January 31, 2019 by San Clemente Times

LO C A L

January 31-February 6, 2019

N EWS

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Amtrak Engineer Throws Final ‘Shakas’ to San Clemente PAGE 8

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 05

Trendsetters

Cool 2 Be Kind continues antibullying campaigns over 10 years E Y E O N S C / PAG E 6

The San Clemente High School club Cool 2 Be Kind will host the People’s March Against Bullying at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the San Clemente Community Center lawn. Photo: Photo: Courtesy of Cool 2 Be Kind/Autumn Ferguson

CUSD Counsel: Toll Road Would Hamper Schools EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Cheer Squad Wins Two National Titles SPORTS/PAGE 16

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Finding Waves in Afghanistan SURF/PAGE 18

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With... Five things San Clemente should know this week 2/4 Celebrates Change of Command to Welcome Lt. Col. Patrick Byrne THE LATEST: San Clemente’s adopted Marine unit, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), welcomed its new battalion commanding officer on Friday, Jan. 25, during a ceremony on base. Lt. Col. Patrick Byrne is now leading the 2/4 as Lt. Col. Warren Cook departs. Byrne began his career with the Marines as a lance corporal in the 2/4, serving as an automatic rifleman. Cook said during the ceremony that he appreciated the community support and outreach during his time as the battalion commanding officer. Byrne said he’s familiar with the area and is excited to take on the new tasks, but when asked about the initial challenges, he said he recognizes them. “I think we’ll see the normal ones with turnover of personnel, and we need to make sure those standards don’t fall off as we continue,” Byrne told the San Clemente Times following the ceremony. WHAT’S NEXT: Byrne will be tasked with leading the 2/4 during deployment training, which usually takes place in Okinawa, Japan and areas of Australia. —Eric Heinz

CUSD Counsel: Proposed Toll Road Plans Would Disrupt School Operations THE LATEST: Proposed toll road extensions through San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano are likely to negatively impact some nearby schools, the Capistrano Unified School District’s (CUSD) special counsel told its Board of Trustees on Thursday, Jan. 24. Dozens of concerned parents attended the meeting at CUSD headquarters, where special counsel Stan Barankiewicz outlined how the Transportation Corridor Agency’s proposed options to extend the 241 Toll Road through South Orange County could potentially disrupt operations at Esencia Elementary School and the San Juan Hills, Tesoro, and San Clemente High Schools. Construction of the proposed extensions, Barankiewicz said, could create dust and noise while prompting lane closures and San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

Lt. Col. Patrick Byrne was appointed the new battalion commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4) on Friday, Jan. 25, at a ceremony at Camp Pendleton. The 2/4 is San Clemente’s adopted Marine unit. Photo: Eric Heinz

traffic congestion near the schools. And if completed, he noted, the new extension could put toxic pollutants in the air from the vehicles, as well as create traffic noise. “You can also have the traffic impact from not having a free road to serve the communities and these schools, because now the only way for students and parents to get to and from schools without going in an extremely long and circuitous route is to be held hostage and take the toll road,” he said. Three of the TCA options—Alternatives 13, 14 and 17—propose connecting the 241 from Oso Parkway to the I-5 Freeway, according to the toll road agency’s South Orange County Traffic Relief Effort. Alternative 13 would connect the 241 to the I-5 via La Novia Avenue in San Juan Capistrano. Alternatives 14 and 17 would have the 241 connect in San Clemente, down by Avenida Pico and near Avenida Vaquero, respectively. The fourth proposal, Alternative 21, comprises two separate roadway segments, with the first one extending Los Patrones Parkway from Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata. “The second segment would provide a median-to-median, high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane connector from SR 73 to I-5,” the Relief Effort report states. Barankiewicz said the extended toll road would benefit shipping companies that would eventually use the I-5 connection to haul goods from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, which have “extensive transportation distribution centers.” Barankiewicz continued to criticize the TCA for not adequately presenting its information on the toll road extension plans, such as what land it needs to acquire for the project. “(In) the project study report, there’s no description of what land they’re going to need to take or acquire to accommodate these additions to make this into a toll road system,” he said. “That’s left to another day.” Part of the Traffic Relief Effort includes the current construction of the Oso Parkway

Bridge and the Los Patrones Parkway through Rancho Mission Viejo. The first phase of the Patrones Parkway was completed in September. The parkway picks up where the 241 currently ends, running from Oso Parkway to Chiquita Canyon Drive. The Oso Parkway Bridge Project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2020, is being built over Los Patrones Parkway so vehicles can have direct access to the 241 from Los Patrones. CUSD Board of Trustees President Gila Jones said TCA got away with having the bridge constructed without a new Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and asked Barankiewicz if that will continue to be the case with future projects related to the toll road extension. “As they start making other changes, will they be able to sneak things through without new EIRs on those instances as well?” she asked. “It’s a possibility,” Barankiewicz said, further stating that TCA has moved projects forward previously by including them as addendums to existing EIRs, such as the ones for the master-planned Rancho Mission Viejo community. According to OC Public Works, the addendum to include the Oso Parkway Bridge Project to the Ranch Plan EIRs was approved administratively in June 2016. Noting that approval, Barankiewicz told the trustees he believes TCA, the county and the California Department of Transportation have been working together to ram the toll road project through. “In my opinion, it’s more of a conspiracy between the three entities,” Barankiewicz said to boisterous applause from the audience. “You’ve got the county, TCA, and you’ve got Caltrans all working together to try to advance and get this toll road installed.” Barankiewicz said the three agencies began “conspiring” together after a coalition of environmental groups challenged

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the TCA’s previously proposed project known as the State Route 241 FoothillSouth Toll and Tesoro Extension. In November 2016, the TCA and the environmental groups reached a settlement, ending the 15-year legal battle and agreeing to protect San Onofre State Beach, the Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy and San Mateo Creek watershed. Barankiewicz pointed to the Los Patrones Parkway, noting that it now aligns exactly with where the 241 is planned to be extended. That parkway, he said, was supposed to be a separate free road. “Well, when TCA was stopped by the lawsuits, they figured ‘well, let’s go talk to the Ranch, and get them to move the free road onto the alignment for the toll road, because in the future we’re going to make that into a toll road,’ ” Barankiewicz said. WHAT’S NEXT: According to Barankiewicz, the public will have some opportunities to weigh in on the TCA’s proposals. The first will be when the TCA issues its Notice of Preparation for the extension project’s EIR. The Notice, a scoping document in which the public can help guide the TCA on what needs to be evaluated, is expected to come out this month. The TCA is then expected to release the draft of the EIR within the first quarter of the year, Barankiewicz said. By January 2022, the TCA is looking to certify the EIR and have one of the proposed Alternatives approved. Construction would begin in July 2024 and be completed by 2027. It’s “important for all the stakeholders to be part of it in the beginning, because once you have momentum going and have the draft analysis of the EIR, most public agencies are very resistant to change once a draft EIR has already been prepared,” Barankiewicz said. “So this is an opportunity to try to influence or get things modified before it gets too far down the road.” —Shawn Raymundo

