December 15, 2017

LO C A L

N EWS

December 15–21, 2017 YO U

C A N

U S E

First Weekend of 43rd Annual Boat Parade of Lights PAGE 12 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 50

A Sailor’s Tradition

Tattooing is more than a subculture; it’s a present (and past) part of coastal living E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 6

Tattoos go back centuries in coastal culture. As opposed to a symbolic, representative tattoo, this Dana Point resident literally spelled it out.

Photo: Daniel Ritz

Humpbacks Outnumber Gray Whales Early in Migration Season EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Girls Basketball Getting It Done with Well-Rounded Effort SPORTS/PAGE 14

www.danapointtimes.com

Bruce Brown, Maker of ‘The Endless Summer,’ Passes Away at 80 DP SURF/PAGE 18

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

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point Point Dana

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING School District Approves Contract for Solar Power Conversion

A high number of humpback whales have been seen in Southern California’s coastal waters in the last week.

These sightings have been increasing in recent years. Photo: Shane Keena/Dana Wharf Whalewatching

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week Humpbacks Outnumber Gray Whales Early in Migration Season THE LATEST: Although the unofficial opening day of gray whale migration season, the day after Thanksgiving, has passed, all eyes have been on the humpback whales surfacing in never-before-seen numbers in the waters off of Southern California.

Donna Kalez, general manager at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, reported seeing as many as a dozen humpbacks in a single whale watching event last weekend. Close to 50 humpback whales have been reported by captains and boatmen throughout the harbor this past week.

“This did not used to happen,” said Captain Todd Mansur. “Seeing a humpback was like seeing a unicorn. It didn’t happen.”

Mansur, a captain and naturalist for Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, said humpback sightings have been rapidly increasing since roughly 2007, when a variety of factors caused Southern California’s coastal waters to become more nutrient rich and abundant with krill.

Headed south toward warmer waters, the humpbacks are passing quickly, presenting less opportunity for identification.

Humpbacks, like many migratory species, travel using their keen senses that can feel the bathymetry of the ocean’s floor, and are believed to travel by memory.

“Blue whales, along with fin whales, were some of the first to stray from their previously understood migratory patterns into Southern California’s coastal waters Dana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

to take advantage of the increase in krill,” said Mansur.

Blue whales are the loudest animals on earth, their bellows measuring more than 180 decibels and traveling for miles.

Mansur said it may have been the call of the blue’s that originally brought the humpbacks closer to shore.

WHAT’S NEXT: Passing quickly on their southern migration, humpbacks’ migration this close to shore is unpredictable. As of print publication, sightings are still being reported. —Daniel Ritz

Dana Point Police Services Arrest Man Suspected of Stalking; OCSD Suspects More Victims THE LATEST: Dominic Luis Magdaleno, 25, of La Habra, suspected of stalking more than 15 women across social media platforms, then threatening them with violence, was arrested on Dec. 7 by Dana Point Police Services (DPPS).

DPPS investigators were alerted to the suspect’s activity after a 19-year-old female victim came forward and reported that Magdaleno had been harassing her on Instagram.

An in-depth investigation, collecting evidence over a six-month period, revealed the suspect used Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr to stalk, harass and threaten female victims. In some cases, the suspect threatened to sexually assault, rape and even kill the victims.

Magdaleno was booked on suspicion of felony stalking, felony witness intimidation and felony criminal threats. He is currently being held on a $500,000 bail.

WHAT’S NEXT: Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714.647.7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855.TIP.OCCS.—DR

THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Dec. 6 to award an $18 million contract to REC Solar Commercial Corporation, a solar energy firm based in San Luis Obispo, for the conversion of six high school campuses and the district headquarters to solar power.

The firm will be responsible for designing and installing the solar panel shade structures. The $18,372,631 contract includes capital cost, performance guarantee, and operations and maintenance.

Previously, at the board’s Nov. 8 meeting, ARC Alternatives, the district’s energy advisor, presented an update on the Request for Proposals process for the solar energy project. The board approved funding for a solar feasibility study back in May, and on July 26, the board heard an update on that study, which found that all of the sites in question are able to accommodate the solar panels.

The solar project is expected to save about $849,000 a year, for a total of $21 million in savings over a 25-year period, according to CUSD officials. That’s roughly 44 percent of the district’s current utility bill.

Funds for the project will come from the government’s new Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBS) that are available solely for energy projects.

The district’s CREBS budget for the solar contract was $23-24 million.

Members of CUSD Solar Students, a group that has been working for years with district staff on the switch to solar, attended the Dec. 6 meeting to celebrate the next step of the project. The group originally petitioned the school district in February 2016 to install solar panels at each high school campus.

“I am honored to join my fellow students tonight in a project that has taken three years and is at its culminating point,” said student Kyle Krueger, who serves as president of the Tesoro Conservation club. “You will leave a legacy with this vote for an entire next generation of students, parents, teachers, residents and board members who can benefit from this $21 million [in savings].”

WHAT’S NEXT: Deputy Superintendent Clark Hampton told the board that the project will roll out in stages, beginning with installation of solar panels at a few campuses in 2018.

District officials said information regarding the CREBS financing for the project will be presented at the Jan. 24 board meeting.

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FIND OUT MORE: More information on the district’s solar project can be found at www.capousd.org. Additional information can be found on the CUSD Solar Students’ website at www.cusdsolar.org. —Allison Jarrell

Area Schools Holding Language Immersion Parent Info Meetings THE LATEST: Parents interested in the Capistrano Unified School District’s Spanish or Mandarin Immersion Programs are invited to attend a series of informational meetings that will provide an overview of the programs, as well as information regarding registration.

Meetings at Las Palmas Elementary begin at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 17 and Jan. 23.

Meetings at San Juan Elementary begin at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 15, Jan. 11, Jan. 17 and Jan. 26. Meetings at Viejo Elementary begin at 8 a.m. on Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, and meetings regarding the Mandarin immersion program at Marian Bergeson Elementary begin at 8 a.m. on Jan. 25 and Feb. 8.

