August 13, 2021

AUGUST 13-26, 2021 | VOLUME 19, ISSUE 15

INSIDE:

Businesses Open in Los Patrones Summit EYE ON RMV/PAGE 9

Siegel: New Mural Captures Local History SJC LIVING/PAGE 24

Back to Business High School Football Teams Geared Up for Normal, Full Season SPECIAL SECTION

After having last season delayed and shortened, San Juan Capistrano’s high school football teams are ready for on-time, full seasons and fights for the playoffs. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

FKN Bread Opens Downtown Bakery

Mission Book Honors Late Supporter

Editor’s Pick: OC Wine & Spirit Fest

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

GETTING OUT/PAGE 23

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13–26, 2021

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EYE ON SJC

What’s Up With...

TOP NEWS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

FKN Breads Opens Downtown Bakery

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Opening a bakery in downtown San Juan Capistrano is something husband and wife Dave and Bree VandenBerg had never done before.

On July 13, though, the married couple went ahead and had a soft opening for FKN Bread—a new food spot in an area that’s becoming a culinary hub. FKN Bread is near Mission San Juan Capistrano and Hennessey’s Tavern, and it is named for the couple’s three young boys: Finn, Kane and Nash. They started baking bread for family and friends during the health crisis since they had newfound free time on their hands, eventually deciding to turn it into a business.

The community has shown up to support the bakery since opening, Bree VandenBerg said. The couple sold online bread orders from their home before the downtown spot opened. Dave VandenBerg—who helps prepare the bread— previously worked as a chef before the restaurant where he was working closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hiring was really difficult,” Bree VandenBerg said, echoing a concern faced by many businesses right now.

Dave VandenBerg is often at the bakery, arriving around 3 a.m. and generally staying until 7 p.m. Bree VandenBerg handles

the marketing and social media side—having to hire babysitters and also being at the business in person as much as possible.

FKN Bread currently has two full-time staff members (not including Dave and Bree VandenBerg) who handle food preparations in the back of the house, and six part-time staff members who handle cashiering and customer service in the front.

The husband and wife team has gradually learned how much bread and pastries to make to meet customer demand.

Current hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

“Right now, we’re offering sandwiches,” Bree VandenBerg said.

Sandwich options include turkey, ham, and roast beef. A board inside the shop lists different items customers can order.

They also offer sweets, loaves, salads, and Boar’s Head products. Starting soon, toasts will also be available. A larger menu with more sandwiches will be available when FKN Bread adds more staff.

“It’s been requested we do the grab-andgo sandwiches,” Bree VandenBerg said.

The grab-and-go orders are reportedly popular with service workers downtown and people walking in the area. Premade sandwiches—made fresh in the mornings—are available in their deli case.

Regarding concerns from some community members over the name, Bree VandenBerg said they had no problem getting a business license from the city and the landlords are fine with the

Dave VandenBerg prepares bread at FKN Bakery, a new sandwich shop in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Kylee VandenBerg

County Education Board Intends to Sue State over Student Mask Requirements

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

The Orange County Board of Education voted, 4-0, to approve taking legal action against Gov. Gavin Newsom over K-12 students being required to wear masks indoors for the 2021-22 school year. The OCBE approved the lawsuit during a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

Continuing mask requirements for schoolchildren has been a controversial topic with some parents in Orange County, who are calling for an end to such mandates. The mask requirements are set by the California Department of Public Health.

“The governor and his executive agencies, by an emergency fiat that violates state constitutional and statutory law, threaten to extend and compound the harm to CaliThe Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

fornia’s children previously caused by prior school closures and unwarranted masking requirements,” OCBE legal representative Gregory Rolen said in a press release after the meeting’s closed session.

Policy decisions by the OCBE—which is based in Costa Mesa and whose responsibilities include approving the annual Orange County Department of Education’s budget and serving as Orange County’s appeal board for the adjudication of expulsion appeals and interdistrict attendance appeals—are generally not mandates that must be followed by individual school districts, which have authority to set their own local policies.

Recommendations by the OCBE last year Page 3

name. FKN Bread has sold out every day, and some people come in just to buy their branded merchandise, she said.

“We’ve had more positive feedback than negative,” Bree VandenBerg said.

Visit fknbread.com for more information.

that students return to campus without masks or social distancing attracted national attention and some scorn.

During a recent Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting held before the OCBE meeting, Trustee Lisa Davis also mentioned her desire to sue the state over mask requirements.

Other trustees did not address Davis’ statement. Davis introduced a resolution requesting masks be optional for students, which was approved by other trustees.

OCBE Trustees Mari Barke, Ken Williams, Tim Shaw, and Lisa Sparks approved going ahead with legal action against the state. Trustee Rebecca Gomez—who has often spoken against the board’s anti-health guideline leanings— left the meeting prior to the vote.

The OCBE sued Newsom last year over then-current campus closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Campuses have since reopened for in-person learning,

including in CUSD. “Above all, the board recognizes the importance of keeping our children safe at school and free from policies and practices that will cause them harm,” Rolen said. “When necessary, the board will fight to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the county’s kids at school.”

While some parents and students have denounced masks as inhibiting kids’ health and ability to communicate, public health experts and other parents have continued to emphasize their use in halting the spread of COVID-19. Mask requirements were largely lifted for fully vaccinated people in California on June 15, though the requirements have returned in other parts of the country (including Northern California) as case numbers again rise with the Delta variant. All school staff in California are also now required to either provide proof of vaccination or be tested weekly. thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Levin Announces Bipartisan Caucus to Explore Spent Nuclear Fuel Solutions

BY LILLIAN BOYD, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

On July 21, U.S. Reps. Mike Levin (D-CA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) announced the formation of their Spent Nuclear Fuel Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members who will drive progress on the safe storage, transportation, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel across the country.

Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano—and the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).

Including SONGS, there are approximately 80 locations in 34 states across the country where spent nuclear fuel is stored after it is removed from a commercial nuclear reactor. Additionally, 25 of these sites are co-located with nuclear power plants that are no longer in use, some of which have even been completely dismantled.

“The current system of spent nuclear fuel storage is not sustainable, particularly for sites that no longer have operating reactors and could be redeveloped for other beneficial uses,” Levin said during a media briefing. “It is also a violation of the promise, codified decades ago, that the federal government would take title to the waste in return for ratepayers’ contributions to the Nuclear Waste Fund.”

Levin added that the caucus seeks to address the challenges associated with stranded commercial spent fuel across the country.

“It is a forum for members who care about solving all commercial spent fuel issues, where members can come together to make progress regardless of whether or not they have a preferred solution,” Levin said.

In January 2019, Levin assembled a task force with the goal of driving solutions to move and safely store sensitive waste located at SONGS. About five months later, the task force’s report of findings and recommendations was announced.

The task force—co-chaired by Len Hering, a retired rear admiral who served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, and Gregory Jaczko, former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission—comprises 33 community members, councilmembers from neighboring cities, activists and scientific experts.

While largely focusing on the safe storage of nuclear waste, the report lays outs a litany of federal and state policy recommendations to address many of the issues that the task force raised related to SONGS and U.S. nuclear power plants in general.

One of the report’s recommendations was for Levin’s office to work to create a congressional spent nuclear fuel caucus to discuss storage, disposal and transportation issues.

“It is my great hope that this Spent

At The Cellar on Tuesday, Aug. 3, bartender Colton Vaught interacts with customers David Serrano, 38, of San Clemente (left) and Victor Porras, 33, of Costa Mesa (right). Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Restaurants Receive Revitalization Funds

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

More than $5.7 billion in federal aid went to help revitalize California’s food service industry still rebounding from economic losses felt during the pandemic, with roughly $22.2 million of those funds going toward South Orange County restaurants, bars and other eateries.

Under the American Rescue Plan, which set aside nearly $29 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, more than 50 businesses in the South County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano qualified for the bailout money, ranging from about $1,250 to nearly $3.7 million.

According to data from the Small Business Administration, restaurants and bars—including The Cellar in San Clemente, Wind & Sea Restaurant in Dana Point and Sundried Tomato Bistro in San Juan—were among the businesses that received the largest infusion of cash.

Without the availability of funds through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Revitalization program, “We would not have survived,” said Rob Quest, owner of Sundried Tomato, which was awarded more than $952,000 in revitalization money in June.