SONGS Canister Incident Enforcement Decisions to Come; Levin Starts Nuclear Task Force THE LATEST: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a second webinar on Jan. 24, during which the officials from San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) presented their case regarding an incident on Aug. 3. The incident involved a canister that became stuck on the outer ring of the concrete storage facility, and the NRC stated it did not think it was reported in a timely fashion. More than that, the commission claims SONGS officials did not provide adequate training to some of the on-site contractors. Southern California Edison, the majority owner of SONGS, said the incident (Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Time to RSVP San Clemente volunteer program could use your help BY LOU LETO, FOR THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

uring the past few years, there has been an enormous amount of conversation about needing more help in law enforcement for San Clemente. The social media sites identifying issues have attracted a lot of attention and gained many subscribers. For those who are looking for solutions and want something done, here’s a chance to actually get involved beyond screen time. You’ve heard it during our last local election, at city council meetings, during the Matrix Survey and voiced at numerous Coffee with a Cop gatherings: San Clemente needs more eyes and ears on the street. This is your chance to get involved, by joining Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). RSVP could use some new, active participants. The RSVP is a group that has been acknowledged by many as the best in class. The men and women members of the RSVP are very active. The organization was founded 34 years ago and still consists of dedicated and well-trained members who have committed to making our village a better place by assisting the San Clemente Police Services and the Orange

(Cont. from page 3) occurred because of inadequate additional training during personnel turnover, as well as not relaying important information to incoming workers. Edison has since said it is taking corrective actions and would get the workers currently at the site up to speed. SONGS has halted the process of moving spent nuclear fuel rods from wet to dry-cask storage since September. The next step is for the NRC to announce its findings and enforcement proceedings, but a date for that has yet to be announced. WHAT’S NEXT: On Jan. 25, Rep. Mike Levin, D-CA, announced that a new task force dedicated to SONGS would be assembled. The objective of the task force is to find ways to get the spent nuclear fuel off the site near the beach. The task force will meet on “a regular basis,” Levin’s press release stated, to find solutions to moving the waste. Included on the task force are Rear Admiral Leendert “Len” Hering Sr., USN (Ret), and former NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko.

San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

Two RSVP volunteers stand near a speed gauge. Photo: Courtesy of Lou Leto

County Sheriff’s Department through assigned duties. To join, it does take commitment; members must be willing to serve on a regular basis. The expectation is, after training, to take on three or four formally assigned, scheduled duties each month. To start, the process includes submitting a written application, sitting through an interview and undergoing training prior to being sworn in under oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of California, and uphold the laws that help make San Clemente safe. Interestingly, none of the members has

prior law enforcement experience. No one who enters RSVP has said he or she wants to be a cop. The program’s members are parents, grandparents, and some are great-grandparents; most importantly, they are San Clemente residents who actively pledge to make San Clemente a better place by performing their assigned duties. That might include parking enforcement around Avenida Del Mar or patrolling throughout the city to make certain that the disabled parking spaces are used only by those who have proper placards or plates. Another high-visibility duty is working as city ambassadors on

Edison officials said they welcome Levin’s task force and are aware of the glacial pace at which nuclear-waste-regulation laws move. “Any option to move the spent fuel takes action by the federal government to approve such a site, an effort that is now decades behind schedule,” the Edison release stated. “Achieving a long-term storage solution requires working together in the timeliest and most efficient manner.” SCE also mentioned its own outreach efforts with the Community Engagement Panel since 2014, and the utility extended an invitation to the congressman to its panel. “Hopefully together, all stakeholders can collaborate to accelerate national efforts to approve and complete spent fuel storage alternatives,” the release stated. —EH

Burger location slated for 115 Via Pico Plaza. Sources with information on the meeting said that it’s uncommon, if not rare, to hear a pre-application at the subcommittee level, as they’re usually part of the administrative process, but the applicants are trying to avoid any obvious hurdles they may encounter. In-N-Out Burger wants to demolish a two-story office building in order to build a drive-through location. The popular burger establishment has been longsought by residents of San Clemente.

In-N-Out Looks to Establish in San Clemente THE LATEST: A pre-application was discussed at the latest Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC) meeting on Jan. 23 for an In-N-Out

WHAT’S NEXT: Officials said that the timeline is about 14 weeks before it will reach the Planning Commission, if everything goes according to plan, and that it could take another three weeks if it’s called to the city council. —EH

Woman Struck by Vehicle Dies, No Arrests Made THE LATEST: A woman reported to be

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beach patrol at the PACT (Police and Community Together) House, assisting with information and directions at the base of the pier while keeping a watchful eye out to remind about smoking, alcohol, dog-offleash or bike-riding rules. A heartfelt program is YANA (You Are Not Alone): RSVP members visit with homebound seniors who have no family nearby. Visitors to the San Clemente Police Services substation might interact with an RSVP member at the front desk who is performing administrative tasks. Additionally, RSVP members are asked to volunteer for special events, performing crowd and traffic control duties at Ocean Festival, Fiesta Days, the Classic Car Show, Friends of San Clemente Carnival and Puttin’ on the Glitz, giving OCSD deputies more flexibility to work on serious offenses. To learn more, view the Around Town video about the RSVP on the city of San Clemente YouTube page. It’s time to seriously consider joining—supporting something that we all say we want. To learn more about how you can make a difference as a member of RSVP, contact Lou Gizzi at 949.361.9717, the city’s RSVP volunteer administrator at 949.361.8353 or online at hr@san-clemente.org. Lou Leto devotes many volunteer hours to support organizations and events in San Clemente and is a member of RSVP. City Council recognized his efforts and placed his name on the San Clemente Wall of Recognition in 2018. SC

in her 30s was struck and killed by a motorist driving an SUV just before 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25 on Avenida Del Presidente, north of Avenida De La Palmeras, in San Clemente. Karely Sotelo, 31, was identified as the deceased by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Her city of residence was not available as of press time. San Clemente Police Services stated the woman was believed to be walking in the bicycle lane of Del Presidente and the driver, a woman in her 50s, was driving northbound when she struck the pedestrian. At this time, it is unknown how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of the incident. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police. It is unknown at this time whether alcohol or drugs were a factor, pending the results of a toxicology report. The driver was released at the scene, sheriff’s deputies stated. WHAT’S NEXT: The incident is still under investigation. —EH

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NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

EPIC Yoga to Celebrate One Year

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

From 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, EPIC Yoga will celebrate its first year in business. The theme is the roaring ’20s, and people may dress in Gatsby-style outfits or come as you are. There will be food, dancing, drinks, a crystal grid swap, live music and entertainment. RSVP online at www.epicyogasc.com.

