March 11, 2022

SPECIAL INSERT:

MARCH 11-24, 2022 | VOLUME 20, ISSUE 5

Return of the Swallows Parade Swallows Day Celebration Is Back After 2-Year Hiatus E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 3

Students from San Juan Elementary School performed the do-si-do square dance during the 2019 Swallows Day Parade. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

thecapistranodispatch.com

Mission SJC Pushes Through Pandemic

Toy Company Brings Sweet Touch to RMV

San Juan Hills Boys Basketball Nabs 1st CIF-SS Championship

EYE ON SJC/ PAGE 4

EYE ON RMV/PAGE 8

SPORTS/PAGE 14

The Capistrano Dispatch March 11–24, 2022

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thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

What’s Up With...

Daylight Saving Times Begins

This Sunday, March 13, at 2 a.m., marks the start of Daylight Saving Time—that time of the year in which we “spring forward,” theoretically “losing an hour.”

To prepare for DST, move your clocks ahead one hour before going to sleep on Saturday night, March 12.

TOP NEWS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Swallows Day Parade Returns After COVID-Induced Hiatus

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade was set to go on as usual in March 2020—and then the COVID-19 pandemic intervened.

The parade was indefinitely postponed that year, and it also didn’t happen in 2021.

Fast-forward to 2022, when case numbers have dropped considerably and things are more back to normal than they have been in some time. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 12, in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Just as the swallows return to town, the parade is also coming back after a two-year hiatus.

Even then, it will still be a bit different.

The parade will not have any horses, due to an equine virus outbreak. The disease is known as EHV-1, or horse herpes, and is spread by horse-to-horse contact. People cannot get EHV-1.

“This can be and has been fatal for some of our beloved horses,” the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association—a volunteer organization that organizes the parade and related events—said in an announcement. “The State has strongly urged that ALL equestrian events in the near future be canceled or postponed to help stop the spread of this virus. We in the community have seen firsthand the horrible effects this virus is having.”

People will still be able to walk in the parade, and marching bands will also participate. All wagons will be pulled by vehicles and certain special horseless carriages have been invited to be in the parade for the first time ever, the Fiesta Association said.

Even given the forced last-minute changes, Fiesta Association members involved in organizing various parts of the big day are looking forward to the event.

“From my perspective, it’s a great thing for the city. I think people have been locked up because of the COVID-19 virus and haven’t had any excitement,” said Ben Dixon, who was handling the horse-related activities of the event.

“This is going to bring a great deal of recognition and excitement to paradegoers and the community of San Juan.”

Karen Stine, who is organizing the overall parade, said the return of the parade is exciting and has been received well by the community.

“The challenges have been that we normally are in full planning mode starting in October. We really didn’t get to start full planning mode until the very end of December/beginning of January, to even put it out there that we were possibly having a parade,” Stine said. “Then when it was fully approved was the beginning

Kids from the Mission Basilica School trot through the 2019 Swallows Day Parade dressed as swallows. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

City Takes First Steps to Consider Potential Future Use of Northwest Open Space

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The San Juan Capistrano City Council approved city staff recommendations to get started on a request for proposal process that could allow outside use of the town’s Northwest Open Space in the future, during a council meeting held on March 1.

City officials and staff will consider potential uses as submitted by interested parties. Any future use must fit in with the current nature of the area, which is mostly undeveloped open land. While a number of parties who have previously expressed interest will be considered as recommended by staff—including local developer Dan Almquist, restaurant Trevor’s at the Tracks, and community farm The Ecology Center—CouncilmemThe Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

ber Troy Bourne amended the proposal to include anyone who wants to submit a proposal.

The Northwest Open Space is on Camino Capistrano near the Laguna Niguel border, covering approximately 65.5 acres, and is owned by the city. A portion of the property containing the historic Swanner House is currently operated under a licensing agreement that expires this September, an agenda report said.

The request for proposals is for use of the Swanner House venue, broader space, or a combination of both.

“Selected proposers would also be invited to a public workshop to be held this spring to give proposers an opportunity to present their concepts to the Page 3

of February, with the city.”

San Juan Capistrano feels alive again as the parade approaches, Stine said.

“San Juan has such a community feel about it, and the last two years has been a major disconnect,” Stine said. “The parade celebrates the history of what San Juan is all about. It brings to the forefront the history of our town and why we love it so much.”

Along with the parade, Saturday will also feature the concurrent Mercado Street Faire, which will have plenty of entertainment and adult beverages off the main parade route at Historic Town Center Park.

“The Mercado is a really fun, fami-

ly-friendly, and local community event that we do every year with the Swallows Day Parade,” said Mercado organizer Michelle Erca. “It brings out about 20,000 people. We have merchandise vendors, food vendors, lots of Western products, and lots of kids’ products.”

There will also be a DJ and live music

by Big City Hillbillies.

“I think they’re so ready,” Erca said of the community’s anticipation for the parade day.“They look forward to this as a tradition every year, and I think the crowd will be at least 25% to even 50% bigger.”

The parade starts at 11 a.m. Visit swallowsparade.com for more information.

City Council and the community,” said Mattise Reischl, the city’s Senior Management Analyst.

A number of representatives for the regional Native American community and conservation advocates have spoken out against potential outside use of the Northwest Open Space, saying they want the property to be preserved.

Those grievances were aired during the meeting, as well as in a letter sent to the City Council before the meeting. The letter urged the city to “codify permanent protection of this land” and to prevent future “development threats.”

Some of those who spoke against potential future use live outside of San Juan Capistrano.

“Open space, a rare and ever-shrinking commodity in Orange County, holds intrinsic value and provides important recreational and mental health benefits to the community,” the letter said. “In

addition, NWOS specifically is known to harbor prehistoric human remains and other archaeological artifacts, as discovered by the Greenwood and Associates survey, and the McKenna et al. 2010 surveys.”

