January 25, 2019

Swallows Day Parade Season Continues with Taste of San Juan Event OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

PAGE 6 FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 7, 2019 • VOLUME 17, ISSUE 02

Start Your Engines The 2019 Car Show set to bring automotive enthusiasts together E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 7

Bob Ellis, 89, will show off his 1932 Ford Roadster at the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano’s 2019 Car Show on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Proposed Resolution Condemning Oil Drilling Forthcoming EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

City Recognizes Reserve Bureau Deputy Sheriffs for Service to the Community EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Soccer, Basketball Teams Fight for Playoff Positioning SPORTS/PAGE 14

GO TO THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS AND SPORTS

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week Court Denies Plaza Banderas Developer’s Petition for Legal Fees THE LATEST: The Orange County Court recently denied a motion from the Plaza Banderas hotel developer who had sought an award of attorney’s fees in his lawsuit against a competing hotel project and the city.

The ruling from Judge Peter Wilson came down on Jan. 10. During a hearing, SPM-Fairfield, LLC, which local developer Bill Griffith owns, had petitioned the court to require the city of San Juan Capistrano and the developers of the Hotel Capistrano project to pay for SPM’s legal fees associated with the lawsuit.

In a preliminary ruling, the court found that Griffith’s “significant financial stake” to file the lawsuit, challenging the rival Hotel Capistrano project, was sufficient enough to “incur the substantial attorney fees and costs in the vigorous prosecution.”

“SPM has failed to meet its burden of establishing its litigation costs transcend its personal pecuniary interest,” court documents show.

The ruling also notes the Hotel Capistrano project “would have resulted in what would have undoubtedly been a competing hotel establishment, directly and likely negatively affecting the value of (the Griffith family’s) economic interests in their fully entitled Plaza Banderas development.”

Griffith filed the lawsuit in 2016 over the legality of the city’s approval of the Hotel Capistrano project. The suit claims the project “violates many provisions of the city’s general plan, other plans and planning policies established by the city, and the city’s municipal code.”

The court had previously ruled against the city last March.

The planned Hotel Capistrano project, which O’Neill Strategic Investments recently acquired from local resident Steve Oedekerk’s O Properties, would be a 4-star, 102-room hotel and restaurant in the city’s downtown area on Camino Capistrano—adjacent to properties Griffith also owns.

Griffith’s plans for Plaza Banderas, also known as the Inn at the Mission, hotel project is designed to be a 124-room hotel The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

Construction is underway on the Inn at the Mission, also known as Plaza Banderas, on Ortega Highway next to Mission San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

on Ortega Highway next to Mission San Juan Capistrano.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to Griffith’s attorney, Erik Friess, no formal decision has been made whether to appeal the judge’s ruling.

“There’s still a couple of months before any deadline to file an appeal, so there’s no urgency in making that decision,” Friess said. —Shawn Raymundo

City Resolution Condemning Oil Drilling Forthcoming THE LATEST: A resolution by the city to condemn oil drilling off California’s coasts is expected to be introduced to the City Council next month.

Councilmember Sergio Farias has been working with Oceana, an ocean conservation advocacy group, on drafting the symbolic resolution, which, if passed, would add San Juan Capistrano to the chorus of other municipalities that have voiced opposition to offshore drilling in the Pacific.

It’s a “good message to send that San Juan Capistrano wants to protect our natural resources,” Farias said, noting that while the city is landlocked, it has close proximity to the ocean and that several creeks in San Juan Capistrano empty into the Pacific.

Oil drilling off Southern California’s coasts could greatly impact tourism and fishing, which are vital industries in the region, Farias said.

“I think to put in oil platforms potentially anywhere near our oceans would cost us more than what you would extract, because people aren’t going to want to go the oceans,” he said.

According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), $1.7 trillion of California’s gross domestic product in 2012 was generated from the state’s 19 coastal counties. Those same counties also generated $662 billion in wages.

In 2015, Orange County’s ocean economy had a GDP of nearly $4.3 billion, according to NOAA. Much of that was attributed to the county’s tourism and recreation sector, which employed 44,240 workers, generating nearly $2.23 billion in GDP and more than $1.09 billion in wages.

In April 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, instructing the U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to develop and implement an “America-First Offshore Energy Strategy.”

“It shall be the policy of the United States to encourage energy exploration and production, including on the Outer Continental Shelf, in order to maintain the Nation’s position as a global energy leader and foster energy security and resilience for the benefit of the American People, while ensuring that any such activity is safe and environmentally responsible,” the order stated.

In conjunction with the order, BOEM is also tasked with updating the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which “establishes a schedule of oil and gas lease sales proposed for planning areas of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)” and “specifies the size, timing, and location of potential leasing activity.”

In response to Trump’s executive order, more than 80 coastal cities in California, Oregon and Washington have passed resolutions supporting a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific’s federal

Page 3

and state waters, according to Oceana.

Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach and Dana Point are included in the growing list of cities to come out against Trump’s plans to expand oil drilling. The city of Hayward in Northern California earlier this month became the latest city to pass a similar resolution against the expansion of oil drilling.

Amid the partial federal government shutdown, Trump recently ordered dozens of federal employees to return to work in order to continue working on the Lease Program update, The Hill reported.

Gov. Jerry Brown last September signed a pair of laws to block offshore drilling in California, thwarting the president’s plans. The laws are meant to bar pipelines, piers and wharves from being constructed to extract oil and gas from federal waters, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Farias acknowledged that while the resolution is symbolic in nature, it’s important for the record to show where the city stands on the issue.

“I think it’s important to show that at the local level, the things that we value,” Farias said. “So, whether we’re in alignment with the state or not, it’s important for the local agencies to show where we stand.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Farias said the resolution is ready to be introduced, and he’s hoping to get it on the agenda for the City Council’s February meetings. However, with a lot of other agenda items scheduled, it could delay the introduction, he said.

