February 11, 2022

FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022 | VOLUME 15, ISSUE 6

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

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INSIDE: Blake: Super Bowl 2022, Can You Believe It? DP LIVING/PAGE 14

Coffee Chat to Host OC Sheriff Don Barnes EYE ON DP/PAGE 6

On High Alert

Anticipating Potential Cannabis Initiative, Council Votes to Examine Ways of Maintaining Local Control E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 3

The city will examine local controls and tax measures to regulate cannabis stores, should dispensaries become legalized through a ballot initiative. Photo: Courtesy of Sharon McCutcheon/Pexels

danapointtimes.com

Davies Introduces Legislation Targeting Education Issues

Council Adopts Updated Housing Element

DHHS Girls Water Polo Wins Playoff Opener

EYE ON DP/PAGE 6

EYE ON DP/PAGE 5

SPORTS/PAGE 17

Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

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EYE ON DP

What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS DANA POINT SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Anticipating Potential Cannabis Initiative, Council Votes to Examine Ways of Maintaining Local Control

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The city will investigate opportunities and methods to maintain local control and tax measures when it comes to regulating cannabis stores, should a ballot initiative invite the cannabis industry to Dana Point.

During a Feb. 1 meeting, Dana Point City Council voted, 3-2, with Councilmembers Richard Viczorek and Michael Villar opposed, to examine controls, mitigations and regulations on storefronts, including a tax measure ordinance.

Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act that passed in 2016, decriminalized the personal possession of cannabis in California for adults, 21 years of age and older.

Currently, the city bans the operation of medical or recreational marijuana dispensaries.

As more and more California cities face citizen ballot initiatives to remove bans in place and allow for the legal operation of cannabis retail, the city is looking at how to maintain local control in the event such a measure passes in Dana Point.

El Monte, Huntington Beach, Jurupa Valley, Lake Forest, Long Beach and South El Monte have all been served by citizen initiatives, according to a presentation from Hdl Companies, a consulting firm that works with local governments on economic development, tax revenues and cannabis compliance.

“With this as the backdrop, and to be prepared should it become an allowable activity in town, we embarked on identifying practices for regulation and oversight with a particular eye on preserving public safety,” City Manager Mike Killebrew said.

The city contracted with FM3, a research group that provides strategic advice based on public opinion research, to conduct a survey of Dana Point’s likely voters. FM3 interviewed 526 voters through telephone or online interviews, gauging public opinion on cannabis retail businesses.

Of the surveyed population, more than two-thirds were not aware that it is currently illegal to operate a dispensary or cannabis business in Dana Point.

FM3 Vice President Adam Sonenshein explained that with the varying local Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

and state laws, some residents are not clear on what the rules are.

Fifty-two percent of those surveyed were in support of the city establishing regulations to allow for medical and recreational businesses to operate in Dana Point, whereas 42% were opposed. The percentage of those in support of regulations grew to 61% when the surveyor informed participants that cannabis businesses could bring in taxes and fees for city services.

“The reality is, it’s coming, it’s here in delivery already,” Councilmember Jamey Federico said. “What we’re losing are the tax dollars. So, all of those delivery trucks that you see driving around town, if you were to look at, I guess, Weedmaps, or whatever it is, it’s coming here and salestax dollars are going to Santa Ana.” Damian Collins is a Dana Point resident who owns multiple local businesses, as well as a cannabis dispensary in Bellflower. During public comments, Collins stated that his dispensary alone brings in $1 million in taxes to the City of Bellflower each year.

During public comments, several residents spoke against lifting the ban on dispensaries in Dana Point, and there was a mix of opinions in written comments. Resident Katie Armstrong moved to Dana Point from the Los Angeles area three years ago and spoke against allowing dispensaries to operate in the city.

“I love this wholesome little town, and I don’t think this fits in the wholesome little town that this is,” Armstrong said.

“I think there are better ways to look for revenue, better businesses. I don’t see why the city would approve any new business with the safety concerns that were outlined by the presenters.

Why would we approve a business that requires a background check to be around?”

Echoing some of those residents’ concerns, Councilmember Villar emphasized the responsibility he feels as a baseball and soccer coach to many of the community’s children.

“I have a responsibility as a coach and a mentor to understand that this drug is a gateway; there’s no doubt about it,” Villar said. “It leads to other things, and when we normalize this in our community, it starts to seep into areas that we

The city will examine local controls and tax measures to regulate cannabis stores, should dispensaries, much like the Medicine Woman Dispensary in Bellflower pictured here, become legalized through a ballot initiative.

Photo: Courtesy of Luke Burrett

don’t want it to be.”

Overwhelmingly, voters surveyed were strongly in favor of imposing strict regulations on dispensaries, such as requiring operators and employees to be subject to criminal background checks; requiring security cameras and guards; and prohibiting business within 1,000 feet of a school, child care facility or sober living home or in any residential zone.

David McPherson, compliance director at Hdl, explained that voter initiatives take away a lot of local control and regulations that those polled had favored in the survey. The ballot measures may not require the same restrictions that the city would want to enact, such as background checks and zoning buffers.

“These initiatives do not meet those thresholds; they are not good policy for policy makers or communities,” McPherson said.

Collins noted that in many cities when a citizen initiative pushes a ballot measure allowing for cannabis businesses, those initiatives push for fewer restrictions, less-strict regulations and may even restrict local control.

“I’ve seen the cities do it really wrong, I’ve seen the cities that did it really poorly,” Collins said. “In that I have businesses in Dana Point, I want to make sure that the city does it the right way.

And that’s why I thought them writing the ordinance was so important, rather than letting an initiative come in.”

While there’s no ballot measure proposed in Dana Point, there are several groups already working on an initiative, according to Collins, who spoke with Dana Point Times this week.

