January 3, 2019

LO C A L

N EWS

January 3-9, 2019

YO U

C A N

U S E

Inside: South County Real Estate Guide SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 14, ISSUE 01

Looking Forward Mayor Steve Swartz discusses upcoming issues in 2019 E Y E O N S C / PAG E 6

Mayor Steve Swartz and the San Clemente City Council will have plenty to address in the new year. Photo: Eric Heinz

New City Planner Sets Goals as Department Head EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Accomplished Animator Dies at 105 in San Clemente EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

www.sanclementetimes.com

Eyes on the Horizon: Exciting Year of Surf Ahead in 2019 SURF/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 New City Planner Sets Sights on Future as Department Head THE LATEST: Gabriel Perez started as the new planner of the city of San Clemente on Oct. 22, coming from the city of La Quinta.

Perez said he wants to make the planning process at the city more accessible, maintain historic districts and to modernize some of the amenities it provides.

“I actually grew up as a child in Escondido, so going to the beach I would go to either Oceanside or San Clemente, and when I visited San Clemente I always thought it was a well-managed and beautiful city, and I thought (working here) would be a good career choice,” Perez said.

Perez has been working in civil planning since 2004 and obtained his bachelor’s degree in urban planning from UCLA. He moved his way up to senior planner before moving to Riverside as a principal planner.

One criticism of the planning department from the public recently is the lengthy time it takes to get permits for projects. With the city’s massive General Plan and historic overlays, depending on where a project is located and what it seeks to achieve can take considerable time. Perez said he has been made aware of these concerns and hopes to address them immediately.

“I think that’s one of the reasons the community development director brought me on board; I have experience with…trying to improve the development review process for businesses and the development community and residents,” Perez said.

“My prior experience had a lot of focus on metrics and making sure the review process was timely. So what I’m doing now is meeting with representatives from the development community and businesses to get their perspective of what they think is going right with the process at the city of San Clemente and what we can improve on.”

An online permitting application process is not yet in place, but Perez said getting one up and operational is one of his goals.

“I definitely see some areas where we can use more state-of-the-art technology and accept plans online instead of San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

Don Lusk, a famously accomplished animator, died at age 105 in San Clemente on Dec. 30. He befriended a San Clemente woman in the years before his passing.

Photo: Courtesy of Slip Lusk via The Hollywood Reporter

having people come to City Hall,” Perez said. “(We want to) really create a more customer-centric experience for a lot of our residents and the development community.”

Perez said that he’s spoken with the representatives of the Planning Commission, the governing board of the department he’ll oversee. Planning Commission is the only municipal body other than city council that has outright authority; however, its decisions can be appealed to and overturned by the city council.

“I’ve been able to meet with planning commissioners individually, just to kind of get their perspectives. Some of them haven’t been here a long time, while others have been here a while,” Perez said.

“They definitely have a good sense of the historical perspective, and I’ve been able to hear about what’s important to the community, and those things matter at the end of the day and are sometimes part of the decision-making process.”

Perez said he sees a lot of value in the historic districts and promoting them.

“Sometimes homeowners don’t understand the historic value of their property, and we want to work with the Historical Society to be able to tell the story of San Clemente better,” he said.

Perez said the historic aspects of San Clemente have helped maintain its commercial districts and utilized the city’s scarce remaining undeveloped land (that isn’t protected as open space).

WHAT’S NEXT: The next Planning Com-

mission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 16. —Eric Heinz

Man Rescued at the Pier on Christmas Evening THE LATEST: A man was rescued Tuesday, Dec. 25 by San Clemente Marine Safety after apparently jumping from the boardwalk on the Municipal Pier, according to witnesses.

Marine Safety Chief Bill Humphreys said the 35-year-old man yelled for help as he clung to one of the pilings before someone on the Pier threw him one of the life rings on the boardwalk.

A video posted to Instagram shows the man struggling with the flotation device as a lifeguard swam out to get him.

WHAT’S NEXT: Sources close to the situation said the man was taken to Mission Hospital for his injuries.

“Hats off to the quick thinking of the people who threw him the life ring,” Humphreys said. “Wish we knew who it was so we could thank them.” —EH

New California State Laws in Effect THE LATEST: Some of California’s new state laws are likely to affect San Clementeans, and many are enforceable now.

A few of the key laws included: • Minimum wage increases from $11

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to $12 for businesses with 26 or more employees and from $10.50 to $11.50 for businesses with fewer than 25.

• Criminal penalties for sidewalk vending are now abolished, but cities can still regulate the vendors.

• Employers must now provide available space for mothers to breastfeed their children at work.

• People must request single-use straws at restaurants.

• Employees who report sexual harassment now have protections in place from liability or for defamation of the people they accuse. Employers may also indicate during reference checks whether someone had been determined to engage in sexual harassment.

• All dogs, cats and rabbits must now be purchased from a pet store, shelter or rescue group.

• Repeated DUI offenders will be required to use an interlock ignition system statewide.

WHAT’S NEXT: Find out more about some of the new labor laws in place by visiting www.callaborlaw.com. —Staff

Famous Animator Don Lusk Dies at Age 105 in San Clemente THE LATEST: If you’ve ever seen one of Disney’s classic films or Hanna-Barbera (Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) shows or some of the Charlie Brown editions, there’s a good chance Don Lusk worked on one of them. Lusk’s career as an animator includes a staggeringly impressive list of credits, including Bambi (1942), Fantasia (1940), and Alice in Wonderland (1950).

But it was San Clemente where he ended up spending his final years. Lusk died on Dec. 30 at the San Clemente Villas by the Sea at age 105, according to close friends and entertainment media outlets.

According to his close friend, Juliette Paskowitz—the widow of famed physician and surfer Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz—she befriended Lusk during his final years, as they both resided at the San Clemente Villas.

“He’d been here five years, and I’ve known him for three, and one of my young sons who is an artist gave him a beautiful painting,” Paskowitz said. “We were so close. I knew all about his life, wife, children, and he confided in me. Like Josh (her son) says, he was such a unique person.”

Paskowitz said due to random and assigned seating, she was introduced to Lusk for the first time a few years ago. While she said she didn’t think she

belonged at the residence that is meant for retired people, she quickly found companionship with the famed cartoonist.