“I don’t want to delay it past (February),” Farias said, adding, “There’s been a couple of changes on the agenda that could push it back.”—SR (Cont. on page 4) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3)

Council Sends Proposed Street Vendor Ordinance Back to Drawing Board THE LATEST: A new ordinance meant to regulate sidewalk and pushcart vending in San Juan Capistrano was proposed and presented to the City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

City officials drafted the ordinance in compliance with the new California state law that bans cities from prohibiting vending on public sidewalks or walkways. The new law, which former Gov. Jerry Brown signed last September, requires cities to create permit and licensing programs for vendors.

Under the city’s current Municipal Code, pushcart vendors are prohibited “from operating anywhere in the public right-of-way or on any public property.”

However, pushcart vendors can operate “under special circumstances with approval of a special Activities Permit.”

Councilmembers voted 2-2 on whether to approve the first reading of the ordinance. With the council evenly divided—Mayor Pro Tem Troy Bourne was absent—the ordinance was sent back to city officials to be reworked.

According to the first draft of the ordinance, vendors would still be banned from operating on public rights-of-way and city-owned properties, but they would be allowed “on public sidewalks or walkways within city parks or properties.”

Stationary and roaming sidewalk vendors would be required to obtain a city-issued vending permit under the proposed ordinance. Applicants would have to obtain a California seller’s permit and a County Health Department permit in addition to possessing a Social Security card number and a driver’s license. Applicants would also need to submit to a Live Scan background check.

Residential districts and a portion of the city’s historic downtown area, where there isn’t sufficient sidewalk space, would be off limits to the vendors. The ordinance would also prohibit vending in parks that have city-licensed concession stands.

Vendors would also be prohibited from operating within 100 feet of “a fire hydrant, fire escape, bus stop, loading zone, fire or police station driveway, or handicapped parking space,” as well as a school entrance and city-approved event or a private event that’s city-approved.

Permitted vendors would need to display their vending and health department permits, as well as keep their areas clean and litter-free. “Sound amplification, live music, bells, whistles, or horns” would also be prohibited under the first draft of the ordinance.

Councilmembers Derek Reeve and Sergio Farias, who both voted against moving the ordinance forward, voiced several issues with the current draft and its level of regulations. Reeve questioned the need to prohibit vendors from the historic downtown district.

“I’m reading some of the restrictions that are being recommended, and it just seems a little over the top,” Reeve said. “So I’m trying to understand why we are banning downtown because of sidewalks, for example … you can’t block sidewalks. So, isn’t that enough? Why do we have to ban the entire downtown?”

City Manager Ben Siegel agreed with Reeve, saying that even without the blanket prohibition of the downtown area, vendors would still find it difficult to operate in that district because of the lack of adequate sidewalks. But, he added, a vendor could get creative and find available space, which would, in turn, impact local businesses.

“I can’t say for certain that there wouldn’t be a location that a vendor could get creative and find in the downtown, and at that point you could have a hot dog stand,” Siegel said, adding, “that (hot dog stand) goes up in the downtown and impacting local businesses who are paying rent and overhead.”

Though not always agreeing with everything that comes out of Sacramento, Reeve said he favors deregulation that allows for more business.

“Even though it may not be a brickand-mortar business, I actually think it’s a good thing,” Reeve said. “How that might take away business from other restaurants—to me, that’s competition, that’s capitalism, that’s not a bad thing.”

Farias said that he generally doesn’t have an issue with street vendors, but he does take issue with over-enforcement and crackdowns on street vendors. Believing the first draft had a lot of restrictions, he stated that he wasn’t in favor of the proposed ordinance as is.

“I’d like to see less restrictions, although I think some restrictions are needed,” Farias said.

While Councilmember John Taylor recognized that there were several restrictions, he said he was okay with the draft and that they could always come back to revisit the ordinance later, addressing any issues that might arise.

“I understand the restrictions are ridiculous, but basically what we’re doing is just trying to keep as much restrictions on this as possible,” he said. “I’d be okay to revisit this later on, looking at it again.”

Taylor and Mayor Brian Maryott voted in favor of approving the ordinance, supporting the idea that they could make changes to it in the future.

WHAT’S NEXT: After the council vote ended in a 2-2 tie, Maryott asked the city staff to take the councilmembers’ remarks into consideration and re-draft the ordinance, coming “back with something a little less aggressive.” —SR

CUSD Extends Kindergarten to Full Day THE LATEST: Beginning next school year,

The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

kindergarten classes across all elementary schools will go from half-day sessions to full days, the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) announced on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

CUSD and the Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA) had first approved introducing a full-day kindergarten program back in early 2018, according to CUSD spokesperson Ryan Burris. The full-day program was implemented in a dozen schools at the start of the current school year.

“Both CUSD and the Capistrano Unified Education Association recognize the benefits in partnering to enhance student academic and social achievement,” CUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital said in a press release “We received positive response from our full-day kindergarten teachers and appreciate their feedback on strategies and challenges that need to be worked through.”

The decision to extend the schools’ kindergarten programs was based on several studies that found full-day kindergartens benefit the students, as well as teachers and parents.

“Full-day kindergarten is attractive to our families because it helps eliminate transportation challenges for families with other elementary-aged children and reduces child-care expenses,” Brad Shearer, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said in the release.

A 2005 policy brief published by the educational research organization, WestEd, reported that full-day kindergarten programs help prepare students for primary-grade learning, lead to higher academic achievement, improve attendance, and could enhance “social, emotional and behavioral development.”

