August 23, 2013

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, EVENTS AND MORE A U G U S T 2 3 –2 9, 2 0 1 3

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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 34

Dana Hills Football Preview

After Winning First Ever League Title, Dolphins Return Hungry for More SPECIAL INSERT

(From L to R): Dana Hills football captains Hank White, Mac Vail and Justin Scott are part of a veteran Dolphins team looking to build on last season’s success. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

www.danapointtimes.com

Water District Receives Potable Water Trailer for Emergency Situations

Elephant Parade: Coming to America Hits Dana Point this Weekend

Kilts Optional as Strongmen and Celtic Clans Come to South County

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CITY AND BUSINESS CALENDAR Emergency Preparedness Expo 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Dozens of safety agencies, utilities, community groups and other exhibitors will be on hand at Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, to teach residents tips and tools needed for emergency situations. For more information, call 949.248.3579 or email jkirchner@ danapoint.org.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

Shakespeare in the Park 6 p.m.

The Dana Point Theater Company presents William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at Lantern Bay Park. Bring your picnic dinner and lawn chairs for this free event. For more information, visit www.dptheaterco.com.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

D a n a Po i nt

Farmers Market 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Admission is free, for this weekly market at La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza St. For more information, call 949.573.5033 or visit www.danapoint.org.

bring dozens of Scottish clans to town to celebrate their Iron and Medieval age European heritage. The two day celebration at Sea Terrace Park will also be home to the International Highland Games Championships. Go to www.calcelticclassic.com for more.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 Concerts in the Park 3 p.m.–6 p.m.

The final summer concert at Sea Terrace Park sees the south Orange County-based DC Babylon and the Hanging Gardens Band open for the L.A.vation tribute to Bono and The Edge with hits from U2.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 AND 18 California Celtic Classic and World Highland Games 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The first-ever California Celtic Classic will

DANA POINT’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

1

… Emergency Water?

THE LATEST: With roughly 80 percent of local water coming from sources outside of Orange County, local water agencies are taking steps to prepare for unforeseen disasters including the latest measure, potable emergency water trailers paid for by a Homeland Security grant.

The South Coast Water District, along with a dozen other agencies, received a critical resource for transporting drinking water in the event of an emergency, said Trisha Woolslayer, the water district’s environmental health and safety manager.

Each trailer holds a tank for up to 2,000 gallons of water, which could provide one day’s supply of drinking water to 2,000 people, according to Kelly Hubbard of the Emergency Response Organization of Orange County. WEROC is run by the Metropolitan Water District of Orange County, and spearheaded bringing the trailers to water agencies in Tustin, Anaheim, Huntington Beach and Dana Point to name a few.

Each trailer is a considered a “mutual aid resource,” Woolslayer said, meaning the hosting agency can and will deploy the tool where it is most needed.

“The way we are set up logistically, we have to rely on each other,” she said.

WHAT’S NEXT: SCWD has submitted a required application for a Water Hauler’s License to the Food and Drug Branch of the California Department of Public Health, along with water quality data. The state department must grant approval before water can be distributed to residents. Woolslayer said the water district should have its license within 30 days, if not sooner.

The trailer will be onsite at the city’s Emergency Preparedness Expo at Dana Hills High School on Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Woolslayer onDana Point Times August 23–29, 2013

hand talking about the best water receptacles to carry in case of an emergency.

FIND OUT MORE: Go to www.scwd.org for more, and visit www.danapointtimes.com for the full story.—Andrea Papagianis

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… Poche Beach?

THE LATEST: In a continuing effort to fight the presence of seagulls at the county run beach near the San Clemente and Dana Point city line, the city of San Clemente is again turning to the skies for help.

The city has contracted with a San Juan Capistrano-based falconry service and the raptors began patrolling the areas around Poche Beach on August 9.

Past efforts have shown some effectiveness in using predators to drive away seagulls, though San Clemente city senior management analyst Mary Vondrak said there would be a “no kill” policy. Falcons would be allowed to fly free during some portions of the day and be tethered during others.

Gull waste has been identified as a major contributing factor in the continued presence of bacteria in the watershed at the site, which has kept the beach on the county’s ocean water warning list for much of the summer. Other steps have also been taken to drive off the birds, including the installation of ultrasonic devices designed to force the birds away from the beach.

WHAT’S NEXT: The falconry services will be used until the end of the current bacteria monitoring season on September 30.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www. danapointtimes.com.—Jim Shilander

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… Intimate Obsessions?

THE LATEST: After generating a good bit of

controversy, a proposal to relocate a Dana Point lingerie and adult products store in San Clemente has seemingly fizzled without advancing deep into the development process.

Jim Holloway, the San Clemente community development director, said he received a voicemail Friday from the property manager of 309 N. El Camino Real indicating that negotiations to put the store in the building had stopped at the request of the property owner. Holloway said information requested from the applicant was not answered, in terms of what percentage of the store would be geared to adult products of an explicitly sexual nature, and said it amounted to a “definitional problem.”

The city’s zoning codes prohibit an “adult business” from being within 1,000 feet of a residence, school or religious facility, and restrict them only to certain zones.

WHAT’S NEXT: Owners of the shop vacated their Dana Point location earlier this month, and it doesn’t appear there is any movement to place the shop at another location at this time, Holloway said.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www. danapointtimes.com.—JS

4

… City Arts Display?

THE LATEST: Time is running out for regional artists to submit artwork for the city’s calendar and a rotating exhibition at Dana Point’s City Council chamber.

The city and the Dana Point Arts and Culture Commission are accepting art submittals until Tuesday, August 27 for the 2014 calendar, and Wednesday, August 28 for an exhibit in the council foyer at City Hall. The foyer has space for artwork that does not exceed 21-by-28 inches in size and also has display cases for three-

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dimensional pieces. For the calendar, the city is accepting images in mediums such as photographs, painting or drawings of Dana Point and Capistrano Beach.

WHAT’S NEXT: Artwork images for the council chambers exhibit can be submitted along with a short bio to Monique Leon at mleaon@danapoint.org and images for the calendar should be sent to Kolleen Wallace at kwallace@danapoint.org.

FIND OUT MORE: For additional information on submitting artwork, visit www. danapoint.org.—AP

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… Coastal Cleanup?

THE LATEST: As the largest volunteer event in the state quickly approaches, local agencies are calling on the community to sign up for cleanup events at county’s southernmost port and surrounding beaches.

The annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will take place on Saturday, September 21. According to the California Coastal Commission, last year more than 65,000 volunteers took part in the cleanup efforts statewide, removing some 770,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from beaches.

WHAT’S NEXT: The OC Dana Point Harbor is hosting a cigarette butt roundup from 8 a.m. to noon, and an underwater cleanup with Dana West Marina for certified scuba divers. For more on the underwater cleanup, visit www.dphunderwatercleanup.com.

The Ocean Institute is also holding an event for volunteers of all ages and the city of Dana Point hosts a cleanup for Doheny State Beach and San Juan Creek.

FIND OUT MORE: For more on cleanup efforts in Orange County, visit www.ocparks. com.—AP www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Business Beat

PHOTOS AND STORIES BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS

News and updates on Dana Point’s business community NOW OPEN u Beach Hut Deli, 2 Ritz Carlton Drive, 949.542.3351, www.beachhutdeli.com What started as a 19-year-old’s vision to provide the Northern California town of Granite Bay with quality sandwiches and a beach vibe back in 1981 has grown into a 30-storefront operation throughout California and Nevada—with the latest link to the chain being added in Dana Point.

Beach Hut Deli took over the former home of Quench Bar and Bistro at Pacific Coast Highway and Ritz Carlton Drive nearly two months ago, and has been slinging sandwiches and salads with a laid-back feel and flavors and freshness found right in the California culinary repertoire. Sandwich toppers highlighted on much of the deli’s creations include avocado, bacon and, wait for it, cream cheese.

Whether pastrami, Canadian bacon, turkey or roast beef, Beach Hut tops them all off with the trio above, said Riezel Edades, manager of the Dana Point location. “It’s what we are known for,” she added.

So far, the local shop is the southernmost in the chain, but a Beach Hut could soon be on San Clemente’s horizon, said Edades, who has helped open locations in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach within the last year. One thing in particular setting the Dana Point locale apart is its full-bar, she said.

