June 24, 2022

JUNE 24-JULY 7, 2022 | VOLUME 20, ISSUE 12

INSIDE: Special Section

At a Standstill

Daily Traffic Gridlock Causes Difficulties for San Juan Capistrano Residents E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 3

Frequent heavy traffic on Ortega Highway causes some nearby San Juan Capistrano residents to take a back route when they want to travel throughout town. Photo: Collin Breaux

thecapistranodispatch.com

Council Appoints Anna Dickinson to Planning Commission

‘Summer of Golf’ Examines Sport’s Post-Pandemic Boom

Editor’s Pick: Fourth of July Celebration

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 8

SPORTS/PAGE 30

GETTING OUT/PAGE 23

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24–July 7, 2022

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EYE ON SJC

School; Mission Basilica School; OCASA College Prep; St. Margaret’s Episcopal School; Capistrano Valley Christian School; Capistrano Union High School; Kinoshita Elementary School; Marco Forster Middle School; Del Obispo Elementary School, Fairmont School; and JSerra High School,” Siegel said in an email. “For a community of our size, this is a very high concentration of schools, and with them comes significant traffic during the school year. During summer, winter and spring breaks, the traffic volume is considerably lighter.”

Siegel also pointed to the downtown at-grade rail crossing on Del Obispo Street, which interrupts traffic flow and traffic signal coordination any time there is an Amtrak, Metrolink or freight train passing through.

“The high traffic volume at the Ortega Highway/I-5 Freeway interchange creates downstream congestion at the intersection of Ortega Highway and Del Obispo Street,” Siegel said. “This results in a long queue that extends along Del Obispo Street, from Ortega Highway to Camino Capistrano.”

Even though the Staffords also avoid the Ortega Highway area and instead take Calle Arroyo to get to other parts of San Juan Capistrano, that back route— which has soccer and softball fields, along with horseback riding trails— presents challenges of its own.

“That little stretch, which is supposed to be kind of a quiet road, is now becoming one of the main roads to get in and out of our neighborhood, because Ortega is impossible to get out of,” Shane Stafford said. “In the afternoons, it’s kind of dangerous—not in a bad way for the cars—for the kids, because there’s a ton of softball practices, soccer practices, games on the weekends.”

Ric Franzi, who also lives along Ortega Highway and opposed the In-N-Out restaurant on Del Obispo Street, is similarly irritated with local traffic congestion. He, too, tends to avoid Ortega Highway due to gridlock that can build up in the mornings and evenings.

“The traffic is outrageous,” Franzi said.

“I end up having to backtrack through my neighborhood and going down to La Novia Avenue.”

Franzi called traffic build-up a “dangerous situation,” particularly when parents pick kids up from school during the school year. Conditions tend to be so rough that Franzi generally avoids going to the DeNault’s ACE Hardware store on Del Obispo Street during high traffic times, and instead goes to Home Depot in Mission Viejo. The route may be longer, but it is a more predictable trip, Franzi said.

“It’s unfortunate, because I want to spend my money in town,” Franzi said.

“Adding Chick-fil-A has only made it worse. Changing the supermarket to a

Frequent traffic gridlock on Del Obispo Street is a vexation for San Juan Capistrano residents attempting to travel through the town. Photo: Collin Breaux

What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

San Juan Capistrano Residents Express Frustrations over Constant Traffic Build-Up

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Even though married couple Rebecca and Shane Stafford live 50 feet from Ortega Highway, they rarely use the corridor to travel throughout San Juan Capistrano.

Instead—like some other local residents—they use a back way to Calle Arroyo if they want to get to other parts of the city from their Mission Springs neighborhood. Daily traffic gridlock in San Juan Capistrano is an exasperating ordeal for the Staffords, as it is for many San Juan residents.

“Just trying to get across town from 2:30 to 3:30 (p.m.), it’s just gridlock, trying to get over the freeway. St. Margaret’s (Episcopal School) is getting out at the same time,” Rebecca Stafford said. “It’s just hard to move around.”

Shane Stafford said trying to get their kids to school across town at Mission Basilica School, from their home near the intersection of Ortega Highway and Antonio Parkway, is an “absolute nightmare.”

“We moved in July 2013 from Laguna Niguel. Back then, it wasn’t too bad,” Shane Stafford said. “There was some construction going on, but it really wasn’t that bad. Since then, the traffic has gotten exponentially worse.”

The local community’s grievances over traffic came into focus earlier this The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

year when the City Council discussed and ultimately approved allowing an In-N-Out Burger location on Del Obispo Street, provided the company meets conditional requirements relating to the site’s design. A potential opening of a new In-N-Out location at the current Marie Callender’s site earned widespread scorn among San Juan residents because of concerns the drive-through restaurant will add to traffic congestion.

The Staffords and other residents sent letters to councilmembers opposing the restaurant before the vote.

The Del Obispo Street corridor near Ortega Highway—a segment derisively nicknamed “Fast Food Alley” by some local residents due to the number of fast-food locations in the area—is another area where traffic tends to build up, particularly on weekday afternoons during the school year, when children leave campus at the end of the school day.

When asked about San Juan’s traffic issues by The Capistrano Dispatch, City Manager Ben Siegel said there are a few unique challenges facing San Juan Capistrano when it comes to downtown traffic—including the numerous public and private schools in the area.

“Just off the top of my head, these would include San Juan Elementary Page 3

Target has made it worse.”

Another factor adding to San Juan’s traffic woes is how the city has become a popular tourist and recreational spot as new local non-fast food restaurants open and events have returned following the easing of pandemic restrictions.

“San Juan Capistrano is a historic, destination community and was not master-planned (i.e., unlike Irvine and some of the newer South County cities). There is limited roadway capacity both on Del Obispo and on Camino Capistrano between Del Obispo Street and Acjachema Street (i.e., one lane in each direction),” Siegel said. “Further, Camino Capistrano is the only north-south corridor west of the I-5 Freeway. It is infeasible to widen lanes or add dedicated turning lanes without impacting businesses and other established uses along these arterials.”

Siegel went on to say that recent data suggests that current traffic on Del Obispo is actually less than it was in 2018.

“As part of the In-N-Out environmental analysis, a traffic study was performed that showed a total of 1,774 trips on Del Obispo between Camino Capistrano and Ortega Highway during the weekday peak afternoon/evening hour in September 2021 (i.e., during the school year and post- COVID lockdowns),” Siegel said. “A similar study was conducted in April 2018 (i.e., pre-COVID) as part of the Chick-fil-A environmental analysis, showing a weekday peak afternoon/evening traffic volume of 1,958 trips at this same roadway segment, or 184 more than in September 2021.”

“Of course, this is just one roadway segment, and there are likely multiple explanations, but it is an important data point to consider when faced with anecdotal observations of increased traffic along this stretch,” Siegel continued.

Potential solutions or mitigation strategies suggested by the Staffords include no more building or development past Antonio Parkway. Rebecca Stafford also recommended drivers find a travel route alternate to Ortega Highway—or at least slowing down their travel speed.

“The biggest issue is all the building that they’ve done out there—Rancho Mission Viejo, Sendero, Esencia,” Shane Stafford said. “All those neighborhoods (are) pretty neighborhoods, but they’ve all just funneled down Ortega.”

Shane Stafford, like other residents, would also prefer a sit-down restaurant at the Marie Callender’s location instead of another drive-through food place.

Steps that have been taken by the City of San Juan Capistrano—as mentioned

by Siegel—include synchronizing traffic signals along Del Obispo Street from Alipaz Street and the I-5 Freeway ramps; the addition of a second left-turn lane from Del Obispo onto Camino Capistrano, which has reduced traffic queue (Cont. on page 6) thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

San Juan Capistrano officials are looking at updating the city seal, which currently depicts Saint Junipero Serra embracing a young native boy. Photo: Collin Breaux

Mayor Derek Reeve Gives Swallow Design Recommendation for New City Seal

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Details for what a potential new city seal for San Juan Capistrano could look like are currently up in the air, but one aspect that could be included is a swallow bird, given its association with the city related to their annual migration to San Juan and inspiration for the name of the big Swallows Day Parade celebration.

Mayor Derek Reeve is encouraging a particular type of swallow bird be included in a new seal design—specifically, the split-tale swallow.

The City Council approved Reeve’s recommendations during a meeting on Tuesday, June 21, by a 3-1 vote. Reeve, Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart, and Councilmember John Taylor voted for the recommendation. Councilmember Sergio Farias voted no, because he did not want to set parameters on The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

suggestions from the local community.

Councilmember Troy Bourne abstained from voting on the matter due to similar reasons.

“I don’t want to limit the scope of what we’re getting from the public,” Farias said.

Discussion has come up with some San Juan residents over what type of swallow bird should be included in a new seal design, and whether fork-tail swallows are representative of San Juan. Some depictions of swallows, including one on a default design proposed by Bourne, do not show the bird having a split tail.

“For some reason, about five to 10 years ago, there has been this growing myth that the split-tail swallow does not actually exist in San Juan Capistrano. It is more of a myth than reality,”

Reeve said. “I just wanted to again say— for the sake of the public, if anyone doubts—there are, in fact, split-tale swallows native to the region and San Juan Capistrano.”

