October 14, 2022

Vote 2022 Election Special

What’s Up With...

City Council Candidates Discuss Issues During Election Forum

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The three candidates for the District 3 seat on the San Juan Capistrano City Council gave their takes on electric bikes, proposed redevelopment of the Camino Real Playhouse and other local topics during an election forum held at the Capistrano Valley Mobile Estates Clubhouse on Oct. 6.

Paul Lopez, Cody Martin and John Campbell are running for the seat currently held by Mayor Derek Reeve, who is not campaigning for the position again and has instead thrown his hat in the South Orange County Community College District Trustee Area 4 election.

Asked about electric bikes, Campbell said they have become a “bit of a nuisance, especially with younger riders.”

“I think we need to follow the (Capistrano Unified School District) and try to come up with ways to have kids go through a safety program, so that they can understand more about the responsibilities of having a bike,” Campbell said. “When I was growing up, there were bike licenses. It’s important to not burden our city any further with ridiculous enforcements of different laws, but we need to look around and think out of the box, because this is a brand-new challenge for us.”

Lopez also pointed to CUSD’s recently

passed “Safe Routes to School” program that calls for school site-specific policies to be implemented regarding e-bike use on campuses.

“Right now, as a city, we’re in more of an education-based situation of informing people what to do with e-bikes, e-bike safety, what you can and can’t do—but we need more,” Lopez said. “One, for starters, I’d like to see more speed limits posted on trails. In addition, I think we need to do more than simply educate. Particularly for riders under 18—because I think a lot of our issues with e-bike readers are with riders under 18—we need to create fines.”

One issue Lopez mentioned is two people riding on an e-bike, which is not allowed. Violators can go to a class and have a parent sign off on it to have their fine waived, Lopez said.

Martin, who is on the San Juan Capistrano Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission, said they have dealt with the issue and heard a presentation on it from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“The truth is, the vast majority of e-bike users use them safely and responsibly. We have e-bikes in my family,” Martin said. “The problem is, there’s a not insignificant minority of e-bike users

that abuse the process. … Most e-bikes can’t exceed 25 miles an hour, give or take, and most parents understand that. The issue is the internet. On YouTube and online and whatnot, young kids can learn how to modify their e-bike to go faster than 25. This is the problem.”

Local schools need to educate students about how to properly use e-bikes, and a fine could also be implemented in San Juan for infractions, including speeding and not wearing helmets, Martin said.

The candidates also addressed plans by developer Dan Almquist to build a parking structure and office and retail space at the current Camino Real Playhouse property, which would require the razing of the current Playhouse site.

“This goes back to responsible development. I want to make sure that any development that comes into the city is responsible and preserves the character of our city,” Lopez said.

Martin said he is glad to see there will be more parking available downtown.

“It’s such a pain in the rear when you’re trying to go have a meal with your family or visit the Mission or go shopping downtown, and you can’t find somewhere to park,” Martin said.“I tell you what, we are losing something really special in the Playhouse, and we need to get working on that as soon as possible. It’s nice to have performing arts here in town. It’s not something we want to lose. I think it adds to our historic charm. It complements the Mission and Los Rios Street well.”

Campbell is the treasurer and a board member for the Playhouse and has been involved with the redevelopment process since the city reached a negotiation agreement with Almquist years ago.

“It’s a very challenging situation, and

I think it’s important for everyone to understand how that worked. That property was owned by the state of California and was given to the city 30 years ago as a part of redevelopment,” Campbell said.

“What happened through that process is the state went back and, over the years, have called back the ticket on that. First, they said no more redevelopment funds are available. Then they came back to the city and said, we want you to sell that property, and we’re demanding you sell it by a certain date.”

Campbell said project plans, which have floated the idea of a new performing arts center but did not include that in the specific proposal recently taken up by the City Council, changed over time. Nobody wants apartment buildings in “the shadow” of Mission San Juan Capistrano, which was a possibility if the city did not approve Almquist’s plans, Campbell said.

The candidates also spoke on various other topics, including traffic.

“Everyone here knows the traffic situation in San Juan Capistrano is not pretty, but there are some solutions we can come up with that I would like to implement,” Lopez said. “One is we have a trolley system—a wonderful trolley system that gets used throughout the summer and on one or two select events throughout the year. I would like to see that trolley system extended throughout the year and for special events, and to further promote that so residents can use the trolley for free.”

Lopez also said he would like to see proposed development plans promote pedestrian traffic through the addition of more sidewalks.

Martin said he would like to ensure the city has a balanced budget and is fiscally responsible. The city currently has a fiscal surplus, partly attributed to reduced legal expenses and a lean number of staff members.

“I’d like to fully fund our law enforcement and give them the tools they need to deal with the homelessness issue. That includes more funding, particularly for police officers to deal specifically with the homelessness issue. We already have a couple of deputies who are focused on that,” Martin said. “Finally, I’d like to protect our open space here in town as much as possible. There’s a lot of development going on in the open space, and I’d like to make sure we’re protecting that not just for our equestrian community, but just also your average Jane and Joe.”

Campbell said citizen safety is important.

“The sheriff has done a pretty darn good job so far doing that. Our crime is down, but there’s still some situations that concern me. Homelessness,” Campbell said. “The Sheriff’s Department did a great job getting the hillside cleared up. That was a big problem in your community.”

From left: City Council candidates John Campbell, Paul Lopez and Cody Martin answer audience questions during an election forum held in the Capistrano Valley Mo bile Estates on Oct. 6. Photo: Collin Breaux

San Juan Capistrano Housing Element Gets State Certification

BY COLLIN BREAUX

After months and months of tweaking their housing guidelines to meet a required state certification, the California Department of Housing and Community Development has signed off on the City of San Juan Capistrano’s Housing Element for the 2021-2029 planning period.

San Juan Director of Development Services Joel Rojas said the city is “very pleased” about the certification. The city was informed about the certification on Sept. 23.

“This culminates a process that began two years ago when the City was assigned its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG),” Rojas said in an email. “The City’s assigned RHNA (or housing need) for the eight-year period of 2021-2029 is 1,054 new units consisting of 270 units for very low-income households (<50% County Annual Median Income), 173 units for low-income households (5180% County Annual Median Income),

183 units for moderate-income households (81-120% County Annual Median Income) and 428 units for above-moderate-income households (>120% County Annual Median Income).”

Updates for a city’s General Plan— which the Housing Element is a part of and serves as a local government’s principal guideline—are required every eight years for municipalities throughout California. The updated Housing Element includes rezoning that allows housing in some parts of San Juan, including the Industrial Park and Commercial Manufacturing zoning districts north of Avenida Aeropuerto between Camino Capistrano and San Juan Creek. While a city is required to accommodate housing, it does not have to actually build it.

“In December 2020, staff began working to prepare an updated draft Housing Element to demonstrate that the City can accommodate its RHNA allocation,” Rojas said.

After an “extensive” public outreach

San Clemente Parent Wants to Open New Charter School in South Orange County

BY COLLIN BREAUX

A few years ago, Kevin Pratt moved to San Clemente from Frisco, Texas. Pratt had his kids enrolled in a new charter school in Frisco called Founders Classical Academy, which had uniforms and taught kids Latin and logic.

“We were very pleasantly surprised. It was very rigorous, really hard,” Pratt said. “The kids learned a ton of history. Of course, they had the other subjects, too. It was a really great experience. The staff dressed very professionally. There was a lot of focus on gratitude and other virtues.”

Now that Pratt has come further west, he looked for something similar but couldn’t find a charter school that was close enough to his liking—not to mention there was a wait list for students at an Orange school he investigated.

“Essentially, we’re trying to figure out, can we do our own?” Pratt said. “We met this guy. His name is Gary Davis. He’s at the California Charter Schools Association. He had this vision for a leadership academy focused on servant leadership.”

From there, Pratt and Davis have been working together—and with others—on opening California Republic Leadership Academy. No exact location has been set yet, but Pratt has his eye on somewhere

in San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano. He is also prepared, if necessary, to use an existing underutilized Capistrano Unified School District campus where attendance is low.

“There’s Prop 39. It’s a law that says if a charter is approved, then you also have to allocate them space in the district,” Pratt said. “We’ll apply for that, because we know there’s underutilized campuses. … It would be wonderful if the district approves a nice space and we can give them a lease payment, help them cover the cost of the property.”

Pratt has looked at enrollment data for CUSD schools within their size range from the previous 14 years. Marblehead Elementary School and San Clemente High School are among campuses that Pratt mentioned as possible sites.

If someone wants to start a new charter school, they have to create a petition proposal and submit it to the school district for approval.

“Originally, we submitted our petition Aug. 1. Our understanding was we needed enough signatures to represent 50% of our planned enrollment,” Pratt said. “Our planned enrollment was 375 (students). Basically, we needed signatures for 188 kids. We turned that in, got the

effort that involved an online survey, virtual workshops and input from city officials, the city adopted an updated Housing Element in February 2022 that was submitted to HCD and identified several ways to tackle housing needs, including construction of approved and proposed residential projects and

removal of government constraints.

“The City now looks forward to working with the local community, housing developers and other stakeholders on implementing its approved Housing Element so that the housing needs of the City’s residents spanning all income levels can be met,” Rojas said.

signatures. That ended up being a little over 100 families.”

Pratt said the district’s “interpretation” of the signature requirement was that the signature of a mother of three elementa ry-aged children counted as one toward the requirement, not three. The number of signatures they had then limited their Year 1 enrollment to 200 students.

“We took 30 days and came back with over 250 signatures,” Pratt said.

A vote for the new school is scheduled for November, according to Pratt.

If CUSD turns down the proposal, Pratt plans to appeal to the Orange County Board of Education, which is generally pro-charter schools.

“Our intention is to spread the word these next few weeks before the public hearing,” Pratt said.

He has a principal identified who has charter school experience and plans to have Davis serve as the executive director.

“Once we’re approved, then money is unlocked from the state for the charter. That’s when we’ll actually start the execution portion of it—hiring teachers, locking down the facility, starting the actual enrollment process,” Pratt said.

