October 28, 2022

Coffee curator Anne Marie Damaso and owner Jasmin Gonzalez are excited for people to check out Breezy, a new restaurant in the downtown area. Photo: Collin Breaux

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Breezy Offers Customers a Taste of Island Cuisine

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Stopping into Breezy for a bite to eat can feel like you’re having brunch in Hawaii.

That aura is exactly what the new downtown San Juan Capistrano restaurant is going for, according to Jasmin Gonzalez—one of the owners of the

new eatery.

Breezy recently had a soft opening at what used to be Ramen Shack. The island-themed restaurant’s address is 31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 4, near Mission San Juan Capistrano and across the street from FKN Bread.

Menu items include pancake stacks, avocado toast and acai bowls. The interior is painted in pastels and has island-themed décor.

“What this really is, is the island foods we grew up on,” said Gonzalez, who grew up in Polynesian culture and has

CUSD Staff Recommends Trustees Deny Charter School Proposal

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO AND COLLIN BREAUX

Following an evaluation of a San Clem ente resident’s proposal to a launch a new charter school in South Orange County, staff with the Capistrano Unified School District issued a scathing report that advises the Board of Trustees to deny the petition.

In its 24-page report made public Tuesday, Oct. 25, the district found, among other things, that the proposed California Republic Leadership Academy “presents an unsound educational program” for students and that the movers of the char ter school “are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program.”

“The charter school is demonstrably

unlikely to serve the interests of the entire community in which the school is proposing to locate,” the staff report found regarding the charter school’s plans, which potentially included using an underutilized CUSD campus in either San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano.

Kevin Pratt, who’s leading the charge to open the charter school, said on Wednes day morning, Oct. 26, that he was unable to comment on the report’s finding, as he needs to do some analysis on it first.

According to the report, the Board of Trustees could still approve the charter school when it meets on Nov. 9. Should

family and friends in Hawaii. “Filipino, Hawaiian, the foods we had for breakfast. Pretty cool vibe. Really chill. We’re not trying to win awards, but mainly trying to introduce our culture and what we grew up with to San Juan Capistrano.”

Gonzalez was also a business partner in Ramen Shack, which closed earlier this year due to chef Keizo Shimamoto experiencing health issues. Gonzalez wanted to hang onto the space and decided to retool it into something different.

“Every week, I’ll feature specials. I’ll have different chefs collaborate, since I do work with a lot of different chefs to bring in their favorite meals that they have and to share,” Gonzalez said. “Our planned grand opening is November 5. By then, we’ll be able to work out the

kinks and be able to create all these different specials.”

Even with a low-key opening, some customers have already stopped in for brunch. Gonzalez said the response has been good so far.

“Everybody loves the food,” she said. “A lot of people like to hang out here. It’s a very calm environment. Honestly, the whole creation of this was to have a cool place to hang out and not feel pressure, just enjoy your food, just enjoy your breakfast.”

The coffee menu is curated by Anne Marie Damaso, and the acai menu is curated by Gonzalez’s husband. Breezy uses bread from 61 Hundred Bakery, a cottage bakery based in San Juan Capistrano, as well as coffee beans from Hidden House Coffee, which is right around the corner from Breezy.

“When we’re back in Hawaii, that’s all we do. We eat good food, have acai, go surfing, have coffee,” Gonzalez said. “It’s just chill.”

Gonzalez said Breezy also fits in well with the growing downtown area, which is becoming a tourist hub full of new restaurants.

“That’s why I stayed, to be honest. Just watching it grow, that was the reason why I didn’t want to let go of this space,” Gonzalez said. “The downtown area and putting that on the map and being able to say it is a foodie destination, that was the whole goal. I think San Juan has a lot of things coming. It’s up and coming. Watching it grow and evolve is exciting.”

While Breezy currently offers what is called a sunrise menu, they eventually want to also open a sunset menu that goes beyond breakfast items. The restaurant was working on getting an alcohol license at the time of the interview.

Breezy is currently open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

“I love San Juan. I think it’s a beautiful and charming city,” Gonzalez said. “It’s going to get on the map.”

that occur, CUSD staff asks the trustees to use the report’s findings as conditions of approval for the charter school to satisfy through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

A few years ago, Pratt moved to San Clemente from Frisco, Texas, where his children attended a charter school called Founders Classical Academy. The charter there had uniforms and taught kids Latin and logic.

“We were very pleasantly surprised. It was very rigorous, really hard,” Pratt said of Founders Academy. “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.”

Because he was unable to find some-

thing similar around South County that was close enough to his liking, Pratt began working with others, including Gary Davis of the California Charter School Association, to open California Republic Leadership Academy.

“Essentially, we’re trying to figure out, can we do our own?” Pratt said, adding that upon meeting Davis, “he had this vision for a leadership academy focused on servant leadership.”

Though they haven’t settled on an exact location, Pratt has his eye on somewhere in San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano, and is prepared, if necessary, to use an existing underutilized CUSD campus where attendance is low.

“There’s Prop 39. It’s a law that says if a charter is approved, then you also have

Renovations Ongoing at San Juan Capistrano Library

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The San Juan Capistrano Library is still closed as part of a “tenant enhancement” undertaken by OC Public Libraries.

The local branch—located at 31495 El Camino Real, near Capistrano Union High School—has been closed since December 2021.

“The project scope includes upgraded cabling, improved energy efficiencies, new lighting, paint, carpet, furniture and shelving,” said David Lopez, marketing and communications librarian with OC Public Libraries.

The goal of the enhancement is to “reimagine the existing space to ensure the facility is compliant and accessible to all, to maximize usable space for the public to study, read and attend programs and to create a modern, inviting space where people can gather to build community,” Lopez also said.

Mindful of the legacy of architect Michael Graves—who had a hand in bringing the building to life—and the importance of the facility to the public, the library and architect consulted with

the Graves Design Firm prior to the start of construction.

“There is no current date for reopening, but we hope the project will be

Ecology Center Gears Up for New Musical Festival in November

BY COLLIN BREAUX

The Ecology Center regularly hosts dinner nights, educational days during which kids and families can learn about seeds and seasonal crops, as well as other fun community events.

Now, the San Juan Capistrano farm and learning hub is preparing to host Milpa Musical Festival, a new event scheduled for Nov. 12-13.

The use of the word “milpa” comes from a practice by Indigenous farmers that focuses on organic agriculture and a polyculture of corn, beans, and squash during the harvest season.

Ecology Center Director of Engagement and Impact Jonathan Zaidman said they have been holding seasonal celebrations for the past few years, typically in the spring and fall. Those events have an educational component, and while Milpa will still include that, The Ecology Center wanted to add some extra flavor.

“This year, we decided to liven it up a little with some music,” Zaidman said.

The two-day festival will feature numerous bands each day coming from Los Angeles, San Diego and throughout Orange County. Sounds will range from surf music to jazz to other styles.

“We wanted to express the local sound of Southern California,” Zaidman said. “It’s as diverse as our agriculture.”

A storytelling tent, fermentation workshop and other informational components will also be featured at Milpa.

As for food and refreshments, Zaidman said they will have a pizza oven “roaring,” along with beverage stations and local artisans available.

The Milpa experience is intended to model what a sustainable maker village can be, Zaidman said.

“The music and the art and the celebration is just as important as anything else,” he said. “There are always interesting ways to draw people to a movement—and if that’s through a music festival, then that’s great.”

Visit theecologycenter.org for more information.

complete and ready for the public to enjoy in early 2023,” Lopez said. “While the library is closed, patrons may visit the nearby Aliso Viejo, Dana Point or San

(Cont. from page 3) 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, along with Harold Ambuehl Elementary School in San Juan Capist rano, are listed on a compilation of un derutilized campuses provided by Pratt.

Should the trustees approve the charter, the district is expected to make a final determination on the campus that California Republic Leadership Academy would use under the Prop 39 process.

Some residents, such as Trudy Podo bas—who is a homeowner in the Marble head community—have spoken against the proposed new school. Podobas said her issue with the potential school is a concern that it could displace existing public schools such as Marblehead Elementary.

The plan for California Republic Leadership Academy has been put together “very quickly,” and the leaders behind the school are “rushing” through a targeted November approval, Podobas said.

She further said her tax dollars paid

Clemente Libraries. A full list of libraries can be found at ocpl.org/libraries and daily programming can be found at ocpl.org/events.”

for Marblehead Elementary, which should remain a public school.

Groups or individuals who want to start a new charter school must 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 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 at that point limited their Year 1 enrollment to 200 students.

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

According to CUSD however, the evalua tion of the petition found that it “does not contain the number of signatures of par ents, legal guardians of pupils or teachers required” under an educational code.

Pratt previously told The Capistrano Dispatch that if the board does turn down the proposal per district staff’s recom mendation, he plans to appeal to the Or ange County Board of Education, which is generally in favor of charter schools.

The San Juan Capistrano Library could reopen early next year after undergoing renovations. Photo: File

Halloween Home Display Raises Awareness of Childhood Mood Disorder

BY COLLIN BREAUX

When people head out to Holly DeJulia’s house in San Juan Capistrano this Halloween season, they won’t just get to see clowns and a festive holiday display. They’ll also learn about disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), which has afflicted her 10-year-old son.

