August 8, 2014

LO C A L

N EWS

August 8-14, 2014

YO U

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Shakespeare Fever Hits the OC PAGE 6

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 32

Paddling, Battling the Elements

South county man and former U.S. Marine completes Pacific coast SUP journey S P O R T S / PAG E 1 6 Will Schmidt, a Laguna Niguel resident and former U.S. Marine, completed a 61-day unassisted stand-up paddleboard journey between the Canada and Mexico borders to raise money and awareness for the nation’s wounded warriors. Here, Schmidt stands at the U.S.-Mexico border fence in San Diego’s Imperial Beach. Courtesy photo

Cities, Courts Grapple with Group Home Debate EYE ON DP/PAGE 4

Tall Ship Tales: Brig Pilgrim Hits the Open Sea DP LIVING/PAGE 14

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Plannning Commission Continues Majestic Project Hearing Monday EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

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DP EYE ON DP Dana Point

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week Edison Provides Early SONGS Retirement Timeline, Cost Analysis THE LATEST: Southern California Edison, the majority owner and operator of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, hopes to complete the shuttered energy plant’s demolition by the end of 2032, according to a draft post-shutdown decommissioning activities report released by the utility last week.

The eventual mothballing of the plant, located south of San Clemente on Interstate 5, that provided electricity to customers throughout Southern California until its operations were ceased in June 2013, is expected to cost $4.4 billion, Edison said in the report.

The utility currently has $4.2 billion in a decommissioning trust for the process.

The timeline provided indicates that spent nuclear fuel, currently being stored in cooling pools, would be transferred into dry-cask storage by June 2019. Residents and nuclear-safety activists have urged for used fuel to be moved as quickly as possible into dry-storage containers considered less vulnerable to disasters.

Edison’s estimates fuel will be held in dry-cask storage though 2049. The utility then projects it will take three years to restore the property and to terminate its easement with the Department of the Navy, which owns the land. Edison plans to remove the twin domes housing nuclear reactors and other buildings by 2032 but will take another 20 years to fully vacate the property.

WHAT’S NEXT: The report will be the subject of the utility’s next Community Engagement Panel meeting, which is made up of area leaders and stakeholders from Orange and San Diego counties.

The group’s Aug. 14 meeting in Oceanside was postponed. No new date or location has been announced.

A finalized version of the post-shutdown decommissioning report must still be submitted and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal government’s nuclear oversight body.

FIND OUT MORE: The complete report and timeline is available for public review online at www.songscommunity.com.

—Jim Shilander Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

Members of the public got a first look at what decommissioning the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station will look like last week as Southern California Edison, the plant’s majority owner and operator, released a draft post-shutdown report including a preliminary timeline and cost analysis of retiring the nuclear power facility.

File photo

Council Candidate Filing Deadline Nears

County West Nile Cases Increase Despite Drought

THE LATEST: Two out of 12 potential candidates for three soon-to-be open seats on the Dana Point Council have been verified by the Orange County Registrar of Voters and are now labeled official candidates for November’s municipal race. They are: Chuck Rathbone and Richard Viczorek.

One council hopeful, Joe Mueller, has turned in his forms. As of press time, his 20 required signatures from registered Dana Point voters were not verified by the registrar’s office, said City Clerk Kathy Ward.

There are nine other potential candidates, they include: Martin Chokany, Ryan Divel, Denise Erkeneff, Nancy Jenkins, Harold Kaufman, Anthony Kelly, Jody Payne, John Tomlinson and Alan Wickstrom. They had not submitted papers as of Thursday.

The nominating period for all candidates closes Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m.

“I expect a lot of activity here,” Ward said of the next week as the deadline approaches.

THE LATEST: Reported cases of West Nile Virus among humans, along with incidents of dead birds found to have the mosquitoborne disease, are rising in the county, according to a release from the Orange County Vector Control District last week.

As of Aug. 4, nine people were infected with the virus, the Orange County Health Care Agency reported.

Of the 82 dead birds found this year, a plurality, 33, came from Santa Ana, as did four of the reported human cases.

However, birds have also tested positive for West Nile as far south as Irvine, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. A human case was also reported in Laguna Niguel.

The county’s first case was diagnosed on July 10. The Santa Ana man, who tested positive for the virus, was admitted to the hospital and later released. He is now out home recovering, the health agency said.

WHAT’S NEXT: By next Thursday, all council candidates will be named and the Secretary of State’s Office will randomly select the order in which their names appear on the ballot.

Council candidates are vying for three seats on the five-member body being vacated by Mayor Lisa Bartlett and Councilmen Bill Brough and Steven Weinberg.

Both Bartlett and Brough are running for higher office. Weinberg is termed out.

Bartlett goes up against Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming for the Orange County Board of Supervisor 5th District seat currently held by Pat Bates. Bates is running unopposed for California State Senate. Brough will face opponent Wendy Gabriella for the 73rd Assembly District.

WHAT’S NEXT: County health and vector control agencies are urging residents to take precautions to prevent infection, including conducting routine property inspections for mosquito-breeding sources.

Residents should look for standing water around the house and remove the water source or contact OCVCD for help.

Health officials also said residents can use insect repellant and wear long-sleeve shirts and pants. If a dead bird is found, residents are asked to call OCVCD at 714.971.2421.—JS

Commission Hears Majestic Project Monday

FIND OUR MORE: Visit www.ocvote.com to register to vote.—Andrea Papagianis

THE LATEST: The Dana Point Planning Commission will continue its public hearing Monday, Aug. 11 on a proposed mixeduse downtown development that looks to add 111 residences and 30,000 square feet

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of retail to the city’s Town Center/Lantern District.

Residents got a glimpse of the project last month as cranes displayed the development’s projected building heights.

The project would build up seven noncontiguous plots on either side of Amber Lantern between Del Prado Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.

It would be the first major mixed-use project in the downtown corridor since the city approved spending nearly $17 million and began infrastructure upgrades with the hopes of creating a pedestrian-friendly area and encouraging such development.

The developer, Majestic Housing & Development LLC, has asked for a variance to allow for four-story structures, roof decks and a parking modification. Unlike in other areas of town, the Town Center Plan allows for building heights of three stories, standing up to 40 feet tall. Majestic is requesting a permit to allow mechanical equipment measuring 42 inches above that limit.

At the body’s July 14 meeting, commissioners heard from more than 30 residents on the subject—many speaking in opposition. The body continued the hearing after commissioners expressed a desire to make sure they weren’t setting an irrevocable precedent in the Lantern District.

“This is the test project,” Commissioner Newkirk said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The meeting will be held at 5:45 p.m. at the Dana Point Community Center, located at 34052 Del Obispo St. The commission will enter a closed session with legal counsel before resuming the meeting at 6 p.m.

City staff has recommended the commission hear from the developer and public, provide their own comments and continue the hearing until September.—AP

South County DMV Office to Reopen in August THE LATEST: After several months of questions, the California Department of Motor Vehicles announced this week that it will reopen the San Clemente office, located at 2727 Via Cascadita, later this month.

The office has been closed since January for remodeling. It was initially scheduled to reopen in May. Since its closure, south Orange County residents have been sent to offices in Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills and Oceanside.

WHAT’S NEXT: The office will officially reopen Monday, Aug. 25.—JS

Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about?

••• Send your suggestions to editorial@danapointtimes.com. www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

A Sobering Discussion Cities, courts grapple with citizen complaints about residential group homes and sober-living facilities protected, and encouraged, under state and federal law STORY BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS AND JIM SHILANDER, DANA POINT TIMES

I

n recent months, residents of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano have expressed increasing concern about their neighbors—many of them new. For them, the issue isn’t so much the quality of their neighbors but rather the frequency in turnover of these new residents.

