SCT 1/11/2024

JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 17, 2024 | VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

SC Chamber Connects

U S E

Young Innovators EYE ON SC / PAGE 10

Surf Season Opens: Big Waves, Big Events SURF / PAGE 22

Growing Pains

South Coast Farms Seeks Community Support to Stay Open E Y E O N S C / PAG E 3

George and Rebecca Kibby’s South Coast Farms seeks community assistance to maintain their objective of growing strawberries for the community. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

sanclementetimes.com

Longtime SC Columnist Herman Sillas Leaves Lasting Legacy

Construction Update on New City Projects

SCHS Girls Hoops Rolls Win Streak into League Play

EYE ON SC / PAGE 4

EYE ON SC / PAGE 10

SPORTS / PAGE 20

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San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

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sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

South Coast Farms Seeks Community Support Amid Harsh Winter

COMMUNITY MEETINGS THURSDAY, JAN. 11

Public Safety Committee 3 p.m. The city’s Public Safety Committee will conduct a special meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall. City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio. 949.361.8200. sanclemente.org.

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

South Coast Farms, a community fixture in South Orange County, is fighting to remain alive as it braves the cold winter months before strawberry season begins, with the hope that its GoFundMe campaign can steady the business.

Previously a year-round outfit, the end of a longtime lease in San Juan Capistrano prompted farmers and San Clemente residents George and Rebecca Kibby to move their farm east in 2019 to the Tree of Life Nursery, a few miles out of town on Ortega Highway. That move has necessitated a change in the South Coast Farms’ business model, as the different climate provides extremes in the winter and summer seasons.

Speaking with Picket Fence Media on Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, George noted the weather had been 28 degrees earlier in the day. The harsh weather makes it difficult to cull the soil and for plants to grow.

“It’s back to a seasonal business,” he continued. “You can’t be open in the winter here and expect to make money.”

This year marks the first time that South Coast Farms laid off most of its employees for the winter months. George and Rebecca noted how disappointing the move was, especially as many of the employees and their families depended on the farm’s year-round work.

The business currently faces “dire” circumstances with a need to make money, accentuating the need for its campaign to be a success.

Problems first arose for South Coast Farms when it moved to its current location on Ortega Highway and discovered the struggle of growing plants there. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, in addition to heavy rains in 2023 and a disappointing contribution from the federal government.

“Typically, you’re in the triple digits out here (for) a good portion of August and September, every day,” George said of the weather. “It’s always in the high 90s or low 100s, which makes it difficult to grow all the cool-season crops, whereas before, (when) we were on the coast, the seasons lapped over a little bit and the cool weather crops could last longer into the summer.”

He acknowledged that the couple took a while to adjust to the new climate, with Rebecca adding that they didn’t expect the extremes.

During the previous winter of early 2023, there was a lengthy period of consecutive nights with freezing temperatures that seriously hampered the growing process. As spring came, and the berries started to grow, San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

FRIDAY, JAN. 12

Beachside Chat 8-9 a.m. Join San Clemente residents and dignitaries for the weekly Beachside Chat, a spirited, town hall forum on community issues led by a slate of rotating hosts. The chats are held at Dorothy Visser Senior Center, at 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. All are welcome.

George and Rebecca Kibby’s South Coast Farms seeks community assistance to maintain their objective of growing strawberries for the community. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

heavy rains forced the Kibbys to replant and delay their harvest, and in turn, the farm took a while to recover.

“That pretty much was the last straw,” said George.

Seeking federal relief, South Coast Farms applied to participate in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) before the application period closed in July. The Kibbys were then reduced to waiting for months on end to hear the results, as over 38,500 applications totaling over $7 billion in desired funds created a backlog in the distribution process, according to the USDA. The agency announced on Dec. 13 that it would distribute approximately $223 million in PARP payments. It also stated it would apply a “9.5% payment factor” to “ensure equitable funding distribution to all eligible producers,” signifying that farms such as the Kibbys’ would only receive $11,800 instead of the potential maximum of $125,000.

“The demand for PARP assistance greatly exceeds available funding resources,” said Zach Duchenaux, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator. “We left no stone unturned in our efforts to find additional funding. We worked to assist as many producers in need of help as possible in designing PARP, which requires the current decision to heavily factor payments consistent with program regulations.”

The money South Coast Farms received covered only a small portion of what it had previously lost, George said. Rebecca also talked about the long waiting period, something many other small farmers experienced.

“There were several months of waiting and wondering and hoping that they were finding the funding, because we heard that was a possibility,” she said.“We were holding on for that, and then it just turned out that they’d never found the funding.”

The result was what George called the “worst-run” program in the FSA’s history.

Rebecca claimed that it was especially bad,

as the FSA hadn’t been egregiously late in delivering results for other programs.

“All of us online, all the small farmers who got their little chunk, said, ‘Oh, we all got a lump of coal for Christmas from the USDA,’ ” George said sarcastically. “Thanks a lot!”

Adding to the frustration is the increased competition from growers in Mexico, George continued, who can afford to pay much less for labor compared to California farms. The end situation makes it nearly impossible for local vegetable growers to make a living, and makes for a harsh reality for niche strawberry growers that have only a few months to pick their crops.

“That’s what we’re asking people to help us for, to help us get through this little hump we’re on,” he said. “If you want to support community agriculture, and you can’t shop from us every day or week, this is a great way to say,‘I love community agriculture, and I don’t want to see it go away.’”

The current GOFundMe campaign seeks $65,000, a goal the Kibbys were roughly halfway to reaching as of Jan. 9.

With the funds, the couple could repair one of its John Deere equipment pieces, purchase supplies, and prepare for the upcoming season.

Rebecca spoke of her appreciation for the approximately $30,000 already raised.

“It’s reminding us that what we do matters and that the community cares about us,” she said. “It’s inspiring me to want to try harder to keep it going.”

George called it a “humbling experience.”

He added that throughout his time growing in South Orange County, he always wanted to grow food for the community and not switch to more lucrative crops.

The couple wants to keep South Coast Farms going as long as possible, according to Rebecca, but community support is key to making their goal a reality.

People interested in donating can read more about the Kibbys’ plight at gofundme.com.

Page 3

SATURDAY, JAN. 13

Challenging Cancer 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system, and people dealing with cancer. To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.

Citizens’ Climate Education 10:45 a.m.-noon. This nonpartisan climate action group holds monthly meetings on the second Saturday of the month through Zoom video conferences. Email larrykramerccl@gmail.com to receive a link to join.

SUNDAY, JAN. 14

Meaningful Conversations 3 p.m. Join a different kind of conversation, one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all, as the Baha’i Center discusses the spiritual perspectives offered by the Baha’i Teachings on the fundamental oneness of religion. Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida del Presidente, San Clemente.

949.779.2878. sanclementelsa@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, JAN. 16

San Clemente City Council 5 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting in person at the Council Chambers at City Hall, as well as virtually. The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel. City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17

VA Disabled Claims Clinic 2-4 p.m. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 9934 will sponsor a Veterans Affairs Disability Claims Clinic at the Dana Point Community Center the first and third Wednesday of each month. Veterans can walk in and meet with a VFW Service Officer and receive information on how to file a claim for service-related medical issues. Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point.

CUSD Board of Trustees 7 p.m. The governing board for the Capistrano Unified School District will meet to decide on local education matters. CUSD Headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. capousd.org.

sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

tion of a weekly email letter, Phil added, sent to Former San between 100 and 200 people. In it, Sillas would on anything that crossed his mind, Clemente Columnist pontificate and as his newsletter expanded his reach, Sillas met a staffer from the Sun Post News.

Remembered for After sending a few pieces to a Sun Post News editor, the View from the Pier column made its Political Activism, way into the newspaper. connected her father’s activities latValuing Connections er Vasquez in life to a column he started back in high

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

On Saturday, Jan. 6, family and friends gathered in Downey to celebrate the life of Herman Sillas Jr., a man of many talents who impacted numerous fields, particularly Mexican American activism, during his professional career.

Among his accomplishments, Sillas authored a long-running column in the San Clemente Sun Post News, titled View from the Pier, and a book called View from the Pier: Stories from San Clemente, in addition to many poems.

He later wrote View from the Pier for the SC Times.

He died at the age of 89 on Nov. 22, 2023.

Phil Sillas, 61, Sillas’ third child and only son, recounted how Herman and his wife, Cora, sought San Clemente in the early 1990s as a weekend refuge from the deluge of daily responsibilities.

“It was really funny, because when they told people that they had a place in San Clemente, it was like saying you had a place in Oklahoma,” Phil said. “It was just this little sleepy beach town at that time.”

The Sillas couple’s South Orange County occupancy evolved from a part-time arrangement to full-time, as Sillas found he could still make his work life work in San Clemente. The pair wound up staying for years, as they fell in love with the city’s laid-back lifestyle.

Sillas’ second child, Monica Vasquez, 63, noticed how the move never impacted her parents’ view of their heritage or their previous lives in Los Angeles. In fact, Sillas continued his activism and networking.

“It actually allowed my dad to really just start to create stories, and write more, and just kind of contemplate on the things that he had already accomplished,” Vasquez said.“... I think that was the beauty of my dad, is that he never lost sight of who he was, and what he could do, and what he could be doing.”

His blossoming creativity led to the forma-

My Creative PTSD Nonprofit To Host Comedy Fundraiser

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

As My Creative PTSD looks to expand its reach in 2024 and connect veterans with an expressive outlet to process symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, the nonprofit is hosting a silent auction and comeSan Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

school as the student body president in an attempt to connect with other students. Sillas always loved combining his passions for creativity and writing, she said.

