September 13, 2018

LO C A L

N EWS

September 13-19, 2018 YO U

C A N

U S E

INSIDE: Your Guide to The Shea Center’s 40th Annual BBQ SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 13, ISSUE 37

Skate for the Park San Clemente’s Open Skate contest returns Sept. 15 as park advocates search for funding S P O R T S / PAG E 1 9 With the return of the San Clemente Open Skate contest, local advocates of skateboard facilities look toward possible future projects. Check out the action Sept. 15. Photo: File

Police Looking into SC Woman’s Fraudulent Firefighter Scam EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SCHS Drama to Perform ‘The Wedding Singer,’ Opens Sept. 20 EYE ON SC/PAGE 5

www.sanclementetimes.com

Darnold, Pettis Shine in NFL Debuts SPORTS/PAGE 18

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 City Moves to Lessen Expenses of Legal Fees through Retainer Agreement THE LATEST: As the city of San Clemente looks to reduce some of its legal costs, City Council on Sept. 4 approved a retainer fee agreement with its contracted legal firm, Best, Best & Krieger.

San Clemente city attorney Scott Smith said the idea behind this new agreement is to reduce the charges to the city to consolidate some of the workload that’s been undertaken by his law firm. Other city staff members or consulting experts will take on some of the tasks, which would then still be reviewed by the legal team when necessary.

“Some things are unpredictable, like a development application with environmental review, litigation is pretty erratic,” Smith said. “There’s certain work that’s going on all the time, and we could budget for that better.”

The city approved the three-year retainer and general council fee at the latest City Council meeting for $450,000 per fiscal year. That figure was calculated from two-thirds of the average retainer costs from the last three years.

“The general services used to be unlimited and our fees could be unlimited, and now they’re capped,” Smith said, adding the agreement includes stipulations for larger litigation.

Best, Best & Krieger has been tasked with filing and responding to major litigation for the last three years. The firm took on a lawsuit from Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in 2016 after the city rezoned the land around the hospital after MemorialCare announced it would close.

The city has also filed lawsuits against the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) regarding proposed toll roads. Other issues have included, but are not limited to, litigating with short-term rental units and behavioral health companies that ran boarding homes.

“Professional services might overlap,” Smith said, referring to the new agreement. “What we wanted to do is have the city and us make a conscious decision to push toward things performed by nonlawyers.”

San Clemente Times September13-19, 2018

Firefighters at Orange County Fire Authority station No. 60 in San Clemente participated in a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Pictured, from left, firefighter Shawn Stacy, engineer Sean Garvey, firefighter Tyson Navarro and fire Capt. Nohl Perrizo participate in the ceremony. Photo: Eric Heinz

WHAT’S NEXT: The decision comes following the rising legal costs the city faced going forward. According to the city’s budget, total costs nearly doubled from the 2016 amount of about $880,000 to more than $1.5 million in 2017. Currently, there are still outstanding legal cases with which the city is involved. —EH

OCSD Says Girl Missing from San Clemente Foster Care Could Be in Colorado THE LATEST: Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is looking for an 11-year-old girl who was last seen in San Clemente about 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6. The girl is said to possibly be accompanied by her biological mother, Sera Fina.

OCSD officials on Saturday said she was missing from a foster home in San Clemente, after speaking with guardianship officials privy to the incident who released the information.

The girl they are searching for is Kaia Fina, who was reported missing the morning of Friday, Sept. 7. The OCSD report described her as 5-foot-0, Caucasian, about 80 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.

She may be wearing a black T-shirt or white tank top with pink pajamas, and she is not a native of San Clemente.

Kaia is believed to have last been seen at her foster home in San Clemente on Thursday. Her foster mother was the person who reported her missing.

The biological mother, age 42, is described as 5-foot-7, 130 pounds, brown hair and green eyes. She may be driving a black 2007 BMW X3 with the California license plate number 7RRY771.

On Monday evening, OCSD said it was possible Kaia could be headed with her biological mother to Colorado in the Denver metro area.

According to public affairs official Carrie Braun of OCSD, the department’s homicide investigators are looking into the case, which is standard with missing persons cases, and investigators are asking for the community’s help to bring Kaia “back to safety as soon as possible,” she said.

“It’s possible that she’s not with Sera, and we’re asking people to call dispatch if they do know where she is,” Braun said on Saturday evening, Sept. 8. “We need to be open to the possibility she’s not with her mother because we haven’t been able to contact her (biological) mom.”

Braun said no Amber Alert has been issued because law enforcement officials need to know that a child has been abducted and the car information; however, OCSD has published information on the matter through social media since Friday, asking for the public’s assistance.

Braun also said the public needs to

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know Sera was not authorized to have custody of Kaia at the time she was reported missing.

WHAT’S NEXT: OCSD is asking anyone who has information about the situation to call 714.647.7055 or the department commander at 949.770.6011. —EH

San Clemente Police Chief Says Deputies are Investigating Possible Social Media Scam THE LATEST: San Clemente Police Services on Sunday, Sept. 9, said that they are looking into the details of a fraud case set up by a local woman who claimed to be receiving donations for firefighters.

Ashley Bemis, 28, of San Clemente, allegedly solicited the donations on accounts such as GoFundMe and through social media, saying her firefighter husband was actively fighting the Holy Fire, which burned more than 20,000 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.

According to Lt. Mike Peters, chief of San Clemente Police, the name of the firefighter she claimed to be her husband doesn’t exist in any national database.

When contacted by CalFire personnel about the incident, Peters said sheriff’s (Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) deputies questioned Bemis, and she has been “cooperative” with officials.

Other alerts to the issue came from outrage pouring from social media posts by people who had donated to her in the past.

“There were a bunch of things happening that drew our involvement,” Peters said. “(CalFire) officials got involved and told her they were fully supplied, but she continued with her process.”

Peters said there was another fraud incident orchestrated by Bemis years ago that sheriff’s deputies were not aware of but have been added to a multi-layered investigation. As of Wednesday, Sept. 12, Bemis had not yet been charged with a crime.

Peters said Bemis was using multiple locations including storage facilities and office spaces to have the donations delivered, making it seem like a sophisticated scheme. Bemis is suspected of soliciting cash donations as well as goods totaling about $11,000.

