March 16, 2018

LO C A L

N EWS

March 16–22, 2018

YO U

C A N

U S E

Senator Patricia Bates Names Donna Kalez ‘Woman of the Year’ EYE ON DP/PAGE 3 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11

Racing for Money Race registration giant caught in nationwide money scheme; owes thousands to local nonprofit E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 7

RacePartners, the race registration company chosen by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce to register the more than 10,000 runners for the Dana Point Turkey Trot, is under investigation for breach of contract and misuse of funds of more than $239,000. Photo: Emily Rasmussen

Dana Hills Students Take Part in NationWide Walkout EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Dana Point Resident Named to Irish Junior National Baseball Team SPORTS/PAGE 16

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Grom of the Week: Shay Diamond DP SURF/PAGE 18

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

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Five things Dana Point should know this week Senator Patricia Bates Names Donna Kalez ‘Woman of the Year’ THE LATEST: Senator Patricia Bates (RLaguna Niguel) has honored Donna Kalez, the managing partner of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, as the 36th Senate District’s Woman of the Year during a Senate session in Sacramento.

“Donna Kalez’s work to promote environmentally responsible sportfishing and whale watching exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit that is worthy of statewide recognition,” said Senator Bates. “Through her company, Donna has introduced the wonders of the Pacific Ocean and the California coast to countless families, creating positive memories that will last a lifetime. I am proud to honor Donna as the 36th Senate District Woman of the Year for helping to make our state a better place to live.”

As she accepted the recognition, Kalez said, “It’s a privilege to share my passion for the coastal environment with the community through fun and educational activities.

I believe that helping people to enjoy the unique wonders of our coastline will help preserve it for future generations. I thank Senator Bates for recognizing the work that my family, staff and I provide to our customers and the communities we serve.”

Kalez told the Dana Point Times that she believes this is “the time for women,” and that she enjoyed being surrounded by the power of the women in the room.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Flying to Sacramento the day after the conclusion of the 47th annual Festival of Whales, Kalez returns to Dana Point and her position at the helm at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching in the Dana Point Harbor where large numbers of gray whales and humpback whales continue to be spotted in South Orange County’s coastal waters. www.danawharf. com. —Daniel Ritz

Dana Hills Students Take Part in Nationwide Walkout THE LATEST: Hundreds of Dana Hills High School (DHHS) students took part in a Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

nationwide school walkout for gun violence and safety awareness on March 14. Participating students marched to the exterior of the school’s campus for 17 minutes, in honor of the 17 victims of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Large numbers of students held signs stating their desire to feel more supported by legislature in order to feel more secure in their school.

Olivia Drury, a DHHS junior and one of the organizers of the event, said that the event was as bi-partisan and non-political as possible. There were students who took more organized approaches, flying large “Trump” flags and the famous phrase of the Gadsden flag, “Don’t tread on me.”

“We’re concentrating on safety, and honoring the victims of the Parkland shooting.

No-one wants to see that again,” Drury said after the event.

Parents were also present during the walkout, outside school grounds, showing their support for the students.

WHAT’S NEXT: Drury, who orchestrated a www.gofundme.com, will be using the funds raised for postage to send off letters to local, state and federal officials in order to create awareness and policy change for safety in schools. For a full gallery of this event, visit www.danapointtimes.com. —DR

RH Dana Science & Technology Academy Announces Stem Career Day THE LATEST: Principal of RH Dana Science & Technology Academy Dr. Christina Portillo recently announced the Academy’s first STEM Career Day event.

This event, which Portillo hopes will bring science, technology, engineering and math professionals together to speak to their student body about opportunities in their respective fields, is set to take place on April 20.

Beginning this past year, RH Dana was named a STEM academy after a public survey was put out to the Dana Point community where science and technology were identified as unique traits their student body and community was interested in.

The Orange County Department of Education then came to RH Dana, training the teaching staff in a three-part series in order to enable them to engage them in more hands-on and engaging learning practices. RH Dana is now recognized as one of seven CapoForward schools in the District, indicating that the school has a unique and particular specialty.

“The STEM program we have enabled here at RH Dana is based on what we call the “five E’s” of learning,” Dr. Portillo explained. “Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, Evaluate.”

Portillo continued, explaining that she felt

Hundreds of Dana Hills High School (DHHS) students took part in a nationwide school walkout for gun violence and gun safety awareness on March 14. Photo: Charlotte Drury

the students at RH Dana were not simply learning materials, they were practicing them by working in teams and applying their work in forward thinking projects.

Each classroom now has an active garden that the students maintain and care for.

WHAT’S NEXT: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals interested in engaging RH Dana students in this first-of-a-kind career day event can learn more by contacting Dr. Portillo at 949.496.5784, or by email at cmportillo@ capousd.org.

Dana Point Yacht Club Announces New Sailing Director, DHHS Sailing Coach THE LATEST: On March 7, Dana Point Yacht Club (DPYC) announced Anthony Capri as their new sailing director. With that position, Capri will also be overseeing the Dana Hills High School (DHHS) sailing program.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Capri says he feels at home in the small harbor-town of Dana Point.

“Dana Point reminds me of home. Dana Point is beautiful, and this is a beautiful harbor. I’m really excited to come to work every day,” Capri said.

As sailing director, Capri will be responsible for writing curriculum, managing sailing staff and overseeing the yacht club’s five sailing programs.

“There’s a lot of work to be done and that’s exactly what I was looking forward to. It might be cliché, but I’m passionate about my job,” said Capri, who said he began looking to move out of Colorado after reaching a professional plateau.

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WHAT’S NEXT: Capri will have to hit the ground running as he is looking at a short turn-around for the upcoming summer season. Although he has only officially coached one DHHS sailing program practice, Capri said the students were quick to express enthusiasm toward beginning a more frequent and intensified training regimen. Readers can learn more about the DHHS Sailing program at www.dhhs. schoolloop.com/sailing. Sailing programs through DPYC can be seen at www.dpyc. org.

City Council Preview for March 20 Meeting THE LATEST: At the next Dana Point City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 20, Council will hold its second public hearing to take public input regarding potential transition to by-district elections for the City Council members.

Douglas Johnson, President of National Demographics Corporation (NDC), the demography company that will be mapping potential districts to be considered for the next series of mandatory public meetings, said that public input is a crucial part of a complex system identifying neighborhoods and “communities of interest.”

City Council will also consider appointing an ad-hoc committee to work with staff on the development of updates to current municipal code that currently regulates short-term rentals.

WHAT’S NEXT: City Council will meet on March 20, at 6 p.m., in City Council Chambers at 33282 Golden Lantern.

The full meeting agenda can be seen at www.danapoint.org. —DR www.danapointtimes.com

In honor of our 10th Anniversary, the Dana Point Times is proud to present...

10 Weeks of Giveaways!

Here’s the scoop…

Just send us an email describing why you LOVE the DP Times.

We will select a winner each week for 10 weeks!

Send your love-filled email to: contest@danapointtimes.com and tell us why you LOVE the DP Times. Include your name and phone number. Winners will be featured each week in the paper and on our social media accounts from 03/16 – 05/18.

