The Capistrano Dispatch

YOUR BEST SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

A P R I L 8 –2 1 , 2 0 1 1 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7

Sizzling Strip From a sit-down restaurant to a new hotel, Camino Capistrano is seeing a business boom E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 4

Tuttle-Click Automotive Group Vice President George Saad in front of the new Ford dealership on Camino Capistrano.

Photo by Jonathan Volzke

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

INSIDE: 2011 Guide to Summer Camps & Clinics

Joan Irvine Smith Puts Oaks on Market

Fiesta Pulls off Another Grand Parade

12-PAGE INSERT

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

SJC LIVING/PAGE 26, 27

EYE ON SJC

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE Southern California Edison expects to conduct further studies of seismic activity near their San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. SCE spokesman Gil Alexander said the company hopes to submit its request from the California Public Utility Commission “very soon.” The requested study follows on SCE’s February 2 report evaluating seismic conditions near the plant. The earlier report included seismic and tsunami hazard evaluations “based on the latest research.” When preparing the original request, research costs were estimated at $25 to 30 million. Though the final price tag is still under review, it could change with proposal revisions.

The cost will be passed on, in part, to ratepayers. Once SCE submits its request to the CPUC, the commission must vet and approve it before the utility can go forward with the research.

Edison hopes to start within about six months.

NEWS

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

DANA POINT Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling—a USA Cycling National Racing Calendar event—set for Sunday, May 1. This year’s presenting sponsor is Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer, an organization that works with nonprofit partners to raise awareness of resources available to cancer patients. The chosen recipient of this year’s proceeds is the Pacific Meso Center. The event includes a professional criterium and races for amateurs and kids through the streets of downtown Dana Point as well as a vendor expo, food, beverages and fun. In conjunction with the cycling races, the Amgen Breakaway Walk will be held on race day at 3:45 p.m. To register or find out more about Breakaway from Cancer and Pacific Meso Center, log on to www.danapointgrandprix.com.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

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…The Oaks for Sale?

THE LATEST: The Oaks Farms, where Joan Irvine Smith has raised horses for 25 years, is on the market. The asking price for the 20-acre Ortega Highway property is just under $20 million, according to a release from the Farms.

About half of the property, closest to San Juan Creek, is designated as open space. But the other 10 acres, closest to Ortega Highway, carries a special zoning of open space with the potential of up to 35 homes. That would require a zoning change from the City Council. Because the general plan amendment allows for homes, any potential change would not require a vote of the public, but the zoning change could be challenged by a referendum.

Smith is the great-granddaughter of James Irvine, an immigrant who assembled about 120,000 acres in what became Orange County to form the Irvine Ranch.

In recent years, she has attended nearly every San Juan Capistrano City Council meeting. She speaks during the publiccomments section of each, talking about efforts to keep traffic manageable on Ortega Highway and other issues.

Irvine Smith in 2009 donated 110 oak trees to Capistrano, which the city estimated saved taxpayers $130,000.

WHAT’S NEXT: Irvine Smith will continue to reside in San Juan Capistrano and will devote herself to environmental protection, philanthropy and continue her breeding operation at The Oaks Indian Hill Ranch, the news release says.

FIND OUT MORE: See the entire announcement at www.thecapistranodispatch.com —Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

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…Interim City Manager Chosen?

THE LATEST: Dave Adams, who served as San Juan Capistrano’s City Manager nearly six years before taking the post elsewhere, will guide the city as its interim leader, the City Council decided.

Adams, who is a San Juan Capistrano resident, will get $15,000 a month plus expenses under the contract. The agreement runs through June 1.

WHAT’S NEXT: The City Council is searching for a permanent City Manager, after relying on a contract with Joe Tait for the 18 months since Adams left in June 2009. Tait will remain on board as a consultant to the Utilities Department, under a $175,000 annual contract.

FIND OUT MORE: See Adams’ contract at www.thecapistranodispatch.com —JV

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…Changes at CUSD?

THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Ellen Addonizio and Sue Palazzo of San Juan Capistrano have been removed from the ROP board, a week after those two trustees brought their own attorney to the board and alleged their colleagues violated the state’s open-meeting law.

Trustees John Alpay and Lynn Hatton will now represent CUSD on the board of the Regional Occupation Program, which is run like a separate district with Laguna Beach representatives.

The vote was 4-2-1 with Anna Bryson abstaining, and Addonizo and Palazzo dissenting. The vote left Palazzo nearly in tears.

WHAT’S NEXT: In other action, the board is moving meetings back to Mondays, although staff is exploring which Mondays work best. The next regular meeting is now April 11, moved up a day from April 12.

FIND OUT MORE: See the “Beyond the Blackboard” blog at www.thecapistranodispatch.com —JV

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…The Mayor’s Brown Bag Lunch?

THE LATEST: About two dozen residents attended Mayor Sam Allevato’s first brown bag lunch, part of the mayor’s efforts to improve communications—and relations—between city government and San Juan Capistrano residents.

Another two dozen staffers attended from the city and several public agencies related to traffic—Allevato’s first topic for the sessions.

Allevato, who sat at a staff table in front of the council dais in City Hall, told the residents the meetings were an effort to provide information to residents. The city has suffered withering criticism from a vocal group of residents who even started circulating their own newsletter filled with complaints about city policies and the City Council.

“These are to be informal and informational,” Allevato said. “We’re trying to communicate with people as much as we can.”

Allevato then turned over the meeting to Orange County Transportation Authority, Transportation Corridor Agencies and Caltrans, who outlined various traffic projects that would impact San Juan Capistrano.

WHAT’S NEXT: Allevato said he would have liked to have seen more residents

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at the meeting, although he was generally pleased by the turnout. He said other members of the City Council will host future brown-bag lunches.

FIND OUT MORE: See a complete report at www.thecapistranodispatch.com —JV

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…A Teacher of the Year at SJHHS?

THE LATEST: Très bon!

Betsy Schmitz, a French teacher at San Juan Hills High School, is the Capistrano Unified School District Teacher of the Year for the upper grades.

Schmitz received the honor along with Laurie Lowy, a fi fth-grade teacher at Las Flores Elementary School and Bonnie Liedlich, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Ladera Ranch Middle School.

Each of the district’s 57 schools selects a Teacher of the Year, then one from each campus level is chosen.

“These teachers are the best of the best,” Board of Trustees President Jack Brick said in a statement. “The educators we honor today are examples of the dedicated and talented people we entrust to ensure that all students are prepared for college or career opportunities when they leave our schools.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The district winners will be recognized at the annual Teacher of the Year Celebration at Ocean Hills Church in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday, April 28. They will also represent CUSD in the 2012 Orange County Teachers of the Year program.

FIND OUT MORE: See the complete announcement at the “Beyond the Blackboard” blog at www.thecapistranodispatch.com. —JV www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

Business is Blooming After years of slowdowns, new car dealers, restaurants and other businesses are moving to Capistrano

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

S

pring 2011 might be marking more than just the return of the swallows to Capistrano; It could also signal the start of a blossoming business season, too.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much activity on such a broad basis throughout town,” said Larry Thomas, a former Capistrano Chamber of Commerce president who founded Independence Bank with his brother Chuck in 2004. “It’s very exciting.”

Thomas spoke as he readied the new Camino Capistrano office of Independence Bank, which bought the long-closed building that once housed another bank in the Vons Center. The bank had been leasing an office in Marbella Plaza since 2006, and the Camino Capistrano branch marks the first property Independence has purchased.

Independence is in the heart of what’s proving to be fertile ground for San Juan’s business boom. Camino Capistrano from downtown to the southern city limits is experiencing growth, for everything from a new sit-down restaurant to new car dealers to an expanded Costco.

But things are happening elsewhere, too. John Paradise moved his pre-owned automobile dealership from Mission Viejo to the one-time Lincoln Mercury dealership on Valle Road and—although technically in Dana Point—Fieldstone Homes is building six homes at Del Obispo Street and Camino Del Avion.

Some of the new businesses specifically eyed Capistrano—Tuttle-Click worked a year to pull together a deal that saw them buy the Capistrano Ford dealership and relocated it to closed auto lots on Camino

John Paradise, inside his Valle Road showroom, moved his Paradise Automotive Group from Mission Viejo to San Juan Capistrano. Photos by Jonathan Volzke

Left: Anthony Carrieri is opening the third Vito’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant in Franciscan Plaza. Right: Larry Thomas, vice president of Independence Bank, inside the new branch on Camino Capistrano, which opened April 4.

Capistrano—while others just jumped on an unexpected opportunity.

“I just love the town,” said Anthony Carrieri, who is following his father’s tradition and opening Vito’s Pizza and Ristorante in Franciscan Plaza. The Capistrano Vito’s will be the third, with the original in Mesa, Ariz. and another under construction in Scottsdale.

Working with plaza owners, Carrieri has combined several suites and shops beneath Ruby’s to create a space that will seat 180 people and include a full bar when it opens in the middle of May.

Left: The former Capistrano Ford dealership has been torn down to make way for a Costco expansion. Right: Earthmovers grade for a new Marriott hotel on Camino Capistrano and Stonehill Drive.

