April 22, 2022

APRIL 22-MAY 12, 2022 | VOLUME 20, ISSUE 8

INSIDE: Special Section

A Place to Relax Culinary Professional Opens New Café in San Juan Capistrano E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 3

Coffee and food connoisseur Michael Campbell (above) recently opened Pacific Pearl Café in the shopping center near St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. Photo: Collin Breaux

thecapistranodispatch.com

Council Looks to Fill Planning Commission Vacancy

Zuri Pet Spa Sets Up Shop in RMV

On Stage at The Coach House: Dennis Quaid

EYE ON SJC/ PAGE 9

EYE ON RMV/PAGE 10

GETTING OUT/PAGE 28

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 2

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Pacific Pearl Café Opens in San Juan Capistrano

BY COLLIN BREAUX

People looking to relax in San Juan Capistrano with a cup of coffee—and who want to grab a light breakfast or lunch along the way—can do so at Pacific Pearl Café, a new business in town.

The café is owned by Michael Campbell, an experienced culinary professional who started doing catering a little over a year ago when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of some businesses in which he was the culinary director. He opened the café in late March.

“I wanted to do something more than just catering,” Campbell said. “I wanted to have a little space for my friends and neighbors to come and hang out.”

Pacific Pearl Café is in the shopping center near St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, located at 31654 Rancho Viejo Road in Suite G, next to Ball Park Pizza.

Menu items feature, as Campbell

puts it, breakfast and lunch food that is “simple but thoughtfully done.” Customers might find oatmeal cookies and sandwiches when they walk in, and calming music often plays in the cozy space. Since it is a café, there are seats and tables and—of course—coffee.

Campbell is a self-professed “coffee snob” and sipped on the caffeinated beverage when talking about the new venture.

Pacific Pearl Café also offers catering services. The switch to catering and operating his own café comes after Campbell had worked for hotels and “fancy restaurants,” sectors in which he no longer wanted to work.

“We usually have a couple of (catering gigs) a week,” Campbell said. “I’m still doing that. That’s fun. That’s the more creative side.”

A lot of Pacific Pearl Café’s offerings are sourced from The Ecology Center, a community farm also in San Juan Capistrano. A scroll through the café’s Instagram account shows pictures of Campbell picking up Brussel sprouts from and cooking for events at The Ecology Center.

“The Ecology Center is halfway

Date and oatmeal cookies are some treats that customers might find when they walk into Pacific Pearl Café, a new business on Rancho Viejo Road. Photo: Collin Breaux

between here and home for me,” said Campbell, who lives in Laguna Niguel. “I get to stop there multiple times a week, find whatever they have growing out of the ground.”

Community and feeding people “good things” are important to Campbell.

“No one’s thrown any rocks through the window,” Campbell said jokingly when asked about how the community response has been. “We’re right next to St. Margaret’s here. They’ve very supportive.”

Pacific Pearl Café has opened in a soft way with no grand celebration or big announcements.

“It wasn’t, like, a big push to open up.

It was kind of, like, let’s steadily open up,”

Employees, Student File Lawsuit Challenging Community College Districts’ Vaccine Requirements

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Photo: Courtesy of Eduardo López/Adobe Stock

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Opposition to COVID-19 vaccines for school campuses and workplaces continues—and, this time, it is going to the courts.

Community college employees in San Diego County and South Orange County, in conjunction with one student, have filed a lawsuit to stop the college districts’ requirement that they be vaccinated to attend classes and work on campus.

The 416-page complaint, filed in federal court on April 1, alleges that the vaccination requirements set by the community college districts of South Orange County, Grossmont-Cuyamaca and San Diego are unconstitutional and discriminatory to those who do not want to get the shot.

Michele Clock, a spokesperson for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, said on April 11 that the district isn’t able to comment on pending litigation.

As of press time, representatives from the other two districts had not responded to requests seeking comment.

Jess Perez, an administrative assistant Page 3

in the athletics program at Saddleback College, is one of the seven plaintiffs.

Perez, who has worked at Saddleback College for more than 20 years, said he refuses to get the shot because of his deeply held beliefs as a born-again Christian.

He has not received a vaccine of any kind for the past 20 years, including flu shots.

“The word of God says we are to take care of our bodies because we believe He resides in our bodies,” Perez said in a phone interview on April 7. “I don’t want to defile the temple that God lives in. He created all individuals to be free.”

The South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees voted last year to require vaccinations for employees and students, starting in January. However, exemptions were allowed, which Perez applied for and was granted.

He has to regularly get tested twice a week for COVID-19, which he feels is discriminatory because vaccinated people do not have to undergo regular testing.

“I absolutely hate it when people

Campbell said. “The neighborhood discovered us. I stand behind the coffee we serve, all the products we serve. I want people to know they can come here for high-quality ingredients.”

Campbell describes business as “mellow,” with people still finding out about the café.

“It’s simple done well, is the key,” Campbell said. “We’re going to start doing dinner to-go in the next couple of weeks. Definitely by May, I want to be able to offer that. People can kind of order ahead. It’s one of those things I’d like to sell out every night.”

Visit pacificpearlcatering.com for more information.

abuse authority, and become a bully with that authority,” Perez said.

Perez further addressed his opposition to vaccine requirements during a press conference the California Constitutional Rights Foundation held regarding the lawsuit on April 11. The COVID-19 vaccine was not a condition of his employment when he was hired, he said April 11.

“I’ve done my job faithfully,” Perez said at the press conference.

Other plaintiffs are from the Grossmont-Cuyamaca and San Diego Community College Districts.

“After 18 years of working for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, I was forced to use my vacation pay, then go on unpaid leave because I refuse to be vaccinated due to my sincerely held religious beliefs,” plaintiff Patricia Sparks said in a news release.

“I am facing financial hardship and stress, but what is worse, the District tossed my years of dedication and love for Grossmont College for nothing more than a refusal to be injected with a drug that does not stop infection, nor does it stop the transmission,” she continued in the release.

The consensus of medical experts is that the vaccine is safe, helps prevent widespread transmission of COVID-19, (Cont. on page 4) thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

City Officials Set Speed Limits for Local Roadways The City of San Juan Capistrano is looking at reducing speed limits on several roadways in town, though speed limits for the majority of local roadways will stay the same.

Setting speed limits came before the council during a meeting on Tuesday, April 19, due to the coming expiration of a traffic study conducted in 2012 that set current speed limits. A new traffic survey was conducted in February of this year to “ensure that posted speed limits correspond with current speeds and remain enforceable,” a city staff report said.

“One of the notable items this evening is, tonight, we’re not recommending any speed limit increases,” Public Works Director Tom Toman said.

Speed-limit reductions approved unanimously by the council are 35 miles per hour for Calle Aspero from Del Obispo Street to Peppertree Bend, and Trabuco Creek Road from Rancho Viejo Road to the eastern end; 45 miles per hour for Stonehill Drive from Camino Capistrano to the western city limits; and 25 miles per hour for Camino Capistrano from Ortega Highway to Acjachema Street, and Paseo Adelanto from Del Obispo Street to Ramos Street.

“We know that area is very heavy in pedestrian use—close to Los Rios Park, close to Zoomars, very busy area,” Toman said of the Paseo Adelanto segment.

The reductions are by 5 miles per hour except for the Camino Capistrano portion, which is a 10 mile-per-hour reduction.

The city also set a 35 mile-per-hour limit for road segments that were not previously surveyed by traffic studies: Avenida California from Vista Marina to Camino Las Ramblas; Stallion Ridge (adjacent to San Juan Hills High School) from Avenida La Pata to the western end; and Vista Marina from Valle Road to Avenida California. Similar speed limits have already been posted by the developers of the areas in question, except on Stallion Ridge.

Speed limits will otherwise stay the same on 63 of the city’s 71 road seg-

ments. The speed limit considerations approved by the council at Tuesday’s meeting were a first reading, and they become official during a second reading at the next council meeting.

“The traffic survey itself includes consideration of the following criteria: prevailing speeds as determined by engineering measurement, accident records, traffic and roadside conditions that are not apparent to the driver, adjacent land use, and the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians,” Toman said.

Toman also addressed a collision resulting in a pedestrian fatality that occurred on San Juan Creek Road in January 2021, as well as speed limits for the corridor. The primary cause of the fatal collision was said to be an “improper turn” based on the incident report, which was not further elaborated on.

“At that time, we received a lot of correspondence from the community regarding speeding and traffic safety on San Juan Creek Road,” Toman said. “Because

we had the citywide traffic and engineering survey slated for later that year, traffic performed a more focused supplemental evaluation of San Juan Creek Road between Valle Road and La Novia Avenue and further east of the terminus.”

“The study evaluated specifically accident history—but rather than just the three-year history that was provided, we studied it for five years to go back,” Toman continued. “We looked at the number of accidents, the type of accidents, the primary causes of accidents. We asked ourselves, is there any need for additional traffic control devices out there?”

The survey found there were 12 reported collisions from 2016 to 2021 in the San Juan Creek corridor: nine broadside collisions, one hitting an object, one side swipe, and one automobile hitting a pedestrian.

“Notably, none of the reported accidents on San Juan Creek Road were related to speeding. With respect to accident rates, the metric for measuring accident rates is accidents per million

vehicle miles,” Toman said. “San Juan Creek Road is about 80% lower than the average accident rate countywide.

Consequently, the existing speed limits on San Juan Creek Road are considered reasonable based on both the accident history and speed survey data, and are recommended to remain unchanged as recommended by staff.”

Installation of additional traffic devices on San Juan Creek Road are also not recommended.

Councilmembers did not extensively comment on speed limits or the recommendations made by city staff.

In other news from the meeting, City Manager Ben Siegel announced city officials will move forward on three proposals for extended use of the town’s Northwest Open Space from C&C Development, Frontier Real Estate Investments, and Capistrano Vineyards.

The three parties were invited to present their concepts at an upcoming council meeting. The City Council discussed proposed uses of the site—seven were sent in, including some for only the Swanner House or area’s dog park—during an executive session closed to the public on Tuesday.

“Those three were selected for further review and consideration based on their proposed project concept, compatibility with current uses on the property, and operating experience,” Siegel said. “Staff will work with the three proposers to schedule the presentations for a council meeting later this spring.”

Dan Almquist, who heads up Frontier Real Estate Investments, presented his proposal—it includes equestrian uses— to the San Juan Capistrano community during a recent Coffee Chat discussion.

Trevor Baird, who owns the downtown restaurant Trevor’s at the Tracks, and local equestrian Kathy Holman are partnering with Almquist for Frontier’s proposal. Baird was also at the Coffee Chat presentation.

A proposal from Pacifico Development called Olas Ranch, which included plans for a wave pool and equestrian space for local nonprofit Surf & Turf Therapy, was not selected to go forward.

Former Planning Commission Chairman Harrison Taylor was consulting with Pacifico Development on the project and also presented plans for Olas Ranch at a separate Coffee Chat meeting.

(Cont. from page 3) and has undergone rigorous and careful development.

In addition to seeking a stop to vaccine and testing requirements, the lawsuit is also intended to put a halt to masking mandates, according to a legal brief.