WHAT’S NEXT: Police Services is asking for anyone who donated anything to Ashley Bemis regarding her false husband, “Shane Goodman,” being a CalFire Department firefighter, to come to the San Clemente Sheriff’s substation, located at 100 Avenida Presidio in San Clemente, to complete a short questionnaire.

The questionnaire must be picked up in person at the substation located at 100 Avenida Presidio, as it cannot be mailed.

Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. —EH

Doctoral Student from San Clemente Killed by Crossfire in Chicago THE LATEST: Memorial services have been scheduled for a San Clemente resident who was killed by crossfire in a shooting in Chicago, right as he was about to start his doctoral studies at Northwestern University.

Shane Colombo, 25, was killed Sunday, Sept. 2, when two men started shooting at each other near a train stop by Rogers Park in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. Colombo was struck four times by errant bullets.

According to a GoFundMe page established by Colombo’s family and fiancée, Vincent Perez, the doctoral student had just arrived to Chicago and had purchased a condo. He was supposed to begin his doctoral studies at the Clinical Psychology program at Northwestern this fall.

On social media, Perez said he didn’t want this to turn into a time of mourning, but instead honor the memory of his late fiancée by helping protect others from gun violence.

Chicago Police released images of suspects taken from surveillance footage recovered near the scene of the crime.

San Clemente Times September13-19, 2018

WHAT’S NEXT: A viewing and ceremony will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14 at Lesneski Mortuary, located at 640 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente. A Catholic funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Our Lady of Fatima, located at 105 N. La Esperanza in San Clemente. —EH

First Phase of Los Patrones Parkway Opens to the Public THE LATEST: The first phase of a new four-lane arterial highway through Rancho Mission Viejo was recently completed, and motorists got the chance to drive on it for the first time on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

The highway, Los Patrones Parkway, was approved as part of an agreement between Orange County and Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC in 2004.

The first phase of the highway runs from Oso Parkway to Chiquita Canyon Drive.

A second phase, slated for completion in late 2018, will run to Cow Camp Road.

The entire stretch will be about 4.5 miles when fully complete.

The highway is being built by Rancho Mission Viejo without the use of taxpayer dollars and ownership will be transferred to Orange County once it is completed.

“The completion of the first phase of Los Patrones Parkway is another major step towards our goal of improving transportation mobility in South County,” Lisa Bartlett, Supervisor for Orange County’s Fifth District, stated in a press release.

“This project addresses the needs and concerns of current and future homeowners and our transportation agencies, while protecting South County’s beautiful natural environment.”

Los Patrones Parkway is expected to access to future job centers in Rancho Mission Viejo as well as existing job centers to the north. It will provide access to the SR-241 toll road, at Oso Parkway.

The highway will have two wildlife crossings for animals to access more than 40 acres of habitat on the highway’s west side. The crossings are more than 200 feet long and will support deer, bobcats and coyotes.

Wildlife exclusion fencing is installed to keep animals from entering the highway; it will have a tighter weave on the bottom to keep smaller animals from getting through and looser weave on top to keep bigger animals out.

More than 100 acres of slopes adjacent to the highway will be revegetated with native habitats, including coastal sage scrub.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Oso Parkway Bridge Project, scheduled to be completed in 2020 with construction beginning this fall, is expected to replace a segment of Oso Parkway with a bridge over Los Patrones Parkway, allowing direct access to the 241 from Los Patrones. —Alex Groves Page 4

EYE ON SC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Meeting to Provide Update on Shorecliffs Via Ballena Storm Drain

THURSDAY, SEPT. 13

The city of San Clemente will provide an update and overview on the Shorecliffs Via Ballena Storm Drain Project.

Shorecliffs residents are encouraged to attend a town hall meeting from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The meeting will be held at the Community Center Auditorium, located at 100 N. Calle Seville.

Representatives from OC Rehab as well as the city of San Clemente Public Works and Community Development Department will be at the meeting to answer questions.

For more information and additional questions, contact Assistant City Manager Erik Sund at 949.361.8360.

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.

COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING 6:30 p.m. The Coastal Advisory Committee will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

SOCGEMS Meeting to Feature Napa Rocks, Triceratops An animated Triceratops puppet will highlight the Sept. 19 presentation by the President of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) Jennifer Haley at the South Orange County Gem and Mineral Society (SOCGEMS) meeting, 7:15 p.m., at the San Clemente Community Center, located at 100 N. Calle Seville.

The dinosaur puppet was designed by a paleontologist for natural history museums and Jurassic theme parks. It is used in educational outreach programs of the CFMS to encourage students’ interest in dinosaurs, rocks and minerals.

At the SOCGEMS meeting, Haley will demonstrate the Triceratops puppet, show her special collection of rocks from Napa and discuss the early history of rock and gem clubs from the 1700s.

Children and students are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn about earth science scholarships and other educational programs, including Junior Rock Hounds. Dinosaur cookies will be provided by the speaker.

Meetings of SOCGEMS are held the third Wednesday of the month, 7:15 p.m. in the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, (next door to the library). Guests are welcome at no charge.

Speaker presentation is preceded by hospitality and refreshments, a raffle and brief business meeting. SOCGEMS members are invited to field trips, special auctions, classes in lapidary, junior rock hound activities and more.

For more information, visit www.socgems.com or follow the group at www. facebook.com/socgems to receive information on upcoming programs. The 56year old nonprofit club serves the entire South Orange County community.

San Clemente Times September 13-19, 2018

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Michael Haley holds a puppet Triceratops intended to help children learn about gemological features. The puppet will be a highlight of the SOCGEMS Sept. 19 meeting at the San Clemente Community Center. Photo: Courtesy of SOCGEMS

Tutorial Program Returns to San Clemente Library This is the second year of the tutorial program by the “Inspire to Be” program, a club at San Clemente High School. It is a free homework help program for all students from kindergarten to eighth grade, run by volunteer teen tutors from San Clemente High School.

Tutorial takes place at from 10 a.m.- noon every Saturday at the San Clemente Public Library, located at 242 Avenida Del Mar. More information can be found at www.schsinspiretobe.weebly.com

SCHS Drama to Perform ‘The Wedding Singer’ San Clemente High School’s drama department is performing a theatrical version of the 1998 comedy film The Wedding Singer.

