September 3, 2015 by San Clemente Times

LO C A L

N EWS

September 3–9, 2015 YO U

C A N

U S E

INSIDE: This month’s South County Real Estate Guide SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 10, ISSUE 36

Outlets Near the Finish Line

San Clemente’s largest retail facility will open in November EYE ON SC/PAGE 6

The Outlets at San Clemente have planned various events and a job fair in the near future as the grand opening draws nearer. Photo: Eric Heinz

Appeals Court Rules Beach Parking Funds Must be Returned EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Parents Unite to Help With Troubled Children EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

www.sanclementetimes.com

Pastor Opens School for Christian Minority in Pakistan SC LIVING/PAGE 29

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

Shop Dine Local SAN CLEMENTE

ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Contact Susie Lantz at 949.388.7700, ext 111 or slantz@sanclementetimes.com

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With... Five things San Clemente should know this week Lawsuit Filed Against Contractor of Talega Homes THE LATEST: Recently, a class-action lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court by San Clemente residents against a contractor responsible for constructing and installing copper piping in Talega Homes. According to Orange County Superior Court documents, Standard Pacific Homes installed the copper piping and the complainants claim the contractor knew the pipes were not long-lasting. Damages are being sought for “the loss of pipe for the damages of those who have already re-piped and other consequential damages to drywall, framing and the interior of the premises as well as other damages,” said Richard Bridgford, who is representing the complainants. Bidgford is working with his partner Mike Artinian, of Bridgford, Gleason and Artinian, Law Firm. “The reality is, for purposes of a quote the cost of the re-pipe in the past has been about $15,000 and could be more in the future,” Bridgford said. “We’ve received numerous complaints.” The suit could affect 600 to 650 homes from Standard Pacific Homes. There are more than 3,000 homes and other buildings that could be affected by copper piping in Talega, Bridgford said. “The bottom line is weakened copper pipes have existed for decades,” Bridgford said. “Unfortunately, in this state there’s a statute of limitations and many of the homeowners are left without a remedy because they complained and it’s not been taken care of.” Bridgford said the only way for his clients now to recoup damages is to file the class-action lawsuit. WHAT’S NEXT: Although a lawsuit has been filed, Standard Pacific Homes wrote to San Clemente Times with an email that they have not been served with the complaint at this time. “Standard Pacific Homes is aware that a homeowner in Talega filed a purported class action lawsuit against it related to copper pipes. We have not yet been formally served,” Daniel Tocco, Standard Pacific Homes director of communications, wrote in an email. “We encourage all San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

Sensitive Sweets bakery and Bow Wow Beautiful Pet Spa in San Clemente were burglarized on Aug. 25. The thief tunneled in through the pet spa and stole $150 from each business. Photo: Evan Da Silva

Man Tunnels Through Two Businesses, Steals $300

our homeowners to contact us whenever they have a problem or concern with their home, and we respond to all service requests. Standard Pacific Homes did not receive a single complaint or service request from the homeowner who filed the class action lawsuit related to the home’s copper pipes prior to the lawsuit being filed.”—Eric Heinz

Beach Parking Argument Upheld by Appeals Court THE LATEST: On Friday, a three-judge panel in the California Appellate Court upheld a lower court’s decision regarding the reimbursement of the Beach Parking Funds in San Clemente that were challenged by plaintiff Daniel Walker as the trustee and others. The judge has ordered the $10.6 million in the fund be returned to the people who had to pay it. Local attorney Brad Malamud has championed this lawsuit since its beginning in 2012. The parking fund was established in 1989 from new development as a way to assist beach coastal parking throughout the city. Originally, an Orange County Superior Court judge ruled the beach parking fund had to be returned to the residents as it was not being used for its specific purpose in a timely manner. WHAT’S NEXT: The city will have to find a method that is equitable to return all of the $10.6 million to the taxpayers who contributed to the fund over the years. Malamud said because the tax rates have changed over the years, it will have to be broken down by who paid and when. During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Malamud said he wants to work with the city to resolve these issues.—EH

THE LATEST: On Aug. 25, a man was captured on video breaking into a cash register at Sensitive Sweets bakery in San Clemente. What can’t be seen in the video is how the man tunneled through Bow Wow Pet Grooming, located next door, where he stole $150. When he broke into the bakery, he reportedly stole another $150, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials said. It was not immediately clear how much the man had caused in damages. WHAT’S NEXT: OCSD officials said they did not have a height, weight or race identification on the suspect and no other suspects have been named at this time.—EH

Waterslide Special Event Application Pushed Back THE LATEST: Slide the City, a temporary water slide company, recently submitted an event application to the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission for review and for discussion at City Council. The company has asked to place a slide that would use water equivalent to an average home’s monthly water usage, sliding from Avenida La Pata to Vista Hermosa. During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Recreation Manager Pamela Passow said the event could generate between $150,000 and $300,000, depending on the number of visitors and how long the event lasts. Passow said the company estimates 6,000 to 7,000 people would buy tickets for it. Additionally, the company proposed

Page 3

to donate $10,000 to local charities in exchange for volunteer help. “It works because La Pata is not filled in and it will be late September of 2016 (before it’s completed), and this wouldn’t interfere with construction,” Councilman Tim Brown said during the meeting. Brown said the city would also coordinate with Orange County officials as well as the Orange County Transportation Authority to examine when this could be done. Councilman Bob Baker wanted nothing to do with the event. “There’s a drought, and we’re talking about wasting a household’s use,” Baker said. “It is the absolute wrong message to send.” Passow said it would be possible to have vendors who provide information regarding water conservation at the event and make the theme of it geared toward saving water. This would have been the first Slide the City event in California. The last event took place in Hong Kong. Mayor Chris Hamm said the council should discuss the event next year at the very soonest. WHAT’S NEXT: Council members agreed to look at the application in the spring if winter weather from an anticipated El Niño alleviates drought conditions. FIND OUT MORE: Visit www.slidethecity. com to see an example of the proposal. —EH

City Files Lawsuit Against Sober Living Facilities THE LATEST: Since extending a moratorium on the establishment of sober living residences and addiction treatment facilities, the city of San Clemente has since filed lawsuits against several facilities since mid-August. Some of the facilities listed in closed session discussions from Tuesday’s City Council meeting include San Clemente Bonita Plaza, Sobertec LLC and 449 Recovery Inc. The city alleges the companies have violated municipal codes and, as part of the damages, they said the centers should close within the city limits or have a temporary injunction placed upon them. The extent of temporary injunctions was not explained in detail in the lawsuits. City Attorney Scott Smith said there are various other companies that are in pending or existing litigation since the moratorium was established last month. Prior to that the city had implemented a 45-day moratorium on the businesses. WHAT’S NEXT: The extension of the moratorium is scheduled to last for another 10 months. —EH www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Parental Support Group Opens San Clemente Chapter Because I Love You to host informational meeting Sept. 14 BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Dave Cassano (center holding the scissors) and Sharon Torres (right) owners of Cassano’s Pizza celebrate the grand opening of their new location with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Friday morning. Photo: Evan Da Silva

Business Beat News from San Clemente’s business community COMPILED BY STAFF

New Location CASSANO’S PIZZA 818 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.7611, www.cassanos.net Cassano’s Pizza celebrated its grand opening of a new location, 818 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente, on Aug. 28. After 28 years on Avenida Victoria, across the street from the San Clemente Pier, owners Dave Cassano and Sharon Torres lost their lease last March. Now Cassano’s is back in its new location and both Cassano and Torres are excited for what the future holds. “It’s great to be back,” said Torres. “The support from the community has been unbelievable. It’s great to feel part of the community again, we missed it.” The new locale features a larger dining area with more seating and an expanded menu. Cassano expressed his gratitude and approval of the restaurant’s new landlord as well. “We have a very good landlord now,” Cassano said. “She cares about us and is very active in the community.” —Evan Da Silva

New Product RESHAPE MEDICAL 100 Calle Iglesia, 949.429.6680 ext. 110, www.reshapeready.com Rick Thompson’s mission the last four years has been creating a medical device for people to lose weight without invasive surgery. San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

