The Capistrano Dispatch

C A P I S T R A N O ’ S N O . 1 S O U R C E F O R LO C A L N E W S , E V E N T S A N D S P O R T S

Work Underway on ‘Quiet Zones’

Letters: Historian Says Downtown Plan Lacks ‘Integrity’

Three Stallion Athletes Set to Sign Letters of Intent

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

SOAPBOX/PAGE 8

SPORTS/PAGE 22

J A N U A RY 2 8 – F E B R U A RY 1 0 , 2 0 1 1 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2

‘Free and Public’

School district ready to sort out new fee policy following ACLU lawsuit E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 4

Capistrano Unified School District is convening a task force to develop new policies for fees, many of which have been charged illegally in the past. Photo by Heidi Mefferd

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

1

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE The special municipal election on Measure A comes in less than six weeks, meaning potential voters have until Tuesday, February 22 to register. Residents must re-register to vote after a permanent move, a name change or a switch of political parties. The March 8 election will decide the fate of the LAB-Playa Del Norte Project, a nearly 50,000 square-foot commercial development that will provide space for restaurants, offices and shops on the Triangle Site used primarily for public parking. The development will also extend into two other nearby plots owned by the city—the Marblehead site and a lot that runs next to El Camino Real. In 2008, voters first weighed in during a non-binding referendum Measure W, approving it by 53.4 percent of the vote. As of this week, San Clemente had 41,065 registered voters, according to information from City Clerk Joanne Baade.

NEWS

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

DANA POINT On January 24 the city red-tagged and closed three medical marijuana dispensaries citing lack of or invalid Certificates of Occupancy and fire/ life safety issues at the facilities. City Attorney Patrick Munoz confirmed that all three businesses—Point Alternative Care, Holistic Health Collective and Beach Cities Collective—were sent letters a few weeks ago, issued by the city, informing each that they had until January 20 to correct the municipal code violations. None of the dispensaries complied and officials shut off the utilities and closed all three by action of the city’s Building and Safety Division. Representatives from the collectives are calling the city’s actions aggressive and illegal and all are vowing to file lawsuits. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, as part of an unrelated criminal investigation, served a search warrant at Point Alternative Care last Friday.

San Juan Capistrano’s Top 5 Hottest Topics

What’s Up With...

1

…Distrito Referendum Qualifying for Ballot?

THE LATEST: A move to put the fate of the Distrito La Novia mixed-use development before voters has qualified for the ballot.

Distrito La Novia would see retail and housing on the north side of La Novia and housing and an equestrian center on the south, instead of the 440 homes already approved there.

The City Council approved the project in late 2010, saying the new project would create more income and benefits for the city, although with slightly higher traffic counts.

Opponents, the most vocal of which lived near the project, contend it is just too big. They also say it is unfair of the city to change the use of the land after they’d bought their homes. They needed the signatures of about 2,000 registered San Juan Capistrano voters to qualify the referendum.

WHAT’S NEXT: City Clerk Maria Morris said the City Council will address the topic at its February 1 meeting.

The council could set an election date or reject the project outright. The developer, Advanced Real Estate, has indicated the company may also withdraw the project and build the 440 homes.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.thecapistranodispatch.com —Jonathan Volzke

2

…The Search for a City Manager?

THE LATEST: More than 30 people have applied to be San Juan Capistrano’s next City Manager, city officials said Tuesday.

The City Council is moving forward to fill the position permanently, as Joe Tait www.thecapistranodispatch.com

is holding two separate contracts as City Manager and Utilities Director.

Before recent pay cuts, he was earning $324,000 a year, which led to some criticism in the community over the salary figure and whether one man could adequately perform both fulltime positions. He now earns $307,000 a year. Supporters, however, point out that Tait’s contracts do not include any benefits—in Capistrano, benefits packages add about 53 percent to employee costs. Hiring two full-time staffers to replace him will cost $500,000 or more a year.

WHAT’S NEXT: The City Council is handling the recruitment and hiring process without any help from consultants, and discussed the process Tuesday. All five elected officials will likely review all of the resumes, wean the number down and conduct the final interviews.

The city hopes to have its new manager in place by April.

FIND OUT MORE: www.sanjuancapistrano.org —JV

3

…Creating Quiet Zones?

THE LATEST: Preliminary construction is scheduled to begin this week on safety improvements that will eliminate the requirement that trains sound their horns at San Juan Capistrano’s five railroad crossings.

The work, to create so-called “quiet zones,” includes extending the length of medians further into intersections, adding more signs and longer arms on crossing bars to prevent traffic from going around the warnings as a train approaches.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is enhancing 50 railroad crossings throughout the county.

Work on the Avenida Aeropuerto and La Zanja Street crossings is expected

to take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 30. There may be noise and light in the construction areas and partial road closures at the crossings during the construction period.

OCTA is partnering with eight cities to implement the $85 million program.

Construction on all the crossings is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.

WHAT’S NEXT: Once the improvements are made, cities are able to apply for quiet zone status. By law, engineers now must sound their horns up to four times when they approach a crossing.

If a quiet zone is established, horns will only sound in an emergency.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.octa.net/ railroadcrossing. —JV

4

…Starting Council Meetings Earlier?

THE LATEST: The City Council earlier this month voted to start Council and Community Redevelopment Agency meetings a half-hour earlier.

A city news release says “the time change will give the public more time to get involved and the Council Members more time to consider detailed business items” but council members were split on what caused their meetings to regularly stretch beyond midnight.

Mayor Sam Allevato said his colleagues pull too many items off the consent calendar—normally routine items—for more discussion, while council newcomer Derek Reeve pointed out that announcements and recognitions sapped more than 90 minutes from the last meeting. Allevato this year began inviting groups to sing patriotic songs at the start of meetings.

at 6 p.m. with closed session meetings starting at 5 p.m. The council next meets February 1.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.sanjuancapistrano.org. —JV

5

…New HOV Lanes?

THE LATEST: Preliminary work is under way to extend the carpool lanes on the San Diego Freeway (I-5) between San Juan Creek Road and Avenida Pico, and officials are asking the public for input regarding the project’s environmental impacts.

In addition to adding a carpool lane in each direction, the project would provide new merging lanes to relieve traffic at three locations and improve the Avenida Pico interchange.

The I-5 carries about 242,000 vehicles per day near the Camino Capistrano interchange and future projections estimate that number to rise to 300,000, an increase of nearly 25 percent.

The $275 million project is funded by Measure M2, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. Pending environmental approval, construction is anticipated to begin in 2015.

Community members are invited to attend an open house to learn about the project and provide comments on the draft environmental document.

WHAT’S NEXT: The meeting will be held between 6 and 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 31, at the San Clemente Community Development Office, Second Floor, 910 Calle Negocio in San Clemente.

FIND OUT MORE: For more information, visit I-5 HOV or contact Tresa Oliveri at 714.560-5374 or by email at toliveri@ octa.net. —JV

WHAT’S NEXT: Meetings will now start January 28–February 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 3

Eye on SJC

‘Free and Public’ School district ready to sort out new fee policy after lawsuit

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

A

new policy on student fees should be before Capistrano Unified School District trustees by the end of the school year to address issues raised in the statewide settlement of an ACLU lawsuit that challenged what students are charged for.

The lawsuit followed an investigation by the ACLU/ SC that uncovered a widespread practice among school districts of forcing students to purchase textbooks, workbooks, and assigned novels in order to matriculate in academic courses. School districts also charged lab fees for participation in science classes. Although many schools would set up programs where students who could not pay the fees would still receive the book or equipment, such systems are still illegal.

Dana Hills High School and San Clemente were among the dozens of schools cited in the lawsuit. The examples in the suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, were requirements that Dana Hills students in advanced government subscribe to a news magazine, while San Clemente requires students to buy novels for English.

But with the settlement reached in December, schools will be forced to eliminate many fees and change the way classes are taught. The settlement also extends to sports, where players often buy their own uniforms and equipment.

“This is a historic settlement that puts an end once and for all to the pay-to-learn system,” Mark Rosenbaum, chief counsel of the ACLU of Southern California, said in a statement. “This agreement means all students have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams irrespective of their families’ financial circumstances.”

In a letter to parents, CUSD Superintendent Joseph Farley said the settlement will require districts to change “traditions that go back many years.”

