March 28, 2014

LO C A L

N EWS

March 28-April 3, 2014 YO U

C A N

U S E

Capo/Dana NJB All-Stars Shine PAGE 17 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 13

Changing Perceptions Skatepark of Dana Point movement provides insights to skateboarding, need for park E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 6

Bella Kenworthy, 7, drops in Monday at the etinies Skatepark of Lake Forest. Dad, Jason Kenworthy, a longtime Dana Point resident and action sports photographer, travels hundreds of miles each week in search of safe places for his kids to skate. Photo: Jason Kenworthy

Ex-DP minister Accused of Sexual Assault in Colo.

Commits Suicide EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Taste of Dana Supports Safe, Sober Graduation Celebration DP LIVING/PAGE 14

www.danapointtimes.com

Letter to the Editor: City Rolls the Dice on Town Center SOAPBOX/PAGE 8

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week SONGS Civic Panel Hears Community Concerns THE LATEST: The inaugural meeting of the community panel tasked with aiding Southern California Edison with the decades-long San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station decommissioning process focused on timelines and citizen concerns over nuclear waste Tuesday night.

To an at-capacity crowd at the San Clemente Community Center, Edison’s chief nuclear officer Thomas Palmasino presented the utility’s plans for the plant site 2-miles south of San Clemente. Plans have yet to garner federal approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but Edison hopes to have the plant dismantled with the next 20 years, Palmasino said.

The San Onofre plant has been shut down since January 2012 when a small radiation leak and abnormal wear were detected in new steam generators. Edison announced the plant’s retirement in June 2013 citing rising costs and restart uncertainties.

WHAT’S NEXT: Edison created the panel to ask and address questions surrounding the retirement process. Panel chairman David Victor, a UC San Diego professor, said the appointed board’s goal was promoting transparency. He expressed hopes the panel could balance the views while acting as a watchdog.—Jim Shilander

Former Minister Accused of Sexual Assault in Colorado Dies THE LATEST: A former Dana Point youth minister who was arrested in Colorado last month and charged with the sexual assault of a child committed suicide Monday, according to authorities.

Nicholas Henshaw, 35, of Fort Collins, Colo. was found dead in a Loveland, Colo. hotel Monday morning, confirmed Stephen Hanks, a deputy coroner investigator with the Larimer County coroner’s office.

His death has been ruled a suicide.

Henshaw’s body was discovered in a Holiday Inn Express south of Fort Collins.

Authorities have determined the cause of death was suffocation by way of asphyxiation with helium, Hanks said.

Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

In February, the former-youth minister at Capo Beach Calvary Church, now Capo Beach Church, was charged with one count of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, Larimer County court records show. Henshaw was accused of molesting an 8-year-old neighbor. The accused was out of jail on bail.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 18 months, Henshaw was the subject of multiple investigations in Larimer County, said criminal investigator Don Vagge with the Fort Collins Police Department. The most recent led to his arrest.

Henshaw was also the subject of an Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigation in the early 2000s.

In 2003 local officials looked into suspicions that Henshaw committed lewd and lascivious acts with a child in Orange County, according to OCSD spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock. The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office but no charges were filed due to a lack of evidence, Hallock said. —Andrea Papagianis

Fatal Accident Slows South County Travelers

The Dana Point City Council approved plans for new downtown entryways at Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue. The Del Prado renderings have drawn criticism for locals concerned about the historical accuracy. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

suffered minor back injuries but refused to be transported to a hospital.

WHAT’S NEXT: The cause is still under investigation.

All lanes on southbound I-5, as well as the two leftmost lanes on the northbound side, were closed for several hours, causing traffic to backup for miles.—JS and AP

Downtown Signage Draws Questions about Historical Accuracy

An image from a California Department of Transportation live traffic camera shows southbound Interstate 5 traffic near the Beach Cities exit at a standstill Thursday, March 20. A fatal accident south of El Camino Real in San Clemente caused lane closures and delays throughout much of the day.

Photo: CalTrans

THE LATEST: A one-fatality accident on southbound Interstate 5 snarled traffic throughout much of south Orange County Thursday, March 20 as officials investigated and cleared wreckage.

The accident occurred south of San Clemente’s El Camino Real exit at around 1 p.m., officials said. The driver of a 1980 Ford pickup, who was towing a 1980 Oldsmobile, struck a flatbed lumber truck, said Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Steve Concialdi.

All three vehicles involved ended up in the center divider where the pickup and Oldsmobile caught fire. The fire was put out within 15 minutes, Concialdi said. Officials believe the driver, who has not been identified due to the severity of burns, was killed instantly.

The driver of the lumber truck, a 55-year-old man from San Juan Capistrano,

THE LATEST: New entryway features that could soon welcome southbound drivers into Dana Point’s downtown Lantern District have caused some debate about the sign’s historical accuracy.

Last week, the Dana Point City Council unanimously approved two markers for Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue, welcoming drivers to the soon-to-be revamped corridor.

On PCH, three poles will be erected carrying banners touting Dana Point as “A place to surf, ride, play and dine.” For Del Prado, the council OK’d a stucco archway mimicking the southern PCH pedestrian bridge. Stucco towers, red tile and the same letter font reading “Lantern District” will complete the look.

WHAT’S NEXT: The banner poles are expected to cost $90,000. That cost is already budgeted. The archway could cost upward of $500,000, double what was originally budgeted.

But cost wasn’t the issue last Tuesday.

Dana Point resident and Historical Society member Keith Johannes raised concerns the signage isn’t entirely accurate, at least as far as the Lantern District goes.

Johannes said he feared the signage only pointed to Del Prado and neglected PCH. He asked the city to include the Historical Society in the conversation.

A working group comprised of Councilmen Carlos Olvera, Stephen Weinberg and

Page 3

This rendering shows the newly approved entryarchway for Del Prado Avenue. Courtesy image

city staff felt the archway was a necessity.

Staff recommended the city solicit bids, after which the budget can be revisited.

—AP

District Puts Major Facilities Upgrades on Hold THE LATEST: San Clemente High School parents and staff heard last week that immediate needs at the school will be handled this summer but major renovations will likely be on hold until the Capistrano Unified School District has a new funding mechanism or a facilities bond is passed.

During the economic downturn, the district was forced to raid its deferred maintenance fund in order to address budget shortfalls, retiring Superintendent Joseph Farley told the crowd. Now, the district’s need for facilities upgrades is near the $1 billion mark.

While needs are districtwide, aging schools in San Clemente and Dana Point have some of the highest needs. At Dana Hills High School the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system needs replacing. Estimates place project costs at more than $2.5 million.

WHAT’S NEXT: The district has since developed a master plan for improving SCHS facilities, totaling $76.3 million. But funding for these projects is scarce.

