LO C A L
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January 7-13, 2021
YO U
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INSIDE: South County Real Estate Guide
U S E
SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2
Giving Spree
Rainbow Sandals Offers Financial Support to Local Programs, Charities E Y E O N S C / PAG E 3
Over the holiday season, Rainbow Sandals donated roughly $500,000 to various local nonprofits and charities. In total for 2020, the company said its donations reached about $1 million. Photo: Chloe Anady
SCHS Water Polo Coach Powell Resigns SPORTS/PAGE 24
State Aims to Accelerate Vaccine Distribution EYE ON SC/PAGE 3
sanclementetimes.com
Former OC Sheriff Dies of Cancer EYE ON SC/PAGE 6
San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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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 Rainbow Sandals Offers Financial Support to Local Programs, Charities THE LATEST: The spirit of giving has always been strong for Jay “Sparky” Longley and Rainbow Sandals—the little-known footwear company he runs here in San Clemente. Over the years, Longley has helped to give back to the community by charitably donating thousands of dollars, recycled products and food to a variety of organizations, churches, food pantries and numerous other programs, many of which operate locally in South Orange County. Last week, San Clemente Times reported Rainbow Sandals’ $50,000 contribution to the historical Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens—a donation meant to go a long way toward supporting the nonprofit’s annual programs. “I decided it was Rainbow Sandals’ responsibility to help these wonderful organizations like Casa Romantica and others in our community the best we can,” Longley had said in a press release. But that was merely the tip of the iceberg for the local company that first made San Clemente its home in 1974. This past holiday season alone, amid the ongoing pandemic that’s spurned economic growth and put many out of work, Rainbow Sandals donated an estimated $500,000 to a slew of organizations, according to Patrick Huber, vice president of marketing for Rainbow.
The amount doubles to about $1 million in donations, Longley noted, when accounting for 2020 as whole. “We just wanted to make sure that we gave money to groups we believe in and were part of the community,” Longley said of the company’s charitable efforts during the year. “Because of the pandemic, we gave more, because we thought that was the right thing to do—to help. So mostly all the (groups) that we helped were really impacted by the pandemic.” A review of the company’s news page on its website showed that the company’s recent giving spree included donations to dozens of charities and nonprofits, such as Family Assistance Ministries (FAM), Assistance League of San Clemente, PierPride Foundation and Community Outreach Alliance, just to name a few. In a phone call with SC Times on Tuesday, Jan. 5, Longley spoke highly of the various organizations Rainbow has chosen to help, notably FAM, the San Clemente-based nonprofit that works to keep families from becoming homeless, providing resources for those on the brink of ending up on the streets. “A lot of people don’t know what they do—Family Assistance Ministries—boy, that’s a big deal,” he said, adding that “there’s so many people that give their time, so many heroes that sit there all day that sort out food and assist people. Rainbow Sandals, we’re just one little speck of helpers here that help people with things.” Over the holiday season, the Rainbow Sandals Foundation went around presenting checks, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, to the local programs and institutions that have struggled to raise their own funds because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, Rainbow helped give a boost to local academic and sports programs by giving checks to the San Clemente High School golf program and the San Clemente High School Educational Foundation. Another check for $2,000 was presented to the Capistrano Unified School District
Over the holiday season, Rainbow Sandals donated roughly $500,000 to various local nonprofits and charities. In total for 2020, the company’s donations reached about $1 million. Photo: Chloe Anady San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
San Clemente
TOTAL CASES
COVID-19 UPDATES as of 1/5/21
cases
deaths
TOTAL
1,834
13
859
1
LAST 30 DAYS
LAST 30 DAYS
est. population • 65,405 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency
that “will be applied to assist in the food distribution for families and students,” the company said. “We gave money to CUSD,” Longley explained, because “some of them (students) are homeless even when they go to school … that’s a huge thing. I believe the education (is important); if you’re not fed well, you can’t think … so that’s really an important one.” To further address food insecurity for families struggling to get by during the pandemic, Longley and the company also provided funding and avocados—with the help of local partner Del Rey Avocados— to the North County Food Bank in San Diego, the local Boys & Girls Club, FAM and Calvary Chapel in San Juan Capistrano, among others. The local surf community and the U.S. Olympic surf team that’s bound for Japan later this year certainly didn’t go unnoticed by Longley, either, as the Rainbow Sandals Foundation donated $10,000 to USA Surfing on Dec. 11. The “donation will help fund the USA Surfing mission to support and grow the sport of surfing, empower future generations of champions, and advance the positive image of the surfing lifestyle in the United States,” the company said in one of its news releases last month. On Monday, Jan. 4, members of the San Clemente Historical Society noted that they, too, recently received a charitable donation from Longley, whose support comes at a time when the organization hasn’t been able to host its annual fundraisers due to social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders. “It has been a tough year for the San Clemente Historical Society, as it has been for everyone,” Historical Society President Larry Culbertson said in an email. “We have not been able to have meetings or do fundraising. Rainbow Sandals Foundation’s generous $10,000 donation really means a lot to us. San Clemente is fortunate to have Sparky Longley on our side.”—Shawn Raymundo
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State Aims to Accelerate Vaccine Distribution, Provides Details on Next Phases THE LATEST: As the winter surge in the coronavirus pandemic begins to plateau— either as a realistic trend or due to holidaylagged testing and reporting—the state of California continues forming further phases of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The state’s first step in the here and now is to administer more of the doses currently in the state supply to its Phase 1A recipients. As of Monday, Jan. 4, Gov. Gavin Newsom reported that 454,306 first doses had been administered of the 1,297,000 total doses the state had received. Newsom said that 611,500 are scheduled to be shipped, with the second doses arriving this week. Newsom said the state is aggressively working to accelerate the pace of vaccine administration by engaging with the health system more directly by having dentists administering the vaccine along with pharmacy techs, the National Guard, as well as clinic and doctor partnerships. The state is also working with pharmacy programs from CVS and Walgreens to administer the vaccine to skilled nursing facilities. Phase 1A is currently providing the vaccine to health care workers and long-term care residents. Newsom provided more details on Phase 1B, which is split into two tiers and should begin later this month. In Tier One, individuals 75 and older and workers in education, child care, emergency services, food and agriculture are eligible to receive the vaccine. Phase 1B Tier Two will include individuals 65 or older and workers in transportation and logistics; industrial, commercial residential and sheltering facilities and services; and critical manufacturing. Tier Two will also include incarcerated and (Cont. on page 5) sanclementetimes.com
San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) homeless individuals in congregate settings. Newsom also introduced Phase 1C, which will include individuals 50 and older or people over age 16 with underlying health conditions or disabilities that increase COVID-19 risk. Phase 1C will also include workers in water and wastewater; defense; energy; chemical and hazardous materials; communications and IT; financial services; government operations and community-based essential functions. These guidelines and distribution plans are discussed by the state’s Community Vaccine Advisory Committee, whose meetings can be viewed weekly online at covid19.ca.gov. As of Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Southern California region remains under the state’s regional stay-at-home order, as the state’s four-week ICU projection for the region still does not meet the standard of 15% available capacity needed to exit the order.—Zach Cavanagh
School Board President: CUSD Continues to ‘Sail the Ship Through the Storm’ in 2021 THE LATEST: As Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 might prove to be another interesting year in education. CUSD Board of Trustees President Judy Bullockus recently spoke with San Clemente Times about the year ahead, saying she believes 2021 will be a year in which CUSD continues to “sail the ship through the storm.” Bullockus knows there is the question of whether there will be traditional graduation ceremonies for senior students, and she said Superintendent Kirsten Vital has her “hand on the pulse” of everything going on and is in regular contact with other superintendents. There is the possibility the current hybrid model—which, in part, allows students to either be on campus for in-person learning or take online classes from home—will remain in place. Bullockus anticipates some families will stay with online learning until they feel safe sending kids back to the classroom. Campuses are expected to remain open for face-to-face classes. “We don’t know what’s in store for us,” Bullockus said of ever-changing conditions, including how expected incoming vaccines could change the educational landscape. “We’re all just waiting to see.” The district will continue fine-tuning their learning options and virtual instruction, Bullockus said. Particular attention will continue to go to special education and lower-income students, including on programs to help kids who have fallen behind. The district is also trying to figure out how extracurricular clubs—such as San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