DeJulia started putting up the display for the public in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her neighbors are also heavy decorators and put up zombie- and witch-themed displays, which motivated DeJulia to do her own celebration. DeJulia ended up going with clown displays and animatronics, since that’s all there was left to pick from during the initial days of the viral outbreak.

The DeJulia family display is at 31761 Via Granada and can be accessed by calling 446 from the community callbox and giving the password “CarnEVIL,” after which visitors will be buzzed into the gated community. The clown show will be on display from sunset until 9 p.m. through Halloween night on Oct. 31, weather permitting.

“It has grown and grown,” she said.

Beloved Local Newsman Fred Swegles Dies at 74

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

Fred Swegles, a longtime newsman who spent his career covering San Clemente and its neighboring towns, died peacefully in his sleep late Sunday afternoon, Oct. 23, after suffering health complications because of a brain tumor, members of his family confirmed. He was 74 years old.

Swegles’ portfolio of work spanned more than 50 years, having previously reported for the Daily Sun-Post and Orange County Register. In 2018, Swegles launched his CoastLines column with San Clemente Times, writing whimsical, light-hearted pieces that added a bit of levity to the weekly newspaper.

Having grown up and lived in San Clemente for most of his life—longer than the 5 Freeway, he would boast—Swegles had a deep, historical understanding of the growth of the town and South Orange County as a whole.

At staff meetings, the news team could always count on Swegles to offer valuable insight on upcoming stories before launch ing into his own column pitches that were well-thought-out, detailed and topical. For about the last 16 months, Swegles

“We’re known as the clown house around town.”

A projection screen incorporating music was added to the display last year. DeJulia describes the attraction as kid-friendly and not gory.

As the display has become popular in San Juan Capistrano, DeJulia has decided to use it to educate the public about DMDD. Her family learned about their child’s diagnosis earlier this year. The brain disorder causes chronic irritability and intense rages, according to Revolutionize DMDD, a nonprofit that provides information for families and medical providers.

Symptoms are shown in more than one environment and typically begin before the age of 10, but the diagnosis is not given to children younger than 6 or older than 18 years of age, a fact sheet provided by Revolutionize DMDD said.

The DeJulia family let visitors know about their son’s diagnosis while also providing Dippin’ Dots ice cream last year. Since people offered to pay for the ice cream or donate for the DMDD cause, DeJulia decided to increase the advocacy

aspect for 2022’s display.

“This year, I got in front of it,” she said. “(Donations) are voluntary.”

Visitors will be able to donate to Revolutionize DMDD through a QR code at the display.

DeJulia said her son’s case of DMDD was initially a struggle, because they didn’t know what was going on with him. Eventually, they were able to get a proper diagnosis and started to understand his condition.

DeJulia wasn’t prepared for the situation, despite her previous experience

as a teacher, which she felt gave her perspective on children’s outbursts.

DMDD is more prevalent than they initially realized, she said.

As her son continues to navigate life with DMDD, he also dresses up in a clown costume for the family’s Halloween show.

“Now that this is the third year, it’s become a really nice way that my family bonds,” DeJulia said. “My kids help construct it. The community response has been exceptional. I’m happy it brings fun memories.”

battled health issues as a result of his glioblastoma diagnosis, or brain tumor, requiring surgery and ongoing treatments. One of the primary effects of the condition is aphasia, the inability to come up with words and the inability to write—a crushing and crippling reality for a renowned reporter and storyteller.

His tenure as a local journalist—which began as a cub sports reporter for San Clemente High’s The Triton—allowed him to cover San Clemente’s city government, events and happenings, crime, development and the surf scene, as well as to interview a plethora of characters.

Swegles knew how to get right to the heart of an issue with his storytelling and writing, earning the trust of the community, as well as those he interviewed. He was also an adept photographer and world traveler who often wrote about his adventures to 11 San Clementes around the world.

Swegles was born on Feb. 28, 1948. His first two years of high school were spent at Capistrano Union High School in San Juan Capistrano. He then transferred to San Clemente High School when it opened, and was in the school’s second graduating class.

Afterward, Swegles attended USC, where he studied journalism and Spanish, led the Daily Trojan’s sports desk as its editor, and surfed for the school’s surf team.

In 2018, Swegles’ decades-long run

working for the Sun-Post ended when the parent Orange County Register shuttered the paper, along with several other community weeklies. Picket Fence Media publisher Norb Garrett recalls learning of the Register’s decision and calling Swegles immediately.

“I called Fred that same day and offered him a job as a columnist for the SC Times, and he accepted on the spot, but had just two conditions. First, he insisted that he would no longer cover city politics; and two, he wanted the freedom to write only fun stories celebrating San Clemente and its many personalities,” said Garrett.

“Of course, I agreed immediately,” Garrett continued. “Needless to say, I’m so honored to have had Fred work for the SC Times and call him my friend. He is a true San Clemente treasure who chronicled the town’s transformation from sleepy surf town to thriving community of 68,000.”

Over the past few years, Swegles has been recognized for his contributions to the town, twice by the San Clemente City Council and by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. After the SunPost was shuttered, councilmembers in June 2018 presented Swegles with a plaque acknowledging his work as a journalist.

“Frankly, it’s hard to determine if there’s anyone who’s had more of an

impact over the last 50 years in our community,” Tim Brown, the city’s then-mayor, said, “and I just want to commend you, Fred, for everything you’ve done for the community, for the news you provide, for keeping us all informed, and for providing our residents with everything they need to know.”

In 2021, the Chamber honored Swegles by naming him the recipient of its Outstanding Lifetime Achievement award.

“Over the last 50-plus years, there’s no one in this town who’s had more awareness of San Clemente’s historical growth, issues of concern, significant historical highlights, or its notable list of community characters,” Larry Rannals, the Chamber’s then-vice chairperson, said of Swegles at the time.

And this past August, Swegles’ name was added to San Clemente’s Wall of Recognition—an honor “dedicated to those individuals who, through their contributions and selfless efforts, have made the City of San Clemente, our community, a better place to live, work, and play.”

In honor of the placement on the wall, the City Council presented Swegles with another plaque recognizing the latest achievement.

At Swegles’ request, his family said, there will not be a formal memorial service or Celebration of Life ceremony.

San Juan Capistrano resident Holly DeJulia welcomes people to come check out the clown display at her home for Halloween. Photo: Courtesy of Holly DeJulia

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

CD | St. Margaret’s Student Gives Writing Advice to Young Kids

Ciara Robertson loves writing and wants to help middle school-aged and younger students in the field, so she wrote an advice book on the topic.

Ciara’s book, titled Rising Writers: A Young Author’s Guide to Creative Writing, is available to download for free at risingwriters.org. In the book, she walks students ages 10-14 through each step that goes into crafting their own story, from deciding on a subject to coming up with an ending.

Book chapters include lessons and activities.

“I began writing my book about one and a half years ago, and it took some time, because it was unlike anything I had done before,” said Ciara, 16, who attends St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. “I poured myself into every detail, down to the stories and layout of the worksheet pages.”

Ciara proudly notes that she even came up with the cover design. She said she directed her advice to the 10-14 age group, because there “just isn’t a lot out there for this age group.”

Her love of writing began with a passion for reading, which she started doing in pre school. She got into creative writing in the sixth grade and took her first creative writ ing class in seventh grade. She is currently a junior, writes for her school newspaper and teaches free teen creative writing classes at the Laguna Niguel Library.

“Looking to the future, I am definitely looking for other opportunities to inspire a love of writing in kids through the book,” she said. “I am also hopeful to find new and exciting writing adventures to further my own literary story, possibly in the form of an internship next summer.”

CD | Local Author Pens Book

About Keeping the ‘Secret’ of Santa Claus

Families might have a hard time explaining the exact nature of Santa Claus to their young children, so author C.C. Bloom has written a book to help guide them along and preserve the secret.

Bloom’s book is called The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus and available at thetruthaboutsanta.com.

“But this is no bullet-point, ‘how to’ book for parents. Instead, it’s a fully illustrated, rhyming work of art that takes families through a historical account in a fairy tale way,” a news release said. “Instead of children being stripped of the ‘magic’ of

Christmas, families will be inspired after learning the truth, knowing that the real magic lies in the simple acts of kindness exemplified in the story.”

Bloom, who is a mom herself, also encourages people to become “agents” in the Top Secret Truth Agency—a playful way to foster keeping Christmas traditions alive and being kind.

“For further guidance for families, Bloom has created blog posts and printable tools for agents to come up with missions of their own and accomplish them along with their family. She is also releasing a new Christmas song by the same title,” the news release said.“Don’t worry, parents, the song doesn’t give away the truth. Instead, it tells its own sweet story about some curious kids at Christmas time and gives already inducted TST Agents something to smile about when they hear it and know what the real truth is.”

The resources and song are also available on her website. The TST Agency business/brand is based in San Juan Capistrano.

CD | Fiesta Association Announces Dignitaries for Next Swallows Season

As they get ready to organize the up

coming Swallows Day Parade and related festivities, the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association recently held their annual barbecue on Oct. 22 to say goodbye to the migrating birds for now—and also an nounced the dignitaries for next season.

John “Fish” Fischle will serve as Señor San Juan, realtor and community fixture Daniele Smith will be Ms. Fiesta, and San Juan Elementary School students Eloise Glynn and Javier Martinez—both 10 years old—were named the junior dignitaries.

