March 5, 2015 by San Clemente Times

LO C A L

N EWS

March 5–11, 2015

YO U

C A N

INSIDE: Special South County Real Estate Guide

U S E

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 10

SCHS Spring Sports Preview Triton teams aiming for growth and sustained success SPORTS/PAGE 26

The San Clemente High School baseball team returns eight starters from last year’s run and is eyeing a Sea View League title. Photo: KDahlgren Photography

Environmental Activist Resigns from SONGS Committee EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

SC Youths Challenge Themselves at Lifeguard Tryouts EYE ON SC/PAGE 7

www.sanclementetimes.com

Meet Grom of the Week: Carter Sieverts of Dana Point SC SURF/PAGE 30

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SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING Mayor Criticizes Hospital Operator

What’s Up With... Five things San Clemente should know this week Legislators Introduce Hospital Bill THE LATEST: South Orange County state legislators Bill Brough and Patricia Bates have both introduced legislation that would allow Saddleback Memorial Medical Center’s San Clemente campus to operate as a stand-alone emergency room, a bill the legislators say they hope will provide a “consensus” between MemorialCare and area residents who have protested the potential closure of the emergency room at the campus. Bates, state senator for the 36th District, which includes San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point, and Brough, assemblyman for District 73, which also includes all three cities, introduced identical bills on Friday, Feb. 27. The bills each include provisions specifically exempting Saddleback Memorial Medical Center from regulations prohibiting stand-alone emergency rooms. “The people of South Orange County deserve convenient access to emergency health care services, and we are committed to doing everything we can in the Legislature to preserve that access,” Bates and Brough said in a press release. WHAT’S NEXT: Previous estimates for the time it would take to pass such legislation has been three years, though Bates said she believes it could take less time than that. MemorialCare has proposed replacing the current facility with an advanced urgent care, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The proposal would eliminate an emergency room under current law, though MemorialCare officials have indicated a willingness to keep an emergency department if regulations are changed. FIND OUT MORE: The Senate version of the bill can be read at www.sanclementetimes.com – Jim Shilander

El Camino Real Lot Will Return to Coastal Commission THE LATEST: City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to move forward with taking a slightly modified version of the city’s proposal for a parking lot on city-owned property San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

Two Covina-area teachers, Michelle Ghirelli (top) and Melody Lippert, have been charged with felonies for encounters with students at San Clemente State Beach. File Photo

located between Ichibiri restaurant and Kaylani Coffee along El Camino Real. The proposal, which has been discussed for more than two years by the council, had been sent back to the city by the California Coastal Commission in January following the presentation of an alternative plan by three city residents. Coastal Commissioners reportedly favored the alternative plan, or at least aspects of it. City Engineer Bill Cameron told the council he felt views would not be negatively impacted by cars in the lot, noting that it had been developed in the past. The city has also envisioned the lot as a potential gathering space for events and other uses. Residents Ricardo Nicol and Tom and Vonne Barnes (a planning commissioner) said the proposal did not take advantage of the visual opportunities presented and there would be visual impact. Councilwoman Kathy Ward said she felt the city needed to reevaluate the entirety of its ideas for the lot in the context of North Beach as a whole and that other spaces could be utilized for events there. Councilman Bob Baker reiterated his opposition to the project, which he feels is a waste of money. Councilman Tim Brown said the city had been given a “gift” of being able to use the property for parking, saying that the city should take the opportunity “to make incremental progress” in North Beach. Brown, Donchak and Mayor Chris Hamm voted to move forward with the current proposal, but directed staff to work to lessen visual impacts, including potentially working with Nicol and the Barnes. WHAT’S NEXT: Cameron said the earliest the Coastal Commission could hear the proposal would be at its May meeting, which is scheduled for May 13 through 15 in Santa Barbara. The commission’s June meeting is scheduled for Newport Beach.—JS

Teachers Allegedly Gave Students Cocaine at SC Beach Trysts THE LATEST: The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday, March 2, that it was reinstituting charges against a pair of teachers for unlawful sexual intercourse with students during a camping trip at San Clemente State Beach, after indicating last month it would not be pursuing felony charges. Both Melody Lippert and Michelle Ghirelli are also now being charged with one count of unlawful sexual intercourse and a felony count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor. Both women are alleged to have given students cocaine, as well as alcohol, during the trips. South Hills High School teacher Lippert, 38, and CovinaValley School District employee Ghirelli, 30, were arrested by Orange County Sheriff’s Department officers in January following an investigation by the West Covina Police Department into two non-school sponsored beach outings to San Clemente. Lippert allegedly organized a trip by sending a group text message to Ghirelli and five male students. At least two such trips, between Nov. 23, 2014 and Dec. 29, 2014, took place, according to the district attorney’s office. The students attended South Hills, sheriff’s officials said. Covina-Valley Unified School District reported the case to OCSD. Lippert was initially arrested on conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Ghirelli was initially arrested for oral copulation and unlawful sex with a minor. The additional charges were the result of additional investigation by OCSD. WHAT’S NEXT: Both women were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. Ghirelli faces more than 11 years in prison as a result of the charges, and Lippert faces 10 years and six months.– JS

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THE LATEST: After a number of doctors and hospital officials voiced support for the proposal to change Saddleback Memorial Medical Center’s San Clemente to an advanced urgent care center with additional out-patient services at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Chris Hamm, noting that previously presented information form the health care provider had proved to be incorrect, accused MemorialCare of having “done nothing to show it is a partner in the community.” Hospital administrator Tony Struthers and Hamm had a brief dialogue during Struthers’ time at the dais. Struthers said previous information presented to the board about bypass rates for the hospital had been incorrect, noting that it had been provided early in the process by a third party. Hamm then had asked for additional information, which Struthers said he could not provide at that particular time. WHAT’S NEXT: Councilman Tim Brown said he “wasn’t sure it was productive to lob grenades” from the dais, and Hamm said he was speaking for himself and not the entire council. Councilmembers will discuss the hospital, as well as past meetings of the city’s Hospital Advisory Committee, at its next regular meeting, March 17.—JS

CUSD Board Approves New School of Choice Policy THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees passed a new school of choice policy at their Feb. 25 meeting, which will only apply to the 2015-16 school year. Dozens of worried parents attended the meeting to speak about topics including the issue of splitting up siblings, giving teachers’ kids priority to attend the same school, guaranteeing students in the immersion programs can complete their courses, and prioritizing students living in community facilities districts. Superintendent Kirsten Vital began the meeting by saying there isn’t a “perfect solution,” and the district is at a “tipping point” with under-enrolled and over-enrolled schools. Under the new policy, new families coming into the district after next year will not be guaranteed sibling priority, employees will get priority for their kids at schools that aren’t full, and students living in CFDs will have first priority overall. WHAT’S NEXT: The policy was approved by a 6-1 vote, with board member John Alpay dissenting.—Allison Jarrell www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Community Meetings

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY JIM SHILANDER

Public Invited to Courtney’s Grand Opening The city of San Clemente and Courtney’s SandCastle Charitable Foundation will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sensory Garden at the Courtney’s SandCastle Universally Accessible Playground on Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m. The community is invited to participate in the festivities scheduled onsite at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park, located at 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa. The Courtney’s SandCastle Playground will be closed from March 16 through March 21 until 10 a.m. to pressure wash and seal the poured-in-place rubberized surfacing. The Sensory Garden will offer stimulation for multiple sensory experiences which have proven effective in the healthy growth of children of all abilities. The sensory elements of the Garden include a shade structure with an outdoor learning area, concrete accessible path of travel with musical elements, accessible telescope, wind sculpture, tidal pool water feature custom created by West Coast Rockscapes, granite ball water feature with the installation donated and provided by Capistrano Cranes. Trees were donated by Bemus Landscape Inc. and the San Clemente Tree Foundation, and planted by Saddleback Horticulture Department students led by Rod’s Tree Service. The garden, with raised planter boxes was designed by Summers Murphy & Partners and has 700 plants donated by Plant Depot, repurposed interlocking pavers installed by Micon Construction, light poles, park benches and trellises. Please contact the San Clemente Aquatic Center for more information at 949.429.8797 or visit www.san-clemente. org or www.courtneyssandcastle.com.

Republican Women Hosting Senate Candidate, Speaker The San Clemente Area Republican Women Federated will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Talega Golf Club, 900 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. This month’s featured speaker and California Federated Republican Women PR/Marketing Chair is Trish Lester. Lester is an award winning Public Relations/Marketing specialist with more than three decades of experience. She is a veteran of the International Association of Business Communicators who was named “Communicator of the Year” in 1999 by the Los Angeles Chapter. As a professional singer/song writer, Trish promises to entertain us and make us laugh. John Moorlach, State Senate District 37 San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Golf Course Committee Meeting

7 p.m. Regular meeting. City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

High 5ive 4Fitness 10 a.m. Fundraising event for San Clemente-based Noble Path Foundation. Event includes fitness challenges, educational opportunities and a blood drive sponsored by the San Diego Blood Bank. San Clemente High School, 700 Avenida Pico. www. thenoblepathfoundation.org. Andrew Stefaniak of San Clemente was named an Eagle Scout last year. Photo: Courtesy Julie Stefaniak

hopeful, past Orange County Treasurer, and eight year Orange County Board of Supervisors member, is also scheduled to attend. RSVP is required. For reservations please visit scarwf@gmail.com.

