July 7, 2017

LO C A L

N EWS

YO U

July 7–13, 2017 C A N

U S E

Residents Celebrate Fourth of July Across Dana Point PAGE 10

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 27

Expanding Services Dana Point Police Chief Discusses New Substation, Benefits E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 4

The expansion to the Dana Point Police Services station includes locker rooms, bathroom and shower facilities, an evidence room and more. Photo: Allison Jarrell

School District, Teachers Union Reach Impasse in Contract Negotiations EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Doheny Longboard Association Holds Annual Beach Cleanup EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

www.danapointtimes.com

Q&A with Los Angeles Aviators Co-Owner Daniel Smeltzer SPORTS/PAGE 12

GO TO DANAPOINTTIMES.COM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS AND SPORTS

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

To read the survey results and the report, visit www.danapointtimes.com.—KP

School District, Teachers Union Reach Impasse in Contract Negotiations

Five things Dana Point should know this week

Doheny Longboard Association Holds Annual Beach Cleanup THE LATEST: Early Wednesday morning as surfers were catching the first waves of the day, members of the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association were sweeping the beach to pick up trash from the July 4 holiday.

Mark Gale, president of the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association, said this year there was less trash than previous years.

“But, these little streamers are abnormal,” Gale said as he surveyed the sand.

“This is something new.”

Along with the colored paper streamers, the members found phone batteries, bottle caps, kids’ toys, clothing and more.

Tom Hammer, a San Clemente resident and member of the Association, said he wants to ensure the beach is clean for families.

“I want the first family of the day to be able to walk across the sand and enjoy a day at the beach,” Hammer said as he picked up pieces of a glass bottle.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Association holds the annual cleanup every July 5 to ensure the beach and water are clean.—Kristina Pritchett

Planning Commission Schedules Public Hearings on Hotel Site, Union Bank Property THE LATEST: According to the Planning Commission agenda, a request regarding the Wave Resort and a project regarding the Union Bank in the Lantern District is scheduled to be discussed.

According to the public notice, the hotel will be a 57-room hotel with 4,000 square feet of restaurant space and outdoor dining, a 40-room hostel and a visitor center on Pacific Coast Highway.

Regarding the Union Bank site, the request is to relocate to the existing Union Bank to the first floor of an existing multitenant commercial building on Del Prado.

Each item has a public hearing where members from the public can give their opinions. The Commission could vote on a decision regarding the items during the meeting.

Dana Point Times July 7–13, 2017

Debbie Gale, member of the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association, picks up streamers at Doheny State Beach during the annual cleanup on Wednesday, July 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

or agreements,” CUSD officials said in a statement. “Before TCA can construct the ultimate toll expressway extension to Interstate 5, it will be required to identify, and environmentally review, a new alignment for such a project.” —Allison Jarrell

WHAT’S NEXT: The meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 10 at 6 p.m. To view the agenda, visit www.danapointtimes.com.

—KP

School District Takes Strong Stance against Toll Road Options

Planning Commission to Make Recommendations to City Council

THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees voted 6-1 on Wednesday, June 28, to adopt a resolution that opposes any toll road extension alignment that would adversely affect district school sites and students.

Board President Martha McNicholas, who was not in attendance but participated over the phone, was the sole no vote.

The item, which was brought before the board by Trustee Patricia Holloway, of San Clemente, drew dozens of community members to the meeting. San Clemente Mayor Kathy Ward was one of the public speakers who spoke in support of the board’s resolution.

“I applaud you. Just as we have to protect our citizens, you also have to protect your students,” Ward said.

Trustee Jim Reardon said an important part of the resolution is the request for the county and OCTA to reevaluate the need for toll roads in South Orange County.

Reardon went on to call the Transportation Corridor Agencies a “bully” and a “zombie.”

“They’ve played this game in South County for years and years, and they’re back,” Reardon said. “When TCA signed that agreement with the environmental groups, it put itself out of business.”

THE LATEST: Planning Commission unanimously approved to send a recommendation regarding parking to the City Council.

On Monday, June 26, Planning Commissioners received a presentation from Dr. Richard Wilson, who the city hired to hold workshops and look into the city’s parking.

The recommendations that will go to City Council include creating a parking oversight committee, if the Traffic Improvement Subcommittee’s jurisdiction doesn’t cover parking, and to prioritize the Lantern District’s parking first, followed

by Doheny Village then city-wide.

