November 18, 2016

LO C A L

N EWS

November 18-24, 2016 YO U

C A N

INSIDE: Dana Point 39th Turkey Trot Event Guide and Map

U S E

SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 9, ISSUE 47

Paddling Out Dana Outrigger Canoe Club travels to compete in Chile S P O R T S / PAG E 1 7

A small group from the Dana Outrigger Canoe Club will head to Chile this week to compete in the South American Canoe Championships. The team consists of (L to R) Gerald Montes, Bryan Pesartic, Manny Barela, John Skorstad, Dave Brozowski and Scott Bingham Photo: Steve Breazeale

Short-Term Rental Ordinance Repealed EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Driftwood at Doheny Draws in A Big Crowd DP LIVING/PAGE 16

www.danapointtimes.com

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Surf at Salt Creek DP SURF/PAGE 18

VOTE FOR THE 2016 BEST OF DANA POINT AT DANAPOINTTIMES.COM

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING Program Amendment (LCPA) to certify the ordinances. Muñoz said the city may need to send the Coastal Commission a letter informing them of the repeal. —KP

Planning Commission Tables Decision on Gloria Dei Public Art Display

A supermoon was seen over Dana Point on Monday, Nov. 14. Another supermoon like this one isn’t projected to happen again until 2034. Photo: Courtesy of Jim Reed

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week

Supermoon Makes Appearance over Dana Point THE LATEST: On Monday, Nov. 14, a supermoon made an appearance over Dana Point lighting up the sky.

The supermoon was the closest full moon to Earth since 1948, and another one like it isn’t projected to happen again until 2034.

According to NASA, the moon’s orbit around Earth is slightly elliptical so the moon can be closer to Earth at times.

“When the moon is full as it makes its closest pass to Earth it is known as supermoon,” according to nasa.gov. “At perigee—the point at which the moon is closest to Earth—the moon can be as much as 14 percent closer to Earth than at apogee, when the moon is farthest from our planet.”

WHAT’S NEXT: NASA said this is the second of three supermoons in a row, so another chance to take a peek at a bloated moon will happen on Dec. 14.

—Kristina Pritchett

Short-Term Rental Ordinances Repealed THE LATEST: The Dana Point short-term Dana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

rental (STR) ordinance saga will continue after City Council repealed the ordinance governing STRs during their Nov. 15 meeting. The repeal comes after the submission of a referendum asking Council to reconsider, repeal or put to a vote an ordinance that approved short-term rentals in the city.

The original ordinance, which was 10 years in the making and had California Coastal Commission approval, was approved in September and included a zone text amendment to allow STRs in all zoning districts where residential uses are allowed.

However, those opposed to the ordinance swiftly created a referendum that asked Council to reconsider or repeal the STR regulations, or to send it to a vote of the people. City Clerk Kathy Ward said a little less than 4,000 signatures were collected, and 2,065 needed to be verified.

At Tuesday’s meeting, City Attorney Patrick Muñoz said permit holders will still be permitted to rent out their homes on a short-term basis, though the city also elected to put a moratorium on issuing new permits.

Councilman Carlos Olvera said he wasn’t sure if a vote of the people was the best idea because many speakers mentioned residents didn’t even know about the ordinances.

“How are we going to go to a vote of the people if they don’t know what we’re talking about?” Olvera said and added he was in favor of repealing the ordinance to create something everyone would be happy with.

Councilman Joe Muller said the community now has the opportunity to take a step back and make adjustments.

WHAT’S NEXT: Currently, the California Coastal Commission has a Local Coastal

THE LATEST: Planning Commissioners tabled a vote to approve the public art component for the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church remodel and expansion project after a couple of Commissioners said they didn’t believe all the projects were considered “public.”

The Commission voted four to one in favor of holding off on the vote until the city could speak with the church about the projects.

The remodel and expansion of the church has been in progress since September 2014, costing a total of $6.6 million, which results in a minimum value cost requirement of $33,000 for the public art component of the project.

The public art projects consisted of two stained glass windows, which would be visible from inside and outside of the church along Stonehill Drive, a contemplation garden cross and entry wall sculptures located at the south end of the site, a natural boulder fountain in the courtyard and carillon bells in a new bell tower.

Commissioner April O’Connor said she believed the projects benefited the property and the property owner but couldn’t see how they would benefit the city as a whole.

“I believe the art in public places program is a wonderful program,” O’Connor said. “It’s usually things like the dolphin statue, or the mosaics on the bridge; they benefit the city as whole with easy access.”

Commissioner Danni Murphy said she believed everyone was “over-thinking” the projects.

A couple of the Commissioners didn’t see the parks being that open to the public since they will be built on private property.

WHAT’S NEXT: The city will discuss the project with the church and bring it back to the Commission at a later date. —KP

South Coast Water District Gives Doheny Desal Project Update THE LATEST: During the South Coast Water District’s engineering and operations committee meeting, staff provided an update of progress made during the last month regarding the Doheny Ocean Desalination Plant’s task orders.

GHD—an engineering firm working

Page 3

with the district on the project—told the district eight tasks were currently being worked on.

General Manager Andy Brunhart said as part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), a technical team is modeling the impacts of discharge of brine—water that’s saturated with salt and is a byproduct of ocean water desalination—to ensure compliance with state health and environmental regulations.

According to the staff report, a complete brine modeling work and technical memo will be completed by Dec. 8 along with a complete coastal hazards modeling work and technical memo.

Comments from the water district, as well as feedback from State Parks, South Orange County Wastewater Authority and the city of Dana Point was collected for a preliminary design report.

According to the staff report, GHD submitted a task order proposal for Workshop 5 to present results of a financial analysis.

WHAT’S NEXT: Brunhart said SCWD will consider the task order to conduct Workshop 5 during the Thursday, Nov. 17 meeting. As of press time, it was unknown how the board voted. —KP

City Staff Gives Sober Living Facilities Update THE LATEST: During the Nov. 15 City Council meeting, City Attorney Patrick Muñoz told staff and the public there haven’t been any new sober living homes created in Dana Point.

Muñoz said the city has been “keeping tabs” on the facilities in town and no new homes have “popped up” since they began their litigation.

