November 10, 2017

LO C A L

N EWS

November 10–16, 2017 YO U

C A N

U S E

Dana Outrigger Canoe team heads to South American Championships PAGE 16 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 45

‘Won’t Back Down’

Driftwood at Doheny, Chase Rice, country music world treads onward after Vegas E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 1 3

Driftwood at Doheny State Beach returns to Dana Point for a second year of country music performances, local craft beer tastings and savory barbecue.

Photo: Courtesy

Route 91 Victim Natalie Grumet Discusses Recovery EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

VFW Post 9934 To Host Annual Veterans Day Memorial EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

www.danapointtimes.com

Dana Point Locals Look to Change Status Quo with AU Fins DP LIVING/PAGE 10

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES IN THE BEST OF DANA POINT AT DANAPOINTTIMES.COM

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point Point Dana

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING District Attorney’s Office filed a special circumstances murder charge and issued an arrest warrant for Van Uden III. WHAT’S NEXT: Van Uden III remains held without bail at Orange County Jail in Santa Ana. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 1. Follow this story at www.danapointtimes.com as more details become available.—DR

Teachers Pack CUSD Meeting, Drawing Attention to Stalled Negotiations

Having to seal her still-healing tracheotomy tube in order to speak, Natalie Grumet spoke in a candid interview about her day-to-day life after the Route 91 shooting on Oct. 1, and her continuing path of recovery.

Photo: Eric Heinz

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week Route 91 Shooting Victim Natalie Grumet Emphasizes Gratitude in Recovery THE LATEST: After suffering a gunshot to the face in the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on Oct. 1, Natalie Grumet, Dana Point, continues her recovery at home under the care of her husband, Jason.

Covering the healing tracheotomy tube hole in her neck in order to speak, Natalie spoke of the importance of gratitude in a candid interview at her home.

“Not a single day goes by that I don’t think about the people who died that night, think of those who risked their lives to save us, and anyone who was injured that night. I sincerely want to thank everyone who has given me a donation, sent me a prayer, even a good thought.”

With her jaw wired shut, Natalie receives her nutrition through a feeding tube. Due to a sensitive stomach, this is a slow process that can take almost two hours. Natalie said she often takes this time to respond to messages and connect with other Route 91 victims through a Facebook group.

“Everyone thinks my whole day is about relaxing and Netflix, but they are amazed when they see how busy I am,” Natalie said.

Jason, who had not attended the concert with Natalie that night, said he received phone calls from multiple friends who Dana Point Times November 10–16, 2017

said Natalie had been shot, and that there was an active shooter at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

After receiving a call saying that Natalie was being transported to Sunrise Hospital, Jason rushed there partially by foot before receiving a ride from a friend.

Jason described the scene at Sunrise Hospital as “chaotic”, and said he identified Natalie, her face covered by an intubation bag and covered in blood, by a particular braid that he noticed in her hair as she passed by on a gurney.

WHAT’S NEXT: Following her tracheotomy wound healing completely, Natalie will soon be ready for her fifth major surgery—a bone graft from her hip that will be used to reconstruct her jaw. Anyone wishing to contact or support Natalie is encouraged to visit www.facebook.com/ warriorNatalie. —Daniel Ritz

Dana Point Man Arrested, Charged for 1994 Murder of His Mother THE LATEST: On Oct. 26, John Henry Van Uden III, 70, Dana Point, was arrested and taken into custody off of his boat at the Dana Point Harbor without incident and subsequently charged with one felony count of murder with a special circumstances enhancement for financial gain.

Van Uden III is accused of murdering his mother Frances Marjorie Van Uden on March 3, 1994, with a blunt object.

Police immediately began a homicide investigation and identified Van Uden III as a suspect. Over the course of the next 23 years, the Newport Beach Police Department Detective Division continued the investigation.

In late October, the Orange County

THE LATEST: More than 200 impassioned teachers packed the Capistrano Unified School District’s Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 8 wearing neon green “Value Educators!” stickers and holding signs that read, “Working Without a Contract” and “Keep Quality Teachers in CUSD.” The majority of the teachers were not in attendance to speak on an agenda item, but rather to draw attention to the failed contract negotiations between CUSD and the Capistrano Unified Education Association that have been taking place in closed session for over a year. Negotiations officially stalled back in June, and last month, it was announced that mediation had failed. The process now moves on to fact-finding.

CUEA officials say their bargaining goals have remained the same since negotiations began in August 2016. They want “permanent increases to the salary schedule,” and “a sustainable plan to mitigate the negative impact of increasing employee health and welfare contributions.”

CUSD argues that the district must maintain a “responsible budget” that balances “recognizing the wonderful work” of teachers with addressing facilities’ needs and paying for pension benefits.

WHAT’S NEXT: A date has not yet been finalized for upcoming fact-finding sessions, where a three-person panel will review the arguments and proposals and ultimately issue non-binding recommendations. According to a tentative timeline provided by the school district, the panel is set to meet later this month.

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

If CUEA is not satisfied with that offer, district teachers would maintain the right to strike.

For more information on the negotiations, visit www.capousd-ca.schoolloop. com/cuea and www.cuea.org.

To view the full version of this story, including testimony from teachers given at the Nov. 8 meeting, visit www.danapointtimes.com. —Allison Jarrell

Page 3

Dana Point VFW Post 9934 to Host Veterans Day Event at Strands Memorial on Nov. 11 THE LATEST: On Saturday, Nov. 11, the City of Dana Point and Veterans of Foreign War Post 9934 are hosting a Veterans Day service at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Strands Vista Park.

This year’s Veterans Day service will be led by master of ceremonies Commander William Manes (Ret.). After an advance of the colors by the Marine Aircraft Group 39 Headquarters Company Color Guard of Camp Pendleton, the program will include the singing of the national anthem by the Dana Hills High School Choir, a presentation by Dana Point VFW Post 9934 Commander Wayne Yost, Mayor Debra Lewis and keynote speaker Master Sgt. Mario Aquero of Marine Aircraft Group 39.

WHAT’S NEXT: The VFW Post 9934 will be conducting its annual buddy poppy fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 10, Saturday, Nov. 11, after the memorial ceremony at Strands Beach and all day Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Trader Joe’s located at 26541 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo. —DR

City Council Votes to Establish Parking and Circulation Oversight Task Force THE LATEST: On Nov. 7, Dana Point City Council voted unanimously in support of establishing a Parking and Circulation Oversight Task Force (PCOTF). As outlined by a city staff report presented to City Council, the PCOTF will be responsible for establishing principles for parking in Dana Point, reviewing existing goals and policies of the city’s General Plan Circulation Element, creating a Citywide Parking Implementation Plan to be presented to City Council within one year, and providing an annual progress report to the City Council for review.

