LO C A L
N EWS
May 30–June 5, 2014 YO U
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Dolphins Baseball Advances to CIF Quarterfinals SPORTS/PAGE 15
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 22
Opening Doors to Higher Education
Breakthrough San Juan supports motivated local students and puts them on the college track E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 4
Bryan Boyce, assistant director of Breakthrough San Juan, helps Amy Fabian, a seventh grader at Marco Forster Middle School, apply for a scholarship. Photo: Brian Park
Council Upholds Commission OK of Ritz-Carlton Expansion EYE ON DP/PAGE 3
Local Student Advances to National Chemistry Competition DP LIVING/PAGE 12
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USS Coronado’s Local Leader Moves onto Washington Post EYE ON DP/PAGE 6
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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING meeting hosted by Edison Thursday, May 22, Thomas Palmasino, the utility’s chief nuclear officer, said the company could expand its system for storing dry casks, which is considered the safest form of spent nuclear fuel storage. Currently, one-third of spent fuel from the plant’s three reactors is housed in dry-cask storage. The remainder is being stored in the plant’s cooling pools. The plant’s decommissioning was announced in June 2013, a year and a half after a radioactive leak and wear were discovered in two active nuclear reactors. WHAT’S NEXT: Edison is expected to provide the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal body that oversees the nation’s commercial nuclear power sites, with decommissioning cost estimates and reports on fuel management and postshutdown activities later this year.—AP and Jim Shilander
Coyote decoys were charged with keeping seagulls away from Poche Beach last November, an added measure Orange County has taken to keep the beach with historically poor water quality off Heal the Bay’s annual “Beach Bummer List.” Photo: Jim Shilander
What’s Up With... Five things Dana Point should know this week Californians Hit Statewide Primary Polls Tuesday THE LATEST: Polling places will open throughout California Tuesday, June 3 as voters see contests for governor, secretary of state and attorney general on the ballot. The state’s 53 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 80 seats in the state Assembly are on the ticket, as are 20 seats in the state Senate. At the state level, voters will decide two ballot measures. The first, Proposition 41, would authorize the redirecting of $600 million in bond money to fund housing for low-income and homeless veterans. The second measure, Proposition 42, is a proposed constitutional amendment that, if passed, would require local governing bodies to comply with state public records and open meeting laws. It would also place the financial burden of compliance on local governments rather than the state. In Orange County, voters will see three Board of Supervisors seats on the ballot, including the 5th District seat being vacated by Pat Bates. Bates is running unopposed for the state Senate’s 36th District. Dana Point Mayor Lisa Bartlett, Laguna Niguel City Councilman Robert Ming, Mission Viejo City Councilman Frank Ury and Deputy District Attorney Joe Williams are vying for Bates’ seat. Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
With Assemblywoman Diane Harkey terming out of her 73rd Assembly post, and running for the state Board of Equalization, four Republicans and one Democrat face off in next week’s primary. Dana Point City Councilman Bill Brough, Capistrano Unified School District board trustee Anna Bryson, constitutional lawyer and Irvine Valley College professor Wendy Gabriella, former Laguna Niguel City Councilman Paul Glabb and Rancho Santa Margarita City Councilman Jesse Petrilla are on the ballot. Locally, voters will also have their say on the county’s Measure A, which would require Orange County’s 12 elected officials, including the five supervisors, to contribute to their pensions. WHAT’S NEXT: Tuesday’s primary is nonpartisan, meaning the two top vote getters in each race will advance to the November 4 general election. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. FIND OUT MORE: Visit the Orange County Registrar of Voters at www.ocvote.com. —Andrea Papagianis
Edison Could Expand Fuel Storage Options THE LATEST: The operator of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is considering tripling the size of its onsite nuclear fuel storage as the plant’s decommissioning process moves forward. The announcement came a week after a wildfire, sparked by a big-rig blaze, shutdown Interstate 5 near the plant. The fire, some nuclear activists say, is further evidence that Southern California Edison must remove nuclear waste from the plant as soon as possible. At a community engagement panel
Council Upholds OK of Ritz-Carlton Expansion THE LATEST: Despite appeals, both formal and verbal, of several residents who expressed concerns about noise, the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, May 20 to uphold a Planning Commission decision allowing the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel to expand its event facilities. The expansion was first approved by the commission April 14 but came before the five-member body after nearby resident of the Niguel Shores community, Judith Hummer, filed an appeal April 29. Plans include relocating the resort’s conference facilities, which were previously approved as a main building attachment in 2009, at a newly constructed 36,000-square-foot building replacing existing tennis courts. While the building will be bigger, it will not require a variance to the city’s height limit. “I am here because of hotel noise,” Hummer told the council. “I am here because of the noise level increased improperly and we have a serious problem.” She said the hotel’s first years of operation were quiet, but things changed within the last 10 years and asked that hotel operations “keep the peace.” Hotel representative Ted Harris, of California Strategies, said the luxury resort agreed to all conditions set forth by the Planning Commission, adding the new pavilion will create a sound barrier. Conditions of approval include noise mitigation measures like limits on outdoor entertainment and sound thresholds. The council added others such as noise monitoring and limited delivery hours. WHAT’S NEXT: The project’s permit must still be approved by the California Coastal Commission.—AP
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Capo Unified Continues Superintendent Search THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District’s superintendent hunt may take longer than expected. The district Board of Trustees recently hired a new search consultant, Leadership Associates of La Quinta, to help fill the position being vacated by Superintendent Joseph Farley at the end of June. The board met in special session Sunday, May 18 to make the hire, replacing an earlier national search firm choice. The superintendent search contact comes with a $26,000 price tag. WHAT’S NEXT: The consultants will likely focus on California candidates, according to board President John Alpay. In the meantime, the district could appoint an interim superintendent.—JS
County Beaches Avoid Annual Bummer List THE LATEST: Summer Solstice is around the corner which means the environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay’s annual “Beach Bummer List” and report card is out just in time for warmer temperatures. For the first time in six years, Dana Point’s Poche Beach, with historically poor water quality, hasn’t appeared on the list. Also of note, no beaches in Orange County made the list, which saw Doheny State Beach in the Top 10 Beach Bummers in 2011, 2012 and 2013 alongside Poche. The watchdog group monitors more than 600 beaches statewide, and utilizing weekly bacteria levels reported by area health departments, awards each beach a letter grade. Poche’s grades have been on the rise in recent months due to efforts by the county and city of San Clemente to clean up its act. “We have been very committed to discovering why certain beaches had poor water quality and took some very creative steps to fix the problem,” said county Supervisor Pat Bates. WHAT’S NEXT: The county installed ultrasound speakers to deter birds from gathering on the beach and implored a falconer and used plastic coyote decoys to scare seagulls away. For the most part, Dana Point’s beaches received positive grades, but year-round wet conditions produced subpar ratings at Doheny.—AP
Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about? Send your suggestions to editorial@danapointtimes.com. www.danapointtimes.com
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Opening Doors to Higher Education Breakthrough San Juan supports motivated students and puts them on the college track BY BRIAN PARK, DANA POINT TIMES
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hen Fabian Tovar was in elementary school, he’d often translate, from English to Spanish, his homework assignments and school notices to his parents. “It was a challenge at some points to really get the message across to them but they trusted me,” Tovar said. “They knew they couldn’t help me much with school, but they encouraged me to make good friends and be around positive people.” That lesson, Tovar took to heart. As a sixth grader at Marco Forster Middle School, Tovar’s good friends introduced him to Breakthrough San Juan, a tuition-free academic program run out of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School that provides support for students, from the eighth grade all the way through high school. Tovar, now a junior at Capistrano Valley High School, continues to surround himself with positive people. And thanks to Breakthrough, he’s on track to become the first member of his family to attend a four-year university. “I feel like it’ll be a start of a new legacy in my family,” Tovar said. “I’ll feel like my parents’ sacrifices won’t be in vain.” Breakthrough San Juan is part of a national nonprofit program, Breakthrough Collaborative, which aims to help highachieving students from low-income, underserved backgrounds get to college. It’s one of 33 sites across the country but the only one in Southern California. Through outreach and informational presentations, eligible sixth graders at Marco Forster can apply for the program, which typically accepts around 25 students each year. The students must complete a rigorous application and interview process to gain acceptance. “It feels fun to be involved in a program for that long and because it lets me have
Breakthrough San Juan, a tuition-free academic program run out of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School aims to give high-achieving students from underserved backgrounds in the region a better shot at a college degree. Photo: Brian Park
so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had,” said 12-year-old Amy Fabian, who is in her first year in the program and is using that application experience to apply for a scholarship at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which provides financial assistance to outstanding seventh graders. Since Breakthrough was launched at St. Margaret’s in 2006, it’s worked with more than 200 Marco Forster students, who go on to attend Capistrano Valley, Dana Hills and San Juan Hills high schools. In its first two graduating classes, 100 percent of Breakthrough students earned their high school diploma and more than 60 percent are attending college, including Beloit College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Fullerton, San Francisco State University and Saddleback College. Of the 84 students currently in the program, 86 percent are eligible to receive free or reduced price lunches at school. Nine out of 10 students will be the first
Fabian Tovar, a junior at Capistrano Valley High School, researches information online for his homework during one of Breakthrough San Juan’s weekly tutoring sessions at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. Photo: Brian Park
Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
like it’ll be a start “of Iafeel new legacy in my family ... I’ll feel like my parents’ sacrifices won’t be in vain.
”
—Fabian Tovar
members of their family to attend college and 83 percent live in a household where English is not the primary language. “That presents a lot of obstacles,” said Lorena Martinez, director of the program. In addition to working with students, Breakthrough teachers and staff meet regularly with parents to teach them how to navigate the school system and encourage them to be more supportive of their child’s education. “We’re very purposeful in all our meetings. All our materials are bilingual,” Martinez said. “We involve the whole family because we know in order for a student to be successful, they need that family support. That’s a very powerful aspect.” Larissa Sosa’s son, Angelo Macedo, is a Breakthrough student who’s currently a sophomore at San Juan Hills High School. Macedo was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome—a high-functioning form of autism—at a young age. Sosa, a single parent who didn’t finish college in Venezuela, has always been involved in her son’s education, but through Breakthrough, she’s gotten better insights into how she can help Macedo do what she couldn’t. “They always keep you informed about what is out there: workshops, information about every single college and how to get into those colleges,” Sosa said. “Breakthrough was a door, an open opportunity. It was knowledge and education for parents. You have to be ready, so your kid is
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ready to take those opportunities. “He is a college-bound kid. He had dreams. He wants it all. We’re working on that. We’re going to get every single application, and I’m going to apply for every financial aid I can find.” Breakthrough’s mission is two-fold. In addition to helping students and their parents, the program aims to train the next generation of teachers. Each summer, the program invites students studying education at colleges and universities across the country—including Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, UCLA and USC—to stay in San Juan Capistrano and help teach the next wave of Breakthrough students. The student teachers are guided by Breakthrough staff, as well as volunteer teachers and professors from local high schools and universities. Martinez, herself, was a student teacher in the Breakthrough program in 2008, while studying sociology at UC Berkeley. “I wasn’t intending on working in education, but I had such a positive experience that after that summer, I knew for the rest of my life I wanted to work in education,” said Martinez, who moved on to teach with Teach for America and at a high school in South Dakota. “I came from a low-income family and was the first person to graduate from college, so I related to the mission very strongly.” Martinez and her staff have taken Breakthrough’s message into the community to garner more support. Last year, Breakthrough received funding through an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) grant that allowed them to bring on two yearlong staff members, Sandra Alvarez and Jenna Robinson. Through their work, Breakthrough has been able to double their staff of volunteers by creating partnerships with local high schools and the Boys & Girls Club, where students receive weekly tutoring sessions. “Community investment—we have a town of it and it’s awesome,” said Assistant Director Bryan Boyce. “That’s something for San Juan Capistrano to be proud of, right there with the swallows.” Although the program receives a portion of their funding from Breakthrough Collaborative and St. Margaret’s, its support largely comes from charitable donations and community support. Robinson’s mission is to further develop community partnerships, not just for potential financial support but for active involvement. “We’ve started to suggest our Breakthrough students at local businesses to give our students that exposure to the workforce and some hands-on experience,” Robinson said. “As we’ve increased awareness, tons of people have been moved. DP www.danapointtimes.com
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Community DP Sheriff’s Blotter Meetings COMPILED BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS
FRIDAY, MAY 30
Dana Point Harbor Boat Show
Noon–7 p.m. New and used, power and sail vessels will be on display at the 14th annual show at the Dana Point Harbor. Show runs all weekend, including 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 and children under 12 are free. For more info, visit www.danaboatshow.com. SATURDAY, MAY 31
Community Recycling Event
9 a.m.–11 a.m. Residents can drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans at Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern. Event will be held rain or shine. No glass. Funds collected are distributed to student programs.