“Our mission as a school district is to prepare students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world,” Vital said in the release. “Research indicates that providing students with a longer kindergarten school day will increase student performance and help ensure that students are not only prepared for first grade, but will have an excellent foundation for their entire K-12 experience.”

The kindergarten classes will be about six hours, lining up with the start times of each elementary school, Burris noted.

WHAT’S NEXT: Parent informational meetings, or “Kindergarten Roundups,” will be held at each elementary school from the end of January through February. A full list of the scheduled Roundups can be found via Google Doc on the CUSD’s news page. —SR

Skatepark Coalition Gets Non-Profit Status THE LATEST: The San Juan Capistrano Skatepark Coalition, which has been working to raise funding for the city’s new skatepark, received its 501c3 status from the IRS last month, making it an official Page 4

nonprofit organization.

With its official nonprofit designation, the Coalition’s goal this year is to reach out to corporate sponsors and raise $1 million to help pay for the construction of the skatepark, which is planned to be built on the northwest end of the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park.

“We’ve got a $1 million goal, we’ve got to go after big-name corporate sponsors,” Coalition President Peter Carey told members during their first meeting of the New Year on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

City Council approved the conceptual design of the skatepark back in March 2017, allowing for formal fundraising to begin. Spohn Ranch, Inc., a Los Angelesbased skatepark developer, drew up the designs for the park and estimates the cost will be nearly $1.96 million to complete.

“The design incorporates local skateboard history, an area for beginner skateboarders, and will make San Juan Capistrano home to a world-class action sports facility,” according to the city.

“Additional funding,” the city added, “will be necessary for yearly maintenance.”

During the Coalition’s Jan. 16 meeting, Carey expressed how important record-keeping and cataloguing monetary donations will be for the group moving forward now that they’re officially recognized as a nonprofit.

“We want to make sure we do stuff by the books,” he said, later adding, “We have to organize ourselves much better.”

The nonprofit status, Carey further explained, also means the group will need to shutter any other website that was tied to the SJC Coalition, such as the Capistrano Grind Skate Park Facebook page.

“Too (much) skatepark stuff going out there. You’ve got the grind, you’ve got this skatepark website, that skatepark website,” he told members. “So what we’re trying to do is dial everything in to just be the SJC Skatepark Coalition.”

Prior to the meeting, Carey and Kerry Ferguson, a Coalition member and former city councilmember, noted that they met with city officials to discuss drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that can go before the City Council for approval.

The proposed MOU would establish a formal relationship between the city and the Coalition as it continues to raise funding for the skatepark.

Hoping to attract supporters by offering naming rights on certain parts of the park, Ferguson also noted that the Coalition has been working on putting together packets to hand out to prospective sponsors. Before doing that, she added, the Coalition would also like to get approval from City Council.

WHAT’S NEXT: Carey said they’re working to get the MOU and the Council’s approval soon.

“I think we’ll have the support we need, and I think we’ll have the majority of the Council ready to put their name on paper to support us,” he said. —SR www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Community Meetings TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (BILY) MEETING 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You (BILY) helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing because of their children’s (adults or minors) poor choices. San Clemente Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella, www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 FIESTA ASSOCIATION MEETING 7-8 p.m. In conjunction with the Swallows Day Parade season, the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association will hold weekly meetings to continue planning its upcoming list of events. Nydegger Building. 31421 La Matanza Street. www.swallowsparade.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ROTARY CLUB 6:15 p.m. The Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano meets every Wednesday at the San Juan Hills Golf Club, located at 32120 San Juan Creek Road. For more information, visit www.sjcrotary.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 COFFEE CHAT 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs every Friday at Hennessey’s Tavern, 31761 Camino Capistrano. All are welcome. Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING 5 p.m. The city’s governing body will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8 THE NEXT EDITION OF THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH PUBLISHES.

The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF

Mayor, Police Chief Recognize Reserve Bureau Deputies

Several deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Reserve Bureau were recognized Tuesday, Jan. 15, for their service to the San Juan Capistrano community.

Mayor Brian Maryott and San Juan Capistrano Police Chief Lt. Carl Bulanek presented commendations to the deputy sheriffs who help patrol the downtown area on weekends and during special events such as the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, Swallows Day Parade and San Juan Summer Nights events.

“These deputy sheriffs have donated countless hours of dedicated service to the city of San Juan Capistrano,” Maryott said during the Jan. 15 city council meeting.

“These dedicated deputies are all professionals who have regular full-time jobs and provide these services at no cost to the city during their off hours. We’re very grateful.”

Part of Bulanek’s vision when he first took on the position as the city’s chief of police was to provide community-based policing. But with limited staffing levels, that can be a difficult achievement, he noted.

“This group of individuals here make that all possible,” Bulanek said. “They’re the ones who patrol the downtown, have the time to go and talk to the shopkeepers, talk to the families, hand out stickers and interact with everybody on a personal level.

“We couldn’t do it without them. We just could not do what we do and provide the levels of service that we provide without them, and we’re very grateful to their service.”

During the recognition ceremony, Bulanek acknowledged Loren Webb, a deputy sheriff assigned to the reserve bureau, for spearheading the downtown foot patrol project. He also praised Webb for his commitment to the job and stepping up to fill vacant spots when no one else could.

“He’s been essentially out there every single night, on the weekends, Friday and Saturday,” Bulanek said. “If a spot couldn’t be filled, he’d be the one to step up and get it filled, take the responsibility, doing it himself.”

Swallows Day Parade Season Continues with Taste of San Juan Event The Fiesta Association will host its annual “Taste of San Juan” event Jan. 31 at San Juan Hills Golf Club.

