December 24, 2021

DECEMBER 24-30, 2021 | VOLUME 14, ISSUE 52

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

INSIDE: Special Section

U S E

Trash Talk South Orange County Cities Gear Up for Statewide Organic Waste Regulations E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 3

A new state mandate going into effect on Jan. 1 will require Californians to separate organic waste, such as food scraps, from the rest of their trash. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

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CUSD Looking at Potential Bond for Dana Hills Improvements

Davies Announces Bill Aimed at Preventing Oil Spills

MusicAbility Connects Students with Disabilities

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What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS DANA POINT SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

South Orange County Cities Gear Up for Statewide Organic Waste Regulations

BY COLLIN BREAUX

By the time 2022 rolls around, residents and businesses in San Clemente can generally expect to see a small increase in solid waste collection fees— part of a new state law that takes effect for the upcoming year.

Back in September, the San Clemente City Council approved the fee increases to adjust rates based upon the consumer price index and landfill disposal costs, as well as to comply with state-mandated services under Senate Bill 1383.

The bill, which passed in 2016, is intended to address environmental concerns (particularly regarding methane emissions) by requiring residents and owners of commercial and multifamily properties to subscribe to recycling programs that capture and separate organic waste, such as food scraps, from other trash. The goal is to reduce the amount of green waste disposed at landfills.

The program uses what is called Anaerobic Digestion technology to convert organic waste into renewable resources such as fertilizers and gas that powers collection vehicles for CR&R—the waste collection agency that contracts with California cities including Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

A 35-gallon residential solid waste collection receptacle with organics could see a fee increase of 21 cents by Jan. 1, according to a City of San Clemente staff report. Commercial bin services could increase by several dollars.

The coming new requirements are something cities in South Orange County are prepared for, including San Clemente.

The City of San Clemente implemented the residential single-family home organ-

ics diversion program in 2016, explained Cynthia Mallett, the city’s Environmental Programs Supervisor.

“At that time, approximately 4,600 residential accounts requested exemption from the program because they did not generate landscape materials or had space constraints to add an additional cart to the existing trash and recycling carts,” Mallett said. “These accounts will soon be receiving (if they haven’t already) the organics cart, because they will need to participate in the food scrap diversion program beginning Jan. 1, 2022.”

Educational information, she further noted, will be disseminated to the affected accounts.

An informational chart that will be sent to San Clemente customers after Jan. 1 specifies what can be placed in an organics cart: fruits, vegetables, bread, wood scraps and chips, flowers, and other items.

The chart also specifies the items that can be placed in separate recycling and landfill carts—cardboard and glass are considered recyclables, while mirrors and paper towels are deemed landfill trash.

San Juan Capistrano is also gearing up for the new requirements, and has taken steps beforehand. San Juan entered into a new franchise agreement with CR&R effective July 1, 2020 that “anticipated the new recycling laws and was structured to ensure compliance, including provisions for expansion of the City’s organic waste disposal programs,” Senior Management Analyst Matisse Reischl said.

“Pursuant to SB 1383, the new franchise agreement transitioned all residential customers to a three-cart source separated program that includes a refuse

A new state mandate set to go into effect on Jan. 1 will require Californians to separate all of their organic waste, such as food scraps, from their other trash, by placing them into new organic waste bins, which are being delivered to households and businesses. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Davies Announces Legislation Aimed at Preventing Future Oil Spills

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Following the October oil spill and subsequent indictment of the companies that operated the offshore oil rig that caused it, Assemblymember Laurie Davies has announced that she will soon introduce legislation meant to hold individuals accountable for spills.

Davies, who represents California’s Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

73rd Assembly District, said her bill would “close loopholes exploited by merchant and oil company ocean vessels when it comes to notifications of pipeline infrastructure in state waters.”

If passed, Davies’ measure, which she plans to introduce at the start of the 2022 legislative session, would require Page 3

cart, a dry recycling cart, and an organics cart (i.e., green waste and food waste mixed),” Reischl said. “The new franchise agreement also discontinued commercial mixed waste bins and expanded commercial service to the source separated system.”

As required by the state legislation, the City of San Juan Capistrano adopted its own ordinance implementing mechanisms for future enforcement of the regulations.

“While adoption of the ordinance is required by Jan. 1, 2022, SB 1383 allows cities to take an educational and non-punitive approach for the first two years,” Reischl said. “This two-year timeline will allow the City and CR&R to inform and educate residents and businesses about the state mandated requirements with the goal of achieving voluntary compliance.”

Dana Point, in the words of Jennifer Anderson—the senior management analyst for the city’s Public Works and Engineering Department—is also ready. Dana Point has also passed its own required ordinance pertaining to organic recycling, which was officially approved in November.

Residents in Dana Point have already had organic recycling since January 2020, Anderson said. But the new ordinance formally brings Dana Point into compliance with the new state law.

As Anderson noted, SB 1383 is intended to bring about a 75% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste by 2025.

The City of Dana Point is working closely with CR&R when it comes to the recycling programs, and CR&R is “instrumental” in getting the programs out into the community, Anderson said.

“We couldn’t do it without our partnership with CR&R,” Anderson said.

Maria Lazaruk, senior community relations manager for CR&R, said part of their educational outreach efforts include direct mailing and billing inserts that contain information on the waste recycling requirements.

CR&R also has a team of full-time sustainability coordinators who are helping show businesses and restaurants what is recyclable and what isn’t, Lazaruk said.

“All three cities have received the program with open arms,” Lazaruk said.

vessels to notify state and federal agencies such as the California Department of Conservation, Coast Guard and Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response, among others, when they strike, or think they have struck, a pipeline in state waters.

The legislation proposes that vessel operators who fail to notify those agencies would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $50,000. If a struck pipeline leaks oil, individuals will be subject to an additional $1,000 fine for every 1,000 gallons of oil spilled.

In early October, approximately 25,000 gallons of oil leaked from a rig off the coast of Huntington Beach. A stretch of coastline from Huntington Beach to Dana Point was temporarily closed throughout the cleanup efforts. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife had also imposed a fishing ban, which was only recently lifted.

Three companies, Amplify Energy and two of its subsidiaries, now face multiple charges for negligent conduct related to the spill.

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Capo Unified Board Discusses Potential Bond for Dana Hills Facility Improvements

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The Capistrano Unified School District is looking at whether to place a bond on a future ballot to fund needed upgrades to Dana Hills High School, as well as to determine if a majority of voters would even be in favor of such a measure.

The CUSD Board of Trustees approved a resolution to consider and research a potential bond measure for the school’s facilities during a meeting on Dec. 15. The resolution does not mean the bond will automatically be placed on a future ballot for now; it is merely so the district can move forward on studying the feasibility of a bond.

An agenda report said Dana Hills High is “almost 50 years old” and based on a state assessment requiring “seismic retrofitting”—which involves enhancing current structures to protect them more against earthquakes and other ground activity—likely “will need to be almost entirely replaced to meet existing seismic safety requirements that would be required to be implemented as part of a whole-campus modernization.”

Estimated costs to investigate the potential bond measure are more than $140,000 for a facilities master plan; $75,000 for community engagement; $50,000 for public opinion research; $20,000 for financial services; and $20,000 for legal services. The cost for the facilities master plan is expected to be reimbursed from bond proceeds, while the rest would be covered by the district’s general fund.

The cost to modernize Dana Hills High is currently projected at $200 million, which includes replacing portable classrooms with permanent construction.

The agenda report further said it is estimated that funding sources may include financing from the South Bus Yard lease revenue at approximately $40 million; state funding in the amount of approximately $80 million; and a local bond measure for approximately $80 million.

“Funding may need to be increased with construction cost inflation over time,” the report said.

The board voted, 4-3, to approve the resolution as recommended by district staff. Trustees Martha McNicholas, Amy Hanacek, Krista Castellanos, and Pamela Braunstein voted yes. Trustees Gila Jones, Judy Bullockus and Lisa Davis voted no.

Jones raised concerns about moving forward with other parts of the investigation without first gauging Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

public opinion and seeing if a majority of voters would even be in favor of a bond. The district is also considering a potential bond for schools in Aliso Viejo, with similar research steps beforehand.

“Here’s my issue: we need to do this polling, the public opinion research, to see if these things will fly,” Jones said.“We can’t move forward until we know what the polling says. If the polling on one of these comes back and says only 40% of voters say they’ll vote for this, well, the fact that we’ve spent $145,000 or $149,000 each on a facility masters plan is not fiscally responsible. We have to poll first.”

McNicholas said a facilities master plan is required for seismic retrofitting, regardless of whether or not a bond measure goes forward.

“In order to get to a point where we can poll somebody, I think we need to do some of the other stuff, too—the community engagement,” McNicholas said. “I think we have to do all of this in order to do any of it.”

When questioned by Jones, CUSD spokesperson Ryan Burris said he believes the district has done community engagement after public polling, but it has also done community engagement while putting together polling.

“In some cases, we do engagement first, so we can see what the numbers are and how much more engagement we need to do after that in order to make the numbers better,” Burris said.

Jones said that approach hasn’t been “terribly effective” before. Voters previously did not approve bond measures placed on ballots in March 2020 and November 2016 that would have funded school facility renovations.

Some community members spoke in favor of bond measures moving forward.