Farmers Market
9 a.m.–1 p.m. Seasonal produce, flowers and local-handcrafted goods are featured at this weekly market at La Plaza Park. Call 949.248.3500 or log onto www.danapoint.org to find out about purchasing a booth. TUESDAY, JUNE 3
Statewide Primary Election
7 a.m.–8 p.m. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit the Orange County Registrar of Voters website at www.ocvote.com for candidate information, to find your polling place and more.
City Council Meeting—Canceled.
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.
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Dana Point Police Services www.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com
Monday, May 26 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Doheny Park Road, 34100 Block (11:22 p.m.) Bar-goers were reportedly doing “lines” off the toilets at Doheny Saloon. When the caller reported this to the bartender, he was allegedly ejected. BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Pacific Coast Highway/Street of the Amber Lantern (10:48 p.m.) While arriving to work, a Circle K employee heard banging noises and witnessed two men break a lock on the store’s cooler before walking away with cases of beer. The subjects left the scene in a white vehicle with a logo or lettering on the side. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Alta Vista Drive, 24500 Block (7:52 p.m.) Authorities arrested a woman who reportedly stumbled out of a residence and into the driver’s seat of a parked black sedan. She is being held on a $10,000 bail.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-UNKNOWN INJURIES Street of the Golden Lantern/Stonehill Drive (6:41 p.m.) A man was arrested after a traffic accident occurred between a silver minivan and a white truck. Orange County Fire Authority personnel transported one person to the hospital. The man posted bond, according to the county’s inmate database. TRAFFIC HAZARD Pacific Coast Highway/Dana Point Harbor Drive (2:49 p.m.) Drivers stopped in the roadway near the pedestrian bridge on PCH to let a family of ducks cross the roadway. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Street of the Golden Lantern/Del Prado Avenue (4:12 a.m.) A drunken man wearing black clothing was walking on Golden Lantern. The caller reported nearly striking him with a vehicle.
Sunday, May 25 DISTURBANCE Street of the Park Lantern, 25100 Block (10:31 p.m.) The caller alleged that underage subjects were temporarily leaving an event to drink in their cars. She reported they would not be readmitted and feared they would be driving. DISTURBANCE Malaga Drive, 33900 Block (9:33 p.m.) A man, who was walking his dog, was punched by another man because his dog pooped on La Cresta Drive. Authorities made a related stop near Shipwreck Park. DEFRAUDING AN INKEEPER La Plaza, 34100 Block (7:02 a.m.) A
couple reportedly left Hennessey’s Tavern without paying for their drinks. Another party involved said the pair ordered drinks but waited 30 minutes for them before leaving. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive, 24200 Block (6:38 p.m.) Deputies were alerted to suspicious activity in which the caller said a male cyclist was carrying an “expensive looking” vacuum cleaner that he believed was stolen. The biker was last seen near the Ocean Institute. SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Dana Strand Road, 34300 Block (6:24 p.m.) Two men in a white Toyota Camry were videotaping the mansions below Strand Vista Park. The caller believed they were also doing drugs. DISTURBANCE Cove Road/Dana Point Harbor Drive (4:34 p.m.) Three pit bulls were reportedly attacking one another. The caller reported that the dogs’ owners kept bringing them together. DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway/Ritz-Carlton Drive (4:28 p.m.) A man driving a red Nissan Altima, with dealership plates, threatened to slash the caller’s tires over a parking space.
Saturday, May 24 DISTURBANCE Stonehill Drive/Street of the Golden Lantern (11:56 p.m.) A caller said a man was following a drunken woman in a red dress, who was stumbling into the street.
News Next Door WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS
Dana Harbor Toastmasters
7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Practice becoming a more confident communicator every Tuesday at the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road. To find out more, email 1707@toastmastersclubs.org or contact Ray at 949.496.2275. THURSDAY, JUNE 5
Youth Board Meeting
4 p.m. The city’s appointed youth board meets at City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern, to discuss issues at the heart of Dana Point’s young population.
Dana Point Coastmasters
7 a.m. Fine tune public speaking skills each Thursday at the OC Sailing & Events Center, located at 34451 Ensenada Place, with the local Coastmasters chapter. Visit www.coastmasters.org for more information. Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
SAN CLEMENTE With an assist from the Marblehead residential property’s new owners and the Courtney’s SandCastle Foundation, the San Clemente City Council unanimously approved a contract to build the second phase of the universal access playground at Vista Hermosa Sports Park. The council approved a $439,579 contract with Micon Construction of Placentia to construct a garden that will house activities to stimulate all five senses. That amount, coupled with previous expenditures of more than $170,000, still put the cost well above the $450,000 project budget. The shortfall was covered by $113,000 from the city’s park acquisition and development fund and $50,000 from the Courtney’s SandCastle Foundation. Additional funds came from a $70,000 payment from the home building company and Marblehead residential owner Taylor Morrison,
which will be made next month toward the construction of parks on that property. Courtney Smith, who acted as the inspiration for the playground, presented the foundation’s donation to San Clemente Mayor Tim Brown. She said with the approval she hoped to see the full version of the playground built by the time she left for college next fall. For more information on the project, visit www.courtneyssandcastle.com.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Derek Reeve is asking residents to send in letters of protest against the city’s plans to increase water rates. In an email titled “Together We Can Fight City Hall!” sent on Tuesday, May 13, Reeve urges water customers to fill out and submit forms to City Hall. He cited Proposition 218, a state law which requires rates to be relaPage 5
tive to cost of service and for cities to hold public forums to discuss rate increases. If the majority of the city’s water customers protest, Reeve said the council cannot approve the rates. Since January, the council and Utilities Commission have held several workshops to consider a new tiered rate structure. Mayor Sam Allevato and Councilmen Larry Kramer and John Taylor voted to approve 5 percent increases over the next five years but also to increase the amount of water customers can use at the lowest tier. The city’s current rate structure was declared illegal by an Orange County Superior Court judge last August in a lawsuit brought against the city by the Capistrano Taxpayers Association. The city has appealed the ruling and continues to charge customers based on that model. The new rate structure will go into effect July 1. www.danapointtimes.com
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NEWS BITES
Niguel, 152; San Clemente; 153; San Juan Hills, 159 and Capistrano Valley, 168. According to the magazine’s review, the six evaluated and ranked public high schools bettered the state’s academic goals and scored highly on the college readiness index, which measures student participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests.—Jim Shilander
COMPILED BY DANA POINT TIMES
Marco Forster Robotics Competes in World Contest A group of students from Marco Forster Middle School showed off their engineering prowess during the VEX Robotics World Championship on April 25-26. As part of the VEX IQ Challenge—an international competition that asks students to build robots using science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education—three teams from Marco Forster competed in a regional event in Irvine. One team, System Overload, won the STEM Project Award, qualifying them for the state competition in Santa Clara. There, the team won the Sportsmanship Award, putting them in the international showcase in Anaheim, where they competed against a team from China and ultimately finished 29th in the middle school division.—Brian Park
Dana Point Native Completes USS Coronado Command-at-sea Tour Two months after Dana Point whale watchers, commercial fishers and private boaters, as well as spectators on land, got an up-close view of the U.S. Navy’s latest warship and San Diego welcomed the vessel to its homeport, the Dana Point native who commandeered the ship is moving on to his next post. Cmdr. John Kochendorfer, a Dana Hills
Golf with an American Hero or Sponsor One Monday
After winning at the regional and state levels, System Overload, a robotics team from Marco Forster Middle School, competed in the VEX Robotics World Championship in Anaheim. Courtesy photo
