January 28, 2020

LO C A L

January 28-February 3, 2021

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

CoastLines

by Fred Swegles: E-Bikes and Safety (Part 2) PAGE 13

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 5

Supply & Demand

South OC Opens POD Site; Vaccine Supply, Appointment Scheduling Still Obstacles E Y E O N S C / PAG E 5

The second regional super POD vaccination site in Orange County opened on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. Photo: Lillian Boyd

State Reports First Unemployment Increase Since Start of Pandemic EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

State Lifts Stay-at-Home Order EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

sanclementetimes.com

Council Paves Way for In-N-Out to Open by Year’s End EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

Page 2

sanclementetimes.com

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week State Reports First Unemployment Increase Since Start of Pandemic THE LATEST: California’s workforce continued to feel the pinch from the pandemic and resulting economic crisis, as the jobless rate grew to 9% in the month of December—when new stay-at-home orders were issued for the state amid the winter surge of the coronavirus.

According to the state’s jobs report released on Friday, Jan. 22, more than 52,000 nonfarm jobs were lost in December, causing unemployment to increase by 0.9% compared to the previous month. Orange County, which accounted for about 8,100 of those lost jobs, experienced a similar uptick, with unemployment growing to 7.4%, up from the 6.4% in November.

The latest unemployment numbers from California’s Employment Development Department marked the first time the state saw a rise in the jobless rate since April 2020—a month after the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. At that time, unemployment was reported at 16.2%, with nearly three million Californians out of work.

“Despite December’s losses, California has regained more than 44 percent of the 2,615,800 nonfarm jobs that were lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April,” the state noted in its report.

Among the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, the three towns collectively had an unemployment rate of 6.6% in December, an increase of 1.2% from the previous month.

San Clemente had the largest unemployment rate, with 6.8% of its labor force out of work, according to the state’s data.

Dana Point’s jobless rate was at 6.6%, while 6.3% of San Juan’s labor force was unemployed last month.

The leisure and hospitality industry took the biggest hit in December, losing 117,000 payroll jobs statewide. More than 14,000 of those positions were lost here in Orange County, according to the jobs report.

Considerable job gains were seen in the construction industry, as well as the professional and business services sector, and in trade, transportation and utilities.

Construction saw the biggest gains, with 31,600 new payroll jobs. Another 29,600 jobs were regained in the professional and San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

Restaurants can reopen for outdoor dining services after the state this week lifted the regional stayat-home orders that were imposed last month amid the surge in coronavirus cases. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

business services industry.

Prior to December, the state began to see glimpses of economic improvement.

However, amid the surge of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, resulting in a significant depletion of beds in intensive care units, the state imposed another round of regional stay-at-home orders.

The Southern California region, which includes the counites of Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego, went into lockdown on Dec. 7, after the area’s available ICU capacity dropped below the 15% threshold. The order, which was lifted this week, put a moratorium on all in-person dining, bars, breweries, wineries, hair salons and barbershops, and personal care services.—Shawn Raymundo

State Explains Math for Lifting Stay-at-Home Order; Purple OC Sees Decreases THE LATEST: For the first time in many months, there is broad optimism about

the coronavirus metrics around the state and locally, as California lifted its regional stay-at-home orders on Monday, Jan. 25, and hospitalizations and positivity rates showed continued decreases this week.

With the stay-at-home orders lifted, it brought back the returned focus on the state’s four-tiered, color-coded, county-bycounty coronavirus monitoring system— where Orange County remained deep in the highest-risk purple “widespread” tier, despite decent decreases in all of its metrics.

The lifting of the order also brought questions, particularly in the Southern California region. The orders were set to lift when the state’s four-week projections on available ICU capacity went back above the 15% threshold, but as of Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Southern California region remained at 0% adjusted available ICU capacity.

Based on the state’s projection model, Southern California is set to be at 33% ICU availability on Feb. 21, which made the region eligible to exit the order. In a video conference on Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly

San Clemente

TOTAL CASES

COVID-19 UPDATES as of 1/26/21

cases

deaths

TOTAL

2,524

20

963

7

LAST 30 DAYS

LAST 30 DAYS

est. population • 65,405 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

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explained the state’s math and defended the state’s decision to lift the orders when it did.

“We did, for a period of time over the holidays, make sure that the testing numbers were solid, that they were tracking with what we expected them to be on average, that we could account for any changes,” Dr. Ghaly said, “so that when we made a final projection … they were reliable and we could be confident in what is a fairly weighty decision for three major areas and regions of our state.”

Dr. Ghaly also defended the use of stay-at-home orders in general, which have seemingly provided results with decreases in nearly every metric across the board after reaching post-holiday peaks.

“We were concerned that without mitigation, without the stay-at-home order, without the hard work many Californians put in in the month of December,” Dr. Ghaly said. “We think that meaningfully decreased up to 25,000 hospital admissions, 5,000 ICU admissions, which not only protect our health system, but translate into real lives saved across our state.”

Dr. Ghaly reported a 9% 14-day testing positivity rate in California with a 7.9% seven-day rate, both decreases from last week’s 11.6% 14-day average and 7.9% seven-day average as downward trends continued. The 14-day rate was 13.5% 14 days ago.

Hospitalizations saw even larger decreases than last week, with a 20.4% decrease statewide over the past 14 days and a 10.6% decrease in ICU patients over the past 14 days. As of Tuesday, Orange County hospitalizations had decreased 23.8% in the past 14 days, and ICU patients had decreased 18.3% over the past 14 days.

While the death rate continued to rise, the increases were much smaller than in previous weeks.

Statewide, the 14-day daily new death average has gone up 17.2% in the past 14 days, from an average of 427.6 deaths per day to 501. Last week, the state average had increased 63.3% in the previous 14 days.

In Orange County, the 14-day daily average has gone up by 105.5% in the past 14 days, from an average of 21.5 deaths per day to 44.2. Last week, the county average had increased 274.76% in the previous 14 days.

There have been 893 coronavirusrelated deaths reported in Orange County in January. There were 1,875 deaths in the county over the previous 10 months, with August marking the previous one-month high reported at 376.

Tuesday also marked one year since the first two cases of COVID-19 were reported in California—one in Orange County and one in Los Angeles County. There have been 37,572 coronavirus-related deaths in California.

“I want to take a moment to share my own sadness and condolences with those (Cont. on page 4) sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) families, all those communities who’ve lost loved ones, who’ve had their world torn apart and turned over because of this disease,” Dr. Ghaly said.

Nationally, the U.S. now tops 25 million coronavirus cases. There have been 421,129 deaths, and the national sevenday average testing positivity is at 9.08%, down from 10.42% last week.

The state’s total new cases and case averages have dropped considerably from their winter highs. The 14-day rolling average of daily new cases dropped to 28,992.7 on Monday, markedly down from 38,902.4 on Jan. 18.

Nearly all of California is in the purple risk tier in the state’s four-tiered, colorcoded coronavirus monitoring system, with 54 of the state’s 58 counties at the highest-risk level. There are only three counties at the red “substantial” risk level, one county at the orange “moderate” risk level and none at the yellow “minimal” risk level.—Zach Cavanagh

Council Approves In-N-Out’s Appeal, Paving Way for Restaurant to Open by Year’s End THE LATEST: If all things go according to In-N-Out Burger’s schedule, San Clemente residents could be sinking their teeth into “Animal-Style Double-Doubles” at the restaurant’s newest location on Avenida Pico by the end of the year.

The city council on Tuesday, Jan. 19, waived signage and lighting conditions that the planning commission had imposed on the West Coast burger chain’s design plans, voting, 4-1, with Mayor Kathy Ward dissenting, to approve In-NOut’s appeal to those restrictions.

“If all goes well, we would hope to pull our permits and start construction soon, and the good Lord willing, to open the restaurant and begin to serve your community before the end of the year,” Jim Lockington, In-N-Out Burger’s manager of new store development, told the council. “In-N-Out is thrilled to be bringing our iconic Southern California brand to your iconic Southern California beach community.”

Noting the company’s years-long effort to find a location in San Clemente, Councilmember Laura Ferguson gushed over the project, stating that she thought “it’s beautifully done” and fits the town’s style.