Rideshare drivers, like the one pictured here making his way through San Clemente during a night in October 2016, will remain as independent contractors for app-based companies such as Lyft and Uber. Photo: File/Eric Heinz
for sports and arts—can safely meet, when able to do so under health guidelines. More feedback surveys are being sent out to families to get their perspective on learning and current school operations. The feedback helps CUSD as they make decisions going forward, Bullockus said. “We are listening,” Bullockus said. “We do want the feedback.” CUSD will also navigate budgetary concerns during what Bullockus expects to be a tight year, due to economic impacts of the health crisis. The state and effects of CUSD’s finances will depend on the governor’s state budget, details of which are being finalized. Fiscal woes will also have to factor into a loss of student enrollment. Layoffs are possible, though the extent or depth of such is currently unknown, Bullockus said. “We are looking really lean, and certainly we’re already looking at where we’re cutting, where we’ll let natural attrition happen,” Bullockus said. “We will have to staff according to our enrollment.” CARES Act funding that the district received has already been spent on protective supplies and equipment, Bullockus said. This year will also be the first full year on the board for new Trustees Lisa Davis and Pamela Braunstein, who respectively won last year’s elections for seats in Areas 3 and 2. Bullockus looks forward to working with the new trustees and the entire board, which she said will bring a variety of perspectives and specialty areas of focus. “I think it’s exciting to have Lisa and Pamela, both highly respected in their communities,” Bullockus said. CUSD has done well overall in responding to the pandemic, Bullockus said. The district works with health officials and has a dashboard tracking active cases at schools. Bullockus asked people to be gracious, patient, and kind as the district and everyone else continue dealing with the coronavirus crisis. One positive development that emerged from the new way of life has been increased involvement from local educa-
tors and the community during the online school board meetings, Bullockus said. “That’s one of the silver linings—I think—is we’ve got greater input,” Bullockus said.—Collin Breaux
New Year Puts New Laws on the Books THE LATEST: Several new state laws impacting the workplace, education and property owners went into effect at the start of the New Year, with a few others expected to become effective in the months ahead. Minimum-wage workers employed by large companies in California will see another increase in their hourly rate, as wages again rose to $14 on Jan. 1. The minimum hourly wage for those at workplaces employing 25 people or fewer also climbed to $13. The annual rate hike continues a recent trend of minimum wage increases that were set in motion in 2017. The minimum wage will increase to $15 for all employees by January 2023. With the voters’ passage of Proposition 22 this past November, drivers for app-based companies including DoorDash, Lyft and Uber will remain as independent contractors while being guaranteed a wage for hours spent driving, as well as offered limited health care benefits. Voters this past fall also passed Proposition 17, restoring the voting rights for felons once they’ve completed their prison sentence, even if they remain on parole. Additional protections and opportunities for inmates also went into effect, as former prisoners who participated on inmate fire crews through the California Conservation Camp Program while incarcerated could petition the court to expunge their records and waive parole. In April, a new provision approved by voters under Proposition 19 will give homeowners 55 and older a property tax break if they lost their home in a disaster, by allowing
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them to transfer their previous tax assessment to a new, more expensive home. To address the wildfires that continue to wreak havoc on California, lawmakers passed additional protections for the state’s landscape and environment. Under Assembly Bill 3074, California homeowners in areas more prone to fires are required to maintain a “defensible space” of 100 feet from a building, clear of vegetation. The same law also requires homeowners to establish an “ember resistant zone” within five feet of a structure. Beginning in the fall semester, freshmen within the California State University system will have to take an ethnic studies course that focuses on one of four ethnic groups before being eligible to graduate. Such a course includes Native American, African American, Asian American and Latina and Latino American studies.—SR
News Next Door: OCSD Investigating Alleged Assault on Special Needs Man in San Juan THE LATEST: Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies in San Juan Capistrano are seeking information from the public regarding an alleged assault of a special needs man on New Year’s Day. At approximately 8:50 a.m. on Jan. 1, deputies assigned to San Juan Capistrano Police Services were called to the area of Ali Paz and Via Positiva regarding a 60-year-old man who had been assaulted, according to spokesperson Sgt. Dennis T. Breckner. “Upon arrival, deputies were unable to locate evidence of a crime scene,” Breckner said. “Additional deputies responded to the hospital, where they met with and interviewed the victim, who was unable to provide any details about what occurred.” The victim was reportedly treated for facial injuries, possible broken bones, and abrasions and contusions. Breckner said authorities are investigating the incident and that anyone with information should call OCSD at 949.770.6011. A post on Instagram about the incident by Marissa Arreola, a niece of the victim, has been circulated and led to widespread reaction on social media. In the caption, Arreola asked for people to share the post to spread the word, and for anyone with information to contact authorities or to message her. Arreola declined to comment at length when contacted by The Capistrano Dispatch, but she did say her main concern is for the public to know they are looking for more information, and they are not concerned about money or asking for financial help. “We are just trying to get this as much as we can to the public, in hopes that someone has information or cameras,” Arreola said.—CB sanclementetimes.com
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Former Sheriff and Dana Point Resident Sandra Hutchens Dies After Cancer Battle Sandra Hutchens, a former Dana Point resident and the first female sheriff of Orange County, died on Monday, Jan. 4, after a long bout with breast cancer. Hutchens was appointed sheriff in 2008 by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, following the conviction of her predecessor, Mike Carona, on corruption charges. Hutchens had spent nearly three decades in law enforcement before retiring in 2007 as the Division Chief for the Office of Homeland Security of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, overseeing more than 1,000 personnel and eight bureaus. Her leadership experience helped set her apart in the field of nine finalists that were being considered for that job, according to state Senator and then-Fifth District Supervisor Pat Bates. “I think, certainly, that her resume puts her in the top tier,” Bates previously told San Clemente Times in 2008. “She’s had 29 years of experience in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and worked her way up to fourth in command before she retired.” “She took office at a difficult time. The public’s trust had been broken by the previous sheriff. Upon taking office, she immediately took action to put one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies back on track,” incumbent Sheriff Don Barnes said in a statement. “She was a leader whose ethics matched the culture of the men and women of this department. She restored our pride, gave us back our dignity and rebuilt trust with the people we serve.” In the wake of her death, Bates described Hutchens as an incredible public servant of the highest ethical standard. “She was a trailblazer who worked hard to restore trust to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department during a tough period in its history,” Bates said. “She faced challenges and controversy with a fortitude and grace that left a lasting legacy.” She won the election in 2010 and won an uncontested reelection bid in 2014. But among those controversies during her tenure, Hutchens faced criticism for revoking concealed weapons permits that Carona had issued. The Orange County Register reported that Hutchens also acknowledged inadequate deputy training that could have contributed to improperly used informants in prosecuting defendants. In 2017, the American Civil Liberties San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
THURSDAY, JAN. 7
JOINT HOMELESS SUBCOMMITTEE 10 a.m.-noon. The Joint Homeless Subcommittee will hold a special meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org. TUESDAY, JAN. 12
Sandra Hutchens, the first female sheriff of Orange County, died after a long bout with breast cancer on Monday, Jan. 4. She was first appointed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to lead OCSD in 2008. Photo: File