High School graduate, was recently honored in a change of command ceremony aboard the USS Coronado. The 1994 United States Naval Academy graduate now moves to a post at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. In March, a day before the USS Coronado was due in San Diego, Kochendorfer and his crew brought the 419-foot, fast maneuvering combat ship to Dana Point’s shoreline. The Navy vessel—known as a littoral combat ship—has a draft of just 14.4 feet and is designed for near-shore combat operations to fight submarine, mine and surface warfare. Draft is measured from the waterline to the ship’s lowest point. An LCS is outfitted with two rotation crews of 40 sailors and can hold up to 35 mission crew members. The USS Coronado was built in Mobile, Ala. and traveled to Southern California by way of Florida’s Mayport Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Colombia, Panama and Mexico. It became the Navy’s most recent commissioned ship on April 5 and was dubbed the “Crown of the Fleet.” The vessel is the third U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Coronado—after the San Diego island. Kochendorfer relinquishes command of his crew to Cmdr. Allen Adkins of DeSoto, Texas. Adkins served as Kochendorfer’s longtime executive officer.—Andrea Papagianis
from the 2011-12 school year. The top 24 percent of eligible schools in the review were awarded either gold, silver, or bronze medals. The six CUSD high schools earned silver medals with rankings in the top 5 percent, according to the magazine’s analysis. Among district high schools, Tesoro placed highest nationally at 545 followed by Dana Hills, 605; Aliso Niguel, 753; San Clemente; 757; San Juan Hills, 787 and Capistrano Valley, 823. Of the 2,026 public high schools in the state, 600 earned medals, and only gold or silver schools were eligible for a ranking in California. Tesoro ranked 114th in the state followed by Dana Hills, 124; Aliso
Slots to golf in the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group’s annual Combat Golf Tournament are filling up, but non-golfers still have an opportunity to sponsor a member of the military’s 18-hole round. On Monday, June 2, the support group hosts its fifth annual golf tournament that raises funds to assist Marines and families of the Camp Pendleton-based 5th Marine Regiment. The tournament will be held at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Course, located at 26772 Avery Parkway in Mission Viejo. Registration for the event is still open. Cost to participate is $195 and includes a round of golf, lunch, dinner and prizes. Participants will partake in on-course games where they will sidestep “snipers,” tiptoe through “minefields” and complete obstacle courses. There will be raffle prizes, a wine putting contest, a helicopter ball drop and a silent auction. Those uninterested in golfing may attend the dinner and awards ceremony or sponsor a golfing Marine. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.danapoint5thmarines.com.—AP
Dana Hills Among Nation’s Top-ranked High Schools
Cmdr. John Kochendorfer, a Dana Point native, stops for a picture March 10 shortly after the USS Coronado arrived in San Diego. Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. Navy, by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward
Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
Six comprehensive high schools in Capistrano Unified School District were identified as among the elite in the latest state and national rankings released by U.S. News & World Report magazine. The magazine examined more than 19,400 public high schools in 50 states plus the District of Columbia using data
Former commander of the Camp Pendleton-based 5th Marine Regiment, Col. Roger Turner, welcomes more than 160 golfers to the 5th Marine Regiment Support Group’s 2013 Combat Golf Tournament. Photo: Andrea Papagianis
Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com. Page 6
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DP SOAPBOX Dana Point
VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton
Do Small Ponds Grow Bigger Fish? Looking at colleges for next year? It might be wise to reconsider your top choice
D
avid & Goliath, prize-winning author Malcolm Gladwell’s latest bestseller, explores the “big pond” theory: that no matter what arenas we compete in, we compare ourselves to the immediate surroundings of our sometimes very small sphere. The question he asks is, “When that sphere holds a disproportionate level of talent, might it skew both our chance for success and our positive view of ourselves?” The example he uses are Ivy League college students who rate in the lower third of their classes. Often these otherwise exceptional scholars feel they are failing or are not good enough to compete and consequently give up on their area of study or drop out of college altogether. For instance, the bottom third of the science students at the seventh-ranked Brown University felt like failures, though they had tested above students who were at the top of their class in colleges that ranked in the “average” range. These kids were not comparing themselves to all science majors. They were only comparing themselves to the other students at Brown, who often tested in the top 1 percent of all college applicants. By contrast, students who graduated at
Letters to the Editor TREATMENT FACILITIES ARE TAKING OVER OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ANTHONY AND CLARE PETROTTA, Capistrano Beach
My question to residents and property owners of Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and San Clemente are how many of you are aware of the “alcohol and drug rehab” houses in your neighborhood? Were you aware there is legislation titled “Health and Safety Code Section 11834.20-11834.25” that “encourages each county and city to permit the development of sufficient numbers and types of alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities as are commensurate with local need?” How is that need established when these rehabees are not necessarily our local residents but rather residents from other cities and states? The code cites treatment facilities serving “six or fewer Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
the top of their class in any field or any school— whether at Harvard or the University of New Mexico—were more likely to be successful, not only in college but in later life as well, proWAVELENGTHS ducing more scientific By Jim Kempton papers, holding more executive positions or becoming professional athletes. Gladwell notes we naturally assume that going to a better school, playing on a more elite team or joining a more prestigious organization is a better choice for us or our children. But research shows quite the opposite. Unless we can be assured of achieving a top rank at the premier school or team, it may be more advantageous to go to a lesser-known school and be among the best. In short, sometimes it is better to be the big fish in the smaller pond than be in a big pond where you are not even competitive. I have recognized the “bigger pond” theory in my own life and called it social relativity. Although I was accepted to Brown University, I went to a small college in California where I was able to do well
persons shall not be subject to any business taxes, local registration fees, use permit fees or other fees to which other single-family dwellings are not likewise subject.” The problem for all residents is the impact on your community and resale, and I question how these “facilities” are being regulated. Who provides inspection and regulation to assure they are compliant with the federal and local guidelines, which regulate the number of rehabees? Unfortunately, our communities are being overrun with these facilities with homeowners totally unaware until the cars and vans start blocking your street, until the smoke permeates your patio that was previously smoke-free, until the Metallica music overrides your smooth jazz and until you no longer see the gardener who previously kept the property well maintained. I can see only one reason there is not better push-back from the City Manager’s office and that is financial gain. When do the cities start protecting the current homeowner and their investment that has paid taxes for 24-plus years? What about Page 8
and still pursue my love for surfing. I started my career at Surfer magazine, a small magazine, instead of continuing where I did my internship—at Diners Club in the giant world of finance. At the time it felt like a lesser option, a smaller pond, but I was perhaps better able to succeed than if I had competed against the prodigies choosing the more prestigious alternatives. We seldom judge ourselves against the entire universe of potential competitors; instead we look at only those in our close proximity. So, for parents looking at their children’s alternatives for college acceptance this June, it might be worthwhile to consider the less prestigious school—whether for academic or athletic success. As counter-intuitive as it seems, a small pond can often nurture the big fish. Jim Kempton is a surfer of 30-plus years who only needs to surf Lower Trestles with NSSA champs, ASP pros and the many outstanding locals to feel like a very small fish. 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
the family who relocates and pays in excess of $2 million for a home only to find out they have a drug and alcohol rehab moving in across the street? How do they ever recoup their investment?