These neighbors come and go from residential group homes—some for children and adolescents, others for disabled adults and many for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.

Between the three south Orange County cities there are 25 licensed drug and alcohol treatment facilities. This includes residential homes, as well as inpatient and outpatient facilities, according to a report from the state Department of Health Care Services, which provides licensing oversight for such facilities.

These residential treatment facilities are considered single-family residences in the eyes of both the state and municipal governments, so long as no more than six people are residing in the home. Under that foundation, these dwellings are awarded the same freedoms as traditional single-family residences. But they are licensed by the state and therefore must meet certain standards.

As far as municipal rules go though, there is little to no oversight, or even enforcement measures that can be taken, because city regulations regarding such uses simply do not exist—as group homes, with six or fewer people, are permitted by right in any residential zone.

But area residents aren’t necessarily pleased with that.

In Capistrano Beach, residents have raised issues with a lack of street parking, cigarette butts and late-night noise. But they remained fairly quiet until a young man was found dead inside a neighboring home on Tuesday, July 22. Many watched from their homes and their front lawns as Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived and as the lifeless body was removed from the home.

Officials confirmed a 25-year-old man died in the home, neighbors have referred to as a sober living facility, but the cause of death will not be determined for at least 12 weeks, said Mitchell Sigal, supervising deputy coroner with the Orange County Coroner Division.

In San Clemente, residents near one home on South Ola Vista made the City Council aware of issues they were having in June, when the five-member body unanimously approved spending $5,000 to support legal battles being waged by Newport Beach over group home regulations.

Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

CITY ATTEMPTS TO REGULATE Residents of Ola Vista said a number of recent police responses to the home had troubled them. To address their concerns, neighbors encouraged the council to regulate group homes as much as possible.

But Dana Point’s and San Clemente’s hands, along with those of other California cities, may be tied.

Residential treatment centers are not only protected under state laws but also under federal ones, making it difficult for local municipalities to step up to the enforcement plate.

Group homes, mainly those for the disabled and elderly, were encouraged in the 1970s as a way to keep people living in residential areas, enjoying the neighborhood lifestyle and interacting with neighbors.

The concept was expanded in 2000 when 60 percent of California voters passed Proposition 36, or the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act—a law cheered by public health and criminal justice advocates as a way to keep lowlevel drug offenders out of the state prison system and a means to get them into treatment and recovery facilities.

Since the law’s implementation in July 2001, an estimated 700 treatment facilities have been licensed by the state, according to numbers from the California Drug Counseling Inc., a nonprofit substance abuse treatment center in Pasadena.

With a rise in residential treatment facilities, however, came a rise in resident complaints.

In 2008, the city of Newport Beach passed a zoning ordinance regulating, and in some cases limiting to services of, group homes.

Before the ordinance, group homes were operating freely in residential areas.

But after receiving complaints from residents, much like the ones being heard in south county today, the City Council passed an ordinance that forced many group homes out of the city.

“They cared less about their interaction with neighbors,” said Newport Beach City Attorney Aaron Harp, of temporary residents. The city heard complaints from long-time and long-term, residents about the facilities’ turnover and the way it changed the neighborhoods. The city itself was more concerned with homeowners changing a traditional residential use into a commercial one, he said.

Newport Beach’s ordinance impacted group homes, such as treatment centers, sober living facilities, boardinghouses, sororities and fraternities, by prohibiting new group homes from operating in most residential areas and requiring existing

Residents across south Orange County have expressed concern in recent weeks over the presence of sober living and other group homes in neighborhoods. Due to state and federal laws, however, there is little that cities like Dana Point can do at the moment. Photo: Google Earth

homes to go through a permitting process that new ones would be subject to.

While the law’s language was neutral, group home owners fought the ordinance in court arguing that the zoning rules targeted sober living homes unfairly.

In 2007, before the ordinance was adopted, Newport had 72 group homes. By 2013, there were just 27.

Two treatment organizations operating in Newport Beach, Pacific Shores Properties LLC and Newport Coast Recovery LLC, sued the city in 2009 after their permits were denied. The judge presiding over the case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, ruled in favor of the city.

Operators appealed that decision. In September, three justices with the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled Newport Beach discriminated against homes for recovering addicts in enacting and enforcing its group home ordinance.

The appellate court also found the trial court erred in not considering evidence proving the city’s “sole objective in enacting and enforcing its ordinance was to discriminate against persons deemed to be disabled under state and federal housing discrimination laws,” Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in his opinion.

The federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act extend to persons recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, Reinhardt wrote.

The court has opened the door for liability issues for cities, Harp said, since the ordinance’s language was non-discriminatory. He believes the court read prejudiced intent where it was not.

Five appellate court judges, who did not hear the case, issued a dissent. Newport Beach now has plans to submit a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. Five cities have signed on in support of Newport’s appeal, including San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Claremont, Costa Mesa and Bradbury.

The city expects to know if the Supreme

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Court will take up the case sometime in the fall, Harp said.

RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS LOCALLY Counselors with Sovereign Health, a treatment facility located in the Talega Business Park of San Clemente, refers those who have left the facility for drug and alcohol dependency to sober living homes to continue their treatment, said the organization’s spokeswoman Penny Alvarez.

However, the organization only refers clients to homes that have been licensed by the state. Other homes, such as sober living homes, are not licensed by the state.

There are an estimated 30 unlicensed sober-living or other group facilities operating in San Clemente, according to Brent Panas, the city’s code compliance officer.

A number have popped up recently in the southwest area of the city, he said.

Lisa Gaskin lives near one such home.

Gaskin believes there are “different levels” of such facilities. Some, she noted, regularly have residents picked up in a single vehicle, while others have “cars parked all over the street, many from out of state.”

People were “constantly changing,” she said, with turnover sometimes coming in less than a month.

But a larger issue is a lack of neighborliness, she belives.

On a recent day, Gaskin reported, an open window led to her overhearing graphically crude language. Another time, she said her son was watching television upstairs when he heard loud vomiting coming from a neighboring home.

The family is now considering moving.

Similar complaints have been heard throughout neighboring cities.

But with the final outcome of Newport Beach’s case still to be determined, it is likely local residents will be left with little recourse until a final decision is made— possibly one coming from the nation’s highest court. DP www.danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

A Shakespearean Enlightenment Tales of love and tragedy come to Orange County by way of outdoor Shakespeare festivals ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

“As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie; Poor sacrifices of our enmity!”—Lord Capulet in William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”

S

poiler alert: If you don’t want to know the ending of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, stop reading now.

As the lifeless bodies of the young, star-crossed lovers of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet lie together their longfeuding families realize, all too late, the true repercussions of their hostilities.

It is a tale that has been told time and again, both on stage and silver screen.

From adaptations with young Hollywood elites Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes to a parody featuring traveling lawn figurines—Gnomeo and Juliet voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt—Shakespeare’s great love affair lives on.

Now, a regional theatre production is reviving the tragedy in the way the English playwright and actor intended the play to be seen. The New Swan Shakespeare Festival presents “Romeo and Juliet,” as well as “Twelfth Night,” throughout the month of August.

The festival’s third season, Orange County’s only professional Shakespeare festival performed outdoors, opened July 10 with the classic lovers’ tragedy. Shows run most nights in August on the New Swan Theatre stage, a 16-ton, moveable and reinvented Elizabethan Theatre made of recycled materials. The theatre holds just 125 people and is set up in the heart of the UC Irvine campus.