“We would not have made it without something like that, or that money. Those worked really well for us,” Quest said of the grants he was able to secure for the restaurant, which saw a drastic reduction in revenue, particularly on the catering side of the business.

“We had over 50 weddings or events that were being moved or canceled, so we were just trying to keep up with all of that,” he explained. “We were fortunate to receive the PPPs, both one and two, and were fortunate to receive the Revitalization Fund grant as well.”

The funds, the SBA explained, must The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

be used to cover payroll costs, business mortgage obligations, rent, debt services, utility payments, suppliers, protective equipment, and the construction of outdoor seating, as well as other operating expenses.

More than 64% of the grants went to support restaurants across the nation, while 5.6% of the funds helped prop up U.S. caterers and 4.2% went toward bars, saloons and taverns. Food stands and trucks, bakeries, tasting rooms and microbreweries, among others, also qualified for some of the revitalization funds.

Statewide, just shy of 16,000 eateries and bars qualified for the grants—the most of any state and territory in the U.S. However, those qualified businesses represent only about 44% of the 36,379 applicants in the state, according to the SBA. More than 278,300 restaurants across the country submitted applications, requesting $72.23 billion in aid. A total of 101,004 food-service businesses in the U.S. received the stimulus money, meant to help them recoup pandemic-related losses.

Quest said he hopes that Congress will soon appropriate additional revenue toward the Revitalization Fund so more restaurants can have an opportunity to receive the much-needed grants. Striking a more optimistic tone, he noted that he’s seen the industry stabilize a bit as the economy has reopened.

“It seems like a lot of restaurants, early on in the pandemic, decided to not stick around, and they made those decisions in 2020,” he said. “Now seeing in 2021, I’m seeing stabilization and growth, meaning I’m seeing restaurants wanting to start to grow and new restaurant openings and restaurants starting to open in restarts that closed.”

Based on what he’s seen, Quest added that “it’s hard to say if (lawmakers) don’t allocate more funds in the grants, if we’re going to see some repercussions … I can’t say for sure.”

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Nuclear Fuel Solutions Caucus will serve as a foundation and conversational starting point for other members, like myself, who care deeply about solving commercial spent fuel issues on behalf of our constituents, the nation, and our planet,” said Levin.

“I am optimistic that with support from this caucus, we can make strides in finally getting the waste at San Onofre, an issue that has plagued my district for years, off our coast as quickly and safely as possible.”

In a prepared response to the 2019 report from Southern California Edison, the majority owner and operator of the San Onofre plant, the company said it strongly supports legislation and appropriations to get the federal government moving on creating a permanent repository for the nation’s spent nuclear fuel.

“Rep. Mike Levin has focused his attention on this effort, and we appreciate his engagement on this complex issue,” SoCal Edison said. “Congressional action is vital to finding a solution.”

Nuclear power plants in the U.S. have been forced to store their own nuclear waste on-site, as the federal government has yet to finalize and establish a permanent storage facility to contain the fuel.

The federal government’s plan to establish Yucca Mountain in Nevada as a permanent storage site has gone nowhere since 2010, when the Obama administration cut funding for the project.

Since SONGS went offline in 2013, SoCal Edison has been transferring the plant’s spent nuclear fuel from the wet pools into its dry storage facility, or the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI), using canisters manufactured

by Holtec International.

“I support an all-of-the-above approach to energy. A critical part of that is nuclear power and addressing the full lifecycle of nuclear, which includes finding a longterm storage solution for spent nuclear fuel,” said Rep. Davis.

Davis represents Illinois’ 13th district, which includes DeWitt County—home to Clinton Power Station.

“There are dozens of locations across the country ...” Davis said.“In many of those locations, long-term storage is not feasible, which adds to the urgency of finding a long-term storage solution. This is about protecting public safety and ensuring the viability of nuclear power stations in the communities they serve, including Clinton.”

Other members of the bipartisan Spent Nuclear Fuel Solutions Caucus include Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13–26, 2021

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EYE ON SJC

NEW BITES

tia, hosted a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Representatives from the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce attended.

Attendees were able to personally check out the community and learn about how Serra Sol helps residents and their families.

Serra Sol’s services include occupational and speech therapy, a fitness studio, and resident assessments. Serra Sol’s address is 31451 Avenida Los Cerritos in San Juan Capistrano. Visit serrasol.com for more information.

COMPILED BY STAFF

CD | Mission Staff

Produces Book in Honor of Late Supporter After Madeline Martin Swinden’s sudden passing in June 2020, staff at Mission San Juan Capistrano set about to honoring the memory of the Mission Preservation Foundation board member and longtime steward.

The Mission’s newest in-house publication, Finding Inspiration: The Gardens at Mission San Juan Capistrano, is intended to honor her legacy, and it is available at the Mission Store and online at missionsjc.com/shop. A rose garden was also dedicated in Swinden’s memory due to her love of gardens.

The book covers the start of the Mission’s landscape and history of the historic grounds’ gardening.

“Madeline was a champion for the Mission, and while I deeply miss my friend, her life is still bringing change, as these new projects collectively allow us to move forward and celebrate the Mission’s 20th- and 21st-century-era gardens, making an even greater visitor experience,” said Mission Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams.

All proceeds will benefit Mission preservation efforts.

“We are proud that Madeline’s endless enthusiasm for the Mission’s art, gardens, history, events, and fourth-grade visitors will live on in her memory,” said Adams.

CD | New High-Tech

Fitness Studio Opens A “smart fitness” studio recently opened in San Juan Capistrano that uses machines that can personally customize workouts for users mid-exercise.

Ladera Ranch residents Andrea and Ed Gow opened The Exercise Coach location at 31401 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 102, in San Juan Capistrano on July 28, a news release said. The gym’s equipment can adjust workouts to accommodate a person’s strengths and weaknesses.

“The married couple plan to open two additional locations in South Orange County over the next two years,” the news release said. “Outfitted with proprietary, high-tech computerized machines instead of traditional equipment, The Exercise Coach’s personalized programs are optimized for efficiency, resulting in The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

COMMUNITY MEETINGS SATURDAY, AUG. 14

Citizens’ Climate Education 10:45 a.m.-noon. This nonpartisan climate action group holds monthly meetings on the second Saturday of the month through Zoom video conferences. Email larrykramerccl@gmail.com to receive a link to join.

TUESDAY, AUG. 17

CD | Mission San Juan

Capistrano Receives Federal Relief Funding Nearly $19 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding will go to local entertainment venues, theaters, and museums in North County San Diego and South Orange County—including Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The historic Mission is one of 28 regional sites receiving assistance funds through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Mike Levin’s office.

“The Mission Preservation Foundation is grateful for this critical funding. The pandemic’s devastating impacts on the Mission closed it for the first time in 100 years and nearly all revenue sources were eliminated,” said Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Executive Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano. “With funding like this, we can determine our rebound plan that includes new programs, processes, while still keeping our doors open and hosting important community traditions.”

The Mission is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other recipients included Oceanside Theatre Company, Lux Art Institute, and the Carlsbad Music Festival.

“As we recover from the pandemic, I’m glad that local venues have received the federal relief they need to make up for some of their lost revenue and help reopen their doors to everyone who cherishes their events,” said Levin. “While they work to ensure the show goes on, I’ll keep working to make sure they have the support they need to continue serving our community.”

The SVOG program was created as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act, according to Levin’s office.

The Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance administers more than $16 billion through the SVOG program.

Madeline Martin Swinden (left), a longtime Mission San Juan Capistrano supporter who passed away last year, is being honored with a new in-house Mission book. Mission Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams (right) said Swinden’s life continues to serve as inspiration for the site’s gardens. Photo: Courtesy of Carla Rhea.

only two 20-minute workouts per week.”

Though the gym uses robotic technology, coaches are also on hand to help gym members. Sessions combine strength training and cardio exercises for each session.

“We wanted to own a franchise that featured technology that is different from the norm,” Andrea Gow said. “We love The Exercise Coach technology. We loved the message, and that they truly want to help people with their overall wellness.”

Workouts are done by appointment only, with no walk-ins. No more than four clients are allowed per trainer for semi-private training sessions, the news release said.

The Exercise Coach was founded in 2000 and began franchising in 2011.

“We are different from big box gyms, as our boutique fitness studios have always been small, private and super clean. This remains our core offering,” said Brian Cygan, The Exercise Coach founder and CEO. “This has really been resonating with people across the country, and we have grown to 120 locations as a result.”