Muñoz said the city was preparing to pursue code enforcement on a property along Camino Capistrano.

“There are two homes on the property, and one is being used as a sober living facility,” Muñoz said.

The city has two lawsuits in Superior Court against two properties. One of the lawsuits is against a property with which Sobertec and Sovereign Health, who previously contracted with Sober Network Properties to operate the day-to-day business of the facility, are no longer involved.

“We’ve dismissed them from the litigation,” Muñoz said. “They were able to demonstrate that they weren’t involved.”

Currently, the city is looking at three or four properties that they believe are providing treatment without the proper licenses.

WHAT’S NEXT: Muñoz said the city will continue to investigate, and if they need to file additional code enforcement action, then they will. —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, November 13 FIREWORK VIOLATION Strand Beach Drive, 0 Block (9:07 p.m.) Police were called for a man and woman lighting fireworks that “left off a smelly red smoke.”

VANDALISM Street of the Golden Lantern, 34600 Block (8:15 p.m.) A man told police his car was keyed.

DRUNK IN CAR La Plaza, 34100 Block (7:24 p.m.) Police were called for a driver who allegedly almost hit two parked cars.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Del Obispo Street, 33600 Block (2:25 p.m.)

Police were called for two people yelling at each other as they walked out of the store.

The caller told police they heard the man mention he had a sword.

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Capo Beach Church to Host Thanksgiving Meal On Thanksgiving, Capo Beach Church will host a Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who does not have a place to go. Anyone is welcome, including families.

The church is also looking for volunteers to help during the event.

Last year, Pastor Jens Christy said more than 200 people attended. The dinner begins at 1 p.m., and if you wish to volunteer, please arrive by 10 a.m.

For more information, call the front desk at 949.493.2006. Capo Beach Church is located at 25975 Domingo Ave., Dana Point. —Kristina Pritchett

Turkey Trot Online Registration Ends Monday, Nov. 21 The deadline for online registration for the 39th annual Turkey Trot is Monday, Nov. 21 at midnight.

Registration is $40 for the 5K, $45 for the 10K, $45 for the combo of the 5K and 10K, and $20 for the Kids’ Gobble Wobble.

Participants are able to register on Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Thursday, Nov. Dana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (12:32 p.m.) A caller told police a woman was looking through cars.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Street of the Blue Lantern/ Pacific Coast Highway (5:55 p.m.) A fourfoot skateboard was in the roadway. The caller told police cars were hitting it.

VANDALISM Street of the Blue Lantern, 34100 Block (9:14 a.m.) A caller reported their car window was vandalized.

PETTY THEFT Calle Juanita, 27000 Block (2:34 p.m.) The caller referred to items taken from an unlocked vehicle.

Friday, November 11

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Drive, 33800 Block (6:54 a.m.) A caller told police a man was urinating on their lawn, and when they confronted the man, he took off.

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (10:26 p.m.) Police were called for someone throwing eggs at passing vehicles.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Sherwood Way, 24800 Block (5:59 a.m.) Police were called for mariachi music.

PROWLER Vista De Dons, 27500 Block (3:56 a.m.) A woman told police she heard glass break on the front door and found glass shattered. She said she didn’t know if someone was trying the door or if someone threw something at it.

Saturday, November 12 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Granada Drive, 34000 Block (7:13 p.m.) Police were called for a person sitting in a car in front of the residence for 10 to 20 minutes playing loud music. The caller told police they were partially blocking their driveway.

DISTURBANCE Street of the Amber Lantern/ Santa Clara Avenue (7:06 p.m.) Police were called for eight juveniles smoking marijuana at the lookout. The caller told police that when they asked the kids to stop, they allegedly said “it’s legal now.”

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-NON INJURY Doheny Park Road, 34200 Block (3:52 p.m.) A gray minivan and a red Honda were involved in an accident.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-NON INJURY Street of the Golden Lantern, 33300 Block (10:54 p.m.)

A man in a Volvo hit a pole in the student parking lot.

HIT-AND-RUN Seville Place/La Cresta Drive (10:44 p.m.) A woman told police a man in a green truck side-swiped her vehicle then took off.

24 onsite. Registration onsite for the 5K is $45, $50 for the 10K, $55 for the combo, and $25 for the Kids’ Gobble Wobble.

Turkey Trot is on Thursday, Nov. 24, and registration begins at 6 a.m.

The Health Expo runs Wednesday, Nov. 23 from noon-6 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 24 from 6 a.m.-11 a.m.

For more information and to register, visit www.turkeytrot.com—KP

Dana Hills Holds Recycling Drive Residents are encouraged to bring plastic bottles and aluminum cans to Dana Hills High School on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9-11 a.m. to participate in the recycling drive.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the school.

The drive will be in the back parking lot near the tennis courts and pool. —KP

Robin Trower Announced as First Artist for Annual Doheny Blues Festival Robin Trower was announced as the first artist who will be performing at the 20th annual Doheny Blues Festival.

Trower, an English rock guitarist, is

Community Meetings SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Dana Point Farmer’s Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. The market is in La Plaza Park. Pacific Coast Highway and La Plaza.

A Walk through History

9 a.m. The two-hour walk will focus on local Dana Point History. The walk occurs every third Saturday of the month.

The walk is about one-and-a-half miles.

Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive. RSVP to dpnaturalresources@ danapoint.org. 949.248.3527.

Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon

11:30 a.m. Reservations are required.

Dana Point Community Center. 34052 Del Obispo, Dana Point. 949.496.4252.

Open House and Tree Lighting Celebration

4 p.m. The free event will feature live music, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, candy canes and Santa will arrive to light the tree. Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Orange County Board of Supervisors Meeting

9:30 a.m. The Board meets every second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Board Chambers. Hall of Administration. 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana. The agenda is available at www.ocgov.com.

Robin Trower was the first artist named for the annual Doheny Blues Festival. Photo: Shot by Rob Blackham / www.blackhamimages.com

known for his work with Procol Harum during the ’60s, and he was the bandleader of Power Trio.

This will be the first time Trower will be performing at the festival. Artists that have previously performed at the festival include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band and more.

The festival will take place in Doheny State Park on May 20 and 21.

To purchase tickets, visit www.dohenybluesfestival.com. —KP Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com.