“It’s a very intimate space,” said Walter “Buck” Stephens, who plays Juliet’s father Lord Capulet. “No seat is further than 10 feet away from the performance space, so the audience has a close, intimate relationship with the performers and the performers with the audience as well.”

Stephens, a longtime resident of Dana Point and theatre professor for the Riverside Community College District, believes locals are thirsty for this experience.

“Shakespeare is in the water supply,” he said. “People don’t realize it but they speak the way they speak because of him.

He had such an influence on the English language.”

This educator and board member of the Dana Point Theatre Company, which along with the city of Dana Point brings the yearly Shakespeare in the Park series to fruition, is serving that proverbial Shakespearean water to audiences Aug. 21 and 22 as Lovin’ Shakespeare comes to Lantern Bay Park.

For those two nights, Stephens will direct a small cast of six former students

Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

Walter “Buck” Stephens, a Dana Point resident and theatre professor in the Riverside Community College District, plays Lord Capulet, the father of Juliet, in Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy “Romeo and Juliet” in the New Swan Shakespeare Festival’s production. Photo: Paul Kennedy

as they recreate Shakespeare’s famous scenes and sonnets, all with the underlying theme of love.

He hopes audiences will walk away with a new awareness of the man who shaped so much of the language they speak and the stories they know. And much like the Montagues and Capulets who reconciled only after the deaths of their children, Stephens hopes locals, who may be overwhelmed by the thought of Shakespearean theatre, come to appreciate the work sooner rather than later.

“Shakespeare performed poorly leaves a bad taste in people’s mouth, but Shakespeare performed very well … You come away from it having been enlightened,” Stephens said.

For New Swan Shakespeare Festival ticket and performance information, visit www.newswanshakespeare.com. And find out more about Shakespeare in the Park at www.dptheatreco.com. DP LOVIN’ SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK WHAT: The city of Dana Point in partnership with the Dana Point Theater Company presents the annual summer series, Shakespeare in the Park. This year’s performance is a composition of Shakespeare’s timeless work, from scenes to sonnets, with the underlying theme of love.

WHEN: Aug. 21 and Aug. 22 beginning at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Lantern Bay Park, located at 25111 Park Lantern Road.

COST: Free.

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Ruby Netzley, Former Mayor of Dana Point, Dies at 90 ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

R

uby Netzley, a former Dana Point City Councilwoman who served as mayor in 1999 during the city’s 10th anniversary of incorporation, died on Sunday, July 20 at her home in Dana Point. She was 90.

Netzley, the eldest of three children, was born in Ellis, Texas to Hurbert and Pearl Marcia. Netzley married her husband Hal Netzley in 1944 and they had one daughter, Barbara, who was by her mother’s side when she died, said family friend Jill Tomlinson.

Along with her family, Netzley came to Dana Point in the early 90s and quickly adopted the community.

A longtime employee of Southern California Edison, Netzley rose through the utility’s rank in the tariff department. In her role, Netzley worked with San Diego Gas & Electric and leaders in Sacramento to establish electric rates for customers throughout Southern California.

Netzley also committed her knowledge and work ethic to the city of Dana Point.

She was elected to the City Council in 1997 and served as mayor in 1999 until

her term ended in 2000.

“Everything that Ruby did, she did it to the best possible degree it could be done,” Tomlinson said.

A dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Netzley joined committees to help further the church’s message and became involved in the women’s Relief Society with her daughter.

Upon retiring, Netzley became more involved at church, serving on the public affairs committee.

“Ruby never really retired, she always had her hand in something,” Tomlinson said.

She stepped down from the public affairs committee until 2011 when a throat condition made it difficult to speak. It’s a committee she served on until she was 87 years old.

A memorial service was held on Friday, July 25. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the local Boy Scout Troop No. 730.

Donations made in Ruby Netzley’s name can be mailed to Boy Scout Troop No. 730, 49 Rollins Place, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. DP

EYE ON DP

News Next Door

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SAN CLEMENTE With a celebratory mood that belied more than 12 months of negotiations, San Clemente Chamber of Commerce board director Adele Lux turned the “key” to the group’s old building at 1100 N. El Camino Real to Mayor Tim Brown last week.

The chamber owned the El Camino Real building but donated it to the city, which owns the land. The chamber’s lease with the city, which cost $100 per year, ended in January 2013. The city and group had negotiated over the rent for more than year, before the chamber purchased a 1,750-square foot space in the Talega Business Park this spring.

Brown said the city was embarking on an “interesting” period in its history, with a number of major changes and projects going on at once. He noted the need to keep a strong partnership with local businesses, many of which are owned, operated and staffed by residents.

The city ultimately intends to offer it for lease.—Jim Shilander

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO A Mexican grocery store on the brink of closure bought itself more time but must find a solution to alleviate its parking conflict with nearby businesses and San Juan Capistrano city code.

Mercado El Rey was under a courtordered injunction to close its doors by Friday, Aug. 1 if it did not receive a favorable decision for its permit to establish a shared parking plan by the Planning Commission.

Last week, the commission voted 3-0 to deny Mercado El Rey’s permit, but did so without prejudice, thus allowing the market and the property owner to come back to the city with a new request immediately.

The issue stems from a September 2011 decision by the City Council to approve Mercado El Rey’s permit. Dan Friess has a building and several tenants near the market. He objected to the council’s decision and sued, arguing that the market had insufficient parking and that delivery trucks obstructed other businesses.—Brian Park

Community Meetings SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

Farmers Market 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Grab locally-grown produce at this weekly market at La Plaza Park.

MONDAY, AUGUST 11

Planning Commission Meeting 6 p.m.

The commission continues a public hearing on a proposed mixed-use project that would build 111 residences downtown. Meeting is held at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo St. For the agenda, visit www.danapoint.org.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12

VFW Veterans Assistance 1:30 p.m.– 3 p.m. Service officers from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 offer veterans and their families free benefits assistance. Held each first Tuesday at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo St. Call 949.248.1419 or visit www.vfwpost9934.org for more.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13

Farmers Market & Craft Fair 3 p.m.–

7 p.m. Shop organic produce and one-ofa-kind goods during this weekly outdoor market at Capo Beach Church, 25975 Domingo Ave. Call Steve Crossen, 949.573.5033, for more information on becoming a vendor.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14

Dana Point Coastmasters 7 a.m. Hone

in on your public speaking abilities each Thursday at the OC Sailing & Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place. Visit www.coastmasters.org to find out more.

EYE ON DP

DP Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS

All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

SPONSORED BY

Dana Point Police Services www.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com

Strength in Support, a local nonprofit organization that provides free and low-cost counseling to active military members, veterans and their families, is hosting a golf tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 10 to aid their outreach efforts. Pictured here, the organization hosts a stand-up paddleboard clinic at Baby Beach, just one of the many activities it offers Orange County’s military population. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS

Strength in Support Hosts Golf Tournament Seeing a need for affordable access to mental-health services among their military clients, founders of the nonprofit Strength in Support began working to ensure military personnel, both past and present, and their families have needed low- to no-cost counseling at hand.

The organization is now asking for community support to further strengthen their operation. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Strength in Support will host its inaugural golf tournament where participants will play alongside those who served their nation. The event will also remember the men and women who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks and those who followed in the nation’s wars.

After 13 years of war, an estimated 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from the anxiety disorder known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some 1.8 million living veterans from America’s wars battle with substance abuse, according to Strength in Support.

