September 6, 2018

LO C A L

N EWS

September 6-12, 2018 YO U

C A N

Inside: South County Real Estate Guide

U S E

SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 13, ISSUE 36

Fall 2018 Sports Preview

Check out the stories behind the San Clemente High School teams this fall S P O R T S / PAG E 2 6

The San Clemente Tritons girls volleyball team readies for another season in the CIF-SS Sea View League.

Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Pickleball Approved for One-Year Pilot Program at Two Parks EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

CoastLines: Photos Show History of San Clemente’s Genesis SOAPBOX/PAGE 9

www.sanclementetimes.com

Longboard Competition Comes to Lower Trestles SURF/PAGE 30

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

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SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week Save San Onofre Coalition Members Host Community Meeting Detailing ‘Threats’ to Trestles THE LATEST: The chest of crown jewels overflows in San Clemente, and people go to great lengths to protect them.

One of the largest of the treasures, the Trestles surfing area at San Onofre State Park, has been fought over for decades, if not longer.

Since the idea of putting a toll road near Trestles Beach was envisioned in the early and mid-2000s, multiple environmental, recreational and governmental agencies have weighed in on the land, which is leased to the California State Parks by the U.S. Department of the Navy until at least 2021.

The plans of The Toll Roads administrators, The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), are to construct a toll road to extend its 241 route and connect to I-5 as well as other traffic relief options in South Orange County. Those proposals include options to build the highway through the middle of San Clemente as well as possible expansions of lanes on I-5.

A public meeting was hosted on Thursday, Aug. 30, by the Surfrider Foundation and Orange County Coastkeeper, both of which are members of the Save San Onofre Coalition (SSOC), a faction of 12 nonprofit organizations.

The SSOC spoke about facts tied to its settlement agreement with the TCA and allowed for public comment during the meeting.

In 2016, SSOC entered into a settlement agreement and protective agreement with the TCA after a 15-year battle to stave construction of a toll road through the state park just south of San Clemente. Following that, the city of San Clemente as well as residents of The Reserve Maintenance Corporation, an HOA in San Clemente, filed lawsuits against the protective agreement.

The city’s lawsuit was filed an effort to nullify the protection agreement, which include areas of the San Mateo Campground and lands within the San Onofre State Park as well as Trestles. In theory, this would give the TCA more options for a toll road rather than the proposals now being studSan Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

About 50 people attended a meeting hosted by the Surfrider Foundation as well as Orange County Coastkeeper on Aug. 30 at the San Clemente Community Center.

Some people spoke about their opposition to all toll road proposals through San Clemente and why they want to preserve the backcountry of the city. Photo: Eric Heinz

ied that include constructing the road through the middle of San Clemente.

The Reserve’s lawsuit seeks to require the TCA to go through a public process that involves more opportunity and outreach to those who could be affected by toll road construction. It also seeks to nullify the protective agreement as well as the settlement agreement.

SSOC members contend that undoing the protective agreement could threaten Trestles.

Neither the city nor The Reserve want a toll road through the state park, either, but they do want to protect homes currently under duress by proposed construction.

The TCA is currently reviewing environmental impact documents to finalize a draft environmental impact report, which is slated to be completed and ready for public comment by mid-2019.

Marty Benson, the grassroots organizer for the Save San Onofre Coalition, emceed the meeting.

that the SSOC would receive a $28 million fund for mitigation, habitat revitalization and environmental efforts. The projects the fund would be used for must be approved by the 12 nonprofit members of the SSOC as well as various state and federal agencies.

“There’s been confusion about this and it’s pitted natural allies against each other,” Benson said. “I think that when all the facts are laid out on the table, a lot of people will be given the opportunity to link arms.”

Benson said it was beneficial to have dozens of people sharing their viewpoints in a forum to address these issues.

“There are so many contentious and important issues around San Onofre these days, whether that’s the lease or the toll roads,” Benson said. —Eric Heinz

WHAT’S NEXT: Benson has been working to gather signatures for support petitions, going door-to-door for support of SSOC and setting up public presentations.

Within the settlement agreement, SSOC members are prohibited from commenting on or opposing any toll roads proposed to be built outside of the protective area.

Part of the settlement agreement was

THE LATEST: During the Tuesday, Sept.

4, City Council meeting, members of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association (DBA) gave a brief presentation of the findings from a downtown parking report that primarily assessed Avenida Del Mar and adjacent areas.

Jim Holloway, on behalf of the Chamber, as well as Dan Bane, Wayne Eggleston

Downtown Parking Report Seeks Revamp of Policies, Agreements

Page 3

and Mikii Rathman were part of the committee. Holloway said about a year ago, property and business owners approached the DBA and Chamber of Commerce about public parking in the Del Mar area, which he said is 100 percent occupied during peak times, calculated at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6 p.m. on Saturdays, the latter of which he said was not surprising.

But private parking lots are only about 50 to 60 percent occupied during those times, meaning there could be opportunity to institute parking agreements as well as enhance enforcement procedures.

WHAT’S NEXT: City Council members said they may want to put together a subcommittee of Planning Commissioners and staff as well as Councilmembers to further look into agreements that could be established with local businesses for parking when they’re not using the spots, which in theory would increase business downtown. —EH

City to Send Letter of Concern to NRC Regarding SONGS Inspection THE LATEST: The incident that took place Aug. 3 at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) with a canister that was almost dropped prompted the Nuclear (Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) Regulatory Commission (NRC) to conduct a special investigation at the nuclear power plant.

What had Councilmember Steve Swartz concerned was that the incident wasn’t reported directly to cities in the immediate radiation evacuation zones nor was it brought up during the latest Community Engagement Panel Meeting (CEP) until a whistleblower told the panel what had happened on Aug. 9, said Swartz, who is the city’s liaison to the CEP, which is a quarterly panel that provides information on SONGS; it is not a policy-making body.

“It’s the lack of notification and response to the incident, and that we haven’t given consent to the fact that we’re hosting…a nuclear storage site and that we want to see some compensation in preparation coming to the city to assist us with potential disasters, and this ties into the demand for there to be 24-7 monitoring that’s available for the public to view,” Swartz said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The NRC is scheduled to start its inspection on Sept. 10 and a report will be out weeks later following the visit.

Councilmember Lori Donchak suggested sending two people from the City Council to join the NRC in their visit.

Swartz said above all, the city needs to know what kind of dangers it could face should an incident damage a canister. — EH

Pickleball Courts Slated to Come to San Luis Rey and San Gorgonio Parks THE LATEST: After more than 90 minutes of public comment and deliberation at the Sept. 4 City Council meeting, in addition to earlier meetings hosted on the subject, pickleball courts will be striped at two parks in San Clemente.

The City Council voted to approve a one-year pilot program to add the sport to two of the city’s tennis courts, one at San Gorgonio and one at San Luis Rey park.

Pickleball is a slightly smaller version of tennis that uses a whiffle ball instead of rubber balls, and the paddles and nets vary in size. If you ask the most avid pickleball player, they’ll tell you they’re two completely different sports. But pickleball has been growing rapidly in popularity not just in San Clemente but across the nation.

Some people want to separate pickleball from the tennis courts so that they won’t have to share the time with one another, but that was seen as too difficult at this time. To resurface a court would cost about $15,000 and to build completely new courts would cost upward of $325,000, according to city documents.

Restriping the tennis courts for dual use only has a price tag of $600, plus the portable nets the city intends to purchase San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

are only another $1,600.

One tennis court can be striped with pickleball lines over the tennis courts to create four pickleball courts, as they’re much smaller.

Pickleball would be prioritized at San Luis Rey Park on Sundays and Thursdays, and Mondays and Wednesdays would be prioritized at San Gorgonio.

The city currently has 13 tennis courts, one of which needs to be resurfaced completely, and with the Lifetime Fitness still in the planning phases, the tennis players said they felt their options for playing have become limited.

“We have seen a large amount of interest at the Rancho San Clemente club,” said City Manager James Makshanoff during the meeting. “Staff does not have a timeline on Lifetime (opening), but it’s in planning right now. Lifetime Fitness does not intend to have pickleball courts at this time, but they could have more if the demand is there.”