SC EXCHANGE CLUB MEETING Noon. San Clemente Exchange Club meets on most Thursdays at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course. Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena. 949.412.6301. www.exchangeclubsc.org

Volleyball Clinic San Clemente High School boys volleyball coach Ken Goldstone, his coaching staff and the varsity team invite all sixth- through eighth-grade boys/girls to a volleyball clinic from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 in the high school’s main gym, located at 700 Avenida Pico. The clinic is a designed as an opportunity to learn fundamental volleyball skills, enjoy competitive games and have fun playing alongside the varsity players. All skill levels are invited. The cost to join is $25. All participants should bring water bottles, athletic shoes and knee pads (optional). For more information and registration, visit www.sctritonvolleyball.com.

Pickleball Pilot Program Update Based on feedback from neighboring residents and pickleball players regarding noise levels and usage patterns, a change in priority pickleball days will be implemented for the remainder of the pilot program, effective Feb. 1. Pickleball players have priority use at San Gorgonio Park on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and at San Luis Rey Park on Tuesday and Thursday. “This change adds an additional priority day to the pilot program at San Gorgonio Park and also relieves concerns about weekend play at San Luis Rey Park,” according to a press release from the city. Not sure how to play pickleball or want to get involved in the sport? Explore pickleball classes through the Recreation Division. All class information is available online at www.san-clemente. org/recreation. For more information, contact the city of San Clemente Recreation Division at 949.361.8264 or 949.429.8797.

SCWC Meeting The San Clemente Woman’s Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

San Clemente High School boys varsity volleyball team will host a clinic on Saturday, Feb. 9. Photo: File

The Talega Swim and Athletic Club, 100 Calle Altea. Following the meeting and lunch, members will journey to the Lifeguard Headquarters (north of the Pier) to present a beach wheelchair to Marine Safety Chief Bill Humphries and Rod Mellot, Marine Safety Lieutenant. Established in 1931,the club’s many philanthropic endeavors include the Boys and Girls Club, high school senior scholarships and Family Assistance Ministries. For more information, visit www.sanclementewomansclub.org.

Ashley Bemis Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ to Felony, Misdemeanor Charges

died and that she was in need of assistance. Bemis revealed on the television show Dr. Phil in November that she custom-built her own suit to make it look as if she were pregnant through photos on social media. People donated to her baby shower and donated items to her, just like the scam she’s accused of this year. Bemis was later confronted by her victims on the Nov. 1 episode, and she admitted to much of which she’d been accused. Many of the alleged victims are San Clemente residents, and San Clemente Police Services investigated the case.

Wellness Fair Scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Outlets

The woman who was arrested for defrauding people on social media sites for falsely claiming she was married to a firefighter and allegedly engineering a pregnancy scam has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of grand theft, dissuading a witness from testifying and more than a dozen misdemeanor charges of fraud of less than $400. Ashley Bemis, 29, of San Juan Capistrano, is expected to appear in court on Feb. 1 for a pre-trial hearing. She was arrested Dec. 18 by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) on suspicion of “multiple felonies” related to social media scams she’s accused of orchestrating. Bemis allegedly started a social media campaign earlier this year when the Holy Jim fire was burning 23,000 acres between Riverside and Orange counties. She claimed her husband (who doesn’t exist) was part of the teams fighting the fire and asked for donations on his and the firefighters’ behalf. It was reported by some of the victims that she ran a similar scam in 2011, stating she was pregnant and that her husband had

The Wellness and Prevention Coalition will host its inaugural Wellness Fair from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Outlets at San Clemente. The fair will include more than 30 vendors from health organizations in various fields. The Youth Coalition will host a “Take Back the Vape” booth for people to trade in their vape device for gift cards and a raffle. Entertainment will include the Community Outreach Alliance (COA) performers, and there will be health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, bodymass index tests and ear screenings. Sponsors to the Wellness Fair include CalOptima, the Outlets at San Clemente and Drug-Free Communities. For more information, visit www.wpc-oc.org or email info@wpc-oc.org.

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Have something interesting to submit to our News Bites section?

Submissions are due by 10 a.m. the Monday of the week you’d like published. Email eheinz@picketfencemedia.com.

CHALLENGING CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 10 a.m. Challenging Cancer Support Group will host guest speaker Annie Kilroy, co-author of Testify, book featuring the stories of 29 authors who have triumphed over severe life challenges. RSVP to donnavigil2@gmail. com. Heritage Christian Fellowship, 190 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente. 949.361.1022. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4

DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF SOUTH OC 5:30-8:30 p.m. Join like-minded women and men and hear from engaging speakers about local, state and federal politics. San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Rd. SJC. www.dwsoc.org. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

SUNRISE ROTARY 7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Club Signature Grille. 990 Avenida Talega. www.scsunriserotary.com. SAN CLEMENTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will conduct its regular meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

KIWANIS SAN CLEMENTE Noon. Kiwanis San Clemente meets on most Wednesdays. Fratello’s Italian Restaurant, 647 Camino De Los Mares No. 126, San Clemente. www.sanclementekiwanis.com. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 6 p.m. The San Clemente Planning Commission will host its regularly scheduled meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

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EYE ON SC

Trendsetters

LOCAL ANTI-BULLYING RESOURCES

Anti-bullying club Cool 2 Be Kind enters 10th year BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

ool 2 Be Kind president Esther Mafouta said she became aware of the issues of bullying when one of her siblings was bullied in middle school. “When I saw it happen in front of me, I would stand up for him, but I never saw it,” Mafouta said. “Even though I wasn’t the one being affected directly by it, I still felt it.” Those events led her to the organization Cool 2 Be Kind, a longstanding club at San Clemente High School (SCHS) that aims to stop bullying incidents. Mafouta, a junior at SCHS, and her fellow schoolmates will host the People’s March Against Bullying from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, on the lawn of the San Clemente Community Center and the San Clemente Library, located at 242 Avenida Del Mar. There will be guest speakers who will talk about the issues surrounding bullying. In years past, the march or gathering was hosted in Laguna Beach. “We just want to show that we stand against bullying, not just as a high school but as a town, and anyone is welcome: teachers, parents, students,” Mafouta said.

THE GENESIS OF COOL 2 BE KIND The club began out of tragedy after a sophomore student attending the high school, Daniel Mendez, completed in 2009, and it is believed that it was due to being consistently bullied. “Obviously, this affected everyone in the community, including his family and friends, but the school as a whole as well,” Mafouta said. After that, “his friends got together and started Cool 2 Be Kind to make sure no one would ever have to go through what Daniel went through ever again.” Students are able to speak with ambassadors of the club at monthly meetings that are conducted by Cool 2 Be Kind, which are primarily overseen by the student-members. “On the campus of San Clemente, we try to change the culture and let students know that it’s a safe space for everyone,” Julia Parr, a club secretary, said. There are other ways that bullying seeps through the visible cracks. Facebook, for example, used to be lauded as a unique tool that connected the world’s communication—now, it’s sometimes seen more as an emotional septic tank, and vitriolic comments festoon just about everything that’s posted. But life behind a screen is far less visible than in person.