District officials identified potential members to serve on a task force that would look at fees and the settlement and draw up new district regulations, CUSD spokesman Marcus Walton said. Invitations are going out to potential participants now and the goal is for

State law prohibits charging fees for uniforms. File photo by Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

trustees to review recommendations by the end of the school year.

The settlement will be made law by September.

If a district violates the terms, the state Controller will withhold 1 percent of the district’s total funding for administrative costs until the violation is corrected. Furthermore, parents will be able to challenge illegal fees immediately through the complaint process that provides for local resolution within 30 working days.

Walton said the district anticipates the loss of money now raised through fees will be offset by an increase in donations or fund-raising, particularly by sports teams. But the true impact is unknown and trustees referenced the ACLU settlement several times during their last regular meeting when discussing future finances.

At Dana Hills, Principal Robert Nye has met with parent and booster groups about the settlement.

“He explained the situation,” said Martha McNicholas, the executive vice president of the Dana Hills Parent, Teacher and Student Association. “We’re all waiting for word from the district come down.”

McNicholas said she suspects the real changes will come in how things are done—not whether schools and teams can afford to do them.

In English classes her children have taken, for example, students were required to buy new copies of A Tale of Two Cities or East of Eden because teachers wanted them to write notes on the pages and highlight passages. That, McNicholas reasoned, could change with students taking notes on regular paper.

Both of her kids also had to buy Spanish workbooks, but it seemed they didn’t use them too much. “Things like that could be online,” McNicholas said. “There’s ways to get around it.”

At San Juan Hills, Athletic Director Armando Gonzalez said programs may suffer in the wake of the ruling because more schools and programs will be competing for a limited amount of fund-raising dollars. As a newer school, San Juan Hills has an advantage, he said, because one booster group raises all of the money, so groups aren’t competing against each other.

Students pay $150 to $350 in “voluntary donations,” depending on the sport they play, but they can reduce the amount by selling advertising or participating in other fundraisers. Parents can also volunteer to bring down fees.

“We never prevent any athlete or student from participating,” Gonzalez said. “We have options to help.”

See www.capousd.org for more information on the district’s fee policy and state law. CD

School Fees: What’s Allowed?

Some specific fees, charges and deposits are authorized by law.

These specific fees, charges and deposits are: • Charges for optional attendance as a spectator at a school or district-sponsored activity.

• Charges for food served to students, subject to free and reduced price meal program eligibility and other restrictions specified in law.

• Paying the replacement cost for district books or supplies loaned to a student that the student fails to return, or that is willfully cut, defaced or otherwise injured, up to an amount not to exceed $10,000.

• Fees for field trips and excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities, as long as no student is prevented from making the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.

• Medical or hospital insurance for field trips that is made available by the school district.

• Charges for required medical and accident insurance for athletic team members, so long as there is a waiver for financial hardship.

• Charges for standardized physical education attire of a particular color and design, but the school may not mandate that the Page 4 • The Capistrano Dispatch • January 28–February 10, 2011

attire be purchased from the school and no physical education grade of a student may be impacted based on the failure to wear standardized apparel “arising from circumstances beyond the control” of the student.

• Charges for the parking of vehicles on school grounds.

• Charges for the rental or lease of personal property needed for district purposes, such as caps and gowns for graduation ceremonies.

• Fees for school camp programs, so long as no student is denied the opportunity to participate because of nonpayment of the fee.

• Reimbursement for the direct cost of materials provided to a student for property the student has fabricated from such materials for his/her own possession and use, such as wood shop, art, or sewing projects kept by the student.

• Reimbursement for the actual cost of duplicating public records, student records, or a prospectus of the school curriculum.

• Fees for transportation to and from school, and transportation between school and regional occupational centers, programs or classes, as long as the fee does not exceed the statewide average nonsubsidized cost per student and provided there is a waiver provision based on financial need.

• Fees for transportation of pupils to places of summer employment.

• Tuition fees charged to pupils whose parents are actual and legal residents of an adjacent foreign country or an adjacent state.

• Tuition fees collected from foreign students attending a District school pursuant to an F-1 visa, equal to the full unsubsidized per capita cost of providing education during the period of attendance.

• Fees for an optional fingerprinting program for kindergarten or other newly enrolled students, if the fee does not exceed the actual costs associated with the program.

• Fees for community classes in civic, vocational, literacy, health, homemaking, and technical and general education, not to exceed the cost of maintaining the community classes.

• Deposits for band instruments, music, uniforms and other regalia which school band members take on excursions to foreign countries.

• Charges for eye safety devices, at a price not to exceed the district’s actual costs, in specified courses or activities in which students are engaged in, or are observing, an activity or the use of hazardous substances likely to cause injury to the eyes.

Source: Capistrano Unified School District www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

Saddleback Legion Honors Two SJC Deputies Judy Jackson and reserve Karl Goldstrohm earn awards

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

T

wo Orange County Sheriff’s deputies who work in San Juan Capistrano were honored this month by the Saddleback Valley Chapter of the American Legion.

Deputy Judy Jones was singled out for actions that led to the arrest of an attempted-murder suspect and in foiling an ATM burglary, while Reserve Deputy Karl Goldstrohm was honored for his work with the Special Enforcement Team working in Capistrano’s anti-gang “safety zones.”

John Mayer, Capistrano’s new chief of police services, was on hand for the January 24 ceremony, which was also attended by about 70 people.

The honors, taken from the nominations: Deputy Judy Jackson Deputy Judy Jackson has a vast history of experience, which has assisted her in her current assignment. She has been working in San Juan Capistrano for just over two years. During this time she has been highly proactive in officer initiated activity; such as arrests, field interviews of suspected gang members, and other individuals involved in criminal activity.

In June of 2010, Deputy Jackson was on a call for service and noticed a male subject outside the residence in which she was standing. The subject she observed matched the description of a suspect currently wanted by the Special Investigations Unit for attempted murder. Deputy Jackson stepped outside to speak with this person who got into a vehicle, which was later learned to be stolen, and fled. Deputy Jackson followed this vehicle until it crashed into a parked car.

The suspect got out, ran, and barricaded himself in a nearby residence. Deputy Jackson maintained professionalism throughout this incident, which resulted in the surrender of the murder suspect and the recovery of the stolen vehicle.

Another example of excellent police skills was demonstrated in October of 2010 when she responded to a burglary alarm with two suspects still inside the

Deputy Karl Goldstrohm, Deputy Mike Rupley, who was Capistrano’s Deputy of the Year for 2010, and Deputy Judy Jones at the American Legion’s awards ceremony. Photo by Jonathan Volzke

business. They had just broken out the ATM machine and dragged it outside. Both suspects fled on foot.

Deputy Jackson, who maintains year-round conditioning as a long-distance runner, went into foot pursuit and easily caught one suspect who was on parole.

Jackson also discovered these two suspects were linked to and wanted for several outstanding burglaries throughout Southern California.

In September of 2010 Jackson responded to a ‘911’ hang-up call and discovered a female who had been savagely beaten and was in critical condition because of domestic violence. There were several tense moments as Jackson and her back up confronted two male suspects, who were physically violent and resisting arrest. Jackson was instrumental in the prosecution of this case with her courtroom testimony. The suspect was sentenced to several years in state prison and will be extradited to another state for similar offenses and violation of parole. Jackson was officially commended by the Special Victims Unit and the District Attorney’s office for her thorough, professional report and courtroom testimony.

Deputy Karl Goldstrohm Deputy Karl Goldstrohm of the Community Services Unit, Reserve Division, has been an active Reserve

since 1998. In 2002, Karl began actively working in San Juan Capistrano and developed a strong knowledge of the city and its crime areas. Because of Karl’s dedicated service, excellent work ethic, and sound judgment, he was selected to work the Special Enforcement Team back up deputy position.

The Special Enforcement Team in San Juan Capistrano covers a large populated area which currently has several “Safety Zones” due to the Gang Injunction. Karl has had numerous contacts with the local gang members and gang associates and remains dedicated to this crucial assignment, which requires him to demonstrate maturity, trust and decisiveness.

Karl shows up ready to work and literally hits the pavement with both feet running. On an average, he and the SET deputy walk about five miles per night in the densely populated gang areas. Karl has learned the area well, knows the local hang outs of the gang members, and can identify the members on sight. To highlight his knowledge, Karl has been instrumental in several criminal cases ranging from juvenile detentions, to narcotics, weapons, and outstanding warrant arrests.