WHAT’S NEXT: “Really, what this comes down to are budgetary restraints that are inescapable,” said Mayor Tim Brown during the meeting following public comment.

“We haven’t built a new tennis court in San Clemente for 20 years since the incorporation of Talega.”

Brown added that the “lion’s share” of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department funding goes to the beaches for maintenance and other needs.

“That said, the short-term is we’re able to do lines and evaluate how well they operate,” Brown said.

The amendment to the Master Plan in order to restripe the courts will go through a second reading at the next City Council meeting. —EH

Historical Society to Host City Council Candidate Forum Sept. 16 THE LATEST: The San Clemente Historical Society will sponsor a debate with this year’s candidates for City Council election.

All 12 candidates have agreed to attend this first debate of the local campaign season. Three seats are up for election this year See page 7 for a list of candidates running this year.

Several key issues face the city of San Clemente this year, including growth and historic preservation, the 241 toll road extension, lack of a hospital, homeless problems and nuclear waste storage at SONGS. WHAT’S NEXT: The event is free to the public. It will be held 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Community Center. Historical Society president Larry Culbertson will moderate. The public may submit questions to be asked the candidates. —For the San Clemente Times Page 4

EYE ON SC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Tall Ships Festival Returns to Dana Point

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

In celebration of California’s rich maritime history, the Ocean Institute annually hosts a fleet of historic tall ships that sail into Dana Point Harbor. This year’s event takes place from Friday, Sept. 7, to Sunday, Sept. 9. The festival takes place each year the second weekend in September.

History comes alive, as crews from each ship, along with historical re-enactors, engage the public in cannon battles, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters, ship tours and more. For more information, visit www.ocean-institute.org/about-tallships-festival.

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, SEPTEMBER 11

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.

Beach Town Books Release Party Beach Town Books, located at 99 Avenida Serra in San Clemente, will hold a book release party at 5:30 p.m. on Sept.

25 to feature Jean-Paul L. Garnier’s debut of a science fiction book of short stories, Echo of Creation, published by Traveling Shoes Press.

Jean-Paul L. Garnier lives and writes in Joshua Tree, where he is co-owner of Space Cowboy Books, a used science fiction bookstore, independent publisher and the producer of the Simultaneous Times podcast. He has released two collections of poetry: the Spiraling Pearls (HD Press 2010) and In Iudicio (Cholla Needles Press 2017) plus a score of chapbooks from Space Cowboy Books. His short stories, poetry and essays have appeared in: Specklit, Eye to the Telescope, Scifaikuest and many other anthologies and webzines.

He holds a certificate in creative writing from Wesleyan University.

State Sen. Patricia Bates Eyes Legislation on Substance Abuse Centers Co-author and Senate floor manager of Assembly Bill 3162, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) presented the bill on the Senate floor. According to a press release from the state senator, AB 3162 would clarify laws and help the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) more effectively administer and manage the issuance of licenses for alcoholism or drug abuse residential treatment facilities.

The measure has been a collaborative effort between the author, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and DHCS. It recently passed out of the California State Senate and the Assembly on Aug. 29.

AB 3162 would mandate a provisional, San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

This weekend, thousands of people will gather to enjoy the 34th annual Ocean Institute Tall Ships Festival. The day before it opens to the public, more than 150 students from Orange County schools will get a behind the scenes tour.

Photo: Hannah Mattner

one-year initial probationary period for residential treatment facilities and clarify in law where treatment is occurring.

“This measure is crucial and will strengthen current law to protect patients who are receiving treatment at these facilities,” Bates said in a press release. “I’ve heard from many constituents and read the horror stories in the media about the exploitation of vulnerable patients. Some of these residential treatment facilities have good intentions and substantial records of helping addicts break the vicious cycle of addiction, but others appear to prey on patients. I’m proud to co-author this measure because it would provide clarification to current policies.”

AB 3162 is supported by several associations and municipalities, including the Association of California Cities-Orange County (ACC-OC); the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Oceanside and Vista.

Romance of the Mission Gala to Return Sept. 14 The grounds of Mission San Juan Capistrano will fill with guests on Friday, Sept.

14, for an evening filled with music, dining and activities.

The annual Romance of the Mission benefit gala will begin at 6 p.m. with an opening reception in the Mission’s Front Gardens followed by a concert, traditional bell ringing and a candlelight four-course dinner.

The concert will feature Jackie Evancho, a star on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and the youngest-ever solo platinum artist.

Evancho, now 18, made her appearance on the program when she was 10. Since then, she’s gained global recognition and has released a string of platinum and gold albums. She will be performing the concert in the ruins of the Great Stone Church.

This year’s honorees will be Madeline and James Irvine Swinden, who will be honored for their leadership and support of preservation efforts, according to a news release.

Madeline Swinden is the founding chair of the Mission’s benefit gala and has served on the Mission Preservation Board for several years.

James Irvine Swinden is a fifth generation Californian and a founding member of the California Cultural and Historic Endowment.

Recently, he helped to establish The Irvine Museum dedicated to California Impressionism. He was also a “driving force” for the UCI Institute and Museum for California Art, according to the release.

“As devoted advocates for the arts, education and health sciences, Madeline and James Irvine Swinden have long supported historic Mission San Juan Capistrano along with numerous philanthropic causes throughout California,” the release states.

Organizers are encouraging those who

Page 5

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 TOASTMASTERS 7 p.m. The club meets every Tuesday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for social and networking time. San Clemente Baha’i Center.

3316 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente. 805.794.0653. www.sanclementetoastmasters. toastmastersclubs.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

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.

would like more information on underwriting or reservations, or who want to request an invitation, to contact Barb Beier at 949.234.1323 or bbeier@missionsjc.com.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more.

We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to eheinz@picketfencemedia.com. Submissions are due by 10 a.m. the Monday of the week you’d like published. www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

2018 City Council Election Coverage

WEEK 1

What is your stance on the proposed toll roads by the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) and, if elected, how would you approach the issues surrounding transportation in South Orange County?

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. The list of candidates is published according to the random alphabet the California Secretary of State recently drew.

GENE W. JAMES The TCA must be stopped from building a scar of concrete and steel through our city, creating tragic consequences for homeowners. Additionally, the TCA is stepping outside of its charter by considering widening the I-5. Both concepts are unacceptable. I question the need for the TCA. TCA justifies its existence by pushing the traffic issues in OC, but studies by the city don’t justify this investment.

The future of our roadways lies with the rapidly developing technology of autonomous vehicles and this is what needs to be considered. Finally, to the TCA, pay off your bonds and go away!

TIFFANY JOY ROBSON LEET I take the unwavering stance that a completed toll road would destroy our small town community and change everything we love about living here. It seems different groups and the city are scattered and often at odds with each other and their approaches; I hope to find one or more unifying means to defeat the proposed toll road. I believe we need to explore our historical relevance further and create and apply for more landmark and historic site designations, locations and status, thereby adding a different angle to our stance rather than fighting big corporate money and lobbyist actions alone.

BERNIE WOHLFARTH No toll road. Period. Not in, around or through San Clemente. As your Councilmember, I will protect and preserve our open space at all costs. We have to come together, all of South Orange County, to ensure our schools, parks, neighborhoods and open space are not compromised by a short-sighted and overpriced toll road.

I support our SC Trolley service and its budgeted connection with Dana Point/ Laguna Beach/San Juan Capistrano. The growth of this service is critical for transportation and parking. I will expand trolley service in all areas of San Clemente, including Talega, Shorecliffs, Rancho San Clemente and Forester Ranch.

San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

MIKII RATHMANN

JAKE RYBCZYK

I do not support a toll road that would split our community. The current City Council has adopted a no-toll-road resolution that as a new Council member I would continue to support. To help ease some of the traffic issues we face, I would encourage the TCA to build out arterial streets to extend Crown Valley Parkway to connect to the 241 toll road, and construct an East-West arterial to extend La Pata. Additionally, I support allocating resources to continue developing multimodal planning that considers various modes; walking, cycling, automobile, public transit, etc., and connections among those modes.

