The Capistrano Dispatch

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D E C E M B E R 9 –2 2 , 2 0 1 1 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 23

‘Like a Christmas Tree’ Rail crossing work brings new lights to main thoroughfare—but doesn’t eliminate ‘Ghost trains’ E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

Photo by Jonathan Volzke

No Bail for Suspect in Capistrano Slaying

Family Seeking Donations after Cook Barn Burns

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

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EYE ON SJC

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE Southern California Edison filed its opening brief Monday, December 5, making its case for ratepayers to pick up the $64 million price tag for seismic studies of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The proposed work includes costly data surveying, including offshore 2-D and 3-D imaging around the nuclear power plant. “Given this ratepayer benefit, it is appropriate for ratepayers to bear all of the costs of these activities,” the briefing says. But the Division of Ratepayer Advocates has lobbied to have costs shared between the ratepayers and Edison shareholders and a cap of the overall costs, a suggestion SCE disputes. The Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility also called for an independent panel to review the seismic data. Reply briefs must be submitted by December 19.

NEWS

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

DANA POINT The South Coast Water District plans three new wells to increase the capacity of its groundwater recovery plant, which pulls water from the San Juan Basin, removes minerals and puts it in the city’s drinking water system. The groundwater plant, on the district’s 30 acres between Stonehill Drive and Pacific Coast Highway, now pulls 912 acre feet of brackish water per year for customers in Dana Point and parts of other nearby cities. Officials want to ultimately increase that to 3,194 acre feet annually. The district has already allocated $98,500 for well design and $337,888 for wellhead and pipeline design.

District officials met to consider environmental studies for the plan at a special meeting at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 2 at their Laguna Beach district headquarters.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

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... Capistrano’s New Mayor?

THE LATEST: Retired Navy Captain Larry Kramer was elected mayor of San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, December 6 over objections of a councilwoman also in line for the largely ceremonial post and a resident who said the vote was a return of the “good old boys” to Capistrano governance.

Kramer, in his second year on council, was elected by a 3-2 vote. His selection was opposed by Councilman Derek Reeve and Councilwoman Laura Freese, who tried to nominate herself.

Freese had been mayor pro tem a year ago and had supported Sam Allevato, Kramer and John Taylor in their election bids, but was also seen as a political ally of former Mayor Lon Uso. Uso was a political opponent of Allevato and former Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates, who managed the campaign for Kramer and Taylor.

When Allevato was selected, council members Kramer and John Taylor indicated they would support Freese in the future.

Resident Kim McCarthy urged the council to select Freese.

“There really is not a logical reason, council member Kramer, for you to be mayor…the only reason for you to be mayor would simply be so the good old boys can retain some kind of control,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s time to show, council member Taylor, Kramer and Mayor Allevato, that this kind of playground antic is going to stop, and vote for Laura Freese tonight, because she’s put her time in.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The council next meets January 3.

The Capistrano Dispatch December 9–22, 2011

FIND OUT MORE: See the complete story at www.thecapistranodispatch.com —Jonathan Volzke

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... a Slaying and Arrest?

THE LATEST: Authorities say Capistrano resident Robert Eugene Vasquez attacked Bobby Ray Rainwater so viciously on December 1 that the San Juan Mobile Estates resident was nearly decapitated.

The body of Rainwater, 53, was found early December 1 in a street inside the San Juan Mobile Estates, a 312-unit park in the 32300 block of Alipaz Street.

Rainwater’s body was discovered about 5:30 a.m. by deputies responding to a 911 call about a disturbance, sheriff’s Lt. Steve Doan said. He said an argument had been reported.

Vasquez, 32, was arrested two days later after allegedly assaulting another San Juan Capistrano resident. He was being held without bail. The case carries the possibly of the death penalty, although authorities have disclosed a motive.

Rainwater’s name appears on the Megan’s Law list, although friends said that incident was years ago. Details were unavailable.

WHAT’S NEXT: The arraignment for Vasquez is set January 6 in Orange County Superior Court.

FIND OUT MORE: See www.thecapistranodispatch.com. —JV

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... Council on the Web?

THE LATEST: City Council meetings are coming to a computer screen near you.

The council on Tuesday approved an agreement to webcast City Council

meetings, with an initial cost of roughly $18,000 and annual costs of $13,000.

The contract calls on San Franciscobased Granicus to implement real-time webcasting and archiving of agendas and videos of City Council meetings and recordings of all city committees and commissions.

lives there, as does a younger brother, neighbors said.

McCluey on Thursday remained in Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. In addition to the felony charge of assault on a peace officer, he faces a misdemeanor allegation of false imprisonment. He pleaded not guilty on November 29.

WHAT’S NEXT: In the near future, City Council meetings will be web streamed on www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

WHAT’S NEXT: McCluey’s next hearing was scheduled for January 13.

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

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... a Deputy-Involved Shooting?

THE LATEST: A 23-year-old San Juan Capistrano man has pleaded not guilty to allegations he lunged at an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy with a knife as authorities investigated a woman’s screams.

Bryan Garrett McCluey, 23, was shot in the hand by a deputy during the November 22 incident, which came as deputies responded to a 911 hang up call at 32000 Via Carlos. As they arrived at the home, in the Sun Ranch neighborhood off Calle Aspero and Del Obispo Street, they heard a woman screaming.

The screams intensified, spurring deputies to break into the home, said Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

Inside, deputies confronted a man with a knife. Deputies ordered the man to drop the knife, but instead, he lunged at the officers, Amormino said. More than one shot was fired and McCluey was hit in the hand. McCluey was taken to Mission Hospital. Neighbors identified McCluey as a resident of the home where the shooting occurred. His mother also

Page 3

FIND OUT MORE: See www.thecapistranodispatch.com. —JV

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... New Trustee Boundaries?

THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District has released five preliminary scenarios for redrawing trustee-boundary areas.

The five scenarios look at trustee areas that mirror high-school attendance areas, elementary attendance areas, city boundaries and other criteria. They also identify whether they’ll create an open seat up for grabs in the next election, or pit two existing trustees against each other.

The work was required because of the 2010 Census, which shows 343,291 people in the CUSD boundaries, 17 percent Hispanic. And with the passage of Measure H, voters will only cast ballots for one trustee—the one from their area. Until now, voters cast ballots for all seven.

WHAT’S NEXT: The maps will be discussed when trustees meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 12 at district headquarters on Valle Road.

FIND OUT MORE: See the Beyond the Blackboard blog at www.thecapistranodispatch.com for the maps and more. —JV www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

More than 30 firefighters battled a December 1 fire in the Cook Barn on Del Obispo Street. Photo by Jonathan Volzke

Fundraising Underway for Family Displaced by Barn Fire

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

A

Jerry Elliot, whose wife, Mary, is related to the builder of the 1898 Cook Barn, talks with firefighters during the blaze. Mary Cook’s grandfather built the barn; her great-grandfather built the Congdon House.

Photo by Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch December 9–22, 2011

1898 barn on Del Obispo Street was consumed by fire earlier this month, displacing a family who lived there.

A fundraiser is underway for the family, whose children attended Broderick Montessori School in Dana Point. A website has been set up for the family at www.cookfamilybarn.com, while donations can also be dropped off at school, at 24292 Del Prado, and checks can be made directly to Gianvito Loparco.

On the website, the family says it has received many generous donations of clothing, but still needs household/kitchen items, office supplies, electronics, furniture, couches, dressers, beds, tools and monetary donations or gift cards

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that will help them secure a place to live nearby and to replace items not donated.

Ocean Hills Church, behind where the barn stood, is also accepting donations.

The December 1 blaze at 32232 Del Obispo happened at about 10:30 a.m. Orange County Fire Authority units from as far as away as Laguna Niguel and Ladera Ranch fought the blaze. About 30 firefighters arrived at the scene to battle the blaze. The fire authority dispatched an extra unit as a precautionary measure because of the wind, said authority spokesman Marc Stone.

Stone said investigators could not pinpoint exactly what caused the fire, but that it was some sort of electrical issue.

The barn sat on the same parcel as Ocean Hills Church and Del Obispo Senior Living. Neither facility was evacuated, Stone said.

There was no immediate word what would happen to the property. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Eye on SJC

‘Like a Christmas Tree’ Rail crossing work brings new lights to main thoroughfare—but doesn’t eliminate ‘Ghost trains’

By Jonathan Volzke The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he idea of improvements that would silence the horns on the 45 trains cutting through Capistrano daily held the promise of bringing some peace and quiet to residents living with the noise of trains rumbling right by their homes.

That promise carried a steep price tag—upward of a million dollars for the city’s portion alone—but would also fix that nagging issue of the flashing red signal light at Oso Road and Camino Capistrano, where officials had to coordinate the red light and gate arms to ensure a motorist wouldn’t get caught on the tracks.

And it was a deal of sorts. The Orange County Transportation Authority was assuming the lead role on implementing the “quiet zone” work at 50 crossings countywide, to ensure the lights, signs, medians and crossing arms were built to federal regulations designed to increase safety so much the horns weren’t necessary. OCTA was using money from Measure M, the countywide gas tax, to pay 88 percent of the costs, with the cities picking up 12 percent. Capistrano has five crossings.

The total project countywide is costing $86 million, about $10.3 million for the San Juan Capistrano work, OCTA said.

Capistrano’s share is $1.1 million.

But Capistrano officials also wanted one more long-nagging issue fixed: The so-called ghost trains that cause the rail arms to drop on Del Obispo Street just west of Camino Capistrano even when no train is crossing the street. Lasting anywhere from moments to minutes, the ghost trains cut the town in half.

“It is imperative that we eliminate the ‘ghost train’ effect right now as the existing conditions cause unnecessary delays on the motoring public,” Public Works Director Nasser Abbaszadeh wrote in a letter to the Orange County Transportation Authority.

That was in 2008.

Not only have the ghost trains not been eliminated, they’ve been joined by a secondly ghostly apparition causing an all-too-real traffic headache: Queue-cutter stoplights.

The queue-cutter stop lights are additional traffic signals on each side of the tracks on Del Obispo Street, designed to prevent traffic from backing up at nearby stoplights and forcing motorists to stop on the tracks. Essentially, the rail crossing is so close to the stoplight at Paseo

The Capistrano Dispatch December 9–22, 2011

Del Obispo Street’s new queue-cutter signals, the tall ones on the right in this photo, are causing consternation among Capistrano motorists. Photo by Jonathan Volzke

Adelanto headed west and Camino Capistrano headed west that traffic engineers were concerned vehicles would stack up across the tracks.

“Each crossing was analyzed independently,” said the OCTA’s Sara Swensson. “In order to have quiet zone, cities have to apply through Federal Railroad Administration, which gives you a score or rating. The different types of safety measures implemented give a different rating or score.”

The queue-cutter signals work with loops in the ground at the existing traffic signals and are supposed to determine when traffic is heavy, turning red to stop cars before the tracks, she said.

But it doesn’t always work that way.

“It’s been coming on even when the train is not there – that’s a problem,” said Councilman Sam Allevato. “When the left turn lane almost overflows, even though the two westbound through lanes are empty, the signals come on. We’ve expressed our concerns to OCTA and they’re going to have to make it right.”

Allevato said he supports making the tracks as safe as possible, and providing the quiet zones.

