December 1, 2022

Outgoing San Clemente Councilmember Kathy Ward speaks with San Clemente Times to talk about her eight-year tenure on the dais. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

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Councilmember Ward Reflects on Political Career Before Stepping Down from Office

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

San Clemente Councilmember Kathy Ward, who’s nearing the end of her tenure as an elected official, is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends in the future, as well as enjoying time at the beach.

Sitting down with San Clemente Times this past week to talk about her career in local politics, which spans eight years, the outgoing councilmember described her experience on the council as positive and rewarding, despite the amount of work it required and the unexpected challenges she faced.

“I was just surprised about things that happened suddenly that we didn’t know were coming,” Ward said, referring to issues such as dealing with new sober living homes and the city’s drawn-out battle against the Transportation Corridor Agencies. “So, that’s been the extra challenge to the things I thought I was going to do.”

Ward, who opted not to seek a third term this November, expressed how honored she was that her colleagues chose her to serve as mayor of San Clemente twice, in 2017 and in 2021—with the most recent stint, she acknowledged, coming at a time when there wouldn’t be many public appearances at events.

of routes, or alternatives, to connect the 241 Toll Road to Interstate 5.

Some of the proposed routes looked to have the 241, which presently ends at Oso Parkway, extend to the 5 Freeway by cutting through San Clemente, as well as parts of San Juan Capistrano,

After years of meetings, workshops, study sessions, and outcry from the San Clemente community, the Foothill/Eastern arm of the TCA, which oversees the 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads, voted unanimous ly in March 2020 to pursue the extension of Los Patrones Parkway as an arterial, non-tolled and county-owned route.

Los Patrones, which begins where the 241 ends, is being planned to extend further south through the neighboring Rancho Mission Viejo and end at Avenida La Pata, stretching roughly 700 feet within the San Clemente city limits.

“There was just no choice in the matter at all; you had to fight it,” Ward said.

She added that in conversations with TCA officials, she insisted the TCA wouldn’t be able to build any extension to the 5 Freeway within San Clemente.

Ward also credited the city staff, City Attorney Scott Smith, and the residents for their nonstop, determined battle against the proposed extensions.

A record 225 U.S. Marines attended the fifth annual H.H. Cotton’s Thanksgiving meal event last week, when they were treated to a catered feast and raffle prizes provided by the restaurant, with the support from other local businesses and residents.

local businesses and residents, with special recognition to our Gold Sponsors Capistrano Ford, Cosper Family, Hovey Family, Donnelly Family, Sea View Pediatrics, and Goody’s Tavern,” restaurant co-owner Chris Aitken said in an email.

Having first joined a council full of previous mayors in 2014, she was initially terrified of taking on the role. However, the honor she felt came from knowing her fellow councilmembers trusted her, Ward said.

“Last year, mainly what I tried to do was get the city (and the council) on a good footing and try to teach the new ones the procedures and how we do things,” she said.

The city’s official termination of its relationship with the TCA in 2021 came when the agencies’ organizational committees continued to bring up a potential extension, according to Ward.

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

More than 200 U.S. Marines enjoyed a fully catered Thanksgiving feast that local eatery H.H. Cotton’s provided last week with the help and support of other local businesses and residents.

Now in its fifth year, the H.H. Cotton’s Thanksgiving meal event hosted a record 225 Marines who got to chow down on food that restaurant Head Chef Javier Cervantes and his team had prepared, as well as participate in a raffle to receive electronics, gift cards for various local businesses, boogie boards and a signed surfboard courtesy of Corky Carroll.

“H.H. Cotton’s is grateful for all the community support received from

The event kicked off in the morning, when the Marines were treated to coffee and donuts, as well as live music in the restaurant’s parking lot. The Marines also got to hear from 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps, who participated in the event via Zoom to express his heartfelt gratitude for their service.

Speaking on behalf of lead event organizer Maureen Aitken, Chris said the community event is an important one, as it serves hundreds of Marines, many of whom are not accustomed to having a Thanksgiving meal away from their family.

“For this reason, H.H. Cotton’s annually receives dozens of emails from families across our nation grateful to have their young Marine served their first meal away from home,” Chris said in the email.

Ward added that though some departments are not fully staffed—a goal she wanted to achieve—the city is actively working on filling positions.

With a tendency to encourage her colleagues to stick to how past City Councils have conducted businesses, her emphasis on such precedents comes from the belief that council meetings are supposed to be “high-level business meetings” of the city that avoid matters staff are capable of handling.

The council should stick to directing policy and approving budgets that allow staff to know their jobs ahead of time and perform, according to Ward.

Ward also spoke about topics that saw her receive additional public light in comparison to typical council business.

She played a critical role from 2015 onward in protecting San Clemente against the Transportation Corridor Agencies, which had proposed a series

A working group of Foothill/Eastern TCA board members drafted a proposed policy in April 2021 to provide future guidance on initiating studies related to further extensions of the 241, which both Ward and Mayor Gene James strongly opposed, as Ward claimed the policy was created “in secret.”

“They (didn’t) include us on what they’re doing, so that’s when we said, ‘We don’t believe in your mission anymore. And we don’t want to be a part of it,’ ” Ward said.

Ward’s tenure on the council wasn’t without controversy, either.

One dispute with a resident, Tony Rubolino, reached a boiling point in January 2019 when Ward filed a police report citing a March 2018 council meeting, where he spoke during public comments with a machete holstered to his hip as a prop—an action, he was told by the city’s then-police chief, was against the law.

In her report, filed 10 months later, she claimed she felt “uneasy” about Rubolino, who “frequents the City Council meetings,” and cited the March 6

Photo: Courtesy of Maureen Aitken

meeting where he brought the machete. She said in the following months, Rubolino had mentioned her name on Facebook leading up to the 2018 election, but said the context had been strictly political.

“Kathleen said she had been thinking about the machete Anthony brought into the City Council meeting, and that she was getting a physical ‘reaction’ from it,” the police report stated.

The report was made public in May 2019 after Rubolino called on the City Council to remove Ward from her committee assignments. He also explained that he had used the weapon as a prop to represent the behaviors transient people arriving in San Clemente at the time were engaging in.

“This is an elected official going after a private citizen,” Rubolino said then. “By filing the police report, Kathy attempted to intimidate me into not speaking at City Council—that is my belief.”

The police report noted that Rubolino had never spoken to Ward personally, and that Ward admitted the two had zero contact outside of City Council meetings or social media forums.

Another incident that garnered media attention occurred in June 2019, when Ward walked out of a June meeting involving a pending police services contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

She told SC Times that she felt the newspaper’s initial story on the matter, entitled “Ward Walks Out, City Left Without Police Contract,” painted her as in

opposition to the contract, when instead she opposed Councilmember Laura Ferguson’s motion to cut 5% from other areas of the city’s fiscal year budget.

Before the council reconvened at a special meeting later that month to approve the contract, OCSD Sheriff Don Barnes wrote a letter to the city about his disappointment regarding the contract’s status left in limbo.

