The Capistrano Dispatch

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

Calvert: No Federal Dollars Likely for SJC

A Full Soapbox: Allevato, Freese, Nielsen, O’Brien and Swerdlin

INSIDE: Festival of Whales Event Program

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

SOAPBOX/PAGES 8, 10

SPECIAL INSERT

F E B R U A RY 2 5 – M A R C H 1 0 , 2 0 1 1 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4

Back to the Ballot Box Distrito La Novia decision will go before voters, the fourth planning decision before Capistrano voters in 8 years E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 4

John Perry and Trevor Dale were adversaries in a referendum against development on the golf course, but have teamed up to fight Distrito La Novia. Photo by Jonathan Volzke

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

1

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE Eleven homeowners affected by January landslides filed a lawsuit February 16 seeking more than $10 million in damages from Shorecliffs Golf Course while also making a claim of up to $15 million from the City of San Clemente. The lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court includes the four “red tagged” Via Ballena properties as well as other homeowners along the street. “Disappointed” was the word Course Manager Joseph Leicht used to describe the lawsuit against his company.

Attorney Serge Tomassian, who represents the homeowners, said in a press release the golf course’s parent company LHC Investments was named because it owns a “substantial portion” of the slope behind the affected properties and did not properly maintain the area to “support and protect” the homes. The course does have an attorney but Leicht said legal counsel hasn’t weighed in yet. — Stacie N. Galang

NEWS

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

DANA POINT The U.S. Border Patrol San Clemente Station will be holding a town hall meeting in Dana Point on March 3, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Dana Cove Room at the OC Sailing & Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place in the Dana Point Harbor. Newly selected San Diego Sector Chief, Paul A. Beeson, Patrol Agent Alfaro Gonzalez and other Command Staff from the San Clemente Border Patrol Station and other law enforcement agencies will be in attendance to provide information and answer questions regarding Border Patrol operations within the community. For more information, call Diana Hinojosa at 619.216.4259. The meeting room holds only 300, so RSVPs to Diana.Hinojosa@ dhs.gov will be appreciated. —Andrea Swayne

San Juan Capistrano’s Top 5 Hottest Topics

What’s Up With...

1

…Galindos as Grand Marshals?

There are now five Las Golondinas restaurants, which employ nearly 100 people, including one of their daughters and two sons.

The Swallows Parade is a long-standing tradition for the Galindo family, which now includes 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

WHAT’S NEXT: The parade is March 26.

FIND OUT MORE: Call 949.493.1976 or visit www.swallowsparade.org.

—Jonathan Volzke

2

…Layoff Notices Headed to CUSD Employees?

Art and Maria Galindo. Courtesy photo

THE LATEST: Art and Maria Galindo will serve as grand marshals for the 53rd Swallows Day Parade Saturday, March 26. The Galindos are longtime San Juan Capistrano residents and owners of Las Golondrinas Restaurants.

“We just love everything about San Juan Capistrano and are honored and humbled to serve as grand marshals of the Swalllows Day Parade,” said Art and Maria Galindo.

Art and Maria met at their hometown high school in San Antonio, Texas.

Growing up, they frequented many neighborhood taquerias with freshly made tortillas, tamales and other regional food. After high school, the Galindos married before Art joined the Marines and became stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Maria joined him soon after, and the couple settled in Santa Ana to raise their five children.

Art Galindo first came to San Juan Capistrano in the early 60s as manager of The Colony Kitchen. He always dreamed of opening his own taqueria-style, and in 1984 that dream became reality when they opened the first Las Golondrinas in the Ortega Business Center. They made $31 on their first day. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District trustees voted Tuesday to send notices to 346 temporary certificated positions, including 10 counselors and two school nurses, that their jobs may be eliminated.

The cuts were approved 4-2, with Trustee Gary Pritchard absent. Trustees Ellen Addonizio and Sue Palazzo voted against the potential cuts, saying they didn’t make sense after the district recently restored two furlough days and partial salary cuts to teachers.

The jobs targeted for possible cuts also include 103 positions in grades K-6. The remaining cuts are at the secondary level, including 47 in English, 39 in Math and 24 in Social Science.

Statewide, school officials are working on two budgets: one for the governor’s proposal to extend certain taxes, leaving CUSD to cut $1 million.

But if the tax-extension plan is rejected, CUSD cuts are expected to hit $17.5 million. With fewer students, the district also expects to decline.

WHAT’S NEXT: Trustees next meet March 8.

FIND OUT MORE: See the Beyond the

Blackboard blog at www.thecapistranodispatch.com —JV

3

…Potential Changes in Los Rios?

THE LATEST: A design team hired by the Southern California Association of Governments met with about 30 Capistrano residents Wednesday night for input about potential changes to the Historic Los Rios District.

The regional planning agency is working with cities to improve key areas, such as mobility and livability.

Los Rios residents wrestled with how to keep the historic, tranquil nature of the district, while making it safer for pedestrians and vehicles.

The designers, from MIG, Inc., wrote down residents’ ideas and concerns and will shape potential improvements in coming meetings.

WHAT’S NEXT: The second of three meetings will be scheduled shortly, city Historic Preservation Manager Teri Delcamp said.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.thecapistranodispatch.com for earlier staff reports.

—JV

4

…One Less Train Stopping?

THE LATEST: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) launched its Pacific Surfliner Express Service between San Diego and Los Angeles on February 15, promising to shave 18 minutes off the trip to Los Angeles.

Trouble is they’ve also shaved San Juan Capistrano off the list of stops.

As part of the new service, Pacific Surfliner Train 563 will replace Train 565, and feature four stops between San Diego and Los Angeles: Solana Beach,

Oceanside, Irvine and Anaheim.

But fear not: Metrolink will still provide service along the route and will serve those stations within 10 minutes of the Pacific Surfliner Train 565 departure time.

WHAT’S NEXT: Rail officials say the express train represents the beginning enhancements to be implemented along the rail corrirdor.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.amtrak.com —JV

5

…the Steam Generators at SONGS?

THE LATEST: Unit 3 at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station went last week, marking the end of a 10-year upgrade that included replacement of the plant’s steam generators.

“This is a moment of pride for the men and women who maintain and operate the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station,” said SCE Chief Nuclear Officer Pete Dietrich in a press release.

The utility company decided to replace the plant’s steam generators after a costbenefit assessment determined the overhaul could save $1 billion during the plant’s current license period through 2022. The total project cost was $671 million.

“Our highest priority during this project was to protect the health and safety of the public,” said Project Manager Mike Wharton. During Unit 3 construction, the plant logged 26 first aids and five OSHA recordable accidents, he said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The plant expects to receive its next Nuclear Regulatory Commission end-of-cycle review sometime next month. SCE’s final decision on whether to apply to the NRC for license renewal for San Onofre’s two units is pending.

FIND OUT MORE: Check out www.thecapistranodispatch.com. — Stacie N. Galang

February 25–March 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 3

Eye on SJC

Fate of Distrito will be in Voters’ Hands Capistrano prepares for third referendum since 2002

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

C

apistrano voters must be getting used to making planning decisions at the ballot box. Since 2002, voters have rejected two projects in referendums, shut down Home Depot in an advisory vote and taken away the City Council’s authority to make general-plan changes to open-space land.

And on June 7, voters will again decide the fate of another project, the Distrito La Novia mixed-used project approved off Valle Road in November.

The City Council decision to hold a vote came February 15 after the project developer announced his firm will fight a referendum against the project. Advanced Real Estate officials said earlier they were considering abandoning the Distrito plan and continuing with 440 homes already approved for the site.

But Robb Cerruti, a Capistrano resident and vice president of Advanced Real Estate Services, told the City Council on February 15 his firm believes the project suffers in the public eye from misconceptions and that supporters urged Advanced to continue with Distrito.

“We think there’s a lot of misconceptions out there …We think if we were to campaign on this, we will be able to clear those up,” Cerruti said. “We want this new project because it is better with the community...We have a lot of supporters.

They’ve asked us to stand up and fight this referendum.”

Distrito was approved in November with 90 condominiums, 40 apartments, and about 82,000 square feet of primarily retail and restaurant space on the north

An artist’s rendering of the mixed-use Distrito La Novia project. Courtesy rendering

side of La Novia and 94 single-family homes and a 500-horse stable on the south.

Alan Oswald, the city’s traffic official, said the project would generate 2,043 daily vehicle trips more than the previously-approved project of 440 houses and a hotel, although fewer trips in the morning rush hour and just 200 more in the afternoon peak.

Opponents, however, said the traffic increase was too much, the project too big and the horses an inappropriate addition to the residential area. In less than 30 days, they gathered more than the required 1,973 signatures of

registered voters to put the issue before voters.

The city’s cost for a special election is approximately $76,500 to $85,500.

The Registrar of Voters’ cost to verify the referendum petition signatures was $7,503.80. Council members picked the June 7 date because the city will save a significant amount of money if the state sets a special election on Governor Brown’s tax-extension proposal for the same day.

The Distrito ballot designation is officially known as Measure B. The City Council members on March 1 will also consider adopting a

B a l lot B ox P l a n n i n g Capistrano voters are pretty familiar with what it takes to put a project to referendum, and generally residents have turned thumbs down when asked about development projects in Capistrano.

Here’s a list of recent referendums and other land-use votes and their outcomes: 2002 Capistrano Unified School District proposes San Juan Hills High School and 175 homes on 356 acres off Avenida La Pata.

The council approves it; voters challenge it.

Vote Yes No

Count Percentage 4,422 43.7% 5,694 56.3%

In the same election, the City Council asks voters in an advisory vote whether to move forward with a deal to bring Home Depot to the Lower Rosan

property off Stonehill Drive. Residents advise against it.

Vote Yes No

Count Percentage 3,258 30.9% 7,285 69.1%

2006 San Juan Hills Golf Course owners propose a project that would see condos built on the driving range between San Juan Creek and San Juan Creek Road. The council approves it; voters challenge it.

Vote Yes No

Count Percentage 3355 33.3% 6730 66.7%

2008 In the same election voters approve a $30 million open space bond, they also put protections into place to protect open space. The City Council and Open Space

Page 4 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

Committee supported Measure X, which requires a vote of the public before land designated open space in the general plan is used for another purpose. Voters agree with that.

Vote Yes No

Count Percentage 10,556 78.8% 2,839 21.2%

2011 The City Council approves the Distrito La Novia mixed-used project, housing and an equestrian center for land on both sides of La Novia east of Valle Road.

Opponents challenge it, turning in 3,362 signatures on referendum petitions. The county Registrar of Voters certifies that at least 1,973—10 percent of the city’s registered voters—are valid. The City Council sets the referendum election for June 7.

—Jonathan Volzke

resolution directing the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis on Measure B. California election law states that when a local measure qualifies for a place on the ballot, the City Council can direct the election official to pass on a copy of the measure to the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure showing the effect of it on the existing law and operation of the measure.

The up-to-500-word analysis would then be printed before the arguments for and against the measure. During the earlier discussion about placing the issue before voters—the council could have just rescinded the November approval— Mayor Sam Allevato and Councilwoman Laura Freese indicated they would be willing to write the supporting statement.

At that meeting, resident Judy Morgan told council members that voters had spoken through the petition and the council should just rescind its earlier approval.

But others spoke in favor of Distrito.

Richard Hill Adams said he lives closer to the site than anyone, and he believes the new proposal is far superior to the earlier approved 440-home project.

“That was approved in the 1980s,” Hill Adams said. “This is the 21st Century; we need a plan for the 21st Century.”

Resident Debi Kellerman was discussing the project at the dinner table on the Tuesday evening the council was considering the Distrito referendum when her daughter Taylor, a third-grade student at Ambuehl Elementary School, asked why she wasn’t sharing her feelings with the City Council.

So Kellerman rushed to City Hall, with Taylor in tow. “A lot of people I talked to who signed petition didn’t really understand it. They thought signing it for development or non development,” Kellerman said. “That is not really the case.”

She said the second project was better for the city But standing at La Novia and Valle Road on Wednesday morning, referendum leaders John Perry and Trevor Dale argued it wasn’t. The council had the chance to reduce the project’s traffic impact, but didn’t, and didn’t seem to respect opponents’ concerns.

Ironically, Perry and Dale were on opposite sides in the referendum over the golf course project, but said they agreed to disagree to work together against Distrito. As for all of the referendums in town, they said it might be time to consider an ordinance that would give the public a vote on any major project, similar to rules in place in Newport Beach and Yorba Linda.

“If we had that,” Dale said, “the developer would have to respect residents and the City Council would have to look out for the public…This project would have never gotten off the ground.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter C o m p i l e d b y S T A C IE N . G A L A N G 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.

Wednesday, February 23 ARREST Ortega Highway/La Novia Avenue (11:49 p.m.) A 44-year-old woman was taken into custody on suspicion of drunken driving.

TRESPASSING Camino Capistrano, 32000 Block (8:04 p.m.) A business owner called to report a man refusing to leave. He was described as being in his 40s, wearing a green shirt and light green pants, with a shopping cart.

SUSPICIOUS PERSONS Spotted Bull Lane/Rancho Viejo Road (7:01 p.m.) A caller phoned police about a group of juveniles loitering in the dark by the stop sign. The caller was concerned because of recent graffiti.

STOLEN VEHICLE Via Anzar, 28300 Block (5:02 p.m.)

The client of a recovery home was reported to have taken off in the company’s white Ford van. The suspect used his cell phone to text his father from the van saying he planned to return home. The vehicle was last seen heading towards Calle Arroyo.

DISTURBANCE Edgewood Road, 29400 Block (3:56 p.m.)

A caller phoned deputies about a large group of students headed westbound on Village and scattering. A second caller told deputies about seeing 12 people, including one who got out of a car with a bat. Another call came to deputies of 10 people outside a residence, but no weapons were seen. The caller said the group outside was trying to fight his best friend who was currently inside the residence.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Camino La Ronda/La Novia Avenue (1:58 p.m.) Deputies were called about a man in a gold colored Toyota sedan parked in the red zone. The caller told deputies that he asked the man what he was doing and told he was a private investigator.