The employees and a student filing the lawsuit contend their college

districts conducted pandemic policies “without any reasonable belief that plaintiffs had symptoms, had contracted COVID-19, or had been in close contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19,” the court filing said.

Perez said whether to get vaccinated should be a personal matter, and not forced on people by employers or the government.

“I really just believe it is everyone’s individual choice to be vaccinated or not vaccinated,” Perez said.

A court hearing date has not yet been set for the lawsuit.

Opposition to vaccination requirements and pandemic protocols has frequently popped up in South Orange County and elsewhere throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including as it ap-

plies to school campuses and students.

Under a California bill recently proposed by State Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), the COVID-19 vaccine could be added to the list of immunizations that students are required to have for school. That bill, though, has not moved forward since being referred to the State Senate’s Health and Education committees in February.

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

City officials recently set a 25 mile-per-hour speed limit on Paseo Adelanto, from Del Obispo Street to Ramos Street—a stretch that previously was 30 miles per hour. Photo: Courtesy of Brett Sayles/Pexels

Page 4

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 5

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

CUSD Officials Hear Survey Results on Potential Bond for Dana Hills Facilities

BY COLLIN BREAUX

As the Capistrano Unified School District considers whether to put another bond up for election that would fund building upgrades at Dana Hills High School, CUSD trustees and staff heard public feedback on whether voters would support the bond and how they feel about local educational issues.

True North Research conducted public opinion surveys for CUSD in March of this year with residents in the Dana Hills area who are considered likely to vote in the upcoming November election. The results of those surveys were presented during a Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, April 20.

Of those surveyed, 84% said improving the quality of education in local public schools is important. Preventing local tax increases was important to 64% of respondents. Repairing and upgrading aging school facilities was ranked as important by 61% of respondents.

“When you look at the gap between improving the quality of education in local public schools and preventing local tax increases, that gap is about 20 points,” said Timothy McLarney, president of True North Research. “That’s a little lower than we normally see in communities, and it’s really a reflection of the fact that your community is a little more tax-sensitive than some.”

The data also suggests a lack of awareness about facility needs and conditions at Dana Hills High, McLarney said.

A little more than half of those polled

in an initial ballot test—intended to reflect what the bond question might look on a voter ballot—said they would definitely or probably be in favor of a bond. On the other hand, 36% of voters said they would definitely or probably not be in favor of a bond. Undecided voters came in at 11.6%.

For a bond as proposed in question to pass, it has to be approved by 55% of voters. Voters previously did not approve bond measures placed on ballots in March 2020 and November 2016 that would have funded school facility renovations.

The top favored educational projects and programs by respondents that could be funded under a bond are modernized labs, career technical facilities, and equipment to prepare students for college; removing hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead pipes from campuses; and bringing older facilities up to health, safety, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.

McLarney said after the survey that a bond may be feasible for 2022, but there is “a hill to climb.”

“In order to climb that hill and get over that 55% threshold that you would need to be successful, it’s really important that this bond meet three conditions: that it’s viewed as affordable; that it’s focused on the projects and improvements that voters identified as priorities for this bond; and it’s accompanied by robust community and opinion leader

Capo Unified Advocates for State to Raise Base Student Funding

tional base funding.

AB 1614, introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), was introduced in January of this year and intends to increase base grants from the state in “order to achieve specified educational goals,” according to the bill’s language. The legislation was last re-referred to an educational committee on Tuesday, April 19, but otherwise it has not significantly moved forward.

The majority of educational funding for school districts in California comes from the state under a formula introduced in 2013 called the Local Control Funding Formula, or LCFF, for short.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, a base amount of funding is provided based on a district’s average daily attendance, with extra funding then provided for high-need students such as the economically disadvantaged, English learners, or foster youth.

In a recent interview with The Capistrano Dispatch, CUSD spokesper-

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Officials and staff with the Capistrano Unified School District believe that CUSD is underfunded under the current education funding formula from the state, and so the district is raising awareness of a campaign called Raise the Base that supports increasing the dollar amount given per student.

The CUSD Board of Trustees approved a resolution brought forth at a monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 20, directing Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte to communicate the Raise the Base message to the public—and encouraging parent and community support for California Assembly Bill 1614, which also supports more educaThe Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Capistrano Unified School District officials are weighing whether to seek a bond to fund facility upgrades at Dana Hills High School, in the wake of previous bond measures that were not approved by enough voters. Photo: File

Page 6

engagement, education, and communication,” McLarney said.

Emphasizing the opportunity for state matching funds and that all the money stays local and will be accountable would be key components of communicating why the bond is necessary, McLarney said.

Michele Ploessel-Campbell, executive vice president for CUSD’s Parent Teacher Student Association Council, said she really wants facility upgrades but worries that “we don’t have the community support that we need in these numbers.”

“Personally, the district has yes votes from at least four in this community in my household and in households related to mine,” Ploessel-Campbell said. “Unfortunately, we are not the only voters in our area, so I really hope there will be

work done in that education component that Timothy just mentioned that is needed to really make this community aware of these needs.”

Board President Martha McNicholas said she agreed with Ploessel-Campbell.

“While I definitely support (the bond), I am worried that we are not over the 55% on our initial reading, and I think we’re about in the same position (as previous failed bond attempts),” McNicholas said. “It’s a similar hill to climb. It may be a smaller group to focus on, but it’s kind of where we are.”

Trustees did not vote on anything related to the bond, because the survey was only an informational presentation.

The next steps for a potential bond will include a board conversation to decide further actions, if any.

son Ryan Burris said CUSD has been underfunded for years compared to neighboring districts—such as the Santa Ana Unified School District—due to CUSD’s comparatively lower number of Title I students. Title I is an educational term for disadvantaged or low-performing students.

State funding per student in California is approximately $8,017 per K-12 student per year, according to the Education Data Initiative. Federal funding is $1,149 per student, while local funding contributes $5,158 per student.

Raise the Base supports raising base funding for all students in California, not just in CUSD. “We’re excited tonight to present this resolution so that we’re able to use the district email to get the message out on the importance of this campaign,” Vital Brulte said. “When LCFF first came in, LCFF—although really great policy in terms of understanding the idea that some children cost more—the state of California wrestled and struggled

to make sure that every child costs something. Rather than really focusing on that base grant first and then adding supplemental in concentration funds, the state re-divided money, and districts like Capistrano Unified School District lost out on funds.”

The campaign supports rectifying the base grant so all children in California get “what they need—public education”— while continuing supplemental and concentration grants, Vital Brulte said.

“We do recognize and support that some children need extra support— English learners, foster youth—but we want to make sure that all children get what they need,” Vital Brulte said.

Raising base funding would not raise taxes.

Michele Ploessel-Campbell, executive vice president for CUSD’s Parent Teacher Student Association Council, said raising base funding will “be a huge positive impact on all California public school students and, specifically, on the students of Capistrano Unified.” thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 7

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 8

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

COMPILED BY STAFF

TUESDAY, APRIL 26

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

CD | City Council Thanks

Fiesta Association for Return of Swallows Day Parade The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, a volunteer group that organizes the annual Swallows Day Parade and related events, was recognized by city officials during a council meeting on Tuesday, April 19, for bringing back the town’s signature event after a long hiatus imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fiesta members crowded the council chambers during the recognition, clad in their signature black-and-white Western clothing. The 62nd annual Swallows Day Parade was held on March 12, the first time the event happened since 2019.

“I had a meeting with (Fiesta Association President) Jim (Taylor) when I first became mayor—the first person I spoke to, really, as mayor—and said, ‘You guys have the most important job,’” Mayor Derek Reeve said. “You are the most important volunteer organization generally in the city from year to year, but particularly this year in 2022, after all the years of the pandemic and all the fun we didn’t get to have.”

Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart presented the official recognition, calling what the Fiesta Association did “awesome.”

“It was definitely a challenge, but there was no way that we were going to cancel—not after two years of being shut down,” said Taylor, underscoring how this year’s event did not have horses for the first time ever in the event’s history due to an equine virus outbreak.

The Fiesta Association, in turn, presented Reeve with a ceremonial belt buckle as a thanks to the city for its support as well.

CD | Council Looks to

Fill Vacancy on Planning Commission Former San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission Chairman Harrison Taylor has stepped down from that role, opening a spot at the dais that the City Council wants to fill.

Taylor resigned from the commission on April 1. City staff recommended the city clerk solicit applications for the role, according to an agenda report from an April 19 council meeting.

“The appointed member will serve the remaining of the term, ending March 31, 2023,” the report said.

The Planning Commission is a local government advisory board that makes recommendations to the City Council.

In a statement to The Capistrano DisThe Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Planning Commission 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. sanjuancapistrano.org.

The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association was recently spotlighted by the City of San Juan Capistrano for bringing back the Swallows Day Parade. From left: Fiesta Association President Jim Taylor, parade organizer Karen Stine, and San Juan Capistrano Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart. Photo: Collin Breaux

Carolyn Kahler has been appointed to the San Juan Capistrano Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission, filling a vacancy on the board.

The vacancy was declared on March 1. A mayor’s subcommittee that interviewed applicants recommended Kahler be appointed, which was approved by the City Council on April 19. A total of six people applied.

The term of the appointment ends on March 31, 2023, according to an agenda report.

body was found floating in the Pacific Ocean with bullet and blunt force trauma wounds, a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Ritze was found guilty of second-degree murder within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States and making false statements to federal investigators.

“At her sentencing hearing, which is expected in the coming months, Ritze will face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison,” the news release said.

Ritze and Hoang Xuan Le, 40, of Fountain Valley, were convicted of murdering the victim—who reportedly owed money to Le—while out on Ritze’s boat, docked at Dana Point Harbor.

“Around midnight (on October 15, 2019), Ritze drove her boat out into the Pacific Ocean with Le and the victim on board,” the news release said.“Le shot the victim on the boat, the victim went overboard, and Ritze and Le left the victim to die in the ocean, where he drowned. Le and Ritze then returned to Dana Point Harbor.

The victim’s body was recovered from the Pacific Ocean several miles northwest of Oceanside on October 16, 2019.”

Le was found guilty by a jury in December 2021 of first-degree murder within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, conspiracy to commit murder, and using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Le faces a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison at his June 27 sentencing hearing, the news release said.

CD | Jury Finds SJC Woman

CD | MissionFest Returns to

patch, Taylor said he stepped down from the commission to focus on his “growing family and new career opportunities.”

Taylor has been involved in a number of community initiatives recently, including an unsuccessful bid for a wave pool and other extended uses at the Northwest Open Space in consultation with Pacifico Development, as well as organizing trick-or-treating events on Los Rios Street for Halloween.

“The three years I served on the commission has been an enjoyable experience and educational for me, giving me a perspective into city government that I never had before,” Taylor said. “I highly recommend residents in SJC to apply for the open position and also urge them to apply for other commissions when openings become available. It’s a great way to serve the community.”

CD | Council Fills Vacancy

on Equestrian Commission

San Juan Capistrano in June

Guilty of Charges Related to Murder Case

Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual country musical festival MissionFest, which will take place again at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park on June 4. Tickets are available at missionfest.com and eventbrite.com.

