July 18, 2014

LO C A L

N EWS

July 18-24, 2014

YO U

C A N

Instructing the Next Generation of Scientists

U S E

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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 29

A City in Transition Projects in planning pipeline could alter Dana Point’s appearance E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 4

Cranes display the height of a proposed project in the Lantern District. The development would utilize seven plots and house 28,000 square feet of retail, 111 residences and two levels of subterranean parking. Currently, lots house Bella Bazaar, The Coastal Arcadian, a Shell gas Station and a two-story business complex. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

City Council Candidate Filing Period Officially Opens EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Letter to the Community: Where’s the Lantern District Outcry?

SOAPBOX/PAGE 6

www.danapointtimes.com

Capo Beach’s Davis Marks Landmark Achievement DP SURF/PAGE 14

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...

Brough will not pursue his council seat for a second term as he moves forward in pursuit of the California Assembly’s 73rd District seat. In the June 3 primary, Brough was the second-highest vote getter behind Wendy Gabriella, a constitutional lawyer and Irvine Valley College professor. The two will face off for the seat being vacated by Brough’s former boss, Assemblywoman Diane Harkey.

Five things Dana Point should know this week Talks Continue Over Mixed-use Lantern District Development THE LATEST: After more than four hours of debate, the Planning Commission continued a discussion Monday night regarding a three-phase, four-story project in downtown Dana Point.

Residents got a glimpse of the proposal over a course of three days as cranes moved between the project’s three phases to display projected building heights.

The project would build up seven noncontiguous plots on either side of Amber Lantern between Del Prado Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. Two levels of subterranean parking would be accompanied by 111 residential units and 28,000 square feet of retail.

The developer, Majestic Housing & Development LLC, has asked for a variance to city regulations to allow for four-story structures, roof decks and a parking modification for 56 spaces.

Indicating a strong reluctance to provide the developer exceptions to the Town Center/Lantern District development plan at its first go-round would make an “irrevocable” shift in the implementation of the project, said Commissioner Gary Newkirk.

“This is the test project,” Newkirk said.

“It opens up huge problems for the build out of Town Center.”

Newkirk and commissioners Susan Whittaker and Norman Denton each indicated they could not support the proposal in its current form, while Commissioner April O’Connor urged that the project be continued, to allow the developer to address resident and commission concerns.

“I would hate to see a good project be voted down and just be on a desk somewhere,” she said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The more than 30 Dana Point residents who spoke were divided on the proposal, with a majority speaking in opposition.

Resident James Raub said the number of in-lieu parking fees needed for the project, and the $975,000 fee the developer would provide the city to offset it, amounted to a bribe.

The discussion will be continued to the commission’s Aug. 11 meeting.

—Jim Shilander Dana Point Times July 18-24, 2014

Beginning Monday, July 14 Dana Point City Council hopefuls could begin pulling nomination papers for the November 4 election in which three seats on the five-member board will be up for grabs. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

State Water Board Adopts Emergency Drought Measures THE LATEST: Local water agencies and cities throughout California are being asked to implement outdoor water usage restrictions under emergency guidelines approved on Tuesday.

Saying that conservation measures to date have fallen short of meeting Gov. Jerry Brown’s goal of reducing water usage by 20 percent, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted mandatory drought measures aimed at curtailing wasteful water uses.

The ruling grants local agencies the authority to fine those wasting water up to $500 a day.

While the control board did not implement rules on how much water usage local agencies should cut, it has suggested utilities implement barring specific practices, including: wetting down sidewalks and driveways, hose-washing cars without a shut-off nozzle and operating fountains without recirculation.

WHAT’S NEXT: Emergency rules are expected to take effect Friday, Aug. 1.

—Andrea Papagianis

OC Cyclist Could be Charged in Gatorade Bottle Incident THE LATEST: An Orange County cyclist who documented a dispute with the passenger of a passing truck on his cell phone could face charges in the incident in which he was struck by a Gatorade bottle, authorities said.

After the incident on May 31, cyclist Brian Larsen turned the video over to authorities. Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators reviewed the video

and recommended Larsen, along with the passenger, be charged for the events that unfolded.

The video shows Larsen riding his bicycle south on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point. As Larsen rides, a white truck is seen approaching. Larsen is then struck by a Gatorade bottle thrown from the passenger side of the vehicle.

Before the truck drives away, Larsen can be heard yelling a profanity and saying, “That’s you on video, see you later.”

The passenger is also heard in a brief exchange before the trucks speeds off.

Larsen posted the video to YouTube later that day saying, “I was definitely quite scared.” It has received more than 70,000 views. And in an attempt to get the attention of OCSD and California Highway Patrol officials, Larsen sent out a tweet asking officials to take action.

WHAT’S NEXT: The passenger could face assault and battery charges. Larsen could also face charges for using words in public that could incite a violent reaction.—AP

Council Candidate Filing Period Official Opens THE LATEST: Candidates looking to fill one of three seats opening up on the Dana Point City Council could pull nominee papers on Monday, July 14 as the nomination period officially opened.

Three of the five-member body’s seats are up grabs as Mayor Lisa Bartlett and Councilman Steven Weinberg are termed out of their seats and Councilman Bill Brough will not seek reelection.

