December 26, 2019

December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

LO C A L

N EWS

YO U

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INSIDE: Adventures Await in the Winter 2019 Go.See.Do. SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 14, ISSUE 52

The San Clemente Times offers a look back at its coverage of 2019. Illustration: Chelsie Rex

Removal of CC&Rs for Homeless Shelter Rejected EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

TCA Scoping Period Extended Until Feb. 7 EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

sanclementetimes.com

CoastLines: Highlighting Favorite Reader Responses SC LIVING/PAGE 22

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

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week Business Park Votes Against Termination of CC&Rs for Potential Homeless Shelter THE LATEST: A homeless advocacy group’s desire to purchase land from the Rancho San Clemente Business Park and develop an emergency shelter is currently in jeopardy, as business owners within the park last week voted down a request to terminate the parcels from the association’s CC&Rs. The business owners voted 2-to-1 against the termination of the CC&Rs—or rules and guidelines over the property—that was a condition of the sale agreement between the Rancho SC Business Park Association and Emergency Shelter Coalition.

According to Bob Adams, president of the Rancho SC Business Park, the association met on Thursday, Dec. 19, to open and count the ballots, with the results being about 26 votes in favor and 52 votes against.

“They can back out if we don’t remove the CC&Rs, and the people said, ‘No, don’t remove them,’ ” Adams said, adding that ESC “themselves told us months ago that if it didn’t pass, they weren’t going to move forward. It’s up to them now.”

Following the results of the vote, the association sent a notification to the coalition, giving them until early January to decide whether to proceed with the sale or not.

When San Clemente Times emailed Ed Connor, an attorney representing ESC, for comment, he replied that he and the group had just learned of the results of the vote and were quite disappointed by the outcome.

As for next steps, he explained that they haven’t had a chance to confer with their real estate counsel to discuss such matters and suspects that the holiday schedules are likely to complicate their ability to do so.

This past October, the nonprofit organization and the business park entered into the sale agreement, as the association was looking to sell two parcels it owns within the city’s open space on the north side of Pico, opposite Calle del Cerro, for $19,500.

The two parcels, amounting to 10 acres, have an appraised value of $12,000—a low

The public-comment period to submit thoughts and concerns over the South County Traffic Relief Effort has been extended to Feb. 7. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

appraisal because of open space restrictions. According to the association, it spends an average of $20,000 annually to maintain that land, which doesn’t provide any “economic benefit.”

“We want to get rid of it; it’s a liability to the Business Park,” Adams has previously stated.

Another condition of the sale agreement was a guarantee that ESC wouldn’t develop a homeless shelter within the main part of the business park.

In 2016, the city identified the Rancho SC Business Park as a section in its Emergency Shelter Overlay zone, establishing the area where emergency shelters can operate within the city. The Overlay zone allows as many as 70 shelter beds for the homeless.

The unveiling of the vote on whether to terminate the CC&Rs had been delayed from late October to this past week, as some of the business owners didn’t receive the appropriate number of ballots the first time around.

Business owners in early October were given 30 days to submit their ballots. However, after park leadership learned that not everyone received the correct number of ballots—some business owners own multiple properties—they decided to resend the ballots around mid-November, giving the members another 30 days to vote.

The Business Park Association had previously noted that any proposal to develop on that land will face obstacles because of the open space restrictions—primarily the city’s Measure V ordinance. Measure V, a voter-approved initiative, mandates that any open space project more than one acre

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

has to go to a vote of the people.

The association has stated that it’s unclear how ESC intends to “circumvent the open space restrictions . . . but they are willing to assume that risk.”

Connor had previously acknowledged the “tremendous challenges” the group would have faced “in trying to change the land-use designations for the property so that a shelter could be built there.”

WHAT’S NEXT: If the sale is terminated, the association already has a couple of potential buyers lined up to purchase the property for even more than what ESC was offering. After news first broke of the potential sale with ESC, the city of San Clemente and Olen Commercial Properties also made their interest known in purchasing the parcels.

According to Adams, both prospective buyers have offered to put down an additional $500 for the property, establishing the price tag at $20,000.

City Manager James Makshanoff, who recently announced his resignation from the city, previously told SC Times that the city is interested in purchasing the property and turning it into a conservation easement that could thwart one of the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ proposed toll road extension options.

Adams said ESC has until Jan. 2 to decide its next move.—Shawn Raymundo

TCA Scoping Period Extended Until Feb. 7 THE LATEST: The initial stages of the envi-

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ronmental process to study the proposed 241 Toll Road extensions through San Clemente and parts of San Juan Capistrano are officially underway, as Caltrans is now accepting public comment and review of the South County Traffic Relief Effort.

The public-comment period has been extended to Feb. 7.

The Relief Effort, which includes a series of proposed routes—some of which intend to extend the 241 through San Clemente and connect to the I-5 Freeway, while another is to extend Crown Valley Parkway to the 241—are intended to “improve north-south regional mobility in South Orange County and accommodate regional travel demand,” according to Caltrans.

Comments received during scoping will be taken into account in the drafting and preparation of the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement.

The initial public-comment period was set at 30 days. The period was extended to 60 days after San Clemente Mayor Dan Bane had implored Caltrans and the TCA to provide more time during the holidays.

On Dec. 13, Caltrans, in cooperation with TCA, issued a Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report to announce the public scoping period had been extended a second time until Feb. 7, for an overall 90-day period.

Initially, there was a total of 24 overall ideas for the project, but those have been narrowed down to 11 alternative proposals—including a no-build option—all of which will eventually go through environmental and engineering studies.

(Cont. on page 4) sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) The proposed options that could potentially impact San Clemente and San Juan include alternatives 13, 14, 17, 21, 22 and 23.

Alternative 13 would have the 241 extension come down through San Juan and cut west to connect to the I-5.

Alternative 17 would similarly have the 241 travel down through San Juan and continue south into San Clemente, connecting to the I-5 through Shorecliffs.

Alternative 14 is proposed to extend down near the western border of Rancho Mission Viejo, cross over La Pata and join the freeway by Avenida Pico.

Alternative 21 comprises two separate roadway segments, with the first one extending Los Patrones Parkway from Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata. “The second segment would provide a median-to-median, highoccupancy toll (HOT) lane connector from SR 73 to I-5,” according to the Relief Effort.

Alternative 22, a road alignment plan that Orange County Board Supervisor and Chairperson Lisa Bartlett had proposed, would connect the new Los Patrones Parkway from Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata, running along the east side of the Prima Deschecha Landfill.

Alternative 23, which has a few potential components to it, would extend the managed lanes—High Occupancy Toll lanes and High Occupancy Vehicle lanes—on the I-5, from Pico to the Basilone Road interchange.

WHAT’S NEXT: To submit public comment, email scoping@sctre.org or send a letter addressed thusly: Attn.: Env/SCTRE Scoping, Caltrans District 12, 1750 East 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Public comments that are submitted will be reviewed by both the TCA and Caltrans.—Lillian Boyd

City Eyes Dog Park as Potential Site for New Homeless Encampment THE LATEST: Less than a week after the city’s outdoor homeless shelter on Avenida Pico officially closed, the council took additional steps toward locating an alternative shelter location, eyeing a portion of a local dog park as a potential interim camping site for the homeless.

The council voted during its Dec. 17 meeting to approve the city staff’s recommendation to initiate a general plan amendment, which would change the land-use designation of the San Clemente Dog Park on Avenida La Pata to allow for a temporary camp location.

“The goal of such an amendment would be to provide the City with more discretion and regulatory flexibility to address issues that adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare,” the city stated in an agenda report that was included in the council’s consent calendar.

A new private preschool coming to Camino De Estrella will provide a comprehensive education for young children. Photo: Collin Breaux

The city considers items listed in the council’s consent calendar as routine and can “be enacted by one motion without discussion” unless there’s a request by councilors, staff or the public to remove the item for deliberation.

According to the city, the 0.6-acre site located at 301 Avenida La Pata was identified as a feasible location for potential interim camping site. It’s currently zoned as “open space—public” within the Rancho San Clemente Specific Plan.

“Under the current zoning, the use of the property is limited to parks and recreational uses, public utilities, schools, and civic uses,” the city stated in its report.

Initially, the city also noted, the council had begun to evaluate the site feasibility of another vacant city-owned lot on Avenida Fabricante, located in the industrial park zone, but later told staff to explore additional sites for establishing a camp.

Assistant City Manager Erik Sund told San Clemente Times last week that the Rancho San Clemente Business Park Association has been vocal in raising concerns about the use of the dog park site, noting that it’s a severe fire hazard zone and would have an impact on the environment.

Though the proposed amendment occurs on open-space lands, the city states that it’s not subject to the city’s Measure V ordinance—the voter-approved initiative mandating that any open space project more than one acre has to go to a vote of the people.

In the city’s report, it notes that the space being reclassified is less than one acre in size.

The initiation came days after the city locked the gates to the Pico homeless encampment, which had opened this past May as a solution to relocate the influx of homeless persons camping out at the North Beach area.

WHAT’S NEXT: The latest move to potentially designate the dog park as a camp site also comes amid the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of hearing an appeal to the controversial ruling in the homeless-

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

ness case Martin v. City of Boise.

Under that Boise ruling, municipalities are barred from enforcing any anti-camping ordinance unless adequate outdoor shelter space for the homeless is offered.

That denial to take up the case means the city will have to sit down with the county, law enforcement and other stakeholders to discuss a new strategy in combating the homeless crisis, Sund said.

Sund also said that the council’s action just begins the process of making the amendment, as there other steps that will first need to be completed, such as going to the Planning Commission before circling back to the city council.—SR

The Lodge Seeks to Add Rooftop Deck to Hotel Structure THE LATEST: With the development of a new 130-bed hotel at the Outlets at San Clemente solidly in the construction phase, the property developer recently filed an application with the city, asking to add a fifth-story rooftop deck that would include a bar and restaurant.

