February 25, 2021

FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 3, 2021 | VOLUME 16, ISSUE 8

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

Inside: SPECIAL SECTION

U S E

Back in Action Football, Water Polo, Multiple HS Sports Can Start Seasons S P O R T S / PAG E 28

San Clemente football will kick off on March 19, and Tritons boys and girls water polo will play league-only seasons starting March 8. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57

sanclementetimes.com

Council Gets Peek of Police Substation Layout

Teachers Union Raises COVID Safety Concerns with CUSD

Residents Implore FRA to Reinstate Quiet Zones

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San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

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What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN CLEMENTE SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

City Gives Peek of New Police Substation Design

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

When the city’s new police services substation is completed this summer, it will be the “crown jewel” for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s contract cities, San Clemente Police Chief Edward Manhart said.

“So once this is done, this will be the crown jewel, in my opinion, for contract cities,” he told San Clemente Times on Tuesday, Feb. 23, when the city held a groundbreaking ceremony to give city councilors a sneak peek of the space’s layout.

“The way we designed and worked with the city, our project managers, this is going to be a great place for deputies,” Manhart continued. “And that’s what I want, to attract deputies to come out from the jails to come do operations here. I think this is the best start.”

The roughly $3.5 million project to renovate the second floor of the San Clemente City Hall building on Calle Negocio is currently in the demolition phase, according to Public Works Director Tom Bonigut.

“The entire floor has been demolished, and then we’re going to rebuild back about three-quarters of it,” Bonigut told city officials, including all five members of the council, noting that the rest of the floor is earmarked as future office space for the city.

“Right now, we’re about hallway through demolition. Expect two more

solid weeks to get all the overhead ceiling and infrastructure, and then we’ll start framing walls and put in new plumbing and all the support work,” Bonigut further explained. “Our overall schedule is to be move-in-ready by end of June.”

Once complete, the sheriff’s deputies assigned to San Clemente will have a new local headquarters with about 12,000 square feet of space—a step up from their previous digs on the bottom floor of the old city hall building on Avenida Presidio.

“At Avenida Presidio, we had about 8,000 square feet-ish. This is a total of 12,000, so it’s really nice that we won’t be sitting on top of each other; everybody’s offices will be spaced out,” Manhart said, adding: “The deputies are going to be so excited about being a part of this.”

The station is set to include office space, storage for equipment, men’s and women’s locker rooms and bunk rooms, as well as a fitness center that both OCSD personnel and city staff can utilize.

“We worked very closely with the sheriff’s department and their designers to figure out their space needs, not only currently but future furnishings, so they completely bought into the floor plan,” Bonigut said.

The local deputies have been without

As part of a groundbreaking ceremony, Public Works Director Tom Bonigut gives city management and councilmembers an overview of the planned layout for the new police services substation on the second floor of San Clemente City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Council Recognizes Los Patrones Extension in General Plan Amendment

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

The city council last week unanimously approved an amendment to San Clemente’s General Plan, recognizing the anticipated continuation of Los Patrones Parkway—the untolled thoroughfare set to extend south, ending just inside the northern city limits.

The General Plan amendment, approved by the council at its Feb. 16 meeting, incorporates the extension of Los Patrones, ensuring that the city’s road map is consistent with the county’s Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH)—a requirement to qualify for roadway project grant funding under Measure M2.

“At this point, what we are doing is we are asking to put essentially a line San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

on a map on the Master Plan of Arterial Highways that we could build LPPE (Los Patrones Parkway Extension) in order to qualify for funding and other opportunities,” Nicole Walsh, senior assistant county counsel, told councilmembers.

Los Patrones, which begins where the 241 Toll Road ends and currently runs through Rancho Mission Viejo (commonly referred to as The Ranch), is planned to eventually connect to Avenida La Pata, stretching roughly 700 feet past the San Clemente city limits.

While still in the concept phase, the project to extend the parkway as a free arterial route is currently estimated to cost about $240 million, according to Page 3

an official substation in San Clemente since May 2019, when OCSD personnel evacuated the Presidio building because asbestos was discovered by workers during an on-site construction project.

Since then, OCSD staff and deputies have been working out of the Aliso Viejo Substation.

Manhart said that after a couple of months, he asked the city to set up an office for him on the third floor of the city hall building so he could be reconnected with city management and councilors, rather than only being available by phone.

“So that has helped bridge the gap, but it’s really shown me the importance of having the staff all together in one building,” he said, before reiterating his point. “Putting us back here is completely

perfect—to put us all back to where we should be. It’s much better, much more cohesive to work together.”

Plans to begin designing the new substation space originated a year ago this month, when the council at the time approved the proposal by Councilmember Gene James, currently serving as mayor pro tem.

On Tuesday, he said he was “absolutely ecstatic” with the project moving forward.

“This is what we were aiming for the whole time,” he said. “So, this is going to have great results; the sheriff’s department played an active role in the design.

This is a blank slate, and we gave that blank slate to the sheriff’s (department), and I think it’s going to be a great thing.”

Nardy Khan, deputy director for infrastructure programs with OC Public Works.

“We don’t have a firm estimate at this point, as we don’t have the project plans developed. All we have at this point is a concept,” Khan said. “Our early figures of a cost estimate place this at about $240 million.”

Khan further explained that the county’s current request for M2 funds would help foot the cost to complete the project’s environmental document.

Additional funding, she said, would also come from The Ranch.

“That’s the beginning of the process, and the funding that we’ve requested is sufficient enough to get us to the point where we will know what the alignment will be, we will know what the environmental impacts will be, we will have a good amount of information at the end of that document,” she said.

According to Khan, the council’s approval of the amendment was the last piece of the puzzle needed to qualify for the M2 grant, as the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) requires the county’s and city’s general plans to be consistent.

Mike Balsamo, senior vice president of governmental relations for The Ranch, told the council that should OCTA approve the grant funding for the project, “the county and The Ranch can continue on with the design process and keep the road moving along its current trajectory.”

The amendment comes after the city, the county and The Ranch signed on to a cooperative agreement this past December, acknowledging that the design plans for Los Patrones will not include considerations to develop the controversial extension of the 241.

Currently, Los Patrones runs between (Cont. on page 5) sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

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(Cont. from page 3) Oso Parkway in the north to Cow Camp Road in RMV. Once the extension is completed, a roughly 700-foot stretch of Los Patrones will be inside San Clemente’s city limits, just past La Pata.

Addressing concerns regarding the feasibility of the Transportation Corridor Agencies, at some point in the future, deciding to condemn the facility and

convert it into a toll road, the county and Ranch officials provided reassurances that such an endeavor would be difficult to accomplish.

Walsh noted that while it’s conceivable, it would mean two public agencies—the TCA and the county—would be pitted against one another in eminent domain proceedings, leaving it to the court “to decide whose public interest outweighs whose.”

Teachers Union Raises Concerns with CUSD Over Pandemic Safety, Communication Issues

BY COLLIN BREAUX , SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A local teachers union alleges there has been inadequate contact tracing and delayed notifications of positive COVID-19 cases on campuses.

Alleging lapses in communication from school administrators and concerns about COVID-19 protocol lapses not being taken seriously, the Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA) is calling for tightened safety measures and better responses from Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD).

In response, the school district said there has not been a single case of transmission at schools and that health measures are being followed.

CUSD is one of approximately 60 school districts in California utilizing a hybrid education model in which students can either attend classes on campus or continue learning online from home. Campus capacity for CUSD is limited, and social distancing and masks are required of students on campus. CUSD began its staggered campus reopening in September.

CUEA President Joy Schnapper said the union has been involved in ongoing conversations with CUSD, and she believes everyone is doing the best they can, but CUEA members felt they were being “put off” while raising concerns with school administrators.

Among CUEA’s allegations are that some members came into close contact with an individual who had COVID-19, without being notified by CUSD the individual had tested positive for the disease, and that notifications of cases at schools were not sent out within the required 24-hour time frame.

Schnapper said there were also times when people went to administrators with concerns about safety issues, but those apprehensions weren’t validated by administrators.

“We really did try to address these at the lowest level,” Schnapper said.“We really wanted to be taken seriously.”

CUSD spokesperson Ryan Burris said the district wants to assure its teachers that

Balsamo noted that turning an arterial highway into a freeway isn’t a simple conversion, calling it “extremely difficult,” as it would require additional space. He also pointed to the area’s hilly terrain, slope embankments and The Ranch’s own development plans to put in businesses near the planned parkway extension.

“We would begin, in time, to develop on the areas around the road, trying to

put the most compatible uses as we can near the road—maybe it’s more employment-based and keep the housing a little bit more buffered—but, certainly, we would like to keep the footprint as efficient as possible to preserve the development rights that we have in the area,” he said.

According to Walsh, a decision on the M2 grant funds is expected to be made in late March or early April.

district leadership and department heads hold weekly meetings with Schnapper.

“The purpose of these meetings is to address concerns and, when necessary, investigate issues, and discuss next steps,” Burris said. “We are grateful for the collaboration and partnership as we work together to support our teachers and certificated staff.”

Schnapper said the recent tension is a wake-up call and that she believes CUSD will work on the issue. CUEA will check back in with members to see if there has been improvement, and legal options are available if conditions don’t get better, such as filing a California Occupational Safety and Health Administration complaint, she said.

“We’re not kidding around,” Schnapper said.

Burris said CUSD’s first priority during this pandemic has been to keep district students, teachers, staff, and families safe.

“While we were one of the only districts in the state of California to open our classrooms in September and October, to date, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency, which reviews each case of COVID-19 connected to our schools, we have not experienced a single case of COVID-19 transmission in

our schools,” Burris said.

Though transmissions have reportedly not spread on campuses, CUSD does track active cases of COVID-19 at schools, which can be seen on a publicly available dashboard.

Burris also pointed to the district following the California Department of Public Health’s guidelines, including keeping most student desks at least six feet apart as space allows, following all contact tracing protocols and submitting each case to the Orange County Health Care Agency, and following all notification timelines.

“Our record of health and safety speaks for itself,” Burris said. “Our extraordinary teachers and staff have worked tirelessly to adapt to changing health and safety guidelines, the challenges of teaching in small cohorts, and teaching hybrid and online lessons.”

CUSD commits to its teachers and staff that the district will follow up and investigate any concern brought to their attention, and looks forward to working with CUEA to keep people safe, Burris said.

Asked what CUEA would like to see from CUSD in this situation, Schnapper said members want better communication with district officials and for concerns to be taken seriously.

“We’re asking for the basics to be followed, for the health and safety of our employees,” Schnapper said.