“I’m very excited to see it come to town,” she said. “I know all these years, In-N-Out’s been looking at San Clemente, trying to find the right site, and this really looks wonderful, like it will work.”

Planning commissioners this past September unanimously approved the restaurant’s project plans, which proposes to construct the In-N-Out Burger franchise San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

in a city gateway area, on the site of the former California Bank & Trust building located at Pico Plaza.

Over concerns that the restaurant’s signature red LED lighting would be “incompatible” with the city’s Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, the planning commission had approved the plans with the condition that In-N-Out remove the signature cove lighting from the building.

In-N-Out’s planned 7-foot-tall monument sign was also an issue, as commissioners felt it was “unnecessary and contributes to sign pollution due to its proximity to the existing non-conforming Pico Plaza pylon sign,” the city previously explained.

Citing its own renderings of the project as part of its appeal to the conditions, InN-Out noted that those drawings “clearly show that the proposed monument sign is attractive, appropriate in size and scale, entirely compatible with the balance of the proposed improvements, and does not remotely cause ‘sign pollution.’ ” Included in the company’s appeal was also a letter of support from Henry Lenny, the architect and author of the city’s guidelines on Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. He argued that the cove lighting “does not compromise the integrity of the design of the building, its massing, detailing and the compliance of San Clemente’s Architectural Guidelines.”

“I continue to believe that this project, as designed, will be an enhancement to the overall fabric of the Architectural design goals of the City of San Clemente,” Lenny concluded in his Jan. 3 letter.

The council was initially slated to consider In-N-Out’s appeal this past November, but the company had requested a deferral to this month so it could have “time to bolster our arguments” and have Lenny submit his letter expressing support.

Touching on Lenny’s thoughts on the matter, Councilmember Steve Knoblock said he doesn’t believe the signage and lighting in In-N-Out’s plans are problematic.

Ward explained that it’s been her policy to follow recommendations from planning commissioners, noting that they’re thorough in their evaluations. Furthermore, she said, agreeing with the commission’s reasoning, “Pico is not just a gateway, it’s our main gateway to the city.”

“The monument sign, I understand why they want it, but the building is right on, it’s right adjacent to the sidewalk, it’s right on the street, and there is multiple signage on the building,” she said.

“I think it’s unfortunate that the Pico Plaza sign is there, but I think there could be a possibility to get that redone,” she continued. “I would be interested in how the city can make that happen and help everyone do that and maybe get In-N-Out on that sign.”

After the council voted, Ward said that

while she’s rooting for the company’s success, she wanted to support the city’s General Plan.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to Lockington, the company, prior to the end of last year, completed its construction drawings and submitted the plans to the city for a permit plan check.—SR

City Reports Revenues Catching Up with Previous Year’s Pace THE LATEST: Despite a slow start in the city’s revenue collections for the fiscal year, the flow of income from property and sales taxes has seemingly picked up within the second quarter, according to the city’s latest financial report.

As of Nov. 30, the city had collected more than $17.25 million in general fund revenue, or one-fourth of the $68.9 million in anticipated coffers for Fiscal Year 2021—up from the 8.3% that had been collected by Sept. 30, the end of the first quarter.

A review of the last two financial reports shows that between Sept. 30 and Nov. 30, the city’s revenue stream got a boost in property taxes, increasing from $665,145 to more than $5.84 million. Sales taxes also grew from $907,157 to nearly $3.25 million over the same period.

“Property tax is doing very well, but better yet … sales taxes, we’re seeing better returns than we had forecasted,” acting City Manager Erik Sund told the council during its Jan. 19 meeting.

The lion’s share of the city’s general fund coffers comes from property- and sales-tax revenue. For FY 2021, the city anticipates collecting nearly $9.95 million in sales taxes and $37.12 million in property taxes—the bulk of which is typically received in late fall and early spring.

When compared to the previous fiscal year, the city’s first-quarter financial report noted that revenues were behind pace, as only 8.3% had been collected so far for FY 2021, as opposed to the 11% that had been collected in the same period for Fiscal Year 2020.

In the latest summary, however, revenues appeared to have picked up by November 2020, with 25% of revenues accounted for, matching the city’s share of collections from November 2019.

“At this point last year, it was a period that didn’t have any pandemic restrictions,” Financial Services Officer Jake Rahn reminded the council this month.

He later explained that those restrictions have affected the city’s revenue stream, particularly Transient Occupancy Taxes and coffers from city services such as permits and recreational classes.

WHAT’S NEXT: Rahn also said he expects to present the city’s midyear budget ad-

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The application window for small businesses and nonprofits to apply for the state’s second round of economic relief grant funding will open on Feb. 2.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

justments to the council by February.—SR

State to Open Second Round of Economic Relief Grants to Small Businesses THE LATEST: The state next week is set to launch its second round of economic relief grant funding to small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The window for small businesses and nonprofits to apply for a grant, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, will be open from Feb. 2 through Feb. 8, with the selection notifications scheduled from Feb. 11 through Feb. 18.

According to the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, eligible businesses include those that have an annual gross revenue of $2.5 million or less, have operated since June 1, 2019 and have been impacted by health and safety restrictions.

Eligible businesses that earn between $1,000 and $100,000 in annual revenue qualify for a $5,000 grant; those that make more than $100,000 a year but less than $1 million qualify for a $15,000 grant; and businesses that earn between $1 million and $2.5 million could receive a $25,000 grant.

Applications, the state notes, will first “be reviewed to determine the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. Eligible businesses will then be scored based on COVID-19 impact factors incorporated into the Program’s priority criteria so that distribution can take into account priority key factors.”

Such factors include industry sectors hit hardest by the pandemic and underserved small business groups, as well as the health restrictions imposed under the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy—the four-tiered, color-coded coronavirus monitoring system.

More information and application guides can be found at careliefgrant.com.—Staff sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

South OC Opens POD Site Vaccine Supply, Appointment Scheduling Remain Obstacles

BY LILLIAN BOYD AND SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

H

ealth officials say Orange County has the infrastructure to distribute vaccines for COVID-19, but stress that the supply of vaccines is not meeting the demand.

Residents eligible for the vaccine are reportedly “clamoring” to claim a vaccine appointment through the county’s website (othena.com) and app (Othena). Those who managed to snag a time awaited their turn on Saturday, Jan. 23, for vaccinations at Soka University in Aliso Viejo despite the rainfall.

“The weather isn’t the best, but it’s an exciting day for the fabulous Fifth District,” Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said during her opening remarks for the launch of a new vaccination site. “Today is another exciting and significant milestone for Orange County as we open the second regional super POD site right here at Soka University.”

Officials hope to deliver as many as 4,000 doses a day at the site, seven days a week, as long as supplies are available.

Bartlett represents the county’s Fifth District, comprising mostly South County cities, including Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. The district also contains one of the largest senior populations in the county.

“While the need is great, our supply is limited. We are working as hard as we can and utilizing all our resources to secure more vaccines from the state,” Bartlett said on Saturday. “We are working on bringing smaller PODs to make vaccines more accessible.”

The county receives about 20% of the overall supply designated for Orange County, with the remaining 80% going to hospitals and health care providers. Supplies from the state and federal government have been slower to come than anticipated, officials stated during Saturday’s press briefing.

Beth Apodaca, director of the Dorothy Visser Senior Center in San Clemente, where a vaccination clinic is slated to open next month, stressed two important components to keep in mind when it comes to the distribution of the vaccine: it’s driven by appointments, and those appointments can only be made when there are enough shots available.

“Everything is determined by whether (the county) received the vaccines,” Apodaca explained. She added that pop-up sites

San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

The second regional super POD vaccination site in Orange County opened on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. Photo: Lillian Boyd

planned in several cities throughout the county can open “once they get the vaccine.

So that’s what everything is contingent on.”

Though the senior center, located on Avenida Victoria next to the fire station, is being set up as a vaccination clinic for seniors 65 and older, appointments are already booked solid. Apodaca also noted that the opening, Feb. 10, is a moving target, and one that could be rescheduled depending on the availability of the inoculations.

Dana Point officials say they are coordinating with the county for a potential pop-up distribution site, as well.

