June 18, 2020

LO C A L

N EWS

June 18-24, 2020

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CoastLines: Visiting the Nixon Library That Got Away PAGE 14 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 25

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City Lifts Restrictions at Beaches and Athletic Facilities amid Advance to Stage 3 E Y E O N S C / PAG E 3

Joey Abi-Loutfi, 40, looks to dribble past Gus Day, 18, during a pickup basketball game at Jim Johnson Memorial Sports Park’s recently reopened courts on Monday, June 15.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Council Adopts FY 2021 Budget EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Senate to Vote on Bill Blocking Toll Road EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

Calls to Defund Police Met with Opposing Voices EYE ON SC/PAGE 6

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

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sanclementetimes.com

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week City Lifts Restrictions at Beaches and Athletic Facilities amid Advance to Stage 3 THE LATEST: With the state of California now in Stage 3 of the governor’s reopening plan, the city this past weekend loosened many of its restrictions at San Clemente’s beaches, basketball courts, dog park and skate court.

San Clemente’s beaches and the pier can once again be used for passive use, while the city’s aquatics and sporting facilities have reopened with modifications, the city announced in a series of press releases late last week.

On Friday, June 12, the city’s beaches were no longer restricted solely to active use—swimming, surfing and exercising—opening up access for beachgoers to participate in leisure activities.

Passive use on the San Clemente Pier also resumed for fishing and leisure, the city said in a press release on Thursday, June 11. In a separate press release, the city on June 12 announced that San Clemente Aquatics Center and the Ole Hanson Beach Club would reopen for public lap swimming beginning on Saturday, June 13.

This past Saturday, all of San Clemente’s ballfields, basketball and volleyball courts, and the Baron Von Willard Dog Park were also allowed to reopen, while certain restrictions at Ralphs Skate Court were softened, the city had announced in another press release.

The announcements came as more of California’s economic sectors were given the go-ahead to reopen with modifications on June 12, including bars, gyms, movie theaters, sporting events—without live audiences—and schools.

Many public facilities had been closed since mid-March, when the city began adopting strict social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. The city had closed the beaches, as well as the beach and coastal trails on April 8, as part of those ongoing efforts to limit San Clemente’s exposure to the coronavirus. Beaches were reopened for active use on April 24.

Less than a week later, however, Gov. Gavin Newsom handed down a targeted order, directing all beaches in Orange County to close. Newsom’s order came as a direct response to the thousands of people San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Gus Day, 18, hops into the air while trying to block a pass from Joey Abi-Loutfi, 40, during a pickup basketball game at Jim Johnson Memorial Sports Park’s recently reopened courts on Monday, June 15.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

who had flocked to some of the county’s beaches the previous weekend during a heat wave that had hit Southern California.

On May 4, the governor lifted his closure for San Clemente’s beaches as long as the city maintained its active-use restrictions that had been previously imposed.

While the beaches are now open for passive use, the city noted that the play structures and fire rings will remain closed. According to the city, beachgoers will be required to practice social distancing and should wear face coverings.

As for the aquatic facilities, the city notes that they are now open for regular operating hours, though lap swimming is restricted to those 13 years and older. Any minor under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.

Those interested in visiting the aquatic facilities will need to reserve and pay for lanes in advance. Reservations can be made at san-clemente.org/swim.

At the fields and courts, only pickup games are currently allowed, the city notes. Organized sporting activities such as team sports remain on the restricted list of uses, per public health guidance from the state.

Advanced registration to skateboard at the skate park is no longer required, but families and their skateboarders are encouraged to socially distance or refrain from gathering in large groups. The park will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the city.

The city is also strongly advising that visitors to the beaches and facilities frequently wash their hands and for anyone who is not feeling well to stay home.—Shawn Raymundo

Council Adopts FY 2021 Budget, Approves Police Services Contract THE LATEST: With two weeks to go

before the end of the current fiscal year, councilors on Tuesday, June 17, adopted the city’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget that included some last-minute caveats, as well as renewed the city’s contract for police services.

The council voted, 3-1, in favor of adopting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, ending a previous stalemate that had stalled the passage of the city’s annual appropriations package earlier this month.

Acting Mayor Laura Ferguson voted against the proposed budget.

According to the budget, general fund expenditures for FY 2021 are roughly $70 million, down from the $78.4 million that was planned in the current fiscal year’s adjusted budget. Nearly half of next year’s coffers are earmarked for public protection such as police, fire and marine safety.

Anticipated general fund revenue for the next fiscal year is projected to reach just north of $68.2 million—about $1 million less than what the city had anticipated collecting this year. Most of the city’s general fund coffers, or 54%, will come from property-tax revenue.

Displeased with the lack of any contingency reductions to address potential revenue shortfalls due to the ongoing public health crisis, both acting Mayor Laura Ferguson and Councilmember Gene James had voiced opposition to the budget as it stood two weeks ago.

Ferguson on Tuesday remained opposed to the budget despite additional amendments James proposed that loosely addressed some of their prior concerns.

The first caveat guarantees that a lifeguard position will be filled, while another one requires adjustments be made should revenues fall short of their quarterly targets by more than 1.5%.

During Tuesday’s night’s meeting, the council was slated to discuss a continuing resolution for interim expenditures meant to ensure the city’s essential services and payroll for staff continued past the end of

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the current fiscal year on June 30.

James, who had explained that he only asked for a contingency plan and wasn’t suggesting additional cuts at the previous meeting, made the motion to pass the FY 2021 budget with his proposed caveats, negating the need for the continuing resolution.

Clarifying James’ proposal, Assistant City Manager Erik Sund said he agreed with the caveats and that staff will come back monthly with a report on revenues and expenditures, then come back quarterly to address potential adjustments.

Following the passage of the budget, the council voted unanimously to approve the $17 million police services contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

According to the contract, which increased by $205,875 from the current fiscal year, about $13.7 million will account for personnel. Another $1.9 million is allocated for overhead.

OCSD’s staffing level for those stationed in San Clemente—excluding regional and shared personnel—would remain the same from this current fiscal year. Out of the 53 officers and specialists, 37 account for deputy sheriffs.

WHAT’S NEXT: Noting that councilmembers didn’t receive the city’s 328-page budget until five days before they were scheduled to hold their budget workshop late last month—less than a week before they were to vote on it—James opined that there needs to be a better budget process in place next year.—SR

Dunek’s Contract Extension Rejected in Council Gridlock THE LATEST: A proposed amendment to extend Robert Dunek’s contract as the interim city manager for another six months was turned down on Tuesday, June 16, leaving the city of San Clemente without an official chief executive in place.

In a 2-0-2 vote, with Councilmembers Chris Hamm and Kathy Ward abstaining, acting Mayor Laura Ferguson and Councilmember Gene James voted to reject an amendment to extend Dunek’s contract through Jan. 1, 2021, or until a permanent city manager could be appointed.

For the time being, Assistant City Manager Erik Sund will step up to the interim position, as the council later appointed him to the role in a 3-1 vote conducted during closed session. Ferguson was the sole nay vote.

The city has been on the hunt for a permanent replacement since late January, when former City Manager James Makshanoff resigned to become Pomona’s (Cont. on page 4) sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) new chief. That same month, the council appointed Dunek for the interim position while the recruitment process continued.

During the council’s discussion on Tuesday, Ferguson said that extending Dunek’s contract would continue to delay the recruitment process. She also said Sund has essentially been leading the city already by being a physical presence at city hall while Dunek has been working remotely.

“As it stands now, with the interim city manager, we haven’t had him here with his physical presence for the last two months, while we do have the assistant city manager who has been here for that duration,” she said. “So it feels like we have been paying for two city managers.”

Acknowledging that Dunek was appointed during a turbulent time for the city—faced with the departure of former Mayor Dan Bane, as well as the ongoing public health crisis—James said his decision not to support a contract extension wasn’t an easy one.

He also noted that some of Dunek’s decisions to address the pandemic and slow the spread of the coronavirus were met with outrage from “a vast majority” of the citizens, including himself.

Two of the most unpopular decisions were the city’s action to pour 37 tons of sand into San Clemente’s skate park in order to deter skaters from trespassing and the enactment of chain-link fencing around the Pier Bowl parking lot to try to prevent overcrowding at the beach.

The sand-filled skate park attracted nationwide media attention and backlash from residents. The fencing, which was put up because motorists had continued to just move the barricades out of the way, prompting tow trucks to remove vehicles, sparked a demonstration to tear it down that led to multiple arrests.

Ward and Hamm issued sharp criticism of Ferguson and James on Tuesday night, accusing the two of admonishing Dunek over those decisions, which were made in the middle of a pandemic.

“He took over the city of San Clemente immediately preceding a pandemic, and I think it’s unfair for anybody to judge,” Hamm said. “An individual came into a city, had roughly eight weeks to prepare and was thrown into a very unique situation. And to hang him on sand and on a fence . . . to hang his hat on that is not an appropriate decision to make.”

Ward later echoed Hamm’s comments, stating that by not extending Dunek’s contract, the city is handcuffed “with all of the items that we have to do and all of the work we have to do. Essentially that’s not going to be getting done.”

“This is leaving our city flat-footed; worse than not passing a budget,” she added.

Ferguson proposed the motion not to approve the contract, with James seconding. Both Ward and Hamm opted to San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

abstain from voting, allowing the motion rejecting the contract to pass in a 2-0-2 vote.

WHAT’S NEXT: Sund’s appointment as interim city manager will go into effect on Thursday, June 18. —SR

Senate to Vote on Bill Blocking Toll Road Through San Clemente THE LATEST: State legislation that would prevent the 241 Toll Road from ever extending through San Clemente was sent to the Senate floor, where lawmakers are expected to vote on it in the coming days.