The dignitaries generally attend Fiesta and community events, often in old-time Western clothing that the group terms “black-and-whites,” leading into the parade, which is scheduled for March 25, 2023.

CD | Construction Begins for First Phase of Camino Cap istrano Rehabilitation Project

Street work for the start of a largescale pavement improvement project for San Juan Capistrano reportedly began on Monday, Oct. 24.

The city has commissioned what is termed the Camino Capistrano Rehabilitation Project, which will resurface pavement on the namesake street from the city limits at Dana Point to Laguna Niguel. Monday’s kickoff commenced

TUESDAY, NOV. 1

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.

FRIDAY, NOV. 4

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.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 9

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, NOV. 11

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

the first phase between San Juan Creek Road and La Zanja Street, a city announcement said.

“Construction will occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Monday through Friday; no work on Saturday and Sunday nights,” a city update said. Work on the first phase is expected to be completed in mid-November.

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

The Camino Capistrano project is the starting point for an ambitious and long-term plan by the city to upgrade local streets following years of neglected maintenance, which is said to be attributed to a lack of available funds. Federal funding obtained as part of intended COVID-19 pandemic mitigation will go toward overall street rehabilitation goals, which is scheduled in phases throughout the city for the coming years.

Ciara Robertson, who is a junior at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, has authored a book that gives creative writing advice to kids aged 10 to 14 years old. Photo: Courtesy of Ciara Robertson

QUESTION:

Meet the Candidates

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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 have published other answers in previous issues. This is the final question and answer. CD

Over the past few years, our downtown area has undergone a beautiful revitalization. Perfectly situated near both the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano and Los Rios District, as well as several other city jewels, our downtown area is now a vibrant space where both residents and tourists of all ages can enjoy shopping and dining. My family and I often visit the downtown area to enjoy an afternoon or night out.

PAUL LOPEZ CODY MARTIN

As the residents of San Juan Capistrano are undoubtedly aware, the city has implemented paid parking in certain lots throughout the downtown area. It has since been suggested that the city provide residents with the opportunity to purchase monthly or annual parking permits, rather than having to pay for parking each time we visit the downtown area and park in the paid parking lots.

As a frequent visitor to our downtown area, I support a paid parking permit program for San Juan Capistrano residents. We want to encourage support for city businesses from our own residents, and allowing residents to purchase parking permits will further promote local patronage. I will work to implement such a program, as it would benefit both residents and local businesses.

Parking, especially in the downtown area, has been a major issue. Residents’ concerns have largely been ignored, and the situation has gotten worse. For example, residents often have to pay an extra 6 to 8 dollars to get dinner and see a movie. This has understandably caused some to forgo visiting our downtown area, which has so much to offer. This is unfair to our residents, who should not need to constantly pay for parking or receive parking violations. It’s equally as unfair to our businesses, who lose out on revenue due to people choosing not to visit downtown. I support a residential parking pass which allows our residents to freely enjoy our town’s amenities while still bringing in revenue from tourists while they visit.

In my first public statement of this election, I outlined my goal of providing free downtown parking to the residents of San Juan.

The cost of parking downtown should not be subsidized by city residents. I will craft a policy similar to Laguna Beach that allows some type of windshield sticker.

I think it’s important to not only the citizens of San Juan but to our city’s businesses that are doing everything they can to survive.

However, important considerations must be taken into account. The city’s use of the funds generated by non-resident visitor parking, however, should not be ignored. That income pays for parking lot maintenance and enforcement and is important as a revenue stream for San Juan.

JOHN CAMPBELL

Some locals are calling for a special parking program for residents now that paid parking has been instituted in parts of downtown. What are your thoughts on that, and do you plan to introduce such a program?

Aging Well

Welcome back to our biannual Aging Well special section, where we speak to local experts and organizations, as well as some medical professionals, on how those in South Orange County can continue to age healthily and with grace. In this fall edition of Aging Well, we ask the state’s health department to give its insights on the latest COVID-19 boosters, this year’s flu shots and what seniors should consider when taking either one as we head into the winter. Also, we highlight ways retirees can stay active in their communities by volunteering with various local nonprofit organizations and applying for seats on their respective city’s commissions and com mittees. With so many senior living communities down here in Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and most notably Rancho Mission Viejo, we take a look at some of the amenities they have to offer and the costs to live there. Lastly, in these pages, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers 10 steps to healthy aging— including some that it believes could help reduce the risk of developing a dementia-related illness. Find out more about all of these and other stories as you read your way through the latest Aging Well. Be sure to watch this space in the spring, when we bring you another edition to this ongoing special section.

Nutritional Needs for Older Adults

By Zach Cavanagh

hile a healthy diet and active lifestyle are important for our bodies no matter the age, our specific nutritional needs change as we age. Healthy eating can make an important difference in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, maintaining body weight and meeting those nutritional needs.

For adults over 60 years old, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats and sodium. These, in particular, will help fend off high

blood pressure, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

The USDA also suggests eating enough protein to keep up your muscle mass and focus on nutrients such as potassium, calcium, vitamin D, dietary fiber and vitamin B12. Along with foods, healthier, hydrating drinking options are encouraged, including low or fat-free milk, 100% juice and plenty of water.

Those are the specific needs, but how can those needs be incorporated into your diet?

For proteins, the USDA recommends adding seafood, dairy or soy alternatives into your diet, as well as beans, peas and lentils. These all contribute to keeping up muscle mass, which

can also be helped by keeping active.

Those bits of sugar, saturated fats and sodium to be avoided can often appear in snacks. The USDA suggests incorporating fruits and vegetables into your meals and snacks.

There is also encouragement of making eating a social event to make your meals as an older adult more enjoyable, especially if a potluck can be organized to provide a variety to get those nutrients.

Vitamins and other dietary supplements can be important to meeting those needs, but remember to discuss any supplements to your diet with your physician or health care provider.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Offers 10 Steps for Healthy Aging

Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia, is a progressively debilitating disease that often begins with mild memory loss and can lead to more severe symptoms such as the inability to communicate.

Researchers, so far, have been unable to determine a precise cause of Alzheimer’s. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s likely that there are multiple factors at play—all of which can affect each person differently.

Some factors include family history and changes in the brain, with some researchers looking at the impacts that education, diet and the environment can play. Age, however, is most often associated as the primary risk factor.

Naturally, as we get older, the concern of developing dementia-related illnesses grows.

To promote healthy aging among the elderly—especially those concerned about their memory and brain’s well-being—the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) recently compiled a list of ways seniors can “remain vibrant, integral community members for many years to come.”

“Lifestyle choices such as eating a nutritious diet, getting proper sleep, and regularly exercising your body and brain, are all steps individuals can take to promote brain health and wellness and potentially reduce their risk of developing a dementia-related illness,” Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO, said in a press release.

1Eat Well

Adopt a low-fat diet high on fruits and veggies, such as strawberries, blueberries, and broccoli. Take daily vitamins. Limit intake of red meats, fried and processed foods, salt, and sugar. In general, foods that are “heart-healthy” are also “brain-healthy.”

2Stay Active

Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and can also help improve mood and overall well-being. Brisk walking benefits brain health, while aerobics can boost your heart rate, and weight training builds strength and flexibility.

Learn New Things

Challenge your brain by starting a new hobby like play ing tennis, learning to speak a foreign language, trying a cooking class, or something you have not done before. Even something as simple as brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand stimulates the brain by forcing it to think outside of its normal routine.

4

Get Enough Sleep

Getting a consistent sleep every night is key; at least seven to nine hours is ideal. Having a good sleep environment is also helpful. Insomnia or sleep apnea can have serious physical effects and negatively affect memory and thinking.

5

Mind Your Meds

Medication can affect everyone differently, especially as you age. When getting a new medication or something you have not taken in a while (whether over the counter or prescrip tion), talk to your doctor or local pharmacist.

6

Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking can increase the risk of other serious illnesses, while too much alcohol can impair judgment and cause accidents, including falls, broken bones, and car crashes.

7

Stay Connected

Social interaction and maintaining an active social life are very important for brain health, cognitive stimulation and mood. Invite friends and family over for a meal, board games, or just to hang out. Engaging in your community and participating in group activities are also beneficial.

8

Know Your Blood Pressure

Blood pressure can impact your cognitive functioning. Visit your physician regularly to check your blood pressure and make sure it is in normal range.

9

See Your Doctor

Maintain checkups. Health screenings are key to managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, all of which can impact brain health. Speak with your physician about any concerns or questions you have about your health.

10

Get a Memory Screening

Our brains need regular checkups, just as other parts of our bodies do. Memory screenings are quick, noninvasive exams for our brains. AFA offers free virtual memory screenings every weekday—visit alzfdn.org or call AFA at 866.232.8484 to learn more about getting a free virtual memory screening.

By Keaton Larson

any seniors at some point stop driving, electing instead to use public transportation, ride-share services or accepting the help of loved ones and friends.

In doing so, these seniors may not renew their driver’s license, and as a result, go without a valid government-issued ID.

One of the benefits of a driver’s license, besides the priv ilege of driving, is having a form of identification on hand whenever needed. For decades, we rely on that driver’s license as our identification without thinking twice.

Having a government-issued ID can still be important, though, if you choose not to renew your driver’s license.