Mayor Joe Muller added that a grand jury report recently showed that there was no increase in crime along with legal cannabis retail stores. The report Page 3

added that in Santa Ana, the city used taxes and fees on the dispensaries to fund enforcement efforts.

A decade from now, Councilmember Jamey Federico predicted, “retail cannabis will probably be in every one of these towns in South Orange County, Orange County, and in the State of California, whether it’s by some sort of action in Sacramento or a ballot measure done by the industry, statewide, or by lots of individual citywide ballot measures.

We’re not going backwards.”

Federico also said that younger people tend to be more in favor of cannabis than older people, adding that each year, younger people make up a larger and larger percentage of the vote.

“What we’re doing is ignoring the future and, in the meantime, missing out on all the tax dollars that go with that,” Federico said. “And quite frankly, I think we can bury our heads in the sand and do nothing, or we can engage this issue like we are doing rationally and try to look at if this happens in our town, and when, how we put all those things in place that mitigate the issues that are concerns for our residents.”

Viczorek stated that he supported the ban on dispensaries in Dana Point in 2015 and continues to support the ban in 2022.

“I hear what everyone’s saying, that there’s a possibility there could be an initiative and we’re going to lose local control,” Viczorek said. “I don’t find that position persuasive. … It’s very hard to predict the future.”

“You say it’s going to happen in the future; it’s easy to say things like that, and no one can ever prove you wrong,” he continued. “Maybe it will happen in two years, five years, 100 years, but you can never be proven wrong when you say something like that.” danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

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EYE ON DP

Dana Point City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 1 to adopt, and submit for review, the Housing Element Update—the blueprint within a General Plan that local governments use to address housing affordability and residential growth. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Council Adopts Updated Housing Element

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

While the Dana Point City Council voted unanimously last week to adopt the Housing Element Update, as required by the state every eight years, the city is still awaiting final certification from California’s housing department.

The Housing Element—the blueprint within a General Plan that local governments use to address housing affordability and residential growth—must be adopted, as well as certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), by Feb. 11. This update is Dana Point’s sixth cycle to the Housing Element and will cover 20212029.

Like all cities in Orange County, the City of Dana Point was required to submit a draft of its Housing Element by mid-October 2021. After making revisions from October through December, the city submitted another draft and received its second round of HCD review on Dec. 17. The Planning Commission then voted in mid-December to recommend the City Council adopt the Housing Element Update.

Colin Drukker, a principal at PlaceWorks, the planning, design and environmental firm that the city contracted as a consultant for the Housing and Safety Element Updates, explained at a recent Planning Commission meeting that certification by HCD happens once it accepts the update and generally can take three rounds of review.

The city expected minor revisions and Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

hoped to get final certification in early 2022.

The city faced a Feb. 11 deadline to adopt the Housing Element and receive certification to remain in compliance with the state. Jurisdictions that don’t adopt and receive certification prior to the deadline must complete all necessary rezoning by Oct. 15, 2022.

Drukker explained to the City Council last week that while the city doesn’t need to complete new zoning, it should still aim to adopt the update prior by the deadline.

City staff had hoped to receive HCD certification prior to bringing the element up for adoption by City Council; however, with the Feb. 11 deadline looming, that no longer seemed feasible.

Drukker explained that by adopting the Housing Element ahead of the deadline without HCD certification will at least show that the city is following the spirit of the law.

Out of 190 jurisdictions in the Southern California Association of Governments region, which covers the Counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura, two had been fully HCD-certified, according to Drukker last week.

Prior to the council’s adoption of the update, local groups advocating for more affordable housing raised concerns with the city’s efforts to get low-income housing developed in Dana Point.

In each city’s update, it must show that they can accommodate the projected housing demands and demonstrate adequate residential capacity based on the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), but they’re not required to ever build any of those units.

The RHNA is an assessment of each county’s and city’s housing needs for the Page 5

future. Of the more than 183,860 homes that Orange County was allocated, Dana Point was allotted 530 units—147 verylow-income units; 84 low-income; 101 moderate-income; and 198 above-moderate-income.

Nonprofits such as the Kennedy Commission, which advocates for production of affordable housing, and Welcoming Neighbors Home, a ministry that advocates for permanent supportive housing, submitted comments on the city’s Housing Element Update.

Cesar Covarrubias, executive director of the Kennedy Commission, wrote that the city has not facilitated the development of sufficient affordable housing.

In his letter to the council, he wrote that the city has underperformed in issuing building permits for very-low and low-income units while exceeding its above-moderate-income RHNA allocation in the building permits it has issued.

“It’s a sad fact that incomes in our area have not kept pace with housing cost,” Welcoming Neighbors Home Initiative Chair Rona Henry wrote in her group’s submitted comment. “Now is the time to start seriously addressing the housing crisis that is likely to worsen with the recent economic strains imposed on families and individuals by the Coronavirus.”

Maura Mikulec, a member of Welcoming Neighbors Home, shared the experience of a homeless woman in Dana Point named Tammy who was trying to use the resources and assistance she received.

Milkulec explained that Tammy has a housing voucher that will help her pay a portion of her housing expense; however, she has not been able to find

affordable housing that the voucher can be put toward in all of South Orange County.

“Tammy is at risk of losing the housing voucher, too, if she doesn’t find a place, and meanwhile, she’s still on the street, daily, suffering—and it really is suffering,” Mikulec said. “There’s many others like Tammy, who are lifelong residents living on the streets who actually sought help, received help in the form of these vouchers, but who are still on the street because we lack affordable housing.”

Mikulec called for a city-led program to promote the acceptance of housing vouchers by landlords.

Mayor Joe Muller asked Drukker at what point HCD would look at the Housing Element and determine the city is out of compliance if it’s not developing enough low-income homes.