Along with a triad of sandwich sizes— plus the half-sized dude and dudettes— Beach Hut serves up salads and nachos on Frisbee discs to satisfy those post Salt Creek Beach day cravings and has various happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. u Crank and Grind, 34150 Pacific Coast Highway, 949.373.4236, www.crankandgrind.com Melding a group cycling tradition of coffee before and after rides into a bike shop was a no brainer for the partnered-owners of Bike Religion’s storefront in Dana Point.

A little more than a year after opening their third location in the heart of the city’s Town Center, the Australian partners are putting their own twist on the community coffee shop scene with Crank and Grind.

Situated inside Bike Religion’s doors, the coffee locale has a calming industrial feel with wood paneled walls, metal chairs and glazed tabletops finished off with potted succulents.

“We wanted to bring a little something different to Dana Point … and we saw the opportunity to open a coffee shop that has a community, earthy and artsy feel,” said partner Karen Lanzon. “It just has good synergy.”

While the concept may be newer in Orange County, Lanzon said the blend of coffee and cycling is big in Colorado. One of the pioneers of the American coffee shop

Dana Point Times August 23–29, 2013

Sandwiches at the newest of more than 30 Beach Hut Deli locations throughout California and Nevada are packed with at least an inch of deli meat. A crowd favorite, the Santa Cruz sandwich piled high with pastrami, avocado, cream cheese and bacon is pictured here.

Members of the local government and business community turned out to a Dana Point Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Harbor location of Chez Nevine. Here Mayor Steven Weinberg (second from left) presents owner Nevine Sidhorn (pink) with a certificate from the city.

Bike Religion now features Crank and Grind, a quaint stop blending coffee and cycling camaraderie.

movement, Orange County’s own Martin Deitrich, believes in the shop owners’ mission, she said. Crank and Grind only serves Deitrich’s blends of fair-trade coffee beans, roasted daily by the man himself out of Kéan Coffee in Newport Beach.

Sticking local, Crank and Grind also serves sweets from Dana Point’s own Kevin Montoya, the owner and pastry chef of Carley Cakes. Montoya bakes from another area coffee shop, Hidden House Coffee, in San Juan Capistrano and delivers his freshbaked goods daily.

Lanzon said eventually the shop will incorporate Australian treats, but for now has a full menu of coffees, teas and protein shakes for, “big cranksters,” or the adult crowd, and kid-friendly, faux coffee drinks

For 18 years, Cathy McCool has called her Ocean Ranch storefront home, but come October the florist’s shop, McCool Flowers, will move one mile up the road to a new Laguna Niguel location.

and milk shakes with no artificial flavorings for their “little crankster” patrons.

NEW LOCATION u Chez Nevine, 34509 Golden Lantern, 949.487.7000, www.cheznevine.com While shopping for a dress at a Hacienda Heights boutique, Nevine Sidhorn purchased more than what she bargained for.

Nevine skipped the dress and went straight for the boutique, and before the

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day’s end, inventory was counted and the business was in escrow shortly thereafter.

That was in 1978. Now, more than two decades later, Nevine has found her perfect fit. The shop started out catering to professional women, but after a move to Laguna Beach in the ’90s and then to the Dana Point Harbor in 2001, Nevine changed her offerings to better fit with her community.

“We carry mostly eclectic and one-of-akind goods,” Nevine said. “It is very different from what other people do because I am always looking for something different … it is unique.”

She called a small Harbor storefront, in Mariner’s Alley, home for 12 years and recently relocated to a central port location near El Torito with more space, visibility and foot traffic where clientele can be better served, Nevine said.

The shop boasts a European flair, as Nevine imports many of her goods from France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Recently, she has honed in on buying goods made in the United States and promises customers the highest quality of nationally and internationally produced merchandise. u McCool Flowers, 32585 Golden Lantern, Suite J, 949.488.7988, www.mccoolflowers.com It will be business as usual as Cathy McCool prepares to relocate her Ocean Ranch Village storefront over the next two months, but the veteran south Orange County florist is not moving far. Actually, she’ll be one mile up the road at the corner of Niguel Road and Club House Drive, she said.

“Just a couple of minutes away, serving customers of south Orange County for 18 years,” McCool said of the slogan she wants customers to remember as her shop crosses the city limits into Laguna Niguel.

In 1995, McCool opened her flower shop in its current location in Dana Point and has delivered flowers from Laguna Beach to San Clemente ever since. An involved member of a trio of Chambers of Commerce—including Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel—McCool said the only thing changing is her location.

“My community involvement will not end,” McCool said. “I have been very involved in Dana Point’s community and that will remain the same.”

Both McCool and husband Dave Duree have served as chairpersons of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, and she plans to hold her annual Christmas bash and open house as she has years before, with the addition of the other two other local chambers of commerce.

With the move, McCool will inherit a bigger storefront with more windows and a street view, at 31271 Niguel Road. She said plans are being made for a September buildout with the move being finalized at the end of October. DP

www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

A Welcoming of the Herd

DP Sheriff’s Blotter

Dana Point hosts parade of Asian Elephant statues as international event hits American soil for first time

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, August 17

Darlene Wyland, the mother of marine life artist Wyland, is all smiles as his contribution to the Elephant Parade: Coming to America herd cruises the Dana Point Harbor.

Where: Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive

TRESPASSING Monarch Bay Drive, 500 Block (12:40 a.m.) A security guard in a marked unit reported subjects loitering on the beach.

The subjects were seen hanging around near a lifeguard tower and snorkeling. The security guard had previously asked them to leave but the subjects did not comply.

When: Friday, August 23, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The first public gathering of the more than 30 painted Asian Elephant statues hitting Dana Point as part of Elephant Parade: Coming to America, will be on display throughout the beachfront state park.

Kick starting the 12 weeks of the herd’s parade, artists will be on hand to help attendees of the opening ceremonies paint their own miniature elephants. A showing of the documentary How I Became an Elephant begins at 7:30 p.m. The film is the brainchild of 14-year-old Juliette West who sought to educate the American public on the connection between the plight of elephants in Asia to those domestically in circuses and zoos.

Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Some of the nationally and internationally renowned artists taking part in Elephant Parade: Coming to America will be meeting and greeting attendees, to share their work and inspiration for participating in the educational and fundraising event.

Live music performances will take place throughout the day, and the miniature elephant art workshops will continue all day. Area food trucks will also be on hand.

Sunday, August 2, noon to 6 p.m.

This will be the public’s last chance until November to see all the elephants together before the herd heads out on Dana Point Times August 23–29, 2013

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Crown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (1:07 a.m.) A caller reported a “burning smell” coming from the location and said the subjects were “doing something illegal.”

Friday, August 16 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Pacific Coast Highway/Ritz-Carlton Drive (11:20 p.m.) A black Honda or Acura was seen driving around on a pedestrian path at Salt Creek Beach. The man driving the car flashed his lights at the caller then entered the men and women’s restrooms.

The subject was last seen driving slowly back down toward the beach. The caller believed the driver was possibly under the influence of drugs.

Dana Point artist Ashley Keene stands next to her elephant decorated with signs of peace and love.

Keene won an Elephant Parade: Coming to America contest for locals earlier this summer.

parade. Festivities and art workshops will continue throughout the day. By Monday, August 26, elephant statues will start popping up throughout town and will be on parade until the beginning of November, when they will be gathered and placed at Lantern Bay Park for a final farewell to Dana Point.

Cost: Entrance to the opening ceremony events is free. Parking at Doheny State Beach is $15 for the day. —Photos and story by Andrea Papagianis

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE La Plaza, 34100 Block (9:55 p.m.) A man told deputies he witnessed a man and woman doing heroin inside of a white sedan. He caller said the two became upset with him when they asked him for foil and he said he didn’t have any.

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Del Obispo Street, 34000 Block (9:16 p.m.)

A bicyclist was seen down on the ground of a sidewalk on Del Obispo Street near the Community Center. The caller did not see an accident occur.

DISTURBANCE Cross Creek Street, 0 Block (5:21 p.m.)

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A woman said a man hit her with his shorts and then held a pair of scissors to her throat.

