February 28, 2020

LO C A L

February 28-March 5, 2020

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

INSIDE: 49th Annual Festival of the Whales Guide SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 13, ISSUE 9

Cetacean Celebration

The Festival of Whales Returns to Dana Point G E T T I N G O U T/ PAG E 2 5

The Dana Point Festival of Whales is an annual tradition that celebrates the gray whale migration. The two-weekend event draws thousands of visitors to enjoy live music, art, food and education centered around whales and marine life. Photo: Courtesy of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

Voting Centers and Drop Off Locations in Dana Point EYE ON DP/PAGE 4

City Manager Mark Denny Announces Resignation EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

danapointtimes.com

OC Parks Unveils Possible Capo Beach Solutions to Public EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

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

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things Dana Point should know this week OC Parks Present Design Proposals for Capo Beach THE LATEST: OC Parks held a public workshop in Dana Point on Wednesday, Feb. 26, when they presented three design proposals, or alternatives, to help protect amenities and public access at Capistrano Beach Park, which has suffered significant erosion conditions within the past few years.

Wednesday night’s meeting was the second in a series of ongoing community meetings the agency will conduct as it looks to get feedback and input from stakeholders regarding the Capistrano Beach Park Master Plan.

The first alternative, which OC Parks labeled as the protective strategy, proposes to mount a sculptural vertical seawall to mimic a natural environment. The amount of the wall that’s exposed will fluctuate with sand levels, according to the agency.

The vertical sea wall would be imbedded into the ground, providing a “strong foundation as the shoreline beach erodes,” according Kim Garvey of Moffatt & Nichol, a coastal engineering firm. She also explained that as sea level rise occurs, the sea wall allows for more structures to be added to protect from flooding.

The sea wall, Garvey said, is a proven structure in terms of overall life span, and it is compatible with regional measures such as beach nourishment.

This specific Protective Alternative would allow for the largest protected beach terrace area, access to the beach and water, as well as provide the most protection for landward infrastructure and onsite amenities.

Such amenities and infrastructure include a public plaza area with seating and picnic tables, a coastal trail to connect to Doheny State Beach, a pedestrian walkway and the beach terrace. As for the price, Garvey notes, it would be one of the more costly proposals.

Under the second alternative, which would be a hybrid of the protective strategy and a retreat approach, a rock revetment would be installed. The revetment crest could be raised as needed for future sea level rise impacts, and the amount of exposed rock will also fluctuate with sand Dana Point Times February 28-March 5, 2020

During an election forum at Saddleback College, Rep. Mike Levin listens to California Secretary of State Alex Padilla talk about the 2020 Census on Feb. 19. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

levels.

C.C. LaGrange, a senior associate for Placeworks—the lead consultant for the Master Plan—explained that the amenities for the Protect + Retreat Alternative include a half basketball court, ramp to the water, a coastal trail to Doheny and a pedestrian walkway. There’s also the potential to have a medium-sized, unprotected beach terrace area.

According to OC Parks, this proposal’s beach terrace would require imported sand, and temporary amenities such as volleyball courts, fire pits and picnic benches. The revetment would offer partial protection to landward and onsite infrastructure.

Garvey explained the rock revetment approach would also be compatible with long-term and regional strategies and requires relatively low maintenance. The relative cost to implement this alternative is considered in the low range.

The third alternative is another hybrid, characterized as an Accommodate + Retreat strategy, wherein a pile-supported structure would be utilized similar to the Santa Monica Pier and San Clemente Pier.

With shoreline piled structures, Garvey said, “you have facilities that are located high above the wave action, allowing the beach to retreat.” She also said the platform elevation would be designed to accommodate sea level rise and could be compatible with future regional strategies, while the overall maintenance of the piles themselves is relatively low.

Like the previous approaches, this strategy would have a coastal trail to Doheny, a public plaza and a ramp to access the water. A potential beach terrace area would be unprotected and relatively small compared to the other two alternatives, and it could include a pedestrian walkway, volleyball court, fire pits and picnic benches.

As for the landward infrastructure, the

third alternative offers no protection, but it does offer partial protection for onsite amenities, according to OC Parks. The proposal would fall under the high-cost range.

WHAT’S NEXT: Near the outset of the workshop Wednesday, OC Parks Director Stacy Blackwood explained that the three alternatives were based on the public’s feedback, stating that the workshops are meant to solicit the community’s ideas to contribute to the Master Plan.

She also noted that no matter what plan is chosen by OC Parks, in collaboration with the community, everything is subject to the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission.

“Even if we develop a really consensus plan, there’s still a process to go through with the regulatory agency on that,” she said. “There are other parties who are not here in this room who have jurisdiction and approval authority on this site.”

Blackwell also reminded those who attended that Wednesday’s meeting will not be the last time they hear from the OC Parks, nor will it be the last opportunity they have to offer input.

Jennifer Jung, OC Park’s project manager, said that the Master Plan process itself, which kicked off in April of 2019, is expected to take about two years to complete from the start of the work.

—Shawn Raymundo

Mark Denny Accepts City Manager Position with City of Fontana THE LATEST: The City of Fontana has selected Dana Point City Manager Mark Denny to be its new city manager.

Fontana Herald News reported on Wednesday, Feb. 26 that Fontana City

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Council approved the hire in a 3-1 vote during closed session on Feb. 25.

Denny’s base salary will be $297,675, according to Fontana city documents. As of June 2019, Denny’s base salary for Dana Point was $236,000.

Prior to his positions as Deputy City Manager and City Manager with Dana Point, Denny held other leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer for the County of Orange for three years, the Director of OC Parks for more than six years and has also worked for private companies.

Denny previously told Dana Point Times he knew he wanted to be involved with politics after completing an internship in Washington, D.C. that got him interested in policy. His first role in California government was a position to work with former Assemblyman William J. Campbell while he was on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

“I love the people I work with (at City of Dana Point),” Denny said. “It’s an awesome staff, great attitude, great professionals . . . that’s what I’ll miss the most.”

Dana Point City Council held a special closed session Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. City Attorney Patrick Munoz reported after that council voted, 3-2, to pursue a city manager contract with Mike Killebrew, the assistant city manager.

Mayor Pro Tem Jamey Federico brought forth the motion, with Councilmember Joe Muller and Mayor Richard Viczorek voting in favor and councilmembers Debra Lewis and Paul Wyatt dissenting.

“We’re disappointed to be losing Mark Denny, but we’re extremely thankful for his service and wish him the best,” Federico told Dana Point Times. “We’re lucky to have the opportunity to promote from within and hire Mike Killebrew.

Wednesday evening’s vote is not a finalization of Killebrew’s promotion, as that vote would need to be made in open session. If Killebrew moves forward in serving as city manager, he would be the first resident chosen to lead the city, according to the city’s news release, after living in Dana Point for 21 years.

“He’s a long-standing positive influence on the city staff and in the community, and he’ll continue on the great path that we’re on,” Federico said. “We could have undergone a long and expensive recruiting process, but I’m convinced we would have ended up with the same conclusion.

It’s good for the city that we made the decision tonight for a seamless transition.”

Prior to joining City of Dana Point, Killebrew served as Chief Financial Officer, Controller and as an auditor for the City of Long Beach.

Dana Point Times reached out to both councilmembers Wyatt and Lewis for comment on their “no” votes.

(Cont. on page 4) danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP (Cont. from page 3) “I will explain my reasons for voting no at the appropriate time, rather than trying to condense it into a short newspaper quote,” Lewis said.

Wyatt stated he had hoped council could methodically put together a list of requirements for a city manager prior to seeking a replacement.

“The majority of council felt we had the best available option in-house and preferred that over taking the time and costs to recruit outside the city. But Dana Point is a great city, and we’ll continue to be great,” Wyatt said.

WHAT’S NEXT: City council will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. Denny’s last day with City of Dana Point will be April 3.—Lillian Boyd

Sen. Bates Announces More Housing Funding for South OC Cities THE LATEST: Sen. Patricia Bates (RLaguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded planning grants to the cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

This is in addition to grants that Bates previously announced for the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point and Rancho Santa Margarita in January. The City of San Clemente will receive $310,000, and the City of San Juan Capistrano will receive $160,000 to help create more housing supply.

“I am pleased that the California Department of Housing and Community Development is helping more cities in my district to encourage more housing production,” said Bates, a member of the Senate Housing Committee. “Finding affordable housing is a major challenge for many Californians, and I will continue to do what I can to ensure every community receives its fair share of state resources.”

Funding for the state grants comes from the Senate Bill 2 (2017) Planning Grants Program. The program’s purpose is to provide funding and technical assistance to local governments to help them implement plans that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production.

WHAT’S NEXT: The grants will help the cities examine the rezoning of available parcels, update plans, and conduct other activities as allowed under the law.—LB

SOS Padilla, Rep. Levin Talk New Voting System, Voter Fraud and Census THE LATEST: Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) sat alongside California Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Saddleback College to discuss election reDana Point Times February 28-March 5, 2020

form, voting rights and the 2020 Census.

The town hall shed light on Orange County’s transition toward the Voter’s Choice Act for the presidential primary election on March 3. Under the new election model, every registered voter should automatically receive their ballot by mail and have options for how to return their ballot. Voters can either drop off their ballots at any ballot drop box in the county or at any vote center in the county.

