December 12, 2013 by San Clemente Times

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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 50

Who Was Ole Hanson? Historical Society celebrates city founder EYE IN SC/PAGE 7

Ole Hanson, shown here in his younger days, served as Mayor of Seattle before coming to international fame as a result of labor unrest in the city. He later made his way to California to fulfill a dream of creating a “Spanish Village.” Photo courtesy of the San Clemente Historical Society

www.sanclementetimes.com

TOP 5: Council Sets Boundaries for Height Limit Downtown

San Clemente Girl Sees Wish Fulfilled with Makeover Day

Four Killed in Single Car Accident Saturday Morning

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SC LIVING/PAGE 21

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EYE ON SC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SC S a n C le m e n te

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO A local newspaper is suing the city of San Juan Capistrano, three council members and the city attorney over the city’s closed session decision to remove newspaper racks at City Hall and the Community Center. The lawsuit accuses the city, Mayor Sam Allevato, councilmen Larry Kramer and John Taylor and City Attorney Hans Van Ligten of violating the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and the freedom of the press. The complaint was filed electronically Monday, November 18 in Orange County Superior Court by attorney Wayne P. Tate on behalf of Community Common Sense, publishers of a monthly newspaper. Tate said the group will seek a restraining order to allow for the return of newspaper racks. In addition, the lawsuit also seeks attorney’s fees and more funds awarded by the court. The council voted in closed session December 3 to defend themselves.

DANA POINT

NEWS

NEXT DOOR WH AT ’S GO I N G O N I N OU R NE IGH B O R I N G TOW N S

In a series of Dana Point City Council votes last week, the city moved to alter its municipal code and Local Coastal Program to allow short-term vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods. Debate swirled over the practice’s legality for years, but in April, the council adopted an ordinance permitting and regulating short-term rentals of less than 30 days. Now, such rentals are considered businesses in the city’s eyes. Beginning in January, rental owners must register and be in compliance with certain health and safety codes. Owners will now also be subject to the same 10-percent tax—transient occupancy tax—that hotels and campsites are. The votes addressed where these businesses can operate, as about 80 percent of vacation rentals fall within the Coastal Zone. Such a use requires an amendment to the city’s LCP, which must be approved by the California Coastal Commission.

SAN CLEMENTE’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With... 1

… the Downtown Height Limit?

THE LATEST: The restrictions on building height limits in downtown San Clemente will be extended slightly in a decision marked by the now familiar 3-2 City Council divide on the subject. The council had been unsure of exactly how far the height limit should extend. Mayor Tim Brown said that during his time on the General Plan Advisory Committee, he was led to believe the city’s downtown core included at least the east side of Avenida Cabrillo and west side of Avenida Granada. The Planning Commission, which opposed the height restriction, considered the limit only on Avenida Del Mar, along with El Camino Real between avenidas Palizada and Rosa. After the council approved the two-story limit in October, city staff prepared rules using the Planning Commission’s version of the map. This prompted councilmembers to ask for clarification last month. A number of downtown property owners asked for a less restrictive option, while continuing to voice objections to the limit in principle. However, the council majority, including Brown and councilmen Bob Baker and Chris Hamm, voted to extend the limitations to the GPAC version of the map. The council could have opted to extend the restrictions to Palizada and Rosa but declined. Councilmembers Jim Evert and Lori Donchak both voiced objections to the limit, with Evert stating that property owners on Granada and Cabrillo should have been informed the change was under consideration. WHAT’S NEXT: Principal City Planner Jeff Hook said the final version of the general plan, which would incorporate council changes made over the last few months, will be given to the body for review the first San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

working week of January. The council is tentatively scheduled to vote on the final version January 21, with an alternative date set for January 28. FIND OUT MORE: For more on the history of the height limit controversy, visit www.sanclementetimes.com and search “height limit.” – Jim Shilander

…Affordable Housing?

THE LATEST: The City Council, on Tuesday, approved changing a zoning overlay for a vacant property adjacent to Pacific Coast Church on Calle Frontera, eliminating a designation that would allow the property to be used as a site for affordable housing. The property was one of five identified by the city as a potential site for the development of affordable housing. The council eliminated the designation on another identified property, the current city hall building, earlier in its general plan review process. The city must have a certain amount of land available for affordable housing in order to have the housing element of the general plan certified by the state. WHAT’S NEXT: In a 3-2 vote, the council approved the designation change at the church’s request, but Mayor Tim Brown said the board would revisit the issue after the plan’s approval next year. FIND OUT MORE: For more on the story, visit www.sanclementetimes.com – JS

… Emergency Planning?

THE LATEST: With San Clemente’s former emergency planning officer Jen Tucker moving on, the city has opted to create a new, part-time position to be

filled by Tucker’s former assistant. Katie Carpenter, who served as emergency planning assistant on a part-time basis, was named the city’s new emergency services coordinator. Tucker helped start the city’s Community Emergency Response Team during her time with the city. Her last day was December 3. City Manager Pall Gudgeirsson said a city staff review determined the position could be reduced to 32 hours per week. Carpenter’s former position was eliminated in the transition. WHAT’S NEXT: Gudgeirsson said the city will revisit the new position at the end of the fiscal year. In the past, the position was partially funded by Southern California Edison, but Gudgeirsson said the city was unsure whether that support would continue at the same level with the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station no longer producing power. Gudgeirsson hopes the funding will be clarified in time for the budgeting process next summer. FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit www.sanclementetimes.com. – JS

… Courtney’s SandCastle?

THE LATEST: The City Council rejected two bids for the second phase of the Courtney’s SandCastle universal access playground last week as both bids to complete the sensory garden project nearly doubled the city engineer’s projections. The bids far exceeded the projected $450,000 budget for the project. The low bidder came in at $820,645 and the second, more than $60,000 above that. The initial bids made in 2011 on the second phase of the playground were also much higher than the city’s projections. Page 3

At that time, the city endeavored to reduce the costs of the project and try again. The Courtney’s SandCastle Foundation spent most of last year raising funds for the project. In total, the effort raised approximately $340,000 in addition to a $110,000 city contribution. The sensory garden is specifically designed to cater to children with development disabilities. WHAT’S NEXT: The city will investigate different ways of getting the project done and present them at a future council meeting for approval. The foundation is looking to raise further funds for shade structures at the sensory garden. FIND OUT MORE: For future updates, follow us on Twitter @S_C_Times. – JS

…City Holiday Hours?

THE LATEST: The city of San Clemente’s offices will be closed for all but two days between Monday, December 23 and Monday, January 6, the city announced this week. While city offices will be open on December 23, the offices will be closed in observance of the holidays, and for furloughs, through the following Monday. The offices will open Thursday, January 2, but will close again on Friday, January 3. WHAT’S NEXT: Police and fire services staff will continue their regular schedules uninterrupted. In the event assistance is needed during holiday closures—including signal/light outages, sewer/water main issues and issues related to beaches, parks, trees, trails, irrigation and facilities—citizens are encouraged to call the city’s answering service. FIND OUT MORE: For information on the closures, visit www.san-clemente.org. – JS www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC CITY AND COMMUNITY CALENDAR Thursday, December 12 Coastal Advisory Committee Meeting 7 p.m. Ole Hanson Room in the Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org. Pajama Storytime 7 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Listen to stories by the Sunshine Readers at the library. Wear your PJs! 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.san-clemente.org.

Friday, December 13 TGIF Party Noon. Weekly luncheon at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center; Danny Jacobson entertains. 117 Ave. Victoria, San Clemente, 949.498.3322.

Saturday, December 14 Christmas Bird Count 7 a.m.-10 a.m. Join experienced birders for the annual bird count at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy; bring binoculars and field guide. $5. Call for info, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org. Saturday Produce Basket 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Every Saturday get fresh-picked $20 veggie/ fruit baskets at Villagio Giardino at the Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club. 200 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente, 949.697.0032, www.vrgreenfarms.com/Basket.

Monday, December 16 Spanish Conversation 11 a.m. Meet at Café Calypso for coffee and conversation. 114 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.9803.

NEWS BITES

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO Garden Club Receives $5,000 Grant from Edison Kathleen Scopaz, sponsorship chair of San Clemente Garden Club, received a $5,000 grant from Viet Tran, Edison International’s SCE Region Manager, November 12. Club members and Junior Gardeners gathered for the event. The grant is designated to support the club’s Junior Gardener programs in San Clemente schools and scholarship programs for San Clemente High School seniors and students attending college. More information on the programs can be found at www.sanclementegardenclub.com.