CD | Memory Care Facility

Holds Ribbon-Cutting Serra Sol Memory Care, a care center for people with Alzheimer’s and demenPage 6

City Council 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a meeting open to the public. The meeting can also be viewed online at the city website, sanjuancapistrano.org. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18

CUSD Board of Trustees 7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting. Members of the public can attend in person or watch the meeting online. Capistrano Unified School District, 33122 Valle Rd, San Juan Capistrano. capousd.org.

FRIDAY, AUG. 20

Coffee Chat 8:30 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. The first Friday of the month will be held on Zoom, with in-person gatherings on all other Fridays at Hennessey’s Tavern in San Juan Capistrano, 31761 Camino Capistrano. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

Lunch with the Mayor Noon. Mayor John Taylor will eat at a different restaurant in San Juan Capistrano almost every Friday, and the public is welcome to attend. Feel free to chat with Taylor and others, though you’ll have to pay for your own meal. Check the John Taylor: San Juan Capistrano Mayor page on Facebook for more information.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25

Planning Commission 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission will hold a meeting open to the public. The meeting can also be viewed online at the city website, sanjuancapistrano. org. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano.

FRIDAY, AUG. 27

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

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The Capistrano Dispatch August 13–26, 2021

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EYE ON RMV

WINE AND CRAFT BEER SPOT OPENS IN LOS PATRONES SUMMIT A

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

fter having served as a firefighter in Rancho Mission Viejo for several years, Josh Frisby figured the area’s hills would make a good backdrop for wine tastings and craft beer events. So when he noticed a location open for lease in the community’s new industrial business center, Frisby got to work opening his third branded wine and beer location there.

Frisby Winery & Brewing officially opened in Los Patrones Summit during the last weekend of June. The winery is one of several new businesses gradually opening in the business center, which RMV officials hope will become an economic and social destination for residents of the master-planned community.

“I was one of the first tenants to lease

Frisby has tracked the gradual development of Los Patrones Summit as plans for it moved forward, and he said the ideal zoning for his business was one factor in choosing the location. The proximity to a major road was another selling point that sealed the deal for him.

As for what he feels appeals to customers about Frisby Winery & Brewing, Frisby said people can hear personal stories about how the wine has been transported to Orange County. As noted on the business website, the wines are produced in Paso Robles before coming to Orange County.

The RMV location also marks their foray into beer production.

“Customers really get to come in and have an experience,” Frisby said.

For hours and more information, visit frisbycellars.com. CD

in there,” Frisby said. “I’m very excited to be part of the early phases of what’s going to be a 10- to 15-year buildout.”

Frisby’s other wine locations through Frisby Cellar are in Dana Point Harbor and Lake Forest. He has been involved in winemaking for more than a decade, and he has had his Dana Point location for approximately three years.

He was eyeing the RMV location prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying there was a lot of anticipation with the Los Patrones Summit spot from community members and existing customers. Frisby Winery & Brewing also offers flatbreads and other food that pair well with wine and craft beer.

“It’s been fantastic,” Frisby said of how business in RMV has gone since opening.

“It’s beyond what I expected. I knew the location was primed for it.”

EVENTS AT THE RANCH

AUG. 18

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

Sign up at rmvreserve.org.

AUG. 21

FAMILY WALK AT THE NATURE RESERVE 9-11 a.m. Bring the kids for a Saturday morning exploration of the outdoors.

Learn about animals during this fun walk.

Event is recommended for ages 6 and up. Cost is $5 for adults and children ages 6-17, and free for supporters of The Nature Reserve. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy at The Nature Reserve in Rancho Mission Viejo.

949.489.9778. rmvreserve.org.

RMV Gym Teaches Students Martial Arts O

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

n a Monday afternoon, Todd Aimer walks around his gym and gives pointers to his kids as they drill grappling techniques.

Aimer is the owner of Evolve CheckMat Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Muay Thai Academy, a new martial arts gym in Rancho Mission Viejo. The gym, which includes mat space for the jiu-jitsu classes and heavy bags for the Muay Thai sessions, is in Los Patrones Summit—a new industrial business center in RMV where storage areas and other businesses gradually have been opening.

Classes are offered for kids and adults, and on any given night, you can find people of all ages wrestling each other on the mats or kicking the bags. BJJ is a grappling style in which the goal is to maintain control of an opponent on the ground and apply submission holds. Muay Thai is a fighting technique that allows punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes.

Evolve is open Monday through Saturday, and people get confidence and selfworth out of training, Aimer said.

“They can become better than they were yesterday,” Aimer said.

Gym members can also become “friends through life” as they go through training, Aimer said. Aimer estimates The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

Evolve CheckMat Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Muay Thai Academy is open Monday through Saturday, and people get confidence and self-worth out of training, owner Todd Aimer said.

Photos: Collin Breaux

they currently have approximately 250 students. He has operated gyms in other nearby locations, and the RMV gym has been open for several months.

Aimer chose the Evolve name because he felt it applied to his own journey as a martial artist. Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai have physical benefits for those who study it, he said.

“Maintaining health helps maintain longevity,” Aimer said.

Classes and the overall vibe at the Los Patrones Summit location have been amazing since opening, Aimer said. He notes you can see the nearby hills during practice, and he is thankful to RMV and the Los Patrones Summit operators for the opportunity to open his academy.

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“I love the area,” Aimer said. “I love the gym. I love the energy.”

Martial arts allows people to empower themselves and try something new, Aimer said.

“You’re able to stand up for yourself,” Aimer said. “It makes you walk a lot taller.”

Check out their website at joinevolve.com for more information. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

PUBLISHER’S LETTER | BY NORB GARRETT, OWNER AND PUBLISHER OF PICKET FENCE MEDIA

Another First in a Year of Firsts

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Collin Breaux • 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com

T

his past year has been a year of firsts, so why not add Picket Fence Media’s first-ever OC Press Club awards to the mix?

We found out recently that our outstanding editorial team had won two awards—a first place for “Best Election Coverage” and a second place for “Best News Photo.” Lillian Boyd, our Senior Editor/Dana Point Times City Editor, and Collin Breaux, our The Capistrano Dispatch City Editor, teamed up to cover the volatile San Juan Capistrano city council election race last November to earn NORB GARRETT the first-place OWNER & PUBLISHER award for “Best Election Coverage.” A link to that story can be found in the online version of this Publisher’s Letter.

Additionally, Boyd won a second-place award for her photo taken at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dana Point last summer.

These awards, coupled with the 10 CNPA California Journalism Awards we won last month, underscore the critical

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 thecapistranodispatch.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 ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes (DP)

CEO/FOUNDER Norb Garrett

Thousands of demonstrators gathered at Salt Creek Beach on Friday, June 5, in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was in police custody at the time of his killing. Photo: Lillian Boyd

role hyper-local community journalism produced by the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch plays in keeping our communities informed, educated and engaged. I’m so

incredibly proud of the seemingly tireless commitment to unbiased, apolitical, original journalism from our reporters and editors and by our entire team at Picket Fence Media. CD

EDITORIAL Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Advertising Sales Debra Wells (CD) Laura Gaffney (SC) ART + DESIGN Art Director Jasmine Smith

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS General Manager Alyssa Garrett

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Letters to The Editor WHEN WILL AMERICANS STOP WHINING ABOUT COVID? ROGER BÜTOW, Laguna Beach Trump said that during his Presidency, we’d win so much that we’d get tired of it.

Well, I’m getting tired of all of the selfish contempt about COVID’s necessary restrictions: We’re officially a “Nation of Whiners.”

My parents (dad born in 1907, mom in 1922) didn’t brag, but they were “The Greatest Generation,” as Tom Brokaw wrote in his seminal 1998 book.

Dad left medical school in Hamburg circa 1930, when he saw the advent of National Socialism (Nazism). He was a stowaway on his uncle’s ship, entered the USA illegally, literally jumped ship in LA Harbor. Proudly born of Prussian nobility, he struggled for many years upon arriv-

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

ing during the Depression, without legal citizenship.

Mom’s mother died giving birth, her father dumped her on her aunt’s doorstep in LA, and he was never seen or heard from again.

They sacrificed for the common good, including nation and family, endured tough times, did without, as all Americans did for many years, post-Depression and during WWII. Six kids, all raised on the wages of my tugboat captain father.