The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

“We started looking in San Diego and we weren’t happy with the locations there, so we worked our way up the coast,” said Carrieri, who is partnering in the restaurant with Ryan and Alexis Vickory. “This is where we landed.”

Carrieri said dinners will cost about $15 at Vito’s. He predicted the restaurant’s thin-crust Chicago-styled pizza will be a hit in town. The first 200 to go to the restaurant’s website, www.vitospizza. com, to sign up for “Club Vito” will get a free large pie to find out, too.

At the opposite end of Camino Capistrano, Costco has leveled the old Capistrano Ford dealership to make room for its expansion and addition of a car wash and gasoline sales. The gas pumps could be in place this summer, said Grant Taylor, Capistrano’s director of development services.

Just north of Costco, earth movers are grading the former Capo Ford truck dealership to set the foundation for a 130-room Marriott Residence Inn. A groundbreaking was held in March, with construction expected to be finished by the end of the year.

The R.D. Olson project, the first hotel

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built in the city in more than 20 years, has city officials excited about transient occupancy taxes and sales tax revenue to the city. The project includes 11,000 square feet of public storage.

Another hotel, the Plaza Banderas Hotel, is planned for construction in San Juan Capistrano’s downtown and will also provide restaurant and retail space. The city and developer, Gretchen StroscherThomson, are working on a development agreement for that project.

Also under construction is Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge, next to the California Highway Patrol office.

The first of the new businesses to open was Tuttle-Click Capistrano Ford, which began selling cars on Camino Capistrano in early March. Business has been “very good,” said George Saad, Vice President of the Tuttle-Click Automotive Group.

“The community is treating us very well.”

Tuttle-Click has already worked to become part of the community, sponsoring the Swallows Day Parade, buying a banner for the city’s 50th anniversary and assuming the title sponsorship position for the Boys & Girls Club golf tournament.

The dealership, which employs 80 to 85 people, is in the former Nissan dealership, where it will stay about a year before finalizing plans for a new building, Saad said.

Also already open across the freeway is Paradise Automotive Group, which had been in Mission Viejo for nine years.

Owner John Paradise said he needed more space, and the Valle Road building that once housed Lincoln Mercury was a perfect fit. Paradise offers pre-owned cars ranging from $7,000 to $70,000. On the lot April 1 was everything from a Toyota Highlander to a Jeep Commander to a Mercedes CLS 500.

“This is kind of the last piece of the puzzle down here,” Paradise said, noting the city has new-car dealers, but no preowned dealers. Also at Paradise: Avery Automotive, which preps Paradise’s pre-owned cars but also services anyone’s vehicle.

The city used various tools to land the new businesses. Tuttle-Click received help from the redevelopment agency, while the Marriott got a break on business permits. But Councilwoman Laura Freese said the successes can also be attributed to the city working to become more business-friendly.

“We’ve been putting our hands out there,” Freese said. “And brokers know what we’re looking for.”

Thomas, the former chamber leader who received the Mayor’s Business Leader Award in 2010, said the city’s receiving a dual benefit from the new businesses.

“One thing that’s very interesting about everything happening is that it’s not raw land being developed,” Thomas said. “It’s businesses taking what is here and making it better.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

Fears Mount after Japan Quake and Tsunami Experts: Heed lessons of Japan

By Stacie N. Galang and Andrea Swayne The Capistrano Dispatch

J

ust a month ago, the earth under Honshu, Japan shook so violently that the seas rose up and swept across swaths of the country’s east coast, taking out portions of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant.

For those living in the shadow of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, Japan’s disaster crystallized fears about the safety of the power plant just three miles from San Clemente’s border.

“I’m scared. My friends are scared. My children are scared,” said San Clemente resident Dagmar Foy to her City Council March 15. “I don’t want to feel like I need to move in order to be safe.”

Experts in seismology and operational safety of nuclear power plants say the circumstances in Japan differ enough from those locally that area residents should be assured a similar conflagration is unlikely to strike San Onofre.

For its part, officials at SONGS have stressed that the plant suffered no ill effects from Japan’s temblor. Even so, their structures are built to withstand a 7.0-magnitude earthquake and a peak ground of .67 gs, both measurements based on the maximum credible threat, said Chief Nuclear Officer Peter Dietrich last week during a conference call with reporters. The plant is also guarded by a 30-foot reinforced tsunami wall.

Additionally, SONGS works closely with local, state and federal agencies to ensure a safety plan is in place and tested regularly.

“We feel we have a very robust plan,” Dietrich said.

Despite their assurances, an employee fired from San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in October filed a lawsuit last week against the plant’s owner Southern California Edison, alleging his termination was retaliation for raising safety concerns.

Paul Diaz, who was in his second stint at the power plant at the time, had filed a complaint with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission just weeks prior to his firing, his attorney Maria Severson said. He claims other employees came to him about safety concerns, but he was rebuffed by superiors when he brought those complaints forward.

More to Do Experts said officials at the power plant owned by Southern California Edison and above at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission need to take further steps to ensure the facility can withstand unimagined crisis.

“I would say this is a wakeup call to put more effort to evaluate the hazards in our own backyard,” said Thomas Jordan, director of Southern California’s Earthquake Center at USC. “That requires very careful and very expensive studies be done, and we just have to make sure we do them. We don’t want to be caught like Japan did, underestimating the hazards faced.”

Najmedin Meshkati, a civil engineer at USC and an expert in occupational safety, said the design of nuclear power plants has been based on assumptions about the largest historical earthquakes. These assumptions must be reviewed, especially for San Onofre and Diablo Canyon, the two nuclear plants in earthquake-prone California.

“I would like to see them go above and beyond this,” The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Courtesy photo

Meshkati said, “because they are in a very highly populated area.”

Meshkati, who has inspected nuclear power plants across the world, including Chernobyl in 1997, said plant operators and their regulators must not be complacent. He said policy statements like one in January from the NRC about workplace changes need to be a starting point for safety and not the end.

Lawmakers and President Obama himself have called upon the NRC to further investigate the safety of the industry.

“I guess it’s important to say we believe the plant is operating safely and that San Onofre, as well as other plants, are built to withstand other environmental hazards, including tsunamis and earthquakes,” said Victor Dricks, spokesman for the NRC. He said the agency requires structures, systems and components to be designed with regard to natural phenomena that are historical to the area and then add safety measures beyond that to “account for any limits on historical data.”

Dietrich said the nuclear industry has tried to apply the lessons of the Three-Mile Island disaster and more recently review its practices and infrastructure in light of 9-11.

“We’ll take this full opportunity to learn as much as we can from this situation,” Dietrich said of Japan’s nuclear crisis. “My focus and goal is to stay grounded in facts and science.”

Regional Efforts At the county level, the Orange County Environmental Health Department serves as another level in the multi-tiered public safety plan.

Just as each city operates its own Emergency Operations Center, the county also has an EOC located just outside of the City of Orange on Loma Ridge.

Radiation Protection Officer Randy Styner, stationed at the county EOC serves as a liaison between the Page 8

Offsite Dose Assessment Center near SONGS and the county health officer and sheriff’s department who ultimately make the determination of when and how an evacuation will be handled. Together the county EOC, ODAC and other jurisdictions deliver up to the minute information regarding radioactive emissions at SONGS. Styner cooperates with the plant, ODAC Coordinator Robby Curtis who oversees the ODAC which is staffed by a group of public health professionals and health physicists/radiological experts and act as a third-party kind of “checks and balances” source for information regarding radioactive emissions from the plant.

Although no member of the ODAC is an employee of SCE or SONGS, a portion of ODAC funding comes from the utility and is used to pay for training and drills, a funding model that is not unusual within the county health agency, according to Orange County Environmental Health Assistant Director Denise Fennessy. Funding from the utility is used in much the same manner that funding for health department restaurant inspection is paid for by the restaurants themselves through health permit fees paid to the count, she said.

“Our primary goal, along with that of ODAC, is the protection of public health. Most members have other jobs in the health agency in departments such as hazardous materials or restaurant inspection and serve on ODAC on a volunteer basis,” said Fennessy. “The ODAC team is dedicated to this endeavor, so much so that when the public is being evacuated and heading away from the facility, these are the people that will be heading toward it.”

Members of the ODAC team regularly receive comprehensive training in plume assessment and general radiological health issues and emergency response procedure

by FEMA. “We train, have drills and dress rehearsals on a regular basis—every other year. Our practice and training is continually evaluated by FEMA and the NRC and staff is continually rotated in and out to ensure a depth of experience and training at all times,” said Fennessy. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter Compile d by Pant ea O m m i Moh a j e r 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.

Sunday, April 3 Disturbance Paseo Pamela, 26400 Block (4:54 p.m.)

A group of people were reported loitering, drinking and urinating in a public area.

Disturbance Calle San Francisco, 26500 Block (4:13 p.m.) A woman called to report her husband was drunk and hitting her. She said he was in the house at the moment, drinking with a friend. She also stated that he always threatens to kill her when he gets like this. The phone line was then disconnected.

Missing Juvenile Calle Chueca, 30600 Block (11:36 a.m.)

Two daughters went missing, after they went running with their mother. Their father, who was home at the time, got a call from his wife saying she couldn’t find them. Three hours later, the two girls were located.

