August 3, 2017

LO C A L

N EWS

August 3-9 , 2017

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Inside: South County Real Estate Guide SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 12, ISSUE 31

Snakes on a Plain

Training helps dogs avert rattlesnakes when walking with owners EYE ON SC/PAGE 6

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W.D. Dog Training & Rattlesnake Aversion Training instruct dogs and their owners on what to look for when coming in contact with a rattlesnake in the wild on Saturday, July 29, in southeast San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz

Burgers, Pickles, Knickknacks and More Return to the Pier SC LIVING/PAGE 22

City, The Reserve Sue TCA over Environmental Protective Agreement EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

Horse Betting Helps San Clemente Business Gallop SPORTS/PAGE 26

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

sexually abusing his clients. He was sentenced to a year in jail and has to register as a lifetime sex offender.

WHAT’S NEXT: In order to become part of San Clemente’s current ordinances, City Council will have to vote to approve it. The city altered its massage business ordinance in 2015 to strengthen it further after the state Legislature passed the California Massage Therapy Act, which requires businesses to voluntarily register with the state’s Massage Therapy Council.

Five things San Clemente should know this week Outlets Businesses Fined More than $16,000 for Temporary Signs Infractions THE LATEST: Since the start of 2017 to July 6, locations at the Outlets at San Clemente have been fined $16,400 for not removing temporary signs in accordance with the city’s ordinances. Extensions were filed by the companies in order to allow for the 18 signs, but the city recently rejected the latest extensions for the signs after Planning Commission rejected all but six.

The main battle going on with the Outlets signage identification—which in an agreement made more than a decade ago, ensures the mall’s ability to post freewayoriented signage—is that Craig Realty Group, owners of the Outlets, are trying to put in permanent signage at their locations. But there has been pushback from locals who claim they would be affected by the signage and have contributed to the application’s stall.

Many of those who protested at recent meetings said the signage would decrease their home value due to the increased lighting, in addition to other reasons.

The Outlets proposed putting up halo signage, or backlight silhouette signs, that are intended to be less intrusive.

The Outlets obtained the agreement for permanent signage with the city years ago, but because certain aspects of the environmental review were left out, people who were opposed to the signage protested and a new review was required.

WHAT’S NEXT: Cecilia Gallardo-Daily, the city’s community development director, said the city is conducting a new environmental impact report for the Outlets permanent signage.

“The city is currently preparing a supplemental environmental impact report.

The report is expected to be reviewed by the city, and (City Council) must accept the analysis into the EIR,” Gallardo-Daily said. “When the study is finished, then they can find the publication dates and hearing dates that would follow. There’s a 45-day public comment period. During that time, the city wants to have at least one Planning Commission study session.”

Gallardo-Daily said the public comSan Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

FIND OUT MORE: For more information on these topics, visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org and www.i5freedomnetwork.org. A copy of the ordinance amendments can be found in a link in this article at www.sanclementetimes.com. —EH Brenda Wells, director of the i5 Freedom Network, speaks to a room of about two dozen people on Monday, July 31, at the Outlets at San Clemente during an educational meeting to combat human trafficking. The organization is currently looking to amend the city’s massage business ordinance to require more information and transparency of such facilities. Photo: Eric Heinz

ments will be added to the final draft before it is approved. The issue has not yet been scheduled for a future Planning Commission meeting. —Eric Heinz

Anti-Human-Trafficking Group Suggests Changes to City’s Massage Business Ordinance THE LATEST: On Monday, July 31, members of the i5 Freedom Network, based in San Clemente, hosted an informational meeting regarding human trafficking issues related to Orange County.

Brenda Wells, the director of the i5 Freedom Network, said people need to inform their children about the dangers of human trafficking, even when they’re at places like the mall or other high-density areas that people frequent.

Traffickers, Wells said, will sometimes situate themselves in these areas and look for potential victims.

Many times, traffickers will post fake job ads intended to target young people who are likely running away from home or are susceptible to these traps.

The organization has been combing over the laws set in place in Huntington Beach and Garden Grove regarding massage therapy establishments, which Wells said can be a hub of lewd behavior.

In some cases, barcode tattoos have been put on people who are trafficked as a way to identify them as “property,” Wells said.

At a recent City Council meeting, Wells submitted an amendment to the city’s massage therapy business code, which would require:

• “All lit signage (light blight), open/ closed signs etc., be turned off at close of business (9 p.m.)

• Maintain well-lit entrances at all times for safety of establishment and employees as well visibility of after-hours access.

• Owner/landlord/property managers sign affidavit stating that they are aware of the type of business leasing their space, and that they acknowledge that code violations leading to business license revocation will lead to a moratorium on that type of business on their property for a period of two years.

• Post in conspicuous locations for patrons and employees to see the NHTH (National Human Trafficking Hotline) poster in multiple languages (English, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean) or get training by City-approved training resources and post a certificate of completion issued through the city.

• Notice to patrons that rooms do not offer complete privacy and are subject to unannounced inspection by authorized personnel.

• Background checks to include other businesses owned wholly or in part by the applicant.

• Require names and addresses of proposed employees and managers.

• Include Declaration of Awareness of risks inherent with unregulated massage establishments.

• Determine what kind and how many code violations lead to suspension of license or operating permit.

• Subject to County approval: Establishment Registration Certificate and applications be issued by the chief of police.”

In 2015, a massage therapy business owner was arrested in San Clemente for

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School Building Tours Rescheduled THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) rescheduled its tours of two new classroom buildings on the campuses of San Clemente High School and San Juan Hills High School.

“Community Facilities District monies and matching state funds paid for the buildings that feature 24 classrooms with state-of-the-art 21st century technology,” according to a press release from CUSD. In San Clemente High School’s master plan, the district is planning to spend $91 million on various improvements to infrastructure, school buildings and recreational facilities.

This will include a new student services building, gymnasium modernization, new library media center, new performing arts center, locker room expansion/remodel, comprehensive modernization and a new 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool.

WHAT’S NEXT: CUSD bus tour and ribbon cuttings of new classroom buildings are now scheduled for Sept. 21. The first ribbon cutting will take place at 9:45 a.m. at San Clemente and at 11:30 a.m. at San Juan Hills High School. —Staff

Congressional Candidates Kerr, Applegate, Levin to Host Forum Aug. 12 THE LATEST: The League of Women Voters (LWV) will host three democratic California 49th Congressional district candidates who have expressed their intent to run for the seat in 2018. The seat—which includes San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano—is currently held by 17-year Rep. Darrell Issa, a republican.

(Cont. on page 4) www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) At the forum will be 2016 congressional candidate Ret. Col. Doug Applegate, a San Clemente resident who narrowly lost to Issa and gave him his closest contested race since he took office. Applegate retired from the Marine Corps in 2006.

Mike Levin of San Juan Capistrano announced his candidacy on the democratic ticket shortly after the 2016 election.

According to his website bio, Levin is a former chairman of the Democratic Party of Orange County and worked as an attorney “focused on environmental and energy regulatory compliance and government affairs.”

Paul Kerr is the latest democrat to join the list of candidates. Kerr is a three-year veteran of the Navy, having served on a destroyer ship based out of San Diego.

His platform centers on healthcare and environmental issues.

A LWV representative will be the moderator of the forum.

“In a randomly determined order, each candidate will be given two minutes to make an opening statement,” a statement from LWV read. “The LWV moderator

will ask questions selected from written questions submitted by the audience.

The questions will be screened to avoid duplication, to insure a range of topics and issues, and to avoid questions that are not pertinent to the issues. The candidates will have one minute each to respond to each question. If a question is directed toward one candidate, he/she will answer first and the others will be allowed equal time to speak if they wish. Each candidate will make a closing statement of no more than one minute.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The forum is scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 1234 N. Santa Fe Ave. in Vista, California.

—Staff

San Clemente Resident, working as Marine Corps Recruiter, Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault THE LATEST: Gonzalo Castro, 28, of San Clemente, was arrested by the Huntington

Beach Police Department (HBPD) on Wednesday, July 26, after a former Marina High School student alerted authorities he had sexually assaulted Gonzalo Castro. her.