According to Katie Crockett, the city’s associate planner, the developer of The Lodge at San Clemente filed discretionary permits to include the additional story to the hotel and conference center.

The additional floor would change the engineering of the structure, but the hotel, as it was presented and approved, was designed in a way that it could support a fifth story, increasing a portion of the site from the existing permitted height of 45 feet to 62 feet, Crockett said.

The request, Crockett also said, would necessitate that an amendment be made to the General Plan and the Specific Plan for the site. She added that while the city hasn’t completed its first review of the application, staff will need additional information from the applicant.

Craig Realty Group, the Newport

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Beach-based real estate development company behind the outlet center, is the applicant for The Lodge. Founder Steven Craig could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Crockett explained the building permits for the foundation have already been pulled, allowing the company to get started on construction. The company has not yet pulled the building permits for the structure, but the city expects them to do so soon.

On a related topic, the new Chick-fil-A, another development project going in at the outlets center, adjacent to the hotel, could soon begin construction as the city is ready to issue building permits to the company once it completes some grading work for the site.

“They need to have that done before they can pull building permits,” Crockett said, adding: “It’s just that they have to complete a prior phase of work … so it should be soon.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Crocket said the application for The Lodge’s rooftop deck could go before the Design Review Subcommittee to review the architectural change as early as February.—SR

New Private Preschool Opening THE LATEST: Community Seedlings Preschool, a private preschool, is scheduled to open in summer 2020.

It will have a social constructivist curriculum and hold classes at Palisades United Methodist Church (27002 Camino De Estrella), though the school will be independent of the church.

Student instruction will be held in indoor classrooms and also outdoors, incorporating play activities, group interactions and other educational approaches.

Children will move throughout different parts of the campus during the day to receive comprehensive learning.

“We want their love of learning to blossom here through art, science, math, literacy, technology and meaningful interaction with the new site’s expansive outdoor environment,” said Carrie Conti Fetter, co-founder and director, in a news release.

Community Seedlings is for ages 2 ½ to 5 ½. The curriculum is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of teaching, learning and advocacy for children that originated in Northern Italy, according to the news release.

The public will be able to take a tour of the facility on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 10:15 until 11:15 a.m. Visit learningcommunities.org/welcome-to-communityseedlings to learn more about the school and enroll. People interested in the school can also contact Fetter by email at cfetter@learningcommunities.org.

—Collin Breaux sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Humanitarian Bike Rider Working to End Human Trafficking Invited to San Clemente The San Clemente Sunrise Rotary invited Naresh Kumar, a humanitarian activist working to end modern slavery, to speak at the group’s recent fireside chat, where he shared stories of his latest international biking expedition meant to raise awareness about human trafficking.

This past May, Kumar completed his ride, traveling on a tandem bicycle across two continents for about 5,400 miles from Chennai, India to Hamburg, Germany.

Along the 87-day journey, he picked up nearly 200 strangers to pedal with him and assist with his goal of ending slavery.

The bike ride was meant to both raise awareness and funds to combat human trafficking and child abuse, Kumar’s gofundme page states. According to the site, he raised $12,513 toward his goal of $20,000, which will benefit organizations that work to rescue, rehabilitate and empower victims of human trafficking.

After completing the bike ride, Kumar spoke at the International Rotary Convention in Hamburg, where he linked up with Dave McCleary, the vice chair of the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS).

Upon learning that Kumar was recently in Northern California, the local Rotarian group invited him to San Clemente.

“San Clemente Sunrise Rotary flew him to San Clemente to meet the community at a couple fireside chats (Cafe Calypso and Zebra Coffee House) where he shared stories of the humanity he encountered along his recent expedition,” Sally Guon, Sunrise Rotary member, said in a press release. “His magnetic personality left his audience captivated and asking ‘how can I help’ wage this war on modern-day slavery?”

Kumar has participated in similar excursions, either cycling thousands of miles or running hundreds of miles, all with the goal of raising awareness and funds for the cause. His next adventure will take him across the U.S., as next spring he intends to again ride a tandem bicycle and pick up strangers.

“We are very excited and look forward when Naresh returns to California, as he begins his next expedition in April,” Guon said in the release.

According to Guon, Kumar will end the trip in Atlanta. While there, he’ll reconnect with McCleary before joining with the other Rotarians at the Rotary International 2020 in Honolulu.

Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente Sunrise Rotary

San Juan Hills High Principal Promoted to CUSD Assistant Superintendent Local teacher and principal Jennifer Smalley was promoted this month to be a Capistrano Unified School District assistant superintendent, overseeing the curriculum and instruction of preschool through fifth grade.

During their meeting on Dec. 11, the CUSD Board of Trustees appointed Smalley to the position of elementary assistant superintendent. Smalley, a 28-year educator, got her first start teaching at Shorecliffs Middle School and was most recently heading up San Hills High School as the principal.

“I am honored to begin working with our elementary principals and staff,” Smalley said in a press release from CUSD. “The foundations we set in elementary education lay the groundwork for our students’ success through middle and high school, and into college and career.”

According to CUSD, Smalley’s focus on the school’s vision and learning goals has helped to increase student achievement in state testing and higher enrollment in AP courses, as well as expand pathways for colleges and careers.

“With the addition of Jen Smalley, we are prioritizing even greater resources on our younger students,” Superintendent Kirsten Vital said in a press release. “Our goal is to improve outcomes and increase success and opportunities for young people as they prepare for middle school, high school and beyond.”

To fill the principal role at San Juan Hills, the trustees appointed Executive Director of Secondary Education Tim Hornig in the interim, while the district searches for a permanent replacement.

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.

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

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EYE ON SC

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Every year, the San Clemente Times looks back at its coverage throughout year and compiles the top stories that happened around town.

From issues related to homelessness and a special election held this fall, 2019 proved to be a rollercoaster of a year for the city of San Clemente.

Here is only a fraction of everything that went down in 2019:

A RECAP OF THIS YEAR’S TOP STORIES JANUARY San Clemente started off the year with a couple of long-running businesses shutting down.

Duke’s, which had been a favorite haunt for locals, closed its doors in the downtown corridor after negotiations with the landlord had fallen through. And down El Camino Real, in North Beach, the owners of San Clemente Art Supply decided to retire and close their shop after being in business for more than 15 years.

Freshman Congressman Mike Levin, who represents South Orange County cities under the 49th Congressional District, started off his term in the midst of a partial federal government shutdown.

The Capistrano Unified School District’s (CUSD) legal counsel gave a presentation to the Board of Trustees, explaining how the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) proposed 241-Toll Road extensions are likely to negatively impact nearby schools.

FEBRUARY In February, the city was able to make significant headway in its legal battle with MemorialCare, the owner and former operator of San Clemente’s vacant hospital.

Federal Judge David O. Carter ruled that the city was within its right to zone the parcel on which the Saddleback Memorial Medical

Center hospital sits specifically for emergency services.

The year ended up being a rather turbulent one for the city of San Clemente in terms of its struggles to tackle the rising homelessness crisis. The city and its neighboring cities of South Orange County were forced to face the issue head-on in late February, when they were included in a lawsuit over a lack of shelters.

Orange County Catholic Worker, along with the Emergency Shelter Coalition and Housing is a Human Right Orange County, filed the federal complaint on Feb. 27, accusing the cities of not doing enough to provide shelters to the homeless.

MARCH Faced with the new federal suit and mounting pressure from citizens urging the city to address the tent city that had begun to form at North Beach, the council initiated the process to begin looking for space to operate a temporary homeless shelter.

As the city struggled with its homelessness crisis, it was able to select a new Chief of Police Services, Lt. Edward Manhart, who was appointed by the council on March 15 to replace outgoing chief Lt. Mike Peters.

And over at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), Southern California Edison prepared to get hit with a $116,000 fine by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

(NRC) over violations relating to an incident that occurred while loading a spent nuclear fuel canister in August 2018.

APRIL About a month after Edison was hit with the fine, Rep. Levin toured SONGS, where he announced that he was going to formally introduce legislation that could give priority to the nuclear power plant when it comes to removing its spent nuclear fuel.

Levin said the bill would require the U.S. Department of Energy to consider a set of three criteria when determining which sites to first begin offloading nuclear waste.

With CUSD at the time mulling whether to put a pair of regional bond measures for school facilities improvement funding on the March 2020 Primary Election ballot, a poll was conducted to gauge the San Clemente community’s support.

That poll showed that 54% of the registered voters likely to participate in the 2020 primary election who participated in the survey would support the bond measure. Bond measures must meet a 55% approval threshold to pass.

The biennial Point-in-Time Count was released, showing that Orange County had seen a sharp rise in homelessness over a two-year period, as the homeless population increased by 43% since 2017.

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MAY The city’s homelessness saga ramped up in May, when it opened its temporary outdoor shelter at a city-owned lot on Avenida Pico.

At a resident-packed council meeting on May 21, more than a hundred locals cheered as councilors adopted an urgency ordinance prohibiting camping on public property.

On the Friday morning of that same week, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at North Beach to begin enforcing that no-camping ordinance while assisting the homeless relocate to the Pico encampment. Crowds of onlookers also gathered near the Metrolink train station to cheer the removal of the homeless.

As the city dealt with the homeless situation, it also mourned the loss of Mayor Steve Swartz, who died unexpectedly while on vacation with his wife in Palm Springs. In the wake of his passing, the council voted to hold a special election to fill Swartz’s vacant seat.

By the end of the month, the NRC had announced that it gave SoCal Edison the green light to resume its ongoing efforts to transfer spent nuclear fuel at SONGS into dry storage, which had been put on pause following the August 2018 canister incident.

JUNE With the 2018-2019 fiscal year coming to an end on June 30, the council voted unanimously to adopt the city’s budget for Fiscal sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC Year 2019-2020. It also approved a FY 201819 supplemental appropriation of $60,000 related to implementing the urgency ordinance that prohibited camping on public property.