San Clemente COVID-19 UPDATES as of Feb. 23

cases

deaths

total

2,847

28

360

8

last 30 days

est. population • 65,405

The Capistrano Unified Education Association has raised allegations of inadequate contact tracing and delayed notifications of positive COVID-19 cases on school campuses, against the Capistrano Unified School District. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

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Residents Implore Railroad Regulators to Reinstate Quiet Zones

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Residents suffering from restless nights as a result of locomotives blasting their horns throughout the early-morning hours are calling on federal regulators to renew a waiver intended to restore quiet zones in San Clemente along the train tracks and provide much sought-after relief to those within earshot of the railway.

As part of a public-comment period through March 19, the Federal Railroad Administration is asking residents to weigh in on the city’s request to renew the five-year waiver before its anticipated review and consideration by the agency’s Safety Board this spring.

The waiver, if approved, would allow the city to continue using its Pedestrian Audible Warning Systems (PAWS) for another five years, while also granting a reprieve from the requirement that locomotives

sound their horns before approaching each pedestrian rail crossing in town.

“We encourage the residents to engage in this public comment process,” the city said in a press release.“The City is diligently working to have the waiver request considered by the FRA’s Safety Board in March, which immediately follows the closure of the 30-day public comment period.”

As of Tuesday, Feb. 23, the FRA had received nearly 20 comments from residents and Home Owners Association representatives, imploring the Safety Board to approve the city’s waiver and resume the quiet zones.

“Reinstate the no horn variance ASAP. I can’t sleep with them blowing all night!” one comment from a Thomas Lieblein read.

Many commenters expressed a desire to get a good night’s rest, echoing Lieblein’s

OCSD Releases New Video of Deputies Stopping Reinhold for Alleged Jaywalking

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Newly released dashcam footage leading up to the shooting death of Kurt Reinhold by police outside a San Clemente motel last fall shows officers stopping the 42-year-old Black homeless man for allegedly jaywalking.

The video that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) released on Feb. 17, as part of the ongoing investigation into the Sept. 23 shooting, offers new details and insight into the confrontation between police and Reinhold, who is believed by authorities to have reached for an officer’s firearm during the daytime altercation that ensued on S. El Camino Real.

In the first portion of the 12-minute video that OCSD referred to as a Critical Incident Community Briefing, the two deputies who were part of the department’s homeless outreach unit can be heard speculating whether Reinhold was going to jaywalk.

Reinhold, who reportedly had been suffering from mental illness and battling intermittent homelessness in recent years, had just purchased some snacks from a local liquor store and was standing at the southwest corner of Avenida San Gabriel and El Camino Real.

“Look at this … watch this, he’s going to jaywalk,” one of the deputies tells the other, as they were parked in a patrol vehicle outside of a 7-Eleven convenience store, on the northeast corner of the intersection—just across the street from the liquor store.

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Reinhold is then seen heading northbound, along El Camino Real, and begins to cross San Gabriel before stopping in the middle of the intersection and walking back. It’s unclear what the status of the crosswalk was, but the footage shows the traffic signal for southbound and northbound motorists turning yellow, then red, just as he had reached the center of the intersection.

Avenida San Gabriel ends at El Camino Real, turning into Avenida La Ventura— the entrance into the parking lot of a wedding and events center.

“Here we go,” one officer says as they begin to relocate their squad car to stop Reinhold. Later, an officer observes Reinhold’s abrupt change in direction, stating, “He just stopped in the middle.”

The two continue to talk, but parts of the conversation, throughout the video footage, are inaudible—a point Sgt. Dennis Breckner, OCSD spokesperson, noted at the start of the briefing.

“Don’t make case law,” one officer stated.

“It’s not case law,” the other officer responded.

A public-records request with the department this past December revealed that the two officers involved were Eduardo Duran and Jonathan Israel.

The officers pull up next to Reinhold, who was standing near the corner of the intersection again, just outside of the liquor store and an adjacent flower shop.

“What’s going on, man? How you Page 6

complaint that they’ve been unable to sleep through the blaring train horns. Others had also raised questions about property values, as well as “quality of life” concerns.

“With the return of the horn blowing, walkers are again covering their ears from the shrill blast of the horns well before and at the seven crossings, as it is over the top and harmful to these family pedestrians, joggers, and bikers enjoying the environment of the trail,” wrote John Sullivan, president of the Reefgate HOA, comprising 72 homes above a pedestrian crossing at Corto Lane.

The public-comment period comes after the city’s PAWS passed a federal inspection at all seven train crossings along the Beach Trail last month, each of the alert systems exceeding the 80-decibel minimum sound level.

The city was first granted the fiveyear waiver to use the PAWS in lieu of a routine 112-decibel locomotive horn requirement in April 2015. However, this past November, the FRA’s Safety Board formally denied the city’s initial request

for a waiver renewal after previous inspections had unveiled a handful of compliance issues.

According to the FRA, its inspectors last spring and summer found that the warning systems were operating below the 80-decibel minimum, also reporting that the city’s signage, emergency exit swing gates and the fencing to keep pedestrians away from the tracks were in poor condition.

Following the FRA denial, train conductors passing through San Clemente were required to resume sounding locomotive horns four times ahead of each crossing.

Since then, city officials have stressed that those issues have been addressed and repaired, as they’ve looked to resolve the dilemma with the FRA. The FRA’s Safety Board meets quarterly, and last met in early January. According to the FRA, the Safety Board isn’t expected to issue a decision until late March.

Comments on the city’s waiver request can be made at regulations.gov.

doing? How you doing?” one officer said, greeting Reinhold, who is no longer in view, as the dashcam is pointed southward, away from the interaction.

For the remainder of the video footage, the officers and Reinhold can be heard heatedly arguing, with the deputies instructing Reinhold to stop walking and to sit down, while Reinhold repeatedly asks why he’s being stopped.

When the officers told him that he had been jaywalking, Reinhold asked them to explain when and where the alleged violation had occurred. The officer is heard telling Reinhold, “There”—and that it happened after leaving the liquor store, later noting the adjacent crosswalk.

An exasperated Reinhold then called the jaywalking accusation “ridiculous.”

OCSD’s briefing video later shows previously released cell phone and security camera footage of the argument that escalated into the altercation and that, moments later, resulted in the shooting that killed Reinhold.

Authorities included the security footage from nearby Hotel Miramar to point to the moment in which Reinhold appears to reach for one of the officer’s firearms. During the altercation captured by a witness’s cell phone, the officer can be heard yelling, “He’s got my gun.”

Attorneys representing Reinhold’s family, who recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, have argued that any contact Reinhold made with the officer’s gun was purely coincidental.

In response to the new footage, the Reinhold family’s attorneys last week accused the officers of using “pretext reasons to stop anyone for any reason they want, simply to harass the person.”

“These officers created and escalated the confrontation with Kurt Reinhold causing his death,” attorney John C. Taylor said in an emailed statement. “Mr. Reinhold wasn’t in distress and didn’t pose any danger to himself or anyone else. If he wasn’t a Black man, this stop never would’ve happened, let alone the shooting that takes his life.”

The lawsuit alleges that the two deputies escalated their encounter with Reinhold, using excessive and unreasonable force against him. The suit also argues that the deputies violated the late Reinhold’s Fourth Amendment protections from unreasonable searches and seizures, and that the county’s training policies are inadequate in addressing certain circumstances.

Fellow attorney Neil Gehlawat pointed to the deputies’ conversation prior to the stop as evidence that OCSD’s “Homeless Outreach Unit is nothing more than a facade for disproportionately targeting minorities and using excessive force against them.”

Gehlawat also criticized the release of the video as an attempt by OCSD to defend its deputies’ conduct, rather than “improving policing in their community.”

The Orange County District Attorney’s office is currently conducting an investigation of the shooting and the deputies involved “to determine whether their actions were within the law,” according to Undersheriff Jeff Hallock.

OCSD, he said, is conducting a similar internal investigation “to determine if the actions of the deputies were within policy and consistent with our training.

A third investigation, handled by OCSD’s homicide detail, looks into “the criminal conduct of any potential suspect prior to or during the incident.” sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

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NEWS BITES

COMMUNITY MEETINGS SATURDAY, FEB. 27

COMPILED BY STAFF

CHALLENGING CANCER 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system and people dealing with cancer.

To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.

SC | Splash Foundation

to Host Virtual Fundraiser to Benefit Concordia Elementary The Splash Foundation is set to host its annual fundraiser starting on March 13, to benefit students and teachers at Concordia Elementary School in San Clemente.

The fundraiser, running through March 19, will include a virtual auction with items up for bid such as gift certificates to local shops and restaurants, Star Wars collectibles and trips to Hawaii and Mexico.

“Everything that we do, we want it to benefit all the kids at the school, not just the people who can afford it,” said Adrienne Metz, vice president of fundraising for Splash.

The foundation was established in 2012 by parents of Concordia students to supplement gaps in funding as a result of budget cuts to public schools.

The proceeds will fund software for the students, the school’s librarian, and the supplies and instructors for the physical education and art programs, according to Metz. Funding also allows for the school to hold its Makerspace program, which hosts labs for science, technology, engineering, art and math, also known as STEAM. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of virtual learning, the fundraiser allowed the school to provide Chromebooks to all students—an expense now funded by the district.

The 2020 fundraiser was canceled due to the coronavirus, a year after the 2019 “Shipwrecked” fundraiser brought in approximately $100,000 to the school.

Without ticket, food and drink sales this year, Metz said she hopes the event will raise at least $50,000.

More information about the foundation and the fundraiser can be found at splashfoundation.com.

SC | 7 Boats Burned,

2 Destroyed in Dana Point Harbor Fire Black clouds of smoke could be seen from several miles away as emergency crews responded to reports of multiple boats on fire in the Dana Point Harbor on Feb. 18, at approximately 9:30 a.m.

According to several witnesses on the scene who spoke to San Clemente Times, San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

TUESDAY, MARCH. 2

Emergency crews on Thursday morning, Feb. 18, respond to a fire involving seven boats at the Dana Point Harbor.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

which wasn’t unusual, but then I heard this explosion.”

According to Serafine, crews arrived on scene about 10-15 minutes after the explosion.

OCFA reported that the fire was extinguished at approximately 10 a.m.

an explosion occurred in the west basin of the harbor, damaging some of the neighboring docked vessels.

Orange County Fire Authority officials also confirmed reports of an explosion, and Sgt. Dennis Breckner of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the incident occurred on the B Dock at Slip 44.

“Seven boats burned; at least two are completely destroyed,” said Thanh Nguyen, OCFA public information officer. “One person was assessed by a firefighter paramedic, but declined to be transported to a hospital.”

Breckner this week explained that authorities don’t believe there to be anything suspicious regarding the explosion, saying it was likely caused by a mechanical failure.

