July 5, 2018

LO C A L

N EWS

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July 5-11, 2018 C A N

Inside: South County Real Estate Guide

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SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 13, ISSUE 27

Talk of the Town San Onofre Parks Foundation Summer Lecture Series kicks off July 18 E Y E O N S C / PAG E 4

Steve Bledsoe, an amateur herpetologist, will give a lecture on dangerous snakes in Orange County on July 18 to kick off the San Onofre State Parks Summer Lecture Series. Photo: Courtesy of Steve Bledsoe

How One San Clemente Woman Helped SCOTUS Case Overturn Public Union Fees EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SCHS Football Opens Summer Camps SPORTS/PAGE 22

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From the Sand to the Greens: A Trippy Encounter with President Nixon SC SURF/PAGE 26

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

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Five things San Clemente should know this week How a San Clemente Woman’s Fight Helped Persuade the Supreme Court to Overturn Public Union Case THE LATEST: In 2016, San Clemente resident Rebecca Friedrichs was waiting for her case to be decided in the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

She, along with 10 other teachers, were looking to overturn a requirement that employees of a public-sector union must pay dues to the respective union, regardless of joining the union or not.

It looked as if Friedrichs’ case was going to be decided in her favor, as the court waited on then-Justice Antonin Scalia to weigh in on the matter. But then the unexpected happened—Scalia died on Feb. 13, 2016 only a few weeks after the first SCOTUS hearing on Friedrichs’ case. A few weeks after that, the court voted 4-4 and the case was deemed gridlocked.

The case that set the laws for current unions came from Abood v. Detroit Board of Education (1977), in which it was ruled that public-sector unions could establish compulsory dues.

Following Scalia’s death, it didn’t take long for another prominent case to take center stage. Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31, has very similar provisions to Friedrichs’ case.

“The reason I brought my case was because in 28 years of teaching, even when I was a union leader, my friends and I couldn’t make our voices heard at a state and national level,” Friedrichs said. “We were silenced and ostracized.

The problem is the teachers at the local level, in the districts, are usually wonderful people who love kids and work hard, but we’ve been forced to fund the state union and the national association and those unions are bullies.”

Through various union conventions and other meetings, Friedrichs said she and the other teachers demanded a change.

The California Teachers Association (CTA) sent out a press release immediately, claiming that the case was the design of corporate greed by way of San Clemente Times July 5-11, 2018

Tom Palmisano, the Southern California Edison vice president of decommissioning and chief nuclear officer, holds a “shim,” a device used to improve the airflow in canisters designed to hold spent nuclear fuel, at the June 27 Community Engagement Panel meeting. Palmisano explained what happened a few months ago when a couple canisters with broken shims were loaded with spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, where the decommissioning process is currently taking place.

Photo: Eric Heinz

political stifling. A major argument in the case against the compulsory dues is that it gave unions funding for political speech, whether the members who paid the dues agree with them or not.

“Today’s ruling is an attack on working people that attempts to further rig the economy and that reverses four decades of precedent,” said California Teachers Association President Eric C. Heins in a press release on June 27. “The decision is the result of a well-funded and nationally orchestrated effort to weaken the ability of working men and women to come together as unions and to speak with one, united voice. For educators, this an attempt to weaken our ability to stand up on behalf of our students and on behalf of quality public schools.”

According to the CTA release, unions will still be required by law to represent members and non-members, but they can choose not to pay them.

“Allowing some to opt out of paying anything at all for collective bargaining will make it harder for all public employees to provide the services that everyone depends on,” the release stated.

Friedrichs’ case asked for right-to-work status, but she said that she was elated when the court ruled people will not have to opt out of unions once employed, something she said can be difficult.

“The unions gave us all that feeling that something was wrong with us if we didn’t agree with union politics,” Friedrichs said.

SCOTUS used Friedrichs case as unfinished precedent in its ruling.

“Take the example of education, which

was the focus of briefing and argument in Friedrichs,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the opinion of the court. “The public importance of subsidized union speech is especially apparent in this field, since educators make up by far the largest category of state and local government employees, and education is typically the largest component of state and local government expenditures.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Joy Schnapper, the president of California Unified Education Association, said the decision was not ideal for her union, but she said she doesn’t think this ruling will hinder the union’s abilities to serve its members.

“Obviously, we’re not really happy about it, but I don’t think it’s going to affect us that much because we have a strong union and people understand the power of a collective voice,” Schnapper said. “Not being part of something like this limits the protection we can afford people. We’re trying to get our heads around what this (decision) is going to do.”

Schnapper said a major attribute of being a union member is having backing during collective bargaining processes, the negotiations between school board officials and the union, as well as legal services brought against its members.

“We’ve been prepared and we knew this was coming back up in the courts, so within out specific organizations we’ve made allowances and we’ve taken some of that into account,” Schnapper said.

“We’ll have an A budget and a B budget contingency plans.” —Eric Heinz

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SONGS Meeting Casts Doubt on Legislative Progress for Interim Storage THE LATEST: Since last year’s bode of optimism for bills to be passed that would allow for interim storage of spent nuclear fuel, officials at the June 28 Community Engagement Panel (CEP) were not as convinced that this year would prove successful.

