November 23, 2017

LO C A L

November 23-29, 2017

N EWS

YO U

C A N

INSIDE: Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

U S E

SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 12, ISSUE 47

Birds of a Feather San Clemente Military Family Outreach hosts 15th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway EYE ON SC/PAGE 5

Cans of food were stacked together on Nov. 20 for the San Clemente Military Family Outreach Turkey Giveaway at Camp Pendleton.

Photo: Eric Heinz

San Clemente’s Elephant Cooperation Examines Big-Game Trophy Proposals EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Bruddah-ly Love: San Clemente Musician Brings Cool Ukulele Vibes SC LIVING/PAGE 20

www.sanclementetimes.com

Tritons Tennis Players Advance in Postseason SPORTS/PAGE 25

VOTE FOR THE BEST OF SAN CLEMENTE AT WWW.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 Public Watchdogs Files Lawsuit to Stop Burial of Spent Nuclear Waste at SONGS THE LATEST: An organization that scrutinizes government activity is making a last effort to prevent the storage of spent nuclear fuel rods at San Onofre.

Public Watchdogs, a nonprofit organization based in La Mesa, filed a lawsuit in federal court on Nov. 15 against the United States government, the Department of Defense and Secretary James Mattis, as well as Southern California Edison (SCE), the operators of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDGE) to prevent the storage of more than 3.6 million pounds of radioactive fuel rods.

The lawsuit claims that under Public Law 88-82, a declaration from 1963 that allows the secretary of the Navy to authorize a permit for the nuclear power plant, storage of the spent nuclear waste was not authorized in the law.

The Navy owns the land where SONGS and Camp Pendleton are established.

Public Watchdogs is seeking an injunction that would find the “storage of spent nuclear fuel at SONGS is not authorized by, and is outside the scope of the authority granted to the Federal Defendants under, Public Law 88-82,” as well as “an order or judgment enjoining Federal Defendants from authorizing SCE and SDGE from storing spent nuclear fuel at SONGS and further enjoining SCE and SDGE from storing spent fuel at SONGS.” Charles Langley, the executive director of Public Watchdogs, said the goal of the lawsuit is to stop the storage of spent nuclear fuel at SONGS before the process of moving it to the dry cask storage begins before the end of this year.

“I expect an injunction that prohibits the burial of waste at San Onofre,” Langley told the San Clemente Times on Nov. 16.

“Edison promised they would start burying the spent fuel in December…and they’ve accelerated their schedule instead of (starting) in 2018 as they originally planned.”

Langley referenced a legal settlement between Southern California Edison and another watchdog organization, Citizens’ Oversight Projects, that required the utility San Clemente Times November 23–29, 2017

From left, Elephant Cooperation’s director Patty Morton, operations manager Mechelle Haines, founder Scott Struthers stand near an African elephant with Air Shepherd partner Otto Werdmuller Von Elgg. Elephant Cooperation is based in San Clemente. Photo: Courtesy of Elephant Cooperation

company to establish a plan to move the fuel and additional safety procedures, but it doesn’t hold the operators to specific timelines regarding when the fuel can be stored.

The settlement was based on a lawsuit filed by Citizens’ Oversight after the California Coastal Commission issued a permit in 2015 for Edison to store the spent nuclear fuel, after the federal government could not find a place for it. The fuel was originally intended to be stored at Yucca Mountain in Nevada, before that site was shuttered.

Critics at public meetings hosted by Edison, local municipal representatives and other organizations—known as Community Engagement Panel—have said they don’t believe the fuel will be safely stored in the casks and could be vulnerable to erosion over time and seismic activity. The casks were designed and constructed by Holtec International.

THE LATEST: A hearing for the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of California, has not yet been scheduled, Langley said.

—Eric Heinz

City Releases Draft Environmental Document for Outlets Signage THE LATEST: On Nov. 13, the city of San Clemente released a draft supplemental environmental impact report (SEIR) on the proposed freeway-oriented signs at the Outlets at San Clemente.

Signage for the Outlets was approved when the project was first established in 1998. An amendment to the plan in 2007 looked at alternative options for the

signage, but some of the key components to the environmental impact report were not added.

Since then, the city initiated a draft SEIR to address those final portions. The city is the lead agency on the SEIR. Craig Realty Group, the owner of the Outlets, sued the city of San Clemente in July after more than $16,000 in fines were levied against the shopping center businesses for temporary signs remaining on building sidings after their permitted timeframe.

Permanent signage for the Outlets is still being reviewed by city staff and will be considered by city government when the environmental processes have completed.

WHAT’S NEXT: People can review the documents now and comment on the SEIR

by Jan. 5. Comments must be submitted to outletsigns@san-clemente.org. Additionally, the Outlets at San Clemente are hosting a Community Open House from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Outlets, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa in San Clemente. Enter the event via the Customer Service Office at the Outlets. The event is open to the public. City Council will make the final determination to approve the signage. —EH

Elephant Cooperation Examines Potential Reversal of Big Game Trophies THE LATEST: U.S. Fish and Wildlife reported recently that Zimbabwe and Zambia’s efforts to track and protect elephants could be reversed and trophies taken from the big-game animals and may be allowed

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to be transported back to the United States once again.

It was also reported that trophies taken from lions in Africa would also be allowed, and that U.S. Fish and Wildlife had been taking applications for sport hunting for months.

Under the Obama Administration, imports of elephant trophies taken from Zimbabwe during the 2014 season were suspended because reporting and conservation efforts were not satisfactory.

African elephants have been listed as an endangered species since 1973.

In San Clemente, Elephant Cooperation works to ensure the survival of elephants.

Scott Struthers, the founder of Elephant Cooperation, said his nonprofit is working with other organizations to look for elephant populations and host education workshops with children, through a program called St. Jude’s, to conserve elephants. They also support the rangers who patrol the areas to keep poachers away.

Struthers said the proposal to reverse the U.S. policy on big-game trophies has brought a lot of attention to elephants.

According to the Great Elephant Census published last year (2016), the African elephant population has declined rapidly over the past seven years.

In Zambia, there are about 21,750 elephants, but there have been substantial declines along the Zambezi River, although other areas were reported stable, according to the Great Elephant Census.

The census reported there were about 82,000 in Zimbabwe, but overall, there had been a 30 percent decrease in elephant populations in seven years, from 2009 to 2016.

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

EYE ON SC (Cont.from page 3) “The biggest problem (facing) elephants in Africa is general poaching,” Struthers said. “At the current poaching rate, the elephants will be gone in 10 years.”

Struthers said although the issuance of permits by Fish and Wildlife could be detrimental, he said it’s important to understand that natives who kill elephants for their meat are not part of the problem.

Struthers said the poverty is so extreme in certain parts of Zambia that people sometimes don’t have any other option. But Americans going over to kill the elephants for sport harms their chances for survival.

“They’re just normal people trying to feed their families,” Struthers said. “We just don’t want rich Americans going over there to kill elephants when they’re telling the local people they can’t. It’s not an equitable situation.”

WHAT’S NEXT: On Nov. 17, President Donald Trump said he was delaying his decision to authorize hunters to return to the U.S. with big-game trophy heads.

“Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts,” Trump said on Twitter. “Under study for years. Will update soon with Secretary Zinke. Thank you!”

FIND OUT MORE: Elephant Cooperation is located at 110 E. Avenida Palizada, Suite 301. In case you missed it, find the link in this article at www.sanclementetimes.com to see the video of the San Clemente-based band Tunnel Vision and their recordsetting performance at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro last year to promote the ending of ivory poaching in Africa. —EH

Beaches, Parks and Recreation Master Plan to be Studied at Length THE LATEST: Citing issues with the current Beaches, Parks and Recreation (BPR) master plan that was presented to the presiding commission in October, commissioners are looking to go through the plan line by line to enact specific goals for facilities around San Clemente.

The discrepancy of the BPR master plan is that it was constructed more like a consensus study, which relies on the responses of the public rather than assessing certain maintenance schedules and needs as well as possible projects in the future.

