January 5, 2018

LO C A L

N EWS

January 5-11, 2018

YO U

C A N

U S E

DPBA Announces ‘My Home Port’ Campaign PAGE 13 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1

Looking Forward Dana Point Mayor Richard Viczorek discusses priorities, core principles E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 6

Richard Viczorek was elected to Dana Point City Council in 2014, served as mayor pro tem in 2016, and will serve as the mayor of Dana Point in 2018.

Photo: Daniel Ritz

Activists Protest as Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Draws Near EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Doheny Blues Festival Announces New Venue Location EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

www.danapointtimes.com

DHHS Boys Basketball Shoots to Continue Turn Around Season SPORTS/PAGE 16

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

DP EYE ON DP Dana Point Point Dana

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

The 2018 Doheny Blues Festival will be held at a new venue, Sea Terrace Park, when it returns to Dana Point on May 19 and 20. Photo: File

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week Doheny Blues Festival to Return in May at New Venue WHAT’S NEXT: In an announcement on Dec. 20, the Doheny Blues Festival said it will return to Dana Point on May 19 and 20, but in a new venue—Sea Terrace Park.

An email from the festival states that “Doheny Blues will be reimagined at its new seaside home.”

“I want to take a moment to thank you, the fans of the Doheny Blues Festival, for your patience and support of our hometown festival,” said Rick Sherman, founder of Doheny Blues Festival, in the announcement. “Together, we have all built the Doheny Blues Festival into Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

an event that celebrates an American art form, blues music, and speaking on behalf of the entire team—we couldn’t have done it without you. Doheny Blues is more than one weekend of music, it represents two decades of memories, friendships and killer musical performances. We’re just getting started.”

Sherman also said it was not the organization’s choice to leave Doheny State Beach, but was a decision made by the State Parks Department in mid-November 2017.

“Upon receiving the news of their decision, we immediately met with local officials, hotel managers and residents. Most importantly, we received tremendous support from the city and are thrilled to have secured Sea Terrace Park in Dana Point as our new festival venue,” Sherman said. “If you have enjoyed the layout and amenities at the Doheny Blues Festival over the last 20 years, we ask you to trust us that Sea Terrace Park will be an incredible venue for the 2018 event.”

WHAT’S NEXT: As of print deadline, the musical lineup for the 2018 Doheny Blues Festival has not yet been released. Tickets for Doheny Blues Festival are now available and can be purchased at www.dohenybluesfestival.com —Daniel Ritz

Activists Urge Public to Get Involved at Protest as Latest SONGS Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Draws Near THE LATEST: Operators of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) will soon initiate the process of moving the power plant’s remaining spent nuclear fuel rods from the facility’s cooling tanks to onsite storage facilities, which has incensed activists in the area and compelled them to continue their fight against the action.

A few hundred people flooded the lawn of the San Clemente Community Center the morning of Dec. 30 to voice their opposition of the storage, which is expected to take place this month.

The protest was hosted by Public Watchdogs, an activist organization based in La Mesa, as well as Team Zissou, a San Clemente High School club that engages publicly in environmental issues.

Signs imploring the cessation of storing more spent nuclear fuel at SONGS were posted at the Community Center and held by participants. Charles Langley, the executive director of Public Watchdogs,

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donned a yellow radiation protection jumpsuit with a gas mask to symbolize his organization’s opposition to the storage.

Nina Babiarz, a board member of Public Watchdogs, said a lawsuit filed by her organization in federal court on Nov. 14 against the storage is going through a 60-day review by the judge assigned to the case. A decision as to whether the lawsuit will go to trial or not is expected to be rendered by mid-January, Babiarz said.

About 3.6 million pounds of the radioactive fuel rods that activated power when the plant was online are to be stored in 73 stainless steel containers five-eighths of an inch thick, which were made by Holtec International. SONGS already has 51 dry-storage containers constructed by AREVA Nuclear Materials on-site that are in horizontal cement blocks and contain spent nuclear fuel rods. SONGS officials announced the power plant would be permanently closed in 2013 after steam generators cracked and leaked a small amount of radiation, causing an emergency shutdown in 2012.

At the protest, San Clemente City Council member Lori Donchak said people should write to Sen. Kamala Harris, D-CA, to compel her to visit SONGS to understand the gravity of the situation.

“We haven’t had a senatorial visit since 2012 with the Blue Ribbon Commission,” Donchak said. “Dry-cask storage is being contemplated in an area with 8 million people who live there. We are a tsunami hazard, we are a fire hazard, we are an earthquake hazard.”

The hazards Donchak mentioned are viewed by locals as a threat to the storage of the fuel rods just a couple hundred feet from the Pacific Ocean. The 8 million people she referred to live within proximity of harm should a nuclear disaster occur.

From 2015 to 2017, Rep. Darrell Issa, CA-49, who represents the congressional district in which San Clemente is located, introduced bills to amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, all of which never progressed to floor discussions.

Earlier this year, Rep. John Shimkus, IL-15, introduced a similar bill that would allow for the same provisions. The bill was reviewed by several House committees but made it no further. This legislative move is supported by Southern California Edison (SCE), the SONGS majority stockholder and operator, whose officials have said at meetings that they too want the spent fuel out of the area.

Some of the fuel is ready to be transported today, while some of it needs to continue to cool until its radiation reduces.

Jackson Hinkle, the president of Team Zissou, led a protest march in San Clemente with a bullhorn following the group of speakers.

(Cont. on page 4) www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP (Cont. from page 3) WHAT’S NEXT: Prior to the protest, attempts were made to reach out to SCE about the timeline of the storage of the remaining spent fuel rods. SCE officials reiterated comments of Tom Palmisano, the vice president of SONGS decommissioning and chief nuclear officer, made during the Nov. 2 Community Engagement Panel meeting.

Officials from SCE said they expected to move the fuel to dry cask storage sometime this winter.

“Right now, tentatively, we will be ready to start moving fuel from the spent fuel pools to the dry storage system in midDecember,” Palmisano said at the Nov. 2 meeting.