As of Wednesday June 17, the measure, Senate Bill 1373, which Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) introduced to clarify an existing law that State Route 241 will not run through the city of San Clemente, was listed under the Senate’s third-reading file, meaning it awaits discussion among members and a roll-call vote.

Late last month, the California Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved SB 1373, referring it to the Senate Appropriations Committee. With the measure not requiring an appropriation, it was sent to the Senate floor.

According to the measure, a section of the state’s Streets and Highways Code currently states that “Route 241 is from Route 5 south of San Clemente to Route 91 in the City of Anaheim.” If passed and later enacted by the governor, SB 1373 would have the 241 end where it currently does now—at Oso Parkway, east of Mission Viejo.

“It is encouraging to see SB 1373 go to the full Senate for a vote,” Bates said in a press release from the city. “SB 1373, when signed into law, will memorialize the March 12, 2020, decision by the TCA and allow South Orange County residents to sleep better, with the knowledge that their community will not be divided by a major thoroughfare cutting thru their protected open space.”

In mid-March, the boards of directors for the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) unanimously approved plans to further pursue the extension of Los Patrones Parkway—an arterial, untolled route—as part of the efforts to relieve South County traffic.

The decision formally nixed contentious proposals to have the 241 extend past Oso Parkway to connect to Interstate 5 by cutting through San Clemente and parts of San Juan Capistrano. Instead, the TCA is now studying the plan to extend Los Patrones.

Los Patrones, which begins at Oso, currently ends at Cow Camp Road in Rancho Mission Viejo. Under the plan, or Alternative 22 as it’s identified in the ongoing South County Traffic Relief Effort,

Los Patrones would continue to Avenida La Pata, right up to the San Clemente city limit.

A previous version of the bill, which Bates recently gutted and amended to its current iteration, proposed to prohibit construction of a major thoroughfare in San Clemente’s open space areas or conservation easements.

Former interim City Manager Robert Dunek explained last month that the language in the current bill mirrored language that outgoing Assemblymember Bill Brough had in his Assembly Bill 3331. That measure is no longer being pursued.

WHAT’S NEXT: SB 1373 will need 21 votes to pass in the Senate before it can move on to the State Assembly, where it will require a 41-vote threshold. The Senate vote is expected to occur on or before June 26—the last day bills introduced in their respective houses can be voted on this session.—SR

Demonstrators Call for No Masks or Social Distancing when Students Return to Campus THE LATEST: An estimated crowd of 50-100 people demonstrated outside Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) offices on Wednesday, June 10, in favor of schools returning to pre-pandemic conditions when campuses reopen. Parents attended and brought their children.

Some of the parents at the event said they are against masks or social distancing being required of students. They also said they are against reopening guidelines recently brought forth by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, including rotating school attendance. The demonstration was organized by Parent Supported Action Plan-CUSD, which recently formed and has an Instagram account outlining their views.

“We want to work with the school district. We’re not anti-Capo Unified,” said Sarah Beck, a parent and one of the organizers. “We love our schools and our school district. We want to stand up for our kids so they can have a positive experience.”

Beck said she would homeschool her kids and remove her family from CUSD if masks are required, since masks can make non-verbal communication and facial expressions difficult to interpret.

“Kids need to have social interaction,” Beck said when asked about social distancing. “It’s important for human growth, for their development.”

When reached for comment, Ryan Burris, CUSD chief communications officer, said they “appreciate hearing from our families” and “are grateful for their Page 4

support and partnership as we develop plans to safely reopen our classrooms for students and staff.”

“Our objective is to open on schedule, as normal as possible, if conditions and resources allow us to do so,” Burris said.

“While we are developing reopening options that we will share publicly (June 12), specific health and safety guidelines will not be adopted until we are closer to opening school.”

CUSD is currently using guidance provided by the California Department of Health to guide their work. CUSD has sent parents surveys asking their feedback on what education should look like going forward.

A compromise suggested by Beck included continuing to provide distance learning for families not ready to return to campus. The parents at the June 10 demonstration also advocated for handwashing to keep students safe. Demonstrators walked around the CUSD parking lot holding signs, some of which said, “We need to breathe play interact no masks!” and “Normalize schools!”

“I would like to see five days a week, six hours a day, just like normal,” Beck said. “I am open to kids having their temperature taken as they come into school. We don’t want kids with fevers at school. We never have.”

Carla Leigh is a single parent who has to work full-time to provide for her family, and she said teaching her kids at home would mean she wouldn’t be able to work.

Katie O’Mara, another parent at the event, expressed skepticism toward the effectiveness of masks, as have others in South Orange County. Health experts recommend wearing face masks in public to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19, at the beginning, we all respected that. In the first month, it was like, is this the plague? What is this?” O’Mara said. “Now, we don’t need to be as afraid to go on with our lives. Any day could be our last day, so we might as well do the best that we can.”

Dana Halverstadt, another CUSD parent, asked how teachers are supposed to instruct students while wearing masks.

“I have a third-grader. She’s going into fourth grade. Her sign said, ‘Kids like me want to go back to school,’ ” Halverstadt said. “They yearn for their friendships at school. She did well at home with me, but she needs to be in school. She needs to be in recess.”

Some people who viewed online video of the demonstration disagreed with the demonstrators, saying they were endangering others and ignoring science.

WHAT’S NEXT: The CUSD Board of Trustees and CUSD officials were expected to discuss what reopening could look like during a June 17 meeting, after San Clemente Times went to press. Families can share feedback then.—Collin Breaux sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

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sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Calls to Defund Police Met with Opposing Voices from Local Officials

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Dozens of local surfers on June 10 took to San Clemente’s waters for a paddle out and memorial as part of ongoing peaceful protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died while in Minneapolis police custody.

San Clemente’s surf community united with the dozens of other demonstrators who had gathered at the pier to pay tribute to Floyd, as well as join in the widespread demand to defund the police—a rallying cry for sweeping law enforcement reforms and the reduction of police budgets so more money can be spent on other services.

“We are seriously beginning the conversation of the reallocation of funds from police, a sort of militant police structure, to have money put back into the school system, social work, mental health, and really serve and protect the communities that they’re supposed to be out here for,” said Encinitas resident Mali Woods-Drake, one of the organizers of the June 10 protest.

Last week’s demonstration at the San Clemente Pier marked the latest in a continuous string of rallies, mostly peaceful, held throughout the nation since Floyd’s death on May 25, when a police officer had pinned Floyd to the pavement by placing a knee on the 46-year-old’s neck.

Video recordings captured the scene showing Derek Chauvin, a White officer, keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. All the while, Floyd could be seen gasping for air while pleading that he couldn’t breathe.

Chauvin, who had more than 18 years of service with the Minneapolis Police Department, has since been fired and charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers involved in the arrest, who didn’t intervene— Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao—have also been fired and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

In the aftermath, massive protests have sprung up in numerous cities and communities demanding justice for Floyd, as well as an end to racial injustice and police brutality.

One message that has resonated throughout the protests and gained widespread traction is the call to defund the police.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department had not responded to requests for comment as of press time. But on June, 9, the department issued a press release, which largely addressed the topic of police practices and use-of-force policies.

“The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is committed to transparency about law enforcement budgets, policies and practices,” OCSD’s release said.

RESPONSE TO DEFUND THE POLICE

Despite increasing calls to defund the police—which for many has meant less spending on law enforcement, while for others it means a complete disbandment of San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

departments—both Democrat and Republican lawmakers have come out against such an endeavor.

The subject of defunding the police has drawn strong rebuke from conservative voices, especially President Donald Trump, who said “there won’t be any dismantling of our police” during a meeting with law enforcement officials this week.

Even his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive nominee for the Democratic ticket in the election this fall, has rebuffed the protesters’ demand to cut or reduce funding for police departments.

“I support conditioning federal aid to police based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency and honorableness and, in fact, are able to demonstrate they can protect the community,” Biden said in an interview with CBS Evening News last week.

However, some cities have expressed a willingness to consider budget reductions, including Los Angeles and New York City.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has proposed to cut between $100 million and $150 million from the Los Angeles Police Department’s budget, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said he’s committed to reduce funding for the police, redirecting those monies to youth programs.

And in Minneapolis, its city council recently announced plans to disband the police department and reallocate the funds into community-based public safety programs.

Acting San Clemente Mayor Laura Ferguson has been a staunch opponent against cutting the city’s spending on public safety, particularly its contract with OCSD. Ferguson spoke with San Clemente Times on June 12, to explain her position on the topic of defunding police.

“I certainly do not support defunding law enforcement police by any means,” Ferguson said, after stressing that many in the community, including herself, were upset after seeing the actions of the police officers involved in Floyd’s arrest.

“I’m 100% behind condemning police brutality where it exists completely . . . but these (Minneapolis police) officers also are no way representative of law enforcement across the nation,” she said. “It’s a caseby-case basis in terms of how we do these reforms. . . . We shouldn’t just do them now because of what happened with the death of an individual at the hands of police officers.

We shouldn’t be treating all law enforcement officers as the enemy.”

LOCAL FUNDING

This fiscal year, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department operated with a budget of roughly $747.2 million—about 48% of the county’s expenses for public protection programs. In total, this fiscal year, the county appropriated more than $1.54 billion of its $6.83 billion budget on public protection programs.