The Brennan Center for Justice, a nonprofit law and policy institute located out of the New York University School of Law, estimates that some 21 million Americans do not have government issued photo-identification.

From traveling to making large purchases to depositing funds in your local bank, a valid government-issued ID is often asked to verify identity. Many banks within the United States require an individual to present a valid form of gov ernment identification to deposit cash or a check.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an independent agency created by Congress to insure deposits and maintain stability in the nation’s financial system, generally requires U.S. banks to have identity verification procedures in place to combat money laundering and reduce fraud.

Seniors opting not to renew their driver’s license should consider an alternative form of government-issued identification, such as the California Department of Motor Vehi cles’ no-fee senior-citizen ID card for those 62 and older.

When applying for the card through the DMV, you will be required to have an acceptable document to verify your identity, such as a birth certificate, a document to verify residence, and your social security number.

Until Dec. 31 of this year, the DMV is allowing seniors 70 and older the option to renew their driver’s license or state identification online. There are certain criteria to qualify for online renewal.

For other services, however, you won’t be able to renew online and must go into the DMV if you’re looking to change your name, address, or gender identity, or want to change from a standard driver’s license or ID to another form of ID, such as a Real ID, a Reduced Fee driver’s license, or a Senior ID, among other options, or if you are not the person named on the renewal notice.

As for a Real ID, many may be wondering whether they need to apply for one.

The answer will depend on how often one flies domesti cally. The Real ID is not needed to apply for or receive federal benefits, ride Amtrak or public ground transportation, or to visit a hospital or receive life-saving services.

However, the Real ID, or a passport, is needed to fly domestically starting on May 3, 2023.

A valid government-issued ID can still be useful and provide some security for those who choose not to renew their driver’s license. More information regarding state identification can be found at dmv.ca.gov.

AS PART OF ITS MISSION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS IMPACTED BY ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS, THE ALZHEIMER’S

FOUNDATION OF AMERICA OFFERS THESE 10 STEPS FOR HEALTHY AGING:

Worth a Shot

Medical Insights on Flu and COVID-19 Booster Shots

By Collin Breaux

With fall being a time when people might be more at risk of getting sick, and subsequently getting preventive vaccine shots, the question comes up: Should senior citizens get them? Should they get both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, one of them, or neither? We reached out to the California Department of Public Health for understanding. This is what they had to say:

How do the COVID-19 and flu vaccines help senior citizens?

Senior citizens are at increased risk of severe illness because of COVID-19 and the flu. The COVID-19 and flu vaccines provide important protection against these viruses. All seniors should be up to date on their seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines, especially going into the fall and winter seasons when the spread of respiratory viruses may be at its peak.

Who should get both vaccines?

Everyone 6 months and older should receive both COVID-19 and flu vaccines. For the COVID-19 vaccine, the specific recommendations will vary by age. Senior citizens who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine primary series can now receive an updated (bivalent) booster along with their seasonal flu vaccine.

What do the shots do?

COVID-19 and flu vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu without us having to get the illness.

When should senior citizens get the shots?

Now is a great time for senior citizens to get a flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. This will provide strong protection going into the fall and winter seasons.

The Eyes Have It

By Collin Breaux

s people get older, signs of aging will inevitably pop up on the skin.

That may eventually take the form of eye bags.

While baggy eyes might be considered unsightly, local medical experts are prepared to help patients deal with the issue.

Bobby Awadalla, the medical director for Skincredible Dermatology & Surgery—which has a location in San Clemente—said the first sign of aging around the eyes is wrinkling, which can turn into eye bags.

People may also develop a tear trough or lose the connective tissue that holds everything in place.

Different treatment options are available, according to Awadalla. One is to use anti-aging products such as antioxidants, but those

are probably too late for senior citizens.

“Beyond that, you can do Botox in the area,” he said.

Botox improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Larger resurfacing treatments are also an option.

Puffiness around the eye can also be treat ed with microneedling, Awadalla said.

Plastic surgery to remove fat pads is also an option, though is recommended only if a case is severe.

“That’s more aggressive and requires a surgical procedure, so we leave that for the last thing people do,” he said.

As for tear troughs, patients can take injections called platelet-rich plasma or fibrin.

“It’s your own blood,” Awadalla said. “We can collect it and reinject it in different areas.”

While a lot of people may think they need surgery, they can get a nice aesthetic from platelet-rich injections, he said.

Facial Aesthetic Concepts, which also has

a location in San Clemente, addressed the causes of and treatments for baggy eyes in a March 2022 newsletter.

“Eye bags are a menace and a common area of concern for many patients,” the cosmetic center said. “As we age, we lose fat and bone density in our face. In return, fat changes position, muscles weaken, skin begins to sag and wrinkle and eye bags form.”

Surgical procedures that can address the issue include:

- A lower blepharoplasty, which restores the contours of the undereye and corrects excess puffiness;

- Lower lid pinch, which uses a medication to free skin from underlying fat and muscle and then allows a “pinch” and removal of an ellipsis of skin;

- And fat transfer, which takes fat cells from another area, usually the thigh, and transports them to the face.

Injectable fillers are also another option and don’t involve surgery.

“Similar to fat transfer, we inject tear trough filler on the bone to restore volume and replace the structural elements that were once there,” Facial Aesthetic Concepts said. “It’s important to keep in mind that filler isn’t always the best option to get the results you’re seeking.”

A grayish, blue sheen beneath the eye because of being injected too close to the skin’s surface and lumpiness under the eye are possible problems with filler injections.

A Comprehensive Look at South OC Senior Living Options

By C. Jayden Smith

As life goes on, children move out and retirement approaches, seniors commonly find that their current living situation is no longer the best fit for them.

Whether by lacking company in a large home or just needing to find an intimate, warm community that encourages togetherness, those aged 55 or older who may want a new place to live have plenty of options around South Orange County.

Beginning in burgeoning Rancho Mission Viejo, the incoming Gavilán community at Rienda will offer seniors the opportunity to experience what the namesake corporation calls “RanchLife,” in terms of parks, pools, clubhouses and retail options.

The Ranch, as RMV is colloquially called, also holds more than 34,000 square feet of community farms, composting areas and farm stands. Soon to come in spring 2023 is a new community amenity with a spa, outdoor dining patio with barbecuing equipment, and more that will be called The Perch.

Gavilán will offer both duplex and sin gle-family-style homes built by Lennar. The homes under the Haven brand will be oneand two-story duplexes that start from the mid $900,000s, and the one- and two-story Pearl homes will start in the low $1 millions, according to RMV.

Another option for seniors in RMV is Reata Glen. This Life Plan or continuing care retirement community is tailored toward those 60 and up, providing numerous services in addition to the benefits of living in the neigh borhood.

Depending on whether residents choose a one-story home, a townhome, or an apartment, they pay an entrance fee ranging from $300,000 to more than $1 million upon moving in. Once living at Reata Glen, monthly fees pay for benefits such as community maintenance, restaurant dining, housekeeping, fitness center membership, and access to wellness options including a health center and assisted living.

Reata Glen encourages prospective residents to research whether an extensive, modified, or fee-for-service contract for longterm care will be best.

For households earning below 60% of Orange County’s Area Median Income, seniors may be interested in the Sendero Bluffs Senior Apartment Homes, where rents are income-restricted in compliance with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

Sendero Bluffs offers one- and two-bed room apartment homes, numerous amenities, and immediate access to retail options at

the Sendero Marketplace.

In San Juan Capistrano, the assisted senior living options begin with Atria San Juan, voted the best facility in the city by our readers for 2021.

Overlooking the San Juan Hills Golf Club, Atria prides itself on utilizing a kind and attentive staff to address all service needs, and a fulfilling Engage Life event program. Pricing starts at $4,495 per month.

Capistrano Senior Living, near Ortega Highway and Interstate 5, shares its campus with the San Juan Hills Healthcare Center and has served seniors for more than 20 years.

The facility offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term respite, and skilled nursing, as well as organized activities that include Friday afternoon socials and weekly outings.

Located across the highway is Ivy Park, which brings a “whole living” approach to providing care, in addition to its bevy of services. Floor plans start with the one-bedroom “Casita,” at 450 square feet.

Other options in the city include Adagio San Juan, Casa de Amma, Serra Sol Memory Care, and the Silverado San Juan Capistrano Memory Care Community.

The San Clemente Villas by the Sea leads off the next slate, providing retirement living and assisted care for seniors in studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. On-site is a Patient Extended Care Unit designed to care for those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, Vascular Dementia or other related afflictions.

The Villas also offers activities for everyday life and for keeping minds and bodies strong over time, with Mind Reach mental exercises such as discussions and brain games, as well as Stretch & Strengthen exercises.

Raya’s Paradise San Clemente recently opened in July but is a part of multiple facilities under one brand with experience in caring for people aged 55 and older. In addition to yoga classes and gardening activities, the facility is equipped with special lifts and proactive infection-detecting technology to ease as many facets of residents’ lives as possible.

It also boasts a 1-to-3 ratio of direct caregivers to residents and pre-placement assessments of cognitive and physical statuses.

Soon to come to San Clemente in summer 2023 is Everleigh, a 55-and-older, resort-style community that looks to provide elevated living within walking distance of Shorecliffs Golf Club.

