December 9, 2022

thecapistranodispatch.com

San Juan Hills girls basketball looks to follow up the boys’ first CIF-SS title with one of their own. Photo: Courtesy of David Gangloff

What’s Up With...

Mayor Derek Reeve Says Goodbye to Dais After over a Decade on City Council

BY COLLIN BREAUX

When San Juan Capistrano Mayor Derek Reeve decided not to run for re-election this year, the first people he told were city staff.

They asked why, considering everything in town was going so well. He responded that that was exactly why he was stepping away.

Reeve has decided to leave the City Council after 12 years, because he feels San Juan is in a good place and he has accomplished his goal of making the city a better place. His last meeting as a coun cilmember will be on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

During a phone interview with The Capistrano Dispatch on Monday, Dec. 5, Reeve said he was “at peace” with his decision.

However, Reeve said he will “probably” be sad to some degree, since he enjoyed the routine of working with other councilmembers and city staff.

“It was the right time to take a break,” he said. “I look back, and I feel I accomplished a lot of the goals I set out to achieve.”

The City Council—also currently comprised of Troy Bourne, John Taylor, Sergio Farias and Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart—is a group of “experienced” individuals, Reeve said.

Councilmember-elect John Campbell will be replacing Reeve in the District 3 seat after winning this year’s election. Reeve said Campbell is a “really good person” to fill his shoes.

In fact, Reeve called Campbell and urged him to run in his place when he decided not to campaign. Campbell’s

name kept coming up in local circles during discussions on who would make a good councilmember, according to Reeve.

“He’s coming into a great situation, be cause we’ve got four councilmembers with varying levels of experience,” Reeve said.

Campbell will learn the City Council process and develop a relationship with city staff as he goes along, Reeve said.

When reflecting on his own accomplishments during his 12 years of City Council service, Reeve said one of the biggest accomplishments was the transfer of San Juan Capistrano’s water utility services to the Santa Margarita Water District—which became official in November 2021.

The annexation means SMWD now provides water services for San Juan Capistrano customers. The City of San Juan Capistrano previously provided its own water services, but city officials and staff opted to get out of the water business for a number of cited reasons, including not having the infrastructure to do so and projected increasing costs for customers if they continued to do so.

Reeve said the utility transfer is the “most transformative issue” the city has gone through.

Other achievements Reeve mentioned included the elimination of the city’s structural deficit; entering into negotiations with the Ridland Group for longterm operations of the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, which is expected to benefit the community through more equestrian and general events and water

Sheriff’s Department Investigates AntiLGBTQ Bomb Threats Made Against CUSD

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Bomb threats made against San Juan Hills High School, a teacher and the Capistrano Unified School District following a Fox News report of a teacher who allegedly had sexually explicit material in their classroom were determined to be “fraudulent” by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, OCSD Public Information Officer Scott Steinle said.

An email sent by an individual named Zamina Tamaro said they placed mul-

tiple bombs in the classroom of teacher Flint Serio, the instructor who Fox News said posted on TikTok about their classroom LGBTQ library. The Fox News story has generated backlash against the teacher, school and CUSD from some parents who feel it allows students to read graphic and inappropriate content.

“San Juan Hills High has failed to provide a safe learning environment for its children: it not only allows but encour-

mitigation efforts; and eliminating the Historic Town Center Master Plan.

Reeve also mentioned the recent and ongoing long-term plans to repave city roads, which has already begun on Camino Capistrano.

Challenges that Reeve faced included his first term, which he called “very rocky” due to the then-controversial state of city politics.

“I had to learn how to be a councilmember,” he said. “I made mistakes, like anybody there, and I learned from those mistakes.”

Reeve recalled the tense environment that previously surrounded the City Council, which taught him that local leaders have to sometimes “clear aside” their feelings and learn to work together.

The past few years of the general City Council, in contrast, have been a “very professional environment,” he said.

Though he decided not to seek the District 3 seat again, Reeve did run for the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees Area 4 seat—an election he lost to incumbent Terri Whitt Rydell.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters certified election results on Dec. 2. Rydell won with 50 percent of the votes (25,445),

with Reeve receiving 49% (24,590).

His platform included opposing mask mandates and restoring the Gaucho as the Saddleback College school mascot, which was removed in 2021 due to being seen as a racist Mexican caricature.

Reeve said the election was a good race and that the position doesn’t get a lot of attention, similar to water boards or judges.

He further said he knew the incumbent winning was a likely outcome, but conceded he was surprised at how close the race turned out.

“I wish her the best and the district the best,” Reeve said.

With no public office seat on the horizon, Reeve—an avid school sports fan— wants to use his newfound free time to attend more games. He has also been accepted to an online sports management degree program at the University of Texas, a subject he has always been interested in studying.

Closer to home, Reeve—like other previous city officials—will be looking for volunteer opportunities in San Juan.

Reeve labeled himself “semi-retired” and noted he has just purchased a new home in San Juan.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

ages sexually deviant and degenerate behavior from its staff,” according to the threatening email sent early in the morning on Tuesday, Dec. 6. “We won’t stand idly by as leftists continue to sexualize our children and push this perverted (expletive) into classrooms. Teachers are there to teach math, science, history and writing, not to talk about sexuality.”

The email further said bombs were placed at other locations in the school, Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte’s home and an address said to be the teacher’s home, but which OCSD later determined was not actually their residence.

“You will evacuate or you will all

die,” the email said. “We will personally ensure that this subhuman degenerate (expletive) piece of (expletive) is killed.”

The OCSD Hazardous Devices Section went out to San Juan Hills at 8:01 a.m. on Tuesday after being contacted by the school district and found no devices while searching the campus and other threatened locations, Steinle said.

No schools were evacuated.

