September 3, 2021

SEPTEMBER 3-9, 2021 | VOLUME 14, ISSUE 36

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

U S E

INSIDE:

CUSD Announces Modified Health Guidelines EYE ON DP/PAGE 6

Kabul Bombing Kills 10 Camp Pendleton Troops EYE ON DP/PAGE 5

Return to Nature

Stakeholders Explore ‘Nature-Based’ Solutions for Capo Beach’s Long-Term Plan E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 3

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Summer high-tide events leave behind additional coastal erosion and rubble at Capistrano Beach that can be seen on Tuesday, Aug. 24. Photo: Lillian Boyd

Kolohe Andino Steps into Film Producer Role

Ocean Institute Invites Community to Celebrate Maritime Fest

Dana Hills Football Dominates Laguna Beach to Open Season

SURF/PAGE 18

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SPORTS/PAGE 16

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

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What’s Up With...

riers to implementation of a pilot project.

Capistrano Beach once had enough sand stretching along the coast to offer fire rings, volleyball court, basketball court and boardwalk.

A portion of the boardwalk and steps collapsed due to high surf on Nov. 29, 2018, with further damage seen the next day. OC Public Works soon installed more than 1,000 tons of rocks in place of the boardwalk.

More rock boulders and sandbags were placed throughout the past few years to delay the destruction of the beach, walkway and parking lot, as officials try and figure out how to proceed. But the hard armoring is a controversial method that some environmentalists say causes more harm than good by interfering with natural sand flow.

Denise Denison-Erkeneff, president of Surfrider Foundation’s South County chapter, said strips of plastic torn from the sand cubes are commonly seen during beach cleanups along nearby coastline. She also asserted that leaving the parking lot in place doesn’t solve the unsafe conditions of frequent flooding and damage to sidewalks and pavement

that require regular closures.

Denison-Erkeneff presented drone footage of waves hitting the beach, as well as the nearby homes on Beach Road, during a high tide event—which Coastal Commission Vice Chair Donne Brownsey called “shocking.”

“I’m trying to get a sense of the tidal impact to this resource, because it looks pretty profound,” Brownsey said. “We know, right now, we’ve had a great deal of sea-level rise … the beaches here are extremely vulnerable; they’ve been eroded.”

Some community members say the beach has been deprived of sand for years, which is the cause for the erosion.

Toni Nelson, founder of Capo Cares, pointed to the fact that sand had been placed years ago when the Dana Point Harbor was constructed, but a lack of replenishment is the reason why there’s little beach left, she said.

“The point I really want to make here, we don’t have much left. We don’t know how long we’ll have it,” she said. “Every day that the public gets to enjoy the beach, every day matters.”

Nelson cast her support for adding cobblestone to the north end so the path could be saved, but did not support tearing out any more of the parking.

“There is a level of uncertainty here as to whether there will be a livable shoreline in the future,” said Joseph Street, staff geologist for the California Coastal Commission. “You can just see those waves pounding the coast in that video.”

While the commission was not required to take a vote for the agenda item, staff said they will continue to coordinate with OC Parks on longer-term adaptation planning efforts for Capistrano Beach. Commissioners expect to receive a long-term plan proposal by the end of the year. That plan will require the commission’s approval.

Ships that will participate in cannon battle sails. Visitors will actively explore maritime history while experiencing the thrill of mock cannon battles at sea.

At the dock, ships will showcase life as a sailor during the Ship and A Sailor’s Life Tours.

On land, the Ocean Institute campus will feature interactive, hands-on activities that spark curiosity in Marine Science and Maritime History. Attendees can enjoy educational experiences ranging from scrimshaw to Morse code, gold panning to Sea Monsters Scavenger Hunts, touching sharks to spotting mermaids.

“We are looking forward to celebrating all things maritime with our community,” says Dr. Wendy Marshall, President of Ocean Institute. “To be able to offer

this kind of experience and enrichment again is incredibly exciting, and our team stands ready to make this a phenomenal weekend for all.”

Special events include Sails n’ Ales on Friday, September 9. Attendees can enjoy craft beer tasting from eight different local brewers, as well as music by American Idol contestant Casey Abrams, mermaid encounters, food vendors, and a prime viewing location of the visiting tall ships.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, dive into the Mermaid Breakfast. After dining with mermaids, guests will experience a dazzling swim show and story time.

Festival General Admission is included with Mermaid Breakfast tickets.

To learn more or purchase tickets, visit: oceaninstitute.org/maritime-festival.

TOP NEWS DANA POINT SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

OC Parks Presents Future Possibilities for Capo Beach

BY LILLIAN BOYD, DANA POINT TIMES

OC Parks, the agency leading efforts to protect Capistrano Beach Park and formulate both short- and long-term planning for the site, presented an update to the California Coastal Commission on Friday, Aug. 13. California Coastal Commissioners anticipate having a finalized plan to vote on by year’s end.

The presentation explored several different options for preserving the portion of coastline south of Doheny State Beach, including installing cobblestone buffers to try to save what remains of the beach.

Agency officials also proposed creating sand dunes and planting vegetation, or taking out a section of the parking lot.

According to data collection from a public access survey, the public most values the beach and coastal trail of all Capistrano Beach’s amenities. According to the survey, 60% said they want to maintain the same number of parking spaces or even increase availability, while 39% supported removing parking.

Five short-term concepts were analyzed, some adding cobblestone and sand dunes to the north area, or adding cobblestone buffer to the southern reach.

The presentation explored removing parking spaces to move beach space inward, while acknowledging this could

possibly put nearby homes at risk.

Within the “Nature-Based Pilot Project Study Report,” which was prepared in June, lessons learned are summarized regarding shoreline cobble berm projects. The report also outlines a total of five different concepts at two locations on-site, including buried cobble berms, cobble berms with vegetated dunes, and combinations of those with removal of public parking amenities.

The three alternatives, selected from the five original concepts, are a partial retreat of the southern reach of the Capistrano Beach public parking lot and installation of a buried cobble berm and vegetated dune; a full retreat of the southern reach of the parking lot, with a buried cobble berm and vegetated dune; and a buried cobble dune and vegetated berm extending from immediately north of the parking lot entrance up the coast to the Doheny State Beach public parking lot.

The study indicates that implementation of a nature-based adaptation pilot project at Capistrano Beach concludes that construction of a pilot project in the northern reach would have the greatest chance of success and provide the most useful information for future adaptation efforts.

The feasibility study did not, however, include a determination regarding whether it would be feasible for OC Parks to propose to implement any of the alternatives analyzed in the study at this time.

OC Parks staff suggested that funding and sand supply may be significant bar-

Capistrano Beach has been pounded during hightide coastal events, causing erosion and damage to its parking lot and beach trail. Photo: Lillian Boyd

Ocean Institute Invites Community to Celebrate Maritime Culture

BY LILLIAN BOYD, DANA POINT TIMES

Ocean Institute’s Maritime Festival returns to in-person festivities this year, including Mermaid Story Time. Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Institute

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

After offering a virtual version of the Maritime Fest in 2020, Ocean Institute is hosting the 37th annual festival in-person from September 10-12. Organizers say that the Maritime Fest, formerly known as the Tall Ships Festival, is weekend full of events that will offer unique experiences for all ages.

The event will feature six visiting Tall Page 3

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Kabul Bombing Claims Lives of 10 Camp Pendleton Troops

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, DANA POINT TIMES

Ten U.S. troops deployed from Camp Pendleton were among the 13 servicemen and servicewomen who died in last week’s suicide bombing at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.

The nine Marines and one Navy Corpsman were part of Camp Pendleton’s 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and they had been securing the Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport the morning of the deadly terrorist attack.

Eighteen other U.S. troops were injured in the blast that killed more than160 Afghan civilians.

