Dana Point Times by Dana Point Times

VOTE FOR THE BEST OF Dana Point AT WWW.DANAPOINTTIMES.COM d e c e m b e r 9 –1 5 , 2 0 1 1

LO C A L

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

Volume 4, Issue 49

An Unlikely Battleground Two non-profits embroiled in feud over Community House E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 5

www.danapointtimes.com

The Woman’s Club and the Community House board are clashing over use of the Community House on San Juan Street. Photo by Stacie N. Galang

Bye-Bye Bags? Council Expected to Discuss Plastic Bag Ban Monday

Fountain Fun: City Dedicates $40,000 Fountain in La Plaza Park

Blake: Life is What You Make of It — With or Without a Partner

EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

DP LIVING/PAGE 16

Eye on DP

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

City and Business Calendar MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 Pajama Storytime The Dana Point Library presents: Holiday Family Pajama Storytime with the Sunshine Readers at 7 p.m. The library is at 33841 Niguel Road. Call 949.496.5517 City Council Meeting The Dana Point City Council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern. See www. danapoint.org for the agenda.

D a n a Po i nt

CUSD Board Meeting The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees meets at 6 p.m. at district

headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. See www.capousd. org for the agenda.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 Blood Drive The city of Dana Point is sponsoring a blood drive due to the urgent, ongoing need for blood. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. See www. danapoint.org for information.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 Holiday Puppet Show The library presents “Jingles” a Holiday Puppet Show presented by Hey Hey Entertainment at 7 p.m. The event is funded by the Friends of the Library, with refreshments provided by the National Charity League. The library is at 33841 Niguel Road. Call 949.496.5517

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 Senior Christmas Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street. Call 949.248.3536.

D A N A P O I N T ’ s T op 5 H ott e s t T opi c s

What’s Up With... 1

…A Plastic Bag Ban?

THE LATEST: The City Council on Monday is expected to take up a proposal to ban single-use plastic bags and polystyrene— commonly called Styrofoam—food containers at local businesses. San Clemente last year banned the polystyrene food containers, typically used for left-overs or to-go items, while San Juan Capistrano has a voluntary policy against the products. But San Clemente earlier this month tabled the idea of a single-use plastic bag ban. About a dozen local governments, including Los Angeles County, have banned the single-use plastic bags, which environmentalists say the bags and polystyrene products are harmful to fish and wildlife and don’t break down easily in landfills. The state Supreme Court in July upheld the city’s right to ban the single-use bags. Such bans were challenged by a group of bag makers and distributors calling themselves Save the Plastic Bag Coalition. Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, a former Dana Point councilwoman, has weighed in against the ban. She said she understands the sentiment, but the cost of the bans are passed on to consumers. She said more awareness efforts would help keep beaches cleaner and marine life safe. A ban bag, she said, would be “hostile” toward business. WHAT’S NEXT: The council meets at 6 p.m. on December 12 at City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern. FIND OUT MORE: See the city’s website at www.danapoint.org for the staff report. —Jonathan Volzke

…New Trustee Boundaries?

THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District has released five preliminary scenarios Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

for redrawing trustee-boundary areas. The five scenarios look at trustee areas that mirror high-school attendance areas, elementary attendance areas, city boundaries and other criteria. They also identify whether they’ll create an open seat up for grabs in the next election, or pit two existing trustees against each other. The work was required because of the 2010 Census, which shows 343,291 people in the CUSD boundaries, 17 percent Hispanic. And with the passage of Measure H, voters will only cast ballots for one trustee—the one from their area. Until now, voters cast ballots for all seven.

the ratepayers and Edison shareholders and a cap of the overall costs, a suggestion SCE disputes. The Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility also called for an independent panel to review the seismic data. Though SCE preferred no additional panel, the company asked that if the commission were to create one, the body’s scope be well defined. Also, SCE asked that the ratepayers similarly shoulder the cost born of an independent review panel.

WHAT’S NEXT: The maps will be discussed when trustees meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 12 at district headquarters on Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.danapointtimes.com to read the full briefing. —Stacie N. Galang

FIND OUT MORE: See the Beyond the Blackboard blog at www.danapointtimes. com for the maps and more. —JV

WHAT’S NEXT: Reply briefs must be submitted by December 19.

...SONGS Seismic Studies?

THE LATEST: Southern California Edison filed its opening brief Monday, December 5, making its case for ratepayers to pick up the $64 million price tag for seismic studies of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The process began in April 15 when SCE filed the request with the California Public Utilities Commission and later assigned to Commissioner Michel Peter Florio and Administrative Law Judge Robert Barnett for the proceedings. The proposed work includes costly data surveying, including offshore 2-D and 3-D imaging around the nuclear power plant. But the Division of Ratepayer Advocates has lobbied to have costs shared between

…Kids Fighting Underage Drinking?

THE LATEST: As part of the South Orange County Coalition, youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley will visit Dana Point liquor stores on December 20 to distribute stickers and reminders that giving alcohol to anyone under 21 is illegal. WHAT’S NEXT: Teens will visit off-sale alcohol outlets and place stickers with prevention messages on alcohol multi-packs to create a visual reminder to purchasers that it is illegal to provide alcohol to anyone under 21. The Minor Drinking—Major Problems campaign message will be displayed on stickers, refrigerator window clings and cash register penny trays that are given to each store. FIND OUT MORE: For more information on the effort, contact Leila Esfandiari at 949.595.2288 x328 or lesfandiari@canoc. org. —JV

Page 3

…Mandarin in Schools?

THE LATEST: The early application period is underway for the county’s only publicschool Mandarin immersion program. The early application period will allow advocates a full semester to fundraise and establish support for the new program, which will be housed at Marian Bergeson Elementary School in Laguna Niguel. More than 160 families have expressed interest in the program. The Open Enrollment period runs through Friday, December 9. A second opportunity to apply for a spot in a second kindergarten or a first grade class will take place from February 1–10. Applications can be picked up and dropped off between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on days school is in session at Marian Bergeson Elementary School, 25302 Rancho Niguel Road. WHAT’S NEXT: District officials also announced the Open Enrollment dates for the 2012-2013 school year. Application dates for the district’s Two-Way Dual Immersion Spanish language programs will run from February 1–February. 10. Open Enrollment for non-TWI schools will take place from March 19–March 30. A second opportunity to apply for open enrollment will take place in July. FIND OUT MORE: For more information on the Mandarin Immersion Program, please contact Principal Barbara Scholl at 949.643.1540. For more information about the District’s Open Enrollment process, please go to the District website at www. capousd.org, visit the school of choice, or call the Open Enrollment Hotline at 949.234.9335. —JV Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about? Send your suggestions to editorial@danapointtimes.com. www.danapointtimes.com