Bartlett is vying for the 5th District seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which is being vacated by Supervisor Pat Bates who is running unopposed for the state Senate’s 36th District that encompasses parts of Orange and San Diego counties. Bartlett will face Robert Ming, a Laguna Niguel city councilman, in the November 4 general election.

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WHAT’S NEXT: Since Brough is not seeking re-election, the nominating period for all candidates has been extended until Wednesday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m.

Four residents have pulled nomination papers, according to City Clerk Kathy Ward. Those who have started the candidacy nominating process include: Joe Muller, Jody Payne, Chuck Rathbone and Alan Wickstrom. All candidates must compile at least 20 signatures from registered voters from Dana Point, which will still have to be verified by the Orange County Registrar.

FIND OUT MORE: Learn about the city’s election at www.danapoint.org. Scroll over the tab labeled “City Government” and click on “City Clerk.” On the left side of the City Clerk’s page, click on “Elections.”

Listed there is information on requirements for candidate filing and voting registration.—AP

First Human West Nile Virus Reported in OC THE LATEST: Orange County has its first reported human case of the West Nile Virus infection of the year, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced in a press release last week.

A Santa Ana man tested positive for the infection, becoming the county’s first human case in 2014. He was admitted to an area hospital in late June with symptoms, but is now at home recovering. The man’s diagnosis is the 10th West Nile Virus case reported in California. Last year, 12 human infections were documented in Orange County and zero West Nile related deaths.

WHAT’S NEXT: County health officials recommend emptying all standing water to reduce areas in which mosquitos breed.

Additionally, officials suggest checking the condition of window and door screens, using insect repellent and limiting outdoor activity at dusk and dawn.

According to the county health care agency, many who become infected do not experience symptoms but others can develop a fever, headache, body aches, nausea, fatigue and a skin rash.

FIND OUT MORE: Learn more about mosquito control from the county’s Vector Control District at www.ocvcd.org.—AP www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

A City in Transition Projects in planning pipeline could alter city’s looks

BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

I

t’s safe to say that Dana Point’s looks will change over the next few years.

From Orange County’s $140 million revitalization of the Dana Point Harbor to the city of Dana Point’s near $20 million project to change the flow of traffic on the town’s major arteries, things around here are changing, or are nearing a juncture where decisions on future development will have to be made.

The latest news coming from the development community is a proposed project in the heart of downtown.

While it isn’t the first mixed-use project to come before the Planning Commission in the past year, the project is the largest the area has yet seen.

In December, commissioners unanimously approved a project at the corner of Del Prado Avenue and Violet Lantern that would combine residential above first-floor retail and restaurant spaces. Plans for the lot, across from Luxe Restaurant and Killer Dana, include a three-level structure with a total of 18 residential units and three levels of enclosed parking for all uses.

Tuesday, commissioners heard a similar project but on a much larger scale.

The project would combine seven plots of land along either side of Amber Lantern stretching from Pacific Coast Highway to Del Prado Avenue and construct 111 residential units and 28,000 square feet of retail. Currently those sites house a Shell gas station, Bella Bazaar, The Coastal Arcadian and a two-story building where Thai This, a realty company and other businesses are located.

Ultimately, commissioners continued public discussion on the matter after more than four hours of testimony from the community—a majority speaking in opposition of the proposal. Residents raised issue with the project’s height, density and its potential impacts on traffic.

The hearing has been continued to Monday, Aug. 11.

Here’s a quick look at a few other projects in the works: TOWN CENTER/LANTERN DISTRICT

Snapshot: After nearly two decades of discussion, the City Council approved its final round of funding on June 17 to reconfigure traffic on Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue. Last May, the council unanimously allocated $9.2 million to the project’s PCH phase that is adding medians, bus pullouts and altering landscaping, among other things. It is Dana Point Times July 18-24, 2014

The last year has seen much movement in Dana Point’s development arena, with the city and county moving forward with plans to revamp downtown and the Harbor, respectively. Other developments have also hit the scene in the form of a hotel and mixed-use structures. Photo: Google Earth

expected to be finished in October.

Status: At the June 17 meeting, Town Center supporters were met by some resident opposition to the council spending more money to fund the project. A budget item for the project was not on the agenda but with the charge of Councilman Bill Brough, the council voted 3-2 to transfer $7.7 million in city reserves to finish out the Del Prado portion of the project and create a pedestrian-friendly street.

DANA POINT HARBOR Snapshot: Orange County’s $140 million Dana Point Harbor revitalization plan garnered approvals, for the landside portion of the project, from the California Coastal Commission, Dana Point Planning Commission and City Council. The project would level much of the Harbor’s existing structures and reconstruct seven commercial buildings with 30,000 square feet of new retail. Plans also include the construction on a 35,000-square-foot park and a two-level parking structure.

Status: In May, planning commissioners unanimously approved a development permit for the project. That approval was appealed by a recreational boaters association to the City Council in June. The council upheld the commission’s approval.

Boaters 4 Dana Point Harbor, who is opposed to changes that would negatively impact boaters, countered and took their appeal to the California Coastal Commission. A hearing is expected at the CCC’s next meeting, Aug. 13-15 in San Diego.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS The developer of the Doheny Hotel, Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, who has proposed building a two- to five-story structure with 250 rooms and subterranean parking, has appealed a Planning Page 4

Commission decision to the City Council.

