San Clemente Times by San Clemente Times

VOTE FOR THE BEST OF SAN CLEMENTE AT WWW.SANCLEMENTETIMES.COM N OV E M B E R 2 2 – D E C E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 2

LO C A L

N EWS

YO U

C A N

U S E

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 47

Special 2-Week Issue

Triton Winter Sports Teams hungry for playoff and league success S P O R T S / PAG E 2 8 The San Clemente boys basketball team looks to keep a streak of four consecutive playoff appearances alive with a new-look roster. Photo by Kevin Dahlgren

www.sanclementetimes.com

Puttin’ on the Glitz to Include Holiday Parade

SONGS NRC Meeting Rescheduled

Special Section: Holiday Happenings and Gift Guide

EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

SC SURF/PAGE 26

PAGE 21

EYE ON SC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SC S a n C le m e n te

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO The San Juan Capistrano City Council, on Tuesday, November 13, reaffirmed its longstanding position against an extension of San Juan Creek Road to La Pata. The county has no immediate plans to extend the road, which would cut through the city-owned Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Outgoing Councilwoman Laura Freese brought the item to the attention of the council and asked city staff to take a look into what it would take to remove the prospective plan from San Juan Capistrano’s General Plan. Alan Oswald, the city’s senior traffic engineer, said the city’s General Plan must be consistent with the county’s Master Plan of Arterial Highways and that an outright removal of the project could put the city in jeopardy of losing its Measure M2 funding.

NEWS

NEXT DOOR WH AT ’S GOIN G O N I N OU R NE IGH BO R I N G TOWN S

The Dana Point Friends of the Library Bookstore is temporarily closed while the county works toward formalizing license agreements between Orange County Libraries and FOL bookstores county-wide. All other FOL bookstores remain open. A county attorney said formal agreements allowing nonprofit volunteer FOL groups to occupy county property are necessary. Final approval by the Board of Supervisors is expected in December. Meanwhile, the FOL will elect a new board at their December meeting. With a new board and a signed licensing agreement with the county in place, the bookstore could reopen by early January. County Librarian Helen Fried said that in light of recent infighting—an attempt by former volunteers to oust the current board and a lawsuit filed by the board in response—the temporary closure could provide the FOL time to amicably resolve their conflicts.

SAN CLEMENTE’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With... 1

… the SONGS Public Meeting?

THE LATEST: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced a new date and location for its meeting with officials at Southern California Edison to discuss the company’s confirmatory action letter responding to the NRC’s inspection of the steam generator tubes at both units of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The public meeting is now scheduled for November 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills. The meeting had originally been scheduled for November 16 in Dana Point, but the venue was not secured, and the meeting was delayed so that a new venue could be found. According to the NRC news release, the meeting will include a technical presentation by SCE on the basis, methodology and conclusions of their efforts to identify the causes of the unexpected steam generator tube wear, the corrective actions taken to address those causes and the basis for continued safe operation of Unit 2. The public would be able to interact with NRC officials after the business portion of the meeting. The NRC is encouraging the public to primarily view the event via webcast, due to the limited capacity (400 people) of the venue. FIND OUT MORE: For information on the webcast visit video.nrc.gov. To view Edison’s response to the confirmatory action letter, see www.nrc.gov —JS

… GPAC and the Council?

THE LATEST: At a meeting honoring the recently completed work of the General Plan Advisory Committee last Tuesday, members of the committee pressed the three San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

members of the City Council present to fulfill a promise to meet with the body before the Council makes its own decisions on what would be in the General Plan. Alan Korsen, one of two chairman of GPAC, told the council members present that after the Advisory Commission finishes its work revising the General Plan, members of GPAC would like to meet with the Council to discuss the reasoning behind their initial decisions. “We’ve been promised that almost since the very beginning,” Korsen said. Chief among the concerns, Korsen noted, was the Planning Commission’s rejection of GPAC’s proposed two-story height limit for downtown San Clemente. There were also a number of other, smaller issues, Korsen said, such as GPAC’s limit on drive-thru restaurants. Korsen said the body simply wanted to make the reasons behind their initial decisions understood by the council. WHAT’S NEXT: City manager George Scarborough indicated that it was likely that any meeting between the two bodies would not take place until 2013, though he and members of the City Council did say that a meeting would indeed take place. FIND OUT MORE: For updates on the meeting, including a potential response for the San Clemente Planning Commission, visit www.sanclementetimes.com. —Jim Shilander

…CUSD Refinancing?

THE LATEST: In a move that could save district taxpayers an additional $906,300 annually, the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on November 13 unanimously approved to refinance its general obligation bonds. The bonds, which are derived from

voter-approved Measure A from 1999, total $64.9 million—of which $30.2 million is callable. Sacramento-based Government Financial Services, the district’s contracted public finance firm, suggested the district take advantage of low interest rates, which could increase savings for district taxpayers from $5.5 million to $6.4 million. At their October 24 meeting, the board unanimously approved the refinancing of $22.8 million of its Certificates of Participation, or COPs, which could save the district an additional $190,000 annually. WHAT’S NEXT: The bonds are expected to be sold by December 4, according to Clark Hampton, the deputy superintendent of business services. Government Financial Services will provide a detailed analysis of both the refinancing of COPs and bonds at the board’s January meeting. According to Hampton, savings will go toward facilities needs rather than maintenance costs. FIND OUT MORE: To view the October 24 presentation, visit www.capousd.org. —Brian Park

…the SONGS Open House?

THE LATEST: A community open house is set for Tuesday, November 27 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center regarding the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The event is being billed as an opportunity for the public to engage with experts from a variety of fields. The gathering is comprised of an information session, elucidating how the power plant works, including its steam generators. Emergency planning, radiation and security will also be covered.

Page 3

Finally, the plant’s environmental activities and community partnerships will be reviewed. Refreshments will be served. WHAT’S NEXT: The next scheduled SONGS open house is set for December 20 in Laguna Hills. It will be held at the Laguna Hills Community Center (Heritage Room), 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. FIND OUT MORE: For more information about the event and the organization, its establishment and goals, visit www.songscommunity.com. —Justin Swanson

… the City Council?

THE LATEST: Due to vacations and other considerations, the San Clemente City Council will meet Tuesday, November 27, rather than its usual third Tuesday date. While the agenda for the meeting had not been finalized by press time, the San Clemente City Clerk’s office did indicate that several items of import were on a tentative agenda: discussion of a relocation of a historical marker from Camp Pendleton to Casa Romantica and updates on the status of the Ole Hanson Beach Club and audible train warning systems. WHAT’S NEXT: The meeting will also be the last for Jim Dahl as a sitting councilman, having served on the panel for 16 years. Dahl finished in third place among five candidates for two council seats in this month’s election. Councilmember-elect Chris Hamm will be seated in December. FIND OUT MORE: For a report on the meeting, as well as for updates on the agenda, see www.sanclementetimes.com. — Jim Shilander Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about? Send your suggestions to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

‘Glitz’ Adding Holiday-flavored Parade Annual DBA event bringing in more community involvement this year

The junior high Dickens Carolers from Capistrano Valley Christian School perform classic Christmas Carols at last year’s Puttin on the Glitz. Although the carolers will return, this year’s edition of the event brings a number of major changes. File photo

By Jim Shilander San Clemente Times

he Downtown Business Association is trying something a little bit new with its big annual holiday event “Puttin’ On the Glitz”: a parade. This year’s Glitz, the DBA’s annual postThanksgiving holiday showcase for retail businesses and restaurants, will begin with “Santa’s Parade,” starting at 5 p.m. Marie Luna of the Downtown Business Association noted that this will be the first time the Glitz will begin with a parade. Luna said the organization had heard from some community members that some attending past events would miss the appearance of Santa Claus due to simply being distracted, especially children. After last year’s event, a DBA member suggested that a parade might help to focus the eyes of the youngest attendees of the event, Luna said. DBA President Michael Kaupp said the event had largely gone unchanged for about 20 years. “We’d heard from some of our members that they’d like to see more going on, to have more things to do once you get there,” Kaupp said. “We’re trying to do some things that benefit the businesses.” Kaupp said that led to decisions to try and make things a little friendlier for businesses. Kaupp added that he’d noticed the same problems with missing Santa Claus. “I’ve always thought that if Santa Claus didn’t arrive in the exact second you were looking over there, you’d miss him. This way we slow it way down, and make it a San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

nice little parade.” Luna said the biggest change, in terms of organizing the event, had been the much greater sense of community amongst the downtown merchants, of all types, that makes it successful. The people most affected by the parade itself will include members of the Young Marines Color Guard, as well as a crew of bagpipers, ballroom dancers and a large number of carolers, before the arrival of Santa Claus at the close of the parade. There will also be a performance, as a part of the parade, by the Kelly Boyz Band. Luna said the organization was hoping to make the parade better in years to come if it’s considered a success this year. City Councilwoman Lori Donchak said the event is a wonderful one for the community to become involved with. “It’s a great tradition,” Donchak said. “It’s the best holiday street festival in South Orange County.” Donchak said that it was a pretty easy call for the city, in terms of allowing something new as a part of the event. “Anything that supports our local merchants is a very good thing,” Donchak said. What made the event important, she said, was that many Del Mar shops are great places to find gifts. “It’s so gift-friendly, so holiday shopping is very important,” Donchak said. But providing the parade and other events made the events remarkably well suited for families. “It’s really just a lot of family fun. You end up seeing more strollers downtown than cars.” Donchak said there’s really no reason

that a parade couldn’t happen in the future. While the city itself doesn’t sponsor such events, groups like the DBA can. A key factor in approving the parade for the Glitz, Donchak said, was that it was business friendly and would offer a unique opportunity to have upward of 12,000 people downtown at one time, as past Glitz events have had. Luna credited the businesses downtown with coming together to make this year’s Glitz a bigger and better event than previous events. “There’s really never been a true partnership between the downtown merchants and restaurants. (This year) they wanted to be more actively involved. They jumped on the bandwagon as it grew,” Luna said. That effort includes a presence of several downtown restaurants on the street, something new for the event as well. The restaurants will be set up in booths that will allow them to serve the public outdoors, while staying open for their regular customers. Tony Carbonara, the owner of Carbonara’s Trattoria, said the event can help to provide valuable exposure for restaurants downtown, especially since they will have the opportunity to have so many potential customers in one place at one time. While he’s opened up to more customers during past Glitz events, Carbonara said that being able to serve customers on the street, even for one night, provided a good opportunity for all of the restaurants participating. “It really helps accommodate families with kids who may not want to sit down (during the event),” Carbonara said. “It’s

Page 4

not a challenge as much as a service we have to provide. It’s an opportunity for the downtown, to make it more festive.” But the parade is not the only event going at the Glitz. The event is also being opened up to community nonprofit groups and organizations. These include Family Assistance Ministries, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the San Clemente High School Girls Lacrosse team, Soldier’s Angels, the Cool To Be Kind Club, Friends of the Library, Cabrillo Playhouse, Pet Project Foundation and the Loma Lane Carolers. Luna said the goal was to make the event more open to the community beyond just the downtown. The area will be called “Santa’s Village.” From a practical perspective, the parade is going to change the way people get around downtown on Saturday afternoon, as will the setup for the event. Avenida Del Mar, from El Camino Real to Calle Seville, as well as Ola Vista from Granada to Cabrillo, will close at 2 p.m. Traffic will be rerouted around the area. In order to get people to and from the event, the DBA has arranged for a shuttle to transport people between San Clemente High School and downtown from 4:30 to 9:45 p.m. The DBA is also encouraging attendees to utilize available parking downtown as well, but those hoping to attend the event should note that there is only a limited amount of public parking. The location of Santa himself will also be changing this year. Previously, Santa had been situated at the San Clemente Community Center following his initial appearance. This year, he will be at Luxre Real Estate, located at 222 Avenida Del Mar. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC CITY AND COMMUNITY CALENDAR Thursday, November 22 Thanksgiving City offices closed today and Friday in observance of the holiday. www.san-clemente.org.