Putuidem Village, a cultural area paying tribute to the town’s indigenous Acjachemen people—who originally inhabited the space—opened in December.

The letter also expressed concerns that housing could be built at the site, though housing is not among the uses that would be considered by the city.

Councilmembers thanked people for their comments, but said there were misunderstandings about what future potential uses could be and that recent developments at the property consistent with the area, such as Putuidem Village, did not garner such backlash.

(Cont. on page 5) thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Two Years Later: Mission San Juan Capistrano Pushes Through Pandemic

BY COLLIN BREAUX

As Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams puts it, the first 12 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic were a “surprise and shock.”

The historic site and popular tourist destination was forced to close to the public, the first time it had done so in 100 years. It reopened in June 2020 and temporarily closed again later after a spike in cases.

Come March 2022—two years after the virus was declared a pandemic—the Mission is now fully open and shows no signs of closing to visitors. During the early days of the pandemic, the Mission pivoted to virtual tours and online educational opportunities for students—aspects that have carried over even as the site and world at large return to some sort of normalcy.

“Our indigenous people’s history interpretation has been so reliant on the live percentage of people being here. The pandemic allowed us to approach representatives of indigenous history in the community and say, ‘Do you mind being recorded? Do you mind allowing us to talk about your history in a permanent sense?’” Adams said. “We ended up developing a series of videos just specifically on our indigenous history that celebrated the relationship of the Mission to our present-day indigenous representatives.

We were able to talk about our bell-ringing ceremony and who those people are.”

Those recordings are different from the pre-pandemic tradition of such history being mostly told during in-person events. The Mission ended up creating an overarching historical video that was free to any school teacher who signed up for the Mission’s educational programs.

School districts in Northern California began reaching out to the Mission as they developed the videos—which, in turn, led to the Mission creating even more videos.

“Our Earth Day program is now completely virtual. Now, it doesn’t replace on-site experiences at all,” Adams said.“It augments them, and it allowed us to have a geographical reach to learners or displaced populations or underserved communities that never would be here in the first place.”

The permanent virtual aspect of the Mission experience can reach people who are autistic, hearing-impaired, or not planning to visit the Mission.

“Part of the dynamic that has been hard for the Mission—in that we are coming out of—is making good on our public programming and yet evaluating that public programming as to what’s still really relevant and needed, and does it make The Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

After enduring forced shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mission San Juan Capistrano is still open and bouncing back. Photo: Collin Breaux

awareness that traditions matter. People need to count on places to stay true to their purpose. That doesn’t necessarily mean that every activity you’ve done has to stay the same way.”

One of those changes is a pared-down St. Joseph’s Day celebration and tapering back the level of private corporate events.

The Mission’s finances are currently still “precarious,” Adams said. The site raised some funds from a recent gala, and also benefited from grants and the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

“Those dollars are keeping us open right now. If I didn’t have those dollars to pay the labor—and we’re not open on Mondays, and we aren’t always open to the complete hours that we used to be—we wouldn’t be open if I didn’t have those dollars,” Adams said. “There is a little bit of concern on what happens when those grant dollars run out. We’re working really hard. The store is back to full numbers. Attendance on weekends is back to its old numbers.”

What’s missing, however, is the school field trips with students. Kids may come back for field trips with the relaxing of the school mask mandate in California, Adams said.

“We used to bring in over half a million to a million dollars in education revenue,” Adams said. “We were bringing in $27,000 last year.”

While Adams is positive the Mission will get through this, she is also cautious. The historic site is further struggling with finding employees, as are many other businesses due to changes in the labor market.

“People want to get paid more. It

sense to do so,” Adams said.“We owe the community these summer concerts that we haven’t yet had from 2020. We still owe three of them. We normally have a series of five or six concerts this summer. People bought tickets in early 2020 that we still haven’t had those concerts yet.”

Adams said they are reevaluating the future of those concerts and whether they’ll have six concerts, or instead three or four concerts, which would then allow the Mission to do other things.

Another silver lining that emerged during the pandemic was the Mission’s partnership with fellow nonprofit South Coast Repertory, which yielded outdoor theater performances at the Mission.

“We delivered two productions for nearly 20 nights last October to a super-appreciative crowd that got to go out in a safe manner and see live theater when all the theaters were closed,” Adams said.

Adams acknowledged the Mission’s budget was in the negative for earned revenues “in a huge and significant way” at points throughout the past two years—a time when the site’s Board of Directors offered words of encouragement and mentorship to Adams. They also suggested different ways of doing things at the Mission.

“I’ve been here 18 years, and the first 15-16 were a trajectory of growth and building and expanding and bigger numbers, and it was always more and more and more. Then the pandemic said we’re going to take everything away from you.

You have nothing. What’s going to stick?”

Adams said. “I do think what came out of it for me and the team is definitely a keen Page 4

makes sense,” Adams said. “It’s expensive.

Housing is very, very expensive.”

Mask requirements and tension over such were an “ugly part” at the Mission during the pandemic, Adams said. Face masks were required at the site when instituted by state regulations, which led to some grumbling from visitors, who then lashed out at staff at times. Masks, though, are no longer required at the site since mandates for such have been largely lifted throughout California.

Adams did point to positive aspects— regular Mission supporters who have sent in donations, good Yelp reviews, and great customer service provided by staff. The Mission also set up an online store—a necessity during the early days of the pandemic. Everyone within the organization is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“What’s the future look like? The future looks like we can have less conversations about masks and vaccines, and we can focus more on our service and stewardship,” Adams said. “We’re really excited about bringing back our traditions and what’s new. What’s new is three new exhibits this year. New audio tour. The mariachi festival gets to come back. We already had all our bands sign up.”

One new exhibit is Journey to Renewal, which celebrates the artwork contributions of local historians Jan and Warren Siegel.

“There’s a lot going on. We’re excited,” Adams said. “Our gala is all set for Sept.