The five-member body does not have a meeting scheduled until September and no date for the appeal hearing has yet been set.

Formerly known as the Makar Property, a project proposal at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Del Obispo

Street looks to add a 169-unit mixed-use development. The 8.9-acre, horseshoeshaped site of a former mobile home park was rezoned to allow for the property. A public scoping period ended in February and an environmental impact report, which will be available for public review, is in the works. DP

EYE ON DP

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

Sunday, July 13 DISTURBANCE La Serena Drive, 34000 Block (9:15 p.m.) A caller reported a “belligerent” man trying to engage in a verbal fight. The caller was not sure if the man was drunk or on drugs.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Puerto Place/Dana Point Harbor Drive (6:31 p.m.)

A 40-year-old man with long blond hair was yelling, pushing and trying to fight anyone near him.

DRUNK DRIVING Pacific Coast Highway/ Camino Capistrano (6:23 p.m.) The driver of a black, four-door vehicle was seen swerving into traffic with an open trunk.

The driver almost hit the median while heading southbound on PCH. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Street of the Violet Lantern, 33800 Block (5:34 p.m.) A caller informed officials about a neighbor trying to cut down a tree around power lines.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC La Cresta Drive, 24600 Block (5:28 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for one man talking to himself and playing with scissors while two other men were hanging from a tree.

DISTURBANCE Del Obispo Street, 33800 Block (9:03 a.m.) The caller reported a woman living above her who was “torturing her with her shoes.” The caller claimed the other resident was stomping on the floor and slamming a sliding glass door.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (3:48 p.m.) A caller reported finding a plastic bag with drug paraphernalia inside.

CITIZEN ASSIST Street of the Ruby Lantern, 34100 Block (3:15 p.m.) Officials were contacted about a neighbor looking into the caller’s bathroom and bedroom windows.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive, 24200 Block (10:13 a.m.) A patrol check was needed for a man, wearing a brown shirt, who was shooting arrows with a bow in a parking lot.

Friday, July 11

Saturday, July 12

DISTURBANCE Street of the Golden Lantern, 34600 Block (3:35 p.m.) A 50-year-old man wearing a black tank top and pants refused to leave Proud Mary’s Restaurant. He eventually relocated to the parking lot.

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (11:55 p.m.) A patrol check was requested at the Del Taco for a homeless man who refused to leave the business as employees were trying to close.

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Street of the Amber Lantern/Pacific Coast Highway (4:13 a.m.)

Sheriff’s deputies received information of a man behind the Circle K with his face to the ground and one leg up in the air.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Del Prado Avenue, 24500 Block (4:23 p.m.) An apparently homeless woman, who wasn’t wearing pants, passed out in front of Luxe Restaurant.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Windward Drive, 24000 Block (1:25 a.m.) A woman told authorities that she heard someone moving furniture in her backyard but could not see anyone.

News Next Door

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SAN CLEMENTE Residents of south San Clemente came together to discuss the presence of sober living homes and other profit based short-term boarding houses in their neighborhood. In June, the City Council approved providing $5,000 to the city of Newport Beach for that city’s court effort to defend its ordinance on small group homes. At the time, residents near a home on South Ola Vista said a number of incidents at the home had caused worry in the neighborhood. Residents voiced several safety concerns. A petition campaign was started at the meeting. The group hopes to address the City Council at an upcoming meeting.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission unanimously approved changes to an already-approved housing project, as well as additional units on an adjacent lot, that combined would create a 40-home community.

The commission accepted changes for The New Home Company’s 31-unit development, Oliva, located on 17 acres at 32281 Del Obispo Street. Additionally, the commission approved the developer’s plan to add nine homes on an adjacent 4.5-acre lot. Both projects would be built together as one community. The changes aim to internalize traffic in the neighborhood.

The additional nine-unit lot will be considered by the council in August.

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Community Meetings SATURDAY, JULY 19

Farmers Market

9 a.m.–1 p.m. Grab locally-grown produce at this weekly market at La Plaza Park. For information on obtaining a booth, call organizer Steve Crossen at 949.573.5033.

Whale Walk and Talk

9 a.m.–11 a.m. Learn about the area’s largest mammal visitor on this 1.5-mile walk through the Dana Point Headlands conservation area. Walks leave from the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center at 34558 Scenic Drive. Call or email to RSVP, 949.248.3527, wqintern@danapoint.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 20

History Tour

9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Explore the area’s history on this docent-led tour from the Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive. Call or email to RSVP, 949.248.3527, wqintern@danapoint.org.

Summer Concert Series

2:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Step back to the 1980s with tributes to the decade of big hair bands, Michael Jackson and the rise of hip hop with Neon Nation and Lights.

This free event is held at Sea Terrace Park, located at Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

Rotary Club Meeting

7 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Join members of the volunteer-centered club for breakfast and a meeting each Wednesday at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern. Learn more about the organization at www.monarchbeachrotary.com.

Farmers Market & Craft Fair

3 p.m.–7 p.m. Shop organic produce and one-of-a-kind goods during this weekly outdoor market at Capo Beach Church, 25975 Domingo Ave. Call Steve Crossen, 949.573.5033, for more on becoming a vendor.