Melina Pellini, president for the Dana Hills High School Parent Teacher Student Association, said a new facility will be a “beacon for thousands of students who deserve a safe environment to learn and grow.”

“A targeted bond specific to Dana Hills in Dana Point and part of Laguna Niguel can make this happen,” Pellini said. “Even though my time at Dana will end this year, I would like nothing better than to drive by a new high school at the heart of our community, and know that our children are benefiting directly from our tax dollars and we are taking full advantage in all the funding the state has to offer.”

If the process on the bond measure moves forward, the bond election could happen in November 2022 or at a later time.

Assemblymember Laurie Davies announced that she intends to introduce a bill at the start of the 2022 legislative session that will hold individuals accountable for oil spills. Photo: File/Lillian Boyd

(Cont. from page 3) According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal grand jury indictment accused the companies of “failing to properly respond to eight separate leak alarms over the span of more than 13 hours.”

The indictment points to five other incidents in which the companies that own the 17-mile-long San Pedro Bay Pipeline allegedly acted negligently.

In one instance, the indictment alleges, leak alarms were activated between 4:10 p.m. on Oct. 1 and 5:28 a.m. on Oct 2, but without anyone properly responding to the alarms. Instead, the justice department said, workers subsequently shut down and restarted the pipeline five times following the first five alarms.

In Amplify’s prepared statement regarding the indictment, the company said personnel on its offshore platform and onshore pipeline had “worked together to troubleshoot and rectify what were believed to be false leak detection system alarms.”

“Following each alarm, the crews investigated various components of the platform and the pipeline’s instrumentalities to determine what could be contributing to what were thought to be false alarms,” Amplify continued.

According to the company’s statement, the pipeline’s leak detection system was signaling a potential leak where no leak could be detected. The Page 5

leak occurred more than four miles away, “where the pipeline had been displaced more than 100 feet by a ship’s anchor—a fact not shared with Amplify by anyone with knowledge of that anchor-dragging incident.”

“Had the crew known there was an actual oil spill in the water, they would have shut down the pipeline immediately,” Amplify said in the statement.

In her announcement on the proposed legislation, Davies said the oil spill in October could have been avoided had the operators of the vessel notified state or federal agencies “about the possibility of striking and damaging the pipeline.”

“What happened in Orange County off our shores recently must never happen again,” Davies said in the press release.

Davies said her legislation to require notifications from vessel operators who believe they’ve struck a pipeline could prevent future pipeline leaks from going unnoticed.

“While investigations remain ongoing, what we do know is that a vessel in state waters dragged its anchor into a pipeline, damaged it, and simply never told any state or federal authorities,” Davies said.

“This is unacceptable, but completely permissible under our current system,” she continued. “That is the definition of flawed protocols. We must close this loophole and ensure that companies that do business in our state and use our waters respect our environment, plus rule of law.” danapointtimes.com

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Father-Son Duo’s Charity Brings Comfort Through Games

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

When Jim and Taylor Carol started GameChanger 14 years ago, Taylor was in the hospital being treated for a rare form of leukemia.

During that five-year battle with leukemia, he was often isolated in his hospital room. Videogames were a form of escape, a way to keep his mind active and a way to keep him connected with other kids.

Though Taylor received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant, the journey to recovery was often isolating.

“Our son had a bone marrow transplant, and he had long periods where he didn’t have an immune system, and he was sick, and so we had to work really hard to keep his spirit and his soul engaged,” Jim said of his son’s experience.

“And we also saw other children who just checked out; and once a child checks out and just gives up, it’s not good.”

When he was in the hospital, the younger Carol carried around a green monkey stuffed animal. Now, that green monkey is used as the charity’s mascot.

The father and son founded GameChanger in 2007. Taylor was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia in 2006, after being injured playing Dana Point youth baseball. The city was incredibly supportive, Jim said.

Over the years, GameChanger has worked closely with Dana Point’s mayors, from Lisa Bartlett to, more recently, Joe Muller.

“What’s clear is that for a large percentage of our nation’s youth, games are core to what they do,” Jim said. “And what we do right now, we use gaming to help children with their isolation; we use gaming to help them with their mental development.”

As Taylor found comfort and connection in video games, Jim made it his mission to provide other hospitalized kids with access to games, movies and streaming content that provides relief from their pain and isolation, which worsened significantly under COVID-19.

“It was bad enough; before the pandemic, if your child got a horrible disease or an illness, it was terrible,” Jim said.

“And then when the pandemic hit, it’s been atrocious. The health care workers have been afraid, they’ve been overworked and stressed.”

“But then, if you were a child in the hospital, you could no longer go to the game room,” he continued. “You could no Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

GameChanger founder Jim Carol meets with Tim Stuart, the chief financial officer of Microsoft XBOX and board member of GameChanger, during a Road Trip 4 Good. Photo: Courtesy of Jim Carol

longer go to the radio studio. You could no longer go to the cafeteria. You couldn’t have your brothers and sisters visit you.

So, the pandemic has been enormously stressful on any family.”

In early November, Jim began a road trip from San Diego to Seattle, picking up donations from local partners and bringing them to local hospitals.

Along with donating gaming consoles, controllers, and software, the charity has also created the GameChanger Private Network to bring even more content to hospitals and their patients.

“We invented, patented and spent all these years building a private cloud, super-rich content delivery system that we give to the hospital so that everybody in the hospital can get 80 first-run movies, 700 games; they can get xCloud, they can get live-streaming shows we do every day, they can get videos to help them …”

The HIPPA and COPPA compliant system knows the child’s age and gives

age-appropriate content.

“We have virtual reality on the technology that we invented so they can put on VR headsets and watch the movies, which is really great escapism, but also then, we have pain reduction software and group therapy sessions that they can do with the VR headsets on,” Jim said.

GameChanger is also working with pediatricians to use its technology “to help the children with their mental health and staying on their protocols for asthma treatment and diabetes treatment,” Jim said. “So, we use the gaming to get their interest, to stimulate them, but we also use it as a reward system.”

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and Vice President of Partnerships at YouTube, Malik Ducard, were recently announced as GameChanger’s newest board members. Huffman and Ducard will be joining Tim Stuart, CFO of Microsoft Xbox, and Emmett Shear, co-founder and CEO of Twitch, among other high-profile tech Page 6

and hospital executives on GameChanger’s board of directors.

GameChangers have been referred to as “tech avengers,” helping about 2,000 kids every single day.

“At the end of the day, what the charity is about is that we use the pain and suffering we went through to try to help rally people to support strangers none of us have ever met,” Jim said. “And we do that through the use of gifts that we give away, money that we use to support families that are really in a tough spot, and then because I’m an old technologist, we create, invent and donate technology to children across the country.”

Ninety-six cents on every dollar donated to the Dana Point nonprofit has gone to support the cause, Jim said.

“Anybody that wants to donate to GameChanger, we promise to be good stewards of that trust, and it will go at this really tough time to help families,” Jim said. danapointtimes.com

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Trustee McNicholas Takes Over as New CUSD Board President

BY COLLIN BREAUX

News Next Door: SC Council to Address E-Bike Issues with Prohibitions

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The Capistrano Unified School District’s governing board last week selected Trustee Martha McNicholas to serve as board president for 2022. Photo: File

The Capistrano Unified School District’s governing board promoted Trustee Martha McNicholas to the role of board president as part of its annual organizational reshuffling held during the Dec. 15 meeting.

McNicholas, who represents parts of Dana Point and Laguna Niguel, was nominated by the board to serve as president for 2022. She takes over for former President Judy Bullockus, whose area of representation includes Mission Viejo.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be president of this board in working with my colleagues last year, but I am ready to hand over the reins,” Bullockus said.

McNicholas’ term will end in December 2022. She was first elected to the board in 2014 and was reelected in 2018.

Trustee Krista Castellanos, who represents parts of Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo, was named the new vice president. Castellanos’ term ends in 2024. She was originally appointed to the board in September 2019 to fill a vacancy left by former Trustee Gary Pritchard, who resigned from his post because he relocated out of the area.

Castellanos won the 2020 election to keep her seat.

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

The San Clemente City Council decided on Tuesday night, Dec. 21, to begin work on a series of steps intended to maximize pedestrian safety throughout the city in regard to electric bikes and bicycles.

Councilmembers directed staff to come back with an ordinance prohibiting e-bikes on the Beach Trail and all other trails, and voted to amend the municipal code by prohibiting the walking, pushing, and parking of both e-bikes and bicycles on the municipal pier.

The council on Tuesday also directed staff to increase bicycle racks at the base of the pier, as well as come back with a report on the feasibility of prohibiting and regulating the use of bicycles and e-bikes on San Clemente’s sidewalks.

Since February, the city has moved to increase safety for all on sidewalks, trails and near the beaches and the municipal pier through public outreach and education on bicycle use.

Additionally, an online portal for the public to comment on e-bike-related incidents and close calls was made available in March and received 367 comments as of Tuesday night.

In May, city staff partnered with San Clemente Police Services to hold a “Bike Safety Rodeo,” and the city released a video in June that included additional messages about proper operations and general bike safety.

Samantha Wylie, director of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department, presented a summary of a report from her staff on the matter. They found an increase in e-bikes being walked, ridden, or parked along the pier, in which the latter action was not previously prohibited.

Wylie mentioned that people often rode their e-bikes once they saw that they could walk them without any hassle from police or sheriff’s deputies.

