January 29, 2016

LO C A L

January 29 - February 4, 2016

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

Teen’s Skate Contest Benefits Wounded Warriors SURF/PAGE 14

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 5

La Pata Nears Completion Long-awaited extension connecting San Clemente to San Juan Capistrano will be done in fall E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 4

San Clemente Deputy Public Works Director Tom Bonigut speaks to people during the Peek at La Pata hike on Jan. 23. The group paused to discuss the bicycle and pedestrian bridge over La Pata. Photo: Eric Heinz

Bill Could Allow Transfer of Spent Nuclear Fuel from SONGS EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

City Council Approves Next Steps in Doheny Village Plan EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

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Dolphins Girls Soccer Team’s Winning Streak Ends SPORTS/PAGE 12

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DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week

City Council Approves Next Steps in Doheny Village Revitalization THE LATEST: At its Jan. 19 meeting, City Council voted unanimously to approve three agenda items affecting the progress of ongoing Doheny Village revitalization efforts.

The council voted to authorize the city manager’s ratification of an agreement with consultant, Michael Baker International, for the preparation of the Doheny Village Plan Environmental Impact Report.

City Manager Doug Chotkevys, on Jan. 6, authorized entering into a contract with the company for $20,780 to remain in effect until the work is complete, but no later than June 30, 2018.

City Council also received and filed a Doheny Village Plan update and approved $57,600 to be transferred from the city’s General Fund into an account to be used to pay for traffic engineering services in plan area. And an amendment to the city’s contract with Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates for traffic impact analysis for the Doheny Village Plan EIR was increased by $8,060, bringing the original cost for services agreement from $85,120 to $93,180. The increase, according to the staff report, is necessary as a result of the city finding a need to study another eight intersections, in addition to the 10 called for in the original contract.

All of the items appeared on the meeting’s consent calendar and were approved without discussion.

WHAT’S NEXT: Following last year’s planning charrette with Opticos Design that welcomed public input for use in the form based code design for Doheny Village, Opticos began drafting the code language on Jan. 4.

The contract with Michael Baker calls for the EIR to be completed within nine months.

The certification of the EIR, General Plan Amendment and Zone Text Amendment are expected to be ready for consideration by the council in Fall 2016. Following City Council approval, staff will apply for a Local Coastal Program Amendment from the California Coastal Commission.

Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4,2016

FIND OUT MORE: To read the Doheny Village Plan update and other staff reports, see www.danapointtimes.com or visit the city’s website at www.danapoint.org.

–Andrea Swayne

Summer Trolley Service to Expand THE LATEST: On Jan. 19, City Council authorized staff to submit a new grant proposal to the Orange County Transportation Authority for expansion of its summer trolley service to seven days a week for 2016.

The city is asking for an additional $130,000 per year—bringing last year’s $420,000 per year grant to $550,000—to pay for the proposed expanded services which would also include a joint stop with the San Juan Capistrano Trolley connecting the two cities’ routes and an additional route in the Harbor.

WHAT’S NEXT: If the OCTA grant is approved, the additional funds could also result in summer service expanding from 11 weeks to 14 weeks, as well as longer hours.—AS

Sheriffs Continue to Search for Santa Ana Jail Escapees THE LATEST: Three inmates who escaped from the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana last Friday, Jan. 23, remain on the loose as of press time. The three men were scheduled to face trial for crimes ranging from attempted murder to torture. The escapees are Hossein Nayeri, 37; Jonathan Tieu, 20; and Bac Tien Duong, 43.

Nayeri is suspected of collaborating with other suspects to kidnap a medical marijuana dispensary owner, torturing him with a blowtorch, whipping him with a pistol and eventually cutting off his penis.

According to court documents, Nayeri and the others thought the owner had money stored somewhere in the desert.

Tieu is suspected of a 2011 gang-related murder in Orange County, and Duong is suspected of attempted murder by shooting inside a home.

All three men were being held and awaiting trial. While Duong was held on $1 million bail, the other two had no bail set.

The men are suspected of escaping through a ventilation tunnel after cutting the screen to the outgoing tunnel. They used linens to rappel from the top of the jail and eventually jumping the fence.

Sheriff’s Deputies on Monday said it is more than likely the suspects have not left the county and could be holed up in the

(L to R): Hossein Nayeri, 37; Jonathan Tieu, 20; Bac Duong, 42. Photos: Courtesy of Orange County Sheriff’s Department

area known as “Little Saigon,” which has a large Vietnamese population.

All three of the suspects are to be considered “extremely dangerous,” according to Orange County Sherriff’s Department officials.

WHAT’S NEXT: Anyone with information leading to the capture of the men is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department crime hotline at 714.628.7085.

The FBI, Orange County and OCSD have collectively announced a $200,000 incentive for people who provide information that leads authorities to the suspects.

OCSD continues to provide updates several times daily on the progress of the search.—Eric Heinz

Public Hearing for Doheny CFD Opened THE LATEST: The City Council voted Jan. 19 to open a public hearing for the creation of a Dana Point Community Facilities District to authorize the levy of special taxes (Mello Roos) within the proposed Doheny Beach CFD. A request for the formation of a CFD was requested by Zephyr Partners to provide funding for required public improvements and public agency fees associated with their condo project under construction at Pacific Coast Highway and Del Obispo Avenue, in the former mobile home park site.

On Nov. 17, council voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution declaring its intent to establish a CFD. No protests had been filed with the city clerk as of the Jan. 19 meeting.

WHAT’S NEXT: City Council voted to open the hearing and continue the item to their Feb. 16 meeting.—AS

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Bill Could Allow for Nuclear Waste to Transfer from SONGS THE LATEST: House Resolution 3643, which currently awaits reading by committees in the U.S. Congress, would allow for temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel instead of requiring it to be stored at a permanent facility required by current law.

There are facilities that could house the spent fuel instead of requiring it to be stored on-site at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, which has been an issue of contention since the closure of the nuclear facility in 2013.

