November 4, 2021

NOVEMBER 4-10, 2021 | VOLUME 16, ISSUE 44

L O C A L

N E W S

Y O U

C A N

INSIDE: Special Section

U S E

Closing Time

Downtown Restaurants to Remove Outdoor Dining Decks E Y E O N S C / PAG E 3

The popular open-air dining areas in Downtown San Clemente will come to an end in mid-November. Photo: Fred Swegles

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State Insurance Pool Denies to Indemnify James in Lawsuit

Hostetter Acting as Own Attorney in Capitol Riot Case

SCHS Football to Host First-Round Game Friday

EYE ON SC/PAGE 5

EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SPORTS/PAGE 27

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

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EYE ON SC

What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN CLEMENTE SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Closing Time: Downtown Restaurants to Remove Outdoor Dining Decks

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Restaurant owners in Downtown San Clemente will soon be required to dismantle their outdoor dining decks, freeing up parking spaces that retailers and shop owners have sought for their patrons in anticipation of the holiday shopping season.

The open-air dining concept, a city-approved program that’s allowed restaurants to expand outdoor operations on public parking spaces, providing much-needed economic relief amid COVID-19 restrictions, is set to expire on Nov. 15 for only downtown-area establishments.

“This council has been very generous with the restaurants in town, and we’ve bent over backwards, and the small shops and small retailers have been very patient as we’ve taken up those parking spots, which in fact saved the businesses,” Mayor Pro Tem Gene James said during the city council’s meeting on Tuesday night, Nov. 2.

Restaurants that have continued to use public parking for their outdoor services have had to pay a monthly fee to the city since mid-June—when the state reopened the economy and establishments were allowed full use of their indoor seating.

As part of the fee program, the council set the mid-November deadline to coincide with Daylight Savings Time, when the demand for outdoor dining is reduced and more parking would be needed for holiday shopping. It was also meant to clear the street ahead of a planned capital improvement project to repave Avenida Del Mar in January 2022.

Chris Aitken, chairperson of the San Clemente Downtown Business Association’s Board of Directors, said on Wednesday morning, Nov. 3, that the downtown restaurants would have liked to see the outdoor dining program extended for as long as possible.

He added that while the restaurants “also understand that there are some competing interests in downtown,” reports from restaurants have shown open-air dining to be “an overwhelming success and believe it’s a very good thing for downtown and the San Clemente community.”

Asked to expound on those competing interests and the program’s impacts to shop owners over the past year and a half, Aitken acknowledged that there have been some concerns over dining areas taking away parking in front of the storefronts, “but we believe the positive aspects outweigh these factors.”

“I believe the outdoor dining does help all businesses downtown. It brings a vibrancy to downtown and foot traffic,” he said. “We understand it’s not a perfect process, but we believe it’s very positive for the community.”

The council on Tuesday night received a presentation from Economic Development Officer Jonathan Lightfoot, who gave an update on the outdoor dining program, as well as on the city’s weekend trolley services, which were recently extended through the fall.

Councilmembers also heard from one commenter, Mikii Rathmann, owner

Hostetter to Act as Own Attorney in Capitol Riot Case

and obstructing an official proceeding.

In early October, he asked the court to allow him to represent himself in the case.

Despite efforts to dissuade Hostetter from self-representation, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth on Oct. 28, granted Hostetter’s motion, while also allowing Hostetter’s former attorney, Karren Kenney, to serve as his advisory counsel.

In an Oct. 11 video message posted online, Hostetter explained that he wasn’t firing his attorney, nor was he upset with her work on the case. Acknowledging that the two had some “minor” differences in legal strategy, the main

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A federal judge late last month granted a request by conservative activist and U.S. Capitol riot defendant Alan Hostetter to act as his own attorney in his upcoming trial.

Hostetter, a former police chiefturned-yogi, faces multiple criminal charges related to the siege of the Capitol on Jan. 6, including conspiracy San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

The popular open-air dining areas in Downtown San Clemente will be required to close in mid-November. Photo: Fred Swegles

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of Mikii’s on Del Mar, who said she and other retailers were enthusiastic about ending the open-air dining program, particularly before the city’s winter kickoff events in early December.

“There’s definitely more businesses than the restaurants to consider when thinking about extending this program,” she said. “If you are considering extending it to Thanksgiving, the end of November, it sure would be a blessing if the outdoor dining decks could be gone before the Santa’s Village by the Sea and the Puttin’ on the Glitz event.”

The council had debated on whether to extend the outdoor dining program through Nov. 29, but ultimately decided it would be optimal to have the decks along Avenida Del Mar removed weeks ahead of the winter events.

As part of their discussion of the out-

door dining program and trolley service, councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday night to have staff bring back a report to potentially exempt eateries in the Pier Bowl area and businesses using their own parking lots for outdoor dining from the mid-November deadline.

Such establishments, which, the council reasoned, don’t take up any public parking, could possibly continue to operate outdoors until early January.

Similarly, the council asked for a report to possibly extend the trolley service, which is also set to end in mid-November.

Lightfoot explained that a decision to extend the outdoor dining program for Pier Bowl restaurants and eateries operating on private parking spaces could provide the city with the revenue necessary to continue the trolleys for a bit longer.

The council will next meet on Nov. 16.

issue was “a dollars and cents” one.

“If I were to continue on with an attorney through this entire process, because I’m going through a jury trial, for sure, and my guess is I’d spend another $75,000 to $150,000 going all the way through the jury trial,” he said in the video.

Hostetter on June 10 was one of six people arrested on federal conspiracy charges in connection to the Capitol riot in Washington, D.C. The former La Habra police chief was indicted on charges that include conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, and unlawful entry on a restricted building or grounds.

According to the 20-page grand jury

indictment, Hostetter and fellow defendant Russell Taylor were among a group of rioters who had pushed through a line of police officers on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol, and had urged others to follow.

Hostetter in his video called the case against him “an absolute joke,” arguing that it was “a total frame job.”

Through his now-defunct group, the American Phoenix Project, Hostetter led marches against COVID-19 lockdowns and led rallies to burn face masks in San Clemente and other Orange County cities last year.

Hostetter, a staunch supporter of (Cont. on page 5) sanclementetimes.com

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EYE ON SC

State Insurance Pool Denies City’s Final Request to Cover James in Defamation Suit

when he claimed in text messages to San Clemente residents that Bieber had threatened to kill him.

“Specifically, the alleged remarks were made during a conversation between Mr. James and certain of his constituents affiliated with Plaintiff (Bieber) regarding James’ meeting with another City councilmember …,” the city said in a June 24 letter to the JPIA. The JPIA, however, has not seen it that way, and has denied all attempts by the city to indemnify James and provide him with legal representation.

“The facts do not indicate that the allegedly defamatory May 2 text exchange about Mr. Bieber’s alleged prior threat involved city business,” the JPIA said in formal letter to the city, echoing its prior rejections over the past year and a half.

“The Bieber complaint does not allege that Mr. James was in the scope of his duties when he made the defamatory statements, does not name the City of San Clemente as a defendant, and does not allege that any government claim was filed before the complaint was filed,” the letter also stated.

As part of its decision, the arbitration panel also cited a November 2020 court ruling that denied James’ Anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) motion in the lawsuit. The court found that the text messages with constituents didn’t “involve an issue of public interest, dispute or controversy.”

The lawsuit is now proceeding based

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO , SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Allegations and other details raised in a defamation suit against Mayor Pro Tem Gene James did not involve city business, the city’s insurance carrier said last month, denying for the fourth and final time a request to cover the elected official’s legal expenses.

In an attempt to overturn the insurance provider’s three previous rejections, the city this past June requested an arbitration hearing, exhausting all of its options to have the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority indemnify James.

Following an Oct. 13 hearing among officials with the city and the JPIA, the arbitration panel upheld the insurance pool’s prior denials, concluding that James did not qualify for coverage in the defamation suit brought against him by a former political associate, Jim Bieber.

The lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court in May 2020, accuses James of making a defamatory claim about Bieber in a series of text messages with constituents. James had raised the claim—that Bieber had threatened to kill James during a heated exchange at a bar in early 2020—after the residents questioned him about a meeting with then-Councilmember Chris Hamm.

Bieber, in his complaint, denies ever making such a threat.

James, who was preparing to run for reelection at the time the lawsuit was filed, has argued in court filings that the complaint was politically motivated, while acknowledging the text message chain in question.

As of press time, James had not responded to requests seeking comment.

Determining that the JPIA owes James coverage, the city has reasoned that the mayor pro tem was acting within the scope of his duties as an elected official

(Cont. from page 3) former President Donald Trump, also organized “Stop the Steal” rallies in California, as well outside the U.S. Supreme Court building the night before the march on the Capitol.

Continuing to spread the false claim that Trump had won the 2020 election, Hostetter in his video said that during his trial he’ll convince members of the jury that the government conspired against him and concede, among other things, that the “election was stolen.”

“They’re going to have to say to themselves, ‘Yeah, the election was stolen, the government was overthrown, and Alan was right about COVID, the lockdowns, masking and vaccines, so case closed,’” Hostetter said in the video posted to BitChute.

He further claimed that evidence was planted against him and that even informants were “unlawfully and unconstitutionally” planted around him in the months leading up to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“I intend to get to the very bottom of every informant that was unlawfully and unconstitutionally monitoring me, surveilling me, tracking me for months leading up to Jan. 6 with no probable cause and no right whatsoever, because

all I was doing was leading protests against unconstitutional lockdown orders,” he said.

Those remarks echoed a statement he had posted to his American Phoenix Project website, explaining why he had to shutter the organization.

“The primary reason behind the pending dissolution of American Phoenix Project is that, completely unknown to me at the time, my Board of Directors was thoroughly corrupted and compromised back in the fall of 2020,” he wrote.

According to the indictment, Hostetler and the group of five other men arrested this past summer allegedly conspired “to obstruct, influence, and impede” the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, when lawmakers were certifying the Electoral College votes.

Using social media and Telegram, an encrypted messaging app, the group of men—some of whom have self-identified as belonging to the Three Percenters militia group—coordinated travel plans to Washington, D.C., and promoted American Phoenix Project rallies.

In one chat titled “The California Patriots-Answer the Call Jan. 6,” the

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

An arbitration panel upheld the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority’s previous denials to cover Mayor Pro Tem Gene James in a defamation suit filed against him. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

on the merits of the case. The next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20.

City Attorney Scott Smith said after the arbitration panel’s decision that the city’s pursuit of coverage for James is “played out.”

“That’s the last resort … last resort as far as JPIA coverage goes. I think that’s over,” Smith said, noting that it’ll be up to the city council on whether the city itself should cover James’ legal costs—expenses that the city estimates could exceed $100,000.

As of Oct. 18, the city had spent just shy of $41,290 for its attempts since last year to have the JPIA cover James, according to the city’s contracted law firm, Best Best & Krieger. About $6,700 of that total represented the cost to pursue arbitration.

Previous opportunities by the council to vote on whether the city should step in and provide legal defense have hit roadblocks as a result of a lack of quorum.

James has had to recuse himself from any discussion on the matter because of his financial interest, while Councilmember Steve Knoblock, a witness in the complaint, has also recused himself.

Councilmember Laura Ferguson has also repeatedly recused herself. During a June 15 council meeting, she said that she “will possibly be a potential witness in the case.” And before that, in May, she said she didn’t want to participate in the matter, as she “would’ve voted no, because I see that as a gift of public funds.”

Capitol riot defendant Alan Hostetter, pictured here leading an anti-lockdown protest through Downtown San Clemente in April 2020, will act as his own attorney in his upcoming trial. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

men also shared details about “gear” and weapons and firearms they were planning to bring on their cross-country road Page 5

trips, the indictment stated.

A status conference hearing with the six defendants is slated for Dec. 3. sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

CLASSIFIEDS

CUSD Reviews Cultural Proficiency Progress

BY COLLIN BREAUX, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

The Capistrano Unified School District was slated on Wednesday, Nov. 3, to give a quarterly report to the Board of Trustees on its cultural proficiency plan—a framework for cultural understanding that has become a point of controversy for some parents and members of the public.

CUSD officially adopted the plan that includes anti-bullying training for staff and addressing chronic absenteeism among disabled, Black, homeless, foster care, Hispanic, and socially and economically disadvantaged students through parent outreach in December 2020.

Since then, the plan has elicited backlash from some who feel it amounts to teaching Critical Race Theory, a curriculum that critics believe fosters anti-White racism and division among children.

District officials and staff have denied teaching Critical Race Theory, or that the cultural proficiency plan is such.

Specifically, the report scheduled for Wednesday’s meeting intended to give updates on the district’s efforts when it comes to translation, counseling, curriculum, and college and career centers for students at various district sites.

An overview from district staff, for instance, mentioned the position of bilingual staff secretary was upgraded to bilingual executive assistant due to the scope of the role.

“As shared at the September 15, 2021 Board Meeting, the Cultural Proficiency Task Force completed its process, and the Management Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Guiding Coalition will be the new team, which will monitor implementation of the Cultural Proficiency Plan,” the staff overview stated.

“The Management DEI Guiding Coalition is currently being formed, and all members will be decided by the end of November 2022,” the overview continued.

“The Coalition will then meet monthly to review and guide the implementation of the Cultural Proficiency Plan.”

Audience members at CUSD meetings throughout the year have often shown up to denounce the cultural proficiency plan and call on the district to revoke it, in addition to speaking against Critical Race Theory in the process. Backlash against CRT, and concerns that it is being taught in K-12 schools, has occurred at school board meetings throughout the country.

Emily Penner, an assistant professor of education at the University of California, Irvine whose research interests include K-12 educational policy and inequality, said Critical Race Theory is a method of legal analysis that examines how race is a social construct and maintains hierarchies, particularly in terms of perpetuating marginalization.

There is not much evidence to suggest

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Critical Race Theory—which can include examining legal decisions—is being taught in K-12 schools, Penner said.

“That seems pretty doubtful in a second-grade class, or even 11th-grade class,” she said.

While students may be talking about race or racism, calling those discussions Critical Race Theory is overdoing it, Penner said.

People may label curriculum or policy Critical Race Theory without understanding what CRT is, Penner said. Facilitating discussions of racial matters with students can be tough when there are public “firestorms” over policy details, Penner said.

“In a polarized context like this, it makes it hard for school districts to figure out how to support students when discussing race,” she said.

In response to accusations of teaching CRT, CUSD has posted an FAQ page from the Association of California School Administrators on its online Family Resource Center that addresses Critical Race Theory and how it is not taught in California schools.

“The complex legal aspects of Critical Race Theory make it impossible for the theory to be taught in California public schools,” the FAQ said. “Critical Race Theory should not be confused with equity, which many school districts have incorporated into their teaching methods and curriculum.”

The district also outlines specific aspects of its cultural proficiency plan on its website. The stated goal of the plan follows CUSD’s overall mission of preparing students to meet the challenges of a “rapidly changing world” that is “increasingly global and diverse.”

Lessons under the plan for grades K-12 are intended to teach students about empathy, appreciating differences, understanding how others feel when being teased, and practicing conflict resolution skills.

The materials for various grade levels are intended to be age-appropriate and include songs, Google slides, and pre- and post-assessments. Kindergarten lessons, as an example, may teach students that not all kids like playing with blocks or going to the beach, and that it can be a problem judging someone based on their appearance.

For grades 9-12, lessons may include going over what exactly is culture and identifying facets of a multicultural self; understanding reasons that miscommunication can occur; recognizing that identities are not static and can change; and that knowing oneself and others can help bridge understanding and tolerance.

A previous quarterly report on the plan was relayed to the board in September. The next quarterly reports will be presented in February and May 2022.