Asked whether she was willing to re-

evaluate the county’s budget for OCSD and whether those monies should be reallocated for other programs, such as those meant to address homelessness—an ongoing countywide issue—OC Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said she’s “constantly looking at how we manage taxpayer dollars across all departments, including OCSD.” “Public safety is one of my top priorities, and (OCSD) does a tremendous job of policing our community and keeping our residents safe,” Bartlett said in an emailed response.

“There is no doubt there is a need for services to support homelessness and mental health, but there is also a need for public safety,” she said. “The county’s homelessness response is widespread across multiple County departments, including OCSD. It is not the responsibility of one specific department to execute our many programs and services designated for the homeless and mentally ill populations. With that, funding for those programs and services is appropriately distributed.”

The county’s budget for community services programs in Fiscal Year 2019-2020 amounted to $2.82 billion. The county’s Department of Child Support Services, Health Care Agency and Social Services Agency fall under the umbrella of community services.

The protests’ call to defund the police comes at a time in San Clemente when spending on OCSD will increase in the coming fiscal year. The city’s adopted budget for FY 2020-2021 has an $18.5 million appropriation for police services—a little more than a quarter of the city’s total planned expenditures and up from the $17.3 million allocated in the current fiscal year’s adopted budget.

The council met on Tuesday, June 16, when it approved the city’s contract renewal with OCSD, as well as the FY 2021 budget.

Ferguson said she stands by her position not to cut funding in the city’s police services budgets, noting that OCSD has been understaffed in San Clemente and doesn’t want staffing reduced.

“I believe in maintaining what we have right now in terms of the police funding, because I think we’re finally in a good place . . . so I wouldn’t want to see us lose that momentum,” she said, adding: “I can say with confidence now that I don’t want to reduce funding. We’ve played catch-up. We’re where we need to be at now.”

According to the new service contract with OCSD for FY 2021, staffing will remain the same compared to the current fiscal year, with 53 OCSD personnel stationed in San Clemente.

In FY 2018-2019, OCSD’s staff level for San Clemente was at 49, composed of mostly deputy sheriffs, which amounted to 33. Personnel grew the following fiscal year, when San Clemente had 37 deputies stationed here.

When asked whether she agreed with

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the protesters that some of the monies for police services should be redirected toward more homeless advocacy programs, specifically here in San Clemente, Ferguson said the city has been dedicating resources to the issue locally.

“I definitely think our city has done its share and continues to do so to address homelessness and other social services,” she said, adding: “I believe we do that quite satisfactorily here in San Clemente, and we certainly won’t let up on homelessness.”

The council on Tuesday finalized an amendment to the city’s homeless outreach services contract with City Net, which is funded through a Community Development Block Grant. The updated contract increased to $137,494—up from the $62,494 previously spent since December 2019—and is extended through Feb. 28, 2021.

In terms of general fund monies, the city appropriated $72,437 toward social services in FY 2019. This fiscal year, the city allocated $99,840. For the upcoming fiscal year, funding for social services is being reduced to $23,090—a 77% decrease from FY 2020.

With the exception of public safety spending, the city has cuts costs to all departments in the upcoming fiscal year to address anticipated revenue shortages as a result of the public health crisis.

During last week’s protest, Woods-Drake, whose boyfriend resides in San Clemente as an Orange County firefighter, said that her group of organizers want to see the immediate creation of police budget task forces comprising city officials and residents, particularly African Americans.

“Our urge is to have a task force created immediately, made up of citizens, especially Black voices in the community, and city councilmembers, to figure out where the best places to reallocate the money,” Woods-Drake said.

“The reality is, most of our city councils are entirely White, and so we want to make sure there’s a voice at the table that can say where those funds can best be reallocated towards,” she said.

Ferguson noted that the city currently has a Human Affairs Committee, tasked with assessing needs and issues in San Clemente, including homelessness. And most recently, a Public Safety Committee was created, comprising public safety professionals and experts.

“I think that would be a good task for the Public Safety Committee that’s going to be underway . . . I think this would be a great assignment to undertake,” Ferguson said of reviewing public safety budgets, adding: “I believe in oversight; having community involvement. . . . I think we should have that in other areas of the city as well.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: An extended version of this story can be found at sanclementetimes.com.

SC sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

NEWS BITES Community COMPILED BY STAFF

Sunrise Rotary Awards Scholarships to SC High Students Four San Clemente High School students this month received college scholarships from the SC Sunrise Rotary, which is recognizing the students for their commitment to community volunteerism, as well as their academic achievements.

The four students—Tristen Wallace, Vanessa Ortiz, Leslie Ramos and Perla Rodriguez—were part of the Interact Club, a young leaders group that Sunrise Rotary sponsors and works with through its Rotarians in Action. One of the scholarships is funded through the past Rotarian endowment of the late Aaron Oliver, while the other three scholarships come from Sunrise Rotary’s fundraising efforts.

These scholarships are going to recipients who come from economically disadvantaged homes. While oftentimes working to help support their families financially, they’ve maintained GPAs of nearly 4.0 or higher and dedicated numerous hours of volunteer service to the community.

Wallace, who had a 4.55 GPA while serving as the president of San Clemente High’s only Art and Design Club, is the recipient of the Aaron Oliver Endowment Scholarship. She will attend Wellesley College to study Media Arts and Sciences.

Ortiz earned a 3.94 GPA and is the copresident of the Interact Club. She will be studying Pre-Business at Cal State Fullerton. Ramos, Ortiz’s co-president, ended her high school tenure with a 4.67 GPA and will attend USC to study Civil Engineering.

And Rodriguez, another Interact Club co-president, secured a 4.3 GPA while completing nearly 90 hours of volunteer service in which she mentored and tutored middle school students with the Activate program. She will further her studies at UC Irvine this fall.

San O Parks Foundation Names Scholarship Recipients The San Onofre Parks Foundation selected three San Clemente High School seniors for the 2020 SCHS Awards and Scholarships late last month.

The San Clemente High School administration shared a video presenting the $1,000 scholarship to seniors Emily Lindquist, Natalie Cooke and Sydney Belden. Lindquist is still deciding on her college choice among Stanford, UC Irvine, McGill University and the University of Toronto.

Cooke will be attending UCLA, and Belden has enrolled at University of Washington.

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Meetings TUESDAY, JUNE 23

SAN CLEMENTE TOASTMASTERS 7-8:40 p.m. The San Clemente Toastmasters will continue to meet every Tuesday online through Zoom.

Email fardad.fs@gmail.com to receive a link to join. 858.900.6175. sanclementetoastmasters. toastmastersclubs.org.

The SCHS scholarship program began in 2013 and has since awarded $23,000 to Triton students.

The first San Clemente High School senior to receive the scholarship was Casey Powell in 2013. Powell went on to study at USC, earning a B.A. in Environmental Studies before graduating from UCI Law in May 2020. He is currently studying for the bar exam in September and surfing whenever he has a chance.

As a public benefit, the San O Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization, prides itself on its mission to deliver public education and interpretation at both the San Clemente State Beach and San Onofre State Beach parks.—Costa Beavin-Pappas

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Son Arrested on Suspicion of Stabbing Neighbor in San Clemente Adam Abdul-Jabbar, the son of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was arrested on suspicion of stabbing his neighbor in San Clemente last week, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

OCSD spokesperson Carrie Braun said that Adam Abdul-Jabbar was booked on one charge of assault with a deadly weapon after being accused of stabbing his neighbor multiple times. Adam Abdul-Jabbar was taken into custody without incident, she said.

The victim, who suffered non-life threatening injuries, transported himself to a hospital, Braun said.

The call for the stabbing on the 300 block of Calle Guaymas went out to OCSD on Tuesday night, June 9, with deputies responding at around 10 p.m., according to Braun.

Adam Abdul-Jabbar was released on bond on Wednesday, June 10. The investigation is ongoing, Braun said.

OCSD said it would not be releasing Adam Abdul-Jabbar’s booking photo.

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 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.

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Sunday, June 21

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EDITORIAL

ART + DESIGN

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo

Art Director Jasmine Smith

Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

General Manager Alyssa Garrett

O P E R AT I O N S

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Columnist Fred Swegles

FINANCE

Special Projects Editor Andrea PapagianisCamacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes

Finance Director Mike Reed Accounting & Distribution Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Jake Howard Tim Trent

San Clemente Times, Vol. 15, Issue 25. The SC Times (sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes. 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 2020. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Health and Nutrition 101 by Gina Cousineau

Food for Thought: Would You Like a Quarantine Do-Over?

W

e are just starting to come up for air after experiencing unprecedented times together. Over the past few days, I have had conversations with several individuals who said they wish they could have a redo on this time at home due to behaviors they employed that they consider less than stellar.

In my world, we have spoken in jest about people gaining the “COVID-15,” as those extra pounds just seemed to have crept up on us. But let me remind you that this is no different than a holiday season where you might have overindulged and failed to find time to exercise.

Instead of beating yourself up, I encourage you to learn from past behaviors and let healthful changes begin today.

If you have read my previous columns every month, you know I feel pretty strongly about using your food to drive

Letters to The Editor

your health, and that weight loss should not lead your way.

But let’s get real, the majority of prospective clients come to me for help with weight loss. And while I have the game plan to help them reach that goal, I refuse to do it at the detriment of that individual, so conversations ensue regarding their dieting history.

What I hear most often is the statement, “But the diet worked for me”—that is, until I ask for details. The common theme with each “diet success” was that while on the “diet,” due to calorie and food group restrictions, often paired with restricted eating times, people lost weight.

But there are repercussions to all behaviors, good and bad, and in this case, this punitive and restrictive eating pattern, while easy to follow temporarily, is impossible to HEALTH AND stick to for the long haul NUTRITION 101

By Gina and can cause detrimenCousineau tal shifts in our metabolism. In other words, everyone gains the weight back, and potentially more.