The opening of the pop-up sites planned around the county, Apodaca said, are meant to accommodate seniors who aren’t able to make the drive to Aliso Viejo and Disneyland in Anaheim, where the first Super POD site was established.

“That’s the whole philosophy behind this; they can’t get to Aliso and Disneyland,” she said, before touching on another dilemma associated with the rollout of the vaccines. “Some can’t even get the two miles here to the center.”

Scheduling appointments has come with its own set of headaches, as the county has

NAVIGATING OTHENA • Check your eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine at occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/phased-approach-vaccine-distribution.

• Despite criticism from elected officials over Othena’s performance, the county health office is recommending residents download the Othena app on a smartphone rather than visiting the webpage on a browser.

• Register on the app in order to secure a reservation. Based on their priority level, people will be notified by email or text to schedule their appointments when their turns come up to get the vaccines.

• Monitor the app for availability.

• If you are having issues with the app, you can email the developer directly at support@compositeapps.net.

• For additional questions or concerns, call the County of Orange’s COVID-19 hotline at 714.834.2000.

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required the use of Othena to register for vaccinations. In the early days of the rollout, the site had experienced complications because of the high-volume of registrants.

Apodaca noted that many seniors don’t have an email to register, let alone smart phones that they can use to access the app—an aspect of the rollout and planning that, she said, was overlooked.

“When they put that plan together, they didn’t take into account they don’t have an email … without an email you can’t register,” she said, referring largely to the much-older bloc of seniors.

For Kathy McWade of Laguna Niguel, she was able to secure an appointment at the Soka University site this past Saturday for her 92-year-old mother after having signed up on Othena the day the program was announced on Jan. 12.

“It was a huge relief,” McWade said.

“She’s very healthy for 92. But she’s a tiny woman. We’ve both been super careful, but I don’t know if she would have survived COVID if she were to get it.”

McWade says she’s unsure how her mother would have signed up on her own.

“We’re both retired, so I was able to check the app regularly for openings,” McWade said. “I originally tried signing up for the POD site at Disneyland. But it’s further out and slots were going so quickly. When I saw that there were openings at Soka, I was able to grab the 8 a.m. appointment.”

McWade and her mother arrived at 7:30 a.m. and were on their way out by 9 a.m.

“Othena has her automatically signed up for her second vaccine,” McWade said.

“I’m so happy they set up (the POD site) at Soka. But I’ll be even more relieved once both my mother and I have had our second vaccines.”

At pop-up sites, like the one in San Clemente, residents must schedule an appointment directly with the center, Apodaca explained. But in order to do so, they must already be registered with Othena. For the past few weeks, she said, volunteers with the senior center have been working to register those looking to make an appointment.

“It’s been a very difficult few weeks. The program, I’m sure, is wonderful; it’s just not made for seniors,” Apodaca said, later explaining the advice she typically gives to those signing up: “I tell everyone, don’t register on the website; download the app.

It’s user-friendly; the web has issues.”

County officials are encouraging members of the community to do just as McWade did—to periodically check Othena for availability, be patient, and help your elderly relatives get access to a vaccine.

“If you aren’t tech-savvy, reach out to a trusted relative for help, just like you would with a doctor’s appointment,” a staffer with Supervisor Bartlett’s office said.

But booking an appointment for seniors who are homebound, or have no close family members to assist them, or do not speak English, gets complicated.

(Cont. on page 6) sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

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Orange County officials hope to administer up to 4,000 vaccines per day at Soka University’s POD site in Aliso Viejo, when supplies are available. Photo: Lillian Boyd

(Cont. from page 5) As of Tuesday, Jan. 26, Othena did not offer any other language services in addition to English—an issue that was brought to light at the Board of Supervisors meeting the same day.

“The lack of alternative languages is a problem. Why was this not taken into consideration when Othena first launched?”

Chairman Andrew Do asked health officials.

According to Clayton Chau, director of the Orange County Health Care Agency, the approach was to smooth out the kinks of the program before expanding language options.

“Starting a new system, there’s always glitches, and we improve them,” Chau said. “Just because you register doesn’t guarantee an appointment. The process is too slow. It’s the frustration of not getting an appointment and not getting the vaccine. It comes down to the county not having enough vaccines.”

According to Bartlett’s office, the infrastructure for vaccine distribution is established and ready, but the supply of vaccines is not. Earlier this month, the county announced it would be launching “Operation Independence,” in which officials would collaborate with the Orange County Fire Authority to help administer COVID-19 vaccinations to residents countywide.

“We are being very vocal with the state,” Bartlett said during the board meeting, addressing Chau. “We’ve got people clamoring to get vaccinated. We don’t have the vaccines. We’ve got to coordinate better with the state. Whatever you can do to drive home that point with health officers will make the difference.

We’ve got to make this happen.”

As the board meeting commenced, the California Health and Human Services Department held a conference call to provide statewide COVID-19 updates.

“We understand that the vaccine supply is limited, but we also need to address San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

that the supply we have now needs to get administered as quickly as possible,” said Yolanda Richardson, the director for the state’s Government Operations Agency.

Richardson said the CHHS is considering working with third-party administrators to improve efficiency of distribution and is building a network of vaccine administration to include public health systems, pharmacies, public hospitals, community health clinics, and pop-up and mobile sites.

However, Orange County and other California counties continue to struggle with not knowing when vaccines will arrive and in what quantity.

“We continue to hear that being a problem,” Richardson said. “Advance notice is definitely going to help with distribution.

We don’t know at this time when that’s going to change, but we’re letting (counties) know that’s something we are all looking forward to.”

According to data made available weekly by the Orange County Health Care Agency, roughly 118,000 people have received one dose of the vaccine, while nearly 30,000 people have received their second dose since Dec. 15.

When the San Clemente pop-up site does open, the center is looking at getting about 500 seniors vaccinated, according to Apodaca. The endeavor, she continued, will require doctors and nurses that the county sends down to administer the shots, as well as several local volunteers to help sanitize areas and waiting chairs, and to also monitor each senior for about 15 to 20 minutes after they’ve received the shot.

“If we can help 500 seniors stay alive, we’ll jump through the hoops,” she said, adding: “We have an amazing community in San Clemente that has really stepped up for seniors. Working with the city, because we’re not operated by the city, they stepped up with helping me with parking, getting help with the CERT (Community Engagement Response Team) group … they’ve been a blessing.” SC Page 6

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San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

Letters to the Editor PLENTY OF BLAME ON BOTH SIDES TINA TAYLOR, San Clemente

Shame on Duane Paul Murphy’s ranting letter to the editor. I do not recall any letters from you all summer when there was rioting, looting, assaults and multiple police killed. Now there were more riots on Inauguration Day in Portland and Seattle by those pesky “left leaning” parties.

I am not seeing much outcry over this in the news. All violence is wrong, and many people of all races were involved then and now.

We need to “legally take on” the extremists on both sides of the political spectrum.

There are plenty of extreme left leaning people who commit horrible acts.

Name-calling is never appropriate in any argument. In reference to your anti-lockdown rant, the government never has the right to lock anyone down unless they have been convicted of a crime, so everyone should be concerned about government overreach and the crisis this has caused.

We do not have to be associated with a hate group to feel this way.

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

Recognize this quote? It is from the Declaration of Independence. You might want to read up on some history of America to remember it was founded by people who complained and eventually fought against an unfair government.

Half of America wants our government to go one way and half want it to go another way; neither group is evil or worthy of insults and people like you who spew out incendiary insults, unequally to only those they pick and choose, do America real harm.

SELFISHNESS LUCIA BONNAUD, San Clemente

A few Sundays ago, it was a beautiful sunny day in San Clemente, perfect for a short hike on the San Clemente trail off of Avenida Salvador.

I grabbed my iPhone, earphones and mask to enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise and appreciate the beautiful town that I am fortunate to live in.

There were a lot of other people enjoying the trail also: families and bikers crowded the trail, people mask-less and masked. Those families who were not

masked usually kept a sufficient distance between themselves and others.

Then I came upon a group of five mask-less women in their 30s and 40s, laughing, talking and enjoying themselves. Doubtful that they were roommates or from the same household.

My hike was ruined from that point on.