Almost every local municipality uses consensus studies to gauge the demand of its residents, but they’re typically not codified like master plans and don’t hold as much weight when it comes to policymaking.

As the BPR commission wants to prioritize its facility needs before the budget process begins at the end of winter, BPR Director Samantha Thomas said the commission needs to present something San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

of substance to City Council before that time.

Commissioners have other concerns regarding the standards that were used for the surveys that included nationwide activities such as freshwater fishing, whitewater rafting and activities that aren’t very popular or not possible to do in San Clemente.

During the meeting, the BPR Commission prioritized looking at additional spaces for skateboard parks and including additional lighting, emphasizing those activities have a demand and that the city should provide more spaces for it.

Commissioners also mentioned the city’s ordinances that prohibit skateboarding in certain areas.

After hearing community members’ complaints regarding crumb rubber or tire rubber pellets on sports turf fields, the BPR Commission moved all the fields at Vista Hermosa Sports Park to its short list of priorities. Residents said during the meeting that the rubber pellets are carcinogenic and unsafe for use. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has initiated a study on the safety of synthetic turf fields that use crumb rubber, which is expected to be completed in mid-2019.

The fields were already on the BPR plans to be replaced, but not necessarily with different materials. Pellets that are coconut-based were used in the construction of Jim Johnson Memorial Sports Park, which opened earlier this year.

WHAT’S NEXT: The next BPR Commission meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio. Commissioners said they anticipate a longer meeting than usual. —EH

VFW Post No. 7142 to Host ‘Stand Down’ to Help Homeless Veterans THE LATEST: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7142 in San Clemente will host a “Stand Down” event to help homeless veterans in San Clemente.

The event will provide canned goods and other provisions for the afflicted military members.

Dolores Padgett, the commander of VFW Post No. 7142, said there are at least 70 homeless veterans and family members in San Clemente alone.

WHAT’S NEXT: People are asked to donate to “Stand Down,” and items needed include socks, ponchos, sleeping bags, shoes and new underwear. People can drop off donations at Family Assistance Ministries or call 949.361.8999 after Dec. 1 for pickup.

“Stand Down” will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Family Assistance Ministries, 1030 Calle Negocio in San Clemente. —EH Page 4

EYE ON SC

Birds of a Feather San Clemente Military Family Outreach donates turkeys to Camp Pendleton

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

R

emember when you were in grade school and participating in any kind of holiday tradition left you beyond ecstatic?

Issac Smith must have felt that way, as his mouth dropped and he clenched a box of stuffing to contain his excitement at the sight of Thanksgiving turkeys. He and his family received the bounty at Camp Pendleton during the San Clemente Military Family Outreach (SCMFO) Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway for military personnel and their families on Nov. 20.

Smith was one of a few children, alongside his mother Dianna, who received food items for this year’s feast.

SCMFO donated turkeys to military personnel and their families for the 15th year in a row at the Camp Pendleton MCB Commissary. The organization donates between 800 and 1,000 turkeys each year.

“I think it helps a lot to relieve the stress and burdens off of military families because many of them have spouses who are deployed or they have multiple children,” said Arika Ferguson, a representative with SCMFO and the wife of a Marine who is stationed at Camp Pendleton. “A boxed meal is one less thing they have to worry about for Thanksgiving, so it means a lot.”

SCMFO raises funds for the event during a dinner in the fall called the Salute to Military Stars, and they receive contributions through its nonprofit.

U.S. Marines Corps members hold up turkeys on Nov. 20 during the 15th annual San Clemente Military Family Outreach Turkey Giveaway. Photo: Eric Heinz

“A retired Marine Corps colonel and his wife wanted to do something special for the base at Camp Pendleton, so…in 2002 they started the Thanksgiving Giveaway for a couple years, but after a while they couldn’t do it anymore,” said Clark Lashmett, the president of SCMFO, discussing founders Lt. Col William McReynolds and his wife Sidonia. “So they reached out to churches in the local area, and they helped too. From there, it kind of took off.”

Lashmett said the organization never had a problem raising enough funds for the event.

“Everybody is pretty generous because

they know it goes for a good cause,” Ferguson said in unison with Lashmett.

Ferguson said the Thanksgiving dinners are a way for people to show their appreciation and support the spouses whose significant others may be deployed abroad for months at a time.

“It gets lonely. Being a military spouse, some of us don’t have friends or family around, so just being alone around the holidays is hard,” Ferguson said.

“Something like this actually brings some cheer to you, knowing there are support organizations out there that want to give back to the military. SCMFO wanting to do this for our military and their families

makes a huge difference and helps us out as spouses.”

Erin Cash, a spouse of a Marine who works on base, came to the event last year for the first time with their two children.

“It’s really nice, and it’s great that they’re able to provide this for us,” Cash said. “I know a lot of families don’t get to go home for the holidays so you’re stuck making all this for your family. Buying all this is a bit much.”

“It’s a simple gesture, but it means a lot to them,” Ferguson said.

Boy Scouts of America troops from Laguna Niguel also volunteered during the giveaway. SC

A Safe Thanksgiving

SAFETY TIPS • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.

• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.

• Keep children away from the stove.

• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.

• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys or bags.

• Keep knives out of the reach of children.

• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.

• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children.

• Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.

• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

The National Fire Protection Association reported the following statistics and information about staying safe on Thanksgiving.

From left, Dianna Smith (above) receives a turkey for Thanksgiving with her children Mason, Owen and Issac on Nov. 20 at Camp Pendleton. Photo: Eric Heinz

San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

THE NUMBERS Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. In 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.

Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.

Cooking equipment was involved in almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.

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www.sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Community Meetings SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26

DEL MAR FARMERS’ MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28

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.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6 p.m.

The San Clemente City Council will host its regularly scheduled meeting.

City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio.

949.361.8200. www.san-clemente. org.

SAN CLEMENTE TOASTMASTERS 7 p.m. The club meets every Tuesday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for social and networking time. San Clemente Baha’i Center.

3316 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente. 805.794.0653. www. toastmastersclubs.org.

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29

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.

KIWANIS SAN CLEMENTE Noon. Kiwanis San Clemente works to help maintain the quality of life for all people through volunteerism.

Fratello’s Italian Restaurant, 647 Camino de Los Mares. 949.366.5423. www.sanclementekiwanis.com.

TOWN HALL WITH CHIEF LT. MIKE PETERS 6 p.m. Chief Peters will discuss crime trends, strategies, proper police procedures, the law and citizen expectations. San Clemente City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Seventh Annual Holiday Bikes for Kids Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area will be at the North Pole this year, helping make Christmas wishes come true for deserving children around town.

Urban Bicycle Outfitters in North Beach will donate the elves, assembling and delivering high-quality boys and girls 20-inch bikes–sturdy enough to be handed down to younger siblings—in time for the holiday festivities.

Bikes are $125 each, including tax. (In a bike shop, these bikes sell for up to $220).

The window for donations closes Sunday, Dec. 10, though the business stated it will try to accommodate further donations while inventories last.

To donate, make checks payable to Urban Bicycle Outfitters/Kid’s Bikes.

For information or to volunteer as an elf, call Pete Van Nuys at 949.492.5737.

Meet the Authors Luncheon Scheduled for Feb. 24 The San Clemente Friends of the Library announced the lineup of authors for its upcoming Meet the Authors Luncheon to be held on Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Talega Golf Club. Matt Coyle, winner of the Anthony Award and the Benjamin Franklin Silver Medal, is celebrated for his popular Rick Cahill mystery series. Coyle has a penchant for penning popular books that have autobiographical elements. Naomi Hirahara is best-known for Summer of the Big Bachi.

It’s about a Japanese-American gardener, Mas Arai. Though he has a degree, prejudice keeps Arai from other work and he becomes a gardener, mirroring Hirahara’s father’s experiences. Hirahara is a writer of both fiction and non-fiction books. Los Angeles native, Liska Jacobs, is a nominee for the Kirkwood Literary Prize in Fiction.