“Based on that understanding, and surveying what we’re seeing, there is a recommendation tonight for council to direct staff to bring back at least a code amendment to that municipal code … that specifies no future parking, walking, or pushing of e-bikes (on the pier),” Wylie said.

City staff also looked for direction from the council on addressing e-bikes along the Beach Trail and anywhere else necessary.

Several speakers commented about

The latest action in the months-long discussion over electric bicycles and general safety within San Clemente occurred this past Tuesday night, as the San Clemente City Council voted to further consider the prohibition of e-bikes in various areas throughout the town. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

the danger of those vehicles on both the streets and the trail, referring to multiple incidents in which they recently witnessed accidents or near-accidents.

“I also suggest that these vehicles, which I consider motorized vehicles, be licensed by the city with a plate so that one can report a violation if it occurs,” Al Cullen said during public comments.

“Otherwise, there is absolutely no way to have anyone know who is riding that bike or what the bike is.”

“You get on it, roll that throttle back, and you go 28 miles an hour. It’s not a bicycle, it’s a motorcycle,” Rick Loeffler, who sits on the city’s Public Safety Committee, said of e-bikes. “Remember, 6- and 7-year-old kids can get on those, crank those up, and we do need to address this.”

Councilmembers Steve Knoblock and Laura Ferguson agreed with the staff’s recommendations and wanted to see direction in terms of removing e-bikes from San Clemente sidewalks.

Councilmember Kathy Ward spoke of her interactions with students at the high school, as they also desired limitations and general e-bike safety.

“They said that they see near-misses and accidents almost every day,” Ward said. “This is coming from our 17-yearold kids, who are on the bikes more Page 7

often than we are.”

She added that the city should defer to California’s Assembly Bill No. 1096, passed in October 2015, that created three classes of e-bikes depending on their speed capabilities and motor functions.

The bill also prevented Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach 28 miles per hour or greater, on specified paths or trails unless otherwise authorized, and granted local governments authority to prohibit Class 1 or 2 e-bikes.

The main concern came from Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan, who brought up the level of manpower necessary to enforce the potential code amendments and ordinances. Mayor Gene James echoed those concerns. Duncan otherwise supported the recommendations.

“I don’t know that we have a community that we need to police that diligently,” Knoblock said. “I think if we make a statement that (e-bikes are) not allowed and we post it, I think people are going to obey the law. It’s the few that don’t that we can enforce, so I’m not concerned about the enforcement.”

The issue of e-bikes and bicycles on sidewalks will receive continued attention into 2022, as the city hopes to clarify for pedestrians and riders which exact areas the bikes are prohibited. danapointtimes.com

SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | Citizens’ Climate Education by Christine Kramer

Adult Books About Climate Change for Holiday Giving

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W

ith Christmas just about a day away, I’ve compiled a list of books as some possible last-minute gift ideas. Many of these book suggestions come from our congressman, Rep. Mike Levin, an environmental attorney, his staffer Colton Roughen, as well as my husband Larry Kramer, who reads voraciously on climate change, and a few from me.

John Grant’s 2009 book Debunk It! Fake News Edition: How to Stay Sane in a World of Misinformation, is intended for adults— but useful for teens—and explains how to use critical thinking skills to identify bad evidence and poor arguments.

Grant summarizes the rhetorical tricks people use to mislead, and offers advice on dealing with people who intentionally misinform.

Roughen suggests 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuyval Noah Harari.

“Great comprehensive book about living in this time that also includes some perspectives on the climate and environment,” Roughen describes of the 2018 book.

Katharine Hayhoe, a Christian conservative climate scientist, talks about how our choices will determine our future in her 2021 book Saving Us: A Climate

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.

The author has also led TED Talks and has a series on YouTube for young people called Global CITIZENS’ CLIMATE EDUCATION Weirding.

BY CHRISTINE KRAMER Andrew J. Hoffman examines what causes people to reject or accept the scientific consensus on climate change in How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate.

Shi-Ling Hsu examines the four major approaches to curbing CO2 and demonstrates why a carbon tax is currently the most effective policy in The Case for a Climate Tax: Getting Past Our Hang-ups to Effective Climate Policy.

Michael T. Klare’s 2019 book, All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change, shows how the U.S. military sees the climate threat as imperiling the country on several fronts at once.

UC Irvine author Shahir Masri answers many common misconceptions about climate change in Beyond Debate: Answers to 50 Misconceptions on Climate Change.

The book is suitable for a younger audi-

ence, as it serves as a great first dive into the subject.

David Remnick’s The Fragile Earth: Writing from The New Yorker on Climate Change covers three decades of New Yorker essays about climate change. It includes Bill McKibben’s seminal essay “The End of Nature,” which popularizes both the science and politics of climate change for a general audience.

One of Larry’s suggestions is Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life, a book by Edward O. Wilson. The book, he says, “makes the case that about half the Earth should be left natural. It may seem unrealistic until you realize that about 40% of San Juan Capistrano is open space.”

Chris Kramer is a longtime resident of San Juan Capistrano and a member of the South Orange County chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby/Education. She and her husband, Larry, have moved 26 times in their married life, including to India (Andhra Pradesh) and Africa (Ghana). She has a MLIS from University of Hawaii and a BA from University of Michigan (Go Blue). 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.

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City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman

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Dana Point Times, Vol. 14 Issue 52. 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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SOAPBOX

Letters to The Editor IN DEFENSE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION GREG YOUNG, Dana Point As a proud member of CTA and a physics and chemistry teacher at San Clemente High School for the past 24 years, I take offense at Mr. Sedillo’s letter in regard to “You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide.”

Contrary to his assertions, CTA does not prescribe my curriculum nor my method of delivery. CTA, however, does act as an advocate against the very anti-public-school rhetoric that is promulgated by such comments.

I completely appreciate and respect that many Californians, at their own expense and effort, either homeschool their children or send them to a private school. I appreciate that this is both a personal and financial commitment.

But, what if we do as he suggested: give everyone the tax money individually to educate as they saw fit. Sounds fine on the surface until you think about: how will individuals act with your public funds? Is it financially efficient to split the funds up in an infinite number of ways? What kinds of schools will

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

your public tax dollars be sent to?

What he is also missing is that public schools continue to provide services, such as speech pathology and school psychologists, to students who are homeschooled or attend private schools.

In this way, many families who choose private or homeschooling continue to be a part of the services that public schools provide. Most private schools cannot afford these tax-supported services, and without public schools, they would cease to be available for many families.

Public schools are what make America great. Offering all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, an education is unique among nations. Dismantling that will come at great cost.

It’s too simplistic to believe that handing out all of the money to individuals will solve the problems in public education. It would be like using public tax money to build each person a personal road upon which to drive.

The lack of efficiency which that would create far outweighs the problems of traffic congestion on our shared highways.

Let’s solve problems together, rather than destroying public education.

This was before the I-5 and the I-405. The only path from my hometown of Santa Monica to visit our many relatives in San Diego was Pacific Coast Highway, and the drive was filled with beautiful and exciting things.

Every time that this highway dipped near the ocean was amazing, like Morro just north of Laguna Beach or Main Beach in Laguna Beach itself. North of Huntington Beach, there were hundreds of oil derricks across the highway from a beautiful long beach.

As kids, we went nuts seeing signs for Emerald Bay and Treasure Island, with its great colored sign of pirate treasure.

Then it was a trailer park. The beautiful Montage Hotel sits there now.

Next came Aliso Creek Beach, where you were so close to the sand that you almost felt that you were at the beach! And then we came to one of the real highlights of this PCH journey to San Diego: the Dana Point Lanterns.

They were large lanterns with beautiful colored glass in each lantern, and they sat on the corner of each street where the color of the glass matched the name of the street.

As kids, we would each try to choose our favorite color lantern. Red ruby lantern? Blue lantern? Golden lantern? Silver lantern?

Violet or green?

This was truly a big highlight of the trip to and from San Diego, and we loved it when we happened to go through Dana

DANA POINT LANTERNS JIM BOEHM, Dana Point Long ago, PCH was filled with highlights.

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Point at night, when the lanterns were so magically beautiful.

I love that two of the original lanterns have been restored and returned to Lantern Village Community Park, and that a large lantern mural will now appear in the Lantern District.

But how about bringing back those original colored lanterns, which were not white lanterns with little colored things on top, but the entire glass lantern was the color of the street name? It would be simple to replace the white frosted glass in the current lanterns with ruby and golden and blue glass.

They would be something for residents to enjoy and certainly would be memorable for all of the tourists visiting Dana Point.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@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.

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GETTING OUT

Editor’s Pick

Photo: File

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

FRIDAY | 24 CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 6:30-8 p.m. Join Calvary Chapel San Clemente for a special evening of song, story and sharing the Christmas message set to candlelight, followed by the Chapel’s Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

FRIDAY | 24 HOLIDAY HARBOR LIGHTS Dana Point Harbor Partners is spreading seasonal cheer with the annual holiday light display that will illuminate the Harbor through Jan. 2. Each night throughout the holiday season, the Harbor’s magnificent light display will illuminate the evening sky for guests of all ages to enjoy. Themed light exhibits throughout the Harbor will include Candy Cane Lane, a popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch, lighted trees and much more.

annual cookie exchange. Participants can sign up to bring two dozen cookies to share at calvarysanclemente.org. Calvary Chapel San Clemente, 1031 Calle Recodo, San Clemente. 949.228.9117.