Karl was recently commended for his assistance this past year when he had to detain one suspect while another suspect fled on foot. As Karl’s partner went into foot pursuit, Karl maintained an excellent disposition in this situation and was able to calmly radio out what was occurring, coordinate the response of the assisting units, which eventually led to the location and arrest of the suspect by the pursuing deputy.

Along with his commitment to San Juan Capistrano, Karl is also very active in other assignments within the Reserve Division, which include the Orange County Fair, Swallows Day Parade, and other major events.

Karl is well liked and respected by the deputies assigned to San Juan Capistrano Police Services. He has dedicated several hours to ensure our city is safe, and is a true and valued asset to our Department. Although Karl has a full time job, this does not deter him from his dedication to duty as a deputy Sheriff.

The Mission Viejo ceremony was emceed by Thom Spratt, a Legion member who also serves Capistrano as a sheriff’s deputy. CD

Council Approves Commission Appointments The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he City Council approved a mix of incumbent and new commissioners, including bringing back commissioners who served on the panels earlier, then were replaced.

Applicants for the advisory panels, which do not pay a salary or provide benefits, were interviewed by pairs of City Council members, who then made their recommendations to the full City Council. The council made the appointments on January 18.

The appointments were made with little discussion, except in the case of the Planning Commission. On that panel, Councilwoman Laura Freese noted while all of the recommendations were solid, they did include three architects. She thought that might be too many members from one discipline.

Freese did not specifically point out that Bruce Tatarian, a respected businessman who is also a friend and politically ally of hers and former Councilman Mark Nielsen, had been dropped from the commission. CD Page 6 • The Capistrano Dispatch • January 28–February 10, 2011

The commissions Cultural Heritage Commission: Nathan Banda,* Rhonda de Haan, Lorie Porter,* Jan Siegel* and Don Tryon* Design Review Committee (2 members and 2 Planning Commissioners): Bob Cardoza* and Daniel Friess (replaces Jeff Parkhurst) Housing Advisory Committee: William Bonney,* Nancy Campman,* Gila Jones,* Dave Solt* and Ernie Vique (replaces Jess Lopez) Open Space, Trails, and Equestrian Commission (New Commission): Ilse Byrnes, Robert Ferguson, Kenneth Hart, Al King, Angelo Lombardo, Tom Ostensen and Renee Ritchie. (King is the city’s former Community Services Director, while Ostensen and Ritchie served on the special Open Space Committee. Byrnes and Hart sat on the Parks, Recreation and Equestrian Commission.)

Parks, Recreation, and Senior Services Commission (New Commission): Steve Behmerwohld, Ronald Denman, Jenny Friess, Kathy Hooper, Gerald Muir. (Denman and Hooper are previous commissioners returning.)

Planning Commission: Sheldon Cohen,* Virginia Kerr,* Tim Neely,* Roy Nunn, Jeff Parkhurst, Gene Ratcliffe,* Robert Williams * (Nunn and Parkhurst previously served on the commission.)

Transportation Commission: John Altieri, E.J. Constantine, Matt Gaffney,* Tim Markel and Jean Savage*.

Utilities Commission: Malcolm “Lee” Goode,* Richard Hartl,* Thomas Lytle, Dan Merkle* and Raymond Miller*.

(Lytle previously served on the commission.) *Denotes incumbents. For more information on the commissions, and when they meet, see www.sanjuancapistrano.org

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter C o m p i l e d b y J O N AT H A N V O L Z K E

Ortega Highway/La Novia Ave. (2:05 p.m.) A white Ford Thunderbird hit a white Lexus and a brown Dodge truck before taking off. The vehicle had major front end damage.

CITIZEN ASSIST Via San Vicente, 31000 Block (8:12 a.m.) A woman reported her estranged husband broke into the home. He is not on the deed, she reported.

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.

FAMILY DISPUTE Via Belardes, 31700 Block (8 a.m.)

A mother was in a fight with her 17year-old son. The incident was reported by a 7-year-old child.

Sunday, January 23

Friday, January 21

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Alta Pine Lane/Charro Drive (9:09 p.m.)

A man walking around a neighborhood raised concern among a resident, who noted he was wearing all black and carrying a backpack, too.

VANDALISM Paseo Diosa, 31400 Block (11:52 p.m.)

Three or four kids were toilet-papering a house when someone lobbed a rock through the window. The resident blocked the teens’ car with his own vehicle and the teens parked and jumped into a back yard. The kids were tracked down through the registered owner of the vehicle and the issue will be handled between the adults.

DISTURBANCE Oso Road, 26200 Block (6:15 p.m.)

Some kids from a nearby home were hitting golf balls at a horse stable while equestrians were out for a ride.

KEEP THE PEACE La Zanja Street, 26500 Block (6:35 p.m.)

A woman was trying to talk to dispatchers about a problem with child custody, but her husband was pulling her by the arm around the yard.

KEEP THE PEACE Calle Resplendor, 30800 Block (1:18 p.m.)

A resident accused a neighbor’s kids of cutting down trees. It’s an ongoing dispute.

WELFARE CHECK Paseo Michelle, 28300 Block (9:41 a.m.)

A woman asked deputies to check in with her three kids because her ex-husband had custody over the weekend and wouldn’t let her talk to them.

Saturday, January 22 HIT AND RUN Camino Capistrano/Avenida La Paloma (8:38 p.m.) A late-model silver Crown Victoria collided with an Infinity, then took off. It was a felony.

DISTURBANCE Alipaz Street, 32200 Block (4:26 p.m.)

A resident’s roommate let some friends into their home, but the caller didn’t want them there anymore. He also didn’t want to talk to authorities about whether drugs or alcohol was involved.

PROWLER Pinewood Lane, 29300 Block (11:12 p.m.) A resident spotted a man dressed in black with a flashlight in his backyard.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 32300 Block (8:30 a.m.) A homeless woman was bothering customers as they entered an eatery. She was wearing pajama bottoms.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Calle La Bombe/Calle San Felipe (7:54 p.m.) A resident spotted kids carrying beer into the park.

UNKNOWN TROUBLE Mariner Drive/Sandpiper Court (5:05 p.m.) Tip jars were stolen from at least four Starbucks. The crooks fled in a silver Nissan Maxima.

DISTURBANCE Alipaz Street, 32700 Block (1:08 a.m.)

A caller reported his brother was breaking stuff and in a fight with his parents because he wanted a gun.

Thursday, January 20 DISTURBANCE Alipaz Street, 32700 Block (9:20 p.m.)

A woman reported her boyfriend was throwing things around the apartment and tried to take her wallet. He left with a box cutter. But the woman told deputies she wouldn’t cooperate or open the door if they showed up.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Paseo Adelanto, 32400 Block (8:32 p.m.)

A resident reported their 13-year-old daughter hadn’t returned home from school. When the parent called the girl’s cell phone, her friends answered and seemed to be hiding something.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Aeropuerto, 26000 Block (4:21 p.m.) A mobile-home park resident reported lots of screaming and yelling was coming from a nearby unit.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Camino Capistrano, 31700 Block (3:34 p.m.) A male transient was making a shop keeper nervous. He’d been in earlier, trying on women’s clothing.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Camino Capistrano, 32300 Block (10:17 a.m.) Firefighters called for deputies when a woman was reported slumped over the steering wheel of a Chevy SUV. DISTURBANCE Calle San Diego, 31000 Block (9:43 a.m.) Two female roommates were in a fight.

Wednesday, January 19 FRAUD REPORT

Del Obispo Street, 31900 Block (3:15 p.m.) A man tried to use a fake ID to withdraw money from an account that wasn’t his.

ROBBERY Calle San Antonio, 26400 Block (2:43 p.m.) A woman said she met a man and a woman at a drug store. They told her to drive them to her home, where they robbed her of her jewelry before leaving on foot. They had a large amount of cash and gold with them, perhaps from similar capers.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Via Solis, 25600 Block (2:16 p.m.)

The Fire Authority called for deputies after discovering a sinkhole.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Santa Barbara, 26500 Block (7:35 a.m.) Someone was breaking into a vacant unit.

FAMILY DISPUTE Via San Vicente, 31200 Block (9:58 p.m.)

A woman reported her mother dragged her out of the house by her wrists, but she needs to get her work papers and clothing.

Tuesday, January 18 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Rancho Viejo Road, 30200 Block (12:29 p.m.) A man was spray painting a vehicle while in the parking lot.