WHAT’S NEXT: For more information on the district’s language immersion programs, or to view a program brochure, visit www.capousd.org. —AJ

Jonny Westom Announced as New ‘Visit Dana Point’ Executive Director THE LATEST: Jonny Westom, previously the executive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau (SVVB), announced his departure from the SVVB on Dec. 12 to take on the executive director role at “Visit Dana Point.”

“This is a very bittersweet announcement for me,” Westom said to the Sonoma News.

“Sonoma Valley holds a very special place in my heart; my family and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this extraordinary community. This was a very difficult decision, but ultimately it was driven by what I believe is best for my young family. It has been a true pleasure working and living in Sonoma Valley over the past two years.”

“Visit Dana Point,” which includes the Ritz-Carlton of Laguna Niguel, Monarch Beach Resort, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa and Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Doheny Beach, is a collaboration consisting of the four major resorts along the coastline of Dana Point.

WHAT’S NEXT: This story will be updated as more developments arise at www.danapointtimes.com.—DR www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Dana Point Community Cycling Foundation Donates $5,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs The Dana Point Community Cycling Foundation awarded the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley with a $5,000 donation on Dec. 7, which came from the proceeds of last year’s Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling.

Next year will mark the 12th annual cycling event in Dana Point, which has partnered each year with the Boys & Girls Clubs since its inception. The clubs’ staff help organize the kids’ races for the event.

“We love partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs and teaching the youth about safe cycling in the community,” said Foundation Vice President Cyndi Elders. “That’s what the Foundation is about.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs Executive Director James Littlejohn said the Foundation has raised over $100,000 for the clubs over the last 12 years.

“I’d like to thank the Foundation for what they’ve done for the kids, and for keeping our kids safe,” Littlejohn said.

South Cove Celebrates Grand Opening on Dec. 9-10 South Cove, Zephyr’s condominium community featuring 168 luxury residences in the heart of Dana Point, welcomed more than 1,250 guests during its grand opening weekend on Dec. 9-10.

Interested buyers viewed the model homes, learned more about the community and had an opportunity to win a piece by internationally acclaimed surfing, beach and environmental photographer, Aaron Chang.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors to the community,” said Sales Manager Marcie Cole. “South Cove is the first project of its kind to be built in Dana Point in more than 25 years, and the excitement around it has been incredible.”

South Cove, located at Del Obispo Street and Pacific Coast Highway, features three types of homes: “Aliso” flats, “Trestles” townhomes and “Strands” twin homes— each ranging from one to three bedrooms with 883 to 2,341 square feet.

Owners will also have immediate access to a new public park that is being built through a partnership between Zephyr and the city of Dana Point. The park, which will border the community, will feature art and installations that pay tribute to the surf culture and celebrated history of the city, with life-size sculptures depicting surfing pioneers like Phil Edwards.

Dana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

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.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

(From back left) Boys & Girls Clubs Area Director Nicole Watson, DP Community Cycling Foundation member Matt Nash, DP Community Cycling Foundation Vice President Cyndi Elders, Boys & Girls Clubs Executive Director James Littlejohn, DP Community Cycling Foundation Treasurer Steven Weinberg, and Boys & Girls Clubs Branch Director Arisbeth Bastidas pose for a photo with students Elle Smith, Abel Velasco, Alexander Rojas, Luke Leon, Simon Stein, Victoria Osorio and Bianca Paz. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Located at 34202 Del Obispo St., South Cove is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Wednesday when the community is open from noon to 5 p.m. Private tours of the available homes are also available by appointment. For more information, contact the sales team at 949.393.2239, or visit www. livesouthcove.com.

Sean Rebman.

Copies of the 2018 community calendar can be found at the Dana Point Community Center at 34052 Del Obispo St., as well as Dana Point City Hall, located at 33282 Golden Lantern St.

OC GRIP Rewards 45 At-Risk Elementary School Students with Visit to Ocean Institute on Dec. 8

2018 Dana Point Community Calendar Now Available Every year, the city of Dana Point produces a complimentary community calendar that includes photos, community events, meetings, holidays, as well as, the CUSD schedule. The city of Dana Point took a new approach to the community calendar for 2018 by creating a photo contest in 2017, #picturedanapoint, to encourage public participation in curating the photos each month.

The photo contest ran from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The city asked residents and visitors to submit photos via social media or through a dedicated email address.

“This year’s calendar is a true community calendar,” said Mayor Viczorek. “I want to thank the residents and visitors who embraced the opportunity to convey the beauty and character of Dana Point through their photos.”

Over 450 photos were submitted for consideration with participants as young as 10 years old. The city used Facebook to gather input on the final calendar selections. This year’s calendar includes photos from an elementary school student, an Instagram famous dog and a professional photographer.

Photographers featured in this year’s calendar are: Rachelle Chenier Laible, J. Larson, Isabella Ponce, Curren Wahl, Helena Lawry, Jerry Friedman, Vince Novo, Tom Griffithe, Dan Rodriguez, Ron Sanchez and

The Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP), Ocean Institute and their partners, rewarded 45 local at-risk elementary school students with a visit to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point on Dec. 8 as an incentive for positive behavior, perfect attendance and staying out of gangs. To earn this reward, the students met a challenge to have no unexcused absences, criminal activity or arrests, violence or weapons on campus, and gang-related clothing, writing or behavior.

During the visit to the Ocean Institute facility, students participated in hands-on interactive learning experiences, including the opportunity to sail on two different vessels.

Jonathan Witt, senior education director of the Ocean Institute, said, “Our partnership with OC GRIP allows us to continue our mission to provide enriching, lifechanging moments for our community. We are excited to welcome these students to Dana Point and allow them to explore the mysteries and beauty of the Pacific Ocean.”

Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more.

We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@danapointtimes.com.

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A WALK THROUGH HISTORY 9-11 a.m. The Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center is putting on an educational 1.5-mile walk around the center. Participation is free.

34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point.

