August 28, 2020

LO C A L

August 28-September 3, 2020

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

INSIDE: Crib to College: A guide to your child’s success SPECIAL SECTION

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 35

Keeping it Reel

Dana Wharf Sportfishing Thrives Since Summer Reopening S P O R T S / PAG E 2 3 Captain Chris Pica (left) of Dana Wharf’s Reel Fun holds a 52-pound seabass caught by Owen Burnside (right) on Saturday, August 22. Photo: Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

FRC Reviews Updated COVID-19 Impacts to Budget EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

OC Removed from State’s Watch List EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Editor’s Pick: ‘Move Your Booty’ Virtual Race GETTING OUT/PAGE 21

danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 2

danapointtimes.com

DP EYE ON DP

Dana Dana Point Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week Orange County Removed from State’s Coronavirus Monitoring List THE LATEST: After weeks of staying on the state’s monitoring list for rising coronavirus cases, Orange County was removed from the list on Sunday, Aug. 23, highlighting a reversal from the surge of COVID-19 cases in July that set new records for daily cases and hospitalization rates.

The removal from the watch list came within days of the Orange County Health Care Agency announcing that for the first time in weeks, the county was “below all of (the) State’s data monitoring thresholds” and was, therefore, likely to come off the list.

If Orange County remains off the watch list for 14 consecutive days, schools will be allowed to physically reopen for inperson classes. Simply coming off the list, however, doesn’t reopen other sectors yet, as any other reopenings would require a revised state order.

In a tweet regarding the removal from the watch list on Sunday, Orange County Board Supervisor Michelle Steel encouraged county residents to continue practicing social distancing and hygiene methods to stem the transmission of the virus.

“We must continue to follow health guidelines on facial coverings, hygiene, and social distancing to keep going in the right direction,” Steel tweeted. “We must all work together as a community to ensure the safe reopening of OC.” For the third consecutive day on Tuesday, Aug. 25—the most available data before San Clemente Times went to print—the county remained off the watch list as it continued to meet the California Department of Public Health’s standards for acceptable levels in all five monitored categories.

The county’s 14-day case rate per 100,000 dropped to 83.3 and its seven-day testing positivity percent was at 5.3% on Monday, below the state’s thresholds of 100 per 100,000 and 8%, respectively. The county also reported having 33% of ICU beds available—above the 20% minimum requirement—and 58% of available ventilators—more than the 25% that’s required.

The county’s change in the three-day average of hospitalized patients stayed low, at minus-3%, well below the state threshold of 10%.

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Dr. Nathan Wong, a Dana Point resident, has been presented with the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to cardiovascular research. Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Wong

On Tuesday, the county recorded 335 new COVID-19 cases, with 15 additional deaths, bringing the cumulative case total to 46,642, while the death toll grew to 912.

There were 385 cases of patients hospitalized from the virus, with 113 of them requiring an ICU bed. Both the hospitalized cases and ICU cases are down to similar numbers last seen in June.

In South County, as of Tuesday, Dana

Point’s cumulative case total was reported at 229 and San Clemente’s total was at 412.

On Tuesday, San Juan Capistrano reached a new milestone in total cases, hitting 400.

Amid the rising surge in cases, the state had added the county to the dreaded watch list back in late June, putting in place renewed restrictions on several economic sectors to try stem the wave of cases and hospitalizations.

Dana Point

Confirmed cases

COVID-19 TRACKER

Deaths

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. *Information as of 8/26/20. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

Page 3

230 1

Restaurants, wineries and movie theaters, among others, within the counties on the watch list had been ordered to close but could operate outdoors. A few weeks later, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded those restrictions, ordering those same sectors to close indoor operations statewide.

In his July 13 order, Newsom also had ordered the closure of indoor operations for fitness centers, places of worship, offices for non-critical sectors, personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops), and indoor malls within the counties on the monitoring list.

According to county officials on Monday, the governor’s July 13 order is to remain in effect for those economic sectors in Orange County, regardless of whether it comes off the monitoring list.

“When a county comes off the County Data Monitoring list, they are still subject to the statewide closure orders issued on July 13,” the county health office explained in an email. “The closure orders issued July 13 will remain in effect until the State Public Health Officer determines it is appropriate to modify the order based on public health conditions.”

Newsom, during a press conference on Monday, said adjustments to his order will be made and announced in the coming days.

“Real progress was made over the weekend, (and) we had some good dialogue; we’re making some adjustments based on the feedback we received on Saturday and Sunday,” Newsom said.

“We had a meeting this morning on those guidelines, and we will be working with other, not only industry, but outside our local health officers and state health authorities, to socialize these guidelines, and we look forward to having them out this week.”—Shawn Raymundo and Zach Cavanagh

Resident Presented with Lifetime Achievement Award THE LATEST: Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, has presented Dr. Nathan D. Wong with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.

In all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value.

Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Wong is a cardiovascular epidemiologist and specialist in preventive cardiology. He is currently Professor and Director, Heart Disease Prevention Program, (Cont. on page 4) danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP (Cont. from page 3) Division of Cardiology at the University of California, Irvine, where he has been on faculty since 1988.

Wong has specialized in outcomes research on diabetes, lipids, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease for more than 30 years, and he has also been an investigator on numerous clinical trials on lipids and other aspects of preventive cardiology.

He has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed manuscripts and seven textbooks, including co-editing Preventive Cardiology: Companion to Braunwald’s Heart Disease and ASPC Manual of Preventive Cardiology, as well as being the editor-in-chief of two editions of the textbook Preventive Cardiology.

He is currently executive editor of the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, an editor for Global Heart, editorial board member of several other journals, and editor for the Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Clinical Topic Collection.

Wong lectures locally, nationally and internationally on various topics in preventive cardiology and enjoys teaching and mentoring students, medical residents, and cardiology fellows.

Currently, Dr. Wong is president-elect of the Interamerican Heart Foundation, promoting advocacy and research on heart health in Latin America. In 2011, Dr. Wong was the recipient of Jan Kellerman Memorial Award for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and received a Distinguished Fellowship from the International Academy of Cardiology in 2014 from the International Academy of Cardiology.

Through Dr. Wong’s work educating health care providers in the Southeastern European Balkan Region, he was elected an International Academician of the Republic of Srpska Academy of Sciences and Arts, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as elected a full professor of the European Center for Peace and Development established by the United Nations for his work co-directing an annual summer school on cardiovascular diseases in the region.

Wong feels it is important to talk about heart disease. In a 2019 interview, he told the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases: “More than two-thirds of patients with diabetes will die of cardiovascular-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral arterial disease,” Wong said. “For women with diabetes, the risks for different forms of cardiovascular disease are three to seven times greater compared with women who do not have diabetes.

For men with diabetes, the risk is two to three times greater.”

A native of Southern California, Dr. Wong is a longtime resident of Dana Point. He is an avid outdoorsman and has been a member of the Sierra Club since 1978.—Lillian Boyd Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Point Community Center being closed, recreation staff has been repurposed to help out in other areas, Killebrew said.

Employee raises have been cut from the proposed budget as well.

While the city was able to replenish the portion of the reserves needed for FY2020, Killebrew is recommending using $2.2 million of the Economic Stability Reserve for FY2021 (49.5%) to help balance the rest of the budget.

According to city policy, staff will need to develop a plan to replenish the reserve, due within 180 days of its use, which will be around the time staff will be working on putting together the budget for FY21-22.

“This issue will not go away; it will have to be solved,” Killebrew said.

The operating revenue for the city’s updated FY21 budget is $39.8 million, with revenues expected to be $34.8 million. City council will hear an update from staff on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and consider the proposed budget on Tuesday, Sept.

15.—LB

New Executive Chef for Bourbon Steak Orange County

Bourbon Steak Orange County is entering its third year with the promotion of their new Executive Chef, Chris Sanchez. Photo: Courtesy of Monarch Beach Resort

FRC Goes over COVIDRelated Impacts to Budget Ahead of Council Meeting THE LATEST: In May, city staff presented a game plan to Dana Point City Council to address the economic and financial impacts COVID-19 would have on the city budget.

“You’ll recall, we were looking at a $4 million potential revenue hit just in (Fiscal Year) 2020,” City Manager Mike Killebrew said during a Financial Review Committee meeting. “Leaning into 2021, we were looking at a $6 million hit.”

The committee met on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for an update on the FY21 Budget due to COVID-19. After juggling more up-todate numbers, Killebrew says that Fiscal Year 2021 could likely be seeing a hit of more than $7 million.

“I want to highlight some of the important points that the council directed us to lean into,” Killebrew said. “We kept our investments in our city infrastructure. We also decided when putting our game plan together not to count on federal and state funding—unless we were certain it was coming in.”

Killebrew will be recommending setting all reserves to meet the percentage of revenue as originally projected for FY21.

“The first thing we did was set all the reserves to what they should be in FY21 using the original adopted budget for 2021 and not our lowered revenue projections,” Killebrew said. “Our reserves our set as percentages of operating revenue budgeted. I didn’t want to go and take advantage of the lower projected revenues and lower our reserves if this is a one- or two-year problem, because we have to rebuild those reserves . . . I’m trying (to keep) the reserves where they should be normally, absent a pandemic.”

In April, city staff advised of a chilling forecast on the city’s budget. Before the pandemic, revenues had been trending to exceed projections earlier in the year.

“The effects of COVID-19 on the second calendar quarter of this year are going to be absolutely devastating,” Killebrew had said during an April council meeting. “The hotels have had almost zero occupancy for several months . . . I know restaurants are trying to stay alive.”