Photo: Courtesy The alleged victim, who was reportedly 17 at the time, told police that she was sexually assaulted at the end of last school year by Castro, who was working as a U.S. Marine Corps recruiter at the high school. “(The victim) met the suspect during this past track season when he volunteered with the track and field team,” a press release from HBPD stated. “(The victim) developed a coach/athlete relationship with him, and the suspect allegedly sexually assaulted the victim during an off-campus training run. Once the victim reported the crime, detectives from the HBPD Crimes Against Persons Sexual Assault Unit immediately initiated and

actively investigated the case.”

HBPD reported Castro is an active duty Marine Corps sergeant and recruiter based out of the Costa Mesa recruiting office. Castro served as a USMC recruiter at Marina High School and at Ocean View High School.

“Once the Huntington Beach Unified High School District was notified, they fully cooperated in the investigation,” the release stated.

Castro was arrested “without incident” and later posted bond.

WHAT’S NEXT: Castro is due to appear in court for his first hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 26. HBPD stated detectives believe there may be additional victims of the accused. People with information related to the crime or know of potential victims, contact Detective Anthony Pham at 714.536.5973 or apham@hbpd.org. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1.855.

TIP.OCCS (855.847.6227).

Editor’s note: This is a developing story.

More information will be provided when it becomes available. —EH

The Reserve, City of San Clemente Sue TCA on Environmental Settlement

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

B

oth the homeowner’s association The Reserve Maintenance Corporation and the City of San Clemente filed lawsuits on Friday, July 28, against the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) for what they both claim were violations of California’s open meetings act laws.

The TCA is currently examining 18 different proposals for toll roads to connect the 241 road to Interstate 5, which are based off public comment it took two years ago. Litigants in the most recent suits claim the only feasible option, based on the TCA’s objectives, would be the one that evidently goes straight through San Clemente.

TCA officials said at a forum on June 5 that not building a toll road is also an option. The roads are intended to alleviate traffic jams in South Orange County, but opponents of the roads have said once the I-5 expansion in San Clemente is complete, traffic should stabilize.

The lawsuits are based on a settlement of various lawsuits from the Save San Onofre Coalition and multiple environmental agencies, which was forged in November 2016. The agreement established an “avoidance area” that ensures no toll road could be built through the San Mateo Watershed and Trestles south of San Clemente. “…The Settlement Agreement was San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

“No Toll Road Through San Clemente” signs such as this one on Costero Risco near The Reserve are seen throughout the city’s residential and commercial properties. The Reserve homeowners association and the City of San Clemente both recently filed lawsuits against the Transportation Corridor Agencies regarding items related to toll road construction. Photo: Eric Heinz

plainly used as subterfuge by the TCA for various non-litigation oriented policy decisions, such as the designation of a several square-mile ‘avoidance area’ concerning any and all conceivable toll road alignments,” stated a letter from Dan Bane, the lead attorney for The Reserve’s lawsuit.

“Such ploys are illegal as a matter of law under the Brown Act.”

The lawsuits also mentions a protective agreement between CalTrans and the TCA, which litigants are asking the court to declare illegal. The Orange County Board of Supervisors, the California Department of Transportation and the TCA’s Board of Directors are also being sued by the city.

In the city’s lawsuit, it states that Mayor

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Kathy Ward, the city’s elected liaison to the TCA who at the time of the vote was Mayor Pro Tem, was not briefed on the current litigation of the TCA and the environmental groups and that she felt uncomfortable voting on closed session items without sufficient background information.

When it came time to vote on the agreement, Ward and San Juan Capistrano Council member Kerry Ferguson voted against it, while the rest of the joint board voted to approve.

City attorneys are asking the Superior Court to prohibit actions regarding the protective agreement until they can be vetted by requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and to halt any proposals related to the protective agreement.

“If the TCA truly desires to engage the residents of Orange County in its purported ‘process,’ concerning mobility solutions as it has repeatedly asserted, then the TCA Board can start by ensuring compliance with California law regarding the provision of noticed, open and fair public hearings with a full opportunity afforded for meaningful public comment regarding important policy decisions,” the letter from Bane stated.

The next joint board meeting of the San Joaquin Hills and Foothill/Eastern Board of Directors is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, at the TCA headquarters, located at 125 Pacifica in Irvine. SC

www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Snakes on a Plain

Aversion training in San Clemente helps dogs alert owners of venomous serpents

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S

ubtle nips or hesitation from an owner’s dog may save them from a deadly encounter with a rattlesnake.

Waymond “Rusty” Debreceni, the owner and lead trainer of W.D. Dog Training and Rattlesnake Aversion Training, has been conducting classes for more than 17 years to help dogs identify rattlesnakes. On Saturday, July 29, he worked with his two sons, his daughter and his fiancée, who helped contain and look out for the snakes, on the outskirts of southern San Clemente.

Southern Pacific rattlesnakes, described as brown to olive-brown in color with dark brown blotches on the back, were used during the lessons on Saturday, as they are abundant in the area.

“These guys are found everywhere,” Debreceni said. “We use all rattlesnakes… indigenous to California.”

Younger rattlesnakes will inject more venom into their victims, Debreceni said, as they’re still learning how to control the injection.

“We train (the dogs) on sight, sound and scent, and scent is the biggest key,” Debreceni said. “The dogs will go through six stations, all depending on how they are doing. The biggest problem is…we’re on the hiking trails so much that it’s a 50/50 chance whether the snakes are going to rattle or not. That’s why we implement these classes.”

A chocolate labrador sniffs at a pile of muzzled rattlesnakes that have been milked of their venom during a training session on Saturday, July 29, in southeastern San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz

Anti-venom costs about $8,000 to $10,000 per vial, Debreceni said. Recent reports showed attack victims were billed upwards of tens of thousands of dollars because it takes more than a few vials to completely nullify the venom.

Dogs typically have a heightened sense of smell, but it’s not as supernatural as its described in folklore. That said, having more than 50 times the olfactory receptors and odor detectors in the nose than humans, most breeds of dogs are able to pick up acute scents.

“The dogs will remember this for life, but it doesn’t guarantee they’re always going to remember,” Debreceni said. “If they’re not brought back to refresher classes, they could forget. People need to understand everything the dog is doing.”

Some dogs understand what to do almost immediately, but with some dogs it takes additional training. Debreceni said if a dog is not accurately identifying the snake as a danger, he will give the dog a

A labrador runs around a snake pit after being trained not to go near it. Photo: Eric Heinz

failing grade until it learns. But he said he’s only failed three dogs in his 17 years of training.

All the snakes are milked of their venom and muzzled twice to ensure no accidents take place, while audio recordings mimic rattlesnakes’ tail sounds, and shock-collars replicate being bitten.

“Training people to do this is not easy,” Debreceni said, adding he has never been

What You Need to Know About Rattlesnakes • Warmer weather will bring snakes out following hibernation • Dogs may need to be retrained if they haven’t practiced rattlesnake aversion within a year or two • According to reports from the University of Florida, most people who are bitten by a rattlesnake, in the United States, will not die. However, the process of correcting the venom will likely be long and painful.

• California Poison Control System offers tips on walking in areas where rattlesnakes are common, including wearing long pants and boots, staying on marked trails and to never touch a snake, even if it appears to be dead.

Waymond “Rusty” Debreceni holds a muzzled rattlesnake with his son during a training session on Saturday, July 29. Photo: Eric Heinz

San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

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bitten by a rattlesnake. “If you get bit by one of these (rattlesnakes), it’s a 50/50 chance that you’re going to make it.”

The reason for using live snakes is to allow the dogs to gain experience accurately identifying rattlesnakes in the wild. The classes are also along regularly used hiking trails to simulate an every-day walk.

Debreceni uses sound simulations to make the dogs familiar with the rattle they make.

As the dogs approach the snake at one of the stations, Debreceni gives them a light shock as soon as they have the reptile’s scent, thus a Pavlovian response to the snakes is expected to develop.

“As soon as the dogs understand that they shouldn’t go near the snake, the idea is that they will create a wide berth between you and the snake,” Debreceni said.

On Saturday, the four dogs the San Clemente Times witnessed seemed to grasp the idea immediately. As soon as they received a light shock, they would be immediately deterred from the area.

But it’s not just the master of education who has to train the dogs. Debreceni said it’s most important that the dog owners themselves understand how the animals react to the presence of snakes.

“If I don’t teach (the owners), what good does it do?” Debreceni said.

