YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, EVENTS AND MORE J U LY 5 -1 1 , 2 0 1 3
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 27
Gorging for Glory Local ranked among top 50 eaters competes in July 4th Nathan’s Famous contest E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 4
Dana Point resident, Mary Bowers, fell into competitive eating and is now ranked No. 43 amongst Major League Eaters. Bowers will compete in the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, in Queens, NY. Photo by Andrea Papagianis
www.danapointtimes.com
City Bears Burden to Prove Nuisance Claim, Appellate Court Says
Nonprofit Brings Operation Babylift Adoptees to Dana Point
Dana Hills High School Basketball Sweeps Summer Tournament
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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING
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D a n a Po i nt
CITY AND BUSINESS CALENDAR FRIDAY, JULY 5
SATURDAY, JULY 6
Independence Day Aftermath Park and Beach Cleanup Considering the day after Independence Day is one of the messiest days of the year for Doheny State Beach, volunteers are asked to help pick-up after the picnickers.
Craft Fair and Farmers Market 9 a.m.–3 p.m. La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza St. Admission is free. For more information or to inquire about purchasing a booth, please call 949.573.5033 or see www.danapoint. org.
For more information about beach cleanups, visit www.dohenystatebeach.org.
SUNDAY, JULY 7 Summer Concert Series 3:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Every Sunday from July 7 through August 25, bands will rock Dana Point. Kicking off this Year’s
Summer Concert Series will be classic rockers ProgKnowSys at Lantern Bay Park. So, pack a blanket, bring the family and enjoy the sounds of summer.
TUESDAY, JULY 9 VFW Veterans Assistance 1:30 p.m.–3 p.m. Dana Point VFW Post 9934 offers free veterans’ benefits assistance at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo. Call 949.248.1419, or visit www.vfwpost9934.org.
DANA POINT’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS
What’s Up With... 1
...Strand Gate Access?
THE LATEST: Following a California Appellate Court opinion published June 17 on the ongoing litigation pitting the state and an environmental group against the city and a developer over two gated beach paths, both sides have responded to the document. The Surfrider Foundation, the plaintiff in one of two lawsuits filed against the city of Dana Point, held an early morning press conference Monday calling on the city to open full access to Strand Beach. They asked the city to removing the gates at the two of five pathways leading from Strand Vista Park to the beach below that cut through the private Strand at Headlands neighborhood. The city on Tuesday filed a petition for rehearing that will request the Court of Appeal to reconsider what the city believes to be factual errors in the published opinion, said City Attorney Patrick Munoz. WHAT’S NEXT: Typically the court of appeal makes decisions on whether to grant petitions for rehearing within three to six weeks. FIND OUT MORE: Stay tuned for updates and see page 6 for a story on the Appellate Court opinion. —Andrea Swayne
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…SONGS Layoffs?
THE LATEST: Southern California Edison announced last week that the utility had given the first round of notices to over 600 non-union employees that they would be laid-off this summer. The notice formalized last month’s announcement that the company would retire the plant as a power production Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
facility. The company said last month they would ultimately be reducing its workforce by 1,100 positions. Employees were given 60-day termination notices on June 24. WHAT’S NEXT: The utility has stated that it will be working with two of its unions, the Utility Workers Union of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, through collective bargaining on how it would reduce its union workforce. Edison Chief Nuclear Officer Peter Dietrich indicated that the utility will host a job fair for displaced workers. FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www. danapointtimes.com — Jim Shilander
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...Poche Beach?
THE LATEST: After a couple of months of positive bacterial readings, the news has been mixed at Poche Beach the last several weeks, as the beach was placed on the county’s warning list on June 25 for exceeding recommended health standards. However, the beach is now back up to an “A” grade from ocean safety organization, Heal the Bay, and was removed from the warning list Sunday. Poche Beach is located on county property within the city limits of Dana Point, but because urban runoff from San Clemente has been a cause of issues in the past, the city has taken a lead role in cleanup efforts WHAT’S NEXT: The primary blame of the bacterial readings at the beach has generally been laid at the feet of gulls and other birds congregating in the ocean just outside the outflow of the Pima Deshecha channel. Ken Nielsen, a San Clemente fisherman who serves on the city’s Coastal Advisory Committee, said he believes the bad reading may have come from a change
of currents south from Doheny Beach, where bird populations are actually higher. The county has installed ultrasonic devices to try and move birds away. FIND OUT MORE: For report cards on area beaches, visit brc.healthebay.org. —JS
4
…the Unclaimed Lottery Ticket?
THE LATEST: California Lottery officials are on the lookout for the owner of a winning lottery ticket purchased in Dana Point. The winning ticket is worth $156,712 and was purchased at Super Stop, 34469 Golden Lantern, for the January 25 MEGA Millions drawing. The ticket matched five of six numbers: 11, 17, 31, 48 and 12, missing only the MEGA number, 1. The California Lottery only releases security camera footage to identify winners for tickets worth $350,000 and above, according to spokesman Elias Dominguez, who added that $20.5 million went unclaimed in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the last year data was available. Since 1985, $749 million in winnings have gone unclaimed. WHAT’S NEXT: Winners have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim their prizes. The ticket will expire Wednesday, July 24 at 5 p.m. It the ticket goes unclaimed, prize money will then go toward state public school funding. FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www. danapointtimes.com. – Brian Park
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…SCHS Improvements?
THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees President John
Alpay, who represents San Clemente, encouraged the board to move forward with constructing a new pool at San Clemente High School as the leading edge of a program to improve the physical plant of the districts oldest high school building. At Alpay’s request, CUSD staff investigated the conditions at the school, in terms of short- or long-term maintenance needs and areas that might require modernization at the school. The survey found a need for major roof repair or replacement, replacement of dry-rotted wood and new flooring throughout the campus, as well as cracked concrete, among a number of other issues. The district has approximately $6.2 million in a fund earmarked for capital improvements at the high school, but that fund also provides funds for upkeep two other buildings. Alpay said that while projects needed to be undertaken to address the immediate needs at the school for safety and health, he felt it was important to provide a new amenity to help signify progress was being made to rehabilitate the school. WHAT’S NEXT: Superintendent Joseph Farley said some improvements were already underway at the school, including repairs to the parking lot but said that without students in the halls, “it looks worn out.” Other board members agreed something needed to be done to improve conditions at the school, but said the immediate needs, such as roof repair, needed to take precedence over a new pool. As the second oldest high school in the district, improvements to Dana Hills High School will also become a future priority, Farley said. FIND OUT MORE: For more on the story, visit www.danapointtimes.com — JS www.danapointtimes.com
EYE ON DP
Gorging for Glory In two years, Dana Point’s Mary Bowers has climbed competitive eating rankings, sits at No. 43 By Andrea Papagianis Dana Point Times
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ootball’s biggest night of the year may revolve more around the culinary and advertising experiences than the actual game, but the Super Bowl has nothing on the grub-centric sport where competitors have a literal bowl in front of them. While the world of competitive eating may be a foreign one to most—perhaps limited to small-town pie eating contests—one local woman is making her mark in the field and hopes to be a surprise long shot winner in the near-century-old Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest at Coney Island. On Independence Day, Mary “I Love ‘em Hot” Bowers will compete in the 98th annual summertime eating contest, which regularly draws around 40,000 spectators to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island and more than a million television spectators, according to the competition website. Bowers has shaken the nerves of her rookie foray into the world of competitive eating and now, well into her first full season on the professional circuit, she has her sights set on someday bringing an international title home to Dana Point. “Last year was just about taking it all in and being a part of the energy,” Bowers said, sitting clad in a ketchup and mustard colored ensemble. “It helps to know what to expect. This year, I really feel like I can concentrate on the eating and on the sport and really give it a good performance.” Bowers grew up in Greeley, Colo., a town of about 60,000 people some 60 miles northeast of Denver, with lots of corn, cows and festivals, she said. From strawberry to potato fests and vendors slinging every fried food imaginable, Bowers was raised on that small-town Americana feel. These days—aside from her newfound career as a competitive eater—the former architect turned fashion model turned entrepreneur is self-employed via her company, Eat! Be Mary!, Inc. and designs concepts for food-related costumes, promotional displays and photo shoots. Now, sitting on the Nathan’s Famous stage, crowds— numbering near the population of her entire hometown— gather just down the street from the famous Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn, as she and dozens of other competitors dip, shove and chow down on as many hot dogs as they can within a 10-mintue time constraint. “Being up there on the stage, it’s exciting but you are really just focused on what you have to do,” Bowers said. “You look out at the audience and they are there, but it is pretty much just you and your hot dogs.” Bowers’ journey to Coney Island began at a casual hot dog eating contest in Mission Viejo, which she entered on a whim. In May 2011, Bowers was en route to paint a garden gnome at a “paint it yourself” ceramics store and as she passed a The Derby Deli & Dueling Piano Bar, a sign advertising the eating competition sparked her interest. Bowers went inside for information and was handed an entry form. “As it turns out I wasn’t half bad,” Bowers said. “I made it through their qualifying round with 9.5 hotdogs and buns in 12 minutes.” A few months later, Bowers found herself at the event’s finals, competing alongside two of the world’s top competitive eaters, “Furious” Pete Czerwinski and Takeru Kobayashi. Bowers ate just 6.5 hot dogs in her second Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
An estimated 40,000 people make the Independence Day pilgrimage to the original Nathan’s Famous on Coney Island for the annual hot dogeating contest. Courtesy Photo
Mary Bowers competes in the 97th annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in 2012. Bowers was Nathan’s first-ever female wild card competitor and finished 8.5 hot dogs within the contest’s 10-minute timeframe. Courtesy Photo
showing. But in April 2012, competitive eating’s fashionista became the first-ever women’s wild card participant in the Nathan’s Famous Championship, where she put away 9.5 dogs and buns. Bowers signed with Major League Eating, the governing body for professional competitive eating—last summer and has since competed in contests around North America, from Peeps and wild boar sausages to kimchee and potstickers. Throughout her ride to No. 43 on the MLE’s competitive eater rankings, Bowers points to her first competition in Mission Viejo for providing her favorite moment. Bowers was in the bathroom cleaning up after the contest when a woman and her young daughter approached. The woman looked at her daughter and said, “This woman is really brave because she was the only girl up there with all of the boys. What does that mean to you?” Bowers recalled with tears in her eyes. “The little girl looked straight at me and said, ‘It means that I can do anything that the boys do … I don’t need to be scared, I can do it too.’ “I was up there doing something I thought was fun, that was kind of silly and I didn’t realize there was this underlying message that resonates with families and children in particular,” Bowers said. “So wherever people find those messages of empowerment and inspiration, it is really cool to be a part of it.” In the Nathan’s contest, women no longer have to compete among the men as the event has held separate rounds for men and women since 2011. Separate divisions sound like a great thing for female competitors considering last year’s men’s champion Joey Chestnut of San Jose set the world record at 68 dogs and buns. It is good for women in the sport but Bowers still has a tough road to hoe as the 2012 women’s division winner Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas won the event after putting down 42. As Bowers enters her second Nathan’s Famous final, she hopes to set a new personal best and to keep climbing the rankings. And her personal best is on the rise. She topped last year’s 8.5 hot dogs when she ate 10.5 dogs in the Nathan’s qualifying event in Florida earlier this year.
“Not a lot of people are expecting a lot of me,” Bowers said. “But to me it is kind of like ‘The Tortoise and the Hare.’ I am looking at this as a marathon … and over time, I think you will see me rising up in the ranks and getting better.”
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Q&A WITH MARY ‘I LOVE ‘EM HOT’ BOWERS: DP TIMES: How do you take your hot dog? BOWERS: I like mine Chicago style, so a poppy seed bun, with hot peppers and the wild green white relish, tomato slices, mustard, pickle spear and celery salt. What is the water technique you use for buns in competition? You kind of have to dunk the bun in order to get those big numbers. Different people drink different stuff. Some drink Kool-aid, which I tried, and it didn’t work. Some use iced tea, which worked for a while, and now I am on to coffee. What is the most bizarre contest you’ve participated in? Poutine was the most interesting. It’s a Canadian dish, french fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. I know, it sounds healthy, right? It is great food for after partying, but it isn’t something I want to recommend on a regular basis. How do you train for competition? It’s more of a mental game than a physical game. It’s really interesting, because the fans that I’ve met have a really wide range of food issues. For some reason, culturally, we aren’t always able to voice our opinions about food, about nutrition and health. And I have people asking all kinds of really interesting questions on food, like how to get a child to eat this, or I’m concerned that I’m overweight or that I am underweight. I think being a competitive eater means you have to be pretty confident with yourself, but when I get asked questions it gets my mind thinking, well what are the things that I am less sure about. And so you have to work through a lot of that, and I think that goes from the top eater in the league to the bottom. I don’t sit down with mass quantities of food. Training is more of the overall picture of OK, how many calories am I eating and how much am I exercising? It’s the whole picture of how it goes together. www.danapointtimes.com
EYE ON DP
DP Sheriff’s Blotter SPONSORED BY
Dana Point Police Services www.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com COMPILED BY VICTOR CARNO 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 website.
Saturday, June 29 DRUNK IN PUBLIC Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (8:01 p.m.) A drunken man in his 20s was on the ground in the McDonald’s drive-thru. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES La Cresta Drive/Golden Lantern (6:52 p.m.) A drunken man was sitting on a
landscape wall at the caller’s home across the street from Shipwreck Park. BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Golden Lantern/Dana Point Harbor Drive (1:49 p.m.) A woman was on her boat in the bedroom area when she heard a thump coming from the kitchen. When she went into the kitchen she saw her purse was open and her wallet was missing. SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Monarch Bay Plaza, 0 Block (1:03 p.m.) A man sitting in a black Ford F-150 behind Gelson’s supermarket was seen driving recklessly around the parking lot and screaming at customers. MISSING ADULT Cheltam Way, 33400 Block (11:55 a.m.) A woman reported her adult daughter missing after not having seen her in over two weeks. The daughter was supposed to be staying with some friends in Los Angeles. Recently, the mother was told that her daughter may have left the state to meet someone she met online. PATROL CHECK Pacific Coast Highway/Crown Valley Parkway (10:33 a.m.) A family of ducks was seen walking in the middle of the street between Crown Valley Parkway and Niguel Road, blocking traffic. It was reported that the ducks nearly caused an accident.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Golden Lantern, 33900 Block (8:57 a.m.) A mother found her 20-year-old son passed out on the deck of their house. She said she found a pipe lying on his chest. 9-1-1 HANGUP Doheny Park Road, 34100 Block (8:54 a.m.) Police dispatch received a call from a man saying, the President is wasting too much money and that $300 trillion is an emergency. The caller went on to say that he would wait by the pay phone until the CIA arrives. DISTURBANCE Monarch Bay Plaza/Pacific Coast Highway (8:02 a.m.) A man was seen yelling and screaming at a woman to “get off his corner.”