David Victor, Ph.D., who is the chairman of the panel, said because certain bills have not moved significantly since H.R. 3053 (Shimkus) passed the House, it’s been delayed for a committee hearing in the Senate.

“The odds of federal legislation getting passed this year have gone down, not to zero, but they’ve gone down,” Victor said.

H.R. 3053 would allocate more than $270 million toward finding repositories for the spent nuclear fuel, and there is other legislation that would examine the reopening of Yucca Mountain in Nevada, but Victor said that could come with difficulties due to the controversies of environmental protection at the site.

There are sites out there, however, that are moving forward. Waste Control Specialists of Texas withdrew a license application last year to start interim storage but pulled it as they were under acquisition. Now that’s complete, the company refiled for their application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on June (Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3)

good audience.”

Bledsoe has worked with the U.S. Geological Survey, helping with land scoping and other projects for developers.

“We’re very interested in what is here and the conditions of Orange County and a number of reptiles that are disappearing very rapidly,” Bledsoe said.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with the lecture beginning at 8 p.m.

11. The application is the same as the old and proposes a 40-year site lease.

WHAT’S NEXT: Holding the stainless steel demo during the meeting, Tom Palmisano, Southern California Edison’s vice president of decommissioning and chief of nuclear officer, showed the audience examples of the “shims” that reportedly broke inside a few of the first canisters received from Hotlec International. Shims allow for natural airflow around the spent nuclear fuel rods, but the bottom pins broke off in a couple. Palmisano said during the time the spent nuclear fuel was loaded into the casks with broken parts, no levels of radiation were detected to exceed the NRC’s maximums.

During public comment, people again voiced their demand for instantaneous readings of radioactivity at SONGS. San Clemente City Councilmember Steve Swartz, who sits on the CEP, said he also wants to schedule discussions about the possibilities of 24-7 monitoring reports.

Victor said he bought and assembled a handheld Geiger counter that he took with him on a flight. On the plane, he said he experienced no elevated levels of radiation, but public speakers continued to ask for more, as they want to know the readings the minute they’re available in case of a nuclear emergency.

There will be a special CEP meeting on extreme situations scheduled for later in the year. The next regularly scheduled CEP meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the QLN Conference Center in Oceanside.

For more information or to watch the recorded meeting in its entirety, visit www.songscommunity.com. —EH

State of the County: Bartlett Headlines SOCEC State of the County, Addresses Plans for Homeless Housing THE LATEST: It was an atmosphere suitable for fiscal conservatism and publicprivate partnerships (P3) at the South Orange County Economic Coalition’s (SOCEC) annual State of the City on June 28, which was headlined by 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett in her hometown’s Ocean Institute.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors passed its $6.5 billion budget on June 26 while looking forward to certain programs, such as funding for the Orange County Homeless Housing Trust, which could add some-2,700 beds and housing for the county’s populations in need of shelter. A state bill, SB 448, is currently making its way through the California Legislature to help fund the housing trust.

“We want to make sure Orange County San Clemente Times July 5-11, 2018

Dina Gilio-Whitaker will give a lecture regarding American Indians and native people who had influences on surfing culture during her Aug. 22 lecture at the San Onofre Parks Foundation Summer Lecture Series. Photo: Courtesy of Dina Gilio-Whitaker

solves this first and foremost,” Bartlett said. “This relates to quality of life, public safety, and if we start connecting the dots… we’ll be able to solve a larger issue we’ve had in our community for quite a while.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Bartlett also said during the meeting that the debate about the toll road construction in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano continues, but that she has some other ideas that could be brought forth in the future, which include not connecting the SR 241 to I-5, as other projects continue to assist traffic mobility congestion.

Bartlett has defended the TCA at various transportation mobility meetings, but her position on the toll road proposals is that she would not support a road that required eminent domain or affects schools, nor would she support a project that does not “measurably improve regional mobility, public safety, and traffic relief on I-5,” according to a 2017 statement.

The SOCEC board of directors was also sworn in during the event.

Editor’s note: A similar version of this story ran in the June 29 edition of the Dana Point Times. This version has been edited following a request for clarification on Supervisor Lisa Bartlett’s position on the toll road proposals. —EH

SoCalGas Work along El Camino Real to Fix Leaks to Finish this Week THE LATEST: Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) has been issued the encroachment permit for the repair work on their gas main along El Camino Real for the two locations on the bike path adjacent to Camino Capistrano and at Pico/ ECR adjacent to the 7-11.

Work should start Wednesday night and continue until around July 5, according to the city’s press release, assuming no

issues arise.

All work during this phase was done Monday through Thursday nights between 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

Steel plates are to be in-laid flush on the surface to help for bicyclist and pedestrians.

WHAT’S NEXT: In October, SoCalGas will need to return and complete additional work. During that phase, there will be a couple days where work will need to be completed during the day and night due to keeping gas service to the area. —Staff

Talk of the Town: San Onofre Parks Foundation Summer Lecture Series Kicks Off July 18 THE LATEST: San Onofre Parks Foundation’s annual Summer Lecture Series features a variety of experts each year, and this season is no different.