Jay Thornton participated with two of his American labs, and both dogs picked up the idea very quickly. The chocolate lab yelped as soon as the stimulant was applied and wouldn’t go anywhere near the snakes after that, even pulling the owner away from the snake-infested station.

“One time, both of the dogs walked up on a sunbathing, big, fat, 5-foot rattlesnake on a golf course,” Thornton said. “Luckily, the snake did not react, and my wife was able to call them back. They had no idea, but now they do.”

Giving the dogs positive reinforcement is also extremely important, Debreceni said, so that they feel motivated to alert the owners.

“We need to make sure that their obedience does not get in the way of the training,” Debreceni said. “If it does, it makes it a lot harder for the dog to understand the commands.”

Jessica Price, the owner of Seaside Hounds, a San Clemente-based business that takes dogs on nature runs while their owners are away, also works with Debreceni and refers clients to his workshops.

Price said she has had her own dogs notify her of rattlesnakes in the area while hiking the trails in San Clemente.

“I’ve been working with Rusty and the dogs for about four years, and people say that their dogs are alerting them when rattlesnakes are present,” Price said.

The final rattlesnake aversion training of the year with W.D. Dog Training will take place on Saturday, Aug. 26, and lessons will continue next spring.

For more information, contact Seaside Hounds at 747.217.6332 or W.D. at 951.823.6864 or at pbrain28@aol.com. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Community Meetings SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE FIRST SUNDAY SALE 9 a.m.-1p.m. All CDs, DVDs and audiobooks will be sold at half price. A large selection of children’s and special selected non-fiction will be displayed for sale on the outside patio. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar. 949.492.3493. www.ocpl.org/libloc/sc.

VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m. Vendors will sell their artwork and designs along with the farmers’ market. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

DEL MAR FARMERS’ MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar. TUESDAY, AUGUST 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.

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (BILY) MEETING 7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday.

Because I Love You helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices.

Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Begins in August The city of San Clemente is seeking participants for its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program.

Residents and members of the business community will learn basic skills to save lives and protect property in the aftermath of a major disaster, when emergency services are not immediately available. This includes training in basic disaster skills such as preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and terrorism awareness. The class meets on six consecutive Thursday nights, beginning on Aug. 17 and concludes with a half-day drill on Saturday, Sept. 23. This is the 13th training session offered by the city of San Clemente, in partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Orange County Fire Authority.

Participants must attend all class sessions. Program graduates are invited to join the city’s CERT Team. To register, or obtain information, contact Steve Foster, Emergency Planning Coordinator with the city of San Clemente at 949.361.6109 or at cert@san-clemente.org.

Leadership San Clemente Program Now Accepting Applications Each year, the city of San Clemente offers a Leadership San Clemente program that is free to San Clemente citizens. The 2017 program will take place every Thursday from 6-8:30 p.m., commencing on

Sept. 21, 2017 and ending on Nov. 9, 2017.

Each class will focus on a different aspect of San Clemente’s municipal government, which includes General Government, Finance and Administrative Services, Community Development, Public Works, Utilities, Beaches, Parks and Recreation, Law Enforcement, and Fire Services. A class will also be taught by the Capistrano Unified School District. The final class will include a tour of the City, followed by a graduation ceremony and reception. The class is limited to 23 citizens and is expected to fill up quickly. If you would like to participate in this year’s class, please log onto www.san-clemente.org to obtain additional information and to download an application. Interested parties may also call 949.361.8200 to request that an application be mailed or emailed. Because applications are accepted on a first-come, first-accepted basis, its encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Summer Boutique to Benefit SCHS Dance Team Spend a warm summer evening on Avenida Del Mar shopping and supporting the San Clemente High School (SCHS) dance team when the team hosts its Summer Swag Boutique at Em & Tess Clothing and Missy’s Pop-Up Shop from 5-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

The public is invited to stop by 220 Avenida Del Mar and shop from both stores plus several additional merchants participating in the boutique. A percentage of all sales that night will go directly to the SCHS Dance Team. In addition, shoppers will be treated to light refreshments, a bake sale and a drawing to win some fabulous prizes donated by participating merchants.

A percentage of all sales will benefit the SCHS dance team. Fundraisers such as the Summer Swag Boutique support all costs

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9

NORTH BEACH FARMERS’ MARKET 3-6:30 p.m. The Market at North Beach features vendors of food, jewelry and other wares, and there could be live music. 1501 N. El Camino Real.

San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

Help Provide School Supplies to Local Children in Need There are children within the San Clemente community who cannot afford basic school supplies for the school year ahead, according to a press release from Family Assistance Ministries (FAM).

They need helpful donations of backpacks, pencils and pens, calculators, lunchboxes, paper, binders, notebooks and dividers, glue sticks, erasers, crayons and markers. If donators cannot make it to the drop-off, monetary donations can be made on the FAM website at www.familyassistance.org.

Drop off donations at FAM’s Resource Center, located at 1030 Calle Negocio in San Clemente by Monday, Aug. 7, between the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit their website or call 949.492.8477.

California State Parks Debuts New Reservation System

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

VFW POST 7142 MEETING 7 p.m. The VFW meets every second Tuesday of the month. Elks Lodge, 1505 N El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2068. www.vfw7142.com.

associated with the dance team program from technique coaches and guest choreographers to costumes and competition fees.

Other businesses participating in the boutique include Marah Johnson, From The Studio, offering custom jewelry and gifts; Molly G leather handbags and accessories; Locker Board skateboards; Sea Glass by Megan; Succulents by Tina Marie Designs; and Flux Mediums’ cork originals.

“We are so grateful to all the businesses who are donating their time and a percentage from their sales to the Dance Team,” said Steffanie Griffith, president of the Encore Club, a parent booster organization for the SCHS Dance Team. “We appreciate everything the community does to support the Dance Team’s fundraising goals each year.

It makes a tremendous difference in the success of our dancers and the program.”

For more information about the SCHS Dance Team Summer Swag Boutique, visit www.schsdanceteam.com or email danceschs@gmail.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Ron Scheibel

SCENE

Ron Scheibel, a local photographer, will present some of his San Clemente shots at { IN S AN CL E M E NTE } Zebra House Coffee, located at 1001 S. El Camino Real, through Aug. 29.

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California State Parks is offering the public tips on how to access the Golden State’s new reservation system, ReserveCalifornia. As of Tuesday, Aug. 1, visitors to California’s state parks are able to use the new platform for booking camping and lodging sites and tours.

“Using the new system will be easy to plan adventures within state parks, since it is similar to booking hotels, airline tickets and other comparable services,” a press release from the California State Parks stated. For more information, visit www.reservecalifornia.com.

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to eheinz@picketfencemedia.com. www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner By Mayor Pro Tem Tim Brown

Our Decision to Fight the TCA’s Plan for Toll Road

I

n closed session during the Tuesday, July 18, City Council meeting, my colleagues and I made the unanimous decision to authorize our City Attorney to file a lawsuit against the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) and commence our legal battle to stop plans to build a toll road through San Clemente. How did we arrive at this critical decision?

In fall of 2016, the TCA officially abandoned plans to build the 241 toll road southern route that bypassed San Clemente and tied into Interstate 5 south of town. The decision to abandon this route came through the form of a settlement agreement with Save San Onofre Coalition (SSOC), a group comprised of environmental advocates and several regulatory agencies.

These groups sued to stop these alignments due to the environmental impacts on the San Mateo Creek and other coastal resources. This much-celebrated settlement was the result of several years of negotiation between the TCA leadership and the SSOC. It must be noted that at no point prior to the settlement agreement being announced to the public did TCA leadership see it fit to brief, advise or consult with anyone from the member agency most affected—the city of San Clemente.

Once the settlement became public,

Letters to the Editor A LETTER FROM ALLEN REESE ALLEN REESE, formerly of the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area, San Clemente

Thanks for the nice write-up in the San Clemente Times July 27-Aug. 2 edition. I appreciate you thinking my tenure at Boys & Girls Club worthy of mention.

My family and I decided it was important to return to the Mid-Atlantic region because of our desire to have our sons, ages 11 and 12, to be raised close to cousins, aunts and uncles. My father-in-law recently passed away in May and that was a traumatic event for our family.

