February 23, 2023

What’s Up With...

Trail Stompers: State Parks

Offering Guided Hikes Through San O

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

Those looking to get a few more steps in during their weekend workouts while adding some new hiking trails to their repertoire are in luck this winter, as California State Parks is leading a series of walks around the San Onofre and San Clemente State Parks.

Led by Heather Rice, a California State Park naturalist and senior park aide, these Saturday morning hikes through the Panhe canyon, San Onofre backcountry and San Clemente State Beach allow participants to experience some nature trails they may not have known were available.

“I hope that they understand how special having this resource in their backyard is,” Rice said, adding: “Trestles is one of the best surf spots in the world, and we get millions of visitors for Trestles Beach, but a lot of people don’t know about the camp trail.”

Along the hikes, which rotate from week to week and vary in difficulty, Rice takes the opportunity to highlight the various plants spotted throughout the trails and points out the area’s cultural significance to the Acjachemen people who developed their Panhe Village.

The 3-mile, out-and-back walk along the Panhe Nature Trail is Rice’s favorite hike, as it’s a sacred village site where

she’s able to show how the Acjachemen people utilized the land, particularly the flowing creek that empties into the ocean.

“Following the way they would go fishing along the creek and the boats they would make, reenacting that in a way, there’s something special in that,” Rice said.

After hosting these hikes during the other seasons throughout the past year, Rice can tell which plants are blooming.

When San Clemente Times joined Rice and other hikers on the Panhe Nature Trail walk on Jan. 21, she was excited to show the group the coyote brush, which disperses its seeds in the wind.

“My favorite thing to do when I go on hikes is I like to see which plant during the season is really ‘showing off,’ ” Rice explained to the group. “So, coyote brush right now is our ‘showoff’ plant—one of them—and it’s a great plant for many animals to hide under.”

“It’s also called a pioneer plant, because after fires, this is one of the first plants that shows up,” she continued. “So, it helps with erosion. It has good root structure to really help make sure erosion is less (impactful).”

The Panhe Nature Trail starts from the San Mateo campground and loosely follows the San Mateo Creek toward Trestles Beach. Leading up to the Jan. 21 walk, California had been battered with strong rainstorms, allowing the creek to flow freely.

“What’s especially cool right now is the hike we’re doing . . . the creek is flowing,” Rice told SC Times before the hike. She added that “it hasn’t been flowing in years, so the creek is flowing out to the

ocean. It’s such a great vantage point of walking along the trail and observing the flowing creek bed.”

As a fitting end to the Panhe canyon hike, Rice said, some would get to Trestles Beach, take their shoes and socks off, and dip their feet into the ocean.

“It’s super special that way,” she said, “and then we just trek on back afterward.”

Rice will lead the Panhe Nature Trail walk—what she considered as an intermediate hike—again on March 18 from 9-11 a.m. On Feb. 25, from 9-10 a.m., she’ll take participants through a child-friendly, 1-mile hike around San Clemente State Beach.

“It’s a loop trail that’s really great for kids,” she said, adding that she’ll usually conduct a scavenger hunt during which they will look for pine cones.

On March 4, from 8-11 a.m., Rice will guide participants through the 4-mile San Onofre Backcountry Hike, which

starts near San Clemente’s Baron Von Willard Memorial Dog Park, located at 301 Avenida La Pata.

Rice said anyone looking to join a hike should be prepared with good hiking shoes, water, sunscreen, and a hat, as well as snacks such as a granola bar. She also recommended packing binoculars for those interested in bird watching.

Usually, she said, about five to 10 people participate in the hikes. The hikes, she added, depend on the weather, so rainy days would prompt her to cancel the walk. She also noted that day-use fees into the state parks apply.

Asked what she hopes that groups get out of her hikes, Rice said that it would encourage them to think more consciously about protecting and preserving resources, whether that’s picking up trash or just enjoying the outdoors.

“Enjoy your environment and where you’re living,” she said.

BPR Commission Grants Developer

First Small Step to Potential Mini Golf Course

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The checklist to bring a new entertainment option to life in San Clemente received its first mark on Feb. 14, with a unanimous vote from the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission.

Apart from one recusal by Commissioner Rob Feuerstein, the commission determined that it would be appropriate to construct a 36-hole mini golf facility at a 1.18-acre parcel of undeveloped land at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park. Per the vote, staff will also enter in exclusive negotiations with Salty Turf,

LLC, which proposed the concept.

“I think this would feed right into, I’d like to say, more passive entertainment than some of the other things that we do to amuse ourselves and entertain ourselves,” Commissioner Susan Ambrose said of the project that would also include clubhouse and concession areas.

Salty Turf comprises San Clemente residents Jeff Moore, Andrew Streett, and Marcus Vanneman. The three were present for the proposal’s discussion on Feb. 14, with Streett leading the charge

on behalf of the group.

Streett spoke to how the men have been active in the community as fathers and coaches of numerous youth sports teams and activities, and how they’ve seen the park develop around the untouched plot.

“We really want to be a part of that next stage of where (the park) gets developed,” he said. “For us, it’s a gem inside of San Clemente. We really enjoy the park, and we want to make it that much better.”

Moore added that the group has been working for more than a year on developing a plan for the courses—each 18 holes, one on the east side and one of the west side—as well as securing funding.

Vanneman said they aim to create a concept in step with the rest of San Clemente.

Those details include an Ole Hanson-style concession building and holes that reflect local landmarks, according to Streett.

“We’re looking at all the flora and fauna, all the plants, to be something local and something that we can look at for drought resistance,” Streett said.

He also pointed out that the facility would be the only one within 30 minutes of town, providing something unique to San Clemente.

Beaches, Parks & Recreation Department Director Samantha Wylie addressed questions about parking.

(Cont. on page 4)

With a group of participants in tow, California State Park Naturalist Heather Rice leads a 3-mile guided hike through Panhe Canyon on Jan. 21. On the way to Trestles Beach, Rice and the hikers loosely followed the San Mateo creek, which was flowing freely thanks to recent heavy rainstorms.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Pandemic’s Impact on Staffing Forces Cancellation of 2023 Ocean Festival

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Because of severe impacts initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic that have yet to be fully overcome, the San Clemente Ocean Festival will not be held in 2023, the nonprofit tasked with organizing the yearly event has announced.

“Like many nonprofits, ‘The Greatest Show on Surf’ was weakened by its cancellation during COVID, and its volunteer board is now struggling to continue its mission of promoting ocean safety, the environment, and the community by providing an athletic venue and enjoyable family event,” the Ocean Festival said in a media release.

The event was canceled for both 2020 and 2021 before coming back in 2022.

Peggy Vance, SCOF executive director, and SCOF official Maureen Henry spoke with the San Clemente Times on Tuesday, Feb. 21, to provide the details behind the organization’s decision.

“We left the 2019 event feeling good,”

Vance said. “We had some new people that joined the board, and we felt strong and ready for 2020.”

The pandemic shutdown left the 501 (c)(4) organization with expenses it couldn’t recover, especially as it was situated within the few categories of nonprofits that were ineligible for financial aid.

Heading into the preparation phase for last year’s event, Vance said they were already short-handed.

The combination of one board member dying from COVID-19 and multiple others stepping away from their positions forced the rest to take on several roles in order to put on the 2022 event.

Organizing each Ocean Festival requires people to handle the youth pavilion, athletic results from events, product sales, logistics and setup, and the awards, among other aspects.

Henry said that only a few weeks passed after the last Ocean Festival before the idea to shut down for 2023 was initially floated. The organization then spent time trying to ask other local organizations if they could participate in presenting any event to San Clemente, but the groups didn’t have the capacity to actively engage in the weeks leading up to a possible event.

Ocean Festival leadership knew it would be best not to host the two-day spectacle this year, but dragged their feet on making a final decision between September and January, according to Vance.

Henry provided her own assessment of what happened.

“All of us, I think, were on both sides,” she said. “We didn’t want the event to happen, but we didn’t want to see it go away.”

They’ll spend the next year or more recruiting and rebuilding the organization and theorizing on what other changes might need to be made before the next Ocean Festival in 2024.

In the media release announcing the decision, Henry wrote that the thought of the event not continuing well into the future “leaves a gaping hole at our core.”

“Unique events, engaged individuals, and a picturesque beach landscape are at the center of what creates community and makes a town special,” Ocean Fest said in the release.“If not you, then who? Hear the call of the ocean, grab a friend, and find out how you can make the beach come to life at the Ocean Festival next year.”

Visit oceanfestival.org, email pvscof@yahoo.com or call 949.440.6141 to learn more about volunteering with the organization.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

THURSDAY, FEB. 23

Zoning Administration

3-5 p.m. The city’s Zoning Administrator will conduct a regularly scheduled meeting at San Clemente City Hall, at 910 Calle Negocio. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

Community Workshop—House Element Implementation

Noon-6:30 a.m. The City of San Clemente invites you to participate in a community workshop to learn about the city’s efforts to implement the Housing Element Update. San Clemente City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

TUESDAY, FEB. 28

Public Safety Committee

3-5:30 p.m. The city’s Public Safety Committee will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting at San Clemente City Hall, at 910 Calle Negocio. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

City Council: Long-Term Financial Plan

4 p.m. The City Council will meet for a discussion on the city’s Long-Term Financial Plan in the Council Chambers at San Clemente City Hall, located at 910 Calle Negocio. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

Because I Love You (BILY)

6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY) will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom. Email bilysanclemente@gmail.com for detailed instructions on how to participate.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

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.

(Cont. from page 3)

“(Vista Hermosa), as a park, was designed to accommodate all of the anticipated future uses and development of that park site,” she said.“The parking you’re seeing now is actually more than enough parking for what’s currently there.” Events such as soccer tournaments and the Carnival Colossal, especially in the case of the latter, would be seen as special circumstances where entities outside of the mini golf facility would be responsible for getting people in and out of the park, Wylie added.

She reminded the commission that concerns about traffic and parking would all be addressed by the Design Review Subcommittee, the Planning Commission, and eventually the City Council.

Commissioner Errol Foremaster told the Salty Turf group that although he appreciated their enthusiasm and that the facility was a great idea, he was concerned about the venture’s overall success.

He mentioned that the courses would be somewhat tucked into the park space,

making it harder to view and for people to know about, and that the group might need to add additional amenities to make a profit.

“I’m just concerned about you guys really doing your financial analysis and being sure that this is going to work for you,” Foremaster said. “I’d hate to see the city get in bed with you and you guys build this all out, and it doesn’t last for you. Then, all of a sudden, we’ve got the old miniature golf course sitting there that we have to figure out what we’re going to do with.”

Kiwanis Club of San Clemente

6 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of San Clemente is welcoming Ken Baum, widely known speaker, coach, and author, to make a presentation about his latest book, The Mental Edge for Teens. Fratello’s Italian Kitchen + Bar, 647 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente. Contact Dave Helman about making a reservation or learning more by calling 949.276.7354 or emailing dleftys@yahoo.com.

THE COACH HOUSE

www.thecoachhouse.com

TICKETS and DINNER RESERVATIONS: 949-496-8930

2/23 ACE FREHLEY

2/24 JOHN TESH – Big Band Live

2/25 DENNIS TUFANO w/special guest CANNIBAL AND THE HEADHUNTERS

2/26 YASMIN WILLIAMS

3/2 DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE

GILMORE and The Guilty Ones

3/3 WAR

3/4 THE GARTH GUY (garth Brooks triBute)

3/5 SONNY LANDRETH

w/ Cindy Cashdollar

3/8 THE WHEELAND BROTHERS

3/9 ALBERT CUMMINGS

3/10 JD SOUTHER all the hits. some of the stories.