“For the past 26 years, we have served the residents of San Clemente with excep tional law enforcement services, and I have continued to do so through person nel reductions while, during the same time period, the city’s population has increased significantly,” Barnes’ letter read.

The sheriff added that his department would be privileged to continue to serve the city.

Given the budget had previously been approved, Ward said it was unusual and disrespectful to bring up the motion that would have resulted in cutting staff. Then-Councilmember Chris Hamm had already left the meeting and Ward wanted the full council to be present for such a decision.

With both Ward and Ferguson stepping away from the council this month, at least two new members will be seated following November’s Municipal Election. As of press time, Victor Cabral and Mark Enmeier remained as the top two vote-getters, projected to win the seats.

Councilmember Steven Knoblock, the incumbent, appeared set to hold on to his seat, maintaining a narrow lead over Donna Vidrine.

Offering advice to the incoming councilmembers, Ward said they should conduct themselves with respect to their

office, the city, and San Clemente.

She added that conversations among councilmembers at the dais should never involve personal attacks, and councilmembers should ensure their colleagues are able to do their jobs effectively by setting up items ahead of time.

The previous councils in Ward’s first four years achieved more than councils in the past four years, she said.

“That was really by respecting all the boundaries and the policies and staff and doing the right procedures,” said Ward. “I think we made better long-term decisions where we got to really good steps for the future, where right now I don’t feel like we’re working on longterm.”

New councilmembers should also respect the city manager, who oversees the city’s operations, and should actively avoid the current dysfunction of the meeting process.

Ward’s plans going forward are to get back to her life before entering public service—when she was first appointed to the Planning Commission. During her days on both the commission and the council, she said, she would research until the early morning.

“The one thing I’m really happy that I did is … that every decision I made, I made it in mind with what was the best interests of the residents and the city,” she said. “I don’t think I made one bad vote. That was my goal … never to make a bad vote that I couldn’t live with, and I did it … I don’t regret any of them.”

Editor’s Note: Outgoing Councilmember Laura Ferguson declined a request to be interviewed for her own story ahead of her departure from public office.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

Challenging Cancer 10-11:30 a.m. The Challenging Cancer group is conducting weekly meetings through Zoom video conferences. The meetings are open to caregivers, people who have a compromised immune system, and people dealing with cancer. To join, email donnavigil2@gmail.com or linda_crdv@yahoo.com. heritagesc.org.

TUESDAY, DEC. 6

San Clemente City Council 5 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall, as well as virtually. The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel. 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY), which helps parents navigate through whatever parenting challenges they may be facing (e.g., failure to launch, substance misuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference and in person/Zoom the first Tuesday of each month at The Noble Path Foundation. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com. Noble Path, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7

VA Disabled Claims Clinic 2-4 p.m. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 9934 sponsors a Veterans Affairs Disability Claims Clinic at the Dana Point Community Center the first and third Wednesday of each month. Veterans can walk in and meet with a VFW Service Officer and receive information on how to file a claim for service-related medical issues. Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point.

Planning Commission 5-10 p.m. The city’s Planning Commission will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel. 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

Outgoing San Clemente Councilmember Kathy Ward speaks with San Clemente Times to talk about her experiences as a public servant and elected official.

Photo: C. Jayden Smith

Councilmember Ward

Local Teen Earns Eagle Scout Honor After Donating Hockey Equipment to Local Boys & Girls Club

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Before becoming an Eagle Scout, a Scout must complete a service project designed to give back to their local community by benefiting a charity or nonprofit organization.

Recently, one local Scout contributed to San Clemente’s Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area by donating equipment for street and ice hockey, and spending time teaching children about the game he loves.

Caden Taylor, a Dana Hills High junior and goaltender for the Capistrano Coyotes hockey club, angled away from the normal type of project that sees Scouts create something by instead working to share his sport with others.

Having played hockey for more than eight years, his initial idea was to work with a local ice rink, but his focus shifted to asking charities whether they wanted equipment or to have the children they work with play the game.

“So, I reached out to the local Boys & Girls Club, and I just said, ‘Hey, what can I do?’ ” Taylor told San Clemente Times, adding: “They said, ‘Well, here’s the current state of our gear, and here’s what the kids do with that gear.’ ”

From there, Taylor received monetary and gear donations from sporting goods stores, coaches, and family and friends

to an extent that surprised him.

The value of the donations was approximately $1,900, which could prove to be important for the children at the Boys & Girls Club given the tremendous commitment in time and money necessary to play hockey.

Taylor’s father, Corey, mentioned that

there are no longer ice rinks within the immediate vicinity of San Clemente where children can take lessons or play in general, and that the access to street and ice hockey equipment could open the door for prospective players to go further.

“You’re driving to (Aliso Viejo), or

Charter School Appeals Application to Orange County Board of Education

BY COLLIN BREAUX

After the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees reached a standstill while deciding on an application for a new charter school, the petitioners behind California Republic Leadership Academy (CRLA) are turning to a different educational governing board for possible approval.

CRLA is appealing its application to the Orange County Board of Education (OCBE), after the CUSD Board of Trustees effectively took no action following split

votes on both approving and denying the prospective school’s charter petition.

The CUSD Board of Trustees is down one member following the resignation of former Trustee Pamela Braunstein. Michael Parham is the projected winner in the election for the vacant seat and will likely be sworn in this month.

Charter school applicants can appeal to OCBE if they are denied by a school district. CRLA announced through its Instagram page on Nov. 15 that it would appeal. San Clemente parent Kevin Pratt—a major figure instrumental in creating CRLA—subsequently confirmed on Monday, Nov. 28, that the applicant team already submitted the appeal.

“We’ve had great support to this point, and through our website and other channels, we continue to get new families expressing interest every week,” Pratt said. “We are still planning on approval

and an August 2023 opening.”

Pratt did not have further comments. OCBE Trustee Tim Shaw said CRLA is expected to be discussed at the board’s December meeting, though a vote on approval will not happen then.

The Orange County Department of Ed ucation, of which OCBE is a part, outlines the charter school appeal process on its website. A petitioner can appeal a denied petition within 30 days of the denial, according to the education department.

Education department staff reviews the appeal petition and, if applicable, school district findings related to the petition.

Ahead of the CUSD trustees’ Nov. 9 meeting, district staff issued a scathing report about CRLA’s plans, recommending the charter be denied for numerous reasons, including projected negative financial impacts to the district and having an unclear educational and oper-

you’re driving to Lake Forest, or you’re driving to Irvine—the three closest (rinks)—to take lessons where there’s ice,” he said. “Overall, it’s certainly not one of the least expensive sports to take up. It’s a big commitment.”

The donation event, which was held on Nov. 4, went well, according to Taylor. He invited hockey friends to join him in unloading all the gear and teaching the children the basics of the sport.

Taylor enjoyed seeing the excitement of the children at the club and relayed that he was told even those not normally into the sport were “ecstatic” by the end of the event.