Eventually divorced, my mom went back to waiting tables to supplement her alimony and child support.

Today, baby boomers my age sit around, cry and whimper about a few years of inconvenience, curtailed activities.

Boo-hoo.

It’s embarrassing.

Junipero Serra is a big concern. Miscellaneous trash of rotten food, cans of soda, and other unsavory items are thrown all over the parking lot. I believe that there is a truck that picks and cleans up the place, but the next day, trash is piled up all over again. It seems like we are becoming a Third World city with this mess. Is there a way that a big sign of “NO TRASH AND FINE IMPOSED” be put up in that area?

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.

MOUNDING TRASH IS A CONCERN ELOISA SAN MIGUEL, San Juan Capistrano The mounding trash on the Park and Ride on the corner of Rancho Viejo and

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

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Copy Editor Randy Youngman

FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines

Social Media/ Digital Coordinator Kolette Morehead

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Jake Howard, Eryka Forquer

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 19, Issue 15. 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 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

Page 11

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2021 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS READY TO GET BACK TO BUSINESS

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

After only four months off, it’s football season all over again.

That’s not to say there’s a “here we go again” sentiment to the fall season. There is palpable anticipation for a fully normal run through a high school football campaign.

After the pandemic forced the CIF-Southern Section to delay the start of football season three separate times, most teams were thankful to play any football at all in the spring. At the time, they were called steps toward normalcy, but they were small steps.

Seasons were shortened to just five games for San Juan Hills and JSerra. St. Margaret’s managed to put together a threegame schedule. Capistrano Valley Christian played what amounted to one scrimmage and no full season. Fairmont San Juan Cap-

istrano played an eight-man football season, but it will not field a team in the fall.

Now, it’s the real deal.

All four of San Juan Capistrano’s high school football teams are geared up for a full 10game slate, with playoffs to compete for at the end of the season, unlike the shortened spring season.

The threat of the pandemic still lingers, as some opening games around the Southern Section have already been canceled, but most teams are ready to go for football season.

San Juan Hills enters its second season back in the South Coast League, and while the Stallions’ attempt to play with the big boys of the league was derailed due to injuries, San Juan Hills is powered up and ready to prove its worth.

San Juan Hills has a talented receiving corps and a big, strong and experienced group of

linemen who will be more than prepared to kick off against Santa Margarita of the Trinity League on Aug. 20 at Saddleback College.

San Juan Capistrano’s representative in the Trinity League, JSerra, is beginning a new era after a couple seasons of changeover. Scott McKnight takes over as head coach of the Lions as they look to build the program back up to contention.

JSerra will be led by an exciting offense that will keep the Lions in games, as the Lions attempt to get as many wins on the board in their nonleague season to try and crack into a CIF-SS playoff spot in a lower division, thanks to the CIF’s new power ranking-based division system. The CIF-SS’ playoff divisions will be based on current season data, and teams will be slotted in after the regular season.

St. Margaret’s and Capistrano Valley Christian are in similar situations after the

disbanding of the San Joaquin League for football. With Fairmont San Juan Capistrano and other league teams dropping their programs, St. Margaret’s and CVC were left on islands to be freelance teams.

Both of the small private schools are also working with young groups that have been built up over the past year. Capistrano Valley Christian had only seven returning players in April of 2020, and St. Margaret’s was cut down to 17 players during its short spring season. Both have a full complement of more than 30 players for their fall teams.

San Juan Hills, JSerra and Capistrano Valley Christian open in Week 0 on Friday, Aug. 20, and St. Margaret’s follows suit in Week 1 on Aug. 27.

For news, in-game updates, scores, photos and videos all season long, follow along on Twitter @SouthOCSports.

(L to R) Chase Schmidt, Jaden Williams, Luke Davis, Cole Monach, Braden Pegan and John Gaines represent a San Juan Hills senior class that is eager to prove themselves among the best in a full regular season after a shortened and disappointing 2020 campaign. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

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San Juan Hills High School Schedule GAME 1 AUGUST 20

VS. SANTA MARGARITA SADDLEBACK COLLEGE, 7 P.M.

GAME 2 AUGUST 27

VS. CYPRESS

SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 3 SEPTEMBER 3

VS. ROOSEVELT (EASTVALE) SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 4 SEPTEMBER 10

VS. YORBA LINDA

SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 5 SEPTEMBER 17

VS. CORONA DEL MAR

SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 6 OCTOBER 1

VS. EL TORO

EL TORO HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 7 OCTOBER 8 San Juan Hills is always effective in its running attack thanks to a strong and experienced offensive line and a commitment to blocking from all levels. The Stallions are ready to take on all challengers in 2021. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

SAN JUAN HILLS EAGER TO PROVE ITS PLACE IN TOP LEAGUE

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

S

an Juan Hills football knows where it belongs in the classes of Orange County high school football.

In the years prior to head coach Rob Frith’s arrival and since his tenure began in 2018, the Stallions have produced top college recruits.

San Juan Hills also now has the hardware after winning its first CIF-SS championship in 2019.

San Juan Hills had risen back to the South Coast League in 2020 and was ready to prove it belonged in what Frith called “arguably the best public school league in the county, maybe even Southern California.”

Instead, the Stallions dealt with the turmoil of the pandemic, and once the season finally arrived in March, San Juan Hills had seemingly set itself up for a strong showing in its return to the South Coast League with two strong crossover wins against Sea View League opponents.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

Then injuries struck, and instead of giving a full-force swing at the league’s elite, the Stallions were summarily beaten by league standard Mission Viejo and eventual league champion San Clemente. Even San Juan Hills’ final shot against rival Tesoro in the Battle for the Bell was snuffed out in a late slip-up in a one-point loss.

Now back on track for a normal schedule and a full slate in the fall of 2021, the Stallions have talent shining throughout their skill positions, and groups of big, strong linemen ready to take on the challenge and fight to stay in the South Coast League.

“Last season was obviously very disappointing,” senior defensive back Chase Schmidt said. “Our group of seniors this year, we’ve all banded together, we have a strong bond, we’ve grinded super hard. We’re all holding each other accountable and trying to make the most of our last season together.”

When looking over the bona fides of the San Juan Hills roster, eyes fall immediately on a talented group of wide receivers. Braden Pegan is a UCLA commit; Elijah Barclay, a

former Mater Dei player who transferred from Salpointe High School in Arizona, has college offers from Arizona, Nebraska, TCU and Purdue, among others; and Cole Monach has been an instrumental varsity player since the 2019 CIF-SS title run.

Junior quarterback Colton Joseph figures to be the starting quarterback who will find connections in this receiver group, and Luke Davis will also get snaps at quarterback as a “Taysom Hill-type” utility player, according to Frith.

For San Juan Hills, even if the passing offense develops, the overall offense begins at the ground level with the running game and the offensive line. Four starting linemen return to a deep group that Frith called one of the best he’s had in his time at San Juan Hills.

Defensively, San Juan Hills returns its three starting down linemen in what is always an aggressive and creative front from defensive coordinator Pete Silvey. Senior defensive end Jaden Williams (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), junior defensive end Brayden Bockler (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) and junior nose tackle Jasper O’Loughlin (6-foot-2, 340 pounds) make up

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VS. CAPISTRANO VALLEY SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 8 OCTOBER 15

VS. SAN CLEMENTE*

SAN CLEMENTE HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 9 OCTOBER 22

VS. MISSION VIEJO*

SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 10 OCTOBER 29 *

VS. TESORO

TESORO HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

*SOUTH COAST LEAGUE GAME

that line.

The secondary is made up of fast players with good ball skills including Schmidt and most of the receiving corps, including Pegan, Barclay and Monach.

San Juan Hills boasts one of the toughest schedules in the entire county, and that’s just how Frith likes it. Frith likes to challenge his teams with tough games, like their opener against Santa Margarita of the Trinity League on Aug 20 at Saddleback College. The schedule will also help in the new current-season, power rankings-based CIF-SS playoff format, which Frith is also a fan of and rewards teams for criteria such as strength of schedule.

The early challenges prepare the Stallions for their tough league slate and will get them battle-tested for a potential playoff run ahead. thecapistranodispatch.com

JSerra Catholic High School JSERRA REBUILDS WITH YOUNG CORE, NEW COACH Schedule GAME 1 AUGUST 20

VS. SIERRA CANYON PIERCE COLLEGE, 7 P.M.

