The Capistrano Dispatch

CAPISTRANO’S NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS AND SPORTS

Nine Running for Three Council Seats

Capistrano Surfers Tap Tarps

Downtown Hotel and Retail Plans Moving Ahead

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

SPORTS/PAGE 26

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

A U G U S T 1 3 –2 6 , 2 0 1 0 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 15

RMV Rodeo Turns 10

Cowboys return to Capistrano August 28-29 E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 5

Tickets are now on sale for the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, which draws top athletes because it is the richest two-day rodeo on the circuit. Photo by Scott Schmitt/San Juan Photo & Digital

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EYE ON SJC

1

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE Camp Pendleton units were firing highexplosive munitions into the Whiskey and Zulu impact areas from midnight to 3 a.m.

Thursday, August 12 and will continue 6 a.m. to midnight Friday, August 13.

Aircraft dropped explosive munitions into the Zulu impact area from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

Depending on atmospheric conditions, the sound of the explosions can be amplified and heard up to 50 miles away.

For future inquiries regarding increased noise levels, please refer to the weekly noise advisories posted on the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton website at http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/information/noiseAdvisory.asp.

DANA POINT

NEWS

NEXT DOOR W H AT ’ S G O I N G O N I N OUR NEIGHBORING TOW N S

Two of the five directors—Richard Dietmeier and Bob Moore—of the South Coast Water District (SCWD) are up for reelection in November. Three other potential candidates pulled papers as well—Gary Langdale, James Raneri and Richard Runge.

According to the office of the Orange County Registrar, as of the August 6 filing deadline only Dietmeier, Moore and Runge had returned papers and qualified, thereby finalizing the candidate pool at three. SCWD serves and estimated 40,000 residents in Dana Point, South Laguna and a portion of San Clemente. The race for Dana Point City Council has been finalized at five candidates. Incumbents Joel Bishop, Lisa Bartlett and Mayor Steven Weinberg will be joined by new candidates William “Bill” Brough and Dana Kislig.

San Juan Capistrano’s Top 5 Hottest Topics

What’s Up With...

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…The City Council Race?

THE LATEST: Nine men are seeking three City Council seats in November, with the filing period for the race now closed.

Seats held by Tom Hribar, Mark Nielsen and Lon Uso are up for re-election, and Hribar is sticking to a campaign promise to only serve one term, so at least one new face will join the council this year.

Qualified for the ballot are Larry Kramer, a retired naval officer, Jess Lopez, a retired police sergeant, Mark Nielsen, a businessman and councilman, Jim Reardon, a technology executive, Derek Reeve, a Constitutional attorney and historian, Victor J. Schneider, a geologist, John Taylor, a businessman, Dr. Londres Uso, a councilman and dentist and Clint Worthington, a locomotive engineer.

WHAT’S NEXT: The election is November 2. The Dispatch will feature candidates and ask them issue-related questions in coming editions.

FIND OUT MORE: See the Capistrano Insider blog at www.thecapistranodispatch. com —Jonathan Volzke

2

…CUSD Elections?

THE LATEST: Each of the trustee seats in the Capistrano Unified School District up for re-election in November will be a contested race, as parents’ group Children First on Tuesday announced a fi fth and final candidate, Martha McNicholas.

McNicholas is a Stanford-educated engineer who has served in various PTA and school roles, including committees that helped determine school boundaries and districtwide school year calendars. She is challenging incumbent Ellen Addonizio, a CPA. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

In other areas, incumbent Anna Bryson is being challenged by Dana Hills 2010 Dolphin of the Year Saam Alikhani, and incumbent Larry Christensen is being challenged by collegeprep company owner Lynn Hatton.

In the recall election, also on November 2, Trustee Mike Winsten is being challenged by attorney John Alpay and Trustee Ken Lopez Maddox is being challenged by Children First candidate Gary Pritchard, as well as retired teacher Gary Miller and Paul Hebbard, a CPA. WHAT’S NEXT: The election is November 2. In addition to who will fill five of the seven CUSD seats, voters will also be asked to decide if trustees should continue to be elected at large—in which all voters cast a ballot for all trustee seats—or whether the system should be changed to where voters in each geographic area vote only for a single trustee to represent them.

Communities.

“This crossing is paramount to success of this project,” said Councilman Tom Hribar. “No crossing, no project.”

The letter surfaced as CLC proposed a new deal that would protect open space without the city spending $10 million to buy it. To compensate, CLC would increase its development footprint by 3 acres, Bourne said. The public crossing is vital to the project, he said.

WHAT’S NEXT: Troy Bourne of CLC and city officials said the letter was not unexpected and the issue would be decided

by PUC commissioners.

FIND OUT MORE: See the full report, and a copy of the letter, at The Capistrano Insider blog at www.thecapistranodispatch.com. —JV

4

…Storage on Open Space?

FIND OUT MORE: See the Beyond the Blackboard blog at www.sanclementetimes.com for the candidates’ statements and watch future issues of The Capistrano Dispatch. —JV

3

…New CLC Proposal?

THE LATEST: A proposed public vehicular crossing over railroad tracks necessary for a new retirement community at the north end of San Juan Capistrano would be unsafe, according to the staff of the state agency that must approve the project.

In a July 14 letter to the city, staff of the Public Utilities Commission says it will recommend against changing the private vehicle crossing over the railroad tracks into Rancho Capistrano to a public one. That change is necessary for a 740,000-square-foot retirement community proposed by Continuing Life

THE LATEST: After denying plans to turn the site of a former caretakers house into a maintenance yard while evicting the longtime tenant, the city has turned the Camino Capistrano location into a storage yard.

That drew the ire of some City Council members and members of the public, who also raised concerns about raw-material storage on another part of the city-owned open space, too, the portion that once housed Camp Cookie.

Staffers said the rocks, dirt and other material needed to be stockpiled and

sifted to keep dump fees as low as possible. Additionally, they said so many of Capistrano’s pipelines are leaking that they need a spot to store materials for emergency repairs.

Councilman Mark Nielsen expressed concern the shabby appearance could hinder the city’s efforts to get open-space grants and other open-space deals involving other agencies that tour the areas.

The council directed staff explore using Lower Rosan off Stonehill for the rawmaterial sifting.

WHAT’S NEXT: Staff said they would clean up the area while searching for a more appropriate storage location.

FIND OUT MORE: See photographs and more at www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

—JV

5

…A New Chamber Exec?

THE LATEST: Mark Bodenhamer, who last served with the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce, is the Capistrano business group’s new executive director.

Bodenhamer, 33, is an Irvine resident hired to replace Karen Rischen, who moved to Chicago for family obligations.

Bodenhamer said he expects the Chamber to become more involved politically in town, as an advocate for businesses.

The chamber has just more than 230 members.

WHAT’S NEXT: Bodenhamer has already been spotted at City Council meetings and other civic gatherings around town. The chamber, which historically has run on a shoestring budget, has a challenge coming up as the city considers whether to raise the group’s rent to $1,400 a month— well over double—for its La Matanza Street offices.

FIND OUT MORE: www.sanjuanchamber.org —JV

August 13–26, 2010 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 3

Eye on SJC

Rodeo Turns 10

Although still a young event, RMV Rodeo donations hit $1 million

By Jonathan Volzke and Kirsten Amavisca The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and while that’s certainly an accomplishment, it still leaves the San Juan Capistrano event a greenhorn in the rodeo world.

Consider that the Salinas Rodeo just celebrated its 100th year, that Cheyenne has been around longer than that and Calgary Stampede has been around since 1884.

But if Rancho Mission Viejo can’t catch up in years, it’s already pulling ahead in a couple of categories key to the surrounding community and the competitors: Money given away to charities and to competitors.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo, August 28 and 29 this year, will return to the rodeo grounds at Ortega Highway and Avenida La Pata with bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping and team roping.

The richest two-day rodeo in the country, Rancho Mission Viejo will give out $200,000 in prize money this year. Although nowhere near as old as some other stops on the circuit, the RMV rodeo already will surpass $1 million in charitable giving and is already No. 4 on the list of money awarded to the cowboys.

“Cowboys are driven by money, especially this time of year,” explained Gilbert Aguirre, the head cowboy at Rancho Mission Viejo and a key organizer of the rodeo.

“The season ends in September, and the top 15 cowboys go to the National Finals Rodeo…The only money you make as a cowboy is the money you make at the NFR in Las Vegas. The rest of the money all year goes to travel.

“The average guy is just making it on the circuit.

Whether you get a $20,000 or $100,000 at NFR, that’s your payday. That’s how brutal this sport is.”

The economy’s been brutal on charities, too. And like the cowboys counting on the RMV event to earn a spot to NFR, local non-profits depend on the rodeo, too.

Donations from the Rodeo are “critical to assist patients without adequate resources,” said Deb Drew, executive director of the Camino Health Center in San Juan Capistrano. “Without support like this many of our neighbors would be left with no medical or dental care.”

The Rodeo has supported the Camino Health Center since 2003, and over the years has donated more than $325,000.

Money from the Rodeo helps pay for uninsured visits, physicians, and laboratory and pharmacy visits. Furthermore, Drew said, “It is well documented that when people go without primary health care, more costly and

Rodeo Rides into Town Saturday, August 28 Gates Open: 2 p.m.

Music: 2 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies: 3:45 p.m.

Rodeo Begins: 4 p.m.

Concert/Dance Begins: 6 p.m.

Sunday, August 29 Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.

Music: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies:1:15 p.m.

Rodeo Starts: 1:30 p.m.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Gilbert Aguirre, president of the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo Committee, stands beside a display of RMV brands over the years. The plaque is at Rancho Mission Viejo’s headquarters on Ortega Highway. Photo by Jonathan Volzke

serious conditions can develop. This is one reason why overcrowding occurs in emergency rooms and health care costs in the States are skyrocketing.”

The Camino Health Center provides affordable health services to those who would otherwise lack access to care. Drew said the economy’s woes are adding patients to the clinic’s patient list. “We see many newly uninsured patients who have lost their health coverage due to unemployment or an inability to pay the premiums.”