Lectures will take place on July 18, Aug. 22 and Sept. 19 at the Historic Cottage located within the gates of the San Onofre State Park in San Clemente.

WHAT’S NEXT: Dangerous Snakes of Orange County An amateur herpetologist, Steve Bledsoe will give a lecture on Wednesday, July 18 that helps people identify and decipher dangerous and non-venomous snakes, with the last part of the presentation dedicated to rattlesnake safety and what to expect if you’re bitten.

“The presentation is going to be teaching people how to identify a dangerous snake in Orange County, and we have three native species of rattlesnakes that can be found in close proximity to the coast,” Bledsoe said, adding he’s given the same lecture for years to various groups.

“It’s hard for some people to overcome a fear of all snakes, but I think this will be a

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Indians in Unexpected Places Dina Gilio-Whitaker, policy director and senior research associate for the Center for World Indigenous Studies and lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University, San Marcos, wants to correct what she stated are misconceptions about the history of American Indians and surf culture. Her lecture on Aug. 22 is intended to show people what she’s worked on.

“This is part of the research project I’ve been doing for several years now, and the research project involves looking at surf culture as an academic, looking at surf culture through settler colonialism,” GilioWhitaker said. “As a native person and a surfer, I embody these things and I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”

Gilio-Whitaker said some of the problems of surf history is that it’s been stamped far too much by white men, leaving out or glossing over the importance of Hawaiian and California native influence.

“We’re blazing new territory, as far as this narrative goes,” Gilio-Whitaker said, adding she’s part of the group that authored The Critical Surf Studies Reader, published by Duke University Press.

The event opens at 6 p.m. and the lecture starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.indiansunexpectedplaces.eventbrite.com.

Surfing Beyond California’s Beach Babe Clichés On Sept. 19, Professor Krista Comer will host a lecture about the history of women in surf and how stereotypes have been profound.

“In histories of surf imagery, representations of women are predictably blonde, young and Southern Californian,” a press release stated. “While these images teach us a lot about collective fantasy and the promotion after WWII of California as an international beach culture mecca, they teach us very little about actual surfing women, their motivations, the places they love, or avoid, or the borders they cross to make surfing possible.”

Comer and surf filmmaker and photographer Elizabeth Pepin Silva will offer thoughts about histories of women surfers, the region of Southern California and Baja, Mexico, using the photography and film for cultural change. There will be a screening of the documentary La Maestra and a discussion beyond surfing’s clichés.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and the lecture starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.surfingwomen.eventbrite. com. —EH www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

Exchange Club Installs New Board Members On June 28, the Exchange Club of San Clemente held its installation of new and continuing board members, and Ken Wakefield was announced as the new board president.

The Exchange Club has been in San Clemente for 54 years. The role of the club is to raise money for local nonprofit groups.

The two main events for raising funds is the Semper Fi Golf Tournament at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course in October as well as the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner in March.

Exchange Club beneficiaries locally include the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area, Family Assistance Ministries, the U.S. Marine Corps, San Clemente High School and more. For more information, visit www.exchangeclubsc.org.

Longtime San Clemente Teacher Retires after 37 Years Debbie Joyce Peterson, a longtime resident of San Clemente, retired after this school year from teaching elementary music for 37 years—22 years in San Clemente alone. She also taught in Edina, Minnesota; Corvallis, Oregon; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Fairview, Tennessee.

SATURDAY, JULY 7

CHALLENGING CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 10-11:30 a.m. A faith-based cancer support group for patients, survivors and caregivers to help encourage and give hope to all affected by cancer. Heritage Christian Fellowship, 190 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente. 949.361.1022. www. heritagesc.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 8

Ken Wakefield was recently installed as the Exchange Club of San Clemente’s incoming board president. Photo: Courtesy of Mary Lou Wakefield

MONDAY, JULY 9

In 1996, Peterson moved to San Clemente and began teaching vocal music at all the elementary schools there. Her schools have included Truman Benedict, Concordia, Las Palmas, Clarence Lobo, Marblehead, Ole Hanson, Palisades, RH Dana and Vista del Mar elementary schools.

Peterson received Music Teacher of the Year of Orange County and also of Capistrano Unified School District in 2015. Her students performed every year for the mayor and the San Clemente City Council meetings at Christmastime.

“I’m thankful to my parents who truly encouraged music in our house,” Peterson said in a press release. “Teaching music to all of these wonderful children has been the most rewarding career I could have ever had. I love music and I love children and the two just go together like peanut butter and jelly. I will miss the students and the terrific teachers at all of the schools I taught at, but the pleasant memories will be with me forever. A sincerely thank all of you for the many years of support!”

i-5 High Five for Freedom Walk is July 15

Debbie Joyce Peterson, a longtime teacher and resident in San Clemente, announced her retirement at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Photo: Courtesy of Debbie Joyce Peterson

San Clemente Times July 5-11, 2018

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

Avenida Del Mar.