The tournament will be held at Monarch Beach Golf Links, located at 50 Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point.

Registration begins at 10 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Individuals can sign up to play for $300 and foursomes for $1,200. There are also opportunities to sponsor a veteran.

Find out more about the event at organization at www.strengthinsupport.org.

Celebrate, Taste Seafood at Inaugural Festival The Orange County Seafood Festival rolls into Lantern Bay Park for its inaugural voyage on Saturday, Aug. 9.

The event kicks off at noon and runs through 7 p.m. on the lawns in front of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. Admission is free and tickets will be sold Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

for beer, food and wine. Street parking throughout Dana Point is available and a free shuttle service from Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, will run from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Attendees will have the chance to sample a wide variety of sea offerings such as ceviche, lobster, crab, paella, fish tacos, shrimp and more from local vendors like El Adobe de Capistrano, The Shwack Beach Grill and Choya Japanese Cuisine.

A sampling of area beers and wines will also be offered, with a portion of alcohol sales going to the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.

There will also be a ceviche challenge between chefs from Laguna Cliffs and the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort that will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Visit www.ocseafoodfestival.com for more information.

Sponsor a Leatherneck for a Night of Laughs Some say laughter is the best medicine.

It’s a stress reliever, a nervous tick or a fun way to interact with others. Coming up, a night of laughter hosted by the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group aims to give Marines, Sailors and their families an evening to remember.

On Monday, Sept. 15, the dinner and comedy show dubbed “Laughs for Leathernecks,” hits the Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theater in Irvine. Tickets for dinner and the show cost $35. All proceeds benefit members and families of the Camp Pendleton-based 5th Marine Regiment.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and a silent auction. The show follows at 7 p.m. with comedians Rita Rudner, James P. Connolly, Fritz Coleman, Laura Hayden and Tom Riehl hitting the stage.

The comedy club is located at 31 Fortune Drive, Suite 216 in Irvine. For more on the event and how to sponsor a member of the military or their family, visit www.danapoint5thmarines.com.

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

Monday, August 4 DISTURBANCE Ritz Pointe Drive, 0 Block (2:17 a.m.) Neighbors living above the caller’s apartment were making noise and jumping up and down.

DISTURBANCE Crown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (1:06 a.m.) Authorities were notified of a dispute between brothers. The caller contacted officials to document injuries sustained in an attack by his 19-year-old brother. He was bleeding from his tooth, had a scratch on his arm and a possible black eye.

Sunday, August 3 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Beach Road/Pacific Coast Highway (11:55 p.m.)

Local officials received a second-hand account from a caller in Los Angeles County stating that Metrolink reported a man, wearing a white shirt, walking on the train tracks.

FIREWORK VIOLATION El Encanto Avenue, 33700 Block (8:47 p.m.) The caller witnessed a group of people setting off fireworks from an upstairs unit.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Stonehill Drive/Del Obispo Street (8:31 p.m.) A female gas-station customer was asking other customers for help before climbing through the roof of her two-door silver vehicle. The caller requested deputies respond to check on her well being.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Camino Capistrano, 34200 Block (6:46 p.m.) Personnel from Station 17 were advised of a dog sleeping in the back windshield area of a gold Mercedes. All the windows were rolled up and the dog looked “barely alive.”

9-1-1 HANGUP Regina, 0 Block (5:00 p.m.)

A girl reportedly stole money from the caller. When asked if the girl was there now, the caller responded “yes,” before stating she didn’t need deputies to respond and hanging up on the dispatcher.

WELFARE CHECK Pacific Coast Highway/Selva

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Road (1:58 p.m.) Deputies were alerted to an elderly woman who was either passed out or sleeping. The caller had a hard time getting a response from the woman, who eventually opened her eyes and said she smoked pot.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 34700 Block (1:16 p.m.) The manager of a rehab facility was being verbally threatened by a client. Both were in the kitchen and were alone in the home.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Santa Clara Avenue/Street of the Ruby Lantern (9:46 a.m.) A shirtless man with black hair was walking the trail by “the statue named after Mr. Dana” talking to himself. The man was carrying a lighter and the caller was concerned he may start a fire.

DISTURBANCE Doheny Park Road, 34200 Block (12:12 a.m.) A drunken, short man wearing a Raiders cap and white shorts was harassing customers and trying to start fights.

Saturday, August 2 CITIZEN ASSIST Granada Avenue, 33900 Block (12:20 p.m.) The caller wanted to discuss an ongoing problem with deputies. He said his neighbors had been throwing trash on his lawn.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Del Obispo Street, 33800 Block (8:18 a.m.)

A female caller told authorities she was scared people had followed her home from Hobby Lobby and were going to shoot her.

Call history showed deputies responded the day before and the caller was rambling about killing people with an AK-47.

VANDALISM IN PROGESS Pacific Coast Highway/Street of the Blue Lantern (2:05 a.m.)

Two men, who were dressed in black, tore down street signs and attempted to knock over an outhouse. They were last seen near the Starbucks on Granada Drive.

Friday, August 1 DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Crown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (11:52 p.m.) The caller overheard a neighbor yelling at her boyfriend, whom she believed was cheating.

DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTE Via California, 26100 Block (9:00 p.m.) The caller’s 48-year-old son and his friends were arguing in the garage. There were no weapons reported.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Pacific Coast Highway/Beach Road (8:08 p.m.) An elderly man, wearing a red baseball cap, tan jacket and black shorts, yelled at the caller and her fiancé and tried starting a fist fight. The man was rambling about chemicals in the caller’s purse. The couple was concerned about the man’s wellbeing. www.danapointtimes.com

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Editor’s Note: This Isn’t a Farewell

I

t is with a heavy heart, filled with thanks, that I pen this letter to the community on my final day as City Editor of the Dana Point Times.

Let’s keep this simple: Thank You. For the past 18 months, and 80 issues of the DP Times, you have opened your homes and lives to me and trusted our editorial staff to share your stories in a fair and compassionate manner. I hope we’ve lived up to your expectations and have continued to provide this community a vital source of information on issues right at the core of its very being, just as we have for the past seven years.

From the World War II, Korean, Vietnam-era veterans with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 to the pre- to high-schoolers who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley and ev-

eryone I’ve met in between, thank you for making our paper what it is: Yours. To the letter writers and columnists, thank you for sharing your voice with the community. Without you, we would all fall silent.

Life is taking me to San Diego, where I will marry my fiancé, Alfonso, this fall and where I will welcome my first child come January. But, I will remain a part of the Picket Fence Media staff, filled with the most passionate people I have had the pleasure of meeting and calling friends.

With so many life changes, it is imperative that this community have someone who will continue to be involved in the day-to-day happenings and reporting on everything from City Council meetings to yearly festivals and school carnivals to fire and police calls. Senior Editor Andrea Swayne will step back into the City Editor

role, with the support of Brian Park, editor of The Capistrano Dispatch; Jim Shilander, editor of the San Clemente Times and Steve Breazeale, sports editor covering all three south Orange County cities.

I will take on the company’s editor of special projects part to bring our readers the very best coverage of annual events, such as the Dana Point Festival of Whales, Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle and Dana Point Turkey Trot.

You can still reach me via email at apapagianis@danapointtimes.com as I will continue to support our editorial staff to bring you the latest and best local news coverage.

So, this isn’t a goodbye, it’s just an “I won’t see you as often.”

Thank you, Andrea Papagianis DP

Letters to the Editor

to state the facts about the Town Center project left out a few salient details.