Our next prize package includes: • Two tickets to the Doheny Blues Festival • Gift certificate to Hennessey’s Tavern • Custom DP Times tumbler with 10 free coffee fills from The Coffee Importers • Plush DP Times beach towel

Congratulations to this week’s winner Bonnie Leaf!

“

Bonnie took home a gift certificate from Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, a DP Times tumbler and beach towel, and 10 free coffee refills from The Coffee importers.

What’s not to love about the DP Times! I look forward to reading it every Friday to find out what is happening in our beautiful community and to catch up on the important issues facing our city. I also love the pictures from activities and events that were held in the past week. I find the DP Times extremely informative and love that it is delivered right to my doorstep!

Congratulations on your 10-year anniversary!

”

More prize packages to come, including gifts from some of our favorite local businesses:

and more!

ing ticket.)

nn Example. (Not a wi

Reminder...

If you recieved a blue ticket inserted in your paper last week (March 9th edition), contact us to claim your prize!

Email contest@danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Dana Point Wastewater Facility Named “Plant of the Year” On March 10, the South Orange County Wastewater Authority’s (SOCWA) J.B. Latham Wastewater Treatment Plant was awarded “Plant of the Year” by the local chapter of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA).

The plant and SOCWA were honored for its overall performance, financial strength and recent innovations, which offset nearly $500,000 in annual energy costs.

“The J.B. Latham operators and engineers are exceptional,” said Betty Burnett, SOCWA’s General Manager. “They deserve this award and I am so honored to work alongside this dedicated and expert team of professionals.”

A statement released by SOCWA said judges were particularly impressed by the mid-sized plant’s “co-generation” capabilities. This process allows the facility’s main engines to generate enough energy to operate other plant facilities and reduce the need to purchase power from outside utilities. The implementation of the co-generation capabilities has reduced the plant’s external energy needs by 60 percent.

The J.B. Latham Plant has a total treatment capacity of approximately 13 million gallons. It currently treats about 6.7 million gallons per day. It treats wastewater to federal and state standards then safely discharges water through a nearly two-mile-long ocean outfall.

As a result of the SARBS award, the statewide Water Environment Association is also considering the J.B. Latham plant for its statewide “Plant of the Year,” which will be awarded later this spring.

OC Oral Surgery Academic Advantage Event March 24 OC Oral Surgery invites the South Orange County community to its thirdannual Academic Advantage Event. The program is a free educational event for local middle and high-school students and their parents who are interested in gaining important insight into careers in healthcare that may not otherwise have access to the proper resources needed to succeed in a difficult and competitive field.

The Academic Advantage event will bring together a panel of experts in Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m. There will be fresh produce and treats for sale at the farmers’ market. La Plaza Park. 34111 La Plaza. 949.279.3122.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20

The J.B. Latham Plant, in Dana Point, treats wastewater to federal and state standards then safely discharges water through a nearly two-mile-long ocean outfall, was named the CWEA’s “Plant of the Year.”

Photo: Courtesy

medicine, college admissions and educational counseling to give the students and their parents valuable insight into what it takes to become a healthcare professional.

A number of colleges and nonprofit organizations will be present to provide the event attendees with volunteer and internship opportunities to help make their college applications stand out. The event will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. at Sea Country Senior & Community Center, located at 24602 Aliso Creek Road, Laguna Niguel. For more information in this event, visit www.ocoralsurgery. com/academicadvantage.

iHope Shower Service Moving to San Felipe de Jesus in Capo Beach March 17 iHope recently announced it is moving its weekly Saturday Resource Center and shower service for the homeless to the San Felipe de Jesus Chapel in Capistrano Beach. This move is part of iHope’s ongoing collaboration with local faith communities seeking to help the homeless of Dana Point and neighboring cities. The first Saturday Engagement Center by the Dana Point Interfaith Council was on March 10 and will operate each Saturday.

The iHope services have been available in Dana Point for the last two years and has traces to the opening of the iHope Resource Center in San Clemente. Many of the local homeless move around within our neighboring cities and iHope provides counseling and resources to help these South County homeless residents improve their lives.

Thus far in 2018, iHope has served 71 unique Dana Point homeless community members with 31 people returning an average of three times per month.

Orange County ClerkRecorder to Host Annual Passport Day April 14 Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will host Passport Day in Santa Ana for people in need of new passports or need to renew passports. The workshop will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana, located at 211 W. Santa Ana Boulevard, Santa Ana. Only passport services and birth certificates will be available on this day.

Appointments for passport applications are recommended but not necessary due to an anticipated increase in demand for services. Walk-ins are welcome. To save time, passport applications can be completed in advance online at www.ocrecorder.com.

Passports for people age 16 and older cost $145, made in two separate payments: a check or money order for $110 made payable to the U.S. Department of State and a separate processing fee of $35 paid with cash, a credit/debit card or a check or money order payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. For those under age 16, the cost is $115 made in two separate payments: a check or money order for $80 made to the U.S. Department of State and a separate processing fee of $35 paid with cash, a credit/debit card or a check or money order payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. Passport photos will be available on the spot for $10.

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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CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6 p.m. The Dana Point City Council will hold a meeting at City Hall in City Council’s Chambers. 33282 Goldern Lantern. www.danapoint. org.

DANA HARBOR TOASTMASTERS 7-8:30 a.m. Join the members of the Dana Point Toastmasters every Tuesday to improve speaking and leadership skills. Capo Beach Church. 25975 Domingo Avenue, Capistrano Beach. www.1707.toastmasterclubs.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION 6 p.m. The Dana Point Arts & Culture Commission will hold a meeting at Dana Point City Hall in the Publc Works Conference Room.

Suite 212. 33282 Golden Lantern. www.danapoint.org.

SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB 7 a.m. Every Wednesday, the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club welcomes anyone interested in making a difference in the local community and changing the world to join them in their weekly meeting. Doors open and breakfast begins at 7 a.m. Marriott Laguna Cliffs Resort, 25135 Park Lantern. www.monarchbeachsunriserotary. org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

COASTMASTERS’ (TOASTMASTERS) 7-8:30 a.m. Join the members of the Coastmasters’ every Thursday to improve speaking and leadership skills. 34451 Ensenada Place.

Adjacent to Baby Beach at OC Sailing & Events center. www.coastmasters.org.

www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

News Next Door WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Hills High School Students Look for Change at National School Walkout

BY EMILY RASMUSSEN

Some 1,000 students at San Juan Hills High School (SJHHS) participated in a national school walkout on Wednesday, March 14 to protest gun violence and to honor the 17 victims of the Parkland, Florida school shooting that happened one month ago.

Nearly half of the 2,000-plus students at SJHHS walked out of class at 10 a.m. for the demonstration, with many students sporting orange shirts—the color of the gun-control movement—and some students wearing shirts supporting the National Rifle Association (NRA). The students gathered in the quad area of the San Jan Capistrano high school for the 17-minute demonstration, a minute for each victim.

“We will finally be the generation that says ‘never again,’” Olivia Fu, SJHHS student and walkout organizer, said to the crowd of students.

