JULY 15-21, 2022 | VOLUME 15, ISSUE 28
L O C A L
N E W S
Y O U
C A N
U S E
INSIDE: OC Grand Jury Says County Needs Consolidated Approach to Water EYE ON DP/PAGE 5
SC Ocean Fest to Celebrate 45 Years of Competition
GETTING OUT/PAGE 8
Cleared Spaces
Planning Commission Denies Appeal Stemming from Prado West Parking Concerns E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 3
Planning commissioners this week denied an appeal of a new Prado West tenant’s permit that stemmed from concerns over availability of on-street parking. Photo: Shawn Raymundo
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Council Approves New Short-Term Rental Program for Coastal Zone
Summer of Golf: Monarch Beach Golf Links
Local Yogi Opens Vegan Food Truck
EYE ON DP/PAGE 4
SPORTS/PAGE 15
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GO TO DANAPOINTTIMES.COM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS AND SPORTS
Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
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An appeal that was filed against a new physical therapy clinic’s conditional-use permit for space in the Prado West development over concerns that the business would impact the availability of on-street parking was denied by planning commissioners on Monday, July 11. Photo: Shawn Raymundo
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The appellants wrote in their appeal that they were concerned that Prado West customers parking along Violet Lantern may affect their customers, because “no on-street public parking is available.” In response, city staff explained that signs will be installed along Building 3 directing customers to park in the structure below Building 2, and that a threehour parking restriction will be imposed on public parking along Violet Lantern. Despite the new three-hour parking restriction, business owners Yang and Dana Yarger of Dana Bay Gallery stated during Monday’s public hearing that the lack of monitoring and enforcement of the parking restriction has allowed cars to be parked all day and night along Violet Lantern. McCormack’s property manager, Kyle O’Kelly, spoke on McCormack’s behalf, arguing that the lack of enforcement of the parking restriction has pushed the need to patrol on neighboring business owners. “We’ve seen many residents, even employees, parked (on Violet Lantern) past three hours, so now we’re to patrol this parking requirement,” O’Kelly said. Yang agreed, saying that she’s going to have to “play the bad cop” and call for vehicles staying beyond the time limit to be towed. She added that her customers and staff have both expressed frustration in struggling to find parking near Harbor House. In the appeal, McCormack also stated that the parking situation is in violation of Measure H. With Measure H, passed in 2016, the appellants argue that the city would need a local coastal plan amendment from the California Coastal
TOP NEWS DANA POINT SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK
Planning Commission Denies Appeal over Prado West Parking Concerns BY BREEANA GREENBERG
Spine and Sport Physical Therapy, a new clinic that plans to lease space on the ground floor of the Prado West mixed-use development, will soon join the town center after the Dana Point Planning Commission voted to approve the business’ permit on Monday, July 11. Planning commissioners voted unanimously to deny an appeal by neighboring building owners who challenged the business’s permit over fears that it would impact the availability of onstreet parking. The permit was required to ensure that the use is compatible with the area, explained Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski, who approved Spine and Sport Physical Therapy’s conditional-use permit. Bill McCormack, who owns multiple buildings in the area including Killer Dana Surf Shop, and Naomi Yang, owner of Harbor House Café, appealed the permit, raising concerns that customers of the Prado West Development may take up available on-street parking on Violet Lantern, affecting their own businesses, according to the city’s staff report. Prado West consists of two parking structures, one that is available to Prado West customers and residents of the apartments, and one that is gated and Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
limited to use for retail employees, as well as other apartment residents. Because the parking structure below Building 3 is gated and limited to employees and residents of Prado West, the appellants are concerned that customers visiting the building’s shops and businesses, such as Spine and Sport, will take parking along Violet Lantern rather than walk from the structure beneath Building 2. The appellants requested that Prado West open the gated parking below Building 3 for customer use during business hours; however, Raintree Partners Managing Director Jason Check explained that all of the stalls are either assigned parking for residents or reserved for employees. There are 16 employee parking spaces below Building 3, Wisneski explained. “The idea is that the employees, for not only Building 3, but Buildings 1 and 2, to park there so those employees will have designated parking, because we know sometimes employees are the greatest violators, parking in residential areas,” Wisneski said. “They park there and stay there for a long time,” Wisneski continued. “So, that is really the intent of designating that area for employees.” Page 3
Commission if a commercial site in the Town Center does not provide on-site parking. During the hearing, Check explained that the mixed-use development was initially approved in 2014 before the project was later acquired by Raintree Partners. Under the original project plan, the developer was committed to paying a fee in lieu of producing 27 spaces. However, Raintree Partners revised the development project so that it now has a surplus of 25 spaces above the required number of stalls, according to Wisneski. “When Raintree Partners purchased the property now known as Prado West, we worked extensively with the City to accommodate several community concerns with the original project approvals, including parking,” Check said in an email. “Prado West now exceeds the City’s required parking standards for this application and provides for significantly more publicly accessible parking than was approved as part of the original project,” Check continued. The staff report further explained that “customers desiring to access the retail facilities located in Building 3 may either park in the structure located at Building 2, or in one of the other on-street public parking spaces that are generally available for use by any Town Center visitor.” The appellants, however, raised issue with Prado West Building 3 parking being fulfilled at the structure below Building 2. During the public hearing, O’Kelly said that customers visiting Building 3 will be more likely to park on the street than walk from the structure below Building 2. “For someone at Spine and Sport, who has a practice there, if their clients need to park on Amber Lantern and walk down that alleyway, to get to that location is completely inconvenient,” O’Kelly said. The city in its staff report explained that a business located within a quarter-mile radius of parking is an “acceptable walking distance to access a parking facility.” Spine and Sport Operational Director Shannon Herman said the clinic has locations in areas that have similar parking challenges, such as in Downtown San Diego. “We are accustomed to educating our patients upon intake of where to park, where to go, how to walk to our clinic, and we always make sure our staff parks in designated parking spots where it should be all day,” Herman said. “I hope this won’t be too big of a concern for our lease, and we look forward to serving the community of Dana Point,” Herman continued. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny the appeal and approve Spine and Sport’s conditional-use permit. danapointtimes.com
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Council Approves New Short-Term Rental Program for Coastal Zone
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Challenging Cancer 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system, and people dealing with cancer. To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.