The parking oversight committee could receive parking occupancy and financial monitoring reports, respond to issues and special events, promote shared parking arrangements and the leasing of parking for public uses and more, according to the report created by Wilson.

“I read the results, it’s clear to me that everyone is experiencing parking differently,” said Chariman Eric Nelson. “Priority one is to deal with the Lantern District, we need to focus on how we right a wrong then talk about how we address the issues in Doheny Village.”

WHAT’S NEXT: “Because the toll road is a county approved project, it does not involve any district approvals, easements

WHAT’S NEXT: The recommendations could be made during the Tuesday, July 18, meeting.

Page 3

THE LATEST: Contract negotiations between the Capistrano Unified School District and the Capistrano Unified Education Association have officially stalled, according to a Friday, June 30 press release from the district.

CUSD officials reported that after 16 bargaining sessions with CUEA, both parties were unable to reach an agreement on June 29. The school district’s last offer to the union was a “two-year agreement that includes a 1.5 percent ongoing salary schedule increase effective July 1, 2016, a two-year increase (for plan years 2017 and 2018) to health and welfare benefits, and a retirement incentive for 2017-2018.”

In a notice online regarding the declared impasse, teachers union officials describe the parties as “far apart economically.”

“Their health and welfare offer would only make the Kaiser HMO plan a no co-premium to our members for 2017,” union officials said of CUSD’s offer. “Their proposed salary increase would likely be negated by an increase to members’ copremiums to health and welfare in 2018.”

According to countywide school district salary settlement reports listed on CUEA’s website, of the 27 school districts in Orange County, CUSD was the sixth highest-paying school district on average in 2012-13, but declined over the years to the 20th spot in 2016-17.

In the school district’s press release, CUSD’s offer was defended with statements about the “uncertainties of future state funding,” and the “very broken Local Control Funding Formula that was created in Sacramento.”

WHAT’S NEXT: CUSD and CUEA agreed to jointly file for impasse certification with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), according to the district’s release.

A mediator will likely be assigned to help resolve the negotiations, which could take up to several months.

If the mediator and parties aren’t able to reach an agreement, the process continues to fact-finding, where a panel reviews the proposals and ultimately issues nonbinding recommendations.

If the fact-finding process does not result in an agreement, CUSD would be able to impose its last, best and final offer, and CUEA teachers would maintain the right to strike.

For more information on the negotiations, visit www.capousd.org and www. cuea.org. —AJ www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Expanding Services

Community Meetings

Dana Point Police Chief Discusses New Substation, Benefits

SATURDAY, JULY 8

Dana Point Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. There will be fresh produce and treats for sale at the Farmers Market. La Plaza Park. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point. 949.279.3122.

BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, DANA POINT TIMES

D

riving up to City Hall, any Dana Point resident can see a line of black and white patrol cars. Just steps away from those vehicles is the new Dana Point Police Services’ substation.

The new facility, according to Dana Point Police Chief Lt. Russ Chilton, will improve the city’s already good response time.

Previously, before the substation was finished, Dana Point Police Service deputies would travel to Aliso Viejo before their shift.

“Time is valuable,” Chilton said. “Every minute counts.”

He said officers now would gain, at minimum, 40 minutes to their patrol shifts.

“They were going to work, suiting up, attending briefings and then driving to Dana Point,” Chilton said. “In that time, they were already an hour to an hour and a half into their shift before hitting the streets of Dana Point,” Chilton said.

He added that if deputies had to book evidence, they would have to return to Aliso Viejo, but now they just need to return to City Hall.

In October, the city approved of a contract for the station totaling $923,797.13 with Optima RPM, Inc., but according to a staff report, the potential costs were $1.2 million.

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Local Children take ‘Voyage to Wellness’ Members of the Boys & Girls Club of the Southern Coast Area participated in a “Voyage to Wellness” fieldtrip to the Ocean Institute.

The children were able to set sail on the Schooner Curlew receive a presentation by the captain on sailing safety and ocean education. They also receive an interactive wellness lesson by Dr. Edward Taub and Dr. Marc Taub.

Dr. Edward Taub started a wellness outreach concept several years ago to reach out to children and families to ensure they lead healthy and happy lifestyles.

The children are all 8-13 years old and the Club receives funding from the John and May Tu Foundation.