949.248.3527. www.danapoint.org.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (BILY) MEETING 7-9 p.m. Every Tuesday. Because I Love You (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.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING 5 p.m. The Traffic Improvement Subcommittee will meet at Dana Point City Hall in Council Chambers. 33282 Goldern Lantern. www.danapoint.org.

MONARCH BEACH SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB 7 a.m. Every Wednesday, the Rotary Club welcomes anyone interested in making a difference in the local community and ever changing world to join them in their weekly meeting.

Doors and breakfast begin at 7:00 a.m., with a program from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. www. monarchbeachsunriserotary.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

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

www.danapointtimes.com

Have something interesting for the

EYE ON DP

A Sailor’s Tradition Tattooing is more than a subculture; it’s a present (and past) part of coastal living

BY DANIEL RITZ, DANA POINT TIMES

R

egardless of origin, tattooing has a centuries-old, deeply engrained, and rarely discussed history in coastal communities.

Over the centuries, especially in the last few decades, tattooing has changed as much in style as Dana Point has as a city.

Craig and Ryan Christy, twin brothers as well as owners of and artists at Raygun Tattoo in Dana Point, have witnessed the transformation as a tattoo artist in a coastal community. Opening Raygun in 1993 and approaching their 25-year anniversary as a small business this winter, the Christy brothers have experienced and seen the historical ties of tattooing within the sailing niche, and the flux in trends and societal acceptance of the broader tattooing culture nationally as well as in Dana Point.

‘A sailor without a tattoo is a ship without grog; not seaworthy’ According to Tattoo Archives, a theory called the “Cook-Myth” said Captain James Cook first introduced tattoos to Western culture after visiting Tahiti in the 1700s.

However, this tale has been under scrutiny in recent years. Research published on Tattoo Archives supports the theory that the permanent and decorative marking of the body, or tattooing, is primitive.

“Old school,” or “sailor” tattoos, rose in popularity throughout the 19th century as sailors traversed the oceans from port to port.

Tattoos were often symbolic markers of achievement, such as the depiction of swallows, signifying a sailor’s initial voyage into the open sea. Tattoos were also popular with the superstitious, oceanfaring crowd as tokens of good fortune.

Pictures such as a hen or a pig, traditionally placed on each ankle, were considered to ward off drowning since both animals are not capable of swimming. Tales say that God himself would look down upon a shipwreck and see the image of an animal incapable of swimming and take the tattooed sailor to safety.

By the beginning of the 19th century, Tattoo Archives estimates that 90 percent of active sailors had tattoos. It was during this period that these traditional talisman tattoos first began to take on a style of their own, in order to differentiate them from the tattoos of alcoholics, prostitutes and criminals that also frequented port cities.

Later, during the mid-20th century, tatDana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

Ryan Christy (left) and Craig Christy are twin brothers and the owners of Raygun Tattoo in Dana Point. Raygun Tattoo will be celebrating its 25-year anniversary this winter. Photo: Daniel Ritz

too artists such as Norman Collins, better known as “Sailor Jerry,” rose in popularity as they reinforced tattoos as an art form.

No longer were tattoos just for the “stewed and screwed.” Prolific art work began to differentiate this body art from permanent souvenirs for drunken sailors and port nomads to common sights amongst civilians.

Modern artists Originally from Capistrano Beach, the Christy brothers were exposed to the abundant skate, beach and musical subcultures of South Orange County at a young age. These subcultures—also largely considered free-spirited and nomadic by nature, along with an abundant military presence—created a social environment to pursue their artistic passion for tattooing.

“Back in the day, it used to be a lot more traditional stuff. Walk in and pick something out from the ‘flash’ board,” said Craig. “Then in the 1990s, people started getting more interested in custom pieces.”

In the 1990s and early 2000s, tattooing received a new wave of recognition with reality television shows such as Ink Master and Miami Ink. Although he holds mixed emotions about the impact popular culture had on tattooing, Craig thinks that wave of social presence had positive impacts. “(Those shows) demonstrated that tattooing is symbolic and can be beautiful, and is appreciated by all sorts of people,”

he said.

“It educated everyone a little bit,” Ryan added. “It helped show that tattooing wasn’t exclusively attached to the party scene.”

Recognition of tattooing as an art form has opened avenues for more successful and more honest business ventures—such as Raygun Tattoo—as well as increased regulation that assures a safe and healthy experience for both the artist and the customer.

An inherent subculture, the rebellious nature of tattooing may never be forgotten from its naval roots, but increased recognition continues to distance the art from any unnecessary negative stigmas.

“I have a family. This is my life as well as my passion,” said Craig. “People can walk in the front door (of our shop in Dana Point) and know that we have their wellbeing at heart because their well-being is my well-being.”

Tattoo artists, psychologists, philosophers Standing in their studio on La Plaza, the Christy brothers spend time explaining the modern tattooing experience rather than mention their own work. As the Christy brothers said, being a tattoo artist is also a mental and emotional job, in addition to the physical skill set. There is also an existential approach, with the value of the tattoo lying solely in the meaning it holds to its owner.

“Tattooing is just as much about the meaning behind the tattoo as the aesthet-

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ics of it, if not more,” said Craig. “I have to work with a lot of people on that. Sometimes, it’s easy. Someone wants this or that, and they are of right mind and sober, and it is what it is. But I think the best approach is for everyone to work together, to take some time from beginning to end, and make something truly meaningful. You have to pull out your emotional scissors for every tattoo.”

Some of the Christy brothers’ favorite projects over the last 25 years were largescale colorful designs covering most of the client’s body and others were small and traditional. Diverse in style, these standouts shared the commonality of being unique.

After the waves of changes the culture of tattooing has gone through, the Raygun owners said they now spend an equal amount of time with more involved projects with repeat customers as they do with walk-in appointments.

“It’s funny, you know? Tattoos aren’t and never have been, a sustainable business. Most people don’t want a full body suit,” Ryan and Craig said. “We always need new clients. We grow and are able to keep going, largely based on our clients having good experiences and relaying that experience to their friends. We have so many clients that we have done work on multiple generations of their family.

Really, it’s trust and community.”