Union (ACLU) called for Hutchens to resign, alleging inhumane and violent conditions in the Orange County jails. That year, she announced she would resign at the end of her term rather than seek reelection. Before her term had expired, however, she recommended that Barnes, her thenUndersheriff, take her place. He went on to win the 2018 election for OC Sheriff. According to Barnes’ statement, Hutchens was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. “She courageously fought this disease while still leading this department,” Barnes said. “Her fight was successful for eight years. Unfortunately, the cancer recently returned and Sheriff Hutchens passed this morning with her loved ones by her side.” Barnes described Hutchens as a close mentor and friend. “I will continue to be inspired by her commitment to always do the right thing, regardless of the consequences, and serve with the department and community’s interests first without need for self-recognition,” Barnes said. In accordance with Sheriff Hutchens’ wishes, there will not be a memorial service. Her family asks that donations be made in her name to Drug Use Is Life Abuse at duila.org or the Susan G. Komen Foundation at komen.org.—Lillian Boyd
$35,000 Available in Scholarships from Cox Charities Cox Charities is offering $35,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors in the Orange County and Palos Verdes areas. The Cox Scholars scholarships range from $2,500 to $5,000. Recipients must be a 2021 graduating high school senior living
in Cox’s Southern California service area. Applications are now open. Deadline to complete and submit the online application is Feb 3. More information can be found at coxcharitiesca.org. “Now, more than ever, students in our community are working hard to achieve their educational dreams amid new learning circumstances and tough financial times due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chanelle Hawken, vice president of government and public affairs for Cox Communications in California. “As a company founded by a teacher, we continue to support local students and education in San Diego and look forward to awarding our annual scholarships in the new year.” Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on their scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, volunteerism, and staying focused on their educational goals despite facing adversity in their lives. “Before you apply, review the scholarship requirements carefully and make sure you’re eligible before spending time putting an application together,” a Cox Charities press release states. “If you don’t meet the requirements such as G.P.A. or place of residence, your application will not be considered.” Applicants should use tax forms to declare income or give a best estimate if tax forms are unavailable. To be most effective, don’t leave any sections blank, Hawken advises. “The scholarship committee wants to know what applicants are interested in,” the release states. “Make sure to provide an accurate timeline that includes all activities from the previous four years. Make sure not to repeat information in multiple places.” For a personal statement, don’t wait until the last minute to put this together, Hawken says. “Give yourself time to think about the
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BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 6-8 p.m. The city’s Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, drug abuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13
DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE 4-5:30 p.m. The San Clemente Design Review Subcommittee will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.
topic, and answer from your own personal experience,” the release states. “The more passionate you are, the better your statement. Ask someone you trust to read it and give feedback. And don’t forget to run a spellcheck.” Scholarships are funded by employee payroll donations that are matched by the company. A volunteer advisory board of Cox employees oversees the foundation and its giving programs. In 2020, 10 Cox Scholars from Orange County and Palos Verdes were recognized for their successes in the classroom and in the community.
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San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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San Clemente Times, Vol. 16, Issue 2. The SC Times (sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. San Clemente Times is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at San Clemente, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.
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San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner by Mayor Kathy Ward
Getting Through the Pandemic by Working Together
A
s we begin 2021, we are at a place we hoped would never happen. Currently, we have a larger surge of virus cases than we experienced at the beginning of the pandemic. Orange County’s initial stay-at-home order kept the transmission low, but as we increased activities and interactions, the number of cases increased. After increased travel and gathering with the Thanksgiving holiday, our ICU bed availability is at 0% adjusted capacity. Our county is tied to all of Southern California, and that means all of Southern California is at 0% and that our medical facilities, medical personnel and first responders are impacted. The city has undertaken safety precautions to protect the public and to protect the health of city employees. Preventing an outbreak among city ranks ensures all services will continue without interruption. City staff has continued to process permits, conduct inspections and provide the necessary services to keep all systems running. Our public has enough things to be concerned about during this unprecedented time, but the city is not one of those, nor should it ever be. While staff is diligently working to keep everything moving, it is not operations as
Letters to the Editor BEACH TRAIL AND COVID-19 BILL PRESTRIDGE, San Clemente
I started the day walking about a mile of the beach trail, seeing about four or five people wearing masks, myself included, and most of the people walking in groups of three, four and five were shoulder-to-shoulder talking and spewing germs wearing no masks.
usual. All the extras the city provides, such as recreation classes, have been limited, and all events have been canceled. The city projected reduced revenues in this year’s budget, but that does not mean the city is in the red. Reduced revenues are offset by reduced expenditures in the budget. The city’s budget is balanced, and there is CITY COUNCIL CORNER enough money to continue By Kathy Ward to provide city services. Revenue and expenditures are currently tracking at the level the city has forecasted for the first two quarters. City management pulled a city planner, Jonathan Lightfoot, into a position of economic development. He has been the point person to assist business owners, and he has created a place on the city’s website for all information that businesses need to assist them during this pandemic. Mr. Lightfoot assists businesses and still works on projects such as overseeing renovation of the Miramar and the bowling alley in North Beach. An application for North Beach to be designated a historic district recently met all requirements and is on its way to approval. North Beach is one of the focus areas of the Centennial General Plan and has received priority from city councils since 2015. City council recently voted to make available more grant money toward economic relief for business owners. The council continues to work diligently on issues and recently signed a cooperative agreement with Rancho Mission Viejo and the County of Orange for an extension to Los Patrones Parkway to La Pata that replaces any need for a toll road through San Clemente. Many organizations in San Clemente are providing relief to residents: • Family Assistance Ministries continues to
During a dinner last month, I watched the news, which stated that over 3,000 people (one every 30 seconds) died in the U.S. of COVID-19 that day. I finished the day watching the first race of the America’s Cup World Series in New Zealand (a sailing event) on my computer. I noticed that no one in the New Zealand crowd was wearing a mask. I did some research and learned that New Zealand has fewer cases of COVID than our White House because of their social behavior at the beginning of the pandemic. New Zealand was COVID-free in August. Wake up, San Clemente. You can get COVID if you are outside walking next
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provide food assistance and works to prevent homelessness with the programs they provide. They have experienced a 110% increase in the number of people requesting assistance. Monetary donations can be made to assist their mission, but they also have a high-end resale shop on El Camino Real, where you can donate furniture, jewelry and housewares that can be sold to provide funding. • Saddleback Church has held drive-thru food distribution events. Saddleback San Clemente has grocery distributions. For more information, visit saddleback.com/ getfood. • The Dorothy Visser Senior Center has a “Meals on Wheels” program for our seniors and a food pantry that needs donations to keep it stocked. Donations are taken Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any senior needing meals delivered can call 949.498.3322. • Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area has modified its operations to provide whatever is needed to help families, providing online distance learning, food deliveries and any other assistance they can think of to support children’s futures. All of these organizations are stepping up to help residents in San Clemente through this time. I hope you will join in helping these organizations. Please shop local. Supporting local businesses with your purchases will help put San Clemente in a better place. San Clemente will get through this, and it will take all of us working together to do it. Kathy Ward, appointed mayor of San Clemente for 2021, is a city councilmember who was elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018. 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. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.
to someone shoulder-to-shoulder for 30 minutes or less without a mask.