Dana Point Times July 7–13, 2017

Orange County Sheriff Department Deputies and Dana Point Police Chief Lt. Russ Chilton (left center) stand in front of a police patrol vehicle outside of Dana Point Police Services’ new substation. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

The city’s Police Services will continue to utilize the existing space with the front counter and some of the officers’ desks in addition to the 3,000 square feet of new space.

The new space provides locker rooms for both men and women where each deputy has their own locker. Bathroom, shower facilities and bunk rooms are also provided for staff.

Administrative Sergeant Kamelia Cappel said that specific space will be beneficial for those deputies who may work the overnight shift and have court in the morning.

“Sometimes there’s a three-hour window, and for those deputies who live in areas like Corona, driving back and forth doesn’t really work for them,” Cappel said.

Chilton added if the department had to turn the space into an Emergency Operation Center, they would be able to do that with the new space.

“We would have a place for staff to sleep and shower if need be,” Chilton said.

The new space also includes a briefing

room, an area for report writing, a fullfledged evidence room, an area to clean their equipment and more.

In addition to the space, the department’s patrol vehicles will now all be housed at the station.

“This is a full blown police station; [residents] are always going to see patrol cars here,” Chilton said. “We have 19 vehicles, and they’re not all in service at one given time.”

Chilton is happy with the outcome of the station and believes it will be a benefit for the city.

“It’s centrally located,” Chilton said.

“I think every community, if they could, would have their police officers deploy out of the city their assigned to.”

The station officially opened on June 12. As of the July 7-13 issue of the Dana Point Times, Chilton said it was still too early to provide response times out of the new station. He added he would want to get a few months of data and could present information to City Council at the beginning of 2018. DP

Ocean Institute Honored as Top Nonprofit

Road Closure Planned for Prado West Construction to Begin on July 10

The Ocean Institute was honored as Nonprofit of the Year during a celebration of California Nonprofits Day in Sacramento on Wednesday, June 28.

The Institute was selected by Senator Patricia Bates as an “exceptional nonprofit” organization in the 36th State Senate District community.

The Institute joined nearly 100 other nonprofits from across the state to receive the honors.

“The Ocean Institute is honored to be among the recipients of this California Association of Nonprofits’ Award and we are proud to work every day to educate, enrich and enlighten Southern California’s K-12 students and the visiting public about the urgency of ocean protection,” said Ocean Institute President and Chief Executive Officer, Dan Pingaro, in a statement.

A road closure is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 10, to work on a portion of Amber Lantern Street between Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue.

The Lantern District will remain accessible with parking throughout the closure.

Del Prado will be accessible by traveling west on PCH by using Ruby Lantern.

For eastbound PCH traffic, access Del Prado by using Violet Lantern.

For businesses that utilize the alley south of PCH between Violet Lantern and Amber Lantern, utilize the temporary access driveway from PCH.

MONDAY, JULY 10

Planning Commission Meeting

6 p.m. Members of the Commission will meet in Council Chambers. Dana Point City Hall. 33282 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

TUESDAY, JULY 11

Veteran’s Assistance

1:30 p.m. The Dana Point VFW Post 9934 provides veterans with assistance. Dana Point Community Center.

34052 Del Obispo, Dana Point. Contact Bob Fowler at rfnamvet@gmail. com or call 949.275.3412.

Dana Harbor Toastmasters

7-8:30 p.m. Fine-tune your public speaking skills each Tuesday at Capo Beach Church. 25975 Domingo Avenue, Capistrano Beach. 949.492.7181. www.toastmasters.org

Because I Love You (BILY) Meeting

7-9 p.m. every Tuesday. BILY helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. 119 Avenida De La Estrella, San Clemente. www.bilysc.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 13

Coastmasters (Toastmaster’s)

7-8:30 a.m. Join the members of the Coastmasters every Thursday to improve your speaking and leadership skills. 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. Adjacent to Baby Beach at OC Sailing & Events Center. www.coastmasters.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 14

Action Associates

7:30 a.m. Members of the networking group meet every Friday at RJ’s for networking. Membership is $45 and includes breakfast. Guests must RSVP before the meeting at actionassoc@gmail.com.

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com.

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DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Council’s Corner by Richard Viczorek

Ruminations on The Fourth of July

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

T

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.danapointtimes.com

he Fourth of July has just passed and I hope everyone was able to spend some time with friends and family, enjoy the holiday, and feel tremendous pride in being an American. I also hope that everyone thought a little bit about what we were actually celebrating on the Fourth: the enactment of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation.