BY BREEANA GREENBERG
The Dana Point City Council voted on Tuesday, July 12, to approve a new short-term rental program that will permit and regulate local vacation rentals in the coastal zone only. In a 3-2 vote, with Councilmembers Jamey Federico and Mike Frost dissenting, the council upheld some of the provisions in the Planning Commission’s previously approved program, while making modifications and partially denying an appeal that had been filed against it. The Planning Commission’s program, passed through a coastal development permit, had set caps on the number of permits issued to home and property owners, limited permits for certain vacation rentals to 185, and placed a maximum on rental periods. It focused on establishing regulations for three types of rentals: homestays, primary residences and non-primary residences. The new program defined a fourth type of rental—multi-family homestays. The special meeting on Tuesday night was set to discuss a modified version of the STR program that city staff had drafted following the appeal that Dana Point residents Mark Zanides and Kim Tarantino had filed in late May. The appellants argued that the Planning Commission didn’t have the authority to approve an STR program, believing it should have instead been passed through a City Council vote. They also contended that the program would damage the character of the city. Speaking on the city staff’s proposed modifications, Zanides argued that passing an STR program through a CDP will cause the city to take unnecessary risk. “If you adopt this, the city is defenseless against unregistered STRs, and the reason is that you would have to adopt the view that our zoning does not bar STRs; therefore, anybody can have them,” Zanides said. Following a lengthy public hearing on the matter, Councilmember Richard Viczorek proposed additional modifications that now restrict the program to the city’s coastal zone. The council majority also ruled to partially deny Zanides and Tarantino’s appeal. Under the new program approved during Tuesday’s meeting, the city can issue a maximum of 115 permits in the coastal zone for non-primary STRs—when a property owner rents Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
TUESDAY, JULY 19
In front of a packed City Council chamber on Tuesday, July 12, councilmembers heard arguments for an appeal over the city’s recently approved short-term rental program. Photo: Breeana Greenberg
out homes other than their primary residence to visitors. In an effort to encourage more homestay, multi-family homestay and primary residence STRs—a variation of rentals in which the owner either lives on-site or is traveling for a short time during a guest’s stay—the city did not issue a cap for such permits. However, the 115-permit cap for non-primary STRs reduces by one each time the city issues permits for homestay, multi-family homestay or primary residence STRs in the coastal zone. One of the goals of the updated program is to “encourage Home Stay, Multi-Family Home Stay and Primary STRs, because there is less potential for nuisance issues in situations where the STR permit is issued for a parcel which is the Property Owner’s Primary Residence.” Primary STR permit owners shall be limited to renting their home a maximum of 60 days a year. For homestays, an owner must be on the property during the rental period between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Additionally, the new program establishes a maximum of 190 short-term rental permits for non-primary properties in mixed-use developments. “If there’s a wait list for permits and I have somebody come in and say, ‘I want to short-term rent the other half of my duplex now,’ because you are a homestay, you jump to the top of the list,” Mayor Joe Muller said. “For non-residential, they’re just going to have to wait. We want to incentivize our residents to get them first.” A waiting list will be established for new applications for non-primary permits in the coastal zone once the city’s caps—115 or 190 for mixed-used developments—are met.
STRs, both in and outside of the coastal zone, must be rented for a minimum stay of two consecutive nights, and are subject to the business regulations established in the Dana Point Municipal code. The business regulations that the Dana Point City Council passed in 2021 establish increased fines per violation, with an owner receiving a $1,500 fine upon first violation, $3,000 upon a second violation and $5,000 for a third violation over the life of the permit. According to the regulations, no outside noise will be allowed from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and operators of STRs must respond to a nuisance complaint within 30 minutes. The program institutes a cap of one STR permit per owner. For those who own a percentage of a short-term rental property through an LLC, the permit will count as the one and only STR permit allowed for each member of the LLC who claims an ownership stake. “This permit is not a right; it is an entitlement, and anybody that doesn’t want to share their ownership information can choose not to have a permit,” Dana Point City Attorney Patrick Muñoz explained. In order to ensure that primary residence homestays do not exceed the 60-day rental maximum, the city uses a third-party website that collects transient occupancy taxes (TOT) from STRs and scrubs rental sites for stay lengths, Community Development Manager Jeff Rosaler said. The third-party site also scrubs the internet for illegal advertisements. Rosaler also explained that short-term rental platforms have been working with the city to ban STRs that are illegally advertising from the platforms. The program further requires all Page 4
Dana Point City Council 6 p.m. The Dana Point Council Meeting will hold a regular meeting. Dana Point Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point. danapoint.org. Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, drug abuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
VA Disabled Claims Clinic 2-4 p.m. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 9934 will sponsor a Veterans Affairs Disability Claims Clinic at the Dana Point Community Center the first and third Wednesday of each month. Veterans can walk in and meet with a VFW Service Officer and receive information on how to file a claim for service-related medical issues. Attendees should wear a face covering in order to comply with CALOSHA policies. Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point.
abutting neighbors to be notified of the permit issuance. Only one STR will be permitted per building, including duplexes and triplexes. Permits are also subject to HOA approval, if applicable. Councilmember Michael Villar, a member of the city’s short-term rental subcommittee, explained that the program they came up with had to hit a narrow target of being something that is legal, acceptable for residents, garners enough support from City Council and can get through the California Coastal Commission. danapointtimes.com
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‘Good Food is Good Food’: Local Yogi Opens Vegan Food Truck
that is better for your health, better for the environment, and for the animals,” Atkins said. He takes pride in showing people that being vegan doesn’t mean they have to miss out on their favorite foods or flavors. When crafting the food truck’s menu, he made sure to select popular, comfort foods that people were already familiar with and would be sure to enjoy. Despite his experience, Atkins acknowledged that running a large-scale operation was new to him, which is why the past few weeks have been crucial to his preparation for a new environment. “I’m ready for the grand opening and everything that follows,” he said. “For the grand opening, what I’m hoping is for a lot of people to show up, and a lot of people to get to know the food truck and the food that’s on it, if they haven’t already.” He added that he was excited to meet people and introduce his concept to the community. Atkins also gave away Nike yoga mats on Sunday, as part of the support he’s
enjoyed from the brand since partnering with the athletic wear company in 2021. He feels that he has grown significantly in the past year, both regarding yoga and cooking. Within his yoga practice and teaching, he said, he has started to teach more philosophically and use yoga as the way it was designed—as a way to learn philosophy and incorporate it into his and others’ lives. “I’ve grown a lot more in my cooking skills since opening the food truck, from being able to cook good to being able to cook really fast and being able to mass-produce a lot of food at once,” he added. “Because I used to cook for events, but now it’s just nonstop cooking for people as they show up (at the truck).” Atkins plans for the operation to be his main focus as it kicks into gear, but he will also remain involved in his yoga practice, his endeavors as a nutritionist, and other activities. Above all, he said he will not define success for the food truck as monetary, but in terms of getting people to know that they can eat healthier, whole or vegan foods without sacrificing the things they love. “A lot of people have a misconception in their mind that, you know, vegan food is boring, vegan food is gross,” Atkins said. “But really, I’m making all the food and we’ve only had a few vegan customers, actually. Everyone else is non-vegan and they love the food.” In some circumstances, Atkins said, people who ate from the truck during the soft opening stage couldn’t believe what they had consumed was vegan, as an example that the offerings couldn’t easily be identified as vegan by their appearance or even taste. The food truck is parked at the intersection of Doheny Park Road and Victoria Boulevard, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. More information about Atkins’ story, as well as cooking tutorials, can be found at tabayatkins.com.