Sunday, November 25 San Clemente Farmers Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fresh produce, flowers and more every Sunday along Avenida Del Mar. Rain or shine.

Monday, November 26 Investment Advisory Committee Meeting 6 p.m. City Hall Oceanview Conference Room. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Tuesday, November 27 Ukulele Class 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Class for seniors at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center. 117 Ave. Victoria, San Clemente, 949.498.3322. SONGS Open House 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Event at the Community Center featuring an interactive “open house” for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org. City Council Meeting 6 p.m. Regular meeting in City Hall Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.sanclemente.org.

Thursday, November 29 Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m.–11 a.m. Children are invited to the library Wednesdays or Thursday for stories; sign-ups required. 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.san-clemente.org.

Sunday, December 2 FOL Book Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The San Clemente Friends of the Library book sale with boxes and boxes of books for all ages plus music and movies with all proceeds benefiting the library. 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.ocpl.org.

Tuesday, December 4 Toastmasters 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Practice public speaking in a friendly atmosphere at the library, 242 Ave. Del Mar, 949.361. 8463, www.sanclemente.freetoasthost.net. After School Club 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Group for kids 5 and older at the library; sign-ups required. 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.san-clemente.org. San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

NEWS BITES

Compiled by Jim Shilander

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO Sunrise Rotary Announcing Nonprofit Grant Program u The San Clemente Sunrise Rotary is inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for the group’s $5,000 Arons-Oliver Grant. This grant is awarded to a nonprofit organization that needs financial assistance for its original project benefiting the greater San Clemente community. While the organization need not be headquartered in San Clemente, the project must focus exclusively on the residents of San Clemente. The project must be new; the organization will not consider ongoing projects, but it may continue with other funding beyond the grant award funding. Applications are due February 15. The recipient will be announced March 1.

Serra Preschool Hosting Fundraising Event u Serra Preschool is having its annual Fundraising Auction. Serra Preschool is a nonprofit, parent participation preschool and is located next to Las Palmas Elementary. It has been in operation for over 45 years. All money raised goes directly to the school. This year, the fundraiser will be held at Cafe 207 on Saturday, December 1 at 5 p.m. The café owners are alumni of the preschool. The event will include dinner, dancing and a silent auction. Music will be provided by local band Deepwater. Tickets are still available for $30. Contact ami@ walstrom.net for more information.

San Clemente Choral Society Holding Concerts December 8 u The San Clemente Choral Society is presenting its 2012 Holiday Concert Saturday, December 8, at Saint Andrew’s by the Sea Methodist Church in San Clemente. There are two performances: a matinee at 2 p.m. and an evening performance at 7 p.m. Each performance showcases the 65-member mixed chorus accompanied by a seven-piece orchestra, and each features several soloists from within the group. The audience will be invited to participate in some singing as well. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the door: $15 for adults, $5 for children under twelve. Group sales can be arranged by calling 949.429.1151. Advanced sales are $10 for adults and can be arranged by calling 949.361.8463 or by emailing sanclementechoralsociaety@gmail.com. For more information about the San Clemente Choral Society, check the SCCS website at www.sccs-arts.org or via email at sanclementechoralsociety@gmail.com; or contact SCCS Membership Chairman, Manny Bojorquez, by phone 949.361.8463 or email lulubojo@cox.net.

The San Clemente Choral Society will present its annual holiday concert December 8. The society is also seeking new members. Courtesy Photo

SCAA Names Winners of Small Works Show u Winners of the San Clemente Art Association’s Small Works Show were honored Nov. 10 with a reception at the San Clemente Art Gallery. The winners were: Maggie Gerth, first place for “Fall House”; Steve Kell, second place “Harbor Masts”; Marcia Stevens, third place for “Morning Light.” Honorable mentioned were Michael Downey, Elizabeth Schleicher, Bonnie Rinier, Alan Nowell and Fay Wyles. The winner for best theme was Mary Jo Querry. The Small Works Show at San Clemente Art Gallery continues through the holiday season ending Jan. 4. Gallery Hours are noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The San Clemente Art Gallery is located at the corner of Avenida del Mar and Calle Seville. Admission to gallery is free. For information contact: San Clemente Art Gallery at 492.7175 or Pam Hill at 949.369.0260 (pamhill.art@cox.net).

BRICK Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for Homeless

Tuesday and Wednesday, November 27-28. The Habit will donate 100 percent of all proceeds to three nonprofits involved in the local communities. On Tuesday, November 27, The Habit will open for lunch (noon to 2 p.m.) benefiting MDA—Muscular Dystrophy Association of Orange County and Inland Empire. Dinner that evening (5 to 7 p.m.) will aid the Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area. On Wednesday, November 28, lunch will benefit Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Foundation.

Art and Music Show at SC Art Supply December 4 u The “Green Flash Gallery” of the San Clemente Art Supply is presenting a live music and art show December 4 from 4 to 10 p.m., at 1531 N. El Camino Real. The event includes the Travel Paintings Art Show by Teo Rico Castillon and Angela Noel Corradino, with music by Deeper and Blackberry Jam, as well as homemade arts and crafts.

SC Villas Inviting Public to Visit Santa

Habit Opening With Fundraisers

u The public is invited to bring the kids for free photos with Santa, Saturday, December 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at San Clemente Villas by the Sea. Adult attendees may receive a guided tour and talk concerning the huge solar cell array the Villas recently installed to dramatically reduce their electrical costs. San Clemente Villas is located at 660 Camino De Los Mares, next to Saddleback Memorial Hospital. More information can be found at 949.489.3400, www.sanclementevillas.com, abrazeau@cox.net, or aileen@sanclementevillas.com.

u Habit Restaurants, LLC, will open in San Clemente at 638 Camino de Los Mares in the Ocean View Plaza Shopping Center Friday, November 30. The public is invited to get an early look as the restaurant is hosting fundraisers on

Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. Forward a picture along, too! We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

BRICK Restaurant will be hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner and food drive November 22 at its location at 216 N. El Camino Real. The San Clemente restaurant will host the homeless and needy families for Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations and volunteers are welcome. The restaurant will also be accepting food donations on or before Thanksgiving on behalf of Family Assistance Ministries. For more information call 949.429.1199. u

Page 7

www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

SC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY KEVIN DAHLGREN All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD Web site.

Monday, November 19 HIT AND RUN Avenida La Pata/Avenida Vista Hermosa (9:17 p.m.) A caller indicated that a 13-year-old had accidentally fallen into the street and been hit by a car. A witness stated that the driver had kept going, toward Talega, after hitting the child. The car was described as a navy blue four-door. DISTURBANCE Avenida Fortuna, 0 Block (9:13 p.m.) Two callers contacted dispatch with regard to a number of juveniles drinking in front of a residence. Callers said they were concerned about what might happen when the minors left the area. PATROL CHECK E Avenida Pico/Camino Vera Cruz (5:06 p.m.) A patrol check was requested with regard to a 19-year-old man who was “always asking for money.” The caller stated that they believed this was a scam because the man was always around and asking for money after parking his car in the back of the store. The man had just left the store, but a patrol check was still being requested. ABANDONED VEHICLE Loma Lane, 100 Block (2:26 p.m.) Police were called after a resident spotted a white Chevy Suburban parked in the same spot for a week. The caller told dispatch that no person had been seen around the vehicle since last week.

ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Camino de los Mares, 600 Block (10:06 a.m.) A silver Cadillac was reported parked in a handicap parking stall without a handicap placard. The caller said the vehicle had been parked in the handicap stall multiple times in the past few months.

State Campground, but several attempts by the caller to contact the state park were unsuccessful. State Park deputies were contacted and after speaking with several groups of campers in the park, it was determined the screams were not originating from the campground.

WELFARE CHECK El Camino Real, 1400 Block (8:32 a.m.) A patron of 7-Eleven called police after a male who showed signs of intoxication left the store and nearly stumbled off the curb and into traffic. The caller was worried that the man might accidentally walk into traffic and get hurt. The man was described as wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, a black shirt and blue jeans.

DRUNK DRIVING Camino El Molino/Camino de los Mares (3:06 a.m.) A gold Ford Thunderbird was seen driving erratically on the freeway. According to witnesses, the car had nearly hit the center median of the freeway before exiting at the next off ramp. The vehicle was last seen turning into a parking lot in the area.

Sunday, November 18 DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Avenida Granada, 200 Block (9:36 p.m.) A call to police reported loud mariachi music coming from the lower end of Avenida Victoria. The caller told the desk no contact had been made with the homeowners. The homeowners were asked to turn the music down after a patrol check of the area. DRUNK DRIVING South Ola Vista/Avenida Alessandro (3:22 p.m.) A patrol check was requested after a female driving a silver Audi was seen yelling at a group of kids after dropping off an unknown male. The caller told police the woman appeared to be drunk and drove away very erratically. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Camino de los Mares/I-5 Freeway (11:38 a.m.) Several calls to police reported a female with a sign asking for money near the freeway on-ramp. The woman was also seen panhandling at a gas station in the area before moving to the freeway entrance. The caller described the woman as wearing a black baseball cap, a blue jacket and jeans and carrying a black backpack. UNKNOWN TROUBLE Avenida Presidente, 3200 Block (6:58 a.m.) A person was heard screaming for help all night. A caller thought the screams were coming from San Clemente

GENERAL BROADCAST East Avenida Pico/I-5 Freeway (2:24 p.m.) A drunk male wearing a black shirt fell in the parking lot of Wal-Mart and cut his face. The man then got into his white Scion hatchback and left the scene. The caller said the man was bleeding heavily from his face and was worried the man may cause a traffic accident. ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Buena Vista, 1500 Block (9:26 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for the area after a white recreational vehicle was parked blocking the sidewalk. Deputies spoke to the owner of the trailer and issued a warning.