According to Breckner, the individual who was assessed by paramedics had been previously invited by the owner of the boat that exploded to work on it and temporarily live there.

“He smelled gasoline, and then a short time later, he heard a pop and the boat exploded,” Breckner said. The individual, he added, was on the boat at the time, but “he was able to get off; he heard the explosion and jumped off.”

Jim Cherry, 74, of San Juan Capistrano says he was about 50 yards away when the explosion occurred.

“I saw an engine hatch blow way up in the air, a pretty big piece of fiberglass, and from there, (the fire) was just raging,” Cherry said. “Man, it went fast.”

William Serafine, 71, of San Clemente, was out for his daily walk when he says he thought he heard a motor cranking.

“Pretty much almost instantly, that boat exploded. I turned around and saw it go up,” Serafine said. “The explosion was huge. I could hear a crank,

SC | Vandalism of

Mission San Juan Capistrano Under Investigation An overnight break-in at Mission San Juan Capistrano on Friday, Feb. 19, is being investigated, with Mechelle Lawrence Adams, the landmark’s executive director, alleging that eight individuals vandalized the historic site, forcing their way through doors and climbing on the grounds.

According to Adams, the incident occurred at 3:33 a.m. and reportedly was caught on surveillance video, delaying the Mission from opening on time that Friday morning. Adams declined to share further details of the vandalism.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the incident is under investigation, but had not released any details as of press time.

The apparent breaking and entering comes after the historic site recently dealt with the front entrance being vandalized in a separate incident. The Mission had recently reopened for a second time following a temporary closure forced by the most recent stay-at-home order throughout much of California.

Adams said while the past year has been difficult, she believes staff and supporters of the Mission will get through it.

“Each of these occasions reminds us of the sturdiness of the Mission,” Adams said, saying Mission staff and supporters will do whatever is necessary to move Page 8

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, drug abuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

SAN CLEMENTE TOASTMASTERS 7-8:40 p.m. The San Clemente Toastmasters will continue to meet every Tuesday online through Zoom.

Email fardad.fs@gmail.com to receive a link to join. 858.900.6175 sanclementetoastmasters. toastmastersclubs.org.

CITY COUNCIL 6 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH. 3

PLANNING COMMISSION 6-10 p.m. The city’s Planning Commission will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

forward. She also said the outpouring of support from the community after the latest incident is a reminder that the site means a lot to many people.

“These distractions do hurt our morale,” she said.

Adams asked people to respect the buildings and history of the Mission, saying everyone needs to be a caretaker for what can be considered the heartbeat of San Juan.

“Come and visit the Mission,” Adams said. sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX

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EDITORIAL

ART + DESIGN

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo

Art Director Jasmine Smith

Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

General Manager Alyssa Garrett

O P E R AT I O N S

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

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Columnist Fred Swegles

FINANCE

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Finance Director Mike Reed Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard, Tim Trent, Chloe Anady

San Clemente Times, Vol. 16, 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 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. San Clemente Times is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at San Clemente, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

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San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

GUEST OPINION | Citizens’ Climate Education by Judith Anderson

Things to Do Now to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

T

he last year, 2020, is now tied with the year 2016 for the highest globally averaged temperatures in recorded history, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In November 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels gave us 12 years to act to prevent a global catastrophe. Now in early 2021, with less than nine years left to act, are you “woke” yet?

battery, for close-range errands coupled with outdoor enjoyment and health benefits, nothing quite beats a pedal bike.

AT HOME • Powering up with solar panels is here to stay. If you haven’t converted already, it’s simply smart.

There are numerous factors before signing contracts. You might get started by taking a solar energy quiz and comparing companies here: consumeraffairs.com/ CITIZENS’ CLIMATE solar-energy.

EDUCATION In addition, we

BY JUDITH ANDERSON Californians have more chances to convert the power of wind and solar to reduce CO2 by ditching that clothes dryer on sunny days and hanging up clothes. It’s super easy to slide clean shirts on hangers over a clothesline or backyard umbrella frames.

And in your own backyard, have you got a raised bed for winter greens or herbs established yet? Even a tray (flat) of microgreens on a windowsill is a tasty beginning to grow your own.

When considering food and taking a step toward climate conscientiousness,

What can each of us do now to reduce our carbon footprint?

TRANSPORTATION • Reduce your use of high CO2-emitting vehicles.

To find out how your automobile compares to climate targets, here is a website to consult: carboncounter.com. Diving deeper into your personal footprint are alternatives such as ride-sharing, trains, and buses.

Municipalities are adopting electric-powered public transport. The historically efficient bicycle still reigns.

Whether it’s with or without an electric

Letters to The Editor

ing monthly reports.

Annual reports dating back many years are also available on the SONGS Community website and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission website. All show regulatory compliance.

Ziegler mentions “possible cancer clusters” around San Onofre without evidence or data. Numerous studies have shown there is no link between nuclear power plants and local or regional cancer rates.

One of the more comprehensive reports on the subject (1985-2007) is a Canadian study, which concluded in part, “Our study shows no evidence of childhood leukemia clusters around the three (nuclear power plants) and that the incidence of all the cancers investigated for all age groups is within the natural variation of the disease in Ontario.”

The State of Illinois came to the same conclusion.

Why is this? The main reason is the small amount of radiation dose the general public receives from a nuclear power plant. The dose from a decommissioning plant is even smaller. The National Academies of Sciences estimates the annual dose to the general public from living

SAMUEL LAWRENCE FOUNDATION RESPONSE SHORT ON FACTS, DATA JOHN DOBKEN, public information officer for SONGS The response to Richard Warnock’s op-ed by Bart Ziegler of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation is short on both facts and data.

Ziegler writes, “(Warnock) argues that radiation levels in seawater, sediment and crops near San Onofre are being monitored (he does not say by whom) and that radiological releases follow government guidelines.”

The levels are being monitored by SCE, as well as state and federal agencies.

SCE has been carefully monitoring the environment surrounding the plant for decades, making it one of the most continuously studied coastal areas in the U.S. In fact, the data is readily available on the SONGS Community website, includPage 9

the closer your food source is to the soil, the less energy is needed to produce it.

All trees, large and small, emit oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.

So, planting more, whether fruiting and feeding us, along with providing shade and cooling of excessively paved cities, is a win-win.

Growing more of what you eat means less energy use in transporting produce from farm to table. And composting your daily kitchen scraps into that garden with a simple composting method in your yard means further circular living.

For further exploration on how you can track your carbon footprint, go to footprintapp.org.

Judith Anderson has lived in San Juan Capistrano for 31 years, is a portrait and culture photographer, an architectural assistant and architectural tour guide for the SJC Historical Society and the Friends of the Library of SJC, as well as a member of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby/Education of South Orange County. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant is 0.009 millirem.

You receive more dose from a granite countertop (.5 to 18 mrem a year). The dose from natural sources, such as radon in the ground, is 300 millirem a year. Add in other manmade sources, such as dental X-rays, and the amount is more than 600 millirem per person per year.

SCE is committed to the safe storage of spent nuclear fuel on-site, and to environmental stewardship during the decommissioning of the plant. We value openness and transparency. We invite readers to visit our website and join in a Community Engagement Panel meeting, which are being held virtually, to learn the latest about the dismantlement work now taking place.

BEACH TRAIL AND E-BIKES? MICHAEL SMITH, San Clemente Seems like the city council really doesn’t want to deal with the reality of e-bikes on the Beach Trail. The latest suggestion to ramp up education is a pretty far-fetched solution.

(Cont. on page 11) sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Page 10

sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX

(Cont. from page 9) Everybody has them these days, including young kids, and they are all over the trail. E-bikes are not bicycles. E-bikes are motorized vehicles, and not only are they fast, but silent as well.

This makes them especially dangerous to pedestrians who are enjoying a nice, safe walk on the trail and can’t hear them coming. To even suggest enforcement is a joke, because there is none.

And even if there was, then what? How are you going to give someone a citation or even make it stick? Really? Might as well allow mopeds and ATVs. At this rate, the joy of San Clemente’s greatest assets will be lost to the walkers.

E-bikes really belong on designated bike trails on roadways. Let’s keep the trail safe.

THE $49 MILLION HOLE CORD BAUER, San Clemente My favorite COVID-19 lockdown activity has been trying to find the end of the internet. During one attempt a couple weeks ago, I happened on a live session of the San Clemente City Council meeting, and was astounded at what I heard.

Mayor Pro Tem Gene James asked his fellow councilmembers to consider changing how we negotiate our employee contracts, because both sides of the bargaining table are represented by Calpers members.

That’s right; the taxpayers are represented by the city manager, a California Public Employees’ Retirement System (Calpers) member. On the other side of the table are union negotiators. Strangest of all, this has been going on for as long as anyone can remember.

Gene James brought this up, because right now the city has $49 million in unfunded pension liabilities. While unemployment has spiked and our local shops are going out of business, this unfunded liability only grows.

Part of the problem with this $49 million hole is that last year we were told by our interim city manager that the city budget was under control. It turns out that it wasn’t, and our revenues slipped.

I’ve heard the same words this year about our budget and about the resilience of management to cut corners without cutting jobs or services. But based on the results I’ve seen year after year, I simply don’t believe it. Expenses have outstripped revenues by $6 million for more than three years in a row.

The main question we need to ask: who is looking out for the taxpayer? Is it our city manager—a Calpers member who lives in another town? Is it our parttime city council? I think the residents of San Clemente can see that there are serious ongoing problems.

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

During the last election, over 90% of the town’s registered voters went to the polls. Is this patriotism on display, or a sign that San Clemente residents are worried about their government?

Finally, although it might seem like I’m pointing fingers at city employees, they are not the enemy. There are ingrained rules and management structures that need to be fixed, and I hope this council can work together to make it happen.

NO EASY SOLUTION FOR HOMELESSNESS JIM DAVIS, San Clemente

SC San Clemente

LO C ALS O NLY

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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

ATTORNEY

We live in San Clemente and love it.

The homeless issue is a sad and complex one. Among the homeless, we have three main groups: the mentally ill, the substance abuse group, and the independents.

We have several mentally ill people out on our streets here in San Clemente.

I have talked to several of them.

Very sad, as they need help, but you can’t force them to take it. Most need to be on medication and in a safe place but, again, they cannot be forced to take their meds nor into a shelter under current laws.

The drug addicts and alcoholics are also an issue; it is almost impossible for them to be put into a shelter, as they feel very uncomfortable if they can’t have their dope or drink.

The last group, the independents, they simply like to be that way; they might come to a shelter but most likely not stay because they don’t like rules.

Now there is a fourth group, which is a minority—those who lost their jobs and are out on the streets. They would likely benefit from staying at a homeless shelter.