The transient occupancy tax (TOT), the city’s largest source of revenue, is projected to have a shortfall of $5.9 million for FY21. The TOT typically accounts for about 30% of the city budget.

The city has adapted to financial uncertainties by cutting personnel costs by about $760,000, which has been achieved by leaving job positions vacant and cross-training employees. With the Dana

Page 4

THE LATEST: In March of 2020, Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak Orange County celebrated its second anniversary.

After the statewide mandate for restaurant closures, Bourbon Steak has reopened with expanded outdoor dining overlooking Monarch Beach Resort’s Grand Lawn. Now, the restaurant is entering its third year with the promotion of their new Executive Chef, Chris Sanchez.

Sanchez, who most recently served as the restaurant’s Executive Sous Chef, opened Bourbon Steak Orange County in 2018 and helped lead the restaurant during its first two years. His journey with the Monarch Beach Resort began back in 2010, when it was formally known as The St. Regis Monarch Beach, working as a sous chef for the property’s various outlets.

Before joining the resort’s culinary operations team, Sanchez worked at other Orange County culinary locations, including Patina Group, Marche Moderne, and the Disneyland Resort.

Bourbon Steak Orange County is located within Monarch Beach Resort at 1 Monarch Beach Drive, Dana Point. The new American steakhouse is open nightly for dinner from 5:30-10 p.m. For more information, visit monarchbeachresort. com.

Monarch Beach Resort has launched the StaySafe Program encompassing cleanliness, sanitization and physical distancing standards for the well-being of guests. Monarch Beach Resort’s safety protocol has been informed by the public health and epidemiology experts at University of California, Irvine. Per danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Bourbon Steak Orange County. Photo: Courtesy of Monarch Beach Resort

State of California guidelines, Bourbon Steak Orange County and all restaurants at Monarch Beach Resort are offering outdoor dining and to-go service, with indoor service temporarily suspended.

“For Orange County to be able to reopen safely, it can’t just be public health experts saying we need to implement the kinds of policies and procedures that will keep everyone safe,” said Karen Edwards, professor and chair of epidemiology at UCI and the lead faculty member for the project. “Businesses have to want to do that, too. And Monarch Beach Resort is demonstrating that many of them do.”

Advice on health and safety practices and training is likely to focus on hand hygiene, masking, staff workflows, self-monitoring and other virus mitigation techniques.

Monarch Beach Resort paused services on March 19 after lockdown orders by the state. In May, it created the StaySafe Program, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols, state and local guidelines, and industry best practices. Ninety days after closing, the resort resumed operations, returning 500 employees to work.

This consultation agreement is the first of its kind between Monarch Beach Resort and UCI. “As the only program in public health in Orange County, we have an obligation to assist our community,” Edwards said.

“I think there’s a gap in this area for us to step up and offer these types of services.

This has the potential to have a major positive impact.”—LB

SC Sunrise Rotary to Host Month-Long Virtual Run for Human Trafficking Awareness THE LATEST: The San Clemente Sunrise Rotary is set to host a month-long worldwide virtual run through the month of September as a means of raising awareness for human trafficking.

The virtual run, titled “Run Free to End Human Trafficking,” is open to everyone of all ages internationally.

“It was a collaborative effort once COVID-19 hit—looking at what we could do in a virtual way to, one, engage people who Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

are stuck at home and sheltered in place, and, two, reach out for an educational opportunity around the world with bringing human trafficking awareness to the community,” said Sally Guon, president-elect of the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club.

With approximately 1.2 million members worldwide, the virtual run aims at garnering 24,901 miles in total, with all participants’ final distances combined.

Participants can pledge to complete any distance they wish, individually or as a team.

According to Guon, participants can engage in the virtual run any way possible, coining it “Rock, Run, or Roll.”

“You’re not only aiding in your own health fitness, you’re learning the signs of human trafficking and educating yourself, which is part of the solution, and we’re raising funds to put education programs into the school system for high school and middle school students to raise the awareness,” Guon said.

Due to COVID-19 and statewide lockdowns, human trafficking through online channels has increased, especially in the South County area, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Newport Beach.

According to Brenda Wells, founder and executive director of i-5 Freedom Network, street-based trafficking has been moved online since the statewide lockdown, with traffickers finding “creative and more aggressive ways” to find new victims.

As a result, San Clemente Sunrise Rotary will be posting educational human trafficking blurbs and featurettes on their social media platforms as another form of outreach.

San Clemente Sunrise Rotary is currently working within its organization to host more fundraisers and educational means within the community, as other mediums through which to end human trafficking in South County.

The rotary club has already partnered with other rotary clubs in the area, including the Evening Club and the Irvine Club, for the virtual run fundraiser.

“We would like to see that the community get involved with this event as well,” said Guon. “The more people that you bring into the fold, the better.”—Haley Chi-Sing Page 5

danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Community Meetings SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Each Saturday, California farmers bring fresh produce to sell at the Dana Point Farmers Market. Craft vendors are available the first Saturday of the month. La Plaza Park, Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point.

The 2020 Festival of Butterflies was broadcast online on Aug. 4 and a revised replay is available on the Goin’ Native website, goinnative.net. Photo: File

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Virtual Festival of Butterflies a Sign of COVID-19 Times Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Festival of Butterflies in San Juan Capistrano had to be broadcast virtually this year. While the fundraising event raised less money than usual, the festival video still raised awareness for gardening and the environment.

“We knew we had to go forward with our message,” said Mary Crawford, chair of the board of directors for Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens, which collaborated with Tree of Life Nursery and the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association on this year’s event.

The Festival of the Butterflies raised $2,800 on the day of the event, plus $16,000 in sponsorships, according to Goin’ Native officials, who acknowledged the total raised was less than in previous years.

The event was broadcast online on Aug. 4 and a revised replay is available on the Goin’ Native website. Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and San Juan Capistrano Mayor Troy Bourne were among those featured in the virtual festival.

Goin’ Native, which helps disabled people and others through gardening activities, started raising money at the end of last year and continued in early 2020 before the festival.

It’s hoped the days of COVID-19 will pass so the festival can go live again, said Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Marianne Taylor, founder and executive director of Goin’ Native.

“We are not going to be defeated,” Crawford said. “We want to get the message out that the environment is important.”

Fairmont Schools, St. Margaret’s Given Waivers for In-Person Elementary Instruction Two private schools in San Juan Capistrano were among numerous schools recently given waivers for in-person instruction for elementary grades, according to OC Health Care Agency.

According to news reports, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and Fairmont Schools were given waivers for transitional/junior kindergarten through sixth grade. Campuses in Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) have been closed to in-person instruction since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The fact that our waiver application was granted is a testament to the rigorous protocols that we have put in place to protect the safety of our students and staff,” said David Jackson, Fairmont’s chairman. “Our reopening task force has been working around the clock since the early stages of the pandemic, developing a comprehensive plan which meets and, in many cases, exceeds federal, state and local requirements.”

Fairmont Schools is also offering remote learning for families who choose to remain at home and will continue to do so for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

CUSD schools began the 2020-21 school

year on Aug. 18 with continued online learning per a mandate from Gov. Gavin Newsom stipulating that campuses can only open for in-person instruction when their county is off the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list for 14 consecutive days.

Orange County came off the watchlist on Aug. 23, raising the possibility of campuses reopening.

Sunrise Rotary to Host Month-Long Virtual Run for Human Trafficking Awareness The San Clemente Sunrise Rotary is set to host a month-long worldwide virtual run through the month of September as a means of raising awareness for human trafficking.

The virtual run, titled “Run Free to End Human Trafficking,” is open to everyone of all ages internationally.

“It was a collaborative effort once COVID-19 hit—looking at what we could do in a virtual way to, one, engage people who are stuck at home and sheltered in place, and, two, reach out for an educational opportunity around the world with bringing human trafficking awareness to the community,” said Sally Guon, president-elect of the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club.

With approximately 1.2 million members worldwide, the virtual run aims at amassing 24,901 miles in total, with all participants’ final distances combined. Participants can pledge to complete any distance they wish, individually or as a team.

According to Guon, participants can engage in the virtual run any way possible,

Page 6

coining it “Rock, Run, or Roll.”

“You’re not only aiding in your own health fitness, you’re learning the signs of human trafficking and educating yourself, which is part of the solution, and we’re raising funds to put education programs into the school system for high school and middle school students to raise the awareness,” Guon said. “Many people have the misconception that (human trafficking) is a developing-world problem and that it does not happen in the United States” Due to COVID-19 and statewide lockdowns, human trafficking through online channels has increased, especially in the South County area, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Newport Beach.

According to Brenda Wells, founder and executive director of i-5 Freedom Network, street-based trafficking has been moved online since the statewide lockdown, with traffickers finding “creative and more aggressive ways” to find new victims.

As a result, San Clemente Sunrise Rotary will be posting educational human trafficking blurbs and featurettes on their social media platforms as another form of outreach.

“When we engage all spokes of the community in the effort—which includes the churches and the schools and law enforcement and the committee members and the business owners, all those things—they all are critical to disrupting and preventing (human trafficking) from happening, not just in our community but everywhere,” said Wells.

San Clemente Sunrise Rotary is currently working within its organization to host more fundraisers and educational means within the community, as other mediums through which to end human trafficking in South County.

The rotary club has already partnered with other rotary clubs in the area, including the Evening Club and the Irvine Club, for the virtual run fundraiser.

