January 15, 2016

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January 15-21, 2016

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Dolphin Report: Boys Hoops Fails to Close against Chargers PAGE 12 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3

Tapped In

South County’s craft beer Renaissance E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 4 Craft House owner and chef Blake Mellgren, sous chef Crews Wells and sous chef Jason Naaman share craft beers on the patio of the soon-to-open Dana Point Lantern District restaurant. Photo: Alex Paris

Assembly Health Committee Denies Hospital/ER Bill EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Four Kids and a Dog: Dana Point Discoveries DP LIVING/PAGE 10

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Prime Series U18 Surfers Excel in Epic Steamer Lane Surf DP SURF/PAGE 14

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landscape design services to enhance Dana Point’s public medians and parks.—AS

Teachers Urge District to Settle Labor Negotiations

Five things Dana Point should know this week

Senate, Assembly Health Committees Vote Against Free-standing ER Bills THE LATEST: Trying the legislative route to create a free-standing or satellite emergency room in San Clemente was unsuccessful for local advocates.

Hoping to get a bill past the first legs of the legislative hurdle, Assemblyman Bill Brough, San Clemente Mayor Bob Baker and Saddleback Memorial Medical Center administrator Tony Struthers spoke in favor to the Assembly’s Health Committee hearing Tuesday of a bill that would allow for a free-standing emergency room in San Clemente. Committee members voted down the bill 6-10.

In August 2014, MemorialCare announced its intention to transform its Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente campus—Dana Point’s nearest hospital and ER—to an advanced urgent care facility. By current law, ERs are not allowed to exist apart from full-service hospitals, so the change would leave the tri-city area without.

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 787, Sen. Patricia Bates’ similar bill, was heard by that branch’s Health Committee. Similar arguments were repeated in the debate, and the committee did not reach a majority to pass the bill to the Senate floor—two aye votes, no nay votes, but seven abstained votes put an end to it.

Bates and Brough released a statement on Wednesday following the Senate Health Committee hearing.

“This says a lot more about a flawed process than anything else, and in no way reflects upon the City of San Clemente, Saddleback Memorial, or our residents, who made a compelling case for the need to take action now,” the statement said.

“Fundamentally, we are deeply troubled

by Sacramento’s failure to recognize the scope of the problem and support these enduring community health care needs.

With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the rapidly changing health care industry, California must develop a comprehensive plan of response.”

Opposing the bill were the California Nurses Association, Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West and the California Labor Federation.

Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

Teachers and supporters clap for Capistrano Unified Education Association representatives who spoke during public comment about ongoing labor negotiations at Wednesday’s Capistrano Unified School District meeting. Photo: Allison Jarrell

The main concerns about the bill, specific to local needs, were that a freestanding emergency room would not offer adequate cardiac or stroke emergency services or on-site surgery and that there was not wording in the bill to protect patients from paying emergency room fees as opposed to urgent care fees. The opponents were also not satisfied with Saddleback’s response to questions regarding a sufficient blood bank on site.

WHAT’S NEXT: It’s possible that a pilot program could come to the area to explore the possibility of a free-standing ER specific to area needs, but unless the law is tailored to allow it, Saddleback Memorial San Clemente may end up moving ahead with their original plan to convert the facility to an advanced urgent care, without an ER. —Eric Heinz

Wayne Rayfield to be Honored with Pat Plepler Award THE LATEST: The Dana Point Historical Society has announced its choice for the annual Pat Plepler Citizenship Award is Wayne Rayfield.

Upon his retirement from World Bank and 1994 move to Dana Point, Rayfield commenced his longtime civic involvement, fighting the proposed airport at El Toro. Since then Rayfield has served as a former mayor and city councilman, chairman of the Ocean Institute Board and is currently serving his second term as president of the South Coast Water District Board of Directors.

The family of Pat Plepler, who passed away in 2007, made a donation to the

Historical Society to create the community award in her memory, for recognition of individuals or groups whose active citizenship have made a difference in the city.

WHAT’S NEXT: The award will be presented at the Historical Society’s annual meeting and potluck dinner, beginning at 6 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the Community House, 24642 San Juan Avenue. The public is invited to attend but asked to bring a potluck dish to serve six to eight people.—Andrea Swayne

Landscape Volunteer Event Re-set for Jan. 16 THE LATEST: Capo Cultivates, a committee of the Capo Cares community organization, has teamed up with the city’s Parks and Recreation department for a rose pruning event at 10 a.m., Jan. 16 at Gazebo Park on Palisades Drive in Capistrano Beach.

In the event was originally scheduled for Jan. 8 but was canceled due to rain.

The Capo Cultivates committee is led by resident member Mary Therese Spivey with its focus being to involve citizens in landscape beautification projects in Capo Beach.

The event will include a lecture and rose pruning demonstration followed by volunteers pruning and fertilizing the roses at Gazebo Park. The city of Dana Point will be picking up the clippings and will provide participation waivers for volunteers to sign.

WHAT’S NEXT: Volunteers should bring sharp pruning shears, gloves, water, sunscreen and/or a hat.

The city, through Capo Cultivates, is working with a professor and students at Saddleback College who are offering free

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THE LATEST: Well over 100 teachers and supporters sporting lime green “Settle Now!” stickers filled the Capistrano Unified School District board room Wednesday night, occupying many of the seats and lining the back wall during the brief, two-item meeting.

During public comment, two representatives from the Capistrano Unified Education Association spoke to the group’s reasons for attending the meeting, including shedding light on labor negotiations between CUSD and CUEA that have been ongoing since September.

CUEA president Sally White told the Board of Trustees that teachers are “tired of begging for a raise.”

“They have been worn out and worn down by constant changes to education that come from above,” White said. “Since 2007-2008, they’ve only seen 2 percent added to the salary schedule; that’s 0.25 percent a year.”

White noted that Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2016-2017 budget delivered good news this week in terms of increased education funding statewide.

“Please show them by your budgeting that they matter … that someone is noticing what they’ve been doing a shoestring for too many years,” White implored.

WHAT’S NEXT: Negotiations between CEUA and CUSD are set to continue on Jan. 22.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.danapointtimes.com. –Allison Jarrell

CUSD Seeks Higher Pay for Substitutes THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday night to have staff analyze a pay increase for the district’s substitute teachers.