No simple solution. There is hope, which is another issue.

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

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

DENTISTS

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

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

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

DEL LAGO GROUP VALUATIONS & CONSULTING A.J. Bardzilowski Principal California Certified Residential Appraiser AR015516 California Real Estate Broker 01237943 (949) 246-2099 aj@dellagogroup.com

MUSIC LESSONS

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

REALTORS

Cello and Bass Academy 310.895.6145, celloandbassacademy.com

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

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

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

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

PLUMBING

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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

SALONS

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

VETERINARY HOUSE CALLS

ELECTRICAL

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.

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com

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

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

ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS 3West Environmental, Inc. www.3westenviro.com

Join SC Times for a virtual Beachside Chat on Friday, Feb. 26, at 8 a.m.

Residential & commercial inspections for mold, asbestos and lead paint. 310.400.0195

The chat is hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday. Email sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com to receive the Zoom link.

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LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY Call Karen Banse for pricing at 949.244.1560 or email karenwill4usc@gmail.com

sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT

SATURDAY | 27

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

THURSDAY | 25 LEGISLATIVE & LOCAL AFFAIRS UPDATE 9 a.m. This event is open to the public, but registration in advance is required.

The featured speaker will be U.S. Rep. Mike Levin. He will provide an update on COVID-19 relief and federal legislation, as well as answer questions. Please submit your questions prior to the meeting to info@danapointchamber.com. Representatives from the following offices will also provide updates: Sen. Pat Bates, Assemblymember Laurie Davies, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, and City of Dana Point. Register at danapointchamber.com.

AT THE MOVIES

‘I Care a Lot’ Cares About Dark Comedy Fans

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

remember when British actress Rosamund Pike broke through globally with David Fincher’s Gone Girl (2014). There were worries from film fans that the impressive, memorable performance would pigeon-hole Pike as a messed-up, crazy lady on screen. Fortunately for Pike, she hasn’t been typecast yet.

This week, movie lovers will see her revisit the villainous femme fatale type for the first time in almost seven years with J. Blakeson’s dark satire I Care a Lot, produced for Netflix.

Marla Grayson (Pike) is a successful, professional, full-time legal guardian for many

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

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. Those attending are encouraged to practice responsible social distancing. Face masks are not mandatory but are recommended. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts.

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

SUNDAY | 28

Editor’s Pick

FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

Rep. Mike Levin. Photo: File

FRIDAY | 26 BLACK HISTORY MONTH EDUCATION FORUM 10:30 a.m. Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) will host a virtual forum with local Black leaders in education to discuss inequity in schools and policies to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education regardless of their race, ethnicity or zip code. To participate in the forum, RSVP with Zoom by clicking the link in the online version of this post. mikelevin.house.gov.

WEDNESDAY | 03 BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard is open for food, drinks and live music. Perform-

elderly patients in nursing homes. What people don’t know is that she shamelessly scams and manipulates the law into letting her take responsibility of these senior citizens just so she can make money ripping off their inheritances.

Marla’s agenda is foolproof until her latest victim, Jennifer (Dianne Wiest), turns out to have a secret relative, Roman (Peter Dinklage), in the Russian mob.

Unlike Emerald Fennell’s own recent satire, Promising Young Woman, in which Carey Mulligan’s lead is punishing people who arguably deserve it, Blakeson’s I Care a Lot has no redeeming characters to be found.

Our protagonists are unethical frauds, and the antagonists are the mafia. Even by dark comedy standards, you’re wondering a lot during the first two acts why we should care what happens to Marla once she’s in trouble.

Interestingly, I have the same feelings with Blakeson’s film that I previously had with Fennell’s Promising Young Woman. Here we have another questionable narrative with a weak

ers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down,

grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Seacia Pavao / Netflix

third act that is just barely saved by the last 30 seconds of the movie.

But everything technical and aesthetical in I Care a Lot is fine, and Pike is good. Depending

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on your tolerance for morally bankrupt characters, I Care a Lot is one of those decent new releases that is perfect for streaming at home during a free night. SC

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The Festival of Whales: The Grays are Golden

Welcome to 50 Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales th

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the Dana Point Festival of Whales.

It’s such an honor to celebrate 50 years of our community’s rich heritage as a destination for whale watching.

Earlier this year, Dana Point became the first Whale Heritage Site in the U.S., a distinction it shares with Hervey Bay in Australia, the Bluff in South Africa and Tenerife-La Gomera Marine Area in Spain. A Whale Heritage Site recognizes outstanding destinations for responsible and sustainable whale and dolphin watching. I am proud of the work done by Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

and Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari in helping to earn this important global recognition for Dana Point.

Simply put, our community takes great pride in its distinctive role in the migration of thousands of whales each winter season as they pass through Dana Point. We are excited to mark the occasion on March 6 and 7.

While this year’s Festival of Whales will be modified due to COVID-19 related restric-

tions, there are still many wonderful events planned in addition to whale watching. From the Splash Dash Virtual Run to art lessons, lectures and music, there will be something for everyone. I am especially looking forward to seeing Wally the Whale, and our staff from the City of Dana Point Recreation Division riding through Dana Point Harbor and handing out sea-life-themed crafts for kids on a specially decorated Under the Sea Trolley.

Join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Festival of the Whales and in welcoming the gray whales back to the “Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®.”

— Mayor Jamey Federico

Festival of Whales Names 2021 50th Anniversary Logo Design Winner

1ST PLACE Lynlea Michaels, Irvine

BY LILLIAN BOYD ynlea Michaels wanted to capture the exhilaration one feels when they first lay eyes on a whale in the ocean.

She drew on her past whale watching experience, most recently in Hawaii, just ahead of the lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“You feel this sense of freedom,” Michaels said. “Obviously, whales are not animals we get the privilege of interacting with very often. If you’re an animal lover, there’s this amazing feeling that comes when you see such an incredible being.”

Michaels, 32, used pencil, pen and Adobe Illustrator to design her submission for the Festival of Whales’ 50th anniversary logo contest. The festival’s foundation announced in February that Michaels is the winner, and her logo will become the official logo of the Festival of Whales’ golden anniversary cele-

L

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

2ND PLACE Matt Rinehart, San Clemente $100 and 2 whale watching tickets

3RD PLACE Gabriella Kohr, Dana Point $50 and 2 whale watching tickets

bration. This year’s event is set for March 6—a departure from the traditional two-weekend format, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“For this design, I wanted to capture the energy of the ocean and the thrill of seeing such amazing animals playing and enjoying the California sun,” Michaels said. “The groovy text and mid-century colors give a nod to Dana Point’s history as a thriving surf community and the city’s eclectic vibes.”

Michaels’ design was the top vote-getter from among 72 entries in the January public online voting period.

Michaels, an Irvine resident, is a local designer and artist specializing in costume design and fashion illustration. She studied fashion and media in New York City before embarking on several years of world travel and exploration. Now back in Southern California, she is pursuing an advanced degree in

4TH PLACE Michael O’Connell, Clearwater, FL $50

Costume Design from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

Michaels’ win cements her place in the Dana Point Festival of Whales’ half-century-long history, placing her among a distinguished and talented group of logo designers including local amateur artists, Dana Hills High School art students and internationally known professional artists such as John Van Hamersveld and Wyland.

“I was really surprised and honored to learn I had won,” Michaels said. “There were a lot of entries that were awesome. I was thrilled. It’s such an honor to have my work shown in that capacity for such a prolific festival. I feel like I’m being part of history.”

The winning logo will appear on Festival of Whales 2021 promotional materials including logo merchandise, print and digital media advertising, the official event program, event signage and news media.

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BY ANDREA SWAYNE, EVENT COORDINATOR he celebration of a golden anniversary is a momentous occasion, no matter what the subject of the festivities. Here in Dana Point, a party for our beloved annual California gray whale migration is one such 50year tradition that must not be allowed to slip by unacknowledged because of this pandemic situation we humans have found ourselves in over the past year. How undignified it would be to let these majestic leviathans of the ocean, the largest animals alive on Earth, be forgotten. Will we have to make adjustments? Yes. Will we let it dampen our Dana Point spirit? No! After all, the whales choose to grace our shores on their 10,000-mile-plus roundtrip journey between the warm birthing and calving waters of Baja Mexico and the cold Arctic feeding waters of the Bering Sea, generation after generation.

This year’s Festival of Whales will not include many of the customary activities eventgoers have grown to know and love over the years, but the stars of the show are making their presence known and whale sightings have been increasing by the day. Boat capacity and COVID-19 protocols have been in place to provide safe and comfortable whale watching excursions throughout much of the past year, and many opportunities to see these magnificent creatures will be available during the Festival weekend and beyond. Virtual whale watching experiences have also been added to this year’s lineup, along with a number of other virtual experiences, such as lectures and replays of past years’ events. There will be some safely distanced live experiences at the Ocean Institute as well.

We have even added a few altogether new events this year. Among this year’s firsts is the Splash Dash 5K and Fun Run virtual race.

View a special welcoming and blessing of the whales with local surf legends and indigenous Acjachemen dignitaries in our Pod Cast series.

And pay a visit to downtown’s newest restaurant and brewery, Station Craft to try the Festival’s first official beer, Spyhopping, in a custom can featuring the Festival logo.

Be sure to shop the Dana Point Harbor merchants and enjoy the great restaurants, as many are offering grab-and-go options and al fresco dining that will allow you to enjoy some great live music while you eat.

Due to the added rigors of planning caused by the pandemic, visitors are encouraged to check the Festival website often for new events being added to the lineup daily. And don’t miss out on purchasing your commemorative 50th anniversary T-shirts, hoodies and lapel pins, available on-site near Dana Wharf Plaza.

Since 1971, when the Harbor was first being built and whale watching was just getting started, the Festival—founded by Don Hansen of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching and the late Dana Point historian Doris Walker—has become more than a tradition. This springtime fete is part of our culture. And now it’s golden.

T

sanclementetimes.com

Schedule of Events Saturday, March 6

DANA POINT HISTORICAL SOCIETY VIRTUAL TOUR

UNDER THE SEA TROLLEY WITH WALLY THE WHALE

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 child participant receives a free gift from Wyland with free coffee for the adults. Children will create their own work-of-art aboard one of the Dana Wharf vessels. Art will be judged by Wyland himself, with multiple winners and a grand prize winner. The grand prize is a special work of art by Wyland, framed and signed, called “A Living Sea” valued at $2,000. Visit festivalofwhales.com to book a reservation.

Tune in online for the Dana Point Historical Society’s annual historic town center Walking Tour. See and hear the stories of historic landmarks, S. H. Woodruff’s 1920s planned community and Bluff Top harbor views, c. 1818 to 1939, that represent the area’s early history.