TRAFFIC STOP (ARREST) La Novia Avenue/Camino La Ronda (10:46 a.m.) A 55-year-old woman www.thecapistranodispatch.com

driving a Toyota Prius was taken into custody on suspicion of drunken driving after a traffic stop.

SUSPICIOUS PERSONS IN A VEHICLE Paseo Tamara, 27500 Block (8:44 a.m.) A caller phoned police about three men in a four-door truck who said they were in the area to work on a neighbor’s roof. The caller didn’t believe the men and told officers they were possibly casing the neighborhood because of burglaries in the area.

BURGLARY REPORT Via La Senda, 31400 Block (7:56 a.m.)

Deputies were called about a theft from a car.

Tuesday, February 22 DRUNK DRIVING Paseo Adelanto, 32100 Block (10:22 p.m.) A caller told police he had been watching a woman crawl out of her car and then back into it. She was trying to start her car and leave but seemed unable to figure it out.

INVESTIGATE A PERSON DOWN Rancho Viejo Road/Ortega Highway (8:16 p.m.) Deputies were called about a man with long blond hair and glasses passed out with his head leaning against the window of his black sedan.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-INJURIES Ortega Highway/Interstate – 5 (7:14 p.m.) Deputies responded to a hit and run. The driver leaving the scene was in a cream-colored, midsized SUV with front-end damage and leaking radiator fluid. The passenger in the other car was complaining of minor pain.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Paseo Adelanto/Del Obispo Street (4:24 p.m.) Deputies were called to assist the transportation of a drunken juvenile. Deputies were following the ambulance to San Clemente Hospital.

PETTY THEFT REPORT Camino Santo Domingo, 27900 Block (1:34 p.m.) A woman called to report her BMW emblem and rooftop antenna were removed from her 2008 BMW X3 that was parked in her driveway.

FOUND PROPERTY Paseo Adelanto, 32500 Block (12:50 p.m.) A bicycle was reported found.

SUSPICIOUS PERSONS La Zanja Street/Los Rios Street (7:51 a.m.) A caller reported a group of men loitering in the apartment complex and cat calling women and girls who walked by.

SUSPICIOUS PERSONS Camino Capistrano/Verdugo Street (7:14 a.m.) A caller reported that a

male juvenile was standing next to the train tracks and appeared very disoriented. The caller had no idea what the juvenile was doing.

DISTURBANCE Charro Drive, 25600 Block (6:54 a.m.)

A woman called to say her husband was outside her front door and mentally unstable. He was off his medication.

The man was given a ride to a hotel by a family member.

Monday, February 21 DISTURBANCE Calle Resplendor/Calle Lorenzo (11:01 p.m.) Deputies received a call about a group of gang members yelling and possibly beating someone up.

Three were detained by deputies and were later released to parents.

VANDALISM La Novia Avenue/Via Capri (4:47 p.m.)

A caller reported the wall of the entrance had been vandalized.

PATROL CHECK Valle Road/Las Ramblas (3:29 p.m.)

Deputies received a call about dirt bike riders in the old dump trail and heading down toward the new construction on Valle Road. One rider was reported down. Deputies parked at the end of the intersection. They detained one of the riders and walked another rider to the front of a nearby home.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Camino Capistrano/Stonehill Drive (11:11 a.m.) A man called deputies demanding they respond after he was bit by a dog. No medical attention was needed.

Sunday, February 20 ROBBERY IN PROGRESS Ortega Highway, 27100 Block (8:34 p.m.) Deputies responded to a robbery in progress after a caller reported a male in a hoodie and black jacket and possibly armed with a handgun had come into the business. Cash was reported stolen. Deputies did bring a male into custody.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Via Belardes/Calle Delphina (5:27 p.m.) Deputies received a second call about a disturbance. The caller told police neighbors turned their music back up after the deputies left the first time.

WELFARE CHECK Calle Chueca, 30800 Block (5:05 p.m.)

Deputies responded to a report of a toddler between age 18 months and 2 years trying to play with other children and wandering into the street. The boy apparently lives in a nearby house where the front door is open and the family does not speak English.

CITIZEN ASSIST

Calle San Remo, 2790 Block (3:09 p.m.)

A grandfather called deputies because he believed his granddaughter and four friends had taken the car of her other grandfather without permission.

WELFARE CHECK Camino Capistrano, 33500 Block (2:19 p.m.) A caller reported seeing small children left inside a parked car for the past hour.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Plaza Baja del Sol, 0 Block (8:59 a.m.)

Deputies were assisting Orange County Firefighters who had been called by a woman who believed someone had laced her medication with Clorox.

CITIZEN ASSIST Brook Court, 29500 Block (6:52 a.m.)

A mother called deputies to report a female keeps harassing her son.

DISTURBANCE – MUSIC OR PARTY Paseo Toscana, 26400 Block (2:55 a.m.)

Deputies responded to a second report of a loud party. This time the subjects were screaming and yelling profanities.

Saturday, February 19 RECKLESS DRIVING Camino Capistrano/Del Obispo Street (3:55 p.m.) A caller reported to deputies seeing the driver of a Prius hit an electrical box. The car’s front tire was flat and the driver’s door was open. The driver had staggered out of the vehicle.

The man was possibly having a medical emergency.

DRUNK DRIVING Junipero Serra Road/Camino Capistrano (3:45 p.m.) A caller had been following a car that had hit a curb and was dragging a car part. The car was getting onto Interstate-5 from Junipero Serra Road.

DRUNK DRIVING Ortega Highway/Sundance Drive (2:02 p.m.) A woman called deputies to say her husband was drunk and driving her car. He was headed to the liquor store.

STOLEN VEHICLE Calle Resplendor, 30700 Block (12:47 p.m.) A caller reported a Ford Focus stolen sometime overnight.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Ortega Highway/San Juan Creek Bridge (12:33 p.m.) Deputies were called to an accident where a pickup truck had driven off the road and flipped into the creek. Onlookers were trying to rescue the victim.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Camino Las Ramblas/Avenida Calita (8:58 a.m.) A passerby to an accident called deputies to report seeing a man in an SUV looking very disoriented. The driver had possibly hit a raccoon that was walking around and looking very disoriented also.

February 25–March 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 5

Eye on SJC

Elks Honor Capistrano Deputy Spratt The Capistrano Dispatch

C

apistrano Sheriff’s Deputy Thom Spratt was among those honored by the Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge this month. Elks Lodge No. 2444 hosted its South Orange County Law Enforcement and Firefighter Appreciation Awards Dinner for more than150 firefighters, law enforcement personnel and family members of the personnel being recognized for their work over the past year. The dinner was funded by the Lodge’s bingo operation, which is managed by Newt Seal, Lodge Secretary and Past Exalted Ruler and Jim Wessling, House Committee Chair.

Honored guests included Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Sandra Hutchens, Highway Patrol Captain Sandra Houston, Orange County Fire Authority Division Chiefs Mike Boyle and Rick Robinson, Capistrano Chief of Police Services Lt. John Meyer and other South Orange County sheriff and city officials.

The honored guests were welcomed by event chair and Lodge officer Roger Yarnell. Following the opening prayer from Lodge Chaplin Mike Alarcon, the

Elks Exalted Ruler Pat Martino, left, with Lt. John Meyer in the back and Deputy Thom Spratt.

Courtesy photo

OCFA Honor Guard presented the colors and led the pledge of allegiance to the America Flag. The OCFA Pipes and Drums group then marched with great style into the dining room filling it with

music from the bag pipes and drums.

After the Pipes and Drums performance, Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Pat Martino introduced the dignitaries in attendance. Dennis Keffer, PER, was

Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s program. The Elks volunteers preparing the beef filet and shrimp dinner were led

by Elks Lodge PER, Harvey Boelts. To serve the dinner, the Elks obtained the services of members of the girls Laguna Hills Lacrosse team. The Elks provided a donation to the team.

“Listening to the heroic work of the award winners was awe inspiring. On our behalf, the dangers that law enforcement and firefighters face on a day-to-day basis is at times unimaginable,” Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Pat Martino said. “The communities of Saddleback Valley are so blessed to have such dedicated personnel. They are the reason we live in an oasis of relative security and tranquility in an increasingly stygian world.”

The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating 41 years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of 10 lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), whose headquarters is in Chicago. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 143 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.” CD

Calvert Gets Earful, but Capo Unlikely to Get Federal Cash

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

A

bout 30 people, including members of the public and city staff, filled San Juan Capistrano City Council Chambers Wednesday afternoon to ask Congressman Ken Calvert to support key projects and political goals.

But that came after Calvert, a Republican who annually meets with city officials and the public in his district, warned that federal officials were tightening their own fiscal belts, hoping to cut $100 million from this year’s national budget.

Calvert said he was working on laws that he thought would help cities and address residents’ concerns. Among those was a bill that would eliminate the need for federal environmental reviews if California environmental-review laws were being followed, as well as requiring employers nationwide use E-verify to ensure employees are in the country legally and allowed to work.

Calvert authored the E-verify bill, which created the free database for employers to use. Arizona, Mississippi and Utah mandate the system, and San Juan Capistrano requires those receiving city contracts to use E-verify, but Calvert said the system needs to mandatory nationwide.

On local projects, City Engineering and Building Director Nasser Abbaszadeh outlined a $30 million project to extend Alipaz Street north to Oso Road.

The project is about 1.2 miles, and includes a bridge over Trabuco Creek to connect with Oso. The city asked Calvert

for $700,000 in federal funding to pay leading the charge with arrows in their for an environmental study and the backs from detractors. project’s design.

After the council comments, resiFor water, City Manager Joe Tait told dents got a turn a microphone. John Calvert the city is in a “massive rebuildPerry, Ian Smith and Kim Lefner told ing mode” with its pipelines, wells and Calvert they opposed the city’s efforts groundwater recovery plant. Tait said at expanding the groundwater plant. Afthe goal is for the city’s system to ultiter those two speakers, Allevato asked mately supply 90 percent of Capistrano’s staff to respond, and City Manager Joe water needs.

Tait reported that a settlement with The city is also seeking $600,000 to Chevron, pending since before the Noexpand the groundwater recovery plant vember 2 election, remains imminent, and reclaimed water system, a $2.73 mil- with attorneys going back and forth lion project. over details.

During individual council members’ As for the groundwater plant, Assiscomments, a tussle tant Utilities Director broke out after Mayor West Curry reported “Calvert, a Republican Sam Allevato spoke of the plant has no mawho annually meets with jor problems—Perry the continuing efforts to complete the 241 city officials and the pub- said it has consisSouth toll road. That tently failed to meet lic in his district, warned road would link Ranits production goals, cho Santa Margarita that federal officials were last year by a wide with the San Diego margin—and will tightening their own fiscal work fine when new Freeway south of San Clemente. But that belts, hoping to cut $100 wells and a MTBEspurred Councilman scrubbing system million from this year’s Derek Reeve to warn is installed. That is Calvert that some in under construction national budget.”

Capistrano do not supnow and expected port the toll road. He said those against to be finished in June, Curry said. He it, if not a majority, are a plurality. said the plant should be able to produce His comments spurred Allevato to 5 million gallons a day in April, then respond in defense of the toll road. Almoving toward 6 million or 7 million levato represents Capistrano on the toll after June. road agency. He likened those leading Curry said the city plans to sell the effort for the toll road, the southern excess water produced by the plant in extension of which was rejected by the winter when the plant is running at the Coastal Commission, as pioneers full capacity.

Page 6 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

But Lefner said Capistrano’s water is already too expensive, even unaffordable to some residents, and asked “at what point do you stop throwing good money after bad?”

Calvert said he supports the city’s effort to become water dependent.

Lefner, Kim McCarthy and other residents also complained about the city’s level of debt. The city’s Chief Financial Officer Cindy Russell broke down the debt for the council, saying voters have approved $33 million in debt for open space, while the redevelopment agency has $47 million in debt and the utilities division has $64 million in bond debt.

The general fund has about $200,000 in debt, which costs the city $24,000 a year, she said.

The debt is not a burden on the city, however, Russell said, because the openspace debt is paid on residents’ property taxes, while the redevelopment agency debt is paid for by existing property taxes within the agency. The utilities debt is “quite large,” Russell said, but went to pay for the groundwater plant and three reservoirs. That debt is supposed to be paid by water rates.

Russell said efforts to compare Capistrano’s debt to other cities are unfair because nearby cities are served by separate water districts, so the burden of water improvements do not appear on city books.

Calvert did not comment on the debt concerns.

The meeting ended about 3:40 p.m. with a round of applause. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

y

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. 9, Issue 4. 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 THE REFERENDUM SCAM —Carole Matson, San Juan Capistrano I am sick and tired of reading the letters against Distrito/Meadows. The recent letters state that “nearly double the required number of signatures was collected by residents” opposed to the project.

The very critical fact that they leave out is: Lies were told to voters to obtain those signatures! I personally went to the sights where signatures were being obtained and asked questions. I was given completely false information just to ensure that I would sign their petition!

So don’t tell me that most of the residents are against this great project! Let’s gather signatures again, without the lies, and see what the end result will be!

I pray that the City Council sticks by their decision and eventually we can have a world-class multi-use district for all of San Juan Capistrano to enjoy!

FIGHT THE REFERENDUM —Ray Turner, San Juan Capistrano I support Robb Cerruti and the development of Distrito La Novia as approved by our City Council. I admire this developer’s decision to fight this ridiculous referendum vote that will result only in additional costs that we taxpayers would have to pay for a

needless special election vote. This would accomplish nothing of value to our community.

The current development as proposed and already approved is far superior to the earlier proposal that the developer would have to revert back to if this silly referendum were to succeed.