WELFARE CHECK Sea Breeze Court, 33000 Block (8:36 p.m.) A caller was worried their son might become aggressive with his sister. The son is 24; the sister is 54.

ASSAULT REPORT Via Los Santos, 32400 Block (6:27 p.m.)

An assault was reported, but the informant is suffering from early stages of dementia.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano/Del Obispo Street (4:27 p.m.) A woman dumped her belongings out of a shopping cart, sat down and began talking to herself.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Terramar, 31300 Block (4:38 p.m.) Deputies tailed cars to Irvine and drew their weapons on a suspect after a report of a house burglary. Turns out it was all a joke.

CITIZEN ASSIST Avocado Lane, 29400 Block (4:27 p.m.)

A woman reported people were screaming things about her outside her house.

PATROL CHECK Camino del Avion/Alipaz Street (2:08 p.m.) A man was standing on the corner with a dog. A caller thought it odd, and that he was perhaps a child predator.

PETTY THEFT Alipaz Street, 32300 Block (3:43 p.m.)

A man caught two people trying to steal his bike. They took off running.

HIT AND RUN

TRESPASSING Avenida Aeropuerto, 26000 Block

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

(9:06 a.m.) A woman was camping out in the driveway of her parents’ home while they were away.

January 28–February 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 7

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

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

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 9, Issue 2. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch ) is published twice monthly 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 2011. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA CEO > Norb Garrett EDITORIAL Group Editor, Editor, The Dispatch > Jonathan Volzke City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne City Editor, SC Times > Stacie N. Galang ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith Graphic Designer > Heidi Mefferd

Letters to the Community DISTRITO LA NOVIA BETTER THAN ALTERNATIVE —Lisa Wilhelm, San Juan Capistrano The Distrito La Novia referendum is a tragedy!

This “property owner,” I repeat, “property owner” already has approval to build 440 homes on the property. This is what the property owner will do, if voters reject the Distrito La Novia project.

The Distrito La Novia project is better for the city of San Juan and the majority of its citizens. I repeat, the new project is better for the city of San Juan and the majority of its citizens. Everybody better wise-up and decide which project they’d rather have there. I am not going to spell it out for you—do the research yourself.

If you do nothing, then you have cast your vote.

DOWNTOWN PLAN LACKS INTEGRITY —Jane Lohrbach, San Juan Capistrano The following letter from The California Preservation Foundation regarding the San Juan Capistrano Historic Town Center Master Plan/proposed amendment by Studio Oneleven was presented at the November 2, 2010 Planning Commission meeting.

It is so precise in pointing out the flaws and insensitivity of the Studio Oneleven plan, that I felt it should be published for the community’s awareness.

Studio Oneleven, a Long Beach design firm hired by the city, proposes inappropriate and blatant changes to the Historic downtown core. Their plan disregards: the historical significance of many structures, Veterans Park, the unique town layout, the layers of history since the 1700s, the essence and character of San Juan Capistrano.

Historical integrity is the issue and this letter from The California Preservation Foundation explains it well.

On behalf of California Preservation Foundation (CPF), I am writing to express our concern over the proposed amendment to the Historic Town Center Master Plan. CPF is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of California’s diverse cultural and architectural heritage.

San Juan Capistrano is known throughout the country for its unique character and culture from being a Spanish Mission village to an equestrian-friendly community. For three years I served as a walking tour docent for the Historic and Architectural Walking Tours in San Juan Capistrano and met many people from around the world coming to see San Juan Capistrano’s piece of American history.

As identified in the Vision of the General Plan, San Juan Capistrano strives to “Preserve the Past to Page 8 • The Capistrano Dispatch • January 28–February 10, 2011

Enhance the Future” creating a community “…in which the historic, small-town community character of the mission area and downtown celebrates a strong link to the past and diversity of the population.” The current draft of the Historic Town Center Master Plan proposes to create a “New” Town Center ignoring the importance of the past by not fully taking into consideration how the proposal would impact historic resources and the small-town community character.

It is based on an incorrect interpretation of San Juan Capistrano’s development and history as a community, resulting in a proposal that neglects the historic integrity of this community.

In the draft plan, Studio Oneleven states that San Juan Capistrano suffers from a “shortage of streets” and later references the classic “American Main Street” with retail and restaurants on both sides of the street showing a diagram of the “lack” of building frontages. The Historic Town Center in San Juan Capistrano is not a classic “American Main Street” because it predates the street grid developments. The streets and buildings with their arcades reflect the early Spanish and later Mexican development of the

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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.

City which is what makes its history unique. It is not San Clemente, a planned community from the 1920’s, which is used as a comparison throughout the document. Rather San Juan Capistrano Historic Town Center is one that has grown organically with time and should be celebrated, not made to conform to a different style from a different period.

The growth and change in San Juan Capistrano has happened for over two hundred years from a Mission settlement, to an agricultural hub, to a city of over 30,000. This history is reflected in the Historic Town Center—from the Mission and associated buildings built in the 1700’s, adobes built in the 1800’s, brick

Absolutely, Positively Open for Business in Vermeulen Center…With a New Fresh Look!

The pounding rainstorms that came through town just before Santa visited us were remarkable: San Juan Creek swelled to amazing proportions; City Hall was evacuated along with downtown businesses and homes all over town. We got wet, real wet!

Vermeulen Ranch Center on Del Obispo was not spared. Due to the severity of the storm, Ted Rosenfeldt, owner/operator of Plaza Art Gallery, left his bed and drove over to his framing gallery in Vermeulen Ranch Center as rain came down at the rate of 2 inches per hour. It was a treacherous journey dodging fallen trees and mudslides coming off the hillsides. At 5 a.m., much to his dismay, Ted discovered that water was coming in under the front door at an alarming rate. He was physically alone yet concerned about the rate that muddy water was flowing into all the Vermeulen Center retail establishments.

On furlough, city services were unavailable by phone but Ted drove to city hall and was directed to the city lot to obtain sand bags. The fenced lot

gates were bolted shut so Ted jumped the fence and loaded sand bags into his van, eventually assisted by a kind city worker whose name is unknown but whose assistance was much appreciated. Together they loaded and then unloaded sandbags in front of all the doors in the Vermeulen center as the relentless rain inundated them.

Now that the waters have receded and the businesses have “dried out” the remodeling of these establishments has begun thanks to the Vermeulen family’s generosity. Abbey’s Jewelry has a fresh new look, as does Plaza Art Gallery (Ted’s frame shop). Friend’s Salon is looking good and Kirk Hobock, the dentist, will soon be sporting a beautiful new look, too. Locals who tried to contact these businesses during the remodel, given the current economy, misinterpreted what they saw. Everyone in Vermeulen Center affected by the flooding is in business to serve you and eager to show you his or her new retail look! Come on by soon.

—Dale Rosenfeldt

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 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 readersubmitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

buildings from the early 1900s, and new development in the past 50 years. The type and density of development proposed does not consider the layout and design of the existing historic resources. For example, while the park-

ing garage proposed for the downtown gateway is an appropriate location, the size of the development is out of scale with the community and will have an impact on the setting and context for the Blas Aguilar Adobe.

New development should be consistent with existing scale and block patterns while increasing the density.

Another example is the proposed location for the downtown parking structure which would remove the last remaining pieces of the agricultural history. Located behind the Manuel Garcia and Domingo Yorba Adobes, these structures are listed as contributing to the National Register Listing of these adobes. In the plan it states that the site “…has little or no remaining agrarian character,” which reflects the consultant’s lack of understanding in the importance of the historic setting. Instead of the current proposal of moving the historic barn to make way for a parking structure, why not consider utilizing the barn in its present location for the proposed outdoor market?

While this plan highlights many concepts of successful main streets, which are needed, it fails to mention the most important characteristic—integrity.

All successful historic downtowns recognize their

unique history by reusing their historic structures and actively promoting their history to visitors and residents. Many of the concepts being discussed such as enhancing the walkability and creating new anchors are feasible without impacting the history and integrity of the Historic Core.

CPF requests that the Council and Commission take into consideration the impacts to the community and its historic resources by the current draft Master Plan and explore project alternatives that do not remove or have significant impacts to historic resources. Please feel free to contact me at 415.495.0349 if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, Jennifer M. Gates, AICP Field Services Director 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.