This past Saturday, Aug. 28, the Department of Defense released the names of 13 service members: 11 Marines, a Navy hospital corpsman, and an Army staff sergeant.

• Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah • Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts • Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento California • Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California

Local Family Escapes Kabul Before U.S. Withdrawal

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO AND LILLIAN BOYD, DANA POINT TIMES

For several days, Mohammad Sadat couldn’t get much sleep.

As he watched his birth country fall to the Taliban, he’d stayed glued to his phone, anxiously waiting day and night for any embassy or organization in Afghanistan to call him with an evacuation plan so he, his wife and their two young children could return to the U.S. “I was waiting for their call, being hopeful,” said Sadat.

It was around 2 a.m. last Friday morning in Kabul when he received a WhatsApp text from a member of the Denver-based group “Team America”—a grassroots effort, being referred to as a Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

• Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska • Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California Local eateries including Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar, pictured here, pay tribute to the 10 servicemen and servicewomen who died in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan last week. Photo: Courtesy of Jacque Alm

• Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

Soviak, along with Marines Hoover, Lopez, Page, Sanchez, Schmitz, Espinoza, McCollum, Merola and Nikoui, had been deployed from Camp Pendleton.

The troops’ remains arrived on Sunday, Aug. 29, to Dover Air Force Base, where President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden gathered with a small group of other dignitaries to pay tribute to the fallen service members in what’s referred to as a dignified transfer.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III on Sunday said in a statement that “these men and women made the ultimate

sacrifice so that others could live. They were and will be forever remembered as heroes. My heart and my thoughts are with their families, especially today. They, too, have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif) echoed the sentiment in a prepared statement last Friday, Aug. 27.

“These Marines are heroes who were saving lives and protecting their fellow Americans and Afghan allies,” he said.

“Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. As our community of military families reels from this loss, I know we will remain resolute in our noble mission to evacuate Americans, our allies, and innocent Afghans.”

Following the Aug. 26 terrorist at-

tack that was carried out by an Afghan branch of the Islamic State known as ISIS-K, Biden pledged to seek retribution and vowed to make those responsible for the airport bombing “pay.”

News outlets reported last Friday that the U.S. military used a drone to target and fire a retaliatory airstrike against militants in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, resulting in the death of a “planner” of the attack.

This Sunday afternoon, Sept. 5, a memorial march is being planned in Downtown San Clemente to honor the service members killed in the attack. The march will start at the top of Avenida Del Mar and travel to the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi.

“Digital Dunkirk,” to help with the evacuations in Afghanistan.

“They asked me to be at one of the gates of the airport,” Sadat said. “They asked if I can get there in 90 minutes.”

Sadat woke up his wife and kids, along with his brother, who would need to drive them to the Qasaba gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA). The family would have to move fast, but there was another issue: Taliban checkpoints.

“At that time in the morning, it’s not safe to go to the airport,” said Sadat, who had spent the past couple of weeks actively avoiding Taliban militants who were searching for those they believe to be traitors.

As permanent residents of the U.S. with American passports, Sadat and his entire family, including his parents and siblings who still reside in Afghanistan, would certainly have targets on their backs.

For five years, Sadat worked as a legal

advisor with U.S. AID contractors for the Rule of Law Stabilization Program before emigrating to San Clemente in 2016. He was fearful that his parents’ neighbors might reveal that information to the Taliban.

“We have been living in the same house for 30 to 32 years … everyone knows I used to work for the U.S. government for five years,” Sadat said, adding: “They might remember; they knew I returned from the U.S. I was scared . . . what if someone finds out?”

Sadat and the family braved the early morning drive to HKIA. As expected, they encountered a checkpoint and were asked to stop. To stay above suspicion, though, Sadat said, he had to dress in old, dirty clothes. According to Sadat, if you looked clean, you were likely to face a tougher line of questioning.

The family was able to get past the checkpoint and reach Qasaba. However, there were complications, as the buses that would take them to HKIA had filled

up, he said, with non-U.S. citizens and residents.

They were able to get to the gate by 3 a.m. and were forced to stay there, waiting until about noon. By then, though, Sadat said, the crowd had grown, making him feel as uneasy as the day before suicide bombers had attacked the airport.

“I was concerned for my life and especially wife and my kids’ lives,” he said, adding: “I was in contact with the evacuation team; I told them, ‘I have to go home, because I’m concerned about my kids’ safety.’ They were trying hard, but I was like, there’s no way we can get on these buses.”

After returning to his brother’s home, Sadat received another text message from Team America, asking if he can be back at HKIA within the hour. For a moment, he recalled, he questioned whether it was worth trying again. But because it was now the afternoon, making it less likely to be subjected to checkpoints, they made their way back.

• Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee

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Upon arrival at the airport, Sadat and the family were able to meet with the evacuation team. For about five hours, the family—along with about 200 others, Sadat estimates—waited to board a U.S. military plane.

“We waited until 2 a.m. We were finally on the airplane at 2:30—we were able to get into a military airplane,” he said, adding that while there were seats on both sides of the plane, most had to sit on the floor. “It was first-come, first-served.

The rest, everyone had to sit on the floor.

I don’t know how many people (were aboard), but the plane was fully full.”

After weeks of uncertainty, the family was finally airborne and bound for the United States. To get back, they would have to spend this past weekend traveling first to Kuwait, then Qatar. From there, they were able to catch a commercial flight to Bulgaria, and then to Ireland.

On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 29, the family landed at Philadelphia International Airport. After their arrival, Sadat’s wife turned to him and said, “We made it back home.” Though they were back on American soil, the family was still a coast away from their San Clemente home.

Sadat, who works in customer service for a company that makes kitchen cabinets, searched for flights to California, but none were available until the next night.

From the airport in Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, Aug. 30, Sadat told San Clemente Times that while he’s relieved to have returned to the U.S., having to leave his parents and siblings in Kabul has given him mixed feelings.

“I am so very worried about my family members,” he said.

Sadat’s parents and brothers are what brought he and his family back to Afghanistan in mid-July, in the first place.

The family traveled to Kabul largely to visit Sadat’s mother, who had been recovering from complications with her eyesight and was on the verge of becoming blind.

“I thought, what if I go next year and, God forbid, my mom can’t see me? … I have to go and see my mom while she can see me,” he said. “I went because I was scared my mom was going to lose her eyesight.”

The family had planned to stay in Kabul only until Aug. 23. But by then, the situation had dramatically changed, as they and thousands of others were stuck hoping to eventually be evacuated before U.S. troops officially withdrew from the country this week.

In February 2020, the U.S. and Taliban signed an agreement that set the terms for a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

by May 1, 2021. At the time of the agreement, the U.S. had about 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, according to a Department of Defense Inspector General report.

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

A military officer escorts Mohammad Sadat, his wife and their two kids to the Hamid Karzai International Airport on Friday, Aug. 27. Photo: Courtesy of the Sadat Family

The withdrawal of U.S. troops is contingent on the “Taliban’s action against al-Qaida and other terrorists who could threaten us,” then-President Donald Trump said in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. The pact included the release of 5,000 Taliban fighters who had been held prisoners by the Afghanistan government, which was not a party to the agreement.

When President Joe Biden took office, he initially pushed the May deadline to Sept. 11. Ultimately, his administration pushed ahead with a plan to withdraw

by Aug. 31, despite signs that the Taliban wasn’t complying with the agreement.

On Aug. 15, Taliban fighters entered the Afghanistan capital of Kabul. The Afghan president fled the country and U.S. diplomats were evacuated from the embassy by helicopter. Thousands of interpreters, and others who worked with the U.S., as well their relatives, were left behind.

“The truth is: This did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated,” Biden said in an Aug. 16 speech. “So, what’s happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military collapsed, sometimes without trying to fight. If anything, the developments of the past week reinforced that ending U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan now was the right decision.”