The storage process is expected to be completed in mid-2019. Opponents of the storage said they are convinced if the plans are not halted, the spent fuel will remain at the San O site in perpetuity as the federal government sits on the issue.

The Department of Energy is the ultimate authority on where and when the fuel is transported and stored. —Eric Heinz

California Coastal Commission Commences 2018 Coastal Art and Poetry Contest THE LATEST: The California Coastal Commission’s annual coastal art and poetry contest is officially underway for students in grades kindergarten through 12.

This content is a chance for students to explore coastal themes and creativity.

Entries must have a California coastal or California marine theme poem and all artwork must be the student’s original work.

Winners will be selected in art and poetry in each of the five grade-level categories (K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12) to receive a gift certificate for $100 to an art supply store (for winners in art) or book store (for winners in poetry). Winners and their teacher’s will receive tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific, courtesy of the Aquarium. Each winner’s sponsoring teacher will receive a gift certificate for $50 for educational materials courtesy of Acorn Naturalists.

WHAT’S NEXT: Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 31. Winners and honorable mentions will be announced by April.

Entry forms can be found on www.coastal. ca.gov or in the visitor center at Doheny State Beach. —DR

Dozens of Grey Whales Spotted Near Dana Point THE LATEST: Dozens of grey whales have been seen in the coastal waters surrounding Dana Point as they travel southbound to the warmer waters of Mexico from their Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

summer stay in the Artic.

A number of sources including Dana Wharf Sport Fishing and Whale Watching and Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari have reported an increased number of sightings over the last week. January is widely considered the beginning of the height of migration season in South Orange County, and these numbers are relatively assured to continue for some time.

WHAT’S NEXT: Dana Wharf Sport Fishing and Whale Watching in Dana Point Harbor is offering a 50 percent discount to Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association members on whale watching excursions. Dana Wharf Sport Fishing and Whale Watching is located at 34675 Golden Lantern. 949 496.5794. www.danawharf.com. Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari is located at 24440 Dana Point Harbor Dr. 949.488.2828. www. dolphinsafari.com. —DR

Three Arrested in Open House Burglary Scheme THE LATEST: Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) South Directed Enforcement Team (DET) arrested three suspects accused of burglarizing multiple homes using a distraction scheme during real estate open houses.

“Investigators believe the suspects started running the scheme in October 2017,” a press release from OCSD stated.

“A male suspect would distract the real estate agent, while two female suspects would search other areas of the home and steal items.”

Nino Siganoff, 33; Valerie Siganoff, 36; and Barbara Adams, 29; all of Los Angeles, were booked on suspicion of felony burglary.

The three people arrested were tied to $20,000 worth of stolen items from homes in Ladera Ranch, San Clemente and Anaheim. OCSD officials said they were able to track the suspects from witness reports that provided leads on the case.

While a portion of the recovered property has been returned to some of the victims, the property reunification process is ongoing. Sheriff’s investigators also believe there are potentially more victims of this scheme.

WHAT’S NEXT: On Jan. 3, Orange County District Attorney officials said the three suspects are scheduled for a pretrial on Tuesday, Jan. 16 in Harbor Court.

Anyone who believes they are the owner of the pictured items, or who believes they are a victim of a similar burglary should contact Sheriff’s investigators at 949.206.6100. Anyone with additional information who would like to submit an anonymous tip can contact Crime Stoppers at 1.855.847.6227 or online at www. occrimestoppers.org. —Staff Page 4

EYE ON DP

Community Meetings SATURDAY, JANUARY 6

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.

A new partnership between California State Parks and Google Maps will allow anyone with an internet connection to view more than 100 State Parks online, including Doheny State Beach. Photo: File

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

City of Dana Point Launches Short-Term Rental Hotline Service The City of Dana Point has announced the launch of a new 24-7 hotline service, in cooperation with Host Compliance LLC, for neighbors to report issues with short-term rental properties. The call center provides a single point of contact for people to file complaints, report violations and resolve disputes related to short-term rentals operating within the city. With this new hotline, neighbors can call to reach an operator who will assess the situation and immediately notify the property owner or their agent with the expectation for immediate response. Residents can submit evidence of their complaint by uploading pictures, videos or audio files via the online complaint form. Residents can opt to receive a call back within 30 minutes after the complaint has been made to confirm that the situation has been resolved. The number to call is 435.787.4357. Residents can submit grievances via the online complaint form at www.hotscompliance.com/tips.

For additional information about shortterm rental properties in Dana Point, visit: www.danapoint.org/department/community-development/code-enforcement/shortterm-rental-permit.

Boaters Association to Select Dana Point Harbor Advisory Board The Dana Point Boaters Association (DPBA) are again underway with harbor partners on establishing the Dana Point Harbor Advisory Board (DPHAB). On Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

their website, DPBA said, “We have received many excellent applications from exceedingly qualified candidates from each of the harbor stakeholder groups that will be represented on this new harbor oversight committee. We imagine it’s going to be tremendously difficult to narrow this fine pool of candidates down to the final nine members.” The selection committee will meet to begin the process this month.

Once these nine community representatives and two ex-officio members are selected, an introductory meeting will be scheduled in early February where the final membership and bylaws will be ratified, and a calendar of 2018 meetings will be scheduled. These meetings will be open to the public with agendas posted online in advance of the meeting.

CSAC Unanimously Elects Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett as Second Vice President Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett was installed at the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Annual Conference as the 2018 Second Vice President. She was unanimously supported by her colleagues on the CSAC Board of Directors (Board) at the General Assembly. Supervisor Bartlett is the first woman to represent Orange County as an officer on the CSAC Board of Directors. It has been 65 years since an Orange County Supervisor has served in an executive officer position when Supervisor Willard Smith served as CSAC President in 1951-52.

The California State Association of Counties represents California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level. Supervisor Bartlett has represented Orange County at CSAC for the past three years. In 2017, Supervisor Bartlett served on the Executive Committee and as Co-Vice Chair on CSAC’s Housing Land Use and Transportation Committee. A bipartisan coalition of

county supervisors supported Supervisor Bartlett’s nomination at the CSAC Urban Caucus.