16. We’ve got most of our people on board to participate.”

Visit missionsjc.com for more information. thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

CUSD Board Votes Down Resolution on Student Mask Choice

Rises in mental health issues among students during the pandemic have been ignored, since there is more focus on masks and vaccines, Davis said.

Jones said there will soon be a mixture of masked and unmasked students.

“Everyone’s reasons are a private matter,” Jones said. “I will be profoundly disappointed if I hear of anyone being taunted, teased, bullied, or harassed for their mask choices.”

Bullockus said her constituents in Mission Viejo have urged her to stand strong on the mask issue.

“I cannot condone a continuous hurting of children,” Bullockus said. “My heart bleeds. I have felt ill for weeks over this issue.”

Student Advisor Kanei Padhya gave a symbolic no vote and spoke in favor of continuing to wear masks. Padhya said Davis’ resolution was “unnerving” and harmed the safety of students, school staff, and teachers.

“If mask mandates go away, there will be a rise in cases—not only for students but teachers,” Padhya said. “If the mask mandate were to be lifted, I think it should only be lifted if the COVID-19 vaccine gets added to the list of mandatory vaccines for public schools.”

Padhya said she will wear a mask “without a second thought” if doing so saves lives, particularly for immunocompromised people.

A separate but similar resolution directing the CUSD superintendent to have local responsibility when it comes to enforcing mask-wearing in classrooms that Jones and Bullockus co-authored was pulled by Jones after the district’s legal advisers said there could be potential “legal exposure” from it.

Some CUSD students have attempted to enter classrooms without masks as a demonstration against the mandate, which sometimes results in their being sent home and logged as an unexcused absence.

The board report for the pulled resolution said such action by the district “is in direct conflict with our mission to educate and prepare our students and our commitment to their success.”

In other news from the meeting, the Board of Trustees approved sending out informational messages to CUSD families regarding legislation that could require students get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to continue attending school in person.

Senate Bills 871 and 866 variously require the COVID-19 vaccine be added to the list of mandatory vaccinations

for students and allows children ages 12 to 17 to get the vaccine regardless of parental consent.

The proposed bills are expected to be considered by state government committees soon.

CUSD officials want to send out informational messages about the legislation because of its expected impact on students, particularly over concerns some students may be pulled out of classes because they or their parents may not want them to be vaccinated.

Braunstein resigned as the trustee for Area 2—which encompasses Ladera Ranch and much of San Juan Capistrano—after the meeting due to her disagreement with the anti-mask sentiments of some of her peers, as well as what she said was “never-ending, organized harassment by a certain vocal minority,” which impacted her safety and her family’s.

“Some of my fellow CUSD Trustees have been proposing policies that aren’t compliant with the law, which, if they were to succeed, (would) not only hurt the district but put me in an untenable position ethically and professionally as an attorney,” Braunstein announced in a statement.

Braunstein served as the Area 2 trustee after winning the November 2020 election against then-incumbent Jim Reardon.

“At the March 16 Board meeting, the trustees will consider holding a special election to fill the vacancy, or conducting an appointment process to identify an individual who would fill the vacancy until the November 2022 elections,” the district announced in a statement.

The meeting will be held at the Capistrano Unified School District office at 33122 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano and also livestreamed on YouTube.

preserved, as well as her reaction to remarks from the meeting.

Martz took issue with open space advocates being seen as outsiders, saying conservationists are concerned allowing major development in the area could set a precedent and lead to similar situations elsewhere.

“I don’t think (the city is) going to change their minds about leasing out the property,” said Martz, who lives in Irvine and was on the advisory committee that worked with the city in creating Putuidem Village. “The statement that it’s not being used is disingenuous. Open space is used by plants and animals, and not large crowds of people.”

The main concern is that Putuidem Village would be impacted and cultural deposits “disturbed” if soccer fields or an RV park were allowed, Martz said.

In response to city officials requiring future uses be in line with what’s out there now, Martz said she was glad to hear that, but not that developers are included on the list of potential proposers.

“I take that with a grain of salt,” Martz said. “I hope, in the long run, most of the open space will be preserved in its natural state.”

Martz said she would like to see a plan for restoring the Northwest Open Space and making it even more natural, and for the least environmentally damaging group to be selected if the city does move forward on future outside use.

Councilmember Troy Bourne said a number of cultural historical elements regarding the Northwest Open Space can be looked at—both Native Amer-

ican and not—when considering the future use.

“No one is suggesting changing this site from open space to some other use. I think we’re just looking at creative ways to be able—I’m going to use this important word—to activate this open space,” Bourne said. “Even if all that means is better access to and better walking trails through mustard grass, that would be a better activation than we see out there right now, where the bulk of the community simply does not have sufficient access to be able to use and enjoy this space.”

The City Council voted, 4-0, to approve putting out the request for proposals.

Farias, Bourne, Councilmember John Taylor, and Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart voted yes. Mayor Derek Reeve was not at the meeting.

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Days ahead of the student mask mandate being officially lifted in California, the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees chose to not allow making masks optional for students in the interim during a meeting on March 2.

In a 4-3 vote, trustees rejected Trustee Lisa Davis’ proposed resolution that called for non-enforcement of mask requirements while on-campus students are indoors. Board President Martha McNicholas and Trustees Amy Hanacek, Pamela Braunstein, and Krista Castellanos voted against the resolution.

Trustees Gila Jones, Judy Bullockus, and Davis voted yes.

A mandate requiring students wear masks indoors on school grounds— which has been in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic—is scheduled to be lifted by the California Department of Public Health after March 11. CUSD will follow suit and no longer require masks on students after that date.

The mask mandate and other pandemic precautions are set by the CDPH, and CUSD officials have said they must abide by them.

Davis—who represents San Clemente—has frequently spoken about student mask requirements, and previously urged the state and other officials to do away with the mandate. “(The CDPH) provided no data to support the arbitrary start of this policy 10 days from now,” Davis said. “Our community numbers put us in the mask-optional status, according to the CDC, and there is no reason to delay this policy.”