Page 5

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. 25975 Domingo Avenue, Capistrano Beach. 949.492.7181. www.toastmasters.org.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Thanksgiving City Hall and offices are closed.

www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor A DISAPPOINTING DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR POLITICAL PROCESS DEANNA SLOCUM, Capistrano Beach

As the short-term rental (STR) discussion wages on, I believe it's important to share a development with the public.

For once, I agreed on one point with those that pitched the referendum. While I didn't agree with their tactics, which often resorted to berating, shoving and screaming to get those signatures, I could not argue with the message—let the people decide, or, at least, what I heard was the message. I don't believe my hearing was that far off the mark, however.

On Sept 30, a pro-referendum supporter wrote to the Dana Point Times, to plead for a public vote saying “a vote would be warranted because the ordinance affects all Dana Point residents and will change the character of our city forever.”

For weeks leading up to the point when the referendum was turned into the OC Registrar, in front of the grocery stores, I witnessed both citizens and signature gatherers tell shoppers that signing the referendum would not be a statement for or against STRs but would simply cause the city to put the matter to a public vote— to let the people decide.

Imagine my surprise when I watched those same citizens request on Nov. 1 and Nov. 15 that our City Council not put the matter to a vote, but rather the Council should repeal the ordinances outright.

They said "the people have spoken by signing the referendum so the city should save its money and not put the matter forward in an election."

However, I would say that with only 10 percent of the city's population having signed the referendum and with potentially a significant percentage of those having signed in reliance on the fact that there would be a public vote, the people have not spoken. Moreover, to tell people who were asked to sign the referendum that they were signing a document that would give them a say and then ask the Council to do the opposite seems deceptive and unfair. Alas, this is what I think happened.

If you signed that referendum expecting to have your say in an election, you were duped. The ordinances, which protected our neighborhoods by regulating STRs have now been repealed without any public vote. It is a disappointing development for our political process as well as for those of us who do not want a group of the few restricting the property rights of the many.

Dana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

THANK YOU

HOW PROPOSITION 67 AND 65 OUTCOMES RELATE TO SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY

DEBRA LEWIS AND PAUL WYATT, Dana Point

DENISE ERKENEFF, SURFRIDER FOUNDATION South Orange County Chapter

Dana Point's City Council voted in 2012 to enact a single-use plastic bag ban ordinance. We are well into four years of seeing less plastic on our streets, beaches and communities. But many of our neighbors inland and coastal did not pass those ordinances, and plastic bags don’t know city, waterway or ocean boundaries.

Now with the passage of Proposition 67, all Californians have voted once and for all to support the state law signed into effect over a year and a half ago by Gov. Jerry Brown, which upholds the statewide single-use plastic bag ban, eliminating this unnecessary and ubiquitous waste stream.

Pat yourselves on the back, Californians and all of Dana Point.

As a coastal city that relies on a robust tourism industry for over 50 percent of its yearly budget, (e.g. occupancy tax revenues), leaders such as Council members Schoeffel, Anderson and Bartlett (all former Mayors) moved this issue early on, with full support from environmental nonprofits—primarily the Surfrider South OC Chapter—our five-star resorts, restaurants, retailers and businesses (none of whom can successfully market Dana Point's “clean and pristine” and “sustainable” virtues—markers for the large corporate and convention travel industry—without whitewashing!)

Those same city leaders did not bend to constant extreme political attack to reverse our bag ban, despite cries of “personal freedoms” or “job losses” among other counter-intuitive reasons that defy policy economics.

Out-of-state bag and big plastic donors also mounted a David vs. Goliath money campaign statewide to back up their Prop.

65 initiative to undo eight years of work getting this done in California. Also, Big Plastic contributed very liberally to our local and state elections, directing pressure on current Dana Point and other Orange County city councils like Huntington Beach over the last few years to unhinge ordinances. Doing so in Dana Point would have unwound resort and business support, environmental advocates and resident support. Moreover, it would have placed an unnecessary financial burden on those businesses, increased trash in our communities and set consumer behavior backwards, and perhaps like in Huntington Beach, resulted in lawsuits against the city.

Kudos Dana Point for staying the course and not being fooled by out-of-state or out-of-country interests trying to sully our beaches, oceans, streets and parks with pollution. Now our city can now use those funds for other budget areas that need attention.

Dear Dana Point Residents, We celebrate Dana Point residents’ collective victory. You decided that change was needed in Dana Point, and you carried that conviction to the ballot box. You put aside cynicism and placed your faith in two of your neighbors who believe with all their hearts in the simple truth that we all deserve a city that puts residents first and works to preserve our quality of life.

We are so thrilled and grateful for the trust you have shown in us. Although our city faces many challenges, let us assure you that we are ready to meet those challenges. We have already started working, but we ask you to understand that change will not be quick and it will not be easy. But, it will come.

We pledge to each of you today that our decisions will be open and transparent. We will review the facts and carefully weigh the options with just one question to be answered—what do we believe is best for the residents of Dana Point? We will show you the respect and decency you deserve as voters, as residents, as human beings when you come to a Council meeting and tell us your problem, asking for our help.

We look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities.

To the many, many people who volunteered their time for us, who opened their homes and invited their friends and neighbors to talk to us, who donated their hard-earned money to us, who stood on street corners at 7 a.m. in the chilly mornings to hold up our signs and wave at passing cars, who put our signs in their yards, who canvassed their neighborhoods, who voted for us, and in short, who believed in us, we can only offer our all too inadequate simple words of thank you.

We could not have succeeded without any one of you, and we are so proud that you wanted to play a role in the effort.

We would also like to take this opportunity to commend each of the candidates who ran but did not win. We know how you gave your time and energy and devoted many hours away from family and friends only because you want to give back to your community.

Finally, thank you Dana Point for listening, supporting and believing in us to represent you!

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 6

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 Maggie Fetterly Jake Howard Debra Holm Tim Trent Victor Carno

Dana Point Times, Vol. 9, Issue 47. 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.

FOLLOW THE DANA POINT T IMES

www.danapointtimes.com

DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

the With My Own Two Hands Foundation, which helps orphaned and disadvantaged children in need. Indoor cycling, a threemile run and blissful yoga comprise the three aspects of the tri-give-athon.