‘BEST OF’ DISPUTE —Rhonda deHaan, San Juan Capistrano While there are a number of worthy winners in this year’s “Best of,” I am again disappointed at the obvious absence of some true gems we have in San Juan Capistrano… dedicated to quality and community.

Among those that more than deserve mentioning: The Dutch Bakery—talk about a great cup of coffee, outstanding customer service, and THE most amazing treats. I’m always greeted by name—Michelle always remembers my coffee order and no one knows how to bake like Richard!

The Ramos House—there is no better breakfast or ambiance. This is not a place to have a plate of pancakes tossed in front of you; it is a truly special place serving outstanding, thoughtful food by a guy who really cares.

Le Hirondelle—another unique family-owned place with fresh yummy food. Go there on your anniversary; take a friend for their birthday; or visit just

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Michele Reddick (San Clemente) > Sergio Sanchez (San Juan Capistrano) Sales Associates > Angela Edwards > Buddy Purel OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Distribution Manager > Andrea Swayne INTERNS Kirsten Amavisca Sacher, Madi Swayne SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, George Mackin CONTRIBUTORS Tawnee Prazak, Christina Scannapiego, 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.

because it’s Wednesday! Great appetizer? How about the pate, brie and fruit plate? Great patio dining? Enjoy sipping a glass of wine and slurping the wonderful onion soup while taking in the lovely view of the Mission.

And don’t tell anyone, but that’s my pick for where to sit for the Swallow’s Day Parade! And, yes, it is the people and the small-town feel that are a big part of why this is a great place to live.

So when looking at the Best of San Juan, how did corporate companies like Starbucks, Marie Callendars, and Ross Dress for Less get on the list? And ZPizza?

Have you tried Tannins’ pizza??!

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.

LAURA FREESE: My View

Downtown, Downtown, Downtown

O

ld cities have old buildings, old infrastructure and sometimes old attitudes. Beautiful San Juan Capistrano is no exception.

The 2010 Master Plan for the downtown is founded on the strengths of the downtown core. It is based on LAURA the 1995 Master Plan from which the FREESE beloved Historical Town Center Park stemmed. It is designed to be used as a GUIDE only, which protects our historical buildings, our unique SJC charm and keeps us from becoming “yuppyfied.” It creates a more pedestrian friendly city and more walkability. It will instill a strong sense of our unique SJC identity.

This article is about the recommended short-term phase of the implementation plan. They are the easier Page 8 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

enhancements to the city which can be accomplished within the next five years and do not conflict with the I-5 construction.

The lovely new hotel at the old Walnut Grove site jumps to mind first. Its construction will establish a strong new gateway into San Juan Capistrano (the existing welcome into SJC being the Jack in the Box) and will bring an influx of revenue into the city from visitors.

Improvements to Ortega in that one block area in front of the Mission will include increased sidewalk widths, sidewalk furniture, trees, flowers, a change in street parking, and restriping of the road. It will have a powerful impact on the way people perceive and use the space in front of the Mission and will encourage lingering and sidewalk use.

A change to and preservation of the Mission

entrance and wall is in mid-stream currently. As part of the preservation of the Mission, the “new” entrance is really the old entrance, as it was in the 1920s. A beautiful museum storefront with a portico and windows will become part of the wall, easily entered from the street or from within the Mission.

Camino Capistrano can be restriped, without removing any curbs, to allow for better parking, wider sidewalks, landscaping and a calming effect on traffic, which makes for a truer main street of a historic city.

These necessary improvements will be a boon to us all. They will help bring in better businesses to our downtown and entice us, the residents, to spend more time in the heart of our beautiful city. Old attitudes, like old cities, need to be updated now and again.

Businesswoman Laura Freese serves on the City Council and chairs the Redevelopment Agency. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX PATRICK O’BRIEN: The Way I See It

It Pays to Be Ignorant “A merica is more fragmented and divided than it has ever been in its history,” said Scott Spitzer, professor of political science at California State University, a panel participant on “Civility in PoliPATRICK tics, Can It Be Mended?” The panel O’BRIEN included Beth Krom, mayor of Irvine and our own Jonathan Volzke, editor of this newspaper and former reporter for the Register for 13 years. The discussion took place at the Community Center and was sponsored by the South Orange County Democratic Club (SOCD). (Yes, there are Democrats in South Orange County.) This was, indeed, a civil discussion with civil disagreement.

Beth Krom pointed out that often a political candidate who is in nonalignment with a newspaper’s political point of view may be misquoted and her op-ed piece seen as a letter to the editor, rather than a response by a public servant on a governmental issue. In her case, she cited the Register and its unwillingness to include serious and informed views with the same print space if it conflicted with the Register’s libertarian point of view.

Jonathan Volzke pointed out that print journalism medium is suffering and that a visit to a daily newspaper will reveal that many of its reporters tend to be under the age of 25, thus inexperienced, and they have deadlines that require five or six stories instead of the historical one story a day. Too much work. Not enough time. Too shallow. Too many errors.

All agreed that the media have an influence on incivility and national fragmentation.

“There is MSNBC on the left, FOX on the right, far right, and CNN dabbling in the middle, endlessly repeating a headline story,” said Mayor From. Scott Spitzer agreed. He pointed out that viewers of news shows sought those programs that seemed to verify their own point of view, further creating political polarization. All agreed that the Tucson murders were the product of a deranged mind and were skeptical of the

role that media opinion played in that tragedy.

On a personal level, I have “liberal” friends who no longer watch MSNBC because they find themselves so angry and frustrated that their lives become a raw nerve. Many have told me that they have simply discarded all their “conservative” friends, friendships of over twenty years. “Rather than show my furious hostility towards them, I just avoid them and don’t accept invitations nor invite them anymore,” said one friend.

My “conservative” friends never mention FOX news to me, knowing that I will ridicule Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck as the three stooges of Rupert Murdoch’s Alice in Wonderland world. One tells us the moon makes the tides. Another never seems to know what he is talking about and the third seems to be on a conspiratorial drug high as he sells gold coins and Obama’s roots in Islam and Obama’s world plot to turn us all into fanatical jihadists.

When I was a newsboy in the streets of San Francisco, selling papers on the corner of Geary and Powell, there was such a man who sat on the sidewalk with his hat out, his knees showing through threadbare, grimy jeans, mumbling about Dwight Eisenhower and his plot with North Korea and the end of the world. Everyone called him ”Crazy Willy,” but never to his face, and many dropped a quarter into his hat when the rush hour was over and the papers were gone. The flower vendor did the same. “Crazy Willy” was born several decades too early.

I am reminded of that old program on radio in the late forties: “It Pays to Be Ignorant” where the week to week contestants pretended to be the dumbest people in the world and pretend to answer such questions as— “How many ounces are there in a 10 ounce can?”

One contestant would query: “What is the can made of?”

Another would ask: “How tall is the can?”

A third would shout: “I got it. I got it!”

“Yes?” The moderator said.

“Tomatoes!”

From there they spun off into a quasi-philosophical discussion of the thickness of tomatoes.

“We make stuff up,” said a recent spokesman at FOX. No kidding?

At the Community Center the audience was reminded that cable news is a profit making enterprise. Hence, it seems to me, if you are a “newsman” who makes of 30 million a year as do all three of the FOX tele-readers, you don’t stay at that handsome income unless you can get the television land folks excited. Their fellow traveler in radio, Rush Limbaugh, makes over 40 million a year by insulting the President, the first lady, all Democrats and he would insult your Aunt Tilly with the artificial foot if he could be reassured that it would make headlines on national television.

The panel at the Community Center was extremely well informed, interesting, and very civil. What a refreshing night. It went too fast. Oh, that we could have such discussions and observations and differences in on a regular basis, ignoring party, political rhetoric, and really seeking solutions on the national level, devoid of petty politics and commercialism. “Crazy Willy” might suddenly stop mumbling and those who “make stuff up” might report instead of perform, and in the case of Mr. O’Reilly would not interrupt the POTUS 54 times in an interview and allow at least one complete thought to be broadcast. It is well to remember that money is not the root of all evil. The quote, as you remember, is: “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

As a carnival barker once told me and my teen friends at a fair near Clear Lake in the 1950’s as he pocketed our money: “Boys, let that be a lesson: Guys like me make money off the sheep. Don’t ever get sheared again. Now get out of here and ask your teacher what the word ‘ignorant’ means. Don’t be fooled by all the lights and excitement.” And we went home broke and angry—at ourselves.

Patrick O’Brien is an author, community college professor and Capistrano resident.

SAM ALLEVATO: Mayor’s Message

Understanding the Importance of Redevelopment A s you’ve heard it from me and many other mayors throughout our state, redevelopment agencies are vital to our local economies, and it’s necessary for our citizens to understand the value of our redevelopment agency and how its assistance impacts SAM ALLEVATO everyone.

Redevelopment agencies are responsible for creating jobs and economic growth, especially in a time when you have a 12.5 percent unemployment rate in California. For the governor to smother that effort is counterintuitive.

Redevelopment serves as a catalyst for private investment by providing the initial plan and seed money that ultimately breathes new life into many areas. Our San Juan Capistrano Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has done just that time and again since it began nearly three decades ago. A couple recent examples include the re-opening of the downtown movie theater, which created 25 jobs, eliminated blight and has already made a huge difference to the downtown restaurants and businesses. Across from the theater, we will also see 10,026 square feet of retail and office space at the old Vaquero West building next year. In addition, the agency

Page 10 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

has been successful in bringing two new car dealerships to town. Tuttle Click’s Capistrano Ford - 169,357-squarefoot dealership—with 100 employees—is expected to open sometime next month. Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge of San Juan Capistrano—28,271-square-foot dealership—with 38 new jobs should open in May. Our City is also moving forward with the amendment to the Historic Town Center Master Plan, which will unify the businesses east of Del Obispo and the historic downtown into a more robust and interconnected district over the next 20-30 years. This update to the 1995 plan includes implementing 220,000 square feet of retail; 140,000 square feet of commercial/office; 1,200 square feet of public/institutional; 240 residential units; 214 hotel rooms; and more. This plan, which will still maintain our village-like character, will benefit our community for many years to come.

Our CRA is also helping to ease traffic in town.

Traffic improvements at the intersection of Junipero Serra/Rancho Viejo Road and Del Obispo Bridge Widening are partly funded with CRA funds. The intersection improvements, which should be finished by May, will allow for much easier access to and from the I-5 freeway, currently a daily bottleneck. Additional turn pockets and lanes will provide

greater capacity for traffic flow. The bridge widening will also align a pinched section of the roadway where morning and night-time rush hour traffic slows to a crawl every day of the week.

As you can see by just a few examples, our CRA certainly benefits this town, but you may wonder who pays for it. Redevelopment agencies don’t levy taxes and don’t have the ability to raise taxes. Instead, they receive a portion of the property tax revenues generated when property values rise because of new private investment.

Property values rise when our CRA takes steps to improve deteriorated areas - hence increasing property tax revenues or tax increment revenue. State law enables the CRA to pledge the tax increment to finance bonds and other types of debt that can then be invested in project area improvements. So essentially, the CRA funds itself through the financing of these improvements by stimulating increases in property values that otherwise would not have happened. Of course, other agencies—like school districts, counties, etc.—also share in increased property tax revenues resulting from redevelopment actions but the CRA retains a bigger portion of these increased revenues so it can pay back the debt that was incurred to kick-start revitalization.

Sam Allevato is Mayor of San Juan Capistrano. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX DAVID SWERDLIN: In My View

I’m So Confused ... Again!

W e was down at the barn this morning grooming Little Nelly, my good ole Mule.

Young Billy came running in all excited and all, and immediately stumbled over an old wood crate.

DAVID “Did you hear what our City Council SWERDLIN done gone and done now!,” Young Billy said, picking himself up.

Little Nelly made a very strange noise.

I suspected right then that I would need to call on my Navy training this evening, and begin another long consultation with my friend, Gentleman Jack, to clear up the forth coming confusion generated by our esteemed City Council members.

Well, Young Billy done brought us all up to date on the first action taken by our staff-lead City Council.

“Seems like they done jumped on the bandwagon to save our Community Redevelopment Agency from Governator Brown’s chopping block. Why, Big Spender Laura Freese even flew up to Sacramento, on our tax money, to tell the Governator how good redevelopment is for our small town.”

Lester, an old timer if there ever was one, was the first to pipe up. “Seems to me I remember back in the 1960’s that our Redevelopment Agency was first formed to cleanup blight around town, and generate a few jobs, or so them City staff fellows said. Didn’t have much blight then, so I thought it wouldn’t take long.

Guess I was wrong.”

“I think them City Council fellows must’ve got mixed up about the purpose of our General Plan when they act as the Board of Directors of our Community Redevelopment Agency,” Bubba chimed in.

Oliver, our retired country lawyer, was the next.

“I tend to agree with Bubba. Our town’s earlier city

councils developed a pretty darn good General Plan to guide the growth and lifestyle of our town, which, by the way, includes a balanced economic plan based onthe zoning when the plan was approved. The small town feel promoted by the Genera lPlan is why most of us moved here, and not Irvine.

“But this Redevelopment Agency on its own seems to have changed the priorities of our General Plan. Apparently our tax base is now the highest priority for our City Council fellows, much more so than the lifestyle and balanced economic plan within our General Plan,” said Oliver.

“You mean to say that now all our City Council fellows care about is money, and not the small town lifestyle we moved down here for?” Gussie asked. Gussie, one of our finest of heart ladies, is also respected for her succinct summarization of long-winded wordsmiths.

Oliver quickly responded. “Well, Gussie, our fine Mayor Sam Allevato justifies our Redevelopment Agency as better than apple pie, ‘cuz it not only cures blight but creates jobs, while not costing us anything.

Kind of reminds me of the old time con men.”