Based on the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore film about wannabe rock star Robbie Hart, he’s the life of the party until he gets stood up at the altar. Things take a bad turn for Robbie until he meets Julia Sullivan, a sweet waitress who wins his heart, but she’s already engaged to a Wall Street shark.

Tickets are on sale now at www.schsdrama.com. Show dates: Sept. 20, 21, 22 and 27, 28, 29. All shows begin at 7 p.m. at the SCHS Triton Center, located at 700 Avenida Pico.

the opening of MadaLuxe Vault at Outlets at San Clemente, the company’s first luxury off-price boutique in Orange County.

The new location has a large luxury MadaLuxe Vault Eyewear shop-in-shop, where shoppers can experience a customized “try-on experience,” according to a press release from The Outlets.

The Outlets at San Clemente currently features 60 stores and restaurants, including the new Hurley Factory Store, Kevin Jewelers and The San Clemente Store. Other upcoming openings include the highly-anticipated Rockwell’s Café & Bakery opening this fall 2018 and the 45,000-square-foot luxury cinema Metropolitan Theatres in late 2019. The cinema will feature 10 auditoriums, a 60-foot Premium Large Format (PLF) screen, leading-edge technology, reserved luxury recliner seating and a restaurant with full-bar offerings.

Additionally, the first of four ocean-view restaurants is expected to be announced soon. Upon completion of the final phase of development, there will be more than 12 restaurants and dining options.

The newest MadaLuxe Vault is about 3,800 square feet and is located at 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, Suite 424, at the Outlets at San Clemente.

For more information, visit www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

Have something interesting to submit to our News Bites section?

Outlets Update: New Businesses

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

Email eheinz@picketfencemedia.com.

MadaLuxe Group recently announced Page 5

DEL MAR FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday.

Avenida Del Mar. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

SUNRISE ROTARY 7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Course 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.

SAN CLEMENTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will conduct its regular meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio. 949.361.8200. www. san-clemente.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

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

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 6 p.m. The San Clemente Planning Commission will host its regularly scheduled meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio.

949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

2018 City Council Election Coverage

WEEK 2

How do you plan to address issues related to homelessness and transient populations in San Clemente?

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

L

eading up to the San Clemente City Council election on Nov. 6, the San Clemente Times is publishing six questions, one each week, that we’ve asked each individual who qualified for the ballot to answer. The list of candidates is published in the order the random alphabet the California Secretary of State recently drew.

Editor’s note: Kathy Ward and Ed Ward are not related.

GENE W. JAMES The ever-increasing number of vagrants creates a clear and present danger to our city on several fronts. I cringe at the word homeless; homelessness might be a symptom, but it is not the core problem.

We are facing untreated mental illness and chronic drug addiction, usually combined, coming from all over the country. The city’s role in this problem is one of public safety. It is imperative that our first order of business is the protection of our citizens while ensuring our city’s treasures are protected from being abused by those who do not respect them.

TIFFANY JOY ROBSON LEET San Clemente does not have resources to maintain a homeless community. We have chosen not to build facilities to house and feed homeless or transient populations, and I do not support initiating these facilities in SC. It is not about a lack of compassion for the homeless.

There is nothing compassionate about allowing people to sleep in alleys or be endangered by wandering the streets. I am concerned with compassion for our city’s residents. I would support using city funds to provide safe transportation to established homeless facilities located in neighboring areas that have chosen to support these populations.

BERNIE WOHLFARTH Much like the Toll Road, we cannot be successful unless we work together with our neighbors. As your Councilmember, I will continue to work with FAM to help keep people from becoming homeless as well as sending willing people home through the Homeward Bound program (which has helped over 40 people return home). I support our partnership with Mercy House, Gilchrist House and our homeless liaison through the sheriff’s department. It’s crucial we continue to enforce our anti-camping, loitering, and open-container laws. Encampments in our canyons, next to our schools, on our beaches and public land is dangerous and unacceptable!

San Clemente Times September 13-19, 2018

MIKII RATHMANN

JAKE RYBCZYK

Many of our homeless are veterans and choose San Clemente because of the proximity to Camp Pendleton. We have a responsibility to ensure that once our veterans have served our nation that they have a safe, stable place to call home. I would approach homelessness from a housing-first perspective and will lead efforts to bring Habitat for Humanity to San Clemente to create housing for the homeless. Ending homelessness in San Clemente requires additional support from law enforcement, county agencies and groups like FAM and Mercy House. I commit to joining forces with these groups in their efforts.

Homelessness is our most complex issue in San Clemente and it affects all of Orange County. We inherited much of the problem and now the spotlight is on us.

One thing that I know for sure, we don’t want to create another sober living home scenario. To be effective, we can’t just create housing opportunities; we also have to stimulate the local economy to ensure a place for every community member. This can only be done by uniting surrounding cities and other elected officials with community groups, from nonprofit organizations to churches, with the goal of ending homelessness.

LAURA FERGUSON

JACKSON HINKLE

Collaborate with all levels of government and a social service group to connect homeless with support services and housing resources and direct those with mental health issues to county/state agencies with expertise/authority. I would seek federal and state grant funds that flow through the county to be shared to help cover local costs and work with our legislators to generate political will to fund programs at levels necessary to meet the needs of the homeless. If it takes city funds, then direct how the money is spent, with a goal of reuniting homeless with their families or temporary housing.

Homelessness is a product of issues, including: employment, disability, housing prices, addiction, mental health and more.

I am a strong believer in the housing-first model, which is based on the principle that those who are afforded stable housing and proactive support are more empowered to address their other issues. For SC to do its fair share in addressing homelessness, we must hold both the OC Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Lisa Bartlett responsible for providing us with the resources we desperately need. Ensuring the best quality of life for all members of our community is my top priority.

WAYNE EGGLESTON

DAN BANE

Don’t ever enable the mentally ill, druggies and criminal homeless to make San Clemente their home by feeding or giving them money. Let the sheriff deputies and Mercy House deal with them. Do not paint all homeless with the same brush. There are abused women and families with children who are homeless—desperate and in need of help. Support organizations such as Laura’s House, Gilchrist House and Family House in San Clemente that are very worthy and need your help. When we see homeless Veterans at Marine Monument Park Semper Fi, we offer them a Homeward Bound program similar to FAM’s.