Chase Rice, known for “Lonely If You

Sheila Marie Ritze, 42, of San Juan Capistrano, was found guilty by a federal jury on Tuesday, April 19, of felony criminal charges in connection with the October 2019 murder of a man whose Page 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 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.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29

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, MAY 3

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.

TUESDAY, MAY 10

Because I Love You (BILY) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The organization Because I Love You (BILY) will continue conducting its weekly meetings on Tuesdays via Zoom video conference. For detailed instructions on how to participate, email bilysanclemente@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 13

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

Are” and other hit songs, will headline.

The full lineup is expected to be announced soon.

“The event also features fine wines, craft breweries, great local cuisine, unique vendors and an array of outdoor activities in the plush equestrian grounds,” a news release said.

MissionFest was last held at the park on July 10, 2021. thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON RMV

Zuri Pet Spa Expands with Rancho Mission Viejo Location

EVENTS AT THE RANCH APRIL 23 Earth Day Stewardship Day 8-11 a.m. Help maintain the natural habitat at The Nature Reserve in celebration of Earth Day. Volunteers can help remove weeds and clean up Rancho Mission Viejo’s outdoor preserve.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves if they have them. The event is open to the public. Participants must be registered by 4 p.m. on Friday, April 22. Sign up at thenaturereserve.org.

APRIL 30 Wildflower Walk 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy an outdoor weekend walk in Rancho Mission Viejo, and see what flowers are in bloom now that spring is here. The event will go through Oak Canyon and the Esencia Farm. It is for RMV residents, and participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on Friday, April 29. Sign up at thenaturereserve.org.

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

P

et owners and frequent customers of Zuri Pet Spa may be used to dropping off their dogs at Zuri Pet Spa’s original spot in San Juan Capistrano so their canine companions can get their fur trimmed and taken care of over the weekend.

If you’re in the neighboring community of Rancho Mission Viejo, you can also have peace of mind that your pet is being cared for at Zuri Pet Spa’s second location, now open in RMV’s Los Patrones Business Park.

The spa opened its second location in the master-planned community in July 2021.

“It’s fantastic—really, really good,” said co-owner Bryan Bulman. “We’ve been full during the holidays. The community response has been great.”

The Rancho Mission Viejo location complements the one in San Juan, because the two aren’t far from each other, and a lot of customers have followed them over to the Los Patrones Business Park site. The usual amenities associated with Zuri Pet Spa are offered at the RMV spot—doggy day care, overnight lodging, and bathing and grooming.

Zuri Pet Spa also offers other unique pet care services including a doggy treadmill and indoor splash pad for dogs.

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

MAY 7 Oak Development Talk 9-10:30 a.m. Ever wondered how an oak becomes the tree it is? Come out to the outdoors of Rancho Mission Viejo to learn about how an oak starts off as an acorn and gradually develops into a mature facet of the land. The event will be at the Ranch Camp in Rienda, and participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 6. Sign up at thenaturereserve.org.

At Zuri Pet Spa’s second location, now open in Los Patrones Business Park, dogs are kept happy and active with a variety of activities and care services. Photos: Courtesy of Bryan Bulman

Opening a second Zuri Pet Spa site was necessary due to demand, Bulman said.

The business got to a point in which it previously couldn’t take in some dogs at the SJC location because all spots were full.

Additionally, there was a desire to expand into the RMV area.

“There are a lot of dogs around, and we

want to help service as many as we can,” Bulman said.

Echoing other tenants of Los Patrones Business Park, Bulman said he thinks the new retail center is great and loves the community. The business hub has plenty to offer, particularly as more homes open in Rancho Mission Viejo, he said. CD

Page 10

MAY 12 Geology on the Rocks 6:30-8 p.m. Geologist Aron Taylor will teach guests about the history of rocks and land formations in Rancho Mission Viejo. Geologythemed appetizers and adult beverages will be available, though there will also be nonalcoholic beverages. The event will be at the Rancho Mission Viejo Guest House. Sign up at thenaturereserve.org.

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 11

thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | Health & Nutrition

101 by Gina Cousineau

Nutrition Chaos I love to hike, so I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to free docent-led hikes for all fitness levels with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy group at letsgooutside.org.

While there are awesome trail systems right here in our own backyard, I love the opportunity to meet new people and explore trails that I never knew existed in my 37 years of living and hiking here.

During these hikes, it is bound to come up that I am a culinary nutritionist, with a focus on preventing disease, and so the questions commence.

I happen to love talking all things food and fitness, so I welcome these conversations.

I begin these encounters by listening very carefulHEALTH AND ly to the questions/ NUTRITION 101 statements shared

BY GINA COUSINEAU with me. Then I thoughtfully decide what my next move will be, swaying between comments such as these: Where did you hear that?

What are your goals? Or why would you consider that?

At the top of the list of comments I hear are “What do you think of the keto

Letters to The Editor EDITOR’S NOTE: The proposed use of the Northwest Open Space described here will not be considered further by the San Juan Capistrano City Council. Letters in support of the mentioned project were sent before city officials announced the decision.

DEAR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS LUKE VICELJA, San Juan Capistrano I am a sophomore at JSerra Catholic High School, and I live in San Juan Capistrano. I urge you to consider and implement the Northwest Open Space The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

diet?”“I intermittent fast,” and “I was told to avoid dairy and gluten.”

I often cut to the chase with the goal of education and providing background to where the latest diet craze came from.

In the case of the “ketogenic diet,” this was a medical nutrition therapy designed by clinicians working with children who had uncontrolled epilepsy, way back in the 1920s. As you can imagine, this was a huge medical breakthrough, as every seizure potentially damages the brain, so taking extreme action was necessary.

These children were followed closely and supplemented with nutrients they would inevitably be missing from this high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet, missing out on important vitamins, minerals, and much-needed fiber. This was not meant for the general population.

Much of what I do in life is to try to get people to consider if their latest diet approach is reasonable. And for me, when we talk about consuming high amounts of fat, including “heart damaging” saturated fat, along with removing major food groups, aka the “keto” diet, I have to ask, “Why?” Unfortunately, the nutrition strategy is usually driven by the desire to lose weight, not the desire to improve health.

And while most new clients come to me with the primary goal of weight loss, within a few weeks of educating them, I would say most, if not all, buy into the desire of preventing, halting, and reversing disease processes with the goal of a long, healthy, independent and joyful life. And, surprisingly, the almighty scale follows suit.

Most of my clients are excellent dieters, meaning they have tried many, and some admit to having been “on a diet” for most of their adult lives. When

project bid by Pacifico Development.

Having lived in San Clemente for 12 years and relocating to San Juan Capistrano 4 years ago, I have noticed an obvious disparity between the number and quality of parks and facilities available in SJC for children and families. The Pacifico Development bid would begin to fill this void and provide an answer to San Clemente’s Vista Hermosa Sports Park and Aquatic Center. I practically grew up at Vista Hermosa Sports Park, spending countless hours on the swings, playing years of SC baseball and AYSO soccer, attending birthday parties at the Aquatic Center, practicing for my Junior Lifeguard swim test and playing football under the lights. These experiences and memories shaped my childhood. San Juan’s children deserve the same, and the Pacifico Development bid offers this and more: an equestrian center—including a learn-to-ride program and a home

I ask about their success, they always state “the diet worked until I went off it.”

(Deep sigh from Mama G.) With the influx of social media and access to the internet, opinions abound in the multibillion-dollar nutrition and health industry, so we must be very careful with whom we allow to influence us.

While bullying and brainwashing have existed from the beginning of mankind, the concept of “gaslighting”—making people question the validity of their own thoughts—is alive and viciously present today.

My hope with my readers is to empower them with health and wellness information that is “reasonable”; consider goals when it comes to health; understand that a decrease in weight of only 5-10% can remarkably improve your health, but that it doesn’t have to come with a punitive and restrictive diet approach; move toward more wholesome food choices; gather in the kitchen to cook and eat meals together; and get outside and enjoy this beautiful place in which we live.

Gina Cousineau is an interventional culinary nutritionist. With an extensive education—a BS in Dietetics and MS in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, as well as being a trained chef and fitness professional—her goal is to help her clients’ health thrive using “food as medicine.”

She is offering a complimentary, four-week webinar series this month (all sessions recorded). Subscribe at mamagslifestyle. com or at mamag@mamagslifestyle.com to participate. 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.

for Surf & Turf Therapy.

I became involved with Surf & Turf as a volunteer. I’m passionate about surfing, but I didn’t realize the impact that riding a wave would have on the children in therapy. Their parents told me it’s their child’s favorite activity all week and how much they look forward to that one hour in the water. As I hold their board, help them paddle out, or wait next to them as we wait for a set, their smiles, laughter and joy are testimony to the power of this experiential therapy. I’ve witnessed happiness in children who demonstrate little emotion; I’ve heard exclamations from children who are rarely verbal. These are not insignificant moments in the lives of these children and their families. My affiliation with Surf & Turf Therapy has inspired me to start The Board Room, a JSerra community service club with the (Cont. on page 25)

Page 12

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

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes (SC + DP)

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Shawn Raymundo

Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD)

City Reporter, SC Times C. Jayden Smith

ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith

City Reporter, DP Times Breeana Greenberg

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Columnists Fred Swegles Tom Blake Special Projects Editor Andrea Papagianis-Camacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman

FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 20, Issue 8. 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.

FOLLOW THE CAPO DISPATCH

FACEBOOK.COM/CAPODISPATCH • INSTAGRAM @CAPODISPATCH TWITTER.COM/CAPODISPATCH • LINKEDIN PICKET FENCE MEDIA

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Page 13

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Page 14

thecapistranodispatch.com

Welcome to Aging Well

I

t’s springtime in South Orange County, which means there’s plenty to do, places to see and people to greet.

And just in time for the season, we at Picket Fence Media have put together our biannual Aging Well issue, in which we provide tips to readers on how to continue enjoying life and prospering in our little slice of paradise.

In this year’s spring edition of Aging Well, we highlight some of the benefits that Chair Yoga can offer those faced with mobility limitations who still want to practice mindfulness and meditation.

We also spend some time with the docent tour guides and Gardening Angels for Mission San Juan Capistrano. The group, comprising mostly older individuals who help keep visitors informed and the Mission’s greenery looking lush, explain how volunteering has helped keep their minds active and provided opportunities to socialize.

Also, travel agents give us the lowdown on safe traveling, specifically aboard cruise ships, as the world continues getting back to normal—or as normal as can be—post-pandemic.

And as a treat for you, our loyal readers, a couple of PFM columnists make special appearances.

First, nutritionist Gina Cousineau explains the importance of maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle while offering a tasty pasta salad recipe.

And then we chat with our senior dating expert, Tom Blake, about his experience finding love after 50.

We hope this edition of Aging Well can help readers learn something new and also help them make the most of living in beautiful, sunny South Orange County.

HOW TO PREVENT A FALL

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

More than one in three people over the age of 65 fall each year, according to the National Institute on Aging, and the risk of falling and fall-related problems increases with each passing year.

Many things can cause a fall, whether it’s dulling of eyesight, hearing or reflexes, or other medical conditions that affect your balance. Whatever may be the cause, there are several steps everyone can take to lower the chances of falling.

• Stay physically active. An exercise program to strengthen muscles, keep joints flexible and improve balance is a key step, and it can slow bone loss.