Saturday, November 17

Thursday, November 15

CITIZEN ASSIST Camino de los Mares, 600 Block (9:27 p.m.) Employees of Saddleback Hospital called police to request additional help subduing an agitated patient. The 17 yearold female was being uncooperative with doctors and would not calm down.

GENERAL BROADCAST Camino de los Mares/Estancia (10:10 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for the area after the caller saw a man in a black Cadillac sedan exit the vehicle and roll around on the ground for several minutes before entering the vehicle. The car had been parked in the same place for nearly an hour.

PATROL CHECK Calle Abril, 3900 Block (6:46 p.m.) A local resident called police after a group of juveniles were seen “ding-dong ditching” houses. The caller did not want to talk to a deputy but told the desk that the juveniles were “running rampant through the neighborhood.” SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida La Pata/Calle del Cerro (9:53 a.m.) Deputies were requested for the area of the business park where a man found drug paraphernalia on the ridgeline walking trail near the water tower. The man said he had stopped while walking on the trail to urinate and found the items hidden in a bush just off the trail.

Friday, November 16 TRAFFIC HAZARD Avenida de la Estrella, 1500 Block (8:21 p.m.) A call to police reported a power line hanging about 10 feet above the street. San Diego Gas & Electric was notified of the problem and crews were sent to fix the broken line.

HARASSING PHONE CALL Avenida de la Estrella (2:53 p.m.) A man called police after receiving several harassing phone calls from his ex-fiancée. The man told police that the call had been happening for several weeks and wanted to know what he could do to stop them. TERRORIST THREATS REPORT Brillante, 3000 Block (9:49 a.m.) A woman called police when her neighbor threatened her following an argument earlier that morning. The woman said the male neighbor told her that he would kill her in the next five days. Deputies were sent to the woman’s house to file a report. DISTURBANCE Marquita, 100 Block (8:23 a.m.) A local landlord called police after a tenant who had been evicted on the 10th of the month was refusing to leave the property. The tenant had not packed any belongings and told the landlord that she was planning on challenging the eviction.

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

CITY EDITOR Jim Shilander, 949.388.7700, x109 jshilander@sanclementetimes.com

CEO Norb Garrett

PRINT AND ONLINE

S a n C le m e n te

Michele Reddick, 949.388.7700, x103 mreddick@sanclementetimes.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@sanclementetimes.com BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@sanclementetimes.com

BY THE NUMBERS: By Pall Gudgeirsson, Assistant City Manager & City Treasurer

Random Thoughts on a Rainy San Clemente Night... Lots of ‘little things’ happening around town Rain... I Don’t Mind —Lennon/McCartney

itting out on the patio on a perfect San Clemente night, enjoying the sounds of the waves, trains, and rain... and pondering a topic for this column. So why not just put down some random thoughts to get to 500 words? No numbers, just words. • Rainy Day Reserves are critical when you never know what will hit next. We got ‘em but we sure hate to use ‘em. • Why do capital projects always cost more than we expect? Just like home projects, the unexpected always seems to happen. • A balanced budget is easy to produce when you know how to keep spending in check. Don’t spend it till ya got it. • How many of you are glad the election is over? • Fine revenue from tickets is down. That is good and tells me our citizens are behaving. Or that the cops are educating our citizens. • Have you been to Fisherman’s Restaurant and noticed all the fantastic improvements? I like the blue awnings, the wood floors and the granite in the bar. Hope the guests who camped out to get a Thanksgiving dinner reservation enjoy the feast. • Time flies. Week 12 of football season, the Chargers are out of it, and I’m ready for college bowl games. Go Huskies. • Hope I see a bunch of San Clementians at the Dana Point Turkey Trot. Sure wish we had an official road run in our village by the sea. I say we do it. Any takers? • The Rolling Stones are 50 and I remember buying their first record. Come on. • The elves have creatively selected and put up the new city Christmas tree. Check

San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

it out at the Community Center. I can’t wait to see the decorations. Don’t forget the downtown Puttin’ on the Glitz. Shop local and keep the bucks in town. BY THE NUMBERS • If you missed the Pall Gudgeirsson hundreds of birds and pelicans last week at North Beach, see the pictures on the City’s web site. Alfred Hitchcock ain’t got nothing on us. • Nothing like a bike ride across town on city bikeway paths on an early Saturday morning. Thanks to Pete van Nuys for my Breezer. Urban Bicycle Outfitters at North Beach for rentals and sales. That is a plug. • Have you tried coffee from the clover machine at the Starbucks at Ocean View Plaza? Quite a buzz. • Start thinking of a name for the city’s Municipal Golf Course restaurant naming contest. I came up with Alice’s Restaurant, which means you have a chance to win. Great classic Thanksgiving song though. Looking forward to lots of improvements and a new wedding site. • Ole Hanson was the first out of town developer. He didn’t do a bad job for a guy from Seattle. • The lights will shine at Linda Lane shortly after Thanksgiving. “Shine…the world looks fine.” I got to 514 words and it was hard not to use numbers. Off to run the Big Sur halfmarathon. Rain in the forecast but I don’t mind. Happy Thanksgiving! SC PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are solely those of the guest columnist and may or may not be shared by the San Clemente Times staff. We appreciate, however, their willingness to share their views, and we invite responses to be sent to letters@sanclementetimes.com.

San Clemente Times, Vol. 7, Issue 47. The SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.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 2012. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

ADVERTISING

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

HOW TO REACH US

EDITORIAL Senior Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne Sports & News Reporter > Steve Breazeale City Reporter, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente) > Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano) Sales Associate Angela Edwards OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Shelley Murphy, Tawnee Prazak INTERNS Kevin Dahlgren, Darian Nourian, Adam Herzog

Letters to the Editor Shame on the Republican Party of Orange County. I have lived in South Orange County for 42 years, and school board candidates for the Capistrano Unified School District have never been endorsed by any political party during an election. Parents, teachers, administrators and the general public have not known the political affiliation of their school board members. School board trustees are elected because they care about public education and children, teachers and administrators of the district, not politics. But, this year, for the first time, the Republican Party of Orange County endorsed three of the candidates running for office. Ironically, only one of their candidates won. Children First, a nonpartisan organization which truly cares about the welfare of the children in this district and the future of public education in the county, is made up of Republicans, Democrats, Greens, Peace and Freedom members and who knows what other political parties. Three of the four candidates supported by Children First won seats on the school board in the recent election. This shows that the citizens of South Orange County feel it is important to have school board trustees who put education over politics. Again, shame on the Republican Party of Orange County for endorsing school board candidates and polarizing and politicizing a traditionally nonpartisan race.

dogs on the beach: Hours 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., dogs must be on a leash, with retractable leashes up to 30-feet permitted. Clearly, be considerate of bringing your dog close to oneself when passing by people with or without dogs and/or wildlife. One exception: well-behaved dogs, under direct supervision of their owners, may be off their leash, while engaged in playing with other dogs, and/or playing fetch or retrieving balls, sticks or toys from the ocean, so long as there are no birds or other wildlife within 300 feet or so in each direction. Use good judgment. The salt water is very good for the dog’s skin; dogs really need to get into the ocean to help keep their skin healthy. San Clemente beaches are already clean but doing this too would make them exceptionally clean. To be allowed to take your dog or dogs on the beach, the owner agrees or promises to do the following: every time you walk, run, play with your dog on the beach, the owner/handler needs to bring along a trash bag or container and pick up trash, cigarette butts and animal waste, even if it does not belong to your dog, then dispose of the garbage in a trashcan at the conclusion of your time with your dog spent on the beach. Allowing dogs on the beach should probably only be available to the residents of San Clemente. Dog owners who do not play by the rules will be forbidden to continue to utilize the beach with their dogs. I think this is something that could be tried out for six to nine months and see if it works out.

BE HAPPY, ALLOW DOGS ON THE BEACH

CONSIDER THE REASONS BEHIND SONGS CANCER STUDY

MITCH SOMMeRS, San Clemente

ROGeR JOHNSON, San Clemente

Allowing dogs on the beach has been controversial for a very long time. I wish to put forth an idea that I think even people whom do not like dogs may find acceptable. Under the following conditions, allow

Many were surprised when the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced a few weeks ago that it would fund a major epidemiological study in the 30-mile radius around San Onofre to see whether you can get cancer from just

SCHOOL RACES SHOULDN’T BE PARTISAN BILL PReSTRIDGe, San Clemente

Page 10

www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX

Letters to the Editor (cont.) living near a nuclear power plant. If the research shows that the Edison plant is a source of cancer, especially in children, it could force the facility to close. Some are already saying that the plant should remain closed until the results are released in 2015. Since the NRC has a strong vested interest in nuclear power (their funding comes from the nuclear industry), it is curious why they should be in charge of the research in the first place. Even more curious is the fact that they immediately put a public relations spin on the announcement. The NRC told reporters that they expect to find nothing, thus making it clear that they are biased. How can we trust them when they predict negative results before the study even begins? Even more curious is the fact that the NRC press release stated that the Edison plant is located in San Clemente. Could it be that the NRC doesn’t even know where its nuclear power plants are located? It might as well be located in San Clemente because a few miles makes little difference when it comes to radiation. The plant stores thousands of tons of highly radioactive waste not in the containment domes but in open pools or in above ground storage casks. This waste could produce 10,000 times more radioactivity than the Hiroshima bomb. It is deemed way too dangerous to store 2,150-feet underground at Yucca Mountain. Since no one else will accept such hazardous material, the San Clemente area will continue to be nuclear waste storage repository for the foreseeable future. Last year, the San Clemente City Council voted to oppose the operation of the Edison plant until this waste is removed. Let’s not manufacture any more waste (about 600 pounds per day) until we figure out how to dispose of what is already there. Where else can cancer-causing radiation come from other than an accident? All nuclear power plants regularly discharge low-level radioactive waste, and San Onofre is no exception. The NRC allows this because they could not operate without periodic releases. They do have to file yearly summaries of these releases, and

according to NRC records in 2010, Edison released numerous low-level radionuclides into the air for a total of 44 hours and they piped radioactive waste into the ocean for 550 hours. Wind and sea currents carry the waste according to prevailing conditions. Are these wastes harmful to people who live in the area? No one knows for sure. For the last quarter century the NRC has relied on a 1990 National Cancer Institute study, which failed to find an effect. This study is no longer considered valid, which is why the NRC was finally forced to commission the new research. Until that study is complete the NRC has no evidence that this radiation is harmless. There have been two more recent studies in France and Germany that reported that children living near a nuclear power plant were twice as likely to get leukemia. The question of whether low-level radiation is dangerous is difficult to prove because there are other health (e.g., smoking) and environmental (e.g., pesticides) hazards around us. Health statistics in this area are not organized according to distance from San Onofre, and people often move or work far from where they live. NRC “standards” for radiation tolerance are based on the average adult male rather than upon women, children, and the human fetus, which are all far more vulnerable. Many medical experts say that all radiation is potentially harmful and there is no such thing as “safe” levels of radiation. Being exposed to radiation year after year and decade after decade compounds this because the effects are cumulative. Mothers, business owners and real estate brokers have every right to be concerned about the future of this area. As pretty as it is, a cloud hangs over us as long as Edison continues to operate this plant. To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ sanclementetimes.com. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