The demonstration also featured 17 empty desks as a memorial to the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas students and educators who were killed on Feb 14. Students walked orange roses to the empty-desk memorial, 17 flowers in honor of every victim, and placed each flower next to a photo and small biography of every victim. During the demonstration, some students were in tears, holding each other for support.

After a moment of silence where students in the crowd linked arms in solidarity, Fu, 18, and Kate Finman, 17, encouraged students to contact local representatives, including Rep. Darrell Issa, to ask for change.

“Regardless of what you think the change needs to be, we’re all out here because change needs to happen,” Finman said.

SJHHS senior Kyle Copley, 18, was one of the students who carried flowers to the Parkland, Florida victim memorial and echoed Finman’s remarks.

“We are standing in unison and sending a message to Congress for change, it doesn’t matter what the change is but there needs to be some legislation to remedy the situation. The fact that there’s been so many school shootings this year is just unacceptable. It can’t get any worse than this,” said Copley, wearing an orange shirt that read, ‘We are students. We are change.’

Dana Point Times March 16–22, 2018

Nearly half of the 2,000-plus students at SJHHS walked out of class at 10 a.m. for the demonstration, with many students sporting orange shirts—the color of the gun-control movement—and some students wearing shirts supporting the National Rifle Association (NRA). Photo: Emily Rasmussen

SJHHS senior Joe Kitaen, wearing a black shirt that expresses support of the Second Amendment but does not mention the NRA, also said that change needs to be made. Kitaen, 18, thought the NRA shirts were too provocative for him, but he does support some of those student’s ideas, including giving teachers the choice to arm themselves if they want to.

“First and foremost, I’m honoring the 17 students and teachers who lost their lives, it’s tragic. Change is necessary, it’s something that needs to happen,” Kitaen said, adding that he believes having a police officer at every school would help with safety as well. “I think these are the ways to ensure something like this never happens again. This is my form of change.”

Fu and Finman also noted that throughout this week they are asking students to register and preregister to vote. So far, they have gathered 300-plus students to sign up and expect more than 500 by the end of the week.

Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Superintendent Kirsten Vital, among other CUSD representatives, attended the demonstration. Two Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies stood nearby for safety, joining the high school’s school resource officer, who is armed.

CUSD will have a presentation on school safety at its board of trustees meeting at 7 p.m. on March 14 at 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano.

San Clemente

CA Dept. of Insurance: San Clemente Insurance Agent Arrested for Defrauding Elderly People

BY ERIC HEINZ

The California Department of Insurance announced, March 12 that Mark Malates-

ta, 55, of San Clemente, was arrested for his alleged contributions in defrauding “elderly” residents of Orange County in a $1.6 million scheme.

“Malatesta, a licensed insurance agent at the time, allegedly exploited at least six elderly consumers by falsifying information on annuity applications and netted more than $135,000 in illegal commissions,” the release stated. “Malatesta faces a range of other charges.”

According to Orange County Superior Court Records, Malatesta has been charged with dozens of felonies related to elder abuse, fraud, property damage of more than $1.3 million, aggravated white-collar crime in excess of $500,000, burglary and more.

The Department of Insurance suspended Malatesta’s license following his arrest.

Further in its release, the Department of Insurance stated its investigation found Malatesta convinced his “senior” victims to terminate their investments, “causing them to lose a total of $45,000 in surrender penalties,” the release stated.

“In a classic churning scheme, Malatesta then sold them new annuities for which they did not qualify due to their advanced age. The fraudulent investments were canceled by the insurers once they discovered Malatesta provided false information.”

According to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), “churning” is when brokers buy and sell at an unusual rate and capitalize on the commission for exchanges. How that relates to Malatesta’s charges is because the clients were described as “elderly” and it’s likely the investigation stemmed from life insurance policies.

“It’s a common scam that targets seniors,” said Nancy Kincaid, a spokesperson for the Department of Insurance.

“They convince someone to buy an an-

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nuity, and a little while into it they suggest they can make more on a different vehicle.

They don’t tell them there are surrender penalties. The agents who sell these often make six-figure commissions, and it costs seniors a lot of money.”

An annuity is a life insurance investment product that pays dividends. Some insurance agents have additional certifications for planners and sell securities that the Department of Insurance doesn’t regulate but could exist, Kincaid said.

“This isn’t unusual in places like Orange County because they’re retirement communities in the area and baby boomers who are sitting targets,” Kincaid said.

Matters are further complicated in the allegations again Malatesta, as the Orange County District Attorney’s office confirmed he was arrested in 1996 on a misdemeanor child pornography possession, to which charges he entered a plea and was sentenced with a misdemeanor.

The details of the case were not readily available on Tuesday, as it’s a more than 20-year-old case.

Kincaid said agents are required to disclose of any convictions when they apply or renew their license, and Malatesta did not.

“Certain things need to be disclosed to the department and financial crimes, but according to our licensing folks, this should have been disclosed,” she said.

A 1996 article by the Los Angeles Times with descriptions matching Malatesta stated he was arrested and found with a gun in his car in Huntington Beach on Oct. 19, 1996.

“When insurers canceled the new investments, they refunded the $1,616,897 in deposits when they refunded the victims,” the release stated.

Malatesta has been a licensed broker of life insurance policies for a number of providers since 1992, according to the Department of Insurance records. His latest license approval may have been as early as a “life-only” policy for Great American Life Insurance Company issued on Aug. 9, 2016. The Times article also stated Malatesta was a retirement planner at the time of his arrest.

The case is being prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Kincaid said Malatesta was an independent insurance broker at the time of his arrest.

The booking log on the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website shows that Malatesta is currently in custody and was scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, March 14.

The release from the Department of Insurance did not specify the age range of the victims allegedly involved.

The Department of Insurance also has tips for people to avoid insurance fraud, which can be found online in this article at www.sanclementetimes.com. The department is asking people if they had accounts or transactions with Malatesta to call them at 1.800.927.4357. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

Racing for Money Race registration giant caught in nationwide money scheme; owes thousands to local nonprofit

BY DANIEL RITZ, DANA POINT TIMES

E

very year, thousands of runners from around the world line up at the starting line on Dana Point Harbor Drive to participate in the 40th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot, hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit organization that promotes community engagement and business prosperity in the local community.

This past year, on Nov. 23, each of the 10,000 runners in this year’s Turkey Trot, which has become known as one of the nation’s most iconic Thanksgiving “Turkey Trots,” registered through a company called RacePartners, a national race registration company based out of Palm Beach, Florida.

To date, RacePartners has neglected to reimburse the Chamber of Commerce in full for registrations processed since October 2017, breaching the contractual agreement between the two organizations, and currently owes the Chamber more than $239,000. The original totaled payment due to the Chamber equated to $259,000, of which $20,000 was offered as a good faith payment in January.

RacePartners’ contract with the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, which began on Oct. 28, 2016 under former Chamber Executive Director Heather Johnston, names them responsible for “full service registration services,” including registration and full-service customer support.

Through RacePartners, registrants paid a $40 entry fee as well as an $8 registration fee. Per their contract, RacePartners “will be responsible for collecting all registration funds and service charges.