Eye on DP

An Unlikely Battleground Two nonprofits fight over Community House By Andrea Swayne Dana Point Times

he sign out in front of the Community House reads, “Unity in Diversity,” but there isn’t much unity these days. The board of the Community House is embroiled with the Dana Point Woman’s Club over the ownership and governance of the nearly 60-year-old facility on San Juan Avenue. “It’s just been ugly, ugly,” said Joan L. Limoges, president of the Community House Board. “We’ve just been doing whatever we can.” The troubles started when the Community House board this fall sought to rent the building to the Dana Point Historical Society for $1,000 a month. The society would oversee the property and pay utilities and in exchange, the society asked to add one of its members to board. Since then, letters from lawyers have been sent, memberships revoked, sharp words exchanged by grandmothers and door locks changed without notice. Both sides say a court battle is inevitable. “It’s so sad,” said Francisca Feddersen of the Woman’s Club said. “It didn’t need to be this way.” She contends that the Community House has been part of the Woman’s Club since the 1950s, and the latter has always been able to maintain the facility that is used by community groups for meetings, couples for small wedding receptions and groups for community events. “So, you see, it’s a real mess,” Feddersen said. “I don’t know why the women decided to take it upon themselves to do this.” In fact, all Community House board members had also been Woman’s Club members, that is, until six of them received letters saying they were not in good standing with the club and their membership had been revoked. “The Board of Directors of the Community House took it upon themselves to give a long-term lease to the Historical Society, and they were trying to get a male member of the historical society on the Community House Board,” Feddersen said. “That’s against our bylaws.” A History of Community Service According to its website, the Community House was incorporated September 11, 1952 and the building opened April 14, 1953. Initially, the Dana Point Art Guild and the Dana Point Civic Association were its legal owners. By 1958, the El Camino Real Woman’s Club became a third owner. The civic association dissolved in 1963

Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

The Community House opened its doors in 1953 and has been a gathering place for groups in Dana Point. Photo by Stacie N. Galang

and the association in 1973, leaving the Community House under the care of the Woman’s Club, which eventually changed its name. The facility was funded in large part by rummage sales. A Woman’s Club member since 1999 and a past president, Limoges said the Community House had struggled financially in recent years. A three-year long lawsuit with a neighbor had taxed their resources despite the fact that most of the legal and property surveying work had been done gratis. Limoges and fellow Community House board members knew they needed to come up with a plan. The work to maintain the facility had outgrown the board members’ collective ability and their accounts this summer had been drawn down to about $40. “We couldn’t pay the $1,500 for maintenance and with all the bills,” Limoges said. First, they approached the city about facility oversight but when the city officials wanted title of the building, the board members decided against it. Then, the Community House board spoke to the historical society who created a committee to negotiate an arrangement, Limoges said. City Manager Doug C. Chotkevys said about 12 to 18 months ago the facility was having troubles with code enforcement. Some of the parties at Community House had gotten out of hand so the city met with the board to discuss the problems, which have since subsided. At that time, Community House board members talked about the city overseeing the building, he said. “They were exploring the option to ensure the continuance of the Community House as a community asset,” the city manager said. He said the talks were “purely what ifs” and nothing ever came of them. The Agreement Limoges said the historical society

agreement was good for everyone. “It was a win-win situation because we couldn’t do anything as a five-person board,” Limoges said. She said she didn’t think the addition of another person to the Community House board was a big deal, but she underestimated the backlash. Prior to the Woman’s Club October 20 meeting, the six Community House women were kicked out of the club. “They got up in arms when I got up and talked about changing it,” Limoges said. She maintains that the Community House’s articles of incorporation with the state supersede the Woman’s Club bylaws. The Community House went forward with the lease agreement and gave the keys to the historical society who became renters as of November 1. Limoges said she didn’t publicly discuss the lease while the Community House and the historical society were hammering out the details, but the work had been above board. The dispute has created a rift within the Woman’s Club as well. Limoges said she knows of 33 members and 20 have since parted ways with the club — seven expelled and 13 who refuse to go back. In the meantime, the Woman’s Club also commandeered the Community House’s post office box. Limoges said she had her treasurer move the $800 from their account so the Woman’s Club wouldn’t take that, too. “We’re just volunteers,” Limoges said. “This has been really, really bad.” Feddersen countered that the Community House board had been unwilling to do fundraisers and had overpaid for maintenance workers and security guards. “There are a lot of discrepancies still,” she said. Showdown on San Juan Street Things took a turn for the worst November 23, when a family renting the facility arrived to find a locksmith Page 5

swapping out the locks. Historical society President Carlos Olvera had given the keys to a group that planned to do its annual Thanksgiving dinner for Marines. He received a call from them about the lock change and drove to the facility. When he arrived at the scene an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy was there as was a locksmith. Neither of the two women from the Woman’s Club would speak to him. Olvera said his organization isn’t taking sides. They’ll work with whatever organization is deemed the rightful owner. The president said the historical society started renting as of November 1 and had begun overseeing the rentals. The organization moved in some chairs and storage bins worth about $300. They lost the eight last days of the month or $267 for renting. The society had to cancel its open house this month after the locks were changed. “The historical society is standing on the sidelines, waiting to see what happens,” he said. “We’re just renters. It’s all replaceable.” Olvera said the society is taking a waitand-see approach. The group had only paid November rent, and the lease was now over. The society president said the negotiations were done openly and nobody was trying to hide anything. “The Community House has been very nice to us,” Olvera said. “The historical society doesn’t have a dog in the fight.” Elusive Resolution Beverly Sels, Community House vice president, described the situation as “really pretty sad.” “Since the economy, it’s really gotten bad,” she said. She said Woman’s Club members didn’t take an interest in Community House financials until the proposed bylaw change. Feddersen acknowledged that the Woman’s Club does not own the Community House but does have control over it. Community House board members are appointed by the Woman’s Club, she noted. Feddersen contends that it was the Woman’s Club who was locked out of the building and her organization was never contacted about the potential changes. “They gave us no paperwork,” she said. “We didn’t know what was going on. They didn’t discuss with the woman’s board anything that was going on.” If there was one thing they could agree upon was that the situation wasn’t necessary. “This is a lovely little community,” Fedderson said. “There is no reason for this.” Olvera said he was sorry to see the animosity over a building dedicated to the nonprofit organizations in the city. Sels said the building is used for community groups like the historical society and Boy Scout troops. She said the Community House had tried to rent the space to save the building. “We’re doing this for the building,” Sels said. “They’re doing this for their pride.” DP www.danapointtimes.com

Eye on DP

Fundraising Underway for Family Displaced by Barn Fire By Jonathan Volzke Dana Point Times

1898 barn on Del Obispo Street was consumed by fire earlier this month, displacing a family who lived there. A fundraiser is underway for the family, whose children attended Broderick Montessori School in Dana Point. A website has been set up for the family at www. cookfamilybarn.com, while donations can also be dropped off at school, at 24292 Del Prado, and checks can be made directly to Gianvito Loparco. On the website, the family says it has received many generous donations of clothing, but still needs household/ kitchen items, office supplies, electronics, furniture, couches, dressers, beds, tools and monetary donations or gift cards that will help them secure a place to live

DP Sheriff’s Blotter Compiled By Jonathan Volzke All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD Web site.