The city is considering updating the town’s seal, which currently features Saint Junipero Serra—considered integral to the founding of San Juan Capistrano because of his role in establishing Mission San Juan Capistrano, a local landmark—hugging a young Indigenous boy, after Bourne and Farias initially brought up changing the design in December 2021.

The stated reason for changing the seal is because the current one does not show up well on a smartphone, and a more streamlined design would look better on such devices. However, Serra’s legacy has come under scrutiny in Page 4

recent times due to his treatment of native people and perceived role in their genocide—matters alluded to during previous and tense discussions among councilmembers.

Reeve said Serra’s controversial history would not be discussed during Tuesday’s meeting.

The public is currently welcome to send in design recommendations. Other suggested details for a new seal include depictions of the Mission, the Juaneno/ Acjachemen people who are native to San Juan, and the city’s equestrian culture.

Discussion on a new seal design is expected to be presented to the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission in July for consideration. City staff will then formulate recommendations to present to the City Council in August. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24–July 7, 2022

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EYE ON SJC

(Cont. from page 3) length; a free weekend trolley service that began in 2015; and the facilitation of more parking spots in the downtown and Los Rios Street areas.

The city will continue to “seek opportunities to reduce congestion in the downtown,” Siegel said.

The widening of Ortega Highway—a Caltrans project that will increase the number of lanes on Ortega Highway from two lanes to four lanes from Calle Entradero to 150 feet east of the city/ county boundary—is also on the horizon, but it will be awhile from becoming a tangible reality. The project will provide one additional 12-foot lane in each direction, according to the project’s website.

“The project is currently in its design phase. It completed detailed ground surveys of the project site in May 2022,” Caltrans spokesperson Elizabeth Manzo said. “The team is working on updating its base map files. The phase is currently 5% complete.”

The widening has been discussed for at least a decade.

In related news coming from a City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 21, Mayor Derek Reeve brought up potentially directing city staff to undertake a study that could lead to prohibiting new

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

Frequent heavy traffic on Ortega Highway causes some nearby San Juan Capistrano residents to take a back route when they want to travel throughout town. Photo: Collin Breaux

drive-through restaurants on Del Obispo Street, but the matter did not move forward due to a lack of support from other councilmembers.

“We had this discussion on the City Council over In-N-Out Burger. We’ve had a number of former councilmembers that were very hostile to the idea of any new drive-throughs, particularly on Del Obispo,” Reeve said. “The more I thought about it, this is one of those issues where if you do a poll or vote of some sort with residents of San Juan Capistrano

and asked if they want to ban further drive-throughs, I think the overwhelming number of residents would say they don’t want more fast food restaurants.”

Reeve also brought up differentiating between traditional drive-through lanes and parking spots for customers who order food from a phone or computer app and then go pick it up from a restaurant, the latter of which became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent temporary shutdowns and restrictions on indoor dining.

Page 6

Councilmember Troy Bourne said he was opposed to outright banning new drive-through restaurants on Del Obispo Street or anywhere else.

“I respect a previous council’s decision to make it more difficult, to where it was no longer by right where it used to be,” Bourne said in reference to the discretionary and conditional-use permits that led to In-N-Out’s approval. “I can appreciate why a certain area of town might require that, but (Reeve’s) own example we’re having here today is the whole industry changed and shifted two years ago in ways that never would have been foreseen by a council 10 years earlier, who wouldn’t have foreseen that no one would have been able to go into a restaurant.”

“We don’t know what’s going to happen five years from now or 10 years from now, so it feels to me like I have to trust the future City Councils as much as they trusted us,” Bourne continued.

“If someone comes and they want to turn the auto parts store into a drivethrough—that sounds like it’s going to be a combative public hearing, and they’ll have to make a compelling case for why that’s the case—but we can’t look 10 years into the future to understand whether or not it’s a good case or a bad case.”

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Council Approves Awarding Construction Contract for Camino Capistrano Roadwork

BY COLLIN BREAUX

A portion of Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano—stretching from the southern city limits near Dana Point to the northern limits at Laguna Niguel—will undergo long-awaited street rehabilitation work expected to begin in September and wrap up before the end of this year.

As part of facilitating the project, the City Council approved awarding a construction contract to R.J. Noble Company during a meeting on Tuesday, June 21.

R.J. Noble was the lowest bidder at $7.4 million and has previously handled other pavement projects, including in the Meredith Canyon neighborhood.

“The Camino Capistrano Pavement Rehabilitation Project will be resurfacing approximately 2½ miles of Camino Capistrano from the northern units to the southerly units,” City Engineer Joe Parco said during a presentation to the council. “The project will also include sections of Stonehill Drive between Camino Capistrano and the Dana Point border, Avenida Aeropuerto between Camino Capistrano and the railroad track, and Ortega Highway between Camino Capistrano and El Camino Real.”

Construction work will be done at night in order to mitigate traffic impact on the “heavily traveled traffic area on the southerly part of the city and in the downtown area,” according to Parco.

The Camino Capistrano project is the starting point for an ambitious and long-

term plan by the city to upgrade local streets following years of neglected maintenance, which is said to be attributed to a lack of available funds. Recent federal funding obtained as part of intended COVID-19 pandemic mitigation will go toward overall street rehabilitation goals, which is scheduled in phases throughout the city for the coming years.

A lack of street maintenance has previously been a sore spot for some residents and city officials. Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart, in particular, has advocated for more street maintenance and called it the “blocking and tackling” of local government, using a football metaphor to emphasize its importance.

“The project scope of work generally includes the removal of existing failed pavement and construction of new pavement surface,” an agenda report said of the Camino Capistrano project.

“The project entails grading, excavation, saw-cutting, milling of existing street asphalt concrete pavement, reconstruction of existing non-compliant ramps, removal and replacement of damaged curb, gutter and sidewalk, signing and striping, and adjustment of existing manholes, pull boxes and valve covers, to match the new pavement surface grade.”

Pavement rehabilitation of the section of Camino Capistrano located between Junipero Serra Road and the Trabuco Creek Bridge will be done under a separate contract since it is funded by

Street pavement improvements are scheduled for Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano this year, spanning from the Dana Point to Laguna Niguel city limits. Photo: Collin Breaux

Capo Unified Board Halts Placing Dana Hills Bond Measure on November Election Ballot

BY COLLIN BREAUX

A proposed bond measure that would have funded facility upgrades for Dana Hills High School will not go on the General Election ballot this November following a 3-3 split vote by the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on June 15.

District officials had considered placing the measure on the ballot, allowing Dana Point voters to decide whether to levy taxes on property owners so buildings at Dana Hills High—which opened in 1973—could be updated to match state seismic safety standards.

The state does not provide funding for school facility needs, necessitating the use of bonds and other fiscal sources.

Trustees Gila Jones, Judy Bullockus, and Lisa Davis voted no. Board President Martha McNicholas and Trustees Amy Hanacek and Krista Castellanos voted yes.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

The seat for Area 2, which covers Ladera Ranch and portions of San Juan Capistrano, is vacant after former Trustee Pamela Braunstein resigned earlier this year. Braunstein, in her resignation, cited safety concerns that stemmed from harassment over her support for pandemic-related health measures.

A special election to fill the seat will be held in November.

Recent polling showed the proposed bond measure did not get enough support to meet a required voter threshold of 55%. Other bond measures proposed over recent years have also failed to garner enough voter support.

Trustees were presented with two potential bond measures to consider—one that proposed a $34 tax levy for $100,000 of assessed property value or another to levy $20 per $100,000 of Page 7

a combination of federal funds in the amount of $200,000 and local funds in the amount of $400,000, the report said.

City staff reportedly anticipates returning to the City Council for approval of that construction contract in October since they are currently finalizing preparation of required documents for submittal to Caltrans in order to secure authorization, due to federally funded projects requiring Caltrans approval.

Based on the bid amount from R.J. Noble, staff anticipates project savings that will go toward pavement rehabilitation efforts for San Juan Creek Road (immediately east of Camino Capistrano

to Valle Road) and potential segments of Valle Road, the report said.

“The portion of Camino Capistrano between La Zanja Street and Oso Road was rehabilitated in summer 2016,” the report said. “This section of roadway is currently in very good condition and will not require preventative maintenance or pavement rehabilitation efforts for several years.”

Councilmembers did not extensively comment on the contract or project at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Great job, and the numbers look really good,” Reeve said to Parco. “We’re really excited. We’re looking forward to it.”

assessed value.

The $20 option was estimated to generate $98 million that would have partially funded the renovations planned at Dana Hills High. The $34 option was projected to give the district about $171 million to fully fund desired renovations at the high school.

The trustees took up the vote for the $34 tax levy.

While Jones said she’d like to see a bond get passed, she didn’t believe this was the time to put a measure on the ballot.

“I will vote for it another time. I cannot vote for it to go on the November ballot,” Jones said. “I will vote for it at the next possible opportunity. It has not polled high enough to pass—certainly not at the $34 per $100,000 level. I wish it would, and I would vote for it.”

Previous polling has “always told us the truth,” and election results for school bond measures have never been better than prior poll data, Jones added.

Bullockus and Davis said they agreed with Jones, noting the tough sell for a

bond amid the current economic conditions and high inflation.

Expressing her support for the bond measure, McNicholas said the school district currently can’t “even keep the air conditioning working” at Dana Hills High.