“We would like to see that the community get involved with this event as well,” said Guon. “The more people that you bring into the fold, the better.”—Haley Chi-Sing

Have something interesting for the community?

Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 7

danapointtimes.com

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 danapointtimes.com

HOW TO REACH US S E N I O R C I T Y E D I TO R Lillian Boyd • 949.388.7700, x113 lboyd@picketfencemedia.com

SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com

ADVERTISING PRINT & ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes • 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Inna Cazares • 949.388.7700, x111 icazares@picketfencemedia.com

GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett • 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

Advertising Sales (SJC) Debra Wells

EDITORIAL

ART + DESIGN

Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Art Director Jasmine Smith

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch Collin Breaux

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex O P E R AT I O N S General Manager Alyssa Garrett

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Columnist Fred Swegles

FINANCE

Special Projects Editor Andrea PapagianisCamacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes

Finance Director Mike Reed Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Jake Howard Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 13, Issue 35. The DP Times (danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE DP TIMES

FACEBOOK.COM/DANAPOINTTIMES • INSTAGRAM@DANAPOINTTIMES TWITTER.COM/DANAPOINTTIMES • LINKEDIN PICKET FENCE MEDIA

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor ‘YES IN MY BACKYARD BY THE SEA’ DUANE PAUL MURPHY, San Clemente

Like the state of California, many local communities in Orange County are facing a housing crisis, especially further worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the potential rise in evictions.

A wide variety of reasons are the root causes of this particular situation that impacts nearly everyone who either owns or rents a place to live in.

Rules and regulations such as singlefamily residential zoning, mandatory parking minimums and maximums, exclusionary zoning, building-height restrictions and Proposition 13—the 1978 ballot initiative that capped how much all local governments statewide could collect from all local property taxes—have been known to stagnate the rate or development of building more residential housing.

Also, commodities for the rich such as country clubs, mansions and golf courses, which take up significant amounts of natural resources, have become recent obstacles toward easing the housing crisis.

Additionally, tenants’ rights are currently either not strong enough for protection enforcement or lack protection enforcement. Because of these reasons, we need to embrace a pro-housing “Yes in My Backyard” (or YIMBY) policy approach to expand housing for all.

These policies must include abolishing single-family residential zoning, mandatory parking minimums and maximums, exclusionary zoning, building-height restrictions and historical preservation altogether, and implementing a total ban on all short-term residential property rentals and leases in order to increase the number of residential units or spaces.

Also, repealing Proposition 13 and implementing progressive taxation to fund permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals, social housing for low-income earners, universal housing assistance programs, housing cooperatives, community land trusts and resident-owned communities could make residential housing more cost-effective for ordinary working people.

If cities such as San Clemente were to implement these particular pro-housing solutions, as well as pro-tenants’ rights protections, we can expand our local economy.

We as a coastal community in the most populous state in the country must modernize toward the future and not stick with the bygone eras of the past when it comes to housing development, so let us say yes in my backyard by the sea.

Cities along the California coastline and countries all over the world are making plans to deal with rising tides and coastal erosion. Photo: Lillian Boyd

CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSED SEA LEVEL RISE GREGG NEWBURY, San Clemente

Cities all along the coastline and countries all over the world are making plans to deal with rising tides as a result of climate change. I am wondering where the water will come from. Water covers 70% of the Earth’s surface; it will take an awful lot of water to raise the level of the ocean waters.

Any talk of large storage of water would naturally consider the poles of Earth. And they couldn’t be more polar opposites.

North Pole is water surrounded by land, and the South Pole is land surrounded by water.

The Arctic Circle in the north contains the Arctic Ocean surrounded by Alaska, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and Canada. This is home for polar bears. Any snow and ice are pretty much a result of ocean water freezing from the cold temperatures. As such, there is not much storage of water there.

The Antarctic Circle contains the continent of Antarctica surrounded by the Southern Ocean (which, in turn, is surrounded by the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans). This is where the penguins live.

Wikipedia says the snow and ice average a mile thick. With 85% of the Earth’s H2O supply above sea level on this continent, there is theoretically enough water to raise the sea levels to dangerous heights.

However, with an average temperature of 35 degrees below zero—and ice melts at 32 degrees above zero—the temperatures would have to increase considerably to melt enough ice to increase water levels

Page 8

to cover Miami. And nobody is predicting any more than a modest few degrees of global warming.

Do you know where the water will come from?

A RESPONSE TO ‘NUCLEAR WASTE’ BILL PRESTRIDGE, San Clemente

A recent letter to the editor blamed Harry Reid, Barack Obama and the Democrats for the closure of Yucca Mountain as a repository for nuclear waste.

This is true, but not the whole story.

Yucca Mountain was also closed because of geological studies of water infiltration and instability due to earthquakes.

It was also opposed by 75% of the citizens of Nevada, and the Trump administration did not support funding for it, either, although Trump opposed it to get votes from the citizens of Nevada.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to lboyd@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning.

Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. The Dana Point Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 9

danapointtimes.com

Resources for Students Learning English As the education model transitions toward distance learning, educators adapt their resources for students who are learning English as a second language.

Students are identified as English learners upon taking the English Learner Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). Programs include Structured English Immersion (SEI), which allow for English language development support, as well as either integrated or designated English language development, depending on the student’s proficiency.

For more information on English Learner (EL) support, visit dhhs.schoolloop.com/ elsupport.

Presentations in English, Spanish, Farsi and Mandarin are available for parents at els-capousd-ca.schoolloop.com. Students and families can also find more information on bilingual community service liaisons (BCSLs).

WELCOME TO CRIB TO COLLEGE The COVID-19 pandemic has created plenty of challenges when it comes to education. Children and families, though, are rising to the occasion and still working to ensure the younger generation is getting the best learning experience possible. In this edition of our annual education guide, “Crib to College,” we have information to help guide parents through the tough but rewarding educational journey. The following articles look at what will happen with SATs, services offered by local tutoring centers and other relevant resources. No matter what, a child’s curiosity is a powerful force. We hope this guide helps as you watch them go from an infant in your arms to an adult who makes you proud.

Dual Immersion Programs Capistrano Unified School District has incorporated language immersion instruction since 1992 and currently offers programs in Spanish and Mandarin. The Two Way Immersion program in Spanish is offered at four elementary sites, including at R.H. Dana Elementary School in Dana Point, while the One Way Immersion program in Mandarin is offered at Marian Bergeson Elementary School in Laguna Niguel.

Students from both programs matriculate into middle and high school programs that support them with further study in each of the target languages.

Additional Resources Resources from the California Department of Education (CDE) English Learner Support Division are available to local educational agencies as they support English learner, immigrant, newcomer, and migratory students during distance learning and the transition to schools reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The webpage for Alaz y Voz (californianstogether.com/alaz-y-voz) provides resources to families in Spanish, including home learning resources and information about physical and mental health during times of crisis.

The Future of SAT Testing I

BY COLLIN BREAUX

n the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, what will happen to SAT testing, once a common prerequisite for students applying for college?

The College Board, a nonprofit organization that administers the SAT, will continue to do so. But the University of California Board of Regents recently voted to do away with requiring the SAT in student applications, a move that was in the works for years.

“The August 29 administration is scheduled to proceed as planned. There is limited testing capacity in certain areas due to public health restrictions and high demand,” The College Board said in a statement.

“While the College Board cannot directly Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

control test center capacity and availability, we’re working to ensure as many students as possible are able to test safely.”

Local schools and test centers make individual decisions about whether to administer the SAT, and the College Board is asking test centers to report closures as soon as possible. Students are advised to check directly with their test center, including the test center’s website, on the morning of the test.

It is also recommended that students check college websites for the most current information on application requirements.

The College Board will support higher education members as they transition back to requiring test scores or implement permanent new policies in the long-term as the admission process takes shape postpandemic.

The UC Board of Regents unanimously

voted in May to suspend standardized test requirements, which includes the ACT and SAT, for all California freshman applicants until the fall of 2024. UC will work to come up with a new test in the interim that more adequately reflects the material incoming students are expected to know.

However, UC will eliminate the standardized testing requirement altogether for California students if a new test does not meet specified criteria in time for fall 2025 admission, a press release said.

In March, current standardized test requirements for fall 2021 UC applicants were suspended due to the ongoing health crisis. Tests will be optional through 2022 and test scores from applicants will not be considered in admissions for fall 2023 and fall 2024.

The May vote “marks the culmination of a two-year, research-based effort by UC to

Page 10

evaluate the value and use of standardized tests in admissions,” a press release said.

A report in February by the UC Academic Senate discussed numerous aspects of standardized test scores and admission processes, including how African American, Latino, and Native American students are underrepresented.

“Concern has grown in recent months and years that the consideration of standardized test scores in UC’s admissions process might be a contributing cause of underrepresentation in particular of African American and Latino students,” the report said.

Despite many California students coming from Spanish-speaking homes, research has shown that standardized tests “likely underestimate these students’ capabilities because of lack of sensitivity of the tests to issues of language difference,” the report said. danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 11

danapointtimes.com

g n i r o t u T e h t g n i Dur c i m e d Pan

T

BY COLLIN BREAUX

he COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted just about every aspect of daily life and education. What about tutoring?

Local tutoring centers vary on how exactly they’re operating during the ongoing health crisis, but they are continuing to help students. Education has entered uncharted territory as everyone learns on the fly while face-to-face gatherings are discouraged, people communicate remotely and details seemingly change by the day.

Under Pressure Homework Help helps students in all grades and almost all subjects.

They offer in-person tutoring from their Dana Point studio, as well as virtual tutoring.