GAME 2 AUGUST 27

VS. NOTRE DAME (SHERMAN OAKS)

JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 3 SEPTEMBER 2

VS. NEWPORT HARBOR

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 4 SEPTEMBER 10

VS. CENTENNIAL (CORONA) JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 5 SEPTEMBER 17

VS. RANCHO CUCAMONGA

RANCHO CUCAMONGA HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 6 OCTOBER 1

VS. SANTA MARGARITA*

JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 7 OCTOBER 8

VS. ST. JOHN BOSCO*

JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

Sophomore quarterback Dylan Mills got extremely meaningful playing time as a freshman in the gauntlet of the Trinity League. Mills leads a Lions offense that will keep them more than competitive. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

GAME 8 OCTOBER 14 *

VS. SERVITE

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE, 7:30 P.M.

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

T

he Lions are back at the drawing board and rebuilding their football program.

It only took one offseason for JSerra to slide from being among those elite teams in the mix for the Trinity League’s third playoff spot and a fixture in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs to staring back up the ladder at every other team in the league.

Following the 2019 season, JSerra saw an exodus of transfers, with at least 16 impact and contributing players leaving for various other programs. What was left for the eventual 202021 spring season was an extremely young group that struggled in an all-Trinity League schedule. JSerra was winless in five games, and head coach Pat Harlow stepped down from the position after the spring season.

JSerra now turns to longtime assistant Scott McKnight as the new head coach tasked with

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

guiding the group of young talent that has stayed in San Juan Capistrano and rebuilding the foundation of a contender.

“I’ve seen us recruit players that were tremendous athletes, but they didn’t really want to compete in the classroom,” McKnight said at Trinity League Media Day. “There’s tremendous support at this school for all types of students, but you’ve got to give effort. (When we get the right kids,) we’ve got to do a good job retaining them, and that starts with everything we do: in the weight room, on the field, the type of offense you run, type of defense.”

The Lions offense might be that first thing JSerra can showcase in this 2021 fall season to entice that right kind of player and get moving forward. McKnight said the JSerra offense will be what gives them a chance in games this season.

The reins of the offense fall to sophomore quarterback Dylan Mills, who eventually took control of the offense in his freshman season in a tight competition. McKnight said Mills has that “it factor,” can extend plays with his feet

and throws a great deep ball.

While never directly coached by McKnight, whose focus had been special teams and defensive backs, Mills was excited for the program’s future under McKnight.

“When I found out Coach McKnight was going to be the head coach, I knew right away that would be a great fit for everyone here,” Mills said. “His energy and everything, it’s what you need to run a football team, especially in this league. I think we’re all very blessed to be in the position we’re in.”

In regard to the rest of the Trinity League, JSerra figures to be last in the league on paper, and the Lions may struggle to win a league game again this season. However, the new CIF-SS playoff division system, which will be based on current season power rankings rather than past performance, could give the Lions the opportunity to play in a lower playoff division as an at-large team, even if they were last in the Trinity League.

“For me, when you look at our team, they’re pretty young. Being able to play as many

Page 14

GAME 9 OCTOBER 22

VS. ORANGE LUTHERAN*

JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 10 OCTOBER 29 *

VS. MATER DEI

SANTA ANA BOWL, 7 P.M.

*TRINITY LEAGUE GAME

games as possible is hugely important to build our program,” McKnight said. “If we were an older team, a more seasoned group like Mater Dei or (St. John) Bosco, I wouldn’t really consider that. But for us, the opportunity to play at a lower level would be the opportunity to play more games.”

Unless JSerra wins all of its nonleague contests, the Lions would likely have a sub-.500 record, but based on the rankings format, there may still be a spot for JSerra to take in whatever division they would land. Divisions will be determined at the end of the season. thecapistranodispatch.com

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Schedule GAME 1 AUGUST 20

VS. CHRISTIAN (EL CAJON)

ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 2 SEPTEMBER 3

VS. LA MIRADA

LA MIRADA HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 3 SEPTEMBER 10

VS. RIM OF THE WORLD

RIM OF THE WORLD HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 4 SEPTEMBER 17

VS. RIVERSIDE PREP

ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 5 SEPTEMBER 24

VS. ST. JOSEPH (SANTA MARIA)

ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 6 OCTOBER 1

VS. ST. PAUL Senior Trey Kingsley will be a force in a St. Margaret’s defensive front that constantly brings pressure. The Tartans learned the value of sticking together in the spring that will benefit them in the fall. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

ST. MARGARET’S READY FOR NORMAL SEASON WITH LESSONS LEARNED

(SANTA FE SPRINGS) ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 7 OCTOBER 8

VS. CASTAIC

ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 8 OCTOBER 15

VS. CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

T

here likely isn’t a team that is more ready for a full schedule and a normal football season than the St. Margaret’s football team.

The spring season for the Tartans can been viewed as an aberration for many different reasons.

At the top of the list is the fact that St. Margaret’s had a losing record for the first time since most people can remember. Based on MaxPreps’ records, the Tartans haven’t won fewer than nine games in a full season at any point in the past 20 years.

The Tartans played only three games and had only 22 players on their roster at most during their most recent season. Injuries had cut that number to 17 players, and St. Margaret’s pulled out its only win with a four-play, goal-line stand in its spring finale.

As St. Margaret’s prepares for the 2021 fall

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

season, the Tartans have 38 players on the roster, and those who did endure through the 2020-21 campaign learned about much more than football.

“I don’t coach to be a coach. I coach to be a mentor of young men,” St. Margaret’s coach Kory Minor said. “That’s why I’m out here, and that’s life lessons, right? Sometimes, life doesn’t go the way you want, so how do you prepare, how do you get through it, how do you fight, how do you win, how do you scratch? And we had to do that.”

It’s the lessons of coming together that will serve the Tartans best as they play with another young group of players.

Offensively, St. Margaret’s actually has a decent amount of experience and talent that can carry the day. Quarterback Jack Ruff returns for his senior season as the leader of the offense. Ruff has interest from Ivy League schools that can only grow with a full season ahead.

Ruff will have options to work with as well, as St. Margaret’s has a group of tall receivers

who will be productive targets. Seniors Bobby Springer, Makai Todd and Tyler Matthews, plus juniors Sam Dunnell, Derek Smith and Will Stahl, make up the receiving corps. Senior Benton Barlow will also run the ball.

Minor called St. Margaret’s defense its bread and butter, and the Tartans will bring the pressure on nearly every single play. The majority of the receivers will also double as impact players on defense, and the Tartans will also get strong line play led by senior Trey Kingsley.

St. Margaret’s will play freelance along with Capistrano Valley Christian after the disbanding of the San Joaquin League for football.

Minor thought that was a good decision for now, to not rush and just join any league they could find for the year.

Though being in a league generally helps with CIF-SS playoff qualification, Minor said that the CIF-SS’ new current season power rankings-based divisional system may be a benefit for a freelance team such as the Tartans.

Page 15

GAME 9 OCTOBER 22

VS. CALIPATRIA

CALIPATRIA HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 10 OCTOBER 28

VS. RANCHO CHRISTIAN (TEMECULA)

RANCHO CHRISTIAN HS, 7 P.M. * NO LEAGUE GAMES

“The system can find a slot that makes sense for us,” Minor said. “I think the system is really good. If you’re going to be freelance, this is the year to be freelance. If we don’t win, then it doesn’t matter.”

Minor believes in the merit-based system.

If the Tartans win, then they deserve whatever spot they land as an earned reward, and Minor believes this St. Margaret’s team has enough talent and plenty of intangibles to win football games this season. thecapistranodispatch.com

Capistrano Valley Christian CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN BOUNCES BACK WITH YOUNG, LEARNING GROUP

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

I

t’s been a quick build for Capistrano Valley Christian football coach Eric Preszler over what’s been an eventful 16 months on the job.

As Preszler began his second stint as the head coach of the Eagles in April 2020, the CVC program had only seven football players returning from its 2019 San Joaquin League championship squad. Roster size is always going to be a concern for a school the size of Capistrano Valley Christian, but seven players isn’t even enough to suit up on one side of the ball.

Preszler, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, then embarked on a recruiting mission around the rest of the school’s athletic programs to pull in baseball players, basketball players and any athlete who was willing to give football a try.