“How do they determine the length of time that they’re going to look before they determine you’ve got barriers, and then how do they define that barrier?”

Muller asked. “What if the barrier is that property costs here are just too high?”

Drukker answered that HCD does not necessarily determine that a city is out of compliance for a lack of activity developing toward its RHNA numbers.

Instead, according to Drukker, a Senate Bill passed in 2017 streamlines development by removing red tape preventing the city from developing low-income housing.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Frost noted in a comment that resident numbers in Dana Point have roughly stayed the same since the city’s founding.

“I know our Housing Element is long, and there’s a whole bunch of good data in there for anyone who’s analytical. But this is interesting to me; our population in 1990: 31,896,” Frost said. “Our population in 2005, 15 years later: 34,500.

Our population in 2020, two years ago: 33,000.”

He added that a common sentiment he hears is that Dana Point has changed drastically over the years.

“Whether you’re on social media or talking to somebody at a coffee shop, ‘Holy cow, Dana Point is not the same, it has completely changed.’‘That’s way too crowded.’ We have, what, nearly 2,000 less, I guess, probably full-time residents since 2005?”

At the council meeting, Drukker gave City Council a presentation on the timeline and next steps. HCD now has 90 days to review the newly adopted Housing Element Update. Once HCD approves the update, certification will take place within roughly 30 days, according to Drukker.

An updated Public Safety element will be brought back to the council at a later date because of recent changes proposed to the city’s evacuation maps in order to be in compliance with Senate Bill 9. danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

State Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) has introduced new legislation intended to give parents more rights when it comes to their children’s education. Davies and other local officials spoke against student mask and vaccine requirements, current school curricula, and other education issues during a news conference on Monday, Feb. 7. Photo: Courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Laurie Davies

Assemblymember Davies Introduces Legislation Targeting Education Issues

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Opposition to mask and vaccine requirements for students, allegations of critical race theory being taught in K-12 schools, and other controversial educational discussions are continuing in South Orange County—this time from State Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel).

Davies held a news conference at her San Juan Capistrano office on Monday, Feb. 7, to express her opposition to school pandemic restrictions and discuss her newly introduced legislation, the California Parents’ Bill of Rights Act. “We are here to fight for the rights of our children,” Davies said. “During these last two years, Sacramento politicians have ignored the needs of our children and used our kids as a political pawn. As a result, our children are suffering. They have been forced to endure many unnecessary challenges.”

Davies’ new measure, Assembly Bill 1785, calls for parents to be able to “advise on the moral or religious training of their minor child,” by requiring schools to give parents more opportunities to be involved in their children’s education.

According to the bill, school districts would be required to provide parents an opportunity each quarter to learn about Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

their child’s coursework, “including the source of any supplemental educational materials.”

AB 1785 also calls for districts to inform parents and guardians in advance of any teachings related to comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education, as well as the procedure that would enable their child to opt out of that education.

Language in the legislation also proposes a requirement for districts to send out an annual newsletter for parents to learn about the nature and purpose of clubs and activities offered at their child’s school.

Though AB 1785 does not mention masks or vaccines, Davies addressed those topics at Monday’s news conference. Davies said her office has fought “damaging policies” and will continue to oppose all student mask and vaccine mandates.

The general consensus among medical experts is that masks and vaccines are effective tools to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Masks have been required indoors for students and adults on school campuses throughout the pandemic by the California Department of Public Health. Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a vaccine

requirement for students once the Food and Drug Administration fully approves all COVID-19 vaccines.

Additionally, State Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) has introduced legislation, the Keep Schools Open and Safe Act, that would also require students be vaccinated to continue attending classes in person.

Davies said she sent a letter to Orange County Health Officer Clayton Chau urging the removal of all mask mandates on Feb. 15, concurrent with the upcoming expiration of the current statewide indoor mask mandate.

Davies further said parents should be told about different educational opportunities available for their kids, should be allowed to view their child’s academic records at any time, and be able to review course materials taught to children in advance.

“Too often, state regulations make it hard to transfer students from poor-performing schools,” Davies said.“Even worse, some districts don’t even tell parents all the hoops they have to jump through just to begin the transfer process.”

Orange County Board of Education member Mari Barke also spoke at the press conference in favor of AB 1785, advocating for school and parental choice.

No child should be constrained by their zip code, Barke said.

Barke also addressed critical race theory, which numerous local parents have said has been taught in K-12 schools and is detrimental. Two forums on CRT were held over the summer, Barke said.

Education officials and experts, including in the Capistrano Unified School District, have denied CRT is being taught in schools and instead said cultural diversity and awareness is what’s being discussed with students.

“Even if we can’t have a say in what you’re learning, we want you to know what it is and educate you so you can take action,” Barke said.

The OCBE has been a vocal opponent of pandemic school restrictions as well, and previously sued the state over the restrictions, though without success.

CUSD Trustee Lisa Davis—who represents San Clemente on the CUSD Board and is a frequent voice against mask and vaccine requirements—further praised Davies’ legislation at the conference, also speaking against what she sees as a “biased curriculum” and “explicit sex education.”

All medical decisions for kids need to be made by parents, Davis said.

“We have to be vigilant as parents, as community members, in being aware of what’s happening and call out things that are not right,” Davis said.

AB 1785 may first be heard in a committee starting on March 6. It would need to be approved by both the State Assembly and Senate, and it would then need to be signed by the governor to become law.

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COMMUNITY MEETINGS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Dana Point City Council Meeting 6 p.m. The Dana Point City Council will hold its regularly scheduled 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, will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

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

Coffee Chat to host OC Sheriff Don Barnes

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The Dana Point Civic Association will host Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes for its next virtual coffee chat on Feb. 18, at 8:30 a.m.