Thompson, the CEO of ReShape Medical in San Clemente, has been in the medical field for 35 years and said he wants people who have struggled with their weight to have an alternative choice to losing weight. “It’s more comfortable and safe since it fits better in the stomach, although it does build on the single-balloon concept,” Thompson said. Having been available outside the United States for three years, the device was approved by the Food and Drug Administration two weeks ago. The ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System technology is based on a single-balloon design that previously reached international popularity. Although the company is 10 years old, the new product has undergone three years of clinical trials in which 400 patients were treated, as well as a year of comprehensive review by the FDA. The majority of his career has consisted of treating other major health problems, such as diabetes, and now he is determined to get to the root of this national epidemic. He said San Clemente is just the place to get the ball rolling because the company was started by an incubator business in town. The product can only be administered with a doctor’s prescription and is strictly for those with a body mass index range from 30 to 40, meaning the target demographic is people who are 20 to 100 pounds overweight. It is a temporary apparatus unlike many other semi-permanent procedures, and Thompson said that makes risk factors much lower. The balloon is inside the stomach for six months in order to help keep the patient feeling full for longer. When it’s removed, nutritional coaching is administered by health care professionals, but Thompson said the goals remain the same to break bad habits and develop a healthy lifestyle. — Alison Shea

t is said that nothing is stronger than a family bond. That’s probably why it hurts so much when it’s strained or breaks. For parents with children who are acting out, behaving inappropriately or consistently disregarding authority—or worse—Because I Love You is a support system that offers advice. An informational meeting will take place 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at San Clemente Presbyterian Church, 119 Avenida De La Estrella. Regular meetings take place 7 to 9 p.m. every Monday. BILY founder Dennis Poncher will speak about the program and his struggles more than 30 years ago with his own family situation. Gina Sisca Hazlett began the San Clemente chapter of BILY in July and is now trying to spread information to other parents who may utilize the group’s resources. Sisca Hazlett said it’s not an easy task to rearrange someone’s parenting methods after years of repetition. “It’s really difficult,” she said. “We kind of make it like it’s a team effort so they know they have that support. If they’re going to have to follow through on a tough consequence like take their kid’s car away or whatever, they have us to call for support, to help them have the strength to follow through.” Sisca Hazlett said the group wants the parents to guide themselves toward making better decisions rather than coming to the rescue every time they make a bad decision. “We work more with the parents more on their level; we meet them where they (are comfortable),” she said. “We work together to brainstorm to find what works with each individual family. They can share whatever issues they’re facing and we help them come up with a plan.” Parents formulate a goal each week during the meeting. Most of the goals are set to give them peace again and take control of the family. “We just help them get back on track and establish boundaries,” she said. Sisca Hazlett said there are guest speakers who come to meetings but professional psychologists and psychiatrists aren’t necessarily involved. It’s an experiencebased support system. “In one meeting sometimes we can see the stress lifted because the parents always leave the meeting with a plan for the week,” Sisca Hazlett said. “The byproduct

Page 4

is the children, a lot of the time, get their lives back on track because the parents have the tools to do that and the strength to hold their kids accountable.” Sisca Hazlett said they ask interested parents to try the organization’s meeting for a minimum of six weeks but it is not a requirement. “It’s difficult steps they have to take sometimes,” she said. “Some parents come for two years and they’re still just taking baby steps.” Currently nine parents are attending the San Clemente chapter’s meetings, but she said that is before the official launch meeting. The majority of issues parents face include drugs, disrespect in general and a lack of recognition for authority, Sisca Hazlett said. Age ranges of children who are acting out are typically teenagers, but she said they’ve helped parents of children in their 20s and in rare instances 30s and 40s. “Part of it is having confidence in who you are—remembering who you are and what your morals are,” Sisca Hazlett said. “A lot of parents are letting their kids get away with things that they don’t believe are OK, but they don’t have the strength or the confidence to hold their kids accountable for what they believe is right.” Some of the tactics of rebuilding the family structure include body language and instructional procedures, she said, but this is also backed up with strict enforcement. “If your No. 1 problem is drugs with your children, you’ve got to drug test them and hold them accountable,” she said. “Follow through with the consequences or let them deal with the consequences if they get into trouble instead of rescuing them.” The proof of the strength in group support organizations was enough for her to start a local chapter in San Clemente. “I’ve heard so many amazing success stories,” she said. “If there’s a mental illness or violent situation that we are not equipped to handle, we will find them resources. Even if it’s a very difficult situation, we take that into consideration.” BILY is a nonprofit organization and attendance is free. The local chapter partners with the Wellness and Prevention Center of San Clemente at San Clemente High School. For more information about the organization, parental guiding tools and additional resources, call 949.498.7276 or visit www.bily.org. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

At Long Last Outlets at San Clemente to host grand opening Nov. 12-15 BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

atience has been a virtue for the stakeholders of the Outlets of San Clemente. During the course of 18 years, San Clemente’s largest-planned commercial facility has waited for its day to come alive. That day is now Nov. 12. With the opening of the shopping center, Nicky See, the marketing director of the Outlets at San Clemente, and Susan Jennrich, the general manager, said employment opportunities for the new business locations will be plentiful. See said the Outlets intend to have 1,000 jobs throughout the facility, including full-time, part-time and seasonal positions. The number of jobs available for each specific business is unknown at this time, she said. See said all staff for the Outlets, which includes security guards, parking attendants, custodians and more, will be hired from within the company. “We’ll have about 35 staff members for all departments and additional staff for parking during the holidays,” See said. “We’re still hoping for 70 percent occupancy, and we’re thinking 40 to 45 stores will be open at the grand opening. Then a lot of them will be opening as we head into 2016.” In order to occupy the remaining 30 percent of the commercial space, the Outlets representatives hope some deals with formulate. “There are a lot of stores that have interest,” See said. “The word in the industry is very positive and people are very interested.” In addition to job creation, Jennrich said concierge and other services will be available to customers. “We will have complimentary strollers and baggage check to make the experience above and beyond what people experience in most places,” Jennrich said. “Just because we’re an outlet center does not mean this place is going to be cheap. It’s going to be a wonderful place.” There will be three entries shoppers can use to parking facilities: from the bridge extending from across Vista Hermosa, the middle of the street on the west side and an east-side entrance. “With those structure, congestion will not be an issue,” See said. “When all is said and done, we’ll have 3,339 parking spaces.” Although the opening date is midNovember, construction continues at the Outlets. “It’s day-to-day to the finish line,” See said. “What’s nice is we no longer have see-through buildings. We’re starting to San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

Construction is running smoothly and on schedule to open the Outlets at San Clemente by Nov. 12, Steve Craig, a developer and managing partner of Craig Realty Group, said. Photo: Eric Heinz

Outlets at San Clemente will become a land“markWeinbelieve Southern California and help bolster the economic development of the city and the South Orange County region by increasing tax revenue, attracting visitors and creating job growth. We’re pulling out all the stops for the grand opening to give Outlets at San Clemente the fanfare it deserves. —Steve Craig, managing partner of Craig Realty Group

”

pour asphalt, and all the finishing pieces are coming together.”

Timeline of Events

ON THE MAP The Outlets representatives said they recently started a broad, full-size marketing campaign, looking at demographics outside Orange County as well as promoting the venue on social media, in print and other sources. “Orange County in general is going to be our primary target and the San Diego County area; beyond that we’ll be looking at Los Angeles because we know so many people drive between these cities,” See said. “All of Southern California will really be our target.” See said the Outlets have also been doing grassroots marketing at events in San Clemente such as setting up booths and talking to people at the annual San Clemente Car Show and Fiesta Music Festival. The Outlets at San Clemente are part of the same organization as the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles and the Cavazon Outlets in Cabazon. COMING TO FRUITION Steve Craig, a developer and managing partner of Craig Realty Group who is leading all aspects of management, marketing and operations for Outlets at San Clemente, emailed a statement to the San Clemente Times on Monday. “We believe Outlets at San Clemente

Outlets at San Clemente Job Fair 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 17; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27, 2015 at the San Clemente’s Dororthy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria Grand Opening Weekend Nov. 12-15 at the Outlets at San Clemente; Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Nov. 14, at the Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa Moonlight Madness 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Evening, 24-hour shopping Shopping Extravaganza Charity Event December, to be announced will become a landmark in Southern California and help bolster the economic development of the city and the South Orange County region by increasing tax revenue, attracting visitors and creating job growth,” Craig wrote. “We’re pulling out all the stops for the grand opening to give Outlets at San Clemente the fanfare it deserves.” Craig said the progress with construction has been adequate and the Outlets will have a more inviting look to them

Page 6

rather than the “monotony of many shopping centers” similar to large malls. “This project is very special to me and is one of Craig Realty Group’s most exciting developments yet,” Craig wrote. Craig became involved with the Outlets at San Clemente in 1997, and the city of San Clemente approved the construction of the mall in 1999. In 2007, the land owners SunCal Marblehead and Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, which put a stop to construction until 2014. It’s likely going to be a fast-paced opening for the 500,000-square-foot shopping facility’s new employees, who will have about two weeks to get accustomed to their new locations before Black Friday hits. “This is going to be opening in the peak season of retail and that will taper off a little bit in January and February,” See said, adding average counts of visitors won’t be available until sometime next summer. “We certainly won’t make any final answers on visitor numbers until we get at least to the middle of next year.” And Outlets representatives said they’re not sure how many people will show up, but they are enticing shoppers with an event called “Moonlight Madness,” a 24-hour shopping event with bargains starting Thanksgiving evening. In December, the Outlets will host “Shopping Extravaganza,” which is intended to benefit 13 charities and possibly more by the time the event starts, See said. The charities include Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area, Girls Incorporated of Orange County and Wellness & Prevention Center San Clemente. People must buy tickets to the various events taking place that day, and See said last year the other malls in the Outlets family raised more than $100,000 for charity. “We’ve had great support and key players in the community, and (Craig’s) interest in really making this a special project and not giving up on that and wanting to be part of this community has been key,” Jennrich said. WORKING TOGETHER In order to facilitate harmony among the various enterprises in San Clemente, See said the organization has been working with the Downtown Business Authority and various local businesses to provide the opportunity to host events around the space the Outlets utilizes. Partnering with the San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan chambers of commerce has been critical to assisting that effort. “I come from a travel background, promoting Orange County, and people really want to come and experience the whole community,” See said, adding the Outlets want to exchange ideas with local businesses that help everyone. “We’re very open to those organizations and we’ll be able to communicate and we welcome that collaboration. Our goal is to collaborate, not compete.” SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

SC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY BRITTANY GIOVANNI AND 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, September 1 PROWLER Mariposa, 200 Block (12:54 a.m.) The caller woke up to a noise and saw a shadow outside the window.