Friday, June 28 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Camino Del Avion/Golden Lantern (6:19 p.m.) A woman called deputies after witnessing a man wearing a golf shirt and khaki pants attempting to get into her car. While the woman was on the phone with police, she said that the man began to yell at her. The caller was unsure if the man was trying to steal her vehicle or had some other intention.
WELFARE CHECK Calle Paloma, 34500 Block (4:44 p.m.) A woman called police after she overheard her neighbors in the upstairs apartment talking about selling drugs. The caller was concerned that the neighbors may have overdosed because they left the water running and it was beginning to leak into her apartment unit. The caller was also worried that they were not taking care of their 10-year-old daughter. DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Via California, 26300 Block (3:14 p.m.) A man complained about loud country music coming from a nearby residence while he was trying to nap. WELFARE CHECK Crown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (1:31 a.m.) A welfare check was requested for a woman who was heard screaming hysterically, “My dog is dying.” The woman was begging for medics to come.
Thursday, June 27 BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Calle Juanita, 27000 Block (7:46 p.m.) A man’s neighbor came to his house asked him to call deputies because someone was breaking into the neighbor’s home. The neighbor said that he saw someone exit through his window. The caller phoned back a few minutes later saying his neighbor told him that everything was ok.
EYE ON DP
City Bears Burden to Prove Nuisance at Strand, Appellate Court Says Appellate court sends case over beach access back to trial court to decide if city adopted nuisance ordinance in good faith By Andrea Papagianis Dana Point Times
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our years after the city of Dana Point installed gates at Strand Vista Park and restricted hours of access to the beach below, two lawsuits, pitting the city and a developer against the state and a nonprofit, are still unresolved. The lawsuits, one filed by Dana Point against the California Coastal Commission, and the second filed by the Surfrider Foundation—an environmental nonprofit organization—against the city, put into question two gated pathways leading from a public park, through a private neighborhood and down to a public beach known as Dana Strand. Due to their interrelatedness, the two cases were consolidated but have since been decided separately. (Two ungated paths and a funicular inclined elevator located outside of the neighboorhood, round out the five total accessways to the beach.) On June 17, in a 2-1 decision, a state appellate court ultimately returned the city and Coastal Commission case back to the San Diego County Superior Court to enter a ruling on whether or not the city acted in good faith when in 2010 it adopted a Nuisance Abatement Ordinance, an ordinance that allowed the city to validate the implementation of gates and hours that the city has maintained were necessary for public safety. But Superior Court Judge Joan Lewis already voided the ordinance in the Surfrider case because it was “lacking in evidentiary support,” her ruling said. While Surfrider has labeled the California 4th District Court of Appeals opinion a victory, the two gates leading to Strand Beach are still standing, and according to Jennifer Farrell, the assistant city attorney, those gates are not going anywhere, anytime soon. At a recent Planning Commission meeting, Farrell said the appellate court both agreed and disagreed with the city, but remanded the case to the trial court, where the city must now bear the burden of proving its nuisance ordinance necessary. “The municipality must demonstrate that it has exercised its nuisance abatement powers in good faith, in that the municipality has not utilized these powers as a pretext for avoiding its obligation to its own local coastal program,” Justice Cynthia Aaron wrote in the majority’s opinion. Despite the fact the court made no findings regarding the validity of the order in the Coastal Commission case, the ruling in the Surfrider case invalidating the ordinance is seen by the Commission as reason to believe the court will also rule in their favor. Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
Gates to two access ways that cut through the Headlands development are at the center of an ongoing dispute between Dana Point, the California Coastal Commission and the Surfrider Foundation Photo by Andrea Swayne
“Given the trial court’s ruling in the Surfrider case, we are optimistic the trial court would rule in the Commission’s favor,” said Christopher Pederson, supervising staff counsel at the Commission. Surfrider Foundation agreed, and has once again vowed to pressure the city to remove the gates without further litigation. “Not only will access at Dana Point Strand Beach be protected through this ruling, but other municipalities and developers will be stopped from abusing nuisance abatement authority to the detriment of public access,” Angela Howe, legal director for Surfrider, said in an email. City Attorney Patrick Muñoz could not be reached for comment. CASE HISTORY In 2002, the city amended its local coastal program—a planning tool used by local governments for developments falling within the coastal zone—for a new development, known as The Strand at Headlands, of approximately 120 luxury homes and the addition of a public park along the coastal bluffs. The California Coastal Commission approved the amendment in 2004 after requiring the Headlands Reserve LLC development include two public trails leading down to the beach. Two public access trails that run through the residential area—called Mid and Central Strand trail heads—were eventually established, as well as three others on the outskirts of the neighborhood.