“I really think we need to let the voters decide whether they want to pass this or not,” McNicholas said. “I think we need to get it out there. I think we have an enthusiastic community that will help us do better than our previous polling numbers. I think we are in a liability situation with the seismic (conditions).

We can’t say, ‘No, we aren’t going to do anything.’ We really have to do this.”

Dana Hills High students and parents at the meeting spoke in favor of a bond measure, saying they have to deal with old facilities with chipped paint and mold in portable classrooms. Supporters of the bond also said schools in other neighboring districts have adequate facilities after instituting bond measures.

“We’ll figure out another way,” McNicholas said. “I’m sorry.” thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Saturday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The first iteration of the performances was held last year and humorously depicted the early days of San Juan.

CD | Shea Center Honors

San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Susan Chaney-Purel Susan Chaney-Purel, chairperson of the J.S. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center’s board, will be honored by the equestrian therapy center during their annual gala on Saturday, June 25.

Chaney-Purel will receive the 2022 Michael Lewis Friends of Disabled Award, which the Shea Center said is their highest award.

“The award, named after the Shea Center’s first rider, celebrates the contributions of individuals, organizations, families, and companies that significantly impact the lives of people with disabilities at the Shea Center and in the greater community,” a news release said.

Chaney-Purel is a lifelong equestrian who has lived in San Juan Capistrano for more than 35 years. She first came to the Shea Center in 2009 as a lesson volunteer.

“Her horsemanship and passion for Shea’s clients quickly led to her certification as a therapeutic riding instructor,” the news release said. “Susan went on to chair the Drive to Ride campaign and has been part of the Gala, BBQ, endowment, and executive committees. This has led to her third term as the Shea Center’s board chair.”

Shea Center CEO Dana Butler-Moburg said Chaney-Purel has guided the Shea Center through “unprecedented times” with “characteristic modesty and graciousness.”

“Her example of servant leadership inspires optimism throughout the organization,” Butler-Moburg said. “Susan keeps her eyes on our mission and encourages staff and volunteers to chart new paths that positively transform the future of the Shea Center for our clients.”

The gala will be held at the Pacific Lawn of Montage Laguna Beach.

Short historical plays about San Juan Capistrano will be held in Los Rios Park in July and August. Photo: Collin Breaux

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

CD | City Appoints Anna

Dickinson to Planning Commission Following a vacancy on the Planning Commission left by the resignation of former Chairman Harrison Taylor, Anna Dickinson will now fill the role.

The City Council approved the appointment of Dickinson on Tuesday, June 21, as recommended by a mayoral subcommittee of Mayor Derek Reeve and Councilmember Troy Bourne. The Planning Commission advises the City Council on local decisions and matters.

Dickinson frequently attends City Council and other community meetings and comes to the Planning Commission directly from a spot on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission, another vacancy the city will look to fill.

Taylor resigned on April 1 to focus on his “growing family and new career opportunities,” according to a statement he issued afterward.

In other news from the meeting, it was announced the city will enter into negotiations with Frontier Real Estate Investments for extended use of the Northwest Open Space. Frontier Real Estate Investments is headed by local developer Dan Almquist and was one of three final candidates under consideration for additional uses of the space, which could include equestrian components and a The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

crop garden.

The council also approved a resolution of intention for sale of a city-owned portion of property on Paseo Adelanto to Jamboree Housing to facilitate a new City Hall and affordable housing site at the current City Hall site. In addition, the council declared a vacancy on the city’s Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission, following the resignation of former Commissioner Stephanie Heredia on June 7. The city will also look to fill that vacancy, with the eventual appointed commissioner serving the remainder of the term through March 31, 2023.

CD | Outdoor Theater

Returns to Los Rios Park This Summer Summer visitors to Los Rios Park will again get the chance to enjoy live theater when performances of A Fast Train to Capistrano will be staged on July 16 and 23, August 6 during the Festival of Butterflies, and August 20 and 27.

The short performances will be produced by Round About Players and underwritten by The Alliance for San Juan Art (TASJA), a nonprofit founded by resident Rich Heimann to promote more public art. The Round About Players was formed by theater producers Tom Scott, Beverly Blake and Gary McCarver in 2020 to “bring historical stories to life in short plays performed on the streets and parks in San Juan Capistrano,” according to a news release.

There will be two performances each

CD | Assistance League of

Capistrano Valley Returns $249,000 to Community Over the past year, Assistance League of Capistrano Valley (ALCV) returned more than $249,000 to the local community through its various philanthropic programs, the volunteer organization recently announced in a news release.

Funds have gone toward clothing and supplies for children; scholarships for high school seniors in military families and single parents enrolled in the Saddleback College CalWorks program; midPage 8

COMMUNITY MEETINGS SATURDAY, JUNE 25

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, JUNE 28

Design Review Committee 4:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Design Review Committee will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.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, drug abuse, disrespect), will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference.

For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 1

Coffee Chat 8:30 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. The first Friday session of the month will be held virtually via Zoom video conference; all other Friday forums will take place in person at Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano, 31761 Camino Capistrano. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for information.

FRIDAY, JULY 8

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

dle school teachers; and families of the Afghanistan bombing victims who were based out of Camp Pendleton.

“Volunteers work year-round ensuring the needs of local children and families are met,” ALCV’s announcement said.

“ALCV’s 200 members contributed over 16,380 volunteer hours last year.”

ALCV volunteers manage and staff the Bargain Box Thrift Store in San Clemente, which is the primary source of revenue for funding programs.

“In over 40 years of service, ALCV has given back over $5.5 million to the community,” the news release said. thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON RMV

Fresh Goods: A Look at the Farmers Market in Rancho Mission Viejo

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

O

n the first Saturday of every month, a farmers market is held in Rancho Mission Viejo at The Pavilion (2 Tierno Road) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce. Farmers, cottage producers, food trucks and craft vendors sell locally produced food and other items, according to the Chamber.

Some of the selections sold by the more than 40 vendors include wildcaught seafood; dairy, eggs and vegan butter; flower bundles; pasta and pies; hummus; local honey; pet treats; and artwork, photography and accessories.

“The produce is grown locally using sustainable methods to reduce climate impact—much is organic,” the Chamber’s event description said. “The small batch specialty producers make their products nearby using only the highest quality ingredients.”

The event is open to the public, and playtime for kids is available inside The Pavilion Gym during the event. Live music sometimes also is featured.

The next upcoming farmers market will be on July 2. Follow the Farmers Market on The Ranch page on Instagram for updates and more information. CD

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

EVENTS AT THE RANCH JUNE 25

Astronomy Night 9-11 p.m. Look up into the sky at The Nature Reserve and learn about constellations from the area’s volunteer astronomers. Attendees are welcome to bring binoculars and beach chairs. The event will be at The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, and participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 24. Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 8-17.

Sign up at thenaturereserve.org.

JUNE 27-JULY 1

A variety of healthy produce and food is available at the monthly farmers market in Rancho Mission Viejo. Photos: Courtesy of Rancho Mission Viejo

Page 9

Summer Day Camp for Kids 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Nature Reserve is hosting a summer camp for children ages 6-11 in which kids can learn about nature, finding food, establishing shelter, and more outdoor skills.

Campers will also get to explore trails and play areas. Activities such as games and hands-on projects will reinforce daily lessons. Cost is $220 per camper.

Sign up at thenaturereserve.org.

thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | Citizens’ Climate Education by Larry Kramer

Bipartisan Federal Climate Legislation Enacted

W

hile it is important that individuals take climate change into their decisions, acts by individuals alone will not be enough. It will take governmental action at all levels—from city, county, state, and federal—to make the right decisions.

And since climate change is global, other countries must also act.

Our own federal government has been slow to act but has passed some CITIZENS’ CLIMATE legislation moving EDUCATION us in the right direcBY LARRY KRAMER tion. Despite what is reported as little bipartisan action, some significant bipartisan legislation has been signed into law, including the following: The Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions (SCALE) Act helps develop carbon capture and storage infrastructure as a way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions while creating regional economic opportunities and jobs.

The Using Significant Emissions and Innovative Technologies (USE It) Act will boost carbon capture and direct air capture technologies.

The Better Energy Storage and Technology (BEST) Act will provide research and development for grid-scale energy storage systems and authorize at least five demonstration projects for new energy storage technologies.

The Climate-Ready Fisheries Act will require a report to be prepared about efforts to adapt our nation’s fisheries to the impact of climate change.

The RECLAIM Act will help distressed coal communities by fast-tracking $1 billion in funding to clean up abandoned coal mines, creating thousands of jobs in the process.

In addition, the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contains many features beneficial to the climate: a. Truck stop electrification, trail facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, street lighting, electric vehicle charging and port electrification.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Collin Breaux • 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING Debra Wells • 949.388.7700, x104 debra@wellsadsolutions.com DISTRIBUTION Racks, Driveways, Subscriptions Inna Cazares • 949.388.7700, x111 icazares@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett • 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO/FOUNDER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo City Reporter, SC Times C. Jayden Smith City Reporter, DP Times Breeana Greenberg The Climate-Ready Fisheries Act will require a report to be prepared about efforts to adapt America’s fisheries to the impact of climate change, one bit of bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing climate change. Photo: Courtesy of energepic.com

b. Low or zero emission bus grants. c. Projects to process battery materials. d. Manufacturing and recycling and reuse of batteries. e. Mapping and location of critical mineral resources. f. Projects to support carbon capture from the atmosphere and from coal- and gas-fired operations. g. Hydrogen fuel production. h. Credits for operating nuclear power facilities.

ant, it will take government action both in the United States and worldwide to minimize the worst effects of climate change.

