November 28, 2014 by Dana Point Times

November 28-December 4, 2014

LO C A L

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

DHHS Students Restore Pocket Mouse Habitat PAGE 14 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 48

Meet the New Boss

CUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital looking forward to challenges E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 5

New Capistrano Unified School District Kirsten Vital comes to south Orange County from Alameda, but with experience in large and small districts. Photo: Allison Jarrell

City Council to Reorganize at Dec. 2 Meeting EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Local Surfer Leads History of Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Surfing Project DP SURF/PAGE 18

INSIDE: Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PAGE 9

POLLING IS UNDER WAY: VOTE FOR THE BEST OF DANA POINT AT DANAPOINTTIMES.COM

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING cholder said, however, that if language is included to that effect, there also needs to be language about the services available with a new medical center. The committee will meet again Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. The council may consider the proposal at one of its two scheduled meetings before that date. A new group, dubbed “Save San Clemente Hospital,” a nonprofit dedicated to keeping the current hospital open, has retained a former Riverside County District Attorney, Rod Pacheco, to investigate legal options to keep the hospital open. “This is nothing less than an issue of public safety for every citizen within the communities served,” Pacheco said in a release. “Their lives may depend on the hospital remaining open. Litigation has successfully stopped closures before, and we are confident we can achieve the same result here, if need be.”– Jim Shilander

A nonprofit group has retained an attorney to consider legal action to keep Saddleback Memorial’s San Clemente campus open. Photo: Jim Shilander

What’s Up With... Five things Dana Point should know this week Council Reorganization Coming Tuesday THE LATEST: The Dana Point City Council will reorganize at its Dec. 2 meeting, choosing a new mayor, mayor pro tem and swearing in three new council members. Councilman Carlos Olvera appears to be the most likely choice for mayor. Traditionally the mayor pro tem is chosen to serve in that office, however the current Mayor Pro Tem Steven Weinberg is terming out. Weinberg, along with the other two outgoing council members, Lisa Bartlett and Bill Brough will be recognized for their service and address the board for a final time as members. In the Nov. 4 election, Bartlett was elected to the position of Orange County Fifth District Supervisor and Brough for the 73rd Assembly District seat. The new councilmen, Richard Viczorek, John Tomlinson and Jim Muller will officially take their places on the dais. WHAT’S NEXT: The next meeting, scheduled for Jan. 6, will likely be canceled making the Jan. 20 meeting the first of 2015. FIND OUT MORE: See www.danapoint.org. —Andrea Swayne Dana Point Times November 28-December 4, 2014

Hospital Committee Further Examines Closure Issue THE LATEST: Members of San Clemente’s Hospital Advisory Committee were joined by representatives of MemorialCare at its meeting Thursday, Nov. 20. Hospital administrator Tony Struthers and Dr. Myron Wacholder, a member of the hospital’s board, were not at the first meeting of the committee, held Nov. 4, due to scheduling conflicts. The committee was formed in response to MemorialCare’s August statement announcing a proposed plan to replace the current hospital—located on Camino de los Mares on the San Clemente/Dana Point border—with an urgent care facility, eliminating the emergency room. Saddleback Memorial San Clemente campus is Dana Point’s nearest hospital and ER. Wacholder, a former emergency room physician, said he “wholeheartedly supports the transition to an advanced urgent care,” which he said would offer nearly all of the same services as the current facility, plus more advanced care in other areas. Struthers said MemorialCare has selected a potential developer and partnered with an architectural group to potentially put together its proposed advanced urgent care facility, which still must receive board approval. The proposal would include an advanced urgent care center, outpatient surgery center and relocating the current imaging center, now located in an office building across Camino de los Mares, into the facility. WHAT’S NEXT: The body also began working to combine a pair of ordinances for San Clemente City Council consideration officially opposing the closure. Much of the language is focused on the potential impact of the closure. Struthers and Wa-

Motorcyclist Killed on Interstate 5 THE LATEST: A motorcyclist from San Clemente was killed following a collision with a semi-truck on northbound Interstate 5 near the Camino de Estrella exit Sunday. The motorcyclist was identified Monday as 48-year-old Francis Earnest. A California Highway Patrol preliminary investigation indicated that at approximately 10:48 a.m., Earnest, who was traveling in the second lane from the median, attempted to go to the left, but collided with a Toyota 4Runner, driven by Gilbert Filko of Dana Point, that was occupying the lane. Earnest then veered to the right and collided with the semi-truck driven by Leroy Han of Los Alamitos, which was traveling in the No. 3 lane. Earnest was ejected from the motorcycle. An Orange County Fire Authority spokesman said Earnest was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. No arrests were made. The accident was cleared at approximately 2:15 p.m. Sunday.—JS

Another Store Confirmed for Estrella Plaza THE LATEST: The developer of the second phase of the Estrella Plaza rehabilitation project confirmed at least one new tenant, TJ Maxx, would likely be coming to the area at the San Clemente Planning Commission meeting Nov. 19. The plaza was the former home to Kmart and Big Lots in San Clemente, on Camino de Estrella at the Capistrano Beach/San Clemente border. Therese Hotvedt, president of Burnham USA, which owns a majority of the buildings in the plaza, confirmed the discount retailer had signed a letter of intent,

Page 3

though not a lease agreement, to take on the Big Lots property. The commission approved architectural and design permits for the second phase of the property unanimously. The project includes a refurbishment of several of the buildings east of the former Kmart, which is being improved by another property owner and those parallel to Camino Mira Costa. The current tenants of those buildings will be able to stay open during construction. WHAT’S NEXT: San Clemente’s Associate City Planner Sean Nicholas said he has already received construction documents for the Kmart property, which are currently being reviewed. This phase of the project is set to include Sports Authority, Stein Mart and Sprouts grocery store. The owners have a stated goal of opening by the end of summer 2015. – JS

Portion of I-5/Ortega Project Opens Early, Closures Continue at Estrella THE LATEST: Ortega Highway between Interstate 5 and Del Obispo Street in San Juan Capistrano reopened Monday, Nov. 24, following a three-week closure that allowed construction crews to reconfigure the highway, according to a statement from the Orange County Transportation Authority. The work was part of the I-5/Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project. Crews finished the segment of Ortega Highway a day early, opening the roadway Monday morning. Westbound motorists on Ortega Highway are now being funneled onto Del Obispo under the new configuration. Also open are the new portions of the southbound I-5 off-ramp, the new portion of the Ortega Highway bridge and the new southbound I-5 on-ramp. Motorists can drive, and pedestrians can walk, east or west across the bridge to get to businesses along Del Obispo, as well as those on the east side of I-5. WHAT’S NEXT: Work is continuing on the stretch of Ortega Highway between Del Obispo and El Camino Real. The segment is set to reopen by Dec. 5, restoring direct access to San Juan Capistrano’s Historic Town Center. Demolition of the north side of the Ortega Highway bridge over I-5 is scheduled to begin Dec. 12, and will take two nights to complete. The freeway will be closed during the demolition, and motorists will be detoured. In other I-5 work near Capistrano Beach, both northbound on-ramps from Camino de Estrella will be closed nightly from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4. FIND OUT MORE: See www.octa.net/ ortega. – Allison Jarrell/AS www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