“All of this effort is to make it almost virtually impossible to either cross or get stuck on the tracks to relieve the trains of the requirement to blow their horn,” he said. “It appears to have been over engineered. They need to

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make some modification, so especially when there’s no train.”

But making it right means adjusting it, not removing the additional signals.

OCTA spokesman Joel Zlotnik said pulling the queue-cutter signals would make Capistrano ineligible for quiet-zone status at the Del Obispo crossing. And since that crossing is so close to homes, that would make the other work pointless.

And then there’s the issue of the ghost trains.

Swensson said the crossing arms come down at Del Obispo Street even without a train crossing because the Capistrano Depot is so close to the crossing. Some of the trains heading south on the rail line travel as fast as 90 mph, so the arms are automatically triggered in advance to be down in advance of the train’s arrival.

So when the trains stop at the station, the commands for the arms to drop have already been given. Ironically, they often drop when there’s no train, stopping traffic and cutting the town in half, rising again for a moment only to drop again when the train resumes its route south.

“The City of San Juan Capistrano, Metrolink and the Public Utilities Commission are looking at ways to alleviate the ghost trains,” Swensson said.

Longtime Transportation Commissioner Matt Gaffney said he’s received a “tremendous number” of complaints about the ghost trains and queue-cutters. He’s concerned that if people see the queue-cutting red light on the tracks, no train and open lanes in front of them, they’ll just run the light—even though it carries the same penalty of running any traffic signal.

“It’s very confusing, and it’s very frustrating. You have traffic backing up there, and you can see ahead of you and the traffic light at Del Obispo Street and Camino Capistrano is green and you’re sitting there waiting,” Gaffney said.

Gaffney acknowledged some adjustments have been made.

“It’s getting better,” he said, “But it’s still awfully frustrating when you see there’s no reason for the light to be turning red.”

There’s also an irony that Capistrano, which pays so much attention to its community image and signs, has that complicated rail crossing right in the center of town.

“I was going home from a meeting one night and the train was coming,” Gaffney said. “Red lights were going on both ways, the arms were coming down with lights on them blinking red. It looked like a doggone Christmas tree.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter Compile d By JONAT H A N VO LZ KE All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website (www.ocsd.org). The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher.

The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided.

Tuesday, December 6 BURGLARY Via Sonora, 31200 Blocks (7:33 a.m.)

A car was broken into.

Sunday, December 4 FAMILY DISPUTE Calle San Diego, 30900 Block (10:32 p.m.)

A 12-year-old reported their mother was hitting their father. The mother had been drinking, the child said.

RECKLESS DRIVING Camino Capistrano/La Zanja (9:38 p.m.)

A silver Honda with black rims was doing doughnuts in the street.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Ortega Highway/Strawberry Lane (9:01 p.m.) A woman reported she thought a car had followed her to her house. The babysitter saw it, too, and then it was parked at the bottom of her street.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Olivera, 32900 Block (9:23 p.m.) A teen called to say their stepfather was pushing them and their mother. A 41-year-old man, who identified himself as a graffiti remover, was taken into custody and held on $15,000 bail.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Calle San Luis, 26400 Block (7:57 p.m.)

A car hit a stop sign. Paramedics were called for a shoulder injury that occurred before the accident.

DISTURBANCE Verdugo Street, 26700 Block (7:54 p.m.)

A transient got off a train and began yelling at the other passengers. A 43-yearold man was arrested but the district attorney’s office declined to file charges.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Calle de Bonanza, 33800 Block (3:16 p.m.) A resident complained a door-to-door salesman was being pushy.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Calle San Francisco, 26400 Block (2:45 p.m.) A Realtor called to report he’d been told people were inside a home that should be vacant.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Avenida de La Vista/Calle Santa Barbara (2:25 p.m.) A woman reported a fire; dispatchers thought there were a lot of voices in the background.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 31400 Block (1:32 p.m.) A liquor-store employee reported 20 alternative high school students were loitering and refused to leave.

DISTURBANCE Ortega Highway/I-5 (6:20 p.m.) A transient was harassing customers for money.

BURGLARY Calle de La Rosa, 27400 Block (1:06 p.m.) A resident returned home to find the glass portion of their front door smashed.

KEEP THE PEACE Morningstar Lane, 27600 Block (10:07 a.m.) A woman reported she rents a room and the homeowners were making her move out.

WELFARE CHECK Horseshoe Bend, 27800 Block (9:25 p.m.)

A neighbor expressed concern that another neighbor was using drugs, even though they’d been to rehab.

Saturday, December 3

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Paseo Espada, 27100 Block (8:08 a.m.)

A business owner reported receiving a message/picture of an item in his office.

The message said “I am taking this.”

The caller said his office was worried and wanted deputies to walk through to ensure all was OK.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Calle de Bonanza, 33800 Block (1:59 p.m.)

A caller complained “bands” of people were roaming the neighborhood trying to sell “this and that.”

Friday, December 2 SUSPICIOUS PERSON Del Obispo Street, 31800 Block (10:37 p.m.) A transient was in a store, although he’d been warned several times to stay out.

The Capistrano Dispatch December 9–22, 2011

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Del Obispo Street, 31800 Block (2:17 a.m.) A man was spotted in a business while it was closed. Deputies surrounded the building and checked the roof. They knocked several times but no one came

out or came to the door. A sergeant said there was not sufficient cause to force entry, so deputies left. An alarm had gone off in the business earlier.

Thursday, December 1 DISTURBANCE Evergreen Road, 26400 Block (10:23 p.m.) A resident complained a neighbor was playing music loudly, although he’d asked them to turn it down several times.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Del Obispo Street, 31800 Block (9:05 p.m.) A transient locked himself in a store’s restroom for several hours, then loitered in the store.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Avenida Cabrillo/Via Del Amo (8:46 p.m.) A caller complained a motorist refused to move their car out of the intersection after an accident, even though the other party – a bicyclist – had already left.