Barnes will present an update on current crime trends in South Orange County, as well as offer advice on how citizens can stay vigilant against everyday crime.

Barnes was elected sheriff-coroner for Orange County in November 2018, and he has served in the OC Sheriff’s Department since 1989.

Dana Point Civic Association Board Member Vickie McMurchie added in a recent press release that Barnes is “leading initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence of drugs in our neighborhoods, enhancing school safety, mitigating the impacts of homelessness, and advocating for the restoration of accountability to our criminal justice system.”

In order to participate in the Zoom call, interested parties can email dptcivic@gmail.com for the zoom link.

The meeting will be recorded, and a link will be available on the Dana Point Civic Association’s Facebook page. danapointtimes.com

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SOAPBOX

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GUEST OPINION | Health and Nutrition 101 by Gina Cousineau

Prioritizing Heart Health N

ationally, we observe “American Heart Month” in February to raise awareness to the importance of a healthy heart and encourage healthy habits meant to reduce our risk of heart disease.

This campaign encourages individuals to take up a healthy habit, educate themselves, and get their cholesterol tested.

When clients reach out to me, they usually do so with the goal of weight loss, but as an integrative nutritionist, I cannot in good conscience help them reach their weight-loss goals without addressing what might be happening under the hood.

This then leads to a conversation about their family’s medical history, as well as their own personal medical history, lifestyle behaviors of past and present, along with looking at basic blood work and preventative screening tests to assess their situation.

What I come to find out is that most are unaware of the significance of this information, and for those who were told of an area of concern, some are minimized by their medical providers, and others choose to ignore the facts.

Given that heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans, I take this opportunity to help you advocate for your heart health, prioritizing the information provided below, especially as we age.

Family history of cardiovascular disease (especially early disease), paired with your blood lipid profile, smoking history, and kidney health status, are a good starting place.

If your total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), HEALTH AND and/or triglycerides NUTRITION 101 are out of range,

BY GINA COUSINEAU even just a little bit, even if your high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are high, you could be laying down plaque.

If you are at risk, asking your provider about a calcium score (a CT of the arteries around your heart) and carotid ultrasound allows for a look “inside” to understand your plaque risk. Another important blood test, indicating a genetic predisposition toward CVD, is lipoprotein a (LPa).

Because this affects 20% of the population, you should consider asking for this test with your yearly blood work.

This information, paired with shared decision-making, allows you and your provider to decide on a course of action, if needed.

2. Eating a Healthy Diet Choosing a mostly plant-based diet, including lean proteins (animal and/ or plant), nonfat/lowfat dairy and other protein-rich calcium sources, as well as healthy fats, is highly encouraged, while limiting saturated fats, added sugars and sodium.

Remember that “plants” comprise a wide variety of foods, including whole grains, legumes, nuts/seeds, vegetables, fruit, and tofu products.

1. Understanding Your Risk While there are many “heart disease calculators” that claim to assess our risk, I am going to suggest the following based on my client population and what I have seen anecdotally.

This doesn’t mean you need to count calories—though given our obesity epidemic and the fact that losing 5-10% of your weight can improve your health dramatically—but just eating more wholesome food, in general, can be a lifesaver.

3. Getting Physically Active The thought of starting an exercise program is often as daunting as the concept of adjusting one’s diet. While I understand the fear of change, neither needs to be a scary proposition.

Given where we live, beautiful South Orange County, all one needs to do is step outside their door and allow their feet to do the walking. That’s it!

While I always suggest starting with a “walking program,” this is simply to make this fitness routine part of your daily life, like toothbrushing. You need it to be healthy.

For more information on how to understand your risk of heart disease, visit nationaltoday.com and heart.org.

Gina Cousineau sees clients virtually and in person out of her San Clemente office. Her extensive education—a BS in dietetics and MS in integrative and functional nutrition—chef training, and 30-plus years as a fitness professional allow her to help clients lose weight and improve their health. You can reach her at mamag@ mamagslifestyle.com, 949.842.9975, and on Instagram and Facebook @mamagslifestyle. Register for her complimentary weekly newsletter at mamagslifestyle.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.

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

Dana Point Times, Vol. 15 Issue 6. The DP Times (danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

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Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

Letters to The Editor

Headlands Preserve and the physical trail located on that 29.4-acre property.

CNLM has always owned and managed the Headlands Preserve property since its inception 15 years ago.

With no demonstrable conversation or meaningful dialogue from the city management to CNLM management, we now understand why the wheels fell off the cart of past cooperation and respect.

The Headlands Preserve is home to the federally and state-protected Pacific Pocket Mouse and the threatened Coastal California Gnatcatcher. This Preserve is also home to hundreds of rare and native plant species and over 175 animal species.

This is a vibrant environment, but it can be fragile. Climate change is a daily battle

WHY IS THE CITY PICKING ON A CONSERVATION PRESERVE NONPROFIT? MERRY WONG, Dana Point For almost two decades, the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM, a 501c3 nonprofit) and the Nature Interpretive Center (NIC) worked closely together to ensure the continued education and preservation of the Page 8

for the coastal scrub sage ecosystem as we go into our third year of drought.

In February of this year, CNLM was nationally recognized by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission for its exemplary monitoring, oversight, documentation, ethical conduct and leadership.

With respect, may I suggest that the city management continue to focus on what it does best by keeping us residents enriched and engaged with concerts and movies in the parks, the Harbor renovation, senior and community center activities and addressing the numerous issues to get our city economically back on track post-pandemic.

We all bear a responsibility to sustain and protect our precious open spaces danapointtimes.com

SOAPBOX

preserve a small piece of wilderness.

The damage to the blufftop along the city trails is extensive due to people ignoring signage, climbing fences and trampling native plants to get to the edge of the bluffs. This would happen to the CNLM-protected area as well if the trail was open to the public without supervision, further threatening the endangered species.