Stefaniak Made Eagle Scout Andrew Stefaniak, of San Clemente, has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of San Clemente Boy Scout Troop No. 737, and a senior at San Clemente High School. Andrew has been in scouting since Cub Scouts (San Clemente’s Pack No. 113). While in Boy Scouts, he earned 30 merit badges; his favorite one was about rock climbing. The service project he planned (required as part of earning Eagle Scout), was completed at the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter, Coastal Animal Services Authority. In “Bark Yard 1,” Andrew led Scouts and friends in digging a 64-foot trench, in order to create a barrier wall with a cement footing below ground, to prevent animals from digging in or out.

Earth Volunteers Sought for San Onofre State Park Volunteers are needed at San Onofre State Park on Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the 17th California State Parks Foundation’s Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. This year, volunteers are needed to sand and paint all bench seating, paint screen doors and interpretive displays, install outdoor speakers and lighting and plant native plants. Individuals, groups or businesses interested in volunteering on Earth Day should register

at www.calparks.org/earthday or call 888.987.2751. This is a family friendly event. Registration closes April 13.

Surterre Launches High School Photography Scholarship Contest Surterre Properties, an Orange County real estate firm with offices in San Clemente and Dana Point, has announced the launch of their new photography scholarship contest for local high school students. Amateur high school photographers are invited to submit photos depicting the best of Orange County in three categories: natural historical and cultural sites and landmarks, scenic vistas and landscapes and night skies. The grand prize winner will receive a $500 scholarship, second place $250 and third $100. Photos must be of nature and will be judged on originality, artistic composition, technical quality and photographic technique. Images must be natural looking—not digitally altered or manipulated beyond reality—in color and the original work and property of the contestant. Photographers may enter a maximum of three photographs. Photos must be taken between Jan. 1 and April 30 and entries will be accepted from May 1 through May 17. Winners will be announced online by June 1. More information, including a full list of rules and technical specifications for photo size and resolution can be found online at www.surterreproperties.com/ oc-highschoolscholarship.php. Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8

Daylight Savings Time Ends

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. MONDAY, MARCH 9

Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting 6 p.m. Community De-

velopment Building, Conference Room A, 910 Calle Negocio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Planning Commission Meeting 6 p.m. Study session in Ocean View Conference Room; 7 p.m. Meeting in Council Chambers. 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org. TUESDAY, MARCH 9

San Clemente Toastmasters

7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Practice public speaking every Tuesday in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. 3316 Avenida del Presidente, 949.361.8463, http://6463. toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

Veterans of Foreign Wars Meeting

7 p.m. Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Elks Lodge. 1505 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.2489.

CUSD Board Meeting 7 p.m. The

Capistrano Unified School District board meets in the Education Center Board Room, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.9200, www.capousd.org. www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

SC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY EVAN DA SILVA

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, March 3 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES El Camino Real, 300 Block (6:22 a.m.) A man, who was possibly under the influence of drugs, tried to get into a vehicle at a red light.

Monday, March 2 DRUNK DRIVING N. El Camino Real/Boca De La Playa (8:56 p.m.) After swerving and stopping in the middle of the street, an apparently drunk driver backed up to turn into a liquor store before seemingly blacking out and driving into oncoming traffic. WELFARE CHECK El Camino Real, 1300 Block (2:31 p.m.) A caller from the Roadway Inn requested a check on the guest in room 106. The man inside was 70 years old and laying in front of the door. The caller was unable to open the door but could hear the man mumbling and hadn’t seen him for a few days. RECKLESS DRIVING Avenida La Pata, 200 Block (12:55 p.m.) A silver two-door Scion sports car was doing donuts in a parking lot. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Avenida Estacio, 1700 Block (9:49 a.m.) A sea lion had been hit by a train but was still alive. SHOTS HEARD-NO SUSPECT INFORMATION Calle Amistad, 100 Block (7:51 a.m.) The caller heard six to seven rapid shots and possibly a shotgun. Camp Pendleton had said they were doing training exercises in the area but could neither confirm nor deny they had made the noise the caller heard.

Sunday, March 1 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (12:25 p.m.) Ralphs contacted police after a man and woman locked themselves in the men’s restroom for 40 minutes and did not respond to knocks on the door. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

Vicente, 600 Block (11:46 p.m.) A woman thought someone was inside her residence after hearing a noise in the upstairs guest bedroom. KEEP THE PEACE El Camino Real, 2300 Block (11:07 p.m.) A man at the 76 gas station across the street from the OC Tavern said the clerk told him his card had been declined and was refusing to give him gas. The man pulled up his bank statement that showed a charge of $30. DISTURBANCE Avenida Granada, 100 Block (8:43 p.m.) Police were called after a man heard a window breaking at the apartments behind the knitting store. No one was seen in the area but transients were known to hang out in the area. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Del Mar, 100 Block (7:20 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a transient who was naked underneath the balcony of a room. ASSAULT Via Suerte, 800 Block (6:40 p.m.) An employee was approached by a woman with a black eye who said the man she was sitting with at the bar hit her. The woman was already drunk despite not yet being served alcohol. The man she was with was in his 60s with white hair, wearing a black sweater. TERRORIST THREATS REPORT Avenida Granada, 100 Block (6:20 p.m.) Police were called after a woman was approached at her home by a gang member who was looking for her boyfriend. The gang member said the woman’s boyfriend owed him money and threatened to come back with friends later to assault the man if he didn’t get the money. DISTURBANCE North El Camino Real/ Calle Lago (8:56 a.m.) After the staff at a store refused to let a man use one of their phones, the man said he had “enough stuff in his bag to cause a problem” in the store. The man was 30 to 40 years old, 5-foot 8-inches tall and heavyset.

Saturday, February 28 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Pico, 900 Block (11:17 p.m.) A man was seen acting strange, trying to enter a restaurant despite the doors being locked. He also began approaching cars in the drive-thru. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Pico/Camino Vera Cruz (9:25 p.m.) Two subjects were seen trying to open the doors on vehicles in a parking lot. ILLEGAL PEDDLING Mira Collado, 0 Block (1:51 p.m.) Police conducted a patrol check in a neighborhood after three men were seen going door to door and driving a white Chevy van. Page 6

EYE ON SC far out. He’s swam here and surfed here ever since we moved here from Atlanta.” Jessica Labbe and Natalie Gamette said both their daughters, who have been swimming for years, had been running on the beach on the weekends, as well as ocean swims to prepare. “It’s been mostly fitness, lots and lots of fitness,” Labbe said. Neither mother said they were really that concerned with their daughters’ safety in the water, since they’d been swimming for so long. But they did take pause due to the nature of the position. “An ocean lifeguard, that’s one of those jobs that’s intense, very important and very serious,” Labbe said. “But this has been something they’ve really wanted to do. For my daughter, she’s waited years for the opportunity to try.” Norm Scheel and Larry Fakinos said both their sons had made practice pier swims, in one case the day before the tryouts, and are both very experienced in the water, whether on surfboards, paddleboards or in the pool. “I think he’s just tried to acclimate himself to the water,” Scheel said. “I think that’s what he’s more concerned about than anything.” Scheel joked that he was relieved it was his son who was making the swim. “I’m glad it’s him going in the water and not me,” he said.

Lifeguard hopefuls line up at the start of the 800-yard swim.

Looking for a ‘Dream Job’ Lifeguard hopefuls put through paces Sunday at annual tryouts PHOTOS AND TEXT BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

n annual rite of passage for San Clemente youth came Sunday. And for about 15, a summer “dream job”

awaits. San Clemente’s Marine Safety department held its annual lifeguard tryouts Sunday morning near the Marine Safety building, a short walk down from the San Clemente Pier. Forty-five hopefuls, mostly teenagers, with many accompanied by parents watching from the shore, took off into a chilly 62-degree Pacific for an 800-yard swim, followed by a break and a 1200-yard run-swim-run (400 yards running, swimming and then a second run). A couple of swimmers ducked out soon after jumping into the water, and more than a few hopefuls came out red from the cold after finishing. And after all that, the 35 who managed to meet the physical requirements from the two events, met with marine safety officials for interviews. “We had a lot of people show up and everyone did well, Marine Safety Lt. Rod Mellott said. “Unfortunately, we can’t take everybody, but the most qualified will be offered an opportunity to move on in the process.” Mellott said the Marine Safety Department was looking to bring on 15 lifeguards for the summer. Conditions, he said, were actually fairly calm, especially given the rainy weather, and the water was actually fairly warm in comparison to previous