I believe that the toll roads proposed by the TCA wouldn’t just cut through our neighborhoods, but cut through our pocketbooks. High tolls, development fees and loans from state and federal governments are some examples. Owing over $6 billion in debt and not building a new road since 1996, the TCA is not in a trustworthy position. If elected, I would fight to dissolve the TCA and I would actually work with OCTA to find a new, de-privatized solution that would address our growing community and never-ending traffic.

Our community knows what is best, not a disconnected, bloated agency.

LAURA FERGUSON

JACKSON HINKLE

I oppose a toll road extension through San Clemente, and though the TCA states it has eight ideas it is studying, the alternative 14 is the absolute worst for our town because it would have devastating effects on our community’s quality of life, including the environment, open space, wildlife, parkland, home values, not to mention the dangers associated with the toll road being so close to numerous schools. No other piece of the toll road that has been constructed so far has taken homes, and this final piece must not involve eminent domain of our established neighborhoods.

The havoc that this unnecessary toll road would wreak on our community would be devastating—the $2 billion toll road would actually worsen traffic on the I-5 and increase residents’ travel distance. It has become clear that the TCA’s motivation is not to “(enhance) mobility in Orange County and Southern California,” as per its mission statement, but to milk taxpayers for every ounce of profit they can muster. I will not only fight to dissolve the TCA, but also work with the OCTA and our residents to find modern, de-privatized solutions to streamline mobility for our growing community.

WAYNE EGGLESTON

DAN BANE

The toll road is a very divisive issue.

It destroys open space, homes, part of the high school. Additionally, there are potentially future plans to widen I-5 from Pico to the county line, also dividing/ destroying homes and businesses. The best way to approach this issue is to work directly with our elected representatives in Sacramento. Working with countyappointed/elected representatives is useless. Many are pro-toll road and appear to support another divisive issue, which is district elections. They are trying their best to divide us in many ways. United, San Clemente is stronger, weaker divided.

One team, one city.

I’ve actively led the fight to keep the toll road from bisecting San Clemente by litigating against the TCA’s proposals in court, helping to draft legislation to stop the toll road at Oso Parkway (A.B. 2796) and by going to Sacramento to testify in support of S.B. 382 (to stop the TCA extending the toll road and to make the toll roads). There will be no toll road through San Clemente (or through San Onofre State Park). I will hold the TCA to its promise to pay down its bonds, make the toll roads free and go out of business.

Page 7

KATHY WARD As your Councilwoman, I have fought tirelessly to stop the toll road. As a TCA director, I have consistently been the only voice of reason voting no on TCA’s plans that won’t create traffic relief. Orange County needs free roads, not toll roads. I commissioned a traffic study, which shows the traffic does not justify building a billion-dollar toll road through our city or on I-5. I will continue to represent the entire city and all of our interests. I will continue to fight as long as TCA tries to destroy our communities, schools and open space.

ED WARD As a Councilmember, my opposition to the toll road will be unflinching and resolute. No study or analysis to date provides data or justification to support the toll road; it is simply not an effective solution to South County traffic. I do support other measures to alleviate traffic, including some planned by the OCTA. In addition, many residents may not know that the city commissioned a mobility study and was presented ideas that warrant further evaluation. I will make sure our residents are informed and will lead the charge against the toll road in San Clemente.

DON BROWN I am opposed to all toll road, managedlane options proposed by the TCA. These routes would devastate our town! My approach would be multifaceted: support and maintain all current legal efforts, continue/increase opposition in the political arena and attack their proposals with data that shows a lack of need. OCTA studies show that one HOV lane in each direction from Pico to Cristianitos will meet all demand through 2050. Managed lanes (toll lanes) from the El Toro “Y” to Cristianitos for “incidental travel” (weekends only) are not needed. Spend $1 billion dollars for weekend travel? Ludicrous! www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Faye Jonason, the director of the Camp Pendleton Museum, holds an undated photo of 1st Sgt. LaRue Ditmore, shaking hands with an unidentified captain at the Women Marine Company. Photo: Andrea Clemett

Celebratory Century

Commemorating women in the Marines for 75 years on Camp Pendleton

BY ANDREA CLEMETT, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

his year, the United States Marine Corps celebrates the 100-year anniversary of female Marines who pioneered the path of women’s enlistment in the United States Marine Corps and 75 years since the arrival of the first woman based at Camp Pendleton.

The first woman who enlisted in 1918 was Pvt. Opha May Johnson, two years before she would even be legally able to vote.

Capt. Lillian Daly arrived at Camp Pendleton as the first female Marine in March 1943, and six months later an assemblage of 95 women Marines entered on active duty during World War II. The Women Reservists barracks had a fence with a posted Marine bodyguard to discourage the male Marines. Each female Marine was outfitted in “Montezuma Red” lipstick and nail polish developed by Elizabeth Arden to match the cord attached to their uniforms. Women have served in every war, taken the helm in uncharted commands and now proudly have removed the red cord on their uniforms which shows they now stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow male Marine Corp soldiers.

“Women Marines did much more than ‘Free a Man to Fight’ in World War II,” said Faye Jonason, director of the Camp Pendleton Museum. “While Women Reservists primarily performed clerical duties in offices, many served as photographers, aviation mechanics, truck drivers and conducted weapon inventory.” After World War II, Camp Pendleton became a demobilization center for Marines. The women’s commitment through the Korean San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

and Vietnam Wars let Camp Pendleton become the first permanent barracks for female Marines in 1969.

Women chipped away at gender barriers when Sgt. Maj. Eleanor Judge became Camp Pendleton’s first female sergeant major in 1980. It wasn’t until 2009 when Ret. Sgt. Maj. Ramona Cook would take her post. The Los Angeles native became a Marine in 1982 after studying behavioral science. The women’s Military Occupational Specialty training remained limited to the communications or radio repair sectors and fewer in the field, Cook recounts.

“I’m extremely proud of women in the Marine Corps today,” Cook said. “If we keep striving at being the best in what we can do, we are opening doors for younger women who are coming behind us and they can do it just as well.”

The National Defense Authorization Act of 1993 repealed the limits of women in flying aircraft combat missions. Sgt. Maj. Valerie A. Camacho, of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, needed her parents’ signature to enlist in the Marines at 17 years of age in July 1996. She also worked in the Marine Tactical Air Command Control Center as a drill instructor when she deployed for three years in Iraq.

The Secretary of Defense lifted the ban on women in infantry in 2013 to be exclusively trained at Parris Island, South Carolina, School Of Infantry East.

In March, Camp Pendleton’s School of Infantry West opened to women, according to Capt. Abigail Peterson of the West Office of Communication at Camp Pendleton. In 2016, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter removed the women’s cap on gender-based restrictions, and three months later the Marine Corps announced they would follow the same policies.

“It’s promising but also a process for things to come to full fruition,” Peterson said. “We are seeing women feel more compelled to complete trainings with the knowledge that the positions and options are open at the end of the tunnel.”

Editor’s note: Andrea Clemett is an intern with Picket Fence Media. SC Page 8

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Eric Heinz, 949.388.7700, x109 eheinz@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

EDITORIAL

Real Estate Sales Executive > Jennifer Guy

Senior City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

ART/DESIGN

City Editor, DP Times > Daniel Ritz

Art Director > Jasmine Smith

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Alex Groves

Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

OPERATIONS

Columnist > Fred Swegles Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho ADVERTISING/ MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

Finance Director > Mike Reed 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 36. 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.

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San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

Not Lost to the Ages Photographs Show Historical Features of San Clemente

I

could barely believe the contents of a fragile photo album I found on my doorstep.

A mystery cardboard box, mailed from Florida, contained two untitled photo albums.

The first few pages were labeled early 1920s: family snapshots at nondescript Southern California venues.

My jaw dropped when I came to a page where someone had scrawled, “Grandpa Hanson, 1925.”

A man on horseback, wearing a hat, a white shirt and a tie sure looked to me like Ole Hanson, founder of San Clemente.