9-1-1 HANGUP Camino Capistrano, 35000 Block (12:57 p.m.) A female caller, who sounded like a small child, said she is 25 years old and no one is watching her. She gave her name and then stopped talking. The line remained open and a television could be heard in the background.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Street of the Violet Lantern, 33900 Block (12:53 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man seen walking around slowly, talking to himself and picking flowers.

PATROL CHECK Leah Drive/Rachel Circle (12:15 a.m.)

A car full of juveniles was heard peeling out after toilet papering houses.

Thursday, August 15 PATROL CHECK Sea Bright Drive, 33100 Block (9:01 p.m.)

A woman called deputies after witnessing an object flying around the sky and changing colors. The caller did not think it was a plane and believed it could be a remote controlled. She told police the object has been an ongoing problem.

WELFARE CHECK Vista del Mar, 0 Block (5:17 p.m.)

Dispatch requested a welfare check on a woman who called in and sounded confused. The woman said someone “took her number.” She also talked about giving someone money and how she didn’t want “someone” in her house. The woman said she didn’t know “him” but couldn’t describe anyone to deputies.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Puerto Place/Dana Point Harbor Drive (1:29 p.m.) A man was seen near the jetty yelling, screaming and punching the air.

The man was described as being in his 50s, 5 feet 7 inches tall and wearing dirty clothes.

Wednesday, August 14 DISTURBANCE Street of the Amber Lantern, 34100 Block (11:33 p.m.) A woman called deputies after a man who had been visiting her was told to leave but remained outside. The woman said the man was occasionally trying to open the front door. The woman called deputies back 20 minutes later, because the man was still outside and her neighbor was talking him.

VANDALISM REPORT La Plaza, 24700 Block (1:50 p.m.)

A man notified deputies that a group of people who he believed are transients, kicked in a bathroom door and were using drugs. www.danapointtimes.com

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

EDITOR STORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

Andrea Papagianis, 949.388.7700, x112 apapagianis@danapointtimes.com ADVERTISING

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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

PRINT AND ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@danapointtimes.com DISTRIBUTION

Dana Point Times, Vol. 6, Issue 34. 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

ART/DESIGN

OPERATIONS

EDITORIAL

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith

Finance Director > Mike Reed

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

Accounting Manager Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

Group Senior Editor > Andrea Swayne

RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@danapointtimes.com

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

BILLING Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@danapointtimes.com

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente) > Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano) Sales Associate > Angela Edwards

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Darian Nourian, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell

Letters to the Editor THE PARTICIPATORY ALTERNATIVE TO DESALINIZATION

CORRECTION: In last week’s issue of the Dana Point Times, the story titled “What’s Up With … the Doheny Hotel Proposal” contained misinformation.

When the city presented the plan back in 2011, dozens of area residents participated in a scoping meeting held at the Dana Point Community Center and submitted letters expressing their concerts about the project. We regret the error.

JEFF DAVIS, San Juan Capistrano

I was happy to see our most precious resource featured on the cover last week.

In the “Water Worries” article, we learned about Southern California’s water issues.

In short, the water we use every day is limited, and the journey it takes begins in either Sacramento or the Colorado River, and requires a lot of time, energy, money and even water to reach our tap.

The article offered solutions too, one of these being the proposed Doheny Desalination Project. But with numbers and figures like $150 million (the start-up cost of the project), 50 percent (the increase in price of our water to pay for the plant) and 30 million (the amount of saltwater gallons sucked up by the plant everyday), it makes my brain hurt.

I believe that before we spend more money on meeting, consulting, proposing and building ways to turn saltwater into drinking water, we should focus on using less.

Small, individual actions over time have the power to make a big, collective impact.

Together we can solve our “water worries” for free. Inside your home, take a shorter shower, turn off the faucet when brushing and only wash full loads of laundry. Outside, consider removing your lawn, which uses almost 750 gallons of water per week.

Plant drought tolerant and native plants that use less water instead.

Finally, consider the water footprint of everything. This is the water hidden inside the goods and services we use every day, for example, the cotton T-shirt you’re wearing that uses 700 gallons in order to grow, harvest, weave, package and ship it to the store.

If we care about life, then we should care about water. Without, we wouldn’t be here. If we care about water, and if we care about tomorrow, we should take acDana Point Times August 23–29, 2013

Karl Seckel, the general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Orange County, gives a presentation on the Doheny Desalination Project at an open house event two weeks ago. MWDOC and five partnered agencies have invested in the pilot project at Doheny State Beach. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

tion today. You can start with this list. For the next step, visit The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano or online at www. theecologycenter.org.

NO METERS, NO TRASH, STRAND VISTA PARK IS JUST FINE BILL KING, Dana Point

I have been a Dana Point resident for 37 years. I have walked the complete Strand Vista Park trails and walkways both upper and lower four times a week since their inception. I disagree with every complaint that Deborah Blaine states in her letter “Meter Parking … Take Your Trash,” to the Dana Point Times (August 9-15, Vol. 6, Issue 23).

I think Deborah needs a new hobby instead of being the self-appointed Strand Vista Park watchdog.

Rebuttal No.1—We don’t need another metered parking lot. It is nice not to have pay-to-park at least at one beach area.

Metered parking does not stop people from enjoying the beaches. Her comment as to “much needed revenue” is hog wash.

We have four other pay parking lots in Dana Point. That’s enough, along with the tax revenue from the resort hotels the city receives.

Rebuttal No. 2—There are no “undesirables” that come to Strand Vista Park that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Nobody comes to Strand Park to just “smoke marijuana and have sex in cars.” She is either dream-

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ing or spying. I am a very observant person and have never smelled marijuana or spied into someone’s car to see if they were having sex in “broad daylight.”

Rebuttal No.3—“The walkway is filthy.”

Hog wash. The ground does not need “power washing.” I have not gone around on my hands and knees looking for a few cigarette butts, etc. Lift up your head Deborah. Look around at the beautiful area you live in at the ocean, the trees and the grass.

Every day I walk and I see The Soto Company employees re-planting, trimming trees and brush, putting new lawn areas in, re-planting shrubs, cutting lawns, trimming, edging, picking up trash and raking leaves from the stair area and re-attaching broken spinals from the fence. I think they are doing a wonderful job.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ danapointtimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers. www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT

3

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

DP

D a n a Po i nt

THE LIST

A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

friday

END OF SUMMER PARTY 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Join Shorecliffs Golf Club for a fun event featuring a car show, music with a DJ, an outdoor barbecue and then live music from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. featuring George Butts. 501 Avenida Vaquero, San Clemente, 949.492.1177, www.shorecliffsgolfclub.com.

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WAVELENGTH FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 5:30 p.m.

Orange County’s Pacific Symphony brings four nights (Thursday-Sunday) of amazing music with special guests each night; tonight’s guest Delta Spirit. $25-$95, plus parking.

88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500, www.ocfair.com.

SURFING HERITAGE AND CULTURE CENTER’S MOVIE NIGHT 7:30 p.m. Special screening of Cyrus Sutton’s surf adventure film “Compassing” at the Surfing Heritage Foundation. Tickets $5. 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, 949.388.0313, www.surfingheritage.org.

SHAWN JONES 8 p.m. American Roots/Rock at StillWater. Free. 24701 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.

saturday

RMV RODEO 2 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The richest two-day rodeo in the nation with a purse totaling over $200,000, featuring rodeo contestants in saddle bronco and bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and team roping, as well as much more fun for the whole family. $10-$25. Location: corner of Ortega Highway and Antonio/La Pata, www.rmvrodeo.com.

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DANA POINT LOBSTER FEST 4 p.m.-9 p.m. The Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary hosts its fourth annual Lobster Fest with live music, surf and turf cusine, beer, wine, desserts and a silent auction. Cost is $100 at the door. All proceeds benefit area children’s charities. Doheny State Beach, Picnic Area A, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, www.danapointlobsterfest.org.