THURSDAY, JULY 27

Dana Point Coastmasters

7 a.m. Hone in on your public speaking abilities each Thursday at the OC Sailing & Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place.

Visit www.coastmasters.org to find out more information. www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

Will the Real Welfare Queens Please Stand Up? When it comes to taking government aid, which “takers” take the most?

I

’ve always wondered who the biggest welfare cheats were in the United States.

An Illinois-based watchdog group called Open the Books did a study of all the subsidies, grants and tax breaks from all the different government agencies that were provided to the top U.S. companies.

What they found is quite astounding: The government payments for the Fortune 100 firms totaled over $1.2 trillion. That’s right, with a “T” as in trillion.

That’s what the government gives to the 100 richest corporations in the USA. These top Fortune 100 companies averaged over $200 million each in handouts from the government. But look on the bright side, it was totally bipartisan effort.

In other words Independents, Libertarians, Democrats and Republicans all came together in a unified bloc to lard the pork trough of billion-dollar corporations.

When you examine the list of corporate welfare queens, 99 percent of the biggest companies in America are on the dole.

This information is all according to the Orange County Register—which is not exactly your bleeding heart liberal media source.

The explanation, they tell us, is if we don’t give the rich corporations lots of

relief they won’t be motivated to work. But then they tell us if we do give the lots of relief to poor people, they won’t be motivated to work. I’m so confused.

So compare this: If an WAVELENGTHS Orange County family of

By Jim Kempton four has a mother and a father both working full-time at minimum wage, they take home about $1,800 per month between both of them. The average one-bedroom rental in Orange County is $1,500, leaving them a whopping $300 for food, gas, health insurance, kids clothes, auto repairs and (if they are lucky) a new baseball mitt for little Johnny.

That’s what they have to spend after federal, state and local taxes (that they can’t dodge in offshore bank accounts and entertainment on their yacht or other convenient write-offs).

A giant food conglomerate owning 200,000 acres of land can be paid millions of dollars not to grow food, but a family with two full-time working parents with two children are considered the “takers” if they get $150 in food stamps. Jeff Bezos of Amazon made over $40 billion dollars and

still pays his employees $10 and hour.

There are those that say we should earn our own way, with no help from the government. Having never had enough misfortune to require government aid, I can’t argue that point personally.

But, I know Mitt Romney’s mother recalled on national TV that her family took government aid when they moved from Mexico and were really down and out. I know Bob Dole took it when the government put him through college after WWII. And I’m glad it was available to them—it helped them get back on their feet. I just don’t think that when we do get on our feet and are winning we should still be at the trough.

Jim Kempton is a local resident who believes that teachers, policemen, paramedics, small businesses and other givers ought to be considered worth as much in our society as the Wall Street trader who sells derivatives that are run tax free through off shore banks.

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 COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANKS FOR THE GUANO PHIL WIENER, Dana Point

On our frequent walks on the island, my wife and I always pay attention to the guano accumulation so that we know when to detour to avoid aerial bombardment.

Although many Dana Point residents consider the guano deposits to be unsightly and unhealthy, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Dana Point City Council for not bowing to popular demand and leaving these minefield markers in place.

WHERE’S THE LANTERN DISTRICT OUTCRY CITIZENS? CHRIS HERALD, Dana Point

The power brokers of Dana Point must be feeling pretty good about the Lantern District makeover. No matter how much more money is needed than budgeted for the redo of the Lantern District, the project marches on with virtually no outcry Dana Point Times July 18-24, 2014

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

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Senior Editor > Andrea Swayne

OPERATIONS

City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis

Finance Director > Mike Reed

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander

from the citizenry.

The city floats a $24 million bond and nary is a word spoken in the press about the use of the bond money. To infer that the citizens are in the dark about this bond issuance is stating the obvious.

Next, the city approves an additional $7.7 million for the project. This money will be withdrawn from reserves. Certainly the term reserve speaks for itself—held back for emergencies or natural disasters.

Now that I think of natural disasters, maybe this is money well spent. We are witnessing a disaster in the Lantern Village but again no coverage in the papers.

No citizen objections. No elected officials held responsible.

Not long ago, in the State of the City address, our mayor stated that the city is on firm financial footing or words to that effect. Then the mayor voted against the use of the reserves to sustain the next phase of Lantern District project. I wonder, would the mayor still hold to the previous statement regarding fiscal soundness?

And now in the “What’s up With ...” secPage 6

tion of the DP Times, a story on a developer seeking to build 28,000 square feet of retail space, 111 residences (condos? apartments?), 56 parking spaces and four stories plus 42 inches and what else? Isn’t the height restriction 35 feet? Let’s see 56 parking spaces divided by 111 residences insures half of the residents will have a parking space.

Dana Point will look just like Laguna Beach—with snarled traffic, no parking and every city planner’s dream, population density. Sanity, where art thou?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ danapointtimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

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, Amanda Huffman, Catherine Manso, Madison May, Sean Robb, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 29. 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

EDITOR’S PICK

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

Friday | 18 GEORGE FRYER & THE CATCH 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Taste blends from West Coast wineries accompanied by vibrant small plates and live music. Wine tastings run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. DaVine Food & Wine, 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

ROCK OF AGES 8 p.m. The story of Dena, a Young, unmarried mother from Missouri, who is deciding whether to keep her child or go the adoption route hits the stage. Tickets $15-$20. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 19 AMERICA’S CUP TROPHY EVENT 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The “Oldest Trophy in Sports” makes an appearance at the Dana Point Yacht Club. Tickets are $5 for adults.