In addition to passing the city’s budget for the new fiscal year, the council was also tasked with approving the city’s FY 2019-20 Police Services Contract, which did pass in a special meeting just days before the contract was set to end on July 1.

Deliberations over the contract had stalled after the council’s June 18 meeting, when Councilmember Kathy Ward abruptly left the council chambers. She left protesting a direction Councilmember Laura Ferguson had given to city management to explore potential budget cuts over the next couple of months for future funding of additional deputies.

The South County cities named in the federal homeless lawsuit initially filed in February caught a break when a federal judge granted their request to remove Judge Carter from the case.

That same month, MemorialCare’s lawsuit against the city came to an end, as the two parties reached a settlement agreement—the details of which were sparse at the time.

By month’s end, 73rd District Assemblymember Bill Brough faced accusations of sexual misconduct from several women—including Orange County Board Supervisor and Chairperson Lisa Bartlett.

Bartlett’s accusations stemmed from an alleged incident that had occurred during a retirement party at Olamendi’s Mexican Restaurant in Capistrano Beach in March 2011, when the two were on the Dana Point City Council.

JULY The month of July got off to a rocky start as San Clemente, and the rest of Southern California, were hit with two major earthquakes over Independence Day weekend.

A 6.4 magnitude quake first shook the city of Ridgecrest the morning of July 4.

The desert town was hit again the following evening, when a 7.1 tremor struck the area, causing further damage to buildings.

U.S. District Court Judge Percy Anderson denied a motion from lawyers representing homeless advocacy groups who had requested a temporary restraining order to close down the Pico homeless encampment.

AUGUST The city’s special election to fill Swartz’s vacant seat took shape in August, when the nomination period ended, resulting in five people qualifying to appear on the Nov. 5 mailin-only ballot. Those five candidates were Dee Coleman, Jackson Hinkle, Gene James, Michael “Mickey” McLane and Christina Selter.

After hearing considerable feedback from residents and business owners who had opposed a proposal to lease property on Calle Negocio for a temporary homeless shelter, the four-person city council unanimously voted it down.

The city staff’s recommendation was to allow a 10-year lease for a 35-bed temporary homeless shelter, as well as a request

for proposal for a shelter operator.

The city’s homeless woes continued even though Judge Anderson granted a motion by the South County cities in the homelessness lawsuit to dismiss the case. While he dismissed the homeless rights advocates’ suit against Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano, Anderson left San Clemente and the County of Orange as the primary defendants.

By the end of the month, the city imposed significant changes to the Pico encampment. On Aug. 30, the city notified campers that it would be conducting maintenance and cleaning of the camp, instructing them to vacate the premises for the day.

Upon returning, the campers were told they could no longer use their own tents and could only use the city-approved green tents that had been installed. The most impactful change was the city’s rule that limited space to only those who could prove they had ties to San Clemente.

The NRC held a town hall meeting at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center to provide updates on its oversight of SONGS. The community meeting somehow led to an audience member passing out a basketful of lemons—a snide reference to Holtec canisters SCE uses to contain nuclear waste.

SEPTEMBER As the 2019-20 school year was getting underway, San Clemente High School was brought into the media spotlight after claims of racial slurs being directed at a Lincoln High School cheerleader during a football game had surfaced.

An investigation by both schools confirmed that a “racial epithet” was said to the student and that “derogatory words were heard” in the San Clemente stands during the football game at home on Sept. 13.

The nonprofit advocacy group Public Watchdogs sued SoCal Edison, Holtec and the NRC for their handling of nuclear waste at SONGS. The group sought a temporary restraining order to “stop the beachfront burial of nuclear waste.”

San Clemente’s special election began to heat up for then-city council candidate Jackson Hinkle, who was asked by the Orange County Fire Authority’s general counsel to remove campaign-related materials and photographs bearing the OCFA logo he had posted to his social media platforms.

OCTOBER Within weeks of being asked to take down the campaign materials, OCSD confirmed that it had launched in investigation to determine whether state laws governing the use of public resources in election campaigns were violated during the OCFA event in which Hinkle’s photos were taken.

Fellow city council hopeful Dee Coleman faced some political scrutiny of his own, as he was accused of attempting to buy votes by trading discounted prices on vehicles he sells—a potential violation of election law. The complaint against Coleman was filed with California’s Fair Political Practices

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

Commission, which, after reviewing the accusations, announced that it would not be investigating the issue.

In the lead-up to the election, San Clemente Times learned of a lawsuit then-candidate Gene James’ former employer, AVI Food Systems, had filed against him in 2003. The Ohio-based company sued James for not paying back the remaining balance of a loan it had given him.

Court documents SC Times obtained revealed that James failed to appear in court, resulting in a Cuyahoga County judge ruling in favor of the company and ordering James to pay $28,141 plus a 10% annual interest.

When questioned about the suit, James said he wasn’t aware of AVI’s lawsuit, nor the judgement, but said he had a lawyer looking into it.

About a week prior to the election, James also came under fire from some local veterans who had brought to light a pair of campaign mailers the Republican Party of Orange County had sent out, falsely claiming the candidate was a recipient of the U.S. military’s Legion of Merit award.

James, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, has maintained that he did not give the OCGOP permission to send out those mailers.

The city secured a major victory in the ongoing homelessness lawsuit when Judge Anderson dismissed the case. That win, however, didn’t resolve the city’s homeless problem, as it began to see an influx of homeless-related activity at Pico Park, across the street from the Pico encampment, after it had imposed its ties-to-San-Clemente rule.

The homeless saga did take an interesting turn in October, when the Rancho San Clemente Business Park Community Association entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Emergency Shelter Coalition (ESC) for a pair of land parcels along Pico.

ESC sought to buy the land, which amounts to 10 acres, from the Business Park to develop a homeless shelter. News of the sale prompted prospective competition from the city and from Olen Commercial Properties, which expressed interest in purchasing the parcels should the sale with ESC fall through.

Rancho San Clemente business owners were given ballots to vote on whether to effectively approve or deny the sale. The votes were initially due by the end of October; however, ballots needed to be resent to the members because some of them didn’t receive the appropriate number of ballots the first time around. That action delayed the vote by an additional 30 days.

A new poll was conducted to again gauge San Clemente’s support for a CUSD regional bond measure to fix schools within the city. The results of that poll showed that support remained on the bubble, with about 54% to 55% approval.

A few weeks after the results of that poll were revealed, the CUSD Board of Trustees voted to place the regional bond measure on the March 2020 ballot.

NOVEMBER The city’s special election came to a close with Gene James decisively winning the fifth and vacant seat on the city council. James earned just shy of 55% of the vote, defeat-

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ing runner-up Jackson Hinkle by nearly 24 percentage points.

About a month after the federal judge had dismissed the homeless-related case filed by advocacy groups against the city, those same organizations filed a separate, but related, complaint with Orange County’s Superior Court.

DECEMBER The month of December kicked off with Gene James being sworn in to the city council and with Dan Bane being officially appointed to the role of mayor. Bane had served as the acting mayor since Swartz’s death in May. Laura Ferguson was appointed as his lieutenant, taking on the position of mayor pro tem.

One of the first actions taken by the fullyimpaneled council was to pass an ordinance that shut down the Pico encampment. With very few homeless people camping there since the city limited its use to only those with ties to San Clemente, it was no longer financially viable to operate.

Days after the camp had closed, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would not be taking up an appeal to the landmark homelessness case Martin v. City of Boise.

In the Boise case, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled last year that municipalities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances unless adequate shelter space and beds are offered to the homeless.

Amid the city’s ongoing issues, City Manager James Makshanoff submitted a resignation letter to the council, announcing that he’ll be stepping down from his position on Jan. 17 to become the city of Pomona’s new city manager on Jan. 21.

Public Watchdogs’ lawsuit seeking to halt the transfer of nuclear waste at SONGS was dismissed in federal court, as the judge ruled that the court didn’t have jurisdiction to preside over the case.

San Clemente’s historic Miramar Theatre and Bowling Center were officially sold in December, allowing the new owner, a restaurateur from San Diego, to reopen the site as an event center and food court.

And 17-year-old surfer and San Clemente resident Caroline Marks earned a spot on the first U.S. Olympic Surf Team, which will compete in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo next July. Previously, San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino had earned one of two spots on the first men’s U.S. Olympic Surf Team. SC Photos, page 6, clockwise from top. Congressman Levin announces the introduction of legislation that could give priority to SONGS when it comes to removing its spent nuclear fuel. Photo: Shawn Raymundo. A pamphlet is held up calling on the NRC to recall the Holtec canisters used at SONGS. Photo: Shawn Raymundo.

After nearly a year of pausing operations to transfer nuclear waste into dry storage, SoCal Edison resumed the downloading of spent fuel. Photo: Cari Hachmann.

San Clemente city employees pack up a North Beach camper’s belongings to haul them to a new designated camping area for homeless people on Friday, May 24.

Photo: Fred Swegles. Residents gather outside a packed San Clemente City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 21. Many voiced their opinions about the homeless “crisis” in North Beach. Photo: Cari Hachmann. Gene James gets sworn as a San Clemente City Councilor.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

wonderful town to cover, but reporting on San Clemente brought with it a fresh set of new challenges and issues I felt ready to tackle. There was an energy and liveliness to San Clemente that just resonated throughout the entire city.

The residents were extremely passionate about a number of issues. They were vocal on topics they knew would impact not only their daily lives but the daily lives of their fellow citizens.

Though there were varying perspectives to each issue, each person only felt as strongly as they did because they truly cared about their community at large.

This past year was certainly a challenging one for the residents of San Clemente. The homelessness crisis ramped up and we were thrown into another election season following the unexpected death of Mayor Steve Swartz.

But together we made it out an-

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THE EDITOR

Bidding Farewell to 2019

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 sanclementetimes.com

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Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes San Clemente Times, Vol. 14, Issue 52. 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 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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GUEST OPINION: Historical Happenings by Tom Marshall

Coming Attractions?