Please note that all the legislation discussed above was done with bipartisan support of both Republicans and Democrats. This legislation is good for the economy. This legislation will all result in the creation of more good-paying jobs in the United States.

Larry Kramer is a former submarine Captain & San Juan Capistrano Mayor.

He is the co-leader of the local chapter of Citizen’ Climate Education. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch 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 Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch .com.

i. States to conduct energy audits and energy upgrades. j. Grants to schools to make improvements that reduce energy costs. k. Advanced nuclear reactor demonstrations. l. Increase domestic production of critical minerals. m. Grants to increase electric grid resiliency. n. Purchase of low-emission ferries.

CORRECTION: A story about the city’s fiscal budget on page 4 in the June 10-23 issue of The Capistrano Dispatch incorrectly identified the cost increase level for law enforcement services.

The amount is increasing by 4% from a previous estimate.

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes (SC + DP) Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD) ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 20, Issue 12. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (sanclementetimes. 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 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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Go.See.Do

Welcome

TO THE SUMMER OF VENI, VIDI, VICI

W

ell, folks, we made it to another summer. That can only mean one thing—our biannual Go.See.Do edition is here to help guide you on a season of adventure, sightseeing, and, dare I say, lots of libations.

This jam-packed summer guide will have you clamoring for fun around our beautiful South Orange County, as well as craving some delectable milkshakes on a sunny afternoon.

Regarding the latter, our team of reporters went through the trouble of tasting a handful of chocolate, vanilla and specialty milkshakes at some of the area’s local staples. It was some tough work, but we were happy to try the various options if it meant letting you, the reader, know where to find the best milkshakes.

With so many summer concerts on the horizon, we took a look at the country music scene that’s particularly popular in San Juan Capistrano. There, you’ll find

some popular venues that feature great local acts for you to enjoy.

Also, for those who are maybe considering day trips to other nearby towns, you’ll want to check out our piece on visiting the City of Oceanside, just a short trip down the 5 Freeway. We explore some of the popular eateries and bars, as well as family-friendly happenings in the town.

And I did mention libations?

First, we highlight the plethora of craft breweries that have called the towns of Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, and— more prominently—San Clemente their homes.

Then we take you aboard the trolley for a trip around the three towns, as we embark on a Trolley Crawl. This day-drinker’s guide shows you which stops have all the best bars and offers tips on how to best utilize the free summertime trolley service.

Time to turn that page and read about all the ways that you can turn this Go.See.Do into a summer of Veni, Vidi, Vici.

Taking a Hop, Skip, and Jump to Oceanside for a Day

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Go.See.Do Just down the I-5 from San Clemente, Oceanside offers a litany of sights, shops, and sand that would make any day trip there well worth it. Photos: C. Jayden Smith

Taking a Hop, Skip, and Jump to Oceanside for a Day

By C. Jayden Smith

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24–July 7, 2022

T

he cities of Dana Point and San Clemente are among a litany of “Beach Cities” that deservedly receive significant attention, but the diverse City of Oceanside is another that should be on the list.

If you’re a fan of hitching up the wagons to take a day trip and explore new places— and willing to sit through Interstate 5 traffic—the O-side is the place for you!

“Oceanside is bursting with creativity and innovation on all levels, from dining and craft beverages to arts, culture, shopping and adventure,” said Visit Oceanside CEO Leslee Gaul. “Our renaissance over the past decade has been done in a way that is true to Oceanside’s personality and roots; we’ve done our best to ensure that our unique past and heritage is woven into the exciting experiences happening here.”

Depending on your arrival time, a quality coffee can serve as a good pick-meup to get the day started, or a good snack can keep it moving. Either way, the Brown Cup Cafe is a good option among many in town to stop.

Owners Roger and Vilai Thavarajah have operated the business for about

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six years, prioritizing the creation of an atmosphere that makes people feel appreciated and are full of conversation.

“You can buy coffee anywhere,” Roger said, but he added that he does whatever he can to make people comfortable.

Comfortable, worn-in chairs and sofas dot the restaurant, complemented with classic board games and plenty of books to read.

Customer favorites include the vanilla honey cinnamon latte, among other creative specialty drinks, and the avocado toast.

For lunch or dinner, The Lab Collaborative is quickly emerging on the food scene as a highly rated spot to grab eccentric and modern American food, in addition to a bevy of alcoholic drinks.

Jack Everett, owner of The Lab and an Oceanside resident, said he feels the restaurant fits right into what the town is all about, as part of a revitalized downtown that has seen small businesses coexist with larger brands.

Besides taking some time to visit Oceanside’s beaches or the pier, which is always a good idea, the city offers numerous ways to enjoy your free time.

Just a few hundred feet from the shore on Mission Avenue, shopping for a water-adjacent lifestyle and new local restaurants abound.

If you’re ever in town on a Thursday

night, be sure to stop by the Sunset Market, which runs from 5-9 p.m., and features more than 100 food and retail vendors. The market has been full of life since it started in 2006.

“What’s special about it is, it’s not your typical farmers market,” said Kim Heim, the director of Special Projects for Main Street Oceanside. “In fact, it’s not a farmers market at all. What it is, is a weekly event that was designed to serve as a weekly get-together for everybody in Oceanside.”

Hundreds of thousands of people visit every year, according to Heim, and the food vendors, especially, span a wide range of cultures, including Danish, Filipino, Kenyan, Thai, and Vietnamese.

One more tidbit: If you are anything like me, in that you love to view nice homes, hop back in your car, take a drive around the city, and make your way into the hills!

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Go.See.Do

Those Down-Home Tunes Country Music Thrives in San Juan Capistrano

Hillbilly Crutch Band recently played at Swallow’s Inn for the first time. The San Juan Capistrano bar is a popular venue for local country music fans to dance to swinging western tunes. Photo: Courtesy of Connie Hamon

By Collin Breaux t was a Sunday afternoon in April when Hillbilly Crutch Band played at Swallow’s Inn for the first time.

The Sunset Beach-based country band had been building some buzz in South Orange County after playing at Mugs Away Saloon in Laguna Niguel, which singer and rhythm guitarist Ryan Archer said is a reason they were able to book the Swallow’s Inn show.

“It was a bit surreal,” Archer said of what it was like playing at the popular San Juan Capistrano watering hole for the first time.

“It’s kind of like walking back in time. There was line dancing. It was a lot of fun.”

The Hillbilly Crutch Band show is one example of how country music concerts are a regular occurrence at Swallow’s Inn, which has become an epicenter for local country fans who want to enjoy live music. On any given night at Swallow’s, you’re likely to see cowboy hats and Western boots—and to hear earthy crooning and have a good time.

The audience members who attended that April show shook hands with the band members and thanked them for the performance afterward, Archer said.

San Juan Capistrano is a “little hidden country gem,” Archer said.

Swallow’s “keeps it around,” he said of the local country fandom.

As for Hillbilly Crutch Band, the country and western act started years ago. The members have been in other bands, and gradually came together after casually talking with each other.

“We definitely play the old-time outlaw classic country,” Archer said. “We do have a little bit of an edge to us.”

Along with country, the band also has bluegrass and even cowpunk touches. Fans at their shows tend to be older country fans, which Archer figures is because those people grew up listening to classic country.

“I would definitely love for a younger crowd to come in, too,” Archer said. “We get some

I

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of them.”

For more information on Hillbilly Crutch Band, check them out on Instagram @hilbillycrutch and YouTube. If you’re curious about upcoming country concerts at Swallow’s Inn, visit the bar’s website at swallowsinn.com to see who’s playing next.

MUSIC IN THE PARK On the other side of town, another place to check out country concerts in San Juan Capistrano is the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park.

The country music festival MissionFest is usually held once a year at the park, and Jon Pardi also performed at the outdoor site earlier this year. Clint Black will play at the park in July.

“Since we started MissionFest back in 2018, it’s kind of evolved into more of a country music scene out here in San Juan,” said John Iavarone, who organizes and promotes the park’s country events. “San Juan is a huge country town. It’s certainly embedded into our town and the surrounding area.”

The concerts at the park have been popular over the years, and people have “embraced the great names” who have played at the wideopen site off Ortega Highway, Iavarone said.

“When I first started thinking about doing concerts here and bringing shows here, it seems you always have to go somewhere else to do something extraordinary, but we live in an extraordinary place with extraordinary facilities,” he said.

Iavarone attributed part of the reason big country shows are scheduled at the park to entertainment company TAG Events, which works behind the scenes to make MissionFest and other concerts a reality at the park.

“What I’ve found about country music is people love to dance to it,” Iavarone said. “If you go to Swallow’s, there’s people dancing all night long.”