While Dana Point did not incur debt to pay for the Town Center improvements, it resorted to significant deficit spending to extract $20 million in 24 months from the city’s cash and reserves, constituting a 60 percent reduction to the lowest level in 15 years.

At the June 17 City Council meeting, Councilman Bill Brough, Carlos Olvera and Steven Weinberg high jacked the agenda raiding much of the city’s free cash and several reserve accounts to lock in $7.7 million for four blocks of Del Prado Avenue streetscape and road improvements. Town Center property owners will benefit at the expense of the majority of Dana Point and its residents.

Many citizens were in favor of improving the appearance of Town Center and having more shops and restaurants but most were not aware of the details of the plan adopted in 2008. No facts were given about the monstrous deficit spending for improvements, mainly palm trees and sidewalks, which will not inspire builders to risk developing Town Center and creating shops and restaurants.

Private development is required, which hinges on the needs and requirements of the building industry over the next 10 to 15 years. Instead the city is desperately subsidizing developers with low development impact fees and even has proposed to take on the obligation of providing parking when the project doesn’t provide what is required. The Majestic Project deficit could eventually cost the city $1.5 million.

Mr. Kaufman could have mentioned that the Town Center Plan calls for a maximum of three stories and architecture creating “a small town village atmosphere,” contrary to the Majestic Project’s four stories and generic appearance. Agreeing

to Majestic’s demands for multiple variances and concessions would decimate the Town Center Plan and set a disastrous precedent for future projects.

At the July 14 Planning Commission meeting, Mr. Kaufman suggested a possible zoning change to help developers.

Zoning changes to increase the plan’s height allowance from 40 feet to 50 or 60 feet or allowing four stories instead of the maximum three allowed would significantly increase Town Center property values and help developers like Majestic increase their profits by creating a “condo district” and traffic nightmare that would not be at all appealing to residents or visitors.

The “Lantern District Outcry” is underway. Claiming support for the costly Town Center Plan along with development projects that require variances, zoning changes and city concessions is truly disingenuous and ultimately disastrous.

Residents are becoming aware of the deception about the development of Town Center being spun by you and your Town Center colleagues.

The city should not be sending out the message to developers that it is willing to sell out Dana Point residents and accept their demands.

To truly speed progress on the Town Center revitalization, the Planning Commission, City Council and community development staff should act responsibly for all Dana Point residents and let developers and Town Center property owners know that projects must meet the requirements of the Town Center Plan.

LANTERN DISTRICT CLARIFICATIONS FOR THE RECORD’S SAKE MIKE KILLEBREW, Dana Point Assistant City Manager

In response to Mr. Herald’s letter entitled “Where’s the Lantern District Outcry Citizens?” (Dana Point Times, July 18-24) I felt compelled to offer a few accurate facts for the record: the Town Center (Lantern District) project remains on schedule and is slightly under budget.

The city issued no bonds to finance the project but rather is using funds accumulated from surpluses generated over the past several years. The City Council’s approval to commit $7.7 million for the Del Prado Avenue phase of the Lantern District project is not being funded from the city’s emergency reserve. The city’s emergency reserve remains fully funded and is not being used to fund the second phase of the project.

A portion of the $7.7 million is being funded from an existing $2.5 million capital improvement projects reserve. Finally, the Town Center Specific Plan’s height limit is 40 feet, not 35 feet, and also allows improvements to be built above the 40-foot height limit for items such as mechanical equipment, screening and guard rails.

TRUE LIES ABOUT DANA POINT’S TOWN CENTER BETTY HILL, Capistrano Beach

Mr. Kaufman’s sanctimonious letter (Dana Point Times, Aug.1-7) attempting Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

Page 10

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 Andrea Papagianis, 949.388.7700, x112 apapagianis@danapointtimes.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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

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

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Senior Editor > Andrea Swayne

OPERATIONS

City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis

Finance Director > Mike Reed

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Amanda Huffman, Catherine Manso, Sean Robb, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 32. 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 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE DANA POINT T IMES

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

www.danapointtimes.com

DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

KID’S PICK PYRATE ADVENTURE SAIL 4:30 p.m. Learn the truth about “pyrates” aboard the Ocean Institute’s schooner Spirit of Dana Point on this adventure at sea. Cost is $40 for adults and $23 for children. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Monday | 11 CAPT. DAVE’S WHALE WATCHING Times vary. Get up close to marine life aboard a Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari trip. Prices vary. Call for more information. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

Dozens gather at Lantern Bay Park each day of the week for a donation-based yoga class with I Heart Yoga in the Park. Classes are held every day, rain or shine at 10 a.m. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

MONDAY, AUGUST 11 • I HeArT YOGA IN THe PArk 10 a.m. Join fellow yogis at Lantern Bay Park for an hour-long class each day, rain or shine.

Evening classes held Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Classes also held at 8:30 a.m.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Historic Town Center Park in San Juan Capistrano. Cash donations suggested. 25111 Park Lantern, Dana Point, www.iheartyogainthepark.com.

The List

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

Friday | 08 ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. See more at www.danawharf.com.

Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603.

MIKE HAMILTON 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Enjoy live music at Salt Creek Grille each Friday with guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Hamilton. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949. 661.7799, www.mikehamiltonmusic.com.

Saturday | 09 WISE GARDENING WORKSHOP 9 a.m.–noon. Make your yard Southern California friendly and learn about building a living soil sponge, choosing the right plants, utilizing rainwater and managing irrigation. RSVP to denisedd@cox.net. Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo St., Dana Point, www.bewaterwise.com.

Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

ORANGE COUNTY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Noon–7 p.m. Sample ceviche, lobster, crab, paella, fish tacos and all the seafood your heart desires at this festival celebrating food coming straight from the sea.

Also, taste your way through California’s wineries at the Orange County Wine Mixer and enjoy live tunes. Admission is free.

Lantern Bay Park, 25111 Park Lantern, Dana Point, www.ocseafoodfestival.com.

GHOST THE MUSICAL 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Relive the iconic moments from the Oscar-winning, lovestory Ghost in this Broadway musical that follows Sam, a man trapped between two worlds who refuses to leave love Molly when he finds out she’s in grave danger.

Tickets start at $25. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787, www.scfta.org.

SECOND STAGE STAND-UP 7:30 p.m. Four comedians take the Camino real Playhouse stage.

Admission $15. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Tuesday | 12 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY TOASTMASTERS 7 p.m.–8:40 p.m. Practice becoming a more confident communicator each Tuesday. Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point. 949.280.9777, 3944816.toastmastersclubs.org.

Wednesday | 13 CAPO BEACH FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Visit the area’s latest weekly market where locally-grown, organic produce and regional artisans are featured.

Capo Beach Church, 25975 Domingo Ave., 949.573.5033, www.danapoint.org.

STRETCH AND STRENGTH 6 p.m. This partnership between I Heart Yoga in the Park and the Mission San Juan Capistrano brings yoga enthusiasts together to help in the fight against cancer.

Practice yoga amid the Mission’s historic setting. $10 donation. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life SJC. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1321, www.iheartyogainthepark.com.

Thursday | 14

Sunday | 10

SAN CLEMENTE BEACH CONCERT 6 p.m. Enjoy live music with the San Clemente sunset as the backdrop as the Journey tribute band, DSB Band, comes to the sand. Free. San Clemente Pier, 949.361.8264, www.san-clemente.org.

