November 8, 2019

Editor’s Pick: Veterans Day Celebration OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

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FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

NOVEMBER 8-21, 2019 • VOLUME 17, ISSUE 21

Hello, Goodbye Fiesta Association Plans for 2020 Swallows Day Parade S J C L I V I N G / PAG E 1 6

Marie and James Kelly were named Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan for the 2020 Fiesta de Las Golondrinas season during the Farewell to the Swallows Barbecue. Photo: Collin Breaux

Punk Band X Playing at The Coach House GETTING OUT/PAGE 14

City Football Teams Open CIF-SS Playoffs SPORTS/PAGE 18

thecapistranodispatch.com

Community Voices Support for Skate Park EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week Community Voices Support for Skateboard Park THE LATEST: During a city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, members of the community voiced support for a San Juan Capistrano skateboard park finally being built.

City officials also support the skateboard park becoming a reality. A concept design was previously presented to and approved by the council, and funding is needed. A subcommittee is looking at the skateboard park, and there have been preliminary conversations with the City of Dana Point about a potential partnership, since an identified site around the San Juan Capistrano sports park borders the neighboring city.

Former Mayor Kerry Ferguson said supporters gathered more than 10,000 signatures in support of the skateboard park, with “well over” 5,000 signatures from San Juan Capistrano residents and others from Dana Point.

“One of the things that I was very glad to champion when I was on council was a skate park for our youth. I felt this was something that could serve a lot of people in a lot of ways,” Ferguson said. “I hope this is something that will finally come through, because there are generations now of residents that are hoping there will be one for their grandkids. We are getting closer, I believe.”

Resident Cody Martin also spoke about wanting a skateboard park and said the town is in “desperate need” of one.

“There really is a huge support in this city to get a skateboard park built,” Martin said. “Our city council is doing a great job so far. We’ve had tremendous success, whether it be approving River Street or my personal favorite, getting Chick-fil-A done. Let’s continue that success and build a skateboard park.”

Todd Rodarmel, pastor at Mountain View Church, said he also advocates for a skateboard park since it would help businesses, schools and other locations since the park would keep kids busy and give them an outlet for skateboarding.

“My youngest (son) is a skater,” Rodarmel said. “It takes quite a lot of athleticism to do what they do. It’s not just a place for kids to hang out and be delinquent. It actually keeps them out The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

Former Mayor Kerry Ferguson discusses supporting a skateboard park being built in San Juan Capistrano during a city council meeting. Photo: Collin Breaux

of skating on the lunch tables at all the schools and everywhere else, because it gives them a place to do it.”

City Manager Ben Siegel said more information is expected to be available in early 2020.

“We need to identify a funding source,” Siegel said. “We have some potential ideas.”

Derek Reeve, a councilmember who sits on the subcommittee, said the skateboard park is the “No. 1 priority” of the council in the parks and rec category.

“There is a commitment to build a skate park sooner than later,” Reeve said.

In the meantime, the San Juan Capistrano Skate Park Coalition will host its fourth Skate Jam on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion. There will be skating (safety gear including a helmet and elbow and knee pads is required), local youth bands, door prize giveaways and vendor booths.

In other council meeting news, the council approved a resolution authorizing submitting a grant application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for funding under the State Senate Bill 2 Planning Grants Program.

The grant application would be for a total of $160,000 to assist the city in the preparation of plans and studies that would streamline housing approvals and accelerate a housing report, according to an agenda report.

Another resolution the council voted in favor of was approving the submittal of the State Route 74 Lower Ortega Highway Widening Improvement Project to the Orange County Transportation Authority for grant funding. The grant application would cover funding of design costs and acceler-

ate the design effort by at least one year or possibly more, an agenda report said.

“Currently, there is insufficient funding for design of the Caltrans Lower Ortega Highway Widening Project,” the agenda report said. “Caltrans is the lead agency for the Lower Ortega Highway Widening Project. Caltrans is finalizing the environmental documentation for the project and will be in a position to begin design as soon as funding becomes available, which is presently scheduled to be four years from now.”

There have been actions by the council on the project since 2005, including letters to county and Caltrans officials in 2017.

Newest Wall of Recognition Honorees Raymond Miller, Marianne Taylor and Jim Taylor were also approved for their contributions to the area. Marianne Taylor has been active with the Los Rios Park Garden Angels, among other activities; Miller has worked with the San Juan Capistrano American Legion Post 721, along with other organizations; and Jim Taylor is the president of the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association.—Collin Breaux

Maryott Alleges Congressional Opponent Received ‘Dark Money’ THE LATEST: Republican Congressional candidate and San Juan Capistrano Mayor Brian Maryott has alleged that opponent and incumbent Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) benefited “from hundreds of thousands of dollars in Democrat dark money over the past few months.”

In a statement on Monday, Nov. 4, Maryott said Levin and House Speaker

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Nancy Pelosi were on “full-blown damage control” during an event in Oceanside that same day. Maryott is campaigning for the seat in the 49th district held by Levin.

Representatives for Levin’s campaign and office did not respond to emails seeking comment as of press time. But a video taken during the community talk at the Oceanside event shows Levin and Pelosi speaking about getting dark money out of politics, including other issues.

The discussion mentioned the For the People Act, legislation aimed at enhancing the fairness of elections and curbing the political influence of big money. The legislation has been passed by the House of Representatives but has yet to be passed by the Senate.

“Everybody remembers the Citizens United decision, right?—(the) 2010 decision that really freed up a lot more dark money,” Levin said when discussing climate change and lack of action on it.

“Unfortunately, since that decision, there has been $397 million of political spending, by the fossil fuel industry. A lot of that goes without reporting, without transparency.”

Maryott said in his statement it was “utterly apparent that Mike Levin is bought and paid for by D.C. political elites and out-of-state extremists.” In further comments to The Capistrano Dispatch after a San Juan Capistrano City Council meeting, Maryott elaborated on his allegations, saying he called the funds toward Levin’s campaign dark money because it “is third-party expenditures with little to no transparency.”

Maryott’s statement was linked to news stories about the allegations, including from opensecrets.org. OpenSecrets defines dark money as “political spending meant to influence the decision of a voter, where the donor is not disclosed and the source of the money is unknown” and “can refer to funds spent by a political nonprofit or a super PAC.” The OpenSecrets article from August said a new “dark money” group named House Majority Forward funded by secret donors plans to spend almost all of its $10.4 million budget on ads helping Democrats in House races heading into 2020. House Majority Forward can keep donors and other activities hidden from the public, unlike House Majority PAC, the super PAC it’s linked to, according to the article.

“House Majority Forward was quietly incorporated in March but operated under the radar until its public launch in July as a new 501(c)(4) arm of House Majority PAC, the Democrats’ flagship super PAC for congressional races that is closely aligned with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” the article said. “In addition to North Carolina, HMF kicked off an ad blitz in California and New Mexico, giving an early boost to freshmen Reps. Mike (Cont. on page 4) thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC Recommendations to minimize the risk of rabies include avoiding all contact with wild animals, vaccinating all cats and dogs against rabies, not sleeping with open unscreened windows or doors, closing off the area and contacting animal control if bats are seen inside a house or other structure, not leaving pet food outside where it will attract wild animals and immediately washing all animal bites with soap and water.