Farley said the district is willing to put a bond proposal before voters, but wants to be “fairly certain” it would pass before committing.—JS www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

NEWS BITES

News Next Door

COMPILED BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

Charity League Fashion Show Raises $50,000 The Capistrano Coast Chapter of the National Charity League raised more than $50,000 at its 14th annual fashion show Sunday, March 9 at the Laguna Cliffs Marriot Resort & Spa. Funds raised at the luncheon topped all past events. Proceeds will help support the 29 philanthropies of the local NCL chapter, charities including after-school programs, food banks and those that support members of the military and senior citizen activities. The funds raised will also be earmarked for college scholarships given each sprint to graduating seniors in need from the community.

Attendees of this year’s event included more than 400 charity league members, families and friends as well as 10 pastCapistrano Coast presidents and representatives from several of the charities supported.

Woodies Mark Springs Start at Doheny Surf, sand, wood and chrome meld together once again at Doheny State Beach, marking the start of spring in Southern California and celebrating the area’s rich surf culture and history.

DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY CATHERINE MANSO

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.

SPONSORED BY

Dana Point Police Services www.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com

Tuesday, March 25 FOUND PROPERTY Dana Point Harbor Drive, 24800 Block (9:31 a.m.) Sales office employees at the Dana Point Marina Inn found a backpack with drugs inside.

DISTURBANCE Crown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (3:09 a.m.) Authorities were alerted to a dispute, where the caller could hear and man and woman arguing from a nearby apartment.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34300 Block (12:25 a.m.)

Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

SAN CLEMENTE

The Southern Califronia Woodie Club hosts its annual classic woodie car show at Doheny State Beach on Saturday, April 12. Photo: Steve Ryan

On Saturday, April 12, nearly 200 classic woodies will descend upon the beach sands for Doheny Wood 2014. The year marks the Southern California Woodie Club’s 17th annual showcase, which has been pegged as the country’s largest beachside car show.

Stop by Doheny State Beach, located at 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to see the iconic woodpaneled, chrome-trimmed Chevrolets, Chryslers, Fords, Packards and more.

The event is free. Parking at Doheny State Beach is $15 for the day. Free parking is available at the Dana Point Harbor and along Pacific Coast Highway.

Find out more about SoCal Woodies by visiting, www.socalwoodies.com.

Two men in a white Nissan pulled into the Chevron station and asked for a gallon of free gas. When denied, a 40- to 50-year-old man wearing a red baseball cap and jacket left on foot. He was last seen entering a nearby Denny’s. The driver proceeded to remove luggage from the vehicle before driving away. The caller was concerned about the abandoned luggage.

Monday, March 24

Clinic Trains Dogs to Avoid Rattlesnakes The Ortega Equestrian Center and Otra Mas are offering a special clinic for dog owners on avoiding rattlesnakes. Herpetologist Richard Andreuss will lead the clinic, which will train dogs to avoid the sight, smell and sound of rattlesnakes. The clinic is $60 per dog and will be held Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. in the field on the corner of Paseo Tirador and Calle Arroyo in San Juan Capistrano. For more information, contact Kathy Holman at 949.661.3130.

Have something for News Bites? Send info to editorial@danapointtimes.com.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Alta Vista Drive, 24400 Block (1:48 p.m.)

Two women were reportedly videotaping through the caller’s window. The caller said they were in a red Chevrolet.

DISTURBANCE- MUSIC OR PARTY Pointe Trinity, 24800 Block (2:55 a.m.) Dispatch received two calls regarding loud music and laughing.

Sunday, March 23

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (10:25 p.m.)

Orange County Fire Authority personnel responded to a report of an unconscious, drunken man who was having difficulty breathing outside of Taco Surf. The man’s girlfriend made the call from a payphone near Rite-Aid.

DISTURBANCE Del Obispo Street/Stonehill Drive (9:25 p.m.) A man wearing an orange-hooded sweatshirt was skateboarding around vehicles and yelling at drivers.

RECKLESS DRIVING Via Fortuna, 34300 Block (7:10 p.m.) Next-door neighbors were reportedly riding dirt bikes on their yard and the street. The caller believed they had been drinking.

Thursday, March 20

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Doheny Park Road, 34200 Block (2:03 p.m.) The driver of a white van was passed out in front of nearby businesses. The man was parked for more than 30 minutes.

DISTURBANCE Alcazar Drive, 33900 Block (3:44 p.m.) The caller’s drunken neighbor was yelling outside her front door.

PATROL CHECK Calle Naranja/Camino De Los Mares (7:47 p.m.) Two drivers were traveling in the wrong direction down a one-way street. The caller said the drivers were cutting each other off and were disturbing the peace.

Page 4

Last week, the San Clemente City Council declared the city is in a drought. The declaration means residents are now being asked to voluntarily cut down on water usage by approximately 20 percent. The city is also taking steps to lessen water impacts on its own property. San Clemente working to complete its recycled water expansion project, to include the city’s parks—the city’s largest user of water. Both the Beaches, Parks and Recreation and Utility departments are looking into removing “non-functioning turf” in areas that aren’t used often, said water conservation officer Andrew Kanzler. Residents are encouraged to contact the city if irrigation systems are not functioning correctly.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Two spectators were injured in a horseinvolved accident during the Swallows Day Parade Saturday morning. The accident occurred shortly after the parade began, according to Capt. Steve Concialdi with the Orange County Fire Authority. Two large horses pulling a carriage careened into a crowd of parade-goers near El Camino Real and Camino Capistrano. A 52-year-old male double amputee was injured when he fell out of his wheelchair and one of the horses fell on him. He was taken to Mission Hospital with “moderate” injuries. A 64-year-old woman was also hospitalized with knee and lower-back injuries.

Community Meetings TUESDAY, APRIL 1

Board of Supervisors Meeting

9:30 a.m. The Orange County Board of Supervisors meets at the Hall of Administration, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., in Santa Ana. Visit www.ocgov.com for the agenda.

City Council Meeting

Cancelled. The Dana Point City Council’s next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, April 15. Meetings are held at City Hall, Council Chambers, located at 33282 Golden Lantern.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3

Youth Board Meeting

4 p.m. The city’s appointed representatives from area high schools meets the first and third Thursday of each month at City Call, Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

A Safe Place to Skate

Skatepark of Dana Point movement provides insights to skateboarding, city’s need for park

BY STEVE BREAZEALE AND ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

T

eaching kids to skate and providing a safe place should be an easy thing in Southern California, at least that’s the way one organization pushing for a skatepark in Dana Point sees it.

Much like dads tossing a baseball around with their children, Jason Kenworthy wanted to teach his kids to skate.

With boards in hand, 5-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Loyal took to Strand Vista Park. Atop straight, flat surfaces overlooking the Pacific, Kenworthy taught them the fundamentals. Learning to push, the brother and sister skated back-and-forth while sporting pads and helmets.

One day this stopped.

Signs posted at all 23 of Dana Point’s city parks state the rules. No biking, no skateboarding.