“Our democracy is dependent on us participating,” said Padilla. “This new voting system makes voting accessible while maintaining security and integrity.”

Padilla stated he wished to dispel some misconceptions about the upcoming election and voting in general. He emphasized that the California primary election would not be a repeat of the Iowa Caucuses.

The 2020 Iowa Democratic Caucuses, held Feb. 3, experienced a delay in final results due to what a spokesperson described as “quality checks.”

“What took place in Iowa was not an election; it was a caucus,” Padilla explained at the town hall event attended by mostly college students. “Caucuses are funded by political parties. Elections in California are not run by parties. What we’ve learned from Iowa is that Democrats tried to develop an app, and it went haywire. In California, we don’t use apps to cast, count or announce votes. There’s been a lot of misinformation and speculation about what happened in Iowa.”

The Iowa Democratic Party had used an app named IowaRecorder, developed

by Shadow Inc. The New York Times reported that the app initially yielded data that was inconsistent, flawed and entirely impossible, causing delays in results into the following day.

Padilla also asserted that voter fraud is not common in the state of California.

“Some people believe voter fraud is a problem in California,” Padilla said. “When we have elections in California, we want everything to be fair. In order to vote, you need to be at least 18 years of age, and you need to be a U.S. citizen. There’ve been numerous studies, investigations and reports done, and all show the same thing: voter fraud is exceedingly rare.”

Judicial Watch, a conservative activist group, had accused the state of California of having 11 counties with more registered voters than their estimated populations of citizens eligible to vote. The allegations were picked up by Breitbart, other news sites and tweeted out by Assemblymember Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach).

Judicial Watch had previously alleged that by adding together the active and inactive voter lists in the 11 counties (Orange County was not named in the list), the number of voters is significantly larger than the voting-age citizens within those counties.

In 2017, the organization sent a letter to Padilla claiming it was important to combine active and inactive voters in the tally, because inactive voters can show up

OC Parks presented the public with three options to remedy the coastal erosion Capistrano Beach has undergone. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

and cast ballots.

Padilla had told Los Angeles Times that that kind of math is “baseless,” and “bad math and dubious methodology.” When the LA Times asked Judicial Watch to share its analysis of voter registration in California, Judicial Watch declined “Voter fraud is rare, because our safeguards are working,” Padilla said. “That doesn’t mean we aren’t vigilant. We have options for people to submit complaints.

If you know something is happening that shouldn’t be happening, you can report it.”

Padilla also addressed beliefs that undocumented immigrants are able to obtain a driver’s license or identification and then vote.

“That is not true,” Padilla said. “That is a conspiracy theory.”

WHAT’S NEXT: “There are 20 million registered voters in California,” Padilla said. “No matter your politics, ideology or who you’re voting for, it’s important that we participate in our democracy.”

The 2020 California Primary Election will be held on March 3, but voters can now drop off their ballots at 38 vote centers throughout the county and another 188 locations four days before Election Day.—LB

CUSD Considering Math Education Options for Students THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District is exploring options for math instruction for students, particularly those in the fifth and sixth grades.

The CUSD Board of Trustees heard an informational presentation on the topic during a board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Options for consideration included focusing on focusing on fifth-grade standards in fifth grade, rather than intro-

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ducing sixth-grade content and increasing support to middle school students for accelerated education.

“We want to focus on fifth-grade standards in fifth grade, based on the fact that our data shows that our students still need continued exposure and support in fifth-grade standards,” said Susan Holliday, Associate Superintendent, Education Services.

Recommended options for additional support include an extension for elementary school students through focusing on fifth-grade standards and maintaining current middle school math pathway options.

“Fifth grade needs more time to develop deep understanding of math concepts,” an informational slide presented at the meeting on the options said.

With the middle school option, an informational slide said the current model allows schools to offer geometry in eighth grade and that any other model would require the compacting of four years of standards into two years of instruction.

Such compacting “would create master scheduling challenges and does not have the support of our teaching staff,” an informational slide said.

Trustees discussed various aspects of math and advanced education, including Advanced Placement and math education not necessarily being representative of the entire student body population, students being discouraged from STEM careers because they don’t have necessary math skills and some students being naturally inclined toward math.

The Board of Trustees did not vote on anything related to the matter, because the presentation was an informational item only.

WHAT’S NEXT: Math education options are expected to come before the Board of Trustees again in the future, and further discussions on the topic will be held.

—Collin Breaux danapointtimes.com

EYE ON DP

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Voting Centers in OC Now Open The Orange County Registrar of Voters opened the first wave of vote centers throughout the county on Saturday, Feb. 22, with nearly 200 more scheduled to open this weekend, just days before the California’s Primary Election on Tuesday, March 3.

Voters in Orange County who have received their vote-by-mail ballots can either return them to the Registrar’s office via mail, take it to one of the 110 metal drop boxes within the county or deliver it to a vote center. Voters can also vote in person at any one of the vote centers.

Thirty-eight vote centers opened this past Saturday—11 days before the election—and an additional 188 centers will open on Feb. 29—four days before Election Day. The centers currently open are available to voters between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Between Feb. 29 and March 2, the centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

And on March 3, the centers will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Children’s Art Studio Opens in Dana Point At Kidcreate Studio’s newest art studio in Dana Point, students can create fridge-worthy art masterpieces while learning about art history, concepts, and techniques in a positive self-esteembuilding atmosphere, filled with fun.

The state’s first Kidcreate Studio location celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 34255 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite #113, in Dana Point. Local owner Kristen Olosky says she is excited about the prospect of opening her Kidcreate Studio location.

“At a time when access to art education in schools is rapidly declining, Kidcreate Studio is providing a solution for parents who want more creativity and less screen time in their children’s lives,” states a Kidcreate press release.

Olosky says she is committed to making quality art education more accessible to families throughout the Dana Point area, and is eager to see the children’s reaction to the lively, fun art curriculum and specially designed “kidsized, kid-friendly” studio space.

Kidcreate Studio was founded in 2007 and has locations in seven states. Dana Point’s location will be the first one to open in California.

Kidcreate Studio in Dana Point will offer children’s art enrichment classes, camps, and birthday parties for kids Dana Point Times February 28-March 5, 2020

WHERE TO VOTE IN THE TRI-CITY AREA Vote Centers are currently open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 29 through March 2, they’ll be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. March 3, the centers will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

DANA POINT | VOTE CENTERS

SAN CLEMENTE | DROP BOXES

Dana Point Community Center

San Clemente Municipal Golf Course

34052 Del Obispo Street (11-day)

150 East Avenida Magdalena (drive-thru only)

Dana Point Branch Library

Jim Johnson Memorial Sports Park

33841 Niguel Road (four-day)

560 Avenida Vista Hermosa

Dana Point Marina Inn

San Clemente City Hall

24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive (four-day)

910 Calle Negocio

DANA POINT | DROP BOXES

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO | VOTE CENTERS

Dana Point Branch Library

Reata Park & Event Center

33841 Niguel Road

28632 Ortega Highway (11-day center) La Sala Auditorium, 31495 El Camino Real (four-day center)

SAN CLEMENTE | VOTE CENTERS

San Juan Capistrano Community Center

San Clemente Community Center

100 North Calle Seville (11-day center) San Clemente Aquatic Center

987 Avenida Vista Hermosa (four-day) San Clemente Library

25925 Camino del Avion (four-day center) Capistrano Unified School District

33122 Valle Road (four-day center) SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO | DROP BOXES

242 Avenida Del Mar (four-day) The Volarè Resort

La Sala Auditorium

111 South Avenida de la Estrella (four-day)

ages 18 months through 12 years at their studio. They will also offer off-site classes and camps through partnerships with community centers, preschools, private schools, and other organizations with their On-The-Go Studio program.

Filled with mess-making fun, classes will include painting, drawing, and creating with clay.

Orange County Declares Local Health Emergency Due to Coronavirus Orange County issued a local health emergency declaration on Wednesday, Feb. 26, due to concerns about the coronavirus.

The declaration enables “flexible and nimble” responses to the coronavirus such as requesting mutual aid, county officials said during a Feb. 26 press conference.

The declaration is about preparedness and does not necessarily indicate an increased risk, County Supervisor Andrew Do said.

“This is in preparation for what we might need to do in the future,” County Health Officer Nichole Quick said.

Orange County residents who go to a hospital and are tested for the flu will also be tested for coronavirus. Residents are encouraged to wash their hands, not go to work if they’re sick and cover their mouths when they cough.

There was one case of coronavirus in Page 6

31495 El Camino Real

Orange County, but that individual is said to have recovered.

Mike Levin Warns of Misleading ‘Census’ Mailers from GOP Weeks before a nationwide population count is expected to get underway, Rep. Mike Levin, D-CA, is warning citizens about fake U.S. Census documents that the Republican National Committee has reportedly mailed out to residents.

The Los Angeles Times reported this month that documents labeled “2020 Congressional District Census” were mailed out to residents in California and across the country. The envelope, labeled “Do Not Destroy, Official Document,”

includes a questionnaire on paper that’s similarly used in the real census.

At the top of the mailer, it notes that it was “commissioned by the Republican Party.” And inside, a letter from National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel asks for donations to the party.