“I came downstairs for dinner and came to see my son, Izzy, and he said, ‘Pretend like it’s the first day of school,’ and he introduced me and, you know, I never realized that behind all those gray hairs are beautiful stories, and I’ve met so many good friends here, including Don. He was just amazing and so smart and so funny.”

Paskowitz said then-post-centenarian Lusk would tell her all kinds of stories, not necessarily related to his work with Disney, Hanna-Barbera and other entertainment titans. She said although he would ask for seconds when they had wine with dinner, he would frequently share.

“After the other people would leave, he was so slow to finish, so I always sat by him, and we would go through the tales of his life together,” Paskowitz said, adding that their friendship was like two spirits passing each other between this world and the next.

Lusk’s career may be the most complete of any animator in history. He was a character animator for Lady and the Tramp (1955) and worked on episodes and movies of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang, The Jetsons—the list just keeps going.

WHAT’S NEXT: Details of Lusk’s memorial were not immediately available. —EH

Casino San Clemente Announces New Tenant, Moulin, at Former Ellie’s Table THE LATEST: In the month since the popular Ellie’s Table announced its closure on social media, Casino San Clemente owners announced on Dec. 27 that a new tenant will take over the former breakfast-and-lunch eatery.

Moulin, an OC-local bistro chain with locations in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, was announced by the Casino that it will lease the available 1,500-square-foot space at 120 W. Avenida Pico starting in March. An exact date has yet to be determined.

“This will be Moulin’s third location, and we are happy to see many (San Clementeans) know of their reputation for expert service, full breakfast and lunch menu and awesome quick coffee service! We can’t wait till they are moved in!” said Linda Sadeghi, the co-owner of the Casino San Clemente in an email to SC Times on Monday.

Ellie’s was expected to end its lease in January, but due to the business’s desire to expand, they decided to shutter the North Beach location, according to sources close to the information. Ellie’s still has a location in operation in San Juan Capistrano at the Eagan House, as well as other businesses under Jay’s Catering Co. “California’s surf culture is what drew me to the U.S. from France nearly 35 years ago,” said Moulin owner Laurent Vrignaud in a press release. “Today, I’m constantly drawn back to the beach. Moulin’s new location at Casino San Clemente is the ideal destination to recreate my love for Paris with a touch of childhood memories spent at the beach.”

According to a press release from Moulin, the San Clemente branch will serve its signature dishes of French cuisine, including “bistro favorites” such as Croque Madame, omelets, and Eggs Benedict.

“In keeping with our tradition of supporting small, family-owned businesses, we’re blessed to have the Moulin culinary artisans take up residence at the Casino San Clemente,” Sadeghi said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The restaurant is expected to seat 60 and will be open daily from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. —EH

EYE ON SC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Sailboat Washes Ashore Christmas Morning in San Clemente North Beach residents awoke to a peculiar sighting early Christmas morning, one that didn’t involve the jolly man in the sky but a more nautical occurrence.

Orange County Harbor Patrol reported that sometime during Santa’s sleigh ride, a sailboat washed up on North Beach just south of Capistrano Shores in San Clemente. Felter said it has been confirmed the owner of the boat is alive but that officials had not yet made contact with that person.

Felter said officials have not reported any other possible injuries in the incident and that the situation remains under investigation as of 10 a.m. He said officials were alerted of the boat’s landfall about 5 a.m. on Dec. 25.

Initially, Habor Patrol units tried to drag the sailboat back out to sea to tow it to a proper location.

“But there was so much going on, and because of the gale winds and high-surf advisory, we couldn’t get close to it,” Felter said. “It was way too far on the beach, and now it’s in the hands of the public works (department) in San Clemente to kind of get it all buttoned up.”

Felter said it appears the boat may have recently been “transferred” to the area.

It was not immediately clear what is the make and model of the sailboat.

Friends of the Library Announce ‘Meet the Authors’ Lineup The San Clemente Friends of the Library has announced the lineup for its Meet the Authors Luncheon scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 23 at Talega Golf Club. Chris Erskine is a nationally known humor columnist and editor for the Los Angeles Times. As an editor, he has been a part of two Pulitzer Prizewinning teams. His latest book, Daditude, released in 2018, is a collection of his favorite Times columns on fatherhood.

T. Jefferson Parker has lived all his life in Southern California. His writing career began in 1978, with a job as a cub reporter on the weekly newspaper, the Newport Ensign. Parker’s first novel, Laguna Heat, was published to rave reviews and made into an HBO movie starring Harry Hamlin, Jason Robards and Rip Torn. Parker’s following novels—all deal with crime, life and death in sunny Southern California—were published to rave reviews and appeared on many bestseller lists. Tickets go on sale January 2 at $60. This event raises funds for the San Clemente Public Library’s programs for children and adults and supports the Friends of the Library’s efforts to engender a love of reading and learning San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3

SC EXCHANGE CLUB MEETING Noon. San Clemente Exchange Club meets on most Thursdays at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.

Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena. 949.412.6301. www.exchangeclubsc.org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

A sailboat washed ashore Christmas morning, Dec. 25, in North Beach. No injuries have been reported, and the owner’s name has not yet been released. Photo: Fred Swegles

in the community. Tickets are now available at the Friends of the Library website www.sanclementefotl.org.

San Clemente Resident Sworn In as Midshipman Zachary Leonson Skov of San Clemente was recently sworn in as a Midshipman in the U.S. Naval Reserve at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, NY. Skov was nominated by Representative Linda Sanchez.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers. In addition to the rigorous academic and physical requirements for admission, applicants must be nominated by their Congressman or Senator.

It is one of five federal service academies, which include the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

Elks Lodge Donates $1,500 to Pier Pride On Dec. 27, San Clemente Elks Lodge, No. 2068, donated $1,500 to the Pier Pride organization for the preservation of the historic San Clemente Pier.

After attending the Light Up The Pier event earlier this year, the San Clemente Elks found they qualified for a grant to help preserve the Pier.

For more information, visit www.pierpride.org.