Baha’i’ Community Welcomes International Leader

Kathleen Scopaz, sponsorship chair of the San Clemente Garden Club, is given a $5,000 grant from Southern California Edison by Region Manager Viet Tran. The funds will help support the group’s Junior Gardener and scholarship programs. Courtesy photo

The Baha’i’ Community of San Clemente will welcome scholar and author, Dr. Vahid Rafati, as the keynote speaker at the San Clemente Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida Del Presidente, on Tuesday, December 17. This event is open to the public. Rafati will examine the prominent features of consultation and compassion as the twin complimentary approaches for arriving at consensus and avoiding harmful conflicts. Dr. Rafati lives in Haifa, Israel and works as the director of the research department of the Baha’i World Centre. He is visiting Southern California and making presentations at several seminars.

programs ranging from Family Assistance Ministries adopt-a-family programs, lunches, visiting senior citizens, volunteering at city events, helping military families, assisting at the Boys & Girls Club and more.

Assisteens Brighten Days of Young Cancer Patients

Tuesday, December 17 City Council Meeting 5 p.m. Closed session in Oceanview Conference Room; 6 p.m. Business meeting in City Hall Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org. Toastmasters 7 p.m.–8:40 p.m. Practice public speaking every Tuesday in a friendly and supportive atmosphere at the Baha’i Center. 3316 Ave. Del Presidente, 6463. toastmastersclubs.org.

Wednesday, December 18 Read with Chloe 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Kids can practice their reading skills with Chloe, a certified therapy dog. No signups necessary. 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.san-clemente.org. Planning Commission Meeting 6 p.m. Study session in Ocean View Conference Room; 7 p.m. Regular meeting in Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org. San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

Compiled by Jim Shilander

Members of the Assisteens decorated colorful gift boxes before distributing them to young patients at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Assisteen volunteers included (L to R) Ally Birmingham, Rachelle Eslick, Gracie Georgi, Marie Paris, Ashley DeCollibus, Morgan Hohenester, Jessica DeCollibus, Makena Spencer, Madi Wilson and Lily Brown.

The Assisteens, an auxiliary of the nonprofit Assistance League of Capistrano Valley assembled, decorated and filled craft boxes for their “Bedside Adventure” program earlier this fall. These boxes are then given to young patients with cancer at Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Orange. The Assisteens are local girls in area schools, from eighth grade to seniors in high school, who donate time to philanthropy

City Hosting ‘Polar Pooch Plunge’ at Beach Club The city of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department will present its first ever Polar Pooch Plunge on Saturday, December 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ole Hanson Beach Club Pool at 105 W. Avenida Pico. The special canine activity is possible because the pools will be drained for the Ole Hanson Beach Club remodel. The cost is $5 (payable by cash or check) per dog and owners are admitted free of charge. All proceeds of the event will benefit the San ClementeDana Point Animal Shelter. While supplies last, the Pet Project Foundation will also provide goody bags for each swimming dog. Owners are required to supervise their dog, monitor their interaction with other dogs and clean up after them. Aggressive animals will be excused from the event. All dogs must be properly licensed with current vaccinations. Dog owners are not allowed in the pool. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit the city website at www.sanclemente.org/recreation or call 949.429.8797.

Charity League Volunteers Serve Thanksgiving Meal to Needy The Capistrano Coast Chapter of the National Charity League assisted other volunteers on Wednesday, November 27, to serve a hot Thanksgiving meal to many needy families at Family Assistance Ministries. Six NCL mother/daughter teams served food, helped with set up, clean up and welcomed attendees. Other Capistrano Coast NCL members

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Members of the National Charity League Capistrano Coast Chapter serve a Thanksgiving meal at Family Assistance Ministries. Members include (L to R) Jan Morris, Nancy Thee, Malena Thee and Alanna Verde.

donated traditional Thanksgiving dishes for the meal. This is the sixth year that NCL has volunteered at the event. The NCL is a mother/daughter organization dedicated to serving local philanthropies while fostering the mother/daughter relationship. Mothers and daughters commit to a six year program, from seventh to 12th grade, centered on community service. The members participate in philanthropic work, educational activities, leadership development and cultural enrichment.

North Beach Art Walk Continues this Friday With last month’s inaugural event a major success, the North Beach Art Walk continues on the second Friday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. rain or shine. This month’s Art Walk will begin at Artwistic Creations, 1237 N. El Camino Real and will end with the official after party at Knuckleheads, 1717 N El Camino Real. Other participating businesses include: T. Patterson Surfboards, The Mint Gallery, Bull Taco, San Clemente Art Supply, Riders Club Café and Noll Surfboards Gallery. Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com. www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Who Was Ole Hanson? Historical Society remembers the man behind San Clemente By Jim Shilander San Clemente Times

his past Sunday, the San Clemente Historical Society reached into the past, re-creating the city’s early days and remembering its founder, Ole Hanson. Perhaps true to Hanson’s spirit, rather than a somber ceremony in front of City Hall or at his home at Casa Romantica, the event instead focused on salesmanship. Mike Fitzsimmons, a docent at the Casa for the last decade, donned a white wig and spoke to a gathered crowd at the San Clemente Community Center, many of whom were dressed in period costume. Fitzsimmons gave a version of the sales pitch Hanson used in 1925 when he attempted to lure buyers to the first 125 acres of the city. “I was given a canvas, and I’m going to paint a clean picture,” Fitzsimmons, as Hanson, told the crowd. Hanson touted his successes building homes in Los Angeles but said his dream was to build a “Spanish village,” similar to the villages and towns he’d seen in Spain. His first choice near Santa Barbara was a no-go, he said due to a recent—for 1925—earthquake. That led him to look at 2,000 acres owned by an old business partner, Hamilton Cotton. Those acres were divided into six lots. Lots, he said, were now available, for a low price of $300, with beachfront properties going for as much as $1,200. Fitzsimmons held court as Hanson for the entirety of the three-hour event. He said the sales pitch was pieced together using notable quotations from Hanson that have become a regular part of the city’s lexicon, including lines about the city being “the most pleasant place to live in America” and being “a painting five miles long and a mile wide.” Fitzsimmons said his desire to learn more about Hanson, though not necessarily to take on his likeness, was born out of a desire to do his job better. “In order to give a decent tour, you have to know who Ole Hanson was,” Fitzsimmons said. In the past, when tourists asked a question he might not have known the answer to, he went back to reading. The attendees also got a look at the reallife Hanson performing the pitch himself. A silent film documenting the early days of the city, which included scenes taken from initial tent meetings of prospective investors Hanson pitched to, was loaned to the society by the Hanson family and shown at the event. Fitzsimmons narrated much of the film, in character, as Hanson. Historical Society President Larry Culbertson, a fellow Casa docent, said the event was held in part to celebrate the group’s 40th anniversary and to celebrate Ole Hanson Day. The founder’s day was first celebrated by the city in 1975 but was not proclaimed for a number of years. San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

Duncan Hanson, Ole Hanson’s greatgrandson, made the trip to the city from Washington for the event. “I’m very sure Ole would have been very happy with this presentation,” Duncan Hanson said. “He’d be very grateful to the Historical Society for putting this on.” After Fame, a Drive to Sell The real Ole Hanson came to California following a brief burst of national and international fame. After moving to Seattle from Wisconsin in the early 1900s, Hanson went into business and considered a career in insurance. But that career didn’t jibe with Hanson’s hopes for his family, Fitzsimmons said. “He didn’t see any people selling insurance who had their own homes,” Fitzsimmons said. “He had a growing family, and so he had this idea of building a home for not only his family, but for other families too. So he started building homes.” After building a community designed

on a speaking tour of the country and some touted him as a potential 1920 presidential candidate. Fitzpatrick said his own research into Hanson indicated that he also didn’t particularly like being mayor, and, coupled with two attempts on his life, Hanson decided to leave the city. An international portion of his tour, actually helped inspire the look of San Clemente, Fitzsimmons said. When visiting Spain, Hanson was inspired by the look of the southern cities, with their red tile roofs and stucco walls. When he returned to the United States, Hanson came to California and bought up land in Los Angeles which he sold for a tidy profit. Hanson then turned to building his seaside village. During the city’s construction, Hanson had workers stay in both tents and hotels. Culbertson and Fitzsimmons both noted that Hanson did not want tenement homes in his city, so many workers also stayed on the outskirts of town. Household servants,

San Clemente Historical Society President Larry Culbertson, left, and Mike Fitzsimmons portrayed Thomas Murphine, one of Ole Hanson’s lead salesmen, and Hanson himself, respectively, during a society event recreating one of Hanson’s initial sales events Sunday. Photo by Jim Shilander

as an idyllic alternative for city dwellers in Lake Forest Park, Wash., Hanson was elected as Seattle’s mayor in 1918. Following the October Revolution of 1917, the nation, and the world, were suddenly fearful of the rise of Bolshevism and communism everywhere. A year into Hanson’s term, city workers called a general strike. Workers were striking in solidarity with a metal trades union, which was protesting their lack of wage increases following a period of success during World War I. The strike lasted six days and ended without bloodshed. Because strikers included elements of the radical organization International Workers of the World, which was often associated with socialist causes, Hanson became a national hero to conservatives for standing up to what was perceived to be a Bolshevik threat. The New York Times called him, “champion of order … not at all adverse to a little rough and tumble fighting, or any other kind,” and telegrams and notices of support came in from across the country, from newspapers and from citizens alike. He resigned later that year, embarking

for example, were required to live in their employer’s homes or stay in areas outside the city. The city was isolated between Los Angeles and San Diego, so Hanson built a dairy and provided space for bakeries, so the city could produce its own goods. Original deeds on the properties restricted ownership to Caucasians only. This was not against the law at the time and was fairly common, Fitzsimmons said. A number of segregation laws were on the books in California at the time. Hanson was also set in his ways. Sometimes, he would travel through the city with his son, Ole Jr., one of his lead salesman, and upon seeing something he didn’t approve of, would pull the emergency brake, Fitzsimmons said. One woman, who managed to build a non-Spanish style home, was actually moved elsewhere in the city. Her home was demolished and replaced. When the Depression hit, Hanson was hurt badly. Many residents simply walked away from mortgages, Fitzsimmons said, and the city population dipped as low as 300. Eventually, an arrangement was made with Hanson’s creditor, the Bank of