According to court documents, prior to the opening of the park in 2009, the city installed gates at the top and bottom of the two beach access trails, cutting through the development. Additionally, the city established hours of trail access, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or 7 p.m.)—depending on the season. Five months later, the Coastal Commission informed the city that it had violated the California Coastal Act of 1976, which requires a coastal development permit be approved before construction of certain uses occurs within a coastal zone, and demanded the city remove the gates and restricted hours. One month after, in November 2009, the Commission sent a violation notice and informed the city it would be subject to enforcement proceedings. According to court documents, the city and Coastal Commission were unable to resolve the issue, and in March 2010, the city held a meeting to consider evidence pertaining to public safety issues at the park and gated paths. Despite public comments stating the city was exaggerating crime and nuisance claims, the City Council unanimously passed an abatement ordinance, which permitted the gates without prior Coastal Commission approval. The city held it had mitigated crime and protected the public without hiring additional law enforcement officers and that the gates and hours did not restrict beach access because the public still had alternative routes during the hours the two gates in question are closed. The Coastal Commission issued a notice of appeal, informing the public, and
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therefore the city, in which three appeals were filed—one from a private citizen, one from Surfrider and one from two members of the Commission. The city filed a brief in opposition and argued the Commission lacked jurisdiction to review ordinances enacted by a local government. At a hearing in May 2010, the Commission’s then-executive director Peter Douglas, who helped establish the Coastal Act, called the city’s ordinance adoption “a flagrant attempt to circumvent the public access policies of the Coastal Act, and circumvent the public access requirements that the Commission imposed on this project.” The Commission unanimously denied claims made by Muñoz that the implementation of hours of operation and construction of gates did not require Commission approval and directed the city to remove said gates and suspend the limiting hours. The city swiftly countered with a lawsuit. Around the same time, Surfrider filed their own suit, charging the city overstepped its authority in abating nuisances. Surfrider has maintained the city acted to please a few members of the community, while ignoring the rights of others. Judge Lewis ruled in favor of Surfrider. The city appealed. In the city’s case against the Coastal Commission, Dana Point argued the state regulator had no jurisdiction in reviewing its nuisance ordinance. The trial court agreed. The Commission appealed. According to the appellate court’s opinion, the Coastal Commission does not have jurisdiction over the city’s nuisance ordinance unless a trial court finds the ordinance was improperly entered as a means to avoid the city’s obligations under the local coastal program. In 2004, when the commission approved the city’s amendment to its local coastal program, it required the Strand at Headlands development include various trails from the park to the beach. The amendment provided that access “structures designed to … shall not be permitted upon any street (public or private) within the Headlands … to limit, deter or prevent public access,” the opinion said. The appellate court found, in the Coastal Commission case, that the trial court erred because it hadn’t specifically addressed if the ordinance was a pretext to avoid a coastal development permitting process. For the time being, the Surfrider case is on hold, while the manner in which the Coastal Commission case moves forward is now in the hands of the city. The city could seek review by the California Supreme Court or could elect to return to trial, as laid out in the appellate court’s opinion. DP Andrea Swayne contributed to this report. www.danapointtimes.com
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Dana Point Times, Vol. 6, Issue 27. 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 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett
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SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Elysia Gamo, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell
GUEST OPINION: Conscious Living: Local Resources for a Healthful and Sustainable Life, by Meryl Gwinn
Choose Dirt I
t’s sweet summertime and it’s apparent, quite literally at first bite, as you sink your teeth into a deep red strawberry, from the farmers market. Senses are stirred and I’m reminded of humid Julys in the east navigating prickly blackberry bushes and strawberry fields. “Oh, you’re bored girls? Get a job,” said my mother, and it wasn’t so bad filling up those little green fruit baskets with delicious summertime indulgence. Speaking of nostalgia, right now the food movement is about remembering our health is a direct correlation of what goes into our bodies. With the compromised state of our convenience- and dollar-driven global food system, food awareness has become a matter of life or sickness. The truth is, we are what we eat. So what can we do? A great start is to choose fresh, local and organic seasonal produce. Why? Because things that have come recently from the ground, and moreover, rich, nutrient-dense soil, are more valuable to our health, environment and local economy. Buying organic ensures we’re getting pure produce from well-cared for earth that hasn’t been treated with harmful pesticides. Eating in season puts us back in harmony with nature’s cycles. Before the birth of refrig-
Letters to the Editor BLAME THE BAGGER, NOT THE BAG ED NEELY, Dana Point
Regarding the letter in last week’s paper from Dick Rudolph about the newly implemented bag ban in Dana Point, I appreciate his investigation of Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
eration and preservatives, we ate what grew when it grew and were grateful for it—with less chemical side effects. Purchasing from local farmers allows us to support small family orCONSCIOUS LIVING ganizations with honest By Meryl Gwinn intentions, and reconnects us with old-world goodness of simpler times. It cuts out the unsustainable process of spraying, packaging, freezing and transporting food intended to survive on dehydrating supermarket shelves. Organics are sometimes a tad pricier, but it helps to think of it as health insurance of your personal plan. It’s preventative medicine that’s priceless coverage, and it comes in a variety of colors and fascinating heirloom varieties. Ninety cents more for poison-free agriculture or a $20 copay—it’s worth considering. Visiting the farm stand at South Coast Farms is a joyful experience, and it’s here that you will taste the most delicious strawberries of your adult life. The 28 acres in San Juan Capistrano is the oldest working farm in Orange County, and its history of salvation from a “strip-mall casualty” fate by the people of San Juan Capistrano is heroic. Farmer and establisher George Kibby and his crew are enriching the soil continuously to produce healthy, organic
crops to feed those who have supported this land since the 1800s. Their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program supplies fresh farm boxes with seasonal produce to members at reasonable prices, supporting a direct relationship between farmer and consumer. Boxes come in multiple sizes and can be picked up at a variety of locations weekly or bi-weekly. Both the stand and the CSA are supportive of foods from other local farmers in the region as well as non-local options in order to offer a variety of fare. Check out their website for some rich history on organic farming, www.southcoastfarms.com. Days spent at the farmers market are enhanced by shaking the calloused hand of the farmer and choosing from his crop of vibrant yet soil-caked carrots. Imperfection is relatable. Recently at my house the bounty is supplied by friends’ and neighbors’ generously producing citrus and avocado trees and backyard gardens. Designing our meals around what’s available is actually more convenient and twice as fun. There are loads of people around here growing their own food, restaurants offering local ingredients and inspiring community cooperatives taking root. In San Clemente, a member-owned market is being established to provide high quality foods and education that strengthen economy and ecology while enhancing the well-being of the consumer. The San Clemente Community Market
embraces ideas such as minimal packaging, bulk items and procuring local produce from several small farms in Orange and San Diego counties. They are currently in the process of establishing a store location. Check out their website and see how you can become a memberowner, www.sanclementemarket.com. So let’s get back down to the earth this summer by slowing down and realigning our values, health and habits. Choose dirt over plastic, open air markets over big box warehouse stores and real smiles over those scary self-checkouts nagging you to, “put the item back in the bag.”
Smart & Final and how having to use customer provided bags or paper bags have slowed things up at checkout in the store. I would suggest, however, that a more widespread investigation is warranted before he passes judgment. Since the start of the bag ban, I’ve shopped in various super markets in town and find the checkout procedure takes the same amount of time as before. The only difference is that
I provide my own grocery bags, or when I forget, the checker pulls out a paper bag rather than a plastic one. Now I’m not conducting any study here, it’s just one guy’s observation, but just saying… I do like Smart & Final and do shop there once in a while. If there is a problem, perhaps it’s in the way they check and bag rather than not having the skills to use paper bags as opposed to plastic.
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.
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LOCAL FARMER’S MARKETS: San Juan Capistrano Wednesdays 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Dana Point Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. San Clemente Sundays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. VALUABLE WEBSITES: www.farmersmarketorangecounty.com www.southcoastfarms.com www.sanclementemarket.com Meryl Gwinn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, has studied yoga, health, food, and humans around the globe. She is a constant pursuer of natural medicine and whole-healing solutions. Gwinn welcomes reader feedback at meryl.gwinn@ gmail.com. SC
www.danapointtimes.com
GETTING OUT
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YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
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THE LIST A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK
friday
INDEPENDENCE DAY AFTERMATH PARK AND BEACH CLEANUP Meet early to help clean up at Doheny State Beach and Park area. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.6172, www.dohenystatebeach.org.