The homeless problems of today are not the problems of even 20 years ago. I will work toward regional solutions that help those wanting assistance to get off the streets while giving our law enforcement personnel the resources they need to ensure the city’s laws are fully enforced and the public welfare is maintained. I will also demand that the hundreds of millions of dollars the County of Orange has stockpiled to address homelessness are immediately deployed.

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KATHY WARD As your Councilwoman, I voted for a solution to the S.B. 2 zoning for a homeless shelter as part of our housing element certification. I will continue to support partnering with Family Assistance Ministries, whose Gilchrist House and other facilities provide shelter beds to homeless individuals and children. The city also partners with El Camino Healthcare to provide medical assistance to homeless individuals and Lyft to provide transportation. I voted to add Mercy House, who will be in our city reaching out to homeless people six days a week, in partnership with our sheriff’s department and other providers.

ED WARD As a member of the City Council, I will work immediately to define our strategy on this issue. While the Council’s actions have been well-intentioned, they fall short of a defined, actionable strategy. I will work with agencies currently engaged on this issue, representatives from South County cities, and established experts to articulate a comprehensive, transparent strategy. This strategy will be shared with all residents in public forums, shaped with their input. This issue, which looms so prominently in the hearts and minds of residents, deserves our best thinking and our most transparent collaboration.

DON BROWN A multi-faceted, broad-spectrum approach is needed in this complex issue.

Help for those that want it (FAM,etc), accountability for those who don’t. If those in need refuse help, they should be treated as vagrants! Continued pressure upstream politically takes time. More police “boots on the ground,” more aggressive policing than we have been seeing (at Council direction). Careful attention to individual rights of all our citizens. Merchant/business/citizen engagement, we all must not allow vagrant actions to override our village character.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS CoastLines by Fred Swegles

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.sanclementetimes.com

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Mycle Brandy Takes America One Step at a Time

W

ho would think a 59-year-old stroke survivor weighing 300 pounds could walk across America?

Mycle Brandy, who has survived not one but four strokes, loves challenges.

Almost as much as he loves changing lives.

After walking 2,940 miles across America in 2010, he walked from San Diego to Seattle, 1,450 miles up the West Coast.

Then he walked 2,100 miles from Maine to Miami, down the East Coast.

All of this to inspire stroke patients.

This week, the San Clemente resident is again lacing up his size-15 shoes.

The retired glazer, now 67, left town Sept. 12 to explore a different cross-country route, once again intent on negotiating every step with his cane.

As before, he plans to visit hospitals, meet with patients and assure them that there can be plenty of life after a stroke.

He will do TV and radio interviews, imploring stroke victims to get off the couch.

“Walk to your mailbox today,” he tells them. “Walk past your mailbox tomorrow.”

Thousands have followed Brandy’s walks on Facebook. Fans, many of them stroke survivors, have traveled to meet him along the routes.

During Maine to Miami, Brandy addressed an audience of 400 in Groton, Connecticut. In Florida, a woman who had

followed him on Facebook met him on the road to walk 100 steps with him.

Brandy now is set on completing a fourth walk, from Rockaway Beach, Oregon, to Rockaway Beach, New York.

He sets out knowing there are risks as well as rewards.

As a result of his strokes, Brandy is vulnerable to rare momentary electrical outages on his right side that can cause his leg to fail.

Often, the cane can avert falls, but he has collapsed more than three dozen times during his treks.

On a road with no COASTLINES

By Fred Swegles shoulder, that could prove fatal. One time, it left him lying on a lonely stretch of pavement in New Mexico.

Luckily, there was no traffic as he struggled to rise.

Rewards? In Missouri, a mother inspired by Brandy’s example drove 140 miles to pick him up and take him to meet her 6-year-old, who deals with a stroke suffered in the womb. Then she drove him back to his route to resume his walk.

For the 2018 trek, Brandy is starting out a bit lighter, at 280 pounds, hoping to be down to 250 and reach the Atlantic Ocean

five months from now.

He is doubly resolute, since he actually tried to walk across America in 2014 and again in 2017. He had to abort both journeys, no fault of his own.

Just days into the 2014 walk, he had to stop when a friend who had volunteered to drive a support vehicle had to return home to a family emergency.

Sharon Tapp, a friend from 40 years ago, is his volunteer driver.

“My youngest sister had a stroke...we weren’t sure she was going to make it,” she said. “My brother had a stroke.”

Tapp, 66, of Alma, Arkansas, said she is eager to promote Brandy’s message of hope, not just to stroke patients but to people dealing with brain trauma. She said her husband, injured in a severe work accident, can relate.

At day’s end, they will drive to a campground or other overnight place. Each morning, they will resume from the spot reached the previous day.

Brandy’s wife, Louise, who works and has supported all of his walks, plans to meet with him at intervals and hopes to watch him reach the frigid Atlantic on Feb. 14, 2019, his 68th birthday.

“I don’t doubt it,” she said. “He’s done it three other times. He gets so inspired when he visits hospitals. It makes it easy to continue.”

Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with more than 46 years of journalism experience in the city. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

General Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Tim Trent Jake Howard

San Clemente Times, Vol. 13, Issue 37. The SC Times (www. sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (www. danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www. thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives.

Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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San Clemente Times September 13-19, 2018

San Clemente’s Mycle Brandy, 67, who has walked across America and up and down the nation’s east and west coasts to inspire stroke patients, sets out from North Beach on a practice walk for a planned walk across the continent. Photo: Fred Swegles

Page 9

www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: View from the Pier by Herman Sillas

Reunion Shows Passage of Time, But Family Remains Strong

D

id you notice the larger crowd that was here in San Clemente in the second week of July? Well, my wife and I were responsible for the increased population here in San Clemente. You see, our family had a reunion in our beautiful city. Our family members came all the way from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Chicago, Hemet, Downey, Los Angeles and Eagle Rock. They were daughters and husbands, our grandchildren, sisters, couples, cousins and our great-grandchildren.

Some went to Disneyland and other famous places throughout Southern California that have structures, buildings, museums, and other nearby famous places.