WELFARE CHECK Camino La Ronda, 28300 Block (7:51 p.m.) A caller reported a 12-year-old was left alone, and had been several times.

The dad doesn’t come home, the caller said, and leaves the child without food.

DISTURBANCE Paseo Carmel, 26400 Block (7:38 p.m.)

A 10-year-old called about a man in an argument with their parents over their 16-year-old brother throwing paper.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Pila Degracia/Paseo Toscana (3:09 p.m.)

A resident found a black rubber glove.

The caller said it was in the space directly behind where the slaying occurred and might be connected to the crime.

RESTRAINING ORDER Calle Arroyo, 27400 Block (12:24 p.m.)

A woman reported her ex was emailing her, in violation of a restraining order.

ALARM CALL Paseo Olivos, 31200 Block (1:10 p.m.)

A man watching the dogs for a neighbor set off the alarm there and couldn’t shut it off.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Spotted Bull/Rancho Viejo Road (10 a.m.) A gray pickup was left with its hazards flashing, but no one was around.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Avenida Aeropuerto, 26000 Block (9:17 a.m.) Someone was living in a mobile home on the street.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Calle de Bonanza, 34000 Block (9:03 a.m.) Two men wearing orange

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vests were sorting through trash.

DISTURBANCE Del Obispo Street, 31900 Block (8:14 p.m.) A transient was in the bank parking lot, yelling and making a scene.

She was pushing a shopping cart full of Teddy bears.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Camino Capistrano/Junipero Serra Road (7:31 a.m.) A tree with a 3-foot-diameter trunk, fell across Camino Capistrano.

Traffic was blocked in both directions.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Junipero Serra Road/I-5 (3:08 a.m.)

A tow truck driver reported he’d just helped a woman change her tire after she apparently hit something. The driver was concerned the woman was drunk.

DISTURBANCE Horseshoe Bend, 27800 Block (1:51 a.m.)

A woman called to report she’d followed some folks she just met from a bar back to their place. They’d taken her keys away and she didn’t know where she was. As a dispatcher listened, the woman got into an argument with men in the background.

Deputies called a taxi to take her back to Orange.

Wednesday, November 30 SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Avocado Lane/Laurelwood Lane (4:05 p.m.) Some kids were carrying a Tupperware with some foil object inside.

The caller thought it was drugs.

TRAFFIC HAZARD San Juan Creek Road/La Novia Avenue (10:38 a.m.) A flame was coming out of a propane tank with a hose attached to it. It was left in the street. Deputies said it was OK; it was part of maintaining the road.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES Del Obispo Street, 31800 Block (8:39 a.m.) A transient was sleeping in a doorway. He was a registered sex offender. A deputy cited him and ordered him to stay away from the property.

Tuesday, November 29 STOLEN VEHICLE Galano Way, 31500 Block (9:14 p.m.)

A caller reported their 2006 Mustang was taken the night before by their 34-year-old daughter, but she did not have permission to take the vehicle. It was found on La Matanza Street.

CITIZEN ASSIST Outrigger Court, 33000 Block (6:57 p.m.)

A man pulled up in front of a home in an older Lexus and took a picture of the house. The caller was concerned because she had never seen the vehicle before. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

EDITOR STORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

Jonathan Volzke, 949.388.7700, x108 jvolzke@thecapistranodispatch.com ADVERTISING Debra Wells, 949.388.7700, x104 dwells@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

PLAYHOUSE IN PLAN’S CROSSHAIRS —BJ Scott, San Juan Capistrano It was with great interest that I read the articles in the Capistrano Dispatch regarding the latest downtown master plan prepared at a cost of $500,000. I searched the pictures first and could not find a trace of the Camino Real Playhouse, the group that I founded in 1989 and established a home in San Juan Capistrano with the foresight and support of the City Council and other civic leaders in 1991. The fledgling group rallied volunteers to move literally tons of city-owned discarded office equipment and other material, including, interestingly enough, boxes of the then current Master Plan! It was a sad surprise to me to see the only mention in the Master Plan of the Camino Real Playhouse was that it was to be torn down to be replaced by a parking structure.

Over the years, the group has grown from a handful

SAM ALLEVATO: Mayor’s Message

Warm Holiday Feelings I

would like to share with you some thoughts for the upcoming holiday season and how enriched our lives are living in San Juan Capistrano.

I know that most of us give thanks for the wonderful benefits that we enjoy here in San Juan Capistrano. During Sam Allevato Thanksgiving, we gave thanks for our loving families and friends, food on our tables, and the good fortune of living in this beautiful city. I would like to express how thankful I am for the true wealth that we enjoy here in town year round.

One true wealth that we enjoy is the enormous amount of community service and volunteerism here. I would like to express my gratitude to the volunteers who keep our hometown so vibrant and welcoming: The Capistrano Dispatch December 9–22, 2011

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 9, Issue 23. 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

Letter to the Community

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

EDITORIAL

Graphic Designer > Heidi Mefferd

Group Editor, Editor, The Dispatch > Jonathan Volzke

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne City Editor, SC Times > Stacie N. Galang

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

ART/DESIGN

Sales Associates > Angela Edwards

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Distribution Manager > Andrea Swayne SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, George Mackin CONTRIBUTORS Tawnee Prazak, David Zimmerle

of dedicated patrons who enjoyed our first live theatre in re-claimed bentwood chairs to a thriving organization with two stages offering a variety of theatrical events throughout the year, including an annual playwriting festival that honors 15 new playwrights selected from over 200 entries; the annual Capistrano Shakespeare Festival in Historic Town Center Park; an annual Melodrama based (loosely!) on historic San Juan events; plus ten other performances in both stages during the year. In addition to the regular shows on both stages, the group is proud of these contributions: • Youth classes that provide training and performance opportunities for 30-90 students Per Week year around; • Adult classes in acting, auditioning and improv; • Monthly Standup comedy; • Monthly musical concerts; • Provided ‘home base’ for many student films with Chapman University, Saddleback College and other independent film productions.