supplied by OCWD. MWDOC sells imported water to its 27-member agencies, while OCWD “manages the groundwater basin in the north and central part of the County” and provides local retailers with a “reliable, adequate, and high-quality supply of water,” the report said. There are 29 retail water providers such as water districts and cities throughout Orange County that supply water from supply agencies to ratepayers. The OC Grand Jury found that “all sources of water are interconnected and would be best administered by one
governmental entity.” The report states that “reliable sources shared opinions with the OCGJ that the current OC wholesale structure is ‘dysfunctional,’‘prevents speaking with one voice for all of Orange County water interests’ involving the aquifer and imported water sources, and ‘currently provides redundant services with redundant costs.’” The “dual structure” of the county’s water supply agencies “has resulted in missed opportunities” for collaboration across agencies. It’s also resulted in missed opportunities for “increased (Cont. on page 6)
BY C. JAYDEN SMITH
Tabay Atkins, a San Clemente native and one of the youngest professional yogis in the world, has always been ambitious and busy, spending time teaching yoga, vegan cooking classes, and making appearances. For his next venture, he thought, why not open a food truck? After operating in a “soft opening” fashion for the past few weeks, allowing Atkins to acclimate to cooking for a larger audience, the truck, called Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen, had a grand opening on Sunday, July 10, with plenty of supportive family members in attendance. “The last time I spoke with the DP Times (in September 2021) was when this was just an idea,” Atkins said ahead of the grand opening last week. “Now it’s reality … and it’s been a big hit already.” What started on a whim steadily developed over the past year, as Atkins and his mother, Sahel Anvarinejad, planned out the food truck’s design, inside and out, and the menu. They followed the truck’s construction from scratch and the installation of all brand-new appliances, all the way to designing the wrap on the outside that displays pictures of the offerings. The food truck was set up, and will remain, at the 76 fuel station in Capistrano Beach that Atkins and his mother inherited on Jan. 1 from his grandfather, who previously owned it for more than 50 years. The impact of the food truck’s location is not lost on Atkins, who grew up nearby and described the surrounding communities of Dana Point and San Clemente as deeply close to him. He added that it was great for people who have known and seen the family around for
Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen, a new food truck that San Clemente yogi Tabay Atkins started, held a grand opening outside of the 76 fuel station in Capistrano Beach on Sunday, July 10. Photo: C. Jayden Smith
three generations to remain in the area. “Now, we get to share our food with this community here and with our customers of the station, and (get to introduce) them to this amazing vegan food,” said Atkins. His favorite item on the menu, along with burgers, chili cheese dogs and poke bowls they serve, is “Everyone’s Phavorite Pho,” a Vietnamese broth dish that has long been one of his preferred meal choices and was included in his e-Book’s top 10 most popular recipes. After yoga became a substantial part of Atkins’ life when he was 7 years old, veganism naturally followed, he said, because the principles and values of both were so closely aligned. In August 2017, he became fully vegan, and incorporated those kinds of meals into his cooking for himself, video classes and events. “Since I was already a chef before being vegan, I took my culinary skills that I already had, transformed it to vegan cooking, and started teaching people how to make their own food
OC Grand Jury Says County Needs Consolidated Approach to Water BY BREEANA GREENBERG
Orange County needs a unified approach to water conservation and drought as California faces the driest 22-year period in more than a thousand years, the Orange County Grand Jury recommended in a new report published late last month. The June 22 grand jury report stated that Orange County water providers need to “consolidate their resources and establish a unified voice to lead Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
the County more efficiently in its water policies and planning.” Orange County has two water supply agencies: Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and Orange County Water District (OCWD). The report explained that South Orange County relies primarily on imported water purchased through MWDOC, whereas North and Central Orange County rely primarily on groundwater Page 5
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Surfrider Report Shows Plastic Waste Continues to Dominate Beach Cleanups
Local Sailing Instructor Earns Recognition as an Outstanding Instructor of the Year
unteers, which almost doubled the previous year’s count. “We’re finding that people now, more than ever, are motivated to address the plastic pollution crisis,” Hart wrote. “We are able to engage with people and educate them about plastic pollution.” Concerted efforts to encourage participation, as well as the natural progression of the country moving away from the darkest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to the report, which found more work still needs to be done. “Across the country, our Surfrider beach cleanup volunteers consistently find (that) plastic pollution is a major problem on every beach,” said Jennifer Savage, the foundation’s Senior Manager for the Plastic Pollution Initiative, in a media release. “As every single one of the top 10 items found were plastic, our beach cleanup data confirms that plastic is everywhere, and it isn’t going anywhere without large-scale legislative change,” Savage continued in the release. Hart mentioned California Senate Bill 54, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 30, as tangible legislation that the organization is excited to see.
The bill, described as “first-in-the-nation” by Hart, requires all packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032, and requires 65% of single-use plastic packaging to be recycled in that time frame. It also will raise $5 billion from plastic industry businesses to help cut pollution and support disadvantaged communities, according to the Office of the Governor’s media release. Hart wrote that the Surfrider network’s collection of information regarding the types of beach waste removed, such as plastic straws, syringes, and aluminum cans, was key to influencing policy decisions such as SB 54. The report also highlights regional updates and solutions to help solve the plastic pollution crisis. “On the federal side of things, we’re urging Congress to pass the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act (BFFPPA),” Hart wrote. “The BFFPPA focuses on source reduction by incentivizing reuse/ refill models, strengthening the definition of reusable bags, addressing toxic materials more broadly, and closing the loophole for plastic waste exports.” She added that the act would provide a comprehensive and effective solution to the problems of plastic production by focusing on pollution across plastics’ life cycle. Hart stresses that when going to the beach, and in everyday life, people can have a positive impact by using reusable products whenever possible, bringing silverware from home, and using storage containers and cups already in residences. “If you can’t avoid single-use items, look for products made of wood or naturally occurring materials,” Hart wrote. “And (always remember) to ‘pack it in-pack it out’ and bring anything you brought to the beach back home with you.” In the report’s conclusion, Surfrider wrote that combating the global crisis of plastic pollution and reaching a sustainable future could only be accomplished by working together.
lar, wholesale agency, including staff reductions and the complicated nature of either consolidating the two existing wholesale water districts or the formation of a new agency. Creating a new governing board structure may also “cause a loss of representation of the unique water needs of different parts of the County” and “imported versus groundwater requires specialized knowledge and a unique operational approach and should not be combined.” By January 2023, the report recommended that the county’s wholesale water agencies should “formally begin analysis and collaboration towards form-
ing a single wholesale water authority or comparable agency to operate and represent wholesale water operations and interests of all imported and ground water supplies.” Additionally, any consolidated wholesale water authority “should have Directors that examine and vote on issues considering the unique needs of all water districts,” according to the report. The grand jury report notes that the “consolidation of OCWD and MWDOC has been explored in the past, debated by wholesale and retail water agencies, but ultimately never accomplished.” However, the report concludes that “now
is the time to have a single wholesale water supply agency in Orange County.” The OCWD and MWDOC are required to respond to the grand jury findings and recommendations by Sept. 20. The grand jury also requested responses from the 18 water districts and cities that manage their own water, including the South Coast Water District, Moulton Niguel Water District and Santa Margarita Water District. As of press time, SCWD, MNWD and SMWD were not prepared to comment on the report. The City of San Clemente’s utilities director did not respond to a request for comment.