Work on the plan dates back to late 2019. sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

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SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | Bartlett Bulletin by OC Board Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

South County Transportation Cooperative Agreement a Win-Win for Everyone

T

raffic congestion and relief in South County have been the subject of much discussion and debate for many years. Delivering real and viable solutions to ease traffic and relieve congestion along our highways and major arterials has long been a top priority for me. As past chair and current board member of the Orange County Transportation Authority and Transportation Corridor Agencies, I have collaborated with key stakeholders and led efforts to analyze and study a multitude of options that could potentially provide short- and long-term solutions to South County’s traffic issues. I am pleased to announce BARTLETT BULLETIN that those efforts

BY LISA BARTLETT have paid off and South Orange County residents are now one step closer to spending more time doing the things they love, and less time stuck in traffic!

Recently, I convened a working group of key stakeholders to create local transportation solutions and discuss congestion relief projects. This collaborative effort resulted in the County of Orange, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the City of San Clemente signing a Cooperative Agreement to

together key stakeholders to create a local solution to transportation needs, rather than allowing the state to set restrictions through legislation.

In addition, the agreement assures the city of San Clemente’s support for the Los Patrones Parkway Extension, a non-tolled county arterial, by conforming its General Plan to allow for the new road. Furthermore, the agreement protects existing open space and conservation easements in San Clemente by ensuring no transportation projects will be constructed within that space, while at the same time allows for major transportation projects in South County that will deliver mobility solutions.

I am more than pleased with the outcome of this local, collaborative process and the resulting benefits in terms of traffic relief. With South County’s population and employment growth expected to increase over the next several years, I will continue to monitor our transportation needs and look forward to reviewing the recommendations from OCTA’s South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study.

Lisa Bartlett sits on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the 5th District. She was reelected in 2018. SC

support three transportation projects identified and recommended in the 2020 South County Traffic Relief Effort study, as follows: • Construction of the Los Patrones Parkway Extension as a non-tolled county arterial from its current terminus at Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata in San Clemente • OCTA and Caltrans efforts to complete high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane improvements on Interstate 5 between Avenida Pico and the San Diego County line • The Ortega Highway (SR-74) Widening Project in San Juan Capistrano from two lanes to four lanes between Calle Entradero and the city/county border The Cooperative Agreement was crafted utilizing data from the Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) traffic study, which indicated regional traffic concerns could largely be alleviated by a three-pronged transportation solution. The results of the traffic study were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors for both the Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency and the Orange County Transportation Authority.

The signing of the Cooperative Agreement was significant in that it brought

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.

Working Together as a Team I

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Shawn Raymundo • 949.388.7700, x108 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING Laura Gaffney • 949.388.7700, x103 lgaffney@picketfencemedia.com DISTRIBUTION Racks, Driveways, Subscriptions Inna Cazares • 949.388.7700, x111 icazares@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett • 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

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GUEST OPINION | City Council Corner by Kathy Ward

t is always rewarding when issues get resolved and ideas come together.

When these are city issues, it takes time and a team to get things done.

That team is our staff, the council and residents. We all work together for the good of our city. When there is an initiative that requires planning or zoning, it is a process consisting of a series of meetings that provide for public participation and input.

The largest city process was updating our city’s General Plan. It began with a large group of citizens on the General Plan Action Committee. They met publicly for two years to study all areas of our city.

The process then went to the Planning Commission for more deliberation and

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public meetings; and when it finally went to the city council, the council went through the draft, page-by-page, before voting to approve it.

Some people may not know that we have a General Plan that sets out how areas can be developed, including guidelines for design CITY COUNCIL that can include CORNER limits to height and

BY KATHY WARD density. These guidelines are built into our zoning code.

There are policies to mitigate traffic, visual, and noise impacts. These policies

apply to any new development in our city.

Two areas of priority in the General Plan are North Beach and South El Camino Real. This focus has led to North Beach’s revitalization, which is almost complete.

South El Camino Real has two approved projects for the corners of the Valencia intersection. The last empty lot remaining at that intersection, often called the Christmas tree lot, has interested parties looking to develop it. This is welcome news to all residents who have waited decades for this area to be improved.

I have reached out to the Architectural Guild of Orange County to assist and lend their expertise in planning a new landscape plan for the offramp at El

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OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

San Clemente Times, Vol. 16, Issue 44. 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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SOAPBOX

Letter to The Editor RESPONSE TO ‘OC TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS’ RON HERBERT, San Clemente The recent Letter to the Editor criticizing the San Clemente City Council’s vote in favor of the Cooperative Agreement between San Clemente, the County, and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) missed the mark. It listed random TCA talking points rather than offering a fair, accurate critique of the agreement.

The agreement committed San Clemente, Orange County, and the OCTA to work on three specific projects to alleviate South County traffic, to the exclusion of a freeway, tolled or otherwise, through San Clemente. The agreement makes it virtually impossible for the TCA to construct any project in San Clemente, because both the county and OCTA have pledged to oppose such a project.

The TCA’s efforts to undermine the Cooperative Agreement, like its efforts against Sen. Patricia Bates’ legislation, demonstrate the efficacy of both. The TCA’s refusal to join the agreement is both expected and a sign that the agreement is good for San Clemente and bad for the TCA. Unfortunately, neither of Bates’ two bills to preclude the TCA from building a toll road through San Clemente got out of committee, so the city’s pledge to withdraw support for them as part of the agreement, which Bates condoned, is inconsequential.

The expressed concerns about Super-

Camino Real. I believe new landscaping will complete the revitalization of this area that has long been impacted by the freeway, and anything planned for that area will require council approval.

If you have not heard, the issue of whether a toll road is being built through our city has been answered. San Clemente signed a cooperative agreement with the County of Orange and Orange County Transportation Authority that memorializes an agreement of what transportation projects will be built. This includes an agreement that there will be no road built through the middle of our city.

Having the threat of a toll road hanging over our city for so long was unfair to our residents and detrimental to city operations and planning. I personally want to thank Sen. Patricia Bates for her support of legislation; Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, for leading all parties to an agreement; and Mayor Pro Tem Gene James, for his representation of our city San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

visor Lisa Bartlett’s past role on the TCA and the city’s withdrawal from the TCA ring hollow, because three other supervisors and the OCTA—no friend to the TCA—supported the agreement. There is a broad consensus the agreement is beneficial to San Clemente and South Orange County as a whole.

Finally, our council’s principled withdrawal from the TCA, the first city to do so, should be applauded, not condemned.

Our San Clemente contingent was routinely outvoted, but their presence on the TCA gave it a false veneer of legitimacy.

By withdrawing due to the TCA’s financial mismanagement, and prompting others like Santa Ana to contemplate doing so as well, San Clemente City Council took the biggest step so far to force the TCA to pay off its debt and go out of business rather than seeking new unnecessary projects to justify its existence.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

No Beachside Chat This Week Beachside Chat, a spirited, town hall forum on community issues hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo on Friday mornings, will resume on Nov. 12.

with me as directors on the TCA board and his work on this agreement.

Thank you to the city council majority, the Board of Supervisors, and the OCTA Board of Directors for recognizing good transportation solutions for South County.

Thank you to all the residents who worked so hard to protect San Clemente’s open space and all of you who fought to keep it.

With the good news that transportation projects have now been set for our region, our residents can remove the “No Toll Road Through San Clemente” stickers from your cars. I will be removing mine.

Like I said before, it’s rewarding when issues are resolved.

Kathy Ward, appointed mayor of San Clemente for 2021, is a city councilmember who was elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared.

The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

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San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

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GETTING OUT

AT THE MOVIES

‘Bergman Island’ Delivers for Arthouse Fans

The List

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

O

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

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THURSDAY | 04 SCHS PRESENTS ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ 7 p.m. San Clemente High Drama presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast under the stars on the school’s upper campus through Nov. 6. Beauty and the Beast is directed by Kirsti McCleary, with music direction by Elan McMahan and choreography by Susanna Vaughan. The cast is made up of 37 talented actors and 53 crew members from the award-winning SCHS Drama program. Bring a beach chair, blanket and dress warmly. Tickets are available at schsdrama.com. 189 Avenida La Cuesta, San Clemente.