CUSD currently pays its substitute teachers $90 a day, $100 per day after 10 days and $221 per day after 40 days of work. In order to become more competitive with neighboring districts such as Irvine Unified, Laguna Beach Unified and Saddleback Valley Unified, trustees asked staff to bring back an analysis of increasing the district’s rates to $115 per day and $130 after 40 days.

WHAT’S NEXT: Staff will present its findings to the board for approval at a future meeting. —AJ www.danapointtimes.com

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ated with Oktoberfest in mind. DiLibero was inspired by the similarities between the German festival and San Clemente’s Fiesta Music Festival held annually on Del Mar Street, and he knew the summer heat necessitated a crisp lager. Another unique beer that’s coming out this week, Orange County IPA, derives its flavors from actual Orange County oranges as well as Mandarina Bavaria hops, which smell remarkably like mandarin oranges.

It seems fitting that craft beers’ influences are so various, since the way people experience craft beer varies so much.

“You might not be able to describe the complexity,” DiLibero said, “but there’s a lot to talk about not just the flavor itself but how it makes you feel as a person.

What does it remind you of? Does it smell good? Is it harsh? Drinkable? You break it all down and then start talking about the flavor profiles. The more you explore, the easier it gets to talk about complexity and the little things.”

South County’s craft beer Renaissance PHOTOS AND STORY BY ALEX PARIS, DANA POINT TIMES

P

erhaps the greatest advantage of beer is its versatility. It can be simple in taste or extremely complex. It can be as pure as four ingredients or formulated to adopt almost any flavor from any ingredient imaginable. It’s the amenable, unassuming nature of beer that’s conducive to widespread appeal. There’s a flavor out there for everyone, and some people become so passionate about those flavors they feel compelled to create and share them with everyone else. It’s an inherently community-forming craft.

Pioneers of the local craft scene, such as Pizza Port and Left Coast, have helped create a thirst for quality that they themselves—and a new wave of passionate entrepreneurs—aim to quench. The beer culture in south Orange County is diversifying and expanding, and listed below are the breweries and some of the trendsetters contributing to that shift in the tri-city area.

ARTIFEX BREWING COMPANY

PIZZA PORT BREWING COMPANY After opening their doors in Solana Beach in 1987 and again in Carlsbad in 1997, Pizza Port chose San Clemente as its third locale in 2003, making it the first brewery to establish a presence within the city’s borders.

The company has been brewing its own beer since 1992 and the San Clemente Pizza Port is no exception, offering patrons a wide array of house-made craft beer, much of which is served exclusively on location.

Pizza Port brewer Trevor Walls said customers constantly push him to adapt their selection. A small cask stashed in a fridge behind the bar is symbolic of Pizza Port’s experimental, community-centric way of brewing. It holds one-off beers with ingredients almost everyone loves but almost no one else brews with—things like Mexican chocolate, Nutella and even Captain Crunch cereal. The brewery has also been known to utilize ingredients from the farmers market down the road in addition to indigenous herbs such as sage.

Walls said his first taste of Pizza Port’s El Camino IPA—the first India Pale Ale brewed in San Clemente—came long before he began working for the brewery.

A big part of what makes San Clemente brewers unique, he said, is that they all make exceptional IPAs. Though the brewpub serves a wide variety of styles on tap, a whopping six out of 24 are IPAs—a result of the constant demand from customers for new variations of the style.

Walls attributed some of the local preference for IPAs to how it complements the bold local flavor in the area, such as the spice of Mexican fare and other bold cuisines.

Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

Above: A glass of beer brewed at Pizza Port San Clemente sits among some Amarillo hops the brewery uses in some of their beers. Below: Head Brewer Trevor Walls describes some of the characteristics of their The Hops Awaken beer poured from the fermenter behind him at Pizza Port San Clemente.

South Orange County in “general is a culmination of a lot of people; it’s a melting

pot. So their beer has to be

”

unique; it’s got to stand out.

— Pizza Port Brewer Trevor Walls

“South Orange County in general is a culmination of a lot of people; it’s a melting pot,” Walls said. “So their beer has to be unique; it’s got to stand out.”

LEFT COAST BREWING COMPANY Established in 2004, Left Coast Brewing Company is the second oldest brewery in San Clemente and by far the largest in volume and distribution. The brewery offers six beers available in bottles yearround in addition to a beer club that grants participating patrons priority access to two different bottles of barrel-aged beer every three months.

Left Coast’s barrel-aged beer is occasionally available on tap at their tasting room in San Clemente, which is set to add three more taps in the near future. The brewery is also preparing to open a new taproom near the Spectrum Center in Irvine, which will sport 20 to 30 taps, with up to 10 taps allocated to barrel-aged beers.

Master Brewer Randal DiLibero said the inspiration for new beers comes from a variety of sources. Sometimes the brewers will discuss the beer they’re drinking and suddenly have an epiphany. Or, as in the case of their triple IPA, it comes from customers’ demand for a certain style. The Del Mar Street is a German-style beer cre-

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The fledgling brewery is growing up fast, with enough popularity to triple their capacity from 1,200 barrels of beer to 6,000 before their second anniversary. Though standing on their own now, the San Clemente brewery was originally hamstrung by delayed construction, which resulted in Pizza Port lending a hand and a brewery to produce their first beer, San Clemente IPA. That beer inspired the crowd favorite “No Name IPA,” and the brewery is now known for its hoppy beers. But they’ve already won awards for their Irish Red and Schwarzbier, and have a wide variety of other styles such as Unicorn Juice, the passion fruit flavored American Wheat Style, and a Honey Blonde Ale that’s available only at Board and Brew.

The way the brewery seamlessly transitions into the tasting room creates “the feel of a production facility, kind of like sitting in the kitchen of a restaurant.

We wanted it to be that way because you get to interact with everyone” said Tom Cordato, a partner at Artifex.

And Artifex listens to the court of public opinion: if sales are down on a particular beer for a couple months, they won’t brew it again and brew something else instead.

In an effort to offer something new, Artifex recently acquired eight wine barrels to age beer in. They also hope to start bottling for the local market by the end of the first quarter and open a tasting room outside of the tri-city area by the end of the year.

Artifex originally chose San Clemente for its geographic centrality and for the potential Orange County has to emerge as a craft beer-centric place.