The leadership qualities he displayed in high school would always remain, as Sillas would earn entrance in law school at the University of California Los Angeles in 1958. From there, Sillas enjoyed a career as a lawyer, as the director of the California Department of Major Vehicles, as a United States attorney, and as a founding member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

His active career meant that Sillas couldn’t always be home with his family, a reality that Vasquez came to realize after she matured.

“As I got older, I started to understand some of the impactful things that my dad had accomplished,” she said. “I think my relationship went from being just one of the five kids and him taking care of us and providing for us and working hard, to (having) a huge amount of respect for his work as I got into high school and college.”

Though strict, Sillas was loving and did what he could to spend as much time with his family as possible, according to Vasquez.

Phil spoke of Sillas’ concerted efforts to spend more time with the only other boy in the family, whether that be Phil tagging along to business events or playing music at political events as part of his high school band.

“I got a little better glimpse than my sisters, I think, or an understanding of what he was doing, and it felt like some of these things that he was doing were really important for people,” said Phil.“I always just had a sense that he was helping people, especially Mexican (Americans).”

Both siblings expressed that the proudest moment they had of their father involved Sillas’ role as Chairman of the California State Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in the 1970s.

The goal of the committee was to address the problem of political underrepresentation for Mexican Americans, Vasquez said, and its work led to the evolution of various similar movements.

“That just launched all kinds of different areas of his life, whether it’s working in government or working for the U.S. government, and then onto the private practice and stuff,” Phil added.

One of the many people Sillas impacted during his life was Ruben Alvarez, founder of Orange County digital newsletter StayConnectedOC. Before the two ever came in contact, Alvarez saw Sillas as a role model for his political activism, a world with which Alvarez’s family was well acquainted. Sillas was one of the first Latino Americans to be elected to a state cabinet position, according to Alvarez, when he was appointed to direct the DMV during Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration.

Decades later after Sillas became a published author, Alvarez met Sillas at a book-signing event where the two clicked instantly.

“He was just like the sweetest person you’d ever want to meet,” said Alvarez. “He was soft-spoken, but yet, very intelligent and very deliberate with his words, and when he said them, almost like a very wise man talking to you.”

Afterward, Alvarez heard Sillas at multiple speaking engagements, reciting poetry and talking about his book.

Sillas’ legacy will include “equality in edu-

cation,” Alvarez continued, referring to Sillas’ work as the attorney for Sal Castro when Castro was a key factor in walkouts from East Los Angeles high schools in 1968.

At the time, as Alvarez described it, students residing in the eastern portion of the Los Angeles Unified School District were demanding that their schools receive the same amount of appropriations as others within the same district. “(Sillas) challenged the Los Angeles Unified School District, saying, ‘This isn’t Plessy versus Ferguson,’ which codified the statement of ‘separate but equal,’” Alvarez said. “Everything has to be equal. And with that fight, he basically made sure that all schools were funded equally and had the same opportunities, whether they be in East Los Angeles or Beverly Hills.”

Further, Alvarez called Sillas a caring, kind and wonderful man, as well as a visionary, evidenced by the treatment Sillas received at his service on Saturday.

“It was just wonderful to know the personal side to him, as well as the professional side, that they were equal,” he said. “He treated everybody the same across the board.”

Phil Sillas recounted that throughout his father’s life, Herman never placed limits on what he could accomplish, and always sought a way to create positive change.

“That was the most impressive thing to me, is that whatever he was working on, or whatever his cause was, he spent his energy finding a way to make it right or to help people,” said Phil.

dy fundraiser on Feb. 3.

The San Clemente-based nonprofit that offers free art workshops to veterans is partnering with the San Clemente Marine Corps League and Best Medicine Brigade to host an evening of silent auctions and comedy at the San Clemente Casino.

“It’s going to be a very unique event,” My Creative PTSD founder James Shadle said.

“You have three veteran groups that have come together to advocate for veteran mental health.”

“The comedians are all veterans or veterans’ spouses, and they belong to an or-

ganization called Best Medicine Brigade … their whole purpose is to deliver therapeutic humor and talk about the importance of mental health, and they do a great job at it,” Shadle continued.

The event will feature a live auction, with proceeds funding the nonprofit’s art workshops for veterans in 2024. Many of the artists whose work will be auctioned off during the event are veterans themselves, Shadle added.

“The first hour will be a cocktail hour, and then we’ll have a silent auction,” Shadle said. “The silent auction will have sev-

eral art pieces from veterans from around the United States … so again, there’s another veteran aspect of it.”

“Of course, there are other silent auction items that are not veteran-related, but the goal is to promote veterans and veteran creativity as a therapeutic source,” Shadle said.

Since the nonprofit formed in January 2023, Shadle said he’s laid the groundwork and made the connections to grow My Creative PTSD’s reach in 2024.

Herman Sillas, a longtime political activist and former columnist for the San Clemente Sun Post and SC Times, died at the age of 89 on Nov. 22, 2023. Photo: File

Page 4

(Cont. on page 6) sanclementetimes.com

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San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

Page 5

sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

(Cont. from page 4) “The goal in 2023 was to get everything established, create a foundation if you will, and start connecting with the right people,” Shadle said.

“Primarily, the growth has been in networking and setting things up, so in 2024, we have a busy schedule already,” Shadle continued. “We’re coordinating with organizations now and set up art workshops for Wounded Warrior Battalion West here at Camp Pendleton, Loma Linda Veteran’s Village, the USS Iowa, which is basically a floating museum, and we’re still doing art workshops for Cal State Fullerton and we’re looking to add more on the list.”

The proceeds from the upcoming fundraising event will cover the cost of My Creative PTSD’s workshops in 2024, Shadle explained.

Shadle noted that in 2023, the nonprofit held its first two art workshops, one of which led veterans at Cal State Fullerton through an exercise in creating a memory box. Each participant received a plain, wooden box, just smaller than a shoe box with a lid set on hinges, and were told they could paint whatever they’d like on the box to decorate it.

“At the end of the workshop, we spent about 30 minutes, people sharing what their theme was and what the box was about,” Shadle said. “A lot of the veterans had painted something that had to do with their military career.”

One participant, in particular, had painted an owl on the front of the memory box, a symbol of significance from his time deployed to Afghanistan.

“When he deployed to Afghanistan, first time he stood duty on a post – guard duty – there was an owl by his posts, and the first night, the owl flew away; the second night, the owl flew away,” Shadle said. “By the third week, the owl stopped flying away, and it became this presence that

Young Innovators Network Incorporates Fun into Professional Development

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Working professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 years were able to mix and mingle in San Clemente last year for the first time, with the start of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce’s new initiative, the Young Innovators Network.

Starting in June, YIN organized three San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

made him feel comfortable, like he had someone to talk to out on his guard duty in Afghanistan and became a very memorable experience for him – so much so he put it on his memory box.”

Shadle noted that the veterans participating in the workshop shared stories about their times in service, their kids and more, building connections with one another.

“The veterans there were all attending college at Cal State Fullerton, but none of them had ever met,” Shadle said. “That’s one of the purposes of our nonprofit is to get veterans together to communicate and create and connect with one another.”

“So that was awesome that they got to tell their stories about their memory box and share that with their peers and then build a network of people that they can trust and call upon when they need it,” Shadle continued. “That’s an important aspect of what we’re doing.”

By nature, Shadle noted that the veteran community is a “hard nut to crack.”

“The military is not some place where people are asking you how you’re feeling, so it’s not common for a lot of veterans to come forward and talk to their buddies or peers about what they’re going through,” Shadle said. “It takes time, and you have to build trust with one another to make that happen.”

“So, when you get them together in a room, and they’re able to communicate with one another and share stories and ideas, and build that connection, it’s a much greater opportunity for them to connect with other veterans,” Shadle continued. “So, when they’re feeling down or depressed or not feeling 100%, they have a community to reach out to, and that’s one of our goals as a nonprofit.”

The veteran community experiences depression and suicide at a much higher rate than the average population, Shadle said.

mixers designed to give entrepreneurs and professionals alike the opportunity to network, learn, and have fun at the same time.

Tyler Boden, member of the initiative’s steering committee and owner of Boden Energy Solutions, spoke with the San Clemente Times about the group’s initial success. He referenced Chamber CEO Susie Lantz’s desire to “activate” the city’s demographic of young professionals and how younger members of the Chamber first met in June to discuss making the initiative a reality.

“It was great,” Boden said. “We found (that there was) a lot of interest in it, and people were, we noticed, looking for a different kind of networking opportunity that didn’t feel ‘network-y,’ if that makes

During one of My Creative PTSD’s first art workshops, veterans at Cal State Fullerton paint a memory box and share stories behind the decorations. Photo: Courtesy of James Shadle

In 2021, an average of 17.5 veterans committed suicide per day.

After attending one of My Creative PTSD’s workshops, Shadle said he hopes veterans leave with a new outlet – a new mindfulness, too.

“A lot of times when you feel depressed or you feel anxious or you’re feeling not 100%, sometimes you just need to get away or do a mindfulness technique that brings you into the moment,” Shadle said.

“Art really does that,” Shadle continued.

“It brings you into the moment, a moment of mindfulness where it’s just you and the artwork. So, we’re hoping that we teach these veterans a skill that when they are feeling down, they have a place to go, they can break out a sketchpad and do some drawings. It’s a skill they learned from one of our workshops.”

As a veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 23 years, Shadle noted that he turned to creativity to cope with symp-

toms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I started this nonprofit because of my own personal experience,” Shadle said.

