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TOP NEWS DANA POINT SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

CUSD Students Promote Diversity, Understanding Through ‘No Place for Hate’ Initiative

BY COLLIN BREAUX

This coming December, students at Dana Hills High School will stand against discrimination in a unique way.

Kids on campus are welcome to create a holiday display that reflects a holiday personal to them, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, which will be displayed at the school during the first week of December. Members of the local community, in turn, are invited to come see the displays.

The cultural awareness project is one example of how students in the Capistrano Unified School District are working toward more understanding and less bigotry through the “No Place for Hate” initiative.

Numerous campuses in CUSD have pledged to take part in the national movement through their own individual school clubs. Students who participate under the guidance of an adult school supervisor take part in several activities throughout a given school year, which can include open discussions about topics such as biases and understanding cultural differences.

Schools can be designated as “No Place for Hate” areas by the Anti-Defamation League if they meet designated criteria through activities and events.

“One of the big things we like to touch on is inclusivity, and we work with our students in our special education department and make sure they feel connected to the school, as well as other students,” Dana Hills High student Sophia Anapoell said. “The pledge we take is about not using the ‘r’ word anymore and raising awareness on that.”

One activity that got a lot of people involved was supporting special needs students in a Special Olympics-style event, Anapoell said.

“During our 4th period, as many (students) as could filled up our football stands and cheered on the (special needs) students,” Anapoell said. “I definitely saw a lot more involvement and connection throughout the school. Everyone had a smile. I definitely saw a change.”

Kaitlin VanDerVeen, who is also in Dana Hills High’s “No Place for Hate” group, said they began training for the program last year over Zoom.

“Learning how to plan those events that can help promote inclusivity all around the school within all different types of groups of students was super-insightful,” VanDerVeen said. “I definitely find people a lot more aware of what they’re doing and the thing they’re saying. There has been a decrease in negative language around schools I’ve been around. That’s been a big change I’ve noticed.”

Anapoell said she has become more aware of her own words and actions, and how she connects with people, after

Dana Hills High School is one of the schools in Capistrano Unified School District emphasizing anti-bigotry by participating in the “No Place for Hate” campaign. Photo: Collin Breaux

taking part in “No Place for Hate.” She also realized she had implicit biases she wasn’t aware of before, and how to change those perspectives.

“It really reminded me that everyone is a person and we all just want to be treated the same,” Anapoell said. “It was super-helpful for me, because now I’m able to communicate with everyone in the sense of them being a person.”

VanDerVeen said she’s learned how to include everyone and plan events in which everyone can participate, and also how to set inclusive examples for others.

Sarai Torres is actively involved in the Dana Hills High “No Place for Hate” group as well, and said it helped the members learn how to “redirect” people when they aren’t being respectful or inclusive to others.

“Sometimes, I’ll hear people say things, and I’ll be, like, ‘You cannot say that’ or ‘Say it differently,’ ” Torres said. “That was really helpful.”

Sandy Mesa, activity director for Dana Hills High, acts as an adult overseer for the school’s chapter. Mesa said the program is a work in progress.

“We’re just going to continue to do the work on our end to create these opportunities to have an environment that’s equitable and inclusive of all students,” Mesa said. “It’s going to take time. We’re massaging it. We’re learning from it. I’m really thankful I have a great group of students in my leadership program that are 100% committed to doing that.”

Other CUSD campuses certified by “No Place for Hate” include San Juan Elementary School and Oso Grande Elementary School.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An extended version to this story can be found at danapointtimes.com.

Coastal Commission Finds Substantial Issue with City STR Program

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

In a 6-2 vote, the California Coastal Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 7, decided there were “substantial issues” with a recently approved short-term rental program governing vacation rentals in Dana Point’s coastal zone following a series of appeals.

During Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners found that the issue merited further discussion after voicing concerns with the proposed short-term rental program’s potential effect on affordable housing stock.

Bridget McConaughy, of Unite Here Local 11, and Dana Point residents Mark Zanides and Kim Tarantino appealed the proposed STR program to the Coastal Commission in July on the basis that the City Council approved it through an incorrect avenue. They also claimed that the proposed program will decrease affordable housing stock in the city.

Under the proposed program, the city can issue a maximum of 115 permits in the coastal zone for non-primary STRs— when a property owner rents 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.

City Attorney Patrick Muñoz noted during the Coastal Commission meeting that “the goal of the (City) Council in response to residential concerns was to encourage short-term rentals on properties where the property owner was physically there.”

Tarantino spoke on behalf of the appellants on Wednesday, outlining the appeal’s main arguments.

The city passed the STR program through a coastal development permit (CDP) on the basis that the city’s local coastal plan currently allows the vacation rentals. The appellants argued that Dana Point’s local coastal plan does not currently permit short-term rentals in residential zones.

Tarantino also argued that the city “already provides ample visitor-serving accommodations” and that “permitting STRs could cannibalize existing stock of low-cost accommodations.”

She added that “the Coastal Act requires the Commission to encourage housing for low- and moderate-income households that includes many tourist industry workers,” arguing that by allowing full home rentals, the proposed STR program does not balance the need for low-cost housing during a housing crisis.

In a staff report, Coastal Commission officials estimated that “the STR program would yield approximately 1.4% to 2% of housing units within the Coastal Zone only” and that “these figures are comparable with metrics found in other nearby cities.”

The Blend Yoga Studio to Hold Soft Opening in Dana Point

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The Blend, a new yoga studio offering unique workout classes geared to strengthening and lengthening students’ muscles, will open its doors at Monarch Bay Plaza for a pop-up class on Friday, Sept. 9.

The studio offers a class that combines yoga, Mat Pilates and HIIT (high-intensity interval training)—a workout named “The Blend” that studio owner and yoga instructor Jennifer “Zee” Zalev developed.