The consultant will disburse all funds collected, less transaction fees, on a monthly basis on the 15th day of each month for the preceding calendar month via check or EFT to the address specified in the attached contract.”

After the Chamber did not receive their allotted payments for October registrations in the days following the contractual pay-day of Nov. 15, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bev Jorgensen reached out to Kirk St. Johns, the “captain” of RacePartners.

A month-long period of broken communication ensued, concerning Jorgensen,

Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

More than 10,000 runners registered for the 40th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot this past November, including hundreds of kids running in the Gobble Wobble race (pictured). The event’s sponsor, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, has not been reimbursed for any runners that registered after October 2017. Photo: File

who continued to contact St. Johns through a series of email exchanges until mid-December. On Dec. 15, Jorgensen demanded that, in accordance to their contractual agreement guaranteeing payment no more than one to two business days for deposited payment after the 15th of the month, St. Johns and RacePartners must pay the Chamber the past due $42,551 from October registrations as well as actively due November registrations ($216,677), before the end of fiscal year and their Board of Directors meeting on Dec. 19, totaling $259,229.10.

After failing to receive a response from RacePartners and St. Johns, Stephen Rosen, an active member of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and attorney representing the Chamber in the RacePartners investigations, informed, St. Johns on Dec. 22 that if a check was not received by Dec. 26, the Chamber would be forced to file a formal complaint for breach of contract and fraudulent misappropriation of funds with the United States and Orange County District Attorney’s offices.

According to Jorgensen, she spoke with St. Johns via telephone on Christmas Eve, where St. Johns said when he began his role as “captain” at RacePartners in midNovember 2017, he had “walked into a serious cash-flow problem.” He said in an interview with the Dana Point Times that he had only recently became aware that RacePartners, prior to him taking his role at the helm, had set automated payments to pay due debts with incoming revenue from current events.

Via telephone from Palm Beach,

Florida, St. Johns further confirmed these statements to the Dana Point Times, making no dispute as to the amount that RacePartners owes the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

“We are in no-way attempting to absolve ourselves from the debts owed to the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce,” St. Johns said to the Times, calling the situation “a tragedy.” “The people of Dana Point should not, cannot, and will not be left holding the bag for this.”

St. Johns took over RacePartners in mid-November 2017 after the departure of Clay Williams, the founder, former president and chief executive officer, and alleged owner of Forte, to The Achieve Agency, LLC. Currently, there is an active criminal investigation underway by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Economic Crimes Division.

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has not yet filed formal civil charges as concurrent similar cases have arose across the nation concerning Forte Interactive Inc. and their subsidiary, RacePartners, in a variety of large scale raceregistration scandals.

St. Johns admitted to Jorgensen that RacePartners had been “robbing from Peter to pay Paul,” Jorgensen said.

The San Francisco Giants recently filed a lawsuit against Forte Interactive on Feb. 9, 2018 in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Palm Beach County, Florida.

The Giants are claiming that after failing to deliver monthly race registration payments, beginning in 2015, and then again repeatedly failing to provide proof that

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Forte applied for a line of credit equal to $1.3 million dollars to cover previous failed payments, Forte Interactive Inc. has failed to reimburse the Giants to the tune of $621,836.48 excluding accrued and accruing interest and attorney’s fees and costs.

Williams, in an email to Rosen, denied that Achieve had any responsibility related to the breach of contract with the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, despite the opening sentence of the contract between the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce and RacePartners describing the race registration company as a “division of Achieve.”

Rosen informed Williams that as The Achieve Agency and RacePartners shared “same or similar” directors during October 2017 before St. Johns was officially installed at RacePartners in mid-November, and the Chamber had not received the $42,000 in registration funds owed from October, that the yet-to-be filed formal civil complaint cannot be guaranteed to exclude Williams and the other directors of Achieve from being personally named.

St. Johns said that RacePartners is awaiting the result of ongoing litigation in order to obtain funds owed to them that would allow them to begin repaying past due accounts. They are also actively pursuing the sale of their registration software, universally considered to be the benchmark in registration platforms, to accumulate funds.

St. Johns, who moved his family from Washington to Florida in order to begin what he saw as a financial reconstruction at RacePartners, said he knew things were bad when he accepted the position, but underestimated the extent of the problems.

“With time and energy, we are going to make this right,” St. Johns said. “I’m willing to do anything and everything to make this right. When the dust settles, I hope people can see that this was already in process when I got here, and that I immediately began to take steps to rectify the situation.”

St. Johns began that rectification process by immediately reducing more than 85 percent of RacePartners’s overhead expenditure and doing large-scale employee lay-offs.

Jorgensen, who was a newly appointed leader of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce in early fall of 2017, and the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, are hopeful that this will be resolved and remain optimistic that Turkey Trot and the Chamber will return better than ever.

Jorgensen also emphasized that this is an opportunity to show the Chamber’s new philosophical priorities, including government involvement and business advocacy.

“Thankfully, we have had an incredibly forward thinking Board (of Directors), for the past two years specifically,” Jorgensen said. “We have put away money, and have contingency plans for emergencies like these.”

Editor’s Note and Disclaimer: Picket Fence Media Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes is an active member of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. DP www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Straight Talk by Al Jacobs

What We Buy and Why

D

o you lease a fancy motor vehicle, wear the latest name brand clothing and regularly eat meals in the most exquisite restaurants? If so, welcome to the world of the upwardly aspiring. A person's possessions speak volumes on what that individual regards as important. The advertising industry, devoted to identifying what the citizen considers significant, manipulates the market to create those choices. With massive sums to be spent, the competition is as fierce as it is grotesque.

What brand of watch do you wear?

Whether it’s a top-of-the-line Rolex, a fashionable Cartier, a respectable Bulova, or an economy Timex, recognize that all keep excellent time. The day of the mechanical Swiss movement is a thing of the

past. The current battery operated models all do a better job than the "precision" pocket watch your Uncle Elmo carried as an engineer on the Lackawanna Railroad.

The only justification for a high-priced model is self-image and let's face it, the illusion of prosperity.

What can be said about wristwatches is equally true about other highly promoted products. These include magazine offerings, timeshare projects, $300 per ounce bottles of perfume, Las Vegas weekend getaways, $1,800 ballpoint pens, and the purchase of lottery tickets, just to name a few. As a rule of thumb, the more overpriced the STRAIGHT TALK merchandise, the more

By Al Jacobs innovative its promotion.

Perhaps there’s a connection, if only because moderately priced items that reflect honest value incur less sales resistance, so need not be touted with such vigor.

Reflect, for a moment on the recognizable voices and faces that make the outrageous claims. If there’s a benefit to this, perhaps

it’s that the association of certain marketing celebrities with a product of any sort saves you the effort of analyzing the offering; you may reject it out of hand.

In short, how you conduct your affairs as a consumer relates to what’s important in life. As a person with limited resources but aspirations for the future, embrace thrift and discipline. As the years pass and your net worth increases, modify your conduct accordingly but keep in mind that these are deliberate choices. Don’t let advertising pressures or market manipulators preempt your decisions. And as a last word, remember, if a vendor must buy a dozen pages of advertising to say how wonderful its product is, it can’t be.