HOMETOWN APPRECIATION CHRIS AND TRICIA DOLKAS, San Clemente
Over the years, I have noticed that South Orange County and its citizens are most always overlooked by the LA and Orange County media outlets. As we’ve ended 2020, a year that most of us would like to forget, I am grateful for Picket Fence Media for keeping us South County folks abreast of what’s happening down here. The hometown input of what is important sanclementetimes.com
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during this pandemic has been invaluable. Norb and Alyssa Garrett and their awesome team have put together print and digital media week after week that has helped me feel the pulse of our city, through all this. Thank you for providing this to us. Happy New Year and many prosperous years to come.
RESPONSE TO LETTER ON ‘ANTI-LOCKDOWN FOLKS’ NORM PETERSEN, San Clemente
Duane Paul Murphy’s very passionate letter in a recent San Clemente Times regarding those protesting COVID-19 restrictions might have been compelling if there was actual science backing up his petty liberal diatribe. However, that science doesn’t exist. What science has shown us is the coronavirus has a less than half of 1% fatality rate for those 69 and younger. Hardly a statistic that warrants shutting schools, destroying small businesses and causing massive unemployment. If Mr. Murphy wants to be a good little sheep, he can lock himself inside his home until the world is safe. Mr. Murphy should consider why Gov. Newsom, Dr. Birx and numerous other Democrats have been caught defying their own lockdown nonsense. That’s who he should really be angry with. Lastly, Mr. Murphy needs to look up the definition of fascism, because it is not Americans protesting to get their freedom back.
CITY COUNCIL COMMOTION OVER NONSENSE DUANE PAUL MURPHY, San Clemente
A recorded video circulated around Facebook showed that during a recent remote meeting of the city council, Mayor Kathy Ward briefly turned off her own computer camera and Councilman Chris Duncan sat on what appeared to be an office chair in his own home with his own hand on his own front chest area while the Pledge of Allegiance was being recited by all other elected officials before agenda items were discussed in the session. After the video was published, a significant amount of online comments included varied criticisms of both Duncan and Ward’s visible actions during recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, ranging from calling for resignations from elected political office to describing them as “schmucks,” “traitors,” or “worthless.” I personally do not know the exact or specific reasons why Ward turned off her camera and Duncan sat on a chair during the Pledge of Allegiance. Quite frankly, who cares what they did during the Pledge since it is not mandatory by law? Also, nobody should really care what San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
they did during the Pledge. Their own professional actions on public policies and local issues impacting the city right now and for the rest of their own term in office from post COVID-19 economic recovery to the toll road are far more important than whether or not they stand or act properly during the Pledge, which in my opinion is eerily similar to forced patriotism and nationalism, whether it is institutional, social, or cultural, almost similarly found in authoritarian and totalitarian countries such as North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela, and China. Personally, I probably would not stand anymore for both the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem during their renditions or recitations anywhere, anytime, or anyplace as long as institutional and structural injustices, inequities, and inequalities against any citizens who are social and cultural minorities continue to persist in our own society. Public policy actions and being part of a representative democracy are more important in this local community than forced patriotism.
RESPONDING TO ‘HOW SAFE IS THE WATER AT SANO?’ ROGER JOHNSON, San Clemente
We all owe a debt to surfer Jake Howard for his Dec. 3 piece, “How Safe Is the Water at SanO?” Surfing is an important part of the history and culture of San Clemente, and we all want to preserve it. But Jake goes beyond that and warns about the threat to the future of our city posed by San Onofre radiation. He reports on a recent Zoom seminar here with radiation biologist Ian Fairlie entitled “Is It Safe to Live Near San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant?” Everyone knows by now the threat of the 1,773 tons of highly radioactive uranium and plutonium on our beaches now that we are a nuclear waste dump. Officials hired by Edison have stated that it may remain here for the rest of the century in temporary thin canisters designed to last only a few decades. Dr. Fairlie now introduces an entirely new threat that is already upon us: new evidence that tritium is much more dangerous that previously imagined. He says that the neutron bombardment of water molecules in the concrete domes has an activation reaction which contaminates the concrete and causes it to release tritium, a beta emitter which can cause cancer if inhaled or swallowed. The radiation continues long after a nuclear power plant closes. As Jake points out, Dr. Fairlie says that people living within three miles of San Onofre are at increased risk for cancer. That comes close to Concordia Elementary School and the residents and businesses of South San Clemente. This
also includes a lot of folks who live and work in North Camp Pendleton. The nuclear industry likes to trivialize radiation dangers and call anyone who disagrees a fearmonger. Reminds me of 50 years ago, when anyone mentioning the dangers of cigarette smoking was called a fearmonger. For those who missed the Samuel Lawrence Foundation Zoom meeting, you can read the science that Dr. Fairlie describes at this link: ianfairlie.org/ news/concerns-over-proposed-tritiumdischarges-from-fukushima-why-no-apparent-concern-about-the-larger-tritiumreleases-from-hunterston-b-and-torness. Other recommended reading would be “Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation,” published by the National Academy of Sciences.
ASSISTANCE FUNDING BONNIE BELAND, San Clemente
I have been very surprised there have been no comments to date on the city council’s allocation of the $445,000 federal government block grants to address COVID-19 locally. In my mind, this money should go almost entirely to economic relief for small businesses and directly to or in coordination with a local organization like FAM, which is already set up to aid people in financial distress to prevent homelessness. With $103,044 allocated for a homeless outreach worker and $89,021 for administrative costs, nearly 50% of the grant is not directly relieving anyone actually in need. I know that we all want better solutions for our city’s homeless problems, but allocating funds from these grants for a liaison is a bit of a stretch, and an additional 20% administration charge is also questionable. Addressing the existing homeless problem is a far bigger can of worms than what COVID-19 has contributed. While deaths have risen this past year among the homeless in Orange County, per a recent Orange County Register article, only four out of 310 homeless deaths by Dec. 10 have been attributed to COVID-19.