“From the kindergartners to kids who are maybe a year younger than me, everyone was into it,” said Taylor. “It was really awesome to see how people can just come together and enjoy the sport.”

His favorite moment came at the end of an exhibition game when a child, who Taylor could tell had been struggling, scored the game-winning goal and everyone erupted with joy.

In total, Taylor donated two sets of ice hockey gear for goaltenders, six sets of head-to-toe ice hockey equipment, 36 street hockey sticks, 50 street hockey pucks, rule sheets, nets, helmets, and gloves.

The elder Taylor expressed the pride he and his wife Susie had for their son when he completed the final step to get to the Eagle Scout designation. He added that they also enjoyed watching the project come together and seeing the excitement on the faces of the club officials.

“For the past six months or more, he’s worked on top of all his other commitments and responsibilities with school and hockey,” Corey Taylor said. “He’s worked diligently to make this happen and really took the initiative.”

ational plan.

Part of CRLA’s intended curriculum and education includes instructing students about what are considered “the classics” in learning and American history, teaching students critical thinking skills, requiring students to wear uniforms, not allowing students access to smartphones during school time, requiring a professional appearance of faculty and staff and fostering respect between students and teachers.

According to its guidelines for charter appeals, OCBE is expected to hold a public hearing on the provisions of the petition within 60 days for the purpose of considering the level of support for the petition by teachers employed by the school district, other employees of the school district and parents.

“Charter school and school district

Caden Taylor, a junior at Dana Hills High and a player on the Capistrano Coyotes hockey club, poses with thousands of dollars in hockey equipment. He recently donated it all to the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area (pictured in the background) for his Eagle Scout service project. Photo: Courtesy of Corey Taylor

Council Gives MemorialCare Official Go-Ahead to Build Mixed-Use Development

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

MemorialCare will officially be able to build a senior housing facility and medi cal office on its former hospital site at 654 Camino de los Mares, per a Nov. 15 deci sion by the San Clemente City Council.

The council approved on second reading—in a 3-2 vote—an ordinance that included additional approval of numerous amendments and changes allowing for the health care group to build the 250-unit facility and medical office spanning 7,500 square feet.

Mayor Gene James and Councilmem ber Kathy Ward voted against the project.

Before the vote, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan said that the project represented a compromise that was the best-case sce nario for both the city and MemorialCare.

The council’s formal approval of the project comes as members of the community have lobbed allegations that Duncan had improper one-on-one conversations with MemorialCare about its development plans.

In response to those allegations, both Duncan and James—members of the City Council’s Hospital Subcommittee—and a MemorialCare official told San Clemente Times separately that all parties had met and discussed matters in the correct manner.

“After initial meetings with both members of the subcommittee present, all application and design processes were conducted exclusively with and through City Staff following the normal public processes for developments of this type,” Tom Leary, MemorialCare’s senior vice president and chief legal officer, said in an emailed statement.

The allegations were brought up during the council’s Nov. 15 meeting, when Ward asked Leary to identify who approached his company with the idea for a mixed-use development. Leary said it was James and Duncan as part of the subcommittee.

James commented that he enthusiastically supported the project’s concept as long as it was no higher than 45 feet and remained within the city’s height standards.

“That was never discussed, (the height) being over our General Plan,” James said. “Additionally, I have concerns about the traffic study, I have concerns about the parking study.”

City Attorney Scott Smith affirmed that under the city’s settlement with MemorialCare regarding the property, the

city’s only obligation was to identify a zoning designation, which confused the mayor. James said he didn’t know why the city hadn’t yet rezoned the property and that discussing the project equated to putting the cart before the horse.

MemorialCare had closed the San Clemente hospital amid litigation with the city that stemmed from a dispute over whether to have an urgent care facility or one that provided an emergency room and other hospital functions. The city and MemorialCare settled the lawsuit in 2019.

Because MemorialCare is designating 20 of the housing units toward affordable housing, the project satisfies California’s Density Bonus Law, resulting in the city having limited authority to stop the development from exceeding certain standards.

Ward contended that the city did hold discretion that preceded the state law in the form of granting a conditional use permit for housing within the new zoning designation.

Ward also claimed that the project had been negotiated behind closed doors in a manner unlike how cities normally work on similar projects. She added that the entire process had been strange dating back to the first time she saw it, at the Aug. 31 Joint Study Session involving the council and the Planning Commission.

“Oddest thing I’ve ever attended, where we had the Planning Commission (with us) and the City Council, and none of us knew what was going on,” said Ward.

She added that the numerous permit approvals and agreements, including a General Plan amendment and a develop ment agreement lasting 20 years that Me morialCare had sought, made the project “messy” and difficult to comprehend.

James interrupted Ward’s statement

that the Hospital Subcommittee had met MemorialCare as a developer to clarify that “developer” was not the company’s role at the time.

“They’ve turned themselves into a developer; they were someone we were in litigation with,” he said. “We were looking for a way out of the litigation.”

According to Ward, the subcommittee never updated the council even in closed session. She also said Duncan let her down in terms of her ability to see the project when it was presented to other city staff and spoke in general about her disappointment with the process.

Duncan said he was shocked about what Ward had alleged, denying any unethical conduct, conflicts of interest, or personal interests in the project.

“I was working with Mayor James to try to resolve the lawsuit,” he said. “I got the project when everyone else got the project. I didn’t know what it was going to be like.”

The project had already been included in the city’s revised Housing Element, Duncan said, and had gone through the necessary reviews from the Design Review Subcommittee and Planning Commission before reaching the council.

He called the implication “unfair” and said he was hurt by Ward’s “attacks.”

“I’m trying to do the best thing for the city, OK?” said Duncan. “That’s where it begins and ends. I’ve never done anything different, and I won’t ever do anything different.”

Duncan disputed Ward’s explanation that she thought the process was unethical, and said the subcommittee never had information to report back to the council.

Councilmember Steve Knoblock said he was “disappointed to hear about all these suggestions of impropriety and secretness.”

Charter School

representatives are allotted 15 minutes each to address the Board, followed by 30 minutes of public comments,” the guidelines state.

“Any documents or digital presentations utilized on that day must be submitted 48 hours prior to the board meeting.”

Other actions the OCBE can take with an appealed petition are to remand it back to the school district and/or hold a “clarification meeting” with the petitioners and the county education department’s review team.

OCBE can either grant or deny a petition within 90 days of receipt.

“OCBE shall grant a charter for the operation of a school if it is satisfied that granting the charter is consistent with sound educational practice and with the interests of the community in which the school is proposing to locate,” the guidelines said.

CRLA’s proposal has drawn backlash from some South Orange County residents, including within the Marblehead Elementary School community in San Clemente, because of a perception that the school would take over space at an existing campus.

Pratt has mentioned looking into using existing campus space at underutilized schools under an existing measure known as Proposition 39.

District officials and staff have said that if Proposition 39 were enacted in this case, the district would need to first do an analysis of available school sites before making any such decision—and that decision would be up to the district.