CVC’s team was going to be a continual work-in-progress, even if there had been a fall season last year, but the circumstances of delays due to the pandemic actually gave Preszler and his staff something very valuable: time.

“In some ways, this whole unique situation we were in, it allowed us something we wouldn’t have in a normal year. It allowed us to practice football from, really, July to January,” Preszler said. “We practiced and got to the point where we understand fundamentals, understand the concepts. Again, we had seven guys, so there’s a lot of new bodies, a lot of teaching, and we really got to slow it down and teach football.”

In January, after the CIF-SS delayed the season a second time and many were wondering if there’d be a season at all, Preszler and the Eagles jumped the gun and pushed back on restrictions. Capistrano Valley Christian and Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana played a football game, which was reportedly more of a glorified scrimmage with adjusted rules. CIF-SS investigated the contest, and no punishments were doled out. However, that was the only football CVC played in the spring.

The Eagles did not hold a spring season because, with all their athletes splitting time across all of their other sports, Preszler and the department didn’t feel it was in the students’ best interests to spread them so thin.

But the fall has arrived, and there is a reg-

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

ular season for Capistrano Valley Christian to put all those months of learning and practicing to work.

The Eagles will obviously be a young team, with 13 freshmen and three or four who will get considerable snaps. One of those freshmen is starting quarterback Nate Richie, who Preszler says is the best-kept secret in Orange County.

CVC will be led by the heart of one of those seven returners from April 2020, and that’s senior Kayden Manrique. The safety and running back took on a leadership role over the last year and helped instill a work ethic that will benefit the Eagles.

Junior receiver Hayden Carlson will also be

relied on at the skill positions. Carlson is one of the top CVC baseball players who has come over to play football.

CVC will be bolstered in the trenches by junior lineman Jack Leetzow and senior Bence Duka, who is a 6-foot-7, 235-pound basketball player giving football a shot.

After the pandemic, Capistrano Valley Christian and St. Margaret’s were the only teams left standing in the San Joaquin League, with teams dropping to eight-man football or dropping their programs entirely. The Eagles and Tartans will both be freelancing this year, which means they’ll need to rack up wins for the CIF-SS’ power rankings-based playoff system.

Schedule GAME 1 AUGUST 20

VS. ARROWHEAD CHRISTIAN TESORO HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 2 AUGUST 27

VS. CALVARY CHAPEL

SAN CLEMENTE HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 3 SEPTEMBER 3

VS. GODINEZ

GODINEZ HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 4 SEPTEMBER 10

VS. TEMECULA PREP

CAPISTRANO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 5 SEPTEMBER 17

VS. DESERT CHRISTIAN DESERT CHRISTIAN, 7 P.M.

GAME 6 SEPTEMBER 24

VS. DON BOSCO TECH TESORO HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 7 OCTOBER 2

VS. SANTA ROSA ACADEMY PALOMA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 8 OCTOBER 15

VS. ST. MARGARET’S

ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 9 OCTOBER 22

VS. NUVIEW BRIDGE

NUVIEW BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M.

GAME 10 OCTOBER 29

VS. WHITTIER CHRISTIAN CAPISTRANO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, 7 P.M. Capistrano Valley Christian only played what amounted to a glorified scrimmage in January for their 2020 season. The Eagles have built back their numbers but will play without a league as a freelance team this season.

Photo: Zach Cavanagh

Page 16

* NO LEAGUE GAMES

thecapistranodispatch.com

Players to Watch

BRADEN PEGAN San Juan Hills, WR, Sr. Braden Pegan made a splash in the spring season when he committed to UCLA, his dream school. The 6-foot-4 receiver had offers from 10 schools, but he called the UCLA decision a “no-brainer.” Pegan was a proven deep threat last season and has worked on his footwork to improve on short routes.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

OFFENSE

DYLAN MILLS JSerra, QB, Soph.

Dylan Mills faced down the gauntlet of the Trinity League as a freshman and came out better for it. Mills says the game has slowed down for him approaching his second season. He has the ability to extend plays with his feet and also throws a good deep ball.

Page 17

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

JACK RUFF St. Margaret’s, QB, Sr.

JACKCVC, LEETZOW OL, Jr.

Jack Ruff has that prototypical quarterback frame at 6-foot-4 and uses it to his advantage.

He has grown as a leader for the Tartans over the past year and has full command of the offense. Ruff is drawing interest from Ivy League universities and has an offer from Georgetown.

Jack Leetzow will anchor an offensive line for Capistrano Valley Christian that is still learning. He possesses skill on both sides of the ball and will also anchor the Eagles’ defensive line. Leetzow is one of a handful of Eagles players to develop their leadership skills over the past year.

thecapistranodispatch.com

Players to Watch

CHASE SCHMIDT San Juan Hills, DB, Sr. Chase Schmidt was second in tackles for San Juan Hills last season and was named firstteam All-South Coast League. He has been on the scene since his championship-sealing interception in the 2019 CIF-SS title game.

Schmidt is quick, feisty and loves to hit, despite his smaller frame.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

DEFENSE

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

JOEY TORREZ JSerra, MLB, Jr.

TREY KINGSLEY St. Margaret’s, DL, Sr.

KADENCVC, MANRIQUE S, Sr.

Joey Torrez is a lynchpin for the Lions defense in the front seven. Torrez is a tough, strong and sturdy football player who plays with a lot of passion. At 6-foot, 230 pounds, the junior can come downhill like a freight train to plug up opposing run games.

Trey Kingsley will be a force to be reckoned with on the offensive and defensive line for the Tartans. He is 6-foot-2 and can move well in the trenches. Kingsley will be integral for a St. Margaret’s defense that plans on being aggressive and bringing pressure throughout the game.

Kaden Manrique was one of only seven returners after the 2019 season, but the senior has stuck through to become a leader who showcases a strong work ethic. Manrique is a top athlete for the Eagles and will start on both sides of the ball at safety and running back.

Page 18

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CLASSIFIEDS

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com FOR SALE

FOR SALE 2010 Honda Accord • dark gray • 75,000 miles.

Good gas mileage, 4 cylinder, in good condition. $8,500.00 OBO. Call (714) 349-4626

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

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

E-mail your garage sale to info@thecapistranodispatch.com

DEADLINE 12PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. GARAGE SALE — SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH 8am-1pm. 31625 Via Madonna, San Juan Capistrano.

Everything under the sun sale with tons of Christmas items. All at bargain prices BLOWOUT MOVING SALE! AUGUST 14TH Everything must go. Low prices and lots of free stuff.

Saturday (14) 7 AM-1 PM . 159 W. Avenida Ramona, SC. HUGE GARAGE SALE! SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 Saturday, August 14, 8:30am-4:00pm. 23961 Dory Drive, Laguna Niguel. Sports equipment, tools, stamps, rocks and minerals for collectors, household items and more.

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

ESTATE SALE — AUGUST 21ST 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 325 Calle Felicidad, SC 92672 Lots of furniture and clothes, household items, wood book shelves & dressers, paintings. Free stuff also!

HUGE GARAGE SALE — AUGUST 21ST 8-21-21 at 8:00am. 323 Calle Empalme, San Clemente Downsizing – Home beer brewing equip(incl wort boiler and cooler); lrg dog kennels and enclosures; Coleman 15 x 13 screened instant up canopy; camping cookware and folding wooden table; hand & power tools; stationary bike; too much misc. to list.

OTHER ORIGINAL ART BY BARBARA BRIENT August 28th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

7th Annual Showing at my studio.

33561 Via De Agua, San Juan Capistrano

LIST LOCALS ONLY USE LOCALS ONLY Contact Debra for pricing at 949.388.7700, ext. 104

The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

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

Page 19

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SOAPBOX

GUEST OPINION | The Levin Letter by Rep. Mike Levin

NEW FEDERAL FUNDING WILL INCREASE COMMUNITY ACCESS, FIGHT COASTAL EROSION R

oads, rails, and sidewalks connect our neighborhoods and enable freedom of movement throughout South Orange County. Unfortunately for our coastal community, erosion presents a growing threat to the safety of our people and the structural integrity of our crucial transportation infrastructure.

Over the past several decades, our beaches and bluffs have been placed under enormous stress due to sea-level rise and other environmental factors. The results of these forces are entirely predictable: weakened roads that threaten safety, and damaged rail lines that shut down service and isolate communities.