Miramar Theatre Complex, the Sequel

L

ocal residents may finally have the answer to the most frequently asked question the San Clemente Historical Society receives: What’s going to happen to the old theater on the north side of town?

After decades of uncertainty, we hopefully have an answer. A San Diego restaurateur who owns a pizza chain and the Windmill Food Court in Carlsbad has purchased the property for just shy of $8 million.

It may cost almost as much to bring it up to snuff. The site is approved by the city and the California Coastal Commission to be used only as an event center and food court.

For those relatively new to town, the theater’s road from movie palace to eyesore has been a long and troubled one.

Opened on May 12, 1938, it was hailed as the most elaborate theater development in California’s entire south coast.

Originally called El Hidalgo Theater, the

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

name was quickly changed to The San Clemente Theater. Only decades later did it receive the building’s current moniker, The Miramar.

The bowling alley behind the theater wasn’t built until 1946 and closed in 1971.

The architect for the theater was famed theater visionary Clifford A. Balch. The builder was the locally prolific Strang Brothers. Air conditioning, 750 reclining seats, elegant chandeliers and a 44-foot tower over the entrance were notable luxuries that complemented a spectacular wood support structure for the roof.

“One is absolutely awe-stricken by the defining feature of a beautiful and magnificent exposed bowstring wood trussed ceiling—very 1940s,” gushed former Mayor Wayne Eggleston in the city’s official report on the building.

It was San Clemente’s first movie theater and, for decades, the only theater. In 1938, the original owners, Mike and Abe Gore, sold popcorn for a HISTORICAL dime and charged kids 10 HAPPENINGS cents for a ticket—unless

By Tom Marshall the movie was a blockbuster such as Gone With the Wind, which cost 25 cents.

In fact, all San Clemente fourth- through eighth-graders were taken to see that film as an assignment during school hours.

Longtime resident Ken Nielsen says when he was a kid, he got free passes to the theater by riding around town in a roving billboard truck promoting the current movies.

“On Friday nights, the theater was full, mostly kids,” Nielsen remembers. “They even had a police officer assigned there to control the crowds.”

But by 1960, admissions had fallen so

Page 8

other year; and together we’ll make it through the next.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this time to thank the readers of the San Clemente Times. Through your continued support, my colleagues and I have been able to fulfill Picket Fence Media’s mantra of giving you “Local News You Can Use.” As we look forward to 2020, we will work at not just continuing to carry that charge, but also improve our efforts in being a steward of truth for the local communities of South Orange County.

Happy New Year, everyone. SC

Shawn Raymundo

City Editor, San Clemente Times 949.388.7700, x108

low, the theater was closed. Ten years later, it reopened as The Miramar after an extensive refurbishing. The movies were no longer first-run Hollywood fare.

They catered mostly to the young crowd with movies about surfing and skiing, along with underground “Midnight Flicks” such as 1936’s anti-marijuana Reefer Madness. They also occasionally presented some live bands.

“By that time, the floors were sticky and things were getting a little shabby,” said Historical Society board member Carla Blanco.

The Miramar closed for good in 1992 and began its descent into decay. Developers wanted to tear it down, but the Historical Society and other local groups mounted a successful “Save the Miramar” campaign.

The building is structurally sound, but a 2005 fire and vandalism have taken a toll.

Hopefully, the landmark palace is now on a course for a classic Hollywood happy ending.

Tom Marshall is a member of the San Clemente Historical Society and a retired journalist. 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

No Beachside Chat on Friday, Dec. 27, 2019 There will be no Beachside Chat on Dec. 27. Beachside Chat will resume the first Friday of the year on Jan. 3. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria. All are welcome. sanclementetimes.com

SC Locals Only San Clemente

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at sanclementetimes.com

GARAGE SALES ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT 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 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

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

Page 9

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

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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

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED: PROCESSOR/ANALYST Local Commercial Mortgage Broker/Lender looking for local Processor/Analyst full or part time. Long Term help desired, will train right person, office in South San Clemente. Call Tony 310-999-3669 HELP WANTED: MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE We are seeking an immediate hire for a part-time street team marketing representative. Our street team is responsible for opening dialogue with local businesses and maintaining a relationship in order to develop a route list of places that we can display our concert schedules at. Please email in a basic resume to Luna luna@thecoachhouse.com

FOR SALE RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE (TYPE 47) Restaurant Liquor License for sale. Call or text 949.510.9724 for more information.

RESTAURANTS Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

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SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: There’s Still Time for ‘The Irishman’ this Christmas

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.

Thursday | 26 ACOUSTIC THURSDAYS AT BARNOA 7-9 p.m. Live music every Thursday. A rotating cast of Orange County’s most talented musicians play acoustic covers and original music. Enjoy a great wine selection, craft beers, tasty appetizers and Barnoa’s full dinner menu. Must be 21 and older. Barnoa Wine and Craft Beer Bistro. 831 Via Suerte, San Clemente.

949.388.4378. barnoawinebar.com.

Saturday | 28 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee is the U.S.’s largest weekly car meet that attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. No registration is required; spectators are welcome. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

Sunday | 29 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers along Avenida Del Mar. 949 361 8200. san-clemente.org.

Monday | 30 PTSD WARRIOR GROUP 7 p.m. Warrior Groups are fellowships for combat veterans and their families to share their experiences, testimonies of healing, compassion and hope in overcoming the invisible wounds of war. PTSD Foundation of America-Southern California, 216 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. 619.362.0642. ptsdusa.org.

BINGO AT GOODY’S 7 p.m. Every Monday, Goody’s hosts a bingo night for a charity of the month. Cards are $1 per sleeve, and raffle prizes are

EDITOR’S PICK

Photo: Courtesy of Niko Tavernise/Netflix

Photo: Photo: File

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31: NYE BASH WITH THE CREEPERS 9 p.m. Ring in the New Year 2020 at Goody’s Tavern and dance the night away. There will be party favors, a midnight countdown, balloon drop and live music. No cover charge to get in. Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. goodystavern.com.

offered. Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. goodystavern.com.

Tuesday | 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE: A GATSBY SOIREE 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Ring in 2020 atop Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar and Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen for a New Year’s Eve Gatsby Soiree at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum.

Begin your night with a pre-fixe NYE dinner and champagne pairing in Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen with reservations available at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Join the hotel after to enjoy a DJ, entertainers, specialty cocktails, midnight champagne toast and the best views Orange County has to offer.

General admission and VIP Packages available. Tickets prices range from $40 to $1,400. 7905 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine.

949.759.0200. eventbrite.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH 7-11:59 p.m. Barnoa Wine Bar’s biggest party of the year includes amazing wine, awesome food, and great music, featuring Millertime Boogie Band. Admission is $125—RSVP ASAP, as this event fills up early every year. Barnoa Wine Bar, 831 Via Suerte, #106, San Clemente.

949.388.4378. barnoawinebar.com.

NEW YEAR’S AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Ring in the New Year at San Juan Hills Golf Club, with a DJ and a special guest band. The event will feature

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

tapas, appetizer stations and a champagne toast. Guests can take home a souvenir from the New Year’s-themed photo experience. Tickets are $120 per person. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1167. sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

Wednesday | 01 LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Join Iva Lee’s for live music every Wednesday through Sunday. For the ultimate live music experience, be sure to reserve a lounge table on Fridays and Saturdays. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. Check their website for the latest scheduled performances. ivalees.com.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 7:30-9:30 p.m. Enjoy friendly competition and craft beers among friends during the BrewHouse’s weekly trivia night. Food trucks are on site during the trivia contest.

The BrewHouse. 31896 Plaza Dr., Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. thebrewhousesjc.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 9-11:30 p.m. Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So come down, grab a drink and go for it.

Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

Page 10

F

or those who are a fan of watching movies and staying home during the holiday season, Netflix’s The Irishman might be for you. We’ve seen this rise-and-fall story already in Martin Scorsese’s classics GoodFellas (1990) and Casino (1995). And yet, it took almost a decade to find a studio to make a third addition. My theory is that while the first two crime films were flashy and exciting, The Irishman is slow and melancholy.

From the 1950s to 1990s, Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) begins as a simple family man with a successful trucking company. Things take a turn when he’s accused of company theft.

Popular attorney Bill Bufalino (Ray Romano) successfully gets him off the hook and introduces Frank to his cousin, Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci). Russ is the head of the underworld mob in Philly and thinks Frank would be a good addition to the crime family. From decade to decade, we see the Irish-American gangster become close to Russ and his team, and he also becomes good friends with controversial union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).

To discuss Scorsese’s talent and success at this point would be redundant.

But what could be emphasized a little more is just how much the man loves film. With a runtime of more than three hours, it is mesmerizing to see him and his regulars—De Niro, Pesci, Harvey Keitel, screenwriter Steven Zaillian and editor Thelma Schoonmaker among them—work together one more time.

It’s predictable, but seeing the 1970s film stars all share the same screen and play off each other is a complete thrill.

Even so, it’s still a very downbeat, bleak journey. If there was ever a movie to not be accused of glamorizing the mafia, it’s The Irishman. SC sanclementetimes.com

GO.SEE.DO | WINTER 2019-2020

BY COLLIN BREAUX

S

outh Orange County offers a wide variety of food options—a veritable culinary trip around the country and the world within a short drive.

The options are endless: French, Italian, Indian, Asian, Mexican. Fish lovers are in for a treat since numerous restaurants serve up mahi-mahi, among other seafood dishes. There are plenty of options for vegetarians as well, but if you’re a carnivore, there’s no shortage of order options, either.

Whatever your preference, you won’t go hungry looking for exceptional food in South Orange County.

We visited local places to ask what they serve, the atmosphere customers can expect, and what makes their spot so special.

Ricardo’s Place // Ricardo’s Place features Mexican food and caters to all ages, with a big portion of seafood available.

The family-operated restaurant emphasizes different regions of Mexico, said Ricardo Beas, owner and general manager.

