Dana Point Times

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Election Coverage: Q & A with CUSD Candidates

City Mourns the Loss of Bill Steinreide

Local Dentist Gives Hurricane Victim Reason to Smile

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O C TO B E R 2 2 –2 8 , 2 0 1 0

LO C A L

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VOLUME 3, ISSUE 43

A Spiny Situation

Hoop-netters and divers take to the waters off of Dana Point in search of spiny lobster E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 5

E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 6

Hiro Nakanishi of Oceanside catches a legal sized spiny lobster while hoop netting from the Dana Wharf Sportfishing vessel The Clemente. Photo by Andrea Swayne

www.danapointtimes.com

Eye on DP

1

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

DP

D a n a Po i nt

City and Business Calendar Saturday, October 23 Bulky Item Disposal and Recycling Event 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The city teams up with waste hauler CR&R to host bulky item cleanup day. Items such as large appliances, business machines, green waste and other large items will be accepted for free. Fluorescent light tubes and household batteries will also be collected.

Goodwill Industries will be on hand to accept donated items. Hazardous waste such as paint, motor oil and fertilizers will not be accepted. Collection locations will be at Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern and Palisades Elementary, 26462 Via Sacramento, 949.248.3571, www.danapoint.org

Doheny State Beach Haunted Campground 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. A portion of Doheny State Beach is transformed into a spooky area with educational booths, arts and crafts, a Fun Zone and more.

Admission is free; however, a donation of one non-perishable food item per person is greatly appreciated. Dress up and join the fun. For more info, visit www.dohenystatebeach.org

Monday, October 25 City Council Meeting 6 p.m. City Council Chambers, 33282, Golden Lantern, 949.248.3501, www.danapoint.org

Family Pajama Story Time 7 p.m. Free family pajama story time at the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, 949.496.5517, www.ocgov.com

Wednesday, October 27 Job Hunting Workshop 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Free job hunting workshop at Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, 949.496.5517, www.ocgov.com

Thursday, October 28 South Coast Water District Meeting 6 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.499.4555, www.scwd.org

Dana Point’s Top 5 Hottest Topics

What’s Up With...

1

…City Mourns Passing of Bill Steinreide?

THE LATEST: On October 5, 2010 the city lost a longtime friend, teacher, coach, surfer, environmental champion and community activist when Bill Steinreide passed away.

“The passing of Bill Steinriede has saddened everyone who knew and worked with him,” said South Coast Water District Chairman Wayne Rayfield. “It is also extremely sad for our entire community because Bill did an incredible job in promoting the cause of healthy beaches and oceans; his work continues to benefit all of us. We should not let his passing go unrecognized nor should we let his contributions to Dana Point be forgotten.”

Steinreide served on the city’s Ocean Water Quality Subcommittee and made many water quality contributions including helping with the 2004 adoption of the city’s “Paradigm for Water Quality” policy by adopting the City’s Strategic Plan with its number one initiative being to, “Restore and maintain the integrity of our ocean waters and beaches.”

A memorial at St. Edward’s Church and a paddle-out memorial at Doheny Beach were held last week. An online guestbook is posted on the O’Connor Mortuary website at www. oconnormortuary.com for those who wish to post a message of condolence to the family.

WHAT’S NEXT: “Bill was a retired educator, a life-long athlete and an avid surfer. More importantly, he was a friend to many within the local community and worked with the city…to help jump start our efforts to clean up our ocean waters,” said City Manager Doug Chotkevys. “In the coming weeks, we will be dedicating a Memorial for Bill near the North Creek Diversion Project so others can remember the legacy that he created for himself, his family and the Community.”

FIND OUT MORE: Stay tuned to the DP Times for an upcoming feature on Steinreide’s legacy in Dana Point and date and time information for the Bill Steinreide Memorial dedication.

—Andrea Swayne www.danapointtimes.com

2

…Dana Hills Needs Votes for a Tech Grant?

THE LATEST: Students in the Be the Change Club at Dana Hills High School are asking local residents to help by voting online in a contest that could net $250,000 through the Pepsi Refresh Project to upgrade technology in the school’s computer labs.

Dana Hills is currently ranked No. 19 in the contest and is in desperate need of more votes. The school is competing against a variety of other causes including anti-tobacco campaigns, a science conference and cystic fibrosis research.

WHAT’S NEXT: To vote for the project, text 103341 to 73774 or log on to www.dhhs.net.

The contest ends on Sunday, October 31. You are allowed to vote once a day by text and once a day by computer. The top two highest vote getters will win the grant.

FIND OUT MORE: Log on to the school website at www.dhhs.net to keep an eye on the progress. —AS

3

…Meeting on Creek Work?

THE LATEST: Orange County Public Works will kick off a study on potential flood-control measures for a large area of the San Juan Creek watershed with a public meeting on October 27.

The study is unrelated to the bank-stabilization work now underway, said OC Public Works’ Setu Upadhya. “We are going to study a large area to determine what will happen if it will flood,” Upadhya said. “We want to know how much damage a flood could cause, whether it is worth making improvements and if it is possible.”

The study will look at the lower portions of San Juan Creek, Trabuco Creek and Oso Creek and also study how to protect from flood yet maintain habitat values.

WHAT’S NEXT: The meeting will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 27 at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.ocflood.com and click “San Juan Creek Study” in the lower left-hand corner. —Jonathan Volzke

4

…A New School Anti-Gang Program?

THE LATEST: Three Dana Point area schools are part of a new anti-gang program that enlists parents to prevent graffiti and ensure children aren’t harassed before classes.

Countywide, more than 750 parents have joined with law enforcement in the effort, which will be in place at Shorecliffs Elementary, Del Obispo Elementary and Marco Forster Middle School.

Participating parents stand in front of the GRIP schools wearing orange vests before and after school to greet students and ensure that they are abiding by the school dress code and are not dressed like gang members. The presence of these parents also serves as a deterrent to gang members. Those schools that have unofficially started the parent greeter program have observed a noticeable decrease in gang presence and graffiti.

Parent greeters all received training from their local police departments and the Orange County District Attorney on gang prevention and safety and are subject to a law enforcement background review.

WHAT’S NEXT: The program officially launched earlier this month at 25 schools across the county, with some coming online more quickly than others.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.orangecountyda. com —JV

5

…A ‘Back to the Classroom’ Tour for the Superintendent?

THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent Joe Farley has launched a series of 18 community and staff meetings to ensure the district’s focus remains on classroom instruction.

“It is obvious that Capistrano Unified is a great, successful school district with high test scores, excellent teachers, dedicated staff and

smart, capable and accomplished students,” Farley said in a statement. “With this tour, I am asking that we go ‘Back to the Classroom’ to ensure that our focus remains on the academic success of each student.”

Farley’s “Back to the Classroom” tour reinforces a theme he has woven throughout his initial presentations to staff and community groups—focusing on the work in the classroom. While he has the reputation of being a superintendent who has turned around school districts, Farley sees his role in CUSD as reinforcing the fundamental things that created the district’s reputation for high achievement.

Six community forums will be held for parents, students and members of the public.

Farley will also host six meetings each for certificated and classified employees.

WHAT’S NEXT: Farley will visit San Clemente High School on Wednesday, November 3, San Juan Hills High on Tuesday, November 16 and Dana Hills High on Wednesday, February 2.

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. The CUSD board of trustees meets on October 26.

FIND OUT MORE: See the “Beyond the Blackboard” blog at www.danapointtimes.com —JV

On the Bubble Other topics making news this week Dana Point Harbor: West Basin Marina: On April 12, 2005, the County entered into a management agreement with TBW Company for the West Basin Marina in Dana Point Harbor, which is set to expire October 31, 2010.

On Tuesday, the Board approved a month-tomonth agreement with TBW Company and directed a Request for Proposals (RFP) be developed for the West Basin to ensure boaters and the County are presented with the best possible proposal, taking into account costs to boaters and the benefits of having a new management agreement that would include improvements to West Basin Marina facilities.

Cox3 Televises Candidate Forums: The Candidate Forum is produced by Cox Communications and aired on Cox3. The next Dana Point City Council forum is set to air on Wednesday, October 27 from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Log on to www.cox3.com and click on the Election banner for the full schedule of forums including Congressional and Assembly races.

October 22–28, 2010 • Dana Point Times • Page 3

Eye on DP

A Spiny Situation Hoop-netters and divers take to the waters off of Dana Point in search of spiny lobster

By Andrea Swayne Dana Point Times

S

ucculent white meat; buttery in flavor; a treasure from the sea—all descriptions lobster lovers can relate to and much of the reason so many anglers look forward to spiny lobster season each year.

Recreational lobster fishermen like Steve Moss have caught the bug (no pun intended, as lobsters are sometimes referred to as bugs) and just can’t get enough of this spiny but tasty catch.

“I’ve lived in Dana Point for 10 years but fishing has always been a big part of my life,” said Moss. “Even before moving to the coast I would drive the 30 minutes to fish out of Dana Point Harbor. Three years ago I discovered lobster hoop-netting, bought a boat and started going out at least once a week during lobster season. Fresh fish is delicious but there’s just something about Pacific spiny lobster—you just can’t beat the flavor.

“I love them.”

Spiny lobster season runs from October through March and during these months the waters off the coast of Dana Point Harbor are a sparkling sight to behold when night falls.

Hoop nets are round and conical in shape.

As they are lowered from a boat (or kayak) the net collapses to form a sort of hill that the lobsters crawl over in search of the bait— chopped up bloody mackerel or pieces of other raw cut up fish—in a box made of wire mesh that is at the center of the net. When a fisherman pulls the net back into the boat, the net expands and traps the distracted, feeding lobsters inside. Anglers attach a small buoy and a glow stick to the nets to mark the spot where they drop their nets.

The light of glow sticks bob up and down with the water’s motion marking the location of lobster hoop nets. Further outside of the breakwater and usually more toward San Clemente and Laguna, the twinkling flashlights of divers in search of these nocturnal delicacies can also be seen.

“The first few times I went it was super intimidating, because it’s pitch black and in the middle of the ocean,” said Jake Dowell, a 22-year-old San Clemente native who is on his fourth season of lobster diving. After getting the hang of catching these critters though, Dowell now loves the sport—not to mention the delicious lobster they get to eat afterwards.

Although lobsters wake up when the sun goes down, divers usually wait until later in the night when they are more active and easier to see, while hoop-netters are often seen taking to the water on their boats within an hour or two of nightfall.

Dowell and his friends load backpacks with a net, flashlight, mask, snorkel, fins, weight belt, and gloves—which are crucial for grabbing the lobsters. They zip up their wetsuits and paddle on longboards to their spot for the night. Often they go to Seal Rock in San Clemente, but “pretty much anywhere there are rocks, there are lobsters,” says Dowell. Dana Point Harbor and the beaches in Laguna are also popular diving spots.

“When lobsters see the light, they freeze for half a second before they take off. You gotta be quick!” said Dowell. He and his friends go lobster diving on average a couple times a week during the season, although there are some that go every night.

Not a boat owner myself and not having www.danapointtimes.com

Above: OCFA paramedic Brian Abney with new ROP CEO Kim Thomason and ROP student Jay Jefferies during an EMT course.

Photo by Kirsten Amavisca Sacher Left: Retiring Capistrano-Laguna ROP CEO Dr. Rick Bogart in the dental-technician lab with “Dexter.”

Photo by Heidi Mefferd

Above: Dana Wharf Sportfishing crew members Jordan Garcia and Marcus Bailey work on baiting the hoop-nets with mackerel and attaching buoys and glowsticks in preparation for a nighttime lobster fishing trip. Right:The spiny lobster caught by Andrea Swayne, cleaned, cooked and ready to eat.

Photos by Andrea Swayne

any inclination to dive into dark murky water to grab lobsters by hand, I decided to give hoop netting with Captain Jack VanDyke of Dana Wharf Sportfishing a try.

“Buying a fishing license is kind of like getting a driver’s license. Fish and Game expects anglers to know all the regulations related to fishing—that includes lobster fishing. Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” said VanDyke of the highly regulated sportfishing industry. “You can only have only up to 10 nets per boat for recreational lobster fishing.”

First I would need a fishing license specific to lobsters and a spiny lobster report card. According to the California Department of Fish and Game regulations, a spiny lobster report card is required for every person taking spiny lobsters in California ocean waters and the legal limit is seven per person. Seven per person? That limit got my hopes up—I could have lobster dinner for days!

I also learned that in order to be a legal catch, the lobster carapace (body) must measure three and a quarter inches long in order to be legal catch. The crew had plenty of Fish and Game approved gauges to measure each lobster we get to determine whether or not it would be thrown back for being too small.