“Of all that Redevelopment tax money collected for the Agency, about 23 percent pays interest on the bonds, 17 percent pays down the principal bond debt, 20 percent must go to low-cost housing, 6 percent for land acquisition, 12 percent for administration (city salaries), and 22 percent to help develop the project.”

Oliver quickly continued, “Our Redevelopment Agency can only use future tax money for Agency projects like Tuttle Click Ford and Home Depot, and not the General Fund, which would use that tax money for our parks, libraries, schools, fire, police, etc.”

“Sounds like our taxes are paying part of the salaries of the jobs created by Sam and Laura’s Redevelopment Agency,” Gussie said.

“You know, I now realize our future taxes are also part of the profits for corporations like Home Depot as well, since these taxes subsidize their business model,” Gussie succinctly said. “It is Corporate Welfare!”

Billy interjected, dropping the other shoe. “The council done said that those 3,200 good people who signed the petition to stop the La Novia/Distritio shopping and horse center aren’t smart enough to understand what they signed, ‘cuz they really wanted this project to be voted on by all the people.”

“How come the Council didn’t make the developer volunteer the $75,000 to put this on the ballot, since he wants this project?” said everyone at once. “That’s insult to injury.”

“Yes,” said Gussie, “and the reason that Nielsen and Uso lost the elections was because they didn’t listen to their base. Those two didn’t get my vote because they supported changing the General Plan to allow a development us neighbors didn’t want then, and don’t want now.”

“Great point, Gussie. Even though John Taylor and Larry Kramer said they supported La Novia, it wasn’t why we voted for them. They promised to listen to the us residents, not the developers, something that already slipped their minds.”

Confusion slowly settled in. This wasn’t the change we had hoped for in last November’s elections. Why isn’t the council listening?

Young Billy said he had to go, leaving the barn just in time.

Little Nelly made another strange sound, but this one began tearing up our eyes.

“Might be cause for a recall,” said Gussie, and she too ran out of the barn.

David Swerdlin is a former San Juan Capistrano City Councilman.

MARK NIELSEN: Straight Talk

No More Drive-Thru’s on ‘Fast Food Row’ L ast April while on the City Council, I voted against allowing another fast food drive-thru on Del Obispo. Many have complained about the negative traffic impact of all the fast food drive-thru’s along Del Obispo and how “Fast Food Row” detracts from the MARK character of our historic town. The comNIELSEN munity had such a negative reaction that a moratorium was put in place years ago to prohibit any additional drive-thru restaurants.

However, with the recent change in the City Council, a new fast food drive-thru on Del Obispo is back before the city for approval. The former Sizzler site is once again being touted as a great place for a new drive-thru.

No matter that the stated goal of the city is to make our downtown more pedestrian-friendly and to alleviate traffic congestion. Merely because the brand of fast food is iconic and well-liked, do we appear to be ready to throw out logic and common sense to justify what will bring even more traffic congestion to the worst stretch of road in our city. Let’s be honest. Would anyone be supporting another fast food drive-thru on Del Obispo if its name was anything other than In-N-Out? Now I am quick to admit that I am a great proponent of In-N-Out. It is the only fast food burger that my family regularly enjoys. However, I am not so blinded by that enjoyment to ignore the foolishness of attracting a whole slew of cars to Del Obispo that normally would not be

Page 12 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

on the road and would add horribly to the traffic issues.

Not to mention that I don’t see how having a regular parade of dozens of cars waiting in line will in any way enhance the pedestrian character of our downtown.

For those who claim we are losing two fast food drive-thru’s with the new I-5/Ortega interchange (Jack in the Box and Arby’s), so adding one new one is good; why not take the loss of two as a side benefit of the interchange and help correct a past mistake? Given that In-N-Out will only add about $25,000 to $30,000 a year in sales tax revenue to the city, is that really enough money to put up with all the pain of shifting more traffic and dozens of cars lined up on the city’s worst stretch of road? To those who claim we are only going to monetize the traffic that is already coming from commuters through our town and not add more traffic, I can only say Horse Puckey. Does anyone believe for a moment that all of us who now drive to Avery and Camino Capistrano from San Clemente, Dana Point or San Juan will keep lining up there instead of diverting to a new drive-thru in downtown SJC? Consider too that the landowner has had offers from a number of sit-down restaurants or sports bar/restaurants that would force people to park and get out of their car (and add another nice eating venue just a short walk from our Historic Town Center Park). The revenue to the city from such restaurants would likely match or exceed that from an In-N-Out, and the business would enhance the pedestrian character with a fraction of the

traffic. Such a restaurant would also be more aligned with the longer-term downtown Master Plan that expands the pedestrian center to include the Del Obispo corridor.

As I said, I support In-N-Out; just not at the old Sizzler site. Almost anywhere else in the city would be preferable and likely supported. I have heard that there was interest in having them be along Camino Capistrano by the car dealers where they would have freeway visibility (and where the traffic and road is far more open). Or they could go on Stonehill by the Lower Rosan property.

The issue is whether we are willing, for the paltry sum of $30,000, to further mess up a stretch of road that is severely impacted today and will be far worse when the new interchange funnels even more traffic onto it in the future. The cost/benefit analysis of such a move pretty obviously concludes that it would be a mistake for the city and its citizens. I have also heard argued that it would attract more people to town and that other businesses would benefit. While I agree with that argument for the sit-down restaurants proposed for the site, the argument fails for In-N-Out since a drive-thru by definition encourages drivers to stay in the car and just keep driving. So the only benefit to the city is $30,000 a year.

And the cost of added traffic is how much? We spend far more annually to reduce traffic impacts without half the success than we could gain by merely saying “No More Drive-Thru’s on Fast Food Row!” Businessman Mark Nielsen is a former San Juan Capistrano City Councilman. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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.

friday25

COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

GO SEE DO The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association will host the annual Kids Pet Parade on Sunday, February 27 at Cook/La Novia Park in San Juan Capistrano. (Rain date is Sunday, March 6).

Children 12 and under can bring their pets in costume for contests including Cutest, Most Original, Best Team Costume (owner and pet), Funniest and Most Obedient.

The top award, the “judges choice” winner, will be featured in the 53rd Swallows Day Parade on Saturday, March 26.

Pet Parade registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the judging and pet parade starts at 1:00 p.m. Each contest has a $3 entry fee and all pets must be leashed, haltered or caged

7 p.m. The Library presents a special evening with local favorites and Hollywood producers Robert Kline and Stephanie Heredia as they discuss the Academy Awards. Tickets $10. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.5132, www.ocpl.org.

wednesday02

KID’S PET PARADE

GIRL SCOUT PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

1 p.m.-3 p.m. The Fiesta Association presents the annual parade for kids ages 5-12 and their pets to dress up and enter contests for the chance to win awards in several categories. Held at Cook Park. Rain Date: March 6. 27551 Calle Arroyo, 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

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., 949.923.2211, www.ocparks. com/caspers.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR

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

26701-B Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3407, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

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.

KEIKO MATSUI

HEARTLESS

JANE FULLER

8 p.m. Contemporary jazz concert at The Coach House. Cole Collective also performs. Tickets $25. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

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

DEBRA LEE & TRIGGER HAPPY

monday28

saturday26

GARDEN ANGELS

PATRIOTS DAY MARINE CAR WASH

PAJAMA STORYTIME

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

9 a.m.-3 p.m. VFW Post 9934 hosts a car wash at South Shores Church featuring Marine table displays, police and fire vehicles, food, drinks and more. 32712 Crown Valley Pkwy., Dana Point, www.danapoint.org.

THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Casa Romantica’s NASA Space Exploration Exhibit is on display featuring historical space stories, photos, equipment and more. Adults $5. Kids 12 and under $3. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

PET ADOPTION

10 a.m.-2 p.m. The ARK of San Juan, San Juan Capistrano, 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

EVITTE PALMER

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

26701-B Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3407, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S INN

2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Helicopter and at 8:30 p.m. Rob Staley Band.

Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

PEPPER AND FRIENDS OF LAW RECORDS 8 p.m. Must-see concert at The Coach House. Tickets $25.

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

during the entire event. All children in the parade will be treated to a hot dog lunch.

The all-volunteer Fiesta Association meets weekly on Wednesday evenings to plan the parade. New volunteers and members are always welcome.

The meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. with a social period before the 7 p.m. business session. Complimentary food is available with beverages for purchase. The Courtesy photo meeting is at the Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street.

For more information about the Kids Pet Parade or other Fiesta de las Golondrinas events, call 949.493.1976 or see www.swallowsparade.org. —Jonathan Volzke

sunday27

NATURE HIKE AN EVENING AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS

THE KID’S PET PARADE

8 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteer your time gardening with Goin Native at Los Rios Park. Bring gardening tools. 31661 Los Rios St., 949.606.6386., www.goinnative.net.

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

SPANISH LANGUAGE BOOK GROUP

7:30 p.m. Discuss the book, Fe en Disfraz in Spanish at the library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.5132, www.ocpl.org.

$5 MONDAY’S!

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Join SC Wine Company for happy hour featuring three wines for $5, glasses of selected wines for $5 and mugs of beer from $5 and up. 212 1/2 Avenida Del Mar, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.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, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

POUL PEDERSEN

6:30 p.m. Acoustic artist at Renaissance. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.renaissance-danapoint.com.

6 p.m. Find out all about Girl Scouts and why girls K-6 should join; meeting at Ambuehl Elementary School. 28001 San Juan Creek Road, 949.461.8868, www.gscoc.org.

OLD CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET

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

BILINGUAL STORYTIME

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

GARDEN TOURS

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., SJC, 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.

ITALIAN MOVIE NIGHT

6 p.m. Enjoy happy hour at Rick’s Cafe then at 7 p.m. watch the award-winning film Pane e Cioccolata at San Juan Capistrano Regency Theater. 26762 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3456, www.rickscafesanjuan.com.

IMAGES FROM SPACE

7 p.m. Casa Romantica presents NASA’s John Hoot and a presentation on the development of space-related technology. Admission $7, Casa members $6. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, wwwcasaromantica.org.

friday04 SIDESHOW SHENANIGANS

8 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse presents a family-friendly circusthemed melodrama with magic, mystery and mayhem of the 1870s Big Top Circus, as well as treats for the audience. Performances on select dates March 4-26. Tickets $24-$40.

FIRST FRIDAY FILM

7 p.m. Watch The Town with Ben Affleck at the library. $2 donation. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.5132, www.ocpl.org.

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 14) February 25–March 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 13

GETTING OUT

Dispatch Restaurant Spotlight

By Jonathan Volzke

Yoon Kee Chinese Kitchen

31952 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano (In Alipaz Plaza), 949.248.1281 Best Known For: All day buffet Most Popular Item: Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Wing We’ve always got our eye out for a great dining bargain, and our stomachs and our wallets are equally thrilled with Yoon Kee Chinese Restaurant. The restaurant now has $6.99 all-you-can-eat buffets all day long. The offerings are fresh and vast, but that’s no surprise: Yoon Kee’s menu offers 123 (they’re numbered) items. If you decide the buffet’s not for you, you can pick from the appetizers, soups, moo shu, seafood, chicken, egg fu young, beef and pork, vegetable, lo mein and fried rice. Another bargain: The family dinner that includes soup, an egg roll and choice of chicken chow mein, pork fried rice, beef broccoli, orange chicken (the restaurant’s most popular item), kung pao chicken and sweet and sour pork. All that for $9.50 per person—which is about the average price of an entrée. The restaurant also has a variety of house special combination plates ranging for $6.95 to $8.95. Did we mention Yoon Kee also has cold beer, wine and sake?

Yoon Kee Chinese Kitchen. Photo by Jonathan Volzke

Price Range: $5.50 (lunch menu)-$14.95 Payment: Cash and credit card Reservations: Not necessary Hours: 10:30 a.m.¬–9 p.m. daily

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 13)

saturday05

Family Film Feature

11 a.m. Families are invited to the library to watch Megamind.

31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.5132, www.ocpl.org.

monday07 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.

Swallow’s Parade/HoosGow Orientation & Town Walk-About

tuesday08

40th Annual Festival of Whales

2-for-1 Tuesdays

9 a.m. The Fiesta Association hosts the event meeting in the ROP lot. 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. For two weekends, Dana Point celebrates with whale watching, art shows in the harbor, a parade, concert and much more. Dates: March 5, 6, 12, 13. Info: 888.440.4309 or 949.496.1045, www.festivalofwhales.com.

de Angelis Vocal Ensemble: Parisian Delights

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.

8 p.m. Concert at Mission Basilica that combines the vibrancy of Renaissance Paris paired with composers from the 20th century. Tickets: $25 general admission, $20 student and seniors. 31520 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 714.928.9567, www.missionparish.org.

wednesday09

Grant Langston & The Supermodels

Karaoke

9 p.m. Special musical performance at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Mardi Gras Greek Style

6 p.m. The Greek Orthodox Mission of South Orange County holds a Mardi Gras event at the El Adobe with live Greek music, dancing, dinner, a “best costume” contest and a raffle. Dinner tickets $50 adults, $15 for children. 31891 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.542.3445, info@gomsoc.org, www.eladobedecapistrano.com.

sunday06 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.

Signature Safari

View dolphins, gray whales and more marine wildlife onboard Capt.

Dave’s Dolphin Safari’s high-tech catamaran sailboat. Departures daily, call for times. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

Sashamon

7 p.m. Artist plays a blend of reggae and Hawaiian music at The Coach House. Inited Dread and Stone Senses also perform. Tickets $15 ($13 advance). 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

Page 14 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

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

Vine Wine Tasting & Food Pairing

7 p.m.-8 p.m. Educational wine tasting at Vine featuring four wines paired with food; $40 per person. 211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.9376, www.vinesanclemente.com.

thursday10 $1 Thursdays

5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. San Clemente Wine Company has $1 tastings of wines off the daily tasting menu. 212 1/2 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com.