San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

Cool 2 Be Kind organizers march last year in Laguna Beach. This year, the club will host the first People’s March Against Bullying at 11 a.m. on Feb. 2 at the San Clemente Community Center lawn. Photo: Courtesy of Cool 2 Be Kind/Autumn Ferguson

Even if/when Facebook and other platforms get their acts together, that doesn’t stop technology from enabling the worst in people. It takes a concerted effort to enlighten people who instigate cyberbullying of their actions, and victims may never return to such platforms; why would they want to? “I still get bullied to this day because I put myself out there,” said Brooke Krufal, the club’s events and meeting publicist. “I’m a recording rap artist. So, I have music and dance videos out there, and sometimes people when they don’t like what they see, they have their opinions. I have nothing against what they think, but at a very young age I realized that bullies have either problems of their own or they’re going through something and they just want to make other people feel their pain.” Cool 2 Be Kind members advise people who are victims of cyberbullying to block the person committing the act or to leave the online group, and to focus on the positives social media platforms provide. They said if it persists beyond that, inform a trusted adult. The club stresses these issues at middle schools, when children may most likely be trying out social media for the first time. “A lot of the people who come to us, if they’re having a lot of problems with a bullying incident, we refer them to the school counselors, and if it’s important enough, we take it to the administration,” Mafouta said. She said the club also reinforces the bystander’s responsibility to report or intervene in bullying incidents to stop the offenses.

BLUE RIBBON WEEK

One week out of the year in early or mid-February, SCHS hosts Blue Ribbon Week with the intent to curb any trends of bullying and to inform students of the dangerous repercussions it can have on

fellow students. “We bring it to all the different schools in San Clemente, and we talk about the different types of bullying and the effects it has on people,” Parr said. “We start really young, and kids ask about what (to do) if they’re being gossiped about.” The “anti-bullying movement” has been prevalent in schools for years now, but the issue of bullying hasn’t been eradicated. Club members couldn’t really say whether bullying has increased or decreased since its inception, but they said it does have a unifying effect. “I definitely think it’s helped,” Parr said. “As long as I’ve been at SCHS, Cool 2 Be Kind has always been a thing. Being in the club as a leader, you notice more things, like if a person shouldn’t be talking to (another) like that, or certain situations. You have a better grasp on how people act.” Tate Nelson, a sophomore who is one of the club’s recruiters, said he took stock of his own actions after joining Cool 2 Be Kind this year. He said when he was younger, he wished he would have stopped short of saying some of the things he did to other classmates. “I feel bad about saying them; it’s all good now, but there are some things that I probably would have regretted doing,” Nelson said. “Being in the club can help individuals become better, I think.” The club has more than 150 students who signed up to join. Outside the leaders of the club, members are somewhat deputized to talk about what they observe on campus from week to week.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Many organizations

in the South Orange County region use and prefer the term “completed” suicide rather than “committed,” although there is no legal disambiguation of the two terms in this context. SC

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The Orange County Department of Education defines bullying as “aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength and is typically repeated over time.” Information from the county’s department can be found at www.ocde.us under “Orange County Safe From the Start.” The policy of the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) is that school personnel are required to intervene if bullying is reported by a student, which can include harassment, discrimination, intimidation and other forms. The district mandates a report must be filed with the district within 24 hours of a bullying complaint. The federal government’s website, www.stopbullying.gov, has a list of resources on bullying and cyberbullying.

IF YOU GO WHAT: People’s March Against Bullying WHEN: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 WHERE: Lawn of the San Clemente Community Center/Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente CONTACT: More information can be found at www.cool2bekind.org. You can also follow the club on Instagram at @cool2bekind.

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VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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San Clemente Times, Vol. 14, Issue 05. The SC Times (www. sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (www. danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www. thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

GUEST OPINION: Bartlett Bulletin by Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, 5th District

Priorities Abound for Orange County in New Year

ach year, the county of Orange lays out its policy and project priorities for the county. These priorities are based on the needs for services, support and innovation that will be addressed across all department and governments involved. Each decision has a level of mutual responsibility and impact across the board for all departments and local governments involved, which is why we treasure these relationships and do our best to maintain them. These priorities set the goals and objectives of the Board of Supervisors throughout the year. They guide our policy agenda as it relates to county work and our advocacy with both the state and federal legislatures. I wanted to share with you some of those top priorities for 2019 as they will be a common theme in the work being done by the county in your communities. Homelessness has been an ongoing discussion for some time now. Persons who are experiencing homelessness are in need of shelter, care and resources for

Letters to The Editor PROTECT THE RIDGE ROUTE TRAIL VONNE BARNES, Rancho San Clemente Community Association board president

The Ridge Route Trail (RRT), the city recreation and utility service road that runs directly through Cal Fire’s “Very Severe High Fire Zone” in Rancho San Clemente, is in critical need of Signs and Trail Fencing. Advertised in the city’s quarterly Recreation Magazine, bike and trail map and website, the RRT attracts many residents and visitors who enjoy breathtaking ocean and coastal views. Others ride bikes along the trail to get to other city recreational amenities such as Ralphs Skate Court or Richard T. Steed Park. The RRT also provides sole access to vital utilities: SDG&E, Verizon and AT&T

a hand up. We are looking into providing more full-service care and safe, clean options for shelter for the safety of all. Just this past week, the county of Orange performed the biannual Point-In-Time count of our current homeless population, which the Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates for all Continuums of Care. More than 1,000 volunteers in two days went into our communities across the county to count all persons experiencing homelessness, noting where they are, who they are (whether they are veterans, minors, persons living with a disability) and if they have any special-care needs for disabilities or mental health. We have a plan to offer more wraparound services to those in need, so they can get back on their feet. It is well known to all that our infrastructure is in need of continuous THE BARTLETT updating. Our roads and BULLETIN highways, airport and By Lisa Bartlett harbors are in desperate need of updating, not only for their functionality but for our safety. Our highways are a main source of economic growth. They provide a means for our goods and services to travel, as well as our source of transport to and from our places of work. We have a plan to update many parts of the I-5 and I-405 highways, as well as adding some much-needed traffic relief in other areas of the county. The safety of our commuters and travelers should never be in question or be a burden. One other area where our infrastructure is affecting our transportation is John Wayne Airport (JWA). Our airport will be receiving new tech-