Street Artist in Residence Announces 2019 Schedule Through the Street Artist in Residence

(SAiR) program, the 2019 artists, Murdoc (Australia), NEKRO (Austria), Slim.Art (Spain), Mr.Difuz (France), and Chimp.

One (New Zealand) will have the opportunity to experiment with their craft, develop their focus, and collaborate with local artists, while also engaging in vital public dialogue from a home base at House of Trestles in San Clemente.

Each artist will receive access to SAiR resources during their stay, including lodging at House of Trestles, project development, production support, marketing, and mentorship. Additionally, the artists are provided with private sleeping arrangements, storage for art supplies, wall space at House of Trestles, and the opportunity to participate in communal living with international travelers.

For more information and a list of dates the artists will be featured, visit www.streetartistinresidence.org.

CUSD Reorganizes Board During the Dec. 12 Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustee Meeting, the board held its annual organizational meeting to elect the board president, vice president and clerk. The Board selected Trustee Gila Jones to serve as president, Trustee Gary Pritchard to serve as Vice President, and Trustee Patricia Holloway, San Clemente’s trustee, to continue her role as Clerk.

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees also welcomed Trustees Judy Bullockus, Gila Jones and Martha McNicholas, who were re-elected to a new term. Bullockus has served on the Board since 2017, representing Trustee Area 7, which covers portions of Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, and Coto de Caza.

The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting is Jan. 24. Click here for more information about the CUSD Board of

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SUNRISE ROTARY 7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Club Signature Grille. 990 Avenida Talega. www.scsunriserotary.com.

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (BILY) MEETING 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meets every Tuesday.

Because I Love You (BILY) helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices.

Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9

KIWANIS SAN CLEMENTE Noon. Kiwanis San Clemente meets on most Wednesdays. Fratello’s Italian Restaurant, 647 Camino De Los Mares No. 126, San Clemente. www.sanclementekiwanis.com.

VFW POST 7142 MEETING 7 p.m. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7142 will conduct its regular monthly meeting. San Clemente Elks Lodge, 1550 N. El Camino Real.

949.464.8391. www.vfw7142.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10

SAN CLEMENTE ROTARY 6:30 p.m. The San Clemente Rotary Club meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. OC Tavern Grill and Sports Bar, 2369 S. El Camino Real. www.sanclementerotary.org.

Trustees and a listing of future Board Meeting dates.

Have something interesting to submit to our News Bites section?

Submissions are due by 10 a.m. the Monday of the week you’d like published.

Email eheinz@picketfencemedia.com. www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Looking Forward

action on the spent fuel canisters.

Next Exit on The Toll Roads

The draft environmental impact report from the TCA is expected to be completed later this year, and with it comes a couple of toll road proposals that the city is vigorously fighting.

Swartz mentioned the protective agreement the city is currently litigating regarding the allowance of the toll roads.

“The solution they need is to connect back to the (I-)5 further north of us, or go around us, through the base and have it connect to the south,” Swartz said.

A proposal drawn up by the Orange County Board of Supervisors is expected to be discussed at its next meeting on Jan. 29 that would connect the SR-241 extension from Los Patrones Parkway to La Pata but would circumvent the Prima Deshecha Landfill.

Plenty of issues will highlight San Clemente’s 2019

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

M

ayor Steve Swartz was appointed on the auspice that he would bring a change of pace to the new San Clemente City Council.

He, along with new members Dan Bane and Laura Ferguson, are tasked with leading the Spanish village by the sea into a critical 2019 that could see the determination and fate of many of its largest issues, all the while grappling with a likely shortfall in available expenditures toward capital improvement projects and general fund revenue.

The issues related to the spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), the proposed toll roads and traffic mitigation, as well as the ongoing hospital lawsuit, will all likely take center stage in 2019.

Vision for the Future

Off the starting blocks, Swartz said that he wants to have a more transparent dialogue with the city’s residents, at least to the limits of his legal ability. He referenced the various forms of litigation the city has undertaken in recent years and the inability to thoroughly communicate council’s actions on such matters.

“The new members definitely won the election based upon a lot of issues that the voting public in the city didn’t feel were being addressed,” Swartz said. “I think it’s a good time to do a little shift and review where we’re at. I think it’s unfortunate that because of the fact we’re in so much litigation and…so much of that we can’t disclose outside of closed session, so it’s frustrating for us to say we’re so close on this or that, but we’re legally barred.

“That’s been some of the difficulty that the old city council had and that the new city council will learn. I think some of the (new council members) have experience dealing with some of those issues. I think we’ve moved quite well on some of the legal issues and resolved a number of them, which was my goal when I got elected to city council. I do believe I have the support now to move part of the focus for the city council to the city at-large and not just a residential area or just residen-

San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

Protests against The Toll Roads proposals were frequent in 2018. As the Transportation Corridor Agencies looks to finalize its environmental reports, 2019 is likely to be another contentious year surrounding the transportation scene. Photo: File

tial concerns.”

Swartz said he is trying to resolve the issues that are city-wide, and he also addressed what will likely be the first of at least two fiscal years of scaling back spending; as forecast in past budgetary cycles, the city is on target to spend more than it currently has.

Budget hearings will begin this spring with Assistant City Manager Erik Sund likely leading the discussion as to how the city will balance its coffers in the following years.

“I don’t really want to raise taxes; that’s never been—that’s not my personal policy,” Swartz said.

But since he’s been on city council, no city taxes have been increased.

“They’ve tried,” Swartz said, “and they’ve done special assessments back when you could do those. What I’ve seen is we’ve had a steady drop in sales-tax revenue, whereas our population has grown, which is telling me that we have more people living here, but they’re going elsewhere for their needs. They’re not shopping local.”

Swartz said he wouldn’t want to entertain some kind of e-commerce tax, where much of the retail market has been flooding toward in recent years.

“I think local retail will always be around because of convenience, and there’s a population that wants to see things (for themselves), and I’m confident that entrepreneurs and businesspeople will figure it out,” he said, adding that he would like to see more modernly

attractive, mixed-use businesses. “We just have to make it easier for them to come to our town.”

Tourism is another source of income Swartz said he would like to explore, referencing the self-marketing that city neighbors Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano have employed in recent years.