Saturday, April 2 Suspicious Person in Vehicle Alipaz Street and Camino Del Avion (6:52 p.m.) A man and woman were reported sitting in the back seat of a black BMW on the side of the road, possibly doing drugs.

Disturbance Peppertree Bend and Calle Aspero (6:20 p.m.) A man reported seeing two very aggressive bullmastiffs running loose in the neighborhood. He said they had attempted to attack his workers.

Burglary in Progress Via La Pluma, 33100 Block (5:58 p.m.)

A woman called police, after she arrived home to find her front door and rear sliding door were open. She said she had closed and locked both doors before she left. It was unknown whether anyone was inside.

Disturbance Avenida De La Vista and Oso Road The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

(5:49 p.m.) Seven to eight gang members were caught in a physical confrontation. No weapons were involved.

Suspicious Person Ortega Highway and El Camino Real (5:41 p.m.) Two transients, one male and one female, were standing outside of a church, harassing and yelling at people as they were going in.

Suspicious Person Camino Capistrano, 31700 Block (3:43 p.m.) A store employee called police to report a woman standing in front of the store and talking to herself. She was scaring people away.

Disturbance Via Estancia, 27800 Block (3:22 p.m.)

A concerned parent called police for assistance with a 16-year-old daughter who was out of control. The girl was screaming and getting violent because she was not allowed to drive her parents car.

Keep the Peace Paseo Adelanto, 32100 Block (2:12 p.m.)

Two different people showed up at a tow yard at the same time, both claiming that a car, which had been towed earlier that day, belonged to them.

Reckless Driving Camino Capistrano and Oso Road (2:02 p.m.) Four off-road trucks were reported driving recklessly at the horse trails. The caller wanted police assistance to clear them off the trail.

Medial Aid Alipaz Street, 32100 Block (9:56 a.m.)

A woman called police for help with her sister who was drunk and in need of medical assistance. The woman claimed that her sister was “drinking herself to death.”

Friday, April 1 Pedestrian Check La Zanja Street, 26500 Block (10:45 p.m.) Police arrested a known Los Rios Street gang member after an ordinary pedestrian check.

Burglary Report Camino Sancho, 31400 Block (5:53 p.m.)

A man came home to find that the back window of his home had been smashed in and his white German Shephard was missing. The man said he also had weapons in the house but was not yet sure whether they had been stolen or not.

Petty Theft Camino Capistrano, 32400 Block (4:16 p.m.) Police were called for assistance with the arrest of a young man who was caught shoplifting in a supermarket.

He was getting combative with security.

Disturbance-Family Dispute Calle El Sauzal, 26600 Block (2:46 p.m.)

Dispatchers heard a lot of yelling in the background when a call was made to report a 17-year-old son being aggressive and throwing items in the house.

Suspicious Person Paseo Corrales, 28200 Block (1:58 p.m.)

Reports were made of an unknown person with no shoes walking in a residential neighborhood and looking into the cars parked on the street.

Burglary in Progress Avenida Aeropuerto, 26000 Block (4:17 p.m.) A woman called police after she received a call from her 83-year-old mother about hearing a stranger’s voices in her living room. The woman was outside of her mother’s house but told police she had a disabled daughter with her and was afraid to go inside.

Thursday, March 31 Welfare Check Via Mayor, 33200 Block (10:08 p.m.)

A woman called a friend threatening to kill herself. The friend called police and told them the friend had a history of attempted suicides. She was not sure where her friend lived but thinks she was staying with her father. Police located the address of the call, and went to check on the woman.

Welfare Check Stonehill Drive and Camino Capistrano (7:26 p.m.) Police assisted a man found walking into traffic lanes near the bridge.

Reckless Driving Camino Capistrano and Doheny Park Road (6:30 p.m.) A call was made reporting a car driving recklessly in the parking lot of a large store. The car was later found also driving on the wrong side of the road on Camino Capistrano. No further information was provided.

Citizen Assist Vista Montana, 29200 Block (3:19 p.m.)

Police came to the assistance of a woman who had locked her handicapped child inside of a running car.

Welfare Check Rancho Viejo Road and Village Road (12:29 p.m.) An anonymous call was made to report a girl, age 7 or 8, who had been left alone at the lake off of Rancho Viejo. The caller was worried because the girl had been there by herself for several hours.

Suspicious Person Ortega Highway and Del Obispo Street

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(4:26 p.m.) While sitting in his car in a drive-thru, a man was approached by a stranger who threatened to “cut him.” The caller took down a license plate number that may possibly belong to the man.

Wednesday, March 30 Suspicious Person 0 Block (8:48 p.m.) A resident of a gated community called police to report a stranger riding around the neighborhood.

The man was trapped inside the gated area, because he did not know the gate code needed to get out.

Suspicious Vehicle Camino Capistrano and Avenida Aeropuerto (11:55 a.m.) An abandoned school bus with Mexico plates was found parked in the red zone in front of a car wash.

Tuesday, March 29 Welfare Check Rancho Viejo Road and Mission Hills Drive (4:53 a.m.) A passerby in a car called police when he drove by a woman in a wheelchair waving her hands. She appeared to be in need of help, but the driver was unable to turn his car around.

Disturbance-Gang Aspen Way and Village Road (4:33 p.m.)

A group of gang members were loitering in the park “horse playing” and being vulgar to the people walking by.

911 Hang Up-Wireless Rancho Viejo Road, 31700 Block (12:52 p.m.) A woman called 911 asking for 411. She was incoherent and could not give her location. The call was disconnected.

Suspicious Person Calle Pinon, 28300 Block (3:46 a.m.) A woman called police after she woke up to find a stranger walking out of her bedroom. She woke up the family, and they were all searching the house with baseball bats. No further information was provided.

Monday, March 28 Suspicious Person Del Obispo Street and Calle Reynalda (6:06 p.m.) Two men were cutting down a tree in the front yard of a home. A neighbor called the incident into police because they did not look like professionals. The caller thought they were possibly tenants who were renting the home.

Burglary in Progress Ortega Highway, 27100 Block (1:51 p.m.)

A man called in to report that his neighbors were letting people into his backyard through their own, so they could steal the sound walls he uses for wedding events, which he stored back there. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX 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

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 9, Issue 7. 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

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

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

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

Letters To The Community AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL —Marilyn Witt, San Juan Capistrano I have lived in San Juan Capistrano since 1999 and love this city.

One of the things I haven’t liked about our city is our “Burger Boulevard” on Del Obispo. In my eyes it cheapens our city, especially being at the entrance, and doesn’t show us off as San Juan deserves to be viewed by the outside world. I have continued to hope that, as leases expired or departed, we would look to beautify the entrance to our city and make it more upscale, seeking out better choices, while still producing the needed revenues that

commercial businesses bring.

Other nearby coastal communities have been able to do this. Why can’t the council of SJC demand improvement of our city versus same-old, same-old?

Council members—please listen to the people who live here: Enough with the fast food chains! In-N-Out, though a fine burger joint as joints go, doesn’t fit the vision of our city, nor is it a good fit for what is today a great sit-down-restaurant space. In-N-Out is especially not a good fit with a drive-thru that is certain to clog the right lane of Del Obispo every day at feeding times (have you never seen the crunch up the road in Niguel?).

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Distribution Manager > Andrea Swayne INTERNS Pantea Mohajer SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, George Mackin CONTRIBUTORS Tawnee Prazak, Christina Scannapiego, David Zimmerle

ONLINE POLL Please consider other restaurants like a BJ’s Restaurant/Brewery, Gordon Biersch, Karl Strauss or similar (it doesn’t have to be a chain).

We need to continue to press to make our downtown more upscale, to make it attractive for people to come not only for the day but for the nighttime too. Have you been to San Clemente lately to see how their downtown has changed for the better? Do you want the people of SJC to stay in the city and buy merchandise and eat at restaurants here? Your actions are not showing this to us. How about Laguna Beach? A beautiful place to spend hours and hours shopping,

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 notscientific and do not reflect the opinion of The Dispatch.

dining, relaxing. How many drive-thru fast food chains are next door to one another in that city? Exactly zero! Show us some other options for the space—get busy and make some calls soliciting chains like the ones above. Let us, the people of SJC be part of the decision (Cont. on page 14)

DAVID SWERDLIN: My View

Little Nelly Speaks Out On In-N-Out...

L

ittle Nelly, my valued mule and good companion, done gained some amount of infamy in our last column for her strange noises David Swerdlin and eye-burning atmospheric vapors emitted after learning the esteemed city council fellows took some confusing actions.

Council, if you remember, just spent $100,000 of our tax money putting La Novia/Distritio to a vote instead of rescinding council approval for the project; and, then voted 4 to Reeves to uphold tax-payer-funded corporate welfare (aka redevelopment) for the favored few. (I kinda thought there was a few million dollar city deficit, but you wouldn’t know it the way they spend our money.)

Well, anyway while I was trotting by the old Sizzler on Del Obispo, I made a major error by reading aloud the highly The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

esteemed Mark Nielsen’s column about the dangers of Fast Food Row for our little village in front of my Little Nelly.