The FBI and OCSD Cyber Crime Detail are now investigating the threat, according to Steinle. Steinle further said similar threats were also made in other school districts and across the state, including to State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San

San Juan Capistrano Mayor Derek Reeve, pictured here at the old City Hall in early 2022, is stepping away from public office after 12 years on the City Council. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Bloom Restaurant & Bar Opens in Downtown San Juan Capistrano

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Downtown San Juan Capistrano visitors looking to try a new restaurant now have another option.

Bloom Restaurant & Bar opened on Dec. 2 at 31760 Old Mission Road, across from Mission San Juan Capistrano at the former Starbucks site. Starter menu items include a barbecue Texas ranch quail with celery leaf coleslaw, apple cider and mustard barbecue sauce, and a farmers market vegetable panzanella salad that includes cucumber and goat cheese.

For entrees, customers can order an applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf, herb-marinated pork porterhouse chop or crispy Pacific Sand Dab po-boy fish sandwich. Bloom patrons can also try the numerous craft cocktails, such as the Procrastinator (gin, Campari and other ingredients) or the Airstream (which

includes vodka, grapefruit and basil).

Price ranges are $10 to $25 for appetizers and $19 to $59 for entrees.

The restaurant has a dark interior, though well-lit, with tables and bar seats. Friends, couples and general patrons sampled dishes and drinks during a preview taste held the night before the Dec. 2 opening, during which bartenders mixed drinks and chatted with attendees.

“We feel that Bloom will be a great neighborhood restaurant that is not only in an amazing location but also will have a warm and inviting design with an amazing view of the historic Mission,” owner Russ Bendel said. “I think we will be yet another great restaurant to add to the downtown SJC collection in the community.”

Bendel, who lives with his family in San Juan, is joined in the venture by his business partners: Executive Chef Jared Cook, Beverage Director Gabe Whorley and Operations Vice President Kyle Simpson.

“The 2,400-square-foot space seats 87, which includes 22 in the bar area,” a news release said. “The dinner-only operation will unveil weekend brunch in

2023. The restaurant will employ 40.” Bendel also owns Vine Restaurant & Bar in San Clemente and Ironwood in Laguna Hills, among other restaurants in Orange County.

During an interview with The Capistrano Dispatch in February, Bendel said he spent more than a year looking around San Juan Capistrano “for the right opportunity” with a new restaurant before coming across the Old Mission Road location. Downtown is gradually becoming a foodie hub with numerous new restaurants, including The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar and Breezy—the latter an island-themed breakfast/brunch spot.

As for where the name Bloom came from, Bendel points out it fits in with the names of his other restaurants.

“We wanted to stick with the plant/ tree/flower (theme) as a consistent brand of all the restaurants. When we were going through hundreds of different name opportunities, we were looking at the history of San Juan and trying to incorporate something about San Juan into the name,” Bendel said. “When we were reading, there was a quote about the blooming of all the flowers on all the hillside and the natives using

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

TUESDAY, DEC. 13

City Council

5 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano City Council will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public. Councilmemberelect John Campbell will be sworn in, and the City Council will also hold its annual leadership reorganization with the selection of a new mayor and mayor pro tem. The Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

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.

MONDAY, DEC. 19

Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission

5:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission will hold a scheduled meeting open to the public. The Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, DEC. 23

The next print issue of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

the mustard flowers as a trail to get back to the historic Mission. When I read the word ‘bloom,’ it just kind of popped.”

Current restaurant hours are 5-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 4-9 p.m. on Sundays. For more information visit bloomsanjuancapistrano.com.

(Cont. from page 3)

to State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

CUSD spokesperson Ryan Burris said OCSD responded quickly to the threat and provided resources at all affected sites to keep students and staff safe and that CUSD is cooperating with OCSD as an investigation is underway.

“We denounce violence and any threat of violence, and we work closely with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to ensure the safety of our students and

staff and to investigate any incident involving our schools or district offices,” Burris said. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, tolerance and human and civil rights for all.”

“We are proud of the diversity in our schools and communities, and we are committed to treating all individuals equally, with fairness and kindness,” Burris continued. “We want every student to feel welcome and supported in our schools and classrooms, and our work as a public school district will continue to

reflect these values.”

The San Juan Hills Parent Teacher Student Association issued a statement on Wednesday, Dec. 7, standing with the LGBTQ community and denouncing “all hate, violence and rhetoric that has been perpetuated in the national media.”

“Acts of hate have a profound effect on the communities impacted, and our national and local communities must do better,” the Instagram statement said.

The Fox News story quoted Serio’s TikTok video in which they said students “love that library” and that it “has been

very helpful for many students figuring out who they are, how to relate to their peers.”

Among the books in Serio’s library include This Book is Gay, which Fox News said discusses LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr and allegedly included detailed information on particular sex acts.

An email from CUSD was reportedly sent out after initial outrage over the books that said the books were part of an extracurricular club and “not instructional materials.” CUSD also said they would be reviewing the books.

Frontier Real Estate Investments Gives Update on River Street Marketplace Construction

BY COLLIN BREAUX

People driving or walking down Paseo Adelanto toward Los Rios Park may have noticed the construction work going on nearby.

That work is being done to bring River Street Marketplace to life.

The long-awaited, agrarian-themed and pedestrian-themed retail and community center is still in the works at the former Ito Nursery grounds, near the Los Rios Historic District.

Orange County Registrar Certifies Election Results

BY COLLIN BREAUX

With the midterm elections in the rear-view mirror, the Orange County Registrar of Voters has made the results

Los Rios District resident and San Juan community fixture Harrison Taylor—who is now working as the director of leasing and development for Frontier Real Estate Investments, the company behind the project—recently gave The Capistrano Dispatch a behind-the-scenes tour of the coming site.

Exterior framing is currently up for several of the buildings. Frontier Real Estate Investments is overseen by local developer and resident Dan Almquist.

