LO C A L
N EWS
December 11–17, 2014 YO U
C A N
U S E
Zebra House Open Mic Gives Artists a Chance PAGE 14
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 50
Point Forward
Boys & Girls Club director Kent Campbell retiring after 32 years EYE ON SC/PAGE 7
Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area director Kent Campbell came to San Clemente almost sight-unseen. Now, more than 30 years later, he’s retiring after making a difference in thousands of children’s lives. Photo: Jim Shilander
Fire Destroys Escalones Business Thursday EYE ON SC/PAGE 3
Tritons Fall in CIF Final, Season Provides Redemption SPORTS/PAGE 23
www.sanclementetimes.com
Talega Woman Dealing with Illness, Tragedy SC LIVING/PAGE 19
VOTE ONLINE FOR THE 2014 BEST OF SAN CLEMENTE PEOPLE’S CHOICE OLE AWARDS
SC EYE ON SC San Clemente
LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING
What’s Up With...
set Park, was renamed Vista del Sol at the suggestion of new Mayor Chris Hamm. The name change was due to having a preexisting park in Capistrano Beach bearing the same name. There were concerns that residents or visitors might be confused because of the close proximity of the two parks. The Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission had initially suggested the name “Ocean View Park,” however, this would have forced developer Taylor Morrison to change the name of a park to be maintained by a homeowner’s association at the site, as well as the name of a street.
Five things San Clemente should know this week Fire Destroys Escalones Business THE LATEST: Gene Kolkman said something drew him to go into work early Thursday morning. When Kolkman opened up his business, Naturo Scientific Research Services on the 100 Block of Calle Escalones, just after 7 a.m., he got a face full of black smoke, which he said went down to his waist. Kolkman said he got down and crawled inside and saw the smoke getting worse. Before he made his way out, however, Kolkman, who believed there might have been an electrical issue, turned off the circuit breaker and then called 9-1-1. “(This morning) was about as rough as they come,” Kolkman said. Shortly after getting out of the business, a fire began to be visible, rather than just smoke. Orange County Fire Authority firefighters responded shortly afterward. The fire was “heavy,” OCFA public information officer Capt. Steve Concialdi said, which actually forced firefighters to cut “ventilation holes” in the roof in order to fight the fire and save the neighboring structures. Thirty firefighters were at the scene and it was brought “under control” by 7:31 a.m., 18 minutes after responding to the fire. “They did an outstanding job of keeping the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings,” Concialdi said. WHAT’S NEXT: Damage to the business was described as “significant,” with $150,000 in structural damage and $75,000 in contents. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The business does research and development involving infusing elements into distilled water. — Jim Shilander
Update on Outlet Stores THE LATEST: With the Holiday shopping season in full swing and with major progress being made on the Outlets at San Clemente plaza, the line-up for the stores at the mall is taking shape. Tenants named in Craig Realty literature include the following: Aerosoles, Asics, Calvin Klein, Carter’s, Chico’s, Clarks Bostonian, Cole Haan, Converse, Fossil, Guess Factory Store, Hanes Brands, Kay Jewelers, Levi’s Outlet Store, San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
WHAT’S NEXT: There are five parks being planned for the site, four of which will be maintained by the city. The HOAmaintained park will also be open to the public. Other infrastructure improvements planned for the site include the completion of West Avenida Vista Hermosa to connect with Avenida Pico. FIND OUT MORE: For future updates on the work, visit www.sanclementetimes. com. – JS A fire Thursday morning destroyed a research business on Calle Escalones. Photo: Carmen Wildfong
Luggage Factory, Nike, OshKosh B’gosh, Papaya, Pearl Izumi, Perfumania, Planet Beauty, Puma, Quiksilver, Skechers, Sun Diego, Sunglass Hut, Swarovski, Tilly’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, Vans and White House|Black Market. The mall is currently slated to be open in time for the 2015 holiday season. WHAT’S NEXT: The city is not currently factoring Marblehead funds into its financial forecasts for the coming year, but they are expected to be coming. – JS
Downtown Parking Survey Suggests Fixes THE LATEST: A recent survey completed by the city planning department of the use of downtown parking found that, by and large, issues of owners and employees of businesses parking in front of their own building were overstated, but that the city could be doing more to enhance the parking available in the area. Associate planner Cliff Jones told the San Clemente Planning Commission Wednesday the survey, completed in August, a time of higher usage with summer tourists, found that only about 10 percent of vehicles parked on Avenida Del Mar exceeded the legal two-hour limit. All-day parking lots on Avenida Cabrillo were heavily utilized for that purpose throughout the day, Jones told the board. Avenida Granada lots and parking spaces were more likely to be parked over their limits.
Long term, Jones said, the city could look to convert the all-day lots to threehour limit ones to provide more circulation for customers, provided that another solution for all-day parking could be found, such as a parking garage. The city could also consider trying to lease more lots from private owners for public use. In the meantime, employees of downtown restaurants should be encouraged to park further away, Jones said, perhaps at the lot for the Senior Center, during weekday evenings and weekends, when such spaces are available and Del Mar parking more heavily utilized. The city could also consider allowing employees to purchase “premium” parking passes for a higher cost. WHAT’S NEXT: Planning commissioners said whatever the solution arrived at by the city, it should maintain a stance against metered parking, especially with the thousands of free spots going in at the Outlets at San Clemente development. FIND OUT MORE: For more on the survey, visit www.sanclementetimes.com. – JS
Marblehead Park Gets New Name THE LATEST: The San Clemente City Council changed the name of one of the new parks to be put in place at the Marblehead residential property, Sea Summit. The park, which had been dubbed SunPage 3
Parking Lawsuit Plaintiff Worried About City Plans THE LATEST: Brad Malamud, an attorney who sued the city in 2012 over the unused Beach Parking Impact Fee fund, said Tuesday that new city plans for beach parking are unjustified and an attempt to keep an undue amount of the funds. The suit, which is currently in the appeals phase, resulted in a judgment against the city in January ruling that it must return more than $10 million in fees paid into the fund. The city had decided to appeal but also to return unused funds from the BPIF to residents who’d paid into it from 1989 to the present day. The judge in the case has also ruled for the city that attorney’s fees be paid from the BPIF fund, rather than the city general fund. Malamud said the city should be returning all funds not currently earmarked for the completion of the lot on El Camino Real, approximately $900,000. That project was allowed to go forward as a result of the judgment, since plans were in the works beforehand. Malamud said an upcoming city council discussion item could outline other potential projects to be used with the other funds. “It’s odd that they promised a refund during an election year but after the election, there’s no refund,” Malamud said. WHAT’S NEXT: The appeal on the case will likely be heard in the second or third quarter of 2015, with a final decision coming in either the late third quarter or early fourth.—JS www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
Community Meetings THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
Coastal Advisory Committee
7 p.m. Regular meeting. Community Center, Ole Hanson Room 100 N. Calle Seville, www.san-clemente.org. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
Lil’ Elves Workshop
10 a.m. San Clemente Playschool is decking its halls for a morning of holiday cheer and excitement. Santa’s elves are in need of extra special help from your tiny tots putting crafts and games together. Children will sing holiday songs, enjoy special guest appearances from Santa’s helpers, make gifts for family and friends, decorate holiday cookies, and many more marvelous activities. Open to ages 3-5 years old. Parents are welcome, but not required. Tierra Grande Park, 399 Camino Tierra Grande, www.san-clemente.org. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
SCAA Meeting
3 p.m.–5 p.m. The San Clemente Art Association meets the second Sunday at the Community Center. Refreshments served. Members free, non-members $5 donation. 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16
SC Sunrise Rotary Club
7:15 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Meeting at Signature Grille at the Talega Golf Club, 990 Avenida Talega, 949.369.0663, www.scsunriserotary.org.
NEWS BITES
COMPILED BY JIM SHILANDER
Dance Team Places in Several Categories in Competition The SCHS Dance Team came out strong at their first CATD (California Association of Dance/Drill Team Directors) competition of the 2014-2015 season at Esperanza High School in Anaheim. This team performed in six different categories and also showcased three individuals in the solo competition. The team took home trophies in the following categories: Large Hip Hop (first place), Medium Jazz (first place), Intermediate Lyrical (first place), Medium Lyrical (second place), Medium Hip Hop (second place) and Large Lyrical (second place). The team will continue to train and rehearse for the next scheduled competition, Jan. 17, 2015 at Santiago High School in Corona.
High School Music Program Dec. 17 and 18 The Triton Vocal Arts and Triton Instrumental Music programs are presenting their sixth annual SCHS Winter Extravaganza Concert, Wednesday, Dec. 17 and Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Triton Center, located at 700 Avenida Pico San Clemente (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Start the holidays off by listening to the award-winning ensembles. Concert band, concert orchestra, wind ensemble and chamber orchestra are conducted by Tony Soto. The women’s concert choir, Bel Canto, Triton varsity men’s chorus, A Cappella and Madrigals are conducted by Jeremy Wiggins. All ensembles are collaborating at the end of the concert with a special full symphony orchestra holiday performance. City Council Member Tim Brown will serve as master of ceremonies. Tickets can be purchased the day of the
The San Clemente High School Dance team took home six awards at an Esperanza High School competition Saturday, Dec. 6. Photo: Courtesy
concert at the Triton Center box office. The box office opens at 6 p.m. General Admission $10. There will also be a holiday bake sale, Triton holiday ornaments for sale and silent auction baskets. For more information call 949.295.5653.