As for what he hopes students and families get out of California Republic Leadership Academy, Pratt said it could be “a total change of pace from the world right now.”

“For example, uniforms. It’s wild what

kids wear on campus these days. There are no standards, it seems like,” Pratt said. “You put everyone in the same uniform and then girls aren’t feeling self-conscious because they can’t dress like the other girls. Disparities in income are less transparent. Everyone’s the same and focused on learning.”

Students will also not be allowed to have free access to their smartphones during the day.

“They’ll actually have to communicate with each other face to face,” Pratt said.

California Republic Leadership Academy also intends to foster respect from teachers to the students and vice versa, as well as with parents. That aspect is “obviously hit or miss” in the usual school system, Pratt said.

“We want students to know what public service and servant leadership is and just have that appreciation for helping others. We want that ingrained throughout all grades, so it’s instilled in them to look for opportunities to help others,” Pratt said. “We’ll aspire to an integration with the community where we’re using mentors and actual interaction with community leaders as part of our education experience, whether it’s service-based projects or assignments or civic assignments where they’re interacting or at least participating in the civic process or observing it.”

Visit calrepublicleadershipacademy.org for more information.

Photo: Courtesy of Tierney/Adobe Stock

NEWS BITES

CD | Mission San Juan Capistrano Celebrates Street Renaming

Mission San Juan Capistrano is now located on a new street.

The portion of Ortega Highway in front of the Mission has been renamed Old Mission Road. The Mission and City of San Juan Capistrano celebrated the renaming on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the historic site.

The new street name is official after a City Council action item introduced earlier this year by Mayor Derek Reeve urged the city to rename the street in reference to the Mission. Reeve said he and Mission Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams discussed a street renaming years ago.

“She said it really should have the word ‘Mission’ in it,” Reeve said. “It was a very good idea. I always remembered that.”

The street was renamed so the Mission can be more easily found by people and identified.

“No longer will we be turning from Ortega onto Ortega, and we’re all grateful for that,” Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart said.

Adams said it was wonderful to work with the city on the renaming.

“It’s a good day at the Mission when you have city officials and our board members and our volunteers and our community at large, (and) our staff in celebration of change that’s respectful of the past,” Adams said.

Adams also thanked the Mission Pres ervation Foundation, which pushes her to advocate for ways to remind the com munity of the Mission’s importance.

From a pool of potential new street names, Old Mission Road was recommended by the San Juan Capistrano Cultural Heritage Commission—a name Hart said was suggested by Adams during the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Installation and Awards Banquet in July.

CD | Serra’s Pantry Receives Award for Food Bank Services

Serra’s Pantry, which provides food for people in need, has been recognized as a Gold Certified Nutrition Pantry by the Orange County Health Care Agency, as part of the state Nutrition Pantry Program.

The OCHCA gave an award to Serra’s

Pantry on Oct. 5. Serra’s Pantry is one of three Gold Certified pantries in Orange County.

“Recognition is always nice,” Serra’s Pantry Director David Bordages said. “It’s really the volunteers that made all this happen. Everyone’s a volunteer here. We have about 80, on average. It’s important donors know that we’re a class act and we’re handling the food we get in a very effective and efficient manner.”

Maridet Ibanez, administrative manager for OCHCA’s nutrition services program, said Serra’s Pantry collected and used client feedback to improve pantry services, and also offered on-site nutrition education and reduced food waste by offering reusable bags.

Serra’s Pantry is located at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano on Camino Capistrano and gives away food donated by grocery stores on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

“Last month, we distributed over 16 tons of produce that was donated by stores,” Bordages said. “We average about 60 families per open day. The food comes in, and we distribute to the families.”

People wishing to receive food must live within the nearby area and have to provide a utility bill or some type of documentation to prove their residency.

CD | New Homes Open for Sale in San Juan Capistrano

Residential homebuilder Landsea Homes Corporation recently announced homes are selling at Petra, a new community of single-family de-

tached homes in San Juan Capistrano. The Petra community is located at the corner of Calle Arroyo and Paseo Tirador and is a short walk from the Ortega Equestrian Center and a 24-Hour Fitness franchise.

“Demand for these new single-family detached homes at Petra is extremely high, with the first phase almost completely sold out,” Patrick Higgins, vice president of sales and marketing for Landsea’s Southern California division, said in a news release. “This community boasts a prime location within walking and biking distance to lively downtown San Juan Capistrano and one of the region’s most beautiful beaches. We’re very excited about offering homebuyers a unique opportunity to ‘live in their element’ in this desirable and well-established city in South Orange County.”

Petra has 43 single-family detached homes with two different two-story floor plans that range from 1,759 to 1,964 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms. Prices begin in the low $1 millions.

Model homes will be open to tour in late October.

Amenities include an outdoor fitness circuit, children’s play area, barbecue area and picnic tables, parks, fire pits, horseshoe courts and access to the San Juan Creek Trail.

CD | Shea Center BBQ Raises Over $1 Million for Horse Therapy Services

On Sept. 17, the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center raised approximately 20% of its annual operating budget.

TUESDAY, OCT. 18

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.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19

CUSD Board of Trustees

7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public to discuss and decide on local educational matters. CUSD Board Room, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. capousd.org.

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

Coffee Chat

8:30 a.m. A 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, OCT. 25

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.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26

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.

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

The Shea Center hosted its annual BBQ and Family Faire fundraiser that night, where it raised over $1 million.

“It was the Center’s 44th annual fundraiser for families and friends, sponsors, clients, staff, and volunteers to come together to have fun, and support The Shea Center’s mission of improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs,” a news release said. “Both goals were achieved!”

The event featured carnival games, a petting zoo, client riding demonstration and other activities. CD

Serra’s Pantry Director David Bordages receives an award on Oct. 5 for being a Gold Certified Nutrition Pantry by the Orange County Health Care Agency. Photo: Collin Breaux

Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo Raises Money for Orange County Charities

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

More than $150,000 was raised for local charities from the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, which took place in August.

Those funds will go toward the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital and Boys and Girls Club of Capistrano Valley. The RMV Rodeo generally contributes funding to local charities.

Both days of this year’s rodeo were reportedly sold out. The event returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was an especially exciting year for the RMV Rodeo as we celebrated 20 years of Rodeo fun and history, and an opportuni-

ty to raise much-needed funds for three organizations that are making a remarkable difference in our community,” Tony Moiso, chairman and chief executive officer of Rancho Mission Viejo, said in a news release. “We are proud to donate all of the proceeds from this year’s Rodeo thanks to the amazing Rancho Mission Viejo community, our dedicated sponsors and the incredibly talented athletes who competed throughout the weekend. They are the ones who made this possi ble.”

The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo has raised more than $2.6 million in total proceeds throughout its 20-year history. It is considered one of the most successful philanthropic events for Rancho Mission Viejo. CD

Along with being a showcase for bull riding and other competitions, the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo also raised funds for the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center and other local organizations.

Photo: Collin Breaux

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Education by Patti Maw

‘Go Gently’— Consider Green Burial

’Tis the “spooky season” and the time we honor our ancestors, so let’s talk about how our final rest ing places affect Mother Earth.

If your plan is for a standard burial, consider what the U.S. funeral industry puts into the ground each year: 77,000 trees for caskets, 1.6 million tons of carbon-emitting concrete for grave liners, 17,000 tons of copper and bronze, plus 64,500 tons of steel for caskets, and 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid containing carcinogens such as formaldehyde. Modern cemeteries then use water, chemical weed-killers and fertilizers and gas-powered mowers to look artificially tidy on the surface, while those embalming chemicals leach into the ground underneath. You might think that funerals costing almost $11,000 on

OPINION | by Kimberleigh Gavin

average are signs of respect, but these practices do not honor the natural cycle of life. The not-so-creepy truth is that, like every other creature on the planet, we are intended to let the Earth reclaim our resources.

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odors and deterring wildlife but shallow enough to nourish nearby trees and flowers. These funeral practices are the norm in the Jewish and Muslim faiths and are increasingly accepted by mainstream Christian religions. Today, natural burial is allowed in “green” sections of traditional cemeteries and in designated conservation burial grounds, where an endowment is used to preserve the cemetery as open space in perpetuity. Leaving the planet naturally can cost your heirs far less money and helps the Earth benefit from minerals that are otherwise locked away.

CITIZENS’ CLIMATE EDUCATION BY PATTI MAW

The most popular option, cremation, isn’t an eco-friendly answer, either. Cremations in the U.S. are estimated to release 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and sulfur di oxide into the atmosphere annually. The resulting ashes are very high in sodium and without special treatment are much too alkaline to provide nourishment to any plants they may be scattered over. The ocean doesn’t benefit from having more stuff thrown into it, either.

So, what’s a body to do? Enter “green burial,” aka “what our ancestors did.” Until funeral homes became big business during the Civil War, everyone was interred close to home in a simple biodegradable box, perhaps wrapped in a shroud or a favorite blanket. No chemicals or concrete liners were used. The grave was 3-4 feet deep, preventing

When it’s your time to walk on the spooky side, consider choosing green burial to honor both the ways of our ancestors and the future of our planet.

Interested in more information? Visit greenburialcouncil.org.

Patti Maw is a member of the South Orange County Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Education/Lobby. She has lived in San Juan Capistrano for 10 years and firmly believes that life is amazing and nature is beautiful. 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.

AN EXPLANATION OF THE NEW CITY SEAL

The San Juan Capistrano City Council’s selection of my design for the new City Seal is truly an honor. The community support, especially the input from Jerry Nieblas and the historical families’ blessing, is truly appreciated.

My goal was to include symbolic im ages in a city seal design that would best represent our unique history. Five signifi cant eras in San Juan Capistrano’s history are depicted in the design. They are the Native Acjachemen, Spanish, Rancho, agricultural times and the present day. Below are brief descriptions of the design elements and why they were chosen.

Beautiful “Saddleback,” the combina tion of Santiago and Modjeska peaks, is present through all eras as our mountain background and reminds us of our valley geography. These peaks are as visible today, as they have been for centuries.