“We have a variety of salsas,” Beas said.

“The salsas complement the food.”

The salmon tacos are popular, and they offer soups at a time when Beas said other places de-emphasize soups.

Ricardo’s has been in their current location for 16 years, which for Beas “seems like yesterday, but time flies when you have fun.”

The staff sees kids come in and grow up to continue being customers.

“We’re very family-oriented,” Beas said.

Along with burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, there are also happy hours.

“We have a really good Taco Tuesday, too,” Beas said.

32082 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano

Gemmell’s Restaurant // Gemmell’s at Dana Point Harbor features French and continental cuisine.

“We have sauces that are made from scratch,” manager Barbara Tagudar said.

“We have creamy sauces. Some are fresh tomato-based. Everything is fresh. Nothing is out of a box, out of a can.”

Melodic music plays in the restaurant, which is decked out with nutcracker figurines for Christmas. The tables and restaurant offer a ritzy but cozy ambience.

“It’s very soft. People can talk with one another,” Tagudar said. “It’s a little romantic.

We have a little hidden cove, where we sit people if they’re romantic. We can tell when you walk in the door if you’re a romantic couple.”

Among other specialty foods, Gemmell’s does an escargot. The escargot is done different ways—traditionally with butter and garlic and the new style with finely chopped ham and mushrooms.

Gemmell’s has been serving the community 18 years, and chef Byron Gemmell has been active for more than 50 years.

“He’s got a lot of experience; he’s got a lot of awards for his cooking and his personality,” Tagudar said. “French (cuisine) is very unique and very flavorful. It’s very personable and quiet. We have personal service.”

34471 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point

Your

Passport to Dining Out

WELCOME TO

GO.SEE.DO

BASANTI

Full Moon Sushi // Who doesn’t love sushi? Stop in this relaxed, intimate spot to grab a roll and enjoy some Japanese cuisine.

The food is delicious and the prices are affordable. Try the salmon, tuna or Hawaiian rolls. We personally recommend the cucumber roll with a soda.

Full Moon Sushi’s menu also has Udon noodle dishes and various bowls, all at affordable prices.

Miso soup and hand rolls are also available. Have a seat at a table or sit down at the counter. The chefs are hard at work when you order and diligently prepare your food right behind the counter.

647 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente

Fratello’s // If you’re craving Italian food, this spot in San Clemente has what you’re looking for.

Fratello’s menu includes items such as garden fries, artichoke salad, pasta and filet mignon. There are also plenty of pizza options, and a desert cannoli if you still have room after the main dishes, according to their website.

Wines, cocktails and beers can also be ordered.

The restaurant has been rated high in Facebook reviews. Visit fratellosonline.com for information on catering options.

647 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 126, San Clemente

r Basanti // Basanti serves up Indian food right in the heart of San Juan Capistrano.

Owner Roshan KC called it a neighborhood spot that started two and a half years ago. The menu includes popular chicken dishes, lamb, salmon, and kabob. For the non-meat eaters, there are plenty of vegetarian options as well.

“We are very vegan-friendly,” KC said.

Most customers are regular patrons, including students and parents from St. Margaret’s Episcopal School across the road. KC has received a lot of support from the community since opening.

Patrons can either stop in and sit at a table or get orders to go.

“I’m very thankful for this location,” KC said of the restaurant’s spot along Ortega Highway.

KC started Basanti as a tribute to his father, who passed away in 2002. KC fondly recalls his father cooking food for him when he came home.

“I have been working in the restaurant industry for a long time,” KC said.

“This is something I wanted.”

Visit basantirestaurant.com or call 949.276.2166 for more information.

27221 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano

It may not be as warm as usual right now in South Orange County, but that doesn’t mean you have to be cooped up indoors.

If you’re looking for places to eat and spots to grab coffee, we have you covered with our winter 2019 Go.See.Do guide.

Hungry residents and visitors can take a global trip with their taste buds through our Passport to Dining Out, which details international food options in the area. Whether it’s Mexican, Indian, Italian—whatever your choice of cuisine or mood—read on for an inside look.

Craving a cup of java? We also have a tour of all the cool coffee shops.

For the art fans out there, there’s also information about accomplished artists in the area and local galleries, as well as a peek at the movie theaters locally. After all, California is the home of entertainment and expression.

Of course, we haven’t forgotten about the new year fast approaching. With 2020 on the horizon, we thought it would be good to check out affordable New Year’s Eve options. After all, some of us want to enjoy a fresh start without breaking the bank.

Whatever your plans are, we look forward to your using this guide for fun ideas. Enjoy our side of paradise.

GO.SEE.DO | WINTER 2019-2020

ARTISTS OF SOUTH COUNTY Three area artists talk art, influence and inspiration.

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

Kevin Short Captures the West Coast’s Glare For nearly the past three decades, Dana Point artist Kevin Short has kept the focus of work between Trestles and south Laguna, targeting mostly the Salt Creek area. As an artist who fixates on “Glare,” he finds that the West Coast, particularly this region of South Orange County, is full of glare.

While his extensive line of work has focused on this, Short said he’s most known for his oils on canvas.

“I really like our local culture . . . our day-in, day-out lifestyle,” Short said of what guides him. He added, “I don’t do really fantasy paintings like woodies on the beach or retro paintings. I find our current life here inspiring . . . especially small little moments like in the painting called ‘Surf Team.’ It’s just a couple of people being talked to by the coach.”

“Surf Team” is currently on display, along with a couple of Short’s other paintings, at American Legacy Fine Arts (ALFA) in Pasadena.

Locally, Short’s work has previously been featured at San Clemente’s historic Casa Romantica, where, he said, “they seem to be upgrading the quality of the art of the area.” The South County region in general, he added, has started to move away from “tourist art” to “have more quality museum fine art.”

Though Short doesn’t have any firm exhibit dates lined up at the moment, he said he’s currently focused on working with one particular museum, though he couldn’t reveal which one.

Short’s paintings at the ALFA can be seen by making an appointment with the Pasadena gallery at 626.577.7733. To view more of Short’s work, head to his digital fine art studio at kevinashort.com.

Rick Delanty Reflects on Time as SC High Art Teacher During local plein-air painter Rick Delanty’s tenure as an art teacher at San Clemente High School, he sought to be a better instructor than the one he had when he was in high school.

“The reason that I became a high school teacher is my high school teacher in the arts was fairly disconnected with his students,” said Delanty who taught at the local high school for 31 years, from 1974 to 2006.

“The students I thought were good in (my high school) class, he didn’t pay any attention to,” he continued. “The reason that I went into teaching is I thought teachers ought to be present. They really ought to give everything they have to give to kids that need that and deserve it.”

Throughout his time teaching painting and drawing classes to students at San Clemente High, Delanty continued to paint for himself, working on his art. While he

greatly enjoyed inspiring young minds to get engaged in art, he admits that he more so enjoys what he’s doing now. “(Teaching’s) the best. It was the best.

The only thing that’s better than that is what I’m doing now,” he gushed, later adding: “This is superior, only in that I am directing the whole show myself . . . it’s my own vision. And that’s what I’m so excited about—on my own in my career right now, just being able to direct that vision in a way I see fit and in ways that are most exciting for me.”

For Delanty, whose plein-air style of paintings center around landscapes, his goal for his pieces is to have an emotional effect on those who view them.

Painting landscapes, in particular, Delanty also said, is born of a spiritual nature, as landscapes show God’s handiwork.

Delanty, arguably one of the premier painters and artists in South Orange County, has his works currently displayed at San Clemente’s Casa Romantica Cultural Center and can be seen at the California Fresh Paint Invitational in La Jolla.

Delanty said he’ll also be holding a show at his San Clemente home next June and is currently coordinating with the Casa about doing a show in May of 2021.

To find out more information about Delanty and check out his works, go to delantyfineart.com.

David Imlay Returns Home to San Juan We all come across a time where we need a change in our lives. That’s what recently happened to artist David Imlay, a native of San Juan Capistrano who had been living in San Francisco for the past 20 years.

“It was just a change of pace. We also wanted to buy a house, and we just decided to move back down this way,” Imlay said of returning to San Juan this past year with his wife, Ana Carolina Imlay, a fellow artist.

Imlay came from an artistic family, as his grandfather did pastels of Native American and cowboy culture while his father was an architect. Imlay said his father and grandfather both encouraged him to pursue the arts.

Imlay, who considers his work to be American Contemporary Realism and Photorealism, primarily uses oil and water colors to paint, while focusing on 1960s and ’70s Americana, as well as old architecture.

Two of Imlay’s biggest influences include artists Robert Bechtle and John Register, who, he said, “were part of that movement that was post abstract, Photorealism and a contemporary take on Americana.”

This past month, Imlay and his wife had their first show since moving back to San Juan that the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society hosted. Their paintings were on display at the Silvas Adobe in San Juan’s Los Rios District.

To learn more about Imlay and check out his portfolio, check out his website at davidimlay.com.

MORE ART // CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL GALLERIES Brophy Art Gallery and Design Studio 139 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.678.8133 brophyartacademy.com

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139 casaromantica.org

JP Greenwood Gallery 151 Del Mar, San Clemente 626.524.5727 jpgreenwood.com

Laura Seeley Studio & Best Friends Art Gallery 24682 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point.

415.310.9605 bestfriendsartgallery.com

Mission Fine Art Gallery 31760 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 949.291.7738 missionfineart.com

Gallery Dana Bay 24682 Del Prado, Dana Point.

949.276.7597 gallerydanabay.com

Go.See.Do.

2020

Resolutions

New Year’s Eve celebrations tend to bring out the glitz, glam and, most often, the greenbacks. If your 2020 resolution is to cut back on spending, then why not start early? For affordable and festive options, look no further than the tri-city area.