It is here that I try to help them look at the risks versus benefits and pros and cons of the diet mentality that has guided them throughout their lives, and challenge them to answer the question: “Are you ready to get off the diet rollercoaster?”

With these conversations, we could have discussed the multibillion-dollar health industry with its plethora of pills, potions and products that we have funded throughout our lifetimes, asking, “Why not just try the next fad or trend?”

But instead, I just keep reminding you

parking restrictions. It is Councilmembers Chris Hamm and Kathy Ward who should be apologizing to city staff, and city residents, for being unwilling to vote with the best interests of residents in mind.

I do agree with Mr. Kreutinger on one thing, and that’s urging city residents to vote in November. However, my guess is he’s likely not going to like the outcome.

A RESPONSE TO WILLIAM KREUTINGER NORM PETERSEN, San Clemente

The letter from Mr. Kreutinger was an unfair attack on Councilmember Gene James and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Ferguson.

The point that these two voted for parking restrictions on April 30, but “changed their minds” a month later, is actually an indication that they have residents’ interests in mind by recognizing that the parking restrictions were no longer necessary.

I applaud them both for stepping up, as more information about the virus became available, and advocated to remove the

CITY COUNCIL PAUL A. WEHRLE, San Clemente

I have resided in this community considerably longer than some of the current city councilmembers. I never would have thought our council could have so seriously devolved to its current internecine and dysfunctional status.

The exchanges among members during council meetings have been shameful and embarrassing.

To witness a councilmember out on the

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why it is time to consider a more wholesome, healthful, and long-term approach, versus another temporary quick-fix.

One consideration is the knowledge we have gained from current clinical trials during this pandemic. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg, but we know that those who suffer from preexisting conditions who contract this virus are at higher risk for death once put on a ventilator.

In a recently published study of 5,700 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the New York area, data showed that “hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are among the most prevalent co-morbidities in patients with COVID-19.”

Not much more needs to be said. If we can just lean more toward wholesome food choices including more plants, drinking more water, eating less highly processed foods, and getting more consistent exercise on a daily basis, without counting calories or eliminating major food groups, we will begin to improve our health.

Gina Cousineau works with clients virtually out of her San Clemente office. Her extensive education with a BS in dietetics and MS in integrative and functional nutrition, chef training, and more than 30 years as a fitness professional, allow her to help clients with finding a practical nutrition approach to reach their goals. You can reach her at mamag@mamagslifestyle.com, 949.842.9975, and on Instagram and Facebook @mamagslifestyle. 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.

The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

street provoking unrest and civil disobedience, flaunting legal directives, is well beyond the pale and completely inappropriate for a sitting councilmember.

Another member seems to be collecting an enemies’ list and has not been respectful of our current acting city manager, a most competent, ethical and honest individual who is probably the major force holding the fabric of our city government together during this perilous time.

I have never been more concerned about our collective future and path forward than at this point in time. I suspect the vitriolic speech, malice, and boorish behavior emanating from the White House might have played a role in the shift of our council’s demeanor and tone.

We desperately need three good responsible citizens to run for city council. A good man, Chris Hamm, has put in his time, and the mayor pro tem is not up for reelection. This city needs sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX our responsible votes, prayers—if you are so inclined—and a lot of hope for a better tomorrow.

I plan on sticking around these parts.

OUR SPANISH VILLAGE BY THE SEA IS ABOUT TO SINK JOE JANIS, San Clemente

I have only monitored city politics for five years, but in that time period, I don’t remember any councilmember publicly criticizing and/or transferring blame to our city staff members.

I didn’t always agree with some decisions of past councilmembers (e.g., Dan Bane, Tim Brown, Laurie Donchak, Steve Swartz, Bob Baker), but they were all strong leaders and gained my respect by accepting responsibility and not placing blame on others.

I miss the stability that they brought to the city.

Our council is now led by Mayor Pro Tem Laura Ferguson, who hasn’t learned that public criticism and reprimand of city staff members and other councilmembers should be done in private.

Her constant public criticism of our last city manager caused his resignation. If the council allows this style of management to continue, we will lose our interim manager and other staff members.

Interim City Manager Robert Dunek has worked with us for five months. His experience and knowledge are second to none. We are lucky to have him. In addition to managing the city, imagine having to deal with COVID-19, losing a mayor, protests, civil unrest and trying to work with a divided council.

It is unconscionable for any councilmember to use him as a scapegoat. I hope we can attract good candidates for the position of city manager; however, the word is out, (so) who would want to work under this divisive management style?

Beware of any councilmember who publicly criticizes city employees and other councilmembers. They are the problem with our city, not the people they try to blame for their inability to collaborate and solve problems.

We need leaders on council who can work together and collectively accept responsibility for managing our city. We don’t need any more critics or social media cheerleaders who constantly cast blame on others.

A leader accepts responsibility, while the critic only knows how to transfer it. If the council cannot start working together, this ship will surely sink.

A RESPONSE TO ‘VIRUS DEATHS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS’ VICKI MARKS, San Clemente

Common sense? While I appreciate the recap of flu-related deaths in the U.S. for the past 10 years, I think Mr. Herman may San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

have missed the point. In less than six months, COVID-19 has decimated more than 115,000 Americans, and it is estimated (and reasonable to assume) that this number will continue to climb.

Therefore, this is not just a cold or what we’ve previously experienced during flu seasons. In response to the criticism that a shutdown was unwarranted, one has only to look to Sweden, which subscribed to the concept of no lockdown and posted a much higher mortality rate than its neighbors.

Also, Sweden did not fare any better economically than its European counterparts. Maybe more intelligence is in order, Mr. Herman.

RECONFIGURATION OF EL CAMINO REAL TED SANDERS, San Clemente

I am writing to express my disappointment that certain members of the city council did not have the vision to approve the proposed reconfiguration of El Camino Real from North Beach to El Portal, as recommended by civil engineers.

Given the engineering analysis performed indicated that the reconfiguration would still allow acceptable levels of service based on 2030 traffic volumes, it makes no sense. I guess the parties referenced in an unscientific survey against the project know better.

With the Miramar Theater redevelopment underway and its proposed food court and events venue, this section of El Camino Real is likely to experience higher volumes of pedestrians and bicycle use soon.

No one wants to eat with traffic zooming by a few feet away or walk there or travel by bike, so it makes sense to calm and buffer traffic in the area and better utilize the right lane. This reconfiguration would be better for the environment by encouraging people to walk or use bikes versus autos.

For residents in a hurry not wanting to walk or ride a bike, I suggest you jump on Interstate 5 and take one of the seven exits—based on experience, it is quicker than El Camino Real.

SUNDAY MINI-FIESTA KATHY OWENS, San Clemente

Here goes our city council again. The following activities have been canceled this year either by the city or the related organizations: monthly Avenida Del Mar Craft Fair, the Ocean Festival, the Fourth of July fireworks on the Pier, and the Fiesta is being postponed.

But they think it is just fine to have a city-sponsored mini-Fiesta every Sunday by closing off Avenida Del Mar and have restaurants with tables/chairs and merchandise and the sidewalks and street/ parking lots. When was the last time the city cleaned these sidewalks?

Photo:File

This latest idea was promoted by newcomer Coucilmember Gene James. While it is a good idea to promote and help small businesses, this ill-fated idea could be a breeding ground for the COVID-19 virus.

We now have had 73 people in San Clemente contract this virus as of Monday, June 15. On March 27, when city-by-city statistics first became available, there had been 10 cases in San Clemente.

Since Orange County has opened businesses, the weekly infection record is 22% higher and hospitalizations are up 34% from a month ago, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

And where is the parking when 150-plus parking spaces and more parking lots are closed? The staff report stated that the city encourages people to walk and bicycle.

Hello! Small businesses depend upon available parking, and we do not have the Trolley this year.

Who wants to eat seated on dirty sidewalks/streets or handle or buy merchandise/clothes on racks that have been touched by dozens of people passing by?

Not me. Let’s promote our downtown businesses by eating inside a more sanitized place and shopping for merchandise inside stores that promote social distancing and sanitized their stores and merchandise.

San Clemente’s mission statement’s first priority is maintaining the health and safety of its residents. Our city council has once again failed us. Vote in the next election.

bers that the city is potentially looking at holding the fireworks show at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park.

The statement: “The purpose of this is for San Clemente residents to be able to stay home and view the fireworks from their home.” Does Mr. Sund live in Talega and, therefore, will be able to see the fireworks from his home?

I live on the hill above the pier with hundreds of other San Clement residents and have been watching the fireworks from home for 30 years. Does Mr. Sund think more San Clemente residents will be able to see the fireworks near Talega or from the original and “real” San Clemente region above the pier?

Rethink this, city managers. We may as well just cancel the fireworks and save the city some money. Let’s have the fireworks “in San Clemente” or not have them at all!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to Letters@sanclementetimes.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday. 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 or fewer words. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

JULY 4 FIREWORKS GEORGE MORRISON, San Clemente

I just finished a recent News Bites article: “No July 4 Fireworks Display at Pier; City Considering Alternatives.”

In the article, Assistant City Manager Eric Sund reportedly told councilmem-

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Join SC Times for a virtual Beachside Chat on Friday, June 19, at 8 a.m. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday. Email Shawn at sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com for a link to the Zoom meeting. All are welcome.