Amenities will include classes and activities to boost fitness, spirituality, and environmen tal awareness, as well as a community game room and theater room. Everleigh’s one-bed room apartments will start at $2,600 a month, and its two-bedroom spaces will begin at $3,400.

Cotton’s Point Senior Apartments and Vintage Shores make up other places for senior living in San Clemente.

In Dana Point, The Fountains at Sea Bluffs retirement community touts a “second to none” location, as it’s just above Del Obispo Street and near the Dana Point Harbor’s fishing and boating opportunities, as well as the town’s beaches.

The Watermark property offers 24-hour concierge and catering among its other services, as well as Watermark University courses that provide unlimited access to enrichment in the form of cooking and Aqua Aerobics. Residents can choose to live in a one-, two-, or three-bedroom condominium.

Aegis Living in Capistrano Beach provides assisted living and memory care in studios and one-bedroom apartments, as well as short-term respite care including medical management in emergency situations.

Local Knowledge

Ask Serra Sol Local Knowledge

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

“My father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Right now, he’s ok at home with my mom, but I want to explore options and get prepared for the future. I’m just not sure where or how to start – help!”

I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s diagnosis. That’s tough news for any family. What is good is that you’re starting to think about his future now. Looking for memory care can be an overwhelming and exhausting task. Thinking about it early will help you avoid deciding in a time of crisis.

Any memory care community should offer the necessities that anyone with memory loss needs – safety, security, access to medical care, comfortable accommodations, and an experienced staff 24/7. I also suggest looking at three specific things to help you ensure the community you choose is a perfect fit for your dad.

Activity Programs • Look for a variety of activities – such as crafts, entertainment and more. Ideally, there is a variety of group activities along with personal, one-on-one activities that are customized to your loved one’s interests and abilities. Opportunities for engagement should be available each day. Until there are more effective medications, a well-rounded activity program is the most effective way to treat and manage dementia conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

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Support for Families • Good communities should walk with you throughout the decision-making process. They should patiently answer questions, address concerns, give multiple tours, and provide transparent pricing information. After your loved one moves in, at least one family member should be made aware of your loved one’s daily schedule and given frequent updates. Most communities have regular open forums, personal updates, and events for families to meet each other while enjoying time with their loved ones. Many communities offer short-term “respite” stays. This service is meant to help families who need to travel, work, or take a short break from care. It’s also an amazing way to try out the community before a permanent move.

The Community’s Feel • Visiting the communities you are considering, maybe even with your dad, may be the most important. When touring, observe and ask questions. If you see caregivers interacting with residents – playing games, visiting, sharing smiles – these are great indications that the environment is warm and loving. You want to make sure your dad feels comfortable and at-home.

For more advice, visit our website at serrasol.com or call us at 949-485-2022.

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

Local Knowledge

Say Goodbye to Low Back Pain With These Helpful Tips From a Physical Therapist

Do you suffer from low back pain? If so, you’re not alone. While back pain can be frustrating and debilitating, there are many things you can do to manage the pain and improve your quality of life.

Sometimes, low back pain is short-lived (minor sprains or strains). Others experience lower back pain flare-ups that come and go. And some live with chronic low back pain. One of the best things you can do for low back pain is to stay active. Exercise and stretches are a great way to strengthen the muscles in your back and improve your overall mobility.

There are many reasons you may be experiencing back pain as you get older, chief among them:

Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal; Osteoarthritis; Degenerative spondylolisthesis, when a vertebra slips out of place; Degenerative disc disease; Sciatica.

Unfortunately, these conditions are quite prevalent among people over the age of 60, and there are no cures for these issues. Which leaves us to manage or slow the progression. But don’t panic! You can still find relief from your pain!

The goal of physical therapy, in general, is to relieve your pain, restore function, and improve your quality of life. To do this, MOTUS Specialists Physical Therapy concentrates on several key areas:

• Strengthening

• Increasing motion & mobility

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Five To-Dos as We Head into the Holidays

The year 2022 flew by, and with less than three months left to the end of the year, you may already be thinking about the holidays. The stores definitely are leaning in. Before you go full holiday mode, here are a few estate planning and financial tasks you should get done:

If you created a trust plan this year, you were probably tasked with funding your financial assets. With the best intentions, you may have started but not finished. Or, you were so busy, you never started at all. Funding your trust is one of the most important must-dos to ensure that those assets will pass to your beneficiaries without going through Probate. Have any questions? Call your attorney for assistance.

Along those same lines, let’s make sure to review your beneficiary designations on accounts such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies, transfer or pay-on-death bank accounts. Keep these up to date so that the right person inherits your assets when the time comes.

You may have been very generous this year, making individual gifts that exceeded $16,000. If so, make sure you have an updated list for your tax professional. Gifts exceeding $16,000 to an individual are a taxable gift. Talk to your tax professional about this to ensure that the proper tax positions are taken.

Friendly reminder that if you turned 72 years old this year, you may need to withdraw required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts. Check with your financial advisor to know if your accounts have RMD requirements and how much you need to take before the end of the year.

And, finally, if you are still saying, “I need to get my estate plan done,” but you haven’t pulled the trigger, now’s the time. You still have time to get it done before the end of the year. Estate planning is not just what happens when you pass away; it is also about how your life will proceed if you are incapacitated. Having up-to-date powers of attorney and advance health care directives ensure that someone is there to care for you if you are no longer able to care for yourself. Estate planning is about choice, your choice of how you are cared for, your choice of who does the caring, and your choice of how your legacy is dealt with after you’re no longer here to protect it.

My recommendation is to create a checklist of these to-dos and set a deadline for getting them done. Every day, take one meaningful step toward checking one or more items off that list. Get it done before the holidays so that you can enjoy time with your family without the mental chatter of things left undone.

Law Office of Jan A. Meyer, Dana Point, CA, Phone: (949) 607-9412, Fax: (949) 340-2033, www.danapointwills.com

• Improving balance & function

Strengthening the muscles that support your spine allows you to shift a lot of the burden to tissues that are better suited to handle it. Improving the mobility of your hips and upper back lessens the stress on your low back, which is where most people get their movement. Improving your balance helps with your overall stability, safety, and fall prevention, a common cause of injuries. Restoring function will allow you to move better and do the things you love without pain getting in the way.

To provide you with the best treatment possible, our practice offers one-on-one physical therapy with the best technology available to help you find relief from your back pain for good. If you’re struggling with low back pain, don’t settle with the mentality that this is just how life will be. Give us a call at MOTUS Specialists Physical Therapy and schedule your appointment at one of our locations in San Clemente or Santa Ana.

Drew Morcos

PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, DNSP, ATC, CSCS, FAAOMPT 949-891-1325

www.motusspt.com

Drew is the founder of MOTUS Specialists, a functional movement approach to clinical rehabilitation for professional athletes to youth athletes to weekend warriors and everyone in between. Prior to opening his practice, he was the Director of Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California. He is a sought-after athletic trainer and physical therapist in the NFL, NBA, D1 Athletics, USA Volleyball, and Professional Surfers.

Community Service Keeps Retirees Active

Local Nonprofits, City Boards Offer Opportunities to Give

to Community

By Breeana Greenberg

Volunteering, either through city boards and commissions or local nonprofits, is a great way for retirees to give back and stay active in local goings-on.

Throughout the South Orange County cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, there’s a wide variety of local nonprofits such as the Friends of the Library and Pet Project Foundation.

There are also community boards including San Juan Capistrano’s Cultural Heritage Commission and San Clemente Golf Course Committee that offer unique opportunities for volunteers to give back to their towns.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

The Friends of the Library allows seniors who share a love of reading to volunteer.

The Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library all run book stores out of their respective public libraries, selling gently used books.

Funds from the nonprofits’ bookstores and donations help to support the local libraries’ special events and programming.

The Friends of the Dana Point Library was founded in 1979 to support the local public library. Over the years, the organization has raised funds to replace skylights, furniture and projection systems, as well as provide soundproofing and audio-visual equipment.

In addition to capital improvements, the Friends of the Dana Point Library raises funds for new books, summer programs and events.

Volunteers help run the Friends of the Library Bookstore six days a week adjacent to the public library at 33841 Niguel Road. Visit friendsdanapoint.org for more information on how to get involved.

The Friends of the San Clemente Library was founded in 1968 and began selling books in the San Clemente Library in 1982. The nonprofit opened the Friends of the Library Bookstore, adjacent to the public library on Avenida Del Mar, in 1998.

The bookstore is run by volunteers, open five days a week. Visit sanclementefotl.org for more information on how to get involved.

The San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Li brary bookstore opened in June 2014, within the San Juan Capistrano branch. The San Juan

Capistrano Friends of the Library is always looking for friendly volunteers to tend to the cash register, sort books, stock the bookstore and give walking tours.

Visit sjcfol.com for more information on how to get involved.

San Juan Capistrano Cultural Heritage Commission

The San Juan Capistrano Cultural Heritage Commission serves to promote awareness and appreciation for the city’s historical and cultural significance, aiming to preserve certain events and landmarks.

The commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month in City Council Chambers at 4:30 p.m.

Commission members are appointed by San Juan Capistrano City Council and must be registered voters of San Juan. Current commission members will serve terms through March 31, 2023.

Visit sanjuancapistrano.org for more information on how to apply.