The RNC referred LA Times to the Trump reelection campaign, which wouldn’t discuss details related to the mailers, other than noting the documents were marked as coming from the national committee.

“The official 2020 U.S. Census is a critically important endeavor—required by our Constitution—to ensure that every person in the United States is counted,” Levin said in a press release.

Levin, who represents the 49th Congressional District that encompasses South Orange County and North San Diego County, noted that the official census determines how much federal funding gets allocated to communities for emergency services, health clinics and schools.

According to Levin, the U.S. Census Bureau doesn’t have recourse to take action against the practice, which he referred to as “deceptive,” because the agency doesn’t own the word census.

“While anyone can take a ‘census,’ or poll, households will not receive the official U.S. Census until March 12, 2020,” he said in the release.

Levin went on to slam the GOP for sending out the mailers, stating that his office would work with Census Bureau officials on the issue.

“The fact that any organization would deceive Americans about this process and undermine the official Census for political gain is disturbing,” he said in the release.

“My office will continue to work with the U.S. Census Bureau to help ensure that the official count is as accurate as possible.”

Information on how to avoid frauds and scams related to the decennial census can be found at 2020census.gov.

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.

DP SOAPBOX Dana Point

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS GUEST OPINION: Bartlett Bulletin by OC Board of Supervisors Chairperson Lisa Bartlett

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Dana Point Times, Vol. 13, Issue 9. The DP Times (danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (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 2019. All rights reserved.

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Dana Point Times February 28-March 5, 2020

Coastal, Southern Regions in Orange County Hit Harder Than Most by Opioid Crisis

L

ike much of the country, Orange County is battling an opioid crisis.

Alarming numbers of residents are overdosing and dying each year as a result of abusing prescription painkillers.

In South County, deaths resulting from an opioid overdose are most prevalent among older white males. According to the HCA, “Geographically, opioid-related mortality rates decreased between 2016 and 2018 in Orange County as a whole; however, coastal and southern regions of Orange County consistently had higher rates during the 3-year period.”

Residents in South County areas of Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, and San Clemente had higher opioid-related THE BARTLETT emergency department BULLETIN rates during the same

By Lisa Bartlett 3-year time frame. You can learn more at ochealthinfo.com/opioids.

In an effort to combat this crisis, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has launched a major advertising campaign aimed at drawing awareness to the opioid epidemic affecting this segment of our population. In the spring, HCA will be launching another campaign aimed at

creating awareness among the most vulnerable in our community—our youth. This initiative is near and dear to my heart, as the Fifth District includes some of the hardest-hit areas in Orange County for opioid-related deaths.

You may have seen the TV ad currently running on local cable channels. It is my hope that this information will draw awareness to the dangers of opioid addiction and encourage those using opioids to consult with a doctor on other options that may be available to manage pain. If you have not seen the ad, it can be viewed by visiting wrongforyou.com.

While the County is investing time and resources in this important educational campaign, it is going to take a multi-pronged, allhands-on-deck, approach to reduce the number of individuals suffering from opioid addiction.

Letters to The Editor

of an educated, civic-minded public, which will continue to bring discipline, expertise, and innovation into whatever field of business or service that we encounter and depend on.

Secondly, the proof of our investment will arise before our very eyes, from retrofitted and renovated modern classrooms at all the local K-12 schools, to additional student service and innovations centers, an aquatic center, and a performing arts theater at San Clemente High School.

Lastly, throughout the project, an independent citizen’s oversight committee, working with the design and construction experts, will guarantee that our money is spent wisely.

Measure H is a thoughtful, worthy investment with obvious, measurable dividends.

It’s one that can bridge the gap of the current national divide and unite this community behind a common good.

MEASURE H MICHAEL CONLON, San Clemente

No one likes taxes. It’s not because of our gut reaction that someone is taking away our hard-earned money.

Most of us realize that no item for the public good, from national defense and infrastructure to local police, fire, and school services, can be funded simply by generous philanthropic donations, charities, or fundraisers.

Everyone has to contribute their fair share to promote and protect the present and future of our society.

The greatest objection to taxes, however, is the thought of our money being misspent in some distant capital on projects we have no knowledge of, don’t support and have no control over. That’s why I have no problem and am an enthusiastic supporter of Measure H. First, it is vastly upgrading and improving the environment in which our students learn. Even though we may not have children currently in the system, we have an ongoing interest in the future

Some ways we are exploring to reverse the trend include: SAFE PRESCRIBING • Nobody is going as far as to say that opioids have no place in medicine.

The overarching idea is to be more careful, educate patients better and to potentially screen in advance instead of just prescribing opioids as a knee-jerk reaction. There are alternatives for pain management, including prescribing non-opioid pain medications as well as physical therapy, yoga, and acupuncture.

MEASURE H SHERINE SMITH, San Clemente

My husband and I have lived in San Clemente for more than 30 years. We wholeheartedly support Measure H. I am a retired educator who had a long career in Capistrano Unified School District, starting

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CLOSING THE TREATMENT GAP • Patients need education and outpatient care as well.

CalOptima, our county health plan, gave a large grant to the Coalition of Federally Qualified Health Clinics with the goal of increasing capacity for outpatient treatment for substance use disorder.

SAFE DISPOSAL • We are telling people that unused opioids should be disposed of properly and not kept on the shelf “just in case.”

Overall, we need to continue to raise awareness; so please, share this column, post the TV ad on your social networks, tell your friends and family about the potential dangers of opioid misuse. This campaign focuses on reaching that higher-risk population. We need everyone to get involved to help spread the word.

Be on the lookout for our ads, and let me know what you think. I welcome your ideas.

We are in this fight together!

Lisa Bartlett is the chairperson of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. She was reelected in 2018. 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

as a teacher. I also served as a middle school principal, high school principal, and deputy superintendent of education in Capistrano Unified and was later hired as the superintendent of Laguna Beach Unified School District.

Public education is an investment in our students, our communities, our state, and our nation. Great schools are an integral part of great communities, and San Clemente schools reflect our community.

We need Measure H to ensure our children have the same high-quality learning environment as children in other communities, including upgraded classrooms, science labs, and technology.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to lboyd@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning.

Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. danapointtimes.com

Greetings

FROM THE DOLPHIN AND WHALE WATCHING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!® Dana Point is excited to once again celebrate the fascinating and awe-inspiring migration of gray whales along the Southern California coast as part of its Festival of Whales, the longest-running whale festival in the world. Now in its 49th year, this annual celebration occurs over two weekends: March 7-8 and March 14-15.

This Festival embraces one of the remarkable aspects of our coastal city, because Dana Point has the best access to where gray whales frequent as they migrate each year between Alaska and Mexico. That’s why Dana Point has been named the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World. If you’re like me, you look forward to the opportunity to glimpse these gentle marine mammals as they travel along our shore, sometimes even capturing sight of a mother and baby. Plus, you’re bound to see so many other wonder ul marine wildli e including ump ac w ales fin whales, sea lions, dolphins and so much more!

I also look forward to engaging with our local community and the many visitors who will join us to experience our city. Did you know that the Festival draws more than 50,000

visitors each year over these two special weekends? Its popularity is apparent when you consider that the Festival o ales trul offers somet ing or ever one.

In addition to whale watching, exciting activities include sand sculpting, live music, the Dinghy Dash, Art in the Park, delicious Harbor eats and lots of learning experiences and educational hands-on activities for all ages.

One of the more colorful activities of the event, the Festival of Whales Parade will begin Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. The City of Dana Point is pleased to announce that the Festival of Whales Parade is moving down to Dana Point Harbor this year. Parade staging will occur on the west end of the Island from Dana Point Yacht Club to Island Way. Attendees can view the parade along Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive.

Wrap up the Festival with the Whale of a Concert barbeque and live music at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In closing, let me share once again how honored the City of Dana Point is to celebrate the Festival of Whales and how much we look forward to two splendid weekends along our beautiful coastline!

—Mayor Richard Viczorek

The Festival of Whales is a part of the fabric of this community. For just shy of 50 years, celebrating the annual migration of California gray whales past the shores of Dana Point has been a tradition that has brought the people of this city by the sea together to witness a magical migration. This migration brings pods of gray whales together in a coordinated effort to continue t eir -plus-mile round-trip journey between the warm birthing and calving waters of Baja Mexico and the cold Arctic feeding waters of the Bering Sea; generation after generation.

For the whales, although it’s simply a part of their instinctive survival behavior, enthusiastic breaches and slapping tail u es seem to demonstrate a o in t e gat ering. or confirmed w ale nerds t e sig t o t ese magnificent creatures is a passion, having gained an appreciation via awe-inspiring interactions. For the uninitiated setting out or t e first time see ing suc interactions prepare to e amazed. The whales often eagerly swim up alongside boats filled wit e cited umans per aps as curious a out us as we are about them. In that moment when our eyes meet, there is communication. And when the water droplets of a spouting whale catch the sunlight just right and the colors of a rainbow turn it into a “rain-blow,” there is magic.

For either pod, cetacean or human, this springtime gathering is about togetherness. In that spirit, this year’s 49th annual Festival of Whales is bringing the city’s opening-day Magical Migration Parade back to the Harbor, where the rest of the Festival’s events are held. The March 7 parade route will begin on the island side of the Harbor and proceed over the Island Way Bridge, terminating at the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern in the Brig Restaurant parking lot. The Pet Project Foundation’s post-parade street fair—“Whales, Tails & Ales”—will also be held in this parking lot. Join us and be a part of what the locals know makes Dana Point the Whale Watching Capital of the World, and incidentally a whale nerd’s paradise.