“I am honored to be unanimously supported by the CSAC Board,” said Supervisor Bartlett. “I look forward to continuing to advocate our local needs at the state level.”

A press release from Supervisor Bartlett’s office stated, “(Supervisor Bartlett) understands the importance of issues facing counties statewide, which range from homelessness, housing, transportation, public safety and health care.”

State Parks Partners with Google Maps for Digital Tours A new partnership between California State Parks and Google Maps will allow anyone with internet access to visit a State Park from the comfort of their computer, tablet or smart phone. A total of 110 destinations, including Doheny State Park, have been filmed using Google Trekker, a backpack-mounted camera that provides 360-degree footage. Visit www.parks. ca.gov/GoogleTrekker to see any of the South Orange County State Parks.

Coastal Advisory Committee to Present Eco Heroes Award on Jan. 11 The MY HERO Project, Eco-Heroes, Ocean Stewards and Zero Trash programs will be presented with the Eco Heroes Award at the San Clemente Coastal Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. Each of the recognized programs will speak at the meeting concerning the creation of their program. Fireside Room, Community Center, 100 N. Seville, San Clemente. For more info, contact the city of San Clemente, 949.361.8200, www. san-clemente.org.

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DOHENY LONGBOARD SURFING ASSOCIATION 9:30 a.m. The Doheny Longboard Surfing Association will hold their first meeting of 2018 in front of the Boneyard Café at Doheny State Beach. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr. www.dlsa.club.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7

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.

MONDAY, JANUARY 8

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 6-8 p.m. The Dana Point Planning Commission will meet in Council Chambers at Dana Point City Hall.

33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 210. www.danapoint.org.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10

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 and Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. www.monarchbeachsunriserotary.org.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11

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

EYE ON DP

Looking Forward Mayor Richard Viczorek discusses his background, community concerns likely to be addressed this year

BY DANIEL RITZ, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n his ‘Council’s Corner’ opinion column in the Dana Point Times in July 2017, Dana Point City Council member Richard Viczorek wrote that he wasn’t surprised that many local residents do not know a lot about their local city government representatives.

“I have met many people who do not know who (their elected officials) are. I want to emphasize here that I think this is a good thing,” Viczorek said. “Why? It is because one of the enumerated natural rights in the Declaration of Independence is the pursuit of happiness. This means that these people are busy pursuing their happiness, and in a large way finding it, because of the freedoms they enjoy.”

Selected this past December for his first term as mayor, Viczorek will look to

News Next Door

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SAN CLEMENTE

Camp Pendleton Received More Than 600 Sexual Assault Claims in Four Years According to a report published in November by the Department of Defense (DoD), Camp Pendleton received more than 600 reports of sexual assault from its personnel in a four-year period.

Reports were classified as unrestricted, which can lead to an investigation and provide further details of an allegation, or restricted, which provide fewer details but are logged by military records.

Carl Redding, the communication director for Camp Pendleton, said that caution needs to be used when comparing these statistics to other bases in the report, as some of the reports come from on base, off base, at other bases and during active duty.

“Just like comparing reports by city or county in the United States, one would not expect the number of sexual assault reports from a less populated location to be comparable to the number of sexual assault reports from a more populated location,” Redding said.

Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

Richard Viczorek was elected to Dana Point City Council in 2014, served as mayor pro tem in 2016, and will serve as the mayor of Dana Point in 2018.

Photo: City of Dana Point

ensure the continuance of Dana Point being, as he described, “a historically well governed city.”

Born in San Mateo before coming to Southern California to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of California Los Angeles, Viczorek repeatedly credited the political atmosphere of his upbringing for the development of his core governing ideologies.

“I was wearing a Reagan/Bush pin on my hat in high school in San Mateo. I was watching big changes happen,” Viczorek said of this pivotal period.

Redding noted that Camp Pendleton has around 25 percent of the active duty Marines.

“No definitive statement can be made about a crime rate at a given installation based on the reporting data. This is because a number of the reports may concern allegations that have occurred elsewhere in the world or occurred prior to joining the military, but were reported at the installation named.”

The document, Reports of Sexual Assault Received at Military Installations and Combat Areas of Interest, covers a broad range of definitions of sexual assault. It compiled reports from fiscal years 2013 to 2017. “…(We) are unable to determine at our command substantiated reports, courts martial etc. since there are multiple commands on the installation like I Marine Expeditionary Force, Training and Education Command, various Navy commands and others,” Redding said when asked which individual divisions received their number of complaints. “The reports given by the Department of Defense don’t break it down by commands.”

Currently, Camp Pendleton has a process for filing a complaint, which must go through the base’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program. According to Redding, SAPR’s

In what he described as a “largely liberal region,” he began learning to embrace the importance of genuine discourse in democratic governing.

“I understand that to some, a lack of unanimity implies dysfunction, however, I believe this type of interaction is healthy and shows the strength of our democracy as it has always functioned.”

Viczorek explained that the separation of political views, and character judgements, are important and that he believes everyone has Dana Point’s best interest at heart concerning often seemingly polarizing issues.

The protection and continuance of what the new mayor sees as the “best place on earth” was evident when discussing some his core governing beliefs pertaining to major issues in Dana Point today.

“Safety and security are a main priority,” he said. “I want the citizens of our great city to feel safe and be able to live their lives comfortably. To do this, we need to ensure our police services have the resources they need.”

Viczorek also mentioned that the homelessness issue in Dana Point is a main priority in community safety and health this year. He said Dana Point’s City Council is united in rectifying what he described as an “evolving and complicated issue,” and that he supports the work done by the recently revitalized Dana Point Homeless Task Force.

Viczorek was also proud of the fiscal budget passed in 2016. Running on a

platform of fiscal conservatism, he said that this budget and his future financial perspective aims to allow the city to pay for things he believes a city government should be spending its money on, such as community safety and routine quality of life maintenance.

“For example, I’ve never seen a pothole in Dana Point,” Viczorek said with a smile. “City Council sometimes receives credit, but we are essentially the board of directors for the City Manager and his staff and I think the city is doing an excellent job. It’s important to know what your role is.”