“If bats are seen inside the house or other structure, close off the area and contact animal control,” the release said. “Once the bat(s) have been removed, close off any areas allowing entrance into the house.”

Bats in Irvine, Seal Beach and Anaheim earlier this year have also tested positive for rabies. Most cases of human rabies in the United States in recent years have resulted from bat strains, though the disease is “nearly always fatal” once a person starts showing symptoms, according to the release.

“For that reason, preventive treatment to stop the rabies virus from causing illness is given to anyone who may have been exposed to rabies,” the release said. “Medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure, so any wound can be cleaned and preventive treatment can be started. This treatment is safe and effective.”—CB

(Cont. from page 3) Levin (D-Calif.), T.J. Cox (D-Calif.) Harley Rouda (D-Calif.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.).”

Campaign finance reform is an overarching issue that impacts other issues, and politicians should be engaged and responsive with the community instead of a handful of special interest groups, Levin said during the Oceanside event.

Citizens United was an undemocratic decision, and campaign money should be disclosed, Pelosi said during the event.

“We owe it to our democracy. We owe it to our children,” Pelosi said. “This Citizens United is endless dark money.”

In a statement sent the day of the Oceanside event, Levin said people he talks to in the district are “tired of Washington politicians who put corporate special interests first.”

“That’s why one of the first bills I supported in Congress was the For the People Act, so we can finally end the culture of corruption in Washington. House Democrats passed this historic legislation, and now it’s up to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to do what’s right for our democracy,” Levin said. “I’m grateful to Speaker Pelosi for leading the fight on this issue and joining me to discuss this critical legislation.”

Maryott told The Capistrano Dispatch he has no quarrel with how the legislation addresses dark money but “in the meantime, dark money is being spent on Mike Levin’s behalf to the tune of roughly a couple hundred thousand dollars just last month.”

Levin has approximately $1.185 million on hand, while Maryott has $361,446.88 on hand, according to Federal Election Commission records.—CB

Residents, Tourists React To Fires, Power Outages THE LATEST: Residents and tourists in South Orange County reacted to fires and power outages in the other parts of California with sadness, concern and resolve.

Fires spread recently in Northern California and near Los Angeles, while thousands of people had power shut off as a precautionary measure against fires.

Pat Arakelian empathized with those affected and said that could happen here in South Orange County.

“We’ve got a lot of mountains. I live in Laguna Woods, and it backs right up to the forest, and we could have a fire coming across someday,” said Arakelian, who was painting in the Los Rios Historic District in San Juan Capistrano and is prepared. “I have a lot of water stored.”

Dave and Anita Myers were tourists from New York visiting family in the area and walking around San Juan Capistrano.

People were asking them what it was like The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department arrested San Juan Hills High School football coach Cole Austin Cazel for allegedly contacting minors to solicit child pornography. Photo: Orange County Sheriff’s Department

in California.

“We just came from San Diego. We haven’t seen anything except the haze in the sky,” Dave said. “We’re just being aware of not getting into any trouble out here.”

Anita said while they understood the rationale for power shut-offs to prevent future fires, a better plan could be enacted down the road.

“Everything’s so dry out here,” Anita said. “It’s not personally affecting us, but we feel horrible for what people are going through. It hasn’t stopped us from traveling, but we’re just making sure we don’t go to that area.”

San Juan Capistrano city officials recently discussed emergency preparation plans and tips with The Capistrano Dispatch. In an emergency situation, cities report to the county, the county reports to the region, and the region then reports to the state. This chain of command is to avoid disorganization.

Assistant City Manager Charlie View said they do tabletop exercises in which they look at different kinds of emergencies and try to work through what happens in each scenario.

Emergency Services Manager Lynn Mata mentioned numerous preparedness tips for residents, including having a go kit with important papers, making sure pets are secure and having medication on hand. The city has an emergency opera-

tions center—EOC, in emergency management lingo—at the city hall complex that can be activated if necessary.

Besides mentioning the city is aware there are areas considered high fire-hazard severity zones, View was hesitant to speak on the likelihood of an emergency situation happening in San Juan Capistrano.—CB

Bat Tests Positive For Rabies THE LATEST: A bat found on the grounds of Mission San Juan Capistrano on Thursday, Oct. 24, around 12:15 p.m. tested positive for rabies, the OC Health Care Agency recently announced. “Rabid bats are identified routinely each year in Orange County and around the country,” an Oct. 25 press release from the health agency said. “Contact with bats should be avoided, and any potential bat bite should be discussed with a medical provider.”

Anyone who has had physical contact with a bat or knows someone else who did should call the OC Health Care Agency Communicable Disease Control Division at 714.834.8180 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 714.834.7792 after hours to determine the risk for rabies. Owners of pets who may have had contact with this bat should contact their veterinarian, the release said.

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Football Coach Arrested For Alleged Solicitation of Child Pornography THE LATEST: A football coach with San Juan Hills High School has been arrested for allegedly contacting minors to solicit child pornography, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday, Oct. 30, in a news release.

Cole Austin Cazel, 22, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested by members of the OCSD Special Victims Detail.

Cazel has been an offensive line coach for the football team for approximately four years, the release said.

“He is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail with bail set at $100,000,” the release said. “The Orange County Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous tip about multiple students being victimized by Cazel and immediately launched an investigation.”

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation can contact the OCSD at 714.647.7419 or submit anonymous tips to OC Crime Stoppers at 855.TIP. OCSS or at occrimestoppers.org.

The Capistrano Unified School District said through a statement they will “continue to work with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department through their investigation.”—CB thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

High School Senior Takes First Solo Flight

TUESDAY, NOV. 12 Planning Commission Meeting 6:30-7:30 p.m. The commission, which makes recommendations to the City Council, meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. Visit SanJuanCapistrano.org for more information.

St. Margaret’s High School senior John Boranian made his first solo airplane flight on Tuesday, Oct. 29 in a SportStar.

“He has been training at John Wayne Airport for the last 10 months, and today is the day that it all came together, weather, airplane, instructor, to make his first solo flight,” said Eric Boranian, John’s father. “He plans to get his private pilot license before his 18th birthday.”

Military Veterans Ride 1942 Aircraft Vietnam veteran Tom Reynolds and his father, a World War II side gunner, participated in the Ageless Aviation Dream Flight on Saturday, October 22, at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad.

Father and son were two of six Reata Glen residents who took the flight on a 1942 Boeing Stearman biplane, arranged by the nonprofit, which has provided more than 4,000 flights in 41 states to veterans, according to a news release.

“Our mission is to give back to those who’ve given,” said Darryl Fisher, founder and president of Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. “We’re honoring the greatest generation by giving them an experience of a lifetime. Something special happens when they strap on that helmet, hear the raspy engine, and then feel the wind on their faces. By the time they land, they feel 20 years younger.”

Reynolds said it was a great opportunity for everyone.

“During our era, people weren’t as generous with their time and money,” Reynolds said. “We’re all thankful for the Ageless Aviation Dream Flight crew for thinking about us and creating these fantastic memories.”

Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano Highlights Success Data from the Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano 2019 Impact Report details the success the organization has had with students. According to the report, 90% of middle school students received a 3.5 GPA or higher, 81% of high school students received a 3.0 unweighted GPA or higher, and 99 out of 170 who submitted college applications were accepted.

Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano aims to help low-income students succeed in education and end intergenerational poverty.