StillWater Spirits & Sounds

This Prohibition era-themed bar and restaurant will ring in the 2020s by celebrating the Roaring 1920s with music from the 1980s. You can make reservations by calling ahead of time. For standing-roomonly, there is a $10 charge at the door. There will be a champagne toast at midnight. 24701 Del Prado Ave, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, danapointstillwater.com

Goody’s Tavern

Dance the night away, take home party favors and count down to midnight with a balloon drop.

Live music will start at 9 p.m. There will not be a cover charge. 206 S El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.3400, goodystavern.com

Swallow’s Inn

For $24 pre-sale tickets, celebrate the New Year country-style, with free two-step lessons from 6-7 p.m. Dancing will be until 10:30 p.m. with all-day happy hour and steak dinners for only $14.

Grand Junction will be performing tunes. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, swallowsinn.com

GO.SEE.DO | WINTER 2019-2020

The baristas at Bear Coast Coffee make all flavorings and almond milk in house, to pair with their flavorful, ethically sourced coffee.

Photo: Jenna Ross

Finding the Grind

MORE MUST-TRY COFFEE

A Guide to the Tri-City Coffee Joints

BY LILLIAN BOYD

A good cup of coffee can answer a call for an early jump-start to the day, a call for a hangout spot or a call to enjoy a creatively crafted, artisan beverage. The coffee shops scattered throughout Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente all serve a unique purpose in that regard.

ELLIE’S TABLE

31892 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.558.5310, elliestable.com

Ellie’s Table at Egan House in San Juan Capistrano is a modern tribute to Eleanor Mastroianni, whose cooking and baking expertise helped transform Jay’s Catering into a successful business out of Jay and Eleanor Mastroianni’s home in 1967. Ellie’s versatile menu includes unique seasonal drinks, like the rose latté or lavender latté. In addition to a full espresso bar, baristas use freshly roasted and environmentally conscious Kean coffee beans to hand-craft beverages. Ellie’s Table is a suitable coffee spot for social gatherings, enjoying the historical setting indoors or outside, or taking coffee to go to wander around San Juan Capistrano.

BEAR COAST COFFEE

618 ½ Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, 34052 La Plaza #103, Dana Point, 949.482.0618 or 949.388.1103, bearcoastcoffee.com

Bear Coast Coffee was birthed in San Clemente nestled near the pier, with the goal of providing coffee directly sourced from farmers who produce their crops responsibly. Bear Coast now has a location in Dana Point near La Plaza Park. Baristas make almond milk, all sauces and flavorings in-house, including lavender-infused caramel, nutmeg-accented vanilla and dark chocolate ganache.

RAPPORT COFFEE BY CAFÉ SMITH

647 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 122, San Clemente, rapportcoffeecs.com

Rapport Coffee by Café Smith says the business’s goal is to serve the highest-quality coffee to the community of San Clemente. Rapport offers single origin and blended coffee brewed by an SCA-certified baristas. Rapport’s specialty beans are directly imported from coffee farms located worldwide. The coffee shop offers a cozy, quiet atmosphere ideal for remote work, studying or reading.

Coffee Importers 34531 Golden Lantern, Dana Point 949.493.7773 coffeeimporters.com Hidden House Coffee 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano 949.240.0200 hiddenhousecoffee.com High Tide Coffee 1624 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.667.2599 hightidecoffeeco.com JC Beans Coffee House 34114 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point 949.496.4700 Maison Café 34320 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point 949.218.8431 maisondanapoint.com The Fuel Shack 360 Camino De Estrella, San Clemente 949.388.4015 thefuelshack.com Zebra House Coffee 1001 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.218.6976 zebrahousecoffee.com

GO.SEE.DO | WINTER 2019-2020

The

Regency Theatres

MOVIES Done Right

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

With one of the year’s biggest blockbusters, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, fresh in theaters and the film awards season in full swing, there isn’t a better time to find yourself at the movies. But what are your best local options to be thrown into these cinematic worlds of wonder?

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas

Regal Edwards Cinemas

32401 GOLDEN LANTERN, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677 If you’re truly looking to treat yourself and make your viewing experience special, Cinépolis is the way to go.

Located across the street from the Dana Point city limits, Cinépolis’ billing as a luxury cinema is accurate.

There is a bar in the lobby to wait for your party before your showing. There is a wide-ranging food menu of starters, entrees and desserts, as well as the typical concessions.

All of the bar and food amenities can also be accessed at your seat. Cinépolis offers waiter service at your seat with service available before the movie begins and during the movie with the push of a button.

Cinépolis might even be best experienced by going straight to your seat and getting comfortable in the fully reclining leather seats that come with a swinging tray on which to enjoy your food and drinks.

KALEIDOSCOPE (MISSION VIEJO), ALISO VIEJO TOWN CENTER, IRVINE SPECTRUM For your general movie experience, Regal Edwards provides all the wide releases and all of the amenities expected from the biggest movie chain in the area.

The Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo offers fewer theaters and showings, but all theaters are outfitted with leather reclining seats.

The Aliso Viejo and Irvine locations offer the closest IMAX theaters. Aliso Viejo’s IMAX is slightly smaller than the Irvine IMAX, which provides the full IMAX screen and experience.

Irvine also has a select amount of VIP theaters that have access to a full bar and leather reclining seats. Also note that the Irvine Spectrum location is undergoing a large refurbishment that is expected to last into early 2020.

Go.See.Do.

2020

Explore

26762 VERDUGO ST., SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 The Regency Theatres in San Juan Capistrano offers one of the most romantic and intimate movie-going experiences in all of Orange County.

Nestled within eyeshot of the Mission and the train station, the Regency’s signage and décor shows off an old-time cinema feel. The lobby is beautiful and ornate with its columns, staircase, light fixtures and balcony.

The theaters themselves are smaller than many major chains, but the establishment gives off the feel of a private theater, an exclusive viewing. This is amplified in its VIP theater.

Beyond the normal theater concessions fare, the Regency houses Rick’s Café and wine bar. There are a wide variety of food options and a happy hour.

Like most theaters, tickets can be purchased online and in advance at regencymovies.com or on Fandango. Check out their $6.50 ticket specials on Tuesdays.

Also check out the Regency Theatres Directors Cut Cinema in Laguna Niguel. In addition to the a few wide releases, the Directors Cut Cinema always offers a selection of independent films and the occasional documentary. It’s a must-visit specifically for anyone prepping for the awards season viewings.

The Metropolitan Luxury Theatre is currently under construction at the Outlets at San Clemente and is expected to open in fall 2020. The theater will offer luxury recliners, 4K laser projection and large-format screens along with a “floor-toceiling bar,” full-service restaurant and in-theatre service.

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love after 50, by Tom Blake

Hot Potato Topic: Women Dating Younger Men

I

met Jackie at one of our senior Meet and Greet gatherings in Dana Point this year. She asked a question to which many single women, age 55-plus, would like an answer: “Does age matter in dating when it comes to women being older than men?”

What prompted Jackie to ask that question?

At her 50th high school reunion, she met a classmate. After a year of dating, they married. Two months later, he was diagnosed with cancer. Five months after that, he passed away.

“I don’t think I could willingly do it again,” Jackie said. “At my ‘young age’ of 72, I’d want someone younger.”

Older people dating younger people has always been a hot-potato topic among readers. When I’ve written on this subject, I’ve been dragged over the coals by young women, older men, older women, bitter men, bitter women and religious zealots.

Often, age-gap comments discriminate against women. Older ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 men dating younger womBy Tom Blake en seems to be acceptable. Whereas, women dating younger men raises eyebrows and can bring forth disparaging remarks.

A Canadian dating website is credited with coining the term “cougar,” which describes a woman who dates younger men. I don’t like the term; I think it’s demeaning.

Jackie is not the only widow who feels she doesn’t want to experience widowhood again.

Three years ago, I fixed up (remember, I’m

not a matchmaker) a widow, age 60, with a friend that I guessed to be about 70. They had similar interests.

I saw them enjoying a beverage together shortly thereafter at Wind & Sea Restaurant in Dana Point. At that time, I thought to myself, “Bingo!”—a good introduction.

Nope, she told me a couple of days later that she found out he was 75—not 70— and she didn’t want to take the chance of becoming a widow again. So, Jackie is not the only widow to avoid dating men her age and older.

A woman named Ann said, “If I were to date my age, 72-82, I’d be taking my life into my own hands every time they drive. Some of them can’t drive at night.”

Lisa wrote, “Age is less important than someone’s level of maturity, outlook on life, and health and activity level. I have dated men older and younger. I will be 72 in February and am dating a man 60.

“When I’m on dating websites, men who are older than I seem so ‘old.’ ” A woman I know, Greta, commented, “Age has nothing to do with it. Compatibility is what’s important.”

Margaret said, “I’ve dated men 15 years older and 20 years younger. Some younger men have acted more maturely than older men who have behaved childishly. If you enjoy each other’s company and have fun together, age doesn’t matter.”

At what age difference do critics of older women dating younger men start rolling their eyes and making snide comments? Five years, 10, 15, 20, 25-plus? Who’s to say?

For people separated by 10 years or more, I feel each partner would be wise to understand his or her own motivation for being in

FROM THE ARCHIVES Pictured is a view of open space

along Avenida Pico taken in February 1968.

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.

the relationship, and the partner’s motivation as well.

I see nothing wrong with women dating younger men (and vice versa). They should be aware, however, that there will be challenges. If there are children on either side, that may muddy the water.

And there could be negative stigmas from the general public. Imagine a friend seeing you in a restaurant with your younger man.

She might say, “Hi, Ellen, I didn’t know you had a grandson!”

Everybody’s different. There’s no right or wrong. Enjoy your life while you can. It’s

nobody else’s business what the respective ages are, except the two people involved.

So, go for it, Jackie, check out those younger men.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.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

Sudoku

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Cranberry

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

C

ranberry is a happy guy with lots of energy. A big-dog personality in a small-dog body, he would make a great hiking or jogging buddy. Cranberry would do well in an active home with experienced owners.