Several days before the city fell to the Taliban, Sadat said, he contacted airline

officials, asking to move up the family’s return flight home. The earliest, they told him, was Aug. 18. Being that it was only a five-day difference, Sadat didn’t change the flight.

“It was only a five-day difference; no one would think the Taliban could (take over that quickly),” Sadat said, noting that even if he had changed the departure date, many flights had been canceled after Taliban forces took over the city.

In the days that followed, thousands of people flooded the airport in Kabul, desperate to board flights out of the country and flee Taliban rule.

Last Thursday morning, Aug. 26, a deadly attack on the airport led by the Islamic State killed 13 U.S. troops and left 18 others wounded. At least 160 Afghan civilians were reported dead, according to news outlets.

That same morning, Sadat and his brother had been in the vicinity of HKIA’s Abbey Gate, where the suicide bomber later detonated an explosive vest. The two went to the airport to talk with U.S. military officials about evacuating.

“We decided to go back home … but by the time we got home … I heard the explosion happened,” Sadat recalled, adding: “We were fortunately able to survive and leave the area moments before.”

Sadat and the family were expected to arrive at Ontario International Airport in San Bernardino County on Tuesday Page 5

morning. He praised the work of Team America, U.S. military forces and other advocates who have been working to evacuate his family and the many others.

“I’m thankful for everyone—friends and families, my kid’s school, that my cousin said has been calling every day to check on my family.”

Here in Southern California, Sadat’s cousin in Mission Viejo, Nadia Kambiz, also tried to connect with anyone or any group who can secure emergency visas for the family. Kambiz had also been in regular contact with Marblehead Elementary, where Sadat’s two children are enrolled.

Sadat said he appreciated the hard work of the U.S. Armed Forces, and he was thankful to everyone who helped get his family home, including friends, family and Marblehead Elementary.

One person in particular Sadat wanted to thank is a man named Alex Flores.

Though never meeting Flores, Sadat said he was instrumental in connecting the family with Team America.

“I never met Alex Flores; he helped me out a lot, one of the biggest reasons I’m back home,” Sadat said, “And the other is another member of the evacuation team, John,” whose last name Sadat couldn’t remember.

Flores, a veteran in the Marine Corps and reservist who’s currently a federal prosecutor in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been volunteering with another Digital Dunkirk group called Afghanistan Expatriation.

He explained that a friend of Sadat’s, who was being evacuated earlier last week with the help of Flores, asked for help in getting out Sadat’s family. For days, Flores had stayed in contact with Sadat, offering comfort and reassurance through the tumultuous time.

“The last week,” Flores said, “was the hardest week of my life. It was the most fulfilling, and the most heartbreaking.”

Eventually, through an interconnected web of fellow Digital Dunkirks, Flores was able to get Team America to assist Sadat on the ground.

The groups, he describes, are really “a bunch of veterans, governmental folks, humanitarians who connect with their own little connections and all end up at the finishing line … from my time in the Marine Corps, it was a bunch of different groups, but at the end of the day, it was one team, one fight.”

Though the U.S. has officially withdrawn from Afghanistan, Flores said that there are still some Americans on the ground working in an unofficial capacity to assist evacuees.

“Between unofficial work by Americans and the Afghan resistance, there are still avenues being developed for overland evacuation,” he said. “And we’re executing those operations right now.” danapointtimes.com

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NEWS BITES

COMMUNITY MEETINGS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

COMPILED BY STAFF

Dana Point City Council 6 p.m. The Dana Point City Council will hold a regular meeting. Dana Point Council Chamber, 33282 Golden Lantern Street, Suite 210, Dana Point. danapoint.org.

DP | Unattended Candle

Causes Fire, One Person Hospitalized Smoke from a structure fire in San Juan Capistrano could be seen from Dana Point Harbor on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Orange County Fire Authority crewmembers responded to reports of the flames at 10:37 a.m. Firefighters saved two homes from burning while treating one burn victim on the 26000 block of Avenida Aeropuerto.

The victim was quickly taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The cause of the fire was deemed accidental, officials said.

Investigators believe the fire was likely caused by a candle left unattended in the home’s bedroom, according to OCFA officials. Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) deputies assisted on the scene.

No further details were provided on the burn victim.

DP | Dana Point 5th Marine

Regiment Support Group Wins Spirit of Hope’ Award The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group (DPSG) is being presented with the prestigious “Spirit of Hope” Award for its support of the Marines, Navy Corpsmen, and families of the 5th Marine Regiment of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Camp Pendleton.

The Spirit of Hope Award was established in 1997. It was first granted to entertainer Bob Hope by the United States Congress and is awarded annually in his honor. The basis for the award was to recognize Hope’s commitment to entertaining military service members over many decades, both within and outside of combat zones.

Each division of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense is invited to nominate an individual or organization who epitomizes the values of Bob Hope: duty, honor, courage, loyalty, commitment, integrity, and selfless dedication, and who significantly enhances the quality of life of service members and their families serving around the world, and selflessly contributes an extraordinary amount of time, talent, or resources to benefit service members.

DPSG joins a distinguished list of previous “Spirit of Hope” winners, including Gary Sinise; American Idol finalist and Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, drug abuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference.

For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

An unattended candle was likely what ignited a fire at a San Juan Capistrano home that left one person with burns that required hospitalization. Photo: OCFA Twitter

country music star Kelly Pickler and her husband, Kyle Jacobs; and singer-songwriter Toby Keith. Other organizations recognized have been The Fisher House Foundation, The Soldiers’ Angels, Camp Hope, and The Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund.

“We are truly honored to be chosen for the ‘Spirit of Hope’ award from among so many other patriots and generous Americans who were nominated,” DPSG President Mike Lipscombe said. “We will continue our mission of caring for the Fighting Fifth and their families for many years to come.”

The DPSG is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization comprised of grassroots patriots who support American Heroes and their families from the 5th Marine Regiment and the Wounded Warriors Battalion West at Camp Pendleton. It currently has more than 350 volunteers from all walks of life. Ages vary from high schoolers to senior citizens. For more information or to become a volunteer, visit the group’s website, danapoint5thmarines.com.

someone who tested positive can remain on campus if they show no symptoms, wear masks indoors, and if the person who tested positive was also masked indoors. Masks are required to be worn indoors at CUSD campuses by children and adults, per California Department of Public Health regulations.

If no masks were worn indoors, students must stay home for a minimum of seven days, though they are permitted to return if they test negative after the fifth day.

Students in close contact with someone who tests positive must also not be involved with extracurricular activities, sports, or clubs outside the typical school day. The guidelines come as cases rise due to the Delta variant.

Fully vaccinated students do not have to stay home if they do not display symptoms. Students who test positive must stay home for 10 days.

“Students who may not attend school because they are quarantining will be on short-term independent study, which does not include daily live instruction,” district guidelines said. “However, they will have access to all curricula and assignments through Canvas. Any student who is ill will not be required to complete their work until they are feeling better.”

Free COVID-19 self-testing kits for students are available at all school sites, and students can administer them at home.

CUSD maintains an online dashboard of “active” cases, with the case remaining on the dashboard for 14 days from initial symptoms or test date. Cases were listed for numerous South Orange County schools as of Monday, Aug. 30.

DP | CUSD Announces

Modified Health Guidelines as Pandemic Continues As the COVID-19 pandemic still shows no end in sight, Capistrano Unified School District students can continue to attend school in person if they show no symptoms, CUSD announced on Friday, Aug. 27.

Updated guidelines went into effect for the district on Monday, Aug. 30. Under the modified safety regulations, unvaccinated students who were within 6 feet of Page 6

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

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

In San Clemente, there were two cases at Bernice Ayer Middle School; three at Las Palmas Elementary School; three at Marblehead Elementary School; 12 at San Clemente High School; four at Shorecliffs Middle School; two at Truman Benedict Middle School; and six at Vista Del Mar Elementary School.

