October 16, 2020

LO C A L

N EWS

October 16-22, 2020 YO U

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Editor’s Pick: Pumpkin Patch at Zoomars PAGE 12

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 42

Rate Your Stay

City Leaders Grapple to Balance Residents’ Needs and Regulation of Short-Term Rentals E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 8

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Regulation of short-term rentals has remained in limbo as residents, property rights advocates, city officials and the California Coastal Commission have yet to find a compromise. Photo: Lillian Boyd

Levin, Maryott Face Off During Candidate Forum EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Marine Relieved of Command over Sunken Assault Vehicle EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Is It Safe to Chase Foreign Waves Again?

SURF/PAGE 18

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

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Dana Dana Point Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week

Dana Point

TOTAL CASES

COVID-19 UPDATES as of 10/14/20

cases

deaths

294

3

33

1

Community Officials Celebrate Launch of Nutrition Gap Program

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THE LATEST: Orange County Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and nonprofit officials, among others, ushered in a new program designed to address nutritional needs in the community during a ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Bartlett’s office announced the launch of the COVID-19 Nutrition Gap Program (NGP) on Oct. 7 after seeing members of the Fifth District’s most vulnerable population suffering from food insecurity.

The program serves seniors aged 55 and older, individuals with a disability and military veterans, regardless of age. It is designed to provide biweekly deliveries of food boxes to participants in the program.

“Everybody, to some extent, is struggling right now,” Bartlett said. “Making sure everyone has three square meals right now is so, so important, because food is nourishment for the brain.”

The ceremony was held at the Outlets at San Clemente in front of Ruby’s Diner, which along with Second Harvest Food Bank will provide the boxes of groceries, fresh produce and prepared meals.

Second Harvest CEO Harald Herrmann said restaurant jobs are being kept alive through the program.

“Now, more than ever, jobs matter,” Herrmann said. “We’re still in the eye of the storm. We have lots of work to do, but if we do more like this, and if we come together as a county in the way that we have with this program with the direction and leadership of Supervisor Bartlett, then we’ll make it through together.”

The program will be administered by 2-1-1 Orange County, which will coordinate participant registration, food assembly and delivery. 2-1-1 Orange County CEO Karen Williams said food is a significant need during the pandemic.

“People can enroll in this program either by calling us at 2-1-1 or by going to our webpage, 211oc.org,” Williams said.

“On the homepage, there’s an NGP Nutrition Gap Program button that will allow people to go ahead and apply for the food to be delivered for them.”

The program is funded through the federal CARES Act program. To qualify, district residents must not be receiving

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

LAST 30 DAYS

LAST 30 DAYS

est. population • 34,000

Opie, Marketing Manager at the Dana Point Harbor, the extension of the lights will also encourage visitors to spread out and avoid crowds while enjoying the exhibits.

Along with the Harbor Lights, the Boat Parade of Lights will be opening in conjunction with the lit exhibits and will start at 7:30 p.m. the first two weeks of December. With this year’s theme being “Holiday Fiesta,” visitors and guests will be able to enjoy the fiesta of lights out on the harbor’s waters. Land-based attractions during the parade will be limited due to COVID regulations.

Despite health and safety guidelines, the Holiday Harbor Lights and the Boat Parade aim to bring the traditional holiday spirit and essence the Dana Point community. According to Christine Barnes, PR Specialist at the ACE Agency, both the light exhibits and the parade are community-engaging events easy to put on in a safe manner. She stated it was important the lights would continue this year to continue tradition and provide holiday fun for the general public.

WHAT’S NEXT: Both the Holiday Harbor Lights and the Parade of Lights are sponsored by the Dana Point Harbor Partners and are free to the general public.—Haley Chi-Sing

Marine Relieved of Command over Sunken Assault Vehicle

Orange County Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett discusses food needs during a COVID-19 Nutrition Gap Program launch event at the Outlets at San Clemente on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Photo: Collin Breaux

Dana Point’s 46th Holiday Harbor Lights to Open on Nov. 11

assistance from other state or federal programs, such as CalFresh, Title III-C of the Older Americas Act (Congregate and Home-Delivered Meals), the Great Plates Delivered program, and others.

WHAT’S NEXT: Priority will be given to individuals experiencing food insecurity due to age and/or disability, economic status, lack of familial or community support, lack of access to available resources, and those who have military service.

Participants must reside in District 5 cities including Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, portions of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe, and Wagon Wheel.—Collin Breaux and Lillian Boyd

THE LATEST: The Dana Point Harbor is set to debut its 46th annual holiday-themed lights on November 11 along with the annual Boat Parade of Lights on December 4, 5, 11, and 12. Both events are open to the general public throughout the holiday season.

The Harbor Holiday lights will be themed per each section of the harbor and will include annual classics such as Candy Cane Lane and the “Merry Kiss Me” sign.

The lights will be extending to the island this season and will, as a result, be featuring more themed exhibits for visitors.

The Harbor Lights will be asking all visitors to comply with CDC health and safety guidelines. Social distancing and masks signs will be placed all along the lit exhibits as reminders. According to Emma

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THE LATEST: The commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Battalion Landing Team at Camp Pendleton was relieved of duty on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the wake of the July 30 sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) that killed eight U.S. Marines and one Naval sailor off the coast of San Clemente Island.

Marine officials announced Tuesday that Lt. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl, the commanding general of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), had relieved Lt. Col Michael J. Regner from command over a “loss in trust and confidence.”

“Heckl relieved Regner due to a loss in trust and confidence in his ability to command as a result of the assault amphibious vehicle mishap that took place off the coast of Southern California July 30, 2020,” I MEF said in a press release.

According to I MEF, an investigation into the incident is still ongoing, but so far officials were able to compile “a substantial amount of information and data,” which led to Heckl’s decision to relieve Regner.

The Marines and sailor were among 16 service members who were inside the AAV for a training exercise when it began to take on water during a return trip from San Clemente Island to the USS Somerset.

Eight of the service members had escaped the AAV and were recovered shortly (Cont. on page 4) danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP (Cont. from page 3) after the incident. One Marine, 19-yearold Lance Cpl. Guillermo Perez of New Braunfels, Texas, was pronounced dead on the scene, and two others were airlifted to the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, San Diego.

The seven other Marines and one sailor were reported missing, prompting a 40-hour search. After an exhaustive pursuit for the service members, rescue teams with the Marines, Navy and Coast Guard turned their efforts into a locate and recover operation.

Their remains were later found on Aug. 4 inside the sunken AAV. Three of the deceased service members—Pfc. Bryan Baltierra, 18; Lance Cpl. Marco Barranco, 21; and Cpl. Cesar Villanueva, 21—were native to Southern California, according to the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

The other five service members—Pfc. Evan Bath, 19; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22; Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21; Cpl. Wesley Rodd, 23; and Lance Cpl. Chase Sweetwood, 19—originated from Northern California and other states, including Wisconsin, Oregon and Texas.