For the school year, they are also offering homeschool (K-5th grades) and a homework club. They have many tutors ready to help students, and parents, be successful with all of the changes this school year.

In response to the pandemic, Dana Point’s Mathnasium is offering their services inCenter or online with Mathnasium@Home.

Mathnasium@home learning offers flexibil-

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

ity with a student’s schedule and is available anywhere. Mathnasium works to assure that each child advances in their math learning journey at the pace they need to maximize their growth—helping kids stay on grade level and even get ahead through this crisis.

In addition, Mathnasium will be introducing Prime Study Space, a comfortable workspace with a private desk, fast Internet, and power outlet so students can focus on remote classroom learning. Students will be kept safe through strict social distancing, disinfecting protocols, and mask and temperature checks. The program is offered Monday through Friday mornings for four hours, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Prime Study Space is month-to-month; no long-term contract required. Mathnasium’s background-checked facilitators keep them on task, so parents can focus on their day.

Tutoring at the Huntington Learning Center in Laguna Niguel has been surprisingly smooth, said Assistant Director Melissa Ogdon. The franchise location has launched Zoom tutoring and implemented safety

guidelines while staying open for in-person instruction. They never offered virtual learning before the pandemic.

A “good number” of students have stayed with them during the transition, and the center has even had some new students.

Ogdon said the changes were initially challenging, but they got up and running once they figured out the logistics.

“It worked out well,” Ogdon said.

Some of their regular students have been with the Huntington Learning Center for years and normally need extra support.

Students may deal with learning gaps caused by a lack of in-person instruction.

One-on-one help incorporating social distancing is being provided to children.

Huntington Learning Center is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily and primarily focuses on reading, math, writing, study skills and test preparation.

Most of the students they help are still utilizing in-person services and may otherwise get distracted at home if attempting virtual learning, Ogdon said. The center

Page 12

was servicing approximately 15 families, as of press time. Students are productive and tend to make progress, Ogdon said.

Meanwhile, the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Aliso Viejo has started to offer in-center classes with limited availability while continuing their online classes, after previously offering only online learning.

Kumon is defined as a supplemental enrichment program, which is a bit different than tutoring. In the words of Center Director Angel Ko, “Instead of waiting until children fall behind, families enroll their kids in the program to get ahead.” Kumon’s programs cover math and reading.

“During the time the center has been closed to visitors, we have invested in numerous safety measures, such as the installation of plexiglass dividers, sanitization stations and more,” Ko said.

The Kumon Center has remained busy during the pandemic, with staff putting in many hours to adapt to the new normal.

Very little in terms of processes has reportedly changed—generally, a student would come to the center and do work, staff would observe and grade the work and then students would leave.

“This stayed the same with virtual classes, besides commuting to and from the center,” Ko said. “Our goal is to keep the experience as consistent as possible for the student.”

Consistency is important for children during this unusual period, Ko said. Parents can count on Kumon activities being something their child is doing every day, since it is so routine-based, Ko said.

In addition, Kumon can be a light for kids during a time when they may be physically separated from their teachers and friends, and away from familiar classroom surroundings.

“It’s important to keep children on track right now because of our efforts to combat the ‘COVID Slide’,” Ko said. “A report released by the NWEA suggests that because of the break from the classroom caused by COVID-19, there’s a risk for some students returning to school in the fall with only 70% of the reading knowledge they acquired from the previous school year, and just half of what they learned in math.”

Incorporating consistent academic enrichment into a child’s education is also crucial due to the uncertainty surrounding what school will be like this year, Ko said.

Editor’s note: These details may change as conditions develop.

danapointtimes.com

The JuCo Route Community colleges have gained popularity with those looking to save on costs

A

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

s a college education becomes more important and more expensive, and college admissions become more competitive, a prudent option for graduating high school seniors—or anyone getting back into higher education—is the junior college route.

The route is also becoming a popular one.

Freshman applications dropped 5.4% from 2018 to 2019 across the nine campuses of the University of California system, with the declines coming at UCLA, UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Santa Barbara and UC Santa Cruz. However, the system also saw a 4.8% increase in transfer applications, with UCLA receiving a 12.5% increase in transfer applications from Californian students, according to the Los Angeles Times.

California’s community college system is the largest system of higher education in the country, with nine colleges in Orange County. Saddleback College in Mission Viejo and Irvine Valley College in Irvine make up the two local options in the South Orange County Community College District.

Saddleback College boasts a robust amount of resources for its more than 3,500 students who transfer to four-year universities every year.

Students who choose the junior college route will find two major benefits: significant tuition costs saved and transfer admission guarantees and partnerships with many major universities.

Cost has been seen by many as the biggest contributing factor to the growth in popularity of the transfer route.

According to Saddleback College, students who complete two years at Saddleback save thousands of dollars in tuition at Southern California’s biggest universities.

Based on 2018-19 tuition and fees, Saddleback says those who complete four-year degrees at Cal State Fullerton save more than $11,000, more than $24,000 at UC Irvine and more than $100,000 at USC.

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 13

One of Saddleback’s main goals is to help facilitate those transfers, to make sure the hard hours of effort aren’t wasted in the competitive race for college admissions.

The biggest way the college has done this is with the development of articulation agreements with Cal State and University of California campuses, as well as many major out-of-state and private schools. These agreements assure that the courses taken at Saddleback will transfer to the student’s school of choice, and that the courses will satisfy degree requirements at the chosen institution. Students at Saddleback can earn special Associate Degrees for Transfer in more than 25 majors of varying disciplines.

Beyond just making sure the classes will count at the next school, Saddleback has agreements with several in-state schools, as well as out-of-state and private universities.

Saddleback offers Transfer Admission Guarantees with six UC campuses—Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz—as well as transfer partnerships with 11 institutions, some in only particular programs.

Saddleback has partnerships with Arizona State University, Cal Baptist and Chapman University for Health Services and with Pepperdine University for the Graziadio School of Business and Management, among others.

To assist students with fulfilling their requirements and taking advantage of those guarantees, the Saddleback College Transfer Center offers plenty of resources and counselors that can help through any step of the transfer process.

In the COVID-19 era, even Saddleback College’s transfer center has had to adapt.

In addition to phone and email, students can virtually contact the transfer center via Zoom video calls, and Saddleback and Irvine Valley College will join to host a virtual transfer college fair on Sept. 15.

For more information about transferring through Saddleback College, call 949.582.4328, email sctransfer@saddleback.edu or visit saddleback.edu/transfer. danapointtimes.com

Ranking

Local Schools

A

BY COSTA BEAVIN-PAPPAS

s the beginning of a new school year begins for many local South Orange County residents, many start their academic careers in first grade while others go off to middle school and high school. It is often difficult to decide where to send your child. The following are the rankings for public elementary, middle and high schools in the region.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS • Moulton Elementary School, located in Laguna Niguel, has 603 students and is ranked #408 in Best Public Elementary School in California.

• Hidden Hills Elementary, located in Laguna Niguel, has 366 students with a student-toteacher ratio of 28 to 1. The school is ranked #529 among Los Angeles area schools.

• Clarence Lobo Elementary, located in San Clemente, has 366 students with a studentteacher ratio of 26 to 1. The school is ranked #603.

• Marblehead Elementary School, located in San Clemente, has 354 students with a student-teacher ratio of 27 to 1. The school is ranked #728 in Best Public Schools in the Los Angeles area.

28 to 1. The school is ranked #739 in Best Schools in California.

• Concordia Elementary School, located in San Clemente, has 575 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 34 to 1.

The school is ranked #494 in Best Schools in California.

• Las Palmas Elementary School, located in San Clemente, has 889 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 30 to 1.

The school is ranked #591 in Best Schools in Los Angeles area.

• Harold Ambuehl Elementary School, located in San Juan Capistrano, has 358 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 28 to 1. The school is ranked #616 in Best Schools in Los Angeles area.

• Kinoshita Elementary School, located in San Juan Capistrano, has 534 students in grades K-5 and a student-teacher ratio of 27 to 1. The school is not listed in any ranking according to Niche.com.

• Esencia Elementary School, located in Rancho Mission Viejo, has 449 students in grades K-5 and a student-teacher ratio of 28 to 1. There are no available rankings for this school according to Niche.com.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

• San Juan Elementary School, located in San Juan Capistrano, has 785 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 27 to 1. The school is ranked #852 in Best Public Schools in the Los Angeles area.

• Vista Del Mar Middle School, located in San Clemente, has 683 students with a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1. It is ranked #4 among schools in the district and #144 among statewide middle schools.

• Palisades Elementary School, located in Capistrano Beach, has 445 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 28 to 1. The school is ranked #648 in Best Public Schools in the Los Angeles area.

• Niguel Hills Middle School, located in Laguna Niguel, is ranked #9 out of 12 middle schools in the district and #324 out of 2,155 middle schools in the state.

• RH Dana Elementary School, located in Dana Point, has students in grades with a student-teacher ratio of. The school is ranked #3,222 out of 5,288 California elementary schools.

• Truman Benedict Elementary School, located in San Clemente, has 671 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

• Bernice Ayer Middle School, located in San Clemente, has 929 students with a studentteacher ratio of 24 to 1. The school is ranked #10 out of the 12 middle schools in the district and #328 out of middle schools statewide.

• Shorecliffs Middle School, located in San Clemente, has 929 students with a studentteacher ratio of of 25 to 1. It is ranked #11 out of 12 middle schools in the district and

#362 out of 2,155 middle schools statewide.