I joined eight other first-time lobster anglers aboard The Clemente and we headed out for a four-hour trip. I was surprised when the boat stopped just outside of the breakwater and we started setting the traps. Apparently these lobsters like to hang out near the rock and in pretty shal-

low water.

The night was spent taking turns—each angler had a number—in sequence, pulling up the hoop nets to see what was inside.

My number was four. I pulled up my first net and lo and behold—a pretty big one!

The three anglers who had turns before me had at least two in each of their nets but after careful measurement, all were returned to the ocean. I knew it right when I saw it—mine was a keeper.

We kept this cycle going for the entire four hours. Some baskets were empty.

Some were full. But most were thrown back. By the end of the evening we had pulled in 59 undersized lobsters and only seven legals. Inevitably, some on the boat were disappointed and went home empty handed. Two men caught three keepers each! They love lobster fishing now.

No so, for the ones that didn’t. I heard comments coming from that group complaining how they should have gone to the

supermarket and bought a lobster. It would be easier and take a lot less time, they said.

Even though there was some grumbling, everyone disembarked with a smile on their face at the end of the trip.

The next day I told Moss about my catch and how excited I was to find these delectable creatures so close to home.

“We’ve spoken to a lot of people who encourage us to go to Catalina or Long Beach or Newport but we’ve had great luck right here in Dana Point,” he said of his weekly, and sometimes bi-weekly lobstering trips with his son Bill. “There’s no need to go anywhere else. Dana Point is the center of our lobster universe.”

That night, as I cooked up my lobster tail for dinner, I couldn’t help but thinking that, yes, it would indeed be easier to get one at the market, but my experience of catching it for myself was going to make the meat taste that much sweeter. DP Kirstin Amavisca Sacher contributed to this story

October 22–28, 2010 • Dana Point Times • Page 5

Eye on DP

New Dinner Show is a Real Drag Adele’s Café in San Clemente adds drag queens to dinner-show lineup

By Christina Scannapiego and Andrea Swayne Dana Point Times

T

he dining room at Adele’s looks like any other family-style restaurant with the classic Americana café touches—a United States flag at the entrance, floral draperies on the windows and an array of diner-style booths and tables scattered throughout. Even the crowd looks very “run of the mill”—a mix of gender and age, couples and singles—everything appears rather ordinary. That is until the music starts pumping and a mirrored disco ball sends sparkling flecks of prismatic light spinning around the walls, floor and ceiling and an emcee takes the stage wearing a mile-high violet wig, theatrical makeup and a beautiful gown bedazzled with sequins and feathers. The crowd goes wild with applause.

This is going to be some kind of show—a glamorous, curious, gender-bending drag queen show—where the entertainers are men and their performances are over-the-top impersonations of women. The regulars are readying their stacks of $1 bills preparing to tip the “ladies” in appreciation for their dazzling—and at times risqué—comedy, song and dance numbers.

When Adele Lux opened her second diner location at the San Clemente Inn at 2600 Avenida Del Presidente in 2006, a live entertainment permit only added to the draw of her already-famous breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. But aside from live bands and parties, Lux has added a new flavor to her menu— one that South Orange County might not be accustomed to. Although the idea of drag certainly isn’t new—many of Shakepeare’s characters imitate or disguise themselves as the opposite sex, male Japanese Kabuki actors have played female roles for hundreds of years and drag queens now appear in TV shows such as Project Runway and Sex and the City—the notion of it as a customer draw hasn’t exactly been on the front burner of area business owners’ minds, until now.

Lux said she started checking out drag shows in LA for ideas for live entertainment

DP Sheriff’s Blotter Compiled By Ma d i Sway n e All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Web site (www.ocsd. org) and reflects data available from calls placed from the field by the responding officer(s). An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD Web site.

Saturday, October 16 RECKLESS DRIVING Pacific Coast Highway/Street of the Golden

Adele Lux, owner of Adele’s Café, takes the stage to thank the cast at the end of a recent show.

Photo by Andrea Swayne

and thought, “Why don’t I have something like this? We have all kinds of music, so why not a drag show?”

A bartender at Adele’s had introduced Lux to Lady V (The “V” is short for a term often used by Oprah Winfrey as a nickname for a certain part of the female anatomy), Lux’s now-emcee for Adele’s drag dinner show. It was Lady V and drag queen Mozie Pornwood who approached Lux with the drag show and dinner show and now they, along with three other regulars—Sparkle Stone, Holly Day and Psycadella Facade— perform every other Saturday.

“One thing led to another,” Lux said. By the second show, her place was standing-room-only, with customers ranging room 18 and 91 years old. “Every single person in here had a smile on their face,” Lux said. “Most of our audience is actually straight.” That’s counter to the drag show Lantern (1:46 p.m.) A patrol check was requested when a female in a tan sedan was seen weaving a swerving. The caller suspected the driver was under the influence of drugs. She was driving southbound on Pacific Coast Highway.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Perch Drive, 25200 Block (1:49 p.m.)

Deputies were asked to investigate the caller’s neighbor who had reportedly built a tree house in his backyard, and she suspected he might have been living in it.

The caller also reported that he harasses her when she is in her backyard.

MISSING ADULT La Cresta Drive, 24700 Block (9:28 p.m.)

A female, 5’9” with blonde hair and blue eyes was reported missing. She reportedly had an infant with her and was in a Volkswagen Jetta with tinted windows. The woman had not been seen since the previous night and the caller stated she was depressed, but not taking any medication.

The caller did not know what kind of clothing she was wearing,

Friday, October 15

Page 6 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

tradition, which in the past catered to the gay community for the most part.

“I expected nothing,” agreed Lady V of her anticipation before the first show.

“Because Orange County is so red. At first we kept the show safe because of all the Republicans. Then, after every show I’d ask the crowd what they wanted more of, and the answer was unanimous: ‘Raunchy! Next time make it raunchier!’”

Raunch is definitely a part of the act and the show is definitely not for those who are easily shocked, offended or have an aversion to let’s just say, “colorful” language.

But adults (over 18) with an easygoing spirit, an adventurous personality and a sense of humor will have a good time.

“It’s just a fun show,” exclaimed Jay Deards, a San Clemente father of three who attended a recent performance with his wife, Olivia.

“It’s so freaking awesome! The girls DRUNK IN PUBLIC Doheny Park Plaza/Pacific Coast Highway (11:52 a.m.) A passerby called to report two drunken males walking in circles.

One was described as being heavyset in a red T-shirt, while the other was in a black sweatshirt. They were walking a dog—in circles.

CITIZEN ASSIST Dana Point Harbor Drive/Island Way (1:14 p.m.) An informant called looking for her 18-year-old daughter. The daughter had reportedly threatened to jump off of a cliff and the caller suspected she was on the south side of the cliff. The subject was 5’1” with brown hair, a brown leather jacket, a black shirt, black jeans and black boots.

Thursday, October 14 SUSPICIOUS PERSON Fisherman’s Drive, 25600 Block (3:33 p.m.) A male subject was seen going through the housing complex soliciting money for a “fundraiser.” The subject told the caller he lived in the complex, but according to the caller’s friend, the man

rock,” said Kelley Peeden, a San Juan Capistrano resident also in attendance.

Performers put their hearts and soul into the show. Sparkle Stone (who’s also a yoga and Pilates teacher) likens her act to that of a clown—lots of makeup, costumes, wigs and entertainment. Their job is to make people laugh. Mozie, although relatively new to the gig, has spent $200 in makeup, $300 in wigs and more than $500 on her wardrobe—which evokes a retro ’60s Twiggy-meets-Star-Trekmeets-the-B52s look. Some performers’ costume wardrobe values reach into the thousands. The ladies choreograph and mix their routines and music and some of them, like Miss Holly Day—very talented with a sewing machine—hand-make many of their elaborate costumes.

The effort pays off. The show has already gained so much popularity around town that starting in November, Lux will make it a weekly event. On October 30, the show becomes a Halloween occasion and no one will be allowed into the party without a costume.

But it isn’t all fun and games. In fact, Lady V calls herself a “fundraising drag queen activist.” She and Mihalek sell raffle tickets, hold drink specials and do other things to raise donations for many causes they believe in. “We enjoy raising money for the community at our shows—not just for the gay community but for everyone,” Lady V said.

“We held a fundraiser for autism research at a recent show.” As an emcee, she speaks against hate crimes and for equality between her comedic outbursts.

“Tonight there are no Republicans, no Democrats, no Independents, no one is straight, transgendered, bisexual or gay,” Lady V reminded the crowd, as she does at every show. “We’re just people having fun and it’s important not to judge.”

Lux echoed that sentiment.

“It’s a night for everyone to put their guard down, enjoy the food, drink a few beers and have a good time,” she said. “No judgment.”

DP ON THE WEB: www.adelescafe.net was lying and does not live in the complex.

The subject was said to be about 25-years-old, 5’10”-6’ and about 185 pounds.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Pacific Coast Highway/Del Prado (11:20 p.m.) The patrol check was requested for a home near the caller’s location. The caller was worried because one of the light bulbs at the neighboring home was flickering and the caller did not think it was faulty. The caller was concerned that there may have been something wrong at the house and asked that police to enter through the back alley.

Wednesday, October 13 SUSPICIOUS PERSON Dana Point Harbor Dive/ Street of the Golden Lantern (5:16 p.m.) A caller reported hearing a loud explosion in the harbor and then seeing a large amount of smoke. After the smoke cleared, the caller saw a male subject with his motorcycle on the ground. The motorcycle was broken and he was picking up the pieces. The subject refused medical care.

www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

CUSD Candidates Discuss Decision Making

By Jonathan Volzke Dana Point Times

T

his week, we asked Capistrano Unified School board candidates the following question:

Members of the public always remind elected officials, “You work for us, do what we want.” But is that true? Should an elected official make a decision based on what the majority of the voters want, or what you feel is the best, even if it’s opposite the public opinion?

How will you make decisions in office?

Here are their answers, unedited, in the order in which they will appear on the ballot: TRUSTEE AREA 5

JOHN ALPAY San Clemente Commissioner/Businessman, www.johnalpay.com We elect our public officials with the expectation that they will act in our best interests and in accordance with our wishes. Voters within CUSD are sick and tired of the politics of derision and division, and above all else want to restore the district’s focus on quality education and living within our means.

Trial Lawyer Mike Winsten serves as the Barack Obama of South Orange County. In fact, he is on record of quoting Obama in CUSD Board meetings. That is no coincidence given that Winsten was also elected in 2008 with the promise of bringing meaningful change to CUSD. Back then, voters were not happy with CUSD’s direction and the desire for change was overwhelming. Unfortunately once in office, Winsten imposed his own version of an Obama/Pelosi agenda that is inconsistent with the desires of the public.

Winsten has managed to turn the school district into a lawsuit factory, hiring hundreds of his trial attorney friends and paying them in excess of $550 per hour. He hired a superintendent who not only drew an annualized salary of $365,000, but she also continued to receive her existing public employee pension. Voters don’t want this form of “governance;” they want quality education and proper use of tax dollars. Yet to distract the public of his misdeeds, Winsten falsely seeks to blame the problems that continue to plague CUSD on everybody but himself.

Once elected, I will work to restore credibility and integrity to CUSD. My campaign is not beholden to any union or other special interests. This allows me the flexibility to make the decisions necessary to rebuild CUSD, which is exactly what voters want.

MIKE WINSTEN Attorney/Independent Businessman, www.cusdfacts.com In our pluralistic community there is not always a “majority opinion” among CUSD’s 220,000+ voters on a given issue. The people who speak at Board meetings do not necessarily represent the majority of voters. Experience teaches the opposite. The majority of our Page 8 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

voters are a very quiet majority. An elected official has to be very careful about making decisions on what other people say the majority of voters want. I hear different points of view as I go through daily life and it is up to me to divine what the majority of the voters might prefer on a given issue. However, my view of leadership precludes a single rule from applying in all situations. There are times when elected officials should make choices based on what they perceive the majority of voters want and there are other times when the moral, financial or other context requires a decision to be made even if the choice is the opposite of perceived public opinion. But here is an important caveat: Focusing on the “majority of voters” leaves out the best interests of the children, none of whom vote, yet they are our most important constituency, and must always come first. www.cusdreform. com TRUSTEE AREA 6

GARY PRITCHARD Community College Professor, www.pritchardforcusd. com Elected officials need to make decisions based on facts, not on their personal agendas, fear of the electorate, or, worst of all, to save their withered political careers. Decision making for CUSD Trustees must always start from the basic question: What is in the best interest of our children? Everything else runs a distant second.