WHAT’S NEXT: The investigation, the Marines said, “is still ongoing, as the Marine Corps continues to investigate, assess all relevant information, and take appropriate actions.”—Shawn Raymundo

Levin, Maryott Face Off During Congressional Candidate Forum THE LATEST: Forty-ninth Congressional District candidates Rep. Mike Levin and Brian Maryott discussed numerous issues, and had heated exchanges, during a virtual Oct. 7 forum hosted by the Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista Chambers of Commerce. The seat will be decided in the general election on Nov. 3.

Maryott, the Republican challenger and current San Juan Capistrano councilmember, called Democratic incumbent Levin a big government liberal, while Levin labeled Maryott a Trump acolyte.

Moderator Mary Crowley, with the League of Women Voters, reminded the two to keep things civil and to stay on track with the issues, per rules set out at the start of the forum.

Among the questions Crowley asked, one was if the candidates support adding a constitutional amendment requiring an annual balanced budget from the federal government. Maryott said he does, and while it won’t happen overnight, a balanced budget is critically important.

“We are in a dangerous zone with regards to our country’s balance sheet,” Maryott said. “It’s going to have remarkable impact on our children and chilDana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

The Trampas Canyon Dam and Reservoir benefits South Orange County residents by storing recycled water, according to regional officials. Photo: Collin Breaux

dren’s children if we’re not careful. We are getting perilously close to a range as it regards our cumulative debt, relative to our income level as a country, our GDP, as well as our tax revenue.”

Levin said he supports a commission that would take a strong look at revenue and taxation, saying the country is in a rainy-day fund period. Having a Democratic President would help balance the budget, Levin said, citing Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

“We are facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis right now,” Levin said. “We’ve got 26 million Americans still on unemployment.

Of the 22 million jobs that were lost as a result of this pandemic, about half of them have come back. We cannot turn our back at this moment on the 11 million who are still out of work.”

The candidates also addressed higher education and student loan debt. Levin said he supports the College Affordability Act, a bill in the House of Representatives that aims to help alleviate student loan debt, and touted legislation that provides a 12-month training program for veterans to get them into high-skill and high-wage jobs.

“Specifically, I’ve been trying to focus on educational opportunities for our veterans,” Levin said. “I’ve worked across the aisle on a number of pieces of legislation, particularly again during this pandemic, to help advance those opportunities. One bill, as part of our DELIVER Act—Dependable Employment and Living Improvements for Veterans’ Economic Recovery—is with Phil Roe, who’s a Republican from Tennessee.”

Levin said everyone should have access to education and that the student debt loan bubble must be eliminated. Maryott said the federal government should create career opportunities for young people who face struggles in the job market due to student loan debt, adding that student loan rates can be roughly reduced to the same

as a car payment.

“We have to take responsibility as a federal government in this area for what we did to help college and university costs explode, roughly doubling in the last 10plus years,” Maryott said. “We can use the balance sheet of the federal government creatively to bring the monthly tab down for our graduates by at least 60% if we’re smart about this.”

WHAT’S NEXT: A recording of the forum can be viewed at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s YouTube channel.—CB

Santa Margarita Water District Holds Virtual Dedication for Trampas Canyon Dam and Reservoir THE LATEST: Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) President Betty Olson welcomed people to the official grand opening of the Trampas Canyon Dam and Reservoir on Friday, Oct. 9.

SMWD held a virtual ceremony celebrating the dam, which has been constructed in South Orange County and will store recycled water. The Trampas Canyon Dam and Reservoir is on land acquired from Rancho Mission Viejo, south of Ortega Highway.

“Two and a half years ago when we broke ground on this facility, we knew we were making an investment in water reliability for the future of South Orange County,” Olson said. “As a board, we accepted the challenge of our time to ensure our water supplies are resilient and guarantee we are excellent stewards of our imported water supply.”

The reservoir will allow SMWD to maximize recycled water use and brings them closer to their goal of zero discharges into the ocean, Olson said. The project has been under construction this year and was

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reportedly not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Water will be saved during the winter months for use during the summer, when “the demand for recycled water is at its highest,” Olson said.

The video dedication covered the history of the reservoir site, which was previously used for sand mining and is said to be the largest recycled water reservoir “of its type” in Southern California. It can hold 1.6 billion gallons of recycled water and spans more than 3,000 feet in length, the video said.

SMWD General Manager Daniel Ferons said they support the state’s goals of water sustainability and thanked SMWD staff and the Board of Directors.

“Today, we’re at the precipice of filling a reservoir that will supply irrigation, groundwater recharge and locally sourced drinking water to meet the current and future needs of the community,” Ferons said.

The reservoir will serve San Juan Capistrano and be interconnected with San Clemente, in addition to providing irrigation for SMWD. The San Juan Capistrano City Council approved a water and utility annexation agreement with SMWD in January, meaning those systems will be transferred to SMWD. The annexation agreement still needs to be approved by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and could become official this fall or winter.

Ferons also thanked Rancho Mission Viejo Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Tony Moiso for his support of the project. Moiso said it was an honor to be at the dedication, emphasizing that Rancho Mission Viejo has looked to SMWD to solve water challenges.

“This accomplishment is huge,” Moiso said. “It was a dream. What we celebrated today is truly a tribute to the courage of the leadership of the district, the courage to put it down as a goal that we’re actually going to do this.”

Further opportunities and continued partnership will benefit Rancho Mission Viejo and SMWD residents, and The Ranch is committed to working “in the decades ahead” to accomplish more of SMWD’s dreams, Moiso said.

State Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) presented a certificate commemorating the occasion. Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said the reservoir is a milestone for SMWD’s commitment to developing a reliable water supply.

“I have long been an avid supporter of the district’s efforts to recycle and reuse wastewater,” Bartlett said. “This project is so important to the Fifth District, because unlike other parts of the county, we still import approximately 90% of our water supply. Having the ability to capture and store water means we are one step closer to being self-sufficient and meeting our long-term water needs.”—CB danapointtimes.com

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Ocean Institute is now welcoming the public on weekends through the remainder of the year in order to offer visitor programs in marine science and history. Photo: File

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Ocean Institute Reopens Weekends to Visitors with Grant from SoCalGas The Ocean Institute has reopened its doors to the public after receiving a $12,500 grant from Southern California Gas (SoCalGas), the local education center announced on Thursday, Oct. 15.

According to Ocean Institute, the grant will be used to bring back essential staff for a safe reopening on the weekends through the rest of the year, allowing the center to continue offering visitors programs in marine science and history.

“We are so very thankful to SoCalGas for supporting our efforts to fulfill our mission through our public programs,” Ocean Institute President and CEO Wendy Marshall said in a press release. “We have been closed for nearly seven months, and our talented staff is delighted to welcome back visitors.”