San Juan Capistrano Parks and Equestrian Commission

The San Juan Capistrano Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission serves as an advisory board to the City Council on topics related to the city’s open spaces, parks and recreation plans and park events.

The commission meets every third Monday of the month in City Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. Commission members are appointed by the council and must be registered voters of the city. Current commission members will serve terms through March 31, 2023.

Visit sanjuancapistrano.org for more information on how to apply.

San Clemente Golf Course Committee

The San Clemente Golf Course Committee serves as an advisory board to the City Council on topics related to the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, including greens and forestry maintenance.

The committee comprises five residents whom the council appoints. Those interested in serving on the committee can file an appli cation with the City Clerk’s Office. Selections for open positions typically occur in June or when a seat opens.

The committee meets on the first Thursday of February, May, August and November in City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. Visit san-clemente.org for more information on how to apply.

Pet Project Foundation

The Pet Project Foundation is a fun place for animal lovers to volunteer and spend time

with lost and abandoned animals.

Founded to support the San Clemente-Da na Point Animal Shelter through a unique partnership, the nonprofit offers both finan cial support and volunteering to the shelter to provide the best care for the animals.

No animals are euthanized at this shelter.

Volunteering with the Pet Project Founda tion can take on many forms, from walking shelter dogs, giving shelter cats and bunnies love and attention, answering phones and greeting visitors, as well as fundraising and

working events and fostering animals.

The nonprofit has also expanded its “Pages for Paws” reading program by allowing seniors to read books aloud to the animals. Seniors interested in reading to the dogs, cats and bunnies can contact the Pet Project Foundation to sign up and bring their own reading materials.

For more information on how to get involved with the Pet Project Foundation, visit petprojectfoundation.org or email animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org.

New Senior Leadership Rises Up to Help Steer Rancho Mission Viejo

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Donald L. Vodra has been appointed to vice chairman of the Board of Directors for Rancho Mission Viejo, while Jeremy Laster and Elise Millington were respectively promoted to positions of president and chief operating officer for the company.

RMV announced the new leadership roles in a news release last month.

“Over the past few years, we have been working hard to identify and transition to the next generation of Ranch leadership,” Rancho Mission Viejo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tony Moiso said. “Jeremy has gleaned a lot of experience during his time with us, learning all aspects of our many and varied businesses. His attention to detail and gift for instilling and fostering teamwork at all levels make him the right person to lead us into the future. He will be one of Orange County’s great business leaders for decades to come.”

Laster will oversee the daily management of all Rancho Mission Viejo enterprises, including larger scale master-planned community development, land management such as The Nature Reserve and ranching and farming, among other duties. Laster came aboard RMV in 2001 as a project manager.

“Rancho Mission Viejo has such a rich history,” Laster said. “More than a century of family ownership has taught each generation to embrace the recognition that the blessings of land ownership bring the responsibility to be a good neighbor. It’s an honor and a privilege to lead The Ranch team and continue to foster a company and communitywide ‘Culture of Care.’ ”

Millington’s “breadth and depth of knowledge,” along with other attributes,

were praised by Moiso.

Millington joined the Rancho Mission Viejo leadership team in 2004 as vice president of finance and subsequently was promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer in 2014. She further climbed the ranks to executive vice president in 2019.

“We have a very dedicated and talented team, and I look forward to working together to continue to provide the unique and wonderful lifestyle that we all enjoy at The Ranch,” Millington said.

Millington will continue to serve as

CFO in addition to her new daily responsibilities as COO, the news release said.

Moiso further said Vodra has been a “valuable and strong leader and mentor for our team” and was someone with whom RMV “endured the twists and turns of the last 27 years together.” In his new role, Vodra will reportedly guide stra tegic planning, investment management and risk management at the Board level.

“I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to mentor and manage this talented team of executives and look forward to all they will accomplish at The Ranch,”

EVENTS AT THE RANCH

NOVEMBER 1

Basic Wildlife Tracking Skills Class

7-9 p.m. Come learn about wildlife and how to identify them by what they leave behind, including tracks and biological waste. The event costs $15, will be held at the new Ranch Camp in Rienda and is open to attendees who are 18 years of age or older. thenaturereserve.org.

NOVEMBER 5

Saturday Morning Hike

9-11 a.m. Enjoy an early weekend trek with a 3.5-mile hike at The Nature Reserve. The event costs $10 for adults, $5 for children and is free for Nature Reserve supporters. The hike is open to people 10 years of age or older. Participants must be registered or on the wait list byFriday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. thenaturereserve.org.

Vodra said. “I look forward to continue to support them in every way.”

Further executive promotions were also announced: Brian Clarke—senior vice president, family office finance; Laura Eisenberg—senior vice president, regulatory compliance and open space management; Todd Kurtz—senior vice president builder in-tract infrastructure; Jim Holas—vice president, community development; and Stephanie Walker— vice president of marketing. CD

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

or resident Caroline Leary, Rancho Mission Viejo is where she has three generations living—with 18 family members in total.

Leary moved to RMV from Laguna Hills several years ago. She built a

new home in RMV, and eventually her daughter and son-in-law also moved out to RMV with her.

Leary was able to further convince her sister to move to Rancho Mission Viejo as well. Her sister now lives three doors down from her.

Having her family so close together is

an “amazing” experience for Leary, who is 65 and lives in RMV’s 55-and-older Gavilan community.

F RMV Is Family Nexus for Resident

“It’s the best thing ever,” she said.

The extended family includes her daughter’s and sister’s kids.

Leary said she was drawn to RMV because it is a new area and her new

home wouldn’t require so much maintenance. Her old home in Laguna Hills got too expensive to maintain.

“When they have food trucks, we do the events,” Leary said. “We meet the whole family.”

Leary says she plans to stay in RMV the rest of her life. CD

Elise Millington will continue to serve Rancho Mission Viejo, now in her new role as chief operating officer.

Photo: Courtesy of Rancho Mission Viejo

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

HOW TO REACH US

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Collin Breaux • 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com

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Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com

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Debra Wells • 949.388.7700, x104 debra@wellsadsolutions.com

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Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

GUEST OPINION | by Dr. Michelle Hure

WHAT TO KNOW DURING ECZEMA AWARENESS MONTH

Once October rolls around and the humidity and temperatures start falling, dermatologists start seeing flares of chronic skin conditions, with one of the most common being eczema (atopic dermatitis). It’s no coincidence, therefore, that October is Eczema Awareness Month. Eczema can appear very differently based on your age, body site or skin tone, but the most well-known presentation is the red, itchy, scaly skin at the bend of the elbows and knees that worsens with cool and dry conditions. Despite affecting nearly 32 million Americans, eczema continues to be one of the most stigmatized and misunderstood skin conditions that deserves attention.

GUEST OPINION | by Kristen M. Dennis

Ghosts & Legends Tour Is a Fun Community Experience

The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s annual Ghosts & Legends Tour is one of our town’s most charming productions. The tour first began in the 1970s, when the stories of the ghosts who walk the streets of downtown San Juan, and especially Los Rios Street, became too commonplace not to share.

The Ghosts & Legends Tour has

We’ve come a long way from believing that evil spirits caused eczema and that using arsenic was the best treatment. While the exact cause has yet to be fully described, it’s well-known that eczema is caused by an overactive immune response (inflammation) in the skin, coupled with a defective skin barrier. Without a healthy skin barrier, water is lost through the top layer of skin (lead ing to dryness) and irritants/allergens permeate more easily, triggering the exuberant immune response. Stress, being the insidious agent it is, can also wreak havoc on the skin barrier and throw the inflammation into high gear, leading to worsening flares.

GUEST OPINION BY DR. MICHELLE HURE

So, what strategies help control eczema flares? First, realize that eczema can only be controlled and not “cured,” and continued maintenance of proper skin barrier health is necessary, even when no active spots are present. So many of my patients come in with a long history of eczema and multiple doctor visits, nearly addicted to using steroid creams daily without being educated about their disease. Many times, just understanding the mechanism, reasons for flares and best skin care choices can dramatically reduce the need for prescription medications.

With all the misinformation in the

media about skin care, it’s no wonder that patients end up doing the opposite of what they should be with regard to their eczema. It’s vital for eczema patients to be on a skin diet, free of common irritants/allergens and avoid further breakdown of the skin barrier by being as gentle as possible. This means using fragrance/dye-free personal care products and laundry detergent (ditch the fabric softener and dryer sheets, too), never scrubbing or dry brushing the skin, avoiding hot showers and always moisturizing with a thick cream (not lotion) right after bathing. Realize that essential oils (either applied or diffused) and botanical ingredients in “organic” skin care are some of the most common culprits for skin allergy, sensitization, and eczema flares. Less is more when it comes to skin care, and a good regimen shouldn’t be expensive or exclusive. In the spirit of this month, avoid the tricks and only treat your skin.

Dr. Hure is a double board-certified physician practicing medical, surgical, cosmetic dermatology and dermatopathology at Orange County SkinLab, her award-winning solo private practice clinic near the Los Rios District. She is a native Californian and proud to call San Juan Capistrano home, along with her two young daughters and husband. 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.

Society brought on Charis Collaborative, a locally based experiential events company, to engage local residents and businesses. The response has been overwhelming, and it is heart-warming to see the support for old San Juan. The Ghost & Legends Tour itself remains the same high-quality production, a result of the ongoing hard work of Los Rios native Harrison Taylor, a Historical Society board member.