“This project was processed where the owner of the property filed an application, it was reviewed by staff, it was reviewed by the Planning Commission multiple times, through multiple public hearings,” he said.

Ward suggested the council approve an additional study that could identify how large the project needed to be, which would be beneficial for their decision-making process.

Her alternate motion to table the reading, and direct staff to both revert the property’s zoning back to its original designation and conduct an Environmen tal Impact Report, an economic study and a parking study, failed in a 3-2 vote.

Editor’s Note: An extended version of this story can be found at sanclementetimes.com.

While the council on Nov. 15 formally approved MemorialCare’s plans for it mixed-used development on the site of its shuttered hospital, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan disputed allegations that he engaged in improper discussions with the medical group over the project. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

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San Clemente Times, Vol. 17, Issue 48. The SC Times (sanclem entetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.com). Copy right: 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 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. San Clemente Times is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at San Clemente, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. FACEBOOK.COM/SANCLEMENTETIMES

OPINION | City Council Corner by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan

Our San Clemente Family

Ifrequently refer to San Clemente as one big family. As we enjoy the holiday season, this is true more than ever. As beautiful, picturesque, and distinctive as our beach town is, it is we, the residents, who truly make this place home.

We have well-known families who have been here as institutions for generations and young families like mine who only moved here a few years ago to raise our kids in paradise. Each of us is drawn, as if by a spiritual force, to this shining city on a hill that soothes our soul and brightens our futures.

Our diversity of experience, young and old, of all ethnicities, with a shared love for our Spanish Village by the Sea, is our strength; it’s what allows us to thrive in a changing world.

In the last few years, we have seen our community discourse become more rancorous and polarized, reflecting the national tensions beyond our borders. Even traditional family gatherings have been increasingly edgy, often including whispered guidance for certain family members (e.g., “Uncle Bill”) to refrain from drinking too much and getting into poli tics, religion, and other charged topics.

These ever-present external divisions are why it’s so important for us San Clementeans to come together this holiday season to protect the city we love.

As we seat a new City Council, we face significant challenges: sand erosion, high costs of living, rising crime and homelessness, to name a few. We can only overcome these challenges if we work together toward our shared goal of keeping San Clemente a safe and prosperous city.

But that requires all of us in our San Clemente family to act for the greater good.

Just like we did at Thanksgiving dinner, and soon will do for Christmas, Chanukah, and other holiday celebrations, we must not judge each other for having opposing ideas to accomplish shared objectives, even though we may disagree about how to get the job done.

We can and should scrutinize the merit of di erent perspectives. But we must not attack the character or integrity of

our fellow community members or city sta . As with our own families, we all deserve respect; in di cult times, we will need our neighbors to stand by us, and we cannot live our best lives without mutual support.

At upcoming events like Santa’s Village by the Sea, Puttin’ on the Glitz, and Chanukah on the Pier, I expect to see San Clementeans of all backgrounds joining hands to celebrate this holiday season.

I also expect to see San Clementeans of all political stripes to avoid the temptation to lob personal attacks and come together at City Council meetings, committee sessions, and town halls, to o er productive ideas on how our incredible city sta can improve our wonderful city. After all, that’s what being part of a family is all about. SC

Chris Duncan is a councilmember who was elected in 2020 and is serving as mayor pro tem for 2022.

PLEASE NOTE: n an effort to rovide our readers it a ide 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 co u nist a one and do not re ect t ose of t e SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Letters to The Editor

SAN CLEMENTE VIBES, ALL THE TIME

SAHAR KAMALI, San Clemente

Recent letters to the editor earnestly espouse the importance of ascribing to some limited school of “political” thought. They attempt to assign values and meaning to the two parties, which supposedly align with “conservative” and “liberal” thought.

With all due respect, and I do mean all due respect exactly the way Ricky Bobby said it in Talladega Nights, this is as about as useful as (breasts) on a bull. You can’t assign deep philosophical values and ethos to our dual-party political system, because there are none.

The parties are behemoth, meaningless, serve corporate overlords and institutional and generational wealth, and do not serve the common person. The less we focus on duality, or assume there is an either/or in every situation, the sooner we can practice living in community with one another, seeing the

person next to us as a human being, and being grateful for their presence.

We are deeply, social animals, and we need each other as much as we need food, water and shelter.

Let’s practice the politics of 10 yards. Worry about your teeth! Worry about how you’ll pay for your mom’s long-term live-in care or maybe an ADU so that she can live right next to you. Worry about whether your neighbor has enough to eat and somewhere to go during the holidays.

Each of us forms the city’s present and future. San Clemente was my dream town for years, as I drove past on the 5 Freeway and looked down wistfully at the red-tiled roofs against the Pacific Ocean backdrop.

Now I live here, and I’m stoked every day. It has a specificity of place that so many towns the world over have lost. We have neighborhood beaches, corners and pockets and streets in San Clemente with so much soul and character, and I hope we never lose it.

I live in San Clemente, the best damn town in America, and just like the late Fred Swegles, I want to read and write about the people and places here, things that keeps this place ticking: its art,

Join SC Times for Beachside Chat on Friday, Dec. 2, at 8 a.m. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues hosted by PFM Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday. The chat will be held at Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria. All are welcome.

music, food, history and everything else. Who’s with me?

DEPUTY SHERIFFS’ PAY RAISES

JAY THOMAS, San Clemente

Regarding the discussion of raises for the OC Sheri ’s Department, it’s important to recognize that as we sink deeper into this period of a stagnant economy and high inflation, and public unions demand huge pay raises to keep up with that inflation, the problem is only going to get worse.

The State of California recently announced that it estimates it will be facing a $25 billion deficit for this fiscal year. There will no doubt be calls by some to raise the tax burden even

CITY COUNCIL CORNER BY CHRIS DUNCAN

GUEST

(Cont. from page 9)

higher on the state’s citizens, but the real solution is going to be cutting wasteful and inefficient government spending— and there’s plenty of that at every level of government.

CONNECTING DUTCH ROOTS TO SAN CLEMENTE

AUBREY BEAUCHAMP, Capistrano Beach

In the mid ’70s, my parents lived in San Clemente. One day, they met Fred Swegles. He detected an accent and learned they were WWII survivors from Holland. A long conversation followed.

Fred learned, among many other details, that my dad’s brother had been a director of a large fleet of Dutch luxury passenger liners. Its flagship was the SS Oranje. During the war, the Germans used it as a troop ship, but afterward, it was restored to its former glory and Dutch pride. I remember visiting this floating palace with my uncle once during a visit to family in Holland.

After this initial interview, Fred and my parents remained friends, and Fred wrote their story in the Sun-Post

At the time, I was a nurse at San Clemente Hospital. One day, I had an elderly male patient with cancer. He was Dutch, and we struck up a conversation. I asked

him what he did before his retirement. He said he worked on ships.