Jill Tracy, a member of the Ocean Institute’s Board of Directors and assistant general counsel at SoCalGas, says that organizations such as Ocean Institute offer education benefits to children and families, as well as help kids learn and discover interests in marine science and maritime history.

“SoCalGas is thrilled to be able to support the reopening of the Ocean Institute and provide a safe and educational place for kids and families to enjoy on weekends,” Tracy said in the release.

SoCalGas has been a corporate partner with the center and nonprofit for the past 16 years, the release explained, adding that in 2019, the utility company donated more Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

than $7.6 million to community organizations, local nonprofits and other groups.

Registration for Modified Turkey Trot Now Open Run the race before you stuff your face—but in your own place.

The Dana Point Turkey Trot is shifting to a virtual model, and participants can run their race anytime, anywhere, during Thanksgiving week this year.

“To accommodate the modifications put in place due to COVID-19 and ensure that our racing family remains healthy and safe, we’ve decided to change course and burn those pre-Thanksgiving meal calories, virtually” said Vickie McMurchie, Executive Director of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, the organization behind the event’s planning. “We are incredibly disappointed we can’t all flock together en masse in the Dana Point Harbor, but we’re hopeful our loyal participants will continue to participate this year, wherever they may be, and continue to make these Thanksgiving memories. We firmly believe that tradition can’t be canceled.”

Online registration for the race is now open. Each registration includes a commemorative medal, T-shirt, and Virtual Goody Bag, comprised of coupons and offers from the local small business community. Participants can download the event race app to time their race, compare results, and submit photos. Race packets will be available for participants at a drive-thru pickup event in the Dana Point Harbor on November 21 and 22, or runners can opt to receive their packet via delivery.

“This Thanksgiving race is more than an event; it is a tradition for family and friends and a way for us to give back and

give thanks to our local charities” says Ziad Mahshi, Chairman of the Board of the Dana Point Chamber. “Since its inception, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has raised over half a million dollars for local nonprofits, and we look forward to increasing that number for many years to come.”

This year’s charity partners are Family Assistance Ministries and Marine Corps League, South Coast Detachment 022. A portion of each registration is donated back to these deserving charities, and participants can make additional donations when registering online.

This year’s event is presented by City of Dana Point, Dana Point Harbor Partners, Raintree Partners, SoCalGas, Monarch Bay Plaza and Visit Dana Point.

For more information about the 2020 Virtual Dana Point Turkey Trot, please visit turkeytrot.com. Follow the event on Facebook at facebook.com/danapointturkeytrot/, Twitter at twitter.com/turkeytrot and Instagram at instagram.com/dpturkeytrot.

OCSD Issues Safety Advisory After Man Chases and Threatens Jogger A suspect was taken into custody after law enforcement responded to reports that a homeless man had chased after a woman jogging in Dana Point.

The incident occurred at around 6 a.m.

Thursday morning, Oct. 8, near Pacific Coast Highway and Crown Valley Parkway.

A homeless man allegedly chased the jogger, yelled at her and threatened to kill her, according to authorities.

When deputies arrived, they made contact with the victim and located the suspect, who was hiding in the bushes nearby,

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Community Meetings TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20

DANA POINT CITY COUNCIL 6 p.m. The Dana Point City Council will hold a regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers at 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 210, Dana Point.

according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“It’s important to know that that deputies with the Homeless Outreach Team contacted the suspect on two previous occasions, the most recent being on October 5, 2020,” the statement said. “In each instance, he declined services that were offered.”

The suspect, a 53-year-old man identified as Curtiss Jancola, from Carson, is currently in custody after being arrested for attempted kidnapping and making criminal threats.

“This incident should be a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings, keep a cellular phone at the ready, and be prepared to give your location to first responders,” the statement said. “In this case, the victim was able to call a family member and relay key information, which deputies used to locate her.”

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Rate Your Stay

Existing Permit Distribution by Voting District

City Leaders Grapple to Balance Residents’ Needs and Regulation of Short-Term Rentals

BY LILLIAN BOYD, DANA POINT TIMES

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s Dana Point officials proceed in a short-term rental pilot program, debate over how short-term rentals such as Airbnb or Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) properties should be regulated continues to be contentious.

The Dana Point Planning Commission’s workshop for short-term rentals, held on Monday, Sept. 28, was met with some resistance ahead of time. Some members of the community, including three out of the four city council candidates, expressed dismay in a joint letter toward a workshop being scheduled during a pandemic and prior to the election.

Short-term rentals are defined as entire residential houses or apartments, or rooms within, that are rented out to visitors for a fee between one and 29 consecutive days. They are often arranged on websites such as Airbnb, Home Away or VRBO. Mike Frost and Gary Newkirk, running in District 4, and Michael Villar, running in District 5, submitted a letter to the city ahead of the meeting urging that the workshop be postponed.

“As candidates, we might have our own differing views about what restrictions should be placed on STRs, but we are united in our view that District 4 and 5 deserve to be a part of the conversation,” the letter said. “Many people feel strongly about changes to residential zoning affecting their neighborhoods and way of life. One of the reasons Dana Point went to districts is to ensure that each of our communities will get a voice on issues that affect their lives.”

Benjamin Bebee, running in District 5, did not respond to the three candidates wanting to know if he would also sign off on the letter.

“While we do have confidence in our city staff, after this election in November, each district will finally have their own council member and each will have an equal voice on council,” the letter said.

“We ask that you delay the process until the new council members from District 4 and District 5 have been elected and are in position on city council.”

While the workshop proceeded as planned, Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski opened up the

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

The majority of permitted short-term rentals in Dana Point are located in Districts 4 and 5. This year’s election will determine the inaugural councilmembers to represent those districts. Graphic: Chelsie Rex

agenda item to state that staff was not trying to fast-track the process, rather they were laying the groundwork.

Prior to the Dana Point Planning Commission moving forward with recommendations for forming a short-term rental subcommittee, staff presented background on STR regulation within the city.

“Historically, short-term rentals have been part of Dana Point,” said Johnathan Ciampa, senior city planner. “The (California Coastal Commission) is the regulatory authority for land uses within the city’s coastal zone, and they really want cities to incorporate STRs as permitted uses to improve coastal access.”

In 2016, a short-term rental ordinance was approved and then later rescinded, as a result of a referendum petition. Since then, city council has allowed existing short-term rental permit holders to continue operating until an alternative ordinance is adopted. No short-term rental permit has since been revoked.

In 2018, city council formed a subcommittee to reevaluate short-term rentals and guide the development of a new ordinance.

Coastal Commission staff met with the subcommittee and reportedly recommended the city develop a pilot program in light of the city’s “sensitivity” to short-term rentals, Ciampa said.