In Dana Point, there were 11 cases at Dana Hills High School; eight at Palisades Elementary School; and two at RH Dana Exceptional Needs Facility.

In San Juan Capistrano, there were four cases at Ambuehl Elementary School; four at Marco Forster Middle School; three at San Juan Elementary School; two at San Juan Hills High School; and five at Wagon Wheel Elementary School.

In Rancho Mission Viejo, there were four cases at Esencia K-8.

In schools whose boundaries include those cities, there were six cases at Capistrano Valley High School; three at Fred Newhart Middle School; two at Mouton Elementary School; two at Niguel Hills Middle School; three at Tesoro High School; and four at Viejo Elementary School.

Those figures represented an increase from case numbers in early June, when only Vista Del Mar Elementary School and Niguel Hills Middle School had one case each.

School officially began for the 2021-22 academic year on Tuesday, Aug. 17. danapointtimes.com

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SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | The Levin Letter by Rep. Mike Levin

Federal Relief Arrives for Cherished Local Businesses S

outh Orange County residents know the value of the small businesses that anchor our community. Locals and tourists alike come together to build memories in the many restaurants, recreational venues, and other locally owned establishments that line our streets. Amidst a pandemic that threatened many of these small businesses, federal relief has enabled many to keep their lights on.

By now, you’ve probably heard of the American Rescue Plan, a comprehensive federal effort to address the public health and economic crises we face. What you may not have heard is how this legislation is making a difference for the local establishments we cherish. The American Rescue Plan not only provided a lifeline to help everyday people struggling to make ends meet, but it also delivered crucial support to local small businesses through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant has brought nearly $19 million in relief for 28 venues in our district. Among the local recipients is the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Founded in 1776, this “Jewel of the

Letter to The Editor VOTER GUIDE TAMMY WELCH, San Clemente I have enjoyed reading the SC Times newspaper over the years. It’s fun to read news about San Clemente High School, Bernice, Ayer, and Truman Benedict Elementary, where my children attended school.

I love hearing about what’s happening in our beautiful city of San Clemente and learning about the special events that are occurring. It can be positive and informing.

However, I was disappointed about the information stated in the recall voter guide printed in the Aug. 26 edition of the paper. (The story also appeared in the Aug. 27 issue of Dana Point Times.) The arDana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Missions” has weathered storms for centuries, both physical and economic. As the pandemic brought economic activity to a crawl at most gathering places, the Mission fell well short of its 300,000 average annual visitors, missing out on substantial revenue.

Fortunately, a federal THE LEVIN LETTER grant has brought

BY MIKE LEVIN much-needed relief to pay for maintenance and other costs at the 246-year-old venue.

Local restaurants, bars, and other dining establishments have also benefited greatly from American Rescue Plan funding. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund has supported more than 100,000 businesses across the country, including many great establishments in South OC. Among these are Tamarindo Restaurant and The Fuel Shack in San Clemente, and It’s All About the Cake in Dana Point. The fund has helped these business owners keep employees on payroll and cover other operating expenses.

While I’m thrilled to see these programs serve our community, I also recognize that not all eligible businesses have

received relief. That’s why I am supporting the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, which would enable thousands of more restaurants access to an additional $60 billion in critical federal assistance.

Like so many successful businesses across the country, our local establishments took a hit during COVID-19 through no fault of their own. Because of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and Restaurant Revitalization Fund programs, we have been able to help many of these local business owners stay alive and thrive.

These small businesses help keep our economy turning and the spirit of entrepreneurship alive. I encourage all residents to find time to safely support our local businesses—I know I will!

U.S. Representative Mike Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. He was reelected for a second term in 2020 and resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and two children. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com.

eyes of many Californians to the dangers of a totalitarian state that operates at the expense of our civil liberties.

Additionally, the article casts a negative light on a leading opposition candidate, Larry Elder. Is it the position of the paper to slant the coverage of one political candidate over another? I believe this article is more of an opinion piece than a neutral representation of the facts.

ticle suggests that Gavin Newsom is being recalled primarily due to his attending a social function maskless while imposing rigid masking restrictions on the state.

While this is egregious, it is irresponsible to represent that the recall is based on this one incident.

There are many crucial reasons behind the public’s support for the recall. The article ignores other significant factors that have the voters of California looking for a change in leadership.

Homelessness is on the rise and crime is sharply increasing, as Newsom released many incarcerated felons into the community. Gov. Newsom also implemented an unconstitutional mandate that churches remain closed or severely restricted while other large businesses were allowed to remain open.

The crippling effect on our small business community is staggering, as Gov. Newsom chose to lock down small business while favoring big-box retailers. By Gov. Newsom’s actions, he has opened the

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.

Page 8

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HOW TO REACH US SENIOR CITY EDITOR Lillian Boyd • 949.388.7700, x113 lboyd@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING 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 CEO/FOUNDER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes (DP) Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD) Laura Gaffney (SC) ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

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CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard, Eryka Forquer

Dana Point Times, Vol. 14 Issue 36. 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 2021. All rights reserved.

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Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Page 9

danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT

ALLISON MILLER QUARTET 7 p.m. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens will host Allison Miller, a New York City-based drummer, composer and teacher who engages her deep roots in improvisation as a vehicle to explore all music. Miller has been honored on the list of “Top 20 Jazz Drummers” in Downbeat Magazine, and her composition, “Otis Was a Polar Bear,” is on NPR’s list of “The 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women.” Miller is a three-time Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department and has been appointed Arts Envoy to Thailand for her work with Jazz Education Abroad. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

Editor’s Pick

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

Get a curated list of the weekend’s best events sent straight to your inbox every Friday! Sign up for The Weekender at danapointtimes.com/weekender

FRIDAY | 03 SAN ONOFRE PARKS FOUNDATION POP-UP SHOP 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Historic Cottage and Visitor Center showcases local history, flora and fauna at this original 1934 ranger’s cottage. A rotating exhibit features the history of San Onofre. Stop in to the San Onofre Parks Foundation’s Pop-Up Shop to say hello, do a little shopping and learn more about the history of the local state parks at San Clemente and San Onofre State Beaches. Historic Cottage and Visitor Center is located within the San Clemente State Beach Campground at 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente.

949.366.8599. admin@sanoparks.org. sanoparks.org.

ONLINE TOUR OF MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO 3 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano is offering online guided tours of its historic grounds every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Learn about the history and see the charming grounds and gardens of this South Orange County landmark.

Cost is $45 for up to four devices, and the Zoom tour lasts up to an hour. Reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance. Check the Mission website for exact hours. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB 6-9 p.m. Steely Dan tribute band Jim Plays Dan will perform. The event is free and open to the public. San Juan Hills Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Photo: File

SUNDAY | 05 MARINE MEMORIAL MARCH 3:45 p.m. Community members plan to gather in Downtown San Clemente for a march honoring the fallen Camp Pendleton Marines who died in last week’s terrorist bombings at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. Participants are encouraged to bring flags, bells, posters and banners, as the community shows Camp Pendleton its love for Marines and Corpsmen. At 4:15 p.m., participants will march solemnly to the Semper Fi Memorial at the Pier Bowl area for a moment of silence. At approximately 4:30 p.m., there will be a reading of the names of the fallen heroes who were brave servicemen and servicewomen. Marchers are expected to gather at the top of Avenida Del Mar (near the El Camino Real intersection).

Juan Capistrano. 949.565.4855. sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE CASINO: THE DOWNTOWN BAND 6-9 p.m. Join Casino San Clemente for Motown night, with The Downtown Band performing. Drinks will also be available for patrons, as well as a buffet dinner (by preorder). Admission is $15 to just watch the band, or $35 for both dinner and the show. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the band slated to perform at 7 p.m. For tickets, visit casinocafe.eventbrite.com.