California high schools.

• Marco Forster Middle School, located in San Juan Capistrano, has 1,403 students and is ranked #666 of 2,155 California public schools. The middle school is ranked #12 among middle schools in the district and #666 of the 2,155 middle schools in California.

• San Clemente High School is ranked #5 out of the nine high schools in the district and # 209 out of 1,727 California high schools.

HIGH SCHOOL • San Juan Hills High, located in in San Juan Capistrano, is ranked #3 among the nine high schools in the district and #159 of 1,727 California high schools.

• Dana Hills High, located in Dana Point, is ranked #4 out of the nine high schools in the district and #201 out of the 1,727

Page 14

• Junipero Serra High School is an above average, public, alternative school located in San Juan Capistrano. It has 161 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. It ranks #237 in Best High Schools for the Arts in America.

The rankings were compiled through Niche.com and SchoolDigger, websites that use test scores, district boundaries, student/teacher ratios and scores to help parents evaluate the performance and quality of education for schools around the United States.

danapointtimes.com

Y

BY GINA COUSINEAU

YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S

NUTRITION INFLUENCER

ou can’t deny that we parents are the ones who control what our children eat the majority of the time, especially in the midst of a pandemic, when we are together 24/7. While I am an evidence- and sciencebased practitioner, when it comes to nutrition and our food choices, there are a whole host of emotions attached to those decisions. And I am not talking about the tantrum your toddler throws when wanting one more cookie, or even your teenager, who has decided to be a vegan this week, when you put chicken on their plate.

If we, the parents, have no idea how to feed ourselves— let’s face it, folks, we were sitting in the midst of an obesity pandemic before COVID-19 hit—how in the world can we feed our kids? I am utterly dismayed by the amount of attention paid to breast/bottle feeding infants in that first year of life, compared to how little care is given to the food we feed our toddlers and Instagram and Facebook: beyond. @mamagslifestyle So, as you are inundated @kids.eat.in.color with trying to keep house, @healthy.mom.healthy.kids homeschool your kids, work, @feedinglittles exercise, and more, I am go@foodsciencebabe ing to suggest you use social @babyledweanteam media to help guide your way with feeding your kids more Podcasts: wholesome food. In all cases, The Nourished Child you really should look to a Liz’s Healthy Table registered dietitian-nutritionist, or a nutritionist like myself, who has a Master of Science in nutrition, to guide your way. Your fitness guru, the author with an MD after their name, or your favorite celebrity, chef, designer or blogger does not have the extensive education and training in the field of nutrition needed to make real-life decisions on what you should consider feeding your family, regardless of the credentials they throw your way.

Resources

TAKE THE ROLE SERIOUSLY

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 15

I also believe we must bring the family back around the kitchen table, and it should really start with gathering in the kitchen to prepare a meal. Back in the day, we had Home Economics in school teaching us the basics of running a home.

Today, the ease of grabbing take-away food, paired with our crazy schedules, makes the kitchen obsolete. Here are a few tips to move toward improving your family’s nutrition: 1. Start by including a shopping/cooking lesson to your homeschool routine at least once a week. Great lessons in math, nutrition, economics, planning, dexterity, patience and more are waiting for you here—all critical life skills.

2. Find a family-friendly cooking show to watch together or, better yet, join “Mama G LIVE” for complimentary cooking classes via Zoom. Allow everyone to participate in making a meal plan for the week, choosing their favorite meals, with theme nights leading the way, such as Taco Tuesday and Friday Pizza Night.

3. Eat more plants, choosing minimally processed options, with fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains leading the way. Adding in a variety of dairy will help get the much-needed protein and calcium humans of all ages need for optimum health.

4. And if you need direction, consider hiring one of the professionals I spoke of above to help guide your way.

Variety is the spice of life; it is also the precursor to a balanced diet, which will drive the health of your family.

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

danapointtimes.com

no longer acceptable. Parents are demanding more from their schools. They are considering all options. They are looking to schools for real solutions that address students’ needs right now and make it possible for children to continue learning, growing and thriving in the midst of present challenges.

A globally recognized private school with a new preschool-through-grade-12 campus in San Juan Capistrano, Fairmont offers many programs to meet a wide range of educational needs. Fairmont starts with the student—meeting children where they are—and prepares an educational pathway that takes them farther than they imagined possible.

S PEC I A L A DVE RT IS ING S ECT IO N

Great Opportunities

Imagine What’s Possible.

Expect the Extraordinary.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced educators into uncharted waters. But thinking outside of the box is nothing new for Fairmont. Since its inception in 1953, Fairmont has weathered many storms that have impacted the landscape of education.

Its staying power speaks to the strength of its tried and tested methods, as well as its relentless pursuit of innovation.

prepared for life and leadership.

Schedule a tour today by contacting admissions@cvcs.org, by calling 949.493.5683 or by visiting our website at cvcs.org.

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools The dreams we have for our children are based on hopes for a lifetime of success, happiness, and purpose. At Capistrano Valley Christian Schools, we believe the foundations of those dreams are built on a rich academic program coupled with an emphasis on spiritual and moral development. Our students learn through a program that values and develops critical thinking, innovation, creativity and foundational skills to prepare them for life after graduation.

Though academic success is important to us, it is meaningless unless we also develop students who are positive contributors to our society’s moral fabric. We instill Christian faith, virtue, and character in our children by weaving Biblical principles into every component of our program. The outstanding CVCS staff authentically cares for the students who grace our halls, which creates a deeply connected sense of community, setting us apart from other schools in South Orange County.

In addition to academic rigor and spiritual development, CVCS maintains an athletic program that has won multiple CIF championships while teaching athletes integrity and discipline, and maintains award-winning fine arts and performing arts departments.

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools, founded in 1973, is a nonprofit Christian, college-preparatory, co-ed school serving Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade located in San Juan Capistrano, California.

CVCS provides educational excellence in a Christ-centered environment. The result of a CVCS education is a student who is truly Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Capistrano Unified School District Welcome Back to the 2020-21 School Year!

By Kirsten Vital, Superintendent, Capistrano Unified School District The start of a new school year is always an exciting time! And, although we opened very differently than what we were all used to, I want to assure you that we remain committed to supporting our students, families, and staff as we begin this adventure together.

This school year will truly be like no other.

However, our promise to provide an extraordinary teaching and learning experience to our 47,000 young people remains the same, whether online or in the classroom.

We are committed to supporting our working families while providing engaging and flexible learning options for all students.

Our rigorous and engaging curriculum will initially be delivered online, and later, as guidelines allow, in the classroom.

We will continue to place a strong emphasis and integration on mental health, emotional support, and social emotional learning, while continuing to foster cultural diversity. Our school counselors will be providing webinars and other resources for our students and families who may be experiencing anxieties or stresses through these challenging times.

We will continue to take proactive and re-

sponsive measures to ensure the health and safety of our students, families and staff, and we will continue to align ourselves with the California Department of Public Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency to ensure our schools and classrooms follow all safety protocols.

And, we will continue to innovate our oncampus learning models to be implemented once Orange County meets the California Department of Public Health criteria for reopening.

Thank you for entrusting your child’s education to our CUSD family of educators. We thank you for your patience, support and understanding as we navigate this journey together.

Stay safe and healthy and welcome back!

Fairmont Schools Meeting the Moment: Fairmont Answers Demand for Student-Centered Learning Back to school 2020 is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. As teachers, students and parents come to terms with our “new normal,” questions remain over what is best for kids. Are children falling behind?

Are remote programs rigorous enough? Will our children suffer long-term consequences from this unprecedented disruption to their education?

These are the questions Fairmont’s team of educators has been wrestling with for months. While the harsh realities are clear enough, the solutions are less obvious.

What is clear is that children can’t wait.

This school year matters.

We also know that “education as usual” is

Page 16

Empowering Students and Their Parents Parents have an intuitive understanding of what works best for their child. Fairmont honors parent involvement and comes alongside families to offer guidance in identifying strengths and suggesting programs that maximize student success. Education is not a “one-size-fits-all” proposition. That’s why Fairmont focuses on providing a variety of programs to meet the needs of students: • Traditional School Day Program— Fairmont’s reopening plan offers two options for parents: remote learning via livestreamed classrooms or a fully on-campus alternative. County health authorities recently granted the school a waiver (a testament to its safety protocols), allowing students in grades K-6 to return for on-campus, in-person instruction. For families who have opted to learn from home, the school offers a remote option that balances academic needs with social-emotional learning.

• Fairmont Select Academy—This home education program provides a solution for parents who want the flexibility of a traditional “homeschool” platform, but need the additional support of highly trained educators. Instead of parents and students struggling to navigate educational excellence on their own, they have a team of educators with years of experience at their side, leading the way.

• Fairmont Athletic Academy—What if your elite athlete could receive both academic instruction and athletic training all within their regular school day?

Students enrolled in this innovative program at the San Juan Capistrano campus benefit from Fairmont’s acclaimed faculty and curriculum, while receiving world-class athletic training through its partner, The Treigning Lab. • Fairmont Music & Dance Academy— This program embodies the intersection between the arts and academics.

Students spend half the day receiving a premier Fairmont education and the danapointtimes.com

other half receiving instruction at OC Music & Dance, a renowned conservatory in Irvine.

• Academic Learning Assistance—One of the core tenets of a Fairmont education is “meeting students where they are.”

The Academic Learning Assistance program empowers, encourages, and enhances student achievement, and promotes success of students who need extra attention.