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK

The San Clemente Ocean Festival’s 2020 collector T-Shirts. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente Ocean Festival

SATURDAY, JUNE 20: OCEAN FESTIVAL POP-UP SHOP 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Just in time for Father’s Day, the San Clemente Ocean Festival will be hosting a pop-up sale for its collector T-shirts at the San Clemente Senior Center. Ocean Fest will have its white and navy short-sleeved adult shirts available for $20 each, as well as white youth T-shirts available for $10. For the sale of every 2020 adult T-shirt, $3 will be donated to local organizations. Past years’ collector shirts will also be available in limited sizes and styles, and at discounted prices. San Clemente Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria. Ocean Festival, 949.440.6141. oceanfestival.org.

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 sanclementetimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

Friday | 19 DONATION CARAVAN FOR FAM 2:45-4 p.m. Family Assistance Ministries is hosting a donation caravan by inviting the community to participate and donate purchased goods from Target. FAM will meet at the Target parking lot on Avenida Vista Hermosa, where participants can purchase such goods and foods as hand sanitizer, trash bags and toiletries, as well as milk, canned fruit, rice, juices and canned meat, among other items. From there, FAM will lead the caravan to its headquarters, where everyone can drop off the donated goods.

Family Assistance Ministries, 1030 Calle Negocio. For more details or to sign up to volunteer, visit givsum.com.

RIVER CRUISING— FREE WEBINAR SERIES 4-5 p.m. Local travel advisor Debbie ZetterSan Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

berg of Now Departing Travel will host a free live webinar with AmaWaterways. The presentation will focus on European winethemed river cruises and will include special guest Liz Barrett, a certified wine specialist.

Registration can be done at bit.ly/3dQ1Tdi. Now Departing Travel, 949.400.5862, debbie@nowdepartingtravel.com. nowdepartingtravel.com.

Saturday | 20 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. New social-distancing guidelines have been put in place, including a requirement that all attendants must wear face masks.

The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

Sunday | 21 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville. 949 361 8200. san-clemente.org.

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SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Whether you were a fan or a critic of President Nixon, the Nixon Library offers a stroll through history that might surprise you. The Sixties exhibit is one example. Photo: Fred Swegles

CoastLines by Fred Swegles

Let’s Visit the Nixon Library That Got Away from San Clemente What if you could visit President Nixon’s elegant former San Clemente home, gazing outside at the ocean view he woke up to every morning?

You can, 40 miles up the freeway.

Maybe it’s time to put the Richard Nixon Library and Museum on your bucket list, once the library reopens from its coronavirus closure.

One of the featured exhibits describes the San Clemente estate that Richard M. Nixon and wife Patricia owned from 196980—a home he called La Casa Pacifica, the COASTLINES

By Fred Swegles House of Peace.

You can walk into a recreation of the President’s study, with its picture-window view of the Pacific.

‘CASA PACIFICA’ There’s a diorama of the home and an aerial photo of both Casa Pacifica and a former Coast Guard station next door, offices that became the Western

White House. From 1969-74, President Nixon administered the nation’s affairs from there while in residence.

I made visits there, as a young reporter, from 1970-74, photographing presidential arrivals, departures, news briefings and events.

The Nixon Library’s San Clemente photos include images of the Nixon family and of the resident hosting Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, greeting then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan and conferring with NASA’s director about the impending development of a reusable space vehicle.

I can remember taking a photo in Nixon’s office the day he announced America would develop a space shuttle. He displayed a model that proved to be very accurate.

THERE’S FUN STUFF, TOO Visit the Nixon Library, and you can

take photos of yourself, imagining yourself as the President, sitting at his desk in the White House.

I did that in a recreation of the Oval Office, imagining myself making a world-changing telephone call.

In another photo taken at the Nixon Library, I’m seated within a cutout photograph of then-Vice President Nixon, when he was grand marshal of the Rose Parade. I’m seated next to Dick and Pat as they wave to parade fans.

YOU’VE NEVER BEEN? I visited the library on Feb. 25, not long before the coronavirus pandemic led to its closure.

“What do you mean you’ve never been to the Nixon Library?” I’d been asked more than a few times over the years.

As many readers know, San Clemente was Nixon’s first choice as the (Cont. on page 16)

A sequence of portraits tracing the life of Richard M. Nixon bids farewell to visitors at the conclusion of a stroll through the Nixon Library’s indoor museum. Outdoors, you can then visit Nixon’s Yorba Linda birthplace, the Nixons’ burial site and his presidential helicopter. Photo: Fred Swegles San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

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SC LIVING

From left: A diorama on display at the Nixon Library offers a bird’s-eye view of President Nixon’s San Clemente home, Casa Pacifica, along Cotton’s Point at the south end of town. Photo: Fred Swegles. Fred Swegles smugly inserts himself into a photo cutout in the Nixons’ car at the 1960 Tournament of Roses Parade. You, too, can do this at the Nixon Library. Photo: Courtesy of Valerie Mayer. This is the view that President Nixon woke up to at his San Clemente home, recreated at the Nixon Library and Museum in Yorba Linda. Photo: Fred Swegles

(Cont. from page 14)

site for his Presidential Library. The donated site was land tied to a controversial Marblehead Coastal development. In 1987, the Nixon Foundation abandoned that site to instead build on land at his birthplace.

When the library opened in Yorba Linda in 1990, I shrugged. I never paid a visit.

What swayed me to visit after all these years was a Facebook photo I saw of San Clemente resident Jack Daly visiting the library, grinning as he stood beside Mr. and Mrs. Nixon in a cutout photo of the Nixons touring the Great Wall of China.

“I want to be in that picture!” I thought, smirking.

When I went to the library, the Great Wall photo cutout was no longer on display. I had to settle for photos of me in the Oval Office and in Dick Nixon’s convertible in the Rose Parade.

A REAL TREAT The rest of the library is a fascinating time warp. Whether you adore or abhor Nixon, who left a mixed legacy, you can learn lots you didn’t know about the life and times of the nation’s 37th President.

The museum relates his life story in

photos, videos and exhibits. One interactive exhibit, titled “Tough Choices,” asks visitors how they would advise the President on pressing issues, based on information available to him.

You can tour his birthplace, a modest Yorba Linda home outside the library’s doors. You can learn about his upbringing, education, Navy service in the Pacific during World War II, postwar entry into politics, service as Vice President, 1960 loss to JFK and failure to win the 1962 California gubernatorial race. By 1968, he managed a dramatic political comeback, winning the Presidency.

Exhibit rooms bring to life the turbulent 1960s, the Vietnam War, U.S.-Soviet rivalries, Nixon’s bold move to establish relations with China, First Lady Pat Nixon’s role at the White House, images of Nixon in popular culture, his landslide reelection in 1972, his enemies’ list, the Watergate scandal, his 1974 resignation, his seclusion in San Clemente and his ultimate reemergence as an elder statesman, world affairs author and mentor to other Presidents.

FINAL THOUGHTS The Watergate scandal exhibit is

extensive, from Nixon’s early denials to his ultimate acknowledgment he had failed the country.

There’s a quote from President Bill Clinton, following Nixon’s 1994 death, asking America to judge Nixon on the entirety of his career, not just the scandal that brought him down.

“After he died, I found myself wishing I could pick up the phone and ask President Nixon what he thought about this issue or that problem,” Clinton is quoted as saying.

“I appreciated his insight and advice, and I’m glad he chose, at the end of his life, to share it with me.”

LEARN MORE Visit nixonlibrary.gov for virtual tours, details and to look for updates on reopening.

Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with nearly five decades of reporting experience in the city. Fred can be reached at fswegles@picketfencemedia.com. 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.

The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

WORDS FROM RICHARD M. NIXON “Every day is the last. Make it count. Is there anything I failed to do today—I will wish I could do when I no longer have the power to do it?” —On his notepad, 1970 “Let us build a structure of peace in the world in which the weak are as safe as the strong, in which each respects the right of the other to live by a different system, in which those who would influence others will do so by the strength of their ideas and not by the force of their arms.” —Inaugural address, 1973 “No words can describe the depths of my regret and pain at the anguish my mistakes over Watergate have caused the nation and the Presidency—a nation I so deeply love and an institution I so greatly respect.”

—After his resignation and pardon, 1974

From left: The Lincoln Sitting Room was a hallowed hall in the White House where President Nixon enjoyed spending quiet time pondering life and the world on his notepad. The Nixon Library’s recreation projects a variety of topical Washington, D.C. scenes through the window. Photo: Fred Swegles. Among the photo-ops at the Nixon Library is a recreation of the Oval Office at the White House, a chance to insert yourself as the President, as Fred Swegles does here.

Photo: Courtesy of Valerie Mayer. President Nixon’s landslide reelection in 1972 begs the question, wouldn’t he have won handily anyway, without dirty tricks and illegal acts that ultimately led to his resignation? Photo: Fred Swegles

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SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Life’s a Beach

by Shelley Murphy

A Crowded Nest Leads to Marie Kondo?

T

hese past few months, it seems the only consistency in our household is change.

For instance, in one day we went from a full house to an empty nest.

After months of quarantining together, my older son and his girlfriend left our house and drove to his Bay Area apartment.

That same morning, my younger son moved out of our house and took his belongings to a townhome in Newport Beach.

Though my older son and girlfriend went back to Northern California, they returned to San Clemente to celebrate his birthday last weekend.

The pair arrived in time to mark my son’s milestone and, coincidentally, the annual observance of Crowded Nest Awareness Day on June 12.

Crowded Nest Awareness Day recognizes the condition of Crowded Nest Syndrome, which occurs when parents, who adapted to the quiet of their empty nest, grapple with the return of their grown-up kids.