Learn more about Raygun Tattoo and its permanent mark on coastal communities at www.raygun.tattoo. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor DEVELOPMENT FEES SHOULD NOT BE USED TO FUND TOLL ROAD STEVE STEWART, Dana Point

Our City Council had an opportunity at their meeting on Dec. 5 to make a financially prudent decision with taxpayer interests in mind. Unfortunately, some members of our current Council seldom miss an opportunity to do the wrong thing with city funds. This time, three Council members—Muller, Viczorek and Wyatt— ignored the extensive Financial Review Committee (FRC) work on vehicle acquisition policy in favor of more expensive and wasteful city staff recommendations. In a second motion, all except Debra Lewis, voted to abdicate their policy setting responsibility on the matter, instead giving this authority solely to the City Manager.

Said City staff recommendations include leasing rather than buying all vehicles, including 14 that are only driven 5,000 miles annually and will be replaced after only five years in service. That is clearly not cost effective and the FRC did extensive work to prove it, only to be ignored by a majority of Council members.

Financial Review Committee members are city residents/taxpayers with extensive financial experience. Their analysis and advice could help bring an end to Dana Point’s longstanding pattern of bad

financial decisions, such as the $20 million Lantern District street project, the Bridge to Nowhere and the multimillion-dollar Strands Gate debacle. These mistakes help to explain why our city is facing a projected $2 million structural deficit by 2021.

Council members, and City staff, owe residents the due care to listen to the citizens who sit on the FRC. The Council and staff need to show us they have learned lessons about efficient and effective spending. Judging by their Dec. 5 decision on vehicle policy, that is not happening and voters will have an opportunity to correct that problem in November 2018.

OC DIRECTOR SHOULD CHANGE POSITION ON TOLL ROAD EVA O’KEEFE, San Clemente

I am really disappointed and frankly quite shocked at your comments during the Orange County Transportation Authority Board Meeting regarding your constituents in San Clemente, that we should be taken with a “grain of salt” and that we are a “small group.”

I have submitted to you over 11,000 combined signatures (digital and wet) from your constituents opposing the toll road and the takeover of Los Patrones by the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA).

You tout the “survey” as an indication that the majority of Orange County supports the toll road. The survey conducted was absolutely biased to give a specific answer and minimized the impacts of the toll road through our communities.

The survey started with a false premise that population was going to increase by 400,000 in 10 years. You know that figure is not true and is not supported by California State University-Fullerton or the census.

I was one of the people called on that survey and I had a hard time understanding how to answer the questions. I can only imagine a person in Irvine with no knowledge of the situation when given a choice of a “through way” (never mentioning a tollway) going through open space without any mention of proximity to schools, homes, churches, parks for disabled children, (failing to mention the completion of Interstate 5 and La Pata) or the absolute worst scenario situation of the widening of the I-5 freeway by taking 1,000 homes and businesses.

Again, we are not a small group. We are the majority of taxpayers of San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch and Rancho Mission Viejo.

The toll road is redundant and wasteful.

Please reconsider your position.

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.

Voices of Dana Point CONVERSATION TOPICS AMONGST COMMUNITY MEMBERS

“The enforcement issue is significant. We are a small town with limited resources.

The police should not be cruising around looking for smokers or responding to calls about smoking. It’s not a stretch to imagine people asking the officers to collect (cigarette) butts as evidence. I hate smoking, I hate the sight of the butts, or any trash, hugely. More than the fact that I can’t believe people still smoke, I can’t believe people litter at all.

We live in a beautiful area and the idea of tossing cups, wrappers and cigarette butts on the ground without a thought stuns me. When I see a younger person smoking, I swear my heart drops. At some point, people need to be responsible. Laws don’t always fix things or we would have been problem free in this world centuries ago. I imagine there will have to be warning signs posted, and those are pretty ugly in their own right.”

—In response to, “Council Conducts First Reading of Smoking Ban Ordinance.” Posted by “DP Resident” on www.danapointtimes.com.

Dana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

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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

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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 50. 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.

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DP

GETTING OUT

Dana Dana Point Point YOUR

SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY VICTOR CARNO

Friday | 15 DANA POINT HARBOR BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS 4:30 p.m. Kick off the holiday season by attending the 43rd annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights. This year’s theme of “A Superhero Holiday” is sure to inspire heroic themed boats, holiday games and crafts. Be sure to find Santa for a free photo. Festivities start at 4:30 p.m. and the parade begins at 7:30 p.m on Friday and Saturday. Dana Point Harbor. 34555 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.923.2255. www.danapointharbor.com.

LIVE MUSIC: WATERMAN’S HARBOR 4-7 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.

SHABBAT AROUND THE WORLD SERVICE AND ONEG BUFFET 6 p.m. Join the Chabad Jewish Center of Laguna Beach for a night of blessings under the Tallit, a latke bar and matzah ball soup. Live music and a service will be held during the festivities. Free. 30804 South Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

949.499.0770. www.chabadoflaguna.com.

SADDLEBACK MUSICAL THEATRE: ‘THE LAST FIVE (OR SO) YEARS’ 7:30 p.m. Join Saddleback College’s musical theatre students as they perform favorite songs from their most recent catalog of shows. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. Saddleback College, Fine Arts 101.

28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo.

949.582.4500. www.saddleback.edu/arts.

TJO JAZZ TRIO 7:30 p.m. Join local jazz musicians Sam Shepherd, AJ Polidoro and Keith Bishop as they perform holiday jazz music at Thai Juan On. Admission is free. 31878 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.0332. www.thaijuanon.com.

LIVE THEATER: ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse presents to you the classic Christmas Eve tale of an average man led by his guardian angel to see what life would have been like had he never been born. Show times are every weekend until Dec. 17. Friday Dana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

Enjoy the red in the sky, and in your glass, on the Orange County Wine Cruise. Photo: Chelsie Rex

FRIDAY, DEC. 15: 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. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

4 p.m. on Dec. 15. The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

and Saturday show times begin at 8 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $27. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.533.0258. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC AT OVERVUE 8-11 p.m. A rotating lineup of musicians performs at OverVue Lounge at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott every Friday and Saturday night. Stop by this Friday for live entertainment from Sound House and Saturday for music by Gary and Will. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. 949.661.5000. www.lagunacliffs.com.