The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13

St. Margaret’s High School senior student John Boranian made his first solo airplane flight on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Photo: Eric Boranian

“Every year we strive to meet new milestones, and this year was no different,” Director Alex Serna said. “Highlights include highest number of new student applications (80), acceptances (50), largest single student cohort: an incoming class of high school freshmen (50), highest number of community and student volunteers (280) who gave approximately 4,000 hours of their time and talent to advance our vision.”

Other accomplishments Serna mentioned included their first year of supporting college students through a year of college and the highest percentage of Breakthrough college students who served as summer teaching fellows at 37%.

Four new corporate partners have reportedly contributed to the program recently: Kingston Tech, Applied Medical, Fluor Engineering and Wells Fargo.

Former Probation Officer, Nonprofit Educate Teens on Healthy Relationships San Juan Capistrano resident and former probation officer Tom Erikson has partnered with the nonprofit Human Options for the past 12 years to educate youth on the importance of healthy relationships and how to recognize teen dating violence, according to a news release.

Erikson teaches a college-level criminal justice class to approximately 200 students each year at Santa Ana High School’s Elizabeth G. Macias Legal Studies Academy.

“Erikson’s passion for educating high school youth is reflected in his thoughtful curriculum on the inner workings of the criminal justice system, and the consequences of getting wrapped up in delinquency,” the release said. “But to go a step further, Erikson says one of the biggest takeaways he hopes to instill within the next generation is the importance of being a good parent. If one student’s family is broken, abusive, destructive, then he

encourages them to turn things around when they have a family of their own and break that negative cycle.”

Erikson reportedly saw domestic violence during his 26 years as a probation officer.

“The cycle of violence is one of the most profound issues impacting multiple levels of society at the individual and larger policy level,” Erikson said. “The future of our youth depends upon both identifying and intervening to stop the next generation of the cycle”.

Saddleback Valley Students Helping People in Developing World Saddleback Valley Christian School has launched a new partnership with international humanitarian organization World Vision to teach students about other communities and help people in the developing world.

“On Wednesday, Oct. 29, students gathered for the launch of the World Vision Ignite partnership at Saddleback Valley Christian School,” a news release stated. “Internationally known humanitarian speaker Steve Haas from World Vision delivered a message to the student body in three assemblies—setting a vision of the life-changing experience that awaits SVC students.”

The Saddleback Valley Christian community began a one-week experience on Monday, Nov. 4, to understand extreme poverty, including being hungry and not having enough water or clean clothes.

Other activities, including one-on-one interaction with sponsored children, are also planned during the school year.

“Throughout the school year, students will learn about the root causes of poverty, and work on projects locally and globally to help other children live better lives, ensuring that all children have enough to eat, a safe place to live, and a chance to

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Youth Advisory Board Special Meeting 5:30 p.m. The board, which works with San Juan Capistrano youth and the City Council, meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. Visit SanJuanCapistrano.org for more information.

San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club 6:15 p.m. The Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano meets every Wednesday at the Rotary Scout Hut, 31372 La Mantanza.

For more information, visit SJCRotary.org.

THURSDAY, NOV. 14 Design Review Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m. The city’s DRC, which works with development applicants to ensure compliance with city regulations, meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

Visit SanJuanCapistrano.org for more information.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15 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.

FRIDAY, NOV. 22 The next edition of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

learn,” the release said. “Funding from the partnership with World Vision will support long-term community development, helping ensure that all children not only have help for today, but a bright future longterm. A set group of students and school leaders will culminate the year of Ignite with a trip to visit the children and communities Saddleback is supporting.”

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

EYE ON RMV

NEWS & HAPPENINGS AT THE RANCH

Toll Road Officials Discuss Traffic Relief Options

Events at The Ranch NOV. 8

Hilltop Bar Night & Swirl. Sniff. Sip.

5-9 p.m. The spacious event bar at The Hilltop Club is open every Friday evening, so come grab a drink, then stay to hang out with good friends and close neighbors. This is a Ranch-resident-only event. 65 Esencia Drive, Rancho Mission Viejo. 949.768.1882.

RanchoMissionviejo.com/Events.

NOV. 9

Saturday Day Trail Clearing and Weeding

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

ith weekend I-5 traffic in South Orange County becoming a concern, officials with the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) recently took the Picket Fence Media team on a tour of options that will soon be considered as part of the public outreach and engagement process for the South County Traffic Relief Effort (SCTRE.) Caltrans is the lead agency on the effort to study the SCTRE and TCA is the project sponsor, meaning the TCA is paying for required environmental studies.

One of the stops on the tour was near the Los Patrones Parkway and Cow Camp Road intersection, near where a proposed traffic route called Alternative 22 would start.

According to the TCA website, Alternative 22 would extend Los Patrones Parkway in Rancho Mission Viejo southerly from Cow Camp Road through RMV’s future Planning Area 5 and connect with Avenida La Pata at the southerly limits of the Prima Deshecha Landfill.

“At this point in the process, we aren’t sure whether Alternative 22 would be a tolled route or not,” said Valarie McFall, chief environmental planning officer for TCA. “We have to go through the California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act processes, which will take at least the next year, before any preferred routes are identified and to know whether those routes would be tolled or not.”

In a statement, Mike Balsamo, senior

8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Volunteer to help make The Reserve trails accessible for visitors.

Drinks and snacks will be provided, but bring work gloves if you have them. Ages 10 and up. Participants must be registered by 4 p.m. on Friday, November 9. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, 28811 Ortega Highway. 949.489.9778.

RSVP at rmvreserve.org/calendar.

NOV. 21

Presentation: Native Plants and Their Uses

Officials with the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) recently took the Picket Fence Media team on a tour of options that will soon be considered as part of the public outreach and engagement process for the South County Traffic Relief Effort (SCTRE.) Photo: Shawn Raymundo

vice president/governmental relations for Rancho Mission Viejo, said they will be interested in studying this new alternative once it is formally presented and “at this point, it’s too early in the process to provide comments.”

Other options include Alternative 23, which would add managed lanes in the median of I-5 from Avenida Pico or State Road 73 to Basilone Road, south of the San Diego

County line.

“Caltrans has directed us to consider more than a dozen alternatives that might help South County’s persistent traffic challenges,” said McFall.

The I-5 Freeway through San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente bottlenecks at county line “with no significant alternate north-south routes,” said Kit Cole, spokesperson for the TCA.

7-8:30 p.m. Naturalist Janine Petersen will hold a lecture discussing different uses of native plants. Ages 8 and up. Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m., November 21. Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo, 1 1 Brioso. 949.489.9778.

RSVP at rmvreserve.org/calendar.

“Residents and tourists alike are very familiar with the fact that on Saturdays, traffic headed south on I-5 is typically congested for hours and on Sunday, traffic headed back north on I-5 is often heavy,” Cole said.

The I-5 has a higher rate of accidents on the weekends, according to a study report.

Caltrans will hold public meetings in November and December in which the community can give input on the project.

RMV Turkey Trot Volunteers Welcomed

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Volunteers are welcome to join the Rancho Mission Viejo Family on Thanksgiving Day and give back by helping out during the Turkey Trot. The race on Thursday, Nov. 28, features a 5K and 1K Little Gobbler’s run, with proceeds The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

benefiting The Reserve.

Volunteers must arrive at 7 a.m.