BY C. JAYDEN SMITH
Demonstrating that plastic waste is everywhere, 84% of all items removed from coastlines during a record number of beach cleanups last year were products made from plastics, according to the Surfrider Foundation’s 2021 Beach Cleanup Report. The San Clemente-based foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans and beaches, saw a resurgence in participation that led to 15,864 volunteers taking part in 1,230 cleanups across the United States and into Canada. By surpassing a long-standing goal of organizing 1,000 cleanups in a year and using a comprehensive system to collect information, the report, released on June 28, noted that plastic items comprised the top 10 most commonly found objects. The South Orange County chapter of the foundation contributed by hosting 22 cleanups and removing nearly 700 pounds of waste. Overall, a total of 170,000 pounds of refuse was collected from beaches and waterways across the U.S. and Canada. Cigarette butts, small and large foam and plastic fragments, plastic food wrappers and plastic straws were among the most commonly found items. Of the 84% of plastics, 29% were fragmented, of which 11% were large fragments, defined as larger than a dime. Smoking waste, packaging, and foodware made up the next-highest categories. In an email to the Dana Point Times, Surfrider Plastic Pollution Coordinator Jenny Hart commented on the support the organization received from vol-
(Cont. from page 5) operating efficiency, decreased reliance on imported water, and the creation of a more reliable water supply,” according to the report. The OC Grand Jury found that the creation of a single wholesale water agency would be the most effective in coordinating infrastructure investments and policies, as well as increased influence at local, state and federal levels, and centralized planning for emergency water supply interruptions. However, the report also raised concerns related to creating a singuDana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
Ahead of July 5, otherwise known as “The Dirtiest Beach Day of the Year,” the Surfrider Foundation issued its 2021 Beach Cleanup Report, which found products made from plastic made up the vast majority of the more than 500,000 items removed from coastal cleanups. Photo: Courtesy of Marta Ortigosa/Pexels
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BY BREEANA GREENBERG
Capistrano Beach resident Richard Dahlin was recently recognized as an Outstanding Instructor of the Year by the American Sailing Association (ASA) for 2021. Out of more than 2,300 ASA instructors active worldwide, Dahlin, of Aventura Sailing Academy, was named among the top 25, based on instructor surveys submitted by students. “His 2021 Outstanding recognition is simply a reflection of his knowledge of the ocean and excellent seamanship, integrity as an instructor, and relationships he has built with his students,” Jessica Woodring, Dahlin’s daughter, said in an email. Dahlin joined Aventura Sailing, an ASA affiliate school, in 2006, working as an instructor alongside the Sailing Academy founder and then-director Captain Mark Howe. During Dahlin’s 33 years in public education, serving as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent of Human Resources, and superintendent, he also taught sailing at the collegiate level at USC and Saddleback Community College on nights and weekends. Aventura Sailing has six instructors who have cumulatively certified nearly 600 students in 2021 alone, Woodring said. “ASA is extremely proud of its Certified Instructors who provide excellence in sailing education in America and around the world,” ASA wrote in an April 4 letter, notifying Dahlin of his recognition.
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Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
GUEST OPINION | Health & Nutrition 101 by Gina Cousineau
Weight Loss or Health Gain? A I believe your answer would be a resounding “yes.” I always start with the question to prospective clients of “what is your goal?” If weight loss is your end-all, then feed the multibillion-dollar diet industry and choose one. Fact is, and you already know this from personal experience, you will lose the weight (or at least some of it), but you will not be able to keep it off. So, instead, let’s consider changing that goal to “health gain” and allow the scale to move in HEALTH AND your desired direcNUTRITION 101 tion as a perk, not a BY GINA COUSINEAU priority. This small shift in your mindset can really help you focus on making more healthful and wholesome changes in the kitchen, as well as with your activities of daily living. No restrictive and punitive diets, and no killing yourself in the gym; just imagine. Daily, I shake my head as individuals tell me they believe they can “out-train
s a nutrition expert and trained chef, you might think I am outside of my scope of practice when I tell you my goal is to save my clients’ lives, not only one plate at a time, but also through teaching them how to advocate for their health. Unfortunately, as I have written about previously, our health care system doesn’t have the checks and balances necessary to prevent your needs from falling through the cracks. This, paired with an individual’s desire to wish away their ailments, really sets us up for increased disability and shortened lifespans. Trained in integrative and functional nutrition, I consider myself an interventional health care practitioner, who works in conjunction with your medical providers to help you champion for your own well-being. All prospective clients tell me they know what to do; they just don’t do it. And while I understand change is painfully difficult, if you were offered baby steps to move toward improving your health and longevity, would you consider it?
Letter to The Editor
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. The Dana Point Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.
RESPONSE TO THE STAIR MOSAIC TERRY GOLLER, Dana Point I like the wave art theme planned for the Lantern Bay Park, but have some concerns. I don’t do the stair exercises, but understand the walkers do need traction. Having tiles and glass might be too smooth and slippery, especially when wet and with marine air and fog. Many steep public stairways have rough surfaces and grooves for walking safety. Has the committee considered a painted wave maintaining the natural cement and maybe be more cost-effective with maintenance? I’m sure public works will assure walkers that any new surfaces will be safe.
CORRECTION: In the July 8 edition of the Dana Point Times, a Page 5 story on the Festival of Whales reported that the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce would be taking over organizing responsibilities, replacing Andrea Swayne. Swayne will be concentrating on expanding her role as chief operating officer with USA Surfing.
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that bad diet.” They can’t. Your fancy coffee drink takes 10 minutes to consume, and few of you can train hard enough in an hour to balance just those calories. While the nutrition space of late is pushing mindful and intuitive eating, I personally believe that there is nothing instinctual about your eating as an adult. Starting next month, I will launch a series of live webinars, recorded for your convenience, focusing on advocating for your health and reducing your risk of lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, colorectal cancers, and more. While nutrition and fitness will be part of the conversation, preventative care will lead the way. Because I only have one opportunity a month to influence your well-being, I have decided to offer my loyal readers, along with these webinars, the opportunity to participate in a complimentary 50-minute private session, in-person in my home office in San Clemente or via Zoom. While I hope to get in as many of you as possible over the next few months, your fully completed application will dictate which of you will be chosen. Within this application, you are able to share your family health history, as well as your own story, and these details provided prior to our meeting, will allow for a fruitful and comprehensive opportunity for you to help yourself advocate for a long, healthy, independent, joyful life. Simply go to mamagslifestyle.com and register in the pop-up in the center of the page. Indicate which paper you found us in, as only readers will have this opportunity to meet with Mama G. Gina Cousineau is a local nutrition expert who specializes in weight loss and helping her clients improve their health. As a trained chef with her BS in Dietetics and MS in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, her goal is to help her clients enjoy every morsel they consume, learning how to move with ease in the kitchen while using their “food as medicine.” Subscribe to her weekly newsletter for complimentary cooking classes, recipes, webinars and more at mamagslifestyle.com, or reach her at mamag@mamagslifestyle.com and 949.842.9975. 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.
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GETTING OUT
The List What’s going on in and around town this week DANA POINT TIMES
Get a curated list of the weekend’s best events sent straight to your inbox every Friday! Sign up for The Weekender at danapointtimes.com/weekender
FRIDAY | 15 ‘FRI-YAY FUN’ WOOD WORKSHOP 6-9 p.m. Spend a Friday night crafting a unique item to call your own. Customize a wood sign, bath tray, photo frame, or other item during this hands-on workshop. Registration can be done beforehand online. AR Workshop San Juan Capistrano, 31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2. 949.482.1362. arworkshop.com.