The group is an active participant in all city events and supports other local nonprofits in the community. In this past season, the group has provided gift certificates for two to over 100 nonprofits to support

their fundraisers. Every year many of our students and theatre family choose theatre as a career as performers (some on Broadway!), teachers, choreographers, writers and technicians. We are continually enhancing the community through performing arts.

It’s thrilling for me personally to see my ‘baby’ finally grown up to a healthy 21-year-old business. It is saddening to see it then killed by a Master Plan prepared by consultants from some other city who turned a deaf ear to all the benefits the group provides to the community.

It is crushing to see the current city leaders also turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to a group that brings performing arts to the community providing entertainment and theatrical training to upwards of 10,000 patrons a year! These folks shop and eat in San Juan because of the Camino Real Playhouse, not because of a parking structure in its place.

Please, current civic leaders and patrons of the arts, band together now to not only preserve the legacy of the Camino Real Playhouse, but to take this opportunity of future growth and restructuring of our downtown to help the playhouse become the Performing Arts Center that San Juan Capistrano deserves and will love for generations to come.

• The Associated Senior Action Program members volunteer thousands of hours each year to help keep our town safe and to assist visitors.

• The Community Service volunteers spend so many hours helping with our events and senior and youth programs.

Our commission and committee members give their time freely to help us to always try to do the right thing for our city.

• Our city’s adopted Marines, the 1/11, volunteer to read to children at local schools.

Gracious donors step in to make sure events go on as planned, even in these times of economic hardship.

I want you all to know that we are truly grateful and rich from your selfless efforts.

Our true wealth is also expressed through our community spirit. Each year my family enjoys the annual events held here in our city: In springtime: the Fiesta de las Golondrinas begins with it the El Presidente Ball, St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows, revisiting the old west with the celebration of Hoosegow Day and wrapping up with our Swallows Day Parade.

In summer: the fantastic 4th of July event at our

Sports Park; the San Juan Summer Nites Concert series in the Historic Town Center Park, the Concerts Under the Stars at the Mission, the Blenheim Classic Grand Prix equestrian events, the Shea Center BBQ, the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo and the Camino Real Playhouse Shakespeare Festival. In fall: the funfilled Barn Dance, the Vintage, the Historical Society Heritage BBQ, and let’s not forget all the ghostly walking tours.

Then we end the year with a magical Tree Lighting Ceremony, which engages our entire downtown area.

There is also the Metrolink Holiday Toy Train.

These traditions we have are reminiscent of a bygone time, but live on in San Juan Capistrano. The engaged residents of San Juan Capistrano remind me every year of why I live here and chose to raise my children here.

We are unlike most cities across the state because we do truly preserve the past to enhance the future.

A very happy holiday wish to you and yours from the City of San Juan Capistrano, and we welcome you to join in our annual traditions and make our city a part of your history and true wealth.

Councilman Sam Allevato served as Mayor until December 6, when Larry Kramer was selected for the role.

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www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

YOUR TWO-WEEK EVENT PLANNER

Spotlight: Zona’s Italian American Cuisine 647 Camino De Los Mares, #126, San Clemente, 949.940.8845, www.zonasitalianrestaurant.com

By Stacie N. Galang

BEST KNOWN FOR: Chicken Parmesan MOST POPULAR ITEM: Tuna tower Near the Krikorian Theatre lies Zona’s Italian American Cuisine, a 163-seat restaurant and sports bar. About half the menu includes Italian favorites and the other half American classics — all scratch made. Owner Rich Zona said he strives for top-notch service, a good vibe and reasonably priced quality eats. The family friendly restaurant offers $5 kid meals, sandwiches like a pastrami on rye for $11 and for the more sophisticated, items like the $18 Jail Island grilled salmon with sun-dried tomato pesto over a wild mushroom risotto. Entertainment seekers will enjoy the 15 flat-screen TVs — 10 alone in the bar and live music throughout the week. The eatery features outdoor seating Scott Lewis and Rich Zona.

Photo by Stacie N. Galang and banquet space for up to 55 or smaller parties of 10 in the wine room. A 23-year restaurant veteran, executive chef Scott Lewis, who made stops in Cape May, N.J. and Park City, Utah, described the cuisine as fresh California ingredients done old-world style. His goal: create sophisticated food that’s not overdone.

PAYMENT: Cash, credit cards PRICE RANGE: $5-$24 RESERVATIONS: Not necessary HOURS: Sunday 9 a.m.- 2 a.m., Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

THE LIST

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

friday

SOUTH COAST SINGERS HOLIDAY CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Four shows of the holiday concert starting tonight at the InSpirit Center in Mission Viejo.

Additional shows: 4p.m. on Dec. 11 in St. Andrew’s Church (SC), 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at South Shores Church (DP), 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 at Geneva Presbyterian Church (Laguna Woods). 949.613.7840, www.southcoastsingers.org.

09

BEATLES VS. STONES 8 p.m. The Coach House presents a fun tribute concert with Jumping Jack Flash (Rolling Stones) and Abbey Road (The Beatles) doing a “”mash-up duel”” of music on stage. Tickets $15-$18. 33157 Camino Capistrano, SJC, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

saturday

SECOND SATURDAY ART FAIR 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The San Juan Chamber presents the monthly art event showcasing 60 artists, craftspeople and musicians along the streets of Camino Capistrano, Yorba, Verdugo and Los Rios. 949.493.4700, www.sjcartfair.org.