Volunteer opportunities include helping runners stay on course, giving water to runners and assisting with parking and traffic direction.

Volunteers must be a minimum of 13 years old; those under 18 will

require a parent’s consent on the liability waiver.

“Those who are between the ages of 13 and 15 years old must be accompanied by a guardian during the time of their shift,” the event description said. “All participants and volunteers, regardless of age,

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must sign a liability waiver prior to their shift.”

Race packet pick-up will be on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods, 27502 Antonio Parkway, #B, Ladera Ranch.

Visit turkeytrotontheranch.com for more information. thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

Letters to the Editor

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 thecapistranodispatch.com

TREES IN SAN JUAN

HOW TO REACH US

The city of San Juan Capistrano and many of its residents place little value on the benefits of trees and do nothing to prevent loss of trees and damage to trees from excessive, unnecessary, and unskilled trimming. Every year, trees are trimmed excessively and poorly, leaving them little of what they offer.

Trees absorb harmful sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide from the air and release oxygen. One tree can produce a day’s supply of oxygen for four people. Yearly, trees can store 13 pounds of carbon; an acre would equal 2.6 tons of stored carbon.

Trees increase comfort and decrease utility bills by reducing air temperature when leaves evaporate water and by blocking sunlight. Shading large areas of asphalt, concrete and buildings minimizes the urban heat island effect; the radiation of heat, day and night, results in warmer temperatures. Urban areas are often nine degrees warmer than areas with tree cover. Ideally, 50 percent of total paved surfaces should be shaded.

The sheltered side of trees help settle out and trap up to 75 percent of dust, pollen and smoke from the air.

Trees absorb and block noise, up to as much as 40 percent, something good in increasingly dense neighborhoods and with increasing numbers of cars on the road.

Trees provide habitat and food for birds and other animals. Birds in our city no longer have safe havens or nesting places in trees reduced to nothing more than hat racks. This city once called itself a bird sanctuary—I guess no more.

Trees define space, add color, add beauty to the urban landscape and increase real estate values.

International Society of Arboriculture guidelines dictate less than 25% of crown, branch removal—seemingly not the case in our city. A city employee stated if it doesn’t kill the tree, just trim away; a very poor, harmful policy. Why does the city disregard the benefits of trees for its citizens and the environment? Please contact the city officials and ask that they not ignore the facts and no longer view trees as liabilities but as assets.

CITY EDITOR Collin Breaux, 949.388.7700, x109 cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Debra Wells, 949.322.4765 debra@wellsadsolutions.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@picketfencemedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Collin Breaux Senior City Editor, DP Times > Lillian Boyd City Editor, SC Times > Shawn Raymundo Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

Real Estate Sales > Debra Wells (SJC) Multi-Media Assistant > Kendra Burns ART/DESIGN Art Director > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed General Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Copy Editor > Randall Youngman

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Tim Trent

> Traci Kelly (SC) > Debra Wells (SJC)

EDITOR EMERITUS Jonathan Volzke

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 17, Issue 21. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (sanclementetimes. com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

—TOM CAVANAUGH, San Juan Capistrano

DISMANTLE SONGS? NOT SO FAST. —GARY HEADRICK, San Clemente Last week, the California Coastal Commission approved plans to remove all structures above ground at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Of course, we’d all like to see that happen, almost as

much as we’d like to see the nuclear waste being transported away to a safer location.

However, we were only given part of the story. A major aspect was hardly mentioned—destroying the spent-fuel pools, which are our last line of defense should one of the canisters need to be replaced.

There is a basic question we should all ask ourselves when faced with such consequential decisions: Who do you trust?

Do you trust an industry that faces huge expenses and liability if canisters fail while under their management?

A company of ill repute, Holtec International, that sees $1.3 billion dangling in front of them for promising to take over the nuclear waste storage problem when they only have a series of failures to point to?

Southern California Edison, who lied about the canister full of more radiation than the Chernobyl disaster that was hanging by one-fourth of an inch above an 18-foot drop?

Another captured regulatory agency, who approved designs for replacement steam generators that only lasted for 11 months (not 40 years) before they leaked radiation and permanently closed the plant?

A Coastal Commission that approved the plan to store nuclear waste on our shores and then leave us no pool or hot cell in case something goes wrong?

Who you should trust: Whistle-blowers who risk careers to warn the public of danger.

The Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (NWTRB), an independent panel of experts who were nominated by the National Academy of Science.

Your fellow citizens who spend countless unpaid hours doing the research and organizing, motivated out of concern for our community and the precious environment we all call home.

A bold young man, Jackson Hinkle, the most knowledgeable candidate on nuclear waste, (who ran) for San Clemente City Council, willing to step up in a big way to lead his generation toward a more sustainable future.

When in doubt, question motives and go with the precautionary principle promoted by those in harm’s way. We’re all on the same side for the safest solutions possible.

A RESPONSE TO OCT. 25 LETTER TO THE EDITOR BY ROGER JOHNSON —RICHARD WARNOCK, Dana Point Many of Roger Johnson’s assertions relate to nuclear weapons and warfare. It is important for the readers to differentiate between the assured damage from a nuclear weapon explosion and what might result from a nuclear power plant accident.

They are orders of magnitude different.

San Onofre Units 2 and 3 have been shut down for about seven years. A very large part of the radioactive material has decayed away. Most of the spent fuel is now in steel canisters entombed in massive concrete shields.

Page 8

The cited Bulletin of Atomic Scientists article by financial analyst David Epstein relates to the projected financial aspects of a nuclear weapons detonation, a dirty bomb explosion in a major city or a “hacked” operating nuclear power plant. Mr. Epstein draws potential financial market parallels between a nuclear attack and the post-World War II German and Japanese economies. A check of world financial history does not reveal a worldwide market collapse after the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl or Fukushima reactor accidents.

Exposures from low-level liquid and gaseous releases from San Onofre are in accordance with Federal limits as defined in 10CFR50 Appendix I. These limits keep annual public exposures to a small fraction of natural background. You will receive a greater additional radiation exposure by flying to and from New York than from sitting outside San Onofre for a full year. Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Reports and Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Reports are publicly available and substantiate no radiological impact to the public or the environment from San Onofre releases. I know this information, because the early reports were my responsibility.

San Onofre named two staff members and voluntarily participated in the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine study titled “Analysis of Cancer Risks in Populations Near Nuclear Facilities, Phase 1,” completed in 2012. A follow-on study group last met on April 3, 2014. The project was discontinued by Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff for solid technical reasons, not fear of some imagined poor result.

I fully agree with Mr. Johnson regarding the glaring lack of a U.S. spent fuel and military waste repository. The National Academy of Sciences studied this issue from the 1950s to about 1987. Disposal in a deep geological site was recommended and selected. Yucca Mountain, Nevada, adjacent to the weapons test site, was selected and work began. The President Obama/Senator Reid cabal quickly halted funding and work.

President Donald Trump requested funds to assess restarting Yucca Mountain. Congress has not allocated funds. Here, San Onofre, all other U.S. nuclear power plants, and the military sit, waiting for our federal government to do its job and provide a high-level radioactive waste repository.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List What’s going on in and around town COMPILED BY STAFF

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

Friday | 08 MISSION ART WALKS 10:30-11:15 a.m. The Mission Art Walk is a docent-guided tour every Friday highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to Mission’s history within the Serra Chapel, the Spanish Colonial Room and the Mission Treasures Exhibit.