Johnny Johur, one of the brewing partners, was surprised by how friendly and helpful other breweries have been and said local collaboration with the brewers at Pizza Port and Left Coast provides motivation and inspiration to “continually make better beers.” www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Tommy Shankland serves up craft beer tasters at Artifex Brewing Company’s tasting room and brewery in San Clemente.

The BrewHouse serves up 30 beers on tap at their tasting room in San Juan.

Left Coast Brewing Company’s Voo Doo Stout is bottled and packaged by hand at their brewing facility and tap room in San Clemente.

THE BREWHOUSE The unassuming locale and casual atmosphere of The BrewHouse conceal an almost daunting selection of 30 rotating taps of craft beer, one of which is the establishment’s recipe brewed in collaboration with Valiant Brewing, and none of which have been repeats since The BrewHouse opened its doors last year in San Juan Capistrano. Guiding visitors through the menagerie of brews are the owners, bartenders, brewers and beer enthusiasts, Ron Bland and Andrew Reed.

“Every individual who comes in here has a different way of looking at things and different things that they want out of their experience, so you just have to figure out what that is based on that individual,” Bland said. “I can sit down with someone and in 10 minutes get a good idea of what their palate is really like.”

Although they keep a few familiar beers on tap, some brews are so exclusive that Reed and Bland have to pick up the kegs themselves because the brewers don’t distribute. Perhaps the most exclusive beer they serve is their own, which, for the moment, can only be had there. It’s a Belgian strong blonde style that cycles with its two variants—a blackberry version called Berry Vunderf’l and a cherry version called Rainy Sundae that has “a Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

(From left) Craft House sous chefs Crews Wells and Jason Naaman and chef and owner Blake Mellgren pose on the patio of their soon-to-open Dana Point restaurant.

very robust cherry quality without tasting like cough syrup or anything like that because we use real cherries instead of artificial flavoring,” Bland said.

Bland first developed his craft beer palate by purchasing bottles of the same style of beer from different breweries and sharing them with fellow members of his beer club, the Orange County Beer Society. The BrewHouse’s massive list of bottles and brews on tap demonstrates that he still does a lot of purchasing but now shares them with his customers.

DOCENT BREWING San Juan Capistrano has a new brewery in planning called Docent Brewing. Partner Joe Wilshire recently signed a lease for property close to the San Juan Creek Trail on Calle Aviador and hopes to open the brewery sometime in the third quarter of this year, contingent on state approval.

Wilshire and his three partners plan on brewing a wide spectrum of beers mainly for the residents and visitors of San Juan Capistrano.

“We really want to focus on our tasting room, having a place the locals can go to hang out to taste new recipes and take a growler home,” Wilshire said. “It will all be indoors but will have nice views of the mountains.”

DANA POINT/CRAFT HOUSE While Dana Point has yet to add a local brewery to its landscape, a handful of the city’s restaurateurs have embraced craft beer as an integral part of their dining appeal. Establishments such as The Shwack Beach Grill, StillWater Spirits & Sounds and the soon to open Craft House have made a point of offering diverse selections of craft brews. The Shwack has 12 taps and usually at least one serving a brew from San Clemente to accompany its beach town atmosphere. StillWater has 50 beers on tap with a portion dedicated to a different local brewery each month to serve a variety of their styles—this month it’s Left Coast.

Olamendi's Mexican Restaurant in Dana Point recently started serving "Olamendi’s Cerveza California" on draft, their house beer brewed by Indian Wells Brewing Company of Inyokern, California. Jorge Olamendi Jr., a manager at the restaurant, describes their private label lager as "a mix between Bohemia and Pacifico [beers], smooth, without a bitter bite."

Though the name hints at brewing, Craft House isn’t in the business of brewing its own beer. However, Dana Point’s newest eatery, slated to open in early March, values craft brew and plans to have a house beer on tap called 1914 Heritage Ale—an extra special bitter style co-

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branded with AleSmith Brewing Company of San Diego.

“We chose that for the house beer because it’s the happy medium between the hop enthusiast and the light beer drinker,” said Craft House owner and chef Blake Mellgren. “It’s something that fits the full spectrum.”

The restaurant will have seven other craft beers on tap representing breweries from San Diego to Paso Robles, with an eclectic farm-driven menu to pair with them. They describe their food and drink menus as “living, breathing things” that will be different every time a diner visits.

Craft House sous chef Crews Wells describes their philosophy in the same way that local craft brewers do.

“As much as we want to educate people and share our knowledge with people, we’re not trying to tell them how it is,” Wells said. “We’re trying to figure out their palate and the best way to make them happy.”

The restaurant will open with limited hours initially. Eventually, Mellgren plans to expand their hours to include Mondays, dedicating them to tap takeovers, full beer dinners, wine dinners and industry nights.

With more breweries cropping up on the horizon, south Orange County is poised to develop a reputation as a destination for unique, quality beer. 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.

Tuesday, January 12 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Del Prado Avenue, 24500 Block (4:27 p.m.) A man in his 40s was seen looking in the windows of an empty business. The caller is the only tenant left in the building, which is scheduled for demolition in a month.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Pacific Coast Highway, 32900 Block (1:25 p.m.) A man tried to pay with counterfeit money at CVS. The subject was described as being in his 40s and driving a blue Jeep.

SHOTS HEARD-NO SUSPECT INFORMATION Calle Las Flores, 34700 Block (12:52 p.m.) A transient man reported hearing a gunshot at the location.

BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Camino El Molino, 34400 Block (4:32 a.m.) A woman said she heard a knock at her window. When she went to the window someone forced their way in, ransacked her room and stole her prescription medication, she said. According to authorities, it appears the subjects were known to the caller. Investigation is ongoing.

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway/Doheny Park Plaza (4:18 a.m.) A patrol check was requested at a bus stop when a transient man was seen fighting with a transient woman. The man was restraining the woman on the bus stop bench and the woman was crying and trying to get away.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Granada Drive, 33900 Block (12:52 a.m.) A patient at a rehab facility called police saying the “staff is giving everyone drugs.” The caller hung up when the dispatcher tried to transfer the call to another station.

Monday, January 11 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (10:34 p.m.) A caller requested a patrol check for a motorhome and a brown and white Chevy van in the Smart & Final parking lot. The caller told deputies people were living in both vehicles.

Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

DISTURBANCE Del Obispo Street, 33500 Block (5:28 p.m.)

A 25-year-old transient man with a dog entered a business, stole candy and was pestering customers.

FRAUD REPORT St. Michael, 0 Block (4:31 p.m.) A man received a phone call from someone who told him he must pay $995.16 in order to avoid a warrant being issued for his arrest for missing a “federal jury selection case.”

The man gave the person on the phone his credit card information and the card was immediately charged.

DISTURBANCE Monarch Beach Resort, 0 Block (3:45 p.m.) Two men were being disruptive on the golf course.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Via Espinoza/Via California (2:50 p.m.)

A man was lying under a tarp inside a gray Ford Taurus.

Sunday, January 10 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Seabright Drive/Ocean Hill Drive (3:19 p.m.) A blue Mercury with stuffed animals in the rear window was occupied by two people using a bong.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Via California, 26400 Block (10:19 a.m.)

A woman with brown hair, pulled up into a ponytail, and wearing black workout clothes walked into the caller’s home. The woman “rambled on and on” and wandered through the house before leaving on foot, headed toward the freeway.

Saturday, January 9 DISTURBANCE Camarillo Street/Christina Drive (9:06 p.m.) A man and a woman were seen throwing punches at each other in front of “the halfway house on the corner.”

DISTURBANCE Camino El Molino, 34400 Block (1:05 p.m.) A manager asked for deputy assistance when a patron refused to leave and barricaded himself in his room. No weapons or drugs were present.

Friday, January 8 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Priscilla Drive, 24500 Block (4:47 a.m.)

Two men and one woman wearing heavy jackets and carrying satchel bags were seen checking car door handles.

Thursday, January 7 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Christina Drive/Acapulco Drive (2:56 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a man ringing doorbells on Christina Drive, telling neighbors he was just there to “say hello to all the nice people in the neighborhood.” The caller described the man as a heavy-set 20-year-old, wearing a hat and a white T-shirt, carrying a blue or green backpack and “acting strange.”

Wednesday, January 6 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Crown Valley Parkway, 32700 Block (4:21 p.m.) A caller requested a patrol check after seeing a two-door sedan that was “moving weird” while parked in a parking lot. The caller believed there were people inside “fornicating.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Caracas Street/Questa Way (12:36 p.m.) A caller asked a man who was going door-todoor what he was doing. The subject told the caller he was “trying to meet all the neighbors.” The caller didn’t believe the man and found his friendliness suspicious.

The subject was described as an 18- to 20-year-old wearing a gray beanie, a gray sweatshirt and gray pants.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Monarch Bay Plaza, 0 Block (10:49 a.m.)

A man told police a patient’s mother came into the business and said something about “praise Allah” and that she would be back “to kill everyone.”

FOUND PROPERTY Camino El Molino, 34400 Block (7:28 a.m.) A woman reported finding a jacket and a phone left in her backyard sometime during the night.

Tuesday, January 5

BRANDISHING A WEAPON Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (1:01 p.m.) A man who was refusing to leave his hotel room came out with a knife.

CITIZEN ASSIST Doheny Park Road, 34100 Block (1:29 a.m.) A man from New Jersey who was driving a blue BMW called police from a gas station because he didn’t know how to pump his own gas and there was no attendant at the station to help him. The man couldn’t understand the instructions

on the pump or instructions given by the dispatcher.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC Street of the Amber Lantern/Pacific Coast Highway (7:28 p.m.) A man was reportedly “being stupid, doing what drunken people do, undressing himself and being obnoxiously loud.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block (10:20 p.m.) Four to five commercial vehicles were parked in the Smart & Final parking lot. The occupants were reportedly partying and possibly sleeping in the vehicles.

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Community Meetings TUESDAY, JANUARY 19

City Council Meeting 6 p.m. Dana Point City Hall, Council Chamber, 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

Dana Harbor Toastmasters 7 p.m.-

8:30 p.m. Fine tune your public speaking skills each Tuesday at Capo Beach Church, 26975 Domingo Avenue, Capistrano Beach, 949.492.7181, 1707. toastmastersclubs.org.

South Orange County Toastmasters Meeting 7 p.m.-8:40 p.m. Practice be-

coming a more confident communicator on Tuesdays at Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Avenue, Dana Point, 949.429.1794, 3944816. toastmastersclubs.org.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20

Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club

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, Dana Point, www.monarchbeachrotary.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23

Recycling Event at Dana Hills High School 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Residents can

drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the school parking lot for students to collect and sort for recycling.

Funds collected are distributed by the school’s PTSA. Future events will be held Feb. 6, Feb. 20, March 5, March 19, April 2, April 23, May 7 and May 28, rain or shine. For more information, email president@dhhsptsa.com. Dana Hills High School is located at 33333 Golden Lantern in Dana Point.

MONDAY, JANUARY 25

Planning Commission Meeting 6 p.m.

Dana Point City Hall, Council Chamber, 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2

TBID Meeting 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The Tourism Business Improvement District meets at City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

City Council Meeting 6 p.m. Dana Point City Hall, Council Chamber, 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS GUEST OPINION: Straight Talk by Al Jacobs

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 > Eric Heinz City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Art Director > 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 Melissa Calvano Evan Da Silva Debra Holm Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 9, Issue 3. 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 2016. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE DANA POINT T IMES

Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

The Horse’s Mouth

T

he article’s title caught my eye: “How to get ahead, from the horses’ mouths.” Its author, Harvey Mackay, a prominent businessman and columnist, is a man intimately familiar with financial success; I hoped to pick up a few ideas.

The entire article consisted of quotations from the top brass of some of America’s largest public corporations. From Warren Buffet, chief executive Berkshire Hathaway: “Follow your passions. Find something you love.” Keith Wandell, former CEO Harley-Davidson: “Stay true to your values and principles.” Meg Whitman, CEO Hewlett Packard: “Be clear what matters most. And what matters most is your family.” Mary Barra, CEO General Motors: “Do something you love. If you are doing something you are passionate about, you are just naturally going to succeed.” John Gainor,

Letters to the Editor THERE IS A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY TO INCREASE SECURITY THAN ADDING STREET LIGHTS IN CAPO BEACH NANCY WEAGLEY, Capistrano Beach

Having read Donna Dyke’s letter in last week’s Dana Point Times regarding street lighting in Capistrano Beach, I certainly have to agree that times have changed since I moved here 52 years ago.