Water Department Leads the Way on ‘Team Hannah’ Kevin Lussier and his team at the San Clemente Water Treatment Plant have been helping Lussier’s niece, Hannah Higgins, get through her battle with cancer. Hannah, 4, was diagnosed in February with Wilm’s cancer, which effects the kidneys. The cancer also had spread into her lungs. Throughout the year, she has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Lussier’s team at the water department then took it upon themselves to provide support for Hannah and her family. “We’re a close-knit group, all of us are pretty family oriented,” Lussier said. Originally, the goal was to raise enough money to provide Hannah with a ticket to Disneyland at the conclusion of the treatment. Once the fundraising got started, the workers ultimately put together almost $1,500, enough to provide a three-day vacation at a Disney hotel and entrance to both parks for the Higgins family. The team was also outfitted with T-
6 p.m. Annual reorganization meeting. Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio, www.san-clemente.org. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Hospital Advisory Committee
4 p.m. San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville
Planning Commission
San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
Tickets on sale for ‘Friends’ Luncheon The San Clemente Friends of the Library will host its annual “Meet the Authors Luncheon,” Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Laguna Cliff Marriott Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern in Dana Point. The event will feature authors Tod Goldberg, Eduardo Santiago and Michelle Latiolais. Goldberg’s 2014 release “Gangsterland,” Latiolais’ stories in “Widow” and Santiago’s “Tomorrow They Will Kiss” are among the authors’ award winning novels. For more information, contact Alma Savage at 949.493.5504 to be put on the ticket mailing list.
Sunrise Rotary Club Feeding Neighbors in Need The San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club offers residents a chance to lend a helping “can” on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the food drive they hold every year at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Rotarians will be collecting food at Ralphs Market on Camino De Estrella and Albertsons Market, across from San Clemente High School, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The goal is to provide families from Family Assistance Ministries, Laura’s House and Camp Pendleton with the groceries for a full holiday dinner, complete with turkeys. For more information, contact Jim Rutter at jimrutter@cox.net.
City Council Meeting
7 p.m. Regular meeting Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio, www.san-clemente.org.
shirts reading “Team Hannah” to honor her fight. Photographs of the teams wearing the shirts were sent to her during her recovery, along with a poster board with well wishes to show her she was being supported. She is currently in remission and has no evidence of cancer. “Everyone has been a member of the ‘Team Hannah’ family,” Lussier said. “Everyone’s been so supportive. This wasn’t something I reached out and asked for. They came to me.”
Members of the San Clemente Water Department have been supporting the niece of supervisor Kevin Lussier through her fight with cancer. Photo: Courtesy Kevin Lussier
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Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com. www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
Point Forward
Retiring Boys & Girls Club director changed organization’s face BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
F
or more than three decades, the lives of numerous San Clemente children have been shaped and molded, in part, by Kent Campbell, who after 32 years at the helm of the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area, is retiring. He’ll leave his post at the end of the year, after three decades that saw transformations to San Clemente and the club—changes Campbell faced head on and navigated the organization through. “I feel the club’s in really good shape,” Campbell said. “Program-wise, financially, we have a good board of directors and staff. But, I turned 62 this year … I just decided the timing’s right.” ROUNDABOUT BEGINNINGS Campbell, an Indiana native, worked in personnel for Union-Carbide in Tennessee when he began looking for volunteer opportunities. With a Hoosier love of basketball, he discovered a nearby Boys Club and Girls Club—the organizations were separate at the time—and coached teams at both sites. “As I got to know more about what the Boys Club was about, I said ‘You know, I might really want to do this,’” he said. “I love the sports part of it, I love working with kids and I also liked running a business.” His first full-time position with the organization came at a Tennessee-located club, where, three and a half years later, he answered a flier for an opening in San Clemente—a town he knew only as the home of former President Richard Nixon’s Western White House. “We always wanted to live in a beach city, but we always thought it’d be Florida,” Campbell said. But Campbell took a chance, traversed the country, interviewed at the local branch and was offered the job. When he arrived in 1982, the club had approximately 400 members, but executive turnover was high. “People figured I wouldn’t stay too long, and it’s been nearly 33 years,” Campbell joked. Those first years were focused on adding structure to the club’s programs and finding ways to build up the organization’s fundraising efforts, staff and membership. And as San Clemente grew, with a near 30 percent population increase in the 2000s, the Boys & Girls Club expanded too. The club now has approximately 300 volunteer coaches and tutors, employs some 14 fulltime staff members and serves more than 1,800 local school-aged children annually. While the numbers have changed since Campbell’s arrival, some things have San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
Kent Campbell has spent the last three decades at the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area providing fun activities and athletic opportunities for a broad cross section of the city’s youth. Photo: Jim Shilander
one thing kids come here for is fun. If it’s not “funThefor number them, they’re not going to come. ”
—Kent Campbell
remained the same. “I don’t think there’s a whole lot of difference between kids 30 years ago and now … but it’s tougher growing up today than it was,” Campbell said. “You see more broken families today. But the number one thing kids come here for is fun. If it’s not fun for them, they’re not going to come.” There is one sweeping change Campbell has seen over his tenure and that’s a larger emphasis on academics as part of the club’s day-to-day life. Daily homework hours are complete with tutoring and club members are getting more exposure to technology as part of the club’s mission to help area youth achieve their full potential by becoming productive, caring and responsible citizens of the world. This undertaking is accomplished through many of the organization’s programs that aim to develop key skills that will lead members throughout their lives. Over the years, the club has incorporated the national organization’s leadership programs—Torch Club and Keystone—which are geared toward shaping the characters of adolescent and teen members during often critical maturity years. The club also promotes a commitment to the club, service to the community, academic success and strong moral character through the Youth of the Year recognition program. And in keeping with its education focus, the club offers members help in filling out college and scholarship applications, some of which are earmarked for members. “When kids come here, they don’t worry if they’re Hispanic, white, black, Asian or how much money you have,” Campbell said. “You’re having fun and being a kid.” FROM KIDS TO COLLEAGUES Campbell’s time at the helm has seen
both the city and club transform—it’s also been a front-row seat for him to watch countless San Clemente youth grow up and live out the club’s mission. Being able to work with children who later became colleagues has been a treat, Campbell said. “I’ve known them since they were 6, 7, 8 years old. That’s one of my favorite things, by far,” he said. “Half of the staff or more were kids here. It adds something that they were a club member and they want to give back. It’s fun for me to see kids now who are dads or moms who bring their kids.” One member from Campbell’s early days is Andy Brosche, a kid who came for the sports and wound up back decades as a coworker, serving as the local branch’s director of operations. “Kent’s always been a very big influence in my life. He taught me sportsmanship and how to shoot a free throw. He completely changed the club. He brought athletics to San Clemente,” Brosche said of the man, mentor and boss who could make do without much, thanks to his creative mind and organizational skills. “He could entertain kids for hours with a bowling pin.” At one point in Campbell’s early tenure, Brosche recalled, Campbell devised a game utilizing the one table-tennis ball and lone paddle the club had. Members wanted an actual table-tennis setup, but had to make do until this desire became a reality. So, through the creative genius of Campbell, kids competed to see how long they could keep the ball bouncing while rotating the paddle between players after each hit. “I thought that was an Olympic sport when I was a kid,” Brosche said. Campbell helped build the club up
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physically over the last three decades with the addition of a second gymnasium and a teen center. In addition to the building projects undertaken, Campbell said he’s proud of the way the club has adapted to changing times while staying affordable. Keeping dues affordable has allowed the club to serve a broader cross-section of the community, from those with lower income levels to higher ones, Campbell said. Club memberships are $30 annually with extra fees for sports, but as Campbell said, “We’ve never turned anyone away.” “We provide scholarships and it might even be free, if it needs to be,” Campbell said. “But we’ve really kept the membership fee down and not many clubs have been able to do that. That speaks highly of our board to help raise that money. A lot of folks, when I say $30, assume I mean $30 a day or $30 a week.” And, as for what initially drew Brosche to the club, Campbell has introduced a wealth of athletic programs that have encouraged members to get active. For Brosche, as for all the club’s members throughout the years, the club provided more than just a place to play. It provided, and continues to provide, an outlet for kids to grow up in other ways. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE With Campbell’s departure, the club will look to maintain the structure Campbell created and the financial endowment he built to protect the club during hard economic times in the coming years, “With the foundation that Kent laid, I think anybody could come in and do a good job,” Brosche said of Campbell, who he believes has a unique way of relating to people and a willingness to show vulnerability, which helped to build the club up. “He built good policies and hired good people. Kent’s always known what his strengths are and what his weaknesses are, and he’s done a good job of hiring around his weaknesses.” Campbell is actually working with Allen Reese, his successor, on a transition throughout this month before he officially retires. Even then, however, he won’t be far away. “I’ve told him I’m just a phone call away,” Campbell said. “A lot of this is about contacts, not only your donors, but also who do you call for a repair problem, things like that.” It is another example of Campbell’s commitment to the club and the children served by it. At the club’s annual fundraising dinner and auction last month, an announcement came that the club’s gym will be renamed the “Kent Campbell Field House” in Campbell’s honor. In addition, a jersey bearing the number “32” for his years of service will be retired in the rafters. “Kent would always say ‘People give to people,’” Brosche said. “There’s no better person to give to than Kent. Even without him here, people will still be able to see his contribution. Everywhere you turn, there will be always be a piece of Kent Campbell here.” SC www.sanclementetimes.com
EYE ON SC
SC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY JACQUELINE DEMARCO
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.