“Creative outlets have impacted me personally – my mindset, how I think about myself, how I think about others. So I know what art can do and what kind of power it has over people just to create art.”

The goal of My Creative PTSD’s upcoming fundraising event, in addition to advocating for mental health and supporting the nonprofit, Shadle said, is to “come and have a good time.”

“What’s important to me is that we’re getting a lot of veterans together and we’re advocating for mental health and the importance of mental health,” Shadle continued. “That’s what’s most important to me.

People can come, (for the) cocktail hour, comedy night, and just be with the community.”

Tickets for the comedy fundraiser are available at MyCreativePTSD.org.

sense.”

Shortly after the initial meeting, the YIN held its first event that far exceeded expectations. The accomplishment was relatively easy, considering the steering committee didn’t enter the night with high expectations, but the mixer at coffee shop and studio Rhythm and Resin attracted roughly 40 attendees.

People were engaged and lively, Boden said, and the event provided an opportunity for numerous local businesses to contribute, as Los Molinos Beer Company supplied beers and Surfside Pizza provided its signature pizzas.

“It’s really been one of those projects that just falls into place, because there’s just a lot of synergy around it,” said Boden. “Every event since that first one

has been better than expected, and it continues to get better.”

The steering committee has made a concerted effort to bring educational speakers that touch on a different topic each time. Previous events have centered on how to start a business and be an entrepreneur, managing finances, and work-life balance.

Continued feedback from network members has been important, Boden added, as the committee’s goal is to try to extract the most value out of each mixer.

For 2024, YIN’s first full year, Boden said the group is focusing on fostering community among an underconnected age demographic and fostering engagement within the Chamber through activities.

“That’s one thing that’s come out of

Page 6

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EYE ON SC

this that we didn’t really expect in the beginning, is we’ve been able to get our members in the Young Innovators Network to participate in volunteer opportunities in the community, whether it’s an opportunity that the Chamber puts out or another organization,” he added.

YIN members served as volunteers for the Fiesta Music Festival in August, the Rhythm and Resin Festival in September, and for a Marine barbecue in December, serving the city’s adopted United States Marine unit, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines.

Speaking about Lantz, Boden called her a “powerhouse in the community” and a driving force behind the network.

“She’s really helped to usher us forward, and create some organization and consistency behind it,” said Boden.

The steering committee includes

Boden, photographer Katelyn Gardner, Juliette Le Breton of CR&R Environmental Services, Rick Rodriguez of Rod’s Tree Service, William Scott of branding agency Unsung Studio, Samantha Ulph of ECS Payments, Lantz and Lantz’s executive assistant, Rachel Browne. That group has the role of incorporating what would appeal to the network’s members.

“It’s been working really well so far,” said Boden.

YIN intends to hold a mixer every other month, starting on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 5-6:30 p.m. at H.H. Cotton’s, located at 201 Avenida Del Mar. The education portion will feature a speaker from StoryBrand, a service that aims to help businesses “level up” communication with their customers.

Information about how to register for events can be found at scchamber.com.

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce’s recently started initiative, the Young Innovators Network, seeks to bring more San Clemente professionals together. Photo: Courtesy of YIN

NEWS NEXT DOOR Dana Point Salt Creek Grille Announces Closure on Jan. 14

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Salt Creek Grille announced it would be closing its flagship location in Dana Point on Monday, Jan. 14, after serving visitors and locals alike for the past 27 years.

Twenty-seven years ago, when Salt Creek Grille first opened in July 1996, Founders Tim McCune and Pete Truxaw looked to create a community gathering place “with exceptional food, friendly and professional service and a welcoming ambience,” McCune said in an email.

“We wanted to create a true classic steakhouse with high-quality meats cooked over a real, natural wood fire,” McCune continued. “At that time, restaurants were moving away from this and towards ranges and gas grills. What made our vision for Salt Creek Grille even clearer was the true sear and a ‘chef’s kiss’ of mesquite.”

Guests came back again and again for Salt Creek Grille’s baby back ribs, burgers and pork chops, McCune said.

McCune noted that he believed the restaurant’s biggest accomplishment was “becoming a true landmark, both in the community and in people’s lives.

Salt Creek Grille held a special place in the hearts of so many within the Orange County community and beyond. Monumental and cherished memories were spent within those four walls. That was San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

Salt Creek Grille is shuttering its doors on Monday, Jan. 14, after serving visitors and locals alike for the past 27 years. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

our dream with the restaurant, and I am honored to say we achieved that.”

In a media release announcing the restaurant’s imminent closure, McCune remarked on the many memories created at the restaurant during its nearly 30 years in service.

“It was our hope to create an upscale steakhouse that was rich in culinary traditions but, at the same time, a gathering spot that welcomed friends, neighbors, tourists and more with open arms and a warm heart at its core,” McCune said. “We celebrated so many storybook moments and milestones with our guests, and we will cherish those forever. This restaurant was my second home and meant everything to me.”

Salt Creek Grille’s locations in New Jer-

sey and Valencia, California will remain open, which McCune said will keep him “busy and focused on their operations.”

MCune added that he’s working to help the Dana Point location’s staff find new positions within the local restaurant community.

“We couldn’t have achieved all of this success without our wonderful team, some of whom spent a decade or more with us,” McCune said. “They are the true heart of our restaurant and worked very hard each day to ensure that our guests enjoyed a positive and welcoming dining experience crowned by fantastic and delicious food.”

In the media release, Salt Creek Grille invited longtime patrons to stop by “before the last meal is served and reminisce

Page 7

with the team about the good times and their favorite meals.”

Ahead of the restaurant’s scheduled closure on Jan. 14, McCune noted that he wanted to thank “all of our guests for their patronage, love and support over the years, and, in actuality, bringing so much joy into my life.”

“This is surely a most humbling moment in my life, as I’ve dedicated the past nearly 30 years to this restaurant,” McCune said. “That being said, I will hold dear all the extraordinary memories – all the special moments from opening on day one, to serving our friends and neighbors and ultimately becoming a community gathering spot for simple, treasured meals or celebrations of life’s bigger moments.” sanclementetimes.com

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EYE ON SC

NEWS NEXT DOOR Coffee Importers Looks to Open Bakery at Ocean Institute

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Though Coffee Importers has evolved over its nearly 50-year history, expanding from a coffee shop to adding an ice cream shop, bagels, smoothies and more, owner Jim Miller has been looking to expand once more and bring in a bakery for years now.

Coffee Importers opened in the Dana Point Harbor in 1975 and has grown as a family business in the decades since then. Jim took over the business for his parents in 1982. Now, he’s looking to continue the family legacy with his daughter, Meredith Miller, at the helm.

Baking is Meredith’s passion, Jim said.

“My daughter went to culinary school, and one of the things we had been talking about since she was 19 years old was that we were going to do a bakery,” Jim said.

Jim and Meredith are a step closer to making that dream become a reality as they partner with the Ocean Institute to open a new Coffee Importers location in the place of the marine education nonprofit’s gift shop.

Meredith, who previously served as an executive pastry chef at a St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta, took over operations for the beachside Boneyard Café at Doheny State Beach for her father, before that business closed in 2019.

“She came in and took over running Boneyard and did a fantastic job,” Jim said. “To this day, people still rave about the Boneyard Café and how great it was.

Nothing’s replaced it.”

Since Meredith first moved back from Atlanta 12 years ago, the idea to build a bakery has been “very conceptual,” Meredith said.

In 2018, Jim said he closed Boneyard Café anticipating the commencement of the harbor revitalization. After numerous delays pushed back the start of landside construction, including the ramifications of the COVID pandemic, Jim noted that he and Meredith were anxious to get the café concept off the ground.

“Frustration is mounting, like I want to get this bakery café going, and last year, I went to (Ocean Institute President and CEO Wendy Leavell), and I said, ‘Hey, I really think this could be a good concept,’ ” Jim said.

“She liked it. It took a while for the board to kind of wrap their heads around San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

putting in a full deli café,” Jim said.

Meredith added that there “always seems to be some hurdle, and so this opportunity kind of presented itself with the Ocean Institute. … It’s something we’ve been trying to do for a long time.”

Though the idea is still in its infancy and still has plenty of hurdles to overcome, Jim said he’s excited to get the ball rolling on the café project. After many false starts to the bakery idea, Meredith noted that she was hesitant to get too excited.

“I’ll be excited when we have a lease and plans and we’re actually moving forward with it, but for now, I’m just reserved and waiting to see what happens,” Meredith said.

“We’ve been at this for 20 years, so it’s been a whole lot of ‘OK, it’s going to happen,’ nothing’s happening, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s going to happen,’ nothing happened,” Meredith continued. “So, I’ve gotten to the point where I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, you let me know when something’s really happening, and then I’ll have feelings.’ ” Since news first broke of the potential partnership between Coffee Importers and the Ocean Institute, Jim said he’s received positive feedback from customers.

Meredith added that she’d like to emphasize to community members that “we’re not trying to go anywhere.”

“We want to stay in Dana Point, ideally in the harbor,” Meredith said. “For our customer base, that’s been a big concern of theirs, especially over the last couple of years as to, are we going to stay in business? Are we going to stay here?”

“We didn’t really have an answer,” Meredith continued. “Ideally, we’ve always wanted to be in the harbor. We felt like that’s always been our home. So, this gives us the opportunity to maintain that and kind of takes the pressure off of what’s happening.”

After nearly 50 years of serving visitors and locals in the harbor, Meredith noted her family has “built relationships with the community.”