(Cont. from page 3) Councilmember Sergio Farias said keeping the Northwest Open Space exactly as it is now means it would continue to be rarely visited.

“I drive by there every day. I live close to it. It does sit in my district,” Farias said. “It’s seldom used. I want our community to use it. That’s my interest in moving forward with exploring options for this property, and that’s for the use of our community and our public’s interest.”

Patricia Martz, president for the California Cultural Resource Preservation Alliance’s Board of Directors, was one of the open space advocates who signed the letter sent to the council. Martz spoke with The Capistrano Dispatch the day after the meeting about her desire for the Northwest Open Space to stay The Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

Capistrano Unified School District Area 2 Trustee Pamela Braunstein resigned after a proposed resolution calling for non-enforcement of the statewide student mask mandate. Photo: Courtesy of Pamela Braunstein

Page 5

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

COMPILED BY STAFF

TUESDAY, MARCH 15

CD | Blenheim EquiSports

City Council 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

Cancels Nations Cup The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup—which was scheduled to be contested at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in May—has been canceled

by Blenheim EquiSports, the park’s manager, due to an equine virus outbreak.

The event would have been a regional qualifier for an event held in Spain later this year.

The outbreak of EHV-1, also known as horse herpes, has impacted events and operations in San Juan Capistrano, including the removal of horses from this year’s Swallows Day Parade and forcing the quarantining of horses at local stables.

“As we find ourselves in the middle of this uncertain and fluid situation, there is no realistic way for international teams invited to the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup USA to commit to the logistical preparations necessary to compete in early May,” Blenheim said in a statement. “It is also only fair to ensure the athletes can plan their competition schedules, at the highest level of the sport, early and effectively.”

Members of the equestrian community were looking forward to the event, which was expected to have a positive financial impact on San Juan Capistrano.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture recently sent a letter to equestrian event coordinators and participants warning about a potential spread of the virus if proper measures weren’t taken, as noted by Blenheim.

Other equestrian events scheduled at the park have been canceled by Blenheim, including the Spring I Classic show and open riding that was held every Monday.

“We will continue to be positive stewards of the sport and do whatever is necessary to help bring the spread of this outbreak to an end, all the while continuing our own facility upgrades, which will be in place upon the return of horse shows at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park,” Blenheim’s announcement said.

CD | Plaza Drive

Gets New Asphalt The owners of Plaza Del Obispo—a retail center in San Juan Capistrano— are getting around to a long-planned project.

New asphalt will be put in on Plaza Drive, as the private owners want to “present a quality property to the comThe Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16

The owners of Plaza Del Obispo have been busy with new asphalt installation for the shopping center. Photo: Courtesy of Ben Thomson

CUSD Board of Trustees 7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees—the governing board for the district—will meet to discuss and decide on local education issues. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the CUSD board meeting YouTube page. CUSD headquarters, 33122 Valle Road. capousd.ca.schoolloop.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

lowing the retirement of former police chief Lt. Carl Bulanek.

“Captain Montano joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and has worked in Custody Operations, Patrol, Criminal Investigations and Professional Services,” OCSD said in a news release.“He also served as an investigator with the Family Protection Detail and the Homicide Detail.”

Montano recently managed daily patrol operations for OCSD’s 13 contract cities and unincorporated areas.

“Captain Montano has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine and a master’s degree in Emergency Management Administration from California State University, Long Beach,” OCSD said in its announcement.

munity, neighbors and our tenants,” said Ben Thomson, one of the property owners.

Work will be done on Plaza Drive from March 23-24. Improvements have also recently been made on other areas of Plaza Del Obispo.

“In 1989, we didn’t have the funds to excavate and put down a rock base. The asphalt has not held up well in the ensuing 33 years,” Thomson said in an email.

“We did overlays and patching since, though the asphalt lots have extensive cracking and ‘speed bumps’ throughout.

All of the asphalt is being replaced with 4+ inches of new asphalt.”

The soil will be mixed with cement, Thomson said. The process is expensive, but the owners “felt it is appropriate since we are planning to own the property in perpetuity,” he said.

The property owners—the Stroscher-Thomson family since 1887— spaced out work on the project to minimize the effect on businesses and neighbors.

“Plaza Drive will be done in halves so that Capistrano Center has access throughout the two days,” Thomson said. “Drivers can park in adjacent lots, including (at) Rite Aid/Starbucks and behind Dollar Tree.”

The San Juan Capistrano community is welcome to visit the property and see the upgrades.

“Let us know what you think,” Thomson said.

CD | The Ecology Center

Enters into Philanthropic Partnership The Ecology Center—a community farm and educational center in San Juan Capistrano—and Irvine-based adult beverage company Avana Sparking Cocktails now have a philanthropic agreement.

Avana will donate 50 cents for each case purchased of their products to The Ecology Center’s Nourishing Neighbors program, which provides food-insecure families with weekly meals, the beverage company announced on Instagram.

Check out Avana’s Instagram page for more information.

CD | OCSD Announces

New City Police Chief

CD | Recycling Advocate

Capt. Justin Montano will take over as the new police chief for San Juan Capistrano, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department recently announced. He will begin serving the city on March 11 fol-

Ryan Hickman Hosts Beach Cleanup Day Ryan Hickman, a young recycling Page 6

Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee 5:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee will review expenditures of Measure Y bond proceeds. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

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.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22

Cultural Heritage Commission 4:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Cultural Heritage Commission will hold a public meeting. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

Planning Commission 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission will hold a public meeting. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

advocate in San Juan Capistrano who’s gained recognition for his environmental efforts, is hosting a cleanup day on March 26 from 8-10 a.m. at the T-Street beach area in San Clemente, south of the pier. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch March 11–24, 2022

Page 7

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON RMV

Toy Shop Adds Sweet Touch to Los Patrones Business Park

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

tep into Odin Parker, and you’ll find a wonderland of non-plastic toys—including music boxes, play “popsickles” and pretend gardening tools.

