February 24, 2023

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TOP NEWS DANA POINT SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Council Honors Outgoing Dana Point Police Chief

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

After serving as chief of Police Services for the City of Dana Point the past four years, Capt. Kirsten Monteleone will be leaving the city to serve as Commander of Southeast Operations for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

In her new role, Monteleone will oversee the cities of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and South Orange County’s unincorporated areas.

Capt. Todd Hylton will take over as the new chief on Friday, Feb. 24.

“Having previously served the City of Dana Point, I look forward to returning in this new capacity and sharing my experience with the community,” Hylton said in a media release. “I am humbled and honored to lead the dedicated team that works hard daily to create a safe place to visit and live.”

Hylton joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2004 as a deputy in Custody Operations and Patrol Operations. He first served in unincorporated North Orange County, then the City of Yorba Linda. While working in Yorba Linda, Hylton started the city’s first Explorer

Division for youth interested in a career in law enforcement.

When he was promoted to sergeant, he worked a variety of assignments, including Custody Operations and Court Operations, before becoming a field supervisor in Dana Point. Hylton also worked in the Mutual Aid Bureau, Internal Affairs and as the department’s public information officer.

Hylton was promoted to lieutenant in 2022 and served as a watch commander and then special projects lieutenant at the Theo Lacy Jail.

During its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Dana Point City Council honored Monteleone for her time as the city’s chief of police.

“Capt. Monteleone has developed and empowered her personnel through her service philosophy to work collaboratively on solutions to law enforcement issues in the community,” Mayor Mike Frost said. “On behalf of the City Council and staff, we congratulate you on your promotion to the position of Commander of Southeast Operations.”

“This position is a great reflection on Capt. Monteleone’s leadership and future with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department,” Frost continued. “Again, it’s bittersweet; we’re disappointed to see you go, but you deserve it, and our community is certainly better for having you.”

Vickie McMurchie, executive director for the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, congratulated Monteleone on her promotion on behalf of the local business organization.

“You have been a tremendous asset to the community and a dedicated partner to the business community,” McMurchie said. “Always making yourself accessible, lending a listening ear and generously sharing your decades of experience or expertise with all of us.”

Reflecting on her time as chief of Police Services, Monteleone said she was most proud of the relationships she’d built in the city.

“The relationship that the Sheriff’s Department has with the City of Dana Point is unparalleled, and it’s pretty magical,” Monteleone said. “When you get to build your own team around you, great things happen, and I think we’ve done some really great things here in Dana Point.”

When asked what advice she would give to her successor, Monteleone said to “take care of the people, the deputies, the city and everybody who has their hands in Dana Point.”

“It’s a great community; make it better,” Monteleone continued. “Continue the work that we started and grow and make it better,”

During the meeting, Monteleone added that she will miss the deputies, councilmembers, staff and “the 34,000 amazing people that live in the city.”

“We’ve really built a family here, and I want Todd to continue that family,” Monteleone said. “This is what makes this place so special is how we all come together. We all work together, and we

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

SATURDAY, FEB. 25

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.

MONDAY, FEB. 27

Dana Point Planning Commission

6 p.m. The Dana Point Planning Commission will hold a regularly scheduled meeting. This meeting will also be livestreamed through the city’s YouTube channel. A link for livestreams and replays is available on the city’s website. Dana Point Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern Street, Suite 210, Dana Point. danapoint.org

TUESDAY, FEB. 28

Because I Love You (BILY)

6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parent navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, substance misuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference and in person/Zoom the first Tuesday of each month at The Noble Path Foundation. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com. The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N El Camino Real, San Clemente.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

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.

come to solve a common problem, and that makes this the best place to live and work and be, and it truly is.”

During its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Dana Point City Council celebrates outgoing Chief of Police Services Capt. Kirsten Monteleone, pictured here holding a commemorative street sign bearing her name.

Photo: Breeana Greenberg

Parents of Imprisoned Navy Officer in Japan Fight for his Return

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Six months after their son, U.S. Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis, began a three-year prison sentence in Japan, Capistrano Beach residents Suzi and Derek Alkonis continue to fight to bring him home.

Ridge was sentenced to serve three years in prison by a Japanese court in October 2021 after being convicted of negligent driving following a 2021 car crash that resulted in the death of an 85-year-old Japanese woman and a 54-year-old Japanese man.

The Tokyo High Court denied Ridge’s appeal in July 2022. Since Ridge’s arrest, his parents have turned to lawmakers and the federal government, pleading for their son’s return home and to reform a long-standing agreement between the U.S. and Japanese governments.

According to Suzi and Derek, Ridge fell in love with Japan during a church mission. Ridge left the Naval Academy after two years to serve a two-year church mission overseas in Nagoya, Japan, where he learned to speak Japanese.

When he returned from his mission, he reapplied to the Naval Academy and completed his undergraduate education.

“When he came back after serving in Japan, he just really fell in love with the country and ended up studying oceanography and Japanese at the Academy,” Derek said.

Between his junior and senior years, Ridge interned at the Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C.

“He also led a group of midshipmen at the Academy back to Japan for a couple of weeks,” Derek said. “So, these are midshipmen that didn’t have exposure to the country, but they were learning Japanese.”

Following graduation, Ridge served his first tour of duty in Japan on a destroyer in the Seventh Fleet for four years.

During his junior year at the Naval Academy, Ridge met Brittany, whom he would marry soon after graduating. While he served his first tour in Japan, Ridge and Brittany had their first two children.

When the family returned to the U.S., Ridge completed a Master’s program at the Naval Postgraduate School.

In late 2020, Ridge and his family returned to Japan to begin service aboard the USS Benfold.

In May 2021, just before Ridge was set to be deployed, his kids asked that the family go for a hike on Mount Fuji, something they’d done before.

“They knew he was going to be deployed soon,” Suzi said. “That’s why they were doing special things with the

family, and so that’s why they took the trip to Mount Fuji.”

The family drove up to 8,000 feet, where they parked and hiked for about an hour until the kids were tuckered out, Suzi said.

“They were headed down the hill to a little place that serves ice cream that they like, going to have a little treat,” Suzi continued. “It was on that way down the hill when Ridge lost consciousness.”

Suzi added that Ridge was traveling slowly through a small town, no more than 25 miles an hour, when Ridge passed out at about 1 p.m. The car veered into a parking lot and hit some parked cars, Suzi said.

“The little ones were asleep,” Suzi said. “Brittany just closed her eyes, because she was feeling carsick. Ridge was actually talking to his daughter in the back seat. She was the one that actually saw him slumped over.”

Trying as hard as she could to wake her dad up, she kicked his seat and yelled, to no avail, Suzi said.

“Even crashing the car and the airbag deploying didn’t bring him around,” Suzi said.

Suzi explained that the crash was like a domino effect.

“The car that he was driving veered off the road into this parking lot, and he hit a parked car, which then was pushed into another parked car, and that car was pushed into a car where a family had just come out of a restaurant and were getting into the car,” Suzi explained.

A man in his mid-50s and a woman in her 80s died as a result of their injuries from the collision.

When the Japanese police took Ridge

into the station, he thought he would just give his statement, Suzi said.

“But they arrested him and then held him in solitary (confinement) for the next 26 days while they interrogated him,” Suzi said. “When he was released from his pretrial confinement, the Navy sent him through a complete battery of examinations, trying to determine to see: Did he have a heart attack? Did he have a stroke?”

Derek added that Ridge had asked to see a doctor throughout his pretrial confinement.

“They refused to allow him to see a doctor,” Derek said. “Throughout, it turns out that he was confined by the police for 26 days without having an attorney or anybody.”

“It’s difficult after it’s been almost 30 days, and now you’re going to the doctor; it’s difficult to find out exactly what happened,” Derek continued.

Suzi added that the Navy doctors had said that acute mountain sickness was the most likely diagnosis.

Prosecutors argued that Ridge fell asleep while driving, stating that he should have pulled over when he felt drowsy. The courts convicted Ridge of negligent driving.

The family ultimately offered the victims’ families more than $1.5 million in extrajudicial restitution, Suzi said.

Ridge began his three-year prison sentence on July 25, 2022 after a failed appeal to his negligent driving conviction.

The Alkonis said they’re fighting on two fronts: to bring their son back home and to advocate for an update to the Status of Forces Agreement between Japan

and the United States.

The Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) is an agreement between a country the U.S. is stationing military forces in and the U.S., which establishes the rights and privileges of American Armed Forces.

Derek and Suzi have argued that in Ridge’s case, the SoFA agreement was violated.

“The whole Status of Forces Agreement is to protect the constitutional rights of U.S. service members serving in foreign countries, and in this case, it was not upheld by the Japanese,” Alkonis said. “They denied him medical attention; they denied him access to an attorney.”

If an agreement were to be struck to bring Ridge home, it would likely be through a prisoner transfer, Suzi explained.

“Basically, he’s brought here to the United States, a panel of judges review his case, determine an equivalent crime and sentenced to be carried out here in the United States,” Suzi said.

The Alkonis are pushing for changes to the SoFA agreement with Japan in order to prevent other service members from receiving the same treatment as their son.

“We’ve been very fortunate to be able to fight for justice for our son, but we have always maintained that this is a bigger issue,” Suzi said.

While the couple wants to see their son on an airplane headed home as soon as possible, they say they won’t stop fighting to see to it that the SoFA agreement is changed.

“Even if he were to come home today, we would still keep pushing because of the vulnerability of every service member and their families and the contractors that serve with the military,” Suzi said. “They’re so vulnerable in Japan. The layers and layers of inadequate insurance, the SoFA violations, just so many problems that need to be addressed.”

Noting that the governors of both Utah and Arkansas have signed resolutions encouraging Congress and the National Security Council to review the SoFA between the U.S. and Japan, Derek said, “We need action from California.”

Suzi added that the family has seen bipartisan support in their efforts to bring their son home—“literally people across the aisle, shaking hands and standing shoulder to shoulder.”

Through their Instagram page @bringridgehome advocating for Ridge’s release, Suzi and Derek ask that community members write to their representatives to sign similar resolutions urging a review of the SoFA agreement.

“We just need to tell them that we want a resolution calling for an investigation of the SoFA, a revision of the SoFA and an investigation into the case of Lt. Ridge Alkonis,” Suzi said.

(From left) Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis, wife Brittany Alkonis and their kids—Ridge Jr., Liliana and Kalani—move to Japan in late 2020 for Ridge to begin service aboard the USS Benfold Photo: Courtesy of Suzi and Derek Alkonis

Young’s Beach Shack Opens at Salt Creek Beach

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The Ranch at Laguna Beach on Tuesday, Feb. 21, celebrated the opening of Young’s Beach Shack, a new concession stand at Salt Creek Beach. The outdoor beach cafe serves locally sourced, coastal cuisine and craft beers and wine.