Monday, August 31 DISTURBANCE Avenida Vaquero, 400 Block (10:22 p.m.) Police conducted a patrol check for a transient man who was lying on the sidewalk and yelling profanities at people walking by. DISTURBANCE Avenida Montalvo, 200 Block (10:20 p.m.) A neighbor told the caller that the caller’s roommate was throwing knives at him. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Calle Mirador, 1400 Block (9:46 p.m.) Orange County Fire Authority responded to reports of a man who tried breaking into his own home and fell through a window. DISTURBANCE Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (4:04 p.m.) After taking a shower in the bathroom, a homeless man in a wheelchair was bothering customers outside of the business. CITIZEN ASSIST Avenida Pico/I-5 Freeway, (1:13 p.m.) A man in a dark, navy Lexus claimed the car wash malfunctioned and broke his vehicle. The employees were not helping him get any answers and he wanted to file a report, he said. SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE I-5 Freeway/ Cristianos Road, (11:25 a.m.) A U-Haul truck traveling northbound was taking photos all along the freeway while passing by Camp Pendleton property. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Loma Lane, 100 Block (7:58 a.m.) A man was standing in the driveway with his pants undone and his hands in his pants “digging around.” CITIZEN ASSIST Avenida Junipero, 0 Block (2:20 a.m.) Emergency operators reported a woman called them “rambling” about how her mail had been stolen. SHOOTING AT INHABITED DWELLING IN PROGRESS Calle Valle, 1400 Block (1:30 a.m.) Police responded to reports of a subject in the alleyway armed with a gun. San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

Sunday, August 30 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Aragon, 100 Block (8:59 p.m.) A woman could be heard screaming “Help.”

WELFARE CHECK Avenida Teresa, 400 Block (8:24 a.m.) An elderly woman’s neighbor requested police check the residence after a large amount of water could be seen coming out of the driveway.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Avenida Magdalena, 100 Block (7:52 p.m.) Police conducted a patrol check at San Clemente Golf Course for numerous juveniles on the green.

PEDESTRIAN CHECK Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (8:05 a.m.) An officer conducted a consensual search on a subject and found a meth pipe. The subject admitted to using it for meth, was cited and then released.

PETTY THEFT REPORT Avenida Palizada, 200 Block (4:53 p.m.) A woman reported items belonging to her and stolen from outside her apartment were now on Craigslist.

VANDALISM REPORT Avenida Vista Montana, 300 Block (7:47 a.m.) Random graffiti was on two light poles and two sign posts in blue paint.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 500 Block (5:58 p.m.) Customers were being chased and yelled at by a homeless man outside the business. DISTURBANCE Cantilena, 0 Block (3:49 p.m.) A 69-year-old man was arrested after throwing a glass at his renter. PROWLER Via Cascadita, 2600 Block (5:37 a.m.) After hearing gravel being stepped on outside, the caller believed they saw someone looking into their bedroom window. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Plaza Estival, 400 Block (2:43 a.m.) A woman told police two or three people were sitting on the flat roof of her home. She said she could see their feet dangling down.

Saturday, August 29 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CRICUMSTANCES Avenida Vista Hermosa, 900 Block (9:19 p.m.) Police conducted a patrol check for a man outside who was reportedly watching a woman and her daughter. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Salvador, 5700 Block (7:43 p.m.) Secondhand information was received of a man and woman at the water tower. The informant believed the man was proposing to the woman but wanted them to leave because they were trespassing. PATROL CHECK I-5 Freeway/Avenida Vista Hermosa (3:03 p.m.) Police were searching for an 18-year-old woman wearing a tank-top and shorts and holding a puppy. She had been last seen at the entrance to a trail at the end of Avenida Vista Hermosa near East Avenida Pico. A caller gave her a ride from Avenida La Pata to Avenida Vista Hermosa and thought she was a runaway. PETTY THEFT REPORT Avenida Presidio, 100 Block (12:48 p.m.) After returning to her car after shopping at Albertson’s, a woman reported her iPad, a camera with a lens, a book and some clothing had gone missing. Page 7

Thursday, August 27 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Carmelo, 100 Block (12:43 a.m.) A caller informed police that someone had attempted to open her side gate. The person could not be located.

Wednesday, August 26 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Del Cerro, 1100 Block (5:22 p.m.) A caller said there was a woman using methamphetamine in a room in her apartment.

Tuesday, August 25 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Paseo Flamenco, 3400 Block (10:56 p.m.) A woman called and said she thought a man who had been stalking her was back. VANDALISM IN PROGRESS Calle Del Cerro/ Avenida La Pata (9:06 p.m.) People were throwing rocks into the intersection and chipped the caller’s windshield. DISTURBANCE Avenida La Pata, 200 Block (2:18 p.m.) Two men were shooting BB guns behind the business park. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Avenida Vaquero, 300 Block (2:24 p.m.) Orange County Fire Authority responded to a report of a drunken woman lying in the street. TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-UNKNOWN INJURIES Via Callejon, 1100 Block (2:26 p.m.) A woman seen laying in the road was thought to have been hit by a truck. DISTURBANCE Calle Negocio, 1000 Block (1:52 p.m.) A homeless man was reportedly pacing and screaming. SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Teresa, 400 Block (3:38 a.m.) A woman called and said she thought she could hear people walking on her roof.

EYE ON SC

Community NEWS BITES Meetings San Clemente Choral COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ AND BRITTANY GIOVANNI

THURSDAY, SEPT. 3

Golf Course Committee Meeting

7 p.m. The Golf Course Committee will meet at City Hall Council Chambers, 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org. SUNDAY, AUG. 30

San Clemente Farmers Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar. MONDAY, SEPT. 7

Labor Day

Government Offices Closed TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Sunrise Rotary

7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Course Signature Grille. 990 Avenida Talega, www.scsunriserotary.com.

Parent Information Meeting on School District Reorganization

6 p.m.-8 p.m. A meeting will be hosted by the city of San Clemente regarding the aspects of establishing a school district within the city. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

San Clemente Toastmasters

7 p.m.-8:40 p.m. Toastmasters is a nonprofit organization devoted to the development of leadership and public speaking. The organization meets every Tuesday. Social networking begins at 6:30 p.m. at the San Clemente Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida Del Presidente, 805.794.0653, www. sanclementetoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org.

Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting CANCELLED

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

San Clemente Rotary

Noon. The San Clemente Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at the Wedgewood Restaurant at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena. 949.233.7981. www.sanclementerotary.org.

San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

Society Prepares for Holiday Seasons Concert

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the San Clemente Choral Society will begin rehearsals for its 2015 Holiday Seasons Concert scheduled Dec. 5 at the Saint Andrews’s Methodist Church, or St. Andrew’s by the Sea, 2001 Calle Frontera. There will be two performances: a matinee at 2 p.m. and an evening performance at 7 p.m. This Holiday Seasons Concert will be titled “Holidays Past and Present,” a collection of memorable and enjoyable holiday musical numbers from across the years. The 55-voice chorus will be accompanied by a small chamber group of musicians. SCCS was created in the fall of 2004 as a community-based chorus of citizens of South Orange County. The society also presents a spring holiday concert, slated for May 2016. The SCCS is always looking for new members and will welcome new members to begin rehearsals on Sept. 9. Auditions are not required. Applicants just need to be able to carry a tune and be willing to commit the time and effort needed to bring about a polished and professional performance. Rehearsals are held at St. Andrews Church every Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., concluding with the December concert. People are welcome to come at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 to meet members of SCCS and watch or experience the initial rehearsal for the December concert. For more information, contact the Choral Society at sanclementechoralsociety@ gmail.com or membership@sccs-arts.org or by phone at 949.272.8435. Visit www. sccs-arts.org for additional information.

Reef Check Aims to Save Reefs and Oceans The Reef Check Foundation and Left Coast Brewery will host an event from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, to support the foundation’s efforts. For every pint of beer sold, $1 will be donated to Reef Check. Professional surfer Courtney Conlogue will be in attendance to sign autographs, a raffle will take place and representatives of the foundation will give a short presentation about Reef Check. Founded in 1996 by Gregor Hodgson, Reef Check Foundation is an international nonprofit organization that works toward the preservation of two ecosystems: California rocky reefs and tropical coral reefs. The foundation’s headquarters office is located in Los Angeles, and the organization has volunteer teams in more than 90

The San Clemente Choral Society will host an introductory meeting 6:30 p.m. and rehearsals for the holiday performance begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 at St. Andrew’s by the Sea in San Clemente. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente Choral Society

countries and territories working to create partnerships among community volunteers, businesses, government agencies, universities and other nonprofits. The goals are to establish a global network of volunteer teams trained in Reef Check’s scientific methods that regularly monitor and assess reef health, educate the public about the value of reef ecosystems and the current crisis affecting marine life. For more about Reef Check, visit www. reefcheck.org.