Odin Parker is another business that’s set up shop in Los Patrones Business Park, a new retail center in Rancho Mission Viejo. The business opened last summer, and it is owned and operated by married couple Atila and Blakeslee Lotfi.

“We started this five years ago when we were pregnant with my son, who’s 4½ now. At the time, we were just looking for some toys for him that were non-plastic,” Atila Lotfi said. “We were looking at a lot of wooden stuff—no loud colors or crazy stuff. We had a hard time finding the type of toys that we liked, but when we went online, we were able to find a lot of them, and most of them were in Europe.”

Shipping, though, was expensive—so the Lotfis, who live nearby in Ladera Ranch, decided to buy toys at wholesale prices and resell them. Their new foray into the toy world started as a hobby out of their home until they decided to turn it into a full-fledged business.

“It was a complete coincidence that we found this place, and it kind of worked out really well since we realized how family-oriented Rancho Mission Viejo is,” Atila Lotfi said. “The support we’ve gotten from the community is incredible, because a lot of people stumble in here without knowing this place is here, and they’re just really blown away by the toy offerings. They immediately become so supportive.”

News about Odin Parker has spread by word-of-mouth and through social media. The shop has a calming air when you walk into it. Gentle music plays, and pretend vegetables are on display. The couple’s young son, Jackson Lotfi, often likes to play with the items—including toy trains.

Many of the toys are homemade and different from what you might find at a big-box store. The goal was initially to just have a back warehouse space to store inventory, but the Lotfis eventually decided to open up the front of the store so that items can be displayed.

“We’re mostly an online business.

That’s where the majority of our business comes from,” Atila Lotfi said.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

EVENTS AT THE RANCH MARCH 19

HABITAT RESTORATION AND WEEDING 8-11 a.m. Pitch in to help tidy up The Nature Reserve. Volunteers will pick weeds and get to enjoy the outdoor scenery in South Orange County on a Saturday morning. Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 18. Sign up at rmvreserve.org.

MARCH 23

Jackson Lotfi, 4½, plays with a wooden train toy at Odin Parker, a toy shop in Rancho Mission Viejo. His parents, Atila and Blakeslee Lotfi, own and operate the store. Photo: Collin Breaux

Odin Parker, a toy shop in Rancho Mission Viejo, sells non-plastic items for kids to enjoy. Photo: Collin Breaux

“Coincidentally, we’ve had a lot of local customers that wanted to pick up their orders in person. At that point, if people wanted to come pick up their orders, we wanted to be a welcoming environment where you can see all the toys in person.”

The appeal of non-plastic toys is the “open-ended” play opportunities, Atila Lotfi said. A plastic toy you can buy at Page 8

Walmart might make a noise or light up after you press a button, and that’s it—but with a toy cooking set, playtime scenarios are limited only by a kid’s imagination.

Light non-plastic toys can also arguably be seen as a safer option.

“As parents of a 4½ -year-old, safety is our No. 1 priority,” Atila Lotfi said. “That’s

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AND TRAINING 7-8:30 p.m. Take the first step in becoming an official volunteer at The Nature Reserve. Participants will get to learn about the outdoor area’s history, purpose, and other relevant information, as well as how to communicate that to the public. The event will be held over Zoom. Sign up at rmvreserve.org.

the thing we were really looking after: toys that were non-toxic and safe and no chemicals.”

Lotfi also praised the neighboring businesses in Los Patrones Business Park, including Evolve Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu and Evolution Swim Academy.

“We only have positive things to say at this point. It’s been really great,” Atila Lotfi said of their experience so far as business tenants. “There are a lot of people that know us that come in, but there are a lot of people that don’t know about us that come in while walking with their kids or dog. Everyone has been so supportive.”

As for the business name, Atila Lotfi said it just came out of thin air. Parker is their son’s middle name, and Odin is a name the couple came across while searching for a business name.

Odin Parker has a philanthropic program in which a portion of purchases goes back to provide foods for kids in need, in partnership with the Children’s Hunger Fund and No Kid Hungry program.

For more information or to order online, visit odinparker.com. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch March 11–24, 2022

Page 9

thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | Is Everyone an Equestrian in San Juan? by Jessica DiCostanzo

Dan Almquist Looks to Develop Equestrian Facility at Northwest Open Space I f you have been to a City Council meeting recently, you have probably heard the name Dan Almquist or his company, Frontier Real Estate Investments. That’s because Frontier has been responsible for developing a lot of downtown San Juan Capistrano.

Almquist owns the family favorite, Zoomars at River Street Ranch, and has expanded his projects throughout our city during his eight-year residency.

His vision for San Juan is to emphasize community areas while highlighting the unique history of the city.

Most recently, Almquist was bidding on the long-term lease to operate the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. He admits his interest was selfish—he wanted to continue the equestrian use of the park, as he and his kids are avid equestrians. In the end, Almquist felt “like it was the right decision to bow out,” as the Ridland Group had done a good job of being inclusive of all disciplines and adding a community component.

Now, Frontier Real Estate is looking into the Northwest Open Space as a place to develop an equestrian facility.

It’s a “very special piece of property.

The land has a great feeling,” Almquist

Letter to The Editor IN-N-OUT APPROVAL BY CITY COUNCIL EARL PORTER, San Juan Capistrano I was extremely dismayed by our City Council’s recent approval of the proposal for In-N-Out on Del Obispo Street. I have lived in this city since 1975, and while not always agreeing with decisions of the Council, this is, in my opinion, by far the most concerning issue in terms of benefit for the community as a whole!

In spite of significant community opposition—as well as recommendations The Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

Dan Almquist is an avid equestrian who wants to keep the horse riding tradition going in San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition

said. He questions how you do not take away the natural beauty of the land and add more recreational uses? His answer:

against this proposal from the Planning Commission, Cultural Heritage Commission and Design Review Committee—the current City Council, by split vote, decided to move forward with this project.