DANA POINT SKATEPARK A NECESSITY, NOT A LUXURY CHRISTIAN HOCKMEYER, Dana Point
We need a skatepark because both of my parents work and I have no way of getting to a skatepark. Instead, I have to skate around town and worry about getting a ticket for skating somewhere I’m not supposed to. If we had a local skate park then I would be able to simply skate over there and have a safe environment where I would not worry about getting in trouble. 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.
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 CITY EDITOR Andrea Papagianis, 949.388.7700, x112 apapagianis@danapointtimes.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE
Lauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@danapointtimes.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@danapointtimes.com BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@danapointtimes.com
PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett
> Lisa Cosenza ( San Clemente)
EDITORIAL
> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)
Group Senior Editor > Andrea Swayne
> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)
City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis
OPERATIONS
Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale
Finance Director > Mike Reed
City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander
Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett
City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)
Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Kevin Dahlgren, Catherine Manso, Madison May, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent
Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 22. 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 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point
YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
The List
At the Movies: ‘The Double’ Is Worth a Look for Indie Fans
What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF
Friday | 30 DON PEDRO & THE RIFFTIDE 6 p.m.–10 p.m. Soak up live music at Vivo Rooftop Lounge. Double Tree Suites by Hilton Doheny Beach, 34402 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.1100, www.facebook.com/dprifftide. AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN STILLS 8 p.m. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash, performs at The Coach House. Tickets $50. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com. MIKE HAMILTON 8 p.m.–11 p.m. Enjoy live music at Salt Creek Grille with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Hamilton. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.mikehamiltonmusic.com.
Saturday | 31 SAN CLEMENTE GARDEN TOUR 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Explore gardens in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Each stop will include tastings from local vendors. Tickets $25. Email Launa Gould at launag@cox.net for more. 949.492.5518, www.sanclementegardenclub.com. BIOLUMINESCENCE CRUISE 7 p.m.–10 p.m. This Ocean Institute nighttime cruise provides an opportunity to learn about and witness the ability of some marine animals to glow in the dark. $35 for adults, $22 for children ages 4 to 12. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org. DANA POINT SYMPHONY 7:30 p.m. Join the Symphony orchestra for this season’s grand finale at St. Edward’s the Confessor Church. The performance is inspired by the late-French composer Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, students and military personnel. 33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point, www.danapointsymphony.com.
EDITOR’S PICK Former supervising park ranger Jim Serpa shows Doheny State Beach visitors grunion eggs at the park’s Grunion Night in 2012. This year’s event will also include presentations before participants search for the elusive grunions along the shore. Photo: Andrea Swayne
Grunion niGht • MAY 30 8:30 p.m. Stop by Doheny State Beach for a night of fun, learning and adventure in search of the mysterious grunions. Visitor’s center opens at 8:30 p.m. and a grunion presentation begins at 9:30 p.m. Grunion run starts at 11 p.m. Event is free. Donations will be accepted for the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association, which supports educational programming and events at the state beach. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2704, www.parks.ca.gov. where more than 70 artisans sell handcrafted art and fine crafts. 949.395.7008, www.villagesanclemente.org.
cational programs for kids 5-12. Admission $5. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.
SERRA CHAPEL TOUR 11:15 a.m. Tour at the Mission in honor of Father Junipero Serra, who was born 300. Offered Sundays. Admission $6-$9. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.
Wednesday | 04
Monday | 02 CAPT. DAVE’S WHALE WATCHING Times vary. Get up close to marine life aboard a Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari trip. Prices vary. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.
Tuesday | 03
Sunday | 01
HOUSE OF DESIGN TOUR 10 a.m.–5 p.m. View the home interior designers transformed into a Mediterranean masterpiece. Proceeds help fund music programs through the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Tickets start at $40. Tour runs daily. Closed Mondays. Free parking at Strand Vista Park. Shuttle runs every 10 minutes. Selva Road at Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 714.840.7542, www.philharmonicsociety.org.
THE VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Shop and stroll Avenida Del Mar the first Sunday of every month
STEMULATING SCIENCE 4 p.m.–5 p.m. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens presents fun and edu-
Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING Noon, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Hop onboard a two-hour cruise to see dolphins, whales and other marine life in the wild. $45. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com. DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Fresh flowers, produce and specialty foods from regional vendors in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. www.farmersmarketsjc.com.
Thursday | 05 NETWORKING AT NOON Noon. Join the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce for this monthly lunchtime gathering. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Luxe Martini Bar & Restaurant, 24582 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, www.danapointchamber.com. COMICS UNZIPPED 8 p.m. Comedians Ben Morrison, Mal Hall and Flip Shultz get onstage at StillWater Spirits & Sounds. Free. 24701 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.