I was reminded of a text from one of our neighbors about how her daughter, a nurse, was exhausted at a local hospital from being overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. How she warned us to be extra careful because the hospitals were truly overwhelmed.

I couldn’t get over the resentfulness and anger I felt toward those who somehow rationalize that the sacrifices we all have to make do not apply to them. Those of us who are trying to be responsible and caring about our fellow citizens would love to spend time with our friends on a beautiful sunny day.

Of course, there will be those who say if you want to isolate yourself, that is your prerogative, that not that many people are dying percentage-wise. Of course, these are the same people who complain about lockdowns and how this is trampling their rights.

Ironically, those who feel entitled not to care about the well-being of their neighbors and are not willing to sacrifice a moment in time are feeding the hungry virus.

They are responsible for the exhausted, overwhelmed, heroic hospital workers who are on the frontlines.

They are prolonging the day when we can enjoy our fine restaurants and small businesses without worry.

They are responsible for the continuation of the suffering of small businesses and people who get sick and, yes, those who die. Where is their humanity and concern for others?

There is a word for people who only think of only themselves: selfish.

WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO STAND FOR THE CONSTITUTION ROBERT NAVARRO, San Clemente

Mike Levin, your prejudiced rhetoric is the reason 75 million Americans voted for President Trump. He upheld his oath and exercised his constitutional right by questioning the results of the election. The only reason this wasn’t proven is that no investigation took place to confirm the facts. I’m sure that all the evidence is now charred ashes.

The rally supported him with an estimated 100,000 people and of those, only a couple hundred actually breached the Capitol, but not at his urging. He advocated a peaceful march to the Capitol, but you fail to recognize that.

To quote his exact words: “I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”

Why didn’t you quote that?

You also seem to have ignored the

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context of his “fight like hell” comment.

It came in the midst of his concern about election irregularities and the promise of a better future America, not during his comments on the march. Another fact you ignored and took out of context.

Why do you ignore videos of Capitol police waving people past barriers and into the building? Why aren’t the Capitol police and security personnel held responsible for their failure to plan ahead and protect the Capitol?

Don’t get me wrong, all those who broke into the Capitol deserve to be prosecuted and punished according to the law. This response is about you and your distaste for anything that runs counter to the Democrat socialist party.

Either you clearly misinterpreted the President and his Republican supporters or are just repeating the Pelosi/Schumer party line on opposition to the President.

I suspect it is the latter and you are just another sheep in the socialist flock.

Your paragraph about Republicans only echoes the socialist, anti-conservative politics that divide us and perfectly represents the type of bullying we teach our children not to do.

Healing goes both ways, but you clearly want it all your way.

NUCLEAR INDUSTRY DEFENDER IS OUT OF HIS DEPTH BART ZIEGLER, president of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation

In his Jan. 24 commentary, “Alleviating fears from misinformation about SONGS,” Richard Warnock bashes an international expert in radiation biology. Warnock’s bluster is laden with unattributed claims he expects readers to take at face value.

He argues that radiation levels in seawater, sediment and crops near San Onofre are being monitored (he does not say by whom) and that radiological releases follow government guidelines. He also defends Southern California Edison’s storage of about 1,600 metric tons of radioactive waste at the old plant. These activities follow Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidelines, Warnock says.

It comes as no surprise that Warnock, a 32-year veteran of the nuclear industry, comes so passionately to its defense.

Warnock criticizes Dr. Ian Fairlie, an English scientist who studied the Chernobyl fallout before advising government agencies in Europe and leading its prestigious Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters.

During an online presentation Nov. 19, Fairlie warned listeners that it’s better to be aware of the dangers of radiation exposure than to live in ignorant bliss.

Warnock, who doesn’t like this message, casts aspersions on the messenger.

(Cont. on page 8) sanclementetimes.com

SC GETTING OUT

SOAPBOX

San Clemente

(Cont. from page 7) Fairlie’s warnings deserve attention.

So does a campaign by a coalition of nine physicians and scientists and nearly 1,200 Californians who are petitioning lawmakers to fund research on possible cancer clusters near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Warnock downplays Southern California Edison’s frequent release of radioactive isotopes from SONGS into the ocean and atmosphere for more than 65 years.

As a board-certified health physicist (to be clear, the certification is not a license to practice health physics), Warnock should welcome further gathering of objective data.

We do, too. The Samuel Lawrence Foundation supports a method by UC San Diego scientists to greatly improve radiation monitoring at San Onofre and provide data in real time to the public.

We support scientific debate. On this topic, however, Warnock clearly has neither the credentials nor the depth.

THANK YOU, ROD RODRIGUEZ RICHARD CORDER, Retired Police Sergeant with the San Clemente Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Thank you, Rod, for faithfully serving the city of San Clemente for 56 years. This community owes so much gratitude and appreciation to you. Thank you for your dedication that helped so many. You served as a Reserve Police Officer with the San Clemente Police Department from 1964 to 1978.

You contributed and assisted with so many organizations and charity events within the city, such as the Marine Corps League, the Military BBQ at Rick Steed Park attended by 5,000 Marines and their families, and organizing the first Cinco de Mayo event, working the event and serving as a board member for 16 years.

You were always there for San Clemente, helping organize community functions such as the first Memorial Day Ceremony, the La Cristianita Pageant, the Del Mar Street Festival, the Community Pride Day. You organized the adoption of the 2/4 Marine Battalion. You put on Marine barbecues for Marine battalions shipping out and shipping in. You assisted with the Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast. You helped feed military members and their families at the Community Center.

In addition to your involvement with the military, you found it in your heart to reach out to the youth of our community, serving as a Boys and Girls Club board member. You have also donated so many times to the local sports programs. You were involved in developing the Bonita and Linda Lane canyons into parks, as well as assisting with the construction of the Boys and Girls Club.

Thank you, Rod, for opening Rod’s Tree Service in 1965. You provided excellent quality tree service to the city. You provided jobs to approximately 60 San San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

Clemente locals, including several SCPD officers working on their days off.

You planted 70% of the palm trees that line El Camino Real, the beaches, parks and parking lots. Your response to the great storms of early 1980s and 1990s helped the city immensely. Your rapid response every time I called you in the middle of the night for vehicle accidents involving trees or downed trees due to high winds was so appreciated.

A special thank you to your wonderful wife, Gloria, and your three grandsons, Ricky, Matt and Jason. They are the backbone of Rod’s Tree Service.

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THE WALL AT 1531 N. EL CAMINO REAL LARRY CULBERTSON, San Clemente Historical Society President

We were disappointed with the decision by the Planning Commission to allow a 7-foot wall to be built at the front property line of the former San Clemente Art Supply. While the wall will not be directly in front of the historic building, it will enclose the garden adjacent to it.

The garden will be turned into a hardscaped courtyard for outdoor events.

Sliding pocket gates built into the wall will allow the courtyard to be partially opened.

We fear that even with these peek-a-boo gates, the best remaining view of the historic building will be partially blocked. This unprecedented high wall will be in direct conflict with San Clemente Design Guidelines, which call for “low garden walls.”

Walls 36- or 42-inches tall with a couple of feet of decorative wrought iron fencing on top would provide all the privacy a courtyard needs without creating the exclusionary feel of a high wall.

Something like we have at the Hotel San Clemente, for instance. That is also what has been approved for the Miramar Event Center.

Several commissioners valiantly argued that the wall should be lowered, or pushed back, or have wider gate openings. But the majority, in my opinion, was that a wall will be OK. There will be some minor adjustments to the gates in the wall, but it will remain a 7-foot wall.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to letters@sanclementetimes.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 or fewer words.

Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

Join SC Times for a virtual Beachside Chat on Friday, Jan. 29, at 8 a.m. The chat is hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday.

Sunday | 31 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of

fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville. 949 361 8200. san-clemente.org.

Wednesday | 03 BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard 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 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

At the Movies: ‘Riding the Rails’—a Reminder of the Bittersweet Hard Times

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n times like the past 10 months, it’s easy to feel as if things are worse than ever before. But once in a while, we get reminders of moments in history that were just as bad or even more difficult.