How can these three councilmembers ignore the already large negative traffic congestion at various hours of the day?

If anyone truly believes traffic congestion is not a real issue here, then they haven’t traveled on Del Obispo Street at the peak hours, regardless of direction.

To say “traffic was already an issue before this project and is a problem they can’t fix” is irresponsible and only exacerbates the problem. There are already two In-N-Out locations within a short drive from the center of town. Why is there a need for a third?

gatherings, hiking, agriculture, and—of course—horses. He sees the land as a great way to integrate the community.

Not everyone wants to ride, but most people appreciate seeing horses.

He would work on positioning them where they are prominent in the Northwest Open Space. Horses will be part of the destination.

“Hey, we’re a horse town. Let’s open up horses to more people,” Almquist exclaimed.

Almquist has witnessed this firsthand within his own family. The impact horses have had on his family is huge. He loves that he gets to spend time with his kids outdoors in a wholesome activity. He’s noticed a dramatic change in his son’s confidence. Horses are just good for the soul … and bring soul to our city.

Jessica DiCostanzo is a San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition Board Member, lifelong equestrian, and co-founder of equivont.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.

The biggest question, in my mind, is whose interests are being served by this approval: the community as a whole, or individual members of the council or the city coffers?

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GETTING OUT

Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

Editor’s Pick

SUNDAY | 13

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 | 11 HOOS’GOW DAY 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. The annual San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association tradition returns, right before the Swallows Day Parade. City slickers wandering around San Juan Capistrano will be thrown in “jail” if they’re not in Western wear. They can get out if they can pay “bail” by buying a Fiesta souvenir, which helps raise funds for the parade and related events, all in good fun. Downtown San Juan Capistrano. 949.

615.1920. swallowsparade.com.

SATURDAY | 12 LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 2 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind while listening to live music at Trevor’s at the Tracks. The Reflexx will perform. There will be a $30 cover at the door. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701

AT THE MOVIES

‘The Worst Person in the World’ Gets It Right

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

J

oachim Trier’s new romantic dramedy, The Worst Person in the World, has been getting praise since its European release last autumn, and I’m happy to say it lived up to my expectations—though

The Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT SWALLOW’S INN 2-6 p.m. Come enjoy a drink and enjoy some live music at this famous downtown bar. Road Kill Kings will perform.

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

THURSDAY | 17 INN AT MISSION SJC ART EVENT 4-6 p.m. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano hosts a public art demonstration on the third Thursday of every month. Kevin Davidson will demonstrate how to integrate oil painting knife techniques into a brush painting. The event is free, and tapas food and beverages will be available for purchase. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31692 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.503.5700. innatthemissionsjc.com.

COUNTRY CONCERT AT THE RIDING PARK 6 p.m. Country music artist Jon Pardi will perform at The Outpost, San Juan Capistrano’s new music venue. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as the show will be outdoors. Food and adult beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets can be obtained online. The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuanoutpost.com.

Enjoy live music and a bell ringing at Mission San Juan Capistrano on March 19 for St. Joseph’s Day. Photo: Collin Breaux

SATURDAY | 19 ST. JOSEPH’S DAY AND RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano is celebrating this traditional day with a ringing of the historic bells, live music, Native American presentations, and more.

Visit the Mission website for ticket prices and more information. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com. 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.

SATURDAY | 19

SATURDAY NIGHT AT PADDY’S STATION 7-10 p.m. Grab a pint, order some fish and chips, and spend the night at a downtown Irish pub. Elvis impersonator OC Elvis will perform. Paddy’s Station, 26701 Verdugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

SUNDAY | 20

‘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,

ECO TOTS 10-11:30 a.m. The Ecology Center is providing this hands-on learning experience for young kids to learn about their community farm and sustainable agriculture.

Bring the kids to learn about and see farm chickens, garden beds, plants, a greenhouse, and more. Tickets can be reserved online. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.443.4223. theecologycenter.org.

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

with a couple different results.

Imagine if Woody Allen’s Annie Hall (1977) was from Annie’s POV instead of Alvy’s; and if Annie not only had the charming eccentricities in the couple, but also the neurosis. Imagine this happening in Oslo, Norway, instead of New York City, and with two relationships instead of one.

In modern day Oslo, Julie (Renate Reinsve) is approachong 30, working in a local bookstore because she’s still indecisive on what to do for a career, and experiences two important relationships back-to-back.

The first boyfriend, Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie), is 15 years older and a success-

ful comic book writer-artist. The second boyfriend, Eivind (Herbert Nordrum), is an ordinary barista around her age. The title, The Worst Person in the World, refers to the fact that Julie overlaps both relationships, and is generally extra blunt and brazen with her choices.

I’ve seen complaints from viewers that Trier and screenwriter Eskil Vogt focused too much of the story on Aksel and Eivind, but I really don’t get that criticism. Save for a couple of scenes dedicated to the men’s arcs, I felt it was pretty clearly Julie’s tale.

Some have compared the heroine of Worst Person to Alana Haim’s protagonist in PT An-

derson’s Licorice Pizza, wherein both young ladies are in denial about aging. While Haim’s character is frustrated and unhappy, Reinsve’s is mostly just indecisive and conflicted. I didn’t feel that her character or performance bordered on immature or lazy, though she is making some questionable decisions.

The film does end on a down note compared to all of the other films I’ve mentioned, though it’s not too bleak or depressing.