Wednesday, December 7

nearby and to replace items not donated. Ocean Hills Church, behind where the barn stood, is also accepting donations. The December 1 blaze at 32232 Del Obispo happened about 10:30 a.m. Orange County Fire Authority units from as far as away as Laguna Niguel and Ladera Ranch fought the blaze.About 30 firefighters arrived at the scene to battle the blaze. The fire authority dispatched an extra unit as a precautionary measure because of the wind, said authority spokesman Marc Stone. Stone said investigators could not pinpoint exactly was caused the fire, but that it was some sort of electrical issue. The barn sat on the same parcel as Ocean Hills Church and Del Obispo Senior Living. Neither facility was evacuated, Stone said. There was no immediate word what would happen to the property. DP

PETTY THEFT REPORT Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (6:22 p.m.) A caller reported the residents of a nearby mobile home took their 11-yearold’s cell phone two days ago, but were refusing to return it. DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 32800 Block (5:34 p.m.) A solicitor was bothering customers at a gas station. Deputies were called out more than once. DISTURBANCE Silverstand, 0 Block (4:39 p.m.) A woman called to report her boyfriend was being an “a-hole,” dispatchers said. But then she hung up. When dispatchers called back, she said “hello” and hung up again. Dispatchers also noted deputies had been called to the home the day before for a dispute.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES San Marino Place/La Serena Drive (9:26 p.m.) Two men were loitering on a street corner and talking on their cell phones for more than 30 minutes. The caller thought that suspicious and suspected maybe they were selling drugs.

KEEP THE PEACE Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (2:36 p.m.) A caller reported a cashier took his driver’s license because it was damaged, but was refusing to give it back. Deputies also received a report of the customer hanging out front of the market, bothering employees and customers.

FOLLOW UP Golden Lantern, 33900 Block (7:51 p.m.) A woman called to report her twin sons, 18, had run away from home after a dispute. She’d kicked one son out two weeks ago, but he broke down her front door. She called about an hour later to say she thought the men were hanging out behind her home because they were just texting her to say they were cold and wanted to come back home. She called again about a half hour after that to say she’d found them.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Spinnaker Drive, 33400 Block (12:10 p.m.) A social worker from St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach wanted deputies to visit a home and notify the residents, or neighbors, about a family member being critical injured in an accident. Deputies found the person’s former college roommate, who said they would notify the person’s parents in Arizona.

Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

About 30 firefighters battled a blaze at the Cook Barn on Del Obispo Street on December 1, but the intensity of the blaze forced them into a defensive mode and the barn was lost. Photo by Jonathan Volzke.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (11:43 a.m.) A search of a student at a continuation school found marijuana.

CITIZEN ASSIST Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (3:08 p.m.) A man reported a local hotel would not give him a shower with a showerhead.

VANDALISM REPORT Selva Road, 33900 Block (11:37 a.m.) Vandalism was reported at an oceanfront home.

CITIZEN ASSIST Ritz Pointe Drive, 0 Block (2:06 p.m.) A woman reported someone was knocking on her door. Turns out it was her landlord, giving her a three-day eviction notice.

FOLLOW UP REPORT Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (9:59 a.m.) A caller spotted someone walking around that she thought was related to someone taking pictures of bank employees’ cars a day earlier. CITIZEN ASSIST Christina Drive, 33000 Block (7:06 a.m.) Drug paraphernalia was found on the sidewalk.

Tuesday, December 6 PATROL CHECK Crown Valley Parkway/Camino Del Avion (6:35 p.m.) A skateboarder was riding in traffic lanes. SUSPICIOUS PERSON Golden Lantern/Harbor Drive (6:02 p.m.) A man was reported touching himself while on the sidewalk. Nothing was exposed, the caller said. A similar report came in at Green Lantern and Cove Road at 4:34 p.m. DISTURBANCE Harbor Drive, 24900 Block (3:37 p.m.) A caller was with his girlfriend at a business; she was screaming that she was going to kill herself. Page 6

Monday, December 5 DISTURBANCE Golden Lantern/Harbor Drive (6:22 p.m.) Deputies were called to a report of three juveniles fighting in public. Someone hit a patrol car. STOLEN VEHILCE Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (6:05 p.m.) A green Toyota truck was stolen when the owner left the keys in it. It was loaded with landscaping equipment, too.

Sunday, December 4 BRANDISHING A WEAPON Calle Rosita, 34600 Block (9:26 p.m.) Callers reported a man had a gun and was acting very suspicious. It was unclear whether he was threatening others or just upset because his father died earlier in the week. KEEP THE PEACE Domingo Avenue, 25900 Block (7:58 p.m.) A woman complained that some kids in the complex gave her 11-year-old marijuana. SUSPICIOUS PERSON Golden Lantern/Harbor Drive (3:12 p.m.) A man was standing at the wharf, holding a tip jar. But he was cursing those who walked by. www.danapointtimes.com

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

EDITOR STORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

Andrea Swayne, 949.388.7700, x113 aswayne@danapointtimes.com ADVERTISING

DS aannCale m

Poe ni ntet

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

Dana Point Times, Vol. 4, Issue 49. 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 2011. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO Norb Garrett

PRINT AND ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@danapointtimes.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

EDITORIAL Group Editor, Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Jonathan Volzke City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne City Editor, SC Times > Stacie N. Galang ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Heidi Mefferd

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

Distribution Manager > Andrea Swayne

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

INTERNS Austin Patrick Reagan

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, George Mackin, Rebecca Nordquist

Sales Associate > Angela Edwards

Finance Director > Mike Reed

ALL HANDS, AHOY: By Beverli Jinn

‘Then I’ll Do It Myself’ said the Little Red Hen

know that this is my responsibility. Not only mine, of course. It’s actually yours, as well. How can anyone not realize this? We’ve got an ocean out there. Beverli Jinn Depending upon your point of view, this ocean of ours has been around for decades, or centuries, or eons (however long that is). Whatever the duration, whatever the circumstances of our own presence in relation to this body of water, the fact remains that we are here on the bluffs overlooking Capistrano Bay. The abalone are long gone. The sea otters no longer frolic here. San Juan Creek spews poisonous runoff into what was once a healthy body of water. Incredibly, we are destroying the life that this ocean makes possible. Incredibly, far too many of us don’t seem to care. Okay, I admit it. I’m not a big fan of the harbor we built 40 years ago. I confess that I liked our ocean much better when the waves crashed on the rocky beach instead of against the artificial jetty that now makes the harbor possible. In Two Years Before the Mast, Richard Henry Dana describes his own visit to what would be, 135 years later, Dana Point Harbor. “We strolled about picking up shells and following the sea where it tumbled in, roaring and spouting, among the crevices of the great rocks. What a sight, thought I, must this be in a southeaster! There was a grandeur in everything around which gave almost a solemnity to the scene: a silence and solitariness which affected everything! Not a human being but ourselves for miles, and no sound heard but the pulsations of the great Pacific! And the great steep hill rising like a wall, and cutting us off from all the world but the ‘world of waters!’” Do we give it any thought (here in the concrete City of Dana Point in the year 2011) that the cigarette butt that we flick to the sidewalk is going to find its way through the storm drain to the ocean? Does it occur to us that plastic bags from the market will find Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