Monday, December 8 SUSPICOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Avenida Del Mar, 200 Block (8:52 p.m.) Two vehicles were behind the library and six to eight subjects were possibly playing with pellet guns. The caller could not see the guns, but heard “cocking noises.” DISTURBANCE Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (5:58 p.m.) Three subjects with a boxer dog were acting drunk at the end of the pier. They chased a woman off and were rude to the caller. They were three males thought to be aged 18 to 21 and also had a lobster trap. WELFARE CHECK North Avenida De La Estrella/Escalones (6:42 p.m.) A caller reported that a male juvenile wearing a grey “hoodie” was sitting on the corner underneath the street sign. The caller felt that the juvenile had nowhere to go because he had seen him sitting in the same spot for the last six weeks.
Sunday, December 7 DISTURBANCE Calle Del Cerro/Avenida La Pata (2:53 p.m.) Five to seven male juveniles were seen breaking sprinkler heads and throwing them at passing vehicles. Some were on skateboards and at least one was on a bike.
Saturday, December 6 FIREWORKS VIOLATION Avenida Vista Montana/Calle Del Cerro (10:04 p.m.) A man heard two loud fireworks near the Mormon Church and saw four to six juveniles running from the parking lot. DISTURBANCE Avenida Talega/Avenida Vista Hermosa (2:34 p.m.) Juveniles were throwing things at passing vehicles and were spitting at people walking by. DISTURBANCE Avenida Vaquero, 500 Block (1:27 p.m.) A male juvenile was shooting at golfers with his BB gun at the Shorecliffs Golf Course. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY El Camino Real, 500 Block (1:03 p.m.) A caller reported a dog left in a vehicle in weather he believed San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
was too hot. The caller wanted to take the dog out of the car. KEEP THE PEACE Via Presa, 1000 Block (2:48 a.m.) A taxi driver reported that a customer ran into his residence and then did not come out with payment. The customer texted the driver, “Thanks for the ride and I have no money to pay you.” GENERAL BROADCAST South El Camino Real/ Trafalgar Lane (12:07 a.m.) A female was seen “tweaking” and driving. She was driving a dark blue Honda Civic with a male passenger in the car.
Friday, December 5 SUSPICOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Pico/Interstate 5 (10:15 a.m.) A male juvenile was begging for money on the center median just before the freeway and the caller thought he might be a runaway.
SSgt. David Shuford won a television during the raffle portion of the Adopt{ IN S AN CLEMENTE } A-Marine event Saturday at the San Clemente Elks lodge. The event has been an ongoing holiday project for the last 14 years by Tika Strong of Downtown Flowers, who was looking to find a way to brighten the holidays for active duty Marines living on Camp Pendleton. The event included a meal, performances by comedians and gift stocking for all Marines. “It’s just a night of freedom for them,” Strong said. Photo: Jim Shilander
SCENE
SUSPICOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Pico/Avenida Vista Hermosa (12:21 a.m.) A man dressed in construction clothes, driving a lifted Chevy Silverado with a bed cover, was seen taking Christmas lights off of poles.
Thursday, December 4 DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 1800 Block (12:22 p.m.) A man and woman refused to pay for damages they did to a room at the Little Inn by the Beach. They then tried to run over the caller and left in a new white Camaro. CITIZEN ASSIST Escalones, 100 Block (1:39 a.m.) A man said there were eight subjects dressed as trees outside his residece and that there were police officers trying to kick down his door for looking into his neighbor’s window with binoculars. He requested to speak with a deputy.
Wednesday, December 3 CITIZEN ASSIST Calle Cameron, 0 Block (4:30 p.m.) A woman received a vague threat by text from her ex-boyfriend who is a known gang member and who has previously been arrested. WELFARE CHECK Camino De Los Mares/ Calle Agua (1:46 p.m.) A person was sitting in a wheel chair, slumped over and it appeared that they may have needed medical attention. SUSPICOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Del Cerro, 1100 Block (12:38 p.m.) A woman reported that her neighbor “mooned” her a week ago and verbally assaulted her on the day of the call. KEEP THE PEACE Avenida Navarro, 100 Block (9:08 a.m.) A man complained that his neighbor parked his car in a way that blocked the caller’s driveway and prevented him from getting his trashcans.
News Next Door
WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS
men Joe Muller, Richard Viczorek and John Tomlinson. Tomlinson was chosen to serve as mayor pro tem for the coming year.
DANA POINT
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
After swearing in three new members to the Dana Point City Council on Tuesday, the five-member body chose Councilman Carlos Olvera to serve as mayor for 2015. The three open seats on the dais were vacated by 2014 Mayor Lisa Bartlett, who was recently elected as the Orange County Fifth District Supervisor; Bill Brough, who was elected to the 73rd District Assembly seat and Steven Weinberg, who termed out after eight years on the council. Brough and Bartlett, having already been sworn into their new offices, were therefore not allowed to sit on the dais for the reorganization. Bartlett, did however, attend the meeting and she and Weinberg—mayor pro tem for 2014—delivered and accepted honors and proclamations to and from each other on the final night of their respective eight years serving on the Dana Point City Council. The two also received official thanks from associated commissions, state and county elected officials. Joining Councilmen Carlos Olvera and Scott Schoeffel are newly-elected Council-
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A group of San Juan Capistrano citizens opposed to the recently-approved San Juan Hotel and Villas filed a lawsuit opposing the project’s approval on Monday, Dec. 8. in Orange County Superior Court. The group filing the suit—which includes petitioners Mark Nielsen, Kenneth Friess, Robert Williams and a group referred to as “Save Our Historic Town Center”—is challenging the development’s approval by the San Juan Capistrano City Council on Nov. 19, requesting the Superior Court review and reverse the City Council’s decision to approve the hotel and villas. They contend the council’s approvals violate state planning and zoning law, the Subdivision Map Act and the city’s municipal code, according to a letter written by the group’s attorney, Heather Minner of the San Franciscobased law firm Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger. The development will be operated by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and include commercial, hotel and residential uses on a 3.17-acre site in the historic town center. The developer, Urban Village, anticipates a June 2016 opening if all goes as planned. www.sanclementetimes.com
SC SOAPBOX San Clemente
VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton
What Not to Get for Christmas Can you really go wrong if your holiday gift is simple but filled with love? Don’t kid yourself.
R
ed alert! There are only 13 more shopping days until Christmas. For husbands this means 12 more days till we have to start shopping. The holiday season is upon us once again. For many Americans it is a time of deep religious commitment, which millions observe by faithfully attending Black Friday at the local mall. Most of my men friend’s complaints about shopping are long-standing, but the real dilemma is what to get people who already seem to have everything. One article not to give them is a Christmas sweater. It is only acceptable to give
Letters to the Editor TAKE TIME TO UNDERSTAND IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY MARY ANN COMES, San Clemente
I’m responding to the letter from James Smith (SC Times, “Some Priorities are Misplaced,” Dec. 4) I’m not going to touch Jim Kempton’s article on immigrants. I’m leaving that to our lawmakers. Hopefully, they do the right thing. Raad Ghantous’ article on the San Clemente Beach Club is another thing. I know quite a bit about the process of the Beach Club remodeling. Obviously Mr. Smith does not have a clue of our historic structures in town or California law, which requires the preservation of historic buildings and their features. Historic buildings are more valuable to our city than other structures. They bring in tourists who leave money. Obviously Mr. Smith is one of the few who does not know our history. He’s shooting from the hip after reading one article. The Beach Club is almost 100 years old. Our San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
something that hideous if you are doing a family intervention. Reyn Spooner Christmas shirts are an exception. They are forgiven for always including a surfing Santa or something else so daft it excuses itself. The problem in Orange County is that many of the dads here have an entire closet full of these perennial collectables. Of course there are always food options to give as gifts. A great thing to get people who are dieting is one of those god-awful fruitcakes. Preferably one you received last Christmas, but haven’t even unwrapped. At least they won’t be tempted to eat it. Another benefit is that they can be given again next year by the person you sent it to. In fact there are rumors of people receiving WAVELENGTHS holiday fruitcakes that By Jim Kempton have been circulating for years. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. And then there is cheese. Nothing says holidays like a big, fat, plastic-encased cheese log. Regarding the inescapable holiday party invitations—please don’t select Eggnog as your contribution when the host says “just bring something to drink.” What temporary insanity inspired us to celebrate Christmas by mixing rum and raw egg yolks? It’s as silly as highly flammable trees (right next to the fireplace) strung with faulty strands of cheap “made in China” electrical lights wrapped around founder Ole Hanson deeded the property to the city thinking that they would take good care of it through the years. Mr. Ghantous wanted the community to know what is really going on. Most people are too busy making a living to show any interest. It’s those few people who really care about these historic properties who are sounding the horn. I’m sure that they do not know that our city is making major changes to this historic building. It’s not too late to contact our City Council with your thoughts. The Historical Society is very concerned about the removal of historic arched windows facing the pool. It’s not over ’til it’s over.