Hulaville Open Mic Night

6 p.m.-8 p.m. Hulaville invites all musicians, along with singers and hula dancers, to step up and showcase your talents for an appreciative audience. Every Thursday. 2720 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, 949.369.1905, www.hulavillecafe.com.

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

Send your listing to editor@thecapistranodispatch.com

ON STAGE

Savoy Brown 45th Anniversary Release Party

L

egendary rock-blues guitarist Kim Simmonds, will be fronting the venerable, albeit refreshed, version of Savoy Brown at the Coach House on Saturday, March 5th, 2011 at 8 pm.

Please relate to our readers the essence of your upcoming show and how the evening will progress.

Kim Simmonds: The evening will be a mix of new material — from our forthcoming Voodoo Moon release — and also songs from the band’s past, covering the past four decades. A mix of 60s nostalgia and 2011 blues-rock.

How is a Kim Simmonds solo concert different from when you are fronting Savoy Brown as in the upcoming show at the Coach House?

KS: For starters, my solo shows are totally acoustic.

I am unable to do the things on guitar that I can do electric with the band so the perforSavoy Brown. Courtesy photo mances become a one-man show experience. I feature stories from my past, old Savoy material from the vaults as well as solo songs, which have a more personal slant.

The cover of your latest solo release, “Out of the Blue,” showcases one of your paintings. How does your passion for art influence your music or is it vice versa?

KS: Painting is all about problem solving and that keeps the artistic side of my brain ticking and therefore keeps me fresh for solving song arrangements or for thinking of new song ideas.

Blues fans rejoice, it doesn’t get any better than this. Just get to the Coach House, get a good seat, have a drink and get your blues on. Visit www.savoybrown.com for more info. For the uninitiated, there are music clips on the site that will bring you into the fold as a fan of this guitar master.

Savoy Brown plays Saturday, March 5 at The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com. Tickets are $20, doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. CD —A.J. Bardzilowski www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

4

LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR friday 2.25 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

rano.org, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to A&S Auto Parts for a new oil filter free.

A&S is at 31921 Camino Capistrano

monday 2.28 Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Meeting 6 p.m., City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto

saturday 2.26

tuesday 3.01

Oil Filter Exchange Bring a used oil filter and a flyer from the city’s website, www.sanjuancapist-

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

friday 3.04 Open Space, Trails & Equestrian Meeting Noon, City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. The committee, and public in attendance, will tour Capistrano’s open space.

friday 3.11 Next regular issue of The Dispatch publishes. *Meeting agendas at www.sanjuancapistrano.org

JAN SIEGEL: Moments in Time

After Cityhood Approved, Capistrano Moves Forward T he election to incorporate San Juan Capistrano had passed. A new City Council had been elected. Now what?

How does a city start to JAN SIEGEL govern?

On April 24, 1961, the first City Council meeting was held in the brick building on the east side of Camino Capistrano, a few yards south of the corner of Ortega Highway. As stated

by Pam Gibson, in Two Hundred Years in San Juan Capistrano, the building was the vacant Conners’ Department Store, and it was rented to the city for $75 per month.

By secret ballot, Carl Buchheim was elected Mayor and Don Durnford Mayor Pro-Tem. Edward Chermak, William Bathgate and Tony Olivares were the other three members of the Council.

By motion, Ernest Thompson was appointed City Clerk Pro-Tem and John Dawson was appointed City Attorney.

The Coastline Dispatch was approved to publish all legal notices and ordinances.

The County of Orange Code and Ordinances were the guidelines for the new city. The new ordinances established Building; Electrical; Plumbing; and Heating, Ventilating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Codes. Regulations for the issuance of permits for laying, constructing, reconstructing, repairing of curbs, sidewalks, gutters, driveways, roadway surfaces, storm drains, culverts, and other appurtenance highway structures in public streets, ways or places and the excavation, filling and obstruction of public highways. The regulation of the size, weight and loading of vehicles upon the public highway also passed, as did the fencing of swimming pools, a curfew on minors and the prohibition against intoxication.

An ordinance of the city required the capping or covering of abandoned wells and provided penalties for any violation.

Another ordinance was relative to the

assessment of property and the collection of taxes. Also, an ordinance provided that the City Council may create offices and positions, define the duties of office, fix salaries and the time of payment. An ordinance also authorized the establishment of a depositary for the General Fund of the City, which specified procedures for deposits and determined authorized signatures necessary for withdrawals. And the last ordinance passed at that first meeting, required the bonding of the City Clerk and the City Treasurer and setting the amount of bonds.

And that was the first Council Meeting. As the months followed many interesting issues arose for the new City. And the decisions that were made would set the tone for our community for the next 50 years.

One of the first actions taken by the new government was to contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for police protection. Six months later, it was proposed to hire a police chief for the city, but it was defeated because most of the citizens wanted to retain the service of the County Sheriff. The council, in those first few months, also opposed, according to Pam Gibson in Two Hundred Years in San Juan Capistrano, “a grandiose plan of the county’s to extend Ortega Highway from the Mission to Del Obispo. Plans called for six lanes and would have destroyed much of the Historic Los Rios area.”

The council also, in this time frame, set up an architectural control district in the area around the Mission. “It was to preserve the historical area of the city, including not only the world-famous jewel of the Mission itself, but also other structures in the area.” The council wanted to annex Capistrano Beach to provide a corridor to the sea, but the county opposed that move.

In 1962, Ross Cortese approached the city with his plans for a 40,000resident senior citizen community to

Page 16 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

be built on the northern boundary of San Juan Capistrano. The City Council voted against such a huge undertaking.

The City Attorney said the council was being short-sighted and was making a mistake in “turning down this chance to grow in stability and stature.” Cortese offered his plans to other cities, including Laguna Beach and Santa Ana. None would take his offer. Laguna Hills did, and that development became

Leisure World.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary of cityhood, take a Moment In Time and think about the early years, the decisions that were made and how San Juan Capistrano has maintained its culture and sense of community.

Jan Siegel is a longtime downtown tour guide and member of the Cultural Heritage Commission. Her name appears on the city’s “Wall of Distinction.”

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Kinoshita Elementary Marks 10 Years

Left: Principal Peggy Baerst welcomes visitors to the before-school ceremony. Right: Members of the Kinoshita family, for whom the school is named, are recognized by the audience. Photos by Jonathan Volzke

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

S

chool officials, community leaders, parents, students and even graduates were on hand February 11 when Kinoshita Elementary School celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

The school also honored and recognized members of the Kinoshita family, which used to farm the land off Alipaz and Camino Del Avion. Members of the family continue to read to students there weekly.

Principal Peggy Baerst said her assignment at Kinoshita has been the most

rewarding in her educational career.

“Kinoshita Elementary has continued to Achieve Excellence in the 21st century for the past 10 years. Our teaching staff of highly qualified professionals are dedicated to delivering rigorous quality first instruction by focusing on meeting content standards and objec-

tives,” Baerst said. “Our students are dedicated to work hard and continue on their path to college and achieve their goals and their dreams for the future” Kinoshita was in the “program improvement” status because of low test scores, but improved at an astonishing pace to move out of that program. CD

Capistrano Announces Teachers of the Year The Capistrano Dispatch

F

ifty-seven teachers have been selected as the top educator at their schools, officials from the Capistrano Unified School District and Capistrano Unified Education Association announced recently. They will now compete to be named one of three District Teachers of the Year.

The teachers are selected by their peers at the school site level before being evaluated by a committee at the District level.

“Teachers are at the core of what we do and I want to thank them for their excellent work in the classroom,” Board of Trustees President Jack Brick said. “I know whoever is selected to represent the District at the next level will do so proudly.”

The District winners will be announced in March and recognized at the annual Teacher of the Year Celebration at Ocean Hills Church in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday, April 28. The three winners—one each at the elementary, middle and high school levels—will then compete in the Orange County Teacher of the Year contest.

Page 18 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

Teachers of the year at Capistranoarea schools are: Kim Weirath, Ambuehl Elementary; Carol Allen, Del Obispo Elementary; Terri Arndt, Kinoshita Elementary; Martha Garcia-Serrato,

San Juan Elementary; Eric Takach, Marco Forster Middle; Michael Grabowski,

Capistrano Valley High; Robin Mairs, Dana Hills High; Greg Young, San Clemente High; Betsy Schmitz, San Juan Hills High Rebecca Bailey, Junipero Serra High The current District Teachers of the Year are Jennifer Henchel, Bathgate Elementary School; Jennifer Todd, Fred Newhart Middle School; and Kathleen Sigafoos, San Clemente High School.

CUSD employs about 2,100 teachers at 56 school sites. They average more than 15 years of experience as teachers and more than half have earned at least a master’s degree. Just over 20 percent of teachers statewide have a master’s degree. CD

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

Air Conditioning & HEATING

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

Kitchen Design

MORTGAGE

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 Kitchen & Bath Designs 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. A, www.oasisair.com 27231 Ortega Hwy., Unit B

Assisted Living

949.661.4080

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Attorney 949.248.0260

Auto Repair Star Motors 32959 Calle Perfecto

949.443.1970

Banking

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

Electrical Installation & repair for all your needs.

Family owned, operated and proudly servicing SJC since 1988. Senior citizen discounts available. Call today for a free estimate. www.excelelectric.com

MOLD REMOVAL

949.240.1200 949.240.9240

Printing OC

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

RestaurantS

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

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

949.290.8230 Las Golandrinas Mexican Food 949.240.3440 Bayside Window Cleaning 27124 Paseo Espada #803, www.lasgolondrinas.biz www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

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

Schools

Photo & Digital Lab

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

TELEVISION

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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

Beauty Salon

PLUMBING

PRINTING

949.493.7769

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

Slab leak repair 949.697.9454

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

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

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

Capistrano Health & Life www.capistranohealthlife.com

Women’s Clothing

949.496.4810 949.212.0499 Blu:Echo 31878 Del Obispo (Marshalls Center)

YOGA

Adelanto Studio Yoga & Life Arts 949.705.7344 Capistrano Valley Christian Schools 949.493.5683 32118 Paseo Adelanto, Ste.9, 32032 Del Obispo Street, www.cvcs.org www.adelantostudio.net

BUSINESS COMPUTER SERVICES 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 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

Insurance Capistrano Health & Life www.capistranohealthlife.com

949.697.9454

Jeweler Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design 949.493.3632 32382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, www.abbysdesigns.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 Garage sale listings are FREE! Call 949.388.7700, ext. 103

Submit your ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY SOLAR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY $ 14,900 call 818.528.8520

FOR RENT 2 bed 2 bath townhouse in paradise. South San Clemente, walk to Trestles. Enclosed yard with golf course view. Pets OK. $2000/mo. (+ security/negotiable) Available March 15. 724-630-3217

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

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY HELP WANTED NEWSPAPER SALES MANAGER WANTED Experienced newspaper sales veteran with South Orange County (Calif.) sales experience sought to head sales effort for community media group’s print and online sales team. Candidate will have min. 5 years newspaper sales experience, great personality, proven track record in sales and willingness to sell space and run small sales team. Competitive base salary, commission and full benefits. Send cover letter and resume to info@picketfencemedia.com

RUMMAGE SALE National Charity League -Monarch Chapter 4th Annual Rummage Sale, Sat 3/26 8AM-2:30PM, Something for everyone!

San Clemente Presbyterian Church 119 North Avenida de la Estrella. Proceeds to local charities.

Do you want to reach 11,500+ people in the San Juan Capistrano area every week?

Then you need to be in the Capistrano Dispatch.

Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 104

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE www.thecapistranodispatch.com

February 25–March 10, 2011 • The Capistrano Dispatch • Page 21

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

5 BEST BETS WRESTLING

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

CIF Playoffs San Juan Hills High School Feb. 25, 7 p.m.

BASKETBALL

CIF Master State Qualifier, Temecula Valley High School Feb. 25-26, 2 p.m.

Barstow vs.

Saddleback Saddleback College Feb. 25, 7 p.m.

Avalanche vs.

Ducks, Honda Center Feb. 27, 5 p.m.

HOCKEY

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Senior Will Acromite led the Stallions past Irvine in the first round and now face fourth-seeded Inglewood in the second round.

Hit the road with four of the Tritons-finest wrestlers as they move on to compete for glory at the state level.

After beating Irvine Valley in the first round of the SoCal playoffs, the Gauchos take in a roundtwo game at home.

The Ducks square off against its foes from Colorado as Anaheim looks to stave off the Avalanche at home ice.

Info: www.sjhhs.org.com

Info: www.sctritons.com

Info: www.saddleback.

Info: www.ducks.nhl.com

Tigers vs. Anteaters Bren Center Feb. 26, 5:30 p.m.

UC Irvine’s men’s basketball team hits the floor in its final home game of the regular season against University of the Pacific.

Info: www.ucirvinesports.com

edu/athletics

Eagle Weightlifters Claim National Title The Capistrano Dispatch

C

apistrano Valley Christian School’s Phillip Wilhelm and Tim Aney became National Champions at the US Olympic Weightlifting Junior Nationals earlier this month.

Kean Coleman placed 5th in his weight class. Iron Man Weightlifting Team of Capistrano Valley Christian School was the only boys’ team to have two national champions. Impressive to take the title of this prestigious event with only three athletes it was a truly outstanding performance by three of their lifters to represented the Eagles.

Senior Phillip Wilhelm, CVCS’ Iron Man Club Representative, will be officially attending college at Louisiana State University of Shreveport on a Weightlifting Scholarship. He plans on lifting at the Collegiate Nationals in Shreveport, Louisiana this April to compete with college students from all over the nation.

He is expected to medal with his current

The winning team: Tim Aney, Coach Chris Wilhelm, Phil Wilhelm. Courtesy photo

national standings.