MARK NIELSEN: Straight Talk

Ending Redevelopment Only Hurts SJC T

he recent proposed budget “fix” by Governor Brown to end local redevelopment agencies is a thinly-veiled attempt to again reach into our local city budgets and shift the burden onto our local citizens of Sacramento’s inabilMARK ity to stop spending. While there are NIELSEN a small number of local folks, along with the libertarian OC Register, who oppose redevelopment on principle, the real story is that our Redevelopment Agency has allowed our city to retain tens of millions of our tax dollars for local benefits that otherwise would have been taken by the state and county.

Now I don’t know about you, but I am very confident that I trust whoever is on our City Council to better spend our tax dollars to directly help our citizens and our local quality of life as opposed to anyone in Sacramento. The arguments that we are keeping money from our classrooms or fire and police protection are simply not true. Those agencies already receive their pro rata portions of the property tax before the Redevelopment Agency gets its share. The real difference is that the state and county get less for their discretionary spending, since our local agency gets to keep a higher percentage of the property tax from our own city.

Our property owners are paying the tax and it seems only right that a higher proportion of that tax stay local to benefit our community.

Without a redevelopment agency, a city only gets to keep 10 percent of the property tax. Thus the city’s share of the property tax on a $500,000 home is only $500 a year.

Compare this to the benefits of a redevelopment agency. Our city gets to keep about 60 percent of the property tax increment (the difference between the property value back when the agency was formed decades ago and the value of it today after improvements). This is a substantial increase over the normal 10 percent the city would keep. This money is spent on projects to improve the economic well-being of the city and remove “blight.” In addi-

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

tion, there are extra funds set aside for affordable housing requirements that we would have to pay out of our general fund but for having the agency.

As an example, the re-opening of the Regency Theater downtown after being dark for 10 years was only made possible by an almost $1 million loan from the Redevelopment Agency. The benefits this one redevelopment project has brought to our city are huge. Restaurants in the immediate vicinity report increased business of over 25 percent. It has

“The Redevelopment Agency allowed us to bring back new car dealers that would otherwise have been lost to other cities, remove vacant buildings and blighted empty property along the freeway, and generate future ongoing sales tax revenues that are vital to meeting our long-term fiscal health.” spurred a revitalization of the downtown area with others making significant improvements to their property, such as Ruby’s Sky Ranch and the new bar and outdoor expansion at Sundried Tomato.

The Redevelopment Agency allowed us to bring back new car dealers that would otherwise have been lost to other cities, remove vacant buildings and blighted empty property along the freeway, and generate future ongoing sales tax revenues that are vital to meeting our long-term fiscal health. The agency also provided a loan to allow the renovation and expansion of the old Vaquero West building across the street from the movie theater so that it will soon house new retail stores while keeping its architecture consistent with the look and feel of our historic town.

All of these projects were not financially feasible without the assistance of the Redevelopment Agency. The owners had to have their business plans

reviewed by city economic consultants to verify the gap in funding feasibility to prove the projects only worked with agency assistance. The economists and agency attorneys also had to show that the benefits to the agency and city in terms of economic return were justified. This is no different from incentives a private property owner makes to attract a big-name anchor tenant to a commercial development project.

The payoff over the long-term is worth the cost in the short term.

One final note. Some critics charge redevelopment agencies are unfair because of the use of eminent domain to improperly take private property to sell to developers, or that they cause the city to just incur more debt that will be a future burden. While there have been some abuses by other cities over the years, none of these apply to our city. Our agency gave up its ability to exercise eminent domain years ago, and the debt is a function of how redevelopment works. A redevelopment agency can only get its property tax by incurring debt through the issuance of bonds. The bonds are financed by the increased property tax that the agency gets. If you don’t incur the bond debt, you aren’t allowed to get the property tax. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of many folks who think this debt is a negative, when in fact it is merely a mechanism to capture the revenue that would otherwise be going to the State.

By definition, the debt can only be incurred if there is the property tax revenue to support it. State law requires that you issue bonds in order to get the extra cash used to pay the bonds.

Bottom line—would you rather have only 10 percent of our property tax being spent locally or have 60 percent spent directly on things that will benefit the economic well-being of San Juan Capistrano?

Does it benefit us to have our affordable housing needs met without taking funds out of our General Fund? Do you trust the folks in Sacramento to spend our tax dollars more productively than our own City Council members who we see every day? Pretty simple Q&A as far as I’m concerned!

Businessman Mark Nielsen is a former City Councilman.

January 28–February 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 9

GETTING OUT

YOUR FOURTEEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

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

COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

friday28 JOHN FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE

7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Good music at The Vintage Steak House.

26701-B Verdugo St., SJC, 949.661.3407, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

ROD PIAZZA & THE MIGHTY FLYERS

8 p.m. Rockin’ blues with Rod Piazza and his band; opening is Six20Jam, a four-piece blues/funk band fronted by lead vocalist Betsy Backal, at The Coach House. Also playing: Jack the Music.

Tickets $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

8 p.m. Opening night of a new play at Camino Real Playhouse.

Tickets $24-$34. (Gala night Jan. 29 is $40, includes dinner.)

31776 El Camino Real, SJC, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIPSTICK N LEATHER

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

saturday29

GO SEE DO

The Taste of San Juan kicks-off the 2011 Fiesta de las Golondrinas season, which includes the 53rd Swallows Day Parade.

More than 20 local restaurants will present their finest samples with live country western music and dancing.

The event is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16 at El Adobe Restaurant, 31891 Camino Capistrano. Tickets are $20, which includes admission and food tastings. There is a no-host bar.

The annual Taste of San Juan is a major fundraiser for the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association.

Participating restaurants include Thai Juan On, NYC Café and Catering, Akioni’s Catering, Sun Dried Tomato Café, Marie Callender’s, Simply Fondue, Donna B’s Bakery, Ricardo’s Place, The Vintage

EVITTE PALMER

7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Live female musician at The Vintage Steak House. 26701-B Verdugo St., SJC, 949.661.3407, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

BETTER CHEMISTRY

10 a.m.-2 p.m. The ARK of San Juan hold a pet adoption at Pets Plus in Laguna Niguel. Photos of pets online. Corner of Golden Lantern and Crown Valley. 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

12 ANGRY MEN

8 p.m. Cabrillo Playhouse presents a play that examines the jury system. Tickets $20. Shows through Jan. 30. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

MARCY PLAYGROUND

8 p.m. Hit band performs at The Coach House, also playing: Beyond Conception / Hollowell / Hobs Row. Tickets $15 advance, $18 day of show. 33157 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S

2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Live music by Helicopter then at 8:30 p.m. Will Glover Band at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

MULTICULTURAL ARTS MUSIC CONCERTS AT THE LIBRARY: ADRIAN LEGG

6:30 p.m.; 8:30 p.m. Award-winning acoustic guitarist Adrian Legg will perform two shows in La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 children 12 and under. 31495 El Camino Real, SJC, 949.493.1752, www.musicatthelibrary.com.

Page 10 • The Capistrano Dispatch • January 28–February 10, 2011

Steakhouse, Bad to the Bone, Mollies Famous Café, The Next Door, O’Neill’s Bar and Grill and more.

Purchase tickets at the door, contact chairperson Carol Spear at 714.357.7918, or visit www.swallowsparade.org for more information.

The non-profit Fiesta Association relies on volunteers to put on the Swallows Day Parade and related activities. The parade is March 26 this year. Fiesta Associations are being held weekly, and new members are welcome.

Those meetings start with a social hour—free food, with beverages available for purchase—at 6 p.m., with business beginning at 7 p.m. The meetings at the Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza St.

wednesday02 BILINGUAL STORYTIME

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

11:30 a.m. Stories and crafts in Spanish and English every Wednesday at the SJC Library. 31495 El Camino Real, SJC, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

CRAB FEAST & AUCTION

GARDEN TOURS

6 p.m.-11 p.m. Forster Ranch Education Foundation hosts its first-ever fundraising crab feast and auction at the Casino with dinner, music, dancing and live & silent auctions. Tickets $60 each, $600 per table for 10. 140 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente, 949.661.1427, Forsterranchedufoundation.com.

sunday30 CASPERS NATURE HIKE

9 a.m.-10 p.m. Join Park Rangers Sunday mornings for an easy 1-mile hike on the Nature Trail at Caspers Park. Free. Parking $5. 33401 Ortega Hwy., SJC, 949.923.2211, www.ocparks. com/caspers.

SAVED BY THE MISSION BELL

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Children and adults can listen to Spanishspeaking audio tours at the Mission daily. Admission of $5-$9.