Through the name and design, the concession stand is a nod to the beach’s history and the two brothers who once ran a successful beach stand there from 1925 to 1968. Young’s Beach Camp originally charged a quarter for daily beach admission.

Young’s Beach Shack pays tribute to Jim and Steve Young, who gave up farming inland to instead run their iconic

Hugs for Heroes Ends with over 1,000 Meals Delivered to Health Care Workers

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

With the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration anticipated to end on May 11, Hugs for Heroes is closing out its 2-year-long program supporting health care workers through the pandemic.

Hugs for Heroes was launched in January 2021 to support and encourage local health care providers at Mission Hospitals in Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach. Amid the surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in January 2022, the program was relaunched to support those health care providers.

Over the course of the program, Hugs for Heroes donated 1,015 meals to hospital workers by local Dana Point restaurants with the help of local nonprofits and individuals. The project was supported by the City of Dana Point, Capo Cares, Capo Beach Church, Dana Point Woman’s Club, Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club and participating restaurants.

With more than $10,000 in donations, Hugs for Heroes distributed carloads of snacks, drinks, handmade thank-you notes and meals to workers in the COVID wards.

Participating restaurants Jon’s Fish Market, Brio Tuscany Grille, Pepi’s, Subway and Charthouse provided meals for $10 apiece.

“It is the cooperation and support

Young’s Beach Camp concession stand at Salt Creek for more than 40 years.

The concession stand, located at 33521 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, is The Ranch at Laguna Beach’s second beachside restaurant, following the opening of the Lost Pier Cafe at Aliso Beach.

“We are excited to welcome our guests and local community to Young’s Beach Shack,” Kurt Bjorkman, chief operating officer of The Ranch at Laguna Beach, said in a media release. “Young’s offers fresh, locally sourced, top-quality food in a friendly, casual environment. It reflects the unique history and character of our community.”

Young’s Beach Shack serves seafood and comfort food, as well as beach picnic provisions, with an emphasis on sustainable ingredients. The concession stand is open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily, with parking available for $1 per hour.

Palisades Elementary School Seeks Volunteers

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Palisades Elementary School announced its partnership with local nonprofit advocacy group Capo Cares to encourage community volunteers to participate in programs at the school.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the school’s library, garden and art studio, as well as the STEAM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Or they can work closely with students to improve their academic skills in reading, writing or math. They can also tend to the garden on their own schedule during school hours and may help initiate garden projects with a class of students. In the library, volunteers can help check books in and out, reshelve books and may have the opportunity to read to classrooms of students.

Those interested in helping students with their reading, writing or math skills will work with one or two students after school from 2-2:45 p.m. Curriculum and materials are provided for volunteers to use.

“Together, we can grow our programs and special events, showcasing the cutting-edge learning happening at Palisades,” Principal Rebecca Bailey said in an email. To volunteer at Palisades Elementary School, individuals need to be fingerprinted and fill out paperwork. Fingerprinting costs about $80.

among various entities in our commu-

email. “Thank you all for making a difference by sending ‘hugs’ to our medical ‘heroes’ during the pandemic.”

Visit the Capistrano Unified School District’s website and click on the Volunteers icon for more information.

The Ranch at Laguna Beach on Tuesday, Feb. 21, opened its new concession stand, Young’s Beach Shack, an outdoor beach café that serves as a nod to shack’s former owners at Salt Creek Beach. Photo: Courtesy of The Ranch at Laguna Beach

Throughout the pandemic, Dana Point residents and business owners, including Shala O’Keefe of Jon’s Fish Market (pictured here), came together to collect individually wrapped snacks to donate to health care providers at Mission Hospitals. Photo: Courtesy of Toni Nelson

nity that makes Dana Point so special,” Toni Nelson of Capo Cares said in an

Letters to The Editor

SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN YOUR HOA ‘CHATTER’ PROVEN ACCURATE

PAUL WYATT, former Dana Point councilmember

I wrote a Letter to the Editor entitled “Short-Term Rentals are Coming to Your HOA” that was published in the Dana Point Times on Jan. 20.

In that letter, I warned homeowner associations (HOAs) in the Coastal Zone that unless the draft Short-Term Rental (STR) program before the City Council on Feb. 7 was altered, HOAs would not be able to prohibit STRs. The City of Dana Point responded with a letter to HOAs dismissing my letter as “chatter” and stating that the city would not permit STRs in HOAs.

On Feb. 16, the city sent a letter to HOAs quoting the same paragraph from the Coastal Commission that I quoted in my letter, acknowledging that under the city’s new STR program, HOAs must get approval from the Coastal Commission in order to prohibit STRs. The city is offering “a streamlined CDP process with a reduced fee,” but it makes no guarantee that the Coastal Commission will approve the CDP.

Although the attack on my integrity by the city stung and I feel vindicated, it will not affect my quality of life in Dana Point, but this STR program will affect the quality of life for HOA residents.

I’m writing to again call HOAs to action. Attend the city’s virtual meeting

on Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. and attend the City Council meeting on March 7 at 6 p.m., where a hearing on the STR ordinance is on the agenda.

Dana Point needs an STR program that is acceptable to both residents and the Coastal Commission; this is not it. This program ignores the input from residents and goes far beyond the requirements of the Coastal Commission.

We can and should do better, and it should not require a residents’ initiative to do so.

MY VOTE AND MY VOICE IN CITY GOVERNMENT

JILL RICHARDSON, Dana Point

I remember the negative campaign mailers loaded with lies sent to me right before the 2018 elections. This smear campaign funded by the Dana Point Taxpayers Association not only lied about Mr. Edward, but also stated negative false claims about three 2018 City Council candidates who were for heeding the concerns of city residents and against rampant development.

I believe this mailer, packed with lies and sent to thousands of voters right before our 2018 election, had a severe negative impact on the election, forcing voters to try to discern the truth among the prolific lies.

Dana Point is much more pro-development and anti-resident now based on the candidates who won that election.

Then, in the Feb. 17 edition of the Dana Point Times, there was a half-page retraction from the DPTA, openly stating that the 2018 mailers’ implications were completely false.

So, I’m asking: What can be done to prevent special-interest PAC money from

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.

influencing local elections for the benefit of business and to the detriment of residents? What are our City Council and city attorney willing to do to protect the power of the vote here in Dana Point?

There was another negative issue in 2018: Dana Point was divided into voting districts. The city hosted several meetings to gain public input about the change to our enfranchisement, but the public feedback has never been disclosed.

And in 2022, no doubt as a result of the districting, three open City Council seats were filled by council appointment, not by residents’ votes.

And now, the City Council is seeking input for the future of Dana Point. More workshops, more time, and more money spent. I plan to participate, but I wonder if my vote, my voice will be heard.

And so, I’m asking a few more questions: Will all public input of the “future vision” be disclosed? Is special-interest PAC money influencing the future vision? How do we prevent special-interest PAC lies from destroying our city?

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EDITORIAL

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Dana Point Times, Vol. 16 Issue 8. 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).

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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 2023. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

Photo: File/Lillian Boyd

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

DANA POINT TIMES

FRIDAY | 24

LIVE THEATER AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE

7:30 p.m. Watch a live performance of family comedy Over the River and Through the Woods at San Juan Capistrano’s local theater. Showings will continue through March 12. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

SATURDAY | 25

LOVE YOUR BEACH CLEANUP

9 a.m. Join the Doheny State Beach Foundation and give some love back to the ocean. Volunteers will meet at the picnic tables along the boardwalk adjacent to lifeguard headquarters and San Juan Creek river mouth. Complimentary parking passes will be given at check-in and are valid until 12:30 p.m. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. dohenystatebeach.org.

DANA POINT 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, handmade 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.

PET ADOPTION EVENT

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Heer to Rescue is hosting an adoption event with plenty of dogs available. There will also be a kissing booth for photo opportunities, and other items for donation such as dog bowls, toys and more. San Clemente Gym, 1108

SATURDAY | 25 MONARCH BUTTERFLY HABITAT PLANTING

9 a.m.-Noon. Join the City of Dana Point in creating habitats for Monarch butterflies in parks throughout the city. Water, tools and snacks will be provided. Volunteers will meet at Sea Canyon Park. Sea Canyon Park, 33121 Santiago Drive, Dana Point. jriyhani@danapoint.org. danapoint.org.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK

7 p.m. Learn about the eerie history of San Juan Capistrano as you walk through the downtown area and near Mission San Juan Capistrano. The walk is hosted by Haunted Orange County. Attendees are asked to meet at the visitor’s information booth near the train tracks. 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 866.446.7803. hauntedoc.com.

GEEKS WHO DRINK TRIVIA NIGHT

7-9 p.m. Left Coast Brewing presents trivia modeled after pub quizzes in Ireland and the United Kingdom, covering everything from Hungary to the Hunger Games. Teams can include up to six people. Winning teams earn bar cash and other prizes. Left Coast Tasting Room, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. eventvesta.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER

9 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Rock band Tijuana Dogs will perform. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

SUNDAY | 26

LIVE MUSIC AT PADDY’S

4-8 p.m. Come enjoy some live music and dance after having fish and chips and a pint. Local country act James Kelly Band will perform. Paddy’s Station,

26701 Verdugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

MONDAY | 27

BRIDGE GAME

12:30 p.m. The South Orange County Bridge Club hosts bridge games, Monday through Saturday. The club is a nonprofit owned by the members and welcomes people to use their minds and develop new friendships. They also offer classes for bridge players of different levels. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. galesenter@cox.net.

OPEN JAM

7-10 p.m. Play your own percussion, acoustic or electric instruments every Monday night at Knuckleheads. Amps are allowed, but drums are not. Knuckleheads, 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

TUESDAY | 28

PAINTING AND VINO

ORANGE COUNTY: ‘STARRY NIGHT’

6-9 p.m. Love the impressionists, especially Van Gogh and his style? Join Painting and Vino Orange County to make your own, under step-by-step instructions. This paint and sip event is at Bella Collina San Clemente. Enjoy easy step-by-step instruction from master artist Nick LeGuern. Have a fabulous time sipping, painting, and being creative with your friends at this fun-filled

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

painting class. You’ll be using acrylic paints to recreate the Van Gogh-inspired artwork. No painting experience is necessary to join. All supplies will be provided for you. Full bar and restaurant menu available for purchase. This event is suitable for adults and recommended for kids 13 and older. An adult must accompany any attending kids and must pay for a separate ticket. Tickets are $45. Bella Collina San Clemente, 200 Avenida La Pata, eventbrite.com.