One thing that always jumps out at me when I read the Declaration of Independence is that our Founders had a lot of complaints about the British king and British people. But it wasn’t an expression of wanting to get rid of the English king and replacing him with an American one.

Rather, the Declaration of Independence was a document that referred to natural and individual rights and laid the groundwork for a nation where it would be the people who ruled themselves. This form of government has led to the most free and most prosperous nation the world has ever known, and we have wisely employed it at the federal, state and local levels.

Now that I am a participant in government at the local level thinking about the Fourth of July, I have a couple of thoughts I would like to share. The first is that during my time as a city councilman, I have met many people who do not know who their elected officials are. I want to emphasize here that I think this is a good thing.

Why? Because one of the enumerated natural rights in the Declaration is the Pursuit of Happiness. This means that these

people are busy pursuing their happiness and in large part finding it because of the freedoms that they enjoy. They choose to spend their time following their dreams and interests rather than following politics.

To me, this is how it looks when people are exercising those rights enumerated in the Declaration. Government was not meant to play the central role in our lives.

On the flip side, if one’s passion and interests are in politics, we as Americans have every right to GUEST OPINION involve ourselves there.

Council's Corner And while I have met

By Rick Viczorek many people who do not follow politics, I also have met many people who do. The Declaration envisioned people governing themselves rather than a permanent ruling class of nobles doing it for us.

Sometimes in practice this means a packed city council meeting with occasional hoots and scoffs. That is a representation of the vision our Founders had for this country.

The people who take the time to attend such meetings are vigilant in reminding our elected officials that government derives its power from the consent of the governed, and I thank them for it.

I believe the number of people who participate in our local government this way encourages new leaders to emerge and helps us avoid the pitfalls of a permanent ruling class. An expression of these

ideals from the Declaration was immediately shown by George Washington who refused to become an American king and imposed term limits on himself of two, four-year terms as President. I think Dana Point has been wise to follow President Washington’s example by also setting term limits for city councilmembers at two, four-year terms. While I am thinking about local governance of the city council, let me add one last thought.

Our city council is made up of five hardworking and dedicated individuals who desire to serve our community and earnestly do what each believes is best for Dana Point. This quite often leads to five different points of view on various topics and sincere debate before decisions are made and actions are taken. I understand that to some, a lack of unanimity implies dysfunction.

However, I believe this type of interaction is healthy and shows the strength of our democracy as it has always functioned. It makes me proud to think that, no matter our differences, we are all bound together by the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to serve in our local government and be a small part of this great American Experiment that officially started back on July 4, 1776. DP

Letters to the Editor

comment comparing reserves to projected income is largely irrelevant to the underlying situation.

Muller uses his opportunity for an opinion article to find fault with Mayor Debra Lewis when she wants to explore further cost cutting options in a budget meeting.

He takes exception to the cost cutting approach and instead argues we can largely keep our current spending levels just by increasing revenue. He thinks the Lantern District can generate up to $1 million annually in property and sales tax revenue, enough to sustain us until more hotels come on line. If only that were true.

Fact—the city’s own consultants, Keysor Marsden, estimated in 2015 that it would take up to 10 years to build out the Lantern District. When fully built out, a decade in the future, they estimated annual revenue then, from sales and property tax, would be about $600,000. Not $1 million ever or anytime soon.

Consider that our total policing bill from the OC Sheriff is now $12 million and goes up every year by about $600,000 / (five percent) annually. The annual police bill

consumes everything we collect yearly from hotels in occupancy tax. That annual cost increase will consume everything we would get from the Lantern District, when it is fully built in 10 years, in just one year.

How is any of that sustainable? The Lantern District is clearly a revenue pipe dream but always fodder for useless political arguments about Measure H. Could Mayor Lewis be onto something? Maybe it really is time to look at city expenses very seriously.

For readers who want to understand our city overhead better, use the following link to look at city employee salaries www.danapoint.org/home/ showdocument?id=21921. Read that, consider the Sheriff’s bill and then ask whose priorities are out of order here?

Councilman Muller needs to spend more time absorbing valid economic information and less time trying to politicize our city government.

COUNCILMAN’S COLUMN DESERVES COMMENT STEVE STEWART, Dana Point

Councilman Muller’s opinion article in the Dana Point Times (June 23, 2017) deserves comment.

Residents who have studied the city’s financials understand that since 2008 the city has burned through millions in funds due to years of deficit spending.