The resources for making the right decisions are available to Trustees who are willing to spend time within the schools and communities they wish to serve. Trustees must understand public schools so they can ask the right questions of the stakeholders.

Unfortunately, what we have are Trustees who only show up to school sites and community events when they face recall and strong challengers. Their presence is superficial and the tough questions remain unanswered. Unwilling to put in the time to grow into competent leaders in education, our current Trustees now want our understanding in the aftermath of their ill-fated decisions.

Trustees need to make tough decisions in challenging times. Unpopular decisions are unavoidable. Reasonable people understand that not all of their petitions are going to be met with favorable results but they do expect that their voice is heard.

The current board’s failings rest not with Trustees reaching out to the wider community but rather Trustees reaching within their own sphere of influence to leverage our schools to push an agenda outside the scope of public education. Ironically, the current Trustees now want us to hear their petitions in their final hours of service.

Sadly, it is too late. The only people willing to listen to them are the uninformed (which narrow each day they remain in office), sycophants, and spiteful local tyrants.

GARY V. MILLER Retired Teacher Declined to submit an answer.

PAUL HEBBARD Certified Public Accountant, www. paulhebbard.com I will make decisions based on both public opinion and my gut instincts. If I am absolutely certain that a decision will yield a favorable result, even though it is not the will of the majority of constituents, then I will carry through and go with my own feelings. If a decision needs to be made where I am uncertain of an outcome, I will gather input from the various involved parties, (parents, teachers, administrators, etc).

Once I have listened to everyone’s opinion, i will make my decision accordingly.

The people who have endorsed me are primarily personnel who have enjoyed long and productive years in the public education arena. I will seek out their wisdom, In addition to current CUSD personnel, such as the school principals. I will also do my own research by going to various schools and discussing issues with teachers and even finding out if neighboring school districts have the same issues and how they have been resolved.

KEN LOPEZ MADDOX Businessman/Tax Consultant, www. cusdfacts.com I ask myself three basic questions. Is is legal? Is it moral? Is it good for the District? However, this begins with looking at the totality of the information available and then seeking a solution.

There are those who believe being the most vocal on an issue equates to being a majority of the voters. Often this is not the case.

This is why it is important to have a solid foundation; a core set of beliefs so one is not tossed about the sea of public opinion.

One of the greatest leadership books ever written is the Book of Proverbs. King Solomon wrote it for his son who would someday be king. This is an excellent guide for anyone in a leadership position.

I’m no King Solomon; just a father who understands the level of trust every parent places in their child’s school to provide an environment rich in learning and the opportunity for excellence. My ultimate goal is to ensure CUSD provides a quality education to its students and is responsive to the individual concerns of the parents.

TRUSTEE AREA 6

ANNA BRYSON Capistrano Unified School District Governing Member, www. abryson.com I always keep in mind that the students are your children and the dollars are your money. I am a schoolboard trustee, and, as a trustee, I am morally and legally obligated to look out for the interests of students, parents, and taxpayers. It is current students, parents, and taxpayers who feel where the shoe pinches.

Schools exist for the sake of students.

Yes, school trustees are leaders, who have to look out for the whole enterprise – who have to balance competing suggestions and to encourage successful work from our valued teachers and administrators, and who have to make tough decisions to keep the whole ship afloat financially. But I work for you. I cannot just impose some arbitrary opinion of my own. I am a trustee of the voters of the Capistrano Unified School District and, when there are challenges – like the threat of bankruptcy whether from past spending sprees, state budget crisis, or union wish-list -- I speak out for and stand up for the voters.

SAAM ALIKHANI University Student, www. alikhaniforcusd.com Elected officials must accurately represent and address the needs of the electorate, and not be beholden to special interests or focus exclusively on furthering their own political careers.

Voters in CUSD elect their officials with the expectation that they will make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. Unfortunately, that is presently not the case as the current Board of Trustees has failed to uphold its fiduciary responsibilities and as a result has lost the faith of the electorate. The Board of Trustees wastes millions of taxpayer dollars on attorneys previously sanctioned by the State Bar and on dubious litigation settlements to a small elitist group of campaign supporters and contributors.

This is not what the electorate intended as good governance.

Successful public officials most often act in a manner consistent with the desires of the vast majority of people. Yet to understand the intent of the electorate, a School Trustee must engage in transparency and open dialogue. The current Board of Trustees has closed off all lines of communication by blatantly disregarding those who have sought to work with them in good faith. Special interests and a small cadre of those who have personally benefited financially are the only people provided with exclusive access to the Board of Trustees.

With further budget cuts from Sacramento pending, difficult decisions await the next Board of Trustees. The answer is how one goes about these decisions in respect to the benefit of the community. Our elected officials, especially in times of economic hardship, need to work in tandem with the community to address their needs instead of pandering to special interests at taxpayer expense.

TRUSTEE AREA 6

MARTHA MCNICHOLAS Engineering Entrepreneur, www.mcnicholasforcusd. com School Board members are locally elected public officials entrusted with governing the community’s public schools.

(Cont. on page 9) www.danapointtimes.com

Eye on DP CUSD Candidates Discuss Decision Making (Cont. from page 8) But effective governance is much more complicated than just doing what the voters want.

The responsibilities of the board include setting the long-term vision, direction and policies of the district, establishing an effective and efficient structure for the school district (superintendent and staff), ensuring accountability to the public, and acting as community leaders. The role of the board is to be responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of its community, but it is also limited by funding provided by the state budget and is inextricably bound by the State Education Code. Working with the Superintendent as a governance team, the board must keep the district focused on learning and achievement for all students, operate openly with trust and integrity, and govern in a dignified and professional manner, treating everyone with civility and respect.

As an elected trustee during economically stressful times, difficult and potentially

unpopular decisions are inevitable. The challenge will be to ensure opportunities for the diverse range of views in the community to provide input to the board, while maintaining a broad and balanced vision.

Employees, students, parents and community members have a reasonable expectation to be heard, and will be more willing to accept decisions of the board when they have been part of the process. Open and honest communication will be the key to maintaining the trust of the public.

ELLEN ADDONIZIO Certified Public Accountant, www.cusdfacts.com People are elected to public office on the basis that they reflect the values and core beliefs of their constituency. As such, within legal and financial constraints, decisions of the public servant should reflect the community values and priorities.

TRUSTEE AREA 7

LARRY CHRISTENSEN Capistrano Unified School District, Governing Board Member, www.cusdfacts. com “Fortunately we still live in a republic where the power of government rests in the body of its citizens, yielded by their vote. This is never to be taken lightly, for any elected official was voted into office by a majority of citizens who trust that person will best represent their views and not be swayed by the loudest special interest group. People are tired of politicians who base decisions upon what will keep them in office, regardless of how that decision affects the constituents through the generations. An elected official does best by not being a politician, by not

doing what he or she “feels” is best, but by what mandate is given for a platform by the majority of the citizens. This holds true for any office, be it the president of The United States or a local school district trustee.”

LYNN HATTON Small Business Owner, www.hattonforcusd.com Ideally a person is elected because the voters believe the candidate will do a good job, based upon their background and values, representing their constituent’s best interests. At the same time, to be an effective leader, one must continually seek input and engender collaboration. If an environment of trust, mutual respect, accountability and transparency is present, the decisions the elected officials make and the opinions of their stakeholders will, most often, be in lockstep. DP

News Next Door

What’s going on in our neighboring towns, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano SAN CLEMENTE

Investigation of City Council for Closed Session Info Leak San Clemente resident Rick Collins recently filed a letter of concern with the Orange County Grand Jury—what he calls a citizen action and not a personal one—addressing the issue of whether Councilmember Bob Baker or Councilmember Wayne Eggleston released information of a confidential and proprietary nature after a City Council closed-session meeting about the Playa del Norte project.

The leaked information Collins refers to was detailed in a letter to the editor by San Clemente resident Jim Smith in the July 1-8, 2010 issue of the SC Times.

“This information has already been filed with the Orange County Grand Jury investigative team,” Collins said in a statement. “We intend to press them as diligently as possible to prosecute, if need be, to expose this ‘leak’ which is a clear ethical and legal violation by an elected official.”

Moreover, the debate also sparked an investigation of the San Clemente City Council to be handled by City Attorney Jeff Oderman.

But Oderman said he could not comment on the investigation. “These matters are being discussed in closed session and council has not taken a reportable action out of closed session,” Oderman said. “And I’m really not able to answer questions relating to what the city is doing about this at the moment.”

Even though the Orange County Grand Jury received the letter of concern from Collins, does not mean they will act. City Manager George Scarborough could not be reached for further comment.

See Collins’ letter to the Orange County Grand Jury at www.sanclementetimes.com.

—David Zimmerle

T Street Overpass Makeover City Council voted unanimously to hire R.J. www.danapointtimes.com

Bullard Construction, Inc. providing for the Coastal Trail Trafalgar Pedestrian Overpass Rehabilitation in the amount of $457, 710.

The current T Street overpass was constructed in 1981 with the last major repair work performed on the overpass in the early 1990s. Due to exposure to the highly corrosive ocean environment and continuous public foot traffic, the overpass is in need of repairs.

The overpass will be open most weekends throughout December, January and February. It will closed Mondays through Fridays and on three weekends during those months, according to project engineer David Rebensdorf. However, there will be several signs directing beachgoers to alternate points of access. Work could begin as early as December 1 and wrap by March 1. —DZ

Taste of San Clemente Set for November 5 The 20th Annual Taste of San Clemente will be held at Talega Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 5 featuring an impressive lineup of restaurants, beer and wine establishments. Attendees will enjoy a wine tasting from area vineyards, a sampling of microbrews and either an engraved, limited addition “Taste of San Clemente” wine glass or beer mug.

The Taste will include dancing under the stars to the fabulous Corvettes—one of Southern California’s favorite show bands.

The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and tickets are $75 per person, including valet parking. Tickets will not be available at the door.

For more tickets and information, including a list of participating restaurants, contact the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce at 949.492.1131 or visit www.scchamber.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Car Dealership Will Get Up to $5 Million from City San Juan Capistrano will give the TuttleClick Automotive Group as much as $5

million to open up a Ford dealership on the highly visible site of two closed auto sales lots. The City Council, acting as the redevelopment agency, agreed to the deal Tuesday night.

Tuttle-Click will open quickly in the existing Ford lot next to Costco, but move from there by March as Costco expands. TuttleClick will move to the closed Nissan and Chrysler lots on Camino Capistrano, selling the southern-most 2 acres to Capistrano Toyota, which needs more space to store new cars.

The redevelopment agency will give TuttleClick $3 million when it opens, then $2 million in installments based on the sales-tax the dealership generates. The deal is set up so that property taxes from the redevelopment agency pay the dealership, allowing the city to keep all of the sales-tax. —Jonathan Volzke

Ricardo’s Place Named Business of the Year Not only does Ricardo Beas own Ricardo’s Place, which received the Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” award, but Beas also has two other restaurants: La Cocina de Ricardo in Lake Forest, and El Paso Café near San Jose.

Plus, Beas and his wife Rosa strongly believe in the importance of community, and are involved in various efforts trying to make San Juan Capistrano a healthier and more vibrant town.

Both Ricardo and Rosa are dedicated to helping children in their community become leaders and examples. They are both on the Board of Directors for ATLAS, a youth soccer program, Friends of the Library and the Capistrano Community Mariachi Program.

“In every neighborhood there is a need. Be involved,” said Rosa Beas, who encourages each culture to take ownership of their heritage while working together with others.

The Ceja family, creators of the Mariachi Program, is taking this advice to heart, as they are not only teaching musical skills and cultural heritage, but forming good citizens and role models through the process.

The mariachi players, some as young as 9 years old, play every Sunday afternoon at Ricardo’s Place to earn money for uniforms or transportation to competitions and concerts.

This band keeps kids off the streets and gives them something fun and productive to do while boosting their self esteem and giving back to the community with their musical talents.

Corazones Alegres, a folklore dancing group founded by the community group CREER, will also be performing at Ricardo’s Place. While a fundraising opportunity for these kids, it’s also a show the rest of us get to enjoy on Saturday nights.

“Connecting people and supporting causes and programs is Ricardo and Rosa’s vision and passion,” said Richard Ybarra, CREER’s executive director in San Juan Capistrano.

Ybarra said Ricardo and Rosa Beas “bridge gaps, bring opportunities, and create positive community.”

While Beas is attentive to the future of the youth, he also possesses a business savvy which has served him well and which he utilizes to give back to the community.