Her essays and short fiction have appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Literary, Hub and the Hairpin. Her debut novel Catalina is a contemporary masterpiece.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 2 at $60. The purpose of the Friends of the Library is to raise funds for the San Clemente Public Library programs for children and adults and to support its efforts to engender the love of reading and learning in the community. For more information, email scfotl@gmail.com or contact Debbie Wilkens at 949.322.4892.

COA’s Second Annual Holiday Music Festival to Be Held on Dec. 8 Community Outreach Alliance (COA) will host its second annual Holiday Music Festival at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 at its

Community Outreach Alliance will host its second annual Holiday Music Festival at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8.

Pictured, musicians perform at last year’s festival. Photo: Courtesy of Community Outreach Alliance

venue, 1050 Via Negocio, San Clemente.

Admission will be a children’s toy to be donated to Family Assistance Ministries’ Christmas party for children in need.

Christmas treats and a “mocktail” bar will be provided as well as raffle items.

COA’s interns, Tamara Armstrong and Jack Katke, will be the emcees. Jacob Greenburg will assist overseeing the event for the second year. Sound will be conducted by James Miller, of the Dana Hills High School COA Club.

“Since last year’s event, COA performers have been lined up providing music in town; five performances at the Outlets at San Clemente, two performances at The Market at North Beach farmers’ market and at the COA Golf and Gala event,” a press release from COA stated. “Recently, COA performers were at the Vintage Market and other outreaches in different cities are being scheduled.”

All performers lined up for the Holiday Music Festival have performed at either the monthly open mic night and/or jam night and have performed at one or more of the outreaches.

For more info about COA’s performing opportunities or the lineup of COA performers, contact coamusicperformers@ gmail.com or visit www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

Become a Friend of South Coast Singers South Coast Singers invites people who have already become a Friend of the South Coast Singers for 2017-2018 as well as those who were members last season to support the organization’s efforts. According to a press release from South Coast Singers, the group was able to raise just under $6,000 since launching in 2014.

“These funds have helped us provide quality musicians to enhance the enjoyment of our concerts and support scholarships for gifted high school music students,” the release stated.

The 2017-2018 season will start with the December concerts, “Peppermint Dreams.”

Performances take place at 4 p.m. on

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Saturday, Dec. 9 at St. Andrews by-the-Sea in San Clemente, on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo and on Dec. 17 at Geneva Presbyterian in Laguna Woods.

Membership dues are $25 for an individual and $40 for a couple.

Friends of South Coast Singers receive 10 free tickets to the music box opportunity drawing held at each concert (20 for a couple membership) and are automatically entered into a drawing for a holiday gift basket held at the final concert.

For more information, visit www.southcoastsingers.org.

San Clemente Art Association to Host Holiday Boutique on Dec. 2 Handcrafted jewelry will be offered by San Clemente Art Association (SCAA) at its upcoming Holiday Boutique. Jewelry designs drawn from a variety of techniques and far-reaching influences will be on display and available for sale.

Among those artists displaying creations are Katharina Stute, certified gemologist; Steve Epstein, educator and artist from EHS Metalsmith and Design; and Doris Weinbaum, a bead artist and educator.

Original sketches, oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings by Art Association members will be available for purchase during this holiday showing.

SCAA’s Holiday Boutique will be held at San Clemente Art Gallery from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 during the city’s “Puttin’ on the Glitz.” On Sunday, Dec. 3, the boutique will be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. during Sunday’s farmers’ market on Avenida del Mar. San Clemente Art Association is located at San Clemente Art Gallery, 100 N. Calle Seville, at the corner of Avenida Del Mar and Calle Seville. Contact Doris Weinbaum at 949.542.2924 for the holiday event or Sandy Beeler at 949.412.2373.

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

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor THERE IS NO DEBATE ABOUT CAUSES TO SEA LEVEL RISING KARL REITZ, San Clemente

The first sentence in your lead story in the Nov. 16-22 edition of the San Clemente Times, “The Tide is Turning,” reads “Causes of sea level rising are still widely debated.” That debate is taking place only in political circles, certainly not among the scientists who having been studying this phenomena for over 30 years. The scientists attribute sea level rise to global warming, which in turn is caused mainly by the rise in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide. The debate is over.

To imply otherwise is to engender complacency in the face of an impending disaster, a disaster that can be reduced if we collectively take action. I know I will not live to see the worst of the growing loss of our beaches, but my grandchildren will. I just hope that they will be able to enjoy at least some of the beaches that I have over the years. Your comment “widely debated” only makes it less likely that they will.

PARDONED TURKEY: THE LONE SURVIVOR LUPE INFRAINE, Laguna Beach

President Donald Trump is getting his pardon pen ready, as the Robert Mueller investigation starts indicting his associates. This Wednesday, he plans to pardon two very innocent Minnesota turkeys.

The other 244 million turkeys killed in the U.S. this year have not been so lucky.

They were raised in crowded sheds filled with toxic fumes. Their beaks and toes were clipped to prevent stress-induced aggression. At 16 weeks of age, slaughterhouse workers cut their throats and dumped them in boiling water to remove their feathers.

Consumers pay a heavy price too.

Turkey flesh is laced with cholesterol and saturated fats that elevate risk of chronic killer diseases. Intense prolonged cooking is required to destroy deadly pathogens lurking inside.

Now, for the good news. Per capita consumption of turkeys is down by a whopping 34 percent from a 1996 high of 303 million, as one third of our population is actively reducing meat consumption; our supermarkets carry a rich variety of convenient, delicious, healthful plantbased meat products, including several oven-ready roasts.

This Thanksgiving holiday, as we give thanks for life and good fortune, let’s also skip the gratuitous violence and grant our own pardon to an innocent animal.

San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

SIGNS AT SCHS DON’T HELP WITH AESTHETICS

Beachside Chat Canceled for Thanksgiving

ANDY MYERS, San Clemente

Regarding the signs on the fences outside San Clemente High School, my wife and I both think they are very unsightly. I don’t think it matters whether you’ve been here a few months, or for more than 50 years, as we both have—the signs are an ugly reminder that the world now revolves around constantly putting advertising in one’s face. While I certainly understand both sides of this issue—the clients on the banners need to get their name out there for exposure and allegedly more business, and the school obviously needs funds to “stay in business.” However the signs on the fences are a terrible eyesore. I don’t care to drive by and see a reminder that I can get a colonoscopy or have my teeth cleaned or realigned.

The signs are visual pollution to the residents of this beach town, and they severely diminish the professionalism that the city has worked so hard to establish.

They look cheap and desperate hanging on the fence out there.

Obviously, we all have opinions, and growing up here I’ve seen plenty of change. Those signs are ugly and unsightly. And furthermore, I don’t think it’s fair to go after someone who observed something from the “outside” because sometimes we need to get away to see the bigger picture. The letter in the Nov. 2-8 edition of the San Clemente Times was far from ridiculous, and in fact it was correct and to the point. I appreciate the points that were made in the first place.

SAFETY ON OUR STREETS KERRY SINK, San Clemente

Maybe it’s my eyesight or the time change, but I am noticing that pedestrians are less visible in the crosswalks, on the corner or just running across the street.

Near the south end of town where I spend most of my time, there are not enough crosswalks. The walk/don’t walk signs aren’t very bright nor are they directed where needed, and the flashing lights on the road are few and far between except for the ones in front of Ole’s Tavern and the donut shop.

I could go on about preoccupied pedestrians and drivers running late, but would rather ask the community for some support on this issue.

I wonder if those flashing lights would be an eyesore to residents or a welcome improvement. Can we improve the signal lighting for automobile traffic letting them know that pedestrians are on the sidewalk waiting to cross? And to remind pedestrians, cross when prompted, but keep alert.