Dana Point Times August 23–29, 2013

AT THE MOVIES: ‘PARANOIA’ ANNOYS This summer’s movie season started on a high note, with blockbusters hits such as Iron Man 3 and This Is the End, and indie sleepers like The Way, Way Back and Blue Jasmine, but August 2013 has been relatively underwhelming. One of the most blasé of this month’s late summer releases is Paranoia. This not-so-thrilling thriller stars two film legends and two attractive B-listers but lacks originality and bombed at the box office. After losing his job at a phone company, Adam (Liam Hemsworth) blows his last use of the company credit card on partying with friends. Rather than call him out on it, his old boss Wyatt (Gary Oldman), offers a deal. If Adam agrees to spy on Wyatt’s old partner, and business rival, Goddard Gary Oldman, Liam Hemsworth and Harrison Ford (Harrison Ford), he can have a new, bigger job. But the more Adam plays the in Paranoia. © 2013 Paranoia Productions, LLC. part, the more connected he feels toward Goddard’s young protégé Emma (Amber Heard). Embeth Davidtz, Richard Dreyfuss and Julian McMahon co-star. Directed by Robert Luketic—known mostly for romcoms such as Legally Blonde (2001)—and based on the novel by Joseph Finder; Paranoia is a blend of good looking people, lackluster dialogue, bad editing and an obnoxious music score. With Luketic clearly out of his element in this genre and Dreyfuss’ and Hemsworth’s carelessly delivered lines, Paranoia failed to crack the Top 10 opening weekend. And it looks like Hemsworth and Heard will have to find something less forgettable to make themselves household names. — Megan Bianco

BLUES & BOOZE TOUR 3 p.m. Music promoter B.D. McGee brings blues to The Rib Joint with music by Kenny “Big Daddy” Williams and Jumpin’ Jack Benny. $20. 34294 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, www.bdmcgees.com.

CALIFORNIA CELTIC CLASSIC WORLD HIGHLAND GAMES AND FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Two-day event at Sea Terrace Park with throwing and strong-man events, food, music and more. $15. 33501 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.248.3500, www.calcelticclassic.com.

NEPTUNE’S COVE FANTASY EVENT 10 a.m.-Noon.

Fantasy event for kids featuring a chance to dress up like a sea-going character and get photos; every Saturday in the Upstairs Store. Cost $19.95-$29.95. 34505 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 970.744.8523.

GEORGE FRYER 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

sunday

COUPLES’ CLASSIC GOLF TOURNEY 5 p.m. Two-day golf tournament (Monday and Tuesday) at Monarch Beach Golf Links that kicks off tonight with a wine tasting event at the St. Regis Monarch Beach. Cost $1495 per couple, includes hotel room. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, N. Dana Point, 949.234.3200, www.stregismb.com.

25

BLACK SHEEP DOWNED BIKER POKER RUN AND RALLY 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fundraiser event and poker run at Historic Town Center Park to benefit Harley owners who are injured in an accident with live classic rock, barbecue, games, raffles, vendors and more. Tickets $20. 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 714.215.2711.

SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

Concert at Sea Terrace Park featuring DC Babylon and The Hanging Gardens Band, and L.A.vation—U2 Tribute.

33501 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

monday

26

TOP CABERNET CLASS 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Wine class at The Cellar with Ian Blackburn.

156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

Page 8

PJ STORYTIME 7 p.m. Children and their parents are invited to join the Sunshine Readers for stories and songs at the Dana Point Library. Wear your PJs. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

tuesday

KALEIDO KIDS SUMMER EVENTS GRAND FINALE 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. A carnival for kids at the Kaleidoscope with games, face painting, activities and more. 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy., Mission Viejo, www.gokaleidoscope.com.

27

NATE HANCOCK 6:30 p.m. Live music at Sunsets.

34700 Pacific Coast Hwy., Capistrano Beach, 949.276.8880, www.sunsetsbar.com.

wednesday

WEST COAST FILM FESTIVAL The 3rd Annual West Coast Film Festival at various venues in San Juan Capistrano begins today and runs through Sept. 1. Tickets on sale at the local Regency Theatre. More info: 949.489.7771, www.westcoastfilmfest.com.

28

MICROBREWS BY THE MISSION 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

A 14-venue “pub crawl” featuring seasonal craft brews, live music, food and appetizers and more in downtown San Juan Capistrano the last Wednesday of the month.

Camino Capistrano and Ortega Highway, 949.493.4700, www.facebook.com/microbrewsbythemission.

thursday

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: MATT COSTA 6 p.m.-8 p.m. OC Parks’ annual concert series at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach with a performance by local indie rock icon Matt Costa and The Blank Tapes. Free admission and parking. 33333 S. Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.923.2280.

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NICKI BLUHM AND THE GRAMBLERS 8 p.m. Concert at The Coach House. $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.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

DOLPHINS DETERMINED TO CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY After winning the school’s first league title, Dana Hills returns a veteran group hungry for the playoffs

DOLPHINS

IN A NUTSHELL

By Steve Breazeale The coin flip is as pure an example of luck as there is. Half of the time it is going to fall your way and other times, it’s not.

That is the reality the Dana Hills football team had to face in 2012, as they claimed a share of the Sea View League title for the first time in school history. They were eying the CIF-SS playoffs but first, they had to win a coin toss.

Because of the three-way tie with cochamps Laguna Hills and Capistrano Valley, a coin flip scenario was held and after losing it, the Dolphins were left as the odd man out and watched as two other teams with identical in-league records entered the playoffs.

There was hope that the Dolphins would earn an at-large bid, awarded to two teams in the conference who suffered fates similar to Dana Hills, but because of an 0-5 preseason record, the Dolphins were snubbed again.

Senior quarterback Mac Vail thinks about the end to last season, in particular a loss to Laguna Hills on October 26 that ensured the three-way tie, every day. One play here or, in this case, one flip of the coin there, and the Dolphins could have extended their season.

Last season may have ended with a league title, but the veteran group that returns to take the field in 2013 has Dana Hills thinking they have what it takes to make sure their fate will not be determined by anyone else.

“That’s something I still think about every day. We’re definitely not going to let that happen again,” Vail said. “It was a coin flip and yes we got screwed but at the same time we shouldn’t have been in that position. If we would’ve won more games in the preseason we would’ve been in. So that’s on us this year. We’re not going to sit around and talk about it, we are going to go out and get it.”

This year the Dolphins return 14 starters from last year’s campaign. Several impact seniors have departed but the Dolphins have a solid core to build around.

They are sticking with the same West Coast offensive scheme that they employed 2013 Dolphin Football Preview

Dolphins junior running back Brian Scott is set to have a big year in the Dolphins offense. Photo by Steve Breazeale

last year, which will allow Vail to work the short passing game and give way to standout running back Brian Scott, when need be.

Controlling the tempo of the offense will be the big men up front on the offensive line, which fields three veteran players.

Seniors Blaine Wagstaff (left tackle), Kyle Strickland (left guard) and Jacob Harbin (right guard) all saw time last year and have made big gains in the weight room and on the field, according to head coach Todd Rusinkovich. All three players stand at 6 feet 2 inches tall and Harbin and Strickland are members of the 1,000-pound weight lifting club. Junior center Chris McDermott and senior right tackle Jake Hannah round out the group. Scott, who had a breakout year in 2012 after rushing for 442 yards in six games, has been witnessing the line’s offseason efforts first-hand.

“I feel extremely comfortable behind the line. Even in these drills I see them destroying our own players,” Scott said. “You see them in every hit, all their energy and focus, their group mentality is all there.”

Rusinkovich also likes the versatility of his line, which he says has the strength and quickness to get out in front to block for Scott.

The Dolphins receiving corps took a hit to graduation and will field a relatively untested group. They had a strong passing league season, with players like Sean Schulte, Ted Fitzgerald, Reid Lundeen and Drew Falk all proving they can make plays.

Rusinkovich said they have all made a good transition to pads and even though they have limited varsity experience, they are an athletic bunch.

When the Dolphins started out with several losses in a row in 2012, they made

a defensive scheme switch that ignited their league title run. After starting in a 3-4 formation, with three down linemen and four linebackers, the Dolphins shifted to a 4-3, which put some of those big backers on the line. Graduated seniors Devon Vise, who won the Sea View League MVP, and Cody Betzler wreaked havoc against in-league opponents and fueled the newly invigorated Dolphins defense. In their final five games the Dolphins held their opponents to an average of 14 points per game. They will be sticking with that same scheme for 2013.

Seniors Ivan Saguilan, Justin Stafford and junior Adam Page were all a part of last year’s defensive line in some capacity and will make up the line this year, along with left tackle Scott Aiello. First-year defensive coordinator Joe Morris will employ Connor Shirvan, who is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 330 pounds, at the nose tackle spot in one of the tweaks made to this year’s defense. Shirvan played left guard last year.