The i-5 High Five for Freedom Walk is a downtown San Clemente walk-about meant to raise awareness about human trafficking and what concerned citizens and the i-5 Freedom Network can do about it. The walk will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 15 at the San Clemente Presbyterian Church, located at 119 Avenida De La Estrella.

The objective is to visit predetermined stops along Del Mar to draw a card that is then indicated on a walker’s score card.

When the route is complete, walkers may

return to Pizza Port (301 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente) for pizza specials and to announce the winner with the highest five cards drawn, and the loserwinner, the one with the lowest five cards drawn. Treats, coupons, and discounts from participating venues will be offered to walkers the day of the event.

This is a stroller-and-kid-friendly event.

The walk ends with an optional celebration at Pizza Port, where no pets are allowed and some stairs may be required.

Parking is available at San Clemente Presbyterian Church, 119 Avenida de la Estrella, as well as street parking.

Parking at the Outlets at San Clemente is available along with the free trolley.

For more information, contact info@i5freedomnetwork.org or call 929.373.3638.

Paint San Clemente Winners Announced San Clemente Art Association announced winners of its weeklong painting competition, Paint San Clemente, on Saturday evening, June 30, to nearly 200 artists and art enthusiasts gathered in the city’s Community Center auditorium.

Winning artwork will remain on view in the San Clemente Art Association gallery in the Community Center thru Aug. 2. Alhambra resident Ginger Chen took home the $3,000 top prize for her watercolor street scene titled, “Nice Town.”

For more information, contact the art gallery at 949.492.7175.

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.

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AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 423 MEETING 6 p.m. The American Legion meets the second Monday of the month at the San Clemente Elks Lodge. 1505 N. El Camino Real. 949.429.5003. www.oclegion.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 10

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 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, JULY 11

SAN CLEMENTE ROTARY Noon. The San Clemente Rotary meets every Wednesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena.

949.233.7981. www.sanclementerotary.org.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

Susie Lantz, 949.388.7700, x111 slantz@picketfencemedia.com

Journalism Matters

Picket Fence Media stands with victims, families affected by Capital Gazette shooting

BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

s a staff of community reporters, editors, designers, advertising managers and more, members of the Picket Fence Media team were devastated to read the news of the mass shooting in Anne Arun-

del County, Maryland at the Capital Gazette.

The Capital Gazette, the modern adaptation of the Maryland Gazette, is one of the nation’s oldest newspapers. The Gazette has printed news since 1727, decades before the fight for America’s independence.

In July 1776, under the nation’s first female publisher, the Gazette ran the Declaration of Independence. The Baltimore Sun recently reported that the Declaration of Independence was in fact printed on page two, referring to it as “buried.”

On the front page—local news.

On June 28, Jarrod Ramos allegedly shot and killed five employees of the Capital Gazette: Rob Hiaasen, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, John McNamara and Rebecca Smith. Two more were injured in the shooting.

The alleged shooter had a reportedly

longstanding feud with the Capital Gazette after a 2011 article was published detailing a court case in which he harassed women through Facebook. He took exception with the article and unsuccessfully sued the Capital Gazette for defamation.

Since before the literal birthing of these United States, community journalism has been a cornerstone of this country.

Community journalism is a privilege to provide, and we, as members of Picket Fence Media, remain proud and steadfast in supporting the work of the Capital Gazette as well as all news publications dedicated to preserving a free press and reporting the truth.

Our hearts, thoughts and well wishes are with the victims and families in Maryland and with all of our fellow journalists across the nation. We are with you. SC

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Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz City Editor, DP Times > Daniel Ritz City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Emily Rasmussen

Real Estate Sales Executive > Jennifer Guy ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed

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Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Tim Trent Jake Howard

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano) San Clemente Times, Vol. 13, Issue 27. 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 July 5-11, 2018

GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Hamm

Public Safety Must Be Top Priority for City Officials

A

s you are aware, public safety has been my number one priority over the past six years. Thankfully, with the support of the community and city staff, we have finally been successful in adding deputies to our annual Sheriff’s contract. Last month, my colleagues and I voted to add two deputies to our contract in an effort to reduce the workload and crime in our community. In order to accomplish this, there was some great work done by our staff and I need to recognize their contributions.

First, I need to commend the city staff and the executive team at the city of San Clemente as they made it possible to provide a solution. To that end, on June 12, as part of the adoption of the city budget for the fiscal year, the City Council approved the addition of two field deputy positions to the city’s Police Services contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD). In order to provide funding for the increased number of deputies, the City Council directed staff to implement citywide reductions to departmental budgets as well as a reduction to the overtime budget within the Police Services contract.

The first place we cut was the City Council’s contingency account, resulting in less discretionary funds available for incidents or special needs that arise throughout the year.

In order to increase deputies in the field, every other city department was forced to make cuts as well. City department budget reductions covered a wide range of items, and the public will likely see the impact of operational changes as these budget cutbacks are implemented. For instance,

a 60 percent budget reduction for outside contractors providing plan-review services will require more plan review work to be done in house, resulting in longer wait times for these services.