Michael Uys’ & Lexy Lovell’s documentary Riding the Rails (1997) is about a handful of former runaways during The Great Depression who spent the 1930s train-hopping across the U.S. Many young people in the 1930s were advised, some by their own families, to go off on their own and see if they could have better luck in the nationwide financial recession.

Uys’ & Lovell’s documentary originally hit the 1997 festival circuit before airing publicly on PBS in January 1998. The feature received high acclaim and won some noteworthy awards, and now for the first time ever, it’s premiering online for streaming this month.

Throughout Riding the Rails, we get many colorful, shocking and inspiring stories with the use of archival photos and footage, as well as interviews with the subjects shot in 1996. One man—Rene Champion—from a family of French immigrants, ran off at age 16 to escape child abuse.

Another man—Clarence Lee—left home when he was 15, the day after his father told him he didn’t know how he was going to feed the whole family. One of the few female freight train-hoppers, Peggy DeHart, ran away from her father’s farm after a disagree-

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Photo: Courtesy of PBS/American Experience

ment. These are only a few of the sad backstories of the young adults who struggled to get by as migrants from town-to-town.

Riding the Rails has a good blend of real-experience perspective that neither glamorizes nor fearmongers the audience, with the commentators coming across as humble and modest.

Uys & Lovell set the mood with songs from folk icons such as Woody Guthrie and Jimmie Rodgers to accompany sequences, along with live arrangements by commentator Bob “Guitar Whitey” Symmonds.

Riding the Rails is one of those refreshing documentaries that is fascinating and educational, but it doesn’t feel preachy or bland. SC

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San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

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SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Historical Happenings by Tom Marshall

North Beach Makes History

T

he federal government has now recognized what all of us in San Clemente have known for decades. Last month, it officially designated North Beach as a National Historic District.

The area includes the Ole Hanson Beach Club, Casino San Clemente entertainment/event center and the Miramar Theater/Bowling Alley structure currently being revitalized as an event center and food court.

These are three of the most historic buildings in town. In the future, you

San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

will see prominent signs proclaiming the historic nature of the area.

“This is a high honor for the city and an opportunity to bring revitalization and tourism to North Beach while highlighting the historic significance of this area,” said Jonathan Lightfoot, economic development officer for the city.

GPA Consulting shepherded the project through the state and national government—an unenviable task.

The San Clemente Historical Society has pushed for this district recognition for decades.

“Besides the historic and aesthetic aspects of the designation, we expect this to positively impact the property values of the surrounding neighborhood,” said Larry Culbertson, president of the SC Historical Society.

So, one down; two to go. What? There’s more, you ask?

Absolutely. At least if the Historical Society gets its wish.

We have on the drawing board two more Historic District plans for San Cle-

mente. The Pier Bowl area just screams for designation. The pier was built by town founder Ole Hanson in the late 1920s and really marks the beginning of our Spanish Village by the Sea. “It is the signature feature of the city’s earliest days, along with the beach itself,” Culbertson said.

It was the magnet that drew the crowds HISTORICAL of fishermen, surfers HAPPENINGS

By Tom Marshall and swimmers. The buildings along Avenida Victoria at the foot of the pier are historic in their own right. They housed the services that beach crowds relied upon for their fun in the sun.

Our second proposed historic district would encompass San Clemente’s original “downtown” along Avenida Del Mar and the adjacent areas of El Camino Real. The Bartlett Building and the former Hotel San Clemente at the top of

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Del Mar, along with the Easley Building (now named the Old City Hall), are three outstanding examples of the Spanish Revival architecture required by Hanson’s original planned city.

The area also encompasses several examples of mid-century architecture prevalent across America during the 1950s and ’60s.

By getting these additional two areas designated historic districts, the essence of San Clemente’s history will be preserved for future generations to experience the original dream of Ole Hanson.

Tom Marshall is a member of the San Clemente Historical Society and a retired journalist. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes. com. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

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San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

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SC LIVING

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Frances SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

his pretty girl is Frances, a grey chinchilla now available for adoption. Like most chinchillas, Frances spends most of her days napping, but she enjoys running and jumping around her enclosure when she’s awake. She is also quite sociable and does not mind being held or handled. With her sweet demeanor, Frances would make a great fuzzy friend in a chinchilla-knowledgeable home.

If you are interested in adopting Frances, please visit san-clemente.org to download an adoption application

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

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

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

See the solution in next week’s issue.

Contributor: San Clemente Historical Society

FROM THE ARCHIVES An original poster, circa late 1920s, for

the Ole Hanson Beach Club facility in North Beach, now an official Historic District.

Every week, the San Clemente Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

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sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING CoastLines by Fred Swegles

Perspectives About E-Bikes and Safety (Part 2)

A

s a San Clementean who’s had fun on electric bicycles locally for 20plus years, I was encouraged by the reactions generated by my recent column about bicycle safety.

In response to an e-bike population explosion and a backlash on social media, I listed what California law says about bicycles’ and e-bikes’ rights and responsibilities. I shared some observations by San Clemente’s police chief about riding safely and responsibly. I listed some simple things I’ve learned that have helped keep me alive and healthy during more than 20 years of riding e-bikes. I think I’ve had nine e-bikes.

Reactions to the column were positive.

In the interest of promoting further positive dialogue about ways we can make San Clemente safer for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists, let’s view a selection of reader responses (edited slightly for spelling, grammar or clarity): • Thanks for reminding people that being safe, polite and friendly go a long way.

• A good refresher for us all, and a needed read for parents with kids who got an e-bike for Christmas. Seems there are too many young people riding that need to learn the rules of the road. That’s the scariest part … well, that and the teenagers who speed along the beach trail and come up behind you without a sound.

Someone is bound to get hurt!

• I agree with everything you said; however, you left out one rule few people realize

… it is illegal to ride a bicycle, let alone an e-bike, in a crosswalk in California. If they want to cross in the crosswalk, they are supposed to dismount and walk across the street. In Orange County, approximately half the cities allow bicycling on sidewalks, and most people assume that if they can ride on the sidewalk, they can ride COASTLINES in a crosswalk. Another

By Fred Swegles big safety problem is with riders who ride opposite traffic on the sidewalk. When they approach an intersection, they are crossing from a location that most automobile drivers do not check. This is especially hazardous when riding in a crosswalk opposing the direction of traffic.

Thanks for the article.

• Parents who bought electric bikes should make their kids read this article.

• I see parents and their kids breaking the traffic laws every day.

• Teach your kids some manners and common sense, and this wouldn’t be an issue.

• You can tell they’re not old enough to drive … they want to be mobile and don’t understand how traffic laws work … flying down the side of Pico, toward the beach with a friend on the handlebars or back, and they have no clue how dangerous it is to be crossing gas station and fast food driveways on the side of a busy street without knowing who has the right of way or any other traffic laws.

• My heart feels a sadness for the child lost on some future ride because a parent didn’t take the time to make sure their child is safe.

• I wonder if SC Parks and Rec would be willing to host e-bike classes for those who do not have driver’s licenses.

• As long as there is no enforcement, no matter how much you educate, it will be fruitless.

• I keep seeing kids riding with their helmets on the handlebars … I’m sure their parents have no idea.

• I live at 5 Corners, on South Seville, and I see teens flying down the street on e-bikes. Lots with no helmet. They never

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stop at the stop signs.

• Very good article. I have a class II bike.

We are having many discussions up here.

Thankfully, we have miles of dedicated bike trails where class III bikes are not welcome.

• To quote the great Rodney King: “Can’t we all just get along?”

• Great article with lots of essential information.

• You want safety, tell parents to stop buying e-bikes that can go 30 (mph) or more for children just so they don’t have to drop their kids off at the beach.

• They need to abide by traffic laws.

STOP at stop signs. Every day, I see close calls at Calafia! Slow down.

SOME FURTHER THOUGHTS

Others pointed out that it isn’t just e-bikes or kids. It’s all ages, non-powered bikes, jaywalkers, distracted walkers, and car drivers speeding, not paying attention, rolling stop signs, running red lights, turning without looking, going the wrong way on a one-way alley or street.

Indeed, lots of bad examples are set for kids who got an e-bike for Christmas, entering the streets clueless about laws, safety tips, dangers to look out for and simple etiquette that can help us all coexist more happily.