“We did that for weeks and one day a cop pulled up and came down and told us we weren’t allowed to skateboard there,” Kenworthy said. “The officer was embarrassed. He was like ‘I can’t believe I have to do this … but the sign clearly says it and somebody called and said you were skateboarding.’”

Southern California is the birthplace

Signs, like the one seen here at Heritage Park, are posted at all 23 Dana Point city parks informing visitors of established rules. Biking, rollerblading, skateboarding and other wheeled activities are among things banned at the municipal parks. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

of skate, surf and stand-up paddleboarding. For beach and non-snow-requiring action sports, this is the epicenter. It’s where the world turns for trends, where professionals were bred, said Skatepark of Dana Point movement organizer Brandon Phillips.

It’s also where Kenworthy got his start.

The longtime resident of Dana Point grew up at Doheny and Salt Creek.

He moved to Rhode Island where he advanced as a surfer but returned to graduate from Dana Hills High School and the town where better weather and waves reigned. He skated the streets years before the city incorporated. Kenworthy has made his career in action sports.

As a photographer, Kenworthy has traversed the globe, capturing images of

professional surfers and documenting each element of their lives. His photos have adorned more than 50 international magazine covers and Kenworthy was a dominant force in the establishment of Nike’s surf team.

But outside of work, and more important than his career, Kenworthy is a family man and father.

Kenworthy loads up his van each week with his children and others who want to skate. They go to Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside in northern San Diego County and travel to any one of the 18 skateparks in Orange County.

However, the problem he and Phillips see is that kids in Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and surrounding areas don’t always have that option to find a safe place.

Through the community-driven Skatepark of Dana Point movement they’re trying to change that.

Now more than ever, the Orange County skate community is rallying behind stakepark efforts.

Early Sunday morning, 16-year-old Logan Wells was struck by a car while skateboarding in Yorba Linda, according to authorities. Wells was transported to an area hospital where he died.

From a preliminary investigation, authorities believe Wells was in a traffic lane when he was struck, said Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock. Investigators do not believe alcohol or excessive speeds played a factor in the incident.

The local community has now rallied in hopes of providing kids a safe place to skate.

The Twitter hashtag “#skatepark4logan” quickly took root Monday and an online petition asking the Yorba Linda City Council to “Build a skate park in honor of Logan Wells” had gathered more than 15,000 signatures by Thursday morning.

An incident like this has weighed on the minds of residents like Phillips and Kenworthy’s for years.

NO NEW CONVERSATION Dozens of skateboards and brightlycolored helmets were lined up outside City Hall for the March 18 Dana Point City Council meeting. The gathering area outside of council chambers was bustling.

More than 50 skatepark supporters came together with a common mission in mind: a skatepark in Dana Point. Each filled out a comment card and a stack was handed off to the city clerk. When public comments opened, six had the chance to address the council.

SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY SKATEPARKS Laguna Niguel Skateboard and Soccer Park

Ralph’s Skate Court

Photo: Ryan Lee

Ladera Ranch Skatepark

Photo: Steve Breazeale

etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest

Photo: Steve Breazeale

Photo: Jason Kenworthy

Location: 27745 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel

Location: 241 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente

Location: 26283 Sienna Parkway, Ladera Ranch

Location: 20028 Lake Forest Drive, Lake Forest

Distance: Approximately 7 miles

Distance: Roughly 9.3 miles

Distance: Approximately 9.5 miles

Distance: Roughly 17.6 miles

Supervised: Yes

Supervised: No

Supervised: Monitored by security guards

Built: 2003

Size: 20,000-square-foot concrete skatepark with attached soccer field

Size: 14,000-square-foot park located in the Richard T. Steed sports park

Size: 14,000-square-foot skatepark with bowls, rails, stairs and more

Supervised: Yes

Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced areas for all skaters

Hours of Operation: Daily from dawn to dusk, Closed Friday from 8-10 a.m.

Fees: Guest pass needed for skaters residing outside Ladera Ranch

Fees: Annually, $40 for residents and $80 for non-residents, $10 one-time admission

Fees: Free

Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

Size: 40,000-square-foot park funded by etnies and Lake Forest partnership Fees: Free. Non-residents are charged a $5 fee for ID card.

*All distances calculated from Dana Point City Hall at 33282 Golden Lantern

Page 6

www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP Speakers emphasized Dana Point’s role as a center for surf and skate. They highlighted the ways action sports drive local economies and give kids options, and an outlet, where they can thrive. For Skatepark of Dana Point, it was a lesson for kids to do things the right way: to respect authority and the process.

So far they’ve spoken before the Youth Board, Planning Commission and City Council. Their item has yet to be agendized, but Skatepark of Dana Point organizers are not deterred.

It’s all part of a conversation that comes up every three to four years.

The city first entertained the idea of a skatepark 10 to 14 years ago, said Kevin Evans, the city’s longtime director of Community Services and Parks. Extensive research and community outreach initiatives were done.

Despite the occasional park push, the facts remain the same: the city’s 6.5-square miles are built to capacity, revenues are slowly returning to pre-2008 numbers and resident opposition persists, Evans said.

“As of right now it doesn’t appear that any of the critical factors have changed since the last time we looked at this proposition,” Evans said in an email. “The city has accepted the fact that we just don’t have space available to accommodate a skatepark.”

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS Phillips and the Dana Point skatepark movement believe they are involved in a discussion that is not only focused on funding and space. Instead, they believe there is a larger, more fundamental issue they have to overcome in order to accomplish their goal—changing public perception.

When Phillips and Nick Gates, a longtime Dana Point resident and graduate of Dana Hills High School who now oversees the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, were growing up in the area, skateboarding culture was evolving. Skate magazines like Thrasher, the concept of skate videos and the lifestyle associated with it were all brought to the public attention in an increasingly mainstream fashion.

A lot of those early images and ideas were centered on a counter culture involving loud music, brash style and an in-yourface attitude. Skateboarders were deemed

ridiculous that it’s “2014It’sand we’re still treating skateboarders like they’re criminals … Kids are growing up and want options to skate safely and not be criminalized for it.

–Ben Classen

”

Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

Longtime Dana Point resident Jason Kenworthy and his children, 7-year-old Bella and 5-year-old Loyal, travel throughout Orange and San Diego counties for safe places to skateboard. Photo: Steve Breazeale

outcasts by many.

Gates can remember going with his mom to the Dana Point Harbor in the early 1980s. She would go off to an exercise class and he would bring his skateboard, hoping to cruise along the scenic beach and skate Dana Point’s most popular skate landmark, the Richard Henry Dana Jr. statue. Gates, along with his fellow skaters, were told to get off public property.

In the years that followed, skateboarding has become a legitimate career option for thousands of teens who chose not to play traditional sports. Pop culture figures like Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist and Eric Koston eventually had their own shoes, clothing lines, picked up sponsors, made millions and were featured in video games.

It is the promise of cultivating a skill that could one day turn into a career and doing it in a safe, community-oriented environment, that Skatepark of Dana Point activists like Ben Classen rally behind.