A Critical Year for SONGS?

At a recent Community Engagement Panel (CEP) meeting in Oceanside, Chairman David Victor said 2019 could be a key year to getting certain federal legislation changed that could assist in transferring spent nuclear fuel canisters from SONGS away from the shoreline.

He said this year is a particularly opportune time to achieve these goals because it’s far enough away from an election cycle, and with a new House of Representatives—some of those elected ran on platforms to seek alternative locations for the spent fuel—it could be the last chance before the remaining canisters are expected to be stored later this year.

After then-Mayor Tim Brown stepped down last year, Swartz took over as the city’s representative on the CEP, which is not a decision-making body but is intended to be a dialogue faction between the public and SONGS owner, Southern California Edison.

Since then, there have been causes for concern from the public regarding a potentially hazardous incident with one of the storage canisters in August and that there hasn’t been any recent federal

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Public Safety Costs

The study regarding the cost of services for Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) has been on the backburner for months now, as 13 cities that contract with the department want to know they’re getting their money’s worth.

“There doesn’t seem to be an understanding from the Sheriff’s Department about what it’s costing us, and that’s why I’ve supported the studies that we’re doing,” Swartz said. “I thought that if the three cities down here could come up with a joint powers agreement and come up with our own department, this could increase the visibility of our deputies and save some money.”

The study is expected to be completed early 2019.

Swartz also commented on the current homeless issues still facing the homeless population, particularly at North Beach, where the population has increased.

“We have some partners (Mercy House and OCSD) and we have a very generous population here in San Clemente, particularly this time of year,” he said, “but we need to keep working with them in order to address this. It’s not illegal to be homeless, but with it comes a lot of illegal activity.”

Hospital Lawsuit

A civil trial for the lawsuit against the city of San Clemente is scheduled for February at the Federal Courthouse in Santa Ana, where MemorialCare Health Services is seeking $42.5 million from the city after San Clemente zoned the land on which its former hospital operated as required to provide emergency room services.

Details on the lawsuit will be covered in subsequent editions of the San Clemente Times. SC

www.sanclementetimes.com

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This rendering, presented at a Planning Commission meeting in December, shows a San Clemente Chick-fil-A restaurant, as viewed from the southbound Avenida Vista Hermosa off-ramp. Photo: Courtesy of the city of San Clemente

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San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

CoastLines by Fred Swegles

Major Plans Beginning at the Outlets in the New Year

2

019 could be a savory year for local fans of Chick-fil-A and for moviegoers who like state-of-the-art, fullservice cinemas that can serve dinner and drinks at your seat.

San Clemente is also set to become home to an ocean-view Marriott Autograph Collection hotel with restaurant and conference facilities.

At its final meeting of 2018, the City Council approved plans for a 115-seat Chick-fil-A restaurant with a drive-thru, indoor playground and 16-seat outdoor patio at 495 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, next to the southbound freeway on-ramp onto I-5.

Set back about 100 yards behind Chickfil-A will be a four-level boutique hotel with some 125-130 rooms, the exact total to be announced. The 10-screen cinema will be located in an existing building near the opposite end of the Outlets at San Clemente.

The outlet center may also be ready in early 2019 to announce two additional restaurants, outlet center developer Steve Craig said.

He said Marriott is on board for the Autograph Collection hotel, and construction could begin in February or March.

Marriott describes the Autograph Collection brand, with more than 100 locations worldwide, as “a beacon of good taste.”

“Our aim is to showcase some of the most beautifully orchestrated hotel experiences the world has to offer,” Autograph Collection’s website states.

Don’t expect hotel completion during 2019, as construction can take 18 months, Craig said. Cinema development will re-

quire remodeling of an outlet center building dedicated to it. That may extend the opening date into 2020, but “we still have hopes of opening it in 2019,” Craig said.

One movie auditorium will feature a 60foot PLF (Premium Large Format) screen, the outlet center announced. Metropolitan Theaters, with 16 locations in California, Colorado, Idaho and Utah, will offer reserved luxury seating and “a fullservice restaurant and bar, providing movie-goers dining options before and after the film, as well as in-auditorium service,” the center said.

COASTLINES The city’s Planning

By Fred Swegles Commission approved the Chick-fil-A on Dec. 5, and the City Council ratified it on Dec. 18 when council members approved the Planning Commission’s meeting minutes. The council did not call up the plan for review.

Chick-fil-A can’t begin building immediately, because restaurant permits are tied to progress on the hotel. The city must issue building permits for the hotel before Chick-fil-A can obtain its building permit.

Cecilia Gallardo-Daly, the city’s community development director, said the hotel project is in the final stage of city staff review, plan check. No discretionary reviews by the City Council are needed.

The hotel received the required City Council approval in 2004 as part of a Marblehead Coastal development plan. A national economic collapse in 2008 stalled

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Marblehead Coastal—the hotel, outlet center and the Sea Summit residential project, its trails and parks. The Outlets and Sea Summit restarted and had grand openings in November 2015.

Meanwhile, two miles inland from I-5 along Avenida Vista Hermosa, Target plans to parcel off the west end of its parking lot in 2019 to make way for a drive-thru restaurant, two smaller eateries and a bank. The project won the Planning Commission’s approval on Dec. 19.

The Planning Commission’s meeting minutes outlining the Target project’s approval could be up for City Council consideration Jan. 15.

The project at 990 Avenida Vista Hermosa is across the street from Vista Hermosa Sports Park. A pedestrian ramp from the Vista Hermosa sidewalk up to the site will be designed to make it easier for people visiting the sports park to access the eateries.

Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with more than 47 years of experience reporting in the city. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Jan. 4 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso This week’s guest will be Steve Miska, a local representative of First Amendment Voice, who will speak about current media affairs and freedom of speech.

Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

www.sanclementetimes.com

45 Via Torina | Talega | San Clemente 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 4,044 SqFt | 11,192 SqFt Lot Offered for $1,795,000 Move up to an enviable way of life in this luxuriously upgraded and expanded estate at Carillon at Talega in San Clemente. A prized end-of-cul-de-sac homesite of nearly 11,192 square feet provides exceptional privacy and rare advantages. The heart of this extraordinary Tuscan-inspired villa is its custom great room, which now flows through two sets of slide-away La Cantina doors to a fabulous outdoor kitchen and lounge with two HDTVs, a fireplace and bar. Custom porcelain plank tile unites the indoor and outdoor spaces, which also include a fire pit and a new outdoor Pebble Tech spool. Approximately 4,044 square feet, the spacious floorplan includes a main-floor bedroom and a detached guest casita, adding to a total of five bedrooms, and four full and two half baths. www.45ViaTorina.com DOUG ECHELBERGER | RealtorŽ Pacific Sotheby’s Intl. Realty 949.498.7711 | Doug@Echelberger.com DRE# 01176379 | Broker DRE# 01767484 www.Echelberger.com

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

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

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

Thursday | 03 PICKLEBALL LESSONS 6-7 p.m. Most pickleball classes offered by the city of San Clemente are full, but there will now be a beginner’s class on Thursdays. $60 for a series of four. San Luis Rey Park. 109 Avenida San Luis Rey, San Clemente. 954.647.6305. www.san-clemente.org.

Friday | 04 LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Join Iva Lee’s for live music every

Wednesday through Sunday. For the ultimate live music experience, be sure to reserve a lounge table on Fridays and Saturdays. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. Check their website for the latest performances scheduled. www.ivalees.com.

Saturday | 05 TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. Doing your first 5K or your 50th marathon? Run with other new and experienced runners starting at Peet’s Coffee every Saturday in Talega.

We always have a fun 3-Mile course planned with several runners adding miles depending on their training goals. This is a free run club. 801 Avenida Talega, suite 101, San Clemente.

949.558.5054. www.facebook.com/2XUSanClemente.

EDITOR’S PICK

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

THURSDAY, JAN. 10: ART + WINE 6:30-8:30 p.m. Art + Wine workshops take place the second Monday and Thursday of each month, which include contemporary crafts to painting and printmaking. Bring your own bottle of wine to enjoy with the work. Small Space, 201 Calle de Los Molinos, San Clemente. 310.428.5324. www.smallspaceart.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Small Space Art

GETTING OUT COMETS AND ASTEROIDS 10 a.m. Speaker Spencer Murray is a member of Orange County Astronomers and president of Caspers Park Preservation Foundation. He will speak about the difference between meteorites and comets as well as other elements of the cosmos. 33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano. 949. 923.2210 or 949.923.2207. www.ocparks.com/parks/ronald.

Sunday | 06 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, plants and artisanal goods from organic growers along the north side of Avenida Del Mar. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Village Art Faire offers an array of exceptional work handcrafted by gifted artisans, including fine art, jewelry, woodwork, fused and blown glass, sculpture, ceramics, home decor, candles, knits, botanicals and more. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

949.395.7008. www.villagesanclemente.org.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SALE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The San Clemente Friends of the Library will host its members’ half-price sale. People can sign up for membership onsite to receive 50 percent off their entire purchase. 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949-.276.6342. www.ocpl.org/liboc/sc.

D. YODER FAMILY SUNDAY 10 a.m.-2 p.m. D. Yoder Family Sundays are the first Sunday of each month for activities and a program thematically based on Casa Romantica’s “Casa Captivating” programs for all ages. D. Yoder Family Sundays are made possible by the generosity of Ms. June Yoder. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

Monday | 07 INTRODUCTION TO BRIDGE 9:30-11:30 a.m. A beginner’s class will take place. Lessons will take place on subsequent Mondays. 31461 Rancho Viejo Rd., San Juan Capistrano.

949.248.1268. janedober@gmail.com. www.socb.center.

GUITAR LESSONS (NEW LOCATION) 5-7:30 p.m. Free beginner-level acoustic guitar lessons for middle-school to college-age youth every Monday. Guitars

San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

provided or students can bring their own.

Lessons begin at 5 p.m. and improv starts at 6:30 p.m. COA at The Arts Project of Orange County, 1317 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. coamusicarts@ gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

At the Movies: Good Things to Say about ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’

BINGO AT GOODY’S 7 p.m. Every Monday, Goody’s hosts a bingo night for a charity of the month.

Cards are $1 per sleeve, and raffle prizes are offered. Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Tuesday | 08 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND LIFE STORIES WORKSHOP 10 a.m.-Noon. Come be inspired to begin or continue the fulfilling journey of writing your personal and/or family story.

You will enjoy learning hints for writing and hearing tales from others, while sharing your own story. Class begins Tuesday, January 8 and continues Jan. 22, Feb. 5 and 19; and March 5 and 19. Fee: $35/6 classes. Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo St. 949.248.3530. www. danapoint.org/recreation.

Photo: Tatum Mangus / Annapurna Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

s 2018 comes to an end, Barry Jenkins’ adaptation of James Baldwin’s 1974 novel If Beale Street Could Talk expands to more theaters. This comes two years after Jenkins won Best Adapted Screenplay for Moonlight, which also won Best Picture after much confusion when La La Land was wrongly announced as the winner of 2016. Usually the case with most Oscar winners, there’s a lot of hype and expectations for the follow-up film.

Despite the book/movie title, If Beale Street Could Talk actually takes place in a mid-20th century Harlem, New York neighborhood rather than Memphis. Tish Rivers (Kiki Layne) and Fonny Hunt (Stephan James) have known each other their whole lives, but only begin a romantic relationship when Tish is 18 and Fonny is 21. A year later, they move in

NEEDLEWORK CIRCLE 12:30-2:30 p.m. Join the Needlework Circle on Tuesdays as they knit and crochet for a community service project. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar. 949.492.3493. www.ocpl.org/libloc/sc.

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

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

Wednesday | 09 SAN CLEMENTE TOPS 9:30-10:30 a.m. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Wednesday. Meetings include a private weigh-in followed by informational programs that focus on making small, steady changes that provide lasting weight loss and better health.

San Clemente Presbyterian Church, 119

Avenida de Estrella, 949.492.9428. www.tops.org.