Free with paid admission to the Mission. Cost for visitors is $8 per adult. Call group bookings for groups of 15 or more to schedule in advance. At Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway.

949.234.1306. missionsjc.com/tours/artwalks.

Saturday | 09 FAMILY READING TIME 11 a.m.-12 p.m. At the San Juan Capistrano Library. Stories, activities and crafts.

31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. readoc.org.

ADOBE BRICK-MAKING 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Kids can make their own adobe bricks and examine the daily lives of Native Americans at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Costs vary. Other fun events are scheduled at the Mission at the same time. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

KOI FISH FEEDING 12:45 p.m. Help feed the fish at Mission San Juan Capistrano at one of two courtyard fountains. Fish food is free for Mission Preservation Society Members and $1 for non-members. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

SUSTAINABLE GARDENING AND LIVING TALK 9:30-10:30 a.m. Permaculture practitioner and educator Colin H. Richard will give an overview of permaculture and backyard The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

EDITOR’S PICK Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3801 of San Juan Capistrano and its Auxiliary will honor all veterans with a patriotic celebration at Veterans Park for a Veterans Day celebration on Monday, Nov. 11. Photo: File

MONDAY, NOV. 11: VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION 11 a.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3801 of San Juan Capistrano and its Auxiliary will honor all veterans with a patriotic celebration at Veterans Park. The event will include prayer, introduction of civic leaders, music and free food. It will take place downtown on the corner of Yorba Street and Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. 949.436.2222.

a dog rescue organization, is holding an adoption event. Next to Pets Plus, 32022 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

951.609.0765. greendogfoundation.com.

sustainable living strategies. Mike Evans will also discuss how native plants can help. Hosted by Tree of Life Nursery.

33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.728.0685. californianativeplants. com.

SJC ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR 10 a.m. The Friends of the Library, a nonprofit San Juan Capistrano library group that encourages library use, sponsors weekly guided walking tours that are given every Saturday at 10 a.m. The walk, which includes adobes, Spanish-era dwellings and streamlined modern buildings, covers about a mile on level ground and lasts 90 minutes. A donation of $5 per person is requested. All proceeds support the Friends of the Library. Prospective walkers should meet at the train depot on Verdugo Street in San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.0736. visitsjc.com.

ADOPT A DOG 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Greendog Foundation,

SECOND STAGE STAND-UP 7:30 p.m. Professional comedians perform in the Stage II Theatre at Camino Real Playhouse every second Saturday of the month. Cabaret Table seating with two chairs per table. No show in December. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. caminorealplayhouse.tix.com.

Sunday | 10 SERRA CHAPEL TOUR 11:15 a.m.-noon Mission San Juan Capistrano is offering private tours of the Serra Chapel, every Sunday, in honor of Saint Serra’s 300th birthday celebration. $3 per adult in addition to admission and $2 per child in addition to admission. 26801

Page 10

Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

Monday | 11 BINGO AT GOODY’S 7 p.m. Every Monday, Goody’s hosts a bingo night for a charity of the month.

Cards are $1 per sleeve and raffle prizes are offered. Goody’s Tavern.

206 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.492.3400. GoodysTavern.com.

Tuesday | 12 INTRODUCTION TO BRIDGE 9:30-11:30 a.m. The South Orange County Bridge Center hosts this weekly bridge series that runs every Tuesday through Nov. 12. Contact MartiMoss@gmail. com for more information. South Orange County Bridge Center, 31251 Rancho (Cont. on page 12) thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 10) Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. 949.248.1268. southorangecountybridge.center/wordpress.

CURIOSITY CARTS 10 a.m.-noon. At Mission San Juan Capistrano. Students and visitors can learn about items including branding irons, hides, and pottery shards used by the Juaneno Native Americans. Free with paid admission to the Mission. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

STORYTIME AT THE LIBRARY 10:30-11 a.m. Storytime at San Juan Capistrano Library includes stories, songs, movement, and activities to help children prepare for and succeed in school. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. ocpl.org/ libloc/sjc.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB 3:30-4:30 p.m. After School Club is for children ages 5 and older. A variety of activities are provided, including stories and crafts. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. ocpl.org/libloc/sjc.

WRITERS’ GROUP 5:30-6:30 p.m. The SJC Writers’ Group will meet at the fireplace room of the San Juan Capistrano Library. Meets the second Tuesday of the month. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1752. ocpl.org/libloc/sjc.

Wednesday | 13 WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 7:30-9:30 p.m. Enjoy friendly competition and craft beers among friends during the BrewHouse’s weekly trivia night.

Food trucks are on site during the trivia contest. The BrewHouse. 31896 Plaza Dr., Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano.

949.481.6181. TheBrewHouseSJC.com.

At the Movies: ‘Parasite’

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

B

ong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film about two families, one very poor and one very rich. But then again, it isn’t. There are so many twists and turns the story takes through its two-hour runtime that it would be difficult to properly detail the plot. So, to not possibly spoil any of the movie’s brilliance, I’ll just summarize the first 30 minutes.

The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

LIVE MUSIC AT IVA LEE’S 7 p.m. Join Iva Lee’s for live music every Wednesday through Sunday. For the ultimate live music experience, be sure to reserve a lounge table on Fridays and Saturdays. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. Check their website for the latest scheduled performances. IvaLees.com.

Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. swallowsinn.com.

Sunday | 17 BRUNCH AT RAYA 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A tempting brunch with flowing champagne awaits guests every Sunday morning in RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Start with a fresh fruit martini and a selection of pastries, then enjoy a three-course a la carte menu. Cost is $72. One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000.

RitzCarlton.com/LagunaDining.

Thursday | 14 READ TO A DOG 3-4 p.m. Children can read to a certified therapy dog at the San Juan Capistrano Library as part of the BARK volunteer program. Every other Thursday. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1752. ocpl.org/libloc/sjc.

SWING BAND CONCERT 2 p.m. Capocabana Swing Band will present a concert of hits of the ’30s and ’40s, as well as more contemporary jazz ensemble favorites in the sanctuary of Community Presbyterian Church.

All are welcome to this mid-afternoon concert, especially young adults and families with children. There is no fixed admission charge but free-will donations will be accepted. Sponsored by the CPC “Friends of Music.” 32202 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1502. SJCPres.org.

ACOUSTIC THURSDAYS AT BARNOA 7-9 p.m. Live music every Thursday. A rotating cast of Orange County’s most talented musicians play acoustic covers and original music. Enjoy a great wine selection, craft beers, tasty appetizers and Barnoa’s full dinner menu. Must be 21 or older. Barnoa Wine and Craft Beer Bistro. 831 Via Suerte, San Clemente.

949.388.4378. BarnoaWineBar.com.

SLIM MAN RAT PACK SEXTET CREER FUNDRAISER 6 p.m. Doors open at 6. Slim Man Rat Pack Sextet Benefit Concert for CREER at the San Juan Hills Golf Club open to the public. Slim Man & the Paul McDonald quintet are helping raise funds for CREER. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at eventbrite.com.

32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. creeroc.org.

Saturday | 16 HOLIDAY EVENT SUPPORTING UNIQUE DIAMOND AND OTRA MAS 3-5 p.m. Wine, painting a holiday gourd ornament and raffle prizes are available. Attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for local children and $40 donation. At Ortega Equestrian Center. 27252 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano. RSVP to Christina Carson.