Successive councils since 2008 either did not understand or ignored the reality that the city was spending its “net worth” at an alarming rate—total worth down $34 million from 2008 to 2017. The data is available online from the city’s annual financial reports. That spending pattern is unsustainable and will lead to dire financial straits. In fact, that outcome is coming into view right now and Muller’s optimistic Dana Point Times July 7–13, 2017

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Kristina Pritchett, 949.388.7700, x113 kpritchett@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Steve Breazeale, 949.388.7700, x110 sbreazeale@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice City Editor, DP Times > Kristina Pritchett City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Jake Howard Debra Holm Tim Trent

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point) Dana Point Times, Vol. 10, Issue 27. 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 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE DANA POINT T IMES

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

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

Page 6

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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 07 ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 6:30 p.m. Join Dana Wharf for a 90-minute evening cruise aboard the luxury catamaran. The cruises run Friday and Sunday evenings. Tickets are $49. Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

LIVE THEATER: ‘HAIRSPRAY’ 7:30 p.m. Big, bold heroine Tracy Turnblad twists her way into Baltimore’s stardom while fighting for integration on a local TV show. The show is held at various times until July 30. Tickets range in price depending on seat. The Laguna Playhouse.

606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

949.497.2787. www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

Saturday | 08 SHARK SEARCH TRIP 8 a.m. Join Dana Wharf aboard the OCean Adventures Catamaran and search for great whites, mako, thresher, blue and hammerhead sharks during a two-hour trip. Tickets are $45 per person, $29 for children. Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.2240603. www.danawharf.com.

PADDLE BOARD YOGA 8 a.m. iHeartYoga and West Wind Sailing offer a 90-minute paddle and yoga workshop. The first 30 minutes is spent paddling and the rest is yoga. Cost is $35 with board rental, $25 if you bring your own. West Wind Sailing. 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. 949.363.3152. www.iheartyoga.com.

WHALE WALK AND TALK 9 a.m. The walk focuses on the offshore visits that can be seen from the Dana Point Headlands. Participants will learn about different whales, migrating seasons and more. The walk occurs on the second Saturday of each month and begins at the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center.

34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. RSVP to dpnaturalresources@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3527.

SUNSET CINEMA 8 p.m. Grab a blanket and the family to watch The Goonies, hosted by OC Parks.

Dana Point Times July 7–13, 2017

Photo: City of Dana Point

SUNDAY, JULY 9: DANA POINT SUMMER CONCERT 2:30-6 p.m. Every Sunday through July enjoy music from a variety of bands. This week’s bands are the Neil Deal and the Sam Morrison Band Tribute to Bob Seger & Southern Rock. There will be food and beverages for sale. A free shuttle service will be provided from Dana Hills High School from 1-7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Sea Terrace Park. 33501 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

ON THE MENU

‘STELLA’ FROM TJ’S WOODFIRE PIZZA

The movie is free to attend, and free parking will begin at 6 p.m. The movie will start around 8 p.m. There will be food trucks serving on site. Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.923.2280. www.ocparks. com.

Sunday | 09 MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER 1 p.m. Brio Tuscany Grille is presenting “Til Death Do us Part,” a murder mystery dinner theater. Tickets are $75 per adult and include a prepared dining experience with an unraveling murder mystery. For reservations, call 702.349.3703 or email ampopupproductions@gmail.com. Brio Tuscany Grille. 24050 Camino del Avion, Dana Point.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY & LIFE STORIES WORKSHOP 10 a.m. Have you ever told yourself, “Someday I will write about my life, my parents’ life, or that of my ancestors?” If so, this is the class for you. Be inspired on the fun and fulfilling journey of writing your personal and/or family story. You will gain writing skills and experience, plus tips on getting organized as you enjoy sharing your stories with others in this workshop.

Instructor: Linda Berkshire, M.A. Dana Point Community Center. 34052 Del Obispo St., Dana Point. 949.248.3530. www.danapoint.org/recreation.

SUNSHINE READERS STORYTIME 11:30 a.m. The Sunshine Readers will entertain children during the hour-long storytime. Dana Point Public Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point. 949.496.5517.

Wednesday | 12

F

or vegetarians looking for a meatless slice (or countless slices) of pie, TJ’s Woodfire Pizza’s “Stella” is top of the line. A hearty vegetarian pizza on its own, adding sausage to half of this tomatobased pie with roasted peppers, red onion, artichoke hearts topped with mozzarella is a savory compromise for any carnivores in your group. In addition to TJ’s countless other foodie options like calzones, pastas, salads, appetizers and desserts, they also offer a variety of beer specials on tap, many of which are based out of Southern California.