San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

years, though he noted it was colder than the tryouts in 2014. “In years past, you’re lucky to get to 60 degrees, usually it’s between 56 and 58,” he said. In the interviews, Mellott said he hoped to give candidates an opportunity to By the Numbers sell themselves, but also to allow him to 15 test their knowlLikely the final edge of what’s number of new presented to them. lifeguards Marine “We’re lookSafety will hire for ing for the most this summer. responsible,” $9.16 Mellott said. “ObviHourly wage for a ously everyone lifeguard trainee. interviewed could do the physical 13:30 part of the job, The “cutoff” time so it’s the mental for completion of part. You get 10 the 800-yard swim minutes to evaluate to move on in the that person, to see process if you could see 92 them sitting in a Hours of training tower dealing with required to serve as a everyone that’s summer lifeguard thrown at you… You need a very confident individual who’s very mature for their age to do this job.” Parents Say Children Were Extra Motivated A number of parents took in their chil-

dren’s trials from the shore. Seang Foo said his son, Brandon, a member of San Clemente Aquatics and the San Clemente High School swim team, was making his first attempt this year. Foo said his son had been looking forward to the opportunity for some time, and seemed pretty dead-set on making it, finishing near the top of the run-swim-run event. “He has other opportunities for the summer, including vacation, and he chose this over all the other options,” Foo said, noting that those options included a job at one of the CVS pharmacies he manages. “I encouraged him just to do the best he could and enjoy himself. When he’s out there, I feel for him, I know he can swim and I’m comfortable with him going that

Making the Pitch for a ‘Dream Job’ Hunter Knights, a sophomore at San Clemente High School, was among those making the swim. “It was cold,” Knights said of the first swim. “With the run-swim-run you start off sprinting, trying not to cut your feet on the rocks (which he did). It’s exhausting. There’s not many things I know that are harder than that.” But, Knights said, the potential reward was worth it. “(I’ve wanted to do this) ever since I joined Junior Lifeguards when I was 10,” Knights said. Knights is a member of the SCHS swim team, which helped prepare him, but he’s also been doing practice runs and pier swims to ready himself. “This is my dream job,” he said. “I was very happy with how I did.” SC

Competitors tackle one of the first waves of the ocean swim.

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www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner by Mayor Chris Hamm

Now More than Ever, Shop Local Campaign aims to keep shopping and dining dollars as local as possible

o you shop and dine locally? As a San Clemente native and your mayor, my answer is an unequivocal “yes.” You may wonder why this is so important to our community. Spending locally ensures that our sales tax dollars are reinvested right here in San Clemente. If we purchase our food, gasoline, household goods and other items in town, our community will have more sales tax revenue for vital city services and improvements, such as maintaining our local roads and facilities that directly benefit all of us. CITY COUNCIL In the near future, we CORNER will have many more By Chris Hamm shopping opportunities. It’s imperative during this period of growth we remember to support the local businesses that have made this community so successful in the past. As the cost of doing business goes up, sales tax helps address those costs. This year, for example, we are facing increases in police, fire and employee service con-

tract costs. Sales tax revenue from your local purchases totals one percent, or one penny of every taxable dollar spent, which contributes to the General Fund and enables the city to ensure these increases are managed without having to reduce services elsewhere. But there’s more. Here are my top reasons for shopping local: Support local merchants, many of whom are small business owners. Help build a stronger local economy. Opportunities to give back to our community. Prosperity and business growth for local job creation. The “Keep San Clemente Green” campaign was unveiled in February by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and the city of San Clemente to encourage local buying that strengthens our community by raising awareness of the economic, environmental and community benefits of thinking local first. Posters showcasing various San Clemente shopping areas, dining and, of course, our beautiful beaches, will be distributed throughout town. The goal is to inspire both locals and

Letters to the Editor

owner to paint the house or have a new lawn. Within two weeks, the driveway was cleared. On behalf of our neighbors and myself I would like to thank you Mr. Mayor. The job is well done.

THANK YOU MR. MAYOR

WORD CHOICE IS IMPORTANT

MIKE VAKILI, San Clemente

CHUCK HACKWITH, San Clemente

A few weeks ago I had a meeting with our mayor, Chris Hamm, regarding a minor problem in our neighborhood. I was truly impressed by him. He took charge and resolved the issue in a timely manner. He did not refer me to another department or someone else to handle the problem. I know that our council members are dealing with major issues every day and frequently minor problems are overlooked. The purpose of my meeting with the mayor was about a house in our neighborhood where the owner has stored old furniture, two broken cars, several mattresses and many other items in his driveway along with a sign “We buy and sell houses.” Storage of this kind is against city codes and fire safety. After I presented the photos of the house to him, he promised to look into this matter. He mentioned that the city cannot force the San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

First, one disclaimer: Although a 40year resident of San Clemente, I don’t often read the entire contents of the SC Times delivered to our home; too often, I don’t read it at all. Secondly, I read two letters to the editor from San Clemente writers which expressed ardent disagreement with another previous columnist, and was struck by the tone of verbal virulence of the two against the latter. I wish to offer another set of perspectives to offset their arguments. I will not say to balance against them, because I’m neither acquainted with the initial issues cited by their quotes from Jim Kempton’s letter, nor do I intend to defend the latter’s view of historical war events, other than to defend his opinion, even as a “great disservice,” “absurd, wild, ridicules, and flat out wrong” as it is appears to them concerning the actions of “Muslim terrorists.” There’s also no claim

visitors by emphasizing the unique shopping, dining and amenities San Clemente has to offer. With the freeway widening project underway and the Avenida Pico Interchange project breaking ground later this month, we will experience more traffic. It’s inevitable that getting in and out of town is going to be more challenging for a while. What better reason to shop here? You will not spend time in traffic and you can support our local businesses. Your patronage will help strengthen these businesses. I hope you will join me in taking the pledge to “Keep San Clemente Green.” We all need to be in this together for us to ensure a thriving community and keep our city strong. Stay tuned for more ways to participate in this shop and dine local campaign. Thank you for buying local and making a difference in our community. Chris Hamm is San Clemente’s mayor. He was elected to City Council in 2012. SC

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA

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.

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Picket Fence Media Group Senior Editor, City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick

here to be especially patriotic; just offering another person’s viewpoint. I submit that too many of us succumb to what one prominent U.S. economist and semantics scholar termed many years ago as “The Tyranny of Words.” That insight is as poignant today with global babel, magnified by multi-media and social networks, 24/7. Certain words and catch phrases are almost burned into our “wired” brains by constant repetition over time. Take the omnipresent, apparently simple phrases, “Muslim terrorism,” with its adjunct “Muslim terrorists.” What meanings do they convey? Does the juxtaposition of Muslim mean the Islamic religious faith of millions of Muslims is somehow necessarily related to the violent acts of terrorists who claim they’re doing them in defense of that faith? What about the related, more arcane phrase, “Islamic Jihadist,” what does it mean? In the previous letters, references were made to “German Christians,” “Western Christians,” “Judeo-Christian culture,” “atheistic and pagan Hitler,” “armed forces of the United States,” “American way of fighting,” “the enemy we currently face,” “patriotic Americans” “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” among others, all imbedded within their respective arguments. These words were used to buttress against

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander

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OPERATIONS

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Finance Director > Mike Reed

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Kevin Dahlgren, Evan Da Silva, Catherine Manso, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

San Clemente Times, Vol. 10, Issue 10. 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 2015. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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SOAPBOX Kempton’s depiction of atrocities committed by Americans over many years, including against themselves. One writer termed these “aberrations.” Aside from the profound complexity of all the historical, frequently violent, human interactions which these words try to signify, they cannot inherently replicate the past; the past is past in memory. Yet, we incessantly project into the future what appears to now be in the moment, but is invariably conditioned by the past. One of the writers claimed “we are at the brink of a global conflict on the scale of WWII facing an enemy equally or even more evil than the Nazis,” and, therefore, Kempton’s exercise to “list and equate every misdeed by our nation or Western Christianity” with those done by terrorist groups claiming Islamic sanction was wrong and “insulting the people of San Clemente.” Really? That writer may be excused for a lot of hyperbole, some historical ignorance and little tolerance. As a 76-year-old, my remnant of childhood memories recall some images of WWII, Pearl Harbor and also the terrible war with Japan in the Pacific, the tremendous battle casualties, the bombed out cities and fleeing refugees, the newsreels of the Nazi concentration death camps, the firebombing of Dresden, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the food rationing and the huge sacrifices of our combat troops abroad, as well as by our home folks. An “enemy equally or even more evil than the Nazis?” Does that take into account the Holocaust? The murderous purges of Stalin era Russia? The Japanese sack of Nanking? The “Cultural Revolution” of Mao’s China? We could go on, and even do as Kempton apparently did by citing some American “misdeeds.” There are more, depending on one’s viewpoint. But what’s the point? There’s, of course, more than one, many more, not just from the writers referenced above, or myself. Perhaps it’s appropriate to express one, more of a question, that a thoughtful person might ask oneself: Is it evil to harm those we call evil who want to harm us? It’s essential to ask such questions and to carefully assess responses to them, not just accept ready answers, no matter the source.