I will be working as CEO of one of the oldest Boys & Girls Clubs in the United States, the Olivet Boys & Girls Club in Reading, Pennsylvania. This club dates its history back to the late 19th century. It is a rather large club with six year-round locaSan Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

the residents and leaders of San Clemente learned that the litigants, SSOC, received a commitment from the TCA that they would forgo any alignments through the newly created “Avoidance Area” through San Mateo. SSOC was fully reimbursed for all of its legal expenses, and, when the CITY COUNCIL toll road is constructed CORNER and connected to the I-5

By Tim Brown through any other alignment, the SSOC will then be awarded a $28 million conservation fund for their environmental priorities. In return, the TCA received a commitment from the SSOC and its agencies that it would not oppose any future alignment, no matter where it was built and whom it affected.

The result of this self-inflicted settlement is that the TCA has forced itself into one of three alignments to connect the 241 to I-5, and each of these alignments run right through San Clemente.

Our new lawsuit will seek to set aside the effects of the misguided settlement that forces the toll road through our open space preserves and protected ridgelines and run in close proximity to community parks, schools, trails and homes.

Fortunately, our community is mobiliz-

tions and several after-school programs.

The city of Reading has a large low-income population. It is a rust-belt town that has a large number of kids who struggle academically. I accepted the position knowing the challenge will be considerable, and it certainly will require hard work and collaboration with many partners.

I so enjoyed my time in San Clemente.

The beautiful location and ideal weather cannot be matched. So, I am turning in my flip flops for winter coats and snow shovels. It is all good, however. We are grateful for having had the opportunity to live here and wish the children and families of Southern Orange County well.

I hope I have had a part in turning the organization into a more professional and academically-focused space for kids. I am a big proponent of academics and promoting school readiness, staff training, child safety and focus on mission. If, in any way, I was able to bring any of these things to the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area to benefit the kids in San Clemente I will feel that my time in Southern Orange County was well spent!

ing in this fight to have our voices heard.

I am grateful for San Clemente residents who have joined the City Council through vocal opposition, research and suggested alternative solutions. I am also grateful for the strong leadership of state and federal elected officials who have thrown in their support. We also extend a hand to any environmental advocates who wish to join us and who have chosen to have a voice. Simply because open space, sensitive habitats and ridgelines lie within our city limits and next to our homes does not mean it isn’t a part of the environment worth fighting for and preserving for future generations.

Simply put, the city’s lawsuit seeks to reset and broaden the process of solving South County transportation issues, and force the TCA out of the small corner it pinned itself to.

If you have questions or comments, please email me at brownt@san-clemente.org.

Tim Brown is a City Councilman in San Clemente. He was re-elected to City Council in 2014 and served as mayor during that year. 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

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@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Steve Breazeale, 949.388.7700, x110 sbreazeale@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Group Managing Editor > Rachael Mattice City Editor, SC Times > Eric Heinz

OPERATIONS

City Editor, DP Times > Kristina Pritchett

Finance Director > Mike Reed

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett

CITIZENS, NOT GOVERNMENT, NEED TO PREPARE AGAINST TOLL ROADS

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

ED BEYER, San Clemente

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Regarding the toll road ending up in San Clemente at Pico, here is my thinking: I have watched all the Congressional and Senatorial debates on Russia. In every case, when a senator or congressman, from either party, gets ready to question someone, they first talk about how wonderful they are. It’s nothing more than helping themselves to try to get reelected next time around. Politicians lie to us all the time. It is the same with our local City Council saying they are against the toll road ending in San Clemente and that they are going to file a lawsuit against the toll road. It is no more than a ruse to help them to get re-elected in the next election.

The city collected $10 million from Rancho San Clemente and other portions of the city for a parking structure or lot. The City did not perform and were sued to return the money. The City spent $1.5 million dollars fighting it, but lost in court.

(Continued)

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Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick

ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Debra Holm Tim Trent Jake Howard

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes San Clemente Times, Vol. 12, Issue 31. 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 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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SOAPBOX Letters to the Editor (Continued) I remember the numerous meetings they had with the Outlet stores, allowing them “halo-type” signage. Now, the City is being sued by the owners of the Outlet for breaking their word. Changing our promise got a couple of people elected, but look forward to a heavy lawsuit. Losing our hospital was a big political issue and to help the incumbents get re-elected, the City Council rezoned the property.

This ensuing lawsuit will bankrupt the city. Back to the toll road, whenever there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony to put shovels in the ground or dedicate the final portion, members of the City Council were there to take credit. Now they act like everything is a big surprise.

We had better wake up. We citizens, not the city, need a good strong lawyer who will get us into federal court. Our rights as homeowners are going to be violated.

Don’t believe anything the city says; they are nothing but, like all politicians, people who have their own personal agenda.

TOLL ROAD WILL MAKE HOME PRICES PLUMMET FREDERICK D. PRICE, San Clemente

According to a recent article (July 20, 2017) published in the San Clemente Times, “Toll Road Issue Gaining More Attention,” Ed Sachs, chairman of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) and Mayor Pro Tem of Mission Viejo, sent a letter in response to Rep. Darrell Issa’s, (R-Vista), letter from July 7, to the CEO of the TCA opposing any toll road construction in the area. In his letter, (as quoted by the San Clemente Times), Mr. Sachs stated (with regard to the toll road proposals) “...These roads do not divide nor do they destroy the character of our communities, but rather, they serve as conduits that literally connect us ...”

Mr. Sachs, I live approximately 300 yards from proposed toll road route number 14. It is my understanding that this route is currently favored by the TCA. Should it be built, the only thing I will be able to see, when I step out of my front door and gaze toward the foothills and beautiful mountains, will be a massive toll road structure blocking my view. If you do not think this toll road will destroy the character of my community, let alone its quality of life, and home values, then I suggest you buy the house next door to me. It is about to be placed on the real estate market, asking price $1,599,000. Of course, you might want to wait until after the toll road is built to make an offer.

I’m sure by then this beautiful home could be purchased for a $1 million or less.

San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

ALAS, ANOTHER ONE BIT THE DUST LARRY CULBERTSON, San Clemente

On July 19, the Planning Commission voted on a split vote, 5-2, to allow that large addition to 404 Monterey Lane—the one that will drastically change the appearance of one of San Clemente’s more architecturally interesting historic homes.

My arguments that this addition did not comply with our existing rules fell on deaf ears. What the Planning Commission calls the “discretionary process” for determining whether a project will or will not harm the integrity of a historic building is just flexible enough to allow them to vote either way and be able to justify it.

One of the arguments that appeared to sway the judgement of the Commissioners was the fact that this building is in extreme disrepair and the new owner is willing to make repairs, if they can do the addition. The blemishes to the property include termite and dry-rot damage, black mold, cracked foundation and more. But this building has been under Mills Act property tax reduction protection since 2001. In other words, because the city did not require the previous owners to live up to their obligation to maintain the building and it is now in horrible disrepair, we will reward a rehabilitation by granting permission for an addition that will degrade the historic integrity.

I do not have space to tell you where Santa Clause came into the dialogue, but he did and may have influenced the outcome.

We need to tighten up the protection of our historic resources. Some are being neglected, some are being radically altered, both to their peril.

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.

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, August 4 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso 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.

Page 9

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

LIVE MUSIC: MICHAEL WALLACE 6:30-9:30 p.m. Michael Wallace will perform live. There is live music WednesdaySaturday. Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.661.7799. www.saltcreekgrille.com.

What’s going on in and around town this week

Sunday | 06

COMPILED BY STAFF

Thursday | 03

WOMEN OF SURFING: ART & HISTORY Surfing Heritage & Culture Center (SHACC) has partnered with the Huntington Beach Art Center (HBAC) for the Women of Surfing: Art & History, the art center’s second exhibition of a three-part-series celebrating women in the arts, delving into the artworks of national and international artists who have an intimate relationship with the ocean and the sport of surfing. The exhibit runs until Sept. 2. 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente. 949.388.0313. www.surfingheritage.org.

LIVE MUSIC: BRANDON WILDISH 6:30-9:30 p.m. Brandon Wildish will perform live. There is live music WednesdaySaturday. Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.661.7799. www.saltcreekgrille.com.

SESSIONS AT STILLWATER 7 p.m. Listen to live music when artists from around the world perform together.

Stillwater Spirits and Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. www.danapointstillwater.com.