The resolution was brought forth by Texas Rep. Michael Conway and has support from California Rep. Darrell Issa.

During the San Clemente City Council reports portion at the Jan. 19 meeting, Councilman Tim Brown, who is the vice chairman of the SONGS Community Engagement Panel—a panel Dana Point City Councilman Carlos Olvera also serves on—said the panel has been trying to find an interim solution for the Department of Energy, which has the overall authority of the spent nuclear fuel.

WHAT’S NEXT: Brown said he would like the San Clemente City Council to put together a resolution of support to write letters to advocate for the passage of the resolution. Councilwoman Lori Donchak said she also sent information to surrounding cities, including Dana Point. —EH

Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about? Send your suggestions to editorial@danapointtimes.com. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

La Pata Nears Completion

Long-awaited extension to be finished in fall

BY ERIC HEINZ, DANA POINT TIMES

T

he highly anticipated connection of Avenida La Pata from the edge of San Clemente to just outside the city limits of San Juan Capistrano at La Pata Avenue is beginning to take its completed form.

On Saturday, Jan. 23, nearly 200 area residents attended the “Peek at La Pata” hike, a journey from Camino Del Rio in San Clemente to the highest point of the arterial highway to view how far the project has come along.

La Pata is expected to be four lanes (two in each direction), and the speed limit for the majority of the stretch will be 50 miles per hour.

The project is estimated to cost $127 million, paid for by state and Orange County Transportation Authority’s Measure M2 funds as well as various other funding.

The road goes straight through land facilitated by the Prima Deshecha Landfill. The project will also widen the end of La Pata Avenue in San Juan and connect with Calle Saluda in San Clemente, as well as add a connection to Camino Del Rio. City engineers said they hope the project will help take some of the strain off traffic backups that occur while the I-5 widening projects continue.

The project began in spring 2014 and is expected to be completed by this fall.

Hike participants Chris and Gemma Landay of San Clemente said the opening of La Pata will cut down their commute time when traffic on Interstate 5 becomes congested.

“I’ll definitely use it to get out to Rancho Santa Margarita and parts of San Juan,” Chris said.

Gemma said her current commute to San Juan can be as long as 30 minutes on some days when traffic is exceptionally busy.

“I work in San Juan Capistrano, and it will cut down the time on that,” Gemma said. “My commute is good until you hit Ortega, and then that area gets really crowded.”

San Clemente Deputy Public Works Director Tom Bonigut said people have been waiting for an alternative route to the narrow Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate 5 for decades. Now it’s coming to fruition.

The predicted traffic on the La Pata extension was analyzed in reports that can be reviewed on Orange County’s website, but accurate figures won’t be available until the road opens.

Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

The La Pata Extension gap between San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano is seen from the San Clemente side. The project is expected to be completed in the fall. Photo: Eric Heinz

People make the hike up to view La Pata on Jan. 23 in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz

“The La Pata extension is a benefit for San Clemente residents and helps with our intercity circulation because (Camino) Del Rio connects with it and gives people other avenues,” Bonigut said. “It gives them an alternative route. It also gives us another emergency escape route for whatever disaster could occur.”

Bonigut said he has heard a lot of positive feedback regarding the upcoming opening of the road.

“When I talked to people on Saturday’s walk, they were happy to have it done,” he said. “We’re also doing bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks.”

The bike lanes will be striped like you see in town, and a meandering sidewalk

will be adjacent to the road.

Biking and hiking trail connectivity will be completed with the opening of a pedestrian bridge connecting the Prima Deshecha Trail and Forster Ridgeline Trail, which is part of the County’s Master Plan of Regional Riding and Hiking Trails, according to an Orange County press release.

“It also serves as a maintenance road for the utility companies,” Bonigut said during the hike.

Jennifer Rosales, a city of San Clemente transportation engineer, worked with residents of the area since October to come up with a plan to alleviate the excess traffic. The Planning Commission recently

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approved the construction of roundabouts at Camino De Los Mares and the Camino Del Rio intersections.

George Alvarez, San Juan Capistrano city engineer, said he hasn’t heard any negative comments about the opening of La Pata and that it should provide a much needed route for the city’s residents.

“Instead of having to travel from Ortega Highway, you can turn left onto La Pata and that should help reduce some of the traffic through our city,” Alvarez said.

“If there’s a mishap on I-5, it gives you a parallel route.”

Alvarez said he hasn’t spoken with fire department officials or local Orange County sheriffs, but he said, “It’s always good to have as much access to San Clemente as possible. That’s been on the plans for decades. There are some students from Talega who attend San Juan Hills High School.”

Students living in the Talega subdivision, as well as Ladera Ranch, will have priority to attend San Juan Hills because of the Mello-Roos tax imposed on the subdivision, which provides funding for new facilities that included the “acquisition and construction” of the school. New classrooms are planned to accommodate the incoming students.

Although Dana Point will most likely see the smallest direct effect from the extension, city officials said the completion of La Pata will also give the city some muchneeded traffic relief in an area where the city’s residents enter and exit I-5 from Pacific Coast Highway along the stretch of the freeway running past the city between San Clemente and San Juan.

“While the city has not taken a formal position on the La Pata Extension, I see a benefit to Dana Point if it provides traffic relief on Interstate 5 and a more direct route to school for our Capistrano Beach students who attend San Juan Hills High School,” said Doug Chotkevys, Dana Point city manager.

Lisa Bartlett, Orange County fifth district supervisor, and Board of Supervisors chairwoman agreed, adding that she expects the opening of La Pata will also result in traffic causing less of a strain on all of Dana Point’s major arterial roadways.

“The La Pata Extension, once complete, will provide exceptional and enhanced regional mobility,” said Bartlett, a 26-year resident of Dana Point who also served as the city’s mayor.

“We definitely needed a redundant route,” she said. “The extension enhances public safety and improves mobility.”