Ricardo’s Place used to be called Pete and Clara’s many years ago, and Beas was a 14year-old dishwasher for the café. He decided he wanted to own his own restaurant, and now owns the same building he used to wash dishes in, along with starting dozens of other restaurants with his family.

“With his wealth of knowledge and passion for connecting people, Beas is a tremendous asset to our community,” said Neil O’Connor, owner of O’Connor Mortuary and Chamber Board member for the past four years.

If you know Ricardo long enough, he will inevitably introduce you to “someone you should know,” keeping the community connected, vibrant, moving forward.

He said he’s humbled, though, by the honor given to him by the Chamber. “I’m just doing what everybody should be doing. It can help business by helping other people,” he explained among the clatter of dishes and customers in his Camino Capistrano restaurant. “But in the end, it helps everybody.”

—Kirsten Amavisca Sacher

October 22–28, 2010 • Dana Point Times • Page 9

Eye on DP

News Bites

Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching will host a Halloween Boo Cruise on Friday, October 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Twenty-minute haunted harbor cruises will depart every 20 minutes. Every cruise will be a Halloween costume contest. Tickets are $3 per person and reservations are not required. For more information, log on to www.danawharf.com.

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Compiled by Andrea Swayne

Props, Recognitions and Morsels of Info Aventura Sailing and Yacht Club is set to host the 2nd Annual Dana Point Harbor Walk for the Cure to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation on October 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will feature two walking routes to choose from. Route No. 1 is a 1.5-mile walk around the island. Route No. 2 is a 4-mile island and harbor walk. No streets will be crossed with the one exception of the island harbor bridge. Pets are welcome too!

With the suggested donation of $15 or more, participants will receive an official walker’s pink necklace or pin, which will also allow walkers to receive free admission to the Ocean Institute on the day of the event. Children are free with a donating adult.

Donation checks payable to “Aventura Sailing Club” should be sent or taken to Aventura Sailing Club at 24707 Dana Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629, attention Johanna. Please write the word “Komen” in the memo area of the check.

Team Leaders and helpers are still needed, now and on the day of the event.

For more information or to become an event volunteer, write dpwalkforthecure@aol.com or call Johanna 949.481.2235 because, as a team, we will make a difference!

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The Toll Roads announced on Monday that they are offering a $30 toll credit to customers who open a new FasTrak® account from now through Nov. 7.

Thirty dollars in tolls equals up to 15 trips on the 241 Toll Road from Rancho Santa Margarita to Irvine. Or, up to eight trips on the 73 Toll Road from San Juan Capistrano to Costa Mesa.

Both trips take about 15 minutes.

“This special offer is great for people who may have wanted to try FasTrak® but were hesitant to convert from cash,” said Joyce Hill, deputy director of Customer Service for The Toll Roads. “Giving new customers a few free trips is our way of thanking them for paying with FasTrak®. The more they drive, the more money they save and the more they will love the time they save.”

FasTrak® lets customers drive every toll road and bridge in California without stopping to pay a toll; tolls are automatically deducted from their pre-paid accounts. FasTrak® drivers save money at every pay point on The Toll Roads, usually $.25 to $.75 compared to the cash toll.

Those savings add up fast, topping $100 or more a year for the average user.

For more information or to sign up for FasTrack®, log on to www.thetollroads.com.

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The next Dana Point Historical Society meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27, 7 p.m. at the Dana Hills Tennis Center 24911 Calle de Tenis, near the intersection of Golden Lantern and Del Avion.

The program titled, Orange County’s Real Stories: Connecting the Dots for Visitors, will be led by speaker Bonnie Brittain Hall who is the coordinator of the new OC Cultural and Heritage Tourism Initiative.

The Initiative will be explained by Hall, followed by an open discussion about what historical sites or happenings, correctly packaged, could draw visitors to the local area. She is also a member of the Orange County Tourism Council.

Brittain asks: “How can we deepen the experience of all visitors by packaging and linking Orange County’s unique assets and authentic background stories more effectively?”

For more information, log on to the Historical Society website at www.danapointhistorical.org.

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Calling All Golfers! Join Sunsets Capo Beach 2nd Annual Golf Classic on November 3 at the San Juan Hills Golf Club to Benefit the Dana Point 5th Marine Support Group.

Proceeds from the event will be used to defray the cost of our 5th Marines’ 235th Marine Corps Birthday Ball Celebration scheduled for November 10 at the Laguna Cliffs Marriot Resort.

The complete Golfer-Tournament Package is $100 per player and includes: 18 holes of golf at the San Juan Hills Golf Club in San Juan Capistrano, a Bloody Mary bar, continental breakfast, BBQ box lunch, raffle prizes and an awards buffet dinner at Sunsets Bar and Grill.

Golfers that wish to register or for those that would like to sponsor a golf hole, call Ken Moon with Sunsets Bar and Grill at 949.276.8880 or visit the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group’s web site to download the golf registration forms at www.DanaPoint5thMarines.com. Send your enrollment form to Sunsets, 34700 Pacific Coast Hwy, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. For additional information, please contact Dana Point 5th Marine Support Group President Pete Hammer at 949.378.7984 or via email at supportrmarines@cox.net or Alan Wickstrom, Director and Publicity Chair, 949.842.0594, alan@BuildingOnline.com. u

Vista Del Mar Middle School PTA presents a free Parent Education Night titled, How to Promote Kindness and Compassion at School with guest speaker Dr. Jerry Weichman Ph.D. The event will take place on Thursday, October 28 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the school multi-purpose room.

Attendees will: • Learn about the day-to-day pressures students face as they try to succeed socially.

• Learn how to deal with behind-the-scenes social drama.

• Learn tools and strategies for parents and teens to deal with bullying and social conflict.

Dr. Weichman has spent the last 12 years specializing in adolescents and parenting adolescents. In addition to his private practice, he is also a teen motivational speaker, parent educator, television news expert and the author of the book, How to Deal.

Vista Del Mar Middle School is located at 1130 Avenida Talega in San Clemente.

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The San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter will be holding a low-cost canine licensing and vaccination clinic on Wednesday, November 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bordatella and DHLP vaccines will be available for $10 each, rabies for $5 and microchip identification for $35. All licensing late fees will be waived.

The shelter is also in need of plastic dog crates of all sizes, but especially large. All donations will be much appreciated and are tax deductible.

The San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter is located at 221 Avenida Fabricante in San Clemente. Please call 949.492-1617 for more information and licensing prices.

The Surfrider Foundation South OC Chapter and Surfrider Foundation High School Clubs will host the Halloween Bash Teen Dance and Costume Party on October 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Aliso Creek Inn in Laguna Beach. Student club members get in free.

Non-member admission is $15. Student ID and parent permission form are required. Contact Denise Erkeneff at denisedd@cox.net for more information.

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The Dana Point Library presents a Halloween Magic Show on October 30 at 11 a.m. starring Count Dave the Silly Vampire. Dave Skale is full of amusing tricks and treats for the whole family. Admission is free. Come in costume if you dare and be part of their annual costume parade. The Dana Point Library is located at 33841 Niguel Road. For more information call 949.496.5517 or log on to www.ocgov.com.

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Please join the Pet Project Foundation for an evening of FUNdraising under the stars at their annual event, A Tail of Two Cities. This year’s event dubbed, “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs,” benefiting the animals in the care of the pro-humane San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter, will be held at the Talega Golf Club in San Clemente on Saturday, November 6. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and the silent auction will begin at 4 p.m. in the courtyard. Guests will be serenaded by “Sounds of Paradise” while shopping a select group of artists and vendors, right in time for the holidays. Dinner will follow and the evening will conclude with a live auction.

The annual event raises much-needed funds for the homeless and abandoned animals of our communities. PPF is committed to returning these animals to their homes or caring for them until they are able to find them a new foreverfamily, however long it may take. Funds raised provide shelter, food, veterinary care, kennel attendants, dog trainer and community programs such as spay and neuter and Third Chance, a program that rescues dogs from overcrowded and high-kill shelters.

Sponsorships are vital to the success of this fundraiser, so please consider becoming either an individual or business sponsor. Sponsors will receive recognition in the program, on the website and newsletter mailed to over 4,000 PPF members. Donations for the silent auction are also needed and much appreciated.

New this year is the Golf Ball Copter Drop.

Opportunity tickets can be purchased for a chance to win a $1500 AAA Travel gift card. The golf ball that lands closest to the hole wins— need not be present to win. Tickets are one for $10 and 3 for $25.

PPF will also hold its 1st Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, November 4. If you love to play golf, why not do it for the animals? Just don’t get caught in the “ruff”!

For information about becoming a sponsor/donor and/or purchasing tickets to this event, golf ball drop or golf tournament, please go to www.petprojectfoundation.org or call 949.595.8899.

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Have something interesting for the community?

The Ocean Institute at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, presents Tidepool Terrors, a familyfriendly Halloween event on Saturday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can trick-or-treat through the Ocean Institute, listen to a scary story told by a pirate ghost and make a creepy critter craft. Explore the spooky science labs including Tidepool Terrors (how tidepool creatures camouflage), Vampires of the Deep (deep-sea adaptations) and the Ghastly Goo Science Lab (ocean conservation). Cost is included with regular weekend admission price of $4.50 for kids, $6.50 for adults and free to members. Kids in costume are also free and eligible for the Kids’ Costume Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the Scariest, Best Ocean-themed, and Most Eco-friendly costumes. For more information, log on to www.ocean-institute.org or call 949.496.2274.

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Page 10 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. Forward a picture along, too!

We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com. www.danapointtimes.com

SOAPBOX

2

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

DP

D a n a Po i nt

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

HOW TO REACH US Editor Stories, News, CALENDAR, etc.

Andrea Swayne, 949.388.7700, x113 aswayne@danapointtimes.com Advertising Print and Online

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Andrea Swayne, 949.388.7700, x113 aswayne@danapointtimes.com Billing Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Times, Vol. 3, Issue 43. The DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.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 2010. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Group Editor, Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Jonathan Volzke City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne City Reporter, SC Times > David Zimmerle ART/Design Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Heidi Mefferd

GUEST OPINION: By Mike Dunbar, General Manager, South Coast Water District

Tunnel Vision T

here is a little-known secret in South Orange County that has a big impact on Dana Point.

A two-mile-long tunnel inside the ocean bluffs of South Laguna contains a sewer line that transports wastewater from Niguel Shores, Monarch Bay, Monarch Beach, the Headlands and other communities in northern Dana Point for treatment—about 730,000 gallons of wastewater a day.

In total, the pipeline in the tunnel conveys 1.1 million gallons of wastewater daily to a South Coast Water District sewer lift station adjacent to Aliso Creek. Two-thirds of the wastewater originates in northern Dana Point. From there, it’s pumped to the Coastal Treatment Plant for processing.

The tunnel was originally hand-dug and blasted from the bluffs in 1954. At that time, there were very few homes on the bluffs, and the communities of Monarch Bay and Niguel Shores were not built. Over the years, as more homes and people arrived, the original 21-inch pipeline was replaced with a 24-inch line.

Thanks to the foresight of the early customers, officials and staff of South Coast Water District, the tunnel has required very little major rehabilitation over the years. The wastewater flows by gravity in the pipeline—eliminating the need for several sewer lift stations along the coast from Three Arch Bay to Aliso Beach.

Now, 56 years later, the support timbers in the tunnel are deteriorating and the earth and rock walls are crumbling. On average, the tunnel is five-to-six feet tall and wide; perhaps, people were smaller and shorter back when the tunnel was built than they are today. With 10-inch wooden beams protruding into the tunnel and the 24-inch pipeline running down the middle, there is not much room to maneuver.

Given the small size and weakening condition of the tunnel, maintenance workers are at risk of injury and the pipeline is

at risk of breaking and causing a sewer spill. To date, no workers have been injured and no sewer spills have occurred in the tunnel. We wish to keep that track record.

In 2007, a short section of the tunnel was enlarged and stabilized, and the pipeline in it encased in concrete. That project cost approximately $5 million.

Mike Dunbar Today, the District’s tunnel engineering firm has estimated that the remainder of the tunnel rehabilitation (about 10,000 feet) would cost approximately $45 million. We are now in the midst of planning this critical multi-year project.

This project is one of the most important and far reaching that the District will undertake. A break in the pipeline due to falling rocks or timber or the collapse of the tunnel would not only interrupt service to thousands of customers but would be a catastrophic environmental disaster. Millions of gallons of wastewater would cause untold environmental damage to beaches and the ocean and spoil the Marine Life Refuge Area directly offshore.