Protecting the middle of the field will be first-team All Sea View League defensive selection and outside linebacker Justin Scott, one of the team captains. Scott had 83 total tackles, one sack and one interception in 2012. Patrolling the middle will be junior middle linebacker Brett Bill. Team captain Hank White will start at the other outside linebacker spot.

Michael Vogeler’s experience in the secondary at the strong safety spot will be crucial to the Dolphins’ defensive efforts.

Vogeler, along with cornerback Brandon Torres, are the only defensive backs on the depth chart with varsity experience. Vogeler is among the fastest players on the team and ran a 4.59 40-yard dash in the offseason.

2012 Record: 4-6, 3-1 Sea View League Returning Starters: Offense 6; Defense 8 Offensive Set: West Coast Defensive Set: 4-3 Head Coach: Todd Rusinkovich (7-13 overall record) Assistant Coaches: Phil Skinner (assistant head coach/offensive line/strength and conditioning), Jake Rusinkovich (offensive coordinator/wide receivers), Chad Rusinkovich (wide receivers/speed), Joe Morris (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Ryan Smith (special teams), Santino Simone (offensive assistant), Bob Cunningham (linebackers), Stephen McCullough (running backs/technology coordinator), Trent Henson (defensive line), Tom Knudson (offensive line), John Rusinkovich (football operations)

“Vogeler is the catalyst of the defense right now. He is going to be a big-time playmaker for us,” Rusinkovich said.

It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins pick up where they left off when they open their season at home against Trabuco Hills on August 30. It will be the first of five games against tough opponents. San Clemente, JSerra and Villa Park, the reigning Century League champs, are all slated to face the Dolphins in the first five weeks of the season.

It’s fitting that the preseason schedule be a daunting one for this particular Dolphins team. The veteran-heavy roster who experienced last year’s slow start have said that this year’s schedule should not be taken for granted. They know, after all, that a coin flip could be waiting for them in the end.

“Rolling ahead … to know what it feels like to win, that’s big. Especially for the varsity guys who went through that … for them to experience starting out 0-5 and overcoming that adversity … that in itself says a lot about their characters,” Rusinkovich said. “They’re going to be able to apply it so we can get a faster start this year. They know their main focus is to get a Sea View League championship and win every game that they play.” www.danapointtimes.com

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

Tackle

Guard

Center

Wagstaff (54)

Strickland (65)

McDermott (62)

Wide Reciever

Wide Reciever

Shulte (6)

Fitzgerald (7)

Guard Harbin (72)

Tackle Hannah (77)

Wide Reciever

Quarterback

Lundeen (15) Vail (12)

West Coast Offense

Dunn (32)

Kicker Villacreses (13)

Scott (26)

FIVE TO WATCH

Falk (19)

Fullback

Tailback

(Players subject to rotation.)

Wide Reciever

OFFENSE

Mac Vail QB (No. 12), Sr. Vail returns to lead the Dolphins offense this season after guiding them to their first league title in 2012. Vail threw for 1,428 yards as a junior with a touchdown to interception ratio of 13:8. Vail isn’t afraid to stand tall in the pocket or toss a long ball downfield and has put on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason.

Brian Scott RB (No. 26), Jr. Brian Scott is a powerful and quick running back who had a breakout sophomore season. Scott proved last year that he is tough to bring down and has the footwork and football IQ to make the correct cuts on the field. Coach Todd Rusinkovich has said that Scott is among the smartest players he’s coached.

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

End Sheuilan (11)

Andrew Dunn FB (No. 32), Sr. Leading the way for Brian Scott will be fullback Andrew Dunn.

The Dolphins coaching staff has adjusted some running schemes to better suit Scott’s game and Dunn’s blocking will be crucial to the ground game’s success. Dunn will provide strength and size as he checks in at 6 feet tall and 200 pounds his senior year.

Kyle Strickland OL (No. 65), Sr. Kyle Strickland will look to lead a veteran offensive line at left guard in the upcoming season. Strickland is the only member of the Dolphins 1,100 pound weight lifting club and is as big and strong as they come.

Strickland likes what he sees from the line in the early going. “It’s a brotherhood. We got some big boys with experience,” he said.

Tackle

Nose Tackle

Tackle

Aiello (50)

Shirvan (78)

Page (70)

Jacob Harbin OL (No. 72), Sr. The offensive line will be a strength this season and with Strickland on the left side, Jacob Harbin will look to sure up the right guard position. Rusinkovich considers the one-two guard combo of Harbin and Strickland as one of the best in the county. Harbin had the second highest bench press, power clean and squat lifts on the team this offseason.

End Stafford (84)

Cornerback

Cornerback Williams (1)

4-3 Defense

Torres (24)

Strong Safety

Linebacker

Linebacker

Linebacker

White (4)

Bill (44)

Scott (22)

Free Safety

(Players subject to rotation.)

Vogeler (5)

FIVE TO WATCH

Punter Villacreses (13)

DEFENSE

Justin Scott LB (No. 22), Sr. Justin Scott helped anchor the Dana Hills defense in 2012, earning first team All Sea View League honors, and will be crucial to their success again as an outside linebacker and team captain. Scott’s 83 total tackles in 2012 lead all returning players. At 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, Scott has the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly and still hit hard.

2013 Dolphin Football Preview

Schuyler (2)

Hank White LB (No. 4), Sr. Hank White is one of three Dana Hills captains and will play outside linebacker in the Dolphins 4-3 defensive look. White saw a considerable amount of time on the field last year and was able to rack up 41 total tackles in nine games.

Aside from his physical abilities Rusinkovich likes White’s football IQ and ability to read offenses.

Ivan Saguilan DE (No. 11), Sr. After switching to a 4-3 defense and putting Ivan Saguilan at the defensive end position, the Dolphins defense thrived. Saguilan moved to the spot along with several other impact players and Dana Hills rode their defense to the title. Saguilan will now have a full season at the spot and will help anchor a big defensive front.

Justin Stafford DE (No. 84), Sr. Justin Stafford played in only five games last year but will be another big body for the Dolphins defense at defensive end. When trying to sum up Stafford, Rusinkovich says it best. “He’s a monster-sized kid.

Stafford is 6-6, 225 so it’s good to have those big tall guys up front,” he said.

Michael Vogeler SS (No. 5), Sr. The Dolphins defense is experienced up front but not so much in the secondary, which makes Michael Vogeler’s presence at strong safety huge.

Rusinkovich pegged Vogeler as the catalyst for the defense, based on his ability and experience. Vogeler ran a team-best 4.59 40-yard dash in the offseason.

www.danapointtimes.com

2013 VARSITY ROSTER # 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 39 42 43 44 45 47 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 61 62 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 75 76 77 78 80 83 84 87 90 95 96

NAME Luke Williams Jay Schuyler Hank White Michael Vogeler Sean Schulte Ted Fitzgerald Mark Sangalang Ethan Parker Ray Moslehi Ivan Saguilan Mac Vail Brendan Villacreses Gavin Mahony Reid Lundeen Brandon Rogers Carter Hadley Parker Romo Drew Falk Connor McCloud Chris Aguarin Justin Scott Gabe Wahl Brandon Torres Tyler Dickenson Brian Scott Anthony Coppi Corey Selenski Thomas Waldenberger Brenden Schooler Andrew Dunn Brody Boyack Jonathan Fer Evan Hershman Connor Rodman Pierce Costello Nathan Hernandez Brett Bill Cade Norland Chandler Namath Scott Aiello Luke Gallardo Elias Hassankhil Kyle Smith Blaine Wagstaff Ryan Simmons Christian Clemente Ameen Monjezi Jordan Swindell Kevin Suarez Alec Brady Chris McDermott Kyle Strickland Jake Harris James Gault Jakub Podgorski Franky Justesen Adam Page Jacob Harbin Juan Moreira Kyle Wilemon Thomas Columbus Jake Hannah Connor Shirvan Jacob Molga Jake Morales Justin Stafford Quinn Trotman Josh Montgomery Sean Lawless Zack Lawless