Bartlett said the La Pata Extension is 85 percent complete, and the county will celebrate the connection with a ribbon cutting to open it to traffic and expects to host a pre-opening event later in the fall that would traverse the whole extension. DP —Andrea Swayne contributed to this report.

For more information on the La Pata Extension, visit pcpw.ocpublicworks.com/ projects/lapata. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

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 26 UNKOWN TROUBLE Via Valor, 27500 Block (1:13 a.m.)

A caller said a neighbor came out of their residence asking someone to call 911.

Monday, January 25 DISTURBANCE Mariana Drive/La Cresta Drive (11:09 p.m.) A caller said they saw a woman in a black Fiat being hit by a man who was standing outside of the vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCES Doheny Park Road, 34000 Block, (9:51 p.m.) A caller said they heard someone in their backyard.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCES Perch Drive/Big Sur Street (7:38 p.m.)

A woman was diving down the street and thought she saw a person lying in the road. After stopping to investigate, the caller realized it was a pair of pants and shirt stuffed with material, resembling a body. The caller said she moved the object to the side of the road.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Verano/Calle Hermosa (3:23 p.m.)

A man was sleeping in a green Toyota sedan.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCE Niguel Shores Drive, 33600 Block (2:24 p.m.) A woman wearing black sweatpants and carrying a gray jacket was walking up the hill near Stonehill Drive, refusing to leave the community.

KEEP THE PEACE Pacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (2:09 p.m.) An elderly woman deadbolted herself in her room at the Best Western and was refusing to leave.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCES Doheny Place, 34700 Block (2:07 p.m.) A caller alerted dispatch to workers moving wood out of a residence that was up for sale. The caller thought the workers were Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

stripping the residence of its woodwork and said the wood was being loaded into two big containers on the back of work trucks.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCES Pacific Coast Highway/Palisades Drive (12:34 p.m.)A man, believed to be in his 60s, was hitchhiking on the side of the road and getting upset that no one was stopping to pick him up. A caller said the man did not appear to be homeless but looked like something was wrong with him.

ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Calle Maria, 26800 Block (6:22 a.m.)A man said a white motorhome that was parked on the street was blocking his view while backing out of the driveway. The caller said the motorhome had been parked there for a couple of days.

Sunday, January 24 DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34400 Block (10:52 p.m.)A large group of guests at the DoubleTree was causing problems in the lobby, kicking a soccer ball and refusing to stop. The guests were being argumentative with the staff.

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 32800 Block (3:25 p.m.) Five teenagers were skateboarding in the plaza and refusing to leave.

DISTURBANCE Dana Point Harbor Drive, 24800 Block (3:23 p.m.) A caller reported an Über driver getting into an argument with a manager at the Dana Point Marina Inn. CITIZEN ASSIST Bedford Lane, 3400 Block (3:07 p.m.)

A woman locked herself out of her house while standing on the second-level balcony. The woman could not get down from the balcony and faced a 15-foot drop.

She requested deputies come through the front door to let her back in.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCES Street of the Golden Lantern, 33200 Block (1:04 p.m.) A caller said two people in a metallic gold Mercedes were following them for over an hour and taking photographs.

VANDALISM IN PROGRESS Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block 2:30 a.m.) The Hobie Surf Shop had a window cracked “like a spider web,” but the window was still intact.

CITIZEN ASSIST Granada Drive, 33800 Block (9:51 p.m.)

A caller said his ex-girlfriend was refusing to return his Mini Cooper that he allowed her to use three weeks ago.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Mariner Drive, 23600 Block (10:22 a.m.)

A man had been drinking and was in need of medical help.

DISTURBANCE Del Obispo Street, 34100 Block (8:10 a.m.)

A patrol check was requested when a homeless encampment was spotted on San Juan Creek Trail near the tennis courts and sanitation plant.

GENERAL BROADCAST Pacific Coast Highway/Selva Road (12:35 a.m.) A white Ford truck was seen swerving across traffic lanes. The caller said the truck almost hit the sidewalk and was driving in the center of two lanes.

Thursday, January 21 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Malaga Drive, 34000 Block (4:15 p.m.)

A woman in a black Mercedes was described as acting “all jittery” and throwing trash into the street while rummaging through her car and suitcases. The caller thought they saw the woman stuff drugs into her bra.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCE Del Obispo Street/Stonehill Drive (3:58 p.m.)A caller reported a man on a skateboard who had strapped saddlebags onto his dog. The caller said the dog was struggling to keep up with

the man. The caller thought the dog was being abused.

Wednesday, January 20 VANDALISM REPORT Beach Road, 35100 Block (9:18 p.m.)

A man said the back window to his home was shattered. The house backs up to the railroad tracks and he said there are lots of transients in the area. The man said he did not find any bullets or rocks nearby and did not know how his window shattered.

ROBBERY IN PROGRESS Street of the Golden Lantern, 34500 Block (3:54 p.m.) A caller said two men attempted to rob him with a knife in the Dana Point Harbor. The two men ran away when the caller called 9-1-1.

DISTURBANCE Selva Road, 34000 Block (3:22 a.m.)

A caller reported a man living in the unit above who was stomping on the floor. The caller said they were out of breath and scared because of it.

HIT AND RUN MISDEMEANOR Doheny Park Road, 34200 Block (12:29 a.m.)A white Audi ran into Pepi’s Sports Bar and Grill and took off.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON-CIRCUMSTANCES Monarch Bay Plaza, 0 Block (12:23 a.m.)

A caller said two transients were hanging around outside of Stella’s patio area. The caller was concerned the two transients would break in.

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Community Meetings MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

DHHS One Warm Coat Drive

Dana Hills High School Student Government Community Service Committee hosts a One Warm Coat drive for those in need of warmth this winter season. Coats in good condition should be dropped off at the school. Collection bins will be located just outside the front office. Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.6666, www.dhhs.net.