Casino San Clemente, 140 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.369.6600.

LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 5 p.m. Enjoy live music performed by Strawberry Blondie (a Blondie cover band). StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

SATURDAY | 04 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat

rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles.

Those attending are encouraged to practice responsible social distancing.

Face masks are not mandatory but are recommended. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue.

Bow Wow Wow and The Untouchables will perform. Tickets are $25. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Village Art Faire, hosted by the San Clemente Downtown Business Association and now located on the lawn of the SC Library, offers a variety of work, including photography, fine art, jewelry, ceramics, fused glass, home décor, botanicals, textile art, and more. Visitors can expect to find many of their favorite artists, as well as some new faces. 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. info@scdba.org. scdba.org.

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LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 5 p.m. Flock of the ’80s plays your favorite songs from the ’80s. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point.

949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

SUNDAY | 05 LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 5 p.m. Enjoy live music performed by Jim Plays Dan (a Steely Dan cover band). StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

TUESDAY | 07 LIBRE TUESDAYS AT JD’S 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Head to JD’s Kitchen and Bar every Tuesday this summer for $5 libre shots and margaritas, as well as to enjoy reggaeton, Latin and other top hits, as spun by DJ Romanero. Solotacos Catering will also be offering $2 street tacos. JD’s, 215 South El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.481.2115. jds-sanclemente.com.

WEDNESDAY | 08 TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends, or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard is open for food, drinks and live music. 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 (Cont. on page 12) danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Page 11

danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT

CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE CELEBRATES RETURN OF PERFORMANCE SEASON

(Cont. from page 10) Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

THE NEXT WAVE WITH GREG LONG 6-9:30 p.m. The San Onofre Parks Foundation invites the community to join Greg Long as he shares his global experiences witnessing the awe-inspiring majesty of the oceans and their waves. As part of the SOPF’s Summer Speaker Series, Long will give his first-hand accounts, relating the unfolding tragedies that are accelerating in every corner of our oceans and along our coastlines. Advanced tickets are $15 at greglongsept8.eventbrite.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door (if seats available) for $20. Historic Cottage at San Clemente State Beach Campground, 225 Avenida Calafia. 949.366.8599. admin@sanoparks.org. sanoparks.org.

THURSDAY | 09 BREAKFAST CLUB WOOD WORKSHOP 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Make your own wood project with this DIY class. Whether it’s a porch sign, bath tray, or photo frame, get your creative juices flowing with this in-

Actors rehearse The Nerd, which premieres on Sept. 17. Front row, from left: Kat Sanchez, Robert P. Purcell, and Martin Balcaitis. Back: Anthony Baratta. Photo: Collin Breaux

BY COLLIN BREAUX, DANA POINT TIMES

R

ehearsals were underway in March 2020 for The Nerd when Camino Real Playhouse had to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than a year later, the comedy will finally be performed at the San Juan Capistrano performing arts center.

Camino Real Playhouse’s regular inhouse performance season opens again on Sept. 17 with the first night of The Nerd. The show runs through Oct. 3.

“We had to replace a couple of people, but for the most part, (most of the cast) is coming back,” said President and Artistic Director Leslie Eisner. “I’m glad we’re opening with this show, because I really wanted to open with a comedy. I wanted to have a season that’s heavy on comedy, because I think everybody needs it.”

Playhouse staff and actors are vaccinated. Social distancing will not be in place at the theater, since it is neither possible at the venue nor required under current guidelines.

Camino Real Playhouse has been the recent host venue for various other performances and stand-up comedy shows.

Audience members were asked to wear masks during the comedy shows.

“We’re going to take it as it comes to us with whatever the county and the state determines we need to do as a theater,” Eisner said of whether masks will be required for the upcoming season. “If we’re in a smaller setting, it’s probably not a bad idea to have everybody with Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

teractive event. Register online. AR Workshop San Juan Capistrano, 31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2, San Juan Capistrano.

949.482.1362. arworkshop.com.

FRIDAY | 10 OCEAN INSTITUTE ANNUAL MARITIME FESTIVAL 4-10 p.m. The Maritime Festival kicks of a weekend of events at 4 p.m. with the traditional Cannon Battles. Watch the vessels Bill of Rights, Irving Johnson, Curlew, Exy Johnson, American Pride, America, R/V Sea Explorer in action. Enjoy craft beer and seltzer from Eight Breweries, live music from American Idol’s Casey Abrams, plus mermaids and pirates at the Sails n’ Ales event, starting at 6 p.m.

For a full schedule of Saturday’s and Sunday’s events, visit oceaninstitute.org.

Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE POINT 9 p.m.-midnight. Come out and enjoy the Bad Influence, a rock and pop band. The Point Restaurant and Bar, Blue Lantern Plaza, 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. thepointrestaurantandbar.com/events.

a mask on. We’ll do whatever it takes to make our audiences feel comfortable to come back.”

Volunteers have been working at the performing arts center during the shutdown.

“We’ve remodeled. We’ve repainted,” Eisner said. “We just installed all brandnew seats in the theater, so when the audience comes back, they’re going to see a facelift on the theater.”

Venue staff and performers have gone through “withdrawals” with no audiences, Eisner said. She was almost brought to tears during a recent comedy show because of the live laughter.

“I just feel like we’ve done everything we could possibly do. We waited a long time, and we’re ready,” Eisner said. “We’re over-ready to come back.”

Other performances scheduled after The Nerd include A Christmas Story, Blithe Spirit, and Young Frankenstein. Directors and actors had been asking when they could return, Eisner said.

“We have a full gamut of productions,” Eisner said. “We’ve not cut back on anything.”

Camino Real Playhouse is fortunate to have received help from supporters and patrons, compared to other venues that permanently closed due to financial fallout from the pandemic, Eisner said.

“We’re going to welcome (audiences) back with open arms,” Eisner said.

For tickets or more information, visit caminorealplayhouse.org. DP Page 12

danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING

GUEST OPINION | by Mark Loper

SAVING YOURSELF IN THE WILDS OF SOUTH OC – PART II

Photo: OC Public Libraries/ Karlene Hickman

Photo: Chelsie Rex

I

t’s disheartening that a “Part II” is necessary to alert South Orange County residents of the predators anxious to take their lives.

But here we have it.

So, another frequent threat prowling in our neighborhoods is the Canis Latrans, or coyote, an animal that respected palm readers believe is closely related to the werewolf.

Keep in mind that coyotes usually subsist on a diet of rabbits, squirrels, and Chihuahuas.

But, on occasion and when diverting from its Paleo diet, the coyote will form a gang (several treatises have been penned on coyote gang rituals, appropriate behavior, and acceptable tats), find a suitable target, and then pounce!

But you don’t have to be a victim!

If surprised and surrounded by a pack of salivating Canis Latrans, do not panic.

Compliment the group on their cool gang colors, sit before them (the lotus position is best), and then gingerly stroke the fluffy throat of the gang leader . . . and you’ll be fine.

(The leader is the one who looks like Marlon Brando.)

OK, now you’re safe from carnivorous four-legged creatures (and those with feathers), but what about that silent killer with eight legs?

That’s right; I’m talking Loxosceles reclusa, or the brown recluse spider!

The brown recluse, shy and without any social media presence, is often called the J.D. Salinger of the arachnid world.

Uncomfortable with crowds, the brown recluse is usually found in woodpiles and at Walden Pond.

This innocuous-looking spider can be identified by a black violin shape on its underbelly or, in some cases, a teal clarinet.

And this arachnid is sneaky.

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

You probably won’t feel its furtive bite, but within 24 hours, you’ll have a fever, the infected area will swell to 10 times its size, and you’ll forget your manners.

But this painful and embarrassing experience doesn’t have to be yours.