Here are some of the fun additions you can look forward to at the pre-tour festivities, which take place on the historic grounds of the Historical Society.

(Not to digress, but have you been to the property lately? It’s shining!)

BY KRISTEN M. DENNIS

turned into a professional production that takes guests up and down Los Rios Street and back in time 200 or so years. The Historical Society hires seasoned actors to play the roles of the 12 ghosts, and the actors’ professionalism and skill in their craft come across in every tour, of which there are several each night. A few personal favorites are Magdalena, who appeals to tour guests through the very real jail cell from the 1890s; the enigmatic Lady in White, who is shrouded in deep mystery; and the singing pirates, a band that knows how to entertain. It’s easy to see why thousands flock to the tour each year, like the swallows of Capistrano.

And have you been to the pre-party? That’s always a good time. This year, with the desire to expand the tour and increase its collaborations with the local business community, the Historical

Additional food options. Charis Collaborative has brought in a handful of local food vendors to enhance the guest experience, including a custom candy apple bar (perfect for kids of all ages), small bites (think gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and pizza by the slice), a coffee cart and more. Trevor’s at the Tracks has generally sponsored the two bars that will be running all

Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104

debra@wellsadsolutions.com

Debra

at 949.388.7700, ext. 104

debra@wellsadsolutions.com

at 949.388.7700,

Letter to The Editor

A VERY TELLING BALLOT DESCRIPTION

HOWARD HART, Captain, United States Navy (Ret.), San Juan Capistrano Councilmember

When a candidate decides to run for public office, they decide on their ballot description, describing themselves to the voter in three words or fewer. The rules can be stringent. For instance, despite having spent 30 years as a Navy officer, I was prohibited from mentioning my prior service.

By listing himself as “Councilmember/USMC Liaison,” 74th District Assembly candidate Chris Duncan tells us precisely who he is, and it has nothing to do with the Marine Corps.

Mr. Duncan never served in any service branch. He never experienced the harsh discipline and sacrifices that many of us (and especially Marines)— who are not permitted to list our former service—experienced. If he had, he wouldn’t have been permitted to list it.

Was Duncan’s ballot designation technically inaccurate? No. Like most City Councilmembers, Mr. Duncan gets handed a few additional assignments to serve. Duncan is the San Clemente City Council’s Liaison to Camp Pendle-

ton. But these assignments take only a few hours of a City Councilmember’s time every year. I could not fathom using such a minor assignment as a means of describing myself on a ballot.

I understand the temptation. Duncan is an attorney. Voters do not like attorneys, but they sure like Marines. Why not wrap himself in the flag of our beloved Marine Corps? And if someone challenges him, Duncan can just say how proud he is to have spent all those dozens of minutes of his time as a USMC Liaison.

Mr. Duncan made a deliberate choice to identify himself with one of our Armed Forces’ branches for political advantage. This was not only unethical, but it was a slap in the face to those veterans he seeks to represent.

It is said that when someone tells you who they are, believe them. In his ballot description, Mr. Duncan has done so. I encourage you to vote for Laurie Davies.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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

from page 27)

evening, and Trevor himself created a few “spooktacular” drink options for guests to enjoy.

Curated gift baskets for raffle. We loved hearing about the ways the local business community is supporting the Historical Society, such as through donated gift cards (Heritage BBQ, Bad to the Bone, and Ciao Pasta to name a few!), wine (we’re looking at you, Rancho Capistrano Winery!) and additional creative offerings. The gift baskets will be on display both nights, with the winner drawn at the end of the second night, so be sure to purchase your raffle ticket!

Elevated VIP Experience. This year, the Charis Collaborative team got creative for the tour’s VIP Experience. Tickets sold out quickly, but thankfully additional seats were able to be added. It seems that ghost stories and a gourmet 4-course meal with wine is a

hauntingly good combination.

We are so looking forward to this year’s Ghosts & Legends Tour and hope to see you there. As the Historical Society would say, “Join Us if You Dare.”

Kristen M. Dennis is the founder of Charis Collaborative. She consults with and connects corporate leaders, luxury hospitality vendors, small businesses and local professionals with their communities through curated experiential events that increase exposure and profitability for all. Kristen is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Business and the Pepperdine School of Law and is an SJC native. She now lives in Rancho Mission Viejo with her husband and two adorable children. CD

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

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

FRIDAY | 28

LIVE MUSIC AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB

6:30-9:30 p.m. Vinyl Vault will perform. Stop in to listen and dance, perhaps after playing a round of golf. San Juan Hills Golf Club, 555 North El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.565.4855. sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

HALLOWEEN PARTY AT EL ADOBE

9 p.m.-midnight. El Adobe de Capistrano is hosting a Friday night party to celebrate spooky season. There will be a costume contest. The cover charge is $10. El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1163. eladobedecapistrano.com.

SATURDAY | 29

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR AT THE MISSION

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 Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS

AT BLAS AGUILAR MUSEUM

11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Blas Aguilar Museum, which houses information about and artifacts from San Juan Capistrano’s early people and days, is hosting this annual Day of the Dead event. There will be altars, crafts, demonstrations and other activities. Blas Aguilar Museum, 31806 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1239.

‘SPOOKTACULAR’ HALLOWEEN NIGHTS AT HENNESSEY’S

9 p.m.-midnight. Celebrate the Halloween weekend with drinks, a DJ and

Editor’s Pick SATURDAY | 05

COMPOST GIVEAWAY

9 a.m-3 p.m. OC Waste & Recycling is hosting this free compost giveaway in San Juan Capistrano to encourage use of recycled green waste in yards and gardens. Residents should bring a shovel and container/bag to fill. Proof of Orange County residency is required. Quantities are limited, and staff will be on-site to assist. Capistrano Greenery at Prima Deshecha Landfill, 32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano. oclandfills.com.

12TH ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE MASS

9:30 a.m. The Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee is hosting a remembrance Mass at Old Mission Historic Cemetery in honor of the local area’s ancestors and those who have died.

SATURDAY | 29 GHOSTS & LEGENDS TOUR

Times vary. The annual Ghosts & Legends Tour sponsored by the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society is a fun way to explore the Los Rios Historic District during the Halloween season. Come learn about local history through eerie stories and reenactments. Attendees must reserve a time slot beforehand. The event is family-friendly and will also be held on Friday, Oct. 28. San Juan Capistrano Historical Society, 31831 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4056. sjcghosttour.com.

costume contest. The nighttime event continues on Sunday and Monday. Hennessey’s Tavern, 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.441.4777. hennesseystavern.com.

SUNDAY | 30

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE 7 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Former members of new wave band Oingo Boingo will perform a special Halloween show. Audience members are welcome to wear costumes. Tickets are $38. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

MONDAY | 31

BRIDGE GAMES 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.

TUESDAY | 01

DAY OF THE DEAD DINNER CELEBRATION AT YSIDORA

6 p.m. Have a celebratory dinner in honor of loved ones who have passed. Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano’s restaurant, Ysidora, is hosting this specially curated dinner for Día de los Muer tos. The dining area will be adorned with skulls, candles and colorful decorations while patrons enjoy live music. Guests will be invited to write down the names of loved ones who have passed to add to two grand altars nestled beneath the grounds’ olive trees. A reservation must be made beforehand to attend. Ysidora Restaurant and Lounge, 26907 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.503.5720. ysidora.com.

FRIDAY | 04

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

LIVE THEATER AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE 7:30 p.m. Get ready to chuckle and watch actors perform in downtown San Juan Capistrano. 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. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

Bishop Kevin Vann, Father Eamon O’Gorman, Monsignor Michael McKiernan and Father Martin Yslas are scheduled to attend. The cemetery will be open the day before, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m,. for people who want to prepare their family grave sites prior to the Mass. A potluck will be held afterward at the Blas Aguilar Museum. Old Mission Historic Cemetery, Los Cerritos Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8782.

capistranohistoricalalliancecommittee.com.

SUNDAY | 06

‘KOCKTAILS FOR KITTENS’

1-5 p.m. The Ark of San Juan is hosting this annual fundraiser. The event will feature appetizers, wine and cocktails, live and silent auctions, live music and other entertainment. Funds raised from the event will go toward the Ark’s animal rescue efforts. Ticket price information is available on the Ark’s website. Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. 949.388.0034. arkofsanjuan.org.

WEDNESDAY | 09

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE BREWHOUSE

6:30-8:30 p.m. The BrewHouse hosts a trivia night every Wednesday. Test your knowledge when it comes to music, movies and other subjects. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

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

The Ghosts & Legends Tour on Los Rios Street is a time when people can learn about the macabre lore of San Juan Capistrano, though the storytime strolls aren’t too scary. Photo: Collin Breaux

‘Tár’ Gets Awards Season Finally Going

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Cate Blanchett’s latest Oscar-friendly tour-de-force, Tár, is also the much-anticipated and hyped return of actor-turned-filmmaker Todd Field.

Following the well-received In the Bedroom (2001) and Little Children (2006), Field surprisingly vanished from the public eye for unknown reasons for the next 15 years, but he is finally back to share his vision and talent with movie lovers.