—Andrea Swayne, Event Coordinator

The Shape of Things to Come Festival of Whales Artist and Logo Are Announced for 2020

By Lillian Boyd Mika Denny’s roots take her back to the Orange County coastline. With childhood visits to the Ocean Institute and residing in Dana Point during her art school days, it’s only fitting t at t e e periences t at s aped er artistr ave led her logo design to be selected for the 49th annual Festival of Whales in 2020.

Denny, who currently resides in Santa Ana, submitted an entry in a previous year’s design contest for the festival. The Festival of Whales Foundation Board was very impressed with the submission, says festival coordinator Andrea Swayne.

“This design really stuck out to the Board,” Swayne said.

“Mika’s artwork is the perfect celebratory feel to represent all the fun new additions we have planned for the Festival of Whales in 2020.”

Denny solely used Adobe Illustrator to create her design.

She says it all came down to color and shape.

“I picked out the complementary colors that I know would make the eye happy,” Denny said. “I love playing around with interesting shapes. I love distinguishing shapes within other shapes. And I think that’s pretty evident in this design.”

Denny says she was inspired by Japanese woodblock art for some of the design.

“The splash of the whale tail makes the design pop out,” Denny said. “There are a lot of moving parts to it. The fun part of my creative process is playing around with shapes to create movement.”

Denny was born and raised in Laguna Beach, which has served as prominent inspiration for her love of the ocean and nature.

“Whales, in particular, are such an amazing thing to me,” Denny said. “They are so massive. In Dana Point, they just cruise on by. It’s awe-inspiring. You can’t believe that something that big can exist and be so close to us.”

Denny attended Cal State Fullerton for her degree in graphic design. After retiring from an in-house creative

Mika Denny’s Japanese woodblock-inspired logo design was selected for the 49th annual Festival of Whales. Photo: Courtesy of Mika Denny

director position to be a full-time mom, Denny had more time to dabble in painting, mixed media work, children’s book illustrations and even jewelry-making.

“I’m all over the place with my art. But ever since I was little, I’ve been drawn to it,” Denny said. “I’m so thrilled that something I’ve created is going to be part of something so big. It’s an honor.”

Although a logo design contest has not been held for the past couple of years, the plan is to revive it for the Festival’s golden anniversary event coming up in 2021.

Stay

Golden

Gold anniversary logo contest announced for next year’s 50th Festival of Whales

By Lillian Boyd For the 2021 golden anniversary celebration, the Dana Point Festival of Whales will once again be opening up a logo design contest to the public.

“Fifty years is quite a milestone for a festival that started w en t e Har or first opened and t e ver first w ale watching boats began taking passengers out to experience the wonders of meeting these giant ocean mammals in the waters off ana Point said ndrea Swa ne event coordinator. t seems onl fitting to allow mem ers o t e community who have long supported this event to once again ave a c ance at pla ing suc an integral role in its istor .

Don Hansen started the Festival of Whales to bring awareness to the California gray whale. Hansen and his team recognized that until the Festival of Whales started, the public had limited access and knowledge of the whales migrating past Dana Point. ale watc ing at t at time was largel a sc ool field trip activit and most adults did not w ale watc said Donna Kalez, Hansen’s daughter and the General Manager or t e compan e ounded ana ar Sportfis ing Whale Watching. “The festival helped to bring public whale watching to the forefront, and the whale watching tour was born. Don’s love for the gray whale promoted people to come to Dana Point each year. Like the return of the swallows to San uan t e gra w ales alwa s return to ana Point.

The Festival quickly became a family tradition. Visitors returned yearly, not just for the gray whales but also for the merc andise including t e logo -s irt sweats irts and posters.

Throughout the Festival’s history, the logo has been chosen in a variety of ways. In some years, a local artist was c osen and voluntaril tas ed wit its design. long t e wa t ere also ave een some ver ig -profile artists commissioned to provide the iconic artwork representing the event.

Big names suc as world-renowned marine li e artist land and o n an Hamersveld 2 creator of the iconic The Endless Summer movie poster as well as album covers for the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones efferson irplane and t e rate ul ead ave ot contributed their talent to the Festival’s collection of logos.

In 2011, an update was made to the original 1992 design in celebration of the Festival’s 40th anniversary.

From 2012 to 2016, art students at Dana Hills High Sc ool were granted e clusive access to a logo design contest open only to them. Then in 2017, the Festival of Whales Foundation Board opened up the logo design contest to the general public for two years. In those years, the Board was introduced to so many great artists and their work, the choice of logo designs for the 2019 and 2020 Festivals was made from among past entries.

Past contestants may resubmit designs they have tried before; however, all entries must adhere to a strict set of guidelines t at will include criteria suc as using a ma imum num er o five total colors eing su mitted as ai psd or eps file and including an image/images o a gra w ale among other requirements. The full list of requirements for su mitting print-read artwor or t e 2 2 estival will e posted on festivalofwhales.com, and information will be available at the Festival.

2009 / Rick Erkeneff Rick Erkeneff is a Dana Point resident, surfer and artist who holds a seat on the South Coast Water District’s Board of Directors. He created the 38th Festival of Whales logo in 2009.

2017 / Alex Ban Brasch Using his love of whales as inspiration for a design, Alex Van Brasch took home the top prize in the 46th Festival of Whales logo design contest.

He used colored pencils and pen, then digitally edited the logo with text and alignment.

2015 / Alec Brady Alec Brady was named the first-place winner in the Dana Hills High School logo design competition. Entries were received through the school’s art department, and the Festival of Whales committee selected the winner as well as four runners-up.

2012 / Carver Moore Carver Moore was the first-place winner in the Dana Hills High school logo design competition for the 41st Festival of Whales. He went on to earn his BFA in Motion Pictures and Television Editing and works as a colorist in Los Angeles.

EVENT MAP

PARADE TIME SHUTTLE ROUTE 7:30 A.M.-NOON MARCH 7 ONLY

GETTING AROUND THE FESTIVAL WALKING DIRECTIONS FROM OCTA BUS STOP For those guests that are utilizing the OCTA bus stops on PCH, you can reach the Festival by walking down Dana Point Harbor Drive to the Harbor’s Golden Lantern entrance area or you can enter Doheny State Beach (direction sign at bus stop near bridge), walk along the barrier fence, then proceed towards the beach to the marked Festival of Whales shuttle stop. Ride the shuttle FREE to all event locations.

PARKING AND FREE SHUTTLE INFORMATION The FREE shuttle runs each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and services most parking lots and event locations. Daily and $3 per hour ($6 min/$15 max) parking is available at Doheny State Beach at the numerous automated payment machine kiosks located throughout the park, or better yet through the Passport Park-

The 2020 Dana Point Festival o ales merc andise offerings include a colorful array of long-sleeve and short-sleeve T-shirts, zip front and pullover hoodies, trucker hats, backpacks, tote bags, lapel pins, notecards and posters. There’s something for everyone!

Items may also be purchased at select Harbor retailers and festivalofwhales.com.

ing app available for smartphones and tablets at ttps //pppr .com/par /. e enefit o the Passport Parking payment application is, in addition to making the initial payment for parking, time can also be added remotely from your phone or tablet. Free parking is available in and around the Harbor, along with paid ($3 per hour/$6 min/$15 max) parking.

PARADE (March 7 only) Parade starts at 10 a.m.

PARADE TIME SHUTTLE (March 7 only) On parade day, a special shuttle route will run from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

HARBOR CRUISE ffered dail during t e estival etween ana Wharf and the Ocean Institute from noon to 5 p.m. Round trip tickets are $5 per person. Take in all the great sights from the water! Your captain will share interesting facts and features about the Dana Point area and its fascinating history.

WHALE OF A CONCERT SHUTTLE (March 15 only) FREE shuttle service will extend until 6 p.m.