“The City Council’s job exists to support the community and what we are prepared to show them is there is a large section of the community that they are flat out ignoring,” Classen said.

The problem in Dana Point, Classen says, is the skater not being allowed to practice his craft in a public place, like any sprinter or soccer player out on an open field can, without being profiled.

“It’s ridiculous that it’s 2014 and we’re still treating skateboarders like they’re criminals. From a more holistic point of view it’s about addressing stereotypes,” said Classen, a San Clemente resident and action sports-media professional. “The stigma is what we are addressing here.

That’s the beginning of it, in order to get support. Kids are growing up and want options to skate safely and not be criminalized for it.” DP Page 7

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

The Luck of the Draw

“It is the mark of an inexperienced man not to believe in luck.” – Joseph Conrad

W

hy do Americans have such a pervasive belief that we are the product of our own making?

Ask most people and they will say that we create our own luck. But we so often forget that no matter how much preparation, energy and perseverance we invest, unpredictable luck still plays a critical role.

Yet we usually don’t want to admit it.

E.B. White once said, “Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.”

Although I have written about this before, I think the idea is worth revisiting.

Here are some additional examples— some of which have kept me humble, thankful, respectful and appreciative whenever I get to thinking I personally deserve all my “self-made” successes.

At one point in my career, I became the vice president of marketing at TransWorld Publishing. I was in charge of the marketing at both Skateboarding and Snowboarding magazines. I took all the things I had learned in my years working at Surfer magazine and applied them to my plan at

these two new publications.

The skateboarding sector of the boardsports business was in the doldrums but the snowboard industry was taking off like a rocket. So WAVELENGTHS my efforts exploded the

By Jim Kempton Snow magazine profits, but just barely kept Skateboarding afloat. I looked like a genius in snow and a dunce in skate, but did exactly the same things.

It was simply the luck of the draw.

Sometimes it is literally the number on the card you get dealt: One of my friends and I received our notices about the Vietnam draft status together. I’ll never forget opening our draft lottery letters on the lawn in front of the college cafeteria.

By the luck of the draw our lives were set in motion never to be the same. My number was 342—meaning I was in the 5 percent who was least likely to ever be drafted. I could finish school and explore the dreams I envisioned. His was num-

ber five—meaning he was not going to complete college, his dreams deferred. He was off to the jungles of Southeast Asia to return as a very different man.

So the lesson from all this is not that hard work or perseverance doesn’t count, it is that you shouldn’t count on them. You still must have determination, honed skills and deep commitment to succeed at anything. Life is a little like playing cards. You can be the best poker player in the world, but you still need the luck of a royal flush to beat a guy who got dealt four aces.

Jim Kempton is a writer and surfer who readily admits to having had lots of luck come his way—his wife, his children and his many friends. He believes the secret to life is not so much in getting a great hand, but in knowing when to cash in your chips and go home for the night. 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

Letters to the Editor QUESTIONING COUNCILMAN’S KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY

CITY ROLLS THE DICE ON TOWN CENTER LANTERN DISTRICT BETTY HILL, Capistrano Beach

Residents generally support the Town Center Lantern District project, designed to beautify the city and encourage new business development.

While the concept is appealing, Dana Point taxpayers who are funding the Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

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

LYNN O’NEIL, Dana Point

The unprofessional manner in which Councilman Bill Brough handled himself while expressing his negative opinion of Mayor Lisa Bartlett’s ability to govern the city of Dana Point was beyond anything I have ever witnessed at one of these meetings.

His crazed outburst leaves one to ponder not only his intellect on city government issues and procedures, but also his ability to contribute anything of value to this council.

If anyone should step down from their position on this council it should be Mr. Bill Brough.

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

ART/DESIGN

Just over a year after completing an entryway project into Town Center, the city has rebranded the downtown area as the Lantern District. On Tuesday, March 18, the council approved new entryway signage and downtowncentric developer’s fees. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

project should be warned that, in reality, the project is an ambitious and costly undertaking for our city. As admitted by Dana Point staff at the March 18th council meeting, the city is “rolling the dice” by fronting the development costs.

And although construction has begun, several key issues still need to be resolved.

Financing is a major concern. Dana Point is spending $13 million for just the first phase of the project, which is 45 percent of the city’s anticipated 2014 income of approximately $29 million. This year’s large budget deficit will be funded from the city’s reserves, mainly to cover the Town Center project. Phase two of the project could cost an additional $7 million to $9 million.

Anticipated development fees will return only a small percentage of the cost to the

city, although developers typically pay the majority of the cost. Property owners in Town Center are also receiving a gift from taxpayers by not being asked to contribute to the cost of their improvements.

The Town Center plan assumes the improvements will stimulate retail and residential development. However, at the joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting, the council was told by its consultant that the parking requirements in the plan appear to be an impediment for developers. The city is now considering reducing the number of required parking spaces, which will impact nearby residents.

A representative of the building industry told the council that the height limit in Town Center is a major obstacle for (Cont. on page 10)

Page 8

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, Catherine Manso, Madison May, Tawnee Prazak, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 13. 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.

FOLLOW THE DANA POINT T IMES

www.danapointtimes.com

SOAPBOX Letters to the Editor (Cont. from page 8) developers to overcome. Raising the height allowance would encourage developers and increase property values in Town Center, but would adversely impact our community.

With the construction of phase one almost complete, the city should stop “rolling the dice” with taxpayer money. Dana Point’s resources are limited and the city must satisfy its many obligations throughout Dana Point and be able to fund other important programs that benefit residents and attract visitors.

Hopefully, Town Center will begin to meet expectations by actual requests for building permits. Until then, the City Council should reconsider future spending on the project and give priority to the financial wellbeing of all of Dana Point.

SONGS: IT’S TIME TO RELAX GREG BECKER, San Clemente

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, as many in this community will attest to, is an evil place.

There are demons lurking in those fuel rods, which can be broken open and their contents spread across our beaches and schools by the slightest breeze. The regulators of the plant and the officials who preside over it have genuine intent to destroy our community solely out of malice and hatred of our children.

At least that’s what I’ve been reading.

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Photo: Andrea Swayne

But I worked there for 23 years, as an engineer and control room operator, with some of the most competent and caring people I have ever known. If there is an evil man there twisting his mustache, I have never met him. Every meeting starts and ends with the public’s well-being in mind, and every one of us who cares about people and quality work fully embrace that viewpoint.

Feel free to be skeptical. But let’s look at what the shutdown of SONGS means to San Clemente: With SONGS gone, San Diego Gas & Electric is importing nearly all of its power, giving us the highest electric rates in the country. It isn’t their fault, nobody wants power plants in their town, nuclear or not.