FREE COMEDY AT BLOOMS IRISH SPORTS BAR 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Blooms Irish Sports Bar with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real,

Page 17

together, only for Fonny to suddenly be thrown into prison right when Tish discovers she’s pregnant. Their families believe he is truly innocent and has been framed, and they hire DA Hayward (Finn Wittrock) to help Fonny seek justice.

Regina King plays Tish’s understanding mother, who has gained so much acclaim that she’s currently the leading contender for Best Supporting Actress this season. While King is great and her reception is a long time coming, it’s the newcomers as the leads who are most intriguing.

Particularly impressive is Layne, who has to lead the majority of the movie on her own and succeeds. Beale Street isn’t Moonlight—nor does it try to be, and it does just fine as a love story and coming-of-age tale on its own. Most importantly, it shows that Jenkins is here to stay as a new Hollywood talent. SC

San Clemente. 949.218.0120.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 9 p.m.-1 a.m. All levels of musicians are invited to perform at this weekly open mic. Bring your instruments, or voice, and show off your talent. 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. www.knuckleheadsmusic.com.

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Locals Only

SC BUSINESS DIRECTORY San Clemente

ACCOUNTING

Chris W. Johnston, CPA, MBA 34184 Pacific Coast Highway Dana Point, 949.240.8015, www.cwjcpacorp.com

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air

2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com

ART GALLERIES

San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

Exquisite Epoxy Concrete Floor Coatings

Lic.: 1020002, 949.632.8400 exquisiteepoxy.com

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S.

647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRIC BIKES

Murf Electric Bikes

212 N. El Camino Real, 949.370.3801, www.murfelectricbikes.com

ELECTRICAL

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

Café Calypso

Capistrano Valley Raingutters JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Panagia Music: Music Lessons and More!

BRE # 01480453, 949.275.8937 www.LuXreRealty.com

RESTAURANTS

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

Sherry Wild, LuXre Realty

Buy • Consign • Sell

949.395.5681 (24 hours) Available 7 days a week.

We also offer professional appraisals, auction services, restoration and shipping.

CASH SAME DAY Dee Coleman, CEO/Owner 2485 S. El Camino Real San Clemente Web: classicautosalesoc.com Email: classicautosalesoc@gmail.com

100% positive EBAY Seller since 2001!

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bleu

207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

Syrens Hair Parlor

217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com

949.705.7573, panagiamusic@gmail. com, www.panagiamusic.com

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

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

Colony Termite Control

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

LIST LOCALS ONLY

USE LOCALS ONLY

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

REALTORS

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes

949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

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

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

OTHER STUFF THINGS TO DO See the Activity in your Zip code www.seniorsignin.com SHARED OFFICE AVAILABLE! 8’x13’ office in shared 1000 sqft office suite in Dana Point Town Center. Nice reception area, restroom, kitchen, alarm, ample parking, internet & utilities included. CALL 949.489.2088

HELP WANTED

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

PEST/TERMITE CONTROL

CLASSIFIEDS

In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at www.sanclementetimes.com.

Call at Susie Lantz for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com.

LOOKING FOR RDA/RDA-EF (SAN CLEMENTE) We have a beautiful, modern office, a wonderful patient population, an enthusiastic team and a sincere periodontist dedication to quality care. Three to four days a week, possibly leading to full-time.

Previous dental experience, a great attitude and strong work ethic are our first priority. Bilingual is a plus! Please send resume and a paragraph about yourself to: ginnyperio@att.net. We look forward to meeting you.

Do you want to reach 42,000 people in the San Clemente area? *2.1 readership per 20,000 copies distributed

Then you need to be in the San Clemente Times.

Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 111

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 slantz@picketfencemedia.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@picketfencemedia.com

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

San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

Page 19

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SC San Clemente

SC LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Wellness and Prevention by Ashley Granger

Under Pressure: Coping With Teen Anxiety From columnist Susan Parmelee: I have asked Ashley Granger to write this month’s column as a preview to our January Teen Toolbox panel presentation. The pressures on our teens continue to increase, and sadly, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for youth ages 11-24, second only to accidents. Fortunately, we have many dedicated teens, community members and professionals committed to changing this statistic.

I

n February of 2017, my business partner and I set out on a mission to help the youth in our community. We held an event at Aliso Niguel High School focusing on building emotional resilience in teens. Over 250 parents, educators, community members and teens showed up for the discussion—parents, faculty, community members and teens.

Everyone wanted to figure out how to help these kids cope with their reality.

I will be honest, my assumption in the beginning of this adventure was that we, as adults, were putting too much pressure on these teens. I wasn’t completely wrong, but I was also far from right.

Five months ago, I established a free teen yoga class at a local yoga studio.

Every Tuesday, teens stroll in, grab their journals and start writing. Each class focuses on a new topic having to do with mindfulness. We have created vision boards, set intentions and written letters to people who made us feel angry or hurt.

We learned about the art of letting go of things and ideas that no longer serve us.

We cry, we laugh, we share, we learn, we evolve. And the crazy thing is, they keep coming back! Every week they show up

for themselves. They are learning to give themselves at least one hour a week to process and deal with what is happening in their lives.

One of the topics we keep returning to is pressure. The teens have shared they feel pressure from academics, social relationships, personal drives and parental expectations. One of the biggest misconceptions I have heard from parents is that they are proud of their teens if they perform to their best ability; however, the teens place immense pressure on themselves to get perfect grades because they feel that’s the only way they’ll get into college. In their mind, a top college is their only path to success. Often, WELLNESS AND they are comparing PREVENTION themselves to others

By Ashley Granger they see on social media or peers at school.

As pressure increases, risky behaviors may become a coping mechanism, including experimentation with drugs and alcohol, changes in eating habits and behavior, possible suicidal thoughts, sleep problems, promiscuous behaviors, isolation, anxiety and depression. So, what do we do about it? We work to be a stronger community of support for our teens.

A question I am asked when working with families and teens is “What’s the fastest, most effective way I can help my teen?”

My answer is always the same. Practice what you preach! If we want to see our teens be kinder to themselves, develop

Pet of the Week: Miss Kitty SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

F Miss Kitty. Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente/ Dana Point Animal Shelter

San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

ive-year-old Miss Kitty wants it known that she is more than just a pretty face. This striking calico also has a great personality and is just about as loveable as they come. If you’re in the market for a new feline friend, you can’t go wrong with a sweetheart like Miss Kitty.