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.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

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, FEBRUARY 6

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

dents can drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the school parking lot—near the tennis courts and pool— for students to collect and sort for recycling. Funds collected are distributed by the school’s PTSA for student programs. For more information, email president@dhhsptsa.com. Dana Hills High School is located at 33333 Golden Lantern in Dana Point.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Planning Commission Meeting

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15

City Offices Closed City offices will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day. City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern, 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Business Beat News from Dana Point’s business community DANA POINT TIMES

HONORS ELLEN PICKLER HARRIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, EDWARD JONES 24681 La Plaza, Suite 120 949.248.4611, www.edwardjones.com For the second consecutive year, Edward Jones financial advisor Ellen Pickler Harris of Dana Point was invited to attend Barron’s Winner’s Circle Top Women Advisors Summit in Palm Beach, Fla., Nov. 28 through 30.

The conference, created to enhance the professional development of those who work with individual investors, represents the nation’s top women financial advisors,

as well as industry decision-makers.

“It was such an honor to attend the summit and network with financial advisors who share the same focus,” Pickler Harris said in a statement. “I am excited to share what I’ve learned Ellen Pickler Harris, Edward Jones financial with my clients and advisor was among my colleagues at top women in her field Edward Jones.” invited to Barron’s Pickler Harris Winner’s Circle Summit. previously served Photo: Courtesy as Dana Point Chamber of Commerce chair and was a member of the executive committee for a number of years.

The conference included workshops led by the women advisors named in Barron’s June 2 issue as the top practitioners in their field. DP

Stop and Talk

Lighthearted Chats with the People of Dana Point’s Business Community

BY ALISON JACQUES

CAROLYN MACHADO: MIXED MEDIA & MOSAIC ASSEMBLAGES Dana Point, home studio 949.240.4941, www.machadoart.net Carolyn Machado’s work as a manicurist helped feed her body but not her soul. Machado, 68, grew up in Los Angeles. When her mother told her to go out to play she’d head for museums, she said. Now when she wants to view art, she only need open her eyes because her creations surround her.

We visited Machado at her Dana Point home studio where nearly every day she hunkers over objects of various textures, shapes and sizes placed on tables and shelves in her garage. She uses only recycled materials. Her finished pieces find homes through art shows—she’s exhibited the last 25-years at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts—classes she teaches and word-of-mouth.

DANA POINT TIMES: What was your biggest hurdle in setting up your business?

CAROLYN MACHADO: Letting go of my day job … for 20-something years I had been a manicurist. I left that job and starting creating work here, and then the recession came … I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am now,

Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2015

Carolyn Machado with a few pieces of her artwork.

Photo: Alison Jacques

nose-to-the-grindstone all the time but it worked! I’m making it.

Besides your business, what is your greatest success in life?

Well, my business is not just a business, it’s who I am … just being able to live my dream.

What is your favorite place to visit?

I love Italy … I could live there in a heartbeat. Closer to home, I love the central coast.

If you could perform any miracle, what would you do?

Somehow create world peace. The craziness that’s going on right now; it’s so sad. DP

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www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor CAPO CARES HOSTS SUCCESSFUL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH FORUM TONI NELSON, Capistrano Beach

On Jan. 12, more than 70 residents gathered at Christ Lutheran Church to attend a Neighborhood Watch forum hosted by community advocacy group, Capo Cares, in an effort to relaunch Neighborhood Watch in Capistrano Beach. Jill Jackson, Dana Point Police Services’ crime prevention specialist introduced a PowerPoint presentation explaining the nationally recognized crime prevention program. Community Services Officer Sgt. Rich Himmel, joined by Deputy Tobin Anderson, the city’s homeless liaison officer, and Deputy Rob Edwards presented crime statistics for the past five years, offered safety tips and answered audience questions.

Most surprising to the crowd was that residential burglaries in Capistrano Beach rose from 11 in 2014 to 25 in 2015, although Sgt. Himmel pointed out that in 20 of those cases, the thief entered through an unlocked door or window.

Stolen vehicles rose from four to 17, grand theft (items valued over $950) from nine

to 15, and commercial burglaries from 11 to 16 in the same period. Police personnel attributed much of the crime increase to Proposition 47 which has basically handcuffed police, preventing them from “stopping the drug cycle” as Deputy Edwards put it, by jailing drug offenders.

Today, police are only permitted to ticket drug and alcohol offenders. At the same time, Prop 47 has allowed many previously incarcerated felons to be released to California streets, increasing the number of former criminals in neighborhoods throughout the state. To sign a petition to repeal Proposition 47, go to www.petitions. moveon.org/sign/repeal-prop-47-1.

Capo Cares representatives presented material on how to form a Neighborhood Watch group and lauded the efforts of police to work with citizens to prevent crime in Capistrano Beach. They provided a summary of common-sense crime prevention tips, such as locking cars and homes and considering additional lighting, cameras and other security features.

Fourteen new block captains signed up to lead their streets in forming new groups. Please email capocares@gmail. com to find out if a group is forming on your street, to volunteer as block captain for your area, or to receive instructions on how to sign up for the program. Capo Cares plans to host another meeting in mid-February (date TBD) to support new block captains and encourage new groups.

As a Capo Cares co-founder, I was very pleased with the meeting, and in particular, the 14 new block captains. Neighbors collaborating with each other and our dedicated police officers in a strong Neighborhood Watch program are a proven means to make communities safer.

For general information about Neighborhood Watch, contact jnjackson@ocsd. org. To sign up, visit www.danapoint.org/ neighborhoodwatch.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Of all four crime statistics referenced in Tony Nelson’s “Capo Cares Hosts Successful Neighborhood Watch Forum” letter (residential burglaries, stolen vehicles, grand theft and commercial burglaries), 2014 marked the lowest incidences in the past five years, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Crime Intelligence Analysis Unit figures cited in the Dana Point Police Services PowerPoint presentation titled, “Capistrano Beach Crime Statistics 2011-2015.”