• Foundations—Foundations is a groundbreaking Fairmont partner school for students with learning challenges, such as dyslexia, ADD, auditory processing, and comprehension difficulties. It is grounded in 30 years of cognitive brain research and moves past traditional symptom management to addressing the root cause.

Fairmont is now enrolling P-12th grade students across its family of schools in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, North Tustin and San Juan Capistrano. To learn more, visit fairmontschools. com or call 714.790.3989

Kidcreate Studio

Kidcreate Studio is an art studio just for kids. We specialize in classes, camps and parties for children ages 18 months to 12 years. We offer classes in our bright, beautiful studio in Dana Point, as well as live virtual classes, and classes and events on-

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

the-go through our mobile studio.

Kidcreate is a great way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of art.

We provide a positive, self-esteem-building environment for children to explore the visual arts. Kidcreate’s curriculum was designed by art education professionals and offers projects and classes tailored to match the developmental needs of kids at different ages. Toddler classes are fast-moving, energized, playful; preschool classes begin to build in basic art concepts and encourage kids’ growing independence; and schoolaged classes encourage self-confidence and creativity, while taking projects in more sophisticated directions with more advanced materials and techniques. Our age groupings are flexible and allow us to meet the individual needs of children and sibling groupings.

At all of our classes, camps and even birthday parties, kids learn about the elements of art and explore a wide range of artistic styles and lots of different materials.

Some classes are more classical in nature, while others explore fun themes from kids’ popular culture. Children create with paint, clay, and so much more. We love to give little ones the opportunity to get messy with things such as plaster, tie-dye, and slime, which maybe aren’t for every family to try at home.

Exploring art, feeling free to make some messes, and having fun—that’s basically what Kidcreate Studio is all about.

34255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 113, Dana Point, 949.370.9509, kidcreate.com/dana-point.

South Coast Conservatory’s All-New Kids Club Since COVID has impacted our collective communities, South Coast Conservatory (SCC) has expanded its offerings to include a comprehensive online training program, outdoor classrooms, virtual performances and an all-new “Kids Club.” This exciting program offers tutoring, arts enrichment, physical education and stress management classes to children of students of essential workers starting in September.

949.367.0099, scconservatory.com

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Academic Excellence | Culture of Innovation | Transformative Tartan Experience We believe in our students—their natural curiosity, talents, interests and intellectual vitality. St. Margaret’s surrounds students with a vibrant and engaging learning environ-

Page 17

ment that guides their individual development, character, well-being and intellectual pursuits. St. Margaret’s is active and alive with students who are motivated and excited to be here, learning and growing together. From Early Childhood to Upper School, our everyday leaves a lifetime impact on our students.

A vigorous liberal arts academic program and expert faculty challenge and inspire students to discover, learn, grow and excel to their fullest potential. Opportunities abound in arts, athletics, STEAM, experiential and service learning, and leadership.

We advance our academic program with a student-centered innovation process. We invest in new curriculum and teaching strategies, modern technologies, world-class learning environments, community partnerships and collaborations that pave exciting and rewarding paths for students.

St. Margaret’s students are known for their character, poise, thoughtfulness and integrity.

An inclusive, loving community rooted in shared values and our Episcopal identity is the foundation for a transformative student life program that fosters belonging, life skills, purpose and well-being, instills a strong moral compass and inspires responsibility, leadership and service to the world.

St. Margaret’s is a premier, independent school educating 1,245 students, preschool through grade 12. The school’s reputation for the depth and quality of its education brings more than 150 colleges and universities to campus annually to recruit its graduates.

31641 La Novia San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.0108, smes.org. danapointtimes.com

Local Foundation Funds Educational Programs The San Clemente High School Education Foundation, an academic booster club and all-volunteer organization, works to fund a handful of various programs and services through the local high school that are designed to support high-achieving students and ensure they reach their maximum potential.

Through donations and the philanthropic efforts of the local community, the SCEF has funded after-school tutoring sessions and field trip support, as well as hosting seminars for college applications and curriculums, college and career planning, to name a few. Here are just some of the other services SCEF funds: Freshman Focus Freshman students and their parents can meet with a San Clemente High teacher to develop an educational path toward their college goals.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Test Prep These after-school seminars, held in April, help to prepare students for national and international testing in two dozen advanced subjects.

Academic Decathlon Funding Support SCEF subsidizes expenses for this program, which gives San Clemente High students an opportunity to compete in an academic competition against other high schools.

Classroom Chromebooks Fundraising drives have allowed the SCEF to provide hundreds of students with Chromebooks, providing them access to 21st century technology for learning.

College Essay and Application Workshop Students who need help with drafting their college essays and applications can meet with counselors, advisors and AP English teachers for guidance.

The SCEF is regularly in need of volunteers interested in supporting the academic programs at San Clemente High. To learn more on how to volunteer with the organization, contact info@schsef.org.

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

FINANCIAL PLANNERS:

I

INVEST AND SAVE EARLY FOR COLLEGE EXPENSES

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

t’s never too early to start planning and saving for your child’s college education, according to a couple of the area’s top financial advisors.

“The best way (to save and invest) would be the sooner, the better,” said Corrine LaFollette, a certified retirement counselor and director of Financial Operations for Arlon Enmeier in San Clemente.

Ryan Krause, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Dana Point, echoes that sentiment, stating that “starting early is paramount.”

“So, realistically, when the child is born, you have 18 years” to save, he said, adding that “the biggest determinant of an investment’s success is your time horizon, as each year has a compounding interest.”

According to the University of California school system, the cost of tuition for an instate undergraduate student attending a UC school in the 2020-2021 school year is $14,100. That’s not factoring in other costs such as books and supplies, room and board and transportation.

When factoring in all of those anticipated expenses for the single year, UC officials estimate the total average cost ranging from $34,100 to $36,700, depending on whether the student is living on or off campus. And the price, of course, nearly doubles for non-California residents.

If those prices are perceived to be steep now, imagine what new parents today will be expected to pay by the time their child becomes an undergrad.

“College prices continue to rise faster than inflation, averaging 5% per year,” Krause said. “While no one can predict if this pace will continue, parents need to understand and incorporate these rising cost estimates into their savings strategies.”

That’s why, Krause stresses, it’s important to start early, even if it’s just by putting in about $50 every month to start.

The next step for parents, he says, is to also make sure they

Page 18

know what investment plans are available.

Both Krause and LaFollette agree that a 529 college savings plan is the best investment option, as it’s the most flexible and tax-free as long as the funds are used toward a beneficiary’s qualified educational expenses.

LaFollette explains that anyone—whether it’s the accountholder, a parent, a grandparent, relative or family friend—can each contribute up to $15,000 a year toward the account.

It’s also flexible in that the accountholder can designate the funds to go to a new beneficiary, such as another child or relative for their schooling, if per se, the first child didn’t need to use all of the money or opted not to pursue a higher degree at all.

“It’s so flexible you can move (the 529) over to any sibling, any family member,” she said. “Also, it doesn’t have to be for a four-year college; it can be a vocational school, any institution that accepts federal scholarships like Pell grants,” as an example.

Such qualifying expenses include tuition and fees, supplies, equipment such as computers and laptops, as well as room and board, or rent.

Should an accountholder withdraw funds for non-education expenses, they’d be hit with a 10% tax penalty.

LaFollette and Krause also advise that parents should make sure to find the right balance in their investments, not putting aside all of their savings into their child’s education while neglecting their own plan for retirement.

Parents are “dealing with current expenses, but they’re also trying to fund their own retirements, they’re trying to save for long-term goals, and they know their child’s college is looming; it’s getting closer and closer,” LaFollette said. “So we use the bucket analogy a bit, to make sure you’re contributing into each of the buckets.”

For Krause, what he often sees are parents dealing with regret for not planning ahead of time.

“The biggest thing I see across the board is the regret of (parents) not starting something sooner and not educating or becoming aware of what’s available,” Krause said.

danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 19

danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 20

danapointtimes.com

DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

At the Movies: Why Movie Theaters Can Still Matter in the 21st Century

EDITOR’S PICK Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Institute

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27: MOVE YOUR BOOTY: VIRTUAL RACE Noon. This month-long virtual challenge encourages individuals, families, groups, and corporate teams to get outdoors and get moving in a fun way. Runners, walkers, paddleboarders, and more are invited to sign up and get moving through Sept. 10. Prizes will encourage creativity and fun while creating excitement for the Ocean Institute Virtual Maritime Festival, which kicks off Sept. 11. All race registrants will get an exclusive race T-shirt. Proceeds from this event will support Ocean Institute’s programs at CHOC Children’s (Children’s Hospital of Orange County). Ocean Institute. oceaninstitute.redpodium.com/move-your-booty.

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to Dana Point Times by going to danapointtimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

Saturday | 29 2020 ARTIST STUDIO & GALLERY TOUR 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Join Art Along the Coast for its second weekend, when 34 juried artists from the 2020 Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach open their private studios and gallery venues. Drive at your own pace on this no-cost, self-guided tour through South Orange County, starting in San Clemente on the way up to Santa Ana, where artists will be sharing new art, works in progress, and a glimpse into their creative processes. This is a unique opportunity to view and acquire many works not yet seen by the public from this group of professional painters, sculptors, photographers, and artists specializing in pastel, mixed media, glass and jewelry. For further questions, conDana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

tact Paul Bond at paul@paulbondart.com. artalongthecoast.org.