• Hearing and vision tests. Even the slightest changes to your eyesight and hearing can cause a fall. Get the proper eyewear or a hearing aid to help.

• Find out about medicine side effects. If a certain drug makes you dizzy or sleepy, let your doctor know.

• Proper sleep. Get the right amount of shut-eye to be alert, strong and rested for each day.

• Limiting alcohol. Even drinking a small bit of alcohol can slow your reflexes and affect your balance.

• Stand up slowly. Rising too fast can cause a drop in blood pressure that can make you wobbly.

• Be careful. Watch the surfaces you walk on, and wear the proper supportive footwear. If needed, use a walker or cane for support as well.

It’s also recommended to keep your bones strong, because in the event of a fall, it can help reduce the risk of fractures. As mentioned, exercise can help, as well as a diet with enough calcium and vitamin D. The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Shut-Eye Solutions WHAT TO DO FOR YOUR BEST NIGHT’S SLEEP

G

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

etting a good night’s rest can make a huge difference in how we all go about our day.

Health experts have long agreed that adults should strive to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. However, the older we get, the harder it is, it seems, to get all those necessary Zzzz’s.

And despite typically hitting the hay much earlier than they previously had when they were younger—becoming early-morning risers as a result—many older adults still aren’t getting enough rest.

“There are many reasons why older people may not get enough sleep at night. Feeling sick or being in pain can make it hard to sleep,” explains the National Institute on Aging—an arm of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Other reasons commonly found in older adults, the institute adds, include insomnia and sleep apnea, as well as movement disorders such as restless leg syndrome and rapid eye movement. Having Alzheimer’s disease has also been found to disrupt one’s sleep habits.

Whatever the reason may be, those restless nights can often lead to irritability, memory problems or forgetfulness, falls and even depression, the institute further notes.

Physicians on sites including WebMD recommend Page 15

following a routine bedtime, every night, even during the weekends; heading to bed at the same time and waking up the next morning at the same time.

Before hitting the sack, though, they also recommend a few ways to wind your body down so it’s primed for sleep.

One suggestion is to take a warm bath, as the drop in body temperature from getting out of the tub could make you tired, while the bath itself is meant to be relaxing. Another suggestion is reading a book or listening to music, instead of watching television or scrolling on your phone.

Keeping your bedroom at a comfortable temperature to your liking could also help, and so could dimming the lights you use during the evening.

Napping throughout the day should also be avoided, both the institute and WebMD explain, as those naps can keep you up during the night. Other activities to avoid shortly before your bedtime include exercising, eating large meals and drinking alcohol.

Consuming less fluids altogether at night may also help you avoid getting up in the middle of your sleep to go to the bathroom.

While you don’t want to exercise within three hours of bedtime, getting exercise during the day will help wear your body out for the evening. And WebMD says that getting some sunlight every day will “let your body know when it’s time to be awake, and when it’s not.” thecapistranodispatch.com

Eating Your ‘Weigh’ to Health

BY GINA COUSINEAU While February was Heart Health Awareness month, I believe every day should highlight the importance of our cardiac well-being, given that heart disease is the leading cause of death around the world for both men and women.

While there are many diets that claim to promote heart health, most tend to be restrictive and punitive, meaning one can only tolerate them for a short period of time.

As an interventional nutritionist, my experiences as a trained chef, fitness professional, and nutrition expert allow me to help my clients prevent, halt and reverse all lifestyle diseases, starting with a wholesome diet largely comprising mostly plants.

To these nutrient-dense plants, which include whole grains/starches, legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas and the like), fruits, vegetables, and nuts/seeds, we incorporate lean proteins (both plant and animal options), nonfat/low-fat dairy and nondairy protein-rich calcium foods, along with healthy fats, allowing us to eat a wide and varied diet to promote longevity for all.

When you think of these foods listed

above, you should be able to see all cultures being enveloped here, not just the highly touted Mediterranean diet approach. We can and should be able to incorporate a hearthealthy diet into all ethnic foods and love every morsel we consume.

I believe strongly in the value of this evidence- and science-based nutrition approach, and helping my clients put this information onto their plates is my forte. I spend much of my time developing recipes and teaching clients how to maneuver joyfully and easily around their kitchens.

My hope is to promote the concept of conviviality, by bringing the family back around the kitchen table, sharing beautiful meals and conversation—something we have been missing of late.

One of the first things I encourage my clients to embrace with their lifestyle shift is the “healthy plate” approach, filling half of our plate with veggies, one-fourth of our plate with a lean protein option, and, yes, onefourth plate of a wholesome starch/grain.

If we can simply eat more foods closer to how they were grown (less processing), providing more nutrient-dense calories with a ton of fiber, adding volume to our plates, we will automatically eat less saturated fat, sugar and sodium.

Today, I share with you a lovely plant-based recipe, and suggest you complete the healthy plate by adding a lean protein and a bit of healthy fat to perfect this wholesome meal.

If you are interested in learning more about using “food as medicine” and improving the quality of your life, sign up for our weekly newsletter at mamagslifestyle.com, where you will be notified of our complimentary virtual cooking classes and webinars offered monthly, so that you, too, can live a long, healthy, independent, joyful life.

ROASTED VEGETABLE ORZO PASTA SALAD 6 servings / 255 calories each 4 oz (½ cup) Whole Wheat Orzo, dry 15 oz can Garbanzo Beans, no/low sodium prefer 2 tbsp Olive Oil, divided 10 oz (2 cups) Grape Tomatoes, diced 10 oz (2 cups) Red Onion, diced 10 oz (2 cups) Red/Yellow/Orange Peppers, diced 10 oz (2 cups) Yellow Bell Pepper, diced 10 oz (2 cups) Zucchini, diced 10 oz (2 cups) Cauliflower, small florets 10 oz (2 cups) Eggplant, diced 3 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar (or favorite flavor) 1 clove Garlic, minced Fresh Basil Cook orzo according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water, transfer to a large bowl.

Drain and rinse garbanzo beans, adding to bowl with orzo. To roast vegetables, toss with one tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper in large bowl. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick foil. Don’t crowd, so consider using more than one pan. Roast at 425 degrees F, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until caramelized and tender, 30-45 minutes. Mix remaining one tbsp olive oil, vinegar, and garlic, seasoning with salt, pepper, and pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired. Toss well with vegetable mix. Adjust seasoning, as needed. Sprinkle with chopped basil.

Recommendations from Mama G Serve your hearty portion of this salad with grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp, a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano, and pinch of crushed red pepper on top. You can find whole wheat orzo at Sprouts or on Amazon. You can choose to swap out garbanzo beans for an additional 4 oz of dry whole wheat orzo or choose to use 8 oz uncooked wholesome starch/grain, including wild or brown rice, bulgur wheat, sweet potatoes, or any other whole wheat pasta, cooking prior to using in salad. Enjoy!

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Page 16

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Page 17

thecapistranodispatch.com

Local Knowledge

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Local Knowledge SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Ask Serra Sol Susie Peterson, Executive Director of Serra Sol Memory Care in San Juan Capistrano, answers real questions from families who are considering memory care for their loved ones.

“My mom was recently diagnosed with dementia. She lives at home with my dad, and I pitch in to help as well.

She’s doing ok right now, but I’m starting to think about the future. How will I know when it’s time to move her from her home to a community? Should I start looking now, even though we may be years away from a decision?”

You’re doing the right thing by thinking about the future now – before your mom actually needs it! Making plans before your need becomes urgent is key. That way you aren’t forced to make a quick decision when the time does come.

What will drive a move to a community revolves around two things – health and safety. If your mom starts to exhibit behaviors that are not safe – such as exiting the house and getting lost, attempting to cook but starting fires instead – those types of things will likely mean a move will help keep her safe. If she starts to be confused on time, and isn’t getting good restful sleep, it may also be time to pursue a community. If she needs help bathing, toileting or managing medications and that’s more than what you and your dad can manage, you may then need to consider a move. Speaking of health, remember to consider your dad’s and your own.

Often, focus is primarily on the person with memory loss

Local Knowledge

and a caregiver’s health is ignored. A decline in the health of a caregiver may prompt the decision to move as well.

To get started, do your research. Think about what’s important to your family – cost, location, room choices, activity offerings and more. Chances are that someone you know has experience with a memory care community in your area. Ask for recommendations and consult your local Aging Services organization for help. Once you narrow your list to a handful of communities to consider, tour several so you can compare. Put yourself in your mom’s shoes – does it seem like a place where she’ll be happy and thrive?

At the same time, consider how you will pay for care. Most communities are private pay only, but some do take state or federal benefits. Ask if your parents have long term care insurance, savings, or veteran’s benefits. If you find a few communities you’re interested in, you might consider getting on their wait list.

This usually involves placing a deposit (typically refundable).

Best of luck with your search. I know it’s a difficult choice to make.

Do you have a question for the experts at Serra Sol? Visit our website at serrasol.com or call us at 949.485.2022. We’ll be happy to help you!

31451 Avenida Los Cerritos, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 949.485.2022, SerraSol.com, RCFE: 306005946

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The Importance of Gum Health Good oral hygiene is the foundation for the health of your entire body, particularly as one ages. Lack of attention to oral hygiene by failing to brush twice daily and floss at least once a day, may lead to periodontal disease. Genetics, hormonal changes, medications, smoking, immunosuppression, and diabetes are also risk factors that contribute to the development of periodontal disease. 80% of Americans will be afflicted with periodontal disease by age 45, and 4 out of 5 patients with the disease are unaware they have it. Periodontal disease increases with age and 70% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is characterized by the inflammation of gum tissue, presence of disease-causing bacteria and infection below the gum line. Infection and bacteria in the mouth can cause bone loss, tissue recession and even tooth loss. These infections and bacteria can spread beyond the mouth and lead to disease in other parts of the body.

Treatment may include deep cleanings, LANAP (laser assisted new attachment procedure), bone regenerative therapy or gum grafting to restore and strengthen tissues that have been damaged.

When should you see a Periodontist? · Unexplained bleeding while brushing or consuming food · Bad breath that continues despite thorough cleaning

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

· Loose teeth or gum recession. (Oftentimes, bone loss may be associated with both of these conditions) · Related systemic health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease or osteoporosis.

Periodontists are highly trained surgeons with three-plus years of training beyond dental school. They work with your general dentist to improve esthetics and achieve optimum dental health. In addition to the treatment of periodontal disease, periodontists remove non-restorable teeth, replace missing teeth with implants, treat gum recession with grafts and re-contour gums (crown lengthening) to improve the restorations of existing teeth.

Dr. Raymond Wright is the Periodontist at San Clemente Periodontics & Implants. As a highly trained surgeon. Dr. Wright can perform the following Procedures: tooth extractions, crown lengthening, correction of gummy Smiles, gum/bone grafting, LANAP (laser assisted new attachment Procedure), LAPIP to help with failing/ailing implants, sinus lifts, and single tooth to full mouth dental implants. For more information or to schedule an appointment, go to scgums.com or call 949.361.4867 (gums).