Many national coaches from the five

current college weightlifting programs are also considering CVCS’ athletes that

are available, as well. Several colleges are already in the process of adding Olympic Weightlifting Programs to their sports because of the International success that many from the United States have been receiving.

CVCS invites any potential students to consider being a part of one the best and highest performing Olympic Weightlifting Programs in the nation— their Iron Man Weightlifting team.

They are currently California’s second largest youth lifting program and boast over 30 plus medals from local to national competitions. For those that have a desire to lift, challenge themselves, work hard and achieve goals, their program encourages responsibility and a positive environment for success, not only in Weightlifting but for other sports.

Contact Head Strength and Conditioning Coach- Chris Wilhelm at cwilhelm44@gmail.com or 949-493-5683 x 123. Coach Wilhelm is USA Weightlifting Certified, and credentialed. CD

Capistrano-based Water Polo Club Finds Success The Capistrano Dispatch

O

range County Water Polo Club (OCWPC) recently finished strongly at the Kap7 International, a high-level tournament geared toward top water polo clubs in South Orange County.

Taking first in their respective divisions were OCWPC’s 19 & Under and 16 & Under Boys. Also finishing strongly were two 14 & Under Boys teams placing second and tenth within their divisions. And finishing seventh, a young 10 & Under Coed team—many of whom have never played in a tournament before.

“Our club is developing some of the

best athletes in the sport right now, and our success continues to grow with strong finishes like these,” said Head Coach Peter Asic. “I’m very proud of these guys; their work is really paying off.” With local players in college such as Nick Santala at UC Berkeley, Ben Clinkinbeard at Fordham University, and Chris Meinhold at UCLA, OCWPC is setting the bar high for its players. Macrae Carden, currently a senior at JSerra Catholic High School, recently signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Southern California. Macrae was OCWPC’s all time leading scorer in the 2010 High School Water Polo season with 140 goals.

That bar is equally set high for OCWPC’s younger athletes who

Page 22 • The Capistrano Dispatch • February 25–March 10, 2011

recently had success qualifying for USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program (ODP). Athletes in this program learn advanced techniques, are seen by National Team coaches, and have an opportunity to raise their college profiles. For the 9th Grade & Under Boys level, four local OCWPC athletes were selected: Bailey Harris, Trevor Collins, Brody Zachary Grady Williams. For the 8th Grade & Under Boys team, five local OCWPC athletes were chosen: Bennie Seybold, Riley Zachary, Dylan Elliott, Luke Wyatt, Bennett Williams. And from the newly formed OCWPC Girls Program, San Clemente’s Aly Perkins was chosen to train with the 8th Grade and Under Girls Team.

Now, OCWPC plans to expand its

Girls Program to include 16 & Under & 18 and Under teams. This will help many local-area high school girls hone their skills that the regular high school season doesn’t have time to develop.

“There’s no question that significant improvement happens for players who play club during the off-season,” said Girls Coach Kevin Perkins. “Athletes come back to their schools with a clear advantage over their competition.”

Orange County Water Polo Club trains at the world-class aquatics center at JSerra Catholic High School, and is open to all ages from 10 & Under to college. New players are welcome and encouraged to do a free trial. For more information visit the club website at www.ocwpc.com or call Lada Asic at 949.769.4038. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

INSIDE:

Welcome to DANA POINT

WINTER WHALE PARADES ON LAND AND SEA

BY DORIS I. WALKER

BY SCOTT SCHOEFFEL, MAYOR OF DANA POINT

T

he whales are back and so is the Dana Point Festival of Whales. The Festival gets better each year, with activities and events to entertain and enlighten all ages.

I encourage you all to come and join in the celebration.

The Dana Point Harbor and Festival of Whales both celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. I would like to congratulate the Festival founders and organizers on creating our city’s signature event and keeping it going for nearly half a century!

It all starts on Pacific Coast Highway with the Festival of Whales Parade on Saturday, March 5, at 10 a.m. Dana Point welcomes our 2011 Celebrity Grand Marshal Henry DiCarlo from KTLA morning weather television. The parade will also feature Community Grand Marshals Brad and Judy Brandmeier, Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. Minuteman Press and Citizen of the Year, my deserving colleague on the City Council, Lara Anderson. After the parade, come to the Whale of a Block Party at La Plaza Park for family fun with rides, food, live music, education and crafts.

Activities are planned for each day of the two-weekend Festival of Whales to appeal to many different interests: Explore Marine Life Become well acquainted with our wealth of marine resources through whale watching excursions, fishing, a marine mammal lecture series, the moving and informative Lily the Whale story and seashore interpretive hikes. Ocean and environmental programs are showcased through interactive displays, demonstrations and entertainment at Ocean Awareness Day on Sunday, March 6.

Art, History, Music and Education Interested in local history? The Dana Point Historical Society will be conducting walking tours each of the four weekend days. The Doheny State Beach Mobile Marine Mammal Museum will display authentic marine artifacts for visitors to gain an appreciation of our magnificent sea life on Sunday, March 13. Art exhibits will be on display in various locations throughout the Festival and “Shark Tale” will be shown at the Movie on the Beach on Saturday, March 5. The Whale of a Concert will close out the Festival on Sunday, March 13, with live bands performing on a floating stage accompanied by a sumptuous BBQ feast.

Car Shows After watching them cruise through the parade, the rare collection of Woodies, Nash Metropolitans and Hot Rods can be seen up close along the Harbor walkways.

Land and Sea Sports Whale watching cruises, sailing rides, canoe races, and “on-the-water” stand-up paddling (SUP) clinics will be featured at various times throughout the Festival. Additionally, the Mickey Muñoz Mongoose Cup Stand-Up Paddleboard Relay Race, Fun Paddle and Whale of a Beach Cleanup on Saturday, March 12, provide active ways to enjoy the water and help improve our marine environment.

Grunion Run The 10K, 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ 1K Run will be staged on a fast, flat and fun race course along Doheny State Beach in the early morning of Saturday, March 12, followed by a Whale of a Pancake Breakfast. For more information, go to www.festivalofwhalesgrunionrun.com.

Family Fun Bring the whole family to the Whale of a Rubber Ducky Race, Baby Beach Sand Sculpting and Diamond Dig on Sunday, March 6. Parents and kids can also have a great time together at Captain Dave’s Kids’ Carnival on Saturday, March 12.

Whether you want to splash in the ocean or enjoy from the land, the Festival provides many opportunities to experience our maritime heritage and discover more about our treasured coast. For a daily calendar of events, music, artist schedules and shuttle stop information, turn the pages of this Festival Program or log on to www.festivalofwhales.com. The city website, at www.danapoint.org, is also a great source of information about our beautiful city of Dana Point.

I

t’s time to hail the whale again as California’s largest visitors are staging their annual winter parade close to the Orange County shore. During the months these thousands of gray whales are migrating from the Arctic’s Bering Sea to Baja California lagoons, just as many human visitors from all over the West (and beyond) rendezvous with them out of Dana Point Harbor.

From December through spring, Dana Point Harbor’s ocean-going fleets turn to whale watching, possibly taking more people to sea to see whales than any other port!

This coastal point is thought to be an important navigational landmark for the parading whales, and the harbor and city celebrate their annual appearance with the Dana Point Festival of Whales each March.

The herd of grays—which once numbered at least 30,000, then neared extinction from whaling, twice in history—came back in strong numbers after being protected by international treaty since 1938. It is estimated that there are now about 20,000 grays in its coastal parade, approximately the same number of people who sail out of this port to view them each year.

As if thanking the public for following them to sea to admire them instead of harpooning them, the grays are also considered to be the friendliest of all whales toward people. In their shallow calving lagoons down south, they seem to enjoy the touching attention they receive from watchers who observe them with respect. No other great whale species stays as close to land in its travels—within sight and sound of mankind.

It is also significant that the Festival includes a land parade of people; in its first years it was a children’s parade along the marina walkways. Gray whales can be spotted off Dana Point each winter day, usually parading by in pods of three as they enact the longest migration of any mammal on earth—about 6,000 miles in each direction. On frequent daily cruises from this scenic coast, whale watchers can view the mammoth adult mammals—40-plus-feet long and 40 tons heavy! On their spring parade back to the Arctic, they are accompanied by their young calves, all moving slowly and close to shore.

From this historic anchorage of 19th century sailing ships, it is less than five minutes out to sea and usually no more than a mile until the spout of a whale can be seen. Small grays have even been spotted adventuring within the channels of the harbor, along with playful dolphins and sea lions. While at sea, the whale watching ships’ skippers are adept at following the marine mammals without crossing or interfering with their narrow migration path.

The pregnant females head for the warmer waters of

the Baja lagoons to give birth, where the shallow salt-water helps buoy up their two-ton newborns as they learn to swim.

However, some mothers have been known to produce a calf prematurely in the shallow coves of Orange County. It is even thought that the present site of Dana Point Harbor was a prehistoric calving lagoon within Capistrano Bay—eons ago when the shoreline extended miles inland.

Grays also come into local coastal coves to scratch against the rocks, thought to be attempting to dislodge the barnacles that attach themselves to these slow moving mammals along the way. These white parasites and resulting scars when they are rubbed off the whales’ black skin create a mottled visual effect that prompted their name “gray.”

Sometimes a gray whale will reward a boatload of admirers by “spyhopping”—lifting its 15-foot-long head entirely out of water as if to watch back, literally standing on its tail. And at rarer times a whale will “breach”—leaping well out of the water, exposing two-thirds of its up-to-40-foot length and then splashing loudly down on its back.

When spring arrives, the pattern of migration reverses and the first arrivals and their babies begin to swim north again, to their main feeding grounds. The parade continues until the last of the herd travels past this coast. By then the adults are slimmer for having lived off their blubber all winter, though the babies are gaining fast on a diet of only their mothers’ rich milk.

We must remember that many fossil skeletons of gray whales’ ancestors have been unearthed well above the present sea level in the hills and valleys around Orange County. They had lived and died here millions of years ago, when most of the area was under the sea. Their remains sank to the ocean bottom. Interestingly, the structure and size of today’s coastal migrants are little changed from those who vacationed here 20 million years in the past.

The changing geological history in this area—the land risen from the sea several times by earthly upheavals—has revealed the remains of these ancient marine mammals on and under the modern dry land, where the entire whale family tree is thought to have originated—right here—before whales evolved from the land into the ocean. Their modern sea-living descendants, who are little changed living fossils themselves, swim by each winter as if to stay in touch. © 2011 by Doris I. Walker Co-founder of the Dana Point Festival of Whales, author Doris Walker is compiling her adventures with gray whales into a children’s book. It will combine her activities on behalf of gray whales here and her adventures in the lagoons of Baja California, illustrated by her own close-up photographs. One chapter will describe the local excitement in recent years caused by the “summer vacationing” of the largest of all whales—the blues.

Sometimes a gray whale will reward a boatload of admirers by “spyhopping.” This magnificent mammal surprised whale watchers aboard a Dana Wharf boat off the coast near San Onofre. Photo by Lawrence Hartmann

Page 3 | 2011 Festival of Whales Event Program | www.danapointtimes.com

To Dive Like a Whale

Restaurant Week

BY JULIANNE E. STEERS, MARINE BIOLOGIST

T

he dive of a whale is quite an amazing feat to behold. Cetaceans spend nearly all their lives underwater, sometimes at considerable depths. Since whales are mammals, like us, they breathe air directly, instead of extracting oxygen dissolved in water as fish do. Whales must return to the surface at regular intervals to take in air, and when they dive, they too must hold their breath.

As a SCUBA diver, I can descend beneath the waves but to imitate the fantastic dive of a whale, for a human is a futile attempt, at best.

When humans dive longer than we can hold our breath, a cylinder of compressed air is necessary. The scuba tank is a must because the air pressure within our lungs must equal or slightly exceed the pressure of the water around us; otherwise our chests would be crushed. Under compression, the nitrogen of the air dissolves in the fluids and tissues of a diver’s body to their full capacity. During ascension, the dissolved nitrogen comes out of the solution as bubbles of gas, causing a sometimes lethal condition known as “the bends.”

In contrast, when a cetacean dives, it takes very little air with them; only a portion of the air is nitrogen, so that the amount that could dissolve in the body fluids and tissues from one filling of the lungs is rather miniscule. This small amount does not enter the blood and tissues, because as the whale dives its lungs compress and drive the air in them into the windpipe and extensive nasal passages. The thickened membrane lining these passages helps stop nitrogen bubbles from entering the blood. Whales can store more than twice the amount of oxygen in their blood than we can; this allows them to have effective muscle function for much longer during a dive.

Whales also conserve energy while they are underwater, by slowing their heartbeat and by pumping blood to only a few organs—the brain, heart and muscles. Humans have this “diving reflex” also, although it’s not as well developed.

If a whale gets low on oxygen, it can generate a small amount of energy without using oxygen, but this process creates lactic acid—the substance that makes your legs “burn” if you run too far or too fast. Whales, however, don’t seem to mind the “burn” as much as we do. So

D

ana Point Restaurant Week runs March 4 through 13 featuring some of the best and most unique restaurants in southern California. Take a break from the festivities, relax and refuel at these fantastic eateries.

You will be treated to special Restaurant Week pricing in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Dana Point Festival of Whales. Contact the restaurants directly or log on to www.festivalofwhales.com to see more about the Restaurant Week specials being offered in honor of this year’s festival celebration.

CafE Mezzaluna 2 Ritz Carlton Drive #102, 949.276.7900, www.mycafemezzaluna.com Harbor Deli / Slice of New York 34667 Golden Lantern, 949.496.0424, www.myharbordeli.com

The misty spout of a gray whale lingers in the air. Photo

by Ocean Institute Chief Aquarist Julianne E. Steers (Inset)

the whale’s secret to staying under water for a long time is to store up a lot of oxygen before it dives and then use as little of it as possible while it’s submerged.