Registration is $65 and includes refreshments and prizes. 415 E. Avenida Pico, Suite M, San Clemente. 949.291.6582. www.trigiveathon2016.eventbrite.com.

EDITOR’S PICK

COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 18 FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 5-9 p.m. The Ocean Institute hosts Family Movie Night with a screening of Muppet Treasure Island. Doors open at 5 p.m., with food trucks, touch tanks and other activities. General admission is $10; a family four-pack is $30, and members get a 10 percent discount. Buy tickets online at www.ocean-institute.org/event/familymovie-night. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274.

‘THE CURIOUS SAVAGE’ 7 p.m. San Clemente High School drama presents a production of John Patrick’s The Curious Savage. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $18 for premium seating and $10 for seniors, military, students and children. Show runs through Nov. 19.

Tickets available at www.schsdrama.com.

San Clemente High School. 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.291.2761.

Saturday | 19 SURFING SANTA COMPETITION 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Dress up as Santa or one of his elves and hit the waves at Salt Creek Beach. Or just put on a floppy red hat and watch the fun. Money raised from the event supports Surfers Healing, which benefits children with autism. 33333 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.240.5088. www. surfingsantacontest.org.

FALL INTO NATURE FAMILY WALK 9-11 a.m. Enjoy a family-oriented walk on The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.

Event is free but space is limited and RSVP is required. Richard and Donna O’Neill

At the Movies: Make Time for the ‘Arrival’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

A

common theme featured in movies this month is apparently the concept of time and how to use it to your advantage. It can be a gift, a weapon or even transportation. Last week in Dr. Strange, the hero used time

Dana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

Photo: File

THURSDAY, NOV. 24: DANA POINT TURKEY TROT 6 a.m.-noon. The 39th annual Turkey Trot takes over Dana Point on Thanksgiving morning.

The Orange County tradition attracts more than 16,000 participants in the 5K, 10K, kids’ Gobble Wobble and the health and wellness expo. Dana Point Harbor. www.turkeytrot.com Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS EVENT 10 a.m. The Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley and their Animal Kinship Ministries are hosting a Blessing of the Animals event, where families are encouraged to bring pets or photos of pets to be blessed. The event will also commemorate pets no longer living. Pines Park. 34941 Camino Capistrano, Capistrano Beach.

949.240.6463. www.cslcv.org.

SURF AND SACRED GEOMETRY ART 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Drew Brophy Studios is transformed into an art gallery and music venue, where guests can find 20 newly released, limited edition surf art prints; new original music inspired paintings; and explore a sacred geometry mixed media series, inspired by nature and phsyics. Admission is free. Also runs Sunday, Nov. 20. 208 Calle De Los Molinos, Suite D, San Clemente.

949.678.8133. www.drewbrophy.com. against fighting the bad guys, and this week in Arrival, time appears as a way for the lead to discover her destiny. It’s interesting that in the month of Thanksgiving, with feel-good, family movies, this year we get some clever, unique blockbusters.

Language professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is emotionally bored with her career and doesn’t have a social life when a group of alien spaceships park on several different spots on Earth. The next day, the government recruits Banks to figure out how to translate the aliens’ language and writing before a possible attack. Her assigned partner is scientist Ian Donnelly

INTERNATIONAL GAMES DAY 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to play video games and traditional table top games as the Dana Point Library participates in the ninth annual International Games Day. Event held in the library meeting room, and walk-ins are welcome. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517. www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

HANDMADE: A MAKER’S MARKET 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. The Ecology Center plays host to a unique outdoor market, where functional and well-designed goods made by local artisans and craftspeople will be on display and for sale. There will also be kids activities, live music, craft food and artisan demonstrations. Event is free, but RSVP online so the organizers can plan accordingly. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano.

949.443.4223. www.theecologycenter.org.

YOGA TRI-GIVE-ATHON 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. A day of exercise, mindfulness and yoga with San Clemente’s pure. love. yoga. will be held to benefit (Jeremy Renner). Throughout the film, we also see flashbacks of a daughter Louise once had.

Michael Stuhlbarg and Forest Whitaker co-star as Louise’s and Ian’s superiors.

Arrival is directed by Denis Villeneuve of Prisoners (2013) and Sicario (2015), and his usual dark tone is used appropriately here, though it’s not as violent and gruesome as his films have been in the past.

Instead we have an introspective drama disguised as a sci-fi movie. More for the fan of Close Encounters (1977) than Star Wars. The nonlinear structure works naturally, and Adams and Renner have just

Page 8

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING AT THE OUTLETS 4-6 p.m. Families are invited to create holiday memories during the Tree Lighting Celebration at the Outlets at San Clemente.

Hosted by Santa and his reindeer, the event features a live reindeer meet-andgreet, roaming Christmas carolers, a photo booth, crafts, face-painting, balloon animals and the Grand Finale: the lighting of a fresh-cut, 40-foot-tall white fir tree from Mt. Shasta covered in more than 6,000 twinkling, multi-colored lights as “snow” falls over San Clemente. Center Court at the Outlets. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

VIVA CREER WINTER GALA 6-11 p.m. Join in on the sixth annual VIVA CREER Winter Gala. There will be appetizers, dinner, champagne and live music featuring jazz legend Louie Cruz Beltran and Carlos Velasco. VIP tickets are $100, general admission tickets are $50. San Juan Capistrano Community Center. 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano. www.creersjc.org.

Sunday | 20 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AND TREE LIGHTING 4-9 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton hosts a tree lighting celebration that includes a festive live musical performance by The Jeeps, complimentary hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and candy canes, as well as the arrival of Santa to help light the tree. One Ritz Carl(Cont. on page 13)

Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner in Arrival.

Photo: Jan Thijs © 2016 Paramount Pictures

the right amount of subtlety without appearing stiff. For a high-budget, indie flick at heart, Arrival is worth a watch. DP www.danapointtimes.com

NOVEMBER 24, 2016

SPONSORS

It’s time to “Wobble before you Gobble!”

Dana Point’s Thanksgiving Day tradition, the Dana Point Turkey Trot, is back.