On the Thursday of that week, my wife and I went to the Fisherman’s Restaurant on the Pier with our Pennsylvania and Virginia relatives.

They were impressed with the location, service and politeness of the THE VIEW servers. The food and FROM THE PIER

By Herman Sillas service was excellent and a special ice cream dessert finished our meal. A walk on the Pier afterward was a great way to end the day.

The next day, one of our daughters and her daughter were coming to our house to provide us a special meal. Her daughter’s boyfriend, Jonathan, is a chef. He prepared a special meal for us and our guests. He arrived with corn, broccoli, and a lot of other food and took over the kitchen. He put on our outside coals and cooked the corn. Then he scrapped the kernals and mixed them in with the broccoli, which had now been reduced to look like rice. I don’t know what he did after that, but it was a great meal and I had two servings. Best meal I have had in a long time. It was a hot evening as we all ate outside on our patio.

We were about 17 family-related members and the talk went on into the night.

Our gathering the next day started at 1 p.m. at a large conference room at our facility.

We numbered 40. The children played games and the adults talked. Family members came with food and meat to be barbecued outside.

Laughter filled the air as tales were shared with each other as the meal was shared and eaten by those in attendance.

This is the first such gathering of the Sillas group. There had been many years that passed since the last time all our children gathered. The children had grown older from little ones to teenagers. Folks had changed and grew older from the last time we had met. There had been marriages and births. A

Page 10

lot of time was spent on discussing what had occurred over the years.

As the day passed, email addresses were exchanged between us. Our visitor from Chicago lost her husband, but remarried. Her new husband has four children to add to her two sons. She had been a lawyer, but became a teacher. I realized how much I had missed her over the years, and it gave me a thrill to see her and learn of her accomplishments.

The reality is that we all tend to know about the lives around us who are part of our family, but the members who don’t live nearby will be out of our sight. One thing I have been reminded by this gathering is that we are all family members. We belong to each other because of our family relations. It is a relationship that is special and remains no matter where we are. We love each other. But as we departed, I realized that I may not see some again. May they treasure the memory.

That’s the view from the Pier.

Herman Sillas is a former Director of the CA DMV and a former U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of California. He may be reached at sillasla@aol.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.

CORRECTION: In the Sept. 6-12 edition of the San Clemente Times article “2018 City Council Election Coverage,” a portion of City Council candidate Dan Bane’s answer to the Week 1 questions was mistakenly omitted. The full sentence was supposed to read “…(to stop the TCA’s efforts to extend the toll road and to make the toll roads free as long-promised).”

CLARIFICATION: In the same edition of the San Clemente Times in the article “Save San Onofre Coalition Meeting Addresses ‘Threats’ to Trestles,” the way the $28 million fund works is that the Transportation Corridor Agencies will set aside the money for the Save San Onofre Coalition, state and federal agencies for environmental projects.

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Sept. 14 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome. www.sanclementetimes.com

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

At the Movies: ‘The Wife’ is Worth a Double-Take

EDITOR’S PICK

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 | 13 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.

Friday | 14 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 | 15 OCTA SMART CYCLING 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn all about the rules of the road, safe riding skills, and bicycling on city streets of all types in smart cycling.

The OCTA Smart Cycling Class is broken into three parts to help you gain more confidence on your bike. There will be a class presentation on the rules of the road while on a bicycle and useful equipment, as well as a clinic on bicycle safety drills. A short group ride will help people practice the skills they learn. Just bring a working bicycle and helmet. For ages 18 and older.

Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa. www.eventbrite.com ARTISAN AND CLOTHING FAIR 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Vendors will be selling handmade jewelry, activewear, sportswear, plants, cosmetics, artwork, cards, purses and more. The event is free and there will be food on-site. Christ Lutheran Church and La Cristianita Preschool at San Clemente Times September 13-19, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of Sony Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Photo: From ‘La Maestra’/Courtesy of Elizabeth Pepin Silva

WED. SEPT. 19: SANO PARKS FOUNDATION LAST SUMMER SERIES LECTURE EVENT 5:30-8:30 p.m. Krista Comer, an English professor at Rice University, and surf filmmaker and photographer Elizabeth Pepin Silva will provide a lecture on the histories of women surfers, the region of Southern California and Baja, Mexico, as well as discussions on filmmaking and photography as “a medium for cultural change,” according to the event flyer. A screening of the 30-minute documentary La Maestra will open a discussion about surfing clichés and more. Cost is $15 to attend. Historic Cottage at San Clemente State Beach Campground, 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente. www.surfingwomen.eventbrite.com

949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente.

949.496.2621. www.clcsanclemente.org.

Tuesday | 18

Sunday | 16

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.

YOGA ON TAP SERIES 11 a.m.-Noon. Get to know your fellow yogis and beer drinkers at Yoga on Tap. $10 for an hour of yoga and pint of beer.

Left Coast Brewing Co., 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.2699. www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

Wednesday | 19

Monday | 17 FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free, beginner-level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to collegeage youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

BINGO AT GOODY’S TAVERN 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.

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, 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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W

ith September usually being a pretty empty month for new movie releases, it also makes for a good time to visit some decent movies that have been out for a while. Still in theaters currently is Björn Runge’s The Wife, starring veteran character actors Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce. Two powerhouse performances that might be remembered at the end of the year when “best of 2018” lists and awards season comes around.

In 1992, an elderly Connecticut couple awakens to a phone call from Stockholm, Sweden, informing the husband he’s just been chosen for the Nobel Prize in literature. Joseph Castleman (Pryce) has spent his whole career as one of the most acclaimed and respected novelists of the mid-20th century. His wife Joan (Close) is his biggest supporter and confidant. Their son, David, (Max Irons) tags along for the celebration, as does nosy biographer Nathaniel Bone (Christian Slater), interested in Joe’s life story.

Harry Lloyd and Annie Starke play Joe and Joan in flashback sequences.

The Wife is adapted by Jane Anderson from Meg Wolitzer’s popular novel.

Director Runge tells a tale on the lives of writers and the lives of people who knew writers. The first half of the film is particularly strong story-wise, though unfortunately, the plot twist in the second act is a little predictable.