We should have the El Camino Real speed limit on an honor system of going only 20 miles per hour. Let’s say from Pre-

There will be no Beachside Chat on Nov. 24. Beachside Chat will resume at 8 a.m. on Dec. 1. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, located at 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

sidio to El Portal, those darned bicyclists are always in the way anyhow.

So, maybe I’m getting old, but I sure don’t want to run anyone over either.

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

PROTESTS BRING INJUSTICE OUT FROM THE SHADOWS ANGEL SISTOS, San Clemente

I appreciate and commend the opinions made in previous letters to the editor regarding the peaceful protests by NFL players against police violence and racial inequality. Indeed, those individuals that speak up against injustice, despite adverse consequence to themselves (such as Colin Kaepernick), demonstrate more courage than those who blindly accept those injustices committed here and abroad. In fact, if we really care about this country, we should all be protesting against the illegal and brutal wars in which our government has engaged, supposedly to fight “terrorism.” In the last 17 years, the U.S. has invaded or bombed numerous countries, killing hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq alone. Dr. Martin Luther King once stated, “My country is the biggest purveyor of violence in the world today.”

Unfortunately, this view is shared by many people all over the world. According to the International Business Times, at the end of 2013, WIN and Gallup International surveyed more than 66,000 people across 65 nations and found that the largest percentage of respondents answered that the United States “is the greatest threat to peace in the world.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY 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.

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Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale

Business Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Susie Lantz (San Clemente) > Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Victor Carno Tim Trent Jake Howard

San Clemente Times, Vol. 12, Issue 47. The SC Times (www. sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point 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.

FOLLOW THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES CORRECTION: In the Nov. 16-22 edition of the San Clemente Times article, “Lifetime Fitness Plans Approved by Planning Commission,” the next steps for the plans were incorrect. Because the plan was not called for, it will not have to be reviewed by City Council. The project is now allowed to move forward.

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www.sanclementetimes.com

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK

Photo: File

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23: 2017 DANA POINT TURKEY TROT 6 a.m. Help celebrate 40 years of the Dana Point Turkey Trot by entering into one of the three races. The 10k race begins at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K and the Kids Gobble Wobble. All runners receive a medal and a free shirt. See website for registration fees.

24650 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.1555. www.turkeytrot.com.

The List

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

Wednesday | 22 COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER 5-7 p.m. The Family Assistance Ministries are sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and hungry; complete with turkey, stuffing and all of the holiday trimmings. Community Center. 100 North Avenida Seville, San Clemente. 949.361.8264. www.san-clemente.org.

FREE COMEDY AT BLOOM’S IRISH SPORTS BAR 8:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Bloom’s Irish Sports Bar 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.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 9 p.m.-1 a.m. All levels of musicians are welcome to perform at this weekly open mic. Bring your instruments, or voice, and show off your talent. 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. www.knuckleheadsmusic.com.

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Thursday | 23 FREE YOGA FOR VETS PROJECT 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Pure.Love.Yoga is encouraging veterans and active duty military to participate in a free month of yoga. All offered classes are free upon showing your military identification. 415 Avenida Pico, Suite M, San Clemente. 949.492.5048. www pureloveyogasc.com.

TABLE TENNIS FOR SENIORS 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All seniors 55 and older are welcome to join the Table Tennis Club at the Shorecliff Terrace Mobile Home Park. Any skill level is welcome and entry is free. 3000 Calle Nuevo, San Clemente.

949.481.2275. jnl5555@yahoo.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.

OUTLETS AT SAN CLEMENTE’S MOONLIGHT MADNESS 7 p.m.-Midnight. Get a jump on Black Friday at the Outlets in San Clemente for up to 75 percent off over 55 stores, live music and raffles. Outlets at San Clemente. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. www.outletsatsanclemente.com.

(Cont. on page 10) www.sanclementetimes.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 9)

Friday | 24 LIVE MUSIC: WATERMAN’S HARBOR 4-7 p.m. Join Waterman’s Harbor for live music with Hans & Janine every Friday.

Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m. Join Dana Wharf for a 90-minute evening cruise aboard the luxury catamaran. The cruises run Friday and Sunday evenings. Tickets are $49. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

LIVE THEATER: ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse presents to you the classic Christmas Eve tale of an average man led by his guardian angel to see what life would have been like had he never been born. Show times are every weekend until Dec. 17. Friday and Saturday show times begin at 8 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $27. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.533.0258. www. caminorealplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 25 TALEGA RUN CLUB 7:30 a.m. Whether you are about to tackle your first 5k or you are just keeping your cardio and running prowess in top form, be sure to stop by Peet’s Coffee in Talega.

Every Saturday a group runners of varying skill level take a brisk three mile run around a pre-determined course. 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.588.5054. www.facebook.com/2XUSanClemente.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Flock of 80’s, followed

by Lightning Train at 8:30 p.m.

Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

Sunday | 26 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.

GINGERBREAD EXTRAVAGANZA 4 p.m. Every year Ritz-Carlton puts on a Gingerbread Extravaganza, but this year Executive Pastry Chef Sylvain Haage showcases a “today’s attention on climate” themed extravaganza. Clean and sustainable energy will be represented through San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

At the Movies: ‘Three Billboards’ Is a Breath of Fresh Air in Current Social Environment

Californian landscapes created entirely out of gingerbread and sweets. On display until Jan. 2. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. www.ritzcarlton.com/ lagunaniguel.

Monday | 27

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

SADDLEBACK COLLEGE JAZZ LAB ENSEMBLE 7:30 p.m. The critically acclaimed and musically vibrant Jazz Lab Ensemble of Saddleback College is performing live in the McKinney Theatre. General admission is $10, and $7 for students and seniors.

Saddleback College. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4500. www.saddleback.edu/arts.

Tuesday | 28 BEND & BREW 6 p.m. Bend & Brew is held at Left Coast’s tasting room in San Clemente. This is a one-hour yoga class, followed by a pint of beer. It’s a great way to get to know your fellow yogis and beer drinkers. $10. Left Coast Brewery, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente. 949.276.6014 or www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

Photo: Merrick Morton/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.

John Hawkes, Abbie Cornish and Lucas Hedges co-star. Like with McDonagh’s previous two films, Three Billboards has a very talented and impressive cast, with McDormand reminding us that she is one of her generation’s best. Harrelson and Rockwell do well with their characters, and Hedges is at the top of his game in young Hollywood. McDonagh’s screenplay is a breath of fresh air in our current social environment and has his trademark wit and goofy comic relief. For those looking for a grown-up movie this Thanksgiving weekend, this is it. SC

On Stage at the Coach House: Ozomatli

BY ALLISON JARRELL, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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.

T

Wednesday | 29 CASA KIDS: STORY TIME 10-11 a.m. Casa Romantica welcomes children ages 1-7 for a picture book reading every Wednesday in their courtyard. A question and answer session and a dance will be held after each story. Admission is free. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.

949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

MIXOLOGY UNIVERSITY 7 p.m. Every Wednesday, Waterman’s Harbor bartenders and mixology experts teach guests how to make the restaurant’s cocktails. Guests will have the opportunity to make and taste three cocktails.

Event is $25. Waterman’s Harbor. 34661 Street of the Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

949.764.3474. www.watermandp.com.

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.

L

ondon-based filmmaker Martin McDonagh has only made three major feature films, but he already has grown a pretty big following with movie fans. His first feature, In Bruges (2008) is a cult classic set in his home continent of Europe. But his next two movies, Seven Psychopaths (2012) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri—now in theaters—are based in the U.S. and are about American culture.

What’s even more impressive is how natural he is out of his homeland.

In Ebbing, Missouri, Mildred Haze (Frances McDormand) is divorced and a mother of a recently deceased daughter, Angela. While driving home, she spontaneously comes up with the idea to buy out three billboards on the road outside her neighborhood to guilt-trip the police department for never finding Angela’s murderer. Chief Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) claims he’s done all he can and has to focus on beating cancer, while Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell) is more interested in harassing petty criminals and delinquents.

he six members of the Los Angeles-based band Ozomatli pride themselves on living up to the group’s namesake—Ozomatli, the Aztec god of dance.