2013 Dolphin Football Preview

GRADE 11 11 12 12 12 11 12 11 11 12 12 11 11 11 10 11 10 11 10 12 12 11 12 12 11 12 10 11 10 12 12 11 10 12 11 10 11 10 11 12 12 12 11 12 11 11 11 12 11 11 11 12 11 10 10 11 11 12 10 11 11 12 12 12 10 12 10 11 11 11

POSITION WR / DB WR / DB FB / LB WR / DB WR / DB QB / WR / DB WR / DB WR / DB WR / DB TE / DL / K / P QB / DB RB / LB / K / P WR / DB WR / DB QB / DB TE / DL QB / DB WR / DB RB / DB RB / DB RB / LB RB / DB RB / DB RB / LB RB / LB WR / DB RB / LB WR / DB WR / DB FB / LB FB / DL OL / DL WR / DB FB / LB FB / LB WR / DB FB / LB FB / LB FB / LB OL / DL OL / DL FB / LB OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL / S FB / LB OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / LB OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL WR / DB / K / P WR / DB TE / DL TE / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL

HEIGHT 6’2” 6’2” 6’0” 5’11” 6’0” 5’11” 5’8” 5’11” 5’9” 6’4” 6’0” 5’10” 6’0” 6’3” 6’0” 6’2” 6’0” 6’0” 5’4” 5’3” 6’0” 5’9” 5’9” 6’1” 6’0” 5’11” 6’3” 5’11” 6’2” 6’0” 6’1” 6’1” 5’8” 6’1” 5’11” 5’9” 6’0” 6’1” 5’10” 5’10” 6’2” 5’7” 5’11” 6’2” 6’1” 6’0” 5’11” 6’3” 5’8” 6’0” 5’10” 6’2” 6’1” 6’0” 6’1” 6’4” 6’0” 6’2” 6’0” 6’3” 6’0” 6’3” 6’6” 6’5” 6’0” 6’6” 6’6” 6’1” 6’0” 6’0”

WEIGHT 170 180 200 180 175 165 180 170 170 240 180 185 150 180 160 195 165 175 140 150 185 150 155 200 180 155 200 150 160 200 185 215 160 210 180 155 200 190 190 250 270 185 240 220 240 210 220 200 185 220 255 275 250 220 260 235 230 265 175 260 200 280 330 180 140 225 215 190 165 165

GAME ONE

SEASON SCHEDULE & GAME PREVIEWS AUGUST 30

TRABUCO HILLS Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Scott Orloff League: South Coast 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (1-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 17-14 Season Outlook: The Mustangs had a bit of turnover on their depth chart but have solid returning players to build around that could bring them out of the bottom of the South Coast League. Junior wide receiver Jacob Breeland and senior running back Jordan Hettinger should shore up some of the skill positions.

Returning defensive end Nick Leduc had a nice junior season, racking up 75 total tackles while leading the team with five sacks.

If Trabuco Hills can find the pieces to fill in the gaps, they could have a solid season.

GAME SIX

OCTOBER 4

IRVINE Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Eric Terry League: Pacific Coast 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (2-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 22-7 Season Outlook: It’s impossible to see Irvine on Dana Hills’ schedule as the last preseason game and not think back to what happened between these two teams in 2012.

The Dolphins were 0-5 heading into Week 6 against Irvine but rattled off a 22-7 win which kick started a three-game win streak that bled into their Sea View League schedule. It looks like the Dolphins will face a lot of those same Irvine players this season as their quarterback, leading rusher and a good portion of their defense returns.

2013 Dolphin Football Preview

GAME TWO

SEPTEMBER 6

FOUNTAIN VALLEY Location: Fountain Valley High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: John Shipp League: Sunset 2012-2013 record: 4-7 (1-4 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 23-17 Season Outlook: Fountain Valley is a historic Southern California team that has struggled to find a foothold in the Sunset League in recent years. Playing against Edison, who won the CIF-SS Southwest title in 2012, has proven to be a difficult task to master for any team in the league. The Barons will be without their quarterback Chris D’entremont but will have one of his favorite targets, senior wide out Jacob Church, returning. Church proved he could make big plays last year and will be the core of Fountain Valley’s offense yet again.

GAME SEVEN

OCTOBER 11

ALISO NIGUEL Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Kurt Westling League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (0-4 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 20-18 Season Outlook: For the past two seasons, Aliso Niguel built their offense around the prolific arm of standout quarterback Nathan Cole.

Just how pass-oriented was the Wolverines no-huddle offense last year? Cole threw for 3,185 yards and 37 touchdowns while Ryan Walker, the team’s leading rusher, ran for 268 yards. The Wolverines allowed a lot of points to be scored against them last year, especially in league play, but seemed content with outgunning them with an offensive attack. With Cole gone, it will be worth keeping an eye on how the Wolverines shift their style, if they end up shifting at all.

GAME THREE SEPTEMBER 12

GAME FOUR SEPTEMBER 20

SAN CLEMENTE Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Jaime Ortiz League: South Coast 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (1-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 42-14 Season Outlook: Youth is the name of the game over at San Clemente, as head coach Jaime Ortiz is set to lead a young roster in his second year at the helm. The Tritons are now two years removed from appearing in the CIF-SS Pac-5 Championship game and with the loss of several key players from last year’s effort, they will be an interesting team to watch as they attempt to rebuild. Junior quarterback Sam Darnold turned a lot of heads last year, highlighted by a 22-point fourth quarter comeback, which he ignited, to beat rival Tesoro in a 29-21 win. Darnold is a versatile athlete that can throw and run and will be the focal point of the newlook Tritons offense.

VILLA PARK Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Dusan Ancich League: Century 2012-2013 record: 12-2 (6-0 league) 2012 vs. DH: DNP Season Outlook: Villa Park was dominant last season and seems to have a lot of the major pieces returning that will ensure another successful season. But one glaring hole that sticks out on the Spartans’ depth chart is the loss of running back Meki Tafuna, who ran for 1,374 yards and 27 touchdowns last year. The only player returning who had more than 10 carries last season will be junior Mike Vega, who ran the ball 14 times and scored twice in 2012. Villa Park’s quarterback situation is not an issue, as senior Dylan Osborne returns after throwing for 2,371 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

GAME EIGHT

OCTOBER 18

CAPISTRANO VALLEY Location: Capistrano Valley High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Ernst Bucher League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 9-3 (3-1 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 31-0 Season Outlook: The coaching situation at Capistrano Valley has been in flux for several years and the story is much of the same for this version of the Cougars football team. After guiding the program to their first league title since 1995, former head coach Matt Poston left to take the job at Tesoro. With standout quarterback Mason Dossey gone, senior Matt Gordon could be an option to take over.

Gordon was an effective running back last year, where he rushed for 300 yards and scored four touchdowns, an indication of his dual-threat capabilities.

GAME NINE

NOVEMBER 1

LAGUNA HILLS Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Bruce Ingalls League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 6-4 (3-1 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 31-27 Season Outlook: Laguna Hills saw their grip on the Sea View League slip just a bit last year, as they were finally challenged by Dana Hills and Capistrano Valley for the league title. All three teams ended up with a share of first-place.

Laguna Hills was a big, physical team last year and relied on their senior-heavy roster and their defense’s ability to keep them in games. Six of their games last year were decided by 10 points or fewer, with the Hawks coming out on top in four of them. Depth could be an issue for the Hawks as they were loaded with 20 seniors in 2012, many of whom were starters.

By Steve Breazeale

GAME FIVE

SEPTEMBER 27

JSERRA Location: Saddleback College Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Jim Hartigan League: Trinity 2012-2013 record: 6-4 (1-4 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 21-6 Season Outlook: The recurring storyline following JSerra football has been their Trinity League results and the struggle with competing against some of the top teams in the state on a week-to-week basis.

The Lions managed to pull off a convincing win over Orange Lutheran last year and nearly beat St. John Bosco in overtime, but were outgunned by Mater Dei, Servite and Santa Margartia. The Lions had a young team last year and will return solid numbers for the 2013 season. Look for senior running back Casey Eugenio to have another big year. He burst onto the scene as a junior, running for 773 yards and 11 touchdowns.

GAME TEN

NOVEMBER 8

SAN JUAN HILLS Location: San Juan Hills High Time: 7 p.m.