Although the origins of this lesserknown holiday are uncertain, it’s an actual observance with gifting guidelines, including noise-canceling headphones and cleaning-service contributions.

I haven’t contracted Crowded Nest

GUEST OPINION: Wellness & Prevention by Susan Parmelee

Supporting Anti-Racism

A

founding premise of the Wellness & Prevention Center is that change needs to happen community by community. Through meetings with youth, parents, community leaders, and mental health professionals, we knew that the support our young people needed was broken. We strategically planned to improve upon how we help teens and families address the challenges that youth face as they develop into adulthood.

By placing mental health professionals on school campuses with services open to anyone, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay, we planned to address the gaps in mental health and substance use treatment in South Orange County.

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Syndrome, since my nest sits in a constant state of flux, seesawing between deserted and chock-full.

With each home coming and going, I shuffle piles of stuff from one room to the next, clearing space for my rotating roommates.

I can’t recall my “aha” moment, but amidst schlepping my displaced items, it occurred to me that I could dispose of the clutter cramping my quarters.

As soon as I started cleaning and clearing the junk, my serotonin levels soared, and I increased my scope to include repairing, renovating, and revamping my nest.

I attribute my ambition to the hours I spent in quarantine watching fixer-upper programs showcasing inspiring home improvement projects.

It’s a sure sign the times are turbulent when I’m spending more time at Lowe’s than Nordstrom.

LIFE’S A BEACH By the way, based on

By Shelley Murphy the crowds I encounter on my many trips to Lowe’s, I’m not the only one tackling new shopping territory.

My do-it-yourself projects continue moving forward, but adhering to the advice of professionals would’ve streamlined my process.

I tried to follow the techniques of organizing guru Marie Kondo and implement her KonMari Method of cleanup. Kondo believes if you tidy your space, you can transform your life.

But I didn’t take the time to put my items into categories, nor did I follow her steps and save sentimental items for last.

Instead, I followed only one rule: I kept all the items that “spark joy,” which

amounts to a surprising stockpile of stuff.

Cleaning the garage reunited me with old friends I’d forgotten. In dusty black trash bags, I discovered the outdoor pillows I bought on clearance last August; an oversized container revealed my favorite dining room curtains I couldn’t find; and a weathered, cardboard box held pretty pots for replanting my frumpy ferns.

The producers of the show Hoarders aren’t about to knock on my door, but I do admit I’m struggling to separate from some of my sentimental stuff.

I saved the yellowed report cards my boys collected throughout school, as well as their collection of Pokemon cards that consumed their childhoods—and my bank account.

I also confess to keeping my older son’s duffel bag from his freshman year on the San Clemente High School cross country team—I don’t know why.

Perhaps it’s the recent months of

upheaval causing me to clutch tighter to my treasures; my timeworn keepsakes comfort me, connect me to the ones I love and symbolize the history we share.

Reclaiming my mementos, I had a change of heart. I’m not ready to transform my life; instead, I rather like the thought of time standing still for a moment.

So, for now, I hope Kondo doesn’t care if I continue clinging to my cluttered keepsakes that bring me joy.

For more than 20 years, Shelley Murphy and her husband have lived in San Clemente, where she raised her two sons. She’s a freelance writer and has been a contributor to the San Clemente Times since 2006. SC

While the crises of youth substance abuse and rising suicide rates were the main concerns in 2014, the racism and biases that Brown and Black people in South Orange County face were also an issue.

Systemic institutionalized racism leads to poor health outcomes, both mental and physical. The challenges that people of color face lead to more adverse childhood events and trauma that can lead to unhealthy development and increased risk for the diseases of mental health and substance use.

Sadly, our country has systems and instituWELLNESS AND tions that support racial PREVENTION discrimination and have

By Susan Parmelee led to lower socioeconomic status (SES) for the majority of our country’s Black and Brown population.

Lower SES results in mental health disparities, as youth living in poverty are exposed to more stressors and have fewer buffers to counter that stress. Low-

income neighborhoods typically have poorer quality schools and housing, fewer support systems, more single-parent homes, and more frequent exposure to racism and discrimination. Youth whose daily lives involve adversity are at increased risk for poor mental health outcomes.

As mental health professionals, WPC staff all have extensive training in crosscultural competency; however, we are now in a moment where we need to move beyond that and help our community gain skills in anti-racism.

This is a moment in which community can make a difference, as we are seeing in peaceful civil protests and dialogs. The Wellness & Prevention Center professionals encourage open conversation that promotes change to the institutions that have long supported racism.

This is a moment that should inspire all of us to do better as a community, country, and as members of the human race. With so much uncertainty facing us, we should pledge to be more compas-

sionate and understanding of each other’s perspectives.

This is bigger than current events; it is about basic human dignity regardless of skin color. Change does not occur overnight; this is going to be a difficult process, but we have the opportunity as a community to make positive change.

The Wellness & Prevention Center will be here to support youth and families through what we hope will be the beginning of a new era in the history of our country and our world. We are open to hear from members of the community as we include discussions about race as part of our communitywide wellness education.

Susan Parmelee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Executive Director of the Wellness & Prevention Center: wpc-oc.org.

She can be reached at susan@wpc-oc.org. SC

Photo: Pexels

Page 18

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.

The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

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.

The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

sanclementetimes.com

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Page 19

sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

Contributor: Pomona Public Library

FROM THE ARCHIVES Titled “San Clemente Beach

Club,” this 1929 photo of a man lounging comes from Burton Frasher’s postcard collection.

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.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Linda SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

wo-year-old Linda is a quiet kitty that is still learning how to trust. Found as a stray with her kittens, Linda had to start from scratch when it came to figuring out things such as comfy beds, petting and toys. She is slowly starting to show more of her personality. Linda gets along well with other cats and would do best with a patient owner who will help her to settle into her new environment.

If you are interested in adopting Linda, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions/adoptadog to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be

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

emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. SC

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

Last week’s solution:

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Page 20

See the solution in next week’s issue.

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Page 21

sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 100 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE INVITING ELECTRONIC BIDS RESERVOIR 9 STORM DAMAGE REPAIR City Project No. 28401 Bids shall be submitted electronically through the City’s electronic procurement system (PlanetBids) at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=28939 Bids must be received by no later than 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020. All bids received after that time will be returned to the Bidder, as they will be deemed disqualified. Only electronic bids submitted through PlanetBids will be accepted. Bid tabulations will be available on PlanetBids immediately following the bid closing.

Bidders must complete line items information (PlanetBids Line Item Tab), and attach a paper Bid Form, completed in full and signed (PlanetBids Attachments Tab). In addition, the Bidder shall attach Subcontractor(s) Listing, Experience Form, Bid Security, and all other documents required herein (PlanetBids Attachments Tab). The system will not accept a bid for which any required information is missing.

The work to be done consists of furnishing all materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals as required by the plans, specifications and contract documents for the RESERVOIR 9 STORM DAMAGE REPAIR, City Project No. 28401, in the City of San Clemente, California.

Reference is hereby made to these Specifications for further particulars, and same are by such reference incorporated herein and made a part thereof, the same as though fully set forth hereunder.

Specifications and contract documents are posted in the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at: https://www.planetbids. com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=28939 All bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System website to participate in a bid or to be added to prospective bidders list.

The contract does call for monthly progress payments based upon the engineer’s estimate of the percentage of work completed. The City will retain 5% of each progress payment as security for completion of the balance of the work. At the request and expense of the successful bidder, the City will pay amounts so retained upon compliance with the requirements of Government Code Section 14402 and the provisions of the contract documents pertaining to “substitution of securities.”

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, in accordance with Section 1770 of the California State Labor Code and in accordance with the terms of the Southern California Master Labor Agreement, has heretofore established a prevailing rate of per diem wages to be paid in the construction of the above entitled work. The said wage rates are herein referred to and adopted in this Notice as though fully set forth herein, and said scale is made a part of this Notice by reference.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.1, no contractor or sub-contractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project submitted on or after March 1, 2015 unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. Furthermore, all bidders and contractors are hereby notified that no contractor or sub-contractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public project unless registered with the Department of

San Clemente Times June 18–24, 2020

Industrial Relations.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

No bid will be accepted from a contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division III of the Business and Professions Code, State of California. Bidder shall possess a Class “A”, California State Contracting License in good standing and shall have successfully completed at least three projects of similar scope, size and complexity for a public agency.

The bidder, by submitting its electronic bid, agrees to and certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of California, that the certification, forms and affidavits submitted as part of this bid are true and correct.

The City of San Clemente reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

To be published: and:

June 11st, 2020 June 18th , 2020

_______________________________________ THOMAS A. BONIGUT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER In light of the current situation there will be NO pre-bid meeting held for the “Reservoir 9 Storm Damage Repair Project”. In-lieu of the pre-bid meeting the City is requiring that any questions in reference to the project be submitted via planet bids. The deadline to submit any questions will be Monday, July 13th, at 2:00 PM. Thank you for your understanding.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE INVITING ELECTRONIC BIDS NORTH EL CAMINO REAL STORM DAMAGE REPAIR Bids shall be submitted electronically through the City’s electronic procurement system (PlanetBids) at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=28939 Bids must be received by no later than 2:00 p.m., on July 21, 2020. All bids received after that time will be returned to the Bidder, as they will be deemed disqualified. Only electronic bids submitted through PlanetBids will be accepted. Bid tabulations will be available on PlanetBids immediately following the bid closing.

Bidders must complete line items information (PlanetBids Line Item Tab), and attach a paper Bid Form, completed in full and signed (PlanetBids Attachments Tab). In addition the Bidder shall attach Subcontractor(s) Listing, Experience Form, Bid Security, and all other documents required herein (PlanetBids Attachments Tab). The system will not accept a bid for which any required information is missing.