‘A NICE FAMILY GATHERING’ 7:30 p.m. The Cabrillo Playhouse Presents A Nice Family Gathering, a poignant comedy about the Lundeen clan gathering for Thanksgiving dinner following the death of the family’s doctor patriarch. When son Carl arrives, he has to deal with his father’s ghost, which only Carl can see and hear.

Admission is $25 for the show, which runs on weekends through Nov. 21. The Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. cabrilloplayhouse.org. 949.492.0465.

FRIDAY | 05 COFFEE WITH COUNCILMEMBERS 8 a.m. Mayor Pro Tem Gene James and Councilmember Chris Duncan will host Coffee with Councilmembers, a forum at San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

Editor’s Pick Photo: File/Eric Heinz

FRIDAY | 05 TASTE OF SAN CLEMENTE 6-10 p.m. The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce invites the community to participate in the 30th annual Taste of San Clemente at the historic Casino San Clemente.

Guests can enjoy a variety of local and delicious eats, wine tasting from area vineyards and a sampling of microbrews. Join the Chamber for live music, dancing and a silent auction, with more than 40 baskets and gifts up for bid. This year, surprise performances will take place before 7 p.m. Admission is $135 (or $115 for Chamber members) and includes: food and drinks, entertainment, valet parking and a complimentary, engraved Taste of San Clemente wine glass or beer mug. Dress is cocktail attire. Tickets may be purchased online at scchamber.com or by contacting the Chamber office at 949.492.1131. Tickets are available until 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5.

the Dorothy Visser Senior Center, where they’ll discuss ongoing city issues, topics of interest to the community and answer questions from residents. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente.

SATURDAY | 06 TOM MOREY CELEBRATION OF LIFE 10-11:15 a.m. Join a group of bodyboard-

ers for a paddle-out at T-Street Beach in loving memory of Tom Morey, the father of Boogie Boards. Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt, bring a boogie board and a ukulele, while embracing the waves and spreading the stoke like Morey would want everyone to do.

There will also be a lunch following the paddle-out at Nomad’s Canteen, where participants can share memories and moments of Morey. T-Street Beach, San Clemente.

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ne has to assume the origin of Mia Hansen-Løve’s new film, Bergman Island, was loosely inspired by her own past relationship with fellow filmmaker Olivier Assayas, as the two main characters in the movie are a working filmmaker and his supportive wife.

On top of that, we also get a story-within-the-movie subplot with the female lead’s character inspired by her own issues. And in between all of this, there are some pretty clear callbacks to the classics of the man himself, Ingmar Bergman.

While on a “business trip” that’s actually moonlighting as more of a vacation, Tony Sanders (Tim Roth) and wife, Chris (Vicky Krieps), are visiting the Swedish island of Fårö for a festival screening of Tony’s new movie.

Fårö itself is also popular as the home of respected filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, and naturally Tony is interested in seeing all the landmarks and tourist attractions. Chris, on the other hand, is less a fan of the Swede and currently feeling conflicted over being away from their young daughter, as well as having her own bout of writer’s block.

Mia Wasikowska and Anders Danielsen Lie appear as Chris’ characters from the story she’s having trouble finishing through fantasy sequences.

Bergman Island is full of talent, from the writer-director to the international cast, all of whom are utilized very well. This is one of the better examples of an artist clearly imitating their own life with their work, and it doesn’t come across as indulgent or tedious.

At one point, we even get a character casually referred to as the actor’s first name, as if the director is winking and showing us how deep she can break the fourth wall.

Bergman Island is Hansen-Løve at her best since her previous critical hit, Things to Come (2016), and pays homage from a modern legend to a historical one. SC

SUNDAY | 07 DOG DENTAL CLEANING 9 a.m. Qualified Pet Dental will perform no-anesthesia teeth cleaning for dogs (and cats) at Pets Plus at Ocean View Plaza. A vet exam is included in the service. Appointments are required, and can be reserved by calling 949.496.8400.

638 Camion de los Mares, Suite A140, San Clemente. sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT

ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

DONAVON FRANKENREITER

BY COLLIN BREAUX, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

D

onavon Frankenreiter will say goodbye to 2021 and ring in 2022 while on stage at The Coach House.

Frankenreiter will play at the San Juan Capistrano venue for News Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The California-raised musician and surfer is a familiar face at The Coach House, having performed there plenty over the years and also one of the first people back on stage when the venue reopened this year following a pandemic-induced shutdown.

“It’s interesting times out there,” Frankenreiter said when reflecting on the new live music landscape, post-shutdown. “Some people are going out; some people aren’t.”

For those who do go out to either of his shows, they also get to hear a performance by Slapback—a funk rock outfit

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

Donavon Frankenreiter will celebrate the start of a new year at The Coach House with live music.

Photo: File

that will be performing with Frankenreiter. Christina Holmes will be the opening act for both shows and is a musician that Frankenreiter calls “amazing.” Holmes said she is “so excited” to be heading back on the road with Frankenreiter.

“Every tour we go on together is one for the books, so you won’t want to miss this one!” Holmes said.

“It’s going to be really fun and exciting,” Frankenreiter said. “We’ll merge (Slapback’s) and our songs.”

Given how quickly things change with the COVID-19 health crisis, Frankenreiter is glad to just be playing somewhere.

Even with the upcoming shows at The Coach House, Frankenreiter admitted he

and his band haven’t been playing as many shows lately as they usually do.

While gigs were steady before the pandemic, now Frankenreiter and his crew go out for a month and do numerous shows in a row before encountering a lull in tour dates.

He says something new in general comes up every month, and he’s not entirely sure what this new year will bring.

The virus has even caused Frankenreiter to tweak some aspects of his shows, since he no longer tosses around the microphone for the crowd to sing along like in previous appearances. Even with precautions, audiences should get ready for a good time with Frankenreiter’s music, which is influenced by his love of surfing and a generally mellow take on life.

“There are pockets of happiness out there,” Frankenreiter said. “The Coach House and San Juan Capistrano is one of them.”

Back when he played The Coach House in December 2019, Frankenreiter had just released the album Bass & Drum Tracks, which contained instrumental and sparse reworkings of his earlier songs.

Frankenreiter isn’t just familiar with the stage at The Coach House—he also

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SHOW DETAILS What: Donavon Frankenreiter When: Friday, Dec. 31, and Saturday, Jan. 1. Concert starts at 8 p.m.

Where: 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano For tickets & more info: Tickets are $55 for the Friday show and $30 on Saturday. Visit thecoachhouse.com.

knows what it’s like to be in the crowd, since he grew up watching shows there, too. Frankenreiter said The Coach House and owner Gary Folgner have been very supportive over the years.

Aside from playing concerts, Frankenreiter has been busy recording new music that fans can expect to see released next year.

“I don’t think about the negative stuff,” he said. “I try to focus on the positive stuff.” SC

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SC LIVING

Q&A WITH HIGH-SPEED RAIL AGENCY How much does Merced to Bakersfield cost?

The Authority’s 2020 Business Plan estimates that it will cost between $21.3 billion and $22.7 billion. That price tag includes all the land, structures, tracks, signaling, electrification systems, stations, trains and their testing, our investments in preparatory bookend projects in northern and southern California, and complete environmental clearance of the entire 500-mile system between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin and Anaheim, via the Central Valley.

Do you have enough funding to get trains running that section?

Yes, for Merced to Bakersfield, according to the 2020 Business Plan, the Authority estimates we have all the identified, available, and authorized funds needed to complete this segment. For the entire system between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin and Anaheim, via the Central Valley, the Authority has secured approximately one-third of the funds needed to complete the current estimated cost.

How much remains from the 2008 bond, and how much farther could that get the project?

The Authority has $4.2 billion available in remaining Proposition 1A bond funds for continued advancement of project activities. Of this $4.2 billion, the Authority proposes to direct $100 million to ongoing project development work on Phase 1 sections, including early design and completion of environmental documents.

What is the grand total if the entire system is built?

The current cost estimate to deliver the 500-mile system linking San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim via the Central Valley ranges from $69.01 billion to $99.9 billion, with an expected base cost in between, of about $83 billion, (covering) inflation on costs over a projected project delivery schedule. There are no cost estimates for Phase 2, which extends the 500-mile system north to Sacramento and south to San Diego.