For up-to-date information on who’s playing at the park next and when, check out sanjuanoutpost.com. thecapistranodispatch.com

Go.See.Do

Shake Shakedown The

Judging the Best Milkshakes in South Orange County

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Go.See.Do

By Breeana Greenberg

Always a classic summer treat, milkshakes are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth and celebrate the summer. Picket Fence Media staff tried some of the best spots to get especially tasty shakes in our tri-city area of South Orange County. For each review, we sampled the restaurants’ classic vanilla and chocolate shakes and gave a rating based on a scale of 1 to 5. To set each restaurant apart, we also tried their unique or most popular shake. Not all shakes are made with real ice cream, but we found those that were to be extra tasty.

u

In-N-Out

p

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Always reliable and consistent, In-N-Out served as a great control with which to compare each local restaurant’s shakes. In-N-Out offers chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry shakes, as well as the Neapolitan option of getting a mixture of the three flavors.

Across the board, In-N-Out’s vanilla, chocolate and Neapolitan shakes earned an average overall score of 3 out of 5 from the staff.

In-N-Out’s shakes are consistently rich and thick, but have noticeably subtler flavors. Its shakes are made with real ice cream, giving it the rich and creamy flavor.

As for the Neapolitan, it was not well-blended, so one tastes each of the chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors separately, while drinking the shake. t

The Stand

t

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO The Stand offers shake specials, as well as the traditional strawberry, chocolate and vanilla favors. When we visited, the shakes on special were Mint Cookies N’ Cream, Cookies N’ Cream and Cookie Butter Crunch. Depending on the location, the shakes are made with vanilla ice cream or vanilla soft serve.

Overall, we gave The Stand’s vanilla shake a 2 out of 5, its chocolate shake a 3 out of 5, and its specialty shake, the Cookie Butter Crunch, a 3 out of 5.

All of The Stand’s shakes had a thick consistency, though the vanilla and chocolate shakes lacked strong flavor.

The Cookie Butter Crunch was a favorite, as it was especially rich and flavorful. The specialty shake truly tasted like cookie dough, and the crushed Biscoff cookies added a satisfying crunch, though they were difficult to drink through a straw.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24–July 7, 2022

Biggie’s Burgers

SAN CLEMENTE Biggie’s offers vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Oreo and Neapolitan shakes.

We rated Biggie’s vanilla shake a 2 out of 5, its chocolate shake a 2 out of 5, and its Oreo shake a 3 out of 5.

The vanilla shake was runny, not very thick, which gave the impression that we were drinking milk and not a shake. Though the chocolate shake was notably thicker, similar to the vanilla, its flavor was subtle.

The Oreo shake was well-blended, so the fragments of Oreo cookies in the shake didn’t just feel like a topping. Both the Oreo and chocolate shakes were notably thicker than the vanilla, but none of the shakes we tasted was very rich.

Harbor House Café

DANA POINT The Harbor House Café offers both malts and shakes, served in a classic, large metal shake cup topped with whipped cream.

Harbor House shakes are made with real ice cream and your choice from a selection of toppings: Oreo cookie bits, blueberries, chocolate, pineapple, strawberry, dates, peaches, pecans, banana, vanilla, butterscotch, peanut butter, orange juice or coconut.

Harbor House was by far a favorite. Overall, we rated Harbor House’s vanilla shake a perfect 5 out of 5, while giving its chocolate shake a 4 out of 5, and its Oreo shake a 4 out of 5.

Each of the shakes was thick, rich, and flavorful. They truly tasted as if they were made with real ice cream. The quality of Harbor House’s shakes set them apart.

Our top-rated shake, Harbor House’s vanilla, was a perfect milkshake, pure ice cream flavor, very rich and thick.

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Go.See.Do

TOURING THE FAMOUS

WESTERN WHITE HOUSE

By C. Jayden Smith

A

s part of the 26th annual Newport Beach Garden Tour and Summer Garden Party, the home of former President Richard Nixon is available for a virtual garden tour.

The video tour of the Western White House, also known as La Casa Pacifica, originally premiered on Mother’s Day, and will be available throughout the summer.

Viewers will be able to see numerous gardens on the nearly six-acre property, which features various microclimates that allow for a wide range of plants to grow.

An English-style garden, a koi pond and koi garden, a garden within an inner courtyard,

and a culinary garden are among the flora that span the estate. The plants include a Monterey cypress, which can often be found along the Pacific coast from Central California to Washington, tender vegetables, hydrangeas, and other unique species.

The operators of the garden tour event hope that each tour can be educational for the viewers, as well as entertaining. Seeing the many beautiful plants on the grounds of the Western White House may serve as inspiration for people to use to construct how they want their own homes and gardens to look.

The Newport Beach Garden Tour grand finale will be the in-person Summer Garden Party on Aug. 27, at Sherman Gardens from 4-7 p.m., which will include numerous attractions.

Tickets for the Virtual Garden Tour are $25 for members and $35 for non-members, and tickets for both the tour and party are $60 for members and $80 for non-members.

Visit thesherman.org or call 949.673.2261 for more information or to purchase tickets.

The former San Clemente home of President Richard Nixon, La Casa Pacifica, is one of three locations that can be viewed virtually as part of the 26th annual Newport Beach Garden Tour and Summer Garden Party.

Photo: Courtesy of Beverly Morgan/Sherman Library and Gardens. Historic photos: National Archives Catalog

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Go.See.Do

All Aboard

The

Crawl

the Trolley Crawl

SAN CLEMENTE

A day-drinker’s guide to planning the perfect bar hop in South County

By Shawn Raymundo he sun is shining brightly in South Orange County, and the summertime trolleys are humming along our streets in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

That means free and safe access for visitors and residents to explore the many bars, breweries and watering holes throughout our three towns.

For those of us who enjoy a bit of day drinking on a sunny summer afternoon but don’t know where to start, well, no fear, as I’ve compiled a list of some great local hotspots that just so happen to be within walking distance of all the trolley stops.

So, gather some friends and hop aboard your nearest trolley to embark on this allday excursion.

T

SAFETY FIRST I first want to stress that everyone in your boarding party should drink responsibly and at their own pace.

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the trip to stay hydrated, and snack on appetizers along the way—remember the old adage, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Though you’ll largely be indoors and under shade, nobody wants to be a drunken crab by the end of the day if you end up at mostly outdoor establishments, so apply some sunscreen.

TIME MANAGEMENT Saturdays are going to be your best day to check the most bars off the list, as the trolleys in all three cities begin operating a 10 a.m., running till 10 p.m. in Dana Point and San Clemente and 9 p.m. in San Juan.

Timing and a general understanding of the route schedules are going to be key.

San Juan’s trolley is a on 20-minute rotation, while Dana Point and San Clemente’s trolleys arrive at stops about every 15 minutes.

Admittedly, the list of spots I’ve compiled is quite extensive, and it’s unlikely any group will stop at every place. As much as you’re in control of how long to stay at a bar, you’re always going to be at the mercy of The Capistrano Dispatch June 24–July 7, 2022

Avenida Del Mar & Ola Vista Beachfire Bar & Grill; Avila’s El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant; San Clemente Wine Company u San Clemente Pier Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar u Avenida Del Mar & Ole Vista H.H. Cotton’s u E l Camino Real & Avenida Del Mar/Avenida Palizada Pizza Port San Clemente u El Camino Real & El Portal La Siesta Mexican Restaurant u El Camino Real & Calle de Los Molinos Shwack Cantina; Knuckleheads Sports Bar & Grill; Los Molinos Beer; Mulligans Sports Bar u San Clemente Metrolink Landers Liquor Bar u O utlets at San Clemente (Switch to Blue Line) Asada Cantina + Kitchen u Camino Mira Costa & Camino de Estrella Transfer to Dana Point Trolley u

PFM Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo embarks on a Trolley Crawl around South Orange County with friends Gabriel Mendoza and Grisel Rodriguez on June 4. Photo: Courtesy of Grisel Rodriguez

the trolleys’ rotation schedule.

If you’re taking a run-n-gun approach, pick your spots carefully, have an idea of how long you want to stay at each bar, and keep track of the trolleys en route to your nearest stop.

MAPPING IT OUT Each city offers its own Trolley Tracker app for smartphones, and I strongly suggest downloading them ahead of your Crawl.

Maps of the trolleys can also be found at each of the cities’ websites or aboard the actual trolleys themselves.

Based on my own experience, having recently embarked on such a crawl with friends, it’s important to know which trolley you’re boarding.

San Clemente has two lines—a Red Line and a Blue Line. Dana Point also has two lines—a North Line and a South Line. For our Trolley Crawl, we only used Dana Point’s South Line to keep the trip simple.

Dana Point’s South and North Lines converge in the Lantern District—this is where you’re going to want to keep your wits about you and cognizant enough to read the signs. A handful of the stops, namely along Del Prado Avenue, are mere yards away

from each other, but some are marked for the North Line and others are marked for the South Line.

If you’re trying to jump on the South Line, don’t stand next to a stop labeled with an N, followed by a number, or vice versa—don’t stand by a stop labeled with an S, followed by a number, if looking to board the North Line.

Dana Point’s trolley is also the unofficial hub of the South County trolley system.

There are four stops throughout the city that offer transfers to the trolleys for San Clemente and San Juan, and if you’re so inclined, Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel.

For this guide, I’ve limited it to just our three South County towns.

DESTINATIONS With all of that in mind, the next step for your group is just to decide which bars you’d like to visit the most. Each spot I’ve chosen is within a few feet from the stops, or within a short walking distance.