TRIVIA TUESDAY

6:30 p.m. Test your knowledge every Tuesday night. Teams of two to six people are welcome to join in for a chance to win prizes. Call beforehand to reserve a table. Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria, 31781 Camino Capistrano, Suite 201, San Juan Capistrano. 949.429.3599. selmaspizza.com.

WEDNESDAY | 01

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.

USCG AUXILIARY

PUBLIC EDUCATION:

BOATING SKILLS & SEAMANSHIP

7 p.m. This comprehensive course is designed for both experienced and novice boaters. Topics include safety, radio, boat handling, rules of the road, knots, aids to navigation, knots and many other valuable subjects. Successful completion will get you the Boater Operator card not required to operate a vessel in California. Costs $70 per person and includes a textbook. To register, contact Eric Gritzmacher at ericgritzmacher@cox.net or 949.632.2378, or Guy Heaton at guyheaton3489@gmail.com or 949.345.9686. Dana Point Yacht Club, 24399 Dana Drive, Dana Point.

North El Camino Real, San Clemente.

Photo: Courtesy of Serhiy/Adobe Stock

OFFICIAL EVENT GUIDE

WELCOME TO THE 52 ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WHALES

Mayor’s Message

BYMAYOR MIKE FROST

IT IS

TO

OUR FESTIVAL OF WHALES, which commemorates Dana Point’s pride in its distinctive role in the migration of thousands of whales that pass along our city’s beautiful coastline.

Throughout that March weekend, there will be many opportunities for residents and visitors to experience whale watching, learn more about these great creatures at special presentations, and share in arts festivals, live music, classic car shows and so much more.

Over the years, many individuals have played an important role in ensuring we not only celebrate the whale migration but also honor our responsibility in caring for the beaches and ocean waters that are home to these great creatures.

There are many city leaders who have devoted much of their life to increase

awareness of this critical environmental legacy.

In 2022, we lost one of those iconic individuals, Wayne Rayfield.

He served on the Dana Point City Council from 1998 to 2006, was named Dana Point Citizen of the Year in 2004, and served as Mayor of the City of Dana Point in 2005.

He went on to serve as Director of the South Coast Water District from 2008 to 2022. During that time, he worked diligently on water conservation and protecting this important natural resource.

Ongoing efforts to care for the environment, our ocean, and beaches are vital.

That is why I am excited to share that on Sunday, March 5, at 9 a.m. during the Festival of Whales, volunteers can join one of two beach cleanups.

These are great ways to reduce litter, protect marine life, and raise awareness about the harmful effects of trash and plastic pollution. Later that day, everyone is invited to join in the “OC Streams of Hope” presentation. This is a countywide public arts and community cleanup campaign that will help to inspire people across Orange County and beyond to become even better stewards of our coasts and waterways.

Let’s all get inspired during this year’s Festival of Whales to do our part to ensure Dana Point and its coastline remain a safe destination for all marine life—especially our magnificent whales.

Festival of Whales Partners with Laguna Cliffs Marriott, Launches Concerts on the Cliff

Musical artists Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne will headline the Festival of Whales Foundation’s inaugural Concerts on the Cliff at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa on March 4.

The special “Ladies Night” event will be held on the resort’s Vue Lawn, where Easton, a two-time Grammy Award-winning artist, and American pop artist Dayne will perform.

And back in early January, the Foundation also announced that it has partnered with the Laguna Cliffs Marriott for the 52nd annual Festival of Whales, making the resort the preferred lodging partner.

“We look forward to introducing our own signature event as part of the festival and supporting the Festival of Whales

Foundation for many years to come,” Laguna Cliffs Marriott General Manager Jeff Perkins said in a media release.

“We are so fortunate to have a direct view of the festival happenings and beautiful Dana Point Harbor, the gateway to these extraordinary whale-watching experiences,” Perkins continued.

Donna Kalez, Festival of Whales Foundation chair and daughter of the festival’s founder, Don Hansen, added that the resort’s vision and values “align perfectly with the festival, as they promote ocean-friendly practices and are passionate about keeping our beaches clean and preserved for generations to come.”

—Breeana Greenberg

MEET THIS YEAR ’ S LOGO ARTIST

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Gearing up for the 52nd annual Festival of Whales, taking place in Dana Point from March 3-5, the event’s Foundation Board selected Rancho Santa Margarita resident Suzanne Maynard as this year’s logo artist.

The Festival of Whales Foundation previously held an annual logo design contest, accepting public submissions for that prior year’s logo. Before that, the foundation selected student designs for the logo.

The board chose this year’s designer from among its favorites of past entries. Maynard had submitted a logo to the design contest in 2017.

“It felt good, because at the time I was like, ‘I think this is a really good logo,’ and then I kind of forgot about it,” Maynard said. “It feels good to have the recognition that people like it.”

Maynard moved to California 10 years ago, after studying advertising at the Pratt Institute of Art and Design.

“I was in New York my whole life and just wanted a little change of pace,” Maynard said.

Maynard now lives in Rancho Santa Margarita and is a creative director at PRECISIONeffect.

When she first moved to South Orange County, Maynard especially enjoyed walking around the Dana Point Harbor. She even had her baby shower in the harbor.

Submitting the Festival of Whales logo design was a fun side gig, Maynard said. When drawing up the logo design, Maynard merged the warm, colorful aesthetic of the ’70s with beachy, coastal California vibes.

“I’m not a California native, and whenever I thought of California, I thought of this very vintagey, beachy vibe,” Maynard said. “It felt very nostalgic. I knew I wanted to create something with that kind of ’70s feel to it, that texture, the color.”

Suzanne Maynard, the Rancho Santa Margarita artist behind this year’s Festival of Whales logo, shows off her design that has been used to promote the 2023 event.

Photo: Courtesy of Suzanne Maynard

AN HONOR THIS TIME OF YEAR

CELEBRATE

ISLAND

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, MARCH 4

OCEAN INSTITUTE

WELCOMING OF THE WHALES

Purple

4:45-9 p.m. The Festival of Whales and Ocean Institute invite the community to a sunset welcoming ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen Nation, along with a Dana Point Surf Club paddle-out at the Marine Protected Area beach behind the Ocean Institute. Following the beach ceremony, a reception will be held inside the Ocean Institute. The event will include food truck cuisine and beverages for purchase, a screening of the Humpback Whales movie, Ocean Institute’s free interactive educational activities and displays, live music and Festival merchandise for sale. 5

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

WAY/DP HARBOR

DRIVE

FESTIVAL OF WHALES PARADE

10 a.m. The parade route starts at the Richard Henry Dana statue on the Island Way Bridge and proceeds over the bridge, then right on Dana Point Harbor Drive and continues until it ends at Golden Lantern. The parade can be viewed from sections of the Island Way Bridge and along Dana Point Harbor Drive. The parade features giant helium parade balloons, marching bands, school groups, nonprofit organizations and floats. For more information, email recreation@danapoint.org. 1, 8, 2

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL YOUNG ARTISTS SHOW AND SALE

10 a.m.-4 p.m. High school students from DHHS/SOCSA present artworks in various mediums for purchase. See pottery, photography, drawing, painting and more. 8

JUST HAVIN’ FUN CAR CLUB SHOW

Noon-4 p.m. On the east side of the Island Way bridge, there will be the Just Havin’ Fun Car Club Show, which will feature a large selection of classic cars, from muscle cars to hotrods to trucks and American family cruisers. 9

GOLDEN LANTERN/DP HARBOR DRIVE WHALES, TAILS & ALES (STREET FAIR)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Pet Project Foundation for a day of outdoor fun for the whole family—both the two-legged and four-legged members! Enjoy craft beer, delicious eats, live music, kid-friendly fun with our friends from Dave & Buster’s, dog costume contests, local artisans, dog-friendly vendors and much more. Find out more at peprojectfoundation.org. 2

BABY BEACH

CARDBOARD CLASSIC & DINGHY DASH

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Westwind Sailing hosts their 6th Annual Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash. This event is a fun-filled, family-oriented day that includes a cardboard boat building contest and race (the Dinghy Dash), business boat exhibition and public vote, food, event celebrity emcee Jim Taylor, music and awards. For more information or to register a team, visit

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

westwindsailing.com/cardboard-classic-dinghy-dash or call 949.492.3035. 15

CLAM CHOWDER COOK-OFF

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Join the fun of the 10th annual Fish for Life Clam Chowder Cook-Off, featuring delicious bites form all your local favorite restaurants! The cost to taste all chowders is $10. Guests will receive two voting tickets: one to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award, and one for the Best Booth Decoration. Find out more at fishforlife.org. 15

LAGUNA CLIFFS MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA

CONCERTS ON THE CLIFF

3-8 p.m. As the official hospitality partner of Dana Point Festival of the Whales, join Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa for this special Ladies Night event featuring artists Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne in conjunction with Bobby Dee Presents. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. 17

DANA WHARF

WYLAND ‘ART LESSONS IN THE WILD’

9-9:45 a.m. Marine muralist Wyland continues the Landmark Whale and Dolphin Adventure “Art Lessons in the Wild,” facilitating the most creative experience on the water. Each participant will receive a free gift and create their own work of art aboard a Dana Wharf vessel. All of the artwork will be judged by Wyland himself, with multiple winners and a grand prize winner who will receive a special framed and signed art creation by Wyland, valued up to $3,000. 3

HARPOON HENRY’S

MARINE MAMMAL LECTURE SERIES:

ALISA SCHULMAN-JANIGER

9:30-10:30 a.m. Enjoy a continental breakfast while listening to a fascinating talk by Alisa Schulman-Janiger on the California Orca and Gray Whale Census. Admission is $10 for adults; children are free. 13

ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT SOCIETY SHOW

10 a.m.-4 p.m. See antique and classic boats on display, including vintage mahogany and fiberglass models. Boats will be in the parking lot directly east of Harpoon Henry’s. 6

BABY BEACH

DIAMOND DIG

9 a.m.-noon. Join Monarch Beach Rotary Club for the annual Diamond Dig at Baby Beach, which raises money for children’s charities. Buy a shovel for $10, dress like a pirate, and start digging at 11 a.m. Find out more at danapointrotary.org. 15

STAND-UP PADDLING CLINICS

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the SUP craze and learn firsthand why it’s the fastest growing water sport today. These 45-minute water clinics will be held each hour on the hour—weather and conditions permitting. The cost to join is $10. Lifejackets are provided. Head to the booth at the OC Sailing & Event Center. More information can be found at westwindsailing.com. 7

