA POINT TIMES

H

undreds of local youth baseball players took to the fields at the Dana Point Community Center on Feb. 25 to break in their new baseball mitts and take their first earnest swings of the spring season as part of Dana Point Youth Baseball’s opening day festivities.

Like something out of a movie, the rain and weather that had hung over the area passed through and made for a sunsoaked first day of baseball out at Gene Burrus Ballfield.

The spring season currently has 404 players signed up for it and offers six different PONY League divisions for players ages 4-14. The season will run through May. While the baseball action kicked off on Feb. 25, the league plans on holding an official opening day ceremony on March 11, complete with a pancake breakfast and team photo day. DP

The Mustang Padres team took part in the Dana Point Youth Baseball’s first day of the spring season on Feb. 25.

Photo: Courtesy

The promising Dana Hills baseball team opened its season with a tough doubleheader series against nationally ranked Orange Lutheran at Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 25. One game was extremely close, but the other was not, and the Lancers came away with victories in both.

Orange Lutheran won the first game convincingly, 13-0.

In the second tilt, Dana Hills sent standout senior Hans Crouse to the mound.

Crouse, a USC commit, is widely regarded as one of the best high school arms in the country. Crouse struck out six but surrendered two hits and was tagged with the loss.

Dana Hills (0-2) will travel to play Servite in the opening game of the Loara Tournament.

Boys Volleyball Opens in Tournament Mode

Danny Magana swings at a pitch during a Pony division game on opening day. Photo: Courtesy

The Dana Hills boys volleyball team began its march through the 2017 season with a successful effort at the Tesoro Tournament last week.

The Dolphins (3-1) defeated Woodbridge and Yorba Linda in straight sets before falling to host-team Tesoro 2-1 on Feb. 25.

Dana Hills moved past Servite in five sets on Feb. 28 and was scheduled to continue nonleague competition against Santa Margarita on March 2. Results were not available at press time.

The Dolphins will travel to compete in the high-profile Redondo Invitational this weekend.

Softball Defeats Stallions in Extras

David Walsh pitches for his Bronco division team during Dana Point Youth Baseball’s opening day.

Photo: Courtesy

Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

Daniel Walsh was one of the hundreds of Dana Point Youth Baseball players that played on the league’s opening day. Photo: Courtesy

Page 20

The Dana Hills softball team is finding ways to win close games early in the season.

The Dolphins (2-0) won their season opener against Troy 1-0 as part of the Savanna Showcase on Feb. 25. Later that same day, the Dolphins scored eight runs in the final two innings in an 8-5 win over San Juan Hills. Dana Hills scored four runs in the first extra inning to seal the win.

Dana Hills will continue nonleague play with a game against Yorba Linda on March 6. www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Start Your Engines

GROM OF THE WEEK

JETT SCHILLING

As the 2017 WSL Championship Tour season dawns, San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino is ready to rise and shine

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n less than two weeks, Kolohe Andino will once again steady himself and set his sights on winning a world title. He has had the better part of two months to cruise with friends, go fishing, take in a couple hockey games and even get properly barreled at the local beach breaks. But it’s game time now.

Last year Andino finished fourth in the world, the best result of his highly visible career. Could vying for a title be that far off? Given his matured headspace, abundant talent and dedication, he appears to be on the right path.

“Before last year, I never really put in the actual true work—like eating all the right food, spending a lot of time at the gym, and all of the above,” said Andino. “I never really knew how to handle those sort of (high pressure) moments.”

When it comes to putting in the “actual true work,” Andino’s learned to block out a lot of the distractions and focus on what he

Jett Schilling. Photo: Kurt Steinmetz

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino will look to improve upon his No. 4 ranking from last year in this World Surf League season. Photo: Masurel/WSL

needs to do to improve.

“I get up at 4 a.m., spend an hour on the Pilates reformer. I got a little mental meditation thing that takes about 20 minutes,” said Andino. “Then I usually go for a surf.

I’ve been training up in Huntington. Then I go surf again. After that, I try and keep my eyes open until 7:30, maybe eat some steak… some brisket.”

But it’s more than just the physicality of being a top-flight athlete that’s resonating with Andino lately. He’s long had the talent to win heats, but the mental component has been where he’s admittedly struggled to put the pieces together in the past.