Friday | 04 Photo: Kristina Pritchett

DOHENY CAMPFIRE PROGRAM 8 p.m. Retired Doheny State Beach Ranger Jim Serpa presents “Truths and Myths” on local sharks during Doheny’s Campfire Program. He will guide participants through the mysterious lifestyle of sharks of Orange County and around the world. Campfire Center, Doheny State Beach. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.6171. www.dohenystatebeach.org.

AN EVENING OF THREE ONE-ACTS Cabrillo Playhouse will host three one-act plays starting Friday, Aug. 4. The three acts are Drive In by Richard Hellesen, Act Three, Scene Five by Terry Ortwein and The Actor’s Nightmare by Christopher Durang. Tickets $20. Performances are Aug. 4-6 and 11-13. They start at 8 p.m. each day and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

SUNSET AT SALT CREEK 5:30-9 p.m. The beach event will benefit Mary Erickson Community Housing which contributes to providing families with a home. There will be multiple food stations from the Monarch Beach Resort, the Melting Pot, Left Coast Brewing, Sonny’s Pizza and more. There will be live music, a live auction and a raffle. A shuttle will be available for guests which runs from the Salt Creek Beach parking lot tunnel. Tickets are $85. North Shore of Salt Creek Beach. 949.369.5419. www.maryerickson.org.

LIVE MUSIC: THE TONES WITH ROADSIDE COYOTES 9:30 p.m. The Tones with Roadside CoySan Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

10:30 A.M.-8 P.M., SUNDAY, AUG. 6: EMERGENCY EXPO, NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AND SUMMER CONCERT Join the city of Dana Point and Dana Point Police Services to the Emergency Expo.

The day-long event includes equipment from the Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have members from SWAT, the Bomb Squad, K9, bloodhounds, boats and helicopters. Live entertainment will be provided by Redneck Rodeo and SMITH. The event is free to attend. The expo runs from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. the concert runs from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and National Night Out is from 6-8 p.m. Sea Terrace Park. Coast Highway and Niguel Road. www.danapoint.org. otes will perform live. Tickets are $5 at the door. OC Tavern, San Clemente, 2369 S. El Camino Real. www.octavern.com.

Saturday | 05 HEADLANDS NATURE WALK 9 a.m. The walk focuses on the plants and animals that can be found in the Dana Point Headlands. It’s designed to introduce participants to the local plant communities. The walk occurs the first Saturday of each month and is about 1.5 miles long. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point.

949.248.3527 to RSVP. www.danapoint.org.

OCEAN INSTITUTE WHALE WATCHING 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join Ocean Institute scientists on a whale watching cruise aboard the R/V Sea Explorer to view wildlife that make the coastal waters of Dana Point their home. Trips go out every Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $45 for adults, $35 for seniors and active-duty military and $25 for children. Members receive a 10 percent discount. Ocean Institute. 24200

Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

LIVE THEATER: ‘INTO THE WOODS’ 6:30 p.m. Be careful what you wish for in this musical! A childless baker and his wife will take on an extraordinary journey to lift the family curse. Along their journey, familiar to fairy tales Cinderella, Jack, Little Red collide as each character attempts to fulfill their wish. Guests will learn about wishes, consequences of pursuing wishes and discover what can happen after happily ever after. The show continues on various days until August 6. Tickets range from $15-$20. Crown Valley Amphitheater. 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. www.lagunanigueltheatre.org/tickets.

LIVE MUSIC HARBOR CRUISE 8-9:30 p.m. Every Saturday join Dana Wharf for a live music harbor cruise. Tickets are $25 per person, and the event is for 21 and older. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. www.danawharf.com.

Page 10

BEND & BREW 11:30 a.m. iHeartYoga holds a Bend & Brew session at Left Coast Brewing Company’s tasting room in San Clemente. It’s a one-hour yoga class followed by a pint of beer. Admission $10. 1245 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente.

949.363.3152. www.iheartyoga.com.

GUIDED NATURE HIKE 8-9:15 a.m. Join an Orange County Parks Ranger for a one-mile hike around Bell Canyon in Caspers Wilderness Park.

Parking is $5, the hike is free. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.923.2210. www.ocparks.com/caspers.

Monday | 07 FREE GUITAR LESSONS 5-6 p.m. Free beginner level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

YOGA IN THE PARK 5:30 p.m. Join iHeartYoga for yoga in the park every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this summer. Bring a mat, water bottle and suggested donation of $8. Lantern Bay Park. 25111 Park Lantern, Dana Point. www.iheartyoga.org.

Tuesday | 08 TINY TOTS: PARENT AND ME PROGRAM 9:30-10:30 a.m. Join the Ocean Institute for a six-week, maritime-themed series of exploration and play suitable for children ages 2 and 3. Stretch your child’s (Cont. on page 12) www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT

At the Movies: Charlize Theron is the ‘Atomic Blonde’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

hen Angelina Jolie semi-retired from film acting, it looked like Scarlett Johansson was going to take her place as Hollywood’s top action superstar for blockbusters with her success in the Marvel flicks and Lucy (2014). But Ghost in the Shell, which bombed on the spot back in March, is evidence to the contrary. Instead, Jolie’s replacement is turning out to be her contemporary and fellow allstar Charlize Theron, with Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), The Fate of the Furious (2017) and now Atomic Blonde.

In 1989 Berlin, in the midst of the Cold War, MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Theron) is investigating the murder of her partner and former flame. On top of that, she’s also given an assignment to recover a secret list of double agents roaming around

(Cont. from page 10) imagination through creative play that supports language development, social interaction and problem-solving. Cost is $30 for a single class. Program runs through August 15. Register online. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

HALF-PRICE 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 Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Germany. She teams up with a shady station chief David Percival (James McAvoy) to show her the ropes, and also hooks up with undercover photographer Delphine Lasalle (Sofia Boutella).

Atomic Blonde is directed by David Leitch, who previously worked on the sleeper hit John Wick (2014), which in many ways is the spiritual predecessor to Blonde. At the heart of the matter, the action piece is essentially a two-hour retro music video.

The ultra-stylized violence and chase sequences—including some pretty obvious CGI at times—and the neon cinematography distract enough from the plot holes and predictable tropes. Theron proves that she’s still fully capable of carrying an entire action film physically, but the most frustrating aspect is that the song “Atomic” by Blondie is nowhere on the soundtrack. SC

Wednesday | 09 FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB 2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. No cost to join. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228, or 949.369.5482.

LEGO CLUB 3-4 p.m. Join the Lego club and learn how to build different things. Every month there is a new challenge. From 1-2 p.m. there is an open hour of Legos. Dana Point Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point. 949.4963.5517.

SUNSHINE READERS STORYTIME 11:30 a.m. The Sunshine Readers will entertain children of all ages during the hour-long storytime. Dana Point Public Library. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

KARAOKE AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 7 p.m. Sing karaoke, imbibe and eat free popcorn at The Swallow’s Inn’s karaoke night with Bobby and Joel. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

FREE COMEDY AT MOLLY BLOOM’S 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Molly Bloom’s with food and drink specials. There will be local and professional talent. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.218.0120. www.mollybloomspub.com.

KARAOKE AT GOODY’S 8 p.m. Karaoke every Tuesday night at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente.

206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to San Clemente Times by going to www.sanclementetimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

Page 12

1812 CALLE DE LOS ALAMOS, SOUTHWEST SAN CLEMENTE Perhaps the most paramount oceanfront property in southwest San Clemente, this contemporary inspired residence expands eighty five westward feet commanding endless unobstructed panoramas.Vistas reaching as distant as Palos Verdes draw your attention to miles of beautifully etched CA coastline including DP Harbor, SC Pier, world-class surf breaks and luscious canyon enclaves, as well as direct views of Catalina and SC Islands.

Centered in the main octagonal living space, a beautifully appointed indoor fire ring guards the hearth of the home. Beyond compare, this space is encapsulated by an industrial infused, open beam ceiling. Wrapping walls drenched in floor to ceiling glass frame 180 degree transcendent views. Outside, ocean scents awash multiple private terraces featuring a pebble tech surfaced pool with in-pool wet bar and private bar-front jacuzzi. With 5 generous beds accompanied by dual vanity en suite baths, a generous light-filled kitchen with Sub Zero and Viking Ranges and a rare 14,755 sq. ft. lot, this property is unmatched. Offered at $5,995,000.

Christian Wach RealtorŽ CalBRE #01922260 (949) 370.3917 • www.christianwach.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Business Beat

made stuff, like necklaces made by a guy in San Clemente.”