SUNDAY | 26 LOW-COST PET VACCINE CLINIC 10-11:30 a.m. The Feed Barn offers lowcost vaccinations for all dogs and cats every month on various Sundays. All veterinary services are provided by Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. Vaccination packages, microchips, physical exams,

prescription flea control, fecal exams, and diagnostic testing available on-site.

34192 Doheny Park Road. 1.800.988.8387. vetcarepetclinic.com.

Juan Capistrano. missionsjc.com.

CAPISTRANO LIGHTS 4-6 p.m. This annual seasonal tradition returns to Mission San Juan Capistrano. Enjoy holiday programs, Christmas tree lightings, a nativity scene, and more at one of South Orange County’s premier historic venues.

Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $14 for children. Children under 3 are free. Same-day tickets are not available for purchase online after 3 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San

FOOD CONNECTION 4-5:30 p.m. The Community Outreach Alliance will give away free groceries to those in need without requiring identification. Donated food, including fresh deli items, from Gelson’s, Ralphs, Target, and Walmart, will be available. New volunteers are encouraged. The San Clemente Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida del Presidente, San Clemente. 949.257.2286. communityoutreachalliance.com.

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Welcome to Go.See.Do Our corner of the world is just as beautiful when it’s chilly as when it’s warm—with plenty of activities and events that live up to the festive season. As live theater returns to South Orange County, learn more about your local playhouses and upcoming performances. Get tips for the best spots and time frames to go whale watching right off our coast. We’ve also profiled local recording artists who are well on their way to stardom. For those in search of their next watering hole, check out our guide to South OC’s Great Dive Bars, which includes a quick tour of Turk’s, The Outrigger, Swallow’s Inn and other favorite haunts. We hope that the Go.See.Do winter edition serves as a guide to fulfil your seasonal sense of adventure.

Photo: Courtesy of Casa Romantica

Making Cultural ‘Connections’ at Casa Romantica

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BY ZACH CAVANAGH

or its 2021-22 season of programming, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is spanning the globe to expand the “cultural” side of its name.

Casa Romantica introduced its Connections programming in September for a yearlong program that consists of clusters of events related to selected themes. The themes range from the culture of different communities, such as India and China, to the culture of the arts with dancing, music and more.

Each of the program’s themes features a variety of events in visual and performing arts. The events are all low-cost or free to remove barriers to allow people of all ages to experience arts and culture and build a stronger bond with Casa Romantica and the community.

The themes began with a fall program called “Beyond Bollywood,” in which the center highlighted Indian-American performing artists who showcased traditional and contemporary arts. A centerpiece was the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. There was an energetic performance by the Blue13 Dance Company and a fusion of Indian music with American blues by Bollywood Blues musician Aki Kumar.

The upcoming winter program will celebrate Chinese New Year with events from Jan. 29 through March. This program will be Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

highlighted by several musical performances of traditional Chinese music and a blend of contemporary music.

The program begins on Jan. 29 with the Pacific Trio, which presents traditional music of China with the zither, pipa, dizi, er-hu and other authentic instruments. The concert is free with general admission to Casa Romantica.

The other headlining musical performances are back-to-back shows by one of the world’s premier guzheng musicians, Bei Bei. The guzheng is a Chinese plucked zither, which has strings stretched over a wooden table. On Feb. 10, Bei Bei will perform on the ancient Chinese instrument, as she had recently on the soundtrack for Disney’s live-action Mulan. Tickets for this event are $25 to general visitors and $20 for Casa Romantica members.

Bei Bei will follow up on Feb. 11 with a performance titled “Year of the Funky,” in which she blends her traditional zither skills with contemporary pop/funk music. There is a $12 cover charge for this event.

The winter program will also feature a Chinese herb gardening workshop every Tuesday from Feb. 1-22, ink brush painting classes every Wednesday from Feb. 9-March 2 and a classical Chinese dance and drum performance on Feb. 17.

This program will be followed in the spring with a celebration of hip-hop as a music and dance form for “The People’s Poetry” from April to May, and the Connections programming will wrap in the summer with “Art in the Gardens” from May to July.

Expand your cultural breadth with a trip to Casa Romantica in the coming months. Tickets and classes are available online at casaromantica.org or by calling 949.498.2139.

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They’re all coming in at a different level,” Knowles said. “It’s a good challenge for me, and it’s forcing me to become a better musician and a better singer myself.”

Before the pandemic, Knowles constantly traveled to perform at events. These days, she stays in the area more. Her local gigs such as at Casa Romantica are her favorites since she can practically walk down the street to the venue—literally with the Casa.

“I’ve just always wanted to sing. I’ve been singing since the day I could speak,” Knowles said. “I love it. I get a high from it. It can distract you from anything that’s going on in your life.”

If you’re eating at a restaurant in downtown San Juan Capistrano, chances are you might get to enjoy the musical stylings of local performer Olivia Rohde.

Photo: Alura Delgado

Sweet Sounds

San Clemente musician Lark Knowles enjoys performing for audiences at Casa Romantica and other venues. Photo: Collin Breaux

A Look at Musicians in South OC

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BY COLLIN BREAUX

n a fall weekday night, Lark Knowles sits behind a piano and entertains supporters of Casa Romantica with renditions of familiar pop songs.

Knowles lives in San Clemente and makes her living as a musician and music teacher.

On any given day or night, you can either find her instructing students in her apartment or performing at a venue in Southern California.

“I’ve been singing my whole life. I’d always wanted to be a singer, but my family was in the restaurant business in New Jersey,” said Knowles, who has been in San Clemente for four years. “I went to school for hospitality at (the University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and got a babysitting job. I ended up being matched with a family where the mother and father were dueling piano players, and I had never played piano, so I didn’t think that was something I could do.”

The couple began training her after hearing her sing, though, and from there, she gradually set upon her current path of playing covers—including requests from the audience. Her first gig came in Las Vegas 14 years ago, when there wasn’t anyone else available to play.

“I knew about 12 songs, and I got on stage

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

at a dueling piano show, and I just did the same 12 songs over and over,” Knowles said.

“From there, I just put the pedal to the metal learning songs. The gigs just kept coming, and even though I was a complete musical disaster, I was confident with the crowd and the singing—which is really what dueling pianos is about.”

That rapport with people shined through during her Casa Romantica performance, when Knowles chatted and smiled with audience members between songs, which ranged from Oasis to Petula Clark. She enjoys country and female folk, but she is willing to adapt her style to her audience. Knowles describes herself as “entertainer first, singer second, piano player last.”

As for her musical teaching, that side of her life picked up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knowles has a full schedule of students from Monday through Friday, and is trying to balance that out with the gradual return of musical gigs. Her tutoring of students—including a session that took place right before her Casa Romantica show—includes tips on vocal singing. Knowles is up to 20 students a week, who range from afterschool kids to homeschoolers during the day and even some adults.

“Every kid is so different, and they all have their different strengths and weaknesses.

Over in San Juan Capistrano, Olivia Rohde also keeps busy performing music at local venues—including Rancho Capistrano Winery and Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Rohde was born and raised in San Juan, and she has been working as a professional musician for nearly 10 years.

She loves her hometown, and she won Junior Miss Fiesta with the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association in 1997. Rohde has been in the Swallows Day Parade numerous times, always announcing her local heritage during gigs.

“I do the restaurant circuit here in town. I generally like to keep all of my gigs within one minute of my house,” Rohde said. “Pretty much every restaurant is offering live music, which is great for artists like myself, because I definitely stay busy in San Juan Capistrano. The music is booming. There’s a lot of great musicians from the area, and there’s a lot of variety.”

Rohde has two full-length cover albums out, as well as a few music videos. She is also in a band called Sapphire Road, which recently released some new music. Rohde’s go-to on the restaurant circuit is performing covers, from the ’50s through today. She goes from The Mamas and the Papas to Post Malone.

“Pretty much all genres, so I have hundreds if not thousands of songs in my wheelhouse. I do take requests, which is a cool thing for a lot of the restaurants, because it gets the crowd interacting and I’m not just the musician shoved in the corner playing background music,” Rohde said. “I’m always up for a challenge.”

Rohde also works as a lifeguard (a job she’s been in since 2001), jet ski guide, and

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first responder for aquatic emergencies. She loves to sing because of how it makes her feel and brings people together in a “beautiful ambience with good food.” Rohde played the French horn throughout middle and high school.

“No one in my family is musical whatsoever,” Rohde said. “I got a little guitar from Santa when I was just a little kid, and I only knew basic chords. (In) high school, one of my teammates at Dana Hills High School water polo had a boyfriend who would just always hang around and play the guitar, doing Sublime and stuff like that. I say, ‘Hey, let me check it out.’ ” Rohde began practicing chord progressions from there and got involved with surf music bands with friends. She’s also a surfer and skateboarder.

Over in Dana Point, Ava August is continuing with her musical career after receiving national exposure on American Idol. Since she last spoke with Dana Point Times earlier this year, August has been writing and working on music with different producers and collaborators, along with spending time in Nashville.

“Now I’ve got 40 songs that are in demo form,” August said. “I have all these songs ready to go. They just need to get mixed and mastered.”

August is looking at releasing an EP in early 2022, which she said will have a singer-songwriter feel and story-like elements.