3/11 THE SMITHEREENS with guest

vocalist ROBIN WILSON

3/16 HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN

and TYLER HILTON performing elvis presley’s sun studio recordings

3/17 THE FENIANS

3/18 SERGIO MENDES

3/19 GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

3/23 PETTY CASH (Johnny cash & tom petty triBute)

3/24 SUPER DIAMOND

3/25 GENE LOVES JEZEBEL / BOW WOW WOW

3/26 BIG MOUNTAIN

3/31 BEATLES VS STONES

4/5 DUANE BETTS

& PALMETTO MOTEL

4/6 COLIN HAY Acoustic / Lazlo Bane

4/7 G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE

4/8 WILD CHILD (the doors triBute)

4/15 THE 5TH DIMENSION

4/16 HERMAN’S HERMITS ft peter noone

4/28 SKELETON CREW (grateful dead triBute) 4/29 CREAM OF CLAPTON

BETH HART

MORGAN JAMES

OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS

METALACHI

QUEEN NATION (Queen triBute) 5/14 HALEY REINHART

5/19 JOHN CAFFERTY

& The BEAVER BROWN BAND

5/21 LET’S HANG ON! (frankie valli & the four seasons triBute)

6/3 JUDY COLLINS

6/8 BLACK SABBITCH (female Black saBBath triBute)

6/9 AL Di MEOLA

6/16 AL JARDINE and his endless summer Band

6/17 AMBROSIA

6/18 PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE

7/1 MICK ADAMS & THE STONES

7/15 SHINE ON – pink floyd experience

7/19 THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND

7/22 Y & T

7/28 SPACE ODDITY (david Bowie triBute)

7/29 KIDS OF CHARLEMAGNE

8/4 PABLO CRUISE

8/18 SPYRO GYRA

8/19 MADELEINE PEYROUX

10/7 RONDSTADT REVIVAL

10/15 JOURNEYMAN (eric clapton triBute)

33157 Camino Capistrano | San Juan Capistrano

Perspire Sauna Studio Brand Expands into San Clemente

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The grand opening of Perspire Sauna Studio on Friday, Feb. 17, in San Clemente’s Ocean View Plaza officially placed the growing wellness franchise’s third dot on the South Orange County map.

Franchisee Maria Kirgan, who also owns the Dana Point and Laguna Niguel locations, told the San Clemente Times that she has enjoyed being part of the Perspire brand ever since she moved her career away from the corporate world about three years ago.

Kirgan, a breast cancer survivor, says the saunas’ infrared technology and color light therapy helped her during the recovery process, as well as with afflictions of anxiety, depression, and pain.

Since opening the Dana Point location in November 2020, Kirgan has had a better quality of life and has been able to spend more time with her children. She added that her ventures have done well, as more people turned to prioritizing health and wellness in the wake of the pandemic’s most dire stages.

by History’ Art Exhibition to Evoke Emotion, Show California’s Past and Present

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Starting on March 16, visitors to the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens will be able to experience the juxtaposition of California’s past and present, thanks in part to renowned local artist Rick Delanty.

Delanty painted 22 works over the past two years, meant to partially reflect historical masterworks loaned by the Boseker family, for the upcoming Inspired by History exhibition running through June 4.

The 44 total pieces between Delanty and the Boseker family collection will be split into groups of two and shown side-by-side, allowing for guests to understand what locations used to look like and Delanty’s modern perspective of each painting.

In addition to the works, Casa Romantica will also host a lecture from art historian and former Irvine Museum

“I try to share my story with our members, but a lot of our members come for different reasons,” said Kirgan. “They have toxicity, Lyme disease, (and) chronic pain, and this just makes them feel much better.”

She explained that Perspire’s sauna system uses infrared light to heat up people’s core body temperatures instead of heating an entire room. Thus, the light has a much milder effect on the body and allows people to stay for

around 40 minutes, as opposed to five or 10 minutes at a traditional gym sauna.

The individual rooms, of which the San Clemente space has nine, also utilize chromotherapy. Red lighting can help alleviate pain and inflammation in addition to boosting collagen production, according to Kirgan, and green light is especially useful for balancing the body during flu season.

Within each room, members are free to read or watch Netflix, and they have

access to television monitors that can play services such as Hulu or YouTube Music.

Kirgan said that since becoming an entrepreneur, she’s been able to work as much or as little as she wants, and that the sauna studio environment is much more “chill” than her previous workplaces.

“It’s different, but I’ve adjusted pretty well to it,” she said. “I love getting up in the morning and doing this stuff. It’s very different from how I felt in the corporate world.”

By bringing Perspire to San Clemente (at 638 Camino de los Mares, Suite D2B), Kirgan hopes to share the healing that she and members in other cities have experienced. She also wants to inform people that such technology is available.

“It’s not a mainstream thing that a lot of people know about,” said Kirgan. “Our goal is to educate and to really share the healing benefits of infrared, because there’s always going to be something that ails somebody.”

Perspire offers packages of four sessions for $139, eight for $239, or 20 for $499, as well as memberships that include four sessions per month for $99, eight for $159, or unlimited sessions for $199.

More information about the studio can be found at perspiresaunastudio.com.

The new Perspire Sauna Studio in San Clemente—Maria Kirgan’s third franchise in South Orange County—aims to improve people’s mental and physical well-being. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

Rick Delanty, a longtime landscape artist, took inspiration from 22 historical paintings from the Boseker family collection to create his own works for the upcoming Inspired by History art exhibition at Casa Romantica. Photo: Courtesy of Rick Delanty

Director Jean Stern, an Artist’s Talk with Delanty on April 7, and “paint-outs” by the California Art Club, the Laguna Plein

‘Inspired

Air Painters Association, the San Clemente Art Association, and the Southern California Plein Air Painters Association.

Following Delanty’s solo Beauty Unites Us exhibition that ended in June 2021,

‘Battle of the Bands’ to Return to San Clemente High

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

After nearly 20 years, San Clemente High students will once again get the chance to showcase their musical talents and compete for studio time as part of the school’s upcoming “Battle of the Bands,” which will kick off in late March.

Starting on March 27, a different band will play their original songs at lunch to an audience of their peers, teachers, and music industry personnel. The bands— comprising sophomores, juniors and seniors—include The Bad Kissers, Roswell, Current Location, Apollo Weekend, and The Wool Club.

The winning band at the end of the week—March 31—will earn the opportunity to work with Biff Cooper of the San Clemente-based Power Plant Records to record a demo tape of three songs.

Cooper told San Clemente Times he got involved with the competition after hearing about it from an SCHS student he works with as part of Power Plant’s afterschool program. He then got connected with teacher Jonathan Bisch, who is leading the event and was looking for a partner to record songs and find judges.

“I’m looking forward (to the winners) recording in a professional studio and

help them develop the content necessary to get them noticed by potential fans,” said Cooper.

The weeklong battle was initially scheduled to start on Monday, Feb. 27; however, because of the upcoming storm

(Cont. from page 7)

he spoke with Amy Behrens, the center’s executive director, about organizing a display that would center on older paintings of the state’s landscape.

She was receptive, especially as Casa Romantica was looking to plan its next historical exhibition.

Behrens told San Clemente Times that she was “very interested” in showing some of the Boseker family’s collection that includes works from the California Impressionist period. Those works, dating back to the 20th century, were painted outdoors, or “en plein air,” and focused on displaying the emotions invoked by the depicted landscapes.

Yvonne Boseker, the head of the Boseker Family Art Collection and a collector of Delanty’s, was happy to share the pieces.

Delanty’s previous experiences in seeing the collection proved to be helpful as the exhibition planning developed.

“I was familiar enough with it that when we started talking about which pieces to select, that I had some ideas in mind, governed by what excited me

about the paintings and also about the space of the galleries in the Casa,” he said. “That’s how we selected the final 22 that are part of the show.”

The first work Delanty completed was at Mission San Juan Capistrano, where Arthur Grover Rider painted a specific archway on the property.

Delanty went to the spot shown in Rider’s piece, walked 10 feet away and tried to find another aspect of the Mission that inspired him. He then went to work, and “tried to give the Mission that beauty and solitary peacefulness” that he had experienced from the painting of the arch.

For another painting, Delanty and his wife traveled to the San Francisco area, where Thomas Ross painted the Bay in 1865. More than 100 years later and with the addition of the Golden Gate Bridge, Delanty went just southeast of the bridge to Crissy Field and painted.

“What was exciting for me was to be in that place that Thomas Ross had visited, and paint a whole new introduction into that environment,” he said.

Another one of the paintings in the exhibit, Opulent Spring by William Wendt, depicts a field of poppies. Delanty said he wasn’t interested in copying Wendt’s work, but rather working in the spirit of what Wendt would do if the two were together, painting in the same spot.

“All of these 22 paintings have something in common with mine that I thought was most significant about them,” he said, whether that aspect is color, subject matter, or location.

He went to the places specifically painted in a work that Boseker shared on a few occasions, but he avoided mimicking exactly what was already done and done well.

Behrens said it was “fantastic” to have both historical and contemporary visions of California present at the Casa, as it presents a richer version of reality than photographs.

“Painting the history of Southern California makes it into a narrative, and automatically a comment on the landscape and environment,” she said.

She also called the display an “in-

heading to Southern California, the organizers have postponed it to the next month. credible opportunity” to see a group of amazing works right next to each other, which does not occur often in modern museums and galleries.

Regarding why Delanty thinks viewers will enjoy the exhibition, he said that he hopes seeing historical art will connect people to the past through the emotions in the same way that society appreciates ancient Greek and Roman sculptures.

When people walk in, Delanty said, he hopes that they’ll be able to see how the artists were moved by California’s landscape, how he was moved, and that they will be moved as well.

He also referenced a quote from Carl Jung that stated how history remains in people’s blood to this very day, which will be shown in the display.

“That’s the whole purpose of the exhibition, to show how art is real,” said Delanty. “It’s not just colors and shapes, but it’s actually the portrayal of emotions and life and how actual people view the world. It’s something with which I hope every gallery-goer will be able to connect.”

San Clemente High School is bringing back “Battle of the Bands,” allowing groups such as The Wool Club (pictured here), Roswell and Apollo Weekend to perform for students and faculty throughout the week of March 27. The winner will get to record a three-song demo tape.

Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Bisch

OBITUARY Nipper Larson

December 25, 1945 - December 31, 2022

On December 31, 2022, Harry Francis Larson II, aka “Nipper”, left this earthly plane after his heart stopped suddenly while skiing down a falling snow-covered mountain in Idaho with his son-in-law Mike Russell. Nipper and Lori traveled on Christmas day to spend his 77th birthday and first Christmas with their grand-daughter, Cadence Avery Russell.

Nipper & Lori Larson arrived in San Clemente 30 years ago, leaving Mammoth Lakes with two beautiful daughters, Madison 4, Lynnea 1½. San Clemente provided everything they were looking for: work and volunteer opportunities, sunshine and our San Clemente addition to our family, our son, Torrey Spencer Larson.

Nipper is survived by his wife of San Clemente, Lori Corkhill Larson, married 36 years and 44 years together; their daughter Madison Russell, son-in-law Mike Russell, and grand-daughter, Cadence Avery who reside in Meridian, Idaho; daughter Lynnea Nicolette Larson-Ponte and daughter-in-law Francelia Ponte, who now reside in Alexandria, Virginia; Nipper’s only sur-

viving Larson family member, his younger brother, Ken Larson and wife Suzy Larson of San Bernardino, CA.

No one will ever tell us how/why Nipper died that day, (he was an expert skier), but we know he died of a broken heart over losing our only son, Torrey, on June 25, 2022. It was a grief too heavy to bear. We believe that Nipper and Torrey are together, there is no more pain, both physically and emotionally. Nipper waited 50 years to have a son. Without Torrey, Nipper was lost. Now they are both safe and home and right next to a God that has a Master Plan for his grieving family.