The Worst Person in the World is the third and final effort in Trier and Vogt’s “Oslo trilogy,” following Reprise (2006) and Oslo, August 31st (2011). Though, for me, the new film works perfectly alongside Annie Hall. CD

FRIDAY | 18

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SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

PLANTING AND FARMING IN ORANGE COUNTY A

lmost all of the plants and flowers that we associate with Southern California were brought in by the missionaries. As the missionaries traveled from Europe, Africa, South America, Latin America, Mexico and into California, they brought with them plants and flowers that they liked from different parts of the world. When they came into the Capistrano Valley, the native plants included mainly cacti, scrub oak, wild berries, and wild herbs. The native population had an abundance of wild animals, large and small, and fish, but their diet did lack fruits and vegetables associated with the Western culture.

Pepper trees were once seen all over town, but recently we have lost a lot of them to disease. The missionaries found these trees in Peru, and they really liked the little red peppers. They planted them on their trek northward. In some places, they grew, and in some they

did not. They flourished in San Juan Capistrano.

Roses that are such a popular flower in Southern California were also brought by the missionaries. They were originally found in Turkey.

The missionaries brought the olive MOMENTS IN TIME tree to San Juan

BY JAN SIEGEL Capistrano, because they needed the oil for cooking and for the Sacraments.

In a book about California gardens from 1800-1850, it states that at the time that the Forster family was living in the Mission, “only a few old fruit trees, such as pears, peaches, figs and olives, remained. Records tell about frost damage to some of the pepper tree branches in 1830. Grapevines were still there but without leaves or shoots, having surren-

dered to the vine disease.” Remember, it was Saint Serra who brought grapevines to the Mission and started the wine industry in California at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Serra is also responsible for bringing chocolate into California. He enjoyed chocolate as a young man in Spain.

While Abraham Lincoln is known for returning Mission land to the Catholic Church in California, he should also be remembered for encouraging farmers to come to our state. The Morrill Land Grant Act, which “granted federal lands to each state to establish colleges for the teaching of agriculture and allied arts,” passed in 1862. The MLGA was the creation of the U. S. Department of Agriculture Homestead Act, which “granted western land to those who would farm” and the Pacific Railway Act, “which cleared the way for the transcontinental railway.” All were all signed by Lincoln.

Following the Civil War, Pam Gibson

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Leif

Photo: Courtesy of Teeter Marie Olivares Romero and OC Public Libraries.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This photo depicts Ellen Olivares, Linda Cowell, and Wanda Yslasin as children in San Juan Capistrano in 1957.

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.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

This handsome little lad is Leif, a 1-yearold kitty who’s ready to strike out on his own and find his forever family. Leif can be a bit of a charmer and will gaze adoringly at you with his big, bright eyes. He also loves the company of other cats and would make a wonderful kitty companion. Once you meet Leif, he’s sure to win your heart.

If you are interested in adopting Leif, 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.

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

wrote in her book Two Hundred Years in San Juan Capistrano that Richard Egan settled down for farming barley and Joel Congdon planted English walnuts, thus starting the walnut industry in Orange County. The Daneris, Rosenbaums, and Lacouagues planted oranges. By 1914, oranges had become the major crop for the valley.

Just as the Mission land led to the Rancheros and the Rancheros led to sheep herders, walnut and citrus farmers, the cost of maintaining the orange groves led to the planting of strawberries. Following WWII, Japanese-American farmers found that they could grow strawberries in small areas and make a good profit to offset some of the costs of raising other crops. They were also a good rotation crop. The year 1968 was the biggest year for growing strawberries in Orange County.

The same Charles Francis Saunders, who wrote Capistrano Nights with Father O’Sullivan, wrote many books about the flora and fauna of the West on behalf of the railroads to entice people to visit or move westward. Writing in 1927, Sauners wrote about what had happened to our many wild and cultivated plants: “Plowing them up, grazing them up, burning them up, burying them under concrete and asphalt, tearing them out of the roots to gratify a passing whim and cast aside until, like her Indians, her wild flora has been desolated and largely driven away from the homes of the people to find refuge, too often only in deserts and mountains”.

As we enter into spring, spend a Moment in Time and think about planting a little bit of history in your yard and think back on all the beauty this land has to offer.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in the neighboring town of Rancho Mission Viejo.

She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years, has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 26 years and is currently the museum curator for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. 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.

Page 12

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CLASSIFIEDS

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

E-mail your garage sale to info@thecapistranodispatch.com DEADLINE 12PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. LARGE MOVING/GARAGE SALE - MARCH 12 Saturday, March 12 at 8:30 am. 602 Calle Ganadero, San Clemente, CA 92673 NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE!!! MARCH 12 Great deals-furniture, tools, sports equipment, ladies and men’s clothes, jewelry, antiques, knick knacks.

Saturday March 12th, 8am-12pm. 34248 Camino El Molino, Capistrano Beach FORSTER RANCH COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Saturday, March 19, 2022. X st’s Camino Vera Cruz and Camino De Los Mares.

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

Do you want to reach 24,150 + people in the SJC & RMV area?

Then you need to be in The Capo Dispatch! Call us today!

Call Debra at 949.388.7700 ext. 104 or debra@wellsadsolutions.com The Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

San Juan Hills Boys Basketball Captures First CIF-SS Championship

to doing this, it’s just … it’s inspiring. I have a lot to thank my wife and kids for.

I was just separated from the program, and to get things back on that climb.

These guys were all part of it.”

San Juan Hills (27-4) has blown away the program record for most wins in a season (16 in 2009) in Efstathiou’s seventh season at the helm. The previous high under him was 14 wins. The Stallions have also improved their league record each of the four years this team’s

seniors have been with the program, including San Juan Hills’ two leading scorers and four-year varsity players: John McFadden and Mark Reichner.

“They’ve done a phenomenal job, and I’m so appreciative of them,” Efstathiou said of his senior class. “They inspire me.

I told them today, we all put in this time, but you guys also inspire me to try and bring my best.”

San Juan Hills trailed La Mirada (1814) by as many as 10 points in the first quarter, and the Stallions were outrebounded, 6-1, in the opening frame.

McFadden turned it on in the second quarter with 12 points, including two 3-pointers and a coast-to-coast layup.