“I want the EP to appeal to a lot of Gen Z people and 16-year-olds,” she said.

On the live performance side of things, she recently sang the national anthem for a Chargers-Rams preseason game.

“It was so big,” August said of that performance. “Hearing the crowd chanting was one of the most thrilling things ever.”

As for her next steps, August is working on signing with a management company and will sing the national anthem again for a Lakers game in January.

“I’m really excited for the future,” August said.

Dana Point-based musician Ava August is working on new music after a successful run on American Idol.

Photo: Tiffany Perry Photography

FIND THESE MUSICIANS ONLINE Lark Knowles: larkknowlesmusic.com Olivia Rohde: oliviarohdemusic.com Ava August: avaaugust.com

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SOUTH COUNTY’S A STAGE

T

Live Theater Is Back

BY COLLIN BREAUX

hroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no actors on stage at Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano, no audience members to laugh or clap, no crowds heading out to the nearby downtown restaurants to eat before or after performances.

The community theater was closed, like many venues during the outbreak, but it has since roared back to life after in-person performances returned in September. Since then, Camino Real Playhouse has had a steady season of comedy shows—the chuckles a welcome reprieve from these stressful times.

The San Juan venue will host an international playwriting festival from January 7-16. The event will feature seven 10-minute plays from different playwrights and directors.

The festival is suitable for teens and adults, and the audience will vote for the winner.

Further ahead in 2022, Camino Real Playhouse will also host performances of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time from Feb. 25-March 13. The stage play is an adaption of the 2003 novel about a 15-yearold boy who works to solve a mysterious death while dealing with behavioral difficulties.

Over in San Clemente, Cabrillo Playhouse is

also back to onstage performances. The theater reopened for indoor performances of Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon, the show they had to close down when the pandemic started.

“We have since been doing performances inside and are back to a ‘normal’ schedule for our seasons of shows,” said Cabrillo Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Michael Lopez.

“Opening on Jan. 14 will be the comedy Play On by Rick Abbot.”

Play On is about a performing arts group putting on a play and dealing with an interfering author in the process. The show runs through Feb. 6.

“A little over a year ago, when I realized that the pandemic was not going to end anytime soon, I came up with the idea of doing outdoor performances,” said Lopez.

“The CDC and Orange County were starting to allow outside dining, and theater with specific regulations, so we were able to come up with a performance space that would allow us to keep live theater going, break even, and keep the Cabrillo going. We were able to do a few shows before the city stopped us and told us we couldn’t.”

Visit caminorealplayhouse.org and cabrilloplayhouse.org for tickets and more information.

South OC’s Great Dive Bars South Orange County is certainly an area associated with fine dining, classy cocktails and rich-tasting wines. But for those who aren’t looking for a bougie night out, the three towns here also have plenty of dive bars, where the music is loud, the beers are cheap, and the drinks are stiff. u MULLIGANS Tucked away in San Clemente’s “surf ghetto,” Mulligans is a fun hideaway, perfect for friends and sports fans to gather. The pool tables, of which there are plenty, are free to play and the TVs always have a game on.

And when it comes to food and drink, well, there are daily specials on beers and cocktails, and every month, the bar features a specialty burger.

1401 Calle Valle, San Clemente. 949.492.4400. mulligansbarsanclemente.

TURK’S Fishermen, sailors, or those hoping to one day live a pirate’s life flock to Turk’s at the Dana Point Harbor. This waterfront saloon is adorned with nautical antiques, archival photos of Dana Point and other seafaring memorabilia, which helps create the allure of drinking out at sea. Turk’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering daily specials on food and drinks. u

34683 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.9028. turksdpharbor.com.

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

u SWALLOW’S INN Swallow’s Inn is the quintessential dive bar among the three South Orange County towns.

Located just down the street from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, Swallow’s Inn has earned its own reputation as a beloved haunt for those who love country music and line-dancing. Just about every night at Swallow’s, there’s bound to be something fun happening, whether it’s live music, karaoke or even country dancing lessons. Swalllow’s outside patio is spacious for those who enjoy the fresh air or need a smoke.

31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

OUTRIGGER TAVERN Outrigger Tavern, which dubs itself “The Local Dive Bar” in San Clemente, is another fun spot to knock back a few beers or cocktails, which are regularly on special. Patrons can play pool and enjoy the bar’s never-ending-summer atmosphere on the patio area. u

1920 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.492.1935. outriggertavern.com.

u GOODY’S TAVERN Goody’s in Downtown San Clemente knows how to keep the fun times going, as there’s always something happening. Located in an area colloquially referred to as The Triangle, Goody’s has pool tables and sports on the TVs, regularly hosts karaoke nights, as well as live music with bands and DJs. Goody’s just generally knows how to attract a fun crowd with its bevy of happenings and daily drink specials.

206 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.3400. u OLE’S TAVERN Though Ole’s is well known as a sports bar in San Clemente’s downtown corridor, it certainly fits the bill for what makes a great dive—a full liquor bar, cheap (and strong) drinks, a contingent of locals and a welcoming neighborhood vibe. The tavern, which is a safe haven for Green Bay Packers fans, also offers patrons pool tables and other games, a jukebox, and a plethora of TVs so everyone can watch live sports.

127 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.498.9400.

u KNUCKLEHEADS SPORTS BAR Self-proclaimed as Orange County’s No. 1 dive bar, Knuckleheads, which also promotes that it’s sorry for being open, knows how to not take itself too seriously—perfect for those who aren’t fans of hoity-toity cocktail and wine bars. Located in San Clemente’s North Beach district, Knuckleheads rocks and rolls by offering customers stiff drinks, good food, and billiards, as well as a venue for local artists, musicians and comedians to show off their talent.

1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.492.2410. knuckleheadssportsbar.com. u RED FOX LOUNGE Though technically a lounge, the Red Fox deserves an honorary mention as a dive.

This downtown San Clemente bar is a favorite for many locals. The bar is reminiscent of an old-time speakeasy, while the covered back patio gives smokers a cozy place to continue sipping on drinks. And there’s always great music playing.

220 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.3403.

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Photo: Courtesy of Loriannah Hespe/danawharf.com

WHALE WATCHING

Explore Local Shores

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BY BREEANA GREENBERG

s the trademarked Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World and a Whale Heritage site, Dana Point offers a unique, year-round opportunity to see dolphins and whales galore.

WHAT SETS DANA POINT APART Donna Kalez, of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, and Gisele Anderson, of Capt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari, assert that Dana Point has the best whale watching scene around.

The deep coastal canyons right outside the Dana Point Harbor offer an ideal environment for whales and dolphins, and the water has the perfect depth and temperature.

“Everything about it is ambient for these whales, and so they like coming here and bringing their babies by, and it’s actually pretty easygoing,” said Riley Russell, director of Education at the Ocean Institute.

On a whale watching tour, passengers may also see common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins and Risso’s dolphins.

Unlike other local harbors, Dana Point’s

deep coastal canyons and shorter harbor mean that whales can be seen just outside the harbor, Anderson explained.

“We don’t have to go three, four or five miles out to go find them, or north to go find them,” Anderson said. “Sometimes we do, because they’re not just hanging around waiting for us, but because we have these really deep coastal canyons, that’s where the cold water is, and when you have cold water, you have nutrients and phytoplankton, and that feeds plankton and small fish; and when you have small fish, you have dolphins.”

More than 450,000 dolphins reside off Southern California, according to Dana Point Whale Watching.

Russell added that there’s etiquette among boaters to respect whales; because of this, there typically are never more than three boats around a whale at a time.

“There’s a lot of respect for whales here,” Russell said. “And I think you do enough of that type of behavior for decades, whales remember that. So, they like coming to these types of places.”

DANA POINT AS WORLD HERITAGE SITE The City of Dana Point was named the

Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World and a Whale Heritage site by the World Cetacean Alliance in 2020. Kalez and Anderson, co-directors of the Dana Point Whale Watching Company, successfully trademarked the city as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World in 2019.

Dana Point is among only a handful of Whale Heritage sites in the world, and the first of its kind in the U.S. Other sites include Hervey Bay, Australia; The Bluff, South Africa; Tenerife-La Gomera Marine Area, Spain; and Algoa Bay, South Africa.

“Being the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas is an amazing accomplishment and serves to further recognize Dana Point and the whales and dolphins that live and visit here the recognition they deserve, as well as send a message to the world that Dana Point is also a place that protects and responsibly watches cetaceans,” Anderson wrote on the Dana Point Whale Watching Company website.

Dana Point’s Festival of Whales is the longest-running celebration of the gray whale, the city’s biggest migratory whale.

“Dana Point is home to the longest-running festival of whales in the world, and we have never had to cancel a festival, even due to COVID,” Kalez said. “That’s why we were able to obtain the World Heritage Site designation, because they recognized our location as someplace that celebrates whales, and whale watching is in their heritage.”

Dana Point will be celebrating the 51st annual Festival of Whales this coming March.

Experts believe gray whales travel so closely to the Dana Point shoreline because the Dana Point Headlands serve as a landmark for their journeys.

Kelsey Reimer, program development manager at the Ocean Institute, explained that gray whale migration has already begun.

“We’ve already started to see a couple come through, and then that will go through March, which is the big Festival of Whales,” Reimer said. “And so, we’ll see them on their path down to Mexico and back up. And so, we kind of get a double showing of those gray whales; they’ll go down pregnant and come back with calves.”