“The program would be temporarily in effect for three years and would be approved by a (coastal development permit),” Ciampa said.

On July 21, city council directed staff to move forward with public outreach and the development of the STR pilot program— which would include various types of short-term rentals and establish a robust enforcement program to address potential impacts to the community.

And the Survey Says . . .

FM3—the company the city contracted to survey the community on short-term

rentals—defined three types of short-term rentals in the survey: homestays are when the homeowner rents out a portion of their home for between one and 29 consecutive days and the homeowner continues to live there at all times while visitors are renting; a primary residence is when a homeowner rents out their own primary residence to visitors for between one and 29 consecutive days while the homeowner is traveling or living elsewhere; and a non-primary residence is when a property owner rents out homes other than their primary residence to visitors for between one and 29 consecutive days.

In a survey conducted in March, FM3 found that approximately one-third of the responses wanted either more short-term rentals or no changes, and one-third preferred to add more regulations. Approximately one-quarter of respondents wanted to reduce the number of existing short-term rental permits.

“A small majority of voters favor allowing their neighbors to offer homestay shortterm rentals, and to rent out their full primary residence, but oppose allowing property owners to rent out non-primary residences next to them on a short-term basis,” according to the FM3 report.

FM3 also found that the most common reasons for residents to oppose STRs are safety concerns from unknown people coming in and out, parking issues and noise. The most common reasons for supporting STRs are support of property rights to rent, supplemental income for owners, bringing in tourists to boost the local economy and the expectation that STRs do not impact residents.

While the initial proposed pilot program allowed only for homestays, council majority approved it to expand and include all defined short-term rentals.

Currently in Dana Point, there are 147 existing permits for short-term rentals. In examining the distribution of permitted

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short-term rentals within voting districts, 73% of permits fall within Districts 4 and 5. District 5, which consists of portions of Capistrano Beach, makes up 42% of permits—with one-third of those permits being located on Beach Road.

The city has received more than 150 calls since a short-term rental hotline was initiated in 2017. Of those calls, 29% were reports of an unpermitted short-term rental and 34% were complaints regarding a nuisance at a licensed short-term rental.

Of the remaining calls, 37% were inquiries and general questions.

In 2019, there were 26 complaint calls related to short-term rentals, including nine calls pertaining to unregulated shortterm rentals and 17 complaints related to nuisance issues. According to staff, 64 citations were issued for unpermitted STRs, and 70 citations were issued for late transient occupancy tax TOT) submittals.

In 2020, there have been 45 calls related to short-term rentals to date. Of those calls, 14 were related to unregulated short-term rentals, 29 calls were noiserelated, and two calls were for smoking on private property (although this is not a violation). So far this year, there have been 39 citations for unregulated short-term rentals and 37 citations issued for late TOT submittals.

“In September, Code Enforcement began monitoring STRs on Friday and Saturday nights so they can observe potential violations firsthand,” Wisneski told Dana Point Times.

Toward the end of the workshop, Planning Commissioners Eric Nelson and Roy Dohner volunteered to serve on the Short-Term Rental Subcommittee. Staff will proceed in working with the subcommittee to conduct public outreach, review the city ordinance and provide feedback to the planning commission.

How the Candidates Weigh in

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in which each candidate addressed his respective position on short-term rentals.

“We need to have a voice from District 4 and District 5. And I really appreciated that we were able to get together. We may not agree on what we want the outcome to be, but we certainly agree that we need to have a voice,” Villar said. “I’m a ‘residentsfirst’ guy. I know our residents have issues with short-term rentals. I think that there is room in Capo Beach and Dana Point at a restricted kind of a level.”

Villar added that he wants to see residents ultimately vote for how short-term rentals will be regulated in the city.

During the forum, Bebee said he could see both sides of the argument, but that the issue should be further explored to reach common ground for residents. He apologized for not responding in regard to (Cont. from page 10) danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

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EYE ON DP (Cont. from page 8) the letter signed off by the other candidates, citing technical difficulties, but it was unclear whether he would have signed it otherwise.

Newkirk echoed Villar’s call for a vote among residents.

“We need to slow the process down. It’s a little interesting that we’ve fast-tracked and created a subcommittee that will selectively talk to residents to try to come up with a pilot program that will lock us in for three years,” Newkirk said. “We need to have a collective conversation with all stakeholders that results in residents having a say and a vote.”

Frost directed attention toward the Coastal Commission as a key stakeholder and authority in the future of short-term rentals.

“I think we do have a responsibility to talk to our neighbors and clearly define the issue, and that is, at least a significant portion of the community is under the authority of the California Coastal Commission,” Frost said. “(The CCC) has identified affordable short-term lodging as a requirement.”

Frost added that he believes the city is going down the correct path.

“I know Mr. Villar wanted to push off the (workshop) another month, and I had no problem with that,” Frost said. “However, no decisions, no design for the pilot pro-

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

Apps and home rental websites like Airbnb and VRBO have created a surge in short-term rental popularity. Photo: Lillian Boyd

gram is going to be made any time soon.”

The Role of Coastal Commission In correspondence with the City of Dana Point, the Coastal Commission acknowledged the surge in vacation rental activity, as a direct result of online booking services.

“Some argue that private residences should remain solely for the exclusive use

of those who reside there in order to foster neighborhood stability and residential character, as well as to ensure adequate housing stock in the community,” a December 2016 letter from the Coastal Commission states. “Others argue that vacation rentals should be encouraged, because they often provide more affordable options for families and other coastal

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visitors of a wide range of economic backgrounds to enjoy the California coastline.”

The letter goes on to state it has not historically supported blanket vacation rental bans—finding them to be inconsistent with the Coastal Act. But earlier this month, the Coastal Commission unanimously approved Laguna Beach’s new plan to regulate short-term lodging, including a ban on new rental units in residential-zoned neighborhoods.

The existing 79 units already existing within residential zones will be permitted to continue operating.

According to the letter, the Coastal Commission does, however, support limits on the total number of vacation rentals, limits on the types of housing that can be used, limits on maximum vacation rental occupancy, limits on the amount of time a residential unit can be used as a vacation home, requirements on parking, garbage, signage, and noise, as well as payment of transient occupancy tax.

“There are no easy answers to the vexing issues and questions of how best to regulate short-term/vacation rentals,” the letter states, adding, “In our view it is not an ‘all or none’ proposition. Rather, the Commission’s obligation is to work with local governments to accommodate vacation rentals in a way that respects local context.” DP

danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

GUEST OPINION: By OC Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

Prop 15 Would Be Catastrophic for an Already Devastated Economy

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mid an unprecedented global pandemic that has had a devastating effect on our economy, and caused great financial hardship to millions of Californians, proponents of Prop 15 now want to impose even greater hardship on families and local businesses. How? By enacting the largest annual property tax increase in our state’s history—up to $12.5 billion per year.