Saturday | 16 SANTA CARES 8:30-11:30 a.m. The Just Like Me Foundation and the Outlets at San Clemente are teaming up to provide a Santa photo experience that is supportive of children with sensory, physical and developmental needs. Register online to eliminate waiting in line. Photos will be taken in an indoor private room with limited overhead music.

Snacks and activities will be provided.

Registration is free. Outlets at San Clemente. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. www.justlikemefoundation.org.

HOLIDAY NATURE CRAFTING 9-11 a.m. Enjoy a cool, winter morning creating treasured keepsakes and personalized gifts made from natural and recycled materials. Space is limited and tickets are $5. Reserve your spot online by

CAPISTRANO EAGLES’ ANNUAL COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE Noon-5 p.m. The Capistrano Eagles M.C. is putting on their annual food drive in support of Father Serra’s Pantry, benefiting San Juan Capistrano families. Be sure to bring nonperishable products such as pasta, hygiene products and canned food.

Swallows Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.422.3717. www.serraspantryoutreach.org.

LARRY BEARD PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW 4-7 p.m. Join Larry Beard as he presents Whales in Tonga. The display features photos from his visit to Tonga where he swam alongside migrating whales. OC Contemporary Gallery. 1509 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 888.948.0086. www.ocgallery.com.

GARDEN OF LIGHTS: SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GARDEN 5-9 p.m. Once the sun sets, the San Diego Botanic Garden becomes lit with over 125,000 lights. This winter wonderland is complete with snow, horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts and food. The Garden of Lights is open every day, excluding Christmas and Christmas Eve. Admission is $15 dollars during the week and $20 Friday through Sunday. Active duty military members are admitted free of charge Thursdays through Saturdays. 230 Quails Gardens Drive, Encinitas. 760.436.3036. www.sdbgarden.org.

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Sunday | 17 GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park.

Parking is $5, and the hike is free. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/caspers.

FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, plants and artisanal goods from organic growers along the north side of Avenida Del Mar. Parking is a premium, attendance is free. 243 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.361.8264. www.san-clemente.org.

ANNUAL SURFBOARD MENORAH CELEBRATION 2 p.m. Be sure to stop by Laguna Main Beach for Israeli music and dancing with DJ Eldad as they begin the lighting of a large menorah made out of surfboards.

Activities for children and street performers will be ongoing throughout the event.

Admission is free. 107 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949.499.0770. www.chabadoflaguna.com.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE AND HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING 2-4 p.m. Build and decorate your very own gingerbread house with your loved ones.

Admission is $175. Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point.

949.240.2000. www.ritzcarlton.com (Cont. on page 11) www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 10) GINGERBREAD EXTRAVAGANZA 4 p.m. Every year Ritz-Carlton puts on a Gingerbread Extravaganza. The extravaganza will be on display until Jan. 2.

1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point.

949.240.2000. www.ritzcarlton.com.

Monday | 18 FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free beginner level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

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.

Tuesday | 19 BEND & BREW 6–7 p.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. The cost is $10. Left Coast

Brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.6014 or www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

Wednesday | 20 OLD CAPISTRANO CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET 3-6 p.m. Stop by and check out some locally grown, organic produce and artisan goodies at a farmers’ market that has been going strong for over 15 years.

Free admission. Historic Town Center Park. 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700. www.farmersmarketsjc.com

Thursday | 21 ORANGE COUNTY WINTER FEST 5 p.m. The OC Fair and Events Center presents a slice of the snowy holiday season at Winter Fest 2017. The festival features a 150-foot ice tubing slide, an ice skating rink and nightly fireworks. Hours of operation vary. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 or younger.

88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 657.333.2520. www.winterfestoc.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.

At the Movies: Franco Bros.

Make Their Own ‘Disaster Artist’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

M

aking a good movie that successfully manages to stay relevant throughout history is a one-in-amillion chance, but making a bad movie that stays relevant is a one-in-a-billion chance. Eccentric amateur filmmaker Tommy Wiseau somehow miraculously accomplished the latter with his cult feature The Room (2003). The film has been called one of the worst movies ever made—the Citizen Kane of bad movies—and 14 years later, actor, and sometimes filmmaker, James Franco has adapted the production of the film as a biopic penned The Disaster Artist.

In 1998, 19-year-old Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) forms an unlikely friendship with the strange and mysterious Wiseau (James Franco) and the two decide to move to LA to embark on acting careers.

As the auditioning goes nowhere, Tommy writes a bizarre movie script he’s called The Room and wants Greg to be his colead. Most of the film is shot and edited in 2002 to amusing and nonsensical results.

Seth Rogen and Alison Brie appear as

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Photo: Justina Mintz, Courtesy of A24

part of the cast of familiar faces. Franco’s feature is being compared frequently to Tim Burton’s own 1994 biopic Ed Wood on the supposed worst director to ever live.

Like with Wood, we get some very funny and entertaining sequences on a halfbaked movie production, but unlike with the previous film, Disaster Artist might not be as accessible for general audiences.

Franco focuses on making his picture as meta as possible, meaning those who have seen the 2003 original or read Sestero’s memoir on the making of the movie will appreciate it the most. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP Dana Point

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

As they await their turn in the parade, Yoda leads boats through a crisp off-shore breeze to stay off of the break-wall as well as avoiding contact. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Super Sailors Thousands gather for 43rd annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights

BY DANIEL RITZ, DANA POINT TIMES

T

he 43rd annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights kicked off this past weekend, Dec. 8-9, featuring hundreds of boats and thousands of spectators.

This year’s theme, “A Super Hero Holiday,” encouraged boaters to showcase what their idea of a superhero was. Creative tributes to everyday heroes such as firefighters and cancer survivors were mixed with fantastical displays of Superman, Spiderman and Yoda.