Page 18

The Importance of a Smile

BY DR. HAMILTON LE A prosthodontist is a dentist who has completed dental school plus at least three additional years of advanced training and education in a prosthodontic graduate program. They specialize in treating and handling dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing teeth and jaw structures.

The term “prostho” means replacement and “dentist” means dealing with teeth. Essentially, prosthodontists are THE recognized experts when anything needs to be replaced in your mouth. This can range from a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth and gums in the mouth. While many other dentists can do some of these treatments, prosthodontists are the specialists dedicated to this type of care.

Prosthodontists have advanced training in restoring and replacing teeth. Prosthodontists are considered the leaders of the dental treatment plan. They regularly lead teams of general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions for your dental needs.

They construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures such as dentures and removable partial dentures. These specialists also restore function and aesthetics to traumatic injury victims, and to individuals with diseases or birth defects.

Choose a prosthodontist because of their advanced education and training, efficiency, and expertise with advanced technology. Prosthodontists are extensively trained in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures for treating complex dental conditions and restoring optimum function and esthetics.

Rigorous training and experience give prosthodontists a special understanding of the dynamics of a smile and the preservation of a healthy mouth.

Dr. Hamilton Le is a board certified prosthodontist and is part of the San Clemente Periodontics & Implants team located at the mouth of Talega in San Clemente, He is a native of Southern California who attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate training.

After earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he moved to Boston where he attended dental school and a prosthodontics residency at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. As the leading prosthodontist in South Orange County, Dr. Le’s commitment to dentistry and patient care is the foundation for his treatment philosophy, providing you the necessary information to understand your dental needs and concerns. For more information, visit scgums.com or call 949.361.4867.

thecapistranodispatch.com

Local Knowledge SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Chinese Medicine and Craniosacral Therapy—Return to Health Both ancient Eastern Chinese Medicine and modern Western CranioSacral Therapy believe in the inner capacity of the human body to heal itself when it returns to an optimum state of balance. Here, I will attempt to clarify what I found to be the essence of that secret.

Through pain, discomfort and internal diseases, our bodies communicate with us, trying to articulate the message that something is wrong. The inner voice communicates with us through the conscious mind about reasons why we are not well. Becoming aware of this inner voice is a self-discovery that leads to self-healing.

The art of CranioSacral Therapy is in allowing the patient to make his or her own discoveries. The act of touching, the physical contact between a therapist and the patient, allows to establish the communication to facilitate that process. True healing goes deeper than symptoms; it involves getting clarity about your real identity and purpose in life. Effective therapy gives the patient a clear vision of what he or she needs to do.

Energy Flow is an essential element of many Eastern practices and is the basic concept of Chinese Medicine and Craniosacral Therapy. Flow can be present or absent on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Craniosacral Therapy is a Western Holistic Modality based on osteopathy, which optimizes the Flow of energy through the body. The name refers to the Craniosacral Rhythm from the head (cranium) to the tailbone (sacrum). The rhythmic movement is generated by pressure changes through the head and spine during the production and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid; its subtle flow indicates the harmony or disharmony of the whole person. A CranioSacral practitioner is skilled to sense the movement or restrictions in the body and restore the proper Flow.

By restoring the balance and normal Flow, a craniosacral therapist assists the patient to facilitate the self-healing process. CranioSacral Therapy became an integral part of my practice. As of today, I have not seen anything more powerful than those two arts combined, allowing me to facilitate the healing process. With gratitude, I feel privileged to practice both.

About Vera Bogomolny, DACM, LAc., CMT, CST-T DrVera Bogomolny.com Vera holds a Doctoral Degree from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine San Diego, she is a California and Nationally Certified Acupuncturist and Techniques Certified Craniosacral Therapist. She lives and practices in Dana Point.

She combines ancient Eastern Medicine with Craniosacral Therapy to help her patients to achieve optimal health. She empowers her patients to create the balance in their lives to acquire health. She believes health is not merely an absence of disease but is the ever-present state of a well-being.

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Cruise Ship Travelers Advised to Seek Best Personal Practices

S

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

ince the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, punctuated by that year’s February outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, the vessels have been frequent targets of government and scientific scrutiny.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have gradually phased out restrictions placed on the industry, starting by lifting the no-sail order in October 2020 and recently moving cruise ship guidance to a conditional status.

Traveling aboard a cruise ship is still considered a health risk, but strict federal regulations on their operations are no longer in place.

It’s an exciting time for those who can’t wait to get back to seeing open waters and visiting all sorts of destinations, as well as for travel agents such as Ann Ronan at San Juan Capistrano Travel, who helps passengers along the way.

As Ronan tells it, the industry was hit hard by the pandemic and subsequent mandates, and cruise ship travel has only started to pick up speed within the past six months or so.

“It was a tough season for all travel, all hospitality,” she said.

Ronan went on her first river cruise since the pandemic began in August 2021, when countries across Europe also began to reopen travel. She calls the current state an exciting time for the cruise industry and the people who love taking voyages.

A significant milestone came in March, when the CDC lifted its advisory that people should not travel on cruise ships. Under CDC’s heavy guidance and protocols, which the Cruise Lines International Association followed along with major liners, vaccines were almost always required to board.

Now, travel agents including Ronan don’t provide blanket advice for all who come through their doors, but they instead have individual conversations and present the information necessary for potential travelers to make the best decision for themselves.

The vaccine requirements still remain, in addition to guidance that each person should take a COVID test before stepping onto a ship.

“Considering you’re going to be in an enclosed space with a lot of people, there’s not too many places we walk in, like the supermarket or a hotel or a convention, that we can say we know everyone’s vaccinated and pre-tested,” Ronan said. “So, you know you have that kind of knowledge.”

A different conversation may be necessary for those with compromised immune systems, as the risk still exists, but she added that the situation on cruise ships today is vastly better than two years ago.

Page 19

The benefit of being forced to minimize activity for such a long time and stay indoors is that the industry has seen signs of pent-up demand for travel, along with people being able to save money. People have identified their desire to see the world while they can, according to Ronan, which has also contributed to the returning popularity of cruise ships.

However, there are cases in which individuals remain concerned.

“I had a group of about 16 passengers who I booked last fall to go on an Alaska cruise this May,” Ronan recalled.

“When (the) omicron variant started to peak in December (and) January, I had several of them cancel. That made them nervous; they just weren’t ready, and that was fine. I mean, that was a choice they made. They were just not comfortable.”

Regarding cancellations, the consequences that come with backing off a trip have differed in recent years. In the past, Ronan said, there were no penalties and people got their deposits back if they canceled several months before a trip; within 90 days, people would lose more money the closer to the trip’s start date, if they canceled.

Cruise ship companies were forced to be more lenient and flexible during the height of the pandemic, giving people money back on their credit cards or a cruise credit as an incentive to keep their business with the company.

(Cont. on page 22) thecapistranodispatch.com

Getting Flexible with Chair Yoga

C

BY BREEANA GREENBERG hair Yoga is a gentle way for seniors to stretch and still receive many of the benefits of yoga for those with mobility limitations. Chair Yoga modifies and adapts traditional yoga poses so that they can be done from a comfortable seated position.

Practicing seated yoga helps to improve one’s self-awareness through mindfulness.

This meditative practice is a great way to connect one’s movement to their breathing and can work as a way to check in on oneself and ask, “How does my body feel?” and “What areas of my body need more attention, movement, stretching?”

Yoga instructor Jennifer Mussaw teaches a slow flow vinyasa class at YogaSix in Dana Point and teaches Chair Yoga privately.

POWER OF LOVE Columnist Tom Blake continues to document Love After 50 and his own secrets to aging well

BY ZACH CAVANAGH Romance is an ever-evolving facet of life that is never easy for anyone to get a true handle on with the changes that come at us, whether it’s new technology or a new personal chapter.

For nearly 28 years, Tom Blake has seen those changes and documented them as the author of his “On Life and Love After 50” newspaper column, which gives an older “aging well” crowd his perspective on romance, dating and relationships after the mid-century mark. Since 2011, Blake’s columns have appeared in the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch.

Blake’s column started out as personal The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

YogaSix will be opening soon at Prado West.

“Yoga isn’t about holding crazy poses for a long time or being the best in the room,” Mussaw wrote in an email. “It’s about letting yourself enjoy each posture, connecting to your breath, and growing as a human being on and off the mat.”

Chair Yoga offers many of the same benefits of yoga while being accessible to just about everyone.

“Chair Yoga is an adaptive take on the traditional practices that offers full support and protection when moving through poses,” Mussaw said. “Individuals still benefit from moving, stretching, and building muscles by staying seated in a chair or using a chair for balance while standing.”

This form of yoga, she added, does still offer physical and mental benefits through intentional breathing and supported movement.

Managing your stress through Chair Yoga can help improve sleep. Checking in with oneself and bringing more awareness to one’s

notes kept when his then-wife moved out with no notice and during the divorce that followed. Six months later in July 1994, those notes became his first column.

Over the course of those nearly three decades, Blake, now in his 80s, has been able to track the rise of the internet in older dating circles, which brings waves of positives and negatives.

“When dating sites started to happen, most people 50 and older that meet, meet online,” Blake said. “It’s easier to reach out and meet more people, but it’s difficult, because you have scammers and false profiles. You’re dealing with new issues.”

Some of those issues for the older dating crowd are simply a problem of ratios and the actual number of available partners.

“For women, it becomes more difficult,” Blake said. “When we were in our early 50s, the ratio is about 1 to 1. For women in their 70s, it’s now 5 or 6 to 1. I hear more and more questions about how to meet somebody from women than men.”

While those difficulties can turn anyone off from the enterprise of dating altogether,

breathing and body helps to decrease stress and feel more connected to the body.

An easy way to create that connection through seated yoga is to sit comfortably on a sturdy chair with your feet planted firmly on the floor and bring one hand to your belly and the other to your chest.

As you breathe deeply, focus your attention on breath and body, feel your chest and belly move with each deep inhale and exhale. This mindfulness practice is an easy introduction into Chair Yoga and can help decrease stress and improve sleep.

“During yoga, participants are taught to become aware of their thoughts and emotions,” Mussaw said. “This methodical mindfulness can help seniors stay connected to the world around them. Some studies suggest there might be a link between slowing dementia and regularly practicing yoga.”

Getting your body moving through seated yoga can help relieve aches and pains by stretching out stiff joints and muscles. Chair Yoga exercises can also help seniors get more flexible and relieve muscle pain.

By alleviating stress, gentle seated yoga flows can help decrease inflammation and pains caused by muscle and joints wearing down, Mussaw said.

“Stiff joints and muscles are common among the elderly,” Mussaw said. “Yoga is gentle and effectively increases flexibility and range of motion.”

Mussaw explained that yoga can be helpful to improve balance and stability, which many seniors struggle with as they age.

“Yoga helps to strengthen the core muscles that support us for most of our everyday activities,” Mussaw said. “A strong core can also help reduce the risk of falling.”

Mussaw explained that many of the poses in Chair Yoga can help increase mobility as well. Moving through “cat-cow,” in which you roll your head down to your chest and round your spine and then roll your head back and arch your spine, helps practice extension and flexion of the spine. Seated side bends and

spinal twists, using the chair as leverage, can also help alleviate a stiff back.