Children 12 and under are free. 24399 Dana Drive, Dana Point, 949.542.3820, www.dpyc.org.

FAMILY ART DAY Noon–3 p.m. Families are invited to a day full of hands-on art projects, interactive treasure hunts and more. Free with Festival of Arts admission. Festival open daily from 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 800.487.3378, www.lagunafestivalofarts.org.

BACKYARD SKILLS: FOOD PRESERVATION 1 p.m. Explore recipes, safety tips and food preservation techniques that could limit energy usage, reduce waste and enrich taste buds. $30. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Experience the Eagles as the tribute band, The Long Run, performs in the Mission San Juan Capistrano’s summer concert series. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1317, www.missionsjc.com.

EVENING OF THE MIND 7 p.m. Carl Christman, a teacher, author and mentalist will guide the audience on a journey into the mind with magic, mind reading, hypnosis and a dash of comedy.

Dana Point Times July 18-24, 2014

Mason (Ellar Coltrane), age 6, in Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. Courtesy of Matt Lankes/IFC Films

Crowds wander the San Clemente Pier and surrounding beaches to catch a glimpse of, and participate in, one of the many events at the annual Ocean Festival. This year, lifeguards will battle it out on the water, surfers will show off their best tricks and families will have the opportunity to explore ocean-related activities. Ocean Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20 at the Pier. Photo: Sheri Crummer

Ocean Festival • JUlY 19 & 20 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Enjoy a beach day at San Clemente’s annual festival celebrating our region’s largest resource: the ocean. Watch as surfers, stand-up paddlers and lifeguards battle it out on the water. Join in the fun with fishing and surfing clinics, crafts, concerts and more. San Clemente Pier, San Clemente, www.oceanfestival.org.

Tickets $35. The Shed Fine Art Gallery, Dana Point, 24471 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, 949.429.5591, www.the-shed-danapoint.com.

Tuesday | 22

Sunday | 20 PORSCHE 356 CAR SHOW 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Peruse beautiful cars at this Porsche celebration hosted by the 356 Club of Southern California at Lantern Bay Park. 25111 Park Lantern Road, Dana Point, www.356club.org.

REGGAE SUNDAY 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Enjoy the sounds of summer at Salt Creek Grille each Sunday with the sweet rhythms of Reggae. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 2:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Travel back in time with the ultimate tribute bands Neon Nation, covering all things ’80s, and Lights, paying homage to Journey. Free. Bring your family, chairs, blankets and snacks.

Sea Terrace Park, Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road, Dana Point, www.danapoint.org.

KID’S PICK FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Educators and researchers from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles present their citizen science program, engaging children and adults to compile information about their surroundings for the LA Nature Map. Ages 4 and up. Cost is $7 per person, $25 per family. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Wednesday | 23 BUDDY: WORTH THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY THE DRIVE 7:30 p.m. Buddy Holly’s short but spectacular career is told through song. Favorites from the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, who died in a plane crash alongside Holly, will also be featured. Tickets start at $41. The Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787, www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

Thursday | 24

Monday | 21 MOVIE MONDAY: GIGI 8 p.m. Enjoy the charming film under the stars that tells the story of a young courtesan who dreams of love and romance.

Free. Set-up beings at 5:30 p.m. with shortanimated films. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Arts Plaza, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787, www.scfta.org.

READ TO A DOG 3 p.m.–4 p.m. Kids can read to licensed therapy dogs to help improve their reading skills. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.sjcfol.org.

THE KALALMA BROTHERS 7:30 p.m.–11 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s.

555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

Page 8

At the Movies: The Best Part of ‘Boyhood’

R

ichard Linklater’s epic comingof-age drama Boyhood includes the poster tagline “12 years in the making,” which might be one of the most literal of the year. Back in 2002 the auteur began a creative challenge—spending a decade filming a family throughout the offspring’s childhoods. Casting two regular Hollywood actors and two unknowns as the kids for the dedicated experiment, Linklater penned one of the most natural and realistic films ever.

In three different Texas cities throughout 2002 to 2013, we follow Mason Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) and Samantha (Lorelei Linklater) as they grow up between divorced parents Olivia (Patricia Arquette) and Mason Sr. (Ethan Hawke). Olivia is going back to school for a teaching degree and carries on with new relationships, while Mason Sr. travels around the world to rediscover himself. Mason Jr. and Samantha experience the youth of the millenial generation with friends, new family and personal discoveries.

Coltrane and Linklater’s daughter were in elementary school when shooting began and out of high school by the time production wrapped. To see on screen the growth of the actors is so subtle and natural it’s practically a cinematic photo album. Linklater himself, who already gave us adolescence on film with Slacker (1991), Dazed and Confused (1993) and School of Rock (2003), is now at the prime of his career.

Boyhood delivers honesty through direction, the most effective gimmick of all time and a soundtrack that aptly captures an era.