The Task Force will consist of five members appointed by the City Council: one City Council member, one Planning Commissioner, one member of the Traffic Improvement Subcommittee, one member of the Dana Point business community and one Dana Point resident.

WHAT’S NEXT: City Manager Mark Denny said that the business community and Dana Point resident representatives will be opened to a public application process. More information on this public application process will be available on www.danapointtimes.com. —DR

www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY DANIEL RITZ

OCSD Arrests Man Who Threatened Soka University Employee in YouTube Videos David Kenneth Smith, 40, of Los Angeles, was arrested on Nov. 2 for suspicion of felony criminal threats after he allegedly threatened a staff member at Soka University in Aliso Niguel.

The arrests came after what Orange County Sherriff’s Department (OCSD) officials called “bizarre email exchanges” between Smith and a professor at the school and a YouTube channel rant.

OCSD deputies received reports that a former university student was upset by disciplinary actions for suspected marijuana use while attending the school in 2008.

“The suspect’s frustration in the email correspondence escalated until he finally emailed the staff member a link to a YouTube video that showed him sitting with a semi-automatic pistol on his chest talking about the university,” a press release from OCSD stated. “His YouTube channel also included multiple videos recorded in recent days, in which the suspect talked about his desire to engage in a ‘killing spree.’ In some of the videos, the suspect is seen holding a firearm.”

Members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) worked on the case with OCSD investigators.

After Smith was in custody, OCSD stated deputies confiscated nine firearms from his residence, all of which were registered to him. The firearms were loaded when they were confiscated by investigators.

“Extensive resources were dedicated to the case to ensure the suspect did not have the opportunity to carry out his stated plans. Investigators believed the suspect’s threats were credible and an attack possible.”

Smith is being held on $1 million bail.

He was scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 6 and faces three years in Orange County Jail for the felony charge.

Operation T.A.C. Wins Local Robotics Championship; Advances to State Robotics Tournament Students from Operation Technology and Character (T.A.C.), consisting of home-schooled students from Dana Point and San Clemente, won the first overall Dana Point Times November 10–16, 2017

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10

VETERANS DAY City Hall Offices Closed SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11

FARMERS’ 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.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Students from Operation Technology and Character (T.A.C.) after winning first place in the Bots at the Beach competition at Dana Hills High School. Next, they will compete in the state competition at Legoland in early December. Photo: Courtesy

championship title and first place in robot performance on Nov. 5 at the 7th annual Bots at the Beach robotics competition held at Dana Hills High School.

Bots at the Beach is a regional qualifying tournament for First Lego League.

First Lego League is a worldwide tournament for grades fourth through eighth that challenges teams to research a real-world problem and develop a solution. The theme for this year is hydrodynamics. They must also design, build and program a robot using Lego Mindstorms, then compete on a table-top playing field. Teams scoring in the top 25 percent qualify to compete at the next level, the state championships at Legoland, Dec. 2-3. Top teams then advance to the world finals.

Operation T.A.C. engineered a highlevel robot that outperformed second place by 110 points, making it the team’s largest margin in their five-year history.

Their real-world project in hydrodynamics also received the top score for their innovative solution to beach water contamination and reporting.

The six young thinkers spent the past two months consulting with 17 experts, touring water testing and treatment facilities, talking to manufacturers, parts suppliers, and reading technical papers.

They identified one of Environmental Protection Agency’s biggest problems: beach swimmers are still getting sick with the current ocean water testing and reporting system. Making connections between key issues and discovering how technology can be used to advance testing and reporting to save swimmers

from unnecessary illnesses, the team created the Sea Safe Water Analysis Kit.

California State Parks Offering Free Admission to Veterans and Military Personnel on Veterans Day State Parks honor the service of veterans, as well as active and reserve personnel, by offering free admission at 143 participating state parks on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11.

“California State Parks is proud to offer free admission on Veterans Day to all active military personnel and veterans as gratitude for their service. We welcome veterans to the amazing natural and cultural resources of our state’s parks,” said California State Park’s Director Lisa Mangat.

Participating state parks include 134 parks that are accessible with the “California Explorer” annual pass; the California State Railroad Museum; and eight state vehicular recreation areas. Veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel must show a valid military ID in order to receive free admission. For more information on participating parks, visit www.parks.ca.gov.

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

Page 4

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 6 p.m. There will be a Planning Commission Meeting at Dana Point City Hall, located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. The agenda for this meeting can be seen on the city’s website at www.danapoint.org.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14

OCEAN WATER QUALITY SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING 4 p.m. There will be an Ocean Water Quality Subcommittee Meeting at Dana Point City Hall, Suite 212, located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING 5 p.m. There will be a Traffic Improvement Subcommittee Meeting at Dana Point City Hall Council Chambers, located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

ART & CULTURE COMMISSION MEETING 6 p.m. There will be an Art and Culture Commission Meeting at Dana Point City Hall Council Chambers, located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16

COASTMASTERS’ (TOASTMASTERS’) 7- 8:30 a.m. Join the members of the Coastmasters’ every Thursday to improve speaking and leadership skills.

34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. Adjacent to Baby Beach at OC Sailing and Events Center. www.coastmasters.org.

MAYOR DEBRA LEWIS OFFICE HOURS 3-5 p.m. Mayor Debra Lewis is scheduling office hours in 15-minute increments at City Hall at 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. If you would like to meet with the mayor, please contact Gail Enriquez at genriquez@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3501 www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Council’s Corner by Mayor Debra Lewis

Financial Review: A Purpose Without a Committee

A

nyone paying attention over the past few years has recognized Dana Point’s financials showing a clear trend of operating and capital spending rapidly outpacing revenue. When this trend continues over time, savings rapidly erode. The City now acknowledges the roughly $2,000,000 structural deficit projected for 2020.

I thought, hey, let’s gather a small group of financially competent people around a table and let them comb through the city’s financials. As Council member Viczorek likes to say, find the waste, fraud and abuse. Hence the name, the Financial Review Committee (FRC). Numbers are not political. I was naïve. People are. Here are examples.

1. (Former FRC) Member Nelson reviewed 10 years’ worth of the city’s comprehensive annual financial reports showing financial decline. By a 3-2 vote, FRC recommended not to present it to Council.

The FRC should have jumped all over this.

Council needs to hear this now!

Undaunted, Member Nelson gave her report to Council anyway. The city now projects a nearly $2,000,000 structural operating deficit by 2020.

2. Committee Member Hill continually requests items be put on the agenda, but those items do not appear.

Letters to the Editor STANDING FOR THE ANTHEM KERRY SINK, San Clemente

In the United States we have the most freedom in the world.