Kicking off in the early morning hours, the 39th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot will bring families, friends and volunteers to Orange County’s southern seaport to race in and cheer on runners, walkers and strollers in the repeatedly voted “Best Annual Local Event.”

This year marks the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce’s 39th annual seaside race that will see friendly competition among novice and veteran contenders in the 5K and 10K races that will snake through Dana Point Harbor, Doheny State Beach and along California’s famed Coast Highway on Thursday, Nov. 24.

The local holiday custom brings residents, visitors, local organizations and businesses together with one common goal: To raise funds for local charities while having a little holiday fun.

“We could not continue this tradition for Orange County families without the support of our sponsors as well as city, county and state partners,” said Heather Johnston, executive director of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

This year, the Chamber is proud to have the Monarch Beach Resort as its presenting sponsor and the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 and Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association as the year’s chosen charities. Since its founding, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has raised more than a half-million dollars for local nonprofit partners that work

continually to strengthen the community through educational programs, veterans services, environmental preservation and more.

“We go down to Pendleton and see women lined up with their strollers, waiting to receive the food and supplies that we bring,” said VFW service officer Bob Fowler, who delivers thousands of pounds of food to Marine families each week. “The sad part is that we have to; the good part is that we get to.”

It’s not too late to join in on this annual run, celebrated as one of America’s best Thanksgiving Day runs by Fitness Magazine and a top three Thanksgiving destination by Fodor’s Travel.

Donations can be made at online at www.turkeytrot.com/charities.

Registration for the 5K, 10K and 1-mile Kids Gobble Wobble races is available at www.turkeytrot.com. Online sign-ups close at midnight Monday, Nov. 21 but participants can register on-site at the Dana Marina Plaza—at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern—starting at noon Wednesday, Nov. 23.

The site will also be home to packet pick-ups and the two-day Health & Wellness Expo. Race-day registration opens at 6 a.m. The festivities begin at 7 a.m.

Find additional information on registration, donations, parking at Dana Hills High School, Lyft service from the Outlets at San Clemente, Virtual Goody Bags and more at www.turkeytrot.com.

Register Now! Turkeytrot.com Tag Your Posts and Photos:

#DPTurkeyTrot

@TurkeyTrot @DPTurkeyTrot

GETTING OUT THE DISH

PULLED PORK PIZZA

I

am a pizza snob, raised on the thin crust offerings of New Jersey, and therefore I don’t much go for deep dish, Detroit, Rocky Mountain, Calfiornia Pizza Kitchen, whatever Pizza Hut is, nor any other specialty za. For me, pepperoni is even one frill too far.

However, Bubba Kahunas has changed my mind about what the humble pizza pie can be, and I’m betting they’d do the same for other pizza purists.

Take the pulled pork pizza, which was billed by the counterman as simply “something you don’t see everywhere.” Feeling game, I jumped in.

What it is is a specialty pizza that doesn’t stray away from the core fundamentals of pizzahood. It’s got a thin, crispy crust, that has a very subtle honey-like sweetness. It’s got mozzarella cheese expertly apportioned as a texture builder. The pulled pork is ten(Cont. from page 8)

ton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. www.visitdanapoint.org.

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

Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday.

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

Monday | 21 ENGLISH ROSE GUEST APPRECIATION WEEK English Rose Beauty Studio kicks off a week of select complimentary services to celebrate Thanksgiving. Hair conditioning treatments, hand and massage services and makeup touch-ups will be offered. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.489.8464. www.englishrosebeautystudio.com.

ALL THINGS ARTS CAMP 9 a.m.-noon. Kids ages 4-11 are invited to act, sing, dance and create over Thanksgiving week with The Arts P roject of Orange County. Tickets are $45 per day, and kids can sign up for sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or all three. Reservations requested. 1317 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente. 949.276.2787. www.theartsprojectoc.com.

Tuesday | 22 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 WatchDana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

der and also not absurdly heaped on. And the cole slaw on top is tangy and crunchy, and its acid blends well with the vinegar in the barbecue sauce, to create a taste profile that’s as wide ranging as the rainbow.

—Matt Cortina Pulled Pork Pizza Bubba Kahunas Pizza & BBQ Co. 34320 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point.949.496.0119

ing. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

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.

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

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

Wednesday | 23 LIVE MUSIC: WILL HEARD 7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from Will Heard at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Thursday | 24 BRICK THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY DINNER 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Brick Pizzeria hosts a Thanksgiving dinner, which is free to all who are hungry, in need or just have nowhere else to be on Thanksgiving.

Families, active military and individuals are encouraged to attend. Volunteers are no longer being accepted, but dry good donations will be collected and donated to Family Assistance Ministries. 216 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.429.1199. www.brickpizzeria.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.

Page 13

DP DP LIVING Dana Point

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Serving Those Who Serve

South Orange County gives thanks to members of the United States military on Thanksgiving

BY VICTOR CARNO, DANA POINT TIMES

T

hanksgiving reaches far beyond just the turkey and fixings; it truly is a time to give thanks and show your friends and family that you appreciate them. For so many men and women in our military who are deployed overseas, this time with their loved ones is an impossibility. Not only does this leave these men and women without their families, but it leaves these families without their heroic loved ones.

About eight years ago in Dana Point, Damian Collins, owner of Stillwater Spirits and Sounds and Waterman’s Harbor restaurant, started hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for a few military men whom he noticed didn’t have a place to go during the holiday season.

“There was a group of regulars I knew at [Sunsets Bar and Grill] that had just gotten back from deployment. They didn’t have a place to go for Thanksgiving, so I decided to start a tradition of hosting dinner for these men and women,” Collins said, “Once the tradition started to grow, we ended up moving to Mahe, then Stillwater, and now Waterman’s Harbor.”

Terry Rifkin, president of the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, teamed up with Collins to not only raise money for a Thanksgiving dinner for Marines, but also for their families.

“Not everyone gets to celebrate Thanksgiving seated at a beautifully decorated table, laden down with homemade dishes. The Collins family wanted to make it special for our brave defenders who could not go home for the holiday,” Rifkin said.