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SAWDUST FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Art festival with more than 200 artists displaying paintings, photography, crafts, jewelry, clothing, blown glass, and much more. Admission: adults $7.75, kids $3.25. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030, www.sawdustartfestival.org. MOVIES IN THE PARK 8 p.m. The City of Dana Point’s Movies in the Park series with a showing of “Madagascar 3” in Lantern Bay Par; free popcorn and refreshments available for purchase. 25111 Park Lantern Road, Dana Point, 949.248.3530, www.danapoint.org. WINE TASTING 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Live music at DaVine Food & Wine along with wine tasting that starts at 4 p.m. Tasting fee $15 for five wines. 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.
saturday
MISSION’S MUSIC UNDER THE STARS CONCERT SERIES 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Live music, dining and dancing in the courtyard of the Mission. Tonight features tribute bands to The Eagles, John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Contact for ticket info. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.
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NATURE TOUR 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. A walk to explore the ecology and natural history of the Dana Point area starting at the Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point, 949.542.4755, www.danapoint.org. CRAFT FAIR AND FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fresh produce, crafted goods, flowers and much more at La Plaza Park in Dana Point every Saturday. 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org. Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
AT THE MOVIES: A CHANCE TO BE 20 FEET FROM STARDOM Most people know what it’s like to be in the crowd of their favorite music artist’s concert. However, most don’t know what it’s like to be on stage beside them or in the recording studio performing with them. In Morgan Neville’s new documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, movie audiences get to live vicariously for 90 minutes through a handful of professional backup singers from the 1960s until now. Neville’s feature investigates and teaches viewers about the process of song making through the eyes of the voices who harmonize in the background and are, most of the time, overlooked by fans. As it’s revealed, those background voices put the Courtesy of RADiUS-TWC. final, important touch on the music. Profiled singers throughout the film include Merry Clayton (the female voice on the The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”), Darlene Love (famous vocalist for Phil Spector) and Claudia Lennear, an “Ikette” with Ike and Tina Turner. Music legends Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Bette Midler and Sting comment as well. 20 Feet from Stardom is a fascinating and intriguing look on the recording process and how performing backup can provide a lot of opportunities for vocalists, as well as stunt their own dreams of solo success. There’s also some interesting insight into race relations in the music business. As of now, 20 Feet joins Stories We Tell as one of the essential documentaries of 2013. —Megan Bianco
PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS: LIGHTS, CAMERA, INACTION! 8:30 p.m. The annual Festival of Arts – Pageant of the Masters with this year’s theme, The Big Picture, adding a cinematic touch. Nightly shows through August 31. Tickets start at $15. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.6582, www.foapom.com. LIVE OAK REVUE 9 p.m. Live music at StillWater. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com. MICKEY AVALON 8 p.m. Popular hit artist in concert at The Coach House. Tickets $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.
sunday
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK 3 p.m.-6 p.m. The City of Dana Point presents their annual summer concert series in Lantern Bay Park kicking it off with The Tijuana Dogs and Progknowsys. 25111 Park Lantern Road, Dana Point, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.
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VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Over 60 local artists display artwork and crafts for sale on the first Sunday of each month, except January. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, www.villagesanclemente.org. THE ART OF COOKING 1 p.m. Cooking demonstration with a Laguna Beach chef at the Festival of Arts. Free with admission. General admission $10. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.6582, www.foapom.com. WINE & MUSIC CRUISE 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Dana Wharf’s cruise on a luxury catamaran with wine, snacks, music and more. Tickets $49. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.
monday
CHILDREN’S READING CLUB 10 a.m. Every Monday, 7-and 8-year-olds are invited to join Ms. Dana’s Reading Club at The Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.
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COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK AND FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swalPage 10
tuesday
KALEIDO KIDS SUMMER EVENT: SCIENCE ADVENTURE 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fun science show for kids at the Kaleidoscope featuring activities and more. 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy., Mission Viejo, www.gokaleidoscope.com.
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RUBEN GONZALEZ 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com. FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT 6 p.m.-8 p.m. An evening of archaeology, science and history at the Ocean Institute, for the whole family. $7-$25. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.
wednesday
LECTURE: ASTRONOMY 7 p.m. Astronomer Avinash Agrawal gives an astronomy lecture at the RMV presentation center, part of The Reserve/ Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Free. Call for info, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.
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thursday
GARDEN ANGEL VOLUNTEERS 8:30 a.m.10:30 a.m. Volunteers needed at Los Rios Park with Goin Native. Bring gloves and clippers. 31661 Los Rios St., 949.606.6386, San Juan Capistrano, www.goinnative.net.
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THE STORY OF CAMP PENDLETON 7 p.m. In conjunction with the exhibit, San Onofre: Birthplace of Southern California Beach Culture, Casa Romantica hosts an informative event on Camp Pendleton’s history. General admission $10, or $5 members. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org. MISSION’S CRAFTS FOR KIDS 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids can create coiled clay pots at the Mission. $3 plus admission of $6–$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.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
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PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
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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 See today’s solution in next week’s issue.
GUEST OPINION: It’s History by Carlos N. Olvera
Cave? Pirates? Rumrunners? T he coastal bluff now known as the Dana Point Headlands was originally named San Juan Point, after the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Near the turn of the 20th century, it was labeled Dana’s Point and later shortened to Dana Point. Commercial development of the headlands promontory point was first planned and graded around 1923. S. H. Woodruff took over the development in 1927 and had an artist rendering made, which included a major Mediterranean-style hotel, planned to be a grand establishment, with high density construction surrounding it. As Dana Point became a city, the bluffs use became the subject of serious debate. Today, the land is the site of the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center located on Scenic Drive. The 60 acres of natural habitat act as a vessel to a trip back in time, and visitors can view many artifacts and pictures of the area at the center.
The picture of the cave located at the seaward end of the point, shows how big it really is with two entrances and a large “living room.” I have been told by many that it is the perfect “man cave” since it has no access at IT’S HISTORY Carlos N. Olvera high tide. And then there is this: “Around on the north side of the point is a cave about 50 feet deep, which can only be reached by vigorous climbing over very rough rocks at the lowest tide, and even then, some wading has to be done. There is a legend connected with this cave, which in brief is, that when the old mission was sacked by pirates, they carried off a dark-eyed señorita. Before the pirates left the roadstead, her lover assisted her to escape from the vessel, and they fled to
The sea cave at the bottom of the Headlands, near the present day Ocean Institute, was used by rumrunners during Prohibition to hide shipments. Photo courtesy Paul Lawrence
Dana Point Times July 5–11, 2013
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Crew from the Oakwood are believed to have used the sea caves between Strand Beach and the Ocean Institute to hide barrels of rum during Prohibition. Photo courtesy of the First American Title Collection
this cave for safety. A dreaded diablito, in the form of an octopus, who was then said to live in the cave, proceeded to devour them and years afterwards their bones were found in this cave, [Los Angeles Times, August 29, 1888].” And this, from the same L.A. Times issue: “Away up on the side of one sandstone cliff, some venturesome climber for notoriety has carved the legend ‘R. B. 84.’ Rocky reefs here jut out into the ocean, and are eagerly searched for the latest novelties in shells which the tide has left. Gull rock is peak about half a mile out point, and is a roosting place for pelicans and a flock of these curious birds is always to be seen there.” Today these rocks are known as the San Juan Rocks. In 1897, it was reported that a schooner would use Dana Cove as a smuggling location for bringing men into California from Mexico. The cove was also home to large abalone beds as reported in 1912 and was harvested regularly by local fisherman. At this time, they were taking 800 pounds in a single day, as there were no limits then.