MEMORIAL BROOKS NO COMPROMISE ELLEN PONCIANO, Dana Point

Most of my career has been spent in or around healthcare. The local hospital has always been part of the whole community. Staff and administration work with the community for the common good. This is especially the case when you have a not-for-profit hospital that is a “charity” 501(c)(3) governmental organization that receives tax free status to be available to the whole community. Now MemorialCare wants to close San Clemente Times March 5-11, 2014

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, March 6 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. Gina Cousineau, executive director of Be a Hero Become a Donor will be this week’s guest to discuss upcoming blood and bone marrow drives sponsored by the organization. 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. San Clemente Hospital with very short notice to the community and the residents. Although six months sounds like sufficient notice, it does not allow time for Dana Point, San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano to budget, staff and purchase equipment that the extra demands on paramedics and police—being out of our city in Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills or even further—will cause. It will take more time to get to these further locations—an average of 20 minutes to Mission Viejo and 23 minutes to Laguna Hills—and that’s without the construction that’s going on now on Interstate 5. That takes resources out of our city. What that means is if you need the paramedics they may not be available. They will be tied up outside of the city. This costs lives. We all want to work with MemorialCare to explore alternate ways they can build their vision, but also how the communities’ needs can be met. Several ideas have been floated at city council meetings about building the advanced urgent care, surgery center, along with a boutique hospital and emergency room on the existing property. There is even money available from other sources to help MemorialCare do this. As of this writing (Feb. 15), MemorialCare is still refusing all calls to work with the community, the doctors, the cities and is basically telling all of us “it’s their way or the highway.” Please MemorialCare, if you won’t work with the community, sell this hospital to an organization that is willing and wants to be part of this community, there are buyers waiting. MemorialCare, delay your March vote to close our hospital and work with us. MemorialCare, this is about more than you making more money. It’s about saving lives in our community.

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 9

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

At the Movies: A Lack of ‘Focus’

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF

Thursday | 05 PROFESSOR MACK’S LAST TRAIN: A WORLD PREMIER MELODRAMA 8 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to “cheer” for the heroes and “boo” the villains while hurling foam rocks in the Camino Real Playhouse’s annual family-friendly Old West melodrama. Based loosely on old San Juan history, you’ll learn lots of fun facts. Performances run through March 21. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org. OC RESTAURANT WEEK: VUE RESTAURANT March 1-7. As part of Orange County Restaurant Week, Vue Restaurant at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa is offering a $40 four-course dinner, $65 with wine pairings. Prices not inclusive of tax and gratuity. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.661.5000, www.lagunacliffs.com. LECTURE: THE WONDERFUL LIFE OF THE COAST LIVE OAK TREE 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join The Reserve for an in depth look at Orange County’s coast live oak tree. Learn how oaks are important to wildlife, and get to know the challenges oak species are facing and how you can help protect these majestic trees. Ages 8 and up. Admission is free. Participants must be registered by 2 p.m. on March 5. RMV Presentation Center, call for directions, 949.923.2210, www.rmvreserve.org. LEE ROY 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.

Friday | 06 BRANT COTTON & THE OUTLIERS 8:30 p.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188. WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE? THE MUSICAL 8 p.m. Opening night for newest show at the Cabrillo Playhouse. Runs through Sunday, March 29. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.cabrilloplayhouse.org or by calling the box office at 949.492.0465. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org. San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

N A scene from a past Festival of Whales Parade. Photo: Madi Swayne

MARCH 7, 8, 14 AND 15: 44TH ANNUAL DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES It’s a cetacean celebration with fun and educational entertainment, food, music, art and more for the whole family. The festival celebrates the 10,000-mile round-trip migration of the California gray whales from Alaskan waters to Baja and back. Event kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. with a parade on Pacific Coast Highway and the carnival-style Street Fare at La Plaza Park. All four days are packed with activities at the Harbor. On Sunday, start your day at the Whale of a Pancake Breakfast. The official program guide can be found online at www.danapointtimes.com. PROPER FRIDAYS 9 p.m. to midnight. DJs play deep groovy electronic influenced music in a mood controlled room. All music is broadcast live on proper-radio.com. Pierside Kitchen and Bar, 610 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, 949.218.0980, www.piersidesc.com.

Saturday | 07 HABITAT GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES 9:30 a.m. Join the Tree of Life Nursery for a series of speakers that will inspire you to replace your lawn with drought-tolerant native gardens. Today, Bob Allen—author, entomologist, botanist, instructor and photographer—will speak about attracting amphibians and reptiles to your native garden. Admission is free. 33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com. POLYNESIAN CONNECTION FESTIVAL AND LUAU 10 a.m.-4 p.m. free festival, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. luau, $50 adults, $25 children. This Polynesian culture fest will include music, dancing, educational displays, arts and crafts. Event is part of the annual Dana Point Festival of Whales. Proceeds from the Hawaiian-style beer garden, shave ice truck, snacks and luau feast will benefit the nonprofit Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders. Dana Point Harbor, Baby Beach and Orange County Sailing and Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place. For tickets and information, see www.hulaconnection.com.

POWDER AND POOFF! 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Female impersonator show at Adele’s at the San Clemente Inn. Dinner Reservations recommended starting at 6 p.m. Show reservations can be made by calling in advance at 949.481.1222, 2600 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente, www.adelesanclementeinn.com.

Sunday | 08 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.

Monday | 09 MOMMY MOVIE MONDAYS 10 a.m. Parents are welcome to bring their baby along to the theater at Krikorian Theaters. 641 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, 949.661.7610, www.kptmovies.com.

Tuesday | 10 DUSTIN FRANKS 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

Wednesday | 11 COMEDY NIGHT 9:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m. Live comedy at Molly

Page 10

ot since Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface (1983) has a blonde bombshell in a crime flick made such a splash debut as Margot Robbie did in The Wolf of Wall Street two winters ago. Her first film released to the general audience since, is the con comedy Focus, co-starring Will Smith, in his first movie since flops After Earth (2013) and Winter’s Tale (2014). The feature is also Glenn Ficara and John Requa’s first film since their rom-com hit Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011). But Focus doesn’t hit the mark as successfully. In Baton Rouge, a rookie con artist, Jess (Robbie) meets up with successful con man Nicky (Smith) to join his team of crooks, get rich quick and live life in the fast lane. Along the way, the mentor and protégé become not only successful crime partners, but lovers. Things get tricky when Jess discovers Nicky is struggling with a gambling issue that gets in the way of their cons. Rodrigo Santoro and B.D. Wong co-star as antagonists throughout the film. Robbie is even better as the young femme fatale here than she was in Wolf, and her chemistry with Smith is the best thing in the movie. The main issue with Focus is that the story and characters aren’t as clever or funny as the filmmakers think they are. What could have been tongue-in-cheek and self-aware is instead generic, with a far-fetched third act. Despite the title Focus, Ficare and Requa’s film is best enjoyed without too much concentration. SC

Bloom’s Irish Bar every Wednesday. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.218.0120, www.mollybloomsirishbar.com.

UPCOMING: SATURDAY, MARCH 14 ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER DANCE 5 p.m. The Exchange Club of San Clemente presents its 48th annual St. Patrick’s Day event. Corned beef and cabbage dinner with musical and dance performances. $20 suggested donation. San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.498.3602. 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

2000 S Ola Vista, San Clemente LIVE AUCTION!!! Bidding to start at $1,100,000. The single story you have been waiting for. Awesome canyon and ocean views. Totally remodeled down to the studs in 2006. Large private lot with large patio for entertaining. Open, modern floorplan with huge great room that encompasses kitchen, dining and family room. Soaring, wood-beamed vaulted ceilings, updated windows and doors, updated bathrooms, gorgeous kitchen with high-end stainless appliances, custom cabinetry throughout, smoothed sheetrock walls and ceilings. Spare bed office features built ins with custom made murphy bed. Premium SW location. Close to Riviera and Lausen (Lost Winds) Beaches. $1,100,000 Gabe Smith REALTOR #01704776

Harcourts U.S.A. 949.533.4490 Gabe.Smith@harcourtsusa.com www.GabeSmithRealEstate.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY GUEST OPINION: Wellness and Prevention by Susan Parmelee

It’s Not ‘Just Weed’

Kids and parents getting the wrong idea

San Clemente Presbyterian Church pastor of discipleship Candie Blankman talks about her father’s journey of survival and faith during World War II. Photo: Jim Shilander

‘Forged by War’ SC Presbyterian pastor relates father’s tale at Prayer Breakfast BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

an Clemente Presbyterian Church’s pastor of discipleship Candie Blankman says her children could use many words growing up to describe being hungry. Except one. “They could never say they were starving,” Blankman told the crowd at the Kiwanis Club’s annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday. The event also included prayers and scripture offered by area faith leaders. That’s because Blankman’s father, about whom Blankman wrote the book “Forged by War,” was among those who servived the Bataan Death March that followed the surrender of American forces in the Philippines in 1942. Her father then survived years of brutal imprisonment at the hands of the Japanese, coming out at about half the body weight he had before he went into the service and suffering from malaria and dysentery. An uncle who also served at the time did not survive. Blankman said the lesson her father learned, above all others, was that “grace is greater.” Rather than letting his feelings about his imprisonment and mistreatment

curdle into hatred, she said, her father had instead dedicated himself to living a life of kindness. “My father was one of the most hospitable people you could ever meet,” Blankman said. “He was a finder of people.” At one point, when she was 12, Blankman said, her parents hosted a couple from Japan. The man had survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing in 1945. Two men who had every right to hate one another, she said, instead prayed together, sharing their common faith. “He taught me that everything in life is precious,” Blankman said of her father. Many of the stories of her father’s service, including much of his imprisonment only came to light when she asked him to speak to a history class she was teaching in 1989. The book she wrote about her father’s experience was penned as a result of both the stories he shared and the travels she eventually made to many of those locations. “There were so many stories he shared that I didn’t know about my own father, she said. “We need to keep these stories alive.” SC