Some of the best scenes are between Lloyd and Starke, and it’s no surprise Starke can channel a younger Close, as she is her real-life daughter. Even with the cliché turn of events, The Wife is still worth a look for the performances. SC

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

What Should Couples Older than 50 Call themselves?

I

n the 24 years of writing newspaper columns about age 50-plus dating and relationships, there is a question for which I’ve never had a good answer.

What do unwed, older-than-50 couples call themselves?

I was reminded of that question last week by Mark Flannery of Fullerton, who emailed, “Donna and I have been together for eight and a half years. We were having lunch in Dana Point with Wally Horn and his partner of 30 years, Bobbi, and this question arose: ‘What do we call ourselves? Partners? Companions? Significant others? Boyfriend/girlfriend?’”

My partner Greta and I have been together for 20 years. We aren’t married. I still find myself wondering how to introduce her. Often, “life partner” comes to mind. It’s an OK term, but I still get a puzzled look from people who seem to be wondering what the heck a life partner is, or they think ON LIFE AND it’s a lame explanation for LOVE AFTER 50 why we aren’t married.

By Tom Blake Greta and I enjoy taking cruises. We always opt for open seating in the dining room, which means we are usually seated with different people every night. Frequently, table mates ask, “How long have you two been married?”

Greta and I look at each other and one of us responds, “We’ve been together for 20 years.”

It’s easier to leave it that way than trying to explain that we are significant others or life partners or whatever we are calling ourselves at that moment.

When Greta and I would visit my mom in her retirement community in Santa Rosa, when we were out socially with Mom’s friends, Mom would introduce Greta by saying, “This is Tom’s Greta.”

That was her way of saying we were living together and not married, which she probably wasn’t entirely thrilled about.

The fine folks at the Sea View Pharmacy in San Clemente know Greta and I aren’t married. When I pick up my prescriptions there, they don’t ask “Do you want your wife’s prescriptions?” Instead, they ask, “Do you want Greta’s prescriptions?”

In his email, Mark Flannery added, “Donna and I are a LAT (living apart together) couple. She is 69, still working, San Clemente Times September 13-19, 2018

UPCOMING SPEECH Tom Blake will be speaking about age 50-plus dating at the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club at the Marriott Hotel, 25135 Park Lantern in Dana Point at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26 To sign up online, visit www.monarchbeachsunriserotary.org, or pay onsite. The price is $20, which includes a buffet breakfast and coffee served from 7 a.m. Tom’s speech begins at 8 a.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Kliss

FROM THE ARCHIVES San Onofre State Park is seen photographed in

this picture, taken around the 1930s or 1940s. Andrew Kliss forwarded this and several other historical photos he said he found at his father’s store, Del Mar Jewelers, years ago.

and lives in Irvine. I’m 71, retired and live in Fullerton. We go back and forth between the two cities a lot.

Our friend Wally is 84 and Bobbi is 75. They are both retired and have been together for almost 30 years. When we were talking about what to call ourselves, I floated an idea I’ve had for some time: “semispouse”.

It received a favorable response from our foursome. It isn’t perfect, but it seems to have qualities the other labels lack.

The term is even included in the Urban Dictionary.

At first, I thought the “semispouse” term a little bizarre, visualizing a semitruck driver with his wife riding with him in the cab.

I looked up the term in the Urban Dictionary. Its definition: “A significant other that plays the role of a spouse without being legally married.”

And then I decided, when written, the term “semispouse” would look better with a hyphen inserted: semi-spouse.

While semi-spouse for unwed age 50 and older couples will work for now, I’m all ears to hear suggestions from readers for what to call mature unwed couples. Just don’t call us, “Two old fogies living together.”

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating.

See his websites www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www.travelafter55.com.

To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com.

Email: 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.

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.

Pet of the Week: Thelma SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

F

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

ound abandoned in a crate at the side of the road, 5-year-old Thelma came to the shelter looking for a fresh start in life. With her friendly and outgoing personality, Thelma isn’t letting her dubious past hold her back. She brings a smile to everyone she meets. If you would like to know more about Thelma, call the San Clemente/ Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. Throughout the month of September, get $50 off the price of adoption for all cats and kittens during the shelter’s “At Cat-Pacity” promotion. SC

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

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

Page 16

See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Dazzling Debuts SCHS alum Darnold, San Clemente native Pettis score in NFL openers

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S

am Darnold’s first NFL regularseason snap didn’t go anywhere close to plan.

On a play-action pass attempt, Darnold rolled right then threw across his body, all the way across the field to his left and into the arms of a Detroit Lions defender who returned it to the end zone for a touchdown.

At 21 years, 97 days old, Darnold was the youngest opening-game starting quarterback in NFL post-merger history, and he looked like it… for one play.

After the pick-six, Darnold completed 16 of 20 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns as the New York Jets went on to rout the Lions, 48-17, on Monday Night Football at Ford Field in Detroit.

Darnold, San Clemente High School alum and No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, made his first scoring strike in the second quarter.

Darnold took the snap and looked short on the left side with a slight shoulder fake that got the defense to bite. The Capistrano Beach native then shifted his eyes deep and tossed it high to Robby Anderson, who pulled in the 41-yard touchdown pass just over his right shoulder.

Darnold showed effective footwork throughout the game as he consistently displayed his innate ability to extend plays and

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.

Football Aims to Get Back on Track against CdM

San Clemente football is in an unfamiliar position.

The Tritons (1-3) have lost three games in a row for the first time since 2013. San San Clemente Times September 13-19, 2018

Dante Pettis, San Clemente native and first JSerra alum to be selected in the NFL Draft, pulls in his first career touchdown on his first career reception for the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener in Minnesota. Photo: Meg Williams/San Francisco 49ers.

also picked up a first down on the ground.

Darnold’s first drive of the second half also found pay dirt.

Darnold was 3 for 3 for 53 yards passing on the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass. Darnold had a quick release on a short pass to the left, and Quincy Enunwa did the rest for a 24-17 lead.

Darnold will make his home debut next Sunday, Sept. 16, as the Jets welcome in the division rival Miami Dolphins. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m Eastern at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Pettis’ First Catch is Touchdown Dante Pettis, San Clemente native and the first JSerra player selected in the NFL Draft, also made waves in his opener with the San Francisco 49ers in Minnesota on Sunday.