The city is suing a nonprofit agency for doing their job. It would be nice for the Dana Point councilmembers to visit the Nature Center to learn about the Preserve and what it protects, rather than suing the CNLM because they are inconvenienced.

and native habitats.

Please allow the CNLM team to do their important work of protecting the Headlands Conservation Preserve. You can’t put a dollar value on the Preserve and its inhabitants—it is invaluable.

Check out cnlm.org to see the great work they do. Thank you.

A VETERANS CEMETERY IN ORANGE COUNTY WAYNE VIA, Dana Point I want to take this opportunity to thank the Dana Point City Council, for its unanimous support of the Orange County Veterans Cemetery.

Many people don’t realize that a spouse of a veteran is also eligible for interment in national cemeteries. My father, a World War II veteran, and my mother are both resting in the Riverside National Cemetery.

It is a beautiful cemetery, but a difficult two-hour round trip to visit. I am also a veteran, and I have been hoping for some time that Orange County would have a place where my wife and I can be interred. A place that isn’t so far away from family and friends.

The hills of Gypsum Canyon will be an ideal spot, where the sound of the

Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

Photo: File

21-gun salute can echo through the canyons and honor our county’s veterans.

Thanks for the article.

RESPONSE TO ‘DANA POINT SUING NATURE CENTER OVER BLUFFTOP TRAIL’ MARSHA MEDINA, Dana Point The fact that there is a blufftop

preserve is due to the two endangered species living there. There are only remnants of the Southern California blufftop Coastal Sage Scrub ecosystem, because so much of it has been developed.

The Center for Natural Lands Management is tasked with protecting, as well as learning more about the two endangered species. The Dana Point Preserve is not a public park; it is a Preserve set aside to

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY 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. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. 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.

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GETTING OUT

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The List What’s going on in and around town this week DANA POINT TIMES

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FRIDAY | 11 COFFEE CONCERT WITH HIGH TIDE COFFEE 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy a free cup of coffee and watch an acoustic performance by local musicians in Casa Romantica’s Redmond Amphitheater. General admission is $5. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Lee Rocker will perform, while the groups MoonShine, and Buzz Campbell and the Heartaches will open. Tickets are $45.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

SATURDAY | 12 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles.

Those attending are encouraged to practice responsible social distancing.

Face masks are not mandatory but are recommended. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

Photo: Courtesy of Stand up to Trash

SATURDAY | 12 LOVE YOUR BEACH 9-11 a.m. Register at Baby Beach or the Ocean Institute to take part in nonprofit Stand Up to Trash’s latest Beach Cleanup and Lunch and Learn. Bags and grabbers will be provided, reusable gloves encouraged. Fresh coffee, hot chocolate and donuts will be provided by The Coffee Importers (participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable cup). Weigh in at any spot for a chance to win prizes donated by Killer Dana Surf Shop. Lunch will be provided by Subway in the Lantern District. Baby Beach, 24300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. standuptotrash.com

burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

Wine & Beer Bistro, 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. barnoa.com.

JAZZ AT BARNOA WINE & BEER BISTRO 6:30-9:30 p.m. Barnoa Wine & Beer Bistro is offering two chances over Valentine’s Day weekend to hear swinging jazz.

Elizabeth Lamers will first sing with guitarist Steve Cotter and bassist David Miller on Saturday night. And on Monday night, Feb. 14, Lamers will perform again with Cotter and bassist Henry “The Skipper” Franklin for a special Valentine’s Day dinner. A delicious threecourse dinner is planned for both dates but Barnoa’s regular menu will also be available. For details, find the wine bar on Instagram @barnoawinebar. Reservations are highly recommended. Barnoa

LAUGHS ABOUT LOVE, A VALENTINE’S COMEDY SHOW 8 p.m. Comedian Andrew Norelli, who has appeared on Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Comedy Central, and Ted Talks, will be joined by Matt Balaker from Late Night with Conan O’Brien, to bring smart, original material to the Cabrillo Playhouse. Following their performances, they will take part in a Q&A session to answer audience questions. Proof of vaccination and ID will be required. Masks must be worn inside at all times. Admission is $25 if purchased in advance, or $30 at the door if tickets are still available. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente.

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949.492.0465. cabrilloplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE POINT 9 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Rock band Western Skyline will perform. The Point Restaurant and Bar, 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

SUNDAY | 13 LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 5 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Eric Clapton tribute band Slowhand will perform. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

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GETTING OUT

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MONDAY | 14 VALENTINE’S DAY WHALE WATCHING 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching on a romantic whale watching cruise and enjoy complimentary champagne or non-alcoholic beverages and chocolate-wrapped treats while gazing at the beautiful sunset and marine life. Admission is $39 for adults and $29 for kids 12 and under.

Book your spot at danawharf.com. Dana Wharf, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603.

TUESDAY | 15 CASA CINEMA 6 p.m. Enjoy the 1953 romantic comedy film How to Marry a Millionaire, featuring Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, in the Main Salon at Casa Romtantica. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

WEDNESDAY | 16 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.

INFO NIGHT FOR SPRING 2022 SIGN-UP 6:30 p.m. Mariners 936 Sea Scouts program is more than learning to sail, it’s a comprehensive youth leadership program with opportunities for important roles, fun teamwork, sailing, navigation, engineering, trips, non-sailing team competitions, scholarships and community service.

No previous experience needed. Junior Mariners are ages 12-13, and Sea Scouts

are 14-18. Parents should attend the onehour info night with their teen. Mariners 936 Sea Scouts will be giving tours of their sea base, known as the Orange County Sailing and Event Center, and larger boats.

Mariners 936 Sea Scouts, 34451 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point. mariners936.com.

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.

BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard is open for food, drinks and live music. 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.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Jazz Funk band Dirty Dozen Brass Band will

perform with pop band Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas. Tickets are $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

THURSDAY | 17 LEGISLATIVE AND LOCAL AFFAIRS MEETING: ASSEMBLYWOMAN LAURIE DAVIES 9 a.m. Join the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce for a legislative and local affairs meeting with special guest Assemblymember Laurie Davies of California’s 73rd District. Davies will address items her office is working on, as well as legislation that may impact businesses. There will be time for a Q&A. Representatives from our other local elected officials’ offices will also provide brief updates. Register for the Zoom meeting at danapointchamber.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Blues artist Albert Cummings will perform. Tickets are $28. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

AT THE MOVIES

‘Jackass Forever’ Makes No False Pretenses

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

J

ackass Forever is now the fourth theatrical release under the brand name since Jackass 3D (2010), this time with the mood of a swan song.

Spike Jonze is back as producer, Jeff Tremaine as director, Johnny Knoxville as host and leader of the crew. All of the usual faces from the original show and past movies also return with the exception of Ryan Dunn, who died in 2011, and Bam Margera, who was fired early into filming and cited as an alleged legal liability.

Save for catching a random episode here and there on TV when I was in middle school, Forever is actually my first-ever full viewing of anything Jackass-related. And let me tell you, I was not prepared for so many of these elaborate, absurd pranks to include full-frontal close-ups of male nudity.

I think I’ve now seen enough male genitals and bodily fluids on the big screen to last me a lifetime. This, on top of the general grotesque and pain-tolerating gags, make

Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

Photo: Courtesy of Sean Cliver/Paramount Pictures

for what might be the most I’ve winced and closed my eyes during a movie.

I guess it’s a testament to the guys’ judgment that one of the new pranksters this time, Rachel Wolfson, is a woman and completely clothed throughout the feature.

Whether you enjoy watching these wild and crazy antics, or are just completely appalled and grossed out, you can’t accuse the Jackass team of false advertising. It’s nearly

impossible to enter one of these films and claim you were misled on the content.

I was disgusted, impressed, enlightened, amused and entertained by how far this group of old and new friends was willing to go to pull off the dangerous stunts in Jackass Forever.

One thing did go through my mind a couple of times while watching the new movie, or really any staged prank/stunt on YouTube,

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Vine or TikTok. It’s the age-old question: why is our natural reaction to laugh when we see someone fall, crash or get hit in the crotch?

It’s been a stock gag for humor since the beginning of time and seems to still work no matter what year or visual medium. I don’t really have an answer to the question, but if you like this kind of overly elaborate slapstick comedy, Jackass Forever is right up your alley.

DP

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DP LIVING

GUEST OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Super Bowl 2022, Can You Believe It? W ith Super Bowl LVI this week at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, I can’t help but think back to Super Bowl II, in 1968, 54 years ago.

I was a regional manager of public relations for American Airlines, working at the company’s headquarters at 633 Third Avenue in New York City.

Four days before Super Bowl II, which was held on Jan. 14 in the Orange Bowl in Miami, the airline’s vice president of public relations, a distinguished man named Holmes Brown, summoned me to his office.

He said, “Tom, I just got off the phone with the president of American Express.

Amex invited our two world stewardess queens, Patty Paulsen and Jill Spavin, to be their guests this weekend at the Super Bowl festivities in Miami. I can’t allow Patty and Jill to go alone. I need an American Airlines escort to go with them to be sure they are safe and treated with dignity.

“As the only single man in our department, I would like you to go. Will you do it?”

“Love to,” I said, trying to act cool and calm, although I couldn’t believe my ears.

He patted me on the back and handed me five $100 bills, saying: “All expenses are prepaid; however, I want you to have money in case you need to pick up a tab. I want American Airlines to always look good.”

On Friday night, Patty, Jill and I flew to Miami. For the next three days, my focus was to keep them safe.

The ticket stub that I kept shows the official name of the game as the “World Championship Game AFL vs. NFL.” Shortly thereafter, Lamar Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, recommendON LIFE AND LOVE ed the name of the

BY TOM BLAKE game be retroactively changed to “The Super Bowl,” which was quickly adopted by the two leagues.

Of course, it was an incredible weekend. Patty, Jill and I rode to the game on a bus chartered by American Express. I was sitting in back next to a young kid named Mike Garrett, the 1965 Heisman Trophy winner, a former running back at USC. At that time, he played for the

Kansas City Chiefs, and he later became the athletic director of USC for 17 years.

Garrett said to me, “What’s in the cooler on the back seat?”

I said, “Chilled beer.”

Garrett said, “Oh, I wanted a Coca-Cola.”

Things have changed in 54 years. The ticket stub that I still have shows a cost of $12. This year, 50-yard-line seats are going for more than $10,000.

Patty, Jill and I sat on the 50-yard line with George Mira, a former University of Miami All-American and San Francisco 49ers quarterback.

Several of Mira’s admirers stopped by to greet him; they seemed curious about Patty and Jill, who looked beautiful.

There were two floats wheeled onto the field before the kickoff. The Packers and the Raiders were represented by a 15-foot player in uniform standing on a float. Each statue appeared to be spewing steam from its mouth even though the temperature was in the low 80s.

The Green Bay Packers beat the Oakland Raiders, 33-14. Vince Lombardi was the Packers’ coach; John Madden was the Raiders’ linebackers coach. A year later,

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Madden became the Raiders’ head coach for nine years.

Two months after the game, on March 8, 1968, Patty and Jill were featured in the People section of TIME magazine with a nice write-up and photo of them together. Even with their new-found fame, they were still buddies of mine in the American Airlines PR office.