Is President Biden’s infrastructure bill proposing they get the job done (or partway done) for California?

The Authority sees some $20 billion to $30 billion in funding for which we would be eligible to compete. And any funding we are able to secure would help us expand past the Merced to Bakersfield segments.

The concept of the federal government helping bring an Acela to California?

The Northeast Corridor where Acela runs is unique in Amtrak’s service, as they own the right of way. Most other Amtrak routes, they do not, complicating and increasing the cost of any attempt to make an Acela-like service elsewhere. Additionally, Acela doesn’t reach the speeds voters mandated in 2008.

Would your project reach 150 mph like Acela?

Our trains will reach 220 miles per hour, a maximum speed of 70 miles per hour faster than Acela.

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

GUEST OPINION | CoastLines by Fred Swegles

No High-Speed Train Through San Clemente; What Became of It?

O

n Oct. 7, I wrote about a hotly debated 2002 proposal by the state to double-track San Clemente’s beach, making room for a high-speed rail line running along the coast.

After adamant objections from the cities of San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente, the route was canceled.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority recently replied to my column, which had looked back at 50 years of railroad issues in town.

Rachel Kesting, information officer, told me that she enjoyed the column and wanted to share that California’s statewide high-speed rail plan is still very much alive.

First, just try to picture if the state had put parallel tracks along our beach. Or, as an alternative, turning the high-speed rail tracks inland at North Beach, carving the route inland to Interstate 5, burrowing it underground and running it beneath the freeway to San Onofre.

Either way would have been part of a $25 billion, 700-mile statewide bullet train plan.

In 2004, the state envisioned a downsized $9.95 billion bond election for a high-speed rail line linking San Francisco with Los Angeles, not farther south.

In 2008, California voters passed a $9.95 billion bond election COASTLINES to build a high-speed

BY FRED SWEGLES route from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Anaheim.

There was no chance it’d come to San Clemente. And today, the entirety of the project is stalled— woefully underfunded while building a first segment in California’s Central Valley, I wrote. Merced to Bakersfield is currently the only stretch of the line funded, under construction.

RESPONSE FROM HIGH-SPEED AGENCY “The Authority is focused at this time in completing the Merced to Bakersfield project section with the funds that are available and will become available in the future,” Kesting wrote. (Details available at hsr.ca.gov.)

The state today has a conceptual route to take a high-speed train through Murrieta, going south to San Diego. It’d be about 25 miles inland of San Clemente, if ever built.

Also contemplated is a possibility of a northern branch to Sacramento.

A foremost goal is bullet-train travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours.

CAN THEY BUILD IT? Funding is so short that some have suggest-

If the state had ever achieved a double-track railway through San Clemente’s coast for a bullet train that wasn’t to be, where would they have put it? There would have been limited space to fit a second track through San Clemente’s share of Amtrak’s then-proposed route from Los Angeles to San Diego. Photo: Fred Swegles

ed California downgrade it from high-speed electrified to conventional speeds. Or scrap the project entirely.

Central Valley already has regular-speed Amtrak service from Bakersfield to Oakland, so critics ponder why build a new, downgraded speed train route when Amtrak already runs one?

There are newspaper editorials calling the project a waste of time and money and to just scrap it without spending a penny more from the rest of the bond. That would leave elevated Central California route structures, standing empty.

Makes you wonder if the federal government might step up and help California get a legitimate electrified high-speed system from the Bay Area to Anaheim or on to San Diego—and one that could include Sacramento.

EAST COAST HIGH SPEED The federal Amtrak train system has had a high-speed Acela electrified 150 miles-perhour service since 2000, from Washington, D.C., to Boston. It’s highly popular along the nation’s busiest rail corridor.

The non-Acela trains can reach as much as 125 mph. Acela trains not only go faster but have far fewer station stops, reducing travel time.

California’s high-speed agency figures it could get more people out of their cars to travel cleaner and faster—speed of travel, also electrification replacing oil consumption.

WOULD IT WORK IN CALIFORNIA? How many people would take the train? If it’s popular like in the northeast corridor, a fair number of people would likely embrace traveling less than three hours from San Francisco to L.A., more comfortable than on a crowded airplane or driving a car.

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If you fly from LAX to the Bay Area, you have to drive to the airport well in advance of your flight, or ride in a taxi or shuttle through the choked-up airport loop, then go through TSA lines and line up again to board your plane, taking time to be seated along with everyone else, then taxi to take off, fly, land an hour later, deplane in slow lines and then take transportation from the airport to wherever.

Access to train stations is easier, and on and off much more quickly.

OTHER TOURISM OPTIONS Some tourists use long-distance bus companies or rent a car, arriving at a city to take day tours. Car renters may prefer driving the Big Sur coast or extended drives to places like Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo and, of course, our beloved San Clemente beach.

A recent Associated Press news story said, “The ambitious project has been closely watched nationwide as a test of whether the United States can move away from its car culture and catch up with other nations on high-speed rail. Supporters say the completed project would radically change how people travel, while cutting down on carbon emissions. Detractors say it’s a taxpayer-funded boondoggle.”

Fred Swegles grew up in San Clemente before the freeway. He has 50 years’ reporting experience in the city and 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 LIVING

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

What Became of the 58 Couples?

I

n 2009, I published a book titled How 50 Couples Found Love After 50. The book was based on information that readers had provided to me. The purpose of the book was to give hope to older singles that romance can happen later in life. Approximately half of the couples met online.

The book actually features 58 couples.

After the book had been edited and the artwork approved, eight more stories arrived in my inbox.

ON LIFE AND LOVE My editor said,

BY TOM BLAKE “Don’t change the title or artwork; include the eight added stories as bonuses.”

I was honored to have John Gray, author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, provide an endorsement on the book’s front cover, which reads, “Tom Blake is an expert on dating after 50.”

How he knew that I have no idea, but I was pleased that he mentioned it.

I’ve often thought about what became of those 58 couples, and over the years gathered as much updated information from

them as I could. I am aware of what happened to approximately half of the couples.

Some have separated, some have been widowed, and several are still together.

If I can gather information on another 10 to 15 couples who were included in the book, I might consider publishing an updated version.

And, of course, I know the status of couple No. 58, which happens to be Greta and me, together for 24 years. Our picture, taken by Ted and Mary Kay Bowersox of San Juan Capistrano, graces the front cover of the book, with us standing in the courtyard of the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Italy.

Recently, I learned from Champ Lisa (couple No. 23) what became of her and her husband, John. They divorced. He remarried; she’s happily single. She’s led a fascinating life.

Since her divorce from John, Lisa has had a long-distance relationship with a man about nine years younger. Lisa says, “We met 10 years ago. Dated exclusively for two years and remain good friends.

We met on match.com.

“Sadly, our distance and interests preclude the relationship from being more.

He lives on Kodiak Island, Alaska, and doesn’t enjoy the heat. I live in Naples, Florida, and don’t enjoy the cold. No regrets, only fond memories.

“He is still hooked on my ‘candied bourbon bacon,’ and he has sent me a lot of incredible sport-caught WILD King Salmon, Halibut, Sockeye, Rockfish, shrimp, and scallops in exchange for my bacon. We are no longer dating each other, but have remained friends.

“He says his popularity in the local hunting/fishing community goes up when my bacon shows up. He sent a video of his tour guide on a recent hiking/camping adventure, shouting from a mountaintop the words, ‘Lisa, if you are even half as awesome as your bacon, you are amazing.’

I have no clue about his romantic life, nor he about mine. It never comes up.”

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Hickory

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

Say hello to Hickory, a fun-loving guy who just can’t wait to meet you. This 8-month-old kitty is as playful as they come and doesn’t believe in letting a good toy go to waste. Hickory is known for his big personality and might be too much for another cat, but he would do well with a cat-savvy adopter.

If you are interested in adopting Hickory, 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.

During the month of November, Hickory and all cats over 8 months old have a reduced adoption fee of $25.