The Rodeo has also been a steady supporter of the Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, which has about 390 clients with various disabilities who ride horses for therapy. The center’s youngest client we serve is 2 years old, the oldest 78. Shea Executive Director Dana Butler said 80 percent of the center’s clients are under 18.

“The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo has been a terrific partner to The Shea Center,” said Butler said. “Their many years of support ensures that we have a longterm partner committed to our children and adults with disabilities.

“Our clients only pay 14 percent of our $2 million per year operating budget. Long time partners make all the difference in our being to help someone learn to walk or talk! We’re truly grateful.”

Aguirre said the economy had rodeo organizers—six or eight people inside Rancho Mission Viejo make up

Ticket prices are $20 for adults on Saturday (which includes admission to the evening concert) and Sunday and $10 for children ages 4 to 12. Children ages 3 and under will be admitted to the Rodeo for free.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the event, or at the following pre-sale locations: Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano, Hennessy’s Tavern in Dana Point, American Horse Products in San Juan Capistrano, Boot Barn in Lake Forest and Ortega Tack & Feed in San Juan Capistrano.

For more information about this year’s Rodeo, see www.RMVRodeo.com

the Rodeo Committee—worried. The committee sent a letter out to previous sponsors in October, well ahead of schedule, to determine if support would remain strong.

Western National Group has traditionally given a $20,000 sponsorship, while Platinum sponsors donate $10,000 and Gold sponsors give $5,000. Capistrano landscape firm owner George O’Connell has been a strong supporter, too. The sponsorships bring the tableclothcovered shade seats, food and drinks at the rodeo. Of 86 tables, 17 are $10,000 and the remaining are $5,000.

The Rodeo Committee didn’t know what to expect when the letters went out.

“We filled up,” Aguirre said. “We sold out months ago.”

Even after 10 years, the support was surprising.

Aguirre said the past decade hasn’t brought many unexpected twists or turns: When he and Rancho Mission Viejo CEO Tony Moiso first discussed launching a rodeo to keep the spirit of the Ranch—in family hands since 1882¬—alive, they decided from the get-go that it would be first class.

Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo—cowboys call it simply “San Juan,”—uses three stock houses to provide the bulls and broncs, ensuring wild rides that will keep scores high. “The cowboys only want to ride a horse they know will give them a chance to win,” Aguirre said. “It might cost $300 to $500 for a stock company to bring a horse. I pay them $1,000 to bring the best horse they’ve got.”

And just as the National Rodeo Finals lineup includes cowboys who competed at San Juan, about half of the stock from the RMV Rodeo ends up in Las Vegas, too.

The best of the best.

A few things have changed over the years, but not much. A crowd favorite is always the opening ceremony, which has seen the American flag enter the stadium with a skydiver and a giant cowboy boot unleash uniform Marines to thunderous applause.

Aguirre said he’s still in awe how the rodeo arena, grandstands, children’s carnival and VIP area spring up in just four days. The Ranch grounds are pretty empty, then, with all hands doing whatever it takes to get the arena ready. After a decade, they’ve got it down. The years have also passed quickly.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years, that we’ve raised and given $1 million to charities,” Aguirre said.

“Who’d have thunk that? That was our goal, of course, and here we are.” CD August 13–26, 2010 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 5

Eye on SJC

Downtown Hotel, Retail Project Moving Forward The Capistrano Dispatch

S

troscher G3, LLC has completed the initial design and site plans for Plaza Banderas, the proposed downtown hotel and retail development on the former Mission Inn property. A complete set of plans has been submitted to the city and the approval process is in full swing.

Final City Council action is expected in October.

The Transportation Commission heard the plans on Wednesday night, and forwarded them to the Planning Commission with a recommendation for approval. The Transportation Commission did express concern, however, whether the project has enough parking, although experts disagreed on how much parking it might need.

Plaza Banderas, on Ortega Highway across from the Mission and within walking distance of the many other shops and restaurants at the heart of Capistrano, was identified as a “key piece, integral to the success” of the downtown redevelopment by the Town Center Master Plan consultant team. The project will serve as a gateway to the city of San Juan Capistrano’s historic downtown and proponents say it is designed to complement, but not compete with the Mission. The hotel and commercial project will include a retail building with an office on the second floor, a separate single-story restaurant with patio dining and a stepped-back one, two and three-story hotel.

Lee & Sakahara Architects have designed a boutique hotel with 124 guest rooms, a restaurant, meeting and reception facilities with a garden reception area, an outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, exercise room and many other amenities.

The design and construction of Plaza Banderas will be particularly sensitive to the Mission and the history of the Juaneño Native American culture. Property owner Gretchen Stroscher Thomson and her team met with city staff, the Planning Commission and City Council early in June 2009 to discuss their conceptual design ideas.

Agreeing to drop initial residential and underground

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter

The proposed downtown hotel as it would be seen from Ortega. Courtesy rendering

parking components, the project moved forward with design concept approval and direction from the commission and council. Equipped with the city’s Downtown Design Guidelines, the concept was fully designed and submitted for the approval process and fine-tuning in January 2010. At this juncture, additional input was received, which required a complete redesign of the project but Thomson sent her team back to the drawing board.

In June 2010 the new design, now with the hotel scaled back from four stories to multilevel with one, two and three stories and reduced to 124 rooms, and the commercial component reduced to just one story with an office above the retail. The City Council and the City’s Design Review Committee worked with the project team to achieve a final design that echoes the Spanish Colonial heritage of Capistrano.

Thomson hopes to move forward quickly. The project will bring an almost immediate influx of new jobs to the community during construction as well as when completed, adding a boost to the local economy.

Proponents say the development will add a muchneeded hotel to South Orange County and create a

vibrant plaza in the center of town. Residents and tourists will find great dining, outdoor exhibits, enticing shops, and attend meetings and receptions at Plaza Banderas. Out of town guests will have a wonderful place to stay right next door to the historic Mission, and within walking distance to downtown shops and amenities. The construction and development of Plaza Banderas will benefit the City and region economically by creating new jobs, increasing tax revenue, and bringing additional pedestrian traffic and new customers to local businesses. Hotel developers are currently submitting proposals.

“I am pleased to use this land that has been in my family for three generations to create a special and unique addition to the San Juan Capistrano historic town center,” said Thomson, who is developing the property along with her three children. “We have been seeking input from members of the City Council, community leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, the Mission, merchants and residents for the past four years, and have received a lot of valuable information. We thank the community for their ideas, encouragement and support.” CD

Disturbance- Family Dispute Paseo Caliz, 31400 Block (12:34 p.m.) 17-year-old informant claimed her mother struck her with her hand.

Tuesday, August 3

Friday, August 6 Battery Camino Capistrano, 31700 Block (1:40 a.m.) A man possibly under the influence called and claimed two men beat him and stole his bike. He requested medical attention.

All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Web site (www.ocsd.org) and reflects data available from calls placed from the field by the responding officer(s). An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD Web site.

Burglary in Process Roundtree Court, 26300 Block (12:32 p.m.) A homeowner walked into his house and found a man claiming he was looking for someone who owed him money. The subject entered through a window.

Sunday, August 9

Thursday, August 5

C o m p i l e d b y R U S S ELL W O O G

Suspicious Persons Aguacate Road/ CL Roberto (8:02 p.m.) Informant thought that subjects in a sliver Acura are selling drugs. Several subjects were talking about getting high.

Disturbance Alipaz Street, 32200 Block (10:17 p.m.) A man and wife were both drunk and arguing loudly.

Friday, August 7 Page 6 • The Capistrano Dispatch • August 13–26, 2010

Suspicious Persons Canyon Crest Road, 26900 Block (8:22 p.m.) A boy was heard yelling “Help Me!” from his window.

Wednesday, August 4 Disturbance- Family Dispute Galano Way, 31400 Block (11:40 p.m.) A woman’s 20-year-old son was drunk and getting physical with the family.

Disturbance Via Cristal, 31100 Block (12:37 p.m.) An informant said a male and female were in a fight in the residence next door. A woman was heard calling for someone to call the police.

Disturbance 5-Freeway/ Ortega Highway (2:07 p.m.) Occupants in a black Ford Tahoe were seen by the freeway throwing water balloons at other motorists.

Monday, August 2 Suspicious Persons Via Corrizo, 26200 Block (3:59 a.m.) A woman claimed she saw a person in her yard and her alarm for their home system was also activated.

Sunday, August 1 Suspicious Persons Camino Capistrano, 33100 Block (1:11 a.m.) A caller said she was with some friends who had other acquaintances with them that confessed to a murder that occurred in Las Vegas. The woman said she was scared and that her friends wanted to leave with her but she didn’t want to because the murderer was possibly with them. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

2

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

HOW TO REACH US EDITOR STORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

Jonathan Volzke, 949.388.7700, x108 jvolzke@thecapistranodispatch.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

Sergio Sanchez, 949.388.7700, x104 ssanchez@thecapistranodispatch.com Buddy Purel, 949.234.1284 bpurel@thecapistranodispatch.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Andrea Swayne, 949.388.7700, x113 aswayne@thecapistranodispatch.com BILLING Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@thecapistranodispatch.com

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 8, Issue 15. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (www.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 2010. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO > Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Group Editor, Editor, The Dispatch > Jonathan Volzke

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne

> Sergio Sanchez (San Juan Capistrano)

ART/DESIGN

Sales Associates > Angela Edwards > Buddy Purel

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Heidi Mefferd

Letters to the Community ABOUT THOSE GAS PRICES… —Henrietta Kincer, San Juan Capistrano Three cheers for Mary Harris for expressing her view on the two most expensive service stations around. Those are my exact sentiments in regard to this subject. I have been boycotting these stations for years as I feel they are a rip-off. I’m forever surprised to see people in there filling up.

I’ve been writing letters to the city about their new development plans and did not think about writing a letter regarding the Chevron rip-off stations.