Residential burglaries: 14 in 2011, 20 (2012), 21 (2013), 11 (2014) and 25 in 2015. Stolen vehicles: 7 (2011), 7 (2012), 7 (2013), 4 (2014), 17 (2015). Grand theft: 23 (2011), 21 (2012), 13 (2013), 9 (2014), 15 (2015). Commercial burglaries: 15 (2011), 17 (2012), 15 (2013), 11 (2014), 16 (2015).

The presentation also showed the lowest incidences of the past five years in 2014 for the following categories: Vehicle burglaries: 14 (2011), 11 (2012), 11 (2013), 6 (2014), 8 (2015). Reported rapes: 0 (2011), 0 (2012), 2 (2013), 0 (2014), 1 (2015). Petty theft: 50 (2011), 54 (2012), 46 (2013), 43 (2014), 55 (2015). Vandalism: 47 (2011), 39 (2012), 48 (2013), 36 (2014), 41 (2015).

And the lowest number of incidences in the past five years were reported in 2015 for the ollowing crimes: Robbery: 2 (2011), 4 (2012), 2 (2013), 1 (2014), 0 (2015). Assaults with deadly weapons: 9 (2011), 8 (2012), 6 (2013), 8 (2014), 2 (2015).

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

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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

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

California: Ignored in National Primaries

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

A

lmost 12 percent of Americans reside in California.

It’s the most productive, inventive, governmentally efficient state in the union. Not only the most populous state (by a wide margin), but also more citizens live here than in the least populated 22 states combined. You would think we Californians would be instrumental in the presidential nominations from both major parties. But in reality, when choosing our chief executive candidates, Iowa’s tiny electorate has a much bigger say.

What’s up with that? Iowa has 3 million inhabitants—less than 1 percent of U.S. residents. Yet because they hold the first national primary, every single coffee shop, bowling alley or Elks Lodge becomes preeminent. Every homeowners’ association, PTA, business group, church congregation or League of Women Voters is canvassed, coddled, cosseted and cooed over as if critical to the nation’s economic, cultural and political life support.

Meanwhile, Orange County, with just more than 3 million residents, has a populace equal to Iowa. In fact, we have a larger gross national product than those Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

last 20 states put together. Iowa grows corn. Orange County grows the nation’s sixth largest county economy. We pioneered biotech, built the lifestyle industry and host hundreds of corporate headquarters as well as seven U.S. Fortune 500 companies. Did anybody ever ask us what we thought about the candidates or the issues?

This seemingly forgotten California supplies more than half the nation’s fruits and vegetables, most of its technology and nearly all of its movies. We have led the world in computer science, aerospace, medical advances and environmental progress. Are California’s concerns ever considered by the political front-runners?

Consider this: excluding Florida, the five most important primaries are Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada and Colorado—which combined includes a whopping 3.5 percent of the U.S. population. So with more than three times as many voters here than in all those primary states put together, we let Iowa determine our presidential contenders.

The current system provides the opportunity for nearly every state to vote in

primaries before California. By the time candidates are campaigning here, the choices are already firmly set. The result is that the most populous, successful, efficient, entrepreneurial, innovative state in the nation is essentially shut out of the electoral process of choosing our presidential nominees.

I’m not resentful that other states with fewer people than Orange County put their primaries at the front of the list. I don’t even mind the sometimes comical horserace that passes for a selection method. But “by George,” as Jefferson said to Madison, the 38 million proud, successful Americans in California ought to somehow have their voices heard too.

Jim Kempton is a writer and Orange County resident who hopes that the half of Americans who read newspapers is the same half that votes for candidates before California gets a chance. DP

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 5. 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

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC 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 SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Page 7

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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

At the Movies: ‘Anomalisa,’ Not Your Average Puppet Flick

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 29 THE FREMONTS 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.

TAKE FIVE! AT THE CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse presents a collection of five short plays written by playwright Austin Peay. Tickets are $20. Shows run Jan. 29 and 30. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 30 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.

HOW TO WATERCOLOR SUCCULENTS AND CACTI WITH BARBARA ROTH 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn simple techniques to draw a variety of succulents, including shading for depth and adding or subtracting details. All techniques will be demonstrated, and participants will have time to practice and receive help. The two-day workshop runs from Jan. 30-31. $185 per person. San Clemente Art Supply and Framing, 1531 N. El Camino Real, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

RAINWATER HARVESTING SOLUTIONS 1 p.m. Join The Ecology Center to learn about the basics of rainwater harvesting for your home, including rain barrel installation methods and other easy water conservation strategies. Participants take home a free rain barrel. Admission is $40 or $50 for non-members. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

BIG KAHUNA KONCERT FOR A CAUSE 7 p.m.-midnight. The event, in honor of the late Terry “Tubesteak” Tracy, will feature live music by Common Sense and Missing Persons, DJ Fluffy of Venice, art displayed

by Roy Gonzalez, raffles and a silent auction. Tickets are $25 online or at the door.

OC Tavern will donate 20 percent of all food and drink purchases to charities. OC Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

Photo: Paramount Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

M

Photo: Allison Jarrell

UPCOMING: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ROTARY CAR SHOW 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The 13th annual San Juan Capistrano Car Show will feature more than 400 hot rods, muscle cars, classics, cruisers and vintage automobiles. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 11 to 17 and free for children 10 and younger. Proceeds from the event benefit Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort and other rotary charities. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. San Juan Capistrano Community Center and Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion, 949.547.9081, www.sjcrotary.org.

Tavern, 2369 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.542.8877, www.octavern.com.

9. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

Sunday | 31

Tuesday | 02

MATT STEPHANS 4 p.m. Live music at Waterman’s Harbor, 34661 Golden Lantern Street, in the Dana Point Harbor, 949.764.3474, www.watermandp.com.

TINY TOTS: PARENT & ME PROGRAMS AT OCEAN INSTITUTE 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m. The Ocean Institute hosts a series of programs for children ages 2 and 3 and their parents on Tuesdays through March 1. Toddlers will explore shapes, colors, textures and more with the sea star. Each session includes an activity and an animal encounter. $30 per class. Register online. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute. org/parentchild-programs.