26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR

1 p.m. SJC Historical Society leads a tour to see Los Rios Historical District, O’Neill Museum, Montanez Adobe, the Mission, Rios Adobe and more. Meet at the train depot on Verdugo Street. Every Sunday. $2 adults, $1 children. 949.493.8444, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

JONNY LANG PET ADOPTION

‘TASTE OF SAN JUAN’

7 p.m. Popular rock ‘n’ roll artist at The Coach House, also playing: Mike Eldred Trio. Tickets $55. 33157 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

monday31 COUNTRY DANCIN WITH DJ BUBBA

6:30 p.m. The fun starts early and goes till late at Swallow’s Inn every Monday. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

tuesday01 PRESCHOOL STORYTIME

11 a.m. Children ages 3-6 and caregivers are invited to the library for stories, songs, crafts and fun. No registration required.

31495 El Camino Real, SJC, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

OLD CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET

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

10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Explore the Mission grounds with a tour guide. Free with paid admission of $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

NATIVE AMERICAN BASKET WEAVING

10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Mission presents a class on traditions and culture of basket weaving. Free with paid admission of $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

thursday03 CALIFORNIA MISSIONS RESOURCE STUDIO 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano presents its new studio with information on all 21 missions for students, teachers and more. Free with paid admission of $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

GARDEN ANGELS

8 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteer your time gardening with Goin Native at Los Rios Park today and Feb. 7, 17, 28. Bring gardening tools.

31661 Los Rios St., SJC, 949.606.6386., www.goinnative.net.

friday04 ARTIST RECEPTION - LYDIA E. RINGWALD: QUEST FOR THE GODDESS

5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Meet the artist reception at the library to introduce the exhibit “Quest for the Goddess” featuring paintings and mixed media artwork by Lydia E. Ringwald; the free art exhibit runs through Feb. 28. 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

FIRST FRIDAY FILM: THE GHOST WRITER

7 p.m. Movie at the library about a ghost writer hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister. A $2 donation supports the library. 31495 El Camino Real, 949.248.5132, www.ocpl.org.

COCO MONTOYA

8 p.m. Longtime guitarist and vocalist plays a soulful show at The Coach House; also playing: Blues Bettie and Pamela G. Tickets $15.

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

LARRY FRESCH

7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at The Vintage Steak House. 26701-B Verdugo St., SJC,949.661.3407, www.thevintagesteakhouse.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, SJC, 949.493.1163, www.eladobedecapistrano.com.

(Cont. on page 15) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

Dispatch Restaurant Spotlight

By Andrea Swayne

Beach Pit BBQ

32371 Golden Lantern, Ocean Ranch Plaza Suite G, Laguna Niguel, 949.496.RIBS (7427), www.beachpitbbq.com BEST KNOWN FOR: Dry-rubbed meats smoked at a low heat for 12 hours with pecan and hickory wood MOST POPULAR ITEM: Pulled pork sandwich served “North Carolina style” with a scoop of homemade coleslaw on top Minor League Baseball player turned restaurateur Tim DeCinces brings his brand of real Southern barbecue with a California twist to the tri-city area with the opening of his sixth Beach Pit BBQ restaurant. The menu is chock-full of traditional Southern fare like tender ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked turkey and chicken as well as great starters and sides like catfish nuggets, fried okra, fried pickles, hushpuppies, mac ‘n’ cheese and coleslaw. “All of our meats are smoked slow and low, just like great barbecue should be,” said manager Ryan Warren. Try the slider trio—any three meats on sweet Hawaiian rolls topped with sweet or spicy sauce or the newest addition to the menu, the B.P.L.T. sandwich, made with house-smoked bacon, fried pickles, lettuce, tomato and their very own California Gold Mustard Sauce.

For a California take on barbecue, order up a fresh salad, wrap, burrito or tacos made with your choice of slow smoked meats. Beach Pit BBQ also offers a selection of wine and beer—featuring Shiner Bock and their signature tallboy Pabst Blue Ribbon served wrapped (just for fun) in a brown paper bag.

Manager Ryan Warren with the Beach Pit BBQ Slider trio. Photo by Andrea Swayne

PRICE RANGE: $0.99 to $19.95 RESERVATIONS: Not necessary

PAYMENT: Cash and credit card HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week

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” share your thoughts about this week’s restaurant.

(Cont. from page 10)

saturday05

FAMILY FILM FEATURE: DESPICABLE ME

11 a.m. Fun movie for the whole family to enjoy at the library. Free admission and popcorn. 31495 El Camino Real, SJC, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR

10 a.m. Discover 200 years of San Juan Capistrano architecture on a 90-minute guided walk that includes adobes, Spanish-era dwellings and modern buildings. Meet at Verdugo Street. Occurs every Saturday. $5 donation. 949.489.0736.

8TH ANNUAL CARe SHOW

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Annual fundraising car show at the Community Center/Sports Park to benefit the Capo Animal Rescue Effort.

Features more than 400 vintage, antique and classic cars and trucks; entertainment; food; exhibit and prizes. Fee $5 adults, $2 kids 11-17. 25925 Camino Del Avion, SJC, 949.240.1735, www.capoanimalrescue.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S

2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

PANNING FOR GOLD

12 p.m.-2 p.m. Try your luck at finding the gold in a custom-designed trough at Mission SJC. Free with admission $5ñ$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., SJC, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

KARAOKE

9 p.m. El Mariachi Restaurant hosts Karaoke Night in English and Spanish every Friday and Saturday. 1925 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.369.5111.

NICK CAPPELLETTI

8 p.m. Multi-talented musician at The Coach House, also playing: Wake the Street and Child 44. Tickets 415.

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

sunday06

monday07 PAJAMA STORYTIME

7 p.m. Sunshine readers tell entertaining stories for kids and families at the SJC Library. Wear your PJs! 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

VALENTINE DELIGHTS

6:30 p.m. Chef and caterer Caroline Cazaumayou visits Antonie’s Cafè for a cooking class, dinner, recipes and wine. Cost $50 each, reservation and prepayment required. 218 South El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.1763.

tuesday08 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.

COMPUTER LAB

8:45 a.m. Computer lessons at the library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

wednesday09 KARAOKE

7 p.m. Joel and Les host Karaoke at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

BILINGUAL STORYTIME

11:30 a.m. Stories in Spanish and English at the SJC Library.

1495 El Camino Real, SJC, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

thursday10 STAN RIDGWAY

COASTAL ODYSSEY SAILING ADVENTURE

1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Travel back in time onboard the Ocean Institute’s tall ship Spirit of Dana Point for a tall ship adventure. Help raise the sail, handle lines and steer the ship, or sit back and enjoy the ride. Tickets $40 adult, $23 children. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

UKULELE NIGHTS

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Bring your ukulele, sing along or listen to the music at Hulaville’s newest event. Every Sunday. 2720 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, 949.369.1905, www.hulavillecafe.com. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

AT THE MOVIES Blue Valentine

8 p.m. One of the most unique singer/songwriters in American music plays at The Coach House; also playing Jeff Wright and Cory Case. Tickets $13 advance, $15 day of show. 33157 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 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

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine. © The Weinstein Company

And now for something a little different: The anti-romantic comedy. Two people in love, yet anything but happy at a certain point in their lives. Blue Valentine had been a film all over the film festival circuit in 2010, gaining praise and attention, but then surprisingly being slapped with an NC-17 rating by the Motion Pictures Association of America for just three brief sexual scenes. Director Derek Cianfrance and co-star/producers Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams lobbied hard for a new R rating.

Fortunately, for the creators and viewers, their work paid off.

We can now appreciate one of the best films to be nominated at the Academy Awards next month.

In this modest indie film, we are given two very special and brilliant performances by two former teen stars. Gosling and Williams portray Dean and Cindy Pereira, a couple now in the midst of two, turbulent days of a marriage going on six years and with a 5-year-old daughter (Faith Wladyka). Between figuring out where it all started to get rocky and trying to reconnect intimately, the fear of failing as spouses and turning into their parents’ failure lay in the back of their minds. The story also crosscuts to their bittersweet meeting and courtship and Cindy’s former, unfortunate flame (Mike Vogel) and expresses how much they struggled to stay together.