For Beaches, Parks, and Recreation, the two “Movies in the Park” special events will be eliminated. Also, beginning July 1, the Ole Hanson Beach Club will no longer be open on Sundays and CITY COUNCIL will be closed to the pubCORNER lic at 5 p.m. from Monday

By Chris Hamm through Thursday, one hour earlier than current hours. The San Clemente Aquatics Center will remain open for public swimming during these times. (Note that Friday and Saturday hours at the Ole Hanson Beach Club will remain unchanged).

In addition, part-time staff hours at the front desk at the San Clemente Aquatics Center will be reduced Monday through Friday as well as part-time lifeguard hours at the beach will be reduced, with schedule changes being made to cover employee breaks. Furthermore, a reduction in parks maintenance supplies budgets may mean reduced maintenance at City parks and/or deferral of equipment replacements to a future year.

Other budget adjustments may not be seen by the public immediately but will impact services. Membership dues for the city’s involvement with Orange County Human Relations Council, the Association of California Cities-Orange County and the California Coastal Coalition will all be discon-

Page 6

tinued. General budgets for professional services, legal costs, printing and supplies are also seeing reductions in some areas.

The city of San Clemente is an amazing city, with a lot of history and community pride. It is important that residents and businesses feel safe, and that public safety is and always will be, the number one priority. The solution was achieved by both the city and OCSD working together to benefit the community. So, remember, next time you see a city or contract employee, please take the time to stop and thank them for the service they give to this great community.

Chris Hamm is the Mayor Pro Tem of San Clemente. He was elected to City Council in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. 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

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, July 6 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

At the Movies: ‘Damsel’ is in Distress at the Box Office

EDITOR’S PICK

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

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

Thursday | 05 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. www.ivalees.com.

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 Shorecliff Terrace Mobile Home Park. Any skill level is welcome and entry is free. 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente.

949.481.2275. jnl5555@yahoo.com.

Friday | 06 COA OPEN MIC: TEENS, COLLEGE-AGE ONLY 7-9 p.m. Community Outreach Alliance is hosting an open mic night for teens and young adults. Contact coamusicperformers@gmail.com for more information. COA Venue, 1050 Calle Negocio.

949.388.0114. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

Saturday | 07 FIRST SATURDAYS AT THE ECOLOGY CENTER 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Experience everything The Ecology Center has to offer at First Saturdays. This month there will be a DIY pickling station, olive oil tasting and a guided garden tour. Don’t forget to stop by the Tools For Change shop for a taste of the freshly made peach jam, harvested from the trees in the garden. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.443.4223. www.theecologycenter.org.

TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. Whether you are about to tackle your first 5K or you are just keeping your cardio and running prowess in top form, San Clemente Times July 5-11, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of Casa Romantica

SUNDAY, JULY 8: CASA ROMANTICA’S ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL AND ACADEMY 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Music Festival and Academy offers lessons in piano, violin, viola and cello to children ages 8-13 of all skill levels. Activities include daily private lessons, practice, music theory, and group activities in the arts. The Academy concludes with a recital put on by the students. The Music Festival and Academy is in session for two weeks (Monday to Friday) with a daily schedule of 9 a.m.–3 p.m. In addition, students are required to attend an orientation session on Sunday, July 8, the faculty concert on Friday, July 13, and the student recital on Friday, July 20. All activities are located onsite at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. Instrument rentals, lunch and snacks, and materials are provided. For more information about the lessons, visit www.casaromantica.org/ summer-academies. 415 Avenida Granada San Clemente. 949.498.2139.

Richard M. Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. www.singingtvguy.com.

be sure to stop by Peet’s Coffee in Talega.

Every Saturday a group 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.

Monday | 09 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.

Sunday | 08 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 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.

Tuesday | 10

SAN CLEMENTE RESIDENT TO PERFORM AT NIXON LIBRARY 2 p.m. San Clemente resident Mike Chamberlin will perform “Love Songs of WWII” on baritone as part of the Summer Concert Series at the Richard Nixon Library. Chamberlin is a Vietnam War veteran, who covered Nixon as a journalist at the Western White House in the 1970s.

He will perform songs including “White Cliffs Of Dover” and “You’ll Never Know.”

The concert is free and open to the public.

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.

Wednesday | 11 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.

Page 8

Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he bait-and-switch tactic used in storytelling can be very divisive and disastrous if not executed carefully. It’s become most common in the horror genre with movies like Psycho (1960), Scream (1996) and even recently with Hereditary (2018). But it happens in other genres too like dramas—The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)—and thrillers— Trance (2013). Having your plot start out as one thing and then completely turn into something else out of nowhere can make for misleading marketing. I didn’t see the trailer for Damsel before watching it, but going into the movie blind of the narrative was…interesting.