WANDA JACKSON 7 p.m. Live music at The Coach House featuring Wanda Jackson, Hot Rod Trio and Dylan Olds. Tickets are $20. Doors open at 5 p.m. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www. thecoachhouse.com.

Monday | 01 TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Volunteer with The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo to help keep the trails clean and clear weeds.

Bring work gloves if you have them.

Drinks and snacks provided. Ages 10 and up. The Richard and Donna O’Neil Conservancy, call for directions, 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

HOMEWORK HELP AT THE DP LIBRARY 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Free homework assistance for kindergarten through eighthgrade students by high school volunteers.

Mondays and Wednesdays through Dec. Page 8

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

Wednesday | 03 LOCALS NIGHT AT THE POINT Open to close. Locals get a 20 percent food discount on Wednesdays. Ask server for details. The Point Restaurant, 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

y string of Oscar season movie reviews continues with Charlie Kaufman’s Anomalisa, one of the Best Animated Picture nominees. The cult screenwriter’s second film without directors Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry is completely animated through stop-motion puppetry. While the other nominees are the usual family blend of Pixar, Disney and Ghibli, Anomalisa has the distinction of being the first R-rated animated film to be nominated in the category.

Set over a 24-hour period in 2005 Cincinnati, Ohio, customer service expert Michael Stone (David Thewlis) is in town to give a lecture on his recently published book. While at his hotel, everyone around him appears to have the same face and voice. He continues to lose touch with reality until a young woman named Lisa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who is in town for the lecture, instantly grabs his attention.

Anomalisa is co-directed by Kaufman and Duke Johnson. Despite the Kaufman being responsible for such movies as Adaptation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, his collaboration with the stop-motion director is surprisingly his most linear and conventional. We can see possible inspiration and some similarities to Jonze’s own Her and Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation in Anomalisa, with the leads internally depressed in surreal settings. To some, the first half of the feature might be a little jarring, but the payoff by the end might be worth it, especially to Kaufman fans. And as a final warning, I should note that the R rating is appropriate for full-frontal puppet nudity, sex and adult language. 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

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program 949.485.4979 info@bodymindspiritiop.com www.bodymindspiritiop.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

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

HANDYMAN

Beach City Handyman

33292 Bremerton St., 810.569.7295, gnarlyconceptdesign.com

HAULING

Cheapest Hauling

Call Robert 949.973.6288

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

MASSAGE

Crystal Clyde Intuitive Bodywork

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

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

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

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

DP DP LIVING Dana Point

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Reading with Wright by Christopher Wright

More Montana Sleuths

L

ast month I had intended to share a list of several good reads about Montana sleuths but ended up devoting my column to just one little-known author, Robert Sims Reid, and then promising more “Montana sleuthing” this month.

So here are three more recommended authors’ series.

Peter Bowen looks as quirky in his pictures as the characters he writes about in his mystery series. After all it is the American West. He resides in Livingston, Mont. His whole raison d’être can be summed up in this statement that appears on his website: “I intend to live and die in the West, my native land, and write about it. It is what I do.” Bowen’s series of 14 mysteries revolves around character Gabriel Du Pré, a proud member of the

Métis people and a brand inspector who dabbles in law enforcement with the assistance of his millionaire buddy, Bart.

I had to look up what a brand inspector does: inspecting livestock for suspicious brands READING WITH WRIGHT in an effort to thwart

By Christopher cattle rustling and locate Wright strays. It’s definitely a job for a man who hates an office and loves the outdoors. Thirteen of the books were written from 1994 to 2006 and then the series resumed in 2015 with Bitter Creek. It’s good to have Gabriel back. This latest installment involved two Iraq war heroes and a massacre from 1910. It is full of twists and turns, some of them perplexing and perhaps unnecessary, but all in all an entertaining and different read. Bowen also wrote a first-rate historical novel series about the renowned scout Yellowstone Kelly (Luther Kelly, 1849-1928). There are four books in the series. Unfortunately they are all out of print but we have one of them in our library system. The Yellowstone Kelly books are humorous, much like the Flashman character made famous

by George McDonald Fraser.

Keith McCafferty, who resides in Bozeman, Mont., is a former editor of Field and Stream Magazine. His Sean Stranahan series has four books to date (listed in order of publishing): The Royal Wulff Murders, The Gray Ghost Murders, Dead Man’s Fancy, and Crazy Mountain Kiss. If you enjoy Craig Johnson, Tony Hillerman and C. J. Box, you will feel at home in these stories. Sean is a transplanted New Englander who is an artist and an avid fly fisherman living the dream in Montana.

He also happens to have been a private investigator in a past life. He resurrects these skills and parlays them into contract work for the local sheriff, Martha Ettinger, and eventually into an off-and-on personal relationship with the sheriff.

Lastly and most recently we have Karin Salvalaggio, who surprisingly, hails from London, U.K. of all places. She is an Air Force brat who has lived all over the world and written two books set in Montana: Bone Dust White (2014) and Burnt River (2015). The main character is Detective Macy Greeley. Her first book, were it made into a movie, would be like a cross between the television shows “Twin Peaks” and “Peyton Place.” Bone Dust White is very noirish and Macy doesn’t always seem like the main character, but

just one of many trying to live their lives while coping with adversity. The plot, pace and place are addictive. I’m looking forward to reading her latest book which deals with a veteran’s murder, arsonists and local militias.

The Dana Point Library’s informal group, the Tea Time Book Club, meets every fourth Monday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and tea is served.

Bring your favorite tea cup and join us. All are welcome. For a list of featured titles, call the library at 949.496.5517.

For more information about upcoming events across the Orange County Public Libraries system, visit www.ocpl.org. The site also provides access to online databases, digital copies of popular magazines, PDF copies of historical sheet music, ebooks, audiobooks, jobseeker resources and more.