In China or Russia, if you have a good idea, you get to give it to the government.

If you protest the administration, you are jailed or worse. In India and Africa, the religious persecution has reached levels comparable to the Middle East. South America has poverty beyond belief, and there are many other examples.

All over the globe, there are human rights being trampled on by their own government or neighboring tribes. The world sucks in a lot of places.

In the United States, we do have police brutality, sleazy movie directors, corrupt politicians and other societal maladies. We Dana Point Times November 10–16, 2017

3. During the last meeting, Member Hill brought up a subject and staff interrupted Member Hill and said why the matter should not be discussed. The chair allowed this to Member Hill’s frustration.

4. Now, FRC’s latest 3-2 vote, this time against inhouse legal counsel. The city’s 44-page report was not neutral. Its unsubstantiated assumptions tilted heavily against hiring an in-house lawyer. It read, “Risk management can COUNCIL'S easily get lost in the disCORNER cussion because personBy Debra Lewis alities and costs are easier to grasp...name law firm may be more effective...than one from in-house counsel...This is just my view, but again I feel compelled to share it.” No facts supported this undisguised, unsubstantiated advocacy.

The report’s exclusion of “Strands Gate” is misleading if a basis of opposition is “a name law firm may be more effective... than one from in-house counsel.” The City’s six-year lawsuit against the Coastal Commission handled by a “name firm” ended in a judge’s written decision calling Dana Point’s emergency ordinance “theater” and a “pretext,” and payments to Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Institute

have white supremacists, anti-Semitism, homophobia and xenophobia, just to name a few.

What we do have that is better than a lot of these places is our rights: the right to protest, assemble and keep your own ideas. You can start a tech company or a rap demo. We can surf and jog and go to work and earn a better life. We are protected from our enemies and get some social security. We have infrastructure to help us get to where we are going. Yes, we pay for this, but isn’t it worth it?

Let’s all stand for the flag and the anthem it deserves and leave knickknack politics to the politicians. We are better than that, aren’t we? I know I am.

of $150,000 and $300,000 respectively, plus Dana Point’s own legal fees.

The City Attorney spoke extensively on his firm’s excellent performance over the years. No in-house lawyer was invited to speak.

Members mused “Dana Point contracts for fire and police, why hire in-house attorney? These cities must know something we don’t know.” When a member was troubled that Rutan’s contract hasn’t been bid since 2002, Member Hill said I proposed that to Council. It lost in a 3-2 vote.

The FRC’s decision predictably mirrored Muller, Viczorek’s and Tomlinson’s previous “NO” votes to going in-house.

Carefully read, the report ultimately proves Dana Point pays more per hour for lawyers than almost every other city and that it is more cost effective to hire in house. Facing a looming deficit, we could try to achieve substantial savings. We must reject, business as usual.

Debra Lewis was elected to City Council in 2016 and serves as the city’s mayor. You can contact her at dlewis@danapoint.org.

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

positions of the GOP, if anyone speaks for them, or the “Trumpites,” are so appalling and contrary to basic human nature that anyone could support them.

What is especially appalling is the uncontested attack by Trump supporters on a functioning health plan (the Affordable Care Act) that provides needed health care to babies, the poor, the aged and the unemployed. How can the wealthiest and most modern nation in the world deny basic health care and human needs to its citizens? By having no shame.

DISASSEMBLING ACA IS SHAMEFUL LEO GALCHER, San Clemente

I’m a Harry Truman democrat. I have kept my eye on the Republican Party over the years and never doubted that the democrats’ proposals offered a better future for the U.S. Now, there can be no debate. The Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY 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.

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 Daniel Ritz, 949.388.7700, x113 dritz@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Steve Breazeale, 949.388.7700, x110 sbreazeale@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@picketfencemedia.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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 EDITORIAL Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice City Editor, DP Times > Daniel Ritz City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano) Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

Finance Director > Mike Reed

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point) > Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Jake Howard, Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 10, Issue 45. 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

FACEBOOK.COM/DANAPOINTTIMES • INSTAGRAM@DANAPOINTTIMES TWITTER.COM/DANAPOINTTIMES • LINKEDIN PICKET FENCE MEDIA

www.danapointtimes.com

DP

GETTING OUT

Dana PointYOUR Dana Point

SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK Dana Point residents surrounded the Dana Point Veterans Memorial at Strands Vista Park for the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11, 2016. Photo: File

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 : VETERANS DAY CEREMONY 10 a.m.-noon. Join VFW Post 9934 at the Dana Point Veterans Memorial as they unveil updated plaques of member’s names whom have died in the past year. Participation is free. 34201 Selva Road, Dana Point. 949.248.1419. www.vfwpost9934.org/contact.

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

Friday | 10 LIVE MUSIC: HANS & JANINE 4 p.m. Join Waterman’s Harbor for live music with Hans & Janine every Friday. Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 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 & Whale Watching. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

LIVE MUSIC: WAYWARD SONS 8 p.m. Listen to live music at The Coach House. Tickets are $15. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.496.8930. www.thecoachhouse.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT OVERVUE 8-11 p.m. A rotating lineup of musicians perform at OverVue Lounge at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott every Friday and Saturday night. This weekend will include entertainment from Marty McIntosh. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. 949.661.5000. www.lagunacliffs.com.

Page 7

LIVE THEATER: ‘CHARLY’ 8 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse presents the amazing story of a man with the mentality of a 5-year-old that becomes a genius in just a few weeks through an experimental surgery, previously only tried on a mouse. The play runs through Nov. 12. $20 per person. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.492.0465. www.cabrilloplayhouse.org. Tickets can be purchased at www.pamelapeakproductions.com.

Saturday | 11 BELLA BAZAAR’S ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SOIREE 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Celebrate Bella Bazaar’s one year anniversary at their new location in Dana Point Harbor. In addition to shopping, there will be free entertainment, live music, a raffle with prizes and a Meet & Greet with their local Artists. 34467 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.429.6200. www.bellabazaar.com.

DRIFTWOOD AT DOHENY STATE BEACH 1-9:30 p.m. Walk the shores of Doheny State Beach all while listening to country music with barbeque and beer. Attendees 21 and over may show up at 1 p.m. for a complimentary tasting glass and access to a wide variety of craft beers and artisan food. The music kicks off at 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, and artists include; Frankie Ballard, Kip Moore, Chase Rice, plus many more. General admission tickets start at $49. Children under seven are free after 4 p.m. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. www.driftwoodfest.com.