We all need to look out for one another.

STOP SIGNS

If there’s one simple act that bicyclists could adopt to generate goodwill between the bicycle community and everyone else, it would be, “Quit running stop signs.”

So what if it costs you a few seconds. It’s a rampant, age-old practice. It ticks people off.

Some bicyclists may tell you that at traditional bicycle speeds, you can ride up to a stop sign, see perfectly well that the intersection is empty and proceed safely without stopping.

However: (1) It’s illegal. (2) It’s a bad example—when some kid emulating you and so many others get killed, a little bit of that goes back to you. (3) If you grow complacent, you may someday ride past a stop sign without noticing you’re riding into a collision. (4) You can’t count on a hurried or distracted driver to not ram into you or cut into your path without noticing you.

Did you know that...

It’s an age-old practice: bicyclists who run stop signs, rationalizing they can do it safely. For some reasons not to do it, read the column. Photo: Fred Swegles

I’m one of the minority of bicyclists who stops at stop signs. I sometimes get a thumbs-up or other show of appreciation from drivers surprised to see it. And, yes, it’s good to establish eye contact, so you’ll know that a distracted driver isn’t about to mow you down as you proceed.

RED LIGHTS

Same goes at traffic signals. For anyone, running a red light is a potential death penalty. So is gunning your e-bike forward just as a light turns green, without first looking to make sure a red-light runner won’t blindside you.

Along El Camino Real, I recently saw a young e-biker with no helmet run a red light, forcing a pickup truck to brake for her. Good thing he was alert, saw her and reacted.

Let’s all use common sense, be aware of surroundings and be kind. Yes, it’s possible to have fun, do no harm and get home safely.

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

Sponsored by

•T here are only 83 active homes for sale and only 8 active apartment buildings for sale in all of San Clemente.

• I n the last 90 days there have been 248 homes sold in San Clemente with an average price of $1,186,154.

The top price was $6,600,000.

• I n the last 6 months here in San Clemente only 1 home sold as distress short sale and over 600 homes sold conventional.

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It’s time to expect more…

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Published in: San Clemente Times January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE ORDINANCE NOS. 1708 and 1709 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente, at its Regular Meeting of January 19, 2021, adopted the following ordinances: 1. Ordinance No. 1708 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING AMENDMENT 20-258) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS THAT INCREASE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES BY ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATING THE CONSOLIDATION OF ADJACENT STANDARD AND SUBSTANDARD LOTS. 2. Ordinance No. 1709 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 2.46 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. Persons interested in receiving an inspection copy of either or both of the Ordinances are invited to call the Deputy City Clerk at (949) 361-8301 or by email at campagnolol@san-clemente.org. Copies will be emailed or mailed to you at no cost.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the abovereferenced Ordinances were introduced at the City Council meeting of December 15, 2020 and were San Clemente Times January 28–February 3, 2021

adopted at the Regular City Council meeting of January 19, 2021 by the following vote: AYES:

DUNCAN, FERGUSON, JAMES, KNOBLOCK, MAYOR WARD

NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council

City’s electronic procurement system (PlanetBids) at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanylD=28939. Bids must be received by no later than 2:00 p.m. on Thursday February 11, 2021. All bids received after that time will be returned to the Bidder, as they will be deemed disqualified. Only electronic bids submitted through PlanetBids will be accepted. Bid tabulations will be available on PlanetBids immediately following the bid closing. · Bidders must complete line items information (PlanetBids Line Item Tab).

PUBLIC NOTICE ORDINANCE NO. 1710 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente, at its meeting of January 19, 2021, introduced the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 1710 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.43 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, RELATING TO THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, to become effective on July 1, 2021.

Persons interested in receiving an inspection copy of the Ordinance are invited to call the Deputy City Clerk at (949) 361-8301 or by email at campagnolol@san-clemente.org. Copies will be emailed or mailed to you at no cost.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Clemente will consider adopting the aforementioned Ordinance at its meeting of February 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the Regular Meeting of February 2, 2021 will be posted on the City’s website at www.sanclemente.org and on the bulletin boards at the City Council Chambers located at 100 Avenida Presidio and at 910 Calle Negocio, no later than 72 hours prior to the meeting.

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216592676 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BGSBAKEDGOODS LLC 1126 E CARLETON AVE ORANGE, CA 92867 Full Name of Registrant(s): BGSBAKEDGOODS LLC 1126 E CARLETON AVE ORANGE, CA 92867 This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A /s/BGSBAKEDGOODS LLC, JENNY TOM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/05/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 2021

The work to be done consists of furnishing all materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals as required by the specifications and contract documents for the VISTA HERMOSA SPORTS PARK FIELDS 5 AND 6 FENCING REPLACEMENT Project No. 20803, in the City of San Clemente, California.

The primary scope of the project is to remove and replace deteriorating fencing for Fields 5 and 6 of the Vista Hermosa Sports Park located at 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92673.

Reference is hereby made to these Specifications for further particulars, and same are by such reference incorporated herein and made a part thereof, the same as though fully set forth hereunder.

Specifications and contract documents are posted in the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at: https://www.planetbids.com/ portal/portal.cfm?CompanylD=28939 All bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of San Clemente PlanetBids System website to participate in a bid or to be added to prospective bidders list.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, in accordance with Section 1770 of the California State Labor Code and in accordance with the terms of he Southern California Master Labor Agreement, has heretofore established a prevailing rate of per diem wages to be paid in the construction of the above entitled work. The said wage rates are herein referred to and adopted in this Notice as though fully set forth herein, and said scale is made a part of this Notice by reference.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.1, no contractor or sub-contractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project submitted on or after March 1, 2015 unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. Furthermore, all bidders and contractors are hereby notified that no contractor or sub-contractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

No bid will be accepted from a contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division Ill of the Business and Professions Code, State of California. Bidder shall possess a Class “A”, California State Contracting License in good standing, and shall have successfully completed two projects of similar scope for a public agency.

The bidder, by submitting its electronic bid, agrees to and certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of California, that the certification, forms and affidavits submitted as part of this bid are true and correct.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE INVITING ELECTRONIC BIDS VISTA HERMOSA SPORTS PARK FIELDS 5 AND 6 FENCING REPLACEMENT City Project No. 20803 Bids shall be submitted electronically through the Page 14

The City of San Clemente reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

To be published: and January 28, 2021 February 4, 2021 Tom Bonigut Public Works Director In light of the current situation there will be NO pre-bid meeting held for the Vista Hermosa Sports Park Fields 5 and 6 Fencing Replacement Project.

In-lieu of the pre-bid meeting the City is requiring that any questions in reference to the project be submitted via PlanetBids. The deadline to submit any questions will be Monday, February 8, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC NOTICE SECTION 00100 NOTICE INVITING BIDS FY 21 SIDEWALK REPAIR PROGRAM Project No. 21305 1. Notice. Public notice is hereby given that the City of San Clemente (“City”) will receive sealed bids for the following project: FY 21 Sidewalk Repair Program, Project No. 21305 2. Bid Opening Date. Electronic bids must be submitted prior to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2021, on the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal, at which time or thereafter bids will be opened and made available online. Bids received after this time will be considered non-responsive.

Prospective bidders must first register as a vendor and then bid on this project via the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at www.san-clemente.org/vendorbids.

3. Project Scope of Work. Repair trip hazards and defects within the public right-of-way. Repairs include sidewalk patching, and removal and replacement of sidewalk, driveways, curb and gutter, and utility boxes.

4. Contract Time: The work must be completed within 40 working days from the date specified in the written Notice to Proceed.

5. License and Registration Requirements.

5.1. State License. Pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 3300, the City has determined that the Contractor shall possess a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): Class “A” or C-8”. Failure to possess the specified license(s) at the time of bid opening shall render the bid as non-responsive and shall act as a bar to award the contract to that non-responsive bidder.

5.2. Department of Industrial Relations Registration. Pursuant to California Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, or enter into a contract to perform public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”). No bid will be accepted nor any contract entered into without proof of the contractor’s and subcontractors’ current registration with the DIR to perform public work. If awarded a contract, the Bidder and its subcontractors, of any tier, shall maintain active registration with the DIR for the duration of the Project.