“We want to stay in Dana Point, we want to stay in the harbor, we want to make that work,” Meredith said. “We don’t know how that looks necessarily in the future, but the Ocean Institute with this opportunity has given us … an open door.”

The partnership with the Ocean Institute has been a year in the making, Jim said. Now, Jim said he’s got “a lot of work now to get all the permits and stuff, and that’s what I’m starting to work on. It’s going to take some time, and it’s really an opportunity for us to do this.”

“If an opportunity comes available here in the new harbor, which we don’t know what’s going to happen, we’ll take a look at that at that time,” Jim contin-

Coffee Importers owner Jim Miller looks to open a new bakery location at the Ocean Institute campus with his daughter, Meredith Miller, in charge. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

ued. “We want to stay in the Dana Point Harbor, for sure; that’s our home. In the meantime, we have something to get going on.”

Once he gets necessary permits to construct the bakery at the site of the Ocean Institute’s gift shop, then he’ll be able to finish plans and start getting construction bids, Jim said.

“We’re at the very beginning of the whole process,” Jim said.

In the meantime, Jim said he’s not planning on closing the harbor location until construction reaches his location and they’re asked to close or move.

Since the Orange County Board of Supervisors extended the Ocean Institute’s lease until 2065, Jim noted that joining the marine education nonprofit’s campus will give him a longer lease to “build our brand.”

“The other thing is the Ocean Institute is doing a fantastic job with the leadership of Wendy and her team right now; I think they’re doing the best they’ve ever done in terms of events and public outreach,” Jim said.

Jim added that he’s excited to be a part of the Ocean Institute campus for events such as Mermade Market, the Tall Ships Festival and its monthly Distinguished Speaker series.

“I think it’ll be really synergistic,” Jim said.“I also think the timing can be good, too, during construction of the new harbor. We’ll have a place to send our customers during construction.”

Page 9

Meredith added that having worked with and catered events for the Ocean Institute in the past, she saw the move as an “old partnership getting revived.”

Having run a coffee cart at the Ocean Institute when the campus first opened, Jim said he knows “the facility very well, so I think it’s going to be a good fit.”

Jim noted that he’s planning on “stepping into retirement” and leaving the new café at the Ocean Institute to Meredith to operate.

“It gives her a place to be hers, which is what she’s always wanted,” Jim said. “I can, over the next four or five years, step down.”

Working alongside her father over the years has been “a labor of love,” Meredith said.

“The most important part is that (he) and I greatly respect each other’s strengths and differences,” Meredith said. “It’s not going to be fun when he really retires and then it’s just me.”

If all goes well with permitting and plans, Jim noted that they hope to start on construction in 2025.

“It’s the biggest project we’ve ever done,” Jim said. “It goes back to the beginning, though; we’ve always wanted to do a bakery-café. We think it’s a good location, and we think it’ll be a great spot for a little bakery café and it’ll keep us in the Dana Point Harbor,” Jim continued.

An Ocean Institute representative was not available to comment ahead of press time. sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

An Update on Development Projects in Town

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Developing projects are scattered across the city of San Clemente, as large and small corporations seek to make an impact on the town through residential complexes and other ventures.

San Clemente Times reached out to the operators of numerous projects to gauge their progress as the new year gets underway.

Demolition is ongoing at the former hospital site at 638 Camino de los Mares, which inspired controversy as MemorialCare sought entitlements from city officials to construct a 250-unit residential facility for older adults and a 7,500-square-foot medical office.

“We don’t have a lot of information to share at this point in time, other than that we’re in the finishing stages of demolition, and we’re very pleased at how smoothly everything has gone,” said Richele Steele, a MemorialCare spokesperson. “We look forward to sharing more information with the community in the months ahead as we complete the demolition and shift our focus towards development.”

Regarding the Miramar Theatre and Bowling Center, city officials noted the site in North Beach is an active construction zone, marking forward progress from when the SC Times last reported on the structure in August 2023.

County Board of Supervisors Authorizes New Homeless Prevention Program

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to allocate $3 million for the creation of a Homeless Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program at its Tuesday, Jan. 9 meeting.

County officials aim to assist 200 families and individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness through the short-term program, by providing a maximum of $10,800 to each participant (family or individual) and case management.

San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

Construction is underway for numerous varying projects throughout San Clemente. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

Previously, a reshuffled ownership structure forced the resubmittal of project plans, six years into active efforts to revitalize the property.

“I know it’s not as fast as everyone likes it, but when you have an older building like that with historical features, things are a lot slower than a normal construction project,” said Robert Ferguson, a building official.

He added that construction workers have poured the foundations for restrooms on the theater side and are running electricity to the food hall side, and that the building’s framing and roof

have received approval from the Building Services Department.

Construction is also underway at 1409 S. El Camino Real, where the Planning Commission approved Shoreline Dental Studio’s request to demolish the former Tommy’s restaurant and build a two-story, 6,000-square-foot commercial building for a new dental office.

Co-owner Cory Ritzau said construction progress has gone well and that the business hopes to open by the end of 2024. Ritzau added that “excitement is very high” within the Shoreline Dental staff, as the project has been in the works

since 2023 and staff are looking forward to having more space.

“Right now, demand is fairly high, and so sometimes we have a little bit of a waiting period to get in at the moment,” he said. “To be able to shorten that waiting period and to see more new patients, the additional space will grant us that opportunity.”

Josh Johnson, CEO of Momentum Senior Living, which will operate 87-unit residential facility The Seville at 2421 Calle Frontera, was unavailable to speak with SC Times about ongoing construction as of press time.

“The goal of the Homeless Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program is to keep individuals and families in their homes, avoid displacement, and identify supportive services to promote long-term housing stability,” read a memo from Second District Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento requesting the item’s addition to Tuesday’s agenda.

Households will be enrolled in the program for 12 months, during which they can receive direct financial assistance through a lump sum payment and “stabilization payments” through a monthly stipend. Initially, Douglas Becht, director of the county’s Office of Care Coordination, included in his presentation Tuesday a maximum of $6,000 for direct assistance and $4,800 for monthly allocations; the board later agreed to allow for flexibility.

The eligibility criteria mandates that participants or heads of households are at least 18 years old, Orange County residents, at risk of homelessness, and must have a household combined income at

or below 30% Area Median Income (AMI), according to federal standards.

Becht added that the program seeks to assist people aged 60 years and older, single-parent households, and others “imminently at risk of homelessness.”

As Sarmiento brought the item to the agenda, he provided the opening comments, thanking staff from the County Executive Officer Frank Kim’s office, the Office of Care Coordination, the county’s Social Service Agency, insurer CalOptima Health, and others for their work in putting the program’s design together. The program matches the pillars that the county’s Commission to End Homelessness indicates are necessary to create a Homeless System of Care, Sarmiento said, which include housing, outreach and supportive services, prevention, and shelter.

“This is really a complement to what this board has done to try to address folks who are unhoused, which is this prevention pillar, which I think is prob-

ably the one that we’ve leaned into the least,” he said.

By the end of Fiscal Year 2023-2024, the county will have spent roughly $1 billion addressing homelessness since FY 20172018, Sarmiento noted, speaking to his feelings that it would be cost-effective to find and help people before they end up on the streets.

The program’s case management aspect, which will connect people to resources such as financial literacy and workforce development programs, will be the “most important” aspect, according to Sarmiento, who added that the program will also have a study that assesses its effectiveness.

In Becht’s presentation, he referenced multiple studies county staff found that helped define what the program would look like. A total of 86% of respondents to a statewide study of unhoused people in May 2023 stated that a shallow monthly subsidy between $300 and $500 would’ve helped them avoid becoming homeless;

Page 10

sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

95% said a lump sum of between $5,000 and $10,000 would’ve helped.

Vice Chairman and Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee credited Sarmiento for his work and talked about the people on the brink of homelessness who aren’t recognized as needing help until they are on the street.

“I hope the metrics will show, in about a year, that this needs to be continued with additional funding,” said Chaffee. “I think it will.”

He added that he planned to bring forward “another tool” to work with families at risk at the next board meeting and that he fully supported the measure.

Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley asked for clarification of the “essential living expenses” that the monthly payments would pay for, to which Becht responded childcare, employment services, transportation and gas cards. Becht later agreed to Foley’s request that the program create a general definition of items eligible to be paid for through the monthly payments.

“We’re trying to supplement, not replace,” Foley said of other county resources participants can access.

Chairman and Third District Supervisor Don Wagner asked Becht and Sarmiento questions to better understand the pro-

gram’s parameters, such as whether the numbers given by people who were surveyed by the county were accurate, and how Becht and others working on the program came up with the figure of $10,800.

Becht said the pilot program would either validate the numbers the county had heard or show that the numbers people gave are incorrect, and that the Office of Care Coordination conducted a similar rental assistance program during the pandemic, provided through federal funding, with a cap of $10,000 that many households didn’t reach.

“There’s not an exact science behind it, but we do have some experience,” Becht said.

Sarmiento defined success for the program as seeing it continue past the first year due to a marked efficiency in helping the participating households find economic stability.

The county will have to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a scope of work and solicitation for a provider to operate the program, according to Becht, after which the county executive officer will be authorized to negotiate and enter into a contract.

The Board of Supervisors’ meetings and video archive can be found at board.ocgov. com.

NEWS NEXT DOOR San Juan Capistrano to Hold Public Hearing on Skatepark

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a public hearing to consider approval of the long-awaited skatepark on the 28-acre cityowned Kinoshita Farm property during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

The public hearing follows the San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission’s late 2023 recommendation to City Council to certify the proposed skatepark’s environmental impact report, approve a code amendment and rezone the project site.