New Superintendent Kirsten Vital is confident that her experience in partnering with cities and other agencies will help CUSD strengthen its facilities and student services. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Finding a Foundation in Community Superintendent focuses on strengthening education through collaboration BY ALLISON JARRELL AND JIM SHILANDER, DANA POINT TIMES

hroughout her 22 years in education, Kirsten Vital has found that building trust and utilizing teamwork are at the foundation of creating better schools and services for students. So when Vital was chosen as the new superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District, she knew sustaining and strengthening relationships with the district’s communities would be one of her primary focuses. “Everyone needs to be working together in order for children to succeed,” Vital said. “I think I come with a really collaborative spirit and openness to figuring things out together.” Vital comes to CUSD from the Alameda Unified School District, where she was also superintendent. She has previous experience at both the Los Angeles Unified and Oakland Unified school districts, and she’s worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and a college professor. While in Oakland, Vital partnered with the city and county to put clinics into each middle school in the district, an $18 million project. And in Alameda, she was able to spearhead the installation of a community pool by partnering with the city. “I’m always very open to doing partnerSuperintendency is not ships with cities,” Vital said. “Throughout always the most popular job, my career, I’ve seen that you can do some amazing things when you’re able to link because you have to make and connect partners around a collaboration.” some tough recommendaWhile Vital has grappled with some large issues during her tenure, her previtions, especially in really ous district is much smaller than CUSD, with 10,000 students spread across 10 tough fiscal times. elementary schools, two middle schools – Kirsten Vital and four high schools. CUSD has 53,000 students at 55 campuses in San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita; the communities of Las Flores, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Ladera Ranch and Wagon Wheel, and a virtual school. In order to better grasp the issues at each campus, Vital is in the midst of visiting each site by winter break. She’s met with hundreds of community members, from teachers and PTA leaders to parent volunteers and city staff members, and so far she’s seen a common trend—everyone wants to do what’s best for the children. But Vital is tasked with focusing that effort on short-term and long-term goals. Capistrano Unified faces a number of issues in the coming years, many concentrated in south county cities.

“

”

Dana Point Times November 28–December 4, 2014

FOCUSING ON FACILITIES During the economic downturn, the district was forced to cut deep into its budget, including using money previously earmarked for long-term facility needs in its general fund and laying off maintenance staff, thus exacerbating the needs at some of its oldest school, many of which are in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. In 2013, an assessment of facilities’ needs for the district was estimated at approximately $1 billion, though that was subsequently put at $822 million. The district has embarked on some of the most immediate repair work, including replacement of the roof at San Clemente High School last summer and a new HVAC system at Dana Hills High School. There were also a number of what former superintendent Joseph Farley called “curb appeal” projects at various campuses. With increases in funding from the state due to the passage of Proposition 30 in 2012, the Board of Trustees prioritized restoring school days and pay cuts that had been made as a result of the budget shortfalls. One of Vital’s priorities is to find a way to begin to address some of the district’s maintenance issues. In goals outlined at the last Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 12, Vital noted that in the short-term, upkeep can begin to take center stage by instating a facilities work order process, allowing projects to be prioritized. She noted that looking at the district’s facilities master plan and focusing on the fundamental needs at each site will also be an important next step. These basic needs include making facilities sufficiently “cool, warm, safe and dry.” “I think we need to move forward as one unified school district,” Vital said. “Having said that, there are differentiated needs that will have to be addressed at some point. Some of our facilities are much older than others. Some of our newer facilities may not be as strongly made. So there are different issues, depending on the city and the unincorporated area, that all need some kind of attention.” FINDING LONG-TERM FINANCIAL FIXES Changing the long-term financing options for the district is also an issue Vital will have to contend with. Many new schools or school improvements within the district and throughout the county’s population boom have come through community facilities districts, which only allow for funding of schools within the CFD, not into the general funding structure of the district. Another local issue will arise with the planned 2016 completion of Avenida La Pata between San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. San Juan Hills High School, which sits alongside the road in San Juan Capistrano, was partially built with funds from the Talega development in San Clemente, and parents there have been anxious about the possibility of sending their children to the school, as students from Talega receive priority over others in a school-of-choice system. However, the school is already nearing capacity without a large influx from elsewhere in

Page 5

the district, enough that some students scheduled to go to the school from Ladera Ranch were unable to do so during the recent school-choice period. Vital said significant work on school-ofchoice policy will need to occur within the coming months—work that will be done publicly with the district board. One way to work around CFD funding issues, Vital said, would be to look at other long-term funding mechanisms such as a bond, which the community would need to ask for. Vital successfully got a school facilities bond on the ballot in Alameda, which passed earlier this month. Such a bond could be a method to raise funds to deal with the district’s infrastructure issues. Another option is to carefully examine the language of the district’s many CFDs and define exactly how those dollars can be used, such as for work currently described only as “refurbishment” or “modernization.” Vital added that it will be important for community members to be a part of funding and policy conversations, which will likely be on the docket for January and February. THE RIGHT FIT Board of Trustees president John Alpay said Vital stood “head and shoulders” above other candidates during the district’s search, which included both nationwide and statewide candidates. Alpay said the district had been solidified by Vital’s predecessor, Farley, allowing her to have a solid platform with which to launch the district to success. Vital presided over relative labor peace at Alameda, which Alpay said was a key to continue after a strike in 2010, before Farley’s hiring. He also cited her experience working with charter schools in Oakland as a key to her selection, since no district in south Orange County has more such schools than CUSD. Vital said she earned her “fiscal chops” during her tenure in Oakland’s school district, which was in bankruptcy and relied on state loans. “I’ve had to make some really hard decisions in my career,” Vital said. “Superintendency is not always the most popular job, because you have to make some tough recommendations, especially in really tough fiscal times.” In addition to working on facilities and financing, Alpay said Vital and the board are committed to improving instruction. In Alameda, Vital implemented a reading and writing program that resulted in stronger eighth-grade writers and fifth-graders having a conceptual understanding of math. Vital also brings with her the perspective of becoming a new mother. Since adopting a girl last winter, Vital said her husband stays home full-time with their daughter—who now has six teeth and is learning to walk—so that she can have the space and time to help with the district’s 53,000 other children and young people. “I think becoming a mom has made me an even better educator,” Vital said. “After this much time supporting families as children’s first educators, it’s enlightening and exciting to have those experiences myself.” DP www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY ANDREA SWAYNE