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America. The bank took over the accounts receivable on the properties in exchange for canceling Hanson’s debt, allowing him to avoid bankruptcy, though it also foreclosed on the Casa. Hanson, who still had a home in Los Angeles, went on to build some of the first properties in Twentynine Palms. What Would He Think Today? Hanson’s original vision for the city was a combination of his developments elsewhere. Like his homes in Los Angeles, San Clemente residences were to be built in Spanish Colonial Revival style. Like the property in Washington, the town and structures were to adhere to contours of the land. That idea did not necessarily include the development of former ranch lands like Forster Ranch and Talega, which led to the city’s rapid population growth of the last 20 years. Fitzsimmons said that while Hanson saw development in the city growing to approximately 50,000 people, he thought the nearby hills would remain largely free of development, aside from a few people seeking ocean views. He noted the construction of an aqueduct carrying water from San Juan Creek, relied solely on gravity. Building houses atop the hills, he said, would require construction of a new water system. “He envisioned this place being totally built out,” Culbertson said. “And he envisioned it would be like that throughout California.” Culbertson said members of the Hanson family still lived in San Clemente between the 1950s and 1970s when hundreds of the original Ole Hanson structures were demolished. “When the buildings were 30 years old or so, people said, ‘My God these buildings are falling apart,’” Culbertson said. “It’s hard to blame people for bulldozing because it was progress.” Fitzsimmons said when his father returned to the United States from World War II and settled in San Clemente, the restrictions on the style of homes had been lifted. “There were plenty of lots. He found a lot, and many veterans were doing that,” he said. “But he didn’t build an Ole Hanson house, nobody built Ole Hanson homes. They built typical post-World War II homes.” Culbertson said he believed Hanson would be happy with the state of the city today. The city has reemphasized the original architectural requirements, especially in the downtown area. He also noted that the city had taken care to create, in the Pier Bowl, open areas for parking and parks, in an area where Hanson had allowed for construction. “I think he’d see that as better than what he envisioned,” Culbertson said. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Four Killed in Saturday Morning Crash Investigators believe alcohol and speed were factors in wreck By Jim Shilander San Clemente Times

our people were killed and a fifth injured in a single car accident early Saturday morning near the corner of South El Camino Real and Avenida Valencia in San Clemente. Three men and one woman, including the driver of the vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock said. Police responded to the scene at approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Pablo Vargas Diaz, 25, of San Juan Capistrano. Three of the passengers have also been identified as Martin Nieto, 26, of Laguna Niguel, Lucia Solis, 27, of San Juan Capistrano and Luis Olivar, 22, of San Juan Capistrano. A 24-year-old female passenger, whose name has not been released, was transported to a local trauma center but is

SC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY QUINN CONWAY 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 website.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida de la Estrella, 500 Block (7:50 a.m.) A man reported transients sleeping on his property. One was sleeping in front of his business.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Eminencia Del Norte, 300 Block (3:20 p.m.) A caller reported discovering a pair of marijuana plants. KEEP THE PEACE Camino De Estrella, 500 Block (1:56 p.m.) San Clemente Times December 12–18, 2013

expected to survive. Hallock said the investigation is ongoing, but speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the crash. The department’s major accident reconstruction team in investigating. Hallock said it could be weeks until the final report on the investigation is released, which should include toxicology reports on the victims. Don Bolender, the owner of the Christmas tree lot near where the accident took place, and whose fence is now adorned with flowers, photos and candles remembering the victims, said he was sleeping at the time of the crash. After a 22-hour day, he said, he and a friend had finally “crashed” at approximately 1 a.m. When he awoke at 6 a.m., to take his friend to the airport, Bolender discovered deputies had blocked off the street on either side of the crash site. Parts of the car and light pole knocked down by the crash were strewn throughout the lot, he said, and bits of glass could also be found in some of A man said he was in the Kmart parking lot, waiting for a former employee who was returning merchandise he had taken. The former employee did not show up, and the caller filed a report. MEDICAL AID East Avenida Pico/Avenida Vista Hermosa (1:54 p.m.) A man was running through the middle of the street. The caller, the subject’s father, reported that his son was standing in front of his vehicle and refused to be taken to the hospital. Police found the subject running from the scene and transported him to a nearby hospital. DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Trafalgar Lane, 200 Block (11:06 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a band playing in a garage. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Vista Jardin, 1200 Block (8:28 a.m.) A woman called to report she was experiencing chest pains and said she had two toddlers in her home who would need to be watched if she was taken to a hospital. The Orange County Fire Authority was dispatched to assist her. SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE El Camino Real, 2400 Block (4:16 p.m.) A man told police he overheard two subjects in the parking lot of a motel “talking about killing someone by the name of Avalon.” The caller then admitted to the dispatcher that he was intoxicated. He

A makeshift memorial set up at the site of a fatal crash bears remembrances of the four people, all in the 20s, killed in Saturday morning’s fatal car accident on S. El Camino Real near Avenida Valencia. Photo by Jim Shilander

the trees. Nothing, however, hit the trailer itself, he said, which would have been more likely to wake him. The last several days, Bolender said, have brought a “nearly constant” stream of mourners to the site. The crowd grew

so large on Monday, that community resource officers blocked traffic. The crowd was singing, he said. Although he lives year-round in Washington, Bolender said he could tell the accident had “a profound impact” on the community. SC

said the subjects looked familiar and then said that they had exited their vehicle and were walking toward his room. The man explained that a deputy had dropped him off at the motel earlier and said that he believed people had been stalking him with the intent of murdering him and making it appear to be a suicide. Deputies were dispatched to the motel and made contact with the man. The caller reported that the subjects were a man and a woman wearing masks in a gray Mercedes.

his nephew had broken into a safe.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 CITIZEN ASSIST Calle Seville, 300 Block (6:31 p.m.) A caller reported his brother for taking a family heirloom and not returning it. The brother was not present and the incident reportedly occurred several months ago. DRUNK IN PUBLIC North El Camino Real/Avenida Pico (6:34 p.m.) Several transients appeared to be intoxicated. One of them was in a wheelchair which was obstructing traffic lanes. DISTURBANCE Calle Las Bolas, 1600 Block (5:41 p.m.) Two parties were arguing in an alley behind the location. They were continuing the argument as they made their way to the front. CITIZEN ASSIST Calle Juarez (1:16 p.m.) A man reported

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DRUNK IN PUBLIC Avenida Miramar, 100 Block (6:11 a.m.) A man in a parking lot was banging his head against a car door. The man then vomited in the carport. DRUNK DRIVING Camino De Estrella/Interstate 5 (2:43 a.m.) A man called to report a driver he suspected was drunk. He also believed the driver was following him. The subject was swerving through traffic in a white Mercedes with a broken headlight, and continued to follow the subject after he had made several U-turns. The subject followed the caller to Estrella before making a U-Turn at a dead end and heading onto northbound Interstate 5.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 TRAFFIC HAZARD Camino De Los Mares/Camino Del Rio (11:22 p.m.) A group of teenagers were standing on the corner throwing objects at passing cars. They were last seen near Vera Cruz. When police arrived, the teens dispersed and left the area. DISTURBANCE Buena Vista, 800 Block (11:02 p.m.) Two young men were walking down the street, harassing a third man and attempting to instigate a fight. www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

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San Clemente Times, Vol. 8, Issue 50. 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 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Quinn Conway, Shelley Murphy, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

Group Senior Editor > Andrea Swayne City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander

Sales Associate Angela Edwards

GUEST OPINION: Culbertson Chronicles by Larry Culbertson

Addition can Mean Subtraction How much modification of historic buildings is too much?