After losing both Torrey & Nipper within six months of each other has left the Larson family both emotionally and financially devastated. Our hope is that your support will help this family minimize the insurmountable debt that looms large at a time when they need to grieve and recover from their devastating sorrow. *GiveSendGo : The Larson Family Needs Your Help.

A Celebration of Life will be March 31st, 2023, at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville. All who knew Nipper and our family are welcome. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and service begins at 10 a.m.

CLASSIFIEDS

SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED AD AT SANCLEMENTETIMES.COM

GARAGE SALES

GARAGE SALE - FEBRUARY, 25 & 26

Huge Garage & Yard Sale Rain or Shine 2/25-2/26.

26622 Calle Lago Capistrano Beach. Everything must go! Come get it before Goodwill does. Vintage, Plants, Clothes, Craft Supplies, Ephemere & Art.

FORSTER RANCH COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY, MARCH 11 8am-12pm. X streets Camino Vera Cruz and Camino De Los Mares.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Experienced Tile setters and helpers, Slab Fabricators, Slab Installation 5 years exp Top pay based on experienced. 949-395-3369.

by Jim Wynne & Arrow Santos

Old Dirt, New Neighbors

The El Camino Real off-ramp is one of our city’s major southbound entry points. Drivers exiting the freeway are currently greeted by shuttered buildings and abandoned land on all corners of the intersection of West Avenida Valencia and El Camino Real.

The southwest corner is an empty, fenced-off lot that hasn’t been used since functioning as a gas station in the 1990s. The former automotive service center Top Tune on the southeast corner has been vacant since 2013 and has been fenced up and slowly falling into disrepair since 2015.

And on the final corner to the northwest, Tommy’s Restaurant has sat shuttered since its abrupt closing at the end of 2019.

A red-carpet entrance to our beautiful city, this off-ramp intersection is not.

Soon, all three corners will have separate building projects underway simultaneously. All three projects adhere to the city’s specific Spanish Colonial Revival architecture requirements and will uphold the iconic San Clemente image we all know and love.

Unrelated, aside from the coincidental timing after the yearslong wait, these developments are slated to bring new business venues and living spaces to this current dead zone.

The Valencia Building will replace Top Tune at 1502 S. El Camino Real. This finished redevelopment will be an approximate 5,072-square-foot, two-story commercial building with a restaurant on the first floor and office space available to lease on the second floor.

The restaurant will feature an interior dining area of approximately 2,999 square feet and an outside patio of 750 square feet. Total seating will allow for about 92 patrons. Surface and underground parking will be available, with a drive-around access ramp for exiting through the back alley.

Letters to The Editor

STREAMLINING

LARRY CULBERTSON, president of the San Clemente Historical Society

On March 8, the Planning Commission will be considering a proposal to streamline the process for getting a building

Twenty parking spots, plus bike racks, will be available on-site, along with overflow shared street parking. Intricate design elements adorn the property throughout, and a city-approved landscape plan ensures this entire project will have high curb appeal from all directions.

The Caldava Mixed-Use Project will be constructed on the empty lots at 1430 S. El Camino Real. This approximately 23,545-square-foot, two-story mixed-use building will hold 10 apartment units on the top floor, office and retail space on the first floor, and subterranean parking for 49 vehicles.

Join SC Times for Beachside Chat on Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 a.m.

Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues hosted by PFM Managing Editor

Shawn Raymundo every Friday. The chat will be held at Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria. All are welcome.

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 sanclementetimes.com

HOW TO REACH US

MANAGING EDITOR

Shawn Raymundo • 949.388.7700, x113 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com

SPORTS

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ART + DESIGN

THE BUSINESS BUZZ

BY JIM WYNNE

spaces along a significant transit corridor, these projects will provide crucial opportunities for living and working in San Clemente. As the SC beach kids of the 1990s and early 2000s begin to have children of their own, preparations are imperative now to meet the generational needs of future housing and employment options.

THE BUSINESS BUZZ

BY ARROW SANTOS

One of the residential units will be designated as “affordable at the low-income level” and must adhere to strict ongoing governmental standards for this designation. Unlike the other two developments mentioned here, this is the only project that runs just across the line of the Coastal Commission zoning boundary and will have to seek additional permissions for the construction.

On the final corner, Tommy’s Restaurant will be torn down and replaced with the new Shoreline Dental facility. This will be an approximately 6,000-square-foot, two-story commercial building with a dental office on the first floor and general office suites upstairs. Shoreline Dental’s San Clemente location is currently at 122 Avenida Cabrillo. By revitalizing these yearslong unused

permit. The San Clemente Historical Society is concerned about the parts of that proposal that would diminish or remove the protection that historic buildings currently have.

City Council gave city staff and the Planning Commission a directive to modify the Zoning Code to make getting a building permit faster and easier. But we do not think it was the intention of council to remove the safeguards that are in place to protect historic resources.

The Zoning Code has evolved over

Keep an eye on southwest San Clemente in the coming years. With a still bountiful harvest of unused land, a smattering of seriously declining older structures, and many original real estate owners aging out, we are sure to see additional infill housing and live/work projects thrive in this area for the next generation to continue the legacy of Ole Hanson’s dream. SC

Jim Wynne, president of WynneCRE, is a San Clemente local, San Onofre Surfing Club president, and father of five, who serves as the immediate past chairman for the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. Arrow Santos is a San Clemente native, professional writer/photographer and marketing director of WynneCRE.

Shawn Raymundo

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Accounting & Finance Manager

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CONTRIBUTORS

Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

the years. There was a time, not long ago, when a permit to bulldoze an Ole Hanson Era building could be obtained “over the counter.” Today, not only are historic buildings protected, but the area of protection has been extended to include projects in the neighborhoods surrounding those buildings.

The proposed amendment would allow many projects that now must go to the Planning Commission for approval to be rubber-stamped by Planning Department staff.

San Clemente Times Vol. 18, Issue 8. The SC Times (sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. San Clemente Times is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at San Clemente, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

Another protection currently in place is the 300-foot rule. Projects within 300 feet of a historic building are held to a slightly higher standard of design than buildings further away. The purpose of this is to ensure that the architectural look and feel of the neighborhood, as stated in our Municipal Code, “will preserve and strengthen San Clemente’s historic identity as a Spanish Village.” The new proposal would slash the distance to only 120 feet.

The most disturbing aspect of the proposed amendment is that the lowered level of review would also eliminate the public notice and hearing that are currently required for many projects involving historic buildings or in the area surrounding them. This would deprive neighbors of their right to know about and provide input regarding projects that might impact their properties. Please let the Planning Commission know that our existing Zoning Code is working just fine when it comes to protecting our historic buildings and it needs no streamlining.

SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL REMOVAL STEVE HOPS, San Clemente

The recent opinion piece by Manuel Camargo, principal manager of Stra-

tegic Planning for SONGS, reinflamed my outrage toward our Department of Energy. How do the senior managers of that public organization walk out their office doors at night comfortable with the thought that they’ve put in a hard day’s work in service to us?

They leave a vital task undone: moving the waste off-site. This is after 25 years of delay and $46 billion accumulated from surcharges to our energy bills.

Last I heard, New Mexico and West Texas were interested in the federal fees

to be generated by devoting a barren patch of remote desert to store our waste, which is 25 yards from the ocean in an earthquake zone.

Join the coalition, Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now, to support their efforts to move the waste at spentfuelsolutionsnow.com.

Regardless of your politics, or how you feel about Edison, I think all San Clemente citizens support the idea that we don’t want to leave that horrible pile of toxic crap for our grandkids to worry about.

FEAR OF FLYING TONY HAYS, San Clemente

The fear of flying, as noted in Shelley Murphy’s recent column “Time Flies & The Friendly Skies,” is real and understandable, but also unfounded, as the author admits.

A single statistic might alleviate that fear.

For worldwide scheduled operations of U.S. commercial aircraft with 30 seats or more, for the 12-year period 2010 to 2021 (which is the latest data I could find), the total number of fatalities was two.

So, the next time you board a commercial aircraft, relax. You are probably safer than staying at home.

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 sraymundo@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.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

TUESDAY | 28

PAINTING AND VINO

ORANGE COUNTY: ‘STARRY NIGHT’

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

THURSDAY | 23

MOLLY MILLER TRIO

6:15-8 p.m. One of LA’s most sought-after Jazz guitarists performs at Casa Romantica in the Main Salon. Molly Miller has performed with Jason Mraz and the Black Eyed Peas. This event includes a pre-show reception with complimentary appetizers and drinks catered by Rocco’s Restaurants. Cost of admission ranges from $45 to $55. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.

LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER

7 p.m. The Female AC/DC will perform live. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

FRIDAY | 24

LIVE MUSIC AT BARNOA

6:30 p.m. The band 40 Proof will perform at this wine bar and bistro. Barnoa Wine Company, 831 Via Suerte, Suite 106, San Clemente. barnoawinebar.com.

LIVE THEATER AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE

7:30 p.m. Watch a live performance of family comedy Over the River and Through the Woods at San Juan Capistrano’s local theater. Showings will continue through March 12. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE

8 p.m. Enjoy some rollicking sounds over dinner at this intimate and popular South Orange County venue. John Tesh

Editor’s Pick

SATURDAY | 25 SAN CLEMENTE DAY FISHING DERBY

9-11 a.m. Join the City of San Clemente in celebrating its 95th Anniversary. To commemorate the history and traditions of the city, there will be a youth fishing derby at the San Clemente Pier, where kids between the ages of 6 and 13 are invited to participate. There will be four categories: first fish caught, most fish, biggest fish and smallest fish. There will also be other activities, plus event shirts, awards and more. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife will supply the equipment. Pre-register for the derby on the city’s website, san-clemente.org/recreation. The cost is $5 without a pole rental or $10 with a pole rental. The city will continue the day’s celebration with a free family swim from noon to 1 p.m. at the San Clemente Aquatics Center. San Clemente Municipal Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. san-clemente.org.

will perform. Tickets are $38 to $50. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

SATURDAY | 25

LOVE YOUR BEACH CLEANUP

9 a.m. Join the Doheny State Beach Foundation and give some love back to the ocean. Volunteers will meet at the picnic tables along the boardwalk adjacent to lifeguard headquarters and San Juan Creek river mouth. Complimentary parking passes will be given at check-in and are valid until 12:30 p.m. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. dohenystatebeach.org.

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. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

PET ADOPTION EVENT

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Heer to Rescue is hosting an adoption event with plenty of dogs available. There will also be a kissing

booth for photo opportunities, and other items for donation such as dog bowls, toys and more. San Clemente Gym, 1108 North El Camino Real, San Clemente.

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.

SUNDAY | 26

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.

MONDAY | 27

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.

6-9 p.m. Love the impressionists, especially Van Gogh and his style? Join Painting and Vino Orange County to make your own, under step-by-step instructions. This paint and sip event is at Bella Collina San Clemente. Enjoy easy step-by-step instruction from master artist Nick LeGuern. All supplies will be provided for you. Full bar and restaurant menu available for purchase. This event is suitable for adults and recommended for kids 13 and older. An adult must accompany any attending kids and must pay for a separate ticket. Tickets are $45. Bella Collina San Clemente, 200 Avenida La Pata, eventbrite.com.

WEDNESDAY | 01

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.

USCG AUXILIARY

PUBLIC EDUCATION:

BOATING SKILLS & SEAMANSHIP

7 p.m. This comprehensive course is designed for both experienced and novice boaters. Topics include safety, radio, boat handling, rules of the road, knots, aids to navigation, knots and many other valuable subjects. Successful completion will get you the Boater Operator card not required to operate a vessel in California. Costs $70 per person and includes a textbook. To register, contact Eric Gritzmacher at ericgritzmacher@cox.net or 949.632.2378, or Guy Heaton at guyheaton3489@gmail.com or 949.345.9686. Dana Point Yacht Club, 24399 Dana Drive, Dana Point.