However, my husband just informed me that sometime ago, he spoke to one of the owners at one of these Chevron stations and he stated that Chevron Corp. charges him more for the San Juan station than another Chevron station he runs in another city.

Therefore, he fills up at his other station, not San Juan.

I guess that might be one reason for the difference if it’s true.

TOO FED UP TO FILL UP —Jerri Ellen Wheeler I want Mary Harris to know that she is not the only person in San Juan that refuses to gas up in town due to the inflated prices. I look forward to filling up at our Costco as soon as they install their pumps. I also like to spend money in town, but not at our gas stations.

COMMON SENSE? —Patrick O’Brien, San Juan Capistrano Fascinating, the carefully folded, neatly-typed, black on white brochure placed on my doorstep—dead center on my doormat—every few weeks called Capistrano Common Sense. I swear I am going to lurk behind my window curtain to see if the polite distributor is wearing a three-cornered hat, square glasses, a flouncy white shirt with ruffled cuffs, pantaloons, white stockings and square-toed shoes. After all, it is “Common Sense.”

However, upon leafing through the so-called conservative blog, I become sadly disappointed. Rather than feeling the I’m-Proud-to-be-an-American Moment, my feeling of the joy of having lived for 35 years in a forward, positive community that strove to unite and to become a model against the urban sprawl and slovenly disconnect of Orange county to the north, I find right wing, so-called “conservative” partisanship that is reflected on our national level. NO to everything!

Tony Brown’s front-page piece entitled “The Circus is Back in Town” is a little more prescient than perhaps he intended. After reading the CCS I would agree that the circus is, indeed, back in town but it Page 8 • The Capistrano Dispatch • August 13–26, 2010

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

is the publication, not the “sacred cows” that are the problem.

And right behind him is San Juan’s favorite “From whence commeth this woman?”—snarling and tearing at the pant legs of the non-white, our own homegrown Sarah Palin. I’m afraid, as nice a person as everyone tells me Kim McCarthy is, that report does not square very well if she really believes what she says in her writing. On a national level it is known as “frightening white folks.” As my grandfather Timothy O’Brien, former railroad engineer for the Great Northern, known fondly as “Easy throttle Tommy” because of his skill at pulling the 100 cars away seamlessly from the station said: “Lad, there is nothing as ornery and conservative as a conservative Irish Catholic—except maybe an Irish bulldog. They both feel entitled to be savage.”

I don’t know if that applies. But it was an interesting observation, I thought. But, I was only five years old and Sally Dugan had just wasted my tricycle because I didn’t kiss girls then.

Everything, it seems to me, with this crowd is about money. Maybe that is why the CCS is in black and white. Money is a boring and simple subject. It has no feelings. It is a measure of success in the non-humanistic world. It is admired because it conveys status upon those who value it above all things. It is, pure and simple, for the simple, not necessarily the pure. You can buy anything with money, except a good person.

And then Roy Brynes launches into the usual rightwing Republican diatribe about Mark Nielsen and big government etc., etc. which is so clichéd and worn out and fails to see the disaster brought about by those things in which he believes. Mr. Byrnes, have you noted that your view as expressed nationally has brought us to the biggest economic crises since the 1930s? Thank you very much.

My conclusion is that CCS is a neatly folded, black and white, expression of some of the worst in human nature designed specifically to create fear and loathing. But I will still read it. It makes me feel good that I am not part of that crowd. Rant and accusation are no substitutes for community discussion.

And, oh yes, Mr. Nielsen, please run again. We need your intelligence.

QUIT TRASHING CAPISTRANO —Lily Markel, San Juan Capistrano Dear City of San Juan Capistrano, My name is Lily and I am 6-years-old. I live here in SJC. My family has been longtime residents of San Juan (my nana and papa and my gramma and grampa).

I love playing at all of the parks here with my little

OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed

Billing/Collections Manager > Alyssa Garrett Distribution Manager > Andrea Swayne INTERNS Chris Bashaw, Sarah Guidas Rachel Namson, Kirsten Amavisca Sacher, Russell Woog SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, George Mackin CONTRIBUTORS Tawnee Prazak, David Zimmerle

ONLINE READER POLLS Make sure to sound off each week on “The Dispatch Poll of the Week” at www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

Then go to our community Message Board and share your opinions.

The Dispatch Online Reader Polls are not scientific and do not reflect the opinion of The Dispatch.

brother, especially during the summer when we can walk to all of them. They are beautiful because I love all the flowers, plants and trees and the play equipment is super fun!

Recently, we walked to El Descanso park near my house and I saw so much trash on the ground it made me sad. I learned in school that we aren’t supposed to litter. I counted 20 trash cans at that park.

Seriously? Why can’t people put trash IN the trash can instead of throwing it on the ground? It’s yucky when I slide down the slide and I get sticky stuff all over my pants, or when I get a candy wrapper stuck on my flip flops.

My brother and I decided to pick up the trash and throw it away. We had so much fun cleaning up the park and making it look pretty again.

I hope that the next time my mommy and my brother and I go to El Descanso Park that everyone will remember to throw their trash away IN one of the 20 trash cans that the city provided.

Let’s take care of our beautiful town of San Juan Capistrano. This is where I live and play!

NO EL HORNO CONNECTION —Jim McCrillis While I am not waving pitchfork and torches (yet), I do share my neighbor’s passion in opposition to the proposal to make El Horno a through street from Rancho Viejo.

When I first moved here to San Juan some 22 years ago it was because of its small town, village aura. The Mission Flats District exemplifies that sentiment.

Besides all the attendant issues that this can of worms opens, like the impact on traffic and the subsequent effect on property values in the area, is the diminishment of the district’s historical value. I did not move here to live in a “tony” town. I would very much regret if San Juan finds itself ever in that kind of condition.

There was talk in Tuesday’s city council meeting and in an earlier edition of The Dispatch of an enthusiastic reception by the public to Studio 111’s proposal.

(Cont. on page 10) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

Distrito La Novia. Courtesy rendering

(Cont. from page 8) I, for one, was not aware of this assembly and I consider myself one that keeps his ear pretty close to the ground. I have to wonder how many of my neighbors were represented among those 75 persons who were so enthused by this proposal. And if any of those 75 would be so inviting if they lived here in the Mission Flats District.

AN OPINION ON THE OPINIONS REGARDING DISTRITO —Elliott Levenson, San Juan Capistrano Recently I sat down and reviewed much of the information that I had collected, regarding the Distrito Project. Because I live in the Community of Loma Vista, which is immediately adjacent to the project, I became very interested in the concept several years ago.

Let me declare from the outset that I am a horse owner and very active in the San Juan Capistrano horse community and for the project. It seems that the major sticking point is about traffic and that somewhat innocuous “Trips per Day” unit of measure. The developer attempted to put in real terms the additional travel times at the last City Council meeting. Is there some mitigation to take place—I do believe there is and expect a frank discussion and equitable solution.

Another argument often advanced is that the developers are asking for a rezone and suggest that they should be required to stick to the original plan of a hotel and 440 homes.

On the face of this suggestion even the most casual observer knows that this is a much less desirable project for our community. Having a “Hunt Club” style community and upscale shopping next door is much more desirable to me personally then living next to possibly a Marriot Hotel with 300 rooms and 440 homes. There has been much discussions and objections centered around the “negative impacts on nearby residences” during construction on the revised project.

However no mention on how these same parameters would affect the surrounding communities if the Hotel and 440 homes were built. Much like a magician directs you to watch one hand while the other hand pulls off the trick, it is my humble opinion that many of the detractors hope that nothing ever gets built on the property. Then the surrounding communities that they claim to represent can look at what they perceive as free open space and a free trash dump that occurs after sundown.

Among the items that I would characterize as Propaganda is that the downtown merchants will become big losers and that much of the business will move to the new project. This is like saying everywhere a new retail center is built the surrounding merchants closes Page 10 • The Capistrano Dispatch • August 13–26, 2010

shop and goes out of business. The logic just does not make any sense and to my knowledge there is no study that even suggests such a result. Another major objection cited by the project detractors is the building process itself. Years to complete, a gazillion yards of grading and a toxic waste cloud of gases waiting to be dropped on our community. After years of being a small developer myself I can say that this is a very tightly controlled process and I have no doubt that the developer will complete the project as quick and safely as possible. As far as the time to construct the project, would the hotel and 440 homes take less time and/or impact?

I would cite one of my favorite definitions of an environmentalist—that is the person that moved in yesterday i.e. I have my slice of heaven but no one else can share it. I would ask the detractors how the people surrounding Loma Vista, Mesa Verde and other adjacent communities felt when these projects were built. There was probably a small but vocal group that objected to these communities. As it turned out the private sector developer built a beautiful group of projects that we all currently enjoy.

And then there are those stinky, smelly, fly creating yada yada horses. I asked the SJC code enforcement officer if he is aware of any significant issues regarding the existing boarding stables. His answer was “little or none” One would think that we are allowing a dairy or feed lot next door. As I stated before I am a long time horse owner and rider. I have competed at equestrian areas in both rural and city areas in several western states. I can say unequivocally that the equestrian center as proposed is a World Class Center and would be the envy of many so called equestrian cities or areas. So what does that mean to me if I am not an equestrian you might ask? Well on the one hand the project detractors complain about all the empty retail space but object to creating attractions that might draw in customers and business.

Stunningly one of the objections to even the existing horse stables is that it benefits “mostly-out-of town” owners. Would a 300-room hotel attract and benefit local guests? HELLOOOOO! Should we leave the “dump” as is? Maybe we can attract all those hikers that would come to town and spend money at the local retailers. Or how about the furniture/trash drop-offs that commonly appear at the existing road entrance? The point I am trying to make here is that first, we do not know the residential makeup of our local stables but we do know that horse owners spend money. To suggest otherwise is more propaganda. And last but not least, in the letters objecting to the project is the written description of the project itself. For example: Ten multistory buildings, Ten three-story buildings with elements

towering 45 feet in the air, etc., etc. One could conclude that we are creating a shopping mall in our town.