he San Clemente Historical Society is proud of the fact that San Clemente has not lost a major historic building in the past 40 years. The society was founded in 1973 by citizens who were concerned that hundreds of building built between 1925 and 1936 had been intentionally razed to make way for more intensive development. Federal, state and local laws have been enacted over time to discourage demolition of historic buildings and encourage preservation. In 1966, Congress enacted the National Historic Preservation Act, which gave rise to U.S. Secretary of the Interior publishing Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. San Clemente uses these standards to determine if a proposed alteration or addition to one of our historic buildings is appropriate. California has a state Department of Historic Preservation that oversees a variety of programs to help local jurisdictions promote preservation. The state’s Mills Act allows cities to set up programs giving property tax reductions

in exchange for improving and maintaining historic buildings. San Clemente has, over the years, promoted moving unwanted historic buildings or adding on to them to encourage their preservation. In 1992, Councilman Thomas Lorch opined, “Even the smallest of homes could be relocated and used as restrooms in the downtown and beach areas.” Fortunately, that did not happen. But at least five of our historic buildings have had their status code downgraded because they were moved. The status code is a rating given to each of our historic buildings in a historic resources survey. Our last survey was in 2006 and is due for an update. Many of the “Ole Hanson” buildings have been added onto. This is permitted under the secretary’s standards, but only under specified conditions. According to the standards for rehabilitation put out by the Interior Department, “It is important that such alterations do not radically change, obscure or destroy character-

defining spaces, materials, features or finishes.” It is also recommended that new additions are constructed, “so that there is the least possible loss of historic materials,” and, “in a manner that makes clear what is historic and what is new.” So how much can be added to the typical 800- to 1,000-square-foot “Ole” before it becomes obscured? In 2007, the Planning Commission approved a 7,235-squarefoot addition to a 1,000-square-foot Ole on Avenida Gaviota. They allowed two original bedrooms and the bathroom to be removed. For all intents and purposes the historic house was demolished. It will be interesting to learn what is written about that project when we have our next Historic Resources Survey update. There are other examples of excessive modifications that have been permitted. Evidence has been presented to the city that a number of projects permitted have had the status code of the building downgraded because of excessive modification. Currently, there is a project moving

through the planning process for one of our more important historic houses on Cazador Lane. The project would demolish three windows and a door on the primary façade of the building so that square footage could be added to the guest room. It would add an exterior stairway to access the master bedroom. It would eliminate a unique stucco wall at the end of the balcony. These alterations are not necessary and they conflict with the federal standards. We are trying to convince our Planning Department that we must preserve this and other historic treasures. We need to rehabilitate and preserve our historic resources, not modify them to insignificance. Larry Culbertson was elected as the president of the San Clemente Historical Society in 2012. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

GUEST OPINION: Susan Wilson, Chairwoman of the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission

South County Governance: The Answers Aren’t So Simple Discussions are taking place to consider future governance of Orange County’s ‘last frontier’

ith most of Orange County now urbanized and the patchwork of city and special district service providers largely in place, the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission still faces one significant challenge in south Orange County: identifying viable long-term governance options for south County’s remaining unincorporated communities—Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Wagon Wheel and the developing Rancho Mission Viejo property,

San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

located south of Mission Viejo and east of San Juan Capistrano and planned for 14,000 homes. When fully developed, the Rancho Mission Viejo community will be home to approximately 90,000 Susan Wilson Orange County residents. If history is our guide, why not just allow the remaining south Orange County unincorporated communities to incorpo-

rate and become their own cities? Forming new cities was an effective governance solution for growing communities in Orange County in the 1950s and 1960s and again in the 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, in 2013, the answer is not that simple. From the state level, the way revenues are allocated to newly formed cities has changed dramatically, making the incorporation of a new city increasingly difficult. The newest city to incorporate in California in July 2011, the city of Jurupa Valley in Riverside

Page 10

County, may also gain the notoriety of being the shortest-lived—and maybe the last—incorporated city in California’s 162year history, according to City Manager Stephen Harding in an article published in Western City magazine. A last minute maneuver to balance the state budget resulted in the elimination of the single most important source of revenue to newly incorporated revenues, vehicle license fees. Jurupa Valley is now considering filing for (Cont. on page 12) www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX South County Governance (Cont. from page 10) disincorporation unless the VLF funding issue is corrected by the state legislature. Simply stated, the city is running out of money to provide essential services. As chair of OC LAFCO, I help oversee the network of local governments that provide municipal services to Orange County residents. What a network we have. As the third most populous county in California, we have 34 cities, 27 special districts and the County of Orange, each providing critical services to our county’s three million residents. Once a rural county dotted by orange groves, cattle ranches and vast expanses of open space, Orange County’s population boom started in the 1950s. We grew quickly as the result of a post-demand for affordable housing in close proximity to the beach. From 1950 to 1970 alone, Orange County’s population grew from 216,224 to 1,420,386. As the population continued to grow, new unincorporated communities began to spring up in south Orange County—all under the guidance and governance of the county. As these communities matured and reached “build out,” the desire to make their own decisions over land use, budgets and governance issues became increasingly important. Beginning in 1988, a new wave of city formations began with the incorporation of Mission Viejo. Other unincorporated communities soon followed with Laguna Niguel and Dana Point

in 1989, Laguna Hills and Lake Forest in 1991, Laguna Woods in 1999, Rancho Santa Margarita in 2000 and Aliso Viejo in 2001—all becoming cities within 12 years. These cities provided their residents a higher level of municipal services, improved access to local officials and offered an individual identity and long-term vision for their communities. OC LAFCO can look back over the last 50 years with a level of pride in our success in guiding our local agencies toward providing both effective and efficient municipal services delivery to Orange County residents. While incorporation may not be the short-term answer to the south County governance question, OC LAFCO has undertaken a deliberate and open “visioning” process to explore all viable long-term governance options for this area. The visioning process will likely be a multi-year, phased effort what will include the development of credible financial data and modeling and stakeholder discussions with local government and community leaders. Susan Wilson is a Mission Viejo resident and is currently the chair of the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission and has served on the commission for 17 years. www.oclafco.org SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Letters to the Editor SCIENCE NOT BEHIND ANTI-NUKE CLAIMS DAVID DAVISON, San Clemente

Regarding Roger Johnson’s misquote of my letter (“Citizens Play Important Role with SONGS Efforts” www.sanclementetimes.com, November 13) it should have been obvious that my words were in reference to his Chicken Little-esque statements and not to any concern the public may have over safety. Because the level of activity on radioactive releases is so small and the dilution so great, they pose no danger to the public. I’d swim off the plant any day, any time San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is discharging. Decisions to discharge are not made at a corporate level but right on shift by people like me. For these reasons it is not necessary nor practical to make a public announcement. Our procedure could have said, “Prior to release, call Roger,” but assuaging the paranoid is not procedural intent. Just because Johnson was unaware of when SONGS began burning fuel longer, doesn’t mean it was a secret. The entire nuclear industry has been burning fuel longer and that info is found throughout industry publications to which anyone could subscribe. One such publication is Nuclear News, put out by the American Nuclear Society.

The website Johnson is enamored with contains a host of boners and false statements. Here we find a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists saying pressurized water reactors do not have reactor vessel level indication and another individual claiming SONGS emergency batteries were disconnected for four years. In a video narrated by Helen Caldicott, we hear her say that if the fuel assemblies pictured in the video come in contact with each other, they’ll go critical—all complete nonsense. As for the “scientific experts” Johnson mentions in reference to high burn fuel, his anti-nuke pals may wish to get a refund on the money they paid these folks, for SONGS already has high burn-up fuel in dry cask storage—so much for taking 20 years. Perhaps the scientists he cites in his Yucca Mountain statements are the same ones who made the high burn-up fuel gaffe. Johnson has been a willing victim of the professional propagandists in the anti-nuclear movement, a movement that is increasingly at odds with their former friends in the environmental community. I trust the readers are forewarned and will choose not to marinate in the same disinformation swamp Johnson is hip deep in. 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

AT THE MOVIES: IT’S A LITTLE WEIRD ‘INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS’ Joel and Ethan Coen have been making strange films their entire careers, since 1984. While not weird enough to turn off most audiences, like Terry Gilliam or Todd Solondz, the Coens’ movies are often strange enough to keep viewers interested while raising an eyebrow. The brothers have established a cult following with Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and became Oscar darlings with Fargo, No Country for Old Men and A Serious Man. Their latest feature, Inside Llewyn Davis, like their previous effort True Grit, seems to be trying to “normalize” the duo’s movies just a little bit. In 1961 Greenwich Village, a struggling folk musician named Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) sleeps on his friends’ couches regularly, owes money, can’t get his new solo album sold and is still mourning his music partner’s suicide. As if things aren’t bad enough, Llewyn discovers he’s impregnated Jean (Carey Mulligan), the wife of fellow musician Jim (Justin Timberlake). Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman, Adam Driver and F. Murray Abraham make appearances throughout Llewyn’s short odyssey. Inside Llewyn Davis features some noticeable “Coenisms” but carries a bleak realism that sticks with the audience. Isaac delivers one of the best lead performances of the year, one deserving of some award nods, and T-Bone Burnett and Marcus Mumford create one of the great soundtracks of 2013. While Llewyn Davis fails as a successful musician, his story finds a small spotlight to shine. —Megan Bianco

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

SC S a n C le m e n te

Courtesy photo

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

thursday

AREA SUNSET NETWORKING MIXER 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Chamber event hosted by Aventura Sailing Association; The San Clemente Chamber will also be collecting gifts for children of Military personnel. $20-$25. 24707 Dana Point Drive, Dana Point, 949.492.1131, www.scchamber.com.