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Photo: Magnolia Pictures
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our years after his directorial debut with the indie hit Submarine, U.K. comedian turned filmmaker Richard Ayoade is fast becoming one to watch in independent filmmaking. He now takes his second directorial turn with The Double. While Submarine was a whimsical tale of adolescence, Ayoade’s semi-modern adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novella “The Double” is a sardonic take on mistaken identity. The movie follows a shy clerk for a government agency named Simon James (Jesse Eisenberg) who falls in love with a cute girl at the agency, Hannah (Mia Wasikowska). No one pays attention to Simon. They even forget he exists. But not Hannah. After Simon goes on a date with Hannah, a new employee is hired who looks exactly like him. He goes by the name James Simon (also played by Eisenberg) and is the complete opposite of Simon, personality-wise. James takes it upon himself to help Simon with his social struggles. Wallace Shawn, Yasmin Paige and Cathy Moriarty are a few of the famous co-stars. Eisenberg and Wasikowska actually began a real relationship soon after filming The Double. On-screen they both appear to be comfortable and confident together. Eisenberg successfully plays both awkward and cocky as the two personas he juggles throughout the 90-minute runtime. Wasikowska continues her indie reign with already her third acclaimed film this year. The Double might not be as audience friendly as Ayoade’s last, with darkerambiguous themes and direction, but it is still worth a viewing for artsy film fans. —Megan Bianco For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com www.danapointtimes.com
DP DP LIVING Dana Point
PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
Chemistry Whiz Crowned California Champion Eighth-grade Dana Point student advances to national You Be The Chemist Challenge
Photo: Lauralyn Loynes
Hundreds gathered at Capistrano Beach’s Pines Park on Monday, { IN DANA POINT } May 26 marking the national day of remembrance for America’s fallen servicemen and women—Memorial Day. The city of Dana Point, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 and Ladies Auxiliary held the annual event giving community members an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices others made for their nation.
SCENE California You Be The Chemist finalists (L to R) Brian Chap, Matthew Kim, Ayush Nabar, Brenden Gibson, Conlan Taylor and Sharleen Loh prepare for the final round of state competition. Courtesy photo BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES
B
ased on empirical evidence, Brendan Gibson is quite the chemistry whiz. This month, the eighth-grader at St. Edward the Confessor Parish School was named the state’s You Be The Chemist champion. But for Gibson, and his classmates, the preparation began months ago. “This program was an excellent means to supplement our chemistry curriculum and science program by providing our school with chemistry content, resources, lab materials and corporate support,” said Fran Pijor, the sixth- and eighth-grade science teacher at St. Edward’s. The You Be The Chemist Challenge is a question-and-answer competition that tests fi fth- through eighth-grade students on chemistry concepts, scientific theories and laboratory safety. It was developed by the Chemical Education Foundation to enhance science education nationwide.
“
This is one of those teaching moments that I will always remember and I feel very proud to know that I played a small role in this amazing accomplishment by Brendan.
—Fran Pijor
”
Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
Since the challenge’s introduction four years ago, eighth-grade students at the Dana Point school have studied chemistry throughout the year in preparation. The road to California’s competition began in February as St. Edward’s students went head-to-head. Multiple choice tests whittled contestants to 16. The next round of tests challenged the students further with tougher questions. In the end, three students came out on top. Gibson, along with classmates Brendan Myers and Nick Sanchez traveled to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. On May 3, the three went up against 25 other students from across California. Through tough rounds of game showstyle questions, Gibson excelled, making it into the contest’s final seven competitors. The San Juan Capistrano resident, who was also a member of his school’s academic decathlon team, went on to claim the state championship title. “This is one of those teaching moments that I will always remember and I feel very proud to know that I played a small role in this amazing accomplishment by Brendan,” Pijor said. Gibson, along with his family and a small fan base from St. Edward’s, will travel to Philadelphia next month for the 10th annual national You Be The Chemist contest, where he will be competing against 29 young chemists from around the United States. “It seems like a cool experience to go to Philadelphia and compete against kids from all over country,” Gibson said. DP
Memorial Day was originally observed only in the northern states. It was called “Decoration Day” until the end of World War I when the nation as a whole began honoring its collective losses. President Lyndon B. Johnson made the day a national holiday in 1966 during the Vietnam War.
Sudoku BY MYLES MELLOR
Last week’s solution:
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
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See today’s solution in next week’s issue.
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DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point
STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching Fish Count
Dolphin Report
H
BY STEVE BREAZEALE AND KEVIN DAHLGREN, DANA POINT TIMES
5/28 3 boats; 73 anglers: 45 mackerel, 25 calico bass, 21 rockfish, 2 sculpin, 2 sheepshead and 1 sand bass.
For in-game updates, news and more for all the Dana Hills High School sports teams, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.
5/27 3 boats; 98 anglers: 37 calico bass, 11 rockfish, 4 sand bass, 3 sculpin, 1 white sea bass, 1 sargo and 1 blue perch.
Crouse Pushes Dolphins Baseball into CIF Quarterfinals The Dana Hills baseball squad continued their journey through the CIF-SS playoffs on May 27 with a 3-0 victory over the Century League champion Buena in the second round. Dolphin’s starting pitcher Marrick Crouse continued to baffle hitters, striking out 12 batters in a complete-game shutout. The standout performance was Crouse’s sixth complete-game and third shutout of the year. Crouse, who increased his strikeout total to 74 on the season, also contributed on offense, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. The Dolphins took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a single by Crouse, scoring Kayman Koen, who doubled with two outs to keep the inning alive. Sophomore second baseman Shawn Kany extended the lead with a run-scoring single in the seventh that allowed Reid Lundeen to score from second to make it 2-0. The final run for the Dolphins came on a single from Chase Lyford, bringing Crouse around from second to score. The bottom half of the lineup carried the weight on offense, producing eight of the team’s nine hits, three RBIs and three runs. All of the Dolphins runs came with two outs in the second, fourth and sixth innings. Clutch hitting was the key to the victory, according to head coach Tom Faris. “We’ve gotten two-out hits before but it was nice to see us string together a few and get some runs, which we haven’t really done this year,” Faris said. The win advances the Dolphins to the quarterfinals, where they will face off against Temecula Valley, the No. 3 team out of the Southwest League, on May 30. The Golden Bears (21-8) are ranked 11th in the Max Preps state rankings, and No. 62 on the website’s national rankings. When the final CIF-SS Division 2 coaches’ poll was released, Temecula Valley came in at No. 9 and the Dolphins were ranked second. Senior pitcher Louis Raymond (10-3) will likely start for the Dolphins, who will be on the road for the matchup. –Kevin Dahlgren Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
ere is the latest fish count for the boats taking off from Dana Wharf.