Contributor: San Clemente Historical Society

FROM THE ARCHIVES Local fishermen were allowed to use

the pier even before it was completed. Most of the few houses seen in the background of this 1920s photo have been demolished.

This photo can be purchased from the San Clemente Historical Society at sanclementehistoricalsociety.org.

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

Approximately 14 of the couples in the book are from Orange County. One of them, Laurie and Phil Green, who live in San Juan Capistrano, asked me to marry them in 2008. I did, and they are still blissfully happy together in 2021. As their marriage officiant, I’d like to take credit for their longevity, but, come on, Tom, that’s a stretch!

A few Orange County couples are no longer together, but overall, we’ve stayed together and are a pretty happy group.

I’ve heard from a few couples, in their 80s, who are finding love, and even marrying.

A common thread for the secret to couples staying together: Love each other

dearly, but give each other space to breathe.

In my book archives, I found an email list of all 58 couples. Some of the addresses are no longer valid. I’m going to reach out to all 58 couples, and depending on the number of responses, I just might tackle that updated version of the book.

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 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

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

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

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See the solution in next week’s issue.

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SC LIVING

BODY BUILDERS

Elevate Fitness Owners Bring New Approach to Working Out, Staying Fit

BY NORB GARRETT, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

M

azl and Arthur Ohayon closed escrow on their new business on March 19, 2020. About 30 minutes later, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the state’s stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the new, first-time business owners, their entrepreneurial dreams came to a sudden and shocking halt.

“We didn’t even get a chance to meet all of our employees,” said Mazl. “We literally had just signed the paperwork to close on the business and then the state shut down and our employees were sent home.”

Mazl and husband Arthur are decorated endurance athletes and fitness trainers who were both working in the

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

corporate world before taking the entrepreneurial plunge. The couple, both originally from Orange County, had purchased SoCal Boot Camp with its locations in San Clemente and Dana Point.

“We were looking to start our own business, and we knew owning a gym was the route we wanted to take,” said Mazl.

“We came across SoCal Boot Camp and thought it was the perfect opportunity.”

Mazl, with her background in operations and finance, had researched the area and was drawn to the demographic profile of the two communities. Arthur, who has a marketing background, recognized the opportunity to rebrand the business to draw a larger clientele.

The two used the pandemic-forced downtime to implement a complete rebrand and repositioning, renaming the business Elevate Fitness and expanding its offerings from the Boot Camp cardio-based training concept to also include yoga, weight training, nutritional programs, personal training and a diversified heart rate-based program.

“We want to be known as the premier Orange County studio, which allows us to expand and provide more services,” said Mazl, who is originally from Huntington Beach, as is Arthur. “With the rebrand, we completely changed the program and refocused everything.”

In October, Elevate Fitness closed its Dana Point location so that the couple could focus on the San Clemente facility, which is twice as large, offering two floors of activities in 6,500 square feet. The San Clemente studio also offers expanded yoga classes and on-location masseuses.

As the pandemic restrictions have abated, Mazl and Arthur have been working hard to rebuild the sense of community and culture that are the hallmarks of fitness and training studios.

“Once a month, we’ve been doing a group hike or find a restaurant to bring members together,” she said.

“By adding the new programs, we’ve been able to appeal to a much broader demographic and age profile for our gyms.”

Ultimately, the couple hopes to use the new gym to perfect their vision and then expand into other markets. But first things first: getting Elevate Fitness in San Clemente humming and back to full speed.

“We’re really excited about being in San Clemente,” said Mazl. “It is a great community, and we’re so happy to finally be returning to normal.” SC ELEVATE FITNESS 1030 Calle Sombra, Ste. B, San Clemente 949.218.2267, elevate-fit.com

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Elevate Fitness owners Mazl and Arthur Ohayon.

Photo: Courtesy Christian Arias Media

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PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: Zoning Amendment 21-118 – Zoning Clean up Amendment Public Hearing to consider an ordinance to amend the City of San Clemente Municipal Code Title 17, to update erroneous definitions and permitted use table placement for consistency with the General Plan and state and federal law.

In accordance with the requirements of CEQA, this project has been determined not to be a project as defined by the State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), because the revisions to the zoning code relate to the ongoing administrative activities and organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore do not constitute a “project” as defined by the State CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., title 14, § 15000 et seq.) and therefore are exempt from CEQA and no further environmental review is required.

Materials for this project are on file at the Planning Division, at 910 Calle Negocio, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting the Planning Division, at 910 Calle Negocio, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting Project Planner Kyle Webber at (949) 361-6189 or WebberK@san-clemente.org. If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Notice is further given that said Public Hearing will be conducted by the San Clemente City Council on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center Auditorium, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, California. All interested persons are invited to attend said hearing or to provide written communication to the City Council to express their opinion for or against the project.

Information related to the PLHA Program Plan is available by contacting Janet Batchelor at (949) 3616105, or at BatchelorJ@san-clemente.org.

If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearing.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that said Public Hearing will be held at the meeting of the City Council on November 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium, located at 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, California. All interested persons are invited to attend said hearing, or to submit written communication.

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON NOVEMBER 17, 2021 PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: 1311 Calle Batido – Conditional Use Permit 21-213 – Calvary Chapel A request to establish and operate a church (Calvary Chapel) within a portion of a two-story commercial building in the Talega Business Park, including the conversion of existing office space into a 700-seat auditorium for church services and shared parking for all uses on the subject site.

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council

214 W. Mariposa – Cultural Heritage Permit 21-001 – Fox Duplex

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: Authorize the Application and Adopt the PLHA Plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program Public Hearing to authorize the application and adopt the PLHA Plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program. The PLHA program application includes a five-year plan that details the manner in which the grant funds will be used. The draft five-year plan is available for review on the City website at https://www.san-clemente.org/department-services/social-services

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning Division at (949)361-6183.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Secretary to the San Clemente Planning Commission

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 30-2021-01225103-CU-PT-CJC

PUBLIC NOTICE

A request to consider the construction of a two-story duplex building on a vacant lot, adjacent to property in the City’s List of Designated Historic Resources.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 30-2021-01227354-CU-PT-CJC

Staff recommends that the project be found Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32: InFill Development Projects).

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1) Petitioner: Shahrooz Brown filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name a. Shahrooz Brown Proposed Name a. Shawn Shahrooz Brown

140 W. Avenida Pico – Discretionary Sign Permit 21-127 – Casino Dance Sign A request to consider an increase to the maximum allowed sign area of 25 square feet for a business within the Architectural Overlay District, and the installation of exposed neon lighting on a 25 square-foot aluminum channel letters sign on a historic resource, known as Casino San Clemente (Casino).

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

Staff recommends that the project be found Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to State

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NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 01/05/2022 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept. D100 Room: Remote Appearance. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 . For remote hearing instructions, go to the Court’s website at www.occourts.org; click on the “COVID-19” button; click on the “Civil” button; click on the “Remote Hearing Instructions” button.

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, Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216618882 The following person(s) is doing business as: 1. OHANA BUILDERS 34941 CALLE DEL SOL CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA 92624 ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. ADMIRAL REALTY CAPITAL 1C. ADMIRAL REALTY 1D. AMERICAN GENERAL Full Name of Registrant(s): AMERICAN GENERAL CORP 34941 CALLE DEL SOL CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA 92624 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 AMERICAN GENERAL CORP/s/MICHELLE B WILSON PRESIDENT/MICHELLE B WILSON, PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder on 10/25/2021 Publish: San Clemente Times November 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

should not be granted. If no written objective is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice is further given that said public hearings will be conducted by the City of San Clemente Planning Commission and held on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center Auditorium, 100 Calle Seville, San Clemente, California. All interested persons are invited to attend said hearings or to provide written communication to the Planning Commission to express their opinion for or against the requests.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Staff recommends that the project be found Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

These applications are on file at the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting the Community Development Department at (949) 361-6183. If you challenge these projects in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearings described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearings.

To allow staff adequate time to confirm software compatibility, individuals wishing to utilize electronic visual aids to supplement their oral presentations at the meeting, must submit the electronic files to the City Clerk by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Only compatible electronic formats will be permitted to be used on City audio/visual computer equipment. Staff makes no guarantee that such material will be compatible, but will use its best efforts to accommodate the request.