NUTCRACKER AT THE CASA 7 p.m. Casa Romantica presents the classic play performed by the Orange County Ballet Theater. General admission $30. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org. SHAWN JONES 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com. JUSTIN WINERY TASTING 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Wine tasting at San Clemente Wine Company, with special guest founder Justin Baldwin, who will be signing bottles. Fee $25, includes complimentary cheese plate and chocolate. 212 ½ Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com. LECTURE: VINCENT VAN GOGH 3 p.m. Author, artist and art educator William J. Havlicek, Ph.D., leads a discussion based on his book, Van Gogh’s Untold Journey, at The Fountains at Sea Bluffs. 25411 Sea Bluffs Drive, Dana Point, 949.234.3008, www.watermarkcommunities.com.

friday

JJCA OPEN HOUSE, CRAFT SALE AND GALLERY SHOW 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Jennifer Joyce Ceramic Arts throws an open house to introduce The Artist Studios of San Clemente. Free. Also open December 12, same time and December 14 from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 131 Avenida Navarro, San Clemente, 949.940.8113, www.jenniferjoyce.com.

BLUE LARGO 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com. San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: TOTEM 8 p.m. Special performance at the Orange County Great Park. Shows through December 29. Tickets are available online. 6950 Marine Way, Irvine, 866.829.3829, www.cirquedusoleil.com. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET 8 p.m. The classic holiday play at Camino Real Playhouse. Tickets $24. Runs through December 22 with Thursday, Friday and weekend shows. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org. OCEAN INSTITUTE PARADE OF LIGHTS HOLIDAY CRUISE 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Listen to Christmas music and see the colorfully decorated boats cruising through the Harbor aboard an Ocean Institute cruise. Sweets, hot beverages and wine will be served. Tickets $50 adults, $40 children (age 4-12). 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org. BALLROOM BASH DANCE AND CHRISTMAS PARTY 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Monthly dance at the San Clemente Community Center with a Christmas theme. Event includes Foxtrot lesson, dancing to recorded ballroom, swing and Latin music, soft drinks and snacks. Admission $10. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.498.0233, www.ballroombash.com. HOLIDAY JAZZ CONCERT 6:30 p.m. The Saddleback Big Band presents a jazzy holiday concert in McKinney Theatre at Saddleback College. General admission $10. 28000 Marguerite Pkwy., Mission Viejo, 949.582.4656, www.saddleback.edu/arts.

saturday

ICE COLD MURDER 8 p.m. World debut of a special staged reading at Cabrillo Playhouse with two performances only including tonight and December 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets $10. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

SOUTH COAST SINGERS: SLEIGH BELLS RING 7 p.m. The South Coast Singers present their annual holiday concert at St. Andrews by-the-Sea church featuring traditional favorites, new tunes and more to celebrate the season. Tickets $15-$20. Additional shows set for December 15 and 21 at various locations. 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, 949.613.7840, www.southcoastsingers.org. Page 14

EDITOR’S PICK: BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS Glowing vessels will brighten the channels beginning at 7:30 p.m. as the 39th annual Boat Parade of Lights cruises Lighted boats cut the dark in the the Dana Point Harbor Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of for its last night. Decked Lights. Photo by Lauralyn Loynes out boats of all shapes and sizes will parade around the county’s southernmost port, competing for judges’ awards. Eventgoers can view the parade, landside, for free, from most spots in the Harbor. Visit www.danapointharbor.com for a parade map or call 949.496.5794 for more information. WINTER FAMILY YOGA WORKSHOP 10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m. Kids and parents are invited to join The Playful Practice with a yoga adventure to the North Pole including snow, reindeer and more. No experience necessary. $20 per family. 1502 N El Camino Real, San Clemente, 760.889.3829, www.playfulpractice.wordpress.com. WINTER FESTIVAL AND TREE LIGHTING Noon7:30 p.m. The city of Dana Point presents a holiday event with activities, a tree lighting and more at La Plaza Park. Fees may apply. 34111 La Plaza Street, Dana Point, 949.248.3530, www.danapoint.org. CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 7 a.m.-10 a.m. Join experienced birders for the annual bird count at The Reserve/ Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Bring binoculars and field guide. Admission $5. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org. WINTER WONDERLAND 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Holiday event at Historic Town Center Park featuring real snow for kids to play in and sled on, musical performances, interactive games, crafts, ugly sweater contests, prizes and an appearance by Santa at Los Rios Plaza. 31806 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com. CAPT. DAVE’S BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS CRUISE 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Be a part of the boat parade while enjoying beautifully decorated boats, holiday music, and waving to the folks on shore from a Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari vessel. $25. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com. (Cont. on page 19) www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 14) CHRISTMAS TRAIN 4 p.m.-9 p.m. The Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad with rides and other fun holiday activities. Ride tickets $10, available online only. Train runs through December. 23. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.997.3968, www.irvineparkrailroad.com.

sunday

MIKE HAMILTON Noon-4 p.m. Live music at Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.8055, www.missiongrillsjc.com. SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fresh produce, flowers and more every Sunday along Avenida Del Mar. Rain or shine.

LETTERS TO SANTA Send your letter to Santa with a self-address, stamped envelope by December 16, and Santa will write you back! For more information and address, call 949.361.8264 or visit the City of San Clemente’s website at www.san-clemente.org.

WEST KOAST JONNY 3 p.m. Alternative rock at StillWater Spirits & Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.

GOT UKULELE? 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Ukulele players and fans are invited to a Hawaiian music lesson and jam session, every Sunday. Call for location and more details. 949.829.2675, www.ekanikapilakakou.com.

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

LOCAL SUNDAY SESSIONS 6 p.m. Monthly concert at Cabrillo Playhouse featuring local music from Fossiltones, Jefferson Washington and Kyara Kalb. $5 cash donation. Beer and wine available for purchase. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org. SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL’S WINTER FANTASY 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Final day to visit the 23rd annual winter art festival with 175 artists displaying and selling original creations including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing and more at the Sawdust Festival grounds. Admission $3-$6. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030, www.sawdustartfestival.org.

FREE FISHING FOR KIDS Noon. A fishing lesson and more for kids at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

UNWRITTEN LAW 7 p.m. Punk rock at The Coach House. $15-$18. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

monday

SAN CLEMENTE COMMUNITY MARKET HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND OPEN HOUSE 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Share some holiday cheer with the folks of the San Clemente Community Market at a private residence. Listen to live music, browse handmade crafts and enjoy good company. Call or email for more info. 949.492.6021, info@sanclementemarket.com, www.sanclementemarket.com.

FRENCH MACARON CLASS 5 p.m. Cooking class with Chef Kat at The Cellar. Fees apply. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

tuesday

DISNEY ON ICE: ROCKIN’ EVER AFTER 7:30 p.m. Disney on Ice brings a rockin’ remix of royalty to Honda Center. Tickets $17-$79. Performances through December 22. 2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, 714.704.2500, www.hondacenter.com.

wednesday

KARAOKE WITH LES AND JOEL 7 p.m. Every Wednesday at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

NICK TERRAFRANCA 8 p.m. Live music at Wind & Sea Restaurant. 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com. WILL HEARD WITH GARY ROACH 7:30 p.m.11 p.m. Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com. *For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.sanclementetimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

S a n C le m e n te

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

San Clemente Teen Gets Her Wish Make-A-Wish Foundation and Macy’s give hometown girl a day as a model By Brian Park San Clemente Times

hat typical teenage girl wouldn’t want to be a model for a day? To have their makeup done by a professional cosmetic artist? To be shown racks of the latest hot fashion items? To be under the glow of studio lights while a photographer snaps away? For one San Clemente girl, who’s endured countless hospital visits, surgeries and treatments in her battle against cancer, her day in the spotlight became a reality, thanks to the efforts of Macy’s and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. On Friday, December 6, 14-year-old Kate Lopez got to experience life as a model, a wish she made through the Make-AWish Foundation’s Orange County and Inland Empire branch. Lopez, her mother and her sister arrived at Macy’s in Brea by limousine just before noon. With crutches in hand and her family beside her, Lopez made her way through a human tunnel made up of Macy’s employ-

ees and Make-A-Wish volunteers, who cheered her down a red carpet. Lopez was led to a makeup station, where an artist from Bare Minerals, her favorite cosmetic line, sat her in a studio chair and showed her how to apply different makeup. Afterward, a Macy’s personal shopper led Lopez through the store’s juniors’ collection, where she picked out a few items for a professional photo shoot on Saturday, December 14. “Makeup, cool outfits—I kind of like it all. All the different styles,” Lopez said. Two years ago, Lopez was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. About 800 people are diagnosed with osteosarcoma annually and half those are children and teenagers, according to the American Cancer Society. Lopez has undergone chemotherapy treatment and eight surgeries, including a major 11-hour limb salvage procedure, according to Lopez’s mother, Gail. Doctors removed 16 c.m. of Lopez’s right femur and replaced it with a cadaver bone and her right fibula. Lopez’s right leg was placed in