With that in mind, lovers of Latin music, reggae and other world styles—or anyone who likes to dance for that matter—should be sure to catch the band’s upcoming Coach House show on Sunday, Nov. 26.

“We want people to show up and have an amazing time,” said saxophonist Ulises Bella.

Since Ozomatli’s formation in 1995, the band has become known for seamlessly blending an array of genres, from classic and modern Latin music, to urban, hiphop and rock. Bella said their upcoming San Juan show will be no different; they’ll be showcasing some of their older tunes while also playing music from their latest album, Nonstop Mexico to Jamaica, which features covers of popular Mexican songs like “La Bamba,” “Besame Mucho,” and “Como La Flor,” but with a Jamaican twist.

Unlike many of their prior albums, Nonstop Mexico to Jamaica is recorded almost entirely in Spanish. When asked if there was any political motivation behind the band’s choice to focus on their Mexican heritage, Bella said delivering a

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Photo: Courtesy

strong political message wasn’t necessarily their focus, but added that connecting people to other cultures is important in today’s politically-divisive world.

“As time went on and we were recording it, we realized the [political] climate going on,” Bella said. “We were born here in the States, and with this album, we’re taking Mexican music and giving it a Jamaican spin. It’s a melting pot, in a way, of all of these wonderful sounds. Those kinds of connections are important versus the fear that’s been dividing people lately.”

Doors open at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26 for the show, which begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30.

The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano. For tickets or more information, call 949.496.8930 or visit www. thecoachhouse.com. SC www.sanclementetimes.com

holiday

Happening s Friday, Nov. 24 ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse presents the classic Christmas Eve tale of an average man led by his guardian angel to see what life would have been like had he never been born. Show times are every weekend until Dec. 17. $27. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.533.0258. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Saturday, Nov. 25 Shop Small Saturday - SJC 9-11 a.m. Support San Juan Capistrano businesses in Shop Small Saturday for your holiday shopping needs. Some of the participating businesses include Mission Fine Arts Gallery, Wildfire Mercantile and Lavish Home Décor. A free pancake breakfast will be offered at Hennessey’s Tavern, located at 31761 Camino Capistrano. www. sanjuanchamber.com.

Sunday, Nov. 26 Gingerbread Extravaganza 4 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton’s Gingerbread Extravaganza will highlight a “today’s attention on climate” theme.

Clean and sustainable energy will be represented through Californian landscapes created entirely out of gingerbread and sweets.

On display until Jan. 2.

1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. www.ritzcarlton.com.

Thursday, Nov. 30 Holiday Wreath Workshop 6-8 p.m. Create your own holiday wreath with San Clemente Florist. The event costs $95 per person and includes materials, wine

and snacks. 168 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.

949.492.5702. www. sanclementeflorist.net.

Saturday, Dec. 2 Winter Festival and Tree Lighting 12-5 p.m. Get in the holiday spirit with a day of activities for the whole family. There will be a craft fair, face painting, cookie decorating, a petting zoo, a visit to Lego Santa’s Village Workshop and be rounded out with a tree lighting ceremony. Most activities are free. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point. www.danapoint.org.

Holiday Boutique at San Clemente Art Gallery 4-9 p.m. The jewelry and sketch artists of the Art Association will be stopping by the San Clemente Art Gallery to showcase their hand-crafted pieces.

Admission is free. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente. 949.542.2924. www. paintsanclemente.com.

Tree Lighting Celebration 4:15-5:45 p.m. Celebrate the holidays at the annual Tree Lighting Celebration at the Historic Town Center Park. Enjoy live music, shopping and refreshments beginning at 4:15 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Festivities continue at Mission SJC, Los Rios Historic District and Zoomars Petting Zoo. 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.5911.

Visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org for a schedule.

Santa’s Village by the Sea 5 p.m. The San Clemente Community Center invites you to join them on Avenida Del Mar to bring in the holiday season. Holiday activities begin at 5 p.m. at Casa Romantica, and then move to the Community Center for the annual snow hill. Activities will conclude

after the city tree lighting on the corner of Avenida Del Mar and Calle Seville at 8 p.m. San Clemente Community Center. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente. 949.361.8264. www.san-clemente.org.

Christmas at the Mission 5:30-8 p.m. Held in conjunction with San Juan Capistrano’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Mission San Juan Capistrano offers a snow area for kids, cookie decorating, shopping, carolers and more.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

Christmas at the Casa: Holiday Open House 5:30-7 p.m. The Casa’s annual holiday open house will feature live music, kids crafts, refreshments and more. Casa Romantica.

415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org.

Sunday, Dec. 3 Yappy Howl-iday Celebration 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bring your pup to this festive edition of the monthly Ritz-Carlton hosted event.

This gathering gives canines the opportunity to be photographed with Santa. Canned food donations are encouraged. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point.

949.240.2000. www.ritzcarlton.com.

Elves on Trails 5K and Half Marathon 7 a.m. Come dressed in your elf outfit or other holiday attire for a breathtaking run through Caspers Wilderness Park.

33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano. www. rockitracingoc.com.

(Continued)

holiday

Happening s (Continued)

Monday, Dec. 4 Capistrano Beach Tree Lighting 4-6 p.m. Stop by Pines Park for a tree lighting, holiday music, cookies, a dog holiday costume parade and photo opportunities with Santa. The tree lighting will be at 5:30 p.m.

34941 Camino Capistrano, Dana Point. 949.248.3536. www.danapoint.org.

Garden of Lights 5-9 p.m. The San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with sparkling lights illuminating the flora of the 37-acre garden oasis. There will be nightly entertainment as well as food, beverages and family-friendly activities such as horse-drawn wagon rides and marshmallow roasting. Visit www.sdbgarden.org for participating days. Admission is $14 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children ages 3-12.

230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas.

Tuesday, Dec. 5 Holiday Gift Faire and Party 6-9 p.m. Skip the mall and shop small with Pure.Love.Yoga. Local artisans and crafters will be onsite at the studio with items for purchase.

Live music and wine will be available for guests to mingle, jingle and shop. 415 E. Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.492.5048. www. pureloveyogasc.com.

Holiday Dinner Cooking Class 6:30-9 p.m. Join Antoine’s Café for a lesson in holiday cuisine preparation as the experts teach students how to prepare kabocha squash and fennel soup with smoked paprika and candied pecans; herbed beef tenderloin with

cranberry-port wine sauce; chocolate and brandy soufflé tarts and more. The class costs $60 per person plus tax. Full payment is due upon reservation.

Reserve online at www. antoinescafe.com/cookingclass-san-clemente or call 949.492.1763. 218 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

Holiday Sip and Shop at Barnoa 4-9 p.m. Stop by Barnoa Wine Company for holiday gift shopping and wine tasting. 831 Via Suerte, Ste. 106, San Clemente. www.barnoawinebar. com. 949.388.4378.

Thursday, Dec. 7 Dana Point Symphony Holiday Concert 7:30 p.m.

Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Choir and Dana Hills High School Orchestra will join the Symphony to perform holiday favorites from the Nutcracker and Rossini: Messe di Gloria. Admission is $20; seniors, students and military tickets are $15. Concerts are held at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point. 949.542.6282. www. danapointsymphony.com.

Friday, Dec. 8 43rd Annual Dana Point Boat Parade 4:30 p.m.9 p.m. Arrive early for a premier spot to watch the 43rd Annual Boat Parade to celebrate the season. This year’s event will include family-friendly activities throughout the Harbor. Trolley service will be available for all four days of the parade starting at 3:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. 24650 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. www.danapoint.org.

Saturday, Dec. 9 Holiday Ice Skating 4-8 p.m. The city of San Juan Capistrano invites you for a weekend on ice at the Riding Park. Skate rentals are $5 per person. Proceeds benefit the underserved youth of San Juan Capistrano. 30753 La Pata Avenue, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.5911. www. sanjuancapistrano.org.