First, Little Nelly learned that Mark Nielsen predicts In-N-Out will cause massive traffic jams on Del Obispo; and, that it will shatter the dreams of Queen Laura Freese and her fellow followers of remaking our little downtown into something supersized but more pedestrian friendly, while eliminating the cursed automobile with more roads.

Any place but the vacant Sizzler would be better for In-N-Out, predicted the Nielsen. Why, the Sizzler would be better as a Sports Bar, where our neighbors could watch sports and get plastered in good cheer; and, then weave happily home thereafter to the hereafter, so wrote Mark.

Little Nelly vainly tried to comprehend these and other factoids about this newly found devil and destructor of our village-

like town. Is In-N-Out really the new Walmart of small towns?

“Perhaps we should let them good and godly friars at our Mission know what’s happening, that our village is going to hell and never coming back,” Little Nelly brayed.

Then struck by a brilliant thought, Little Nelly hawed, “Why don’t we put In-N-Out at the new Mission entrance, where our friars could be the fryers and keep the devil at bay all the while.”

“We all know the Mission needs more visitors, and what better way to attract them than the devilishly good burgers

by In-N-Out?” Upon returning to our barn, my old mule lost her sense of humor, and stared blankly at the barn wall for some hours thereafter. And then sank into depression with visions of the forthcoming apocalypse of burger hell on Del Obispo.

Well, Hell’s Bells, I said. I need to

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explain to her what In-N-Out is all about!

I finally caught the attention of Little Nelly by promising her a little snort of my friend Gentleman Jack, and I then started a-whispering things about In-N-Out. Yes, a lot of what I know was whispered, since I worked as a consultant for them a couple of years ago.

Aside from being the No. 1 preferred burger in Orange County, they pay well, and employ a lot of people, young and old. They are a good business and a good neighbor.

The newer In-N-Outs have no traffic jams because they are well designed to accommodate their customers, whether driving through or sitting down. (I-N-O at Avery would never be built today, as the property is way too small.)

The most significant thing, Little Nelly, is that there are zero traffic problems in the morning, when we are all rushing at (Cont. on page 14) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX DEREK REEVE: My View

The Facts Behind SJC Redevelopment Agency and the Kinoshita Purchase Editor’s Note: Councilman Derek Reeve is responding to a letter from former Mayor Gary Hausdorfer. To see the earlier letters, go to www.thecapistranodispatch.com

I

had no doubt that when I decided to challenge the powerful elitist political culture of San Juan Capistrano, there would be an attempt Derek Reeve to belittle and diminish my position. I was surprised, however, that the first public salvo would come from a person largely responsible for creating the whole mess to begin with. Allow me this opportunity to shed further light on the SJC Redevelopment Agency’s purchase of the Kinoshita property in 1990—a deal in which Gary Hausdorfer had a leading role.

Contrary to Mr. Hausdorfer’s contentions, I have done extensive research and obtained pertinent documents from city files. The documents show a shocking

Letters (Cont. from page 12) process! If you decide to permit In-N-Out to take over the old Sizzler dine-in restaurant space, why not just keep going while you’re at it: Add a few more down the block—a Popeye’s, a Wienerschnitzel, heck, let’s get a White Castle, too. Then your real vision for the city will be seen by all, those that live here and those that visit. I welcome the opportunity to speak with any or all of the council members directly.

Juaneños Should Appeal —Michael Pacer, Cambria March 16, 2011 might have been just another day for most of Orange County but to the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, it was the culmination of centuries of theft, abuse and now, denial.

Theft of their lands and “way of life,” abuse in the form of a $25 per head bounty on Juaneños in the early 1900’s and now, denial of recognition of who they are and what was stolen from them by the U.S. Government. In this day and age, how can this be happening?

What are the four criteria that the Juaneños didn’t meet? 1. “Only 61 percent of Anthony Rivera’s 1,940 members (84a) and 53 percent of O’Campo and Johnson’s 455 members could trace their heritage to the historical Indian Tribe at San Juan Capistrano Mission.” Well, excuse me The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

sequence of events involving the redevelopment agency and past and present City Councils.

When the 1990 Measure D “Open Space Bond” was proposed to the public, the ballot argument stated that the Kinoshita farmland was being eyed by developers and that the public should purchase the property to preserve it as “open space” in central San Juan Capistrano.

Documents obtained from city files show that the Kinoshita family agreed to sell their property only if they would not have to pay income taxes upon the sale. In a letter from City Manager Steve Julian to Mr. Hausdorfer and the City Council, Julian stated, “the Agency’s involvement is to provide a financial tool that allows the Kinoshita family to receive tax deferred treatment on the sale of this property that would not be possible if the city was the only party to the agreement.”

The city then hatched a scheme to but that still leaves 1,424 members that can be traced to the historic tribe. My wife can trace her ancestors through the Mission records and records of family pedigrees researched by the Bureau of Indian Affairs back to 1725. (Can you?)

How is this criteria not met?

2. “The group maintains political influence over members as an autonomous entity.” 3. “The group comprised a distinct community.” These were “Mission Indians” that were controlled by the Catholic church that built and maintained the mission for hundreds of years. How “Distinct” does a community have to be when records go back 300 years at the most celebrated mission in the entire United States? My wife’s great-grandfather, Paul Arbiso, was the “Bell Ringer” at the Mission for 60 years. How many Americans have that kind of family history? The tribe has already been recognized by the State of California and the Catholic church as the tribe that built the mission. How is this criteria not met?

4. “External observers must identify the petitioners as an American Indian entity since 1900.” Right, if they were identified as an American Indian, especially as a Juaneño in 1900, they would have probably been shot for the $25 per head bounty. This also explains why they are scattered throughout Orange County. They scattered to survive.

No, this decision was not made on the

meet the Kinoshita’s demand by having the redevelopment agency purchase the property using tax exempt, interest-only notes. In this way, the Kinoshita family sold their property and did not have to pay capital gains taxes. This deal was done behind closed doors, out of view of the unsuspecting public. Just last month, the current City Council voted (4-1) to rollover this borrowing and tax-deferral for another 10 years.

Besides simply looking bad, the deal violates redevelopment agency criteria in several ways. Since the Kinoshita property is not even located within agency boundaries, it is ineligible for propertytax increment financing. Had it been within the boundary, it would violate the law as the property does not meet redevelopment agency criteria for purchase i.e.; it does not meet the definition of blight, and “raw land” is not eligible for redevelopment funding.

The irony of this scheme is that be-

Swerdlin (Cont. from page 12) nearly the same time to get to school or work. That is because In-N-Out opens about 11 a.m. That makes InN-Out a great Del Obispo use since there will be not even one traffic impact as we travel to get to our early morning destinations.

The late afternoon traffic is much tamer and more spread out, and because of a traffic specific accommodation for us burger lovers, the line up of cars will be on the old Sizzler property not on Del Obispo.

And speaking of Del Obispo, it’s a designated high-capacity arterial serving not only our neighbors on our west side, but Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and Capistrano Beach. It can never be the traffic-calmed little village lane that Nielsen and Laura Freese have dreams about.

Just ask Caltrans, which is spending $67 million to improve the freeway offand on-ramps that put traffic directly onto Del Obispo and Ortega.

criteria. It was made politically by a misguided congressman, lobbyists for other tribes and gambling interests that the Juaneño Tribe members couldn’t com-

Page 14

cause of the Mr. Hausdorfer’s City Council quest to protect the Kinoshita Family from taxes, San Juan taxpayers are forced to pay $43 million on an original purchase price of $9.6 million for vacant land. So the next time you are at the “Hausdorfer Field” at the Sports Park, keep in mind that this is but one example of the abuses of our redevelopment agency. Another example would be the $7.4 million investment in the Lower Rosan (Home Depot) site, also outside the agency boundaries.

I came to the City Council to change the way business in our government is done. So hold on tight to the reins, cowboys, because I’m whisky bent and hell bound to take the power from the selfserving elites and return our community to the common man.

I encourage my constituents to contact me with any questions or concerns at: dreeve@sanjuancapistrano.org Attorney Derek Reeve was elected to the City Council in 2010.

In-N-Out is also in the new $540,000 Downtown Master Plan, so it must be Ok with our small-town ambiance, which must have slipped Mark’s mind.

Little Nelly perked up, and hawed once more, “So, good burgers, no traffic jams, what’s not to like? Sounds a lot better than driving past sports bars at 2 a.m. with a bunch of inebriated fans motoring out onto Del Obispo into the hereafter.”

“You know, in the old days, we used to go to the A & W; now it is the InN-Out. Sounds like a good fit for our little town.”

Besides, ain’t no one going to walk across Del Obispo for nothing, and who don’t know that. A super-sized pedestrian-oriented downtown, my ass,” snorted Little Nelly, my treasured mule, who was no longer depressed.

“That’s not my San Juan Capistrano, but In-N-Out surely is.”

David Swerdlin is a former Mayor who served on the San Juan Capistrano City Council for 12 years. He has worked as a consultant for In-N-Out in the past.

pete with. My wife had to send the tribal Headquarters $250 a couple of months ago just to keep the phones going. If this were about “gambling,” I think the tribe would www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX be better funded. The American people are the fairest people on earth. If all of the facts were brought to light on Juaneno recognition they would demand that the tribe be recognized. Please call Congressman Campbell and tell him he was wrong!