If you would like to know more about Cranberry, please call the San Clemente/ Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or visit with him at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. SC

Contributor: OC Public Libraries

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

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Page 19

See the solution in next week’s issue.

sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE ORDINANCE NO. 1689 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente, at its meeting of December 17, 2019, introduced the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 1689 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA AMENDING CHAPTER 8.86 OF THE SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL CODE (RELATING TO PUBLIC CAMPING) IN ITS ENTIRETY, REPEALING ORDINANCES NOS. 1673, 1674, AND 1675, AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. A full copy of the aforementioned Ordinance is available for review in the City Clerk’s Office, located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California (949) 361-8301.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente will consider adopting the aforementioned Ordinance at its meeting of January 21, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., which will be held in the Council Chambers, located at 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente, California.

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council PUBLIC NOTICE ORDINANCE NO. 1688 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente, at its meeting of December 17, 2019, adopted the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 1688 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, TO ADOPT, WITH AMENDMENTS, THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE AND RELOCATE THE ADOPTED 1997 UNIFORM CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS TO A NEW CHAPTER 8.78, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, OF THE SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL CODE. A full copy of the aforementioned Ordinance is available for review in the City Clerk’s Department, located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California (949) 361-8301.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the abovereferenced Ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting of December 3, 2019 and was adopted at the City Council meeting of December 17, 2019 by the following vote: AYES:

FERGUSON, HAMM, JAMES, WARD, MAYOR BANE

NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20196561638 The following person(s) is doing business as: CAMINO IMMIGRATION SERVICES 849 N BRADFORD AVE

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

PLACENTIA, CA 92871-9287 Full Name of Registrant(s): SOLIDARITY 601 E VALENCIA AVE FULLERTON, CA 92832 BETHANY ANDERSON 849 N BRADFORD AVE PLACENTIA, CA 92871-9287 This business is conducted by an Unincorporated Association.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: 10/01/2015 /s/Bethany Anderson This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder On 12/06/2019 Publish: San Clemente Times December 26, 2019 January 2, 9, 16, 2020

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 SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL PIER UNDERSTORY BIRD DETERRENT NETTING, in the City of San Clemente, California.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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.

Arindam Sinharoy (53 years old), resident of 233 Via San Andreas, San Clemente, CA, 92672, has lost the original graduation certificate of his Bachelor of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering award from the Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, India in 1989.

PUBLIC NOTICE STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20196561102 The following person(s) has (have) abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: SOLID T 8332 COMMONWEALTH AVE. BUENA PARK, CA 90621 The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in Orange County on : 06/20/2017 FILE NO.20176479424 Full Name of Registrant(s): SOLIDARITY 410 LEMON ST FULLERTON CA 92832 This business is conducted by a CA corporation.

SOLIDARITY/s/KEVIN MO WONG, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder on 12/03/2019 Published: San Clemente Times DEC 12, 19, 26, 2019, JAN 2, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE INVITING ELECTRONIC BIDS SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL PIER UNDERSTORY BIRD DETERRENT NETTING PROJECT NO. 18810

The project is mainly to install netting underneath portion of the Pier and Fisherman’s restaurant and other related tasks as identified on the Bid Form and throughout the Project Specifications and Plans. There are numerous dry and wet utility lines underneath the restaurant that MUST be protected in place as part of the Contractor’s responsibilities.

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.

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 con-

tract 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 Structural Pest Control Branch 2 Operator, California State 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:

December 19, 2019 December 26, 2019

__________________________ 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 the San Clemente Water Reclamation Plant, Building N, 380 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, CA 92673, on January 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. to be followed with a field visit.

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

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

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 January 22, 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.

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

Page 20

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SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email tkelly@picketfencemedia.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email tkelly@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

Page 21

sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING CoastLines by Fred Swegles

A Year of Enjoying Reader Responses

H

ere’s a thankful year-end shout-out to all you readers!

My favorite email in response to a column was one about my Uncle Jack.

I wrote that he was one of 66 San Clementeans who went off to World War II. He flew 35 B-29 bombing missions over Japan, trying to put an end to the war.

Reader Alexis Albers wrote that she loved the article, as “it brought so many memories to mind. Even enjoyed a grateful crying session.

“My dad, Harvey Chapman 1917-1999, taught bombardiers 1943-45 in Deming, NM. Could (he) have taught Uncle Jack?” she wrote. “My husband Dan was a petroleum engineer 1939-2016.”

That was my Uncle Jack’s postwar career. Could Alexis’ husband and my uncle have crossed paths?

“I love reading your articles,” Alexis wrote. Then, she stirred me with a thirdgeneration bond that the column had inspired.

“Thank you,” she wrote, “for treading water in March 1995, taking pictures of our son Christopher’s paddle-out as Dan put his ashes at Seal Rock. Keep the nostalgia coming. Hugs, Alexis.”

That precious memory from 1995 tugged at my heart, the tragic passing of Chris Albers, a vibrant young man, who at 19 was a passenger in a car that crashed on his way home from college for spring break.

On three levels, my column had struck a dynamic chord with a reader. As her response did with me.

On a whimsical note, a column about some peculiarities of San Clemente’s Spanish street names drew fun responses.

“It made me laugh, and I am certainly guilty of (mis)pronouncing some of the names,” Kristen Dreyer wrote.

Lola Gillebaard wrote, “I wouldn’t mind living on Pimple Street—as long as no one ever left off the l-e!”

“I can’t believe you left out West Avenida de los Lobos Marinos!” Dave Reenders wrote.

Jim Dahl surmised it’s the longest street name in California.

“I am surprised and a bit disappointed that you didn’t know why Las Pulgas was named as it was,” Norm Mjellem wrote, adding a smiley face and “Love your work.”

“When the Spanish soldiers accompa-

The city flies the San Clemente flag at the end of the historic pier. Photo: Fred Swegles

nying Father Serra walked through the area, they camped somewhere inland in the area of Las Pulgas from Hwy. 1,” he wrote. “Their entire group was besieged

by FLEAS — hence, the name.”

I actually hadn’t heard that. So I checked and, sure enough, Camp Pendleton’s website relates the story. Not only that, but my online search discovered another historic Las Pulgas, in San Mateo County—similar tale, itchy Spanish soldiers.

Several readers reacted to travels I undertook to find out about Texas’ historic Mission San Clemente and San Antonio’s Mission San Juan Capistrano.

“I wanted to take an opportunity to reach out from the Diocese of San Angelo and thank you for sharing a bit of Texas Catholic history with your readers,” Brian Bodiford wrote. “I’ll admit there were even a couple of tidbits in there I was unfamiliar with.

“Oddly enough,” he wrote, “I’ve been to your San Juan Capistrano, but not ours—despite fairly regular trips to San Antonio and more than one visit to the Alamo. I have to make a day trip down there tomorrow, actually.”

San Clemente resident Kathy Juline wrote, “Thank you so much for your fascinating article ‘In Search of Mission San Clemente.’ I read it with great interest, because as it happens, I was born in San Angelo, TX, and grew up there. I so appreciate knowing about the connection between San Clemente and the San

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

Angelo/Ballinger area. I would never have guessed such a connection existed in my wildest imaginings. Thank you for a wonderful gift!”

Lola Gillebaard, my most prolific responder during 2019, actually was the subject of one column. I recounted her life as a stand-up comedian, a motivational speaker and wife of the late Hank Gillebaard, who survived a truly incredible series of adventures and misadventures that began in WWII, when he was forced to flee from the Nazis in occupied Holland.

Lola reacted both to my Uncle Jack column and to a column about how my Aunt Evalyn was a nationally acclaimed dancer who visited Casa Romantica in 1928, never dreaming she’d come to own the landmark and live in it, 1952-56. After a painful divorce, she remarried, finding bliss for the last 50 years of her life. “(I) wish I had known your Aunt Evalyn,” Lola wrote. “My two most compelling sentences are, ‘He could fix anything. He fixed Aunt Evalyn’s heart.’

I’m a sucker for compassion.”

Lola also liked me making fun of myself after discovering I’m a distant cousin to Benedict Arnold, the most notorious traitor in U.S. history.

“I love your ‘twisty family tree,’ also your heretical parody,” Lola wrote. “The photos make your words even more playful. I’m already looking forward to next Thursday’s column. Sure wish I had known Van Rutan (a column about

Page 22

everyone’s favorite San Clemente swim instructor for three generations). I so much admire strong women.”

An exhaustive search I made through seven years of newspaper archives to verify that there’s a time capsule beneath our Sister City monument on Avenida Del Mar confirmed it. The result? The city plans to open it on San Clemente Day, Feb. 29.

A column about an Eagle Scout’s flagpole standing empty at the end of the pier generated dialogue, and now the city is flying the official San Clemente flag there— no need to raise and lower it daily.

A column about a frustrating stop sign that can back up cars heading from Avenida Palizada onto the Interstate 5 Freeway drew thoughtful responses from readers Bill Cunningham and Elena Weissman, prompting me to rethink prospects of a roundabout there. An alternative I suggested was to replace the stop sign with an ongoing green traffic light that’d turn red only when a pedestrian pushes a “walk” button.

That topic deserves more discussion than there’s room for here. Let’s revisit it in 2020!

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

sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS SC San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

San Clemente captured plenty of sports honors again in 2019 from the pool, to the field to the Wall of Fame. Photos: File, Zach Cavanagh

2019 Sports & Outdoors Year in Review

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

s another year comes to a close, it was another trip around the sun during which San Clemente’s otherworldly athletic talents were showcased on stages big, small and in between.

Here is a look back at some of the best San Clemente sports moments of 2019:

JANUARY Ella Gardiner Breaks 1,000-Point Career Plateau San Clemente then-junior, now-senior Ella Gardiner became just the eighth Triton girls basketball player to score 1,000 career points for the program in a win over Tesoro, 50-25. Gardiner was the first to hit the mark since Cassie Harberts in 2010.