Exchange Program Welcomes Norwegian Student Students at San Clemente High School will get an extra lesson in geography this year when they welcome Mathias, an international exchange student from Norway. Mathias arrived in San Clemente this month to live with a local host family and experience the American way of life for an academic year. Mathias is sponsored by Aspect Foundation, a non-profit organization that strives to bridge cultures through international youth exchange. Aspect Foundation is always seeking more families who want the unforgettable experience of hosting an international student. Exchange students are aged 15 to 18, speak English and have their own spending money and insurance. Volunteer host families provide room, board and a loving home environment for a semester or academic year. For more information about hosting an Aspect Foundation international exchange student, call Chrystal Farrow at 949.218.1249, the Aspect Foundation national office at 1.800.879.6884 or visit www.aspectfoundation.org.

SMWD Goes Solar at Headquarters Santa Margarita Water District flipped the switch this month on a solar panel system that will provide power for its Rancho Santa Margarita headquarters, according

Page 9

to a SMWD press release. The project cost about $1.3 million from SMWD reserve funds, and the system will pay for itself in about four years. The panels will save SMWD and its ratepayers $3.7 million over 20 years. The board of directors approved the project in 2014. The work was done almost completely in-house with district staff. The project included installing 300 panels in the first phase and a second installation of 1,260 panels. The panels flank SMWD’s Antonio Parkway headquarters and sit on the roof of the district warehouse. The system generated 2,754 kilowatts an hour the first day, and it is designed to produce enough energy over the year to provide all of the power for the headquarters facility.

Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area Opens College Bound Program Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area has established the Mark Schmitt College Bound Program. The program seeks current high school students to enroll in the program. Criteria for admission includes a desire to go to college and a willingness to do the work necessary to achieve that goal. Priority will be given to high school freshmen and sophomores, but juniors and seniors will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Benefits include visits to college campuses throughout Southern California, help with developing an academic strategy, assistance with identifying scholarship and financial aid opportunities, academic and study skills-building workshops, career development presentations and workshops as well as many similar opportunities. The cost is $30 per academic year. For questions, contact Mary Burner at marybruner@bgcsca.org or at 949.484.0205. Applications can be found at www.bgcsca.org. Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com. www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS GUEST OPINION: Council Corner by Councilman Tim Brown

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Eric Heinz, 949.388.7700, x109 eheinz@sanclementetimes.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Susie Lantz, 949.388.7700, x111 slantz@sanclementetimes.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

PICKET FENCE MEDIA 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

City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Evan Da Silva, Jacob Onofrio, Dana Schnell, Alison Shea, Tim Trent

San Clemente Times, Vol. 10, Issue 36. 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.

FOLLOW THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

San Clemente’s Eﬀorts to Support Education

ith summer ending early this year for students within the boundaries of Capistrano Unified School District, many families are already getting into the swing of the school routine. I would like to wish all a successful school year ahead as they strive to reach their highest levels of academic achievement. As a father of four, I am all too familiar with the rigors of school after summer break, having tried my best to keep my kids active and learning during the “offseason.” I have also come to know that, as parents, we need to stay actively engaged in our children’s learning because opportunities for acquiring new knowledge and skills shouldn’t stop just because the school day, or year, begins or ends. To provide supplemental education opportunities, the city of San Clemente offers some terrific affordable programs. The varying schedules are published quarterly in the City Magazine located in the Recreation Class schedule section. There is still time to sign up for these classes and, if you do not have a copy of the current city magazine that was mailed to you, you can find the information and registration online at www.san-clemente. org/recreation. The city’s educationoriented classes, taught by proficient

Letters to the Editor ‘LIFE RAFT’ COMES TO THE PIRATE SHIP LINDA SADEGHI, Casino San Clemente

As owner of the neighboring Casino San Clemente, I take issue with your recent article stating “stakeholders look to refurbish San Clemente icon,” the Miramar Theater. The Miramar is privately owned by a wealthy group of savvy investors who actually consciously choose not to refurbish this San Clemente icon and certainly don’t need any fundraisers, finance help nor public grant money in the off chance they ever choose to renovate their property themselves. Currently, they have been trying to dump/sell the property for years; albeit at an astronomical price to cover their bad investment. They don’t care. The Miramar owners refuse to water their lawn, trim their one remaining tree, fix the broken asphalt, even paint the building or fix the piano sized hole in the theater roof unless it’s by

instructors, provide a nice supplement to the school programs. They focus on literacy and writing among other subjects, including: early literacy, K-smart club, art classes, first grade smart start, Spanish for preschoolers and beginners, intermediate and advanced age 14 and older, computer keyboarding class, novel and short story writing and a brand-new teens writing course. In a time where class sizes have grown steadily in our 54,000-student CITY COUNCIL school district and CORNER average 35 students to By Tim Brown a teacher, supplemental educational classes and tutoring become critical to success. In keeping with the desire to have a greater say in our children’s educational future, this past May I expressed to my fellow councilmembers at a public meeting that we should explore what it would take for San Clemente to separate from CUSD and form our own school district. If San Clemente residents supported a separation from CUSD to form its own district (as it once was), it would consist of incorporating San Clemente’s schools. No other councilmembers opposed my

idea at the meeting, though we all realize it is a significant undertaking. At council’s request, the city manager and staff conducted the research and compiled a document that explains the process for residents to pursue, should it wish to form a grassroots committee. It is important to point out that the city’s General Plan has a caveat for us to explore this, and I think the time is now to know whether it is a feasible option or not. To learn more about what we learned about the school district reorganization process, the city is hosting a parent information meeting on this subject where the city manager will provide a presentation. This meeting is scheduled for next week on Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center, located at 117 Avenida Victoria in San Clemente. Parking is available in the lot on-site or on the street. For any questions or comments on this subject or others, I can be reached at brownt@san-clemente.org Tim Brown is a city councilor in San Clemente. He was first elected in 2010 and again in 2014. SC

outright city imposition of lien. They don’t care. Please refer to the long rap sheet of community complaints to Code Enforcement about the Miramar. It is public record and years long. I admire Mr. Divel’s passion for trying to “save” this icon. It is worth saving, but it is not our building to save, and in fact the current owners are far from needing any “saving” except perhaps from their flagrant lack of concern and lack of basic property maintenance. I would encourage the city of San Clemente to buy their historical resources to really “save” them; otherwise please default to strongly enforcing negligence codes on private properties while we, the public, wait for the Miramar owners to face the music of the current real estate marketplace. I would encourage the city to spend public grant monies on public properties for the public good. Or if the city chooses to spend public grant monies on private historical icons, there are many of us who equally deserve to be in that line. Stop the discrimination. In the meantime, although we admire Mr. Divel’s passion, we believe the life raft he throws is at a passing pirate ship.

STREET ART IS VANDALISM

Page 11

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.

DAVID W. BRANT, San Clemente

I am writing regarding the article regarding street “artist,” Bandit, in the August 20-26 edition of San Clemente Times. The generally positive view expressed in the story about Bandit and his “work” is ridiculous. Bandit defaces public and private property with stenciling and other graffiti and calls it art. Our city has to spend thousands of dollars removing his “masterpieces” and other graffiti every year. As Bandit himself stated Orange County cities, including San Clemente, have not been very receptive of his efforts. Perhaps he’ll migrate north to Los Angeles where his style of “art” may be better appreciated. He does not deserve to be encouraged to stay in San Clemente.