559.920.0015. otramas.net.

Monday | 18

FAMILY STYLE’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY 2-6 p.m. Family Style formed in 1989 and has been entertaining in Orange County since. Party is at Swallow’s Inn. 31786

In a fictionalized, unnamed South Korean town, the Kim family lives in the poorest neighborhood. Parents Ki-taek (Song Kangho) and Chung-sook (Jang Hye-jin) are unemployed and struggling in the current economy while their young adult children, Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) and Ki-jeong (Park So-dam), are struggling to work without college educations. One of Ki-woo’s former school friends, Min-hyuk (Park Seo-joon), convinces him that he can make some easy money from being a phony tutor to gullible families. Ki-woo then takes up Min’s offer to replace him as the English tutor of the richest family in the region.

mas and slippers are encouraged. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1752. ocpl.org/libloc/sjc.

OPEN MIC AT BARNOA 7-10 p.m. Orange County singers and songwriters join host Gary Wright on the first three Mondays of every month to share their musical talent. Bring your musical instruments and love of live music. The stage is set with everything you need. Must be 21 or older. Barnoa Wine and Craft Beer Bistro. 831 Via Suerte, San Clemente. 949.388.4378.

BarnoaWineBar.com.

Wednesday | 20 NATIVE AMERICAN BASKET WEAVING 10 a.m.-noon. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Free with paid admission to Mission San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

MAGIC SHOW 4 p.m. Magician Billy Bonkers will perform a magic show at the San Juan Capistrano Library. The performance will incorporate some British style. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.493.1752. ocpl.org/libloc/sjc.

Thursday | 21 MISSION READERS BOOK CLUB 10:30 a.m. Group normally meets on the fourth Thursdays at the San Juan Capistrano fireplace room to discuss a selected book. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. ocpl. org/libloc/sjc.

SUNSET STORYTIME 5:30-6:30 p.m. At the San Juan Capistrano Library. The Laguna Storytellers will carry the family off to dream time. Paja-

BUILDERS’ CLUB 3-4 p.m. Build with Legos, Duplos and dominoes at the San Juan Capistrano Library. Meets every other Thursday.

31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1752. ocpl.org/libloc/sjc.

Like with Memories of Murder (2003) and The Host (2006), the filmmaker shows once again that he is one of the more confident and natural auteurs working in film presently. All of the actors are spot-on in their portrayals of either lower class or the wealthy that help the movie work as both commentary and satire. This is one of those movies that hits multiple emotions and yet doesn’t feel out of place or badly paced, fortunately. With the exception of a couple of moments that go a little over the line with suspending disbelief and almost took me out of the movie, Parasite is easily the best foreign film of 2019 so far. CD

Photo: Courtesy of Neon Films / CJ Entertainment

Page 12

thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

Legendary Southern California punk band X is playing X: XMAS with special guests The Blasters on Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1 at The Coach House. Photo: Gary Leonard

On Stage at The Coach House: X

BY COLLIN BREAUX, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

O

ver the years, the legendary punk band X has played The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, and 2019 will be no different.

The Southern California act is playing X: XMAS with special guests The Blasters on Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1. Original member John Doe said it’s one of the coolest jobs around when they step on stage.

“It’s a good place,” Doe said. “It’s a little weird with people eating, but they’re usually done by the time we start playing.”

Doe said the band has had a holiday run on the West Coast for about 10 years and sometimes drives hundreds of miles to get to a stop.

“We go up to Seattle, Portland, sometimes Phoenix,” Doe said. “People are in a good mood.”

As for The Coach House shows, it is familiar territory for X since most of the band lives in Orange County. Doe said there is usually good weather and positive feedback.

He likes going to San Francisco in particular and has friends all over the country.

A description on The Coach House website said X features vocalist Exene Cervenka, vocalist/bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer DJ Bonebrake.

“Their debut 45 was released on the seminal Dangerhouse label in 1978,” the website said. “While these songs were later re-recorded for their second album, the versions on Adult Book / We’re Desperate reveal X’s raw talent for totally sincere songwriting and stripped-down rock n’ roll. This past April, the band re-issued that first single, in its original 7-inch format, as limited edition colored vinyl.”

According to The Coach House website, The Blasters personify admirable traits of American music, with members Phil Alvin, Bill Bateman John Bazz and Keith Wyatt.

“Their influences range from the likes of George Jones and Carl Perkins to Ike Page 14

Turner, Howlin’ Wolf, James Brown and Big Joe Turner, all blending into a sound that ignores the lines between Rock & Roll, Country, Blues and Rockabilly,” the website said.

Along with keeping busy touring, Doe also recently released More Fun in the New World: The Unmaking and Legacy of L.A. Punk, his second book, which details the 1980s scene and is named after an X record. A number of people from that time were enlisted for the book, including Black Flag vocalist Henry Rollins.

“I’m more like a narrator,” Doe said.

“There are many experts. I’m not an authority. I’m just telling the stories.”

The book is about the DIY ethos the punk scene embodies and shows you don’t have to be an expert to play music or do something you like—you just have to be passionate. Punk rock has been a big influence on modern music and culture, Doe said, citing bands such as Green Day. The Coach House website said X “quickly established themselves as one of the best bands in LA’s flourishing first wave punk scene.”

With More Fun in the New World, Doe wants readers to experience what it was like to be on the West Coast during that time, when underground rock was bubbling up and the songs were fast and loud.

Doe’s second book has a five-star review rating on Amazon, with one review saying it’s a “wonderful walk down memory lane.”

Different people from various sub-genres were included in the book, said Doe, who noted factual accuracy is important when it comes to historical accounts.

“It’s a history book,” Doe said. “You want to make sure you’re covering the details.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. and show starts at 8 on Nov. 29-30; doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 on Dec. 1. Priority seating can be made with dinner reservations by calling 949.496.8930. Visit thecoachhouse.com for more information. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to info@thecapistranodispatch.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

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2nd fl, elevator, street frontage, signage. 1056 Sq ft., Avail Dec. 1st. Short walk to beach.

Email for pics & details: danayarger@yahoo.com 949.276.7597 C: 310.710.9423

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

HELP WANTED RDA OR DA Private periodontal practice in San Clemente needs RDA or DA to join our team. 4 days a week. Experience desired but willing to train the right person. Email ginnyperio@att.net

FOR SALE RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE (TYPE 47) Type 47 Restaurant Liquor License for sale.

Text or call for details 949.510.9724

Submit your info online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano area? *2.1 readership per 11,500 copies distributed

Call us today! 949.388.7700 ext. 104 The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

Page 15

thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Hello, Goodbye Welcome New Dignitaries, Farewell Swallows

BY COLLIN BREAUX AND SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan for the 2020 Fiesta de Las Golondrinas season have been chosen.

Marie and James Kelly, a married couple, assumed the titles during the Farewell to the Swallows Barbecue on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the ZOOMARS Petting Zoo. The Fiesta Association hosts the barbecue, organizes the annual Swallows Day Parade and votes on Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan every year.

Marie says she waited a long time for the distinction and is excited to be the new Ms. Fiesta. She has been a member of the association for five years and said it’s full of awesome volunteers.