I envisioned this old man in his ill-fitting hospital gown somewhere on a large freighter or fishing boat. Imagine my surprise when I learned that he had been the captain of the SS Oranje

His Dutch wife had died, and he had married an American lady. Later, still in the hospital, I met her. She asked me to please come and visit them at their home, as the captain missed his Dutch roots.

I gladly complied and visited their comfortable home in Shorecliffs. Shortly thereafter, the captain passed away.

I never saw his wife again, but heard she was involved in the San Clemente senior center. Many years later, when she also passed away, the center was named after her. Her name was Dorothy Visser.

Who knew that Dorothy’s husband, Captain Visser, was the captain of a large Dutch luxury liner, owned by a company where my uncle was one of the directors and that this uncle had a brother who lived in San Clemente and that, one day, this brother would meet Fred Swegles?

MEMORIALCARE

WAYNE EGGLESTON, former mayor, councilmember and planning commissioner

San Clemente needs senior housing and affordable senior housing—that

is not in dispute. What is in dispute is the process of a councilmember inde pendently working with a landowner/ developer to design, establish parking, density, affordable units and height limits.

Perhaps he thought that he was doing best for San Clemente, but read on.

I was on the City Council for 12 years and four years on the Planning Commission, and all of us were repeatedly advised by our city manager/city attorney never, ever to meet with an owner of the land/developer to discuss/plan a project.

And if we did meet to only view the proposed plans, we were to meet along with another councilmember, report back to City Council in closed session, and at the time of the vote to disclose the date and discussion/purpose of the meeting in a public forum.

In this case, none of that was done by the councilmember who met independently with MemorialCare, according to Councilmember Kathy Ward.

And why was that sage advice given? To avoid the perception of impropriety and conflict of interest and provide transparency. Pure and simple.

The current plan is 250 senior apartment units, including only 20 senior affordable housing units, that exceeds our height limits with four stories. Parking is very minimal, which means that many

of the seniors and guests will have to cross one of the busiest streets/intersections in San Clemente to park in shared parking across the street.

Quite frankly, the design is something one would see in Los Angeles or Long Beach, but not in our Spanish Village by the Sea. Yes, the state has put restrictions on cities, but is this really the best we can do?

Hopefully, our new city councilmembers will take the ethics course provided by the Fair Political Practices Commission, and the remaining city councilmembers will take the refresher course, so they understand the process and avoid the perception of conflict of interest and provide transparency.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

The List

Editor’s Pick

THURSDAY | 01

LET’S SKETCH AT THE PIER SHACK

9-11 a.m. Urban Sketchers San Clemente is inviting the community to sketch and paint seascapes, the snack shack at the San Clemente Pier, the pier Christmas tree and people. San Clemente Pier. facebook.com/sanclemente.sketcher.

CASA LUMINA HOLIDAY WALK

5-7 p.m. Casa Romantica invites the community to check out its magical garden walk with creative activities and more than 1,000 twinkling lights. Explore Casa Romantica’s historic seaside home and gardens, transformed into an illuminated and festively decorated winter wonderland at night. A fun, family-friendly experience for all, each night of the Casa Lumina Holiday Walk will include an illuminated walk through Casa Romantica, live entertainment from local artists, crafts including Letters to Santa, and hot cocoa. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. casaromantica.org.

FRIDAY | 02

HARBOR LIGHTS CRUISE

6 p.m.-7 p.m. Dana Wharf invites visitors to take a 60-minute boat ride around the Dana Point Harbor and enjoy holiday music and the light displays from both land and the sea. These family-friendly

and don’t miss Santa’s arrival to Downtown San Clemente, starting at the top of Del Mar, at around 4 p.m. san-clemente.org. scdba.org.

cruises are available on select weekend nights, including Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 16-18. Tickets for adults are $25 per person, children ages 3-12 are $15 per person, and toddlers ages 2 and under are $5 each. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danawharf.com/whale-watching.

SATURDAY | 03

SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. Those attending are encouraged to practice responsible social distancing. Face masks are not mandatory but are recommended. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA 9-11 a.m. Enjoy a catered breakfast along with a meet-and-greet with Santa. Children’s activities will also be featured. Tickets are $15 per person. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the

South Coast Area. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com.

BOAT RIDES WITH SANTA 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching will host the annual “Boat Rides with Santa” on Dec. 3-4. Take photos with Santa and his holiday helpers on this adventure at sea for a $5 donation, with proceeds supporting Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Reservations are required. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danawharf.com/whale-watching.

SANTA’S

JOLLY TROLLEY

1:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves from the City of Dana Point’s Recreation Division will ride the Jolly Trolley and stop at park locations and hand out pre-packaged treats for kids up to 12 years of age. Santa’s elves will also collect letters for Santa. The trolley will stop at Sunset Park from 1:30-2 p.m.; at Dana Woods Park from 2:30-3 p.m.; Sea Canyon Park from 3:30-4 p.m.; and La Plaza Park from 4:30-5:30 p.m. recreation@danapoint.org. 949.248.3536. danapoint.org.

San Juan Capistrano’s local theater. Another showing will be held later in the day at 7 p.m. Performances will run through Dec. 18. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.com.

LOW-COST PET VACCINE CLINIC

4-5:30 p.m. Pets Plus San Juan Capistrano is offering this clinic. There will be discounted vaccination packages, microchips, physical exams, prescription flea control, fecal exams and diagnostic testing available on-site. No appointment needed, and walk-ins are welcome. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. Pets Plus San Juan Capistrano, 32022 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 800.988.8387. vetcarepetclinic.com.

CAPISTRANO LIGHTS

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE

2 p.m. Watch a live performance of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol at

4-6 p.m. The annual holiday program will return with festive lights, music and audio tours. There will also be Christmas trees, a Nativity scene, carolers, photo opportunities and nightly tree lightings. Capistrano Lights will be open on select dates through Dec. 30. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. capistranolights.com.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

SATURDAY | 03 SANTA’S VILLAGE BY THE SEA AND PUTTIN’ ON THE GLITZ

4-8 p.m. The City of San Clemente and the San Clemente Downtown Business Association present this festive downtown holiday tradition along Avenida Del Mar. Music, food, hot chocolate, popcorn and other refreshments will be available. Other activities include unlimited games and Snow Hill access, cookie decorating, and crafts with a wristband. Enjoy late-hours shopping among the twinkling lights, carolers, street musicians, sweet treats and an artisans market. The city will also hold its tree lighting at the Community Center,

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

What’s going on in and around town this week

(Cont. from page 20)

LA PLAZA TREE LIGHTING

4:30-5:30 p.m. This tree-lighting event will feature carolers, hot chocolate and cookies. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. The countdown to light the tree will begin at 5:15. La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza St, Dana Point. 949.248.3536. danapoint.org.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE COTTAGE GALLERY

5-8 p.m. Los Rios Street art gallery The Cottage House invites the public to come celebrate the holidays, in conjunction with the City of San Juan Capistrano’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Expect cookies, music and fun. The Cottage Gallery, 31701 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.340.6693. cottagegalleryonlosrios.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

5:45 p.m. The City of San Juan Capistrano’s annual tradition will light up downtown. There will be entertainment held before the lighting, including a holiday musical show. Other holiday activities will follow the lighting. Historic Town Center Park, 31872 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.5911. sanjuancapistrano.org.