The proposed skatepark site requires rezoning, because the Kinoshita Farm property is currently zoned as agriculture/specific plan.

The specific plan amendment looks to add the skatepark, trail and related facilities as an allowed use.

The skatepark and trail project would be situated at the southwest corner of the Kinoshita Farm property. The skatepark and

trail would feature a playground structure, restroom and shaded setting areas, as well as a roughly 20,000-square-foot, all-wheel skatepark.

Ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting, the city’s Design Review Committee will discuss the proposed colors and materials for the 42,575-square-foot public skatepark, including the “color of shade structures, color of concrete, play structure color and materials and restroom materials.” The committee may make suggestions for the City Council to consider during the upcoming council meeting.

During the meeting, the City Council will discuss certification of the final environmental impact report. As a part of certification, the council may decide to override the agriculture resource mitigation by stating that the benefit of the skatepark to the community overweighs the loss of the agricultural land.

If the council approves the final environmental impact report, construction is anticipated to begin in March, with the skatepark estimated to be completed by September 2024.

The public hearing to discuss the proposed skatepark will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 31421 La Matanza Street, San Juan Capistrano.

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San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

Letters to The Editor KUDOS TO KNOBLOCK DAVID DAVISON, San Clemente Hats off to Steve Knoblock for being willing to weather the attacks from anti-Christian bigots.

Speaking of false and misleading information, Wehrle, that appears to be all you post. Nobody says Presidents actually set the price on gas, but only morons fail to see that their policies affect the price of gas. President Trump did make America energy-independent, as the Investors Business Daily acknowledged back in 2018. Staggering inflation began as soon as quid pro quo Joe Biden took office. It turns out that printing money like a drunken (Democrat), as Biden has, causes inflation.

To claim the economy is better now under the buffoon Biden, than under President Trump, is to jump the shark.

By every measure including the pocket books of law-abiding citizens, Trump’s economy was superior. How’s those gas prices … Paul?

Trump was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize for substantial successes in foreign policy and, unlike Biden, did not start any new wars. Crime is skyrocketing in (Democrat-run) cities and states, a direct result of their lawless policies. Deaths from fentanyl have also risen dramatically, a direct result of Biden’s treasonous, open-border policy.

Biden didn’t end the war in Afghanistan; he simply surrendered some $80 billion in arms and abandoned Americans in hostile country. Space prevents debunking the other Wehrle falsehoods, as well as those by Davis and Hernandez.

DEAR TRUMP HATERS T. TAYLOR, San Clemente Regarding the 3 letters about Steve Knoblock (SC Times, Jan. 4), which was a chance to bash Donald Trump. The vitriol that spews out of the Trump haters is really sad and most of it incorrect. A few thoughts – one of the foundations of America is innocent until proven guilty.

Trump has not been proven guilty of the assorted list of bad things he has done. No one likes what happened on Jan. 6, but let’s compare people walk-

ing through the capital carrying flags, through doors that the security guards opened, to the months of riots in 2020, where stores were looted, millions of dollars of property damaged, and hundreds of people and police brutally beaten.

One person died on Jan 6, by the hands of the Capitol police – not many.

Trump was impeached over the Russian collusion issue, which has since been completely debunked, and the Durham report lists all the lies and false documents that were used to further the lie.

The Supreme Court did not outlaw abortion; it simply upheld the Constitution and gave the power back to the state, where it belongs. What “pain and suffering has ensued” since then? Killing a baby is not a reproductive right.

It is the exact opposite of reproducing.

Yes, we were energy-independent under Trump. The economy is not doing better; visit a grocery store to see the skyrocketing prices. Crime is not down; drugs are flowing over the border.

We are going to be picking up the tab for years for all the people coming here illegally. If we are allowing people to be guilty before their day in court, let’s look at all the evidence against Biden for enriching himself and his family by taking money from foreign entities, pay for play, money-laundering, classified documents in his home . . . the list goes on. Before you start casting stones against someone, check if you or your favorite President is without sin. Yes, I am injecting my Christian view into this argument, a freedom I enjoy in America. Luckily, you have the freedom of speech to spew your hatred, but I prefer to use my nice words.

RESPONSE TO KNOBLOCK LETTERS JIM SMITH, San Clemente Here’s an observation about the three letters published last week. When I talk to people who attack Trump reflexively because of obvious Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), I’ll ask them what actual policies of his, discounting his personality, they dislike. I have yet to get anything approaching a substantive answer.

All three writers fit this profile. Let’s see if any can prove they are not suffering from TDS. ANOTHER RESPONSE TO LETTERS CATHERINE MILLIGAN, San Clemente This is a response to Mr. Wehrle, Mr. Davis and Mr Hernandez. All three are convinced their option is correct. All three impugned Mr. Knoblock’s integrity. Mr. Davis even throws in something about Mr. Knoblock’s religious preference.

What in the world would possess these three men to put their opinions

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in writing? It’s a very sad day when people attack others on their beliefs. We live in one of the most wonderful places that God has created and yet fight about whose opinions are the right ones.

Think what you may, but don’t put it in the local paper, for heaven sake. Maybe get your information from somewhere besides Morning Joe and The View.

THANK YOU, STEVE KNOBLOCK DARRYL HALL, San Clemente Thank you for your letter (S.C.Times, Dec. 28) where you said Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Unfortunately, as predicted, there were several people upset that you said, “Merry Christmas,” and found it offensive. The left finds a lot of things you say and do offensive. Like you stand for and believe in the American Flag, that you support our military, that you support Police and Law Enforcement, you support Capitalism and Free Enterprise and, the worst of all, you support the U.S. Constitution.

The left hates all those things and, therefore, hates you and ironically calls you a dictator.

The silent majority is finally waking up, the power resides with the people, and their voices will be heard. Thank you for fighting the good fight and not backing down.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to ryoungman@picketfencemedia. com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION: | Levin’s Letter

Looking Back at Our Achievements & Making Progress in 2024 T

he beginning of a new year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the previous one and set new goals that build on our successes and prepare for the future. For me, it gives renewed energy and allows me to look back at the work we’ve done to improve our district and set priorities for the year ahead.

Last year was a challenging one for Congress. We faced complicated issues, both at home and abroad, that continue to demand action and will shape the course of 2024. I know that many of my constituents are disillusioned by the partisan divide in Washington and ask themselves what elected officials are getting done. I share some of those frustrations, but I still firmly believe in the power of working together, across the aisle, to accomplish great things.

Looking back at 2023, together we delivered real results for our district and improved the quality of life in our communities. Some of the accomplishments that I am particularly proud of that we will continue to build on this year include: 30 Bipartisan Laws: Throughout my

district. Some of my 2024 time in Congress, I’ve passed priorities include: 30 bipartisan laws to improve Fighting for Federal veterans’ benefits, foster Resources: Our district innovation in the storage and deserves its share of disposal of spent nuclear fuel, federal taxpayer dollars improve the quality of recovery for projects that benefit housing, and more. These are all residents. Last year, I legislative wins for our district secured more than $50 and the country that help GUEST OPINION BY million for community Americans every day.

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE projects ranging from Nuclear Waste Removal: We MIKE LEVIN workforce training are making significant progress programs to improving on safely moving nuclear the safety of our roads. waste off the beach at San Onofre. Last June, together with Energy Secretary I will continue fighting for resources Granholm, we announced more than to support important on-the-ground $25 million for communities across the initiatives.

Tackle Veteran Homelessness and country to initiate consent-based siting processes to store spent nuclear fuel, Hunger: No veteran should struggle to put food on the table or find affordable including the waste from our region.

In addition to these achievements, housing. In Orange County, roughly 1 we capped insulin prices at $35 per in 12 veterans faces homelessness and month, and thousands of infrastructure 1 in 9 veterans is food-insecure. This is improvement projects are underway unacceptable. I’ve introduced and am developing bipartisan legislation to help across the country. That’s real progress.

Looking to the year ahead, I will veterans access affordable housing and continue to seek bipartisan solutions increase nutrition assistance for military to the ongoing challenges facing our families. I’ll work with my colleagues to

move these bills forward.

Constituent Services: My office handles thousands of constituent cases every year, helping residents overcome bureaucratic hurdles, deal with federal agencies like the IRS and VA, and access government benefits. We will continue to do all that we can to ensure constituents who contact our office get top-notch service and timely responses.

There is nothing we can’t do when we seek common ground to address the challenges facing our communities. We all want safer neighborhoods, affordable health care, good schools, and to protect our coast and environment. Ensuring our country is a better place for future generations is what drives me every day.

I’m excited about what lies ahead this year.

U.S. Representative Mike Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. He was reelected for a second term in 2020 and resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and two children.SC

Families are Leaving As the cost of living continues to rise, families are leaving by the thousands. Fewer families in California means less tax revenue.

• Road Infrastructure • Education • Water Infrastructure • Wildfire Prevention & Response Climate Programs and more!

As your Assemblywoman, I want to hear from you! I urge you to take our survey today and share your thoughts on which budget items we must protect from budget cuts!

Take the Survey: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca. gov/PublicLCMS/SurveysDirect_ v2.php?district=AD74&survey=335 Laurie Davies is a small business owner and former mayor who was elected to the State Assembly in 2020 and reelected in 2022. She represents the 74th Assembly District, which includes Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano in South Orange County – down through Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Vista and part of Fallbrook in North San Diego County.. SC

GUEST OPINION | Laurie’s Latest

All Eyes on the State Budget

taxes could be coming.

The nation’s most populous state – with an economy that is the fifth-largest in the world – is facing its biggest deficit by dollars in state history, but how did we get here?