I hope that people will go to the city and look at the artist renderings of this project and reach a conclusion from something beyond the various “Letters to the Editor.” We the citizens of SJC collectively want and desire many amenities from the city in our town. These desires include a revitalized downtown area and improved parks and recreation areas among others. The City Council suggests that we all contact our favorite retail stores and encourage them to consider San Juan Capistrano as a possible location. While at the same time we told Home Depot and In-N-Out to stay away. I am sure that there are many others that we may never hear about that “stayed away.” Much like a puzzle, you need all of the pieces to have a complete picture. San Juan Capistrano, as stated in the presentation is about 95 percent built out.

We need to allow to be defined those last remaining pieces so that all of us can enjoy the resultant picture of our town. This takes money which means tax receipts which means smart development and redevelopment of our town. This property is private property and the property owners have a right to develop it. If they want to invest their money and build what I humbly think is a beautiful project then that should be their choice and risk. Does it need some fine tuning? Yes. Intelligent and constructive dialog is a wonderful part of our democracy and we have that in our active community, and that is something I am proud to be a part of.

PARADISE LOST —Shirley and Paul Snyder, San Juan Capistrano When my husband and I bought a home in San Juan Hill East 11 years ago, we were so happy to be in a safe and peaceful community. We looked forward to living the rest of our lives in paradise.

We had no idea that our home was located next to a former landfill which could turn our paradise into a nightmare. We were stunned to learn that in order for the developer of the Distrito/Meadows to have enough room to build large homes and a commercial equestrian facility around the landfill, they plan to dig up and relocate over 200,000 cubic yards of buried refuse. This excavation process could take up to 18 months.

My husband and I both have compromised health and are gravely concerned about the impacts of digging up unknown construction debris, household trash, garbage, and heaven only knows what toxins could be buried there. Our home next to San Juan Creek Road is directly downwind from the site!

We are pleading with our city leaders and the developer of this project to reconsider disturbing the dumpsite. Isn’t there a better plan? Please protect our community’s safety and quality of life.

If you are a resident who shares our concerns, please send an e-mail to our City Council members at: CityClerk@SanJuanCapistrano.org. Ask them to vote no on the Distrito/Meadows project.

THE DISTRITO LA NOVIA-SAN JUAN MEADOWS EXTRAVAGANZA —Hilary J. Schneider, San Juan Capistrano I moved to San Juan Capistrano seven years ago from Huntington Beach and while living in Huntington Beach my family and I were subjected to a housing development project very similar to the Distrito La Novia-San Juan Meadow project. A World War II landfill needed to be excavated to enable a developer to build condominiums on the landsite. The excavation of the landfill could only be done on days when the wind (Cont. on page 12) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX (Cont. from page 10) was in the right direction. There was a flag system to warn residents when excavation was in progress and to stay indoors to avoid toxic exposure. Literature was passed out to residents to be sure to tell their children’s doctors that they had been exposed to toxic waste. This lasted for eight months and the fumes were noxious. I do not ever want to go through this again. By the way, state law requires that if your home is within 1,000 yards of a landfill a full disclosure to this proximity must be included in the title to your home.

I now live downwind from this proposed Distrito La Novia-San Juan Meadows Project which provides for up to 750 horses to be stabled creating 50,000 pounds of manure each and every day. Anyone who doubts the noxious odor and horse fly issue needs only to pass by the stables at Calle Arroyo and Paseo Tirador. Clearly, there is no attempt to keep these stables odor free and the flies controlled.

The San Juan Capistrano City Council seems hell bent on approving the Distrito La Novia and San Juan Meadows project in spite of overwhelming opposition from San Juan citizens. The council has ignored recommendations from professionals who provided input to the council.

Just to cite a few of the items the San Juan Capistrano City Council has ignored: Its own Planning Commission’s recommendation against the project.

Highlights from the June 11, 2010 letter from Orange County Waste and Recycling; “…The final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) fails to rectify the serious problems with the environmental analysis…” “…It fails to provide a full and accurate disclosure of the Project’s significant environmental impacts…” “…The discussion of the water supply in the FEIR does not comply with the requirements of CEQA and Senate Bill 610 (Water Code Section 10910 et seg.).”

“The Discussion of Air Quality Impacts Is Inadequate.”

The Discussion of Noise Impacts Is Inadequate. “…The FEIR admits that a specific plan for the proposed equestrian center has not been prepared.”

This letter’s conclusion states that “The FEIR is inadequate and fails to comply with CEQA. It needs to be substantially revised and recirculated, so that the public and the decision-makers have a full and accurate understanding of the environmental effects from this large scale development.”

Highlights from the June 10, 2010 letter from Geosyntec consultants; a number of concerns or uncertainties were identified. In general, these concerns relate to: “The difficulty to control and mitigate migration of landfill gases particularly given that it appears residential structures will be constructed as close as 30 feet to landfill wastes.”

“The human health risk assessment for the Project which did not appear to consider potential risks from certain exposure pathways and site media and was not supported by actual site data from certain media.”

“The landfill stability evaluation which does not appear to have been considered the appropriate design basis earthquake for the Project location or stability conditions related to the landslide deposits found at the Project location.”

“The compatibility of the proposed final cover system with the proposed future use of the landfill.”

“Integration of redevelopment infrastructure with the landfill closure design.”

Should the City Council members continue to ignore the advice and conclusions from professionals and plow the project through I am sure that lawsuits will be Page 12 • The Capistrano Dispatch • August 13–26, 2010

filed. The city has already been hit with a $6.7 million lawsuit settlement due to the City Council’s ignorance and we all have to pay for that.

No More Horses —Cherrie Best Loma Vista San Juan Capistrano While I am not usually moved to send a letter to the newspaper, I am compelled to do so after reading the latest Capistrano Dispatch. The long ramblings of proponents of the 775- horse equestrian project is more than I can stand without speaking up.

While I realize that landowners have been approved for housing and retail, I strongly request the City council deny any kind of equestrian center for that project. I have noticed in past letters and articles on the subject that most writers are horse people, some who do not even live in town, or do not live near the planned project. Though these people have more resources than I, I feel their need for horse space should not be put upon those of us who live near the project. Horses are good pets, not good neighbors.

A recent writer mentioned she has 125 horses at her stable and must work hard to be a good neighbor. I applaud her. But 775 horses is a lot more than the 125 to care for.

Just last week a horse left its calling card at the crosswalk at La Novia and San Juan Creek Road. That mess was there all week long, for people to step over waiting for the light to change. Someone finally swept it into the gutter where it is still. That is not being a good neighbor, by not cleaning up after your pet.

While San Juan Capistrano was considered by some to be an equestrian hub, that is not the case anymore.

People have moved to our town for other reasons than horses. We all agree San Juan is a wonderful place to live, as all of the Capistrano Valley. We have lived here for 36 years. I hope the City Council will consider the people who live here and who will live and work in the new homes and businesses. They are the future of San Juan Capistrano, not horses. Thank you for listening.

Support for Distrito —Ellen R. Hirchert, Mission Viejo I support the new lower-density San Juan

Meadows and Distrito La Novia project, which embodies responsible planning for the community of San Juan Capistrano.

I live in Mission Viejo but have leased horses and/or stabled my own horses in San Juan Capistrano for over 15 years. Most of those years my daughter and I have also taken riding lessons in San Juan, providing income to those horse trainers that live and work in San Juan. I purchase a large share of my equestrian products from San Juan Capistrano merchants also.

Please vote to approve this project.

The Meadows Development —Ginger Modiri,Resident & Realtor, San Juan Capistrano As a San Juan resident for 28 years and as a local realtor, I understand the local housing and commercial real estate markets. I see the proposed Meadows as a development that will bring a variety of services and businesses to eastern San Juan Capistrano and will also give the city more tax revenues over residential houses alone. As proposed, both the city and residents will greatly benefit from this project.

I urge the Council to approve The Meadows.

Distrito Brings Open Space

—John Boucier, San Juan Capistrano As a 20-plus-year resident of San Juan Capistrano I’m a strong supporter of open space. Compared to the entitled project I feel this is exactly what the revised Meadows project will provide. Under existing entitlements, we’d be looking at 440-homes and a 300-room hotel with very little open space. The new project’s total of 96 homes is substantially smaller and will create far less traffic.

Additionally, the shopping center will be a welcome sight on the east side of town, not to mention a boost to our city’s tax base. I hope our council approves this project.

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@thecapistranodispatch.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

The Capistrano Dispatch reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

JONATHAN VOLZKE: My Turn

The Next Few Months will be Interesting, to Say the Least

T

he filing period for the City Council race has just closed and its already promising to be the most interesting election season in Capistrano since…well, 2006.

Sure, we don’t have any referendums, initiatives or bond measures JONATHAN on the ballot, but there’s an intriguVOLZKE ing slate of candidates.

Some of them are familiar names—incumbents Mark Nielsen and Lon Uso, for example. But I don’t expect to see them running in any sort of alliance. Partners in some early political battles, they’ve had a falling out themselves, going back to when Uso felt passed over for chairmanship of the Redevelopment Agency last year and Uso’s repeated criticism of the work of the Open Space Committee, led by Nielsen.

Jess Lopez and Derek Reeve return to the ballot, where Jim Reardon and Clint Worthington’s names also make it interesting. Reardon and Worthington

are frequent City Hall critics involved with the Common Sense newsletter many of us have found on our doorsteps in recent months.

Larry Kramer has been involved in charities and commissions, while John Taylor is stepping back into local politics years after being involved in the Los Rios committee. And then there’s Jim Schneider, an unfamiliar face at City Hall but with a pretty interesting website.

We’ll do our best to help you get to know these candidates and what they stand for in the coming weeks—many of them attend our Friday morning Coffee Chat, too—and I’ll be learning, too. I wouldn’t want to have to handicap the race right now.