INTERACTIVE SAILING RIDES

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Take a sailing ride and learn how to steer and sail a Capri 14! For $10, anyone 5 and older can enjoy 20-minute rides (with three participants maximum per boat)—weather and conditions permitting. Lifejackets will be provided. Find the Westwind Sailing booth at the OC Sailing & Event Center. All proceeds are donated to the Dana Point Aquatic Foundation for educational boating scholarships benefiting at-risk youth and adaptive boating programs. Check out westwindsailing.com for details. 7

CONCERT ON THE WATER AND BBQ

Noon-5 p.m. Bring your beach chairs and blankets to enjoy an afternoon of music, food and spirits. This free concert is held at Baby Beach, in the Dana Point Harbor with the bands playing on a floating dock. 15 Noon-12:30 p.m. Andrea Sheva (singer/ guitarist)

12:30-2:30 p.m. The Moondog Miller Band

3-5 p.m. The Reflexx

HARPOON HENRY’S

MARINE MAMMAL LECTURE SERIES:

KIRSTEN DONALD

9:30-10:30 a.m. Enjoy a continental breakfast accompanied by a talk with Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s Kirsten Donald on sea lion entanglement, rehabil-

itation and research. Admission is for $10 adults; children are free. 13

DANA WHARF

STORY TIME

10-11 a.m. Join Nona the Naturalist inside the belly of a whale for story time and learn some fun facts about cetaceans. What’s a cetacean? Find out as you sit inside a 25-foot blow-up whale. 3

KIDS’ FISHING CLINIC AND TRIP

Noon-12:30 p.m. & 12:45-5:15 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites all children to join this dockside fishing clinic and learn hands-on techniques on fishing from the experts. Prizes will be raffled off at the end of the clinic, which will be followed by a fishing trip. Adult admission is $61, plus license and equipment; children 12 and under are $10 with a purchase of a full price adult ticket. 3

DOHENY STATE BEACH

WHALE OF A CLEANUP

9 a.m.-noon. Celebrate the majestic migratory Gray Whale and the Festival by getting that debris off the beach before it washes out to sea and poses a threat to marine life. Those interested in participating should plan on meeting by the picnic tables along the boardwalk adjacent to the San Juan Creek river mouth. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and drinking water. 14

OCEAN INSTITUTE

STAND UP TO TRASH BEACH CLEANUP

9-11 a.m. Check in at the front of the Ocean Institute to sign up and get supplies (bags, buckets and grabbers). Stand Up to Trash encourages the “BYOB” philosophy (bring your own bucket or reusable bag, reusable gloves, water bottle or coffee cup) to help reduce any additional waste, but collection supplies will be available at check-in; then you’re free to roam the beach, ocean or surrounding areas to clean on your own, or make it a fun group project with friends and family. Pre-registration at standuptotrash.com is encouraged. 5

correspondnumbers with map on the following pages.

!

DANA POINT HARBOR

FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Logo merchandise will be available for purchase at booths near Dana Wharf Whale Watching on both days, as well as at the Whales, Tails & Ales Street Fair on Saturday, and at Baby Beach on Sunday. 2, 3, 15

HARBOR MUSIC SERIES

Noon-3 p.m. Enjoy a variety of musical styles and sounds presented by Dana Point Harbor Partners, and in conjunction with Community Outreach Alliance. Musical performances will take place in the Dana Wharf Courtyard area in front of El Torito, and along the Harbor Walkway in front of Coffee Importers. 3, 13

ISLAND WAY/DP HARBOR DRIVE

ART IN THE PARK

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Browse through booths of local artisans presenting artwork in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, gems and fossils, art glass and sea glass, wood, pottery, jewelry, textiles and much more. Art in the park will be held on the west side of Island Way, on the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive. 8

GOLDEN LANTERN/DP HARBOR DRIVE

WYLAND CLEAN WATER EXHIBIT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

10 a.m.-4 p.m. The popular Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience is a 1,000-square-foot science exhibit on wheels dedicated to inspiring and educating people everywhere about the state and future of our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The exhibit includes a 40-person onboard theater, an exhibit room with a running river, computer modeling simulations, interactive touch exhibits, and actual rain falling over an urban landscape. 2

BOTH DAYS OF FESTIVAL

HARBOR WALKWAY

DANA POINT FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION

SHOW & SALE

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Art will be on display at the Harbor Boardwalk along the boat docks in Mariner’s Village on the east side of the Coffee Importers Espresso Bar and Harpoon Henry’s restaurant. Watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, woodworking and photography by many award-winning local artists will be available for purchase. 10

All Month Long

LANTERN DISTRICT

DANA POINT HISTORICAL SOCIETY WALKING TOUR

2 p.m. Join historians on the Dana Point Historical Society’s annual historic town center Walking Tour. See and hear the stories of historic landmarks, view home exteriors of S.H. Woodruff’s original 1920s planned community, as well as bluff top harbor views that represent the area’s early history. The tour meets at the corner of PCH and Blue Lantern, in front of the historic building now home to Coastal Kitchen. 16

OCEAN INSTITUTE

OCEAN INSTITUTE

WHALE TAIL SCAVENGER HUNT

March 5- 27. Eight decorative wooden whale tails will be hidden throughout the Dana Point Harbor area from March 4-19. To enter for a chance to win a whale watching trip for a family of four, and $300 in gift cards to local Dana Point businesses, find all eight whale tails, take a photo standing by each, and email all eight photos to recreation@danapoint.org by March 28. And don’t forget to post on social media with #DPRecWhaleTailSighting and #festivalofwhales. Please don’t remove any of the whale tails once you have found them. For additional information, contact the City of Dana Point Recreation Division at 949.248.3536.

CLASSIC CAR DISPLAYS

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pacific Coast Corvettes

Club Car Show will display dozens of classic Corvettes both Saturday and Sunday, west of the Island Way bridge. On Saturday, also on the west side of the bridge, the SoCal Woodies Club Car Show will display the best example of iconic Woodie wagons—the classic vehicle of early Southern California surf culture—and on Sunday, the Austin Healy Association of SoCal and the Jaguar Owners Club of LA will display fine British motorcars for the British Invasion Car Show. 11, 12

DOHENY STATE BEACH

DOHENY STATE BEACH VISITOR’S CENTER OPEN HOUSE TOUR

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit Dana Point’s hidden gem—the Doheny State Beach Visitor’s Center—for an open house tour and Q&A session focused on the center’s whale collection displays. 14

The Ocean Institute will be open to feature several general admission activities such as a Gray Whale Pop-up Museum, Whaling History, Jr. Whale Researcher, Senses of the Sea and much more. Admission for adults is $15; $10 for seniors; and $7.50 for kids. Head to oceaninstitute.org for more details and to purchase tickets. 5

ECO HEROES:

DREAM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari will premiere virtual experiences for guests to enjoy on the business’s YouTube channel. These virtual experiences will include Doug Perrine, an award-winning photographer and researcher; Rick Erkeneff of Surfrider Foundation; and Tom Mustill, an author, photographer and researcher.

Whale Watching

OCEAN INSTITUTE

BOTH DAYS OF FESTIVAL AND BEYOND

DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Use Dana Wharf’s promo code FOW23 to save $10 off all tickets, excluding special (already discounted) 8 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. trips. For reservations, call 1.888.224.0603 or visit danawharf.com.

CAPT. DAVE’S DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING SAFARI

8 a.m.-4 p.m. For a limited time, save 20% instantly when you book a 2½hour Signature Safari or two-hour Zodiac Safari. For reservations, schedule and information: 949.488.2828 or visit dolphinsafari.com.

10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. These Marine Mammal Cruises depart twice each day. Join the crew for an experience you will never forget. This 2½-hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean Institute’s 65-foot research vessel, takes you miles beyond the Dana Point Harbor jetty in search of marine mammals such as migrating Blue whales, large schools of playful dolphin, the impressive sunfish known as Mola, and more. For more information or reservations, please visit oceaninstitute.org or call 949.496.2274.

WHALE WATCHING FROM LAND

8 a.m.-4 p.m. During this peak season, 40-50 whales pass by Dana Point each day, using the Dana Point Headlands’ 200-foot cliffs near the harbor as a landmark to check their migration path. Enjoy blufftop viewing from the Headlands Nature Interpretive Center.

MERCHANDISE FESTIVAL OF WHALES

EVENT MAP

Purple numbers correspond with event schedule.

The 2023 Dana Point Festival of Whales merchandise offerings include a colorful array of adult- and children-sized long-sleeve and short-sleeve T-shirts, zip-front and pullover hoodies, lapel pins and posters. There’s something for everyone!

MERCHANDISE BOOTH LOCATIONS

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

4:45-7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Welcoming of the Whales at Ocean Institute

Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, in the Wharf parking lot) Whales, Tails & Ales Street Fair

Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, in the Wharf parking lot) Near the Concert on the Water at Baby Beach

* Merchandise quantities are limited. Booths may close early if items sell out.

GETTING TO THE FESTIVAL

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

ATTENDEES CAN HOP ON ONE OF SEVERAL TROLLEYS OPERATING through the harbor to get to each event. Trolleys will make stops along Dana Point Harbor Drive, stopping in most Harbor area parking lots and event locations from Baby Beach to Puerto Place.

The Festival of Whales will offer off-site parking and trolley service throughout the weekend from Dana Hills High School. The festival trolley will make stops throughout town, and will shuttle guests from the Harbor and back. Festival organizers strongly encourage visitors to avoid Harbor traffic and take advantage of the parking at Dana Hills.

For the first time in the Festival of Whales’ 52-year history, a bike corral will be available for cyclists to store their bikes and e-bikes during the Festival weekend from March 4-5.

On Saturday, March 4, the bike corral will be located on the corner of Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, in the main harbor parking lot. On Sunday, March 5, the corral will be located at Baby Beach.

Doheny Bike will provide staffing for the corrals, with Rosen Law Offices sponsoring the new service.

For more information, visit festivalofwhales.com.

GETTING AROUND

TROLLEY and Parking Information

FREE trolleys will run on Saturday (Parade Day) from 7 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6:30 PM. This special Festival trolley service will begin at Dana Hills High School and include a few downtown stops, the Community Center, most Harbor area parking lots and event locations, except for a short period of time on Saturday, when a special Parade time route will run from 7 AM to approximately 11:30 AM. Avoid traffic and plan to park at the high school and trolley down to the celebration!

EBike Corrals

Bike corrals will be located in the main Harbor parking lot (on the corner of Golden Lantern & Dana Point Harbor Dr.) on Saturday, March 4 and will be located at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Riders must provide their own bike locks.