As a cetacean returns to the surface, the lungs gradually expand again, its blowhole opens wide and the foul air accumulated during the dive is expelled explosively. “Ah, the spray, the spout, the blow of a whale,” we whale watchers exclaim with joy at the sight—then the resulting scent wafts our way.

This “fragrant” spout is produced by the water from around the blowhole being forced into the air. As soon as the animal has exhaled, it takes in fresh air, the air sacs of the lungs return to their expanded condition and then it dives again.

You may view many spouts and dives off Dana Point during the current gray whale migration. Perhaps you’ll even catch a whiff of that lustrous odor emanating from a blowhole during your very own whale encounter.

With whale watching season in full swing, there are many opportunities to experience these amazing animals during the 2011 Dana Point Festival of Whales. Among the choices are the Ocean Institute’s Marine Mammal Cruises, where you can join expert marine

The Harbor Grill 34499 Golden Lantern, 949.240.1416, www.harborgrill.com

Harpoon Henry ’s 34555 Golden Lantern, 949.493.2933, www. windandsearestaurants.com/harpoonhenrys

biologists on an ocean journey to witness these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat. And, be sure to stop by the Institute to participate in a hands-on learning adventure into the fascinating lives of whales, including how they eat, communicate and to learn how pollution can effect them.

For Ocean Institute program and cruise information, call 949.496.2274 or visit www. ocean-institute.org.

Marine Biologist Julianne E. Steers is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. She is the Chief Aquarist for the Ocean Institute. Steers is also active in the local marine science community as a founding Board Member of the Beach Ecology Coalition.

Jolly Roger 34661 Golden Lantern, 949.496.0855, www.jollyrogerrestaurants.com Luxe 24582 Del Prado Avenue, 949.276.4990 Mahe 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.240.6243, www.eatatmahe.com Olamendi’s Mexican Restaurant 34664 Pacific Coast Highway, Capo Beach and 8 Monarch Bay Plaza, 949.218.7394, www.originalolamendis.com Stacks Pancake House 34255 Pacific Coast Hwy #110, 949.429.2223 Wind & Sea 34699 Golden Lantern, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com

Ride Big Buses, See Big Whales

BY ANDREA SWAYNE

L

eave the car at home and let OCTA and Metrolink get you there for less with a Metrolink Friends and Family 4-Pack for just $29 and local bus routes for as low as $1.50 or $0.60 for seniors. Kids under 6 ride OCTA buses for free (limit 3). Even if you live close, consider enjoying a weekend mini “stay-cation,” and present your ticket to save on lodging at area hotels. From the San Juan Capistrano Metrolink station, it’s an easy hop on OCTA Bus Route 91 south to Dana Point.

A list of schedules and stops can be found at www.octa.net/whales and directions from bus

stops to Festival events can be found at www. festivalofwhales.com. And, while you’re out and about, look for the special Dana Point Festival of Whales 40th anniversary graphics adorning OCTA buses.

Using public transportation to and from the Festival is not only an environmentally friendly way to attend, a ride aboard a bus or train can add to the adventure and get you great discounts at area businesses. Below are a few of the special deals riders can enjoy.

• Present your OCTA and/or Metrolink ticket voucher and receive $5 off any whale

Page 4 | 2011 Festival of Whales Event Program | www.danapointtimes.com

watching excursion ticket price at Dana Wharf Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, 949.496.5764, www.danawharf.com.

• Present your OCTA and/or Metrolink ticket voucher and receive a special room rate of only $69, single or double occupancy, at Dana Point Marina Inn, 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.496.1203, www.danapointmarinainn.com.

• Present your OCTA or Metrolink ticket voucher and receive a special room rate of only $169, at Doubletree Guest Suites, 34402 Pacific Coast Hwy., 949.661.1100, www.dohenybeach. doubletree.com.

Tale of a Tail

BY ANDREA SWAYNE

I

t’s been a long time coming since Ocean Awareness Day at the 2008 Festival of Whales commenced its first ever community art project—a beautiful mosaic whale tail sculpture public art piece. It all began when the Dana Point Harbor Association commissioned local artist Eric Danton to sculpt a 6-foot tall iconic image of a whale tail. Danton completed the tail and then community art coordinator Karin Schnell enlisted Dana Point artist Aileen May to help facilitate the implementation of an art medium on the tail.

May devoted considerable time and talent to create a beautiful mosaic application and got the ball rolling by applying the initial octopus mosaic to the sculpture. She then, with the help of Schnell and Harbor Association representative Kim Tilly, painstakingly prepared the mosaic tiles for installation on site by the community.

“The Harbor Association is pleased to donate this public art piece to the county and its residents,”said Tilly. “It is our hope that this beautiful work will serve as a permanent and moving tribute to the whales’ annual migration past Dana Point.”

The Harbor Association worked with the OC Dana Point Harbor Department to find the perfect home for this beautiful and special sculpture. Now, they are pleased to announce the dedication of the sculpture will take place at the OC Sailing & Events Center on Sunday, March 6 at 1 p.m.

Orange County 5th District Supervisor

Patricia Bates is expected to officiate the ceremony.

While you’re there, check out this year’s Ocean Awareness Day, also on Sunday March 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baby Beach. Participating groups present an array of fun and interactive activities that both educate and entertain.

For more information on the sculpture and Ocean Awareness Day, log on to www.festivalofwhales.org.

A child helps place mosaic tiles on the sculpture at the 2008 Festival of Whales Ocean Awareness Day. Photo

by Karin Schnell

40 Photographers for 40 Years

F

resh off completing their first photographic book The Spirit of San Clemente, the Photographic Art Club has a new focus—documenting the 40th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales through the lenses of 40 photographers.

The photos taken at this year’s Festival will be added to those taken by the club during many other city events to produce the club’s second book, a photo art volume that will present a complete picture of life in Dana Point by capturing the essence of this lovely coastal city. The book is scheduled to be in production by May 2011 and part of the proceeds will go to support photography classes at the local Boys & Girls Clubs.

“We have yet to name our Dana Point book and are welcoming suggestions from the public,” said club founder and president Frank Ritenour. “While enjoying your day at the Festival, be on the lookout for our 40 photographers. They will be wearing badges identifying them as event photographers and club members. Who knows, your Dana Point Whale Festival adventure may be documented in the pages of our book.”

The club holds monthly meetings at 6 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month, at the Wind & Sea Restaurant in Dana Point Harbor. Interested members of the public are welcome to join.

For more information, log on to www.meetup.com/photographicartclub. —AS Photo above: Frank Ritenour (left) with club members. Courtesy photo

WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURES Headlands Park and Nature Interpretive Center Interested in catching a glimpse of migrating gray whales from land? Visit the Headlands Conservation Park and Nature Interpretive Center. Situated high atop the 200-foot cliffs of the headlands, the park trails and scenic overlooks offer a great vantage point for viewing the whales passing below. The three-mile trail system is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset and Interpretive Center hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From the Ocean Institute visitors can walk up Cove Road to the park. The Interpretive Center is located adjacent to the park, at the terminus of Green Lantern.

It’s a steep walk, but the spectacular views are worth it. For more information, log on to www.danapoint.org and click on the “visitors” button then on “nature interpretive center.”

Captain Dave’s Whale & Dolphin Safari Guests aboard the hi-tech catamaran Manute’a can view dolphins and whales from an underwater viewing pod and hear them with an onboard hydrophone. Experienced marine naturalists narrate the trips and provide engaging question and answer sessions. All trips are broadcast live on www.WhaleWatchingTv. com so passengers can wave hello to friends and family watching on the internet. Mrs. Capt. Dave’s scrumptious triple fudge brownies are a sweet treat served free on each safari. Tickets are $55 for adults, $35 kids 3-12 and kids under 2 are free. Call 949.488.2828 for departure times and reservations. For more information, log on to www.dolphinsafari.com.

Aventura Sailing The sounds of the sea and the wind in the sails await you aboard an Aventura luxury sailboat. Join a

small group adventure or hire a private boat and enjoy the quiet as you listen for the sound of a spout or the splash of a breaching whale. Prices are $30 per person or $180 for a private, six-passenger maximum boat. Call 949.493.9493 for reservations or visit www.aventurasailing.com.

Ocean Institute Whale’s Tail Tallship sailing cruises aboard the Spirit of Dana Point leads guests on an exploration of how time and discovery have shaped man’s perception of the gray whale. Cruises run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Member pricing is $36 for adults and $21 for children 12 and under (minimum age 4). Non-members, $40 for adults and $23 for kids 4 to 12. Marine Mammal Cruises aboard the R/V Sea Explorer introduce participants to whales and other marine animals using state-of-the-art equipment including satellites, plankton nets, sediment samplers and video microscopes.

Cruises are offered at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. both weekends.

Member pricing is $22 for adults and $19 for children 12 and under (minimum age 4). Non-member pricing is $35/adult and $22/children 4 to 12 years old. Weekend admission to the Institute is included with the cruise ticket purchase. For information and reservations contact the Ocean Institute at 949.496.2274 or log on to www.ocean-institute.org.

Riviera Yacht Charters The Riviera is a custom 40-foot yacht with an exceptionally wide beam for a comfortable and stable ride and a cruising speed of 18 knots to reach the whales and dolphins quickly. Guests can choose to ride in a climate-controlled cabin or enjoy the sounds and sights of

the whales from the deck as a marine naturalist narrates. A television is on board to give the little ones an up close view.

Tickets are $35 per person and children under 3 are free. Call 949.496.5891 to make a reservation. For more information and a departure schedule, log on to www.rivierayachtcharters. com/2011-festival-of-whales.

Dana Wharf Whale Watching Dana Wharf is celebrating its 40th anniversary too! Back by popular demand and to celebrate 40 years—the Whale of a Deal—all tickets on the 8 a.m. trip are just $8. Regular hour-long excursions depart every hour on the hour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Festival weekends. Tickets are $29 for adults, $24 for seniors and military and $19 for kids 3-12 years. Children 2 and under are free. Two-hour excursions following their Marine Mammal lectures on both weekends at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. are also available. Marine biologists will narrate aboard the 63-foot, state-of-the-art OCean Adventures catamaran—featuring a spacious viewing deck and full-service deli-style galley. For those who want a one-on-one educational experience, prior to the 11:30 a.m. departure, a lecture session from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and continental breakfast at Harpoon Henry’s will be included with all 11:30 a.m. reservations. Tickets are $39 for adults, $29 for children 3-12 and free for kids under 2. Check out the schedule and purchase tickets online at www.zerve.com/DanaWharf/OceanAdv. Use a Promo Code (FOW11) to save $5 per adult fare (not valid on 8 a.m. special). For more info, call 800.979.3370 or 800.590.9994 or visit www.danawharf.com. Sightings of whales or dolphins are guaranteed, or come back again and ride free.

Page 6 | 2011 Festival of Whales Event Program | www.danapointtimes.com

Event Map Event Locations coordinate with listings on pages 10 & 12

Saturday, March 5

SUNday, March 6

E1 Festival of Whales Parade 10 a.m. The parade, themed 40 Years of Magical Migration, features floats and balloons and runs along Pacific Coast Highway from Selva Road to Golden Lantern. Arrive early, enjoy breakfast harbor side, board the free shuttle and spend the day visiting all the events located throughout the Harbor and Dana Point Plaza.

E2 A Whale of a Block Party 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at La Plaza Park. The Block Party, hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, is a fun and educational event with interactive booths for the whole family. Stay all day and enjoy rides, food, live music, crafts and more.

E15 Dana Outrigger Canoe Club Race In its 21st year of historical paddling, Dana Outrigger Canoe Club will once again host a competition with paddlers from across Southern California. The event will take place at Baby Beach and spectators are welcome.

E11 Metropolitan Club Beep, Beep! Take a stroll down the Harbor walkway and enjoy an impressive display of Nash Metropolitans. Immediately following the Festival parade, the Nash Metropolitans will be escorted to the Harbor for display along the Harbor walkway grassy areas.

E14 Hot Rods Unlimited The Festival welcomes back Hot Rods Unlimited! Stroll down Dana Point Harbor Drive and enjoy a display of vintage hot rods and classic cars.

E15 Movie in the Park 6:30 p.m. Join us for a special showing of “Shark Tale,” rated PG. FREE popcorn, hot beverages and snacks will be available. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic dinner and enjoy this family-friendly movie.

E8 Whale of a Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m.–11 a.m.

Hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars post 9934 at the OC Sailing & Event Center’s Dana Cove Room. Start your day with delicious, fluffy pancakes with strawberry topping served hot off the griddle, tasty sausage and bacon, served with juice, milk or coffee. Over 25 great gifts raffled plus surprise entertainment. All proceeds will benefit the VFW. Adults $6, children under 12 $3.

E8 Whale Tail Sculpture Dedication 1 p.m. Join the Dana Point Harbor Association at the OC Sailing and Event Center for a dedication ceremony for their first ever community art project. Dana Point artist Eric Danton was comissioned to sculpt a 6’ tall iconic image of a whale tail at the 2008 Ocean Awareness Day. With the help of Dana Point artist Aileen May and the community of Dana Point, the sculpture is now ready for its close up!

E15 Ocean Awareness Day 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Located at Baby Beach, the event features interactive displays, demonstrations and entertainment showcasing ocean and environmental programs and issues related to our ocean.

E15 Diamond Dig 12 p.m.–1 p.m. on Baby Beach. You have a whale of an opportunity to become rich by digging for treasure. Kids and adults can pay for a shovel and dig for pirate’s booty—cash, toys and diamonds! Dress as a pirate and receive a clue to the buried treasure!

E15 Whale of a Rubber Ducky Race 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Hosted by the Dana Point Woman’s Club, this fun spin on a traditional “Rubber Ducky Race” will be held at Baby Beach.

E11 So Cal Woodies The best of the best woodie cars will be on show from the official Southern California Chapter of the National Woodie Club. Stroll along the Harbor walkway and enjoy this one-of-a-kind display!