MERCHANDISE BOOTH LOCATIONS MARCH 7 • Baby Beach • Dana Wharf (in front of ana ar Sportfis ing & Whale Watching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

MARCH 8 • Ocean Awareness Day at Baby Beach • Dana Wharf (in front of Dana ar Sportfis ing ale Watching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

MARCH 14 • Baby Beach • Dana Wharf (in front of ana ar Sportfis ing & Whale Watching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

MARCH 15 • Near the Concert on the Water at Baby Beach • Dana Wharf (in front of Dana ar Sportfis ing ale Watching in the center of the large parking island) • El Torito Courtyard

WEEKEND ONE

WEEKEND TWO

Whale of a Sand Sculpting Competition

Kids’ Fun Zone

Cardboard Classic Dinghy Dash & Expo

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Parking Lot on Golden Lantern between Harpoon Henry’s and Dana Wharf 6

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale

Boat Builders’ Brekky and BBQ on the Beach

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6

Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild 9-9:45 a.m. OCean Adventure Catamaran, Dana Wharf Dock 3

Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Festival of Whales Parade 10 a.m. Dana Drive > Island Way > Dana Point Harbor Drive 1-2; Parade Announcer 8

Street Fair, “Whales, Tails & Ales” 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern 2

Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13

Ocean Institute Education Center 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center 7

So Cal Woodies Car Show

Ocean Institute Education Center

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

The Legendary Corvette Car Show

Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center 7

The Antique & Classic Boat Society 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 6

So Cal Woodies Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

The Legendary Corvette Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Art in the Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 8

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Art in the Park

Marine Mammal Lecture Series

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale

10-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

Kids’ Fun Zone 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Parking Lot on Golden Lantern between Harpoon Henry’s and Dana Wharf 6

Ocean Institute Education Center British Invasion Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Just Havin’ Fun Car Club Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 9

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale

Ocean Institute Education Center

10 a.m-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 12

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6

Ocean Awareness Day 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Baby Beach Park 15

Diamond Dig

Noon-4 p.m. Baby Beach Park 15

Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip Noon-12:30 p.m.; 12:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Dana Wharf Docks 3

Noon-4 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Harbor Music Series

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Walking Tour of Town Center

Walking Tour of Town Center

2 p.m. Blue Lantern Street/Pacific Coast Highway 16

2 p.m. Blue Lantern Street/Pacific Coast Highway 16

2-3 p.m. OC Sailing & Event Center 7

9 a.m.-noon. Doheny State Beach 14

Dana Hills High School & San Juan Hills High School Young Artists Show & Sale

Whale of a BBQ

Capt. Dave’s Presents “Entangled Whales: What Can We Do?”

Whale of a Beach Cleanup

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Parking Lot on Golden Lantern between Harpoon Henry’s and Dana Wharf 6

10-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Whale of a Pizza Party

9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Dana Wharf Dock 3

Kids’ Fun Zone

Marine Mammal Lecture Series

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6 Noon-2 p.m. Capt. Dave’s Dolphin Deck near Baby Beach 4

Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 8

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale

Capt. Dave’s Under the Sea Eco Carnival

8 a.m.-noon. Baby Beach 15

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

British Invasion Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Art in the Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 8

Ninth Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Baby Beach Park 15

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Art in the Park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 8

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Whale of a Concert on the Water Noon-5 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Whale of a Concert BBQ and Spirits Garden 12:30-4:30 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip Noon-12:30 p.m.; 12:45-5:15 p.m. Dana Wharf Docks 3

EVERY DAY OF THE EVENT 8 A.M.-4 P.M.

Dana Wharf Whale Watching 8 A.M.-4 P.M.

Campfire Talk with Ranger Serpa: Whales, the Mighty Monarchs of the Ocean

Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari

6:30-7:30 p.m. Doheny State Beach, North Day Use Picnic Area A 14

Ocean Institute

10 A.M.-12:30 P.M. 8 A.M.-4 P.M.

Bluff-top viewing at Headlands Nature Interpretive Center

Purple numbers coincide with map locations on opposite page.

Purple numbers coincide with map locations on previous page.

Set Your Sights on Whale Watching While in Dana Point for the Festival of Whales, don’t miss one of the many great options for experiencing sea life up close. Choose from multiple whale watching experiences, offered daily, by land and by sea.

Ocean Institute

Capt. Dave’s Whale Watching Safari

Join the Ocean Institute’s scientists on a whale watching cruise aboard the R/V Sea Explorer. The 2 1/2-hour cruises will start at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on each day of the festival. Test your new knowledge in the search for whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Assist staff in collecting samples o sea oor mud and t e smallest organisms on Earth. Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for children.

24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive. 949.496.2274. ocean-institute.com.

Capt. Dave’s provides trips aboard their customized catamarans, which allow guests to get up close to sea life. The Manute’a offers underwater viewing pods and e e-sp dolp in and w ale tram nets. Multiple trips are planned for both weekends. Tickets for the Manute’a are $65 per adult (13 and older) and $45 per child. Tickets for the FAST CAT are $65 per person. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive. 949.488.2828. dolphinsafari.com.

Land Locked?

Dana Wharf Whale Watching Hop aboard one of Dana Wharf’s adventure cruises for a chance to catch a glimpse of the huge variety of underwater sea life with their multiple whale watching trips every day.

Cruises depart on the hour and are narrated by expert captains aboard a variety of vessels. Ticket costs vary, ranging from $15 to $55.

34675 Street of the Golden Lantern. 949.496.5794. danawharf.com.

al along t e luff-top ana Point ature nterpretive Center s t ree miles o trails to view t e w ale migration rom a ove.

The Center is open daily from 10 a.m-4 p.m., and the trails are accessible from 7 a.m. to sunset. 34558 Scenic Drive. 949.248.3527. danapoint.org.

By Lillian Boyd Aura Gonzales has always lived near the ocean, growing up to admire how it impacts our daily lives and how our daily lives impact the ocean.

“I want to be a marine biologist,” Gonzales said. “Being so close to the water has given me a unique appreciation for the ocean.”

Gonzales, a senior, is a student in Randy Hudson’s marine ecology class at Dana Hills High School. She’s already applied to several colleges noted for their marine biology programs. Experiences such as going out at sea on the Dana Pride onl a rm er elie s e is on the right path. ac ear students rom HHS fine arts classes set sail out of the Dana Point Harbor.

The goal is for the students to channel their experience out on the water into their creative projects, which will be displayed and sold during the annual Festival of Whales celebration. Dana Wharf Whale Watching donates a whale watching trip each year to take a group of art and science students from Dana Hills on the trip.

“We just taught about marine mammals, so this trip has been perfect timing,” Hudson said. “We talked about plankton, whales and all mammals in between.” uring t e field trip t e students were a le to see a gray whale breach several times. Each time the gray whale was sighted, the captain repositioned the Dana Pride to safely follow the whale. Students had their smart phones and DSLR cameras at the ready, aiming to capture the breach.

“It’s so important that young kids get a chance to see these kinds of creatures out in

This year, students from both Dana Hills High School and San Juan Hills High School were given the . Photo: Lillian Boyd

Cetaceans Inspire Imagination LOCAL STUDENTS LOOK TO THE OCEAN TO GUIDE THEIR INSPIRATION FOR ART, SCIENCE AND BEYOND

the wild,” Hudson said. “Now that we’ve had a chance to see whales breaching, the students have that experience, that connection, and they can relate on a more personable level when we go back to the classroom. Whales are directly impacted by human activity, so it is crucial that this next generation is educated

and develops an appreciation for these great species.”

Students taking classes in multimedia design, ceramics, drawing and painting, marine ecology, as well as digital photography, got to parta e in t e annual field trip to see creative inspiration through whale watching.

is ear or t e first time ever students from San Juan Hills High School also were able to enjoy the whale watching experience.

One retired teacher was also able to board the trip as a naturalist for Dana Wharf Sportfis ing ale atc ing. ana einer taug t at John Malcom Elementary School in Laguna Niguel. Several of her former middle school students were also on the trip, now as high school students.

“I taught for 31 years with Capistrano Unified Sc ool istrict einer said. started being a naturalist for Dana Wharf in 2018 after I retired from teaching. Now I run into students and families all the time who come out whale watching. It’s wonderful to see the community come together to appreciate these mind-blowing whales migrating along our coastline.”

This year, the students have the opportunity to enter a Dana Point Arts and Culture Commission juried contest to compete for a chance to have their work chosen to be on display at the Dana Point Community Center in April and May. Dana Point City Council will recognize the winners at a City Council meeting. The work will be for show and sale on March 15 at the DHHS/SJHHS Young Artists’ Show and Sale at the Festival of Whales. e annual inspiration field trip ulfills an important part of the Dana Point Festival of Whales Foundation’s mission to share an appreciation for the beauty and majesty of the ocean environment and its inhabitants,” said Andrea Swayne, Festival coordinator. “We hope something as awe-inspiring as the sight of a breaching whale can plant a seed that will grow into a lifetime of environmentalism.”

By Captain Todd Mansur Imagine what life would be like as a gray whale traveling from the Bering and Chukchi Seas all the way to Baja Mexico.

You might have to add a few miles if you decided to start a little bit further north at The North Pole because the food was better. That’s clocking in 5,000 to 7,000 miles one way, all to enjoy a warm swim in the Mexican lagoons, where the whales will continue mating, calving, nursing, and socializing.

It’s an amazing concept if you think about the life of t e o cial Cali ornia marine mammal t e Cali ornia gra whale, as it migrates from the north to the south and back again, enduring the many hurdles of boats, predators, and massive weight loss and fasting by these majestic creatures. ra w ales ave a different od s ape t an t ose o rorqual whales, such as the blue, humpback, and minke whales, in the way that they eat and travel. It’s almost like comparing a hybrid to a gas-guzzling vehicle averaging a loss of one gallon of fatty lipids for every 16 miles traveled. The gray whale’s shape and lack of multiple ventral grooves do not allow them to pull in large amounts of water like the humpback or blue whale when feeding. e gra w ale is different in ow t e get ood as ottom feeders; they focus on amphipods—small shrimp-like organisms that live in the mud, as well as mollusks and tube worms. They get fat and happy creating large reserves of fatty lipids in the Bering Sea, as they can’t eat and travel as t e ma e t eir migration along t e coast to t eir final destination of Baja Mexico.