5.3. City Business License. Prior to the Notice to Proceed for this contract, the Contractor shall possess a valid City of San Clemente business license.

6. Contract Documents. Bid documents, including sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM instructions to bidders, bidder proposal form, and specifications (not including other documents incorporated by reference) may be downloaded, at no cost, from the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at www.san-clemente.org/vendorbids. Bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of San Clemente PlanetBids system to view and download the Contract Documents, to be added to the prospective bidders list, and to receive addendum notifications when issued.

7. Bid Proposal and Security.

7.1. Bid Proposal Form. No bid will be received unless it is made on a proposal form furnished by the City.

7.2. Bid Security. Each bid proposal must be accompanied by security in the form of cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount. Personal checks or company checks are not acceptable forms of bid security. All certified and cashier’s checks must be drawn on a responsible bank doing business in the United States and shall be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bid bonds must be issued by a surety company licensed to do business in the State of California and must be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bids not accompanied by the required bid security will be rejected. For electronic submittal of bids, the bid security must be received at the City of San Clemente Public Works office, 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente, CA 92673 no later than the bid opening date and time. The bid security must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name and address of the bidder, and the outside of the envelope must read as follows: OFFICIAL BID SECURITY - DO NOT OPEN Project Name: FY 21 Sidewalk Repair Program Project Bid #: 21305 Bid Opening Date: February 11, 2021

complying with all labor compliance requirements under this contract and applicable law in its bid.

9. Retention. Pursuant to the contract for this project, five percent (5%) of each progress payment will be retained as security for completion of the balance of the work.

Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22300. Refer to the contract for further clarification.

10. Performance and Payment Bonds. The successfulbidder,simultaneouslywithexecutionofthe contract, will be required to provide Faithful Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount. Bonds are to be secured from a surety that meets all of the State of California bonding requirements, as defined in Code of Civil Procedure Section 995.120, and is admitted by the State of California.

11. Pre-Bid Meeting. A pre-bid meeting will not be held for this bid solicitation. Refer to the Instructions to Bidders section on how to submit any pre-bid questions.

12. Instructions to Bidders. Additional and more detailed information is provided in the Instructions to Bidders, which should be carefully reviewed by all bidders before submitting a Bid Proposal.

13. Questions. All questions related to this bid solicitation must be submitted through the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal per the information provided in the Instructions to Bidders. Any other contact to City staff regarding this bid solicitation will be referred back to the PlanetBids system.

The bid security shall serve as a guarantee that the bidder will enter into a contract. Such guarantee shall be forfeited should the bidder to whom the contract is awarded fail to enter into the contract within 15 calendar days after written notification that the contract has been awarded to the successful bidder.

THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, TO AWARD ALL OR ANY INDIVIDUAL PART/ ITEM OF THE BID, AND TO WAIVE ANY INFORMALITIES, IRREGULARITIES OR TECHNICAL DEFECTS IN SUCH BIDS OR IN THE BIDDING PROCESS. ANY CONTRACT AWARDED WILL BE LET TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER AS DETERMINED FROM THE BASE BID ALONE.

8. Prevailing Wage Requirements.

Dated January 14, 2021.

8.1. General. This project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes.

8.2. Rates. Prevailing rates are available online atwww.dir.ca.gov/DLSRandalsoavailableatthe CityofSanClementePublicWorksDepartment Office at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673.EachContractorandSubcontractormust pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the project. The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

8.3. Compliance Monitoring. Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the California Department of Industrial Relations. In bidding on this project, it shall be the Bidder’s sole responsibility to evaluate and include the cost of San Clemente Times January 28–February 3, 2021

City of San Clemente Public Works Department 910 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673 END OF NOTICE INVITING BIDS PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216592972 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ABE N GABE 6539 E CAMINO VISTA, #3 ANAHEIM, CA 92807 Full Name of Registrant(s): IBRAHIM GHOBRIEL 6539 E CAMINO VISTA, #3 ANAHEIM, CA 92807 This business is conducted by An Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A /s/IBRAHIM GHOBRIEL, PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/08/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 2021 Page 15

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216592891 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: THE LITTLE STAR CREATES 129 CALLE REDONDEL SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672-9267 Full Name of Registrant(s): ESTRELITA DE LA CRUZ 129 CALLE REDONDEL SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672-9267 This business is conducted by An Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 12/15/2020 /s/ESTRELITA DE LA CRUZ This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/06/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216592969 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: STORYTELLING, INC. 34932 CALLE DEL SOL, STE. B CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA 92624-9262 Full Name of Registrant(s): EARL NORBERT GARRETT IV 2425 VIA MERO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 JOHN ROACH 100 KAYWOOD DR BOALSBURG, PA 16827 DAVID SEIGERMAN 62 CHESTNUT AVE LARCHMONT, NY 10538 This business is conducted by a General Partnership.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 12/08/2020 /s/EARL NORBERT GARRETT IV This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/08/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206592195 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ALBION INSURANCE SERVICES 1052 SABLE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA 92688-9268 Full Name of Registrant(s): ALBION CONSULTING GROUP LLC 1052 SABLE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA 92688 This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/ALBION CONSULTING GROUP LLC, GERALDINE CRAPANZANO, MANAGING MEMBER/MANAGER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/23/20.

Published in: San Clemente Times January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206591757

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SIRENA DEL MAR 26745 CADIZ CIRCLE MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691 Full Name of Registrant(s): TODD ELLIOTT FULLADOSA 26745 CADIZ CIRCLE MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/TODD FULLADOSA This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/17/20.

Published in: San Clemente Times January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206591762 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ENTHEOS INTERNATIONAL 113 W. AVENIDA SANTIAGO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672-9267 Full Name of Registrant(s): ENTHEOS INTERNATIONAL 113 W. AVENIDA SANTIAGO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/ENTHEOS INTERNATIONAL, DILAN SWIFT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 12/17/2020.

Published in: San Clemente Times January 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216592597 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BEHRENS CAPITAL INVESTMENTS 4810 PARK NEWPORT, APT 217 NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 Full Name of Registrant(s): SANDRA KUENZI, TRUSTEE THE STANLEY BEHRENS LIVING TRUST DATED JULY 8, 1983 3 DEWBERRY WAY IRVINE, CA 92612 This business is conducted by A Trust The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/THE STANLEY BEHRENS LIVING TRUST DATED JULY 8, 1983, SANDRA KUENZI, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, TRUSTEE This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/04/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 2021

Complete your required legal or public notice advertising in the San Clemente Times.

EMAIL legals@picketfencemedia.com CALL 949.388.7700, ext. 111 sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

LO C ALS O N LY

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

SC San Clemente

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program 665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, San Clemente, 949.485.4979, bodymindspiritiop.com

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

ATTORNEY

Aaron Lloyd Bankruptcy Attorney 2377 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.544.9355, lloydlegal.com

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection 1001 Calle Recodo, San Clemente, 949.481.7013, atozleakdetection.com

REALTORS

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes 949.293.3236, sandyandrich.com

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

SALONS

Closing and Opening Doors CIF cancels fall championships, but cross country able to begin

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Rosen Law Offices, P.C. 34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 5, Dana Point, 949.335.0020, snrosenlaw.com

DENTISTS

Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S. 3553 Camino Mira Costa, Suite B, San Clemente, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing 1001 Calle Recodo, San Clemente, 949.492.3558, billmetzerplumbing.com

PROSTHODONTICS Hamilton Le, D.M.D., F.A.C.P. 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

Salon Bleu 207 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.366.2060, scsalonbleu.com

VETERINARY HOUSE CALLS Dr. Damon Goldstein, DVM 626.485.9355, damongoldstein@outlook.com “Personalized Care for your Fur Babies at your Home”

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, San Clemente, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com

MUSIC LESSONS

Cello and Bass Academy 310.895.6145, celloandbassacademy.com

Rock Club Music School 73 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, 949.463.1968, beachcitiesrockclub.com

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at sanclementetimes.com Contact Karen Banse for pricing at 949.244.1560 or email karenwill4usc@gmail.com

San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

T

he ever-evolving situation of high school sports during the coronavirus pandemic took another couple twists and turns in the past two weeks, with developments for the worse and for the better.