We now have problems which, until the past few years, did not exist.

Some people are calling for the city to install lighting throughout our area. This would be a very expensive proposition for the city and do a good job in ruining the ambience of Capistrano Beach, which is why many people moved here in the first place.

There is a much better solution to the lighting issue. Times have changed to the good also, as we have many more advanced electronics than ever before. If homeowners choose to have more lighting to protect their property, there is an easy, inexpensive way that can be accomplished to whatever degree is desired.

Motion-activated spotlights (or swivel lights) can be installed at the front of your home and even all around your home if so desired. They are cost efficient and some

CEO International Dairy Queen: “You need to treat every employee no different than how you want to be treated.” Ginni Rometty, CEO IBM: “Never define yourself as a product. If you do, you will lose sight of who your customer is.”

And so the verbiage poured out. Arguably, it may have been inspirational, but not one insightful word on how to get ahead. Of course, considering the source, this is as expected.

Exactly how corporate executives successfully politick their way into the top echelon is not something many would care to divulge. And, understandably, when they become a part of the STRAIGHT TALK ruling hierarchy, they

By Al Jacobs and their fellow cohortsin-possession get ahead by systematically draining off the company’s assets with relative impunity. The simple fact is the principal reason public corporations exist is so their officers and directors can draw benefits from them.

Now, if you really want advice on how to get ahead, here are a few tips directly from

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

also have surveillance cameras installed in them, should you choose to go that route.

These protect your home much better than a street light will, as lights suddenly coming on generally send the unwanted visitor quickly on their way.

Since I installed such a light, my locked cars that are often parked in front of my home are illuminated if someone gets too close. Another person in my neighborhood has sensor lighting on both sides of their home, as well as in the backyard.

This works!

I ask you to think about this easy solution. Each owner can control the amount of light around their home and not have glaring street lights shining from dusk to dawn.

Yes, we have dark streets, but those dark streets have protected us for many years from having people just driving around at night to “case the area.” Most outsiders don’t even realize we are here!

We need to think long and hard before demanding that the city light up Capistrano Beach Palisades.

and taking good care of the dog until he could get him to the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. He was hesitant and not terribly confident, but he did it.

As a founding member and longtime volunteer (33 years) I am very proud of the work we do. With the support of our two cities, the dedicated manager, the director, our dog trainer—who never gives up—and our Animal Control officers, I couldn’t be prouder.

The volunteer group, Pet Project Foundation, with the community’s help, works very hard all year raising funds to take the very best care of the animals until we find them their forever homes.

To see a child walk out with their first pet, or a young couple starting out, to the lonely elderly who need the unconditional love and companionship that only an animal can bring, is what it’s all about.

I’ve often said, “You can’t be in the animal business and not be in the people business too.”

Thank you.

It does indeed take a village.

THANKS TO TOM BLAKE, ON BEHALF OF HOMELESS ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES THEY WILL ENRICH

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

SANDRA ACKERMAN, San Clemente

I’d like to extend a very big thank you to Tom Blake (“On Life and Love After 50: Samson Finds a Home,” DP Times, Jan. 8-14) for trusting that a 150-pound German shepherd needed him and for stepping up

Page 7

the horse: 1. Most of what life is all about is simply attending to the details.

2. The heart of every sound investment is a clearly predictable cash flow.

3. Beware of gratuities, for nothing of value comes without a price.

4. Half of success in life is just showing up on time.

5. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Let me add a final thought. Never forget that 95 percent of everything is nonsense.

Much of what passes as conventional practices and procedures borders on the insane. Try to live your life in the rational 5 percent and you’ll find things tend to go your way.

Al Jacobs, a Dana Point resident and professional investor for nearly a halfcentury, issues a monthly newsletter in which he shares his financial knowledge and experience. You may view it online at www.onthemoneytrail.net. DP

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

DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: ‘The Revenant’ Is Polarizing

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 15 HANS & JANINE 4 p.m. Live music at Waterman’s Harbor, 34661 Golden Lantern Street, in the Dana Point Harbor, 949.764.3474, www.watermandp.com.

‘MAN FROM EARTH’ 8 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse will present Man From Earth, opening Friday, Jan. 15 and running through Sunday Feb. 7.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. The play is written by the author of the original Star Trek series and The Twilight Zone, Jerome Bixby.

Tickets are $25. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 16 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.

DANA POINT HISTORY TOUR 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. This docent-led walking tour explores the history of the Headlands area and covers approximately 1.5 miles.

Tours run on the third Saturday of the month. RSVP to 949.248.3527. Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point, www.danapoint.org.

SPECIAL SNOW STORYTIME 11 a.m.-noon. Stories about snow for children off all ages, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Wear your pajamas if you like.

No pre-registration required. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

DAVID LINDLEY 8 p.m. Live music at The Coach House featuring David Lindley, Jay Nixon and Bree Fondacaro. Tickets are $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

Sunday | 17 ECOLOGY CENTER COMMUNITY TABLE DINNER 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. The Ecology Center’s Community Table is a unique experience that’s part farm-to-table dinner and part education, where guests can enjoy deliDana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

© Twentieth Century Fox

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

Rick Braun will be among the performers at the 14th annual Ocean Institute Jazz Festival, Jan. 22 and 23. Photo: Courtesy

JANUARY 22 AND 23: OCEAN INSTITUTE RED HOT JAZZ FESTIVAL 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 6 p.m. Jan. 23. The Ocean Institute’s popular jazz fundraising weekend event combines renowned jazz artists with an elegant evening of epicurean dining, cocktails, and live and silent auctions. Featured performers include Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Louis Price. Since 2003 this event has raised over $1 million to benefit Ocean Institute hands-on, ocean-oriented educational programs. Tickets from $95. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.oijazzfestival.com. cious local food and meet the rancher/ farmer and chef who are responsible for making the meal. Chef Paul Buchanan of Primal Alchemy has composed a menu showcasing seasonal food grown by urban farms. Tickets are $115 for members, $125 for non-members, and can be purchased at www.theecologycenter.org. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223.