Another photo was labeled “San Clemente, 1927.” Ladies were socializing in a trellis-covered patio.

Other pictures showed children and adults on horseback. One, I could tell, was Ole, two years after the birth of San Clemente.

Another page was labeled “San Clemente, COASTLINES Sept. 1928.” People

By Fred Swegles were posing on a beach with only a sprinkling of houses in the background.

And there was the San Clemente Pier.

Ole had just built it, a gift to his village.

It soon became clear who had sent the albums—Julia Hanson Watters, granddaughter of Ole Hanson.

She figured I could find a home for the albums. And I did, handing them off to the San Clemente Historical Society.

How did these treasures fall into my lap? Maybe some readers will remember a column I wrote in 1995, headlined “A Small World.”

In April, 1995, I was on a Florida beach, photographing a surf contest with my big 600-millimeter lens. A mom approached, asking me to take some shots of her son.

She pointed him out. Phillip Watters was one of America’s most talented up-andcoming surfers. Photos I took of Phillip would appear in surf magazines.

“Where are you from?” Julia asked.

“California,” I replied. “Where in California?” she inquired.

These pictures from a photo album provided by the family of San Clemente founder Ole Hanson show the town’s brand-new pier in 1928, a beach scene and ‘Bob and Blue’ outside a stately home.

Photos: Courtesy of the Hanson family

“San Clemente,” I said. “It’s halfway between L.A. and ...”

“Oh, I know San Clemente!” Julia said.

“My father grew up there. His father was the founder of the town.”

I almost fell over. Julia and I proceeded to swap stories about Ole Hanson. I described how his town had evolved after his death in 1940.

Julia invited me to her home to continue our recollections. Upon returning to San Clemente, I published “Small World” in the Sun Post News and waited for June, when Julia would bring Phillip to San Clemente for his first appearance in the NSSA Nationals surf contest at Trestles.

I couldn’t wait to show Julia her grandfather’s town. Then, at her hotel, I was in for a second surprise.

She introduced me to her father, Lloyd Hanson. The North Carolina resident had flown out to watch Phillip’s surf contest.

Lloyd was a storyteller without parallel, I quickly learned. A real character.

Blessed with a photographic memory.

Lloyd was 8 years old when Ole started San Clemente in 1925. From 1928 to 1934, Lloyd lived in the family’s elegant mansion on a bluff overlooking Ole’s pier.

The palatial home, now known as Casa

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Romantica, was owned by the city in 1995.

Eventually, it would become a cultural center. In 1995 it was a privately operated events center.

I arranged to unlock the door so Lloyd, Julia, Phillip, and Phillip’s sister Davy and I could explore Lloyd’s old haunt.

Lloyd was like a kid in a candy store.

Gleefully, he described his penchant for mischief as one of 13 children of Ole and Nellie Hanson.

Lloyd remembered a large pond, populated with exotic fish. Hanson children had added exotic 16-inch alligators, whereupon the exotic fish, oops, mysteriously vanished.

There was also a pet monkey, six peacocks and other birds. The monkey, Patsy, would sit on Lloyd’s mother’s shoulder in the Rolls-Royce as the chauffeur drove.

“It would bite my father,” Lloyd told me.

He described the day he and his brother set off a cherry bomb in a toilet.

“My dad was in the room, kicking us,” Lloyd said. “That was one of the times I got ordered out of his city.”

Lloyd was exiled to the Hansons’ other home in Los Angeles, eventually forgiven and permitted to return to the beach.

(Cont. on page 10) www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX (Cont. from page 9) I wrote about this. Several years later, Lloyd called me to ask if I had any photos of myself on the beach beside my 600-millimeter lens. I didn’t. At his request, I had someone shoot one.

I sent it to Lloyd. You can imagine my shock when he visited San Clemente to release “Inside the Casa,” a photo book he had compiled of early San Clemente memoirs.

The introduction to the book displayed the “Small World” column and my picture.

Lloyd had dedicated the book to me.

I kept in touch with Lloyd, picked his brain a few times. After his passing in 2004, I kept in touch with the Watters family.

Invited to Phillip’s 2006 wedding in Florida, I lurked around as an unofficial photographer, prowling for spontaneous shots. I sent the family a collection of photos, mostly of people I didn’t know.

Then in 2010, I attended Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens’ gala opening of a gallery room dedicated to Ole Hanson and San Clemente’s early years.

By coincidence, a man from North Carolina had been motoring down the California coast on vacation and just arrived in San Clemente. He stopped into the Casa, not realizing something special was going on.

For me, it was small world all over again.

Impromptu visitor Tom Hanson was Ole

GUEST OPINION: Historical Happenings by Tom Marshall

Jerry Velasco: 90 and Still Swingin’

O

n a warm afternoon, Jerry Velasco shuffles into the San Clemente Villas By The Sea retirement residence home to do what he has been doing since a teenager—entertain an audience. His gait may be a bit slower and his hair a few shades grayer, but at age 90 he will be performing for senior citizens, many of whom are younger than himself. This is not just some local guy who can play and sing.

Raised in San Diego before World War II, Velasco got his first “gig” at a club there in 1944 while still in high school playing with blues legend T-Bone Walker. What a way to enter show business! He was later “discovered” by jazz immortal Lionel Hampton in Los Angeles.

San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

‘Grandpa Hanson 1925,’ pictured at upper left, would have to be San Clemente founder Ole Hanson on horseback in a Hanson photo album provided by the family.

Photos: Courtesy of the Hanson family

Hanson’s grandson.

The Casa made him a guest of honor for a ribbon-cutting. When he was introduced to me, it turned out he already knew me.

He remembered me from Phillip’s wedding. I had taken his picture.

Tom is Julia’s older brother. He had lived in San Clemente until he was 6. This was his first time back since moving away.

Tom remembered a San Clemente playmate, Dean Bierbower, and remembered living near the Bierbower family. I too had

grown up near the Bierbowers. Dean’s younger siblings Marc and Linda were in my class in school.

After the Casa event, Tom and I drove around trying to find his old house.

We couldn’t. We think we came close. I pointed out the Bierbowers’ former home.

A small world, indeed.

“One more thing,” Julia wrote in response to my most recent mail. “Tommy has Ole’s original desk, it is in pieces and would need to be restored. If there

is someone there that is a woodworker and would like to restore it he is happy to donate it.”

Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with more than 46 years of journalism experience in the city. SC

During the ensuing years he performed with many of the music business royalty including Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Cab Calloway, Quincy Jones, Lena Horne and regularly lunched with Harry Belafonte while Velasco was selling his songs at New York’s fabled Tin Pan Alley. He was performing on three different occasions when controversial comedian Lenny Bruce was arrested. He has toured the U.S. and Europe as a featured jazz musician.

HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS Today, he mainly sings

By Tom Marshall and plays keyboard, but in the past has played everything from bass to harmonica.

Velasco’s movie credits (both as musician and actor) include Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (with Robert Redford), Ocean’s Eleven (The Rat Pack), and Fun In Acapulco (Elvis Presley) and the television mini-series The Winds of War (Robert Mitchum.) He’s played golf with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Chevy Chase and pro golfer Byron Nelson.

What brought him to live in San Clemente? In a recent Historical Society Oral History video interview, he says a friend

from here let him stay with him for a while in the mid-1960s.

“This is the best place with the best weather of anywhere I’ve been in my life,” Velasco said. That’s pretty cool, as he’s spent time in the French Riviera and Hawaii.

While performing all over the country, Velasco made San Clemente his home base. In his autobiography, Just Who Is Jerry Velasco, he comments, “In 1965, I’m playing piano bar at the San Clemente Inn. The whole town is buzzing at the news the Hollywood Hackers will be in San Clemente for a weekend celebrity (golf) tournament.”

This is a group of actors and musicians who played for various charities. Local duffers ponied up $50 each to play with the likes of Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan fame), Claude Akins, Jose Ferrar and Jack Albertson. Ole Hanson’s grandson, Don Hanson, donated fish and helped cook at a Saturday night Fish Fry at the Elk’s Club for the players.