Kim Tilly, executive director of the Dana Point Harbor Association, said this year’s event had more registered boats than the past several years.

“I would say 30 to 35 percent of the boats in this year’s parade were new boats,” Tilly said. “It’s a good sign for the boating community as a whole. New boats means new boaters.”

This was the second year that the Boat Parade of Lights took place over four

nights. Each of the nights consists of a plethora of events on land in addition to the boat parade.

“It’s so nice to see all of the different parts of the community that come to the Harbor for the parade. They are enjoying the lights; they are taking pictures underneath the ‘Merry Kiss Me’ sign. It’s families and young couples, locals and visitors.”

Proud to be a part of making life-long holiday memories, Tilly said that mostly, she couldn’t be prouder of the boaters in the parade for their passion and enthusiasm.

Boats competing in the parade will be judged in an inclusive pool against participants from each of the four nights. Trophy Award categories for this year’s Boat Parade of Lights include: best theme, best use of lights, most original, most colorful, judge’s choice, best sailboat, best powerboat, best animation, best dressed crew and yacht club with the most entries.

Sponsor Awards, which include cash prizes, certificates, awards and trophies, will also be awarded from more than 17 of the event’s sponsors.

The final winners will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 16, after the conclusion of the event.

The public can take part in voting by selecting their choice for the people’s choice boat parade award on Instagram @danapointharbor. DP

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More than 100 boats participated in the opening weekend of the Parade of Lights. Photo: Daniel Ritz

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DP LIVING FROM THE ARCHIVES

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year The holiday season, and when we celebrate it, is constantly changing

A

s we get ready to embark on the holiday season...oh wait. When did the holiday season begin? Not too many years ago, the season referred to the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Throughout the decades, the season has started earlier and earlier.

Most sources agree that today, the holiday season is the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. But for many retailers, the festivities are merged into the period right after Halloween—unless you shop at Walmart, where Christmas decorations first started showing in August.

Fall is the best season for holidays— there’s Halloween, All Saints’ Day, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), All Souls’ Day, and Armistice Day. Autumn also brings the five-day Hindu festival of lights known as Diwali, which is also celebrated

by Buddhists and Sikhs. Diwali is often called the festival of lights because it celebrates the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil, with firecrackers and lamps, in addition to gift giving and family dinners.

Later in the fall comes Thanksgiving, a truly American holiday that encompasses the family. Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, is celebrated with the lighting of menorahs for eight days, as well as gift giving and holiday dinners. Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s Day round out the two-month holiday season.

The word “holiday” is an old English word that is actually a combination of two words—“halig,” meaning holy, and “daeg,” meaning day. Around 950, the word “haligdaeg” was used. In 1200, the recorded word was “haliday.” Finally by 1500, the word transitioned into the spelling and the usage that we know today. In the year 1400, the definition of “haligdaeg” was a religious festival and a day of recreation. Today, the British still refer to vacations as holidays.

To understand the dates of the holidays, one needs a calendar. But calendars are complicated also. In ancient times, calendars were based on the cycle of the sun to determine planting and harvesting times.

Many religious observances were based on a lunar cycle. The Jewish, Islamic and Chinese calendars are all based on those cycles.

The Julian calendar was created by the Romans in 46 B.C. under the rule of Julius Caesar. To make the calendar successful, Caesar took bits and parts of known calendars of the period. The division of hours into 60 minutes, and minutes into 60 seconds, came from the Mesopotamians; the concept of a 24-hour day was Egyptian, Dana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

and the division of the week into seven days came from the Jewish calendar. The word “month” came from the word “moon.”

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII implemented the Gregorian calendar because Easter, which was supposed to be the start of the spring equinox on March 21, was getting further and further away from that date.

The Julian calendar had miscalculated the length of the solar year by 11 minutes, and so with the passage of time, the calendar no longer had the significance of being useful for agricultural use. As careful as Pope Gregory was in recalculating the calendar, his system is still off by 26 seconds a year.

By 4909, the Gregorian calendar will be off one full day.

In the beginning, it was only Catholic countries that adopted the Gregorian calendar. While most countries have now adopted the Gregorian calendar, the Greek and Russian Orthodox MOMENTS churches still use the IN TIME Julian calendar. England

By Jan Siegel did not use the calendar until 1752, and Russia did not conform to the Gregorian calendar until 1918. To compensate for the difference in dates, 11 days were added to the new calendar when the old one was changed.

George Washington was born Feb. 11 by the old calendar, but once England and the colonies accepted the Gregorian calendar, Washington’s birthday was changed to Feb. 22. Benjamin Franklin welcomed the change, writing, “It is pleasant for an old man to be able go to bed on Sept. 2 and not have to get up until Sept. 14.”

Take a “Moment in Time” and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends. It is a wonderful time of the year for all celebrations. Have a very happy and healthy New Year.

Jan Siegel is a 28-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years and has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 18 years. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch 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 The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

Photo: Orange County Archives

DOHENY PLACE, 1960 Two single-level homes on Doheny Place, Capistrano Beach, circa 1960.

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

Pet of the Week: Armani

A

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

rmani is a happy little guy with loads of energy. He just loves to greet you with a wagging tail and tons of kisses. Only 1 and a half years old, Armani is sure to bring lots of fun into your life.

If you would like to know more about Armani, call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with him at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. DP

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:

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See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.danapointtimes.com

DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point Point Dana

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Dolphin Report

Dana Wharf Fish Count DANA POINT TIMES

A

s the temperatures on shore and in the water continue to drop, the fishing outside the Dana Point Harbor continues to produce a diverse range of fish.

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

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

Here is the latest fish count out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching:

Girls Hoops Getting It Done with Well-Rounded Effort Through 10 games, the Dana Hills girls basketball team is showing the depth that could help them achieve their goal of capturing a league title and making a deep playoff run.

The Dolphins have won seven games and are winning in well-rounded style.

Five players are averaging at least eight points per game and the team is outscoring its opponents by nearly 10 points per game on average.

Sophomore point guard Maicie Saia has been filling up the stat sheets. She leads the team in points per game (14.5), assists per game (3.3) and steals per game (3).