H.H. COTTON’S LIVE MUSIC SHOWCASE

7-10 p.m. Every Wednesday, H.H. Cotton’s will host this live music showcase to feature talented local musicians from around the area and will occur in the restaurant’s Hamilton Room (the back room). H.H. Cotton’s, 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. hhcottons.com.

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Photo: File

OFFICIAL EVENT GUIDE

WELCOME TO THE 52 ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WHALES

Mayor’s Message

BYMAYOR MIKE FROST

IT IS AN

THIS TIME OF YEAR TO CELEBRATE OUR FESTIVAL OF WHALES, which commemorates Dana Point’s pride in its distinctive role in the migration of thousands of whales that pass along our city’s beautiful coastline.

Throughout that March weekend, there will be many opportunities for residents and visitors to experience whale watching, learn more about these great creatures at special presentations, and share in arts festivals, live music, classic car shows and so much more.

Over the years, many individuals have played an important role in ensuring we not only celebrate the whale migration but also honor our responsibility in caring for the beaches and ocean waters that are home to these great creatures.

There are many city leaders who have devoted much of their life to increase

awareness of this critical environmental legacy.

In 2022, we lost one of those iconic individuals, Wayne Rayfield.

He served on the Dana Point City Council from 1998 to 2006, was named Dana Point Citizen of the Year in 2004, and served as Mayor of the City of Dana Point in 2005.

He went on to serve as Director of the South Coast Water District from 2008 to 2022. During that time, he worked diligently on water conservation and protecting this important natural resource.

Ongoing efforts to care for the environment, our ocean, and beaches are vital.

That is why I am excited to share that on Sunday, March 5, at 9 a.m. during the Festival of Whales, volunteers can join one of two beach cleanups.

These are great ways to reduce litter, protect marine life, and raise awareness about the harmful effects of trash and plastic pollution. Later that day, everyone is invited to join in the “OC Streams of Hope” presentation. This is a countywide public arts and community cleanup campaign that will help to inspire people across Orange County and beyond to become even better stewards of our coasts and waterways.

Let’s all get inspired during this year’s Festival of Whales to do our part to ensure Dana Point and its coastline remain a safe destination for all marine life—especially our magnificent whales.

Festival of Whales Partners with Laguna Cliffs Marriott, Launches Concerts on the Cliff

Musical artists Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne will headline the Festival of Whales Foundation’s inaugural Concerts on the Cliff at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa on March 4.

The special “Ladies Night” event will be held on the resort’s Vue Lawn, where Easton, a two-time Grammy Award-winning artist, and American pop artist Dayne will perform.

And back in early January, the Foundation also announced that it has partnered with the Laguna Cliffs Marriott for the 52nd annual Festival of Whales, making the resort the preferred lodging partner.

“We look forward to introducing our own signature event as part of the festival and supporting the Festival of Whales

Foundation for many years to come,” Laguna Cliffs Marriott General Manager Jeff Perkins said in a media release.

“We are so fortunate to have a direct view of the festival happenings and beautiful Dana Point Harbor, the gateway to these extraordinary whale-watching experiences,” Perkins continued.

Donna Kalez, Festival of Whales Foundation chair and daughter of the festival’s founder, Don Hansen, added that the resort’s vision and values “align perfectly with the festival, as they promote ocean-friendly practices and are passionate about keeping our beaches clean and preserved for generations to come.”

—Breeana Greenberg

MEET THIS YEAR ’ S LOGO ARTIST

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Gearing up for the 52nd annual Festival of Whales, taking place in Dana Point from March 3-5, the event’s Foundation Board selected Rancho Santa Margarita resident Suzanne Maynard as this year’s logo artist.

The Festival of Whales Foundation previously held an annual logo design contest, accepting public submissions for that prior year’s logo. Before that, the foundation selected student designs for the logo.

The board chose this year’s designer from among its favorites of past entries. Maynard had submitted a logo to the design contest in 2017.

“It felt good, because at the time I was like, ‘I think this is a really good logo,’ and then I kind of forgot about it,” Maynard said. “It feels good to have the recognition that people like it.”

Maynard moved to California 10 years ago, after studying advertising at the Pratt Institute of Art and Design.

“I was in New York my whole life and just wanted a little change of pace,” Maynard said.

Maynard now lives in Rancho Santa Margarita and is a creative director at PRECISIONeffect.

When she first moved to South Orange County, Maynard especially enjoyed walking around the Dana Point Harbor. She even had her baby shower in the harbor.

Submitting the Festival of Whales logo design was a fun side gig, Maynard said. When drawing up the logo design, Maynard merged the warm, colorful aesthetic of the ’70s with beachy, coastal California vibes.

“I’m not a California native, and whenever I thought of California, I thought of this very vintagey, beachy vibe,” Maynard said. “It felt very nostalgic. I knew I wanted to create something with that kind of ’70s feel to it, that texture, the color.”

Suzanne Maynard, the Rancho Santa Margarita artist behind this year’s Festival of Whales logo, shows off her design that has been used to promote the 2023 event.

Photo: Courtesy of Suzanne Maynard

HONOR

ISLAND

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, MARCH

OCEAN INSTITUTE

4

WELCOMING OF THE WHALES

Purple

4:45-9 p.m. The Festival of Whales and Ocean Institute invite the community to a sunset welcoming ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen Nation, along with a Dana Point Surf Club paddle-out at the Marine Protected Area beach behind the Ocean Institute. Following the beach ceremony, a reception will be held inside the Ocean Institute. The event will include food truck cuisine and beverages for purchase, a screening of the Humpback Whales movie, Ocean Institute’s free interactive educational activities and displays, live music and Festival merchandise for sale. 5

SATURDAY, MARCH

WAY/DP HARBOR

DRIVE

FESTIVAL OF WHALES PARADE

10 a.m. The parade route starts at the Richard Henry Dana statue on the Island Way Bridge and proceeds over the bridge, then right on Dana Point Harbor Drive and continues until it ends at Golden Lantern. The parade can be viewed from sections of the Island Way Bridge and along Dana Point Harbor Drive. The parade features giant helium parade balloons, marching bands, school groups, nonprofit organizations and floats. For more information, email recreation@danapoint.org. 1, 8, 2

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL YOUNG ARTISTS SHOW AND SALE

10 a.m.-4 p.m. High school students from DHHS/SOCSA present artworks in various mediums for purchase. See pottery, photography, drawing, painting and more. 8

JUST HAVIN’ FUN CAR CLUB SHOW

Noon-4 p.m. On the east side of the Island Way bridge, there will be the Just Havin’ Fun Car Club Show, which will feature a large selection of classic cars, from muscle cars to hotrods to trucks and American family cruisers. 9

GOLDEN LANTERN/DP HARBOR DRIVE WHALES, TAILS & ALES (STREET FAIR)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Pet Project Foundation for a day of outdoor fun for the whole family—both the two-legged and four-legged members! Enjoy craft beer, delicious eats, live music, kid-friendly fun with our friends from Dave & Buster’s, dog costume contests, local artisans, dog-friendly vendors and much more. Find out more at peprojectfoundation.org. 2

BABY BEACH

CARDBOARD CLASSIC & DINGHY DASH

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Westwind Sailing hosts their 6th Annual Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash. This event is a fun-filled, family-oriented day that includes a cardboard boat building contest and race (the Dinghy Dash), business boat exhibition and public vote, food, event celebrity emcee Jim Taylor, music and awards. For more information or to register a team, visit

4

westwindsailing.com/cardboard-classic-dinghy-dash or call 949.492.3035. 15

CLAM CHOWDER COOK-OFF

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Join the fun of the 10th annual Fish for Life Clam Chowder Cook-Off, featuring delicious bites form all your local favorite restaurants! The cost to taste all chowders is $10. Guests will receive two voting tickets: one to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award, and one for the Best Booth Decoration. Find out more at fishforlife.org. 15

LAGUNA CLIFFS MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA

CONCERTS ON THE CLIFF

3-8 p.m. As the official hospitality partner of Dana Point Festival of the Whales, join Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa for this special Ladies Night event featuring artists Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne in conjunction with Bobby Dee Presents. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. 17

DANA WHARF

WYLAND ‘ART LESSONS IN THE WILD’

9-9:45 a.m. Marine muralist Wyland continues the Landmark Whale and Dolphin Adventure “Art Lessons in the Wild,” facilitating the most creative experience on the water. Each participant will receive a free gift and create their own work of art aboard a Dana Wharf vessel. All of the artwork will be judged by Wyland himself, with multiple winners and a grand prize winner who will receive a special framed and signed art creation by Wyland, valued up to $3,000. 3

HARPOON HENRY’S

MARINE MAMMAL LECTURE SERIES:

ALISA SCHULMAN-JANIGER

9:30-10:30 a.m. Enjoy a continental breakfast while listening to a fascinating talk by Alisa Schulman-Janiger on the California Orca and Gray Whale Census. Admission is $10 for adults; children are free. 13

ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT SOCIETY SHOW

10 a.m.-4 p.m. See antique and classic boats on display, including vintage mahogany and fiberglass models. Boats will be in the parking lot directly east of Harpoon Henry’s. 6

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

BABY BEACH

DIAMOND DIG

9 a.m.-noon. Join Monarch Beach Rotary Club for the annual Diamond Dig at Baby Beach, which raises money for children’s charities. Buy a shovel for $10, dress like a pirate, and start digging at 11 a.m. Find out more at danapointrotary.org. 15

STAND-UP PADDLING CLINICS

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the SUP craze and learn firsthand why it’s the fastest growing water sport today. These 45-minute water clinics will be held each hour on the hour—weather and conditions permitting. The cost to join is $10. Lifejackets are provided. Head to the booth at the OC Sailing & Event Center. More information can be found at westwindsailing.com. 7

INTERACTIVE SAILING RIDES

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Take a sailing ride and learn how to steer and sail a Capri 14! For $10, anyone 5 and older can enjoy 20-minute rides (with three participants maximum per boat)—weather and conditions permitting. Lifejackets will be provided. Find the Westwind Sailing booth at the OC Sailing & Event Center. All proceeds are donated to the Dana Point Aquatic Foundation for educational boating scholarships benefiting at-risk youth and adaptive boating programs. Check out westwindsailing.com for details. 7

CONCERT ON THE WATER AND BBQ

Noon-5 p.m. Bring your beach chairs and blankets to enjoy an afternoon of music, food and spirits. This free concert is held at Baby Beach, in the Dana Point Harbor with the bands playing on a floating dock. 15 Noon-12:30 p.m. Andrea Sheva (singer/ guitarist)

12:30-2:30 p.m. The Moondog Miller Band

3-5 p.m. The Reflexx

HARPOON HENRY’S

MARINE MAMMAL LECTURE SERIES:

KIRSTEN DONALD

9:30-10:30 a.m. Enjoy a continental breakfast accompanied by a talk with Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s Kirsten Donald on sea lion entanglement, rehabil-

itation and research. Admission is for $10 adults; children are free. 13

DANA WHARF

STORY TIME

10-11 a.m. Join Nona the Naturalist inside the belly of a whale for story time and learn some fun facts about cetaceans. What’s a cetacean? Find out as you sit inside a 25-foot blow-up whale. 3

KIDS’ FISHING CLINIC AND TRIP

Noon-12:30 p.m. & 12:45-5:15 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites all children to join this dockside fishing clinic and learn hands-on techniques on fishing from the experts. Prizes will be raffled off at the end of the clinic, which will be followed by a fishing trip. Adult admission is $61, plus license and equipment; children 12 and under are $10 with a purchase of a full price adult ticket. 3

DOHENY STATE BEACH

WHALE OF A CLEANUP

9 a.m.-noon. Celebrate the majestic migratory Gray Whale and the Festival by getting that debris off the beach before it washes out to sea and poses a threat to marine life. Those interested in participating should plan on meeting by the picnic tables along the boardwalk adjacent to the San Juan Creek river mouth. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and drinking water. 14

OCEAN INSTITUTE

STAND UP TO TRASH BEACH CLEANUP

9-11 a.m. Check in at the front of the Ocean Institute to sign up and get supplies (bags, buckets and grabbers). Stand Up to Trash encourages the “BYOB” philosophy (bring your own bucket or reusable bag, reusable gloves, water bottle or coffee cup) to help reduce any additional waste, but collection supplies will be available at check-in; then you’re free to roam the beach, ocean or surrounding areas to clean on your own, or make it a fun group project with friends and family. Pre-registration at standuptotrash.com is encouraged. 5

correspondnumbers with map on the following pages.