The tour will include an interactive map, a video presentation of the route on YouTube and a web page that will contain the above resources along with additional artifacts.

Find the link at festivalofwhales. com on March 6, where it will be available throughout the month.

Wally the Whale and staff from the City of Dana Point Recreation Division will be riding on the decorated Under the Sea Trolley and making stops at different locations in Dana Point Harbor to hand out sea life-themed crafts for children to take home and be creative. The Under the Sea Trolley will stop at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Baby Beach from 9-9:45 a.m.; Dana Point Harbor Drive and Island Way from 10-10:45 a.m.; Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern from 1111:45 a.m.; and Mariner’s Village walkway area by Harpoon Henry’s from noon to 12:45 p.m.

CAPT. DAVE’S VIRTUAL SAFARI 8 a.m. Can’t get out on the water?

Join Capt. Dave’s for a fun and educational virtual dolphin and whale watching safari. You’ll meet the magnificent whales and dolphins found off the coast of Dana Point, California, the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World® on a pre-recorded safari with live narration from our experienced marine wildlife naturalists. Find the Zoom link at festivalofwhales.com.

STORY TIME WITH NONA THE NATURALIST (DANA WHARF DOCK)

KIDS FISHING CLINIC AND TRIP (DANA WHARF DOCKS) 12:15-12:45 p.m.; 1-5:30 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites all children to come to their dockside fishing clinic to learn hands-on techniques on fishing from the experts. Prizes will be raffled off at the end of the clinic. After the clinic Dana Wharf will be running a fishing trip from 1-5:30 p.m. Adults are $46 plus license and equipment, children 12 and under fish for free. An extra bonus is the chance of spotting whales, dolphins and other marine life. This trip includes equipment. For more information and reservations call Dana Wharf at 949.496.5794 ext. 7. Pre-registration is required.

THE POD CAST: VIRTUAL MARINE MAMMAL LECTURE SERIES

This special lecture series is perfect for those who want a one-on-one educational experience; marine biologists and guests present recent findings on local whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. Visit festivalofwhales.com for more information.

SPLASH DASH VIRTUAL 5K AND 1-MILE KIDS’ FUN RUN Come together by staying apart at this year’s Dana Point Festival of Whales Splash Dash Virtual Race. Register online for the 5K or Fun Run at rundanapoint.com. All FIN-ishers will receive a commemorative 50th Anniversary T-shirt and race medal. Pick-up your race items on Friday, March 5 from noon-6 p.m. (or have them shipped directly to you) in the Dana Point Harbor.

All proceeds from the Splash Dash benefit the Dana Point Festival of

Whales Foundation and Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

DANA POINT FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION SHOW & SALE 10 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, pastels and photography by many award-winning local artists will be available for purchase. Dana Point Fine Arts annually donates a portion of the proceeds from the show to Dana Hills High School Art Department. For more info on this exhibit, visit danapointfinearts.org.

HARBOR MUSIC SERIES Noon-3 p.m.

The Harbor Music Series is presented by the Dana Point Festival of Whales Foundation in the Dana

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Wharf Courtyard, Mariner’s Village plaza area in front of Harpoon Henry’s and El Torito, and along the Harbor Walkway in front of Coffee Importers. Enjoy a variety of musical styles and sounds.

OCEAN INSTITUTE ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE 9:30 a.m. Marine Mammal Lecture and Exhibit 10 a.m. Marine Mammal Cruise departs.

The 65-foot research vessel, Sea Explorer, is an educational floating lab equipped with underwater cameras, an acoustic hydrophone, onboard computers, video microscopes, touch tanks, and a viewing aquarium. A bowsprit over the water provides any passenger with a breathtaking view of dolphins, whales and sea lions.

10 a.m. Kayak Tour Check-in 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Whale Experiments on the Wharf Whale Experiments on the Wharf Page 16

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Use promo code FOW21 save $10 off all tickets, excludes special pricing at 4 p.m. For reservations call 1.888.224.0603 or visit danawharf.com.

CAPT. DAVE’S DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING SAFARI 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations, schedule, and information: 949.488.2828 or visit dolphinsafari.com.

OCEAN INSTITUTE 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information or reservations, please visit oceaninstitute.org or call 949.496.2274.

WHALE WATCH FROM LAND

9-9:45 a.m. Dana Wharf Whale Watching will host “Story Time with Nona The Naturalist” aboard a docked Dana Wharf vessel, and virtually via Facebook Live. Nona Reimer, a retired Master Teacher and science mentor known as “Nona The Naturalist,” will be reading her favorite children’s book on a Dana Wharf Whale Watching vessel while it is docked. Kids will be treated to a fun craft time after the story. Story time is limited to 15 children and one parent. The cost is $8 per child. Book your tickets today at danawharf.com/ whale-watching/story-time-with-nona-the-naturalist or call 949.496.5794.

Both Days of Festival

Both Days of Festival and Beyond

DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING

WYLAND ART LESSONS IN THE WILD (OCEAN ADVENTURE)

Sunday, March 7

Whale Watching

will allow for 25 spaces per time slot.

Tickets $10 per person. Visit festivalofwhales.com or oceaninstitute.org for more information on the various experiments.

12:30 p.m. Marine Mammal Lecture and Exhibit 1 p.m. Marine Mammal Cruise 1:30 p.m. History of Whaling in Orange County (for guests of Spirit of Dana Point Sail) 2 p.m. Spirit of Dana Point Tall Ship Sail.

Set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tall ship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tall ship. Members receive a 10% discount. Sign up in advance here as space is limited. Walk-ins will only be allowed when space is available.

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

All Month Long

Events offered by City of Dana Point

WHALE OF A YOUTH ART & LITERATURE CONTEST Open to children of all ages. Submit a cute story, poem or artwork themed on the California Gray Whale and email to recreation@ danapoint.org. Submittals are due by March 22. The winning entry will receive a gift card to Dana Wharf Sport Fishing & Whale Watching for a whale watching excursion and a whale/ ocean themed gift basket.

WHALE TAIL SCAVENGER HUNT Beginning March 6, embark on a fun scavenger hunt to find 10 decorative wooden whale tails hidden throughout the Dana Point Harbor area. Share a photo of your sighting on social media with the hashtags #DPRecWhaleTailSighting and #festivalofwhales to enter for a chance to win a whale watching trip for a family of four, and a $300 gift card to local Dana Point businesses. Find all 10 whale tails, take a photo standing by each, and email all 10 whale tail photos to recreation@danapoint.org by March 31.

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San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Page 17

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HARBOR MAP (0.5)

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Parking Information

Parking at Doheny State Beach is $3 per hour ($6 minimum/$15 maximum) at the numerous automated payment machine kiosks located throughout the park, or better yet through the Passport Parking app available for smartphones and tablets at ppprk.com/ park. The benefit of the Passport Parking payment application is, in addition to making the initial payment for parking, time can also be added remotely from your phone or tablet. Free parking is available in and around the Harbor, along with paid ($3 per hour/$6 min./$15 max.) parking.

Map & Parking (no shuttle service)

Page 18

sanclementetimes.com

Dana Point Awarded Whale Heritage Site by World Cetacean Alliance

BY LILLIAN BOYD ana Point is officially the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas, as established by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), the world’s largest marine conservation partnership, The WCA is an organization that promotes safe and sustainable whale watching. A Whale Heritage Site is defined by the WCA as “an outstanding location where cetaceans (whales, dolphins, or porpoises) are embraced through the cultural, economic, social, and political lives of associated communities, and where people and cetaceans coexist in an authentic and respectful way.”

Donna Kalez and Gisele Anderson, co-directors of the Dana Point Whale Watching Company, began the application process early in 2020 after successfully trademarking Dana Point as the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World in 2019. Kalez is the general manager of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, and Anderson operates Capt.

Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari with husband Dave Anderson.

“To have Dana Point recognized as a Whale Heritage Site is a dream and has been a goal of mine for some time,” Kalez said. “Dana Point has historically been an incredible destination

D

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

to watch and learn about whales and dolphins, and now we are happy to share this with the world.”

Kalez says the criteria for acceptance are incredibly challenging, focusing on protection, sustainability, education, research, public access and awareness, as well as requiring a community effort that furthers the purpose of a Whale Heritage Site.

“Being the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas is an amazing accomplishment and serves to further recognize Dana Point and (give) the whales and dolphins that live and visit here the recognition they deserve, as well send a message to the world that Dana Point is also a place that protects and responsibly watches cetaceans,” Anderson said.

Both Kalez and Anderson credit the Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP), the harbor’s management company tasked with revitalization, for supporting their efforts to secure Dana Point as a Whale Heritage Site.

“We are ecstatic that Dana Point has been named the Americas’ only Whale Heritage Site,” said Bryon Ward, Partner of DPHP, and President of Burnham-Ward Properties.

“Marine education and specifically whale and dolphin watching is a key pillar of the Harbor’s history and future. This exciting recognition is a testament to our highly experienced whale

watching operators.”

In 2020, Dana Point was one of eight candidate destinations from around the world. The World Cetacean Alliance states that each site is unique, providing and contributing in different ways to the criteria for becoming certified. Kalez says that Whale Heritage Sites give tourists a transparent and easy way to select responsible whale and dolphin watching destinations, encouraging them to experience these incredible animals in their natural habitat, in an authentic and respectful way.

“To celebrate the abundance and diversity of these magnificent creatures in our local waters, we are currently consulting with marine biologists and artists to create educational exhibits and whale-related public art installations within the Harbor,” Ward said.

“As we further revitalize the Harbor in the coming years, we will instill the importance of education, conservation, and viewing whales in their natural habitat.”

Elizabeth Cuevas is the Whale Heritage Sites Manager at World Cetacean Alliance.

She says the Whale Heritage Site designation is the first step forward in responsible tourism.

“This site is of global significance as a place that has developed responsible whale and

Page 19

Donna Kalez and Gisele Anderson, co-directors of the Dana Point Whale Watching Company, applied for Dana Point to be designated a Whale Heritage Site in early 2020.

Photo: Courtesy of Donna Kalez

dolphin watching practices, while encouraging local people and visiting tourists to celebrate the importance of whales and marine conservation,” Cuevas aid. “The Dana Point community has set a gold standard that other whale watching sites can learn from.”

To learn more about the Whale Heritage Sites, go to whaleheritagesites.org/sites or worldcetaceanalliance.org.

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

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SC LIVING

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

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

PERSEVERANCE AND SENIOR LOVE I

first wrote about San Clemente resident Chris Anastasio and his girlfriend, Tina, in 2009. The story of how they met was included in a book titled How 50 Couples Found Love After 50, which I wrote.