Another pose that can help increase hip mobility is practicing lifting your legs up off the floor while in a seated position. You can also use yoga straps for an extra stretch, wrapping the strap around your foot to help hold your leg up and really stretch those muscles.

“I see more strengthening and hip mobility, which is the biggest thing, because if you’re locked in your hips, it’s really hard to do that motion,” Mussaw said. “So, strengthening not only your legs, but the muscles inside of your ankles to help you balance can also be weak.

So just working those, even just lifting one leg.”

The chair can also be used as support for standing poses. With the chair working like a safety net, seniors can still practice standing poses while using their chair as support.

“Instead of forward folding, you use the chair in front of you; you’re kind of leaning forward, your hands on the chair, still feeling the nice release in your lower back,” Mussaw said.

“It’s just a safer way to move through poses, especially if you have balance problems.”

Many seniors struggle with getting in and out of chairs. Practicing that movement and hovering over your seat in a squatted position can help strengthen glute and hip muscles, which can help make getting in and out of chairs easier.

“You can also use the chair for challenges, so like hovering over the chair, instead of using an actual chair pose, or you just kind of float in the air and flow over the chair and then just say OK, release; let them sit in a chair,” Mussaw said. “So, you’re still kind of challenging, but there’s just a safety net of having the support.”

Mussaw said she sees the most improvement in mobility with her students who practice Chair Yoga. While YogaSix does not offer a Chair Yoga class, it does offer slow vinyasa flow classes that are popular with seniors.

The studio offers modifications for those struggling in any pose and works to support individual needs.

Blake stresses that a romantic partner in your later years isn’t the be-all, end-all. The most important relationship to find might just be the companionship of others.

“It certainly can alleviate the loneliness that so many older people face,” Blake said of finding a romantic partner. “But I wouldn’t want to send the message that you need to have a mate to be happy in life. So many people have realized they’re not going to find a mate, so they have to make themselves happy with activities and friends. They can make it without somebody, but it’s the loneliness that inspires most people.”

Luckily for Blake, he hasn’t had to go

through his journey alone. Just four years after that first column was published, Blake found a new love. While he was the owner of Tutor & Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point, a woman named Greta came in and ordered a fresh glass of carrot juice. Blake was bold enough to come out from behind the counter and ask her to dinner, and the two have been together ever since.

In that time, Blake discovered his own secrets to “aging well.”

“When I sold my deli in 2015, I sat down and said what is going to be important to me,” Blake said. “The priority for me is keeping fit, getting out.”

Blake said that he loves exercising around Dana Point Harbor, where he paddleboards four to five times a week.

Blake said his second key is keeping his mind active and challenged. Writing the column does that, as well as “these doggone Sudoku puzzles,” which he completes three or four of a day.

Whether it’s in search of a romantic partner or that “aging well” secret, Blake believes keeping yourself motivated and active is the way to success.

Page 20

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Page 21

thecapistranodispatch.com

Mission San Juan Capistrano Volunteers Stay Happy, Active

I

BY COLLIN BREAUX f you’ve visited Mission San Juan Capistrano, you may have noticed tour guides in distinct red and black outfits teaching people about various aspects of the site’s history or avid horticulturists dutifully working in the gardens to keep the grounds’ trademark greenery looking lush.

These people are volunteers and serve as docent tour guides and Gardening Angels—and are an integral part of Mission operations.

Most of the people who serve in these roles are older, and they are motivated to help out because of their past role as educators. And some just simply want to be involved in their local area.

“I’ve been here at the Mission for about seven years. As far as aging well is concerned, you have to keep active both physically and mentally,” said docent Mary McRoberts. “One of the ways to really keep active and enjoy (life) is to be a docent here at the Mission. It is not only giving back to the community, but the Mission gives back to you in many ways—spiritually, physically and mentally, enjoyment.”

Docent Donna Friess—who is also well-known in San Juan Capistrano as an author, historian, and equestrian—said relaying information to Mission visitors helps keeps her mental acuity sharp.

“Some of the tours are an hour and a half long, and to keep all of our facts straight and all of the names and all of the indigenous people’s names, it requires a mental sharpness,” Friess said. “I think it’s good for us.”

Ed Matthews, another docent, said his doctor told him right before he retired that he still needed to keep his brain active.

“Otherwise, you’re losing your mind literally. This, actually, it’s a continuous learning opportunity,” Matthews said. “Every week, I’m learning something different, because I’m going around to talk to another docent or even the people.”

Whenever Matthews gets a question and doesn’t know the answer, he sees it as an opportunity to research the issue.

“Going to a place like the Mission, it’s the opportunity to go to a very peaceful environment.

It’s not very hectic. It’s not Disneyland, where you’re pushing and shoving and everything else,” Matthews said. “You can just wander around and sit and relax.”

Docent Martin Paine said the Mission remains a welcoming place to all, particularly due to his docent peers.

“There’s a lot of good feelings as you come onto this property,” Paine said. “Even a slow saunter through the Mission is one of those empowering experiences. Nothing is more impactful to me, at least, than seeing a little fourth-grader pull out their wallet, take a couple of dollars, and go to that poor box and put that up.”

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

CRUISE SHIP TRAVELERS ADVISED TO SEEK BEST PERSONAL PRACTICES (Cont. from page 19)

Docent tour guides and Gardening Angel volunteers help keep visitors informed and greenery looking lush at Mission San Juan Capistrano. (From left) Jan Sorensen, Maria Leinenweber, Donna Friess, Mary McRoberts, and Martin Paine.

Photo: Courtesy of Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams

Docent Maria Leinenweber—who was born and raised in Los Angeles County, and was a volunteer for more than 10 years at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park— chose Mission San Juan Capistrano out of all the other missions in California because of the serene and spiritual feeling on-site.

“When I knew I was going to move down here, my goal was to find something similar that I could fulfill,” Leinenweber said. “I’m a Catholic, so the religious feeling that I get every time I walk into the chapel … it was life-altering for me that I could find something down here that was similar to what I was doing up there but moved me in a different path.”

Mission San Juan Capistrano is special because of the grounds, how it gives the feel of what an old-time mission was really like, and because of the tours given and level of research done by docents, Leinenweber said. Docents tailor their tours to their audiences, whether they’re children or adults.

Docents go through intensive training, Friess said. That training can last three or four months, and requires prospective volunteers to shadow a current docent for several different tours. They then have to “pass the watch,” which Friess likens to giving a doctoral dissertation.

“Then we would be on our own. There’s certain points in the Mission we have to cover,” Friess said. “I personally start with the Acjachemen people and long ago, and I personally put my guests in a time machine. We go way back before the Spaniards come, and then, eventually, the Spaniards arrive—and then I go into the industrial era.”

McRoberts also makes sure to emphasize the Acjachemen people during her tours, since they have been “ignored” in much of California history.

Matthews likes to discuss the industrial era, a

Page 22

time when living conditions changed for people.

“The Spanish came and introduced (native people) to how to make metals. (Those talks are about) getting (visitors) to understand how that changed and how they have other tools and methods for doing things,” Matthews said. “One of the things, too, is getting them to understand before the Spanish came, there was no cow here. There were no horses here.”

Paine likes to emphasize to visitors that the arrival of Europeans in California is akin to a flying saucer landing in the middle of the intersection nowadays.

“When the Spanish arrived here, (the native people) had been a hunter-gatherer society for thousands of years. Everything was right at their fingertips,” Paine said. “For the first time, they see a cow. They see the horse. They see a European soldier with a leather jacket and the spears and lancers and the chief that came. For the first time, they see a wheel. They see a cart carrying in all this heavy equipment.”

Docents also work at corporate events hosted at the Mission—during which they may have to even define what a mission is for outside guests.

As for the Gardening Angels, volunteer Jan Sorensen—who studied landscape design in school—said they’re a group that loves to work outdoors.

“The visitors just adore the gardens. The Gardening Angels love to be able to provide this,” Sorensen said. “We’re a very special group.

We’re very devoted to each other, and we’re a close-knit group. We all love the Mission, and we all love the gardens.”

Volunteers also socialize and are friendly with each other, which creates a camaraderie.

“We’re the grandparent age here, and we were at the center of the family’s universe,” Friess said.

“You can’t help but be moved toward the periphery. This is a way to stay engaged in life.”

“Even now, you can cancel closer to the cruise sailing and not have penalties,” said Ronan. “That hasn’t really changed yet, and it will maybe if things straighten out more, but right now, they’re still giving more flexibility than they had in the past.”

When working with clients, she stays constantly informed on the COVID status of the countries they want to go to, and advises anyone else who is thinking of traveling to keep a watchful eye out for any impactful news.

People who want to travel can often have too many life responsibilities to do the proper research to make their vacations the best they can possibly be. Travel agents, who are familiar with the wide variety of cruise liners and which are best suited for a family or luxury trip, can be a valuable asset to help make decisions quickly.

“Once you’ve decided on the itinerary and the type of cruise line that fits your personality and your budget, you and your travel advisor can work together to just keep up on what the latest COVID guidelines are,” Ronan said. “The cruise lines have been terrific about sending customers updates constantly about what the requirements are.”

The CDC still has a page dedicated to guidelines designed to keep cruise ship passengers safe.

Passengers are advised to check their cruise ship’s color and vaccination status classification and get a COVID-19 viral test within three days of leaving and returning from trips. Before boarding, the CDC recommends people purchase travel insurance and check if their cruise line requires proof of vaccination.

Do not travel if sick, if you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with someone sick with COVID-19 and have been advised to quarantine.

Follow the ship’s mask-wearing protocols, and protect other passengers by washing your hands often and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. After returning from your trip, self-monitor for any symptoms for up to 10 days, and follow state and local travel recommendations. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Page 23

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Page 24

thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | Citizens’ Climate Education by Julianne Steers

Give Swell to Sea-Level Rise T

he sun is out, and quality surf continues. There is a southwest swell maintaining sets pushing 6-to-8-foot waves, a period of 20 seconds, and 8-wave sets hitting the coast on repeat. The news we all hope to wake up to every day. You check the cams; it is a perfect combination of sun and glass, yet it will only improve as the tide shifts.

Surf, at many spots along our coast, is tide-sensitive. Too high, the waves do not break. Too low, GUEST OPINION the shoreline reef

BY JULIANNE E. becomes exposed STEERS and dangerous.

The perfect balance equals a prime wave. These few feet definitely make a difference. Just think, what if we added three feet to our normal tides?

Forever. That is where a future lies with sea-level rise.

Our precious surf breaks and our iconic coastline are extremely vulnerable to changes in sea level. Sea level

(Cont. from page 12) mission of supporting local organizations like Surf & Turf Therapy through volunteerism and ocean stewardship.

I hope to exponentially share the gifts I’ve received from Surf & Turf and those involved with the program.

San Juan Capistrano desperately needs a modern, affordable, active-destination that serves the community majority and offers services which directly benefit its underserved residents. The Pacifico Development project also considers and incorporates San Juan’s equestrian roots, preserving our city’s rich history while offering riding lessons to those who may not otherwise have access.

DEAR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS JAMIE DONCHESS, San Clemente I am writing today in full support of the Northwest Open Space project bid

by Pacifico Development that includes a community aquatic center, surf lagoon, community park and equestrian center—including the “learn to ride” program and home for Surf & Turf Therapy.