With the 49ers trailing, 24-6, late in the third quarter, Pettis provided a spark.

On a second-and-15, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo spun to his left out of a collapsing pocket and hurled the ball to the back left of the end zone. Pettis, who started as the first receiver on the right of the formation, darted diagonally to the left and got full extension on his arms to

pull in his first NFL reception and first NFL touchdown, a 22-yarder.

Pettis, a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, was targeted five times for two receptions for 61 yards. With his blue-tinged hair peeking out the back of his helmet, Pettis played the second most snaps of any 49ers receiver, 48, in a 24-16 loss to the Vikings.

Pettis and the 49ers will look to bounce back on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 4:05 p.m. in their home opener at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara against the Detroit Lions. SC

Clemente hasn’t lost three nonleague games since that 2-8 season in 2013, when the team lost its final eight games.

However, the record doesn’t speak to the quality of the Tritons as much as it speaks to the quality of their opponents.

After a season-opening win over Oceanside, the Tritons lost to Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon, No. 1 and No. 2 in San Diego County, respectively, in absolute thrillers by a combined score of five points.

Last week, San Clemente went back to the scene of its 2016 CIF-SS championship and faced yet another high-powered Murrieta Valley attack. The teams went back and forth all night before the Nighthawks pulled away in the final minute, 55-38.

The offense continues to be there, as

Brendan Costello hit Jaydel Jenkins for three touchdowns and 166 yards and RJ Donaldson ran for two more touchdowns against Murrieta Valley. The Tritons are averaging 38 points per game.

Where San Clemente must improve is on defense, as the Tritons have allowed nearly 40 points per game on average.

After four out-of-county games to open their season, the Tritons can focus closer to home on Friday, Sept. 14, but the challenge doesn’t get any easier against Corona del Mar. Corona del Mar (3-1) also features a top offense that is averaging over 32 points per game with quarterback Ethan Garbers and his top receiving target John Humphreys. Garber averages 269 yards per game in the air with 10 of his 13 touch-

downs thrown to Humphreys.

San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said this was one of, if not the, toughest schedules in San Clemente history, and the Tritons will have to battle against Corona del Mar and Edison over the next two weeks to enter league play with an even record.

Page 18

Volleyball Opens League with Streak-Breaking Win San Clemente girls volleyball won its first league game since 2016 with a fourset victory over Mission Viejo, 22-25, 2513, 25-17, 25-22, on Sept. 5.

The Tritons (9-4, 1-0) were winless in the South Coast League last season but have entered the Sea View League with renewed confidence. SC

www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

The 18th annual San Clemente Open Skate contest returns Sept. 15 at the Ralphs Skate Court. Photo: File

Skate for the Park San Clemente’s Open Skate contest returns on Saturday, Sept. 15

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S

kateboarders across the age spectrum will once again swarm to the Ralphs Skate Court in San Clemente on Saturday, Sept. 15.

There’s more to the contest than just the aerial displays and competition. San Clemente Skatepark Coalition (SCSC) has been working with the city of San Clemente for the last two years to use the event as a fundraiser for more lighting and possible expansion of the Ralphs Skate Court, which is tucked into the back southeast corner of the city.

The skate park is typically pretty busy after school, on weekends and during the summer, and it sometimes gets too crowded, parents of younger skaters have said. Without lighting, the hours of the park are limited for use.

Stephanie Aguilar, the president of SCSC, said she and her organization along with the help of the Friends of San Clemente nonprofit have been working with a skate park company to come up with design proposals for the city to add lights and possibly another bowl to the park.

Samantha Thomas, the recreation manager of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation department, said the city allocated $100,000 to pay for lighting as long as the SCSC comes up with the remaining $50,000, but expanding the park would cost significantly more.

Last year, the event raised about $3,000 toward the skate park and about $6,000 the year before.

Page 19

“Hopefully, it’s not going to be too long before something happens, but we also don’t want to go through the whole process if there are too many restrictions,” Aguilar said referring to the city’s insurance policy that may not cover certain features of the park proposed by the organization.

Thomas said the city will look into any concept submitted to it for the skate park, but getting past some of the hurdles has proven to be more difficult.

“We’re willing to entertain a concept, should they (raise) the funding for it,” Thomas said. “If that’s the path they want to go down, we’d need to see the conceptual drawings.”

The Friends of San Clemente are currently acting as the beneficiary of the funds raised to the skate park.

At Saturday’s Open Skate, there will be a vendor fair as well as sponsors with booths set up. There will be food trucks on-site for breakfast and lunch, as well as a local youth band, Stink, Inc., performing. Entry fees are $40 for skaters, and helmets, kneepads and elbow pads are required.

SCHEDULE

• 8 a.m. Opening Ceremony • 8:10 a.m. Male (5 years and under) Female (5 years and under) • 8:40 a.m. Male (6-7 years) Female (6-7 years) • 9:50 a.m. Female (8-12 years) (13-17 years) • 10:15 a.m. Male (8-9 years) • 11 a.m. Male (10-11 years) • 11:45 a.m. Morning Awards (11 and under) • 12 p.m. Nike SB Best Trick Contest (11 and under) • 12:20 p.m. Live Music: Stink, Inc./Lunch • 12:20 p.m. Open Skate (registrants only) • 12:50 p.m. Female (17 years +) • 1 p.m. Male (12-13 years) • 1:45 p.m. Male (14-16 years) • 2:30 p.m. Male (17 years +) • 3:10 p.m. Afternoon Awards (12 +) • 3:20 p.m. Nike SB Best Trick Contest (12 years +) SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC 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

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

Locals Only BUSINESS DIRECTORY

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters

Café Calypso

Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

JEWELRY

SALONS

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

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

Salon Bleu Buy • Consign • Sell We also offer professional appraisals, auction services and real estate services.

CASH SAME DAY Dee Coleman, CEO/Owner REAL ESTATE BROKER

2485 S. El Camino Real San Clemente classicautosalesoc@gmail.com Web: classicautosalesoc.com 949.395.5681 (24 hours) Available 7 days a week.

MUSIC LESSONS 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Panagia Music: Music Lessons and More!