What made their relationship so remarkable was the mileage between them—5,419 miles between San Clemente and England, where Tina lived.

Chris was divorced three years and Tina widowed 18 months when they met in 2004 on a cruise ship where Chris was a dance host and Tina a passenger.

Chris said, “I have danced with a lot of women over the years, but when I danced with Tina, I knew there was something special about her that I liked.”

After the cruise, they started corresponding and then visiting each other and taking trips together. Their long-distance relationship endured for 13 years.

Tina said, “During our years of being a couple, we’ve had to say a lot of goodbyes. Those times were the hardest.”

On Feb. 12, 2017, Chris and Tina married at the Dana Point Yacht Club. My partner, Greta, and I attended the wedding.

However, their being-apart times were not entirely behind them. Tina still had to return to England from time to time, because she was not eligible to permanently stay in the U.S. A month after their wedding, Chris and Tina started the legal process of se-

curing a two-year, temporary Green Card for Tina, so she wouldn’t have to leave the country so often.

A year later, Chris emailed: “After jumping through all kinds of hoops last year, we finally had Tina’s Green Card hearing today. It was the last step in the process.

“We were told to bring pictures, papers, letters, or anything else that would prove we were a REAL couple. Tina suggested we bring the How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 book to the hearing.

“During the interview, I mentioned that we had become kind of famous because of our long-distance ON LIFE AND LOVE relationship. I said

BY TOM BLAKE we were featured in your book, and handed it to him, with our page bookmarked.

“He started reading. His face lit up. He said, ‘This is great, I don’t have to see anything else. You have your Green Card.’

“It was amazing. That’s all he looked at. We were out of there in less than 30 minutes. You had a hand (and a big hand at that) in getting Tina her Green Card.”

In 2020, Chris emailed an update: “Tina’s two-year Green Card expires soon.

So, we must go back in and apply for her 10-year Green Card, also known as a

Permanent Resident Card. Is it OK if we carry the How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 book to the government office again? It brought us great luck two years ago.”

My reply: “Of course. Let me provide you with a fresh copy. Hopefully, it will help you get Tina’s Permanent Resident Card.”

On Feb. 19, Chris emailed: “Last year’s hearing was supposed to take place in six months. Because of the pandemic, the hearing kept getting delayed. It has been over a year and a half that Tina has been waiting with bated breath, dreading the next hearing.

“Yesterday, Tina received a letter from the Department of Homeland Security that started with ‘CONGRATULATIONS. Because of the information received, you have been granted your Permanent Green Card.’

“With the help of your book and letter of introduction, Tina has received her Green Card. Our thanks for your help.

“Although Tina loves living here in America, she said she has no desire of becoming a citizen. She likes being called ‘an English Lady.’”

Chris is now 87, and Tina 80. Their story proves that despite challenges, people can find love later in life.

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. SC

GUEST OPINION | Wellness & Prevention by Sophii Sandoval

Teens, Stress, and a Pandemic

S

tress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances,” and during a global pandemic, to say we are all under some amount of stress would likely be an understatement. This is no less true for the young people in our communities.

Adolescence is typically a time for being social, exploring the world through doing, and gaining an understanding of one’s sense of self; however, due to the state of the world, all of these things and the way we normally do them have been interrupted.

Not only are teens coping with the stress that come with one’s academic career, but they are also managing social life, family life, and the seemingly endless cascade of instant knowledge about world events and turmoil.

Of course, there are good kinds of San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

stress that we experience—what we would call eustress. Eustress is what motivates us to try new things; it’s the rush we get when planning something fun with friends even if it’s a little tricky to coordinate.

Eustress helps us gain new skills and WELLNESS & PREVENTION is typically manageBY SOPHII SANDOVAL able with our usual coping skills.

Things start to get difficult when we experience distress, which causes anxiety, decreases our ability to perform tasks, and is viewed as outside of what we can handle. Distress can be short- or longterm, but either way, it can leave us feel-

ing fatigued and unprepared to handle what comes our way.

At a time when people are doing their best to cope with multiple forms of stress at once, this becomes particularly insidious, especially for teens.

Even in the best of times, it can be difficult for adults to know what the difference is between normal changes that come with being a teenager and when to start being truly concerned about a teen’s mental health.

While there is no singular marker that can tell us when people need help outside of what friends and family can provide, we do know that just like with any other health problem, mental health outcomes are better when addressed early.

These stressors do provide us the opportunity to strengthen the bonds

Page 21

Kyle

Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

re you looking for a friendly feline companion? Look no further than Kyle, a 2-year-old neutered male looking for his forever family. An all-around great cat, Kyle is both outgoing and affectionate.

He loves to play and even gets along well with most other cats. You can’t go wrong with a sweet guy like Kyle.

If you are interested in adopting Kyle, 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

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

of family and friendship, to create new community networks, and they allow us to take care of ourselves in ways we may have been putting off beforehand.

This should include reaching out to a professional when you are concerned about yourself or a loved one who may need more support.

If you are unsure where to seek extra support, here are a few places to start: your primary care provider; the behavioral health line on your medical insurance card; National Alliance on Mental Illness, Orange County’s warm line, text/ call 714.991.6412; California Hope at 833.317.HOPE (4673); and the Wellness & Prevention Center, info@wpc-oc.org, 949.680.0516.

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

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SC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | Historical Happenings by Tom Marshall

PIONEER ARCHITECT LEFT HIS MARK ON SAN CLEMENTE

A

few weeks ago, that other Times newspaper, the one published 45 miles north of here, ran a huge two-page story about world-famous architect Paul R. Williams.

Known as the “Architect to the Stars,” for his masterful early-20th century homes designed for Hollywood elite such as Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, the article also noted that Williams designed the iconic crescent wing of The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Al Jolson Memorial Shrine, the Los Angeles County Courthouse and other L.A. landmarks.

What the article didn’t mention was San Clemente’s tie to this great visionary.

In 1928, Adlai Goldschmidt called upon Williams to design a sprawling “weekend home” in the new town of San Clemente.

Having made a fortune in the wine and spirits industry, Goldschmidt spared no expense in building his new dream home. It even included a secret wet bar that could be rolled out of the walls for parties during Prohibition.

Due to local building restrictions imposed by town founder Ole Hanson, the design had to be Spanish Colonial Revival, which Williams didn’t particularly like. But, the professional that he was, Williams embraced the project with gusto.

Located on the highest hilltop in San Clemente, Williams perfectly sited the 4,800-square-foot home to take advantage of the breathtaking vistas of the ocean, Catalina Island and the new town.

He purposely placed the living room windows so that the setting sun was exactly

Local Real Estate By Local Experts Jeremy Conrad Broker, DRE# 01279209 949.542.8348 Jconrad@conradrealestate.com Bill Conrad Broker, DRE# 01461548 949.542.8349 Billc@conradrealestate.com Steve Conrad Property Manager, DRE# 01297404 949.542.8347 Stevec@conradrealestate.com

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

in the middle on the winter solstice.

The building at 243 Avenida La Cuesta has stood the test of time. It is the only San Clemente home listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Lee and Dena Van Slyke owned the house when it was placed on the registry. They not only lived there, but each had their office at home.

In a recent Historical Society “Oral HISTORICAL History” video interHAPPENINGS view, Dena called it

BY TOM MARSHALL “love at first sight.”

Retired now, the couple no longer needed so much space and reluctantly sold it. As Lee put it, “You are always maintaining an (older) home like this, but it was a labor of love.”

The living room features arched doorways, carved 11-foot-high ceilings, a two-sided herringbone fireplace and other details designed by Williams. There are many other small touches that reflect Williams’ known creative flourishes.

His ascendancy to rock star status in the architect world is all the more amazing because Williams was the first Black architect licensed in California and admitted to the American Institute of Architects.

Sensitive to racial perceptions of the time, Williams even learned to draw and read blueprints upside down to show his mostly White customers the drawings with a large desk between them.

Yes, history can be ugly at times, but

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Contributor: San Clemente Historical Society

The Goldschmidt house, designed by world-famous architect Paul R. Williams, is the only San Clemente private home listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

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

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

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

then, that’s how we learn to be better.

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

Did you know that...

See the solution in next week’s issue.

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

Sponsored by

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

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

The top price was $6,600,000.

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

Page 22

It’s time to expect more…

Established 1963

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San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Page 23

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PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE INVITING BIDS ALLEY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION Project No. 10318, 18326 AND 18328 1. Notice. Public notice is hereby given that the City of San Clemente (“City”) will receive sealed bids for the following project: ALLEY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION, Project No. 10318, 18326 AND 18328 2. Bid Opening Date. Electronic bids must be submitted prior to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2021, on the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal, at which time or thereafter bids will be opened and made available online. Bids received after this time will be considered non-responsive. Prospective bidders must first register as a vendor and then bid on this project via the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal website at www. san-clemente.org/vendorbids.

3. Project Scope of Work. Project includes pavement work, concrete repair including curb and gutter, curb ramp, sidewalk, driveway approach, utility work, and other tasks as described in the specifications.

4. Contract Time: The work must be completed within 50 working days from the date specified in the written Notice to Proceed.

5. License and Registration Requirements.

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

Department of Industrial Relations Regis5.2. tration. Pursuant to California Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, or enter into a contract to perform public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”).

No bid will be accepted nor any contract entered into without proof of the contractor’s and subcontractors’ current registration with the DIR to perform public work. If awarded a contract, the Bidder and its subcontractors, of any tier, shall maintain active registration with the DIR for the duration of the Project.

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

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

7. Bid Proposal and Security.

7.1. Bid Proposal Form. No bid will be received unless it is made on a proposal form furnished San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

by the City.

clarification.

7.2. Bid Security. Each bid proposal must be accompanied by security in the form of cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount. Personal checks or company checks are not acceptable forms of bid security. All certified and cashier’s checks must be drawn on a responsible bank doing business in the United States and shall be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bid bonds must be issued by a surety company licensed to do business in the State of California and must be made payable to THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE. Bids not accompanied by the required bid security will be rejected.

For electronic submittal of bids, the bid security must be received at the City of San Clemente Public Works office, 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente, CA 92673 no later than the bid opening date and time. The bid security must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name and address of the bidder, and the outside of the envelope must read as follows: OFFICIAL BID SECURITY - DO NOT OPEN Project Name: ALLEY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION Project Bid #: 10318, 18326 AND 18328 Bid Opening Date: 2pm Thursday, March 18, 2021 The bid security shall serve as a guarantee that the bidder will enter into a contract. Such guarantee shall be forfeited should the bidder to whom the contract is awarded fail to enter into the contract within 15 calendar days after written notification that the contract has been awarded to the successful bidder.