One of the families that have been directly impacted by this tradition is the Kassner family. Col. Ken Kassner is a commander of the 5th Marine Regiment, while also commanding an air and ground

task force. Wearing as many different military hats as Kassner does, you could imagine his availability around the holiday season isn’t always guaranteed. Currently, Col. Kassner is deployed and serving multiple operations in Iraq.

Lisa Kassner, Ken’s wife and a mother of four boys, said the event is important, especially around the holidays.

“We attended last year as well, and it was wonderful to see Dana Point embrace Marine families and offer them a family holiday experience.” Lisa said, “It’s nice to enjoy the fellowship [with other Marines and families], especially when you are able to engage with your family instead of being stuck in the kitchen all day.”

In essence, this event is designed to keep morale up between Marines and their families during this family-oriented holiday. Eating and celebrating with people in similar situations offers a sense of community and family to people who aren’t able to connect with their relatives.

“That is what Thanksgiving is all about.

We are here to say thank you and act as an extended family for these men and women,” Collins said.

Thanksgiving dinner will kick off at 12:30 p.m. right after Turkey Trot concludes on Nov. 24. Marines and families will be greeted at Waterman’s Harbor by the Marine Regiment Support Group and Collins. Dinner begins at 1:30 p.m. after a prayer and some words from Col. Rafael Candelario.

During the dinner, arts and crafts will be offered to children, and family portraits will be taken by local photographer Mark Montgomery. An open bar will be offered throughout the dinner along with desserts, entertainment and raffle prizes.

“We are looking for donations from individuals, who would like to sponsor a Marine, or a Marine and his family for dinner for just $35. This is a simple way for our

Pet of the Week: Anvil

F

our-year-old Anvil is our longest running resident by far. First arriving at the shelter in June 2013, Anvil spends each day waiting for that special someone to call his own. He has made many new human friends during his time with us and just loves to play ball and practice canine nose work. While Anvil has enjoyed his stay at the shelter, nothing can compare to being in a loving home. Could you be the one to finally make his long awaited dreams come true? If you would like to know more about Anvil, 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 November 18-24, 2016

Anvil. Photo: San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

Page 14

Members of the Dana Point 5th Marines Regiment Support Group before a Thanksgiving dinner at Waterman’s Harbor restaurant during their 2015 event. Photo: Courtesy of Mark Montgomery from Montgomery Photography

Patriotic citizens to show gratitude for the many sacrifices of our Marines and their families and can turn what could otherwise be a lonely day into a ‘family affair,’” Rifkin said.

Neighboring cities San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano are also pitching in to serve our military on Thanksgiving.

San Clemente Military Family Outreach (SCMFO) is putting on their 10th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Giveaway on Nov. 21 at the San Onofre Commissary.

Member Courtney Sturniolo is helping put on the giveaway that helps over 800 families a year.

“We set up a booth outside of the commissary, where we buy over 800 turkeys.

Usually the vent is over in a few hours; it goes by very quickly,” Sturniolo said. “It’s not just turkeys that we give away, we also give out vegetables, pies, gravy… it’s an entire Thanksgiving dinner.”

Sturniolo’s family was stationed at Pendleton while she was growing up and feels that while Marines are separated from their loved ones, it is up to the community to pitch in and help those who are spending the holiday season alone, just as the community did for her family.

Donations are accepted at the SCMFO website.

Additionally, San Clemente will be serving those Marines who are unable to even leave base on Thanksgiving.

Carla Hogan, founder of the San Clemente Marine Corps Support Group, assures that Marines will receive muchdeserved turkey and stuffing courtesy of The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar. Via a Marine that is permitted to leave base, men and women who are stuck on base will be delivered a free, packed and complete Thanksgiving dinner.

San Juan Capistrano is also joining in on the military Thanksgiving festivities, as non-profit organization Homefront America celebrates their 10th annual Giving Thanks to Heroes program.

Founder Mamie Maywhort feeds over 1,400 people every Thanksgiving with help from her husband, Adam Maywhort, a former U.S. Coast Guardsmen, and foundation president Arthur Hasselbrink, a World War II and Korean War veteran.

Unlike your usual food drive, this benefit is run entirely off of donations, due to Mamie’s dedication to quality for these military men and women. DP

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com HELP WANTED DRIVER WANTED. CASSANO’S PIZZA. Apply in person 818 S El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA. HIRING IN-HOME AIDES/ CAREGIVERS $14 HR FT/PT CAREGIVERS NEEDED, South County local jobs! Help the disabled, all training provided, kindness needed & speak/write English, driver license/background checked, FT/PT, $14 Hr, Rainbow Home Care #800-811-9767 Call for appt or apply online: www.RainbowHomeCare.com

SERVICES HANDYMAN CHRIS Flat screen TV’s installed, anything Electrical, Plumbing, Finish Carpentry, Drywall Repairs, Mold and Wood Rot issues, Waterproofing, Decks and Patio covers repaired, Doors, Windows, Kitchens and Baths, Water Damage Restoration, Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication and Much More. Phone Chris – 949 510 6645 WOOD DECK REPAIR WIZZARD Wood Rot Repair Certified Specialist, Wood Decks, Balconies, Patio Covers + Outside Stairs Repaired / Replaced, New Decking Systems, All work Guaranteed. Phone Chris -949 510 6645

OBITUARY

Dorothy R. Hopper

July 30, 1923 — November 1, 2016

Dorothy Ruth Hopper, “Dottie” to all her friends, passed peacefully on Tuesday, November 1st, at the age of 93, in her San Clemente home.

Dottie will be remembered most for driving her red PT Cruiser through the streets of San Clemente with her perfectly styled, beautiful head of white hair. She is survived by one son, Jim Hopper of Poway, CA, 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and her beloved 14-year-old poodle, Sully. Dottie was predeceased by her husband, Tom, and her oldest son, Tom. Dottie was born in Huntington Park, CA, July 30th, 1923, was married to Tom Hopper at 18, and as a career Air Force wife, she lived across the nation before finally settling down in San Clemente in 1970. She had an active retired life, including water aerobics, tennis, world travels that included safaris in Africa, and above all, sharing her love for animals at the San Clemente Dana Point Animal Shelter as a volunteer for over 20 years.

Dottie has made it her wish that donations be made to the Pet Project Foundation, San Clemente, in lieu of flowers. Her ashes will be united with her husband’s ashes during a family celebration and burial at sea.