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, November 25 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Victoria Blvd./Sepulveda Avenue (6:50 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for two motorhomes—one green and white and the other blue and white—parked on Victoria Blvd. The vehicles had only been there for the day but have been spotted all over the city. The caller “pays taxes and doesn’t want these creepy vehicles around.” DISTURBANCE Harbor View Drive, 24500 Block (6:48 p.m.) A man called police when his girlfriend locked him out of the house. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Breezy Place, 33400 Block (4:37 p.m.) A caller reported seeing a neighbor “taking potting soil into poopy bags” and throwing it into the community trash bins. The subject was described as a woman with her hair in a “bunny thing” and wearing a blue flannel shirt over a white shirt and light blue pants. DISTURBANCE Street of the Silver Lantern, 34000 Block (3:07 p.m.) A loud carpet cleaning machine had been creating a disturbance for the past two days, non-stop. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Pacific Coast Highway/Ritz-Carlton Drive (2:34 p.m.) A man described as older, in his 60s, with a slender build and white/gray hair was seen taking pictures of girls at Salt Creek Beach.

Monday, November 24

UNKNOWN TROUBLE Danateak, 32900 Block (9:02 a.m.) A man reported seeing someone on his roof, trying to break in through a skylight. PETTY THEFT Camino Capistrano, 34200 Block (12:26 a.m.) An approximately 19-year-old man with black hair, wearing black pants, a white shirt and black tie made a “beer run” at Circle K. He got away with a 12-pack of Pabst.

Sunday, November 23 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive, 24200 Block (11:15 p.m.) Six subjects wearing all dark clothing and carrying flashlights were seen looking into vehicles at the Ocean Institute parking lot and rummaging in the back of a pickup truck. Some of the subjects were on bicycles. DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Dana Strand Road, 34300 Block (11:06 p.m.) A group of about 15 subjects were “blasting” music and filming skateboard activities in the Strand Vista Park parking lot.

Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary hosts high school students at 25th annual Vocational Day BY STEVE SOHANAKI, DANA POINT TIMES

CITIZEN ASSIST Street of the Golden Lantern/ Santa Clara Avenue (7:01 p.m.) A bartender reported ongoing issues with a man trespassing and “slandering the caller’s name.” DISTURBANCE Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (3:55 p.m.) An employee at a dollar store reported a disturbance caused by a man who was “eating the merchandise” and “thinks he lives on another planet.” The man, who was described as being in his 50s and wearing a gray shirt with yellow stripes and gray pants, mentioned something to the employee about sniffing glue. PETTY THEFT REPORT Monarch Bay Plaza, 0 Block (3:25 p.m.) Two “gypsy” women in long black skirts and two juveniles, one with a Mohawk hairdo, made their getaway in a dark blue minivan. The value of the loss reported was $300. SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Dana Point Harbor Drive, 24200 Block (3:02 p.m.) An RV was emitting an odor that “smells like crack.” The caller also reported recent excessive loitering by transients in the area. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Pacific Coast Highway/Ritz-Carlton Drive (9:48 a.m.) Deputies received a call reporting a suspicious “puffed up” 2-liter bottle in the Salt Creek Beach parking lot.

CITIZEN ASSIST Del Obispo Street/Stonehill Drive (1:20 p.m.) A man said a woman driving a white car in the Albertson’s parking lot hit a shopping cart that then hit his van, causing damage. The woman drove away.

Saturday, November 22

Dana Point Times November 28-December 4, 2014

Rotary Mentors Youth

VANDALISM REPORT Caspian Sea Drive, 32600 Block (8:53 p.m.) A tree in a man’s back yard was cut down while he was away on vacation.

DISTURBANCE San Juan Avenue, 24600 Block (1:46 p.m.) Two transients threatened to break into the caller’s vehicle because they thought the caller had their property.

Successful entrepreneur Tina Aldatz delivers a motivational speech to juniors and seniors from Dana Hills and Aliso Niguel High Schools at the Rotary Club’s 25th anniversary Vocational Day. Photo: Steve Sohanaki

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34000 Block (3:24 p.m.) Skateboarders were using the stair rail to do tricks. The caller was afraid they would “kill themselves.”

hen Tina Aldatz burnt her feet at the beach by stepping on hot coals hidden under the sand from a previous barbeque, her life changed forever. The Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club hopes her story and others will change the lives of local students by offering motivation for success. Aldatz and two other speakers—Jim Madrid, founder and CEO of Advance Sports Technology, Inc. and the current mental conditioning coach for the Cal State Fullerton athletic department and Leigh Steinberg, a successful sports agent—addressed local students at the Rotary Club’s 25th annual Vocational Day Symposium held at Laguna Cliffs Marriot on Nov. 19. The purpose of the event was to encourage high school students with the inspirational life stories and insights of successful professionals. Dozens of juniors and seniors from Dana Hills and Alison Niguel high schools were in attendance. “When I stepped on those coals I received very painful burns on the bottom of my feet,” Aldatz said. “Little did I know, those burns became my destiny.” Because of the pain caused by those burns, Aldatz would always sew shoe soles into her shoes to make them more comfortable. Eventually she founded her own company called Foot Petals and became millionaire. Following her entrepreneurial success, Foot Petals was listed as one of the “500 fastest growing companies in America.” Additionally, Aldatz was featured in Forbes Magazine as an “entrepreneur to watch” and received the 2011 National Latina Business Women Association’s Business Woman of the Year Award. Talking about how she became a

Page 6

wealthy entrepreneur and businesswoman wasn’t the only story Aldatz told the young crowd of high school students. Being a high school dropout, Aldatz spoke of the financial hardship she endured while growing up in a poor, dysfunctional family. It was these experiences that gave her motivation to always work hard even long before she became an entrepreneurial millionaire. “My parents were both criminals and drug addicts, the whole nine yards, but I always loved them,” Aldatz said. “I eventually got a tailoring job at Victoria Secret and worked my way up from there until I became an entrepreneur.”

It’s very motivational “because she set goals and

”

actually accomplished them.