Blue Valentine is a film 12 years in the making for documentary filmmaker Cianfrance. In his debut feature film, he has given us a piece of cinema that makes us ponder and cry. It sticks with us long after we have reached the rather stunning end credits. If anyone deserves the nominations for Best Actor and Actress Oscars, they are Gosling and Williams. They manage to grasp the maturity and care of their characters between youth and parenthood. The pair never go over the top, and by doing so, they achieve subtlety. Blue Valentine might not be a feelgood film by some standards, but it is one to be appreciated in its bluntness and successful effort. CD —Megan Bianco January 28–February 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 15

SJC LIVING

4

LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR friday 1.28

tuesday 2.08

Wednesday 2.09

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

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

Transportation Commission Meeting 6 p.m., City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto

Tuesday 2.08

friday 2.11

CUSD Board Meeting 7 p.m., District headquarters, 33122 Valle Road

Next regular issue of The Dispatch publishes.

tuesday 2.01 City Council Meeting 6 p.m., City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto

*Meeting agendas at www.sanjuancapistrano.org

DON TRYON: Old San Juan

Our Town’s Past (and Present) U nder Spanish rule, our Mission and community thrived considerably. The Mission had a successful period of animal husbandry, vineyards, orchards, and Orange County’s first industrial manufacturing facility. The Native American Juaneno DON Indians were trained in many skills TRYON with the plan that one day they would take over these new responsibilities.

But when Mexico became a Republic and secularized the Missions, taking over from the Padres, much went into a downward spiral in our town. Mexico officials did give Grants for ranching cattle, sheep and horses and this did create some jobs and business.

After the war between the United States and Mexico, annexing California became part of the settlement then gold was discovered in Northern California. This caused farming and ranching to become much more prominent and our town basically became a base for the surrounding ranches and farms. However, the population was minimal with only a few basic stores established and we were quickly overshadowed by Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Anaheim.

None of our streets were paved back then and were

occasionally used for horse racing by some of the local citizens. Betting was lively and the horses would race down from the Mission on past the Egan house.

At one time, all the main streets had non-Spanish names that the County had chosen with traditional Eastern establishment names such as Broadway and Main. It wasn’t until the 1930s that a group of locals campaigned vigorously and successfully to permit changes to more traditional California names in keeping with our culture.

Today many of the citizens of this city prefer to avoid the impact of a large commercial center with malls, industrial buildings and expansive developments of homes. The feeling and desire is to retain much of the past and avoid too much modernization. Our citizens strive to hold on to an ambience of tradition. However, this has caused many concerns.

If it wasn’t for the Mission being the third greatest revenue attracting venue in Orange County, after Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, we would probably have been absorbed by the likes of Laguna Niguel or Mission Viejo, modern cities but with no charm or tradition.

The Distrito commercial project and the Meadows homes off La Novia were stymied by a small element

of concerned citizens. There is always resistance of any large commercial entity like the Home Depot, or potential manufacturing businesses to gain approval. Whether we like it or not, a reasonable element of projects like this is needed to maintain and operate our City. Another proposal pending for our downtown is a project that would make extensive changes to make it more commercially viable; this is going to have a rough time for approval. However, this core center was the way the town was laid out over one hundred years ago as a horse transportation town.

All we can do now is to see how things will progress for improvements and hope our City can survive financialy.

If you would like to see how our town once looked like from the late 1800s to early 1900s, go to the O’Neill Museum on Los Rios Street. It’s owned and run by the Historical Society and has on display over 7000 photos of our town. You will also find pictures of the Mission, ranches, buildings, town center, adobe homes, and many people. They also have photos of our former airport and whales on the beach near Dana Point.

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

PetSmart Ousts Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort The Capistrano Dispatch

C

apistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), which has rescued and adopted more than 1,200 abandoned cats and dogs in the past decade, has been given the boot by PetSmart, which says the nonprofit is not generating enough adoption numbers for its store and is “not compatible with a retail environment.”

The news comes as CARE readies for its annual CARe Show at the Sports Park the Saturday before the Super Bowl, February 5.

For the past nine years, the all-volunteer CARE has showcased its rescued cats to potential families at the cattery inside PetSmart on Doheny Park Road in San Juan Capistrano. Earlier this month, CARE was told that it no longer adopts out enough animals, needs to hold more “Adoption Day” store events, and needs to generate more media, among other issues. Bryan Harris, the store’s new general manager, told the organization that “CARE is not the right adoption partner for this PetSmart store,” CARE said in its announcement.

“PetSmart indicated that its intent in partnering with Page 16 • The Capistrano Dispatch • January 28–February 10, 2011

rescue groups is to create customers for itself,” Lindy Herman, a CARE volunteer and local attorney said in a statement. “Additionally, at the meeting earlier this month, PetSmart repeatedly questioned why CARE was not ‘selling enough cats’ which, in my opinion indicates that they view their ‘Adoption Partners’ as one of their retail departments required to make sales goals and not as charitable organizations seeking permanent homes for abandoned and homeless animals.”

Like other local animal rescue groups, CARE has seen an increase in the number of stray dogs and cats picked up in town by OC Animal Care, but a noticeable decline over the past two years in people adopting pets.

The strays are picked up by the county’s animal shelter but before the animals face euthanasia, CARE— and other non-profit rescues— takes them in. CARE keeps some animals at its office and others go to foster homes. Having PetSmart to showcase the cats is essential to adopting the pets out, CARE officials said.

In preparation for a January 4 meeting with Harris to address PetSmart’s issues, which were first brought to CARE’s attention on November 30, CARE produced

a detailed “South Orange County PetSmart Partner Comparison” for the store manager that demonstrated that CARE’s adoption policies are identical to the nine other rescue groups in the area and showed that in this last year, the group has adopted out 52 cats from the PetSmart locale and that number jumped to 58 cats by the end of December. ARE also doubled the number of “Adoption Day” events it would be holding at the store and increased the number of hours volunteers would be available to show cats to interested adopters.

“Despite having improved in every area in which PetSmart had issues, and doing so over a short period of only 35 days, PetSmart was 100 percent prepared to give us the boot before we even walked into the January 4 meeting,” Herman said.

CARE will continue to operate out of its office in San Juan Capistrano and cats will be shown on CARE’s website and by appointment from its office. The public can visit www.capoanimalrescue.com to see the available cats or call to set up a time to visit the office.

To find out more about CARE, call 949.240.1735 or visit www.capoanimalrescue.com. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

A Day at Sea About two dozen people on January 25 joined Capistrano-based Homefront America on a daylong cruise and exhibition aboard the USS Gary, a guided-missile frigate based in San Diego.

The USS Gary was commissioned in 1984. Although outfitted with guided missiles and torpedoes, the ship’s current assignment is drug interdiction. It can accommodate a helicopter on deck and in an on-board hangar. The ship was named after the late Cmdr.

Donald Arthur Gary, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1946 for his actions while serving aboard USS Franklin as a lieutenant. During a Japanese attack on the ship, Gary was credited with saving the lives of hundreds of the crew, leading them out of the badly damaged compartments below decks. The Gary, with No. 51 on its hull, was commissioned in 1984.

January 25 was the ship’s “family day,” when family and guests joined for a daylong cruise and demonstration. The ship is one of four adopted by Homefront America, which provides support for military families. For more information, see www.homefrontamerica.org.

The USS Gary is 453 ft. long with a crew of 109 men and women. It is based in San Diego, but will leave shortly for a seven-month deploymen t.

Photos by Jonathan Volzke Ballpark Pizza owner Steve Zdrakas and his daughter, Amber Zdrakas Holcomb, were among those on the daylong cruise. Amber is wearing her dad’s Navy-issued pea coat from his time in the service.

Navy veteran Art Hasselbrink is a founder of Homefront America. Homefront helped nearly 1,300 military-family members over the holidays, treating them to events and gifts and a visit with Santa.

and weapons gear, sailors still Despite state-of-the-art communications by hand on the Gary’s flight deck. meticulously hoist and stow ropes on the

The day included demonstrations of the Gary’s weapons, including the numerous .50-caliber machine guns that dot the deck.

A brass bell adorns the deck of the Gary.

An automated 26-mm gun is behind it.

Page 18 • The Capistrano Dispatch • January 28–February 10, 2011

Sailors stand at attention and salute officers on passing ships.