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf luxury catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday. Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603, www.danawharf.com.

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. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

TACO TUESDAYS AT SUNSETS 4 p.m. Tacos for $2 and $3, $5 margaritas and tequila and $4 Mexican beers and a DJ starting at 7 p.m. Sunsets Bar & Grill

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

Wednesday | 20

Monday | 18

Tuesday | 19

Capo Beach, 34700 Pacific Coast Highway, Capistrano Beach, 949.276.8880, www.sunsetsbar.com.

PAINTING AND VINO 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Sip wine while participating in a step-by-step painting class. All supplies provided. $45. Register online at www.paintingandvino.com. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.

Thursday | 21 SHAWN JONES 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s.

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

LIGHTNING TRAIN 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Page 8

D

espite his three Golden Globe wins, one of which was last Sunday, Leonardo DiCaprio has never won an Academy Award in his two decades of stardom. There have been jokes, memes, fan and media support over the years, but it looks like this year is shaping up to be Leo’s biggest chance at winning since What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). The film he won the Globe for is Alejando G. Iñárritu’s follow-up to 2014’s Birdman, the frontier drama The Revenant.

In winter 1823, groups of white hunters/trappers and Indian tribes are out to kill each other at any moment in the Louisiana Purchase wilderness. While one group of trappers are hunting for pelts, a bear attacks Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) leaving him barely alive. Group leader Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) assigns boorish co-hunter John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) and youthful Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) to make sure Glass stays alive. But Fitzgerald doesn’t like that Glass’ son is a “half-breed” and thinks killing off Glass would work to his advantage.

In addition to DiCaprio’s performance, The Revenant has been getting praise for its use of cinematography and natural lighting. The atmosphere of the film is definitely the most interesting part of it, and Iñárritu does choose some captivating direction techniques. But the slow pacing, along with very graphic gore, becomes such a turnoff after the opening sequence that you can really feel the 156-minute runtime. Although he has much better films on his résumé, DiCaprio gives The Revenant’s brutal content his all, likely to earn him Best Actor honors next month. DP 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: Four Kids and a Dog by Elizabeth Bottiaux

Dana Point Discoveries

I

t wasn’t a day that could be spent indoors. The air was clear and crisp and it felt as if adventure was waiting to unfold before us. The aquamarine sky and sparkling ocean beckoned us. While all the big kids were in school, my youngest and I took a mini field trip to one of our favorite local spots.

The Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center and Trail System are local gems.

There’s something for all ages inside the Nature Center. Kids can pop their heads up through a clear dome and gain the perspective of a small animal in a mini re-creation of the headlands area. We learned about watersheds by listening to recorded information through headphones and examining an expansive wooden watershed model.

My son got to spin the species wheel.

When the wheel stopped and pointed to an animal, he would eagerly locate the animal inside of the nature center. We dared to stick our hands into the mystery box and guess its contents. I braved the box first. I have to admit, I was a bit squeamish about reaching into a box involving unknown ingredients. I’ll give one hint: it doesn’t bite. As we marveled at the enormous hand-painted mural that captures the era of Richard Henry Dana, Jr. it transported us back in time.

Friendly and knowledgeable docent Tressa Lam provided a wealth of information. She explained how the prized Pacific pocket mouse is closely monitored by biologists within the confines of the conservation area. We got to speak with one of the biologists about the pocket mouse tracking system. Tracking tubes are used to measure the number of paw prints of these mini mice. The mice, once thought to be entirely extinct, are hibernating in these winter months, and will re-emerge

March through October.

Tucked away in 29.4 acres of conservation area, the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area is home to many native plants and animal species. The coastal California gnatcatcher and the Pacific pocket mouse are on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Threatened and Endangered Species List. Both make their home in the conservation area. Coastal Sagebrush grows rampantly throughout the area. We were taught to rub the plant in our hands and then breathe in the fresh scent.

The mostly flat, 1-mile trail is ideal for young children. We borrowed a pair of binoculars and took them out on the trail to enhance the already majestic panoramic views. As we walked the easy sand trail, we were serenaded by birds and the distant crashing of waves. The ocean shimmered and shone under the warm golden sun. The views on this clear day were breathtaking. Both of us enjoyed pointing out animal tracks and mysterious holes that were presumably animals’ homes.

People we encountered on the trail seemed FOUR KIDS happy. Some even AND A DOG stopped for casual conBy Elizabeth Bottiaux versation. Quick greetings and friendly smiles were exchanged with passersby. It was as if we had an unspoken understanding that this place was a small slice of heaven. Visiting this place was a beautiful way to reconnect with nature, oneself and rediscover the simple pleasures in life.

Elizabeth Bottiaux is mom to four small humans, ages 5, 7, 8 and 10. She’s a San Clemente resident and has lived in Orange County for the past 16 years. She publishes a blog, www.fourkidsandadog.com, about family life in our tri-city area. DP

{ I N DANA P O I NT }

Giancarlo Paniagua Frei, 8, of Dana

Point taught himself the art of origami

after becoming interested in it through his homeschool study of Japanese culture. “I love origami because you

can make anything you want,” he said. “It’s takes a lot of

practice and patience but it’s really fun.” Giancarlo’s work will be on display at the Dana Point Library through the

end of the month. The display includes information about the art of origami and how to find books about it in the library’s collection.

Pet of the Week: Lulu

T

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

SCENE

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

Sudoku 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

Photo: Andrea Swayne

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

en-month-old Lulu is quite the social butterfly. Whether she’s lounging about with her fellow cats or lavishing attention on her human visitors, she enjoys being the center of attention. Always there to greet you at the door, Lulu is a confident kitty who would make a great pet for someone with a little extra love to share.

If you would like to know more about Lulu, please call the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with her at the shelter, 221 Avenida Fabricante in San Clemente. DP

Page 10

Lulu. Photo: San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter

www.danapointtimes.com

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto

34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

HANDYMAN

Beach City Handyman

33292 Bremerton St., 810.569.7295, gnarlyconceptdesign.com

MASSAGE

Crystal Clyde Intuitive Bodywork

32840 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. E, 949.584.2462, www.crystalclyde.com

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

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Represent.xyz

949.274.0590, www.represent.xyz

DANCE/FITNESS

Club Salsa Dance Studio

34202 Camino Capistrano, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com

HAULING

Cheapest Hauling

Call Robert 949.973.6288

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

INSURANCE SERVICES

Patricia Powers

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

State Farm/Ted Bowersox

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com

Statefarm/Elaine LaVine

34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net

PET GROOMING

Dawgy Style Groom Shop

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, 949.496.3315, www.dawgystylegroomshop.net

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

949.444.6323, www.offshoreconstruction.org Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

Page 11

LIST LOCALS ONLY

USE LOCALS ONLY In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at www.sanclementetimes.com.