Arachnologists recommend that if you come face-to-face with a brown recluse, GUEST OPINION you DO NOT make

BY MARK LOPER eye contact, DO hum the first few bars of Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto” and, if possible, gently caress under the spider’s chin . . . and you’ll be fine.

OK, OK, now you’ve faced down several terrifying assailants and you’re feeling pretty good about yourself.

But there are always more bad guys; I mean, just watch John Wick.

As an example, don’t forget that silent killer, the black widow spider, notorious for poisoning her spouse and draining his bank account.

But, for the most part, just follow these guidelines, folks, and you’ll be fine.

Well, except for car dealers.

I have no solution for those predators.

Mark Loper has been a San Juan Capistrano resident for more than 30 years and has written for several kinds of media, including The Capistrano Dispatch. His writing has been scorned and rejected countless times but, while hanging onto a wisp of self-esteem, he’s managed to have the occasional scribbling published in book form, in columns, online, on TV and as advertising. He has yet to tweet. DP

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photograph shows Hirum

Harlow (left) and an unidentified man at a café on Doheny Park Road in Capistrano Beach in the 1930s.

Every week, 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.

Sudoku

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:

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com.

Page 13

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Luca

See the solution in next week’s issue.

DANA POINT TIMES

Meet Luca, an adorable little guy with a personality to match. Only 4 months old, Luca can be a tad shy initially, but warms up quickly.

He is affectionate and gets along well with other cats. With a face like that, you can’t help but fall for Luca.

If you are interested in adopting Luca, please visit petprojectfoundation.org to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

Luca and all of the adoptable cats and kittens have 50% off their adoption fee through Sept. 5. danapointtimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT on SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 the City Council of the City of Dana Point will conduct a hearing to consider the following: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT PERMIT Hearing Date:

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Hearing Time: 6:00 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as possible) Hearing Location:

Dana Point City Hall Council Chambers, Suite 210 33282 Golden Lantern Dana Point, California 92629

MENT ZTA19-0002(II) TO MODIFY THE ZONING CODE RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.

ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Joseph L. Muller

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 23, 2021, the City Council of the City of Dana Point adopted Ordinance 21-06 entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE TEXT AMEND-

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Time Extensions for Coastal Development Permit 17-0023, Site Development Permit 17-0043, Conditional Use Permits 17-0012, 17-0013, 17-0014, and 18-0017: The applicant requests a one-year time extension of prior approvals for alterations and improvements to Building “A” within the Coastal Overlay District and Floodplain Overlay (FP-2) District, joint use of parking facilities, and operation of major and minor automotive uses in the Community Commercial/Vehicular District (CC/V) zone located at 25802 and 25831 Victoria Boulevard. These permits were approved by the Planning Commission on September 10, 2018.

This adopted Ordinance was introduced by the City Council of the City of Dana Point, California, at a adjourned regular meeting thereof held on the 9th day of August 2021, and adopted at an adjourned regular meeting thereof held on the 23th day of August, 2021, by the following vote:

As a result of the COVID-19 virus, and resulting orders and direction from the President of the United States, the Governor of the State of California and the Orange County Health Care Agency, as well as the City of Dana Point Emergency Declaration, the public will not be permitted to physically attend the Dana Point City Council Meeting.

Those desiring to be heard in favor or in opposition to this item will be given an opportunity to do so in writing via mail to the City Council at 33282 Golden Lantern, Ste. 203, Dana Point, California 92629, Attention: City Clerk or email to comment@danapoint.org. Please reference hearing title and date of hearing in any correspondence. For further information, you may contact the City Clerk at (949) 248-3505. The meeting can be viewed live on Cox Cable Channel 855 and online on the City of Dana Point YouTube Channel.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

The adopted Ordinance is available for viewing in the City Clerk’s office located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, California.

AYES: Council Member Mike Frost, Council Member Richard A. Viczorek, Council Member Michael Villar, and Mayor Jamey M. Federico

SHAYNA SHARKE, CITY CLERK

CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The adopted Ordinance will update the Zoning Ordinance by amending local regulatory scheme relating to the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) to comply with the revised provisions of Government Code sections 65852.2 and 65852.22.

The proposed resolution for the estimated cost required to permit accessory dwelling units will be available on the City’s website at www.danapoint. org as part of the staff report once the agenda/staff reports are published.

Any petition for judicial review of a decision of the Dana Point City Council is controlled by the statute of limitations provisions set forth in Sections 2.50.010 and 2.50.020 of the Dana Point Municipal Code and Sections 1094.5 and 1094.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedures. Any action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, or void any decision of the Dana Point City Council is controlled by Section 2.50.010 and Section 2.50.020 of the Dana Point Municipal Code. In of, which attacks or seeks to set aside, or void any decision of the Dana Point City Council shall be limited to those issues raised at the hearings as provided in Chapter 2.50 of the Dana Point Municipal Code.

Copies of the procedures for the conduct of City Council public hearings are available from the City Clerk.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Project Numbers: CDP17-0023 and SDP170043; CUP17-0012: Pacific Coast Mobile Upholstery, Building C; CUP17-0013: Dave’s at the Beach, Building A #108; CUP17-0014: Orange County Outboards, Building A #201 and #202; CUP18-0017: Ruben Gaffoglio, Building A #109 Project Location: 25802 and 25831 Victoria Boulevard (APN 668-34145; 121-254-43) Project Representative: Todd Skenderian, Architect Applicant: Pickering Properties, Property Owner Environmental: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the project is found to be Categorically Exempt per Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).

Hearing Date: Monday, September 13, 2021 Hearing Time: 6:00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible) Hearing Location: 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (Dana Point City Hall)

NOES: None

SHAYNA SHARKE CITY CLERK PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 23, 2021, the City Council of the City of Dana Point adopted Ordinance 21-05 entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA19-0002(I) TO MODIFY THE ZONING CODE RELATED TO JOINT PARKING PROVISIONS AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND SUBMISSION AS PART OF LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT LCPA19-0002 FOR APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION BY THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION.

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

The adopted Ordinance will update the Zoning Ordinance by amending the provisions related to joint parking and expanding upon public notification requirements.

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

The adopted Ordinance is available for viewing in the City Clerk’s office located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, California.

This adopted Ordinance was introduced by the City Council of the City of Dana Point, California, at a adjourned regular meeting thereof held on the 9th day of August 2021, and adopted at an adjourned regular meeting thereof held on the 23th day of August, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Council Member Mike Frost, Council Member Richard A. Viczorek, Council Member Michael Villar, and Mayor Jamey M. Federico

For further information, please contact Belinda Deines, Principal Planner, at the City of Dana Point, Community Development Department, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 209, Dana Point, or at (949) 248-3570.

NOES: None ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Joseph L. Muller

PUBLIC NOTICE

SHAYNA SHARKE, CITY CLERK

CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Dated this 3rd day of September, 2021.

Page 14

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission of the City of Dana Point to consider the following: Coastal Development Permit 21-0005: The applicant requests approval to demolish an existing single-family dwelling and construct a 6,006 squarefoot, single-family dwelling and attached two-car garage, located within the Residential Single Family 4 (RSF 4) zone at 229 Monarch Bay Drive. A Coastal Development Permit is required for demolition and construction of a new single-family dwelling within the Coastal Overlay District.

Project Numbers: CDP21-0005 Project Location: 229 Monarch Bay Drive (APN 670-111-25) Project Representative: Rory Foubister, Architect Applicant: Nicole and Nick Maroutsos, Property Owners Environmental: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the project is found to be Categorically Exempt per Section 15303 (Class 3 – New Construction).

Hearing Date: Monday, September 13, 2021 Hearing Time: 6:00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible) Hearing Location: 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (Dana Point City Hall) All persons either favoring or opposing the subject project are invited to present their views to the Commission at this hearing.