After receiving his undergraduate degree, Viczorek attended law school at Santa Clara University School of Law. After a short stint practicing law in Northern California, Viczorek entered the United States Marine Corps, where he served two active duty tours.

Joining the Marine Corps Reserve after his second deployment, Viczorek currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was mobilized three times, and deployed once to Iraq.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Viczorek said. “I have always wanted to serve my community. If I do my job right, no one should know who I am.”

For now, however, he will begin a more central role as he conducts his first City Council meeting of the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at Dana Point City Hall to begin the discussion of some of the community’s universal concerns. DP

A report published in November by the Department of Defense (DoD), Camp Pendleton received more than 600 reports of sexual assault from its personnel in a four-year period. Photo: File

mission is two-fold: to address the needs of military members, their spouses and adult dependents that have been victims of sexual assault, and to proactively provide relevant, interactive training on a regular, continuous basis to all Marines and Sailors aboard MCB Camp Pendleton in an effort to eliminate sexual assault. It provides “24-7 sexual assault crisis intervention for all service members, spouses and adult dependents; advocacy and accompaniment during medical, law enforcement and judicial proceedings; systemic advocacy to ensure all victims receive a consistent Page 6

response to their report; support and services at next duty station (if the victim requests) through the SAPR network.”

At this time, Redding said there are no expected changes to policies on Camp Pendleton to addressing sexual assault reports.

Editor’s note: The response from Camp Pendleton officials was longer than the space available in the print edition of this article. To read the full response to questions asked, view this article with the same title at www.danapointtimes.com.

—Eric Heinz www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor TITLE IX UNDER ATTACK LEE WINOCUR FIELD, San Clemente Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently announced that her department will be revisiting the Title IX guidelines on campus sexual assault. The effect of any changes will make it harder to discipline the thousands of students, almost all of them men, who are accused of sexual violence against women each year and return us to the era during which young women were stigmatized for speaking up.

According to Brett Sokolow, executive director of the Association of Title IX Administrators, 10,000 to 12,000 cases of campus rape reach the disciplinary phase every year. Add to that the many cases of reported and unreported sexual harassment, stalking and relationship violence, and it becomes clear that on-campus violence is a critical problem deserving weighty consequences.

But how these cases should be handled is a challenge for any administration. How do schools show support for the survivors while insuring fairness to both parties?

Colleges and universities are in a delicate position, reluctant to dismantle the current system for addressing sexual assault, while anticipating the possible loss of federal funds for not conceding to new guidelines.

Make no mistake, Title IX remains the

law of the land. This announcement does not alter in any way schools’ responsibilities. DeVos’ speech noted many situations in which schools have failed to adhere to the law. The response to this challenge is to enforce Title IX more vigorously, not to undermine it.

The American Association of University Women together with hundreds of organizations across the country remains committed to protecting and defending Title IX. Students’ access to an education in a safe and secure environment free from the threat of assault is on the line. Schools, and the Department of Education, owe it to all students to uphold their civil rights, a promise Mrs. DeVos’ announcement would most certainly deny.

TOLL ROAD FINANCES ARE NOT FEASIBLE ROBIN BRANDT, San Clemente In a time where available revenues are decreasing and financial needs are increasing, there is no logic to using tax dollars from any source to fund a toll road.

The 2015 Ten-Year State Highway Operation and Protection Program Plan (SHOPP) forecasts $8 billion needed per year to do necessary maintenance on the state’s highways and bridges. Current funding from the gasoline taxes are about $2.3 billion per year. This shortfall has resulted in a need to prioritize spending and the adoption of a “fix it first” policy toward our highways. This policy favors repairs or other work to improve efficiency over new construction.

Revenues from gas taxes are declining, partly because they were not indexed to

inflation and partly because of an ongoing trend of fewer miles traveled per person.

Add to this greatly improved vehicle fuel efficiency and all signs indicate that the highway fund will not see an increase in funding in years to come. The governor and the legislature are exploring alternatives, including a road charge tied to miles traveled rather than fuel purchased, as a source of pay-as-you-go financing.

Newly constructed toll roads do not address any of these problems, and to the extent that they divert highway funds or encumber the state with more debt they actually do harm. Already, toll rates on the 241 and 73 are significantly higher than equivalent roads elsewhere in the country, and still the revenues from existing toll roads ($167,635 in FY2016) barely cover debt service, and the interest payments will increase in the future.

Caltrans must focus its resources and strategic efforts on getting the maximum value out of our existing transportation network. The 241 extension plays no part in reaching the state’s goals.

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.

Welcome to Picket Fence Media, Zach!

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Daniel Ritz, 949.388.7700, x113 dritz@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@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

Real Estate Sales Executive > Jennifer Guy ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

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

Dana Point Times, Vol. 11, Issue 1. 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 2018. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

Zach Cavanagh, sports editor for Picket Fence Media.

Hills cross country and JSerra girls soccer.

Hailing originally from Laguna Niguel, Zach is looking forward to diving deeper into the realm of South County sports and outdoors for Picket Fence Media readers.

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

P

Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.danapointtimes.com

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

BY RACHAEL MATTICE, GROUP MANAGING EDITOR FOR PICKET FENCE MEDIA

lease join me in formally welcoming Zach Cavanagh to Picket Fence Media as the Sports Editor for the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch.

Zach joins the newsroom having previously worked as a sports contributor for the OC Register. He was also a broadcaster for various radio channels and podcasts such as Long Beach State Hockey, KBeach Radio, KSBR 88.5 and OCRockRadio.com, among others. He has built his career on covering a broad spectrum of sports, including coverage of many South Orange County teams such as San Clemente football, Dana

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

We are thrilled to have him as the sports and outdoors team captain and in the trenches with us.

Zach can be reached at zcavanagh@ picketfencemedia.com, sports@picketfencemedia.com and at 949.388.7700. ext.110. DP Page 8

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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 | 05 ADULT COLORING CLUB 10 a.m.–noon. Bring out your inner artist during the Dana Point Library’s adult coloring club every Friday. Supplies provided. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517.

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.