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

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Dolphin Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE AND MICHAEL MATOSSIAN, DANA POINT TIMES

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

Dolphins Hoops Team Fails to Close Late in Loss to El Toro The Dana Hills High School boys basketball team looked to take the bull by the horns in a South Coast League matchup against rival El Toro on Jan. 13.

In the end, it was the Chargers who took control, pushing past the Dolphins 55-51 in a tightly contested matchup.

The league win was the first for the Chargers (14-5) while the Dolphins (7-11) fell to 0-2 in the South Coast League.

El Toro jumped on Dana Hills early and went on a 12-5 scoring run to open up the first quarter. The Chargers kept up the pressure in the second quarter, fueled by an 11-0 run that extended the home team’s lead to 19 points with four minutes to go before halftime.

A turning point in the game came in those final two minutes before the break.

Dana Hills sophomore guard Zach Stirtz made two quick baskets to break El Toro’s momentum, and Dana Hills finished the half on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 10.

The Dolphins carried the energy with them into the third quarter. Dolphins senior Garrett Arico helped cut the El Toro lead to five in the quarter. Arico finished with a game-high 19 points and four rebounds.

Facing an eight-point deficit to start the fourth quarter, Dana Hills narrowed the gap to four thanks to Jacob Phillps’ shooting ability. Phillips poured in 13 points and six rebounds on the night.

With its lead cut down to four, El Toro was able to regroup and keep the Dolphins at bay. El Toro guard Noah Aguilar came off the bench late in the fourth, hit a clutch jumper and a pair of free throws to push the lead back to seven with 25 seconds remaining.

The Dolphins have now lost back-toback closely contested league games. Despite taking a late lead in the third quarter against rival San Clemente on Jan. 8, Dana Hills could not hold on as the Tritons mounted a comeback in a 56-45 victory.

“To beat the really good teams, we have to play four quarters and we haven’t. We had a chance (against El Toro), we just didn’t finish it,” Dana Hills head coach Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

Dana Hills senior Parker Romo (10) dribbles around San Clemente’s Cole Fotheringham in a South Coast League basketball game on Jan. 8. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

ers, pulled in five rebounds and recorded three steals in the win.

Maddy Bloom and Olivia Chambers each scored nine points for the Dolphins.

Dana Hills was scheduled to play a Sea View League game against Trabuco Hills on Jan. 14. Results were not available at press time. –Steve Breazeale

Dana Hills boys basketball head coach Tom Desiano talks with his team during a South Coast League game on Jan. 8. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

Tom Desiano said. “At the same time I think it gave our kids a little bit of confidence knowing we can play with the best of the league.”

Dana Hills will continue league play with a road game against Aliso Niguel on Jan. 15. –Michael Matossian

Girls Basketball Opens League With a Win In a dominant defensive performance, the Dana Hills girls basketball team opened up Sea View League play with a 48-24 win over Mission Viejo on Jan. 7.

The Dolphins (11-4, 1-0) defense limited the Diablos to just 12 points in each half, while the offense was powered by sophomore Peyton Romo’s game-high 21-point performance. Romo made three 3-point-

Girls Soccer Draws Even With Diablos For the eighth time this season, the Dana Hills girls soccer team found itself deadlocked with an opponent at the end of regulation. On Jan. 12, the Dolphins earned a 0-0 tie with Mission Viejo.

Dana Hills (4-2-8, 1-0-1) has not lost a match since Dec. 17 and has recorded five ties and two wins over the ensuing sevenmatch stretch.

The Dolphins picked up a crucial win on Jan. 7, when Dana Hills scored two second-half goals in a 2-1 South Coast League-opening victory over Capistrano Valley.

Dana Hills will host rival San Clemente (7-3-5, 1-0-1) on Jan. 21.—SB

Boys Soccer Loses Re-Match With Tesoro A one-goal first-half advantage quickly evaporated for the Dana Hills boys soccer

Page 12

team on Jan. 13, as Sea View League rival Tesoro scored two second-half goals to secure a 2-1 come-from-behind victory.

Dana Hills senior Spencer Madden netted the first-half goal.

After a blistering 7-1-1 start to its season, Dana Hills (7-4-1, 0-2 league) has now lost three straight. The Dolphins played Tesoro in the Mustang Cup Championship game on Dec. 30 and lost 2-1. A 2-1 loss to Aliso Niguel to open league play on Jan. 8 followed.

Dana Hills will travel to play Trabuco Hills in a league match on Jan. 15. The Mustangs have had mixed results this season and own a 4-5-2 overall record. –SB

Girls Water Polo Team Ready for League Stretch A week removed from its last South Coast League contest, the Dana Hills girls water polo team was set to resume league competition against Tesoro on Jan. 14. Results were not available at press time.

The Dolphins (8-7, 1-0) went into the matchup with the Titans in the midst of a two-game losing skid. Dana Hills lost to Santa Monica 9-1 and Laguna Hills 9-6 on Jan. 9 in nonleague matches.

Dana Hills will host first-place El Toro in a league match on Jan. 21. El Toro (6-2, 3-0) bested the Dolphins 14-5 on Dec. 10 in a nonleague match.—SB www.danapointtimes.com

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS

Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com AUTOS FOR SALE

2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4x4 Silver with black interior. Bluetooth CD player with lan hookup. New Bilstein shocks. K&N air filter. In great shape. $14,800 949-633-3860

FOR SALE CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size. Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too!