Set in the American Wild West during 1870, Samuel Alabaster (Robert Pattinson) hires a drunken preacher called Parson Henry (David Zellner) to help him find and marry his fiancée Penelope (Mia Wasikowska). Samuel tells Henry that Penelope has been kidnapped in the woods and he needs to rescue her. On this journey across the frontier, we find Samuel is rather weak and clumsy, and Henry’s claim of being a preacher rather questionable. And Penelope may not even want to be rescued.

Damsel is written and directed by David and Nathan Zellner. The problem with Damsel isn’t really the switch in plot but more that the direction and tone of the comic relief are borderline tedious. There’s also the distracting choice for the characters to swear with modern foul language. The Zellner Bros. are the same pair who gave us Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014), which was also bizarre but less obnoxious. Pattinson and Wasikowska are two very interesting arthouse cinema actors, but are kind of wasted here. SC

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SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Pet of the Week: Pounce

GUEST OPINION: Wellness & Prevention by Susan Parmelee

Honoring Your Teen’s Independence

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

P

A balanced approach may be best method to guiding youth to independence

A

newly independent nation’s struggle to differentiate from its former rulers and the challenges that teens face, as they practice the adult skills they need to liberate from their parents, are very similar. Just like a newly formed government, teens are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world.

As parents, you have helped build a solid foundation through infancy, toddlerhood and the elementary-school years.

Now comes the fine tuning and subtle guidance that can be very tricky to navigate, especially when many adolescents believe they already know far more than most adults. Whether we are parents of teens or community members, it is our role to foster independence while helping youth navigate the ups and downs of this phase of life.

Helping teens gain independence is a fine balance between healthy exploration and engaging in risk-taking behaviors with negative consequences. One of the most difficult aspects of parenting is allowing our children to make mistakes. We all learn from the natural consequences of our mistakes, and it is possible to let teens make mistakes while providing a safety net that helps them recover and learn from the fall.

Most teens want to be “heard, not lectured. Try to value the moments that your teen engages you in their life.

”

A few things that I have learned from my own teens and from working with teens and their families: Try to take an adolescent’s opinions and ideas seriously. Often, the idealism and passion are very refreshing. You may not agree with them, but you are a safe person to try these ideas out on.

It sometimes is an opportune time to present other perspectives that you have San Clemente Times July 5-11, 2018

encountered and to explain that different points of view are key to informed discussion.

Teens value their privacy and personal space. Many parents call me in dismay when their teen starts spending most of their time at home in their bedroom. If they are engaging with their social circle outside of school, showing up for family meals, and participating in required family activities, this is very normal. The privacy of their bedrooms is the next step toward independent living.

Most teens want to be heard, not lectured. Try to value the moments that your teen engages you in their life. It often occurs when you are ready to climb into bed, so slap some cold water on your face and settle in for a chat. A teen may WELLNESS AND need to “think out loud” PREVENTION

By Susan and look to you to listen Parmelee and nod. Some helpful prompts may include: What are some of your options? What do you think a friend would say? How have you dealt with this in the past? What do you hope happens?

Often, your best response is silence— this almost always prompts a teen to keep speaking.

Finally, remember there are times an adolescent is practically begging for you to say “no.” So, go with your gut and say “no.” Clear and consistent family rules are a gift to your children. When your son or daughter walks in and asks to attend a weekend at a friend’s house in the desert with no adults attending, follow your family rules. Most likely your child was not comfortable with the idea themselves.

Susan Parmelee is a mental health social worker and one of the founders of the Wellness & Prevention Center, San Clemente. She can be reached at susan@wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.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.

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

ounce is a big kitty with an even bigger personality. She is curious and very outgoing and loves to greet new people with a friendly “meow.” Previously declawed, Pounce would do best with another calm kitty or as an only pet.

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

Photo:: Courtesy of Thomas Pulley/Calisphere

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Sawyer’s Golden Fried Restaurant, which was located at 1302 U.S. Highway 101 in San Clemente, is photographed here circa 1940.

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.

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 20

See the solution in next week’s issue.

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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Summer Bonding San Clemente football looks for chemistry

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

ny football coach at any level across the country will tell you the key to football is preparation.

As the sun stays up high on these longer summer days, it gives the San Clemente football team plenty of time to prepare and lay the foundations for the 2018 fall season.

“Summer is a big time to try and find out where your team chemistry is,” San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said. “Seeing where they fit in.”

The Tritons opened summer camp on June 25 and will run the workouts until July 19. San Clemente will also participate in the Surf City Challenge passing tournament at Marina High School on July 13-14 and the Huntington Beach Passing and Lineman competition at Huntington Beach High School on July 21.

Between now, the start of fall camp on July 30 and the Tritons’ opener against Oceanside at home on August 17, there are areas on both sides of the ball where that chemistry Ortiz spoke to will need to develop.

On offense, senior quarterback Brendan Costello will need to find that connection his new receivers. Five of the top six in pass receptions for San Clemente last season have graduated.

Costello, who recently committed to Oklahoma State, will find some names among the young call-ups as well as el-

Scoreboard COMPILED BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Our City Scoreboard keeps you updated on all of the local San Clemente youth and community team accomplishments and special individual performances of the week.

Email zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com for submission.