Two kiichas or native dwellings represent the Acjachemen people, the first inhabitants of the area, and sit near the converging creeks later named “Trabuco” and “San Juan.” This water and related food sources including the oak trees and the Pacific Ocean were the reasons for

settling in this valley.

also represent Orange County.

The horse and rider illustrate our modern equestrian community, a special and distinctive characteristic of our still semi-rural area.

Prominently displayed is the tiny cliff swallow that migrates approximately 7,500 miles from Goya, Argentina every spring and then flies home in the fall. Their arrival is celebrated annually at our Swallows Day Parade, and the cliff swallow’s annual return made the city of San Juan Capistrano world-famous.

BY KIMBERLEIGH GAVIN

The old San Juan Capistrano Mission bell actually named “San Juan” represents the Spanish arrival and Mission founding in 1776 by Father Serra. His name and that year are on the bell to honor his significance to our city. The background hills are dotted with cattle depicting Mission San Juan Capistrano’s vast acreage and the cattle industry that continued through the Rancho era into modern times.

Below the bell, oranges and walnuts signify our agricultural heritage. In the late 1800s, most settlers were farmers. Joel Congdon (whose house is now The Ecology Center) began planting English walnuts in 1870 and, from 1893 to 1931, Orange County led the nation in the production of English walnuts, providing one-third of the world’s supply. Oranges later became San Juan Capistrano’s leading industry and, by 1914, was the major crop for the valley. The oranges

Kimberleigh Gavin grew up in Tustin, met her husband in the UCI art studio and is a 24-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She and Paul are partners in their business, Gavin Arts. Kimberleigh specializes in graphic design, and Paul is known for his beautiful coastal landscape paintings. Kimberleigh is an 11-year member of San Juan Capistrano’s Docent Society and enjoys learning about and sharing the city’s rich history with visitors and residents. 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.

Welcome to ‘The Dispatch’ Election Guide

n informed democracy—that’s what we as reporters and editors strive to shape ahead of every single election.

It’s our job to make sure you as readers and prospective voters know who it is you’re electing, what they stand for and how they plan to wield the power you’ve entrusted in them once in office.

With that in mind, every couple of years, we put together our Voters Guide, where readers can hopefully get a better idea of the candidates before you’ve marked your ballots and cast your votes by Nov. 8.

This year’s elections include numerous races that will be decided locally, including the state’s 49th Congressio nal, 36th and 38th State Senate, 74th State Assembly and the county’s Fifth Supervisorial districts.

Over the past few weeks, we talked to the candidates seeking your vote, asking them about their priorities and goals for office.

In this guide, you’ll also see that we’ve compiled the list of propositions and ballot initiatives, diving into the nuances of what voters are being asked to decide, as well as presenting the various arguments for and against.

To our readers, we thank you for trusting us and the information we’ve gathered, and hope this guide serves you well as you begin to fill out your ballots.

Races to Look Out For

Following last year’s redistricting process, new lines have been drawn around the county and state. Except for a few minor changes in the district borders, much of South Orange County remained under similar voting blocs.

Voters in Dana Point and San Clemente are still part of the 36th Senate District, while voters in San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo now fall under the 38th Senate District.

And instead of the 73rd Assembly District, all three cities and the unincorporated area of RMV are under

the 74th Assembly District.

For the second election in a row, Brian Maryott, a former San Juan Capistrano councilmember, is challenging Congressman Mike Levin’s bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.

State Assemblymember Janet Nguyen is going headto-head with Huntington Beach Councilmember Kim Carr for the open 36th State Senate seat. And in the 38th State Senate race, voters will choose between Matt Gunderson and Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear.

San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Chris Duncan is looking to unseat incumbent State Assemblymember Laurie

Davies.

As for the County Board, incumbent Supervisor Katrina Foley is campaigning to keep her seat amid a challenge from State Sen. Patricia Bates—a former supervisor, serving from 2007 to 2014.

Lastly, there’s also this year’s municipal race, where voters in San Juan Capistrano’s third district will elect one of three candidates—Paul Lopez, Cody Martin and John Campbell—to the City Council.

The District 2 and 4 seats were also up for election this year; however, only incumbent Councilmembers John Taylor and Troy Bourne filed to run, respectively.

How to Cast Your Vote in the 2022 Elections

Vote-by-mail voting has begun in Orange County and across the state. Up until Election Day—Nov. 8—voters can fill out their ballots and cast them in a handful of ways.

Voters can either return the completed ballots to the mailbox, take them to any of the Registrar of Voters’ Drop Boxes or Vote Centers throughout the county, or deliver them directly to the registrar’s office, located at 1300 S. Grand Avenue, Building C, Sana Ana.

Voters may also head to their nearest Vote Center to fill out a ballot and cast their votes.

Drop Boxes will remain open, 24/7, until voting closes at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Some Vote Centers will

begin to open on Oct. 29, with all centers scheduled to open on Nov. 5.

Between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4, the centers will operate from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. From Nov. 5-7, they will open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; and from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day.

Those who haven’t yet done so can register to vote until Oct. 24. After the deadline, people can still register in-person at the registrar’s office in Santa Ana or at a Vote Center, allowing them to fill out and cast a provisional ballot.

Anyone interested in checking to see that their vote was counted can use the registrar’s look-up tool at ocvote.gov/vlt/. More information about registering to vote, as well as when, where and how to vote can be found at ocvote.gov or sos.ca.gov.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO VOTE CENTERS

San Juan Capistrano Community Center 25925 Camino Del Avion (Opens Oct. 29)

Capistrano Unified School District 33122 Valle Road (Opens Nov. 5)

La Sala Auditorium 31495 El Camino Real (Opens Nov. 5)

Reata Park and Event Center 28632 Ortega Highway (Opens Nov. 5)

Drop Box

La Sala Auditorium, 31495 El Camino Real

Meet the Candidates

Paul Lopez, Cody Martin and John Campbell are the three candidates running for the District 3 seat on the San Juan Capistrano City Council. Ahead of the November ballot, we asked them questions about various topics of interest and are publishing their answers.

The final question and answer will be published in the next issue on Oct. 28.

PAUL LOPEZ

One of the focal points of my campaign is responsible development. In my position as Vice-Chair of the Cultural Heritage Commission, this is an issue that is near and dear to me. Our commission is responsible for the preservation of our city’s culture and history. I understand that ensuring the betterment of our city requires a delicate balance of prioritizing the preservation of our past with a consideration for our future.

For decades, San Juan Capistrano has successfully strived to protect the small-town vibe our residents openly embrace. It is important that we continue to preserve that environment as we move forward into our city’s future. We cannot allow our city to languish. It is our responsibility to ensure economic growth and revitalization of resources in disrepair, but we must also work to make sure that any development in the city is responsible and consistent with our General Plan. We must be cautious with growth and development, and we should closely follow guidelines to prevent overdevelopment in the city.

CODY MARTIN

Overdevelopment is a genuine and legitimate concern, which has a direct impact on all of us. Our council must listen and take into consideration the information provided by our traffic engineers, who conduct necessary studies on all developments before they are approved. As a councilman, I will favor developments that the residents agree upon and which will cause the least amount of traffic within the legal framework we have.

In my view, the best development won’t cause unnecessary congestion in San Juan Capistrano. My hope is to encourage people to go to the Mission or Los Rios Street or any of our other historic landmarks.

JOHN CAMPBELL

I will not support irresponsible development. I will fight to maintain the incredible charm and history of San Juan.

San Juan is facing a significant challenge from the state of California regarding housing. We are being dictated to provide more moderate-priced residential housing. The state is quickly moving forward with legislation that will force San Juan to accept high-density development unless we act!

On the other hand, allowing smart development of retail projects serves the residents and funds the critical services we citizens need. I am fiscally responsible and will aggressively fight any tax direct burden to the citizens of San Juan. Allowing responsible development helps solves this significant challenge.

The real fight and struggle is how to balance the needs of our city with state requirements, and responsible development with its effects on our citizens.

An example of responsible development I would consider is revitalization of the aging shopping center corridor on Camino Capistrano south of Del Obispo. Part of that infrastructure should allow for mixed use, with retail services on the lower levels and moderately priced residences above. Residential parking needs to be accommodated on-site, without eliminating required retail parking, perhaps going underground, as necessary. We need to continue to seek and consider creative ideas, and craft new ways to minimize the significant impact of the required state housing mandates.

As your councilman, development will not occur in a willy-nilly manner. I will cast responsible votes with an eye toward maintaining the incredible charm and histo ry of San Juan, and retaining those values that brought all of us home to this community.

Overdevelopment is a concern with some residents. Where do you stand on that, and how would you address those concerns, if elected?

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Concerns Over Educational Policy Underscore

Special Election for Capo Unified Board of Trustees

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The circumstances behind the special election in the Capistrano Unified School District are certainly unique, and perhaps underscore the tone of the race.

Former Trustee Pamela Braunstein resigned from her position as the representative for Area 2 on the Board of Trustees earlier this year over what she said was harassment for her support of COVID-19 restrictions. Debates over whether students should be required to wear masks and get vaccines have ramped up since the pandemic began, though neither requirement is currently in place in CUSD.

A special election in November has been called to fill the vacancy in Area 2, which covers Ladera Ranch. Two candidates are campaigning for the seat: Michael Parham and Kira Davis. Jessica Hubbard, who initially ran as a third candidate, has since announced she is stepping away from the race and will be voting for Parham.

Parham is a father of four children who served as a trustee for the Irvine Unified School District’s governing board from 2006 to 2012.

“A solid public school system is the bedrock of our society, and we all benefit when every child has an opportunity to learn on a level playing field. This requires shrewd leadership without playing politics with children and the limited resources available,” Parham said.

“I have been an advisor to CEOs and boards of companies for over 25 years as an investment banker and CPA,” he continued. “I understand how to manage money, allocate resources and develop appropriate long-term strategies to make organizations operate more effectively and efficiently. CUSD is lacking in these areas, particularly at the administrative level, and I hope to change that.”