With more than two dozen local restaurants and caterers participating in the culinary affair, attendees will be able to indulge in all the various flavors San Juan

Mayor Brian Maryott and San Juan Capistrano Police Chief Lt. Carl Bulanek on Jan. 15 present Loren Webb, a deputy sheriff assigned to the reserve bureau, with an award, recognizing him for his service to the local community. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Capistrano eateries have to offer.

The upcoming occasion is the next event lined up in conjunction with the Fiesta de las Golondrinas parade season, which all leads up to the 61st annual Swallows Day Parade on March 23.

Last year, about 600 people attended the 25th anniversary of the event.

Aside from the best eats around town, there will also be live music from the DooWah Riders.

General admission tickets are $35, and VIP tickets are $60. The VIP tickets cover the cost of admission, valet parking and a swag bag to take home.

Tickets can be purchased at the Association’s website at swallowsparade.com, through the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce and at all Fiesta meetings on Wednesday nights.

Rancho Mission Viejo Ranked Among Top-Selling MasterPlanned Communities A pair of reports ranking the nation’s best-selling master-planned communities in 2018 has placed the still-developing Rancho Mission Viejo community near the top of their lists.

The real-estate analytic firms RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting recently published separate reports on the top 50 master development plans in the U.S. Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC (RMV) placed 11th on the RCLCO list, and Burns Consulting ranked the community 12th.

“We are thrilled with this achievement,” Nadine Corrigan, vice president of sales and marketing to the development company, said in a press release.

Corrigan also called 2018 a banner year for the “The Ranch,” as it experienced

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areas of expansion. New neighborhoods and a school were opened to the Esencia village while the first phase of the Los Patrones Parkway, a four-lane arterial highway through Rancho Mission Viejo, was completed last September.

According to RCLCO, the top-selling master-planned communities that had previously been ranked in 2017 saw an average growth of about 5 percent over their 2017 totals.

The Burns report similarly found that the top-selling communities “sold at least 320 homes per community last year,” which was slightly higher than the previous year. “Roughly 28,000 home buyers purchased new homes in these top 50 master plans in 2018.”

The Villages of Lake Sumter in The Villages, Fla., took the top spot in both reports. The Irvine Ranch and Ontario Ranch communities were among the top 10 on both lists. The Irvine Company, which sold 1,160 homes in 2018, saw a 36 percent decrease in sales, according to RCLCO. As for Rancho Mission Viejo, more than 620 homes were purchased last year – a nearly 5 percent increase from the 595 homes that were bought in 2017, according to the reports.

The new Esencia homes cost between $500,000 to more than $1 million, the press release states.

“The intergenerational makeup of the community is a huge draw, and savvy home shoppers have discovered they just get more on The Ranch,” Corrigan said in the press release. “Our impressive home sales demonstrate the importance homebuyers place on the unique attributes and advantages found at Esencia on The Ranch.”

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

A 1947 Cadillac Coupe Convertible featured during the 2013 Car Show. Photo: Brian Park

Rotary to Host 2019 Car Show More than 1,000 automotive enthusiasts are expected to gather for the annual fundraising event

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

henever Bob Ellis went to car shows regularly several years ago, he’d always spot a Ford Roadster with fenders.

“I’d get to a Roadster with fenders and I’d really look at it,” Ellis recalled. “I just loved it.”

The style of the vintage car had really caught his eye. So much so that when Ellis came across a 1932 Ford Roadster for sale 15 years ago, he had to have it.

“When I saw this for sale, I wasn’t even in the mood to buy a car or looking for one,” he said. “But I saw (it) at a car show and that’s how I came by it.”

Built with a 302 Ford engine and a

The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

Ford Mustang style front end, Ellis’ Roadster features a Rumble seat in the back while sporting a red coat and black fenders.

“It’s been a good little car,” said Ellis, a retired roofer and San Juan Capistrano resident.

Ellis, 89, is no stranger to Ford vehicles. His first car at 16 years old was a 1930 Ford Model A. At the time he bought it, it didn’t even have an engine.

He and a friend had to find one and install it.

“I’m really not much of a mechanic, but I was able to do the work on that and got it running,” Ellis said.

In his garage, Ellis also has a 1956 Ford pickup as well as a 1941 John Deere tractor. But Ellis doesn’t consider himself a car enthusiast, rather considering his collection of classic vehicles a hobby.

SUPPORTING CHARITIES Ellis’ Roadster will join about 400 other antique show cars and trucks at the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano’s annual Car Show on Saturday, Feb. 2. The fundraising event is expected to draw more than 1,000 automotive enthusiasts.

All the proceeds from the show will help support several organizations including the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley, Marine Corps families, Boy and Girl Scouts, Friends of the Library, J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, CREER Communidad y Familia and the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), to name a few.

The Rotary typically raises about $120,000 annually for the charities, with about $30,000 coming from the car show, according to rotary member Paul Murai, the car show’s chairman. This year, he said, the Rotary club is hoping to raise $40,000 from the event.

“We’ve had a really good response from all the participants, good sponsorship and our vendors,” Murai said. “So, I’m looking forward to an exciting year with all the people supporting our Rotary Club.”

AT THE SHOW In addition to the plethora of hot rods, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles that can be seen at the car show, the Rotary Club will also feature the Chevrolet Camaro SS Nitro Funny Car sponsored by the Auto Club of Southern California.

The Funny Car, which the Auto Club unveiled to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in February 2017, features a special paint design honoring the California Highway Patrol, according to AAA. As part of the NHRA’s 2017 racing season, the program “NHRA Salutes First Responders” was launched to pay tribute to local police, fire, medical and recovery services.

“That should be a big hit,” Murai said.

“This is something new to our car show.”

Typically, most of the vehicles that are registered for the show, Murai said, are local to Southern California. But over the years, the event has grown to include more vehicles from other parts of the

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country such as Arizona, Illinois and Florida.