On July 4, 1973, Velasco got an urgent call from his San Clemente Inn boss, Paul Presley. Even though it was his day off, he was being called into work for a hastily arranged party. He arrives and is immediately introduced to the large crowd by the

unofficial mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant. After his first set, the crowd parts and up walks local resident and President of the United States Richard Nixon. “He says ‘I really enjoy your music’,” Velasco recalled.

“Nixon then tells the audience, ‘My fellow San Clementeans, thank you all for coming to celebrate the birthday of my daughter Julie.’”

Many of Jerry’s show-biz friends played at Sebastian’s West Dinner Playhouse, which is today the Casino San Clemente. Comedian Martha Raye stayed with the Velascos when playing there. One visit during an impromptu jam session at the Velascos, Raye collapsed in mid-song. Rushed to the hospital by ambulance, Raye was found to have hyperventilated. And then there was the time…well, we’ll get into that in another column.

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

Page 10

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

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

www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX

Letters to The Editor

(with no bike lanes) where there would be a much higher risk of a collision, often fatal to the bike rider. I hope we can all be more aware of each other and continue to share the Beach Trail.

DON’T SIGN S.B. 174 INTO LAW JOHN TOROK, San Clemente

ALLOWING BIKES ON THE BEACH TRAIL REDUCES RISKS JEFF CAMPBELL, San Clemente

I too use the Beach Trail because it is off the roadways, quieter, and more enjoyable to be by the ocean; but I use an E-bike. I commute to work from Forster Ranch to South San Clemente where there are safe bike lanes to ride from Forster Ranch to North Beach. But, starting at North Beach going south, the decision to ride the Beach Trail or the streets is easy.

To ride a bike down El Camino Real is taking a big risk. We read all too often of a car hitting a bicyclist on the streets, but I doubt there are many serious injuries or fatalities caused by bikes hitting a walker on the trail. From my experience, walkers seem to get “startled” and sometimes overreact by the simple biker courtesy of saying “on your left” as we pass by. Let’s not force bicyclists back onto the streets

Dear Governor Jerry Brown, I urge you to not sign Senate Bill 174!

It is absurd and disgusting that the legislation would even consider such unAmerican bill.

On the national level, we are obsessed with election meddling (by Russian, Chinese, etc.) and both parties oppose such activities.

Yet the bill would exactly do this—election meddling by foreigners.

A person, who is not a citizen, is by definition a foreigner and is a guest in our country (some here on visas legally and many here illegally). How dare we allow these non-citizens to manipulate our citizens’ wishes? These non-citizens may have ulterior motives that are not in-line with those who are American citizens. They are foreigners who should not have the right to partake in any governmental affairs.

They can, if they wish, communicate their opinions, but until they make a commit-

ment to be part of our society by being a citizen, their only privilege is to voice opinions.

This bill is a slap in the face to American citizens and immigrants, like me, who have taken the effort to become citizens and earn the right to vote.

VOTE ‘YES’ ON MEASURE V BRAD MALAMUD, San Clemente

The Nov. 6 ballot will include Measure V to change from the at-large San Clemente City Council to by-district Councilmembers. If district elections win, the city could create five districts.

Councilmembers will be required to live within the district. If Measure V passes, starting in 2020 voters in two of the newly created districts will elect their Councilmembers. In 2022, the three remaining districts will elect their Councilmembers. Recently, and without a vote of the residents, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Fullerton, Lake Forest, Placentia and Stanton have implemented district elections. The measure lets you make the decision.

If the current system wasn’t broke, we wouldn’t be asking you to fix it. We have tried the current system for years.

A district election ensures Councilmem-

bers will live near you and will represent the residents of the district. Vote yes on Measure V.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@sanclementetimes.com. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Sept. 7 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso This week’s guest will be San Clemente’s Nick Karnazes, who once played 96 rounds of golf in 96 days across 48 states and is featured in a ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ edition. 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.

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

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 | 06 TABLE TENNIS FOR SENIORS 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All seniors 55 or older are welcome to join the Table Tennis Club at the Shorecliffs Terrace Mobile Home Park. Any skill level is welcome and entry is free. 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente.

949.481.2275. jnl5555@yahoo.com.

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.

Photo: Courtesy of Casa Romantica

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, SEPT. 8 AND 9: CASA JAZZ CLUB Come to Casa Romantica to experience the Casa Jazz Club featured musicians. On Sept. 8, Alex Flavell will perform at noon, and the show is free with your Casa admission ($5). The John Beasley Trio will perform at 7 p.m., and tickets are $50-55. On Sunday, Sept. 9, the Gilbert Castellanos Quintet and Jazz Brunch takes place at 1 p.m. Tickets are $75-80. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

Friday | 07 COA: OPEN MIC NIGHT, TEENS AND COLLEGE-AGE ONLY 7 p.m. The Community Outreach Alliance (COA) will host its monthly first Friday open mic night for teenagers and college-age youth. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. www.communityoutreachalliance.com DANA WHARF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE MUSIC CRUISE 8-9:30 p.m. Dana Wharf’s Dana Pride rocks every Saturday night with classic rock, reggae artists, and a live rock band on board. The cruise takes passengers along the shores of Dana Point Harbor.

The cruise is $25 per person, and each guest is greeted with a glass of the famous Pride Punch. A cash bar is also available. To book a cruise, go online at www. danawharf.com or call 949.496.5794 ext 7.

34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

Saturday | 08 TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. Whether you are about to tackle San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

your first 5K or you’re just keeping your cardio and running prowess in top form, be sure to stop by Peet’s Coffee in Talega.

Every Saturday a group of runners of varying skill level take a brisk three-mile run around a predetermined course.

Admission is free. 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.588.5054. www.facebook.com/2xusanclemente.

BREATH WORKSHOP 9:30 a.m.-Noon. The goal of Somato Respiratory Integration (The 12 Stages of Healing) is to help you develop lifetime skills in using breath, touch and focused attention to experience your body, its vibration, structure, and energy for healing. Workbook included. Cost is $50. 647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, San Clemente.

949.616.5241. www.emmawagnerhealer. com/metime.

SUMMER MACRAME WORKSHOP: PLANT HANGER 10:30 a.m. Join Knot Knowledge, for the final Summer Macrame Series event. Learn basic macrame knotting techniques to create your own beautiful plant hanger com-

plete with a pot to plant in. No experience is needed and all supplies are provided.

Cost is $65. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, Outlets at San Clemente. 949.535.232. www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

Sunday | 09 9/11 MEMORIAL RUN 8 a.m. Join the Marine Raider Foundation and the Travis Manion Foundation for a 9/11 memorial 5K walk/run. The event takes place at the San Clemente Pier. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on-site. www.travismanion.org.

THE COAST VINTAGE MARKET 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Coast Vintage Market takes place the second Sunday of every month and is located on the beautiful Saddleback College campus in Mission Viejo.

There are more than 190 vendors with eclectic and unique vintage goods, food trucks, live music, a row of vintage trailers, classic cars, artisans and more. 28000 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo. 949.381.9947. www.thecoastvintagemarket.com.

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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.

SOUL FOOD: SHAUNTY RASHIDI 11 a.m. Shaunty Rashidi grew up in San Juan Capistrano, later moving to Idaho to live in a Native American community. He is back here living in San Juan, loves singing and music and putting prayers and quotes from the Baha’i writings to music. “Soul Food” seeks to create an atmosphere for reflection and spiritual growth combining live music, audio visual presentations, and recitation of sacred writings from diverse faiths and indigenous cultures and the writings of philosophers, authors and leaders of thought from all over the world. San Clemente Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida Del Presidente. 949.791.9192. www.bahaicenter.com.

(Cont. on page 21) www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 12)

Monday | 10 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. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Tuesday | 11 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.

LECTURE: TARANTULAS 7-8 p.m. Did you know that in the evenings, male tarantulas wander around in search of food and females? They only live for about 1 year. Female tarantulas dig deep burrows in the ground and remain there, waiting for crickets and other insects to walk by and become dinner. Learn fun facts about tarantulas at this lecture, hosted by The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. 28811 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.