As I am sure you are aware, California is facing an unprecedentedly large $68 billion budget deficit this coming year, despite ample warnings from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) about potential shortfalls in tax revenue. Now, Gov. Newsom is preparing to present his proposed budget, as concerns begin to grow about what spending cuts or new

SO, WHAT’S NEXT? There are growing fears Rising Cost of Goods/Services GUEST OPINION BY LAURIE DAVIES that the State Legislature California has been struggling may place the financial since last year because of the burden on taxpayers, but rising prices of most goods the reality is that raising and services and how the U.S. government has been trying to control it. taxes to balance the budget will only drive more people out of the state. We need to be lowering taxes, making it Increased Cost of Borrowing The increased cost of borrowing easier for people to live, grow and thrive money is impacting both individuals in this state.

Outside of new taxes, the governor will and businesses, resulting in reduced home purchases and decreased hiring also be considering some major budget by companies. Consequently, this trend cuts, including: is causing a decline in state tax revenues.

• Public Safety

San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

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W

are officially back for the 2024 Legislative Session, and all eyes are on the State Budget.

sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT

Editor’s Pick

ity and focus while letting go of self-doubt.

The class provides a relaxing and clarifying guided meditation, an exploration of the craft of collage, and the opportunity to go home with your own “Reiki-Infused” Vision Board. Visit smallspaceart.com for booking information. Small Space Art Collective, 210 Calle de Los Molinos, San Clemente. smallspaceart.com.

The List What’s going on in and around town this week

TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano provides free admission for teachers on the second Saturday of every month. Free teacher admission with valid teacher ID. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

THURSDAY | JAN. 11 LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this San Clemente lounge known for its entertainment.

Bonfire Unplugged will perform. Iva Lee’s Restaurant & Lounge, 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.8255. ivalees.com.

FRIDAY | JAN. 12 YOUTH PROGRAMMING AT THE NOBLE PATH FOUNDATION 4:30 p.m. The Noble Path Foundation hosts events multiple times a week to get youth and young adults out and about and participating in safe, productive activities. There will be an improv lesson from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and TGIF Night starting at 6 p.m.—the theme being video games on numerous consoles. The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.234.7259. thenoblepathfoundation.org.

LINE DANCING FRIDAYS 10-11 a.m. Join Age Well Senior Services for line dancing every Friday at San Clemente’s senior center. No partner required. For a $5 donation, learn some easy and fun line dances to get you moving. Carrie Wojo teaches all over South Orange County and makes it easy to stay active and have fun. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. 949.498.3322.

LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this San Clemente lounge known for its entertainment.

Leroy and the Bad Browns will perform. Iva Lee’s Restaurant & Lounge, 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.8255. ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT BEACHFIRE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular Downtown San Clemente restaurant. Reggae artist Brudda Adrian will perform. BeachFire Bar and Grill, 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.366.3232. beachfire.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S AT THE TRACKS 7 p.m. Live outdoor music is featured at this South Orange County eatery. Roots/Americana/Blues/Rock musician Shawn Jones will perform. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593.

San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

Photo: Courtesy of Casa Romantica

FRIDAY | JANUARY 12 MADELINE’S TREASURES AT CASA ROMANTICA 6-8 p.m. Casa Romantica will host a free opening reception for its newest exhibit, James Irvine Swinden’s curation of paintings collected by the late Madeline Martin Swinden. The couple collected these wonderful examples of contemporary California Impressionism while attending many of the California plein air invitationals held over the past quarter-century.

These paintings are being exhibited to the public for the first time at Casa Romantica. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.or

trevorsatthetracks.com.

SATURDAY | JAN. 13 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles.

No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

DANA POINT FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. California farmers bring fresh produce to sell at the Dana Point Farmers Market and craft vendors provide a large selection of art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, candles, handmade soaps and unique one-ofa-kind gifts. It is strongly recommended that customers bring their own reusable bags. La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point.

GEEKS WHO DRINK TRIVIA NIGHT 7-9 p.m. Left Coast Brewing presents trivia modeled after pub quizzes in Ireland and the United Kingdom, covering everything from Hungary to the Hunger Games. Teams can include up to six people. Winning teams earn bar cash and other prizes. Left Coast Tasting Room, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. eventvesta.com.

DANA POINT NATURE INTERPRETIVE CENTER DOCENT WALK -- WHALE WALK & TALK 9-11 a.m. Visit the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center on the second Saturdays of

the month during the Gray Whale Migration and learn more about the offshore visitors that can frequently be seen from the Dana Point Headlands. All walks start from the Nature Interpretive Center and are approximately 1½ to 2 hours long. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point. 949.248.3527. dpnaturalresources@danapoint.org.

TIDE POOL HIKE, HATCH AND RELEASE TOUR, AND SAIL ON THE ‘SPIRIT OF DANA POINT’ 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute for a tide pool hike along the rocky Marine Conservation Area led by one of their expert naturalists. The hike is rated moderately difficult at a 1-1½-mile round trip. Attendees should be prepared for rocky, uneven and slick terrain for the entire hike. Admission is $15 for those 3 and older. Visitors can contribute to research on white sea bass and learn about their role in ocean health on a behind-thescenes tour of the Ocean Institute’s hatch and release program. In the afternoon, set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tallship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tallship. Must be 4 years or older to sail. Tickets are $65.The Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org.

ART CLASSES AT SMALL SPACE ART COLLECTIVE 1-2:30 p.m. Stick to your New Year’s resolutions by creating a vision board and following mindful Reiki practices. Combining Reiki meditation with this process helps find clar-

Page 14

LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this San Clemente lounge known for its entertainment.

Bunch of Guys will perform. Iva Lee’s Restaurant & Lounge, 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite E, San Clemente. 949.361.8255. ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT BEACHFIRE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular Downtown San Clemente restaurant. Pop artist Sugarlips will perform. BeachFire Bar and Grill, 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.366.3232. Beachfire.com.

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Wild Child will perform. Tickets are $30. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S INN 9 p.m. Live music is featured at this South Orange County staple. The 33 Thunder Band will perform. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S AT THE TRACKS 7 p.m. Live outdoor music is featured at this South Orange County eatery. Eclectic singer-songwriter Helena Holleran will perform.

Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

SUNDAY | JAN. 14 SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers along Avenida Del Mar. 949.361.8200.san-clemente.org.

INTRO TO SEWING AT SMALL SPACE ART 1-4:30 p.m. Jump into sewing and learn what you need to get going in one session. In this 3½- hour workshop you’ll learn what you need to get started sewing on your own or to take a more advanced sewing workshop. This session is fun and engaging, and you’ll go home with a cute and functional phone bag.

All materials provided. Visit smallspaceart. com for booking information. Small Space sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT

Art Collective, 210 Calle de Los Molinos, San Clemente. smallspaceart.com.

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 7 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. Cubensis, a re-creation of the Grateful Dead Experience, will perform. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S AT THE TRACKS 6 p.m. Live outdoor music is featured at this South Orange County eatery. Blues, R&B, pop artist Jodi Siegel will perform. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

MONDAY | JAN. 15 BRIDGE GAME 12:30 p.m. The South Orange County Bridge Club hosts bridge games, Monday through Saturday. The club is a nonprofit owned by the members and welcomes people to use their minds and develop new friendships. They also offer classes for bridge players of different levels. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE:

MARC COHN EMBRACING A RETURN TO THE STAGE

BY DAVE GIL DE RUBIO

I

f one word could be used to describe Marc Cohn’s career, it would be “measured.” His last album of original material was 2007’s “Join the Parade” (2010’s “Listening Booth: 1970” was an all-covers affair of songs from that particular year). And while the past decade has found him getting tapped by longtime friend/mentor John Leventhal to contribute material to projects by storied Stax/ Volt artist William Bell (2017’s “This Is Where I Live”) and legendary outfit The Blind Boys of Alabama (2019’s “Work To Do”), a solo Cohn album shouldn’t be expected now or shortly.

Instead, the Ohio native is embracing a return to the stage by hitting the road for a run of shows to start 2024, including appearances at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Jan. 20.

While the uncertainties of the pandemic led many artists to write, record or pursue other creative pursuits, Cohn didn’t go down that path. Apprehension and concern about COVID-19 instead consumed the thoughts of this resident of New York City’s Upper West Side.

“For most of the past 2½ years, I did no touring, very little writing and very little of anything except worrying, which as a New York City Jew, worrying was the most familiar thing,” he said.

“I tried to keep myself busy with various things and tried a lot to write. But the possibility that nobody knew for a period if we’d ever get back on stage and do live music again safely was unsettling, to say the least. That’s my main gig – touring. Not having that for a San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

Juan Capistrano. galesenter@cox.net.

COUNTRY NIGHT AT H.H. COTTON’S 5:30-6:45 p.m. This popular downtown restaurant offers a night full of country music and line dancing for all ages. Beginners can participate in this $10 Introduction to Line Dancing lesson with instructor Anne Leslie. H.H. Cotton’s, 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

949.945.6616. hhcottons.com.

OPEN JAM 7-10 p.m. Play your own percussion, acoustic or electric instruments every Monday night at Knuckleheads. Amps are allowed, but drums are not. Knuckleheads, 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

SMOKEY KARAOKE AT BEACHFIRE 8 p.m. Come down and take the stage at this popular Downtown San Clemente restaurant.

BeachFire Bar and Grill, 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.366.3232. beachfire.com.

TUESDAY | JAN. 16 STORYTIME AT THE SJC LIBRARY 10:30-11 a.m. Bring the kids to storytime, held couple of years was bad on every level.”