Al Jacobs, a professional investor for nearly a half-century, issues weekly financial articles in which he shares his financial knowledge and experience. You may view them on www.roadwaytoprosperity.com. DP PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@danapointtimes.com

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 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 GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

Letters to the Editor LOOKING TO STATISTICS TO SAVE STUDENTS JOHN KIM, Dana Point

This is not to disrespect those lives lost in school shootings, and I completely support the right of students to stand up for issues they believe affect them. But some perspective is in order. The U.S. causes of death statistics are readily available from the CDC website. For 2015, the leading causes of death for the 15-19 year old demographic were: 3,919 deaths from accidents (mostly automobile accidents and drug overdoses), 2,061 deaths by suicide, 583 deaths from cancer, 306 deaths from heart disease and 195 deaths from birth defects. (A full list can be seen at www. cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/LCWK1_2015. pdf).

In comparison, the number of non-gang, non-suicide fatalities in school shootings nationwide (K-12, not just ages 15-19) averages about 15 per year (and has been declining). Since there are approximately 51 million K-12 students in the U.S., a student's chances of being killed in a nongang, non-suicide school shooting in any given year are about 1 in 3.4 million. You are roughly three times more likely to be struck by lightning (1 in 1.08 million).

Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

Like airliner crashes, school shootings are one of these extremely rare, statistically insignificant events whose emotional impact creates a large amount of social interest. This causes a disproportionate amount of press coverage, leading people to wildly overestimate the actual danger.

If you really want to save high school students’ lives, teach them to: drive safely and buckle their seat belts, not to use drugs, seek counseling for depression, stay out of gangs, eat healthy and exercise, get the flu shot, don't smoke, don't eat too many sweets and avoid teen pregnancy. All of these will save many more lives than all the hand-wringing over school shootings.

TO PROTECT HIGH SCHOOLS, TAKE GUNS OFF PEDESTAL MICHAEL CONLON, San Clemente

I think it takes a combination of compromises to reach an effective solution.

Although I am against arming teachers, I have heard proposals for an 80-hour training session, complete with background checks, etc. to train a few individuals on campus in wielding a weapon without endangering other students.

In theory, this make sense. However, to suggest that shooters come on campus just because they are “no-gun” zones is too simplistic. The profile of each school shooter to date overwhelmingly involves a young white male who is bullied, disturbed or disenfranchised, usually by students at the same school. Mental health recognition and intervention programs

are absolutely essential in any solution to campus shootings.

However, some individuals will still slip through the cracks. So, we can ramp up our universal background checks and keep handguns for protection, rifles for hunting, but all assault weapons for “sport” simply need to be banned. An AR15 against trained educators with pistols is no contest.

Ask the security guard at Lakeland.

Australia passed such a law in 1996, buying back all the “illegal” guns, and they haven’t had a mass shooting since.

You can arm people all you want, counsel every disturbed student you find and do your background checks, but mass killings with weapons designed for war will only stop when the idea that such a weapon is a “fun” thing to own disappears, forever.

Editor’s note: By definition, Australia has had mass shootings since 1996, but the number of mass shootings, by percent, are far fewer than the U.S. since 1996.

Page 8

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.

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 > Emily Rasmussen

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano) Real Estate Sales Executive > Jennifer Guy ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

Finance Director > Mike Reed

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

General 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. 11, Issue 11. 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.

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DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

their annual Zine Fest and enjoy live entertainment from The Writhers, Depress Mode, local artists and DJs. Zine vendors will set up a table of their zines outside of the venue for purchase. Admission is free. 73 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente.

949.463.1968. www.powerplantrecords.com.

EDITOR’S PICK

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

YOGA ON TAP 11 a.m. Yoga on Tap 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.

Friday | 16 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.

Monday | 19

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.

KOI FISH FEEDING 12:45 p.m. Every day, visitors are welcome to help Mission San Juan Capistrano feed their koi fish in both courtyards. Fish food is free for Mission Preservation Society members and $1 for non-members. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

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.

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.

Saturday | 17 A WALK THROUGH HISTORY 9-11 a.m. The Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center puts on an educational walk through the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Park focusing on local Dana Point History. Participation is free. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. 949-248-3527. www.danapoint.org.

TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. Whether you are about to tackle your first 5K or you are just keeping your cardio and running prowess in top form, be sure to stop by Peet’s Coffee in Talega.

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

“SPRING FORWARD” SPRING BREAK WHALE WATCHING SPECIALS 10 a.m.-Noon. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching is offering whale watching specials until the end of April. Specials include $29 whale watching every Saturday and Sunday, sunset cruises on select dates for $29 and half-off whale watching tours on Tuesdays. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

Enjoy great food and old-fashioned fun while dancing to live country-western style music during the El Presidente Ball at El Adobe de Capistrano on March 17. Photo: File

SATURDAY, MARCH 17: EL PRESIDENTÉ BALL 6-10 p.m. The Fiesta Association’s 2017 El Presidenté Ball is a wild western formal event celebrating the heritage of San Juan Capistrano. Enjoy great food and old-fashioned fun while dancing to live country-western style music at El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online, at Fiesta Association meetings or events, or at the door. For more information, visit www.swallowsparade.com.

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

Sunday | 18 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.

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.

POWER PLANT RECORDS ZINE FEST 2018 1-5 p.m. Stop by Power Plant Records for Page 10

CASA UP CLOSE: ARTS, EDUCATION AND YOUTH 7 p.m. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens will host a panel of educators to discuss how exposing students to arts education can assist in their educational growth. Executive Director Berenika Schmitz will be joined by Dr. James Dawson, Dr. Ralph Opacic, Gordon McNeill and William Moseley who combine for over 100 years of experience. Admission is $10-$12. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

BINGO AT GOODY’S 7 p.m. Every Monday, Goody’s hosts a Bingo night for a charity of the week.

Cards are $1 per sleeve, and raffle prizes are offered. Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

COUNTRY DANCING AND ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR 7 p.m.-Midnight. Stop by the Swallow’s 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. www.danapointtimes.com

GETTING OUT

Tuesday | 20 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 | 21 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.

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. No cost to join. 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.

FIGURE DRAWING INSTRUCTION 5:30 p.m. Instructor Patrick Meehan will continue teaching his monthly figure drawing class at San Clemente Art Supply. Figure Drawing Instruction is an hour before Wednesday night class.

Pre-registration is required and be sure to bring your own art supplies. Participants must be 18 or older and classes are $25. San Clemente Art Supply. 1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.369.6603. www.scartsupply.com.

FIESTA GRANDÉ 6-9 p.m. Four contests and a night of wild west entertainment are rolled into one evening of fun at the Fiesta Grandé.

Join your friends and make new ones at the Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, and enter to win one of the categories being judged. Spectators are welcome. Entrance fee is $5 per person, per category. Pay when you arrive. Winners will receive a $50 gift certificate from the Boot Barn. For more information, call 949.493.1976 or visit www. swallowsparade.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Join Iva Lee’s for live music every Wednesday through Sunday. For the ultimate live music experience, be Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

sure to reserve a lounge table on Fridays and Saturdays. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www. ivalees.com.