Since 2015, TJ’s has been at the top of the pizza world in South Orange County.

They’ve racked up numerous awards in their brick-and-mortar location. Before TJ’s was in north San Clemente, the business made

problem-solving. Cost is $30 for a single class or $150 for all six classes. Register online. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

LEGO CLUB 3-4 p.m. Join the Lego club and learn how to build different things. Every month there is a new challenge. From 1-2 p.m. there is an open hour of Legos. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.4963.5517.

Thursday | 13 its name out of a truck selling its wood-fired brand.

TJ’s Woodfire Pizza 641 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente 949.243.6433, www.tjwoodfirepizza.com

Monday | 10 YOGA IN THE PARK 5:30 p.m. Join iHeartYoga for yoga in the park every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this summer. Bring a mat, water bottle and suggested donation of $8. Lantern Bay Park. 25111 Park Lantern, Dana Point. www.iheartyoga.org.

Tuesday | 11 TINY TOTS: PARENT AND ME PROGRAM 9-10:15 a.m. Join the Ocean Institute for a six-week, maritime-themed series of exploration and play suitable for children ages 2 and 3. Stretch your child’s imagination through creative play that supports language development, social interaction and Page 8

PLANTING SEEDS AT THE LIBRARY 1 p.m. Children are invited to design a pot and plant seeds at the Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517.

DANA POINT SCIENCE NIGHT 6:30 p.m. Learn about science-related topics in a family-friendly format. There are hands-on activities and/or displays that are geared toward children. Contact the Natural Resources Department at dpnaturalresources@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3527. Dana Point Community Center. 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point.

SESSIONS AT STILLWATER 7 p.m. Listen to live music when artists from around the world perform together.

Stillwater Spirits and Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www.danapointstillwater.com.

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to Dana Point Times by going to www.danapointtimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

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DP Dana Point

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

A firework exploded in the sky over Doheny State Beach. Photo: Alex Paris

The annual water wars took place in the Dana Point Harbor on Tuesday, July 4. Photo: Courtesy of Joseph Vasco

Residents Celebrate Fourth of July Across Dana Point

Spectators check out the annual water wars in the Dana Point Harbor.

Photo: Courtesy of Alan Gibby

BY KRISTINA PRITCHETT, DANA POINT TIMES

To celebrate Independence Day, Dana Point locals took to the sandy beaches for a variety of activities. Throughout the day, residents held barbecues on the beach, participated in the annual water wars in the Dana Point Harbor, and sat back to watch the city’s annual firework show at Doheny State Beach. The Dana Point Times’ readers submitted photos throughout the day across different social media platforms as well as emailed their submissions.

The city’s firework show lit up the Dana Point Harbor.

Photo: Courtesy of Jordan Anast

Pet of the Week: Chiquita

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Dana Point Times July 7–13, 2017

T See the solution in next week’s issue.

Chiquita. Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente/ Dana Point Animal Shelter

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his little cutie is named Chiquita and she is just about as sweet as they come. She loves to play with other dogs and is known among her handlers as being an avid snuggler. She’s a year old and is a fun pup that would fit into just about any home. If you would like to know more about Chiquita, please call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. DP www.danapointtimes.com

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34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

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Los Angeles Aviators player Ted Barnett lays out for a disc during a game. Photo: Aaron Kupferman

The Ultimate Dream Q&A with Los Angeles Aviators co-owner Daniel Smeltzer

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

D

aniel Smeltzer was first introduced to ultimate Frisbee in freshman P.E. class at Dana Hills High School.

The fast-growing sport was beginning to take hold in the Southland, and Smeltzer and his buddies gravitated toward it.

His passion for the free-flowing game took on new meaning when he walked on to campus at Cal State Long Beach in the fall of 2004. Smeltzer joined the school’s

ultimate club team, and eventually became the captain.

A career in business took him on a different path in the following years, but Smeltzer never let ultimate stray far from his mind.

A chance business proposition materialized in 2014 that Smeltzer could not refuse.

He was asked to come on and become a co-owner of a professional ultimate Frisbee franchise in Los Angeles, and he bought in.

Now in their third season, the Los Angeles Aviators are in the hunt for the American Ultimate Disc League championship, and are attempting to grow their fan base and grab a foothold in L.A. We caught up with Smeltzer, who runs the sales and logistics department for the team, to talk about his love for the sport, how he became a co-owner of a pro sports franchise and the Aviators’ historic season.