Cohn’s musical journey was rather unorthodox, starting with him picking up a guitar around the age of 10 or 11 before adding piano to his repertoire when he was an 18-year-old attending Oberlin College. But before that, it was watching The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show” (“That was transcendent,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was looking at. I just know that I loved it.”) and being exposed to classical music via famed composer/conductor George Szell, who was also Cohn’s neighbor when he was growing up in Cleveland.

“He lived next door to us, and he had a crush on my mother,” Cohn recalled.

“As a result, he gave us his box seat at Severance Hall, where the orchestra played whenever they played in town. I would go with my mother – I don’t think my dad ever came. I think he knew about the crush. I would just listen to this unbelievable classical music that I had no background in or sense of reference.

That’s one of my earliest memories – going to hear an orchestra when I was 6 or 7.

“Also, listening to him play. He would keep the windows open and practice certain things he was going to conduct on the piano. He would have the charts all laid out. I actually wrote a song about it called ‘Maestro’ that tells this whole story. I’d listen to him play through the window, because my room was sort of parallel to his practice room.”

Cohn, 64, made an early mark in his career when he won a 1992 Grammy for Best New Artist on the strength of his acclaimed 1991 self-titled debut album and its hit single, “Walking in Memphis.” But a key piece of advice he received a while before then from a music industry titan has served him well throughout his career.

“Before I got signed to Atlantic, I remember seeing Jerry Wexler sitting in the corner at a party, and nobody knew who he was,” Cohn recalled.

every Tuesday morning. Children will get to read books and sing songs. The event is geared for the 2- to 6-year-old age range. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. ocpl.org.

WEDNESDAY | JAN. 17 NATIVE AMERICAN BASKET-WEAVING DEMONSTRATIONS 10 a.m.-noon. Native American traditions are alive and well at Mission San Juan Capistrano thanks to a small group of Native Americans who have maintained the art of basket weaving. Demonstrations take place in the front courtyards. Free with admission. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

BINGO AT THE SENIOR CENTER 1:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, the Dorothy Visser Senior Center will host Bingo. The center will begin selling cards at 1 p.m., with the game starting promptly at 1:30. The buy-in is $12 for 10 games with four cards and a special pickyour-number game. For more information, contact the center at 949.498.3322. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente.

YOUTH PROGRAMMING AT THE NOBLE PATH FOUNDATION 4:30-7:30 p.m. The Noble Path Foundation hosts events multiple times a week to get youth and young adults out and about and participating in safe, productive activities. Guitar lessons start at 4:30 p.m., followed by a fitness class at 5:30 p.m., and Creative Collaboration at 6:30 p.m. The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.234.7259. thenoblepathfoundation.org.

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE 6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends or show up solo and join a team.

The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads is open for food, 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 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

Marc Cohn will headline The Coach House on Friday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Jan. 20. Photo: Drew Gurian

“I was about 19 or 20, and I went up to him and basically kissed the ring. I asked if he would mind if I sent him a demo. He said no and said I could send it to him. I never thought he’d respond, but a month or two later, I did send him something, and he got back to me. In his gruff, wonderful voice he said, ‘Do you want a piece of advice I heard from Ray Charles?’ I said,‘Yes, please.’ He said, ‘Your songs are good – you need to work on them a lot more, and your singing is way over the top. Ray Charles told me to always sing like you’ve got a full cup of coffee and not one drop goes over the edge.’ I took that to heart, and I’ve been trying to sing with no drops going over the edge for the last few years. When I hear people that do sing over the top, to me, that’s the opposite of soul.”

For now, Cohn plans to limit his singing like he’s got a full cup of java to his performanc-

Page 15

es in front of live audiences. “I’ve always been slow to get to a full record concept,” he said. “I have no other plans to be in the studio. John (Leventhal) is producing another project that I’m trying to write some lyrics for, so I do a lot of that lately. I’m trying to write stuff for other people. Mainly when John calls, I answer. After that, it’s really just a matter of touring.”

SHOW DETAILS WHAT: Marc Cohn with Chelsea Williams WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Jan. 20 WHERE: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano COST: Tickets start at $40 INFO: thecoachhouse.com sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Senior Dating Deal-Breaker? Multiple Marriages Debated I

n December, a divorced married three times. She woman named Margie, said no.

63, married three times, I said, “How about you? emailed, stating that she She said, “Seven.” had met a single divorced I responded, “Seven man, 66. She asked, times?” She became defen“Should the number of sive and was irked by my marriages each has had question. That was our fimatter? How many marnal date. She’d had enough riages before it becomes of me, and I was scared to a red flag? We met two continue dating her. weeks ago.”

And then my friend Jim ON LIFE AND LOVE I responded to Margie: and I met an attractive AFTER 50 “It is not uncommon for

BY TOM BLAKE woman, 61, during breakpeople our age to have fast at R.J’s Café in Dana had more than one marPoint. riage. Does that make us tainted? Does that We told her we were both single men mean we’re bad people? No. who had lost our partners during 2022.

“I’ve had three marriages, and my part- She said she was widowed after 11 years ner of 25 years, Greta, also had three. Hav- of marriage. ing the same number of marriages was one When Jim and I saw her at breakfast of the things we had in common, so it was three months later, we asked her to join us a positive thing we both had multiple mar- just to chat for a few minutes. The topic of riages. Neither wanted a fourth marriage. the number of previous marriages came up.

We had a great relationship before she I asked her if she had been married passed.” more than once. She nodded yes. I held up Other senior singles have asked me the two fingers. She said no. Three fingers. She “how many marriages?” question recently. said no. Four fingers, no. Five fingers, no. Six Perhaps it’s because Valentine’s Day is only fingers – finally, yes. a month away and some seniors are ponJim and I were dumbfounded. Her andering the marriage issue. swer surprised us. She was such a soft-spoDoes the number of marriages a senior ken, pleasant, and shy person. We didn’t had matter? Right off the top, I say no. How- ask for details, and she wasn’t about to ofever, if the number exceeds four, or if the fer them. number is zero, I think the couple needs In 2024, does the number of times a to discuss the whys and why not of their person has been married matter? Many semarriage number. Just to see if there’s a niors have been married more than once. red flag.

Most singles 75-plus don’t want to remarry, Last year, a few months after Greta but most of them would relish a nice relapassed away, I was lonely and missed fe- tionship, regardless of the number of times male companionship. So, I started dating. a potential new partner was married.

The number of marriages a potential mate Sandy, a reader, wrote: “There is no need had didn’t matter to me. to be scared off by the number of marOr so I thought. riages – until you investigate the circumThree of the women I dated were wid- stances. But eight would cause me to take ows. The first had been married five times. a breath.”

I had known her for years, and she had I agree with Sandy. many fine qualities, so her five marriagTom Blake is a retired Dana Point busies didn’t bother me. But she very quickly ness owner and resident who has authored moved on. It wasn’t the number of mar- books on middle-aged dating. See his website riages either one had; it was most likely the as findingloveafter50.com. To comment: age difference. I was merely 23 years older. tompblake@gmail.com.. SC The second widow’s husband was 25 PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion years older than she. I didn’t know if he opinions opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The had been her only husband until one night, opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If when we were enjoying an adult beverage, alone you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ I asked her if it mattered that I had been sanclementetimes.com.

San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente Historical Society

FROM THE ARCHIVES Marksmanship Course participants on the practice range in 1965. These youngsters, ages 10 to 18, were members of the Junior Rifle Club of the San Clemente Peace Officers Association. The course consisted of instruction in safety precautions, proper handling of firearms, and basic marksmanship. The instructors were San Clemente police officers.This photo can be purchased from the San Clemente Historical Society at sanclementehistoricalsociety.org.

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 ryoungman@picketfencemedia.com.

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Cassie

Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

This pretty girl is Cassie, a spayed female Palomino rabbit looking for her forever home. Three and a half years old, Cassie is a sweet and laid-back bunny with a great personality. She can be a little shy at first meeting, but she warms up quickly and is easy to handle.

Cassie has good litter-box habits and would make a good first rabbit for someone.

If you are interested in adopting Cassie, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. SC

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares.

To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.

Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

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l

18th Annua

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THE RESULTS ARE IN! See who won February 8, 2024

To reserve your advertising space in this special edition, please contact Lauralyn Loynes at lloynes@picketfencemedia.com or call 949-547-9140.

San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20236678981 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: THANK GOD 23481 BELMAR DRIVE LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677 Full Name of Registrant(s): 1.) STERLING WITBECK 23481 BELMAR DRIVE LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677 2.) GRANT LAWRENCE 24362 LOS SERRANOS DRIVE LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677 This business is conducted by a General Partnership.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: 8/1/2021 /s/STERLING WITBECK This statement was filed with the County Clerk on 12/19/2023.

Published in: San Clemente Times, December 28, 2023, January 4, 11, 18, 2024 \ PUBLIC NOTICE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 23 FL000801 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Winona Wong Chavez on behalf of Jaden Jah Hong Hernandez-Wong, a minor filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

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Present Name JADEN JAH HONG HERNANDEZ-WONG Proposed Name JADEN JAH HONG WONG THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at 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 scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing Date: 2/15/2024 Time: 1:30 p.m. Dept: TBD The address of the court is: Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Post Office Box 14170, Orange, CA 92868. Other: Remote. (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the courts website, go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm.)

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 Other: Proof of Publication to general public deemed complete. Petitioner is ordered to provide service to other parent per Minute Order.