San Juan Capistrano’s bars are largely concentrated in its downtown corridor, so once you arrive there, you’ll have a buffet of options to explore. Honestly, one could just enjoy a bar hop in Downtown San Juan on any given day or evening.

Similarly, many of Dana Point ’s popular eateries and bars are located around the Lantern District and the Harbor. You could bounce around to several of the spots without the trolley while you’re in the area.

As a San Clemente resident, I started my Trolley Crawl in Downtown San Clemente, as outlined in the list. It’s certainly not a rule to start there, so feel free to begin wherever you and your friends feel most comfortable and reverse the order of spots as you see fit.

Hoppy trails, my friends! I hope this guide is helpful and gives you and your friends a fun, new experience to enjoy down here!

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DANA POINT Coast Highway Sunsets Bar; Olamendi’s Mexican Restaurant u Doheny Village/Doheny Park Road Pepi’s Sports Bar & Grill u Stonehill Drive & Del Obispo Transfer to San Juan Trolley u

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Mission San Juan Ramen Shack; Rooftop Bar; Swallow’s Inn; Trevor’s at the Tracks; Five Vines; Paddy’s Station; Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria & Tap Room u El Adobe Plaza El Adobe de Capistrano u Stonehill Drive & Del Obispo Transfer to Back to Dana Point Trolley u

BACK TO DANA POINT Golden Lantern & PCH (La Plaza Park) Hennessey’s Tavern; Station Craft u Del Prado & Amber Lantern Coastal Kitchen; Dana Point Ale House u Golden Lantern & Del Prado StillWater Spirits & Sounds u Dana Point Harbor Drive & Golden Lantern Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern; Turk’s Dana Wharf u Camino Mira Costa & Camino de Estrella Transfer Back to San Clemente Trolley u

BACK TO SAN CLEMENTE El Camino Real & Calle de Los Molinos La Colombiana u El Camino Real & Avenida Del Mar Artifex Brewing Company u

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Go.See.Do

Craft Beer Bonanza Highlight tour of South Orange County’s large craft brewing scene Docent Brewing

By Zach Cavanagh

Craft brewing has a new Mecca, and it’s just down your street in South Orange County. It doesn’t really matter which street or which town.

You’re sure to find a hops haven in all corners of San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano or Rancho Mission Viejo. From the Harbor to Del Mar to the Mission, there are grog grottos aplenty. Here, we’ll highlight the breweries themselves. That’s not to cast aside the number of establishments that serve local brews, such as the newly minted Dana Point Ale House or the tucked-away Brewhouse in San Juan Capistrano.

Let’s take a swing around the craft brewing scene in South Orange County.

SAN CLEMENTE • Artifex Brewing | 919 Calle Amanecer, Suite A • Artifex on Del Mar | 98 Avenida Del Mar Either of Artifex’s locations can serve up one of their bevy of popular brews with numerous IPAs and other ales.

Always eye-catching is the Unicorn Juice, an American wheat ale with hand-picked passion fruit.

• Delahunt Brewing Co. | 1011 Calle Recodo While relatively new, Delahunt has spread quickly around SoCal. The brewery recently won an award at the World Beer Cup for its De La Sol American-style cream ale.

• Left Coast Brewing | 1245 Puerta Del Sol For nearly two decades, Left Coast has produced topnotch beer in San Clemente. Among its iconic brews is the Trestles IPA, which is light-bodied, clean and pleasantly hoppy.

• Los Molinos Beer Co. | 151 Calle de Los Molinos The newest brew on the block is Los Molinos, which just opened its doors in April. There are four seltzers and 13

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beers on tap, including the locally named Surf Ghetto Lager.

• Lost Winds Brewing Company | 924 Calle Negocio, Suite C Like its name alludes to, Lost Winds puts the local in “local brews.” Lost Winds took home gold at the World Beer Cup for its Beach Hopppin’ Hoppy Pale Ale, an Australian-style pale ale.

• Pizza Port | 301 N. El Camino Real Not only one of the best places for a slice or pie in town, Pizza Port doles out quality grog. Pizza Port also took home a gold at the World Beer Cup for San Clemente’s Dusk ’til Dawn imperial coffee porter.

Honorable Mention: • Drift Distillery | 940 Calle Amanecer, Suite K Not only can you find craft beer in South Orange County, but craft spirits are also making waves. Check out Drift’s new release of single barrel wheat whiskey.

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Go.See.Do

Frisby Winery & Brewing

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

• Frisby Cellars Tasting Room | 34673 Golden Lantern While this Frisby location focuses on the brand’s wine offerings, there are two beers on tap, with a rotating selection.

• Station Craft | 34150 Pacific Coast Highway Station Craft is the way to go for in-town brewing in Dana Point with a wide variety of in-house brews from the 3.8% ABV Drinks such as a Fish English bitter to the 11.5% ABV Deepest Sea imperial stout.

• Capistrano Brewing Co. | 31721 Camino Capistrano Paired with the mouth-watering Heritage Barbecue, Capistrano Brewing Co. offers other SoCal brews along with two of its own—the Don Juan Blonde ale and the Ysidora Pico IPA. • Docent Brewing | 33049 Calle Aviador, Suite C “San Juan Capistrano’s Public House” was one of the major pioneers of craft brewing in South Orange County. Give a look to the award-winning Double Nickels pale ale or the Super Tonic oatmeal coffee stout.

• The Dog Pawrk Brewing Company | 27122 Paseo Espada, Suite 904 Have some hops with your hound at the Dog Pawrk Brewing Company. Take the leap with Tad and Nathan’s Most Excellent Adventure Vol. 1, a barrel-aged triple chocolate stout.

RANCHO MISSION VIEJO • Frisby Winery & Brewing | 28522 & 28526 Airoso Street After a decade of craft wines, Frisby Cellars has made the splash into craft brewing. Grab a taste of its newest selections: the Hilltop Honey blonde or the Amber Waves amber ale.

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Station Craft

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GETTING OUT

949.443.4223. theecologycenter.org.

The List What’s going on in and around town this week THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Get a curated list of the weekend’s best events sent straight to your inbox every Friday! Sign up for The Weekender at thecapistranodispatch.com/weekender

FRIDAY | 24 FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday. Check out the produce, breads, cheeses, artisan craft vendors, and more. Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.364.1270. farmakisfarms.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wild Horse will perform.

Have fun, grab some drinks, and dance during this local performance. San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.565.4855. sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 7 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind while listening to live music at Trevor’s at the Tracks. Phil Vandermost will perform. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

SATURDAY | 25 YOGA ON THE FARM 9-10:15 a.m. The Ecology Center is providing this outdoor yoga session with yogi Diana Christinson and teachers from Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala.

Sessions will include breathing lessons, which you can practice while surrounded by green vegetation and the natural earth. Participants must bring their own mat and towel to place on the ground, as well as RSVP online. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

Editor’s Pick

SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT SWALLOW’S 2-6 p.m. Come enjoy a drink and enjoy some live music at this famous downtown bar. Leroy and the Bad Browns will perform. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK 8 p.m. Learn about the eerie history of San Juan Capistrano as you walk through the downtown area and near Mission San Juan Capistrano. The walk is hosted by Haunted Orange County. Attendees are asked to meet at the visitor’s information booth near the train tracks.

Face masks are required on all tours until further notice. 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 866.446.7803. hauntedoc.com.

SUNDAY | 26 RAMEN BURGER AT HERITAGE BARBECUE 11 a.m. (while supplies last). Ramen chef and Ramen Shack owner Keizo Shimamoto will be offering his famous Ramen burger—a half-pound brisket patty served between two “buns” of ramen— on a limited-availability basis at Heritage Barbecue. The patties will be cooked by the Heritage team as part of a pop-up collaboration between the two downtown restaurants. Orders will be done on a first-come, first-served basis and offered until supplies run out. Heritage Barbecue, 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.373.5218. ramenshack.com.

CREER FUNDRAISER CONCERT 6-10 p.m. CREER Comunidad y Familia—a local nonprofit that assists underprivileged residents—is hosting a fundraising concert featuring Neil Diamond tribute songs by Hot August Night.

There will also be Mexican buffet-style food. Tickets are $75. San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano. 714.788.8339. eventbrite.com.

TUESDAY | 28 APAC AUTOMOTIVE INSTITUTE GRAND OPENING 4:30-6:30 p.m. APAC Automotive Institute (ATI) will officially open its doors with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration. APAC ATI is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide free automotive technical training, mentorship and employment opportunities for veterans, formerly incarcerated individ-

Fireworks will light up the sky in San Juan Capistrano during the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration and summer carnival. Photo: Collin Breaux

MONDAY | 04 FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Noon-10:30 p.m. The City of San Juan Capistrano is holding the annual community Fourth of July celebration and summer carnival. The event will feature amusement rides, live music, food, business and group booths, and more. The fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m., and the carnival will be held throughout the weekend from July 1-3. Free trolley services will be offered. San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.5911. sanjuancapistrano.org. uals, people in recovery from substance addictions, and other at-risk communities. Chris Knuth is the founder of APAC ATI and owner of Star Motors European Service, a luxury auto repair shop. The ribbon-cutting will begin at 5 p.m., and a facility tour will be held afterward.

Star Motors European Service, 32961 Calle Perfecto, San Juan Capistrano.