When the then-deputy district attorney was approached for a comment, he made this prophetic statement “abalones as a sport will be a thing of the past.” During the prohibition era, from 1919 to 1933, Strand Beach was used as a landing point for illegal liquor shipments by rumrunners coming from the south, or from mother ships anchored off the coast. It was also suspected that the “cave” was used as a place of storage from drop-off to pick-up. The vessel Oakwood was one of these boats. When all is said and done, the history in Dana Point abounds. Carlos N. Olvera is Vice Chair of the OC Historical Commission and a Dana Point Councilman. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com
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DP LIVING
Operation Baby Lift Reunion Comes to Dana Point Nonprofit brings gathering of adopted Vietnamese children and families to town By Andrea Papagianis Dana Point Times
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ounder of the nonprofit Torch 1975, Jessica Nguyen, was born in 1975, the same year Operation Babylift brought thousands of Vietnamese children to American, Canadian, Australian and French adoptive homes, but her ties to the same homeland and her father’s sevenyear battle as a prisoner of war, inspired her to bring these adoptees together. From July 12 through the 15, hundreds of now-adult Vietnamese adoptees will travel to Dana Point, to connect with their heritage, their adopted peers and celebrate what would be the centennial birthday celebration of the man, President Gerald Ford, who ordered the initiative that brought them to America. “President Ford was also a World War II veteran, he was a gunnery officer on an aircraft carrier and he is also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars,” said Col. Joseph Snyder, former commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934. “He is one of our brothers. He is our comrade and a hero in our eyes.” Nguyen was born in September 1975, just five months after the U.S. plan to rescue thousands of orphans from the war torn country, Operation Babylift, was
Jessica Nguyen, Torch 1975 founder (eighth from left) and Col. Joseph Snyder, former commander of the VFW Post 9934 (seventh from left) are joined at Dana West Marina by a group of major donors to the Operation Baby Lift Reunion. . Photo by Andrea Papagianis
executed. Two years after Americans signed a cease-fire accord with Vietnam, North Vietnamese troops spread through the south, sending many away from their homes. Before the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975—marking the end of the Vietnam War, and the turning point sending the nation into Communist rule—the first plane of orphaned Vietnamese children safely landed on American soil, on April 4, 1975 with another 29 to follow. A symbol of the operation, a moment
immortalized in a photograph, shows President Ford carrying a young child off a plane in San Francisco. The young girl was later identified as Nikki Logan. After Nguyen founded the nonprofit in 2011, she and Logan connected through social media. Logan who went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be attending the reunion and participating in a reenactment of the moment President Ford lifted her off the plane. Logan is one of 10 rescued children who went on to serve in the U.S. armed forces,
a call to duty that goes hand-in-hand with the mission of Torch 1975. For seven years, Nguyen’s father was held in a political jail, or a re-education camp, by the North Vietnamese. During her father’s incarceration, Nguyen’s family—including her mother and four young children under the age of six, were forced to relocate from their home in Da Nang, along Vietman’s central coast. The young family traveled throughout the jungles and upon her father’s release moved to Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City. In August 1993, through a U.S. sponsored program, the Nguyens came to the United States. Now, 20 years later, Nguyen is doing her part to educate the community about the history of the Vietnam War. Teamed up with Col. Snyder, Nguyen aims to connect civilians and veterans, while supporting members of the military and their families—a desire to help and educate shared by members of the local VFW post. The four-day reunion begins on Friday, July 12 with events including a re-enactment, gala, forums and a charity golf tournament, with proceeds from the weekend being donated to military families. For more information about volunteering, making a contribution or attending the events, visit www.torch1975.org. DP
Get Your Kicks with Summer Flicks Movie reviewer shares ideas for fun summertime viewing By Megan Bianco Dana Point Times
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hen it comes to hot spots to indulge in during the summertime, Dana Point is no doubt an essential in southern California. There’s the beach to enjoy surfing, swimming or tanning; the local campsites for those visiting who prefer the great outdoors; and shops and restaurants in town to venture as well. But for many, summer indoor time means movie time. And what better movies to watch than flicks that take place in summer. Funny, scary or sentimental, there’s something for everyone this season. Hollywood has been cashing in on surfing beginning back in the 1950s with Malibu teen beach queen Gidget. A movie at first starring Sandra Dee in the 1959 film titled after the character, before becoming a TV show with Sally Field in 1965. Gidget became so successful, a mini-genre was coined for the next decade of Gidgetmovies and even spoofed in the 2000 farce Psycho Beach Party starring pre-famous Amy Adams and Lauren Ambrose as ‘Chicklet.’
Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
Younger generations enjoy the teen surf flick Blue Crush (2002) with Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez as passionate surfers with day jobs as hotel maids in Hawaii. As well as the family features Johnny Tsunami (1999) and Rip Girls (2000) from Disney, also set in Hawaii. Paul Rudd played a memorably dense surf instructor to Jason Segel after following his ex-girlfriend (Kristen Bell) and new boyfriend (Russell Brand) to O’ahu in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). And for something a little different, Kathryn Bigelow’s Point Break (1991) has Keanu Reeves undercover as an FBI agent out to find a group of bank robbers lead by Patrick Swayze surfing the waves of Malibu. In cinema, Italy has been a popular summer holiday setting over the years. Audrey Hepburn won an Oscar and skyrocketed to fame alongside Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday (1953) as a princess hiding from the press while visiting Italy. One of Hepburn’s favorite directors, Billy Wilder directed the romantic comedy romp Avanti! (1972) with Jack Lemmon as a businessman who heads to Italy to pick up his tycoon father’s dead body, only to fall Page 15
for the daughter of his father’s mistress (Juliet Mills). Light in the Piazza (1962) set in Florence, and Summertime (1955) set in Venice, have become fan favorites among Olivia de Havilland and Katharine Hepburn fans with tales of sudden, unexpected love. Another overlooked, but charming, feature from Disney is Summer Magic (1963), starring Hayley Mills and Burl Ives. In Magic, the Carey family move out of Boston for the summer to ‘Beautiful Beulah’ in the middle of Maine where new friends, country adventures and summer flings occur. Road trips and theme parks are also a big part of summer, and the Griswolds are the most famous movie family to attempt both. The first and best of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series had Clark (Chevy Chase), Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and Audrey (Dana Barron) drive from Chicago all the way to Walley World in California in 1983. The most popular golf movie of all time, Caddyshack, was set during the summer of 1980 with Danny (Michael O’Keefe) trying to win a scholarship through a caddy