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

For further information, please contact Belinda Deines, Principal Planner, at the City of Dana Point, Community Development Department, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 209, Dana Point, (949) 248-3570.

PUBLIC NOTICE Order to Show Cause For Change of Name Case No. 30-2021-01214982 To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Niki Teresa Cesareo Silva; filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME A. Niki Teresa Cesareo Silva PROPOSED NAME A. Happy Cesareo Silva The Court Orders that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court of the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objective is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. danapointtimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES

ACUPUNCTURE

TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM Notice of Hearing Date: 10/06/2021 Time: 08:30 a.m. Dept.: D100 Other: Remote Hearing. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, CA 92701. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county.

Date: August 10, 2021 JUDGE LAYNE H. MELZER, Judge of the Superior Court Published: Dana Point Times, August 27, September 3, 10, 17, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216612897 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: FROSTING AND BATTER 562 TRAVERSE DR COSTA MESA, CA 92626-9262 Full Name of Registrant(s): HEATHER D. WATTERS 562 TRAVERSE DR COSTA MESA, CA 92626 This business is conducted by an individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A /s/HEATHER WATTERS This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 08/11/21.

Published in: Dana Point Times August 20, 27, September 3, 10, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216612866 The following person(s) is doing business as: LEHRBASS GENERAL CONTRACTORS 526 S. BEECHTREE CT. ANAHEIM, CA 92808 Full Name of Registrant(s): KERRY STEVEN LEHRBASS 526 S BEECHTREE CT ANAHEIM, CA 92808 This business is conducted by an Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: N/A KERRY LEHRBASS/s/KERRY LEHRBASS This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder On 08/11/2021 Publish: Dana Point Times August 20, 27, September 3, 10, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216612198 The following person(s) is doing business as: RUM SHOP PUBLISHING 32776 SAIL WAY DANA POINT, CA 92629 Full Name of Registrant(s): JAN MEYER 32776 SAIL WAY DANA POINT, CA 92629 This business is conducted by An Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: N/A JAN MEYER/s/JAN MEYER This statement was filed with the Orange County Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Axos Acupuncture Inc Jeff Hyung S. Choi 27462 Calle Arroyo Ste A San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.9899 axosacupuncture.com drjeffchoi@gmail.com

Clerk-Recorder On 08/03/2021 Publish: Dana Point Times August 20, 27, September 3, 10, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE

ATTORNEY

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216611991 The following person(s) is doing business as: 1) DISH AND THAT 1279, E. IMPERIAL HWY PLACENTIA, CA 92870 ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B) SOMETHING BORROWED Full Name of Registrant(s): CAROL ANN RAFFERTY 7855 E HORIZON VIEW ANAHEIM, CA 92808 This business is conducted by an Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: N/A CAROL RAFFERTY/s/CAROL RAFFERTY This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder On 08/02/2021 Publish: Dana Point Times August 13, 20, 27, September 3, 2021

Rosen Law Offices, P.C. 34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 5, Dana Point, 949.335.0020, snrosenlaw.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto 34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

BODY MIND SPIRIT Create a life Plan to attain the life and relationships you ideally want & deserve 665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, San Clemente (949)248-7377 Billmartinphd.com

PUBLIC NOTICE LIEN SALE 9/13/21 10AM AT 4355 W. ARTESIA AVE, FULLERTON 20 NISS LIC# EVHX62 VIN# JN8AY2ND2L9108810

INSURANCE SERVICES

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS 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 Espresso Bar 34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, coffeeimporters.com

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

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 AND WINDOW TREATMENTS Jeddy’s Interiors 34118 Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 2 Dana Point, CA 92629 949-240-9569 www.jeddys.com Want to be featured here?

Call 949.388.7700, ext. 102

PUBLIC NOTICE LIEN SALE 9/13/21 10AM AT 1335 N SANTIAGO ST, SANTA ANA 18 SUBA LIC# 8VPN353 VIN# 4S3GTAA69J3724610

CLASSIFIEDS

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216614130 1A. 20176487087 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CALIFORNIA PATIO 32601 CALLE PERFECTO SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 Full Name of Registrant(s): FRANK JAMES BANDERA 23852 VIA MONTE COTO DE CAZA, CA 92679 This business is conducted by an individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 05/01/1981. /S/FRANK BANDERA This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 08/25/2021.

Published in: Dana Point Times Sep 3, 10, 17, 24, 2021

Submit your classified ad at danapointtimes.com

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE Email your listing to info@danapointtimes. com. Deadline 12pm Monday. danapointtimes.com

GARAGE SALE - DOWNSIZING, MOVING September 4th 7AM. 26801 Calle Verano, Capo Beach. furniture, kitchen items, decor, lamps, pictures, books, puzzles, misc.

Everything must go, highly motivated

HELP WANTED PART TIME RETAIL SALES Part Time Retail Sales- Coastal Karma located in the San Clemente Outlets is looking for someone who enjoys fashion and working with friendly people. Hours/ Pay Negotiable. Contact: Jessica at 415250-4311 to hear more.

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

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

Page 15

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY CALL 949.388.7700, EXT.102 FOR PRICING

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Opening Salvo DHHS football starts season, new era with dominant showing

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

D

ana Hills came out hard and fast to open the Tony Henney era of Dolphins football on Friday, Aug. 27.

Dana Hills scored 14 points in the first quarter and 21 points in the second quarter and outgained Laguna Beach by nearly 300 yards on offense to win its season opener, 35-7, at Dana Hills High School.

“It was super fun,” Henney said after his DHHS debut. “Student body brought such great emotion. It really got us rocking. A lot of the early start I think attributes to them. I think our kids were super-prepared.”

Friday was Henney’s first game as head coach of Dana Hills (1-0) after 12 seasons as a high school football coach with stints at Nordhoff of Ojai, Trabuco Hills, West-

Dana Hills outgained Laguna Beach by nearly 300 yards, and the Dolphins held the Breakers scoreless until the fourth quarter in Tony Henney’s (bottom left) first game as Dana Hills head coach. Photos: Alan Gibby/Zone57

lake and St. Bonaventure of Ventura.

Henney’s Dolphins next host Trabuco Hills on Friday, Sept. 3. Henney won one of his three CIF-SS titles in his only season at Trabuco Hills in 2014. Look for live coverage of that game on Twitter

@SouthOCSports with full coverage at danapointtimes.com.

Against Laguna Beach (1-1), the Dana Hills offense picked up where it left off in the spring with an explosive air game.

Senior quarterback Bo Kelly completed

FINDING THEIR GAME DHHS girls volleyball battles in early season, defeats St. Margaret’s

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

I

t’s been an up-and-down start for the Dana Hills girls volleyball team in this fall season, but the Dolphins found themselves on the right foot at the end of a back-and-forth match on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Dana Hills pushed out to big early leads in the fourth and fifth sets to come back and defeat St. Margaret’s, 25-22, 18-25, 18-25, 25-15, 15-10, in a nonleague match at Dana Hills High School.

“Bob Yoder and the (St. Margaret’s) coaching staff have a really nice volleyball program,” Dana Hills coach Tom Hoff said.

“Their varsity team has a lot of talent and Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Dana Hills girls volleyball surged early in the fourth and fifth sets to rally against St. Margaret’s on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

plays some tough ball. Put us in a lot of uncomfortable situations. It was nice that we battled through and had to figure it out.”

Dana Hills (3-2) went 2-1 at the Tesoro Tournament on Aug. 20-21, with a two-set win over Palm Desert, a three-set win over Capistrano Valley Christian and a two-set loss to Edison. The Dolphins followed that with back-to-back, five-set matches, including a loss at Laguna Beach on Aug. 24 and this win over St. Margaret’s (6-2).