Let the appeal begin! Maybe the next Swallows Day Parade will be a happy one.

Welcome Back, Dave —Rick Friess I read with interest that the City Council retained Dave Adams, the former city manager, to handle the position on an interim basis while a permanent replacement is found.

I don’t know if Mr. Adams is on the list of potential permanent candidates, but I hope he is. During part of the time Mr. Adams was the city manager, I was the president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, and we were in the middle of planning a fundraiser for our new Teen Center. Mr. Adams could not have been more positive and supportive of our efforts. More generally, I always found him to be very proactive, positive, and forward thinking.

In my view, Mr. Adams was a terrific face for the city.

Good Going, Gary —Gil Jones Hooray for Gary Hausdorfer!!!

His response to Councilmember Reeve’s commentary on redevelopment benefits to the city was right on.

What bothered me the most about the Reeve’s comments were the use of the words “Political cronies.” It was an insult to the Kinoshita family. Reeve should apologize.

There has never been a citizen who has contributed more to our town than

Shig and his family.

The Fight Begins on Measure B —John Perry, San Juan Capistrano The City Council and the developer ARES have teamed together in an attempt to save the Distrito La Novia/San Juan Meadows project.

A total of 3,362 San Juan residents signed the referendum petitions to force a vote on the approved project. The City Council could have voted to rescind the project and start over with a more acceptable plan. Instead, they scheduled a special election for June 7, 2011 to decide the issue. The cost of the election will be about $85,000 with another $12,000 to have the city attorney write a so-called “impartial legal analysis” of Measure B. If the City Council and ARES win, they expect to cram the project down the residents’ throat.

The City Council and the developer feel that when the voters really understand the issues they will vote to support Measure B. The supporters of Measure B claim the petition gatherers lied to residents in order to gain their signatures on the petitions. During the month of November 2010, I personally gathered hundreds of signatures and can assure the readers of this column that I didn’t need to lie to anyone. The voters were very aware of the issues with the Distrito project and most said, “Where do I sign?”

During the 30 or so public meetings held to review the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on Distrito, hundreds of San Juan residents made comments, wrote letters or spoke out in opposition to the Distrito project expressing their disapproval about what was being planned. In fact, the Planning Commis-

sion sided with the people opposing the project and denied approval, citing intensive development that was incompatible with the surrounding neighborhoods and because of traffic issues that could not be mitigated.

The City Council approved the Distrito project on a 5 to 0 vote with two councilmen casting their final vote because they were not reelected in the November election. Before they voted, the City Council made token reductions of the project by removing 10 apartments, some office space, one level of the five-level parking structure and limiting the horses to 500, hoping to appease disgruntled voters.

However, a future City Council could increase the number of horses to 1,500 under existing city codes.

The City Council and the developer ARES argue that the choice of the voters on the June 7 election is really about building the prior entitlement approved in 1982, for a hotel on 9.1 acres of the Distrito property or to approve a rezone of the property to allow construction of the Distrito/Meadows project as approved by the City Council in November 2010.

The prior 1982 approval also included the nine-acre parcel next to the hotel site which is zoned for Public Institutional development, which could include a school, a city hall or similar construction.

The Meadows property was approved for 275 single family attached homes and 165 senior citizen apartments with no horses.

The City Council and ARES threaten to build the hotel on the Distrito site and the 440 residential units on the Meadows site if Measure B is defeated in the June election. They hope the public can be intimidated into voting for their project.

However, the developer ARES knows

that construction has begun on a 130 room Marriott hotel at the corner of Stonehill and Camino Capistrano, less than a mile from the Distrito site. It is very unlikely that another hotel could ever be built in such close proximity. I can safely predict that the land will remain vacant unless the City Council can change the “Specific Plan” zoning which allows only a hotel to be built on the Distrito parcel.

So, if the Distrito property remains vacant, the prior plan will be limited to the 275 single-family homes and 165 seniorcitizen apartments with no horses. This will mean much less traffic on nearby streets and less density of development visible from nearby residential neighborhoods and no horses. Distrito will remain a beautiful green ridgeline.

This is something we can live with.

John Perry is one of the leaders in the referendum against Distrito La Novia.

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.

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

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

STEVE WEEKES: El Presidente

53rd Swallows Day Parade Another Great Success

T

Steve Weekes

he effort and passion required to present the Swallows Day Parade, Mercado Street Fair and other Fiesta Association activities is nothing short

of miraculous.

I am extremely proud of each and every one of our estimated 100 Fiesta Association members that volunteered this year to present one of the largest Swallows Day Parades on record. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department estimated 40,000 attendees on the beautiful, rainless parade day, Saturday, March 26.

Our Swallows Day Parade and 2011 theme “Trails of Tradition” captures the The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

rich heritage of the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission Rancho Mission Viejo and, of course, the annual return of the swallows to beautiful San Juan Capistrano.

We are able to present this all-volunteer effort because our dedicated sponsors and supporters. Please join me in thanking and supporting the businesses of our 2011 sponsors. Our Fiesta De Las Golondrinas sponsor and top-level sponsor was Sycamore Trails Stables and the overall parade sponsor was St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. Parade division sponsors included Rancho Mission Viejo, Boot Barn, Fluidmaster and Las Golondrinas Restaurants. Our returning longtime media sponsors were The Orange County Register and Cox Communications.

Capistrano Scion was our Mercado Street Faire sponsor and our VIP Porch sponsors were El Viaje De Portola, San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Mercantile Bank and Tuttle-Click Ford. Shuttle bus sponsors included Capistrano Toyota and Peter Taylor, Attorney at Law. Kids Pet Parade sponsors were Boot Barn, Ortega Animal Care Center, Pets Plus, Peter Taylor, Attorney at Law and Don & Carol Dorkowski. We thank our Fiesta Grande sponsors: The Swallow’s Inn and The Leone family.

Finally, we have many supporters that provide support services and in-kind donations, including Doheny Builders Supply, Farmers & Merchants Bank, PrintingOC, The Capistrano Dispatch,

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Pennysaver Magazine and San Juan Capistrano Patch.com.

We also want to recognize our 2011 Grand Marshals Art and Maria Galindo— owners of Las Golondrinas Restaurants, longtime residents of San Juan and supporters of numerous community organizations.

And finally, we thank the community for supporting these events and activities.

Please consider joining as a volunteer and become a part of this community tradition. For information, visit www.swallowsparade.org or talk to any of our friendly Fiesta Association members in town.

Steve Weekes, General Manager at Landmark Realtors, was the volunteer president of the Fiesta Association for the 2011 parade. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

GO.SEE.DO

San Juan Capistrano is turning 50, and you’re invited to the party.

A group of community volunteers and the city have been working for months to organize a yearlong celebration of Capistrano’s golden anniversary, and the biggest party of them all is set for April 9.

The free party, at Historic Town Center Park between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., will feature free activities for the entire family including bands, dancing, family games, carnival style game booths, a mechanical train ride, a merry-go-round, bounce houses, face painting, a sandy candy booth, clowns, a stilt walker and an old fashioned photo booth where you can get a complimentary souvenir photo.

It also includes live music, food, games for kids, a family scavenger hunt and the Second Saturday Art Fair.

Historic Town Center Park is on El Camino Real, one block south of Ortega.

Capistrano was incorporated on April 19, 1961, in part because community leaders were concerned San Clemente would take over San Juan, based on a decision by the school board to build a new high school in the beach community and close Capistrano Union High School. —Jonathan Volzke

YOUR TWO-WEEK EVENT PLANNER

THE LIST

A day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town this week. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

friday

BERLIN 8 p.m. Popular electronic/new-wave band at The Coach House. Also with The Relatives and White Apple Tree.

Tickets $23.50. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

08

SEE HOW THEY RUN 8 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse presents a British comedy onstage with performances through April 24. Tickets $18-$24 (April 9 Gala night $34).

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

CHRIS BERRY 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.

JIMI NELSON & THE DRIFTING COWBOYS 8:30 p.m.

Live music at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

saturday

09

SOCIAL GREEN 9 p.m. Live music at BeachFire. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire. com.

SECOND SATURDAY ART FAIR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The SJC Chamber hosts the monthly event showcasing 70 talented artists, craftspeople and musicians held in downtown San Juan Capistrano on Camino Capistrano, Yorba, Verdugo and Los Rios streets. 949.493.4700, www.sjcartfair.org.

PET ADOPTION 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Ark’s Pet Adoption Day held at the Second Saturday Art Fair in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Next weekend’s adoption day is at PetCo in Von’s Plaza. 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

LIVE MUSIC AT SWALLOW’S INN 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Dalton Gang performs; at 8:30 p.m. Jimi Nelson & The Drifting Cowboys. Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

CAPISTRANO IS GOLDEN

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.

sunday

HERB AND VEGETABLE KITCHEN GARDENING CLASS 9 a.m. Plant Depot hosts a class for learning how and when to plant a kitchen garden with expert with Cristin Fusano; includes growing, harvesting and using herbs, vegetables, berries and fruit. Free. 33413 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.2107, www. plantdepot.com.