nologies for more convenient and efficient travel. A perfect example are the newly installed tablets throughout the terminal that provide digital wayfinding and dining options, where you can view menus and order meals for pick-up rather than waiting in line. This concept will be expanded in the coming months to allow for meals to be delivered to you at the gate, which will surely make traveling less stressful. Another noteworthy accomplishment is the completion of major terminal improvements. Intended to be concluded in 2019, JWA was able to complete the $117.4 million improvement project 16 weeks ahead of schedule and more than $1 million under budget! These improvements provided additional safety enhancements such as seismic retrofitting, as well as amenities such as refurbished restrooms, a nursing mother’s lounge and animal relief areas. These and many more projects focusing on healthcare, our environment and expanding the county’s economic opportunities through housing and business expansions will be our focus for 2019. I am always looking for more opportunities to be more efficient and transparent for all residents of our great county and the fabulous fifth district. I look forward to working diligently on your behalf in 2019 and always look forward to your ideas and feedback on these and many more upcoming projects. Lisa Bartlett is the chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, serving as the representative of the 5th District since 2014. SC

cell towers, alarm systems, recycled water, radio communications, ALERTWildfire cameras, reservoirs and more. Many service providers, contractors and vendors use the RRT to manage the utilities stationed along the route. RRT use (legal and illegal) includes hiking, biking, jogging, dog-walking, motorcycles, vehicles, ATV’s, camping, cooking, smoking, transient activity, vandalism, trailblazing, police, OCFA and utilities. Drought, dry brush and winds have accelerated the number and severity of fires along the RRT, threatening lives, homes, businesses, utilities and open space. Recurring fires in Camp Pendleton and the San Mateo Campground are also a constant threat. Signs posting fire and safety (guidelines), permitted use and enforcement may reduce incidents of fires and other unauthorized activities. Warnings of sharp, blind turns, steep grades and speed limits are also needed, as well as rules for e-bikes. Trail Fencing along the RRT, as implemented along the Beach Trail, Sea Summit

and Outlets at San Clemente, will similarly identify RRT boundaries to deter users from trespassing into fire zones, utilities and other unpermitted areas. As use of the RRT continues to increase along with the demand for recreational opportunities and utility services along the route, Rancho San Clemente Community Association respectfully requests that the city make it a priority to agendize fire and safety signs and trail fencing along the RRT.

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PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC 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 SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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

SOAPBOX CoastLines by Fred Swegles

George Thomas Put on His Best Smile Day after Day

he first hints of daylight greet George Thomas at around 6:30 a.m., as he rounds the Beach Cities curve en route to Oceanside at the controls of a Metrolink train that departed San Bernardino at 4:31 a.m. A little magic will greet him about six minutes later in San Clemente. Anywhere from eight to 10 friendly faces are apt to smile and wave at him, as he and they trade glances along the town’s 2.3-mile beach trail. Thomas has operated the same early morning Metrolink route for the past eight years. He sees many of the same faces daily—southbound at around 6:38 a.m., back northbound at around 8. He’ll flash the Hawaiian “shaka” sign at those who greet him. It’s about the same every weekday. Thomas, who lives in Garden Grove, awakens at 1:45 a.m., is out the door by 2:20, drives to San Bernardino and reports for duty at 3:21.

I met my current “wife on the train.

She started waving. George Thomas, Amtrak train engineer

”

The 4:31 commuter train out of San Bernardino arrives at Oceanside at 7:03, heads back at 7:39 and ends at 9:44 in Riverside. There, Thomas turns the train over to another crew. He is shuttled back to San Bernardino, ending his shift at 11:21. There’s nothing quite like the Aloha spirit he experiences in San Clemente, he said. Trey Hunt, a Sheriff’s Department investigator in San Clemente, occasionally rides Thomas’ train to Oceanside on a Monday to join him for coffee during George’s half-hour turnaround there. A couple named Al and Sue, who walk their dog along the beach trail, once rode his train to Riverside and spent the night at the Mission Inn, riding his train back to San Clemente the next morning. “Al and Sue asked my wife and I to dinner,” Thomas said.

San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

After operating his Metrolink train from the cab car and being pushed to Oceanside by the locomotive, Engineer George Thomas switches to operating the train northbound from the locomotive, pulling the train back to San Clemente and beyond. Photo: Fred Swegles

Brian Bang, who has been running the beach trail since long before it became a formal trail, has been known to gather his family to wave to the passing engineer. The family also made the rail pilgrimage to Oceanside for a friendly coffee. The catalyst for much of this camaraderie is Hunt, who used to run the beach trail daily until his knees went bad. Now he exercises before work alongside former lifeguard Larry Moore in Marine Safety Headquarters’ conditioning room. From there, they can spot Thomas’ intense headlight as it rounds the Beach Cities curve. “We know we’ve got about six to eight minutes,” Hunt said. They will head out the back door to deliver the morning wave. Al and Sue may be there too, and Brian Bang. Or Jennifer Boring, who used to run more frequently. And that’s just on Thomas’ southbound run. “I’m sure there’s a whole other population for his northbound run,” Hunt said. It isn’t necessarily every day that Moore and Hunt, one or both, will be behind headquarters, as other obligations may interrupt. But it’s most days. “Everybody is welcome to join us,” Moore said. Hunt and Boring got into a habit of greeting Thomas. Word spread. People who would gather for coffee in North Beach outside Kaylani Coffee Co. got into waving. So did a friend Hunt and Boring knew from their daily runs.

He became known for the animated way he would wave. “He’s jumping up and he’s dancing,” Hunt said. “He’s a crack-up.” One day, not realizing Thomas was not operating the train that day, he gesticulated to such an extreme that the actual engineer halted the train, assuming an emergency, Thomas said. Bang, a railroad buff, got to know Hunt during daily runs. Learning of the shaka greetings behind Marine Safety HQ, Bang began to time his run to coincide. “It’s something I look COASTLINES By Fred Swegles forward to,” Bang said. “Over time, I got to know George. I’ve got videos of my family, all waving at him. We always say, ‘There’s nothing like San Clemente.’ This is one of those special traits of San Clemente.” “He’s just a character,” Hunt said of Thomas. “He’s got more than the Dos Equis guy, ‘the world’s most interesting’ guy.” Thomas operated freight trains from 1969 to 1983 before moving to Hawaii to reside “in paradise” for 15 years as a dive instructor. There, he said, he picked up the Aloha spirit. “It becomes embedded in you,” he said. A divorce led him back to California, whereupon Amtrak hired him. He is on lease to Metrolink, and this year will make six years he has been happily remarried. “I met my current wife on the train,” he

Page 8

said. She would get on the train in Orange and ride to San Clemente twice a week. “She started waving,” he said. The couple can enjoy more time together after May 10, when Thomas retires. Some other engineers, he said, know about the welcome he receives in San Clemente and would like to succeed him. “It’s indicative of our town,” Moore said. “It started with someone (San Clemente founder Ole Hanson) on the train, noticing that this chunk of land could be a very special place. We are here because of the train. We were born from that. There’s something special about that relationship.” Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with more than 47 years of reporting experience in the city. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC 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 SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Feb. 1 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

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SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