Gray whales are recognized in appearance by barnacles, whale lice, gray-and-white-freckled modeling skin, lumpy ac eart-s aped spout and a sent dorsal fin. e are unique in how they grow their population while mating during t eir travel. e emale ovulates first in ovem er giving opportunity for conception during her southbound migration and, if unsuccessful, also 40 days later.

That would be her second and last ovulation of the year, which would have her mating in the lagoons. Fifty

percent of gray whales will be born north of Los Angeles, with gestation of 12 to 13 months along with their annual migration.

This is why we see numerous calves traveling southbound in waters off Sout ern Cali ornia.

The average calf will nurse six to Captain Todd Mansur eight months, with fatty lactation eing most important in t e first five to si wee s creating the build-up of blubber and fat protein to keep them warm. It is the hardest thing for them to thermalregulate in their migration back to the cold-water temperature of the Bering Sea, as well as give them the energy and strength needed to travel the 5,000-mile trip to the Bering Sea with their mother. A calf averages 12 feet long at birth and will grow at a rate of two pounds an hour, gaining up to 48 pounds a day. The average calf leaving the lagoons with its mother will be 18 feet long.

I think that people forget how unique the gray whale is.

We are pretty darn lucky here in Southern California to be able to experience these “friendly whales” as they migrate from November to April along our coastline, peaking in our ac ard off t e coast o ana Point in February and March. ana Point is a landmar for whale sightings due to its weather, underwater canyons,

shallow waters, large kelp beds, and the close proximity of the continental shelf, which creates the “perfect navigational highway,” allowing us to have close accessibility to see the gra w ale in its natural state. eir migration is different than any other in how they travel close to our shore, adding 3,500 extra miles to the already long adventure.

In California, we have judicial guidelines to keep these beloved creatures free of risk by honoring their space with a sa e distance ust li e ou would a fire engine wit its lights and sirens on—pull over, create space behind, and do not cross paths intentionally in order to protect them.

They were once hunted into near-extinction in the mid1800s and once again in the 1900s. They became overhunted in Southern California and Mexico and were once called t e devil s fis as t e ecame aggressive once they knew they were in unfriendly waters during the whaling period. The history of how they were hunted is not a history we want to repeat. It is one of the natural wonders of the world to see the way the mothers and calves interact in the Mexican lagoons, allowing us to touch and kiss their young, living up to the name “friendly whales.”

Now is the perfect time to come learn more about the California gray whale as we celebrate them during the t annual estival o ales ere in ana Point. Come wave hi to them aboard a whale and dolphin watching adventure, as they play along our shores. This time of the year is a special time, as we have witnessed so many of them with their young. Come and enjoy a free, pre-trip Marine Mammal Lecture Series about the gray whales from me—your whale expert, Captain Todd Mansur—at Harpoon Henry’s at 10 a.m. on March 14, before you board your whale watching vessel.

Captain Todd Mansur has had a career on the ocean for the past 32 years with Dana Wharf Whale Watching.

Through a variety of experiences, he has had the opportunity to observe hundreds of marine species, both fish and mammals. He is the Director of Marine Mammal Education Programs for Dana Wharf Whale Watching, A Certified Marine Naturalist with the American Cetacean Society, he is on the Board of Directors for the Gray Whale Foundation and leads all field trips and assemblies. For more information, visit danawharf.com and graywhalefoundation.org.

Cetacean Sensation

Dana Point is Officially the “Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World�Ž

By Lillian Boyd ana Point is now o ciall t e olp in ale atc ing Capital o t e orld t an s to two local women w o too on t e initiative in 2 . onna ale o ana ar Sportfis ing ale atc ing and isele nderson o Capt. ave s olp in and ale Sa ari teamed up despite t e competition etween t eir w ale- and dolp inwatc ing c arters in ana Point Har or. nderson and ale will e wal ing in t is ear s estival o ales parade toget er or t e first time as co- ounders o ana Point s newest registered trademar . e duo states t at wit a variet o ear-round w ales more dolp ins per s uare mile t an an w ere in t e world pristine coastline calm seas t e first and longest running annual estival o ales and a captivating ar or minutes rom t e open ocean ana Point Cali ornia is indeed t e olp in and ale atc ing Capital o t e orld. e estival o ales parade will e eld on Saturda arc at a.m. and it will egin at ana rive and sland a in ana Point Har or.

DP GETTING OUT Dana Point

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’

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

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

Friday | 28 LINGERIE, LASHES AND MIMOSAS POP-UP 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Come and enjoy a fun day of shopping, lashes and mimosas. Amazing Lash Studio will be in the shop to treat you to delicious snacks, mimosas and adorable gifts for everyone. Interested in eyelash extensions? There will be a licensed lash stylist on site to provide a complimentary consultation, as well as a mini application of extensions to give you an idea of what it’s like to have lashes on. Lingerie Paradis USA, 24040 Camino Del Avion Studio D, Dana Point. 949.218.1210.

Saturday | 29 LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 9 p.m.-midnight. So Petty, a Tom Petty tribute band, will be performing, so come out for live music and drinks at StillWater Spirits & Sounds. Admission is free. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

LEAP INTO SPRING 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dana Point Woman’s Club will host its annual Luncheon and Fashion show.

This year’s featured charity will be scholarships for high school students and the Dana Point Library Summer Reading Program.

There will be vendors, a silent auction and raffle prizes. RSVP at punchbowl.com. Admission is $65 per person paid in advance. Email contact@dpwc.club for more information.

Talega Golf Club, 990 Avenida Talega, San Clemente, 949.369.6226.

ANATOMY WORKSHOP FOR LOWER BODY 1-4 p.m. Improve your yoga practice by better understanding the anatomy of your body. This workshop will focus on building a solid foundation with lower-body anatomy from the bottom of the foot up to your pelvis. There will also be discussion on common foot, ankle, and knee injuries. iHeartYoga, 34485 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.577.6634. iheartyoga.org.

Dana Point Times February 28-March 5, 2020

Photo: Courtesy of Lilies Films / Neon Films

BY MEGAN BIANCO, DANA POINT TIMES

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EDITOR’S PICK Photo: File

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MARCH 7-8: FESTIVAL OF WHALES 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Festival of Whales will host its first weekend of celebration marking the annual gray whale migration. You won’t want to miss out on the Festival of Whales Parade, the “Whales, Tails & Ales” Street Fair—both on Saturday—or the Diamond Dig and Whale of a BBQ on Sunday. Events will be held throughout the day in Dana Point Harbor. Refer to the Festival of Whales Event Guide at danapointtimes.com or visit festivalofwhales.com for more information.

Sunday | 01 BRUNCH AT RAYA 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A tempting brunch with flowing champagne awaits guests every Sunday morning in RAYA at The RitzCarlton, Laguna Niguel. Start with a fresh fruit martini and a selection of pastries, then enjoy a three-course a la carte menu. Cost is $72. One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point.

949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com/lagunadining.

SHARING SURF ADVENTURES: FELIPE POMAR AND JEFF HAKMAN Noon-3 p.m. Mark your calendar as Felipe Pomar and Jeff Hakman will be at SHACC for an afternoon of talking and storytelling. It is a special opportunity to have two such legends sharing their adventures and life lessons. Surfing Heritage & Culture Center, 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente.

949.388.0313. shacc.org.

Monday | 02 PTSD WARRIOR GROUP 7 p.m. Warrior Groups are fellowships for combat veterans and their families to share their experiences, testimonies of healing, compassion and hope in overcom-

ing the invisible wounds of war. PTSD Foundation of America-Southern California, 216 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. 619.362.0642. ptsdusa.org.

Tuesday | 03 KARAOKE AT GOODY’S 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday, Goody’s Tavern hosts a karaoke night, which includes a great sound system, stage, a fair rotation and good vibes. Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real.

949.492.3400. goodystavern.com.

Thursday | 05 LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER 7-11 p.m. All Men Are Brothers will perform live at StillWater Spirits & Sounds. Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point.

949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

ACOUSTIC THURSDAYS AT BARNOA 7-9 p.m. Live music every Thursday. A rotating cast of Orange County’s most talented musicians play acoustic covers and original music. Must be 21 and older.

Barnoa Wine and Craft Beer Bistro. 831 Via Suerte, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. barnoawinebar.com.

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or what I hope will be my last article to reference the underwhelming 2019 awards season, I’ll now discuss another overlooked, underrated—by audience standards—quality feature film that was more intriguing than those that won accolades: Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire. One of the best received foreign films of last year is now finally getting a general theatrical release in the U.S. In late 18th century France, Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is a young painter following in her father’s footsteps and is assigned to create a portrait of a young, aristocratic fiancée named Héloïse (Adèle Haenel).

Héloïse’s mother and French-Italian countess (Valeria Golino) thinks an arranged marriage to a wealthy nobleman in Milan will make her life more satisfactory and respectable.

Héloïse disagrees and keeps sabotaging the painters hired for her portrait before the wedding. Stuck together for a week on an island of Brittany, Marianne and Heloise get to know each other in more ways than they were expecting.