Parham is endorsed by the Capistrano Unified Education Association, the local teachers union. He has previously spoken against vaccine mandates, though he and his family are vaccinated.

Davis is a writer who has reported on education issues for more than a decade, small business owner and “CUSD mom in Ladera Ranch for 15 years.” Davis writes for RedState, a conservative outlet.

“Our CUSD schools have a reputation for excellence, but they have not been delivering on that for our children,” Davis said.” I’m running to represent the concerns of CUSD parents and to ensure our schools are devoted to education, not special-interest

agendas hidden as curriculum.”

“I am pro-student and anti-mandate,” Davis added. “Parents are the best people to make decisions about the education and medical needs of their children.”

Davis has frequently advocated against mask and vaccine mandates and voiced those opinions at board meetings. The CUSD Board of Trustees decided not to act on a maskchoice measure that Davis had placed on a recent board meeting agenda. Davis has gained the support of some parents who are also against mask and vaccine mandates.

Parham addressed questions on how he would approach funding shortfalls for facility upgrades, an ongoing issue in CUSD—particularly for Dana Hills High School. CUSD trustees are currently considering if and when to place a bond measure on a future election ballot in order to obtain necessary funding for Dana Hills High facility upgrades.

“Regarding our facilities in CUSD specifically, the dysfunctional approach to spending and raising of bond revenue is the main culprit, alongside poor long-term master planning by staff,” Parham said. “I intend to work closely with many of the same advisers that helped us build more than 10 new schools and upgraded many more with state modernization funds while I was on the Irvine board.”

“I intend to put a cap on bond and CFD costs paid by taxpayers and rely more on developer fees and such modernization funding that is not paid by local taxpayers,” he continued. “This will also require good communication with the public, strong alliances with local municipalities and working together with interested developers. The end result will be a master plan that greatly enhances our schools and facilities with a prudent use of tax dollars.”

Davis said funding accountability is an issue.

“CUSD will need to break the status quo with real solutions without burdening taxpayers,” Davis said. “However, we cannot address financial issues effectively until we reestablish trust with parents.”

Two other seats are up for election on the Board of Trustees: Area 4 and Area 7. Area 4 covers Laguna Niguel, and Area 7 includes Mission Viejo.

Jim Glantz, Gary Pritchard and Darin Patel are running in Area 4. Current Area 4 Trustee and Board President Martha McNicholas is not running for reelection.

Two candidates are running in Area 7: incumbent Trustee Judy Bullockus and challenger Jeanette Contreras.

MICHAEL PARHAM

KIRA DAVIS

California State Propositions

Constitutional Right to Repro ductive Freedom. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

On the Ballot: Amends California Constitution to expressly include an individual’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which includes the fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This amendment does not narrow or limit the existing rights to privacy and equal protection under the California Constitution.

Background: This proposed measure that looks to enshrine in the state’s constitution the right to abortion and contraception follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this June to overturn Roe v. Wade the long-standing SCOTUS ruling that found the U.S. Constitutional protection to privacy included the right to an abortion. Under state law, abortions are legal in California up to fetal viability (roughly 24 weeks). Abortions can be performed after the age of viability only if the pregnancy poses a health risk to the mother. Currently, the California Constitution guarantees the right to privacy. Though the Constitution doesn’t explicitly define what’s included in that protection, the California Supreme Court previously found that such protection includes reproductive rights on abortions and whether to use contraceptives.

What Supporters Say: Those advocating for the constitutional amendment argue that doing so would unquestionably protect a person’s right to an abortion, prevent it from being up to interpretation and make reproductive rights a health care issue rather than a political one.

What Opponents Say: Groups such as the No on Prop 1 Committee argue that a woman’s right to choose an abortion is already protected in the California Constitution and that the amendment would give politicians more power of health care policies. The California Catholic Conference further argues that the language in the measure is too broad and unrestrictive, protecting late-term abortions.

PROPOSITION 26

Allows In-Person Roulette, Dice Games, Sports Wagering on Tribal Lands. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

On the Ballot: Also allows sports wagering at certain horseracing tracks, private lawsuits to enforce certain

gambling laws. Directs revenues to General Fund, problem-gambling programs, enforcement.

Background: Proposition 26 is one of two ballot initiatives with a focus on sports wagering. Prop 26 focuses on in-person wagering with the addition of roulette and dice games, all of which would be conducted at Native American Indian casinos. Sports betting would be conducted on a wide range of athletic events, with exceptions for high school sports and California college teams. Financially, this would potentially raise tens of millions of dollars annually from 10% of the profits from sports betting at racetracks. Of that generated revenue, 15% would go to problem gambling prevention and mental health, 15% would go to enforcement, and 70% would go to the General Fund. Supporters for Prop 26 include 25 American Indian tribes and the San Diego Police Officers Association. Opponents for Prop 26 include several corporate casinos and the Republican Party of California.

What Supporters Say: Proposition 26 offers responsible, safe, regulated and experienced locations for Californians to participate in new gambling activities.

What Opponents Say: Proposition 26 does not benefit residents or local communities and expands the tax-free monopoly of tribal casinos on gaming.

PROPOSITION 27

Allows Online and Mobile Sports Wagering Outside Tribal Lands. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

On the Ballot: Allows Indian tribes and affiliated businesses to operate online/mobile sports wagering outside tribal lands. Directs revenues to regulatory costs, homelessness programs, nonparticipating tribes.

Background: Proposition 27 is the second ballot initiative to focus on sports wagering, with a specific focus of online or mobile betting. Prop 27 says it would autho rize gaming tribes and online sports betting or qualified gaming companies with agreements with gaming tribes to operate online sports betting outside Indian lands. Betting on youth sports would be prohibited. Of the possible hundreds of millions of dollars generated by fees and taxes, 85% of the revenues would go toward permanent and interim housing for the homeless and mental health support, and 15% would go to the Tribal Economic Development Account. Supporters include Major League Baseball, three American Indian tribes and the mayors of Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland and Sacramento. Opponents include the state Democratic and Republican parties, five American Indian tribes, the state Senate and Assembly minority leaders and lieutenant governor.

What Supporters Say: Proposition 27 is an important step toward combating homelessness in California and would provide a regulated and sustainable source of funding for those programs.

What Opponents Say: Proposition 27 will only benefit out-of-state gambling corporations and harm the rights of California tribes, which have provided trusted and responsible gambling limited to in-person locations.

PROPOSITION

Provides Additional Funding for Arts and Music Education in Public Schools. Initiative Statute.

On the Ballot: Provides additional funding from state General Fund for arts and music education in all K-12 pub lic schools (including charter schools).

Background: Proposition 28 would establish a minimum amount of funding for K-12 public school arts education programs from what was already established by Proposition 98 in 1988. That original proposition guaranteed either a minimum of 40% of the General Fund on K-14 education, plus or a minimum guarantee based on student attendance and change of cost of living. This year’s Prop 28 would guarantee a minimum of 1% of funding received from Prop 98, which would go specifically toward arts education programs. Proposition 28 would increase state costs by $800 million to $1 billion annually. Supporters for Proposition 28 include Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Universal Music Group, the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the United States Secretary of Education and the California Teachers Association.

What Supporters Say: Proposition 28 would open up opportunities for low-income and diverse communities to benefit children with access and equity in art and music education.

What Opponents Say: No official opposition has been presented against Proposition 28.

29

Requires On-Site Licensed Medical Professional at Kidney Dialysis Clinics and Establishes Other State Requirements. Initiative Statute

On the Ballot: Requires physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant on-site during treatment. Requires clinics to disclose physicians’ ownership interests; report infection data.

Background: If passed by voters, Prop 29 would impose a series of new staffing and reporting requirements on dialysis clinics, which perform treatment for patients who have developed kidney failure. Clinics would be required to have a physician, nurse practitioner or a physician assistant on-site during treatment hours; periodically report dialysis-related infection information to the California Department of Public Health; disclose to patients and CDPH a list of all physicians who have an ownership stake of a least 5%; get CDPH’s approval prior to closing or substantially reducing patient services. Prop 29 marks the third attempt in as many elections to change dialysis centers in California. Like Prop 29, Proposition 23 in 2020 intended to require clinics to have at least one licensed physician during patient treatments and to report data on dialysis-related infections. That proposal failed, with 63.42% of voters opposed. Proposition 8 in 2018, which failed with 59% of voters against it, would have required clinics to pay refunds to patients if their profits exceeded 115% of the costs of direct patient care and health care improvements.

What Supporters Say: Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, the labor union pushing Prop 29—as well as Props 23 and 8 before that—claims the additional staff would help improve quality of care. Through the prop, the union intends to reform the industry and promote more transparency

What Opponents Say: Those against the latest proposition, including Stop Yet Another Dangerous Dialysis Proposition, which raised millions of dollars in contributions from dialysis companies, argue that it’s a solution in search of a problem; there’s no clear evidence services are inadequate; the unions are using the measure to pressure clinics and organize workers.

PROPOSITION 30

Provides Funding for Programs to Reduce Air Pollution and Prevent Wildfires by Increasing Tax on Personal Income over

$2 Million. Initiative Statute.

On the Ballot: Allocates tax revenues to zero-emission vehicle purchase incentives, vehicle charging stations and wildfire prevention.

Background: Proposition 30 would increase income tax on incomes over $2 million by 1.75%, and the increase would continue until 2043 or if there are three consecutive years after 2030 with statewide emissions reduced by 80% of 1990 levels. Income tax for those individuals over $2 million is currently 13.3%. The tax revenue would be put into a clean air trust fund with the money divided up into sub-funds. From the trust, 35% would go to an investment plan for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, 45% would go to the Zero-Emission Vehicle and Clean Mobility Sub-Fund, and the other 20% would go to the Wildfire Green House Gas Emissions Reduction Sub-Funds. The sub-funds would also fund the hiring and training of firefighters. Supporters include ride-share corporation Lyft and the Cali fornia Democratic Party. Opponents include Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Republican Party of California.