GIVE CREDIT FOR TAXATION FIX WHERE CREDIT IS DUE CITIZENS OF TALEGA FOR FAIR TAXATION, San Clemente

A press statement issued by the Capistrano Unified School District dated Aug. 21 (Cont. on page 12) www.sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX Letters to the Editor (Cont. from page 11) touts: “Continuing its commitment to financial stewardship...,” and, “The District has made an active effort to reduce taxes in recent years...” regarding Mello-Roos bond refinance savings for property owners residing in Community Facilities Districts. No surprise, CUSD is taking credit for what others started. Mello-Roos taxpayers in Talega, Mission Viejo and Ladera Ranch had to organize and stand up to CUSD in order to get the tax savings from bond refinancing and the tax relief CUSD is now touting. I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight. In the case of the Talega CFDs (902/IA 2002-1), the Talega Residents for Fair Taxation citizens group uncovered numerous discrepancies in late 2013—of these, the most significant was a deluge of over-taxation by CUSD totaling $2.3 million annually. Though Talega taxpayers appreciate the CUSD Board of Trustees doing the right thing in January 2014 by reversing its prior 2013 vote to keep Talega’s refinance savings of $17.4 million and lowering our bond coverage ratio from 146.21 percent to 110 percent, the board voted to resolve these issues only after our citizens group pored over thousands of documents and presented our findings at board meetings for 10 months. Despite CUSD hiring attorneys and consultants to fight us, the taxpayers were able to hold the school board accountable and remedy the major issues that plagued Talega’s CFDs. Talega taxpayers will pay on average $17,000 less per household in Mello-Roos over the life of the bonds thanks to this community involvement. We remain engaged to ensure CUSD practices responsible spending and follows the law regarding the collection and spending of Talega Mello-Roos taxes. As for the Mission Viejo/Aliso Viejo CFD (87-1), the CUSD press release states, “In 2014, the Board voted to prepay bonds early for the cities of Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo, saving these communities over $40 million.” What CUSD fails to mention is that a small group of taxpayers in Mission Viejo volunteered time, energy and expertise over a decade to stop the abusive practices and misspending of their Mello-Roos by CUSD and sought an end date for their CFD. Their CFD would have went on in perpetuity if it were not for these dedicated taxpayers. The taxpayers in the Ladera Ranch CFD (98-2) also continue to advocate for fair treatment with regards to their Mello-Roos surplus taxes and seek to remedy the severe over-crowding of their Ladera Ranch schools resulting from non-Mello-Roos taxpayers falsifying home addresses just so their children could attend these schools. Only due to mounting pressure by these taxpayers did CUSD agree to check residency of all students at Ladera Ranch schools. Though Pacifica San Juan CFD (98-1A) is not mentioned in CUSD’s press release, Page 12

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Sept. 4 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso. Raad Ghantous of the San Clemente Historical Society will be this week’s guest. He’ll discuss some of the historical aspects of San Clemente and what the society has planned in the near future. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

taxpayers here formed Pacifica San Juan Residents for Fair Taxation to resolve issues with their CFD. Due to their community efforts and involvement, their property owners saw tax savings from 2010 to 2015 in the amount of $19,600 per household in Mello-Roos.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE PROCESSED FASTER MATTHEW KOLYSKO, San Clemente

Calling all San Clemente volunteers, your help is wanted/needed. Oh wait, literally, for 90-plus days and counting and maybe we’ll let you wait some more. Really? I have to write to the elected San Clemente City Council members, copy the city manager, the assistant city manager, the head of the San Clemente Human Resources Department, the local papers, and, to keep in the loop, the city’s emergency coordinator, who seems to be the only one on the ball with her hands tied, all because someone or somebody in the city of San Clemente’s Human Resource Department has not processed, is too busy to process, refuses to process, is unable to process, doesn’t know how to process, or has lost the ability to process, applications for volunteerism. This began more than 90 days ago. If this is the norm, please forgive me for this letter, as I will volunteer my time so that any other San Clemente residents’ request and background check will be processed in a timely manner. Residents want to know why it takes so long to be processed to volunteer their precious resources and time. If the Human Resources Department needs a model by which their work flow and the public might interact near seamlessly, then I recommend that they look at the Building Department. It’s proven and works with the utmost of professionalism, clarity and expectancy.

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. 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

Friday | 04 BUNCH OF GUYS 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. CAMPFIRE PROGRAM 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Every Saturday night, join OC Parks for a campfire program that may include a presentation, wilderness safety, games and activities for children, a live animal demonstration and a chance to visit the Nature Center. Topics may vary weekly. All ages are welcome. Admission is free, parking is $5 per vehicle. Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com/caspers. FIRST FRIDAY FILM 7 p.m.-9 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library presents a monthly movie night. A $2 donation supports the library. Call the library for more information. La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org/libloc/sjc. MIKE HAMILTON 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live music at Salt Creek Grille each Friday with Mike Hamilton. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com. MIKE WALLACE 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live music at Salt Creek Grille each Saturday with Mike Wallace. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com. FUNNIEST HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY 8 p.m. The Funniest Housewives of Orange County perform live at the Coach House. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com. PHIL SHANE 8 p.m.-midnight. Live music at Harpoon Henry’s. 34555 Golden Lantern St, Dana Point, 949.493.2933, www.windandsearestaurants.com/harpoonhenrys. EVE 6 8 p.m. Eve 6 performs live at the Coach House with Dreams in Vertigo. Tickets San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

EDITOR’S PICK Devon Allman. Photo: Courtesy

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9: DEVON ALLMAN AT THE COACH HOUSE For a mid-week dose of guitar-heavy blues, country rock, rock and soul, San Juan Capistrano is the place to be on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the Devon Allman Band performs live at The Coach House, with opening acts Robert Jon & The Wreck and Ryan & Faris. As part of the Ragged & Dirty Tour—named for his third solo album— Allman does the family rock-n-roll legacy proud while performing with a soulful musical style and powerful voice that is all his own. Tickets are $15. Dinner reservations are also available and come with reserved, priority seating. Doors open at 6 p.m. and Allman takes the stage at 8 p.m. The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. For tickets and more information, call 949.496.8930 or visit www.thecoachhouse.com.

FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY The first 10 people to email us at events@sanclementetimes.com with the words “SC Times free concert tickets” in the subject line will receive a pair of free tickets to the show, compliments of The Coach House. Please include your name and phone number in the email. are $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

HARBOR MUSIC CRUISE: FLOCK OF 80’S 8 p.m. Enjoy live music aboard the 95-foot vessel Dana Pride while cruising the Dana Point Harbor and watching the sunset. Boat features a full bar. Occurs each Saturday through Oct. 17. Must be 21 or over, with proper ID. $19. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

TREVOR MCSPADDEN 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Saturday | 05

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

ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR 10 a.m. A guided tour of San Juan Capistrano’s historic adobes, Spanish-era dwellings and modern buildings. Occurs every Saturday. Meet at the train depot on Verdugo Street. $5 donation benefits the SJC Friends of the Library. For more information, call 949.489.0736 or visit www.sjcfol.org. PAINTING AND VINO Noon-3 p.m. Sip wine while participating in a step-by-step instructed painting class taught by a professional artist. All supplies provided. $45. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point, 949.661.6003. Register online at www.paintingandvino.com. DANA POINT NATURE TOUR 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. This 1.5-mile, two-hour docent-led walk explores the ecology and natural history of the Headlands area. Tours occur on the first Saturday of each month. Tour capacity is a maximum of 10 people. RSVP required to wqintern@ danapoint.org or 949.248.3527. Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point, www.danapoint.org.

DJ AND DANCING 9:30 p.m. Dance the night away as the DJ spins the tunes every Friday and Saturday night. The Point Restaurant, 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

Sunday | 06 BEACH CHURCH 8 a.m. Visit Christ Lutheran’s Beach Church on the sand in San Clemente North Beach near the Metrolink station. Worship and fellowship for all ages—with the ocean, dolphins and an occasional train as a backdrop. Call 949.496.2621 or visit www.clcsanclemente.org for more information. (Cont. on page 27)

Page 14

At the Movies: ‘Queen of Earth’ an Unsettling Retro Arthouse Piece

Elisabeth Moss in ‘Queen of Earth.’ Photo: Courtesy IFC Films

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

lex Ross Perry unapologetically takes direct influence from 1960s-1970s arthouse dramas for his latest independent film, Queen of Earth. The trailer even features an old-fashioned voice-over common during that era. Fans of that period of cinema may assume Perry is a fan of, and likely inspired by, Persona (1966), 3 Women (1977) and Mulholland Drive (2001), as evidenced by the film’s claustrophobic and surreal mood as well as a storyline centering on two women. As a summer tradition, Catherine (Elisabeth Moss) and Virginia (Katherine Waterston) meet at Virginia’s family’s cabin for a week, to catch up and hang out. Catherine is delusional and unstable, spiraling downward following the death of her father and a breakup with her boyfriend, while Virginia has an attitude problem. They’ve been lifelong friends because their fathers were best friends. In non-linear fashion, we see the two women’s interactions in summers past, how they’ve drifted apart and the caustic and passiveaggressive nature of their friendship. Kentucker Audley and Patrick Fugit co-star as Virginia’s ex-boyfriend and current love interest, respectively. Like any small-setting character study, Queen of Earth depends heavily on its actors and performances, and the actresses here are brilliant. Moss doesn’t hold back emoting rollercoaster-like mood swings and Waterston is perfect as the friend who doesn’t know how to call out her BFF without being rude. For fans of Perry and the cast, Queen of Earth is worth a look. And those who are familiar with Perry’s inspiration will likely feel moved to watch those films over again. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

45 Via Regalo, Talega, San Clemente 4 Bedrooms • Office Listed at $899,000 • Currently in escrow. Accepted offer in three weeks!

25412 Hugo Road, Laguna Niguel

Kelly LeClair, REALTOR Kelly@kellyleclair.com Check out the LeClair Real Estate Reels: www.LeClairRealEstate.com 949.412.6551 DRE #01938313

JUST REDUCED $760,000 4Bedroom, 2 Bath 1640 square feet Amazing backyard with covered patio, centrally located to the beach, freeway, shopping, great schools and restaurants. Open House Saturday 12-4PM!