Many people believe our rates are high due to the cost of SONGS decommissioning. Your SDG&E bill shows your part of the decommissioning cost, mine is 40 cents a month. Because we have no other

local power, our rates are high because SONGS shut down. Since the drought took away our hydro generation and with rising gas prices, those rates will continue to climb. Blackouts will soon become our summer norm, so light a candle and sit under the stars. It will all be OK. Soon all SONGS fuel will be in dry casks, surrounded by two feet of pretensioned concrete. The casks themselves have been subjected to tests that would blow your mind. They have been dropped from high bridges, hit by trains and missiles, burned in jet fuel.

Look up “Nuclear Fuel Cask Tests” on Google and see what I mean. It’s good entertainment for the entire family. If you think they can be damaged by an earthquake or tsunami, it would be a better bet to go at the Egyptian pyramids with a claw hammer.

I live around the corner from SONGS with my family and I don’t lose any sleep over spent nuclear fuel.

Please, everyone just relax.

STARTING TODAY, MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CLEAN UP CHERYL MCCARTHy, Dana Point

For the past three years, I have cleaned an ever-increasing amount of trash and debris (rope, traps, nets, etc.) from Strand and Salt Creek beaches multiple times per week.

After frequent calls from me, the OC Parks Department has stepped up with more cans, but the issue of trash left on

the sand and tossed into the rocks has increased.

While policing the beaches, I’ve witnessed the following on a daily basis: • Teenagers getting up, packing their towels and leaving their trash behind assuming Mom is going to come behind them and clean up their mess (or they just don’t care).

• Teenagers going to the beach at night to party and leaving trash, cigarettes, beer cans and liquor bottles behind and near the rocks.

• Families leaving beach toys, plastic bags and juice boxes behind.

• People walking over trash and not picking it up because it “isn’t theirs.”

In a week’s time I pick up an average of 50 to 100 plastic water bottles, flip flops, towels, sunglasses, plastic bags, food wrappers, foil, cans, pizza boxes, food cartons, surfboard straps and wax, straws, etc., off one small beach. It’s not hard to imagine why we have 800 million pounds of trash in the ocean.

We are endangering marine life and destroying our oceans for future generations.

Honestly, it is the saddest thing to witness day in and day out at the beach. Each of us needs to make a difference starting today.

Keep our beaches safe for everyone, people and sea life alike.

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

DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

Friday | 28 ANGELICA WILSON 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Live, soft rock during wine tasting at DaVine Food & Wine. Get a flight of five wines for $20. 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

Oxford, England for a night of music at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church.

Tickets are $20 for adults or $15 for seniors, students, and military personnel.

33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point, www.danapointsymphony.com.

Sunday | 30 DANA WHARF’S FISHING FOR KIDS Noon. A free fishing lesson and more for kids at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Explore ridges and canyons looking for spring wildflowers with guest biologist Tony Bomkamp at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Admission $5-$10. Call for info and directions. 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

DANA POINT FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Fresh produce, crafted goods, flowers and more at La Plaza Park every Saturday. 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

WHALE WATCHING WITH CAPT. DAVE Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari offers 2.5-hour trips daily. Call for departure times. Tickets $59 adults, $39 kids (3 to 12), under 2 free. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

MIKE WALLACE 7 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Classic rock guitar and vocals at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

ROMANCING THE WEST 7 p.m. The epic story of the American West in music, rare film and historic photos at the San Juan Capistrano Library’s La Sala Theater. Tickets $25. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 541.292.7829, www.romancingthewest.org.

DANA POINT SYMPHONY 7:30 p.m. The Christ Church Cathedral Choir joins the symphony orchestra from Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

FAMILY PAJAMA STORYTIME 7 p.m. Children and their parents are invited to the Dana Point Library for a night of stories, songs and fun. Don’t forget to wear your PJs. All ages are invited and walk-ins are welcome. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

SMOKEY KARAOKE 8 p.m. Your turn to get onstage at BeachFire. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire.com.

Tuesday | 01

FAMILY YOGA FOR EPILEPSY AWARENESS 6:30 p.m. Free, family yoga at The Playful Practice to spread epilepsy awareness.

1321 Calle Avanzado, Studio D, San Clemente, 760.889.3829, www.playfulpractice.wordpress.com.

Saturday | 29

online. Cost $45 each. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

EDITOR’S PICK The Montanez Adobe, located in the Los Rios Historic District. Photo by Brian Park

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR 1 p.m. Take a trip into the past with the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society each Sunday. On this 1.5-hour tour, participants will take a stroll down Los Rios Street, the state’s oldest residential neighborhood, and will visit adobes from the 1790s, Victorian homes and learn about the people that once resided in San Juan. Meet at the railroad depot’s platform on Verdugo Street. $2 donations for adults, $1 for children will be accepted. Find out more at 949.493.8444 or by visiting www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

DANA HARBOR TOASTMASTERS 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Practice becoming a more confident communicator every Tuesday in a fun learning environment at the Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.441.6179, http://1707.toastmastersclubs.org.

ADDICTION: TAKING SERIOUS ACTION 7 p.m.–9 p.m. Best-selling author David Sheff addresses addiction, prevention and treatment at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.680.0516, www.sosschs.com/parents/events.

Wednesday | 02 CASA KIDS STORYTIME 10 a.m.–11 a.m. Stories for kids at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens every Wednesday. Admission is free.

415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Fresh produce, crafts and more every Wednesday at Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street in downtown San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700.

ASHUN 4 p.m.–7 p.m. Live music at Wind & Sea Restaurant. 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com.

WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER 5 p.m.–8 p.m. Fundraiser for the Dana Hills High School Instrumental Music Program at What a Dish Café. Enjoy live bossa nova music, a variety of wine, appetizers and more. 24921 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Suite 100, Dana Point, 949.683.7657.

Monday | 31 LOCALS ONLY POP UP DINNER 6 p.m. The Cellar presents a dinner event with locally sourced food, specialty drinks, music and more. Reservations available

Thursday | 03 SMART WOMEN’S FASHION FOR BREAKFAST 8 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Keri Zane discusses how to find and keep the love of your life. A hot breakfast is included. Admission $35-$50.

Members are free. The Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, www.workingwardrobes.org.

PIZZA PORT FUNDRAISER 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Come raise money for local San Clemente resident Sean Lynn, who

Page 13

The Dan Band. Courtesy photo

On Stage at the Coach House:

The Dan Band

Get set for a night of music, parodies and laughs when The Dan Band stops by the Coach House Saturday, April 5.

Known for tongue-in-cheek appearances in such blockbuster movies as Starsky and Hutch, Old School and The Hangover, The Dan Band blends music and laughter into a thoroughly entertaining show. In Old School, the band belted out Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in a wedding scene, and in The Hangover, lent a classic wedding singer-style remix to 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop.”

The Dan Band’s Dan Finnerty said what started as a joke, soon gained attention and popular demand.

“After my last performance in the Broadway show ‘Stomp’ a few of us went to a karaoke bar where I got up on stage and began to sing ‘I Am Woman’

by Helen Reddy as a joke,” Finnerty said.