“The theme of the project is matching the agrarian architecture to the early California style of Los Rios,” Taylor said. “The start of the project will be the entry off of Los Rios (Street). There will be a water tower that is the project signage. It’ll say River Street Marketplace—about a 25-foot-tall tower.”

There will also be orange trees and a plaque and wall depicting local history,

official.

Registrar Bob Page on Dec. 2 certified the results from last month’s election, which saw a 54.7% voter turnout. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to receive and file the certified results, which next go to the Secretary of State.

“I want to thank the more than 1,600 members of the Orange County community who joined our Registrar of

near the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society building.

Visitors will encounter various buildings at River Street Marketplace, each housing different business tenants.

“Each building has a different name. The thought process of the theme of the site is you’re entering an old rancher’s property,” Taylor said. “Each building is, thematically, designed and named after each part of the progress of the farmer’s build-out. First, the farmer would have built his house— the farmstead. Then, over time, he would have built the workshop and then the greenhouse and then the hay loft and then the red barn.”

The red barn building at River Street Marketplace will serve as the site’s food hall. There will also be a marketplace. A mercantile-themed building will be geared toward health, wellness and

clothing.

Confirmed tenants so far include retailers Seager, Toes on the Nose and Wildfire Mercantile. On the food and beverage side, visitors can expect to see McConnell’s Ice Cream, Capistrano Brewing Co., Kozan Boba Tea House and Ubuntu Café.

Additional tenants will be announced at a future date.

“The central green (that will go up at River Street Marketplace) reminds me of when you’re in Spain or a European country. They have these great plazas where people are enjoying themselves or sitting outside and kids are running around,” Taylor said. “Everyone will park on the south end, and this will all just be pedestrian and really comfortable for people. There’s tons of outdoor seating.”

River Street Marketplace is expected to open in the late summer of 2023.

Voters team for this election,” Page said. “Together, we helped about 1 million voters in the county successfully exercise their right to vote in an accessible, fair, accurate, secure and transparent election.”

According to Page, a total of 994,227 ballots were cast by Orange County voters, with the bulk of them, 83.5%, representing vote-by-mail ballots returned to the Registrar’s office. Another 16.5%

of the votes cast comprised ballots completed in-person at Vote Centers around the county.

Two audits were completed prior to certification and “confirmed results were correct,” according to the registrar. Voting system equipment was also tested for accuracy after the election, and the Registrar of Voters confirmed voting

A rendering depicts how families can gather around the red barn building at the upcoming River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano. Graphic: Courtesy of Frontier Real Estate Investments

(Cont. from page 6)

system software had not been modified during the election.

With the results finalized, incumbent Supervisor Katrina Foley will retain her seat on the county board after receiving 51.3% (116,105) of the votes. Her challenger, State Sen. Patricia Bates, conceded the race on Nov. 18, finishing with 110,238 (48.7%) votes.

In the State Senate race for District 38, representing San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo, Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear won, defeating Matt Gunderson by receiving 52.2% (190,783) of the votes, according to election results from the state. Gunderson conceded on Nov. 16.

As for the 36th State Senate District, which includes Dana Point and San Clemente, Assemblymember Janet Nguyen won in the race against Huntington Beach Councilmember Kim Carr, holding onto a strong lead with 56.9% of the vote.

Incumbent Republican Laurie Davies held on to her seat in the 74th State Assembly District with 52.6% (91,568) of the votes, while her Democratic challenger, new San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan, finished with 47.4% (82,630).

Blakespear, Nguyen and Davies, along with their fellow California lawmakers, were sworn into the State Legislature during a ceremony held at the State Capitol on Monday, Dec. 5.

Davies said the ceremony was nice “for those of us that were elected in 2020” since COVID-19 restrictions prohibited a ceremony at the Capitol.

“It’ll be nice to be able to experience the true ceremonial process and to be able to have our family and loved ones be there this time,” Davies had said in the days leading up to the ceremony.

“It’s a very humbling experience to know that you have the opportunity to serve your district, as well as your state, and create policy that would be beneficial to all of them,” she continued. “I’m very grateful and blessed to be able to serve for another two years.”

Blakespear has also spent her time before the upcoming legislative term saying goodbye to her role as Encinitas’ mayor and councilmember,

“It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as the mayor of the city where my great grandparents put down roots 100 years ago. Thank you for entrusting me with your confidence across four local elections, and last month’s fifth election to represent District 38 as your

new state senator,” Blakespear said in an email sent to supporters on Monday, Dec. 5.

“Our successes in Encinitas have been about the projects we’ve built— and the community character we’ve retained,” she continued. “I’ve prioritized both of these values in my approach to governance.”

In a statement posted on Twitter, Nguyen said celebrating the ceremony with family, friends and supporters was “truly an honor.”

“I am honored and grateful for the support I received from the voters to represent 1 million constituents,” Nguyen said.

The Associated Press had previously called the race for California’s 49th Congressional District in which Rep. Mike Levin won his bid for reelection and secured the seat for another two years.

With 52.6% (153,370) of the votes, Levin defeated former San Juan Capistrano Councilmember Brian Maryott in what was their second matchup in as many elections.

The results for statewide elections will be certified by Dec. 16.

Voters in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano this past November

also decided their representatives for City Council.

In San Clemente, Victor Cabral (14.26%), Mark Enmeier (13.69%) and incumbent Councilmember Steve Knoblock (12.88%) were the top candidates for three open seats on the council’s dais. Cabral and Enmeier were sworn into office during a ceremony at San Clemente City Hall on Tuesday evening.

In San Juan Capistrano, John Campbell will be the new District 3 Councilmember after earning 49.55% (1,526) of the votes over the other two candidates—Paul Lopez and Cody Martin.

Campbell is expected to be sworn into the local office on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Michael Parham won Capistrano Unified School District’s Board of Trustees Area 2 race, garnering 10,179 (45.65%) votes and defeating opponent Kira Davis.