What Supporters Say: Proposition 30 will put more zero-emission vehicles on the road earlier than expected, which will help the fight against pollution and climate change, and put that responsibility on those able to afford it.

What Opponents Say: Proposition 30 will raise taxes in a state that already has some of the highest taxes in the country and benefits special interests, specifically those of supporting corporation Lyft, where the state has already committed $10 billion to electric vehicles and infrastructure.

PROPOSITION 31

Referendum on 2020 Law that Would Prohibit the Retail Sale of Certain Flavored Tobacco Products

On the Ballot: A “Yes” vote approves, and a “No” vote rejects, a 2020 law prohibiting retail sale of certain flavored tobacco products.

Background: In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom enacted Senate Bill 793, a bipartisan measure banning the sale of most flavored tobacco products, which has been popular for teens. Following SB 793’s signing, opponents petitioned to let California’s voters decide whether the ban should go into effect or overturn the policy. Under Prop 31, flavored tobacco products would be defined as that which has a flavor, apart from regular tobacco flavor, such as fruit, mint or vanilla, among other things. Stores or owners of vending machines that sell flavored tobacco could face a $250 penalty for each violation.

What Supporters Say: Supporters of the policy— including the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, and labor unions such as the California Teachers Association—claim that the tobacco industry has long targeted teens to purchase its products and believe the ban would help prevent underage tobacco use.

What Opponents Say: Tobacco advocacy groups, along with the California Republican Party, oppose the proposition on the basis that the policy would ban the sale of flavored tobacco to all California customers, including those legally old enough to purchase such products. Acknowledging that children shouldn’t be allowed to purchase tobacco—which is already illegal—the opponents believe restrictions can be achieved without prohibiting products to adults.

49th District Candidates Look to Address Public Safety, Nuclear Storage

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

This November, incumbent Rep. Mike Levin, who is looking to secure a third term representing California’s 49th District in the House of Representatives, will face a familiar Election Day foe in Brian Maryott.

Maryott, who earned 46.9% of the votes in the 2020 election for the district, sees his chance in 2022 as an opportunity to properly represent the communities of the 49th—something he doesn’t believe Levin has done.

“I don’t think he’s the right fit,” Maryott said. “I think he’s proven that with his voting record and his policy initiatives, and I think we need stronger and more effective representation.”

Maryott, a career businessman and for mer San Juan Capistrano councilmember, said he has experience in government that has prepared him to be a voice for more accountability and higher govern ment performance in Congress.

Levin, a San Juan Capistrano resident, was raised in South Orange County before attending Stanford University and the Duke University School of Law, his campaign boasts. He also worked as an attorney and the executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County before his election to the House.

In a phone interview last month, Levin addressed the current political climate regarding abortion and pregnancy loss following the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. He said the decision was “deeply disconcerting” and “appalling” to throw out decades of precedent, reasserting his support of a woman’s right to make personal health care decisions.

“In some states, we’re already seeing the horrifying consequences of criminalizing women’s reproductive health decisions,” said Levin, referring to incidents such as an Indiana attorney general threatening to revoke the license of a doctor who provided a 10-year-old rape victim an abortion.

He added that Republicans would enact a nationwide ban on abortions sponsored by Lindsey Graham if given the chance—although some reports indicate a party split on the legislation.

Maryott said he felt abortion services will inevitably remain safe and legal in

most states, and that he did not believe meaningful changes would occur to California’s current abortion legislation.

Regarding public schools, Levin mentioned that his children attend local public schools and expressed his gratitude for teachers and other staffs’ efforts throughout the pandemic. He added that he would continue to fight to fund public schools so they could attract high-quality teachers and reduce overcrowding.

Levin added that it was the nation’s constitutional duty to strive to become a more perfect union by learning from history, and said the current history being taught in schools adequately reflected that goal.

“I don’t think it’s right to divert all of our taxpayer dollars away from public schools and towards private schools, because they often leave certain kids behind,” he said.

Maryott said he favored school choice over an “archaic” system of using zip codes to determine where children go to government-run schools, and he added that he thought a school choice

model was inevitable in California.

“Parents want choice, they want influence, they want transparency, to see what’s happening with their children’s education,” he said. “I think the public school system, in particular, in many areas has kind of overstepped a little bit into areas that are more parenting than teaching.”

Levin cited his efforts in Congress to address the “scourge of fentanyl” coming into the U.S., including votes for legislation that would help law enforcement at the southern border near San Diego and sanction fentanyl traffickers and manufacturers.

He also said the country should expand treatment and treat addiction as a disease, rather than a moral failing.

According to Maryott, federal agencies, foreign policy, and enforcement of law and order should reflect a heavy-handed response to the “constant flow of fentanyl over our borders.”

“We’re losing (young people) in record numbers, and it’s tragic,” Maryott said. “We have got to be willing to incarcerate people for long periods of time, if not

life, for being any part of the distribution network of fentanyl.”

On public safety and policing, Levin talked about the Invest to Protect Act that he cosponsored along with 85 others, which would provide grants to smaller police departments. The bill was one of four that passed in the House on Sept. 22, as part of a major package that would also provide grants to mental health professionals, fund nonprofit organizations that work to reduce crime, and give grants to police to solve gun crimes.

Levin said he hoped the Senate would also pass the package and pointed to other efforts to acquire funding for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Oceanside police.

“I’m extremely proud of working with our local law enforcement to do whatever I can,” Levin said of the legislation, which is currently waiting for Senate consideration.

Maryott, during his interview, was not able to address policing due to time constraints.

While both candidates agree that the spent nuclear waste needs to be removed from San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, both had differing takes on how to accomplish that goal.

Levin said his efforts to listen to the feelings of communities that may temporarily host the waste before the federal government finds a permanent repository follows a model that has worked in Finland and Canada.

He also pointed to funding he had helped secure for the Department of Energy to restart a consent-based siting process, and noted his collaboration with other Democrats to try to establish a new nuclear waste administration to seek a repository through changing presidential administrations.

Maryott said that consent-based siting—which gains input from communities that will potentially host facilities to store spent nuclear waste—was a foolish concept, and that the federal government had originally and correctly concluded that Yucca Mountain in Nevada was the only answer for long-term nuclear storage.

Visit Levin’s and Maryott’s campaign websites for more of their perspectives on national and local issues.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Bates, Foley Discuss Coastal Erosion, Toll Roads, Dana Point Harbor

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Democratic incumbent Katrina Foley and Republican challenger Patricia Bates are facing off in the race for Fifth Supervisorial District of the Orange County Board of Supervisors this November.

The Fifth District represents the South County cities of San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point, as well as Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, with parts of Lake Forest and Irvine.

Foley, who has served as the representative for the Second Supervisorial District since March 2021, is seeking reelection to now represent District 5 after last year’s redistricting put her home city of Costa Mesa in the newly redrawn District 5.

Foley previously served as a mayor and councilmember of Costa Mesa and was also a trustee on the Newport Mesa School District’s governing board.

Reflecting on her first term as supervisor, Foley said she is most proud of the audit she conducted on the county’s funding of homelessness and mental health treatment services, as well as the county’s response to the roughly 126,000 gallons of crude oil that leaked near Huntington Beach a year ago this month.

If reelected, four main issues that Foley would like to focus on are the harbor redevelopments; coastal erosion at Cap istrano Beach; moving the spent nuclear

waste out of the San Onofre Nuclear Gen erating Station and completely closing down of the plant; and supporting the Orange County Sherriff’s Department in keeping the community safe.

As the first mayor of Laguna Niguel, Bates helped to incorporate the city in 1989 and served four terms as mayor.

Following her time on the City Council, Bates was elected to the State Assembly, representing the 73rd District.

Bates, who currently serves as a state senator for California’s 36th District, previously held the position of Fifth District supervisor from 2007 to 2014.

Following her term on the OC Board, Bates was elected to the State Senate in 2014. During her tenure as a senator, Bates is proud to have authored measures that crack down on sex offenders, distributors of fentanyl, and protecting those seeking addiction treatment.

If elected to represent the Fifth District once again, Bates has stated that she’d prioritize increasing public safety, protecting the county’s coastlines and protecting taxpayers from waste and fraud in government.

In addressing coastal erosion, Bates has previously stated that “bluff safety is crucial to save lives and preserve beach access, which is an integral part of the Fifth District’s economy and way of life.”

Bates noted that the county should apply for Senate Bill 1 funds, which are meant to financially support California’s coastal communities that are addressing sea-level rise. Such funds, she said, would

support sand replenishment efforts “to save beaches and protect vulnerable infrastructure such as our coastal rail lines and roadways.”

As residents, business owners and voters alike have voiced concerns with lack of transparency with the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization project, Foley says she’s spoken with the Harbor Partners to address the issue.

“I think that they do need to do a better job of communicating progress to the public,” Foley says. “I’m an open book when it comes to these kinds of projects; I like to communicate more, rather than less, so you’ll probably see a lot of communication coming out of my office related to status updates related to where the funding is coming from, the timeline for improvement.”

Residents have also voiced concern that the 241 Toll Road could still get extended despite the County Board, Orange County Transportation Authority and City of San Clemente entering into a cooperative agreement aimed at preventing such an occurrence.

In response, Foley noted that she is against a toll road expansion into neighborhoods.

“I have a record of protecting business es and homes from eminent domain, and will fiercely defend the right of South County residents to self-determination,” Foley said. “I will continue to support the community cooperative agreement for road improvements, and reasonable measures to reduce traffic

such as traffic light synchronization that is based on historic, as well as real-time traffic patterns.”

Bates has previously pushed for legislation to codify into law that the 241 end at Oso Parkway, which is where it presently stops and Los Patrones Parkway begins, essentially blocking an extension through San Clemente.

Per the cooperative agreement, Bates was asked by the City of San Clemente to withdraw the legislation. The agreement, which Bates supported, solidifies three ongoing traffic relief projects in South OC: extending Los Patrones as a free, non-tolled arterial road; adding carpool lanes on Interstate 5, between Avenida Pico and the San Diego County line; and widening Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano.