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

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

Thursday | 31 TASTE OF SAN JUAN 6-9 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association invites everyone to the annual Taste of San Juan event, bringing together many of San Juan Capistrano’s best restaurants and caterers under one roof – at San Juan Hills Golf Club -- to tempt you with their finest food and beverage offerings. General admission is $35; VIP tickets (including valet parking and a swag bag) are available for $60. San Juan Hills Golf Club. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.599.4323. swallowsparade.com. ORCHESTRA COLLECTIVE OF ORANGE COUNTY 7-8 p.m. The Orchestra Collective of Orange County is a group that embodies and embraces diversity of all kinds, while striving to produce one-of-a-kind musical events that thrill both longtime concertgoers and complete musical newcomers. Dr. David Rentz, the director, will conduct a group of musicians in Casa Romantica’s historic main salon for an evening that supports classical arts. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

Friday | 01 LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Join Iva Lee’s for live music every Wednesday through Sunday. For the ultimate live music experience, be sure to reserve a lounge table on Fridays and Saturdays. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. Check their website for the latest performances scheduled. www.ivalees.com. COA OPEN MIC 7 p.m. The gathering is intended for middle school- to college-aged participants. It is open to performances, singers and musicians (no

San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

EDITOR’S PICK Photo: Courtesy of Kate McKay Photography

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 1-2 p.m. Families are invited to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Outlets at San Clemente, presented by the Irvine Chinese School, Marian Bergeson Elementary School’s Mandarin Immersion Program (based in Laguna Niguel) and the Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society (based in San Diego). The free, family-friendly event will include a 30-foot Dragon Dance, interactive Lion Dances for kids, traditional Chinese songs, martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts activities, red envelopes and more. Outlets at San Clemente, Oak Tree Court, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente.

“encaustic-like techniques,” using golden materials to achieve depth and interest. The cost is $95 and includes materials. San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real. 949.369.6603. www.scartsupply.com.

drums). The performances are intended for an all-ages audience. Community Outreach Alliance, 1050 Calle Negocio. 949.291.2761. www.communityoutreachalliance.com. THE COACH HOUSE: LIQUID CIRCUS OPENS FOR THE TUBES 7:30 p.m. San Clemente-based band Liquid Circus will perform songs from its forthcoming EP. Liquid Circus provides live hard rock. The Coach House, 3157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. www.thecoachhouse.com.

SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. The car show attracts hundreds of car enthusiasts each week. No registration is required and spectators are welcome. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. www.southoccarsandcoffee.com.

Saturday | 02

Sunday | 03

NIGHTTIME BUGS OF ORANGE COUNTY 9 a.m. (Members) 10 a.m. (General Public). Caspers Park Foundation will host Rich Schilk, who will speak about the nocturnal insects found in Orange County. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE SALE 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Choose from a large selection of new releases and non-fiction favorites. Shop early for the best selections. San Clemente Friends of the Library is looking for volunteers. Morning and afternoon shifts available. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar. 949.276.6342. www.sanclementefotl.org.

GOLDEN ACRYLICS: ENCAUSTIC-LIKE EFFECTS 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The acrylic art classes work in layers with paint, collage, and acrylic

FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection

Page 10

of fruits, vegetables, plants and artisanal goods from organic growers along Avenida Del Mar. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

Monday | 04 BINGO AT GOODY’S 7 p.m. Every Monday, Goody’s hosts a bingo night for a charity of the month. Cards are $1 per sleeve, and raffle prizes are offered. Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Tuesday | 05 BEND & BREW 6-7 p.m. This is a one-hour yoga class, followed by a pint of beer. It’s a great way to get to know your local fellow yogis and beer drinkers. $10 entry. Left Coast Brewing Co., 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.2699. www.leftcoastbrewing.com. (Cont. on page 12)

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GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 10)

Wednesday | 06 SAN CLEMENTE TOPS 9:30-10:30 a.m. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Wednesday. Meetings include a private weigh-in followed by informational programs that focus on making small steady changes that provide lasting weight loss and better health. San Clemente Presbyterian Church, 119 Avenida de Estrella, 949.492.9428. www.tops.org. ANIMATION CLASSES 4-6 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. Animation classes will teach students the fundamentals of animation as well as strengthen traditional skills. Classes are intended to prepare students for future animation invest-

ments and improve understanding of the production process of animation. The Arts Project of Orange County requires all students start in the intro-to-animation class. Classes then progress into more advanced courses that the company offers. Find out more online. The Arts Project of Orange County, 1317 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente. 949.276.2787. www.theartsprojectoc.com. SAN CLEMENTE BARBELL CLUB 7-9 p.m. San Clemente Beach Barbell Club is a monthly club that meets at San Clemente Gym every first Wednesday of the month. The club is a dedicated group of enthusiastic and like-minded lifters who meet to improve and teach the art of lifting. Skill levels can vary. Cost is $20. San Clemente Gym, 123 S. El Camino Real. 949.361.1007. www.sanclementegym.com.

At the Movies: How to Judge ‘On the Basis of Sex’

Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

uth Bader Ginsburg rivals Gloria Steinem and Angela Davis as one of the pioneers of secondwave feminism in the 1950s-1970s. It’s no surprise Hollywood wants to make features on her, such as Mimi Leder’s recent On the Basis of Sex, though it is a little surprising it took so long. Felicity Jones portrays the groundbreaking Supreme Court justice at the beginning of her career as a Harvard law student, university professor and a lawyer from 1956 to 1971. She discovers no law firm wants to hire a woman out of fear she might cause tension at the office or jealousy with the male colleagues’ wives. But then things get brighter when she becomes a professor and mother of two. When husband Marty (Armie Hammer) sporadically brings

Page 12

a peculiar case to Ruth’s attention, she decides to take up the challenge that will successfully alter how the U.S. law is written. On the Basis of Sex really should have been an easy film to turn into a hit. But the tone and execution of the picture are a little corny. The biopic has a light-hearted, feel-good mood that makes it appear like a hit biopic from the late 1990s. Jones does try her best to carry all of Basis of Sex, but, unfortunately, Brooklyn accents apparently aren’t her forte, and they detract from a lot of scenes. The one thing the movie does have going for it is the supportive relationship between Ruth and Marty. Like the 2018 RBG documentary, On the Basis of Sex touches the surface of what could have been a heavier look into Ginsburg’s equal-rights impact. SC

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SC San Clemente

SC LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Pet of the Week: Bailey SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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

In God’s Hands Local sand sculptor calls for prayer over state of the country BY LILLIAN BOYD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

an Clemente resident Jay Bellamy said he can’t draw or throw clay, but God gave him the talent to sculpt sand. On Saturday, Jan. 26, Bellamy could be seen at Baby Beach in Dana Point creating a sand formation of praying hands on top of an outline of a United States map whose familiar borders he had etched into the beach. Bellamy said God speaks to him and that inspiration for his sculptures comes at random. But a few national issues influenced his latest work, such as the federal government partial shutdown, the recent state law passed in New York that allows for abortions to be performed after 24 weeks, and the overall direction of the country.