WHEN TO SET SAIL Another unique aspect of the local whale watching scene is that Dana Point has an abundance of whales to see year-round, Kalez said.

There isn’t necessarily a best time of year to go whale watching; rather, there’s a “best time of year” to see particular species of whales.

GIVE THE GIFT OF NATURE WITH OC PARKS ANNUAL PASSES

HOW TO BOOK u Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari offers whale watching tours daily. Tours can be booked at dolphinsafari.com/cruises.

24440 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point.

949.577.8403. dolphinsafari.com. u Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching offers three 2-hour cruises daily. Tours can be booked at danawharf.com/whale-watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point 888.224.0603. danawharf.com. u The Ocean Institute offers whale watching every Saturday and Sunday, unless the boat is booked for a private event. Tours can be booked at oceaninstitute.org. The Ocean Institute campus is open for general admission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.

EXPERIENCE HOW DINOSAURS ROAMED THE EARTH

Looking for a holiday gift? OC Parks’ annual passes cover a full year of parking at all OC Parks. The All County Parks and Beaches Parking Pass is $80 for all county-operated parks and beaches. The County Regional and Wilderness Parks Parking Pass costs $55. A stand-alone County Beach Parking Pass is also available for $55. Discounted passes are available for seniors and disabled visitors. Distinguished military veterans are eligible for a nofee pass. Purchase your pass at ocparks.com or at most park offices.

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

“Dana Point is a year-round destination for whale watching,” Kalez said. “So, it really depends on what you want to see. Right now, we’re entering the gray whale season, so from December until May is when we see the majority of the gray whales, and so our focus is really going to be on the gray whales. And then when they leave, it becomes humpback to fin whales and blue whales, the largest animal on the planet.”

As for the best time of day to go whale watching, Anderson explained that comparing sightings from morning, afternoon, and evening cruises, there isn’t a significant difference in one’s chance to sight a whale throughout the day.

On occasion, the morning fog makes it a little harder to see, but it’s generally a smoother ride in the morning.

“In general, boating is more comfortable in the mornings, because it’s not typically as windy out there or as many waves, so I’d say if you’re someone who wants a more smooth ride to gear towards those earlier morning cruises,” Reimer said. “Although sunset cruises are always beautiful.”

For residents who have yet to go out on a whale watching cruise, November through March is a perfect time to watch the migrating gray whales that the city celebrates at its Festival of Whales.

“If someone is living here, and they haven’t done this yet, it’s time,” Anderson said. “What are you waiting for? This is the best season to come to see gray whales; it just started with our first gray whale. It’s time to come and see what the world would love to come and experience.”

Jurassic Quest is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center, Dec. 29-Jan. 2, with more than 100 lifelike dinosaurs, dinosaur-themed rides, live shows, interactive activities, bounce houses, inflatable attractions and more. Visitors will see the dinos that ruled on land and deep-dive into the “Ancient Oceans” exhibit with a moving, life-size, 50-foot megalodon. For more information and tickets, visit jurassicquest.com.

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GETTING OUT

WEDNESDAY | 29 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.

BINGO AT THE SAN CLEMENTE SENIOR CENTER 1:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, the Dorothy Visser Senior Center will host Bingo. The center will begin selling cards at 1 p.m., with the game starting promptly at 1:30.

The buy-in is $12 for 10 games with four cards and a special pick-your-number game. For more information, contact the center at 949.498.3322. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

Clemente.

BIKING CLUB FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS 5-6:30 p.m. Anyone have middle schoolto high school-aged kids who love to bike? Community Outreach Alliance’s biking club meets every Wednesday afternoon at different trails, with professional biker and mentor Mike Russell from Freakshow Aloha. San Clemente High’s COA club, which hosts this free activity thanks to Hardman Classic, has bikes and helmets for participants to borrow. To participate, fill out a registration form online at form.myjotform. com/91392099886576. For questions, call or text 949.795.4721. communityoutreachalliance.com/bike-club/.

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.

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Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do standup comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights.

So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

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

Joe Cocker cover band Mad Dogs and the Englishman will perform. Tickets

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are $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

THURSDAY | 30 LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music will feature alternative rock band Fishbone. Tickets are $30.

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

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PUBLIC NOTICES

LOCALS ONLY

TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216622535 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: DANA POINT LAUNDROMAT 24522 DEL PRADO DANA POINT, CA 92629 Full Name of Registrant(s): SMOKEJUMPER, INC. 510 ½ ACACIA AVE. CORONA DEL MAR, CA 92625 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation.

The registrant commenced to transact business

BUSINESS LISTINGS

under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 11/26/2021 SMOKEJUMPER, INC./S/STEVE ERLINGER, CEO/STEVE ERLINGER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/10/2021.

Published in: Dana Point Times December 24, 31, 2021, January 7, 14, 2022

CAFE - DELI

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

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

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

COFFEE SHOP

AUTO REPAIR

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

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

BODY MIND SPIRIT

ARE YOU HAPPY? Let us assist you in creating a life plan for the life & relationships you want & deserve. Body Mind Spirit, 949.248.7377, bodymindspirit.com

ICE CREAM

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

INSURANCE SERVICES

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

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

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Deadline 12pm Monday.

LAND TRADE/EXCHANGE LAND TRADE/EXCHANGE 80 acres of land, Kern County, California Trade or Exchange, Call (909)985-2677

WANTED WANTED: STAMPS! Buying Large U.S and International Postage Stamps. Call Nick (619) 672-0434

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY For pricing contact Lauralyn at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

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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

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

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

Page 21

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DP LIVING

A FAMILY AFFAIR Local Father and Daughter Team Up to Start Trash Bin Cleaning Service

BY NORB GARRETT, DANA POINT TIMES

H

ow many high school seniors do you know who, upon graduating high school, decide to start up a new business with their fathers?

We’re not talking about taking over the family business, we’re talking about building a new business from scratch.

Well, that’s exactly what Reese Zebell, a 2021 San Clemente High School graduate, did. With a pandemic still raging last winter and the uncertainty of being able to attend college in person, Reese, who was working at Surfside Pizza in Shorecliffs, was open to ideas. “(My dad) came up to me one day with

an idea for a busiall of the marketing ness we could start and branding work; together,” recalled David would do all Reese, 18, who was of the physical trash born and raised in can cleaning.

San Clemente after They placed an her parents moved order for a customhere from Illinois ized truck built 23 years ago. “I exactly for the job wanted to get my back in June. Built feet wet in the in Arizona by EWI business world, so I Industries (one of figured, why not?” three such builders Reese and David Zebell started Beach City Bin CleanThe idea her dad in the U.S.), the ers this year. Photo: Courtesy Beach City Bin Cleaners pitched her was truck contains its unique to Southern California. own water supply and spray jets at a cost “A client of mine was thinking about of around $110,000. starting a trash bin cleaning service in “COVID really delayed the whole Florida,” said David Zebell, Reese’s father, process,” said David, who had hoped to who works full-time as a contractor with get the business off the ground in the AC&H Services. “Apparently, summertime, but had to they’ve been doing it for a wait until November to pick while in Europe, so I started up the truck and get the researching it and, while it’s proper paperwork processed. happening in all 50 states, “It would have been nice to there’s no one offering it here in the area. have the summer to get started, but it’s There are a couple in San Diego and one all working out fine. We’ve had a really in L.A., but none here. So, it made me great response in the last month or so think we should do it here.” from our hometown of San Clemente.”

The father-daughter team got to work Reese and David already have had 59 building a business plan. Reese would do clients—all residential—and, ultimate-

ly, want to have around 30 clients per month on a recurring basis. The cost to get trash bins cleaned is $45 for two bins quarterly, $70 for two bins every six months, and $80 for two bins annually.

Extra bins are $15 per bin, up to five total.

“It works kind of like a gym membership,” said David, who notes that the truck uses biodegradable, environmentally friendly soap, and that the entire process occurs inside the truck thanks to custom spray heads and hydraulic lifts.

“We capture all of the dirty water in a hopper. Nothing gets in the street.”

As business grows, so will the fleet of trucks, although there’s now an eightmonth backlog on truck orders due to supply-chain issues caused by the pandemic. But for now, Reese and David are focused on making Beach City Bin Cleaners a household name in the San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano areas.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Reese. “People always come out to talk and say hello. It’s going to be a lot of work, but we’ll just work really hard.” DP BEACH CITY BIN CLEANERS 949.503.4025, beachcitybincleaners.com, @beachcitybincleaners

MusicAbility Builds Connections for Students with Disabilities Through Music

BY BREEANA GREENBERG, DANA POINT TIMES

P

laying music feels like heaven to 21-year-old Dana Point resident Danny Dubois. Danny, who has high-functioning autism, offers music lessons to students with disabilities as a way to connect and share his passion for music.

Music serves as a way for kids with autism to connect and communicate, explained Mary Dubois, Danny’s mother. Danny finds joy in bringing people together to create a band. Jamming out together not only creates music, but also friendship, Mary said.

Michael Bakan is the professor of ethnomusicology—the study of music in its cultural context—at the College of Music at Florida State University. He explained that music can offer a safe place to thrive in a society that often disenables those with disabilities.

Bakan further defines ethnomusicology as “the study of how people make and experience music, and of why it matters to them that they do.”

There are all kinds of social communiDana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

ties that exist around music, Bakan said.