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 AT THE VINTAGE STEAKHOUSE 6-9 p.m. Local musician, Mike De Bellis, plays smooth jazz to enhance your dining experience every Friday and Saturday.

Enjoy a twist on a classic American steakhouse while dining in a fully restored Pullman train car. The Vintage Steakhouse. 26701-B Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.3400. www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

FIRST FRIDAY FILM 7-9 p.m. The Friends of the Library presents The House starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler at La Sala Auditorium in the San Juan Capistrano Library. $2 donation supports the library. 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.2688, www.facebook.com/ SJCFriends.

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. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. 949.661.5000. www.lagunacliffs.com.

Saturday | 06 TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. Whether you are about to tackle your first 5K or you are just keeping your Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

Claire, Madilyn and Haylee look at some of the items brought in during the city’s Science Night at the Dana Point Community Center. Photo: File

THURSDAY, JAN. 11 : COMMUNITY CENTER SCIENCE NIGHT 6:30-8 p.m. Join the Dana Point Community Center to learn about local ecosystems, California’s unique flora and fauna, and new science research in Orange County. Presentations feature local and esteemed experts from the scientific community. 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point. 949.248.3536. www.danapoint.org.

cardio and running prowess in top form, be sure to stop by Peets Coffee in Talega.

Every Saturday a group runners of varying skill level take a brisk three-mile run around a pre-determined course. 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.588.5054. www.facebook.com/2XUSanClemente.

FREE SATURDAY FILM 10 a.m.-noon. The San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library welcomes families to enjoy free popcorn and a movie at La Sala Auditorium. This month’s film is Despicable Me 3. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. www. facebook.com/SJCFriends.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOWS INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Live music from rotating bands at The Swallows Inn. Burgers and wings from Lisa’s Kitchen also are available. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

Sunday | 07 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, the hike is free. 33401

Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/ caspers.

for non-members. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

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.

FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free beginner level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente.

949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

BEND & BREW 11 a.m.-noon. 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. The cost is $10.

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

COUNTRY DANCING AND ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR 7 p.m.-Midnight. Stop by the Swallows Inn for country dancing with DJ Patrick and a happy hour that lasts all day.

Enjoy a steak dinner for $13 when you are finished with the dance floor. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

Monday | 08 KOI FISH FEEDING 12:45 p.m. Every day, visitors are welcomed to help Mission San Juan Capistrano feed their koi fish in both courtyards. Fish food is free for Mission Preservation Society members and $1 Page 10

Tuesday | 09 TODDLER STORYTIME 10:30 a.m. Join the Library for stories, activities and songs for children under 3 years old. “Stay and play” with puzzles and toys after story-time. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

949.496.5517. www.ocpl.org. www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT 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. It’s a great way to get to know your local fellow yogis and beer drinkers. The cost is $10. Left Coast Brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.6014 or www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

HAPA J’S TACO TUESDAY 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Join Hapa J’s for a taco Tuesday that reaches beyond your average chicken or carne asada tacos. Enjoy seared ahi poke, kalbi short rib and kalua pig tacos in addition to the more traditional selections. 2016 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.276.6675. www.hapajs. 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.

KARAOKE AT GOODY’S 8 p.m. Karaoke every Tuesday night at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Wednesday | 10 CASA KIDS: STORY TIME 10-11 a.m. Casa Romantica welcomes children ages 1-7 for a picture book reading every Wednesday in their courtyard. A question and answer session and a dance will be held after each story. Admission is free. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 10:30 a.m. Join the library for stories and activities for children 3-5 years old. “Stay and Play” with puzzles and toys after story time. Registration is not required. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point. 949.496.5517. www.ocpl.org FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB 2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228, or 949.369.5482.

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.

MIXOLOGY UNIVERSITY 7 p.m. Every Wednesday, Waterman’s Harbor bartenders and mixology experts teach guests how to make the restaurant’s cocktails. Event is $25. Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

FREE COMEDY AT BLOOM’S IRISH SPORTS BAR 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Bloom’s Irish Sports Bar with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 9 p.m.-1 a.m. All levels of musicians are welcome to perform at this weekly open mic. Bring your instruments, or voice, and show off your talent. 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. www.knuckleheadsmusic.com.

Thursday | 11 GARDEN ANGELS 8:30-10:30 a.m. Join volunteers, students and teachers at Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens to care for and maintain native plants and butterflies. No experience is

necessary (they’ll teach you), but you should bring gloves and clippers. No class if it rains. Los Rios Park. 31790 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano. www.goinnative.net.

TABLE TENNIS FOR SENIORS 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All seniors 55 or older are welcome to join the Table Tennis Club at the Shorecliff Terrace Mobile Home Park. 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente.

949.481.2275. jnl5555@yahoo.com.

EVENING NETWORKING MIXER 5:30-7:30 p.m. Frontier Real Estate Investments will be presenting their proposed projects in San Juan Capistrano. Be sure to bring a raffle prize to help promote your own business and receive a free raffle ticket. Admission is $15 for members and $25 for potential members. San Juan Hills Golf Club. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1167. www.frontierrei.com.

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.

GETTING OUT ON THE MENU

ST. LOUIS STYLE BBQ RIBS AT THE POINT

BY ERIN MCFAUL, DANA POINT TIMES

T

he Point Restaurant and Bar has provided an exciting and friendly dining experience for the past five years. From ukulele lessons to open mic night, owner Peter Andriet, who moved to the Dana Point area from Canada, keeps customers coming back for the entertainment and delicious food.

“It’s a casual family sports bar, late night entertainment and dancing venue,” Andriet said. “We hit all three categories.”

The happy hour menu, offered every day from 3-7 p.m. and all day Monday, offers a variety of the restaurant’s most popular dishes in shareable portions. With their St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs, The Point brings

a taste of the Midwest to Dana Point.

The plate, which comes with four ribs, is perfect for customers looking to try a few different dishes. Each tender stack of ribs comes coated in a sweet barbecue sauce and is piled on top of the customer’s choice of crispy fries—garlic, sidewinder or sweet potato—or hand battered onion rings.