!

DANA POINT HARBOR

FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Logo merchandise will be available for purchase at booths near Dana Wharf Whale Watching on both days, as well as at the Whales, Tails & Ales Street Fair on Saturday, and at Baby Beach on Sunday. 2, 3, 15

HARBOR MUSIC SERIES

Noon-3 p.m. Enjoy a variety of musical styles and sounds presented by Dana Point Harbor Partners, and in conjunction with Community Outreach Alliance. Musical performances will take place in the Dana Wharf Courtyard area in front of El Torito, and along the Harbor Walkway in front of Coffee Importers. 3, 13

ISLAND WAY/DP HARBOR DRIVE

ART IN THE PARK

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Browse through booths of local artisans presenting artwork in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, gems and fossils, art glass and sea glass, wood, pottery, jewelry, textiles and much more. Art in the park will be held on the west side of Island Way, on the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive. 8

GOLDEN LANTERN/DP HARBOR DRIVE

WYLAND CLEAN WATER EXHIBIT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

10 a.m.-4 p.m. The popular Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience is a 1,000-square-foot science exhibit on wheels dedicated to inspiring and educating people everywhere about the state and future of our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The exhibit includes a 40-person onboard theater, an exhibit room with a running river, computer modeling simulations, interactive touch exhibits, and actual rain falling over an urban landscape. 2

BOTH DAYS OF FESTIVAL

HARBOR WALKWAY

DANA POINT FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION

SHOW & SALE

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Art will be on display at the Harbor Boardwalk along the boat docks in Mariner’s Village on the east side of the Coffee Importers Espresso Bar and Harpoon Henry’s restaurant. Watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, woodworking and photography by many award-winning local artists will be available for purchase. 10

All Month Long

LANTERN DISTRICT

DANA POINT HISTORICAL SOCIETY WALKING TOUR

2 p.m. Join historians on the Dana Point Historical Society’s annual historic town center Walking Tour. See and hear the stories of historic landmarks, view home exteriors of S.H. Woodruff’s original 1920s planned community, as well as bluff top harbor views that represent the area’s early history. The tour meets at the corner of PCH and Blue Lantern, in front of the historic building now home to Coastal Kitchen. 16

OCEAN INSTITUTE

OCEAN INSTITUTE

WHALE TAIL SCAVENGER HUNT

March 5- 27. Eight decorative wooden whale tails will be hidden throughout the Dana Point Harbor area from March 4-19. To enter for a chance to win a whale watching trip for a family of four, and $300 in gift cards to local Dana Point businesses, find all eight whale tails, take a photo standing by each, and email all eight photos to recreation@danapoint.org by March 28. And don’t forget to post on social media with #DPRecWhaleTailSighting and #festivalofwhales. Please don’t remove any of the whale tails once you have found them. For additional information, contact the City of Dana Point Recreation Division at 949.248.3536.

CLASSIC CAR DISPLAYS

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pacific Coast Corvettes

Club Car Show will display dozens of classic Corvettes both Saturday and Sunday, west of the Island Way bridge. On Saturday, also on the west side of the bridge, the SoCal Woodies Club Car Show will display the best example of iconic Woodie wagons—the classic vehicle of early Southern California surf culture—and on Sunday, the Austin Healy Association of SoCal and the Jaguar Owners Club of LA will display fine British motorcars for the British Invasion Car Show. 11, 12

DOHENY STATE BEACH

DOHENY STATE BEACH VISITOR’S CENTER OPEN HOUSE TOUR

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit Dana Point’s hidden gem—the Doheny State Beach Visitor’s Center—for an open house tour and Q&A session focused on the center’s whale collection displays. 14

The Ocean Institute will be open to feature several general admission activities such as a Gray Whale Pop-up Museum, Whaling History, Jr. Whale Researcher, Senses of the Sea and much more. Admission for adults is $15; $10 for seniors; and $7.50 for kids. Head to oceaninstitute.org for more details and to purchase tickets. 5

ECO HEROES:

DREAM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari will premiere virtual experiences for guests to enjoy on the business’s YouTube channel. These virtual experiences will include Doug Perrine, an award-winning photographer and researcher; Rick Erkeneff of Surfrider Foundation; and Tom Mustill, an author, photographer and researcher.

Whale Watching

OCEAN INSTITUTE

BOTH DAYS OF FESTIVAL AND BEYOND

DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Use Dana Wharf’s promo code FOW23 to save $10 off all tickets, excluding special (already discounted) 8 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. trips. For reservations, call 1.888.224.0603 or visit danawharf.com.

CAPT. DAVE’S DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING SAFARI

8 a.m.-4 p.m. For a limited time, save 20% instantly when you book a 2½hour Signature Safari or two-hour Zodiac Safari. For reservations, schedule and information: 949.488.2828 or visit dolphinsafari.com.

10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. These Marine Mammal Cruises depart twice each day. Join the crew for an experience you will never forget. This 2½-hour adventure aboard the RV Sea Explorer, Ocean Institute’s 65-foot research vessel, takes you miles beyond the Dana Point Harbor jetty in search of marine mammals such as migrating Blue whales, large schools of playful dolphin, the impressive sunfish known as Mola, and more. For more information or reservations, please visit oceaninstitute.org or call 949.496.2274.

WHALE WATCHING FROM LAND

8 a.m.-4 p.m. During this peak season, 40-50 whales pass by Dana Point each day, using the Dana Point Headlands’ 200-foot cliffs near the harbor as a landmark to check their migration path. Enjoy blufftop viewing from the Headlands Nature Interpretive Center.

MERCHANDISE FESTIVAL OF WHALES

EVENT MAP

The 2023 Dana Point Festival of Whales merchandise offerings include a colorful array of adult- and children-sized long-sleeve and short-sleeve T-shirts, zip-front and pullover hoodies, lapel pins and posters. There’s something for everyone!

MERCHANDISE BOOTH LOCATIONS

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 4:45-7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Welcoming of the Whales at Ocean Institute

Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, in the Wharf parking lot) Whales, Tails & Ales Street Fair

Dana Wharf (in front of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, in the Wharf parking lot) Near the Concert on the Water at Baby Beach

* Merchandise quantities are limited. Booths may close early if items sell out.

GETTING TO THE FESTIVAL

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

ATTENDEES CAN HOP ON ONE OF SEVERAL TROLLEYS OPERATING through the harbor to get to each event. Trolleys will make stops along Dana Point Harbor Drive, stopping in most Harbor area parking lots and event locations from Baby Beach to Puerto Place.

The Festival of Whales will offer off-site parking and trolley service throughout the weekend from Dana Hills High School. The festival trolley will make stops throughout town, and will shuttle guests from the Harbor and back. Festival organizers strongly encourage visitors to avoid Harbor traffic and take advantage of the parking at Dana Hills.

For the first time in the Festival of Whales’ 52-year history, a bike corral will be available for cyclists to store their bikes and e-bikes during the Festival weekend from March 4-5.

On Saturday, March 4, the bike corral will be located on the corner of Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, in the main harbor parking lot. On Sunday, March 5, the corral will be located at Baby Beach.

Doheny Bike will provide staffing for the corrals, with Rosen Law Offices sponsoring the new service.

For more information, visit festivalofwhales.com.

GETTING AROUND

TROLLEY and Parking Information

FREE trolleys will run on Saturday (Parade Day) from 7 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6:30 PM. This special Festival trolley service will begin at Dana Hills High School and include a few downtown stops, the Community Center, most Harbor area parking lots and event locations, except for a short period of time on Saturday, when a special Parade time route will run from 7 AM to approximately 11:30 AM. Avoid traffic and plan to park at the high school and trolley down to the celebration!

EBike Corrals

Bike corrals will be located in the main Harbor parking lot (on the corner of Golden Lantern & Dana Point Harbor Dr.) on Saturday, March 4 and will be located at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Riders must provide their own bike locks.

PARADE TIME SHUTTLE ROUTE

Hourly parking ($3/hour, $6 minimum/$15 max for all day) is available at Doheny State Beach at the automated payment kiosks. You may also use the Passport Parking app at https://ppprk.com/ park/.

In addition to making the initial payment via the app, time can also be added remotely from your cell phone or tablet. Free parking is available in and around the Harbor, along with some paid lots. Most of the Harbor’s FREE lots are limited to four hours maximum. Keep track of time or better yet, opt for all-day parking at Doheny.

Purple numbers correspond with event schedule.

DANA HILLS STUDENTS GET UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WITH DANA WHARF TRIP

BY COLLIN BREAUX

You Never Know What You Will See

BY CAPT. DAVE ANDERSON

I AM A BLESSED MAN WITH AN UNUSUAL OCCUPATION.

I, we, have seen a lot off the coast of Dana Point over the past 28 years. I have witnessed a pod of more than 10,000 common dolphins, so large it stretched out over five miles. I’ve watched pacific white-sided dolphins and bottlenose dolphins bow riding and frolicking in front of blue whales and humpbacks and gray whales and make themselves just as vulnerable in front of our boats.

In separate incidents, we had a bottlenose dolphin and a pilot whale pushing their dead calf around unable to let go, grieving. One day, I was surprised by a gray whale mom with twins, because they normally have only one calf.

I have filmed so many amazing things with my drone within a few miles of our harbor, such as dolphin stampedes or a blue whale calf nursing from her mother or a group of eight gray whales swimming together like dolphins.

I couldn’t believe my joy at seeing a humpback whale free itself from a prawn trap, just outside Dana Point Harbor, with violent thrashes and breeches twisting and turning because they have no hands or arms to untangle themselves.

I have seen countless balloons in the water, day after day. Balloons that should be illegal to release, like any other littering on land or in the ocean.

We’ve seen hundreds, maybe thousands, of gray whales pass by our whistle buoy, jetty and harbor entrance, a few mistakenly even coming inside our harbor. I have seen gray whales breach and reach for the sky, and I’ve seen them die, taking their last breath on the shore after being entangled for over a year.

I have been towed by a blue whale

and then thought about him for days after he escaped our attempt to free him of 200 pounds of crab traps. I’ve seen way more failures than successes, as many here in Dana Point have answered their silent calls for help over the years. I’ve made my living from whales, and so I was willing when they needed my help.

One day, I had to make the call to leave and give up on the rescue of an entangled gray whale calf, because her mom wouldn’t let us get close enough to her offspring to remove the fishing gear. It was heartbreaking.

So, in January, when a gray whale actually gave birth in front of three of our whale-watching boats, I was moved to tears.

She could have easily moved away from us. Why would she give birth next to our whale-watching boats and then bring her weak, flopping progeny over to our boats, as she did that day? As if to say, “Hey, look at my beautiful calf,” as gray whales often do in the birthing grounds in Baja.