(Cont. on page 8) www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 7) OUTLETS AT SAN CLEMENTE’S SECOND ANNIVERSARY 12-3 p.m. Celebrate the Outlets at San Clemente’s second anniversary with discounts all weekend long. On top of the sales, there will be wild animal shows, prize wheels and free entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

WHALE WALK AND TALK 9-11 a.m. The Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center introduces the start of the Gray Whale migration season. Take a 1.5 mile walk around the center while learning how and when to spot gray whales, and how to identify a variety of marine mammals. RSVP at DPNaturalResources@ danapoint.org. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. 949.248.3527. www.danapoint.org.

LIVE THEATER: HAIRSPRAY JR. 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Capistrano Acting Academy presents the musical all about hair, dancing and social change. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the show. Tickets are $12. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

SERENADE GALA 5:30-11:30 p.m. Join Mission Basilica School in a night of dancing, dinner and auctions as it puts on its annual fundraising gala. Proceeds help fund school programs and curriculums. $200. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Laguna Niguel. 949.234.1385. www.missionbasilicaschool.org.

SECOND STAGE STAND-UP 7:30 p.m. The headliner is Ron Ruhman.

Jim Taylor, Art Valenzuela and Morey Sherman will also showcase their comedic skills. Tickets are $17.50. Reservations are highly recommended. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Sunday | 12 SADDLEBACK COLLEGE MASTER CLASS 2:30 p.m. Reflections of the Ocean Classical Keyboard Series is presenting a Master Class with concert pianist and renowned chamber musician, Andrew Park.

Tickets are $10 for general admissions, $7 for seniors and $5 for students during their presale. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4500. www.saddleback.edu/art.

BEND & BREW 11 a.m. Bend & Brew is held at Left Coast’s tasting room in San Clemente.

This is a one-hour yoga class, followed by a pint of beer. It’s a great way to get to know your local fellow yogis and beer drinkers. $10. Left Coast Brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.6014 or www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

Dana Point Times November 10-16, 2017

Monday | 13

ON THE MENU

SHAKAZOO SLIDERS AT THE SHWACK

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

Tuesday | 14 OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

Shakazoo Sliders from The Shwack Beach Grill. Photo: Erin McFaul

BY ERIN MCFAUL, DANA POINT TIMES

FAVORITE APPETIZERS COOKING CLASS 6:30-9 p.m. Observe French chef Caroline Cazaumayou demonstrate how to make delectable appetizers including smoked salmon rillettes, roasted mini sweet peppers with goat cheese and many more.

Full payment of $60 is due upon reservation. 218 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.492.1763. www.antoinescafe.com.

Wednesday | 15

W

ith a name inspired from owner Max Fisher’s love of surfer lingo, The Shwack Beach Grill was opened by the Dana Point local in 2011 with the mission to provide flavorful food at low prices.

“The whole point in opening Shwack was to have a beach-friendly, ocean-friendly, surf-themed spot for locals to come get inexpensive, high-quality food,” Fisher said.

Fisher said the most popular items among customers tend to be the burgers, tacos and rack of ribs.

If customers are looking to share a round

MIXOLOGY UNIVERSITY 7 p.m. Every Wednesday, Waterman’s Harbor bartenders and mixology experts teach guests how to make the restaurant’s cocktails. Guests will have the opportunity to make and taste three cocktails.

Event is $25. Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

of appetizers, known as “shwackatizers” on the menu, the Shakazoo Sliders pack blasts of flavor within each of the three savory sandwiches. The sliders are filled with a heap of tender pulled pork and are covered in a tangy garlic-chipotle barbeque sauce.

Bursting out of the bun and spilling onto the plate, the crispy fried onions add a salty crunch to the dish.

Even with The Shwack Beach Grill’s reasonable prices, the restaurant offers a happy hour as well as Taco Tuesday specials.

The Shwack Beach Grill 24502 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.218.2731 www.theshwack.com

At the Movies: ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ May Keep Superhero Movies Afloat a Bit Longer

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

Thursday | 16

I

guess if 2017 has taught us one lesson in filmmaking it’s that if you want to make your superhero movie memorable and interesting, set it in space. Between Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and now Thor: Ragnarok, it seems to be the most intriguing setting. Nearly a decade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, people are finally starting to become fatigued and the storytelling is almost becoming stale. But the third installation of the Thor features may keep it afloat a bit longer.

After the death of their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) are at it again with their sibling rivalry of Thor’s good versus Loki’s evil. But then Thor is reunited with old friend and fellow Avenger Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), when they’re both imprisoned on the planet of Sakaar, led by a partier who calls himself the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). On top of that, Odin’s secret, eldest child Hela (Cate Blanchett) has come to take over

CERAMICS AND HORTICULTURE FUNDRAISING SALE 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The Ceramics and Horticulture and the Landscape Design department at Saddleback College is putting on a fundraising sale to help support student scholarships and guest lectures. The fundraiser will take place both Thursday and Friday. It’s first come first serve on a wide variety of great quality plants. Entry is free. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4500. www.saddleback.edu.

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.

Page 8

On set with Director Taika Waititi and Chris Hemsworth. Photo: Jasin Boland, Marvel Studios

the land of Asgard from her brothers.

Ragnarok is directed by Taika Waititi of the indie hits What We Do in the Shadows (2014) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), and he knows how to direct comedy and has created possibly the funniest Marvel film thus far. There’s plenty of comic relief that is good and executed well from the cast, for audiences who are fans or just casual viewers. The tone and pacing, however, are a bit of a mess and hold the film back from being great. Ragnarok is a fun and enjoyable— although flawed— blockbuster for the holiday season. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP Dana Point

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

An early AU Fins prototype overlooks its local testing grounds at Salt Creek. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Business Beat News from Dana Point’s business community

COMPILED BY DANIEL RITZ DANA POINT TIMES

NEW BUSINESS AU FINS 24422 Del Prado Ave, Dana Point 949.545.6777 | www.aufins.com Often, surfers take their latest state-ofthe-art equipment to the idyllic waves of Indonesia for research and development.

Dana Point residents Brad Pierce and Kevin Borba decided to take the route less traveled when they started AU Fins almost a year ago after being inspired by an unorthodox single-fin, crafted from Indonesian Bintang beer bottles, made decades ago at the famed waves of G-Land located off the island of Java.

After years of prototype development,

hundreds of thousands of dollars invested and countless hours of rider testing, AU Fins now have two registered patents and a full product line of more than 40 models they believe stand at the forefront of innovation and free thinking.

Available in multiple sizes, materials, price and base options, AU Fins prioritizes shape and a fins contour as the primary hydrodynamic quality. Creating what they call a “spiral propulsion system,” Pierce and Borba believe AU Fins can potentially turn the surf industry, notoriously slow to innovate, on its end.