A few just-for-laughs performances later, he was being asked when and where his next gigs would be. Later, being booked as the opening act for the Pussycat Dolls led to movie and television roles.

The Dan Band has since appeared in a Bravo network special, “The Dan Band: I Am Woman” and is currently working on an album for Comedy Central called, “The Wedding Album,” expected to drop this summer.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.thecoachhouse.com or by calling 949.496.8930. The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. DP —Victor Carno was paralyzed in a January car accident and is being treated at a rehab facility in New Jersey. Present the event flier and Pizza Port will donate 20 percent of all receipts to HelpHOPELive to help Sean.

Call or email for information and the flier.

301 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.940.0005, socal4sean@gmail.com.

For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com Have an event? Send your listing to events@ danapointtimes.com

www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP LIVING Dana Point

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Photo: Andrea Papagianis

Members of Cub Scout Pack 4 stopped by the { I N DANA P O I NT } Picket Fence Media offices Monday to learn about journalism, reporting and publishing a newspaper. Troops and packs across the country embark on “Go See It” trips to explore career opportunities and share the Cub Scout motto: “Search, Discover, Share.”

SCENE

Visitors peruse a silent auction while sampling fares from local eateries at Dana Hills High School Friday night. Photo: Jenna Ross

Gastronomes Support GradNite 18th annual Taste of Dana funds safe, sober celebration

BY JENNA ROSS AND ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

O

rganizers of the 18th annual Taste of Dana brought more than 20 local restaurants together Friday, March 21 to help raise money for a safe and sober night for the Dana Hills High School graduating class.

The night’s festivities included a menagerie of food from 23 restaurants, live music ranging from classical to dance and a silent auction offering a variety of prizes, like a trip to Maui.

Each year, the Grad Nite Committee joins forces with area eateries for an evening tour of Dana Point’s culinary

Doheny Blues:

Headliners Announced

Tickets now on sale for annual beach and blues event

offerings, with funds raised supporting the drug- and alcohol-free graduation celebration known as GradNite.

On graduation night, June 24, participating seniors are transported to a secret location for a night of activities where organizers hope to keep them out of harm’s way.

As in years past, students from the school’s culinary classes joined in to showcase their skills next to wellestablished restaurateurs, and numerous students lent a hand and volunteered.

“It was a great way for Dana Point businesses to advertise and help raise money for an excellent cause,” said Dana Hills senior and event volunteer Eric Thorpe. DP George Thorogood & The Destroyers perform last year during the 16th annual Doheny Blues Festival. Photo: Andrea Papagianis DANA POINT TIMES

I

Dana Hills senior Eric Thorpe lends a hand to The Wine Bistro.

Photo: Jenna Ross

Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

Helpers from Dana Point’s It’s All About Cake stop for a photo during the 18th annual Taste of Dana. Photo: Jenna Ross

Page 14

n the coming weeks, more artists will be announced, but this year’s Doheny Blues Festival line-up is taking shape with Gregg Allman and The Doobie Brothers headlining Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, respectively.

Rounding out this year’s festival will be Buddy Guy, Gov’t Mule, John Nemeth & The Bo-Keys, Vintage Trouble, The Mannish Boys Revue ft. Kid Ramos & Sugaray Rayford, James Cotton Blues Band & Friends, Keb’ Mo’, Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires, Ruthie Foster, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bonis King, Nikki Hill, James Intveld & Rosie Flores and more to be announced.

Tickets are on sale now at www.dohenybluesfestival.com.

The annual event has brought blues to Doheny State Beach for nearly two decades. Past years have seen performances by Bonnie Raitt, John Fogerty, Al Green, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Etta James and the Roots Band, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Little Richard and many more. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Reigniting an Old Flame

Can first love passion be rekindled 50 years later?

M

ost people remember their first love.

They’ve thought of him or her from time to time since parting ways, oh so many years ago. Some have pondered, “I wonder what would have happened if I had married Bill or Sue?” Perhaps they have kept in touch or seen that person at a reunion. Often, however, they’ve lost track. They might remember that she or he was a hottie. If they met now, 50 years later, would the flame of passion still be there?

Tina, age 70, a retired operating room nurse living in northern California, recently found her answer to that question.

She said, “Fifty years ago, in 1964, I met a young 2nd Lieutenant named John (not his real name) in training at Mather Air Force Base in the Sacramento area, and we fell in love. We had six wonderful months together before he was sent back to Florida. We wrote often but as stories go, distance makes maintaining a relationship difficult, especially at age 22.

“I saw him one time more, in 1965, on my way to the Caribbean on a stopover in Miami. He had married another lady and was happy. I was heartbroken but understood. I tucked him away in my heart as a memory.

“Through the years, I occasionally thought of him. I was most worried that he had perished during his tour of duty in Vietnam as a pilot. I tried to find him several times to no avail. About a month ago, I got a ‘friend’ request on Facebook from John, asking if I was the lovely lady he had met 50 years ago.

“I was shocked. We chatted for several weeks and I invited him to visit this past week. He was here for two days and it was a wonderful reunion. He wasn’t the dashing young lieutenant I loved so much but he still had the personality and certain features I saw on his face. Fifty years

change us all, but there was that broad smile and his bright twinkling Irish eyes.

“We talked and got caught up. Our lives had gone different ways, and we have totally different lifestyles now. He ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 has lived in southern

By Tom Blake California since 1967. So close, yet so far. He has been separated for 10 years from the woman he married back then. He has two grown children and is living a comfortable life.

“There was no ‘love connection’ in the sense we would pursue something. But, this time, I will never let him go as a close friend. I still love him, but not as that young man I met when I was so young.

He was my first love and will always be in my heart that way. I may never have found out what happened to him had he not been thinking of me all these years and decided to investigate. It’s a fairytale that some people never get to experience.

“He will always be in my life from this time forward. But, now it will be a love of friendship. We will see each other again. We may even go on a little vacation together. The romantic part is gone though.”

A vacation together? Romantic part gone? Tina may just be in for a little surprise after the suitcases get unpacked.

What would happen if you met up with your first love?

To share your thoughts, email Tom at Tompblake@gmail.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 DPTimes or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com

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 Page 15

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

www.danapointtimes.com

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FOR SALE NEW QUEEN PILLOWTOP MATTRESS It’s not used, not refurbished. It’s a brand name, & brand NEW, still in the MFRs original plastic bag. I can let it go for $160. 1st Come, 1st Served. 949-842-9994 BRAND NEW KING PILLOWTOP MATTRESS Only $250 Not used or rebuilt. Still sealed in MFRs original factory plastic bag. Must sell ASAP. 949-842-9994

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE! SATURDAY, MAR. 29 7am – 2pm, 34612 Calle Naranja, Capo Beach.

Collectibles, furniture, electronics, books, misc household items and more!

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

HELP WANTED NOW HIRING COOKS morning and evening positions available.