It’s hard to believe that there have been 54 Super Bowls since that experience. I always chuckle when I watch the Super Bowl and think of Patty and Jill. It saddened me to find out this week that Patty died in 2019. She would have been 78 at Super Bowl kickoff time this Sunday.

Thanks for the memories, Patty and Jill.

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.

Sudoku

Mocha

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

Meet Mocha, a 6-year-old sweetie now available for adoption. Arriving at the shelter after her owner passed away, Mocha was initially very reserved. After having a chance to settle in, her true personality has begun to shine through. Mocha is quite gentle and affectionate and just loves to be petted. She would make a wonderful companion in a quieter home.

If you are interested in adopting Mocha, please visit petprojectfoundation.org 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.

Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

Photo: Courtesy of OC Public Libraries

FROM THE ARCHIVES Jeff Quam and John Slausky

eat lunch in a Nova station wagon after surfing at Doheny Beach in Dana Point, circa late-1960s.

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.

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See the solution in next week’s issue.

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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

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CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com

ICE CREAM

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INSURANCE SERVICES

State Farm/Elaine LaVine 34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, elainelavine.net

UPHOLSTERY AND WINDOW TREATMENTS Jeddy’s Interiors 34118 Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 2 Dana Point, CA 92629 949-240-9569 www.jeddys.com

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

DOLPHIN REPORT

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

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

Bo Kelly Earns MVP in County All-Star Classic Dana Hills quarterback Bo Kelly got one more shot to put on the pads in his high school career and made the most of it on Saturday, Feb. 5.

Kelly threw two touchdown passes to help lead the South to its seventh consecutive victory over the North, 30-17, in the Orange County North-South Classic at Newport Harbor High School. The Classic was sponsored by the Los Angeles Chargers and Costa Mesa United.

The Cal Poly-bound Kelly completed 11 of 17 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, and was named the game’s offensive MVP. Kelly threw both touchdowns to San Juan Hills wide receiver Braden Pegan, who signed a letter of intent with UCLA. Dana Hills wide receiver Broghan Daley also caught a touchdown pass, a 32-yard score thrown by Huntington Beach quarterback AJ Perez for a 23-17 lead with just under six minutes remaining the fourth quarter.

Dana Hills cornerback Hayden Dendiu and wide receiver Owen Chambers also played in the game for the South team, which was coached by San Juan Hills head coach Rob Frith.

Other local area players in the game included San Clemente’s Ethan Rooney; San Juan Hills’ Chase Schmidt, Cole Monach, John Gaines and Ryan Murphy; JSerra’s Chase Barry and Luke Berry; and St. Margaret’s Jack Ruff and Will Stahl.

Full photo galleries for the game can be found at jpwestphoto.com.

Girls Water Polo Wins Playoff Opener Despite its No. 3 seed in CIF-SS Division 3, the Dana Hills girls water polo team began its playoffs on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 8, but the Dolphins were undeterred.

On the strength of four-goal performances from three different players, Dana Hills dispatched Villa Park, 14-8, in a first-round match at Garden Grove High School.

Senior Lily Verna and juniors Claire Berger and Sadie Riester each scored four goals for Dana Hills. Junior Kate McCulloch also scored a goal and added Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

Dana Hills senior quarterback Bo Kelly was named offensive MVP of the Orange County North-South All-Star Classic on Saturday, Feb. 5. Kelly has signed a letter of intent to play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Photo: Courtesy of JP Westerbeck Photography

two assists. Junior Emma McCulloch posted three assists. Senior goalie Madison McGowan made nine saves and added two assists.

The Dolphins remained on the road for the second round, as Dana Hills traveled to Elsinore High in Wildomar on Thursday, Feb. 10. Results were not available at press time.

If Dana Hills won, the Dolphins would host the Citrus Valley-Beckman winner in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Feb. 12.

In the CIF-SS playoffs, only league champions are guaranteed first-round home matches. Dana Hills was the third-place entry out of the South Coast League, and therefore, Villa Park, the second-place team in the North Hills League, was given priority for a home game.

Elsinore was the champion of the Sunbelt League and had a first-round bye.

That’s why Elsinore was guaranteed to host in the second round, its first game of the playoffs.

In a potential quarterfinal matchup, both Citrus Valley and Beckman had hosted games in the first two rounds, so Dana Hills, which had not hosted a game, would be guaranteed to host the next round, no matter which team it played.

Boys Basketball Earns No. 3 Seed in Division 3A Despite its late slip-ups in Sea View Page 17

League play, the Dana Hills boys basketball team still earned the No. 3 seed in Division 3A when the CIF-SS playoff brackets were released on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Dana Hills was still an at-large selection as a non-automatic team from the Sea View League, so the Dolphins open the playoffs on the road at a league champion. Dana Hills will play at San Jacinto, champion of the Mountain Pass League, on Friday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m.

San Jacinto was 8-0 against league opponents and 4-9 outside of league, with one of those non-league wins coming in a tournament by 19 points against a league team San Jacinto beat by 31 points.

Dana Hills finished the regular season 15-9 overall and ended tied with lastplace El Toro in the Sea View League with a 1-5 record. The Dolphins’ and El Toro’s lone league wins came against each other. Dana Hills’ five league losses also came consecutively in the last five games of the regular season.

The Dolphins now get a chance at a clean slate in their first trip to the playoffs since 2020. Dana Hills is looking for its first playoff win since 2019, when the Dolphins lost in the Division 4AA quarterfinals.

If Dana Hills wins, the Dolphins would host the Chino-Corona winner in the second round on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

The quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 18, and the semifinals will be played on Feb. 22. The finals are scheduled for Feb. 26.

Roundup The Dana Hills girls basketball team held a ranking in CIF-SS Division 4A for a majority of its season, but an 0-8 finish in the South Coast League pushed the Dolphins out of playoff contention. Dana Hills was in the poll as recently as last week, at No. 12, and was as high as No. 3 on Jan. 10 and No. 4 on Jan 18. The Dolphins finished 1215 overall, with their closest margin of defeat in league at 11 points.