Saturday, Dec. 16 Cookies with Mrs. Claus at Zoomars 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join Zoomars Petting Zoo to decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Claus.

Seats are limited so calling in advance is recommended. Entry is $15 per person.

31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano. 949.831.6550. www.zoomars.com.

Hanukkah Party 7-9 p.m. The Monarch Beach Resort will be hosting a Hanukkah party with “Lighten-Up” comedy show starring comedian Brian Kiley. RSVP for the comedy show is required.

Tickets are $36 and can be purchased at www.chabadoflaguna.com. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point.

949.499.0770. www. monarchbeachresort.com.

Sunday, Dec. 17 Gingerbread Academy 10 a.m.-noon; 1-3 p.m.

Feeling crafty? Join the Monarch Beach Resort pastry team in decorating gingerbread houses like one of the pros. The price is $109 per family and includes one house, the fixings, access to the holiday treat bar and a glass of sparkling wine. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point.

949.234.3423. www. monarchbeachresort.com.

Cool Picks gift ideas for everyone on your list

Bestie Spa Day Gift Certificate Any Denomination

Audio-Technica Turntable AT-LP60 turntable

$99.99

Bow Wow Beautiful Pet Spa 364 Camino De Estrella San Clemente • 949.702.3130 bowwowbeautiful.com

Moldy Toes Records 221 S. Ola Vista, San Clemente 949.444.8275 facebook.com/moldytoesrecords

Holiday Gift Baskets, Balsamic Vinegars, Olive Oils and Wine

Estate Red Velvet Lined Onyx Jewelry Box

We Olive & Wine Bar 31760 Camino Capistrano, Ste. B, San Juan Capistrano 949.441.7279 weolive.com/san-juan-capistrano

Gift Certificates Available (share the love.)

pure. love. yoga.

415 Avenida Pico, Ste. M San Clemente • 949.492.5048 pureloveyogasc.com

Haro BMX 12” 16” 20”

Lay-A-Way and Best Selection in O.C.

$179- $249

Buy My Bikes 32303 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 949.493.5611 buymybikes.com

6 ½” L x 4 ½” W x 2 ¼” D

$165.00

Designs By Nature 400 South El Camino Real, A San Clemente • 949.498.8358 designsbynature.com

Pet Portraits

Original Artwork Keepsake of Your Beloved Pet (11” x 14”)

$300 unframed • $400 framed Call Now: 949.412.6124 sateeter@aol.com

Holiday Gift Certificates Available 15% off $75 or more

Buy online at shinebodyworks.com, promo code shine15.

Shine Bodyworks 380 Camino de Estrella, San Clemente 949.916.1419 • shinebodyworks.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Bruddah-ly Love Local musician brings chill ukulele vibes to San Clemente music scene

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

O

n most Friday evenings, live music lovers can catch Bruddah Adrian perform at H.H. Cotton’s, where he delivers his signature blend of calming, yet Rastafarian-fused rhythm on his ukulele for patrons. The Avenida Del Mar regular musician’s riffs immediately stoke memories of being on a Hawai’ian beach, and Bruddah Adrian—a stage name—cultivated his love of the instrument under such conditions.

“An ex-girlfriend who lived on the north shore of Oahu…she gifted me with an ukulele,” Adrian said. “I was a bass player in a band for years and never had any ambitions for playing the ukulele. But this instrument changed my life.”

Business Beat News from San Clemente’s business community

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

New Business GEMMA RAFFO 940 Calle Amanecer, Suite F info@gemmaraffo.com www.gemmaraffo.com If you’re looking for a gift that promotes inspiration, try Gemma Raffo, based in San Clemente. The company makes small products with caring messages inscribed on them. One such gift is the passing coin, which people can give to one another as an

Lisa Spitzer Lawson holds a passing coin, which her business creates to be distributed among friends to show they care and to spread inspiration.

Photo: Eric Heinz

San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

Bruddah Adrian can be found performing at H.H. Cotton’s in San Clemente regularly on Friday nights.

Photo: Eric Heinz

Adrian said he’s a songwriter by trade and has worked with various reggae influences to perfect his sound. He said his style of music has “flowed better” with the ukulele rather than the bass guitar.

Although he does perform some covers to

act of solidarity.

The idea came to owner Lisa Spitzer Lawson after she went through a tumultuous time in her life.

“No one really knows, when you’re passing by a stranger, what that person is going through,” Spitzer Lawson said.

Working as a nurse, Spitzer Lawson said she searched for things to keep her connected with her family.

“We all had our St. Christopher necklaces that we would kiss every time we saw each other,” Spitzer Lawson said. “It kept us connected. At that point in time, I promised myself that I would find something or create something that always keeps people connected.”

To get her company off the ground, she initiated a Kickstarter campaign that helped fund the business.

The passing coin that Gemma Raffo makes has an inscription that reads “This Too Shall Pass.” Other items the company makes include compasses with the inscription “I Am Always Here With You,” and an amulet with customized scrolls inside a capsule named the impart locket.

On her website, Spitzer Lawson has posted inspirational blog entries as well as testimonies from people who have been uplifted by the products and have passed them on to friends.

“There’s always something about connection with the pieces,” Spitzer Lawson said. “My biggest mission is to reach out

please crowds, most of Bruddah Adrian’s songs are originals with the sole instrument and his tranquil vocals. Occasionally, he adds extra flavor to his songs with prerecorded keys, bass and drum tracking.

“I really enjoy what I do because it’s

local,” Adrian said, who is originally from San Diego. “I’m fortunate to play (and live) here. I lived in Dana Point for the last 15 years and in Hawai’i in my summertime.”

As he continues down this secondary career path, Adrian hopes he can keep up with the increasing workload. He still has a regular day job on top of performing multiple times a week.

“I love doing it, but it’s work now. But I get paid to do something that I love. I hope that some of my originals can connect with people on a larger level.”

Adrian said that he has been playing more venues as he’s promoted himself through social media and by making connections in the area. He said he’d eventually like to ascend to the next echelon of the music industry and play in front of larger crowds.

“Anything you do in life, you’re only going to get better, you’re not going to get worse,” Adrian said. “I had a lot of alone time, and one day this went from a hobby to what I’m doing now. You cross this line (of success) one day, and people let you know it.”

To check out Bruddah Adrian’s music, visit www.bruddahadrianmusic.com/music and find him on Facebook. SC

The passing coin, produced by Gemma Raffo, is meant to be distributed among friends who are going through difficult times. Photo: Eric Heinz

to people to send out a message of support and to help those who are going through difficult times, no matter what the circumstance may be.”

Lawson’s husband, Anthony, shapes the metal pieces and stamps them with the inscriptions. People can also request personalized inscriptions for their pieces.

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Anthony has his own company, J.L. Lawson & Co., which produces tops and other metal products.

Gemma Raffo is the namesake of her Italian grandmother, who Lawson said is one of the strongest people she knows.

Check their website for updates or new products. www.sanclementetimes.com

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.

ACCOUNTING

Chris W. Johnston, CPA, MBA 34184 Pacific Coast Highway Dana Point, 949.240.8015, www.cwjcpacorp.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

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

ELECTRIC BIKES

Murf Electric Bikes

212 N. El Camino Real, 949.370.3801, www.murfelectricbikes.com

ELECTRICAL

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Arcadia Electric

YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

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

Sherry Wild, LuXre Realty

949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

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Four weeks in print and online.

Contact Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers

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

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

949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com BRE # 01480453, 949.275.8937 www.LuXreRealty.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso

114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo PEST/TERMITE CONTROL

accuratetermitecontrol.com 949.837.6483

Colony Termite Control

1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

PLUMBING LANDSCAPING

REALTORS

A to Z Leak Detection

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing

1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

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

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

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

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

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design

949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction

949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

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.

HELP WANTED LEAD COOK NEEDED Please apply in person (with your resume) @ Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Position available immediately. Experience necessary.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com.