Experiance and bilingual preferred. Apply in person. Carlos Mexican Restaurant 34224 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point CAREGIVERS NEEDED FOR LOCAL COMPANY. No age, educational or experience needed. Just be compassionate and caring for our elderly clients. (949) 347-6767

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 Nona Associates949.496.2275 Raymond J. Nona A.I.A 26901 Camino de Estrella, www.raynona.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

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING Organics Out Back www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRICAL

PSYCHIATRY

LOCKSMITH 949.354.2258

Dana Point Lock & Security www.danapointlock.com

949.496.6916

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

delta G electrical 949.360.9282 Kenny’s Music & Guitars 949.661.3984 CA #657214, www.deltagelectrical.com 24731 La Plaza, www.kennysmusicstore.com Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556 GRAPHIC DESIGN 24699 Del Prado, www.danmans.com IMAGES/Creative Solutions 949.366.2488 PET GROOMING 117 Del Gado Road, www.imgs.com Dawgy Style 949.496.3315 ICE CREAM 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, www.alphadoggroomshop.com Coffee Importers Scoop Deck 949.493.7773 34531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 INSURANCE SERVICES www.atozleakdetection.com Patricia Powers 949.496.1900 Chick’s Plumbing 949.496.9731 24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, pat.powers@cox.net www.chicks-plumbing.com State Farm/Ted Bowersox 949.661.3200 POOL SERVICE & REPAIR 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204 www.tedbowersox.com Palisades Pool Service & Repair 949.542.7232 Statefarm/Elaine LaVine 949.240.8944 Capistrano Beach, allenesommo@cox.net 34080 Golden Lantern, www.elainelavine.net

LANDSCAPING

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT 949.488.2648 Organics Out Back 949.354.2258 33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, 449 Avenida Crespi, www.organicsoutback.com www.danapointpsychotherapy.com

Dr. Robert Dobrin, M.D. 949-707-4757 Child/Adolescent/Adult Psychiatry/Behavioral Pediatrics 33971 Selva Rd. Ste, 125

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL Dream Team Properties 949.481.1788 Mike Rosenberg, Broker Capistrano Beach, www.FindMyOCHome.com

UPHOLSTERY Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors 949.240.9569 34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jeddys.com

WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION Offshore Construction www.offshoreconstruction.org

949.444.6323

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

Call Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Capo-Dana NJB Seventh-Grade All-Stars Run Ends at Regionals DANA POINT TIMES

T

he Capo-Dana NJB seventh-grade All-Star team went on a deep postseason run this season, highlighted by an appearance in the San Diego Invitational Regional NJB All-Stars Tournament in San Diego on March 23.

Although their season came to an end at the elite regional tournament, the team, which consists of players from Dana Point and Capistrano Beach, earned a berth by winning the Southern California Sectional Tournament on March 16. In that event, the Capo-Dana All-Stars defeated rivals Newport-Mesa and Aliso Niguel to earn the No. 1 overall seed in San Diego.

The Capo-Dana NJB seventh-grade All-Star team includes: Andrew Calo, Garrett Powell, John Kheriaty, Nick Falshaw, Christian Britton, Hayden Garcia, Logan Philip, Tim Van Hoomissen, Cole Futak and Ike Williams. The team is coached by Joe Philip and Mark Williams. DP

Runners competing in the 2013 Ragnar Relay Southern California race. The race route will pass through Dana Point in 2014. Courtesy photo

The Capo-Dana NJB seventh-grade All-Stars pose with their sectional tournament championship trophy.

Courtesy photo

Dolphin Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

“Nasty” Preparation Pays off for Dolphins Baseball in Signature Win In preparation for their game against Sea View League rival Aliso Niguel and their ace Kyle Molnar on March 21, the Dana Hills baseball team turned to something they call “Mr. Nasty”.

“Mr. Nasty” is a three-wheel pitching machine that hurls balls upwards of 95 mph and can be programmed to throw changeups and curveballs, all of which the Dolphins were expecting to see out of Molnar, the standout junior and UCLA commit.

The Dolphins players don’t like “Mr. Nasty”, but all the time spent facing it paid off, as the Dana Hills bats came alive early and carried them to an 8-4 victory and the biggest win of their season.

After Aliso Niguel scored in the first inning on a Blake Sabol sacrifice fly, Dana Hills responded. In the top of the second, the Dolphins batted around the order, plating five runs in the process.

Three Dolphins recorded infield singles and Jay Schuyler lined a two-out, two RBI single to make it 5-1.

The Dolphins (8-3, 2-0 league) loaded Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

Dana Hills senior third baseman Zach Wolf went 3-4 with an RBI in the team’s win over Aliso Niguel on March 21. Photo: Steve Breazeale

the bases in the top of the fourth and scored when Molnar threw a wild pitch with shortstop Kayman Koen at the plate.

That was the last pitch Molnar would throw in the outing. The Dolphins tacked on two more runs following a Koen fielder’s choice and a Louis Raymond sacrifice fly.

Molnar would give up seven earned runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings and exit with his team trailing 8-1.

“You’ve got five days to prepare for the kid and you still don’t think that’s enough, because he’s that good,” Dana Hills head coach Tom Faris said of Molnar. “We put up this machine called Mr. Nasty and that’s what Kyle is, he’s nasty on the mound … But I don’t think he had his A-game stuff today. We obviously took

advantage of that.”

Dolphins senior pitcher Louis Raymond gave up a two-run home run to Anthony Sommer in the bottom of the fourth, but settled down and relied on the Dolphins defense to make outs and record the complete game. Junior third baseman Zach Wolf, who went 3-4 with an RBI, made several flashy defensive plays at his position that helped keep Raymond’s pitch count down and the Wolverines off the base paths.

The Dolphins split a double-header with Valencia on March 22 and defeated Laguna Hills 9-0 on March 26. They will face San Juan Hills on the road on March 28.

Dolphins Volleyball Enters League Play The Dana Hills boys volleyball team was set to begin their South Coast League title defense on March 27 with a home match against Trabuco Hills. Results were not available at press time.

The match, and the upcoming league schedule, will be a test for the Dolphins (3-4), who have seen mixed results in the early going. The Dolphins have yet to string together back to back wins and dropped a nonleague match to league rival Tesoro in straight sets. The silver lining for Dana Hills is that they have been playing a preseason schedule that features several top teams in the area, like Huntington Beach and Santa Margarita.

The Dolphins will face a talented Trabuco Hills team that is off to a 14-3 start to their season.

Page 17

Ragnar Relay Trots into DP

DANA POINT TIMES

T

he Ragnar Relay Series Southern California race is coming through Dana Point. For those who want to catch a glimpse of the runners, there will be plenty of time. The window in which to see them pass through town will be on Friday, April 4 between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. the following day.

The Ragnar Relay Southern California is a 195-mile team relay race that stretches from Huntington Beach to San Diego. Teams of six and 12 runners compete in different divisions, with an average finishing time between 30-32 hours, according to race organizer Lambert Budzinski.