“Our country needs prayer. Our president needs prayer,” Bellamy said. “I’m very strong in my faith, and I know that prayer works.” The praying-hands sculpture took about three and a half hours for Bellamy to construct. His sculptures have drawn attention in the community before. On Easter weekend last year, Norton sculpted a 12-foot crucifix, with a likeness of Jesus nailed to it, on the same beach. And on Memorial Day, he sculpted a Battlefield Cross to honor service members lost in the line of duty, for which Dana Point VFW Post 9934 gave him special recognition. Bellamy says he worked as a tile and marble mason for 35 years and that profession helped him understand the right level of moisture needed to sculpt sand. “Everything I’ve envisioned, I’ve been able to sculpt,” he said. “It’s a God-given gift, and I’m going to continue carrying out what God tells me to do.” Bellamy plans on sculpting another crucifix scene at 5 p.m. on Good Friday, April 19, at Baby Beach. All are welcome to attend to watch him create another timely sculpture. SC

aby-faced Bailey is a big kitty with a super sweet personality. You can always rely on her to be there when you’re in need of a cuddle. Bailey gets along with other cats, but would prefer to be the only pet and keep all attention for herself. If you’d like to know more about Bailey, call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. SC

Photo: Courtesy of Los Angeles Public Library/Valley Times Photo Collection

FROM THE ARCHIVES Members of North Hollywood Navy Reserve unit crowd around to learn art of naval science on July 25, 1956, aboard a ship’s deck classroom. The photo was captured near San Clemente Island.

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

Sudoku BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

Jay Bellamy said his most recent work is hands in prayer over the United States, as a call to prayer over the state of the country. Photos: Courtesy of Jay Bellamy

San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

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 Page 13

See the solution in next week’s issue.

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Locals Only

SC BUSINESS DIRECTORY San Clemente

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

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

ELECTRICAL

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Danman’s Music School

Exquisite Epoxy Concrete Floor Coatings Lic.: 1020002, 949.632.8400, exquisiteepoxy.com DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

Shoreline Dental Studio/ Kristen Ritzau DDS, Dr. Colby Livingston 122 Avenida Cabrillo, SC, 92672, 949.498.4110, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com PEST/TERMITE CONTROL

Accurate Termite and Pest Control 949.837.6483, www.accuratetermitecontrol.com

Colony Termite Control 1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing 1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com REALTORS

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

MUSIC LESSONS

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

CONCRETE

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Buy • Consign • Sell

949.395.5681 (24 hours) Available 7 days a week. We also offer professional appraisals, auction services, restoration and shipping. CASH SAME DAY Dee Coleman, CEO/Owner 2485 S. El Camino Real San Clemente Web: classicautosalesoc.com Email: classicautosalesoc@gmail.com

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Café Calypso

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GARAGE SALES

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com. Deadline 5pm Monday. NO PHONE CALLS.

SALONS

Salon Bleu 207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com. Contact Susie Lantz for pricing 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com.

FOR SALE PIANO FOR SALE Wurlitzer Melville Clark Spinet piano model 1660. Great condition, needs tuning. Piano bench and sheet music included. $300 or best offer. Similar models selling online for $500+. Must be able to pick up. Please Call: 949.370.6325.

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San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

Page 15

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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Triton Report BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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

Winter Sports Regular Season Ends The regular season for winter sports teams comes to a close this week with the final games for boys basketball and soccer on Wednesday, Jan. 30 and girls basketball, soccer and water polo on Thursday, Jan. 31. Results for Wednesday’s games were not available at press time. Boys and girls soccer, girls basketball and girls water polo will all qualify for the playoffs. CIF-SS playoff brackets for girls water polo, girls soccer and boys soccer will be released on Sunday, Feb. 2, and the basketball brackets will come out on Monday, Feb. 3.

The San Clemente boys soccer team has allowed only two goals in seven league games to win back-to-back league titles and their seventh title in nine seasons. Photo: Kreg Kowarsch

Boys Soccer Clinches Back-toBack League Titles The San Clemente boys soccer team sealed its second consecutive South Coast League title and seventh in the past nine seasons on Monday, Jan. 28 with a win over Mission Viejo, 2-0. The Tritons have only allowed two goals through seven league games. San Clemente hosted San Juan Hills on Wednesday, Jan. 30. The Tritons beat the

Stallions, 6-0, in their first meeting. San Clemente has climbed all the way to No. 1 in MaxPreps’ California state computer rankings. The Tritons are No. 5 in the latest CIF-SS Division 1 poll and No. 9 in Top Drawer Soccer’s California rankings.

Girls Water Polo No. 1 Seed for League Tournament The San Clemente girls water polo team

Scoreboard Our City Scoreboard keeps you updated on all of the local San Clemente youth and community team accomplishments and special individual performances of the week. Email zcavanagh@picketfencemedia. com for submission.

Pop Warner Cheer Wins National Titles

San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

Freshman Boys Basketball is Perfect The San Clemente freshman boys basketball team was a perfect 25-0 heading into its season finale against Aliso Niguel on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at San Clemente. In their first meeting, the Tritons beat Aliso Niguel, 65-40. With a win, the Tritons freshmen would finish the season undefeated, a first for the freshman basketball program. SC

the kids put out,” OCWPC coach Trevor McMunn said. “We are only a few months into the season and some of the kids are new to the sport, but everyone was out there giving their absolute best, and it showed. Even with a couple of losses early on, they pulled ahead and took the gold in their division.” The team is made up of Tom Farnell, Cole Granado, Hollan Breaux, John Brossa, Ben Suits, Terra Sage Lindberg, JD Davis, Bode Stein, Nathan Bottiaux, Owen Clark and Zachary Bottiaux.

COMPILED BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

The South Coast Pop Warner varsity pom team made a little bit of history. The team of 17 San Clemente dancers, ages 13-15, became the first team from South Coast Football and Cheer and the Orange Empire Conference to win two national titles in a season. The SCYF cheer team won its first title on Dec. 6 in the National Pop Warner Cheer and Dance Championship at the ESPN Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports in Orlando, and the team earned its second title on Sunday, Jan. 27 in the JAMZ National Competition in Las Vegas. The JAMZ title came against elite com-

was 4-0 through the one round of league play this season to earn the top seed and a bye to the South Coast League final in the league’s new tournament format. The first rounds were held on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the San Clemente pool. No. 2 seed El Toro defeated Tesoro, and No. 3 seed Dana Hills beat Aliso Niguel. El Toro and Dana Hills will play on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. with the winner playing San Clemente for the league title. San Clemente was ranked No. 9 in the latest CIF-SS Division 1 and 2 combined poll. If the numbers hold true, the Tritons would be the No. 1 seed for the Division 2 playoffs, but San Clemente could be selected for Division 1.