Zee came up with “The Blend” as a workout for herself while teaching Vinyasa and Yin Yoga classes in boutique studios in Toronto.

As part of the soft opening on Friday, Zee will offer an hourlong Blend class at 6:30 a.m. The full class schedule will kick off on Monday, Sept. 12.

In addition to the signature Blend workout, the studio offers Mat Pilates, Power Vinyasa, Slow Flow Vinyasa and Yin and Chill classes.

Zee recommends that beginners try either a Slow Flow Vinyasa or Yin and Chill class to start, as both classes move at a slow pace. They both also offer students the opportunity to get to know the poses better and work on their alignment.

“It helps somebody who’s never done it before,” Zee said.

The Yin and Chill class is a lot slower, where members will hold a pose for three to five minutes, rather than three to five breaths.

“The muscles are relaxed to get into the deep connective tissues,” Zee said. “It’s more of a meditative practice … perfect for those with mobility issues and stuff like that.”

The Blend classes aim to lengthen and strengthen students’ muscles, improve posture and strengthen their core.

Typical Blend classes will last 60 minutes, and consist of a warmup section, cardio section, cooldown, and shavasana—a resting pose held at the end of a yoga flow. The length of the cardio section and shavasana will depend on the energy of the class that day, Zee previously explained to the Dana Point Times.

Instructors will set out all props and supplies needed for the class ahead of time, so all that members need to do is check in and put down a mat.

In the studio space, the Blend sells branded apparel and workout clothing from Laguna Beach brand Sol Tribe. In addition to the apparel, the studio sells a selection of luxury, clean skin care products by ODACITÉ.

(Cont. from page 3)

Conversely, residents Miriam Rupke, Deanne Slocum and Jason Colaco filed an appeal of the city’s vacation rental program, arguing that it is overly restrictive, reducing the number of available short-term rentals citywide.

Though appellants in favor of shortterm rentals were not present to speak during the Coastal Commission meeting, the staff report noted that the appellants feared the city could prohibit vacation rentals outside of the coastal zone, thus “decreasing public access to the coast and reducing opportunities for overnight accommodations/lower cost visitor and recreational facilities.”

Ultimately, Commissioners Mike Wilson, Megan Harmon, Caryl Hart and Linda Escalante voiced concerns with the city’s proposed short-term rental program.

The commission’s vote did not uphold the appeal, but rather decided that the issue is worth further discussion, Wilson clarified.

Wilson noted that the proposed program may lead to an increase in property value, as properties may be evaluated by their ability to generate income. Allowing a high cap of shortterm rentals in single-family residential units could end up affecting affordability, Wilson said.

“From my perspective, it creates a substantial issue,” Wilson said.

Escalante agreed, adding that the commission needed to further consider the proposed STR program’s potential effect on affordable housing stock.

“I think that we need to look at those caps more carefully in terms of how these more affordable housing options are dealt with in the coastal zone so as not to continue bleeding housing units but instead build up the stock to provide more access and to provide more justice to Californians,” Escalante said.

Commissioner Carole Groom and Commission Chair Donne Brownsey were the sole votes in favor of finding no “substantial issue” with the proposed vacation rental program.

“It seems to me that listening to the (city) attorney and listening to the mayor, this has been very carefully planned and very carefully thought out,” Groom said. “I think that we should move forward.”

Hart noted that such a controversial issue merited further discussion.

“Given the fact that this has been going on for so long, as an extremely controversial issue, even becoming a referendum, now it’s required the city to go around the normal process for incorporating this into the LCP; now it’s going into a CDP process, which I think is definitely worth further discussion,” Hart said.

“As my colleagues said, this isn’t a decision on the underlying merits; I’m only supportive of a full hearing and, therefore, I will be supporting that we find substantial issue,” Hart continued.

The Coastal Commission will later hold a hearing to listen to all the arguments on every side before making a ruling to either uphold or deny the appeals.

(From Left) The Blend owner Jennifer “Zee” Zalev and Marketing and Studio Manager Lauren Schneider will welcome members to their new yoga studio for a soft opening on Friday, Sept. 9. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

The studio space was built by local Kyle Nelson Construction and designed by Grace Blu interior design. The Blend is located in Monarch Bay Plaza, off Pacific Coast Highway, next door to Perspire Sauna Studios.

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. to celebrate The Blend’s grand opening and to welcome the new business into the community.

The Blend will offer monthly memberships, as well as visitor packs. The studio will also offer the first class for free and will have a limited promotion of two weeks of unlimited classes for $60, starting on the day of purchase.

The Blend team encourages those who may struggle with booking a class online or through an app to stop by the studio or email the team at hello@theblendoc.com.

“There’s always going to be somebody here to help them, getting that walkthrough, step-by-step, here’s how you do it, or we’ll just book the class for you,” Zee said.

To sign up for classes, download The Blend OC app or visit The Blend’s website at theblendoc.com.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Citizens’ Climate Education 10:45 a.m.-noon. This nonpartisan climate action group holds monthly meetings on the second Saturday of the month through Zoom video conferences. Email larrykramerccl@gmail.com to receive a link to join.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Dana Pont Planning Commission 6 p.m. The Dana Point Planning Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meeting. Dana Point Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern Street, Suite 210, Dana Point. danapoint.org.

Financial Review Committee 4 p.m. The Dana Point Financial Review Committee will hold a regular meeting. Dana Point Public Works Conference Room, 33282 Golden Lantern Street, Suite 212 Dana Point. danapoint.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Arts and Culture Commission Meeting 6 p.m. The Dana Point Arts and Culture Commission will hold a regular meeting. Dana Point Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern Street, Suite 210, Dana Point. danapoint.org.