COMMUNITY TABLE: SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 a.m. Celebrate local, seasonal and organic food alongside the individuals responsible growing and producing it. $55 for members, $65 for non-members, $25 for children. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

TIM JOHNSON 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Taste blends from the West Coast’s smallest, finest wineries accompanied by vibrant small plates and live music. Wine tastings run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Thursday. DaVine Food & Wine, 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

Page 13

At the Movies: Lucy, the Great and Powerful

L

ast year Scarlett Johansson starred as a seductive, man-eating alien in the indie hit Under the Skin and maintained all the knowledge in the world as the title character of the acclaimed Her. Her newest role is a combination of both as the invincible young woman in Luc Besson’s latest sci-fi blockbuster, Lucy. Already exceeding expectations as No. 1 at box-office on its opening day, the film proves both its filmmaker and movie star haven’t lost their mojo after two decades of success.

In Taipei City, Taiwan, an American student abroad named Lucy (Johansson) is tricked into delivering a suitcase to a dangerous gangster (Min-sik Courtesy photo Choi). Lucy is manipulated by the gangster’s team to deliver the illegal content out of the country by sewing the drug into her stomach.

When she doesn’t cooperate, Lucy absorbs too much of the synthetic drug attached to her body and becomes stronger and more powerful by the minute.

Morgan Freeman co-stars as a biologist who helps Lucy and Analeigh Tipton plays her roommate. Besson’s direction here is some of his artsiest in a long while, especially for an action flick.

Johansson marvels around a catchy soundtrack and cool editing, but there are also continuity errors in the story: the most obvious being the power behind the drug, which includes an out of date scientific fact.

Nevertheless, while Lucy isn’t particularly brilliant or mind-blowing, it’s entertaining enough for 90 minutes on a weekend.—Megan Bianco

For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com.

Have an event? Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com www.danapointtimes.com

DP DP LIVING Dana Point

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY GUEST OPINION: Reading with Wright by Christopher Wright

Books about Books Explore magical, mysterious tales about books and booklovers through OC Public Libraries

I

f you are a bibliophile than nothing can be better than a book about books. I don’t mean dry tomes about the history of rare books (there’s even a word for books created before the year 1501—incunabula). I’m talking magical and mysterious thrillers about people who love books. Here are a few: Shadow of the Wind—Stephen King called this “one gorgeous read.” And with that, I tried it and liked it very much. Carlos Ruiz Zafon lives in Los Angeles and Barcelona and primarily writes in Spanish. Finding the right translator for his works consumes him. This story is set in 1950s Spain and involves a bookstore and perhaps the devil. It’s the first of a trilogy too. It’s magical, mysterious and thrilling.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry—This new book, just published this year, is by Gabrielle Zevin. A. J. Fikry is a bookseller on a small island off the coast of New England. He’s sort of an elitist snob but he’s also a widower who is indulging in some self-pity. One day his life is trans-

Crew members of the Ocean Institute’s brig Pilgrim maintain sails while the replica tall ship of the one Dana Point’s namesake, Richard Henry Dana Jr., sailed to California hits the open sea on its annual voyage.

Courtesy photo

GUEST OPINION: Tall Ship Tales by Jim Wehan

Pilgrim Embarks on Yearly Voyage Ocean Institute volunteers hit the high seas leading up to 30th annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival

V

olunteers onboard the Ocean Institute’s tall ship Pilgrim, a replica of the brig on which Richard Henry Dana Jr. sailed on from 1834 to 1836, are currently enjoying the vessel’s annual sail.

During most of the year, the ship is moored alongside the institute and is used for maritime history education programs.

The ship is cared for by a small army of volunteers, who are invited on the annual sail as the institute’s way of saying thanks for their volunteer support.

Most of our crew of 35 are sailing onboard the Pilgrim for the first time. Others are seasoned veterans, who have made the trip many times. Like their sailing experience, their ages vary from some in their teens to many who are over age 55.

In preparation for the trip, new members undergo a safety-at-sea course, which includes jumping blindfolded and fully clothed into the water from the Pilgrims’ deck railing and climbing onboard a life raft. Other preparations include re-running lines throughout the ship, hauling heavy sails out of storage and lashing them to the yards.

I first began sailing on the Pilgrim as a deck hand 35 years ago. Twenty-seven years ago I first served as its captain. Today, I have relinquished captain duties to Gary Heinrich and I serve as harbor pilot.

Chief among my duties is getting the ship safely in and out of harbors.

We began our annual voyage in late July, first traveling to Santa Barbara for a festival. A fireboat shooting a water cannon greeted us and escorted us into Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

the harbor. We’re currently visiting the Channel Islands before a brief return to the Ocean Institute. We then head to San Diego for a tall ship festival. We’re due back in Dana Point just after Labor Day, in time for the Ocean Institute’s 30th annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, which runs from September 6 to 7.

So far along our trip, some of the challenges we’ve faced include leaking decks. The Pilgrim is used throughout the summer in the Ocean Institute’s school programs and we had to leave the institute before washing the decks. As a result, the wooden decks dried out and began to leak.

Many of our crew members have woken in the middle of the night as water leaked into their bunks.

We’re currently running three different crews, who operate four hours on and eight hours off.

While on, crew members are engaged in such activities as cleaning the ship and keeping watch. Even when the Pilgrim is tied to a dock, crew members must watch as the ship goes up and down with the tide that the dock lines don’t get too tight.

When anchored off an island, they watch to ensure that our anchor lines hold.

One of our only paid crew members is our cook, who is experienced at preparing a wide variety of delicious cuisine. Our crew enjoys three ample meals per day plus snacks. All is courtesy of the Ocean Institute. Our way of saying thanks for their many hours of volunteerism.

Our seas have been calm and we’ve seen much wildlife. We’ve seen pods of

formed by a package.

This is a charming and beautiful love story and perfect for book clubs.

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore— Robin Sloan’s novel merges today’s reading technology with the READING WITH WRIGHT old and familiar in a

By Chris Wright charmingly quirky and humorous way. A 20-something, fallenfrom-grace techno-nerd lands a job in a weird bookstore where curiosity could, well, kill the cat. So starts his quest for the truth, which takes some surprising and very interesting turns—including a road trip, a Googlectomy, romance and more). There’s no knowledge like old knowledge. 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

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Last week’s solution:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium dolphins swimming by as well as sea lions and many kinds of birds. We have passed many large cargo and container ships.

Everyone onboard is excited. The ship is performing beautifully and it’s shaping up to be another outstanding sailing year.

I invite anyone interested in tall ships to come to the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, tour the Pilgrim and meet our crew. We have an outstanding group of volunteers and you’re more than welcome to become a part of it. For information, contact Linda Blanchard at 949.496.2274 ext. 221 or volunteers@ocean-institute.org.

Jim Wehan is a volunteer with the Ocean Institute and longtime 35-year member of

Page 14

See today’s solution in next week’s issue.

the brig Pilgrim crew. He first served as captain 27 years ago but has since relinquished his duties. Wehan now serves as the vessel’s harbor pilot. He, along with the more than 30 volunteer crew members, are currently out to see on the ship’s annual voyage. After stints along the Southern California coast, the Pilgrim will arrive at the Ocean Institute in time for the 30th annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival. 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

www.danapointtimes.com

DP LIVING GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Always Remember: It’s Never Too Late to Find Love ‘Husband of Heart’ shows widow that love knows no age or boundaries

F

ive years ago I published a book titled, How 50 Couples Found Love After 50.

The purpose of writing it was to show how 100 singles age 50 plus found love after hitting their half-century mark. The hope was to give optimism to older singles that finding love later in life is possible and to prompt them to never give up looking.