In addition to the happy hour menu, The Point offers a $10 lunch special Tuesday through Friday that includes either a burger, pizza or soup and salad along with their choice of a happy hour drink.

The Point 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

At the Movies: Looking Back in 2018 with ‘I, Tonya’ and ‘Molly’s Game’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

A

s we head into 2018, we also dive into the weakest month of the year in cinema. Rather than review a mediocre studio film dumped into January, I’m recommending a double feature of two low-key awards-contenders of this recent Oscar season: Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya and Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game. Both got wider release dates over the New Year’s weekend, and both actually fit the tone for a back-to-back viewing.

I, Tonya is a satirical biopic on Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) and her rise to glory until she instantly became the center of attention when she’s involved with a fellow skater’s injury during the 1994 ceremonies. Allison Janney portrays Tonya’s abrasive mother and manager, LaVona, and Sebastian Stan plays Tonya’s equally aggressive thenDana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

husband, Jeff Gillooly.

Molly’s Game follows another Olympic figure, Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), who spent the first half of her life training as a skier, only to injure herself and move to LA in 2003. Quickly she runs the biggest poker game in Hollywood and Manhattan for eight years before getting busted with federal charges. Kevin Costner appears as Molly’s cold father and trainer, and Idris Elba is her reluctant attorney.

Both films are modern period pieces of sorts, and center on two incredible real-life episodes of two infamous young women.

Admittedly, both films are imperfect; Tonya would have advanced with a stronger script and Molly’s could have used tighter editing.

But the sarcastic atmospheres and strong performances might be a fresh way to start 2018. DP Page 12

DP

Dana Point

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY FROM THE ARCHIVES

The new “My Home Port” campaign by the Dana Point Boaters Association features a burgee created to represent the entirety of the Dana Point Harbor community. Photo: Courtesy

A New Flag on The Horizon Dana Point Harbor Association launches ‘My Home Port’ campaign

BY DANIEL RITZ, DANA POINT TIMES

W

alking through the Dana Point Harbor and gazing at the almost 3,000 boats, an observer could easily become overwhelmed by the number of small colorful flags, called burgees, that traditionally indicate a boat’s yacht club or port of origin.

The Dana Point Boaters Association (DPBA) recently launched a campaign called “My Home Port” in a multi-faceted effort to support and unify the Dana Point Harbor community. For a limited time only, the DPBA will be offering burgees, hats and bumper stickers in a one-of-a-kind campaign to display the pride boaters have in calling the Harbor home.

Almost every yacht club has a unique burgee (flag) that identifies their members’ boats. There is a complex system of how to fly a burgee depending on the type of vessel too. For example, modern sailing vessels fly burgees from a lanyard under the starboard spreader of the main mast, while older sailing vessels fly the burgee from the main masthead. Power boats fly their burgee off a short staff off the bow.

With the wait list to obtain a boat slip within the Dana Point Harbor sometimes reaching more than 10 years, the DPBA aims to unify the Harbor community

Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

under one literal flag, as well as support the various nonprofit advocacy groups’ sustenance.

James Lenthall, president of the DPBA, said the campaign has dual intentions—offering a way for the entire community to display their pride in the Harbor, and raising funds for nonprofit advocacy groups.

Dana Point Boaters Association is a nonprofit boater advocacy organization that is 100 percent funded by donations.

Volunteer leaders receive zero compensation.

“Though we are a boaters focused group, this campaign is aimed at everyone who calls Dana Point Harbor their home port,” Lenthall said. “Not only boaters, but anyone who takes pride in our Harbor, who enjoys their time here, anyone who aligns with Dana Point Harbor as a base.

Just as a yacht club member can display their yacht club burgee, we care about offering all Dana Point community members the opportunity to proudly display their home port.”

The DPBA board designed their own burgee with a simple design and a unique color scheme in order to be easily identified at a distance. The main accent color is orange to represent Orange County, Lenthall said.

All donations of $10 or more will receive a bumper sticker. Donations of $50 will receive a choice of a hat or burgee, plus a bumper sticker. Donations of $100 will receive a hat, burgee and two bumper stickers. This campaign will continue while supplies last. Visit www.danapointboaters.org to learn more. DP

Photo: Courtesy of Orange County Archives

KILLER DANA The surf break in Dana Point boasted one of California’s most vibrant surf scenes from the 1930s through the 1960s. A right-hand breaking wave of oftdisputed power, the break was officially put to death on August 29, 1966, when the Army Corps of Engineers closed it to all “marine activities”. On that date, a handful of longtime locals including George “Peanuts” Larson, who some say rode one of the largest waves ever attempted along the West Coast in 1939, and Ron Drummond rode their beloved break one last time.

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.

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:

Page 13

See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING GUEST OPINION: On the Ocean by Julianne Steers

Tempo of The Tides

King tides of more than 8 feet, the highest tides of the year, will occur on the beaches of South Orange County this January. Photo: Courtesy

A

s we welcome winter along the Southern California coast, we also welcome extraordinarily low tides.

Anyone who has spent time along our beaches is certain to notice that the water level of the ocean does not stay the same all day long. The percussion of waves lapping upon the shore is consistent, though water levels change as the day passes.

Water rises for several hours and then recedes. This rise and fall of the ocean is known as the tide. A tidal tempo is at the heart of the concert of the sea.

Imagine our earth completely covered with a layer of water, its movement fueled by the gravitational pull of the moon. As the moon rotates around the earth, its gravity pulls the water out into a bulge on the side of the planet nearest to it. The centrifugal force caused by the spinning of the earth causes the water to bulge on the opposite side of the earth. These bulges make the high tides. Halfway between these bulges, on each side, low tides occur.

If the earth was covered with water of the same depth, there would be two identical high and low tide cycles over the entire surface during a complete turn. However, the shape of our lands and the size, shape, and depth of all the estuaries, bays, seas, basins and more hamper with this perfect cycle. Therefore, the resulting coastal shorelines have two high and two low tide cycles each day, others only one, and still others a mixture.