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HOHO’S AND HAHA’S: TOM AND RON’S EXCELLENT CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse presents a comedic holiday show on Stage II. Tickets $12. 31776 El Camino Real, SJC, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

TOOLS FOR CHANGE OPENING PARTY AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATION 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Celebration for the Ecology Center’s new interactive exhibition that explores the myriad instruments that can be used to achieve positive ecological change and a culture of sustainability. 32701 Alipaz St., SJC, 949-443-4223, www.TheEcologyCenter.org.

CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY MARIACHI PROGRAM 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. The CCMP plays live at Ricardo’s Place for a fundraiser. 32082 Camino Capistrano SJC, 949.683.2216, www.capcomariachi.org.

The Capistrano Dispatch December 9–22, 2011

sunday

PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA & ADOPTION DAY 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring your pet for a framed colored photo with Santa hosted by The Ark of San Juan is at PetSmart near Costco. Cost $9.95 with your PetSmart card. Proceeds benefit The Ark of San Juan. There will also be rescued dogs & cats available for adoption. 33963 Doheny Park Road, SJC, 949.388.0034, www.ArkOfSanJuan.org.

11

NATURE JOURNALING 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Walk among oaks and Sycamore trees with your nature journal, stopping to sketch and write about native scenes along the trail at The Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy.

Cost $5-$10; supporters free. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

friday

KSBR HOLIDAY PARADE OF LIGHTS CRUISE 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Join the Ocean Institute aboard the R/V Sea Explorer for a festive holiday cruise around the Dana Point Harbor in the annual Parade of Lights. Guests will enjoy holiday mood music provided by KSBR as well as hors d’oeuvres, sweets and hot beverages. Tickets $36-$50. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

16

saturday

WIN FREE TICKETS! The first two people to email us with Dispatch Free Concert Tix in the subject line will receive a pair of tickets from The Coach House to their Comedy Night on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Include your name and phone number. EMAIL: tickets@thecapistranodispatch.com

sunday

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

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monday

FUN CRAFTS FOR KIDS 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mission SJC offers crafts for children during the 2011 holiday school break (appropriate for ages 6-12).

Two sessions: December 19-23 & December 26-30. Free for members; $2.00 per child in addition to admission. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

19

wednesday

21

KARAOKE 7:30 p.m. Joel and Les host Karaoke at Swallow’s Inn. Plus $2 tacos and free popcorn.

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

WREATH-MAKING CLASS 10 a.m. Tree of Life Nursery hosts a class where you can make a homemade holiday wreath. Cost $35. 33201 Ortega Hwy., SJC, 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com.

UPCOMING: DECEMBER 31

AUDUBON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join experienced birders for the annual Christmas Bird Count at The Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Donation $5. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

NYE: BROADWAY TIME 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse hosts an early New Year’s Eve party with dinner, dancing, a champagne toast and more all before 10 p.m.

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

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

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*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 12.09

wednesday 12.14

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.

Gate House Groundbreaking 10 a.m. The community is invited to the event at the Mission.

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

monday 12.12 Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees 6 p.m., CUSD Offices, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. See agenda at www. capousd.org.

31878 Del Obispo St., Ste. 109, 949.234.0332, www.scchamber. com.

City Council meeting cancelled. friday 12.23

Downtown Farmers Market 3 p.m., Yorba Street, south of Ortega Highway. Occurs every Wednesday.

Next regular issue of The Dispatch publishes.

tuesday 12.20

*Meeting agendas at www.sanjuancapistrano.org

Lunch Local 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Chamber event at Thai Juan On. Fee: purchasing lunch.

TOM BLAKE: On Life and Love After 50

Life is What You Make of It—With or Without a Partner A while back, I wrote a column that featured a woman who was concerned about turning 50, fearing she was going to look old. She longed to be 35 again. That column evoked many responses that were shared in a followup column.

But one of the responses I’ve held unto until today. It’s a very personal response from Pat, an Orange County woman I’ve known for more than 10 years. It’s a story of overcoming adversity through courage, hope and having a positive life outlook.

Pat said, “I wish there was a way to let the woman who feared turning 50 know that a little body change is not the end of the world. This year I have gone through a very rare breast cancer but I was blessed to not have to have chemo or radiation. I am now going through the reconstruction surgeries and I have only missed three days of work after each of the three surgeries. I will have a fourth one in January/February but God gives

us these tests, how we get through them is what He wants to see and help us with.”

“I celebrate every birthday with a great deal of enjoyment.

When I turned 50, I ON LIFE AND had a sock hop and 50 LOVE AFTER 50

By Tom Blake people came, when I turned 60 I had a Year of the Monkey Chinese party with gambling and Chinese food and 60 people came...who knows what I will do when I turn 70 but I can guarantee it will be a celebration and maybe 70 of my friends will come!

“I still work a 50-60 hour week for a terrific company and although I do not have a special man in my life, I have many very special men who make my life exciting and fun to live...they are friends and I cherish each and every one of them...and for those who are married I cherish the friendships of

their wives, too!

“Life is what you make of it and I plan to enjoy every day to the fullest... be it working, playing, exercising, reading, and going to the Performing Arts Center...whatever, I know I am blessed!”

Pat added, “I never cried over this.

When my dermatologist did the biopsy and found out it was Paget’s disease of the nipple, he called my breast doctor; he did not know that my breast doctor and I were long time friends. As soon as my doctor heard he called and left a message for me to call right away and set up an appointment.

“On Feburary 16, I came home and my first answering machine message was from my oncology breast doctor so I knew the biopsy came back positive for cancer. I went outside on my deck and looked out over Orange County, then looked up and said: ‘OK, God another challenge, please give me the strength and courage to go through it

and if this is a serious cancer (at the time I did not know) and it is time to come home to you, then I thank you for 66 great years.”