—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

Educating the Sciences’ Next Generation Ocean Institute interns get hands-on lab, field experience with Kelp Watch program

BY DANIELLE JUNCAL, DANA POINT TIMES

I

t’s a good day when you have kelp slime on your hands.” said Julianne Steers, director of husbandry at the Ocean Institute, as she lifted a strand of freshly harvested copper-colored kelp from a plastic bucket.

The noontime sun shone down on the deck of the R/V Sea Explorer as a group of interns, volunteers and employees from the Ocean Institute rode out to collect kelp samples. A pod of dolphins tagged alongside the boat after the crew departed from the Dana Point Harbor toward the kelp forest site near San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The Ocean Institute is one of 31 participating groups of scientists along the West Coast—from Fairbanks, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico—who work with the Kelp Watch campaign.

It is a project designed to determine the extent of possible radionuclide contamination on kelp forests through seawater flowing from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plant, the Japanese nuclear site damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

The trip on Monday, July 7 to examine a kelp site off the coast of San Onofre was the second of three sampling periods, which happen every four months.

Results of the first sampling period did not show any recognition of Cesium—the main radioactive isotope studied—but the Kelp Watch project is ideally about “learning about changes and catching it early,” Steers said.

An assembly line formed once the R/V Sea Explorer reached the sampling site.

Britney Baum, coordinator of at-sea special projects at the institute, hooked and lifted large strands of kelp onto the bow deck as interns began removing blades from kelp stalks, or stipes.

Kelsey Remmes, an Ocean Institute

Britney Baum, coordinator of at-sea special projects for the Ocean Institute, fishes kelp out of the water near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station for interns to collect and document any effects from radioactive materials or wastewater. Photo: Danielle Juncal

aquarist, told interns and volunteers how to identify clean samples. Blades are ideal when they are about a foot long and are not coated with white bryozoans, or aquatic invertebrate animals, Remmes said.

Kelp blades were then placed between sheets of newspaper to avoid a post-harvesting mucus-like substance from gluing the samples together.

The interns involved with the sampling trip work with the institute’s Marine Science Careers and Internship Academy, a program that gives teens hands-on lab and field experience that could lead to an internship at the Ocean Institute. Most of those involved are high school juniors and seniors, who each work on an individual project of their choosing.

On Saturday, July 12, program participants presented the findings of their individual projects during the seventh annual intern symposium. Thirteen young students stood before their peers, families

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 Dana Point Times July 18-24, 2014

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

Page 10

and mentors to outline their projects focusing on topics such as sea slug reactions to light and hummingbird feeder attraction rates.

Many of the interns who worked on the R/V Sea Explorer in T-shirts and shorts were at the event, switching gears and their wardrobes to business attire and interactive PowerPoint presentations.

Initially, Kelp Watch was a pro bono project, but the USC-Sea Grant and California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology contributed funds to help the campaign stay alive.

“Even with the new grant, we’re working on [Kelp Watch] because it’s the right thing to do and the right thing to study,” Steers said.

The Ocean Institute’s sampling site is just offshore of SONGS, which permanently closed in 2013 after a small radioactive leak was discovered in one of the nuclear plant’s two reactors.

Steers said that since she’s been a part of monitoring the site, there has been no evidence of higher radioactivity due to the

proximity of natural kelp beds to SONGS. However, trace amounts of Iodine-131 were present in many of the sampling sites, including the Ocean Institute’s, due to wastewater fallouts like that from the San Juan Creek ocean outfall, which disposes of south Orange County’s wastewater.

The group has harvested between 16 and 18 pounds of kelp blade samples during each trip. Collected samples are then sent to Steve Manley’s lab at Cal State University Long Beach for gamma ray testing.

Manley works with Kai Vetter, from the UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the results from their 2014 scientific campaign will determine if further research is necessary.

For now, the Ocean Institute will return to the sampling site in October or November for their last trip with Kelp Watch.

For more information about Kelp Watch, visit kelpwatch.berkeley.edu and to find out more about the Ocean Institute, visit www.ocean-institute.org or call 949.496.2274. DP

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FOR SALE KING PILLOWTOP MATTRESS-NEW-$250!

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Not refurbished, never used. Need to sell ASAP! 949-842-9994 TV STAND FOR SALE 3 levels black glass. Hides cords. Great condition. Please call or text for more info and pitcures. $90 (949) 633-3860

HELP WANTED EXPERIENCED SEWER NEEDED San Clemente awning manufacturer seeking sewer with experience double needle machines. Full time with benefits. Call Art (949) 259-4000 Ext. 4010

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com Deadline 5 p.m. Monday. No phone calls please.

OTHER INTERESTING STUFF TO THE WOMAN OBSERVED being struck by a male companion on the eve of 7/12.

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Page 11

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DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

McCall Set for Fight Night in Dublin, Ireland

Ian McCall will fight Brad Picket as part of UFC Fight Night in Dublin on July 19. Courtesy photo

BY STEVE SOHANAKI, DANA POINT TIMES

A Dana Point’s Rob Pelkey, left, and Mitch Kahn compete in the dory boat races in last year’s San Clemente Ocean Festival. Photo: Jim Shilander

Lifeguard Contests Bring Excitement, History to Annual Ocean Festival

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

W

hen he was 9 years old, Rob Pelkey signed up to be in the San Clemente Junior Lifeguards.