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

FREE COMEDY AT BLOOMS IRISH SPORTS BAR 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Blooms 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.

Photo: Claire Folger

At the Movies: Edgy Teen Drama Outpaces ‘Thoroughbreds’ Down the Stretch

Thursday | 22 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. Any skill level is welcome and entry is free. 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente. 949.481.2275. jnl5555@ yahoo.com.

DANIEL SMITH DEMONSTRATION 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sales Representative for Daniel Smith Manufacturing, Scott Steven will be answering your questions about all things paint. The presentation will begin with the history of Daniel Smith Manufacturing and end with a chance to sample a selection of colors and out them on paper. Admission is $5 with a credit to any Daniel Smith product in stock. San Clemente Art Supply.

1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.369.6603. www.scartsupply.com.

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

F

or every generation that has a Heathers (1989), Cruel Intentions (1999) or Mean Girls (2004), there are about a dozen other small-budget, edgy teen flicks trying to grab the same cult hype.

Cory Finley’s Thoroughbreds is the latest effort in the R-rated indie teen demographic, and though it isn’t as atrocious as Jawbreaker (1999) or Tart (2001), it’s not fully unique or intriguing either.

In a wealthy Connecticut suburban neighborhood, Amanda (Olivia Cooke) and Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) try to rekindle an old friendship with Amanda’s mother’s encouragement. Amanda is a sociopath in the middle of an animal cruelty court case for putting her fatally sick horse out of its misery, and Lily is depressed over her unhappy home

SESSIONS AT STILLWATER 7 p.m. Listen to live music when artists from around the world perform together. StillWater Spirits & Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www.danapointstillwater.com.

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

Page 11

life with her mom (Francie Swift) and stepdad (Paul Sparks). Things are going fine until Amanda suggests a rather twisted way to get rid of Lily’s stepfather.

Thoroughbreds is Finley’s filmmaking debut and coincidentally the final film of Anton Yelchin before his tragic, premature death in 2016.

With teen leads, there is a fine line between genuine and trying too hard. The cinematography and art direction are inspired, and Cooke and Taylor-Joy are pretty good as the stars. Thoroughbreds often finds itself in the outside lane by trying too hard, but for the target audience of modern 12- to 20-year-old girls, it might find a following. For the rest of us who were old enough to remember seeing the original risqué teen films that influenced Finley’s movie, it won’t really make much of a difference. DP

www.danapointtimes.com

DP Dana Point

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Float On Festival of Whales events manage to stay above water during weekend two

BY DANIEL RITZ, DANA POINT TIMES

W

eekend two of the 47th annual Dana Point Festival of Whales, March 16 and 17, started in similar fashion to the weekend prior under gray skies and consistent drizzle.

Fortunately, weekend two was full of events either not inconvenienced, or perfectly suited for the dreary conditions.

Saturday morning began with the Cardboard Classic Dinghy Dash, sponsored by Westwind Sailing, where teams divided by age as well as one all-ages business division participated in a desperate dash to paddle their boats, constructed solely of cardboard and duct tape, through a course at Baby Beach. The teams were also awarded a variety of prizes for various attributes after being judged by a panel including Mayor Richard Viczorek, local

Keegan Hicks of Harbor Grill, staying dry with Harbor Grill staff while serving their Clam Chowder during the chowder Cook-Off at Baby Beach. Photo: Daniel Ritz

champion longboard surfer Rachael Tilley, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching managing partner Donna Kalez and more. Later on Saturday, a number of Dinghy Dash participants warmed their soaked bones by sampling any one of the dozens of delicious clam clowders available from a variety of local vendors at the Chowder Cook-Off. Late in the afternoon, Shwack Beach Grill was named the “People’s Choice” chowder, Mayor Richard Viczorek selected RJ’s chowder for the “Mayor’s Pick,” and Chart House was selected for the “Best Booth” award.

Thankfully, the skies cleared, and the sun shone on Sunday as those anxious for some vitamin-D gathered at Baby Beach for the annual Whale of a Concert BBQ and Spirits Garden. DP

Cardboard Dinghy Dash racers whose boats did not make it to the finish, were still eligible for a variety of awards including the “Titanic Award,” for the most dramatic boat sinking. Photo: Daniel Ritz

DP LIVING GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach by Shelley Murphy

Parenthood’s Resolute Responsibilities & Rich Rewards

M

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SPECIALTY BEAUTY

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arch marks the conclusion of the second season of the popular television series This Is Us, and I’m betting it ends in a bittersweet cliffhanger putting the Pearson family in peril.

It’s probably not too surprising that I’m hooked on the family drama that debuted in September 2016. And I’m not alone; each week approximately 10 million viewers tune in with their box of tissues in hand to have their heartstrings tugged.

Sure, the show has its haters, but it manages to resonate with a wide audience and broad demographic. Recently, my son’s 20-year-old friend said he watches the show and told LIFE’S A BEACH my son, “Dude, I cry

By Shelley Murphy all the time.”

The audience relates to the Pearson’s struggles as they suffer the complexities of the human experience. We viewers know the characters aren’t real, but on occasion they remind us of the people we know or maybe the people we want to be.

The Pearson’s stories are told in flashbacks and present-day plights with plot twists unearthing memories of difficult pasts and reveal hopes for uncertain futures. Week after week, I’m one of the millions rooting for the family of five to overcome their obstacles.

My favorite tear-jerking episode chronicled the days leading up to the character Randall Pearson becoming a first-time father. Randall experiences near-paralyzing fear as he faces parenthood, and a preoccupation with websites detailing frightening newborn facts adds to his angst.

Thankfully, as I counted down the days to the birth of my first child, there was no internet to fuel my anxiety. Instead, I relied on the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting (the first edition) and I skimmed its scary chapters.

Randall goes to the hardware store to return a faulty ceiling fan bought to circulate air in his baby’s nursery, thereby preventing crib death. His visit proves cathartic. Randall rambles on to the store clerk sharing his overwhelming fears and self-doubt as he confronts the enormous responsibility of parenthood.

Page 13

Watching Randall rant, it roused the decades-old emotions I felt throughout my first pregnancy. I constantly feared making mistakes and questioned my competency. To calm Randall, the store clerk replies with empathy and advice saying, “Babies come with the answers…they tell you who you are.”

I thought about those words. I’m not sure about babies coming with answers, but I do agree with the fictional clerk’s belief that children tell you who you are.

My boys taught me who I am.

They taught me grit, patience, selflessness, unconditional love, to trust my gut instincts and to become the mom in me that I didn’t know existed.

I also learned the stealth moves of a tooth fairy, the magic of believing in Santa Claus and that white carpet is just stupid.

What the store clerk fails to tell Randall is that the worry he feels facing his child’s impending arrival will not fade—in fact, it is the hallmark of parenting.

I crave the worry I once cursed, a time when my kids lived under my roof, and one of my biggest fears included getting in and out of the mall without an earsplitting toddler meltdown.

Both of my boys have flown from the nest to find their futures. Today my worries ebb and flow. I worry less about doing the right thing as a parent and more about my kids doing the right thing as young adults.

As a parent, it’s my job to give my children the tools to navigate their universe; but, in hindsight, I realize they gave me so much more.