PARADE TIME SHUTTLE ROUTE

Hourly parking ($3/hour, $6 minimum/$15 max for all day) is available at Doheny State Beach at the automated payment kiosks. You may also use the Passport Parking app at https://ppprk.com/ park/.

In addition to making the initial payment via the app, time can also be added remotely from your cell phone or tablet. Free parking is available in and around the Harbor, along with some paid lots. Most of the Harbor’s FREE lots are limited to four hours maximum. Keep track of time or better yet, opt for all-day parking at Doheny.

DANA HILLS STUDENTS GET UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WITH DANA WHARF TRIP

BY COLLIN BREAUX

You Never Know What You Will See

BY CAPT. DAVE ANDERSON

I AM A BLESSED MAN WITH AN UNUSUAL OCCUPATION.

I, we, have seen a lot off the coast of Dana Point over the past 28 years. I have witnessed a pod of more than 10,000 common dolphins, so large it stretched out over five miles. I’ve watched pacific white-sided dolphins and bottlenose dolphins bow riding and frolicking in front of blue whales and humpbacks and gray whales and make themselves just as vulnerable in front of our boats.

In separate incidents, we had a bottlenose dolphin and a pilot whale pushing their dead calf around unable to let go, grieving. One day, I was surprised by a gray whale mom with twins, because they normally have only one calf.

I have filmed so many amazing things with my drone within a few miles of our harbor, such as dolphin stampedes or a blue whale calf nursing from her mother or a group of eight gray whales swimming together like dolphins.

I couldn’t believe my joy at seeing a humpback whale free itself from a prawn trap, just outside Dana Point Harbor, with violent thrashes and breeches twisting and turning because they have no hands or arms to untangle themselves.

I have seen countless balloons in the water, day after day. Balloons that should be illegal to release, like any other littering on land or in the ocean.

We’ve seen hundreds, maybe thousands, of gray whales pass by our whistle buoy, jetty and harbor entrance, a few mistakenly even coming inside our harbor. I have seen gray whales breach and reach for the sky, and I’ve seen them die, taking their last breath on the shore after being entangled for over a year.

I have been towed by a blue whale

and then thought about him for days after he escaped our attempt to free him of 200 pounds of crab traps. I’ve seen way more failures than successes, as many here in Dana Point have answered their silent calls for help over the years. I’ve made my living from whales, and so I was willing when they needed my help.

One day, I had to make the call to leave and give up on the rescue of an entangled gray whale calf, because her mom wouldn’t let us get close enough to her offspring to remove the fishing gear. It was heartbreaking.

So, in January, when a gray whale actually gave birth in front of three of our whale-watching boats, I was moved to tears.

She could have easily moved away from us. Why would she give birth next to our whale-watching boats and then bring her weak, flopping progeny over to our boats, as she did that day? As if to say, “Hey, look at my beautiful calf,” as gray whales often do in the birthing grounds in Baja.

Why, when our own dogs wouldn’t even do that and might not even let you near their pups? Why did she trust us? Why do they trust us when we hunted them almost to extinction and fill the ocean with plastic and accidentally catch them in fishing gear or run them over?

We have the first and longest-running Festival of the Whales. And it is fitting. We should have a festival; we should celebrate the gray whale migration. We should celebrate all their courage—to not run away, far away from us.

And, instead, let us carefully watch them. And even trust us with their newborn. We can do better with what has been given to us to care for and protect. And we will.

Instead of taking a test or turning in homework, Dana Hills High School student Maddie Keene spent part of her school morning out on the water.

Keene, 16, was onboard a Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching boat on Thursday, Feb. 2, for a class trip visual arts students took in conjunction with the upcoming Festival of Whales.

The boat ride out of Dana Point Harbor is an annual tradition intended to foster ecological curiosity in students and so they can explore different environments in their own backyard.

Some students, including Keene, took photos of the water and sea lions they saw for a class project. Other students will draw what they witnessed or artistically convey the trip in other ways.

“I think it’s really cool that our school is able to experience these types of things, especially because we live in this area,” Keene said. “I’m really grateful that we get to have this experience when there are a lot of other kids who don’t get to see the ocean in their lifetime. I just always feel super grateful.”

Keene has gone on previous whale watching excursions, but Thursday’s outing was her first time with classmates. She has previously participated in the Festival of Whales, which will happen at around the Dana Point Harbor this year from March 3-5.

“Last year, what we did is we took whales and made a logo for the Festival of Whales,” Keene said.

This school year marks the first time Keene is studying photography, though she has taken other art classes in the past.

“Being able to take pictures of the cool stuff of the area that we live in,” Keene said of what she likes about photography. “Dana Point is a very photographic area to live in.”

Visual arts instructors Jon Ginnaty, Chau Tran and Natalie Hribar-Kelly accompanied their students on the trip. Ginnaty—who teaches ceramics—said his students might translate their trip into ceramic work if possible but, if not, will still

appreciate the life experience of going out in the Pacific Ocean.

“Festival of Whales will have a booth that displays some of our student artwork,” Ginnaty said. “We’re gaining inspiration to turn around and make objects we’ll present at the booth.”

Getting outside the classroom is a wonderful experience for the kids, he said.

“A lot of these kids might not have the resources to go on a boat like this,” Ginnaty said. “To offer this opportunity is once in a lifetime for some of these kids. To just take a break from the classroom and be out in the sun and out in the nature, what you see and learn out here is more important than what you can pick up in one day in class.”

Nona Reimer, an educational consultant for Dana Wharf, said the trip can be a starting point for students to get motivated about helping conserve the ocean environment for whales and other marine life.

“That’s how it started for me. I was a marine ecology student at San Clemente High School,” Reimer said. “I was coming out on this boat, learning about gray whales, and here I am 50-some years later still concerned about these whales.”

Talking to students and seeing their love of art come together with concern for the whales is exciting, Reimer said.

“Putting that together is going to be an amazing door opening for their future,” she said. “It’s so important to have this partnership where we can bring these kids out here.”

Reimer also addressed the legacy of the Festival of Whales for the community.

“It goes back 52 years now,” Reimer said. “Our company, Dana Wharf, was instrumental in the founding of that program because it was so important to educate the community about these amazing gray whales that were migrating up and down the coast.”

“Going back 52 years is just about when the ecotourism business began of bringing the public out to see the whales,” she added.

For those interested in booking a whale watching trip of their own, please visit festivalofwhales.com.

Dana Hills High School photography student Maddie Keene, 16, takes photos during a boat trip with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching on Thursday, Feb. 2. Photo: Collin Breaux

A gray whale mom and her new calf swim around a Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari vessel. Photo: Courtesy of Matt Stumpf

‘THE GARTH GUY’ DEAN SIMMONS ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

BY COLLIN BREAUX, DANA POINT TIMES

Nostalgia will surely be in the air on March 4, when Garth Brooks tribute artist Dean Simmons performs the country singer’s tunes at The Coach House.

Simmons, who is based in Las Vegas, has never played at the San Juan Capistrano venue before and so is looking forward to his debut there.

The tribute singer makes a living imitating Brooks and goes by “The Garth Guy.” He secured The Coach House gig through his agent and has played other shows before in Southern California, a place he enjoys visiting for the weather and friendly residents.

“We’re really happy to be invited there,” Simmons said of the upcoming San Juan concert.

Not only does Simmons play all of Brooks’ biggest hits, he goes as far as looking and moving like the 1990s musical sensation. He aims to not only have similar clothes but also the same type of equipment—including using the same guitar and wireless headset microphone that Brooks did.

“I love to portray the ’90s version, with the bright clothes and all,” Simmons said.

“I try to present it as a fan of his and what he’s done for country music,” Simmons said.

As Simmons tells it, his unique vocation is one he found by happenstance. Simmons didn’t aim to imitate anybody.

Instead, he just grew up in a family of country singers. Simmons, too, took up the family pastime and—of course—sang what was on the radio at the time.

People told him he sounded like Brooks.

Then, in 1994, he ended up starting off as The Garth Guy when a concert organizer was looking for a Brooks tribute act.

“I fell backwards into it,” he said.

He’s now been The Garth Guy for almost 30 years.

Taking on the persona of Brooks has enabled Simmons to come out of his performance shell, since he was previously more of a self-described shy entertainer.

Performing Brooks songs in full regalia has enabled Simmons to travel the world and support his family through music, which he called a rare blessing. He regularly plays casinos or corporate events in Las Vegas.

Simmons also noted he’s been able to work with great entertainers.

“I play guitar, because I enjoy it,” he said.

When asked what the appeal of Brooks is, Simmons said Brooks was the benchmark for country music in the 1990s—which, before then, was considered more a genre for older

people.

“He put a little more of a rock edge into his music,” Simmons said. “He shook up the industry and brought a whole new generation into country music.”

“(Before Brooks), I was not cool for being into country music,” Simmons added.

Celebrating Brooks’ music is special for Simmons, who no longer has stage fright after nearly three decades of playing live. His attitude is more “let me at them,” because he has so much experience and confidence going into shows.

SHOW DETAILS

Saturday, March 4. Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. thecoachhouse.com. Tickets are $20.

As a further wholesome touch, Simmons also noted he performs with his wife on duets. “We have a nice chemistry on stage,” he said. DP

AT THE MOVIES

‘Knock at the Cabin’ Surprisingly Delivers

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

It’s February, and we’re already getting M. Night Shyamalan’s new film, Knock at the Cabin, since the laughably stupid Old (2021).

Any movie fan will tell you by now, you go into Shyamalan movies knowing they’re going to be his usual on-the-nose, predictable schlock. You enter the theater already trying to guess what the wacky twist is going to be or who in the cast is going to have the hammiest performance.

The funny thing about Knock at the Cabin is that there really aren’t much of those tropes to be found, surprisingly enough. After years of mediocrity and lowered expectations from viewers and critics, the successful filmmaker actually reminds us that he has a distinct directing style.

Like with some M. Night ventures, Knock at

the Cabin takes place in a single location with a group of strangers stuck together. Here, it’s in the middle of the New England woods where 7-year-old Wen (Kristen Cui) meets gym teacher Leonard (Dave Bautista) while catching grasshoppers outside her family’s vacation home.

Soon, she and her dads, Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge), discover Leonard and three other strangers—Sabrina (Nikki Amuka-Bird), Adriene (Abby Quinn) and Redmond (Rupert Grint)—come bearing weapons and a warning that the apocalypse could happen if one of them doesn’t sacrifice themselves.