But kudos to the City Council, and incumbents running again, though, because the council is not hiding from any issues between now and November: We’ve got Distrito La Novia, the Plaza Banderas hotel project and water-rate issues ahead. Not only critical decisions for the city, but plenty of fodder for political stumping, too. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Chamber Connection

L O C A L T H E S A N

N E W S A N D E V E N T S B R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y J U A N C A P I S T R A N O C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

You’re Invited to Help Us Help You The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the economic prosperity of this City. Our official Mission is to to create and promote a climate where businesses can operate in a productive and profitable manner, but we do so much more.

Our Chamber is also committed to enhancing the quality of life for all residents of San Juan. We take great pride in working with the people of the community, as well as local institutions like the Mission.

We have organized a number of strategic “councils” that are geared toward the promotion of key local industries, such as equestrian, restaurant and education. We have standing committees that plan for the future of our organization, as well as those that help shape the policies we support to achieve our goal of creating a strong local economy in a thriving community.

Further, we have a number of fantastic events that foster communication and networking for the people and businesses of San Juan. Those events range from the small (such as a local mixer or business workshop) to large scale events that bring hundreds of people together, as is the case with “The Vintage,” which is held in the Mission on the evening of Saturday, October 16th.

All of these programs and events are only possible because of one thing: the selfless contributions of countless volunteers who contribute their time and energy to making these things happen. Each of the Chamber’s successes can be attributed to those people and the effort they pour in to this organization.

Though we have a wonderful assembly of generous contributors, we are always looking for new people to come in with new ideas and energy. Becoming a Chamber volunteer is a great way to get involved in your community and meet other professionals and citizens that share your goals for promoting San Juan.

In addition, you’ll be assisting with the promotion of our local economy, which increases city revenue and results in better civic programs that we all enjoy.

If you are interested in getting involved, you are invited to join us at an upcoming event. We have a list of events on our website, www.sanjuanchamber.com, or you can contact us directly at the Chamber office at 949.493.4700.

Sincerely, Mark Bodenhamer, Executive Director

Welcome New Members MAY 2010 San Juan Colleges Dr. Ed Johnson, 31103 Rancho Viejo Road #D-2260, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.485.1990, www.sanjuancolleges.org

Advanced Office Services Ricoh and Lexmark Sales and Service, Ruth Howard, 110 Kazan, Irvine, CA 92604 714.547.9400 x 223, www.goadvanced.com

San Juan Meadows/Distrito La Novia Robb Cerruti, 23792 Rockfield Blvd Ste 100, Lake Forest, CA 92630, 949.595.5900, www.advancedonline.com

Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group - Orange County Greg Stoutenburgh, 31896 Plaza Dr., Ste C1, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.201.4100, www.vmsg.com Doan Law Firm Hank Evers, 635 Camino De Los Mares San Clemente, CA 92673, 949.334.5621, www.doanlawfirm.com

Hanson Quarter Horses, Cathy Hanson, 29582 Trabuco Creek Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 714.743.6555, www.hansonquarterhorses.com

Ted Roberts Jr. 32302 Alipaz St., Sp 269, San Juan CapSan Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition Dr. Julie istrano, CA 92675, 949.283.0065, thr141114@yahoo.com Ryan-Johnson - President, 28382 Paseo Establo, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.388.2300, www.sjcec.org

Yourview.com Steven Lupinacci, 32158 Camino Capistrano Suite A-323, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 949.661.8226, www.yourview.com

JUNE 2010

UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, Aug 14 Second Saturday Art Fair 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Historic Downtown SJC, Camino Capistrano, Yorba, & Los Rios Streets

Nest Dina F. Meek, 31711 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.661.1395, dina.nest@att.net

Hidden House Coffee Marie Rohrer, 31791 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.240.0200, www.hiddenhousecoffee.com

GTW: The QuickBooks Queen Gail T. Waterman, 34 San Raphael, Dana Point, CA 92629, 949.240.9251, www.gtw-inc.com

The Hot Lunch Lady Niki Rafatjon, 31115 Rancho Viejo Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.218.4300, www.thehotlunchlady.com

SeaFit Studio Jessica Oltmans, 31654 Rancho Viejo Rd, Ste A, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.388.0002, www.seafitstudio.com

JULY 2010 Edward Jones Investments /Brian P. Walsh Brian Walsh, 31271 Niguel Rd., Ste O, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, 949.496.3737, www.edwardjones.com

Tuesday, Aug 17 Lunch Local

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Ruby’s - Fiesta Room Cost: Purchase your lunch with a Chamber discount

Wednesday, Aug 18 San Juan Summer Nights/ ”Moonlight Express” 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Historic Town Center, Cost: FREE

Thursday, Aug 19 NETWORK OC

5 p.m. – 8 p.m. 34 Orange County Chambers and Organizations partnering up for our summertime reception. Poolside Cabanas at the Atrium Hotel John Wayne Airport, $25 Chamber Members / $30 Visitors

Wednesday, Sept 1 Networking Breakfast

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Vintage Steakhouse, Speaker: Laura Freese, Topic: Community Redevelopment Agency

Thursday, Sept 9 Evening Networking Mixer

Vidaurre Holdings Inc./dba Supply Line Building Materials Milton Vidaurre, 32821 Calle Perfecto,

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Independence Bank (Marbella Plaza) 31107 Rancho Viejo Rd, SJC, $10 Members; $20 General Public

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.443.4404, www.supplylinematerials.com

Saturday, Sept 11 Second Saturday Art Fair

The Zuri Pet Spa Linda Harris, 31105 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. C3, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.429.7222, www.thezuripetspa.com

Carole Henkin Tupperware & Stella & Dot Consultant, 32324 Calle Linda Lane, Monarch Beach, CA 92629, 949.466.8124, carole.henkin@cox.net

Molina Chiropractic Spine & Sport Dr. Nancy Molina D.C., 32302 Camino Capistrano #108, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, 949.248.2826, www.molinachiropractic.com

Mission Plumbing and Heating Debbie Garcia, 1100 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672, 949.492.4303, www.missionplumbingandheating.com

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Historic Downtown SJC, Camino Capistrano, Yorba, & Los Rios Streets

Tuesday, Sept 14 SCORE Workshop

5:30 – 8:30 p.m. La Sala Room at the SJC Library

Wednesday, Sept 15 San Juan Summer Nights/’The Hodads” 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Historic Town Center, Cost: FREE

Tuesday, Sept 21 Lunch Local

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. El Adobe de Capistrano Purchase your lunch with a Chamber discount

The Chamber is Just a Call or Click Away 949.493.4700 or www.sanjuanchamber.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SHOP SAN JUAN!

S U P P O R T

Y O U R

L O C A L

C H A M B E R

B U S I N E S S E S

The Chamber is Just a Call or Click Away 949.493.4700 or www.sanjuanchamber.com

GETTING OUT

GO SEE DO

YOUR FOURTEEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

Courtesy photo

THE LIST A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town the next two weeks.

friday13

COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

MODJESKA! THE ARTIST’S DREAM

SAVED BY THE MISSION BELL

8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Children and adults can listen to Spanish-speaking audio tours at the Mission daily. Admission of $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

KELLY FITZGERALD BRUNCH

LARRY FRESCH TIME

JIM MESSINA

8:30 p.m. Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

DADA

8 p.m. Rock/pop/alternative band at The Coach House, also with Groove Kitty and Hobs Row. Tickets $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

saturday14 SECOND SATURDAY ART FAIR

10 a.m.–4 p.m. The San Juan Chamber presents the monthly art event showcasing artists, craftspeople and musicians along the streets of Camino Capistrano, Yorba, Verdugo and Los Rios.

949.493.4700, www.sjcartfair.org.

COMEDY NIGHT ON STAGE II

7:30 p.m. Comedians visit Camino Real Playhouse for a night of laughs. Admission $12. 31776 El Camino Real, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIVING HISTORY DAY

11 a.m.-2 p.m. History comes alive at the Mission. Admission $5ñ$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

PET ADOPTION

10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Ark of San Juan hosts a pet adoption at the Art Fair in downtown. 949.388.0034, www.ArkOfSanJuan.org.

FLORAL DESIGN

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Floral design expert visits Goin Native to teach techniques for arranging flowers. Bring your own bouquet and recycled containers. Fee $50. 31661 Los Rios St., 949.525.0424, www.goinnative.net.

BAT WALK

7:15 p.m.—9:15 p.m. Take a night walk with a bat biologist and learn about the creepy creatures at The Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. $15 non-members, $10 members. 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

The first three people to email us with Dispatch Free Concert Tix in the subject line will receive a pair of free concert tickets from The Coach House to see Fan Halen on Friday, August 20 or Tippia Irie on Sunday, August 22.

Please include your name and phone number in the e-mail. E-MAIL: tickets@thecapistranodispatch.com

WIN FREE CONCERT TICKETS!

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday patio brunch and live female vocalist at Renaissance. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.renaissance-danapoint.com.

MARIACHI CAPISTRANO FUNDRAISING EVENT

JUSTIN FOUTZ BAND

Polish actress Madame Helena Modjeska lived in Arden, a home in Modjeska Canyon northeast of San Juan from 1888 to 1906, and would visit Capistrano during that time.

Now, she returns to the stage in Capistrano, as Ewa Boryczko shares Modjeska’s journey as she came to America in 1876 with the dream of performing on the American stage. After spending more than a decade as the goddess of the Polish national theater, she immigrated to America and ultimately made her home in Orange County. With courage, perseverance and great talent, Modjeska became the most famous star of her era. Modjeska! The Artist’s Dream tells the gripping and entertaining story of a pursuit of a lifelong artistic ambition, as well as a search for happiness and redemption.

Two shows have already sold out, but a third, at 2 p.m. on August 15, has just been added. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.CapistranoCenter. org. The box office voicemail is 949.489.8082.

The Camino Real Playhouse is at 31776 El Camino Real, just south of Ortega Highway. —Jonathan Volzke

sunday15

8 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse presents a dynamic solo stage performance depicting a Polish actress coming to America, specifically Orange County. Two nights only: Aug 13-14. Tickets $25-$50.