Sherry Wild, LuXre Realty

Danman’s Music School

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

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

RESTAURANTS

949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com BRE # 01480453, 949.275.8937 www.LuXreRealty.com

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

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

949.493.5683, 32032 Del Obispo Street, www.cvcs.org

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

FOR SALE FURNITURE FOR SALE Wood industrial World Market table $70, IKEA wooden shelving unit, perfect for garage $100.

Can send pictures. Call or text 949.533.9761

GARAGE SALES SEASCAPE VILLAGE ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE September 15th 8AM to 2PM In San Clemente off of Mira Costa on Paseo Flamenco, Camino Alondra and Paseo Gallita GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

MOVING SALE SEPT 14 AND 15 Friday 3-6p. Sat 8-3p. Multi family moving sale. Everything from furniture to kitchen wares. 422 Calle Vista Torito, San Clemente.

HELP WANTED PART-TIME COPY EDITOR WANTED Picket Fence Media is hiring a part-time copy editor to copy edit the group’s three community newspapers, special sections, magazines and websites. Candidates must have 5+ years professional newspaper/magazine copy editing experience, be fluent in AP Style, be fast, courteous and professional.

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San Clemente Times September 13–19, 2018

Page 21

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Pro Surfing Gets Equal Pay WSL announces pay equality for men and women starting in 2019

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

M

aking a big move to level the field in pro surfing, the World Surf League (WSL) announced it is going to make equal pay part of its competitive series. WSL is the first Americanbased global sports league to pursue gender pay equality.

“This is a huge step forward in our long-planned strategy to elevate women’s surfing and we are thrilled to make this commitment as we reveal our new 2019 schedule,” World Surf League CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said in a prepared statement. “This is the latest in a series of actions the league has undertaken to showcase our female athletes, from competing on the same quality waves as the men to better locations and increased investment and support.”

The move will be effective across all of the WSL’s platforms, including the Championship Tour and the Qualifying Series as well as Juniors, Longboard and Big Wave events.

“It definitely shines a little light on the possibilities and the future of the sport,” said San Clemente resident and three-time world champion Lisa Andersen.

“It’s something that more kids can dream of and look forward to,” she contin-

Three-time women’s world champion Carissa Moore enroute to a win at last week’s Surf Ranch Pro, where it was announced that men and women will receive equal prize money starting in 2019. Photo: Cestari/WSL

ued. “We always want some sort of a positive outlook on things. It’s great because surfing’s always been a men’s club. With a lot of respect to the guys, that’s what I dreamed of; I looked up to them, and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I’m at, but I think for the young kids, it’s just like, oh man, the dreams are just going to get bigger. What more could you ask for?”

Part-time San Clemente resident and eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater concurred.

“The women on the Tour deserve this change. I’m so proud that surfing is choosing to lead sports in equality and fairness,” he wrote on Instagram. “The

female WSL athletes are as equally committed to their craft as the male athletes and should be paid the same. Surfing has always been a pioneering sport, and this serves as an example of that.”

The announcement comes amid a number of sweeping changes in the sport of surfing. Last week, the WSL ran the Surf Ranch Pro in the Slater-designed wave pool facility in Central California. And surfing will be an Olympic event for the first at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, which is sure to bring more visibility and attention to the sport.

“These surfers, men and women, earn their respect,” Andersen said. “They do

GROM OF THE WEEK

SURF FORECAST

KALANI GRODZEN

Water Temperature: 70-73 Degrees F

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he Positive Vibe Warriors’ annual Stoke-O-Rama lands at T-Street this Sunday, and in honor of every grom’s favorite comp, this week we’re shining the light on 7-year-old Kalani Grodzen.

Already a three-year veteran of the StokeO-Rama, he explained that he keeps the vibe alive by “always smiling and showing other small groms how to do it if they ask me.”

A student at Las Palmas Elementary School in San Clemente, not only is he a little shredder on a surfboard or skateboard, but he’s getting his Spanish fluency dialed so he can go adventuring throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

In fact, his first recollection of being in the ocean was “getting blasted by a wave at Surfer’s Beach in Puerto Rico when I was 5

San Clemente Times September 13-19, 2018

a very good job at doing their job. It’s really worth paying these guys and girls so we can all watch and let them be who they are. I think it’s fantastic.”

The road to equal pay for women in surfing has been fraught with roadblocks over the years. In addition to winning three world titles, Andersen was instrumental in ushering in the “Roxy revolution” in the 1990s. The face of the popular women’s surfwear brand, she helped elevate the performances on the women’s world tour at the time, raising the profile of the sport.

“Money was a very touchy subject, but it was just different. Different times,” Andersen said. “I don’t think any of us expected equal pay, but I do think we expected support in general. I think that was the biggest difference then. Not everybody had a sponsorship or the support to do the tour, much less win the prize money. At that point, it was just about getting sponsorships. That was the main focus.”

“I was very fortunate to have that support, but it didn’t come easy to me,” she continued. “I had to fight for it, try and convince people, preach and pray, steal and borrow to get that. But it was worth it in the end. I wouldn’t take any of it back. I respect everyone that had to follow that path and didn’t get what I got, but I also feel that, those were the times and we had to do what we had to do to get where we are now.”

These are amazing times to be a young girl in the water. Local talents like Kirra Pinkerton and Samantha Sibley, who are currently ranked first and second, respectively, in the WSL North American Junior rating, are sure to benefit. And as Andersen said, “The dreams are just going to get bigger.” SC

Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Thursday: New SSW swell slowly trending up.

Small NW windswell and fading S tropical swell.

Surf is running waist-head high (3-5’) with overhead sets at top breaks. Light/variable to light onshore winds early, trending to light-moderate onshore for the afternoon hours.

Kalani Grodzen. Photo: Positive Vibe Warriors/Grodzen Family

months old and rolling along the sand.”

That sounds like the beginning of a beautiful relationship with the ocean. And when asked whether he loves the morning dawn patrol or afternoon glass, Grodzen

answered, “Early morning because you can see through the water better and you’re stoked all day long!”

Let good times roll and the Stoke-ORama begin! SC

Page 22

Outlook: Good SSW/S swell through the weekend with head high+ and overhead surf while standouts in the region are running a couple feet+ overhead on sets. Winds are light in the mornings and onshore in the afternoons. Surf is then fading the first half of next week. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

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