“I went upstairs, did a 2-mile walk on my treadmill, went to bed and slept right through. I learned a long time ago, we have very little control over what happens in our lives so I just give all my concerns to God and He lets me sleep every night...then I pick up those concerns the next morning fresh and ready to tackle whatever needs to be tackled! In January/Feburary, I will finally have this blip in my life path behind me!”

As we get older, we all are going to face adversities in one form or another.

Hopefully, we can face them as positively as Pat has faced hers.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating.

To comment on his column, email TompBlake@gmail.com. See his website at www.FindingLoveAfter50.com.

Locals Only

Business Directory The only directory featuring San Juan Capistrano businesses exclusively

Air Conditioning & HEATING

ELECTRICIANS

949.248.4222 Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 Friess Electric 32332 Camino Capistrano, Suite 102 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

Banking

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

Independence Bank 949.373.8963 Excel Electric - CA #793860 949.493.7769 32291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A, 32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com www.independence-bank.net

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

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

Insurance

COMPUTER SERVICES

San Clemente Computer & Network Services Capistrano Health & Life daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581 www.capistranohealthlife.com Tired of Waiting I.T. Services 949.922.7727 j.ehle@cox.net Jeweler

COINS GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

949.350.4692

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.

949.697.9454

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

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

949.661.4080

MOLD REMOVAL Jarvis Restoration 949.362.5388 Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com www.chicks-plumbing.com Pronto Plumbing (El Plomero) 949.246.3589 MORTGAGE 31878 Del Obispo Ste. 118-227, Capistrano Health & Life 949.697.9454 www.prontodrain.com www.capistranohealthlife.com SCP Plumbing/ CuraFlo of O.C. 949.493.2426 27126 Paseo Espada STE. 705, www.curaflo.com

PAINTING SUPPLIES

PRINTING

Dunn-Edwards Painting, Inc. 949.234.1201 Printing OC

949.388.4888 31896 Plaza Dr. Unit D-1, Plaza Del Obispo Center 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

Photo & Digital Lab

GARAGE SALE Garage Sale Saturday, December 10th From 8 am to 2 pm.

26326 Via California, Capistrano Beach Christmas Rummage Sale 31641 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8am-4pm.

Mission Basilica Gymnasium Christmas decorations, furniture, households goods and clothing and bake sale! Help Mission Basilica School 3rd and 8th Graders support Special Spaces to do a room makeover for one special child.

WINDOW CLEANING/ PRESSURE WASHING Bayside Window Cleaning 949.290.8230 www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

949.499.4464 Capistrano Valley Christian Schools 949.493.5683 32032 Del Obispo Street, www.cvcs.org

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

PLUMBING

CLASSIFIEDS

WATER DAMAGE Jarvis Restoration

949.362.5388 31942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

949.212.0499

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

A to Z Leak Detection www.atozleakdetection.com

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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

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

Schools

YOGA

S u b m i t y o ur c l ass i f i e d a d o n l i n e a t w w w . t hecap i s t ra n o d i spa t ch . c o m

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@ thecapistranodispatch.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY

SJC LIVING JAN SIEGEL: A Moment in Time

A Year to Remember T his entire year was a Moment in Time, as the community celebrated 50 years of incorporation.

Although the area we call San Juan Capistrano had been a population center for over a 1,000 years, it did not officially Jan Siegel become a city until 1961.

To celebrate the incorporation, a citizens committee was created. With the support of the city and the contributions of the non-profits in our community, year-long events were planned to include the entire population and to make everyone aware of our great history and heritage.

The Celebration Committee members were Pam Hallan Gibson, Ilse Byrnes, Ann Forster, Councilwoman Laura Freese, Ken Friess, Erin Kutnick, Jerry Nieblas, Randi Peshkin, Mozelle Sukut, Don Tryon, Jonathan Volzke and myself.

The theme for the year was Centuries of History— 50 Years of Cityhood.” After a competition among local artists, a logo by artisan Toni Reiner was selected. The committee sponsored flags that the Boy Scouts placed down Camino Capistrano.

To raise money the committee sold17 banners to business’ to advertise for the year. The banners were designed by local high school students in an art competition sponsored by the committee. The local youth who designed the banner are Jordan Anderson, Xiaoyang Chen, Robert Hoffman, Caitlyn Kelly, Andrew Kim, Kate Lee, Tiffany Maza, Tamara Meyerhoff, David Orgill, Jessica Scheevel, Lauren Schneider, Bronwyn Seward, Matthew, Shaffer, Liam Short, Andrew Stevens, Kevan Zameni and Sonia Zhang. The students were honored with certificates at a City Council Meeting.

The Sponsors for the banners who paid $2,500 each were: Advanced Real Estate Service, Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum and Acjachemen Cultural Center, Capistrano Veterinary Clinic, Capistrano Valley Christian School, Excel Electric, Friess Electric, Independence Bank, Ricardo’s Place, Ross Medical Associates Family Practice & Urgent Care, San Juan Capistrano Historical Society, South OC Auto Group at San Juan Capistrano, Southern Counties Construction, Stroscher Capistrano, LLC; Sukut Real Properties, Tuttle-Click Capistrano Ford, Wells Fargo and Zoomars Peting Zoo. The sponsors now own the banners that they purchased.

The Celebration committee sold brick pavers to be placed at the entrance to Historic Town Center Park.

Over 150 pavers were purchased by the citizens of San

Juan Capistrano to commemorate special family dates.