—Andrew Alcantara, Dana Hills Senior

When Aldatz was asked what she would change about her life if she could go back, she said her biggest regret was never getting an education. For Andrew Alcantara, a senior at Dana Hills, Aldatz’ story was impressive because of her accomplishments. “It’s very motivational because she set goals and actually accomplished them,” Alcantara said. Another student attending the event was Dana Hills junior Max Batterton who was also fascinated by her motivation. “It was really interesting when they talked about how their mindsets were always set to succeed,” he said. More information about the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club can be found at www.monarchbeachrotary.com. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

A Nation of Immigrants On the holiday of the first illegal immigrants who among us doesn’t have an émigré bloodline?

n the current American conversation the topic of Immigration has become almost ubiquitous. From morning news to late night talk shows, the future of more than 11 million undocumented residents is being heatedly debated. So as we celebrate a holiday honoring America’s first illegal immigrants there is much to reflect about the historic lineage of people arriving on the American doorstep. The Pilgrim’s new world arrival was an uninvited ingress into the great Wampanoag Confederacy. The natives however, were quite accommodating to the struggling band of refugees. They had fled Britain’s wrath for their heretical religious beliefs, and been dispatched with an exit visa from Holland as well. Not only did the wampumladen native Americans stamp the Pilgrims’ work permits, they allowed them to apply

Letters to the Editor PARKING AND SPENDING PLAN NEEDED FOR TOWN CENTER BETTY HILL, Capistrano Beach

Everyone wants Town Center and its businesses to be successful, which is a goal of the Town Center Plan. A costly problem in Town Center which urgently needs to be addressed is the lack of adequate public parking. Public parking is a critical requirement for the success of Town Center. Dana Point must develop a plan before more projects are approved. Dana Point has already committed to providing Majestic Development and its 109 unit condo project in Town Center with some of its required parking at an undetermined location and cost to the city. The city’s many questionable parking concessions to developers will add to the parking deficiency, such as the 8 percent Dana Point Times November 28–December 4, 2014

for permanent residency—as long as they took care of their own social services. Not even a year into their tourist permit, however, the starving Plymouth Rock roundheads were on the dole, begging food-stamps from the Indians while begrudgingly getting a public education in how to plant and harvest new world crops necessary for survival. They still spoke not a word of the country’s language, but relied entirely on an interpreter—Squanto. The natives had good reason to offer the Pilgrims new world cuisine. Think of it—our recent immigrants gave us pizza, hotdogs, sushi, orange chicken, spring rolls, tacos, burritos and pork rib barbeque. The Indians got English food. England was experiencing a wave of corruption not dissimilar to Mexico today. Religious WAVELENGTHS By Jim Kempton violence not withstanding, there were major drug cartels like the East India Trading Company shipping millions of pounds of opium with the tacit support of British government officials. It wasn’t long before these Englishmen forged a new nation of 13 colonies. Then the Irish came, speaking mostly Gaelic, building our canals and railroads. Next came the Germans, moving to the Midwest building the factories and breweries of Milwaukee, St Louis, and Chicago. For two generations most only spoke German. And so it continued: Cantonese-speaking Chinese building the Trans-continental

reduction for bicycle spaces. PCH street improvements have also eliminated many parking spaces. Purchasing land for parking could cost an estimated $1.3 million for each parcel, plus development costs. Leasing property to provide parking is an interim solution that still requires spending for leasing fees, paving, street access, signage and maintenance. The City Council was told by its parking consultant that new parking spaces would cost an average of $40,000 each. The Town Center redevelopment is a major and costly project that has cost approximately $20 million to date, for our small city with its limited financial resources. For example, I believe the city has approved roughly $560,000 for an archway feature spanning the entry to Del Prado and the cost of decorative banners. The city’s taxpayers, rather than developers, are bearing the cost of revitalizing Town Center. In fairness to all Dana Point residents and businesses, the projected costs and a spending plan for Town Center should be provided and is long overdue. Please visit my website at www.savedanapoint.com.

Railroad; Yiddish- speaking Jews building the garment and film industry; Sicilians of Little Italy coming as shoemakers, tailors and restaurateurs; the pre-world War II Nisei-speaking Japanese bringing sophisticated irrigation and agricultural methods. Of course no history would be complete without acknowledging the African American slaves, immigrants of compulsory status, who built the entire southern plantation industry and great swaths of the industrial heartland from Pittsburg to Chicago. In my generation the Saigon refugees from Vietnam, and now the Hispanic wave undergirding our massive Agribusiness. Each group was initially met with scorn and prejudice. Albert Einstein, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Henry Kissinger, Neil Young and Mikhail Baryshnikov all slipped into this country initially undocumented—either as refugees, asylum seekers or collaborators in science, music or sport. They, like all the other immigrants, made this nation great. The current wave of Hispanic immigrants includes millions of illegal residents. But if Congress’ ‘temporary work recess’ ever ends, and they actually legislate reforms, our newest immigrants will be in good company. Jim Kempton loves America, and all its amazing immigrants. His biggest query is why no one has ever asked Superman for his work permit. 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

CLARIFICATION: In last week’s issue, the story that appeared in print about City Council’s approval of the Coastal Development Permit for the commercial core portion of Dana Point Harbor revitalization, the next step in the process was inadvertently omitted. Following City Council’s Nov. 18 approval, the plan will be sent back to the California Coastal Commission for a substantial issue hearing to determine whether the current appeal filed against the plan is valid. If the Coastal Commission decides no substantial issue exists, the City Council’s approval of the CDP will be official. Should the Commission find a substantial issue does exist within the appeal, a new hearing in which the Commission will consider the CDP, will be scheduled. Following official approval of the CDP, construction plans will be submitted to the Orange County Building Department for building permits. 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.