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

7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at The Vintage. 26701 B Verdugo St., 949.661.3400, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

MODJESKA RETURNS TO CAPISTRANO

2 p.m.-4 p.m. The Capistrano Community Mariachi Program performs at Ricardoís Place Restaurant every Sunday. 32082 Camino Capistrano, 949.683.2216, www.capcomariachi.org.

8 p.m. Artist performs His music from Loggins & Messina, Poco and Buffalo Springfield at The Coach House, also with John York of The Byrds, Toulouse Engelhardt and JD Peterson. Tickets $20.

33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

OLD CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET

3 p.m.—7 p.m. Every Wednesday at El Camino Real and Yorba; 949.493.4700.

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP

8 p.m. German rock guitarist at The Coach House, also with The Haunting, Edne and Souljourners. Tickets $18. 33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

thursday19

monday16

JD PRIEST

KIDS STORYTIME

MISSION READERS BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

COUNTRY DANCIN’

JOHN HIATT AND THE COMBO

tuesday17

JOHN FULLWOOD

11 a.m. National Charity League Sunshine Readers offer energetic and entertaining stories for kids of all ages at the SJC library. Also: Pajama Storytime at 7 p.m.! 31494 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

6:30 p.m. Free dance lessons and DJ Bubba at Swallow’s Inn. Free popcorn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

CRAFT DAY

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Make your own cornhusk doll or another craft at the Mission. Free with admission of $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

LOCAL LUNCH

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Join the SJC Chamber and support the city with lunch at Ruby’s Sky Ranch. 31781 Camino Capistrano, #301, 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

wednesday18 SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES CONCERT

6 p.m.-8 p.m. Moonlight Express performs at the family event featuring food, kids activities, business expo and more at Historic Town Center Park. Free. 31852 El Camino Real, 949.493.5911, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

9 p.m. Live music at BeachFire Ladera Ranch. 25682 Crown Valley, 949.542.7700, www.beachfire.com.

10:30 a.m. Discussion of When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man by Jerry Weintraub with Rich Cohen at the library. Copies available at the checkout desk. 31494 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

8 p.m. Classic rock ‘n’ roll at The Coach House, also with Shawn Jones. Tickets $39.50. 33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Live entertainment at The Vintage. 26701 B Verdugo St., 949.661.3400, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

friday20 NATIVE GRASS WORKSHOP

9 a.m. Tree of Life Nursery hosts a landscaping workshop on the abundant types of native grasses. Free. 33201 Ortega Hwy., 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com.

FERNANDO RAMOS

6 p.m.—9 p.m. The solo mariachi guitarist plays at El Adobe every Friday and Saturday night. 31891 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.1163, www.eladobedecapistrano.com.

FAN HALEN & BONFIRE

8 p.m. Van Halen and AC/DC tribute bands at The Coach House, also with Whiskey Jack and David Clerest. Tickets $13 advance, $15 day of. 33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

(Cont. on page 19) August 13–26, 2010 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 17

GETTING OUT

Dispatch Restaurant Spotlight

RATE IT!

By Rachel Namson

Have you eaten at this restaurant?

Go to www.thecapistranodispatch. com and rate your overall experience. We’ll post the results in next week’s issue of The Dispatch.

Wendi’s Donuts & Deli

32211 Camino Capistrano Ste. E101, San Juan Capistrano, 949.488.8086 BEST KNOWN FOR: Fresh donuts MOST POPULAR ITEM: Hot pastrami sandwich and apple fritter

Web Extra: Online voters gave

Wake up to the aroma of fresh coffee and donuts, and then stop by again later for a gourmet deli sandwich for lunch. Wendi’s Donuts & Deli offers a huge variety of donuts, bagels, pastries, sandwiches, salads and smoothies. The menu also includes breakfast meals such as omelets and breakfast burritos. Wenti Ha, owner of the bakery and deli, opened her second donut and deli shop in the heart of San Juan Capistrano on June 1. With the support of the loyal customers of the community, Wenti and her family have succeeded in creating a true deli where your meal is your choice.

Whether it’s a refreshing tropical paradise smoothie blended with fresh strawberries, bananas, and mangoes, a gourmet hot pastrami sandwich stuffed with lettuce tomatoes, onions and pickles on your choice of bread, or a sugar glazed apple fritter, Wendi’s serves your meal the way you want it.

Wendi’s also offers a daily special that keeps customers coming back for more. Don’t miss the summer donut special—buy six, get six free. Sweet or savory, donut or deli—Wendi’s has it all.

Wendi’s Donuts owners Wenti Ha and daughter Helen Thai.

Photo by Rachel Namson

PRICE RANGE: $1-$6 PAYMENT: Cash, credit card RESERVATIONS: Not necessary HOURS: Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

Village Mediterranean Rim

½

123 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.361.8970 (Rated on a scale of 1–5 stars)

Last issue online voters gave

Hidden House Coffee 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.0200 (Rated on a scale of 1–5 stars)

ABOUT OUR REVIEWS: In each issue we’ll highlight universally critical points including “Most Popular Dish,” “Best Known For” and “Price Range.” But most importantly, we’re inviting you to participate each week and rate the restaurant based on your experiences. Go to www.thecapistranodispatch.com and under “Restaurant Guide,” rate it from 1 to 5, then share your thoughts on the Dispatch forums.

(Cont. from page 172)

saturday21 PET ADOPTION

12 p.m.-4 p.m. Capo Animal Rescue Effort hosts a pet adoption every Saturday at PetSmart. A gallery of available pets is online. 33963 Doheny Park Road, 949.240.1735, www.capoanimalrescue.com.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS

6 p.m. The Mission’s outdoor summer concert series with “Savor: A Tribute to Sinatra” and catered dinner. General admission sold out; table tickets starting at $30 still available. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

EL ADOBE’S CONO SUR WINDE DINNER

6 p.m.-10 p.m. El Adobe hosts a five-course menu paired with the unique wines of Cono Sur Vineyard & Winery, Chile. Limited seating, pre-paid reservations only. Cost $65 each or $120 per couple. 31891 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.1163, www.eladobedecapistrano.com.

AN EVENING WITH BAXTER BLACK

6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. The cowboy poet and humorist performs at the Shea Center; event includes rider demonstrations. Funds go to Shea Center. Tickets $100, includes dinner and drinks. 26284 Oso Road, 949.240.8441, www.sheacenter.org.

IBIZA ULTRA LOUNGE

7 p.m.-close. European-style night club at Tannins. 27211 Ortega Hwy., Suite C, 949.661.8466, www.tanninsrestaurant.com.

sunday22 NATURE HIKE

8 a.m.-9 a.m. Join park rangers for an educational easy one-mile hike at Caspers Wilderness Park. $5 per vehicle. 33401 Ortega Hwy., 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com.

MONDAY MADNESS WINE TASTING

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Join SC Wine Company for Happy Hour featuring three wines for $5 and $8 cheese plates. 212 1/2 Avenida Del Mar; 949.429;.7067; www.scwinecompany.com.

tuesday24

monday23 HORSEBACK RIDING CAMPS

9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Equi Sports International hosts a week-long camp at Blenheim Farms to ride, learn and be around horses. Lots of fun activities scheduled. Cost $400. Ortega Hwy. and La Pata, 949.201.8879, www.equisportsinternational.com.

DONATE BLOOD

1 p.m.-7 p.m. The Red Cross hosts a blood donation at Capo Beach Calvary. 25975 Domingo Ave., Capistrano Beach, www.redcrossblood.org. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

The Other Guys Get to Work

2-FOR-1 TUESDAYS

Half price on all fishing trips, whale watching and other adventures at Dana Wharf every Tuesday. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

BEER PONG AND TACO TUESDAY

7 p.m. Drinking games, food and drink specials, free shuffleboard at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

wednesday25 KIDS GARDEN DAY

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Kids explore produce gardens, taste fresh vegetables, and decorate and take home a pot with seeds at the Mission. Admission $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www. missionsjc.com.

KARAOKE WITH JOEL & LES

7 p.m. Get on stage and sing or enjoy cheap tacos at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

MIKE HAMILTON

7 p.m.-10 p.m. Eclectic artist playing a little bit of everything at Ruby’s Sky Ranch. 31781 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.7829, www.mikehamiltonmusic.com.

thursday26

WILFAX

5 p.m. Live music at BeachFire Ladera. 25682 Crown Valley, 949.542.7700, www.beachfire.com.

AT THE MOVIES

TOY DAY

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Children can create, decorate and take home their own old-fashion toy at the Mission. Admission $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

ERIC LINDELL

8 p.m. Mellow “good-time” Southern rock at The Coach House, also with The Blue Note Project and Kettleblack. Tickets $15.

33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

*For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.thecapistranodispatch.com Have an event?

Send your listing to editor@thecapistranodispatch.com

© Sony Pictures

As seems to be the current trend this summer for movie releases, two practically opposite guys are teamed up involuntarily and end up dealing with humiliation and chaos, while trying not to drive each other nuts. Last month we had Dinner for Schmucks—this week we get The Other Guys by Columbia Pictures. SNL veteran Will Ferrell and hip-hopper turned Oscar nominated actor Mark Wahlberg are on-screen detectives Alan Gamble and Terry Hoitz who have been stuck at the back of the police station most of their careers because New York’s finest hot shots (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson) always get the spotlight and bad guys. But when a freak accident causes Gamble and Hoitz to be the leads on investigating a sketchy British capitalist (Steve Coogan), they try to prove they can be as serious as the rest of the police crew.

The Other Guys meshes previous Frat Pack feature Starsky & Hutch’s humor with Lethal Weapon style violence, bringing a legitimate action-packed comedy that doesn’t forget either element from start to finish. Director Adam McKay’s previous flicks Anchorman and Stepbrothers might garner similar fans for his newest project with his sarcastic, crude, yet harmless, comedic timing. As if there aren’t enough box office friendly celebrities here already, Michael Keaton is fittingly cast as the Police Captain who Gamble and Hoitz try time and again to impress throughout the feature. And of course, Eva Mendes and Lindsay Sloane are cast as the token hot girls that goofy Ferrell and Wahlberg are matched with. A score by experimental composer/music producer Jon Brion also completes the feature.