Supporters of the measure claim Prop 15 will only raise taxes on large, wealthy corporations with commercial land and buildings worth more than $3 million.

What they fail to mention is the catastrophic domino effect it will have on all Californians, from local businesses and consumers to farmers and homeowners.

Prop 15 will inevitably raise the cost of living for all Californians, especially those with less means, as grocery stores, retailers and other businesses face higher costs that, in turn, will be passed on to consumers. It will destroy jobs and local businesses and raises taxes for family farmers.

Prop 15 couldn’t come at a worse time for all Californians. COVID-19 has already taken a tremendous toll on the financial well-being of our economy and its people.

Letter to the Editor SHORT-TERM RENTALS GEORGE RAY, Capistrano Beach

Would you ask your neighbors for their permission to rent your home?

Renting a home on a 30-day basis or for a year is also a business. Short-term rentals (STRs) are a rental except for a shorter length of time. In both cases, the income I receive from my long-term and short-term rentals shows up on my tax return on the same tax form line. Granted, there are some differences and ramifications. However, the issues of upkeep, noise and parking are similar with short- and long-term rentals. I believe, if managed correctly, these issues are more controllable in an STR than a long-term rental.

I made substantial financial investments to my properties to make them enticing as STRs. Arguments about declining property values due to STRs have no factual basis, Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

Families are struggling to make ends meet, and California businesses, both large and small, are desperately trying to stay afloat. If enacted, Prop 15 may prove too much to bear for some businesses and destroy any chance they may have to recover. Our already high unemployment rate will skyrocket as more people lose their jobs and their livelihood.

There was a time when people flocked to California in search of the American dream—a time when the Golden State’s booming economy thrived and flourished under the warmth of a very business-friendly GUEST OPINION climate. Today, that’s

By Lisa Bartlett not the case. California’s cost of living is among the highest in the nation. Businesses and families are leaving at an alarming rate due to increasingly higher taxes and overregulation. Sadly, the Golden State is now ranked as one of the least business-friendly states in the nation. The last thing we need is another property tax that will further exacerbate the mass exodus and send a clear message

and I believe that my improvements have increased the value of the adjacent properties. I have never suggested an unrestricted number of STRs, nor have I suggested that the Coastal Commission wanted to allow an unrestricted number of STRs in Dana Point.

STRs are not a major issue here in Dana Point, as reflected in Dana Point’s recent survey. That survey asked the public a leading question, “What if there was a STR next to you?” If the survey had included an initial statement suggested by Councilmember Joe Muller, such as “If there was a STR next to you and there were strong penalties if they violated the rules against noise and parking,” I believe there would have been very different survey results. More importantly, if the survey had asked, “Do STRs impact your life?”, I bet that the answer would have been “no” from the vast majority of our residents.

Again, STRs are not an important community issue compared to homelessness and traffic. The STR survey included a general question about what were the communitywide concerns that the City should focus on. The results indicated that out of 19 city problems, STRs were tied with city corruption and the speed of the

to those industries who may be looking to move here: You’re not welcome.

In addition, Prop 15 poses a direct threat to homeowners and severely undermines Prop 13 protections. Since Prop 13 was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in 1978, opponents have been trying to chip away the protections afforded homeowners under the measure in an effort to increase property taxes. Now they are doing it again under the guise of Prop 15. Make no mistake, should Prop 15 pass, it will open the floodgates for further attacks on Prop 13, and your home could be next.

Simply put, Prop 15 is nothing more than a massive property-tax hike that will hurt California families and businesses.

Lisa Bartlett sits on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the 5th District. She was reelected in 2018. 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.

Harbor Revitalization Project. There were 11 other city problems of higher priority to the public. What is the justification for a vote on STRs when STRs are not an important issue to the vast majority of Dana Point residents? The council has done the correct thing not wasting the taxpayers’ money on a vote. I am for strict enforcement of rules governing STRs, and that is where the effort should be directed.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to letters@danapointtimes.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday. 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 or fewer words. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. Dana Point Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory. In the interest of fairness, DP Times will not publish letters submitted by candidates running for elected offices between the time they file for candidacy and the date of the election.

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ART + DESIGN

Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

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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 42. 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.

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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK

Photo: Courtesy of the ZOOMARS Petting Zoo

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15: PUMPKIN PATCH AT ZOOMARS 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pick out a Halloween pumpkin at ZOOMARS Petting Zoo. The patch event runs through Oct. 31, and weekday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ZOOMARS Petting Zoo, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.831.6550. zoomars.com.

The List

tion begins on Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 a.m. and ends on Monday, Oct. 26, at noon. Patrons are also welcome to reserve a private picnic for up to six people on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25, with funds going to assist the Mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

the Mammories” cocktail and “Think Pink” lemonade sold at StillWater Spirits & Sounds, $3 will be donated to Breast Cancer Angels. Breast Cancer Angels provides financial and emotional support to women, men and families fighting breast cancer. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point.

949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

Friday | 16

FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday afternoon. Check out the produce, breads, cheeses, artisan craft vendors, and more. Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.364.1270. farmakisfarms.com.

ONLINE AUCTION FOR THE MISSION 8 a.m-noon. Bid in a fall fundraiser for Mission San Juan Capistrano. The auc-

FUNDRAISER FOR BREAST CANCER ANGELS 11 a.m.-10 p.m. For every “Thanks for

VIRTUAL SC SPOOKY RUN: INDIVIDUAL 10K, FAMILY 5K All day. The city of San Clemente invites the community to get outside and get a workout in for this monthlong SC Spooky Virtual Run. Grab some tennis shoes and a family member and head outside to complete the family 5K or individual 10K. When participants are done, they can send the city a picture of their time to be entered into the

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.

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

Page 12

contest for a place in the run. And to make it more interesting, because this is hosted by the city’s Recreation Division, which loves to have fun, participants should run/walk with a costume for an extra chance to enter the contest. Prizes for the 10K will be awarded to best time and best costume. Similarly, prizes for the family run 5K will be awarded for best time and best themed costume. More of the “spooktacular” details can be found on the city’s website at san-clemente.org.

On your marks! Get set! Boo!

Saturday | 17 KAYAKING TOURS 10 a.m.-noon. Explore the ocean from the water. Join the Ocean Institute for a danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT 2-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem from an expert naturalist. All experience levels are welcome. Must be at least 12 years old to participate.

Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pricing is $40 per person Members receive 10% off. Please sign up in advance, as space is limited. Walk-ins will not be allowed. Staff and participants must wear face masks. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. ocean-institute.org.

available. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. Ocean Institute. 949.496.2274. ocean-institute.org.

TIDE POOLS HIKE 1-3 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute for a tide pool hike led by one of its expert naturalists. The hike will take participants into the rocky Marine Conservation Area located directly behind the Ocean Institute. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other marine life that make the tide pools their home. The winter months are the best time to explore these magical marine ecosystems.