949.391.2570. apacati.org.

FRIDAY | 01 ‘FRI-YAY FUN’ WOOD WORKSHOP 6-9 p.m. Spend a Friday night crafting a unique item to call your own. Customize a wood sign, bath tray, photo frame, or other item during this hands-on workshop. Registration can be done beforehand online. AR Workshop San Juan Capistrano, 31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite B2. 949.482.1362. arworkshop.com.

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Reggae band Big Mountain will perform. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San

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Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

SATURDAY | 02 COMEDY FUNDRAISER 7:30 p.m. Comedian Rita Rudner will perform stand-up comedy during this fundraising event for Camino Real Playhouse. Rudner is known for her long-running solo Las Vegas shows, and will be bringing her wit to San Juan Capistrano for one night only. Tickets can be purchased online. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE BREWHOUSE 6-8 p.m. Kids of Charlemagne—a Steely Dan tribute band—will perform, so get ready to dance along to familiar tunes.

Order a drink and enjoy a weekend night at one of San Juan Capistrano’s local watering holes. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.315.1960. kidsofcharlemagne.com.

(Cont. on page 24) thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

(Cont. from page 23)

AT THE MOVIES

‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Plays It Safe

THURSDAY | 07 MISSION CLUBHOUSE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring the kids to Mission San Juan Capistrano for hands-on, fun educational activities in the Mission Clubhouse space. Youngsters can weave baskets, build structural arches with miniature blocks, and engage in more Mission-themed tasks. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

am Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum are back together on the big screen running from dinosaurs for the first time since Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993) almost three decades ago.

If you’re worried this reunion is just an easy cash grab and not naturally crafted into Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World: Dominion for the sake of genuinely improving this sci-fi/action universe, I have bad news for you, unfortunately.

While the three stars look like they’re having fun on screen, the writing, direction and editing are incredibly lacking, even more so than any usual mediocre sequel.

Following the crazy events of Trevorrow’s previous Jurassic World effort, Fallen Kingdom (2018), Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and their adoptive daughter, Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), are now hiding out in the woods of Mountain View, California.

Alan Grant (Neill) and Ellie Sattler (Dern)

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

Photo: Courtesy of Amblin Entertainment/Universal Pictures

are called upon by bioengineering company Biosyn to help figure out how to stop its recent giant, super-strong locust creations, which are flying rampant around the world, killing off the food chain.

And while all this is going on, dinosaurs are still running wild all over the world.

Remember when we were first introduced to Alan and Ellie in Jurassic Park while they were digging up old dino bones? Remember when Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm distracted a T-Rex with a shiny object? Remember when Ellie was trapped inside the original park’s headquarters and had to fight her way out? Remember when the first Jurassic Park movie ended with a faceoff between the park’s two biggest species?

Would you like to see all of this again with

the same characters, but who are now old enough to be members of AARP? Because that’s literally all what the third act is of Dominion.

The timeline, continuity and logic of the Jurassic series are so far gone and ridiculous at this point, there’s no reason to bother trying to piece anything together.

Like people have pointed out since the Jurassic World trilogy broke through, these movies’ dinosaurs don’t even realistically behave like the species would in prehistoric times.

I’ll admit, a few comic relief gags in Dominion did actually land for me. But in my imagination, the original, classic Spielberg adventure from 1993 is a stand-alone blockbuster masterpiece. CD

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KOI FISH FEEDING AT THE MISSION 12:45 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor afternoon at the Mission San Juan Capistrano fountain while feeding koi fish. The event is is scheduled every day from Tuesday through Sunday. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

BIG KAHUNA KARAOKE 8-11 p.m. Paddy’s Station hosts a karaoke competition every Thursday night in which winners can take home $100.

Sing your heart out at this downtown Irish pub. Paddy’s Station, 26701 Verdugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano.

949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

thecapistranodispatch.com

CLASSIFIEDS

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com

HELP WANTED

Warehouse Position in San Clemente Must have experience in shipping and receiving, responsible for picking and packing daily orders. Lifting heavy boxes, items.

Assemble and prepare carded items. Assemble bagged items. Perform other related duties as assigned or as necessary. Forklift experience is not necessary but is a plus.

Must have valid Driver’s License with a clean driving record. Full-Time, benefits, 401K. Please email your resume (if available) to: dromero@ndaonline.net. To fill out an application please email request to: dromero@ndaonline.net

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

E-mail your garage sale to info@thecapistranodispatch.com DEADLINE 12PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE Saturday, June 25th, from 8AM to 1PM, Guadalupe Street. Lots of great things for good prices! Vacuums, weights, lamps, books, dishes, utensils, towels, clothes, purses, jeans, jewelry, paintings & more.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

CAPISTRANO BEACH GARAGE SALE JUNE 24TH AND 25TH 26882 Calle Monterey. June 24th and June 25th, 8am-3pm. Plants, clothing, furniture, housewares and many more. Great Prices!!

Call Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com

ESTATE SALE - SATURDAY, JUNE 25 8AM - 1PM. 817 Calle Vallarta, San Clemente. Furniture, Collectibles, Home Decor, Home Theater System, Large Potted Plants, and MORE!

TWO FAMILY GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY, JUNE 25 June 25, 2022, 7:00 a.m., 27355 Paseo La Serna, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. For sale: Precision tools, small lathe ( Sherline), small table saw, taps, dies, machine shop tools galore. Electronic scopes and test equipment by Tektronix and Hewlett Packard.

Lots of collectibles incl. coins, stamp collections and military insignias. Also Model train equipment incl.

N-Gauge Layout. Large selection of NEW and used semiconductors.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com

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SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Senior Dating Challenges:

Where is ‘John’?

S

an Juan Capistrano resident Yoko emailed, “A couple weeks ago, two girlfriends and I went to the Swallow’s Inn in San Juan Capistrano on a Tuesday evening for line dancing lessons. I arrived early.

“A few minutes later, two men sat down at the table next to me and started a conversation. I was attracted to the man sitting closest to me (I’ll call him ‘John’). He and I chatted for 2½ hours, and I even skipped one of the line dancing lessons, as we were engaged in an interesting conversation about a Fallbrook property he had bought this March with many avocado trees.

“He had lived in San Juan Capistrano for 25 years. He owns his own company, now lives in Mission Viejo Monday-Thursday and is in Fallbrook Friday-Sunday. He wore no wedding ring.

As he was flipping through pictures of his Fallbrook property to show me on his phone, I didn’t see any pictures of him with a woman.

“He offered to buy drinks and food for me and my friends, which I thought was very generous. He bought a glass of wine for me and sodas for my non-alcohol-drinking friends. He helped move our table a little so my friends would have some space to sit and helped me lower a window blind that was stuck with sun streaming in. Very chivalrous of him.

“All of his qualities I found attractive, as well as his physical appearance. I guessed his age to be close to mine, in his mid-60s.

His friend kept urging him to dance with me, but he had informed me early in the

conversation he did not line-dance.

“I’m not aggressive when I meet men, as I was raised in an ‘old-fashioned’ environment and the Japanese culture where the man makes the initial contact offer. This has always worked for me in the past.

“After 2½ hours, ON LIFE AND LOVE my girlfriends

BY TOM BLAKE wanted to leave, so I thanked ‘John,’ and said my friends wanted to leave. I lingered a bit, hoping he would ask for my phone number or give me his phone number. He did not ask, so I said, “I hope to see you again,” and I left.

“That was one of the strangest experiences I’ve had with a man to whom I was attracted, and I certainly got the vibes that ‘John’ was attracted to me. My ego was a little hurt, as I’ve never had a man spend that much time talking to me, who seemed attracted to me and then not ask if he could call or see me again. He certainly wasn’t shy, as he initiated the conversation with me as soon as he sat down next to me.

“I haven’t gone back to the Swallow’s since this happened, but will go sometime.

“I would enjoy hearing your and/or your readers’ thoughts.”

I responded,“Yoko, I have no idea why he didn’t ask how to reach you. Perhaps he’s involved in a relationship or even married.

“What more could you have done? One of the tips I suggest to single women who’d

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Honey

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

F

ittingly named, Honey is a sweet little girl looking to find her forever family. She is friendly and inquisitive and doesn’t seem to mind other cats. At 3 years old, Honey is quite well-mannered and would make a wonderful companion animal. Could she be the one for you?

If you are interested in adopting Honey, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/ adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

Photo: Courtesy of Maria Young

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This photo depicts the San Juan Gourd Singers standing in front of Mission San Juan Capistrano for a Swallows Day celebration in the 1990s.

From left: Elder Alfred Lopez, Patrick Lopez, Rick Mendez, Mark Mendez, and Elder Richard Mendez, Sr. Every issue, The Capistrano Dispatch will publish a historical photo. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com.

like to meet a potential mate is to be assertive, not aggressive, when meeting or seeing a single man who appeals to them.

“By this, I mean have a pre-printed card with your first name and email address on it, that you could have handed to him. Or, you could have written your email address on a cocktail napkin.

“Who knows if you will see him again?

If not, it wasn’t meant to be. But, in the future, be prepared to hand over your contact information if a similar situation arises.

“If ‘John’ reads this column and wants to contact you, he can email me, and I shall pass his information on to you.”