My boys expanded my heart and mind in ways I could not expect before becoming their mom. They made me a better person and provided me with a purpose.

My kids taught me the important life lessons not covered in baby books or websites. On second thought, maybe babies do come with all of the answers.

Shelley Murphy has lived in San Clemente with her husband for the past 18 years, where she raised her two sons.

She’s a freelance writer and has been a contributor to Picket Fence Media since 2006. 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 LIVING

Business Beat News from Dana Point’s business community COMPILED BY DANIEL RITZ

NEW BUSINESS BOURBON STEAK: A MICHAEL MINA RESTAURANT 1 Monarch Beach Resort N Dana Point, CA 949.234.3200 www.michaelmina.net Bourbon Steakhouse, opening last week within the Monarch Beach Resort, is the latest addition to the restaurant series by world-renowned chef Michael Mina. In Bourbon, Mina is striving to achieve a unique dualism of upholding the caliber and quality of the classic American Steakhouse, all while allowing for creative evolution and personalized identity.

In Dana Point, Executive Chef Bryan Brown and Bourbon hope to achieve this through highlight menu items, including his signature butterpoached, dry-aged primesteaks as well as locally motivated additions such as a cast-iron shellfish platter made up of four oysters, four Gulf-shrimp, one red miso butter soaked half-lobster and king crab.

A true premium level American steakhouse, Bourbon Steakhouse is evolving its menu to include regional coastal flavors, including this Cast-Iron Broiled Shellfish Platter. Photo: Daniel Ritz

Executive Chef Bryan Brown leads the development behind the restaurant’s menus, oversees operational procedures and event planning of Michael Mina’s modern American steakhouse. Photo: Courtesy

The entirety of Brown’s menu at Bourbon reflects Mina’s ambitions for an evolving, but consistent true-to-form American steakhouse. For example, an extensive cocktail menu offers classic and “New School” versions of their drinks, and in-house sommelier Michelle Morin is on the dining room floor full-time to offer table-side wine pairings and education.

Aesthetically, Bourbon feels modern and open, with an obvious attention to detail and comfort that relieves it of any posh elitism found in establishments of this caliber. Art is sourced from local artists, hung sparingly, as the dark walls reflect the natural light of the almost 180-degree panoramic view of the Pacific.

Commitment to excellence, and quality, but allowing for a personalized experience, Bourbon Steakhouse is sure to be a hit for those looking for a classic American Steakhouse meal, and for those looking to have their first true intimate food experience. DP

Photo: Paul Chinn. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection

FROM THE ARCHIVES Karen Coberly’s T-shirt said it

all at a rally in Dana Point in March 1982. Coberly, from San Marcos, joined about 5,000 others urging San Onofre’s shutdown.

Every week, the Dana Point Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to editorial@danapointtimes.com.

Sudoku

Pets of the Week: Josephine & Napolean DANA POINT TIMES

BY MYLES MELLOR

J

osephine and Napoleon are two sweet bunnies who are looking for some-bunny to love. A bonded pair, they enjoy their supervised hops in the yard together and lounging in the shade. With a lovable pair like Josephine and Napoleon, you’ll always have a hopping good time.

If you would like to know more about Josephine and Napoleon, call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with them at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. DP Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

Last week’s solution:

Josephine & Napolean. Photo: Courtesy

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

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See the solution in next week’s issue.

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DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com FOR SALE 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. Call Mike at Lantern Bay Carpets, Interiors & Flooring. 949.240.1545 WOMEN’S BICYCLE Beautiful, almost new women’s bike. Looks like a commuter/cruiser with multiple gears.

Light mint green frame, white seat, wire basket on the back. $250. Text for photos.

949-533-9761.

GARAGE SALES SATURDAYS, 10AM TO 1PM AND SUNDAYS 9AM TO 12 THROUGH MARCH. Everything must go. Chairs, tables, household items, clothes, jewelry, tools, patio furniture.

Also open during week. 34202 Camino Capistrano, Capistrano Beach.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to info@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

HELP WANTED DANA POINT MARINA INN -NOW HIRING: Front desk help. Two F/T positions open. $12 to $13, per hour. Apply in person. 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, Ca 92629

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.

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

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

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

949.388.7700 ext. 102 Dana Point Times March 16–22, 2018

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DP SPORTS & OUTDOORS Dana Point Point Dana

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Pick of the Irish Dana Point resident selected to Ireland’s junior national baseball team to compete in European Championship this summer

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

P

lenty of Americans, of Irish heritage or otherwise, celebrate the culture of the green isle once a year on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. For Dana Point resident Liam O’Connor, his Irish heritage isn’t a once-a-year affair.

“For me, it’s just growing up,” O’Connor said. “My dad would always put on Irish music and get my sisters involved with Irish dancing. Being able to play a bigger role in that is kind of big for me.”

O’Connor’s bigger role comes in a way that might seem unconventional when associating with Ireland as the San Juan Hills junior has been selected to the Irish junior national baseball team.

O’Connor and a group of Americans with parents or grandparents with Irish citizenship and a handful of players from Ireland will compete in the 2018 European 18U Junior Division Championship in Grosseto, Italy from July 9-15.

“Being able to represent Ireland and with both my dad’s parents having passed away,” O’Connor said, “it was just a way to stay connected with your roots.”

O’Connor’s grandfather hailed from a southwestern coastal town of under 2,000 people, Dingle, and his grandmother came from western County Limerick in the town of Newcastle West.

Liam’s father, Brendan, is also a full Irish citizen, and Liam had an Irish passport well before needing one for selection to the team. While O’Connor would be labelled as Irish-American and many would see the composition of the roster and claim it’s not really a team from Ireland, he doesn’t see that line.

“Being from the United States, people try to separate it and say you’re not really Irish,” O’Connor said. “We have the documented papers and everything like that.

We have the same criteria as anyone that was born there. Just being able to represent that from my standpoint, half of my life is around there.”

It’s that idea of embracing their roots that Ireland coach Bill Sullivan sees as key to making this team successful. Sullivan is

Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

Dana Point resident and San Juan Hills junior Liam O’Connor has been selected to Ireland’s junior national baseball team and will compete at the 2018 European championships in July in Italy. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

currently the senior associate director of athletics for Mercy College in New York, which sits 15 miles north of New York City, and was the school’s baseball coach for 15 seasons.

“We’re really together for a short period of time. We’re going to be limited on the amount of practice,” Sullivan said. “The goal is to get a bunch of American players of Irish decent and use baseball as a common thread to celebrate their heritage.

Competing for something other than the run of the mill type tournament gives it a higher level of importance.”

Sullivan likes what he’s seen of O’Connor through video as a dual-purpose type of player that can be capable of great things come tournament time.

Sullivan said this team isn’t just playing for this season but also for subsequent Irish baseball teams. He is trying to help push the national program forward as well as pushing all the players on the current roster.

“We’re looking for them to have a great baseball experience,” Sullivan said. “Using the European Championship as a platform, these players have the want and willingness to perform. We’re kind of all in.”