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

OTHER STUFF THE SCHENKENBERGER’S NEED SOME HELP Steve Shenkenberger, husband and father of five young boys, was riding his mountain bike on Super Bowl Sunday when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Laguna Niguel.

The family is need of donations for ongoing medical expenses and childcare. Please consider donating at www.gofundme.com/ the-schenkenbergers-medical-bills.

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

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD

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

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San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

Page 21

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

After a Long Trip, It’s Good to Be Home

O

ne of the best aspects of taking a long trip is coming home. Such is the case for my partner Greta and me. After being gone for 48 days, we are home and were quickly reminded how fortunate we are to live in South Orange County.

Although very jetlagged from crossing six time zones, being on airplanes for 15 hours and logging four hours of sleep, I stopped at the Dana Point Post Office to ship some books.

Lisa and Bill were behind the counter.

They’ve been there forever, it seems.

They’ve always been friendly and efficient.

Lisa cheerily said, “Loved your recent travel articles in the newspaper, especially the one about Glenn Miller, the penguin you saw in Chile.” I walked away thinking, wow, what nice people we have working in our community.

I also stopped at Pacific Western Bank, where I’ve banked since 1988. After entering the door from the parking lot, teller Sherie said, “Welcome back Tom, I can help you!”

Rosette, a vice president and branch manager, has assembled a great team of employees. Mimi, a former international

flight attendant, wanted an update on the Copa Airlines flights we had taken from Rio. The other tellers, Monica and Larrisa, listened intently. Denise and Fermin are always friendly. The bank visit reminded me of why it’s great to be home.

On our second day back, still “out of it” from our long trip, Greta and I walked in Dana Point Harbor. It was just before 4 p.m. when we passed Harpoon Henry’s. We’d been walking for only 15 minutes when Greta said, “That’s enough exercise for now; it’s happy-hour time at Harpoons.”

So, in we went. Speaking of a socializing place for seniors, by 4:30 p.m., the upstairs lounge is always packed with white-haired people. We enjoyed a glass of wine, some of the restaurant’s famous calamari and then headed home to sleep. After all, it was nearing midnight, Brazil time.

On the third day back, I decided to walk from our Monarch Beach home to Salt Creek Beach, as I do a few times a week. I always pass by the Monarch Beach Resort golf shop to get to the public sidewalk that takes you under PCH and to the beach.

As I approached the pro shop, I noticed a bright yellow Audi sports car parked there.

A promotional sign behind the car read, “Welcome to the Basketball Hall of Fame 2017 Golf Classic.” The sign listed several sponsors including the Los Angeles Lakers.

As I walked down the steps, I noticed several golf carts lined up at the first tee with big, tall men in them. There was a sign listing the foursomes who were playing that day: Julius Erving (Dr. J), Rick Barry, Clyde Drexler, Gary Payton, Artis Gilmore, Alex English and many other former NBA greats were listed.

I saw Jamaal Wilkes sitting in a golf cart.

He was on four NBA championship teams

including the Golden State Warriors and Lakers. Without thinking, I blurted out “Silk?” That had been his nickname because he was smooth as silk when he played.

He said, “Do I know you?”

I said, “We met the night the Golden State Warriors made the NBA playoffs in 1971. After the game, you and some of your teammates came into the Victoria Station Restaurant in Oakland. I was the manager.

We all partied pretty hard that night.”

Silk said, “I remember that. By the way, Rick Barry is here.” I looked around but didn’t see Barry. He was also a great player for the Warriors, and known for his underhand style of shooting free throws.

Then, I saw Ralph Sampson remove a club ON LIFE AND from the golf bag on LOVE AFTER 50 his cart. Hard not to

By Tom Blake recognize Sampson, the Houston Rockets Hall of Famer, he’s 7-foot4-inches tall. Again, without thinking, I said, “Hit the ball hard Ralph!”

He looked at me with a big grin and said, “I hope I can even hit it.”

Since the golf gathering was a private event, I left and walked down the path to Salt Creek. My thoughts: Everybody living in South County is fortunate to have three incredible hotels here—the Monarch Beach Resort, the Ritz-Carlton and the Laguna Cliffs Marriott—that represent our community so impressively.

By late Saturday afternoon, Greta and I had nearly overcome our jetlag. “Let’s go to the new movie, Murder on the Orient Express,” she said.

She and I had been on the Orient

Express from Venice to Paris via Prague 10 years before, and we were curious to see if the movie replicated the actual train. It did. As we left the theater, we saw Ward, a South County friend we’d known for years.

Ward said, “Saw in the paper your trip articles. Where to next?”

I said, “It’s so great to be home, we’re staying put for a while.”

On Sunday, I did stand-up paddling in the harbor with Russell Kerr, my SUP buddy, who a few years back was the board chairman of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. Ricky, an old-timer from San Clemente, who paddles nearly every day, said, “Hello, brother,” which he calls everybody. Fun for me to be back paddling.

At home, Greta said, “I think you need a haircut.”

“Yup, you’re right. I’m looking like a worn out, silver-haired hippie. I’ll go see Alex (the Sports Barber stylist who has been cutting my hair in Dana Point for 23 years). He’ll want to hear about our travels.”

It’s the beauty and the people here that make coming home so great.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com. Email: tompblake@gmail. com. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com

Pet of the Week: Chico

Chico. Photo: San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

Chico is an easygoing gentleman who is ready to be your new best friend. At 4 years old, Chico is a great mix between fun-loving and calm.

Potty-trained and well-mannered, he would make an easy transition into a home. If you would like to know more about Chico, please call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617, or visit with him at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente.

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:

Photo: Courtesy of The U.S. National Archives/Charles O’Rear

FROM THE ARCHIVES This aerial photo of the coastline shows San Clemente in 1975. At the time, 84 percent of California residents lived near the coast, and in an effort to regulate future development within 1,000 yards of the shoreline, the state passed a Coastal Zone Conservation Act in November 1972.

Every week, the San Clemente Times will publish a historical photo. Online, SC Times will create a gallery of the month’s photos. To submit your historical photos, please provide information about the photo along with your name for credit to eheinz@picketfencemedia.com

San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

Page 22

See the solution in next week’s issue.

www.sanclementetimes.com

SC SPORTS & OUTDOORS San Clemente

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Scoreboard SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Nighttime Pickleball Class to Be Offered in SC

San Clemente resident Raudel Barba will be offering instructional classes on how to play the sport of pickleball on Wednesday nights. Barba, who offers drop-in classes during the day, said this class is geared toward interested adults who would like to get a workout in after work and learn how to play the popular sport.

Pickleball resembles tennis. It is a

Weston Rowan signed his NLI to swim for University of California-Santa Barbara. Photo: Courtesy

Triton Report

Mikaela Gandia-Mak will play softball at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Photo: Courtesy

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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

Tritons Tennis Players Advance in Postseason Lindsay Hung, Sami Neilson and Jenna Yeam will all be moving on to the next stage of CIF-SS postseason play.

The Triton trio all received first-round byes in the CIF-SS Division 1 Individual Samantha Neilson signed her NLI to play for Point Loma Nazarene University. Photo: Courtesy

racket sport that features singles or doubles teams volleying a plastic ball back and forth over a low net on a tennis surface.

Pickleball courts are about half the size of a regulation tennis court.

Barba has been offering pickleball classes through the City of San Clemente Parks and Recreation department for several years.

Those interested in joining Barba’s new class will learn the basics and the rules of the game. Cost for four classes is $60. Cost to attend one class is $25.

The location and exact dates of the class is still being finalized, Barba said. For more information, contact Barba at raudelbarba@yahoo.com.

Championships and all three players won their second-round matches on Nov. 20.

Hung, who is competing as a singles player, defeated a player from Canyon High School 6-1, 6-0 in the second round.

Neilson and Yeam, playing in the doubles bracket, defeated a doubles team from Riverside Poly 6-2, 6-0 in the second round. In the next round, Neilson and Yeam beat a team from Martin Luther King High School 6-3, 6-2.