Page 8

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 Swayne, 949.388.7700, x113 aswayne@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

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Picket Fence Media Group Senior Editor, City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor, > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING PICKET FENCE MEDIA Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jacqueline DeMarco, Catherine Manso, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent Gift Guide Illustration by avean/iStockphoto.com

Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 48. 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

PRAYER BRACELET $15

CUSTOM PILLOW $99

IRON LAYING MERMAID $19.99

Bella Bazaar 34135 Pacific Coast Hwy. Dana Point, CA 92629 949.429.6200 bellabazaar.com

VANCE KATIRA CANDLES $7.99 and up

SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP $150 Initiation Fee / $50 Monthly Food & Beverage Minimum

GOLF MEMBERSHIP $500 - $1,500 Initiation Fee $175 - $500 Monthly Dues No Cart Fees

Bella Collina San Clemente 200 Avenida La Pata San Clemente, CA 92672 949.333.4830 bellacollinasanclemente.com

Bella Collina San Clemente 200 Avenida La Pata San Clemente. CA 92672 949.333.4830 bellacollinasanclemente.com

STAND UP PADDLE BOARD, INCLUDES PADDLE AND FINS $650

WHEELE SURFBOARD BIKE RACKS Prices Start at $229

30 DAYS UNLIMITED YOGA $30 â&#x20AC;˘ Save $15 Holiday Sale normally $45

Outrigger Surf 24302 Del Prado, Dana Point, CA 92629 949.388.7722 outriggersurf.com

Stewart Surfshop 2102 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672 1.800.265.8882 stewartsurfboards.com

Sun Salute Yoga 24582 Del Prado, #G, Dana Point, CA 92629 949.371.6097 sunsaluteyoga.com

Bella Bazaar 34135 Pacific Coast Hwy. Dana Point, CA 92629 949.429.6200 bellabazaar.com

DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 28 A CHRISTMAS CAROL 8 p.m. The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future lead Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., Sunday performance at 2 p.m. Runs until Sunday Dec. 21. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 29 THANKS TO THE OCEAN BEACH CLEANUP 9 a.m.-noon. Join park interpreter Vicki Wiker for the last beach and creek cleanup of the year. Bring gloves and meet at the lifeguard headquarters building by San Juan Creek. For more information see www.dohenystatebeach.org. Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, 949.496.2704. DANA POINT FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Seasonal produce, flowers and much more at La Plaza Park each Saturday. 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org. PUTTING ON THE GLITZ 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Celebrate the holidays in downtown San Clemente with sparkling lights, train and carriage rides, refreshments and carolers. Free. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, www.san-clemente.org.

MIKE WALLACE 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live music at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com. RICO BROWN 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Live music at Harpoon Henry’s. 34555 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 949.493.2933, www.windandsearestaurants.com/harpoonhenrys.

La Colombiana Pollo Asado is grilled chicken breast, marinated in citrus juices and served with plantains, rice and salad. Right: La Colombiana owner Eddy Bashoor. Photos: Samantha Hammer

Restaurant Spotlight: La Colombiana

Sunday | 30

BY SAMANTHA HAMMER, DANA POINT TIMES

ddy Bashoor grew up in La Tebaida, Quindio Colombia. Lemons, vinegar, olive oil, carrots, peas and potatoes were staples in her mother’s homestyle cooking. At a young age Bashoor loved cooking and paid close attention to her mother’s recipes, hoping to someday come to the United States to open her own restaurant. “Coming to the U.S. was like thinking I could go to the moon,” Bashoor said. She held onto the dream until the opportunity presented itself 46 years ago when she came to America. Once in the States, Bashoor got experience working in several Orange County restaurants. Never afraid of hard work, she often held three or four jobs at one time. Harold Alzate, Bashoor’s older son, said he always knew he would give his mother her dream one day. In September, La Colombiana opened, just three months before Bashoor’s 69th birthday. Sensational aromas waft from La Colom-

WINTER WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Jan. 20. See more events at www.danawharf.com. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603.

Monday | 01 CAPT. DAVE’S WHALE WATCHING Times vary. Trips available every day of the week. Get up close to marine life aboard a Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari trip. Prices vary depending on the vessel. Call for more information. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

Tuesday | 02 CHILDREN’S STORYTIME 10 a.m-10:30 a.m. Stories for children 18-35 months and 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. for ages 3-5 years, at the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

EDITOR’S PICK

Wednesday | 03 WATERLOGGED WEDNESDAYS MOVIE NIGHT Sundown. Hobie Surf Shop presents one Bruce Brown film per month through June 2015. Tonight’s movie is Surf Crazy (1959). Free. 34174 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.496.2366.

Thursday | 04 GONE COUNTRY 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Country music and dancing at the Point Restaurant. 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy,, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com. This courtesy rendering shows an example of the lighting displays to be included in the IlluminOcean exhibit.

NIGHTLY THROUGH JANUARY 4: ILLUMINOCEAN HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For 40 nights the Dana Point Harbor will be lit up with lights including 22 large-scale ocean-inspired holiday sculptures and 23 miles of glowing LED strands. Weekends will feature street performers, glow merchandise and “Whale Eyes” 3D glasses that give the lights a holographic look. The event is free for all to attend and will be held through January 4. Dana Point Harbor Drive, www.mydanapoint.com/dana-point-illuminocean Dana Point Times November 28-December 4, 2014

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5: MUM MARKET 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Shop and share good vibes at the Mum Market and support businesses owned or operated by mothers. Runs Saturday, Dec. 6 as well. Shop for holiday décor, handmade goods, clothing and more, from over 40 local vendors. Free. $5 photos with Santa. Grab a bite at the marPage 13

biana’s open kitchen where fresh tamales, chicken, pork, fish and her signature empanada specialties are lovingly prepared. The restaurant is quaint and colorful, a reflection of Bashoor’s charm and love for all of the restaurant’s PRICE RANGE: operations. $2 - $16.95 Outdoor seatPAYMENT ACCEPTED: ing is available Cash and credit cards on the patio. HOURS: 10:30 a.m.La Colom9 p.m. Tuesday through biana serves Thursday, 10:30 a.m.breakfast, 10 p.m. Friday and lunch and din8 a.m.-10 p.m. ner and a chilSaturday and Sunday dren’s menu is available. Wine and beer are also offered. “I am really blessed to open in San Clemente,” Bashoor said. “I love the people here. They are amazing and so supportive to me.” 1640 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.441.7656, www.lacolumbianaoc.com. ket’s gourmet food trucks. For more info, email fuelingmoms@gmail.com. 25975 Domingo Ave., Capistrano Beach. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5: FANTASEA HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Boaters parade through the Dana Point Harbor aboard boats decorated with festive lights and other displays. View the event free from anywhere in the Harbor. Dana Point Harbor Drive, www.danapointharbor.com. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6: WINTER FESTIVAL AND TREE LIGHTING Noon-7:30 p.m. Event includes food, music, face painting, pony rides, carnival games, a petting zoo, real snow and more. Tree lighting ceremony at 5:15 p.m. The movie, Miracle on 34th Street will be shown at 5:30 p.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the OCFA Spark of Love Toy Drive. La Plaza Park, Dana Point, 949.348.3530, www.danapoint.org. 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