Wednesday | 12 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.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS 7 p.m. “Staying Emotionally Healthy As We Age” is about paying attention to our spirit, and that places a focus on depression, an illness that affects mind, body and spirit. It’s not part of normal aging.

The guest speaker will be Cordula DickMuehlke, Ph.D., a consultant in aging and dementia and licensed psychologist, who has dedicated the past 34 years to understanding depression and to bettering the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and their families. Community Presbyterian Church, 32202 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1502. www.sjcpres.org.

San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

At the Movies: The Little Stranger Arrives Early

Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

O

ne whole month before Halloween season begins and we have a release of a retro, atmospheric horror-drama: The Little Stranger. Gothic horror is a film genre like movie musicals or romance epics, where the relevancy and following haven’t been fully alive since the mid-20th century. Similarly with Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak (2015) which was fine, but a complete dud with audiences. Unfortunately, Lenny Abrahamson’s new feature will have a similar reaction.

In the late 1940s, Dr. Faraday (Domhnall Gleeson) is called in to treat a new patient at an old English mansion he just happened to visit as a child with his mother. Over time he becomes friendly with the family including Mrs. Ayres (Charlotte Rampling), her daughter Caroline (Ruth Wilson) and son Roddy (Will Poulter). The family, and even the house it appears, is haunted by the memory of the eldest daughter Sarah (Tipper Seifert-Cleveland), who died tragically as a child.

The Little Stranger is adapted by Lucinda Coxon from Sarah Waters’ best-selling novel. Abrahamson seems to be a director like David Gordon Green, with no particular theme or subject preference for his storytelling. From the quirky, amusing indie Frank (2014), to the claustrophobic drama Room (2015), and now a creepy mystery. Fortunately, Abrahamson is good with variety, and Gleeson, Wilson and Poulter still shine as three of the most interesting UK actors out there. The pacing is a very slow burn that doesn’t exactly have a payoff and won’t work for some viewers. There are no jump scares or monsters, but bleak characters and a lot of angsty dialogue. SC Page 21

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Wellness and Prevention by Susan Parmelee

Taking Care of Our Mental Health Wellness is achieved by examining our state of mind Editor’s note: This month’s article is by Jennifer Ponce, Prevention & Education Manager at Laura’s House and MSW Clinical Intern for the Wellness & Prevention Center. Jennifer leads a Monday night adult mental health support group at the Wellness & Prevention Center, 189 Avenida La Cuesta from 6-7 p.m.. For more information info@www.wpc-oc.org.

W

hen discussing mental health, many of us have ideas and perceptions but not a clear idea about when to seek help. Culture and society contribute to misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental health symptoms and seeking mental health care.

At the Wellness & Prevention Center, it is our job to educate the community about mental health, available services, and how these services could best meet the needs of families and individuals.

A lot of times when we hear the words “mental health,” we automatically equate that with some form of lunacy. That is far from what mental health and wellness are all about. As we move through life, it is guaranteed that most people will encounter different stressors at different stages in their lives. Grief, loss, birth, marriage and finances are all examples of life events that may bring happiness or distress, and there is no telling how these stressors may affect our mental health.

move through “life,Asitwe is guaranteed that most people will encounter different stressors at different stages in their lives.

”

When I train volunteers at Laura’s House, I find myself spending a lot of time debunking the myths of what a person experiencing symptoms of the diseases of mental health looks like.

At the beginning of my presentation, I usually pose this question first. Research San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

supports that one of five people in my training may be experiencing or treating a symptom of depression or anxiety yet appear to be perfectly healthy.

People who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression or other mental health diseases, tell me how hard it is to admit to a friend or a colleague that they would like help. The fear of someone knowing we are struggling can sometimes hinder us from seeking support or beneficial services.

Additionally, we are WELLNESS AND bombarded with perfect PREVENTION images via social media.

By Susan We are exposed daily Parmelee to the facets of people’s lives that they want us to see, primarily positive messaging that can make us feel as though we are lacking in some way. It can be difficult to separate reality as opposed to what people want us to believe is true. These comparisons can easily elicit and amplify negative thoughts, feelings and emotions about ourselves.

So, when do I recommend seeking care from a mental health professional?

Quite honestly, any time one is struggling and experiencing symptoms that might include difficulty sleeping, increased irritability, loss of appetite, isolation from friends and prolonged episodes of sadness.

Health insurance is required to cover mental health treatment; however, many rules and restrictions may apply. The Wellness & Prevention Center provides referrals to therapists in the area that may bill your insurance and to other resources when a higher level of care is required.

Mental Health First Aid (mentalhealthfirstaid.org) courses are offered throughout Orange County if you are interested in learning more about awareness of warning signs and how to help others. 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.

Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Kliss

FROM THE ARCHIVES The old Sunset Inn of San Clemente is photographed in this picture, taken around the 1930s or 40s. Andrew Kliss forwarded this and several other historical photos he said he found at his father’s store, Del Mar Jewelers, years ago.

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: Bart SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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

art is an energetic dog who is always up for fun. Whether he’s meeting new people or playing in the yard with other dogs, his joyful demeanor shines through. If you’re in need of a loyal friend, Bart is ready to brighten your day.

If you would like to know more about Bart, call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with him at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. 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 22

See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

Business Beat

News from San Clemente’s business community

BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

25 Year Anniversary ALICIA’S BARBER & STYLING SALON 117 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente 949.492.5812 www.aliciasondelmar.com Family-owned-and-operated Alicia’s Barber & Styling Salon recently announced its 25th year in downtown San Clemente this year.

“Alicia Allen opened Alicia’s Barber & Styling Salon in 1993 when San Clemente was just a sleepy surfer town and Avenida Del Mar was a quiet street you could cross without looking both ways,” according to a press release from the salon and barbershop. “Alicia’s has been operating in the same downtown location on Avenida Del Mar where other small-town ‘barber shops’ also did business.”

When it first opened, Allen concentrated exclusively on men’s cuts, but her skill and friendly personality brought in requests from many of her gentlemen clients to cut and style their wives’ hair too, she said.

“A couple years after opening, Alicia’s daughter, Jennifer Chin, followed in her footsteps and joined her at the salon,” Allen stated in a press release. “Together, the dynamic duo have lovingly watched local families grow up and feel honored to style them for their first day of school, high school and college graduation, important job interviews and other milestones.”

Repeat business has helped the barbershop and salon succeed over the years, Allen said.

“Our customers have told us over and over again that they don’t just come to just

One of the seafood dishes from Fig 313, a new restaurant in San Clemente, that is part of the ‘new-American’ menu the restaurant has put together. Photo: Courtesy of Tracy Wilson

get their hair done but to spend their time in the chair sharing stories, happy or sad,” Allen said.

She said some of her faithful clients are “snow birds” or regulars who drive from Los Angeles to get their “Alicia fix” before spending the rest of the day downtown in the beautiful “Spanish Village by the Sea.” Over the past 25 years, Alicia and Jennifer have proudly maintained their spot on the ever-growing Avenida Del Mar. Much has changed since 1993, and the two said they are proud to be part of a community that has developed into a thriving downtown.

Alicia’s is located at 117 Avenida Del Mar and is easily spotted by the original barber pole prominently perched above the shop window. Walk-ins are welcome. Call or visit their website to book appointments.

New Business

Jennifer Chin, left, stands with her mother, Alicia Allen, as they celebrate 25 years in business with Alicia’s Barber & Styling Salon. Photo: Eric Heinz

San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

FIG 313 313 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.218.4406 www.fig313.com Owners of Fig 313, Gosia Napiorkowska Dahabreh and Gus Dahabreh, have the best problem you could ask for—customers who stay well past the end of their meal. “We’ve had people coming at 5 p.m. and leaving at 9 p.m.,” said Gosia. Since opening on Aug. 21, the owners said they have had a packed house each night.

Fig 313 is housed in a historic building that was constructed in 1929. It has

been many businesses since that time, including an old waffle business, a French restaurant, a furniture store and many other ventures.