In CUSD’s Area 4 race, Gary Pritchard won against James Glantz and Darin Pa tel, earning 49.28% (9,812) of the votes.

And in Area 7, incumbent Trustee Judy Bullockus defeated Jeannette Contreras with 54.28% (11,242) of the votes.

Breeana Greenberg, C. Jayden Smith and Shawn Raymundo contributed to this report.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9

HOLIDAY HARBOR LIGHTS & SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST

5-10 p.m. The Dana Point Harbor Partners is spreading seasonal cheer with the annual holiday light display that will illuminate the Harbor through Dec. 31. Themed light exhibits throughout the Harbor will include Candy Cane Lane, a “Merry Kiss Me” arch, lighted trees and much more. The Dana Point Harbor Partners also invites visitors to participate in the Holidays at the Harbor social media contest on Instagram through Dec. 22. Take a photo in front of one of the many light installations throughout the Harbor, tag @danapoint_Harbor on Instagram and use the hashtag #HolidaysattheHarbor. At the end of the campaign, one lucky winner will be chosen at random and awarded a special Dana Point Harbor package. Dana Point Harbor, 34571 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE

7:30 p.m. Watch a live performance of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol at San Juan Capistrano’s local theater. Performances will run through Dec. 18. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.org.

SURFIN’ USA DANA POINT HARBOR BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS

7 p.m. The Dana Point Harbor Partners invites visitors to gather on the

water to view all the boats participating in the parade, as well as the beautiful harbor scenery. The 47th annual boat parade will take place beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, and at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11. The harbor’s fleet will join private boaters from all over Orange County as they decorate their boats, and everyone will vie for awards from Judges’ Choice to Best Use of Lights, as well as for cash prizes and gift certificates. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.5794.

DANA POINT BOAT PARADE CRUISE

6:30-8 p.m. Join Capt. Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari aboard one of their catamarans to be a part of the Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights and enjoy the sights of decorated boats and holiday music filling the air. Tickets for the 90-minute cruise are $39 per person for all ages. Capt. Dave’s, 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

dolphinsafari.com. 949.488.2828.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

SANTA PAWS

Noon-6 p.m. Bring your favorite furry friend to the Outlets at San Clemente to have their picture taken with Santa. The cost is $15 for one picture, and additional photos can be purchased for $10. Pictures will take place at Center Court under the “World’s Tallest Tree.” All proceeds benefit the animals at the San Cle mente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. petprojectfoundation.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

HOLIDAY JAZZ BRUNCH

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with a special program featuring songstress Maria Schafer and a special brunch menu. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $40. The Casino San Clemente, 140 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente. eventbrite.com.

SUNSETS WITH SANTA

3-5 p.m. Enjoy Santa’s weekend visits to the San Clemente Municipal Pier with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop. Visitors are recommended to bring their own cameras. San Clemente Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.361.8264.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

HARBOR

LIGHTS CRUISE

6 p.m.-7 p.m. Dana Wharf invites visitors to take a 60-minute boat ride around the Dana Point Harbor and enjoy holiday music and the light displays from both land and the sea. These family-friendly cruises are available on select weekend nights. Tickets for adults are $25 per person, children ages 3-12 are $15 per per son, and toddlers ages 2 and under are $5 each. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danawharf.com/whale-watching.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

SANTA PADDLE

9 a.m. Celebrate a California Christmas by dressing up like a reindeer, snowman, elf or Santa for this family-fun Santa Paddle. The paddle group will meet at Baby Beach in the Dana Point Harbor.

34551 Puerto Place, Dana Point. standuptotrash.com.

SANTA PAWS

10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation will host the 10th annual Santa Paws in the Clock Courtyard in Dana Point. Pet photos with Santa will be offered for a $15 donation, with all proceeds supporting the Pet Project Foundation. Clock Courtyard, 34521 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. petprojectfoundation.org. 949.492.1617. info@petprojectfoundation.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 18

CHANUKAH ON THE PIER

4 p.m. The Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente invites the community to participate in the lighting of its 10-foot menorah, as well as enjoy music, a Dreidel Man, sufganiot donuts and latkes, dreidels and gelt, and more. There will also be a Builda-Dreidel Workshop. Register online at jewischsc.com. San Clemente Municipal Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.489.0723.

TUESDAY, DEC. 20

CHANUKAH AT THE OUTLETS

5-6 p.m. Join the Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente at the Outlets at San Clemente’s Oak Tree Court (in front of the movie theatre) for its Grand Menorah Lighting. The event will include a stilt walker with a Gelt and Dreidel parachute drop, balloon twisting, a variety show, crafts for children, hot latkes and donuts, and music. RSVP at jewishsc. com/outlets. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com.

The top three finishers in the various races:

| MEN’S 5K

• Garrett Reim (Redondo Beach) – 17:13

• Troy Turner (Trabuco Canyon) – 17:32

• Nolan Calder (Ladera Ranch) – 18:09

| WOMEN’S 5K

• Hayden Kroger (Mission Viejo) – 18:51

• Carla McAlister (San Clemente) – 19:18

• Catrina McAlister (San Clemente) – 19:23

| MEN’S 10K

• Luis Chavez (Mission Viejo) – 32:36

• Luke Adams (Rancho Santa Margarita)

– 39:11

• Blair Howard (Brooks) – 39:52

| WOMEN’S 10K

• Eileen Marcillo (Knoxville, Tenn.) – 47:17

• Alice Pai (RMV) – 47:28

• Ashlie Berg (Ladera Ranch) – 47:33

Turkey Trot on the Ranch Brings Together Community for Thanksgiving Day Run

Rancho Mission Viejo held its annual Turkey Trot on the Ranch for Thanksgiving on Nov. 24. Runners and walkers in the 10K, 5K and children’s 1K races went from The Pavilion to Sendero Field, a route that enabled them to enjoy the outdoor scenery of the area.