SATURDAY | 16 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. California farmers bring fresh produce to sell at the Dana Point Farmers Market, and craft vendors provide a large selection of art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, candles, hand-made soaps, and unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. It is strongly recommended that customers bring their own reusable bags. La Plaza Park, 3411 La Plaza, Dana Point. danapoint.org. DANA POINT LIBRARY EVENTS 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Dana Point Library will host a series of events throughout the day, starting with Crochet for Beginners. All supplies are provided. Adult and teen beginners interested in the art of crochet can take home their project. There will also be Lost Mummy-themed escape rooms starting at 11 a.m. for kids 11 years old and younger, and after 2 p.m. for teens 12 and up. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point. 949.496.5517. ocpl.org/libraries/ dana-point. Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
Editor’s Pick There wasn’t much surf, but still plenty of splash at the 2019 San Clemente Ocean Festival. Photo: Fred Swegles
SATURDAY & SUNDAY | 16-17 45TH ANNUAL SAN CLEMENTE OCEAN FESTIVAL All day. The Ocean Festival is set to make its long-awaited return to San Clemente’s shores for its 45th year this weekend, when athletes from Southern California and beyond come together for a variety of ocean-based competitions, such as lifeguarding, beach running, swimming, surfing for groms, and even sand sculpting. Families, friends and visitors alike are welcome to enjoy the two days of competitive events, with start times scheduled throughout the day, as early as 6:30 a.m. There will also be a plethora of fun activities, including the Ocean Art Show, the Button’s Woodies on the Pier and the Youth Pavilion, among other things. And to cap off the first night of the festivities, there will be the Beach Party & Concert with live music from the Billy Idol cover band IDOL X. More information and a full schedule of events can be found at oceanfestival.org. food, beverages, chairs or pets, because the event is a fundraiser. Admission is free. Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuanequestrian.org.
PADI WOMEN’S DIVE DAY 2022 12:15-3 p.m. Join Beach Cities Scuba aboard the Riviera to celebrate PADI Women’s Dive Day. You’ll enjoy snacks and drinks while doing two dives in SoCal. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.443.3858. beachcitiesscuba.com.
THE POINT 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY 5 p.m. Join the Point Restaurant and Bar in celebrating 10 years serving the Dana Point community with a free outdoor concert featuring FlashPants, an ’80s cover band. The Point Restaurant and Bar, 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. thepointrestaurantandbar.com.
OUTDOOR THEATER 2 and 3 p.m. Take a trip back in time when the Round About Players presents A Fast Train to Capistrano in the Los Rios Historic District. The short performance will depict aspects of San Juan Capistrano’s history. The event is free, so check it out while you’re strolling about. Los Rios Park, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE PAINTING 6-9 p.m. Watch surf artist extraordinaire Phil Roberts create an oil painting live. Enjoy a refreshment, meet the artist and view the art. Drop in anytime, whether you’re waiting for a reservation in Downtown San Clemente or you just want to relax by the fire. Free and open to the public. Brophy Art Gallery, 139 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. drewbrophyart.com.
TWO STEPPING UNDER THE STARS 5-10 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition is hosting this annual fundraiser to support the equestrian lifestyle and raise awareness of horse-riding activities. The event is family-friendly and will have food, dancing, games and face painting for kids, a silent auction, and a raffle. Organizers ask that attendees don’t bring in any outside
A SONGWRITER’S EVENING Page 8
7:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of songs for all ages. Mirinus Bey, Gal Musette, Raveena Khetarpal and Carny will perform. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 online. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. cabrilloplayhouse.org. STAND-UP COMEDY 7:30 p.m. Have some laughs during this stand-up show. Jim Taylor, Tom Clark, Gayla Johnson and Kipp Hart will perform. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.
SUNDAY | 17 BEACH CLEANUP & LUNCH AND LEARN FOR PLASTIC-FREE JULY 9 a.m. Join Stand Up to Trash for their monthly Beach Cleanup & Lunch and Learn. It will feature a special pop-up shop with The Ritual Refill. Baby Beach, 24300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. standuptotrash.com. standuptotrash@gmail.com. (Cont. on page 10) danapointtimes.com
Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
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GETTING OUT
(Cont. from page 8) LIVE MUSIC AT SUNSETS 3-6 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Acoustic duo Perfect Blend will perform. Sunsets Capistrano Beach, 34700 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.276.8880. sunsetsbar.com
MONDAY | 18 IMPROV MONDAYS WITH BOB BURNS & IMPROV CITY 3-5 p.m. Put on by the San Clemente-based Noble Path Foundation, teens between the ages of 13 and 18 can receive comedy lessons with professional actor Bob Burns & Improv City, where they’ll build confidence, stage presence, a funny bone and a chance to perform at Improv City. Sign up for these Monday classes at thenoblepathfoundation.org. The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.234.7259.
TUESDAY | 19 MISSION CLUBHOUSE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring the kids to Mission San Juan Capistrano for hands-on, fun educational activities in the Mission
Clubhouse space. Youngsters can weave baskets, build structural arches with miniature blocks, and engage in more Mission-themed tasks. Clubhouse events are scheduled every day from Tuesday through Sunday. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com. KOI FISH FEEDING AT THE MISSION 12:45 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor afternoon at the Mission San Juan Capistrano fountain while feeding koi fish. The event is fun for kids and families, and is scheduled every day from Tuesday through Sunday. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.
WEDNESDAY | 20 SAN ONOFRE PARKS FOUNDATION POP-UP SHOP 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Historic Cottage and Visitor Center showcases local history, flora and fauna at this original 1934 ranger’s cottage. A rotating exhibit features the history of San Onofre. Stop in to the San Onofre Parks Foundation’s Pop-Up Shop to say hello, do a little shopping and learn more about the history of the local state parks at San Clemente and San Onofre State Beaches.
Historic Cottage and Visitor Center is located within the San Clemente State Beach Campground at 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente. 949.366.8599. admin@sanoparks.org. sanoparks.org. BINGO AT THE SENIOR CENTER 1:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, the Dorothy Visser Senior Center will host Bingo. The center will begin selling cards at 1 p.m., with the game starting promptly at 1:30. The buy-in is $12 for 10 games with four cards and a special pick-your-number game. For more information, contact the center at 949.498.3322. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. BIKING CLUB FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS 5-6:30 p.m. Anyone have middle schoolto high school-aged kids who love to bike? Community Outreach Alliance’s biking club meets every Wednesday afternoon at different trails, with professional biker and mentor Mike Russell from Freakshow Aloha. San Clemente High’s COA club, which hosts this free activity thanks to the Hardman Classic, has bikes and helmets for participants to borrow. To participate, fill out a registration form online at form.myjotform. com/91392099886576. For questions, call or text 949.795.4721. communityoutreachalliance.com/bike-club/.
ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads is open for food, drinks and live music. Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.
What: Serpentine Fire When: Thursday, July 21. Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m.
BY COLLIN BREAUX, DANA POINT TIMES
M
Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends, or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.
SHOW DETAILS
SERPENTINE FIRE ost people are familiar with the rollicking hit songs of Earth, Wind & Fire—including classics such as “Shining Star” and “September.” Later this month, fans in South Orange County will be able to relive that funky feeling when tribute act Serpentine Fire takes the stage on July 21 at The Coach House. The cover band is named after an Earth, Wind & Fire song and is excited to soon perform in San Juan Capistrano, lead singer Tyriq Johnson said. “It’s going to be a great time,” Johnson said. Serpentine Fire formed to cover Earth, Wind & Fire, because the latter is a premier funk band whose music has stood the test of time, according to Johnson. The rhythm and beats of their music— which mixed in elements of pop and R&B—stood out to Johnson when he was starting out as a young musician. Johnson began putting the cover band
SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES CONCERT 6-8 p.m. The free outdoor concert series presented by the City of San Juan Capistrano is in full swing. Classic rock tribute band 4X4 performs. Bring a lawn chair and blanket to relax while you soak up the music in downtown San Juan. There will be also be food trucks, adult beverages for sale, and booths featuring local businesses and groups. A free trolley service will run on concert days from 4-9 p.m. Historic Town Center Park, 31872 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.5911. sanjuancapistrano.org.