LOW-COST PET VACCINE CLINIC 10-11:30 a.m. Pets Plus San Clemente offers low-cost vaccinations for all dogs and cats every month. All veterinary services are provided by Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. Vaccination packages, microchips, physical exams, prescription flea control, fecal exams, and diagnostic testing available on-site. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. 415 Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 1.800.988.8387. vetcarepetclinic.com.

Sunday | 30 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente.

949 361 8200. san-clemente.org.

Wednesday | 02 FREE COMM’UNITY YOGA 11 a.m.-noon. YNG Studios is offering a free yoga session with social distancing while following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no fees or obligations—just

show up with a mat and enjoy yoga for all levels and all bodies. Pose breakdowns and modifications as needed to ensure your safety and comfort. For more information and to reserve a spot, visit yngstudios.com. YNG Studios, 102 South Ola Vista, San Clemente.

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

Performers of all skill levels are welcome.

If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

CASS WINE DINNER WITH TED 6:30-8 p.m. Cass Winery is letting Ted off the ranch for his first wine dinner in San Clemente in 2020. He’s fired up and excited to team up with Barnoa Wine Co. There will be featured wines such as Viognier, Oasis Rose, Mourvedre and Vintage Ted. Cost to join the tasting is $25 per person. There will be wine and food sales available and outdoor seating is limited. Call Barnoa for reservations at 949.388.4378 or visit its website at barnoawinebar.com. Barnoa Wine Company, 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente. 805.239.1730. casswines.com.

Page 21

BlackWidow. Photo: Courtesy of Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

T

he past week has made my recurring frustration this year go from the denial of new movie releases—because of an unprecedented pandemic—to an old debate that I’ve seen argued for almost a decade, even before the coronavirus: whether the modern movie theater experience has become less enjoyable and a reason for streaming and home viewing to take over watching films. As a lifelong movie lover and traditionalist, I personally can’t imagine a world without the availability of a big screen with a dark room and snacks—a big part of why this crisis was a huge personal blow for me, on top of other reasons.

The arguments I’ve seen from naysayers about going to the theater to see new movies are pretty consistent: “People are too loud”; “The seats are dirty”; “Late attendees are distracting”; “It’s claustrophobic”; and so on. All of these things, I can agree, are obnoxious. The pro-streaming crowd has been happily predicting that with events such as the pandemic, new movies going straight to VOD or virtual cinemas will now be a norm much sooner. If this does happen soon, I feel the average price to view a movie at home right away will have to be somewhere in the $10-$20 range.

At home, I’m constantly distracted by my thoughts, surroundings and devices. In a theater setting, I can absorb the full film experience with the huge scope and atmosphere of the feature with the dark setting, full sound system and giant screen. This is the common divide among the general public. As was originally standard, TV shows are for the small screen, movies are for the big screen. So, while others are enjoying the few new releases in home viewing formats, I’ll continue waiting for the world to go back to normal, and that includes trying drive-in theaters if one ends up opening close to me. DP danapointtimes.com

DP

Dana Point Point Dana

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

Seniors, Beware: Some Companies Want Your Money I n writing this newspaper column, and my weekly eNewsletter blog, I am fortunate to hear from many seniors who are willing to share their questions and experiences.

Some readers have contacted me multiple times over the years. For example, Helen, who lives near Phoenix, has contacted me 19 times in the past 12 years.

On June 6, Helen emailed: “Phil, my significant other, is in the hospital. I have taken care of him physically since we met in 2003.

I am trying to get an Arizona long-term care program and VA benefits in place for him.

Today, I hired a company that does that. I feel guilty, but at 80 ½, I no longer have the physical mobility to take care of him.”

I asked Helen about the company she hired to help her get benefits for Phil.

Helen responded: “I ON LIFE AND looked online for senior LOVE AFTER 50 living and was contacted

By Tom Blake by some company that I signed up with for assistance. To begin, they required a $3,000 deposit.”

In mid-August, Helen emailed sad news.

“I lost Phil on June 27. He had been in the hospital for over a month, on hospice the last five days. I miss him terribly. I was stressed out, as he wanted to come home until near the last, and I was physically unable to take care of him.

“Phil is no longer enduring all the problems he had. He would have detested having to live in a nursing home or adult-care center.

“With my lack of decent mobility, everything I do takes so long, but I am very blessed when I look around at what the world is going through.

“Regarding the company that has kept my $3,000, I suppose they are within their rights, but I learned a valuable lesson: Don’t blindly sign any ‘docu-sign’ things that are sent to one’s email without asking for and waiting to fully examine their contents.

“I asked for half the money back and made numerous phone calls and emails.

It was only when I wrote them private messages on their (Facebook) page that I got a response. I may write to the (Better Business Bureau), but doubt it will do any good, and I do not wish to create a problem. Some things are better put aside.”

Before sending my condolences to Helen, I checked the email archives. Her first email to me was on Oct. 24, 2008. In that email, she wrote, “Phil and I had been to some of the same places while in the military, and both were born in obscure little towns in northern CA and grew up in Oregon about 150 miles apart.”

I shared those first-email memories with her.

She responded: “I no longer feel the need for male companionship. Maybe it’s due to my age, but, also, Phil and I just clicked.

“Life is OK. The most difficult part is when a person has no close relatives or really good friends; it can make one feel insecure.

“I worry about our cat, even if that sounds silly. I can’t catch him to take him to the vet for routine appointments and to get his claws trimmed. He is so bored and wants out and misses Phil a lot. So Petey

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 lboyd@picketfencemedia.com.

and I are now holding down the fort.”

I responded: “Even with your pain, you have a great attitude. I know you miss Phil terribly—I can only imagine the emptiness you feel after 17 years. But stand tall; you took care of him and were the strong one.

Be proud of what you did.”

A lesson for seniors. Be careful when engaging a company online to help find a senior living place. It can be expensive and a waste of money. Three weeks after Helen signed up, her Phil passed away. Thanks to

Helen for sharing her story.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and Dana Point resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating.

See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment, email tompblake@gmail.com. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, Dana Point 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 Dana Point Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com. The Dana Point Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

BY MYLES MELLOR

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

Last week’s solution:

DANA POINT TIMES

E

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photo was taken of siblings Colette, Julie and Julian at Capistrano Beach in 1991.

Sudoku

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Elsa lsa is an especially sweet little girl who is now available for adoption. A 4-yearold Chihuahua mix, she bubbles over with happy energy. Whether she’s chasing fuzzy toys or cuddled in your lap, Elsa can always put a smile on your face. She would be a great fit in just about any home.

If you are interested in adopting Elsa, please visit petprojectfoundation.org to download an adoption application form.

Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org and you

Photo: Shades of L.A./Los Angeles Public Library

Elsa. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. DP

Page 22

See the solution in next week’s issue.

danapointtimes.com

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Rising Tide

Dana Wharf Sportfishing thrives since summer reopening

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

E

ven a pandemic can’t put a damper on a good fish story.

As a half-day trip prepared to make its return to Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 22, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching’s Reel Fun made one last stop at the reef off the coast of T-Street Beach in San Clemente.

Bass fishing has been great, as the water temperatures have risen up to 78 degrees, and Reel Fun Captain Chris Pica tried to capitalize on that for his anglers.

That’s where Owen Burnside of Coto de Caza entered into this fish story.

Fishing is a sport of skill, intuition and instinct, but there’s also an element of luck in it. Burnside figured into the latter on Saturday.

Burnside’s live sardine bait had been swallowed by a hungry calico bass. And that hooked calico looked appetizing to a passing hungry seabass, which knocked the calico bass off the hook trying to devour it. However, that was folly for the seabass, as the fish hooked itself onto Burnside’s line. It was quite the upgrade for Burnside, as he reeled in the banner catch of the week with this 52-pound seabass (pictured above).

Not everyone is catching 50-pound fish, but post-reopening business has been strong for Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching.

Dana Wharf had to shut down operations on March 17, but since reopening on May 25, business has been booming, which Dana Wharf managing partner Donna Kalez attributes to their loyal customers.

“Every single fishing boat has been sold out to capacity,” Kalez said. “We’ve had zero problems with that. During the closure, we had these dates that we were working off of, and they kept getting moved. But our customers were very resilient.”

Dana Wharf customers with reservations kept working with the new dates, and when they finally came back, they returned to a world of new protocols on the boats to which they had become familiar.

Kalez said the Dana Wharf boats have stringent safety protocols and sanitation standards, and the biggest change Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Captain Chris Pica (left) of Dana Wharf’s Reel Fun holds a 52-pound seabass caught by Owen Burnside (right) of Coto de Caza on Saturday, Aug. 22. Photo: Courtesy of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

has been reduced capacity on all of the boats. After Dana Wharf measured all of its boats for mandated 6-foot social distancing, Kalez said almost all the boats are operating at 50% capacity.

While anglers were initially hesitant to jump onto the big-trip boats, Kalez said they saw a rise in demand for private charters, which feature six-person parties on one boat. The “six-pack” charters have proven to be popular, as have the smaller-capacity trips.

“We can’t make up what we lost,” Kalez said. “We just have to continue what we’ve always done. Hopefully, when we get to Stage 4 (of the state’s reopening plans), we can get full boats, but our loyal customers are loving the lower capacity.”

Overall, things are trending back up at Dana Wharf.

After being interrupted in March, the Halibut Derby had a successful conclusion in May, as a January halibut catch of 22 pounds, 5 ounces by Cher Owens held up as the winner.

Dana Wharf also had a successful summer camp for kids in June. Kalez said they had sold out the three weeks of camps in March, and nobody budged off their reservations after the closures.