Many other assorted items are sold at the business, including a limited selection of bait for fishers.

The Pier Grill is open 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Shipley said he wants to keep the business open yearround if it can be sustained, but he said he will likely close Mondays and Tuesdays after Labor Day, when the summer tourism slows down. —Staff

News from San Clemente’s business community SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

25 Years in Business ZUMA PRESS 408 N. El Camino Real San Clemente, CA 92672 949.481.3747, www.zumapress.com Located near the historic downtown section of San Clemente lies the home of the world’s first digital agency for photography. Founded in 1993 and incorporated in 1995, Zuma Press Media Group represents more than 2,000 professional photographers and photojournalists directly, produces more than 40 million live images and uploads more than 21,000 photographic images daily from all over the world. The 25-year-old company, once originally based in Laguna Beach between 1993 and 2008, also provides images for various news and media agencies such as The Sacramento Bee, The Palm Beach Post in Florida, The Toronto Star in Canada, The Daily Mail in Great Britain, the London Evening Standard and the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

Scott Mc Kiernan, CEO and founder of Zuma Press, created the first downloadable editorial picture website in 1992 after his own experiences as a war photographer during the Balkan Conflicts where the United States government created a digital bulletin board to log in military tanks in former Yugoslavia.

The name of the photographer-run company originated from Mc Kiernan’s black labrador retriever’s name, which roughly means “new day” in the Mayan language.

As a mentor to Michael Evans, President Ronald Reagan’s personal photographer, Mc Kiernan also assisted with captioning photographs of presidents within the archives.

“We do stories that need to be told,” said Mc Kiernan regarding his company’s mission. “Stories that need to be told are stories that are important and small issues that are critical to those who are involved.”

Mc Kiernan said he believes one picture can tell a whole story when conveying a message or representing an issue. Issues such as poverty and natural resources have been represented in the company’s portfolio from nearly every country in the world.

When asked about how social media impacts his business and profession, Mc Kiernan sees both positives and negatives of the platform. He said that producing good photographs can further generate content in an instant, but he also warned about doctored images and other forms of deceptive editing.

“If content is king, then visuals are San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

New Product

A look inside the offices of San Clemente’s Zuma Press shows the volumes of photos and photography books.

Photo: Duane Paul Murphy

queen,” Mc Kiernan said.

Mc Kiernan also recommended various schools with strong visual arts programs for those who want to study photography or photojournalism as well as studying the works of various photographers at local museums, online portfolios and art galleries. However, he also indicates that improvements in mobile technology in the near future can further enhance respect for both the art form and the profession.

Zuma Press Media Group properties include zReportage.com, Doubletruck Magazine, The Pictures of the Day and The KONA Gallery. —Duane Paul Murphy

browns and an egg. This is not a normal menu item, but what people can find are items such as gluten-free fried pickles, various burgers and other quick-to-order food.

Shipley said he orders his products from several local vendors.

“It’s a concession stand, so it needs to be kind of easy and fun, but we also wanted really quality food,” Shipley said. “I also wanted to offer a lot of local, hand-

New Ownership THE PIER GRILL 615 Victoria Ave, San Clemente, CA 92672 949.498.2247 Facebook: @piershackandgrill After a series of intermittent closures and re-openings of the Pier Shack and Grill, new owner Scott Shipley has revamped the cozy eatery with a refurbished menu and items made by local vendors.

Now named The Pier Grill, the business opened for regular hours about eight weeks ago. Shipley had to go through a lengthy process to get the agreement with the city to operate, but as soon as he was ready to open, he said he got started.

“I was awarded the lease on a Tuesday, we had our equipment delivered on a Wednesday morning, and by that Saturday we were open,” Shipley said.

Shipley owned and operated a couple restaurants in Vermont, one a Mexican eatery and the other provided upscale bar menus.

The Pier Grill is no exception for his creative outlet. Earlier this week, Shipley made a breakfast burger called the “Shark Bite,” which included a sliced quarterpound hotdog or sausage over hash

Owner Scott Shipley provides options for all people, including turkey chili and a one-pound burger for the hungriest of customers. Photo: Eric Heinz

NOMADIX www.nomadix.co Nomadix LLC offers quality, sustainable towels for indoor and outdoor activities.

Their main product includes a multipurpose travel towel that can be used for going to the beach, camping in the woods or doing yoga. Large or small, all towel products are considered “super absorbent,” antimicrobial and slip-resistant as well as made up of certified recycled materials. The company has been making the towels for about 18 months.

“We launched this business out of necessity,” said company co-founder Chance Petersen. “Living in San Clemente, we do a lot of yoga and surfing as well as weekend trips to Palm Springs and Mammoth. We noticed we had a different towel for all of those activities. Most notably, our beach towel wasn’t very good for the beach.

Those cotton terry towels collect sand, don’t dry quickly and get stinky. We also noticed how Stance, a San Clemente-based company, had turned something as simple as a sock into a strong business. We thought maybe there was room for towels under a similar model.”

The company’s founder further said that environmental suitability and product simplicity makes their own towel products unique in the market. —Duane Paul Murphy

Photo: Courtesy of Nomadix

Page 22

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Wellness & Prevention by Susan Parmelee

Self-Care Is an Important Part of Parenting

I

learned something very important when I had three children under the age of 5. Self-care is not selfish; in fact, trying to be the “martyr” mom, often trying to do it all, did not result in being a nice person. But the parent who found time for self-care was a much better parent. This is an important topic, as many parents may be feeling summer burnout and might be checking the calendar to count the days until the kids go back to school.

No matter how old the children are, taking care of and being responsible for another human being can seem overwhelming. It may be even more demanding than when my children were young, as everyone seems to be parenting so perfectly on Facebook feeds. I work with parents and youth who discuss the pressures of social media, so I recommend to take time away from computers and cell phones. No one really benefits from always being connected.

So, how do we find the time for self-care?

It needs to be intentional. Some parents wake earlier to meditate, go to the gym, journal, or just have a quiet cup of coffee.

It’s alright to ask children to take a quiet hour in the afternoon, and that might be an ideal time to call an old friend, take a bubble bath, or work on a creative project.

What kind of activities bring you peace or re-energize you? It might be nice to take time to catch-up on your book club book or lay out in the backyard hammock.

Self-care should include caring for your relationship with your partner too. This should be included in your sacred self-care time a few times a week and possibly a weekly date night. A study from the UK Family Foundation found that couples who regularly went on a date night were more likely to stay together. (See a link to the study in this article at www.sanclementetimes.com). Reasons cited included that couples who intentionally take time away for themselves improve their communication skills and seem to be less likely to feel

like they are being taken for granted. It is important for couples to be a “we” away from the demands of home, making them more likely to feel like an effective parent team.

As one very wise parent once told me, “me” time makes us better at “we” time. The benefits of self-care lead to happier homes and stronger families. When you make self-care a central part of your life, you’ll find that WELLNESS AND the kindness you show to PREVENTION

By Susan yourself infuses your own Parmelee life, and the life of your family with positivity and optimism. More importantly, you will serve as a model for your children and make the path to reach your goals and those of your family so much smoother.

On Sunday, Sept. 17, the Wellness & Prevention Center will host its first annual Celebrate Wellness event from 4-8 p.m. at the Ole Hanson Beach Club, located at 105 W. Avenida Pico. Proceeds will be used to help provide mental health and prevention education services to middle and high school students in San Clemente.

Susan Parmelee is a mental health social worker and one of the founders of the Wellness & Prevention Center, San Clemente.

She can be reached at susan@wellnessandpreventionsanclemente.com. The next Wellness & Prevention Coalition meeting will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, in the Triton Center Conference Room on the campus of San Clemente High School, located at 700 Avenida Pico. All meetings are open to the public. SC

Common Sense performs at the San Clemente Beach Concert Series on Thursday, July 27.

Beach Concert Blast Common Sense packs the shoreline at city’s summer series

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

he combination of Southern California’s sublime coastline and reggae/ rock music can almost never go wrong. Positive vibes were amplified by the band Common Sense, which performs frequently in San Clemente.

The concert was the latest in the city of San Clemente’s Beach Concert Series.

The final performance of the season is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 10, at the San Clemente Pier. The band will be Ultimate

Attendees danced into the waning moments of sunlight during the San Clemente Beach Concert Series.