“We’re trying to develop our own identity. Matches like this help,” Hoff said.

“High school is much different than club, because you’re practicing five days a week and play matches like this for two, two-and-a-half hours. It’s a battle, and it’s never smooth sailing against these good teams. We’ve got to be resilient to know if a team gets on fire, to be patient and let our game come back to us.”

Dana Hills found its game early in the

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14 of 23 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Senior James Alleman made an electric debut at tight end with five catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Senior receiver Omarjaye Black caught two passes, both touchdowns, for 28 yards, and senior Owen Chambers caught two passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.

Junior running back Christian Guarascio ran the ball nine times for 52 yards and a touchdown.

More impressive might have been the defensive performance by Dana Hills.

Laguna Beach had won its opener over Costa Mesa, 54-13, with quarterback Will Bingham throwing for 341 yards and five touchdowns. However, against Dana Hills, the Breakers hit a wall.

Dana Hills outgained Laguna Beach, 391 yards to 98 yards, and the Dolphins held the Breakers off the scoreboard until Bingham ran in a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Bingham completed 13 of 21 passes for only 72 yards.

Junior Ethan Brougham led the Dana Hills defense with nine total tackles, including seven solo tackles and four tackles for loss. Senior Jagger Wiesen made six total tackles, including three solo tackles.

Seniors Sergio Trujillo and Jaden Kessi each contributed a sack. Senior Hayden Dendiu covered plenty of ground with three solo tackles, a tackle for loss and two pass defenses. DP

first set, as the Dolphins went on a 10-0 run to lead 17-8 after trading early points with St. Margaret’s. The Tartans pushed back within one point at 23-22, but Dana Hills closed out the set, 25-22.

The second set remained close throughout, with neither team leading by more than four until St. Margaret’s slowly pushed out late to a 22-14 advantage.

Dana Hills fought off three set points, but the Tartans regrouped out of a timeout to finish the set, 25-18.

The third set was similarly close with the teams battling to a 12-12 tie, but St. Margaret’s found a groove on a 7-2 run.

The Tartans then quickly closed out the 25-18 win.

The Dolphins weren’t going down easily on their home court, however, and Dana Hills surged to a 9-1 lead in the fourth set.

St. Margaret’s got back within five points, but Dana Hills went on a 7-2 run for a 10-point lead and a 5-1 run to end the set, 25-15, and force the tiebreaking fifth set.

Dana Hills came out with similar vigor to that of the fourth set with a 7-2 lead in the fifth set. St. Margaret’s showed its mettle to battle back to a 9-9 tie, but that’s when Dana Hills closed the door.

The Dolphins went on closing 6-1 run to win the set, 15-10, and the match.

Dana Hills next hosts Corona del Mar on Tuesday, Sept. 7. DP danapointtimes.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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

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

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Page 17

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DP SURF

‘Reckless Isolation’ Is Not Just Another Surf Movie Kolohe Andino Steps into Role of Film Producer for First Time

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

S

omewhere in the middle of the pandemic, in a brief window of time when travel to Indonesia opened and surfers were able to get back to the business of chasing waves through the archipelago, an all-star crew of San Clemente’s most talented rippers hopped a flight and got to work.

Led by Olympian Kolohe Andino, the guest list for the trip included Griffin and Crosby Colapinto, Ian Crane and Luke Davis. Taking the remote, and sparsely populated, Mentawai Islands by storm, the crew worked on an exciting film project entitled Reckless Isolation, which is set to be released this week.

For Andino, the endeavor marks his first time producing a surf film from start to finish. The rookie filmmaker planned and funded the project, as well as oversaw the filming and the editing.

“With everything we all have going on in our lives and careers, we don’t have a lot of time to actually take trips together and surf. I’m so stoked we were able to take advantage of this time,” Andino told the Dana Point Times prior to his debut at the Olympics in Tokyo last month.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Andino’s been part of a host of surf films, but this marks the first time he’s taken on the creative and production responsibilities—although it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, as Andino’s long been interested in cameras and the art of photography and cinematography.

Developing the film via production

(From left) Kolohe Andino, Griffin Colapinto, Luke Davis, Ian Crane and Crosby Colapinto arrive at the dock before heading to the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, in September 2020. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Lawrence/Red Bull Content Pool

company Stagnant Ambition, Andino has entered a new chapter in his role as an influencer in and out of the water.

“Obviously, it’s different when you’re not just performing in front of the camera but have to think of all the details. There’s so much that goes into it. I learned a ton,” Andino said.

Reckless Isolation will make its world premiere in San Clemente on Sunday, Sept.

5, at the Stance Socks headquarters. And if you miss that one, celebrate Labor Day in style with another premiere at the iconic La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas on Sept. 6.

In total, the boys will conduct a film tour through 11 different cities around the country. A free online premiere will

take place on Red Bull TV on Oct. 7. For more details and to buy tickets, go to redbull.com.

When it’s all said and done, Stagnant Ambition will be donating all the profits from the film tour to Project Nasi, which is raising funds to help provide relief for communities in need in Bali. With the country once again locked down and tourism extremely impacted for yet another surf season, the assistance is much needed.

Andino’s longtime board maker, Matt Biolos, and his team at Lost Surfboards are also getting in on the support, implementing creative ways to help their friends and partners in Indonesia.

“Experiencing unprecedented participation and demand for all things healthy and outdoors, we (at Lost Surfboards) have struggled to keep up,” Biolos shared on Instagram this week.

“One way to balance both issues has been to call on our team @lost_indo to begin building boards for International use … it’s exciting to see these beautiful #BaliBuilt #MadeInIndonesia #RNF_96’s going through the factory @lost_indo and on their way to the US, where we have not been able to keep up with demand for this magic little surfboard model.”

It’s a small little sandbox that we all surf in, and so often what we do here at home can have a direct impact on somebody half a world away.

It’s inspiring to see Andino, Biolos and friends embracing that ethos and not just stepping up in the water and on the shaping bay, but also finding creative ways to help support the people who have enriched their lives so fully.

That should make you feel pretty good about picking up tickets to Reckless Isolation or scoring a new Lost shape.

Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. DP

SURF FORECAST

GROM OF THE WEEK

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

FINN MCCARTY

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

I

t was a big weekend for California’s next generation of surf stars, as the NSSA 2021 West Coast Regional Championships were contested in Huntington Beach last week. Congratulations to San Clemente’s Finn McCarty, who won the Open Mini Grom division, facing a small-scale south swell in the water and a ton of talent from all over the Golden State.

“Couldn’t be more stoked on my biggest win yet,” McCarty shared with his friends and fans on Instagram.

For McCarty, who’s been ripping lately,

Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

Finn McCarty. Photo: Courtesy of NSSA

both in and out of a jersey, the win was the icing on a great summer of surfing.

The goofy-footer’s air game is quickly reaching new heights, and he’s got style

for days.

Earlier in the year, McCarty went on a tear and finished second in the Under-12 division of the USA Surfing Championships at Lowers. For the effort, he earned himself a spot on the USA Surfing Development Team, where he’ll be able to continue to get more heat strategies dialed in, fine-tune his technique and take his surfing to the next level.

And with the prime surf season of fall and winter almost upon us, don’t be surprised to see McCarty and his crew doing their thing up and down the coast and in Hawaii. More good things are surely on the horizon. DP Page 18

Water Temperature: 64-66 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-10 Outlook: Friday’s surf holds at thigh to waist high, (2-3’), while light+ west winds persist for most of the day. A fresh South/southwest swell fills in on Saturday, setting up waist to chest high waves, (3-4’), then Sunday’s surf peaks in the chest high to a foot overhead range, (4-56’). Light/variable winds Saturday morning, turn to a light+/moderate sea breeze in the afternoon. Light Southwest winds for most of Sunday.

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Dana Point Times September 3-9, 2021

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