Senior point guard Peyton Romo, the team’s leading scorer last season, is chipping in 12.3 points per game and junior Maya McArthur is averaging a doubledouble (13.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game).

Most importantly, the productive lineup has been converting their efforts into victories.

Dana Hills went 3-1 at the Corona Del Mar Tip Off Tournament earlier this month, and, despite dropping three games to start the Ocean View Hawk Holiday Classic last week, bounced back with hardfought consecutive victories in their last two contests.

Both McArthur and Saia were named to the Corona Del Mar and Ocean View tournaments’ all-tournament teams.

Dec. 13 • 1 boat; 19 anglers: 25 vermillion rockfish, 18 rockfish, 12 sheephead, 10 whitefish, 1 calico bass.

Dec. 12 • 3 boats; 58 anglers: 227 rockfish, 54 whitefish, 49 vermillion rockfish, 15 boccacio, 6 sheephead, 3 calico bass, 1 sand bass, 1 ling cod.

Olivia Chambers drives to the basket during a nonleague game. Chambers and the Dolphins are off to a 7-3 start to their season. Photo: Courtesy

Dana Hills narrowly edged St. Anthony, 78-76, and North, 56-54, to end their tournament run on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, respectively.

Up next for the Dolphins is a nonleague home game against Orange Lutheran (42) out of the Trinity League on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Girls Soccer Begins Tough Slate of Games The upcoming stretch of games will be a good litmus test for the Dana Hills girls soccer team. The Dolphins (1-2) will play two top-10 teams in its next three games.

The Dolphins will travel to play CIF-SS Division 1’s seventh-ranked Huntington Beach (3-2-1) on Monday, Dec. 18. They host El Toro (0-4) on Tuesday, Dec. 19 and, after the holiday break, travel to play Trabuco Hills, the top-ranked team in CIFSS Division 2, on Thursday, Jan. 4.

The Dolphins were held scoreless in their first two games of the season, but erupted for six goals in a 6-0 shutout over Crossroads in the Aliso Cup Tournament on Dec. 9.

Boys Soccer Drops Two in a Row

Ben Carr and the Dana Hills boys basketball team are in the middle of tournament play. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Dana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

After starting their season with two wins in three games, the Dana Hills boys soccer team suffered back-to-back nonleague losses to San Juan Hills and Fountain Valley, respectively.

The Dolphins (2-3) allowed three goals in both losses.

Dana Hills has shown signs of improvement from last season. One year ago, the Dolphins were only able to muster up

three wins. This group will likely top that mark within the first few weeks of the season.

Dana Hills will host Calvary Chapel (0-02) on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Boys Hoops Making Successful Tournament Run It’s been a good start to the tournament portion of the season for the Dana Hills boys basketball team.

The Dolphins (4-3) earned a 2-2 record at the Godinez Grizzly Invitational last week, defeating Savanna and Sunny Hills while falling to Aliso Niguel and Woodrow Wilson.

Following a 51-36 nonleague loss to Laguna Beach at home on Dec. 6, Dana Hills opened the Four City Classic tournament with a 60-42 win over Bolsa Grande on Dec. 11. Dana Hills was scheduled to play Santa Ana in the tournament on Dec. 13. Results were not available at press time.

Dec. 11 • 2 boats; 43 anglers: 140 rockfish, 58 whitefish, 22 vermillion rockfish, 9 sheephead, 3 blue perch, 3 sand bass, 2 blacksmith perch, 1 calico bass, 1 olive rockfish.

Dec. 10 • 2 boats; 82 anglers: 6 sheephead, 4 whitefish, 3 sand bass, 3 calico bass, 1 rockfish, 1 sargo.

Dec. 9 • 4 boats; 87 anglers: 135 rockfish, 48 whitefish, 11 sand bass, 8 sheephead, 5 bonito, 4 calico bass.

Dec. 8 •1 boat; 13 anglers: 38 sand bass, 15 bonito, 6 calico bass, 6 whitefish, 1 sheephead.

Dec. 7 • 2 boats; 41 anglers: 82 rockfish, 20 vermillion rockfish, 11 sheephead, 7 boccacio, 4 sand bass, 1 calico bass. DP

Girls Water Polo Opens League Play After a very busy nonleague schedule, the Dana Hills girls water polo team was scheduled to begin its run through the South Coast League with a home game against Aliso Niguel on Dec. 14. Results were not available at press time. Dana Hills has placed third in the South Coast League each of the least three seasons.

Before the start of league, Dana Hills (4-7) played in both the Benson Cup Tournament and the Villa Park Classic. The Dolphins went 2-2 at the Benson Cup, with wins over Yorba Linda and JSerra, and 2-4 at the Villa Park Classic.

Page 14

An angler aboard a Dana Wharf vessel shows off a large ling cod. Photo: Courtesy

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 Lantern Bay Carpets, Interiors & Flooring.

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.

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Page 15

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DP DP SURF

Dana Point

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

No Signs of Stopping Dana Hills surf team takes home five individual surfing championships

BY DANIEL RITZ, DANA POINT TIMES

S

tanding on the access road above The Point at Salt Creek, Dana Hills High School surf coach Tim Sampson stood with three large trophies and three of his surf team athletes.

For only the second time in the history of the league, every one of the five South Coast Individual Surfing Championship winners from the South Coast League Competition belong to the same school.

“Two of them already ran out to surf,” said Sampson with only minimal disapproval. “I can try and get them in.”

In the South Coast League Individual Championship competition— held in small, but consistent and glassy conditions at Upper Trestles in San Clemente from

Craig Whetter (Sr.), Bethany Zelasko (Sr.), Eva Levy (Fr.) with their first place Individual Championship trophies. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Nov. 29-30—members from each of the South Coast League’s four teams competed for individual honors. All other South Coast League surf competitions are based on cumulative team scoring.