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 14) CASPERS NATURE HIKE 8 a.m.-9 a.m. Join OC Park rangers every Sunday morning for an easy 1-mile hike on the nature trail, which takes visitors through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Admission is free, parking is $5 per vehicle. Participants should meet at the Old Corral day use area and wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes. Sunscreen, water and insect repellent are recommended. Rain will cancel the hike. Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com/caspers. PAPERMOON GYPSYS 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Live music every Sunday at the Point Restaurant. 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com. WINE DOWN SUNDAYS 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Half price wine by the glass Sundays at Salt Creek Grille. Monarch Bay Plaza, 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com. ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf luxury catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday. See more events online. Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603, www.danawharf.com.

Monday | 07 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. LABOR DAY PIG ROAST 1 p.m. The Capistrano Eagles Motorcycle Club is hosting its 17th annual Labor Day Pig Roast at the Swallow’s Inn. The carving and buffet begins at 1 p.m. Live music will be performed by Family Style from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A $15 donation includes food. For more information, call 714.321.9923. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Tuesday | 08 HALF-PRICED WHALE WATCHING 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Hop onboard this two-hour cruise to see dolphins, whales and other marine life in the wild. $22.50. Half price on Tuesdays but trips are available every day of the week. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale WatchSan Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

Ships set sail during last year’s Toshiba Tall Ships Festival. Photo: Andrea Swayne

ing, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

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

TAPPED OUT TUESDAY 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Draft beer is half price on Tuesdays at Salt Creek Grille. Monarch Bay Plaza, 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

HARPOON HENRY’S HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Half price house martinis. 34555 Golden Lantern St, Dana Point, 949.493.2933, www.windandsearestaurants.com/harpoonhenrys. OPEN PAINTING STUDIO WITH COSTUMED MODELS 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Explore colors, textures, anatomy and more while painting a costumed model. Cost is $15 per class, or purchase a one-month block for $12.50 per class. San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

Wednesday | 09 PAINTING AND VINO 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Sip wine while participating in a step-by-step instructed painting class taught by a professional artist. All supplies provided. $45. Register online at www. paintingandvino.com. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11: LIVE AUCTION FOR WATER SHED TASK FORCE 6 p.m. Live Auction for Water Shed Task Force, a group that aims to keep pollutants from ending up in streams and oceans. San Clemente Councilman Tim Brown will be an auctioneer. San Clemente Art Gallery, 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.366.2326, ww.scwatersheds.com. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13: TOSHIBA TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The sights, smells and sounds of authentic working tall ships is set to return to the Dana Point Harbor as the Ocean Institute hosts the 31st annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival. Live music, food, arts, crafts and demonstrations of seafaring days past by reenactors—pirates, British and American evolutionary period and western vaqueros from the time of missions and ranchos. Inside the Institute, see mermaids, interactive activities and sea life. Admission to the Institute and ship deck tours is $5 for members and $8 for non-members, ages 3 and up. Tickets to sail aboard a tall ship during a mock

Page 27

cannon battle are $40-$65 and available for ages 4 and up. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: SC OPEN SKATEBOARD CONTEST 8 a.m. The Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation is teaming up with the city of San Clemente to co-sponsor the 15th Annual SC Open Skateboard Contest. The Skate Contest is open to boys and girls, 7 years old to adult. Registration closes one week prior to event and must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19 as spaces are limited per age category. Onsite registration will be based upon availability and will begin at 7 a.m. the day of the event. Registration fee is $35 and includes a contest T-shirt. Other activities slated for the event are a vendor fair, food and beverages and music. Skateboard/sports-related vendors needed, and those who are interested should contact Andrea at aeworkman@yahoo. com, San Clemente Ralphs Skate court located in Richard T. Steed Memorial Park, 247 Ave. La Pata, San Clemenete, 949.492.8797, www.san-clemente.org.

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

The Price of Freedom Pastor helps raise funds to establish school in Christian Pakistan BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

n May, when Roger Gales walked through the halls of a school teaming with Pakistani youth, most of whom he said were former slaves and orphans, he described it as a “God moment.” The school he helped establish had come to fruition, but Gales said he knows there is always imminent danger that could jeopardize its safety. Gales, the senior pastor of Heritage Christian Fellowship in San Clemente, began an endeavor to build a school for Christian children about three years ago when he met a man known as “Brother Andrew.” Gales has shielded his real name for safety concerns. In Pakistan, Christians are the largest minority and typically make up the lower, more impoverished sect of society. As Brother Andrew wanted to help underprivileged Christians in Pakistan, he quickly became the target of fundamentalists and radical terrorism organizations such as the Taliban, Gales said. Andrew fled to America in fear for his life. Through a series of connections, Gales and Andrew were introduced and when Andrew knew it was safe to return to Pakistan, Gales applied for a visa to see the plans for a school. The city where the school is located as well as its name were also asked by Gales to remain undisclosed. Gales said when he arrived in Pakistan in 2013, the situation of Christian youth was much more dire than he imagined. Children as young as 4 years old were enslaved, or at best in an indentured ser-

Roger Gales, the senior pastor of Heritage Christian Fellowship, sits with Nisha, a Pakistani student, in this photo from May. Photo: Courtesy of Roger Gales

Nisha, who was once a slave, prays during a morning ceremony at school. Photo: Courtesy of Roger Gales

Children line up for the beginning of the day in May 2015. Photo: Courtesy of Roger Gales

vitude agreement at brick factories owned by Muslim businesses. “For $75, the parents could sell their children in order to buy food for a month to feed their family,” Gales said. “In order to buy back the child, the parents would have to pay the $75 plus living expenses and it’s done. It’s possible but improbable that a kid would be bought out of slavery.” The price of each child or person is a

variable figure. Unless a Christian is able to obtain an education, they are mostly underemployed, illiterate and live in severe poverty. Gales, along with San Juan Capistrano local J.P. Spitz, traveled to Pakistan and bargained to buy children out of slavery. Since 2013, with the help of donations and other contributions, Gales said they have bought at least 100 children out of slavery.

Although Gales said he didn’t feel immediate danger most of the time, there were a few situations where he was told not to doddle in conversation when bargaining for a child’s freedom. “We were warned, don’t negotiate hard and leave quickly,” Gales said. “The view of the majority of the (Christian) population is a dehumanizing view,” Gales said. “They see them as a labor force.” When Gales returned to the United States, he asked the congregation at Heritage Christian Fellowship for contributions. He said in a matter of a day or so, he had raised $200,000, just enough to pay for the boys’ school. Obstacles abound in the school operation. One such situation was with a child named Mariam, an 8-year-old girl Gales and Brother Andrew wanted to save from slavery, but before that could happen she died of Dengue hemorrhagic fever, a mosquito-borne illness. “She probably died in her sleep, and she was an orphan so she probably died all alone,” Gales said. “(Brother Andrew and I) just wept on the phone.” Instead, they purchased Nisha, another orphan, and eventually they were able to help her family out of servitude. About a year ago, the Pakistani government passed a law forbidding girls and boys to attend the same school. Gales and Brother Andrew were able to take half of the population and establish a girls’ school across the street, which opened two weeks ago. Via Skype at the fellowship, Gales and the congregation was able to communicate with the children at the girls’ school for a grand opening ceremony last Thursday. Brother Andrew is currently living trying to keep out of sight, Gales said, there has been another threat to his life. Since the school was built, the government has added infrastructure for sewage systems and paved streets, Gales said. The organization assisting the Pakistani school is a nonprofit. For more information, visit www.miriamsfund.org. Heritage Christian Fellowship is located at 190 Avenida La Pata. SC

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

HAULING

Cheapest Hauling

Call Robert 949.973.6288

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

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

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

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

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

150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com

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

207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

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

REAL ESTATE

Marcie George Star Real Estate South County

949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net

Salon Bleu

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

“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax

949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

FOR SALE TABLES FOR SALE Breakfast table w/1 leaf and 5 chairs $150 OBO. Henredon Dining table w/2 leaves and 6 chairs $300 OBO 949-388-6935

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 Furniture, Clothes, Housewares, Etc. 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. No Early-birds. 1511 Via Tulipan, San Clemente, 92673 GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

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

GARAGE SALE Saturday, Sept. 5. Clothing, Misc. Household Items. 27 Maracay, SC 92672. 7am to 12pm

SERVICES HANDYMAN CHRIS Flat screen TV’s installed, anything Electrical, Plumbing, Finish Carpentry, Drywall Repairs, Mold and Wood Rot issues, Waterproofing, Decks and Patio covers repaired, Doors, Windows, Kitchens and Baths, Water Damage Restoration, Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication and Much More. Phone Chris – 949 510 6645 WOOD DECK REPAIR WIZZARD Wood Rot Repair Certified Specialist, Wood Decks, Balconies, Patio Covers + Outside Stairs Repaired / Replaced, New Decking Systems, All work Guaranteed. Phone Chris - 949 510 6645

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

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

LIST

USE

LOCALS ONLY

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

Do you want to reach 42,000 people in the San Clemente area? *2.1 readership per 20,000 copies distributed

Then you need to be in the San Clemente Times. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 111

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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

San Clemente Times September 3â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9, 2015

Page 31

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Wellness and Prevention by Susan Parmelee