8. Prevailing Wage Requirements.

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

8.2. Rates. Prevailing rates are available online at www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR and also available at the City of San Clemente Public Works Department Office at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the project.

The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

8.3. Compliance Monitoring. Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 1771.4, all bidders are hereby notified that this project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the California Department of Industrial Relations. In bidding on this project, it shall be the Bidder’s sole responsibility to evaluate and include the cost of complying with all labor compliance requirements under this contract and applicable law in its bid.

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

Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22300. Refer to the contract for further Page 24

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

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

12. Brand Names and Substitution of “Or Equal” Materials. Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 3400(b), if the City has made any findings designating certain materials, products, things, or services by specific brand or trade name, such findings and the materials, products, things, or services and their specific brand or trade names will be set forth in the Special Conditions.

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

14. Questions. All questions related to this bid solicitation must be submitted through the City’s PlanetBids System Vendor Portal per the information provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

Any other contact to City staff regarding this bid solicitation will be referred back to the PlanetBids system.

THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, TO AWARD ALL OR ANY INDIVIDUAL PART/ ITEM OF THE BID, AND TO WAIVE ANY INFORMALITIES, IRREGULARITIES OR TECHNICAL DEFECTS IN SUCH BIDS OR IN THE BIDDING PROCESS. ANY CONTRACT AWARDED WILL BE LET TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER AS DETERMINED FROM THE BASE BID ALONE. Dated February 18, 2021.

City of San Clemente Public Works Department 910 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216595294 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: WENRICH WEALTH 160 AVENIDA GRANADA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 Full Name of Registrant(s): WENRICH ENTERPRISE INC 5613 COSTA MARITIMA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/ WENRICH ENTERPRISE INC, JOSEPH WENRICH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 02/02/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Order to Show Cause For Change of Name Case No. 30-2021-01181308 To All Interested Persons: Brandon Hiep Tran; filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME A. Brandon Hiep Tran PROPOSED NAME A. Hiep Ngoc Tran The Court Orders that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court of the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objective is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing Date: 04/01/2021 Time: 08:30 a.m. Dept.: D100 Window: 44. The address of the court is Harbor Justice Center, 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: San Clemente Times Date: 01/27/2021 JUDGE LAYNE H. MELZER, Judge of the Superior Court Published: San Clemente Times, February 18, 25, March 4, 11, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: LYLE G. JOHNSON CASE#30-2021-01183225-PR-LA-CJC To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will and or estate, or both, of LYLE G. JOHNSON; LYLE GORDON JOHNSON A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JENNIFER URRUTIA in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE. The PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JENNIFER URRUTIA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/11/2021 at 2:00 P.M. in Dept: C08, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objec sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM tions or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner: Kulwinder Kenea Bains SBN206499; Bains Law, Inc. 801 10th Street, 5th Floor, Modesto, CA 95354 (209)521-1500 Published in: San Clemente Times, February 18, 25, March 4, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DANIEL S. CHEMOTTI, aka DANIEL STEVEN CHEMOTTI, aka DANIEL CHEMOTTI CASE# 30-2021-01182393-PR-PL-CJC To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will and or estate, or both, of DANIEL S. CHEMOTTI, aka DANIEL STEVEN CHEMOTTI, aka DANIEL CHEMOTTI A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MONICA E. TOSCHI in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE. The PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MONICA E. TOSCHI be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: March 10th, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. in Dept: C08, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (Form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: GUY R. GIBSON/ERNEST H. TUTTLE, IV of Gibson & Tuttle, Inc. 100 Estates Drive, Roseville, CA 95678 (916)782-4402 Published in: San Clemente Times Feb 11, 18, 25, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216593737 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SC LICE REMOVAL 60 AVENIDA MERIDA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 Full Name of Registrant(s): DANIELLE KLINE 60 AVENIDA MERIDA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by an Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A /s/ DANIELLE KLINE This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/14/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 2021

The following person(s) is doing business as: 1. PCH CHIROPRACTIC 26933 CAMINO DE ESTRELLA SUITE B CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA 92624 ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. PCH CHIRO Full Name of Registrant(s): PALMER PEET, D.C. 105 VIA TOLUCA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: N/A /s/PALMER PEET, D.C., PEET CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CORPORATION PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder on 1/20/21 Published in: San Clemente Times February 4 11, 18, 25, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216593991 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: GILBERT FUGITT LEADERSHIP COACHING AND CONSULTING 2 CALLE TORTUGA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673-9267 Full Name of Registrant(s): GILBERT FUGITT 2 CALLE TORTUGA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 This business is conducted by an Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A /s/ GILBERT FUGITT, SOLE PROPRIETOR This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/20/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021

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GARAGE SALES GARAGE & PLANT SALE SATURDAY, FEB. 27 Saturday, February 27, 8-11AM. Lots of household and decorative items plus furniture, no junk! Terracotta pots filled with large succulents and some tools too. 34626 Camino Capistrano, Capo Beach

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216594769 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: OLIVER’S 211 AVENIDA DEL MAR SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 Full Name of Registrant(s): BRENDA KINSMAN 3370 CALLE LA VETA 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/ BRENDA KINSMAN This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 01/27/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 2021

ESTATE SALE - SUNDAY, FEB. 28 Sunday, February 28, 2021. 8:30 AM12:30PM. 26000 Avenida Aeropuerto, Spc 210, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Items include furniture, china, glass, home decor and more.

HUGE GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, FEB. 27 Don’t Miss this One…TONS of Great Stuff. Computer Gear, Furniture, Kitchen Items, TV ect. Saturday Feb 27th 8AM Start. 27062 Via Cocida, SJC, CA 92675

PUBLIC NOTICE

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE

Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 12pm Monday.

HELP WANTED P&C LICENSED TEAM MEMBER Get 2021 off to a great start! Local Insurance Agent seeks a P&C Licensed Team member for a Customer Sales/ Service Position. Income based on your efforts, Flexibility available, Experience Preferred, apply at www.elainelavine.net

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SC LIVING

CoastLines

| By Fred Swegles

MISCHIEF ON THE RR TRACKS—HOW SOON WE FORGET

W

hen it comes to life and death along San Clemente’s coastal railroad corridor, it’s too easy to take for granted how good we have it since the city built a beach trail with seven safety-designed crossings.

Like many locals, I can remember the anything-goes vibe that flirted with RR safety for decades, prior to the trail’s 2006-08 construction.

After we published my Feb. 11 column about long-forgotten Wild West mischief on or around the rails, I heard from readers who do remember.

They took to social media to respond.

Here are some comments, slightly COASTLINES edited for spelling,

BY FRED SWEGLES grammar or clarity: • “I used to walk and run on the tracks from T-Street to Cotton’s all the time.”

• “I think we’ve all tripped on those railroad ties getting from point A to point B.” • “I’ve seen dozens of near-misses involving beachgoers crossing the tracks dragging heavy coolers and kids, mindless wanderers walking the tracks wearing headphones, and even a couple of professional photo shoots with photographers and models lying on the tracks. Idiots all!”

• “Surfing 204. It was the easiest way to get to the break.”

• “Unfortunately, I remember many incidents of death on those tracks. Those stories made quite an impression on a young girl. I still have a fear of crossing tracks, on foot or in a vehicle.”

• “We would walk on the rail from North Beach to the pier. Good for learning balance.

We loved to moon the trains just for fun.”

• “I remember walking on the tracks from 2nd Spot to the old lifeguard beach access crossing, barefoot … I burned the bottom of my feet … I couldn’t walk for a week.”

• “I remember way too much to list here.”

• “Used to play ‘Chicken.’”

• “Coins flattened on the tracks.”

• “From a young age, my kids were taught to look both ways before crossing the tracks. I drilled it into them. For me, it is such an ingrained habit, I still look both ways, even at a signal and gated crossing.”

• “In 1972, at age 10, I spent Fourth of July at Hole-In-The-Fence. I remember a drunken idiot, barely able to stand on his own, taking position dead-center on the tracks, holding a Roman candle and firing it at an oncoming northbound train.

Somehow, that fool managed to dive

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

the California Public Utilities Commission to allow the Beach Trail, I’ll never forget two RR accidents.

“An apparent act of bravado along the railroad track went bad late Wednesday,” I wrote on Jan. 16, 2004, “sending an 18-year-old Missouri man to the hospital with critical injuries.”

The young man and a friend were walking on the track near Calafia Beach.

As they noticed a train coming, authorities said, the friend stepped off the track.

“The other apparently stayed on and told his friend he was going to try to get as close to the train as possible and try to jump off at the last second,” authorities said. “He made some comment like, ‘I grew up near a train track … watch how close I can get without the train hitting me.’”

Trains are deceptively fast. And just weeks earlier, a 51-year-old local resident said to be safety-conscious was killed tragically.

clear at the last possible moment.”

• “How far could you walk on one rail until you fell off or the train approached?”

• “I’ve even had to witness two fatal train vs. pedestrian incidents in San Clemente … both ruled suicides. Those are images that I’ll carry for life.”

MORE MEMORIES I remember a young boy’s death, struck by a train at Poche in the 1970s. A man losing his life walking the tracks wearing headphones. And accidental deaths on trestles just outside San Clemente.

Suicides, equally tragic, are different.

There’s little you could do to prevent them, other than drastically walling off the entire RR corridor. Or relocating the railroad inland, behind San Clemente and Trestles.

A local lobbying campaign in the 1970s sought to move the tracks inland, but it never gained traction with the railway or with state/federal regulators.

In 2002-03, state officials proposed double-tracking the corridor through San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente.

Intense local opposition forestalled it.

BEACH TRAIL’S ORIGINS In 1995, Metrolink introduced commuter service here, announcing that trespassing would be enforced by RR police.

“Crossing tracks could cost you money … or your life,” my headline trumpeted on March 2, 1995.

“By local estimates,” I wrote, “nearly one-third of the two million people who visit San Clemente’s beaches each year get there by crossing the railroad tracks illegally.

Top: San Clemente’s Beach Trail channels pedestrians safely from one controlled crossing to the next.

Below: Landscaping and a mellow, relatively subtle style of fencing provide a safety buffer along most of San Clemente’s 2.3-mile Beach Trail, together with seven safety-designed crossings.

Photos: Fred Swegles

“Most don’t dally and are careful to watch for oncoming trains. A few act carelessly or irresponsibly. Occasionally, someone is killed.”

The Orange County Transportation Authority, I wrote, would start with public awareness, then enforcement.

There was such a San Clemente backlash that the city, in 1998, proposed an alternative—a safe beach trail.

The original design—described as a concrete, fenced trail atop a seawall—was so environmentally draconian that it provoked a backlash.