Couples featured in the book were from all over the United States. Some of them I had met before, but most I had not.

One of the featured couples, Marcia and Russ, live in Sacramento. Last week, they stopped by Tutor and Spunky’s, my Dana Point deli, to introduce themselves. Both were widowed after 34 years of marriage.

Marcia, now 65, said, “I am a facilitator for a grief recovery group for widowed persons called Widowed Persons Association of California (WPAC). There are chapters all over California. We are not a dating service but a grief recovery group that has many activities for widowed people.

“I met Russ, now 72, while facilitating a workshop. We live together but have

chosen not to remarry.

Instead, we had a commitment ceremony. We have two signed legal documents: one a cohabitation agreement and the other a medicalcare agreement.”

When I asked how she ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 introduces Russ, Marcia

By Tom Blake said, “I tell people that Russ is ‘the husband of my heart.’”

Russ said, “We have been together for six glorious years. We get along great and have traveled extensively, including trips to South America, China, New Zealand and Australia.”

Marcia said, “When we are not traveling, we are involved in our community. We love to bowl, play pool and attend Renaissance Society classes sponsored by Sacramento State University. We are on campus with the younger students, who seem to enjoy having a bunch of gray-haired freshmen mingling with them.”

Russ smiled and added, “We just went to

a Woodstock revival party, which brought out many seniors from that generation. We just keep having fun, that’s what matters to us.”

Marcia said, “Widowed people that had happy marriages are wonderful companions, but they did not choose to be single.

Even though Russ and I suffered through long and devastating illness of our spouses, we still had and have the history. The children, grandchildren and who we are, is permanent. Our ex-in-laws are very happy for us. I love his wife because she trained him well and he has no bitterness.”

Russ chimed in, “I love her husband because Marcia carries no baggage. We are creating our own history now, but at our ages we see that it is different than it was with our mates who fell in love with us in our 20s and shaped who we are.”

Marcia summarized their life together, “We are having a ball and just enjoying each other.”

Marcia and Russ are embracing life in a beautiful way. Their relationship is an inspiration to older singles. They met

because they were willing to get out and mingle with people who had had experiences similar to their own.

How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 can be ordered as a hard cover book or e-book online at Amazon.com. For an autographed copy, stop by Tutor and Spunky’s Deli. Tom will personalize a book for you.

The next singles age 50-plus meet and greet gathering is Thursday, Aug. 28, at Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend. Carl the DJ will be spinning the oldies for dancing. For questions, call Tom at 949.248.9008.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50.com for more stories. 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

DP LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com

ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING

Nona AssociatesRaymond J. Nona A.I.A

26901 Camino de Estrella, 949.496.2275, www.raynona.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto

34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

DANCE/FITNESS

Club Salsa Dance Studio

34202 Camino Capistrano Capistrano Beach, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

GRAPHIC DESIGN

IMAGES/Creative Solutions

117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

POOL SERVICE & REPAIR

Palisades Pool Service & Repair

949.542.7232, allenesommo@cox.net

PSYCHOTHERAPY INSURANCE SERVICES

Patricia Powers

24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, 949.496.1900, pat.powers@cox.net

State Farm/Ted Bowersox

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com

Statefarm/Elaine LaVine

34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net

LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

449 Avenida Crespi, 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

LOCKSMITH

Dana Point Lock & Security

949.496.6916, www.danapointlock.com

Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Four weeks in print and online.

Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT

Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Kenny’s Music & Guitars

24731 La Plaza, 949.661.3984, www.kennysmusicstore.com

PET GROOMING

Dawgy Style

34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, 949.496.3315, www.alphadoggroomshop.com Page 15

33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, 949.488.2648, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com

Dream Team Properties, Mike Rosenberg, Broker 949.481.1788, www.FindMyOCHome.com

UPHOLSTERY

Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors

34118 Pacific Coast Hwy, 949.240.9569 www.jeddys.com

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Border-to-border Journey Comes to an End Will Schmidt stand-up paddles from Canada to Mexico

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Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

ana Hills High School baseball players (and brothers) Marrick and Hans Crouse have verbally committed to play college baseball, according to head coach Tom Faris.

Rising senior Marrick Crouse committed to the University of San Francisco earlier this year. Crouse will join teammate and former staff ace Louis Raymond when he arrives on campus. Raymond graduated this spring and will play baseball at the school next season.

BY STEVE SOHANAKI, DANA POINT TIMES

ive years ago, Laguna Niguel resident Will Schmidt considered taking his own life.

After a long battle with depression and anxiety, his struggle reached the point where he decided suicide might be the only way to end his misery.

While pensively standing in his bedroom, the former U.S. Marine got an unexpected call from his mother. She told him she “sensed something was wrong.” She feared he wouldn’t make it through the day and advised him to go out paddling on the water because it had always made him happy in the past.

That marked the beginning of Schmidt’s remarkable journey.

Shortly afterward, in 2012, he began stand-up paddleboarding long distances in order to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project, an organization that assists combat veterans suffering from injuries and mental illnesses.

“I knew there was something more to what I was doing,” Schmidt said. “Around that time, my friend came back from serving in Iraq and committed suicide. He left behind a wife and two daughters. I knew I needed to spread awareness about vets with depression.”

On the first of Schmidt’s long distance solo treks, he paddled from Dana Point Harbor to Catalina Island. Next, he paddled across all of the Channel Islands, landing on each of the eight islands in the process.

And in his latest feat, Schmidt traveled 1,386 miles unassisted from the Canadian border down to Mexico.

He began this epic trip on May 24 at the Washington side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Canada. Before reaching Border Field State Park at the U.S.-Mexico Border on July 26, Schmidt made many stops on land to rest. One of those stops included Dana Point and he hugged the coastline of San Clemente as he headed south.

The trip lasted 61 days in its entirety, with Schmidt stopping for only three complete days of rest in between. For 58 days, six- to eight-hours per day, Schmidt paddled his way down the West Coast.

He estimates he made roughly 1.25 million paddle strokes and burned an average of 3,850 calories per day, causing him to lose more than 20 pounds by the end of the trip. He also suffered blisters all over his hands, two broken toes and lost two fingernails.

Baseball Brothers Hans and Marrick Crouse Commit

Will Schmidt recently completed an unassisted solo stand-up paddleboard journey that stretched from Canada to Mexico. Courtesy photo

Despite all of the physical challenges of the trip, Schmidt maintained that the hardest part of completing the journey had little to do with his body.

“My lower back would get really sore and my hands and feet would be very swollen in the mornings,” Schmidt said.

“After a while though, it stops being a physical challenge and starts being mental. At a certain point, it just becomes all mental.”

During his time on the water, there was rarely a moment when he was far from danger.

“There were times when the fog would roll in and you couldn’t see the shoreline,” Schmidt said. “The shore wasn’t always there as a guide. I would have to rely on GPS and satellite tracking.”

The furthest Schmidt ever distanced himself from the shoreline was 12 miles.

On average, he stayed one to two miles away from the coastline.

During his stops, Schmidt would either sleep on the beach, in a sea cave or in a hotel room. One night he washed up on a private beach house in Smith River, California. Schmidt told the residents what he was doing. They were so impressed they allowed him to stay in their guesthouse.

“Every day I had a very high point and a very low point,” Schmidt said. “At least once a day I’d think this was the greatest idea I’ve ever had, and then it would get to a point where I’d think ‘What the hell am I doing?’ In the end, it was all worth it.”

As for the future, Schmidt said he’s not sure what task he’s looking to take on next, but he said he wants to continue spreading awareness and helping the Wounded Warriors Project by paddling long distances.