their way to the sea and live longer than we ourselves will live? Do we think about consequences when we wash contamination from our cars and pesticides from our lawns into the street and downward to the sea? Oh, sure, some of us think about these things now and then. There’s actually a small group of people in South County who get out and do something. They call themselves “Zero Trash Dana Point.” In Dana Point, here’s what they do. On the first Saturday of each month, they check in at 10 a.m. at Girl in the Curl and Hobie surf shops on PCH. They’re given a plastic bucket, gloves and a grabber that enables them to pick up trash without having to bend over repeatedly. Then off they go, grabbing trash that might otherwise find its way to the ocean. This is a good thing—people accepting responsibility. People doing what they can just because it needs to be done. It’s difficult to understand the thought process that goes into tossing one’s trash onto the street or sidewalk. Maybe smokers actually believe that the cigarette butt will biodegrade or that a city street sweeper will suck it up. More probably, people who litter don’t think about the consequences at all. This is not likely ever to change. That leaves it up to the rest of us. The Zero Trash volunteers are getting it right, but one cleanup a month is not going to get the job done. We need volunteers every week, maybe every day. We need a whole bunch of us to appoint ourselves as trash picker uppers. No glory. No reward. No appreciation. No particular calendar day to trigger our sense of urgency. It doesn’t matter whether we work alone or with other Zero Trashers on the first Saturday of the month. Walking and grabbing and disposing right there in our own neighborhood makes a lot of sense: every day, every other day, every time we walk the dog. I know this is my responsibility. ON THE WEB: www.zerotrash.org/ danapoint

Some years ago, at her first opportunity, Beverli Jinn retired from teaching high school English. A lot of books inside her demanded to be written. Now, several years and six published books later, an altered compulsion, the care and feeding of our ocean, drives Jinn’s pen. She believes that the residents of Orange County’s South Coast can lead the way in establishing and maintaining a healthy watershed. She is the co-founder of Dana Point’s Earth/Ocean Society and is active in the DP Historical Society. Born and raised in Orange County, she has lived in Dana Point since 2001. Jinn welcomes her readers’ feedback via email at beverlijinn@cox.net. SC PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are 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.

Page 8

CONTRIBUTORS Tawnee Prazak, David Zimmerle

OPERATIONS

ONLINE POLL What is your favorite Dana Point holiday event? Boat Parade of Lights

47% Winter Festival at La Plaza Park

27% Holiday in the Harbor

20% Other

7% Make sure to sound off on the “DP Times Poll of the Week” at www.danapointtimes.com. Bookmark Dana Point Times today! The DP Times Online Reader Polls are not scientiﬁc and do not reﬂect the opinion of the DP Times.

Letters to the Editor WHAT WOULD BAG BAN BRING? PAM TAPPAN, Dana Point

I am 1,000 percent behind the banning of plastic bags in the City of Dana Point. However, first we need to ban cigarettes. Then we need to ban glass bottles. Then we need to ban plastic candy wrappers. You can ban as many products as you want, and you still won’t solve the problem. Do you really want to replace one problem with another? On October 21, 2011 an article by Richelle Gonzalez at the Washington Times states that— “Reusable grocery bags may be good for the environment, but they could be making you sick. ... a new study has found that intestinal bacteria like E. coli flourish in unwashed reusable bags. The implementation of a ban on plastic bags is only going to further hurt local business. They do not need any more regulations. Plus, how are you going to

prevent people from bringing plastic bags into Dana Point and littering? Are you going to fine them? Just think of all the money the city could make off the tourists at the Festival of the Whales? The summer concerts? The Turkey Trot? And especially 4th of July? Don’t get me wrong, I want a clean planet. Maybe the time would be better spent if the cities, the retailers, Surfrider Foundation and all the other wonderful environmental groups get together and work with the various manufacturers to come up with biodegradable plastic bags. If I am not mistaken, the technology is already available, such as the EPI dog bags that the city gives out. 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 readersubmitted 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

D a n a Po i nt

Spotlight: Zona’s Italian American Cuisine 647 Camino De Los Mares, #126, San Clemente, 949.940.8845, www.zonasitalianrestaurant.com

By Stacie N. Galang

Best known for: Chicken Parmesan Most popular item: Tuna tower Near the Krikorian Theatre lies Zona’s Italian American Cuisine, a 163-seat restaurant and sports bar. About half the menu includes Italian favorites and the other half American classics — all scratch made. Owner Rich Zona said he strives for top-notch service, a good vibe and reasonably priced quality eats. The family friendly restaurant offers $5 kid meals, sandwiches like a pastrami on rye for $11 and for the more sophisticated, items like the $18 Jail Island grilled salmon with sun-dried tomato pesto over a wild mushroom risotto. Entertainment seekers will enjoy the 15 flat-screen TVs — 10 alone in the bar and live music throughout the week. The eatery features outdoor seating Scott Lewis and Rich Zona. Photo by Stacie N. Galang and banquet space for up to 55 or smaller parties of 10 in the wine room. A 23-year restaurant veteran, executive chef Scott Lewis, who made stops in Cape May, N.J. and Park City, Utah, described the cuisine as fresh California ingredients done old-world style. His goal: create sophisticated food that’s not overdone. Payment: Cash, credit cards Price range: $5-$24 Reservations: Not necessary Hours: Sunday 9 a.m.- 2 a.m., Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

The List

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

friday

Doyle Dykes 7:30 p.m. Grand ole opry star Doyle Dykes as part of the Lord of the Strings Concert Series at the DP Community House. 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point, 949.842.2227, www.lordofthestringsconcerts.com.

Lava Cap Winery of Northern California 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. SC Wine Co. welcomes Lava Cap Winery. $15 for seven wines. 212 1/2 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com. The Ryzing Nick Terrafranca 8 p.m. Live music at Wind & Sea. 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com.

Win Free Tickets! The first two people to email us with SC Times Free Concert Tix in the subject line will receive a pair of tickets from The Coach House to their Comedy Night on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Include your name and phone number. EMAIL: tickets@sanclementetimes.com

saturday

Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights 7:30 p.m. The 36th Annual Boat Parade of Lights on Dec. 9-10, 16-17. Boaters decorate their boats, cruise the harbor and vie for awards. 949.923.2255, www.danapointharbor.com.