5/26 4 boats; 108 anglers: 80 calico bass, 14 sheepshead, 10 rockfish, 5 sand bass, 5 barracuda, 1 halibut and 1 blue perch.
Dana Hills junior third baseman Zach Wolf and the Dolphins baseball team will play in the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals on May 30. Photo: Alan Gibby
Softball Blanked by Yucaipa in CIF Second Round The Dana Hills softball team could not muster up enough runs on the road in a 3-0 loss to Yucaipa in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 Championships, which ended their season. The Dolphins (19-6) sent their ace Lindsey Cassidy to the circle in the matchup. The senior pitched her way to a victory over Mayfair two days earlier in the first round, and pitched well against Yucaipa. Cassidy went six innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out six. The Dolphins had two errors in the contest. At the plate, the Dolphins tallied four hits but failed to answer when Yucaipa scored one in the bottom of the fi fth and added two more in the bottom of the sixth. –Steve Breazeale
Feagler Advances to State Golf Regional Sophomore Clay Feagler has been on a hot streak for much of the 2014 golf season. Feagler was an integral part in the Dolphins run to a South Coast League title and a fi fth-place finish at the CIF Southern Division Team Championships. He won the CIF Southern Division Individual Championship and following a round of 75 (+4) at the CIF-SS Individual Championships, Feagler will look to keep his hot streak going for another tournament. Feagler finished in a tied for eighthplace at the elite event, which featured the top golfers from the entire southern
section. The finish qualifies him to compete in the CIF/SCGA State Regional at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena on June 2. –SB
Dolphins Track and Field in Action at CIF Finals A wide mix of Dana Hills track and field athletes found success at the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships on May 24 at Cerritos College. Several of the athletes and relay teams will now advance to the CIF Masters Meet on May 30. The girls team got contributions from their relay teams and field event athletes to collect 19.5 total points, good for an eighth-place finish. The girls 4x400-meter relay team finished second with a time of 3:50.27. The team consists of juniors Kimiko Tanaka and Hollis Donovan, along with seniors Chloe Deol and Brenna McNulty. Senior Michaela King finished third in the 300 hurdles with a time of 44.18. Claire Kao easily bested her prelims height (10-09) in the pole vault in the finals, clearing the 11-3 mark for a thirdplace finish. The boys team racked up a total of 19 points to finish 12th overall. Sophomore distance runner Jake Ogden had a strong day at the finals, finished second in the 1,600 (4:11.15) and third in the 3,200 (9:09.81). Senior Nick Van Vilet placed fi fth in the 400 with a time of 48.76. The boys 4x100 relay team finished eighth, posting a time of 44.19. The team includes sophomores Charlie Kappes and Kristian Krause and seniors Justin Hunter and Nick Van Vilet. –SB
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5/25 7 boats; 217 anglers: 137 calico bass, 15 sand bass, 15 sand dabs, 7 barracuda, 5 vermillion rockfish, 4 sculpin, 4 sheepshead, 4 rockfish, 3 boccacio and 3 opaleye perch. —Dana Point Times
City Recreation Leagues Gearing Up for New Season
The city of Dana Point Recreation sports season features beginner and advanced kickball leagues. Courtesy photo
F
or those looking to join or create an adult kickball or softball team, registration for the city of Dana Point Recreation sports leagues is still open. The city offers coed leagues for both sports, which run from July 7 to August 27. Interested teams or players can choose to compete on Mondays or Wednesdays, with games taking place at 6:10 p.m., 7:20 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Softball registration is $350 per team and kickball is $200 per team. There is also an additional cost to cover umpire fees. All games take place at the Dana Point Community Center located at 34052 del Obispo St. For more information, email recreation coordinator Kolleen Wallace at kwallace@ danapoint.org or call 949.248.3538. — Dana Point Times www.danapointtimes.com
DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY
DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet
CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FOR SALE KING SIZE PILLOWTOP MATTRESS - NEW $250 Still factory sealed in the MFRs original plastic bag. Not refurbished, never used. Need to sell ASAP! 949-842-9994
GARAGE SALES WATERFORD POINTE COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE Saturday, May 31, 7:30 a.m. 1 p.m. Enter off Golden Lantern between Selva and Stonehill DANA POINT 13th Annual Dana Crest & The Landing (Biblebelt Street Names) Community Garage Sale! Saturday, May 31st, 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Cross Streets: Golden Lantern & Josiah, between Dana Hills High School & Ocean Ranch Shopping Center, follow the signs & shop till you drop! Sponsored by: Gary Macrides, REALTOR, 01267654, Surterre Properties, 949-370-6827 HUGE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE, SATURDAY, JUNE 7 Forster Ranch, The Colony at Forster Ranch, Casa Blanca Condominiums, Villamar, and many more. Cross streets Las Posas and Vera Cruz, San Clemente
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 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com
ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING
Nona AssociatesRaymond J. Nona A.I.A
26901 Camino de Estrella, 949.496.2275, www.raynona.com
AUTO REPAIR
Dana Point Auto
34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086
CAFE - DELI
Coffee Importers Espresso Bar
34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com
COFFEE SHOP
Coffee Importers Espresso Bar
34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com
DANCE/FITNESS
Club Salsa Dance Studio
34202 Camino Capistrano Capistrano Beach, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
IMAGES/Creative Solutions
117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com
ICE CREAM
Coffee Importers Scoop Deck
34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com
INSURANCE SERVICES
Patricia Powers
24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, 949.496.1900, pat.powers@cox.net
State Farm/Ted Bowersox
34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com
Statefarm/Elaine LaVine
34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net
LANDSCAPING
Organics Out Back
449 Avenida Crespi, 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com
LOCKSMITH
Dana Point Lock & Security
949.496.6916, www.danapointlock.com
MUSIC INSTRUCTION
Danman’s Music School
24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com
Kenny’s Music & Guitars
24731 La Plaza, 949.661.3984, www.kennysmusicstore.com
PET GROOMING
Dawgy Style
34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, 949.496.3315, www.alphadoggroomshop.com
PLUMBING
Chick’s Plumbing
949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com
UPHOLSTERY
Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors
34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, 949.240.9569 www.jeddys.com
POOL SERVICE & REPAIR
Palisades Pool Service & Repair
949.542.7232, allenesommo@cox.net
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT
33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, 949.488.2648, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com
PSYCHIATRY
Dr. Robert Dobrin, M.D.