Knock at the Cabin basically works as a showcase for Shyamalan’s skills as a visual director. The staging, atmosphere and editing are all solid and impressive enough to make up for his biggest weakness as an artist.

For whatever reason, he chose to hold back on his famous tropes this time and deliver a straightforward suspense-thriller with an apocalyptic background. We’re reminded of why the writer-director was considered the next big thing in Hollywood when The Sixth Sense (1999) was a hit, and continued the streak briefly with Unbreakable (2000) and Signs (2002).

The performances from the six actors in Knock are very strong, especially Bautista,

Aldridge and Cui. Knock at the Cabin isn’t perfect. The ending is still a bit underwhelming; the characters’ backstories are a little cliché; and Grint doesn’t really sound convincingly American.

But it’s tight and to the point without any extra fat. For those who haven’t checked in on our resident sci-fi/mystery/thriller moviemaker in a while and want to see that he still has it when he keeps it simple, Knock at the Cabin works well enough. DP

Country music fans will get to enjoy renditions of Garth Brooks songs, courtesy of tribute artist Dean “The Garth Guy” Simmons, on March 4 at The Coach House. Photo: Courtesy of Airbender Media

Photo: FilmNation / Universal Pictures

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

ERIN DARVAL BONELLI

Case Number: 30-2023-01302883-PR-LA-CJC

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will and or estate, or both, of ERIN DARVAL BONELLI

A Petition for Probate has been filed by MACKENZIE BONELLI and MEGAN GAEBEL in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE

The Petition for Probate requests that MACKENZIE BONELLI and MEGAN GAEBEL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

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:

Date: March 2, 2023 Time: 01:30 p.m. in Dept: C08

Address of Court: 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. (1) If you plan to appear, you must attend the hearing by video remote using the court’s designated video platform; (2) Go to the courts website at: http://www.occourts.org/ media-relations/probate-mental -health.html to appear for probate hearings and for remote hearing instructions; (3) If you have difficulty connecting to your remote hearing, call (657)622-8278 for assistance.

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 provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner:

Austin T. Borchard, Esq., 25909 Pala, Suite 300, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Ph: 949-457-9505

Published in: Dana Point Times, February 10, 17, 24, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

APN: 682-134-10 TS No: CA05000397-22-1 TO No: 220583547-CA-VOI NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE (The above statement is made pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(1). The Summary will be provided to Trustor(s) and/or vested owner(s) only, pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(2).) YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED April 27, 2018. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On March 20, 2023 at 09:00 AM, Auction.com Room, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Anaheim - Orange County, 100 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as the duly Appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on May 2, 2018 as Instrument No. 2018000160264, of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Orange County, California, executed by LISA KENTRUP, AN UMARRIED WOMAN, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as Beneficiary, as nominee for MARK 1 REAL ESTATE, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 34092 FORMOSA DRIVE, DANA POINT, CA 92629

The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee’s Sale is estimated to be $178,869.02 (Estimated). However, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary’s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the Trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee’s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. Notice

to Potential Bidders If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a Trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a Trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same Lender may hold more than one mortgage or Deed of Trust on the property. Notice to Property Owner The sale date shown on this Notice of Sale may be postponed one or more times by the Mortgagee, Beneficiary, Trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about Trustee Sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call Auction. com at 800.280.2832 for information regarding the Trustee’s Sale or visit the Internet Website address www.Auction.com for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case, CA05000397-22-1. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. Notice to Tenant NOTICE TO TENANT FOR FORECLOSURES AFTER JANUARY 1, 2021 You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 800.280.2832, or visit this internet website www.Auction.com, using the file number assigned to this case CA0500039722-1 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. Date: February 6, 2023 MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA05000397-22-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 Phone: 949-252-8300 TDD: 711 (800) 201-1622 By: Loan Quema, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ONLINE AT www.Auction.com FOR AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Auction.com at 800.280.2832 NPP0421187 To: DANA POINT TIMES 02/17/2023, 02/24/2023, 03/03/2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF DANA POINT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission of the City of Dana Point to consider the following:

Coastal Development Permit CDP22-0016 and Administrative Modification of Standards AMS23-0001 located at 33 Gavina: A request for a Coastal Development Permit to construct a two-story, 5,737 square foot single-family dwelling, with two attached garages totaling 754 square feet on a vacant lot, with an Administrative Modification of Standards to allow the single-car garage to be located with a 12-foot front yard setback different than the provisions (five (5) feet or 20 feet) of Planned Residential Development 3 in which the site is located.

Project Number: Coastal Development Permit CDP22-0016 and Administrative Modification of Standards AMS23-0001

Project Location: 33 Gavina (APN: 672-401-22)

Applicant/Owner: Brandon Architects / Hassan and Farah Kataf

Environmental: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the project is found to be Categorically Exempt per Section 15303 (Class 3 – New Construction of Conversion of Small Structures)

Hearing Date: Monday, March 13, 2023

Hearing Time: 6:00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible)

Hearing Location: 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (Dana Point City Hall)

All persons either favoring or opposing this proposal are invited to present their views on the above referenced project to the Commission at this hearing.

Note: This project may be appealed to the City Council in accordance with Dana Point Municipal Code Section 9.69.090. If you challenge the action taken on this proposal in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Dana Point prior to the public hearing. For further information, please contact Kurth B. Nelson III, Principal Planner at the City of Dana Point, Community Development Department, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 209, Dana Point, (949) 248-3572.

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20236654048

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BAKER CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

33311 BIG SUR ST

DANA POINT, CA 92629

Full Name of Registrant(s):

TIMOTHY RYAN BAKER

33311 BIG SUR ST

DANA POINT, CA 92629

This business is conducted by an Individual

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a

/s/ TIMOTHY BAKER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 1/24/2023

Published in: Dana Point Times Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236654574

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

WHATS UP DAN

24292 TAXCO DRIVE

DANA POINT CA 92629

Full Name of Registrant(s):

MICHAEL CAMPION

24292 TAXCO DRIVE

DANA POINT CA 92629

LEZLIE CAMPION

24292 TAXCO DRIVE

DANA POINT CA 92629

This business is conducted by a General Partnership

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/01/2023

/s/Michael Campion

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/30/2023.

Published in: Dana Point Times Feb 10, 17, 24, Mar 3, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 30-2023-01302882

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner

CHRISTIAN OROZCO filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present Name

CHRISTIAN OROZCO

Proposed Name

CHRISTIAN VERMEULEN

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: 03/16/2023 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. 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: 1/23/2023

JUDGE LAYNE H. MELZER, Judge of the Superior Court

Published: Dana Point Times, February, 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF DANA POINT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission of the City of Dana Point to consider the following:

Coastal Development Permit CDP22-0031 and Minor Site Development Permit SDP220048(M) at 208 Monarch Bay Drive: A Coastal Development Permit is requested to construct additions to a 2,140 square foot single-family residence within the within the Coastal Zone and within the Residential Single Family 4 (RSF 4) Zoning District that includes a 770 square foot addition to the northerly side of the house, a 423 square foot addition to the southerly side of the house and a 90 square foot addition to the southerly side of the garage. A Minor Site Development Permit is requested for a retaining wall exceeding 30 inches in height located within the northerly side yard and a small portion is located within the front yard. The new retaining wall would replace an existing retaining wall within the northerly side yard. The project also includes demolition of an existing 221 square foot gazebo and construction of a replacement gazebo with similar dimensions and in the same location within the rear yard.

Project Number: Coastal Development Permit CDP22-0031 and Minor Site Development Permit SDP22-0048(M)

Project Location: 208 Monarch Bay (APN: 670111-04)

Applicant: Andrade Architects, Inc.

Environmental: The project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15301 (e) (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).

Hearing Date: Monday, March 13, 2023

Hearing Time: 6:00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible)

Hearing Location: 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (Dana Point City Hall)

All persons either favoring or opposing the subject project are invited to present their views to the Commission at this hearing.

Note: This project may be appealed to the City Council. If you challenge the action taken on this proposal in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Dana Point prior to the public hearing. This project may also be appealed to the California Coastal Commission in accordance with Dana Point Municipal Code Section 9.69.090. The process includes but is not limited to contacting the Coastal Commission for the appropriate forms and instructions to file an appeal.

For further information, please contact Johnathan Ciampa at the City of Dana Point, Community Development Department, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 209, Dana Point, (949) 248-3591.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission of the City of Dana Point to consider the following:

Coastal Development Permit CDP22-0028 and Minor Site Development Permit SDP22-0057(M) at 32511 Caribbean Drive: A request to demolish an existing single-family dwelling with an attached garage, and construct a 6,597 square foot, two-story, single-family dwelling with an attached 603 square foot garage and multiple landscape retaining walls. The project is in the Coastal Overlay District as defined by the City’s Zoning Map and includes landscape retaining walls which exceed 30-inches in height, therefore approval of a Coastal Development Permit and a Minor Site Development Permit are required, respectively. This project was previously noticed for the January 9, 2023 Planning Commission meeting, but was tabled at the request of the applicant. The project design has not changed from the original request.

Project Number: CDP22-0028 & SDP22-0057(M)

Project Location: 32511 Caribbean Drive (APN: 670-053-03)

Applicant: James Conrad

Owner: Forte Living, LLC

Environmental: The project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15303 (Class 3 – New Construction).

Hearing Date: Monday, March 13, 2023

Hearing Time: 6:00 P.M. (or as soon thereafter as possible)

Hearing Location: 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (Dana Point City Hall)

All persons either favoring or opposing the subject project are invited to present their views to the Commission at this hearing.

Note: This project may be appealed to the City Council. If you challenge the action taken on this proposal in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Dana Point prior to the public hearing. The process includes but is not limited to contacting the Coastal Commission for the appropriate forms and instructions to file an appeal.

For further information, please contact Danny Giometti, Senior Planner, at the City of Dana Point, Community Development Department, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 209, Dana Point, (949) 2483569.

State of California – Natural Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS

Sealed bids will be electronically received for: Doheney State Beach Asphalt Repairs- Repair Roads, Parking Lots, and Walkways– C22925015, located at OCD.Bids@parks.ca.gov for the office of Department of Parks and Recreation, Orange Coast District, 3030 Avenida del Presidente, San Clemente, CA 92672 up to 2:00 p.m. PST, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read for performing the work as follows: Doheney State Beach Asphalt Repairs – Re-

pair Roads, Parking Lots and Walkways. The contractor shall remove and replace approximately 432,500 square feet of existing pavement to a 4’’ depth and haul away. Contractor shall apply tack coat and 1” hot mix asphalt overlay to approximately 27,500 square feet of the promenade pathway. Approximate 460,000 square feet of asphalt repairs is involved in this project located at Doheney State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. Materials shall be hauled offsite, out of the park, all according to the plans and specifications located in the bid booklet that can be downloaded at https://www.caleprocure.ca.gov/ pages/Events-BS3/event-search.aspx. Enter the department number of 3790 and the event number of 00000026040. You must enter both numbers to pull up the ad on CSCR.