TAXPAYER ADVOCATE/COUNCILMEMBER SUING OUR CITY? JOE JANIS, San Clemente
Councilmember Laura Ferguson boasts of being a taxpayer advocate. Since she was elected, Ferguson and her attorney have constantly criticized city management and our city attorney for the rising costs of legal fees. What they have failed to acknowledge is their actions (including their constant requests for public records) have greatly contributed to our rising fees. Her attor-
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ney has sued our city on a number of occasions and is now representing Ferguson as she threatens to bring suit against the city. Taxpayer advocates? In my opinion, it was Ferguson’s false allegations at open council meetings and her damaging posts on Facebook about ex-city manager James Makshanoff that caused him to file suit against the city. Other members tried to counsel her on the ramifications of her actions, but she refused to follow their advice. Due to her unfounded public comments and social media posts, we could not successfully defend this lawsuit. Ferguson has not learned by her mistakes. In open forum, she accused our current acting city manager of creating a hostile work environment and stated there is bad blood between them. She has posted articles on her social media page accusing him of the same. I expect her actions will cause more undefendable litigation to be filed against the city. During her time on council, Ferguson has not been able to work with any councilmember or any city manager. Not Steve Swartz, Dan Bane, Chris Hamm, Gene James, Kathy Ward, James Makshanoff, Bob Dunek, nor Erik Sund. Making unfounded negative allegations about our city managers or other councilmembers is unethical, disruptive and, as we have seen, very costly. Ferguson seems to have alienated everyone she works with. Her reckless management style deserves censuring. Councilmembers are elected to serve on our city council, to collaborate with one another and to govern our city. They are not elected to place blame on our city’s management team or on other councilmembers. Above all, councilmembers are not elected to file lawsuits against the city. If Taxpayer/Advocate Ferguson and her attorney would stop this blatant hypocrisy, they will find the cost of our legal fees will go down.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to letters@sanclementetimes.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 or fewer words. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.
NO BEACHSIDE CHAT UNTIL JAN.15, 2021
There will be no Beachside Chat on Jan. 8. Beachside Chat will resume on Jan 15. The chat is hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday. sanclementetimes.com
SC GETTING OUT San Clemente
YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
The List
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 sanclementetimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.
Sunday | 10 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.
Wednesday | 13 BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard is open for food,
San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
Photo: Courtesy of Casa Romantica
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9: VIRTUAL ART CLASS AT CASA ROMANTICA 9:30 a.m.-noon. Learn to draw using Casa Romantica’s dry pastel virtual art class led by renowned French plein-air artist Gianne de Genevraye and a kit with all the materials needed. Registration is $40 for members and $45 for general admission. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.
drinks and live music. Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.
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6 Jencourt, Laguna Niguel Welcome to 6 Jencourt at Laguna Niguel’s guard-gated Bear Brand Ranch, where a lofty homesite high on a culde-sac street extends nearly 24,219 square feet, welcoming panoramic ocean, sunset, Catalina Island and city-light views. Lush, tropical grounds host a putting green, resort pool and separate spa. At approximately 12,312 square feet, the multi-level residence easily accommodates a spacious living room with dramatic fireplace, a library, rec room with wet bar, an office, temperaturecontrolled wine room, a chef-caliber main kitchen, separate catering kitchen, five ensuite bedrooms, and 8 baths in an array of configurations. A massive subterranean 10-car garage is joined by a fully appointed workshop and a secured firearm display room. $11,995,000 DOUG ECHELBERGER | Realtor® Pacific Sotheby’s Intl. Realty 949.498.7711 | Doug@Echelberger.com DRE# 01176379 | Broker DRE# 01767484 www.Echelberger.com San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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SC n te S a n C le m e
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE
contacting the Code Compliance Division at (949) 366-4705.
Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206591762 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ENTHEOS INTERNATIONAL 113 W. AVENIDA SANTIAGO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672-9267 Full Name of Registrant(s): ENTHEOS INTERNATIONAL 113 W. AVENIDA SANTIAGO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/ENTHEOS INTERNATIONAL, DILAN SWIFT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/17/2020. Published in: San Clemente Times January 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021
If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the Public Hearing.
This application is on file at the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, 910 Calle Negocio, and is available for public inspection and comment by contacting (949) 361-6183. If you challenge this project in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearing.
PUBLIC NOTICE Order to Show Cause For Change of Name Case No. 01174632 To All Interested Persons: Daniela Guadalupe Torres has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME A. Daniela Guadalupe Torres PROPOSED NAME A. Daniela Jane Torres The Court Orders that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court of the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objective is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing Date: 02/02/2021 Time: 08:30 a.m. Dept.: D100 Window: 44. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: San Clemente Times. Date: December 15, 2020 JUDGE WALTER P SCHWARM, Judge of the Superior Court Published: San Clemente Times, Dec 31, 2020, January 7, 14, 21, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON JANUARY 19, 2021 A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: Weed Abatement Billing 2020 Public Hearing to consider all objections or protests, if any, to the costs of the abatement of weeds, rubbish, refuse and dirt upon streets, sidewalks, parkways and private property within the City of San Clemente and to the assignment of these costs to the properties on which the abatement was completed. Further information may be obtained by
San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that said public hearing will be held at the meeting of the City Council on January 19, 2021 at 6:00 pm via teleconference. Please note that to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public may not physically attend the meeting. However, to participate citizens may: 1. Listen to the meeting via live stream from the City’s YouTube channel at www.san-clemente.org/live or live on Cox Communications Local Access Channel 854. 2. Members of the public are requested to submit their comments by completing the Public Comment Submittal form available from the City’s website at www.san-clemente.org/ccpubliccomment. Transmittal by 4:00 p.m. on Council meeting days is recommended. JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council
Notice is further given that said public hearing will be conducted by the City of San Clemente Zoning Administrator and held via teleconference on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Please note that to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public may not physically attend the meeting. However, to participate citizens may: 1. View the meeting via live stream from the City’s YouTube channel at www.san-clemente.org/live; and 2. Submit any comments on agenda items to the Zoning Administrator electronically by using the on-line portal available from the City’s website at www.san-clemente.org/ZAPublicComment. Transmittal by 1:00 p.m. on Zoning Administrator meeting days is recommended. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning Division at (949)361-6183. Zoning Administrator
PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206590590 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SOURCES UNLIMITED 647 CAMINO DE LOS MARES, #108-78 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 Full Name of Registrant(s): BOB IPEMA 2826 CALLE GUADALAJARA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/BOB IPEMA This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/09/2020. Published in: San Clemente Times December 31, 2020, January 7, 14, 21 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON JANUARY 20, 2021 A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: 1531 N. El Camino Real – CUP 20-243 & MCHP 20-244 – Publik House A request to adapt a 19,979 sq. ft. historic property into a multi-use building comprised of a special events venue, cafe, office, and accessory church use. The project includes requests for exterior modifications to the existing 7,448 sq. ft. building, site improvements, indoor and outdoor amplified sound, full alcohol service, and valet parking services for events exceeding 100 guests.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Staff recommends that the project be found Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (Class 3: New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON JANUARY 21, 2021 A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: 131 Avenida Escalones – Minor Exception Permit 20-227/Minor Architectural Permit 20228 – Enrique Residence A request to consider an addition of 248 square feet of living area to an existing 930 square foot legal non-conforming single family residential home and an addition of 37 square feet at the front of an existing attached garage. The application requests to continue the non-conforming side and rear yard setback and increase lot coverage over 50%. Request also includes major interior remodel of bedrooms, kitchen, and bath, all new windows on building, and a new patio cover at the front of the residence. Staff recommends that the project be found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA
This application is on file at the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California, and is available for public inspection and comment by contacting the Community Development Department at (949) 361-6195 or StephanieR@San-Clemente.org. If you challenge this project in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearing. Notice is further given that said public hearing will be conducted by the City of San Clemente Planning Commission and held via teleconference on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Please note that to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public may not physically attend the meeting. However, to participate citizens may: 1. View the meeting via live stream from the City’s YouTube channel at
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www.san-clemente.org/live or live on Cox Communications Local Access Channel 854; and 2. Submit any comments on agenda items to the Planning Commission electronically by using the on-line portal available from the City’s website at www.san-clemente.org/PCPublicComment. Transmittal by 3:00 p.m. on Planning Commission meeting days is recommended. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning Division at (949)361-6183. Secretary to the San Clemente Planning Commission PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON JANUARY 20, 2021 A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: General Plan Amendment 20-011 – Roadway System Updates A public hearing to consider forwarding a recommendation to the City Council on the adoption of a City initiated General Plan amendments that involve: 1) Updating roadway classifications on the General Plan Mobility Element Roadway System Map (Figure M-1) to reflect existing conditions and the County of Orange planned Los Patrones Parkway extension into the City, for consistency with the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH) required to maintain the City’s eligibility for regional transportation funding. 2) Removing General Plan references to the toll road and State Route 241 (SR-241) extension alignment initially designed to skirt the eastern perimeter of San Clemente, but not encroach into San Clemente open spaces. Since, the alignment has been abandoned. Staff recommends that the City, as a responsible agency for the Los Patrones Parkway Extension project, consider and approve the Addendum to the previously certified environmental impact reports (EIRs) for the 2001 Prima Deshecha General Development Plan (Final Program EIR No. 575; State Clearinghouse No. 99041035); the Southern Subregion Natural Community Conservation Plan/ Master Streambed Alteration Agreement/Habitat Conservation Plan (Final Program EIR No. 584; State Clearinghouse No. 2006061140); and the Ranch Plan General Plan Amendment and Zoning Change (Final EIR No. 589; State Clearinghouse No. 2003021141). Staff recommends the City find environmental impacts of the General Plan Amendments unrelated to the Los Patrones Parkway extension to have been adequately addressed and mitigated in the previously certified EIR for the Centennial General Plan. This application is on file at the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California, and is available for public inspection and comment by contacting the Community Development Department at (949) 361-6183. If you challenge this project in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearing. Notice is further given that said public hearing will be conducted by the City of San Clemente Plan
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PUBLIC NOTICES
SC
TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM ning Commission and held via teleconference on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Please note that to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public may not physically attend the meeting. However, to participate citizens may: View the meeting via live stream 1. from the City’s YouTube channel at www.san-clemente.org/live or live on Cox Communications Local Access Channel 854; and 2. Submit any comments on agenda items to the Planning Commission electronically by using the on-line portal available from the City’s website at www.san-clemente.org/PCPublicComment. Transmittal by 3:00 p.m. on Planning Commission meeting days is recommended. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning Division at (949) 361-6183. Secretary to the San Clemente Planning Commission PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206591254 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SOUTH SEAS AQUARIUM SERVICE 5317 CAMINO BOSQUECILLO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 Full Name of Registrant(s): PARSONS INVESTMENT GROUP LLC 5317 CAMINO BOSQUECILLO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company
The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/PARSONS INVESTMENT GROUP LLC, BRUCE ALAN PARSONS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/09/2020. Published in: San Clemente Times December 24, 31, 2020, January 7, 14, 2021
San Clemente
LO C ALS O NLY
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT
• Fictitious Business Notice (FBN/DBA) • Name Changes • Lien Sale • Alcoholic Beverage License • Notice to Creditors • Petitions for Probate • Trustee Sale • Summons – Divorce – Civil • Annual Report • Non-Responsibility • Dissolution of Partnership EMAIL legals@picketfencemedia.com CALL 949.388.7700, ext. 111
Aaron Lloyd Bankruptcy Attorney 949.544.9355, 2377 S. El Camino Real, lloydlegal.com Rosen Law Offices, P.C. 34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 5, Dana Point, CA 92629, 949.335.0020, snrosenlaw.com
DENTISTS Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S. 3553 Camino Mira Costa, suite B, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com
GARAGE SALES
VOLUNTEER VIRTUALLY The opportunity to help a child read is no longer restricted by location—we are virtual. Volunteers ages 50+ needed. Join our info session on January 8 at 10:30 a.m. or January 13 at 9 a.m. Contact Elizah Siegel to receive ZOOM Link. 949.257.2637 Parentisfoundation.org an AARP Foundation Affiliate
PROSTHODONTICS Hamilton Le, D.M.D., F.A.C.P. 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com
REALTORS ELECTRICAL Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com
MUSIC LESSONS Cello and Bass Academy 310.895.6145, celloandbassacademy.com Rock Club Music School 73 Via Pico Plaza, 949.463.1968, beachcitiesrockclub.com
PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com
PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection 1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, atozleakdetection.com Bill Metzger Plumbing 1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, billmetzerplumbing.com
San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at sanclementetimes.com
Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program 665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, bodymindspiritiop.com
ATTORNEY
Complete your required legal or public notice advertising in the San Clemente Times.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes 949.293.3236, sandyandrich.com Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com
RESTAURANTS Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386
SALONS Salon Bleu 207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, scsalonbleu.com
Do you want to reach 42,000 people in the San Clemente area? Then you need to be in the San Clemente Times. Call us today! Contact Lauralyn at 949.388.7700, ext. 102
MASSIVE MOVING SALE Saturday, January 8th from 8am to 3pm Clothes, furniture, tools, books, linens, etc. Address: 1204 S. Ola Vista, San Clemente, CA 92672 GARAGE SALE Saturday, January 9th, 8 am to 1 pm 27591 Vista de Dons, Capo Beach, CA 92624. Tools, golf clubs, furniture/ fixtures, cloths, plants and much more GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com. Deadline 5pm Monday.
HELP WANTED WAREHOUSE POSITION Must have experience in shipping and receiving, forklift certified, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record. Full-Time, benefits, 401K. ... Please email your resume (if available) to: dromero@ndaonline.net To fill out an application please email request to: dromero@ndaonline.net Or contact the office to speak with Gil for warehouse position. Debe tener experiencia en el envío y bodega, forklift certificado, debe tener licencia de conducir válida con un registro de conducción limpio. Tiempo completo, beneficios, 401K. ... Por favor envíe su currículum (si está disponible) a: dromero@ndaonline.net Para llenar una solicitud por favor envíe un correo electrónico a: dromero@ndaonline.net O póngase en contacto con la oficina para hablar con Gil para el puesto de almacén/bodega. Telefono 949-492-4399
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SC SC LIVING San Clemente
PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
Contributor: San Clemente Historical Society
BUSINESS // BEAT
FROM THE ARCHIVES With the bare hills of San Clem-
News from San Clemente’s business community
ente in the backdrop, this was fishing at the San Clemente Pier in the 1930s.
NEW LOCATION
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.
WILDFLOWER FLOWERS + GIFTS 26945 CAMINO DE ESTRELLA, CAPISTRANO BEACH • 949.498.3454 WILDFLOWERFLORAL.COM
Adoptable Pet of the Week: Meeko
After calling San Clemente home for many years, the boutique floral design studio and gift shop relocated to Capistrano Beach a few miles north.
SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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his happy boy is Meeko, one of the sweetest dogs you’re likely to meet. At 7 years old, Meeko is no unruly pup. He is well-mannered and potty-trained, with plenty of energy to play and exercise. As a superior cuddler who’s good with most dogs, it’s easy to see why Meeko is a shelter favorite. Could this gentle soul be the one for you? If you are interested in adopting Meeko, please visit petprojectfoundation.org to download an adoption application form.
Meeko. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/ Dana Point Animal Shelter
Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. 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:
NEW BUSINESS LINDORA CLINIC 1300 AVENIDA VISTA HERMOSA, SAN CLEMENTE 949.373.8405 • LINDORA.COM Located in Talega, this new weight-loss clinic comprises a team of medically trained personnel to help patients get into shape through ketogenic programs. San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
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See the solution in next week’s issue.
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SC LIVING CoastLines by Fred Swegles
line at a bridge crossing, the book says, linking up there with other U.S. units. The allies prevailed. Months later, Germany surrendered.
San Clemente Remembers a StarSpangled Icon
FAST-FORWARD TO SAN CLEMENTE
In all my years covering George Key’s patriotic endeavors in San Clemente, he never shared with me his personal war story. He was just “a WWII veteran.” It was always about the flag, freedom, the story of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” After residing for decades in Glendale, Key chose San Clemente as his retirement home. He surfaced in the news in 1994, when he and other VFW members organized a local celebration, Loyalty Day, reviving a littleknown observance that had dated back to the 1930s. In 1996, Key was outspoken in protest, upon learning that a student government panel at Saddleback College had dropped the Pledge of Allegiance from its meeting agenda. A crescendo of protests reversed that decision. In 1998, Key organized local fundraising to help the Smithsonian Institution restore a giant 15-star American Flag that had flown over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
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t would be difficult, over the past 25 years, to remember anyone in San Clemente more exuberant, more reverent about the American flag than George Key. He gave talks at schools about the flag’s heritage. Helped organize San Clemente’s annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, was a speaker, laid wreaths. Addressed civic organizations about the history of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” He cofounded a program in which people who owned a frayed flag unfit for display could have it retired with dignity. Also, a program inviting spouses of deceased veterans to honor their loved one by flying the veteran’s casket flag over city hall. You might think all of this flag fervor was in memory of Key’s historic ancestor Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” You would only be partly correct. Key, 96, who died peacefully in his COASTLINES sleep on Dec. 31, was an Army veteran. By Fred Swegles He never made a big deal about what he did in World War II. He was among thousands of U.S. troops who landed on the bloody beaches of Normandy in the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion of France, setting out to rescue Europe from Nazi oppression. In D-Day’s aftermath, Key risked his life well into the following winter, surviving the bloody, bitter-cold Battle of the Bulge. “Dad was very closed-mouth about the war,” his daughter, Georgia Smith, confided. “The memories were just too painful for him to talk about. I never heard him talk publicly about his wartime experiences.” When her father agreed to be interviewed for a 2019 coffee table book, WWII Heroes: 100 Portraits and Biographies of WWII Veterans, she learned stories she’d never heard.
COMBAT IN FRANCE
Author Zach Coco described the D-Day landing: “George and thousands of other U.S. troops were dropped off in the water near the beaches of Normandy, and many friends were never seen again. He was weighted down with hand grenades, two bandoliers of ammo, and a gas mask, in addition to his combat pack and M-1 rifle, all of it dragging him down as the water rolled over his head with each wave.” Key, part of the first wave of soldiers, “struggled to find a foothold against the German positions dug in heavilyfortified concrete bunkers above them,” the book says. Serving with a regiment of combat engineers, he then helped U.S. forces push the Germans into retreat across France. Sleeping in ditches, Key’s platoon encountered scattered, unpredictable German resistance—snipers, clandestine machine gun nests, dug-in positions. As platoon commander, Key was responsible for his men. “It’s a hard thing to do to send a guy on a patrol when you don’t know if he’s going to come back or not.” Key was quoted as saying, “but you have to send somebody. It weighs on your conscience.” The platoon helped clear away German occupation forces in Belgium and on toward the German border, using combat engineering to restore access over rivers San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR
George Key wearing his WWII Army uniform while being interviewed for a coffee table book, World War II Heroes, profiling 100 WWII veterans. Photo: Courtesy of author/photographer Zach Coco
In 1814, Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer, had boarded a neutral ship off Fort McHenry to negotiate the release of a U.S. prisoner the British had taken while sacking Washington, D.C. From shipboard, Key witnessed an overnight British bombardment of Fort McHenry. By the dawn’s early light, he could see that the fort had withstood the assault. The flag was still there. Enthralled, Key took to writing a poem about it. In 1931, the United States proclaimed “The Star-Spangled Banner” America’s National Anthem.
KEY FAMILY HERITAGE
GEORGE KEY IN SAN CLEMENTE • Multiple functions in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, including numerous years as commander • American Legion, the Military Order of World Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, Rotary Club, Character Counts festivals, Neighborhood Watch, Retired Senior Volunteer Program • Cofounder, with Alex Neil, of programs to collect American flags no longer fit for display to properly retire them; also, a program flying local veterans’ burial flags over city hall • Past president of the San Clemente Men’s Golf Club, past president of the San Clemente Lawn Bowling Association • San Clemente Planning Commission for six years; Tri-Cities water board
when retreating Germans would destroy bridges.
TAKING PRISONERS
“Many of the Germans just surrendered once they realized they were surrounded, and George’s unit was more than happy to capture them,” the book says. “‘We weren’t out to kill people,’ George remembers. ‘We were out to take prisoners, to end the war.’ ” On Dec. 16, 1944, a fierce, last-ditch surprise German blitz known as the Battle of the Bulge would push back allied forces, lasting well into January. Key’s men held the Page 23
George Key learned of his family’s Key lineage early in life, born in 1924 in the U.S. Panama Canal Zone. His father, a government employee there, was patriotic. George had halfbrothers named Francis Scott Key and Patrick Henry Key. The family moved to California, his daughter said, and her father was in high school in Glendale when World War II broke out. After a year of community college, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 to train as a combat engineer.
POSTWAR ERA
After the war, Key returned to Glendale and married his wife, Mary Margaret. They raised three children: Georgia, Carol and George. After being recalled into the Army during the Korean War, Key made a career with Glendale’s Department of Water and Power. “The flag carries special significance for him,” his profile in the WWII book says. “It is also a reminder of all that has been sacrificed for the nation he loves and the opportunities he has been given.”
EPILOGUE
A military service and a celebration of life for George Key will be scheduled “at a much later date, when people can safely attend,” Georgia said. Survivors include Key’s daughters and son, their spouses, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with five decades of reporting experience in the city. Fred can be reached at fswegles@picketfencemedia.com. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ sanclementetimes.com. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.