In an email, Bates wrote that ensur ing local governments and community members have a say in where private toll roads are placed “must be a collaborative effort to ensure protections of existing structures and protected open space.”

“I worked tirelessly with Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Orange County Transportation Authority and the City of San Clemente to bring about the cooperative agreement on the toll road issue and demonstrated that working together brings beneficial solutions,” Bates said.

“I remain committed to the cooperated agreement and the three-project plan of widening the I-5, widening Ortega Highway, and extending Los Patrones Parkway,” Bates said.

KATRINA

BATES

Candidates Vie for State Office in 36th, 38th Senate Districts

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Come November, residents in South Orange County will vote on their local voices in the State Senate.

In the 36th District race, which represents those living in Dana Point and San Clemente, Democrat Kim Carr and Republican Janet Nguyen are running for office. Voters in the 38th District, covering San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo, will decide between Democrat Catherine Blakespear and Republican Matt Gunderson.

Carr said she is a third-generation Southern Californian who has lived in the district nearly her entire life. She grew up in Garden Grove, got her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton and worked as a national sales manager for broadcast television stations.

“I’ve been active in local government for over a decade and have proudly served on Huntington Beach City Council since 2018,” Carr said. “I served as mayor in 2021, and during that time, I led efforts to respond to the 2021 oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach, strengthened public safety while reducing homelessness by 35% and helped workers and businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

If elected to the Senate, Carr said she will fight inflation by fixing supply chains and cutting red tape for local businesses, reduce homelessness by increasing mental health and housing support, and defend reproductive freedom and the right of all people to control their bodies.

She is also campaigning to combat climate change and protect our beaches and coastal economy, while improving public education and lowering the financial barriers to college for students.

Nguyen, a state assemblymember, did not respond to requests for comment.

In campaign materials, she said she helped pass legislation expanding health care for the homeless, mentally ill and for lower-income families.

She also said she earned an “A” rating from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association because of her work to protect Proposition 13 and stop tax increases, and she wrote bipartisan legislation to increase a renters’ tax credit to help families deal with the high cost of living.

Nguyen has previously been a state senator and was also an Orange County board supervisor and Garden Grove councilmember.

“She is the first Vietnamese American elected to the State Senate, was the first woman Supervisor to represent the First District, the first Asian American and

KIM CARR JANET NGUYEN CATHERINE BLAKESPEAR MATT GUNDERSON

the first Vietnamese American to serve on the Board of Supervisors, as well as the youngest Supervisor elected in Orange County history,” her website biography states.

“In addition, Sen. Nguyen was the highest-ranking Vietnamese American elected official in California and the highest-ranking Vietnamese American woman elected official in the United States.”

In response to a question about affordable housing, Carr said she championed efforts for Huntington Beach to participate in a statewide program allowing the city to purchase existing apartment buildings with zero-interest loans when she was mayor.

“These apartment units were then eligible to offer reduced rental rates for residents earning anywhere between 80-120% of the (Area Median Income). This program added 674 units of housing to help the needs of middle-income earners without having to build a single unit,” Carr said.

Carr said that she’s also been an advocate for Project Home Key, the state and county partnership that converted motels into permanent supportive housing units to help the homeless.

“I also believe a reevaluation of CEQA is needed so residents and developers have confidence in the process, and we are able to have sensible, sustainable growth without unnecessary and costly delays,” Carr continued.

CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, is a state requirement that municipalities often go through when considering new housing and developments.

As for candidates in the 38th District, Blakespear said her experience as a mayor of Encinitas, a small business owner and a mom makes her the “most qualified candidate to be the leader of our coastal district needs.”

“As your state senator, I will firmly support the reproductive rights of every woman in California, protect our communities from gun violence, champion small businesses, protect our natural resources and ensure a clean, reliable water supply for our state,” Blakespear said.

“During my three terms as mayor, I cut red tape and secured emergency grants to keep small businesses open during the pandemic, banned ghost guns and passed safe firearm storage requirements, provided 100% renewable energy to residents and businesses at no increased cost and improved transportation options, with a particular focus on biking and walking infra-

structure.”

Gunderson, who started and then sold auto dealerships in Orange County, did not respond to requests for comment.

On his campaign website, Gunderson said one of the reasons he is running is because of Californians facing issues with affordability and the cost of living.

“The state is quickly becoming a place for only the über-rich and the poor. We need to return economic opportunity for a golden California back to the middle class and stop the wave of our best people leaving the state for cheaper alternatives,” Gunderson said.

“The state has a $97 billion-dollar surplus, yet (refuses) to budge on our highest-in-the-nation gasoline taxes,” he continued. “We have the highest income tax and the highest sales tax. The state and SANDAG are exploring a double tax on vehicle usage, in addition to our gas taxes.”

Gunderson also wants to address homelessness.

“The state’s one-size-fits-all, just throw money blindly at a problem (approach) has netted zero results. We must tailor solutions that address individual level causes of homelessness and supports the local organizations that are reflective of the individual needs of each of our unique communities,” Gunderson said.

“My solutions focus on accountability, compassion, and above all, transparency,” he continued. “There is nothing compassionate about allowing our most vulnerable Californians to sleep on the streets, and it is a fundamental failure of our state that we have allowed this to become such commonplace.”

Blakespear addressed affordable housing when asked about the topic.

“A lot of politicians talk about providing more housing options—but I’ve actually done it as mayor. Less than one year after getting state approval for the city’s housing plan, the City of Encinitas has approved more than half of our total assigned goal for the next eight years,” Blakespear said.

“It’s worth noting that our Housing Element Update has resulted in 334 new affordable housing units that are already built or currently underway in Encinitas,” she added. “Our city has also led the way by cracking down on illegal vacation rentals, which are a consistent problem in South Orange County.”

Davies Faces Challenge from Duncan for 74th Assembly Seat

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

LAURIE DAVIES

Assemblymember Laurie Davies prides herself on always being a problem-solver—from her time as a general manager of two restaurants, to running her own event planning business, and now to tackling local and state issues as an elected official.

“That’s why I really enjoyed serving on (Laguna Niguel) City Council, trying to solve problems at the local level, and that’s where I’m at the state level, getting good bills, like I was able to do, passed,” said Davies, who won her State Assembly seat in 2020.

If elected to serve a second term, Davies noted she would like to focus on multiple issues, from inflation to housing, and coastal erosion to water infrastructure.

On inflation, she said she intends to crack down on the issue by supporting truck drivers and addressing supply chain issues at the Port of Long Beach.

As California cities and counties continue to work with the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development to update their Housing Elements and demonstrate adequate planning for their communities’ housing needs, Davies said she would like to see regional approaches to addressing the housing shortage.

With many California cities already developed out, Davies pointed to a need for cities to work together “because there are some cities that have the land, but they don’t have the money, and there’s other cities that have the means but don’t have the land. We need to work together as a regional fix when it comes to housing, (rather) than trying to make each city do it separately.”

Another ongoing issue that many coastal cities in her district are facing is the eroding coastline. She said she supports cities such as San Clemente that have looked to secure funding from the federal level for sand replenishment efforts.

Other environmental focuses of hers, she said, are on energy resources, as well supporting efforts to build new desalination plants like the one South Coast Water District has proposed for Dana Point’s Doheny area or the recently rejected Brookfield-Poseidon plant in Huntington Beach.

“Desalination has proven to be a great way to help get clean water to people and clean our local ecosystems, yet unelected state bureaucrats shot down the proposed facility in Huntington Beach,” Davies said of California Coastal Commission’s (CCC) unanimous vote to deny permits. “I want to do legislation to put desalination projects as priority items for the state to consider approving.”

With the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project set to be presented to the CCC and State Lands Commission this year, Davies noted that she’s hoping to see the project move forward.

During her first term representing the 73rd Assembly District (now the 74th), Davies said she’s most proud of her ability to get legislation passed with bipartisan support, including Assembly Bill 381, which requires drug treatment centers to carry opioid overdose emergency medication, a bill co-authored by Democratic Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris.

“Something I promised when I ran in 2020 was that I was going to work across the aisle, and that’s something I was able to do and will continue to do, because we have to have balance here,” Davies said. “I think the best legislation that’s passed is when it’s passed by both parties.”

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to serve and make things better,” Davies continued. “I love this state; I moved to this state when I was 18, and I don’t plan on going anywhere else. So, I will continue to fight so that we can afford to live here, so we can live here and feel safe.”

CHRIS DUNCAN

Prior to serving on the San Clemente City Council, Chris Duncan served as an assistant U.S. Attorney to the Department of Homeland Security—a career he pursued after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

While working with law enforcement officers and national security professionals at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, “advising the decision-makers” as a Homeland Security attorney, Duncan decided that he wanted to be the decision maker.

During his tenure with Homeland Security, Duncan came to realize that “to make a real difference in my community, it’s elected officials who really have that ability to improve people’s lives. Not 10 years from now—tomorrow.”

“I want to be in the room where the decisions are made,” Duncan continued. “I think I have something to offer, foundationally there; I am the type of person who’s willing to stand up for things that are right, even if it comes at personal cost to me, even if it’s politically unpopular, I’m still willing to do that if it’s the right thing for our community, for our district.”

Duncan, who lost his Primary Election campaign for the Assembly seat in 2020, said his top priorities, if elected, are addressing housing affordability and homelessness.

Duncan said he would like to see a program developed in which unhoused individuals are “connected with the services in a safe environment to address the underlying reason for homelessness—be that economic, health, mental health, substance abuse—instead of doing a one-size-fits-all and saying, ‘Hey, let’s just build a big shelter and put everybody in there.’ ”

Addressing the shortage of affordable housing, Duncan said that rather than pushing for state mandates on local communities, he would rather see the legislature provide incentives for cities to invest in the development with affordable housing.

Duncan added that he would also like to prioritize supporting residents during a time of high costs and rising inflation.

“I think the economics is really forefront in people’s minds,” Duncan said. “California is too expensive; I mean, everything costs more here. We’ve got to act at the state level to drive down these costs.”