We All Need to Talk About Accidental Overdoses

onday was International Overdose Awareness Day. An average of five people died of overdose every hour in the United States in 2011 and overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death nationwide, according to the Center for Disease Control. Sadly, most families deal with the disease of addiction and deaths from accidental overdose alone, receiving no support from friends and community. On Friday, I had the honor of speaking at A Night of Remembrance, which was organized by a parent survivor of a son who overdosed, Jodi Barber, and hosted by Community Outreach Alliance. For my husband and I it was a humbling experience that left us in awe of the families that were strong enough to come forward to honor their lost children, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends. Neither of us could conceive how we would cope with losing a child, and we were thankful that our three children had made it safely through the perilous adolescent years (many of their classmates did not). These are the years when many youth start using alcohol and drugs and are particularly vulnerable to the disease of addiction. The last few decades of advances in the study of the brain have resulted in clear scientific knowledge that identifies addiction as a disease of the brain, not a character flaw, and advances are being made in both prevention and treatment. There is a genetic disposition that plays a role, as well as age and environmental factors, which contribute to an individual developing the disease. We now know that it is much easier to trigger the reward system in teen brain development than in the brain of a 25-year-old. This is why the Wellness & Prevention Center and Community Outreach Alliance are focusing on encouraging kids to find their passion and use that passion as a

natural high. The main purpose of International Overdose Awareness Day is to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. Most of us have helped a friend or family member suffering with a health problem or a protracted disease and death. How many people have reached out to a family struggling with the disease of addiction? Sadly, most families feel they need to suffer in silence even after the death of a loved one. Please honor those we have lost by spending a little bit of time researching the disease of addiction. An excellent multimedia site has been WELLNESS AND introduced by HBO, PREVENTION www.hbo.com/addiction. By Susan Visit the Community Parmelee Outreach Alliance and the Wellness & Prevention Center San Clemente websites www.communityoutreachalliance.com and www.wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.com to see how your community is coming together to support prevention for our youth and compassion for those suffering. And if you are one of the lucky few who have not been touched by the disease of addiction be very thankful. 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, send an email with the word “subscribe” in the subject line 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:

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 32

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

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Triton Report BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the San Clemente High School fall sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

Stallions Storm Past Tritons in Season Opener

San Juan Hills’ senior quarterback Patrick O’Brien and junior receiver Jacob Huff wanted to take the strong connection they formed on the field last year and carry it into the new season. When the Stallions hosted San Clemente on Aug. 28 in both teams’ season opener, the two looked like they were already in midseason form and definitely on the same page. O’Brien and Huff shined in the opening half, linking up for two touchdown passes and igniting an offense that smoothly produced a 34-20 victory over the top-ranked team in the CIF-SS Southwest Division. O’Brien, a Nebraska commit, completed 30 of 37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Huff, who caught touchdown passes from two- and 11-yards out on the Stallions first two drives to build a 13-0 lead, reeled in 16 catches for 201 yards. The Tritons were held scoreless in the first half and, despite outscoring San Juan Hills 20-7 over the final two quarters, had no answer for the Stallions balanced firsthalf offensive attack, which also featured three running backs piling up 84 combined yards. “We wanted to prove something tonight. I feel like we did that. San Clemente, they came back in the second half and played a great game … every guy deserves this win,” O’Brien said. San Clemente (0-1) could not sustain any of their early drives, and the Stallions defense, led by linemen Jared Aviles, Eman Talle and JJ Glass, got to the Tritons junior starting quarterback Jack Sears early in the game. However, many of the Tritons’ woes were self-inflicted. A costly Sears fumble that was recovered by San Juan Hills inside their own 10-yard line halted what could have been a game-tying drive by San Clemente. O’Brien quickly led his team down the field for a scoring drive and a 13-0 lead. On the Tritons next possession, Sears hit senior running back Vlad Dzhabiyev for a 60-yard pass that would have been a touchdown, if not for the holding call against San Clemente that brought it all the way back. “It’s a game of momentum and we lost San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

San Clemente junior quarterback Jack Sears, seen here in a summer practice, rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown in the Tritons loss to San Juan Hills on Aug. 28. Photo: Steve Breazeale

the turnover battle tonight,” San Clemente head coach Jaime Ortiz said. “It’s not physical, it’s more mental, about making sure we are disciplined … In a game like this, when you spot San Juan Hills 20 points it comes back to bite you.” A Tim Newman touchdown run and an eight-yard scoring strike from O’Brien to Cayden McCluskey put San Juan Hills up 27-0 and the game ultimately out of reach. San Juan Hills relied on a rotating group of three running backs to keep their drives alive. The trio of Devin Wegis, Cole Suchesk and Brock Cazel combined for 144 total yards. San Clemente got on the board in the third quarter following an interception returned for a touchdown by sophomore cornerback Branden Wilson. In the fourth quarter Sears broke through for a 59-yard scrambling touchdown run and, on San Clemente’s next possession, found Dzhabiyev for an eight-yard touchdown pass that made it 34-20. Sears, in his first varsity start, went 9-18 for 105 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He led the game in rushing yards, taking 14 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown. San Clemente will look to rebound when they host Huntington Beach on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. The Oilers (1-0) easily defeated West Adams 57-14 in their Week 0 matchup. Huntington Beach played an extremely efficient game on offense and recorded five turnovers and a blocked punt on defense.

The team’s junior quarterback, Kobee Lagarde, had only five pass attempts but he completed them all for 124 yards and four touchdowns. Senior running back Hunter Simmons had only seven carries but rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown. Huntington Beach defenders record four sacks in the win. The Tritons and Oilers squared off in Week 1 last season in what was one of the more memorable games of the nonleague schedule. Down 21-14 at the half, San Clemente burst into the second half firing on all cylinders, outscoring Huntington Beach 30-0 over the final 24 minutes to earn the win.

Tritons Golf Opens With Win Over Mustangs Olivia French carded a 35 (-1) on the front-nine at Dove Canyon Country Club to lead the San Clemente girls golf team past Trabuco Hills in the first match of the season on Sept. 1. French had three birdies in her round and earned medalist honors. The Tritons (1-0) will host the Mustangs at Talega Golf Club on Sept. 3.

Volleyball to Host Chargers

The San Clemente girls volleyball team will host Edison at home on Sept. 3 in a re-match from last year’s playoffs. The last team the Chargers faced in 2014 was San Clemente, when the Tritons swept Edison 3-0 in the first round of the CIF-SS Divi-

Page 34

sion 1AA Championships. San Clemente, under the guidance of then first-year head coach Tom Beard, is coming off a season that saw them go 19-10 overall and 6-2 in league play. The Tritons advanced to the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to Lakewood.

Cross Country Set For Meet With Hawks

The San Clemente boys and girls cross country teams will toe the starting line for the first time this season against Laguna Hills on Sept. 12. One week after the meet against the Hawks, the Tritons will compete in the Woodbridge Invitational, a historically competitive meet.

Boys Water Polo Readies for New Season

As usual, the South Coast League will be filled with talented water polo squads in 2015. In the CIF-SS preseason rankings, which were issued Aug. 31, Dana Hills and El Toro were ranked No. 2 and No. 7, respectively. Dana Hills won the league title last season. The San Clemente boys water polo team was considered, but starts the season outside the top-10 bubble. The Tritons head into the new season following a third-place finish in league and appearance in the second round of the playoffs in 2014. San Clemente will begin its season on the road against Carlsbad on Sept. 17. www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SC Ironman Headed to International Lifesaving Competition

Members of the UCLA football team took part in the Live Like Nick 5K Run-Walk on Aug. 30. Nick Pasquale was a member of the Bruins football team. Photo: Brian Miller

Hundreds Take Part in Live Like Nick 5K SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

James Bray will travel to Australia this week to represent the United States in the 2015 International Surf Rescue Challenge. Photo: Courtesy of the Bray family COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

espite competing in two events prior to entering the United States Lifesaving Association National Championship’s American ironman finals at Daytona Beach Aug. 6-8, San Clemente High School grad James Bray felt like he still had enough left in the tank to post a top finish in his final event. Bray, a 30-year-old State Park peace officer, bested the field in the American ironman finals, which includes swim, paddleboard and surfboat stages, to take first place overall. Bray, along with his partner Dane Debore, also placed fourth in the surfboat

“

This (event) will be very physically and mentally demanding ... The athletes we will be competing against are extremely skilled and experienced in surf lifesaving. I feel honored to even be considered to be a part of this team.