Where: 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano For tickets or more info: thecoachhouse.com. Tickets are $25.
The night of July 21 will get funky, as Earth, Wind & Fire cover band Serpentine Fire is set to play at The Coach House. Photo: Courtesy of Serpentine Fire
together about seven years ago. The Midwest native initially sang in Las Vegas before joining up with the band, which did a variety of pop songs at first. Part of their set list included Earth,
Wind & Fire songs, which got big responses from the crowds for whom they performed. From there, Serpentine Fire decided to then go all in on drawing from the legendary ensemble.
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“People wanted to see more of this, so I have to keep this thing going,” Johnson said. Speaking of crowds, the musicians in Serpentine Fire are happy to be entertaining audiences in person again following the pandemic-induced shutdown. Johnson said he has also observed that music fans are also happy to be back out and enjoying live music once more. “It’s rejuvenating,” Johnson said. Some of those live performances are still in Las Vegas, but come the latter half of July, they’ll hop over to California for The Coach House show. “This is a show you don’t want to miss,” Johnson said. DP
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Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
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LOCALS ONLY
BUSINESS LISTINGS AUTO REPAIR
Dana Point Auto 34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086
BODY MIND SPIRIT
ARE YOU HAPPY? Let us assist you in creating a life plan for the life & relationships you want & deserve. Body Mind Spirit, 949.248.7377, bodymindspirit.com CAFE - DELI
Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com
Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
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COFFEE SHOP
Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com
ICE CREAM
Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com
INSURANCE SERVICES
State Farm/Elaine LaVine 34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, elainelavine.net
Want your business or service to be featured here? Call Lauralyn Loynes for pricing and details at 949.388.7700, ext. 102
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DP LIVING
ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK
Cindy
DANA POINT TIMES
GUEST OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake
Two-year-old Cindy is just about as sweet as they come. Always ready to greet you with a happy meow, Cindy is an affectionate and very sociable kitty. She does well with children and would make a great pet for almost any family. If you are interested in adopting Cindy, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/ adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. DP
No. 32—Was It a Senior Moment?
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Photo: Courtesy of Los Angeles Public Library
FROM THE ARCHIVES Pictured is the construction of the jetty at the Dana Point Harbor in January 1967.
Every week, the Dana Point Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.
Sudoku BY MYLES MELLOR
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:
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 Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
See the solution in next week’s issue.
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eff Freeman sells high-quality bed sheets at the Saturday La Plaza Dana Point Farmers Market. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jeff’s E-Z UP booth is near The Hat Man’s booth, where Vince “The Hat Man” and his partner, Julie, sell their custom-designed hats. I’ve known Vince for 32 years. He and Julie are friends of mine. I visit Julie and Vince for a few minutes almost every Saturday morning at the market. In doing so, Jeff and I have also become friends. He’s a sports buff and loves to chat about the latest news in the sports world. A week ago, shortly after I arrived at the market, I heard Jeff say, “Hey, Tom, you’re wearing Magic’s number.” I had no idea of what the heck Jeff was talking about. He said, “Step over here and turn around.” I reluctantly did. Then he said, “Look at the back of your cargo shorts.” I looked behind me. I was embarrassed, horrified and thought, “Is old age catching up to me?” On my spanking-new navy blue cargo shorts, there was a vertical yellow strip with several 32s running down the back (32 was Magic Johnson’s number with the Los Angeles Lakers). I quickly reflected on where I had been before coming to the market that morning. Oh, no! I had been at Ralphs, the Costco gas station, and at Baby Beach. I wondered how many people had seen that strip of 32s on my shorts and had thought, “Look at that old guy; he has no idea those numbers are on his rear. He forgot to take the size-32 tag off after he purchased them.” Had Greta seen me leaving the house with that strip on my shorts, she would have stopped me. I removed the yellow strip and thanked Jeff profusely for helping me avoid further embarrassment. So, what was the deal? A few days before, I had purchased the pair of cargo shorts from Costco. All the shorts on the sales table had colored tags running down the back. I had considered grabbing a size 34, but I remembered that most of the shorts in my closet were size 34, just too darn large for me now that I’ve lost weight and need a size 32. Since selling Tutor & Spunky’s, my Dana Point deli in 2015, I was no longer
eating Italian subs with tasty cold cuts and cheese; I’ve slowly shed about 20 pounds in seven years. I thought about Magic Johnson. He came into the deli several times. Greta and I became friends with him. ON LIFE AND LOVE A few months BY TOM BLAKE after first meeting Magic in 2009, I was invited to be a speaker at the AARP National Convention in Las Vegas. So, Greta and I were there. Plus, because I was a newspaper columnist, Greta and I were given press badges that gave us entry into all AARP events. And Magic was a speaker at the same convention. Before his speech, Magic appeared at a press conference, which Greta and I attended along with 22 other members of the press. Magic had no idea that I was anything other than the owner of Tutor and Spunky’s. At the press conference, Magic started to answer questions from reporters, and then he spotted Greta and me in the front row. I could tell he was puzzled why two deli owners would be sitting there. He nodded to us. Then, he raised his hands as if to call a timeout in basketball. Magic said to the press corps: “See those two people in the front row? They make the best sandwiches west of the Mississippi.” I have never seen a press corps so confused. I’m certain they were wondering, “What the heck is Magic talking about?” After the press conference, I explained to Magic that I was a columnist. He, Greta, and I had a good laugh. So, here it was, 13 years later, and I was at the Dana Point Farmers Market, wearing Magic’s No. 32—but not for long. Thanks, Jeff Freeman, for erasing the senior moment. Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: 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.
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DP LIVING
GUEST OPINION | Book Talk by Dan DeNeve
‘Made in California: The California-Born Burger Joints, Diners, Fast Food & Restaurants that Changed America’
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o better book takes a reader back, especially during these long, hot, summer days, than George Geary’s, Made in California: The California-Born Burger Joints, Diners, Fast Food & Restaurants that Changed America. The book includes stories of more than 50 eateries listed chronologically by founding dates. Some are still in operation, while others are just a memory. A few are still growing the chain, while some are in only one location. Geary begins in 1915 with Saratoga Chips, which became Van de Kamp’s Holland Dutch Bakeries and concludes with Peet’s Coffee, founded in 1966. In between, the reader’s appetite is whetted with such classic joints as Pink’s Hot Dogs in Los Angeles, In-N-Out
Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
Burger, Tommy’s (burgers) and Bob’s Pantry, which would become Big Boy Restaurants. However, Geary doesn’t feed us only burgers and dogs in this coffee table-style book. He waxes nostalgic about A&W Restaurants. Close your eyes and one can almost taste the A&W root beer float again. If sweets are your thing, See’s Candies, founded in 1921, has also made the cut. El Torito, Jack in the Box, and Round Table Pizza are here, too. Of course, no book of this subject would be complete without The Brown Derby (1926) and McDonald’s (1940), and Geary does not disappoint. He includes a few that some might not consider or have forgotten, including Taco Bell,
Sizzler, and Wienerschnitzel. What makes this book stand out is that it is not just dry, historical writeups. Many original and color pictures are included, and each restaurant chapter begins with a brief header that includes: other names the restaurant used, the original location, date opened, the founders, and where it currently is located, if still in operation. Furthermore, there also are tidbits throughout such as the five most popular products, timelines, and products still in operation since the founding. Geary is well-qualified to write this fun book, as he has also written L.A.’s Legendary Restaurants and The Cheesecake Bible. He is also a culinary travel guide, pastry chef, and cooking teacher.