“I hope to represent the town and community we have,” said Marie while hugging and taking pictures with other Fiesta Association members. “Everyone knows everyone.”

Marie and James Kelly have been locals in San Juan Capistrano for 10 years after moving from Dana Point; they have six children. James Kelly wore a cowboy hat with an American flag pin and fitting belt buckle.

Marie always looks forward to the farewell barbecue and likes seeing the community come out to celebrate the occasion. She complimented the music and said the annual migration and return of the swallows is a huge part of San Juan Capistrano history.

“Thank you to all the volunteers,” Marie said. “A lot of them are good quality people.”

Annabelle Isky and Tony Leone were the outgoing Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan. Isky was honored to be Ms. Fiesta and said the event is a fond farewell to the swallows, brings the area together and hopefully encourages new members to join the association. Isky proudly wore her Ms. Fiesta 2019 sash to the barbecue.

“It just keeps growing every year. We start planning for the new parade,” Isky said. “I’ve been involved with the Fiesta Association for 22 years. I’m not a secret in San Juan. I’m involved in the playhouse, the Chamber, a lot of different things.”

Leone joked it was an honor and privilege to cook so many hot dogs while Isky smiled and talked with friends. Fiesta Association member Gary Stewart—who cooks and handles other tasks for the group—said the barbecue had a full range of food and drinks.

“We use this as a close-out for the community to help us say goodbye, birds; it’s The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

The Farewell to the Swallows Barbecue welcomed new dignitaries for the Fiesta Association and said goodbye to the swallows on Oct. 27. The Fiesta Association is planning the Swallows Day Parade for March 2020. Clockwise from top left: A woman enjoys the barbecue; The Electric Tumbleweeds entertain the crowd; Jack Simpson and outgoing Ms. Fiesta Annabelle Isky pose at the barbecue; attendees dance during the event.

Photos: Collin Breaux

been nice you’ve been here,” Stewart said.

“It’s a binder. You watch the people at the parade, and they’re excited to be able to come here. It’s a good identity marker.”

The present and past dignitaries, along with many other association members, were decked out in Western wear for the event. Cowboy hats, vests and frontier dresses were common sights. People gathered around at tables to chat, eat coleslaw and burgers and enjoy a few drinks, even while the weather was cooler than usual.

Fiesta Association members distributed ballots to vote on the new dignitaries before the big announcement was made.

The Electric Tumbleweeds played twangy down-home music while attendees danced. The event drew people of all ages, from kids to adults. Richard Brown even celebrated his 87th birthday at the

barbecue with his nephew, Scott Oaks, and Scott’s wife, Diane, by having his picture taken on the zoo grounds.

Parking spots were hard to come by as the afternoon rolled around, with so many people attending the barbecue and also enjoying other nearby fall events in and around downtown San Juan Capistrano.

The Swallows Day Parade to celebrate the swallows returning is generally held in March. The Fiesta Association is also planning the 2020 parade. “Follow the Swallows” has been chosen as the theme for the 2020 parade after being suggested by former San Juan Mayor Kerry Ferguson and former Ms. Fiesta Nina Leone. A recent theme focused on “How the West Was Really Won: Celebrating the Women of the West.”

The parade takes place throughout downtown San Juan Capistrano. Previous

Page 16

parades have featured horse riders, attendees hanging out along the route, local officials riding and elaborate costumes.

The Fiesta Association said the Swallows Day Parade is one of the nation’s largest non-motorized parades.

The Fiesta Association also volunteers at other events, including recently with law enforcement.

Scott and Diana Schmitt, longtime residents who were presented the annual Man and Woman of the Year award as well as the Lifetime Achievement award in 2019 by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce, will lead the 2020 parade.

Steve Nordeck, Dan Haggerty and Audie Murphy have been past grand marshals.

Those looking to join the Fiesta Association as new members can do so at swallowsparade.com. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Community Presbyterian Observes 100th EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first part in a three-part series.

M

ost of the founding families in San Juan Capistrano are associated with the Mission. The names of Forster, Avila, Belardas, Rios, Hun, Oyharzabal and Egan are familiar names in town. But there is another group of leading citizens who are not connected with the Mission. They were the members of the Community Presbyterian Church, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this December.

In 1911, the old abandoned Baptist church was moved from its original location behind the Mission to Camino Capistrano, where it was renamed Woodman Hall because the Order of Woodmen used it as their meeting place. It became a gathering place for the community as a dance hall on Saturday nights and a place to watch movies.

While most citizens in town were Catholic and belonged to the Mission, there was no Protestant MOMENTS church for those who IN TIME were not Catholic. In

By Jan Siegel 1916, three women began the first Protestant Sunday School in San Juan Capistrano in the Woodman Hall.

Blanche Dolph, Lucilla McGaughey and Margaret Day had all recently moved to the Capistrano area and saw the need for establishing a Protestant Sunday School.

They recruited Paul Stevens, a Sunday School missionary living in Santa Ana, to survey the Protestant families in the community of San Juan Capistrano with

the idea of starting a Sunday School. On September 10, 1916, the Sunday School was organized and met at Woodman Hall.

Before classes could start, the women had to sweep and clean up the debris from the dances held the night before.

Whenever possible, the minister from the newly formed Laguna Beach Church drove to San Juan after services at his church to preach in Woodman Hall. As attendance grew, the need for a Protestant Church became more and more apparent. Paul Stevens was again recruited to canvass the community and received the signatures of those who desired to become members of a church. On Sunday, December 7, 1919, 48 members of the community met in Woodman Hall to organize a Presbyterian church. Rev. Stevens conducted the meeting and read the following petition: “We, the undersigned, feeling the need of a closer cooperation in developing the spiritual and social life of the community, so agree to become members of an organization to be known as the San Juan Capistrano Community Presbyterian Church.”

The 48 charter members: Mrs. H. S. Barnes, Marian Barnes, Ruth Barnes, Mrs. M.E. Beckwith, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Cook (Margaret Day), Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Crookshank, Mr. Charles E. and Mrs. Viola B.Crumrine, Miss Blache Dolph, Viola Gockley, Marjorie James, Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Leavitt, Mr. O.F. Leierman, Mrs. Addie F. McCarty, Mr. J.H. McCarty, Floyd McDaniel, Miss Lucilla McGaughey, Edward and Elva McHenry, Mrs. Mary McHenry, Miss Helen L. Meriam, Mrs. Nora E. Merriam, Mrs. and Mrs. Charles R. Phifer, Melvin Rosenbaum, Mr. Robert and Mrs. Margaret Scott, Mrs. H. A. Stewart, Arnold Stroshcein, Carl L.Stroschein, Mrs. Frederica Stroschein, Pauline Stroschein, Miss Mary J. Thomas, Mrs. Isabella B. Thomson, Miss Mollie E. Vaughn, Mr. and Mrs Guy Williams and Margaret Woodward.

The Articles of Incorporation were adopted on December 28, 1919. Rev. Stevens and Dr. Guy Wadsworth served as supply ministers to the new church until 1921. Dr.

The town of San Juan Capistrano circa 1959.

Every issue, The Capistrano Dispatch will publish a historical photo. Online, The Capistrano Dispatch will create a gallery of the month’s photos. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to cbreaux@picketfencemedia.com.