As a resident of San Clemente and a mother of an equestrian daughter who The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Marine biologist Julianne Steers is raising awareness of sea-level rise, which can have adverse impacts on coastal communities and surfing opportunities. Photo: Courtesy of Julianne Steers

as we know it will change, and with it where the surf breaks and how the coast erodes will change. These changes will have profound impacts on our coastal communities.

Exactly, how does sea level rise? In respect to climate change, our ocean rises by a few factors. First, as the oceans warm due to an increasing global temperature, seawater expands—taking up more space in the ocean basin and

causing a rise in water level. The second mechanism is the melting of ice over land, which then adds more water to the ocean. Thirdly, vertical land movement on our West Coast results in considerable subsistence (sinking). This trio of processes certainly adds up.

Thankfully, we have technology that helps scientists monitor and measure sea level using tide buoys and satellites, rendering local and global data. Togeth-

rides in San Juan Capistrano, I have noticed the disparity of income levels among the residents of our area. The Pacifico Development bid will provide community access to an aquatic center and world-class surf lagoon. San Juan Capistrano residents will have free access to the planned community pool, as well as free riding lessons for 100 community members each week. These opportunities provide the youth of our area with activities that they would otherwise never enjoy.

As a volunteer with Surf & Turf Therapy (a partner with Pacifico in this bid) for the last year, I see the impact that this organization has with participants young and old. Adults and children with disabilities enter the program and build strength and confidence, but maybe most importantly, find joy. The therapies employed at Surf & Turf through both the surf program and the “learn to ride” equestrian program team therapists with volunteers and achieve amazing results.

These children may not be able to sit up or take a few steps. Within just a few weeks, I have witnessed huge changes and even bigger smiles and laughter.

Many parents tell us that they will continue with the therapy as long as avail-

able, because it is the only time they see their child happy. I cannot overstate the value of Surf & Turf for these children.

In addition to the programs for children with disabilities, Surf & Turf also works with Unidos to provide local children the opportunity to “learn to ride.” The youth in our area often see horses and barns and equestrian centers but never get to experience the joy that spending time with a horse and learning to ride can bring. In just a few hours at Surf & Turf, the children learn about horses, walk the horses and feed the horses. The afternoon also includes riding lessons, which is clearly the highlight.

We cannot begin to explain the amount of joy and confidence that doing something like riding a horse can provide a child who would otherwise never have that opportunity!

The Pacifico Development bid would provide Surf & Turf Therapy with a permanent home and the ability to grow and expand their services. The surf lagoon included in the bid will be an extraordinary addition to their mission.

Surf therapy is currently provided at the local beach. While successful, it is difficult to access, prone to overcrowding, involves transporting heavy equipment Page 25

er, these tools demonstrate how our sea levels are changing over time.

You may have heard of the King Tides during our winter months that are unrelated to climate change, but bring an additional foot of water to our shore.

These events are excellent indicators of how our coastal infrastructure will fare as our climate shifts. Our stunning sea cliffs of sedimentary rock will not withstand the pounding swell. Erosion is imminent, causing coastlines to retreat, pressuring the homes and rail lines of our communities.

Year by year, we can adapt, plan, and adjust to ensure the longevity of our towns and that perfect wave.

Julianne Steers is a marine biologist and conservation photographer. She has an extensive background in ecology, and has been researching, diving and exploring the local ecosystem and beyond to sustain the natural world. 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.

and dependent on weather and water quality conditions. When these issues arise and therapy has to be canceled, the children have no other option. This type of therapy is key to their progress.

A permanent home with a world-class surf lagoon will increase the reach and consistency of the therapy program.

More children can receive the benefits of the surf therapy on a regular basis!

This bid provides so much for our community! It is truly impossible to overstate the positive impact that this project will provide for San Juan Capistrano and the clients of Surf & Turf Therapy. Please support this bid and make this a reality for San Juan Capistrano.

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

thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

Editor’s Pick

The List

SATURDAY | 30 DIA DEL NIÑO 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Unidos South OC is hosting a community celebration that will have music, dancing, food, games, and more. Stone Field Park, 31422 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

949.326.0320. unidossouthoc.com.

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 | 22 LIVE THEATER AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE 7:30 p.m. Travel back in time and watch actors perform in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Camino Real Playhouse is staging The Clueless Sheriff, a Western melodrama set in old San Juan. The show runs through May 8. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

SATURDAY | 23 SEED CONNECTION 9-10 a.m. The Ecology Center is providing this hands-on lab about soil and seeds, so people can learn about gardening, saving seeds, and which food is appropriate to grow in a given season. The event is open to all ages, so you can learn something whether you have a kid just developing a green thumb or you are an adult looking to grow more plants in the backyard.

The event is free. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.443.4223. theecologycenter.org.

RIBBON-CUTTING FOR THE DOG PAWRK BREWERY COMPANY 10:30 a.m. Enjoy some drinks, listen to live music from 2 to 9 p.m., and celebrate during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Dog Pawrk Brewing Company. The Dog Pawrk Brewing Company, 27122 Paseo Espada, A904, San Juan Capistrano. 949.652.3379. thedogpawrk.beer.

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S 3 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unThe Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

LIVE MUSIC AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB 6:30 p.m. Vinyl Vault 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.

A variety of nectar and host plants have made Los Rios Park a certified sanctuary for monarch butterflies. Photo

by Brian Park

SATURDAY | 23 EARTH DAY BEAUTIFICATION 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Presented by the nonprofit Great Opportunities and the San Juan Capistrano Youth Advisory Board, this Earth Day event invites the community to assist in the beautification of San Juan Capistrano. Great Opportunities opens the door for underserved youth to increase their knowledge about their aquatic environment, grow their life skills and experience leadership through teaching swimming, beach programs, environmental awareness, and transportation. Los Rios Park, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 714.299.0912. info@greatopps.org. wind while listening to live music at Trevor’s at the Tracks. Ukulele player Bruddah Adrian will perform. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

SUNDAY | 24

baskets, build structural arches with miniature blocks, and engage in more Mission-themed tasks. Clubhouse events happen every day from Tuesday through Sunday. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT SWALLOW’S 2-6 p.m. Come enjoy a drink and enjoy some live music at this famous downtown bar. The Rayford Brothers Band will perform for the first time at the venue. Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

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 fun for kids and families, and happens every day from Tuesday through Sunday.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

WEDNESDAY | 27

FRIDAY | 29

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

FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday afternoon. Check out the produce, breads, cheeses, artisan craft vendors, and more. Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.364.1270. farmakisfarms.com.

THURSDAY | 28

‘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.

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

Page 26

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.

TUESDAY | 03 ART EXHIBIT DEBUT 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A new painting exhibit debuts at Mission San Juan Capistrano from local artist Saim Caglayan that showcases depictions of missions throughout California. The exhibit runs through July 10 and all displayed artwork will be available for purchase.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

WEDNESDAY | 04 ‘FLASHBACK WEDNESDAY’ MOVIE NIGHT 7 p.m. Say hello to Tony Montana’s little friend when the Regency Theatres’ downtown location screens Scarface as part of their “Flashback Wednesdays” series. Tickets are $10. Regency Theatres San Juan Capistrano, 26762 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano.

844.216.3767. regencymovies.com.

THURSDAY | 05 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 5 p.m. Reign Christian Fellowship will a host a prayer event in downtown San Juan Capistrano. The event is free and open to the public. Historic Town Center Park, 31872 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.441.1028. reignchristianfellowship.org. thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 27

thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

SHOW DETAILS

DENNIS QUAID

What: Dennis Quaid When: Friday, May 13. Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m.

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

hen one hears the name Dennis Quaid, what springs to mind are likely the movies in which he appeared.

Quaid, of course, is famous for his many roles in films over the years— The Day After Tomorrow, The Parent Trap, and many more.

What you may not know is that he’s also a musician—so much so that he’s heading out on tour, including a stop at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Quaid will play at the South Orange County venue on May 13.

That day is a Friday, but it isn’t likely to be unlucky, considering you’ll get an up-close view of the famous actor spinning down-home country and blues music—and sharing stories about his film and recording career along the way.

During an interview with The Capistrano Dispatch, Quaid estimated the upcoming gig will be his 15th or 16th time taking the stage at The Coach House. He called the intimate spot a “great place to play.”

“The audiences are really great,” Quaid said of the local venue. “The staff is fantastic. Everyone’s coming in

Where: 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano For tickets or more info: thecoachhouse.com. Tickets are $35.

The one and only Dennis Quaid will play music and entertain fans at The Coach House on May 13. Photo: Courtesy of Derrek Kupish

the band Quaid has played with in the past. Quaid, like many touring musicians, is looking forward to getting back to live performances—though he admits he didn’t take as much time off during that period as others, since he previously played in Alaska during the worldwide pandemic.

looking for a good time.”

Quaid equates playing a concert to performing in theater, because you can look right into the faces of the people in the audience, which artists feed off in terms of energy.

The San Juan Capistrano concert will also be a reunion with The Sharks,

AT THE MOVIES

‘The Lost City’ Is Easy Weekend Viewing

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

omeone—most likely screenwriter Seth Gordon—definitely came up with the concept for Adam and Aaron Nee’s new adventure-romcom The Lost City after revisiting Robert Zemeckis’ Romancing the Stone (1984) and Anne Fletcher’s The Proposal (2009).

We get the now-familiar and successful trope of Sandra Bullock paired with a good-looking, younger male star in a goofy comedy, yet it still falters slightly.

Loretta Sage (Bullock) is a middle-aged former archaeologist who switched over to penning romance-adventure novels after her husband’s death. What used to be a distraction from her grief is now a nuisance to

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

herself, as she sabotages her latest book tour and embarrasses her regular cover model, Alan Caprison (Channing Tatum).

Before she realizes what’s happening, Loretta is kidnapped by billionaire Abigail Fairfax (Dan-

iel Radcliffe), who believes the exotic lost city of her new novel is real and wants her to show him where it is. Alan and secret service agent Jack Trainer (Brad Pitt) are off to Loretta’s rescue.

Bullock and Tatum are naturals with

Page 28

“It’s been hard on everybody,” Quaid said.

Asked what draws him to rustic old-time tunes, Quaid attributes that inclination to growing up in Texas. His taste runs from Johnny Cash to The Beatles to The Doors. Some of his favorite songs to cover are from Jerry Lee Lewis, as a nod to when he portrayed the entertainer in the 1989 biographical film Great Balls of Fire!

Quaid’s tour kicks off on May 5 in Utah and includes a stop in San Diego on the night before he takes center stage at The Coach House. His tour wraps up on May 19 in Sebastopol, California.

“I would love for everybody to come out,” Quaid said. “Hopefully, we’ll have some return business at The Coach House.” CD

comedic material and have all the necessities for box-office appeal, as proven with past action-comedy hits. Radcliffe is impressively entertaining as the kooky, high class villain of Lost City, while it’s fun to see Pitt on the side in a tongue-in-cheek glorified cameo.