Stones, a cover band of The Rolling Stones and more music from the time known as the British Invasion.

The concert is free to attend, and the Fisherman’s Restaurant will provide a barbecue dinner for $8 per person (cash only). 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

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.

Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Last week’s solution:

San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

See the solution in next week’s issue.

Hundreds of people flocked to the beaches, north of the San Clemente Pier, for the San Clemente Beach Concert Series.

Page 23

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Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY LIST LOCALS ONLY 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@picketfencemedia.com.

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air

2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

ART GALLERIES

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

CHIROPRACTIC

Spinal Vitality Integrative Chiropractic

647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.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

Exquisite Epoxy Concrete Floor Coatings

Lic.: 1020002, 949.632.8400 exquisiteepoxy.com

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S.

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

Shoreline Dental Studio Kristen Ritzau, DDS

122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

EDITING SERVICES

Perfectly Clear Editing Services

Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.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

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South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape

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

MATTRESSES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

MORTGAGES

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

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

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

Salon Bleu

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

Syrens Hair Parlor

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

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

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

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

SWIMMING SCHOOL

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Waterbabies Swim School

A to Z Leak Detection

142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter San Clemente, 949.366.8302

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

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

TERMITES

Sherry Wild, LuXre Realty

BRE # 01480453, 949.275.8937 www.LuXreRealty.com

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

Offshore Construction

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

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

PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING

2-dogswalking.com

Ricky, 949.973.4128 Pet care –Insured & Bonded

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FOR SALE CUSTOM AREA RUGS You pick style, color and size.

Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, polyester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point.

Carpet and flooring remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too!

Mike 949-240-1545.

GARAGE SALES AWESOME GARAGE SALE! Saturday Aug 5 at 8am 706 Calle Cumbre, San Clemente 92673. Lots of items for everyone!

SEA VIEW TOWN HOMES ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE 90+ units. Cross streets of Presidio and Esperanza ... follow siGns Furniture, tools, toys, clothing, books, Christmas items, CD’s, DVD’s, VHS and much more! 8-12 Saturday, August 5, 2017

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San Clemente Times August 3–9, 2017

Page 25

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SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Picking a Winner OC Tavern Grill and Sports Bar offers unique off-track betting experience

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

t’s 3:29 p.m. on a hot Thursday afternoon and the off-track horse betting room inside OC Tavern Grill and Sports Bar is buzzing with excitement.

Race 5 at the Del Mar Racetrack is about to start, and there is a large amount of money riding on the outcome in this room that is covered wall-to-wall in high definition TVs. “This race is wide open. Any one of these horses can win,” a lady at a nearby table says out loud to no one in particular behind a stack of betting forms.

“Any one of these dogs could win,” a man sitting at the bar blurts out.

I’m starting to like my chances.

I came to OC Tavern wanting to get a feel for what the popular San Clemente restaurant’s off-track betting site was like.

I was a product of the poker craze of the mid-2000s, so I’m no stranger to lowstakes gambling. When it comes to horse betting, however, I’m a pure novice.

But I like winning, and the lure of betting on two different horses with longshot odds (Mac McLovin and Lucky Pegasus) on this particular Thursday was too strong to ignore. I wasn’t going to waste my hardearned $2 bet on the overwhelming favorite.

I was rooting for an upset and a nice payout.

As the horses in Race 5 thundered their way down the track and the tension, and volume, in the room grew louder, I started to think about what OC Tavern owner Michael Merrigan told me just 30 minutes earlier. Sure, you can earn $20 any day and be satisfied. But winning $20 is a different feeling entirely.

Merrigan, 52, knows what it feels like to have a longshot bet pay off big.

Back in 2010, OC Tavern Grill & Sports Bar in San Clemente needed to find more customers during the day. The local restaurant was doing well on nights and weekends, but was in trouble financially due to a lack of foot traffic at lunchtime.

California was in the process of passing legislation that would allow restaurants and bars to open off-track betting sites, which in turn would boost the horseracing industry. Merrigan thought it could be a benefit both to his business and to the community of horse-racing fans in Southern California.

Merrigan wanted to bring off-track

San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

Paul Valente, left, and Michael Valente examine the odds of an upcoming horse race at OC Tavern Grill and Sports Bar in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz

betting to OC Tavern, but he had his doubts. The cost to get the operation off the ground was considerable. He knew in order for it to work, he would have to change the way his San Clemente clientele viewed gambling establishments by offering a fun, clean environment.

Plus, no other sports bar in the state had offered this before. With no proof of concept to rely on, he would be entering uncharted waters.

“Am I doing the right thing?” Merrigan remembers asking himself.

While he was weighing the pros and cons of his decision, Merrigan serendipitously went to the movies to see the newly released film Secretariat. The film’s true-story plot revolves around a historic, record-breaking horse and an owner who refused to quit on him.

Merrigan drew inspiration from the character of Penny Chenery (played by Diane Lane), who owned the Triple Crownwinning horse. Chenery’s detractors in the movie were saying her horse had no shot.

But the confidence she had in the horse, and in herself, eventually won out.

“Everyone was telling (Cherney) to give up on the horse. But she believed in it. She never gave up and that’s the same thing that happened here,” Merrigan said. “I went with a gut feeling and said, ‘This is going to be good’. I knew I had to go for it.”

After a 16-month accreditation process, OC Tavern became the first sports bar in California to offer off-track betting in 2010.

Seven years later, Merrigan is sitting in his restaurant smiling and reminiscing about his decision.

“It saved the business,” Merrigan said of the facility’s instant success. “It makes us stand out and it really completed our sports bar theme.”

The off-track betting facility at OC Tavern is open every Wednesday through Sunday, broadcasting live feeds from tracks across the country. There are clerks on-site, employed by the state, to assist and take bets. Several automated betting machines that look like ATMs line the walls.

OC Tavern Grill and Sports Bar owner Michael Merrigan brought off-track betting to his restaurant in 2010.

Photo: Eric Heinz

Page 26

It may seem intimidating at first, but Merrigan and his staff ensured me that betting was simple once you learn the lingo.

After I fumbled my way through placing my first bet I grabbed a seat near the bar, where I met San Clemente residents and father-son duo Fred and Gabriel Richardson. Whenever his wife goes out of town to visit relatives, Fred takes Gabriel to the OC Tavern to enjoy a beer and make a few wagers.

“It’s kind of our little tradition,” Fred Richardson said.

A man who called himself Bill noticed me struggling with the betting lingo at the counter and saddled up next to me to offer an unsolicited crash-course in Horse Betting 101.

Bill told me about pick-four and pick-six betting strategies, which is a way to maximize profit with little risk by picking winners in multiple races. He pulled dozens of busted betting slips out of his pocket to show me how he nearly turned $2 into $45 earlier in the day. I know what betting on a horse to win, place (second or better) or show (finish in the top-3) means, but Bill was operating on a higher plane of gambling existence.

Listening to Bill’s advice, I began to understand how horse betting is an art form.

It takes skill to come out with more money than you came in with. By hedging multiple bets throughout the day, you can theoretically improve your odds, which gives the gambler a fighting chance. This strategy takes a deep understanding of the different kinds of bets, coupled with the skill of identifying choice horses across the board.

I thanked Bill for his words of wisdom right as the ponies jolted out Del Mar’s starting gate in Race 5.

The opening minute of the race was glorious. My horses were running in the second and third spot the whole way. But as they made the final turn, both of them faded fast. The odds-on favorite did what was expected and won by a length.

There was a photo finish for third place between my longshot pick and a horse named Fake News. After a lengthy review, my horse finished out of the money behind that bit of irony.

I lost, but it was hard to shake the feeling of excitement that just washed over the place.

Those of us in that room were taking part in what makes watching live sports great. Some wanted one outcome, others wanted another. All of us had our own unique reasons why: money, the adrenaline rush, the satisfaction of picking a winner.

The beauty of it all was the fact another race was starting at Santa Anita Park in just five minutes. I immediately started thinking about my next bet and reliving the excitement all over again.

Merrigan was right, I thought to myself.

The prospect of winning my money was a different feeling entirely. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

West Coast FC Places Second at U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

A San Clemente city lifeguard demonstrates how to execute a proper jump off the San Clemente Pier to junior lifeguards. Photo: Eric Heinz

A junior lifeguard jumps off the San Clemente Pier.