Tickets are $15 per person. Please sign up in advance, as space is limited. Walkins will only be allowed when space is

Sunday | 18

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

HAPPY HOUR WOOD WORKSHOP 2:30-5:30 p.m. Brush up on your craftsmanship skills with this woodworking DIY class. Potential projects include wood signs, bath trays or photo frames.

Register online to reserve a class seat.

AR Workshop San Juan Capistrano, 31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2, San Juan Capistrano. 949.482.1362. arworkshop.com.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD YOGA 8-9:15 a.m. SoCal Paddle Yoga has partnered with Westwind Sailing to bring SUP Yoga to Dana Point Harbor on Sundays. Take your yoga practice outside on the water surrounded by the beauty of Dana Point Harbor and Baby Beach. Boards are anchored inside the harbor for a peaceful and relaxing morning session on the water. Classes are designed to meet any level of fitness and experience when it comes to yoga

or stand-up paddleboarding—as long as you can swim. Instructors are professional athletes with top-level certifications in yoga, SUP, SUP yoga, lifeguarding and many years of teaching experience. Your enjoyment and safety are top priority. You will be provided with boards and paddles, 75 minutes of class instruction, and class photos. Bring sunscreen and a swimsuit (or water-friendly workout clothing).

Due to limited space, an online reservation is required at socalpaddleyoga.com.

Westwind Sailing, 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. 949.492.3035.

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.

PIPER SUNDAY Noon-1:30 p.m. The Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club is hosting a Zoom seminar featuring online discussion with guest speakers about Irish piping and music. Pamela Schweblin will join this session. A PayPal donation of $20 is sug-

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gested. socalpipers.com.

Tuesday | 20 KIDS’ THEATRE WORKSHOP 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children can learn about acting, dancing, script writing and other performance skills during a six-week series of classes held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The classes begin on Oct. 20 and will follow pandemic safety guidelines.

Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. capistranoactingacademy.org.

Wednesday | 21 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.

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DP

Dana Point Point Dana

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

The Willie Nelson cover band True Willie rocks the stage during a drive-in, outdoor concert on Sept. 25 at the Great Park in Irvine. Photo: Tom Blake

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

Finally Meeting Wille Nelson (Sort of)

I

n the 1970s, as the marketing director for the Victoria Station restaurant chain, I worked with Johnny Cash for two years. Through Johnny, I met Carl Perkins, Larry Gatlin, John Denver, Roger Miller and Glen Campbell.

But I never met Willie Nelson, one of Johnny’s best buddies.

I vowed that if I ever met Willie, I would share with him how highly Johnny spoke of him. I’ve tried a few times at Willie’s concerts to meet him but haven’t been successful. Willie’s 87 now, so my chances of meeting him face-to-face are slim to none, especially during the pandemic.

Two months ago, while stand-up paddleboarding with my buddy, Russell Kerr, I explained to him my unachieved goal of meeting Willie Nelson.

Russell said, “I can partially solve your dilemma in September.”

“How?” I asked.

Russell said, “My friend Roger Hegyi has a band called ‘True Willie.’ They are considered the most authentic Willie Nelson tribute band in America. Roger’s role is Willie. He lives in Laguna Niguel.”

Russell added, “True Willie is playing at a unique outdoor concert on Sept. 25 at the Great Park in Irvine.” He explained, “It’s a drive-in-movie type of concert. You sit in your car or in socially distanced lawn chairs next to your car. My wife, Pam, and I are going.

“Why don’t you and Greta come and park next to us? I can introduce you to Roger after the show. He’s not Willie Nelson, but he’s the closest thing to Willie you’ll ever meet.”

Greta and I bought a car ticket in advance; the cost was only $30. We followed the Kerr’s car. To ensure we could park near the stage, we got to the Great Park an Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

hour before the show.

The show was spectacular. The band played three of my Willie Nelson favorites: “Poncho and Lefty,” “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” and “Seven Spanish Angels.”

After the show, we got to say hello to Roger, but it was getting dark, and lots of people had come to the front of the stage to greet him.

I handed Roger an autographed copy of my book, Prime Rib & Boxcars. Whatever Happened to Victoria Station? The front cover features a picture of Johnny Cash and me together in 1976 in front of the Victoria Station restaurant in Newport Beach.

Russell said, “We’ll get together with Roger next week when we have time to talk.”

Last month, Roger, Russell, and I met at the Coffee Importers in Dana ON LIFE AND Point Harbor.

LOVE AFTER 50 I asked Roger: “How

By Tom Blake long have you been a musician, and when and why did you become a Willie Nelson tribute band?”

Roger said, “I’ve been 50 years in the music business. Nine years ago, my family and I were attending a concert at the Greek Theatre. There was a huge photo of Willie on the side of the building promoting an upcoming Willie Nelson concert.

“My daughter looked at me, and then at Willie, and said, ‘Dad, you are Willie.’ And I now am.”

Roger added, “I don’t do it for the money; I do it to make a difference and share the music of an icon.”

Over a cup of coffee, I was finally able to tell Willie Nelson (well, sort of) how much Johnny Cash thought of him. It took me 45 years to pull that off.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, 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.

Page 14

Photo: Shades of L.A.

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photo was taken of siblings (from left)

Colette, Julie and Julian Wilmington in Capistrano Beach in 1991.

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.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Astrid DANA POINT TIMES

T

his pretty girl is Astrid, a 5-year-old sweetheart who just can’t wait to meet you. While Astrid loves playing catch with the ball, her real favorite pastime is snuggling on the couch. She is also mannerly and walks well on a leash, though she would prefer to be the only pet in a home so she doesn’t have to share the spotlight.

If you are interested in adopting Astrid, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/ adoptions/adoptadog to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@

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

scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. DP

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

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

See the solution in next week’s issue.

danapointtimes.com

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS

DP LIVING

Dana Point

GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach

by Shelley Murphy

Nostalgic for the Past That Was Then, This Is Now

I

n a year when change is the only certainty, it’s comforting to pause and ponder on the past, rather than fret about the future.

Nostalgia is a sentimental yearning for the good old days, and it’s also medicine for the mind.

A couple months into the pandemic, a friend of mine converted her dining room into a craft corner. She rummaged through her home, finding forgotten photos, and she used them to create a slew of themed scrapbooks.

She treasures the time-consuming task and says when she’s lost in her memories, she feels calm.

My girlfriend suggested I try scrapbooking, despite knowing I’m not an enthusiast of what I prefer to call arts & craps.

Instead of mining photos for mementos, I took time to reminisce and stroll down memory lane.

Growing up in the 1970s doesn’t seem so long ago—until I do the math.