The tidal range along the Orange County coast varies from one foot to over eight feet. This may not sound like much of a rise, but you must remember that this is Page 14

the actual water depth. This means that on a fairly flat beach, the water can move onto the shore 30 feet or more.

A world of marine creatures exists in the “Kingdom of the Tides,” the area rocked by the incoming and outgoing waters and tides which plays an important part in the ecology of the coast.

As the tide sweeps in, ON THE OCEAN it covers our rocky and Julianne E. Steers sandy shores, stirs up nutrients, and brings rich oxygen to stagnant pools that remain from the previous high tide. When the incoming tide brings its tasty morsels to wash over the tide pools, the mussels open up, anemone tentacles reach out, and crabs scurry about feasting on the ocean smorgasbord.

Likewise, fish surf in on the incoming tides to feed in the shallows.

As the tide recedes, our coastal pools expose many wildlife notes. The diversity revealed is certainly the delight for any beach-goer turned scientist. From sea hares to urchins to sea stars in every nook and cranny, there is chorus to be found.

Take a stroll, investigate and dance to the rhythm of the tides this winter.

Julianne Steers is a marine biologist and the Director of Husbandry for the Ocean Institute. 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 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 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 ROOMATE WANTED Roomate Wanted to Share Luxury Condo on the bluffs above the beach in San Clemente.

Furnished Master Bedroom Suite, Private Bath and Patio. Laundry, parking, separate entrance. $850 per month includes utilities No pets, parties or smoking.

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Dana Point Times January 5–11, 2018

Page 15

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DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point Point Dana

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Boys Basketball Makes Turnaround as League Nears

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

O

ne year ago, the Dana Hills boys basketball team was 6-9. The Dolphins finished 3-8 down the stretch while going just 2-6 in league.

The group was nowhere near the playoffs and was saved from last place in the Sea View League by its two wins over last-place Laguna Hills.

Today, as of press time on Jan. 4, the Dolphins are 11-6 and on the playoff radar as the No. 16 team in the last CIF-SS Division 4AA poll as league play opens next week.

“They’re understanding what we’re trying to do,” Dana Hills coach Tom Desiano said. “Just executing better and buying into our system of what we do. There’s nothing you can really point your finger at.”

What Desiano did point to is the confidence that builds as a team strings together wins. The Dolphins have lost back-to-back games just twice this season

Dolphin Report

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

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

Abedi Earns Silver at Brea Senior wrestling captain Kian Abedi swept his way to the 171-pound title match in the Ed Springs Invitational on Dec. 23 at Brea Olinda High.

Abedi had a first-round bye and then recorded three wins by fall to advance to the tournament final. His best round came in the third round with a win over Mo Zayed of Valencia in just 1:09.

Abedi had a tight match in the championship round with Mascious Vaughn of San Clemente. Vaughn outdueled Abedi Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

Dana Hills boys basketball has pushed out an 11-6 record and is on the playoff radar as league play approaches. Photo: File

and recently put together a five-game win streak to reach the Design Pro Division final at the Rancho Mirage Holiday Invitational.

“Playing that many teams back to back (in the Rancho Mirage tournament), you really get to know your team,” Desiano said. “That showed me the resiliency was there and showed toughness. There were no excuses. They just came in and did the job.”

Dana Hills has shown its toughness from the start of the season.

Desiano knew he had a different group after the Dolphins’ first tourna-

ment at Godinez.

“All of our games were really competitive,” Desiano said. “We had a couple of kids injured and we were still able to win some close games. Even the ones we didn’t win we were still competitive. I knew at that point that all of the kids were on the same page.”

At the top of the page for Dana Hills has been Ben Carr. The junior wing came back to be the team’s leading scorer after essentially losing his entire sophomore season with an injury in the second game of the 2017 season.

“He’s one of the kids that’s stepped

up,” Desiano said. “Even (last year) he was starting to show some promise as a scorer. I was looking to him to be that kid that will score some points for us. I’ve been pleased with his defense.”

Devon Garland is another player that has stepped up for the Dolphins. Desiano said the senior guard has shown a lot of maturity and should be one of the better players in the league.

Senior Cole Slagle has picked up the slack down low. Desiano called him a little undersized at 6-foot-2-inches and 185 pounds, but complimented his post defense and finishing ability.

All of the Dolphins’ big players need to come to the table in the Sea View League.

Dana Hills gets league play started Wednesday, Jan. 10 at home against San Juan Hills.

“Top to bottom, the league is always tough,” Desiano said. “Capistrano Valley is definitely the team to beat. They return everybody. Mission Viejo will be good, San Juan Hills returns some kids, Laguna Hills landed in a tournament final.”

Capistrano Valley won the CIF-SS Division 2A title last season and was ranked third in the latest Division 2AA poll. The Cougars are the favorite to repeat in the league, but the Dolphins could find an opening after that.

Dana Hills will know how it stands in the first week with its San Juan Hills opener and a home visit from Mission Viejo on Friday, Dec. 12.

The Dolphins have made the turnaround and look to keep a straight course through league play. DP

for a one-point decision, 6-5, to hand the Dana Hills captain second place.

Dana Hills will next be in action on Saturday, Jan. 6 with the boys heading to the Arroyo Classic and the girls heading to the San Dimas tournament. The Dolphins’ next league dual meet is Thursday, Jan. 11 at home against El Toro.

Boys Soccer in Positive Form Just before the new year, Dana Hills ran off an eight-game winning streak and advanced to the Marina tournament semifinals.

The Dolphins (10-5) went 6-1 in the Marina tournament with three shutouts from Hayden Fisher. Dana Hills upset San Clemente in the quarterfinals with a dramatic win on penalty kicks, 1-1 (4-3).

Dana Hills earned a penalty kick in the final minute of regulation that Jared Ellis scored to tie the game. The game went to a tiebreaking shootout where San Clemente missed its first kick, but the Dolphins hit all of theirs for the win.

Dana Hills fell in the semifinals to Bolsa Grande, 2-1, on Dec. 29.

Senior wrestling captain Kian Abedi (top) earned a second-place finish in the Ed Springs Invitational at Brea Olinda High on Dec. 23. Photo: File

Ryan Swanson led the Dolphins with three goals in the tournament. Ellis, Alex Bicknell and Bobby Reynolds all scored two each.