Mike 949-240-1545.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or email lloynes@danapointtimes.com Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

Page 13

www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Campaign at the Lane

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 57-60 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 4-8’ Poor-Fair

Local surfers take eight of 20 podium spots at Surfing America Prime in Santa Cruz at Steamer Lane

Outlook: Reinforcing West-WNW swell will maintain chest- to head-high surf with some overhead sets Friday and Saturday, with a bigger WNW swell due for Sunday and Monday. Wind conditions continue to favorable through the end of the week. Check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

S

an Clemente-based surfers brought home nearly half of the trophies awarded in Santa Cruz at Steamer Lane over the weekend of Jan. 9 and 10, event No. 4 of the Surfing America Prime series.

In a swell that brought waves in the 6to 10-foot-plus range, Prime competitors were challenged by difficult paddle-ins and punishingly strong currents, especially on Sunday when the biggest waves of the competition arrived and eight of the 20 trophies awarded were brought home to San Clemente.

In the Girls U18 final, San Clementeans Kirra Pinkerton and Malia Osterkamp took third and fourth, respectively, behind winner Caroline Marks (Florida) and runner-up Meah Collins (Costa Mesa).

Pinkerton was a double finalist, also earning third-place honors in Girls U16. Top Girls U16 honors went to Tiare Thompson of La Jolla.

Although no local surfers were able to hang on to the final in Boys U18, San Clemente’s Cole Houshmand and Kei Kobayashi just missed the trophy round, with respective third- and fourth-place finishes in the semis. Nolan Rapoza of Long Beach won the division with a 13.44 heat total, the highest score of all division finals.

RESULTS Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, January 9-10, Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane

Clockwise from top: Competitors prepare to launch off the point at Steamer Lane in preparation for their heat.

Crosby Colapinto grabs a nice floater while making his way to a fourth-place finish in the Boys U16 final at Surfing America Prime event No. 4 on Jan. 10 at Steamer Lane. Jett Schilling connects a slot wave all the way to the inside on his way to a Boys U14 fourth-place finish. Photos: Andrea Swayne

San Clemente talent was dominant in the Boys U16 division, with double finalist Kade Matson taking the win, followed by Cole Houshmand in second and Crosby Colapinto in fourth.

Matson’s second podium appearance was made in the Boys U14 division, turning in a third-place performance. Jett Schilling (San Clemente) took fourth in Boys U14.

Although the Lane was providing a variety of choices with both the slot and second peak working, as the contest went on, high scoring, high wave count heats gave way to many heat scores failing to break double digits. As the swell continued to build and the strengthening current began

taking its toll on the surfers’ stamina, the talent and determination of the competitors continued to peak.

“For how difficult the conditions were, I thought everyone did great,” said Surfing America Team USA head coach and contest announcer Ryan Simmons. “The waves were really difficult, with strong currents, tricky takeoffs and a surge that most of them aren’t used to. The winners were able to find the best waves and also surf at a high level, matching performance with positioning and the ever-important element of luck.”

The Surfing America Prime series continues with event No. 5, Feb. 6 and 7 at Seaside Reef in Encinitas. DP

GROM OF THE WEEK

string of four straight victories. He is also the No. 3 ranked surfer in Explorer Juniors.

Kade’s success extends to the elite, invitation-only Surfing America Prime series this season as well. Currently ranked No. 1 in Boys U14 and No. 5 in Boys U16, he is proving he has the goods to justify his 2015/2016 hard-earned spot on the USA Juniors Team.

His most recent performances in Prime, Jan. 9 and 10 at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, proved his prowess on large, tricky surf. With waves in the solid 6- to 8-footplus range on Sunday, Kade pulled off the win in Boys U16 and took home a second trophy as the third-place finisher in Boys U14.

At the pre-contest team training on Friday, Jan. 8, in even more challenging

KADE MATSON

K

Kade Matson. Photo: Andrea Swayne

Dana Point Times January 15-21, 2016

ade Matson, 13, of San Clemente is on a tear this season, continuing his 2015 success into the new year with no signs of slowing down.

We last caught up with him in October 2015, following back-to-back wins in the National Scholastic Surfing Association Southwest Open Conference Juniors division, along with a win in Men’s. He continued his Open season campaign by taking yet another win in November in Open Men and is now the No. 1 ranked surfer in both Open divisions. A prolific competitor, Kade is also dominating in the NSSA Southwest Explorer Conference Boys division with a

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BOYS U18: 1. Nolan Rapoza, Long Beach, 13.44; 2.

Tyler Gunter, Newport Beach, 11.60; 3. Shane Borland, Topanga, 7.87; 4. Quinten Rubalcava, Ojai, 5.66. GIRLS U18: 1. Caroline Marks, Florida, 10.16; 2. Meah Collins, Costa Mesa, 8.63; 3. Kirra Pinkerton, San Clemente, 6.83; 4. Malia Osterkamp, San Clemente, 3.10. BOYS U16: 1. Kade Matson, San Clemente, 12.84; 2. Cole Houshmand, San Clemente, 11.00; 3. Noah Hill, Venice, 9.40; 4. Crosby Colapinto, San Clemente, 5.20. GIRLS U16: 1. Tiare Thompson, La Jolla, 7.33; 2. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad, 5.60; 3. Kirra Pinkerton, San Clemente, 4.83; 4.

Coral McDuffee, Oceanside, 0.83. BOYS U14: 1. Santiago Hart, Santa Cruz, 6.50; 2. Taro Watanabe, Malibu, 6.34; 3. Kade Matson, San Clemente, 5.03; 4. Jett Schilling, San Clemente, 3.50.

UPCOMING EVENTS January 16-17: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 6, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty January 23: Scholastic Surf Series, OC Middle School, Event No. 3, Huntington Beach, Pier January 24: Scholastic Surf Series, OC High School, Event No. 3, Huntington Beach, Pier January 30: Soul Surf Series, Event No. 4, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach

surf—15 feet plus at the middle peak and 10 feet plus at the slot—Kade also had a great showing.

“I thought it was fun because I kind of like the bigger waves, but it was really challenging,” he said. “There were some huge washthrough sets, so you really had to choose the ones that were lined up better.”

Along with working hard to advance his surfing skills, this bright eighth-grader manages to earn good marks in his Connections Academy independent study schooling.

“I’ve been working toward a national title for a while and it hasn’t happened yet, so that is my next surfing goal,” Kade said. “I’ve been feeling good this year. I just seem to be having luck this season. I’ve been having fun doing my best, and it seems to be working out.”—Andrea Swayne www.danapointtimes.com