10

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

MIKE DEBELLIS AND FRIENDS 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Jazz music on the patio at Ciao Pasta Trattoria every Sunday. 31661 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.5002, www.ciaopasta.net.

BEGINNER UKULELE LESSONS 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Hulaville offers a course of free beginner ukulele lessons for ages 6 and up on Sunday afternoons April 3, 10, 17 and May 1. 2720 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, 949.369.1905, www.hulavillecafe.com. $5 MONDAYS! 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.

monday

11

FALLING WHISTLES COALITION AT THE CELLAR 7 p.m. Falling Whistles visits The Cellar to talk about peace in Congo; events features a short film, speaker and art auction.

Free. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.fallingwhistles.com, abolitionist.event@gmail.com.

tuesday

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.

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GOOD NEIGHBORS CLUB OF CAPISTRANO VALLEY 11 a.m. Women’s group meets for lunch, an entertaining program and more at Irons in the Fire Restaurant. Featured guest: Michael Whishaw, landscape gardener. RSVP. 150 Avenida Magdalena, San Clemente, 949-361-0586.

wednesday

13

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.

thursday

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS EXPO 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The Chamber and city host an event to help businesses be “green” in today’s economy; held at the SJC Community Center. 25925 Camino Del Avion, 949.493.4700, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

14

MORNING GARDENERS 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteer at Los Rios Park and get a free lunch at Ramos House Cafè. More gardening volunteer days on April 18 and 28 (times vary).

31661 Los Rios, San Juan Capistrano, 949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

friday

KIMO WEST SLACK KEY CONCERT 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Concert at Hulaville Saturday and Sunday night. Tickets $5.

2720 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, 949.369.1905, www.hulavillecafe.com.

15

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 20) THIS WEEK’S WEATHER 4.08 Rain H: 55° L: 42° 4.09 Showers H: 59° L: 44° 4.10 Sunny H: 62° L: 47°

4.11 Sunny H: 67° L: 50° 4.12 Partly Cloudy H: 67° L: 49° 4.13 Sunny H: 67° L: 47° 4.14 Sunny H: 67° L: 47° www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 18)

saturday

3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Join The Ecology Center to celebrate Earth Day with food from the Chomp Chomp Nation Food Truck, doit-yourself workshops, raffles, and our organic veggie plant sale. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, TheEcologyCenter.org.

16

Adventure Day at Caspers Wilderness Park 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy arts and crafts, food, games, raffles, programs, presentations and interpretive programs at Capsers Wilderness Park. Fun for all ages.

Live Music at Swallow’s Inn 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Family Style performs; at 8:30 p.m. Grant Langston. Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Campfire Program 7 p.m.-8 p.m. An hour of fun and learning about Caspers Wilderness Park featuring various fun activities. Parking $5. 33401 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210 or (949.923.2207, www.ocparks. com/caspers.

sunday

NABA Butterfly Walk 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. See what’s fluttering with the North American Butterfly Association on its annual search for butterflies at The Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Admission $5-$10. 949.489.9778, www.naba. org/chapters/nabaoc, www.theconservancy.org.

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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., SJC, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

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

Dispatch Restaurant Spotlight

Bad to the Bone BBQ

31738 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.218.0227, www.badtothebone-bbq.com Best Known For: Real pit BBQ Most Popular Item: Carolina pulled pork When Marty Wells moved to San Juan Capistrano from Oklahoma, he noticed something was missing—good ol’ BBQ. In 2005, he did something about it, by opening Bad to the Bone BBQ with his partner Al Meyling. “My uncle has a restaurant back home in Oklahoma; that’s where I get a lot of the family recipes,” said Marty. “And, I ate at a lot of restaurants and did a lot of cooking while I was on the road.” Other kitchen secrets come from Marty’s travels around the country as a rodeo artist. When Bad to the Bone Photo by Pantea Ommi Mohajer first opened, it could seat only 30 to 40 people. Within a year they had to expand, buying the shops on either side of the original store to satisfy the crowds waiting to get in. “A week before they opened, people were banging on the doors,” says Reed Huyette, who tends bar at the Capistrano location. (There is a second location in San Clemente.) Famous for their pulled pork and tri-tip, which are slow cooked overnight in woodburning pits, Bad to the Bone is sure to satisfy your cravings for down south BBQ. Price Range: $3.50-$27.95 Reservations: No Payment: Cash, credit card Hours: Monday-Thursday 11a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Go to www.thecapistranodispatch.com and under “Getting Out” share your thoughts about this week’s restaurant.

Country Dancin with DJ Bubba 6:30 p.m. The fun starts early and goes till late at Swallow’s Inn every Monday. Plus it’s steak night!

31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

monday

18

tuesday

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.

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ON STAGE

Q&A with American Idol Bo Bice

H

ot off the release of his third album—aptly named 3, singer Bo Bice comes into his own with this Nashvilleproduced disc. A favorite of American Idol’s Season Four, Bice wrote or co-wrote every one of the 10 songs on the album. We caught up with him before he belts out his tunes in San Juan Capistrano later this month.

SC TIMES: Have you performed at the Coach House in the past? BICE: “I’ve performed at the Coach House once before. It’s an awesome venue. I love San Juan Capistrano; I’ve been there several times for different events.”

What kind of set will the audience be in Courtesy photo store for at the Coach House? “If you come down to the Coach House to see a Bo Bice show, you’ll get a high-energy music experience. The fans that come out and share the love of Southern music.”

You recently performed at GITMO (Guantanamo Bay Naval Base) in Cuba for the troops there. How did that come about and what was the experience like for you? “When the

The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

By Pantea Ommi Mohajer

opportunity to go down to GITMO and play for the troops came about, I wasn’t gonna turn it down. Whenever I can spend time with the men and women that serve our country, I always consider it a blessing. We toured the detainee center and many other historic parts of the base. Top Secret kind of stuff—all hush-hush.”

Are you working on any new material or projects at the moment? “I’ve been out on the road in support of the CD Bo Bice 3 for a while now. We had great success on GAC (Great American Country) Top 20 countdown.

We made it up to No. 2 and spent over five months on the video chat. The video for “You Take Yourself With You” also finished out the year at No. 45 out of top 50 of 2010. The follow up video, “Different Shades of Blue will hit the airwaves soon.”

Bo Bice headlines the Coach House April 17. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www. thecoachhouse.com. CD Page 20

Women’s Health Seminar 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Women 50 and older are invited to the event looking at various health issues; held at the SJC Community Center. 25925 Camino Del Avion, SJC, 949.493.5911, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

wednesday

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.

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Karaoke 7 p.m. Joel and Les host Karaoke at Swallow’s Inn. Plus $2 tacos and free popcorn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

thursday

10th Annual Earth Day Event 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The city presents a fair at the SJC Community Center to increase public awareness of protecting and preserving the environment; features displays by local groups and much more. 25925 Camino del Avion, SJC, 949.493.1171, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

21

Little River Band 8 p.m. The hit Australian band plays at The Coach House. Tickets $27.50. Also with Gunboat Kings and Malea Mc Guinness. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.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 events@thecapistranodispatch.com www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

4

LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR friday 4.08 Coffee Chat 8 a.m. The Capistrano Dispatch hosts a spirited town hall forum on community issues. All are welcome. Camino Real Playhouse, on El Camino Real, just south of Ortega Highway. Occurs every Friday

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

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

wednesday 4.13

thursday 4.21

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

Earth Day Event 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion

saturday 4.09

thursday 4.14

Community Birthday Party 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Historic Town Center Park, El Camino Real.

Sustainable Business Expo 9 a.m.–noon, Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion

tuesday 4.12

tuesday 4.19

friday 4.22 Next regular issue of The Dispatch publishes. *Meeting agendas at www.sanjuancapistrano.org

ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50: By Tom Blake

Why Older Single Couples Don’t Marry T

his week, in the middle of a busy lunch rush, a woman came up to me in Tutor and Spunky’s, my Dana Point deli, and said, “Why won’t you marry Greta?” She was ON LIFE AND referring to my signifiLOVE AFTER 50

By Tom Blake cant other of 13 years.

As a business owner, and a relationship columnist, it’s important to be gracious, regardless of people’s questions. I simply smiled and said, “She doesn’t want to marry me.”

The customer’s face turned red. She said, “Oh my,” and walked away.

Her question was based on two erroneous assumptions.

The first assumption, that people age 50-plus who are in a happy relationship should automatically marry, is old-school and isn’t reality anymore.

The second assumption, that Greta is just dying to get married and this old meanie won’t ask he, isn’t reality either.

Two years ago, I published a book titled, How 50 Couples Found Love After 50. (www.50Couples.com) Of the couples featured, about half ended up getting married. So yes, marriage later in life does happen.

But the other half didn’t marry, although they live together. They represent the modern thinking of our generation, that older couples can have wonderful lives without tying the knot.

Carmen, 71, a high school classmate of mine from Jackson, Michigan, in making light of the marriage issue, emailed, “Sally and I have said we’d get married when I turn 80.”

I responded, “Careful, dude, you may have to deliver on the agreement.”

The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

Marcia and Russ, Sacramento, both widowed and in their 60s, are included in the book. Marcia emailed, “We did not marry for a myriad of reasons. My grandchildren call Russ their honorary grandfather and adore him.