E10 Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10 a.m.–11 a.m. at Harpoon Henry’s. Marine mammals are among the most beloved icons of the California coast and yet much of their life history and biology remains a mystery to us. Enjoy a continental breakfast as special guests (March 5: Marine biologist and great white shark expert Mary Blasius, March 6: Dennis Kelly, Director of Coastal Dolphin Survey Project) present recent findings on sharks, local whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. Following the lecture, go on a whale watching trip aboard the OCean Adventures Catamaran to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. The lecture is free with purchase of the whale watching cruise aboard the OCean Adventures Catamaran and includes a continental breakfast. To attend the lecture only (with breakfast), $5 per person will be collected at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.danawharf.com or call 949.496.5794.

E8 Sailing Rides 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Westwind Sailing takes you on a sailing ride to learn how to steer and sail a Capri 14! $15 per boat, three people max. Ages 5 and up. Call Westwind Sailing, 949.492.3035 for details.

E8 Stand-Up Paddling Clinics 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Join the SUP craze and learn first hand why it’s the fastest growing water sport today! Westwind Sailing will host 45 minute on-the-water clinics held each hour on the hour. Ages 12 and up (12–14-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult). $10.

all weekend E9 Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour 2 p.m. Meet at Bella Bazaar (corner of Blue Lantern and PCH) for the historic town center Walking Tour showing historic buildings discussing the early building of the city. FREE, donations gladly accepted. Call 949.248.8121 or visit www.danapointhistorical.org for info.

E10 Harbor Music Series 12 p.m.–3 p.m. Presented by the Dana Point Harbor Association in the Jolly Roger Courtyard, Harpoon Henry Grassy Area and Art in the Park. FREE. E4 Whale watch from land! FREE Film and Live Whale Watching Broadcast 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Stop by the Dolphin Deck office (next to Baby Beach), for an exclusive FREE viewing of Captain Dave’s award winning documentary “Wild Dolphins and Whales of Southern California.” Screenings every hour. Throughout the day relax and enjoy their boat’s live whale watching broadcast from WhaleWatchingTV.com right on their deck overlooking the harbor. Sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, and refreshments are available for purchase.

*Free Shuttle 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Ducks can be pre-purchased at Art in the Park on March 5 and at Baby Beach the day of the event for $6 per duck, or two for $10. Or, beginning March 1, ducks can be purchased at Beacon Printing and Dana Wharf Sportfishing. Prizes will be awarded to the first three ducks.

E15 Festival of the Whales Baby Beach Sand Sculpting Competition 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Choose one of five categories: Castles, Whales and Ocean Creatures, Pirates and Ships, Woodies and Surfboards, or Patriotic Emblems. Judging begins at 2:30 p.m. with awards to follow.

Bring your own buckets and tools. Dyes and stabilizers not allowed—all natural. Sand provided free. Bring a team of family and friends and join the fun! Sculpting creation areas are limited—first come, first served.

E15 Whale of a BBQ 12 p.m.–4 p.m. Delicious BBQ specialties at affordable prices will be served up adjacent to Baby Beach. Choose from tri-tip sandwiches, mouth-watering chicken sandwiches, salads and more!

E10 Kids Free Fishing Clinic and Trip 12 p.m.–12:30 p.m./ 12:45 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites children to come to their dock side fishing clinic and learn hands on techniques from the experts. Prizes will be raffled off at the end of the clinic. After the clinic, Dana Wharf will be running a fishing trip. Adults are $39 plus license and equipment, children 12 and under fish for FREE (includes equipment). Call 949.496.5794 for reservations.

E4 Lily The Whale–Behind The Scenes 1 p.m.–2 p.m.

Join Captain Dave at the Dana Point Marina Inn to learn about Lily the Gray Whale’s headline-making disentanglement in Dana Point Harbor with exclusive video, photos and a question and answer session. For info call, 949.488.2828.

E6 Ocean Institute Whale’s Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure 2 p.m.–4 p.m. Join us for a tallship sailing adventure as you gain new insights into man’s evolving relationship with the ocean and the giants that roam our California coast. Non-members, $40 adults, $23 children 12 & under. Members, $36 adults, $21 children 12 & under (min. age 4).

E6 Seashore Interpretive Family Hike 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Guided family tidepool hikes through the Dana Point Marine Protected Area with Ocean Institute naturalists.

Hikes are available on a first come first served basis. Space is limited. Sign up at the front desk of the Ocean Institute after admission is paid, no additional charge.

E6 Ocean Institute 10 a.m.–4 p.m. During the festival, a hands-on journey into the mysterious and fascinating world of whales will allow visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to these magnificent animals. There will be opportunities to examine how they communicate and eat, to see how pollution can affect them, learn about ongoing research, and create fun whale-theme crafts. Admission: $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for children (3 -12 yrs); Children under 2 and members are free.

E7 Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show and Sale 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. The Dana Point Fine Arts Association will host an art show and sale along the Harbor Boardwalk in Mariner’s Village. Dana Point Fine Arts will donate a portion of artist’s sales to Dana Hills High School Art Department.

E2 & E10 2011 Festival of Whales Merchandise T-shirts, sweatshirts and notecards will be on sale throughout the Harbor and are available for purchase online at www.festivalofwhales.com.

E12 Art in the Park Local artists will be displaying a variety of works on the grassy areas at the corner of Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive.

Dana Point Restaurant Week March 4–13. Try out some of Dana Point’s best restaurants at a bargain price.

Turn to page 4 for a list of participating eateries.

Page 10 | 2011 Festival of Whales Event Program | www.danapointtimes.com

Saturday, March 12

all weekend

E15 Second annual Mickey MuNoz Mongoose Cup Join Mickey and his friends for a day of paddling fun, camaraderie, a Waterman Expo and delicious BBQ at Baby Beach. Mickey Muñoz, an avid stand-up paddler, is an early pioneer of surfing and wellknown surfboard shaper.

Once described as the “surfer’s surfer,” Mickey has been riding waves since the 1950s and has been featured in many popular surfing films and documentaries. Winning the first professional surf contest and pioneerMickey Muñoz.

Courtesy of Dana Point Historical Society ing big wave surfing at Waimea Bay are a few of Mickey’s surfing accomplishments.

His event will directly benefit local charitable organizations.

There will be an open fun paddle, a lively Waterman Expo and SUP relays. The event will start at 9 a.m. with a Fun Paddle and harbor cleanup sweep. The Mickey Muñoz Mongoose Cup is an event open to everyone. The Fun Paddle is open to any type of paddling craft and the Mongoose Cup will be contested solely as a stand-up paddleboard relay race (SUP relays). Event participants will receive a commemorative Mongoose Cup tee, delicious BBQ lunch and chance to paddle with surf legend Mickey Muñoz. Save money by registering online at www.mongoosecup.eventbrite.com. Beach registration will open Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 a.m. The BBQ is open to the public as well. For more info, email Barrett.tester@gmail.com.

E17 Whale of a Beach Cleanup 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Festival of Whales Toast to the Coast! Bring your work gloves and a recyclable bag or bucket and help clean up Doheny State Beach. Meet Ranger Vicki at the Lifeguard Headquarters and learn more about how you can help maintain our precious coastal resources. FREE shuttle service from most Harbor parking lots.

Sunday, March 13 E17 Festival of Whales Grunion Run Featuring a 10K, 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ 1K Run. 10K begins at 7 a.m., 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by the Kids’ 1K at 9:15 a.m.

Awards are scheduled for 9:40 a.m. Proceeds to benefit the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization which supports interpretive, educational programs at Doheny State Beach. Pre-registration and more information is available online at www.festivalofwhalesgrunionrun.com. FREE pre-run shuttle service will begin at 6 a.m. and will have pick ups from the Ocean Institute, OC Sailing & Event Center and Dana Point Harbor Drive at Golden Lantern.

After the run enjoy a Whale of a Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m.–10 a.m. inside Doheny State Park. Adults $6, Children under 12 $3. Bring your racing bib and receive $1 off breakfast! Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit Doheny Longboard Surfing Association and our local State Lifeguard Association.

E4 Captain Dave’s Kids Carnival 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Fun for the whole “pod”! Bring the kids by the Dolphin Deck (near Baby Beach and OC Sailing and Events Center) for FREE fun, educational games and awesome prizes. Win or purchase an autographed copy of Capt. Dave’s new family book, “Tales From The Pod: The Lily The Whale Story.”

ning documentary “Wild Dolphins and Whales of Southern California.” Screenings every hour. Throughout the day relax and enjoy their boat’s live whale watching broadcast from WhaleWatchingTV.com right on their deck overlooking the harbor. Sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, and refreshments are available for purchase.

E10 Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10 a.m.–11 a.m. at Harpoon Henry’s. Marine mammals are among the most beloved icons of the California coast and yet much of their life history and biology remains a mystery to us. Enjoy a continental breakfast as special guests (March 12: Alisa Schulhman-Janiger, American Cetacean Society, March 13: Doug Thompson, marine naturalist) present recent findings on local whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. Following the lecture, go on a whale watching trip aboard the OCean Adventures Catamaran to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. The lecture is free with purchase of the whale watching cruise aboard the OCean Adventures Catamaran and includes a continental breakfast. To attend the lecture only (with breakfast), $5 per person will be collected at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.danawharf. com or call 949.496.5794.

E7 Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show and Sale 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. The Dana Point Fine Arts Association will host an art show and sale along the Harbor Boardwalk in Mariner’s Village. Dana Point Fine Arts will donate a portion of artist’s sales to Dana Hills High School Art Department.

E8 Sailing Rides 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Westwind Sailing takes you on a sailing ride to learn how to steer and sail a Capri 14! $15 per boat, three people max. Ages 5 and up. Call Westwind Sailing, 949.492.3035 for details.

E8 Stand-Up Paddling Clinics 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Join the SUP craze and learn first hand why it’s the fastest growing water sport today! Westwind Sailing will host 45 minute onthe-water clinics held each hour on the hour. Ages 12 and up (12–14-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult). $10.

E9 Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour 2 p.m. Meet at Bella Bazaar (corner of Blue Lantern and PCH) for the historic town center Walking Tour showing historic buildings discussing the early building of the city. FREE– donations gladly accepted. Call 949.248.8121 or visit www. danapointhistorical.org for info.

E10 Harbor Music Series 12 p.m.–3 p.m. Presented by the Dana Point Harbor Association in the Jolly Roger Courtyard, Harpoon Henry Grassy Area and Art in the Park. FREE. E4 Whale watch from land! FREE Film and Live Whale Watching Broadcast 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Stop by Captain Dave’s Dolphin Deck office (next to Baby Beach), for an exclusive FREE viewing of Captain Dave’s award win-

E10 Kids Free Fishing Clinic and Trip 12 p.m.–12:30 p.m./ 12:45 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing invites children to come to their dock side fishing clinic and learn hands on techniques from the experts. Prizes will be raffled off at the end of the clinic. After the clinic, Dana Wharf will be running a fishing trip. Adults are $39 plus license and equipment, children 12 and under fish for FREE (includes equipment). Call 949.496.5794 for reservations.

E15 Whale of a Concert and BBQ 12 p.m.–4:30 p.m. In honor of the whales migrating by Dana Point Headlands “singing their song” the Festival of Whales festivities will include a FREE outdoor concert at Baby Beach with bands performing on the water on a specially designed stage. Bring your beach chairs, towels and blankets and enjoy an afternoon of musical entertainment. Concert will begin with “Steel Parade”

E12 Art in the Park Local artists will be displaying a variety of works on the grassy areas at the corner of Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive.

E6 Ocean Institute Whale’s Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure 2 p.m.–4 p.m. Join us for a tallship sailing adventure as you gain new insights into man’s evolving relationship with the ocean and the giants that roam our California Coast. Non-members, $40 adults, $23 children 12 & under. Members, $36 adults, $21 children 12 & under (min. age 4).

E6 Seashore Interpretive Family Hike 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Guided family tidepool hikes through the Dana Point Marine Protected Area with Ocean Institute naturalists.

Hikes are available on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited. Sign up at the front desk of the Ocean Institute after admission is paid, no additional charge.

E6 Ocean Institute 10 a.m.–4 p.m. During the festival, a hands-on journey into the mysterious and fascinating world of whales will allow visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to these magnificent animals. There will be opportunities to examine how they communicate and eat, to see how pollution can affect them, learn about ongoing research, and create fun whale-theme crafts. Admission: $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for children (3 -12 yrs); Children under 2 and members are free.

E10 2011 Festival of Whales Merchandise T-shirts, sweatshirts and notecards will be on sale throughout the Harbor and are available for purchase online at www. festivalofwhales.com.

Dana Point Restaurant Week March 4–13. Try out some of Dana Point’s best restaurants at a bargain price. Turn to page 4 for a list of participating eateries.

performing from 12 p.m.–1 p.m., “The Eliminators Surf Band” from 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m., and the “Surftunes” from 3 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Concessions for scrumptious BBQ specialties will also be available, including a Spirits Garden for those over 21 years old with a valid I.D. E17 Doheny State Beach’s Mobile Marine Mammal Museum 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Meet at Doheny State Beach’s promenade north of the snack bar at the picnic tables. There will be a variety of genuine marine mammal artifacts for visitors to actively learn and gain an appreciation of these magnificent creatures of the sea. Please Note: Free vehicle parking at Doheny State Beach for Doheny State Beach’s Mobile Marine Mammal Museum is limited to one hour only. FREE

Page 12 | 2011 Festival of Whales Event Program | www.danapointtimes.com

*All events are weather permitting

Dine &Shop Dana Point Harbor SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY VISITING THESE LOCAL MERCHANTS...

5

1

6 3

4

2 7

8

1

2

3

Dine &Shop Dana Point Harbor SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY VISITING THESE LOCAL MERCHANTS...

4

6 5

7

8