GETTING OUT

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

SC S a n C le m e n te

THE LIST A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

thursday

TURKEY TROT 7 a.m. Annual 10k, 5k and kid’s run in the Dana Point Harbor. Entry fees vary. 34624 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, www.turkeytrot.com.

THANKSGIVING

friday

RED LOTUS REVUE 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

WOBBLE WALK 9 a.m. Walk off your Thanksgiving meal on a 2-mile hike through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. $2. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna beach, 949.923.2235, www.ocparks.com. A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE MUSICAL 8 p.m. Preview night for the new holiday play debuting at Camino Real Playhouse. Regular shows through Dec. 16. Tickets $18-$34. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org. ALOHA RADIO 9:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Rock music with surf guitar at The Shore. 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.481.6089, www.theshoresanclemente.com. DAVINE WINE TASTING AND LIVE MUSIC 6 p.m.8 p.m. Live music and wine tasting at DaVine Food and Wine (tastings start at 4 p.m.). $15. 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com. JASON LEE AND FRIENDS 9 p.m. Live music at Goody’s Tavern. 206 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.3400, www.goodystavern.com.

saturday

PUTTIN’ ON THE GLITZ 5 p.m.-9 p.m. A community-wide family-friendly holiday event on Avenida Del Mar in Downtown San Clemente, with Santa Claus, live bands, entertainment and dancing, plus shops and restaurants open late for shopping and more. Info: www.villagesanclemente.org.

San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

AT THE MOVIES: ‘LINCOLN’ INSPIRES Schindler’s List (1993), Saving Pvt. Ryan (1998), Munich (2005) and War Horse (2011) all prove Steven Spielberg can captivate moviegoers with history on screen. This month he’s brought us a biodrama a decade in the making simply titled Lincoln. Starring U.K.-based method actor Daniel Day-Lewis as Abe during the year he pushed for the passing of the 13th constitutional amendment to ban slavery. It’s 1865, President Lincoln has just been re-elected and the war between north and south rages on. He believes the best decision to end the war would also simultaneously create equality for mankind. But not everyone in the White House agrees, including Democratic Congressman Fernando Wood (Lee Pace) and a weary Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens (Jackie Earle Haley). On Lincoln’s side are Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathairn), Republican Congressional leader Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), Democratic operative William N. Bilbo (James Spader), and Col. Robert Latham (John Hawkes). At home, Lincoln and First Lady Mary Todd (Sally Field) also face family drama as their eldest son Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) insists on enlisting despite his parents’ resistance. Like all Spielberg movies, Lincoln features talented, well-cast stars in both large and small roles. Day-Lewis offers a fine, studied portrayal of the man, but Field, Spader and Pace are the standouts in the film. Lincoln is a well-researched, stunning picture clearly made with respect and admiration from Spielberg, but in between the history and geography, it is slightly lacking in depth and charm. —Megan Bianco

THANKS TO THE OCEAN’ BEACH CLEANUP 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Give thanks to the ocean and volunteer at Doheny State Beach. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.6172, www.dohenystatebeach.org. YO GABBA GABBA LIVE 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Show at the Honda Center. Tickets start at $25.75. 2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, 714.704.2500, www.hondacenter.com. FLOCK OF 80’S 10 p.m. Live music at Molly Blooms Irish Bar & Restaurant. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com. AL STEWART 8 p.m. Concert at The Coach House. Tickets $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

sunday

AN IRISH CHRISTMAS 2 p.m. Special show at Irvine Barclay Theater featuring traditional Irish music, dance, storytelling, laughter and more. Tickets $28-$48. 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646, www.thebarclay.org.

KALEIDOSCOPE LIGHTS UP YOUR HOLIDAYS 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Second annual tree lighting ceremony at the Kaleidoscope featuring live music and dance performances, cookie decorating, hot cocoa, a visit from Santa and much more. 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy., Mission Viejo, www.gokaleidoscope.com. BOOK SIGNING 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy a glass of wine and the chance to meet local author, Tom Conroy, at SC Wine Company. 212 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com MARINE WILDLIFE CRUISE 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Cruise with The Ocean Institute’s to see whales, dolphins and other creatures. $22-$35. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

monday

COUNTRY DANCIN 6:30 p.m. Every Monday at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

COMEDY AND KARAOKE 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Live comedy and karaoke at Hennessey’s Tavern. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, 949.488.0121, www.hennesseystavern.com. Page 12

tuesday

RUBEN GONZALEZ 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

wednesday

MICROBREWS BY THE MISSION 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Restaurants and bars in downtown San Juan offer microbrews and food at great prices. More info: 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

KRIS WINRICH 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Local talent from Flock of 80’s performs solo at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com. BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Meet at the SC library to discuss “Black Fire: The True Story of the Original Tom Sawyer” by Robert Graysmith. 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.san-clemente.org.

thursday

HOLIDAY SUCCULENT TERRARIUM CLASS 12 p.m. Class on succulents at Goin Native. Cost $18-$23. 31661 Los Rios St., 949.606.6386, San Juan Capistrano, www.goinnative.net.

BRIAN YOUNG AND THE BLUES STATION 7 p.m.10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

friday

A TUNA CHRISTMAS 7 p.m. A new comedy at Cabrillo Playhouse. $15-$20. 202 Ave. Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

WINE AND MUSIC CRUISE 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Dana Wharf’s cruise on a luxury catamaran with wine, snacks, music and more. Tickets $49. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com. THE DIRTY PINTS 10 p.m. Live music at Molly Blooms Irish Bar & Restaurant. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com. (Cont. on page 14) www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 12) HOLIDAY IN THE HARBOR 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Celebrate the season at the Dana Point Harbor with activities for kids and families, pictures with Santa, live entertainment, and much more. Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2979, www.danapointharbor.com. HENDRY RANCH WINE TASTING 5: p.m.-9 p.m. Tasting at SC Wine Company with complimentary cheese, crackers and chocolate. $15. 212 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com ELECTRIC RUN 5K 7 p.m. Special 5k run in the dark at the OC Fair and Events Center featuring 1 million lights and sounds along the course. Registration $55-$70. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, www.electricrun.com/orange-county-ca.

saturday

HOLLY JOLLY HOOPLA 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Holiday event at the SC Community Center with a snow hill for sledding, cookie decorating, crafts and more holiday fun for the whole family. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, www.san-clemente.org.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CASA! 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Enjoy the spirit of the season at Casa Romantica’s event featuring Santa, carolers, crafts for kids, entertainment, holiday exhibitions and more. Free. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org. BOAT RIDES WITH SANTA 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Take a 20-minute holiday boat cruise with Santa and his helpers at Dana Wharf; cruises run Saturday and Sunday. Donation $1. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

CHRISTMAS AT THE MISSION 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano kicks off the holidays with their annual event featuring a nativity scene, a visit and photos with St. Nicholas, live music performances, activities, crafts, food and Christmas decorations. Bring a canned food donation. Admission $3-$5. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

sunday

VILLAGE ART FAIRE 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A special holiday Village Art Fair with great gifts and more in downtown San Clemente. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.218.5378, www.villagesanclemente.org.

CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Walk through four decorated homes in Cypress Cove, San Clemente, in event sponsored by the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley and benefitting CUSD schools. Tickets $30. More info: 949.291.8408, www.capistrano.assistanceleague.org. FLOCK OF 80’S 3 p.m. Live music at StillWater. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com. RABBI BLUE 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com. PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring your pets in holiday outfits and have their picture taken with Santa at Petsmart in the Costco Plaza, hosted by the Ark of San Juan Rescue Group. 33963 Doheny Park Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

monday

OPERATION HOLIDAY MAGIC Donate cards, gift cards and toys to marines and their families; goes to Dana Point’s adopted 5th Marine Regiment. Drop off locations throughout Dana Point and Shorecliffs Golf Course in San Clemente. More info: www.danapoint5thmarines.com.

APPETIZER PARTY 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Event with Chef Caroline Cazaumayou at Antoine’s Cafe. 218 S El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.1763.

tuesday

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND 7:30 p.m. Concert at the Honda Center. Tickets start at $72. 2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, 714.704.2500, www.hondacenter.com.

wednesday

WINE DINNER AT VINE 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Four course wine and food pairings. $40. Reservations recommended. 211 N El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2079, www.vinesanclemente.com

LIVE COMEDY 9 p.m. Laughs at Molly Blooms Irish Bar & Restaurant every Wednesday. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.218.0120, www.mollybloomspub.com. *For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.sanclementetimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@sanclementetimes.com

ACTIVITIES

Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parade and Food Fest at...

SANTA PARADE 5 P.M.

Starting top of Avenida Del Mar to Avenida Seville

Horse-drawn wagons 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. north Ola Vista, down 200 block of Aven and back to north Ola Vista

Trains 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m Starting @ Cabr down 100 block of Avenida Del Mar and Cabrillo Paseo

SANTA & Photos 222 Avenida Del Ma Luxre Realty. Free 3x5 print/family

Train Exhibit By OC Modular Train Club 1 at the former Senior Center, 224 Aven

Shuttle Information Free Shuttle from Sa High School 4:30-9:30 p.m.