Tested across the world in locations such as Indonesia, Puerto Rico, Tahiti and Costa Rica, AU Fins have been seen underneath the surfboards of local legends such as Nathan Fletcher and Geoff Brack.

Pierce and Borba believe it won’t be long until they see a set of AU Fins in the surfboard of one of the World Surf League’s top competitors.

Customers are encouraged to stop in and inquire as well as demo AU Fins between Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

AU Fins designers Brian Pierce (left) & Kevin Borba (right) show off one of their new designs. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Page 10

www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING

Left: Rodney Atkins at the 2016 Driftwood. Photo: Eric Heinz Middle: Chase Rice will headline the 2017 Driftwood Festival Sat. Nov. 11. Photo: Courtesy Right: Thompson Square performing at the 2016 Driftwood Festival. Photo: Eric Heinz

‘Won’t Back Down’

Chase Rice, Driftwood Festival, country music world tread onward after Vegas

BY RACHAEL MATTICE, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n late August, 32-year-old country music artist Chase Rice received a wooden gift outlining the shape of the United States with his clothing company’s acronym HDEU carved across the middle as a token of admiration from a fan. Four weeks later, Rice, as well as the rest of the country music community and nation, learned of the devastation bestowed upon the Route 91 Music Festival in Las Vegas as well as a brave Marine who attended the show and went back to the grounds to rescue dozens of injured people. That Marine held many titles, including being the wood-carving Chase Rice admirer. One could speculate that timeline of events is a coincidence, but what’s evident is that the connection this genre has within its community cuts deeper than wounds.

“When I heard the story of that Marine, to me, that’s what country music fans are all about,” Rice said. “They run toward evil. He wasn’t living in fear; he was living in duty. That’s what makes the mold of these fans. I pray to God that something like that doesn’t ever happen again, but the heart of these fans and these country music artists proves they are going to continue to show up.”

Despite not knowing the level of impact such attacks like the Route 91 Music Festival and the Ariana Grande and Eagles of Death Metal shows in Europe will have on the future of large-scale music productions, Rice said he doesn’t believe concert goers should withhold from attending such events that promote positive memo-

Dana Point Times November 10-16, 2017

ries, especially on days of remembrance of acts of bravery and duty like this weekend’s Driftwood at Doheny State Beach country music festival held on Veterans Day. “I think as a music (production) community—Live Nation, Anschutz Entertainment Group Worldwide (AEG) and smaller companies like mine, Synergy Global Entertainment, Inc. (SGE)— public safety has to be job number one. We have to focus on public safety as our very first task,” said John Reese, CEO of SGE and producer of Driftwood, in alignment with Rice’s comments about treading onward.

“I’ve had meetings with South Orange County officials to discuss Driftwood and we are taking every precaution to ensure a safe event, and that’s what we do at any event, regardless of if Vegas happened or not. Seeing that it did happen, we’ve gone above and beyond to make sure all precautions are made to ensure public safety.

We’ve spent a lot of time and energy over the last several weeks to make sure the public feels good about attending our events.”

What better place to move forward and embrace warm vibes, move to country tunes, indulge in savory barbecue eats and sip on multiple South County craft brews than the beach? Kip Moore joins Rice as the second headliner, followed by other bands such as A Thousand Horses, Mark MacKay, Dan + Shay and Gethen Jenkins to round out the weekend.

“Last year, we did a show near Manhattan Beach with the beach as our backdrop and it was amazing. There’s been a lot of cool stuff that you can do in Southern California with venues,” Rice said. “Beachside festivals have been established in Florida and Carolina already, so it’s cool to see the West Coast really embrace it and run with it. It’s great to see how popular country music is becoming in Los Angeles and Orange County too.”

Headlining Driftwood is phase two of Rice’s campaign to support his first new

album in three years titled, “Lambs and Lions” following the release of his single, “Three Chords & The Truth.”

Named for embracing “vulnerable” emotions to become a more resilient person, “Lambs and Lions” is a catalog of deeper meaning for Rice, more so than perhaps falling back on popular—and trivial—truck-bed singalongs.

“I think I grew up a little bit and this album represents where I am in life,” Rice said. “It’s been three years since I put a record out. That’s been a bit frustrating, but also gave me the opportunity to ask, ‘what do I want to do?’ ‘what do I want to say with this album?’ I don’t know what country fans want, but I know I’m going to give them what I want to do and I hope it’s up their alley.”

Arguably a more mature album from his previous records such as “Dirt Road Communion” or “Ignite the Night” that landed him playing arena-sized shows with Kenny Chesney and “New Artist of the Year” nods, the North Carolina native who grew up on a farm had a history of downfalls amongst his strides, including a sideline injury during his college football career, low-charting hits and cutting ties with his label. But without tribulations, transformation can’t take place.

“I will be the first to say that I’m not that good. I’m not that good to earn all of those accolades. It’s like starting on this mountain in the music business. We were on top of this mountain for ‘New Artist of the Year’ and all this craziness. Then, it was all taken in the last two years. Even now, I’m still having to downsize, I might be selling my farm to live more simply. But I try to live on the greener side of the grass.

We were on top of this mountain and we saw another mountain that was even bigger and we wanted to get to that one and there is only one way to get there and that is to go down first. Now, is when we start climbing with “Lambs and Lions,” and it’s a fight, but that’s going to make it a bigger celebration when we get there.” DP

Page 13

WHEN: November 11th & 12th Driftwood at Doheny State Beach starts at 1 p.m. each day, with VIP early entry starting at noon. Three hours of unlimited craft beer tastings are included with admission, including South County locals Artifex, Left Coast and Lost Winds Brewing, and more.

SATURDAY LINEUP: Chase Rice, Frankie Ballard, A Thousand Horses, Cassadee Pope, Lit, Caroline Jones and Mark MacKay. SUNDAY LINEUP: Kip Moore, Dan + Shay, Maddie and Tae, Canaan Smith, RaeLynn, and Gethen Jenkins.

TICKETS: Driftwood at Doheny State Beach is offering discounted $89, two-day tickets and $45, single-day tickets for active duty and retired military personnel and their family members. These tickets include early admission and a complimentary shuttle between Doheny State Beach and the Outlets at San Clemente.

FAMILY PACK: A family four-day pack of single-day general admission tickets are $199 for either Saturday or Sunday, and $5 per four-pack will be donated to the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund.

A portion of all proceeds from the music festival will also go to the San Onofre Parks Foundation. For more information, visit www.driftwoodfest.com or www. facebook.com/driftwoodfestival.

www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING FROM THE ARCHIVES

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

Cruising around Cape Horn and North to Rio

I

n my previous column, I wrote about seeing penguin Glenn Miller near Punta Arenas, Chile, while on a 34-day cruise from San Diego around Cape Horn, the southern tip of South America, and north to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In the final week of the cruise, our Holland America ship, the MS Zaandam, stopped in five ports, before arriving in Rio. The main takeaway from the cruise: how fortunate the passengers, including my partner Greta and I, were with the weather and sea conditions in this part of South America. We were prepared for rough seas and ice-chilling weather; neither materialized.