ASTRONOMY NIGHT

6-8 p.m. Bring the family out to the Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy in Rancho Mission Viejo to gaze out into the night sky and learn about stars and the solar system. Volunteer astronomers with The Nature Reserve will be on hand to let visitors look through telescopes, trace constellations and teach people about what they are seeing. It is recommended to bring warm clothes, flashlights, binoculars and beach chairs. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 8 to 17 years old. Sign up at thenaturereserve.org.

THE NORTH POLE AT LOS RIOS STREET

4:30-8:30 p.m. Venture down to one of California’s oldest streets after the City of San Juan Capistrano’s tree lighting ceremony for more seasonal festivities. Enjoy shopping for holiday gifts at local businesses, photos with Santa Claus, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting and other activities. The event is free to attend. Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano.

HOLIDAY MUSIC

THROUGH THE DECADES

7:30 p.m. Longtime San Clemente resident Mike Chamberlin will present holiday music from the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s with numerous fun sing-alongs. The event also may feature a special

appearance from Frosty the Snowman. Tickets are $20. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. cabrilloplayhouse.org.

SUNDAY | 04

FARMERS MARKET

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

STAND UP TO TRASH DECEMBER CLEANUP

9-11 a.m. Join Stand Up to Trash at Baby Beach and the Ocean Institute for a beach cleanup followed by a Lunch and Learn at the Ocean institute. Lunch Provided. Dana Point Harbor, 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. standuptotrash.com.

‘SLEIGH THE HOLIDAYS’ MARKET & FESTIVAL

11 a.m.-6 p.m. This curated holiday market on Del Prado will showcase local artisans and small businesses, as well as gourmet street food, specialty cocktail bars, live music, carolers, and a kids’ zone with activities for families. Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point. thepopupshoppesoc@gmail.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER

6 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Millertime Boogie will perform. StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point. 949.661.6003. danapointstillwater.com.

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Rock musician Fee Waybill will perform. Tickets are $35. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

MONDAY | 05

IMPROV MONDAYS WITH BOB BURNS & IMPROV CITY

4-5:30 p.m. Put on by the San Clemente-based Noble Path Foundation, teens between the ages of 13 and 18 can receive comedy lessons with professional actor Bob Burns & Improv City, where they’ll build confidence, stage presence, a funny bone and a chance to perform at Improv City. Sign up for these Monday classes at thenoblepathfoundation. org/social-activities/. The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.234.7259.

PINES PARK TREE LIGHTING

4:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves will be arriving at Pines Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for children up to 12 years of age. The event features carolers, hot chocolate and cookies. The tree lighting will take place at 5:15 p.m. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano. 949.248.3536. danapoint.org.

OPEN JAM

7-10 p.m. Play your own percussion, acoustic or electric instruments every Monday night at Knuckleheads. Amps are allowed, but drums are not. Knuckleheads, 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

TUESDAY | 06

TRIVIA TUESDAY

6:30 p.m. Test your knowledge every Tuesday night. Teams of two to six people are welcome to join in for a chance to win prizes. Call beforehand to reserve a table. Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria, 31781 Camino Capistrano, Suite 201, San Juan Capistrano. 949.429.3599. selmaspizza.com.

WEDNESDAY | 07

SAN ONOFRE PARKS FOUNDATION POP-UP SHOP

10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Historic Cottage and Visitor Center showcases local history, flora and fauna at this original 1934 ranger’s cottage. A rotating exhibit features the history of San Onofre. Stop in at the San Onofre Parks Foundation’s Pop-Up Shop to say hello, do a little shopping and learn more about the history of the local state parks at San Clemente and San Onofre State Beaches. Historic Cottage and Visitor Center is located within the San Clemente State Beach Campground at 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente. 949.366.8599. admin@sanoparks.org. sanoparks.org.

BINGO AT THE SENIOR CENTER 1:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, the Dorothy Visser Senior Center will host Bingo. The center will begin selling cards at 1 p.m., with the game starting promptly at 1:30. The buy-in is $12 for 10 games with four cards and a special pick-your-number game. For more information, contact the center at 949.498.3322. Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente.

BIKING CLUB FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS

5-6:30 p.m. Anyone have middle schoolto high school-aged kids who love to

bike? Community Outreach Alliance’s biking club meets every Wednesday afternoon at different trails, with professional biker and mentor Mike Russell from Freakshow Aloha. San Clemente High’s COA club, which hosts this free activity thanks to the Hardman Classic, has bikes and helmets for participants to borrow. To participate, fill out a registration form online at form.myjotform. com/91392099886576. For questions, call or text 949.795.4721. communityoutreachalliance.com/bike-club.

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE

6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge with friends or show up solo and join a team. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS

8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads is open for food, drinks and live music. Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

THURSDAY

‘BARKMAS’ AT BEACHFIRE

5-8 p.m. ’Tis the Season of Celebration and of Giving. Join Heer to Rescue, Inc. for loads of fun at Beachfire Bar & Grill. There will be a silent auction and items for purchase that would make great Christmas gifts, with all proceeds going to Heer to Rescue. Meet some of its adoptable dogs, and feel free to bring your dogs. Beachfire Bar & Grill is very dog-friendly. Food and drinks are available for purchase if you are interested. Come have your photo taken in the dog kissing booth and enjoy all the fun. This event is free of charge and open to the public, so grab your friends. Beachfire Bar & Grill, 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. heertorescue.org.

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

ATTORNEY

Aaron Lloyd Bankruptcy Attorney

2377 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.544.9355, lloydlegal.com

BODY MIND SPIRIT

ARE YOU HAPPY?

Let us assist you in creating a life plan for the life & relationships you want & deserve. Body Mind Spirit, 949.248.7377, bodymindspirit.com

DENTISTS

Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S.

3553 Camino Mira Costa, Suite B, San Clemente, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com

Want

Contact us for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, San Clemente, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY

Contact Lauralyn Loynes for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS

3West Environmental, Inc. www.3westenviro.com

Residential & commercial inspections for mold, asbestos and lead paint. 949.482.1357

MUSIC LESSONS

Rock Club Music School 73 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente, 949.463.1968, beachcitiesrockclub.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Raymond L. Wright Jr., DDS 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, San Clemente, (949)361-GUMS (4867), sanclementeperiodontics.com

Hamilton Le, D.M.D., F.A.C.P.

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

REALTORS

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes 949.293.3236, sandyandrich.com

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com

Want to be featured here?

Call 949.388.7700, ext. 102

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Call Lauralyn Loynes at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 or lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Rupert

TIMES

Are you looking for a loving and attentive com panion? Say hello to Rupert, an 8-month-old cutie with lots of love to give. Rupert is always ready to greet you with affection when you come home, but isn’t the clingy sort. He has a winning personality and gets along well with others.