How is it possible my chunky silver platform shoes and feathered Farrah Fawcett hairstyle LIFE’S A BEACH happened almost a halfBy Shelley Murphy century ago?

According to the internet, I, along with more than 65 million Americans, am a member of Generation X. Our generation is the last to live in a time before technology became the norm.

We kept up with pop culture by subscribing to the magazine Tiger Beat, not the Netflix show Tiger King. A gigantic difference between Gen X and today’s generation is technology’s impact on communication.

Back in the day, my family of four shared a singular phone, which my dad mounted to a kitchen wall. Believe it or not, most households survived with only one phone, and its cord could stretch, but only so far.

The hub of our house offered zero privacy, so my conversations were concise and sometimes spoken in code.

My childhood home housed more televisions than telephones, likely an attempt by my parents to squash sibling squabbles.

We had many televisions but limited Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

channels and content. We relied on three or four channels for programs, not hundreds of networks.

Television shows aired in a scheduled timeslot, and tuning in to the original broadcast was the only viewing option. In hindsight, the 1970s defined appointment TV. Missing The Brady Bunch episode when Jan shouted the iconic words, “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!” meant waiting for the rerun, or rebroadcast, of the show later in the year.

The closest my generation came to reality TV was the genre known as variety shows. In the early ’70s, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour debuted and became an immediate hit.

The prime-time show starred the married pop singers in playful bantering and performing popular songs and comedy skits.

Today’s generation listens to songs on satellite radio, but back in the ’70s, AM radio was king.

If my allowance couldn’t buy a vinyl album or 45 rpm single, then the radio afforded the only opportunity to hear my favorite singers.

Sunday mornings, I tuned in to the radio countdown program American Top 40. It premiered in 1970 with host Casey Kasem at the helm; the three-hour broadcast revealed the top singles of the week.

Remember Casey Kasem’s “Long Distance Dedication”? Listeners wrote letters (not emails) to Kasem requesting a sappy song dedication. The letters were often penned by the casualty of a recent heartbreak.

I’d tune my AM radio to station 93/KHJ and wait for my favorite songs to play. I positioned my portable cassette recorder near the speaker and poised my fingers over the record button to capture my bestliked ballads.

I repeated this exercise every week, but seldom pressed the button in time to record the entire song.

My walk down memory lane renders a smile, but it also makes me melancholy for the current generation. How will they remember this year of social, political, and economic turmoil?

If you’re pining for the past and feeling nostalgic, you’re not alone.

The next time a sentimental memory pops to mind, reminisce and relish the moment—and enjoy an escape from the madness that is 2020.

For more than 20 years, Shelley Murphy and her husband have lived in San Clemente, where she raised her two sons. She’s a freelance writer and has been a contributor to the San Clemente Times and Dana Point Times since 2006. DP

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

CIF has slated boys volleyball to be the first sport back in play with a scheduled Dec. 12 opening, but will Dana Hills’ teams get the preparation time to open the season as scheduled? Photo: Zach Cavanagh

On the Horizon Two months from CIF’s start date, will sports open on time?

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

T

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.

he past few weeks have provided steps forward for high school athletics in the Capistrano Unified School District.

Athletics programs were able to open Phase 2 of their return to play, which included slightly larger groups, the individual use of equipment and allowance for indoor and weight room activities at reduced capacity.

Then on Tuesday, Oct. 13, students began coming back for on-campus instruction.

As teams sit exactly two months away from the CIF’s scheduled return to fullfledged competitions, will this increase in “normal” activities return to the level needed to start those competitions on time?

“I wish I had that answer, as everybody does,” San Clemente High School athletic director John Hamro said. “The virus will make that decision for us. We can only control what we can control. We’ll do everything in our power to move to the next step.”

CIF has scheduled boys volleyball as the first sport to return to games, with the first allowance to do so on Dec. 12.

CIF has football practices scheduled to open on Dec. 14, girls volleyball matches starting on Dec. 19, boys water polo games starting on Dec. 21, cross country opening on Dec. 26 and girls water polo matches starting on Dec. 28.

As of press time on Thursday, Oct. 15, Dana Hills’ first listed contest on its athletics calendar is a boys water polo match at Northwood on Dec. 30. However, there are no volleyball matches, boys or girls, listed, but expect that to still be the Dolphins’ first sport to return, if sports start on time.

Page 15

Hamro said most sports would need a four-week lead-up of some full practices or training for the student-athletes to be ready as they normally would be. That would mark the week of Nov. 16 as a targeted start date for boys volleyball to get that full practice slate and start the season on time.

However, just as it took Orange County dropping to the No. 2 red “substantial” tier in the state’s color-coded, four-tiered coronavirus monitoring system to open the district’s Phase 2 workouts, Hamro said it would likely take the county moving down to the orange “moderate” risk tier to open a Phase 3 in CUSD or to get those practices started.

To move down to the orange tier, the county needs to be at the orange level in all of state’s monitoring metrics for two weeks. Orange County came close at the end of September before a small uptick in one metric held the county at the red level.

The county continues to straddle the line between red and orange.

“We all want to get to the point where we can share a ball,” Hamro said. “We’d all love to be able to do that. We’re going to err on the side of caution. Safety is the only lens we’re going to look through.

People still don’t know the long-term effects of this disease.

“We’re staying positive and continuing to prepare like we’re going to have a season.”

CIF competitions have been paused since mid-March, and CUSD athletics teams finally returned to the field for Phase 1 on Aug. 18 after a quick start-stop in early July.

Hamro said the focus is still to get a full season in for every sport and every student-athlete, and he hopes there isn’t a situation in which some sports’ seasons are canceled early, denying even some of the student-athletes the full experience.

“Relationships, camaraderie, working with others, respect for authority, work ethic—all the stuff that they (student-athletes) will carry forward, they learn that out on the field,” Hamro said. DP danapointtimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on October 6, 2020, the City Council of the City of Dana Point adopted Ordinance 20-03 entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 5.20 OF THE DANA POINT MUNICIPAL CODE The adopted ordinance will amend the Chapter 5.20 of the Dana Point Municipal Code with regards to Massage Business Regulations.

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 regular meeting thereof held on the 15th day of September, 2020, and adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the 6th day of October, 2020, by the following vote: AYES:

Council Member Joseph L. Muller, Council Member Paul N Wyatt, Mayor Pro Tem Jamey M. Federico, and Mayor Richard A. Viczorek NOES: None ABSENT: None _________________________________ KATHY M. WARD CITY CLERK Dated this 16th day of October, 2020.

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206586150 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: DANA POINT RV STORAGE 1100 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 200 NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 Full Name of Registrant(s): STONEHILL STORAGE PARTNERS, LLC 1100 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 200 NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 This business is conducted by CA Limited Liability Company.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/STONEHILL STORAGE PARTNERS, LLC, BRYON WARD, MANAGING MEMBER/ MANAGER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 10/1/2020.