Tools for Change Opening Party and Holiday Celebration 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Celebration for the Ecology Center’s interactive exhibition that explores instruments that can be used to achieve positive ecological change and a culture of sustainability. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org. Santa Paws 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Pet Project Foundation hosts the event where you and you favorite pet can get a picture taken with Santa for a small fee in the El Torito Courtyard in the Harbor. 4521 Street of the Golden Lantern Dana Point, www.petprojectfoundation.org. Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

EDITOR’S PICK: Dana Point Winter Festival 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Festive activities for the whole family including an elf balloon artist, petting zoo, crafts, caricature artists, face painting, pony rides, real snow, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at 5:15 p.m. 34111 La Plaza St., Dana Point, 949.248.3530, www.danapoint.org. Sawdust Winter Fantasy 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Last weekend for The Sawdust Art Festival’s winter wonderland. $3-$6. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030, www.sawdustartfestival.org. HoHo’s and HaHa’s: Tom and Ron’s Excellent Christmas Adventure 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse presents a comedic holiday show. $12. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

sunday

After Action Report 4 p.m.-6 p.m. San Clemente Support Group brings Lt. Col. Savage, commanding officer of the 1st Marines, 5th Battalion, to speak about their deployment to Afghanistan. San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville. 310.728.9166, www.scmsg.org

Jaloha 7 p.m. Renaissance, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.renaissance-danapoint.com. Andrea Bocelli 7:30 p.m. Live concert at the Honda Center. Tickets start at $79. 2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, 714.704.2500, www.hondacenter.com. Nature Journaling 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Walk among oaks and sycamore trees with a journal at the Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. $5-$10; supporters free. Call for info, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

monday

Smokey Karaoke 8 p.m. Sing fearlessly at BeachFire and enjoy Mojito Monday. No cover. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire.com.

Monday Night Laughs 9 p.m.-11 p.m. Live stand-up comedy at Hennessey’s Tavern. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, 949.488.0121, www.hennesseystavern.com. Page 10

tuesday

Poul Pedersen 6 p.m. Live at Renaissance. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www. renaissance-danapoint.com.

Martin Ray Winery Tasting & Live music 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Wine tasting at 6 p.m. (cost $10) followed by live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

wednesday

Laguna Woods Harmonaires 10 a.m. The Laguna Woods Harmonaires perform for the St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea UMC Super Seniors group at the church. $5, includes lunch. Reservations required. 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, 949.498.0828.

Jason Foster & Jason Toney 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Live acoustic music at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

thursday

The Nutcracker 7 p.m. Laguna Ballet, a non-profit junior ballet company, presents its 26th annual production of “The Nutcracker” at Saddleback College’s McKinney Theatre. Tickets $20-$24. Shows through Dec. 18. 28000 Marguerite Pkwy., Mission Viejo, 949.582.4656, www.saddleback.edu/arts.

Holiday Music Celebration 7 p.m. The San Clemente Choral Society performs a holiday concert at Casa Romantica. Tickets $12-$25. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org. Lagunitas Brewing Co. Beer Dinner 7 p.m. Beer-pairing dinner at Vine with a delectable menu and a wide variety of beers. Cost $50. 211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.9376, www.vinesanclemente.com. Mike Wallace 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Live acoustic music at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com. *For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

DS aannCale m Poe ni ntet

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

On Life and Love After 50: By Tom Blake

Life is What You Make of It—With or Without a Partner A while back, I wrote a column that featured a woman who was concerned about turning 50, fearing she was going to look old. She longed to be 35 again. That column evoked many responses that were shared in a follow-up column. But one of the responses I’ve held unto until today. It’s a very personal response from Pat, an Orange County woman I’ve known for more than 10 years. It’s a story of overcoming adversity through courage, hope and having a positive life outlook. Pat said, “I wish there was a way to let the woman who feared turning 50 know that a little body change is not the end of the world. This year I have gone through a very rare breast cancer but I was blessed to not have to have chemo or radiation. I am now going through the reconstruction surgeries and I have only missed three days of work after each of the three surgeries. I will have a fourth one in January/February but God gives us these tests, how we get through them is what He wants to see and help us

with.” “I celebrate every birthday with a great deal of enjoyment. When I turned 50, I had a sock hop and 50 people came, when I turned 60 I had a Year of the Monkey Chinese party with gamOn Life and Love After 50 bling and Chinese food By Tom Blake and 60 people came... who knows what I will do when I turn 70 but I can guarantee it will be a celebration and maybe 70 of my friends will come! “I still work a 50-60 hour week for a terrific company and although I do not have a special man in my life, I have many very special men who make my life exciting and fun to live...they are friends and I cherish each and every one of them...and for those who are married I cherish the friendships of their wives, too! “Life is what you make of it and I plan to enjoy every day to the fullest...be it

working, playing, exercising, reading, and going to the Performing Arts Center... whatever, I know I am blessed!” Pat added, “I never cried over this. When my dermatologist did the biopsy and found out it was Paget’s disease of the nipple, he called my breast doctor; he did not know that my breast doctor and I were long time friends. As soon as my doctor heard he called and left a message for me to call right away and set up an appointment. “On Feburary 16, I came home and my first answering machine message was from my oncology breast doctor so I knew the biopsy came back positive for cancer. I went outside on my deck and looked out over Orange County, then looked up and said: ‘OK, God another challenge, please give me the strength and courage to go through it and if this is a serious cancer (at the time I did not know) and it is time to come home to you, then I thank you for 66 great years.”

“I went upstairs, did a 2-mile walk on my treadmill, went to bed and slept right through. I learned a long time ago, we have very little control over what happens in our lives so I just give all my concerns to God and He lets me sleep every night...then I pick up those concerns the next morning fresh and ready to tackle whatever needs to be tackled! In January/Feburary, I will finally have this blip in my life path behind me!” As we get older, we all are going to face adversities in one form or another. Hopefully, we can face them as positively as Pat has faced hers. Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. To comment on his column, email TompBlake@gmail.com. See his website at www.FindingLoveAfter50. com. DP

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

Ocean Life Feature of City’s Newest Fountain Colorful mosaics decorate water feature at La Plaza Park By Stacie N. Galang Dana Point Times

ana Point dedicated its newest fountain at La Plaza Park 34091 Pacific Coast Highway this week. About 50 people attended the event, including members of Thomas’ family. The $40,000 colorful water feature was dedicated December 5 to longtime resident Mary Ellen Thomas, who passed away in 2008.

Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

The fountain was designed by landscape Dana Point architect Yvonne English and featured the artwork of local artist Lance Jost who created three glass mosaics depicting sea life as well as three three-dimensional castings of surfers. Jost also created the whale and surfer murals on the southern walls of the Dana Point pedestrian bridge over Pacific Coast Highway. The project was funded by Thomas’ estate. DP

The group who attended the dedication formed a circle around the fountain. Photo by Heidi Mefferd

Page 16

www.danapointtimes.com

Locals Only

Business Directory

The only directory featuring Dana Point businesses exclusively AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING Jim Ettinger Design 949.246.0224 33742 Big Sur St., jimettingerdesign@cox.net

Auto Repair Dana Point Auto 949.496.1086 34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, Dana Point, Ca 92629

BEAUTY SALONS Paragon Salon 34161 Pacific Coast Hwy. Salon Revelation - Dayna Dallas 34192 Violet Lantern #2

949.489.1955 949.248.8595

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

CATERING Smokey’s House of BBQ 32860 Pacific Coast Hwy. #4, www.SmokeysHouseofBBQ.com

949.388.8102

Ocean Ranch Chiropractic 949.584.5000 Dr. James Slusher & Dr. Ron Berman, 32585 Golden Lantern, Ste. H, www.oceanranchchiropractic.com Pacific Waves Family Chiropractic 949.436.2926 & Alternative Healthcare 24632 San Juan, Ste. 230, www.pacific-waves.com

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online. Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@danapointtimes.com. FITNESS PROGRAMS

949.661.3151

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

COINS 949.350.4692 Kevin

COMPUTER REPAIR & SERVICES

Fit Club - Boot Camp www.afitclub.com

949.831.7984

Monarch Bay Haircutters 20 Monarch Bay Plaza Paragon Salon 34161 Pacific Coast Hwy.

949.496.1957 949.489.1955

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

COSMETICS Mary Kay Cosmetics & Career 949.248.2868 Opportunities, Ind. Sales Director - Marline Adams, www.marykay.com/madams2

DENTISTS Dana Point Dental 34080 Golden Lantern, Ste 201, www.danapointdental.com

ELECTRICAL

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

949.248.1007

POOL & SPA SERVICE Island Inspired Pool & Spa islandinspired@earthlink.net

949.547.1000

PRESCHOOLS San Clemente Preschool 949.498.1025 163 Avenida Victoria, sanclementepreschool@gmail.com

PRINT SHOP

SURF LESSONS Ocean Academy www.oceanacademy4u.com

949.218.4464

Surf Shops Infinity Surfboards 949.661.6699 24382 Del Prado, www.infinitysurf.com Jack’s Surfboards 949.276.8080 34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jackssurfboards.com

TUTORING Beacon Printing - Brad & Judy Brandmeier 24681 La Plaza, Ste. 125 949.661.3877 English Tutoring by Susan 949.481.0481 beaconprinting@sbcglobal.net Mathnasium 949.388.6555 Printing OC 949.388.4888 32411 Golden Lantern, Ste. Q, www.mathnasium.com 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT 949.488.2648 33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL

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 Prudential California Realty, Shirley Tenger www.baysidewindowcleaning.com www.tengerteam.com 949.487.7700 Surterre Properties Monarch Beach, 949.464.3243 Window Coverings McDaniel Gilmore Group Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors 949.240.9569 33522 Niguel Rd. Ste. 100, Monarch Beach 92629 34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jeddys.com www.mcdanielgilmoregroup.com

YOGA

Brio Tuscany Grille 949.443.1476 24050 Camino Del Avion, www.briorestaurant.com

Sun Salute Yoga Studio 949.371.6097 24655 La Plaza, Ste. A, www.sunsaluteyoga.com

Jeweler

PROGRAM 949.218.4464

Junk Removal Green Dump Truck www.greendumptruck.com

949.697.4517

LANDSCAPING Rocky Taylor Landscaping rjls@cox.net

949.697.1770

Sunburst Landscaping www.sunlandscape.webs.com

949.632.0081 949.493.3670

LOCKSMITH

delta G electrical 949.360.9282 CA #657214, www.deltagelect.com

949.496.9731

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

Dana Point Jeweler 949.489.1165 24845 Del Prado, www.danapointjeweler.com

LANDSCAPING/SPRINKLERS 949.661.5664

Chick’s Plumbing www.chicks-plumbing.com

RESTAURANTS

Patricia Powers 949.496.1900 License#0737080, pat.powers@cox.net Statefarm/Elaine LaVine 949.240.8944 34080 Golden Lantern, www.elainelavine.net State Farm/Ted Bowersox 949.661.3200 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy. #204 www.tedbowersox.com

JUNIOR WATERMAN San Clemente Computer & Network Services daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581 Ocean Academy www.oceanacademy4u.com CONTRACTORs - GENERAL Creative Environments Construction 949.496.3728 Design & Build #464468

Plumbing

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Insurance Services

COFFEE SHOP

GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

Your business here!

HAIR SALONS

CHIROPRACTORS

Christian Science Services 34102 La Plaza

BUSINESS • S P O T L I G H T

Dana Point Lock & Security www.danapointlock.com

949.496.6919

MUSIC INSTRUCTION Kenny’s Music & Guitars 949.661.3984 24731 La Plaza, www.kennysmusicstore.com Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556 24699 Del Prado, www.danmans.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.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY DP DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classiﬁed ad online at www.danapointtimes.com

FOR RENT 2BDRM 2 BATH HOUSE/LANTERN DISTRICT $2,300/mo-Open ﬂoorplan/Private Garage /Laundry hook ups/Quiet street/ 34056 Aurelio Dr 1 yr lease/949-240-3723

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10TH From 8 am to 2 pm. 26326 Via California, Capistrano Beach CHRISTMAS RUMMAGE SALE 31641 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8am-4pm. Mission Basilica Gymnasium Christmas decorations, furniture, households goods and clothing and bake sale! Help Mission Basilica School 3rd and 8th Graders support Special Spaces to do a room makeover for one special child.

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

Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

Page 19

www.danapointtimes.com

SPORTS

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

5 BEST BETS BOYS BASKETBALL

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Falcons vs. Dolphins, Dana Hills High

Lions vs. Anteaters, Bren Events Center

Dec. 10, 7 p.m.

The Dolphins hit up home court for a nonleague bout looking for a win against the boys from Santa Ana Valley High School.

After putting up a decent win against the University of San Diego for its ﬁrst win of the season, the Anteaters look to make it two in a row against Vanguard. Info:

Info: www.dhhs.net

HOCKEY

Stars vs. Kings, Staples Center Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Before they hit the road for four games, the Los Angeles Kings will take on division rival Dallas in a battle for ﬁrst place rights. Info: www.kings.nhl.com

BOYS SOCCER

Patriots vs. Dolphins, Dana Hills High Dec. 14, 3:15 p.m. After a slew of games at the Irvine Tournament, the Dolphins head back to their home pitch for a match against Beckman High.