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

Photo: Courtesy of Orange County Archives/Flickr

FROM THE ARCHIVES From left, Mrs. William C. Haughton, then-San

Clemente Mayor Howard Massie and Mrs. Alfred Theurich plant a pine tree at San Clemente City Hall in 1966. This is just one sample of the many items included in the time capsule placed at Dana Point Harbor during the harbor’s “rock placing” (groundbreaking) in 1966, according to the photo caption. The capsule was opened during a special ceremony in August 2016.

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.

healthier coping skills and be capable of communicating, we must be their teachers and role models. Showing teens that feeling and expressing our emotions (not just happiness) is okay. Another powerful concept is understanding the power of vulnerability. Being real and raw and not feeling the need to be protected in all we do is so empowering. It is much easier to operate in a world where we are our most authentic selves without the worry of people’s ideas about who they think we should be.

Pressure is an inevitable part of life that we cannot avoid or change. However, how

we choose to handle it needs to be healthy and effective. If we develop coping skills, we create a better understanding of the effects stress has on us, and we can develop healthy habits.

Editor’s note: “Teel Toolbox—Under Pressure” takes place 6:45-8:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 at San Clemente High School, 700 Avenida Pico. 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

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Page 20

See the solution in next week’s issue.

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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Triton Report

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the Triton programs throughout the playoffs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

O

ver the holiday break, all of the Triton winter sports teams participated in a litany of tournaments. With league play kicking off next week, let’s check in on how those teams fared over the break and where they stand before the games really count.

Boys Soccer in Strong Form The San Clemente boys soccer team is again one of the elite teams in CIF-SS Division 1.

The Tritons, ranked No. 5 in the last Division 1 poll on Dec. 17, have won six of their last eight games with a third-place finish in their own Lotto Sport Western Showcase on Dec. 22 at San Clemente High School and a second-place finish at the SoCal High School Classic on Dec. 29 at Oceanside High School.

In the Western Showcase, San Clemente beat St. Augustine of San Diego on penalty kicks in the first round, 1-1 (4-2), but fell to Cathedral of Los Angeles in the second round, 2-1. The Tritons bounced back with a win over Auburndale of Florida, 1-0, to take the tournament bronze.

Blake Bowen and Quinn Richards scored in the tournament for San Clemente, and Curtis Harvey posted the shutout in the third-place game.

In the National Showcase Division at the SoCal High School Classic, the Tritons found their offensive stride in their first two games with wins over Santa Margarita, 3-0, and San Pasqual of Escondido, 3-1. In the tournament final, San Clemente scored early, but Torrey Pines equalized in stoppage time and won the game on penalty kicks, 1-1 (4-2).

Bowen scored three goals in the tournament, and Richards, Evan Dilbeck and Micah Usui each scored a goal. Harvey and Ryan Kowarsch combined for the shutout against Santa Margarita.

San Clemente hosts Dana Hills in a local nonleague game on Thursday, Jan. 3 and opens its South Coast League title defense at El Toro on Monday, Jan. 7.

San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

The San Clemente boys soccer team has had success in early-season tournaments and looks primed for a strong run in league and beyond. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Wrestling Coach Calentino Earns 400th Win Twenty-nine years after his first win at San Clemente High School, Tritons wrestling coach Mark Calentino picked up his 400th victory on Dec. 1 at the Battle by the Bay tournament at Corona del Mar. The Tritons beat Newport Harbor, 5430, for the win. The win was poetic for Calentino’s career as Newport Harbor assistant coach John Witting, who placed at state while attending San Clemente, was part of Calentino’s first win for the Tritons.

San Clemente has gotten off to a strong start this season with a 7-2 record and already has picked up a conference victory over Aliso Niguel, 58-21.

The Tritons hosted their annual San Clemente Rotary Tournament on Dec. 22.

San Clemente took second in the team standings with an individual title from Masious Vaugn at 160 lbs.

Johnajack Garcia (113 lbs.), Jake Lerdahl (120 lbs.), Khajack Darbinian (182 lbs.) and Spencer Robertson (285 lbs.) picked up individual silvers.

Girls Water Polo Finds Winning Stride It was an indisputably rough start for

the San Clemente girls water polo team.

The Tritons lost their first six matches, with three coming by just one goal and another by only two.

San Clemente lost the opener of the Bill Barnett Holiday Cup in Newport Beach on Dec. 28, but the Tritons finally found the other side in the tournament’s final three games.

San Clemente earned victories over Rancho Bernardo, 17-7; Coronado, 13-12 in overtime; and Harvard-Westlake, 10-8, to take ninth place in the prestigious earlyseason tournament.

The tournament was a much-needed boost for San Clemente, still ranked No. 15 in the last CIF-SS Division 1 and 2 combined poll on Dec. 17, before the Tritons defend their South Coast League title at El Toro on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

San Clemente has three more games before it gets started in league. The Tritons play at Huntington Beach on Thursday, Jan. 3, at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego on Saturday, Jan. 5, and at Foothill on Monday, Jan. 7.

Boys, Girls Basketball, Girls Soccer Look for Consistency It’s been an early season of ups and downs for the other winter sports squads at San Clemente.

The boys basketball team (7-9) has dealt

Page 21

with injuries and a tough tournament schedule but found some success in its last tournament of 2018.

The Tritons earned a third-place finish at the Tustin Holiday Classic from Dec. 26-29. San Clemente earned wins over Western, 79-40, and Tustin, 67-52, and after falling to Compton in the semifinals, the Tritons beat University for bronze, 64-61. Max Rumph and Andrew Herbert were named to the all-tournament team.

San Clemente opens league play at Mission Viejo on Monday, Jan. 7 The girls basketball team (11-7) had a tremendous start to the season but hit a bump at the tough SoCal Holiday Prep Classic in San Diego from Dec. 26-29.

The Tritons lost their first four games but earned a win in their finale over Mira Mesa of San Diego, 66-28.