— James Bray

”

San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

finals and earned a 10th-place finish in the board final as an individual. Weeks after his big win at Daytona Beach, Bray was selected by the USLA to represent the United States at the 2015 International Surf Rescue Challenge, which begins Sept. 3 in Australia. Bray will be one of eight American male competitors, along with eight female competitors, that will travel to Maroochydore Beach in Queensland to compete against some of the world’s best professional lifesavers. Lifesaving representatives from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand and Japan will be in the field. Bray was selected to represent the United States based on “past performances at national events and endurance and versatility in the pool and on the beach”, according to a USLA press release. “This (event) will be very physically and mentally demanding … The athletes we will be competing against are extremely skilled and experienced in surf lifesaving,” Bray said via email. “I feel honored to even be considered to be a part of this team.” In preparation for the event, Bray has upped his training regimen substantially. He has been training three times a day for six days a week in order to be in top physical shape. Bray plans on competing in the event’s board race, board rescue, board relay and international ironman. Bray is currently working as a California State Park peace officer in Ventura and Santa Barbara-area parks. SC

an Clemente High School played host to the third annual Live Like Nick 5K Run-Walk on Aug. 30. Hundreds gathered to take part in the event, which benefitted the Nick Pasquale Foundation. Proceeds from the Live Like Nick 5K will go directly to the Nick Pasquale Foundation’s charitable initiatives, which include donating scholarships to Triton student-athletes. Last year, the Live Like Nick 5K raised enough money at the event to fund three scholarships for San Clemente High School student-athletes and donate $5,000 to the school’s athletic department. Several UCLA football players came out to support the event, which honors the

Mel, left, and Laurie Pasquale greet attendees at the Live Like Nick 5K Run-Walk on Aug. 30. Photo: Brian Miller

memory of Nick Pasquale, a former San Clemente High School standout student-athlete and member of the Bruins football team who died in 2013. SC

Runners take off from the starting line at the Live Like Nick 5K Run-Walk on Aug. 30. Photo: Brian Miller

Page 36

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Turning Up the Base

GROM OF THE WEEK

ELIJAH FOX

Opener kicks off with a bang at Camp Pendleton BY ANDREA SWAYNE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

fter weeks of small surf, a nice swell turned up as if on cue to welcome Surfing America Prime surfers to the first event of the season, Aug. 29 and 30 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Del Mar Jetty at the Del Mar Beach Resort. San Clemente and Dana Point surfers made a great showing, claiming eight of the possible 20 podium spots when all was said and done. Cole Houshmand of San Clemente was the weekend’s highest placing surfer from the area, taking the win in Boys U16. The talent pool of invitees to this eighth season of Prime—vying to qualify for the 2015-2016 Surfing America USA Championships and coveted spots on the Surfing America USA Surf Team—made for a thrilling show of high-level skill and finesse. And the excellent conditions and beautiful sunny weather helped make for a successful and entertaining season opener. The addition of priority rules this season also had the effect of letting the athletes’ talent shine brighter by removing the stress of jockeying for position. Competitors were welcomed to the new season with a pre-event primer by head judge Bill Seitz, on the newly adopted fourman priority rules. As heats got underway Saturday, 3- to 5-foot surf, with occasional 6-footers, set the stage for day one—Boys U18 and Girls U18 competition. With the better sets arriving about 10 minutes to as long as 20 minutes apart, the first three heats of the day alternated between abundant rides and “longish” lulls, but by the start of Boys U18 round two— and throughout the rest of the event—the ocean consistently offered up plenty of rippable waves and ample opportunity for surfers to showcase their full arsenal of maneuvers. Braden Jones (Arroyo Grande) and Jake Marshall (Encinitas) were early standouts in Boys U18 competition, with committed rail surfing and crisp, vertical snaps. In the first Round 2 heat Marshall picked off the highest wave score of the day, a 7.60 and then backed it up with a 7.17 for a heat-winning two-wave total of 14.77. Marshall’s score in this round held up through the remainder of the event, and although he missed out on the final, it led to his eventual claim to the Sun Bum high wave score of the day award. In a nail-biter of a quarterfinal, San San Clemente Times September 3–9, 2015

Elijah Fox. Photo: Jack McDaniel

Cole Houshmand of San Clemente took top honors in Boys U16 competition at the Surfing America Prime season eight opener, Aug. 29 and 30 at Camp Pendleton, DMJs. Photo: Jack McDaniel

Bethany Zelasko of Dana Point, as the Girls U18 division runner-up, was the highest placing surfer among the girls. Photo: Jack McDaniel

Clemente’s Elijah Fox, needing a 7.11 to turn the tables on Micky Clarke (Ventura) to advance, earned a 7.10. Fox’s score saw him tied with Clarke, both with a combined two-wave score of 11.83. Clarke won on a countback with his second best wave score, a 4.73 to Fox’s 4.33. Boys U18 top honors went to Jordan Collins who topped runnerup Braden Jones, 13.10 to 13.00, respectively. In Girls U18 competition, Maddie Peterson had a strong and steady run to the final where she posted the highest heat score of the day among the girls—12.33. On Sunday in Boys U16 Round 1, Sage Burke (Newport Beach) snagged an 8.33-point tube, the best barrel ride of the weekend. Noah Hill (Santa Cruz) won his quarterfinal heat handily, striking early with an 8.50 and 8.33 on his first two waves and leaving the others in catch up mode. The victor, Houshmand, had an outstanding final beating runner-up Crosby Colapinto, also of San Clemente, 14.57 to 9.00. In the Girls U16 division, Kirra Pinkerton (San Clemente), Bethany Zelasko (Dana Point), Alyssa Spencer (Carlsbad) and Tiare Thompson (La Jolla) all took out their first round heats with two-wave scores in the double digits. For Pinkerton and Zelasko—who, with a 12.57, earned the highest heat score of the day among the girls—the semis marked the end of the road and Spencer and Thompson were

joined by Samantha Sibley (San Clemente) and Kiersten Noonan (Encinitas) in the final. Spencer took the win over Sibley by an 8.16-point margin, 15.83 to 7.67. In his Prime series debut, Levi Slawson (Encinitas) wowed the crowd with a convincing win—12.40 to San Clementean Kade Matson’s 8.96. “It’s exciting to watch the level of these under 18 surfers—the best in the nation— continue to rise, especially when they have good waves. And the four-man priority alleviates the pressure of having to hassle the other surfers so the kids can focus on their talent,” said Ryan Simmons, Surfing America Team USA head coach and Prime announcer. “It’s all about letting your surfing do the talking rather than positioning and hassling. It is going to raise the level all year and allow the surfers to focus more on their own act in the lineup.” Surfing America Prime event No. 2 is set for Oct. 3 at San Onofre State Park, Church Beach. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 72-75 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 15-20’ Fair-Good Thursday: Fun blend of SSW swell and NW windswell prevails. Better breaks are in the kneewaist-chest high range (2-3’+), with larger peaks for standout exposures. Winds are lightest and most favorable in the morning, before a moderate Westerly sea-breeze develops in the afternoon. Outlook: Long-period new SW/SSW and SSE swells build through the weekend, peaking early next week, as small NW swell-mix blends in. Fun zone surf in the knee-waist-chest high range prevails Friday, with more size by the weekend. There may even be some selective SSE tropical swell blending in late this week. Morning winds look favorable. Check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Page 38

lijah Fox, 16, a recent transplant to San Clemente from Kauai, Hawaii, made a strong showing at the Surfing America Prime season opener, Aug. 29 at Camp Pendleton, DMJs. Elijah put the stamp on his Round 2 Boys U18 heat win by landing a big air reverse. “I took off on a right and it looked like there was a little section so I didn’t even bother doing the first turn,” Elijah said. “I just got speed and went for an air reverse and ended up pulling it.” Elijah’s surfing was looking to be of the caliber necessary to take him all the way to the final but despite his obvious talent and contest readiness a bit of bad luck got in his way. His campaign came to an end in the quarters when in a valiant effort in the final seconds of his heat he ripped a 7.10-point wave—only 0.10 less than he needed to advance—tied for second and then lost on a countback by a mere 0.4. Having moved to San Clemente just three months ago, Elijah said he is really enjoying his new home and having a lot of fun surfing with friends. “Living here is cool because I have a lot more friends here,” Elijah said. “And living so close to Lowers is cool too. I can just ride my bike down there and surf every day. His presence in the lineup, both at contests and free surfing, has not gone unnoticed and is a nice addition to the local talent pool. Welcome to San Clemente Elijah.—Andrea Swayne

RESULTS Surfing America Prime, Event No. 1, August 29-30, Camp Pendleton, DMJs BOYS U18: 1. Jordan Collins, Carlsbad; 2. Braden Jones, Arroyo Grande; 3. Kei Kobayashi, San Clemente; 4. Eithan Osborne, Ventura. GIRLS U18: 1. Maddie Peterson, New Jersey; 2. Bethany Zelasko, Dana Point; 3. Rachel Presti, Florida; 4. Malia Osterkamp, San Clemente. BOYS U16: 1. Cole Houshmand, San Clemente; 2. Crosby Colapinto, San Clemente; 3. Tommy McKeown, Oxnard; 4. Eithan Osborne, Ventura. GIRLS U16: 1. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad; 2. Samantha Sibley, San Clemente; 3. Tiare Thompson, La Jolla; 4. Kiersten Noonan, Encinitas. BOYS U14: 1. Levi Slawson, Encinitas; 2. Kade Matson, San Clemente; 3. Taro Watanabe, Malibu; 4. Taj Lindblad, San Clemente.

UPCOMING EVENTS September 5-6: NSSA Open, Event No. 1, Huntington Beach, Pier September 19-20: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 2, Ventura, Surfers Point September 19-20: NSSA Open, Event No. 2, Oceanside, Jetty