KEEP SAN CLEMENTE’S HOSPITAL FOR ALL OF AREA RUTH CLARK, San Juan Capistrano
To the City Councils and residents of Dana Point, Capistrano Beach, and San Juan Capistrano: San Clemente Hospital (and its emergency room) is important to all of us. It is staffed by excellent doctors and nurses. It is close and easy to get to for ambulances and local people (plus free parking). Many lives have been saved due to its easy access and convenience.
rickety branches full of dried pine needles. Kids gifts are easier—what kid wouldn’t want Razor Crazy Cart Spinning Go Kart at $349? Keep in mind though, that spending extra on the very best toys may be a waste of time. According to a survey, of all the presents received at Christmas, one in 10 will be broken by the New Year, only 40 percent will make it to March and just a quarter will be intact by next Christmas. There is a reliable scientific theorem that has proven the expensive gifts will always be in the group that breaks before the spring thaw. Another tip: Don’t get batteries when purchasing anything electronic. A set of batteries can sometimes cost more than the item it charges. Then again, one of my friends told me he gets batteries wrapped as a present with a card that says “toys not included.” Of course by now you are wondering: is there going to be a hint about what not to buy for the ladies? Forget it. If I knew the answer to that quandary I wouldn’t be writing newspaper columns. Merry Christmas. Jim Kempton, a surfer and writer living in San Clemente, will sneak out for a Christmas morning surf before enjoying eggnog, fruitcake and a couple of cheese logs while unwrapping Christmas sweaters and expensive toys with his family and friends. 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
Minutes can make the difference between life and death. Other hospitals are miles and time away. It is the only local hospital not under Catholic Church control which is important for contraceptive and secular patients. As our area grows, and it will, we need a local hospital; we have always been the neglected triangle area of south Orange County. Mission Hospital is large and like a factory. I have been a patient at Laguna Mission and San Clemente and I have had the best care and life-saving care at San Clemente Hospital, plus they have a chef and the food is great, which is important in recovery. Good food is great for patient morale and something to look forward to, as basically, hospital life is not where we want to be—and rather boring—between tests and treatments. Please support saving San Clemente Hospital. Write a letter to MemorialCare: 17360 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 and support the San Clemente City Council, you can email all of the members: CityCouncil@san-clemente.org. Or send a letter to: San Clemente City Council, San Clemente City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente, CA 92672. We all need San Clemente Hospital and emergency care.
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San Clemente Times, Vol. 9, 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 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: Nonprofit Spotlight by Suzanne Ansari
Being a (Shoe) Angel Paying it forward by giving local families, kids new shoes
H
ow many pairs of shoes do you own? Even after a big shoe purge this year, I still have 17 pairs of shoes taking up space in my closet. Today, the average American woman owns about 20 pairs of shoes and men average around 12. Many of us have more shoes than we need and most can afford to buy even more. But what if your closet was empty and you weren’t able to buy those new shoes that everyone else has and you need? Many people in our community are struggling to provide just basic necessities like food and rent. New shoes are often way down on the list of priorities. Judi Briere knows what it’s like to be without money or new shoes. A single mother of three and at one time homeless, Briere was given a chance by a compassionate stranger that changed her life. She vowed to “pay it forward” after the owner of a local building company offered her a job and gave her money to buy new tools and work boots. I’m a Shoe Angel, Inc., an Orange County nonprofit, was founded by Briere in 2013 to give community volunteers an opportunity to give back to those in need by providing new shoes to people of all ages in south Orange County. “I have a very personal understanding of just how painful it is to have to tell your kids you can’t afford the new shoes they need because you have to buy food, or pay rent instead,” said Briere. “I can finally pay it forward and honor the kindness and generosity shown to me and my kids, by helping make life just a bit easier on those families and individuals in similar situations.” The nonprofit celebrated a one-year anniversary with a shopping and shoe giveaway event at BIG 5 in Capistrano Beach in November. Eight kids nominated from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley were selected and paired with a Shoe Angel volunteer. They were able to pick out brand new shoes of their choice,
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 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. Page 11
I’m a Shoe Angel gave away shoes to eight area youth last month. Photo: Courtesy Suzanne Ansari
valued up to $50. The charity has also provided new shoes for homeless clients and families referred from iHope and Serving People in Need. The Shoe Angels plan to continue shoe giveaway events at BIG 5 and Kohl’s every other month for the youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. They will partner with angelbins.com in early 2015 for a local shoe drive. Help “I’m a Shoe Angel” continue to make a difference in our community, two steps at a time. To refer someone in need of new shoes, volunteer or become a sponsor, call 949.388.9769 or visit www.imashoeangel.com. Suzanne Ansari is a technical writer and HR consultant. She is an advisor to the Community Resource Center and serves on the San Clemente Collaborative Leadership, Youth and Senior Affairs Committees. 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
Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso. Nonie Fickling, President of San Clemente Friends of the Library, will be the guest at this week’s event. She’ll discuss the oraganization’s upcoming Meet the Authors luncheon and library expansion project. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Jim Shilander every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome. www.sanclementetimes.com
SC GETTING OUT San Clemente
YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
The List What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF
Thursday | 11 MERMADE MARKET 9 a.m.-8 p.m. The second semi-annual Mermade Market handmade-only craft bazaar features original crafts unique to this show. You will find fine art, holiday gifts, jewelry, décor, candles, textiles and more. Dec. 11-13. Event is free to attend. Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point, www.mermademarket.com.
Sunday | 14
Green Flash Gallery, The Riders Club, Noll Surfboards Gallery and Knuckleheads Sports Bar. KIRK KEGEL ARTIST RECEPTION 5 p.m. Rock art photographer Kirk Kegel, a long-time resident of San Clemente, will be showing his work, framed and canvas wrapped art, ready to hang, and matted prints ready to frame. Kegel will be discussing several new works that will be on display, including “Menagerie,” a picture of a unique and rare jasper that to some portrays a forest of animals in the natural rock. And “Crystal Island” an arctic wilderness found inside a thunderegg. Designs by Nature, 400 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.498.8358, www.designsbynature.com. A CHRISTMAS CAROL 8 p.m. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future lead Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., Sunday performances at 2 p.m. Runs until Dec. 21. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org. LIVE MUSIC AT OC TAVERN 9:30 p.m. Live music every Friday and Saturday night. Free. 2369 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.542.8877, www.octavern.com.
Saturday | 13 Four Shillings Short will appear at San Clemente Art Supply Thursday. Photo: Courtesy
FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Live traditional and original music from the Celtic lands, medieval and renaissance Europe, India and the Americas played on world instruments including dulcimer, mandolin, sitar, tinwhistle, banjo, percussion, psaltery and more. Donations accepted. San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.
Friday | 12 NORTH BEACH ART WALK 6 p.m. The Art Walk will begin at Artwistic Creations in San Clemente and progress down North El Camino Real, ending with the official After Party Headquarters at Knuckleheads Sports Bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., located at Avenida Pico and El Camino Real. Attendees must be over 21 to attend the after party. Participating Businesses include: Artwistic Creations, T. Patterson Surfboards, The Mint Gallery, Bull Taco, San Clemente Art Supply AKA San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
TRAIL CLEANING AND WEEDING 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Volunteer with the Reserve to help keep the trials clean and clear weeds. Bring work gloves if you have them. Drinks and snacks provided. The Richard and Donna O’Neil Conservancy, call for directions, 949.923.2210, www. rmvreserve.org. SANTA PAWS 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation is hosting the third Annual Santa Paws event. Bring your pet and have their picture taken with Santa for a small fee. 34642 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 949.496.6177, www.petprojectfoundation.com. SOUTH COAST SINGERS 4 p.m. Join the South Coast Singers for their holiday concert series “A Season of Love and Joy.” Event is free, but tickets need to be reserved at www.southcoastsingers.org. St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente.
SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday on Avenida Del Mar. Rain or shine. WINTER WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Jan. 20. See more events at www.danawharf.com. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603.
Monday | 15 MOMMY MOVIE MONDAYS 10 a.m. Moms and dads are welcome to bring their baby along to the theater every Monday at Krikorian Theaters. 641 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, 949.661.7610, www.kptmovies.com.
Tuesday | 16 ILLUMINOCEAN HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Dana Point Harbor will be lit up with holiday lighting displays including 22 large-scale oceaninspired holiday sculptures and 23 miles of glowing LED strands. Weekends will feature street performers, glow merchandise and “Whale Eyes” 3D glasses that give the lights a holographic look. The event is free to attend and will be held through January 4. Dana Point Harbor Drive, www.mydanapoint.com/dana-point-illuminocean. DREAM BROTHER 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.
Wednesday | 17 KRIS WINRICH 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.
UPCOMING: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
GREETINGS! 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $20, $15 for students. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.
A CABRILLO CHRISTMAS 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. San Clemente resident Mike Chamberlin presents “A Cabrillo Christmas” at the Cabrillo Playhouse. There will be a special appearance from Frosty the Snowman. Tickets are $15. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.
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Photo: Courtesy Fox Searchlight
At the Movies: Go ‘Wild’ with Reese BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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fter the global acclaim and awards for Sean Penn’s Into the Wild (2007) and Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours (2010), it was only a matter of time before the female perspective of the wilderness would occur. The actress up to the challenge became Reese Witherspoon in Jean-Marc Vallée’s Wild. Based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of her cross country hike in 1995, the film is a big return to and reminder of Witherspoon’s gutsy, indie roots before becoming America’s sweetheart. After Cheryl (Witherspoon) and her husband Paul (Thomas Sadoski) divorce, she makes the crazy decision to hike the Pacific Coast Trail all by herself. Realizing she still hasn’t recovered from her mother’s (Laura Dern) death or her years as a drug addict, Cheryl thinks she needs to completely breakaway to move on. Along the way we see her struggle and fight along the desert and woods, and recount her life thus far. W. Earl Brown and Gaby Hoffmann co-star. Fresh off of Dallas Buyers Club, Vallée chooses another biopic to direct Witherspoon. With copious amounts of foul language, sex, drug use, and emotional and physical pain, Wild is the most ambitious project of the Oscarwinning star since American Psycho 14 years earlier. Dern and Hoffmann are good as Cheryl’s life support, while Vallée succeeds in penning, what could be Witherspoon’s second Oscar nominated performance. Behind Laggies and Gone Girl, Wild is one of the greatest female leads film of 2014. SC
For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.sanclementetimes.com. Have an event? Send your listing to events@sanclementetimes.com www.sanclementetimes.com
SC SC LIVING San Clemente
PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
Zebra House Coffee’s addition of a twice a month “Open Mic Night” has given budding artists an outlet.
Open Mic Night in San Clemente Coffee house gives opportunity for young and older artists alike PHOTOS AND TEXT BY CATHERINE MANSO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
T
wice a month, Zebra House Coffee posts a sign-up sheet near the register for Open Mic Night. The local coffee shop transforms into a music venue for all who want to get in front of a microphone and perform. Daniel Murillo, barista and event coordinator, hosts the event on the first and third Friday of every month. “I have a passion for music and bringing people together,” Murillo said. “I approached the bosses and I shared with them the little vision I had in my heart, and they were cool with it and they let me run with it.” Murillo has worked for Zebra
to play for people “whoNicelisten. ” —Performer Jim Celer
San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
Forty-eight local youths participated in the Mariners Sea Scouts Southwestern Rendezvous event on Camp Pendleton on the weekend of Dec. 5. Photo: Courtesy
Mariners 936 Sea Scouts Score High at Southwestern Rendezvous
It’s nice to share it with “people who share a passion for it with me. ” S
SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
ea Scouts local chapter Mariners 936 attended the Southwestern Rendezvous event on Camp Pendleton on the weekend of Dec. 5. Sea Scouts gathered for three days of competitions in the event that has been held since 1935. The events tested the scouts on maritime skills and leadership abilities in 18 different events. The Mariners 936, which includes members from San Clemente, placed in the top three of all events. The Boatswain’s team was led by Kyle Baldovin. His team scored highly
—Nicole Rowe
house Coffee since March 2013 and began Open Mic Night over a year ago. Owners Jay and Robin McIlwee extend the shop hours for the event. The usual hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week, but two Fridays out of the month, the shop stays open until 9 p.m. Locals between the ages of 7 and 50 come to perform various songs and exhibit their voice or instrument, and others attend to support their local musicians and enjoy a cup of coffee with the show. Students of Biff Cooper, from the Beach Cities Rock Club, use the event to practice performing in front of an audience. “It’s really rare to have such an artistic outlet in San Clemente, and it’s not surprising this open mic is connected to the new Rock n Roll music school,” said patron Jon Gazdecki. Open Mic Night allows community members to select a 10 minute time slot between the hours of 6 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. There is no fee to participate and a variety of beverages and snacks are available for purchase. Musicians and Zebra House regulars alike have enjoyed the new addition. “We need this here,” Todd Metzger, a Zebra House regular, said. SC
on multiple events and was awarded the prestigious Windjammer trophy, the highest award of the weekend. Mariner team H, led by Rachel Hunter, completed scuttlebutt with the fastest time and was awarded the prized Scuttle-off trophy. Mariners 936 is based out of Dana Point Harbor and offers the opportunity to sail, cruise, compete, and learn maritime skills in a co-ed group for youth 14 to 18 years old. More information is available at www.mariners936. com or by e-mail at info@mariners936. com. SC
Sudoku BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:
Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium
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See today’s solution in next week’s issue.
www.sanclementetimes.com
SC LIVING
The Hardest Time
The hardest part of what the family is going through now, she said, is working through the combination of her physical limitations with the role Doug had played in their son Dylan’s life. Dylan, 8, is a second grader at Vista Del Mar Elementary School. “When I was working I worked a lot, very long hours,” she said. “Doug was like Dylan’s mom and dad. He took him to school, he worked in the classroom, the playdates with other kids. He was very involved. Dylan’s passion is skateboarding. Doug would skate with him and take him to skateparks.” In the last few weeks, Christine said, neighbors and the parents of Dylan’s school friends have worked to help out, preparing meals or driving Dylan to school. Christine’s parents also help take care of Dylan, and help Christine with her treatments. Dylan himself, she said, is working through what’s happened. “He’s such a strong little boy,” Christine said. “He’s sad, of course, but I’ve been keeping him busy. He’s definitely sad in the mornings, when his dad would get him breakfast and they’d walk to school together. But he’s doing OK.” Her prospects for help with her illness have improved since the publication of a story in her hometown newspaper, The Daily Breeze, in Hermosa Beach. CedarsSinai, where Christine is being treated, has been receiving calls about helping as the result of the piece. Those looking to help should email myrau@verizon.net. More information, including fundraising information, can be found at www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/-kidney4christine/264837. SC
San Clemente woman dealing with illness, family tragedy BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
C
hristine Schneider’s immune system has been fighting her own body since she was a teenager. Lupus has already forced her to receive one kidney transplant. Now, she’s dealing with another very serious loss while waiting to hear about another transplant. Schneider’s husband, Doug, was killed last month in a dirt bike accident while on a trip with friends. The trip was in remembrance of another friend who’d passed away two years ago from a heart attack. “He was an amazing person,” Christine said. “He had so much energy and cared so much about people. He wanted to make them laugh. He was a surfer, a skater, a dirt bike rider,” she said. Schneider, who has suffered from lupus since she was a teenager, does dialysis every day at her parent’s home in Talega, including being hooked up to a machine for nine hours every night. She received a kidney donation from her brother in 2001, but the autoimmune disease has taken its toll. “Organs last for a long time, but sometimes they don’t last forever,” Schneider said. “I basically rejected after several years. There were more complications as I went along, which is why they try to find the best matches possible.”
GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake
Finding Love After 75 is Possible Age shouldn’t be a cause to give up on finding romance
S
ingles ages 50 to 80 often say to me, “I’m too old to meet somebody.” I tell them they are wrong. Today I share three stories of how couples in their mid70s found love. These stories were sent to me this week by subscribers to my weekly “On Life and Love After 50” online newsletter. The subscribers reside throughout the USA, Canada and in many foreign countries. Zoe of Glastonbury, England, emailed: San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
Above: Christine Schneider with her son Dylan. Schneider is awaiting a kidney transplant. Photo: Courtesy Right: Schneider’s husband, Doug was killed last month in a dirt bike accident. Photo: Broza Photo
Schneider said she and her husband moved to San Clemente to be with her parents in July 2013, after her worsening condition had forced her to leave her job as a commercial executive producer. “We like it here a lot,” Schneider said. “What’s been hard for us is that since we’ve moved here we haven’t had a chance to meet people, because I’ve been so sick.” Schneider said she’s tried to work but found it difficult due to her physical limitations.