Dana Point Times: You’ve been around the sport for a while. Have you seen its popularity rise at all since you started playing in high school?

Daniel Smeltzer, left, and his fellow Los Angeles Aviators owners founded the ultimate Frisbee franchise in 2014. Photo: Steven Lowe

Dana Point Times July 7–13, 2017

Daniel Smeltzer: In 2015, there were 5.1 million active players of ultimate in America. It’s grown to a point where almost every university and college across the U.S. and Canada has an ultimate Frisbee team. That’s really what drives players into the professional leagues. There are also vibrant youth programs in places like Seattle, San Francisco and Austin that are critical for providing a pipeline of players that come into college.

Why did you want to get involved with a professional team and become a co-owner?

DS: Ever since I learned about the sport, I got more into it. I come from a (background) where my current job is sales for a transportation and operations company. We move goods for businesses.

With my experience and love for the sport, (the other owners) and I saw an angle for me to fill a role, which we needed for both sales and operations. There is a ton of travel involved with players figuring out hotels and flights and rental cars so that

was something I was well-suited for.

DPT: How does it feel to be a co-owner of a pro sports team?

DS: It’s pretty exciting. I would never have thought that I’d be in this position.

I just had a real passion for the sport and where it was going and I’d love for this to be a full-time job in the future … But it’s something that’s exciting to be a part of given the passion I have for the sport and seeing it develop.

DPT: The team is having a great year and you’re in a playoff race. How exciting has this season been for you and the team?

DS: It’s a really tight race in the west division, it’s insanely competitive. Five of the six teams in the division (currently) have a spot in the playoffs. We’re tied for second and we’re one game behind the first-place team with three games to go.

We’ve never won a league title. Last year was the first time we reached the playoffs.

This year looks to be our year where we make it all the way.

DPT: What’s been the team’s biggest strength this year?

DS: Our team has a little bit of a different approach. If you look at the stats overall in the league, some teams are very reliant on their star players. Our team has depth and that’s been to our advantage. We have some star players like Bryan Nguyen, who was voted All-Star player of the AUDL last week, and we have other guys who are just huge contributors. So while Brian might be leading our stats, he may not be in the top-10 in the league. The wealth is spread amongst the players on our team.

DPT: What makes ultimate Frisbee stand out in a saturated sports market like Los Angeles?

DS: We offer a unique sporting experience where it’s more of a community feel.

Especially at this point when our average game is netting around 400 people.

There’s just a tremendous community spirit. And it’s a competitive price in terms of a game day experience. It’s basically the price of a movie ticket for the whole family to see a pro sports experience. DP

Laguna Niguel’s Andrea Padula, right, makes a block during an ultimate Frisbee game against the Vancouver Riptide. Photo: Steve Lowe

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DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FOR SALE SUMMER TOYS 9’-0” Longboard Shaped by Ben Aipa, good condition...$150.00 Mountain Bike, Kona Coiler, full suspension, disk brakes, new tires...$500.00 Bob 949.493.5597 FRENCH BULLDOG PUPPIES AVAILABLE Adorable blue puppies. Won’t last long. 3 weeks old. Local breeder with great references. Call or text Tawnya at 909-496-5616 or 909-583-1208.

CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size. Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyesters, or designer carpet. Showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point: 24662 Del Prado, Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants also available. All shapes and sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too! Call Mike at 949.240.1545 GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. No phone calls please.

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

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DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 62-65 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-7’ Poor-Fair Outlook: Modest Southern hemi swell and small NW windswell mix continues Friday with kneeshoulder high surf. Larger surf this weekend and early next week as fresh S swells build in and peak. Conditions are best early in the mornings when the winds are lightest. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

GROM OF THE WEEK

AIDAN PEARCE Traditional surfing in Peru. Photo: Courtesy of Piero Marotta

Peru Not Polynesia?

Rethinking the heritage of surfing and its culture

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

F

ood for thought, as we celebrate Independence Day and all of the nostalgia and heritage it invokes, South Orange County is considered by surf historians to be the birthplace of the surf industry. Grubby Clark, Hobie Alter, Dale Velzy, Bruce Brown, the list of luminaries from the 1950s and 1960s runs long.

Reason enough to celebrate, but those gents wouldn’t be the legends that they are without their Hawaiian forefathers, who conceivably “invented” surfing.