One thing that has been noticed with comedies from the Frat Pack, Judd Apatow or even just teen movies, are the quantity of topical jokes played throughout movies. Many one-liners are used in The Other Guys reference modern fads on reality TV or the Internet, and are funny during the scenes where they are included. CD —Megan Bianco August 13–26, 2010 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 19

Locals Only

B u s i n e s s D i r e c t o r y The only directory featuring San Juan Capistrano businesses exclusively ALSO

ONLINE

AT

W W W.T H E C A P I S T R A N O D I S PATC H .C O M

Embroidery

Air Conditioning DC Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning www.dcplumbing.net 949.365.9044

Air Conditioning & HEATING

Experience The Mission

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. A, www.oasisair.com Exciting New Audio Tour 949.234.1300 26801 Ortega Highway, www.missionsjc.com

Antique Restoration

Sarah Whitcomb Antique Restoration 949.234.9740 FLORIST 32432 Alipaz, Ste. B, Mother Earth Flowers 949.493.4400 www.sarahwhitcombantiques.com 32158 Camino Capistrano, Ste. 105 www.motherearthflorist.com

Assisted Living

Del Obispo Terrace 949.496.8802 32200 Del Obispo Street, www.delobispoterrace.com

Attorney Law Office of Skinner & Skinner 31461 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. 103

949.248.0260

Auto Repair Star Motors 32959 Calle Perfecto

949.443.1970

Bands / Entertainment Evergrove www.evergrovemusic.com

949.661.2054

Banking Comerica Bank 949.234.9683 32022 Camino Capistrano, Suite F3, www.comerica.com Independence Bank 949.373.1570 Marbella Plaza 31107 Rancho Viejo Rd., www.independence-bank.net Pacific Mercantile Bank 949.487.4200 31601 Avenida Los Cerritos, Ste 100, www.pmbank.com

Beauty Salon Charisma Salon & Supply 32301-F Camino Capistrano Curtis Michaels Hair Salon 31882 Del Obispo, Ste. 150, www.curtismichaels.com

949.240.1200

Business Spotlight of the Month!

Want to say more? Want more space to highlight your business? Then sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100.

Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online. Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@thecapistranodispatch.com.

Community Services 949.489.7742

COMPUTER TRAINING

HYPNOTHERAPY Jennifer Wong, Cht - Certified Hypnotherapist & Meditation Instructor 949.878.6870 30320 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. #103, www.positiveenergyhypnosis.com

Insurance 949.697.9454

Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design 949.493.3632 32382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, www.abbysdesigns.com

Kitchen Design Kitchen & Bath Designs 27231 Ortega Hwy., Unit B

949.661.4080

LAUNDRIES Sparklean Laundry 31952 Del Obispo

949.248.4686

MOLD REMOVAL

Orange Coast Database Association 949-489-1472 949.362.5388 32422 Allipaz St., Ste. B, http://ocdatabases.itgo.com Jarvis Restoration 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

COMPUTER SERVICES

MORTGAGE

San Clemente Computer & Network Services Capistrano Health & Life daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581 www.capistranohealthlife.com

Construction Services Tony Brown Design & Build e-mail hunkpapa@cox.net

949.697.9454

PHARMACY

949.661.2054 The Medicine Shoppe 949.661.9141 31952 Del Obispo #270, www.medicineshoppe.com

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools 949.493.5683 32032 Del Obispo Street, www.cvcs.org

A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 www.atozleakdetection.com Pronto Plumbing (El Plomero) 949.246.3589 SENIOR HOME CARE 31878 Del Obispo Ste. 118-227, www.prontodrain.com Alerra Home Health Services 949.545.6646 SCP Plumbing/ CuraFlo of O.C. 949.493.2426 32332 Camino Capistrano #205, www.alerra.net 27126 Paseo Espada STE. 705, www.curaflo.com DC Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning Slab leak repair www.dcplumbing.net 949.365.9044 SCP Plumbing/ CuraFlo of O.C. 949.493.2426 27126 Paseo Espada STE. 705, www.curaflo.com PRESCHOOLS Mission Parish School 949.234.1385 31641 El Camino Real, www.missionparishschool.org

PRINTING Printing OC

949.388.4888 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

RestaurantS Las Golandrinas Mexican Food 949.240.3440 27124 Paseo Espada #803, www.lasgolondrinas.biz Skimmer’s Panini Café 949.276.6300 31451 Rancho Viejo Rd. #103, www.skimmerspaninigrill.com

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES Bryan Krueger Enterprises, Inc. 33208 Paseo De Cerveza, Ste. B

949.212.0499

TELEVISION Reeltime Sight and Sound 26381 Via De Anza, www.reeltimesightandsound.com

949-240-0555

WATER DAMAGE Jarvis Restoration 949.362.5388 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

Women’s Clothing Blu:Echo 949.496.4810 31878 Del Obispo (Marshalls Center)

YOGA Adelanto Studio Yoga & Life Arts 32118 Paseo Adelanto, Ste.9, www.adelantostudio.net

949.705.7344

HOME THEATER Reeltime Sight and Sound 949.240.0555 26381 Via De Anza, www.reeltimesightandsound.com

Jeweler

Lightning Technology, Inc. 949.488.0029 32963 Calle Perfecto, http://www.lightningtechnology.com

CHEC Family Resource Center 31411 La Matanza Street, Suite B

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Capistrano Health & Life 949.240.9240 www.capistranohealthlife.com

BUSINESS COMPUTER SERVICES

Schools

PLUMBING

EmbroidMe – SJC 949.276.7910 32241 Camino Capistrano , A102 www.embroidme-sanjuancapo.com

Photo & Digital Lab

Four-A Electric

949.240.8844 San Juan Photo & Digital 949.661.5668 32432 Alipaz, Ste. C, fouraelectric@sbcglobal.net 32301 Camino Capistrano, www.sjcphotodigital.com

LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” This handy, cost-friendly, go-to reference tool keeps your business in front of potential customers 24/7.

Get your business listed today.

Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or email aedwards@thecapistranodispatch.com.

Business Directory Classifieds

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

Garage sale listings are FREE! Call 949.388.7700, ext. 103

Submit your ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Help Wanted E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@ thecapistranodispatch.com

DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY GARAGE SALES Saturday, August 14, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hawaiiana, Hawaiian shirts, beach decorative items, rattan, wrought iron, clothing, shoes, etc.

26815 Calle Real, Capistrano Beach

HELP WANTED Childcare Openings - Teachers/Assistants YMCA of Orange County has openings for Teachers and Childcare Assistants in our San Clemente/San Juan Capistrano sites. Please visit our website at WWW.YMCAOC.ORG for further information and to submit an application online.

PROGRAM AIDE – GRIPCARE Part-time Program Aide position to work with middle-school students. Hours will be prior to school hours: 7 am – 11 am, Monday through Friday. Duties will include planning and implementing activities in one or more of the following areas: education; social recreation; arts and crafts; and physical education.

Requirements: high school diploma, experience working with children, communication skills to deal with children and with the general public (bilingual in Spanish a plus), CPR and first aid certified. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley is an equal opportunity employer. If interested, please contact Nicole Belair, Unit Director, at 949.240.7898 extension *19 or by email at nbelair@bgccapo.com.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

LEAD PROGRAM AIDE-GRIPCARE Part-time Program Aide position to work with middle-school students, serving as area leader for the staff running the Grip-care program. . Hours will be a split shift: 7 am – 10 am and 3 pm – 6pm. Duties will include planning and implementing activities in one or more of the following areas: education; social recreation; arts and crafts; and physical education.

Requirements: high school diploma, experience working with children, communication skills to deal with children and with the general public (bilingual in Spanish a plus), CPR and first aid certified, supervisory experience a plus. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley is an equal opportunity employer.

If interested, please contact Nicole Belair, Unit Director, at 949.240.7898 extension *19 or by email at nbelair@bgccapo.com.

Misc. EDUCATION Services IN-HOME TEACHER I am credentialed and have a Masters Degree in Education. I will develop lessons for students based on their current needs. I have 10 years experience in all grade levels and a high success rate with student grade improvement even with the most reluctant learner. Excellent references upon request.

Call 949-363-8414.

Misc. Health Services FREE PREGNANCY TESTS Confidential services & help when you need it most. Call 218-5777; walk-ins welcome.

1450-B N. El Camino Real, SC. Pregnancy Resource Center

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

August 13–26, 2010 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 23

SJC LIVING

4

LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR friday 8.13

tuesday 8.17

tuesday 8.24

Coffee Chat 8 a.m. The Capistrano Dispatch hosts a spirited town hall forum on community issues. All are welcome. Camino Real Playhouse, on El Camino Real, just south of Ortega Highway. Occurs every Friday.

City Council Meeting 6:30 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

CUSD Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m. Trustees hold the final public hearing on the 2010-2011 budget, as well as other issues. CUSD Headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, www.capousd.org

monday 8.16 Parks, Recreation and Equestrian Meeting 6:30 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

wednesday 8.19 Summer Nites Concert 6 p.m. Historic Town Center Park. Free concert featuring swing band. Bring a picnic or buy from one of the local restaurants selling food. The park is on El Camino Real, just south of Ortega Highway.

Friday 8.27 Next regular issue of The Dispatch publishes. *Meeting agendas at www.sanjuancapistrano.org

DON TRYON: Old San Juan

It’s Election Time Again

W

ell it’s that time again, the election of our city’s officials.

Two incumbents want to return and at least seven challengers have materialized. What I find interesting is that the two incumbents ran earlier on the challenge that things can DON TRYON be better run and they are the ones who will do it. Our seven new challengers essentially will be making the same claim. After you are elected to the City Council, you find out in no time that it’s not all that easy to make dramatic changes and reality sets in.

Budget realities, along with state and federal laws will be the largest restrictions.