Coach: Aaron Flowers League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 7-3 (2-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 28-14 Season Outlook: There wasn’t a lot of turnover over at San Juan Hills this offseason but there will be plenty of changes on display when they start their season. The major change is the implementation of a no-huddle offense. After watching teams use it against them, the Stallions have adopted the approach and plan to have it fully implemented in the offense for the start of the season. The Stallions quarterback Jacob Gibson, leading rusher Brad Kremer and several veteran lineman return for their senior campaigns. Their defense also returns several impact players, including linebacker Brennan Walsh. www.danapointtimes.com

TOP OFFSEASON TRAINING MARKS Compiled by Steve Breazeale The Dolphins have been working all offseason with strength and conditioning coach Phil Skinner. Senior quarterback Mac Vail said that this offseason training regimen was the hardest he had ever been put through. Here are some of the top marks in the weight room and out on the training field posted by Dolphins players this summer.

Bench Press Kyle Strickland—315 pounds Jacob Harbin—305 Scott Aiello—305 Hank White—305 Connor Shirvan—305 Blaine Wagstaff—305 Justin Stafford—305 Power Clean Kyle Strickland—320 Jacob Harbin—275 Mac Vail—265

Squat Kyle Strickland—550 Jacob Harbin—450 Scott Aiello—445 1,100 Pound Club Kyle Strickland—1,185 lbs 1,000 Pound Club Jacob Harbin—1,030 Scott Aiello—1,000 40-yard Dash

Bench Reps (185 pounds) Kyle Strickland—29 reps Scott Aiello—20 Hank White—19

Michael Vogeler—4.59 seconds Luke Williams—4.59 Thomas Waldenberger—4.62

Pro Shuttle Justin Scott—4.19 seconds Michael Vogeler—4.22 Luke Williams—4.22 3 Cone Drill Justin Scott—6.53 seconds Sea Schulte—6.59 Thomas Waldenberger—6.81 Broad Jump (Inches) Thomas Waldenberger—115 Mac Vail—111.5 Justin Scott—111 Quinn Trotman—111

Dolphins players taking part in offseason drills. Photo by Steve Breazeale

DP LIVING

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PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

DP

SUDOKU

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

SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION

D a n a Po i nt

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

Southern Roots Take Hold at Chili and Country Affair

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

Finding Glee in the OC No reason to take living in south Orange County for granted

M

ost everyone I know who lives in south Orange County feels blessed to be here. Besides the incredible Southern California weather, this August not withstanding, we have a choice of beaches and Dana Point Harbor in which to enjoy aquatic activities.

When outsiders come to visit, they marvel at the beauty and versatility of the area. I hear comments from them often in Tutor and Spunky’s, my Dana Point deli.

They remind us that we should never take for granted what we have here.

That point was driven home when my brother Bill, his wife Linda and his two boys visited for five days this month from Dallas. Bill is a masters swimmer and took part in the nationals at the Aquatic Center in Mission Viejo, along with 1,437 others.

With the center’s three outdoor pools, it’s a swimming venue to be proud of.

There must have been 300 volunteers helping out.

On one of the nights, our family enjoyed dinner at the Wind & Sea Restaurant in the Harbor, a landmark location for Dana Point. You dine at a table overlooking the marina entrance. Pointing toward the water, Bill asked, “What’s that guy doing?”

My partner Greta said, “He’s a stand-up paddleboarder, it’s quite the craze here now. Baby Beach, inside the Harbor down by the Ocean Institute, has calm water and that’s where most people learn how to do it.”

Besides the constant passing of boats in and out, a guy went by in a float tube, fly casting in every direction.

When you’ve been to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano over the years for a myriad of concerts, as Greta and I have (Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Don Ho), it’s easy to take the venue for granted. But it took our Texas visitors to remind us of how special that little Dana Point Times August 23-29, 2013

concert hall is. When Bill and Linda walked in, they marveled about its quaintness and how there was not a bad seat in the house. And these are people from the state that is home to wellknown venues such as ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 Gilley’s and Billy Bob’s

By Tom Blake Texas.

They were thrilled with the concert, as were Greta and I. Bill Medley, the surviving member of the original Righteous Brothers, an Orange County native, put on an incredible performance, particularly for a 72-year-old guy. It was the anniversary of Bobby Hatfield’s birthday, the other half of the Righteous Brothers, who died on November 5, 2003. Medley often mentioned Bobby throughout the show. Medley’s daughter, McKenna, who reminded us of Reese Witherspoon, is a rising star in Nashville. She added lots of zip to the performance.

When you go to the Coach House, be sure to say hello to John the bartender.

He’s been there for at least a quarter century and can make a drink in the blink of an eye.

The city of Dana Point has done a great job of promoting social activities. Pretty much every weekend, there is something fun to do. Nothing was more enjoyable for Greta and me than on Sunday, when we attended one of the summer concert series events the city sponsors. Each summer, there are eight free outdoor concerts held in three different locations. This one was at Sea Terrace Community Park near the Dana Point Library. I’m estimating 4,000 people were there.

The band was called ABBAfab, an ABBA tribute band that had 10 members.

Usually, at these events, Greta and I stay

D

aisy dukes, cowboy hats and boots were all the rage Saturday as the Dana Point Chili Cook Off & Country Jamboree took over Sea Terrace Park.

The sun shone bright and the chili provided a swift kick in the mouth for attendees of the eight-hour party hosted by the city of Dana Point and event production company, EventWerks.

With country tunes bumping from the speakers and high-octave notes being hit by the singers of Gold Rush Country and The Silverados, hundreds took to the park’s grassy knoll for an afternoon of soulful songs about lost loves and barnraising good times.

Orange County food trucks served gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, ahi tuna sliders, garlic fries, cupcakes, sushi and other culinary concoctions. But the main attraction for people Saturday afternoon was the International Chili Society sanctioned chili cook-off.

The food was kickin’ and boots were a scootin’ at this year’s cook-off, as more

seated in our lawn chairs and just enjoy the music. But on that Sunday, we were down in front of the stage, dancing and singing along with about 300 other crazies.

This was a really special concert for us.

Yes, we are huge ABBA fans (the Swedish group has sold close to 400 millions albums). In May of this year, we went to the new ABBA museum in Stockholm on opening day and got to watch original members Bjorn and Frida interviewed live

by NBC personality Natalie Morales on the “Today Show.”

So, if you’re starting to take living in south Orange County for granted, check out all of the diverse events that happen here and get out there and enjoy them.

You’ll appreciate what we have.

The next singles age 50 plus Meet and Greet is Thursday, August 29, 5 p.m. to

Page 18

A couple dances to the tunes of Gold Rush Country on Saturday at the Dana Point Chili Cook Off & Country Jamboree. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

than a dozen teams from across Southern California took part in the competition, serving up reds, greens and salsas for judges and attendees alike.

The city’s event stretch continues next weekend with the first-ever California Celtic Classic and World Highland Games.

To find out more, go to www.calcelticclassic.com. DP —Andrea Papagianis 7:30 p.m. at Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point.

No cover charge. Happy hour prices.

Featuring Carl the DJ. For directions, go to www.tutorandspunkys.com or call 949.248.9008 for questions.

To comment, email me at tompblake@ gmail.com.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50.com. 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 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

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

FOR SALE BLACK FENDER GUITAR AND AMP FOR KIDS/TEEN Black Fender electric guitar with matching amp. $75 or make me an offer. Call or text 949.533.9761.

GARAGE SALES CAPISTRANO BEACH Must sell furniture and misc. Bachelor Cal King all in one bed frame with built-in drawers and shelves $200, high end 3 piece bookshelves $200, TV w/ stand $30. lots of neat stuff. Corner of Calle Carmelita and Calle Juanita. 7am to 12n.

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

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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

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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

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& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

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D a n a Po i nt

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Dana Point Rec League Playoff Results

After all the dust settled from the first week of the Dana Point Recreation kickball league playoffs, several teams were left standing. With the first round complete, the semifinals and finals now loom.

In the advanced kickball division the top seeded teams were not safe from upset. Cobra Kai, who came in as the No. 3 overall seed, upset No. 2 seeded Ballbarians in a 5-3 victory.

Cobra Kai have been mainstays of the Dana Point Recreation League

circuit and have proven they have the savvy veteran know-how to get it done.