The Dana Hills girls soccer team ended its season on a high note with back-to-back wins over El Toro and Mission Viejo. The Dolphins had lost nine in a row and 11 of 12 games with one draw. Dana Hills finished 3-12-1 overall and 2-7 in the South Coast League.

The Dana Hills boys soccer team earned a win and a tie among its final three games to get on the board in the Sea View League. The Dolphins beat Tesoro and then tied Trabuco Hills in the season finale. Dana Hills had one win in its final 12 games and finished 3-10-3 overall (1-7-1 in league).

Dana Hills baseball and softball kick off the spring season on Saturday, Feb. 12. Baseball opens with a home game against Cypress at 11 a.m., and softball is in the Savanna Showcase against Edison at 9 a.m. and against Edison at 11:30 a.m. DP danapointtimes.com

DP SURF

Dive into the Deep End When It Comes to Feeling Comfortable in and Under the Water, Deep End Fitness Has Answers

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

T

here’s never been another surfer like Kelly Slater, and last week he proved that yet again with perhaps the most masterful performance of his storied career. A week shy of turning 50 years old, Slater won the Billabong Pro Pipeline in heavy, hollow Pipe conditions.

It was Slater’s eighth win at Pipeline, his first coming a full 30 years earlier in 1992. For a little context, nobody who was still in the draw on finals day had even been born yet. And while he was unsure what the future holds for him, with tears in his eyes, Slater said it was “the best win of my life.”

To us mortals who just want to be able to keep surfing as long as we can, Slater’s age-defying abilities may seem baffling, but one of his secrets is that he spends an

Members of the Deep End Fitness crew are all smiles post-workout at the San Clemente Aquatics Center. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Kenworthy

inordinate amount of time in the water.

And while charging 12-foot Pipeline regularly may be out of reach for most of us, there’s a program in San Clemente that’s designed to help folks feel more comfortable under the water and give them the confidence to keep pushing forward.

Deep End Fitness in San Clemente was founded by a pair of former Marine Special Operators in 2018 as a way to train and prepare for whatever life threw at them.

“The workouts consist of breath work, surface and sub-surface swim movements and body weight exercises,” explains instructor Tyrus Griffin. “Currently, our programming is being used in performance centers, with the athletic training departments of several sports teams in between the NBA and MLB, as well as Olympians, UFC fighters, professional and amateur surfers.”

As far as surfing goes, the training program is phenomenal for developing

lung capacity, endurance and confidence in and under the water.

When she’s not chasing world titles around the globe or inspiring the next generation of girls to chase their dreams, Hawaii’s five-time world champ Carissa Moore has been known to jump in the pool with the Deep End crew.

“I really enjoyed diving in the deep end—literally and metaphorically—with Deep End Fitness San Clemente,” Moore told the San Clemente Times shortly before finishing runner-up at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. “It is great cross-training for surfing and getting pounded. Becoming more conscious and learning how to remain calm and save energy underwater is huge to overcoming my fears and pushing my performance in the ocean.”

But the program isn’t just for topflight professional athletes. The training is useful for anyone who wants to develop their skills and mental fortitude

in the water.

“Supporting one another and developing that sense of community is also a big part of it,” explains instructor Jason Kenworthy, who played a big role in Deep End Fitness coming to the area.

“We have people that are trying to overcome their fears of the water or looking to make a life change, as well as Olympic-caliber athletes in the pool at the same time, and everybody’s learning and improving together,” he adds.

And in terms of a personal testimony, a few months ago, Kenworthy invited me to join him for a training session.

Having surfed my whole life, played water polo in college and worked as a beach lifeguard for a number of years, I like to think I’m pretty comfortable in the water. But there’s always something to be learned and improvements that can be made.

After passing a quick water safety test, the workout lasted almost two hours. We went through a variety of exercises and drills, and to be honest, by the end, I was gassed—and for a few days after, I was pretty sore, but sore in a good way, the kind of way that you can tell is making a difference.

If you’d like to see what Deep End Fitness is all about, they meet at the San Clemente Aquatics Center every Monday and Wednesday evening from 5:45 to 7:30. There’s more information available on its website at deependfitness.com.

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

GROM OF THE WEEK

PEETA KENWORTHY

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

S

Peeta Kenworthy. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Kenworthy

Dana Point Times February 11-17, 2022

howing up and blowing up at the NSSA event in Huntington Beach last week was Peeta Kenworthy, who captured the 10 and Under Division for a much-deserved victory.

A regular around the San Clemente zone, from T-Street to Trestles, Peeta can most often be found ripping with her supremely talented brothers and sisters. Fortunately for Peeta, she has four siblings to enjoy the ocean with, and when they paddle out, the vibes are

always right.

A goofy-footer like her old man, Peeta surfs with a ton of style and has no problem hammering the lip when the opportunity presents itself.

Not just a talented surfer, Peeta takes after her older sister, Bella, and lights up the skatepark, too. Part of the Pink Helmet Posse, a girls’ skateboard brand, Peeta’s been rolling around on four wheels pretty much her whole life, and it shows. Like her surfing, she features heaps of style on the skateboard with a penchant for going big.

Congrats on the NSSA win, Peeta. Surely, there are more to come this season. DP

Water Temperature: 57-59 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 10-14 Outlook: Persistent South-southwest swell maintains waist-shoulder-head high surf, (3-4-5’) on Friday and Saturday, then waves ease to waistchest high, (3-4’) by Sunday. Pattern of light offshore mornings, followed by a light+ to moderate afternoon sea breeze is due to continue Friday through the weekend.

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com.

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