A grassroots group, “DeRail the Trail,” mobilized the community, halted the fenced concrete-on-seawall concept, then helped the city design the much kinder, gentler, scenic trail that we see today.

TWO PRE-TRAIL INCIDENTS In 2003-04, while the city was asking

Page 26

TRAIL WOULD HAVE PROTECTED HER “Since moving to San Clemente five years ago,” I wrote on Oct. 7, 2003, “Pamela Faris had walked from Linda Lane to the pier countless times.”

She was well aware of train dangers, I wrote, and had warned her sister, who had moved here to live with her.

The train was blowing its horn. A friend yelled, “Train!”

Faris was walking on the outside of the track, on the ocean side, looking down at her feet, on her way to the San Clemente Seafest with a friend from Florida.

“She was such a happy person,” said her sister, Beth Koziol. “She loved the pier.

She loved San Clemente … she wanted to live the rest of her life here.”

In 2008, dedication ceremonies celebrated completion of San Clemente’s $15 million Beach Trail—the planning, design, a rigorous permit process, funding and construction. Dedication came two days short of the fifth anniversary of Faris’ death.

“She would be so pleased to know what San Clemente has done,” Koziol said.

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

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SC San Clemente

Business Directory

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Page 27

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Green Light: Football, Water Polo, Multiple HS Sports Can Start Seasons Football, water polo will initially require weekly COVID-19 testing

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he “scoreboard” watching is over in Orange County, as sports teams and organizations across the area got the number they needed on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Outdoor sports are back on in Orange County, after the county’s new case rate per 100,000 residents dropped below 14 to 11.9 in the state’s weekly coronavirus tier update. New state guidelines announced on Friday, Feb. 19, set the 14-per100,000 benchmark to return to play.

Despite staying in the highest risk purple “widespread” tier, Orange County’s coronavirus metrics continued to improve overall, with the testing positivity dropping to 5.4% from 7.8% and the health equity positivity rate dropping to 7.0% from 10.7%. Both of those numbers are down to red “substantial” risk levels.

Pending county and school district approvals, high school football and water polo teams can finally begin their twice-delayed seasons as early as Feb. 26, and the outdoor spring sports of soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball and cheerleading can all go off as scheduled next month.

“Obviously super excited about outdoor sports having a path forward,” San Clemente athletic director Jon Hamro said. “Even though we have this opportunity, we still have to be the stewards of safety to keep everyone healthy and do this safely.”

Friday’s new sports guidelines did not completely wipe out the previous guidelines that slotted each sport in one of the state’s four color-coded coronavirus monitoring tiers based on level of risk, as determined by indoor or outdoor venues and the amount of contact in each sport.

The sports are still assigned to tiers, but with the case rate threshold now in place, the tiers only affect indoor sports, which remain in the orange “moderate” risk and yellow “minimal” risk tiers.

“All of this is a good challenge, and so worth it for the kids,” Hamro said. “Ultimately, we’re looking to get a pathway for the indoor sports. There’s a lot of other teams that are impacted as well. We’re working hard, and we want to rattle the cage now to get the indoor sports going.”

The guidelines apply across the board to youth and adult sports, either organized or recreational.

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

After having their seasons delayed twice due to state guidance and stay-at-home orders, high school football and water polo can return to play this month with updated guidance and improving coronavirus numbers. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Of the CIF-SS’ high school fall or “Season 1” sports, cross country was the first and only sport allowed to compete in the purple tier and has been since Jan. 25, when the regional stay-at-home orders were lifted across the state. Girls tennis was the first spring or “Season 2” sport to open action on Monday, Feb. 22, and can now play doubles matches under the new guidelines.

However, the spotlight now shines on high school’s big-ticket sport: football.

“I’m really excited for our kids,” San Clemente football coach Jaime Ortiz said.

“We’ve been training since August for this opportunity. We’ve had numerous delays and phases. For our seniors to get an opportunity to play, I commend our players and parents for sticking through it.”

Football has two special stipulations for its return. First, like water polo and rugby, the state’s new guidelines require weekly COVID-19 tests for all football coaches and players with results provid-

ed within 24 hours of competition. The state said it will cover the cost of the testing, making it free for the schools and teams. The state and CIF-SS did not lay out any protocols for positive tests or game cancellations, with CIF-SS saying it would be a decision for districts and individual schools.

“That’s part of the process,” Ortiz said.

“There’s things we’re just going to have to go through. We’ll have 210 tests that are going to have to happen on a weekly basis.”

The testing requirement could go away if the county’s new case rate per 100,000 residents goes below 7.

Secondly, CIF-SS rules require 14 days of full practice before football games can be played and 10 days before a scrimmage against another team can be held. So, whereas water polo can start immediately on Friday if the proper approvals come through, there will still be two weeks of headway before football can officially start. With CIF-SS’ official end date for foot-

Page 28

ball season on April 17, every day counts in terms of the length of the season.

San Clemente is scheduling for a fivegame season that will kick off against Capistrano Valley on March 19. The Tritons will also play Aliso Niguel before a three-game South Coast League schedule against San Juan Hills, Tesoro and Mission Viejo.

For the rest of the outdoor high school sports, the start dates will trickle out over the next month.

San Clemente water polo will start a South Coast League-only schedule from March 8 to March 20. Soccer teams can open their seasons on Saturday, Feb. 27; boys tennis on Monday, March 1; lacrosse on March 12; swimming on March 13; baseball and softball on March 19; and golf and boys track and field on March 20.

The indoor sports—volleyball, basketball and wrestling—did not receive any updates and remain in their holding patterns. SC sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

Page 29

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SC SURF

Let’s Surf with a Little More Aloha

cally reduced, a lot of people have taken up surfing during the pandemic. That means there are a lot of newbies in the water who may not be totally comfortable paddling out when there’s a decent swell running. So, heads up to anybody who may be concerned about getting in a little over your head: hold on to your board. If you let go of your board in the open face of a wave, know that it can become an obstacle for somebody trying to ride the wave. And ditching your board in the whitewater puts other surfers paddling out in jeopardy.

With lineups more crowded than ever, surfing etiquette more important than ever

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

L

ast week in Manhattan Beach, an incident took place in which a White surfer was filmed yelling obscenities and racial epithets at a Black surfer in the water. This prompted a response on Sunday that was dubbed the “Black Sand Peace Paddle.”

With dozens of surfers in attendance from around Southern California, the statement was clear: there is no place for racism of any kind in our lineups.

Also last week, things reportedly got a little testy at one of our local breaks—namely, Trestles. A salty older gentleman, who shall remain nameless here but is a prominent business owner in the area, decided that it would be a good call to resurrect the old localism nonsense that we thought, as a surf community, we’d put in the past.

Clearly, we haven’t, as this individual tried to provoke a fight under the farcical

A smile and a shaka, the reason for it all—surf and be happy. Photo: Courtesy of the Positive Vibes Warrior Foundation

busy intersection, so why drop in on somebody who’s already rolling down the line?

notion that because he surfs Uppers regularly, he deserves all the best waves and is somehow entitled to “regulate” the break.

So, with all that negative energy percolating, and more surfers in the water than ever before, I figured this week would be a good opportunity to refresh some of surfing’s guiding principles.

For what it’s worth, here are five ways that we can all get along in the water— and still get a few quality set waves: NO DROPPING IN If you want to get in a tussle while you’re surfing, a blatant burn is a great way to initiate it. If somebody is already up and riding on a wave, do not take off in front of them. You wouldn’t pull your car out into a

WHO GETS THE RIGHT OF WAY? As far as who has priority when you’re in a pack of surfers all paddling for the same wave, the time-tested rule is that the surfer closest to the apex of the peak gets the wave. This doesn’t mean you can’t paddle for it and give it a look; you never know, the person in the pole position could pull back or wipe out when they take off, in which case the wave would be fair game if you’re next in line.

DON’T DITCH YOUR BOARD With youth sports largely halted at the moment and access to gyms drasti-

PEETA KENWORTHY

Water Temperature: 56-58 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 4-7

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Y

San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

SPREAD THE ALOHA The great Duke Kahanamoku said it best: “In Hawaii, we greet friends, loved ones or strangers with ‘Aloha,’ which means love. Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawaii renowned as the world’s center of understanding and fellowship.

Try meeting or leaving people with ‘Aloha.’ You’ll be surprised by their reaction.

I believe it, and it is my creed. Aloha to you.” SC

SURF FORECAST

GROM OF THE WEEK

ou only get one chance to win your first surf contest, and Peeta Kenworthy just nailed it!

Celebrating the restart of the Western Surfing Association after a long pandemic break, the 7-year-old from San Clemente aced her first contest.

“I was hoping that she would make a few friends, and try her best and not take losing too hard,” explained her father, Jason Kenworthy, who was in the water with Peeta pushing her into some pumping waves.

“She and her good friend Ty-Ty both made the final, and they were having a good time talking and playing as they got ready,” Jason continued. “I was stoked that she tried her hardest, and that we had a really fun time. The awards came after, and sure enough, the two friends came in first and second just like they

SHARING IS CARING This may come as a huge surprise to a lot of local surfers, but waves are free, and there’s always another one. Don’t be greedy; if you’ve gotten a couple good ones already, make sure that somebody else has the opportunity to share in the joy. Whether it’s a grom or somebody who’s just figuring the sport out, don’t be afraid to give a wave or two. Often, when you do give a wave, there’s an even better one behind it, so everyone wins.

Thursday: A blend of South and Northwest swells sets up waist-stomach-chest high surf, (2-3-4’). A light+ offshore breeze in the morning, shifts to a moderate westerly sea breeze for the afternoon.

Peeta Kenworthy. Photo: Courtesy of the Kenworthy Family

talked about … she’s already asking, ‘When’s the next one?’”

Peeta is the youngest of five kids, with her oldest sister, Bella, making regular appearances here in the Grom of the Week column. Bella is both an accomplished surfer and skateboarder who has

picked up the support of iconic footwear brand Vans.

No doubt, this won’t be Peeta’s last competitive accomplishment, but nevertheless, there really is nothing better than earning that first trophy—especially when you’re in a heat with your best buddy. SC Page 30

Outlook: The South and Northwest swell mix eases for knee to waist high waves, (2-3’), on Friday. Light/variable winds Friday morning turn to light+ afternoon onshores. Fresh pulse of Northwest swell rolls in Saturday with waist to stomach high surf, (2-3’+), then on Sunday those waves ease to knee-thigh-waist high, (1-23’). Mainly light+ SW winds for Saturday.

Light+ offshore wind Sunday morning is followed by moderate afternoon onshores.

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San Clemente Times February 25-March 3, 2021

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