Project Duration: NTC through March 31, 2024

Required License:  A or C12

Project Anticipated Start Date: October 16, 2023

Project Representatives: South Sector Maintenance Chief, Greg Kania, (949)366-8590, Greg.Kania@ parks.ca.gov, Doheney SB Maintenance Supervisor, Jennifer James, (949)429-9512, Jennifer.James@ parks.ca.gov, Contracts Administrator, Jakob Crawford, (949)919-1875, Jakob.Crawford@parks.ca.gov

NOTE:  A mandatory pre-bid site visit will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 10:00AM PST, at the maintenance yard of Doheney State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629, in Orange County, California. Attendance of the prime contractor or a delegated permanent employee of the prime contractor is required.  Failure to attend the pre-bid site visit will preclude eligibility to bid on this public project.

NOTE: DVBE at 6% participation mandatory requirement for Invitation for Bids (IFB).

SB Preference: State law allows certified small business (SB) and microbusiness (MB) firms to receive a 5% bidding preference on applicable state solicitations. The 5% preference is also available for non-certified businesses who subcontract 25% of contract amount with a certified SB/MB.a

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20236655620

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

MEDIA EPICENTER

24292 TAXCO DRIVE

DANA POINT, CA 92629

Full Name of Registrant(s):

MEDIA EPICENTER

24292 TAXCO DRIVE

DANA POINT, CA 92629

This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/01/2022

/s/Media Epicenter/Michael Campion, Chief Executive Officer

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 02/09/2023.

Published in: Dana Point Times Feb 17, 24, Mar 3, 10, 2023

Complete

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

An ‘All Access’ Backstage Meeting with a Special Friend

On Feb. 16, I had a reunion with a special friend. The last time I saw her in person was in 2020, just before COVID-19 spread. This reunion was special, as I was able to introduce my friend of 20 years, Mike Stipher of San Juan Capistrano, to Rosanne Cash, the late Johnny Cash’s eldest daughter.

The reunion took place at the Musco Center for the Arts, at Chapman University, in Orange.

And

why was it a reunion for me?

Because I’ve known Rosanne for 46 years, since she was 18. She is a four-time Grammy Award winner and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Rosanne has recorded 15 albums of different genres— country, folk, pop, rock, and Americana. She is also a prolific songwriter.

In the mid-1970s, when I was the marketing director for Victoria Station—the boxcar and caboose restaurant chain—I hired Johnny and worked with him for two years. He was our company spokesperson and sang our radio commercials. I also co-produced an album with him of his train

songs titled, Destination Victoria Station.

My friend Mike had met Johnny at the Victoria Station in Cincinnati in the 1970s, where he had been a bartender. He was thrilled to meet Rosanne.

the ins and outs of senior dating. Whew, it’s tiring.

GUEST OPINION

ON LIFE AND LOVE

Johnny and I had a nice friendship; he took me into San Quentin Prison for a “prisoners-only” concert. I attempt to see Rosanne in concert when she performs in Southern California, as she is my last living connection to Johnny.

BY TOM BLAKE

When I published Middle Aged and Dating Again, my first book in 1997, Johnny endorsed the back cover with these words:

“In the 20 years I have known Tom Blake, he has become an authority on dating and relationships.”

I’m not sure how Johnny knew that, but I happily accepted his endorsement. Now, after 28 years of writing dating columns, I’m still trying to understand

| Wellness & Prevention by Lauren Gallegos

AIM HIGH WORKS TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE MISUSE AMONG TEENS

Substance-use prevention has been around for a long time. From the “Just Say No” campaign of the ’80s to the OC Sheriff’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program that provides education to school-age youth on the dangers of drugs.

What we have learned is that prevention should include more than campaigns instructing youth to say no to drugs, or stand-alone education about the harms of youth using alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.

Such substances are prevalent and easy to access, and use of alcohol and marijuana is endorsed by celebrities and our culture. This is causing low perception of harm from their use. When teens

are asked why they use drugs, they say, “to escape reality,” “to chill out,” “to numb the anxiety,” or to “de-stress.”

What prevention professionals are hearing is that teens need support, and when they lack support, they find it in drugs and alcohol.

Before my partner, Greta, passed away last October, she and I had seen Rosanne, along with her husband, co-writer/producer, and arranger John Leventhal, in concert five times. Seeing Rosanne last week was the sixth time for me.

The Musco Center for the Arts is a magnificent concert hall. It was packed. The ushers and workers, mainly Chapman students, are pleasant, friendly, and helpful. My buddy Mike and I were given “All Access” badges when we checked in (I had informed Rosanne earlier that we were attending).

Check the Musco website at muscocenter.org for upcoming shows.

John is a master guitar player; he joined in on limited vocals with Rosanne, his wife of 29 years. They have fun together on stage. They performed without an intermission for 90 minutes.

It’s evident that Rosanne loves the United States; she mentioned unity for our country several times.

Her rendition of “The Long Black Veil”

was spellbinding. She sang a host of other songs including “Sea of Heartbreak,” an old Don Gibson tune.

She ended the concert with her 1981 No. 1 hit song, “Seven Year Ache.”

The applause brought Rosanne and John back for an encore; she sang “Tennessee Flat Top Box,” a tune I heard her father sing in person multiple times.

After the show, Rosanne greeted Mike and me warmly backstage for a nice chat and photo-op.

Add a future Rosanne Cash concert to your bucket list; it will be one of the most enjoyable 90 minutes of your life.

Find out more about Rosanne at rosannecash.com. DP

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.

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC 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 SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

In 2022, the AIM High program was established by the Noble Path Foundation in partnership with the Community Outreach Alliance (COA). The Wellness & Prevention Coalition has long been a partner with AIM High and COA to support healthy youth.

The AIM (Advocacy, Inspiration, Mentorship) High program combines education with leadership development, skill-building, social activities and connections to supportive services.

During the seven-week program, teens learn about wellness and nutrition, healthy relationships and communication, as well as coping strategies to handle everyday challenges and societal pressures.

Additionally, wellness activities are offered to promote healthy habits among peers, such as yoga, music lessons, gardening, art, and supervised social activities. The AIM High program also connects youth to career development programs to provide opportunities for professional growth, helping youth in exploring future goals.

this program is that teens gain more than awareness or knowledge; they gain tangible skills that they can use in their daily lives, and they often develop a new passion.

AIM High is a great example of how a community can work together to support young people. Wellness & Prevention Center staff member Leslie Lopez and local marriage and family therapist Holly Grupe will facilitate the winter session.

Workshops will be led by the Wellness & Prevention Center, Laura’s House, Partners4Wellness, Connect-OC, the Santa Ana Police Department, Lead2Goals, The Noble Path Foundation, and OBEY Clothing.

To learn more, visit thenoblepathfoundation.org/aim-high/

The Noble Path Foundation is a sector leader for the Wellness & Prevention Coalition, a federally funded Drug Free Communities coalition working collaboratively to lower youth substance use in San Clemente. To find out more or join the coalition, please email leslie@wpc-oc.org. DP

Substance-use prevention must be holistic and supportive, and the AIM High program through the Noble Path Foundation addresses healthy youth development to prevent unhealthy choices.

BY LAUREN GALLEGOS

Most importantly, AIM High and all Noble Path activities are free to participants, making a healthier future accessible for everyone.

I have been working closely with the AIM High program and Noble Path since 2018 as a speaker, facilitator, and supporter. What I find special about

Lauren Gallegos, ACSW, is the Prevention Director at the Wellness & Prevention Center.

opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

These types of stones and steps, built by San Juan Point Corp. in 1924, went from the bluffs to the bay. One was at Blue Lantern and another between Amber and Violet Lantern. Remnants can still be found in these areas. This photo can be purchased from the Dana Point Historical Society at museum@danapointhistorical.org.

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

Memory Care at The Orchards Assisted Living

 A homelike community designed for those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia

 Assistance with activities of daily living and life enrichment activities

 A team of specially trained licensed nurses, medication technicians and resident care assistants

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Bogart

DANA POINT TIMES

This big kitty is Bogart, a 5-year-old charmer who just can’t wait to meet you. Bogart is a personable cat and will often greet you at the door. His favorite pastimes are being petted, playing with his toys, and taking long naps in the sun. Bogart has lived with cats and would likely make a great companion for most cats and humans.

If you are interested in adopting Bogart, 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. DP

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

solution in next week’s issue.

Photo: Courtesy of the Dana Point Historical Society

2023 Dana Hills Spring Sports Preview

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

As the competitors of winter wind down, the throng of spring sports teams take to the field, diamond, pool, court, track and sand.

The spring season features a loaded schedule, with Dana Hills High School fielding a whopping 12 spring squads, compared to the seven teams in each of the winter and fall seasons. Beach volleyball joins the fray for the Dolphins this spring.

While focus at Dana Hills will be on the diamonds, as Dolphins baseball remains one of the school’s marquee programs and softball enters a new era, gold will be the focus on the track, with the Dana Hills distance runners Allura Markow and Evan Noonan looking to carry the fall momentum into the spring.

With those goals and expectations in mind, let’s look at some of the top Dolphin teams in this spring season:

BASEBALL

Despite a subpar campaign by Dana Hills’ standards in 2022, Dana Hills’ playoff hopes came down to the final game, where a win at Tesoro would have forced a tie for the third and final playoff spot in the South Coast League.

However, it was a disappointing day for the Dolphins, who are perennially a playoff team in Division 1, and Tesoro went on to clinch a playoff berth, win the CIF-SS Division 4 title and CIF Southern California Division IV Regional championship.

There is a large amount of roster turnover for this year’s Dana Hills squad, which is either good to get some fresh faces after a tough season or bad as the Dolphins rebuild a young group.

Dana Hills graduated six of its top seven RBI producers, nine of its top 11 run-scorers and four of its top five appearance leaders on the mound. Senior Kade Murray is the top returning hitter, and Andrew Nesson is the top returning pitcher.

Dana Hills (2-3) has been up-and-down to open the season. The Dolphins won their season opener over Woodbridge, 5-0, but dropped consecutive games to Long Beach Millikan, 6-1, and La Mirada, 11-1. Dana Hills evened up its record against Vista Murrieta, 4-1, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, but fell back down with a tight loss to Edison, 5-4, on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The Dolphins host Aliso Niguel in a nonleague game on March 3 and open the South Coast League at home against Tesoro on March 21.

GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Dana Hills will field its first girls beach volleyball team this season, and as the sport enters its second season as a CIF-sanctioned sport, teams across SoCal now have something extra to look forward to with their first CIF-Southern Section championship playoffs.

For a sport to warrant CIF-SS playoffs, there must be a minimum of 20% of the section’s mem-

ber schools to field a team. The Southern Section reached that number this season, so there will be both bracketed team playoffs and a pairs tournament.

Dana Hills will also feature a full South Coast League schedule this season, which begins on March 8 against San Clemente at Lasuen Beach, aka Lost Winds, where many South Coast League contests could take place. The Dolphins practice at Doheny State Beach, but their game schedule is still being finalized, as the sport deals with court availability being its biggest issue.

League Finals will be contested at Tesoro on April 14-15, with the first round of the CIF-SS team playoffs on April 27. CIF-SS Finals will be on May 5 or 6, and the pairs tournament finals will be May 9-10.

Beach volleyball is contested with five pairs playing best 3-of-5 matches.

SOFTBALL

In May, Dana Hills softball coach Brandon Cosenza resigned after nine seasons on the job, and shortly after, Dana Hills welcomed Natalie Mills as the new head coach of the Dolphins. Mills was most recently a coach at Woodbridge High in Irvine.

Mills is inheriting a Dana Hills team that, since the pandemic-canceled season of 2020, hasn’t posted a winning record in the past two seasons, including a 2-16 overall record and winless league record in 2022.

However, it’s also a Dolphins team that has plenty of opportunity for growth, despite losing its top producers in the circle and at the plate. After its top two hitters last season, four of the next five were sophomores, with the fifth being a junior. Of the five Dolphins who threw from the circle in 2022, only two were seniors.

Dana Hills (2-3) dropped its first two games of the season, but the Dolphins won two of their past three, including a 7-2 win on the road at Garden Grove on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Dana Hills hosts San Clemente in a nonleague game on March 16 and opens league play at Mission Viejo on March 21.

BOYS GOLF

What a season 2022 was for the Dana Hills boys golf team.

The Dolphins opened with their longest unbeaten run under head coach Glenn Forster. Dana Hills as a team advanced to the CIF-SS Division 1 Finals, finished second at the CIF-SS SCGA state qualifier and seventh at the SoCal championships. The Dolphins had three players qualify as individuals for CIF-SS, with freshman Nick Davis eventually finishing fifth at the CIF SoCal championships and qualifying for state.

Dana Hills returns its top four players from last season, and its top two players, Davis and Nick Fry, were a freshman and a sophomore in 2022. The Dolphins are set up for long-term success. DP

Dana Hills baseball graduated nearly its entire scoring lineup from last season, which means new faces must step up for the Dolphins. Photos: David Gangloff

Dana Hills softball enters 2023 with a new coach and a young roster ready to grow.

Local Surfers Shine at Sunset Beach

Toledo, Colapinto, Marks top the podium at last week’s Hurley Pro Sunset Beach

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

The 2023 WSL Championship Tour season is in full swing, and with two events in the books, local surfers have much to cheer about.

Last week at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, San Clemente residents Filipe Toledo and Griffin Colapinto finished first and second, respectively, while it was another San Clemente resident, Caroline Marks, who finished runner-up in the women’s division.

Australia’s Molly Picklum won the women’s event—the first Championship Tour victory of her young career.

Toledo is the defending world champ and now sits ranked second in the world, while Colapinto finds himself in familiar territory, ranked sixth in the world, where he finished the season last year.

Marks, a Lowers regular, is currently ranked fifth in the women’s rankings. The top five male and female surfers will qualify for the Rip Curl WSL Finals in San Clemente at the end of the season and earn a shot at the 2023 world title.

“Last year was fun, and I got what I wanted, which was my title, and I learned a lot,” Toledo told the WSL after his Sunset Beach victory, the 13th of his career. “Griffin Colapinto came out swinging, and I’m just thinking, ‘I’m ready, here we go.’ I knew the right wave would come; it was slow for a lot of the heat, but I could see he was tense having that 9.17. He seemed a little nervous; I

don’t know if he was or not, and I stayed calm and composed and just waited for the wave, then do what I have to do.”

Toledo and Colapinto had squared off in the final of the 2022 Surf City El Salvador Pro. Colapinto got the win in Central America, and this time around he once again got the jump on the Brazilian champ, posting a 9-point ride in the opening minutes of their Sunset duel.

Unfortunately, the ocean went flat, and Colapinto was never able to back up his heat score with a high-scoring second ride. Toledo dug deep, found a wave and converted it for the win.

“That was a crazy heat with Filipe, and the only heats I’ve had with him are in the finals, so that’s been pretty cool,” Colapinto said afterward. “That was a good little battle, and I’m super stoked. Caroline lives in my hometown as well, so it’s a good day.”

Keeping the hometown vibes going,

GROM OF THE WEEK

AUDREY DENOS

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

We absolutely love it when someone in our amazing surf community writes in to nominate a Grom of the Week, and this week it’s San Clemente’s Audrey Denos earning top honors.

Audrey’s surfing was brought to our atten-

Marks put in a commanding performance, competing on her backhand that has historically seen few goofy-footed surfers claw their way to the podium.

“It’s been such a fun week,” said a smiling 21-year-old Marks. “I’ve had such an amazing support crew and want to thank everyone. My best friend came and surprised me, my brother’s here, my other friends are here, and it’s just been so fun.”

Up next, the Championship Tour will head east to Europe for the MEO Portugal Pro presented by Rip Curl. In April, the tour will head Down Under for the historic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the oldest, longest-running professional surf contest, and the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia.

This year, a mid-season cutoff has been implemented, and once the events in Australia wrap up, the field will be cut down from 36 men to 18, and 24 women

SURF FORECAST

Water Temperature: 55-57 Degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-10’

Outlook: Strong southerly wind and windswell builds for Friday as a new storm impacts Southern California making for messy surf in the waist-toshoulder high range (3-4’+). Size eases Saturday as better spots drop into the knee-waist high range (2-3’) with cleaner morning conditions expected. Sunday remains on the smaller side with minor NW swell mix providing knee-waist high surf for the best breaks (2-3’) with mostly clean conditions from light wind in the morning, getting bumpy in the afternoon as onshore W/ WSW wind picks up.

to 12.

San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino currently finds himself ranked 24th in the world, below the cutline. There’s a lot of surfing left before the controversial mid-season cut happens, and Andino has plenty of time to get himself back in the mix.

All three of the upcoming locations suit Andino’s style well, and with his buddy, Colapinto, currently rolling, he could find some added motivation and momentum. DP

Jake Howard is a 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.

tion last week by one of the best surf moms on the beach, and we’re so stoked to be able to shine some light on this incredible young athlete.

A hard-charging regular-footer who surfs for San Clemente High, Denos helped lead the Tritons to a California state title last year. A distinguished member of the Class of 2024, she hopes to keep the winning ways going.

Last November, Denos joined a cadre of local girls up in Santa Cruz, where she competed in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic.

She gained invaluable experience competing against some of North America’s top talent on the WSL’s Qualifying Series, and we can’t wait to see her step up her game more in the future.

Most recently, Denos caught fire last weekend at the WSA competition in Huntington Beach, ripping her way to a second-place finish in her division. Earning a number of podium finishes this season, she is currently ranked second in the WSA’s Girls Under 18 division. DP

(From left) With the 2023 Championship Tour season underway, three out of the four Hurley Pro Sunset Beach finalists were San Clemente residents: Caroline Marks, Griffin Colapinto, Molly Picklum of Australia and Filipe Toledo. Photo: Courtesy of Tony Heff / WSL

Audrey Denos. Photo: Courtesy of @muirman

THE COACH HOUSE

www.thecoachhouse.com

TICKETS and DINNER RESERVATIONS: 949-496-8930

2/24 JOHN TESH – Big Band Live

2/25 DENNIS TUFANO w/special guest CANNIBAL AND THE HEADHUNTERS

2/26 YASMIN WILLIAMS

3/2 DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE

GILMORE and The Guilty Ones

3/3 WAR

3/4 THE GARTH GUY (garth Brooks triBute)

3/5 SONNY LANDRETH

w/ Cindy Cashdollar

3/8 THE WHEELAND BROTHERS

3/9 ALBERT CUMMINGS

3/10 JD SOUTHER all the hits. some of the stories

3/11 THE SMITHEREENS with guest

vocalist ROBIN WILSON

3/16 HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN

and TYLER HILTON performing elvis presley’s sun studio recordings

3/17 THE FENIANS

3/18 SERGIO MENDES

3/19 GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

3/23 PETTY CASH (Johnny cash & tom petty triBute)

3/24 SUPER DIAMOND

3/25 GENE LOVES JEZEBEL / BOW WOW WOW

3/26 BIG MOUNTAIN

3/31 BEATLES VS STONES

4/5 DUANE BETTS

& PALMETTO MOTEL

4/6 COLIN HAY Acoustic / Lazlo Bane

4/7 G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE

4/8 WILD CHILD (the doors triBute)

4/15 THE 5TH DIMENSION

4/16 HERMAN’S HERMITS ft peter noone

4/28 SKELETON CREW (grateful dead triBute)

4/29 CREAM OF CLAPTON

5/2 BETH HART

5/3 MORGAN JAMES

5/5 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS

5/7 METALACHI

5/12 QUEEN NATION (Queen triBute)

5/14 HALEY REINHART

5/19 JOHN CAFFERTY

& The BEAVER BROWN BAND

5/21 LET’S HANG ON! (frankie valli & the four seasons triBute)

CLUB OF COWTOWN

6/3 JUDY COLLINS

6/8 BLACK SABBITCH (female Black saBBath triBute)

6/9 AL Di MEOLA

6/16 AL JARDINE and his endless summer Band

6/ 17 AMBROSIA

6/18 PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE

7/1 MICK ADAMS & THE STONES

7/15 SHINE ON – pink floyd experience

7/19 THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND

7/22 Y & T

7/28 SPACE ODDITY (david Bowie triBute)

7/29 KIDS OF CHARLEMAGNE (steely dan triBute) 8/4 PABLO CRUISE

8/18 SPYRO GYRA

& PALMETTO

8/19 MADELEINE PEYROUX 10/7 RONDSTADT REVIVAL 10/15 JOURNEYMAN (eric clapton triBute)

Camino Capistrano | San Juan Capistrano