HOCKEY

Coyotes vs. Ducks, Honda Center Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Following a two-game stretch on the road, the Ducks return to center ice at the Honda Center for a key game against Phoenix. Info: www.ducks.nhl.com

Info: www.dhhs.net

www.ucirvinesports.com

D a n a Po i nt

Dolphin Report: SPORTS NEWS FROM DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

By David Zimmerle

BOYS BASKETBALL • The Dolphins (2-2) tipped off the regular season with a stint at the Diablo Inferno Tournament at Mission Viejo High School November 28-December 3. Dana Hills opened the tourney with back-to-back wins beating Woodbridge 64-61 on November 28 followed by a 67-28 shellacking of San Juan Hills High on November 29. However, the Dolphins ran out of steam down the stretch of the tournament, losing 58-48 to JSerra on December 1 followed by another 59-39 loss to Los Alamitos High on December 3. In the loss to Los Al, Cory Blau led Dana Hills with 12 points. The team next played Laguna Beach at home in nonleague action on December 6. Next 7 days: Dec. 10 vs. Santa Ana Valley, 7 p.m.; Dec. 12-17 at Beckman Tournament, TBA GIRLS BASKETBALL • The Lady Dolphins (0-1) got off to a rough start to the 2011-12 season, losing their opening round game 68-33 to Edison at the South Coast Tournament on December 3. Katherine Underwood led the team with 12 points. The tournament lasted through December 8. Next 7 days: Dec. 12-15 at Ocean View Tourney, TBA BOYS SOCCER • The Dolphins (1-0-1) are looking decent to start the season so far, opening up with a 2-1 win against Tesoro on the road on November 30. Paul Romero and Vicente Ruiz each lead with one goal score apiece while Rony Alay had three saves at goal. Dana Hills next faced Laguna Beach December 2 at home and tied the Breakers 1-1. The team then took in a home match against

Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

Aliso Niguel on December 7. Next 7 days: Dec. 9-10, 12 at Irvine Tournament, TBA; Dec. 14 vs. Beckman, 3:15 p.m.; Dec. at 16 at El Toro, 3 p.m. GIRLS SOCCER • The Lady Dolphins (2-0) are off to a solid start so far after opening the season with a 1-0 against Mission Viejo on November 29. Brittany Mueller got the lone goal in the first half for Dana Hills with assists from Lynsey Gaines and Danielle Spriggs. Next, the girls rolled through Woodbridge in a 5-0 shutout win on December 1 as Gaines, Mueller, Spriggs, Sydney Chiodini and Hannah Ris all netted goals. Up 1-0 in the first half, the Lady Dolphins went on a terror in the second with four goals scored against Woodbridge en route to the decisive win. The team started play in the Aliso Cup Tournament December 6. Next 7 days: Dec. 6, 8, 10, 12 at Aliso Cup Tournament, TBA; Dec. 13, 16-17, 19-20 at Mater Dei Invitational, TBA GIRLS WATER POLO • The Lady Dolphins (0-0) swam into the season with a showing at the El Dorado Tournament December 1-3. The team faced Canyon (Anaheim) on December 6 and Laguna Beach December 8 in nonleague action before moving on to compete in the Villa Park Tournament December 8-10. Next 7 days: Dec. 15 vs. Edison at Ocean View, 6:15 p.m. WRESTLING • The Dolphins opened the season by competing at the Cossarek Classic December 2-3. Next 7 days: Dec. 9-10 at Temescal

Canyon Duals at Temescal Canyon, 1 p.m./10a.m.; Dec. 16-17 at Ed Springs Classic, 9 a.m.

sula high duo in the quarterfinals of the tennis championships. Next 7 days: N/A

GIRLS GOLF • Avery French won her second International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) tournament and grabbed the top spot on the leader board after scoring a 79 and an 81 in her rounds at the La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad December 3-4 in girl’s U-19 division. French hit all 14 fairways in the final round on Sunday, while holing back-to-back birdies on the front nine on Saturday. The La Costa Resort & Spa is a difficult 6,101-yard course, and will play host to the Kia Classic LPGA Tour tournament sometime next year.

BASEBALL: BLUE CREW BASEBALL CAMP TO BE HELD AT DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL • Capistrano Community Education will hold its Blue Crew Youth Baseball Camp this month at Dana Hills High School. Players can look forward to improving their baseball skills while being instructed and evaluated by the Dana Hills High School baseball coaching staff, led by head coach Tom Faris. Those who opt to participate will also receive a camp T-shirt along with personalized instruction that will further help develop their fundamental baseball skills. The camp will include learning new drills, challenges and true baseball etiquette. Those who sign up for camp should bring their baseball gear and baseball clothes, including a glove, hat, bat, helmet and water. The camp’s lone session is slated for players ages 6 to 14 years old and will run from December 19 to 23 from 9 a.m. to noon. Parents are encouraged to drop off their children at the baseball diamond at Dana Hills High School at 8 a.m. for an hour-long free pre-camp during the dates provided. The total cost of the camp is $200 per session with $100 going to the Blue Crew Baseball Camp, and the other $100 going directly to Capistrano Unified School District. More information is available by visiting www.danahillsbaseball.com or by reaching Tom Faris at 949.510.7381 or tcfaris@capousd.org.

GIRLS TENNIS • The Lady Dolphins doubles team of Cassidy Spearman and Margo Pletcher fell short of a title run as the doubles team fell 6-2, 6-3 to two-time defending champs from Campbell Hall in the semifinals of the CIF-SS Individual Tennis Championships on December 2. Following a flat start and losing in the first set, Spearman and Pletcher were tied 3-3 with Valerie Thoung and Zoe Katz of Campbell Hall in the second set. Dana Hills had two opportunities to break Campbell Hall’s serve and win a crucial game, but the duo failed to win the next four points. Thoung and Katz then saw the window to up their game and eventually pulled away with the win. Getting to the semifinals, Spearman and Pletcher quickly dispatched their Round 16 opponents from Claremont High before advancing past a Penin-

Page 20

www.danapointtimes.com

DP SURF

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

D a n a Po i nt

Grom of the WEEK Kirra Pinkerton Age: 9, Clarence Lobo Elementary Kirra Pinkerton has been surfing since the age of 3. As the daughter of 1986 NSSA and WSA champion and Bud Pro Tour surfer Jim Pinkerton, wave riding is in her genes. Since her first sessions with her dad at Doheny, Kirra has come a long way and continues to improve steadily. No stranger to competition, and having won her division in the last three San Clemente Open surf contests, she decided to try her hand at WSA competition. Her first time in the lineup came December 4 at Oceanside where she took fifth in Girls U12 shortboard. Kirra also enjoys playing soccer and creating art by drawing, painting and sculpting clay. She also excels in school, especially in math, and says she wants to go to Kirra Pinkerton. Photo by Andrea Swayne college and be a pro surfer after high school. Kirra recently had her first few sessions at Lowers and now calls it her favorite surf break next to Pinetrees in Kauai where her family has a place they visit each summer. Lately she’s focused on practicing her turns for the next WSA in January. Many surfers her age would be intimidated at surfing against older competitors but Kirra welcomes the challenge. “The competition in WSA is tough but really fun, and I like surfing with my friends,” she said. “I like surfing against the older girls, too. I think it makes me a better surfer. I want to do the whole season next year.” —Andrea Swayne