Kate Lopez is greeted by a cheering crowd of Macy’s employees and Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteers. Photo by Brian Park

San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

Kate Lopez and her family make their way down a human tunnel of Macy’s employees and Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteers. Lopez, who’s battled bone cancer for the past two years, received a full makeover and will later participate in a professional photo shoot. Photo by Brian Park

a cast and her left leg in a brace for the first month following the surgery. She wore a full leg brace for more than a year and has had to use a wheelchair or crutches for two years. But just last month, she started to put weight on her leg. “She has more strength than anyone that I’ve ever known. More strength than I could’ve ever imagined her having,” Gail said. “I can count on one hand how many times she cried, from when she was diagnosed to getting out of the hospital. She was just a rock.” Stephanie McCormick, CEO of the Orange County-Inland Empire branch of Make-A-Wish and a San Clemente resident, said it was special to help a neighbor. “I’m really excited about the fact that we’re granting a wish for someone from my hometown,” McCormick said. “There is nothing more powerful than the smile of a Wish child. For a moment in time, they get taken away from the doctors, the needles and the hospital. For one moment

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Javier Lopez, a cosmetic artist from Bare Minerals, applies makeup on Kate Lopez. Photo by Brian Park

in time, they get their one true wish. You never get tired of seeing that, ever. It’s very powerful.” Lopez, who now attends San Clemente High School, said although she enjoys fashion, she has different career plans that were inspired by her time in the hospital. “I think I want to be a nurse to work with kids like me when I was sick,” Lopez said. “All my nurses were nice to me and everybody else. I just want to give back to what they did.” SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Finding the Right Time Is there a right time to reveal serious health issues to potential mates?

s we age, many people develop serious health problems. For singles, who are dating, an important consideration is: when do you reveal your condition to a new person you meet and like? You fear rejection. You are afraid if you reveal your ailment, the person will disappear. And yet you are an honest individual and want to be fair. When do you have that health conversation? Is there a good time? Yvonne says, “Maybe not on the first date, but within the first five. At least then your date knows exactly what he’s dealing with and he can decide how to proceed. Some dates will run, and that’s OK. But with honesty up front, there is no sense of having to be deceived upon later on.” Mary said, “After a few dates and if you sense that it might become an on-going relationship, you owe it to your companion to reveal health issues. It happened to me when I went on lymphoma cancer watch. I told the man I was dating, even before I told my adult children.

ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 By Tom Blake

“After two years of scans and lab work, I was declared OK. The person I shared this with had cared for his wife for a number of years and I thought he deserved to know so he could leave if this troubled him. He didn’t leave until a year later, for different

reasons.” Daryl met a man online whose profile stated he loved flying his own plane and hiking at his cabin in Colorado. She said, “He was a nice fellow who was anxious to meet for lunch. I arrived first and was watching out the window when he drove up. The problem was immediately clear when he had difficulty getting out of his automobile. Chunky but not obese, he commented that his knees needed ‘replacing.’ “When I mentioned that I walk every day with my 90-pound pooch, he was frank enough to say he was unable to walk down

the block. The lunch was nice. Had he indicated he was scheduling the surgery, I would have kept up a phone relationship, but he was ‘putting off the surgery.’ No way.” Claire dated a man for two months. She noticed at times he had red blotches on his hands. When she asked about them, he said he had banged his hand on something. Claire said, “Three months into our relationship, he confessed he was dying from a rare type of cancer from which there was no cure. We cried together when he revealed this to me. “He said each time I came to his house, he hid the calendar that had his doctors appointments on it and his prescriptions because if I knew about his illness, I would break off the relationship. I broke it off because I was beginning to love him and feeling an attachment to him. I did not want to go through losing him.” Sid, 70, said, “I was a care-taker for my wife for six years before she passed away from breast cancer, and I don’t want to go through that again, especially in my later

years. My advice is to have the conversation sooner rather than later and before becoming intimate.” The consensus: Be honest. Reveal your condition within a few dates. To share your thoughts, email Tom at tompblake@gmail.com. The next Meet & Greet for singles age 50 plus is Wednesday, December 18, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point. The event will feature Carl the DJ and a fun, white elephant gift exchange. For more details, visit www.tutorandtpunkys.com. Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50.com. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

City, Church, Marine Groups Brighten Holidays for Marines Partnership leads to fun times for Marine families

(L to R) Nursing program graduates and San Clemente residents Margit Kalmus, Brice Girdley, Robin Fouch and Christopher Wyatt gather for a photo following their pinning ceremony at Saddleback College Tuesday.

Meet SC’s Newest Nurses Five San Clemente residents among 53 recognized at Saddleback College pinning ceremony Tuesday

Santa Claus arrived to distribute toys to children from HMLA-469 via helicopter. Courtesy photo

San Clemente Times

he Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi, The San Clemente Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Marine Corps League and the city of San Clemente partnered to host a party for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, one of San Clemente’s adopted Marine Corps units Friday, December 6, at the HMLA 469 Helicopter Hangar at Camp Pendleton. The assembled groups fed over 600 Marines and their families and distributed nearly 200 gifts that were collected for

San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

the Marine children by an Eagle Scout candidate. Santa flew in on a helicopter to distribute the gifts. Judy Hansen of the Church of LatterDay Saints said the event was the first the church had partnered with the city, though the two had collaborated on a Family Day for the unit in July. Hansen said she had heard from several people that event was one of the better organized in recent years. “I thought it was a really good time,” Hansen said. “Seeing Santa Claus come down in the helicopter and seeing the joy on the kid’s faces, it was a really positive time.” SC

Text and photos by Andrea Swayne San Clemente Times

Page 23

ive of the 53 men and women who graduated from the nursing program at Saddleback College hail from San Clemente. Robin Fouch, Brice Girdley, Margit Kalmus, Jessica Tanamachi and Christopher Wyatt were honored at a symbolic candle-lighting and pinning ceremony at Saddleback’s McKinney Theater Tuesday evening. As part their commencement, the new

nurses were presented with a pin, the traditional symbol of a nurse’s service and rite of passage into the profession. A candle-lighting ceremony symbolized Jessica Tanamachi. the passing of the flame from the famed founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, to each of the new graduates. Girdley, along with a fellow graduate, delivered a speech titled, “Remember When.” SC www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY AIR CONDITIONING

LANDSCAPING

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

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

949.492.5589

Costa Verde Landscape License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) www.costaverdelandscaping.com

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT 949.361.9656

MANAGEMENT - HOA AMMCOR 949.661.7767 910 Calle Negocio, Ste. 200, www.AMMCOR.com

APPLIANCES SERVICES & REPAIRS

MATTRESSES

ASAP Appliance Service 949.361.7713 South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 3200 Legendario, www.asapapplianceservice.com 109 Calle de los Molinos, www.southcoastfurniture.com

ART GALLERIES

MOLD REMOVAL

San Clemente Art Association 949.492.7175 100 N. Calle Seville, www.scartgallery.com

BOOKS

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

MORTGAGES

Village Books 949.492.1114 Brian Wiechman, 949.533.9209 99 Avenida Serra, www.DowntownSanClemente.com Equity Coast Mortgage, a division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage, www.equitycoastmortgage.com CHOCOLATE/CANDY Lure of Chocolate, Gourmet Foods & Gift www.LureofChocolate.com 949.439.1773 Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 949.369.1052 99 Avenida Del Mar, www.schmidschocolate.com

COINS GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

949.350.4692 Kevin

CONCRETE Costa Verde Landscape License: 744797 (C-8 & C-27), www.costaverdelandscaping.com

949.361.9656

DENTISTS Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 949.493.9311 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, www.drericjohnson.com Kristen Ritzau DDS 949.498.4110 122 Avenida Cabrillo, www.KristenRitzauDDS.com

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YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online. Contact Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@ sanclementetimes.com. Marcie George - Star Real Estate South County marciegeorge@cox.net 949.690.5410 “Sandy & Rich” - ReMax www.sandyandrich.com

949.293.3236

RESTAURANTS

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Café Calypso SC Rider Supply 949.388.0521 114 Avenida Del Mar #4 520 S. El Camino Real, www.scridersupply.com

ROOFING CONTRACTORS

MUSIC LESSONS Danman’s Music School www.danmans.com

949.496.6556

Janet Poth - Violin & Viola 949.922.6388 413 Calle Pueblo, janpoth@aol.com

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

949.366.9386

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

Jim Thomas Roofing 162 Calle de Industrias

949.498.6204

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

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS 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, 949.361.1045 Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 949.361.4867 (GUMS) www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, www.moranperio.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE, TRUST

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Colony Termite Control 949.361.2500 Colony Termite Control 949.361.2500 1402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com 949.492.3459 1402 Calle Alcazar, www.colonytermite.com

LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” This go-to reference tool keeps your business in front of potential customers 24/7. GET YOUR BUSINESS LISTED TODAY. Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@sanclementetimes.com.