For further details, please call or visit the Community Development Department at the above phone number and address where information is on file and available for public inspection.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).

Date: 10/21/2021, Judge Layne H. Melzer, Judge of the Superior Court

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1) Petitioner: Vincent Jay Miller filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name a. Vincent Jay Miller Proposed Name a. Vincent Jay Dallas Miller 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: 12/14/2021 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept. D100 Room: Remote Appearance. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 . For remote hearing instructions, go to the Court’s website at www.occourts.org; click on the “COVID-19” button; click on the “Civil” button; click on the “Remote Hearing Instructions” button.

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, Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 2021 Date: 10/06/2021, Judge Layne H. Melzer, Judge of the Superior Court PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216616102 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1.CAPISTRANO MAZDA 32852 VALLE ROAD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 ADD’L FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S):

sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM 1B. CAPO MAZDA Full Name of Registrant(s): MISSION VOLKSWAGEN, INC. 32922 VALLE ROAD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 10/01/2015 /s/MISSION VOLKSWAGEN, INC./ MILES D BRANDON/PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 09/21/2021.

Published: San Clemente Times, Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216616105 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1.CAPISTRANO VOLKSWAGEN 32922 VALLE ROAD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 ADD’L FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. CAPO VW Full Name of Registrant(s): MISSION VOLKSWAGEN, INC. 32922 VALLE ROAD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 This business is conducted by a CA Corporation.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 06/01/1997 /s/MISSION VOLKSWAGEN, INC./ MILES D BRANDON/PRESIDENT This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 09/21/2021.

Published: San Clemente Times, Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216616722 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: GRAF 777 AVENIDA SALVADOR SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672-2369 Full Name of Registrant(s): ADNAN GHANTOUS 777 AVENIDA SALVADOR SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672-2369 This business is conducted by an individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

above on: n/a /s/ADNAN GHANTOUS This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 09/28/2021.

Published in: San Clemente Times Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20216619007 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: DONNA VIDRINE FOR CITY COUNCIL 501 NORTH EL CAMINO REAL #229 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673 Full Name of Registrant(s): DONNA CARNEY VIDRINE 1303 DOMADOR 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 DONNA VIDRINE/S/DONNA CARNEY VIDRINE This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 10/26/2021.

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

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

• Fictitious Business Notice (FBN/DBA) • Name Changes • Lien Sale • Alcoholic Beverage License • Notice to Creditors • Petitions for Probate • Trustee Sale • Summons – Divorce – Civil • Annual Report • Non-Responsibility • Dissolution of Partnership EMAIL legals@picketfencemedia.com CALL 949.388.7700, ext. 111

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. § 2714(c)), the P00547 Pipeline, owned and/or operated by the San Pedro Bay Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Beta Operating Company, LLC, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amplify Energy Corporation (collectively “Amplify”) has been identified as the source of a discharge of oil into the Pacific Ocean off the California Coast on or about October 2, 2021. As noted by the Unified Command, as of October 8, 2021, preliminary findings estimate the discharge involved a minimum of 24,696 gallons, or 588 barrels of oil and a maximum of 131,000 gallons, or 3,134 barrels of oil. As noted by the United States Coast Guard, this discharge impacted the California Coastline from Long Beach down to about San Clemente. As the owner/operator of the facility and/or the lessee or permittee of the area in which the facility was located, Amplify may be liable for removal costs and damages and is therefore required to advertise the procedures by which persons who have claims for removal costs and damages may submit their claims.

Removal costs and damages which may be compensated include removal costs performed in accordance with the National Contingency Plan; damage to natural resources; damage to or loss of real or personal property; loss of subsistence use of natural resources; loss of government revenues; loss of profits and earnings capacity; and increased cost of public services. Claims should be in writing, signed by the claimant, for a specified amount; and should include all evidence to support the claim.

Claims presented may include claims for interim short-term damages representing less than the full amount to which the claimant ultimately may be entitled. It should be noted that payment of such a claim shall not preclude recovery for damages not reflected in the paid or settled partial claims. Claims should be mailed to the following address: Name: Chris Moore Company: McClaren’s Inc. Address: 500 W. Colorado St., Unit C PMB 144 Glendale, CA 91204 Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Claimants may call 1-866-985-8366 for information.

Any claims which are denied or which are not settled within 90 days after the date of submission to our claims representative may be submitted to: Director National Pollution Funds Center (Ca) US COAST GUARD STOP 7605 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7605 San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

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sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

BENEFIT IN DISGUISE New CIF-SS football playoff system slots SCHS in Division 3 with home game Friday

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

G

oing into the San Clemente football team’s regular-season finale at Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 29, the Tritons’ path seemed pretty clear.

Most believed that, win or lose, San Clemente was set for a spot in Division 2 based on the new system for the CIFSS playoffs. This season, divisions were being created after the season based on the computer power rankings of calpreps.com, which only take into account current-season results.

However, a big loss by San Clemente (7-3, 2-1) in the South Coast League championship game to Mission Viejo, 45-0, and decent wins by teams below them dropped the Tritons from the lower half of Division 2 to the upper seeds of Division 3.

“I went to bed on Friday night looking at being in Division 2,” San Clemente coach Jaime Oritz said, “and then I woke up being in Division 3. I don’t know how the formula works and all that, but we only control what we control. Prior to the Mission game, I thought (our ranking) would go higher due to strength of schedule.”

Now, with strength of schedules, margins of victory, power rankings and computer algorithms behind them, all in all, things worked out positively for the Tritons.

When the brackets came out on Sunday, Oct. 31, San Clemente had earned the No. 4 seed in Division 3 and a first-round home game against Roosevelt of Eastvale (6-4). The Tritons host the Mustangs on Friday, Nov. 5. Tickets can be purchased at gofan.co/app/school/CA19019.

“They’re a hard-nosed team,” Ortiz said of Roosevelt. “Big offensive line, athletes at the perimeter. The team that wants it more will go as far as they can go. The big emphasis for us is to figure out how.”

San Clemente and Roosevelt shared two common opponents: San Juan Hills and Murrieta Valley. The Tritons beat San Juan Hills at home, 16-10, on Oct. 15, and the Mustangs beat San Juan Hills on the road, 21-14, on Sept. 3. San Clemente held San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

San Clemente’s loss to Mission Viejo, 45-0, on Friday, Oct. 29, dropped San Clemente from a low seed in Division 2 to a high seed in Division 3. The Tritons host Roosevelt of Eastvale in the first round on Friday, Nov. 5. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57

on against Murrieta Valley at home with a last-second, field-goal block, 21-20, on Sept. 24, and Roosevelt lost at Murrieta Valley, 46-12, on Sept. 10.

As far as this new playoff system is concerned, Ortiz believes the CIF achieved its goal of furthering competitive equity among all teams across all playoff divisions. The gap between the No. 1 seed and the No. 16 seed in each division is closer than ever, which should set up mostly even matchups throughout the CIF-SS playoffs.

“You look at the bracket from top to bottom, they’re all quality programs,” Ortiz said. “But there’s games that are winnable. You take it one game at a time, and I want our kids to build confidence.

Those nonleague games (against higher-ranked opponents including Edison, Corona del Mar and Murrieta Valley, which all landed in Division 2) prepared us for Friday night.”

There are some quirks to the new playoff system that also played out when the brackets were released on Sunday. Just among local teams, for example, JSerra made the playoffs in Division 2 as an atlarge team despite a 3-7 overall record and 0-5 record in the Trinity League, as there was an at-large spot available with no higher-ranked teams with a winning record.

Lower in the Division 3 rankings, San Juan Hills is the highest-ranked team not to make the CIF-SS playoffs, despite also having a 3-7 record, like JSerra. Unlike Division 2, there were no open at-large slots for San Juan Hills to take, although there might have been had a coin flip for Rancho Cucamonga gone the other way.