Why, when our own dogs wouldn’t even do that and might not even let you near their pups? Why did she trust us? Why do they trust us when we hunted them almost to extinction and fill the ocean with plastic and accidentally catch them in fishing gear or run them over?

We have the first and longest-running Festival of the Whales. And it is fitting. We should have a festival; we should celebrate the gray whale migration. We should celebrate all their courage—to not run away, far away from us.

And, instead, let us carefully watch them. And even trust us with their newborn. We can do better with what has been given to us to care for and protect. And we will.

Instead of taking a test or turning in homework, Dana Hills High School student Maddie Keene spent part of her school morning out on the water.

Keene, 16, was onboard a Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching boat on Thursday, Feb. 2, for a class trip visual arts students took in conjunction with the upcoming Festival of Whales.

The boat ride out of Dana Point Harbor is an annual tradition intended to foster ecological curiosity in students and so they can explore different environments in their own backyard.

Some students, including Keene, took photos of the water and sea lions they saw for a class project. Other students will draw what they witnessed or artistically convey the trip in other ways.

“I think it’s really cool that our school is able to experience these types of things, especially because we live in this area,” Keene said. “I’m really grateful that we get to have this experience when there are a lot of other kids who don’t get to see the ocean in their lifetime. I just always feel super grateful.”

Keene has gone on previous whale watching excursions, but Thursday’s outing was her first time with classmates. She has previously participated in the Festival of Whales, which will happen at around the Dana Point Harbor this year from March 3-5.

“Last year, what we did is we took whales and made a logo for the Festival of Whales,” Keene said.

This school year marks the first time Keene is studying photography, though she has taken other art classes in the past.

“Being able to take pictures of the cool stuff of the area that we live in,” Keene said of what she likes about photography. “Dana Point is a very photographic area to live in.”

Visual arts instructors Jon Ginnaty, Chau Tran and Natalie Hribar-Kelly accompanied their students on the trip. Ginnaty—who teaches ceramics—said his students might translate their trip into ceramic work if possible but, if not, will still

appreciate the life experience of going out in the Pacific Ocean.

“Festival of Whales will have a booth that displays some of our student artwork,” Ginnaty said. “We’re gaining inspiration to turn around and make objects we’ll present at the booth.”

Getting outside the classroom is a wonderful experience for the kids, he said.

“A lot of these kids might not have the resources to go on a boat like this,” Ginnaty said. “To offer this opportunity is once in a lifetime for some of these kids. To just take a break from the classroom and be out in the sun and out in the nature, what you see and learn out here is more important than what you can pick up in one day in class.”

Nona Reimer, an educational consultant for Dana Wharf, said the trip can be a starting point for students to get motivated about helping conserve the ocean environment for whales and other marine life.

“That’s how it started for me. I was a marine ecology student at San Clemente High School,” Reimer said. “I was coming out on this boat, learning about gray whales, and here I am 50-some years later still concerned about these whales.”

Talking to students and seeing their love of art come together with concern for the whales is exciting, Reimer said.

“Putting that together is going to be an amazing door opening for their future,” she said. “It’s so important to have this partnership where we can bring these kids out here.”

Reimer also addressed the legacy of the Festival of Whales for the community.

“It goes back 52 years now,” Reimer said. “Our company, Dana Wharf, was instrumental in the founding of that program because it was so important to educate the community about these amazing gray whales that were migrating up and down the coast.”

“Going back 52 years is just about when the ecotourism business began of bringing the public out to see the whales,” she added.

For those interested in booking a whale watching trip of their own, please visit festivalofwhales.com.

Dana Hills High School photography student Maddie Keene, 16, takes photos during a boat trip with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching on Thursday, Feb. 2. Photo: Collin Breaux

A gray whale mom and her new calf swim around a Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari vessel. Photo: Courtesy of Matt Stumpf

‘THE GARTH GUY’ DEAN SIMMONS ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

BY COLLIN BREAUX, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

ostalgia will surely be in the air on March 4, when Garth Brooks tribute artist Dean Simmons performs the country singer’s tunes at The Coach House.

Simmons, who is based in Las Vegas, has never played at the San Juan Capistrano venue before and so is looking forward to his debut there.

The tribute singer makes a living imitating Brooks and goes by “The Garth Guy.” He secured The Coach House gig through his agent and has played other shows before in Southern California, a place he enjoys visiting for the weather and friendly residents.

“We’re really happy to be invited there,” Simmons said of the upcoming San Juan concert.

Not only does Simmons play all of Brooks’ biggest hits, he goes as far as looking and moving like the 1990s musical sensation. He aims to not only have similar clothes but also the same type of equipment—including using the same guitar and wireless headset microphone that Brooks did.

“I love to portray the ’90s version, with the bright clothes and all,” Simmons said.

“I try to present it as a fan of his and what he’s done for country music,” Simmons said.

As Simmons tells it, his unique vocation is one he found by happenstance. Simmons didn’t aim to imitate anybody.

Instead, he just grew up in a family of country singers. Simmons, too, took up the family pastime and—of course—sang what was on the radio at the time.

People told him he sounded like Brooks.

Then, in 1994, he ended up starting off as The Garth Guy when a concert organizer was looking for a Brooks tribute act.

“I fell backwards into it,” he said.

He’s now been The Garth Guy for almost 30 years.

Taking on the persona of Brooks has enabled Simmons to come out of his performance shell, since he was previously more of a self-described shy entertainer.

Performing Brooks songs in full regalia has enabled Simmons to travel the world and support his family through music, which he called a rare blessing. He regularly plays casinos or corporate events in Las Vegas.

Simmons also noted he’s been able to work with great entertainers.

“I play guitar, because I enjoy it,” he said.

When asked what the appeal of Brooks is, Simmons said Brooks was the benchmark for country music in the 1990s—which, before then, was considered more a genre for older

‘Knock at the Cabin’ Surprisingly Delivers

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

It’s February, and we’re already getting M. Night Shyamalan’s new film, Knock at the Cabin, since the laughably stupid Old (2021).

Any movie fan will tell you by now, you go into Shyamalan movies knowing they’re going to be his usual on-the-nose, predictable schlock. You enter the theater already trying to guess what the wacky twist is going to be or who in the cast is going to have the hammiest performance.

The funny thing about Knock at the Cabin is that there really aren’t much of those tropes to be found, surprisingly enough. After years of mediocrity and lowered expectations from viewers and critics, the successful filmmaker actually reminds us that he has a distinct directing style.

Like with some M. Night ventures, Knock at

the Cabin takes place in a single location with a group of strangers stuck together. Here, it’s in the middle of the New England woods where 7-year-old Wen (Kristen Cui) meets gym teacher Leonard (Dave Bautista) while catching grasshoppers outside her family’s vacation home.

Soon, she and her dads, Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge), discover Leonard and three other strangers—Sabrina (Nikki Amuka-Bird), Adriene (Abby Quinn) and Redmond (Rupert Grint)—come bearing weapons and a warning that the apocalypse could happen if one of them doesn’t sacrifice themselves.

Knock at the Cabin basically works as a showcase for Shyamalan’s skills as a visual director. The staging, atmosphere and editing are all solid and impressive enough to make up for his biggest weakness as an artist.

people.

“He put a little more of a rock edge into his music,” Simmons said. “He shook up the industry and brought a whole new generation into country music.”

“(Before Brooks), I was not cool for being into country music,” Simmons added.

Celebrating Brooks’ music is special for Simmons, who no longer has stage fright after nearly three decades of playing live. His attitude is more “let me at them,” because he has so much experience and confidence going into shows.

SHOW DETAILS

Saturday, March 4. Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. thecoachhouse.com. Tickets are $20.

As a further wholesome touch, Simmons also noted he performs with his wife on duets. “We have a nice chemistry on stage,” he said. SC

For whatever reason, he chose to hold back on his famous tropes this time and deliver a straightforward suspense-thriller with an apocalyptic background. We’re reminded of why the writer-director was considered the next big thing in Hollywood when The Sixth Sense (1999) was a hit, and continued the streak briefly with Unbreakable (2000) and Signs (2002).

The performances from the six actors in Knock are very strong, especially Bautista,

Aldridge and Cui. Knock at the Cabin isn’t perfect. The ending is still a bit underwhelming; the characters’ backstories are a little cliché; and Grint doesn’t really sound convincingly American.

But it’s tight and to the point without any extra fat. For those who haven’t checked in on our resident sci-fi/mystery/thriller moviemaker in a while and want to see that he still has it when he keeps it simple, Knock at the Cabin works well enough. SC

Country music fans will get to enjoy renditions of Garth Brooks songs, courtesy of tribute artist Dean “The Garth Guy” Simmons, on March 4 at The Coach House. Photo: Courtesy of Airbender Media

Photo: FilmNation / Universal Pictures

Happenings by Tom Marshall

Historical Society to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

In March 1973, Fred and Lois Divel and a group of like-minded residents formed the San Clemente Historical Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the city’s unique cultural heritage.

Many local citizens were outraged at rampant bulldozing of our iconic structures including the Bartow Mansion, which was torn down without a permit. We successfully lobbied for an ordinance that prevents historic structures from being demolished.

Next month, on March 19 from 4-7 p.m., we will celebrate our Golden Anniversary with a party at Casa Romantica. The public is invited to a chicken

Bogart

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Jeremy Conrad Broker, DRE# 01279209

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HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

BY TOM MARSHALL

dinner like what Ole Hanson organized to entice the public to buy homesteads in his new Spanish Village by the Sea. Tickets sold out in two weeks. The event will feature a historic film of Ole selling homes from a tent and the building of the first structures here.

“Ole” will also make a live appearance. In addition to dinner, there will be a cash bar, live music, a photo exhibition, a 1920s costume contest, artifacts from our archives and items for a time capsule to be opened in 2073.

Over these first 50 years, the Historical Society can show hundreds of accomplishments in preserving our unique style and culture. We have saved thousands of documents and artifacts dated as far back as the 1920s.

One of our first accomplishments was publishing Fishcarts to Fiestas in conjunction with the Junior Woman’s Club. This history of San Clemente was provided to local elementary schools for teaching local history.

In addition, a college scholarship

This big kitty is Bogart, a 5-year-old charmer who just can’t wait to meet you. Bogart is a personable cat and will often greet you at the door. His favorite pastimes are being petted, playing with his toys, and taking long naps in the sun. Bogart has lived with cats and would likely make a great companion for most cats and humans.

If you are interested in adopting Bogart, please visit petprojectfoundation.org 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

program was established for local high school students. We have also published or contributed to several other books on San Clemente history and established an oral history video project.

Here are but a few of our other accomplishments:

Over the decades, we’ve opened local history museums in several locations around town. We spearheaded the drive preventing the city’s plan to turn Casa Romantica (Ole’s home) into a restaurant, and the tearing down of Casino San Clemente and the Miramar Theater.

The tiles at the rest benches along Avenida Del Mar are a beautification project of the Historical Society. We worked to establish a two-story limit downtown and recreated the original weathervane atop the Ole Hanson Beach Club.

Most recently, we established the North Beach National Historic District.

As to our future goals, Historical Society President Larry Culbertson ticks off a list including:

• Reopen our local history museum downtown

• Designate Avenida Del Mar and the Pier Bowl as National Historic Districts

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

• Secure National Register Listings for Casa Pacifica and The San Onofre Inn

• Include some Mid-Century Modern architecture buildings to our preservation list

• Provide historic markers for all Ole Hanson buildings and offer more assistance to their owners’ rehabilitation efforts.

Most of all, we’d love to have you join our crusade as a member of the San Clemente Historical Society. See our website for details.

Archive Picture Update: A couple weeks ago, we asked if readers could identify a man pictured holding a large yellowtail fish while standing in front of a police car. Reader Michael Harrison identified him as diving legend Burt Hancock, a local volunteer firefighter. SC

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

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949.542.8347

Stevec@conradrealestate.com

• Rates for home mortgages dropped over 2% since the high back in the Summer/Fall of 2022. Rates last year topped out around 7−8%, but now are averaging closer to 5−6% on a 30 year mortgage.