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FOR SALE QUEEN EURO PILLOWTOP MATTRESS $150 STILL IN PLASTIC! GREAT BUY! 949-842-9994

BED FRAME Metal bed frame. Adjustable for all sizes. $35/ obo. New condition. 949.533.9761

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE Clothes, electronics, cameras, jewelry, furniture, last minute Christmas shopping! 2385 S Ola Vista....San Clemente 8-12.....

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com. Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

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SALES PERSON WANTED Lange & Minnott Picket Fence Media, owner of the San ClemTILE & STONE INSTALLATION/ 1201 Puerta Del Sol, Ste. 203 ente Times, Dana Point Times and Capistrano PHARMACIES RESTORATION FURNITURE Dispatch, is looking for an advertising sales rep Sea View Pharmacy 949.496.0123 Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc. 714.757.3490 to join our dynamic team. We’re looking for an South Coast Furniture & Mattress 949.492.5589 665 Camino De Los Mares, #101 www.yorbalindatilemarble.com, CA License # 109 Calle de los Molinos, organized, hard-working individual with a great www.seaviewpharmacy.com 789312 www.southcoastfurniture.com personality who can create marketing soluPLUMBING tions for local businesses and push for growth WATER DAMAGE GRAPHIC DESIGN in both print and online media platforms. Ideal A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 Jarvis Restoration -24/7 949.362.5388 Images/Creative Solutions 949.366.2488 candidate will have prior experience with media 1218 Puerta del Sol, www.atozleakdetection.com 1393 Calle Avanzado, www.jarvisrestoration.com 2927 Via San Gorgoinio, Ste. 100, www.imgs.com sales. Interested candidates should send a cover Bill Metzger Plumbing 949.492.3558 TUTORING HAIR SALONS letter and resume to Alyssa Garrett at agarrett@ 1218 Puerta del Sol, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com Kreative Hair Design 949.498.6245 Tutor Toes 949.429.6222 sanclementetimes.com. Chick’s Plumbing www.chicks-plumbing.com

173 Avenida Serra

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

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PRINTING

949.496.9731

111 W. Avenida Palizada, Ste. 11, www.tutortoes.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

949.246.8345 Printing OC 949.388.4888 San Clemente Website Design www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

REAL ESTATE

WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION

Antonio Fiorello, Forté Realty Group 949.842.3631 Offshore Construction San Clemente, www.forterealtygroup.com www.offshoreconstruction.org

949.444.6323

OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE Saturday, December 14 9AM - 3 PM. Old Town Square (Old City Plaza). 111 West Avenida Palizada, San Clemente. Creative items from vendors and crafts people. Discover that hardto-find gift for the person that is impossible to buy for.

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SPORTS

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SC S a n C le m e n te

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Tritons Collect Trees for Marines, Prep for Clinics

The San Clemente High School baseball program held their annual Christmas tree fundraiser on December 7 and aside from selling more than 280 trees to help raise funds, they kept the local Marines at Camp Pendleton in mind. The Tritons were accepting donations throughout the day to help buy trees to the military families stationed on the base. By days end the baseball program was able to purchase 110 Christmas trees, which were donated to the families. The Tritons are also gearing up for their annual baseball holiday camp,

San Clemente High School baseball player Austin Collins helps a Marine unload a donated Christmas tree as part of the team’s annual Christmas tree fundraising drive. Courtesy photo

Triton Report By Steve Breazeale

Seniors Jessica de Gree, left, and Kathleen Hartmann of the Tritons girls basketball team were named to the South Coast Tournament’s all-tournament team. The Tritons finished second in the event. Courtesy photo

SCOR E BOAR D SOCCER FRENCH SOCCER INSTITUTE TO HOLD WINTER LEAGUE The French Soccer Institute will hold a Winter League soccer event for players on Saturday, December 14 at La Pata Vista Hermosa Sports Park. Each player will be assigned to a team and will take part in four, 20 minute matches as well as two, 20 minute clinics. Current Los Angeles Galaxy player Laurent Courtois and former professional French first-league player George Ba will lead the clinics. The event runs from 1-4 p.m. For more information email ludovic.t@frenchsoccerinstitute.com. We want to run your scores, results and announcements in “Scoreboard.” E-mail sports@sanclementetimes.com, fax 949.388.9977, mail or drop off the information to us at 34932 Calle del Sol, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 by each Monday at 5 p.m.

San Clemente Times December 12-18, 2013

TRITONS GIRLS HOOPS TAKE SECOND AT SOUTH COAST TOURNAMENT The San Clemente girls basketball team went 3-1 at the South Coast Tournament at University High School from December 4-7, including a win over Woodbridge in the silver medal game. The Tritons (3-1) recorded a 61-52 win over University on December 4 before falling to Foothill 65-43 in the second game. A convincing 70-46 win over Woodbridge sealed the second-place finish for the Tritons. Seniors Jessica de Gree and Kathleen Hartmann were named to the all-tournament team and the two seniors are a main reason why the Tritons are off to a hot start. De Gree has been the Tritons go-to scorer, having scored at least 11 points or more in all four games played. In the games against Foothill and Woodbridge, de Gree recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds and 19 points and 10 rebounds, respectively. She’s been this productive all while shooting 71 percent from the field. Hartmann averaged just above 11 points per contest throughout the tournament and dished out a season-high four assists in the win over Woodbridge. The Tritons will host Fairmont Prep on December 14 before heading out of state to take part in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic, where they will face tough competition from throughout the Southwest. FOOTBALL PLAYERS EARN ALL-LEAGUE HONORS, LEAGUE REALIGNMENT SET Now that the football season has come to an end, the South Coast League Page 26

which is set to take place on campus from December 26-27. The camp is open to players ages 5-12 and will be conducted by the San Clemente players and coaching staff. Kyle Friedrichs, a 2010 San Clemente graduate and current pitcher for Long Beach State, will be on hand to assist in the coaching duties. Attendees will learn baseball skills, including: hitting, pitching, base running and defense. Cost for the two-day camp is $95. For more information email head coach Dave Gellatly at dagellatly@capousd. org. —Steve Breazeale

coaches have made their choices for the all-league offensive and defensive teams. Four San Clemente football players received All-South Coast League honors this past week. Senior tight end Jason Wright was named to the offensive first team. Wright had a team-high 31 catches for 314 yards and scored three touchdowns. Wright averaged 10.13 yards per reception. Senior center Tyler Maxwell was named to the offensive second team. Senior linebacker Garrett Fernandez was named to the defensive first team. Fernandez recorded 55 total tackles on the season and had one sack. Senior safety Collin Zines was named to the defensive second team. Zines led the team with 69 total tackles and averaged 6.9 per game. Zines had one interception and forced one fumble on defense. Zines also played receiver, where he caught 12 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown. At the Coast View Athletic Association meeting in November, it was decided that San Clemente will play in the Sea View League next season. San Clemente will be joined by Trabuco Hills in the move. The Tritons went 0-4 in league play in 2013 and the Mustangs went 2-2. Dana Hills and San Juan Hills are moving from the Sea View League to the South Coast League, essentially swapping places with the Tritons and Mustangs. BOYS SOCCER WINS TWO IN A ROW, EYES CHARGERS The San Clemente boys soccer team started their 2014 campaign with a convincing 4-0 road win over Escondido on December 5. The Tritons (2-0) followed that up with a 3-1 win over Santa Ana on December 7. In two games played the Tritons have had seven different players score goals. Seniors Dylan Struthers, Mc Kay Reese, Oscar Hernandez and Alek Cucuk all scored once. Sophomore midfielder Kenneth Higgins and junior forward Blayne Martinez also contributed with one goal each. www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS The Tritons junior goalie Cole Martinez has been seldom tested in the early going, having made four saves in 150 minutes played. Martinez recorded his first shutout of the year against Escondido. The Tritons were set to play a nonleague contest against rival Dana Hills onDecember 11. Results were not available at press time. A December 13 nonleague match against El Toro is up next for the Tritons. The Chargers are off to an impressive 5-0 start to their season, which includes a first-place effort in the Harold S. Young Tournament last week. The last time the Chargers and Tritons squared off, in January, El Toro came away with a 2-1 upset victory. That snapped a 13-match Tritons unbeaten streak. GIRLS SOCCER OPEN SEASON IN YORBA LINDA Matches against Santiago-Corona, Yorba Linda, Downey and Righetti are on tap for the San Clemente girls soccer team when they take the field at the Soccer With Hope Tournament in Yorba Linda this week. TRITONS WATER POLO NOTCHES WIN OVER EDISON A second half offensive surge put the San Clemente girls water polo team over on Edison 9-7 on December 5 in the team’s opening game of the season.