The rehabilitated tunnel will be no “Taj Mahal,” as has been described by some, nor will it be large enough “to drive a truck through.” We must enlarge the tunnel due to the soil geology of the area to ensure we reach solid rock. The stabilized tunnel will be approximately 7-and-a-half feet in diameter—possibly larger in some sections. Certainly, no truck would fit through a 7-and-a-half-foot or even a 9-foot diameter tunnel that has a 24-inch sewer line running through it.

Some have questioned the cost and financing of the project. In addition to reserves and operating revenues, proceeds from the recent sale of District bonds will pay for a

Letters to the Editor Slanderous Lies Mailed to Dana Point Bob and Susan Howard, Dana Point

It’s the most despicable, sleazy, slanderous political mailout we’ve ever seen in this city, and we’ve lived here since 1982. We refer to the “Water Boarding/Torture” postcard sent out about Richard Dietmeier who is running for re-election to the South Coast Water Board. (He has been South Coast Water District Director for eight years and Board President for three.)

The piece refers to “Water Boarding” and uses images and words about torture. The quotes used on the postcard are shamefully and purposefully taken out of context to mislead and confuse. How low can you go? What do terror and torture have to do with running for a Water Board?

This has been done by someone to impugn Dietmeier’s reputation as a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines who served in Viet Nam, an honest and avid city activist and, a Water Board member who has effected great changes to ensure Page 12 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

the safety of our water supply and its affordability.

We have known and worked with Dietmeier on a number of city issues through the years. He is thorough, energetic and honest. No one can touch him when it comes to his depth of knowledge on water issues. He is passionate about keeping our pipes in repair, diversifying water supplies, zero sewer spill policy, developing new revenue sources to keep our rates down and keeping Water Board meetings open and above board.

Mailed from San Juan Capistrano, it is pure character defamation—a cruel, sordid and distorted message utilizing dehumanizing words and symbols. This election is being held for a position in Dana Point where we don’t and shouldn’t tolerate these types of tactics. These slithery types should keep out of our city politics.

Ignore this trash. Vote for Richard Dietmeier November 2.

Third on the ballot—first on water.

(Cont. on page 16)

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> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

INTERNS Kirsten Amavisca Sacher, Madi Swayne

> Sergio Sanchez (San Juan Capistrano) Sales Associate > Angela Edwards > Buddy Purel OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, George Mackin, Rebecca Nordquist CONTRIBUTORS Tawnee Prazak, Christina Scannapiego

Online Reader Poll Have you found the question and answer articles in the DP Times about local candidates helpful in deciding who you will vote for on November 2?

Yes. I have found them very helpful.

100% No. They have no bearing on my vote.

0% Make sure to sound off each week on the “DP Times Poll of the Week” at www.danapointtimes.com. Then go to our community Message Board and share your opinions. www.danapointtimes.com. Bookmark it today!

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portion of the estimated $45 million project. Additional bonds would be sold in the future.

Bond financing is a long-term funding mechanism that spreads costs to future customers.

Since the rehabilitated tunnel is expected to last 80-plus years, it would not be reasonable to ask current customers to pay for the entire cost of the project.

The District has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the tunnel project, and it’s on our website (scwd.org). We released the DEIR for public comment, hosted a community forum, held a public hearing, received comments, and are now responding to them for Board consideration. The District’s Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on certification of the DEIR in November.

District staff would be happy to meet with customers and groups to discuss in further detail this project which is critical to Dana Point and to the entire service area. Please call us at 949.499.4555, ext. 0.

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are solely those of the guest columnist and may or may not be shared by the Dana Point Times staff. We appreciate, however, their willingness to share their views, and we invite responses to be sent to letters@danapointtimes.com.

CORRECTIONS City Campaign Spending Article Contained an Error In the second paragraph of the article, “What’s Up With...City Campaign Spending Reports? “ in the DP Times, (October 15-21, 2010, Vol. 3, Issue 42), an error was made in which the name “Bishop” erroneously appeared where the name “Bartlett” should have been. The corrected sentence should have appeared as follows: “Lisa Bartlett reported total contributions, including monetary and nonmonetary contributions and loans of $7,172—$5,000 came from a loan from Bartlett to her own campaign and the largest outside contribution came from Herbert Sato in the amount of $500.” The sentence in the print edition contained an unfortunate typo and read: “...$5,000 came from a loan from Bishop to her own campaign...” We regret any inconvenience or misunderstanding this may have caused. Sincere apologies go out to both Lisa Bartlett and Joel Bishop for the error.

Kenny Williams of Kenny’s Music In an article titled, “Blooming With Talent” that appeared in the DP Times (Oct. 8-14, 2010, Vol. 3, Issue 41), Kenny’s Music owner Kenny Williams was mistakenly referred to as Kenny Morris. Our sincere apologies go out to Kenny Williams. www.danapointtimes.com

SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: By Jim Miller

Good News from the Water’s Edge I

n the recent article titled, “Not at the Expense of Boaters!”

by Barbara Merriman, (DP Times Oct. 8-14, 2010, Vol. 3, Issue 41) opinions were published, but not all the facts. Information was either left out or misrepresented. My intention is to make sure that the readership is correctly educated on the issues regarding the Harbor Revitalization, which affects so many.

My name is Jim Miller, and most of you know me as the owner of the Coffee Importers in the Dana Point harbor for the past 31 years. You may be aware that I am an avid supporter of the Harbor Revitalization Plan, however, what you may not know, is that I have been working on this plan since the very first meeting in 1997.

I have been in attendance for every public hearing, community workshop, Orange County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings, City of Dana Point Planning Commission hearings and Council meetings, and never missed a California Coastal Commission hearing regarding the harbor. Altogether, the meetings and hearings I have attended regarding this issue are well over 130 in total, and have spanned 13 years. I feel that such involvement gives me the credibility to make sure this plan is correctly represented in local publications.

On October 13, 2010, the California Coastal Commission passed unanimously the Land Use Plan (LUP) for the Dana Point Harbor. I would like to be able to say that it’s a time to celebrate, but we still have a long way to go before the revitalization is a reality.

As for the article, I would like to clear up some facts that in my opinion were either left out of the article, and/or misrepresented.

First, the United Harbor Merchants, of which I am one of the founders and currently President, has never been involved in any action regarding the harbor revitalization. This association should not have been mentioned in the article, because it is a small collective bargaining organization that represents a voice for the small merchant within the harbor. There are 30 harbor merchants as members. The Dana Point Harbor Association (DPHA) which is actually an association made up of merchants and boating-related businesses for the purpose of marketing the Dana Point Harbor and has had no involvement in any action regarding the harbor revitalization. The Dana Point Boater’s Association (DPBA) has been a positive influence over the years, working with the revitalization plan, making sure that the boater’s rights are heard and repre-

sented while still compromising with the commercial needs. And for the record, the “Dana Point Boater’s Association” (DPBA) has expelled the current leader of “Boaters for Dana Point Harbor” (B4DPH) from the DPBA. Second, the article never mentions the group “Dana Point Harbor Now,” (DPHN) except in a small fact box to the Jim Miller side. In the aforementioned fact box, it is misrepresented as a “merchant association” which it is not.

“Dana Point Harbor Now” (DPHN) is a broad, communitybased organization supporting the harbor revitalization. I wonder why a group that represents at least 2,400 people that support the revitalization of the Dana Point Harbor was entirely left out of the article. I personally would like to thank the supporters of Dana Point Harbor Now. They now have an approved Land Use Plan that will guide the revitalization for the future, and that’s a big deal, so thanks to the members of DPHN. Third, is this idea that the harbor is for boaters. The fact is that the commercial core (part of the harbor that involves business; i.e. restaurants, gift shops, sport fishing, etc.) will have a smaller ecological footprint after the revitalization than today, only representing 6 percent of the entire harbor.

I understand and support the idea that the harbor is about boating and the boaters, however, the harbor has over two million visitors a year that not only watch the boats from the water’s edge and stroll around the harbor, but also shop and dine in Dana Point harbor. All these people should have the right to use the harbor just like the 2,400 boat slip owners and the 18,000 boaters that launch boats from the harbor annually. On any given day, there could be thousands of people using the landside commercial core, while only a few hundred are using their boats.

I don’t know about you, but I’m okay with 6 percent of the harbor being developed as the commercial core, leaving 94 percent of the harbor dedicated to other community uses as well as boaters and boater’s services, how much more do the boaters need?

Lastly are the building heights that as Ms. Merriman stated will “take away space for boaters.” Currently in the Dana Point harbor we have buildings that are 35-40 feet in height. Above the harbor we have the Marriott Hotel at 55 feet and the Holiday Inn around the corner is 50 feet. The

Land Use Plan limits four buildings (yes just four) in the commercial core to 60 feet while allowing dry boat storage, which is only used by boaters, to be at 65 feet in height, giving them more space. Why oppose the heights for the commercial core when the height for dry boat storage is even higher?

Lowering the heights of the buildings won’t give them any more space for boating than they already have. The new commercial core design is dramatically smaller, even with the height extension, than the existing space taken up by shops and restaurants at this current date. What Ms. Merriman failed to mention is that with the new harbor plan, there will be an additional 425 parking spaces added; in the boat launch ramp area, the vehicle-with-trailer parking (specifically catered to boaters) will be expanded with more spaces and larger spaces; and designated boater parking is protected—exactly what the B4DPH wants. I don’t think that 6 percent of the harbor being used for commercial purposes is asking for much, when boaters are clearly being considered and catered to in the new plans.

If we are not careful, this boater group, “Boaters for Dana Point Harbor” (B4DPH), will stop the improvements that we have all worked so hard for over the past 13 years. We want to make changes that will be an improvement for all, not just the boaters, but for the businesses and the harbor visitors, and we feel that the new plan is a great compromise for all involved.

I ask for your support for this much needed revitalization, and thank those who have continually supported us the past 13 years for their much needed input. If you’re interested in joining Dana Point Harbor Now, please check out the website and video for more information at www.danapointharbornow. org. Educate yourselves on the plans for change in your community, get involved, and don’t let those with obstructionist attitudes have any more power than they already have.

Jim Miller owns Coffee Importers at the OC Dana Point Harbor. He also serves as President of the Dana Point Harbor Association, President of the United Harbor Merchants and is a founding member of Dana Point Harbor Now. PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are solely those of the guest columnist and may or may not be shared by the Dana Point Times staff. We appreciate, however, their willingness to share their views, and we invite responses to be sent to letters@danapointtimes.com.

Letters to the Editor (cont.)

Customer Service by Richard Dietmeier Catherine Milligan, Capistrano Beach

My name is Catherine Milligan and I own The Best Framing and Design business in Capistrano Beach. Several years ago when I moved my business to its present location, my very first water bill seemed exceedingly large. I was fortunate to meet Director Dietmeier who was out and about in the community. Following our conversation, he referred me to the District’s head of customer service. I spoke to her and received both excellent customer service and a lower water bill as well. Without Richard Deitmeier’s personal assistance, I am not sure that I would have had the issue resolved so quickly.

We need more Directors like Dietmeier to represent us on the South Coast Water District.

My Votes Go to Those Attacked by Smear Campaigns Mark Ellis, Dana Point

After receiving robo-calls and mailers smearing Dana Point’s Lisa Bartlett and Richard Dietmeier and suggesting we should vote them out of office without mention of any better qualified candidates, I did an online search and found that the same group is also sending mailers smearing candidates in other cities. The current Mayor of San Juan Lon Uso has also been smeared and suggested he is unfit for his job. One address listed on a smear mailer is the office of John Taylor who is running for city council in San Juan. The mailers and calls are being paid for by a group currently calling themselves Page 16 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

“Taxpayers for Safer Neighborhoods.” I found information that lists the treasurer as Barrett Garcia with a mailing address in San Juan. His is also connected to another group called “Citizens for a Safe and Prosperous America” who have sent mailers and paid for TV smear ads against Liberal candidates in just about every city. These groups are also connected with James Lacy a long time conservative activist and lawyer for the Minutemen. The names of these groups and others they are affiliated with all sound fantastic and patriotic in name but are very unpatriotic in nature. The group’s names seem to change with each new election cycle and don’t declare who is funding them or which candidates they support. It seems unlikely that any candidate in the running would actually claim an association with them. So, as of now, I will be voting for the candidates who they are attempting to smear.