H W R

S. EL CAMINO REAL

Shuttle Drop-Off

R Indicates Restroom

Parade >> 1

15 16 17

>>>>>>>>

Train Rides 2

Parade >> P3 AVENIDA DEL MAR 4

P1 Hotel San Clemente

AVENIDA CABRILLO

Free Parking

STREET VENDORS 1 BaskinRobbins/Sonny’s Pizza 2 Café Calypso 3 Villa Cucina 4 Hula Pop Popcorn 5 On The Rocks Jewelry 6 The Cellar Restaurant 7 K’s Temptation Boutique 8 Allen Family Automotive Group 9 Capistrano Volkswagon 10 Beach Fire Bar & Grill 11 Mongkut Thai Restaurant 12 South Coast Chiropractic & Massage 13 Luxre Realty/Grins-to-go Photo with Santa. Free 3x5 print/family

Starting @ nida Del Mar

rillo Paseo, d back to

SANTA’S VILLAGE

ar,

Featuring San Clemente’s Non-Profit Organizations: • Autism Youth Embassadors • Cabrillo Playhouse • Cool To Be Kind Club • Family Assistance Minstries (FAM) • Historical Society • Make A Wish Foundation

Nov. 24-Dec. nida Del Mar

an Clemente

14 Schmidt Chocolates 15 Billy’s Meat Market 16 Carbonara Restaurant/Roasted Chestnuts 17 L. Design Downtown Flowers 18 Sushi Gallery Maki 19 OCTA 20 Farmers and Merchants Bank 21 Star Realty-Doug Montandon 22 San Clemente Villas By the Sea 23 Bliss Boutique 24 Capistrano Toyota Scion 25 Lee Maxwell Caricature Artist 26 Cottage Bliss Boutique 27 Twigs - Farmer’s Insurance: SCHS Madrigals 28 SC Balloons

• Pet Project Foundation • San Clemente Abolitionist Mamas • San Clemente Girls La Crosse Team • Soldier’s Angels • South Coast Roller Derby • Toastmasters • Young Marines Marching Unit

PERFORMERS P1 The Harmony Jazz Band 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Cafe Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar P2 San Clemente Choral Society 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 140 Avenida Del Mar (Griffin Optometry) P3 L.A. Scots Band 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Roving/marching on the ½ hour up/down Ave. Del Mar P4 Young Marine Flag Folding Demonstration 5:45 p.m. Ola Vista and Avenida Del Mar P4 Bumpin Ballroom Dance 6:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Ola Vista and Avenida Del Mar P5 Kelly Boyz Band & Line Dancing 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m./6:50 p.m.-9 p.m. Ola Vista and Avenida Del Mar P6 Ooh La La Quartet 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Roving 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Santa’s Workshop @ 222 Ave. Del Mar (Luxre Realty) P7 CVCS Dickens Singers 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Santa’s Workshop @ 222 Ave. Del Mar (Luxre Realty) P8 SCHS Madrigals 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 219 Avenida Del Mar (Twigs & Farmer’s Insurance)

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides 23

Parade >>

222 Avenida Del Mar

Train Exhibit

13 28

R library

VISTA A L O . S

Santa’s Village

P6 P4

Free Parking

comm. center

Men’s Imua Boot $100 Ocean Minded 3005 South El Camino Real 949.366.5464, www.oceanminded.com

Patrons of Peace $38.00 - $58.00 Bijou Boutique 132 Avenida Del Mar 949.429.1001, www.bijouboutique.com

“Waiting for the Artist” by Alan Nowell 6x8 - Oil on Canvas. All paintings under $300! SC Art Gallery– SC Community Center 100 N. Calle Seville 949.369.0260

3-Month Massage Package (one per month) $124.99 Massage Works 800 S. El Camino Real, Suite 802L 949.231.0075, www.massageworksforme.com

Beater Soft Surfboards Starting @ $149.99 eBodyboarding 1303 Calle Avanzado 949.361.0848, www.eBodyboarding.com

“Lolly” Boot On sale $25 Aussie Dogs Sheepskin Footwear 1315 North El Camino Real 949.366.6727, www.aussie-dogs.com

Gift Certificates Spend $100 get $10 in value Talega Day Spa 1161 Puerta Del Sol 949.429.5757, www.talegadayspa.com

Unique Champagne Flutes from ROOST $18 each Salon Zinnia & Lifestyle Boutique 641 Camino De Los Mares 949.429.2020, www.salonzinnia.com

Brighton Charms $28 - $40 Rascals Ladies 114 Avenida Del Mar 949.492.4621, www.rascalsladies.com

Elf on the Shelf Kit Mac & Madi, Unique Children’s Boutique 203 Avenida Del Mar 949.366.6226, www.macandmadi.com

Elan $36.00-$98.00 Bijou Boutique 132 Avenida Del Mar 949.429.1001, www.bijouboutique.com

The Holly Collection Polished Engravable Metalware $15.00 - $119.00 Online Exclusively At Gifts On Del Mar .Com 949.492.4192, www.giftsondelmar.com

Bags & Jewelry Gift Sets $25-$60 The Warehouse, An Odd Place to Shop 216 Los Molinos, Unit A 949.388.2159, www.brawnersurfshop.com

SUP Boards Starting @ $499 The Warehouse, An Odd Place to Shop 216 Los Molinos 949.388.2159, www.brawnersurfshop.com

Give the Gift of a White Smile! $500 and receive one Free Expires 12/31/12 Eric Johnson, DDS 647 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 209 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

12 to 24 Piece Gold Box- Luscious milk or dark chocolate caramel variations $24-$30 Schmids Chocolate 99 Avenida Del Mar www.schmidschocolate.com, 949.369.1052

SC LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

SC S a n C le m e n te

SUDOKU by Myles Mellor Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9X9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3X3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Last week’s solution:

SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION See today’s solution in next week’s issue.

ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50: Tom Blake

Recovering After a Spouse Moves Out Without Notice R ecently, I received an email from a man named Trent, in which he shared his story about unexpectedly becoming single later in life and the lesson he learned from it. I could relate to a part of his story: a similar experience happened to me, which I explain at the end of the column. After Trent’s first marriage ended, he raised four children by himself while living in Utah. After five years, a friend introduced him to a woman who also had four children. Trent said, “We dated for one year and married. We did a pretty good job of blending our families. I supported her and her kids for seven years. During the last three years of this economic recession, things became tight financially. I asked for her help via a part-time job but was met with resistance each time. Her youngest was 15, already in high school, so it wasn’t like I was asking her to leave a small child at home. “Things went downhill from there and eventually she reconnected on Facebook with a man she had known from high school who lived in another state. Over many months, they corresponded and eventually met in person. “Several months later, while I was out of town with my kids, she rented a moving truck and took off with about 80 percent of the items in our home. She pulled her three kids from work and school and they all headed east. I found out about the moving truck from a neighbor’s phone call and returned home several days later.” Trent said his oldest step-daughter telephoned to tell him about the other man. Trent hired a private detective who tracked his wife down in Washington, D.C. She had taken a bunch of cash, his car and most of their furniture. He flew there and repossessed his car. Things weren’t working out too well for her. Trent said, “Within two months, her

San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

younger kids had flown to stay with their dad in another state and within another month the youngest returned to live and attend high school and be with us again. My ex found out during the divorce that our ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 home was under water By Tom Blake as to equity and she had already gotten cash and furniture so that was about it. “I was not paying alimony as the marriage was short-term and she was co-habitating with someone. Her child support for her kids went away when her kids went to stay with their dad and it turned out the fellow she fell for was renting his big home and did not own it. The moral of the story: the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. “I truly did love her, was hurt deeply by not just the breakup of our marriage but also the loss of sense of family. Being a social person it was really tough being all alone (except for my dog) and I never thought I would trust enough to date or marry again.” So, what’s become of Trent? He has forgiven his ex-wife and wishes her success. He has slowly started dating again. He said, “I travel on business and while in Southern California, I pulled up a dating website to scan profiles. I assumed it was showing me pictures and profiles of women in my home state but found out it automatically pulled up women in Southern California. A woman and I began messaging. We exchanged names and cell numbers. “We enjoyed a great lunch and have been dating steady for months. This woman is smart, fit, sexy, spiritual and kind. Despite my jaded past, I am falling in love again but with eyes much more wide open.

“I hope through the process of self improvement, becoming totally healed, and meeting an independent and happy woman, we will be able to form a new life together. May we all never give up.” I can relate to Trent’s story, having had a similar experience. On Christmas Eve 1993, my wife of seven years backed up a U-Haul to our Dana Point home, took what furniture and belongings she wanted and moved out of my life. I was out of town visiting my mom. From that rather jolting experience, I began writing newspaper columns about being single after 50. My first article, published July 4, 1994, was titled “Home alone with only my dogs for company.” There have been close to 3,000 articles since. As Trent did, I started dating again. On June 24, 1998, a R.H. Dana special education school teacher named Greta ordered a fresh carrot juice at Tutor and Spunky’s, my Dana Point deli. Yes, she was attractive, but more importantly, I could tell from her smile she was a kind and gentle person. Without hesitation, I walked around the counter and said, “Would you

Page 25

like to have dinner?” “That would be lovely,” Greta replied. We’ve been together since. In fact, on the second Thursday of each month, when we have our age 50-plus singles meet and greet gatherings at Tutor and Spunky’s, Greta is the main greeter (the next gathering is Thursday, December 13). Besides Trent’s statement about the grass not always being greener, I’d like to add one other lesson from today’s column: adversity often leads to opportunity. For me, my wife’s departure opened the door to becoming a columnist and it also brought Greta into my life. And for those things I am most grateful, particularly during this Thanksgiving time. I suspect Trent will have a similar result with the new woman he’s met. Tom Blake is a San Clemente resident and Dana Point business owner who has authored three books on middle-aged dating. For dating information: www.FindingLoveAfter50.com. To comment: tompblake@ gmail.com. SC MEET AND GREET LOCATION: www.TutorandSpunkys.com

HOLIDAY TOY EXPRESS CHANGING LOCATION THIS YEAR Popular Holiday event will be held at North Beach Station

etrolink’s Holiday Toy Express Train is coming to town on December 8 at 7:45 p.m. at San Clemente’s North Beach train station and will feature a holiday show. The city of San Clemente is a sponsor of the event and this year will incorporate pre-event activities beginning at 6 p.m. The train will be fully decorated with festive lights and décor. Santa Claus will arrive on the train and make his way down to the station to greet the guests and

provide photo opportunities Local firefighters will be collecting unwrapped toys or stuffed animals from members of the public to be presented to children as part of the KABC-7’s “Spark of Love” toy drive. People are encouraged to participate in the toy drive to help make the holidays brighter for kids in need. For more information, log onto www. metrolinktrains.com or call City Hall at 949.361.8254 or email fergusonl@sanclemente.org. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION

AIR CONDITIONING Oasis Heating & Air 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

Red Point Digital www.redpointdigital.com

801.573.2370

FLOORING

APPLIANCES

APPLIANCES SERVICES & REPAIRS

ASAP Appliance Service 949.361.7713 FURNITURE 3200 Legendario, www.asapapplianceservice.com South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 109 Calle de los Molinos, ART GALLERIES www.southcoastfurniture.com San Clemente Art Association 949.492.7175 GLASS SCRATCH REMOVAL 100 N. Calle Seville, www.scartgallery.com

Del Mar Beauty Supply 949.492.8180 150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste D, www.delmarbeauty.com

BOOKS

Bayside Window Cleaning, Inc. www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

949.215.2323

Images/Creative Solutions 949.366.2488 2927 Via San Gorgoinio, Ste. 100, www.imgs.com

CARPET

949.498.6245

Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 Oasis Heating & Air 949.420.1321 638 Camino de los Mares, Ste. G-105, 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 Dr. R. Tyler Johnson DC, Chiropractic Center 1502 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.6440 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com www.chiropracticcenteronline.com Christiansen Chiropractic 949.276.2956 INSURANCE 903 Calle Amancer, Ste. 230, www.christiansenchiro.com Complete Business Insurance 949.943.9081 647 Camino de los Mares Ste. 108, CHOCOLATE/CANDY www.HelpYouInsurance.com 949.240.7445 Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 949.369.1052 GIS/Galvez Insurance Services, Inc. 940 Calle Negocio, Ste. 170, gisgalvez@yahoo.com 99 Avenida Del Mar, www.schmidschocolate.com

COINS GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

LANDSCAPING

Janet M. Seymour, PsyD San Clemente Computer & Network Services 1443 N. El Camino Real, Ste. B daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581

949.633.0813

MATTRESSES

CONCRETE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress Costa Verde Landscape 949.361.9656 109 Calle de los Molinos, License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) www.costaverdelandscaping.com www.southcoastfurniture.com

COSMETICS

949.492.5589

MOLD REMOVAL

AVON 949.370.0433 Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.5388 Annie Kyle, www.youravon.com/anniekyle 1393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com Mary Kay Cosmetics 949.248.2868 MORTGAGES www.marykay.com/madams2

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, www.drericjohnson.com

Brian Wiechman, 949.533.9209 V.I.P. Independent Mortgage Inc. 949.493.9311 www.vipmtginc.com/team/brianwiechman

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

ELECTRICAL Arcadia Electric www.arcadiaelectric.com

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

PEST CONTROL Colony Termite Control 949.361.2500 1402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com

PHARMACIES 949.496.0123

PHOTOGRAPHY 949.361.0680

PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 1218 Puerta del Sol, www.atozleakdetection.com Bill Metzger Plumbing 949.492.3558 1218 Puerta del Sol, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com Chick’s Plumbing 949.496.9731 www.chicks-plumbing.com

PRESCHOOLS

Santa is back! Ho Ho Ho... Here is the deal... A special session with Santa includes session for 1 child, 15 minutes (additional child is $10) Parents and Doggies are FREE! All digital, printable, high-res. images on a CD are yours to keep! November 24 & 25, 11am- 4pm for $79. December 1 & 2, 10:30am- 3:30pm for $89. December 8 & 9, 10:30am- 3:30pm for $99. Reserve your spot! 949.361.0680 or www.memoriesofmephotos.com

SALONS Salon Bamboo 949.361.3348 150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, www.salonbamboo.com Salon Bleu 949.366.2060 207 S. El Camino Real, www.scsalonbleu.com Sanctuary Salon & Spa 949.429.5802 1041 Avenida Pico, Ste. B, www.sanctuarytalega.com

SECOND HAND/THRIFT SHOP South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com The Bargain Box 949.492.2800 526 N. El Camino Real, www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org

TERMITES

San Clemente Preschool 163 Avenida Victoria, www.sanclementepreschool.com

949.498.1025

Colony Termite Control 949.361.2500 1402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com

TILE & STONE INSTALLATION

PRINTING Printing OC 949.388.4888 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

PSYCHOLOGISTS

Kohler Tile Contracting

714.768.3077

WATER DAMAGE Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.5388 1393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

Barbara M. Thomas, PsyD 949.547.0833 Costa Verde Landscape 949.361.9656 655 Camino de Los Mares, Ste. 117 TUTORING 949.350.4692 License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) www.costaverdelandscaping.com Manny Tau, Psy.D., PSY14892 888.949.5150 Kevin Tutor Toes 949.429.6222 300 S. El Camino Real, Ste. 218, www.drtau.com MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY 111 W. Avenida Palizada, Ste. 11, www.tutortoes.com

COMPUTER REPAIR & SERVICES

DENTISTS

KC Painting & Decorating 949.388.6829 3349 Paseo Halcon, www.bringcolorintoyourlife.com

Memories Of Me Photos www.memoriesofmephotos.com

HEATING

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com

Sea View Pharmacy 665 Camino De Los Mares, #101 www.seaviewpharmacy.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Mathom House Books 949.361.1633 83 Via Pico Plaza, www.mathomhousebooks.com HAIR SALONS Village Book Exchange 949.492.1114 Kreative Hair Design 99 Avenida Serra 173 Avenida Serra

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

PAINTING

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com 638 Camino de los Mares, Ste. G -105, www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com

BEAUTY SUPPLY

OFFICE FURNITURE

949.361.1045

SC Rider Supply 949.388.0521 520 S. El Camino Real, www.scridersupply.com

MUSIC LESSONS

949.496.6556 ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE, TRUST Danman’s Music School www.danmans.com Lange & Minnott 949.492.3459 Janet Poth - Violin & Viola 949.922.6388 1201 Puerta Del Sol, Ste. 203 413 Calle Pueblo, janpoth@aol.com

REAL ESTATE

Antonio Fiorello, Forté Realty Group 949.842.3631 San Clemente, www.forterealtygroup.com Marcie George - Star Real Estate South County marciegeorge@cox.net 949.690.5410 McDaniel Gilmore Group - Surterre Properties www.livetalega.com 949.464.3226 “Sandy & Rich” - ReMax www.sandyandrich.com 949.293.3236

REMODEL Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 638 Camino de los Mare, Ste. G-105, www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com

RESTAURANTS Café Calypso 949.366.9386 114 Avenida Del Mar #4 Carbonara Trattoria 949.366.1040 111 Avenida Del Mar, #B, www.carbonara.com The Cellar 949.492.3663 156 Ave. Del Mar, www.thecellarsite.com

ROOFING CONTRACTORS Jim Thomas Roofing 162 Calle de Industrias

949.498.6204

WEBSITE DESIGN San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345 www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW CLEANING Bayside Window Cleaning, Inc. 949.215.2323 www.baysidewindowcleaning.com Clear Windows 949.485.8793 San Clemente, www.clearwindows-llc.com

WINDOW COVERINGS Designer’s Magic Flooring 949.496.1926 638 Camino de los Mare, Ste. G-105, www.designersmagiccarpetandflooring.com

LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@sanclementetimes.com.

SC BUSINESS DIRECTORY te Sa n Cl em en

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 103 or email mreddick@sanclementetimes.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

Call 949.388.7700, ext. 103 or email mreddick@sanclementetimes.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 103 or email mreddick@sanclementetimes.com

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.sanclementetimes.com ANNOUNCEMENTS FALLBROOK F& B OPERATORS INC. IS ALSO DOING BUSINESS AS SAN CLEMENTE WEDGEWOOD This will serve as notice that Fallbrook F&B Operators Inc. is doing business as San Clemente Wedgewood in the city of San Clemente at The San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Located at 150 East Avenida Magdalena San Clemente, California 92672. Anyone with inquiries regarding this posting should contact Reggie Parks at 949-542-4856.

FOR RENT DANA POINT HARBOR OCEAN VIEW CONDO 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Gated Condo For Rent. Condo has hook-ups and 2 car underground parking garage. Please call (909) 391-2129 for more information.

San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

GARAGE SALES FORSTER RANCH COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Saturday, December 1, 2012 8am to 12 pm. Xst’s Camino Vera Cruz and Camino Los Mares

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com. Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls. HELP WANTED JOB POST looking for a part time person to ship,receive and work in office. Computer skills is essential and lifting required. English and/or Spanish language acceptable. Work Days: Mon, Wed, Thurs. 9:30 to 1:30. Call 310-323-6425. Please bring personal documents to interview. Se busca persona para trabajar en bodega y oficina. Favor de llamar 3103236425 para entrevista

SERVICES LOCAL HOUSEKEEPER OR OFFICE CLEANING Reliable, affordable, meticulous. Excellent references. 949-456-2376

Page 27

www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SC S a n C le m e n te

GIRLS WATER POLO Tritons Look to Defend Playoff Title in the Pool In his first year at the helm for the San Clemente girls water polo team, head coach Logan Powell guided the Tritons to the school’s first ever CIF-SS Division 2 title last February. A solid core of girls from that championship team will be returning for the Tritons in 2012. Senior Candyce Schroeder was one of the Triton heroes in the CIF-SS playoffs last season and will look to return to her goal scoring ways in 2012. Schroeder led the way for San Clemente in the Division 2 championship game last season by scoring a team high three goals. Other key returners to watch include Mallory McCammon and Kelsey Thornton, both of whom showed

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Tritons Look for Winter Success Basketball, soccer and wrestling teams look for league success By Steve Breazeale and Darian Nourian San Clemente Times

an Clemente sports teams should be interesting to watch this winter, as several programs are coming off successful seasons and look to keep momentum going. The girls soccer team fell just short of a CIF-SS Division 1 title but return plenty of players who want a shot at redemption. The wrestling team is poised to have another solid season with the deepest team their head coach has seen in six years. There’s a lot going on this winter so make sure to log on to our sports page at www.sanclementetimes.com and follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports for in-game updates, news and scores all season long. • BOYS BASKETBALL • Under the direction of head coach Marc Popovich, who enters his sixth season at the helm for the Tritons, the San Clemente boys basketball team has made the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. Entering the 2012 season, Popovich and his squad look to continue that streak, which would be the longest for the program since the 1970’s. Last season ended with a first-round playoff loss to Etiwanda following a third place Sea View League finish, and the Tritons return a handful of players from last year’s relatively senior-heavy team. But even without a strong senior presence, Popovich considers this year’s group one of the county’s up and coming squads, considering all of the young talent they have. Leading the way for the upstarts will be sophomore football stand-out Sam Darnold, who is expected to play a large role for the Tritons at the forward position. Two other underclassman to look for are sophomore guard Nick Crankshaw and freshman Cole Fotheringham. Returning letterman for the Tritons include seniors Cody Bean, Brock Eissman and Jake Terkoski. Eissman, who was among the Triton’s top scorers last year, was named second team All-Sea View League at