Girls Cross Country Competes in CIF-SS Finals Racing in the CIF-SS Division 1 Finals on Nov. 18, the San Clemente girls cross country team placed 22nd overall.

Senior Chandler Horton was the Tritons highest finisher at the race, followed by freshman Ella Horton and sophomore Belle Sachse.

Michael McGreevy signed his NLI to play for the University of California-Santa Barbara. Photo: Courtesy

Fall Signing Day in San Clemente SCHS student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

O

n Nov. 8, seven San Clemente High School senior student-athletes took part in a signing day ceremony on campus, indicating their college of choice.

The day marked the first time athletes in certain sports can sign their National Letter of Intent.

As usual, the San Clemente studentathletes that took part in the day’s festivities represented a wide variety of disciplines, from swimming to lacrosse, tennis and more. San Clemente High School will hold a large spring signing day ceremony for all college-bound student-athletes later San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

in the year.

Here is a list of the fall signees: • Weston Rowan, swimming, University of California-Santa Barbara • Branden Wilson, lacrosse, University of Utah • Lily Aasland, softball, Bryant University • Lindsay Hung, tennis, University of Utah • Mikaela Gandia-Mak, softball, University of Hawaii at Manoa • Samantha Neilson, tennis, Point Loma Nazarene University • Michael McGreevy, baseball, University of California-Santa Barbara Page 25

Senior Lindsay Hung advanced past the second round of the CIF-SS Individual Championships on Nov. 20.

Photo: Steve Breazeale

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SC San Clemente

SC SURF

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

A Cortes Bank Look Back

GROM OF THE WEEK

HAYDEN RODGERS

With the big-wave winter season at hand, will we see history be made this winter 100 miles offshore?

Hayden Rodgers celebrates his second NSSA Open Boys win of the season. Photo: NSSA

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

I

n the early 1990s, Surfline founder Sean Collins, Surfing magazine photo editor Larry “Flame” Moore and pilot Mike Castillo made a discovery off the Southern California coast: the Cortes Bank.

Cortes was actually fairly well known at the time. Popular with fishermen and divers, it gained some notoriety on Nov. 2, 1985, when the nuclear-powered carrier USS Enterprise ran aground on the reef, tearing a large hole in the ship’s hull. It was a navigational nightmare. But by the mid ’90s, after scouring log books and making numerous reconnaissance flights, the big-wave potential of Cortes Bank, located 100 miles off the coast from Dana Point, revealed itself. An undersea mount that rises more than one thousand fathoms (over a mile) from the sea floor, Bishop Rock, the shallowest part of the bank, is a mere three to six feet below the surface— in other words, the perfect big-wave set-up.

“It opened up a whole new realm,” said Collins in 2007 (he passed away in 2011).

“Getting it good was never going to be easy. There are so many variables that far out to sea, but we saw it as the place where a 100-foot wave could potentially be ridden.”

In 1995, Sharp brought a small exploratory team out to Cortes, including Surfing magazine editor Sam George and surfer George Hulse (now a pastor at Shoreline Church in San Clemente). The conditions were clean and glassy and the surf was about 15 feet—tame by big-wave surfing standards. The initial mission was deemed a success.

Armed with the knowledge that the wave could actually be ridden successfully, Collins watched the weather while Sharp and company waited. Then, during the winter of 2001, “Storm 15” formed in the Gulf of Alaska.

Loading up on the F/V Pacific Quest out of San Diego, big-wave surfers Ken Collins, Peter Mel, Brad Gerlach and South County’s Mike Parsons, plus paddle-surfers Evan Slater and John Walla (another San Clemente native), set out to make

San Clemente Times November 23-29, 2017

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

S Located 100 miles off the coast of Dana Point, the allure of Cortes Bank looms large for the world’s most elite big-wave surfers. Photo: Frank Quirarte

history. On the morning of Jan. 19, they arrived at Cortes Bank and were greeted by oil-glass conditions and enormous, halfmile long waves breaking across the reef.

Collins, Mel and Gerlach all rode waves measuring in the neighborhood of 50 feet.

But it was Parsons that stole the show on his very first ride. Estimated at 66 feet on the face, it won him the first of two Guinness World Records and the Swell XXL Biggest Wave Award prize of $66,000 for the biggest wave surfed in 2000/2001.

Meanwhile, Walla and Slater tried to paddle for a wave and nearly drowned. Moore photographed from a circling plane, while filmmaker Dana Brown shot from a boat for his surf film Step Into Liquid.

“We had no business being in the water on that day,” says Slater. “It was big, but not as big as it could get. It demonstrated to all of us that the place was capable of a lot more.”

On Jan. 5, 2008, Parsons and Gerlach returned, this time with big-wave understudies Grant “Twiggy” Baker and San Clemente upstart Greg Long. In one of the worst storms ever recorded off the coast of California, Parsons was photographed on a wave bigger than his award-winning ride of 2001, initially estimated to be over 70 feet on the face, it was later determined to be at least 77 feet, which gave Parsons a second Guinness World Record.

“I was sure we were going to die on that trip,” says local filmmaker Matt Wybenga, who filmed the session. “My footage was useless; the seas were way too big. It was complete chaos. I’m really surprised nobody died out there. There’s nothing

around for 100 miles, you’re completely alone out there, and the waves are bigger than anywhere in the world. It was madness.”

On Dec. 21, 2012, Long nearly lost his life surfing Cortes. After sustaining a wipeout on a 20-footer, a wave ridden alongside McNamara, Long failed to surface. After being hit by a series of four more waves, his body was found by three lifeguards on rescue jet skis.

“I began regaining consciousness during the ride back to the support boat we were operating from,” told Long in a press statement after the accident. “I was stabilized onboard the boat by the lifeguards and paramedics who were part of our safety team, and a Coast Guard helicopter was summoned to transport me back to San Diego.”

These pioneering sessions, that have sometimes nearly ended in tragedy, have led to a slew of innovations and advancements in big-wave safety in recent years.

Surfers are better trained as lifeguards.

They develop rescue teams and contingency plans. Safety equipment such as inflatable flotation vests have become standard issue equipment. The risks are greater than they’ve ever been, but so are the precautions being taken.

There aren’t huge expectations going into the 2017/201818 big-wave winter season, but that doesn’t mean Long, Parsons and their crew of hellmen aren’t going to be keeping a close eye on things.

You never know what the Pacific’s going to throw at you, and when you’re 100 miles from shore, anything can happen. SC

Page 26

an Clemente’s Hayden Rodgers continues to blitz through the NSSA season.

With playful, knee- to waist-high surf offered this weekend at the Newport Open, the 11-year-old phenom bagged his second win of the season in the Open Boys division and now sits at the top of the ratings.

Coming up in a surf-stoked family, Hayden’s old man, Jerry, first pushed him into a wave when he was seven years old and he hasn’t looked back since. These days, you may find him and his brother, Nolan, down at Lowers if they can convince their mom to drop them off. Otherwise, you can find them around T-Street, ripping with all of the other groms. Last summer, Hayden had the opportunity to go on a team surf trip to Bali with his sponsor Volcom.

All told, it was a good weekend for San Clemente surfers. Coming off her first pro junior win, Kirra Pinkerton kept the momentum going and took out the Open Women’s division. Nico Coli lorded over the Open Juniors and finished third in the Open Men’s. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 60-63 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: 5-8’ Fair Thursday: Reinforcing West swell moves in as the old West swell fades and small SSW swell lingers.

Look for mostly knee-waist high (2-3’) waves as standout spots see sets to waist high (3’) and possibly a little larger at times. Light offshore winds in the morning, trending to light onshore in the afternoon.

Outlook: Modest to fun size blend of S Hemi swell and WNW swell through the Thanksgiving weekend. Look for mostly knee-waist-chest high (2-3’+) surf at best breaks along with some shoulder high (4’) sets at premier spots. Light offshore winds in the mornings, then light+ onshore flow each afternoon. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

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