he data is in that medical marijuana laws have not significantly increased the number of youth using marijuana. However there is concern that newer blasé attitudes towards marijuana amongst adults and kids have resulted in more frequent use among youth and an increased sense that frequent use has no adverse impacts. A few concerns we should all have about youth marijuana use: • Teen brains are not fully developed. We know from brain scans that frequent marijuana use has a major impact on the areas of a brain that should be exhibiting increased synaptic activity in adolescence. Students tell me “my daily pot smoking is not impacting my life, because I have a 3.5 GPA.” My response to that is, “what would your GPA be if you did not smoke pot daily?” • Today’s pot is much stronger than the pot of 20 years ago. The government evaluates cannabis strength at the University of Mississippi. Current data puts the average WELLNESS AND potency at 12.3 percent PREVENTION By Susan Tetrahydrocannabinol Parmelee in 2012 in contrast to 1993 when it was 3.4 percent. Some of the samples have been evaluated as high as 36 percent. Doctor’s in emergency rooms and rehabilitation programs have witnessed a large increase in cannabis induced psychosis among teens, particularly when youth smoke “wax,” “dabs” or hash oil, which have an even higher THC concentration. Some of these teens will develop schizophrenia. • Many youth (and adults) believe smoking and driving are not dangerous. The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration reports, “one in eight high school seniors responding to a 2010 survey admitted to driving after smoking marijuana. Nearly a quarter of

drivers killed in drug-related car crashes were younger than 25. Likewise, nearly half of fatally injured drivers who tested positive for marijuana were younger than 25.” Marijuana directly affects the part of the brain responsible for reaction time. In most states, a DWI/DUI will cost about $10,000 to remove from your record and may result in loss of driving privileges for an extended period of time. • One in 10 adults and one in six adolescents who try marijuana will become addicted (meaning their marijuana use will negatively disrupt their lives). Do you want your child to be that one out of six? Youth who use marijuana are more likely to use alcohol and cigarettes. Youth who use three or more substances are more likely to move on to stronger illegal substances like cocaine and prescription medications. Most teens are not smoking marijuana— in the U.S. in 2012 five out of six 12-to 17-year-olds had never tried marijuana. Rates in San Clemente are about 5 percent higher than the national trends. Let’s help our kids get to 21 with out harming their brains with illegal substances. Please join us on April 2 for our second “Get to 21” community education event—Weeding Through the Myths. We are proud to present two professionals from Colorado to share their experiences with legalized marijuana 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 North Calle Seville. Susan Parmelee is a social worker who works during the week at San Clemente High School in the Wellness & Prevention Center and at Western Youth Services. To subscribe to Wellness and Prevention Center weekly emails email “subscribe” to tritons41@gmail.com. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

Sudoku BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

The San Clemente High School Madrigals perform at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Photo: Jim Shilander

San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

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 Page 22

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

www.sanclementetimes.com

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

2411 S. El Camino Real, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING

Oasis Heating & Air

31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

APPLIANCE SERVICES & REPAIRS

ASAP Appliance Service

3200 Legendario, 949.361.7713, www.asapapplianceservice.com

ART GALLERIES

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

BOOKS

Village Books

99 Avenida Serra, 949.492.1114, www.DowntownSanClemente.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Thompson Chiropractic

629 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 104, 949.240.1334, www.thompson-chiro.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate

99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

DENTISTS

William Brownson, D.D.S.

3553 Camino Mira Costa, Ste B, 949.493.2391, www.drbrownson.com

Eric Johnson, D.D.S.

647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

Kristen Ritzau DDS

122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.498.4110, www.KristenRitzauDDS.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

IMAGES/Creative Solutions

117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com

HARP LESSONS & RENTALS

Wendy-Harpist

949.482.9025, www.orangecountyharpist.com

HEATING

Oasis Heating & Air

31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape

Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

MATTRESSES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

MORTGAGES

Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax

949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

Salon Bamboo

Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

Salon Bleu

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

PHARMACIES

Sea View Pharmacy

665 Camino De Los Mares, #101, 949.496.0123, www.seaviewpharmacy.com

PLUMBING

Bill Metzger Plumbing

929 Calle Negocio Suite D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

SC Pool & Spa Works

1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

Radiant Pool & Spa Service Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com

150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com 207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

Syrens Hair Parlor

217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

SWIMMING SCHOOL

Waterbabies Swim School

142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

REAL ESTATE

Marcie George Star Real Estate South County

949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School

949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

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In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com. Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

CAR FOR SALE FORD MUSTANG 2002, 6 CYN. Color black. Pri .party, original owner, very good condition service records available $5500. (949) 369-5288

FITNESS EQUIPMENT PILATES REFORMER Black Aero pilates reformer. Folds up for easy storage. Great workout at home. $125. 949.533.9761

FOR SALE ‘VINTAGE 1985 STEWART/ T&C SURFBOARD’ -$250. 949.933.0122 QUEEN MATTRESS SET $75 Two years old. Text or call 949633-3860 for pics or more info.

GARAGE SALES MARCH 7TH FROM 8-1PM 1647 via Tulipan, San Clemente 92673; book, appliances, lawn tools, clothes many more. GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com. Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

HELP WANTED MARKETING & ADVERTISING INTERN Picket Fence Media (San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch) is seeking a polished and enthusiastic advertising intern to start immediately. Enrolled college marketing and communications student required. Must be available Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons, one to two days a week. Great phone manner and attention to detail a must. Knowledge of sales and eye-for-design a plus. This is a non-paid internship and a great opportunity to obtain some hands-on work experience and college credit (if available through your school). Send resume listing school and work experience to Susie Lantz at slantz@sanclementetimes. com. No phone inquiries without resume.

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PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 111 or email slantz@sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times March 5â&#x20AC;&#x201C;11, 2015

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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

2015 San Clemente High School Spring Sports Preview BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

he 2015 prep sports spring season is on the horizon. In our annual preview, we get you caught up on all the San Clemente High School spring sports programs as they head into the new year. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @ SouthOCsports for in-game updates, stories, scores, news and more for all of the Triton teams.

BASEBALL LAST SEASON: The Tritons placed third in league and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kolby Allard, Will Tribucher, Lucas Herbert and Trevor Beard. CIRCLE ‘EM: National High School Invit. (3/25-28) and Trabuco Hills (4/15, 4/17). OUTLOOK: The San Clemente baseball team will enter the 2015 season with the proverbial target on their back. The Tritons return eight starters from last year, are led by arguably the top pitching prospect in the area and enter the season ranked among the state, and nation’s, best teams. Kolby Allard, a 6-foot-2-inch left-handed hurler, will be the team’s ace. Allard is poised to build on a tremendous junior season that saw him win a gold medal with the USA 18-U national team and MVP honors at the “Perfect Game” all-star showcase event in August.

But Allard is only one player on a deep and talented team. Senior catcher Lucas Herbert, who was also on the USA 18U team, third baseman Trevor Beard and No. 2 pitcher Will Tribucher round out a group of athletes who can hit and play solid defense in the field. Head coach Dave Gellatly said pitching will be a strength this season, with Tribucher, Chris Puckett, Andre Pellante, Dylan Riddle and Tanner Lawson all ready to go behind Allard. “Pitching is not going to be our issue. That’s a huge positive for us. If we get an injury in the pitching department, we still have guys to replace them,” Gellatly said. BASEBALL SCHEDULE: DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/6-14 3/17 3/20* 3/25-28

Loara Tourn., TBA, TBA Pacifica (Dbl. Head), TBA, TBA Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 3:30 p.m. National High School Invit., Cary, N.C., TBA 3/29-4/2 Anaheim Lions Tourn., TBA, TBA 3/31* Mission Viejo, SCHS, 3:30 p.m. 4/1* Laguna Hills, LHHS, 3:30 p.m. 4/2* San Juan Hills, SJHHS, 3:30 p.m. 4/7-12 Boras Classic Tourn., JSerra, TBA 4/15* Trabuco Hills, THHS, 3:30 p.m. 4/17* Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 3:30 p.m. 4/22 Dana Hills (Dbl. Head), Saddleback College, 4 p.m./7 p.m. 4/29* Laguna Hills, SCHS, 3:30 p.m. 5/1* Laguna Hills, LHHS, 3:30 p.m. 5/6* Mission Viejo, MVHS, 3:30 p.m. 5/8* Mission Viejo, SCHS, 3:30 p.m. 5/12* San Juan Hills, SCHS, 3:30 p.m. 5/14* San Juan Hills, SJHHS, 3:30 p.m.

Senior Billy Whitaker and the San Clemente boys tennis team are looking to repeat as South Coast League champions in 2015. Photo: Steve Breazeale

and Sean Rawlings and a strong crop of sophomores, like Shane Barreira. “At this point in the season (the competition) is definitely the tightest it’s been in my four years,” Schwartz said. “When we’re competing against one another we definitely play better. It brings out the best in all of us … That added competition definitely helps.” BOYS GOLF SCHEDULE:

*denotes league game

BOYS GOLF LAST SEASON: The Tritons finished second in the Sea View League and placed 11th at the CIF South Coast Team Divisional Championships. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sammy Schwartz, Austin Briggs, Shane Barreira and Sean Rawlings. CIRCLE ‘EM: Estancia Tournament (4/20) and Tesoro (4/23, 4/28).