Dana Hills turns toward league play opening at Trabuco Hills on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Girls Basketball Stumbles Despite a strong start to the season and Page 16

a No. 4 ranking in the last CIF-SS Division 2A poll, the Dolphins lost their last three of four games to end the holiday break.

Dana Hills (8-6) lost two of its three games at the West Coast Jamboree at Heritage High in Romoland. The lone win came against Bishop Manogue of Reno, Nevada, 57-49.

League play begins next week and Dana Hills opens at home against Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Jan. 9. DP www.danapointtimes.com

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SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

One Good Turn Deserves Another Pat Gudauskas on tour and giving back to San Clemente

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

T

hey say that nice guys finish last.

Well, that isn’t exactly true. San Clemente’s Pat Gudauskas has been grinding away on the World Surf League’s (WSL) Qualifying Series for years, and now after a lot of hard work, a little luck and some serious karma points, he’ll join the best surfers in the world on the Championship Tour in 2018.

“I guess I know what I’m doing next year,” joked Gudauskas after hearing the good news.

Sitting on the WSL’s qualification bubble at the end of last year, Gudauskas finished the season ranked 14 on the Qualifying Series, just a hair away from earning himself a spot at the big dance next year.

“It was hard to come that close and not make it again,” said Gudauskas, who served a brief stint on the world tour earlier in his career before falling off in 2013.

Then, fate interceded. In a fierce semifinal heat at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Brazilian surfer Ian Gouveia lost to 2017 world champion John John Florence. It was enough to reshuffle the WSL rankings and get Gudauskas back on tour next year.

Official word came from WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow shortly after the heat.

GROM OF THE WEEK

KADE MATSON

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

W

ith so much good surf news on the pro level, we’d be remiss if we forgot about the local groms who have been so dominant for the last year. With a commanding performance to cap off 2017, Kade Matson went haywire at the National Scholastic Surf Association (NSSA) contest at Seaside Reef.

Held in pumping, overhead surf, Matson came away from the weekend with wins in both the Open Men’s and Open Junior’s divisions, and locked in a perfect Dana Point Times January 5-11, 2018

This December,South Orange County’s Griffin Colapinto became the first surfer from California to ever win the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title. He’ll join Pat Gudauskas and Kolohe Andino on the WSL Championship Tour in 2018. Photo: Courtesy of WSL

“Yeah, Pat! It’s official, mate, you’re on in ’18. Congrats,” Perrow said.

After falling off tour in 2013, Gudauskas has made several runs at getting back on the Championship Tour, but until just now has been unable to put all the pieces together.

Last year, a WSL headline read: “Patrick Gudauskas Doubles Down on a CT Comeback.” He finished the 2015 season ranked 29th. But this lap around the sun was different. He had a pretty successful campaign throughout the year and came into the 2017 Triple Crown of Surfing with an outside shot of making the Championship Tour.

The Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa treated him alright, but didn’t deliver the result

10-point ride in the process.

“Wow, it was an incredible weekend; some of the best waves I’ve surfed here,” said Matson, who was subsequently named the NSSA’s Surfer of the Week.

Matson’s already had a banner year that’s seen him win national titles, GromSearch contests and just about every other amateur accolade out there, but he caught some serious fire in December. Prior to dominating the NSSA ranks, at the USA Surfing Prime event at Salt Creek he came away with wins in both the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions. Matson is definitely one of the hottest junior surfers in America today.

With local surfer Griffin Colapinto qualifying for the WSL Championship Tour at the ripe old age of 19, the way things are shaping up, could 15-year-old Matson be far behind?

he needed. As it seems to happen with Californians in Hawaii, it came down to the World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach.

Gudauskas made heats. He made it all the way to the semifinals alongside San Clemente compadre Kolohe Andino and Santa Barbara’s Conner Coffin. Gudauskas ended the season one place away from qualifying. Then, at the Pipe Masters, the final event of the Triple Crown, Gouveia lost to Florence and Gudauskas was back on.

The timing couldn’t have been better.

With the holidays and end of the year at hand, using the proceeds from their annual Stoke-O-Rama kids contest at T-Street, the Gudauskas brothers made a $10,000 donation to the San Clemente

Junior Lifeguard Foundation courtesy of their nonprofit group, the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation.

“This is a super special day for us, to be back here where it all started for us, as junior lifeguards. We’re stoked to be able to give back to the next generation of San Clemente water safety,” said Dane Gudauskas.

“We are extremely grateful to the Positive Vibe Warriors for their continued support of our local lifeguard and junior lifeguard programs,” said San Clemente Lifeguard Greg Hulsizer. “Their generosity allows us to offer programs like Junior Lifeguard scholarships and to provide our lifeguards and junior lifeguards with equipment and supplies.”

2018 looks to be a huge year for our local scene. Besides Pat Gudauskas’s passion play, rapidly rising star Griffin Colapinto also made some history in Hawaii this year. The former Grom of the Week finished first on the WSL Qualifying Series and won the prestigious Triple Crown title.

Colapinto is the first California surfer to ever win the Triple Crown title. He was able to lock in a runner-up finish at the Hawaiian Pro, then went on to make the final at the World Cup of Surfing, to take a commanding lead in the Triple Crown series. He’d never look back.

“I’m feeling incredible right now and it’s the best feeling ever,” said Colapinto after finding out he’d won the Triple Crown. “I was just looking at the names that have won the Triple Crown, just all the names on there are insane and to win after John John (Florence) won last year is amazing.

I’m just really excited for next year and for Snapper and I think there will be a lot of energy there and to have my name on a jersey will be special.”

This year, San Clemente will see three local surfers on the Championship Tour in Colapinto, Gudauskas and veteran Kolohe Andino. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 59-61 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Outlook: Small to modest WNW swell through the weekend, getting sets up to chest high (4’) at best. Morning winds continue to be offshore, shifting onshore for the afternoons. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Kade Matson. Photo: Courtesy of NSSA

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