WOODBRIDGE BESTS TRITONS BASKETBALL IN REMATCH When the San Clemente boys basketball team opened their season with a tournament game against Woodbridge on December 2, the Warriors narrowly edged the Tritons in a 69-67 win. On December 10, the Tritons had a chance at getting some revenge when they hosted Woodbridge in a nonleague game. But this time the Warriors did not allow the contest to be so close. Woodbridge stifled the Tritons (1-4) in the second half, outscoring them 31-20, to earn the victory. The Tritons will host Steele Canyon in a nonleague game on December 12.

San Clemente’s Alaina Cousineau scored three goals in a 9-7 win over Edison on December 5. Photo by Steve Breazeale

The Tritons (1-0) and Chargers were deadlocked 5-5 after the first half of play but the Tritons were able to outscore their opponent 4-1 in the final two quarters to seal the nonleague win. The Tritons had several players contribute on offense and they were led by Alaina Cousineau, who tallied a teamhigh three goals. Sabrina Schundler scored twice while Rachel Brownell,

Marissa Echelberger, Brigette Kimbrough and Cassidy Smithson all scored once. The Tritons will head north to the Villa Park Tournament from December 12-14 before hosting CIF-SS Division 2 powerhouse Mater Dei on December 17. The Monarchs are currently ranked No. 2 in the divisional standings. The Tritons are ranked No. 4.

WRESTLING READIES FOR TOURNAMENT MATCHES Two high-profile invitational meets await the No. 7 ranked San Clemente wrestling team in the coming days. The first will take place at the Edison Beach Bash Invitational on December 13. The next day the Tritons are set to compete in the Mater Dei Invitational. The tournaments will serve as a primer for the Tritons before they head into South Coast League duals competition. San Clemente’s first league dual meet will be a tough one as the Tritons will travel to Laguna Hills on December 17. Last year San Clemente ended the Hawks 20-year undefeated streak in league play.

SC SURF

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

SC S a n C le m e n te

GROM OF THE WEEK COLE THOMPSON

Age: 12, Bernice Ayer Middle School The term “surf and turf” aptly represents Cole Thompson’s main athletic aspirations. Surfing and football are the sports Cole has set out to excel and advance in, and thus far, he’s succeeding. He’s also been a force on the hardwood for five years, most recently as center for his All Net club basketball team. Although he enjoys hoops, this sixth-grader is focused on preparing to earn spots as a shortboarder and a kicker on San Clemente High School’s surf and football teams and work toward a professional career in either sport. “I’ve been surfing for about four years now. I like to compete in surfing and would like to go pro someday, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll be fine with it,” he said. “I’d actually really love to be a pro field goal kicker.” So far, he has logged three years on his Pop Warner football team, the Tritons, and is in his first year on the Bernice Ayer Middle School surf team. He likes surfing because “it’s energizing, fun and a really good work out.” Cole tries to paddle out Cole Thompson. Courtesy photo every day but homework comes first for this ‘A’ and ‘B’ student. “I take school seriously because if you don’t get good grades, you can’t surf on the surf team. So I try to make my grades work for that, and so that I can play football,” Cole said. “And besides, I want to get a good education and a good job someday.” —Andrea Swayne

Honoring Hobie

RESULTS WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 5, Midget Smith Memorial Pier Rat Challenge, December 7-8, San Clemente, Pier Local finishers only. Key: SC=San Clemente, DP=Dana Point, SJC=San Juan Capistrano.

Surfing royalty came to San Clemente Saturday to honor one of their own By Jim Shilander San Clemente Times

obie Alter received surf fans and surfers like a gracious king Saturday at the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center. The event, a celebration of a new biography of Alter titled HOBIE: Master of Water, Wind and Waves, brought out surf royalty like Phil Edwards, former Hobie employees and others just looking to get a glimpse of the surf legend. Book author Paul Holmes, who also greeted well-wishers and signed copies of the book, said he was grateful for the turnout, but knew, after all, that it wasn’t for him. “I’m very gratified so many turned out, not for me, but for Hobie,” Holmes said. Holmes said the event had also given him the opportunity to catch up with—or meet in person for the first time—some of the people he’d spoken with for the book during his more than two years of research. Barry Haun, the center’s curator and creative director, said Alter not only shaped surf culture, but had also touched other areas, from stand-up paddleboarding to sunglasses to remote control gliders. He noted the number of giants of the surf world in attendance, the likes of Edwards, who Haun called the “Joe DiMaggio of surfing,” and Mike Hynson, from Endless Summer, who don’t normally attend events. “It shows what an icon Hobie is,” Haun said. Many other supplicants came to speak with Alter as well. Cris Dawson, for example, was a member of an exhibition

San Clemente Times December 12–18, 2013

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

Surf legend Hobie Alter greeted hundreds at the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center Saturday at an event to celebrate a new book on his life. Photo by Jim Shilander

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 59-61 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 10-15’+ Fair Immediate: Leftover northwest swell lingers as small new southwest swell mix begins to creep in. Better breaks run mainly knee-thigh high (1-2’+), with some better waist high+ (3’) sets for standouts. Funzone surf prevails on Friday off a blend of south-southwest and new west-northwest/ northwest swells. Light winds in the mornings give way to light to moderate westerly onshores in the afternoons. Long Range Outlook: Modest scale westnorthwest/northwest swell shows the most size through the weekend as modest southsouthwest swell blends in. Better breaks run knee-waist high (2-3’) with some larger chest high (3’+) sets for standouts. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!

Author Paul Holmes said the big turnout for the event was a reflection of the impact Alter has had on surf culture. Photo by Jim Shilander

skateboard team Alter sponsored in 1966, and came to reminisce with Alter, despite not having seen him since. “Hobie is such a significant figure in ocean sports,” Surfers Journal copublisher Steve Pezman said. “There are people here who’ve just come out of the woodwork.” SHACC boardmember Denny Michel said he’d met people who’d come from as far afield as Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and Germany for the event.

For more information, contact SHACC at 949.388-0313 ext. 0 or see www.surfingheritage.org, where the book is available for purchase. SC

Page 30

MICRO GROM BOYS/GIRLS U9: 1. Dane Matson, SC; 5. Bryce Pinkerton, SC. BOYS/GIRLS U10: 2. Dax McPhillips, SC; 3. Brayden Burch, SC. BOYS U12: 2. Kai McPhillips, SC; 3. Kade Matson, SC; 4. Jett Schilling, SC. BOYS U14: 3. Kade Matson, SC; 5. Jett Schilling, SC. BOYS U16: 1. Kei Kobayashi, SC; 3. Nathan Carabba, SC. BOYS U18: 1. Brighton Reinhardt, DP. GIRLS U12: 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 4. Samantha Sibley, SC. GIRLS U14: 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 5. Samantha Sibley, SC; 6. Alexxa Elseewi, SC. GIRLS U16: 2. Malia Osterkamp, SC; 6. Cameron Duby, SJC. GIRLS U18: 1. Malia Osterkamp, SC; 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC. BOYS LONGBOARD U14: 3. Jimmy Wynne, SC; 4. Ricky Fodor, DP; 5. Matt Economos, SC; 6. Joshua Hoffman, DP. JR. LONGBOARD U18: 2. Kaimana Takayama, SC. GIRLS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Cameron Duby, SJC; 4. Malia Mauch, SC. GIRLS LONGBOARD U18: 1. Emmy Lombard, SC; 4. Teresa O’Connor, SJC. MEN 18-29: 5. Ricky Lovato, SC. SENIOR MEN 40-49: 1. Rick Takahashi, San Diego. LEGENDS 50+: 3. Dale Baker, SC. OPEN MEN: 3. Cody Canzoneri, SC; 5. Brighton Reinhardt, DP. OPEN WOMEN: 4. Samantha Sibley, SC; 5. Alexandra Frost, SJC. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 2. Cody Canzoneri, SC. OPEN WOMEN LONGBOARD: 2. Kyla Kelley, Capistrano Beach; 3. Cameron Duby, SJC; 5. Lexi Morgan, SC. SR. MEN LONGBOARD 40+: 3. Eric Rendon, SC; 4. Michael Takayama, SC. For full results, log on to www.sanclementetimes.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS December 14-15: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 3, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach December 21-22: NSSA Open, Event No. 6, Cardiff-bythe-Sea, Seaside Reef January 4-5: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 6, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty January 11-12: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane January 11: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 3, San Clemente, Pier January 25-26: NSSA Open, Event No. 7, Dana Point, Salt Creek February 8: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 4, Oceanside, Pier February 8: NSSA Explorer, Event No. 8, Huntington Beach, 9th Street February 8-9: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 5, San Onofre State Park, Upper Trestles February 15-16: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 7, Huntington Beach, Pier March 1-2: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 8, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty March 1-2: NSSA Open, Event No. 8, Ventura, C Street March 15-16: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 6, Huntington Beach, Pier March 22: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 5, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street