FEBRUARY SCHS Girls Water Polo Advances to CIF-SS Final The San Clemente girls water polo team advanced to its first CIF-SS Final since 2015 with a tightly played 7-5 win over Santa Barbara in the Division 2 semifinals. The Tritons fell to Santa Margarita in the title game, 18-12, and earned runner-up honors.

MARCH SCHS Boys Soccer Completes First-Ever Treble The San Clemente boys soccer team beat Cathedral in penalty kicks, 2-2 (4-3), to capture its second CIF SoCal Regional title. The Tritons also beat Cathedral for the CIFSS championship, and with the additional league title, the program completed its first treble – a triple championship.

Beth Sanden Marks Yet Another World Record San Clemente resident Beth Sanden set another handcycle world record by completing seven marathons in seven days in the Eastern Caribbean Challenge. Sanden added a fifth world record in September with the highest altitude marathon at the Khunjareb Pass Marathon in Pakistan.

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

APRIL SCHS Collects Four Spring League Titles San Clemente earned league titles in boys volleyball, boys tennis, softball and boys lacrosse in the spring sports season. It was the ninth straight league title for boys tennis, while the boys volleyball, softball and boys lacrosse teams won tight races.

MAY Sheri Crummer, Bob Nealy Inducted to Wall of Fame United States national longboard champion Sheri Crummer and world masters water polo champion Bob Nealy were inducted to the San Clemente Sports Wall of Fame in the seventh annual induction ceremony at Vista Hermosa Sports Park. Crummer and Nealy are the 23rd and 24th inductees.

Hana Catsimanes Wins CIF-SS 3,200-Meter Title San Clemente then-junior, now-senior Hana Catsimanes won the CIF-SS Division 1 title in the 3,200 meters in a time of 10:35.01 at El Camino College. Catsimanes was the first San Clemente champion since 2014 and the first Triton girls champion since 2009.

JUNE Andre Pallante, Tanner Brubaker Selected in MLB Draft SCHS alumni and UC Irvine pitchers Andre Pallante and Tanner Brubaker were selected in the fourth and 11th round, respectively, in the 2019 MLB Draft. Pallante was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals, and Brubaker was selected by the Minnesota Twins.

Blake Bowen Named State Player of the Year San Clemente senior Blake Bowen was selected as the 2019 Gatorade California Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Bowen scored 18 goals and added 15 assists in the Tritons’ triple championship season. Bowen was the second straight Triton to win the award after Tristan Weber.

JULY Kolby Allard Traded to Texas Rangers SCHS alumnus Kolby Allard was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Texas Rangers ahead of the MLB trade deadline, nearly one year after he had won his MLB debut. Allard stayed up with the Rangers and went 4-2 in nine starts with a 4.96 ERA.

AUGUST Jack Sears Announces Transfer from USC SCHS alumnus Jack Sears left the USC football team and enPage 25

tered the NCAA transfer portal. Sears earned his degree from USC, and in December, Sears committed to San Diego State as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining.

SEPTEMBER Mark McElroy Sets Saddleback College Wins Mark Saddleback College football coach Mark McElroy, who graduated from SCHS in 1978 and coached the Tritons for seven seasons in the ‘90s, became the winningest coach in Gauchos history with his 150th victory in Saddleback’s season opener. McElroy is 158-74 in 21 seasons at Saddleback.

OCTOBER Kyle Murphy Selected in Inaugural XFL Draft SCHS alumnus Kyle Murphy was selected by the DC Defenders with the eighth pick in the offensive lineman segment of the first XFL draft. Murphy played college football at Stanford before stints with the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams.

NOVEMBER SCHS Boys Water Polo Advances to CIF-SS Final The San Clemente boys water polo team defeated Mira Costa, 11-5, in the Division 2 semifinals to advance to the program’s first CIF-SS Final since its only CIF-SS championship in 1991. In the final, the Tritons were edged in the final seconds by Foothill, 13-12.

SCHS Football Forfeits Season after Transfer Violation The San Clemente football team was removed from the CIF-SS playoffs before its scheduled Division 2 semifinal and forfeited all games from the 2019 season after a player was ruled ineligible due to pre-enrollment contact. The player’s CIF-SS appeal and attempt to overturn the ruling in court were denied.

Hana Catsimanes Wins CIF-SS Cross Country Title San Clemente senior Hana Catsimanes claimed her top honor in a golden season with the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in a time of 17:21 in Riverside. Catsimanes won the Orange County Championships, Mt. SAC Invitational, Sea View League and CIF-SS preliminaries before capturing the CIF-SS title.

DECEMBER Three SCHS Football Players Sign to Colleges Safety/receiver Preston Rex, receiver/cornerback Cian Smith and kicker Cole Thompson made their college choices on the first day of the three-day early signing period for football on Dec. 18. Rex signed with BYU, Smith signed with Drake University, and Thompson signed with Navy. SC sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Barreling into 2020

THE POSITIVE VIBE TRIBE

After a great year in the surf, let the good times roll!

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

H

ere we go, sliding in 2019! What a year it’s been. What a surf community we have here in San Clemente and Dana Point.

As I was trying to think of something special to write for this week’s column, I thought about hitting on all of the important moments and milestones we’ve seen in the water this year.

But as I dove into my archive of stories and notes, I realized there’s too much good stuff happening around here to highlight just a few people. So, instead, I thought more of an overarching list would be more appropriate and to pay respect where respect is due without risking leaving somebody out.

As Lightnin’ Hopkins would say, “The fact of the business is,” that as surfers in this area, we have so much to be thankful for. Great waves, great boards, great people. So, to everyone out there who caught a wave this year, thanks and happy holidays. Here are a few things that are especially rad:

THE SCHOOLS When I was in high school in Northern California, my school didn’t have a surf team or club or anything. My history teacher was a core surfer, and we asked him if we could start one. He said no. He didn’t want to bother with the hassle.

I think about that every time I see one of our local schools’ surf teams out in the

GROM OF THE WEEK: SAWYER LINDBLAD

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

E

nding the year in dominant form is San Clemente’s Sawyer Lindblad. Just named the NSSA Surfer of the Week, “Soy,” as friends call her, blasted through the latest NSSA contest at Seaside Reef in San Diego, winning both the Women’s and the Girls’ division. On a hot one, prior to that, she enjoyed another double victory day at the USA Surfing Prime event at Salt Creek.

The 14-year-old goofy-footer surfs for the Shorecliffs Middle School surf team and is also a distinguished member of the USA Junior National surf team, helping the Stars and Stripes bring home the gold medal at

Patrick Gudauskas offers a high-five to a frothed-out grom at the Positive Vibe Warriors Stoke-O-Rama.

Photo: Courtesy of PVW/Jimmy Wilson

water, practicing, training and having fun.

Not only do San Clemente and Dana Point’s middle school and high school surf programs enjoy tremendous success, they’re helping to create amazing people who are going to be leaders in this next generation.

The only thing that beats a good barrel is a good education, and a heartfelt tip of the cap to all of the coaches and teachers who are turning dreams into reality on a daily basis.

and culture.

If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution, try buying only boards made by local craftsmen in 2020. Support the hometown heroes who keep us all stoked.

THE LEGENDS

Because it is impossible to ever have too many surfboards, thanks to all the men and women in the Surf Ghetto and beyond who keep great boards under our feet and make sure that we’re still getting in the water.

Without the shapers, glassers and sanders, we wouldn’t have anything to ride.

They’re the cornerstone of our community

This year, I had the opportunity to sit on Phil Edwards’ back deck, talk stories, share a beer and some chips and salsa.

Phil’s the man and always will be.

From the bronze statues of Phil and friends Hobie Alter and Bruce Brown that have been erected in Dana Point to the annual celebrations at the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente, honoring, revering and respecting those who rode before us is a wonderful thing.

We’ve got some of surfing’s true pioneers living right next to us as neighbors, and they all have amazing tales to share.

Take the time to learn your history; this area is full of it.

the ISA Junior World Championships in Huntington Beach in November.

“My brother has definitely pushed my surfing the most,” Sawyer told the NSSA. “My family influences and motivates me by seeing their success and wanting to do the same thing they did.”

Lindblad’s success can be largely attributed to her unrelenting work ethic and drive. It helps that surfing’s in the family DNA. Her father’s a former NSSA competitor, and her brother, Taj, has a blossoming career of his own.

Lately, Lindblad’s been working with coaches Jeremy Carter and Brett Simpson to really dial in her performances. And besides doing well in the water, Lindblad’s a great student whose goal is getting a 4.0 GPA every quarter of school. SC

Sawyer Lindblad. Photo: Courtesy of NSSA

THE BOARD MAKERS

San Clemente Times December 26, 2019-January 1, 2020

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And speaking of passing the positivity, thanks to the examples set forth by Dane, Patrick and Tanner Gudauskas and their Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation, our local community of pro surfers who are giving back and helping to uplift the next generation.

From supporting junior lifeguard and water safety programs around the country to hosting their annual Stoke-O-Rama events, their positive attitude is infectious and has helped turn this area into a hotbed of surf talent.

Fostering the seeds of stoke, the next generation of frothers are out in the lineup right now, stoked out of their skulls, and ready to barrel into the future sharing and caring about all that is wonderful about surfing.

I’ve always thought that we all started surfing for a reason: because it’s fun. With careers, contests, Olympics and all that the sport has become, let’s not forget, at its core, surf is more fun than anything.

THE BOARD RIDERS The organization West Coast Board Riders was an experiment when it started a couple of years ago, but, thankfully, it’s since taken off. Modeled after the surf clubs in Australia, Dana Point and San Clemente both boast robust clubs with active, multi-generational membership—from the groms to the salty dogs.

Last year, San Clemente won the state title. Dana Point continues to set the example for public service, hosting a surf day with the San Juan Capistrano Boys and Girls Club.

The West Coast Board Riders’ motto is, “The future is local,” and with an evergrowing number of clubs up and down the state and hundreds of surfers enjoying the friendly competitive environment, it certainly would appear that is the case. SC

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