San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

The San Clemente boys soccer team will take aim at repeating as South Coast League champions in 2012. Photo by Steve Breazeale

forward, while Terkoski, one of their top rebounders, won honorable mention at center. Senior Jimmy Bankson, a 2011 junior varsity standout, is considered to be the Triton’s greatest three-point threat this year and will be a key player on offense, according to Popovich. With this new, younger group, Popovich is looking to change things up in 2012. “We are looking to apply more full-court-pressure and play at a faster pace,” Popovich said. “Playing up-tempo, we are looking to score more, and we are able to do this because we have such a deep team. I would feel comfortable running a nine to 10 man rotation.” An X-factor coming off the bench for the Tritons will be senior forward Anthony Pinelli, who impressed Popovich in summer league play. According to the veteran coach, Pinelli will be a valuable, skilled big man down low in the paint this season. With his team this year, Popovich expects the Tritons to finish at least in the top three in the Sea View League but wouldn’t be surprised if they beat Trabuco Hills or Dana Hills to finish higher. Regardless, if the Tritons finish in the top three, it would clinch them an automatic playoff berth for the fi fth consecutive year. —Darian Nourian • BOYS SOCCER • Skill is the name of the game for this year’s San Clemente boys soccer team. Page 28

a knack for scoring goals in 2011. With a strong returning senior class and the hardware from last year on their resume, the Tritons were recently awarded the No. 1 ranking in the CIF-SS Division 2 preseason polls. The South Coast League slate will be a tough one for the Tritons to navigate. Looming right behind them in the CIF-SS Division 2 polls is rival El Toro, who comes into the preseason as the No. 4 ranked squad. The two teams will be on a collision course with one another and as chance would have it, the first team San Clemente faces in South Coast League play will be the Chargers. On January 3, San Clemente will host El Toro in the first of two matches between the teams. —SB

Teams from years gone by might have been bigger, stronger or faster, but when looking over the roster of his 2012 squad, the one thing head coach Mike Pronier keeps coming back to is the overall skill his team possesses. There will be a lot of creative minds out on the pitch for the Tritons this season and the prime example of that will be the intertwining play between the midfielders and forwards. They have a legitimate goal scorer in senior forward Gage Zerbonie, who led the team with 19 goals last season and an experienced and talented midfield ready to feed the offensive attack. Senior captain and defensive midfielder Oscar Vasquez played a part in the Tritons State championship season of 2010 and will be the one patrolling the middle, running the offense while also clamping down on defense. Vasquez has also been playing with Zerbonie for years and the two have strong, on-field chemistry. Pronier pegged Vasquez as an “old head,” which means he’s smart with the ball and is able to control the tempo of a game. Vasquez is moving up from the stopper role he played last season and is expected to get more touches on offense. Junior Alek Cucuk will be the offensive-minded center midfielder playing alongside Vasquez while junior Oscar Hernandez will be out on the wing, getting involved on both offense and defense. Hernandez possesses both a strong left and right foot and saw a lot of time last season and will be even more involved this time around, according to Pronier. “We have one of the strongest, skill-wise, midfields that (San Clemente) has ever had,” Pronier said. “(The midfield) helps because we now can score from different places.” Pronier says the success of this year’s team will lie with the ability of the senior class to seize the moment. “I think they want that season where they think ‘Every game is ours’,” Pronier said. “If they put good ability with some hard work and desire…I think we’ll have a good year.” —Steve Breazeale • GIRLS SOCCER • The list of accomplishments the girls soccer team has earned under the tenure of head coach Stacey Finnerty is a long one. In her time at San Clemente, Finnerty has led the Tritons to five CIF-SS championships, nine league championships, a state championship and nine CIF-SS championship game appearances, including a current four-year streak, transforming the girls soccer program into a renowned national powerhouse in the process. After losing 10 seniors from last year’s CIF-SS finalist (Cont. on page 30) www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS (Cont. from page 28) team, the Tritons return 13 varsity players and are looking to once again make a run not only at a South Coast League title but also a CIF championship. Key returnees for the Tritons include junior forward Nikki Faris and junior center-midfielder/forward Natalie Higgins, both Oregon State University verbal commits. The two are expected to lead the Triton scoring attack this year. Junior midfielder Ally Lynn is looking to provide a spark for the team from an outside midfielder position, while the Triton’s back line will be anchored by senior defender Sydney Fuertes, a UC Santa Barbara commit. Junior Emma Burns, sophomore Sami Engel, and Sophomore Amanda Gerrain will help Fuertes hold the back line. Senior Danielle Mellem, now a three-year varsity letterman, is also going to play a very important role for the Tritons from the midfield position. With a strong core of players returning from last year, coach Finnerty is optimistic about the upcoming season. “We play in a very strong South Coast League, better known as the ‘league of death’, so we are looking to clinch a playoff berth and from there, we will see what happens” Finnerty said. It should be interesting to see if the lady tritons are able to make it to their fifth consecutive CIF championship game, which at four is already a county record. —DN • GIRLS BASKETBALL • San Clemente graduate and former player Lacey Burns is entering her second season as head coach of the Tritons girls basketball team and is looking to improve on the team’s third-place South Coast League finish in 2011, which took them to the CIF-SS playoffs. Burns is a strong believer in the mantra “a good defense leads to a good offense,” and this is a philosophy she is preaching to her players in the early goings. “Defensively, we are really looking to pressure the ball full court with our speed, and from there we will be able to get out and run fast breaks in the open court, which will lead to easy baskets for us,” Burns said. The team returns all five starters from last year and Burns says that each one of these players is going to be playing an important role for the team in some capacity. “We don’t really have one star player, so it’s going to be fun to see who steps up every game, but overall, we have a great squad,” Burns said. Returning players expected to carry the Tritons on offense this year are senior guard Frankie Pinto and senior forward Alexa Johnson, who were the team’s top two scorers last season. On defense, the team is to be anchored by seniors Natalie Tye and Gabby McGann. Senior guard Brogan Griffin, who is currently injured, is also expected to play an important role for the Tritons once she is healthy. Facing a tough South Coast League, the Triton’s team goals seem pretty simple. “Win,” Burns said of the teams’ aspirations. “If our players are successful as student-athletes, that success will transfer on to the court and hopefully result in us winning a league and ultimately, a CIF title.” —DN • WRESTLING • Last season the Tritons started their year off unheralded and definitely under the radar, according to head coach Mark Calentino. The team did not have a lot of experience but surprised most by rattling off tournament win after win and finished the season with a strong 13-1 overall record. This season the Tritons will have eight returning starters who played important roles in last year’s success with a deep roster that has Calentino excited about this year’s San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

BOYS SOCCER

Team Schedules *Denotes League Play

GIRLS BASKETBALL Date 11/23 12/1-8 12/15-19 12/26-29 1/8* 1/12* 1/15* 1/17* 1/24* 2/1* 2/4* 2/6*

Opponent Location, Time Alumni Game San Clemente, 5:30 p.m. University Tourn. University, TBA Tourn. of Champions Phoenix, AZ. , TBA Edison Tourn. Edison, TBA Aliso Niguel San Clemente, 7:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley Capistrano Valley, 7:30 p.m. El Toro El Toro, 7:30 p.m. Laguna Hills San Clemente, 7:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley San Clemente, 7:30 p.m. El Toro San Clemente, 7:30 p.m. Laguna Hills Laguna Hills, 7:30 p.m. Aliso Niguel Aliso Niguel, 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER Date 11/27 12/11 12/13-15

Opponent Laguna Hills Foothill Butch Lee Memorial Tourn. 12/17-22 Mater Dei Tourn. 12/27-29 Excalibur Tourn. 1/8* Dana Hills 1/10* Tesoro 1/15* Aliso Niguel 1/17* Mission Viejo 1/22* Tesoro 2/1* Aliso Niguel 2/4* Mission Viejo 2/6* Dana Hills

Location, Time San Clemente, 4:30 p.m. Foothill, 3:15 p.m. Cathedral Catholic, TBA San Clemente/Mater Dei, TBA Foothill, TBA Dana Hills, 4:30 p.m. Tesoro, 4:30 p.m. San Clemente, 4:30 p.m. San Clemente, 3:15 p.m. Tesoro, 4:30 p.m. Aliso Niguel, 4:30 p.m. Mission Viejo, 4:30 p.m. San Clemente, 4:30 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL Date Opponent 11/23 Alumni Game 11/26-12/1 El Modena Tourn. 12/4 Marina 12/7 Fallbrook 12/10-15 Fallbrook Tourn. 12/21 Huntington Beach 12/26-29 Estancia Tourn. 1/4 Woodbridge 1/9 Capistrano Valley 1/11* San Juan Hills 1/14* Trabuco Hills 1/16* Dana Hills 1/18* Laguna Hills 1/23 Tesoro 1/25* Dana Hills 2/2* Laguna Hills 2/5* San Juan Hills 2/7* Trabuco Hills

Date Opponent 11/27 Corona Del Mar 11/28-12/5 Coronado Tourn. 12/7-8 Santa Barbara Invtl. 12/14 Paramount 12/19 Santa Ana 12/21 Dana Hills 12/27-31 Phoenix Arizona Showcase 1/4 El Toro 1/11* Tesoro 1/14* Aliso Niguel 1/16* Mission Viejo 1/18* Capistrano Valley 1/23* Tesoro 1/25* Aliso Niguel 2/2* Mission Viejo 2/5* Capistrano Valley

Location, Time San Clemente, 6 p.m. Coronado, TBA Santa Barbara, TBA San Clemente, 5 p.m. Santa Ana Bowl, 5 p.m. San Clemente, 4:30 p.m. Phoeniz, AZ., TBA El Toro, 3:30 p.m. San Clemente, 4:30 p.m. San Clemente, 4:30 p.m. Mission Viejo, 4:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley, 4:30 p.m. Tesoro, 4:30 p.m. Aliso Niguel, 4:30 p.m. San Clemente, 5 p.m. San Clemente, 5 p.m.