Dana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

Page 15

www.danapointtimes.com

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

Pondering the Safety and Rewards of Overseas Travel

W

hen my partner, Greta, and I had our first date on June 27, 1998, at the Claim Jumper on La Paz, one of the first things we discovered we had in common was a love of traveling.

We agreed that if we became a couple, we would try to travel as much as we could while we were physically and financially able to do so.

While we were working, we were able to take one trip a year. Now that we are retired, we are trying to squeeze in as many trips as we reasonably can. We have been blessed; our trips have happened without any serious or dangerous incidents.

However, that does not mean we have not had safety concerns before leaving on trips.

In March 2004, we were going to Spain.

Our itinerary back then was to fly to Madrid and hop a train from Madrid’s Atocha train station to go to the Costa del Sol for a week. While there, we planned to take day train trips to Barcelona and Valencia and back. We would return to Madrid by train to the Atocha station.

But on March 4, 2004, a week before we were to leave, our excitement turned to trepidation. Ten terrorists’ bombs ripped through three Spanish train stations, including Atocha, killing 192 and injuring more

than 2,000 people. The tracks we would have been on were among the ones bombed.

Our first reaction: “This could have happened to us; it’s too dangerous to go to Spain.” However, we ended up going, but we rented a car instead, which we later realized was likely more dangerous than the train.

A year ago in October, we made travel plans to fly to Germany in April of this year, and then take the train through ON LIFE AND Brussels to Paris. During LOVE AFTER 50 our stay in Paris, we had

By Tom Blake several day trips by train planned and other train trips scheduled in Italy in early May. On Nov. 13, six coordinated terrorist attacks occurred in Paris, killing 130 people and wounding hundreds more. Those attacks put Greta and I into “Should we go?” mode.

After pondering that question for a couple of months, terrorism in Europe seemed to have settled down. We decided, “Yup, we are going.” We would leave California in early April.

Then, on March 22, two suicide bomb-

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

949.485.4979, info@bodymindspiritiop.com, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

ASSISTED LIVING HOME FOR ELDERLY

BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, DANA POINT TIMES

Assisted Senior Home

D

949.248.9415, www.assistedseniorhome.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto More than 8,000 people showed up for the first Driftwood festival at Doheny State Beach on Saturday, Nov. 12. Photo: Eric Heinz

34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

Sudoku

COFFEE SHOP

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

email stated. “The U.S. Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets and festival venues.

“All U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department’s Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016.”

Of course, the Taj Mahal is on our bucket list. It’s probably the most frequented site visited by Westerners in all of India. Holy smokes!

We realize how blessed and fortunate we are to be able to travel at our age. We intend to continue to do so for as long as we can, while we are healthy enough to go. We will keep you posted.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. Email: tompblake@ gmail.com. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS

Driftwood at Doheny Draws in A Big Crowd riftwood at Doheny State Beach had its inaugural show during Veterans Day weekend, bringing in more than 8,000 people. Country artists such as Rodney Atkins, Jerrod Neimann and more performed while more than 100 beers and wines, and a variety of barbecue, could be tasted.

ers attacked the Brussels Airport, and one attacked a Metro station—35 people died.

Again, we wondered, should we just stay in Dana Point and not travel to Europe this year? We decided to go. Our trip turned out to be rewarding and wonderful.

On July 13, 2016, Bastille Day in France, Greta and I were saddened by the ISISinspired attack when a truck plowed through a crowded street in Nice, France, killing 85. Greta and I had walked on that same street a few years before.

We weigh events like that versus knowing that time is slipping away, and someday we won’t be able to travel as much as we have over the last 18 years. Then we think of our San Clemente friend, Chris Anastasio, who is 81, and his English girlfriend, Tina, who still travel more than 200 days each year. They are an inspiration to Greta and me.

So this week, it’s travel time again; Greta and I leave for India and Nepal this Saturday, Nov. 12.

Suitcases are packed. Check-off lists are complete. We are raring to go. So, what happens? On Nov. 1, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi sent out this email: “Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL’s desire to attack targets in India,” the

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

Last week’s solution:

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Represent.xyz

949.274.0590, www.represent.xyz

DANCE/FITNESS

Club Salsa Dance Studio See the solution in next week’s issue.

34202 Camino Capistrano, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

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

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

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

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org Dana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

Page 16

www.danapointtimes.com

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Paddling Out Dana Outrigger Canoe Club travels to compete in Chile

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

W

hile on a trip to Brazil last year to watch the top South American outrigger canoe clubs compete in their international championship, Jochen Spretke was amazed at the electric atmosphere surrounding the event.

There were television crews from every major local outlet on site, showcasing what was to be the biggest race on the South American outrigger circuit. Teams from Peru, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina were in attendance, and the competition was spectacular. Spretke, who is a member of Dana Outrigger Canoe Club in Dana Point, was inspired by the moment, and he wanted his club to be in on the action.

After months of planning and coordination with the host countries, Dana Outrigger is set to take its banner into uncharted waters. They will be competing in this year’s installment of the South American Canoe Championships in Valparaiso, Chile, from Nov. 17-20 as a guest team.

It will be the first time a Dana Outrigger team travels to compete in South America in the club’s 46-year history.

Five Dana Outrigger members, a group that includes residents of San Clemente and Dana Point, will make the trek to Chile. The Dana Outrigger team will add its sixth member, a Brazilian steersman named Marcelo Bosi de Almeida, when they arrive in the country.

The Dana Outrigger team will be competing in the first division open race, which is the most prestigious heat at the event. Because they were invited as a guest team, Dana Outrigger will not be vying for a trophy. Though they may not be able to reach the podium, the fact that Dana Outrigger will be traveling over 5,400 miles for the competition still carries some weight.

“A lot of clubs around South America know Dana Outrigger. They know that we won (the Catalina Crossing) three times.

They even knew our winning time and all of that,” Spretke, the team’s manager, said.

“They are excited for us to come down there.”

Dana Outrigger members Manny Barela, David Brozowski, John Skorstad, Scott Bingham and Bryan Pesartic will be tasked with guiding their canoe 12 miles up and down the coast of Chile. The waters they will face will not be much different from the ones they train in off the coast of Southern California. Chile is known for having cold water and slightly larger swells, according to Spretke.