A.H. Burkholder served the Laguna Beach church and the San Juan Capistrano church until August 1923. It was under Dr. Burkholder that Richard Egan sold a lot at 31642 El Camino Real to the church for $500. Mr. and Mrs. Guy Williams donated the adjoining lot to the original church site.

As the Church grew, so did the membership and in October, 1966, the church and grounds were purchased by the Community Christian Church. In 1965, C. Russell Cook had donated three acres for a new church home to the Community Presbyterian congregation, and the church moved to 32202 Del Obispo, where it remains today. The early supporters of the Community Presbyterian Church were also very influential in the development of San Juan Capistrano, as our community grew from a Mission town into an incorporated city.

Joel Congdon came to California in 1868 and was the first American-born citizen to settle in San Juan Capistrano. He purchased 160 acres and planted the first walnut trees in Orange County. He built one of the old-

est remaining homes in San Juan Capistrano. His house, now part of The Ecology Center, is on the National Registry of Historic Places. His farm, also part of The Ecology Center, was part of the Open Space Bond passed by the city citizens in 1990.

Jan Siegel was a 33-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and now resides in the neighboring town of Rancho Mission Viejo. She served on the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission for 13 years, has been a volunteer guide for the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library’s architectural walking tour for 26 years and is currently the museum curator for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. She was named Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the city’s Wall of Recognition in 2007. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The 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 Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

BY MYLES MELLOR

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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 Solution:

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The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Sudoku

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Rosita ix-month-old Rosita is now available for adoption. She has a sweet personality and is curious about everything around her. Rosita loves playing with the other kittens, especially her best friend, Midnight.

They can often be found cuddling or playing on the cat wheel together.

If you would like to know more about Rosita, please call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or visit with her at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. CD

Photo: Courtesy of OC Public Libraries

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

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thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Table for Four Four SJC teams move on to CIF-SS playoffs

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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fter grinding from training camps in July through season finales on Nov. 1, the CIF-SS football playoffs have finally arrived.

Four San Juan Capistrano high school football teams earned their way into the CIF-SS postseason, with three playing on the opening Friday, Nov. 8, and two earning home games as league champions.

Let’s dive into the city’s CIF-SS playoff schedules and outlook for each playoff team:

SAN JUAN HILLS

The Stallions (7-3) won their second straight league title with another undefeated run through the Sea View League and host Murrieta Mesa (3-7) in the Division 4 first round on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

San Juan Hills earned the No. 4 seed in the Division 4 bracket with stout defensive play and an ever-improving offense.

“We’re excited,” Stallions coach Rob Frith said. “Any time you can be one of the top four seeds, you’ve put yourselves in a place to make a run. There’s some tough teams in the bracket, but we’ve known that all along. For six to eight teams in the bracket, they have a shot.”

San Juan Hills is fortified with senior leaders at every position, including leading tackler Bryce Crider (78 tackles), sacks leader Tyler Wegis (6.5 sacks), leading rusher Austin Hogan and leading receiver Joey Hobert.

Murrieta Mesa is one of 17 sub-.500 teams to make the CIF-SS postseason, but the Rams come from a league that saw all six of its teams make the playoffs.

Division 7 Temecula Valley and Division 2 Vista Murrieta split the Southwestern League title; Murrieta Valley was also in Division 2 and Chaparral and Great Oak also slide into the Division 4 field.

San Juan Hills knows it’s a jump in competition from the Sea View League to Division 4, and the Stallions won’t take Murrieta Mesa lightly in spite of its record.

“For us, the motivation is easy,” Frith said. “You win or turn in your gear. You can’t have a hiccup. For seniors, your high school career would be over. We look at everybody like the ‘85 Bears.”

If the Stallions advance, San Juan Hills would either host Hart of Saugus or travel to Chaparral of Temecula on Nov. 15.

The Capistrano Dispatch November 8-21, 2019

San Juan Hills is the No. 4 seed in Division 4, and the Stallions could be ready for a run with a senior-led team not ready for their high school careers to end.

Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57

JSERRA

Though the Lions (6-4) finished fourth in the Trinity League, they still put together a resume strong enough to earn a selection into the elite eight-team Division 1 bracket.

With the selection, all Division 1 teams earn a bye week before starting their postseason on Nov. 15, when JSerra will travel to No. 3 seed Centennial of Corona (8-2).

However, it’s not all good news for JSerra. The Lions lost their Cal-committed running back Chris Street to a broken fibula in the regular season finale loss to Mater Dei. Street, who also recently received an offer from USC, had 547 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

Softening the blow for JSerra is that junior speedster Sammy Green has actually been the Lions’ leading rusher this season with 557 yards and seven touchdowns.

Green gets yardage in chunks, with an average of 7.7 yards per carry.

Centennial is a beast, year in and year out.

The Huskies are a top-five team in the state and a top-25 team in the nation. Centennial’s only two losses are to national No. 1 Mater Dei and San Diego Open Division No. 2 seed Cathedral Catholic. The Huskies blew out their league competition to the tune of a 52-point average margin of victory.

Division 1’s other first-round matchups on Nov. 15 are No. 1 Mater Dei against Bishop Amat, No. 2 St. John Bosco against Calabasas and No. 4 Mission Viejo against Servite.

If JSerra manages the upset, the Lions would likely get a league rematch against St. John Bosco in the Division 1 semifinals on Nov. 22.

ST. MARGARET’S

The Tartans (9-1) captured the San Joaquin League championship and earned a first-round home game in Division 6 against a tough Los Altos of Hacienda Heights (8-2) on Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.

St. Margaret’s dominated its league of Division 12 and 14 schools by a combined score of 147-7 in three games, and the Tartans know it’s a steep climb back to Division 6 and larger public school competition.

The opener against Los Altos could end up as a shootout, with both teams leaning on their passing attack.

Senior quarterback Jake Carreon has led the Tartans all season with the help of one of the county’s most productive receivers in Cornell commit Will Kenner (866 yards, 14 TDs) and a reliable complement in sophomore Cooper Barkate (417 yards, six TDs).

Los Altos split time with two quarterbacks, but its unquestioned leading receiver is Zedekiah Rodriquez, who caught 19 passes for 703 yards and 10 TDs. If St. Margaret’s advances, the Tartans will be on the road at La Serna or Warren on Nov. 15.

Page 18

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN

The Eagles (7-3) have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since a stretch of three in a row from 2012-2014.

CVC opens on the road in Division 14 in what will be the first-ever CIF-SS playoff game for No. 3 seed Portola of Irvine.

Portola (9-1) captured the Pacific Coast League championship in the Bulldogs’ second season of varsity competition.

Portola features a strong balance on offense with 1,190 yards passing and 19 touchdowns from senior quarterback Brandon Yue and 791 yards rushing and 15 TDs from sophomore Nova Kebeli.

CVC has also been incredibly balanced with 1,358 yards passing and 20 TDs from senior Tyler Henry and 1,004 yards rushing and 13 TDs from senior Rome Demongin. Senior Simeon Marton has been the go-to receiver with 1,026 yards and 17 touchdowns.

But that’s where the equality stops.

Portola has 55 players on its roster, and the Eagles, when healthy, have only 21.

Health is a major factor as well, as Henry took a shot to the head late in the regular season finale against St. Margaret’s.

If CVC can get past this opening test, the Eagles would host either Trinity Classical Academy or South Torrance on Nov. 15. CD thecapistranodispatch.com