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Assisted Living

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BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

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

949.443.1970

www.excelelectric.com

Banking 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

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

CARPET CLEANING Capistrano Beach Steam Clean 949.240.5875 steamcleaningdanapoint.com

COMPUTER TRAINING Orange Coast Database Association 949-489-1472 32422 Allipaz St., Ste. B, http://ocdatabases.itgo.com

COMPUTER SERVICES San Clemente Computer & Network Services daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581 Tired of Waiting I.T. Services 949.922.7727 j.ehle@cox.net

ELECTRICIANS Friess Electric 949.248.4222 32332 Camino Capistrano, Suite 102

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS Four-A Electric 949.240.8844 32432 Alipaz, Ste. C, fouraelectric@sbcglobal.net Excel Electric - CA #793860 949.493.7769 32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

Experience The Mission Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano Exciting New Audio Tour 949.234.1300 26801 Ortega Highway, www.missionsjc.com

FLORIST Mother Earth Flowers 949.493.4400 32158 Camino Capistrano, Ste. 105 www.motherearthflorist.com

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

A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 www.atozleakdetection.com Pronto Plumbing (El Plomero) 949.246.3589 31878 Del Obispo Ste. 118-227, www.prontodrain.com SCP Plumbing/ CuraFlo of O.C. 949.493.2426 27126 Paseo Espada STE. 705, www.curaflo.com DC Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning www.dcplumbing.net 949.365.9044

Reeltime Sight and Sound 949-240-0555 26381 Via De Anza, www.reeltimesightandsound.com

WATER CONSERVATION Xeriflo Plumbing Systems 949.276.7000 www.xeriflo.com

WATER DAMAGE Jarvis Restoration

949.362.5388 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

WINDOW CLEANING/ PRESSURE WASHING

PRINTING

Printing OC

949.388.4888 Bayside Window Cleaning 949.290.8230 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

RestaurantS

Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design 949.493.3632 Las Golandrinas Mexican Food 949.240.3440 Women’s Clothing 32382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, www.abbysdesigns.com

949.496.4810 27124 Paseo Espada #803, www.lasgolondrinas.biz Blu:Echo 31878 Del Obispo (Marshalls Center)

Kitchen Design

949.240.9240 Kitchen & Bath Designs 27231 Ortega Hwy., Unit B

BUSINESS COMPUTER SERVICES

SCP Plumbing/ CuraFlo of O.C. 949.493.2426 27126 Paseo Espada STE. 705, www.curaflo.com

TELEVISION 949.697.9454

PLUMBING 949.248.0260

Auto Repair Star Motors 32959 Calle Perfecto

MORTGAGE Capistrano Health & Life www.capistranohealthlife.com

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

Slab leak repair

San Juan Photo & Digital 949.661.5668 32301 Camino Capistrano, www.sjcphotodigital.com

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

949.661.4080

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

949.212.0499

Schools

MOLD REMOVAL Jarvis Restoration 949.362.5388 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

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

YOGA Adelanto Studio Yoga & Life Arts 949.705.7344 32118 Paseo Adelanto, Ste.9, www.adelantostudio.net

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

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January 28–February 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 21

SPORTS

5

5 BEST BETS

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

BOYS BASKETBALL

Titans vs. Dolphins Dana Hills High School Jan. 28, 7 p.m.

The Dolphins have a lot riding on this one as they try and stave off Tesoro in hopes of not finishing last in league. Info: www.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

GIRLS SOCCER

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BOYS BASKETBALL

Diablos vs. Tritons San Clemente High Jan. 31, 7 p.m.

Stallions vs.

Laguna Hills, San Juan Hills High Feb. 3, 4:15 p.m.

Stallions vs.

Trabuco Hills, San Juan Hills High Feb. 7, 7 p.m.

Stallions vs. Laguna Hills, San Juan Hills High School Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

Girls soccer squares off against the Hawks. Info:

The Lady Stallions celebrate their first-ever “Seniors Night” against the Mustangs. Info: www.

It’s the first-ever “Seniors Night” for Stallions basketball, as they face off against the Hawks. Info:

sanjuanathletics.com

www.sanjuanathletics.com

Both teams are in a battle to not finish last in the South Coast League. Rest assured the Lady Tritons will be fired up. Info: www.

www.sanjuanathletics.com

sctritons.com

dhhs.net

Tartans Teams Playing Strong

under way as it heads into the second round of league play this week. With an 11-6 overall record and a 4-1 league record the team has a firm hold on second place in league. Back to back games against first place Whitney on February 1 and pre-season favorite Brethren Christian on February 4 will certainly determine final league standings as well as positioning in post season playoffs. Brethren Christian will be out to avenge a 47-31 loss to the Tartans in January.

The JUNIOR VARSITY team has improved a great deal this year and is currently in second place in league with a 3-1 record. The Tartans play at home three times in the month of February.

The SMES BOYS SOCCER PROGRAM is currently undefeated in league, with both JV and Varsity in first place. Both teams host Oxford Academy this Friday

The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he BOYS BASKETBALL team is currently in second place in the Academy League. Their only loss in league is to Brethren Christian where they lost to them in overtime 47-55. The two will meet again at St. Margaret’s on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Senior Mitch Marmelstein is leading the Tartans with 21.2 points per game and 3.4 assists per game. Their last three league games are all at home, with their senior night falling on February 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Junior Varsity team has made great strides this year and is currently undefeated in league play.

The GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL season is well

Jserra’s Football and Baseball Coaches Get Five-Year Contracts The Capistrano Dispatch

ne was the 2009 Orange County baseball coach of the year. The other led JSerra Catholic High School to its first Trinity League football victory over rival Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

And both will continue coaching at JSerra for another five years.

Baseball coach Brett Kay and football coach Jim Hartigan were recently signed to contract extensions, the school recently announced. Kay led the Lions to JSerra’s first Trinity League championship in 2009 with a school record 22 wins. In 2010, the Lions posted a 21-8 overall record, the second consecutive year with more than 20 wins for JSerra. And the school has more than 15 ballplayers from the past two seasons committed to or playing at Division 1 colleges.

“Brett is one of the top high school baseball coaches in the region, and we are very pleased that he will continue to lead the Lions through 2015,” said Frank Talarico, JSerra’s President and CEO. “In just four short years, he has brought a winning culture and built a solid baseball program that has become a real force in the Trinity League – one of the best leagues in the state—all while preparing our players for the next level.”

O

in very important league matches. Also, Tuesday February 1 is Senior Night as the Varsity host Whitney High School in a battle for first place in the Academy League. St. Margaret’s will be honoring 10 seniors before the match starts at 7 p.m.

The GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER team is currently riding a 13-match unbeaten streak and has only allowed one goal against in the past 10 matches. Junior Captain McCaully Patch is the leading scorer for the Tartans with 10 goals and 14 assists, which leads Orange County. Senior Goalkeeper Michelle Lancaster has made 42 saves in 17 matches, has 12 shutouts and has only allowed six goals all season. In addition to winning the Tartan Soccer Shootout, the varsity is undefeated in league (6-0), 14-2-1 overall and are the No. 1 ranked team in CIF-SS Division 6.

The GIRLS JUNIOR VARSITY team is 7-7-2 overall and are on their own unbeaten streak, outscoring their opponents 5-0 in the last three matches. The JVs are at present in first place in the Academy League. CD

Three Stallion Athletes Ready for Signing Day The Capistrano Dispatch

HARTIGAN

KAY

Kay said he is excited about building upon an already dynamic tradition.

“I am very excited to continue building a tradition of sports excellence at JSerra,” he said. “JSerra baseball is going to keep elevating our program and building on our success, and I am very pleased that I will be a part of our future.”

Kay became the head baseball coach at JSerra in 2006 and has compiled an overall record of 72-40, including 35-25 in Trinity League play.

Hartigan, meanwhile, is transitioning to full-time football coach after serving as JSerra’s athletic director.

“This enables him to focus on football and to continue to build upon his recent successes,” Talarico said.

JSerra also recently announced that Kyle Harrison, the “Michael Jordan of lacrosse,” will take over as head coach of the lacrosse team next season. CD

Page 22 • The Capistrano Dispatch • January 28–February 10, 2011

ith 2011 marking the first graduating class from San Juan Hills High School, the Stallion’s athletic department is marking another first: Its inaugural college signing day.

The school has three athletes who have received scholarships and will be signing their National Letter of Intent on February 2, Athletic Director Armando Gonzalez said.

The student athletes receiving scholarships are Michael Perryman, a football wide receiver headed to Montana State; offensive lineman Ari Uzo-Okereke, OL, headed for the Air Force Academy and wide receiver Connor O’Modhrain, going to Wingate University in North Carolina. CD

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