Our first port after Punta Arenas was Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. To get there from Punta Arenas, we cruised for two days on the Strait of Magellan, through Glacier Alley, viewing snowcapped mountains, waterfalls and beautiful glaciers with a blue hue.

We had been briefed on board that Ushuaia might be almost a ghost town since we were arriving there on a Sunday, when many businesses close, plus it was Election Day in Argentina. Bundled up in winter coats, gloves ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 and scarves, Zaandam

By Tom Blake passengers were prepared for the worst in going ashore, aware that weather there can change in minutes.

But what a surprise. The sun was out and the temperature was in the high 50s. I saw a few passengers go ashore in shorts, which was more for bravado than fashion.

The first place in Ushuaia tourists go is the “End of the World” sign, located in a park near the shoreline. It’s the busiest place in town for photos.

After stopping there, Greta and I walked the downtown streets for nearly three hours. The place was teeming with folks.

Bars, restaurants and shops were open, happy to see the first cruise ship of the season in port.

Most of the time, we carried our winter coats. When the sun ducked behind a cloud, we put them back on. Ushuaia is a hip city with delightful, friendly people.

The next stop was Stanley, Falkland Islands. A steward in the ship’s dining room told me that in 2015, in the five Holland America cruises that scheduled a stop in this port, passengers could only go ashore once due to treacherous winds.

Stanley is a tender port, where passengers can only reach the city from the ship by taking smaller boats; the ship dropped Dana Point Times November 10-16, 2017

anchor two miles away.

When Greta and I stepped off the tender boat at the dock in Stanley, we couldn’t believe our luck. The sun was out; we had to unzip our winter coats.

Stanley is British through and through.

We stopped for coffee and to use WiFi at a café called Bittersweet.

While walking around this attractive, quaint city, we checked out the Globe Tavern, a true British pub. It was packed with Brits; you couldn’t move in the place.

England retained control of the Falkland Islands in the war with Argentina in 1982. Christ Church, the most southern Anglican Church in the world, is filled with memorial plaques of Brits who fought in WWI and WWII, and in the war with Argentina. It was interesting to read the messages on the plaques.

The next port was nearly 1,000 miles north of the Falklands, Montevideo, Uruguay. Greta and I visited there 10 years prior. We decided to walk into the city from the port. Within 10 minutes, the rain started. We entered a restaurant that advertised coffee on a chalk board. Turns out, the restaurant, Urbani, served the best hot chocolate we’ve ever had.

The rain was coming down in buckets with wind gusts of 60-70 mph. We stayed for lunch. We had been there for three hours hoping the rain would let up. We asked our server to call us a taxi, to take us back to the ship. The cab company wouldn’t answer their phone—too busy.

The ship was scheduled to depart in two hours. We had no choice: put the rain ponchos on and walk back to the ship.

Once on board, we made a beeline to the hot tub. We didn’t see much of Montevideo.

The next day was a sharp contrast to the previous day. In Buenos Aires, the sun was out, temperature near 70—a welcome change to Cape Horn.

Buenos Aires is known as “The Paris of the South.” It’s big, diverse, beautiful and fascinating. We only had a few hours so we decided to take a Hop On, Hop Off bus around the city. We sat in the upper, open deck. This is a great way to see as much of a city as possible in a limited time.

Commentary about each building, neighborhood, park, statute and monument is described via earphones.

For three and a half hours, we never left the bus. When the tour ended, we both felt exhilarated. We saw the “pink building,” where Eva Peron lived and addressed thousands from an upstairs balcony. We saw the oldest restaurant in Buenos Aires, Café Tortoni (founded 1858), where we had seen a tango show on our previous visit.

Photo: Courtesy of Orange County Archives

DOHENY PARK ROAD, CAPISTRANO BEACH, 1969 This photograph, taken in 1969, looks east down Doheny Park Road toward the hills of San Juan Capistrano.

Every week, the Dana Point Times will publish a historical photo. Online, DP Times will create a gallery of the month’s photos. To submit your historical photos, please provide information about the photo along with your name for credit to editorial@danapointtimes.com.

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

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 Last week’s solution:

As the ship sailed away, we raised a glass of wine, while standing on the stern deck, saying, “To Buenos Aires, one of the greatest cities in the world.”

Our final port, before arriving in Rio, was Punte del Este, Uruguay. This is a resort city, with hundreds of high-rise apartments on sandy beaches.

We visited its most famous landmark, a statue in the sand called, “The Hand,” named because four huge fingers and a thumb stick out of the sand.

We had a wonderful trip with amazing weather. After disembarking in Rio, we rented a car and drove 180 miles south to Itamambuca Beach, where we are staying at a beach house for two weeks.

You get spoiled on a cruise ship: three meals a day, all you can eat, ship’s personnel waiting on you hand and foot.

Page 14

See the solution in next week’s issue.

At the beach house, reality hit me. Who is going to prepare our meals? Oops, time for me to put on an apron and head for the kitchen, Greta would like her morning coffee.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com. Email: tompblake@gmail. com. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, Dana Point 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 Dana Point Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com

www.danapointtimes.com

& DP SPORTS OUTDOORS Dana Point

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Dolphin Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

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

Football Shutout by Cougars in Season Finale

LOCALS ONLY

BUSINESS LISTINGS ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

949.485.4979, info@bodymindspiritiop.com, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

ASSISTED LIVING HOME FOR ELDERLY

Assisted Senior Home

949.248.9415, www.assistedseniorhome.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

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

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

There was no stopping the Capistrano Valley football team’s march to an undefeated season and the Sea View League title this year.

Dana Hills was the last team to stand in the Cougars’ way, but Capo Valley was able to breeze past the Dolphins 45-0 on Nov. 3 to put an emphatic stamp on their historic season.

The Cougars finished the year with a 10-0 record and will enter this week’s CIFSS Division 4 Championships as the No. 1 overall seed.

The loss marked the end of the season for the Dolphins (3-7, 1-3 league), who took several steps forward in the wins department. The Dolphins’ three wins were the most by a Dana Hills team since 2013. Dana Hills also won its first league game since the 2013 season. The Dolphins defeated Laguna Hills 10-0 on Oct. 13.