“Our show is becoming more popular so we’re really getting some nice cars from other areas,” he said.

This year’s show will also feature New Car Row, where local automotive dealerships will highlight some new models.

SAYING GOODBYE For the last 15 years, Ellis and his wife, Betty Ellis, have enjoyed driving the Roadster around and showing it off at car shows. But as he gets older, Ellis said, he’s finding it harder to get in and out of the car.

“It’s gotten to a point where I can hardly get in and out of it. It’s kind of a struggle,” said Ellis who will be turning 90 this March. He noted that he has no problem hopping in his ’56 pickup and driving it.

“This is just too compact … a few years ago it was no problem, (but) you’re just not as limber as you used to be at 90,” Ellis said with a laugh, referring to the Roadster.

To help give it some exposure so he can sell it, Ellis has entered the vintage beauty in the upcoming car show.

“I wouldn’t want to take a three-month road trip in it, but other than that it’s been a good little car,” he said.

The Car Show begins at 7:30 a.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center and Sports Park. Tickets for adults are $5 and $2 for children aged 11-17. Kids under 11 get in free. CD

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS Society, that the Society began to restore the 1794 adobe. The five-year restoration project was a totally volunteer operation headed by Society president Tom Ostensen and ably assisted by Scott Gates, Steve Behmerwhold, Harrison Taylor, Dick Paulsen and Fred Frank. The Adobe gives the Society another exhibition room and has already been used for the Society’s first Day of the Dead exhibit, a Ghost Walk pre-dinner, and a tribute to a native son, the retired Sheriff Brad Gates.

The Walk includes stories about the Jail and the Oyharzabal House and a stroll down Los Rios Street, the oldest residential neighborhood in California.

Start off the New Year and spend a Moment in Time working off those holiday calories and learning about the history of San Juan Capistrano. For more information and reservations, call the Society at 949.493.8444.

Jan Siegel is a 28-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years and has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 18 years.

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

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

New Walking Tour Offers Historic Look at City

H

ope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Now is the time for the start of those New Year resolutions. At the top of most lists is more exercise. And this year is a great time to start, because the Historical Society has initiated a new Walking Tour.

The Historical Society Walking Tour now starts at the O’Neill Museum on Los Rios Street and encompasses not only Society property but also Los Rios Street.

The Society has recently completed work on the Silvas Adobe and with the Leck House, the Jail, the Oyharzabal House, and, of course, the O’Neill building, there is a lot of local history hidden behind the gate of the Society. The tours occur on Saturday at 1 p.m., as well being available to group tours during the week. Suggested donation for the one-hour tour is $5, which goes to the historic preservation of maintaining all of our properties.

The Garcia/Pryor residence, now known as the O’Neill Museum, was built between 1870 and 1880 by Jose Dolores Garcia, a saloon owner who promised his wife that if she married him, she would not have to live in an adobe house. The

Letters to the Editor CITY IS ‘GETTING OUT OF WATER BUSINESS’; RESIDENTS AREN’T —JONATHAN VOLZKE, San Juan Capistrano In 2010, the City of San Juan Capistrano purchased 132 acres of Rancho Mission Viejo property, which included the 40-acre Blenheim Riding Park, in a behind-closeddoors deal that alienated many residents.

History has shown that the $30 million deal has benefited the city with new permanent open space and a riding park that is a crown jewel in Capistrano’s equestrian lifestyle. But the opaque process planted seeds of mistrust in City Hall that blossomed into political weeds over the next eight years.

I fear we failed to learn from that experience: the city for months has negotiated with agencies interested in taking over The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

house is the home of the Society’s collection of more than 1,500 photographs of local history, as well as an extensive library on the history of San Juan Capistrano.

The Leck House is the 100-year-old craftsman farmhouse that was moved to the Society site in 2005, when the developer of the farmhouse property wanted to remove it from its original site because it stood in the way of his plans. Arely Leck, the MOMENTS farmer, had married Alice IN TIME Forster, the aunt of Tony

By Jan Siegel Forster who was President of the Historical Society at the time, and both were related to Don Juan Forster, who purchased the Mission in 1845. Saving this farmhouse was a win-win for the developer, the Society and the city, which had listed the house on the Inventory of Historic Places in San Juan Capistrano.

The Silvas Adobe was always located on this property. But it was not until the generosity of the Oyharzabal family, who donated the property to the Historical

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 The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.

Capistrano’s water service. Yet, none of the information has been shared with residents—who will live with, and pay for—this critical decision. The issue has not even gone before our Utilities Commission, comprised of residents tasked with being experts about our water system.

Councilmembers must represent residents, not City Hall, in this decision. While it’s easy to see any transaction as a “sale,” and demand the city be compensated for the assets of the water system, our leaders must remember the system does not belong to City Hall; it belongs to residents.

Through rates, residents have already bought and paid for the water infrastructure. Any transfer of the system will be to another public agency, which can only raise funds through water rates. Any money extracted from a new agency will ultimately be passed on to ratepayers, and Capistrano residents will again be paying for infrastructure they already own.

As our leaders make good on their promise to “get out of the water business,” they should recognize that only City Hall is getting out of the water business—but residents will forever be tied to the system as ratepayers. The decision is best framed

that City Hall is merely the operator of the system, while the residents are the owners. Any transaction is changing the system operator, not the ownership.

Regardless of what agency is selected, two things are certain: our rates will go up as the new operator makes much-needed repairs, and Capistrano residents will have less voice as we become a small part of a larger agency. These negotiations are our last chance to be heard. The process needs to be inclusive and transparent.

One thing we know: nothing will make the weeds of discontent sprout faster in Capistrano than water.