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

The Singles’ Dilemma Comparing an ex-love to someone new

ating and meeting someone compatible is difficult for singles at age 50. By the time they reach 70, the challenge is even greater. Compounding the problem can be when singles compare the people they meet to their ex-spouse or ex-significant other. Such is the case for Gale, age 75. She emailed, “I’m hoping someone out there can help me with this: I’ve been a widow since 2008 and was married to Ian, an incredible man. In fact, you included the story of our relationship in your book, How 50 Couples Found Love After 50. “Ian and I met on the Internet. We lived in different states. We even shared the same Nov. 20 birthday. We lived together for two years before marrying in 2004 on Valentine’s Day. He died four and a half years later. “The problem is I can’t stop comparing what I had to the men I meet and date. I don’t know how to get over this. I realize there will never be another Ian, but can’t seem to get past the comparisons, and of course, no one can compare with what I had because of this. I’d welcome suggestions.” I’m not sure I can give Gale a good answer. Perhaps readers who have gone through a similar situation will shed light on what Gale has described. It reminds me of the words from Paul Simon’s song, “Graceland:” “Losing love is like a window in your heart. Everybody sees you’re blown apart.” My guess is that Gale will never stop comparing the men she meets to her deceased husband. Although he’s been gone for six years, her love for him was greater than anything she will ever feel for another man. But, maybe she can have a nice companionship with a man who only wants companionship as well. Perhaps the new man would feel the same way about a love that he has also lost. If she meets a man she enjoys spending time with, her feelings about her ex should be revealed early in the relationship. Hon-

esty is needed here, but without turning the new man off. If a new man has to be top dog of all of the loves she’s had in her life, the relationship won’t work. Perhaps meeting a widower who has been through a similar situation would be a good direction for her to go. They might both understand each other and accept each other’s feelings. I’m sure Gale realizes she will never stop comparing the men she meets to her ex. But if she can just sort of tuck her feelings away into a closet in her heart, then she might find a form of happiness to help her appreciate a new man. She also has to be aware that meeting someone who fits her criteria will not be easy. The ratio of ON LIFE AND single women to single LOVE AFTER 50 men is at least four-to-one By Tom Blake at age 75. And, she has to realize there is a possibility that she could suffer another loss if a new man she cares about passes away before she does. One thing Gale needs to avoid: When meeting a new man, she should not go on, and on, and on, about Ian. She can mention him, of course, but referring to him too much could chase a new man away. Gale’s dilemma will strike a chord with many older singles who have lost the love of their lives and compare them to the new people they meet. I’d love to hear the experiences of readers who feel the same as Gale. Tom Blake is a San Clemente resident and Dana Point business owner who has authored three books on middle-aged dating. To comment, email to 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 DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com

Advanced Placement Environmental Science students from Dana Hills High School joined other schools on Nov. 15 in a friendly competition to enhance habitat for an endangered species at the Headlands. Photo: Courtesy of CNLM

High School Students Shine in Habitat Enhancement Project BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

igh school students in Advanced Placement Environmental Science at San Clemente, Dana Hills and San Juan Hills high schools took part in a habitat enhancement project and contest for the endangered Pacific pocket mouse at the Center for Natural Lands Management Dana Point Preserve at the Headlands on Nov. 15. The second annual volunteer project pitted teams from the three high schools in three categories of friendly competition— quantity, quality and teamwork.

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 November 28-December 4, 2014

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

The endangered Pacific pocket mouse. Photo: Courtesy of CNLM

Page 14

“We had students from each high school remove dead shrubs and woody debris from a pre-designated, 25-squaremeter grid cell area on the Preserve to create more open sand areas to benefit the Pacific pocket mouse,” said Lee Ann Carranza, preserve manager for the CNLM. After nearly four hours of hard work, the teams gathered for a pizza lunch hosted by Sean Vogt, Dana Point natural resources protection officer, at the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. Dana Hills, directed by teacher Dolores Dang-Wright won in the quantity category. They were also the first team to complete and entire grid cell. San Clemente, under the direction of their teacher Lisa Kerr, won the day’s teamwork award. San Juan Hills students were recognized for the quality of the material they removed, leaving great improvement to the habitat areas cleared. Their collective effort enhanced over 60 square meters of pocket mouse habitat, a great accomplishment, according to Carranza, considering the Preserve is only 29.4 acres and the average home range of the Pacific Pocket Mouse is expected to be about 8 meters. “Their three and a half hours of work was also the equivalent of one person working for 70 hours,” she said. “CNLM would like to thank Dana Hills, San Clemente and San Juan Hills High School AP Science students, their teachers and the City of Dana Point.” DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS

Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FITNESS EQUIPMENT PILATES REFORMER Black Aero pilates reformer. Folds up for easy storage. Great workout at home. $175. 949.533.9761

FOR SALE CASH REGISTER Cash Register for sale-All in working order. Great for a small or new business. Keys included. $60. Please contact: 949.933.0122 HARLEY HANDLE BARS Chrome, 8-inch, T Bars (drag specialties). Slight curve back. $70. Can send pictures. Text or call 949-633-3860 for more info.

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

SERVICES LOCAL HOUSEKEEPER OR OFFICE CLEANING Reliable, affordable, meticulous. Excellent references. 949-573-8733

WANTED LOOKING FOR ROOM RENTAL Working female college student. Can pay $300 per mo. Non-drinker, non-smoker, quiet. Please call Jerry 949-364-6456

Do you want to reach 10,000+ people in the Dana Point area every week? Then you need to be in the Dana Point Times. Call us today! 949.388.7700 ext. 102 Dana Point Times November 28-December 4, 2014

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or email lloynes@danapointtimes.com

Page 15

www.danapointtimes.com

DP LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com

ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING

Nona AssociatesRaymond J. Nona A.I.A

26901 Camino de Estrella, 949.496.2275, www.raynona.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto

34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

DANCE/FITNESS

Club Salsa Dance Studio

34202 Camino Capistrano Capistrano Beach, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

IMAGES/Creative Solutions

117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

INSURANCE SERVICES

Patricia Powers

24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, 949.496.1900, pat.powers@cox.net

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

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

PET GROOMING

Dawgy Style

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, 949.496.3315, www.alphadoggroomshop.com

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

POOL SERVICE & REPAIR

Palisades Pool Service & Repair

Locals Only Buisness Listings

LIST LOCALS ONLY

USE

949.542.7232, allenesommo@cox.net

State Farm/Ted Bowersox

Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT

LOCALS ONLY

Statefarm/Elaine LaVine

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

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL

In print and online 52 weeks a year.