Dear Board of Trustees: Teachers Will Not Be Bullied Sarah Fontanes, CUSD teacher

I am not one to usually write this type of letter. I am usually the one that sits back and, shamefully, let others take the front seat. I have a laid back attitude about most things. But, I have found myself in a situation where I have to speak up not only for myself, but for my wonderful colleagues. I am a teacher in Capo Unified. I have been for 14 years. I love my job! I get to teach children how to write their names, how to count, and how to read. I will teach them to tie their shoe if that’s what they need. I will teach

them when to say please and thank you, and when to use their words when they are frustrated. I teach them how to make friends, and how to keep friends. I simply listen when they come to school crying that mommy or daddy moved out and “they are not coming back.” I teach them about patience and understanding. How to respect others and how to respect the earth. When they scrape their knee on the playground I give them a band-aid and a hug. I do these things because I care. So, how dare you BOT try to tell me what my “worth” is. You think that you have the students’ best interest at heart by the decisions you are making don’t you? Fast forward 5, 10, 15 years from now. If you walk down the street and pass right by one of Capo’s amazing students they will not recognize your face or know your name. But, I guarantee in 20 years time I, or any other teacher, walks down that same street and sees a past student they will not only remember our face and probably our name, but will remember the impact WE had on their lives. That is how I judge my “self worth.” Not by the pay that I receive or the medical benefits that I have. Go ahead and sit in your little cushy chairs and have your secret meetings about how you will divide and conquer. It will not work! The teachers of this district will not be bullied. That is one of our district policies isn’t it: Zero tolerance! So, pack up your bags of propaganda and your wagging fingers and go elsewhere because you have picked the wrong district to mess with!

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@danapointtimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

DP

D a n a Po i nt

The List

A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town this week. Compiled by Tawnee Prazak

friday22 forecast: partly cloudy • high: 61° low: 53°

Justin Taylor Band

9 p.m.-1 a.m. Live dance music every Friday & Saturday at Brio Tuscany Grille. 24050 Camino Del Avion, Monarch Beach, 949.443.1476, www.briorestaurant.com.

The Blasters

Go See Do

It’s creepy and it’s kooky, mysterious and spooky, it’s altogether ooky, it’s the Doheny Halloween Haunt! The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) is hosting the 17th Annual Doheny Halloween Haunt on Saturday, October 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive . This fun and educational event encompasses the magic and mystery of Halloween with the atmosphere of an old-time traveling carnival.

Delight in the many booths designed to educate visitors about the “scary” world of spiders, bats, sharks, state park ghost towns and much more. After taking in the fun and informational mini lesson at each booth, visitors are asked a question pertaining to the subject and are awarded a token for a correct answer.

Doheny State Beach Haunted Campground

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Doheny transforms part of the campground into a spooky area, with an array of educational booths, crafts, a Fun Zone and other activities. Free admission, but a donation of one non-perishable food item per person is appreciated. Dress up! Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, www.danapoint.org.

You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown 8 p.m. Charlie Brown and the gang come to life at Cabrillo Playhouse. Performances through Oct. 24. Tickets $15-$25.

202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

Hoptoberfest

12 p.m.-10 p.m. Beer festival at Pizza Port. $30 entry gets you lots of good stuff. 301 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.940.0005, www.pizzaport.com.

8 p.m. Rockabilly band at The Coach House also with Wayne The Train Hancock, and Michael and the Lonesome Playboys. Tickets $18. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

Judy Collins

Ocean Adventure Cruise

The Woman In Black

4 p.m.-6 p.m. Search for blue whales any day of the week with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. Tickets $29. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

Haunt at Heritage Hill

5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-fun evening of ghostly entertainment featuring a haunted house, mazes, music and screenings of classic scary movies at Heritage Hill in Lake Forest. 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, 949.923.2230, www.ocparks.com/heritagehill.

Jumping Jack Flash

8 p.m.-11 p.m. Ultimate tribute to the Rolling Stones at Renaissance. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.renaissance-danapoint.com.

Riverbench Vineyards Wine Tasting

5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. San Clemente Wine Company welcomes Laura Mohseni of Riverbench Vineyards who has promised to bring some winery-only, new releases. $15 for seven wines with cheese, crackers & chocolate. 212 1/2 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com.

I Loved Lucy

8 p.m. A story of Lucille Ball’s life told by one of her closest friends at the Laguna Playhouse. $30-$45. 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787, www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

saturday23 forecast: partly cloudy • high: 63° low: 52°

Dana Point Farmers Market

9 a.m.–1 p.m. Fresh produce and much more every Saturday at La Plaza Park, intersection of PCH and Golden Lantern.

Vesper

8 p.m.-11 p.m. Great live music at Renaissance. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.renaissance-danapoint.com.

Page 18 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

8 p.m. Female folk icon at The Coach House. Tickets $39.50.

33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

8 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse presents a ghostly play just in time for Halloween. Shows through Oct. 31. Tickets $18.

31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Community Recycling Event

7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dana Point hosts a cleanup at Dana Hills High School and Palisades Elementary School. Bring bulky and large items such as furniture, as well as florescent lights, batteries and more. Call 949.248.3571 for list of accepted items. 55555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, www.danapoint.org.

Doheny Halloween Haunt Tokens can then be redeemed for treats like popcorn, cookies, face painting, temporary tattoos and carnival style games. The event also features a spooky walk, arts and crafts center, fortune tellers and plenty of great photo opportunities.

Admission is free, but the DSBIA asks that attendees donate one can or box of non-perishable food items per person to Photo by Sara Borman benefit local charities. Through Halloween Haunt, Doheny State Beach has donated more than three tons of food over the past 16 years.

The Halloween Haunt is spooky, kooky and ooky; but not too frightening for the little ones. So get the whole crew dressed up and head on out for some great family-friendly fun.

For more information, log on to www.dohenystatebeach.org or call 949.496.2704. —AS

Danman’s Kid’s Concert

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Special performance at Renaissance.

24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.renaissance-danapoint.com.

Hunger Walk

1 p.m. Family Assistance Ministries presents a benefit 5K walk to raise funds for local families in need; held at the SC Community Center. 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.8477, www.san-clemente.org.

Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead

12 p.m.-5 p.m. Annual “Celebration of Life and Family” with dance performances, live music, activities, displays and much more.

31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

Spookathon Dance Party

4 p.m.-7 p.m. Costume and dance party for kids age 2-12 at Casino San Clemente. Prizes, dancing, $3 dinner and snacks.

Free to attend. 140 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente.

Ukulele Night at Hulaville

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Bring your Ukulele or just come and sing along.

Every Sunday. 2720 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, 949.369.1905, www.hulavillecafe.com.

Bluegrass Brunch & Music

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Brunch at San Clemente’s newest bar and kitchen The Next Door, and starting at 11 a.m. is lively and harmonious bluegrass music. 647 Camino de los Mares, 949.940.8845, www.nextdoorsc.com.

Kids’ Fishing

12 p.m. Free fishing clinic on the dock followed by a half-day fishing trip for kids hosted by Dana Wharf every Sunday. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

Just Dave

monday25

Date Night

forecast: mostly cloudy • high: 69° low: 55°

7:30 p.m.-close. Live music at Mahe. 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.6243, www.eatatmahe.com.

9 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Romantic music, top-40 hits and rock at Brio Tuscany Grille. 24050 Camino del Avion, Suite B, Dana Point, 949.443.1476, www.briorestaurant.com.

Derek Bordeaux

9 p.m.-12 p.m. Top-40 hits with soul, funk and R&B at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

Sam Morrison

2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Live music at Swallow’s Inn; continues into the night starting at 8:30 p.m. with Swing Shift. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

sunday24 forecast: mostly sunny • high: 69° low: 55°

Jazz Brunch

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Live music at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

Red Ribbon Parade

4 p.m. Annual “Say No To Drugs” event for children and families featuring a parade, demonstrations and guest speakers starting at the top of Del Mar and concluding in the parking lot of the Library/Community Center. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.361.8386, www.san-clemente.org.

$5 Mondays

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Join SC Wine Company for happy hour featuring three wines for $5, glasses of selected wines for $5 and mugs of beer from $5 & up! 212 1/2 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com.

Smokey Karaoke

8 p.m. Sing fearlessly behind a cloud of smoke at BeachFire and enjoy Mojito Monday. No cover. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire.com.

Greg de Yong

7:30 p.m.-close. Live music at Mahe. 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.6243, www.eatatmahe.com.

(Cont. on page 20) www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT

DP Times Restaurant Spotlight

By Madi Swayne

El Maguey Express

RATE IT! Have you eaten at this restaurant?

31952 Del Obispo #110, San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.2457 BEST KNOWN FOR: Lengua, carne asada and carnitas tacos MOST POPULAR ITEM: Roast chicken served with beans, rice and tortillas

Go to www.danapointtimes.com

Since 1986, El Maguey Express has been serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week.

El Maguey Express, the smaller, quicker version of El Maguey (also in San Juan Capistrano), offers up a similar menu that features over a dozen varieties of tacos, among the many other authentic Mexican menu items. The tacos are served with fresh onions, cilantro and green salsa on top, and the most popular varieties include lengua (beef tongue), carne asada and carnitas. El Maguey Express offers everything a la carte, but also in larger family-sized quantities. The handmade tamales are sold by the dozen and can be ordered in advance and all of the meats can also be ordered by the pound. El Maguey Express serves breakfast all day including the popular machaca and eggs, as well as handmade chilaquiles. Everything is made on-site including the drinks. Aguas Frescas that include Jamaica, Tamarindo and Horchata are made fresh daily and so is the champurrado—a thickened hot chocolate spiced with anise and piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar)—a perfect treat in this cold and rainy winter weather.

El Maguey Express regular Rogelio keeps coming back for the chicken burrito. Photo by Madi Swayne

PRICE RANGE: $.92-$12.98 RESERVATIONS: Not necessary

PAYMENT: Cash, credit card HOURS: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. every day

and rate your overall experience.

We’ll post the results in next week’s issue of the DP Times.

Last week online voters gave

KoKoMo’s Pizza

½ 33495 Del Obispo, Dana Point, 949.488.0404 (Rated on a scale of 1–5 stars)

ABOUT OUR REVIEWS: In each issue we’ll highlight universally critical points including “Most Popular Dish,” “Best Known For” and “Price Range.” But most importantly, we’re inviting you to participate each week and rate the restaurant based on your experiences. Go to www.danapointtimes.com and under “Restaurant Guide” rate it from 1 to 5.

(Cont. from page 18)

tuesday26 forecast: sunny • high: 69° low: 53°

NIXON IN SAN CLEMENTE: THE WESTERN WHITE HOUSE YEARS

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Casa Romantica presents an exhibit featuring President Nixon memorabilia, stories, displays and much more. Runs through Nov. 2. $7 adults, $6 members, kids free. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

HAUNTED TALES: SEA TALES HALLOWEEN EDITION

9:45 a.m. Children will create their own spooky sea monster and take home a museum tote bag filled with tricks and treats. $3-$5.

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 600 East Bay Avenue, Newport Beach, 949.675.8915, www.nhnm.org.

thursday28 forecast: mostly sunny • high: 69° low: 54°

2-FOR-1 TUESDAYS

FOOD TRUCK & FARE THURSDAYS

COASTAL CRUISE DAY

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

COUNTRY DANCIN’

NIK & SAM

Half price on all fishing trips, whale watching and other adventures at Dana Wharf every Tuesday. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

8 p.m. Swallow’s Inn presents a new Tuesday-night special featuring live music and more beachy fun. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

7:30 p.m. Live country music and dance lessons with the Kelly Boyz at OC Tavern. Cover $5 before 9 p.m. 2369 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.542.8877, www.octavern.com.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. A variety of gourmet food trucks that changes weekly at the OC Fair & Event Center. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500, www.ocfair.com.

4 p.m. Dana Point Library offers after-school activities for kids ages 5 and older. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

6 p.m.-9 p.m. Acoustic duo at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT CAME TO TOWN

CHERYL SILVERSTEIN & JOHN PAUL KEENE

7 p.m. Casa Romantica presents a town hall-type panel discussion in conjunction with its “Nixon in San Clemente” exhibition.

General admission $7, members $6. Call for tickets. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

wednesday27

LADIES NIGHT

7:30 p.m. Female vocalist and pianist duo at Renaissance.

24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.renaissance-danapoint.com.

forecast: sunny • high: 70° low: 51°

ILLUSION AND FONDUE FUSION

5 p.m. Magicians stroll through the Melting Pot doing tricks during dinner. Features raffles, prizes and more. 647 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente, 949.661.1966, www.meltingpot.com.

8 p.m.–12 a.m. Dance the night away to current top-40 hits, Latin and R&B music at Brio Tuscany Grille. 24050 Camino del Avion, Suite B, Dana Point, 949.443.1476, www.briorestaurant.com.