San Clemente senior Sammy Schwartz will lead the Tritons’ boys golf team in 2015. Photo: Steve Breazeale

San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

OUTLOOK: Two weeks before the start of their season, eight of the San Clemente High School boys golf team players were dueling it out for a coveted spot in the sixplayer starting rotation. In fact, all eight of the players’ scoring averages were within two strokes of one another, which has made for competitive practices. Leading the way for the Tritons is University of Hawaii, Manoa-bound senior Sammy Schwartz, the team’s top player four years running. Rounding out the top group is returning seniors Austin Briggs

DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/5 3/9

Palm Desert, Talega, 2 p.m. Aliso Niguel Tourn., Aliso Viejo CC, 12 p.m. Aliso Niguel/Newport Harbor, El Niguel CC, 3:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley, SJH, 3 p.m. Capistrano Valley, Talega, 3 p.m. Dana Hills, Bella Collina, 2 p.m. Dana Hills, El Niguel CC, 3 p.m. San Juan Hills, Talega, 3 p.m. San Juan Hills, SJH, 3 p.m. Estancia Tourn., Mesa Verde CC, 12 p.m. Tesoro, Coto de Caza, 2:30 p.m. Tesoro, Bella Collina, 2 p.m. El Toro, Bella Collina, 2 p.m. El Toro, Shorecliffs, 2 p.m. SCL Finals, TBA, TBA Aliso Niguel, Talega, 3 p.m.

3/11 3/24* 3/26* 3/31* 4/1* 4/14 4/15 4/20 4/21* 4/23* 4/28* 4/30* 5/4-5 5/7

*denotes league match

BOYS TENNIS LAST SEASON: San Clemente won the South Coast League championship. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Michael Bott, Jay Yeam and Billy Whitaker CIRCLE ‘EM: Ojai Invitational (4/22-24) and

Page 26

Dana Hills (4/14). OUTLOOK: The San Clemente High School boys tennis team’s singles rotation will be tough to beat this year, with three veteran players returning to fill out the top three. Senior Billy Whitaker, who has spent the previous three years as a doubles player, Jay Yeam and Michael Bott will highlight the singles lineup. The question mark for the Tritons heading into the new season will be filling out the doubles rotation, according to head coach John Stephens. With Whitaker moving to singles there are few experienced doubles players on the Tritons roster, which has made filling those spots the main priority this offseason. “I don’t want to just be singles dominant. I want our doubles to improve so that will be the key for us winning league, if our doubles can improve. It’s kind of fun to see if that can happen,” Stephens said. BOYS TENNIS SCHEDULE: DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/5 3/12 3/16 3/24* 3/26* 4/2* 4/14* 4/16* 4/21* 4/22-24 4/28* 4/30* 5/5 5/6

Fountain Valley, FVHS, 3 p.m. Huntington Beach, SCHS, 3 p.m. Woodbridge, SCHS, 3 p.m. Aliso Niguel, ANHS, 3 p.m. Capistrano Valley, SCHS, 3 p.m. Trabuco Hills, THHS, 3 p.m. Dana Hills, SCHS, 3 p.m. Aliso Niguel, SCHS, 3 p.m. Capistrano Valley, CVHS, 3 p.m. Ojai Invit., Ojai, TBA Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 3 p.m. Dana Hills, DHHS, 3 p.m. SCL Prelims, TBA, TBA SCL Finals, Niguel RC, TBA

*denotes league match

www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS BOYS LACROSSE SCHEDULE:

BOYS SWIMMING LAST SEASON: San Clemente finished second in the South Coast League. SWIMMERS TO WATCH: Josh Swart, Aiden Pastel and Chase Hamming. CIRCLE ‘EM: Dana Hills (3/24) and Capistrano Valley (4/21). OUTLOOK: If there is one person who can speak firsthand to the talent on this year’s San Clemente boys swim team, it is newly hired first-year head coach Thomas Dollar. Dollar, a 2008 San Clemente High School graduate, has been working with the San Clemente Junior Lifeguards, where many of his current swimmers are enrolled, for the past eight years. Dollar also witnessed last year’s 4x100 relay team shatter his old school record in the event by several seconds. Three out of the four swimmers on last year’s relay team return to make up a strong senior class. “They took (my record) off the wall,” Dollar said with a laugh. “It’s impressive. It’s just a great group … They’re primed and ready to do some great things this season, I can already tell with these guys.” Josh Swart, Aiden Pastel and Chase Hamming were all members on last year’s historic relay team and return this year to round out the top of the Tritons rotation. Brandon Foo and Dylan Goode also return.

The San Clemente boys swim team is coming off a second-place finish in the South Coast League and enters the season with a new head coach. Photo: Steve Breazeale

choosing to swim with high school, which is out of the ordinary.” Maddie Gamette, Megan Rowe, Kaleigh Anderson and Kinsley Anderson are among the club swimmers on the Tritons squad. Warkentin said most of them will focus on the sprint and freestyle events, but have the flexibility to swim in the specialty strokes, like the butterfly. The Tritons will get a good look at where they stand amongst the county’s best when they hit the pool deck for the Capo Relays on March 12. GIRLS SWIMMING SCHEDULE:

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/12-14 3/17 3/24* 3/28 3/31* 4/14 4/21* 4/28* 5/5-6 5/7-8

Capo Relays, CVHS, TBA Mission Viejo/Northwood, NHS, 3:15 p.m. Dana Hills, DHHS, 3:15 p.m. Mission Viejo Invit., Marguerite AC, 9 a.m. Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 3:15 p.m. San Juan Hills, SJHHS, 3:15 p.m. Capistrano Valley, SCHS, 3:15 p.m. Tesoro, THS, 3:15 p.m. SCL Prelims, CVHS, 3 p.m. SCL Finals, TBA, TBA

3/12-14 3/17 3/24* 3/28 3/31* 4/14 4/21* 4/28* 5/5-6 5/7-8

LAST SEASON: N/A SWIMMERS TO WATCH: Maddie Gamette, Megan Rowe, Kaylee Anderson and Kinsley Anderson. CIRCLE ‘EM: Capo Relays (3/12-14) and Dana Hills (3/24) OUTLOOK: First-year head coach Lindsay Warkentin believes that this version of the San Clemente girls swim team will be a unique one. Warkentin said most of the Tritons varsity roster is comprised of club swimmers who have chosen to swim for their high school, rather than focus on their club’s efforts. “Overall, the team is very deep,” Warkentin said. “Around 80 percent are San Clemente Times March 5-11, 2015

Rancho Bernardo, RBHS, 7 p.m. Southlake Carroll, SCHS, 6 p.m. Corona del Mar, CDM, 12 p.m. Foothill, FHS, 3:45 p.m. Palos Verdes, Vista Hermosa, 9 a.m. Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Poway, Vista Hermosa, 7 p.m. Aliso Niguel, ANHS, 5:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Great Oak, GOHS, 6 p.m. Tesoro, THS, 5:30 p.m. Trabuco Hills, THHS, 5:30 p.m. Carlsbad, CHS, TBA Aliso Niguel, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Servite, Vista Hermosa, 6 p.m. Capistrano Valley, CVHS, 5:30 p.m. Tesoro, SCHS, 5:30 p.m.

GIRLS LACROSSE

DATE

GIRLS SWIMMING

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/9 3/11 3/14 3/19 3/21 3/24* 3/27 3/31* 4/3* 4/7 4/14* 4/17* 4/20 4/23* 4/25 4/28* 5/1*

*denotes league game

BOYS SWIMMING SCHEDULE:

*denotes league meet

DATE

*denotes league meet

BOYS LACROSSE LAST SEASON: San Clemente won the South Coast League and advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jack Renard, Caleb Bozarth, Max Lepley and Austin Boyer. CIRCLE ‘EM: Corona del Mar (3/14), Foothill (3/19) and Tesoro (5/1). OUTLOOK: Although the San Clemente boys lacrosse team took a big hit to graduation, first-year head coach Brad Reppert believes the 2015 Tritons return with solid depth and are cultivating enough young talent to power them to yet another strong season. The Tritons lost several impact players on attack, but returning is leading goal

LAST SEASON: The Tritons finished fourth in league and advanced to the first round of the playoffs. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Katelyn Miner, Emily Twilegar, Ariana Petrikas and Stephanie Alpizar. CIRCLE ‘EM: Trabuco Hills (3/24) and Capistrano Valley (4/3)

San Clemente boys lacrosse captains Austin Boyer (1), Jack Renard (23), Caleb Bozarth (22) and Max Lepley (9) will lead the Tritons in 2015. Photo: Courtesy

scorer Jack Renard, who scored 58 goals in 2014. Renard will be joined up top by returners Nick Lemus, an Air Force commit, and sophomore Matt Keany. The Tritons defense held opponents to 6.7 goals against last year, including playoffs, and a solid core of that defensive unit returns this season. The defense will be anchored by juniors Max Lepley and Caleb Bozarth and sophomore goalie Austin Boyer, who started as a freshman. “Defensively I think we’re really starting to figure out our slides. We’re working on communicating and we’re starting to get that down,” Reppert said. “On both sides of the ball, I’m very happy. I think we’re going to give teams fits.” The Tritons will hit the ground running this season with early high-profile games scheduled against Corona del Mar and Foothill. Page 27