Starting last January, David Belardes from the Blas Aguilar Foundation kicked off our year-long celebration with a power-point presentation on never before seen photographs from the Yorba collection. This was followed on a monthly basis by a photographic exhibit of early San Juan Capistrano by the Historical Society, the CARe Show, a two day celebration of music and games at Historic Town Center Park sponsored by the Celebration Committee and the Youth Advisory Board, a storytelling festival sponsored by Friends of the Library, Juaneno Cultural Days showcasing arts and crafts at the Blas Aguilar Adobe, a presentation on the city’s founding and growth by author-historian Pam Hallan-Gibson sponsored by the Historical Society, the festivities for July 4th, a one act play at Zoomars Petting Zoo, written and performed by the Camino Real Playhouse, the 11th Annual Rancho Mission Rodeo, a presentation on the area’s native plants by the Tree of Life Nursery, the Vintage Farewell to the Swallows sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary’s Annual Ridge Walk, an exhibit of photographs of people and personalities of early San Juan Capistrano by the Historical Society, and participation in the Tree Lighting Ceremony .

The culmination of the year long events will be to bury a Time Capsule on December 17, on the grounds of the Historical Society, to be opened in 2061. Money raised by the sale of banners and pavers made most of the events free to the public. Money left over will support historic preservation and the 2012 July 4th fireworks. You can

enjoy a Moment In Time and reflect on the past 50 years every day in historic San Juan Capistrano.

Happy Holidays and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Jan Siegel is a member of the Cultural Heritage Commission and Historical Society Board of Directors. Her name appears on the city’s “Wall of Recognition.”

Happy Holidays— Without a Fine!

What a difference a year makes, at least as far as San Juan Capistrano finding its holiday spirit. Last year, Jim Curwood, owner of Buy My Bikes on Camino Capistrano, received a citation from city code enforcement officers who said his inflatable Santa was a violation of sign regulations. This year, at the urging of Councilwoman Laura Freese, the city has waived most of its sign regulations to give retailers a chance to honor the holidays—and attract more customers. CD Buy My Bikes owner Jim Curwood, Santa (who looks a bit like Steve Behmerwhold) and Councilwoman Laura Freese in front of Curwood’s Camino Capistrano shop. Photo by Jonathan Volzke

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

C I F S P O T L I G H T : ANOTHER STATE TITLE St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Cross Country team finished its season unbeaten and Billy Guadreau posted a course record time of 15:27 in the state finals. Gaudreau and the Tartans earned their second straight CIF State titles at Woodward Park in Fresno earlier this month. The St. Margaret’s team time of 80:32 took down 15-year-old state Division 5 course record by 74 seconds. St. Margaret’s has been ranked No. 1 in the state in Division 5 all season and won their second straight CIFSS team title with an overwhelming effort, coaches said. The team is coached by Rob Lakeman and Dylan Wade and Assistant Coach: Linda Brenneman.

Capistrano Valley High Band Takes State Title—Again The Capistrano Dispatch

apistrano Valley High School’s Black and Gold Brigade marching band clinched the top spot again in its division at the Southern California Judging Association’s California State Band Championships.

The most recent win marks a threepeat victory for the group at the prestigious state competition.

In addition to its first-place win, the band also took home three sweepstakes trophies, including best music, color guard and percussion performances.

Sweepstakes awards go to the bands judged to be the best among all of the other schools competing in one or more divisions.

The daylong event, hosted by Edison High School, was held November 19 at Huntington Beach High School.

Competition in the 4A division consisted of 10 top-rated marching bands from around Southern California. The

C

Capistrano Valley High School Drum Major Chris Wang, Color Guard Captain Maddie Harriott and Asst. Drum Major Allie Finch hold up the school’s first-place and sweepstakes awards at the California State Band Championships in Huntington Beach on November 19. The marching band was crowned division 4A champions and also won the top awards for best overall music, color guard and percussion performances. Photo by Kim White

bands had to win high rankings at various regional shows during the school year in order to secure a spot in the

Black and Gold Brigade color guard members Lexie Burciaga, Brianna Tores, Shay Weinberg, Donna Graff and Jennifer Sevigny show their joy at taking the sweepstake award for best color guard performance at the recent California State Band Championships. Photo by Al Burciaga

The Capistrano Dispatch December 9–22, 2011

SCJA finals.

With this latest victory, the school’s 96member marching band and color guard,

Members of the Capistrano Valley High School Black and Gold Brigade drum line celebrate. Pictured (left to right) are Priscilla Peraza, Dave Cortez, percussion coach Doug Steinmetz, Andrew Malfavon and JP Hames. Photo by Francine Pares

Page 22

under the direction of Instrumental Music Director Andy Waldukat, have taken four first place state titles in six years.

“We only had limited staff and rehearsal time available this season due to scheduling and program funding,” Waldukat said, “so I’m extra proud of the commitment and focus the students gave to the program this year.

“They never let up and really rose to the challenge in both leadership and as an ensemble, making this accomplishment a true collaborative effort.”

Thousands of parents, students and other supporters crowded into the stands for the competition, creating an oftentimes near-deafening roar of applause and foot stomping when band performances concluded. School colors were also on full display among the supporters, which made for a vibrant and fun atmosphere for spectators.

This year’s Capo Valley show was a Japanese-themed production called “Koto.”

The production included both soft, haunting strains of traditional Japanese music combined with powerful interludes of full brass and wind instrumentation, and a dramatic and commanding performance by the drum line that brought the crowd to its feet.

“The music and visual program is always something the design team tries to explore as much as possible,” Waldukat said. “The use of traditional Japanese percussive instruments and choreography allowed us to create a connection between the music and visual program in new and expressive ways, resulting in a performance that seemed to really resonate with the audience.”

For more information about the CVHS music program, visit www.cvhsmusic.org.

For event photos, please contact Francine Pares at 949.244.4574 or fpares@ intelibrand.com. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com