The work to be done consists of furnishing all materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals as required by the plans, specifications and contract documents for the NORTH EL CAMINO REAL STORM DAMAGE REPAIR, in the City of San Clemente, California.

The project generally involves grading, removal of sloughed soils from a slope, construction of 15 (fifteen) concrete buttresses, removal and reconstruction of approximately 170 linear feet of 3-foot high slough wall, sidewalk, curb and removal and construction of bike lane asphalt. Project also includes installation of hydraugers.

Page 22

Reference is hereby made to these Specifications for further particulars, and same are by such reference incorporated herein and made a part thereof, the same as though fully set forth hereunder.

Specifications and contract documents are posted in the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=28939 All bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System website to participate in a bid or to be added to prospective bidders list.

The contract does call for monthly progress payments based upon the engineer’s estimate of the percentage of work completed. The City will retain 5% of each progress payment as security for completion of the balance of the work. At the request and expense of the successful bidder, the City will pay amounts so retained upon compliance with the requirements of Government Code Section 14402 and the provisions of the contract documents pertaining to “substitution of securities.”

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, in accordance with Section 1770 of the California State Labor Code and in accordance with the terms of he Southern California Master Labor Agreement, has heretofore established a prevailing rate of per diem wages to be paid in the construction of the above entitled work. The said wage rates are herein referred to and adopted in this Notice as though fully set forth herein, and said scale is made a part of this Notice by reference.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.1, no contractor or sub-contractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project submitted on or after March 1, 2015 unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. Furthermore, all bidders and contractors are hereby notified that no contractor or sub-contractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

No bid will be accepted from a contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division III of the Business and Professions Code, State of California. Bidder shall possess a Class “A”, California State Contracting License in good standing, and shall have successfully completed two projects of similar scope for a public agency.

The bidder, by submitting its electronic bid, agrees to and certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of California, that the certification, forms and affidavits submitted as part of this bid are true and correct.

The City of San Clemente reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

To be published: and:

June 11, 2020 June 18, 2020

__________________________ Thomas A. Bonigut Public Works Director / City Engineer A NON-MANDATORY pre-bid meeting will be held to inspect the site and discuss the work to be done and the Contractor’s responsibilities. The City’s representatives will be available to address questions. The meeting will initially be held at 910 Calle Negocio, Parking Lot, San Clemente, CA

92673, on July 2, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. to be followed with a field visit.

NOTE: ALL ATTENDEES SHOULD WEAR FACE MASKS AND KEEP AT LEAST 6-FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING. PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE INVITING ELECTRONIC BIDS Street Rehab. for Via Pico Plaza (Ave. Pico to End of Via Pico Plaza) PN 13315, Ave. Pico (Calle De Los Molinos to Via Pico Plaza) PN 17329, Ave. Navarro (Ave. Pico to Calle De Los Molinos) PN 16352, Calle De Industrias (Calle De Los Molinos to Ave. Pico) PN 16352 And Calle De Los Molinos (Ave. Pico to Ave. Navarro) PN 16353 Bids shall be submitted electronically through the City’s electronic procurement system (PlanetBids) at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=28939 Bids must be received by no later than 2:00 p.m. on Thursday July 2, 2020. PlanetBids will not receive any bids submitted after 2:00 p.m., as they will be deemed disqualified. Only electronic bids submitted through PlanetBids will be accepted. Bid tabulations will be available on PlanetBids immediately following the bid closing.

Bidders must complete line items information (PlanetBids Line Item Tab), and attach a paper Bid Form, completed in full and signed (PlanetBids Attachments Tab). In addition the Bidder shall attach Subcontractor(s) Listing, Experience Form, Copy of Bid Security, and all other documents required herein (PlanetBids Attachments Tab). The system will not accept a bid for which any required information is missing. Prior to the bid due date and time, all bidders shall submit the original Bid Security to: Chris Tanio, PE City of San Clemente 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100 San Clemente, CA 92673 The work to be done consists of furnishing all materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals as required by the plans, specifications and contract documents for CITY Project No’s. 13315, 16352, 16353, AND 17329 in the City of San Clemente, California.

Reference is hereby made to these Specifications for further particulars, and same are by such reference incorporated herein and made a part thereof, the same as though fully set forth hereunder.

Specifications and contract documents are posted in the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=28939 All bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System website to participate in a bid or to be added to prospective bidders list.

The contract does call for monthly progress payments based upon the engineer’s estimate of the percentage of work completed. The City will retain 5% of each progress payment as security for completion of the balance of the work. At the request and expense of the successful bidder, the City will pay amounts so retained upon compliance with the requirements of Government Code Section 14402 and the provisions of the contract documents pertaining to “substitution of securities.”

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, in accordance with Section 1770 of the California State sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES

SC

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

San Clemente

Labor Code and in accordance with the terms of he Southern California Master Labor Agreement, has heretofore established a prevailing rate of per diem wages to be paid in the construction of the above entitled work. The said wage rates are herein referred to and adopted in this Notice as though fully set forth herein, and said scale is made a part of this Notice by reference.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.1, no contractor or sub-contractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations.

Furthermore, all bidders and contractors are hereby notified that no contractor or sub-contractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations.

The City of San Clemente reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Dated: To be published: and:

June 4th, 2020 June 11th, 2020 June 18, 2020

No bid will be accepted from a contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division III of the Business and Professions Code, State of California. Bidder shall possess a Class “A” California State Contracting License in good standing and shall have successfully completed two projects of similar scope for a public agency.

The bidder, by submitting its electronic bid, agrees to and certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of California, that the certification, forms and affidavits submitted as part of this bid are true and correct.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

___________________________ Tom Bonigut, P.E. Public Works Director / City Engineer In light of the current situation there will be NO pre-bid meeting held for the subject. In-lieu of the pre-bid meeting the City is requiring that any questions in reference to the project be submitted via PlanetBids. The deadline to submit any questions will be Friday, June 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

LO C ALS O NLY

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

CHOCOLATE/CANDY Schmid’s Fine Chocolates 99 Avenida del Mar, 949.369.1052 schmidschocolate.com

DENTISTS Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S. 3553 Camino Mira Costa, suite B, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com

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

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

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com Shoreline Dental Studio/ Kristen Ritzau DDS, Dr. Colby Livingston 122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.498.4110, shorelinedentalstudio.com

DIGITAL MARKETING CONSULTING/SERVICES Kelli Murrow Consulting www.kellimurrow.com 949.573.7725

ELECTRICAL Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com Braker Electric 949-291-5812 Lic# 719056 Insured

JEWELRY BUCKLEY & CO. 415 E. Avenida Pico #D 949.218.1184, BuckleyJewelry.com

MUSIC LESSONS Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556, danmans.com

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at sanclementetimes.com

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

Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

Contact Lauralyn at 949.388.7700, ext. 102

PROSTHODONTICS Hamilton Le, D.M.D., F.A.C.P. 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K 949.361.4867 (GUMS) moranperio.com

REALTORS “Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes 949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com

RESTAURANTS Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS Salon Bleu 207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, scsalonbleu.com

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday.

No phone calls.

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED: FINANCE SPECIALIST (SAN CLEMENTE, CA) Assist in any or all of the aspects of Finance, including but not limited to: payroll, bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting and forecasting, tax preparation for individuals and all types businesses, business formations, and providing tax advises and investment planning based on financial condition of clients. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance or Business. Must be computer literate and detail oriented. Mail resume to Metya, Inc: 616 S El Camino Real, Ste H, San Clemente, CA 92672, or fax 949-498-2054.

WANTED WW2 WAR SOUVENIRS Buying WW2 War souvenirs of all kinds, US, German, Japanese. Helmets, swords, flags, insignia, medals, optics etc. Vietnam items also.

858.335.9963

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection 1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, atozleakdetection.com Bill Metzger Plumbing 1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, billmetzerplumbing.com

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Page 23

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at sanclementetimes.com.

Contact Lauralyn Loynes for pricing 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or email lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

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San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Page 24

sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

One Small Step

the CIF has throughout the process, that reopening athletic programs will depend on the reopening of schools as determined by the districts and other powers that be.

The CIF release, which came after a teleconference last week between the CIF State office and the 10 section commissioners, also stated that the fate of fall sports will be determined by no later than July 20.

“At this meeting, there was a lengthy discussion regarding the various scenarios that relate to Fall Sports,” CIF-Southern Section commissioner Rob Wigod said. “In the effort to give as much time as possible to make the most informed decision we can, it was agreed that there will be an announcement from the CIF State Office addressing the status of Fall Sports to be made no later than Monday, July 20.”

Per the CIF guidelines, CIF is offering a 30-day waiver to obtain the necessary pre-participation physical, due to possible

difficulties students could have in getting those examinations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The CIF guidelines also outline that facilities should be wiped down and sanitized prior to each group entering for workouts; start and end times for these sessions should be staggered to avoid crossover; all coaches and students should be screened daily for any symptoms of COVID-19; water bottles and food should not be shared, and water fountains and coolers should only be used to refill personal bottles; and state, local and district guidelines for face coverings should be followed.

When these workouts resume, there are many physical limitations as outlined by the CIF. In its Phase One, CIF says to follow local county guidelines for the number of people allowed for gatherings inside or outside and to maintain the minimum

six feet for social distancing. CIF recommends workouts to be conducted in “pods,” with the same group of 5-10 students working out together weekly. In its Phase Two, CIF sticks with the county rules for indoor gatherings but allows for up to 50 people for outdoor workouts.