OUTLOOK: Over the past two seasons, San Clemente girls lacrosse head coach Josh Cain has seen the Tritons become more and more competitive. The Tritons may not have had a flashy overall record (the team went 6-10), but they played in several close games and lost three matches by one goal. Last season the team made the playoffs for the first time in four years and look to continue that trend with 12 seniors returning to the roster. Eight starters from last year’s group return, including offensive minded Katelyn Miner, the team’s leading scorer three years running, and Emily Twilegar. The Tritons defense kept them in games last season and a veteran backline made up of four seniors returns. All-league defender Shelby Thompson, Julie Goggins, Makenna Scarpone and Jordan Reagan will be tasked with keeping the South Coast League’s top attack players at bay this year. GIRLS LACROSSE SCHEDULE: DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/5 3/7 3/10 3/13 3/17 3/24* 3/27 3/31* 4/3* 4/14* 4/17* 4/21 4/24* 4/28* 4/30*

Dana Hills, DHHS, 5:30 p.m. Mission Viejo, SCHS, 3 p.m. Laguna Hills, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. El Toro, ETHS, 5:30 p.m. Temecula Valley, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Trabuco Hills, THHS, 5:30 p.m. Santa Margarita, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Aliso Niguel, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley, CVHS, 5:30 p.m. Tesoro, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. St. Margaret’s, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Aliso Niguel, ANHS, 5:30 p.m. Capistrano Valley, SCHS, 5:30 p.m. Tesoro, THS, 5:30 p.m.

*denotes league game

(Cont. on page 28) www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS (Cont. from page 27)

Josh Vollebregt and Bennett Seacrest. CIRCLE ‘EM: Triton Invitational (3/21) and Tesoro (4/30).

San Clemente senior Lauren Kane will be among the Tritons softball team’s dual-threat players at the plate and in the pitcher’s circle. Photo: Steve Breazeale

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD LAST SEASON: The Tritons finished fifth in the South Coast League. ATHLETES TO WATCH: Kelsey Carroll, Katie Carroll, Madison Chronister and Anna Gillis. CIRCLE ‘EM: Triton Invitational (3/21) and Tesoro (4/30). OUTLOOK: A move to the Sea View League bodes well for the San Clemente girls track and field team, who won the league title for two straight years the last time they were in it. The Tritons’ distance runners will be a strength for this year. San Clemente is coming off a strong cross country season and nearly all of the varsity runners will be a part of the track and field distance team, according to head coach Dave Proodian. Senior Kelsey Carroll is the reigning Orange County cross country champion and will headline a distance team that includes her sister, Katie Carroll. In the throws, veterans Madison Chronister, a senior, and Anna Gillis, a junior, return. Chronister, a shot put specialist, and Gillis, a standout in the discus throw, both qualified for CIF-SS competition last season. Proodian envisions the duo contending week in and week out for meet wins in their respective events. GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD SCHEDULE: DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/13 3/14 3/19 3/21 4/2* 4/3-4 4/16* 4/23* 4/25 4/30* 5/5 5/6

OC Classic, MVHS, 4 p.m. Irvine Invit., Irvine, TBA Aliso Niguel, SCHS, 2:45 p.m. Triton Invit., SCHS, TBA Laguna Hills, SCHS, 2:45 p.m. Trabuco Invit., THHS, TBA San Juan Hills, SJHHS, 2:45 p.m. Capistrano Valley, CVHS, 2:45 p.m. OC Championships, MVHS, TBA Tesoro, SCHS, 2:45 p.m. SVL Prelims, TBA, TBA SVL Finals, TBA, TBA

OUTLOOK: Depth in the distance race events will be key for the San Clemente boys track and field team this season, according to head coach Dan Johnson. Last season, San Clemente was powered by three standout athletes who, as a trio of two throwers and one jumper, were able to finish third at CIF. With all three of those athletes gone, the Tritons are now looking to other areas, like their distance team, for points. Johnson envisions Connor Dunne, Josh Vollebregt and Carlos DeJesus to be among the top Tritons distance runners this season. The Tritons are relatively thin at sprints, but Johnson believes senior Jessie Morrison can contend. Johnson said Bennett Seacrest is eyeing an impressive mark of 6-4 in the high jump, which should put him in line with contending for a league title and a spot in CIF. BOYS TRACK AND FIELD SCHEDULE: DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/13 3/14 3/19 3/21 4/2* 4/3-4 4/16* 4/23* 4/25 4/30* 5/5 5/6

*denotes league meet

BOYS VOLLEYBALL LAST SEASON: The Tritons won the South Coast League title and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Brandon Hopper, Matt August, Dominic Brousardand and Paul Castellana. CIRCLE ‘EM: Best of the West Tourn. (3/13-14) and Dana Hills (4/2). OUTLOOK: In his 15-year tenure as the San Clemente boys volleyball head coach,

San Clemente boys track and field pole vaulters during a practice. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Ken Goldstone cannot remember a team that can match the size of his current squad. The Tritons have two players that stand at 6 feet 8 inches tall, three players at 6 foot 7 inches and two players at 6 foot 3 inches. The abundance of height has allowed Goldstone to tweak schemes and experiment with certain lineups in the early going. Goldstone said the team has exceptional height, but they will need to be sharp in the passing department if they are to activate their big players at the net and take advantage of it. The middle blocking unit will be led by UC Irvine commit Matt August, Dominic Brousard and rising sophomore Kyler Presho-Hartung. UC Santa Barbara commit Brandon Hopper, who has been converted to outside hitter, and oppositeoutside hitter Aaron Strange return. BOYS VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE: DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/5 3/10 3/13-14 3/18 3/20-21 3/24 3/26* 4/2* 4/14* 4/16* 4/21* 4/23 4/28* 4/30* 5/1-2 5/5*

Newport Harbor, NHHS, 6 p.m. Laguna Beach, SCHS, 6:15 p.m. Best of the West Tourn., Poway, TBA Capistrano Valley, SCHS, 6:15 p.m. OC Championships, TBA, TBA Fountain Valley, FVHS, 6:15 p.m. Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 6:15 p.m. Dana Hills, SCHS, 5:45 p.m. Laguna Hills, SCHS, 6:15 p.m. Tesoro, THS, 6:15 p.m. Trabuco Hills, THHS, 6:15 p.m. El Toro, SCHS, 6:15 p.m. Dana Hills, SCHS, 6:15 p.m. Laguna Hills, LHHS, 6:15 p.m. Redondo Classic Tourn., RUHS, TBA Tesoro, SCHS, 6:15 p.m.

*denotes league game

SOFTBALL

*denotes league meet

BOYS TRACK & FIELD LAST SEASON: San Clemente placed third in the South Coast League. ATHLETES TO WATCH: Connor Dunne, San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

Cale Foreman (13) and the San Clemente boys volleyball team are looking for a third straight South Coast League title this season. Photo: Steve Breazeale

LAST SEASON: The Tritons went 13-9 overall, placed third in the South Coast League and advanced to the first round of the playoffs. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lauren Kane,

Page 28

Jordyne Prussak, Lauren Gonzales and Kelsey Horton. CIRCLE ‘EM: Dana Hills (3/26) and San Juan Hills (4/23, 5/11). OUTLOOK: The San Clemente softball team runs through infield practice drills with precision and, after an error is made, in relative silence. Head coach Bill Malcolm has seen his veteran team take on a self-policing role over the offseason and, when something is not up to par, the team takes in upon themselves to correct it. If a ground ball is bobbled or thrown away, quick glances amongst players are exchanged, gloves are put down and they do pushups. “We have an older team and we kind of have that expectation where, if we’re not doing well, we have to get out of it … so we avoid making the mistakes we’ve made in the past,” Lauren Kane, a senior pitcher, said. The Tritons lost only one senior to graduation and return power hitter Gonzales (.500 batting average, eight home runs in 2014), Horton (.493, five home runs) and a strong pitching duo in Kane (9-6, 4.13 ERA) and Prussak (4-3, 2.46 ERA). SOFTBALL SCHEDULE: DATE

OPPONENT, LOCATION, TIME

3/5 3/7 3/9-12

Capistrano Valley, SCHS, 3:15 p.m. Foothill Tourn., TBA, TBA Saddleback Vly. Tourn., Alicia Park, TBA OC Saints Tourn., Crean Lutheran, TBA Dana Hills, SCHS, 4:30 p.m. Tesoro, THS, 4:30 p.m. Trabuco Hills, SCHS, 4:30 p.m. San Juan Hills, SJHHS, 4:30 p.m. Laguna Hills, SCHS, 4:30 p.m. Tesoro, SCHS, 4:30 p.m. Trabuco Hills, THHS, 4:30 p.m. San Juan Hills, SCHS, 4:30 p.m. Laguna Hills, LHHS, 4:30 p.m.