Page 8

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The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 17, Issue 02. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

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GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: ‘Stan & Ollie’ Still Bring Smiles

What’s going on in and around town

COMPILED BY STAFF

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to The Dispatch by going to www.thecapistranodispatch.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

Friday | 25 PARENT & ME: NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT 10-11 a.m. Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens will host a free sensory scavenger hunt for children ages 2 ½-6. Look, smell, touch and discover nature together through a gentle scavenger walk around the Montanez Adobe inside the Los Rios Park. Each child receives a map and a bag for collecting items. Los Rios Park, San Juan Capistrano. info@goinnative. net. www.goinnative.net.

EDITOR’S PICK Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

Photo: File

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31: 6-9 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association invites everyone to the Taste of San Juan event. Come and enjoy the best of San Juan Capistrano at the Taste of San Juan.

Help launch the kick-off celebration of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas with 25 restaurants, under one roof! Taste of San Juan brings many of the restaurants and caterers serving San Juan Capistrano together to tempt you with their finest offerings. General admission is $35 and VIP tickets are also available for $60. San Juan Hills Golf Club. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.599.4323. www.swallowsparade.com.

Saturday | 26 COMMUNITY GARDENING CLASSES AT ARMSTRONG GARDENS 9 a.m. Growing Your Own Berries – Armstrong professionals will be on hand to demonstrate how blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and boysenberries can all be grown in California gardens. 32382 Del Obispo St. Suite D, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.6666. www.armstronggarden.com.

Monday | 28 JAZZ FACULTY IN CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Join the Jazz Faculty as they kick off the spring semester. This wonderful ensemble features the entire Jazz Faculty. The door price for tickets sold in the hour preceding the performance is $10. Saddleback College McKinney Theatre. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4500. www.saddleback.edu.

Tuesday | 29 BLOOD DRIVE 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The City of San Juan Capistrano and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center. 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano. www.redcrossblood.org.

The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

Wednesday | 30 PAINT “WINE BARREL” COUPLES/SINGLES 6-9 p.m. Join local artists, Daniela and Christie of OCDC Art & Design, and come paint a fun wine barrel, wine bottle, grape scene with them. The price to join is $35 per painter. Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar. 27211 Ortega Highway, Unit C, San Juan Capistrano. Christie.ocdcArtAndDesign@ gmail.com. www.ocdcartanddesign.com.

Thursday | 31 MOMS NIGHT OUT! 7 p.m. Another MOMs Night Out on the town, hosted by MOMs Club of San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point, with delicious food, drinks and amazing company. Sol Agave. 31111 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.218.1158. www.solagave.com.

Friday | 01 MUSICAL MANIA! SING ALONG WITH SCOTT FARTHING 7:30 p.m. Join the Community Sing Along with Saddleback College vocal students under the friendly direction of Scott Farthing. Tickets purchased in advance are

$7 for seniors and students; $10 for adults.

Saddleback College McKinney Theatre.

28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo.

949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu.

Sunday | 03 SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 2-10 p.m. Come and enjoy happy hour prices all day long and a free Nacho Bar while you watch the Super Bowl. The BrewHouse.

31896 Plaza Dr. Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181. thebrewhousesjc.com.

Thursday | 07 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BREAKFAST SPEAKER SERIES 7:30-9 a.m. Power up your breakfast with networking and Productive Learning.

Leisa Reid will be speaking on “Creating a Winning Mindset.” Discover how your perceptions prevent you from seeing opportunities, and take actions that would lead directly to the results you ideally want. Reid presents on behalf of Productive Learning, a boutique personal growth company founded in 1992. For Chamber members, tickets are $18; for potential members, the cost is $25. Hennessey’s Tavern. 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. www.sanjuanchamber.com.

Page 10

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

n a perplexing awards season in which the movies with the most hype and praise seem to not be winning the most awards, Jon S. Baird’s Hollywood biopic Stan & Ollie is also becoming overlooked. The title refers to iconic comedy duo Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy and stars Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as the leads. While a lot of biopics on legends tend to be stereotypically tragic, Stan & Ollie has to be one of the most wholesome ones made.

The film flips back and forth between 1937—the year Laurel and Hardy first split up—and 1953, their final year together as a duo. We see how divided the partners were on working with longtime producer Hal Roach (Danny Huston), and how even their wives, Lucille (Shirley Henderson) and Ida (Nina Arianda), clash with personal opinions as well. But while working on a U.K. stage tour to revamp their film careers, Stan and Ollie discover that they can still make people laugh.

No drug addictions, romantic woes or tragic deaths are to be found in Stan & Ollie’s 90-minute runtime. There isn’t even a love scene or foul language, making it surprisingly appropriate for most age groups. Baird paints an homage to not only a long-term partnership but to one of the closest friendships in show business history. Coogan and Reilly really make it clear on screen how much they respect the comedy icons, and the prosthetics used to subtly alter their features to look more like the real men is impressive. Henderson and Arianda also give entertaining performances as the female support. For a sweet, charming time at the theater, Stan & Ollie wins. CD

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SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love after 50 by Tom Blake

The McStay Family Deserves Closure

I

n 1986, I met Susan McStay in Texas while on a business trip. A long-distance relationship began between Dallas and San Rafael, California, where I lived.

She had two teenage boys: Mikey, who lived with her, and Joey, who lived with his dad, Patrick, in Houston. I nicknamed her “Spunky,” because that reflected her personality.

About a year later, Susan and Mikey moved to San Rafael to live with me. I had not met Joey. A few months later, Joey and Susan were talking on the phone. I got on the line, and said to Joey, “Someday, I hope to meet you,” having no idea when that would be.

Less than 24 hours later, Joey called his mom. “I’m at San Francisco Airport. Can you pick me up?” He had come to California without notice, entirely on his own. We now had a family of four.