Published in: Dana Point Times October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206586197 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: FACE-LIFT 1400 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100 NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 Full Name of Registrant(s): SURTERRE PROPERTIES, INC. 1400 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100 NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 This business is conducted by DE Corporation.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/SURTERRE PROPERTIES, INC., GARY E. LEGRAND PRESIDENT/CEO This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 10/2/2020.

Published in: Dana Point Times October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206585730 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SAVE DOHENY ELECTION CAMPAIGN 34605 VIA CATALINA CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA 92624 Full Name of Registrant(s): MARKUS J LENGER 34605 VIA CATALINA CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA 92624 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/Markus Lenger This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 9/28/2020.

Published in: Dana Point Times October 9, 16, 23, 30, 2020

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

Dana Point Times October 16–22, 2020

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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

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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.

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

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

• WAREHOUSE POSITION I: Must have experience in shipping and receiving. Fork-lift experience, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record. Full-Time, benefits, 401K. Please call 949.492.4399 or email your resume to: dromero@ndaonline.net • WAREHOUSE POSITION II: Must have experience in shipping and receiving, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record.

Full-Time, benefits, 401K. Please call 949.492.4399 or email your resume to: dromero@ndaonline.net

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 October 16-22, 2020

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DP DP SURF Dana Point

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

GROM OF THE WEEK TANNER SANDVIG

Tanner Sandvig. Photo: Courtesy of the Sandvig family

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

After seven months in lockdown, a surf trip somewhere like this is sounding really nice. Photo: Courtesy of International Surf Properties

Is It Safe to Chase Foreign Waves Again?

Jim Habig of International Surf Properties discusses COVID-19’s impact on his business and surf travel

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

W

hen the COVID-19 pandemic hit, San Clemente’s Jim Habig was down at his resort property in Popoyo, Nicaragua.

Owner of International Surf Properties, a real estate company that specializes in selling exotic, wave-rich properties around the globe, Habig figured the best thing he could do at the time was hunker down in Central America and ride things out. And that’s just what he’s been doing, surfing his brains out while we’re stuck here wondering what’s next.

“I had moved down from Popoyo, to Pavones, Costa Rica, because of some great opportunities for surf property sales next to one of the longest lefts in the world,” Habig said when I caught up with him via email last week. “Unfortunately, COVID kicked in with all of the travel restrictions and put an immediate hold on everyone’s plans.”

In normal times, summer would be the season for surfers to travel around the world and enjoy the many opportunities that foreign shores provide, but, of course, these aren’t normal times.

A small cadre of team riders for Lost Surfboards, including world tour surfers Kolohe Andino and Griffin Colapinto, broke the seal last month with a mission to Indonesia. Several other savvy travelers

Dana Point Times October 16-22, 2020

have made strikes down to Mexico, one of the few places in the world where Americans are free to travel at the moment.

But for the most part, the lockdown has been real, and everyone’s been stuck surfing Trestles—and I mean everyone.

So, for somebody like Habig, who makes a living from wandering surfers, what has this meant for his business?

“The one positive for buyers is many of the prices for surf villas and surf camps have come down,” Habig said. “Now is a great time to buy as the travel restrictions lessen.”

Easier said than done. Wading through the myriad of travel restrictions and technicalities can be overwhelming when it comes to thinking about booking a trip.

“Everybody needs to know the requirements for the country they plan to visit,” Habig said. “For example, Costa Rica requires a COVID test within 72 hours of flying and travelers’ insurance, while Mexico requires neither of these. Do your research and know before you go. One thing that hasn’t changed is all of Central and South America require a passport valid for at least six months from entry into the country.”

In other words, as the old Surfline adage goes, “Know before you go.”

As Habig points out, this could be a great time to go search for surf, as crowds are light and there are some ridiculous travel and airfare deals out there.

“The never-before-seen situation the world is in does not change our quest by surfers for great waves,” Habig said.

“There are so many places you can find just the type of wave you are looking for. With all of the what-if scenarios, we are not sure when our next surf session is going to be.

Get out there and explore while you can.”

And in terms of investments, if you’ve been sitting on a pile of cash throughout the pandemic wondering what to do with it, now could be the time to throw down on the surf resort of your dreams.

“A few areas like Indonesia, Morocco and El Salvador come to mind as having some

great deals on surf resorts,” Habig said. “We also have a few pocket listings in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.”

To be sure, buying a surf resort right now could seem like a dicey proposition, which is why Habig and International Surf Properties have also launched a rental side to their business.

“Surfers have always been exploratory in the search for uncrowded waves, so it makes total sense they want to travel to find those perfect breaks. If we are going to flash amazing locations in front of a crazed surfer, we should give them the opportunity to get there,” he said. “It started with a try-before-you-buy program and grew from there. We have surf destinations in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Indonesia and beyond. We are adding new locations weekly.”

There is no shortage of concerns about traveling right now, and rightly so. Southern California has been an epicenter for the coronavirus over the past six months, and the idea of getting on a plane and potentially spreading the disease in some Third World country, where most of these exotic surf spots are located, hardly seems like a responsible thing to do.

But through better testing and other preventative procedures, things are slowly reopening, and moving around on this great, blue planet has become a little more realistic. And at the very least, we can all dream and plan for better days to come—and that’s part of what makes surf travel so alluring for so many hungry wave-riders.

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

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T

he dream is real. Last week, Tanner Sandvig rolled out of the Rip Curl Surf Shop in San Clemente with a new sticker on the nose of his board.

“Beyond stoked to become part of the Rip Curl family. A huge thank you to James (Harrah) for believing in me. Super proud to have this sticker on my board,” Sandvig wrote on his Instagram account.

Sandvig has been working so hard to accomplish this moment. He’s been putting in a massive amount of time in both the ocean and the pool. Surfing, training, frothing out, usually with his little sis Teagan in tow, the stoke is real.

And thanks to shop manager James and the crew at Rip Curl, he’s got the support and inspiration to take things to the next level—and stay plenty toasty this winter in some killer new wetsuits.

When you hear people say, “Support your local surf shop,” this is exactly why.

Our surf shops are the pillars of our local wave-riding communities; they have been ever since Hobie Alter opened his doors in Dana Point back in 1960.

Look no further than the smile on Sandvig’s face to see how important local shops continue to be today. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 68-70 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 6-10 ’ Outlook: On Friday South/southwest swell holds as Northwest swell fades, with waves running waist-stomach-chest high, (2-3-4’).

Morning winds are light Friday, afternoon flow is light+ onshore. Saturday’s surf stays waist-stomach high,(2-3’+). By Sunday, fresh South/southwest fills in for waist to shoulder high waves, (3-4’+). Light southerly winds through most of Saturday and Sunday morning, then a moderate westerly sea breeze develops Sunday afternoon.

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