For Dana Hills High School, Ian Got-

tron (Jr.), won Boys Shortboard, Bethany Zelasko (Sr.) won Girls Shortboard, Ben Kappes (Jr.) won first place in Boys Longboard, while Eva Levy (Fr.) took top honors in Girls Longboard. Craig Whetter (Sr.) rounded out the Dana Hills High

sweep.

Sampson, in his third year as head coach of the Dana Hills surf team, has set the foundation of a legacy in his short term as coach. After going undefeated in South Coast League competitions in 2016, Sampson and his team came into the 2017 season confidently.

“To be honest, I knew last year that we could do this in 2017,” said Sampson.

“I’m not surprised. I’m just proud of these kids.”

Although not taking team honors, Sampson is confident his Dana Hills team can remain dominant in what he says is quickly becoming a more competitive region.

“Next year, we’ll be returning some of our best surfers and we will have a few incoming freshmen that I’m very excited about,” said Sampson. “Good things to come.”

Sampson may be looking forward, but his surfers are busy enjoying the spoils of their victories.

“It’s really nice to be able to win together,” said Whetter as he zipped up his wetsuit to join his teammates in the water. “We’re always competing against one another; it’s nice to win together for once.” DP

DP SURF

In Remembrance: Bruce Brown Maker of ‘The Endless Summer’ passes away at 80

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n 1958, Bruce Brown landed in Dana Point after a stint in the Navy. While stationed in Hawaii, he’d spent much of his time surfing and shooting home movies of friends riding waves. With his service complete and being back in Orange County, he cut a crude, 90-minute “surf movie” together. Resident surfboard baron Dale Velzy let Brown show the movie in his shop in San Clemente for 25 cents a head.

“Surfing back then, in the ’50s and into the early ‘60s, everyone thought we were total losers. It’s like, you didn’t want to tell anybody you were a surfer,” Brown reflected in an interview with ESPN in 2013.

“If you were in high school and you said you were a surfer, that was bad.”

It couldn’t have been all bad. Brown’s initial screening at Velzy’s was such a success that the shaper convinced the filmmaker to keep going. The next winter, Brown was back in Hawaii shooting his first official surf movie, Slippery When Wet, which debuted in 1958 at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. It was full-tilt boogie for Brown after that. He fired off a succession of other successful films, and by 1962 he’d begun work on his magnum opus, The Endless Summer.

A master of turning lemons into lemonade, Brown took a paltry $50,000 budget, set out with San Diego’s Mike Hynson and Seal Beach’s Robert August and made the most influential surf movie ever. The legend goes that The Endless Summer wasn’t originally intended to be an around-theworld adventure, but it was cheaper to hop around the globe than make specific trips to already popularized surf zones. Brown created the enticing narrative virtually out of thin air. That simple twist of fate led to surf discoveries in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii, “home of the endless summer.”

Brown’s entertaining, somewhat sarcastic narration coupled with The

Sandals’ timeless soundtrack and John Van Hamersveld’s iconic poster artwork proved to be the perfect storm. The Endless Summer wasn’t just an instant success in the burgeoning surf scene, it cut much deeper. Selling out theaters across the country, it helped shed the beach-blanket perception of the sport that Hollywood was perpetuating.

“What am I the proudest of with The Endless Summer? It showed people we weren’t losers…we were just adventurers, or whatever. We were really a maligned group of people before that,” Brown said.

The Endless Summer ran for 48 weeks in New York City, smashing national theater attendance records during its screening.

Film critics labeled Brown “the Bergman of the boards” and “the Fellini of the foam.” It even transcended the Cold War when the U.S. State Department showed it at the Moscow Film Festival.

In 1971, Brown turned his lens on motorcycle riding, filming and producing On Any Sunday (largely shot in the sand dunes above Dana Point with his friend and actor Steve McQueen). The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1972.

Brown’s last major project came in 1994 with the release of The Endless Summer II. Produced alongside his son, Dana, the film stared a skipping Dana Point local named Pat O’Connell and Santa Cruz’s squarejawed Robert “Wingnut” Weaver as they reprised some of the locations shot in the original film and paid homage to a host of legends.

“You can’t tell how good a wave is until you ride it,” Brown once said.

Originally from San Francisco, Brown moved with his family to Long Beach when he was 11 and started surfing thereafter (these were the days before the Long Beach breakwater was built and swell actually got into the area). He eventually retired to a small ranch property in the Santa Barbara area.

GROM OF THE WEEK

DANE MATSON

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

T

Dane Matson. Photo: Kurt Steinmetz

Dana Point Times December 15-21, 2017

he USA Surfing Prime went down over the weekend at Salt Creek in pristine conditions. Offshore winds, northwest swell, 80-degree beach temps—it doesn’t get much better than that in December—unless your name is Dane Matson.

Surfing in the Under 14 division, Matson held on for a hard-fought win against some serious competition.

“I had so much fun at the Prime this weekend. Waves were on fire! Super stoked to take the win,” said Matson when the

Bruce Brown. Photo: Copyright Bruce Brown Films/SHACC Collection

Brown passed away on Dec. 10 of natural causes. He was reportedly comfortable and at peace. Like The Endless Summer, he now belongs to the ages. Now, it’s up to all

spray had finally settled.

Lately, Matson’s stock has been on the rise as he’s consistently been blowing up in NSSA finals, won the first Surfing America Prime of the season and then took the win in the Positive Vibe Warriors’ latest incarnation of the Stoke-O-Rama. A regular at spots around town like T-Street, Riviera and Lowers, he runs with a talented crew that’s quickly climbing the ranks around San Clemente and Dana Point.

Overall, it was a great weekend for local surfers. Dane’s older brother, Kade, kept up his winning ways, sweeping the Boys Under 16 and Boys Under 18 divisions, while Kirra Pinkerton won the Girls Under 16 and finished runner-up in the Girls Under 18. DP

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of us to keep surfing, keep traveling, keep exploring and, most importantly, keep the dream of the endless summer burning bright. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 60-63 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Outlook: Nice size WNW swells through the weekend with some Southern Hemi swell blending in, best breaks are in the shoulder-head high+ range on sets the largest days. Favorable morning winds persist.

Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

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