LIST LOCALS ONLY
USE LOCALS ONLY
Child/Adolescent/Adult Psychiatry/ Behavioral Pediatrics 33971 Selva Rd., Ste. 125, 949.707.4757
In print and online 52 weeks a year.
REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL
View online at www.danapointtimes.com
Dream Team Properties, Mike Rosenberg, Broker 949.481.1788, www.FindMyOCHome.com
Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com
DP DP SURF Dana Point
DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:
SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY
Big Fish in Local Pond
Annual Fish Bowl Pro organizer Nate Yeomans looks to expand event BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES
S
an Clemente is known for cultivating surf talent, and surfing with the pros could be just the motivation needed to propel the next local grom to stardom. Sometimes, despite their talent, local youth can feel like small fish in a big pond and the dream of making it to the World Tour seems daunting. It is with this in mind—along with the simple desire to put on a fun community-centered event—that local pro Nathan Yeomans has been hosting the Fishbowl Pro. The event invites local groms, 15 and under, and pairs them with a professional surfer. The duo then compete as a team. This year’s event, on April 25, marked the contest’s third annual running and attracted a talented pool of surfers, as well as the most attention in the Fishbowl’s history. The excitement from the competitors, both pros and groms, was at an all-time high as well, Yeomans said. As the winners, the team of Chippa Wilson and Kei Kobayashi were crowned the “Biggest Fish in the Pond.” Runners-up were Kolohe Andino and Gus Day. Tanner Gudauskas and Griffin Colapinto came in
Kei Kobayashi and Chippa Wilson accept their prize money and the fishbowl trophy after winning the Fishbowl Pro, April 25 at Rivera. Photo: Sheri Crummer
Pro surfer Kolohe Andino hands over his prize money to teammate Gus Day after the two took second place in the third annual Fishbowl Pro. Photo: Sheri Crummer
third, Jeremy Carter and Crosby Colapinto in fourth and Luke Davis and Taj Lindblad rounded out the podium in fifth place. We caught up with Yeomans as he reflected back on the 2014 Fishbowl to find out what he thinks about the future of the event. Here is some of what he had to say: Dana Point Times: What are your plans for the event next year? Yeomans: We’re looking to expand and would like some financial support to make it happen. It’s now at the point where it should be attractive to sponsors. It’s grown from more than just a locals’ beach day into an epic event. It’s always been about calling or texting my buddies
to make it happen but I think we’re in a position now that we could get some sponsorship. DPT: Part of the “coolness factor” comes from its Riviera location. Are you OK with the possibility of moving it to grow the event? Yeomans: I think it’s feasible to keep it at Riviera. Ideally, I would like it to stay there. That’s what I’m hoping for because it feels more grassroots. It’s where a lot of the kids surf, where we grew up surfing and it keeps it really within the community. It keeps the organic feel. It’s where we all surf with our families in the summer. Rivi is not like Trestles or the Pier. It’s a locals secret spot, so it’s a great place to
GROM OF THE WEEK
Jayme Linnes
Jayme Linnes. Photo: Andrea Swayne
Dana Point Times May 30-June 5, 2014
Age: 12 ½, Saddleback Valley Christian School Having just completed her first year of contest surfing, shortboarder Jayme Linnes has set big goals for herself. “I never knew how good other girls could be at such a young age. Doing contests made me realize I have that opportunity too,” she said. “Competing pushes me to keep getting better and challenges me to reach new levels.” Jayme has begun her quest for the top, surfing two to four times during the week and on weekends. Next season she will compete once again in the Western Surfing Association Championship Series as well as the Soul Surf Series. “I’d like to take it to the pro level someday. I take it seriously but surfing is really all about having fun,” Jayme said. “When I lose, I find my mistakes and learn from them.” Jayme dreams of traveling to Fiji to surf Cloudbreak and this week has been watching closely as the World Championship Tour women take on that wave in the Fiji Pro. “Watching them has really motivated me,” she said. “I’m stoked and excited to know that could be me in the future.” In school Jayme is a sixth-grade ‘A’ student interested in studying marine biology in college. “School is my number one priority, even above surfing,” she said. “My favorite subject is science because I like to see how our earth works.” Although she loves school, surfing is her greatest joy. “I love that every wave is different and brings a new challenge,” she said. “I feel a rush of stoke and excitement. It’s an amazing feeling that can’t be described unless you experience it. I highly recommend it.”—Andrea Swayne Page 18
capture that feel, both for the local kids and for those of us who grew up here. DPT: What is your main goal with hosting the Fishbowl Pro? Yeomans: My goal is to give back to a sport that has given me so much. So to be able to kick start relationships between some of the younger kids and the pros is cool. As they transition from amateurs to pros, the kids will have a network of people they know to possibly help them in the next step of their careers, people who can help them be all they can be. Imagine being 13 years old and having the opportunity to be a teammate with a pro. Also, I just want to make a really memorable beach day and gather the surf community together to celebrate doing what we love. DPT: What’s in it for you and your fellow pro surfers? Yeomans: For those of us who have made surfing our profession, it takes us back to the time when we were just groms with a dream. When I was a kid, the pros seemed unapproachable. So providing an opportunity for groms to interact with pros, get tips from us and realize that we have learned a lot that can be passed down to them is the ultimate goal. It really takes me back to that time and rekindles the love for being able to surf professionally and do what I love. It reminds us that we are so blessed to be living out our dreams. For the full lineup of competitors and more photos from the event, visit www.danapointtimes.com. Those interested in helping to support, sponsor or promote next year’s event, should contact Nate Yeomans via email at n8yeomans@yahoo.com. DP
SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 65-68 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-10’ fairImmediate: Primary SSW swell holds, while a secondary SSE tropical swell from Hurricane Amanda mixes in. Some modest NW windswell will also join in. Most spots through Orange County will be around the waist-chest-shoulder high zone (3-4’), while standout spots produce occasional sets/peaks up to head high to slightly overhead (5-6’). Light/variable South-SE’erly wind for most areas in the early morning. Then light+ becoming moderate SW-WSW’erly flow will gradually rise up through the mid to late morning hours and into the afternoon. Expect a marine layer along the coast in the early morning (May Gray), then clearing up and becoming mostly sunny into the afternoon. Longer Range Outlook: The combo of a primary SW-SSW groundswell, secondary SSE Amanda swell, and NW windswell will gradually back down into the weekend. More Southern Hemi swells lining up for June. Check out Surfline for more details!
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