7 WALKERS

8 p.m. The Coach House presents 7 Walkers featuring Bill Kreutzmann of The Grateful Dead, George Porter Jr., Papa Mali and Matt Hubbard. Tickets $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

BARRINGTON LEVY

8 p.m. Reggae icon performs at The Coach House. Tickets $25.

33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

OKTOBERFEST BEER THROWDOWN: STONE BREWERY VS WINE WAREHOUSE

5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. San Clemente Wine Company hosts its first Oktoberfest Throwdown, pitting two beer distributors against each other. Tasting fee is $15 for eight beers, plus tasty treats! 212 1/2 Avenida Del Mar, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com.

STORYTIME

10:30 a.m. Dana Point Library offers storytime for youngsters.

33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

Page 20 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

UPCOMING: OCTOBER 29

HALLOWEEN BOO CRUISE

5 p.m.-7 p.m. Dana Wharf hosts Haunted Harbor Cruises with departures every 20 minutes. Wear your favorite costume! Tons of great prizes and a costumer contest on every cruise! $3 per person. No reservations required. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com.

Have an event?

Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com

ON STAGE

Traditional Man Grammy finalist David Bromberg to play at The Coach House

D

avid Bromberg, a master practitioner of folk, blues, bluegrass and other musical genres, brings his quartet to the Coach House on Sunday, October 24.

Originally a “musthave” session man for everyone from Bob Dylan to Jay & the Americans, and subsequently a hard-touring bandleader and recording artist with an enthusiastic followCourtesy photo ing, Bromberg gradually phased himself out of the continual record-tour-record cycle in 1980 and decided to attend and graduate from the Kenneth Warren School of Violin Making. He continued to make the rounds and perform across the country and overseas and then decided it was time to record again. 2007’s Try Me One More Time—his newest CD in almost two decades—is filled with undiluted David: One man, one acoustic guitar, and a repertoire of mostly traditional material.

We caught up with the artist to see what the audience gets to look forward to at the upcoming show.

Have you performed at The Coach House in the past?

No, but I’ve played so many shows over the years that it’s possible.

What kind of set will the audience be in store for at The Coach House? I will be with my quartet, which includes myself, Robert Amiot, Mitch Corbin and new to the group, Nate Gower, who has replaced longtime band member Jeff Wisor, who is retiring after 29 years with me. I have never planned a set in my life so we usually decide just before we go on which song we’ll start with and then go from there. Sets are usually around 90 minutes.

Are you working on any new material at the moment?

Interestingly, yes. I am working on a new CD entitled Use Me. I’ve asked a number of my friends in the business to write songs for me and then produce them. I have been working with Los Lobos, Tim O’Brien, Dr. John, John Hiatt and so on.

I’ve done a lot of session work with many artists over the years and am calling on some of them now to help on this.

Since this is the only planned California show, get your tickets early, as they will go fast. Doors open at 5 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at The Coach House or online at www.thecoachhouse.com. For more information call 949.496.8930. DP —A.J. Bardzilowski www.danapointtimes.com

Locals Only

Business Directory The only directory featuring Dana Point businesses exclusively A L S O

O N L I N E

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

A T

W W W . D A N A P O I N T T I M E S . C O M

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING Jim Ettinger Design 949.246.0224 33742 Big Sur St., jimettingerdesign@cox.net Nona Associates - Raymond J. Nona A.I.A. 26901 Camino de Estrella, 949.496.2275 www.raynona.com

ATTORNEY James D. Hornbuckle, Esq. 949.499.7370 34204 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.dixonlawcorp.com

BEAUTY SALONS

EXTREME ROOM MAKE OVER IS YOUR HOUSE READY FOR HOLIDAY GUESTS? I WILL DO A ONE-DAY MAKEOVER ON ANY ROOM, ANY SIZE. I will Visit, Assess, Integrate, Rearrange and Shop. $595 Fee plus any Items purchased. Call now for the 10% off October SPECIAL!! Maureen B. Fletcher, BFA, 714.889.9597 Visit my website at: www.interiorconsultants.net Email: maureen@interiorconsultants.net

EMAIL MARKETING

Concept2Design Marketing Accurate Bookeeping 949.412.5345 www.concept2design.net lisathebookkeeper@yahoo.com

949.276.6921

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

CARPET CLEANING

ABC Signs & Embroidery Shop 34135 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. E, www.abcembroideryshop.com

949.248.1007

Christian Science Services 34102 La Plaza

949.661.3151

Organize/Simplify - Terri Hochman hochmans@cox.net

949.521.1632

Robert’s Professional Handyman Services Lic. # B853695

949.606.6425

HAIR SALONS

COFFEE SHOP

Creative Environments Construction 949.496.3728 Design & Build #464468

ICE CREAM Coffee Importers Scoop Deck 949.493.7773 34531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com

Insurance Services

COSMETICS

949.496.1900 Mary Kay Cosmetics & Career 949.248.2868 Patricia Powers Opportunities, Ind. Sales Director - Marline Adams, License#0737080, pat.powers@cox.net Statefarm/Elaine LaVine 949.240.8944 www.marykay.com/madams2 34080 Golden Lantern, www.elainelavine.net DENTISTS Ted Bowersox

949.661.3200 Dana Point Dental 949.661.5664 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 204, www.statefarm.com 34080 Golden Lantern, Ste 201, www.danapointdental.com

INTERIOR DESIGN

DOG GROOMING Dawgy Style 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. 112, www.todawgystyle.com

949.496.3315

949.248.1007

Surf Shops

Sunburst Landscaping 949.632.0081 949.661.4475 www.sunlandscape.webs.com 949.493.3670 Girl in the Curl Surf Shop 34116 Pacific Coast Hwy., www.girlinthecurl.com LOCKSMITH Infinity Surfboards 949.661.6699 Dana Point Lock & Security 949.496.6919 24382 Del Prado, www.infinitysurf.com Jack’s Surfboards

949.276.8080 34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jackssurfboards.com MUSIC INSTRUCTION Kenny’s Music & Guitars 949.661.3984 TUTORING 24731 La Plaza, www.kennysmusicstore.com 949.481.0481 Danman’s Music School 949.242.4431 English Tutoring by Susan Mathnasium 949.388.6555 24699 Del Prado, www.danmans.com 32411 Golden Lantern, Ste. Q, www.mathnasium.com

PET GROOMING

Dawgy Style 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy #112, www.todawgystyle.com

949.496.3315

Beach Cities Pizza

34473 Golden Lantern St. 34155 Pacific Coast Hwy.

949.496.0606 949.496.2670

Upholstery Dana Point Upholstery 949.240.2292 24402 Del Prado Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors 949.240.9569 34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jeddys.com

WINDOW CLEANING Bayside Window Cleaning 949.290.8230 www.baysidewindowcleaning.com Wonderful Windows 949.369.7263 www.wonderfulwindows.com

A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 www.atozleakdetection.com Window Coverings Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731 Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors 949.240.9569 34172 Doheny Park Road, www.chicksplumbing.com Mission Plumbing & Heating 949.492.4303 34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jeddys.com www.missionplumbingandheating.com

PRESCHOOLS

PRINT SHOP

Beacon Printing - Brad & Judy Brandmeier 24681 La Plaza, Ste. 125 949.661.3877 beaconprinting@sbcglobal.net

949.388.4888 949.496.1957 Printing OC 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com 949.489.1955 PSYCHOTHERAPY

Monarch Bay Haircutters 20 Monarch Bay Plaza Paragon Salon 34161 Pacific Coast Hwy. COMPUTER REPAIR & SERVICES Utopia Salon 949.661.1664 Barry 949.661.1664 San Clemente Computer & Network Services 949.231.9755 daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581 Gary 949.433.3960 Solution Tek-nologies 949.400.0080 Morgan 24582 Del Prado, #B, www.barrysutopia.com www.solutiontek-nologies.com Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 949.493.7773 34531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com

CONTRACTORs - GENERAL

LANDSCAPING/SPRINKLERS

ABC Signs & Embroidery Shop 34135 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. E, www.abcembroideryshop.com

Under-Wraps Gift Baskets 949.291.0300 San Clemente Preschool 949.498.1025 mariannedorsey@cox.net, 163 Avenida Victoria, www.giftbasketsbyunderwraps.com sanclementepreschool@gmail.com

HANDYMAN SERVICES

CLUTTER CONSULTANT

949.697.4517

Plumbing

FITNESS PROGRAMS

Capistrano Beach Steam Clean 949.240.5875 Fit Club - Boot Camp 949.831.7984 www.steamcleaningdanapoint.com www.afitclub.com Jazzercise, O.C. Sailing & Events Center CATERING 34451 Ensenada Place, 949.492.7817 Smokey’s House of BBQ 949.388.8102 www.danapointjazz.com 32860 Pacific Coast Hwy. #4, GIFT BASKETS www.SmokeysHouseofBBQ.com

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

Green Dump Truck www.greendumptruck.com

PIZZA

EMBROIDERY

CAFE - DELI

SIGNS

Junk Removal

Azalea Salon & Boutique 949.248.3406 24452 Del Prado Ave. Ste. A, www.azaleasalonandboutique.com Paragon Salon 949.489.1955 ELECTRICAL 34161 Pacific Coast Hwy. delta G electrical

949.360.9282 Salon Revelation - Dayna Dallas 949.248.8595 CA #657214, www.deltagelect.com 34192 Violet Lantern #2

Bookkeeping

ROOFING

Jeweler

949.246.7740 Dana Point Jeweler 949.489.1165 Capistrano Roofing, Inc. Lic# 936828, www.caporoofing.com 24845 Del Prado, www.danapointjeweler.com

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

Maureen B. Fletcher Interior Design 714.889.9597 www.interiorconsultants.net Norma Mardian Interior Design 949.492.6271 www.nminteriordesign.com

Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT 949.488.2648 33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL Prudential California Realty, Shirley Tenger www.tengerteam.com 949.487.7700 J. Hill & Associates 949.488.7653 34270 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. A, www.hillrealty.org Lantern Bay Realty 949.661.6441 34179 Golden Lantern, Ste. 103, www.lanternbayrealty.com

RESTAURANTS Agostino’s By The Sea 949.661.8266 34700 Coast Hwy., Ste 100, www.agostinosbythesea.com

Brio Tuscany Grille 949.443.1476 24050 Camino Del Avion, www.briorestaurant.com Jolly Roger Restaurant 949.496.0855 34661 Golden Lantern, www.aloharestaurants.com Smokey’s House of BBQ 949.388.8102 32860 Pacific Coast Hwy. #4, www.SmokeysHouseofBBQ.com

LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” This handy, cost-friendly, go-to reference tool keeps your business in front of potential customers 24/7.

Get your business listed today.

Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@danapointtimes.com.

DP S a n C le m e n te

D a n a Po i nt

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Classifieds

Submit your ad online at www.danapointtimes.com

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE SAT. OCT. 23 - 7 AM TO 12 NOON 21+ Families have donated clothing, household goods, furniture, etc. to raise money for the National Charity League. 33061 Esther Court, DANA POINT, (cross-streets Golden Lantern & Priscilla) GARAGE SALE SAT. OCT. 23, 2010, 8AM TO 3 PM @ 34801 Calle Loma, Capistrano Beach, Ca. Located 1 block up from Pines Park. Items include: plumbimg tools, pipe cutter and threader, excersize equipment, cloths, tools, misc. items.

HUGE MOVING/ESTATE SALE Enormous Talega Estate Sale starts 7:30am, Friday Oct. 22nd-Sunday Oct. 24th at 11 Via Andaremos San Clemente, CA x street Tierra Grande. Tons of great treasures-All Beautiful like new and brand new. Designer furniture-Full 6 pc. Bedroom set with detailed carved wood, Full 4 pc. Bedroom set, Dining Room set-106” table, 2 18” leaves, 8 upholstered chairs & 2 pc. lighted china cabinet with detailed carved wood, 4 pc. coffee table set, 3 pc. detailed carved wood & glass table set, Big Screen TV, SubZero Wine cooler & other electronics, tons of home decor & accessories, baskets, plants, decorative vines, full dish sets, pans, kitchen appliances, fine linens, pillows, designer men’s, women’s & teen clothing. Christmas decorations for yard. Hard cover book sets and DVD’s. Also, 2007 Suzuki Quad, new and like new safety gear, gear bags, helmets, boots etc. Endurance Treadmill, Vectra 1850 & Vectra AL gym set, golf clubs, lots of tools & garage items, Dewalt Pressure Washer 3750 PSI-4.0 GPM, garden accessories, yard tools and much much more....

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. No phone calls please.