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com 34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net

LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

449 Avenida Crespi, 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

LOCKSMITH

Dana Point Lock & Security

949.496.6916, www.danapointlock.com

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Kenny’s Music & Guitars

24731 La Plaza, 949.661.3984, www.kennysmusicstore.com

PSYCHOTHERAPY 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

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

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Dolphin Report

Dana Wharf Fish Count COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

he state has closed sculpin fishing until January, which has forced the fishing expeditions out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching to focus on catching rockfish for the winter months, Dana Wharf Captain Brian Woolley explained in his most recent fish report. Due to the availability of live squid bait and the warm summer water cycle, the fall season was filled with historic fish counts off the shore, according to Woolley. If the live squid bait keeps coming their way, Woolley anticipates the next few weeks will be ideal for catching cod. Wooley says the best set-up for the fullday trips are heavy sinkers for deep water. For the half-day trips, dropper loop set-ups and heavy egg sinkers have been the most effective. Woolley advises bringing plenty of heavy sinkers, as the hard bottom areas lined with kelp can take it away at times. Here is the latest fish count out of Dana Wharf. NOVEMBER 25 3 boats; 122 anglers: 32 sand bass, 27 calico bass, 14 sheephead, 12 rockfish, 5 halfmoon perch, 3 sargo, 1 bonito, 1 cabezon, 1 copper rockfish. NOVEMBER 24 2 boats; 55 anglers: 72 rockfish, 46 vermillion rockfish, 15 bocaccio, 12 calico bass, 8 sand bass, 4 sheephead, 1 bonito. NOVEMBER 23 3 boats; 117 anglers: 76 vermillion rockfish, 40 rockfish, 16 sand bass, 15 boccacio, 11 sheephead, 5 calico bass, 2 halibut, 1 cabazon. NOVEMBER 22 3 boats; 84 anglers: 111 rockfish, 39

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

For in-game updates, news, scores and more for all of the Dana Hills High School sports programs, follow us on Twitter @ SouthOCsports.

Dolphins Boys Cross Country Advances to State The Dana Hills boys cross country team is heating up at the right time. At the CIF-SS Finals at Mt. SAC on Nov. 22, the Dolphins continued their torrid pace with a second-place team finish in Division 1, earning them a trip to the CIF State Cross Country Championships Nov.

Large halibut, like the one seen here, are still lurking in the waters around Dana Point. Courtesy photo

vermillion rockfish, 28 sheephead, 18 sand bass, 15 boccacio, 14 perch, 8 calico bass, 7 bonito, 4 sargo, 1 cabazon.

Dolphin Report BY THE NUMBERS COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

NOVEMBER 20 2 boats; 21 anglers: 88 vermillion rockfish, 22 rockfish, 19 calico bass, 8 sand bass, 2 sheephead, 2 boccacio, 1 bonito.

s the fall prep sports season comes to an end, we take a look back at standout Dana Hills High School performances and moments.

NOVEMBER 19 2 boats; 24 anglers: 31 sand bass, 18 rockfish, 11 sheephead, 7 calico bass, 5 whitefish, 3 bonito.

208

NOVEMBER 18 3 boats; 47 anglers: 118 rockfish, 59 vermillion rockfish, 14 boccacio, 3 copper rockfish, 3 whitefish, 3 sheephead, 2 yellowtail, 2 lingcod, 1 cabazon, 1 sand bass. DP

Rushing yards for junior running back Connor McCloud in the Dolphins Sept. 18 game against Villa Park. McCloud burst on to the scene in this game, averaging 10.9 yards per carry, and scored a touchdown.

142

Number of kills in 33 sets played for Dana Hills girls volleyball’s junior outside hitter Ayla Fresenius. During the stretch, Fresenius averaged 4.3 kills per set.

29 at Woodward Park in Fresno. The Dolphins were led by junior Jake Ogden, who placed third in Division 1 and posted the seventh fastest overall mark in the boy’s division. Ogden looped the course in a time of 14:52. Junior Mason Coppi and senior Alex Smith placed 10th and 13th, respectively, in Division 1 to help the team rack up points. As a team, the Dolphins posted the fi fth fastest time across all divisions. The Dana Hills girls cross country team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the state meet after finishing eighth in Division 1. Only the top-7 teams from each division earn a berth in the state meet. Sophomore Kathryn Kaloroumakis had the 45th fastest overall time in the girl’s division and placed 14th in Division 1. Kaloroumakis’ time of 18:10 was good enough to qualify for the state meet as an individual. Junior Sienna Serrao finished 16th in Division 1 with a time of 18:17.

125

Goals scored on the season by Dana Hills junior water polo player Bennett Williams, the fifth-best mark in the county this year. Williams averaged just over four goals per game and recorded 55 assists and 72 steals.

Assists recorded by Dolphins water polo senior Marko Asic on the season, the highest mark in the county. Asic also notched 97 goals and scored the most penalty goals (10) in the county.

Match medals won by Dana Hills senior golf Tori Hummel this year. Hummel’s eight medals were the seventh-best medal count in the county. WE WANT TO RUN YOUR SCORES, RESULTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS IN “SCOREBOARD.” E-mail sports@danapointtimes.com, fax 949.388.9977, mail or drop off the info to us at 34932 Calle del Sol, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 by each Monday at 5 p.m.

DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Celebrating Women Surfers Women’s surf history archive project director Sheri Crummer announces campaign kick-off BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

he history of surfing has tales to tell about the amazing women who have been a part of it all since the beginning. The problem is, their stories are scattered throughout pages and pages of surf history written about men and far from complete. Sheri Crummer of San Clemente and Cori Schumacher of Carlsbad, have announced the kick-off of a funding campaign for the History of Women’s Surfing, a new project aimed at creating a complete online archive of women’s surf history from around the world by collecting the stories of female surfers and filling in the blanks with stories yet to be told. Crummer, a three-time U.S. amateur longboard champion, and Schumacher, a three-time world longboard champion and women’s surfing advocate, have co-founded The History of Women’s Surfing online project as the first major undertaking of the nonprofit Inspire Initiative. The initia-

RESULTS Local finishers only. KEY: SC=San Clemente, DP=Dana Point, SJC=San Juan Capistrano, LN=Laguna Niguel. Full results available online at www.sanclementetimes.com. NSSA Open Event No. 5, November 22-23, Newport Beach, 54th Street JUNIORS: 3. Kade Matson, SC; 4. Hagan Johnson, SC. BOYS: 1. Kade Matson, SC; 2. Jett Schilling, SC. MINI GROMS: 2. Dane Matson, SC. WOMEN: 1. Malia Osterkamp, SC; 2. Allie Frost, SJC. GIRLS: 1. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 2. Bethany Zelasko, DP. PERFORMERS OF THE EVENT: Kade Matson, SC; Hagan Johnson, SC. NSSA Open Event No. 4, November 15-16, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach MEN: 2. Conner Dand, SC. JUNIORS: 4. Kade Matson, SC. BOYS: 1. Kade Matson, SC; 4. Hagan Johnson, SC. MINI GROMS: 1. Dane Matson, SC; 3. Brayden Burch, SC. WOMEN: 1. Samantha Sibley, SC; 3. Allie Frost, SJC. GIRLS: 3. Bethany Zelasko, DP. PERFORMERS OF THE EVENT: Kade Matson, SC. WSA Championship Series, Event No. 4, Nov. 8-9, Pismo Beach, Pier MICRO GROM BOYS U9: 2. Makai Bray, SC; 3. Maddox Bray, SC; 6. Peyton Shaw, SC. MICRO GROM GIRLS U10: 1. Sawyer Lindblad, SC; 2. Bella Kenworthy, DP. BOYS/ GIRLS U10: 3. Dane Matson, SC; 6. Maddox Bray, SC.