“I’m an absolute student of the sport,” he said. “I watched this Mick Fanning interview and he said he had one event in Tahiti where … in the last second he needed a nine, and boom, he got a 9.5. And he said that during that he was trying to remember

Pipeline of History Organizer to spend year preparing surf history exhibit

BY ERIC HEINZ, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n 1962, Joel Smith was sent on a bus touring the United States. It was a way to provide adult supervision for him while his mother recovered from illness.

On that trip, Smith visited Huntington Beach, right in the middle of surfing’s most dynamic explosion of culture and competition. Originally from New Jersey, that’s all it took for Smith to be hooked.

Now, Smith is trying to teach people around the world more about the sport’s history with an exhibit titled “On the Origin of Surfing,” in collaboration with the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center.

Dana Point Times March 3-9, 2017

Author Joel Smith stands next to reed crafts, boats developed in ancient civilization that are still used by fishermen to navigate the surf in Huanchaco, Peru.

Photo: Courtesy of Joel Smith

Smith and illustrator Ron Croci created the book The Illustrated Atlas of Surfing History, which is the basis of the exhibit.

Smith said he would like to bring as many interactive features to the exhibit as possible, such as a simulation of riding a wave on old surfboards and replicas of artifacts from surfing history.

“I’d like to bring craftsmen who do reproductions of surfboards and catamaran

all the hard work he’d done, so I thought I’d try and do that—because I like Mick a lot.”

The 2017 World Surf League Championship Tour season kicks off in earnest in Australia with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Held at the warm-water pointbreak of Snapper Rocks, last year Andino finished third in the contest to get his season off on a good foot.

“I think once you realize how lucky you are, you become grateful,” he said. “When you realize how lucky you are, you begin to work real hard at your goals or whatever you have planned for your life. Humble, grateful, hard-working… a man… that’s how I’d like to be remembered.”

Win, lose or draw on the world’s stage this year, Andino’s a hero and role model in his hometown and that’s a heck of an accomplishment. DP

and artifacts,” he said. “That way people can touch and see what it feels like, but I’m hoping we can … tell the story about what surfing was like in the beginning.”

The experience through surf history will start from the Polynesian innovation and pre-modern era versions of the sport. It will then explore the cultivation of surf in Hawaii in the late 1800s and beyond, all the way to the 1960s.

It won’t be until sometime this winter or possibly early 2018 when the exhibit will be ready. Smith is in the process of raising as much money for it as possible and conceptualizing the project.

Smith, admittedly, is not a seasoned museum curator or exhibit promoter. His background consists of developing television shows on various parts of history. He said he relocated to California in 1980 and has surfed on every continent except Antarctica.

“The message I want to give to people is that it’s more than a sport. It is the basis of a global tribe, and I wanted to explore how that came about.”

For more information on the exhibit or to contact Smith, email him at joelt@oceanhelix.com, or visit www.surfingheritage.org. DP

Page 22

B

ig ups to Jett Schilling, who took out the Open Juniors’ division at the NSSA Southwest contest at Salt Creek last weekend.

The surf wasn’t exactly pumping, but then again, it wasn’t raining either. With a playful, two- to three-foot northwest swell offering up some fun peaks up and down the beach, Schilling got to work early and never looked back.

“Little waves made for a fun and interesting final heat; happy to come home with the W,” said Schilling afterwards.

The win was made that much sweeter considering who Schilling out-paced in the final. Matched up against fellow San Clemente rippers Crosby Colapinto and Liam Murray, as well as Levi Slawson from Encinitas (who made the finals in Open Men’s as well), the talent level was no joke.

Schilling found the better waves, put the pieces together and came away with an impressive victory.

All told, it was a great weekend for local surfers. Kade Matson took out the win in the Open Men’s division. Hayden Rodgers and Brayden Burch made the final in Open Boys’, while Cannon Carr and Alex Guild finaled in Mini Groms. On the ladies’ side of the draw, Samantha Sibley made the finals in the Open Women’s and Open Girls’ divisions, while Bella Kenworthy and Sawyer Lindblad rounded out the field with their appearances in the Super Mini Girls’ final.

Congrats to Schilling and everyone else on their stand-out performances over the weekend. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 57-60 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-7’ Poor-Fair Outlook: Modest, overlapping SSW/S swells through the weekend as some small Westerly swell blends in.

Surf size generally holds, conditions cleanest in the mornings. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

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