• Current inventory for San Clemente continues to be historically low with only 68 active listings in the entire city, which is a record low.

• There have been 103 sales in San Clemente since January 1st, averaging a price of $1,612,000 and taking about 35 days to sell.

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SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

| On Life and Love After 50 by Tom

Blake

An ‘All Access’ Backstage Meeting with a Special Friend

On Feb. 16, I had a reunion with a special friend. The last time I saw her in person was in 2020, just before COVID-19 spread. This reunion was special, as I was able to introduce my friend of 20 years, Mike Stipher of San Juan Capistrano, to Rosanne Cash, the late Johnny Cash’s eldest daughter.

The reunion took place at the Musco Center for the Arts, at Chapman University, in Orange.

And why was it a reunion for

me?

Because I’ve known Rosanne for 46 years, since she was 18. She is a four-time Grammy Award winner and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Rosanne has recorded 15 albums of different genres— country, folk, pop, rock, and Americana. She is also a prolific songwriter.

In the mid-1970s, when I was the marketing director for Victoria Station—the boxcar and caboose restaurant chain—I hired Johnny and worked with him for two years. He was our company spokesperson and sang our radio commercials. I also co-produced an album with him of his train

songs titled, Destination Victoria Station

My friend Mike had met Johnny at the Victoria Station in Cincinnati in the 1970s, where he had been a bartender. He was thrilled to meet Rosanne.

the ins and outs of senior dating. Whew, it’s tiring.

GUEST OPINION | Wellness & Prevention

ON

Johnny and I had a nice friendship; he took me into San Quentin Prison for a “prisoners-only” concert. I attempt to see Rosanne in concert when she performs in Southern California, as she is my last living connection to Johnny.

BY TOM BLAKE

When I published Middle Aged and Dating Again, my first book in 1997, Johnny endorsed the back cover with these words:

“In the 20 years I have known Tom Blake, he has become an authority on dating and relationships.”

I’m not sure how Johnny knew that, but I happily accepted his endorsement. Now, after 28 years of writing dating columns, I’m still trying to understand

by Lauren Gallegos

AIM HIGH WORKS TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE MISUSE AMONG TEENS

Substance-use prevention has been around for a long time. From the “Just Say No” campaign of the ’80s to the OC Sheriff’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program that provides education to school-age youth on the dangers of drugs.

What we have learned is that prevention should include more than campaigns instructing youth to say no to drugs, or stand-alone education about the harms of youth using alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.

Such substances are prevalent and easy to access, and use of alcohol and marijuana is endorsed by celebrities and our culture. This is causing low perception of harm from their use. When teens

are asked why they use drugs, they say, “to escape reality,” “to chill out,” “to numb the anxiety,” or to “de-stress.”

What prevention professionals are hearing is that teens need support, and when they lack support, they find it in drugs and alcohol.

Before my partner, Greta, passed away last October, she and I had seen Rosanne, along with her husband, co-writer/producer, and arranger John Leventhal, in concert five times. Seeing Rosanne last week was the sixth time for me.

The Musco Center for the Arts is a magnificent concert hall. It was packed. The ushers and workers, mainly Chapman students, are pleasant, friendly, and helpful. My buddy Mike and I were given “All Access” badges when we checked in (I had informed Rosanne earlier that we were attending).

Check the Musco website at muscocenter.org for upcoming shows.

John is a master guitar player; he joined in on limited vocals with Rosanne, his wife of 29 years. They have fun together on stage. They performed without an intermission for 90 minutes.

It’s evident that Rosanne loves the United States; she mentioned unity for our country several times.

Her rendition of “The Long Black Veil”

was spellbinding. She sang a host of other songs including “Sea of Heartbreak,” an old Don Gibson tune.

She ended the concert with her 1981 No. 1 hit song, “Seven Year Ache.”

The applause brought Rosanne and John back for an encore; she sang “Tennessee Flat Top Box,” a tune I heard her father sing in person multiple times.

After the show, Rosanne greeted Mike and me warmly backstage for a nice chat and photo-op.

Add a future Rosanne Cash concert to your bucket list; it will be one of the most enjoyable 90 minutes of your life.

Find out more about Rosanne at rosannecash.com. SC

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com.

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

In 2022, the AIM High program was established by the Noble Path Foundation in partnership with the Community Outreach Alliance (COA). The Wellness & Prevention Coalition has long been a partner with AIM High and COA to support healthy youth.

The AIM (Advocacy, Inspiration, Mentorship) High program combines education with leadership development, skill-building, social activities and connections to supportive services.

During the seven-week program, teens learn about wellness and nutrition, healthy relationships and communication, as well as coping strategies to handle everyday challenges and societal pressures.

Additionally, wellness activities are offered to promote healthy habits among peers, such as yoga, music lessons, gardening, art, and supervised social activities. The AIM High program also connects youth to career development programs to provide opportunities for professional growth, helping youth in exploring future goals.

this program is that teens gain more than awareness or knowledge; they gain tangible skills that they can use in their daily lives, and they often develop a new passion.

AIM High is a great example of how a community can work together to support young people. Wellness & Prevention Center staff member Leslie Lopez and local marriage and family therapist Holly Grupe will facilitate the winter session.

Workshops will be led by the Wellness & Prevention Center, Laura’s House, Partners4Wellness, Connect-OC, the Santa Ana Police Department, Lead2Goals, The Noble Path Foundation, and OBEY Clothing.

To learn more, visit thenoblepathfoundation.org/aim-high/

BY LAUREN GALLEGOS

Substance-use prevention must be holistic and supportive, and the AIM High program through the Noble Path Foundation addresses healthy youth development to prevent unhealthy choices.

Most importantly, AIM High and all Noble Path activities are free to participants, making a healthier future accessible for everyone.

I have been working closely with the AIM High program and Noble Path since 2018 as a speaker, facilitator, and supporter. What I find special about

The Noble Path Foundation is a sector leader for the Wellness & Prevention Coalition, a federally funded Drug Free Communities coalition working collaboratively to lower youth substance use in San Clemente. To find out more or join the coalition, please email leslie@wpc-oc.org. SC Lauren Gallegos, ACSW, is the Prevention Director at the Wellness & Prevention Center.

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.

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The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a

GFTW LLC/s/ PAUL FINNELL, PAUL DAVID

FINNELL RANSONET, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

OFFICER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 1/26/2023

Published in: San Clemente Times

Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO):

Phillip David Willis and DOES 1 through 10, inclusive

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE):

Anthony Brian Fisch

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plvaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información acontinuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corteque le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

CASE NUMBER: (Numero del Caso): 30-2022-01285190-CU-PA-CJC

Judge David A. Hoffer

The name and address of the court is:

(El Nombre y direccion de la corte es): Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701

The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is:

(El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del obogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Robert Oliver, Esq., SBN 180318, Sweet Lawyers, LLP, 4590 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 650, Newport Beach, CA 92660

DATE: (Fecha) 10/07/2022

David H. Yamasaki, Clerk of the Court, by (Secretario) B. Sanchez, Deputy Clerk(Adjunto)

Published: San Clemente Times, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236654144

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

FROM SEASONS

32112 VIA VIENTE

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675

Full Name of Registrant(s): BROOKE WINTERBOTTOM

32112 VIA VIENT

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675

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/ BROOKE WINTERBOTTOM

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 1/25/2023

Published in: San Clemente Times

February 16, 23, March 2, 9, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236654915

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BONNIE’S SKIN SALON

801 AVE. TELEGA, UNIT 102

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673

Full Name of Registrant(s): BARBARA ANNE LESNESKI

115 SAN FERNANDO

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

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/BARBARA LESNESKI

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 02/01/2023

Published in: San Clemente Times

Feb 9, 16, 23, Mar 2, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236654001

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

EXCEL COLLEGE AND RETIREMENT PLANNING

27561 CENAJO MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691

Full Name of Registrant(s): EXCEL COLLEGE PLANNING LLC

27561 CENAJO MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691

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: 01/01/2023

EXCEL COLLEGE PLANNING LLC/s/LUCILLE

VERNON CPA, REPRESENTATIVE, LEA CRUZ, MANAGING MEMBER/MANAGER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/24/2023.

Published in: San Clemente Times Feb 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236654168

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

PTA CALIFORNIA CONGRESS OF PARENTS

TEACHERS & STUDENTS INC

1101 CALLE PUENTE

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

Additional Fictitious Business Name(s):

1B. LAS PALMAS ELEMENTARY PTA

Full Name of Registrant(s):

PTA CALIFORNIA CONGRESS OF PARENTS

TEACHERS & STUDENTS INC

1101 CALLE PUENTE

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

This business is conducted by a California Corporation

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 11/18/1943

PTA CALIFORNIA CONGRESS OF PARENTS TEACHERS & STUDENTS INC

/s/ KATE MUDGE, KATE MUDGE, TREASURER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 1/25/2023

Published in: San Clemente Times Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236653727

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

MEREDITH LYNNE PHOTOGRAPHY 1516 AVENIDA HACIENDA

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

Full Name of Registrant(s):

MEREDITH BRUNSON

1516 AVENIDA HACIENDA

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

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/MEREDITH BRUNSON

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/20/2023.

Published in: San Clemente Times Feb 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

20236655692

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as:

FISH N CHIPS GP

1880 N. EL CAMINO REAL #77

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

Full Name of Registrant(s):

GARY MUNOZ

951 CALLE NEGOCIO STE B

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673

MICHAEL MUNOZ

1880 N. EL CAMINO REAL #77

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

RYAN MUNOZ

1880 N. EL CAMINO REAL #77

SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

This business is conducted by a General Partnership.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/09/2023

/s/Gary Munoz, Gary Munoz, General Partner

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 02/10/2023.

Published in: San Clemente Times Feb 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 2023

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2023 San Clemente Spring Sports Preview

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

As the champions of winter compete for their crowns, the throng of spring sports teams take to the field, diamond, pool, court, track and sand. The spring season features a loaded schedule, with San Clemente High School fielding a whopping 13 spring squads, compared to the seven teams in each of the winter and fall seasons.

Individuals such as returning state swimmers Noah Sech and Madelyn Philips or distance runner Juan Chantaca and the CIF-SS champion boys cross country team will have sectional and state ambitions, while there are three team sports that are showcased in the early-season CIF-SS rankings.

With those goals and expectations in mind, let’s look at some of the top Triton teams in this spring season:

GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL

As the sport enters its second season as a CIF-sanctioned sport, girls beach volleyball teams now have something extra to look forward to with their first CIF-Southern Section championship playoffs. For a sport to warrant CIF-SS playoffs, there must be a minimum of 20% of the section’s member schools to field a team. The Southern Section reached that number this season, so there will be both bracketed team play-

offs and a pairs tournament.

With CIF-SS playoffs also come divisional rankings and a preseason watch list. San Clemente is one of a handful of local schools on the initial CIF-SS Division 1 and 2 watch list, including Capistrano Valley Christian, JSerra and St. Margaret’s. Tesoro is the only other South Coast League team that made the watch list with the Tritons.

San Clemente will also feature a full South Coast League schedule this season, which begins on March 8 against Dana Hills at Lasuen Beach, aka Lost Winds. All but two of the Tritons’ league matches will take place at Lasuen Beach, with the exceptions being a road match at Tesoro on March 22 and a match against Aliso Niguel at the Great Park in Irvine on April 11.

League Finals will be contested at Tesoro on April 14-15, with the first round of the CIF-SS team playoffs on April 27. CIF-SS Finals will be on May 5 or 6, and the pairs tournament finals will be May 9-10.