Water Polo Qualifies for Junior Olympics

The San Clemente Tritons water polo club 16-and-under boys team qualified for the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics

San Clemente Times July 5-11, 2018

San Clemente senior quarterback Brendan Costello (3) will work on building chemistry with new receivers throughout the Tritons’ summer practices. Photo: Alan Gibby/ Zone 57

evating the bond between him and senior RJ Donaldson out of the backfield and senior Jay Baggs at tight end.

Ortiz also said he’s looking for big summer improvement from sophomore running back James Bohl. Bohl made an early name as a freshman on the Tritons’ track team running on the varsity 4x100meter relay.

“He’s so unique,” Ortiz said. “At sixfoot, 190 lbs., He’s a physical specimen and has the ability to run around you.”

San Clemente will also be finding new

faces on the defensive side as nine of the top 10 in total tackles last season have graduated including linebackers Riley Croft, Shane Lockett and Aaron Frohner and top secondary players Jack Shippy and Bryce Wilson.

“Defensively, we’re looking for what new faces are going to competition,” Ortiz said. “Until you put the pads on in August, you can at least see completion.”

Practice-wise, Ortiz said he’s not focusing as much on the seven-on-seven format as he has in the past. For a lot

of top teams when unable to compete in pads during the summer, the sevenon-seven format, playing without down lineman, is highlighted and tournament wins trumpeted.

“I’ve gravitated a little away from seven-on-seven,” Ortiz said. “A full practice of walking through things with all the coaches and kids in 11-on-11 is as beneficial as splitting up for seven-on-seven. For the summer, it’s an opportunity to spend real time and build relationships with these kids and coaches.” SC

by winning the Southern Pacific Zone tournament on June 24 at the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine.

The Tritons beat out fellow local club Orange County Water Polo Club, 10-8, in the championship game.

On June 22, the Tritons defeated the Redlands Renegades, 15-0, in the first game, and the CHAWP Aquatics blue team, 13-2, in the second game.

On June 23, the San Clemente club clobbered Northwood, 15-1, and won its championship quarterfinal game, 6-5.

On June 24, the Tritons knocked off the SoCal black team in the semifinals, 8-6, before taking the title over OCWPC. The Tritons 16-and-under girls team earned 11th place in their tournament

with a 10-7 win over Riverside Water Polo on June 24 at El Toro High School.

The USA Water Polo Junior Olympics take place at various sites in two sessions with Session One on July 21-24 and Session Two on July 26-29.

San Clemente.

The tournament has all age divisions, and athletes, teams and families are encouraged to bring a flag that represents their nationality and heritage.

Youth Rugby Tournament on Saturday

The second annual Southern California Youth Rugby 7’s Tournament of Flags returns to San Clemente on Saturday, July 7.

The tournament, hosted by the San Clemente Tritons Rugby Club, will take place at the Jim Johnson Memorial Sports Park at 560 Avenida Vista Hermosa in Page 22

Triton Football Camp Next Week

San Clemente High School’s program is hosting a summer football camp in two sessions.

The first session for first through fourth grade athletes is July 9-12, and the second session for fifth through eighth grade players is July 16-19.

The camp is $125, which includes a t-shirt, snacks and awards, and sign-up information is available at www.tritonfootball.com. 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

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

MORTGAGES

Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

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

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Panagia Music: Music Lessons and More!

RESTAURANTS

SALONS

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

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

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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 REALTORS

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes

949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com

Sherry Wild, LuXre Realty

BRE # 01480453, 949.275.8937 www.LuXreRealty.com

San Clemente Website Design

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WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

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FOR SALE CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size.

Typically made in 2 weeks.Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and flooring remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too! Mike at Lantern Bay Carpets: 949.240.1545.

GARAGE SALES HUGE GARAGE SALE Hundreds of Hallmark vintage decorations and most mint and still in boxes. Moving so everything including household, office and X-mas decorations being sold! Saturday and Sunday July 7th & 8th. 8:00 - 2:00.

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PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

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PEST/TERMITE CONTROL

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SC SC SURF San Clemente

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Surf, Turf and Politics From the sand to the greens, President Nixon’s trippy contributions to local surf culture

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

his week, as we celebrate the birth of the United States, let’s discuss a brief riff to illustrate the tepid, if not comical, relationship between President Richard Nixon and local surfers.

Nixon’s “White House of the West,” romantically perched on the beach at Cotton’s Point, was famously a frontline in the battle between the surfing counterculture and the Vietnam War-era “straights” of which Nixon was the flagbearer. During this time, surfing at Trestles was illegal, and more than a few eager wave-riders had their boards seized by Camp Pendleton’s Military Police (MP).

Over the years, a lot’s been said about the battles between the surfers and the MPs, most notably the relationship between SURFER Magazine founder John Severson and “Tricky Dick.” Topping the masthead of the provocative publication, Severson ended up living next-door to the president.

“He was one tough cookie,” recounted Severson in Surf, his 2014 memoir. “I tough-cookied him right back.”