Music “brings people together to play it, to perform it, to listen to it, to share it.”

“When you hear someone play music, even if it’s music you don’t know anything about, there’s a fundamental sense that you’ll have of, ‘OK, this is another human being,’ and that forms a point of connection,” Bakan said.

“In fact,” he continued, “that happens with music faster than with most other forms of cultural expression. … You hear it and you recognize it as music. Maybe it’s strange, maybe it’s different, but you recognize that it’s got some kind of thing that connects to your humanity, your culture, your sense of what music is, and you can appreciate and listen to it and enjoy it, even if you have no idea what’s really going on in its own cultural context.”

Danny said he has been interested in music since he was young. At 4, he began taking piano lessons. At 13, he began taking music lessons at Danman’s Music School, where he picked up guitar, drums and ukulele.

Growing up, Danny loved singing Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never.” Now, he loves performing covers from Queen to ACDC. He loves playing music with a good beat, he said.

“Music has the potential to improve quality of life for most people, which is part of why I think, even though it seems like music isn’t a necessity of human life; in other words, it’s not like food, it’s not like shelter, it’s not absolutely necessary … but yet, wherever we go, it’s always there,” Bakan said. “And that means that essentially, it must be a human need.”

Music can be a space that mediates the challenges that those with autism face, Bakan explained.

“You can play music without making eye contact with your fellow musicians,” Bakan said. “Like when I play, my eyes are closed 90% of the time. You can play music without having to negotiate everything in sort of linguistic terms; you can be in a space with someone musically without it being this kind of uncomfortably interrogational kind of Page 22

space. And that’s a real beautiful quality of music that I think is appealing.”

Echoing Bakan, Mary felt that playing music was a healthy and fun way to express emotions.

“People with disabilities, too, like Danny, he’s not saying a lot of words, but when he’s on stage, I mean, it just comes out,” Mary said. “So, I think other kids with disabilities, they could do that, because they’re not as inhibited as a typical person would be, so that brings out just a lot of their emotions.”

Danny offers hour-long piano, guitar, drums and singing lessons. He hopes to share his passion for music with his students and help them find their passion for music as it helps improve communication for kids with disabilities, Mary said.

Danny Dubois’ MusicAbility Music Therapy and Lessons is a donation-based program. Ten percent of proceeds will go to The Autism Community in Action.

For more information, contact Mary via email at mdubois1@cox.net or by phone at 949.240.4331. DP danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING

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

A PLEASANT DECEMBER AFTERNOON

O

n Dec. 11, I held a book signing for my new memoir, Tutor & Spunky’s Deli. A Dana Point Landmark, which is about my 26 years of opening, operating, and eventually selling the Dana Point deli.

During the signing that was held at the shop, I displayed the memoir on a table where customers could see it, as well as four other printed books I’ve written.

Nice things started to happen. A couple in their early 40s came in for a sandwich. When they were perusing the books on the table, I heard the guy say to his lady, “This Finding Love After 50 book would be good for mom to read.”

I introduced myself and asked, ON LIFE AND LOVE “Is mom single?”

BY TOM BLAKE He said, “She’s a new widow. She has no idea what to do.

She married right out of high school and has never dated anyone else. Will you sign one for her?”

“Of course,” I said.

And then he added, “I’m J.J.; I went to Dana Hills High School with your former stepson, Mikey. I’ve eaten at this deli for 30 years. Seeing you brings back great memories of Dana Point.”

I autographed the book to his mom and also signed a complimentary copy of the fourth book I wrote, titled How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 for her.

And I said, “I suggest she sign up for our free e-newsletter, which could help her through a very difficult time.”

Two more women, a mother and daughter, looked at the books displayed on the table as they were waiting for their lunch.

The younger woman said, “You wrote these?”

“Yes.” She said, “We’re both single, mother and daughter. Why are you here?”

I said, “I owned this deli for 26 years.”

She said, “You owned a restaurant, and you’re also an author?”

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

I said, “Yes, I was fortunate enough to become a newspaper columnist and have been writing articles on finding love for 25-plus years.”

“What newspaper?” she asked.

“The Dana Point Times, San Clemente Times, and The Capistrano Dispatch,” I said.

The daughter said, “Can you sign two new deli books—one to Lana, who is mom, and one to me, Lana S.” I said, “Lana? As in the movie star Lana Turner?”

They nodded. I said, “And this is my significant other, Greta, as in Garbo.”

They laughed.

Then, a tall man named Jim, mid-70s, came in wearing a Diablos (Mission Viejo High School) sweatshirt. He said he helps out with the basketball program there. I love it—a senior volunteering to help kids.

Jim said, “I need three books. A new deli book and two How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 books.”

“Why two 50 Couples books?” I asked.

“One for me and one for my friend Fred. He’s having trouble meeting women and knows that that book explains how all those couples met.”

Jim added, “I came to your meetand-greets here at the deli. Met a nice woman, and we were dating exclusively for a couple of months. But it ended. So, I need one, too.”

Several friends and former local businessowners stopped by throughout the day. And later, a woman dressed to the nines arrived. It took a few seconds for my partner, Greta, and me to recognize her. We had met Sally in 2007, while riding the Venice Simplon Orient Express train on a trip from Venice to Paris.

I said to Sally, “Why are you dressed so exquisitely?”

She said, “I live in a retirement community. Your book signing was an opportunity for me to get out and socialize.”

This simple outing reminded me that life is about friends and cherishing old memories. Not many books were sold, but that didn’t matter; seeing old friends and meeting new ones is what was important. And it reminded me of how blessed I’ve been in my life.

I’ll see you in 2022.

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

Photo: Courtesy of OC Public Libraries

FROM THE ARCHIVES Pictured is a rock placing

ceremony in Dana Point on Aug. 29, 1966.

Every week, the Dana Point Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.

DANA POINT TIMES

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Lord Hare-ington

This handsome gentleman is none other than Lord Hare-ington, a 1-year-old neutered male Dutch dwarf rabbit. Hare-ington was initially rather timid, but through the loving attention of our volunteers, he has since blossomed into a friendly and interactive rabbit. Lord Hare-ington is litter-box trained, loves to be petted, and would make a great house rabbit for someone looking for an entertaining and sweet bunny companion.

If you are interested in adopting Lord Hare-ington, 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.

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

EDITOR’S NOTE: An extended version of this column can be found at danapointtimes.com.

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.

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

Page 23

See the solution in next week’s issue.

danapointtimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Dana Wharf Fish Report Deeper fishing brings successful catches

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

D

Dana Hills wrestlers Zach Harkey and Josh Jacob, pictured in the center holding up their medals, earned podium placements at the Ed Springs Holiday Classic on Dec. 17-18. Photo: Courtesy of Dana Hills Wrestling

DOLPHIN REPORT

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

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

Boys Wrestling Places 2 at Ed Spring Holiday Classic Dana Hills officially went into its winter break with a handful of wrestling successes in the Ed Spring Holiday Classic on Dec. 17-18 at Brea Olinda High School.

Josh Jacob claimed a podium position in fourth place at 138 pounds, and Zach Harkey just edged into a podium spot in eighth place at 160 pounds in the twoday tournament. Dana Hills finished 24th as a team out of 42 entries.

Jacob entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed at 138 pounds and had a first-round bye. Jacob then recorded two straight wins by fall to reach the tournament semifinals. Jacob pinned Damon Miranda of La Costa Canyon in 1:35 and Anthony Manno of Newport Harboer in 1:40 in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Jacob was bested by eventual runner-up Matthew Ortega of Edison with a fall at 3:30. In the consolation bracket, Jacob picked up another win by fall over Angelo Kim of Brea Olinda in 2:46, but he lost in just 22 seconds in the third-place match to Trevor Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

Wingstaff of Estancia.

Harkey battled through the consolation bracket for most of the tournament.

Harkey earned a first-round win with a fall in 1:58 over Elijah Acosta of Cypress, but he was pinned in the second round

by Than Winn of Brea Olinda in 2:20.

In the consolation bracket, Harkey picked up three straight wins by fall to make the consolation quarterfinals.

Harkey pinned Cody South of Rim of the World in a 4:43 battle, bested Chase Judd of Newport Harbor in 1:11 and got Justin Yim of Diamond Bar in 2:36. However, Harkey then dropped his next match to Jonah Fryer in a 3:35 fall and lost to Winn a second time in the seventh-place match with a fall at 2:05.

Dana Hills gets back to league duals in the new year with a match at Capistrano Valley on Jan. 4 and hosts Tesoro on Jan. 11. The Dolphins will also wrestle in the San Clemente Rotary Tournament on Jan. 8.

Roundup Dana Hills girls basketball grabbed a win over Laguna Beach, 49-28, on Monday, Dec. 20. The Dolphins are 9-4 going into tournament play on Monday, Dec. 27.

Dana Hills opens league play against Aliso Niguel on Jan. 4.

Dana Hills boys basketball had a positive COVID test result early this week, which forced the Dolphins to drop out of the North/South Challenge on Tuesday, Dec. 21, and cancel their game against San Clemente on Wednesday, Dec. 23. Dana Hills (11-3) is scheduled to play in the Damien Classic next week, from Dec. 27-30. DP

espite recent bouts with weather and a fall disrupted by the oil spill, fishing is as strong as ever at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching.