Participation was up 60%, with 1,034 runners and participants. The event raised $35,000 in net proceeds for The Nature Reserve, an outdoor preserve in the area.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

GUEST OPINION | by Kimberleigh Gavin

‘The Adobes of San Juan Capistrano and the People Who Lived in Them’

Anew tour is being offered by the San Juan Capistrano Docent Society titled “The Adobes of San Juan Capistrano and the People Who Lived in Them.” Starting with the first adobe, Mission San Juan Capistrano, a San Juan Capistrano docent will lead you through the different eras of San Juan Capistrano, telling the story of the people of this unique town and the eras in which they lived. We are fortunate to have five original adobes on Camino Capistrano alone.

This walking tour starts and ends at the Blas Aguilar Adobe. Participants will pass the Mission on a walk to Los Rios Street. From there, the tour will return to

Camino Capistrano, ultimately passing the Historic Town Park, returning to the Blas Aguilar Adobe. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

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

HOW TO REACH US

CITY EDITOR

Collin Breaux • 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA

The San Juan Capistrano Docent Society endeavors to honor and preserve the rich cultural heritage of San Juan Capistrano through education and by leading tours. Please visit the website sjcdocentsociety.org for more information. To arrange a tour, call 949.551.1914 or email info@sjcdocentsociety.org.

BY KIMBERLEIGH GAVIN

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

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

Books About Trees to Give to Kids for Christmas “A

society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” – Greek proverb

We know trees make a difference in our battle with carbon dioxide, but what books about trees will connect with young people? You probably think of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree—“and the boy loved the tree . . . very much. And the tree was happy.” Or perhaps The Lorax by Dr. Seuss—“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

My personal favorite is about Kate Sessions, who grew up in California in the 1860s. Her story, told in Joseph Hopkins’ The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever, is about how her love of trees was responsible for changing a canyon in

San Diego into a lush green park in time for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. No one thought she could do it, “but Kate did!” And how we love Balboa Park a hundred years later!

Here is an informal list of my favorite tree stories:

CELEBRATIONS

Jacqueline Farmer’s book, O Christmas Tree: Its History and Holiday Traditions, recommended for first-grade through fourth-grade students.

Elizabeth Rusch’s book, Zee Grows a Tree, recommended for pre-kindergarten through third grade.

Lori Nichols’ book, Maple, recommended for pre-kindergarten to kindergarten (and especially for expectant parents).

HISTORY

Margi Preus’ book, Celebritrees: Historic & Famous Trees of the World, recom mended for second grade through fifth grade. It includes some famous California trees, including Methuselah, a bristlecone pine dating back about 4,800 years, and Hyperion, a coast redwood.

Brian Karas’ book, An Oak Tree Grows, is a time capsule in the life of a tree and our country.

Jeff Gottesfeld’s book, The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Ann Frank’s Window, recommended for second grade through fifth grade.

Jeanette Wangari’s book, Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa, a picture-book biography, recommended for kindergarten through third grade.

Cazares

FINANCE Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines

CONTRIBUTORS

Megan Bianco, Jake Howard

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 20, Issue 23. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com)

GUEST OPINION | Citizens’ Climate Education by Christine Kramer

GUEST OPINION

PIONEERS

Esme Codell and Jane Yolen cover the meaning of a big name in American folklore, respectively, with Seed By Seed: The Legend and Legacy of John “Appleseed” Chapman and Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth. The first is recommended for kindergarten through third grade; the latter, first grade through fourth grade.

Deborah Hopkinson offers a general look with Apples to Oregon. Recom mended for kindergarten through third grade.

JUST FOR FUN

Roald Dahl’s classic book, Fantastic Mr. Fox, which some readers might know as a Wes Anderson film, about a family of foxes living beneath a great tree.

Read Ellis Carson’s Du Iz Tak? and have a giggle. Recommended for kindergarten through third grade.

A TREE STARS IN THE STORY

An old red oak tree tells a tale in Katherine Applegate’s Wishtree. Rec ommended for fourth grade through seventh grade.

A tree is full of life in Neal Layson’s The Tree, recommended for pre-kindergarten through first grade. A perfect book for Earth Day.

Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees, shares the true story of how trees communicate, in Peter and the Tree Children. This book is also perfect for Earth Day and recommended for pre-kindergarten through third grade.

Uma Krishnaswami looks at a tree in the way of progress with Out of the Way! Out of the Way! Recommended for kindergarten through third grade.

Joanne Rocklin uses an orange tree as a metaphor for development in a Los Angeles neighborhood with One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street. Recommended for fourth grade through seventh grade.

THE ART OF TREES

An abandoned book on a subway inspires dreams of dinosaurs and Romans in Jason Chin’s Redwoods. Rec ommended for kindergarten through third grade.

Verlie Hutchens’ Trees contains free verse poems. Recommended for kindergarten through third grade.

“There is more than one way to pic-

ture a tree,” says the narrator in Barbara Redi’s Picture a Tree. Recommended for pre-kindergarten through third grade.

Terry Fan’s The Night Gardener com bines creativity with a sense of community. Recommended for pre-kindergarten through second grade.

CONSERVATION AND LIFE CYCLES

April Pulley Sayre’s Trout Are Made of Trees introduces kindergarten through second-grade students to the concept of the food web.

Kurt Cyrpus’ Trillions of Trees: A Counting and Planting Book teaches pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students about counting and the importance of tree planting and preservation.

Andy Hirsch’s Trees: Kings of the Forest, for fourth grade through sixth grade, is a graphic novel introduction to tree ecology and their importance to the Earth.

Ana Crespo’s Hello Tree, for kindergarten through third grade, gives the point of view of a ponderosa pine in a forest fire.