“We caution couples in their 60s concerning marriage as they’ve had a lifetime of building obligations and acquiring assets and responsibilities. My son thought, at first we should marry but has accepted the situation. We are happy and know that our medical is good, assets secure and we can enjoy each other at this time of life. We cannot afford to make serious financial errors.”

Mary Lou, 66, South Orange County, said, “Ten years ago, I was engaged; we broke it off before tying the knot. I was devastated, hoping that he was ‘the one.’

“Today, I am glad we broke it off because we avoided the pain of a divorce, which I believe would have been inevitable.

“I would much rather be in a committed relationship without the marriage part, keeping all finances and ownership of property separate and apart. Oh, yea, I’m a divorce lawyer.

Do you think that may be part of why I have no interest in getting married?”

Frances added, “The excuse that we older ones don’t have much time left is not a good excuse. Look at the problems that marrying in haste has brought to unfortunate older people.

Being single isn’t bad when compared to a bad marriage.”

Sarah, “To those who might marry to ‘save face’ or ‘avoid condemnation’ in the community and or the family, why not have a spiritual wedding and skip the legalities?”

Joel, “My feeling at age 66, and, after 12 years of dating and finding a soulmate who dumped me, is that it takes about two years of living with someone to get to know them. The difficulty, of course, is that now I don’t have many two-year segments left.”

Mary Lynn, “I am 64, divorced since 1998.

I have no desire to remarry and see no reason to do so. My best friend met someone online a few months ago and will be getting married next month. She is on Cloud Nine because she has been looking for a husband for several years. I don’t want to rain on her parade, but I don’t understand what the ‘obsession’ with marriage is. If you’re in a committed, loving, mutually nourishing relationship, what more do you need?”

Married couples should stop asking their single-couple friends when they’re going to marry. The answer might embarrass them, as it did the poor woman in the deli.

To comment: tompblake@gmail.com

Page 22

READER COMMENTS Janie, Dana Point, “Last time I saw

you at the Deli you asked if I was still seeing the same guy? It has been a longdistance relationship of over four years.

He lives in La Quinta during the winter and Aspen during the summer.

“Christmas Day, skiing at Solitude in Utah, he clicked off his skis, planted his poles and gloves and got down on his knee to propose. Beautiful, romantic and yes, old-fashioned. I loved it! I was completely surprised. We haven’t set a date yet. Things work so well the way it is we are not in any hurry.”

Tom’s response: Saved by the bell. My partner Greta doesn’t ski.

Jody, “A great place to meet men over 50! Ladies, stop by the informal car get-togethers on Saturday mornings at Gelson’s in Monarch Beach. Go early around 7 am, get a cup of coffee at Starbucks, and walk around admiring the vintage cars. The guys LOVE to talk to anyone about their babies. You don’t have to be a gearhead to appreciate a beautiful interior or the classic lines of yesteryear. It’s a great icebreaker because conversation with strangers is the norm. Just ask questions: How long have you had this car, did you restore it yourself...do you come here every week?

It’s so much less awkward than bumping into his cart at Ralphs! The worst thing that will happen is you will see some gorgeous cars and have a nice morning out.”

Tom’s response: Gearheads? Haven’t heard that one before.

Tom Blake is a San Clemente resident and Dana Point business owner who has authored three books on middle-aged dating. To comment email tompblake@ gmail.com CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Community Loses Longtime Resident and Property Owner, Owen Rene Case The Capistrano Dispatch

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ongtime Capistrano resident and commercial property owner Owen Rene Case was laid to rest Friday.

Case was born to Charles Arthur and Jewel Marie Case in Shawnee, Okla. on January 5, 1934. The family, including Rene’s older brother Conrad moved to Tulsa in the 1940s.

Case had a successful entrepreneurial career with ventures in real estate, broadcast radio, gold mining and the film, retail and hospitality industries. He was the owner of the landmark Mission Inn Motel in the late 1970s and early 1980s in his hometown of San Juan Capistrano. The Mercado Village, an exclusive shopping plaza in the heart of downtown San Juan, was another opportunity to work again for several years in the city he loved. Case and his wife purchased The Mercado Village in 2001.

Case was active in the community and San Juan Capistrano, where he loved living and working, was his home base for nearly 45 years. A former tenant and business

associate recently said “He treated everyone like they were guests; everyone loves him.”

He loved his family, his many friends and coworkers throughout the years. He was an artist, in both painting and sculpting. In 1978, Case presented a terra cotta bust of Junipero Serra to the Mission in honor of the founding father of the historic Mission in San Juan Capistrano.

In the 1960s, he visited the islands of Tahiti for the first time; it was “love at first sight.” Not surprisingly, he met his beautiful wife Clarita Anahoa Case in Paeete.

They were married nearly 30 years and like San Juan, he calls Punaauia home, a district in Paeete.

Case died March 28 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mission Viejo. He is survived by his wife, two children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were scheduled to be held at McCormick and Sons Mortuary in Laguna Hills on April 1.

His family said Owen Rene Case will be forever known for his positive and realistic outlook and love for life. CD

San Juan Hills Takes on ‘Les Miserables’ The Capistrano Dispatch

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an Juan Hills High School’s Collaborative Arts program will present Les Miserables: Student Edition between April 21 and April 30.

Les Miserables: School Edition is based on the Victor Hugo novel. With the musical written by Alain Boublil, music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil. Broadway’s legendary musical is specially adapted to meet the needs of young performers. The epic story recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th century France.

For stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving children, Jean Valjean (Evan Frolov) is imprisoned as a petty thief by the law and is overseen there by Javert (Chaz Breithaupt) for 19 years. Valjean not only becomes an honest man, but he becomes mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father—violating his parole in the process. Javert makes a descent life impossible for Valjean and relentlessly pursues him.

At his factory he employs a young woman, Fantine (Lindsey Treff) who is a single mother hiding her life in shame because she has a child Cosette (Taylor Magee). Through harassment of the foreman (Dustin Breithaupt), she is fired from her job. Destitute in this world, she dies leaving her child to the care of Valjean.

Cosette was kept by an innkeeper, Thenardier (Wiley Simpson) and his wife (Penny Luksic), and raised with their daughter, Eponine (Mikayla Gerlach), who all have deliberately abused the child. When she is rescued

by Valjean and raised as his daughter, she blossoms into a beautiful young woman who falls in love with a young student named Marius (Bren Johnson). Marius is involved with the famous bloody student battle of the The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

French Revolution led by his best friend Enjolras (Taylor Block). Only after Valjean saves Cosette’s young Marius from the barricades does this ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed.

The cast of Les Miserables; Student Edition boasts 47 students including Grant Dossey, Jake LaRosa, Mac Bauman, Isaac Schmitt, Jon Phillips, Gabe McFadden, AJ Bogle, John Schneider, Sean Goodwin, Jose Zamarripa, Aubree Calderwood, Sarah Entezari, Elizabeth Drake, Brooke Dettman, Teryn Gray, Avalon Steen, Emily Risbrough, Janelle Grant, Hannah Jarvis, Dominique Gentile, Tara DiGiovacchino, Madeline Giles, Meghan Richards, Aimmee Savran, Amanda Urell, Ginny Schneider, Claudia Parks, Jordan Anderson, Riley Breithaupt, Anabelle Rigg and Jordan Sanderson.

The orchestra is composed of 24 students from San Juan Hills, featuring: (strings) Bailey Hein, Shannon Spiers, Veronica Wilson, Sydney Duncombe, Zac Ward, Chloe Euzarraga, Angelica Valencia; (winds) Cassidy Walker, Chris Schutter, Yesenia Pulido, Arthur Priest, Paul Skipper, Nick Glenn, Dominick Wong, Mallory Bacon, Austin Major, Ashley Perez; (rhythm) Maximilian Nelson, Sarah Boerner, Desirae Schauer, Lauren Cabral, Austin Hill, Riley Lavering and Justin Douglas.

The production was staged and directed by Robb Rigg, music directed by Dean McElroy, vocal coaching

by Victor DelaCruz, special choreography by Kristine Calder, student directed by Carla Cespedes and stage managed by Delia Zuniga.

Show dates are April 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15/$14 with an ASB card for Orchestra and $13/$12 with an ASB card for balcony.

All seating is reserved and tickets may be purchased at www.sjhhs.org. CD Page 23

JSerra Student Receives NCL Leadership Role The Capistrano Dispatch

C

osta Mesa, California-based National Charity League, Inc. has recently appointed Brynne McCord to its 2011-2012 Ticktocker Advisory Council. She is a member of the organization’s Pacific Coast Chapter as a Ticktocker (girls in grade 7-12) and is a senior at JSerra Catholic School.

McCord joins 14 other young women on the council who were selected from across the nation following an interview process. The council was formed by NCL, Inc. in an effort to communicate more effectively with younger members, gain valuable insights and provide them a voice in organizational matters.

For the past 10 years, McCord has played soccer and is a member of her school’s varsity team. She loves to sing—especially in a recording studio—and also enjoys all things to do with the ocean.

She plans to major in marketing/advertising in college.