Practically perfect in every way, Rupert is dressed to impress in his tuxedo and just can’t wait to meet you. Could this handsome guy be the one for you? If you are interested in adopting Rupert, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Com pleted forms can be emailed to animalservices@ scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment SC

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION:

FROM THE ARCHIVES

A seafood restaurant used to be at the end of the pier. Notice the swimmer at the far left—or is it the San Clemente Monster? This photo can be purchased from the San Clemente Historical Society at sanclementehistoricalsociety.org.

Every week, the San Clemente Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit, as well as the date and location of the photo to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com

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

Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente Historical Society

SAN CLEMENTE

Silver Sprint

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Following its historic first CIF-SS championship, the San Clemente boys cross country team had its eyes set on its first CIF State crown, and while the Tritons earned a couple more historic feats, the championship found itself in other hands.

Despite leading after the first mile and closing the gap in the third mile, San Clemente was edged out by Great Oak of Temecula, 67-80, to take runner-up silver in the CIF State Division I Championship on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Woodward Park in Fresno.

With the runner-up trophy, the Triton boys captured their first-ever piece of

state hardware and just the second piece of state hardware in program history, after the San Clemente girls won the Division I state title in 2011. The San Clemente boys also secured their first-ever berth to Nationals.

The Tritons will run in the Nike Cross Nationals this Saturday, Dec. 3, in Portland, Oregon. San Clemente is one of four teams from California and 22 from across the United States that will compete in the championships.

Last Saturday, while the Tritons’ top run

ners weren’t at the head of the lead pack, San Clemente held a slight edge over Great Oak through the first mile, 109-111.

By the end of the second mile, senior Juan Chantaca had pushed up to sixth and senior Rory Catsimanes came up to ninth, both ahead of Great Oak’s lead runner in 11th. However, Great Oak ran in a tight pack in 11th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 17th, while the next Tritons came in at 18th, 20th and 38th. Great Oak led, 70-91, after two miles.

Over the third and final mile, Great

Oak’s lead runner sprinted up to finish in ninth (15:23), just ahead of Chantaca in 10th (15:25). Catsimanes came swiftly behind to finish in 12th (15:27), and Great Oak’s second runner came in 16th to give San Clemente an early three-point lead.

Great Oak’s third runner came across in 18th, but junior Brett Ephraim stayed close in 21st (15:38) to maintain a slight two-point advantage. However, Great Oak’s final two runners sealed the title coming in back-to-back in 25th and 26th to beat out San Clemente’s fourth runner, senior Grant Sestak, by one second.

Sestak finished 30th (15:44), and junior Clark Pierce rounded out the Triton scor ers in 47th (16:02).

Chantaca earned All-State honors for his 10th-place run, his 10th top-10 finish in 11 races this season. Chantaca won the Orange County Championship in October and finished second in the CIFSS Division 1 Final.

In other local results, Dana Hills sophomore Evan Noonan won the CIF State Division III individual title, as the Dolphin boys took third. The Dana Hills girls finished fourth in Division III. The JSerra girls won their second straight CIF State Division IV championship.

Noonan and the JSerra girls team will join the San Clemente boys at the Nike Cross Nationals this Saturday. SC

San Clemente senior Rory Catsimanes was the second Triton runner across the line in Fresno, as San Clemente took the runner-up trophy at the CIF State Division I Championship. Photo: Courtesy of Jimmy Su Photo

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20226648799

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: DELAGRU

131 AVENIDA DE LA GRULLA, APT. A SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

Full Name of Registrant(s): THE CASKEY CREATIVE, LLC

131 AVENIDA DE LA GRULLA, APT. A SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672

This business is conducted by a California Limited Liability Company

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THE CASKEY CREATIVE, LLC/s/SETH CASKEY, SETH CASKEY, MANAGING MEMBER/MANGER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 11/14/2022

Published in: San Clemente Times December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2022

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20226648719

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CUBE RESIDENTIAL

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ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. HOMELOANLINK

1C. LETSMAKEANOFFER

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SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673

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The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/01/2007

/s/PETER SASO

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 11/10/2022

Published in: San Clemente Times Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 30-2022-01290291

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner AREEANA YVETTE RICHARDSON filed a peti tion with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present Name

AREEANA YVETTE RICHARDSON

Proposed Name

AREEANA YVETTE VELJANOVSKA

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing in dicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any per son objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the rea sons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing

Date: January 12, 2023 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: D100. Room: Remote Hearing. The address of the

court is Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Your hearing will be held REMOTELY via video at the date and time indicated on the notice or order to which this message is attached. You are NOT to physically ap pear at the courthouse on the date of your hearing.

To obtain instructions on how to appear remote ly for your hearing, you MUST do the following no later than the day before the hearing (or no later than Friday, if the hearing is on Monday): 1. Go to the Court’s website at www.occourts.org; 2. Click on the “COVID-19” button; 3. Click on the “Civil” button; 4. Click on the “Remote Hearing Instructions” button; 5. Follow the instructions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or your witnesses, do not have the ability to access the court’s web site above, or are unable to follow the instructions on the Court’s website, or are otherwise unable to appear remotely, you MUST call the courtroom or call (657) 622-8513, prior to your hearing, to re quest an alternate means to appear. Failure to do so may result in your case being dismissed, or a ruling issued against you.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be pub lished at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the peti tion in the following newspaper of general circula tion, printed in this county: San Clemente Times Date: 11/07/2022

JUDGE LAYNE H. MELZER, Judge of the Supe rior Court

Published: San Clemente Times, November 17, 24, December 1, 8, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 30-2022-01289860-CU-PT-CJC

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner TA YUNG LIU (with variation TA-YUNG LIU) filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present Name

TA YUNG LIU (with variation TA-YUNG LIU)

Proposed Name TAYUNG LIU

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing in dicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any per son objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the rea sons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing

Date: January 12, 2023 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: D100. Room: Remote Appearance. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Your hearing will be held REMOTELY via video at the date and time indicated on the notice or order to which this message is attached. You are NOT to physically appear at the courthouse on the date of your hearing. To obtain instructions on how to appear remotely for your hearing, you MUST do the following no later than the day before the hearing (or no later than Friday, if the hearing is on Monday): 1. Go to the Court’s website at www. occourts.org; 2. Click on the “COVID-19” button; 3. Click on the “Civil” button; 4. Click on the “Re mote Hearing Instructions” button; 5. Follow the instructions. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or

your witnesses, do not have the ability to access the court’s website above, or are unable to follow the instructions on the Court’s website, or are other wise unable to appear remotely, you MUST call the courtroom or call (657) 622-8513, prior to your hearing, to request an alternate means to appear. Failure to do so may result in your case being dis missed, or a ruling issued against you.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be pub lished at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the peti tion in the following newspaper of general circula tion, printed in this county: San Clemente Times Date: 11/01/2022