To address rising gas prices, Duncan argued that the legislature should have suspended the gas tax in addition to implementing a rebate program for California drivers.

Arguing that a gas-tax suspension would have a more immediate effect while the rebate program would have had a more long-term effect, Duncan said that “the situation was so severe, I thought we should have done both.”

As the state of California sees a nearly $100 billion surplus, Duncan would like to see the money directed back to taxpayers’ pockets.

“When you look at California’s budget, we’ve got a $100 billion surplus. To me, that means people were overtaxed,” Duncan said. “Let’s get that money back into the community, whether that’s through small businesses, tax breaks or credits, whether it’s through rebates to individuals.”

Pointing to his term on San Clemente’s City Council, Duncan added that he has been deeply involved in his community, “seeing what people care about every day.”

“They do care about individual choice,” Duncan said. “They care about protecting their kids, and they care about having a government that’s working for them to keep money in their pockets.”

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

FRIDAY | 14

FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN

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

SATURDAY | 15

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Venture out to Mission San Juan Capistrano to remember your loved ones by placing their name on the altar or ofrenda. The altar will be on display through Oct. 30. Mission San Juan Capist rano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

MONDAY | 17

BRIDGE GAME

12:30 p.m. The South Orange County Bridge Club hosts bridge games, Monday through Saturday. The club is a nonprofit owned by the members and welcomes people to use their minds and develop new friendships. They also offer classes for bridge players of different levels. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. galesenter@cox.net.

FRIDAY | 21

LIVE MUSIC AT PADDY’S

8-11 p.m. Trisha Freeman will perform. Stop in to listen, dance and have a Friday night pint at this downtown pub. Paddy’s Station, 26701 Verdugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

SATURDAY | 22

SEED CONNECTION

9-10 a.m. The Ecology Center is providing this hands-on lab about soil and seeds. The event is free and open to all ages. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.443.4223. theecologycenter.org.

LIVE THEATER

AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE

7:30 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse is staging Death by Design, a murder mystery comedy set in a 1930s English country manor. The show runs through Nov. 6.

‘Blonde’ Is an Exhausting

Viewing Experience

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Andrew Dominik’s new historical drama, Blonde, has to be one of the most hateful films I’ve ever seen. Here, Marilyn Monroe (Ana de Armas) isn’t a success story, despite her short life. She’s the tragic victim of lifelong abuse and depression until the bitter end.

Those interesting stories of her living in foster homes, working at a factory and getting married during her teen years as Norma Jeane Baker? Nowhere to be found. The two classics she made with director John Huston, The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and The Misfits (1961)—the latter of which was her final film? Nowhere in sight.

Where is Marilyn’s equally successful and hilar ious former roommate and close friend, Shelley Winters? Couldn’t tell you, myself. When we see Marilyn studying with legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg or auditioning for movies like Roy Ward Baker’s Don’t Bother to Knock (1952), she is portrayed as out of her element and insecure.

Anytime Marilyn or Norma Jeane is rewarded or acknowledged, it’s for her looks or sexuality—not her intelligence and great sense of humor, as people in her real life later confirmed existed, and debunked her as the bubbly bimbo she was typecast as.

Instead, Dominik and Joyce Carol Oates (author of the 2000 novel on which Blonde

SATURDAY | 22 FAREWELL TO THE SWALLOWS BARBECUE

Noon-4 p.m. Come say goodbye to the swallows as they make their annual migration away from San Juan Capistrano. The annual event is hosted by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association—which also organizes the Swallows Day Parade—and will feature live music, food, adult beverages for sale and more. Admission is $10. Kids ages 12 and under can eat for free. Reata Park and Event Center, 28632 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.615.1920. swallowsparade.com.

Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

SUNDAY | 23

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE

7 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Eric Clapton tribute act Journeyman will

perform. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

is based) focus on fabrications including a ménage-à-trois between the starlet, Charlie Chaplin’s son, Cass (Xavier Samuel), and Edward G. Robinson, Jr. (Evan Williams).

The real Norma Jeane spent the latter half of her childhood as an orphan because her mother, Gladys, was institutionalized following a mental breakdown. But Gladys (played by Julianne Nicholson in Blonde) didn’t attempt to drown her own child during a psychotic break, as seen on film.

Marilyn never met her real father, but I have a feeling she wasn’t obsessively haunted by his ab sence to the point of hysteria, as shown in Blonde De Armas—who actually does well occasionally with the limited material—is apparently given direction for only three emotions: sad, perplexed and orgasmic.

No doubt, Marilyn Monroe had her hard ships, especially regarding the men in her life. But to replace her real tragedies—such as her inability to successfully carry through a preg nancy because of endometriosis—with three rape scenes and an abortion (all that definitely

did not happen) is distasteful and grotesque. People have consistently praised Chayse Irvin’s black-and-white and color cinematography, and Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ score for Blonde, which I can agree with. I also thought Bobby Cannavale and Adrien Brody as two of Marilyn’s husbands, baseball star Joe DiMaggio and respected author Arthur Miller, respectively, would have been great casting.

But what sinks Blonde as a film the most is that Dominik clearly has no respect or interest in Marilyn, the person. Which asks the question: why does this movie even exist? If Dominik wanted to make an allegory to how abusive Hollywood is, he could have easily created a fictional actress loosely inspired by Marilyn or Jayne Mansfield or Jean Harlow.

For an appropriate depiction of the real Marilyn Monroe, look up some of her interviews and archival footage uploaded on YouTube, or listen to stories told by her old costars and friends. Revisit or introduce yourself to her best features. Because Blonde as a cinematic experience remarkably fails. CD

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

Marie and James Kelly were named Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan at the 2019 Farewell to the Swallows Barbecue. The event will be held this year on Oct. 22. Photo: Collin Breaux

ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

KIDS OF CHARLEMAGNE

pull out all the stops to celebrate a half-century of their musical muse.

“We’re going to be playing at least one song from each of their albums,” Backal said.

Kids of Charlemagne is excited to return to The Coach House after being asked back, according to Backal. He called the invitation an “honor” and has seen his musical heroes perform at The Coach House.

“When you’re invited back, you almost feel like, gosh, you earned it,” Backal said. “That means we did something right the first time.”

Like other musicians who have performed at The Coach House, Backal noted the great atmosphere and sound system.

Playing in front of the sold-out show the first time was a rush, he said. Backal came prepared that night, as he had to use a spare guitar he brought when a string broke on his first guitar a minute into the show.

“When you’re playing at that level, you really have to stay focused,” Backal said. “We were happy we stepped off the stage after 90 minutes, and felt good.”

SHOW DETAILS

What: Kids of Charlemagne

When: November 11. 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 $20

Steely Dan tends to bring out people from throughout Orange County, who are willing to drive so they can listen to live renditions of classic tunes, he said. Enthusiasts of Steely Dan are willing to see how well a band can play the songs, Backal said.

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

When Kids of Charlemagne played at The Coach House for the first time in April, it was to a sold-out crowd.

With that experience under their belt, the local Steely Dan tribute band is now set to re

turn to the San Juan Capistrano venue on Nov. 11 for another show—just in time for the 50th anniversary of Steely Dan’s first album.

“That’s going to make it more special for us,” guitarist Bill Backal said.

Backal said that link just happened to come together. Kids of Charlemagne is planning to

The cover act also plays regularly through out South Orange County, including in San Clemente and Dana Point. Backal said they’ve amassed a “pretty good” following who general ly see them for free.

The Coach House gig, of course, will be different, because it requires a ticket—though Backal still expects their fans to follow.

“We can play in this big concert hall, and people still come to see us,” Backal said.

Kids of Charlemagne has great musicians who “lock in tight” when it comes to playing their instruments—a must since Steely Dan is one of the “most difficult pop bands to play,” Backal said.

One reason Backal attributes Kids of Charlemagne’s success is how the band members are constantly in tune with each other’s per formances, which he thinks creates a better sound.

“The magic of our band is that we all really listen to each other,” Backal said. CD

Kids of Charlemagne guitarist Bill Backal said it is an honor to get invited back on stage at The Coach House after their first show there in April. Photo: Courtesy of Gary Tinnes

GUEST OPINION

in Time by Jan Siegel

San Juan Capistrano: A Place for Ghosts and the Best of Orange County

Fall is such a wonderful time of the year in San Juan Capistrano. It is perfect for horseback riding, bike riding, walking tours and the many other outdoor events that we have come to enjoy.

The annual Ghosts and Legends Tour sponsored by the Historical Society just keeps getting better and better every year. The tour strolls down Los Rios Street, the oldest residential street in California, as ghosts from the past reach out from behind trees, buildings and shrubs. The two-night event on Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29, offers five different time slots each night.

First Credit Union, 24 Hour Fitness, Costco Hearing Aid Center, Trader Joe’s, Laura’s House Resale Store, Goodwill and Chick-fil-A.

But in seven categories, San Juan Capistrano rated in one of the three top choices in all of Orange County. Our population is 37,000.

Best Golf Course

Number 1 was San Juan Hills Golf Club. “Affordable greens fees, along with some of the best greens in Orange County, have helped the golf course at San Juan Hills break to the top of the conversation of top golf choices in an always tough and competitive field.”

Plant Depot boasts it has “the largest pottery selection in Southern California.”

Where San Juan Capistrano stood out the most was in the Food and Drink category. For a small town, four of our eating establishments made the Best Of top three list.

Best Barbecue

Kyle Franson said), ‘It’s a closed patio in old downtown San Juan Capistrano in a historic building. People can see the Mission nearby. We’re at the train station, so people can take the train and walk across to us.’”

Best Sushi

MOMENTS IN TIME

BY JAN SIEGEL

When you make your reservations, which are a must, you sign up for the time slot you want. Reservations are available on the Society web page at sjchistoricalsociety.com. For more information, call the Historical Society at 949.493.4056. This family event is the perfect way to start your Halloween weekend.