Brynne McCord “I have previously worked as the vice president of outings and treasurer for my grade level. This year I am a co-senior presentation liaison, which just might be the best job I have held to date,” McCord said.

“We are delighted to appoint Brynne to our Ticktocker Advisory Council and know she will be an invaluable resource for our growing organization,” said NCL Executive Director Hillary Niblo.

NCL, which started as a small regional organization, has doubled in size in the last decade and the demand for new chapters continues to grow from coast to coast. CD

SJC Loses Plechot The Capistrano Dispatch

O

ne hundred, six years, four months and 25 days ago, our beloved mother, Therese Rocchi Plechot was born in Beaulieu sur Mer, France. She left this world for another place on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, but remains in the memories of the many people whose lives she touched.

She was a poet, a business woman, a teacher, a gardener and a chef. She loved music and art and all things beautiful, but above all else, she loved her family. The loss of her laughter and singing and compassion will be especially missed by her son Maurice Plechot, and her two daughters, Jeannette Higgins and Lucienne Austin, her seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. There will be no public service. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Locals Only

Business Directory The only directory featuring San Juan Capistrano businesses exclusively

Air Conditioning & HEATING Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

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

949.248.0260

Auto Repair Star Motors 32959 Calle Perfecto

949.443.1970

Banking Independence Bank 949.373.1570 Marbella Plaza 31107 Rancho Viejo Rd., www.independence-bank.net Pacific Mercantile Bank 949.487.4200 31601 Avenida Los Cerritos, Ste 100, www.pmbank.com

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

Your business here!

Sign up to be featured as

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

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

949.240.1200 949.240.9240

BUSINESS COMPUTER SERVICES Lightning Technology, Inc. 949.488.0029 32963 Calle Perfecto, http://www.lightningtechnology.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

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.

our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

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

PRINTING Printing OC

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

RestaurantS Las Golandrinas Mexican Food 949.240.3440 27124 Paseo Espada #803, www.lasgolondrinas.biz

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

949.212.0499

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

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

Slab leak repair

Four-A Electric 949.240.8844 SCP Plumbing/ CuraFlo of O.C. 949.493.2426 32432 Alipaz, Ste. C, fouraelectric@sbcglobal.net 27126 Paseo Espada STE. 705, www.curaflo.com 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

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

949.661.4080

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

MORTGAGE Capistrano Health & Life www.capistranohealthlife.com

949.697.9454

PAINTING SUPPLIES Dunn-Edwards Painting, Inc. 949.234.1201 31896 Plaza Dr. Unit D-1, Plaza Del Obispo Center

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

PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection www.atozleakdetection.com

949.499.4464

TELEVISION 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 Bayside Window Cleaning 949.290.8230 www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

Women’s Clothing Blu:Echo

949.496.4810 31878 Del Obispo (Marshalls Center)

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

Business Directory CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EDUCATION Tutoring Service Learning Unlimited provides tutoring programs to meet the specific needs of each student. Qualified Specialists in Special Education offer a multimedia approach to enhance learned concepts. Contact Judy Freund at 949-547-2171 to book a consultation.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

Help Wanted E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@ thecapistranodispatch.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY GARAGE SALE Mission Glen Community Yard Sale, San Juan Capistrano. Saturday, April 16th, 8am to 1pm Lots of items, something for everyone!

Cross streets: Ortega Highway & Calle Entradero

HELP WANTED part time salesperson San Clemente-based graphic design firm seeks a part time salesperson to sell marketing and advertising design services: logos, business cards and stationery, brochures and flyers, newspaper and magazine advertising, postcards and direct mail pieces, posters, banners, labels and stickers, newsletters and catalogs, book covers and more. Territory is South Orange County. Job requires 16 hrs/wk, networking and selling the firm’s design capabilities. Evening hours, and some weekend times are required. Commission only plus expenses.

You can review samples of our work on various pages at www.imgs.com. Please call IMAGES/Creative Solutions at 949.366.2488. Ask for Scott or email me at scotts@imgs.com.

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

LEASE OPPORTUNITY NOTICE FOR LEASE OPPORTUNITY AT DANA POINT HARBOR Dana Point Marina Company is soliciting proposals until space is fully leased at 34551 Casitas Place, Dana Point, CA 92629. This office/retail space is located adjacent to a busy retail center in Dana Point Harbor with a great view of marina and watercraft. Proposals are to be submitted based on operating a business for the highest and best use meeting the public’s needs, and complying with the State of California’s Tidelands Grant. To obtain a copy of the RFP and register for free, go to “BidSync” http://egov.ocgov.com/ ocgov/Procurement & use “Open Bids” for RFP Number: 108-614981-DP. Dana Point Harbor is a County of Orange facility and does not pay commissions.

Dispatch classifieds GET RESULTS!

Submit your ad today!

Call 949-388-7700 ext. 104 The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

Page 25

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Parade Draws Thousands to Downtown The Capistrano Dispatch

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he 53rd Annual Fiesta de Las Golondrinas Parade went off smoothly on March 26, as an estimated 40,000 people were drawn to downtown San Juan Capistrano for the parade and fun afterward.

The parade attracted 156 entries, including 426 horses, nine marching bands and 3,224 participants.

For more information, see El Presidente Steve Weeke’s column in Soapbox.

To see a slideshow of parade photos, visit San Juan Photo & Digital in the Vons Center on Camino Capistrano. CD Photos courtesy Scott Schmitt, San Juan Photo & Digital

The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

Page 26

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

Page 27

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

5 BEST BETS BASKETBALL

Thunder vs. Lakers Staples Center April 10, 6:30 p.m.

The Los Angeles Lakers return home after two games on the road in time to face Oklahoma City with playoff seedings on the line.

BASEBALL

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

BOYS TENNIS

Stallions vs.

Wolverines Aliso Niguel High April 11, 3:15 p.m.

Dolphins vs.

Tritons San Clemente High April 12, 6:15 p.m.

Stallions vs.

Diablos San Juan Hills High April 14, 3 p.m.

Stallions vs. Lions J Serra High April 16, 10 a.m., 12 noon

San Juan Hills duels neighbor Aliso Niguel on the diamond.

Local rivals square off at center court as Dana Hills heads to town to face a staunch San Clemente attack.

Watch some hometown tennis as San Juan Hills battles Mission Viejo on local courts.

Catch a double-header between cross-town rivals San Juan Hills and J Serra High.

Info: www.sjhhs.org

Info: www.nba.com/lakers

SOFTBALL

Info: www.sjhhs.org

Info: www.sctritons.com

Stallions Boosters Plan Golf Tourney for Sports The Capistrano Dispatch

E

ven as the Capistrano Unified School District struggles with a legal settlement that will all but eliminate fees schools can charge parents for activities, one thing is clear: Fundraising is going to be more important for sports programs than ever.

With that backdrop, the boosters at San Juan Hills High School are holding their fourth annual “Stallion Golf Classic” on Friday, May 20.

For players, a day of golf at San Juan Hills Country Club and dinner is $150.

Foursomes get a break, at $500. All

participants will receive tee gifts, while first, second and third place awards will be given for the longest drives and shots closest to the pin.

Registration opens at 11 a.m., with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. A silent auction begins at 5 p.m., with the buffet dinner at 6 p.m.

Sponsors are also sought, ranging from hole sponsors at $250 to dinner sponsorships at $1,000.

For information about the tournament, call Lori Bickel at 949.218.4585 or email jsbickel@cox.net.

More than 600 student athletes participate in 23 sports at San Juan Hills High School. CD

Capo FC First in Tourney

Courtesy photo

Stallions Basketball Scores with Steal from Dana Hills The Capistrano Dispatch

an Juan Hills High School on Wednesday announced the Stallions have lured the Dana Hills High coach to Capistrano to coach the girls basketball program.

Taryn Commins replaces Cat Nolan, who served as the Stallion head coach since 2008. She inherits a young Stallion squad that has struggled in its first two years of varsity competition—going 0-18 in league play.

Commins comes to the Stallions after a two year stint as head coach for Dana Hills High School. At Dana Hills, she led the Dolphins to a South Coast

S

Capo FC took home first place on March 27 at the Irvine Spring Classics G15, which attracted teams from as far away as New Jersey. The Capistrano-based club includes (Seated) Kerrigan Walsh, Belle Escobar, Jena D’Amico, Sara Ferry, Melissa Canales and Kaitlyn Moore; (Top) Coach Downer, Goalie Kayla Garcia, Alysa Hoffman, Carla Castillo, Emily Dillon, Caroline Smith, Lilly Bellinghausen, Luz Romano, Goalie Madison Anderson and Coach Mike Ferry. Courtesy photo The Capistrano Dispatch April 8–21, 2011

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League Championship, the school’s first, during the 2009-10 season. She holds an overall record of 30-20 in two seasons and helped the Dolphins to back to back CIF playoff appearances.

Prior to becoming a head coach, Commins served as an assistant coach at San Clemente High School under Mary Mulligan.

She also played for the Tritons from 1994-1998 and continued her playing career at Concordia University. At Concordia, she played all four years earning All-America honors as a junior and senior.

Commins now works on the San Juan Hills campus as a classified staff member in the Discipline Office. She will begin immediately in her new position as head coach. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com