Lois Ehlert’s Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, for kindergarten through third grade, can help inspire curiosity about the changing seasons.

Julia Rawlinson’s Fletcher and the Falling Leaves can teach kids in kindergarten through second grade about the changing seasons.

JUST THE FACTS ABOUT TREE ECOLOGY

Lita Judge’s The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom, recommended for third grade through fifth grade, combines nonfiction prose and poetry with cutting-edge science about the growth of trees.

Kate Allen Fox tells a story about the interconnectedness of trees for students in kindergarten through second grade in Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees

Peter Wohlleben gives students in third grade through sixth grade an introduction to the basic science behind how trees work in Can You Hear the Trees Talking? Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest.

Christine “Chris” Kramer is a longtime resident of San Juan Capistrano and a member of the South Orange County chap ter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby/Education. She and her husband, Larry, have moved 26 times in their married life, including to India (Andhra Pradesh) and Africa (Ghana). She has a MLIS from University of Hawaii and a BA from University of Michigan (Go Blue). 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.

CITIZENS’ CLIMATE EDUCATION

BY CHRISTINE KRAMER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Editor’s Pick

FRIDAY | 09

LIVE MUSIC AT PADDY’S

8-11 p.m. Miller Time Boogie will perform. Enjoy the music and have a pint at this downtown pub. Paddy’s Station, 26701 Ver dugo Street, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.3400. paddysstation.com.

SATURDAY | 10

WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP

9-10 a.m. The Ecology Center is providing this hands-on workshop about making a fresh wreath, so people can learn about using farm-grown florals to decorate for the holidays. The event will go over how to use greenery and wires to wrap your wreath together and include a walk through the area’s field. RSVP online. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.443.4223. theecologycenter.org.

THURSDAY | 15 ‘CRAZY CHRISTMAS HOUSE’ & SANTA’S TOY DRIVE 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy that will directly benefit families at Camp Pendleton. There will also be photo opportunities available with Santa, cookies, a chance to meet Marines and members of the California Highway Patrol and festive Christmas home decorations. Check out the “Crazy Christmas House” & Santa’s Toy Drive page on Facebook for more information. 31192 Calle Del Campo, San Juan Capistrano.

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 | 13

TRIVIA TUESDAY

8 p.m. Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Blues musician Walter Trout will perform. Tickets are $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. Trout will also perform on Sunday, Dec. 18. The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

SUNDAY | 18

AT THE MOVIES ‘GLASS

ONION’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, HE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

When he’s not getting hated on by a large selection of the Star Wars fan base, Rian Johnson is helping keep fun “whodunits” popular with his hit Knives Out (2019) and now the second installment, Glass Onion

Whether audiences are just fickle or good art truly speaks for itself, Johnson proves once more that he is presently at his most comfortable with the light and amusing character that is Benoit Blanc.

Previously, we experienced Blanc (Daniel Craig), “the world’s greatest detective,” in a chilly, affluent Connecticut neighbor hood with a group of potential heirs and recent murder suspects.

Here, he’s mysteriously invited to an annual, private reunion between longtime friends, including billionaire entrepreneur Miles Bron (Edward Norton); his tech company’s head scientist, Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom, Jr.); model-turned-designer, Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson); her stressed-out assistant, Peg (Jessica Henwick); chauvinist social media influencer Duke Cody (Dave Bautista); his young, eye-candy girlfriend, Whiskey (Madelyn Cline); local politician Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn); and Miles’ former, embittered business partner, Andi Brand (Janelle Monáe).

Together, on an isolated Greek island, Blanc tries to figure out how and why he and Andi were invited to Miles’ personal “murder mystery party.”

Like with Knives Out, Glass Onion isn’t so much about a surprising reveal on who the murderer is, but more comedic social commentary through some entertaining characters. Previously, it was out-of-touch rich families; now, it’s digital-age phony celebrities.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE

7:30 p.m. Watch a live performance of this holiday classic at San Juan Capistrano’s local theater. Another showing will be held earlier in the day at 2 p.m. Performances will run through Dec. 18. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.com.

MONDAY | 12

BRIDGE

GAME

12:30 p.m. The South Orange County Bridge Club hosts bridge games, Monday through Saturday. The club is a nonprofit

6-8 p.m. Come test your knowledge about different subjects during this trivia night held every Tuesday. The Dog Pawrk Brewing Company, 27122 Paseo Espada, Suite 904, San Juan Capistrano. 949.652.3379. thedogpawrk.beer.

FRIDAY | 16

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S

7 p.m. Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind while listening to live music at Trevor’s at the Tracks. Selly & the Stray will perform. Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.9593. trevorsatthetracks.com.

SATURDAY | 17

CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE

CAPISTRANO LIGHTS 4-6 p.m. The annual holiday program fea tures festive lights, music and audio tours. There will also be Christmas trees, a Nativ ity scene, carolers, photo opportunities and nightly tree lightings. Capistrano Lights will be open on select dates through Dec. 30. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. capistranolights.com.

WEDNESDAY | 21

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, mov ies and other subjects. The BrewHouse, 31896 Plaza Drive, Suite D3, San Juan Cap istrano. 949.481.6181. brewhousesjc.com.

The big twists in a Benoit Blanc tale are usually somewhere in the middle of the mystery, and the ones we get in Glass Onion are doozies. Johnson and Craig are successfully paying homage to Agatha Christie’s classic “whodunit” formula for contemporary settings, with clues and foreshadowing that are clever and accessibly subtle.