San Clemente hosts Glendora on Thursday, Jan. 3 and plays at Carlsbad on Jan. 5 before opening South Coast League play at Aliso Niguel on Tuesday, Jan. 8 The girls soccer team (3-3-2) has only posted the same result in back-to-back games once this season, with two losses on Nov. 29 and Dec. 3. The Tritons alternated wins and draws over their next four games before a loss to St. Margaret’s, 1-0, on Dec. 28.

San Clemente gets right to work on its league title defense at Aliso Niguel on Thursday, Jan. 10. SC

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SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Keep Your Eyes On The Horizon

It’s an incredible time to be a surfer in Dana Point and San Clemente

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

ith some great memories in the rearview mirror and some epic new beginnings coming down the line, we’re gliding into 2019 in fine form down here in Dana Point and San Clemente.

As surfers, we have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for. First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to all the surfboard builders in the area who provide us with our dream machines. There are too many talented individuals to list here, but from the shapers, to the glassers, to the sanders, to the groms sweeping the shop floor, whether you ply your trade doing a few boards in your backyard for friends or grind it out in the Surf Ghetto or play the larger production game, without your tireless and often thankless work, we wouldn’t all get to have so much fun. So, thanks for keeping us all in the water.

When it comes to what’s going on in the water, South Orange County celebrated a banner year in 2018. At the most elite level of the sport, surfers like Griffin Colapinto, Kolohe Andino and Patrick Gudauskas pushed their performances on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour. Competing at the highest level of the sport, they’ve inspired a whole crew of up-andcomers to storm the shore.

And the future is bright. San Clemente’s Kirra Pinkerton recently claimed the WSL

GROM OF THE WEEK

REESE SHIGEI

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he path to enlightenment starts at Doheny. For kids riding their first waves, there’s nowhere better.

“My dad taught me how to surf at Doho,” explained Dana Point’s Reese Shigei, who just turned 7 years old over the holidays. “He still pushes me into waves, but I am now surfing at Salt Creek.”

And so, the journey begins. In first grade at Oxford Preparatory Academy, Reese already has a couple of years of surfing under her belt.

“My favorite thing about surfing is going fast down the line and doing a big

San Clemente Times January 3-9, 2019

Year in, year out, the stoke remains the same. Fired up groms at the 2018 Stoke-O-Rama. Photo: Max Beyer/Vans

World Junior Title—the first American surfer to hold that distinction. Meanwhile, Pinkerton’s friends and classmates, Samantha Sibley, Kade Matson, Jett Schilling, Cole Houshmand, Crosby Colapinto and others are hot on her heels, already drawing attention and acclaim on the international surf stage.

In the realm of friendly rivalries, the surf club movement continues to thrive and grow throughout California. It was only a couple of years ago that Dana Point Surf Club President Eric Diamond and I had lunch to talk about the burgeoning movement. This year, both the Dana Point and San Clemente clubs filled their rosters with amazing surfers of all ages. Showcasing just how deep the generational talent pool is in the area, they’ve become a rallying point for our respective communi-

turn. I like doing that because I love going fast,” said Reese when the San Clemente Times caught up with her.

Inspired by the performances of world champs like Kelly Slater and John John Florence, as well as local salt Pat O’Connell, Reese has big dreams.

“In the next 10 years, I hope to be surfing for Team USA and competing in QS events,” said Reese.

And if that doesn’t work out? Well, she can roll with the best of them.

“I love jiujitsu almost as much as I love surfing. I just got my gray belt,” Reese said proudly.

Whatever direction life carries her, with her positive attitude and deep appreciation for being stoked, there’s no doubt Reese will accomplish whatever dreams she chases. SC

ties. And the Dana Point Surf Club did one better this fall, inviting a group of kids from the Boys & Girls Club in San Juan Capistrano to come join them for a day in the water at Doheny, sharing the stoke and making new friends.

The Gudauskas brothers and their Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation has inspired us to all be more giving, compassionate wave riders. “The tribe vibe” was in full effect in 2018 as they started the year by delivering over 700 surfboards to disenfranchised youth in South Africa and finished the year with a load of another 300 boards to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. A lot of boards were donated by local surfers in Dana Point and San Clemente.

Other surf-related nonprofits in the area also have much to celebrate. The Surf-

rider Foundation, headquartered in San Clemente, continues to lead the charge in protecting and preserving our beaches and waterways around the country. One of its goals is to reduce plastic waste from getting out into the environment, and the last time I had the good fortune of eating at Fisherman’s on the Pier, the restaurant had ditched plastic straws for paper ones.

Of course, there’s much work to be done. The storage of the waste from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station continues to be a massive cause for concern. Last year, Edison began storing the waste onsite, placing it in stainless steel canisters just yards from the shoreline.

There is no timeline for its eventual removal as the U.S. government does not have a long-term storage facility ready to house the waste.

On the bright side, awareness and motivation to do something about the problem has begun to pick up momentum as environmental groups, like San Clemente Green, have been joined by inspired young activists, politicos and entrepreneurs like Jackson Hinkle, Jake Rybczyk and Carson Kropfl. The San Onofre Surf Company stepped up with an awareness campaign over the summer. But perhaps the best news of all, with the election of Congressman Mike Levin, there will now be a voice in Washington, D.C. that will go to bat for us.

It’s a good time to be a surfer in Dana Point and San Clemente. There’s a lot happening, and the new year’s setting up to be an epic one. From all the hustle and bustle surrounding the redevelopment of the Dana Point Harbor, which will be paying homage to all of the surfing legends that helped put this area on the map, to the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games, which will feature the sport of surfing for the first time, keep your eyes on the horizon and get ready to start paddling! SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 58-60 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 10-15’ Thursday: Small surf with overlapping northwest swells and minor south swell. Waves are around knee-thigh high (1-2’) with sets to waist high (3’) at standout breaks. Light offshore winds in the morning, becoming light onshore in the afternoon.

Outlook: Modest to fun size northwest swell provide waist high+ (3’) surf and chest-shoulder high (4’) sets at top breaks into the weekend. Favorable morning winds. Larger and stronger surf setting up for Sunday and early next week. Winds could be more problematic during that time though. Be sure to check Surfline.com for all the details and that longer range outlook.

Reese Shigei. Photo: Courtesy

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