For more information about Schmidt’s stand-up paddling, visit www.areyouinspiredyet.com. DP Page 16

Marrick Crouse will play baseball for the University of San Francisco next year. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

Marrick Crouse had a breakthrough junior season for the Sea View League champion Dolphins.

The right-handed pitcher went 8-2 on the year with a 1.50 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings pitched.

Crouse also batted .333 with seven RBIs. Hans Crouse, who got limited playing time at the varsity level as a freshman, committed to Mississippi State. Crouse, a pitcher, appeared in two games for the Dolphins, logging 2 1/3 innings. Hans Crouse committed following a trip to Georgia for a showcase event with his club team, according to Faris.

Capo Girls Softball Historic Run Ends at Nationals COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

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he Capo Girls Softball 14U All Star team ended their most successful season to date with a fifth-place finish at the American Softball Association 14B Western National Tournament on Aug. 3.

The local club, which draws players from San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point, came into the tournament fresh off a win at the ASA C State Champi-

onship tournament.

The Capo Girls Softball 14U team won both of their pool play games and played in four games in the knockout rounds.

The team includes: Riley Dungan, Caitlyn Sung, Alexis White, Angelica Gonzalez, Taylor Hopper, Nicole Arico, Claire Steines, Grace Collier, Kyra Massucco, Alyssa Peterson, Alyson Salas, Mariah Bohl, Elibeth Flores and Regan Salas. The team is coached by Dan Massucco. DP

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Dana Point Times August 8-14, 2014

Page 17

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DP DP SURF Dana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY GROM OF THE WEEK:

MATTHEW FRANCHEK

A crowd gathered Sunday at San Onofre State Park, Trail 6 for the grom divisions award presentation at the Western Surfing Association’s 2014-2015 season opener. Photo: Andrea Swayne

Locals Shine at WSA Season Opener Tri-city surfers take home 34 trophies at Western Surfing Association Event No. 1

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES

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ore than 400 amateur surfers kicked off the new season of the Western Surfing Association Championship Tour last weekend at San Onofre State Beach, Trail 6.

Thirty-four, hailing from Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, made their first podium appearances of the 2014-2015 tour, taking home trophies in 17 of 27 divisions at event No. 1, held on Aug. 3 and 4.

“Despite a little bit of rain, high humidity and hot weather, we had good waves and good vibes all around,” said WSA Executive Director MaryLou Drummy. “It was nice to see so many new faces. What a great start to the new season and we’re really happy to see the tour continuing to grow.”

With nearly 450 entries, including those surfing in multiple divisions, sign-ups were up 20 percent over last year’s season opener.

Division winners from the tri-city area

included Dana Point’s Ricky Fodor in Junior Longboard U18 and siblings Sawyer Lindblad and Taj Lindblad of San Clemente, in Micro Grom Girls U10 and Boys U12, respectively. Other first-place finishers, all from San Clemente, were Kirra Pinkerton in Girls U14, Malia Ward in Girls U18 and Kei Kobayashi in Open Men. The season opener marked the introduction of a few changes to the division offerings. The Micro Grom U9 Push-in division, previously co-ed, was split into two, offering a separate platform for boys and girls. The girls division was expanded to U10. The Boys/Girls U10 shortboard division remains. A women’s 18+ shortboard division has been added, as well as Kahunas 60+ Shortboard and Women 18+ Shortboard. With the addition of Kahunas, the Legends division was changed from 50+ to 50-59.

Stop two on the WSA tour is set for Sept. 20 and 21 at Surfers Point in Ventura.

For more information on the series, visit www.surfwsa.org. DP

Matthew Franchek, 8, competed in his very first Western Surfing Association Championship Tour event at the season opener, Aug. 2 and 3 at San Onofre State Park, Trail 6. He surfed a great first round and made it to the repechage in the Micro Grom U9 division. This early contest success reinforced his desire to reach for a future career as a pro surfer. “I practice about three to four days a week, usually at T Street. I’m trying to do really big cutbacks and 180s,” Matthew said. “I might want to be a motocross rider or a Navy Seal maybe too. But really, I just want to catch some really nice waves and be a professional surfer.” He is looking forward to starting third grade at Vista Del Mar Elementary School in the fall and “getting better at reading, math and science.” Matthew is very active and enjoys a variety of sports.

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 8-12’ fair Immediate: Primary SSW Southern Hemi groundswell holds, while minimal SW-SSW tropical swell and minimal NW windswell mix in. Many of the better SSW exposures of Orange County will offer waist-chest high waves, while standouts produce occasional shoulder high+ sets. Look for marine layer to start off the early mornings, as well as calm to light/ variable wind. Then skies gradually clear up through the mid to late mornings and into each afternoon, becoming sunny, while a moderate+ westerly seabreeze rises up.

Longer Range Outlook: The SSW swell discussed above will be easing through the weekend. More modest Southern Hemi swells line up for all next week and beyond. Check out Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

“I like football, soccer, lacrosse, snowboarding and pretty much every sport because they’re fun and I get a lot of exercise,” he said. Matthew is happy to live Matthew Franchek. in San Clemente Photo: Andrea Swayne and feels lucky to be growing up in the San Clemente-Dana Point area. “I like it because there’s lots of cool stuff here and it’s not dirty,” he said.

“There are good beaches and the people are really nice and cool and do lots of sports.”

He also credits his happiness to his family.

“My brother surfs with me and helps me sometimes,” he said. “And, I really think it’s nice that my mom and dad and my aunt take me to the beach to surf and support me.”—Andrea Swayne

RESULTS Surf Results: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 1, August 2-3, San Onofre State Park, Trail 6 Local finishers only. KEY: San Clemente=SC, Dana Point=DP, Capistrano Beach=CB, San Juan Capistrano=SJC. MICRO GROM GIRLS U10: 1. Sawyer Lindblad, SC; 2. Bella Kenworthy, DP; 4. Sierra Downer, SC. BOYS/GIRLS U10: 4. Kade Matson, SC; 5. Bryce Pinkerton, SC. BOYS U12: 1. Taj Lindblad, SC; 4. Dax McPhillips, SC. BOYS U14: 2. Kade Matson, SC; 5. Ethan Mudge, CB. BOYS U16: 3. Curran Dand, SC; 6. Noah Hohenester, SC. BOYS U18: 3. Kei Kobayashi, SC. GIRLS U14: 1. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 4. Samantha Sibley, SC. GIRLS U16: 4. Cameron Duby, SJC; 5. Samantha Sibley, SC. GIRLS U18: 1. Malia Ward, SC; 3. Samantha Sibley, SC; 5.

Cameron Duby, SJC. BOYS LONGBOARD U14: 3. Patrick O’Connor, SJC; 4. Jimmy Wynne, SC; 5. Hayden Millerick, SC. JR. LB U18: 1. Ricky Fodor, DP; 3. Jared Bernier, SC. GIRLS LB U14: 4. Lexi Morgan, SC; 5. Izzy Hopkins, DP. GIRLS LB U18: 2. Teresa O’Connor, SJC; 4. Cameron Duby, SJC. LEGENDS 50-59: 2. Masaki Kobayashi, SC. OPEN MEN: 1. Kei Kobayashi, SC; Luca Aza, SC. OPEN WOMEN: 4. Allie Frost, SJC; 5. Malia Ward, SC. OPEN WOMEN LB: 6. Izzy Hopkins, DP. For full results, visit www.danapointtimes.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS August 9-10: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 1, Camp Pendleton, DMJs