WRESTLING Date Opponent 11/27 8-Way Tourn. 11/31-12/1 Millikan Duals 12/7-8 La Costa Canyon Tournament 12/14-15 West Coast Classic 12/15 Mater Dei Invtl. 12/18* Laguna Hills 12/21-22 Las Vegas Invtl. 12/18* Capistrano Valley 1/5 Ontario Invitational 1/8* Capistrano Valley 1/15* Aliso Niguel 1/18-19 5 Counties Invtl. 1/22* Dana Hills 1/26 Rotary Invitational 2/2* South Coast League Finals

Location, Time San Clemente, 3 p.m. Millikan, TBA La Costa Canyon, TBA Rosemead, TBA Mater Dei, 9 a.m. San Clemente, 5:30 p.m. Las Vegas, NV. TBA Capistrano Valley, 5:30 p.m. Ontario, 9 a.m. Capistrano Valley, 5:30 p.m. Aliso Niguel, 5:30 p.m. Fountain Valley, TBA Dana Hills, 5:30 p.m. San Clemente, 9:30 a.m. Aliso Niguel, TBA

GIRLS WATER POLO Location, Time San Clemente, 7 p.m. El Modena, TBA Marina, 7 p.m. San Clemente, 8 p.m. Fallbrook, TBA El Toro, 6:30 p.m. Estancia, TBA Woodbridge, 7 p.m. San Clemente, 7 p.m. San Clemente, 7 p.m. Trabuco Hills, 7 p.m. Dana Hills, 7 p.m. San Clemente, 7 p.m. Tesoro, 7 p.m. San Clemente, 7 p.m. Laguna Hills, 7 p.m. San Juan Hills, 7 p.m. San Clemente, 7 p.m.

prospects. “This year we have a really deep roster with good kids…They’re comparable to the teams we had in 1996 and 2006, which were just dominant,” Calentino said. “There’s nothing in their work ethic that leads me to believe they won’t excel like last year…this season they’re starting off in a different spot. They’re so much further ahead (than last year).” Wrestlers to watch this season include seniors Jon Castellini and Ash Ryan. Castellini placed third in the CIF-SS tournament last year and will be wrestling in the 138-pound category. Ryan placed fifth at CIF and went 2-2 overall at the Masters tournament, missing out on the State finals by one match. Ryan will wrestle in the 195-pound category in 2012. Page 30

Date 12/6-8 12/19 12/22 12/29 1/3* 1/5 1/8* 1/9* 1/10-12 1/17* 1/18 1/22* 1/23* 1/24* 1/25 2/7* 2/9

Opponent Location, Time Villa Park Classic Villa Park, TBA Laguna Beach Laguna Beach, 4:15 p.m. Alumni Game San Clemente, TBA Los Alamitos Capistrano Valley, 5 p.m. El Toro San Clemente, 4:15 p.m. D2 Showcase/ TBA, TBA Santa Margarita Dana Hills Dana Hills, 5 p.m. Laguna Hills San Clemente, 4:15 p.m. Santa Barbara Tourn. Santa Barbara, TBA Trabuco Hills Trabuco Hills, 5 p.m. Coronado Tourn. Coronado, TBA Dana Hills San Clemente, 5 p.m. El Toro El Toro, 5 p.m. Laguna Hills Laguna Hills, 4:15 p.m. Edison Ocean View, 5 p.m. Trabuco Hills San Clemente, 4 p.m. Mater Dei Mater Dei, 11 a.m.

One junior who impressed Calentino last season and is poised to have a breakout year is junior Daniel Garcia, who will be wrestling in the 118-pound category. When sizing up the competition in the South Coast League, it is hard to ignore the success of the Tritons league rival Laguna Hills, who have not lost a league tournament in 26 years. Calentino has deep ties to the Hawks program and was a former wrestler and team captain at Laguna Hills in his high school days. The Tritons lone loss last season came at the hands of the Hawks and the two are set to square off in 2012 on December 18 at San Clemente. Calentino has seen a noticeable edge emerge out of the senior contingent of this year’s squad and it’s something he believes will lead them to success. —SB SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SURF

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

SC S a n C le m e n te

GROM OF THE WEEK Griffin Colapinto Age: 14, California Virtual Academy San Clemente resident and PacSun USA Surf Team member Griffin Colapinto made sure local surfers were represented on the winners’ podium at the 2012 Rip Curl GromSearch National Championship Saturday. Griffin took fourth place in the Boys 14U division, after distinguishing himself from among a tremendously talented group of surfers. “The final was fun and some pretty good waves came through. Unfortunately, I didn’t get very many,” Griffin said. “Kanoa Igarashi was ripping and took the win with scores in the 8.0 to 9.0 range. Everyone was ripping. I was stoked to even make the final.” The best thing about surfing in this year’s event, according to Griffin, is the practice and challenge it provides by allowing him to face the best of the best of Griffin Colapinto. Photo by Jack McDaniel the series. “I like the contest because we get to surf against winners from all over the country and I’m really stoked that Rip Curl put this contest on at Uppers, one of my local spots.” In addition to keeping up with his school studies, Griffin stays busy honing his skills in the Surfing America Prime Series and NSSA Open contests and practicing every day. All this practice is part of Griffin’s plan to work hard, stay focused and shoot for his ultimate goal of making it into the professional World Tour ranks by the time he’s 20 or 21. Griffin enjoys the independent study format of his eighth-grade classes and is considering continuing online classes through high school and college.—Andrea Swayne

The Search is Over

SURF FORECAST

Rip Curl GromSearch National Championship held at Upper Trestles, surfers deliver entertaining performances By Andrea Swayne San Clemente Times

he 2012 edition of the Rip Curl GromSearch series culminated Saturday as the National Finals at Upper Trestles showcased some of the best surfing by 16 and under surfers from across the country. As the last horn sounded in the finals, only one local surfer, San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto, made a podium appearance to accept his fourth place trophy in the Boys 14U division. But that doesn’t mean south Orange County wasn’t well represented in the lineup. Quite the contrary. Kevin Schulz, Colin Deveze and Crosby Colapinto, all of San Clemente, as well as Dana Point’s Lulu Erkeneff, were among the über-talented field of athletes turning in a multitude of exciting performances. In fact about 50 percent of the entire field of finalists—in all but the 12U division—was made up of PacSun USA Surf Team members, many from the local tri-city area. The San Juan Capistrano-based national governing body for the sport of amateur surfing, Surfing America, gathered team members for a training session in advance of the event. The caliber of their surfing at the contest spoke volumes of the team’s collective talent as well as the training they’re receiving under the tutelage of coaches Ryan Simmons and Micah Byrne. “This was some of the best 16 and under surfing I have ever seen at any contest I’ve ever been to. Ever,” said Matt Myers, Rip Curl USA team and productions manager.

San Clemente surfers Colin Deveze (left) and Kevin Schulz (above) narrowly missed out on advancing in the Rip Curl GromSearch National Championships at Upper Trestles despite turning in great performances. Photos by Jack McDaniel

RESULTS

“Kanoa Igarashi (of Huntington Beach) was an obvious standout, winning both the Boys 14 and 16 and under divisions. Taylor Clark (of Encinitas), one of our team riders, was just a hair short of winning and surfed amazing all day.” Clark, also a PacSun USA Team member, launched the highest air of the day, a 9-point front side air reverse that earned him the H2O Overdrive Maneuver of the Event award and a $500 prize. On the girls’ side, Hawaii’s Baily Nagy took home the H2O award. Myers was also quick to praise the other local surfers, pointing out that the entire field of competitors shined, making the judges’ decisions a difficult choice between the best of the best. “All the local kids are great. Not only are they great surfers, they are all great people who come from such great surfing backgrounds, so it was a pleasure to have

San Clemente Times November 22–December 5, 2012

BOYS 12U: 1. Luke Gordon, NC, 13.96; 2. Sean Woods, CA, 13.17; 3. Tyler Gunter, CA, 8.36; 4. Eithan Osbourne, CA, 7.40 BOYS 14U: 1. Kanoa Igarashi, CA, 18.66; 2. Nolan Rapoza, CA, 13.67; 3. Luke Marks, FL, 11.33; 4. Griffin Colapinto, CA, 8.60 GIRLS 16U: 1. Tatiana Weston-Webb, HI, 13.90; 2. Bailey Nagy, HI, 13.67; 3. Meah Collins CA, 12.20; 4. Nikki Viesins, FL, 11.30 BOYS 16U: 1. Kanoa Igarashi, CA, 17.57; 2. Taylor Clark, CA, 16.33; 3. Cam Richards, NC, 15.77, 4. Noah Schweizer, FL, 13.40 Boys H2O Overdrive Maneuver of the Event: Taylor Clark ($500) Girls H2O Overdrive Maneuver of the Event: Bailey Nagy ($500) all of them competing,” Myers said, adding that he was also pleased to hold this year’s event in San Clemente. “This is our first time holding Nationals here at Upper Trestles and it’s a pretty

Page 34

Water Temp: 59-61˚F Water visibility, conditions: San Clemente: 8-10’ fair; Catalina: 15-20’+ Good Immediate: A mix of west-northwest and south-southwest swell will build in on Thursday with 3-5’+ waves at many breaks and larger 6-7’+ sets at breaks best exposed to the the westerly swell. Morning wind is light and conditions generally clean, with well shaped waves at the breaks exposed to the combo of swells. Long Range: The south-southwest and west-northwest swell mix continues on Friday along with favorable morning wind. The surf will remain in the 3-4’+ range for many breaks, with larger 6-7’+ sets at breaks best exposed to the swell combo. Look for decreasing surf with good weather through the weekend. Check out Surfline for all the details!

big deal for us. San Clemente is Rip Curl’s original home in the United States. When the company brought the brand here they came to San Clemente first, so it meant a lot to have it here,” he said. Although an air of excitement surrounded the venue in the days leading up to the contest, organizers worried whether Mother Nature would cooperate. The Surfline forecast was calling for very small conditions and the morning heats started with small but glassy waves in the 1- to 2-foot range. As the day progressed, competitors were treated to perfectly rippable, head-high waves. And as the waves built, so did the performances. Everything came together to make the event worthy of its prestigious national title awards. “We really couldn’t have asked for much more—glassy, perfect conditions all day long and some really amazing surfing,” Myers said. Winners were each awarded a $250 check and an all-expense paid trip to compete in the International GromSearch Final held in conjunction with the 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Australia. SC www.sanclementetimes.com