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This book is new, and Dana Point Library just acquired a copy. Even if you are not into restaurant history, this is a fun read. I highly recommend this book, as it is more than just a history book of California eateries. It is a history of California. For many of us, it is a trip down memory lane. Dan DeNeve is a longtime employee of the Orange County Public Library. He currently works at the Dana Point Library as the Adult Services Librarian. He is an avid reader of history, biographies and sports. 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.
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SPORTS & OUTDOORS
Monarch Beach Golf Links provides the best views and most immaculately maintained course in South Orange County, and while that might come at a price, the experience more than backs up the value. Photos: Zach Cavanagh
BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES
E
very golf course has its signature hole. Hole No. 3 at Monarch Beach Golf Links might be the signature hole of all South Orange County golf, and Monarch Beach may be the signature course of South Orange County golf. The dogleg-left par-4 of hole No. 3 curls up against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, with the green placed up on a bluff overlooking Salt Creek Beach. It’s the portrait of Southern California golf with perfectly manicured greens and fairways framed by sand and the cool blue of the ocean waves. It’s one of the selling points that’s made Monarch Beach Golf Links a popular golf spot no matter the circumstance, and during the early throes of pandemic restrictions, the course was an inundated with plenty more people coming out to enjoy this splendid track. “There were no available tee times. Any day, any time,” Monarch Beach Golf Links General Manager Eric Lohman said. “Now, there’s some availability. We’re about some level of normal. We’re not as chaotic.” Lohman said that there has still been plenty of increase with more interest in beginner golf and from golfers who had given it up and come back. Pricing at Monarch Beach was “still very equitable for the consumer” at the beginning of the pandemic, Lohman said. Price is usually what the average golfer will come back to when discussing Monarch Beach Golf Links, as it is the most expensive of the public courses being reviewed in this series. Lohman said part of the small subsiding of demand since those early pandemic highs are because of the course trying to become more exclusive. That’s not to lead into a claim of calling Monarch Beach Golf Links overpriced or elitist. Playing Monarch Beach Golf Links was simply a pleasure. The course provides a private club experience with public access. The amenities provided at the course are second to none, and the course is tough, but enDana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
SUMMER OF GOLF
Monarch Beach Golf Links is a South OC Jewel The Summer of Golf examines the sport’s post-pandemic popularity boom at local courses in South Orange County and showcases the play of each course through the eyes of our resident normal, below-average new golfer.
joyable and magnificently maintained. As soon as you arrive, you’re welcomed with complimentary valet and bag service straight to the cart. There are hitting bays and a practice area to enjoy before your round. There are complimentary water bottles and towels to load into your cart, which comes with an attached cooler already filled with ice. The carts themselves come equipped with a state-of-the-art screen, which includes GPS hole information, green readings, Bluetooth connection for music and the ability (and friendly reminders) to order food ahead of time from the on-course café. While there is a myriad of real-world factors for anyone to consider what price is “worth it,” the experience you’ll receive at Monarch Beach Golf Links will be worth what you pay for it. There are also daily deals available on their website, and the 9FORE9 option, which makes front or back nine play more accessible. If you can find your way in or find your way to swing a round, it’s a recom-
mendation here to give it a go and not regret a second of it. Now, enough with the material platitudes. How does Monarch Beach Golf Links play for the normal, below-average golfer? THE ROUND This entire story was about two feet away from being structured completely different. Readers, I nearly hit a hole-in-one on the par-3 No. 17. From the gold tees (the equivalent of the white tees at other courses) from 128 yards out, I hit a driver on the left side of this plateau green (and yes, driver. I know, I need help). The ball then rolled to the right and kept rolling. It looked as if it had the pace to head right to the pin, but it slid behind the flag and just past the hole. While there was still every chance for this to be a sad story, I summoned my composure to knock in the short putt and claim my first birdie in this Sum-
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mer of Golf series. Thank you, but please, hold all applause until the end. Aside from my near superhuman feat, the course at Monarch Beach Golf Links is a blast. I can’t overstate the views of the place, even just from the clubhouse overlooking the first, second and fifth holes. With water features, a variety of fairways and complex greens, it is a visually interesting course that, as mentioned, is incredibly maintained. Just how manicured the grass was on the opening tee box and fairways is a noticeable step up from other courses. And hole No. 3. The photos don’t do it justice. It’s something every South Orange County golfer should take in at least once. All that said, the course is also a tough one, especially for a newer golfer. It’s tougher than every other course in this series for one reason alone—sand. Yes, when we talk about hole No. 3 and beach golf, some sand is to be expected, but the amount of time I spent hitting out of the sand was tragic. Monarch Beach Golf Links is lined with fairway bunkers on nearly every hole, with a handful of greens defended by an armada of bunkers. Hitting out of the sand is just tough for a beginner golfer. It requires such a different plan of attack, and every golfer you know has their own set of personal tips on how to place your feet, where to strike, how to hold the club face, how to finish and just get the dang ball back on hard ground. I had 10 sand shots over the course of 18 holes—some successful, some not. That’s not an indictment of the course, because you can certainly play through it. Just look at my score. Overall, it’s not far off from what we’ve seen so far with a 46-over-par 116, but the beauty and real fun of my round is in the details. I shot 28-over-par on the front nine (par 36) and only 18-over-par on the back nine (par 34), despite splitting my sand shots—five and five—over each. Sometimes, golf is truly a sport about sticking with it, and if you do, you might see something incredible. DP danapointtimes.com
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vided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: PATRICIA WESTERMAN Case Number: 30-2022-01267456-PR-PW-CJC
Attorney for Petitioner: Paul W. Smigliani, 6265 Greenwich Drive, Suite 201, San Diego, CA 92122 Ph: (949)266-0402 Published in: Dana Point Times, July 15, 22, 29, 2022
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will and or estate, or both, of PATRICIA WESTERMAN A Petition for Probate has been filed by SUZANNE SMIGLIANI in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE. The Petition for Probate requests that SUZANNE SMIGLIANI be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: August 31, 2022 Time: 1:30 p.m. in Dept: C08 b. Address of Court: 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. (1) The court is providing the convenience to appear for hearing by video using the court’s designated video platform. This is a no cost service to the public. Go to the Court’s website at The Superior Court of California - County of Orange (occourts.org) to appear remotely for Probate hearings and for remote hearing instructions. If you have difficulty connecting or are unable to connect to your remote hearing, call 657622-8278 for assistance. If you prefer to appear in-person, you can appear in the department on the day/time set for your hearing. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California Statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as proDana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE SUPERIOR COURT OF BULLOCH COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA CIVIL ACTION NUMBER SUDR2022000119 WOODARD, JOSEPH ALLEN, II PLAINTIFF VS. NGUYEN, CHRISTINE Tran, Richard Mr. DEFENDENTS SUMMONS TO: TRAN, RICHARD MR. You are hereby summoned and required to file with the Clerk of said court and serve upon the Plaintiff ’s attorney, whose name and Address is: Robert M. Mock, Jr. Robert M. Mock, Jr., Attorney at Law, LLC 11 Courtland Street Post Office Box 923 Statesboro, Georgia 30459