Dana Point Times November 28-December 4, 2014

Cori Schumacher of Carlsbad and Sheri Crummer (right) of San Clemente have announced the kickoff of a fundraising campaign for a new History of Women’s Surfing project. Photo: Andrea Swayne

tive is a 501(c)(3) organization focused on empowering and enriching women of all ages through surfing with a focus on education, media literacy and building a core community of leaders who will impact the world. “It became really apparent to me when I lost my dear mentor Donald Takayama (a surfing and shaping icon with one of the most celebrated careers in surfing) in 2012 that a project like this, where we’re still able to physically talk to the surfers we surf with and communicate their sto-

BOYS U12: 2. Taj Lindblad, SC; 4. Dane Matson, SC; 5. Nicholas Coli, SC; 6. Jimmy Wynne, SC. BOYS U14: 6. Taj Lindblad, SC. BOYS U16: 2. David Economos, SC; 3. Noah Hohenester, SC. GIRLS U14: 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 4. Jayme Linnes, SC. BOYS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Ben Kappes, Laguna Niguel; 3. Jimmy Wynne, SC; 4. Hayden Millerick, SC. JR. LONGBOARD U18: 1. Kaimana Takayama, SC; 3. Ben Kappes, Laguna Niguel. GIRLS LONGBOARD U14: 3. Izzy Hopkins, DP; 4. Malia Mauch, SC. GIRLS LONGBOARD U18: 4. Izzy Hopkins, DP. SENIOR MEN 40-49: 4. Gavin Haughey, Laguna Niguel. LEGENDS 50-59: 1. Masaki Kobayashi, SC; 2. Jeff Jessee, SC; 5. Brent Jessee, SC. OPEN MEN: 4. Jeff Jessee, SC. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 1. Kaimana Takayama, SC.

UPCOMING EVENTS December 6-7: WSA Championship Tour Event No. 5, San Clemente, Pier December 13-14: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 3, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach December 20-21: NSSA Open Event No. 6, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Seaside Reef January 10-11: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane January 17-18: WSA Championship Tour Event No. 6, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty

ries while they’re still living, is important, “ Schumacher said. “For me that was the main impetus. I grew up surfing with the legends and the legends are all starting to die. I want to capture their stories before they pass.” Secondarily, she said, a lot of the stories of women’s surfing are dotted in different places, in between thousands of pages of men’s stories—in books, on shelves—few and far between and often difficult to find. “I thought it would be amazing to have a completely accessible, exhaustive archive of women’s stories available to the new generation of surfers for the 21st Century, all up online,” she said. “And adding to that, all the stories I’ve heard but haven’t seen written or otherwise communicated yet.” The fundraising campaign will run through Dec. 15 on Indiegogo.com. “Our stories are important and should be told as they really happened, not as portrayed by mainstream surf media and Hollywood over the years,” said Crummer. “There are so many women who have contributed so much to women’s surfing and we want to bring them to light and honor them for their contributions.” To contribute to the project, visit www. indiegogo.com/projects/history-of-women-s-surfing-online. For more information about the nonprofit, the project and links to the fundraiser, log on to www.theinspireinitiative.org and www.historyofwomensurfing.com. Those who have stories, photographs, movie clips or other information to contribute should send an email to hwsurfin@ gmail.com or mail the Inspire Initiative at PO Box 2147, Carlsbad, CA 92018. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 66-68 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: Local: 8-12’ Fair Catalina: 12-18’ Fair-Good Friday: West-northwest swell that peaked Thursday morning with shoulder to overhead waves, (4-6’+) at well exposed spots will ease and continue to fade on Friday, for 3-4’ surf in the morning. Light winds in the morning with clean conditions. A light+ onshore sea-breeze picks up over the afternoon. Longer Range Outlook: New South swell and NW-WNW swell mix moves in for the weekend with 2-3’+ surf. Check out Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook!

January 17-18: NSSA Explorer, Events No. 3 and 4, Huntington Beach, Pier

Page 18

GROM OF THE WEEK

HAGAN JOHNSON

Hagan Johnson. Photo: Kurt Steinmetz

Hagan Johnson, 11, loves surf competition. You can tell by the sheer volume of heat sheets regularly displaying his name. Along with local specialty events, he now competes in the NSSA, WSA and Surfing America Prime. A surfer and a scholar, this ‘A’ and ‘B’ sixth-grader also competes in the SSS as part of the Shorecliffs Middle School surf team. “I like to compete because it’s challenging,” Hagan said. “There are really good surfers in all the divisions I do, but I really like surfing up.” Surfing up in last weekend’s NSSA Open at Newport Beach, Nov. 22 and 23, Hagan hit a milestone in his amateur career—making the finals in the Open Juniors division among surfers 15 and under. He ended the event in fourth place but said he felt most satisfied with his semifinal heat. “I came out ahead of some really good surfers in my semi—Ryland Rubens and Eithan Osborne,” he said. “It wasn’t easy. They both had over 16 points. I was thinking that I should just try my best because I really didn’t have anything to lose in that division.” Hagan went all out and it worked. “I was doing super critical turns in the pocket,” he said. “I wasn’t going for a bunch of little snaps; I was doing big power hacks and stuff. Getting to the finals makes me more confident against the older guys.” Hagan really enjoys doing as many events as he can because he knows they provide the building blocks toward a future pro career. His next event will be WSA Event No. 5 at the San Clemente Pier, Dec. 6 and 7. “I am looking forward to going out there and trying to win,” Hagan said. “I surfed there a lot when I was younger so I know the wave really well. Also, hometown contests are cool because so many of my friends will be there and it’s a lot of fun.”—Andrea Swayne www.danapointtimes.com