program in Nebraska/Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray round out the infamous cast. Murray would go on to star in another summer comedy classic, What About Bob? a decade later, driving Richard Dreyfuss crazy on his family vacation in New Hampshire. In 1979, Murray made his film debut in the summer camp classic Meatballs, centered around a rowdy counselor (Murray) and an insecure kid named Rudy (Chris Makepeace) at ‘Camp Mohawk’ in Canada. If you’ve never been to camp as a child, you’ve probably watched the scenario on film. Most likely the fat camp in Heavyweights (1995), the irreverent Camp Nowhere (1994) and the Catskill family resort in Dirty Dancing(1987). For nightmarish summer camp visits, there is Friday the 13th (1981) and Sleepaway Camp (1983). Although viewed as horror movie for Halloween-time generally, the most famous movie set during the week of 4th of July is Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) on Amity Island. It is best enjoyed by older audiences who aren’t afraid of the ocean, or mechanical sharks. DP www.danapointtimes.com
DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY
DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet
CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com
FOR RENT 3BR, 2 BA - QUIET, PRIVATE CANYON HOME with panoramic ocean view. Walk to downtown San Clemente and minutes from beach. Remodeled with gourmet kitchen. Open floor plan with custom cabinetry and built-in dining banquette. Beautiful yard with built-in BBQ and rooftop deck overlooking 25 acres of coastal canyon. $4000/mo. Avail. Aug 1. Year lease. Call/text Jason 949.939.8186 murrayphoto@cox.net
FOR SALE BLACK FENDER GUITAR AND AMP FOR KIDS Kid’s size black Fender electric guitar with matching amp. Great condition, just needs a few new strings. Barely used. $140 or make me an offer. Can email pictures. Call or text 949.533.9761. GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com
ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING
ICE CREAM
Nona Associates-Raymond J. Nona A.I.A 949.496.2275 Coffee Importers Scoop Deck 949.493.7773 26901 Camino de Estrella, www.raynona.com 34531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com
AUTO REPAIR Dana Point Auto 949.496.1086 34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, Dana Point, Ca 92629
CAFE - DELI Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 949.493.7773 34531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com
COFFEE SHOP Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 949.493.7773 34531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com
CONSTRUCTION/REMODELING Mills Construction 949.212.7699 Dana Point, www.millsbuilds.com: CA # 973483
DERMATOLOGY Vorteil Dermatology and 949.276.2600 Aesthetic Science 33971 Selva Road, Ste. 200, www.vorteildermatology.com
INSURANCE SERVICES Patricia Powers 949.496.1900 24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, pat.powers@cox.net State Farm/Ted Bowersox 949.661.3200 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204 www.tedbowersox.com Statefarm/Elaine LaVine 949.240.8944 34080 Golden Lantern, www.elainelavine.net
LOCKSMITH Dana Point Lock & Security www.danapointlock.com
MUSIC INSTRUCTION
UPHOLSTERY
PET GROOMING
ELECTRICAL
delta G electrical 949.360.9282 Dawgy Style CA #657214, www.deltagelectrical.com 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, www.alphadoggroomshop.com
949.496.6916
PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection www.atozleakdetection.com Chick’s Plumbing www.chicks-plumbing.com
949.240.9569 949.496.3315 Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors 34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jeddys.com
WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION Offshore Construction 949.499.4464 www.offshoreconstruction.org 949.496.9731
949.444.6323
WINDOW CLEANING
Bayside Window Cleaning, Inc. 949.215.2323 www.baysidewindowcleaning.com POOL SERVICE & REPAIR Clear Windows 949.485.8793 Palisades Pool Service & Repair 949.542.7232 San Clemente, www.clearwindows-llc.com Capistrano Beach, allenesommo@cox.net
PRESCHOOLS San Clemente Preschool 949.498.1025 163 Avenida Victoria, www.sanclementepreschool.com
PSYCHOTHERAPY Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT 949.488.2648 33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com
Kenny’s Music & Guitars 949.661.3984 REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL 24731 La Plaza, www.kennysmusicstore.com Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556 Dream Team Properties 949.481.1788 24699 Del Prado, www.danmans.com Mike Rosenberg, Broker Capistrano Beach, www.FindMyOCHome.com
LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” This 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.
SPORTS
& OUTDOORS
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STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE
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OUTDOOR SPOTLIGHT
FISH FOR LIFE TAKES TO THE WATER
When the children being honored by the nonprofit group, Fish for Life, show up for one of their excursions out of Dana Point Harbor, they are given the royal treatment. Red carpet walks, one on one fishing instruction and awards are given to the 30 or so special needs children, who climb aboard a fishing boat for a halfday trip. San Clemente resident Jim Holden, the founder of Fish for Life, had the idea back in 2009, when a friend of his who has cerebral palsy decided it would be fun to go fishing. Since 2010 the group
Courtesy photo
has taken hundreds of kids out, free of charge, to share in the joy and excitement of catching a fish. On July 20, Fish for Life will be con-
ducting another fishing trip. Each child will be assigned an experienced angler to help assist them throughout the day. Holden says there will hopefully be a 2:1 ratio of kids to anglers to insure everyone gets special attention. “The model just works…Just seeing the kids who, a majority of them it’s their first experience on the water. To see their reaction when they catch their first fish is great,” Holden said. To learn more about Fish for Life visit www.fishforlife.org. —Steve Breazeale
Summer Brings Dana Hills Boys Basketball Together By Steve Breazeale Dana Point Times
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hat is the recipe for repeating or improving on one of the best seasons in Dana Hills boys basketball history? The question is a tough one to answer but over the course of the past month, the Dolphins and head coach Tom Desiano are beginning to find out what it will take to get back to the high level of play they ended their season on last year. The Dolphins did not win the Sea View League title last year, instead they finished one game back of rival San Clemente. Their record, however, was strong enough to earn them a playoff bid. The Dolphins caught fire late and barnstormed their way to the CIF-SS Division 1A semifinals and made an appearance in the first round of the CIF State Championships. Several key seniors, like leading scorer Cory Blau and point guard Hayden Fredrick, are gone. But the Dolphins depth charts are full of returning players who contributed to last year’s success. Many of them have already made an impact in the Dolphins offseason tournament schedule. On June 30, the Dolphins went 4-0 at the Corona Del Mar Tournament, adding to their already impressive offseason record. Earlier in June they competed in a tournament at Mater Dei, where they went 3-1 against tough opponents. At The Classic, which was hosted by Saddleback Valley Christian, the Dolphins went 4-0. The summer leagues have helped the Dolphins get off on the right foot as they prepare to wrap up their offseason schedule and refocus for next year’s season. The Dana Point Times sat down with Desiano to see if he thinks the returning class has what it takes to repeat past success, what he learned about his team in the offseason and how two big seniors will impact this year’s team. DP TIMES: As a coach, how do you tackle the production void left behind by All-League players like Blau and Fredrick? Tom Desiano: You can’t really replace Hayden and Cory immediately. What usually happens is the sophomores and juniors on that team from last year, eventually get better…. The combination of having all the returners step up their game and play with more confidence, that kind of will alleviate some of the loss that we had. DPT: Who are some of those returning players that have impressed throughout the offseason? Any newcomers? Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
Senior forward Jack Clendenen has been developing his 3-point shooting in the offseason, making him a threat from the inside and on the perimeter, according to Dana Hills head coach Tom Desiano. Photo by Tony Tribolet/www.xpsphoto.com