The South Coast Pop Warner varsity pom team became the first team from South Coast Youth Football and Cheer and the Orange Empire Conference to win two national titles in a season. Photo: South Coast Youth Football and Cheer

petition with teams from outside of Pop Warner competing. The SCYF cheer team is coached by Jennifer Rector and assistants Michelle Harrison, Denise Snyder and Jennifer Cingolani.

OCWPC Wins at Dare to Dream Festival The Orange County Water Polo Club’s 10U coed team earned first place in its

division at the USA Water Polo Dare to Dream Festival at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Jan. 20. OCWPC took the gold in the Achievers Division with three straight wins on championship Sunday. OCWPC posted victories over Newport Beach Water Polo, 9-3, and Foothill Club Water Polo, 13-4, before beating San Diego Bay Club in the final, 9-4. “I’m really stoked with how well everything came together and the effort

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Olympica Gymnastics Wins at San Diego The Olympica Gymnastics Level 8 team took first place and earned seven individual awards at the San Diego Classic on Sunday, Jan. 27. San Clemente’s Julia Rojas was a double winner in Level 8 for Olympica with first-place finishes on the bars (9.500) and the beam (9.450). Rancho Mission Viejo’s Kaitlyn Driessen was the all-around Level 8 champion with a total score of 36.250 after a firstplace finish on floor exercise (9.425) and a second-place finish on the vault (9.225). SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

GROM OF THE WEEK

TAJ LINDBLAD BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Searching for surf in the turbulent waters of Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley. Photos: Courtesy of Unsurfed Afghanistan

What If Lowers Wasn’t in Your Backyard? A change in perspective courtesy of Afghanistan’s most successful surfer BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

urf is where you find it. Here in Orange County, we’re lucky enough to be able to step out of our back door and into the ocean. There’s a reason that people have been surfing in the area for nearly 100 years. Trestles is a bona fide, world-class wave field that attracts surfers from around the planet. Doheny and San Onofre are longboard nirvana. But what if it wasn’t that easy? What if instead of a frothed-out grom at T Street or Salt Creek, you were born a surfer in the landlocked chaos of Afghanistan? A couple of years ago, Afridun “Afri” Amu, an Afghan refugee living in Germany, fell into my orbit. Intrigued by his story, we got to know each other through email correspondence and Skype calls. It was 2017, and he’d just finished competing in the ISA World Surfing Championship, a first for a surfer from Afghanistan. Afri found surfing after he finished high school. On a summer road trip with a few friends, he landed on a beach in the south

San Clemente Times January 31-February 6, 2019

of France. That’s when somebody handed him a surfboard for the first time. “I still vividly remember this intense feeling, this feeling of knowing, ‘This is something I want to keep doing for the rest of my life,” Afri said in one of our conversations. “The only thing I wanted to do was to learn surfing. So, I went back to Germany and saved money to finance my first world trip. I spent most of my time in Australia and New Zealand surfing…or, rather, trying to do so.” After paying his dues sleeping on the streets in Sydney, working odd jobs to earn enough scratch to buy himself a surfboard, he was able to get his feet under him—both literally and figuratively. His 2017 ISA experience provided him with a platform to become an advocate for the Wave Rider Association Afghanistan and help “push surfing not only amongst Afghans living in exile but also in Afghanistan itself.” In June 2018, he returned to Afghanistan to look for waves. Not having a coastline was the first big hurdle to get over. Security issues were also a constant concern. Eventually, Afri and a team of German and Canadian surfers and filmmakers found ridable waves in the Panjshir Valley. “All sports have the power of joy. The joy of doing it yourself, the joy of cheering for someone or simply the joy of seeing someone do something he loves. But regarding sports in Afghanistan, there comes an extra layer to it,” Afri said. “Everyday life is so full of negative news that people get extremely excited about any kind of positive news.” Afri’s movie project, Unsurfed Afghanistan, is currently in post-production back in Germany. Still working out the final bit of funding and other details, he hasn’t set a release day yet.

In September 2018, Afri landed in Huntington Beach, again representing Afghanistan at the ISA World Surfing Championship, and while he enjoys the competition and the spotlight, he’s really looking toward the 2020 Olympics. He’s been awarded a scholarship by the International Olympic Committee so that he can train and “fully focus on qualification for the Olympic Games in 2020.” The Tokyo Games are 18 months out, but 2019 is the qualification year. San Clemente could see local stars Griffin Colapinto and Kolohe Andino represent the red, white and blue, if they perform well. Top surf talents from around the world are all gunning for the few coveted spots in the Games. It’s going to be a big moment for surfing, and whether Afri ends up making it or not, his journey has been like no other competitor’s. “I simply hope for positive headlines for Afghanistan,” Afri said. “For understandable reasons, the perception of Afghanistan is unfortunately reduced to war and terror. Sadly, this is one reality in the country, but this is also not everything that defines Afghanistan. The majority of Afghans are looking for hope and a brighter future, and just like anybody else, simply for a happy, peaceful life. Surfing in Afghanistan can contribute to this. Recently, this sport was still unknown in Afghanistan, and now the country is represented at the World Surfing Championship. This can give hope to people, the hope to dream and follow your visions.” Afri will be the first to tell you we’re lucky to live here in Orange County. We have waves almost every day, some epic setups and a surf community that lifts up its youth, celebrates its history and tries to leave the beach better than they found it. That said, we could all share in a little of Afri’s stoke and passion. SC

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an Clemente’s Taj Lindblad has been on a hot streak lately. A couple of weeks ago, he was on a mission as he made the trip up to Santa Cruz for the Toyota USA Surfing Prime Series at Steamer Lane. The waves were pumping, and Lindblad went all in. Earning himself the distinction of tallying the highest heat total of the contest (an 8.33 and 7.33 for a 15.66 total), he went on to win the boys under-16 division, establishing himself as one of the marquee surfers in the talentrich USA Prime Series. Capable of getting the job done whether the surf’s big or small, he kept the momentum going last weekend in micro conditions on the south side of Huntington Beach pier as he went to work at the NSSA Southwest Open. Taking out the junior division with an 8.33 and a 7.07 in the final, he made the most of the small waves trickling over the inside sandbar. Earlier this winter, Lindblad split his time training on the North Shore of Oahu with the Quiksilver surf team and won competitions at Salt Creek. As they say on the nightly news, “Watch this space.” SC

Taj Lindblad. Photo: NSSA

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 57-60 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 10-15’ Thursday: Modest west-northwest swell tops out. Surf is running knee-waist high (2-3’) with some waist high plus sets at top breaks. Light to locally moderate ESE/SE winds for the day. Outlook: Modest to fun size blend of west-northwest and southwest swells through the weekend and early next week. Waist high (3’) surf is common with chestshoulder high (4’) sets at top breaks. Winds/conditions looking a little problematic with shifting winds, mornings generally looking most favorable. Be sure to check Surfline.com for all the details and the longer range outlook.