Susan felt the people in Marin County weren’t as friendly as the people in Texas.

Her boys kept telling me they wanted to live in “SoCal,” where they could surf. I was ready for a location change as well.

In my business travels, I often flew to Orange County. I recall in February 1987 getting off a plane. The temperature was 76 degrees at John Wayne Airport. I thought, wow, mighty nice. I stopped to see the Mission in San Juan Capistrano.

I found a new home in Laguna Niguel and decided to buy it. I called Spunky and said: “Pack your bags. I bought a home a mile from the ocean. I’m putting the San Rafael home on the market.”

We moved our belongings in a U-Haul truck with me driving, and Mikey and dog Kira in the cab. Following behind, in a Mercury Cougar, were Joey, Susan and dog Amy Lou. A few weeks later, Spunky and I married at the courthouse in Santa Ana. Our celebratory lunch that day was at Polly’s Pies in Laguna Hills.

Joey and Mikey graduated from Dana Hills High School. In 1988, I opened Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point. Mikey worked there briefly.

Joey part-timed at Costco in Capistrano Beach.

We moved again, this time to Monarch Beach, even closer to the ocean so the boys could walk to Salt Creek Beach to surf.

In 1994, Susan and I diON LIFE AND vorced. She was close to LOVE AFTER 50 her boys. She once said

By Tom Blake to me, “Blood is thicker than water.” She and the boys moved to San Clemente.

In 1998, I met Greta. In 2001, I leased my Dana Point home and moved to San Clemente to live with Greta. From time to time, we’d see one or more of the McStays around town. I recall Greta and me seeing Joey and his family at Sonny’s Pizza & Pasta.

On Feb. 4, 2010, Joey, his new wife, Summer, and their sons, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, went missing from their Fallbrook home. Five days later, their car was found abandoned in a parking lot near the Mexican border, giving an impression that their disappearance may have been voluntary.

People and authorities were baffled; I sure was. That wasn’t the Joey that I had helped raise, albeit for just five years.

Things didn’t add up. Food had been left on the table, their beloved dogs were left without food or water and there was $80,000 in a bank account.

I recall naively thinking perhaps Joey would call me one day and say, “Hey, Tom,

The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

1407 Buena Vista. I was pleased he called.

And now that the trial has started, the McStay family case is back in the news. I’ve heard it mentioned on KNX radio and KFI (San Diego). I’ve read about it in the Los Angeles Times, and it’s even on YouTube.

I’ve seen it on the evening news.

Now, we can only wait to see how the trial turns out. There are so many unanswered questions. Mikey, Susan and Summer’s family deserve closure. They’ve waited nine years.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating.

See his websites www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www.travelafter55.com.

To receive Tom’s weekly online newsletter, sign up at www.findingloveafter50.com.

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

BY MYLES MELLOR

Solution:

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Becca. Photo: Courtesy of the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

can you come down to the border to pick us up? We want to come home.”

The mystery of the family’s whereabouts lasted nearly four years. On Nov. 11 (my birthday) 2013, an off-road motorcyclist noticed human bones in the desert near Victorville, CA, and notified authorities. The four McStay bodies were found buried in two graves.

Mikey called me: “They’re all gone,” he said. It was surreal. I couldn’t grasp it.

A year later on Nov. 5, 2014, Chase Merritt, a business partner of Joey’s, was arrested on suspicion of murdering the family.

On Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, I received a phone call from Mikey. We hadn’t talked in a year. We chatted for 40 minutes. He told me the trial was finally beginning on Monday, Jan. 7 and early on, he and Susan would both be called to testify.

Mikey said he and his new wife, Gaylan, live in the North Beach area of San Clemente, near the McStay Memorial Bench, which is on a bluff overlooking the ocean, at

Sudoku

Pet of the Week: Becca

O

McStay Memorial Bench in North Beach. Photo: Tom Blake

ne-year-old Becca is a friendly kitty who just loves people. Always ready for a snuggle, she will often run to greet you with a happy meow. Becca is good with other cats and would do well in just about any household.

If you are looking for an adorable lodger like Becca, call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at .949.492.1617 or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente.

CD

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

Page 11

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SJC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Then & Now

by Rhonda DeHaan

Basques Find Fortune in Sheep Herding

P

erhaps the oldest and most distinctive European civilization, the Basques come from a rugged region along the border between Spain and France. While they never had their own country, the Basques have a unique culture and language. Having left political turmoil in Europe, many Basques settled in Latin America, where they honed their skills in ranching and herding.

After gold was discovered in 1848, gold fever spread across the globe, and these ranchers were not immune. People flocked to California, including a wave of Basque immigrants, predominantly by way of South America. Many THEN & NOW

By Rhonda of those who came to DeHaan California found the riches they came here for; many more did not. Some found their fortune, not in gold, but in other opportunities the gold rush created.

Supplies for the growing population of prospectors were often scarce, and the price of food soared. Finding the life of a miner frustrating and unproductive, many Basques returned to what they knew best—sheep herding—and moved to Southern California, where the climate and vast rangelands were ideal for raising sheep.

Basques became significant land owners in San Juan Capistrano, with the Oyharzabal family being the most promi-

Historical photos of sheep herding in San Juan Capistrano and surrounding parts of Orange County. Photos: Courtesy of Orange County Archives

nent. Domingo Oyharzabal migrated to Chile in 1863 at age 16. Four years later, he headed north to California, where he was joined by his brothers, William and Esteban. They eventually settled in the small town of San Juan Capistrano, establishing what would become a thriving sheep business.

The busiest time of year was sheep shearing, when the animals could be seen filling the downtown streets as they were taken to awaiting shearers. The job was immense, and Basque workers came from surrounding areas to help. It must

have been quite a sight to see!