Sciamma has grown to be one of the most respected modern French filmmakers for the past decade with critical coming-of-age hits. Now she reunites with Haenel from Water Lilies (2007) for a more mature, regal love story. Portrait has two characters who aren’t exactly uncomfortable with themselves, but know they can’t freely express their feelings given the time period. Haenel and Merlant are stellar as the leads, particularly Merlant, who has to do a lot of reacting and pondering without much dialogue. For a refreshing and bittersweet romance to end February, Portrait of a Lady on Fire would be the top choice. DP

danapointtimes.com

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Dana Point Point Dana

DP LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Wellness & Prevention by Lauren Gallegos

Reducing the Stigma of Suicide

E

arlier this month, I attended the Addressing Youth Suicide conference presented by CHOC Children’s.

Sadly, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people ages 10-34.

At the conference, a panel member asked the audience to close their eyes and raise their hand to answer yes for the following questions: Do you know someone who has attempted suicide? Do you know someone who had died by suicide? Have you attempted suicide?

I hesitantly raised my hand, and the speaker said, “Please raise your hand high.” What if someone didn’t have their eyes closed and they saw me? Everyone in that room was there because they had been impacted by suicide in one way or another. Why was I so nervous to raise my hand?

When I was 17 years old, a close family member attempted suicide. I was out with friends when I found out that they were in the ICU. I picked them up when they were discharged, because most of my family was angry and would not pick them up.

After that, no one talked about it. It was as if everyone wanted to pretend it didn’t happen. Maybe I was hesitant to raise my hand because I still feel the stigma that was associated with a family member’s suicide attempt?

The speakers on the panel went on to discuss how, after years of silence, they are just now telling their stories. One had

been fearful to share because of their career in the public health field, another because of their culture, a third because of shame.

We all have our reasons, but when we don’t talk about it, we contribute to the stigma that is taking the lives of too many.

In Orange County, an average of 15 10- to 19-year-olds die by suicide each year, and the recent trends show that this number is increasing. Orange County emergency rooms see an average of 900 visits each year for self-harm/attempts or suicidal thoughts, according to the 2019 Conditions of the Children Report.

Why is this happening, and more importantly, what can we do about it?

Experts at the conference noted an increase in the number of youth with symptoms of depression and anxiety, youth substance use, lack of access to care, and lack of early screening as factors that lead to poor mental health and potentially self-harm and suicide.

Annette Craig, founder of With Hope, The Amber Craig MemoWELLNESS AND rial Foundation, said the PREVENTION most important thing we

By Lauren can teach our kids is to Gallegos never keep secret any statements that a peer tells them about wanting to harm themselves. After her daughter died by suicide, several friends came forward and said that Amber had told them of her thoughts, but said not to tell anyone.

Research shows that the most important thing we can do in a family and community is to have open conversations about suicide. Talking to children or adults about suicide will not cause them to attempt suicide; in fact, talking openly prevents suicide.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide or shows the signs listed above, please call the Suicide Prevention

Photo: Courtesy of Orange County Public Library

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photo was taken of Dana Cove in Dana Point in approximately 1960.

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 cred, as well as the date and location of the photo to lboyd@picketfencemedia.com.

Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or text HELLO to 741741 or call 911.

Lauren Gallegos is the community prevention director at the Wellness & Prevention Center. She leads the Wellness & Prevention Coalition and cares deeply about the mental health of fellow community members. You

Sudoku

Dana Point Times February 28-March 5, 2020

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

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Cecily DANA POINT TIMES

C

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

can reach Lauren at lauren@wpc-oc.org.

DP

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

Page 26

ecily is the shelter’s longest-tenured resident and has been there for more than 4½ years. As a baby bunny, she and her siblings were abandoned in a local park, and she practically grew up at the shelter.

Cecily is now a sweet adult rabbit who can sometimes be a bit unsure of people entering her space, but once she’s in your arms, she enjoys being petted. She can be a bossy bunny and tells you just what she wants with cute little grunts and thumps. Cecily has good litterbox habits and would make a great house bunny in a loving home.

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

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 100 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE

for the appropriate forms and instructions to file an appeal.

CITY OF DANA POINT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

For further information, please contact Danny Giometti, Associate Planner at the City of Dana Point, Community Development Department, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 209, Dana Point, (949) 248-3569.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission of the City of Dana Point to consider the following: Coastal Development Permit CDP20-0001: A request to permit additions totaling 1,043 square feet to an existing single-story, single-family dwelling located at 169 Monarch Bay Drive.

Project Number: Project Location: Applicant: Owner: Environmental:

Hearing Date: Hearing Time: Hearing Location:

Coastal Development Permit CDP20-0001 169 Monarch Bay Drive (APN 670-111-42) Eyoh Design/Dustin Morris James and Vanessa Sampson Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the project is categorically exempt per Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) due to the fact that the project consists of additions to an existing single-family dwelling.

Monday, March 9, 2020 6:00 PM (or as soon thereafter as possible) 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (Council Chambers)

All persons either favoring or opposing the subject project are invited to present their views to the Commission at this hearing.

Note: This project may be appealed to the City Council. If you challenge the action taken on this proposal in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Dana Point prior to the public hearing. This project may also be appealed to the California Coastal Commission in accordance with Dana Point Municipal Code Section 9.69.090. The process includes, but is not limited to contacting the Coastal Commission

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206567060 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: TOUSLED TABBY 33402 BREEZY PL DANA POINT CA 92629 Full Name of Registrant(s): ALLIE HOLEN 33402 BREEZY PL DANA POINT CA 92629 This business is conducted by an individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. /s/ALLIE HOLEN This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 02/04/2020.

Published in: Dana Point Times February 28, March 6, 13, 20, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206564522 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SHARP ACE ART 6152 STANTON AVE #F108 BUENA PARK CA 90621 Full Name of Registrant(s): LAUREN NILA MORALES 6152 STANTON AVE #F108 BUENA PARK CA 90621 This business is conducted by an individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/01/2020. /s/LAUREN MORALES This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/10/2020.

Published in: Dana Point Times February 7, 14, 21, 28, 2020

LOCALS ONLY

BUSINESS LISTINGS ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program 665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, San Clemente, 949.485.4979, info@bodymindspiritiop.com, www.bodymindspiritiop.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

Complete your required legal or public notice advertising in the San Clemente Times.

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar

• Fictitious Business Notice (FBN/DBA) • Name Changes • Lien Sale • Alcoholic Beverage License • Notice to Creditors

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

• Petitions for Probate • Trustee Sale • Summons – Divorce – Civil • Annual Report • Non-Responsibility • Dissolution of Partnership

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck

34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

INSURANCE SERVICES

EMAIL legals@picketfencemedia.com CALL 949.388.7700, ext. 100

State Farm/Elaine LaVine

34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net Dana Point Times February 28–March 5, 2020

Page 27

MASSAGE THERAPY

Paul Svoboda CAMTC #76690 Monarch Beach Studio or Outcall, 310.387.2560 MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School

24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Yeungs Violin Studio

949.388.4038, heilingyeung@hotmail.com www.yeungsschoolofviolin.com/violinestudio

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection

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

Bill Metzger Plumbing

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

UPHOLSTERY & INTERIORS

Jeddy’s Interiors

34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. 2, 949.240.9569. www.jeddys.com

WANT TO BE FEATURED HERE? Email lloynes@picketfencemedia.com for pricing.

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STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Teenage Dream 15-year-old Shane Kaemerle signs professional soccer contract

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

W

hen most 15-year-olds get jobs, they’re working at the mall, scooping ice cream or bagging

groceries.

Whatever job a 15-year-old gets or is even qualified to handle usually isn’t something to consider as a career. And if a 15-year-old is considered as a “professional,” they’re probably a YouTuber or a TikTok influencer.

However, one Dana Point 15-year-old is breaking through and making history in the ranks of professional soccer.

Shane Kaemerle signed with the National Independent Soccer Association’s California United Strikers FC on Feb. 19 to become the youngest professional signing in NISA history.

“It means a lot to be able to play close to home and to be able to play live in front of my friends and family, and I just want to thank Cal United for the opportunity,” Kaemerle said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to the whole professional experience like playing in front of the crowds, the big stadiums and that level against the high competition.”

The NISA is a third-division soccer league in the US Soccer system. MLS is the top division in the system, with the United Soccer League Championship as Division 2. The NISA and USL League

Dolphin Report

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, DANA POINT TIMES

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

Wrestlers Harkey, Donahoe Advance to State The Dana Hills wrestling program will be represented by two senior pillars of the program at the state championships this Dana Point Times February 28-March 15, 2020

Shane Kaemerle, a 15-year-old Dana Point native, signed with California United Strikers FC on Feb. 19 to become the youngest professional signing in National Independent Soccer Association history. Photo: California United Strikers FC

One are Division 3.

California United Strikers FC is an inaugural member of the NISA, which began play with its fall season in August. California United plays at the Championship Stadium at the Great Park in Irvine and opens its spring season on Saturday, Feb. 29.

Kaemerle was born and raised in Dana Point and began playing soccer at a young age. Kaemerle got the soccer bug from his father, who played at the University of San Diego, and his older brother.

Kaemerle has played the past five years with the renowned youth soccer program

Strikers FC, which is based in Irvine. Strikers FC, part of the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy, has produced United States national team players, such as Bobby Wood, Benny Feilhaber and Christian Ramirez.

It was at Strikers FC where Shane made an impression on California United head coach Don Ebert, who is also the director of coaching for Strikers FC. “The decision to sign Shane was based on his complete upside as a player,” Ebert said. “He’s not even 16, but he has an absolute rock-solid pathway that he wants to pursue. It’s rare to see a 15-year-old so

weekend in Bakersfield.