Dana Point Times November 18-24, 2016

A small group from the Dana Outrigger Canoe Club will head to Chile this week to compete in the South American Canoe Championships. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Spretke explained that outrigger canoe is a fast-growing sport in South America, and several clubs have been in rapid expansion over the last few years. Brazil has the most decorated clubs on the continent, and a strong club team from Easter Island, Rapa Nui, will be among the favorites in the heat.

Not every country competing in the South American Championships have storied histories, but they are on their way to building them. Clubs representing the host nation, Chile, have only been in existence for a few years and are still growing. The Dana Outrigger team is treating the trip not only as a competition, but also a goodwill mission. They plan on donating equipment and performance shirts to newly formed South American clubs that need them.

“We want to make a good showing because we’re the only team from the U.S. that’s going to be there. So we’ll be on display,” Skorstad, a San Clemente resident, said. “We’re definitely ambassadors for the U.S., and we’re going to present ourselves well.”

The Dana Outrigger team has been practicing and competing for the event for three months and placed first in their division at a tune-up race at the Parker Dam in Arizona last week.

The local team will compete in the South American Championships, head to Easter Island to paddle with the Rapa Nui team, and end their trip with a stop in Buenos Aires, Argentina. DP Page 17

Dana Outrigger Canoe members practice rowing in the Dana Point Harbor in preparation for the South American Canoe Championships. Photo: Steve Breazeale

DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Surf

Annual Surfing Santa Competition comes to Salt Creek, benefits Surfers Healing

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

N

o doubt everybody around here has heard of surf contests. And I’d venture to say most have heard of Santa Claus. But a Santa-themed surf contest? Well now, that’s a horse of a different color entirely, if I might borrow a line from the Wizard of Oz. Landing at Salt Creek like reindeer on a rooftop, the one and only Surfing Santa Competition is coming to town on Saturday, Nov. 19. And in the true holiday spirit, the contest is about giving. The brainchild of Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s General Manager Bruce Brainerd, the Surfing Santa Competition is a charity event that supports the group Surfers Healing. The event has become an annual affair, and for a handful of years, folks have been gathering on the sand at Salt Creek to do their best impression of jolly, old Saint Nick and spread some holiday stoke.

“It’s a pretty epic day at the beach,” said area surfer John Williamson. “The last couple years, we’ve come down as a family and had so much fun. The kids love seeing all the different surfers dressed up as Santa and his elves, it’s classic. But I also really like the fact that there’s a positive message and it supports a good cause. Coming together, sharing good times, helping out less fortunate people, that’s what the Christmas season should be all about.”

The Surfing Santa Competition takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving and is a sort of unofficial start to the holiday season here in South Orange

The Surfing Santa Competition is a local holiday tradition, where surfers compete on the waves in seasonal garb. Photo: Courtesy

County. The day is also the start of the annual Holiday Surfboard Auction, which runs through December 31. In the past, luminaries like Laird Hamilton, Kelly Slater and Big Wave World Champion and local hero Greg Long as well as artists such as Wyland, Art Brewer, Dana Louise Kirkpatrick, Donavon Frankenreiter and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have all gotten in on the act to donate items and support the auction. Last year, the two events raised over $210,000 for Surfers Healing.

Founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz, Surfers Healing is a group that hosts free surf camps for children with autism.

They founded the group after seeing the positive impact that the ocean and riding waves had on their own son, Isaiah, who was diagnosed with autism at age three.

“We offer free surf camps for children with autism across the country, from San Diego to Rhode Island. We also have camps in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Each year, we surf with thousands of children with autism,” said Israel. “Our daylong camps are about acceptance, respite and fun—I

call it, ‘Extreme Special Ed.’ Surfing isn’t a cure for autism, but you’d be surprised at the difference a day at the beach can make.

It’s amazing to see what our kids can do, and how they light up as they learn.”

To date, over 4,000 kids have participated in the Surfers Healing camps, which have been featured on CBS and the Oprah Winfrey Network.

“The demand for spots always exceeds our capacity; though we’re opening more camps each year, we can only welcome a small percentage of applicants,” added Israel.

And that’s exactly where the Surfing Santa Competition and the Holiday Surfboard Auction come into play. Not only do the two events, which are underwritten by the Ritz-Carlton, raise funds so that Surfers Healing can go around the country and do their good work, but it also has proved an amazing way to raise awareness about the cause, while attracting potential sponsors and supporters.

“There are so many surf contests around here, and we usually don’t pay much attention to them, but this is different,” said Williamson. “We’ve had this on our calendar of things to do for a couple months. It’s not only fun and gets everyone in the spirit, but the idea that it benefits Surfers Healing and will help give thousands of autistic kids the gift of surfing… what better Christmas present is there?” DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 61-65 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-10’ Fair Catalina: 15-20’ Fair-Good Outlook: Fading blend of WNW and SSW swell into the weekend with Saturday looking pretty small. New WNW swell bumps wave heights back up into the 3-4’+ zone Sunday and early next week. Winds/conditions problematic at times. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Griffin Colapinto. Photo: Kurt Steinmetz

GROM OF THE WEEK

GRIFFIN COLAPINTO

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

A

couple of weeks ago, we celebrated the stoke of Crosby Colapinto, and we could make a case for naming him Grom of the Week again this week after his blistering performance at the NSSA contest at Church recently, but instead we’re going to give the nod to his older brother, Griffin.

Down in Brazil for the World Surf League’s Hang Loose Pro, rated a QS 6,000 event, he jumped and jived all the way to a very impressive third-place finish against some of the top ranked surfers on the planet.

“Super stoked on a third-place finish,” said Griffin afterwards. “We had a super fun time. Brazil’s sick.”

With the result, Griffin has climbed up to 40th on the WSL Qualify Series rankings, which will help his seeding in 2017 as he looks to enter bigger contests and potentially qualify for the world tour in the years to come.

“Congrats to this grommet. Going all the way down to Brazil and snatching a crafty third,” commented hometown cheerleader and world number five Kolohe Andino on social media. “Let’s do this next year, Griff!” DP