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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente
STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE
SCHS Water Polo Coach Logan Powell Resigns BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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an Clemente water polo program head coach Logan Powell has resigned, the school announced on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Powell, a 2001 San Clemente High School graduate, has accepted the head coaching position for the men’s and women’s water polo programs at Ottawa University in Surprise, Arizona. “I feel blessed that I have been selected as head coach of the men’s and women’s water polo programs at OUAZ,” Powell said in an Ottawa University statement. “I am looking forward to becoming a part of the OUAZ family and working to continue to build two strong, successful water polo programs. I want to thank (Director of
San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
SCHS water polo coach Logan Powell resigned from the post after 10 years as girls head coach and five years as boys head coach. Photo: File
Athletics) Kevin Steele and the leadership at OUAZ for trusting in me and giving me this amazing opportunity.” San Clemente High said the head coach positions for both programs will be filled internally for the rest of the current school year, and a search for permanent replacements will happen over the summer. The boys water polo season was scheduled to open on Dec. 21, with the girls scheduled to start on Dec. 28, but all athletics remain on hold with the Southern California region under the state’s
stay-at-home order. When that order is lifted, water polo would be allowed to play when Orange County reaches the orange “moderate” tier, the second-lowest risk level in the state’s four-tiered, color-coded coronavirus monitoring system. Powell was the head coach of the San Clemente girls water polo program for 10 years, winning the program’s first CIF-SS championship in 2011, finishing CIF-SS runner-up in 2015, 2019 and 2020 and winning the program’s first CIF Southern California Regional championship in 2020. The girls program has won four consecutive South Coast League titles in unbeaten fashion and won seven league titles during Powell’s tenure. Powell has also been the San Clemente boys water polo head coach for the past five years. The Tritons have won three consecutive undefeated South Coast League titles, advancing to the CIF-SS championship game in 2019, their first CIF-SS title-game appearance since 1991. “All of the above demonstrates Coach Powell’s passion for the sport, a work ethic that is unparalleled, and an extremely high water polo IQ,” San Clemente athletic director Jon Hamro said in a statement. “However, what really has set Coach Pow-
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ell apart is his transformational leadership style, which has enabled him to connect with his athletes and their families. He has built real, meaningful relationships with EVERY student-athlete in that they feel valued, their self-concepts have been elevated, both of which have resulted in a culture of intrinsically motivated studentathletes that has directly led to programwide success both in the water and in the classroom. “It is clear that Ottawa University knows that Coach Powell’s philosophy will carry right over to the collegiate level. While we are sad to see Coach Powell leave, we are also excited for him and his family as they embark on this new journey.” Ottawa University in Arizona competes at the NAIA level in the Golden State Athletic Conference, which include local schools such as Vanguard University in Costa Mesa and Hope International University in Fullerton. Ottawa University fielded its first water polo teams over the past year, with the men’s first season in fall 2019 and the women’s first season in early 2020. The men went 4-23 in their inaugural campaign and the women went 1-16 in their first season. SC
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San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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SC SC SURF San Clemente
SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY
The Stoke Is On Some words of wisdom as we look toward brighter horizons in 2021 BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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fter that last crazy lap around the sun, I think we’re all looking to kick off the new year on a good foot. I’m not a New Year’s resolution kind of guy, so I’m not going to bore you with any false promises. And I’ll spare you my rant about electric bikes—for now. Instead, I’d like to share some words from my friend Alex Corson. “The stoke is on and always will be.” That’s Corson’s mantra. I think it’s a good one to start the year. I was lucky enough to have Corson slide into my life a couple years ago through work with the Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation. A 21-year-old autistic surfer from Ocean City, New Jersey, he’s certainly taught me more about what it means to be part of a surf community than I’ve taught him. You see, Corson isn’t just a kid with autism who’s ridden a surfboard once or twice. He’s all about the surf life. And he’s an advocate for people like him with autism and other disabilities. His passion and the purity of his stoke have garnered the attention from surfers around this great country. From world champs such as CJ Hobgood, to YouTube star Ben Gravy and, more locally, the Gudauskas brothers, they’ve all rallied to Corson’s side, supporting him and elevating his cause. “It’s so pure and comes straight from
Staying stoked and keeping the vibes up is the name of the game in 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Kevin Voegtlin
the heart,” said Dane Gudauskas. When I first met Corson, he’d just teamed up with the Carlsbad-based company Matunas to create “Blue Wonderland,” his signature surf wax. The proceeds from the sale of the wax were donated to Faces 4 Autism, and still are to this day. Corson and his wax have been featured by prominent publications around the country, and he’s evolved into an inspiring public speaker. Even USA Surfing got on the Blue Wonderland program, offering surfers the use of the wax at some of its contests in 2019.
But Corson’s story isn’t just about one person overcoming tough odds and staying stoked. During a time of profound change and hardship, the regular “life updates” that he emails me every few weeks have been a bright spot—a reminder that, ultimately, riding waves is better when we do it together. Winning contests, riding the biggest wave or punting the highest air matter little in the grand scheme of things. Surfing runs much deeper. In Dana Point, the Paskowitz family and their organization, Surfers Healing,
have been doing amazing work for years getting autistic kids in the water. I get chicken skin just thinking about what they do. Hopefully, their mission can continue in earnest this year. Last year, while our country was reckoning with issues of social justice, I did an interview with surfer and activist Danielle Lyons Black. We discussed equality in the lineup and how to make the sport and lifestyle more equitable for everyone. Overwhelmed by the myriad of challenges we’re facing as a society, I asked her what was one thing people can do to make the beaches and ocean more accessible. “I think the best thing that people can do is try to be hyper-focused and find something that they’re passionate about,” Lyons Black explained. “Find that niche that actually is meaningful to them and find a way to contribute through that.” So, as we march into a New Year with new horizons in front of us, tap into that passion. Be an agent for meaningful, positive change in your own way. Whether it’s helping somebody experience the joys of surfing for the first time, organizing a beach cleanup, or whatever fits your fancy, if 2021 is going to be better than 2020, we’re all going to need to lift each other up—just like the surf community has done for my friend Corson, because, as he always reminds me, the stoke is on and always will be. Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC
SURF FORECAST GROM OF THE WEEK
DAWSON MARKS BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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hen your big sister is bound to be one of America’s first Olympic surfers and is widely considered to be a future world champion, finding a spot in the lineup can be daunting. Even so, Dawson Marks is keeping it classic. While his big sis, Caroline, is blazing trails on the WSL Championship Tour and U.S. Olympic squad, Dawson is quickly becoming a multidiscipline threat. Coming from a saltwater-infused family, the stylish regularfooter obviously rips on a surfboard. But he’s also got some serious chops on San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2021
Dawson Marks. Photo: Courtesy of Luke Marks
a skateboard, snowboard and bike. Basically, if there’s a jump to be hit, he’s going to find something to hit it with. And just
like everyone in his family, he does it all with epic style and a good nature. Of course, put a fishing pole in Dawson’s hand, and it’s another story. Before settling in San Clemente recently, the Marks family lived in Florida, where fishing is basically a way of life. His older brother, Capt. Luke Marks, is a fishing guide back East—and has taught Dawson the joys of baiting a hook. Whether it’s charging the surf, flying high on a skateboard and snowboard, or reeling in a fish, it’s always epic to see a grom tap into the dream, and Dawson does it all with a big, ol’ smile on his face. SC If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com.
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Water Temperature: 57-59 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 3-5 Thursday: Northwest swell fills in with waves running shoulder high to a foot overhead, (4-6’). Light onshore winds due most of the day. Outlook: On Friday, Northwest swell maintains shoulder high to a foot overhead surf, (4-6’), while a light sea breeze persists. More Northwest swell fills in on Saturday, setting up waves in the head high to couple feet overhead range, (5-7’). Those heights hold into Sunday morning, then taper off as the day progress. The weekend has light offshore winds in the early mornings, followed by light+ to moderate afternoon onshores.
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San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2021
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