One of the program’s many traditions occurred every year in mid-July, when youngsters would head to the San Clemente Pier to compete in and watch the Ocean Festival’s lifeguarding competitions.

Kelsey O’Donnell has a similar connection to the annual event, which takes place this weekend. O’Donnell used to come to watch her father compete and, when she turned 15, participated in her first Ocean Festival race. She has made a tradition out of returning to San Clemente for the event every year since.

Both currently serve as lifeguards in Los Angeles County.

What ties competitors like Pelkey, 46, and O’Donnell, 26, together is the long history of lifeguard competition at Ocean Festival, which, in 2013, they helped add to by winning the California Waterman and Waterwoman Championships, respectively. The California Waterman and Waterwoman trophies are given out to the competitors who accrue the most points in the open age group events over the two-day span.

This year, the events have been dubbed the Orange County Lifeguard Games.

There will no longer be California WaterDana Point Times July 18-24, 2014

man and Waterwoman trophies. Instead, the top-5 men and women in the open divisions will receive a cash prize. The format has changed, but whoever takes the top spot will still be recognized as the weekend’s most well-rounded competitor.

The Ocean Festival has many premier events, but it is this title of top waterman and woman that professionals, like O’Donnell and Pelkey, covet most.

“It means a lot. The event has such a long history and it’s always a highly competitive group you’re racing against,” Pelkey said. “There’s a lot of pride taken up and down the coast between departments. We take a lot of pride in who can get out of the break the fastest and swim the fastest.”

Finishing the weekend as the No. 1 point-getter is not easy and there are several factors involved in pulling off the feat.

For starters, lifeguards from Los Angeles, San Diego and as far away as Australia come to San Clemente to make up a deep and talented field. There’s also the fact that Ocean Festival takes place in the middle of summer when lifeguards are in top form, ensuring there will be heated battles.

“We definitely amp it up for Ocean Festival. We all kind of get excited about racing and training together and as the summer goes on, we are getting ready for

nationals,” O’Donnell said. “We are all in peak shape. It’s a good gauge for us to see where we are racing-wise.”

Both Pelkey, a Dana Point resident, and O’Donnell acknowledged that the San Clemente Pier’s unique surf break sets the event apart from others in the area and that one wave can make or break your weekend.

The surf breaks offshore by the pier, which gives the swimmers and racers more time to plan their exits and entries.

Successfully navigating the waves in a race takes experience, as well as a little luck.

“The surf is what makes Ocean Festival so fun. The surf always throws a wrench in racing. But it’s more fun to race when there is surf. You never know what’s going to happen,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell has moved up north to attend graduate school and will not compete at Ocean Festival for the first time in eight years.

Pelkey, who earned the most points for a second consecutive year in 2013, will be there to defend his title. He will not compete in as many events this year and plans on racing in the dory boat and surf ski contests. But that plan can change once he hits the beach.

“Once I get there that competitive side usually comes out,” Pelkey said with a laugh. DP

Page 12

fter nearly a year since his last professional mixed martial arts matchup, Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall, a Dana Hills High School graduate, is scheduled to face off against English fighter Brad “One Punch” Pickett at UFC Fight Night in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday, July 19.

Over the span of his near 13-year career as a pro MMA fighter, McCall, 30, has fought his last four fights in the UFC. A former wrestler at Dana Hills, McCall’s (12-4-1) first matchup in the UFC was against the current flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson (22-2-1), and ended in a draw. In their rematch, Johnson defeated McCall by unanimous decision.

Since then, the Orange County native has defeated one of his last two opponents, most recently beating Brazilian fighter Iliarde Santos (27-9-1-1) in August of last year.

McCall was originally scheduled to face off against Pickett (24-8) on March 8 at UFC Fight Night 37 in London, England, but was forced to withdraw from the card due to an injury. The move sparked controversy between the two fighters, as Pickett publicly claimed that McCall had faked the injury.

Currently ranked as the No. 4 flyweight (125 lbs.) in the world by Sherdog.com and No. 3 in the official UFC flyweight rankings, there’s a considerable amount of pressure on McCall to emerge as the victor in his bout with Pickett. The UFC has been known to cut fighters who have losing records in their organization, and McCall’s UFC record will be 1-3-1 if he loses in Dublin.

Pickett enters the match on the heels of a unanimous decision win over Neil Serry in March. Pickett is undefeated in the flyweight division and among the top contenders for the title. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS

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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

Dana Point Times July 18–24, 2014

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

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

POOL SERVICE & REPAIR

Palisades Pool Service & Repair

949.542.7232, allenesommo@cox.net

PSYCHOTHERAPY 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

Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Four weeks in print and online.

Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT

Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL

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

Page 13

33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, 949.488.2648, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com

Dream Team Properties, Mike Rosenberg, Broker 949.481.1788, www.FindMyOCHome.com

UPHOLSTERY

Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors

34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, 949.240.9569 www.jeddys.com

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View online at www.danapointtimes.com Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@ thecapistranodispatch.com

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DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Capo Beach Surfer Wins First ASP Event Luke Davis of Capistrano Beach won the 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco, his first Association of Surfing Professionals Qualifying Series victory

RESULTS 9th Annual WSA Menehune Pirate’s Chest Surf Fest, July 12, 2014, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street First place and local finishers only. GIRLS U10 SB PUSH-IN: 1. Lylah Collins, Costa Mesa. BOYS U10 SB PUSH-IN: 1.