Next up, Dana Wharf and the city of Dana Point will announce a set of afterschool fishing camps, as a young group of anglers come up to make their own fish stories—believe them or not. DP Page 23

danapointtimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): NICKOLAS ONEAL; and Does 1 through 20, inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): APPLIED MEDICAL RESOURCES CORPORATION NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Dana Point Times August 28–September 3, 2020

Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www. sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

CASE NUMBER: (Numero del Caso): 30-2019-01105052-CL-CL-CJC Judge Corey S. Cramin The name and address of the court is: (El Nombre y direccion de la corte es): Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange – Limited Civil Jurisdiction 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff ’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del obogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): William J. Brown, Jr. (SBN 192950), Alexander Avery (SBN 307390); Brown Wegner LLP 2010 Main Street, Suite 1260, Irvine, California 92701 Telephone 949.705.0080 DATE: (Fecha) 10/15/2019 David H. Yamasaki, Clerk of the Court, by (Secretario) Brenda Sanchez, Deputy Clerk(Adjunto) Published: Dana Point Times August 21, 28, September 4, 11, 2020

Records in the office of the Recorder of Orange County, California, Date of Sale: 9/3/2020 at 12:00 PM Place of Sale: At the north front entrance to the county courthouse, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa 24702 El Camino Capistrano Ana, CA 92701 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $1,868,813.29 Street Address or other common designation of real property: Dana Point, California 92629 and 1300 Dunning Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651 A.P.N.: 682-203-07 and 644-172-05 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above.

If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. 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 (714) 730-2727 or visit this Internet Web site https://www.lpsasap. com/, using the file number assigned to this case SLG-170-SCF. 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 Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

Date: 8/6/2020 The Singer Law Group 2222 Martin Suite 214 Irvine, California Sale Line: (714) 7302727 Daniel Singer, Managing Attorney A-4725890 08/14/2020, 08/21/2020, 08/28/2020

Complete your required legal or public notice advertising in the Dana Point Times.

EMAIL legals@picketfencemedia.com CALL 949.388.7700, ext. 111

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S. No.: SLG170-SCF Loan No.: 19-170 APN: 682-203-07 and 644-172-05 Property Address: 24702 El Camino Capistrano, Dana Point, California 92629 and 1300 Dunning Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651 NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 8/9/2019. 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 PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property’ under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Trustor: Christopher Summers, Successor Trustee of the Judith L. Hoon Trust dated February 23, 2009 Duly Appointed Trustee: The Singer Law Group Recorded 8/16/2019 as Instrument No. 2019000303823 in book , page of Official

LOCALS ONLY

BUSINESS LISTINGS ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program 665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, San Clemente, 949.485.4979, info@bodymindspiritiop.com, bodymindspiritiop.com

ATTORNEY

Rosen Law Offices, P.C.

34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 5, 949.335.0020, snrosenlaw.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto

34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com

Page 24

INSURANCE SERVICES

State Farm/Elaine LaVine

34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, elainelavine.net

MASSAGE THERAPY

Paul Svoboda CAMTC #76690 Monarch Beach Studio or Outcall, 310.387.2560 MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, danmans.com

Yeungs Violin Studio

949.388.4038, heilingyeung@hotmail.com, yeungsschoolofviolin.com/violinestudio

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection

1001 Calle Recodo, San Clemente, 949.481.7013, atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1001 Calle Recodo, San Clemente, 949.492.3558, billmetzerplumbing.com

UPHOLSTERY & INTERIORS

Jeddy’s Interiors

34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. 2, 949.240.9569, jeddys.com

danapointtimes.com

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at danapointtimes.com GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@danapointtimes.com Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or email lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

Do you want to reach 10,000+ people in the Dana Point area every week?

Then you need to be in the Dana Point Times.

Call us today!

Contact Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700 ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 25

danapointtimes.com

DP DP SURF Dana Point

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Why Aloha Matters Now More Than Ever

Surfing has a lot of work to do to be more inclusive, but it all starts with how we act in the water

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

T

his week, we celebrated the 130th birthday of the great Duke Kahanamoku. Regarded as the “father of modern surfing” and Hawaii’s “ambassador of aloha,” Kahanamoku spent his life sharing and teaching people about the benefits of a life in the sea.

“Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawaii renowned as the world’s center of understanding and fellowship,” Kahanamoku’s business card famously read. “Try meeting or leaving people with Aloha. You’ll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it, and it is my creed.”

Kahanamoku’s dedication to his “universal spirit” resonates especially deep today, as we find ourselves in a time of partisan and social division. As a Native Hawaiian and the first Pacific Islander to earn Olympic glory, Kahanamoku certainly had to contend with racism in a myriad of forms.

“Even his seemingly glamorous move to Hollywood—where he was lured by a promise to play King Kamehameha in a film that never got made—turned into a series of psycho-spiritual beat-downs,” writes author and former Surfer Magazine editor Steve Hawk in a newly published piece on Surfline.com. “This was in the 1920s, before dark-skinned actors were given leading roles, so Duke found himself cast in a series of minor ‘ethnic’ characters.”

Over the weekend, the San Clemente Times received a report of racially motivated violence in the water at San Onofre State Beach. During the incident, according to a witness, three older white men began yelling racial epithets at two Asian men who were attempting to learn to surf.

It was then that another surfer in the area intervened, condemning and admonishing them for their inappropriate behavior. That’s when the situation reportedly escalated. One of the older men allegedly

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

GROM OF THE WEEK

DASH PINEGAR

Dash Pinegar. Photo: Courtesy of Dash Pinegar

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

S Duke Kahanamoku walking on water on a classic Hawaiian olo-style board in his hometown of Waikiki.

Photo: Courtesy of Tom Blake/Croul Family Collection/SHACC

attacked the good Samaritan, putting him in a chokehold while the attacker’s friends looked on and laughed.

This isn’t something that should need to be written, but there is no place for racism or hate in surfing. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. and this kind of nonsense happens more often than most surfers would care to admit.

When protests broke out after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers on May 25, surfers around the United States demonstrated their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and pursuit of social equality by staging paddle outs at beaches around the country. One of the largest was held at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas.

“It was a moment that literally saved me; it was transformative,” Selema Masakela told me in an interview last month.

An omnipresent figure in action sports media over the past two decades, Masakela’s impassioned speech served as a flashpoint for several surfers of color who witnessed it.

“Selema spoke and absolutely brought me to tears. It lit a fire under my butt and was super inspiring,” Ryan Harris, a Los Angeles-based surfboard shaper, told me when we spoke earlier this summer.

“I thought nobody was going to listen to me on my platform,” he continued, “because all I do is make surfboards. But that’s where Selema said, ‘That’s why you’re wrong, dude. You’re Black, and you’re a shaper. There’s like, none of you, so people are especially gonna listen to you.’ ” An organization called Textured Waves was instrumental in coordinating the Moonlight Beach paddle out, and they continue to advocate and take steps toward making surfing lineups more

inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The organization’s objective is to “propagate the culture and sport of women’s surfing towards women of color and underrepresented demographics through representation, community and sisterly camaraderie.”

“There is a lot of goodwill out there and a lot of people that want to help, but they don’t necessarily know how to,” Danielle Lyons Black, one of Textured Waves’ founders, explained to me.

“I think the smartest thing for folks to do is first understand that you can’t change everything,” Lyons Black continued. “I think that’s where it gets overwhelming. I think the best thing that people can do is try to be hyper-focused and find something that they’re passionate about. Find that niche that actually is meaningful to them and find a way to contribute through that.”

As heartbreaking as it is to hear that racial violence is plaguing one of our most hallowed surfing grounds, a place where the spirit of aloha is entrenched, a place where Duke Kahanamoku once sat on the sand and held court, it is a stark reminder that the work continues.

“The ocean doesn’t care about color, creed or race,” legendary surfer and oceanographer Ricky Grigg once said.

It’s up to all of us to make sure that’s the case every time we paddle out.

Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente.

A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. DP

Page 26

ometimes in the infinite scroll of social media, a post stops you in your tracks.

Such is a recent Instagram post by Texas-based photographer Rob Henson.

Stationed at the BSR Surf Resort in Waco, Texas, he’s seen world-class talent cycle through the wave pool this summer. But out of all the surfers, 14-year-old San Clemente shredder Dash Pinegar caught his eye.

“I met Dash at BSR in May of 2019. Looking back, he was a decent little surfer who you could tell was working on his turns and technique,” recalled Henson. “Fast-forward a year and a half, and Dash is a straight hammer! Solid technique and an air game to match . . . he has been grinding, for sure!”

A distinguished member of the Shorecliffs Middle School surf team, Pinegar scored an NSSA State Title back in March, before surf contests were put on ice because of the pandemic. He’s also a regular frother at the Western Surfing Association events when they’re running and is supported by iconic surf brand O’Neill.

Lately, Pinegar’s been working with world tour surfer Yadin Nicol on his air game, and it’s clearly paying off, as recently attested by stomping the landing of a backflip at the BSR pool in Waco.

Between all the time Pinegar’s spending in both salt water and freshwater, we can’t wait to see what he does next. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 64-66 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-10‘ Outlook: On Friday a blend of Southwest swell and Northwest swell maintains waist to chest high waves, (3-4’). The swell combination peaks with waist to shoulder high surf, (3-4’+) on Saturday, then eases Sunday for waist to chest high waves, (3-4’). The pattern of light early morning winds followed by moderate West/northwest afternoon onshore flow continues for Friday and the weekend.

danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 27

danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times August 28-September 3, 2020

Page 28

danapointtimes.com