Surfboard Sales to Benefit Kids with Autism Fourth annual event for Surfers Healing Now on at the Ritz-Carlton Andrea Swayne Dana Point Times

he Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is hosting the fourth annual Holiday Surfboard Auction to Benefit Surfers Healing through December 31. The auction gives potential buyers a chance to bid on one-of-a-kind surfboards, each valuable for different reasons—either crafted by a legendary shaper, painted by a celebrity artist, ridden by a famous professional surfer or signed by TV stars. Boards for auction include art boards by Wyland, Anthony Keidis and Robb Havassy; autographed boards ridden by Kelly Slater, Andy Irons and Greg Long; a restored 1954 balsawood Hobie and boards shaped by Greg Noll and Skip Frye, just to name a few. Proceeds from the event will benefit Surfers Healing, an organization guided by the mission to enrich the lives of people with autism by exposing them to surfing. Surfers Healing was founded by Israel

SURF RESULTS WSA Gatorade Championship Tour Event No. 5, December 3-4, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty Local finishers only. MICRO GROM BOYS/GIRLS U9: 1. Taj Lindblad, SC; 2. Patrick O’Connor, SJC; 3. Cooper Sutton, SC. BOYS/GIRLS U10: 3. Cooper Sutton, SC; 5. Kade Matson, SC; 6. Cole Mezak, SJC. BOYS U12: 4. Trevor Sutton, SC; 6. Kade Matson, SC. BOYS U16: 1. Colton Overin, SC. BOYS U18: 2. Dylan Sonderegger, SC; 3. Brandon Hawkins, SC. GIRLS U12: 4. Alexxa Elseewi, SC; 5. Kirra Pinkerton, SC. GIRLS U14: 6. Malia Osterkamp, SC. GIRLS U16: 2. Malia Osterkamp, SC; 5. Malia Ward, SC. GIRLS U18: 3. Lulu Erkeneff, DP. BOYS LB U14: 1. Jacob Atwood, CB; 2. Kyle Perez, DP; 4. Noah Atwood, CB; 6. Brandon Hoffman, SC. JR. LB U18: 2. Dylan Cox, CB; 4. Casey Powell, SC; 5. Brock Dana Point Times December 9–15, 2011

and Danielle Paskowitz whose son Isaiah was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Like many children with autism, Isaiah often suffered from sensory overload, a symptom for which the ocean seemed to grant him a reprieve. With this in mind, Israel, a former competitive surfer, decided to try taking Isaiah surfing. As he steered from the tail of the board with his son riding up front, Israel discovered the therapeutic impact it had on Isaiah. Surfers Healing began with the Paskowitz’ desire to share surfing with other children with autism and their families through beach day camps. The auction is part of The Ritz-Carlton’s Community Footprints program, created to encourage leadership in volunteerism, fundraising, product donations and mentoring programs at a local level. The surfboards are on display at the hotel and can also be viewed online. Log onto www.surfershealing.org for more information about Surfers Healing and a link to the bidding website. DP

Thomson, DP; 6. Mason Shaw, CB. GIRLS LB U14: 1. Rachael Tilly, CB; 2. Teresa O’Connor, SJC; 3. Meg Roh, DP; 5. Kaila Patterson, CB. GIRLS LB U18: 1. Emmy Lombard, SC; 2. Karina Rozunko, SC; 3. Rachael Tilly, CB; 6. Lulu Erkeneff, DP. MEN 18-29: 3. Christian Powell, DP; 6. Ricky Lovato, SC. MASTERS 30-39: 4. Eric Rendon, SC. WOMEN 18+: 5. Keeley McWilliam, SC. SR. MEN LB 40+: 4. Rick Erkeneff, DP. OPEN WOMEN: 1. Lulu Erkeneff, DP. OPEN MEN LB: 4. Rick Ekstein, DP; 5. Eric Rendon, SC. OPEN WOMEN LB: 1. Tory Gilkerson, SC; 2. Rachael Tilly, CB; 3. Lulu Erkeneff, DP; 4. Teresa O’Connor, SJC. NSSA Soutwest Conference Open Event No. 6, December 3-4, Huntington Beach, Pier First place and local finishers only. MEN: 1. Hiroto Oohara, Japan. JUNIORS: 1. Hiroto Oohara, Japan. BOYS: 1. Cole Houshmand, SC.

Surf Swap at Stewart’s Stewart Surfboards, 2102 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente, will hold its third annual Holiday Surf Swap, Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The swap is a great opportunity to clear out your garage and make some money on all the surf/beach-related gear that’s gathering dust. Bring items for sale to the shop on Thursday, December 8 or Friday, December 9 to be checked in for the sale. Stewarts will sell your gear and give you 100 percent of the proceeds in store credit or 70 percent in the form of a check. Arrive early to snag the best deals on hundreds of new and used boards, bags, wetsuits, clothing, accessories and more. Then stop back by in the afternoon to check out the live band Barrel Country, featuring Bill Stewart on harmonica. Call 949.492.1085 for more information.

Surf ForecasT This 10’4” Greg Noll with a 1-inch balsa-redwood T-band from the early 1960s restored by Danny Brawner is up for bid. Courtesy photo

MINI GROMS: 1. Nick Marshall, Encinitas; 3. Crosby Colapinto, SC. WOMEN: 1. Kulia Doherty, Rancho Santa Fe; 3. Tia Blanco, SC. GIRLS: 1. Frankie Harrer, Malibu; 2. Tia Blanco, SC. LONGBOARD: 1. Tony Bartovich, Huntington Beach. Log on to www.sanclementetimes.com for full results.

UPCOMING EVENTS December 17-18: NSSA Southwest Conference Open Event No. 7, Cardiff by the Sea, Seaside Reef January 7-8: WSA Gatorade Championship Tour Event No. 6, Midget Smith Pier Rat Challenge, San Clemente, Pier January 7-8: NSSA Southwest Conference Open Event No. 8, Dana Point, Salt Creek January 14: NSSA Southwest Conference Explorer Event No. 5, Huntington Beach, Pier

Page 22

Water temp: 58-61˚F Water visibility and conditions: Local: 15-25’ Good; Catalina: 20-25’ Good Remarks: A mix of leftover Southwest swell and Northwest energy lingers on Thursday. Surge is light and visibility is excellent, setting up good diving conditions. Short range: Surf size is 1-2’+(knee-thigh high) for most of the region on Thursday, with a few rare 3’(waist high) peaks for top combo exposures around the correct tides. Light winds keep the surf clean early, though big tide swings are an issue for many breaks. Minimal Northwest and Southerly swell energy are in the water on Friday before some new Northwest and South-Southwest swells start to creep in. Light morning flow continues. Long range: A new mix of Northwest swell and slow building South-Southwest swell moves in through the day on Saturday. Better breaks offer mainly 2-3’+(knee-waist-chest high) surf, with light morning winds. Conditions look favorable again on Sunday as Northwest swell holds steady and more Southerly swell fills in, along with more light morning winds. Stay tuned to Surfline.com for updates.