Before the first election in 1961, people here were concerned about losing control of what we wanted to maintain. The county was in charge and made a lot of changes without local approval and things planned were most objectionable. We lost our high school to San Clemente and might lose the character of Los Rios Street if the county has its way. The first election was in April of 1961. Next year we will celebrate our 50th anniversary.

That election was interesting as there were thirteen men running for the first City Council of five seats. That same election was also the one for the citizens to decide if they wanted our town to become an incorporated city.

The incorporation issue won and San Juan Capistrano, the oldest community in Orange County, finally became

a city with 358 votes in favor and 88 against out of an estimated population at that time of 1200 persons. Today we have 37,000 and growing.

The thirteen candidates were Gerald T. Gaffney, Harrison Giddings, Carl Buchheim, William T. Reid, William A. Bathgate, Edward Chermak, Chester V. Dellinger, Donald Durnford, Howard Lattimer, Clarence H. Lobo, Antonio Olivares, Boyd Robertson, and Jose Rosan. What’s interesting is that most of these family names are still recognizable around town. But only five could be successful and they were Carl Buchheim with 294 votes, William Bathgate, 241, Don Durnford, 214, Antonio Olivares, 190, Edward Chermak, 175. Three of these winners reflected our agrarian past as two were ranchers, one a retired rancher. The other two were a businessman and an electrician.

At the first City Council meeting, Buchheim was elected to be the first mayor and passed 21 ordinances.

Don’t know where their first meeting was held, as no place was designated as a City Hall. A little controversy followed when one of the councilmen offered a spot in his building for a temporary City Hall at $90 a month. I think he had to withdraw the offer.

As for future election issues, there had been many and often affected who was to be elected. My late departed friend Tony Forster, who was our most popular resident for many years was on the one of the councils and he told me that when he ran for re-election, there

was a campaign by his opposition to “throw the rascals out.” Tony lost.

The new boundary for the city enclosed about 6,000 acres. The first proposed boundary would have taken some of Dana Point but was opposed by their citizens.

There had been an attempt to annex Capistrano Beach to have access to the sea, but the people in that area opposed the idea. About 20 years later Dana Point and Capistrano Beach merged and created a new city.

Our city’s first staff members were Ernest Thompson as Administrator and Clerk and John Dawson, the City Attorney. The first official City Hall was part of the brick building on Camino Capistrano near present day’s Starbucks and rented for $75 per month at that time. One of the first actions of the City Council was to contract with the county Sheriff for police protection at a cost of $6,300 for the year. The first major action to deal with in their first six months was to oppose to the county’s attempt to extend Ortega Highway to Del Obispo through the Los Rios Historic District. The first Planning Commissioner was Fred Newhart, Jr. and he used his former Walnut Grove restaurant for applicants to present their building plans.

Today our contract with the County Sheriff is about $7 million, and Fred’s Walnut Grove is gone.

Don Tryon is a Director and Archivist for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and member of the City Cultural Heritage Commission. CD

A Business Mainstay Moving On

By Russell Woog The Capistrano Dispatch

F

or 25 years, classic clothing and personalized service have been key elements to the success of Slater & Sloane Inc. Owner Irene Himes has committed herself to providing hard work and good service to both customers and her community. She claims some of her customers have been coming since she first opened shop and she has never had to change her style because of their loyalty.

But after a quarter of a decade, San Juan Capistrano’s best secret in ladies classic clothing is coming to an end: Himes has decided to close shop and transfer into retirement.

“I didn’t try to sell the store; I felt like if someone wanted to take it over they could try,” Himes said, “but I wasn’t going to look to sell.”

The loss of Slater and Sloane Inc., in the shopping Page 24 • The Capistrano Dispatch • August 13–26, 2010

plaza at Del Obispo Street and Camino Capistrano, will likely be felt by the loyal customers who supported it.

“I’ve been coming for a few years and I have always felt warm, welcome and got the service I needed,” customer Heather Marte said. “I’m sad to see it closing.”

Himes describes her company’s clothing style as, “uniquely classic with a twist.” Clothes come to her from many different sources, but designers are also commissioned to produce clothing.

Slater & Sloane Inc. has donated portions of its proceeds made at boutiques and charitable fashion shows to a variety of charities in San Juan Capistrano and throughout Orange County. Beneficiaries include various cancer organizations, the Camino Health Center, Rescue Animal and The Boys and Girls Club. “[Slater & Sloane Inc.] is predominately charityfocused,” said Himes. “We’ve done boutiques; our main one is the Orange County Junior League Christmas Company.”

Photo by Jonathan Volzke

Himes plans to close shop in the middle of September, but said if sales improve she will be able to close by the end of August. She plans to move to Idaho when her and her husband’s new house is finished, and also plans to help with her daughter’s store as well. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

5 BEST BETS BASEBALL

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Blue Jays vs. Angels, War on the MainAngel Stadium land, Bren Events August 13, 7:05 p.m.

Center August 14, 6:15 p.m.

Before heading out for six games on the road, the Angles will host the Toronto Blue Jays in the first of a three-game series.

Info: www.losangeles.angels. mlb.com

Presented by Powerhouse World Promotions, this mixed martial arts event features heavyweights Tim Sylvia and Paul Buentello at the top of the fight card. Doors open at 5 p.m. Info: www.waronthe-

SOCCER

BASEBALL

WOMENS BASKETBALL

Sounders vs.

Chivas USA, Home Depot Center August 14, 8 p.m.

Rockies vs.

Dodgers, Dodger Stadium August 17, 7:10 p.m.

Coming off some positive momentum in July, Chivas USA will look to keep it rolling as they take on the Seattle Sounders.

After a stretch of seven games on the road, the boys in blue return to Southern California to take on the Colorado Rockies.

Info: www.cdchivasusa.com

Mercury vs. Sparks, Staples Center August 17, 7:30 p.m.

As the ladies return home following two games on the road, the Sparks will look to jump ahead of Phoenix 2-1 in the season series.

Info: www.mnba.com/sparks

Info: www.mlb.losangeles. dodgers.mlb.com

mainland.com

Tarp Tubes

Capistrano surf groms start tarp surfing sensation

By Andrea Swayne The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he originators of blue tarp surfing—Cody Brady, Wyatt Brady, their dad Robert Brady and Dodge Weirath—have set off a wave of YouTube videos with the posting of their original video Blue Tarp Surfing on December 26, 2009. The boys used their Christmas money—upwards of $100—to purchase a big blue tarp to make virtual barrels to “surf” through on skateboards in the street in front of their San Juan Capistrano home.

The idea was first hatched in the mind of Cody and Wyatt Brady’s dad Robert when he saw the blue tarp covering his boat—in the dry storage area of the Embarcadero Marina at the Dana Point Harbor—blowing in the wind. Robert stood watching as the billowing tarp formed what looked just like a barreling ocean wave. He told the boys about what he had seen and they took it from there.

After many experiments with tarps of various shapes and sizes they hit upon the perfect combination of material and technique and blue tarp surfing was born. A skateboarder rides—on tarp covered pavement—through a “barrel” created as wind fills the tarp being pulled at the corner by another, to form a likeness of a barreling ocean wave. Huh? I know…you have to see it to believe it.

The boys made a homemade video of themselves and their friends “surfing.” After the video was uploaded to the internet it quickly attracted 30,000 or so hits within the first few weeks and caught the attention of Surfline. It has since topped a half-a-million views.

The video made its debut on Surfline. com and held a spot in their top viewed videos for quite awhile in early 2010.

Cyrus Sutton, creator of Korduroy.tv— a website he calls “a new platform for independent surf culture created with the purpose of spreading digital aloha through video how-tos, short films, rants

Above: (L to R) Wyatt Brady, Dodge Weirath and Cody Brady ride through a hollow barrel created as Robert Brady (back) pulls the blue tarp.

Photos by Andrea Swayne

“We want everyone to try it. It’s such a fun thing to do and we posted our video with the purpose of sharing it with the world.”

— Cody Brady

and interviews, where ideas can be shared that respect self-sufficiency, craftsmanship and a surfing experience of our own design”—spotted it on Surfline and convinced the boys to let him shoot a new version of the film. Sutton’s film was given the name Tarp Pits and has also been generating buzz on YouTube. Since then, blue tarp surfing has become a bonafide fad among surfers of all ages—the thing to do when the waves are not firing.

The number of blue tarp surfing videos by others getting posted to YouTube keeps growing as people discover this “just for fun” tube ride spoof.

Page 26 • The Capistrano Dispatch • August 13–26, 2010

The guys from RuseEntertainment. com in Santa Cruz spotted the boys’ video on YouTube and made their own video contribution to the craze. Their video, posted a couple of weeks ago, has injected new life into the frivolous fun of simulating the crown jewel of surfing maneuvers. Their video has been viewed more than a million-and-ahalf times, since its debut and sparked a new influx of homemade YouTube video postings.

Just as always follows behind the invention of all the very coolest stuff of life, there will be those who come out of the woodwork to claim that they

invented it “years ago.” But Cody, Wyatt and Dodge’s video is, according to the YouTube time stamps that mark the upload of videos to the website, the first of its kind—on the internet, at least—a fact that really doesn’t matter that much to the boys. “We want everyone to try it,” said Cody. “It’s such a fun thing to do and we posted our video with the purpose of sharing it with the world.”

“It’s just a toy,” said Dodge, “A toy just like surfing. It belongs to everyone.”

Robert echoed that sentiment by adding, “It’s strictly for the purpose of having fun but it is pretty exciting how it has turned into a lot more than we expected—the way it’s taken off on the internet and all over the world. It’s all about being a kid or being a kid at heart.”

So next time your favorite break is flat, or you get tired of riding waves that rarely serve up hollow tubes, have a crack at tarp surfing. If you’re a “mature” surfer, it will make you feel like a kid again. If you’re a grom, it will make you feel like a pro.

Log on to www.thecapistranodispatch. com for a link to Blue Tarp Surfing and Tarp Pits, or visit www.youtube.com key word “tarp surfing.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com