Craig is great yet again as the latest popular franchise lead, and Hudson delivers possibly her funniest performance to date as the bimbo of the group. But my favorites in the cast are Monáe and Henwick

While I thought Knives Out had better laugh-out-loud gags despite being the less goofy of the two films, Glass Onion is still worth a viewing for those who enjoy murder mysteries and Tom George’s See How They Run from just two months ago. CD

A local home in San Juan Capistrano is collecting toys for Camp Pendleton families and invites the public to check out their Christmas decorations and celebrate the holidays along the way. Photo: Courtesy of “Crazy Christmas House” & Santa’s Toy Drive

PHOTOS AND STORY BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Town Kicks off Holiday Season with Tree Lighting Celebration D

owntown San Juan Capistrano was abuzz with the Christmas spirit this past weekend, as the city and various local organizations welcomed hundreds of residents and visitors to help kick off the holiday season in what was a multicultural affair.

Families joined the City of San Juan Capistrano at Historic Town Center Park on Saturday evening, Dec. 3, for the annual tree lighting celebration, followed by other festivities including photo opportunities with Santa and shopping around Los Rios Historic District.

“It’s a beautiful night to celebrate the holiday season,” Mayor Pro Tem Howard Hart told the crowd alongside his colleague, Councilmember John Taylor. “Thank you all for being here to share in this holiday cheer.”

“We’ve made great strides in moving

our city forward, and we will continue to do great work into the New Year,” Hart continued. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve as your mayor pro tem and to be part of this wonderful community.”

Ahead of the tree lighting, parents and their kids got to enjoy a holiday musical show featuring performances by the Ballet Folklorico de Capistrano and the Ballet Folklorico Codices de Mexico, as well as the Musical Theater University.

Spread throughout the downtown corridor and Los Rios Street were also groupings of Capistrano Valley High School orchestra and marching band students who performed musical tunes for all those shopping and enjoying the Christmas-themed activities.

And just in time to help Hart and the rest of the city light the tree, “Santa Claus” came to town to lead the countdown. Afterward, “snow” fell on the

EVEN WITH CHANGES, SOME CITY COUNCIL GOALS REMAIN INTACT

This is the end of a temporary era in San Juan Capistrano. It was never spelled out or defined how long the San Juan Capistrano City Hall would relocate on Alipaz Street. In 1970, it was a temporary solution. That temporary solution lasted for 52 years!

But within the next two years, the City Council will have a permanent new home. Actually, it will be two homes. One will be the new offices on Alipaz. The other will be the meeting room at the Community Center, where City Council meetings will be held.

Over the years, there have been many discussions about moving City Hall. In the 1990s, there was serious talk about

moving City Hall to a town center as part of the old high school on Camino Capistrano. While the idea had merit, the cost was out of the question. The Orange County bankruptcy ended further discussion.

crowd, giving families and their kids an opportunity to have a winter wonderland experience.

“On behalf of the City Council of San

aged to maintain our original intent.

Ed Chermak and Bill Bathgate were the two former councilmen who recalled the early days of incorporation on the 25th anniversary.

“We had to start from scratch,” they wrote in the article. “In the first year, the county cut its cords to the city and left it with no maintenance department, no vehicles, no manpower, planning department or financial department to manage tax revenues.”

Meetings were held in different storefront properties until they moved into the “temporary” offices.

Juan Capistrano and Mayor (Derek) Reeve,” Hart said, “we wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a healthy, prosperous 2023.” CD

roads,” the councilmembers wrote.

Bonds passed by the community saved our open space and gave us Putuidem Village, Reata Park and The Ecology Center. Today, 40% of San Juan Capistrano is still open space. I think that the first City Council would be satisfied.

As this year ends and the era of our temporary City Hall comes to an end, spend a “Moment in Time” and reflect on the goals of that first City Council and how their vision is still part of our community. This is the time of year for reflection. As we remember our past, we can also look forward to our future. Wishing you a very happy New Year.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in the neighboring town of Rancho Mission Viejo. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years, has been a vol unteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano

MOMENTS IN TIME

BY JAN SIEGEL

In the March 1986 edition of The Coastline Dispatch, there was an article on San Juan Capistrano on the 25th anniversary of incorporation by two founding councilmen. It is interesting to see how far we have come in the 61 years and, yet, how we have man-

One of the most emotional issues of 1961 was whether the city could afford its own police force. The councilmembers wrote that it was a “jammed packed meeting. We hired a criminologist to set up a paper police force. We knew we didn’t have the money, but we wanted to know what it would cost. After much debate, it was decided to contract police and fire protection from the county fire and sheriff departments. Twenty-five years later, it is still city policy.”

And it is still city policy 61 years later.

“The council of today (1986) must de cide if any farmland will remain as open space in the area and if the city can afford its horse population, where the council of 25 years ago was more concerned with buying street sweepers and trying to build

Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 26 years and is currently the museum curator for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. CD

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

GUEST OPINION | Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Hundreds of families gather in Downtown San Juan Capistrano and the Los Rios Historic District on Saturday night, Dec. 3, for the annual tree lighting ceremony and a host of other holiday-themed festivities. Photos: Shawn Raymundo

What’s Happening: Seen in the Community

From left: Kim and Cali from San Juan Hills High School and Sol from Dana Hills High School—members of the Interact Club, a youth service organization—assort and box Thanksgiving dinners for families at the Rotary Scout Hut in San Juan Capistrano. The schools declined to give their last names.

Remus

Two-year-old Remus is a bundle full of happy energy. He enjoys long walks and playing in the yard. When he’s ready to relax, Remus is quite affectionate and loves to snuggle. Remus gets along with other dogs and is looking for an active adopter who can continue with his training.

If you are interested in adopting Remus, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/ adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment. CD

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

SOLUTION:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares.

To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.

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

Photo: Courtesy of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

2022 San Juan Winter Sports Preview

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

The winter season brings out some of the best teams in San Juan Capistrano high school sports, with championship pedigrees and aspirations all around. Let’s check in with some of the top winter sports teams at San Juan Hills, JSerra, St. Margaret’s, Capistrano Valley Christian and Fairmont San Juan Capistrano:

SAN JUAN HILLS

| BOYS BASKETBALL

Last season was the best campaign in in program history for the San Juan Hills boys basketball team.