Eventually, the weight of the U.S. government and the Secret Service’s constant monitoring proved too much for Severson, who sold SURFER, pulled up stakes and moved to Maui to live a more peaceful life

GROM OF THE WEEK

HAYDEN RODGERS

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he NSSA Nationals are in full swing in Huntington Beach, and while the competition is still grinding through heats as of press time, the early word coming out of Surf City is that Hayden Rodgers has captured the 2018 National Explorer Menehune title.

“Super stoked to win the NSSA National Menehune Explorer Title!” said Rodgers on his Instagram feed. “Thanks MaiKai Burdine and Jake Chandler for chairing me up the beach! Thanks Janice Aragon and Gayline Clifford for the awesome event!”

Rodgers also put in a good showing at

San Clemente Times July 5-11, 2018

Then-President Richard Nixon poses for a photo at the Western White House “La Casa Pacifica” in San Clemente on July 9, 1972. Photo: Courtesy of the White House Photo Office/National Archives

as an artist.

But Nixon’s presence wasn’t just felt on the sand. An avid golfer, the course at Shorecliffs was apparently one of his favorites (mind you, this is before Interstate 5 cut the course in half). A while ago, I was playing the course and found myself paired up with a lifelong San Clemente surfer. We got to talking about his heady experience with the 37th president.

A survivor of the wave wars, when we pulled up to the par-four sixth hole, he asked, “You wanna hear the best golf story ever?”

How could one turn down an offer like that?

So, he starts in on a story about how he and his friend had been playing Shorecliffs one day in the 1970s. They were on the sixth hole, and after teeing off, sat in

the recent USA Surfing Championships held at Lower Trestles where he was selected to be a member of the 12-person U.S. Developmental Surf Team.

He’s also recently had the good fortune to sample some freshwater surf at the newly opened wave pool in Waco, Texas.

“I had so much fun surfing all the different kinds of waves at the BSR Cable Park,” he reveled.

Last summer, Rodgers took a trip to Bali and came back with a slew of epic video clips. When the 11-year-old dropped the edit, he turned heads and captured the imagination of a number of surfing publications, immediately raising his profile from local grom to rising international talent.

Supported by surfwear brand Volcom, Rodgers is well on his way to keeping the local tradition of excellence in the water intact. SC

the shade and smoked some marijuana.

About halfway through their smoke, a flurry of golf carts came swarming from every direction.

“That’s when pot was a pretty big deal,” he explained. “So, we threw the joint in the bushes and waited. Then a Secret Service guy with a 16-inch neck gets out of one of the carts and says, ‘Excuse me gentlemen, do you mind if the President of the United States plays through?’”

Obviously a bit paranoid, they obliged President Nixon and “some colonel or general he was playing with.”

The military man hit first; a long, straight drive that split the fairway. Then Nixon teed up. He barely dribbled it out of the tee box.

“So, he turns to us and says, ‘Excuse me boys, you don’t mind if I hit another?

I’m not saying anything at this point. We’d thrown the joint in the bushes, but the wind was whipping it up and you could smell weed all over,” he laughed. “None of the Secret Service guys could figure it out. Then my friend steps in and says, ‘Of course, sir. You’re the leader of the free world.’ So, Nixon takes his mulligan and lands it in the fairway. My friend comments, ‘Nice drive, sir.’”

“I don’t see your ball out there,” Nixon huffed.

“I’m there in the fairway,” retorted the guy’s friend.

Then Nixon turned and fixed his glare on the storyteller.

“I just remember this huge head staring at me. I was just trying to keep quiet,” he explained. “So, I say to Nixon, ‘Well sir, my ball’s up there on the green.’”

He had gotten a good bounce and driven the green before taking his smoke break.

“Immediately, the Secret Service guys bust out binoculars and check,” he said.

“Nixon must have been impressed because he said, ‘How’d you boys like to play some golf with the President of the United States?’”

Before he could stop him, his friend interjects, “That would be amazing, sir.

We’d love to.”

“We played the next three holes with him stoned out of our minds and never once talked politics, just golf. But I did have a talk with my friend in the cart and he didn’t say much after that,” he added.

Some years later, because of Nixon’s Legacy of Parks policy, the San Onofre State Park was created. Today it is the most visited California State Park and a vital part of the San Clemente surf scene.

And if you’re looking for a real estate investment, the Nixon estate went on the market last May. It was listed at a paltry $63.5 million. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Thursday: Modest SSE Southern hemi swell is good for knee-waist-chest high (2-3’+) surf in the morning. Larger pulse of S/SSE tropical swell from Hurricane Fabio due to build in with head high+ (5-6’+) surf showing later in the day, largest before dark.

Light/variable to light onshore winds in the morning, light-moderate onshore flow due in the afternoon.

Outlook: Solid SSE Tropical swell from Hurricane Fabio due with overhead+ surf on Friday, fading quickly over the weekend. Small Southern hemi swell mixes in to keep things rideable on Sunday.

Fresh SSW swell due next week for fun size surf.

Morning winds are lightest with onshore flow at light-moderate levels each afternoon. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Hayden Rodgers. Photo: NSSA.org

Page 26

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