“Maybe 10 or 15 years ago, we saw the building and thought it would be so beautiful,” Gosia said. “When our agent called, saying they had a building available, this was the one she had in mind. It was like fate.”

Gosia is from Poland originally and Gus is from Jordan. They met while in college.

The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining facilities as well as a private room for parties.

The restaurant owners described the food as part of the “new-American” culinary experience, cooking up dishes from Europe and influenced by traditional American dishes. They have a mouthwatering burger that has been altered with the restaurant’s main feature—figs.

“We wanted to incorporate figs into the menu because its one of the favorite fruits,” Gosia said. “We have dried figs, fig salad and we have homemade fig jam that we’re putting on a burger.”

Cornish hen is the prize dish at Fig 313, but due to its demand it is not always available. They said they want to make sure it is as fresh as possible. Even the ketchup has a little twist on it, as the chef adds nutmeg and some other ingredients to make the taste pop.

There are also cocktails that feature figs, which even inspired the coloring of the walls and décor of the restaurant.

“We’re thinking of changing the menu

Page 23

twice a year for spring/summer and winter/fall selections. We’ll definitely play around with it a little bit more because you can’t have figs in every single dish.

They’re not everyone’s favorite. But they’re so easy to plate and have a great color,” Gosia stated.

“So far, we’ve enjoyed serving people, and the warm welcome motivates us to do better,” Gus said. “We are already thinking about holiday menus, brunch, and it’s exciting.”

Currently, Fig 313 is only serving dinner, but that’s likely to change in the near future.

“We’re excited about the food and the customers, the kinds of people we’ve had here,” Gus said.

The owners also own an Italian restaurant in Huntington Beach but wanted to try something new in the Spanish village by the sea.

As fine dining continues to grow in San Clemente, the owners of Fig 313 aren’t worried about their counterparts edging them out.

“We don’t look at it as a competition; we just want to express ourselves and do what makes us happy,” Gosia said.

The chef at Fig 313 is having his own debut in the executive role. “It’s been great so far,” said executive chef Matthew Sirjani. “We’ve got a great staff and they’ve got a great attitude and are willing to learn.

(Figs) are a very versatile ingredient, so it’s not that hard to work with. There’s a lot of stuff you can do with them.”

Fig 313 is open nightly from 5-10 p.m. 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

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AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

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ART GALLERIES

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

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

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BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters

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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

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WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

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Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

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FOR SALE FURNITURE FOR SALE Shabby chic wood dining table with 6 chairs $125, wood industrial World Market table $100, two tan linen high back chairs with studs from World Market $35 each, IKEA wooden shelving unit $100. Can send pictures. Call or text 949.533.9761

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE HUGE El Encanto Neighborhood Garage Sale. Saturday, SEPTEMBER 8 – 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. In Forster Ranch with cross-streets of Camino De Los Mares and Camino Del Rio. MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE Saturday, September 8, 7 a.m.

Richmond Point Community 32 Finca, San Clemente GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

2018 Tritons Fall Sports Preview Optimism shines through as studentathletes return to competition

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he 2018 fall high school sports season is well underway as the CIF calendar moved up across the board. In our annual season preview, we get you caught up on how the Tritons have fared early on and their outlook for the rest of the season.

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

Girls Volleyball

A new head coach and a new league has the Triton girls volleyball team on the rise early in the season.

Casey Swenson takes over a San Clemente team that enters the reorganized Sea View League after a winless South Coast League campaign a year ago.

Swenson is a 1998 San Clemente High School (SCHS) graduate and has been in the Triton volleyball program on the boys and girls sides since 2004. He was the boys frosh-soph coach last season.

“It’s been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging,” Swenson said of the transition. “The girls are all really excited.

They’ve all had this amazing work ethic and attitude about the whole transition and me coming in new. I’m not totally new because I’ve been coaching here for a number of years, but none of them have played for me before.”

Swenson was an assistant coach for the varsity girls from 2004-15 when the program won five South Coast League titles. The Tritons went 2-15 in the South Coast League in the last two seasons and will rebuild in the Sea View League.

“I think we’ve definitely grown and expanded a lot,” junior Lexi Gruszczynski said. “Our game has improved a lot from last season. I think with how the season is going so far, we’re very confident in our abilities that we can finish a league game and do really well in it.”

Key returners for the Tritons are

San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

San Clemente’s Alex Lunt is one of eight seniors returning to the reigning league champion water polo team looking to keep up its run of success. Photo: File

seniors Kirra Schultz, Malia Yim, Katelyn Ostrander and juniors Gruszczynski, Abby Stewart, Julia Wilson and Ella Gardiner.

San Clemente opened its season with a strong five-set win at Trabuco Hills on Aug. 15 and followed up that performance by going undefeated and winning the Tesoro tournament. The Tritons also picked up another big road win at Laguna Beach on Aug. 27.

San Clemente was 8-4 entering its league opener against Mission Viejo on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Results were not available at press time, but Swenson believes his balanced and deep group should compete for a league title and a playoff run.

“I think it’s exciting,” Swenson said. “I like winning. I like being a part of winning and helping these girls get that back, bring in some of that culture of what San Clemente volleyball is all about. I think that’s the whole reason we do this is to compete.”

Boys Water Polo

San Clemente boys water polo enters 2018 as the reigning South Coast League

champion and a strong group of eight returning seniors.

However, when the CIF-SS released its preseason “teams to watch” list, the Tritons were not listed. Their rivals, Dana Hills, were listed in the Division 1/2 group and South Coast League newcomer San Juan Hills was listed in Division 4.

CIF may not have officially listed them, but the 2018 Tritons are still very much a team to watch.

Seniors Ty Matson, Ryan Farrier, Billy Moore, Charles Campbell and Alex Lunt along with junior Christian Hosea all return to bolster San Clemente. Coach Logan Powell said the team has a variety of offensive weapons and plenty of depth.

With a tough South Coast League and a brutal Division 1/2 grouping, Powell said the difference won’t be their offensive firepower, but the players’ determination to be a defensive force.

San Clemente is 2-0 on the season with tight wins over Los Alamitos, 8-6, and Division 1/2 team to watch Woodbridge, 8-7.

Hosea leads the Tritons through two games with five goals and four assists,

Page 26

and Matson has three goals and an assist.

Junior Everett Prussak has two goals, two assists and six steals.

The Tritons play at Division 1/2 team to watch Foothill on Sept. 14 before opening league play with a home match against Dana Hills on Sept. 18.

Girls Tennis

San Clemente girls tennis has won four consecutive South Coast League titles.

They’ve also shared four consecutive South Coast League titles with Dana Hills.

Neither team is terribly pleased that it has to share with the other, and each will look to change that and claim the title for their own this season.

San Clemente lost two of its top three singles players to graduation last season, and junior Jenna Yeam will take over as the Tritons’ No. 1.

Yeam and graduated senior Sami Neilson won the South Coast League doubles title last season and advanced to the CIF(Cont. on page 28) www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS (Cont. from page 28) SS Individual Championships. As a team, San Clemente advanced to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

San Clemente opened the season on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Corona del Mar, but results were not available at press time.

The Tritons open league at Aliso Niguel on Sept. 18 and host Dana Hills on Sept.

20.

League Finals will be Oct. 24 at Laguna Niguel Racquet Club.

Girls Cross Country

San Clemente girls cross country has established a decade of excellence.

The Tritons finished third in the Sea View League last season, but San Clemente advanced to the CIF-SS Division 1 finals for the 10th consecutive season.

The face leading San Clemente into the next decade is junior Hana Catsimanes.

Catsimanes is the two-time reigning 1,600-meter league champion during the track season and will be the Tritons’ No. 1 heading into cross country season.

Catsimanes won her season-opening race on Sept. 1 with a time of 17:37 at the Great Cow Run in Cerritos.

Junior Belle Sachse will also be a leader for the Tritons, and sophomores Ella Horton and Kelsie Yamano return with varsity experience.

Coach Dave Proodian also said there is plenty of young runners in the program that are improving and could make some impact for the varsity squad this season.