“The actress Dame Judi Dench turns 80 on Dec. 9. When Michael Williams, her beloved husband of 30 years, died in 2001, it never occurred to her to think of another man in her life.” “But fate, in the guise of a few red squirrels, changed that. A neighbor, David Mills, has established the British Wildlife Center. He invited Dame Judi to the opening of a new accommodation for his red squirrels. Their relationship started from there. She was 76 and he was 68.” “They are seen everywhere together but both lead busy lives and live in their separate homes. We aren’t all Judi Dench, of course, but she met the ON LIFE AND right man by doing just LOVE AFTER 50 what you, Tom, always By Tom Blake recommend to older singles—moving outside the comfort zone and doing something new. I doubt that Dame Judi had opening a home for red squirrels on her agenda as a stage set for romance.” Another subscriber, Carm, 75, a Jackson, Mich., high school classmate of mine, spends six months each year living in
Barra, Mexico, about four hours south of Puerto Vallarta. A year ago, a relationship he was involved in for several years ended. Carm emailed, “I have a new (and last) girlfriend here in Barra. She’s recently widowed but we’ve known each other for seven years. She has lived here for 14 years. She’s originally from England but moved to Canada in her early 30s and has been in Mexico for 18 years. A year older than me and so fine. “She has a house to sell, then we’re off to Italy for a month. When we return, we’ll be searching for a new town in Mexico to live -- likely Oaxaca. I’m very happy.” A third newsletter reader, Rich, also 75, described how he recently found love: “As a widower of three years, I attended a sketching and painting program in Northern Wisconsin in September. I met Rose, a widow my age, who is a watercolor artist, photographer, birder with a quick wit and a huge sense of humor. “We found, as two active, upbeat persons, that we had many common interests and views which lead to a strong attraction. We accept each other as we find each other now, not comparing our current relationship to what we had with our
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spouses. Rose lives in Iowa while I am in the suburbs of Chicago, 300 miles apart. “We split time between the two locations. We would never have met if we did not follow our artistic interests in a group setting. Rose is my love for the rest of my live. Happy does not begin to describe the joy we both feel.” Is 75 too old to find love? No, as these three couples discovered. When people get out of the house and pursue outside interests, they dramatically improve their chances of finding romance. And as the band Pablo Cruise sang in the 1970s, “Love will find a way.” To sign up for my complimentary newsletter, go to the home page of www. findingloveafter50.com or email me at tompblake@gmail.com. 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 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.
www.sanclementetimes.com
SC LIVING
This Last Supper mosaic is one of 15 Stations of the Cross crafted by local artist Lance Jost near the Saddleback Church in San Juan Capistrano. Visitors can find the trail of stations on the west side of the I-5 freeway between Avery Parkway and Junipero Serra, next door to the Mercedes Benz Dealership. Photo: Courtesy Donna Jost
Mosaics Transform Saddleback Church Scenery
Local artist creates mosaic Stations of the Cross for Rancho Capistrano church BY ALLISON JARRELL, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
V
isitors to Rancho Capistrano’s Saddleback Church in San Juan Capistrano can now enjoy a trail of mosaic scenes showcasing the 15 Stations of the Cross, thanks to the craftsmanship of local artist Lance Jost. Jost, who lives in Dana Point with his wife Donna, completed the stations last month following two years of meticulous work. Jost has an extensive history of commissioned artwork—from the famous 100-foot long Electric Lady Mural, custommade in the 70s for Jimi Hendrix’s recording studio in Greenwich Village, to more recent mosaics on Dana Point’s Pacific Coast Highway pedestrian bridge. Jost also helped create the nautically-themed fountain in Dana Point’s La Plaza Park, along with landscape architect Yvonne English. As a person of faith, Jost said he felt
compelled to create spiritually-oriented artwork for the church. So in 2012, he began working with Saddleback Church to craft the mosaic Stations of the Cross. With the church’s surrounding open space, spring-fed lake and tree-covered trails, Jost said he was “overjoyed to have such a beautiful site” to work with. Each mosaic scene is 3 feet by 4 feet, with the exception of the Last Supper which measures 4 feet by 8 feet. The stations’ sculpted figures are cast in glass so their color won’t fade, and each background is made of mixed mediums like stone and marble. Jost said one of the most gratifying moments following the project’s completion was when he received an email from Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren, thanking him for his work. Jost said there’s been discussion of doing a large mosaic of Christ being baptized behind the church’s baptismal font. SC
Jost was commissioned by the City of Dana Point in 2008 to create two large mosaics for the Pacific Coast Highway pedestrian bridge, including this “Whales Breaching” mural. Photo: Allison Jarrell
San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente
STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE
Tritons Fall to Mustangs 44-37 in CIF-SS Championship BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
I
t was a play San Clemente’s Sam Darnold and Vlad Dzhabiyev had linked up for countless times in practice and in games this season. Darnold broke left on a run play, trailing Trabuco Hills 37-34 with 7:51 to go in the CIF-SS Southwest Division Championship game, and decided at the last second to pitch the ball to Dzhabiyev, who’d been flanking the run. But the trusty play that works more often than not backfired, as the ball bounced off Dzhabiyev’s chest and into the air. Trabuco Hills linebacker Colin Schooler grabbed the ball out of the cold night air and ran it 27 yards the other way to put Trabuco up by 10 points in the fourth quarter. The 14-point swing ultimately sealed a 44-37 victory, and the championship, for the Mustangs on Dec. 5. “It’s a tough play. (Darnold) is just trying to make a play happen and unfortunately the pitch mesh wasn’t there and (Schooler) made a great play on the ball and changed the momentum of the game,” San Clemente head coach Jaime Ortiz said. The estimated 6,500 in attendance at Thalassa Stadium were treated to not only a re-match of the top two teams in the Sea View League, but also a shootout contest
San Clemente running back Brandon Reaves scores during the second quarter against Trabuco Hills on Dec. 5. Photo: KDahlgren Photography
that featured six lead changes. Both quarterbacks were responsible for the offensive barrage early. Darnold rushed for 130 yards and one touchdown in the first half, including a spectacular 71-yard scoring burst that came on fourth down on the Mustangs side of the field. Darnold also lobbed a 16yard touchdown strike to Brandon Reaves that cut into the Mustangs’ lead, 24-21, in the second quarter. Darnold finished the game completing 12 of 15 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown. He had 181 yards rushing with two scores on 14 carries. Trabuco Hills quarterback Jimmy Jacobs was just as effective, making plays with his feet and through the air. Jacobs punched in a 24-yard scoring run midway through the second quarter, then con-
An estimated 6,500 fans were in attendance to watch San Clemente play Trabuco Hills for the CIF-SS Southwest Division Championship on Dec. 5. Photo: KDahlgren Photography
San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
To finish 12-2, that’s “awesome. That’s something to build on. The senior class did a great job building up this program back where it needs to belong.
—Head Coach Jaime Ortiz
”
nected on scoring passes from 13 and 24 yards out, respectively, to receiver Jacob Breeland, the latter featuring a leaping catch in the end zone that gave the Mustangs a 30-21 lead at the half. Jacobs ended the night with 138 passing yards and three touchdowns.
San Clemente came roaring out of the gate in the second half, scoring in less than two minutes on an 11-yard Dzhabiyev touchdown run. The San Clemente defense held the Mustangs to limited yards in the third quarter while the offense tacked on one more score, an 11-yard Darnold keeper that gave San Clemente a brief 34-30 lead. While they came up ultimately short of their goal of a CIF-SS Championship, the Tritons accomplished a remarkable turnaround in 2014. Last year the Tritons went 2-8 overall, including an 0-4 run through the South Coast League. As soon as the season ended, the thought of “Operation Redemption” was born. The coaching staff and players had settled on the “Operation Redemption” term as their mantra and rallying cry for the new season. The Tritons wanted to put themselves back on the Orange County football landscape in a big way. Signs, shirts, even a popular Twitter hashtag, #operationredemption, kept the saying fresh on the minds of those in town. The team bought in and, although the last game of the year was a loss, accomplished quite a bit. They ended the year with a 12-2 overall record, captured the program’s first league championship since 1999 and appeared in a CIF-SS Championship game for the first time since 2011. “To finish 12-2, that’s awesome. That’s something to build on. The senior class did a great job building up this program back where it needs to belong,” Ortiz said. “To be honest, we’re just getting started. We return a lot of guys next year and this is a young football team. I think this senior leadership has shown these kids what winning is all about and I expect great things from our kids next year.” SC
Trabuco Hills quarterback Jimmy Jacobs runs the ball against San Clemente on Dec. 5. Photo: KDahlgren Photography
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San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
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San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
Page 25
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SPORTS & OUTDOORS
Triton Report
the guards providing an early spark. Junior guard Gage Shelmidine and senior Joe Mann are averaging 10.8 and 11 points per game, respectively. But the man running the show has been senior Nick Crankshaw, who leads the team in points per game (12.3), rebounds (7.8), assists (7) and steals (3.5). The Tritons will host the Orange County-San Diego Showdown on campus on Dec. 13. Capistrano Valley, Tesoro, El Toro and San Clemente will represent Orange County. The Tritons will play La Jolla in the final match of the day at 7:30 p.m.
BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
For in-game updates, news, scores and more for all of the San Clemente High School winter sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.
Tritons Wrestling Falls to Dolphins, Takes First at Millikan Duals The South Coast League wrestling schedule is about as tough as it gets. Three teams in the five-member league are ranked inside the CIF-SS Coastal Division top-10 poll and on Dec. 9, the league showed its considerable depth. Sixth-ranked San Clemente traveled to play rival Dana Hills on Dec. 9 and the Dolphins, the unranked team who finished third in league last year, pulled off a 36-30 upset victory. It was the first time Dana Hills had defeated San Clemente since 2003. Before their dual meet with the Dolphins, the Tritons notched a first-place finish at the Millikan Dual Meet Championships in Long Beach on Dec. 6. The meet featured several Triton victories over potential CIF-SS competition. The Tritons went 7-1 overall at the event, including two key wins over South Hills and Arroyo, two teams the Tritons could possibly see in the postseason. San Clemente began the tournament by taking down defending CIF-SS Northwest Division champion Warren, 31-28, on Dec. 5. That day also featured wins over Otay Ranch and Long Beach Wilson. On Dec. 6, the Tritons defeated Los Alamitos 40-23 before losing to host Long Beach Millikan, 38-33. San Clemente also picked up a dominating 60-9 win over Bonita on Dec. 6. San Clemente was not alone at the top of the podium. Warren and Millikan also went 7-1 in the tournament, with Warren defeating Millikan in the earlier rounds. That put the two teams, including the Tritons, in a three-way tie for first place.
Girls Basketball Loses Preview Match with Titans In a sign of things to come, the San Clemente and Tesoro girls basketball teams squared off against one another in a nonleague game on Dec. 5. The Titans, who enter the South Coast League this season, defeated the reigning league champion Tritons 59-41. The two will face each other in their first league game on Jan. 8. San Clemente will host Warren in a nonleague game on Dec. 16. San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
Darnold Named League MVP, Whimpey Picks up Offer from Broncos
San Clemente sophomore Kyle Marshall, right, wrestles during the Millikan Duals on Dec. 6. Courtesy photo
Girls Soccer Drops Two in a Row After losing 5-2 to Tesoro in their nonleague season opener on Dec. 2, the San Clemente girls soccer team lost to Beckman, 2-1, on the road on Dec. 9. The Tritons will host Troy in a nonleague contest on Dec. 11.
Girls Water Polo Opens Season With Win Over Chargers On Dec. 4, in their first match of the season, the San Clemente girls water polo team easily defeated visiting Edison, 8-4, in a nonleague match. The Tritons, who entered the season ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 2, held a 4-1 lead at the half and scored four more goals in the finals two quarters to seal the win over the Chargers, who were on the bubble of the most recent CIF-SS Division 1 rankings. Rachel Brownell, Amber McCutcheon, Tera Richardson and Makenna Smith all scored two goals for San Clemente in the win. San Clemente will travel to play Villa Park on Dec. 11.
Boys Hoops Runs Through Inferno Tourney The San Clemente boys basketball team opened their season with a huge 71-50 victory over Temecula Valley in the Diablo Inferno Tournament at Mission Viejo High School on Dec. 2.
San Clemente senior quarterback Sam Darnold was recently named the Sea View League MVP. Darnold led the Tritons to the Sea View League title and an appearance in the CIF-SS Southwest Division Championship game. Darnold, a USC commit, completed over 66 percent of his passes for 3,200 yards, 39 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He also rushed for 775 yards and 13 touchdowns on 117 carries this season. San Clemente senior middle linebacker Riley Whimpey received an offer from Boise State University on Dec. 1, head coach Jaime Ortiz confirmed in an email. Whimpey, who transferred to San Clemente from Utah over the offseason, led the Tritons linebacking corps in 2014. The 6-foot-2-inch senior had a team-leading 159 tackles with five sacks and two interceptions. “Very blessed to receive an offer from Boise St. tonight. Great start to the week!” Whimpey posted on his personal Twitter account on Dec. 1. According to Ortiz, Whimpey is also being recruited by Fresno State, Utah, Brigham Young University, Washington, Hawaii and Utah State.
Tritons Soccer Gains Traction
Senior forward Matias Ledesma leads the San Clemente boys soccer team in points through three games. Photo: Steve Breazeale
The Tritons, playing without several impact players who were away with the football team, trounced the fourth-ranked team in the CIF-SS Division 1A polls. San Clemente would go on to play against three other top-15 teams at the tournament, losing to Canyon, defeating Woodbridge and falling to Sonora, respectively. The Tritons beat Woodbridge 74-46 on Dec. 4 as part of the tournament, but lost to the Warriors 63-56 in a nonleague game three days later. The Tritons have been getting production from up and down their lineup, with
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Third-ranked Paramount traveled to play the San Clemente boys soccer team Dec. 3 and came away with a 2-0 victory. But that didn’t slow San Clemente down for long. The fourth-ranked Tritons bounced back from the season opening loss with consecutive wins over Tesoro and Santa Ana on Dec. 6. San Clemente won both nonleague matches by way of shutout. They defeated the Titans 1-0 and blanked Santa Ana 2-0. Senior forward Matias Ledesma scored points in each of the last two matches. He notched his first goal of the season against Tesoro and added an assist against Santa Ana. The Tritons were scheduled to host Dana Hills in a nonleague match on Dec. 10. Results were not available at press time. www.sanclementetimes.com
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SC SURF
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A Mystery at the Surf Museum
RESULTS
Murph the Surf’s ‘Parole Board’ at Surfing Heritage to be featured on ‘Mysteries at the Museum’ BY ANDREA SWAYNE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
T
he Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente will be featured on the Friday, Dec. 12 episode of The Travel Channel show “Mysteries at the Museum.” One of the show’s three segments, “The Heist of the Century,” tells the story of Jack “Murph the Surf” Murphy, Alan Kuhn and Roger Clark pulling off one of the most notorious jewel heists in history. The three stole the Star of India, a 563.35-carat, nearly flawless star sapphire along with dozens of other jewels from the J.P. Morgan jewel collection on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The de Long Ruby and the Eagle Diamond were among the precious gems stolen in the 1964 burglary. The SHACC museum is now home to a surfboard, shaped by Phil Edwards, that was given to Murphy when he was released from prison after serving 21 months of a three-year sentence. The board is signed by Ronald Patterson, Sandy Banks, Danny Brawner and Flea, who all had a hand in its production, said Barry Haun, curator at SHACC. “We’re very excited to be part of the Travel Channel’s show and to have both our founder, Dick Metz and the surfboard that was given to Jack Murphy upon his release from prison, featured in the episode,” Haun said. “By no means do we condone any sort of criminal behavior,
Surfers Jack “Murph the Surf” Murphy and Dick Catri are shown here in January at Surf Expo in Florida with Murphy’s “Parole Board.” Photo: Sharon Marshall
but we do acknowledge that this was part of both surfing and America’s history regarding the highest profile jewel theft caper to have taken place in the US.” Murphy was convicted of murder and another jewel theft in 1968 and sentenced to life in prison but was paroled in 1986. He is now an ordained minister in prison ministry. His story was the subject of the 1975 movie, Murph the Surf. The surfboard and its history can be seen at SHACC, 110 Calle Iglesia in San Clemente. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and for groups, by appointment. For more information, call 949.388.0313 or log on to www.surfingheritage.org. SC
GROM OF THE WEEK