With a block on one end and a 3-pointer on the other, senior Jake Simon kickstarted a 12-0 run that put San Juan Hills ahead, 27-24. The Stallions held a 27-26 lead at halftime.

San Juan Hills would not trail again.

“That’s the clutch gene right there,” McFadden said. “I saw that my team was down, and I said there was no way we’re losing our first ring. I just had to pull something out from inside me, and that’s what I did.”

The Stallions outscored the Matadores, 16-5, in the third quarter, including another 12-0 run that began with another

momentum-swinging, 3-pointer from Simon, for a 43-31 lead going into the fourth. San Juan Hills kept La Mirada at bay in the fourth quarter to seal the game, 59-49, and clinch the program’s first section championship.

San Juan Hills outrebounded La Mirada in the second half, 12-6, and knocked down eight 3-pointers in the game, four in each half.

McFadden led San Juan Hills with 22 points. Reichner scored 11 points, with two 3-pointers. Simon and senior Marcus Parks each had eight points with two 3-pointers.

McFadden and Reichner have seen the whole journey for this San Juan Hills program and Efstathiou’s battle firsthand, which made Friday’s title celebration all the sweeter.

“It’s everything,” Reichner said. “This was for Coach E. It was for Coach E, hands down. Coach E has been the best role model, the biggest supporter of all of us. It was for him.”

“Coach E is the most dedicated coach out there,” McFadden said. “He does so much for us. Every hour of the day, he’s working for this team. He’s probably the best coach I’ve ever had in my life.”

San Juan Hills can celebrate this championship forever, as the first Stallions team to reach the mountaintop. CD

SS Division 1 championship on Feb. 25 at JSerra Catholic High School.

This was JSerra’s second CIF-SS Final, but its first runner-up plaque. The Lions (19-10) won the Division 4AA title in 2014.

St. Bernard’s Jason Hart, Jr., a senior, was largely responsible for the Lions’ defeat, pouring in 15 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Hart knocked down three 3-pointers and cashed in on all six free throw attempts to help his team maintain the lead.

The Vikings got off to a similarly hot start from behind the arc in the first quarter, using four 3-pointers—two from Hart—to grab a 17-11 lead at the end.

JSerra coach Keith Wilkinson said his team competed despite the nerves to remain within striking distance.

“We had a different lineup, the first lineup we’ve ever had this year without (starting guard EJ Bryson), who’s been out,” he said. “He tore his ACL in the last game, so our sophomore Sebastian Rancik came in, and I thought he did a good job for us.”

Lions guard Rob Diaz had a seven-point second quarter, helping JSerra stay close to St. Bernard. The Vikings led, 26-24, at halftime.

However, St. Bernard’s switch to a zone defense late in the second quarter started to give the Lions fits.

It slowed down the game and JSerra’s offense, allowing the Vikings to seize the momentum and jump out to a 10-point lead before Wilkinson had to call timeout.

The balance of the aggressive, man-toman defense and smartly played zone defense limited JSerra. Diaz missed all of his shots in the third quarter.

Wilkinson said it hurt not to have Bryson in that moment, as the Lions lacked their best creator and someone who could find his open teammates.

“We didn’t make shots, and we didn’t create enough opportunities against that zone,” he added.“That’s why we struggled.”

Despite Diaz’s own struggles, the coaching staff continued to encourage him to shoot and play confidently.

Other Lions chipped in to help them claw back to within four points, when St. Bernard took a timeout with 1:07 left in the third quarter. Then, the Vikings found their mojo again.

Cleaning up the turnovers that let JSerra remain close, St. Bernard stretched its lead to eight by the end of the third and led by as many as 13 points midway through the final period.

From then on, the two teams traded baskets until the end. Every time the Lions gained any momentum, St. Bernard quickly answered.

It was Hart who hit the dagger 3-pointer with 1:30 left to put the Vikings up, 63-49. Every Viking starter on the court was subbed out a minute later, except for Hart, who made his final free throws to cap off the night.

Both teams made the State playoffs, but JSerra will have to continue to limp along with so many players injured.

“Hopefully, we can regroup and make a run at State, but I’m just so proud of these guys,” Wilkinson said. CD

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

L

A MIRADA—Feb. 25 was the culmination of a long journey for the San Juan Hills boys basketball team and coach Jason Efstathiou.

In the summer of 2019, Efstathiou was bed-ridden, barely able to move as he battled a rare form of neuropathy. The seniors on the current Stallions roster were freshmen when their coach first became sick.

Efstathiou returned to the sidelines sitting on a stool in 2020. In 2021, San Juan Hills won its first league championship.

In 2022, the Stallions repeated as league champions, advanced to their first quarterfinal, first semifinal and first CIF-SS Final. On Friday, Feb. 25, Efstathiou stood tall and raised a golden plaque over his head, as San Juan Hills became CIF-SS champion.

The Stallions charged back from a slow start to dominate the final three quarters, defeating host La Mirada, 59-49, to capture the program’s first CIF-SS title in the Division 2A Final at La Mirada High School.

“Unbelievable,” Efstathiou said, surrounded by his children and wife. “Outside of these three (my kids), probably the next-best feeling.”

“Two years ago, I was almost dead, right?” Efstathiou continued. “For me, just coming back from being bed-ridden

JSERRA BOYS BASKETBALL HANGS TOUGH, LOSES TO ST. BERNARD

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

AN JUAN CAPISTRANO – Chants of “We can’t hear you!” and “Ring Season” echoed through a packed but otherwise silent gym during the final seconds of a contest last month.

The No. 8-ranked St. Bernard Vikings (19-6) pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat JSerra at home, 71-59, for the CIFThe Capistrano Dispatch March 11-24, 2022

The Stallions charged back from a slow start to dominate the final three quarters. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

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The Capistrano Dispatch March 11–24, 2022

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The Capistrano Dispatch March 11–24, 2022

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