In his weekly report, Captain Brian Woolley said the water temperatures held at 60 degrees after the wind and rain had subsided early last week. The half-day trips are seeing a mix of catches, as the regular anglers are using multiple techniques to find success. Woolley said the sinker rigs for bottom fishing or sliding sinker setups worked the best for anglers. The trips pulled in sand bass and calico bass on live baits, while some sheephead, trigger fish and sculpin were taken in on the bottom setups.

The three-quarter-day trips have also been successful as usual for this time of year, with plenty of rockfish catches off the Camp Pendleton coast. Some trips have been drifts over the rocks that have reeled in some vermilion rockfish and grouper with live bait lines. On other days with rougher surface water, the trips have anchored and racked up some nice numbers of ocean whitefish and sculpin along with the rockfish varieties. Woolley said the “hot ticket” for the week was taking mackerel bait and stripping it up, which brought in some higher quality rockfish catches.

It’s also a good time to check in on the 14th annual Halibut Derby, as the competition nears its midpoint in January. The Derby began on Nov. 1 and runs through March 31, 2022. Aspiring winners of the derby have two ways to enter, either through the specific halibut drift trips on Fridays and Sundays or registering ahead of any open half- or three-quarter-day trip.

So far, there is only one entry on the Halibut Derby leaderboard: Jonathan Skelly’s 6-pound, 1-ounce catch on Nov. 7. There are 20 spots on the leaderboard to qualify for the free Fish Off on April 3, where the top angler can win $500. The top five spots on the leaderboard also cash in, with first place taking $1,500.

Also, if an angler can break the current Dana Wharf halibut record of 43.1 pounds caught by Peggy Stein in 2012, there is a bonus $500 prize.

For more information on the Halibut Derby and drift trips, go to danawharf. com/fishing-trips/halibut-derby.

Woolley also said for all anglers to Page 24

Vincent Unzueta with a combo of cod caught aboard the Sum Fun. Photo Courtesy of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

keep tabs on the Dana Wharf social media channels for deals throughout the holiday season and that kids fish free in December.

For information on all trips at Dana Wharf, go to danawharf.com or call 888.224.0603.

Here are the latest fish counts at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching: DEC. 22 • 3 boats, 65 anglers: 90 whitefish, 75 sculpin, 67 rockfish, 15 vermilion rockfish, 5 bocaccio, 4 blue perch, 2 calico bass, 2 sand bass, 14 bass released.

DEC. 21 • 3 boats, 119 anglers: 122 rockfish, 79 whitefish, 62 sculpin, 27 vermilion rockfish, 9 sand bass, 7 Spanish jack, 1 treefish.

DEC. 20 • 2 boats, 37 anglers: 36 sculpin, 31 whitefish, 30 rockfish, 8 vermilion rockfish, 2 sand bass, 12 bass released.

DEC. 19 • 3 boats, 77 anglers: 76 sculpin, 60 whitefish, 30 rockfish, 17 vermilion rockfish, 17 sand bass, 3 treefish, 1 calico bass, 1 bocaccio, 2 halibut released.

DEC. 18 • 3 boats, 45 anglers: 77 rockfish, 59 whitefish, 49 sculpin, 12 vermilion rockfish, 5 sanddab, 5 sand bass, 4 bocaccio, 1 calico bass, 1 lingcod, 35 bass released.

DEC. 17 • 2 boats, 28 anglers: 7 sculpin, 3 calico bass, 10 sand bass, 6 treefish.

DEC. 16 • 2 boats, 22 anglers: 66 whitefish, 35 rockfish, 16 sheephead, 14 sculpin, 14 vermilion rockfish, 1 calico bass, 1 sand bass, 1 bocaccio, 1 triggerfish, 8 bass released. DP danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

Page 25

danapointtimes.com

DP SURF

Hobie vs.

Velzy vs. the IRS Boardmaker Rivalry Drives Industry to New Heights

BY MATT WARSHAW, DANA POINT TIMES

A

rudimentary form of surfboard retailing began in 1949, when longtime Southern California surfer and boardmaker Dale Velzy opened a tiny factory-storefront in Manhattan Beach. His operation took off five years later, when he opened a bigger shop in Venice Beach, with fellow shaper Hap Jacobs, and they introduced the wildly popular Velzy-Jacobs “pig” model.

Velzy soon had competition from a 21-year-old boardmaker from Laguna Beach named Hobie Alter, who was as sober and organized as Velzy was flamboyant and impulsive.

Alter was the son of a successful and politically well-connected orange farmer, and he didn’t begin surfing until he was 16; the summer of that year, he made and sold his first board, and within months he was taking custom orders from friends and diligently plowing balsa in the family garage.

Alter built 80 boards during his first three years as a shaper—nothing close to Velzy’s numbers, but more by far than any other Orange County boardmaker.

Not only were the boards well-crafted— even at this early stage, before Alter had come up with a decal, before he even signed his work—they were reasonably priced at $45 and always delivered on time, unlike the typical Velzy-Jacobs job.

In 1954, after two or three quiet surveillance trips to Velzy’s shop, and with a $1,000 gift from his father, Alter bought a weedy vacant lot in an unincorporated Dana Point/Pacific Coast Highway “retail district” that featured just two other stores.

Alter then built an L-shaped building, with a small but bright glass-fronted retail space and a windowless cement-walled factory attached to the back.

He’d been the local boardmaker of choice for the past year or so, and his new business, Hobie Surfboards, was in the black from the moment it opened.

The factory was designed to make six boards a week, and that was the proDana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

Dale Velzy (left) and Hobie Alter couldn’t have been further apart as far as their personalities were concerned, but a shared passion for making surfboards—and a friendly rivalry—drove them to take the fledgling surf industry to new heights. Photo: Courtesy of Eos.Surf

duction rate almost exactly: 1,500 Hobie boards sold altogether between 1954 and early 1958, at a time when the total number of surfers in California wasn’t much above 5,000.

Almost every board had a see-through fiberglass finish (as did Velzy’s), which allowed the wood grain to show beautifully, and Alter now ink-stamped a tiny “Hobie” logo on the deck near the tail.

The boards had to look sharp, as there was virtually nothing else in the showroom—no beachwear, no posters, no wetsuits; not even decals or surf wax.

Velzy swooped down from Los Angeles in 1955 to open a new outlet in San Clemente, on Pacific Coast Highway, just five miles south of Hobie’s shop, for the express purpose of siphoning off potential customers driving up from San Diego.

And thus began the start of the first great American boardmaker’s rivalry.

Customers lined up behind one man or the other, Hobie or Velzy, giving their allegiance not just to a brand but a form of surfing leadership.

Alter was earnest and respectable, and his shop was as clean as Alter himself was clean-cut. Velzy smoked cigars, wore a diamond pinky ring, and kept a roll of hundred-dollar bills in his back pocket.

In 1957, to celebrate a big sales year, Velzy paid cash for a 300SL Mercedes.

Pulling up in front of his San Clemente shop, he’d pop open the driver’s side gullwing door and walk toward the factory, jingling his keys in one hand and holding a half-pint of bourbon in the other.

Their salesmanship styles differed, too.

In a bit of ad copy, Alter described his

boards as having “evolved through careful and original changes, using proven principles and vast experience.”

Velzy, as even his most loyal followers would admit, was a hustler. But a smooth, likable hustler. He’d sidle up to a mink coat-wearing divorcée looking to buy a board for her teenage son, touch her elbow, lean close, lower his voice, and say, “This here’s a good-riding son of a (expletive), ma’am.”

True to form, Velzy wasn’t just bad at bookkeeping, but spectacularly bad, as he ignored creditors, snubbed the IRS, and threw away all notices and warnings. Then, in late 1960, his entire mainland operation, five outlets in all, collapsed overnight.

Velzy recalled that federal agents “hit all the shops at the same time and padlocked the doors.” Showroom boards, tools and machines, his beloved gullwing Mercedes; everything was confiscated and put up for auction.

Local surfers, meanwhile, “broke windows (at the shops), got in and took decals, pencil sharpeners, order blanks, posters, whatever they could put their hands on.” Velzy would return to commercial boardmaking, but he was never again a kingpin.

The Velzy Surfboards meltdown was a surf-world sensation, but it didn’t cause any break in the supply line—thanks in part to Alter.

Hobie Surfboards had by that time become the sport’s runaway industry leader. Alter’s books were in perfect order, which helped. More importantly, where Velzy had the style and the hand-skills, Alter had vision.

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SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 59-60 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 1-3 Outlook: The swell blend maintains waist high waves (3’) through Friday as heavy rain and onshore wind likely develop. For the weekend a small south-southwest swell fills in along with a slight increase in northwest swell.

Unsettled weather continues with rain possible and periods of onshore wind.

The sport grew a lot during Alter’s first three years as a commercial boardmaker—but nothing like what was coming, he believed. Building surfboards by the hundreds instead of by the dozen was the goal, and to that end, Alter helped engineer a project that would change boards, literally, from the inside-out.

This column is an excerpt from the “Encyclopedia of Surfing.” Writer Matt Warshaw is surfing’s preeminent historian, a former editor of SURFER Magazine and the author of the “Encyclopedia of Surfing,” as well as “The History of Surfing.” To learn more about how you can help support his work, go to eos.surf/donate.DP danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

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danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times December 24-30, 2021

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danapointtimes.com