The sheep business had a major impact on the economy of the area and, according to historian Pamela Hallan-Gibson, Basque ranchers and farmers were at one time the largest seasonal employers in San Juan Capistrano.

As we look at the rich history of our beloved town, it is important to recognize the important role Basques have played and appreciate their descendants, who continue to contribute to the prosperity of our community today.

Rhonda DeHaan enjoys learning about

San Juan Capistrano and its history, sharing fun photographic finds along the way.

She is proud mother of two, a freelance writer and a member of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society Board of Directors. She is also serving her eighth year as member of the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. 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 The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE SCHEDULED Please come and shop for our annual fundraiser for DHHS Girls Soccer! All proceeds benefit the girls teams. Saturday, January 26 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Dana Hills H.S. parking lot. 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

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949.388.7700 ext. 104 The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

Page 13

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

San Juan Preps Roundup

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

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

San Juan Hills Girls Soccer Jockeying for League Position The San Juan Hills girls soccer team has been racking up standings points in the South Coast League.

The Stallions (11-4-5, 2-1-3) have posted three scoreless draws in league, including the lone league blemish against Aliso Niguel (5-0-1), and claimed back-to-back wins last week over Tesoro, 4-2, and Dana Hills, 1-0.

San Juan Hills’ lone league loss came on the road at San Clemente, 2-1, on Jan. 12. The Stallions had the opportunity to avenge the loss and take control of second place in league at home on Thursday, Jan. 24. Results were not available at press time.

The Stallions have one game remaining in the regular season at Aliso Niguel on Tuesday, Jan. 29. CIF-SS playoffs will follow with the brackets being released on Sunday, Feb. 2.

JSerra Girls Soccer Still No. 1 in the Nation The JSerra girls soccer team was dealt its first blemish of the season, but it didn’t remove them from the No. 1 spot in USA Today’s winter rankings.

The two-time defending CIF-SS champion Lions (13-0-1, 4-0-1) played to a scoreless draw in a rainstorm at rival Santa Margarita on Jan. 15. The draw was JSerra’s 10th shutout of the season.

JSerra allowed only its fifth goal of the season in a win over Rosary, 3-1, on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

The Lions play at Mater Dei on Saturday morning, Jan. 26, and close out the regular season in a league title game at home against Santa Margarita on Tuesday, Jan. 29

JSerra Boys Basketball in Fight for Third With only one round of league games, the margin in the Trinity League boys basketball standings is razor-thin.

JSerra (19-7, 2-2) is in a three-way tie for third place and the final guaranteed playoff berth with Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran with one game to play. All three The Capistrano Dispatch January 25-February 7, 2019

The San Juan Hills girls soccer team has been competitive in its first season in the South Coast League and is fighting for playoff positioning down the stretch.

Photo: Zach Cavanagh

teams are one game behind co-leaders Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

All five of those teams are playing in the Nike Extravaganza this weekend at Mater Dei. JSerra will play St. Augustine of San Diego on Saturday, Jan. 26.

Then comes each Trinity League team’s most important game with their league and season finales on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

JSerra likely controls its own destiny in terms of playoff positioning.

The Lions host Santa Margarita while Orange Lutheran plays at Mater Dei. JSerra needs a win and an Orange Lutheran loss to secure playoff positioning. Should Orange Lutheran pull off the upset over Mater Dei, the Lancers and Monarchs would both hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over JSerra for second and third place.

JSerra should be in line for a playoff spot either way, but the right results would spare the Lions the stress on the bracket release day, Monday, Feb. 3.

CVC Boys Basketball Proving to be Among County’s Best The Capistrano Valley Christian boys basketball team (19-6, 4-1) is ranked No. 10 in Orange County and No. 5 in CIF-SS Division 3A and has knocked off plenty of

larger public schools so far this season.

CVC’s latest win came against Corona del Mar, 62-53, on Monday, Jan. 21. Cal State Northridge-bound senior Festus Ndumanya was again the Eagles’ unquestioned leader with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

CVC has been strong throughout league as well with 11 points being its smallest margin of victory. The Eagles have one loss in their opener to league leader Fairmont Prep.

CVC hosted Fairmont Prep with an opportunity to force a tie at the top of the league standings on Thursday, Jan. 24. For a full game story, check out www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

St. Margaret’s Dominating League Play on Three Fronts The St. Margaret’s girls soccer, boys soccer and boys basketball teams are all posting undefeated records in their respective leagues.

The Tartans girls soccer team (14-1-2, 5-0) has maintained its vice grip on opponents, league or otherwise. St. Margaret’s has only allowed four goals all season with 14 shutouts. The Tartans have won six in a row by a combined score of 21-1 with four

Page 14

consecutive shutouts.

Girls soccer is ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 4 with three games remaining.

The Tartans host Southlands Christian on Thursday, Jan. 31.

The St. Margaret’s boys soccer team (15-3, 4-0) has posted similar defensive success with eight shutouts and no goals allowed in four league games. The Tartans have outscored league opponents 14-0.

St. Margaret’s was on a seven-game winning streak heading into Thursday, Jan. 24’s match against Samueli Academy. The Tartans have two games after that with the season finale at home against rival Sage Hill on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

The St. Margaret’s boys basketball team (16-9, 6-0) has found the edge in its latest league games.

The Tartans beat out Webb, 51-50, in their final home game of the regular season on Tuesday, Jan. 22 and topped rival Sage Hill, 53-51, on Jan. 15. St. Margaret’s has won six in a row.

There are two games remaining for the Tartans, both on the road. St. Margaret’s plays at Southlands Christian on Friday, Jan. 25 and closes the regular season on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Sage Hill.

CIF-SS basketball brackets will be released on Monday, Feb. 3. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com