As your congressman for South Orange County, I’m committed to securing federal dollars that will support local infrastructure projects and fight coastal erosion.

Toward that end, I am pleased with the inclusion of more than $22 million in

House appropriations legislation for nine local projects, including $9.3 million to begin construction on the San Clemente Shoreline Project.

This project provides protection for the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN Corridor) tracks that run imTHE LEVIN LETTER mediately adjacent

BY MIKE LEVIN to the San Clemente coast. It will add 251,000 cubic yards of sand, widening the beach by about 50 feet, creating a better, safer coast for residents and a stronger economy for all.

Another appropriations victory for South Orange County is $1.87 million for the Doheny Village Connectivity Improvement Project in Dana Point. Much of this funding will support the addition of bicycle and pedestrian amenities, ensuring equitable access for travelers of

all modes and means.

According to U.S. Geological Survey scientists, Southern California sea levels are projected to rise between 1.5 feet and 6.6 feet by 2100. Moreover, blufftops along the 300-mile Southern California coastline could lose between 62 and 135 feet on average by 2100. In many areas, the losses could be even worse.

Everyone who drives on PCH or rides the train along our coast knows that we don’t have that kind of room to spare.

That’s why I’m committed to seeking both immediate and long-term solutions to this challenge.

Make no mistake, this funding will provide a critical lifeline to local projects that need help now. But with rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events, much more work will need to be done.

That is why I was proud to lead a letter signed by 133 of my Congressional colleagues calling on President Biden to

ensure infrastructure legislation includes robust investments to combat the climate crisis.

Our hard-working residents deserve reliable infrastructure without the threat of road failure or bluff collapse. I’m committed to fighting coastal erosion through both immediate and long-term solutions, so future generations can enjoy the economic opportunities and beautiful landscapes our coast has to offer.

U.S. Representative Mike Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. He was reelected for a second term in 2020 and resides in San Juan Capistrano with his wife and two children. SC 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.

GUEST OPINION | by Mark Loper

Saving Yourself in the Wilds of South OC – Part 1

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e’ve all heard about that Montana family, eating at their picnic table, and being visited by a hungry grizzly bear.

Needless to say, the grizzly was not looking to nosh mom’s potato salad.

But we don’t live in Big Sky Country, so we have nothing to worry about, right?

Well, maybe not from Ursus arctos horribilis, but we have our own predators to cause us worry.

For instance, there’s the puma concolor, also known as the mountain lion.

But, you ask, what does one do if one encounters a puma GUEST OPINION concolor?

BY MARK LOPER Well, experts agree you don’t run, scream or hide behind your political party.

They tell us we should get on our hands and knees, smile demurely, and The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

without seeming obsequious, offer the puma a saucer of milk.

And stroke the big cat on its thick, furry throat until it purrs . . . and you’ll be fine.

So, nothing to worry about with the puma concolor, but what if you run into the deadly Crotalianae?

And why does just hearing Crotalianae strike fear into the heart of Latin-speaking hikers?

Because Crotalianae is more commonly known as the rattlesnake!

This reptile, growing up to 100 feet in length, injects deadly venom into its victims, causing them to writhe in pain, cramp badly, and, most unfortunately, scream out lyrics from Mamma Mia! Your best defense, according to herpetologists, is to slowly approach the reptile and say, “Nice snake. And nice rattle you have there; it’s like cool little maracas.”

Then, gently, stroke the endless throat of your new friend . . . and you’ll be fine.

And I feel obligated to share an expe-

rience I’ve recently had with denizens of the wild.

I was awakened several mornings in a row at exactly 6:02 by a loud, raucous cawing, a horrible sound like I’ve never heard before.

(Well, OK, for just a brief moment, I thought it might be my mother screeching at me to get up for school, but then I remembered . . . she’s dead.)

I ran outside with a baseball bat (which was ridiculous, since I had led my softball team in strikeouts) and there, perched imperiously atop a nearby eucalyptus tree, were three huge crows!

And they were laughing at me!

But what could I do against this persistent and calamitous assault?

Because, according to several ornithologists, crows (or corvus) are intelligent birds with higher IQs than professional football players.

So, yelling, “Shoo, crow!” or putting up a scarecrow was only going to get me

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ridiculed on their Facebook page.

But experts agree that when surrounded by belligerent crows, you should politely address them as Mr. or Ms. Crow, inquire about their day, and stroke their feathery throats . . . and you’ll be fine.

And I’d suggest not deviating from these tips . . . especially since I’ve discovered a group of crows is called a MURDER! Mark Loper has been a San Juan Capistrano resident for more than 30 years and has written for several kinds of media, including The Capistrano Dispatch. His writing has been scorned and rejected countless times, but, while hanging onto a wisp of self-esteem, he’s managed to have the occasional scribbling published in book form, in columns, online, on TV and as advertising. He has yet to tweet. 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.

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GETTING OUT

ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

The Tubes

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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hen The Tubes perform at The Coach House on Aug. 20, it will be their first show since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Lead singer Fee Waybill is excited about playing in front of a live crowd again—particularly at The Coach House, a venue he says is almost like the band’s home club, given how many times The Tubes have performed there. Waybill is friends with Coach House owner Gary Folgner and said there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Waybill guesses their last show was in January 2020. The Tubes have been rehearsing ahead of their return tour, which Waybill said was a “little scary” at first, since he initially was trying to remember lyrics—and then it all clicked again.

“I sat down in front of the mic, and we started going through the set,” Waybill said. “It’s automatic memory. It’s going to be an adventure.”

The Coach House show is part a national tour in which The Tubes will perform songs from their album The Completion Backward Principle. The Tubes are from San Francisco and known for an array of hits, including “White Punks on Dope.” Their music can be considered a blend of punk rock and glam rock, with stage shows incorporating various characters played by Waybill—including glam rocker Quay Lewd.

“Those songs are classics,” Waybill said.

“They don’t really fit a genre. Some people call it ’80s classic rock, but it’s more than that.”

Waybill attributes the longevity and popularity of The Tubes’ concerts to their variety—in his words, they change up shows and don’t give the same performance over and over. Some of the theatrics have been toned down over the years, though. At the start of their career, The Tubes had an elaborate production that included dancers, which Waybill says may have overshadowed the music.

Over time, however, the dancers dropped out, as they got married and had kids, and the theatrics were gradually scaled back. That’s not to say The Tubes don’t give a fun performance that lack costume changes by Waybill.

“The longevity and the songs have really changed the perception from us being a circus band or novelty act, to the quality of the music,” Waybill said. “A lot of people from Lady Gaga to Marilyn Manson have credited us with influencing them.”

Waybill also has a new solo album

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Rock music act The Tubes will return to the stage at The Coach House on Aug. 20. Lead singer Fee Waybill is ecstatic to get back to concerts after the pandemic temporarily put a halt to live entertainment. Photo: Mike Collopy.

called Fee Waybill Rides Again, which was completed in March 2020. The album was initially held for release during the onset of the pandemic—which Waybill refuses to say by name and instead calls it “youknow-what”—but he eventually decided listeners would enjoy it.

“Everyone’s quarantined,” he said.

“They’re ready for something different.”

Waybill is also working on an autobiographical book and going through old memorabilia—including posters and news articles—he dug up from his childhood home.

In the meantime, Waybill is looking forward to getting back on the road with his bandmates. He is not looking to call The Tubes’ place in the rock echelon a legacy yet, because they’re not finished.

“We’re certainly well-respected by our peers,” Waybill said. “We’re still creating our legacy.”

“It’s just a reunion on so many levels,” Waybill said of the upcoming show at The Coach House. “I’m champing at the bit.” CD

WHAT: The Tubes concert at The Coach House WHEN: Friday, Aug. 20. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m.

WHERE: 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano FOR TICKETS OR MORE INFO: thecoachhouse.com. Tickets are $35.

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GETTING OUT

will present pop-up theatrical performances in downtown San Juan Capistrano. The short plays will be based on San Juan history, free to the public, and family-friendly. An additional performance will be held on Aug. 28. The events are supporting The Alliance for San Juan Art and produced by partners Tom Scott, Beverly Blake and Gary McCarver.

Performances are 15 minutes each. Los Rios Park, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano.