Peninsula Edges Tennis Team Following Tie in Quarterfinals The Dana Hills girls tennis team suffered a tough-luck loss in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 Team Champion-

PET BOUTIQUE

Naked Dog Bistro

424 Forest Ave., LB, 949.715.9900, www.NakedDogBistro.com

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection

1001 Calle Recodo, San Clemente, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1001 Calle Recodo, San Clemente, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

SPECIALTY BEAUTY

Amazing Lash Studio

32932 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 9, 949.484.7676, www.AmazingLashStudio.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

Courtney Swift will compete at the CIF-SS Division 1 Individual Tennis Championships on Nov. 20.

Photo: Courtesy

Page 15

ships on Nov. 6.

Playing host to second-ranked Peninsula, the Dolphins powerful doubles unit and standout singles player Courtney Swift earned nine points. However, Peninsula was able to match the Dolphins set-for-set, earning nine points as well.

As a result of the 9-9 tie after regulation, the match was decided by total games won. Peninsula won a total of 74 games to the Dolphins’ 71, giving Peninsula the win.

Swift won two of her three sets and the doubles teams won seven out of nine sets.

Swift will advance to compete in the singles bracket at the CIF-SS Division 1 Individual Championships on Nov. 20. The duo of Emilia Gorczyca and Dana Mackensen will compete in the doubles bracket at the postseason tournament.

Boys Cross Country Wins Sixth Straight League Title The Dana Hills boys cross country team packed four runners inside the top-10 at the South Coast League finals at Irvine Regional Park on Nov. 3 to earn its sixth straight league title.

Senior Jack Landgraf and junior Simon Fuller finished first and second, respectively. Landgraf posted a winning time of 14:17 and Fuller came in at 14:23.

Sophomores Caleb Niednagel (14:34) and Carrick Denker (14:38) placed seventh and ninth, respectively. Senior Sagan Svoboda placed 16th, Garret Hough took 20th and Eddie Wagenseller placed 21st to round out the Dolphins’ top-7.

Dana Hills will head to Riverside for the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship Prelims on Friday, Nov. 10. Dana Hills placed second at the CIF-SS Finals meet one year ago.

Girls Cross Country Places Third in League, Heads to CIF A well-rounded performance secured a third-place finish in the South Coast League for the Dana Hills girls cross country team. The Dolphins placed all seven of their runners inside the top-26, including three in the top-10.

The third-place finish qualified the team to compete at the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship Prelims in Riverside on Friday, Nov. 10.

At the league finals, the Dolphins were led by junior Leila Keyvan, who placed fi fth overall with a time of 17:22. Junior Sarah Meng wasn’t far behind, finishing in seventh place with a time of 17:36. Junior Lauren Soto (17:45) placed ninth.

Anna Fodor (18:19), Holly Morales (18:29) and Megan Geiger (18:31) placed 19th, 21st and 22nd, respectively. www.danapointtimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Paddling in Peru Dana Outrigger Canoe team heads to South American Championships

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

T

he six-member team of Dana Outrigger Canoe paddlers are excited about the new hats and shirts they will be taking with them to South America next week.

Standing on the sand of Baby Beach in the Dana Point Harbor, their large outrigger canoe hoisted up and ready for transport, they talk about how cool this year’s designs are. The outline of California, with a red star highlighting Dana Point’s spot on the Golden State, is embroidered on the side of the cap.

Their new shirts feature the American flag alongside the flags of countries they will be competing against in a few short days. The flags of Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina and a few more line the backs of the shirts.

The Dana Outrigger team will be representing not only that small, red star and the Golden State when they travel to Lima, Peru for the South American Canoe Championships. They’ll be competing for the entire United States as the country’s only representative in the field.

The Dana Outrigger team will paddle against some of the best teams in the world off the shores of Lima on Saturday, Nov. 18.

The local team competed in the event last season and placed fourth overall.

While they aren’t technically eligible to compete for the top prize (this is a South American competition after all), the Dana Outrigger crew is feeling confident with its chances at a top-3 finish.

The team includes John Skorstad, Bryan Pesartic, Dave Brosowski, Gerald Montes,

A Dana Outrigger Canoe team will compete in next week’s South American Canoe Championships. The team will navigate its large 400-pound canoe off the shores of Lima, Peru. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Ray Owen and Manny Barela. The sixmember group ranges from age 34 to 60.

All of them are devoted paddlers with multiple years of experience.

The group has been training nonstop since September, logging at least 25 miles together in a large, 400-pound canoe.

When they are not training together, each

paddler sets off on one-man canoes to log extra work, Pesartic said.

They are going to need to be in synch and in shape come next Saturday.

The race in Peru will be nearly 15 miles long and will be out on the open ocean.

The Dana Outrigger group will land in Peru on Friday, find a boat to borrow for

the race, learn the course and be ready to compete by Saturday morning.

Pesartic identified the teams from Tahiti, Easter Island and Brazil as their toughest competition. Dana Outrigger finished fourth overall behind those three countries, respectively, last year.

The addition of Montes, the group’s steersman who has over a decade of racing experience, and Owen, another experienced paddler who hails from Hawaii, gives this version of the Dana Outrigger team added depth.

“We got a little bit older with our crew but we have a lot more experience with this group,” Pesartic said. “Our speed has been averaging at least a mile quicker than last year. That could be the difference between winning and (fourth place).”

The group competed in the unlimited class at the high-profile Another Dam Race in Arizona on Nov. 4. While paddling in the 400-pounder against a field full of 100-pound canoes, Dana Outrigger placed fourth. Both Pesartic and Skorstad, the group’s oldest member at 60, indicated the finish was a tremendous effort and a good indicator of the team’s current strength.

“We’ve gotten so much better. It’s going to be interesting to see how we do in Peru.

I think we’ll be rock-solid,” Skorstad said.

As evident by their excitement to show off Dana Outrigger swag, the group is looking forward to the social aspect of their now-annual trip. Last year, Dana Outrigger spent time swapping stories and mingling with their fellow paddlers from the other side of the world. Trading shirts, hats, and even paddling techniques, is a huge part of the event.

“It’s a sport where all these countries come together. It doesn’t matter where you’re from,” Pesartic said. “Everybody is doing the same thing and we love what we do. (Outrigger paddling) is a big passion for everyone there.”

Following the race, the Dana Outrigger group will travel to Cusco, Peru to hike Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and Rainbow Mountain to soak up as much culture and fun as possible. DP

Hundreds of Students Gather for Special Olympics Event at SCHS DANA POINT TIMES

S

tudents representing five schools throughout the Capistrano Unified School District came to San Clemente High School on Nov. 6 to take part in a fun-filled day of basketball and activities.

The event was held in conjunction with Special Olympics Orange County.