Boys Cross Country

San Clemente boys cross country just missed out on third place and trip to CIF last season by only five points at the Sea View League Finals.

San Clemente junior Hana Catsimanes, reigning two-time 1,600-meter league champion, will look to lead the Tritons to an 11th straight CIF appearance. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

The positive is that the Tritons’ top five runners from last year’s finals were all juniors, finished in the top 25 and return as seniors with that extra bit of experience.

Elijah Sech finished second individu-

Ready for Takeoff San Clemente high school alum Sam Darnold named New York Jets starting QB for Monday Night Football opener

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S

am Darnold, San Clemente High School alum and Capistrano Beach native, has been named the Week 1 starter for the New York Jets’ seasonopener in Detroit against the Lions on Monday Night Football, Sept. 10.

Jets coach Todd Bowles confirmed the appointment at a press conference on Mod-

San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

nay. After the Jets’ Aug. 29 trade of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who had been battling with Darnold for the starting job, NFL.com’s Ian Rappaport, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and New York Jets media reported Darnold would be the team’s starter.

Darnold also beat out 39-year-old journeyman and returning starting quarterback Josh McCown. McCown will continue

ally at league finals with a time of 15:13.

He advanced to the CIF-SS preliminaries where he ran a time of 16:11.

Patrick Riley was the other Triton to finish in the top 10 of league finals at 15:30. Sech and Riley are joined by

Walker Redmond, William McNee and Caleb Mettler as returning seniors.

San Clemente opens the season on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Laguna Hills Invitational and will compete in the Dana Hills Invitational on Sept. 22. SC

to mentor and back-up the former USC quarterback.

At 21 years, 97 days old, Darnold will be the youngest Week 1 starting quarterback in NFL history. Darnold will be the second youngest quarterback to ever start a game in the NFL after Tommy Maddox with the Denver Broncos in 1992 at 21 years, 81 days old.

Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, started the second and third preseason games for the Jets. New York plays its fourth and final preseason game Thursday at Philadelphia.

Through three preseason games, Darnold completed 64.4 percent (29 of 45) of his passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Darnold played three seasons of varsity football at San Clemente High School and led the Tritons to the 2014 CIF-SS Southwest Division championship game.

Darnold threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior in that 2014 season with 785 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing.

Darnold was a redshirt in 2015 at USC and earned the starting quarterback role after one game in 2016. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns and led USC to a dramatic win over Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Last season, Darnold threw for a school-record 4,143 yards and 26 touchdowns as USC won the Pac-12 championship for the first time since 2008.

SC

Page 28

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Logs at Lowers

Wave pools in the Central Valley, longboard comps at Lowers. As Bobby Dylan famously sang, “Come gather ‘round people wherever you roam and admit that the waters around you have grown… because the times they are a-changin’.”

With the Hurley Pro moving on this year, the longboarders are moving in

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he times—or tide—are a-changin’ down at Lower Trestles. Typically, around this time of the year, the scaffolding and tents go up and the world’s best shortboarders begin to appear in the lineup. Since 2001, the Lowers Pro has stood as the only WSL (formerly ASP) world tour stop on the American mainland.

This year, however, the governing body of professional surfing opted to migrate about 260 miles north and 100 miles east to the Central Valley and the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch in Lemoore for their first-ever world tour event in a wave pool.

For some in the Dana Point and San Clemente surf community, this came as good news as the “circus” won’t be coming to town this year and the prime autumn surf season won’t be interrupted by a bunch of “spoiled pro surfers.”

On the flip side, there are a lot of locals, especially kids, who really look forward to seeing the show every year and rubbing elbows with their aquatic heroes. Wherever one falls on this subject, the fact of the matter is that with the Lowers Pro’s removal from the 2018 calendar, the opportunity for somebody else to step in and utilize the valuable California State Park permit is open.

Enter the Relik Longboard World Tour

Lower Trestles may no longer host the Hurley Pro, but that hasn’t stopped longboarders from taking advantage of the opening. Photo: Courtesy of WSL

coming to Lowers. That’s right, the logs are moving up the beach from San Onofre to Trestles. After running a successful first event up at Malibu earlier this summer, the crew at Relik saw the opportunity to do something a little bit outside the norm down at Lowers, and intends to crown a new longboard world champion here in San Clemente.

They’ve invited the top 50 longboards from around the world, including from the U.S., Australia, Europe, South Africa and Japan. A combination of the top pro longboarders, as well as 16 more traditional stylists, will all be vying for a piece of the $150,000 prize purse. A number of local surfers are entered into the contest, including Tyler Warren, Karina Rozunko,

Tory Gilkerson, Rachael Tilly and Corey Colapinto.

The waiting period for the contest will run from Sept. 10, 11 and 12 and will require two full days of surf to be completed—as compared to the men’s and women’s WSL Championship Tour events at Lowers which takes four days for the men and another three days for the women. With a much lighter footprint than the Hurley Pro, the infrastructure on the beach won’t be quite as extravagant. They’re planning on bringing food trucks down to the beach and there will be shuttle services available to get fans up and down the trail. There is also a VIP package available for purchase for those that want to go all in.

GROM OF THE WEEK

SURF FORECAST

TYRONE FOMENKO

Water Temperature: 70-75 Degrees F

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair

R

olling up to Ventura for the opening day of the NSSA Gold Coast season, San Clemente’s Tyrone Fomenko got straight to work. Winning the Explorer Boys division, it was an epic start to the season.

“Had an awesome weekend in Ventura!

Stoked to have surfed in the NSSA and congrats to everyone who surfed throughout the day,” said Fomenko on Instagram.

The 13-year-old San Clemente ripper’s also been enjoying a lot of success in the 2018 Sun Diego Am Slam Surf Series.

Winning the first contest of the fourevent series back in June at the San Clemente Pier, he stayed hot all summer long, finishing fourth in the second event in Pacific Beach and second in the third

San Clemente Times September 6-12, 2018

Is El Niño Knocking?

So, any other surfing parents out there notice that the day school started the surf went absolutely flat?

All summer long, I’ve been waiting for my daughter to head back to Las Palmas for the selfish reason of having more free time to surf. Admittedly, September and October are among my favorite months around here as our beaches quiet down, the weather’s nice and the water’s still warm.

In the week leading up to the start of school, we had a good run of waves.

Then the minute the bell rang, nothing.

That’s got me looking at the forecast lately and trying to figure out when we may again have a solid swell.

One sign of hope that seems to be emerging is that the Climate Prediction Center has noted that there is a 70 percent chance of an El Niño winter along the West Coast of the United States.

While that may mean December, January and February run a little warmer and drier than normal, it also means we could be in for a good dose of Northern Hemisphere swell energy.

Climate scientists are seeing evidence of warmer-than-normal water building across the equator in the central Pacific.

This is typically a strong indicator of an impending El Nino weather pattern.

The last El Niño we experienced in California was in 2016 and the surf pumped. Keep an eye on the weather charts and those fingers crossed. SC

Thursday: New SSW swell slowly trending up. Small NW windswell. Keeping an eye on Olivia in the tropics. Surf is mostly around knee-waist-chest high (2-3’+) with shoulder high (4’) sets at top breaks.

Light/variable to light onshore winds early, trending to light-moderate onshore for the afternoon hours.

Tyrone Fomenko. Photo: Courtesy of NSSA

event at the Ocean Beach Pier. The final comp will be this October.

As far as where he wants surfing to take him, he’s looking well beyond his own backyard.

“My dream is to go to the Mentawais because the waves are perfect. I would

take my dad and friends. That sounds like a dream,” he told the Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation when they named him Grom of the Week earlier this summer.

It’s a new year on the NSSA circuit and we can’t wait to see what else Fomenko gets up to. SC

Page 30

Outlook: Mix of SSW and South southern hemi swells along with some NW windswell and possible tropical swell going through the weekend.

Surf is waist-shoulder high (3-4’+) for most spots, standouts may see some slightly larger sets at times.

Winds are light and conditions mostly clean for the morning hours. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

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