Date: 11/15/2023 JUDGE ZARI HADJIAN, Judge of the Superior Court Published: San Clemente Times December 28, 2023, January 4, 11, 18, 2024

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY We Are Your Personal Injury Lawyers

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PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

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SC SPORTS

TRITON REPORT

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

For in-game updates, news and more for all the San Clemente High School sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports and on Instagram @South_OC_Sports.

Girls Basketball Rolls 8-Game Win Streak into League Play

From hot, to cold, back to blazing hot, the San Clemente girls basketball team has played this season in streaks, but the Tritons were back into their winning groove, as they opened the South Coast League at Aliso Niguel on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

After a slow early going, San Clemente turned up the press to kick-start a 20-0 first-quarter run to sprint away from the host Wolverines, 71-34, and extend their season-high win streak to eight games.

“I felt like we were getting really good looks. We just weren’t getting them down,” San Clemente coach Kerri Husbands said. “I’m just trying to tell them we’re doing the right things, we’re getting the right looks, the shots will start to fall.”

Those shots started to fall off the efforts of senior Claire Pham. As San Clemente (13-6) kicked up its full-court press, Pham scored three consecutive baskets off back-to-back steals by herself and another by senior Sienna Taus. Pham scored eight points in the first quarter and posted a game-high total of 16 points.

“Claire is an extremely explosive player,” Husbands said. “We’re not shooting well, and then all of a sudden, she hits three shots in a row. She’s our leading scorer.

She hit 1,000 points this year. She flat out knows how to put it in the basket.”

Taus followed her steal and assist to Pham by nailing a 3-point shot and putting in back-to-back baskets with a layup.

Taus and Pham are just two of three active seniors on a younger Tritons roster filled with talented freshmen and sophomores with impact juniors.

“Sienna does all of the little things that don’t show up all the time in the stat book,” Husbands said. “She does provide a real calming presence to the younger players on the court. She’s always coaching and telling where to be, probably one of our better communicators on the floor.”

To end the first-quarter explosion, San Clemente moved the ball quickly up to junior Jamie Morgan, who drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. The Tritons led, 20-1, San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

San Clemente girls basketball has won eight games in a row, including a 37-point win at Aliso Niguel to open South Coast League play on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Photo: Zach Cavanagh

after the first quarter and 29-6 at halftime.

San Clemente led, 52-26, after three quarters and put in a full complement of bench players for the fourth quarter to seal the 71-34 win.

Sophomore point guard Ellie Anderson scored eight points, and Taus, Morgan and sophomore Reese Tremper each scored seven points.

San Clemente opened the season by winning its first five games, but that was followed by a six-game slide beginning with a tough tournament performance in Hawaii. Husbands said the team was without Anderson running the point for that stretch, which contributed to the downswing.

And while the Tritons are back on an upward trajectory, Husbands sees, with the ever-critical coach’s eye, more work to go for her squad to reach a higher level.

“It’s fun to have a talented, fun to have a group that works really, really hard, but at the same time, we’ve got so much work to do,” Husbands said. “We have so much potential, and now it’s can we put the work in and live up to the potential?”

San Clemente, ranked No. 10 in CIF-SS Division 2AA, continues South Coast League play at Trabuco Hills next Tuesday, Jan. 16, and hosts Tesoro next Thursday, Jan. 18.

The Tritons’ first critical matchup with

reigning league champion San Juan Hills is on the road on Jan. 22.

Boys, Girls Wrestling Capture South Coast League Championships

Both the San Clemente boys and girls wrestling teams captured South Coast League championships in home dual meets over Aliso Niguel on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

The Triton girls opened the night with a 45-27 victory over the Wolverines, and the San Clemente boys closed out the night with a 57-15 win over visiting Aliso Niguel.

The next league action will come at the South Coast League Finals on Jan. 20, where wrestlers will compete for CIFSS qualification. The CIF-SS individual championships are Feb. 9-10.

Both teams will also wrestle in the CIF-SS team championships on Jan. 27 and 31.

The San Clemente boys wrestling program also successfully hosted its 49th annual Rotary Tournament last Saturday, Jan. 6, at San Clemente High School. The Tritons captured the team championship with three individual titles from junior Caydin Chan at 108 pounds, senior Jacob Belden at 152 pounds and sophomore Kelan Stever at 167 pounds.

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Belden was also named the Upper Weight MVP of the tournament. Belden won by fall in all four of his tournament matches, including a 25-second pin in the first round and a 58-second pin in the semifinals.

League-Opening Schedules

San Clemente’s boys basketball and soccer teams opened up their South Coast League schedules on Wednesday, Jan. 10, but results were not available at press time. Tritons boys basketball is next at Tesoro on Friday, Jan. 12, and San Clemente boys soccer hosts Capistrano Valley on Friday.

San Clemente girls soccer opens league play on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 5 p.m. as the Tritons host Aliso Niguel. The San Clemente program will also retire the jersey of Lauren Brzykcy, who won a national championship with UCLA in 2022 and currently plays for San Diego Wave FC in the NWSL. San Clemente girls water polo kicked off the South Coast League with a 19-4 drubbing of San Juan Hills on Tuesday. The Tritons played at El Toro on Wednesday, but results were not available at press time. San Clemente hosts Laguna Beach in a nonleague game on Friday and gets back to league action at Trabuco Hills next Tuesday, Jan. 16. SC sanclementetimes.com

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SC SURF

2024 WSL SEASON STARTS WITH A BANG World Junior Championships in Oceanside, SLO CAL Open in Pismo Beach, Pipe Pro in Hawaii on tap

BY JAKE HOWARD

A

fter a run of pretty epic winter swells in California the past couple weeks, the World Surf League has no shortage of big events coming down the pipeline. By the time you read this, the World Junior Championships will be well underway in Oceanside, while up north, the Qualifying Series’ SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach is ramping up. And at the end of the month, the Championship Tour kicks off with the Pipe Pro in Hawaii. If you’re a fan of pro surfing, there’s plenty to get fired up for this month.

The World Junior Championships will feature 24 men and 24 women of the best under-20 surfers from around the world. As far as local talent goes, San Clemente’s Jett Schilling, Taj Lindblad and Bella Kenworthy are all in the draw and will be looking to etch their names on the world title trophy. Other surfers in the draw include fellow Americans Levi Slawson, Alyssa Spencer and Zoe Benedetto, as well as rising stars Erin Brooks and her bestie, Sky Brown. They’ve made their way into the event either by regional qualifiers or by one of the 10 wild cards selected by the WSL Tours and Competition team. Besides the cash

GROMS OF THE WEEK

RUBY STRINGFELLOW

BY JAKE HOWARD

Big ups to San Clemente’s Ruby Stringfellow, who’s been on a tear in USA Surfing’s West Coast Surfing Prime events. Last weekend, she headed up to Santa Cruz for the competition, and in the large, cold conditions stood strong San Clemente Times January 11 - January 17, 2024

and notoriety, the 2023 World Junior Champions will be awarded spots on the 2024 Challenger Series. The waiting period for the WSL World Junior Championships runs from January 9-14.

“I’m really excited to compete in the World Junior Championships again, and I’m excited it’s in Oceanside,” Brooks said in a press statement. “I’ve spent a lot of time here, so I’m really confident at the wave, and hopefully I can put on a good performance. I’m honored to be among so many amazing up-andcoming surfers. If I were to win, it’d give me the confidence to try and make the CT and hopefully win world titles someday.”

After that, the SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach kicks off on January 22 on the Central California coast.

Again, Slawson and Benedetto are going to be among those to watch, but local legend Kolohe Andino is also riding high on the North America Qualifying Ratings. A favorite in any Qualifying Series event he surfs, Andino’s been surfing tack-sharp lately, and there’s no reason he can’t go the distance at the Pismo pier.

Finally, the month wraps up with the start of the 2024 Championship Tour in Hawaii. With world

to take her second Under-14 win in as many events. It was hardly a walk in the park, but she was able to negotiate the big, wintertime swells at Steam Lane and put in a brilliant performance.

During a great weekend for a number of area surfers, San Clemente’s Peeta Kenworthy took third in the same division, while Tanner Sandvig took third in the Under 14 Boys and Eden Walla won the Under 18 Girls division.

Prior to her run up the coast, Ruby recorded her first USA Surfing Prime win

San Clemente’s Sawyer Lindblad will make her rookie debut on the WSL Championship Tour later this month when the 2024 season kicks off in Hawaii. Photo: Courtesy of Tostee/WSL

No. 3 Griffin Colapinto leading the charge, he’s got a whole crew of fired-up rookies behind him, including his younger brother Crosby, Cole Houshmand, Kade Matson and Sawyer Lindblad. The crew has been working hard throughout the offseason to get their boards, bodies and minds ready for the big year ahead.

Between time in the gym and trips to Hawaii, they look ready. This is the most exciting rookie class to join the Championship Tour in years, and with the WSL Finals returning

to Lowers at the end of the season in September, it’s time to get fired up.

To have so many local surfers doing such amazing things at the highest levels of the sport, it illustrates just why this area in South Orange County is such a hotbed for American surf talent and how deep that talent runs. From the World Junior Championships to the Championship Tour, it’s time to start cheering and showing those local surfers just what they mean to the community.

It’s on in 2024.

in Huntington Beach earlier in the season. She’s also been making her presence felt among the WSA ranks and collecting plenty of hardware there, as well.

Dedicating herself to her surfing goals, you may find Ruby putting in the hard yards training in and out of the water.

Starting the new year with a bang, we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2024 has in store for Ruby.

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com.SC

Ruby Stringfellow (far left). Photo: Courtesy of USA Surfing USuSurfing

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