A fancy character study set in the orchestra community with one of the greatest living leading ladies of our time sure sounds like a great way to come back to the big screen. And for the most part, neither artist disappointed.

Taken place mainly in modern day Berlin, Germany, Lydia Tár (Blanchett) is the most respected, successful and talked-about symphony conductor and composer of her generation. She has a big concert coming up, while also fighting to control personal demons.

Away from the stage and music school auditorium, Lydia is a wife and mother, but she is also obsessed and dedicated to her career the same way a lot of her male peers are.

The middle-aged star is haunted by a former student committing suicide after Lydia declined to recommend her for a

conducting position, and she’s fixated on a new, young cellist, Olga Metkina (Sophie Kauer), who’s studying to join the Berlin Philharmonic.

It’s a testament to Field’s strengths as a storyteller that Tár pretty much succeeded where I thought Maya Forbes and Wally Wolodarsky’s The Good House

failed (i.e., centering a lot of serious and relevant issues around a successful older woman).

We see right away in Tár that Lydia is not a nice person. She’s blunt, divisive and difficult to her peers. Through Lydia’s eyes, we’re given the effects of fame-induced anxiety, perfectionism of an artist, midlife crises, and “cancel culture,” the latter of which is interestingly portrayed.

Does Lydia deserve her backlash? Is she a reliable narrator, or are we biased toward her as a viewer? Field is wise enough to be subtle with his direction and not pander too much to one side or defensively deny the other.

In a way, I think this is probably the safest, most realistic way to go, and choosing a complicated woman instead of a man is less on-the-nose as well.

Though some in the orchestra field might have to suspend some disbelief regarding the accuracy of the conduction, Tár delivers as a showcase of cinematic artistry. CD

Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features

The Mews and Rise of the ‘Barndominium’

The morning of June 9, 2015, was filled with more anticipatory butterflies than I could have ever imagined. In less than 12 hours, I was to experience the thrill of riding horseback across Hyde Park in London, see the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, and feel the overwhelming awe of the play Warhorse at The New London Theatre. That was a bucket list ‘horse day’ for this cowgirl!

According to Wikipedia, a mews is “a row or courtyard of stables and carriage houses with living quarters above them, built behind large city houses before motor vehicles replaced horses in the early 20th century.” London still has rows of mews right in the middle of the bustling city, as you can see in the photo of us saddling up before we took our ride. The feeling of imagining others doing the same thing, in the same place hundreds of years ago, actually gave me goosebumps.

In 1989, U.S. real estate developer Karl Nilson coined the term “Barndominium” (the modern-day mews) as he planned a development to convert horse barns into homes. In the last 10-12 years, the concept has again gained momentum, as has barnwood for flooring and furniture. Even if you do not own a horse to stable on the first floor, the convenience of a combined-use residence provides function and economy.

Right now, today, we are creating our own history here in San Juan Capistrano. Ranches have gradually disappeared, but our love for horses has never waned. California alone has more than 700,000 of them. And surprisingly, only 28% of horse owners have a salary topping $100,000. Fifty miles of horse and biking trails, our existing and planned horse stables, and the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, keep strong our standing as “The Horse Capital of the West Coast.” Is it in our future to become the “Barndominium” capital?

DESIGNER BY MARLENE HOLMQUIST

Marlene Holmquist, ASID, owns Luxury Ranch Interior Design, a full-service interior design company specializing in remodels for residences and small businesses. An avid equestrian known as “The Cowgirl Designer,” she is a member of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition and Las Vaqueras Women’s Riding Club. luxury-ranch.com or thecowgirldesigner.com. CD

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort

a

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If you are interested in adopting Scarlet, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions to download an adoption application form, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

SOLUTION:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.

Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Photo: Courtesy of Marlene Holmquist

Playoff Push

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

As the calendar turns to the final week of the high school football regular season, every single San Juan Capistrano team entered its Week 10 game with playoff or league championship implications at play.

In this new era of the CalPreps rating algorithm determining the CIF-SS playoff divisions at the end of the season, automatic league playoff berths have become paramount. The at-large selection process has become an increasingly risky proposition, especially for teams with sub-.500 records.

Four-team leagues, such as the Sea View League with San Juan Hills, or five-team leagues get two automatic playoff berths. Six-team leagues, such as the Trinity League with JSerra, or seven-team leagues, such as the Orange Coast League with St. Margaret’s, have three automatic playoff berths.

The CIF-SS divisions are dictated by those automatic qualifiers. After Division 1, each of the other 13 divisions will be created based on groupings of 12 or 13 automatic qualifiers. Once a division’s 16-team bracket is seeded based on the CalPreps rankings of the automatic qualifiers and filled in with at-large selections, the next division begins with the next highest-ranked automatic qualifier.

CIF-SS playoff divisions and brackets will be revealed on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Let’s check in with each San Juan Capistrano team in decreasing order of its projected playoff division:

JSerra

(4-5, 1-3 Trinity League)

It’s probably best to start with JSerra, as it has the most possibilities around its situation.

If JSerra wins against Orange Lutheran on Friday, Oct. 28, at Orange Coast College, there will be a three-way tie for the final automatic playoff berth from

the Trinity League. Paired with Santa Margarita likely losing to second-place and nationally ranked St. John Bosco, JSerra, Orange Lutheran and Santa Margarita would be tied for third place at 2-3 in league play. The tiebreaking procedure would be an envelope draw.

In this scenario, the actual league seeding won’t mean much, as all three teams would make the playoffs in either Division 1 or Division 2. Whichever two teams don’t earn the automatic bid would still be easy locks for at-large selection.

However, if JSerra loses to Orange Lutheran, things instantly become more interesting and more dicey for the Lions.

A loss would drop JSerra to a sub-.500 record at 4-6 and would leave its fate entirely up to CIF-SS.

There has been debate all season as to what the size of the Division 1 playoff field will be, due to how top-heavy it is with Mater Dei and St. John Bosco crushing all comers. There was early talk of four or six teams for the Division 1 bracket, but in the final weeks, it seems set for either eight teams or 12 teams.

If it is an eight-team Division 1 bracket, JSerra, currently ranked No. 11, would drop into the Division 2 grouping, where there are possibly five at-large applicants for four at-large spots. Applicants with winning records are given priority over those with losing records, and if the Lions fall to the Lancers, JSerra would have the only losing record among those five teams, which could leave the Lions out in the cold.

If it is a 12-team Division 1 bracket, JSerra would likely be safe, either by being pulled into that Division 1 grouping or being selected as an at-large in Division 2. Although, that Division 2

selection would be predicated on JSerra falling below the top seed of Division 2 (No. 13) in the rankings, because CIF-SS rules stipulate that divisions cannot start with an at-large team.

San Juan Hills

(2-7, 2-0 Sea View League)

While it has already climbed back from an 0-7 start to clinch a share of the Sea View League championship, San Juan Hills has not officially punched its ticket to the CIF-SS playoffs.

For the Stallions, things are pretty simple. A win over Aliso Niguel on Friday gives them the league title outright, and they’ll go into the CIF-SS playoffs in probably Division 5 or 6.

A loss would complicate things for San Juan Hills. If Aliso Niguel wins and Trabuco Hills wins over El Toro, as expected, there would be a three-way tie for the league championship, and based on the tie-breaking coin flips for seeding, San Juan Hills would be in third place and out of the automatic playoff berths. At 2-8, the Stallions would be extremely unlikely to earn an at-large selection.

If El Toro upsets Trabuco Hills, San Juan Hills will safely make the CIF-SS playoffs, but it would probably be best for the Stallions to take care of business themselves over Aliso Niguel.

Capistrano Valley Christian (7-1, 4-0 Mesquite League)

Last season, Capistrano Valley Christian dealt with the rough end of this new CIF-SS system. Despite an 8-2 record, the Eagles did not make the CIF-SS playoffs, as CVC played as a freelance team

without a league and was squeezed out of an at-large selection in high-density division.

This season, Capistrano Valley Christian will have no such troubles coming out of the newly formed Mesquite League.

The Eagles have already clinched a playoff berth and a share of the league title, but they can lock down the outright championship with a win over Arrowhead Christian on Friday at Aliso Niguel High School.

Capistrano Valley Christian will likely slot into Division 11 or 12 when the brackets are released on Sunday.

St. Margaret’s (3-6, 3-2 Orange Coast League)

After an 0-6 start, St. Margaret’s clawed all the way back for a do-or-die opportunity on Thursday, Oct. 27.

The Tartans squared off with Calvary Chapel at Segerstrom High School in a de facto playoff game for third place in the Orange Coast League and the league’s final automatic playoff berth.

The result was not available at press time, but readers can find coverage of this game at thecapistranodispatch.com or on the South OC Sports social media feeds.

Both St. Margaret’s and Calvary Chapel found themselves in the same situation entering Thursday night’s game. With a win, they would clinch a playoff spot. With a loss, they would finish without an automatic spot and with a losing record, unlikely to earn an at-large bid.

If St. Margaret’s got the win, the Tartans would likely qualify into Division 12.

Every San Juan Capistrano high school football team had some CIF-SS playoff or league championship implications in its final game of the regular season. CIF-SS playoff brackets will be released on Sunday, Oct.30. Photos: Alan Gibby/Zone57

All four city high school football teams have playoff implications at hand in regular-season finales ahead of Sunday bracket reveal