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch 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 Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR SOLUTION:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Page 26

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SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | The Cowgirl Designer by Marlene Holmquist

Luxury Is Often Misunderstood

F

or years, I have been lugging around a rusty old manger from grandma and grandpa’s big green barn, waiting for the perfect landing spot. I had thought of restoring and painting it, but I am sure glad I didn’t.

It now sits in a corner of our coastal patio, and it is the first thing I see when I glance into the backyard. It is a little piece of luxury that makes me smile. It brings back years of growing up on the family ranch, confident a gentle ol’ horse would be waiting for me after that 3 o’clock bell finally rang. (Today, parents take away cell phones. My parents had more power than that!)

Don’t ever let the word luxury scare you. Its true meaning is often misunderstood. It is not expensive furniture or materials; it is a feeling. It can be created in your own home through thoughtful interior design. Anyone can live in a luxurious setting, no matter the budget.

Defining what luxury means to you is the secret. Over the years, I have seen many a modest home with more luxury than a mansion. Larger homes can be

uncomfortable and difficult to decorate.

However, the secret is to create varying intimate areas for gathering. And smaller homes can actually allow some of the “out of my price range” items to be more of a possibility.

Customized luxury creates a sense of well-being, happiTHE COWGIRL ness, and healing.

DESIGNER Try incorporating

BY MARLENE HOLMQUIST biophilia (the subject of a previous article) into your home, which brings nature into our lives for emotional and physical wellness.

The art of feng shui addresses spatial arrangement and favorable or unfavorable energy flow (qi) in a home. Feng shui is mostly intuitive, so don’t let its complicated reputation intimidate you. Great design just feels good.

Along with personal items you cherish, every room should have functionality and a focal point. Viewpoints (entry options) are a subject different from

Interior designer Marlene Holmquist keeps an old manger from her grandparents’ barn as an item of personal luxury—a concept that is open to personal interpretation. Photo: Courtesy of Marlene Holmquist

focal points and are also very important.

When moving room to room, what do you see? Does the room you are standing in entice you to move into the next room, or is it so different you get an uncomfortable feeling? With different family members living in a home, spaces like bedrooms are often very different from each other. The flow of both private and commonly used areas in a home is accomplished by the varying yet common attributes of the materials, colors and/or textures. For more self-help, refer to my

website home page (luxury-ranch.com), where you can download the free guide “How To Assess and Add Personal Value To Your Home.”

For me, true luxury feels like jumping off a cranky old mare and landing in the saddle of my beloved Ol’ Blue.

Translation: familiarity, comfort, and memories of the many horses that gave me confidence to navigate the world ahead. Putting your personal definition of luxury into words is an exercise that will save you lots of time when it comes to decorating or building your home.

It is literally a compass to guide you to your destination. I challenge you to take the time to write down what luxury means to you and others in your family, then take the plunge and start making positive changes. It may take more time than you think, but your definition of luxury will eventually find its way to your fingers.

Marlene Holmquist, ASID, owns Luxury Ranch Interior Design, a full-service interior design company specializing in remodels for residences and small businesses. An avid equestrian known as “The Cowgirl Designer,” she is a member of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition and Las Vaqueras Women’s Riding Club. luxury-ranch.com or thecowgirldesigner.com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch 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 Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.

DANCING TO THE MUSIC Scenes from San Juan Summer Nites Concert PHOTOS & TEXT BY COLLIN BREAUX

The San Juan Summer Nites Concert Series has fully returned for 2022.

The series of free shows kicked off on June 15 with Motown act Blue Breeze Band. Local residents danced and relaxed in lawn chairs at Historic Town Center Park while enjoying the concert.

Additional concerts will be held from 6-8 p.m. on July 20 with classic rock act 4X4 Band, Sept.

21 with local act Tijuana Dogs, and Aug. 17 with country-western musician Brent Payne.

Visit sanjuancapistrano.org for more information.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SUMMER OF GOLF

Swinging Surge

Local golf courses enjoy post-pandemic popularity boom

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

or those with homes along the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, Shorecliffs Golf Club or San Juan Hills Golf Club, if you’ve thought there’s been a torrid increase of shanked golf balls knocking on your windows and walls, you’re not hearing things.

There are now more golfers than ever before in the United States, as the sport has enjoyed an undeniable boom over the past two years.

Silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic were few and far between, but golf unexpectedly earned a shred of those. Pandemic restrictions meant that most activities or places to be were closed, but golf courses reopened quickly in 2020, as a socially distanced, outdoor recreation activity.

Interest surged almost immediately.

“We didn’t have enough parking in the parking lot,” Monarch Beach Golf Links general manager Eric Lohman said. “It was crazy. I’d never seen it before. People booking weeks out. The demand seemed to grow overnight.”

According to the National Golf Foundation, 2021 set a record with 3.2 million people playing golf for the very

first time, with more than 3 million also trying the sport in 2020. Both records topped the previous recorded high of 2.4 million in 2000 at the height of the Tiger Woods boom.

Juniors entering the sport jumped by 24% in 2020, which held steady in 2021 and was the largest increase in junior golfers since 1997—the year Tiger Woods won his first Masters.

“Every demographic has increased,” Lohman said. “Women, kids, minorities, millennials. People that hadn’t ever come out before.”

In 2021, 37.5 million Americans played golf either on a golf course or off-course at a driving range, simulator or entertainment venue such as Topgolf. Of the 25.1 million people who played golf on a course in 2021, more than 6 million were women for the second year in a row and the first two years since 2007.

TEEING IT UP Look no further for an example of this boom than the author of this very story.

I had played sparingly here and there over the years, with my greatest (and only) accomplishment being the golf merit badge in my time as a Boy Scout.

After the shutdowns and with little else

Golf surged in popularity because of its availability as a socially distanced, outdoor recreational activity among the pandemic restrictions of 2020. That popularity continued into 2021 with a record number of people trying the sport for the first time. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

for anyone to do, a couple of my friends who were regular golfers convinced me and more of our crew to join them one weekend, and I said, sure, why not? I still had a set of clubs. What did I have to lose?

Apparently, what I had to lose was numerous amounts of future weekend time, money on balls, apparel and equipment, and patience on days when I was still learning and could barely knock the ball out of the teebox. (Note: I am still very much learning, and while I can make contact, it’s still not terribly far, despite it more or less going straight.)

Basically, I had a new regular hobby, and like many, I was hooked.

Now, with two years of regular play

and a few lessons under my belt, I’m ready to publicly display my below-average ability in this “Summer of Golf” series in the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch.

Through the rest of the summer, I’ll be playing a South Orange County tour of public courses in our area. The idea of this series is to showcase some of the best public courses anywhere and detail what the experience of playing these courses is like through the eyes of the average new golfer who’s joined the sport’s ranks amidst this surge in popularity.

Check this space every week and follow my journey to maybe break 100 for the first time. See you on the links! CD

The Happy Golfer’s ABCs of Golf G

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

olf is a way of life for the 86-year-old Happy Golfer, Nick Karnazes of San Clemente.

Karnazes loves his family, being Greek, his church (St. Basil in San Juan Capistrano) and golf—in that order.

Karnazes, who lives just off the San Clemente Municipal Course, has a sixword motto: eat, sleep, drive, play golf, repeat. Karnazes has dubbed himself as “The Happy Golfer,” and the game has taken him on a journey.

From his father giving him his first clubs as a teen, to making his high school and college teams through sheer determination, from competing in the Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club in 1973, to playing 96 rounds of golf—two in each of the contiguous 48 states—in 96 days traveling in a Winnebago in 2009, Karnazes has seen The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 7, 2022

plenty of fairways and greens.

With that experience, Karnazes has provided “The Happy Golfer’s ABCs of Golf” for players young and old to take to heart:

I • Individual. It’s only you against thegolf course.

A • Absolutely the best game in the world.

K • Karnazes, Nick. The Happy Golfer.

B • Balance. In golf as in life, you must

L • Love each and every minute on the

J • Jump up in the air when you make a birdie, par or even bogey. Show your feelings.

have balance.

golf course.

C • Competition. It’s you against the golf

M • Mental. It’s more than 100% in your brain before you put it in your hands.

course. Good luck.

is in between. Have an even tempo.

R • Right. Always keep the right score for yourself, in golf and in life.

S • Strong. Be strong when you don’t play well, but stronger when you do.

T • Together. I love my foursome. We have played together over 50 years.

U • Use your brain, your clubs, your ability to perform.

D • Don’t give up. Never.

E • Everlasting. Play from five to 95 years

N • Nice. Nice golf hat, nice clubs, nice

V • Victory. Feel your victory when you put your ball on the tee on hole No. 1.

shot or nice round.

W • Whenever you get the chance, tee it up.

of your life.

O • Observe. Is it uphill? Downhill? Into

F • Fun. 18 chances to have a lot of fun.

G • Give. Do it right, and the game will

the wind? Wind at my back? Always observe.

X • X-ray vision for reading tricky breaking putts.

give you all you can handle.

P • Putter. Don’t get me started. More

H • Happy. Very happy my dad got me

than 50% of golf.

clubs when I was 16 years old.

Q • Quick. The opposite of slow, and golf Page 30

Y • You. There is your golf ball. There is the hole. You make it happen.

Z • Zzz’s. When you’re not golfing, sleep and dream about golf tomorrow. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

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