COLE MEZAK Cole Mezak, 12, of San Juan Capistrano, is ready to return to competition after taking a two-year hiatus to free surf and travel. His first foray back into surf contests came Sunday at the Western Surfing Association event at the San Clemente Pier. Cole said his return was prompted by missing his friends who surf competitively and the desire to keep challenging himself to improve. Although he was on the alternate list and didn’t make it into the event, he is excited and committed to finishing the second half of the season. “Contests help me progress,” he said. “Seeing the other kids doing better tricks than me makes me want to get better. I like the challenge of WSA contests. There are a lot of good surfers and everybody is so nice.” Cole’s travels have taken him to Hawaii, San Clemente Times December 11–17, 2014
Cole Mezak. Photo: Hao Blake Chang
Costa Rica and Mexico. He left for his next adventure to Hawaii on Thursday to surf at Velzyland on Oahu’s North Shore. “Velzyland gets really fun and you can get some airs on the inside,” Cole said. A seventh-grader at La Paz Middle School, Cole tries to utilize a tutorial period during the school day to finish his homework to keep his grades in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ range and so that he can surf after school as many days per week as possible. Cole has been surfing since the age of
WSA Championship Tour Event No. 5, December 6-7, San Clemente, Pier MICRO GROM BOYS U9: 1. Eli Park, Carlsbad; 2. Maddox Bray, San Clemente; 3. Hudson Saunders, Laguna Beach; 4. Brady Hurley, Laguna Niguel; 5. Shane Stacy, Dana Point; 6. Peyton Shaw, San Clemente. MICRO GROM GIRLS U10: 1. Jenna Clark, La Mesa; 2. Sawyer Lindblad, San Clemente; 3. Mara Morales, Huntington Beach; 4. Bella Kenworthy, Dana Point; 5. Malia Callahan, Ventura; 6. Lauren Anderson, Long Beach. BOYS/ GIRLS U10: 1. Hayden Rodgers, Laguna Beach; 2. Dane Matson, San Clemente; 3. Cole McCaffray, Cardiff by the Sea; 4. Makai Bray, San Clemente; 5. Lucas Owston, Oceanside; 6. Hudson Saunders, Laguna Beach. BOYS U12: 1. Monnojyo Yahagi, Kanagawa, Japan; 2. Levi Slawson, Encinitas; 3. Nicholas Coli, San Clemente; 4. Noa Dupouy, Mimizan, France; 5. Hayden Rodgers, Laguna Beach; 6. Sam Piter, Seignosse, France. BOYS U14: 1. Ryan Martin, San Clemente; 2. Hagan Johnson, San Clemente; 3. Ethan Mudge, Capistrano Beach; 4. Taro Watanabe, Malibu; 5. Levi Slawson, Encinitas; 6. Caleb Crozier, Encinitas. BOYS U16: 1. Riaru Ito, Miyazaki, Japan; 2. Ben Seaberry, Huntington Beach; 3. Gavin Doan, Carlsbad; 4. David Economos, San Clemente; 5. Parker Cohn, Newport Beach; 6. Hagan Johnson, San Clemente. BOYS U18: 1. Kei Kobayashi, San Clemente; 2. Ethan Grant, Carlsbad; 3. Christopher Kervin, Newport Beach; 4. Nathan Young, Fountain Valley; 5. Ben Seaberry, Huntington Beach; 6. Jake Wetzel, Carlsbad. GIRLS U12: 1. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad; 2. Mathea Dempfle - Olin, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 3. Bryce Ava Wettstein, Encinitas; 4. Jenna Clark, La Mesa; 5. Ella McCaffray, Cardiff-by-theSea; 6. Hannah Dunfee, San Diego. GIRLS U14: 1. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad; 2. Kirra Pinkerton, San Clemente; 3. Kayla Coscino, Laguna Beach; 4. Mathea Dempfle - Olin, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 5. Chiasa Maruyama, Huntington Beach; 6. Sydney Tisdel, Carlsbad. GIRLS U16: 1. Kiersten Noonan, Encinitas; 2. Kayla Coscino, Laguna Beach; 3. Peyton Slater, Vista; 4. Sydney Tisdel, Carlsbad; 5. Coral McDuffee, Oceanside; 6. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano. GIRLS U18: 1. Maya Saulino, San Marcos; 2. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano; 3. Kiersten Noonan, Encinitas; 4. Sierra Garcia, Long Beach; 5. DaniRose Hill, San Diego; 6. Emily Flavin, Santa Monica. BOYS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Ben Kappes, Laguna Niguel; 2. Jimmy Wynne, San Clemente; 3. Jameson Roller, Laguna Beach; 4. Jack Collins, San Clemente; 5. Johnathan La Pointe, San Juan Capistrano; 6. Riley Branom, Dana Point. JR. LONGBOARD U18: 1. Trevor Anderberg, Encinitas; 2. Andrew Neal, Manhattan Beach; 3. Kevin Skvarna, San Juan Capistrano; 4. Kaimana Takayama, San Clemente; 5. Benjamin Goldstein, Carlsbad; 6. Ben Kappes, Laguna
two, when he started riding waves on the nose of his dad’s board and he can’t imagine a life without it. “It’s just fun and lets you get away,” he said. “Surfing just makes me my own person. It’s good self-expression and takes away stress. And it gets my muscles going, makes me stronger. And I like the adrenaline rush.” When asked what he thinks taking time off from contests did for his surfing, Cole said the freedom has been good for his skills and his quest for a future career as a professional surfer—either free surfing or on the World Tour. “My snaps have more power and I’m boosting airs more frequently now,” Cole said, adding that throughout his break from competition his sponsors have continued to be supportive. “I’d like to thanks my sponsors Hurley, Killer Dana, Timmy Patterson and Mud Energy and my parents too, for their support.”—Andrea Swayne
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Niguel. GIRLS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Mathea Dempfle Olin, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 2. Liv Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 3. Izzy Hopkins, Dana Point; 4. Betsey Lee, Topanga; 5. Lexi Morgan, San Clemente; 6. Malia Mauch, San Clemente. GIRLS LONGBOARD U18: 1. Taylor Bruynzeel, Newbury Park; 2. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano; 3. Lucy Jarrard, Carlsbad; 4. Cate Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 5. Betsey Lee, Topanga; 6. Hana McEvilly, Carlsbad. MEN 18-29: 1. Aaron Jessee, San Clemente; 2. Anthony Segura, Lompoc; 3. Colin Andersen, Santa Barbara; 4. Evan Sandison, Laguna Niguel; 5. Max Iscakis, Woodland Hills; 6. Ruiji Nagai, Ibaragi, Japan. MASTERS 30-39: 1. Paul Pugliesi, Oceanside; 2. Philip Salick, Los Angeles; 3. Michael Graney, Carlsbad; 4. Jonathan Warren, Huntington Beach; 5. Tom Oatmeal Lusk, Torrance; 6. Tyler Benoit, Ucluelet, B.C., Canada. SENIOR MEN 40-49: 1. Rick Takahashi, San Diego; 2. Donald Day, Topanga; 3. Erik Krammer, Oceanside; 4. Pedro Diaz Rangel, Oceanside; 5. Vincent Duprat, Encinitas; 6. Neil Bern, Carlsbad. LEGENDS 50-59: 1. Rusty Phillipy, Cardiff-by-the-Sea; 2. Jeff Jessee, San Clemente; 3. Dave Hansberry, Los Alamitos; 4. Brent Jessee, San Clemente; 5. Masaki Kobayashi, San Clemente; 6. Troy Campbell, Torrance. OPEN MEN: 1. Kei Kobayashi, San Clemente; 2. Cody Canzoneri, San Clemente; 3. Parker Cohn, Newport Beach; 4. Aaron Jessee, San Clemente; 5. Shannon Brown, Tofino, B.C., Canada; 6. Vincent Duprat, Encinitas. OPEN WOMEN: 1. Brooke Daigneault, Huntington Beach; 2. Samantha Lamirand, Cardiff-by-the-Sea; 3. Allie Frost, San Juan Capistrano; 4. Morgan Gore, Mendham, NJ; 5. Jordan Wible, Manhattan Beach; 6. Emma Roll, Santa Monica. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 1. Kaimana Takayama, San Clemente; 2. Nick Anderberg, Encinitas; 3. Kevin Skvarna, San Juan Capistrano; 4. Trevor Anderberg, Encinitas; 5. Koby Gilchrist, Encinitas; 6. Dave Schaefer, Hermosa Beach. OPEN WOMEN LONGBOARD: 1. Liv Stokes, Aliso Viejo; 2. Isabella Gilchrist, Cardiff-by-the-Sea; 3. Maddie LoMonaco, Santa Monica; 4. Katelyn Springer, Newport Beach; 5. Keili McEvilly, Carlsbad; 6. Niki Katz, Hidden Hills. SR. MEN LONGBOARD 40+: 1. Dave Schaefer, Hermosa Beach; 2. Benjamin Murphey, San Diego; 3. Troy Campbell, Torrance; 4. Larry Casas, Huntington Beach. ADAPTIVE SURFERS: 1. Chris Oberle, Los Angeles; 2. Charles Webb, Oceanside; 3. Mark Thornton, Carlsbad.
UPCOMING EVENTS December 13-14: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 3, Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach December 20-21: NSSA Open Event No. 6, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Seaside Reef January 10-11: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane January 17-18: WSA Championship Tour Event No. 6, Oceanside Harbor, South Jetty January 17-18: NSSA Explorer, Events No. 3 and 4, Huntington Beach, Pier
SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 64-66 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-12’ Poor+Fair Thursday and Friday: Building new west-northwest swell with chest-head+ high surf and better sets (4-6’+) at exposed spots, showing strongest in north OC, where standouts see larger sets to several feet overhead (7-8’+). Light wind and clean conditions Thursday morning, but a deep 5.2’ high tide slows down most spots through the second half of the morning. Light+ moderate onshores for the Thursday afternoon. Stormy weather on Friday for poor conditions. Longer Range Outlook: West-northwest swell combo eases over the weekend as weather and conditions improve. More swell setting up for early next week. Check out Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook!
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