After repeating as CIF-SS Coastal Division champion and then posting a fourthplace finish at the Masters Meet, Cal Poly-bound Josh Harkey qualified at 195 pounds for the state meet, which began on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

Harkey is the No. 5 seed at 195 pounds and wrestled Joel Lopez of Orland, the North Section No. 2 representative, in the first round.

After taking second place at the CIF-SS Southern Regional and finishing in seventh at the CIF-SS championships, Layla Donahoe qualified at 160 pounds for the state meet.

Donahoe opened against Yisel Arias of Brawley, the No. 3 representative from the San Diego Section, in the first round. The winner would likely wrestle No. 2 seed Francesca LoPresti of Albany, the No. 2 represen-

tative from the North Coast Section.

On Feb. 14, Dana Hills qualified two boys for the CIF-SS Masters Meet and two girls for the CIF-SS championships.

For the boys, Harkey earned his second straight CIF-SS Coastal Division championship at 195 pounds, and senior Gavin Walker finished second at 145 pounds.

For the girls, Donahoe took silver in the CIF-SS championships at 160 pounds, and sophomore Loren Lecona qualified in sixth place at 150 pounds.

Baseball Starts Strong in Loara Tournament The Dana Hills baseball team scored two wins to open the Loara Tournament on Feb. 24 and 25.

The Dolphins (3-2) beat CIF-SS Division

Page 28

focused and committed.”

Ebert invited Kaemerle to train with California United six months ago before signing ahead of the spring season. Kaemerle went from playing and training against his age-group peers to competing against grown men with years of professional experience.

In an interview with Dana Point Times, Kaemerle said he was a little intimidated at first and that the faster pace of the game was something he had to get used to, but over that six-month training period, he has fit in with the group and is adjusting to the professional game.

Kaemerle plays on the wing, where he uses his skill to set up plays and score an occasional goal.

While fully committed to California United, Kaemerle has career goals to go bigger and farther into professional leagues in Europe. He knows the steps it will take, which start with working into the starting 11 for California United. But at just 15 years old, there’s plenty of time to work and improve.

“It is very rare to see an athlete at his age have such a clear understanding of what they want to accomplish in their future,” Ebert said in an email to Dana Point Times. “That is what separates Shane from 99% of other players at his age. He is willing to go all-in to achieve his dream of being a big-time professional player either here or in Europe, and I have no doubts he will be successful.”

Kaemerle officially begins his professional journey on Saturday, Feb. 29 as California United Strikers FC opens the 2020 spring season at home against the Michigan Stars at 7 p.m. The first 1,000 fans to the Championship Stadium in Irvine will receive a free scarf.

For more information and tickets, go to calunitedstrikers.com. DP

1 No. 8 Cypress, 6-0, on Monday, Feb. 24 on the strength of a scoreless pitching performance by senior Dante Jackson. The San Diego State-bound lefty threw six shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out six.

Ethan Ezor, Jackson Fleming, Trevor Gartlan, Sebastian Moore and Rocco DiFrancesco each collected an RBI. Dana Hills followed with another shutout of Long Beach Millikan, 3-0, on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Junior CJ Zwahlen threw five shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out four. Ian May and Aedan Anderson each threw one shutout inning in relief.

Ezor and Anderson each drove in a run.

The Dolphins closed group play in the tournament against Pacifica of Garden Grove on Thursday, Feb. 27, but results were not available at press time. Dana Hills continues into the bracket play of the tournament on Saturday, Feb. 29. DP danapointtimes.com

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at danapointtimes.com

DP BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DSaan n Cl a em Poenintet

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY MARCH 14 March 14 8am- 12pm. Moving / Downsizing. Furniture, Electric Bike, Collectables, Home Decor and more.

15 Santa Lucia, Dana Point, CA GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to info@danapointtimes.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

FOR SALE RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE (TYPE 47) FOR SALE Type 47 Restaurant Liquor License for sale. Text or call for details 949.510.9724

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Page 29

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DP DP SURF Dana Point

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Everyone Loves a Good Surf Movie

SHACC celebrates the history and impact of surf movies in new exhibit

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

E

ver since guys such as Bud Browne, Bruce Brown and John Severson stuck the legs of their tripods in the sand, surf movies have driven and inspired waveriders to paddle out, chase the sun and have a good time.

Whatever generation you grew up in, whether it was the warmth of 16mm film during the ’60s and ’70s, or the grainy VHS tapes of the ’80s, all the way through today’s high-definition, high-resolution digital footage, the allure remains the same.

I would guess that most surfers can point to one or two surf movies that transformed their lives. I know I can. Obviously, at the top of the list for most of us would be The Endless Summer by Bruce Brown.

But for me, shortly thereafter, would be Sonny Miller’s Searching for Tom Curren and Jack McCoy’s Bunyip Dreaming.

As a frothed-out teenage grom, the idea that there were all these waves out there and so many different ways to approach them captured my imagination—so much

Bruce Brown “getting the shot” during an early film project at Malibu. This Saturday, Feb. 29, the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is celebrating the opening of an exhibit about the colorful history of surf movies. Photo: Courtesy of the Brown family

so that I pursued a degree in English with the original intent of teaching during the year and going on surf trips over summer vacation.

Before I could get a credential, fate and happenstance intervened, as I was offered an opportunity to start writing for Surfline.

That would have been about 1998 or ’99, and 20 years down the track, I’m still writing about surfing and still love a good surf movie.

The point is, yes, surf movies matter. And that’s what makes what the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is cooking up so special.

Full disclosure, I help out the crew at SHACC

with social media and online stuff.

This Saturday night, Feb. 29, the museum will be celebrating the opening of its newest exhibit, “The Celluloid History of Surf Cinema.”

A look back through the decades at the evolution of the surf movie-making process, the exhibit is an intriguing look at the films that moved us.

“The role that film has played in surfing and surf culture films have played in pop culture is impossible to measure; the two are inextricably intertwined. For generations, surf movies have inspired people around the world to go and chase the dream,”

SURF FORECAST

GROM OF THE WEEK

HANA BAKKER

Water Temperature: 59-61 Degrees F

BY JAKE HOWARD, DANA POINT TIMES

I

t’s pretty common for kids around here to learn to surf at a young age, but 2 years old? That’s when San Clemente’s Hana Bakker first jumped on a board at Doheny, and it’s been nothing but good times ever since.

“Surfing inspires me, because surfing is a sport that a lot of people can enjoy, no matter how old or where you came from,” says Bakker, a sixth-grader at Shorecliffs Middle School.

Celebrating her Japanese heritage, it’s her mom that really motivates her.

“I look up to my mom, because she was a National Champion of Japan, and she always helps me be a better surfer and person in general,” Hana says.

These days, you’ll probably find Bakker shredding down at T-Street or Trestles.

Besides her mom, she also looks up to soonto-be Olympian Caroline Marks and rising star Sawyer Lindblad.

Dana Point Times February 28-March 5, 2020

says Glenn Brumage, executive director at SHACC. “We are delighted to be able to honor those who are directly responsible for sharing the gift of surfing and turned so many people on to the culture and lifestyle.”

The opening of the exhibit is open to the public. There will be all kinds of good stuff happening with entertainment, drinks and, as always, plenty of epic stories. Doors open at 6 p.m.

But, in the words of the character Bear from Big Wednesday, that’s only the lemon next to the pie.

This year, for their annual Ohana Gala, SHACC is honoring surfing’s most influential filmmakers at its annual Ohana Gala. Coming to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on June 6, it will celebrate the lives, careers and accomplishments of some of surfing’s most esteemed filmmakers.

A celebration of the trailblazers that came before us, as well as those who continue to propel the medium forward today, it is a unique opportunity to really take a deep dive into the work of a dedicated few who changed the game for us all.

Honorees, announcements and more details will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

No other artistic medium has informed and influenced the sport, culture and lifestyle of surfing quite like filmmaking.

From early, grainy black-and-white footage to the schmaltz of beach blanket “surfsploitation” to award-winning productions such as Momentum Generation, surf movies have brought the stoke to the people.

For more information on the exhibit opening this Saturday night and the upcoming Ohana Gala, go to SHACC.org. DP

Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-12’

Hana Bakker. Photo: Courtesy of the Bakker family

“They always rip, and I’m always happy to see them in the water,” she explains.

As far as where she thinks surfing can take her, Bakker’s got those surf-stoked dreams.

“I want to be a professional surfer and

help my mom’s business. She is a surf instructor and surf guide,” Hana says.

Considering that she’s only 12 and has already been surfing for a decade, the sky’s the limit for Bakker. DP

Page 30

Outlook: For Friday the South/southwest and Northwest swell mix continues with waist to head high surf, (3-5’). Light/ variable flow in the morning, turns to a light+ sea breeze for Friday afternoon.

The old swell combo eases Saturday then a fresh blend of South/southwest and Northwest swells moves in Sunday, maintaining waist-shoulder+ high waves (3-4’+) through the weekend. Light/variable winds Saturday morning, followed by light+ westerlies in the afternoon. Mainly moderate+ West/southwest winds due Sunday. For the latest details be sure to visit Surfline.com.

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