TD: Junior (guard) Eric Matheis, who is on the volleyball team, didn’t play last year but has been with us for most of the offseason. But we have good, experienced guys like Jack Clendenen and Jack Sheffield, who have been on with varsity since they were sophomores. That kind of helps us with transitioning into next year where they kind of know what to do. DPT: Last year you guys had a lot of big bodies operating down low, getting a lot of points in the paint. Will that be a theme again this year? TD: We are going to do it even more. We are really looking to get inside and use our size to get easy shots. Last year was a little more perimeter oriented, this year is more of a power game … One of the things that we wanted to establish was that we are going to have our identity and be kind of an inside-outside team. We are really looking to get the ball inside to James (Taylor) or Jack or any number of our kids that can put the ball in the hole down low. Playing in that style will help us free up some of the outside shooting. DPT: How do you see Clendenen and Taylor working together? TD: One of the things we really wanted to work on was the relationship between James and Jack working together … In the offense we have, they’re kind of like partners in what they do. They’ve got to develop that chemistry, knowing when his partner’s open, where he likes the ball. So they’ve been working really, really well on what we want to do and they feel comfortable playing together. DPT: What is your favorite aspect of that combo? What Page 17
can we expect to see? TD: Well, Jack has developed his three-point shot so they can’t sag on James down in the paint. When you have a 6-foot-5-inch kid who can really shoot the ball, it really opens things up. If he’s going to continue to make those shots, teams are going to have a hard time matching up with us. DPT: What is the biggest difference between last year’s team and this one? TD: I think last year was a little bit unknown on how we would be, how it would turn out. As the year went on we progressively got better. It took a little bit of time … we had some injuries … then we developed the confidence that we could play with anybody. I think this year’s team has already established that confidence where they know that they’re going to be, hopefully, a pretty good team and when they step on the court they have a chance to play with anybody. DP
Senior guard Jack Sheffield has three years of varsity experience and will be a crucial part of the Dana Hills boys basketball game plan next season Photo by Tony Tribolet/www.xpsphoto.com
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GROM OF THE WEEK Kaimana Takayama
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SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY
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D a n a Po i nt
DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:
Age: 14, San Clemente High School Kaimana Takayama’s strong beliefs about protecting the environment and speaking his mind were apparent last month when he went to San Diego for the 241 Toll Road extension hearing. “I went for the experience and to help save Trestles until the TCA tries taking it again. And, I realize there is strength in numbers,” Kaimana said. He credits competing in SSS contests for the Bernice Ayer Middle School team with significantly improving his longboarding skills over the past season and is looking forward to trying out for the San Clemente High team. “Guys like Gus Day, Jacob Atwood, River Covey and Jack Benjamin all made me step up my game. Surfing against them pushed me to do better,” he said. Nephew to the late Donald Takayama, Kaimana says surfing is in his blood but something it took a few years to embrace. “At 6 I took a spill at Oceanside Harbor and sucked in Kaimana Takayama. Photo by Sheri Crummer some water. I got really freaked out and didn’t try again until I was 13. That’s when fell in love with it,” Kaimana said. “Now I think it is the greatest thing in the world for me. On bad days it makes me feel better and on good days it stokes me out even more. I’m not looking to be the Kelly slater of longboarding or anything, but I’d like to travel around the world with it and enjoy it for the rest of my life. If I have kids one day, I will pass it on to them too.” —Andrea Swayne
Late Shaper’s Work Celebrated Terry Martin Shapes featured in the inaugural Sport of Kings Concours d’Elegance By Denny Michael Dana Point Times
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s part of the Doheny Surf Festival, June 29-30, the nonprofit group The Sport of Kings introduced its first ever Concours d’ Elegance celebrating the surfboards shaped by the late Terry Martin of Capistrano Beach. Martin who passed away in 2012 is known as one of the all-time great surfboard shapers. His influence and designs spanning many decades were well represented on the beach and in the water. The Concours d’ Elegance was a gathering of Terry Martin fans who were able to show and surf their boards in a fun exhibition. Hundreds of people lining Doheny Beach were able to see these boards up close. Mitch Yuasa, A local San Clemente shaper and participant in the event said,
“Terry made my day today.” Josh Martin, Terry’s son and a shaper himself, had the special honor of selecting the best board of the program. He looked at every aspect of the boards from tip to tail before deciding on which board would be crowned the best of the bunch. As he eyed each one you could see the direct connection he has to the surfboards that were shaped by his father, many of the same designs Josh is shaping today for Hobie Surfboards. In the end, it did not matter who won as everyone on beach were winners, participants or fans alike. The Sport of Kings Foundation was established to provide assistance to the lives of people in the surfboard manufacturing industry. This was one of many outreach programs supporting their cause. DP
Contestant teams in the Hobie Alter Tandem Surfing Invitational at the Doheny Surf Fest were (L to R) Jeremy Porfilio and Tammy Mowery, Chris Thomas and Wendy Guerrero, Mark and Debbie Gale (Capistrano Beach), Brian and Illa McEvilly and Landon Yacobucci and Cassandra Ontiveros (San Clemente). Janine McCusker, an event judge and former tandem surfer is seated in front. Photo by Sheri Crummer/seasister.com
Talent Times Two and ’60s Sticks Tandem and 1960s surf contests bring nostalgia to Doheny Surf Festival
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he Hobie Alter Tandem Surfing Invitational and the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association ’60s Vintage Surf Contest brought a double dose of nostalgia and entertaining competition to Doheny State Beach on June 29 and 30. Hobie Alter was himself a tandem champion and the company he founded in Dana Point sponsored the tandem event in his name as part of the 2013 Doheny Surf Festival. Locals Mark and Debbie Gale of Capistrano Beach earned a second-place finish behind the Carlsbad team of Brian and Illa McEvilly. Landon Yacobucci and Cassandra Ontiveros of San Clemente came in fifth behind Chris Thomson and Wendy Guerrero in third and Jeremy Porfilio and Tammy Mowery in fourth. The DLSA ‘60s Vintage Surf Contest saw many local competitors shine in all age groups of both “ride your own” and “pick a stick” divisions. It was a very nostalgic day for those of
A special line up of Terry Martin surfboards and their riders was organized at The Sport of Kings-sponsored Concours d’Elegance featuring the late shaper’s work at the Doheny Surf Festival, June 29-30. Photo by Linda Michael
Dana Point Times July 5-11, 2013
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us who grew up surfing in the ’60s,” said Sheri Crummer of San Clemente. “It was unreal watching the younger generation riding some of the old boards better than the legends did in their heyday. The family atmosphere was awesome and had everyone cheering each other on.” Among the groms, Kaimana Takayama of San Clemente won both the Gremmies Ride Your Own and Pick a Stick divisions and Capo Beach resident Rachael Tilly took top honors in Gidgets Ride Your Own. Full results from the event are available on the DLSA website at www.dohenylongboardsurfingassociation.org. The annual Doheny Surf Festival is a two-day celebration of surf culture with proceeds benefiting the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association. More information and photos are available online at www.dohenysurffest.com and www. facebook.com/dohenysurffestival. DP —Andrea Swayne www.danapointtimes.com