Automatic qualification through league play prevalently became much more important once the interested parties saw how the division selection played out, but for teams that were at-large selections, their overall record became almost as important, which again brought up the age-old question of how to schedule in nonleague. Strength of schedule is helpful in the rankings, but in the case of San Juan Hills, it’s only helpful if you win the games. So, do you schedule for wins, or do you schedule for challenges?

“When we set out in the season, our goal is to be league champs,” Ortiz said.

“You set out to prepare for that, and the rest shakes itself out. As long as I’m coach here, we’re going to schedule tough teams. We take pride in playing tough opponents; you want to challenge yourself, and that prepares you.”

San Clemente has gone through its challenge of a regular season, and the

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Tritons will take their first steps into this new playoff field on Friday.

Fall Sports CIF-SS Playoff Roundup Elsewhere in the world of CIF-SS brackets, the San Clemente boys water polo team earned a spot in the Division 1 playoffs and a first-round home playoff game. The Tritons (18-7, 7-1) split the South Coast League title due to an overtime loss to Dana Hills, but San Clemente still earned the league’s No. 1 spot. San Clemente hosted Santa Margarita in the first round at Aliso Niguel High School on Wednesday, Nov. 3, but results were unavailable at press time. Look for a full story of the match at sanclementetimes.com.

The San Clemente girls tennis team also opened the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 3, as the Tritons (9-7) traveled to King of Riverside, the No. 4 seed in Division 1, for a first-round match.

Results were not available at press time.

Winner of that match plays the Great OakLa Canada winner on Friday, Nov. 5.

The Tritons girls volleyball team pushed its Division 1 first-round match to the limit on Oct. 21, but San Clemente fell at Sierra Canyon, 3-2. The Tritons now wait for their state playoffs draw, which will be released on Sunday, Nov. 7. SC sanclementetimes.com

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

ATTORNEY

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

Buy • Consign • Sell

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

949.395.5681 (24 hours)

BODY MIND SPIRIT ARE YOU HAPPY? Let us assist you in creating a life plan for the life & relationships you want & deserve. Body Mind Spirit, 949.248.7377, bodymindspirit.com

classicautosalesoc.com

We also offer professional appraisals, auction services, restoration and shipping.

2485 S. El Camino Real San Clemente

ELECTRICAL

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

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com

ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS 3West Environmental, Inc. www.3westenviro.com Residential & commercial inspections for mold, asbestos and lead paint. 310.400.0195

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY Call Lauralyn for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

FIREWOOD FOR SALE Jack McKay, Owner 949.449.0445 mckayja29@gmail.com Call for prices. Earning money to purchase my first car.

Perfect for campfires, beach fires, home fires.

HOME IMPROVEMENT/ REMODELING

Hoover Construction License B-774675 949.292.6778

MUSIC LESSONS

REALTORS

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

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

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

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

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

Dr. Raymond L. Wright Jr., DDS 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, (949)361-GUMS (4867), sanclementeperiodontics.com

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

SALONS

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

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

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

Page 28

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

Page 29

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SC SURF

Perfect Waves Are Where You Find Them The Story of ‘The Endless Summer’ and Discovering Surf in Cape Saint Francis

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

fter selling his car, his TV and all other worldly possessions in 1958, Dick Metz set out to see the world. Originally from Laguna Beach, he hopped trains and hitchhiked from Southern California through Mexico.

Mind you, Jack Kerouac’s seminal On the Road had just been published the previous year, and this kind of vagabond travel was well outside the straight-laced American norms of the time.

Metz eventually landed in Panama, where he scored a ticket on a troop transport full of French Foreign Legionnaires over to Tahiti (the troops were headed to Vietnam, but that’s a different story).

From there, he hopped freighters throughout the South Pacific to islands such as Apia, Pago Pago, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga before eventually landing in Australia.

Dick Metz sits outside of the Cape St. Francis Trading Store in 1960. Photo: Courtesy of the Metz Collection

But the real plot twist comes when Metz eventually lands in Africa, and it’s this portion of his travels that is the focus of the new film, Birth of the Endless Summer: Discovery of the Cape St. Francis, by director Richard Yelland.

The film made its worldwide premiere last week at the Newport Beach Film Festival to a sold-out house. If you missed it, there’s another screening coming to the Coast Film Festival on Nov. 10 at the Hobie Surf Shop in Dana Point.

“For three or four days, we drove from Arusha across Tanganyika and into the Rhodesias. Finally, in the middle of the night, the driver wakes me up. I was sound asleep, and he said, ‘Well, here we are at Victoria Falls. That’s where you wanted to get out,’” recalls Metz.

“I looked out the window, it’s 1 in the morning, there were a couple of fires and two or three little huts like there are in all these little villages,” he continues.

“Of course, no lights, nobody around, no buildings of any kind, just little huts.”

It’s at this part in Metz’s story where in stepped serendipity. Rather than sit alone in the dark, Metz endeavored to see the coast. His driver was headed to Cape Town. So, Metz headed south, too, and eventually lucked into a chance meeting with one of the few surfers in town, John Whitmore (who is largely credited as the father of South African surfing).

“There was a guy out about 50 yards on what I thought was a surfboard, but it really didn’t look like a surfboard,” Metz says. “So, when this guy swam up to me

and I said, ‘This is the ugliest surfboard I’ve ever seen,’ he responded, ‘Well, what the hell do you know about surfboards?

Who are you?’”

“I told him I was from Hawaii and Southern California,” Metz says.

Quickly striking up a friendship that would last a lifetime, over the next few weeks, they surfed together. At one point, Whitmore recommended that Metz go check this spot called Cape St. Francis.

It wasn’t exactly all-time when Metz got there, but it was enticing enough that when he eventually returned back to the U.S., he recommended the spot to his friend and filmmaker Bruce Brown, who was in the planning stages of a new around-the-world surf movie project.

“Had I not gone to Cape Town—Bruce, Mike (Hyson) and Robert (August) might not have scored perfect Cape St. Francis in The Endless Summer. It’s funny the way the ball bounces,” Metz surmises.

“That particular moment was the key decision that changed the lives of tens of thousands of people in the surfing world.”

Today, at 92 years young, Metz has spent his life chasing surf and riding waves with friends new and old. He was a close friend and business partner with Hobie Alter and is the founder of the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente.

Always happy to share a story, if you have the good fortune to run into him, ask about South Africa and Cape St. Francis; it’s worth it.

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

SURF FORECAST

GROM OF THE WEEK

HARVEY NELSON

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

B Harvey Nelson. Photo: Courtesy of NSSA

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

ig ups this week to Harvey Nelson, who’s coming off a commanding win in the Menehune Division of the recent NSSA competition at Ventura Point. Held in fun, 2- to 4-foot peaky conditions, he was able to hold off a talented pack of local “frothers” to take home the victory.

After the competition, he was asked, “Would you rather surf perfect waves or surf every wave perfect?” Harvey nailed

the answer: “Surf every wave perfect!”

A regular down at Lowers, the 11-yearold Shorecliffs Middle School student got his first NSSA win.

A threat any time he pulls on the jersey, Harvey’s also been doing time at the Western Surfing Association events, as well as the Scholastic Surf Series, where he just made the semifinals of both the shortboard and longboard divisions.

Riding locally crafted boards from Eric Rumaner, Harvey has also teamed up with local shredder Kai McPhillips, who’s been coaching him through some recent competitions.

Clearly, the work is paying off with some solid results. Hopefully, this is the start of some big things to come for the stylish regular-footer. SC

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Water Temperature: 63-65 Degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 4-6 Thursday: Rising combination of South/southwest and West/northwest swell shows strongest in the afternoon, with chest to head high waves, (4-5’).

Light/variable winds in the morning, shift to a light+ west breeze in the afternoon.

Outlook: Friday’s surf builds to shoulder high to a foot overhead, (4-6’). Friday morning winds are light/variable, afternoon breeze is light+ onshore. Fresh blend of South/southwest and West/northwest swell maintains waist to head high waves, (3-5’) through the weekend.

Winds remain light on Saturday. Southerly breeze develops Sunday, light+ in the morning, moderate over the afternoon.

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times November 4-10, 2021

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