But maybe they didn’t. Maybe surfing is more South American than Polynesian?

Last year, I had the opportunity to edit a new book on the history of surfing. Not your typical yarn about the islands, the Duke and all the Polynesian flattery, the book, titled 5,000 Years of Waves: A History of Surfing in Peru, details the 5,000-year history of wave riding dating to pre-Inca cultures. The contention is that surfing in Peru predates surfing in Polynesia by hundreds, if not thousands of years. Based on archeological records, Peruvian fishermen began riding reed crafts called “tups” or “caballito de totora” around 800-600 B.C. Some of the earliest records of “he`e nalu,” or wave sliding, in Hawaii is traced back to

Dana Point Times July 7–13, 2017

the 15th century A.D. “Traditionally, the origin of surfing is attributed to former members of Hawaiian royalty, who surfed on wooden boards they built themselves with native materials they found on the islands. Therefore, the art of surfing is recognized as the “sport of kings,” and most of its modern history, often based on studies done at the Bishop Museum in Hawaii, tends to establish its origins in the blue waters of Oahu and the surrounding islands,” writes author Roberto Meza. “However, for several decades, developments in the field of pre-Columbian archeology have revolutionized the traditional theory of the origin of the art of surfing. By studying the cultures of the coast of Peru, as highly developed as the ancient Egyptian civilizations, evidence proves that these men developed surfing thousands of years ago. Such is the case of the recent discovery of the ruins of Caral, which dates back five thousand years ago.”

Meza details how two ancient Peruvian cultures, the Mochica and Chimu, could be where surfing actually began. Iconography in archeological remains found in the Huaca Cao Viejo in the El Brujo complex show endless sequences of waves. Archeologists believe the waves represented the movement, strength and power of the sea as a source of life. The economic and social development of the Mochica and Chimu cultures was linked to fishing: they turned the Pacific Ocean into one of the largest fisheries in the world. They devised their own styles of art, social organization and construction of large cities and pyramidal complexes. During that time, fish was the main source of protein in the diet of an estimated one hundred thousand inhabitants

of the city of Chan Chan.

“The Mochica and Chimu cultures faced the challenge of living alongside a powerful coastline, exposing them most of the year to larger swells. Just imagine the endless sets of waves at a place like Chicama—a fishing and surf town in Northern Peru,” writes Meza. “One of the best waves in the surfing world, it is located south of the excavations of Lambayeque, where one of the most lavish and rich tombs of the Americas and the Lord of Sipán, was discovered a few years ago. The first men who experienced the pleasure of surfing were fishermen who had to face the power of waves in order to get their food. The necessary courage resulted in a rite of passage, similar to other warrior rituals or traditions found throughout history.”

Over time, Peruvian sailors found their way to the islands of Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). From there the early settlers of Rapa Nui were able to make forays into Polynesia and, allegedly, spread the concept of riding waves.

“Once the fisherman had experienced the delights of surfing, he’d dip into the sea from time to time for the pure and simple pleasure of catching a few good waves,” contends Meza. “It is undeniable that the most skilled fishermen felt proud of their abilities and strength to face the sea. Culturally, their skills immediately placed them in the select social group of expert fishermen. It should not surprise us to learn that contests and competitions were held to see who the best fishermen challenging the sea were. Paddling and crossing over foam, they rode waves in ritual and competitive events, similar to the ancient Greek Olympics.” DP

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Aidan Pearce. Photo: Courtesy

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

W

hen you believe in yourself and the people you surround yourself with, you will win something really big one day.”

There aren’t a lot of 13-year-old kids that go around quoting former NFL coach Dick Vermeil, but then Aidan Pearce isn’t most kids.

The Shorecliffs Middle School student is charging to the beat of his own drum— and it’s epic. Recently highlighted by the Gudauskas brothers’ Positive Vibe Warriors for his abundant stoke level, at a very early age Pearce has learned a valuable lesson about the power of positive thinking. Of course, you can find him frothing at T Street and working on his hacks and rail game, but when asked where he sees himself in a few years, his answer is nothing short of inspiring.

“In 2020, my goal is to be volunteering to help spread the stoke to every human being,” Pierce said.

Forget contest results, big waves or small waves, longboards or shortboards, with his heart in the right place, surfing is going to take Pierce wherever he dreams, which, if you ask him, is Cloudbreak in Fiji. www.danapointtimes.com