JUDGE LAYNE H. MELZER, Judge of the Supe rior Court

Published: San Clemente Times, November 17, 24, December 1, 8, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20226648231

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CALIFORNIA SOLAR PLUS 11140 LOS ALAMITOS BLVD STE 201 LOS ALAMITOS, CA 90720

ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. 562 MARKETING

Full Name of Registrant(s): LMC PARTNERS, INC. 5534 E MONLACO RD LONG BEACH, CA 90808

This business is conducted by a CA Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A

LMC PARTNERS, INC/s/JESSE RIVERA, JESSE RIVERA, PRESIDENT

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 11/04/2022 Published in: San Clemente Times Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20226648340

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SOUL & BONES 23 WINDGATE

ALISO VIEJO, CA 92656

Full Name of Registrant(s): CALEB JOSHUA KETCHAM 23 WINDGATE ALISO VIEJO, CA 92656

This business is conducted by an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A /s/CALEB KETCHAM

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 11/07/2022

Published in: San Clemente Times Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20226648082

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CALL YOU LATER

918 E BALSAM AVE APT D ANAHEIM, CA 92805

Full Name of Registrant(s): CALL YOU LATER LLC

918 E BALSAM AVE APT D ANAHEIM, CA 92805

This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liabil ity Company

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a

CALL YOU LATER LLC/s/TAISS HERNANDEZ, TAISS HERNANDEZ, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF FICER

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 11/02/2022

Published in: San Clemente Times Nov 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 30-2022-1274769

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner

CHARISSA ANN LILLIAN SCHUBERT ELDER filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present Name

CHARISSA ANN LILLIAN SCHUBERT ELDER

Proposed Name

CHARISSA LILLIAN SCHUBERT ELDER

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hear ing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be grant ed. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no writ ten objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing

Date: December 15, 2022 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: D100. Room: Remotely. The address of the court is Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Your hearing will be held REMOTELY via video at the date and time indicated on the notice or order to which this mes sage is attached. You are NOT to physically appear at the courthouse on the date of your hearing. To obtain instructions on how to appear remotely for your hearing, you MUST do the following no later than the day before the hearing (or no later than Friday, if the hearing is on Monday): 1. Go to the Court’s website at www.occourts.org; 2. Click on the “COVID-19” button; 3. Click on the “Civil” but ton; 4. Click on the “Remote Hearing Instructions” button; 5. Follow the instructions.

IMPORTANT

NOTE: If you or your witnesses, do not have the ability to access the court’s website above, or are un able to follow the instructions on the Court’s web site, or are otherwise unable to appear remotely, you MUST call the courtroom or call (657) 622-8513, prior to your hearing, to request an alternate means to appear. Failure to do so may result in your case being dismissed, or a ruling issued against you.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be pub lished at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the peti tion in the following newspaper of general circula tion, printed in this county: San Clemente Times Date: 10/20/2022

JUDGE LAYNE H. MELZER, Judge of the Supe rior Court

Published: San Clemente Times, November 10, 17, 24, December 1, 2022

Andino Leads a San Clemente Charge in Santa Cruz

With a win at the Cold Water Classic at the iconic Steamer Lane, Kolohe Andino will start 2023 with plenty of momentum

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

inning takes talent; to re peat takes character,” bas ketball coaching icon John Wooden famously said.

More than a decade ago, San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino wrapped up a breakout year on the WSL Qualifying Series with a win at the 2011 Fantastic Noodles Kangaroo Island Pro (quite possibly the best name of a surf contest ever).

He won five events that season en route to qualifying for the 2012 Championship Tour.

After 11 years of ups and downs, injuries and Olympic appearances, Andino found himself back on top of the podium earlier this month, when he won the O’Neill Cold Water Classic at Santa Cruz’s legendary Steamer Lane.

After a week of gritty, clutch performances, Andino saved the best for last. Andino put in one of the highest scoring heats of the event, dispatching longtime friend Ian Crane in the semifinals, before facing fellow Californian Taro Watanabe in the final.

Following a tight, back-and-forth

exchange to start the heat, Andino sat in second place and needed a high score to take the win. Then, as the ocean sometimes does, things went flat for the better part of 20 minutes.

Finally, a set showed on the horizon, and Andino took full advantage. He took the lead with a crisply surfed 7.23, as it all came down to a paddle battle for priority and one more wave. Tapping into a clean, running 4-footer, Andino unleashed a series of searing turns to get the score and take the win.

“I love coming here to Santa Cruz; it’s such a beautiful place and to win this event and add my name to the long list

of gnarly Lane surfers is rad,” Andino told the WSL when it was over. “To have a flurry at the end was really exciting. If Taro gets to the Tour one day, he’ll do some damage.”

With a little momentum on his side, Andino will step back onto the Championship Tour stage next year, when the Billabong Pro Pipeline kicks o in Hawaii at the end of January.

“I’ve planned a three- or four-month o season training program,” Andino continued. “I was really inspired after my performance on tour last year and want to do really good. I think I’m right where I need to be.”

On the women’s side of the draw, Florida’s Zoe Benedetto was able to hold o a hard-charging group of girls from San Clemente to take the win. In the quarterfinals, Benedetto drew Mia McLeish and barely advanced by less than a point.

The final was an all-teenage a air, as 17-year-old Benedetto faced o against 15-year-old Bella Kenworthy. The Floridian put a 7-point score on the board early and never really looked back. It was Benedetto’s first time competing at the legendary Santa Cruz venue.

“I’m so excited to win here,” she said after the win. “Surfing against one of my best friends, Bella, was amazing, and she pushes my surfing to its best. Thank you so much to the local community here and coming out; it was a really great event.”

This week, the Haleiwa Challenger event is running on the island of Oahu with a host of local talent in the draw, including Crosby Colapinto, Kei Kobayashi, Cole Houshmand, Kirra Pinkerton and Sawyer Lindblad.

The outcome of this contest will finalize the field of competitors for the 2023 Championship Tour season, which, as mentioned, kicks o at Pipeline at the end of January. SC

Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation

SURF FORECAST

GROM OF THE WEEK

WAYLON BRENNAN

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

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If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com.

Water Temperature: e rees Water Visibility and Conditions: an e ente ata ina

Thursday: o bination of nort est s e and secondary sout s e sets u t i to sto ac i surf . i t sout sout east inds in t e ornin s ift to a sout sout est sea bree e in t e afternoon.

Outlook: si i ar s e co bination continues for t e rest of t e ee aintainin t i to sto ac i one aves riday t rou unday. ontinued i t sout er y inds riday ornin fo o ed by i t ester y inds in t e afternoon. ee end sees i t variab e ornin inds turn to a i t sea bree e in t e afternoon.

(From left) Bella Kenworthy and Kolohe Andino, San Clemente standouts at the Cold Water Classic, are all smiles a ter a runner up nish and a in respectivel . Photo: Courtesy of Jason Kenworthy

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY CAPISTRANO VALLEY TOYOTA

a lon rennan.

Photo: Courtesy of the Brennan Family