On Jan. 19, the CIF-Southern Section made its expected decision to cancel its fall sports championships for football, water polo, cross country and girls volleyball.

“There has not been enough progress made from the purple tier toward the orange tier for football, girls volleyball and boys and girls water polo to even begin competition this season,” CIF-SS Commissioner Rob Wigod said in a statement.

“Subsequently, there will not be sufficient time for those sports to conduct viable league play, which is necessary for us to be able to conduct section championships in those sports.”

Cross country, on the other hand, has finally received its spark of light, as California’s regional stay-at-home orders were lifted on Monday, Jan. 25. Cross country, as a low-contact outdoor sport, is the only fall sport that’s allowed to compete in the highest-risk purple “widespread” tier of the state’s four-tiered, color-coded coronavirus monitoring system.

Monday was also the first day that youth sports competitions were officially allowed to resume by state guidance, in sports in which their county’s tier allows. As such, some schools in Orange County have begun to schedule virtual cross country meets, where teams race independently on the same course and compare times. There are obstacles to scheduling, as schools can only schedule dual meets against one other school, multi-school invitationals are subject to county health agency approval and some county regional parks aren’t allowing races to be run there.

Page 16

While cross country can start to compete, CIF-SS canceled its cross country championships due to travel restrictions and coronavirus precautions.

“The ability for us to host a Southern Section championship from one location and have student-athletes from all seven counties within the Southern Section footprint be allowed to travel to that single location is not realistic,” Wigod said.

However, the cancellation of the fall championships, as well as the earlier cancellation of state regional playoffs, does come with another kernel of positivity.

In its announcement, CIF-SS established end dates for each of the fall sports, which provide several weeks of extra time to allow schools to hopefully schedule as full a regular season as possible.

The end date for water polo and girls volleyball is March 20, cross country is March 27, and football is April 17.

“We are not canceling the entire seasons for our fall sports,” Wigod said. “We strongly support our member schools in returning to play.”

Wigod confirmed that there is no change to the schedule yet for spring sports, and that with several spring sports in the purple risk tier, they can go on as planned. Any decision on the status of spring sports championships would not happen until April.

These developments all come about as the strong and growing #LetThemPlayCA movement has sprung up on social media and with statewide rallies held on Jan. 15 and more being planned for Friday, Jan. 29. There will be a South Orange County rally on Friday at 4 p.m. in Mission Viejo at the intersection of Oso and Marguerite parkways.

In his statement and in a video conference on Jan. 19, Wigod empathized with and supported the movement, saying that conversations continue between CIF, section commissioners, the Governor’s office, the California Department of Public Health and local health authorities to try and get teams back on the field.

“We’re continuing to press the case,” Wigod said. “We saw some improvement (in the coronavirus metrics) yesterday.

Hopefully that continues, and with that improvement comes the effort to continue to see if we can get a revision from orange (which includes football, water polo, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse) to red. We’re not going to give up, because it’s too important for what we’re fighting for.” SC sanclementetimes.com

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

Page 17

sanclementetimes.com

SC SC SURF San Clemente

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Caring for Our Blue Planet Inauguration poet Amanda Gorman wants to save the world’s oceans

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n one of my first columns of 2021, I wanted to start the new year with a message of inclusivity and remind us all that surfing has a magical way of bringing people together.

“In Hawaii, we greet friends, loved ones or strangers with ‘Aloha,’ which means love.

Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawaii renowned as the world’s center of understanding and fellowship,” Duke Kahanamoku, father of modern surfing, famously explained. “Try meeting or leaving people with ‘Aloha.’ You’ll be surprised by their reaction.

I believe it and it is my creed.”

Fast-forward about a century to last Wednesday, Jan. 20, when 22-year-old Amanda Gorman stepped up to the mic and, in front of a global audience, shared her words.

“We seek harm to none and harmony for all,” said Gorman, the youngest poet to read their prose at a U.S. Presidential inauguration.

Forget political affiliation, whom you voted for or anything else that is currently being used to divide us. In “The Hill We Climb,” Gorman’s words and intentions are pure: put down the differences and share a little aloha.

Poet laureate Amanda Gorman follows the time-honored tradition of writers who surf.

Photo: Courtesy of Textured Waves “If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade. But in all the bridges we’ve made,” she continued.

Her poise, eloquence and grace at the podium were striking. But who was this young, strong, fresh-faced African American woman? Where did she come from?

Growing up not far from Inkwell Beach in Santa Monica—the only place for Black beachgoers during Los Angeles’ segregated past—Gorman struggled with a speech impediment in which even saying the word “poetry” presented a challenge.

Her now-famous poem was largely composed while under the pandemic lockdown in Los Angeles.

Inspired to make her voice heard, Gorman graduated cum laude from Harvard, and while going to school, also earned the distinction of being named the first National Youth Poet Laureate.

It seems fitting that she was invited to speak at the inauguration by First Lady Jill Biden, an educator by trade, as Gorman’s mom is a teacher in Watts herself. She also wants to run for President in 2036—when

she’ll finally be old enough.

But, as I discovered while trying to find out more about Gorman, we coincidentally share a connection to saltwater. Scrolling through her Instagram feed, I found her 2020 poem, “Ode to the Ocean.” With the heart of a surfer, her words offer a forceful, impassioned cry to save our seas. In it, Gorman writes: May the seas help us see healing and hope, May we sing out the ocean’s survival and revival.

Being the people of this blue planet is our most profound privilege and power, For if we be the ocean’s saviors, Then it is surely ours.

The day after Gorman’s inaugural debut, the group Textured Waves, which advocates for equality and inclusion in the surf, posted the above photo of Gorman on its Instagram feed. Getting her “feet in the wax,” as they say, clearly the stoke is on.

As Kahanamoku said, “Our water is so full of life.”

If you have a hot minute, go find “Ode to the Ocean” and give it a read. It becomes obvious pretty quickly that only somebody who has experienced surfing and the ocean in a transformative way could have penned such words.

Clearly, her time on a surfboard moved her. There’s a lot of aloha in what she has to say; we should all take note.

Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

SURF FORECAST GROM OF THE WEEK

BRYSE CELAYA

Water Temperature: 57-59 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 2-5

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

L

ast week, the surf world lost the legendary Hawaiian surfer and shaper Ben Aipa. In his life, Aipa touched countless lives with the boards he built, his caring nature and ever-present smile.

And now, his legacy lives on in his sons Akila and Duke, who continue to craft beautiful surfboards and embody the spirit of aloha.

This week’s Grom of the Week, 15-yearold Bryse Celaya, is also part of that tradition. A freshman at San Clemente High, Celaya’s surf dreams are supported by the Aipa ohana.

“Duke has treated me like a son all these years, and I can’t imagine how he must feel on the loss of his dad, Ben Aipa. I owe them so much and will continue to honor him in San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

Thursday: Northwest swell fills in with shoulder high to a foot overhead range waves, (4-6’). Light South breeze due early morning, then moderate South winds for most of the day.

Bryse Celaya. Photo: Courtesy of Vick Goddard

the water every day,” Celaya said.

A valued member of the Triton surf team, Celaya can usually be found at dawn patrolling T-Street with his pals and former Groms of the Week Tyrone Fomenko and Dane Matson, the latter of whom is also bandmates with Celaya in the local group Haze.

And when there’s snow, Celaya takes to the mountains. Working ski operations at Snow Valley Ski Resort, he also finds plenty of time to sneak away for a few runs.

No doubt, Ben Aipa’s looking down on Celaya and his buddies and smiling right now. SC

Page 18

Outlook: On Friday, Northwest swell holds in the morning, maintaining shoulder high to a foot overhead surf, (4-6’). Those waves slowly ease during the afternoon. Moderate to breezy west winds expected through much of the day Friday.

Saturday’s surf fades to thigh-waist-chest high, (2-3-4’), then a fresh Northwest swell sets up more waist to chest high waves, (3-4’) on Sunday.

Light/variable morning winds will be followed by light+ to moderate afternoon onshores this weekend.

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

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San Clemente Times January 28-February 3, 2021

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