The Stallions won far-and-away the most games in program history (27), won their second-ever and second straight Sea View League title, advanced to their first CIF-SS quarterfinal, semifinal and title game and captured their first CIF-SS championship.

That team was almost entirely made up of seniors, with its top 11 scorers now grad uated. So, where does this next group of Stallions go? How can they live up to that?

San Juan Hills seems to be doing just fine with a 7-3 record including a couple of strong tournament performances. The Stallions have also received contributions up and down the roster.

Senior point guard Rylan Kies was named all-tournament at the Diablo Inferno last week, which included a 26-point night. Juniors Nathan Brosch, Jack Monarek, senior Brody Averell and sophomore Trey Webb have all stepped up on various game days as the Stallions build right back up to contending form.

San Juan Hills jumps up to the South Coast League for the first time this season and opens at San Clemente on Jan. 11.

SAN JUAN HILLS

| GIRLS BASKETBALL

The San Juan Hills girls basketball team has picked up right where it left off from last season, with more than enough motivation to go even further.

Last season, the Stallions won the South Coast League for the first time and posted their third 20-win season under head coach Paul Edwards. However, the playoff run came up well short for a talented group. The upside was, there wasn’t a single senior in that group, which means this San Juan Hills group can only get better.

San Juan Hills has opened with the best start in program history at 8-0 and

just came off a tournament championship at Villa Park, including a school-record 98 points to close out the event.

The Stallions’ leader is senior Amanda Edwards, who notched her 1,000th career point this season and averages just over 10 points a game, but Edwards is just the fourth-leading scorer on the team. Making a huge leap is sophomore Anna Shreeve, who is averaging more than 15 points per game along with 6.5 rebounds per game. Sydney Peterson, a junior, is at just under 15 points per game and over seven rebounds per game. Aryanna Hudson, another junior, is at 14.6 points per game and dishing out over six assists per game.

San Juan Hills, ranked No. 3 in CIF-SS Division 2AA, opens league play at home against Tesoro on Jan. 10.

JSERRA

| BOYS BASKETBALL

It was a disappointing CIF-SS final for the JSerra boys basketball team last season, as the Lions dealt with injuries and fell in the Division 1 title game.

This season is a fresh slate for the Lions, and JSerra is taking off with an early dominant form. The Lions are 5-0 and ranked No. 12 in CIF-SS Division 1. JSerra has beaten its opponents by an average of 19 points per game.

Leading the way so far for JSerra are a

pair of junior guards in Aidan Fowler and Sebastian Rancik. Fowler is averaging over 18 points per game for the Lions, with 13.4 points per game from Rancik, who also has two double-doubles in five games.

The Lions open Trinity League play against Mater Dei on Jan. 4.

JSERRA

| BOYS SOCCER

In its first CIF-SS final in 12 years and just its second overall last season, the JSerra boys soccer team suffered a heartbreak, as the Lions fell on penalty kicks to Servite.

JSerra put up the second most wins in program history (17), and the Lions look right back in the swing of things early on with a 3-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in CIF-SS Division 1.

JSerra has allowed only one goal in three games with a 5-1 win over Huntington Beach and 1-0 shutouts over San Juan Hills and Valencia of Placentia. Senior goalkeeper TJ Esseily hasn’t allowed a goal and has made nine saves.

The Lions have had six different goal scorers in their three games, with only junior Noah Parks scoring two. Senior Sidney Dina, Kai Benumof and Nathan Aquino, along with junior Logan Mahoney and sophomore Tanner Casey, have each scored a goal.

JSerra opens Trinity League play at

home against Mater Dei on Jan. 4.

ST. MARGARET’S | GIRLS BASKETBALL

The St. Margaret’s girls basketball team is off to a flying start with a 5-2 record and the No. 1 ranking in CIF-SS Division 5AA. The Tartans have wins over Capistrano Valley, Santiago, Pacifica, La Quinta and Long Beach Cabrillo. It’s been a strong bounce-back start after just nine wins last season and a 1-7 league record.

Pacing the Tartans so far is sophomore guard Harper Gideons, with rebounding from freshman forward Annika Tufo and strong defensive efforts from freshman forward Addie West.

St. Margaret’s opens its first season in the Orange Coast League early on with its opener at Santa Ana on Friday, Dec. 16.

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN

| BOYS BASKETBALL

After an extremely successful fiveyear tenure of head coach Christopher Childress, which included the program’s first CIF-SS title in 2019 and building up Capistrano Valley Christian to be a player in Orange County basketball, the Eagles boys basketball team is under new man agement with head coach Jon Bahnsen.

Bahnsen already has the Eagles playing up to their earned reputation with a 7-3 record and a No. 13 ranking in CIF-SS Division 2AA.

The Eagles are led by senior Ariik Mawien, who is averaging over 18 points per game and nearly nine rebounds per game. Michael Ahern, a sophomore, is scoring over 16 points per game, and down low, freshman Benjamin Makelela is averaging over 10 points per game with a whopping 16.1 rebounds per game.

Capistrano Valley Christian opens San Joaquin League play at home against Fairmont Prep of Anaheim on Jan. 10.

FAIRMONT SJC

| BOYS BASKETBALL

Boys basketball remains the lone full team sport at Fairmont San Juan Capistrano, and after bottoming out with a 1-24 record last season, things are already on the way up for the Warriors.

Fairmont is 4-3 overall, with wins over Garden Grove, Santiago, Ocean View and Oxford Academy. The Warriors have also done enough to warrant a No. 14 ranking in CIF-SS Division 4A.

Fairmont will open Academy League play at home against Newport Christian on Jan. 5. CD

San Juan Hills girls basketball returns all of its top talent to shoot for its first CIF-SS championship. Photo: Courtesy of David Gangloff