Chris Wright is not sure if he lives to read or if he reads to live. He has been a public librarian with the OC Public Libraries since 2006 and currently works at the Dana Point branch. 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

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: Very easy

Pet of the Week: Frankie

P

retty little Gem is a nice kitty looking for her purrfect match.

She enjoys the quiet life and would probably prefer to spend most of her days curled up in a warm lap.

With her heart-shaped nose and sweet personality, Gem would make a great addition to almost any home.

If you would like to know more about Gem, 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

Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

Gem. Photo: San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter Frankie. Photo: San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter

Page 11

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DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Dolphin Report

Hills 18-5 over eight minutes. Against Tesoro, the Dolphins held a one-point lead going into the third before Tesoro erupted to outscore Dana Hills 18-4 in the quarter.

The Dolphins will get a second shot at league rival El Toro on Jan. 29. When the teams first met on Jan. 13, Dana Hills fought its way back in the second half but ultimately lost a close one 55-51.

Dana Hills will host Aliso Niguel on Feb. 3.

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, 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.

Hawks Move Past Dolphins Boys Soccer

Girls Soccer Team’s EightMatch Unbeaten Streak Ends The Dana Hills girls soccer team’s season-long eight-match unbeaten streak came to an end on Jan. 23 as the Dolphins lost 3-0 to Aliso Niguel on the road in a South Coast League match.

Maddie Desiano, Tatia Dumbadse and Remy Mathews all scored goals for the first-place Wolverines.

Prior to the loss to Aliso Niguel, Dana Hills (4-3-9, 1-1-2 league) had not lost a match since Dec. 17. Over the ensuing eight-match stretch, the Dolphins compiled a 2-0-6 record.

Dana Hills came away with a 0-0 draw against rival San Clemente, the fourthranked team in CIF-SS Division 1, on Jan. 21.

The third-place Dolphins were set to travel to play Capistrano Valley in a league game on Jan. 28. Results were not available at press time. Dana Hills will host Mission Viejo on Feb. 2.

The Dana Hills girls soccer team’s defense clears a ball out of the box against San Clemente on Jan. 21.

Photo: KDahlgren Photography

Late Rally Vaults Tritons Past Dolphins Water Polo

Girls Basketball Team Remains Unbeaten in League Behind a balanced offense and a stingy defense, the Dana Hills girls basketball team has barnstormed its way through the first round of Sea View League competition. The Dolphins picked up their fourth straight league victory on Jan. 26 after defeating Capistrano Valley 54-30 at home.

Sophomore Peyton Romo scored 22 points in the win over the Cougars, shooting 52 percent from the field. Romo’s scoring outburst was fueled by four made 3-pointers. The standout sophomore also pulled in 11 rebounds and recorded five steals.

The Dana Hills defense has been sharp in four league games. The Dolphins are limiting opponents to an average of 33.7 points per game. The offense has also found a groove and is averaging just over 50 points per game.

The Dolphins will play a nonleague game at home against Aliso Niguel on Jan. 30 before returning to league play with a home game against Trabuco Hills on Feb. 2.

Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

The Sea View League woes continued for the Dana Hills boys soccer team on Jan. 22, as the Dolphins dropped their third game in league play following a 3-1 loss to Laguna Hills.

Ryan Bishop scored once and William Ostina scored twice for Laguna Hills. Kyle Watkins scored the lone goal for Dana Hills.

After going 7-2-1 through its first nine matches of the season, the Dolphins have hit a snag, going 0-4-1 over their last five games.

Dana Hills (7-5-2, 0-3-1) ended a threematch losing skid on Jan. 15 by drawing 0-0 with Trabuco Hills.

Dana Hills will get to go another round through league competition, starting with a Jan. 29 home game against Aliso Niguel.

A Dana Hills girls soccer player tracks down a ball against San Clemente during a South Coast League match on Jan. 21. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

Third Quarter Woes Strike Dolphin Hoops Team After battling through two quarters of play against Mission Viejo and Tesoro on Jan. 22 and Jan. 27, respectively, the Dana Hills boys basketball team found itself in good position to pick up quality wins.

But in both instances, when the game was close or they held a lead at the half-

way point, Dana Hills was unable to keep the momentum going. The Dolphins (8-14, 0-4) lost both games to the Diablos and the Titans. The game against Tesoro was not a league contest, but the loss to Mission Viejo put Dana Hills down at the bottom of the South Coast League standings.

The Dolphins trailed Mission Viejo by just one point at the half, but the Diablos pulled away in the third, outscoring Dana

Page 12

In a tightly contested South Coast League match, the San Clemente girls water polo team bested Dana Hills down the stretch on Jan. 26. The Tritons outscored the Dolphins in the final two quarters to pull off an 11-9 victory on the road.

Dana Hills led 6-5 at the halfway point but the Tritons outscored the Dolphins 6-3 over the final two quarters to seal the win.

Dana Hills (11-13, 2-2) was led by Sydney Baba’s four goals. Alex Peros scored three and Maia Borisoff chipped in two.

San Clemente benefitted from five goals by standout senior Amber McCutcheon and goalie Victoria Reardon recorded a game-high 12 saves.

The game had important league and playoff implications and, following its victory, San Clemente jumped into solo second place in the league standings while Dana Hills fell into the third spot.

Dana Hills entered the match against the Tritons as the No. 9-ranked team in CIF-SS Division 2. The Tritons are ranked third in the division.

Dana Hills was scheduled to host Aliso Niguel in a league match on Jan. 28. Results were not available at press time. The Dolphins will host Tesoro on Feb. 4. DP

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

MUST SELL!!

2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4x4 Silver with black interior. Bluetooth CD player with lan hookup. New Bilstein shocks. K&N air filter. In great shape. $13,900 949-633-3860

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.

Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

Page 13

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DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Skaters Raise Fun and Funds

GROM OF THE WEEK

GAVIN WILCHEK

W

Local teen’s third annual backyard Econ Invitational skate contest benefits Wounded Warriors

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

T

he San Clemente/Dana Point area has long been known for raising generation after generation of talented surfing and skateboarding athletes, each new up-and-coming group of kids looking to the last for inspiration. For one San Clemente teen, that means not only looking to local pro athletes as examples of athletic success but also for their contributions to the community.

Matt Economos, 14, of San Clemente, an avid competitor in both sports, has created a fun skate event for friends, combining it with his desire to make a difference.

Economos got the idea from local pro surfers the Gudauskas brothers. It came to him, he said, while participating in the Gudauskas’ annual Stoke-o-Rama surf contest which raises funds for scholarships that give local kids the opportunity to participate in the Junior Guards program.

“The Gudauskas brothers’ contest is always super fun, everyone has a great time and it raises money for a good cause,” Economos said. “When we got a ramp in our backyard I decided to do the same thing.”

That was three years ago and since then his hometown event, the Econ Invitational, has grown a bit each year.

Event participants are asked to make a $10 donation to enter and the funds raised are donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

“With the Marines so close to our town at Camp Pendleton, I thought it would be a good organization to support,” Economos said. “They do so much for us, fight for our country and don’t really get much, so it’s important to give back, to help them out.

And it feels really good too.”

Support for Economos’ event has also grown over the years. This year a larger group of sponsors made it better than ever, he said.

“We had a lot of great local companies as sponsors this year: Ello Gum, Sun Bum sunscreens, Gnarly Clothing, Stance socks and Republik of California gift cards,” Economos said. “And my parents are super supportive. They handle all the food and let me do this in our back yard. It’s really good to have their help.”

Economos said his three siblings, two

Dana Point Times January 29 - February 4, 2016

Third annual Econ Invitational winners (L to R) 1. Gavin Wilchek, second place and Best Trick winner Luke Sunderland, 3. Lang Hennings, 4. Makai Haynes and Best Wipeout winner Maddox Bray line up for the trophy presentation. Photo: Jack McDaniel

Econ Invitational creator Matt Economos catches air during the third annual Wounded Warriors benefit skate contest he holds in his backyard. Photo: Jack McDaniel

Gavin Wilchek catches one of many big airs on his way to winning the Econ Invitational. Photo: Jack McDaniel

sisters and a brother who are also talented surfers and skaters, help out too.

“I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped me out with it,” he said.

“I also need to thank Andrea Swayne for making the awesome trophies, Jack McDaniel for taking photos and Señor (Dave Hennings, Shorecliffs Middle School surf coach and Spanish teacher) for announcing.”

Gavin Wilchek took top honors and the $100 Republik of California prize.

“This is by far my favorite skate contest,” Wilchek said in a post event interview. “They have a bunch of prizes and I’m inspired by it, by Matt. I look up to him. It’s so fun and there’s no annoying people, no ego people here. We’re all friends, locals and no meanies.”

Wilchek said his winning strategy was simple.

“I just tried to be consistent, not fall and do the tricks I know I’m good at first and then go big at the end,” he said. “That’s why I tried the blunt on the on the extension. I didn’t land it; it was too big.”

Although he didn’t land his last big blunt, the spectators and competitors cheered wildly at the spectacular attempt.

Second place went to Luke Sunderland who was also awarded the Best Trick Trophy. Lang Hennings came in third and Makai Haynes was fourth. The Best Wipeout Trophy went to Maddox Bray.

“Gavin always shows up and blows up,” Economos said. “Luke got Best Trick for his big blunt on the extension of the ramp and a backside boneless. Lang did some really sick airs and Makai just plain ripped. And Maddox definitely earned the Best Wipeout award. He fell off the ramp a couple times. It was pretty gnarly.

It was super funny. It was awesome!”

This year Economos added a girls division for the first time.

“Last year the girls just came and skated but this year we had a division for them,” he said. “They totally went for it.”

In the girls division Sawyer Lindblad won, followed by runner-up Reese Dewey, Nicole Economos in third place and Alex Economos in fourth.

Economos will be making a $200 donation to the Wounded Warriors Project this year thanks to this year’s field of 20 skaters.

For a photo slideshow from the event, visit www.danapointtimes.com. DP

Page 14

e spoke with 12-year-old Gavin Wilchek after his win at the third annual Econ Invitational skate contest on Jan. 23, to find out more about the talented San Clemente athlete. Gavin, a seventh-grader at Shorecliffs Middle School, is in his second year on the school surf team. Although skating came first, at the age of 4, he would like to start doing more surf contests, he said.

“I don’t compete as much as I used to in skating but I’ll skate in the SC Open,” he said. “I used to do the CASL (California Amateur Skateboard League) series and traveled a bunch of places. I went to Italy once for a Vans contest.”

Gavin also enjoys school and works hard to maintain good grades. Right now there’s only one B separating him from his straight-A goal. Learning is definitely a priority, but having such good friends as classmates and attending a school that’s so close to the beach are the two things he likes best about it.

“I will definitely surf competitively through high school,” he said. “But I don’t think I’ll be a pro in either sport. I surf and skate because I love it.”

Gavin’s favorite maneuver in both sports is catching air.

“I love boosting up in the air,” he said. “I got good airs in surfing from skateboarding.”

Gavin hasn’t set his mind on what he wants to be when he grows up but he has some ideas of a general direction he would like to explore.

“I really enjoy working with my hands, like fixing my surfboards, all my dings and cuts,” he said. “I like building too. I helped build my skate ramp and take it apart when the wood got wet. Something working with my hands is probably what I’ll do.”

Whatever Gavin’s future holds, in sports, school or career, Gavin said he knows his family will be supportive along the way.

“I want to thank my mom for all she’s done for me, especially since she has four kids, and my dad for always being there and pushing me and helping me succeed,” Gavin said. “I definitely love my family and all my siblings. Obviously siblings can be annoying sometimes but they’re also my best friends.”

—Andrea Swayne

Galvin Wilchek. Photo: Andrea Swayne

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