These all come with the limits on activities and equipment, which certainly affect some sports more than others.

“It’s about re-acclimating with players and coaches,” San Clemente football coach Jaime Ortiz said. “We’re trying to do it right and take care of our student-athletes.

If we can get back, it will bring a sense of normalcy that helps everyone mentally and physically.”

For sports such as cross country, track, swimming and golf, any return to practice, even with these proposed limitations, will be mostly normal.

For more equipment-heavy or interactive team sports, it will be more difficult.

Volleyball, soccer, basketball and water polo are recommended to have individual ball-handling drills, with each player having their own ball and no other players touching that ball. Baseball and softball will be able to hit off the tee, but the balls used must be collected and cleaned before another use. Football can run drills with proper distancing, but a ball cannot be passed around or a tackling dummy cannot be shared. Wrestling can conduct mirror drills, with proper spacing, and individual skill drills.

All sports are allowed conditioning, and that’s what most sports will look like in the initial periods.

All dates are tentative, the groups will be small, and the activities will all be extremely limited. Even so, local sports teams are a few steps closer to retaking the field. SC

COVID-19 state guidance as day camps.

The state guidance and county allowance will only permit youth sports to resume practicing. The state has not provided a set time in which sporting events or games with spectators could resume.

“Orange County residents understand the severe impacts that COVID-19 has on our residents, but these issues can be mitigated by following state guidelines,” Fifth District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said. “By allowing youth sports practices to resume in a safe manner, it allows Orange County children to enjoy time with their peers and have a little bit of normalcy at this time.”

The state guidance for reopening of day camps, which went into effect on Friday, June 12, instructs the promotion

of healthy hygiene practices, intensified cleaning and disinfection, implementation of physical distancing and proper training for all staff and families.

The state guidance does not explicitly state a number for the limit on participants, only limiting the number of persons in the camp to a number that can appropriately maintain physical distancing.

The San Clemente Little League has been preparing to resume its season for a few weeks. SCLL president Aaron Johnson said the league will get back to practicing shortly, but games will only come when the county and city will allow.

“Under the direction of Little League International and District 68, we have made and submitted to the city a plan

of safety guidelines,” Johnson said. “The league is going to implement these protocols to help minimize health risks when we get back to play.”

San Clemente Surf Soccer Club Director of Coaching Chris Murray said the club’s younger teams will return to day camps next week with proper safety protocols in place, which include a maximum of 11 players, no-contact drills, players six feet apart and coaches wearing masks.

Murray said the club’s older teams are waiting for word back from the city of San Clemente, which is not issuing permits currently but working on a plan similar to the younger teams.

If any other youth sports leagues are returning to practices and camps, please send information to Zach Cavanagh at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. SC

CUSD announces tentative July 6 camp starts; CIF releases reopening guidelines

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

H

igh school sports in the Capistrano Unified School District saw a spark of life last week that can give San Clemente High School athletes some sliver of hope for an as-normal-as-possible fall sports season.

On June 8, CUSD announced a tentative start of July 6 for high school sports conditioning camps, which would follow National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), county, state and federal health and safety guidelines.

“Capistrano Unified School District values our co-curricular athletic summer camps and the opportunities these camps provide our high school students,” the CUSD statement said. “School connectedness through athletic teams provides our students with lifelong friendships and dynamic opportunities to thrive in our school cultures. Our school summer Conditioning: Phase 1 camps will tentatively begin on July 6th, with appropriate measures to ensure student health and safety.”

The CIF State office also released its own set of guidelines on a return to physical activity and training on Friday, June 12. The CIF guidelines mostly follow the NFHS guidelines and also the state’s, as

County Allows Reopening of Youth Sports Practices

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Y

outh sports finally received the go-ahead to restart practices on Monday, June 15.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors announced that practices for youth sports will reopen under the same

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Full-contact practices in any sport are still a bit away, but the Capistrano Unified School District and CIF took small steps back toward the field last week with tentative dates and guidelines for potential July conditioning workouts. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Page 25

sanclementetimes.com

SC SC SURF San Clemente

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

It’s Good to Be Home Patrick Gudauskas and family return to San Clemente after 3-month lockdown in Australia

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

F

or Patrick Gudauskas, 2020 started off similar to years prior. While competing on the World Surf League’s Qualifying Series early in the year, he found himself in China and Morocco, before eventually coming back home to San Clemente for a few days at the end of February.

Gearing up for a run of contests in Australia, Gudauskas came home to reload his quiver of surfboards and rejoin his wife and young son.

In early March, the trio landed in Australia and were getting ready for a big event in nearby New Zealand. Then lockdowns and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 were suddenly put in place.

“It was a pretty wild moment in time where there was a lot of uncertainty,” Gudauskas said last week. “There weren’t any flights out for under 10 grand for like a month and a half. So we just decided to post up. My wife’s family lives around Byron Bay. It was actually one of the best trips I’ve ever had to Australia, because we got to slow down and experience the seasons changing there. It was really special

Patrick Gudauskas ditching the fins during a pre-coronavirus trip to Mexico. Photo: Courtesy of The Vibe Up

to be there with the family.”

Gudauskas had planned to compete on the Qualifying Series full-time this season, but when the WSL postponed all of its events, he found himself having to recalibrate his expectations for the year.

“I’m so used to living out of a suitcase and moving and grooving, that this was a unique opportunity to actually be in one place for an extended period of time,” Gudauskas said. “We really were able to plug into the community in Australia, and that was really cool. To have that time with my son and my wife and her family and be able to really enjoy the moment for what it was; it helped open up new thought processes. I was able to really press the reset button.”

For competitive surfers like Gudauskas who are constantly on the road, the demands of competition don’t afford them the time to experiment with their equip-

ment. The focus on getting results is so singular that trying new boards and different designs can be a big risk.

Gudauskas has the boards he rides in competitions (the Channel Islands Surfboards “Fever” model) completely dialed in, so stepping away from the arena allowed him to get a new sensation under his feet.

“I ended up picking up a bunch of boards off the rack over there—a full potpourri,” Gudauskas said. “I had a C.I. mid-length that was insane. It was a 6’10” and it went so well. I also grabbed a 5’6” Fishbeard twin-fin. It was sick!”

“I noticed that all the tour guys I surfed with over there were on just different boards. It was fun to see that,” he continued. “It was just sick, because everyone has the freedom now to kind of experiment with what they’re riding. We’re all just surfing.”

After three and a half months Down Un-

der, eventually the Gudauskas family was able to book airline tickets home and brave traveling through international airports.

“It was actually really weird, because we were pretty much the only people in the airports. There were like 10 people on our flight from Australia,” he said.

If timing is everything, Gudauskas nailed it, returning home to a solid run of south swell in San Clemente.

“It feels so good to be back home and tap back into the community here,” he said. “This whole thing has been such a unique experience. I think we’ll all come through it having learned a lot about ourselves and the world around us.”

In terms of what this moment means for the sport of surfing, Gudauskas has always been a glass-half-full kind of guy.

He sees brighter days ahead.

“It’s kind of a ‘thank goodness moment,’ I think. It feels like with all the different directions surfing has been growing into and changing, the biggest takeaway from COVID-19 is that as a surfer, regardless of being professional or not, there’s a really strong love for surfing in so many people, and it’s so evident right now,” he said. “It gets me fired up to be a surfer, you know.

I think it’s going to be really good for the whole sport.”

Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente.

A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

SURF FORECAST

GROM OF THE WEEK

KAI THOMPSON

Water Temperature: 67-69 Degrees F

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-12‘

I

t’s hard to miss Kai Thompson, one of the newest members of the Dana Point Surf Club, while he’s out at Salt Creek rocking his pink wetsuit and board combo.

It’s a wonderful thing.

“My favorite local spot to surf is Salt Creek, and my favorite place to skimboard is Aliso Beach,” says Kai, who just wrapped up fourth grade at Canyon Vista Elementary.

“I just love being in the ocean; I love riding any kind of board, surf, skim, boogie board whomper, even body surfing,” Kai says. “I love that feeling when you get a great wave, and I also love getting pounded, too, because that’s always fun!”

Ripping on a surfboard or a skimboard, Kai’s been working with coach Brandon Phillips at Vert Performance to take his game to the next level.

San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

Thursday: A long-period South/southwest swell sets up waist-stomach-chest high waves, (2-3-4’). Light south morning winds, rise to 6-10kts in the afternoon.

Kai Thompson. Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Sears

“I think it’s great, because a lot of kids bail on skimming once they get good enough at surfing, but Kai has stuck with it, and it’s become a unique attribute,” says Phillips. “He is used to taking a beating in heavy close-out sets onto the sand, which is probably why he loves surfing Gravels so much.”

In terms of where Kai sees his passion for the sea taking him, he’s got big dreams

to accompany his big talent.

“My dream would be to be competing both as a professional surfer and professional skimboarder at the same time, but I will be happy to be surfing, skimming, riding any type of board and all kinds of waves all around the world, and still loving the ocean and having as much fun as I am now,” says Kai. SC

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Outlook: More South/southwest swell fills in on Friday, with surf rising to waist-shoulder-head high, (3-4-5’) by the afternoon.

Light southerly winds Friday morning, turn westerly 6-8kts for the afternoon. South/ southwest swell maintains waist-shoulderhead high waves, (3-4-5’) through the weekend. Saturday and Sunday have light/variable morning winds, followed by a moderate westerly sea breeze in the afternoons.

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San Clemente Times June 18–24, 2020

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San Clemente Times June 18-24, 2020

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