Photo: Eric Heinz

Dozens of junior lifeguards took part in a traditional Pier jump on July 28. Photo: Eric Heinz

Junior Lifeguards Make the Leap SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

J

umping off the San Clemente Pier at the end of a session is a time-honored tradition for junior lifeguards in train-

ing.

The famous Pier jump not only serves as an instructional lesson for the youngsters, but it also makes for a fun story many will remember for the rest of their lives.

The goal of the jump, according to San Clemente city lifeguard Hunter Knights, is to make the junior lifeguards aware of the skills required of them at any given moment.

“Sometimes we have to jump off the Pier to rescue paddleboarders, boats or long-

distance swimmers,” Knights said. “We want them to understand what we need to be capable of.”

Knights went on to describe how fun it is for the kids to make the jump. Knights was a junior lifeguard himself, and made the jump when he was 11 years old.

On Friday, July 28, 12 junior lifeguards took part in the 2:30 p.m. Pier jump. City lifeguards instructed them on how to execute a proper pencil dive near the end of the Pier. Once they made the jump, a lifeguard below would pass along flotation devices for the junior lifeguards to paddle back to shore. SC

Curious onlookers watch as San Clemente junior lifeguards take part in a traditional jump off the San Clemente Pier. Photo: Eric Heinz

San Clemente Times August 3-9, 2017

he West Coast Futbol Club’s boys 99 team capped off a spectacular season with a second-place showing at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Frisco, Texas on July 30.

After battling the best club soccer teams in the nation, and extreme Texas summer heat, the local team, which draws players from San Clemente, squared off against Braddock Road Youth Club 99 Elite of Virginia for the 18U national title.

BRYC scored its first goal four minutes into the game and held on to secure a 4-1 victory.

West Coast FC went 2-0-1 to advance out of pool play, and defeated UFA 99 Premier of Georgia 3-2 in overtime in the semifinals.

Getting to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships is no easy feat, and the West Coast FC team had to go through a rigorous schedule to reach the high-profile championship match in Texas.

After winning the 2017 California Regional League, they went on to win their division in the Cal South National Cup and the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals in Seattle.

San Clemente players on the West Coast FC boys 99 team include Trevor Denney and Braden Zines. The team is coached by Oliver Wyss and Matt Tilley. SC

San Clemente’s Trevor Denney, left, and Braden Zines were members of the West Coast Futbol Club’s boys 99 team. Photo: Courtesy

The West Coast Futbol Club’s boys 99 team finished runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Texas on July 30. Photo: Courtesy

Page 28

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SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

A Dad’s Story

GROM OF THE WEEK

SAMANTHA SIBLEY

Carissa Moore’s father discusses raising a barrier-breaking, world champion daughter in self-published book

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

T

his week, the U.S. Open of Surfing is taking place in Huntington Beach.

The world’s best men and women surfers have amassed in Surf City to battle it out for valuable WSL qualifying points and some much-needed prize money.

The road to U.S. Open glory is a long one that typically starts when kids are barely teenagers. Over the last couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of working with women’s world champion and former U.S. Open champion Carissa Moore and her father, Chris, on a book project detailing exactly what it takes to get to the top. In 2015, Chris approached me, explaining that he wanted to tell the story from a parent’s perspective and needed some editorial help. It was a story that hadn’t been told before, and seeing so many kids and parents over the years rise up through the ranks of pro surfing, it seemed like an important subject. We spent the next two years bouncing manuscripts back and forth until we finally decided to self-publish on Amazon.

The following is an excerpt of when Carissa entered the Quiksilver King of the Groms. Needless to say, surfing has matured considerably since then, but it does serve as a valuable parable that life ain’t always fair, no matter how well you surf: “When she was fifteen she competed in the Quiksilver King of the Groms, a surf event featuring Hawaii’s top boys under the age of sixteen. Carissa’s sponsor at the time was Roxy, the sister brand to Quiksilver, so it was easy for me to ‘sneak’ her into the event.

Quiksilver was happy to accommodate.

After all, if she did well it was good publicity for the brand.

My instinct told me this was a smart event for her to compete in. The site of the annual contest was Kewalo Basin, where, during the summer months, she surfed almost daily alongside many of the boys in the event. This was a spot where Carissa was comfortable and confident—the two C’s that have long been part of her recipe for success.

By now Carissa had no problem surfing with and against her male peers. Carissa was a good surfer and the boys knew it, so there was a level of respect she’d earned. In addition, by this point she had been surfing against the boys for so long—though I am sure they were sometimes less than pleased

San Clemente Times August 3–9, 2017

Samantha Sibley. Photo: Joe Foster

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

C Carissa Moore. Photo: Courtesy of the World Surf League

with her attendance—that they were used to her entering competitions and getting the better of them.

We looked at it as a no-lose situation. I told her that, being a girl, no one expected her to do well, and besides, “it’s good practice” and “you get to be the underdog.” She wholeheartedly took on the challenge. She knew that when she surfed against the girls there was an expectation and pressure to win, but against the boys there was never any expectation, and certainly no pressure to win.

For the King of the Groms, I prepared her to win. Carissa was excited to surf—a bad omen for the Hawaiian boys. The waves at Kewalos showed up, too. They were big and well-shaped. It was one of the best days of the summer. There was a lot of scoring potential for both the turn sections and the barrels.

Carissa found both. In the semifinals she rode one of the best barrels she’s ever caught out at the break, a full, deep backdoor drainer that completely engulfed her for a moment. It was enough to win the heat and send her into the final.

In the finals, she was patient. This particular contest featured a one-wave “claim” format in which a surfer raised their hands after a completed ride to signify to the judges that they wanted that score counted for their heat. But once they claimed, their heat was over. One by one, the boys claimed average scores, and with their claim, they had to paddle in. Carissa was left sitting out the back alone for the last five minutes of the heat. She knew exactly what type of wave she was looking for. The waiting paid off. A set loomed; she took off and ripped the wave all

the way through until it petered out into the channel. She claimed it. Victory was hers.

Unlike the previous year, there was no formal presentation. There was no lining up and announcing of final results. There was a rushed trophy handoff and that was it.

Peering dejectedly from a distance, the boys were in such disarray that not a single one of them was in a mood to celebrate. Kewalo Basin was a very somber place that day.

There would be no King of the Groms, but there would be a queen.”

The book, First Priority: A Father’s Journey Raising World Champion Carissa Moore is now available on Amazon.com. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 70-74 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-7’ Poor-Fair Catalina: 15’ Fair Thursday: S/SSE (southern hemi) swell eases and mixes with leftover southerly tropical swell and minor NW windswell. Surf is shoulder-head high (4-5’) at the better breaks, with overhead (6’) sets at best spots. Light/variable winds early, trending to light onshore the second half of the day.

Outlook: Easing southerly swell blend the back half of the week as wave heights slowly come down through the upcoming weekend. Still plenty of rideable surf though. Light morning winds. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Page 30

urrently ranked second on the WSL North American Women’s Junior Tour, Samantha Sibley is enjoying a summer to remember.

Seeded into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Pro Junior event, she’s looking to put a win on the board and take over the top spot. Of course, it’s a huge surf contest and she’s up against a stacked field, including San Clemente pal Kirra Pinkerton (who’s less than 100 points away from her on the WSL rankings) and young Bella Kenworthy (who’s also been ripping in the U.S. Open skateboard event).

Before the U.S. Open, Sibley was hard at work improving her game.

Spending a bit of time in the Land Down Under, she finished second in Billabong’s Occy Grom Comp on the Gold Coast. After that, she entered the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro in Oceanside, where she held her own against a talented field of international competitors. Billed as “the world’s largest women’s surf event and festival,” Sibley made her first couple of heats before going down in Round 3. Every surfer aspires to go deep in a contest like this, but for 15-year-old Sibley, the experience is invaluable and will serve her well as she pursues loftier ambitions.

Sibley’s also a distinguished member of the United States national development surf team. She’s been logging practice sessions with coach Joey Buran and the rest of the squad in the buildup to the 2020 Olympics. And when it comes to her hometown roots, Sibley was a key member of the San Clemente Board Riders Club’s victory at the recent West Coast Boardriders Cup. It’s only the first week in August, and the girl has a lot of runway left to accomplish great things this summer.

SC www.sanclementetimes.com