Hayden Rodgers, Laguna Beach; 6. Hendrick Osterkamp, San Clemente. GIRLS U11 SB: 1. Bryce Ava Wettstein, Encinitas. BOYS U11 SB: 1. Isauro Elizondo, San Diego (Panama); 2. Hendrick Osterkamp, San Clemente; 4.

Ryder Salberg, San Clemente. GIRLS 11&12 SB: 1. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad; 2. Samantha Sibley, San Clemente; 3. Izzy Hopkins, Dana Point. BOYS 11&12 SB: 1. Kauli Vaast, Tahiti; 6. Luca Aza, San Clemente. GIRLS 13-16 SB: 1. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano; 2. Bethany Zelasko, Dana Point; 3. Erika Hunting, San Clemente; 4.

Lily Benjamin, San Juan Capistrano. BOYS 13-16 SB: 1.

Nathan Young, Fountain Valley. GIRLS U10 LB PUSH-IN: 1. Bella Turturro, San Clemente. BOYS U10 LB PUSH-IN: 1. Petey Romaniuk, Huntington Beach. GIRLS U13 LB: 1.

Liv Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 2. Izzy Hopkins, Dana Point; 4.

Nina Benjamin, San Juan Capistrano. BOYS U13 LB: 1.

Zach Hermanns, Newport Beach/Hawaii. GIRLS 13-16 LB: 1. Cate Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 2. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano; 4. Lily Benjamin, San Juan Capistrano.

BOYS 13-16 LB: 1. Jovan Smith-Scott, Huntington Beach; 2. Jared Bernier, San Clemente. PREMIER (FIRST CONTEST): 1. Brendan Smith-Scott, Huntington Beach.

For full results, see www.danapointtimes.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Luke Davis of Capo Beach won his first ever ASP QS event at the 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco, July 8 through 12, in Guerrero, Mexico. Photo: courtesy of Reef

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

A

first win in an Association of Surfing Professionals Qualifying Series event is an important milestone in every pro surfer’s career. For Capistrano Beach surfer Luke Davis, this landmark achievement came at the ASP 4-Star, Surf Open Acapulco, July 8-12 in Guerrero, Mexico.

The victory earned Davis 1,000 ratings points and put him in position to compete in upcoming ASP QS Prime events.

“It felt really good. I haven’t won one in a long time. So definitely it was a really amazing feeling,” Davis said. “Now I get to surf in the Primes for the back half of

this season, so I’m stoked about that. This boosts my confidence a lot and hopefully I can carry that on to the next event.”

Davis began his final campaign with a 6.33 (out of 10) but found his best score on his third wave, an 8.00, with an impressive string of maneuvers including two masterful airs. His back-up wave was a 7.97, to defeat Noe Mar McGonagle of Costa Rica, 15.97 to 13.63.

“I’m home now and preparing for the U.S. Open trials and the Hurley Pro trials.” Davis said. “After that I am planning trips to Bali and Japan. I just want to keep traveling and competing.” DP

July 20: California State Games, Camp Pendleton, Del Mar Jetty August 2-3: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 1, San Onofre State Park, Trail 6 August 9-10: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 1, Camp Pendleton, DMJs August 23-24: NSSA Explorer, Event No. 1 and No. 2, Pacific Beach, Crystal Pier September 6-7: NSSA Explorer, Event No. 3 and No. 4, Huntington Beach, Pier September 20-21: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 2, Ventura, Surfers Point September 20-21: NSSA Open, Event No. 1, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty September 27-28: NSSA Open, Event No. 2, Huntington Beach, Pier

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 70-72 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 8-12’+ fair Catalina: 20-25’ fair-good Immediate: Fading South swell will provide 2-4’ surf. Light wind in the morning will give way to a light to moderate sea breeze in the afternoon.

Longer Range Outlook: Minor swell mix for the weekend with a medium size SW swell lining up in the long range. Check out Surfline for more details.

Erika Hunting. Photo: Andrea Swayne

GROM OF THE WEEK

Erika Hunting

Erika Hunting, 14, of San Clemente is making the most of her summer, concentrating on the two most important activities in her life—school and surfing.

While completing a summer school class to get a jump start on her freshman year at San Clemente High School, she paddles out to practice shortboarding at least twice a day.

Her training paid off July 12 as Erika made her first ever podium appearance in a surf contest, taking third place in the Girls 13-16 shortboard division at the Western Surfing Association Menehune Surf Fest in Huntington Beach.

Surfing and school have always been important to Erika. Her mother’s family is from the North Shore of Oahu and surfing there with them since she was a little girl has made it a central part of her life. Not only a member of her Shorecliffs Middle School surf team, she also maintained a 4.0 GPA through middle school. She is looking forward to trying out for the SCHS surf team or taking Surf P.E. in high school.

“A few years ago I decided I wanted to take my sport more seriously, so I started doing WSA and Scholastic Surf Series events,” Erika said. “I take school really seriously too, so I want to do both well and not compromise one for the other. I just want to take surfing as far as it can go and see where it takes me. I really love it. I’m 10 times happier and feel 10 times better after surfing. I have to get in the water or I just don’t feel quite right.”—Andrea Swayne