Beach volleyball is contested with five pairs playing best 3-of-5 matches.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

After a legendary 22-season run from longtime coach Ken Goldstone, the San Clemente boys volleyball team is now on its second coach in two seasons.

The Tritons are now helmed by head coach Justin DeBlasio, who is the director and owner of 949 Athletics and was previously the head coach at Santa Margarita for 10 seasons. DeBlasio also coached the San Juan Hills boys volleyball team in 2012.

Last season under J Bisch, the Tritons kept up the Goldstone legacy with a 21-12 record overall and a 7-1 record in league play to capture another South Coast League championship.

While the Tritons lose their No. 1 kill combination from last season—the now-graduated pair of setter Landon Seymore and Luke Shanafelt—San Clemente returns several key players, including senior middle Luke Ingersoll, senior opposite Brad Munson and junior libero Kai Schmitt.

San Clemente opens with pair of annually strong-fielded tournaments at Tesoro and the Best of the West. The Tritons will also host Capistrano Valley Christian on March 7, Laguna Hills on March 9, and Laguna Beach on March 14.

San Clemente opens defense of its three consecutive South Coast League titles at home against San Juan Hills on March 16. The Tritons also host key matches against Tesoro on March 21 and Aliso Niguel on March 28.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Of all the spring sports teams at San Clemente, the Tritons girls lacrosse team might be the most talented among them.

San Clemente opens the season at No. 4 in the CIF-SS Division 1 poll, behind No. 3 St. Margaret’s, No. 2 Santa Margarita and No. 1 Foothill. The Tritons are in that top four because nearly all of their top talent from last

season’s unbeaten South Coast League champion. Chief among those returners is San Clemente’s leading scorer Sophia Yeskulsky, who far and away led the Tritons with 62 goals, 70 points and 33 ground balls as a freshman last season. Emma Massamiri returns as the Tritons’ senior leader with 41 goals and team-highs in assists (15) and caused turnovers (17).

Taylor Juncaj scored 29 goals as a sophomore. Tessa Campbell is a senior with 21 goals last season.

San Clemente’s biggest loss is in the cage, where the Tritons graduated both of their goaltenders.

Expectations for San Clemente should be high with another league title likely in its sights. Last season, the Tritons lost in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs at Santa Margarita, 13-5. Can the Tritons prove themselves against those elite teams?

San Clemente hosts No. 8 Redondo Union on Saturday, Feb. 25, and No. 1 Foothill on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The Tritons play at No. 4 Palos Verdes on March 15. San Clemente opens league play at Aliso Niguel on March 23.

BASEBALL

Despite a losing record overall last year and a losing record in Sea View League play, the San Clemente baseball team did what it needed to down the stretch to secure a playoff spot.

It was valuable experience for a team that had plenty of young talent. The spot where seniors made their impact for the Tritons was on the mound, and it will be the spot San Clemente needs the most work.

One of those players helping on the mound was one of the Tritons’ top hitters last season, Rhyn Chambers. Chambers, a senior, drove in 15 runs and scored 15 runs on 26 hits, including two home runs.

San Clemente’s leading batter from last season returns in senior Chase Brunson, who led the Tritons with 19 runs and 30 hits, including 10 doubles and two triples. Other top returning hitters include juniors Brock DellaVedova and Pearce Brown.

On the mound, San Clemente will get contributions from senior Hayden Dill and junior Carson Nicholson. San Clemente opens league play at Aliso Niguel on March 7 and hosts the Wolverines on March 15. SC

San Clemente girls beach volleyball will play all but two of its league games at Lasuen Beach, aka Lost Winds.

Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

San Clemente boys baseball will build off the experience of last season’s late-season playoff chase, but the Tritons need pitchers to continue to rise. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

TRITON REPORT

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Berlyn Davis Wins SCHS Girls Wrestling’s First CIF-SS Masters Title; 4 Wrestlers Qualify for State

San Clemente junior Berlyn Davis made history on a banner day for the Triton Wrestling program last Saturday, Feb. 18, at Palm Springs High School

Davis ripped through her Gold Division competition at 143 pounds to claim the CIF-SS Masters championship, the first for the San Clemente girls program.

Davis and Eden Hernandez, who took third place at 111 pounds in the Gold Division, both qualified for the CIF State Wrestling Championships this weekend at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield. Benjamin Hernandez (second place at 132 pounds in the Blue Division) and Dominic Morales (fourth place at 152 pounds in the Gold Division) qualified for the boys CIF State Wrestling Championships.

Davis won by fall in 65 seconds and in 70 seconds to reach the semifinals, where she posted a 9-0 major decision to reach the title match. Davis again made quick work for the title with a fall victory in 75 seconds. Davis qualified for the CIF-Masters with a second-place finish at the CIFSS Southern Division tournament.

Eden Hernandez battled through lengthy matches and the consolation bracket after a semifinal decision loss. Hernandez won four matches by fall.

Benjamin Hernandez won his first two matches in nearly six minutes each on

falls. He took a tight 3-1 decision in the semifinals before losing in the final, 5-1.

Morales won a tight opening match, 1210, but lost in the quarterfinals, 11-2. In the consolation bracket, the senior won twice by fall and once by decision before falling on an injury in the third-place match.

Boys Soccer Advances to CIF-SS Championship Game

In alternating spurts of dominance and nail-biters, the San Clemente boys soccer team has pushed itself to the CIFSS Division 2 championship game.

The No. 4 seed Tritons (12-3-8) will take on Long Beach Poly (10-4-8) for the Division 2 title on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach. Look for live coverage on the South OC Sports social channels and at sanclementetimes.com.

Tickets for the match can only be purchased online at gofan.co. General admission is $12 dollars, students with school ID are $5, and children 5-13 years old are also $5.

San Clemente will look to capture its fourth CIF-SS championship in its fifth title-game appearance. The Tritons won all three previous sectional titles in Division 1 under coach Mike Pronier in 2011, 2013 and 2019.

To reach the title game, the Tritons held off Norte Vista in the first round, 2-1, and dominated Artesia, 4-0, in the second round, with both games at home. San Clemente hit the road for the quarterfinals and prevailed in penalty kicks, 6-5, after a scoreless draw at Santiago of Corona. Max Peloso put home the winning penalty kick.

In the semifinals last Saturday, Feb. 18, San Clemente again went on the road, but the Tritons won in a breeze at Agoura, 4-1. San Clemente scored all four goals in the first 30 minutes of play, with two strikes from Kai Trager and a goal each from Jake Poole and Max Gonzales. SC

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

Saturday, Feb. 18. Davis and three other Tritons move on to the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield. Photo: Courtesy of Trace Davis

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Local Surfers Shine at Sunset Beach

Toledo, Colapinto, Marks top the podium at last week’s Hurley Pro Sunset Beach

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

The 2023 WSL Championship Tour season is in full swing, and with two events in the books, local surfers have much to cheer about.

Last week at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, San Clemente residents Filipe Toledo and Griffin Colapinto finished first and second, respectively, while it was another San Clemente resident, Caroline Marks, who finished runner-up in the women’s division.

Australia’s Molly Picklum won the women’s event—the first Championship Tour victory of her young career.

Toledo is the defending world champ and now sits ranked second in the world, while Colapinto finds himself in familiar territory, ranked sixth in the world, where he finished the season last year.

Marks, a Lowers regular, is currently ranked fifth in the women’s rankings. The top five male and female surfers will qualify for the Rip Curl WSL Finals in San Clemente at the end of the season and earn a shot at the 2023 world title.

“Last year was fun, and I got what I wanted, which was my title, and I learned a lot,” Toledo told the WSL after his Sunset Beach victory, the 13th of his career. “Griffin Colapinto came out swinging, and I’m just thinking, ‘I’m ready, here we go.’ I knew the right wave would come; it was slow for a lot of the heat, but I could see he was tense having that 9.17. He seemed a little nervous; I

don’t know if he was or not, and I stayed calm and composed and just waited for the wave, then do what I have to do.”

Toledo and Colapinto had squared off in the final of the 2022 Surf City El Salvador Pro. Colapinto got the win in Central America, and this time around he once again got the jump on the Brazilian champ, posting a 9-point ride in the opening minutes of their Sunset duel. Unfortunately, the ocean went flat, and Colapinto was never able to back up his heat score with a high-scoring second ride. Toledo dug deep, found a wave and converted it for the win.

“That was a crazy heat with Filipe, and the only heats I’ve had with him are in the finals, so that’s been pretty cool,” Colapinto said afterward. “That was a good little battle, and I’m super stoked. Caroline lives in my hometown as well, so it’s a good day.”

Keeping the hometown vibes going,

GROM OF THE WEEK

AUDREY DENOS

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

We absolutely love it when someone in our amazing surf community writes in to nominate a Grom of the Week, and this week it’s San Clemente’s Audrey Denos earning top honors.

Audrey’s surfing was brought to our atten-

Marks put in a commanding performance, competing on her backhand that has historically seen few goofy-footed surfers claw their way to the podium.

“It’s been such a fun week,” said a smiling 21-year-old Marks. “I’ve had such an amazing support crew and want to thank everyone. My best friend came and surprised me, my brother’s here, my other friends are here, and it’s just been so fun.”

Up next, the Championship Tour will head east to Europe for the MEO Portugal Pro presented by Rip Curl. In April, the tour will head Down Under for the historic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the oldest, longest-running professional surf contest, and the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia.

This year, a mid-season cutoff has been implemented, and once the events in Australia wrap up, the field will be cut down from 36 men to 18, and 24 women

SURF FORECAST

Water Temperature: 55-57 Degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-10’

Thursday: Modest NW swell mix and minimal S swell provides small surf in the knee-waist high range, (2-3’), for many spots, while best breaks hit chest high at times, (4’). Light/ variable to light onshore westerly wind in the morning that persists into the afternoon, creating textured to bumpy surface conditions all day.

Outlook: Strong southerly wind and windswell builds for Friday as a new storm impacts Southern California making for messy surf in the waist-to-shoulder high range (3-4’+). Size eases Saturday as better spots drop into the knee-waist high range (2-3’) with cleaner morning conditions expected. Sunday remains on the smaller side with minor NW swell mix providing kneewaist high surf for the best breaks (2-3’) with mostly clean conditions from light wind in the morning, getting bumpy in the afternoon as onshore W/WSW wind picks up.

to 12.

San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino currently finds himself ranked 24th in the world, below the cutline. There’s a lot of surfing left before the controversial mid-season cut happens, and Andino has plenty of time to get himself back in the mix.

All three of the upcoming locations suit Andino’s style well, and with his buddy, Colapinto, currently rolling, he could find some added motivation and momentum. SC

Jake Howard is a 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.

tion last week by one of the best surf moms on the beach, and we’re so stoked to be able to shine some light on this incredible young athlete.

A hard-charging regular-footer who surfs for San Clemente High, Denos helped lead the Tritons to a California state title last year. A distinguished member of the Class of 2024, she hopes to keep the winning ways going.

Last November, Denos joined a cadre of local girls up in Santa Cruz, where she competed in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic.

She gained invaluable experience competing against some of North America’s top talent on the WSL’s Qualifying Series, and we can’t wait to see her step up her game more in the future.

Most recently, Denos caught fire last weekend at the WSA competition in Huntington Beach, ripping her way to a second-place finish in her division. Earning a number of podium finishes this season, she is currently ranked second in the WSA’s Girls Under 18 division. SC

(From left) With the 2023 Championship Tour season underway, three out of the four Hurley Pro Sunset Beach finalists were San Clemente residents: Caroline Marks, Griffin Colapinto, Molly Picklum of Australia and Filipe Toledo. Photo: Courtesy of Tony Heff / WSL

Audrey Denos. Photo: Courtesy of @muirman