MISC. EDUCATION SERVICES IN-HOME TEACHER I am credentialed and have a Masters Degree in Education. I will develop lessons for students based on their current needs. I have 10 years experience in all grade levels and a high success rate with student grade improvement even with the most reluctant learner. Excellent references upon request.

Call 949-363-8414.

DP TIMES CLASSIFIEDS ARE ONLINE! Submit an ad or browse current listings at www.danapointtimes.com

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

Then you need to be in the Dana Point Times. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 102

www.danapointtimes.com

October 22–28, 2010 • Dana Point Times • Page 23

DP LIVING

4

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

DP

SUDOKU

by Myles Mellor Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9X9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3X3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Last week’s solution:

SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION

D a n a Po i nt

See today’s solution in next week’s issue.

Starting Over Hurricane Victim Finds Reason to Smile in Dana Point Dentist’s Chair

By Christina Scannapiego Dana Point Times

W

hen Hurricane Katrina stormed through Jennie Mitchell’s hometown of Slidell, La., she—like so many others—lost everything. Texas-born Mitchell had already been through a divorce and was working as a nurse when the disaster took her third story home, uninsured for floods. Depressed, Mitchell took a leap of faith, jumped on a random bus and ended up in Dana Point. “I picked myself up and wanted to start over,” she said. The thing was, Mitchell, who’d had an aversion to dentists all her life, had experienced major dental problems for years and the situation was only getting worse. Most of her teeth were infected and decaying. Living on what very little money she had to her name, Mitchell couldn’t find work and attributed her unemployment to her smile—or lack thereof, rather. Luckily after shopping around to four or five different dental practices, she found Dana Point’s Lilian Cifarelli, DDS, who actually chose to handle her case pro bono.

“I fell in love with Jennie,” Cifarelli said.

Jennie Mitchell and the dentist that restored her smile, Dr. Lilian Cifarelli. Photo by Christina Scannapiego

“Every now and then I come across someone who really touches my heart. Jennie and I chose each other, in a way,” said Cifarelli, who has become known in the dental world for her philanthropic nature, having also contributed her services to Laura’s House women and children as well as Iraqi and Afghanistan vets.

“It was an easy choice. I didn’t have any second thoughts about it,” Cifarelli said of donating the $40,000 procedure to her new

patient. Cifarelli’s treatment plan didn’t even involve removable dentures—which is the solution most dentists had advised Mitchell to take on because of the difficulty of her case—but instead consisted of giving Mitchell an entirely permanent redesigned smile.

“Every tooth in my mouth was bad,” she said. “I didn’t want to smile. I didn’t like myself anymore.” Mitchell’s physical appearance due to the state of her teeth

began to rule her entire life: “I used to be the kind of person to walk down the street and talk to everyone but I started feeling like I was scaring kids.” And beyond her personal life, Mitchell felt as though she was unsuccessful in all of her job interviews for nursing positions because her smile made her seem unprofessional. After her misfortune in Hurricane Katrina, undergoing the depression of working in a Louisiana hospital overflowing with victims on life support and the infectious despair; her “new” life wasn’t exactly propelling her in the direction she wanted to go.

So Dr. Cifarelli began the long process by first managing Mitchell’s pain and extracting her broken down teeth. She then set a goal of making sure she was infection-free. Finally, the team waited until Mitchell’s mouth was stable enough so that Cifarelli could assess which teeth to save and which to replace.

The entire process of Mitchell’s full-mouth reconstruction took up to five weeks.

Now Mitchell has essentially become a brand new person. She’s no longer ashamed to make appearances at family functions and notices when her cab driver is being flirtatious. “I don’t remember the last time anyone flirted with me!” she joked. “It’s like I finally am starting my life all over again. I have more hope, I feel healthier, I have more energy…” Mitchell’s even started nursing again and goes so far as to give lectures at her job. “There’s no way I would have stood on a podium and talked to a room full of people before. It feels so good.” DP

Beauty in the Eye of the Storm ‘Harbor Falls’ makes its first appearance of the season

By Andrea Swayne Dana Point Times

D

This shot of ‘Harbor Falls’—storm runoff flowing down from the cliffs overlooking the harbor along Dana Point Harbor Drive—was taken during a downpour on the morning of October 19. Photo by Andrea Swayne

Page 24 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

ana Point, as well as much of Southern California, was pounded with the first big thunderstorm of the fall season earlier this week. Reported rain totals were impressive—2.4 inches recorded at Laguna Niguel Park, 2.3 inches in parts of San Juan Capistrano and totals that varied greatly by location in Dana Point—booming thunder claps shook windows and startled pets throughout the morning hours of October 19.

Grey skies gave the impression of nightfall in the middle of the day, the mas-

sive amount of rain runoff flooded low spots on city streets and the ocean looked like chocolate milk in a washing machine. Things got pretty ugly.

In the midst of it all, a Dana Point landmark, dubbed ‘Harbor Falls’ in last year’s storm stories coverage, provided a beautiful spectacle, reminiscent of a hidden waterfall in some tropical island paradise.

The falls are really just rain runoff cascading down from the bluffs above the harbor along Dana Point Harbor Drive. But that’s beside the point. The waterfall is a sight to behold and a source of beauty in the eye of the storm. Log on to www.danapointtimes. com to see a photo slideshow. DP www.danapointtimes.com

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

DP

5 BEST BETS FOOTBALL

SOCCER

BOYS WATER POLO

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Tritons vs. Dolphins, Dana Hills High School Oct. 22, 7 p.m.

FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy, Home Depot Center Oct. 24, 5 p.m.

Hawks vs. Dolphins, Dana Hills High School Oct. 26, 5 p.m.

Mustangs vs. Dolphins, Dana Hills High School Oct. 26, 6 p.m.

The Dolphins will look to defend its home turf against a San Clemente squad that has been posting big wins in 2010.

It’s Fan Appreciation Night presented by Tide coupled with 2011 Miss LA Galaxy Contest presented by Covergirl.

The Dolphins hit the pool ready to drive the lanes and score a bevy of goals as it hosts Laguna Hills High School.

The Lady Dolphins are set for some kills and thrills as they take on Trabuco Hills High School at home.

Info: www.dhhs.net

Info: www.lagalaxy.com

Info: www.dhhs.net

Info: www.dhhs.net

BASKETBALL

Rockets vs. Lakers, Staples Center Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.

The Lakers open the 2010-11 season by adding another championship banner to the building and a ring to its players’ fingers.

Info: www.nba.com/lakers

D a n a Po i nt

Dolphin Report SPORTS NEWS FROM DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

By David Zimmerle

FOOTBALL • A lackluster second half left the Dolphins (0-1 SCL, 3-4) with a 52-26 loss to top-ranked Mission Viejo (1-0, SCL, 7-0) on Friday, Oct. 15—its first South Coast League game of the season.

The Diablos led 14-7 heading into the first quarter as Dana Hills got its early score off a 3-yard touchdown run by Tyler Shirozono.

Two second quarter field goals by kicker Brenden Beckley—the first from 51 yards out and the second a 31-yard split of the uprights—coupled with a 18-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Trent Mason to Chris Kearney saw the Dolphins trailing 31-20 at the half.

But the Diablos continued its power game scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter before Dana Hills found the end zone one more time in the fourth quarter as Kearney ran in a score from six yards out.

Mission Viejo quarterback Alex Bridgford threw for two touchdown passes on the night, while running back Dallas Kessman was basically unstoppable with four rushing touchdowns and a team high 186 yards from the backfield.

Mason led the ground game for Dana Hills with 56 yards rushing while Shirozono finished with 29 yards. Danny McAndrews led with 73 yards receiving while Kearney was up there with 62 yards.

And Mason also finished with 213 passing yards through the air to match his one touchdown and two interceptions on the night.

Next 7 days: Oct. 22 vs. San Clemente, 7 p.m.

Next Game: October 22 vs. San Clemente Tritons Location: Dana Hills Time: 7 p.m.

2009 Record: 6-5 (3-2 league) 09 vs. DH: Loss 38-14 Affiliation: South Coast Coach: Eric Patton 2010 Team Overview: A game against San Clemente is always an anticipated one for both schools—even more so when it happens to be the Homecoming game.

And the fact that the Dolphins get to play the Tritons at Dana Hills will be a much

needed advantage. Last year, the Dolphins earned an important league win and beat San Clemente 38-14.

But San Clemente junior quarterback Travis Wilson (6-6, 215) knows the Triton offense and is posting solid numbers in 2010. The Dolphins will have to try and stop Wilson from connecting with the senior WR tandem of Jordan Micalef (6-2, 185) and Terrell Johnson (5-8, 160). Both receivers had effective 2009s and are a threat against any team’s secondary.

And San Clemente’s backfield is torching defenses as well off the talented rushing attack from running back Mike Elesperu.

BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY • Both the boys and girls cross country teams competed at the OC Championships at Irvine Regional Park on October 16. Trabuco Hills (58 points), Dana Hills (62) and El Toro (119) finished as the top three teams in the varsity boys sweeps race, respectively. Ricardo Campuzano led the team in second overall with a time of 14:44, while Ethan Lawrence (14:57) took 11th and Connor Kaddatz (15:00) finished 14th.

For the varsity girls team, Dana Hills (266 points) finished in ninth place overall.

Sheridan Gomez finished 21st overall with a time of 18:03.

Next 7 days: Oct. 23 at Mr. SAC Invite, TBA GIRLS GOLF • The lady Dolphins rolled past Capo Valley 212-292 on October 14. Avery French medaled on the round with a 38 (+2).

Next 7 days: Oct. 28 at CIF Team Divisional, TBA GIRLS TENNIS • The Lady Dolphins beat Laguna Hills 16-2 on October 13.

Singles results are as follows: 1. Gold (DH) def. Murai (LH) 6-1, Laidlaw (DH sub) def. Bennett (LH) 6-1, lost to Pickens (LH) 2-6; 2. Butcher (DH) won 6-0, 6-2, 6-1; 3.

Herges (DH sub) lost 6-7, J. Smith (DH) won 6-1, 6-0. Doubles results are as follows: 1. Spearman/ Pletcher (DH) def. Day/ Rosen (LH) 6-1, Kaemerle/Zuabi (DH sub) def. Lam/Traylor (LH) 6-4, def. Cardone/ Jaffe (LH) 6-1; 2. Winkle/Matthess (DH)

Page 26 • Dana Point Times • October 22–28, 2010

Kearney flies in for a touchdown against Mission Viejo on October 15. Photos by Tony Tribolet/XPSPhoto.com

won 6-1, 6-0, 6-0; 3. Wilcox /Stewart (DH) won 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.

On October 14 they beat San Clemente 11-7. Singles results as follows: 1. Perez (DH) lost to Bott (SC) 2-6, lost to K. Hall (SC) 5-7, def. A. Hall 6-2; 2. Gomer (DH) lost 0-6, 0-6, 2-6; 3. Pletcher (DH) lost 2-6, 4-6, 6-2. Doubles results are as follows: 1. J. Smith/Spearman (DH) def. Foerstel/Brandiff 6-2, def. Ballard/Boud 6-1, def. Sudakoth/Mohr 6-1; 2. Winkle/Matthess (DH) won 6-1, 6-1, 6-0; 3. Stewart/Wilcox (DH) 7-6, 6-2, def. Cadrow/Beckett (SC) 6-2.

Next 7 days: Oct. 25 vs. Mission Viejo at LN Racquet Club, 3 p.m.; Oct. 26 vs. Capo Valley at LN Racquet Club, 3 p.m.; Oct. 27 vs. Palos Verdes at LN Racquet Club, 3 p.m.; Oct. 29 at Santa Barbara, 3 p.m.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL • The Lady Dolphins (3-1 SCL, 14-7) are still looking good

having posted three straight wins—their first a 3-1 win against Trabuco Hills on October 7, followed by a 3-0 win against El Toro on October 12 and a 3-0 win against Capo Valley on October 14. In the win against Capo Valley, Taylor Arizobal led with 13 kills while Carys Greer had 11. Tia Scambay had a team high 16 digs as well. The girls faced San Clemente on the road October 21.

Next 7 days: Oct. 26 vs. Trabuco Hills, 6 p.m.; Oct. 28 at El Toro, 6 p.m.

BOYS WATER POLO • After suffering an 11-5 defeat at the hands of El Toro October 12, the Dolphins (2-1 SCL, 13-8) slammed Canyon in a 20-5 win. Larson Pfeil led with six goals while Drake Dunn had four. On October 19, the team faced Mission Viejo at home.

Next 7 days: Oct. 21 at San Clemente, 5 p.m.; Oct. 23 vs. Los Osos, 2 p.m.; Oct. 26 www.danapointtimes.com