Editor’s Pick

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

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COACH HOUSE 8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. The Smithereens with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw will perform. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

FRIDAY | 13 LIVE MUSIC AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB 7-10 p.m. Family Style will perform inside the main ballroom. Have fun, grab some drinks, and dance during this local performance. San Juan Hills Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano.

949.565.4855. sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

SATURDAY | 14 MISSION BELL RINGER 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Capistrano Boxing Gym will host its first-ever, USA Boxing-sanctioned event in San Juan Capistrano.

Weigh-ins are at 8 a.m.; matches will begin at 11 a.m. Presale tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the gym’s website.

Tickets are $20 at the door. “The Limo Barn” at the Reata Park & Event Center, 28632 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 714.931.3814. capistranoboxinggym.com.

BOOK SIGNING 4-7 p.m. Local author Angela Herst will make an appearance to sign books and talk with the public. Herst is an award-winning author and has penned the fiction books Tunnel Vision and Vendetta. O.C. Rug Store, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite C5, San Juan Capistrano.

949.241.7676. angelaherst.com.

WEDNESDAY | 18 FREE CONCERT IN THE PARK 6-8 p.m. The San Juan Summer Nites series returns to downtown San Juan Capistrano. The country western group Smith will perform. Local restaurants will provide food and drinks, and there will also be business expo vendors and activities for kids. Tijuana Dogs will The Capistrano Dispatch August 13-26, 2021

Visitors to A Stone’s Throw Winery can expect outdoor wine tastings during the OC Wine & Spirit Fest later this month. Photo: Courtesy of OC Wine & Spirit Fest.

SATURDAY | 21 OC WINE & SPIRIT FEST 6-10 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor night of drinks, food, and fun by the Northwest Open Space in San Juan Capistrano. Tickets are currently on sale. VIP admission will begin at 5 p.m. and general admission at 6 p.m. The event will benefit the charities JDRF and Laura’s House. JDRF funds Type 1 diabetes research, and Laura’s House is a shelter for domestic violence victims. A craft beer garden and lounge, cigar lounge, and food and wine pairing event will be featured at the festival. A Stone’s Throw Winery, 29943 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. ocwinespiritfest@gmail.com. ocwineandspiritfest.com.

SATURDAY | 21

perform Sept. 15. Special event trolley services will be provided on the concert nights. Historic Town Center Park, 31872 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.5911. sanjuancapistrano.org.

POP-UP THEATER PERFORMANCES 2 and 3 p.m. The Round About Players

AT THE MOVIES

‘The Meaning of Hitler’ Wakes Up Viewers

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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acial and political tensions are high in 2021, and they don’t seem to be diminishing.

Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker’s new documentary, The Meaning of Hitler, makes the correlation between WWII, neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers with blatant white supremacy in modern times, especially on the internet.

But the filmmakers also take their time bringing us way, way back to the late 1930s, when you can see how such an immoral stance from so long ago is still finding its way to people, even with contemporary news aside.

The Meaning of Hitler title and theme come

from the 1978 book by Sebastian Haffner.

From the start, we get the usual short recap on the man’s life and career from historians and professors as commentators.

Throughout the 20th century, there were many biopics, documentaries, historical fiction and parodies on the rise of Nazism and the former German dictator. Leni Riefenstahl’s infamous propaganda film, Triumph of the Will (1935), killed her career internationally, yet had arguably the biggest impact on western documentary filmmaking in movie history.

The main consensus of Epperlein and Tucker’s documentary seems to be that because we have so many Holocaust and WWII biographies and museums—as well as so much Hitler imagery in pop culture, media and academia—it’s now nearly impossible to escape the bigotry inspired by them.

While true enough, the theme and tone of The Meaning of Hitler are pretty bleak. I’ve been saying for years that we should take a break from WWII and the Holocaust in film period pieces because of general overexposure in fiction. But being shown how the damage is already done is an illuminating reminder here. CD

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THURSDAY | 26 CHAMBER INSTALLATION AND AWARDS DINNER 5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce is hosting a night full of celebrations at Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, the new downtown boutique hotel. The event will include installations for new Chamber officers and directors; awards for nonprofit, business, and citizen of the year; and some surprises. Reservations are required. Tickets are $150 per person or $1,800 for a reserved table of 10.

Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31692 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700. sanjuanchamber.com.

Photo: Courtesy of IFC Films

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SJC LIVING

GUEST OPINION | Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Mural Captures Rich History of SJC P

ublic art and historical displays have long been part of the culture of San Juan Capistrano.

The city has a historic depiction program suggesting that developers recognize the historical background of San Juan Capistrano when they develop or renovate a property in our historic downtown. Even so, developer Dan Almquist has taken this concept to a whole new level.

On Thursday, July 15, Almquist and Laguna Beach artist Randy Morgan unveiled a cultural sculpture of San Juan Capistrano on the wall next to Hennessey’s restaurant, as part of the Capistrano Plaza renovation project that began four years ago.

Randy Morgan has created a roadmap of art walls, which are a series of historic architectural murals. Morgan wanted to do his project in San Juan Capistrano.

In 2017, he talked to then-Mayor Kerry Ferguson, who told him to contact

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Dan Almquist. The good news was that Almquist and Morgan formed a working relationship. Through Almquist, Morgan met Steve Rios and Matt Belardes.

Steve Rios lives in the family home on Los Rios Street, which is the oldest home in California with the same family living in it.

Only Rios family members have lived in that house since MOMENTS IN TIME 1794. Matt Belardes

BY JAN SIEGEL is the son of David Belardes, past Chief of the Juanenos, and a member of the Mission Band of Native Americans museum at the Blas Aguilar Adobe. These two longtime San Juan Capistrano residents are recognized experts on the history of San Juan Capistrano, and they made sure that Morgan’s details were accurate. Rios and Belardes were proud to be part of this project.

The project turned out to be seven bronze murals that stand 11 feet high and 17 feet long, and set within the wall of the building. The monument depicts the Portola Expedition, the Acjachemen village, the first baptisms, the Acjachemen craftsmen at the Mission, the Vaqueros of San Juan Capistrano, the taming of the bear, and the Los Rios Historic District. The entire mural is entitled “Old San Juan.”

It took almost all of the four years of the Capistrano Plaza renovation to get the history right. Then it took more than six months to create the seven panels.

Each mural weighs about 100 pounds.

Eventually, there will be QR codes with each of the seven murals telling the story and suggesting people visit other parts of San Juan Capistrano.

You can spend a “Moment in Time” and visit the mural time and time again.

Each time, you will see different points of interest. This mural is already part of the

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history of San Juan Capistrano. For more information about Randy Morgan and his incredible art project, you can see his work on his website at randymorganart. com.

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

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

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch .com.

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

San Juan Capistrano native Trenten Merrill trains at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista. Merrill began in sprints before moving to long jump.

Photo: Courtesy of Trenten Merrill Athletics

Trenten Merrill Heads to 2020 Paralympics

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

hen you ask Trenten Merrill how he feels before heading to the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, he mentions aspects such as fine-tuning little things on his prosthetics, and trusting in himself and God. Merrill grew up in San Juan Capistrano and had his right leg amputated after being struck by a car during his 2005 spring break. Ahead of his departure on Aug. 10 as a Team USA member for the Paralympic competitions—which start Aug. 24 and end Sept. 5—Merrill had been training to compete.

“Physically, I’m ready,” Merrill, 31, said.

“Mentally, I’m ready.”

Merrill’s sport is track and field. He’s excited about the opportunity to win, and he intends to represent his country well in the process. Merrill has been athletic his whole life and resumed playing volleyball at JSerra Catholic High School after he got his first prosthetic leg.

Merrill said he trusts himself and God when it comes to the upcoming competi-

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tion, and he is excited to face off with the best in the world.

“I’m hungry to go get some medals,” he said.

Merrill gradually got into the Paralympics through a running clinic in Irvine and was introduced to gold medalist Joaquim Cruz, as he detailed in a first-hand account for success.com. He previously came in fourth place in the long jump at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

During an interview with The Capistrano Dispatch before his next overseas trip, Merrill said he has a lot of family and friends cheering him on.

Merrill has been undergoing intense training routines that enabled him to qualify for sprinting, and he has been working on running faster and farther.

He also has been focused on staying healthy ahead of his big chance.

Asked for any theme the public can take away from his story, Merrill said it’s that dreams and ambitions are a gift from God. “I’m stoked to be able to represent San Juan Capistrano,” Merrill said. CD

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