Ireland qualified for the European Championship by winning one of two qualifying tournaments beating Belgium, Switzerland, Poland and Russia by a combined score of 65-17. Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Spain,

Lithuania, Great Britain and Ukraine make up the 10-team continental competition.

That group of teams is one of the things that excites O’Connor about the tournament.

“I just want to play baseball with those other European teams,” O’Connor said. “I know in the United States it’s very competitive. I just want to see how it is over in Europe. There it’s more soccer, and I want to see how the competition levels stack up and just play baseball.”

O’Connor has actually been to Ireland once three years ago. He said he saw a lot of soccer, Gaelic football and rugby while he was there, and the aims of Baseball Ireland appealed to a kid that’s grown up with baseball and Irish influences.

“There wasn’t as much baseball there,” O’Connor said, “but they (Baseball Ireland) had told us that they wanted to push more baseball culture and get Ireland involved. It was an opportunity to bring more culture. It was exciting to go and travel around and play all these teams you wouldn’t normally play.”

Another thing that stuck out on his initial trip was the people of Ireland, the people he shares a common heritage with and will be representing with the Trinity College harp on his green hat and the green, white and orange Irish tricolor flag on the sleeve of his green jersey.

“Just good people in general,” O’Connor said. “About the culture, it’s the music and

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dance. It’s just so upbeat and gets in your soul and makes you feel good.”

And if anything, Liam O’Connor, as a good Irish lad, can feel good in that uniform flowing with his favorite color.

“Green is my favorite color,” O’Connor said. “Big fan of that.” DP

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.

Check out this week’s Dana Hills High School Dolphin Report online at www.danapointtimes.com.

Boys track and field put up strong marks at the South County Classic, boys volleyball went 4-1 at the Foothill tournament and baseball and softball are in the thick of tournament season.

Also check our website in the evening of Friday, March 16 for game coverage of baseball’s Sea View League opener against San Juan Hills. www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP SURF Dana Point

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Championship Tour rookie Griffin Colapinto got straight to work in his debut against world champion John John Florence and came away with an impressive heat win. Photo: Courtesy of WSL

So Much Winning Local surfers dominate on every level of the surf game

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

W

hat a week for local surfing.

Where do we begin?

Let’s take it from the top. Last weekend, the WSL Championship Tour kicked off with the Quiksilver Pro on Australia’s Gold Coast. A rookie on tour, San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto took to the water for the first time in his young career.

As the low man on the totem pole, he had the lowest seed in the draw, meaning he’d be matched up against two-time reigning world champion John John Florence.

Undaunted and seemingly immune to the pressure and nerves, Colapinto came out swinging. While Florence fell on his first ride, Colapinto got right to work. He locked into a deep tube, came out clean and followed it up with a couple of solid turns. The judges awarded him with a seven-point score for the wave and all of a sudden Colapinto was in the lead. He never looked back.

“It feels really good to get the Round 1 win over those guys in my first event, but I’m trying not to hype it up,” said Colapinto in his post-heat interview. “At the end of the day, it’s only Round 1 and I have goals of getting some big results this year, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Cool and confident, Colapinto noted that his goals for the 2018 season are to finish in the top 10 on tour and “have as much fun as possible.” So far, it would appear he’s having a heck of a good time.

Dana Point Times March 16-22, 2018

In the heat immediately following Colapinto’s, San Clemente veteran Kolohe Andino landed a huge air reverse into the flats to take the win. San Clemente transplants Jordy Smith and Filipe Toledo also won their heats. The only local surfer not to advance in the Quiksilver Pro was Pat Gudauskas, who found himself on the losing end of a wave-starved heat. He’ll have another chance at redemption coming up in Round 2 when the contest resumes.

That kind of success on the international stage should be enough to warrant critical acclaim, but the hits just kept on coming. Over in Cocoa Beach, Florida, for the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro, a WSL Qualifying Series contest, a host of South Orange County talent found their way to the podium.

On the men’s side, Colt Ward ripped his way to a very respectable runner-up finish. Carrying a ton of momentum into the final, unfortunately, the ocean had other ideas. The conditions proved to be challenging and Ward came up short when the salt spray finally settled.

“This is a great result moving forward,

and hopefully it’s the one that gets the ball rolling,” said Ward after the final. “I definitely feel like I worked on my heat strategies in this one and picked only the best waves, and I was just having fun all week without putting too much pressure on myself.”

In the Pro Junior, Kirra Pinkerton kept her winning ways going with a command performance in the tricky Florida surf. It was her second Pro Junior win in a row and she now sits atop the North American Junior rankings.

“It’s kind of unbelievable to get that win because I didn’t expect it at all and I’m just so happy to start the year off right,” said Pinkerton in her post-heat interview. “The waves are tough here, but if you can get into the good ones you can really get some turns in. (Coming from Australia just before this one), the waves were literally flat over there, so I was able to get some training on the board I was riding today.”

Meanwhile, in more local waters, the West Coast Board Riders contest landed in Huntington Beach last weekend. Despite wind, rain and a lack of swell, surf clubs from up and down Southern California popped their tents up on the beach at Orange Street and made the most of it. When it was all said and done, the San Clemente Board Riders won the team contest to bring the Board Riders cup back to town.

For the effort, the San Clemente team will also get a spot in the upcoming Jack’s Pro in Huntington Beach.

“It’s so good to see all of the generations of surfers come together and enjoy this kind of success,” said club VP Frankie D’Andre. “This thing just started last year, and to see how far we’ve come, it’s really inspiring. For all the clubs, not just San Clemente, it’s a step in the right direction that’s bringing surf communities up and down the coast together.”

All that and we haven’t even gotten to the success our local groms have been enjoying on the NSSA and WSA circuits.

That story is going to have to wait until the next lap around the block. DP

GROM OF THE WEEK

SHAY DIAMOND

Shay Diamond. Photo: Courtesy of the Diamond family

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

T

o me, surfing doesn’t involve everything competitive,” said 12-year-old Shay Diamond. “I mean, I love contests, but free surfing with your friends and family is the best thing I could ever ask for.”

A seventh-grader at Marco Forster Middle School, Diamond is a third-generation Dana Point surfer. Her father, Eric, is the president of the Dana Point Surf Club, and her late grandfather was a distinguished member of the historic Dana Point Mafia and a one-time roommate with legendary surf photographer Ron Stoner.

“I learned to surf at Doheny about five years ago,” Shay said. “These days, I am mostly surfing San Onofre, Doheny and Salt Creek.”

While Shay is enjoying some competitive experiences, just like her old man, she’s growing up to be quite the soul surfer.

“My favorite thing about surfing would be the feeling you get on a wave,” Shay said. “It leaves the every-day problems behind.”

And as far as what inspires her? Shay’s priorities are in perfect trim.

“It’s not about being in competition mode, but it’s about happiness and love and getting back what you put into it,” she said. DP

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 56-59 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Outlook: Modest to fun size blend of W and S swells into the weekend with shoulder-head high (4’+) sets at best breaks. Winds are mainly onshore.

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

Kirra Pinkerton came away from Cocoa Beach, Florida, with her second straight Pro Junior win and climbed to the top of the North America Pro Junior rankings. Photo: Courtesy of WSL

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