Your Face pulled off a narrow 3-2 win over Blue Ball Crushers. Your Face has been a top ranked team all season and will face Cobra Kai in the finals on August 26.

The beginner kickball division also had an upset, with No. 3 seeded Kickin’ it Real prevailing over No. 2 seed Hairy Larrys in the first round.

They will face No. 1 seed Swift Kick in

the Grass in the finals on August 26.

The adult co-ed kickball league playoffs got started on August 21. No. 4 Purple People Eaters beat Just Can’t Kick Enough 7-5 and earned a berth in the semifinals, where they will play the Cougars. The Green Team upset Sons of Pitches 4-3 and move on to play Grasskickers in the next round. The semifinals for the co-ed league are set for August 28.

—Compiled by Steve Breazeale

Kilts Optional as Strongmen and Celtic Clans Come to South County California Celtic Classic brings traditional Irish and Scottish sports to area

By Darian Nourian San Clemente Times

L

ike many kids, Dana Point resident Francis Brebner tried out many sports before discovering his true athletic calling in his native Scotland.

However, rather than playing typical American sports like soccer, football or basketball, Brebner chose to partake in something different, a sport that involves kilts and bagpipes: the Highland Games.

He is now bringing the “Games” to Dana Point this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25, as part of the California Celtic Classic at Sea Terrace Community Park.

“I think that the California Celtic Classic will grow into one of the best on the International circuit because of the fantastic location of Dana Point and many amenities for travelers who wish to attend the games and vacation in one of the best sunny beach communities in the United States,” Brebner said.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Highland Games, they have a rich history dating back to 632 B.C. in Ireland, and in fact, served as an inspiration for the modern-day Olympics. The games include

a variety of sporting events such as the hammer throw, stone putt, caber toss and many other weight-lifting related contests.

“It is such an old and unique game,” Brebner said. “I fell in love with it and many others have come to do so as well.”

Brebner, who relocated to Southern California from Peterhead, Scotland in 2003, was a top-ranked professional during his 18 years of competing in the Highland Games internationally. His accomplishments include winning the World Highland Games Championships and World Caber Tossing Championships a record seven times, along with an array of other championship titles.

After retiring from competition at age 37 in 2003, due to a severe back injury, Brebner turned his focus to spreading the influence of the Highland Games internationally.

“I have had a vision and a strong desire to stage a major Highland Games Championship, which has now come to fruition thanks to the city of Dana Point,” he said.

In 2001, he founded the International Highland Games Federation, which aims to promote and establish the Scottish traditions wherever possible, and to encourage young athletes to participate as well.

The IHGF is now recognized worldwide as the governing body of the Highland Games, which has 23 affiliated countries to date, including the United States.

“It’s really taken off in the last 10 years, especially in America,” Brebner said. “Other countries like France and Germany have gotten involved as well and it has really evolved as a sport.”

As in any other competitive circuit, the IHGF has a series of championship events in place which enables amateur athletes to work their way up through the ranks to become professionals.

The IHGF All American Highland Games Championships which will be held at the California Celtic Classic this weekend, invites 10 of America’s top Highland athletes to compete for one spot in the IHGF World Amateur Highland Games Championship, scheduled in Europe for 2014.

The event will also include a strong man competition, where 10 of California’s top strength athletes are set to compete in over two days of competition.

For those who don’t have the strength to lift 100-pound dumb bells, or throw a log off their heads, there will be a weekend-long festival that will give any

outsider a taste of the Highland Games.

“The festival will resemble medieval Scotland that everyone will be able to feel,” Brebner said. “No stone is left unturned.”

In Southern California’s version of the Highland Games, there will be a Celtic food fair, live music and dancing, a haggis eating contest, clan gathering and a Celtic marketplace for all to experience.

Brebner said he is ecstatic about finally being able to bring the Highland Games and a piece of Scotland to Southern California and looks forward to seeing this sport grow in the region for the many years to come.

The California Celtic Classic and World Highland Games will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 24–25, at Sea Terrace Community Park, at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Kids under 13 are free.

A free shuttle service is available from Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, as parking near the park is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets, log on to www.calcelticclassic.com. DP

DP SURF

6

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

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D a n a Po i nt

GROM OF THE WEEK NATHAN CARABBA

Age: 13, Capistrano Virtual Academy Nathan Carabba is preparing to enter the eighth grade and begin his fourth year as a surfer. Paddling out for two or more sessions a day is a discipline Nathan says is not hard to stick to, due to his love and dedication to the sport. For him, surfing is a passion he loves more than “pretty much everything.” This year Nathan will surf in the SSS, WSA, Surfing America Prime, VQS and some Arnette events. The busy schedule, he said, is just part of doing what it takes to realize his dream of becoming a pro surfer. Although his mind is firmly set on making his surf dreams a reality, Nathan says he can also see himself becoming a trainer, coach and physical therapist, an idea inspired by his training with Kevyn Dean at DSC. In school Nathan is a straight-A student of Capistrano Virtual School, an online independent study program. Having to successfully learned to navigate his way through school via independent study, he feels that online school will most likely be the path he takes in college as well. “You have to get on it, on your own, but being able to surf every day is so worth it. Sometimes it’s easy to get sidetracked, Nathan Carabba. Photo by Sheri especially when the waves are good, so staying focused takes self-discipline,” he said. “I’d Crummer/seasister.com like to thank my parents, coach Kevyn Dean and my shaper Hamish Graham for all of their help. And my friends, for ripping and making me want to surf better.” —Andrea Swayne

A Win for the Women

SURF FORECAST

Local SUP surfers take top three places at first ever RSSS to offer a division for women only

By Andrea Swayne Dana Point Times

M

idway through this year’s 7th annual four-contest Revolt Summer Surf Series, at the August 17 event in Mission Beach, a tight-knit group of female stand-up paddle surfers found a new venue in which to compete. And local women swept the podium.

Mel Wygal, Alleanna Clark and Diane Wenzel, all from San Clemente, claimed the top three spots in the new division, respectively. The trio’s podium sweep was also celebrated in Dana Point, as all three are team riders for the Dana Point-based Infinity Surfboards.

Although the RSSS has included men’s and juniors’ SUP surf divisions for the past couple of years a low number of registrations did not warrant the addition of a women’s division.

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

The San Diego-based Revolt Summer Surf Series added a women-only SUP surf division at their August 17 event at Mission Beach. The top three spots were claimed by San Clemente surfers and Infinity team riders (L to R) Mel Wygal, Alleanna Clark and Diane Wenzel, respectively. Photo by Jaecey Suda

That changed when a determined group of Southern California-based women got together and presented a sufficient number of competitors to form a full division.

Contest officials said they would add the division upon the sign-up of at least five women. The group’s efforts brought 11 entries, enough for two preliminary heats.

“We had to rally a group to pre-register in order for our own division to be added,” Wenzel said. “We were thrilled to have a new venue and would like to thank Revolt

for adding a place for us in their series.”

Wenzel said she and her fellow female competitors are happy to see that as time passes more and more opportunities to compete in women-only SUP surf keep opening up and they are committed to growing their corner of the sport, just as the women of traditional surfing did in the past.

“It was a really fun event for the whole SUP community because it finally brought all of us together. We are already a tight

Water Temperature: 65-67 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente:10-15’+ Fair-Good; Catalina: 15-25’ Good Immediate: Looking marginally better through the end of the work week off a small new round of Southern Hemi swells and trace northwest windswell. Through Friday most breaks are in the knee-thigh high (1-2’+) range, with a few waist high (3’) to potentially better peaks for standouts during the most favorable tides. Light/variable to light onshore winds in the mornings give way to a light+ to moderate westerly sea-breeze in the afternoons through the end of the week. Long Range Outlook: Modest, but slightly better south-southwest/south swells and northwest windswell lining up through the weekend, bumping the region’s better exposures up into fun-zone waves. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!

group, but the addition of our own division brought the whole ‘family’ together,” said Wenzel. “Everyone, including the folks who produced the event, seemed stoked to have a women’s SUP surf division. It just seemed to round out the event. It felt complete.”

The next RSSS event is set for October 5 at Crystal Pier in San Diego.

For more information on the RSSS, including full results and standings, log on to www.revoltsurfseries.com. DP