Another paper in Orange County, Or ange County Register, recently had their “Best Of” issue. Most of the winners were in cities with populations topping 300,000. These cities included Santa Ana, Anaheim and Irvine. There were 79 categories on which to vote. And San Juan Capistrano businesses rated in 15 of the categories. Some of these were chains such as Wells Fargo Bank, School

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Best Music Venue

Number 1 was The Coach House. “A perennial winner in this category. Through the years, everyone from Los Lobos, Todd Rundgren, Huey Lewis and the News, Michael Buble, and Asia to the Bangles, Jesus and Mary Chain, The Replacements and Crowded House have graced the stage. Even Kiss, the Eagles, Heart and Duran Duran members made Capistrano a tour stop at some point.”

Best Garden Center/Nursery Number 2 was Plant Depot. According to the contest capsule, black olive trees have been in demand at the nursery, and “their edible plant selection is impressive, stocked with 120 varieties of tomatoes and a bounty of fruit trees. Succulents range from tiny plants that can be used in decorating projects to large ones ideal for landscaping.” And

Heritage Barbecue was rated Number 2. “Heritage was the first restaurant in California to use analog offset smokers as used in Texas. Brad Johnson named it his Restaurant of the Year for 2022. (Chef-turned-pitmaster Daniel Castillo says), ‘We are a true live fire cooking restaurant and offer the traditional Texas trinity of brisket, ribs and housemade sausage, but we are also known for pushing the boundaries of traditional barbecue, more like SoCal craft barbecue.’”

Best Brunch

Ramos House Cafe was Number 3 on the list. “Ramos House has gained attention for its literally home-cooked, two-course brunch menu. The flavor offerings are diverse, and chances are you may find something new or an interesting twist on a classic.”

Best Outdoor Dining

Rancho Capistrano Winery was Number 3. “Although the Winery has three locations, the San Juan Capistrano location is extra special, with its big, blazing fireplace on a 3,000 square-foot patio that is dog-friendly. (Winery owner

Oeeshi Japanese Grill was Number 3. “For an accessible and affordable introduction into sushi and sashimi, the Oeeshi Japanese Grill is an excellent choice. The restaurant has ample selections featuring tuna, snapper, albacore and salmon in combinations. Oeeshi also serves a variety of tempura and teriyaki combo plates, as well as udon, ramen and fried rice meals and bowls.”

Spend a “Moment in Time” this season and enjoy all that our town has to offer.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in the neighboring town of Rancho Mission Viejo. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years, has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 26 years and is currently the museum curator for the San Juan Cap istrano 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

variety

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Say hello to Calvin Klein, a handsome boy with a great personality. Laid-back for a 1-year-old, he loves to relax and soak up the afternoon sun. When he isn’t getting his beauty rest or practicing his cat walk, Calvin Klein enjoys being petted and making new friends. Could this fetching feline be the one for you?

If you are interested in adopting Calvin Klein, 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

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

CLASSIFIEDS

Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com

GARAGE SALES

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE

Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com

Deadline 12pm Monday.

ESTATE/GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Household items, small furniture, rugs, BBQ, holiday items. 118 Trafalgar Lane, San Clemente.

ESTATE SALE – OCTOBER 8, 15 & 22

Saturday, October 8, 15 & 22. 25592 Via Del Rey, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92673.

VIBRANT LIVES LIQUIDATION SALESATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

1-5 p.m. Vintage style clothing, hats, shoes; Sound equipment; Games; Activity supplies; Colorful home decor. 34941 Calle Del Sol, Dana Point.

DANA KNOLLS GARAGE SALESATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Saturday, October 22 from 7 AM to NOON. Located at corners of Blue Fin and Del Obispo as well as Stonehill and Palo Alto.

MULTI-HOME GARAGE SALESATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

9 a.m.-2 p.m. In the San Juan Hills East neighborhood, down to the curve on Via Buena. Cross street Avenida Larga. Follow the signs! Home health devices; golf clubs; man stuff; collectibles. Friendly sellers! Please come and check it out!

FOR SALE

SURFBOARD FOR SALE

Hand-shaped Channel Islands 7’4” surfboard (20 x 2 3/4). Great condition. $300 OBO. Text 949.702.3142.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Experienced Tile setters and helpers, Slab Fabricators, Slab Installation 5 years exp. Top pay based on experienced. 949-395-3369

WANTED

WANTED - VINYL RECORDS

Vinyl records from the 1960’s to present & music memorabilia. Shirts, posters, concert tickets etc. Will pay you better than any record store! Best price paid guaranteed! No collection too big or small. I will come to you. Cash. 310-756-7854 Mike.

Want to reach 24,150+ people in the SJC & RMV area?

Then you need to be in The Capo Dispatch! Call Debra at 949.388.7700 ext. 104

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

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PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

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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

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

HERE

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

SAN JUAN PREP SPORTS ROUNDUP

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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

San Juan Hills Girls Volleyball Rallies for League Championship

With two late league upsets, the San Juan Hills girls volleyball team flipped the South Coast League.

The Stallions avenged two early league losses to San Clemente and Aliso Niguel, including pulling out a fierce, five-set thriller at home against Aliso Niguel on the league’s final day on Wednesday, Oct. 12, to fight back and claim a share of the South Coast League championship.

San Juan Hills, Aliso Niguel and San Clemente each finished 6-2 in league play to split the South Coast League title three ways. Aliso Niguel, the reigning CIF-SS Division 2 champion, and San Clemente split the league championship last season. It’s the first league title for San Juan Hills since the third of three consecutive championships in 2018.

In the first round of league play, San Juan Hills played tough on the road but dropped a sweep to San Clemente and a four-set match to Aliso Niguel.

The Stallions got retribution for their loss at San Clemente with a four-set win at home on Oct. 4, but San Juan Hills still needed help from San Clemente for a shot at the league title.

While the Stallions were sweeping Dana Hills on Monday, Oct. 10, they got that help with a road sweep by San Clemente at Aliso Niguel.

This put the fate of the league directly in the hands of San Juan Hills going into the finale on Wednesday, and the match was a true title fight.

Aliso Niguel took the opening set, 2523, but San Juan Hills outlasted the Wolverines in a marathon second set, 31-29, to tie the match. The Stallions grabbed the advantage in the third set, 25-22, but Aliso Niguel wouldn’t go down easily on the way to a fourth-set win, 25-21. In the fifth set, San Juan Hills found its edge to win the match and grab its share of the league title, 15-12.

Combined with San Clemente sweeping Tesoro at home on Wednesday, the

South Coast League championship was split three ways, as each team split its two matches against each other.

San Juan Hills now waits for its CIFSS playoff draw, as the brackets will be revealed on Saturday, Oct. 15, and the playoffs beginning early next week.

JSerra Football Drops Second Tight Trinity League Game

As the old saying from baseball legend Frank Robinson goes, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” even if you do it two weeks in a row.

The JSerra football team forced an ear ly turnover and again scored on special teams to keep up with an explosive Santa Margarita offense, but ultimately, the Eagles converted a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter for a one-point lead that held up to defeat the Lions, 29-28, on Friday, Oct. 7, at Saddleback College.

JSerra (3-4, 0-2) dropped its second straight one-score game in the Trinity League, after the Lions gave nationally top-ranked Mater Dei all it could handle last week in a 21-13 loss.

JSerra next travels to St. John Bosco, which was also nationally top-ranked and lost to Mater Dei in Santa Ana on Oct. 7, 17-7. The Lions, ranked No. 13 in CIF-SS by CalPreps, play the Braves on Friday, Oct.

14, and host Servite on Oct. 21.

Santa Margarita (5-2, 0-2) neared school-record marks in the offensive passing game before JSerra slowed the game down in the second half. Senior quarterback Jaxon Potter completed 34 of 42 passes for 382 yards and two touchdowns, with junior receiver Emmett Mosley catching 14 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.

Potter threw for 319 of his 382 yards in the first half, but JSerra forced a fumble at its own 4-yard line on Santa Margarita’s opening drive, which was recovered by junior Jack Munro, and got its second kickoff-return touchdown in as many weeks on a 90-yard runback by junior Clarence Chaney to keep the game level, 21-21, going into halftime.

Zander Singh threw a touchdown to Vance Blyth to put the Lions ahead in the third quarter, 28-21. In the fourth quarter, Santa Margarita responded with a touchdown run, and after JSerra blocked an extra point earlier, the Eagles converted their second two-point conversion for the lead that stood up, 29-28.

Winless San Juan Hills Turns Toward League Play

The bell tolled once again for San Juan Hills on Sept. 30, as the Stallions’ search for that elusive first victory marched on.

Tesoro stopped San Juan Hills on

fourth down five times and leaned on running back Travis Wood for 232 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries to reclaim the “Battle for the Bell,” 30-15, at Tesoro High School.

San Juan Hills is 0-7 for the first time since 2011, when the Stallions finished the season winless (0-10). San Juan Hills took a bye week to prepare for Sea View League play, where the Stallions open at El Toro (2-5) on Friday, Oct. 14.

“We’re 0-7 on the year. We’re going into a bye week, and then we’ll be 0-0 again in league play,” San Juan Hills coach Rob Frith said after the Tesoro loss. “All this pre-league stuff is important. It’s really important. I know our guys wanted to win this game. At the end of the day, this is pre-league. League is for championships, and league is for playoff implications.”

Despite their 0-7 record, the Stallions are still the second-highest rated team in the Sea View League by CalPreps, the computer algorithm that helps determine the CIF-SS playoff divisions at season’s end. San Juan Hills’ seven opponents have a combined record of 41-8.

Trabuco Hills (5-2) is the league’s highest ranked team at No. 84 in CIF-SS. San Juan Hills is No. 92, Aliso Niguel (4-3) is No. 124, and El Toro is No. 132.

After El Toro this Friday, San Juan Hills plays at Trabuco Hills next Friday, Oct. 21, and closes the season by hosting Aliso Niguel on Oct. 28. CD

San Juan Hills girls volleyball made a late run to grab a share of the South Coast League championship on the strength of home upsets of San Clemente and Aliso Niguel. Photo: Zach Cavanagh