3/19-23 3/26 4/16* 4/21* 4/23* 4/28* 5/5* 5/7* 5/11* 5/13*

*denotes league game

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SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Soul Surﬁng

RESULTS Soul Surf Series, Event No. 5, Feb. 28, San Clemente, T Street

Soul Surf Series event brings 150 competitors, families to T Street BY ANDREA SWAYNE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

he Soul Surf competition went on as planned, Saturday, Feb. 28, despite weather forecasts predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms. The weather at T Street in San Clemente was cool and the wind swell produced sporadic peaks in the 1- to 2-foot range. Conditions were challenging for the 150 competitors of all ages, but with peaks popping up washing machine-style, judges were pleased at the way it prevented the “group effect,” among younger competitors, helping them to spread out in the lineup. “It really separated kids who were looking for the opportunity to maximize their wave use by getting to their feet and right away doing a big turn and then sticking with it for a big finish,” said Brandon Phillips, Soul Surf general and team manager. Phillips, a recent addition to the Soul Surf team, having joined owners Chris and Karen Williams’ company six months ago, said he stepped away from his retail marketing and snowboard team management role at Etnies due to a desire to get more involved with the community and to coach surfing. In addition to his team coaching duties, Phillips is charged with helping to grow the Soul Surf private label brand of goods and the competition series, along with shaping the team boards. The Soul Surf Series puts on eight to nine events per season with divisions for age groups from under 7 through seniors, including shortboard, longboard and fish competition. “It’s a great platform for young kids to

GROM OF THE WEEK

CARTER SIEVERTS

arter Sieverts, 14, of Dana Point, moved to Kauai, Hawaii at the age of 4, where he learned to surf at 6 under the tutelage of his father. He moved back to Dana Point about a year and a half ago and now shortboards for the Dana Hills High School surf team and competes in Soul Surf Series events. “It would be great to become a pro surfer someday,” Carter said. “But really, it’s all about thriving and going for what you want even if it’s really difficult. Soul surfing is great too because surfing is my passion and no matter what, it’s something I will do for the rest of my life.” In school Carter is an A and B student who would like to study either business management or oceanography in college. San Clemente Times March 5–11, 2015

Micro Grom competitors and their dads await the start of their heat at Soul Surf Series event No. 5, Feb. 28 at T Street in San Clemente. Photo: Andrea Swayne

get introduced to the competition world of surfing,” Phillips said. “And the more advanced kids also show up to get in more contest practice.” The Williams started Soul Surf in 2003 as a mom and pop operation, teaching surf lessons out of Laguna Beach. Since then it has grown into the full competition series and a retail store in Laguna on Pacific Coast Highway, as well as a program benefitting Camp Pendleton-based military families. “Proceeds from our surf camps and the series go toward providing free surf camps, clubs and competitions at Church Beach for military families,” Karen Williams said. “We wanted to start something familyfriendly, to give youth a platform to start a little bit younger. All of our programs are geared toward helping kids get to the next level in their surfing and also having a great lifestyle and a thankful attitude for everything they have been given in this life.” Having been involved for years helping out at John Lindsley’s Christian Surf-

“I’ve always thought I’d like to go to Notre Dame because it seems like a really cool school and is Christian oriented, but University of Hawai’i at Manoa, would be good too,” he said. Carter would also like to learn to shape surfboards. “I have dreamed of shaping boards since I was 7,” he said. “I knew a guy in Kauai who shaped and everyone knew him and loved him. I think it would be cool to help out the community by giving kids good boards to ride.” When Carter isn’t doing school work or surfing, he likes to skate and hang out with his friends. “And I shred on the kendama,” he added with a laugh. “When I stood up on my first wave I got hooked,” Carter said. “Surfing is refreshing and it feels so free, like I let out everything, stress, emotions, when I’m in the water. It’s almost like therapy. It’s super cool and so fun.”

ing Federation series, Lindsley invited the Williams to take it on full-time about three seasons ago. Lindsley has remained involved with putting on the events. Since the Williams’ took over, the response from the community has been positive, contest entries have doubled and the company’s military sponsorship program has thrived, Williams said. “We started off when we were asked to help out with a few family events for Camp Pendleton surfers and just really got a heart for the families and kids,” Williams said. “We were happy to be able to have a positive impact on the children’s lives, with many of their dads being deployed. It started small and has grown to where we now have 65 military families participating.” The next stop on this year’s Soul Surf Series is in Oceanside on April 4. To find out more about the company, visit www. soulsurfingschool.com. And to register for contests, see www.comps.soulsurfingschool.com. SC

Carter Sieverts. Photo: Nickie Fry

Lately his immediate goal has been working on improving his aerial game and progressing his surf skills all around. When asked if he has any other life goals, Carter said, “I’d like to have a good family someday, raise some surfer groms.” —Andrea Swayne

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MICRO GROMS U7: 1. Loyal Kenworthy; 2. Petey Romanuik; 3. Mia Leish; 4. Lenin Ferguson; 5. Jett Prefontaine; 6. Logan Stevens. MICRO GROMS U9: 1. Hudson Saunders; 2. Eli Park; 3. Peyton Shaw; 4. Charlie Stevens; 5. Azure Trujillo; 6. Christian Collings. BOYS U10: 1. Makai Bray; 2. Hendrick Osterkamp; 3. Ryder Fish; 4. Maddox Bray; 5. Jax Hutcheon ; 6. Ben Brantell. GIRLS U10: 1. Hannah Dunfee; 2. Lauren Anderson; 3. Ryan Chalupnik; 4. Juliana Romaniuk; 5. Sierra Downer; 6. Rino Nishida. BOYS U12: 1. Nico Coli; 2. Myles Biggs; 3. William Mitchell; 4. Cannon Carr; 5. Max Morville; 6. Tyson Lockhart. GIRLS U12: 1. Noelle Walker; 2. Reese Hartnett; 3. Elle Emery; 4. Hannah Dunfee; 5. Bella Kenworthy; 6. Juliana Romaniuk. BOYS U14: 1. Griffin Foy; 2. Trey Lockhart; 3. Ryan Martin; 4. Keanu Igarashi; 5. Miles Biggs; 6. Tyson Lockhart. GIRLS U14: 1. Izzy Hopkins; 2. Kelly Smith; 3. Kalohe Danbara; 4. Hayden Rouse; 5. Kennedy Hurley; 6. Jayme Linnes. BOYS U16: 1. Ryan Martin; 2. Griffin Foy; 3. David Economos; 4. Max Beach; 5. Trey Lockhart; 6. Bryce Maddox. GIRLS U16: 1. Kelly Smith; 2. Kalohe Danbara; 3. Maile Davis; 4. Kennedy Hurley; 5. Jayme Linnes; 6. Izzy Hopkins. BOYS U18: 1. David Economos; 2. Cameron Griggs; 3. Chad Clifton; 4. Christian Bowcutt; 5. Parker Swoish; 6. Nicholas Holdman. OPEN WOMEN/GIRLS U18: 1. Maile Davis; 2. Kalohe Danbara; 3. Avery Hurley; 4. Kennedy Hurley; 5. Noelle Walker; 6. Grace Gilles. OPEN FISH: 1. Cody Canzoneri; 2. Gavin Haughey; 3. Joshua Stiers; 4. Noah Albrecht; 5. Braden Hotra; 6. Jimmy Wynne. BOYS JUNIOR LONGBOARD: 1. Diesel Rathgeber; 2. Jackson Todd; 3. Jameson Roller; 4. Riley Branom; 5. Jimmy Wynne; 6. Jack Hansen Garvey. GIRLS JUNIOR LONGBOARD: 1. Izzy Hopkins; 2. Alexa Ross; 3. Lexi Morgan; 4. Cate Stokes; 5. Madison Griggs; 6. Maile Earlywine. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 1. Nathan Clifton; 2. Jameson Roller; 3. Jorge Barba; 4. Bryce Maddox; 5. Jarrett Reynolds. OPEN MEN: 1. Cody Canzoneri; 2. Gavin Doan; 3. Cameron Griggs; 4. Jeremy Jennings; 5. Christian Bowcutt; 6. Shane Hardy. SENIOR MEN: 1. Scott Witmer; 2. Jeff Jessee; 3. Brent James Jessee; 4. Paul Anderson; 5. Anthony Roach; 6. Matt Dunfee. MASTERS: 1. Gavin Haughey; 2. Jeff Jessee; 3. Brandon Phillips; 4. Paul Pence.

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 60-62 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 6-8’+ Poor-Fair Thursday and Friday: SSW groundswell holds Thursday as minor NW swell-mix blends in. Expect chest-shoulder-head high waves at the better summer breaks, with standout spots producing occasional overhead sets. On Friday size, and our SSW swell, will begin a slow easing trend. Light offshore flow in the mornings is followed by a light to moderate onshore sea-breeze each afternoon. Mostly sunny skies each day with beach temps climbing into the low 70s. Keep in mind that deep morning high tides will slow many breaks. Longer Range Outlook: Fading SSW swell prevails through the weekend as small NW energy blends in. Morning winds remain favorable, as tide gradually become less of an issue. Look for a moderate Westerly sea-breeze to develop each afternoon. Check out Surfline for more details, daily updates, and the longer range outlook!