The Lost City appears to be the Nee brothers’ first studio feature, which might explain its lack of proper cinematic vision. It aesthetically feels like a generic blockbuster churned out by Paramount as an easy cash-grab. The humor is fine, though it mostly lands because of the cast’s delivery, rather than the writing.

Yet, even with its weaknesses and serious effort from the viewers to suspend practical logic for the plot’s progression, I might still recommend The Lost City for Bullock’s and Tatum’s performances and chemistry, because they are a no-brainer of an on-screen couple.

Also—and this might be the most nit-picking I’ve ever done in a movie review—the bonus scene in the middle of the end credits is really stupid. Bonus scenes are supposed to be an extra joke or tease for a sequel. But this one just reminds you how dumb The Lost City’s universe is and ruins the mood during an otherwise easy viewing. CD

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 29

thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | The Cowgirl Designer by Marlene Holmquist

BABY BOOMER DILEMMA:

Heirloom or Junk?

Photo: Courtesy of Adobe Stock

T

here are 77 million Baby Boomers (1946-1974) in the U.S. right now, myself included. We share a simpler time filled with musical lyrics you can actually understand, and before the rush of technology that still baffles many of us. And like all generations, we share the passing of our parents, along with the aftermath. One of the toughest tasks that comes along with the inevitable is to figure out what to do with the personal belongings that meant so much to them. That’s the dilemma I faced when my father passed away peacefully in his sleep this past Christmas morning. Every single item (ridiculous or not) that was left was filled with memories. As a result, I found it difficult to decide what to keep, toss or donate.

As an interior designer, I was relieved our son saw the value in the purple sofas and gaudy ashtrays from the living room that my mother’s own interior designer had so carefully chosen. Our daughter gave a home to the Spanish coffee table that doubles as a craps table, and my son-in-law even had the wherewithal to stash a greasy old smudge pot from the lemon orchard into their horse trailer when my daughter wasn’t looking. I am sure that smudge pot will spark many a humorous conversation in the future.

What makes a house a home are items that spark our imagination and memories that make us feel good. Last month, I (reluctantly) brought home a box from dad’s house, filled with serving pieces from his mother’s dining room.

I gasped at the gaudy 22k gold-painted creamer and sugar set as I unwrapped it. They now house Q-tips, Tums and cotton balls next to my mom’s lipstick holder and the gilded horse from my grandmother. That horse has helped The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

display many a necklace on my master vanity for the past 20 years. This little grouping makes me smile every morning as I get ready for the day.

As Erma Bombeck (American humorist with a syndicated column THE COWGIRL about suburban life DESIGNER from 1965-1996) so

BY MARLENE HOLMQUIST famously said, “Use the Good Stuff.” Back in the day, that meant the fine china, the crystal glasses, the sterling silver trays, and the sterling silver flatware that no one seems to find value in today. Sadly, today, you can find these items at almost any thrift or antique store for less than 5% of their original cost. There were dozens and dozens of these types of items for me to deal with. I gave away as many as I could to family members and kept a few sterling silver teapots to use as flower vases, and pewter trays that have actually become quite handy. They will always make me smile, even as I reluctantly get out the silver polish and ruin my manicure. At least, I finally decided to use the good stuff.

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.

Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Northen.

FROM THE ARCHIVES This photo depicts members of Ballet Folklorico performing during a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the San Juan Capistrano Library in the 1990s.

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.

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 30

thecapistranodispatch.com

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. SAN CLEMENTE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE – SATURDAY, APRIL 23 Saturday, April 23rd - 7 am to 11:30 am, Forester Ranch-Flora Vista Neighborhood. X-streets Calle Sarmentosa, Camino Del Rio, Camino De los Mares. Clothing, electronics, tools, kitchenware, workout equipment and much more!

ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE - APRIL 22ND & 23RD 8am to 2pm. Clubhouse at Capistrano Valley Mobile Estates. 26000 Avenida Aeropuerto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Vintage items, clothing, household goods, small furniture.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

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

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

TALEGA ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Saturday, April 23rd – 8 am to 12pm. Over 100 participating home. There is a map posted on www.talegatoday.com that highlights all the streets that have one or more garage sales. Come check out the great deals!

GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY, APRIL 23 8:00 a.m - 12:00. 65 Camino Lienzo, San Clemente, 92673. Selling Hardware Scales. David Winter Villages Household & decorator items.

HELP WANTED SMOG TECHNICIAN Star Smog Station in San Clemente looking for a full-time smog technician. Please call Danny at 949-235-6366

Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano + the Rancho Mission Viejo area?

Then you need to be in The Capistrano Dispatch.

Call us today!

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

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

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

Page 31

thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

AVA

What’s Happening Photos from the San Juan Capistrano Community

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Reader Christina Carson sent in this photo from the Spring Eggstravaganza recently held at Los Rios Park. From left: Finnley Deeny, McKenzie Sebourn, the Easter Bunny, Stone Iddings, and Avery Forte.

Seven-year-old Ava is the epitome of sweet. Ava has a wonderful disposition, likes meeting new people, and is happiest when she’s by your side. Mild-mannered and oh, so lovable, this scruffy girl would make a spectacular family pet.

If you are interested in adopting Ava, please visit petprojectfoundation.org 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. CD

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 32

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 33

thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SAN JUAN

PREP SPORTS

ROUNDUP

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

For in-game updates, news and more for all of the San Juan Capistrano high school sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports.

San Juan Hills Baseball Rebounds in League Play with One Week Remaining Coming off the momentum gained from a strong Ryan Lemmon Tournament performance two weeks ago, the San Juan Hills baseball team kept itself alive in the Sea View League playoff race last week.

The Stallions took two of three games against San Clemente—three of four on the season—to tighten the race for second place and the league’s final playoff spot.

Before the Ryan Lemmon Tournament, San Clemente had knocked off Trabuco Hills to enter first place in league, but San Juan Hills brought the Tritons back to the pack as the Mustangs surged.

San Juan Hills (14-11, 3-6) got a strong effort from senior right-hander Logan Poyner on April 11 with 5 1/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts to help shut out San Clemente, 3-0. The Stallions then won at San Clemente with a late scoring surge in an 8-4 win on April 13. The Tritons then salvaged the series with a win at San Juan Hills, 6-1, on April 15.

Entering Thursday, April 21, Trabuco Hills solidly sat in first place in the Sea View League with a 7-1 league record, and San Clemente was in second at 4-4.

Trabuco Hills had a chance to clinch a share of the league title against San Clemente on Thursday, but results were not available at press time. After Aliso Niguel edged San Juan Hills, 2-1, on Wednesday, April 20, the Stallions and Wolverines were tied for third at 3-6.

San Juan Hills and Aliso Niguel close out their season series at San Juan Hills on Friday, April 22, while Trabuco Hills hosts San Clemente. All four teams have two games remaining next week, as San Juan Hills plays at Trabuco Hills on Tuesday, April 26, and hosts the Mustangs on Thursday, April 28. San Clemente plays Aliso Niguel on Tuesday, April 28, and Wednesday, April 27 There are multiple possibilities, but either way, the Stallions will need help elsewhere to claim the final playoff spot.

San Juan Hills will need to win out and San Clemente lose three of its final four The Capistrano Dispatch April 22-May 12, 2022

San Juan Hills baseball got back into the thick of the league playoff race with wins over San Clemente last week, but the Stallions still need help elsewhere to secure a CIF-SS playoff berth down the stretch. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

to claim the spot outright. If San Juan Hills goes 2-1 or San Clemente wins two games, then the Stallions will need tiebreakers to claim a guaranteed CIF-SS Division 3 playoff berth.

“It’s kind of like every game is a playoff game from now on,” San Juan Hills coach Bret LeVier said. “We put ourselves in a hole early on (in league). We just preach that we have to win one at a time and not focus down the road.”

CIF-SS playoff brackets will be released on May 2, with Division 3 wild-card games announced on May 4 and firstround games on May 6.

JSerra Baseball Goes Deep in Boras Classic, Battles for League Placing The JSerra baseball team is finally on a roll.

After a disastrous start to Trinity League play, the Lions won five league games in a row, including a sweep of Servite, and eight consecutive games overall, as the Lions advanced to the semifinals of the Boras Classic on Thursday, April 21.

JSerra, co-host of the Boras Classic, took on league rival Orange Lutheran in the semifinals, but results were not available at press time. If the Lions advanced, JSerra would take on the Villa Park-Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks winner in the tournament final on Friday, April 22, at Mater Dei. JSerra’s surge has been sustained despite a long midseason layoff, but the Lions have still scored some important victories, if only for the mental side of the game.

JSerra, ranked No. 9 in CIF-SS Division 1, went 10 days between its sweep of Servite, ranked No. 10 in Division 1, and another matchup with its nonleague archrival, Harvard-Westlake. Harvard-Westlake, ranked No. 3 in Division 1, beat JSerra three times last season, all of which were one-run games, including the CIF-SS Division 1 title game. The Lions finally overcame the Wolverines with an 8-3 win.

It was another eight days before JSerra finally kicked off the Boras Classic on Tuesday, April 19. That’s just one game in 18 days in the heart of the Lions’ season, but there was no rust.

JSerra knocked off San Dimas, 4-2, in the opener, and rolled over St. Augustine of San Diego, 12-5, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, April 20, to set up another matchup with Orange Lutheran. The Lancers are ranked No. 1 in Division 1 and had won two of three games against JSerra in their league series at the beginning of March.

JSerra enters its final stretch of league play next week in a closely contested fight for the final guaranteed playoff berths from the Trinity League. The Lions and Servite are both 6-6 in league play, and either Santa Margarita, ranked No. 7 in Division 1, or St. John Bosco will be 6-6 when they finish up their series on Friday, April 22. Orange Lutheran has already clinched the league title at 10-2.

JSerra has three games against lastplace Mater Dei, ranked No. 7 in Division 2, to close out the regular season. The Lions play at Mater Dei on Monday, April 25, and host the Monarchs on Tuesday, April 26. Mater Dei hosts the season

Page 34

finale on Thursday, April 28.

The Division 1 playoffs open with wild-card games on May 4 and the first round on May 6.

Capistrano Valley Christian, St. Margaret’s Battle for Baseball League Title The San Joaquin League title hangs in the balance with one week to play, but one way or another, it will be staying in San Juan Capistrano.

Capistrano Valley Christian (17-7, 7-0) is in the driver’s seat thanks to an 8-3 win over St. Margaret’s (12-4, 6-1) on April 9. It’s the Tartans’ only league loss, and both teams only have two league games remaining—against each other.

St. Margaret’s will be the home team on Tuesday, April 26, and Capistrano Valley Christian will play the host role on Thursday, April 28. Both games will be played at San Juan Sports Park at 6:30 p.m.

Both teams also have some non-league matchups left on the docket. St. Margaret’s hosts Colony of Ontario on Friday, April 22. Capistrano Valley Christian, which has received votes in the Division 3 rankings, plays at Fountain Valley on Saturday, April 23, and at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks on Wednesday, April 27.

St. Margaret’s will be in the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs, which open with wild cards on May 3 and the first round on May 5. Capistrano Valley Christian will play in the Division 3 playoffs, which start with wild cards on May 4 and the first round on May 6. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 35

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch April 22–May 12, 2022

Page 36

thecapistranodispatch.com