The students, who came from San Clemente High School, Tesoro, Dana Hills and Marco Forster, Newhart and Niguel Hills

Dana Point Times November 10–16, 2017

Middle Schools, were given an Olympicstyle welcome to start the day, complete with banners, music and applause. After a dance party in the gym as part of the event’s opening ceremonies, the STEP students took part in basketball and cheerleading clinics.

Around 200 middle school and high school students participated in the event, which rotates to different high school venues throughout the year. DP

A student is escorted by San Clemente cheerleaders to a Special Olympics event on campus. Photo: Courtesy

Page 16

www.danapointtimes.com

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FOR SALE 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 info@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

OTHER STUFF NOVENA TO ST. CLAIR Light a white candle, ask St. Claire for 3 things. One should be for the impossible, one about money, one about your job. Say nine Hail Marys for nine nights. Promise Publication. She will answer whether or not you believe. Thank you St. Claire for favors granted.

(GT) THE SCHENKENBERGER’S NEED SOME HELP Steve Shenkenberger, husband and father of five young boys, was riding his mountain bike on Super Bowl Sunday when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Laguna Niguel. The family is need of donations for ongoing medical expenses and childcare. Please consider donating at www.gofundme.com/ the-schenkenbergers-medical-bills.

WANTED STAMPS! Buying Large U.S and Worldwide Stamp Collections! Nick (619) 672-0434

Do you want to reach 10,000+ people in the Dana Point area every week?

Then you need to be in the Dana Point Times. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 102 Dana Point Times November 10–16, 2017

Page 17

www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP SURF

Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Bring On Hawaii

Local surfers Colapinto, Gudauskas and Andino set their sights on the Triple Crown of Surfing on the North Shore of Oahu

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

L

ast year in Hawaii, Griffin Colapinto turned heads at the Triple Crown.

Thanks to a monster air he landed at the Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, if last year was the San Clemente kid’s introductory party, this year has the potential to make his young career.

With the end of the 2017 World Surf League season rapidly approaching, next week marks the start of the last lap: the Vans Triple Crown on the North Shore of Oahu. The three-contest series will start with the Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa (Nov. 12-24), then moves up the Kam Highway to the World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach (Nov. 25-Dec. 6) before finally concluding with the World Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20). The first two contests are both highly rated qualifying events with lots of points on the table for up-and-coming pros looking to make the jump to the prestigious Championship Tour in 2018.

Currently, Colapinto is ranked seventh on the qualifying series with a very real possibility of graduating to the big dance next year, but it’s going to take a lights-out effort at Haleiwa and Sunset to get there.

At the start of October, Colapinto was sitting in a precarious position at 10th on the qualifying series (the top 10 surfers from the qualifying series (QS) for the next year’s Championship Tour, putting

GROM OF THE WEEK

BETHANY ZELASKO

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

inner of the NSSA Southwest contest at Church over the weekend, Dana Point’s Bethany Zelasko rallied in the small, autumn conditions to overtake a talented pack in the final and put herself atop the podium.

A standout with the Dana Hills High School surf program, Zelasko first started surfing when she was 12 years old, and now at 17 years old, she already owns multiple state titles. She’s had a big month.

W

Dana Point Times November 10-16, 2017

Kolohe Andino, going deep for his third-place finish at the recent Rip Curl Pro Portugal. If things go well in Hawaii, he could be joined on tour next year by fellow San Clemente all-star Griffin Colapinto. Photo: WSL

Colapinto on the proverbial “bubble”).

Thanks to a clutch fifth-place finish at the EDP Billabong Pro Cascais in Portugal, Colapinto shot up the ratings a few spots and is now in a more comfortable position to control his future.

“My goal this year has been to win a QS event,” explained a somewhat disappointed Colapinto after getting tripped up against eventual contest winner Zeke Lau in the quarterfinals.

At this stage in the game, a win would be nice for Colapinto, but a couple solid results in Hawaii will gladly do. There are a number of surfers nipping at his heels who would love to slide into a spot on tour next year, so not only does Colapinto have to concern himself with his own performances, but there’s acute pressure coming from those breathing down his neck.

Meanwhile, a little further down the rankings, San Clemente’s Pat Gudauskas is sitting at 16th, and although he has a lot of work to do at Haleiwa and Sunset, Most recently was her big NSSA win, and prior to that in early October she travelled to Tofino, Canada, and came away with a convincing victory at the Queen of the Peak contest.

“This weekend was so much fun. It was (the) perfect size,” beamed Zelasko after her first international victory. “I hope to come back here again and surf this contest. I just want to say thank you so much to the people that put on the event. They did an awesome job. They really took good care of us. The girls are just so fun to surf with and everyone is so nice. I can’t wait to come back and do it again.”

Zelasko appears to be on a bit of a roll these days. Don’t be surprised if you see her on top of a few more podiums before 2017 comes to a close. DP

at this point in his career he’s playing the role of cagey veteran hoping to take one more shot at joining the world’s best.

Gudauskas was in Portugal with Colapinto, but ended up losing out earlier in the contest. He’s had a few ups and downs this season, but it’s worth noting that Gudauskas is having his best year on the qualifying series since 2011. He did a brief stint on the Championship Tour, but fell off in 2010. He’s surfing better than ever and could prove to be a big threat to those less experienced surfers in the Triple Crown.

Plus, he’ll have his brothers, Tanner and Dane, in his corner, which is always good for the positive vibes.

And speaking of the Championship Tour, hometown hero Kolohe Andino has enjoyed a solid back half to the 2017 season. After a well-earned third-place finish at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, he’s heading into the Pipe Masters (the only one of the Triple Crown contests that is a Championship Tour event) ranked eighth

in the world. Safely qualified for the tour in 2018, he’ll have nothing to lose and everything to gain at the world’s most prestigious contest.

“I feel like I finally showed how I can surf, especially yesterday, so I’m stoked on that,” said Andino after the contest in Portugal. “Six years on tour and I feel like I’ve never surfed at 100-percent, and yesterday I feel like I did that, so I’m really happy. I’m trying to be honest with myself and get better at the things I need to get better at, so I’ll continue to work hard on that.”

The world title this year is between Hawaii’s John John Florence and Brazil’s Gabriel Medina, but thanks to Colapinto, Gudauskas and Andino, there will be no shortage of local drama playing out on The Rock this winter. The Hawaiian Pro starts next week, tune into www.worldsurfleague.com to catch all the live heats and scores, and hopefully watch a couple of our boys ride to glory. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 64-67 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Outlook: Better SSW and WNW swell mix kicks in Friday and then continues weekend with fun size surf. Light/variable winds in the mornings, then light+ onshore flow each afternoon. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Bethany Zelasko celebrates her first win of the 2017 NSSA season. Photo: NSSA

Page 18

www.danapointtimes.com