To obtain instructions on how to appear remotely for your hearing, you MUST do the following no later than the day before the hearing (or no later than Friday, if the hearing is on Monday): 1. Go to the Court’s website at www.occourts.org; 2. Click on the “COVID-19” button; 3. Click on the “Civil” button; 4. Click on the “Remote Hearing Instructions” button; 5. Follow the instructions. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or your witnesses, do not have the ability to access the court’s website above, or are unable to follow the instructions on the Court’s website, or are otherwise unable to appear remotely, you MUST call the courtroom or call (657) 622-8513, prior to your hearing, to request an alternate means to appear. Failure to do so may result in your case being dismissed, or a ruling issued against you. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Dana Point Times Date: 06/14/2022 JUDGE LAYNE H. MELZER, Judge of the Superior Court Published: Dana Point Times, June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 2022 PUBLIC NOTICE
An answer to the complaint which is herewith served upon you, within 30 days after service of this summons upon you, exclusive of the day of service. If you fail to do so, judgement by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 22FL000510 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner JENNIFER MARIE GUITRON and RYAN DAN-
This 15th day of April, 2022 Clerk of the Superior Court, Heather Banks McNeal, Clerk, Bulloch County, Georgia Published in Dana Point Times: July 8, 15, 22, 2022
IEL BANKS NORRIE on behalf of KIRRA LYNN GUITRON a minor, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name KIRRA LYNN GUITRON Proposed Name KIRRA LYNN NORRIE THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing Date: 07/27/2022 Time: 1:30 pm. Dept: L74. Room: REMOTE. The address of the court is Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. GO TO WWW.OCCOURTS. ORG/DIRECTORY/FAMILY FOR REMOTE/IN PERSON HEARING INFORMATION. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Dana Point Times Date: 06/07/2022 JUDGE JULIE A. PALAFOX, Judge of the Superior Court Published: Dana Point Times, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 2022
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PUBLIC NOTICE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 30-2022-01264532 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner EMILY SARAH HINRICHS filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name EMILY SARAH HINRICHS Proposed Name EMILY SARAH MCCARTHY THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing Date: 08/17/2022 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: D100. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Other: Remote Hearing. Your hearing will be held REMOTELY via video at the date and time indicated on the notice or order to which this message is attached. You are NOT to physically appear at the courthouse on the date of your hearing. Page 16
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Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
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DP SURF
It’s Brother Vs. Brother The long-standing tradition of sibling rivalries is alive and well in Griffin and Crosby Colapinto BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES
I
t’s still dark in the parking lot at Waimea Bay. You can’t see the waves yet, but they’re there; you can hear them thundering. It’s 2004, and the Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau is on. Bruce and Andy Irons show up under the cloak of dawn. They’re not happy to see one another. Bruce wears a black eye and a bad attitude like a crown of thorns. The previous night, the two brothers from Kauai had been up playing poker and drinking with friends— perhaps to take the edge off the giant surf that awaited them at first light. Andy was never good at losing. And Bruce was always good at egging on his older brother. One thing led to another, and on the eve of “The Eddie,” the most revered surf contest on the planet, they got into a scrap, resulting in Bruce’s shiner.
With a lot to smile about, Crosby and Griffin Colapinto premiere their new surf film, DNA, at the Stance headquarters in San Clemente. Photo: Courtesy of Stab Magazine
The waves for the event were absolutely pumping—like shake-the-ground big. Fueled by his resentment for his brother, Bruce went out and stole the show. He won the contest and ended up on the cover of Surfer magazine. Sibling rivalries have always been a thing in surfing. From world champ pedigrees like the Irons brothers or CJ and Damien Hobgood, to hard-charging Hawaiians Mike and Derek Ho, or Florida progressives such as Shea and Cory Lopez, that brother versus brother bond— and rivalry—has been responsible for some of surfing’s most inspired moments. Carrying the mantle today are Griffin and Crosby Colapinto. Good-natured, friendly and happy to share a smile or a wave, they don’t have the razor’s edge temperament of Bruce and Andy, but that doesn’t mean their competitive fire doesn’t burn hot. A new film entitled DNA, released by
Stab Magazine, showcases the Colapinto boys’ atmospheric talent. Premiering last month at the Stance headquarters in San Clemente, it’s 24 minutes of banger clip after banger clip. It’s hard to imagine there’s a better brotherly duo in the world right now. Like the early days of Andy, Griffin has already experienced some solid competitive successes. With two Championship Tour victories next to his name this year, Griffin currently is ranked fourth in the world with a good shot at qualifying for the Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lowers, where the world champion will be crowned this September. Like Andy, Griffin is a precision surfer committed to surfing on the edge—going fast, flying high and putting everything into his turns. In 2020, Griffin joined the crew at Billabong and Stab Magazine on a video project called “Thank You Andy,” which
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY CAPISTRANO VALLEY TOYOTA
GROM OF THE WEEK
TANNER SANDVIG BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES
T Tanner Sandvig. Photo: Courtesy of NSSA
Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
his is one of the hardest weeks of the year to pick a Grom of the Week. NSSA Nationals just wrapped up in Huntington Beach, and we have a whole bunch of national titles to celebrate for the local groms. We’ll try and shine some light on all of them in the weeks to come. But to start the party, a huge congratulations goes out to San Clemente’s Tanner Sandvig, who is the 2022 Mini Grom National Champion. His successes are proof-positive that good things happen to good people.
was dedicated to the legacy and legend of the fallen three-time world champ. In the film, Griffin gets to ride Andy’s personal boards and strengthen that connection with one of his heroes. If we were going to continue with the Irons brothers comparison, Crosby’s got an X-factor akin to Bruce as he was on his way up. A tall, explosive surfer with impeccable style, his surfing’s a unique blend of go-for-broke power and explosive spontaneity. He’s a cat—just like Bruce. His natural instinct and agility have him riding out of maneuvers as if it were nothing. It’s fun to watch. As travel restrictions around the world continue to ease, keep an eye on Crosby’s movements. We’ve seen over the past couple winters in Hawaii that he’ll turn and go on anything. A member of Rip Curl’s esteemed team of explorers and chargers, he’s in the perfect position to do some truly epic things. There are a lot of amazing surf families from San Clemente and Dana Point. There are siblings firing one another up in the lineups from Salt Creek to T-Street. As a community, we’re lucky to have remarkable role models such as the Colapinto boys. Check out DNA on Stab’s YouTube channel for more. Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. DP
SURF FORECAST Sandvig, who’s shown up in this space a few times over the past couple of years, isn’t just a competitive animal, he’s a stoked-out-of-his-mind surfer. I think he may actually live in his wetsuit. He’s always supporting his friends and fellow surfers and celebrating their successes. He shares other Groms of the Week on his Instagram and is always keeping the vibes right. Earlier this summer, I had some friends in town from South Africa. They were looking for a family to link up with to surf. Tanner and his family took them in and made them feel right at home. It was the embodiment of the aloha spirit. With all that said, congratulations, Tanner! Keep doing your thing. If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com. DP Page 18
Water Temperature: 64-66 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 6-8 Outlook: More southerly swell moves in for Friday, setting up chest to head high waves, (4-5’). The swell peaks by the weekend, with chest high to a foot overhead surf, (4-6’), Saturday through Sunday morning. The waves slowly fade Sunday afternoon. Friday and the weekend have light/variable winds for most of the morning, shifting to a light+ sea breeze in the afternoons.
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Dana Point Times July 15-21, 2022
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