The runners will cross into Dana Point by way of Niguel Road and the Salt Creek Trail. They will travel down Pacific Coast Highway and snake their way through town before exiting through Doheny State Beach. The Dana Point stretch will be the 12th leg of a 36-leg race. Each team is required to have one runner on the course at all times. The rest follow along in vans and await the next exchange.

Budzinski said that in years past, the relay would head east, into the Inland Empire, before making its way south to San Diego. But many of the event’s 700 teams in 2014 demanded a more scenic run, which caused the route to be altered.

“One of the biggest complaints has been the run wasn’t coastal enough.

There were not enough beach exchanges. We really took it head-on to make sure it was along the coast this year,” Budzinski said. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Moving Up in the Game of SUP

GROM OF THE WEEK

Ricky Fodor

Locals shine in season’s first US SUP Tour event

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

F

our local stand-up paddle pros conquered challenging conditions all the way to the podium at the 2014 US SUP Tour kickoff, March 22-23 in Huntington Beach. Two San Clemente women brought home their divisions’ top prize.

Choppy conditions at the Huntington Beach Pier challenged both SUP surfing and SUP racing contestants who delivered exciting performances, highlighting their expert command of the waist- to shoulderhigh waves.

For San Clemente-based stand-up paddle surfer Emmy Merrill, winning the Women’s Pro SUP division was a repeat of last year’s victory at the series’ debut.

“It felt really great to win the first one again, and set a precedent for the season,” Merrill said. “I went in considering it a training event for the ISA World Championship. This event had the highest caliber of talent of any contest I’ve surfed in before, and I appreciate that. It really pushed me to become a better competitor.”

Last year’s Men’s Pro SUP division winner, San Clemente’s Colin McPhillips, came up just short of the win, which instead went to Hawaiian Zane Schweitzer.

His runner-up finish was inspired nonetheless, said Ian Cairns, US SUP Tour co-founder and US SUP Team head coach.

Cairns had his eye on both Merrill and McPhillips, who are members of the US SUP Team and will be traveling in May to Nicaragua for the International Surfing Association World SUP and Paddleboard Championship in May. “This was a great warm up for Colin and Emmy and a good opportunity for me to see how they’re surfing leading up to Nicaragua,” Cairns said. “South Orange County is a hotbed of SUP talent and these two are definitely standouts in SUP surf.”

Candice Appleby of San Clemente earned top honors in the Women’s Pro Race division and took third in Women’s SUP Surf. But she didn’t have much time to let her results sink in, as Appleby, along with a number of other competitors, headed straight to Brazil for event No. 2 of the Stand Up World Tour set for March 29.

Brandi Baksic, also from San Clemente, claimed the third-place spot in the Women’s Pro Race.

More information, including schedules and event photos, can be found on the tour’s Facebook page. DP

Dana Point Times March 28-April 3, 2014

Ricky Fodor. Photo: Kurt Steinmetz

Age: 13, Marco Forster Middle School

Emmy Merrill of San Clemente is chaired by friends and fellow competitors following her Pro SUP Surf win at the US SUP Tour event March 22-23 in Huntington Beach. Photo: Jack McDaniel/US SUP Tour

felt really great to win “theItfirst one again, and set a precedent for the season. ”

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 61-63 degrees F

–Emmy Merrill

Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 6-8’ poor Catalina: 8-12’ poor-fair

US SUP Tour Event No. 1 Results:

Immediate: Fading west/northwest and south/ southwest combo swell brings surfing in the thigh- to chest-high (2-3’) range with occasional 4-foot sets. Look for better conditions in the morning with a fun combo running for the beach breaks.

Pro Surf Men: 1. Zane Schweitzer, Hawaii 2. Colin McPhillips, San Clemente 3. Ryan Helm, Mexico 4. Sean Poynter, Ocean Beach Pro Surf Women: 1. Emmy Merrill, San Clemente 2. Izzy Gomez, Florida 3. Candice Appleby, San Clemente 4. Sophia Bartlow, Long Beach Open Surf Men: 1. Kieran Grant, Florida 2. Fisher Grant, Florida 3. Nick Ventresca, Florida 4. Chris Gutzeit, Santa Barbara Open Surf Women: 1. Izzy Gomez, Florida 2. Sarah Messina, Santa Monica 3. Karen Jacobson, Mexico 4. Avalon Gall, Laguna Beach Open Race Men: 1. Javier Jimenez, Mexico 2. Hector Gonzalez, Mexico 3. Jedd Hasay, San Luis Obispo

Longer Range Outlook: Fun blend of leftover south/southwest and west/northwest swell is on tap Saturday. By Sunday into early next week another pulse of decent-size west/northwest swell looks likely, as some trace south swell blends in.

Another fun south/southwest swell moves in midweek. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!

Ricky Fodor discovered his passion for surfing in fifth grade. Now an eighthgrader and two-year member of the Marco Forster Middle School surf team, he knows riding waves is something he wants to continue for the rest of his life. “I tried it and it just clicked,” he said. “I like how every wave is different. That makes it really challenging. I really like the whole lifestyle of it too.”

Ricky shortboards but competes mostly on a longboard. This month he earned a second-place finish in middle school boys longboarding at the National Scholastic Surf Series Interscholastic State Championships. In the WSA he is ranked No. 5 in boys U14 longboard and in SSS he is the No. 2-ranked surfer.

Ricky is focused on training to become a professional surfer, but he makes sure his school work doesn’t suffer. An ‘A’ and ‘B’ student, he is considering studying marine biology in college. Ricky recently became a certified scuba diver.

Ricky is continuing to work hard on improving his wave riding and looking for additional sponsorship opportunities. “I would really like to thank my very first sponsor, A’s Burgers, for feeding me after surf practice in the cold mornings,” Ricky said. “Their food is really good. I usually get the bean and cheese burrito combo. You should try it.”

—Andrea Swayne

UPCOMING EVENTS Open Race Women: 1. Karen Jacobson, Mexico Pro Race Women: 1. Candice Appleby, San Clemente 2. Halie Harrison, Hawaii 3. Brandi Baksic, San Clemente 4. Karen Jacobson, Mexico Pro Race Men: 1. Slater Trout, Manhattan Beach 2. Mo Freitas, Hawaii 3. Brennan Rose, Hawaii 4. Matt Becker, Santa Barbara Page 18

March 29-30: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 9, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach March 29-30: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 9, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach April 19-20: NSSA Open, Event No. 9, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty April 26-27: NSSA Open, Event No. 10, San Onofre State Park, Upper Trestles May 10-11: WSA West Coast Championships, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach May 15-18: NSSA West Coast Championships, Huntington Beach, Pier May 31-June 1: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 6, Oceanside, Harbor North Jetty (New date) June 13-15: Surfing America USA Championships, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach June 17-21: Surfing America USA Championships, San Onofre State Park, Lower Trestles

www.danapointtimes.com